Vanishing Point

by Asher D. Payne, Christina Halverson

Genres: M M Romance

Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2026

About the author

Asher D. Payne has been writing since she can remember, desiring nothing more than putting her imagination on paper for others to enjoy. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, she strives to bring relationships into her books that stray from the stereotypes displayed in other forms of media. When she isn't engrossed in writing, she enjoys reading from her endless TBR list, playing with her pitbull, hitting the gym, and refining her self-defense skills. You can connect with her on Instagram @author.asherdpayne and TikTok @asher.d.payne

Reviews

[Taylor Priem · Rating 5 out of 5]

🚨ARC/BETA REVIEW🚨

HOLYYY MOTHER OF PEARLS!!!!

6 stars ⭐️


I just wanted to say holy mother of heavens this was such a good read, phenomenally written, deep in emotions from each of the characters, I could really feel the emotions which takes a lot to do and it was done sooo good.

THORENN MY HEART MY SOUL, MY SHAYLAS I love these men sooo muchhh like the hate to love aspect was soooo good it made the tension so strong and it made the smut scenes smuttier especially how Thorne was the bottom when hes a talll boy of 6’7 like YESSSSS KINGGG GET ITTTT!!!

Oren being a short king topping a tall black cat type of a man with tattoos and is muscular is so everything to me because YESSSSS KINGGG POP OFFFF!!! And his dynamics was literally pure perfection I loved him so much. He endured so much my poor Shayla.

And the NICKNAME CAN WE TAKE A MINUTE FOR THE NICKNAME “DOVE” COME ONNNN THAT SOOO GOOD I LITERALLY MELTED EVERYTIME THORNE CALLED OREN THATT LIKE HOLY HOTTTTT!!!

Chapter 7 really broke me I cried so hard like I am not kidding it literally broke my soul because I almost did something like what happened in this chapter and I don’t wanna say much but still part of me felt seen because I knew what he was going through because I felt kinda what he did so the personal connection to the character really happened in this scene for me.


The overall plot of the story was there for me an it r really grew and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I screamed, I cried, I was angry , most of all I felt the love I really felt the love that was basically poured into this book. And I’ll cherish these characters more now because of it.


I ate this book up so fast I couldn’t stop reading, it literally sucked me into reading it more every page I read, ever word I read I couldn’t stop. I stayed up u Tim 4 in the morning trying to finish and then I got majorly sick after because of how it affected me just because how much I was crying… I really loved this book so much with my whole heart. Throne and Oren are literally so beautiful and amazing together.
And this part in the blurb alone should convice you to read:

“As their personalities clash, feelings start to bloom, creating the perfect vulnerability for the General to leverage”. LIKE HOW GOOD AND MYSTERIOUS IS THISSS ANHH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS WITH MY WHOLE ENTIRE SOUL!!!!

I had the opportunity to beta read this masterpiece and I wanted to say thank you to Asher D. Payne and Christina Halverson for this opportunity and trusting me with this process I loved every second, all my reactions, all my crying, and all the love I showcased for this book I will cherish this book till the end of time it’s so good I really mean it I’m so proud of the both of you!

[Kelsey Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ✨ Sometimes love is painful, and this love was beautifully heart wrenching. Two souls colliding can be light, breezy, easy - this isn’t that. It’s Chaotic, dark, intense. It’s two people choosing each other over their trauma and it was emotional to read. It wasnt an easy path, but one paved with the mutual desire to be loved, and more specifically be loved by each other. It wasn’t just anybody for Oren and Thorne, it could only ever be each other. As if that isn’t alluring enough this story also features found family, and toe curling spice. Asher and Christina have struck gold on this series and it’s only just the beginning.

✨ Thank you Asher D. Payne and Christina Halverson for giving me the honor of Beta reading Vanishing Point✨

[Beesbooks02 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanishing Point by Christina Halverson & Asher D. Payne 🕊

🕊MM Romance
✨️Mental Health rep
🕊Forced Proximity
✨️Hate to Love
🕊Corrupt Government
✨️Found Family

“Oh, darling, if you’re looking for religious freedom here, get on your knees, for I am your fucking church.”

Firstly I'd like to congratulate Christina and Asher on an phenomenal story. To be completely honest I've been left speechless but I just know I need to give a review that will give both of these amazing authors the recognition they deserve.

“In all your beauty, in all your rawness, you taught me to no longer fear the broken pieces of myself. To accept them and cradle them in the manner they deserved, in the manner I craved to be held. You taught me what love truly felt like, looked like, and that… That healed every ounce of my soul, all the shattered pieces I never thought I’d be able to put back together.”

Vanishing point is a beautifully tragic MM love story, that gives you an insight to the dark side of mental health that is severely overlooked. It's a story that will show you the painful truth in loving someone but will also heal apart of you that you didn't know needed healing.
There were so many chapters that left me in tears and grasping for breath because of how painfully true the scenarios were. But not only that It was impossible to put down, I ate this book up in under 24 hours and do not regret it!!!

“No one has taken the time to understand you, have they?” I whispered, looping one of my fingers between the gap to trace over the two dark spots gently. “You’re misunderstood. Unheard. Unseen. And God, I understand that all too well.”

Thorne Graves is a MMC that I just want to wrap up and protect from the cruelty of his world. This man will forever have my heart and soul.
Oren Valens, oh I've got to be true here: there were points that I hated him and wished it was possible to jump into a book just so I could shake him and backhand him into see how stupid he was at times!!! (And yes I know he's fictional but still)

It is books like this one that make me glad that I'm a reader because this book really has helped me heal a little bit and feel seen!! Especially with the declaration alone.

[AshReadsAlot · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are very few books I have come across that can make me feel ALL the emotions… but this is one of them. The way Asher and Christine can evoke emotions is like no other.

The amount of times I flip-flopped between fury, adoration, delight, and abhorrence was mind-blowing. The characters all giving me pause to whether I was furious at them or delighted by them continuously.
The way Asher and Christina can evoke emotions is like no other.

The MMC’s of this tragic, character driven, love story are laid bare throughout. Emotionally exposed while they find their way to healing through each other and their found family.
As tragic as the plot is at times with the exploration of some very sensitive topics, it is also at the core about love, courage, and perseverance.

Told through thoughtful and profound writing this story is truly incredible and so much more than a dark romance. It’s a dark and beautiful journey you cannot help but become completely consumed by.

Also a quick thank you to Asher and Christina for Mercy and Prince. I needed them as much as Thorne and Oren did.


I will be anxiously waiting for the next book and cannot wait to see how the relationships and story unfold.

[Jenny Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a 3.75 star read for me. I did enjoy it overall and think it had a lot of potential.

At its core, this is a story about two deeply traumatized characters finding their way to each other in the middle of a violent, abusive military base environment and learning how to hold onto love through it all. There were definitely pieces of this that worked for me, especially the found family dynamic, which is always something I love. There were also some good moments of humor and wit that helped break up some of the heavier parts of the story.

That said, I personally wanted a little more emotional connection and development between the two MMCs. I wanted to feel more of their bond and really sink into their relationship. I also think a bit more world-building would have helped give the plot some added depth and made the story feel a little more fully developed!

Overall, this was still a good read for me. It just felt like it was missing a few things that would have made it hit harder emotionally!

[ChaFay Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man was this a lot. And by a lot, I mean I enjoyed it but I went through A LOT OF EMOTIONS. And I mean a lot. I’m very emotional, okay? And these characters went through a lot. The authors did an amazing job writing their emotional trauma that I felt their pain and cried alongside them. I can’t wait to see what else they have in store!

[Destinedtoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don’t even know where to start. This story is raw, emotional, & beautifully intense. Oren & Thorne is not an easy love story, but that’s exactly what makes them so compelling. Their journey is messy, painful, & deeply human, watching them navigate their trauma while still choosing each other was both heartbreaking & powerful. You’re drawn in from the beginning. You’re taken on a journey that’s so depth with raw love coming out on top.

Asher & Christnas writing pulls you into every emotion, every laugh, every omg moment. The way the wrote a found family elements between the characters makes you wanna keep reading, keep finding out more & more. Even the side characters have so much growth. It added so much heart to the story. Dark, chaotic, & emotional in the best way! I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

I’ll say it again & again. Thorne is the moon to my stars & Oren is the sunflowers to my grass. I love them both so much 🥺

[Everlie Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

What… What did these two authors put in this book? Oh my god, the love I have for these fictional men is becoming problematic at this point. Thorne, you sweet child, you are perfect the way you are. Oren, my precious bean, you are loved for being you. Ugh. My heart hurts for these men, and that’s really all I can say because anything else will be a spoiler.

I will forever read anything Asher D. Payne and Christina Halverson write. They are literary geniuses, and it shows not only in their personal endeavors, but the work they are putting out together. Why people are not talking about them more? I don’t know. But it should be a crime at this point.

10000/10 ⭐️
Times I cried: 5
Times I said WTF: 1,000,000
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (that alley scene? Bye)

[Ven McCall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book! It's raw and incredibly human. But boy the characters p*ssed me off sometimes. I swear I was yelling at them throughout the entire book. Perhaps that is the point. 😂 They were incredibly annoying and I love them. I did feel it was a little repetitive at times but all in all, a great read.

[Bernadette]

The dynamic was hot i admit
But the drama..over the top, borderline hysterical scenes