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The Sacred Hearts MC #3.5

Masked & Miserable

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He’s Masked…

Squick has been a longtime fixture of the Sacred Hearts MC. His boss, Trigger, is their Sergeant at Arms after all. It took a while for him to put together a bike to become an official hangaround then prospect, and he was pretty thrilled that his other boss, Zander, took the plunge with him. Still, Squick is hiding something big that could test friendships and destroy relationships. The mask is becoming increasingly difficult for him to wear.

…and Miserable.


Of course, now that he is on the very cusp of patching in, that’s when Aaron walks into his life. Suddenly it’s do or die… Come out to the club and lose the brotherhood and the only sense of true family he has ever known, or don’t and lose them anyway when they find out about Aaron? Squick doesn’t see a third option, and the deeper he gets into his situation, the more his misery compounds.

Just what will he do?


**Mature Audiences Only (18+)**
**Language, Extreme & Graphic Violence, and M/M Sexual Content**

110 pages, ebook

First published February 9, 2015

113 people are currently reading
353 people want to read

About the author

A.J. Downey

93 books1,138 followers
A.J. Downey is a Pacific Northwest girl living in an East Tennessee world who finds inspiration from her surroundings, through the people she meets, and likely as a byproduct of way too much caffeine. She specializes in real and relatable romance stories featuring that real-life kind of love that everyone craves.

You can find her on Facebook at facebook.com/authorajdowney

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Community Reviews

5 stars
361 (39%)
4 stars
350 (38%)
3 stars
154 (17%)
2 stars
27 (2%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
Profile Image for Kendra Wynn.
231 reviews11 followers
February 23, 2015
I have never read a m/m book before! I can say without a doubt that a.j made this book tasteful and I actually loved reading it! She's one of my favorite writers and her mc series is my favorite! I thought it would be awkward reading about two males but she did a great job writing this book! There was nothing awkward about it! I can't wait for the next in the series to come out!
Profile Image for Megan Fall.
Author 13 books366 followers
October 14, 2015
A male/male read. I liked this one. Disney was sweet for a big, tough biker. I am so glad he decided to come out because I really didn't want to read about the club beating him for lying and keeping secrets. I am really looking forward to Ghost's story.
Profile Image for Deanna.
131 reviews3 followers
February 9, 2015
Wow!! Where to begin?!?! Love love love this series.....I'm not really into m/m but I had to read to find out what happens....OMG....so loved this book! It was extremely well written, great with little details that ment the world. This story was heart breaking, loving, compassionate, family drama & HOT....wow m/m HOT!! Loved still seeing how the other characters were doing from previous books & meeting new ones. Also enjoyed the variety of personalities with all the different characters....very refreshing. This book made me laugh, cry & want to throw my kindle...great author to make me feel so deeply! HEA yes!! NO cliffhanger Yeah!! I did receive a free copy for my honest review.....I would definitely recommend this book. Very enjoyable read....I am a die hard Disney fan ;)
166 reviews
January 5, 2015
I was given Masked & Miserable as an ARC for my honest review. I am in awe!!! M/M is not this author's standard style but she did this perfectly! A.J. Downey pulls you into her story, I could feel the needle on my arm, and ended the book thinking I needed to go get a new tat. The story of Andy (Squick) and Aaron is a novella but wasn't rush and flowed seamlessly. I do highly recommend that you read the first 3 of this series as the other characters are in this story as well, and I personally hate to feel like I missed something when they are talking about past events. I know for a fact that A.J. Downey's books are a one click for me. Cant wait to see what happens next!!!
Profile Image for Caz Malpas.
668 reviews51 followers
May 13, 2015
4.5 STARS

I love this series and so it comes as no surprise to me that I love, love, LOVED this book!

Apart from his name, I loved 'Squick', this was the story of how after meeting a guy and liking him, he deals with decision on whether to come out to his brothers in the club or stay in his locked closet.

Loved Squick's fella he was a total doll!

I must admit I shed a few tears when Squick had a rather deep and meaningful conflabb with Dragon!

I don't normally do the .5 inbetween books but couldn't resist this one, so glad I did!!

Did I mention I loved this book, next please...............!

Profile Image for Heather.
82 reviews
February 16, 2015
I loved this book and Andy and Aaron's journey. It was too fast a read and I say that as a good thing. A.J. has a way of making me get lost in her books and making time and responsibility disappear. I am truly in love with this series and am truly excited for Ghost and Shelly's adventure towards love.
Profile Image for Colleen Marie.
169 reviews
February 13, 2015
Written with sensitivity and depth. The emotions were spot-on.
I'm glad the club turned out to be so supportive of someone who might not fit their mold in every way.
I loved it. Thank you.

NOTE: that cover reminds me of Walton Goggins as Venus Van Damme/Vincent Noone - in Sons of Anarchy......the 'guy/gal' who ends up giving TIG so much needed comfort. Just sayin......GREAT cover.
Profile Image for Yasmin Vasquez.
1,154 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2016
Excellent

This book was excellent it fills some holes I will bve honest it has a M/M relationship with sex so if that's not your thing don't read it but the book is well written and classy not trashy.
Profile Image for Darcy.
14.4k reviews543 followers
October 17, 2018
I think we’ve been expecting this book for a while. Squick has always been around, but the last book he held a bit of prominent part when he protected the women while the rest of them did what needed to be done. I liked hearing the other guys talk about if Squick would tell the secret that everyone had been guessing about. We knew they all would accept him, but with Squick’s background it’s easy to understand why he didn’t tell anyone.

When Squick met Aaron it was cute how they reacted to each other. I liked that both of them took a chance and how honest they were with each other. Even with Squick’s place in the MC and why it was so important to him.

When Squick finally outed himself to the club I had to smile, loved how they reacted and loved how they all wanted to meet Aaron and the way he was welcomed into the club.

When club drama invaded it rocked Squick and Aaron as Aaron was faced with bad things that happen in the club. It looked like that was going to be the end of things for the two of them, but after a talk all ended well.

Side Note: I’m glad that Squick’s name got changed to Disney in this one. A much better name!
Profile Image for thehotmesslibrary.
825 reviews21 followers
February 24, 2022
Masked and Miserable by A.J. Downey is a novella centered around the character Squick and Aaron. Squick is a prospect for the Sacred Heart’s MC, but he is holding part of himself back and that is that he is gay. He is scared that he is going to lose his brothers the same way he lost his family, and it is only by meeting Aaron that he starts to open up his heart more and learn to not only accept himself but accept the love that is around him.

This was an emotional read, taking in Squick’s POV and how he feels about himself and how he won’t hide Aaron even when he is scared of people’s reaction. The conversation between him and Dragon was handled with care and wonderfully written. Aaron was a really sweet character and complimented Squick’s rough edges. I loved that they came from two different backgrounds! A great MM novella from a great author!

More of my reviews can be found on my blog: http://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Rose.
1,453 reviews14 followers
September 1, 2018
WOW!!! I loved Squick's story! I love both MC and MM, and in this novella I got both.

Squick hasn't had an easy life and now that he's finally found a family in the Sacred Hearts MC he's sure he'll lose it as soon as he opens up to them that he's gay. So, when he meets a guy that rings all of his bells, he knows it's time to come out. Well, you'll have to read it to see what happens, but it's so good!!!! Plenty of action, both between the sheets and on the streets! Can't wait to read more of this series!!!
Profile Image for Simplistic.
258 reviews2 followers
December 23, 2017
3.8 I was disappointed we didn't get a full book for Disney and Aaron. Still, I am wondering what is going on with the language here. Is it hillbilly or something? Even the doc talks in this manner yer what is yer? Down south we us ya or ya'll and y for you? definitely not southern even the Pres and VP speak it and they are hispanic. So yea not sure there. And there is a word called anyway. 'Anyways' sounds like nails on a chalkboard to me."
Profile Image for Vickju Kindle.
98 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2019
This is about Squick/Disney and his coming out book. You can not skip this one, even if you are not into m/m. So much happens in the story. Especially after Reaver killed the Pres of their Rival club, after he raped Shelly, Reaver's cousin. This book sets up the fall out. As well as how Squick got his name and came to be who he is. I love Disney's messed up tattoos. I am from Australia and actually had to google who one of the tattoos is, and it made me realise just what kind of guy Disney is.
158 reviews1 follower
December 6, 2016
I'm glad we got a book about Andy/Disney. I wish it had been a full length book like the others but I still really enjoyed reading it. Watching Disney deal with his own issues and how the club rallies around him no matter what was heartwarming. Aaron is a wonderful addition to this family. Great job!
Profile Image for Lauren Dodson.
173 reviews3 followers
April 23, 2018
A change of pace

This was not what I was expecting. Not my normal read. But I am so glad that I took the chance and read it. It was all tastefully written. I was able to read the story and feel as though I was there. The connection Andy and Aaron have is palpable.
A good tasteful read with a little dirty mixed in.
Profile Image for Ana Armstrong.
1,608 reviews
March 12, 2023
Great read!

Oooooh. For a novella….this read has TONS of stuff to unpack. Our sweet Disney meets his match. More MC drama and a call to all out war. More fallout from events in a previous book. SO much packed i to this one but it doesn’t feel off or all over the place. well written and the storyline flows. Great read!
179 reviews3 followers
April 15, 2018
Amazing MC M/M book

Loved this book hard. The love story between Disney and Aaron is beautiful written. The family love from scarred hearts MC towards Disney was powerfully amazing I highly highly highly recommend this book series and author
Profile Image for Shaly.
1,198 reviews
June 8, 2018
Loved this! It was just so sweet, even though the club is in the middle of a war with those jackasses the Suicide Kings, reading Andy and Aaron's story was like breathing fresh air. They were just so damn cute together! Kudos to the club for accepting Andy and his lifestyle!
Profile Image for Becky Miller.
272 reviews1 follower
March 28, 2022
Good M\M book

This was really a good short book. I liked this character from the first book and the others too. I liked Aaron for his boyfriend and how THE other guys in the club accepted them both even if they were a little uncomfortable at first. Will read the next book.
Profile Image for Hendrix Fan 4ever.
2,558 reviews7 followers
October 29, 2022
LOVED IT!

I am so glad some of my favorite authors are comfortable writing about alternative lifestyles! I don't have a problem with it! I am a live and let live kind of girl😃 In keeping with this series This novella was on point and I can't wait to get to the next book!
116 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2024
good

I’m enjoying this series of books and the on going storyline and characters.
m/m stories are not always my favourite but I thought this book was really good at showing the trials and tribulations that someone who is gay has to face.
Pleased they found acceptance.

Profile Image for Nancy Tamez.
247 reviews3 followers
August 31, 2017
Great Series

Love Disney and Aaron! This is short Story but still
keeps you interested in the whole ! Can't wait
For the next book!
1,940 reviews3 followers
January 1, 2019
Good

Short, but good. A good lesson on how people that are different than you should be treated like you want yourself to be treated.
Profile Image for Sali .
1,321 reviews8 followers
May 28, 2020
Nope.
None of them are "the girl of the relationship". They are two men.
It's not a bad story, just really easy to see it was written by a mf author.
Profile Image for Mrs Jayne Rushton.
1,403 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2020
Good read

I enjoyed this book. The characters are great and it's always good to see the other characters again.
Book 4 here I come
Profile Image for Andrea Fernandez .
4,801 reviews22 followers
April 9, 2023
A definite page turner that filled my heart with warmth. Squick and Aaron embarked on a fast paced journey of self discovery, growth and being who they are. I adored it.
21 reviews
July 3, 2024
Really good read

Andy was already a lovable character. Glad I read his story and would now understand the progression of the club's
story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews

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