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ACRO #7
Three the Hard Way
Lovers Taggart Brody and Justice McKinney possess special abilities that make them valuable to agencies who employ—or enslave—people with extraordinary talents. When tragedy tears them apart, Justice finds purpose working for the good ACRO, the super-secret Agency for Covert Rare Operatives. But he never forgets Taggart or the past they once shared. Heartbroken, Taggart runs from who he is . . . right into the arms of Ian Bridges. But Ian, battling his own demons, betrays Tag to the terrorist organization Itor. After months of torture, Tag manages to escape, but kills an ACRO agent in the process. With nowhere left to turn, Tag disappears into the Alaskan wilderness, but it’s only a matter of time before his enemies track him down. He reaches out to Justice, and somehow Ian finds him too, hoping to right his wrongs. With ACRO and Itor both bearing down, the three men must figure out how to forgive, how to work together, and how to love each other—or the coming battle will destroy them all.
162 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2014
16 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Sydney Croft
15 books606 followersSydney Croft is the alter-ego of two published authors who came together to blend their very different writing interests into adventurous tales of erotic paranormal fiction. Together, they developed a world where people with extraordinary abilities, like the power to control storms, could live and work with others like them. The series has been described as "Erotica meets the X-Men," and is unique in its own "erotic super hero romance" niche.
The authors behind Sydney Croft live in different states and communicate almost entirely through email, though they often get together for conferences and book signings.
Stephanie Tyler
Larissa Ione
The authors behind Sydney Croft live in different states and communicate almost entirely through email, though they often get together for conferences and book signings.
Stephanie Tyler
Larissa Ione
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 6, 2015
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
So, I went into this expecting something, fun, sexy, and pretty light on plot, and character, and somehow I ended up with three men I grew to really like, and many feels. The plot is pretty simple, and it was easy to understand the background, and what was going on even without having read any of the seven books that came before it. Maybe reading them would have given me more of an idea who the secondary cast was, but I didn't feel lost without that knowledge, and I felt like I came to know them pretty well though what I saw of them in this novelette.
I really liked the main cast of characters. Things between them might have developed fairly quickly, but it felt authentic to me. It was more about them making a decision to make a relationship work then them falling instantly in love. I liked that it took compromise on all of their parts, and that had to make a very clear decision to listen to, and trust each other. I liked that the relationship, while sexy, wasn't just about physical connection, but the support, and trust they have to each other. I liked that it wasn't about one, or two men taking care of a weaker man, but about all of them taking care of each other equally. It was sweet, and I appreciated that.
I liked the writing style, It was simple, and it made the emotions seem that much more real to me. Nothing too flowery, or purple even when it came to the sex scenes. I liked how the author phrased things, and the last lines really did me in especially from a book I didn't expect it from. I'm such a sucker for books about families, especially families of choice. Overall a really great read, especially for a very cold day.
So, I went into this expecting something, fun, sexy, and pretty light on plot, and character, and somehow I ended up with three men I grew to really like, and many feels. The plot is pretty simple, and it was easy to understand the background, and what was going on even without having read any of the seven books that came before it. Maybe reading them would have given me more of an idea who the secondary cast was, but I didn't feel lost without that knowledge, and I felt like I came to know them pretty well though what I saw of them in this novelette.
I really liked the main cast of characters. Things between them might have developed fairly quickly, but it felt authentic to me. It was more about them making a decision to make a relationship work then them falling instantly in love. I liked that it took compromise on all of their parts, and that had to make a very clear decision to listen to, and trust each other. I liked that the relationship, while sexy, wasn't just about physical connection, but the support, and trust they have to each other. I liked that it wasn't about one, or two men taking care of a weaker man, but about all of them taking care of each other equally. It was sweet, and I appreciated that.
I liked the writing style, It was simple, and it made the emotions seem that much more real to me. Nothing too flowery, or purple even when it came to the sex scenes. I liked how the author phrased things, and the last lines really did me in especially from a book I didn't expect it from. I'm such a sucker for books about families, especially families of choice. Overall a really great read, especially for a very cold day.
December 10, 2014
Story Rating ~ 3 Stars
Romance Rating ~ 3 Stars
Characters ~ 4 Stars
Action Level ~ 3 Stars
Heat Level ~ 4 Stars
Ending ~ 4 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 3.5 Stars
I have been a huge fan of the Acro series for quite sometime so to hear this book was released was very exciting news.
The story line for me was just not up to par with the previous books in this series. I think that it only being 160 pages had a lot to do with it. The first half of the book there was a lot of bickering going on between the three hero's, then wham, they were in bed together.
For me there is nothing sexier than reading a M/M love scene, but here you had a triad, yep 3 men making love/sex. These scenes were hot but for some reason they did little in heating me up. Plain and simple, I did not feel a complete connection between these three men.
I kept wondering where is the action, Acro books are always filled with action. Near the end, the action finally started up and let me tell you, I thought this part of the book was FANTASTIC!
Overall, I really did like this book. I liked that a few of the characters from the previous books made an appearance. I felt if this would have been a longer book that it would have been a better read for me. I certainly hope that the team of Sydney Croft continues to write more Acro books, they write them and I'll be reading.
Romance Rating ~ 3 Stars
Characters ~ 4 Stars
Action Level ~ 3 Stars
Heat Level ~ 4 Stars
Ending ~ 4 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 3.5 Stars
I have been a huge fan of the Acro series for quite sometime so to hear this book was released was very exciting news.
The story line for me was just not up to par with the previous books in this series. I think that it only being 160 pages had a lot to do with it. The first half of the book there was a lot of bickering going on between the three hero's, then wham, they were in bed together.
For me there is nothing sexier than reading a M/M love scene, but here you had a triad, yep 3 men making love/sex. These scenes were hot but for some reason they did little in heating me up. Plain and simple, I did not feel a complete connection between these three men.
I kept wondering where is the action, Acro books are always filled with action. Near the end, the action finally started up and let me tell you, I thought this part of the book was FANTASTIC!
Overall, I really did like this book. I liked that a few of the characters from the previous books made an appearance. I felt if this would have been a longer book that it would have been a better read for me. I certainly hope that the team of Sydney Croft continues to write more Acro books, they write them and I'll be reading.
December 14, 2014
Reviewage on Prism Book Alliance
Taggart – known as Tag – and Justice have been friends, and more, since they were kids, blood brothers. As an adult, Justice has been an agent for Agency for Covert Rare Operatives, aka ACRO, a place for people with enhanced abilities like his, and Tag’s. Taggart has not. His journey has been quite different since the day that changed both of their lives forever.
There’s the giant twitchy rub, the one that angers Justice when he thinks about Tag not joining him, leaving Justice and abandoning their blood oath. Enter: tension, and my curiosity.
Of course, Taggart sees it all mighty differently. In his mind, and heart, Justice abandoned him when he joined ACRO. On the surface, and evidenced by his actions, Justice is the one who has essentially been living up to his name, while Tag’s life has been controlled by those who wanted to use him for anything but justice, and did.
What would happen when these two saw each other again after having been separated these last few years? How would they react to each other? Hurt, anger, sadness, love?
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, er cold, dreary, metal cabin…
Pleasure streaked through him, erasing all that emotionally charged bullshit in his head...
Amen to that.
I like being dropped into a story at a point when the difficult, mixed history of a friendship or relationship has both people struggling. That appeared to be the case here with Tag and Justice.
The set up for this story is rather improbable and very convenient, but it still made me smile. Not everything has to be serious and realistic, amiright? Especially when you’re dealing with ultra-alphas growling and snarling at each other, all while speaking on love, injured love, in the wake of an avalanche. I was grinning at what felt like was going to be some ridiculous fun. Let the games begin!
Welp, the games devolved into not much of a plot of which to speak. We’re told about ACRO and Itor (the baddie yang to the out-for-justice ACRO yin), we’re told about the history between these characters, we’re told about the danger and consequences. Told. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel much of the intended tension.
Taggart and Justice are the supposed leads in this story and Ian is painted as the outsider to an extent. Gotta tell ya, Ian was easily the most intriguing of the three. Each time he’s alone with his own thoughts, taking emotional and motivational stock, I was interested. These were usually short scenes. As for Tag and Justice, I understood the facts of their lives and friendship and love. What I didn’t was feel all of that. I was told things that were meant to make me feel the connection but there was a tonal lack of emotion for me. Again, the exception was Ian. Connection made.
The writing itself is good, with an ease and confidence that comes through in the portrayal of the distinct personalities of the characters. These authors know these guys well, but maybe that’s the problem. I want to know them as well as you clearly do, but the storytelling didn’t get me there. There are a stumbles in the form of repeated words in single sentences and phrases in single paragraphs. Otherwise, a good job is done on switching points of view clearly and each one feeling unique.
There is sex, lots of sex. Tag and Justice. Tag and Ian. Tag & Justice & Ian. There are moments that inject some emotion and work to make me believe in their connections between each other, but if I’m to buy into this arrangement, despite everything we know about their pasts, there needed to be more than sex to bolster the idea. I think the other issue is that nothing is left unsaid; it’s all spelled out, whether in dialogue or thought. That translates to a rather shallow reading experience for me.
Now, when you’re in the mood for mucho sexo, hell yeah, this is a book waiting for you. Three alphas, all struggling for and relinquishing some power as they try to work out this thing between them all, rummaging around in uber-alpha central. They work out that thing through sex, by the way, with a few tender moments in between. ;)
Story wise, this is a 2.5 for me.
Alpha male sexcapade wise, this is a 4.0
Average is then 3.25.
Go forth and have some fun with these alpha agents because they’ve got some fun lined up for you. :)
Twenty percent of all proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the It Gets Better Project.
Taggart – known as Tag – and Justice have been friends, and more, since they were kids, blood brothers. As an adult, Justice has been an agent for Agency for Covert Rare Operatives, aka ACRO, a place for people with enhanced abilities like his, and Tag’s. Taggart has not. His journey has been quite different since the day that changed both of their lives forever.
There’s the giant twitchy rub, the one that angers Justice when he thinks about Tag not joining him, leaving Justice and abandoning their blood oath. Enter: tension, and my curiosity.
Of course, Taggart sees it all mighty differently. In his mind, and heart, Justice abandoned him when he joined ACRO. On the surface, and evidenced by his actions, Justice is the one who has essentially been living up to his name, while Tag’s life has been controlled by those who wanted to use him for anything but justice, and did.
What would happen when these two saw each other again after having been separated these last few years? How would they react to each other? Hurt, anger, sadness, love?
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, er cold, dreary, metal cabin…
Pleasure streaked through him, erasing all that emotionally charged bullshit in his head...
Amen to that.
I like being dropped into a story at a point when the difficult, mixed history of a friendship or relationship has both people struggling. That appeared to be the case here with Tag and Justice.
The set up for this story is rather improbable and very convenient, but it still made me smile. Not everything has to be serious and realistic, amiright? Especially when you’re dealing with ultra-alphas growling and snarling at each other, all while speaking on love, injured love, in the wake of an avalanche. I was grinning at what felt like was going to be some ridiculous fun. Let the games begin!
Welp, the games devolved into not much of a plot of which to speak. We’re told about ACRO and Itor (the baddie yang to the out-for-justice ACRO yin), we’re told about the history between these characters, we’re told about the danger and consequences. Told. Unfortunately, I didn’t feel much of the intended tension.
Taggart and Justice are the supposed leads in this story and Ian is painted as the outsider to an extent. Gotta tell ya, Ian was easily the most intriguing of the three. Each time he’s alone with his own thoughts, taking emotional and motivational stock, I was interested. These were usually short scenes. As for Tag and Justice, I understood the facts of their lives and friendship and love. What I didn’t was feel all of that. I was told things that were meant to make me feel the connection but there was a tonal lack of emotion for me. Again, the exception was Ian. Connection made.
The writing itself is good, with an ease and confidence that comes through in the portrayal of the distinct personalities of the characters. These authors know these guys well, but maybe that’s the problem. I want to know them as well as you clearly do, but the storytelling didn’t get me there. There are a stumbles in the form of repeated words in single sentences and phrases in single paragraphs. Otherwise, a good job is done on switching points of view clearly and each one feeling unique.
There is sex, lots of sex. Tag and Justice. Tag and Ian. Tag & Justice & Ian. There are moments that inject some emotion and work to make me believe in their connections between each other, but if I’m to buy into this arrangement, despite everything we know about their pasts, there needed to be more than sex to bolster the idea. I think the other issue is that nothing is left unsaid; it’s all spelled out, whether in dialogue or thought. That translates to a rather shallow reading experience for me.
Now, when you’re in the mood for mucho sexo, hell yeah, this is a book waiting for you. Three alphas, all struggling for and relinquishing some power as they try to work out this thing between them all, rummaging around in uber-alpha central. They work out that thing through sex, by the way, with a few tender moments in between. ;)
Story wise, this is a 2.5 for me.
Alpha male sexcapade wise, this is a 4.0
Average is then 3.25.
Go forth and have some fun with these alpha agents because they’ve got some fun lined up for you. :)
Twenty percent of all proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the It Gets Better Project.
January 12, 2015
Two dangerous alpha men fighting over a third man is smexy hawt. In Three the Hard Way, Author duo Sydney Croft create a mouthwatering ménage. Taggart Brody and Justice McKinney have been best friends since childhood. Blood brothers who grew up in survivalist mode because of their paranoid mothers, they never thought a day would come where they would be separated.
Years later, Taggart finally escapes a terrorist organization and uses his survivalist skills to stay off the grid. When it looks like the same group will force him to return, he sends out a SOS to his onetime best friend and ex-lover, Justice. The history between these two men is difficult. As each painful event is exposed, the chasm between the two seems further and further apart. What isn't a problem, is their sexual chemistry. That is smoking hot and can melt the snow around Taggart's cabin. When another man shows up to try and save Taggart, all hell breaks loose. Ian may not mean to be an instigator; he is a catalyst which may turn this situation from red to super nova critical.
The characters in this story exude sex appeal. Both Ian and Justice are alpha males who like it rough. Their kind of sex is hawt to watch and experience. How could Taggart possibly choose between two men whom he trusted, loved and felt betrayed? When the relationship status is set to "it's complicated", this love tug-o-war definitely fits the description. The sex between the men is fabulous and panty moistening goodness. The conflict in the story is believable and adds to the tension which cranks up the sexual friction between the men. What I did like to see is how ACRO doesn't come across as always the good guy. There are a couple of decisions made by ACRO which makes this agency seem more human with its flaws instead of an omniscient organization always right. This fast paces m/m suspense is recommended for ménage lovers who enjoy rough sex between two alpha dogs and a sexy bottom.
*provided by NetGalley
Years later, Taggart finally escapes a terrorist organization and uses his survivalist skills to stay off the grid. When it looks like the same group will force him to return, he sends out a SOS to his onetime best friend and ex-lover, Justice. The history between these two men is difficult. As each painful event is exposed, the chasm between the two seems further and further apart. What isn't a problem, is their sexual chemistry. That is smoking hot and can melt the snow around Taggart's cabin. When another man shows up to try and save Taggart, all hell breaks loose. Ian may not mean to be an instigator; he is a catalyst which may turn this situation from red to super nova critical.
The characters in this story exude sex appeal. Both Ian and Justice are alpha males who like it rough. Their kind of sex is hawt to watch and experience. How could Taggart possibly choose between two men whom he trusted, loved and felt betrayed? When the relationship status is set to "it's complicated", this love tug-o-war definitely fits the description. The sex between the men is fabulous and panty moistening goodness. The conflict in the story is believable and adds to the tension which cranks up the sexual friction between the men. What I did like to see is how ACRO doesn't come across as always the good guy. There are a couple of decisions made by ACRO which makes this agency seem more human with its flaws instead of an omniscient organization always right. This fast paces m/m suspense is recommended for ménage lovers who enjoy rough sex between two alpha dogs and a sexy bottom.
*provided by NetGalley
January 13, 2022
The wickest and possibly weakest story in the series.
December 5, 2014
Synopsis:
This title is part of the ACRO universe.
Lovers Taggart Brody and Justice McKinney possess special abilities that make them valuable to agencies who employ—or enslave—people with extraordinary talents. When tragedy tears them apart, Justice finds purpose working for the good guys: ACRO, the super-secret Agency for Covert Rare Operatives. But he never forgets Taggart or the past they once shared.
Heartbroken, Taggart runs from who he is . . . right into the arms of Ian Bridges. But Ian, battling his own demons, betrays Tag to the terrorist organization Itor. After months of torture, Tag manages to escape, but kills an ACRO agent in the process.
With nowhere left to turn, Tag disappears into the Alaskan wilderness, but it’s only a matter of time before his enemies track him down. He reaches out to Justice, and somehow Ian finds him too, hoping to right his wrongs. With ACRO and Itor both bearing down, the three men must figure out how to forgive, how to work together, and how to love each other—or the coming battle will destroy them all.
My Thoughts:
I was rather excited about this book when I first saw it up for preorder on Riptide's website. I ended up preordering the entire Share the Love Bundle so that I could read all three of the menage stories of which this was one of them.
Let me start by saying that I have never read any of the books that this series is set in. Despite that, I didn't feel lost or anything. I'm not sure if any of the characters were introduced in the main series or not, except for probably Devlin because he's the Big Boss. If Justice, Taggert or Ian were, by not reading those books, I lost a connection to the characters. If they weren't, then the lack of connection I felt is due only to the words that were on the pages.
The book starts out with Justice getting called into Devlin's office to listen to a message of Tag requesting to speak with Justice. When he wasn't allowed to speak with him, he left coordinates where he could be found. Justice goes to find Tag so he can bring him back to ACRO, which he knows Tag doesn't want, but Justice isn't the only one that shows up to save Tag. His other ex Ian also shows up despite Tag not asking him to. Tag is pretty pissed at both men and I don't blame him, but there's more to the story, at least, where he and Justice are concerned.
This title is part of the ACRO universe.
Lovers Taggart Brody and Justice McKinney possess special abilities that make them valuable to agencies who employ—or enslave—people with extraordinary talents. When tragedy tears them apart, Justice finds purpose working for the good guys: ACRO, the super-secret Agency for Covert Rare Operatives. But he never forgets Taggart or the past they once shared.
Heartbroken, Taggart runs from who he is . . . right into the arms of Ian Bridges. But Ian, battling his own demons, betrays Tag to the terrorist organization Itor. After months of torture, Tag manages to escape, but kills an ACRO agent in the process.
With nowhere left to turn, Tag disappears into the Alaskan wilderness, but it’s only a matter of time before his enemies track him down. He reaches out to Justice, and somehow Ian finds him too, hoping to right his wrongs. With ACRO and Itor both bearing down, the three men must figure out how to forgive, how to work together, and how to love each other—or the coming battle will destroy them all.
My Thoughts:
I was rather excited about this book when I first saw it up for preorder on Riptide's website. I ended up preordering the entire Share the Love Bundle so that I could read all three of the menage stories of which this was one of them.
Let me start by saying that I have never read any of the books that this series is set in. Despite that, I didn't feel lost or anything. I'm not sure if any of the characters were introduced in the main series or not, except for probably Devlin because he's the Big Boss. If Justice, Taggert or Ian were, by not reading those books, I lost a connection to the characters. If they weren't, then the lack of connection I felt is due only to the words that were on the pages.
The book starts out with Justice getting called into Devlin's office to listen to a message of Tag requesting to speak with Justice. When he wasn't allowed to speak with him, he left coordinates where he could be found. Justice goes to find Tag so he can bring him back to ACRO, which he knows Tag doesn't want, but Justice isn't the only one that shows up to save Tag. His other ex Ian also shows up despite Tag not asking him to. Tag is pretty pissed at both men and I don't blame him, but there's more to the story, at least, where he and Justice are concerned.
Want to read
November 4, 2014~~~
YES, for a standalone MMM from this amazing writing duo!
Out Dec 1st.
YES, for a standalone MMM from this amazing writing duo!
Out Dec 1st.
October 4, 2017
3.5 Stars.
Three the Hard Way is about three men who have various super special abilities due to genetic manipulation. Two of them, Taggart and Justice grew up together and had both planned to join the good guy organization called ACRO, while the third, Ian, was pretty much raised to work for or with the evil organization Itor.
Tag and Justice were best friends and lovers until Itor killed their mothers a few years ago. At that point, Tag no longer wanted to join any organization. He resented his abilities and the fact that he would never be able to live a "normal" life. He also, pretty much, lumped ACRO and Itor together and so wanted nothing to do with either of them. So, that put a rather large rift between Justice and Tag. Justice went on to join ACRO, anyway, leaving Tag behind.
With Tag being on his own, he starts seeing Ian, not knowing that Ian works for Itor and is planning to betray Tag to them. Tag just can't win. Abandoned by one man he loved and then betrayed by the other. But after some time, he escapes and calls Justice for help. And Justice comes running, but Ian, who also loves Tag, finds him, too.
I did like this story, but I do wish we were shown more of the history of these guys and their abilities, rather than just told about it. Most of the character information is fed to us in this manner. That they all fuck like bunnies when snowed in during a blizzard in Alaska, though, I have no problems with at all. What else are ya gonna do, once you decide to not kill each other?
It would seem that, even though Tag was taken by Itor because of Ian's betrayal, that Tag is still in love with him. That didn't quite sit with me. I think that Tag forgave too easily. Then again, Tag really doesn't want to be alone anymore, and he blames himself for so much. Ian does explain himself, but damn. Tag was captured and tortured for upwards of a year. Ian should have had to grovel a bit more. I suspect that the forgiveness and acceptance came easier because of what Ian is. He's a Seducer and has special powers of sexiness. The smexytimes were hot, though.
So, not a bad effort, but not awesome either.
Three the Hard Way is about three men who have various super special abilities due to genetic manipulation. Two of them, Taggart and Justice grew up together and had both planned to join the good guy organization called ACRO, while the third, Ian, was pretty much raised to work for or with the evil organization Itor.
Tag and Justice were best friends and lovers until Itor killed their mothers a few years ago. At that point, Tag no longer wanted to join any organization. He resented his abilities and the fact that he would never be able to live a "normal" life. He also, pretty much, lumped ACRO and Itor together and so wanted nothing to do with either of them. So, that put a rather large rift between Justice and Tag. Justice went on to join ACRO, anyway, leaving Tag behind.
With Tag being on his own, he starts seeing Ian, not knowing that Ian works for Itor and is planning to betray Tag to them. Tag just can't win. Abandoned by one man he loved and then betrayed by the other. But after some time, he escapes and calls Justice for help. And Justice comes running, but Ian, who also loves Tag, finds him, too.
I did like this story, but I do wish we were shown more of the history of these guys and their abilities, rather than just told about it. Most of the character information is fed to us in this manner. That they all fuck like bunnies when snowed in during a blizzard in Alaska, though, I have no problems with at all. What else are ya gonna do, once you decide to not kill each other?
It would seem that, even though Tag was taken by Itor because of Ian's betrayal, that Tag is still in love with him. That didn't quite sit with me. I think that Tag forgave too easily. Then again, Tag really doesn't want to be alone anymore, and he blames himself for so much. Ian does explain himself, but damn. Tag was captured and tortured for upwards of a year. Ian should have had to grovel a bit more. I suspect that the forgiveness and acceptance came easier because of what Ian is. He's a Seducer and has special powers of sexiness. The smexytimes were hot, though.
So, not a bad effort, but not awesome either.
December 2, 2014
A few months ago I as I was cruising through the coming soon title titles on the Riptide Publishing website when I saw Sydney Croft. I took a closer look and saw that it was an ACRO book. I had a moment where I was jumping up and down doing a happy dance. I LOVED the ACRO series. Those were the first books I read where there was any type of guy on guy action.
Justice is called to action by Devlin O’Malley. Dev thus ACRO (Agency for Covert Rare Operations) has received a phone call from Justice’s ex-lover Taggart. Tag has requested Justice’s help, not ARCO. Tag has been on the run from Itor and his other ex-lover, Ian. Tag had no clue who or what Ian was when they got involved, but he knows he can never go back to the evil that is Itor. Justice who has never forgotten Tag does the only thing there is to do, he goes after the man he loves.
With a new assignment in hand Ian also goes after Taggart. Ian cannot let go of the man he loves again. He lost him once and he sees this as a chance to redeem his wrongs and get Tag back in his life. Showing up on Tag’s Alaskan wilderness doorstep and finding him in the arms of another man is not how he saw this rescue going. It doesn’t take long for these three very sexy, genetically gifted, alpha males to start butting heads and fighting over who will be with who.
As with all of the ACRO books Three the Hard Way was full of tension, action, and some very hot and sexy loving. This book does work as a stand-alone. I can honestly say if you have not read any of the ACRO books this will whet your appetite and make you want to read the rest of them. This is an amazing series and I’d love to get my hands on more of them.
Favorite quote, Ian to Taggart: “I don’t want to lose you, Tag. I’ll do anything. I’ll share you with him if I have to. I can learn to like him. He is kinda hot.”
Justice is called to action by Devlin O’Malley. Dev thus ACRO (Agency for Covert Rare Operations) has received a phone call from Justice’s ex-lover Taggart. Tag has requested Justice’s help, not ARCO. Tag has been on the run from Itor and his other ex-lover, Ian. Tag had no clue who or what Ian was when they got involved, but he knows he can never go back to the evil that is Itor. Justice who has never forgotten Tag does the only thing there is to do, he goes after the man he loves.
With a new assignment in hand Ian also goes after Taggart. Ian cannot let go of the man he loves again. He lost him once and he sees this as a chance to redeem his wrongs and get Tag back in his life. Showing up on Tag’s Alaskan wilderness doorstep and finding him in the arms of another man is not how he saw this rescue going. It doesn’t take long for these three very sexy, genetically gifted, alpha males to start butting heads and fighting over who will be with who.
As with all of the ACRO books Three the Hard Way was full of tension, action, and some very hot and sexy loving. This book does work as a stand-alone. I can honestly say if you have not read any of the ACRO books this will whet your appetite and make you want to read the rest of them. This is an amazing series and I’d love to get my hands on more of them.
Favorite quote, Ian to Taggart: “I don’t want to lose you, Tag. I’ll do anything. I’ll share you with him if I have to. I can learn to like him. He is kinda hot.”
November 25, 2017
Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup. (live on the blog 1/22/18)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2zCKl4y
Yall! This was one of the first erotic series I devoured back before the blog. I seriously love me some ACRO. It's all about humans with special enhanced abilities that do all kinds of sexy super hero things.
I've been holding off on Three the Hard Way because I'm really not into mm. And, while it was a decent action packed--in more ways than one--novella it confirmed that, yeah, mm, totally not my thing.
The Gist: Needing to be rescued...sucks. Both your exes-- the betraying bastards!-- showing up and winding up trapped in a one bedroom Alaskan bunker during a blizzard together? Fuck a duck. Seriously?
Drama! Sexy, angry, alpha male drama. Times three. lol Yeah, Ian, Tag and Justice have some angst happening. Poor Tag. Faced with both the men he's loved and who betrayed him. And the two guys instantly hating one another over what the other had done to Tag in the past. Yeah. It's messy and angry and all that bubbles up to fucking the hell out of each other while they wait out the storm. And doing so often. lol
Things do get steamy. Pairing off and all together. I think if that's your thing it was probably hot but it's just not mine so I trudged through the sexy bits. Not an easy feat when you've got three horny angry men.
There's lots of anger and betrayal dealt with, hurt feelings and past sins to work through. Not to mention a raging blizzard and an evil agency that's barreling down on them.
All in all, if you love the series and enjoy M/M romance/menage I'd say go for it. Three the Hard Way was a quick read and fine entertainment. Just wasn't quite my deal.
July 6, 2025
Three the Hard Way by Sydney Croft
Genres: Adult, crime, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense
4.75 Stars
Passionate, Intriguing, Hot & Steamy! A fantastic series!!
This is one of my favorite series. I have read all 7 books now. Each book has its own rhythm & strong personality.
This one is male on male romance & very different for me.
I have to be honest.
I LOVED IT!
This is the first time I've read a romance that strictly involved only men. I found myself intrigued with their relationship and interactions.
Very well written. I can't say it was my absolute favorite in this series. But I have to admit it comes close.
Hot & steamy.
Intriguing to say the least.
Genres: Adult, crime, Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense
4.75 Stars
Passionate, Intriguing, Hot & Steamy! A fantastic series!!
This is one of my favorite series. I have read all 7 books now. Each book has its own rhythm & strong personality.
This one is male on male romance & very different for me.
I have to be honest.
I LOVED IT!
This is the first time I've read a romance that strictly involved only men. I found myself intrigued with their relationship and interactions.
Very well written. I can't say it was my absolute favorite in this series. But I have to admit it comes close.
Hot & steamy.
Intriguing to say the least.
December 19, 2014
This is one of the best ARCO stories I've read. It was well balanced, not too much sex, not too one-side. It was just right for me.
It featured BFF Justice and Taggart who separated after a tragedy, Taggart later found love again with Ian. Justice got a call at ARCO and he went to rescue Taggart, but Ian, who was a mercenary for Itor came for Taggart as well.
Now Taggart is faced with two men who love him, his first love Taggart, and his current love Ian.
this book reminded me of Bound by Law, way less sex but just as enjoyable. Love was the winner here...well ARCO won too.
It featured BFF Justice and Taggart who separated after a tragedy, Taggart later found love again with Ian. Justice got a call at ARCO and he went to rescue Taggart, but Ian, who was a mercenary for Itor came for Taggart as well.
Now Taggart is faced with two men who love him, his first love Taggart, and his current love Ian.
this book reminded me of Bound by Law, way less sex but just as enjoyable. Love was the winner here...well ARCO won too.
December 25, 2014
As I was reading this book, it greatly reminded me of Bound by Law, which is my favorite m/m menage book. The three guys in the cabin that were all brought together because on man loved them both and the other two guys didn't want to lose him so they tried to make it work. The difference was that Justice, Ian and Taggert weren't as interesting as Styx, Law and Paulo and I couldn't stop comparing. It made much more sense when I found out that one of the authors wrote under the pen name of SE Jakes, who wrote Bound by Law. After that it made Three the Hard Way seem like the generic brand of Bound By Law and it was definitely missing some ingredients, like some kind of depth in the story.
Granted, the story was not bad. The three guys had chemistry amongst each other. I like the premise of the ACRO books so the super ability aspect was good. The story just seemed superficial. It made me feel that the story could have been much deeper. As soon as things started getting good and the guys coming together, the book was over. At the end, I was left with the feeling of "Is that it?" The ending was weak and did not provide appropriate closure. I've only said this for a few books but this one needed an epilogue.
Maybe since this series is mainly m/f, that they felt using a watered down version of Bound by Law would be fine but when a m/m reader reads this and has read the other, they will see the similarities and probably be like me and want to go and read about Styx, Law and Paulo again.
I'm in between a 2 and 2.5.
Granted, the story was not bad. The three guys had chemistry amongst each other. I like the premise of the ACRO books so the super ability aspect was good. The story just seemed superficial. It made me feel that the story could have been much deeper. As soon as things started getting good and the guys coming together, the book was over. At the end, I was left with the feeling of "Is that it?" The ending was weak and did not provide appropriate closure. I've only said this for a few books but this one needed an epilogue.
Maybe since this series is mainly m/f, that they felt using a watered down version of Bound by Law would be fine but when a m/m reader reads this and has read the other, they will see the similarities and probably be like me and want to go and read about Styx, Law and Paulo again.
I'm in between a 2 and 2.5.
December 27, 2014
My Review:
Three men, ex-lovers, snowbound at Christmastime, angry alpha sex...these are a few of my favorite things.
I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. It simply touched off all my favorite tropes into an excellent story that I adored.
Tag is the guy that ties all three of these men together. That and the fact that they all have special paranormal abilities. He's loved both Ian and Justice, but neither man "stuck" for various reasons tied to their special abilities. He both hates and loves both of these guys for that. They are the only two men he's ever let get that close. But he's still not sure if he trusts either one of them again or even if he does, if he'll be able to have either one of them. And if he can...then how does he choose? His feelings are deep for both of them...
This is one seriously sexy, angsty little read and I loved every minute of it. I own the entire ACRO series, but it still sits in my print TBR pile. I think I need to pull those books out...SOON!
Three men, ex-lovers, snowbound at Christmastime, angry alpha sex...these are a few of my favorite things.
I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. It simply touched off all my favorite tropes into an excellent story that I adored.
Tag is the guy that ties all three of these men together. That and the fact that they all have special paranormal abilities. He's loved both Ian and Justice, but neither man "stuck" for various reasons tied to their special abilities. He both hates and loves both of these guys for that. They are the only two men he's ever let get that close. But he's still not sure if he trusts either one of them again or even if he does, if he'll be able to have either one of them. And if he can...then how does he choose? His feelings are deep for both of them...
This is one seriously sexy, angsty little read and I loved every minute of it. I own the entire ACRO series, but it still sits in my print TBR pile. I think I need to pull those books out...SOON!
September 8, 2017
2.5 stars
I loved ACRO series that I read back in 2010-2011 ... since I need an entry for my personal reading challenge of MMM romance (I have only read one so far, back in March) I decided to get back to this universe. Unfortunately, this didn't satisfy me at all...
Mainly, I couldn't really believe in this menage. The first twenty percent is all about Justice and Tag (including the prologue of them as kids) before Ian appeared. I felt like Ian is the third wheel in the relationship that started YEARS ago. Justice and Tag had twenty-six years history between them. It just didn't feel balanced to me somehow...
I could believe that Tag wanted to have both men in his life (even after Ian pretty much delivered him to Itor) BUT I have a hard time believing that Justice can start caring for Ian and vice versa.
Also, this didn't feel like ACRO to me somehow ... maybe because the three men pretty much trapped inside a cabin in a blizzard without much action of ACRO vs. Itor that we had in the first six books of the series. So yeah, there's Devlin (and talking about Devlin, where's his significant other Gabriel?!?) and maybe some references to plot from previous ACRO books, but this could also be just three men being stuck in a cabin rehashing their relationship problem.
Yeah, not exactly the ACRO novella I expected
Part of my Personal Challenge 2017 ; Category 2: M/M/M Romance
I loved ACRO series that I read back in 2010-2011 ... since I need an entry for my personal reading challenge of MMM romance (I have only read one so far, back in March) I decided to get back to this universe. Unfortunately, this didn't satisfy me at all...
Mainly, I couldn't really believe in this menage. The first twenty percent is all about Justice and Tag (including the prologue of them as kids) before Ian appeared. I felt like Ian is the third wheel in the relationship that started YEARS ago. Justice and Tag had twenty-six years history between them. It just didn't feel balanced to me somehow...
I could believe that Tag wanted to have both men in his life (even after Ian pretty much delivered him to Itor) BUT I have a hard time believing that Justice can start caring for Ian and vice versa.
Also, this didn't feel like ACRO to me somehow ... maybe because the three men pretty much trapped inside a cabin in a blizzard without much action of ACRO vs. Itor that we had in the first six books of the series. So yeah, there's Devlin (and talking about Devlin, where's his significant other Gabriel?!?) and maybe some references to plot from previous ACRO books, but this could also be just three men being stuck in a cabin rehashing their relationship problem.
Yeah, not exactly the ACRO novella I expected
Part of my Personal Challenge 2017 ; Category 2: M/M/M Romance
December 22, 2014
This was more of a 3.5 for me, but the Charity aspect made me bump it up a spot:)
Back when I was reading mostly M/F romance I had been introduced to an interesting sounding action-packed paranormal series full of kick-ass women and alpha males written by the dynamic duo of Stephanie Tyler (a.k.a. S.E. Jakes) and Larissa Ione writing as 'Sydney Croft'. I was just getting ready to dig into this particular series when I found M/M romance, and I really haven't had the chance or even the desire to revisit M/F romance for a couple years. Well, when this title came across our paths in exchange for an honest review, and I realized it was part of that ACRO universe, including THREE male characters in a possible ménage, I was like 'YES!'. And the fact that the proceeds benefit the charity 'It Gets Better Project' made it even more appealing.
Blurb:
This title is part of the ACRO universe.
Lovers Taggart Brody and Justice McKinney possess special abilities that make them valuable to agencies who employ—or enslave—people with extraordinary talents. When tragedy tears them apart, Justice finds purpose working for the good guys: ACRO, the super-secret Agency for Covert Rare Operatives. But he never forgets Taggart or the past they once shared.
Heartbroken, Taggart runs from who he is . . . right into the arms of Ian Bridges. But Ian, battling his own demons, betrays Tag to the terrorist organization Itor. After months of torture, Tag manages to escape, but kills an ACRO agent in the process.
With nowhere left to turn, Tag disappears into the Alaskan wilderness, but it’s only a matter of time before his enemies track him down. He reaches out to Justice, and somehow Ian finds him too, hoping to right his wrongs. With ACRO and Itor both bearing down, the three men must figure out how to forgive, how to work together, and how to love each other—or the coming battle will destroy them all.
This story started off with us being told about a falling out between two young men that had grown up together, having lived in a commune-type setting with both their single mothers. These guys seemed to be the love of each other's lives and it just broke my heart that they weren't together, and it takes quite a bit of unfolding as to why they aren't together.
THEN we are introduced to a third person that evidently is a member of an opposing organization who was there for the fallout. The fact that they all three end up in the same remote location makes the reader wonder if it's a setup, or just a fluke coincidence. As we go through the events that happen to these men we find out more about the secret organizations ACRO and Itor, two opposing agencies that 'use' people with 'special' abilities. Which one is good and which one is bad, and which do these men actually represent?
It definitely kept me on my toes, and even with the 'menage' aspect, it didn't have much in the way of explicit sex scenes, even though there was quite a bit of innuendo and teasing going on. I did find myself wishing for more of a fleshed-out background on every character and realize it's part of a series, but you get the impression that even having read the other 6 books previous, you wouldn't have learned more about these three. It was written so it could be read as a standalone and, in my personal opinion, it felt too short as a novella, but it does make the reader curious about the rest of the series.
This story read as a small continuation and tribute to the rest of the series, and it was nice to see LGBT characters accepted in this universe. It even had a bit of Christmas in the end, and would make a sweet, short holiday read that also benefits a wonderful charity for LGBT youth. Give it a try! Think you might like it :)
8 of 10 pots of gold
Where to purchase:
Riptide Publishing
Amazon
About Sydney Croft:
Sydney Croft is the alter-ego of two published authors who came together to blend their very different writing interests into adventurous tales of erotic paranormal fiction. Together, they developed a world where people with extraordinary abilities, like the power to control storms, could live and work with others like them. The series has been described as "Erotica meets the X-Men," and is unique in its own "erotic super hero romance" niche.
The authors behind Sydney Croft live in different states and communicate almost entirely through email, though they often get together for conferences and book signings.
Stephanie Tyler
Larissa Ione
Back when I was reading mostly M/F romance I had been introduced to an interesting sounding action-packed paranormal series full of kick-ass women and alpha males written by the dynamic duo of Stephanie Tyler (a.k.a. S.E. Jakes) and Larissa Ione writing as 'Sydney Croft'. I was just getting ready to dig into this particular series when I found M/M romance, and I really haven't had the chance or even the desire to revisit M/F romance for a couple years. Well, when this title came across our paths in exchange for an honest review, and I realized it was part of that ACRO universe, including THREE male characters in a possible ménage, I was like 'YES!'. And the fact that the proceeds benefit the charity 'It Gets Better Project' made it even more appealing.
Blurb:
This title is part of the ACRO universe.
Lovers Taggart Brody and Justice McKinney possess special abilities that make them valuable to agencies who employ—or enslave—people with extraordinary talents. When tragedy tears them apart, Justice finds purpose working for the good guys: ACRO, the super-secret Agency for Covert Rare Operatives. But he never forgets Taggart or the past they once shared.
Heartbroken, Taggart runs from who he is . . . right into the arms of Ian Bridges. But Ian, battling his own demons, betrays Tag to the terrorist organization Itor. After months of torture, Tag manages to escape, but kills an ACRO agent in the process.
With nowhere left to turn, Tag disappears into the Alaskan wilderness, but it’s only a matter of time before his enemies track him down. He reaches out to Justice, and somehow Ian finds him too, hoping to right his wrongs. With ACRO and Itor both bearing down, the three men must figure out how to forgive, how to work together, and how to love each other—or the coming battle will destroy them all.
This story started off with us being told about a falling out between two young men that had grown up together, having lived in a commune-type setting with both their single mothers. These guys seemed to be the love of each other's lives and it just broke my heart that they weren't together, and it takes quite a bit of unfolding as to why they aren't together.
THEN we are introduced to a third person that evidently is a member of an opposing organization who was there for the fallout. The fact that they all three end up in the same remote location makes the reader wonder if it's a setup, or just a fluke coincidence. As we go through the events that happen to these men we find out more about the secret organizations ACRO and Itor, two opposing agencies that 'use' people with 'special' abilities. Which one is good and which one is bad, and which do these men actually represent?
It definitely kept me on my toes, and even with the 'menage' aspect, it didn't have much in the way of explicit sex scenes, even though there was quite a bit of innuendo and teasing going on. I did find myself wishing for more of a fleshed-out background on every character and realize it's part of a series, but you get the impression that even having read the other 6 books previous, you wouldn't have learned more about these three. It was written so it could be read as a standalone and, in my personal opinion, it felt too short as a novella, but it does make the reader curious about the rest of the series.
This story read as a small continuation and tribute to the rest of the series, and it was nice to see LGBT characters accepted in this universe. It even had a bit of Christmas in the end, and would make a sweet, short holiday read that also benefits a wonderful charity for LGBT youth. Give it a try! Think you might like it :)
8 of 10 pots of gold
Where to purchase:
Riptide Publishing
Amazon
About Sydney Croft:
Sydney Croft is the alter-ego of two published authors who came together to blend their very different writing interests into adventurous tales of erotic paranormal fiction. Together, they developed a world where people with extraordinary abilities, like the power to control storms, could live and work with others like them. The series has been described as "Erotica meets the X-Men," and is unique in its own "erotic super hero romance" niche.
The authors behind Sydney Croft live in different states and communicate almost entirely through email, though they often get together for conferences and book signings.
Stephanie Tyler
Larissa Ione
December 29, 2014
3.5 stars
It feels good to be back in the ACRO world. Why does it ever have to be put on hold? I could read this series forever! I love the X-Men premise, the super powers, the battles and the hot sex. What more can we ask for!? I pleasantly surprised to see this book pop up when I least expected. By now it’s been a while since I read the last one and I honestly can’t remember if any of these characters were featured in the previous books. With that in mind, I still managed to enjoy this book a lot.
Tag and Justice have been friends since childhood. Both born from mothers that were experimented on, and both with powers they didn’t know exactly how to control. As they grew up, they grew apart in the paths they chose to lead. Justice went to ACRO and Tag decided to continue solo. This was the wedge in, not only their friendship, but their love affair. However, they’ve never fully gotten over one another. When Tag finds himself in a bind and needs Justice’s help to get out of it alive, deep buried feelings also get stirred. And when that stirring happens, after all the betrayals, it’s simply explosive.
There was less action in this book then I expected. It focuses more on the romantic relationship. Tag and Justice have a lot of years of heart ache to get past, but they seemed to get over their differences pretty quickly. Then you throw Ian into the mix, and I didn’t know where to look first. Ian was the man that picked up the pieces left of Tag after he was broken hearted about Justice going to ACRO and leaving him. But he was also the man responsible for the danger Tag is in now.
The sexual chemistry between these 3 is palpable. I just wish these would’ve been a full length book. I think the forgiveness was rushed. And the setup of this threesome was also rushed. These 3 men had some serious trust issues to get over and that happened to quick for my taste.
It was also nice to revisit with Dev, even if it was for just a second. I miss him and Creed and Annika and I can only hope that in the future these authors will give us more glimpses of them in action! I am left anxiously awaiting the next slice of ACRO I can get.
*ARC provided by publisher
It feels good to be back in the ACRO world. Why does it ever have to be put on hold? I could read this series forever! I love the X-Men premise, the super powers, the battles and the hot sex. What more can we ask for!? I pleasantly surprised to see this book pop up when I least expected. By now it’s been a while since I read the last one and I honestly can’t remember if any of these characters were featured in the previous books. With that in mind, I still managed to enjoy this book a lot.
Tag and Justice have been friends since childhood. Both born from mothers that were experimented on, and both with powers they didn’t know exactly how to control. As they grew up, they grew apart in the paths they chose to lead. Justice went to ACRO and Tag decided to continue solo. This was the wedge in, not only their friendship, but their love affair. However, they’ve never fully gotten over one another. When Tag finds himself in a bind and needs Justice’s help to get out of it alive, deep buried feelings also get stirred. And when that stirring happens, after all the betrayals, it’s simply explosive.
There was less action in this book then I expected. It focuses more on the romantic relationship. Tag and Justice have a lot of years of heart ache to get past, but they seemed to get over their differences pretty quickly. Then you throw Ian into the mix, and I didn’t know where to look first. Ian was the man that picked up the pieces left of Tag after he was broken hearted about Justice going to ACRO and leaving him. But he was also the man responsible for the danger Tag is in now.
The sexual chemistry between these 3 is palpable. I just wish these would’ve been a full length book. I think the forgiveness was rushed. And the setup of this threesome was also rushed. These 3 men had some serious trust issues to get over and that happened to quick for my taste.
It was also nice to revisit with Dev, even if it was for just a second. I miss him and Creed and Annika and I can only hope that in the future these authors will give us more glimpses of them in action! I am left anxiously awaiting the next slice of ACRO I can get.
*ARC provided by publisher
September 11, 2016
Justice McKinney
Taggart Brody
Ian Bridges
Rating: 4 stars
Read: 12/12/14
Taggart Brody
Ian Bridges
Rating: 4 stars
Read: 12/12/14
December 6, 2014
Another amazing ACRO book and it was nice to see appearances by a couple old chapters. Devlin was his usual self and of course ACRO saves the day.
Read
October 18, 2014I found this to order on riptide for all the Acro fans
December 20, 2014
3.5 Stars
August 28, 2017
Lovers Taggart Brody and Justice McKinney possess special abilities that make them valuable to agencies who employ—or enslave—people with extraordinary talents. When tragedy tears them apart, Justice finds purpose working for the good guys: ACRO, the super-secret Agency for Covert Rare Operatives. But he never forgets Taggart or the past they once shared.
Heartbroken, Taggart runs from who he is . . . right into the arms of Ian Bridges. But Ian, battling his own demons, betrays Tag to the terrorist organization Itor. After months of torture, Tag manages to escape, but kills an ACRO agent in the process.
With nowhere left to turn, Tag disappears into the Alaskan wilderness, but it’s only a matter of time before his enemies track him down. He reaches out to Justice, and somehow Ian finds him too, hoping to right his wrongs. With ACRO and Itor both bearing down, the three men must figure out how to forgive, how to work together, and how to love each other—or the coming battle will destroy them all.
When I started this book I did not realize it was book 7 of the series. I have only read a few, and I try to read books in order. However, I did not feel lost in the book and I did enjoy the story. It felt a little short (even though it took me a while to read it), but it is not listed as a short story. I thought the issues were resolved rather quickly. I would have also liked to see how they adjusted to being in ACRO, so overall I thought the story was just ok.
Heartbroken, Taggart runs from who he is . . . right into the arms of Ian Bridges. But Ian, battling his own demons, betrays Tag to the terrorist organization Itor. After months of torture, Tag manages to escape, but kills an ACRO agent in the process.
With nowhere left to turn, Tag disappears into the Alaskan wilderness, but it’s only a matter of time before his enemies track him down. He reaches out to Justice, and somehow Ian finds him too, hoping to right his wrongs. With ACRO and Itor both bearing down, the three men must figure out how to forgive, how to work together, and how to love each other—or the coming battle will destroy them all.
When I started this book I did not realize it was book 7 of the series. I have only read a few, and I try to read books in order. However, I did not feel lost in the book and I did enjoy the story. It felt a little short (even though it took me a while to read it), but it is not listed as a short story. I thought the issues were resolved rather quickly. I would have also liked to see how they adjusted to being in ACRO, so overall I thought the story was just ok.
March 29, 2018
This was sad and disappointing. First, it was a novella, which means not enough hunky man story development! Also, the characters were really not developed enough for my liking. There were some flashbacks to account for some of the characters' history together, but I feel like they missed some of the most important moments in their history. The novella also pushed the timeline for forgiveness and acceptance that didn't feel real. I wanted to love this much more, but it just wasn't enough for me.
December 18, 2014
A delicious blend of 'enemies to lovers to reunion romance' all while expecting not one, but two hard hitting super secret organizations to descend upon them just made this unique menage sci-fi romantic suspense unavoidable. For years, I have heard the praises of this series sung and trust me, it wasn't lack of interest that prevented me from starting it earlier. I saw that this one was shorter, it was a holiday-ish piece and of course all that yumminess that was mentioned above so I leaped into the seventh installment hoping I wouldn't be hopelessly lost.
And I wasn't by the way. The only loss that I can see is that I really want to get the rest of the series more than ever. This one did well as a standalone.
The story opens with one of those prologues where happy boys make heart-felt promises, but the reader is also aware of the dark clouds building on the horizon behind them and just knows that those promises are getting ready to get shot to Hades. After the prologue, things leap to the future when the happy boys are now hardened men who are far apart and hardened and battered by the lives they have led.
Justice works for the secret agency ACRO with the other gifted humans and regular humans with skills set to police the others like them who are set on using their powers for evil and harm to normal humans. He wouldn't be anywhere else, but the past comes rushing back when he gets a desperate call from his one-time best friend and former lover who broke his word and split from Justice right when they needed each other. Both said hateful parting things. Now Tag needs him. ACRO wants Tag brought in because they are afraid that the dreaded Itor will grab up a gifted of his powers and use him. Justice might still be angry and hurt, but Tag sounded scared and desperate in that phone message.
Tag never wanted to make that call to Justice and would love to take it back now that things are set in motion, but Itor's on his tail and he never wants to go back there after he escaped. Justice's arrival and the angry greeting they experience is soon followed by the arrival of the man that sold him out by handing him over to Itor after tricking him into believing they were lovers. Tag is now sharing a snowed in cabin deep in the Alaskan wilderness with the two men he most loved and hated. Both have probably led their respective organizations right to him. They all three snap and snarl at each other with little trust and a lot of high emotions that are barely tempered by their strong mutual attraction.
Ian has never regretted anything more in his life than the day his actions led to Tag's capture, torture and forced work for Itor. He knows that his betrayal cut deep because everything was real, but Tag needs to understand that it was very real for both of them. He can't change the past, but he sure plans to do his best to be there for Tag now. He will do what it takes to earn back Tag's trust. Only he has arrived to find Tag's first love is already on the scene and wants to kill Ian on sight. Both men have unfinished business with Tag that involves clearing up the past, but both want a chance at a future too. Do they all dare something together?
The story is short, but it had a lot of ground to cover. I really liked how the authors used the page count for optimum story and character development. Oh sure, it could have had a few things better teased out if it were longer, but when all was said and done, I was well pleased.
A menage romance is always a tricky thing for me. I like exploring these, but its really hard for one to hit it just right for me to enjoy it. First of all, I'm all about relationship development and secondly, I'm more into it when all involved are involved equally in each other. I'm also pretty picky about how the menage comes together. Fortunately, this one ticked off all the right boxes for me. I found this enemies to lovers/second chance components really worked for me. Their prior history also helped since this was already a shorter story though there was the part of Justice and Ian getting to know each other and accepting each other as lovers and not just sharing Tag.
One of the best things about this one was how these three were all scarred by their pasts, where it led them and how they come together to both release the anger, talk through stuff, but also reform as a three way working partnership, friendship, and trio of lovers. Their personalities and what they brought together melded good. The story stopped at a good place, but I could have kept reading about these three.
As to the holiday theme being present, its there in the sense that none of the guys have had fond memories since the murders of Justice and Tags' moms and the fact that Ian never had any good holidays, but there was one final scene that was fun and wrapped up this story nicely. I so wanted to see them all make use of Tag's naughty gifts.
All in all, my first experience with the ACRO series and my first time in a while with a menage was a wonderful experience. I imagine series fans would enjoy this, but also those who enjoy m/m/m set against a blend of sci-fi and romantic suspense.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review.
And I wasn't by the way. The only loss that I can see is that I really want to get the rest of the series more than ever. This one did well as a standalone.
The story opens with one of those prologues where happy boys make heart-felt promises, but the reader is also aware of the dark clouds building on the horizon behind them and just knows that those promises are getting ready to get shot to Hades. After the prologue, things leap to the future when the happy boys are now hardened men who are far apart and hardened and battered by the lives they have led.
Justice works for the secret agency ACRO with the other gifted humans and regular humans with skills set to police the others like them who are set on using their powers for evil and harm to normal humans. He wouldn't be anywhere else, but the past comes rushing back when he gets a desperate call from his one-time best friend and former lover who broke his word and split from Justice right when they needed each other. Both said hateful parting things. Now Tag needs him. ACRO wants Tag brought in because they are afraid that the dreaded Itor will grab up a gifted of his powers and use him. Justice might still be angry and hurt, but Tag sounded scared and desperate in that phone message.
Tag never wanted to make that call to Justice and would love to take it back now that things are set in motion, but Itor's on his tail and he never wants to go back there after he escaped. Justice's arrival and the angry greeting they experience is soon followed by the arrival of the man that sold him out by handing him over to Itor after tricking him into believing they were lovers. Tag is now sharing a snowed in cabin deep in the Alaskan wilderness with the two men he most loved and hated. Both have probably led their respective organizations right to him. They all three snap and snarl at each other with little trust and a lot of high emotions that are barely tempered by their strong mutual attraction.
Ian has never regretted anything more in his life than the day his actions led to Tag's capture, torture and forced work for Itor. He knows that his betrayal cut deep because everything was real, but Tag needs to understand that it was very real for both of them. He can't change the past, but he sure plans to do his best to be there for Tag now. He will do what it takes to earn back Tag's trust. Only he has arrived to find Tag's first love is already on the scene and wants to kill Ian on sight. Both men have unfinished business with Tag that involves clearing up the past, but both want a chance at a future too. Do they all dare something together?
The story is short, but it had a lot of ground to cover. I really liked how the authors used the page count for optimum story and character development. Oh sure, it could have had a few things better teased out if it were longer, but when all was said and done, I was well pleased.
A menage romance is always a tricky thing for me. I like exploring these, but its really hard for one to hit it just right for me to enjoy it. First of all, I'm all about relationship development and secondly, I'm more into it when all involved are involved equally in each other. I'm also pretty picky about how the menage comes together. Fortunately, this one ticked off all the right boxes for me. I found this enemies to lovers/second chance components really worked for me. Their prior history also helped since this was already a shorter story though there was the part of Justice and Ian getting to know each other and accepting each other as lovers and not just sharing Tag.
One of the best things about this one was how these three were all scarred by their pasts, where it led them and how they come together to both release the anger, talk through stuff, but also reform as a three way working partnership, friendship, and trio of lovers. Their personalities and what they brought together melded good. The story stopped at a good place, but I could have kept reading about these three.
As to the holiday theme being present, its there in the sense that none of the guys have had fond memories since the murders of Justice and Tags' moms and the fact that Ian never had any good holidays, but there was one final scene that was fun and wrapped up this story nicely. I so wanted to see them all make use of Tag's naughty gifts.
All in all, my first experience with the ACRO series and my first time in a while with a menage was a wonderful experience. I imagine series fans would enjoy this, but also those who enjoy m/m/m set against a blend of sci-fi and romantic suspense.
My thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2017
It is always great when you get to revisit a series you love and I do love the ACRO series. I enjoyed this story, Tag and Justice are great characters and Ian was a good addition to the story. I am really keeping my fingers crossed that at some stage these two fabulous authors will find the time to go back and bring us even more of the ACRO series.
March 11, 2020
This might’ve been better if I’d read the previous 6 books. It was hard to catch up to the stuff that was happening and the jargon and the back story. It looks like the other books in the series are hetero so no thanks. 2.5 stars.
April 11, 2018
I really enjoy this series and was excited to see another story from it. I normally don't read M/M/M but again, because I really enjoyed this series I endured. Glad I did.
July 21, 2019
Rated 3.5 Stars
October 1, 2021
Sydney Croft has the only M/M books I've enjoyed so far.
I LOVE that this series covers so many different relationships .
I LOVE that this series covers so many different relationships .
December 15, 2014
3.5 star review by Vicki
I have read all of the ACRO books I think, but there may have been a couple in anthologies I missed…. I loved them, the creativity in the characters and the plots kept me very entertained over the years as they came out. I was quite surprised to see this one on Riptide Publishing’s website, I didn’t think we’d see any more from this series. So I gladly asked to review it!
Justice and Taggart grew up together, their mothers were held by Itor (the bad guys), and experimented on, resulting in two boys with exceptional powers. They all managed to escape, and the moms and boys were able to live for some time without the evil influence of Itor. Unfortunately it all went to shit when the boys were in college, and the two go their seperate ways. Justice to ACRO (the good guys), the less trusting Tag off on his own. Only to end up manipulated, captured, and forced to join Itor. He gets away and heads to a remote cabin he has in Alaska. In desperation he calls ACRO trying to find Justice, his only hope.
Justice goes to him, but so does Ian, the man who betrayed him to Itor. The three spend some time locked in a cabin in a blizzard, and guess what happens next? You got it….. enemies to lovers sex. Justice and Tag have rough-I-hate-you sex about fifteen minutes after reuniting, then continue to fight and argue, which only escalates when Ian arrives. Justice hates Ian on sight, and is pretty pissed off at Tag. Tag is pissed at Justice, and hates Ian. Ian hates Justice, but loves Tag. Around and around they go.
So there wasn’t a lot of plot. Most of the book, with the exception of a bit in the beginning about Tag and Justice as boys, and a glimpse of Justice in Devlin’s office, takes place in a very well stocked cabin the middle of nowhere Alaska. It was pretty much the three men arguing, fighting, and fucking. Which was fine for what it was, but the arguing got old, and it was soooo predictable. Of course they’d end up lovers. No surprise at all. They discuss things that happened in past books, but this didn’t contribute anything to the overall series. There was a bit of excitement and action just before the end of the book, which I loved! I wish it had more of that and less arguing. The ending was good, but felt like it was tacked on to make it a Christmas story.
I liked it, but I’m not sure it really had anything to do with the ACRO books. Yes, it had ACRO and Itor characters, but it could have been any three men in a cabin with issues, being chased by bad guys and good guys. They do have special powers, and we do see some of that, in fact Tag and Justice’s abilities play a big part, but it just didn’t feel like an ACRO book to me. It felt like a short story set in a familiar world, with familiar characters making appearances, and the main characters having sex. I couldn’t help thinking back on some of the awesome ACRO books with action, drama, big plots, fighting, and intrigue, and missing that all in this book. The first half was bland, but the second half was exciting. I wish the whole thing had been like the second half. I can’t say that there was anything wrong with the book, but there were no surprises, no big moments, nothing made me go “Oh shit!”. I didn’t dislike it, but after reading it nothing really stands out in my mind about it. It was a good story about three men stuck in a cabin having sex. That’s about it!
If you like enemies to lovers plots you’ll like this. If you have read the ACRO books you should probably read this one as well. If you like three-somes you’ll probably like this one. If you don’t, well…. maybe not a good choice. There was no romance, and not much in the way of love declarations. A couple of sex scenes between two at a time, then all three, that were very well done. The writing was good, the plot was predictable, there is a good connection established between the main characters (mostly hate to begin with), there was some action in the second half, and it had a happy ending.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
I have read all of the ACRO books I think, but there may have been a couple in anthologies I missed…. I loved them, the creativity in the characters and the plots kept me very entertained over the years as they came out. I was quite surprised to see this one on Riptide Publishing’s website, I didn’t think we’d see any more from this series. So I gladly asked to review it!
Justice and Taggart grew up together, their mothers were held by Itor (the bad guys), and experimented on, resulting in two boys with exceptional powers. They all managed to escape, and the moms and boys were able to live for some time without the evil influence of Itor. Unfortunately it all went to shit when the boys were in college, and the two go their seperate ways. Justice to ACRO (the good guys), the less trusting Tag off on his own. Only to end up manipulated, captured, and forced to join Itor. He gets away and heads to a remote cabin he has in Alaska. In desperation he calls ACRO trying to find Justice, his only hope.
Justice goes to him, but so does Ian, the man who betrayed him to Itor. The three spend some time locked in a cabin in a blizzard, and guess what happens next? You got it….. enemies to lovers sex. Justice and Tag have rough-I-hate-you sex about fifteen minutes after reuniting, then continue to fight and argue, which only escalates when Ian arrives. Justice hates Ian on sight, and is pretty pissed off at Tag. Tag is pissed at Justice, and hates Ian. Ian hates Justice, but loves Tag. Around and around they go.
So there wasn’t a lot of plot. Most of the book, with the exception of a bit in the beginning about Tag and Justice as boys, and a glimpse of Justice in Devlin’s office, takes place in a very well stocked cabin the middle of nowhere Alaska. It was pretty much the three men arguing, fighting, and fucking. Which was fine for what it was, but the arguing got old, and it was soooo predictable. Of course they’d end up lovers. No surprise at all. They discuss things that happened in past books, but this didn’t contribute anything to the overall series. There was a bit of excitement and action just before the end of the book, which I loved! I wish it had more of that and less arguing. The ending was good, but felt like it was tacked on to make it a Christmas story.
I liked it, but I’m not sure it really had anything to do with the ACRO books. Yes, it had ACRO and Itor characters, but it could have been any three men in a cabin with issues, being chased by bad guys and good guys. They do have special powers, and we do see some of that, in fact Tag and Justice’s abilities play a big part, but it just didn’t feel like an ACRO book to me. It felt like a short story set in a familiar world, with familiar characters making appearances, and the main characters having sex. I couldn’t help thinking back on some of the awesome ACRO books with action, drama, big plots, fighting, and intrigue, and missing that all in this book. The first half was bland, but the second half was exciting. I wish the whole thing had been like the second half. I can’t say that there was anything wrong with the book, but there were no surprises, no big moments, nothing made me go “Oh shit!”. I didn’t dislike it, but after reading it nothing really stands out in my mind about it. It was a good story about three men stuck in a cabin having sex. That’s about it!
If you like enemies to lovers plots you’ll like this. If you have read the ACRO books you should probably read this one as well. If you like three-somes you’ll probably like this one. If you don’t, well…. maybe not a good choice. There was no romance, and not much in the way of love declarations. A couple of sex scenes between two at a time, then all three, that were very well done. The writing was good, the plot was predictable, there is a good connection established between the main characters (mostly hate to begin with), there was some action in the second half, and it had a happy ending.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
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