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To keep him I’ll have to break the one rule I never thought I would.



Paxon

As a hockey defenseman it’s my job to protect the net and I don’t do it quietly. I like to throw a punch or two just to keep the fans excited. I put everything into my job, after all, hockey is the only thing keeping me together.

There’s only one person who knows the me behind the hockey mask, and that’s my brother Boone. He breaks my heart on a daily basis, but I promised our mom I’d look out for him. Which is hard enough with my schedule and his…choices.

When someone starts closing in on him, I have to risk everything to protect him. Unfortunately for me, the guy trailing my brother is the hottest man alive and the attraction between us is undeniable. Irresistible.

Is there a way to keep my brother safe and the dangerous man after him in my bed?



Wraith

Paxon Bouchard is a problem. He’s the extremely sexy, bossy, loudmouth obstacle between me and the job I’m supposed to get done. Finding out my latest assignment is his brother is unfortunate, but nothing gets between me and a job well done. Not even a beefy hockey player.

When new information surfaces, I have a difficult decision to make. Breaking the rules isn’t something I do, ever, and I’m not keen on it, but Pax offers me something I never saw for myself - a future. Maybe even love.

To keep Pax, I’ll have to trust him and hope I made the right decision. If I’m wrong, I could lose everything.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2026

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Mia Monroe

73 books736 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
Profile Image for Abigail Beckwith.
1,805 reviews
May 11, 2026
Here's "Wraith" by Mia Monroe. It's the second novel in the Crestvale Killers series.

["To keep him I’ll have to break the one rule I never thought I would.

Paxon
As a hockey defenseman it’s my job to protect the net and I don’t do it quietly. I like to throw a punch or two just to keep the fans excited. I put everything into my job, after all, hockey is the only thing keeping me together.
There’s only one person who knows the me behind the hockey mask, and that’s my brother Boone. He breaks my heart on a daily basis, but I promised our mom I’d look out for him. Which is hard enough with my schedule and his…choices.
When someone starts closing in on him, I have to risk everything to protect him. Unfortunately for me, the guy trailing my brother is the hottest man alive and the attraction between us is undeniable. Irresistible.
Is there a way to keep my brother safe and the dangerous man after him in my bed?

Wraith
Paxon Bouchard is a problem. He’s the extremely sexy, bossy, loudmouth obstacle between me and the job I’m supposed to get done. Finding out my latest assignment is his brother is unfortunate, but nothing gets between me and a job well done. Not even a beefy hockey player.
When new information surfaces, I have a difficult decision to make. Breaking the rules isn’t something I do, ever, and I’m not keen on it, but Pax offers me something I never saw for myself - a future. Maybe even love.
To keep Pax, I’ll have to trust him and hope I made the right decision. If I’m wrong, I could lose everything."]

I wasn’t too sure about this one. Then again, I wasn’t looking forward to the thought of instant angst. Turns out, it wasn’t so instant. But it was strong as fuck.

These two fell in love before they realized it. And when they did, it was already too late. It was sweet and was too self-sacrificing. But all of their brothers verbally slapped them over the head with advice (spoiler alert?) and all was mostly well.

I want sooo much more of this series and these broken men.

Trigger Warnings: on-page suggestion of SA of a woman who is not a character in this book, sex trafficking and SA victims, abusive/traumatic background, prior drug overdose discussions, prior suicide attempt (not MCs), and more.

#specter #wraith #carnage #crestvalekillers #crestvalekillersseries #miamonroe #books #queerbooks #queererotica #bodicerippers #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks
Profile Image for True Loveislovereview.
2,952 reviews1 follower
April 22, 2026
4.5 stars. Wraith is part of the Crestvale assassins, his chosen family, they all live together in one big mansion.
Wraith’s next target is in some way part of a hockey team. Wraith is visiting a game of the Mistone Magnets in the hope of finding the guy. He didn’t, but he did find a great hookup. It’s one of the hockey players who doesn’t want to be outed. The guy made such an impression that afterwards, Wraith couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Paxton plays for the Mistone Magnets. He’s a big-mouthed defenseman who loves a fight on the ice. It will be his last year. After his retirement, he will open up about his sexuality, but not now.
A fleetly intense encounter at the parking lot with a hot mafia-looking guy was an exception, and far too risky to get exposed.
But dang, it was so hot. He can’t get the red-haired stranger out of his mind.

Paxton’s only family is his brother Boone. Paxton promised to take care of him, but Boone is always in trouble. He can feel it.

Wraith finds Pax after another home game, and they secretly meet up more and more, and it’s getting hotter and more intense. They have such great chemistry. It’s just hooking up, right?
Nah, they stayed longer with each other after they had sex, and have real conversations.
Both men are so in denial, it’s nothing serious, right? Right!

It all turns upside down when Pax understands his brother is Wraith’s target. Everything turns into anger and hate. Wraith knows it’s done between them.
From that point, the story takes a different path. I could easily spoil, but I won’t.
It’s so worth discovering this yourself!

It was heartbreaking to watch the hurt between them. My heart cracked.

It was awesome to see the killers live and work together. The respect and dedication are amazing. We learn more and more about them. Things are going on between certain characters that need explanation, or even better a book in this series!
What a great series, I can’t wait for the next installment!

Read and reviewed for LoveBytes - LGBTQ bookreviews
Profile Image for Julia Toth.
520 reviews12 followers
Review of advance copy
April 19, 2026
I really enjoyed this and kind of inhaled it 🤭
We are back with the crew from Crestvale and this time it's Wraith's turn to find his happily ever after. And he finds it with a hockey players who's brother (unbeknownst to them) is his current mission. Wraith and Paxon have instant chemistry and I really enjoyed the insta-lust that turned into something more the more time they spent together. I loved their dynamic and how Wraith knew what Paxon needed even if Paxon didn't know it himself. The mouth on these two is something else! I really enjoyed the praise in their own filthy way.
This was fast paced and action packed while also focusing on Paxon and Wraith's relationship. I enjoyed the discussion around Wraith's job and what he enjoys about it. I understood Paxon's hesitation but in the end their feelings were too deep and they couldn't fight the inevitable.
I really enjoyed the scenes with Wraith's brothers at the Crestvale mansion and their strong family bond. I can't wait for everyone to find their person in the future, while also dealing with bad guys.

This book was a very enjoyable read. I loved the darkness in it and I also loved all of their swoony declarations of love. The book contains darker elements but it still feels lighthearted in a way. Definitely a fun read that will have you reading chapter after chapter after chapter.
Profile Image for Flick.
1,056 reviews8 followers
May 9, 2026
I am loving this new series!

This series reminds me so much of the Immortal Assassins series in the best ways! It's got a ton of found family, a stupendous amount of heat (these guys are smoking hot together) and a lovely bit of action that keeps things exciting. On top of all of that there's also a great amount of emotion between Paxton and Wraith. Mia did an amazing job with creating heat and emotion between them. I will say, these two were kind of oblivious at first which did make me chortle. The whole 'we're just hooking up' was hilarious given they were obviously way more committed to each other than a hook-up. It was cute though that they were living in that state of delusion and it honestly made me root for them even more. They just worked so well together and I wanted them to have their HEA and find happiness with each other. On top of the romance (well, really connected to it) is a great plot, though I won't say much about it because I don't want to give any spoilers. Needless to say it's an engaging plot and while it causes some problems for Paxton and Wraith the conclusion makes it worth it. I really do love the way Mia can keep you engaged whilst knowing at the same time that these guys are always going to be okay and have each others' backs. It makes reading through those more tense moments so much more enjoyable. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
667 reviews6 followers
April 24, 2026
Solid second story in the Crestvale Killers series. Wraith gets an assignment for a hard to locate target. The only real info he gets is that the man always attends the local professional hockey games, in seats reserved on the “home” side. As far as Wraith knows though, he’s not related to anyone on the team. After not finding his target at the first game he attends he goes to the bar across the street for a drink. And sees Pax for the first time. They meet eyes across the bar and Wraith decides to follow his instincts and catches up with Pax across the street at his vehicle. Few words are exchanged before they each help each other relieve themselves another way. Quick and easy, and 🔥. But, one taste is not enough for either man. Although, an in the closet hockey player and an assassin for hire that is stalking said hockey player’s non public brother does not make for an ideal match. However, all is not as it seems. Neither is Boone, Pax’s brother and Wraith’s target. When the truth is revealed it will take all of the Crestvale Killers to solve the problem. No worries though, Wraith and Pax find their HEA, despite the unique situation. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Sharon L.
967 reviews16 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 11, 2026
"There are worse things than hanging out at a hockey game, but now that I know the hottie on the ice exists, it could be distracting."

This is book 2 in the Crestvale Killers series by Mia Monroe. I enjoyed this one more than the last one. Is it just me? Maybe the hockey played into that or maybe I felt more empathy for these guys, who knows?!?

Can you read these as standalones, probably, but why would you? Each story revolves around one of the "murder buddies" murderers with heart, so you'll be missing out on each of them finding their own HEA. I highly recommend signing up for Mia's newsletter to get the freebie prequel Hitman Hookup, it's where it all started.

This story revolves around Wraith, the long haired Norwegian hottie and Paxon the loud mouth pro hockey defenseman. HOCKEY... enough said!!!

A one time hookup leads to something more, two men not looking for more but secretly hoping for a connection, found family, biological family, a brother in trouble and way in over his head, a job that leads to uncovering something no one thought about or saw coming
Profile Image for Spice Fan.
218 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 13, 2026
4.5⭐️

Book 2 - that came around quickly.

I really enjoyed this, I read the bulk of it in the course of a day, I was so caught up in the story.

Wraith is so hot, his vibe, treatment of Bouche/Paxon, his dirty talk. And Pax is a gorgeous sweetheart, even being the big ice hockey D-man. I loved their dynamic together, how Wraith got Pax even more than Pax got himself. The spice starts early before we get into the drama and bad guy stuff with Pax’s brother, and I was hooked wanting to see where it was all going to end up. I especially liked the feel of the last third of the book - heated, sweet, swoony and romantic.

Great involvement of the rest of the murder buddies, I can’t wait for their stories, especially Shadow’s.

It seems quite a few of my go-to authors have delved into new types of stories over the past year or so, the majority of them being my favourite series of theirs - this is no exception.

Can’t wait for the next one.

I received an ARC, this is my honest review.
60 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 14, 2026
I absolutely enjoyed book one in this series, and I was really excited to read this one. Wraith did not disappoint! It feels weird to describe a hired killer as sweet and caring, but he was so perfect for Pax. There was the perfect balance of humor and sexiness to offset the book's darker themes.

Wraith is funny and kind and doesn't take glee in his job, but he likes knowing that he's helping get bad guys off the street for good. A chance encounter with Pax that leads to more helps change the course of the business this found family has created.

Pax has spent his whole life in charge and in control, hiding who he truly is. He's done his damnedest to keep his brother safe and hidden from the public. He always puts others' needs ahead of his own, until he meets Wraith, who quickly breaks down his walls and seems to know exactly what he needs.

Another great story from one of my favorite authors. I'm really curious how Mia will handle Carnage and his love story in book three!
1,466 reviews55 followers
April 26, 2026
This is a hookup to more dark romance, featuring Paxon and Wraith, and is book two in the Crestvale Killers series.

Paxon will do anything to protect his brother, even when it puts him in the path of Wraith, his hook up and the man sent after his brother. As their attraction grows, Wraith must choose between his mission and a future with Paxon.

This is a fast-paced, high-stakes story. Paxon and Wraith have this intense chemistry with a strong push and pull dynamic. There’s a mix of action, angst, and emotion, with a relationship that feels chaotic with both of them being forced to question what they’re willing to risk for love. There is also a strong found family vibe with the murder buddies and I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series.

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 2 in series
MM dark romance
Check CW
Opposites attract
Hockey player x Hitman
Hook up to more
Hired to kill his brother
MC with red hair
Closeted MC
Texting
Spicy times & dirty talk
Dom / sub vibes
Phone s*x & Rough play
Calls him baby & good boy
Breeding kink
Hate s*x & degradation
Secrets revealed
Suspense & danger
Coming out
Found family
HEA
829 reviews6 followers
April 23, 2026
The men in this series have me in a chokehold!!! GAHH!

1st person POV Dual
MM
Plot 4.5/5
Spice 3/5
Hit man / Hockey Player
Found Family
A little angst

Wraith and Paxon meet by chance and have such a heated start! I loved instant draw they had to each other before all the drama unfolded! Then once it did how it was everyone around them that kinda had to talk some sense into them! I also really loved that even though Pax is this being bad hockey player he just melts around Wraith, that Wraith becomes this places he can just be. Its so sweet!!

I cant wait for more of these brothers! I am so excited for this series!

Favorite Quote:
"So because I'm not into you, I can't possibly be queer?" " How are you not into me? have you seen me? Have you seen my a**? I work hard to keep all this junk in my trunk." ( I laughed so hard during this chapter!🤣🤣🤣🤣)
1,390 reviews6 followers
April 28, 2026
I was waiting for Wraith's book even before I finished the first book in this series. I really like Wraith and how he acts with the rest of his "brothers". I think that he and Paxon are really good for each other. I really enjoy the whole "I'm not a realthionship person or the I'm happy being single" trope which this book delivers on. These two guys hide different secrets in the shadows, but when their truths come out will they be able to look beyond the obvious and trust in each other?

I loved this book and these characters. I like how everything unfolded and how things ended in the story. I think everything worked out in the correct way and that everyone is happier now. I'm also waiting to see how the series plays out since I have some ideas and want to see if they actully happen.

This is a great book and series that you should check out.
525 reviews14 followers
May 11, 2026
Wraith starts attending ice hockey games to find his target who has a decent knack of staying under the radar. By chance Paxon catches his attention and they share a steamy encounter they are both more than happy to repeat. Wraith finds himself wrapped up in his attraction and fails to do the job he was hired to do so it becomes a huge shock to both men when he discovers his target is actually Paxon’s older brother. Wraith and Paxon were super smoking hot! I loved the buildup of them realising Paxon was a thorn in the side of their HEA and then how they dealt with it once the reveal occurs. The plot twist was sensational and I love how things have changed for the group and the suggestion of what’s to come for a future pairing.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Profile Image for Judy.
275 reviews
April 30, 2026
Love this series

I love all of Mia Monroe's books. This is the second book in this series, I definitely suggest you read the first one "Spector" it was great. The series is about a found family of men that happen to be hitmen. So far each man meets their soulmate which gets really complicated when your profession involves death and destruction. In this book we meet Wraith our lovable and deadly hitman and a star hockey player, Paxon, at the end of his career. They meet with explosive chemistry. Of course things get very complicated. The emotion and passion are undeniable. There was definitely a tear shed, by me...and them. There is a great HEA with a look ahead to our next book. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy.
Profile Image for Demetra Roussakis.
1,613 reviews15 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 16, 2026
What an awesome read. This is book 2 in the Crestvale Killers book, and even if it can be read as a standalone, why not enjoy reading Specter’s book also. Pax is a defense man in hockey and has been protecting his brother ever since his mother passed. Wraith is on a mission and told his target is the brother of a hockey player. After the game is over, and at a bar, Pax notices someone at the bar. When Wraith follows him out and sparks flew. This starts their story of how a closeted player and a hitman fall in love while trying to save Pax’s brother. I love this world and cannot wait to read what happens next in this series,
2,069 reviews25 followers
April 24, 2026
Pax is nearing the end of his hockey career and still living in the closet when Wraith crashes into his life—mysterious, determined, and impossible to ignore. Wraith’s mission to track down an elusive target leads him straight to the local hockey arena, but one night with Pax quickly becomes something deeper neither man expected. As danger closes in, both are forced to confront who they are, what they want, and whether love is enough to bridge the gaps between their worlds. The found family within the Crestvale House are hitmen who have built something real with one another—loyalty, care, and a fierce protectiveness that feels earned. Their recent hardships hit hard, and you can feel the weight of their grief and the determination to do better moving forward. Even with the darker themes, Mia’s voice is unmistakable: tender, hopeful, and deeply character‑driven. You can’t help but root for every one of these men to find their place and their happiness, even if it looks nothing like what they imagined.
Profile Image for Heather Duff.
1,990 reviews41 followers
April 22, 2026
Pax and Wraith were a really entertaining pair. I loved the professional hockey player meets hired hitman storyline.

So unique.

Wraith is stalking his mark, who apparently attends hockey when it’s in town. But he’s distracted by a certain hockey player. Paxon isn’t out, but he’s willing to take some risks with the sexy man with the unusual name.

As walls tumble, the truth wins out, including that perhaps he should be helping his mark, not killing him.

As wild as the story seems, it works, and the characters are all intriguing, complex men. They may find love with someone unexpected, but that love is perfect.
Profile Image for Simera.
1,825 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 15, 2026
Wraith and Pax are not expecting to fall in love.
Wraith is assigned to track and take care of a blackmailer. Little did he know that his target is the brother of the sexy hockey player he just hooked up with.
Pax loves his brother, even though Boone is a screw up. Pax loves playing hockey but, he keeps everyone at a distance and is not out.
Wraith and Pax are really sweet together and bring out the best in each other.
This is dark, not eveything seems as it is, a few eye opening moments, getting the bad guys, found family and a hard fought HEA
Profile Image for Liz.
256 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ I really like this plotline in the series. A group of hit men who have badass nicknames finding love? Count me in. However, I enjoyed book one a lot more than this one. I feel like Wraith and Paxon went from just fucking to in love at the flip of a switch. I didn’t see much depth until after they said they were in love which confused me. But they were still really interesting and I liked the plot of the book. Wraith is just so cutesy I love him.

Nicknames: baby, elskling min = my darling, min kjære = my love, elskede = beloved, morder = killer
Location: N/A
620 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 14, 2026
"Wraith" by Mia Monroe is the second book in the Crestvale Killers series. I absolutely love Wraith and Bouche, the chemistry is fantastic and their dynamic is great. The "murder buddies" make the story even better. There is quite a bit of foreshadowing with a bit of mystery to keep you guessing on what might be next. The story pulled me in right from the start, I know not to start a Mia Monroe book if I have to work the next day! I can't wait for what comes next in the series.
Profile Image for Lisa.
3,609 reviews143 followers
April 25, 2026
In the process of surveilling his next target, Wraith meets Pax, a professional hockey player and the two start out with a quick fumble in the car park. As time goes on we get to know that Wraith's target is actually Pax's brother.
We are at 50% nearly before Wraith realizes that Boone is actually Pax's brother.
As normal everything is sorted out and Boone is actually one of the good guys and leads the crew onto a bigger target.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,136 reviews79 followers
May 14, 2026
I LOVE THIS BOOK!
Wraith was a fave from the previous one and I was so excited to read about how he would fall in love, especially when a hockey player entered his life like a shotgun! Paxon and Wraith are the cutest and the hottest! I loved the secretive relationship, the way they clashed with body and heart without even noticing, how they yearned for each other when nearby because of the doomed future between them. Something about characters fighting for the person they love just gets to me!
922 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 13, 2026
This book (this series really) is incredibly unique. It’s well written, as all the authors books are, but the premise and the setting create a darkness that’s really compelling. Wraith is a dangerous man that finds a little bit more of his humanity through Paxon and his brother. The heat is on point and I can’t wait for the next book!!
Profile Image for Stephanie.
527 reviews5 followers
April 22, 2026
Wraith and Pax have such a great connection right from the start! Their first meeting is incredibly intense, and it only gets better. It turns out that Wraith is after Pax’s brother, which leads to some serious drama. These books are a bit darker, but they’re not too heavy. I’m really excited about the next books in the murder buddies series.
80 reviews4 followers
April 22, 2026
I absolutely loved this book!!! I am pretty sure that I called book 1 Mia's best work ever, but I lied! This series got even better with this book. I cannot wait for the next one.

I love the characters, the suspense, the found family, the heat and the entire premise of getting rid of the bad a little at a time.

Read it.... you will love it!!
7 reviews
May 10, 2026
A great read from start to finish!

Mia Monroe does NOT disappoint with this book, giving us another showstopper. Wraith and Paxton are hot and heavy from the get go, and the sex scenes are sooooooo hot. Plus great character development and an engaging plot. An all-around winner.
Profile Image for Sheena.
836 reviews14 followers
April 20, 2026
- hookup to lovers
- found family
- hockey

This is the second in the Crestvale Killers series, and this time it's Wraith's turn to get his HEA. This is part of a series but can be enjoyed as a standalone, even though there are returning characters. Wraith is a hitman, part of a group of them who all live and work together. Pax is a professional hockey player and their lives collide when Wraith is tasked with killing Pax's brother. Wraith doesn't know the hot hockey player he's obsessed with is his target's brother, and Pax has no idea Wraith is after his brother initially.

This is hot from the start, Pax is closeted with the weight of the world on his shoulders and Wraith gives him some respite from that while they're together. It's pretty high heat as there's an instant connection between them, but it takes a while for them to both fall, and it's not until after the story turns and they find out about their connection via Pax's brother. I liked both guys, both so different, and from different worlds but it works for them. Pax is on the cusp of some life changing decisions and Wraith helps with all that weight.

I liked the story too, and how willing Wraith was to help Boone (Pax's brother) once he found out the truth. I think there are more story threads here and I hope we do get to follow some of those in subsequent books. I like the world Mia has created here, the found family and I can't wait to find out some of their stories next. I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to more.

I received an advance copy and this is my honest review.
53 reviews
April 23, 2026
Toujours un bon roman de mia monroe. Jnai juste ru un peu plus de mal a croire en cet amour. Lescperqonnages me sembkait beaucoup moins profond.



Profile Image for Aimee .
1,215 reviews13 followers
April 24, 2026
Sooooooo good!

You know it’s a good book when you can’t put it down! Loved everything about Pax and Wraith. They were sooooo sexy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews