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Monstrous Survivors #4
The Sound of Him
Ace has been chasing the light for as long as he can remember, trying to stay one step ahead of the looming darkness. With the walls around him starting to close in, he feels more lost than ever. All of his energy is spent working and caring for his friends. There's nothing left for him.
Until he starts spending time with a little sunshine of his own, igniting a spark of life inside him that's never been there before.
Matt has been drowning in a world full of words he can't say, trapped inside a body that no longer feels real. He can never catch his breath, his head is a mess, and all he ever wants to do is hide. It's the only kind of existence that feels fitting for the ghost he has become. There's nothing left of him.
Until he starts spending time with a man and his music, finding safety in the flow of music and the sound of his voice, finally feeling like he can breathe.
Beautiful things are what make life worth living, Ace would say, and his and Matt's time together is starting to feel like the most beautiful thing of all.
** IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Sound of Him is only Part 1 of what will be a two-part story for Matt and Ace.
I promised myself I would never write a duet again after Maison/Nolan/Hunter, I really did, but Matt and Ace are deeply affected by the early days of post-operation, yet nowhere near ready to be romantically involved. In order to do their stories justice, I had to make this the slowest slow burn I’ve ever written - which means having to break this into two parts because Amazon has a page limit for their paperbacks. The second part is in the last stretch of being written and will be coming out soon, but DON’T WORRY, this book does not end on a cliffhanger, instead ending at a happy moment between Matt and Ace that offers the perfect springboard for the romance part of their love story.
Part 2 of Matt and Ace’s story, The Song of Us, will be released fall 2026.
Until he starts spending time with a little sunshine of his own, igniting a spark of life inside him that's never been there before.
Matt has been drowning in a world full of words he can't say, trapped inside a body that no longer feels real. He can never catch his breath, his head is a mess, and all he ever wants to do is hide. It's the only kind of existence that feels fitting for the ghost he has become. There's nothing left of him.
Until he starts spending time with a man and his music, finding safety in the flow of music and the sound of his voice, finally feeling like he can breathe.
Beautiful things are what make life worth living, Ace would say, and his and Matt's time together is starting to feel like the most beautiful thing of all.
** IMPORTANT NOTE:
The Sound of Him is only Part 1 of what will be a two-part story for Matt and Ace.
I promised myself I would never write a duet again after Maison/Nolan/Hunter, I really did, but Matt and Ace are deeply affected by the early days of post-operation, yet nowhere near ready to be romantically involved. In order to do their stories justice, I had to make this the slowest slow burn I’ve ever written - which means having to break this into two parts because Amazon has a page limit for their paperbacks. The second part is in the last stretch of being written and will be coming out soon, but DON’T WORRY, this book does not end on a cliffhanger, instead ending at a happy moment between Matt and Ace that offers the perfect springboard for the romance part of their love story.
Part 2 of Matt and Ace’s story, The Song of Us, will be released fall 2026.
487 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 11, 2026
“Then you’ll be my sunshine, and I’ll be your blue.”
4.5⭐️ and happy to round up.
The writing, so good, so beautiful. The main characters—I absolutely loved them—two broken souls. Very distinct, clear, well written characters. And the feels, all the feels!! This book alternated between breaking my heart and making me smile the very next moment.
So many highlights as well.
This isn’t the easiest read, not by a long shot. Matt is mute because of his trauma, so there’s a lot of internal monologue here, and this monologue isn’t exactly light reading. But this constant inner monologue never bored me for a moment (which can often be the case). The way the author manages to convey all of Matt’s emotions and feelings—and somehow just in the right way—is incredible. This story takes you to some very deep and dark places, but it also finds room for warmth, tenderness, and little moments of hope.
And Ace—I absolutely love him! 💙 His rambling, his whole personality, and the way he was always looking out for everyone 🥹 I couldn’t get enough of him. Even though his background is really dark and it’s certainly not always easy inside his head either, there were several scenes here where he made me, as a reader, smile -along with Matt.
The romance is still very much in the background here—or, really, barely there at all yet—which I think is exactly what their story needs. They’re both incredibly broken, and I really appreciate that the author gives them the time and space to exist also as individuals before making their relationship the focus. Their connection is allowed to develop slowly and authentically, building on a strong foundation rather than rushing into anything.
There were a few things that bugged me a little. For one, I did question whether Ace should really be handling such a large and significant operation in the state of mind he’s in. There were also some of the same issues I noticed in the previous books—the survivors are portrayed very childlike, and realistically, an operation like this probably wouldn’t work exactly the way it’s portrayed, and there are a few implausible elements surrounding it. But these are the kinds of things that can be overlooked for the sake of the story, so they didn’t really affect my overall reading experience.
It was wonderful to finally get Matt and Ace’s individual stories and see their story begin to unfold together—it was so much better than I dared to imagine. I can’t wait for part two now (why did I read the first one already??).
Also, I'm assuming we'll get the Keaton/Kellan and Bryce storyline—this seems really intriguing, and I can't wait for that either!👀
’And then he smiles.
It’s small.
It’s the smallest damn thing, really.
But it’s so impossibly bright, like it isn’t just a lightbulb that’s inside him, it’s the entire goddamn sun. It’s the first burst of sunshine peeking out from behind a storm cloud. Hesitant, not quite sure the storm is over, but full of a brilliant, fragile hope.’
’Nights with Ace are always blue, but those moments, those quiet moments when everything is so soft, stuffed-bunny-soft, and everything is safe - those moments are when the blue tints indigo.
“Is it safe? Are you safe there, Matt?”
That’s the easiest question. I don’t even have to think. Nights are blue. Nights are music and weird snacks and silly rambling and quiet moments and Ace. Nights are safe.
“That’s very safe. I am so glad you’ve found that, Matt. I think your blue nights with Ace are beautiful.”
’He’s openly watching me. The sunshine smile is softened, but still on his lips.
I was wrong before, when I thought he was pretty.
He is the most beautiful thing to ever exist.
The brightest splash of color in a world full of darkness.’
4.5⭐️ and happy to round up.
The writing, so good, so beautiful. The main characters—I absolutely loved them—two broken souls. Very distinct, clear, well written characters. And the feels, all the feels!! This book alternated between breaking my heart and making me smile the very next moment.
So many highlights as well.
This isn’t the easiest read, not by a long shot. Matt is mute because of his trauma, so there’s a lot of internal monologue here, and this monologue isn’t exactly light reading. But this constant inner monologue never bored me for a moment (which can often be the case). The way the author manages to convey all of Matt’s emotions and feelings—and somehow just in the right way—is incredible. This story takes you to some very deep and dark places, but it also finds room for warmth, tenderness, and little moments of hope.
And Ace—I absolutely love him! 💙 His rambling, his whole personality, and the way he was always looking out for everyone 🥹 I couldn’t get enough of him. Even though his background is really dark and it’s certainly not always easy inside his head either, there were several scenes here where he made me, as a reader, smile -along with Matt.
The romance is still very much in the background here—or, really, barely there at all yet—which I think is exactly what their story needs. They’re both incredibly broken, and I really appreciate that the author gives them the time and space to exist also as individuals before making their relationship the focus. Their connection is allowed to develop slowly and authentically, building on a strong foundation rather than rushing into anything.
There were a few things that bugged me a little. For one, I did question whether Ace should really be handling such a large and significant operation in the state of mind he’s in. There were also some of the same issues I noticed in the previous books—the survivors are portrayed very childlike, and realistically, an operation like this probably wouldn’t work exactly the way it’s portrayed, and there are a few implausible elements surrounding it. But these are the kinds of things that can be overlooked for the sake of the story, so they didn’t really affect my overall reading experience.
It was wonderful to finally get Matt and Ace’s individual stories and see their story begin to unfold together—it was so much better than I dared to imagine. I can’t wait for part two now (why did I read the first one already??).
Also, I'm assuming we'll get the Keaton/Kellan and Bryce storyline—this seems really intriguing, and I can't wait for that either!👀
’And then he smiles.
It’s small.
It’s the smallest damn thing, really.
But it’s so impossibly bright, like it isn’t just a lightbulb that’s inside him, it’s the entire goddamn sun. It’s the first burst of sunshine peeking out from behind a storm cloud. Hesitant, not quite sure the storm is over, but full of a brilliant, fragile hope.’
’Nights with Ace are always blue, but those moments, those quiet moments when everything is so soft, stuffed-bunny-soft, and everything is safe - those moments are when the blue tints indigo.
“Is it safe? Are you safe there, Matt?”
That’s the easiest question. I don’t even have to think. Nights are blue. Nights are music and weird snacks and silly rambling and quiet moments and Ace. Nights are safe.
“That’s very safe. I am so glad you’ve found that, Matt. I think your blue nights with Ace are beautiful.”
’He’s openly watching me. The sunshine smile is softened, but still on his lips.
I was wrong before, when I thought he was pretty.
He is the most beautiful thing to ever exist.
The brightest splash of color in a world full of darkness.’
August 14, 2026
New to this series? Start with this series:
These Monstrous Deeds
Then start this series:
Drown in You
Well I loved every word of this story and here I am holding my hands out, begging for more. A lot of this story is already known from the previous books, so be prepared for that going in, but you get a lot of new perspectives and insights from Matt and Ace. I almost felt like this was a transitional story and it’s paving the way for a LOT more to come. I’m so excited.
So this is an extreme slooooow burn, understandably so. This book is more about getting your feet on the ground and healing. But I figure if you are at the point in this series of picking this book up, you know what to expect. These two are very much broken and the author gives them time to start the healing process and that is done with a very slow but satisfying build up. Matt and Ace both just shredded my heart. You have Matt that struggles so much with a lot, including his mutism. Then Ace, who is also struggling and in a downward spiral yet has the most adorable bouts of rambling. These two find comfort in each other and it’s so sweet.
I personally feel that you have to read both series, in order, to get the full effect of this book. There are too many characters with stories that you need to know going in. This one ends in a way that it’s obvious it will have at least a part two to it, and I am so here for that.
Contemporary MM
Dark Romance
Former Captives
Extreme Hurt/Comfort
Selective Mutism
High Anxiety
Healing Journey
Found Family
Spice: 🔥<—— hugs and glimpses
These Monstrous Deeds
Then start this series:
Drown in You
Well I loved every word of this story and here I am holding my hands out, begging for more. A lot of this story is already known from the previous books, so be prepared for that going in, but you get a lot of new perspectives and insights from Matt and Ace. I almost felt like this was a transitional story and it’s paving the way for a LOT more to come. I’m so excited.
So this is an extreme slooooow burn, understandably so. This book is more about getting your feet on the ground and healing. But I figure if you are at the point in this series of picking this book up, you know what to expect. These two are very much broken and the author gives them time to start the healing process and that is done with a very slow but satisfying build up. Matt and Ace both just shredded my heart. You have Matt that struggles so much with a lot, including his mutism. Then Ace, who is also struggling and in a downward spiral yet has the most adorable bouts of rambling. These two find comfort in each other and it’s so sweet.
I personally feel that you have to read both series, in order, to get the full effect of this book. There are too many characters with stories that you need to know going in. This one ends in a way that it’s obvious it will have at least a part two to it, and I am so here for that.
Contemporary MM
Dark Romance
Former Captives
Extreme Hurt/Comfort
Selective Mutism
High Anxiety
Healing Journey
Found Family
Spice: 🔥<—— hugs and glimpses
August 4, 2026
I don’t know how to accurately explain how desperately I needed this book. When I say this series is my Roman Empire I mean it owns my heart & soul. Finally getting another installment felt like coming home.
Matt & Ace’s story was just as painfully beautiful as I knew it would be…even more so. The amount of care TJ puts into her characters is incredible. This isn’t just a story to here. These characters are real & their trauma is important. There’s beauty in the simplistic way she writes Matt & Ace’s inner monologues. We don’t need all the fancy prose & proper words to understand their emotions in each moment, to feel what they’re feeling. This was just perfect.
Matt & Ace’s story was just as painfully beautiful as I knew it would be…even more so. The amount of care TJ puts into her characters is incredible. This isn’t just a story to here. These characters are real & their trauma is important. There’s beauty in the simplistic way she writes Matt & Ace’s inner monologues. We don’t need all the fancy prose & proper words to understand their emotions in each moment, to feel what they’re feeling. This was just perfect.
August 1, 2026
The Sound of him
Rating: Infinity stars ♾️✨
Characters: Matt and Ace
Tropes: Forced proximity, found family, quiet intimacy, Mute/Asl representation, Human trafficking survivors, secret identity, trauma recovery
Review: I finished this book in less than a day, I could not put it down. I was hooked from the very first chapter right until the final page. this whole series has my heart and soul. I have so many words and none at the same time. This book was a beautiful masterpiece. it makes you feel every emotion, sadness for everything these characters have endured, tears for their healing journey, anger towards the monsters of this story. Relief when the monsters get what they deserve, Shock at the secrets revealed and happiness for the quiet moments and healing they begin to go through and every emotion in between. I felt every single one deeply. crying about 100 times
Ace and Matt oh my heart, beautiful broken boys who deserve every ray of sunshine in their life, Their souls deserve music, happiness and a love that makes them feel safe . Ace carries everything, a double life, a torn between who he wants to be, who he is and who he was. fighting to stay a float while making sure everyone around him is okay while struggling himself. I related so much to his rambling because I do the exact same thing whenever I am excited, nervous or emotional. He is such an incredible character, and I desperately need him to find his happy ending and Matt oh sweet Matt, he has been endured so much, his voice taken from him, struggling to find ways for his new norm, making sure everyone around him doesn't worry about him and drifting through life, feeling a ghost. but they found each other through sunshine, music, hiding and simply being together. where sunshine has a way to break through. I loved both these character with my whole heart.
All the secrets revealed, seeing parts of past story told in a new light had me on my edge of my seat. No spoilers here but it is a wild ride one that I will happily continue to ride
I am so glad this story is a duet because there is still so much left to explore. It feels like we have only scratched the surface of Ace and Matt’s journey together, and I cannot wait to see what comes next. More than anything, I cannot wait to watch them heal and finally receive the happy ending they both deserve. Taylor is truly an out of this world author whose stories mean everything to me. I already cannot wait for part two!
Rating: Infinity stars ♾️✨
Characters: Matt and Ace
Tropes: Forced proximity, found family, quiet intimacy, Mute/Asl representation, Human trafficking survivors, secret identity, trauma recovery
Review: I finished this book in less than a day, I could not put it down. I was hooked from the very first chapter right until the final page. this whole series has my heart and soul. I have so many words and none at the same time. This book was a beautiful masterpiece. it makes you feel every emotion, sadness for everything these characters have endured, tears for their healing journey, anger towards the monsters of this story. Relief when the monsters get what they deserve, Shock at the secrets revealed and happiness for the quiet moments and healing they begin to go through and every emotion in between. I felt every single one deeply. crying about 100 times
Ace and Matt oh my heart, beautiful broken boys who deserve every ray of sunshine in their life, Their souls deserve music, happiness and a love that makes them feel safe . Ace carries everything, a double life, a torn between who he wants to be, who he is and who he was. fighting to stay a float while making sure everyone around him is okay while struggling himself. I related so much to his rambling because I do the exact same thing whenever I am excited, nervous or emotional. He is such an incredible character, and I desperately need him to find his happy ending and Matt oh sweet Matt, he has been endured so much, his voice taken from him, struggling to find ways for his new norm, making sure everyone around him doesn't worry about him and drifting through life, feeling a ghost. but they found each other through sunshine, music, hiding and simply being together. where sunshine has a way to break through. I loved both these character with my whole heart.
All the secrets revealed, seeing parts of past story told in a new light had me on my edge of my seat. No spoilers here but it is a wild ride one that I will happily continue to ride
I am so glad this story is a duet because there is still so much left to explore. It feels like we have only scratched the surface of Ace and Matt’s journey together, and I cannot wait to see what comes next. More than anything, I cannot wait to watch them heal and finally receive the happy ending they both deserve. Taylor is truly an out of this world author whose stories mean everything to me. I already cannot wait for part two!
August 9, 2026
3.5 Stars
August 16, 2026
This book was incredible. The slow pacing for their romantic relationship makes complete sense. Ace and Matt are absolutely perfect for each other. I don’t want to say too much because I think you should read it and discover why yourself. They balance each other out perfectly. The caretaking!! My heart can’t handle it. I LOVE the glimpses we get of how protective they are of each other. They truly are each other’s safe spaces.
There are SO many reveals in this book and the plot truly thickens for the series! I have a theory on a possible future relationship (Adam I’m looking at you) and if it’s true I will be SO feral. Also, just Ronan being mentioned on page makes me yearn for his book so much more than I already am.
I will be here staring into the abyss until part two comes out and heals me. 😭💕
There are SO many reveals in this book and the plot truly thickens for the series! I have a theory on a possible future relationship (Adam I’m looking at you) and if it’s true I will be SO feral. Also, just Ronan being mentioned on page makes me yearn for his book so much more than I already am.
I will be here staring into the abyss until part two comes out and heals me. 😭💕
August 24, 2026
4⭐️
Our fourth relationship in this series is absolutely the slowest burn yet. And if you’re expecting pain and suffering, these two are going to give it to you. This book follows Matt, well, we know him as Matt though that’s not even his real name. Matt is left mute after the terrible encounters he’s survived. Now that he’s been rescued, he finds his safe space not only with his friends, but with Ace. Ace is the operative everyone always relies on for intel and almost everything. But Ace is a survivor himself, and he has his own demons to battle.
Rapid fire content:
-a super slow burn (there’s not even romance in this book, the characters just form a close bond. Not even a kiss)
-extremely heart-wrenching angst and hurt/comfort
-survivors of terrible abuse trying their best
-safe spaces and bonding over music
This book was beautifully written, and though it didn’t make me cry, my heart did ache for both Ace and Matt in this story. Their trauma is just so much to unpack, and it makes sense that the author had to make this a slow burn story based solely on that.
Matt, my heart. He feels like he’s just a ghost, not even a person. He deals with disordered eating and terrible PTSD. His mutism and difficulty finding ways to communicate are written so well that I can definitely feel his frustration and anguish. It was so heartbreaking 😭
Ace, he has my heart too. He wants to be everyone’s hero, just like the K brothers were for him. But he doesn’t sleep. He has such a hard time and nobody sees it, because he is the rock for everyone else. It’s so devastating 😭
It was sooo sweet to see how these two understood each other and cared for each other. I also liked that we got more “behind the scenes” on the operation as a whole.
My overall impression? This book was very long and drawn out, but I understand the author’s intention in doing so, because of the complexity of the characters’ turmoil and stories. There was a lot of rehashing of events already covered in previous books in this one, which made the plot line very much not exciting. However because the character stories were so well done, I still enjoyed the book.
I can’t wait for the next book to come out in the fall, so we will truly get the love story that Ace and Matt really deserve. ❤️
Our fourth relationship in this series is absolutely the slowest burn yet. And if you’re expecting pain and suffering, these two are going to give it to you. This book follows Matt, well, we know him as Matt though that’s not even his real name. Matt is left mute after the terrible encounters he’s survived. Now that he’s been rescued, he finds his safe space not only with his friends, but with Ace. Ace is the operative everyone always relies on for intel and almost everything. But Ace is a survivor himself, and he has his own demons to battle.
Rapid fire content:
-a super slow burn (there’s not even romance in this book, the characters just form a close bond. Not even a kiss)
-extremely heart-wrenching angst and hurt/comfort
-survivors of terrible abuse trying their best
-safe spaces and bonding over music
This book was beautifully written, and though it didn’t make me cry, my heart did ache for both Ace and Matt in this story. Their trauma is just so much to unpack, and it makes sense that the author had to make this a slow burn story based solely on that.
Matt, my heart. He feels like he’s just a ghost, not even a person. He deals with disordered eating and terrible PTSD. His mutism and difficulty finding ways to communicate are written so well that I can definitely feel his frustration and anguish. It was so heartbreaking 😭
Ace, he has my heart too. He wants to be everyone’s hero, just like the K brothers were for him. But he doesn’t sleep. He has such a hard time and nobody sees it, because he is the rock for everyone else. It’s so devastating 😭
It was sooo sweet to see how these two understood each other and cared for each other. I also liked that we got more “behind the scenes” on the operation as a whole.
My overall impression? This book was very long and drawn out, but I understand the author’s intention in doing so, because of the complexity of the characters’ turmoil and stories. There was a lot of rehashing of events already covered in previous books in this one, which made the plot line very much not exciting. However because the character stories were so well done, I still enjoyed the book.
I can’t wait for the next book to come out in the fall, so we will truly get the love story that Ace and Matt really deserve. ❤️
August 3, 2026
I can't, oh my heart, this was hard but sweet. I find it's always hard to review this series.
It's filled with pain and trauma; I cried multiple times
Both Matt and Ace need healing and have been through so much
Longing for the next book for even more healing for these two
I just want to wrap everyone in these books up in a safe soft blanket and keep them safe forever
It's filled with pain and trauma; I cried multiple times
Both Matt and Ace need healing and have been through so much
Longing for the next book for even more healing for these two
I just want to wrap everyone in these books up in a safe soft blanket and keep them safe forever
August 11, 2026
I'll probably come back to this at another time but WHY does every single book in this series have to tell the entire story over again? I get that maybe someone might drop in but instead you could just say "read in order" and avoid 300 pages of rehashing what I just literally read five times. I really enjoyed the first of these and the characters are super compelling but the grind of reading this deliberately excruciating story over and over and OVER is miserable. Matt is one of my favs and I was so excited for him to have his own book but really, come on.
August 1, 2026
what a forking banging way to start August, this has shot to one of my top reads for the year
not even 50 pages in and I had already cried twice
I just loved Ace & Matt so much
not even 50 pages in and I had already cried twice
I just loved Ace & Matt so much
September 7, 2026
6/5⭐️ I loved it. I loved every second of it. I could honestly end the review here, because that was basically everything I felt during all 500 pages of reading.
Matt and Ace ARE SO DEAR TO ME🫂
I love that the author really and deeply knows her characters. She built completely individual personalities for them and is sooo good at writing their perspectives in each book. Matt is exactly and feels exactly how I thought he would when he was mentioned in the other books, and I absolutely admired that.
The only thing that worried me was that there weren’t many pages left, and I briefly wondered if their love story would even have enough space within these 500 pages.😭 But there will be a part 2. So officially, there is literally nothing to criticize about this book.🤭
First of all, I have to say that I am unbelievably proud of and grateful to the author for giving Matt and Ace, two severely traumatized people, a slow burn and not rushing anything just so we could already see them together as a couple. Absolutely the right decision. There wasn’t even a kiss in these 500 pages, and yet I felt on every single page that these two were made for each other.😩🩷🫶🏻
Let’s start with the characters. Matt was just insanely well written. Every second, you could feel how overwhelmed, confused and emotionally messy his inner world was. And Ace is the best character I have ever seen in this entire series. He has absolutely become my favorite because of his kindness. Ace cared unconditionally about everything and everyone. 100/10. I genuinely cannot describe how perfect I found him.
He was unbelievably sweet, funny, empathetic and relatable. Every time he rambled while talking because he was trying so hard to make the other person feel comfortable.😩>>>
He is so precious and deserves everything in the world.
Ace and Matt were written so unbelievably beautifully. So many times I just thought: You two are literally meant for each other. Especially because of how often they thought the exact same things about each other in completely different chapters.
1. Like when they were around other people and both thought that they found each other’s smiles so much more beautiful.
2. Music saved both of them emotionally.
3. They literally matched each other so hard that, when they were with their shared therapist, they both named each other as the one good thing that happened that day. LEGENDARY LOVERSSSSS.🥹🧎♀️
I also cannot get over how much I loved the therapy sessions Matt and Ace each had with Adam. They were genuinely life changing and soul healing. So incredibly emotional and so well written.
BUT: This series seriously has NO female character, even though these survivors’ trauma was created by men, and I hate it. I get that it’s an MM series, so obviously having mostly male characters makes sense, but seriously, every single operator or doctor is still male, which is honestly insane. I really wish we had at least one female operator especially considering the themes of the series.💀 ‼️
I loved that, plot-wise, we learned so much more about the organization and about the two brothers who created it, Keaton and Kellan, who adopted Ace when he was a child. That was such a good plot twist, and it genuinely touched me knowing that these brothers created an organization to save other survivors, for example our group, who then found a family within each other. ( i love that Keaton (good mother) and Kellan (grumpy mother) were the ones to raise Ace😭)
Now I am just looking forward to part 2 of Matt and Ace, because they deserve it so much, and I genuinely wonder what their relationship will look like when the beginning of their friendship already made me this happy.🤭
I would honestly love to have a book for every single character and side character.🫰🏻
I immediately want Bryce and Keaton’s book too. Or, I guess if Kellan gets a book as well, it might possibly be with Adam, the psychologist. 👀
Matt and Ace ARE SO DEAR TO ME🫂
I love that the author really and deeply knows her characters. She built completely individual personalities for them and is sooo good at writing their perspectives in each book. Matt is exactly and feels exactly how I thought he would when he was mentioned in the other books, and I absolutely admired that.
The only thing that worried me was that there weren’t many pages left, and I briefly wondered if their love story would even have enough space within these 500 pages.😭 But there will be a part 2. So officially, there is literally nothing to criticize about this book.🤭
First of all, I have to say that I am unbelievably proud of and grateful to the author for giving Matt and Ace, two severely traumatized people, a slow burn and not rushing anything just so we could already see them together as a couple. Absolutely the right decision. There wasn’t even a kiss in these 500 pages, and yet I felt on every single page that these two were made for each other.😩🩷🫶🏻
Let’s start with the characters. Matt was just insanely well written. Every second, you could feel how overwhelmed, confused and emotionally messy his inner world was. And Ace is the best character I have ever seen in this entire series. He has absolutely become my favorite because of his kindness. Ace cared unconditionally about everything and everyone. 100/10. I genuinely cannot describe how perfect I found him.
He was unbelievably sweet, funny, empathetic and relatable. Every time he rambled while talking because he was trying so hard to make the other person feel comfortable.😩>>>
He is so precious and deserves everything in the world.
Ace and Matt were written so unbelievably beautifully. So many times I just thought: You two are literally meant for each other. Especially because of how often they thought the exact same things about each other in completely different chapters.
1. Like when they were around other people and both thought that they found each other’s smiles so much more beautiful.
2. Music saved both of them emotionally.
3. They literally matched each other so hard that, when they were with their shared therapist, they both named each other as the one good thing that happened that day. LEGENDARY LOVERSSSSS.🥹🧎♀️
I also cannot get over how much I loved the therapy sessions Matt and Ace each had with Adam. They were genuinely life changing and soul healing. So incredibly emotional and so well written.
BUT: This series seriously has NO female character, even though these survivors’ trauma was created by men, and I hate it. I get that it’s an MM series, so obviously having mostly male characters makes sense, but seriously, every single operator or doctor is still male, which is honestly insane. I really wish we had at least one female operator especially considering the themes of the series.💀 ‼️
I loved that, plot-wise, we learned so much more about the organization and about the two brothers who created it, Keaton and Kellan, who adopted Ace when he was a child. That was such a good plot twist, and it genuinely touched me knowing that these brothers created an organization to save other survivors, for example our group, who then found a family within each other. ( i love that Keaton (good mother) and Kellan (grumpy mother) were the ones to raise Ace😭)
Now I am just looking forward to part 2 of Matt and Ace, because they deserve it so much, and I genuinely wonder what their relationship will look like when the beginning of their friendship already made me this happy.🤭
I would honestly love to have a book for every single character and side character.🫰🏻
I immediately want Bryce and Keaton’s book too. Or, I guess if Kellan gets a book as well, it might possibly be with Adam, the psychologist. 👀
August 27, 2026
I have a love/hate relationship with this book.
I love it because I am beyond obsessed with this series and the series it spun off from. I hate that it took so long to come out, and I did not realize it was another two parter when I started reading it.
See, I understand that stories like this can't be rushed. The characters can't be rushed into moving toward something healthy, and I don't expect everything to magically get better overnight. What I'm struggling with is that this book is yet another one in the long line of books taking place at the exact same time, with different characters who all live in the same house.
I'm at the point where I'm forgetting the details of the side characters' stories. When minor dramas happen, I want to know why, but I'm also not going to go digging back through previous books just to remember. And yeah, it doesn't matter much to this particular story, but also... I'd like the timeline to move forward. It's starting to feel like a weird version of Groundhog Day.
I also wish there had been more growth and development between the two main characters in this story. They feel very stuck to me right now. I get it. They're both extremely traumatized, and I understand that healing isn't a straight line. But I wanted them to have SOME forward momentum. I wanted to see some growth happening. I felt like they needed to start climbing their way out of hell, even if it was just the beginning. Instead, they feel like they're stuck on a landing, attempting to take a step every once in a while but never actually making any meaningful progress.
And I'm also pretty pissed that NO ONE seems to see or care enough about Ace's struggles. Occasionally someone seems to clue into his downward spiral, but at best he gets the equivalent of a pat on the back and a "go get 'em, tiger." Worse still, while actively watching him crash, his so-called "friends" enable him in the worst possible way.
It really made me want to punch them.
I will absolutely pick up the next book because I do want to see their story develop. I need these boys to be okay. However, I really hope the stories return to a better pace. Sometimes I think this story can drown in the minutia, and the series is starting to feel slower and slower, which is making engagement a little more difficult.
Stories can take time. They can take A LOT of time. But that doesn't mean the author or the readers need to spend hours writing and reading without any meaningful progress.
Not every story needs to be a two parter.
And regardless of all of my feelings and opinions about the pacing, the timeline, and how stuck I felt the characters were, I still absolutely love this author. Her stories mean the world to me, and I hope she continues sharing them for a very, very long time. That's the thing with books from an author you love, you can have complaints, you can want more, you can get frustrated with certain choices, and you can still be completely invested in the world they've created.
Because the truth is, I read every single page of this book. I was there for the story. It was alive in my mind, and I cared enough about these characters to get angry, frustrated, worried, and desperate for them to be okay. And that means something.
So, despite all of my complaining, this is still a 5-star read for me.
I love it because I am beyond obsessed with this series and the series it spun off from. I hate that it took so long to come out, and I did not realize it was another two parter when I started reading it.
See, I understand that stories like this can't be rushed. The characters can't be rushed into moving toward something healthy, and I don't expect everything to magically get better overnight. What I'm struggling with is that this book is yet another one in the long line of books taking place at the exact same time, with different characters who all live in the same house.
I'm at the point where I'm forgetting the details of the side characters' stories. When minor dramas happen, I want to know why, but I'm also not going to go digging back through previous books just to remember. And yeah, it doesn't matter much to this particular story, but also... I'd like the timeline to move forward. It's starting to feel like a weird version of Groundhog Day.
I also wish there had been more growth and development between the two main characters in this story. They feel very stuck to me right now. I get it. They're both extremely traumatized, and I understand that healing isn't a straight line. But I wanted them to have SOME forward momentum. I wanted to see some growth happening. I felt like they needed to start climbing their way out of hell, even if it was just the beginning. Instead, they feel like they're stuck on a landing, attempting to take a step every once in a while but never actually making any meaningful progress.
And I'm also pretty pissed that NO ONE seems to see or care enough about Ace's struggles. Occasionally someone seems to clue into his downward spiral, but at best he gets the equivalent of a pat on the back and a "go get 'em, tiger." Worse still, while actively watching him crash, his so-called "friends" enable him in the worst possible way.
It really made me want to punch them.
I will absolutely pick up the next book because I do want to see their story develop. I need these boys to be okay. However, I really hope the stories return to a better pace. Sometimes I think this story can drown in the minutia, and the series is starting to feel slower and slower, which is making engagement a little more difficult.
Stories can take time. They can take A LOT of time. But that doesn't mean the author or the readers need to spend hours writing and reading without any meaningful progress.
Not every story needs to be a two parter.
And regardless of all of my feelings and opinions about the pacing, the timeline, and how stuck I felt the characters were, I still absolutely love this author. Her stories mean the world to me, and I hope she continues sharing them for a very, very long time. That's the thing with books from an author you love, you can have complaints, you can want more, you can get frustrated with certain choices, and you can still be completely invested in the world they've created.
Because the truth is, I read every single page of this book. I was there for the story. It was alive in my mind, and I cared enough about these characters to get angry, frustrated, worried, and desperate for them to be okay. And that means something.
So, despite all of my complaining, this is still a 5-star read for me.
September 20, 2026
Sunshine☀️ and the Blues💙
Matt and Ace's personal stories are so devastating. But the author wrote them with the utmost respect and care. I can tell that she has done a ton of research to make the therapy sessions and responses to major trauma realistic.
Until now we didn't get to see much of Ace in the other books. But he has so many secrets and so many layers, and so much trauma of his own. I really enjoyed finding the parallels between Matt and Ace, and Ace and Keaton's relationships.
Minor spoiler: This is a slooooooow burn duet. This book is solely Ace and Matt becoming each others safe space and developing a friendship. Matt learning ways to communicate and building connections. No romance at all in book 1. They are drawn together for sure. It's a beautiful relationship to witness and I can't wait for them to realize they love each other in part 2 when it releases!
Matt and Ace's personal stories are so devastating. But the author wrote them with the utmost respect and care. I can tell that she has done a ton of research to make the therapy sessions and responses to major trauma realistic.
Until now we didn't get to see much of Ace in the other books. But he has so many secrets and so many layers, and so much trauma of his own. I really enjoyed finding the parallels between Matt and Ace, and Ace and Keaton's relationships.
Minor spoiler: This is a slooooooow burn duet. This book is solely Ace and Matt becoming each others safe space and developing a friendship. Matt learning ways to communicate and building connections. No romance at all in book 1. They are drawn together for sure. It's a beautiful relationship to witness and I can't wait for them to realize they love each other in part 2 when it releases!
Did Not Finish
October 19, 2026DNF @ 46%
It took ages for me to realise what’s bothering me so much about this book, but I guess it feels very one-sided and like it’s going round in circles. I’ve read plenty of books dealing with mutism that haven’t made things quite so unbalanced in terms in communication, and I also feel like Matt’s character is very infantilised throughout this book, which also doesn’t sit right with me and feeds into ableist stereotypes.
Also, if I have to sit through somebody giving Matt a million different choices and reminding him that everything is *his* choice, I might scream. I’m overwhelmed by it and I’m not even in the story 😭
I would have loved to finish this and enjoy it as much as the rest of the series, but I’ll probably be skipping this couple.
It took ages for me to realise what’s bothering me so much about this book, but I guess it feels very one-sided and like it’s going round in circles. I’ve read plenty of books dealing with mutism that haven’t made things quite so unbalanced in terms in communication, and I also feel like Matt’s character is very infantilised throughout this book, which also doesn’t sit right with me and feeds into ableist stereotypes.
Also, if I have to sit through somebody giving Matt a million different choices and reminding him that everything is *his* choice, I might scream. I’m overwhelmed by it and I’m not even in the story 😭
I would have loved to finish this and enjoy it as much as the rest of the series, but I’ll probably be skipping this couple.
on-hold
August 24, 2026put on hold for now after i discovered this is going to be a duet as well.
*************
Monstrous Survivors
Book 1 - Drown in You - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - Pieces of Us - 3.5 stars
Book 3 - Piece Us Together - 4.0 stars
Book 4 - The Sound of Him - on hold
Book 5 - The Song of Us - release fall 2026
…and more to come.
⇢ Prequel Series: These Monstrous Deeds
*************
Monstrous Survivors
Book 1 - Drown in You - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - Pieces of Us - 3.5 stars
Book 3 - Piece Us Together - 4.0 stars
Book 4 - The Sound of Him - on hold
Book 5 - The Song of Us - release fall 2026
…and more to come.
⇢ Prequel Series: These Monstrous Deeds
August 1, 2026
omg
Been dying to read matts story honestly and it didn’t disappoint he’s such a sweetheart things he went through horrific but so glad he has Bryce and Nolan to look out for him and now ace too who is also suffering which we never knew until now he’s a badass survivor too cannot wait to read the rest of there story
Been dying to read matts story honestly and it didn’t disappoint he’s such a sweetheart things he went through horrific but so glad he has Bryce and Nolan to look out for him and now ace too who is also suffering which we never knew until now he’s a badass survivor too cannot wait to read the rest of there story
August 27, 2026
I get that it s slow burn, but this îs the most borijg book i ever read. Absolutly nothunf happens and i din t only mean in the romance departament.
August 6, 2026
This book was a bit slow for me. I didn’t love some of the back story stuff, would have liked more about Ace and Matt.
August 13, 2026
Monstrous Survivors: Book 4 • Matt + Ace
What To Expect
Trauma Recovery | Hurt • Comfort | Extremely Slow Burn | Mutism | Communication through Music | Quiet Intimacy | Found Family
My Thoughts
This is Part one of Ace + Matt’s story - and I’ll be honest, when I saw it was going to be a duet, I was hesitant to start. BUT Part one leaves us in a good place (no major cliff-hanger). Definitely just the beginning of their story though. The timeline overlaps with the previous books so I had no trouble picking this book up even though it’s been a minute since I read the series.
Definitely a very slow burn - which is extremely fitting under the circumstances that have brought them together. I loved watching Matt build trust with Ace - it all felt extremely natural. There were moments I felt just as overwhelmed as Matt, so props to the author for really making us feel what it’s like to be in Matt’s head. My heart broke for him a million times. Ace was just perfect. He was kind, patient, observant, safe - everything Matt needs to heal.
The amount of care taken to write this entire series is amazing - All of the characters feel like real people.
I can’t wait for Part two!
What To Expect
Trauma Recovery | Hurt • Comfort | Extremely Slow Burn | Mutism | Communication through Music | Quiet Intimacy | Found Family
My Thoughts
This is Part one of Ace + Matt’s story - and I’ll be honest, when I saw it was going to be a duet, I was hesitant to start. BUT Part one leaves us in a good place (no major cliff-hanger). Definitely just the beginning of their story though. The timeline overlaps with the previous books so I had no trouble picking this book up even though it’s been a minute since I read the series.
Definitely a very slow burn - which is extremely fitting under the circumstances that have brought them together. I loved watching Matt build trust with Ace - it all felt extremely natural. There were moments I felt just as overwhelmed as Matt, so props to the author for really making us feel what it’s like to be in Matt’s head. My heart broke for him a million times. Ace was just perfect. He was kind, patient, observant, safe - everything Matt needs to heal.
The amount of care taken to write this entire series is amazing - All of the characters feel like real people.
I can’t wait for Part two!
February 23, 2026
can't wait to read their story😭❤️
August 18, 2026
There is something I connect to so deeply in T.J Hamel’s (Taylor Mcniff’s) books. It never fails. The ‘monstrous deeds’ series and the ‘monstrous Survivors’ series are my some of my favourite books ever. They find a way to reach inside my soul and make the decision to reside there. I always feel like I’ve had some sort of transformation after I read these damn books haha Ace and Matt’s first book was no different. I could not look away from the page, I was fully sucked in.
I read this book solely for Matt because the first time we read a tiny bit about him is in the ‘monstrous deeds’ series and I immediately felt drawn to him. The more he showed up in the books, the more I know I needed his story. But what I didn’t expect to happen is to not only read this book for Matt, but also for Ace. I instantly connected with Ace and felt so seen by his character. We didn’t know much about Ace beforehand and I didn’t expect Ace to be like this kind of cute rambling mess of a man haha AND OH, HOW HE RAMBLES. It’s unbelievably endearing! 🥰 The way Ace and Matt met for the first time when he was at Matt’s door, giving him the bag and rambling nervously was literally the cutest thing I’ve read in forever. Ace is just there rambling while Matt is like 😳 lol PRICELESS.
Matt’s inner thoughts are something that really caught my attention. He feels like a ghost, haunting others in the safe house. He’s gray, not dead or alive. Hearing the word “only” eats at him. Only? How dare they say “only” when it comes to what he went through. He’s a sweet person and all I want is for him to be happy. Reading about him slowly learning to trust Ace and they’re cute little meet ups where Matt is hiding, and Ace is trying to force himself to stay awake and distract himself from his own horrific trauma that his younger self is still suffering from.
Ace being a survivor as well makes so much sense and there’s something about characters that are self-destructive like Ace is the tend to feel drawn to even more. This man overworks himself to severe exhaustion and I wish that he’d just take care of himself more. But I understand why he struggles. I think that Ace and Matt are absolutely perfect for each other. They’re exactly what each other needs. Ace is barely hanging on by a thread and I feel like if Matt didn’t exist for Ace and Ace didn’t exist for Matt, both of them would be so much worse off.
The way that music is used in this book to bring closeness and safety is so heartwarming. Every single time they’re in that office together. no matter how either one of them feels, they’re still connecting through music. UGH. MY HEART. Ace is listening to hearing Matt, despite the fact that Matt can’t talk. Ace makes Matt feel like he might be human, he could be human again, and maybe there is hope in the future. Maybe he can feel liberated one day.
I love seeing the different perspectives of the chain of events that happen from the moment the survivors are saved and onward. I love getting into the minds of the different characters and how they think about things. There are definitely some Matt moments in Matt and Ace’s next book (that apparently it’s coming out this autumn. thank God!) that I’m really excited for and that I absolutely loved in Nolan, Maison, and Hunter’s book from a different perspective.
Also, Bryce…the shift in him when he learned the Ace was a survivor too makes me ITCHING for Bryce’s book/books too 😩
Learning about Keaton and Kellan has been a whirlwind, but I love them haha I have to admit that I find Kellen kind of funny even though I’m a little bit worried he’s going to f*ck shit up at some point 😅
Something that T.J. Hamel (Taylor Mcniff) is excellent at is making every single one of her characters their own and allowing you in to that person’s world. The good. The bad. The ugly. It’s so easy to care about and connect to her characters. There isn’t a character that she has written that I’ve ever felt apathetic to. I’ve loved every single one of them. You can find humour in the happiness of her books that I find so carefully and strategically put. Is it? Who knows lol But anyways, she will always be an author who I admire 😊
The monstrous Survivors series is going continue to be one of my favourite series of all time and I could make a huge list about why but then I would be here for a very long time. I just know that Matt and Ace‘s next part, their next book, is something I so desperately need lol
I read this book solely for Matt because the first time we read a tiny bit about him is in the ‘monstrous deeds’ series and I immediately felt drawn to him. The more he showed up in the books, the more I know I needed his story. But what I didn’t expect to happen is to not only read this book for Matt, but also for Ace. I instantly connected with Ace and felt so seen by his character. We didn’t know much about Ace beforehand and I didn’t expect Ace to be like this kind of cute rambling mess of a man haha AND OH, HOW HE RAMBLES. It’s unbelievably endearing! 🥰 The way Ace and Matt met for the first time when he was at Matt’s door, giving him the bag and rambling nervously was literally the cutest thing I’ve read in forever. Ace is just there rambling while Matt is like 😳 lol PRICELESS.
Matt’s inner thoughts are something that really caught my attention. He feels like a ghost, haunting others in the safe house. He’s gray, not dead or alive. Hearing the word “only” eats at him. Only? How dare they say “only” when it comes to what he went through. He’s a sweet person and all I want is for him to be happy. Reading about him slowly learning to trust Ace and they’re cute little meet ups where Matt is hiding, and Ace is trying to force himself to stay awake and distract himself from his own horrific trauma that his younger self is still suffering from.
Ace being a survivor as well makes so much sense and there’s something about characters that are self-destructive like Ace is the tend to feel drawn to even more. This man overworks himself to severe exhaustion and I wish that he’d just take care of himself more. But I understand why he struggles. I think that Ace and Matt are absolutely perfect for each other. They’re exactly what each other needs. Ace is barely hanging on by a thread and I feel like if Matt didn’t exist for Ace and Ace didn’t exist for Matt, both of them would be so much worse off.
The way that music is used in this book to bring closeness and safety is so heartwarming. Every single time they’re in that office together. no matter how either one of them feels, they’re still connecting through music. UGH. MY HEART. Ace is listening to hearing Matt, despite the fact that Matt can’t talk. Ace makes Matt feel like he might be human, he could be human again, and maybe there is hope in the future. Maybe he can feel liberated one day.
I love seeing the different perspectives of the chain of events that happen from the moment the survivors are saved and onward. I love getting into the minds of the different characters and how they think about things. There are definitely some Matt moments in Matt and Ace’s next book (that apparently it’s coming out this autumn. thank God!) that I’m really excited for and that I absolutely loved in Nolan, Maison, and Hunter’s book from a different perspective.
Also, Bryce…the shift in him when he learned the Ace was a survivor too makes me ITCHING for Bryce’s book/books too 😩
Learning about Keaton and Kellan has been a whirlwind, but I love them haha I have to admit that I find Kellen kind of funny even though I’m a little bit worried he’s going to f*ck shit up at some point 😅
Something that T.J. Hamel (Taylor Mcniff) is excellent at is making every single one of her characters their own and allowing you in to that person’s world. The good. The bad. The ugly. It’s so easy to care about and connect to her characters. There isn’t a character that she has written that I’ve ever felt apathetic to. I’ve loved every single one of them. You can find humour in the happiness of her books that I find so carefully and strategically put. Is it? Who knows lol But anyways, she will always be an author who I admire 😊
The monstrous Survivors series is going continue to be one of my favourite series of all time and I could make a huge list about why but then I would be here for a very long time. I just know that Matt and Ace‘s next part, their next book, is something I so desperately need lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2026
💙🅑🅞🅞🅚 🅡🅔🅥🅘🅔🅦💙
🤙𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐦 𝐛𝐲 𝐓.𝐉. 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥🤙
𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔.
The Sound of Him is everything I hoped for and so much more.
Taylor McNiff, aka T.J. Hamel, has such a way with words. It doesn't matter what she writes, or if there are parts that can tear your heart to pieces, she will always make me fall completely in love with her stories.
It isn't possible for me to adequately describe just how much this entire series and group of characters have captured my heart; but they absolutely own me and are forever embedded in my heart.
This time, it's the turn of Matt and Ace.
A word of warning - do not read this book without a box of tissues present! I think I cried about 85% of the time, but it was totally worth it.
And Ace? He's so much more than the 'tech guy' we were led to believe.
On the surface, he's the tech genius, happy guy, licorice eating, music-loving team member who goes the extra mile for everyone's needs.
Underneath, Ace is barely hanging on... A survivor in his own right - but alone on his journey - my heart was pulverised by his story 😭 He's trying to hold everyone up, be the protector, fighting battles no-one else on the team even knows about, as he stands as their champion for their safety and happiness.
Matt, meanwhile, is going through his time since he arrived at the safehouse feeling like a ghost.
This poor boy is haunted by the trauma from his time at the hands of monsters, especially Mica - my hatred of that guy knows no bounds! Particularly after the events that stole his voice.
Matt has been mute since then, and when Ace tries to help him with ASL and gives him a voice via music and a safe space to go, the friendship they form is a thing of true beauty. It's heartwarming, emotional, a gauzy blue film of comfort, wrapping you in a hug or a fluffy blanket, and making you feel safe and secure. It's sunshine and hope, despite what both of these men still have to face. I know we've only just scratched the surface with Matt's story, and I'm really looking forward to learning more about him, and having Ace discover who Matt is too.
The moments of them listening to music together were so beautiful and moving; and it was so touching to see Matt being given, and accepting, a safe place to hide with Ace.
𝑯𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕, 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒔, 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏, 𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒆. 𝑰𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔 - 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕, 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒊𝒕𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰’𝒅 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔. “𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒉,” 𝑰 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓, 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒓. “𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
The side characters here are also wonderful. I adore Bryce... the fierce protector of the survivors; Bryce is brave, sweet and sees more than people might believe. But who takes care of him? Well, I for one, can't wait to see how things develop with Keaton 👀
The Sound of Him also completely unexpectedly made me fall in love with a new character, Kellan... I'll say no more about him, except, oh, my goodness, am I excited for more of him!! 🙌
I loved how just being in a different character's head here gave me different emotions to characters I know and love. And that's not to say I now dislike anyone I previously loved, but I found it incredible how Taylor can write a pov so well that suddenly, in this instalment, I'm less friendly towards Jake (it's not permanent, don't worry!) Likewise, the brief mention of a character we've never known left me distraught in just a few sentences, that's how well she can humanise even the smallest character 🥹
The Sound of Him is a phenomenal piece of work. I don't even know how I can read anything else right now, I'm just desperate for part 2!
“𝑰𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅?” 𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒔. “𝑴𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒆? 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕, 𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅.”
𝑰 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒏. 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅, 𝑰 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏. 𝑰 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒃𝒊𝒈. 𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅.
“𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒔, 𝒎𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔. “𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒔. “𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒆.”
🤙𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐦 𝐛𝐲 𝐓.𝐉. 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥🤙
𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒅, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒅𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔.
The Sound of Him is everything I hoped for and so much more.
Taylor McNiff, aka T.J. Hamel, has such a way with words. It doesn't matter what she writes, or if there are parts that can tear your heart to pieces, she will always make me fall completely in love with her stories.
It isn't possible for me to adequately describe just how much this entire series and group of characters have captured my heart; but they absolutely own me and are forever embedded in my heart.
This time, it's the turn of Matt and Ace.
A word of warning - do not read this book without a box of tissues present! I think I cried about 85% of the time, but it was totally worth it.
And Ace? He's so much more than the 'tech guy' we were led to believe.
On the surface, he's the tech genius, happy guy, licorice eating, music-loving team member who goes the extra mile for everyone's needs.
Underneath, Ace is barely hanging on... A survivor in his own right - but alone on his journey - my heart was pulverised by his story 😭 He's trying to hold everyone up, be the protector, fighting battles no-one else on the team even knows about, as he stands as their champion for their safety and happiness.
Matt, meanwhile, is going through his time since he arrived at the safehouse feeling like a ghost.
This poor boy is haunted by the trauma from his time at the hands of monsters, especially Mica - my hatred of that guy knows no bounds! Particularly after the events that stole his voice.
Matt has been mute since then, and when Ace tries to help him with ASL and gives him a voice via music and a safe space to go, the friendship they form is a thing of true beauty. It's heartwarming, emotional, a gauzy blue film of comfort, wrapping you in a hug or a fluffy blanket, and making you feel safe and secure. It's sunshine and hope, despite what both of these men still have to face. I know we've only just scratched the surface with Matt's story, and I'm really looking forward to learning more about him, and having Ace discover who Matt is too.
The moments of them listening to music together were so beautiful and moving; and it was so touching to see Matt being given, and accepting, a safe place to hide with Ace.
𝑯𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕, 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒔, 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏, 𝑺𝒂𝒇𝒆. 𝑰𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔 - 𝒉𝒐𝒘 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕, 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒔 𝒊𝒕𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑰’𝒅 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒕𝒔. “𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒉,” 𝑰 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓, 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒅𝒆𝒓. “𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆. 𝑰 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
The side characters here are also wonderful. I adore Bryce... the fierce protector of the survivors; Bryce is brave, sweet and sees more than people might believe. But who takes care of him? Well, I for one, can't wait to see how things develop with Keaton 👀
The Sound of Him also completely unexpectedly made me fall in love with a new character, Kellan... I'll say no more about him, except, oh, my goodness, am I excited for more of him!! 🙌
I loved how just being in a different character's head here gave me different emotions to characters I know and love. And that's not to say I now dislike anyone I previously loved, but I found it incredible how Taylor can write a pov so well that suddenly, in this instalment, I'm less friendly towards Jake (it's not permanent, don't worry!) Likewise, the brief mention of a character we've never known left me distraught in just a few sentences, that's how well she can humanise even the smallest character 🥹
The Sound of Him is a phenomenal piece of work. I don't even know how I can read anything else right now, I'm just desperate for part 2!
“𝑰𝒔 𝒊𝒕 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅?” 𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒔𝒌𝒔. “𝑴𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒆? 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕, 𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅.”
𝑰 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒏. 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅, 𝑰 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏. 𝑰 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒃𝒊𝒈. 𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅.
“𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒔, 𝒎𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔. “𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒎𝒖𝒓𝒔. “𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒃𝒍𝒖𝒆.”
September 29, 2026
Matt and Ace.
This book is a part 1 of 2 of Matt and Ace's story. Technically, this is an interconnected standalone, but to fully understand the full depth and context of this book, you really should start at the beginning with These Monstrous Deeds Trilogy, then the Monstrous Survivors series.
This is definitely the slowest of slow burns I have read, and I still loved it. This is NOT one of those frustrating will they won't they slow burns, and I really appreciate that. It's basically a no-burn since romantic thoughts and feelings were the absolute farthest thing from either of their minds. This book starts directly after the rescue (from the previous books) and served to show the important foundation of their connection and friendship, which will pave the way for their romance story in part 2. As the author stated, these men have TRAUMA and are nowhere close to being ready for a relationship, and I fully agree with that. This book was so well done I can't adequately put into words how I felt. I had tears in my eyes through a good chunk of this book.
Matt, my poor sweet baby angel, was nearly killed one night and horribly traumatized at the compound, and he hasn't uttered a word since. Being rescued did not make him free. He’s just a ghost of himself, just existing, while it seems like everyone else is moving on. My heart hurt for him so much as he struggled to feel safe, to communicate, to breathe, to eat. So when he finally found a place where he felt safe and could breathe, it was significant. Every smile or happy moment felt like a victory.
Ace, oh how I absolutely loved this man from the very first encounter with Matt. His nervous rambling was so precious. He is genuinely the kindest, most thoughtful person ever; he's always taking care of everyone else. Watching him make room for Matt and do all the things to make him feel safe and comfortable with no expectations was incredibly endearing. Ace also went to great lengths to hide how badly he was struggling. His backstory broke my heart. His trauma continues to haunt him. His secrets are suffocating him. His lack of sleep, the use of sugar, caffeine, and pills, was so alarming and stressful to watch. Unbeknownst to anyone, he was basically the glue holding the entire safe house together while everyone else was consumed by their own drama. He was barely holding on by a thread.
I’m glad this book finally addressed a lot of questions I had from the others in this series. For example, why were the operatives housed in the same place as the survivors? Who is "The Head" of the organization they work for? Boy, the answers were far more interesting and complicated than I could have imagined. That really threw me for a loop. I need to know more.
I also have to say so; there are so many little details this author included to make the characters feel authentic in a way I don't always see in other books.
I can't wait for Matt and Ace's next book and the rest of the stories that will certainly come.
This book is a part 1 of 2 of Matt and Ace's story. Technically, this is an interconnected standalone, but to fully understand the full depth and context of this book, you really should start at the beginning with These Monstrous Deeds Trilogy, then the Monstrous Survivors series.
This is definitely the slowest of slow burns I have read, and I still loved it. This is NOT one of those frustrating will they won't they slow burns, and I really appreciate that. It's basically a no-burn since romantic thoughts and feelings were the absolute farthest thing from either of their minds. This book starts directly after the rescue (from the previous books) and served to show the important foundation of their connection and friendship, which will pave the way for their romance story in part 2. As the author stated, these men have TRAUMA and are nowhere close to being ready for a relationship, and I fully agree with that. This book was so well done I can't adequately put into words how I felt. I had tears in my eyes through a good chunk of this book.
Matt, my poor sweet baby angel, was nearly killed one night and horribly traumatized at the compound, and he hasn't uttered a word since. Being rescued did not make him free. He’s just a ghost of himself, just existing, while it seems like everyone else is moving on. My heart hurt for him so much as he struggled to feel safe, to communicate, to breathe, to eat. So when he finally found a place where he felt safe and could breathe, it was significant. Every smile or happy moment felt like a victory.
Ace, oh how I absolutely loved this man from the very first encounter with Matt. His nervous rambling was so precious. He is genuinely the kindest, most thoughtful person ever; he's always taking care of everyone else. Watching him make room for Matt and do all the things to make him feel safe and comfortable with no expectations was incredibly endearing. Ace also went to great lengths to hide how badly he was struggling. His backstory broke my heart. His trauma continues to haunt him. His secrets are suffocating him. His lack of sleep, the use of sugar, caffeine, and pills, was so alarming and stressful to watch. Unbeknownst to anyone, he was basically the glue holding the entire safe house together while everyone else was consumed by their own drama. He was barely holding on by a thread.
I’m glad this book finally addressed a lot of questions I had from the others in this series. For example, why were the operatives housed in the same place as the survivors? Who is "The Head" of the organization they work for? Boy, the answers were far more interesting and complicated than I could have imagined. That really threw me for a loop. I need to know more.
I also have to say so; there are so many little details this author included to make the characters feel authentic in a way I don't always see in other books.
I can't wait for Matt and Ace's next book and the rest of the stories that will certainly come.
September 13, 2026
This entire series is my Roman Empire. No doubt about it. Like… I genuinely don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking about these books.
I went into this series fully expecting the triggers to be too much for me. I knew going in that these stories were going to hurt, but I don’t think I could have ever prepared myself for just HOW much they would get under my skin.
And yet, I was hooked. Probably within the first FIVE PAGES of Drown In You.
There is something about these stories that I can’t even properly explain. They are heartbreaking. They are beautiful. They are devastating. They are raw and ugly and painful and somehow, through all of that, they are healing.
These aren’t just stories. They’re more than words written on a page. They feel like love and sadness and pain and truth all tangled together. They made me feel things I wasn’t expecting to feel, and honestly, I think that’s why they have stayed with me the way they have.
It’s actually so damn hard to put into words how much I love this series.
And Ace 😩
I love this man so much. Watching how broken he is absolutely destroyed me. There were moments where I just wanted to reach through the pages and hug him and tell him that he was going to be okay.
But then this man would start rambling or bantering and have me laughing when I was absolutely NOT expecting to laugh. Somehow, in the middle of all that pain, he still managed to be completely and utterly perfect.
Ace and Matt have completely stolen a piece of my heart, and I am NOT okay about it.
I cannot wait for the second book of their story. I need to know where this journey takes them. I need to see what happens. I need to see them heal. I need to see them get the love, safety, happiness, and peace they both deserve.
Because after everything they’ve been through… THEY DESERVE IT.
And honestly? I am already emotionally preparing myself for that healing arc because I just KNOW it’s going to wreck me in an entirely different way.
This series has consumed me. Completely.
I’ve never read something that was this heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. These characters don’t just live in the books, they’ve somehow taken up permanent residence in my brain.
I went into this series fully expecting the triggers to be too much for me. I knew going in that these stories were going to hurt, but I don’t think I could have ever prepared myself for just HOW much they would get under my skin.
And yet, I was hooked. Probably within the first FIVE PAGES of Drown In You.
There is something about these stories that I can’t even properly explain. They are heartbreaking. They are beautiful. They are devastating. They are raw and ugly and painful and somehow, through all of that, they are healing.
These aren’t just stories. They’re more than words written on a page. They feel like love and sadness and pain and truth all tangled together. They made me feel things I wasn’t expecting to feel, and honestly, I think that’s why they have stayed with me the way they have.
It’s actually so damn hard to put into words how much I love this series.
And Ace 😩
I love this man so much. Watching how broken he is absolutely destroyed me. There were moments where I just wanted to reach through the pages and hug him and tell him that he was going to be okay.
But then this man would start rambling or bantering and have me laughing when I was absolutely NOT expecting to laugh. Somehow, in the middle of all that pain, he still managed to be completely and utterly perfect.
Ace and Matt have completely stolen a piece of my heart, and I am NOT okay about it.
I cannot wait for the second book of their story. I need to know where this journey takes them. I need to see what happens. I need to see them heal. I need to see them get the love, safety, happiness, and peace they both deserve.
Because after everything they’ve been through… THEY DESERVE IT.
And honestly? I am already emotionally preparing myself for that healing arc because I just KNOW it’s going to wreck me in an entirely different way.
This series has consumed me. Completely.
I’ve never read something that was this heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. These characters don’t just live in the books, they’ve somehow taken up permanent residence in my brain.
August 3, 2026
I was so glad when it hit midnight and I got the copy. I was already with high expectations, but the book was so so so much more than what I was expecting that It’s even hard to start it. I knew I was going to go deep again, in a way I only felt a few times, for a few books, and many of them are from the monstrous series..
Coming back again to the safehouse, now to see the point of view of such mysterious characters as Matty and Ace was such a trip that I didn't want to end.
Matt can't speak. He feels like a ghost. He died in the night of the incident. He's struggling in just existing. It’s a hard reading.
"How am I going to answer anything like this? I squeeze my eyed shut, feeling useless. What am I, even? What life is this? I'm half a person. I'm a ghost. They killed me that night and I'm left hunting the world."
And Ace. I love how Taylor is unpredictable and I couldn't have guessed about his background. I love his never ending rambling whenever he's around Matt. I love his care about each of the people around him, how he's trying so so hard they don't break even further. To keep things together. To keep himself together. It's a hard reading.
And, they fit so right together, their broken pieces, how Ace can be a safe place for Matt. How much is he struggling by himself while has to be the one sane person in the house while everyone is crumbling into pieces. What they don't know is that he's also crumbling altogether.
I absolutely loved the layers given to Bryce. I'm even more excited and curious to read his story. I believe he'd be a great operative alongside the new characters. I'd be really happy but I also don't see him leaving his survivors, maybe when they are all evolving and more healed, idk... I loved his interactions with Ace too.
Aaaaand, I can see a new couple coming. Idk what to think about these two but I know that will be feelings. Lots and lots of them. But I can't wait for the next stories from this amazing group of people.
Thanks Taylor, for keeping his original nationality. Thanks for this amazing book. It was a hard reading for me, but so so worth it.
Coming back again to the safehouse, now to see the point of view of such mysterious characters as Matty and Ace was such a trip that I didn't want to end.
Matt can't speak. He feels like a ghost. He died in the night of the incident. He's struggling in just existing. It’s a hard reading.
"How am I going to answer anything like this? I squeeze my eyed shut, feeling useless. What am I, even? What life is this? I'm half a person. I'm a ghost. They killed me that night and I'm left hunting the world."
And Ace. I love how Taylor is unpredictable and I couldn't have guessed about his background. I love his never ending rambling whenever he's around Matt. I love his care about each of the people around him, how he's trying so so hard they don't break even further. To keep things together. To keep himself together. It's a hard reading.
And, they fit so right together, their broken pieces, how Ace can be a safe place for Matt. How much is he struggling by himself while has to be the one sane person in the house while everyone is crumbling into pieces. What they don't know is that he's also crumbling altogether.
I absolutely loved the layers given to Bryce. I'm even more excited and curious to read his story. I believe he'd be a great operative alongside the new characters. I'd be really happy but I also don't see him leaving his survivors, maybe when they are all evolving and more healed, idk... I loved his interactions with Ace too.
Aaaaand, I can see a new couple coming. Idk what to think about these two but I know that will be feelings. Lots and lots of them. But I can't wait for the next stories from this amazing group of people.
Thanks Taylor, for keeping his original nationality. Thanks for this amazing book. It was a hard reading for me, but so so worth it.
September 11, 2026
4 ☆
I was really excited to finally read Matt’s story because in the previous books, we only got little glimpses of him. I really loved getting to understand him better here, especially his psychology and his struggles. I think he’s a really well-written character.
I also really loved Matt and Ace’s dynamic. They’re really sweet together, and you can genuinely feel the tenderness between them. In a way, they’re saving each other, and I think that was exactly what they needed considering everything they’ve been through.
There isn’t really a love story yet, more like the beginning of one. But honestly, I liked that because I don’t think they even realize yet that there’s something between them, so it would have felt way too rushed otherwise. I really enjoyed discovering Ace too. We knew so little about him before this book, so finding out about his complexe background was a real surprise. I got really attached to him, and I’m really excited to see where his healing and development go. I think he might have become one of my favorite characters in the whole universe, along with Maison.
As for Jake and Travis… I just can’t, and honestly, I’ve felt that way since the beginning. I didn’t read their love stories with Casey and Carter, so nothing new there. But especially Jake in this book - if you know, you know. I feel like they’re still not fully aware of the harm they’ve done, and that really bothers me
I was really excited to finally read Matt’s story because in the previous books, we only got little glimpses of him. I really loved getting to understand him better here, especially his psychology and his struggles. I think he’s a really well-written character.
I also really loved Matt and Ace’s dynamic. They’re really sweet together, and you can genuinely feel the tenderness between them. In a way, they’re saving each other, and I think that was exactly what they needed considering everything they’ve been through.
There isn’t really a love story yet, more like the beginning of one. But honestly, I liked that because I don’t think they even realize yet that there’s something between them, so it would have felt way too rushed otherwise. I really enjoyed discovering Ace too. We knew so little about him before this book, so finding out about his complexe background was a real surprise. I got really attached to him, and I’m really excited to see where his healing and development go. I think he might have become one of my favorite characters in the whole universe, along with Maison.
As for Jake and Travis… I just can’t, and honestly, I’ve felt that way since the beginning. I didn’t read their love stories with Casey and Carter, so nothing new there. But especially Jake in this book - if you know, you know. I feel like they’re still not fully aware of the harm they’ve done, and that really bothers me
August 4, 2026
“Then you’ll be my sunshine,” he murmurs. “And I’ll be your blue.”
There is just… this vulnerability in the way Taylor writes these stories and these characters that is utterly unmatched for me. She has this incredible ability to make you connect with their world, their battles, their suffering, and their victories, and I’m just obsessed with this series.
Mind you, this is the slowest burn to ever burn - and rightfully so. Matt and Ace, Sunshine and Blue, are two survivors fighting in their own distinct ways to earn their happily ever after. They build both their confidence and their relationship slowly, and I almost see them as the little light at the end of the tunnel for each other.
I love them, both of them, and no one writes these hurt babies quite like Taylor does. 🥹 I also adore the entire safehouse and every single character she so beautifully paints in all their complexity. I cannot wait for the conclusion of Matt and Ace’s story… and after that, for the next couple in the series. 🥹🩵
There is just… this vulnerability in the way Taylor writes these stories and these characters that is utterly unmatched for me. She has this incredible ability to make you connect with their world, their battles, their suffering, and their victories, and I’m just obsessed with this series.
Mind you, this is the slowest burn to ever burn - and rightfully so. Matt and Ace, Sunshine and Blue, are two survivors fighting in their own distinct ways to earn their happily ever after. They build both their confidence and their relationship slowly, and I almost see them as the little light at the end of the tunnel for each other.
I love them, both of them, and no one writes these hurt babies quite like Taylor does. 🥹 I also adore the entire safehouse and every single character she so beautifully paints in all their complexity. I cannot wait for the conclusion of Matt and Ace’s story… and after that, for the next couple in the series. 🥹🩵
August 9, 2026
Man, I really liked this one. Matt's perspective had me crying. I really like his arc and can't wait to read more of it. His and Ace's friendship was so sweet to read about. I think this is the first Monstrous Deeds book with zero sex -- nearly five hundred pages for these two to HUG!! Slowwww Burnnnn.
Like a lot of McNiff's work, it suffered from some pacing issues -- I found some of the therapy chapters intolerably slow, and some of the conversations with Keats and Kellan dragged the story down. I also wished there was a little more about Matt's heritage, but I was really vibing with what we had.
As usual it was a treat to see the rest of the characters in the background. The part where Travis came to get the candle from Ace and Ace tried to explain soy wax vs. paraffin wax to him -- girl we all know what he's doing with that candle. Lmao.
I was super hyped for this book and it lived up to my expectations. I really enjoyed it. You know me. I love reading about tortured men suffering slow burn mental breakdowns. So this is my bread and butter.
Can't wait for part two!!
Like a lot of McNiff's work, it suffered from some pacing issues -- I found some of the therapy chapters intolerably slow, and some of the conversations with Keats and Kellan dragged the story down. I also wished there was a little more about Matt's heritage, but I was really vibing with what we had.
As usual it was a treat to see the rest of the characters in the background. The part where Travis came to get the candle from Ace and Ace tried to explain soy wax vs. paraffin wax to him -- girl we all know what he's doing with that candle. Lmao.
I was super hyped for this book and it lived up to my expectations. I really enjoyed it. You know me. I love reading about tortured men suffering slow burn mental breakdowns. So this is my bread and butter.
Can't wait for part two!!
August 1, 2026
You know a book is good when, as you’re reading it, you’re already sad because every page takes you closer to the end and the point where you’ll have to pause the story again. I am completely hooked by these characters! The slow-build of trust and friendship between Matt and Ace is gentle and beautiful, as is the way we see Dr. Singh’s efforts to help both of these traumatised men.
One of the strength of the writing in this series is that even when we re-experience the same event from a different character’s point-of-view, it always stays relevant and engaging. Longtime fans will be keen to discover that light has finally been shed on some of the series’ ongoing mysteries. Certain side characters are a lot more fleshed out in this instalment, which kept things fresh.
This entire series is very dark and warrants the extensive trigger warnings. Please be mindful of your mental health.
One of the strength of the writing in this series is that even when we re-experience the same event from a different character’s point-of-view, it always stays relevant and engaging. Longtime fans will be keen to discover that light has finally been shed on some of the series’ ongoing mysteries. Certain side characters are a lot more fleshed out in this instalment, which kept things fresh.
This entire series is very dark and warrants the extensive trigger warnings. Please be mindful of your mental health.
August 4, 2026
The only reason(s) that this book is not a full five stars is because this is Book 1 of 2 and the end of Book 1 is rather abrupt. I might change the rating once Book 2 comes out.
Otherwise, this book wrung my heart out. This book starts right back to the night of Roarke's party, as featured in the previous books in this series. We get to see all those events from the POVs of Ace and Matt.
There is SO MUCH NEW INFORMATION REVEALED to us in this book!!!! All thanks to Ace's and Matt's POVs. But none of those secrets are exposed to the other characters within this book.
Otherwise, this book wrung my heart out. This book starts right back to the night of Roarke's party, as featured in the previous books in this series. We get to see all those events from the POVs of Ace and Matt.
There is SO MUCH NEW INFORMATION REVEALED to us in this book!!!! All thanks to Ace's and Matt's POVs. But none of those secrets are exposed to the other characters within this book.
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