I made a promise to myself the day my life fell apart.
I promised I would get revenge on the man that killed my brother.
He needed to die for everything he took from me.
The problem?
I fell in love with him instead.
The billionaire who helped put me back together, turned out to be the masked man that stole my only family from me.
One minute I was next to the man I loved, and the next, I was beside the monster I vowed to kill.
So I did the only thing I could.
I ran.
I healed.
And now I’m back to make good on my promise.
The Hunter will die for his sins, I just hope my heart can live without Orion.
This is a dark romance with themes that some may find triggering, and I urge you to check the content note before reading. This is the second book of a duet, and is the conclusion of Ember and Orion’s story.
Montana is an Amazon Top 50 bestselling author of spicy dark romance. She writes possessive anti-heroes who will make you swoon and feisty heroines who give as good as they get.
She lives in Australia with her husband and four cats, and is a self proclaimed garlic bread connoisseur. She loves to travel the world, but also loves to have her head in a spicy book in her home library and office.
Imo there are lots of plot holes or just missing information. Ember is supposed to be the best thief but we never actually experience her stealing anything. In this book her "best friend" Max just appears and we don't get to experience them meeting at all. I wish we had Ember's POV as soon as she got to Vegas so we could fully experience Max's & Darius' characters and how they met Ember.
Lucas was also just a pathetic, one-dimensional bad guy and for him to be the main bad guy in both books you expect a lot out of his character but he's a dumb bad guy. I mean he's a bad guy, especially for what he did to that one girl he kidnapped but he just saw himself as unstoppable without having anything to back that up.
I really really wanted a Orion POV of the run up to the accident and him pulling Ember out of the car but it never came. I also expected Killan to find his person but that never happened either.
Sexy times were good - plenty of dirty talk to keep you interested 😉
This is book 2 of the duet and this conclusion is so good. So now Ember knows that Orion's alter ego, The Hunter, is actually her brother's k!ller that she had been searching for but she only found that out after she fell in love with Orion. Does she stay or does she go? She decides to run away so she can get her head together and decide her next step. This story is well written, fast paced action and keep you interested in what will happen next with Ember. Orion is still obsessed with her and determined to find her. Ember does find out some secrets her own brother was hiding too. This one makes you really want Ember and Orion to find their HEA. The ending was very good.
Montana is a phenomenal storyteller—her writing grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. This book is the explosive continuation of While She Sleeps, and it exceeded every expectation. Orin, the dangerously captivating masked man, continues to own every page he’s on. His devotion, obsession, and chaos are unmatched, and diving deeper into his world was an unforgettable experience.
The emotional stakes are even higher in this one. The tension, the longing, the sheer desperation—it all had me holding my breath. With powerful new characters, heart-pounding twists, and a romance that burns hot and deep, this story had me hooked from the first page to the last.
If you’re into dark romance with intensity, obsession, and a love that will fight through fire—this one’s for you.
2 of my favourite quotes:
“Ember is the only thing that matters to me. She’s my reason for breathing, the heart that beats outside my body, the soul I thought was long gone.”
“The way Orion cares for me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, and I’m not going to pretend I don’t love it. Who wouldn’t want a billionaire falling all over himself to look after their every need?”
This duet did read a little bit slow for an insta-love. This is set in the same world as Frost Industries, Syndicate of the Legion, etc. so I was really hoping for a bit more crossover between the series outside of a casual mention. This probably could have been a 4 star read for me had it gone a little more in depth emotionally... For being a "ruthless" international drug lord (previously a contracted hitman), I found the MMC to be really tame despite his stalker tendencies.
Was introduced to the "replacements" that Orion mentioned he trained... Rocco, Enzo, Remy, & Corbin... might be a future series with them.
Okay WOW This book!! This author just has a way of making you fall hard for these characters and this book is now different. After the first books cliffhanger I couldn’t wait for the second book and what was gonna happen with Orion and Ember!! This book starts off where the first book left off and we see the after math of what Ember did and how it affects Orion. I love seeing how affected Orion was in the beginning of the book and how he is learning that he might have to let her go. Also I love Ember, she’s been through so much and she is on a hunt to kill Orion but she slowly starts to realize throughout the book how much that this man cares and loves her. She knows that he killed her brother but the comfort that he brings he is greater than that. In the book she never understood why Orion felt different and why she has a hard time killing him since he killed her brother, she says that Orion is the first person she chose to love and loving her brother was never a choice because he was family. This book is an emotional one, you will laugh love me Killian, I loved how he held Orion in check and he was such a good friend for him. And Max and Darius I loved them, the way they cared for Ember was adorable and the love they had for each other was so sweet!! I loved how much Orion originally hated Max specifically and then realized what a good friend he was for Ember. Also loved how Obsessed Orion is and how he gets her everything she needs and just loves her so much. I loved this book you can go check it out if you want a Possessive, Obsessed man tomorrow July 25th on Kindle Unlimited you won’t be disappointed!! Also please please tell me that we are getting a book about Killian and the 4 Members that we meet at the end!!
🖤Thank you to @montanafyre_author and @literallyyourspr the ARC!!!🖤
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
This is the second book in The Hunter and The Thief Duet. You have to read While She Sleeps first or you are going to be really lost. This book will pick up where While She Sleeps left off. If you have read that book, then you know that it ended in a cliffhanger that left me breathless. Now we are back with Ember and Orion and I couldn't wait to have this book in my hands. I will go ahead and warn you that you will not put this book down once you pick it back up. I love that we got more or Orion than in the first book it felt like. This man has so many thoughts in this book and I was loving every single second of it. If anything it feels like Ember is more than ever set on his mission to get revenge for her brothers accident but in this book, she will learn the truth of the matter and accept it. My heart broke for her, but that ins't a spoiler since she got told in book one and just refused to believe it. Now we see the journey or two broken people finding their way back to each other while Lucas is still running around being his usual mean, evil, crazy self. Roman, in this book is also amazing. I loved that we got to know him better. I really want to know his full story. I really loved him and he would make an amazing partner for some lucky girl that I could see him falling head over heels for. I am sad that this duet is over. I loved the time we got to spend with Ember and Orion. You do not want to miss this duet!!!
While He Breathes by Montana Fyre is the heart-pounding conclusion to the Hunter and Thief duet, and it does not pull its punches. After the jaw dropping cliffhanger in While She Sleeps, I practically inhaled this book to see Ember and Orion finally reunited but their love story is anything but easy.
Ember’s struggle between love and vengeance is written so raw and real, you can feel the betrayal bleeding through the page. When Ember finds herself back in L.A. and in danger, Orion is there. Somehow even more possessive and intense. After almost losing Ember, he’s on a warpath to protect what’s his, no matter the cost and honestly, I lived for every moment of it.
What takes this book to another level are the side characters: Max, Darius, Killian; they are perfection! The witty banter and true friendship are highly entertaining. They’re more than background noise they are firecrackers in their own right.
The chemistry, the chaos, the aching need between Ember and Orion… it’s undeniable. They’re twin flames battling the world—and themselves—but through it all, you know they’re destined to burn together.
If you love your romance tangled with danger, devotion, and characters who make you scream at your Kindle, add this duet to your favorites shelf ASAP.
A huge thank you for the early copy! Honestly, Montana is a must read author for me! The stories she weaves are utterly thrilling and entirely captivating.
An exciting dark stalker touch her and die Romance The second book In a duet the Hunter and the Thief. After discovering the man she had fallen for was indeed the man who took the life of her brother who was all she had in this world Ember finds herself torn between the love she had for the man she grew to know and the hate she feels for his alter ego The Hunter. While she builds herself a new life hiding from Orion and plotting her revenge Orion is certain her can find her and make her his Queen again. As Orion learns that this time he may just need to let her be free to choose him there is another dark and dangerous man who is also obsessed with Ember and looking to take her by force. Can Orion win back the love of his Queen and keep her safe from the darkness that seeks her as well as the darkness she fights within that just not sure if there is anything left worth fighting for. I loved the push and pull of the main characters and seeing Orion learn that sometimes you can’t control everything especially matters of the heart. Embers journey may have been a tough one and seeing her body betray her mind and learning that she is stronger than she thinks really resonated with my own anxiety and mental health struggles. The spice between them was spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️ I would rate this a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After the Cliffy we were left with and a promise from the Author that it will be worth it I was literally dancing around waiting to start this Gem of a second part of the Duet.
Orion, Ember , Killian, Max and Darius …. FAMILY!!
The second book took off in a very "Stressy" way… I wasn't sure which way this was going to go.. I am Glad and ecstatic that I do however put my Faith in Montana. It was worth the wait, the read ,the stress, the staying, up late, the everything.
We know Orion has an obsession and it starts with an E…
"He dips his face down until his lips are just a breath from mine. “You are mine, Ember. And I don’t fu**ing share.” "
We know that specific Little Flame has Ideas of her own.
"I hate the Hunter. Despise his existence. Want him dead more than I want my heart to continue beating. But I love Orion. And that’s the problem."
Oh the Push and Pull!!!
She know has people in her corner as well. (I like her people)
It is a rollercoaster of emotion and action.
Its SPICY… Like the nice kinda spice but there might be some that can trigger a person if you are so inclined so have a look at those if you are worried.
If I can sum it up in Orions own words “Being appropriate is overrated.”
When He Breathes is the second book in The Hunter and The Thief Duet, and it picks up right after the cliffhanger in book one. Please read trigger warnings before starting.
This book dives straight into the aftermath of Ember’s actions and how it devastates Orion. I loved how vulnerable Orion was at the beginning, slowly coming to terms with the possibility of losing her. Ember’s journey was just as powerful. Her mission has always been to kill Orion, the man she believes responsible for her brother’s death, yet the more time she spends with him, the more she realises how much he truly loves her.
The contrast was striking: she always loved her brother because she had no choice, but Orion is the first person she ever chose to love.
The side characters added so much. Killian was fantastic,his friendship kept Orion grounded. Max and Darius were incredible, too, and their care for Ember was heartwarming. Even Orion’s initial hatred toward Max shifted into respect, which I enjoyed seeing.
Orion himself is obsessive, possessive, and endlessly devoted. He provides for Ember, protects her, and loves her completely.
This book was emotional, heartbreaking, yet beautiful. A perfect continuation of the duet.
Tropes included: • Dark stalker romance • Secret identity • Masked MMC • Billionaire romance • Age gap • Touch her and ☠️ • He falls first • Thief FMC
Book two picks up where book one ended, be prepared for the stunning conclusion.
When Ember discovers the truth of Orion’s alter ego, The Hunter, things begin to piece together in her mind, and the one answer that she has been searching for has been staring her in the face the whole time, that he is the one responsible for unaliving her brother.
And now Ember has a decision to make, because she’s fallen in love with Orion. Running away to clear her head and to decide what happens next doesn’t deter Orion, but for her is staying or going really an option?
Orion and Ember will take you on a thrilling ride. There story was fast paced, well written, the action and exciting will keep you guessing. Orion’s obsession with Ember knows no bounds, his determination to own her is all consuming.
Yet despite what Ember has been through, she has to reconcile the fact that her brother was hiding things from her, it’s as if she never knew him at all.
They fought for their happily ever after and won, and the spice was oh so good, because Orion has a mouth on him, and the dirty talking will have you swooning for days!
Highly recommend both the author and the book. Can’t wait to read what this author writes next.
The second part of this duet picked up exactly where book 1 ended and so did all the emotions. I just can’t say enough about this duet and Morgan. Both Ember and Orion suffer the consequences of both of their actions from the first book. Their separation was believable and their reconciliation was hard won. Trust isn’t something that comes easily to Ember, and Orion pushed that trust to the absolute limit. When their lives are thrown into chaos, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster, and the dual POV helped keep me interested. Those 100 or so pages were tumultuous for me. There were times I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hug Ember and/or Orion or if it was me that needed the hug.
Morgan’s writing makes it so easy to connect with all the characters. Definitely read the trigger warnings because, while not a heavy as book 1, it is still triggering. But I appreciate her awareness and truthfulness in tackling such stigmatized issues.
Montana Fyre delivers a gripping and emotionally charged conclusion to The Hunter and The Thief duet with While He Breathes. This dark romance takes readers into the aftermath of betrayal, vengeance, and forbidden love, as Ember returns to confront the man who shattered her world—only to find her heart still tethered to him.
Fyre expertly blends high-stakes suspense with raw emotional turmoil, crafting a story that is as pulse-pounding as it is passionate. The chemistry between Ember and Orion burns bright amidst the darkness, with steamy scenes that heighten the tension and deepen their complex bond.
For those who crave morally gray characters, emotional depth, and edge-of-your-seat action, While He Breathes delivers. Just be advised that this is not a light romance. It dives deep into intense, potentially triggering territory, so be sure to check the content warnings.
An unforgettable end to a twisted love story.
I received a free ARC and this review is only my opinion.
Okay, this book seriously messed with my emotions in the best way. Ember and Orion are pure chaos together like, the kind of tension that makes you hold your breath and question your morals at the same time. I was so torn watching Ember try to keep her promise to get revenge while also clearly falling harder and harder for Orion. And he’s just… unhinged in the most lovable, obsessive way. You can feel how much he cares, even when everything’s spiraling.
The emotional push and pull between them was nonstop, and I loved how raw and intense it all felt. And don’t even get me started on the side characters. Killian was such a solid rock for Orion, and Max and Darius? Total softies, and I adored how protective they were of Ember.
It was messy, emotional, kinda wild, and I could not stop reading.
What a finish! After the cliff hanger in book one I was anxiously awaiting the finale. I was hooked from the start. I wasn't sure what to expect after what we learned in book one and my feelings for Orion but all was resolved in the end. Emotional is an understatement. This book takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions. I loved that we got to see the grieving process and the redemption (in my mind) arc. All that to say I understand completely why Ember felt the way she did and why she struggled so much to reconcile her love for Orion with her hate for him but by the end I understand the choices that he made. I also loved the addition of Max! I wish we got more of him! I am glad that Ember finally got the family/friends that she needed and deserved.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The epic to conclusion to While He Breathes. This was a cyclone of emotions. Definitely check your triggers. This had everything I was hoping for and then some! Ember comes back with a vengeance, but this little flames burns so bright for Orion and his too tempting smirks. This book has action, heartbreak, sexy time, revenge and and, most importantly, a hard fought for HEA! The author has this perfect ability to make me fall in love with her characters, and this book keeps proving that. 4.5 🌟 and 5 🌶 Im hoping we get some more Killian in the future so well as 4 new members 😉😉 In my opinion, this series was an absolute banger!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
While He Breathes was everything I love about a dark stalker romance, intense, addictive, and impossible to put down. Montana Fyre knows how to pull you straight into that dangerous mix of obsession and desire and keep you hooked until the very last page.
The tension had me on edge the whole time, and the chemistry between the characters? Off the charts. I loved how the heroine was strong but still vulnerable, and the hero… dark, possessive, and the kind of morally gray that makes you question everything but still cheer for him anyway.
It’s twisted, it’s hot, and it’s so well written, this one is a 100% must read.
This is why Enemies to Lovers in my Favourite! After books ones ending I couldnt predict where this story would go but Montana as always threw us all through a loop and gave us the best story to dive into. It was gripping and kept you on your toes the whole way through. Ember and Orion are amazing not only apart but together as a team. All I need now is Killians story and heres to hoping his MFC is who I'm hoping it will be. If you havent read this duet yet I highly recommend you do cause it is totally worth it.
This one picks up after Ember tired to take her life in the end of the first book. I had a good time and still really liked the characters and the dynamic between Orion and his second in command Killian is pure gold. But the story fell a bit flat for me regarding a certain revenge and rescue mission. Apparently, Orion is the crazy powerful man, yet he truly butchered this over and over. This didn’t seem to fit.
⟡ Tropes and Rating ⟡ ⏳ Age Gap 🥷 Stalker 🫀 Hero Obsessed 🔪 Revenge
After leaving us on that cliffhanger, I am so happy we didn't have to wait too long before we could dive back in.
And wow, what an emotional rollercoaster!! Book one had me captivated, but this one i was feral for. Orion and his obsession, he's unhinged, and so so so brual. Ember she is such an amazing woman with all the emotions and struggles. She is one of my favourite female characters of all time.
It's yummy, it's spicy, and it's delicious. I highly recommend this duet.
3.75/5 I enjoyed this more than book 1. Less, "I'm obsessed, she'll be mine" talk. It made for a much smoother read. The book picks up 3 months later and follows all the obstacles and battles that lead to their HEA. I'm pretty sure we know who the next duet will be, so I am excited to see that. This was faster paced and I loved seeing a softer side of Orion. My only qualm was Ember attempting to justify her brother's behavior, a lot! there were 0 excuses for it, 0!
Love. Love. Love! This was a rollercoaster of emotions and suspense, and i loved every moment of it. Orion is completely messed up, but I was rotting for him! Ember had such growth from the end of book 1 and throughout the end of her story. Strong and ready to fight! Killian needs his own story! I'm dying to see him swoon for another. The spice. I was hear for it. Had me hooked. Side note ~ Do yourself a favour and read Montanas books! You will not be disappointed!
I am so happy I didn't have to wait long until Montana blessed us with book two. That was an intense cliffhanger she left us on from book one!
Honestly I fell in love with both of these characters even more in book two!
Ember has to face a hard decision after discovering the betrayal Of Orion and with holding the truth from her. Can she take revenge on the man she thought she loved? I adored the side characters, Killian.. Orion's right hand man. Max and Darius who help and employ Ember when she leaves the state.
Orion is just as possessive towards Ember (little flame) but he does begin to learn that he might just have to let her go ❤
I have a sneaky feeling that we might be getting a glimmer of a new book/s involving the four characters we meet at the very end.... and I will be buzzing if we do!
The Hunter and The Thief Duet is a must read for me, and cannot wait to have them displayed on my bookshelf.
Omg just got done and what an amazing roller coaster their story was. I could not put this book down. The love and care Orion has for Ember is beyond anything I could imagine. And his obsession from the moment he had saved her in the car accident that had killed her brother. The cliffhanger we were left with the last book and the conclusion was chefs kiss. And man Ember goes through it.
the theif & hunter duet was amazing, the pacing between both books was well done in my opinion and the angst increase in book 2! mystery buyer's duet was so worth the wait and the new characters were so fun in this book.
Orion and Ember- the stalking obsession was a little much but still good dark romance. The ups and downs were A LOT but the kidnapping tied everything together. Wish there was more to the ending. Kind of hoping Killian and Elsie have their own book.
I love anything Montana writes and this was no exception. Love Orion and Ember’s story and so happy they got their happy ending! Hopefully one day we get to read more of Killian’s story Oh and also hope Elsie goers her happy love story as well
I felt Ember's pain and grief throughout this duet and I'm so glad she got her happy ending. I felt like I needed her to have her happy ending.
I loved the twists and turns of their intense relationship, and how they kept showing up for each other no matter what state they were feeling with each other.