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Evan Arden #5
Irrevocable
Have you ever made a mistake?
A big one?
I’m back in Chicago and back in business with my boss, Rinaldo Moretti. So much for my run at a normal life. There are some new faces in the organization, and someone’s been cooking the books. Personally? I think they’re after more than a just little cash. If I have any hopes of flushing out the traitor, I’m going to need to find a good hooker to help me sleep at night.
As the bodies pile up, I find solace in Alina. There’s something about her, something different. She understands me without asking a lot of questions. It’s as if she’s known me for years, yet we’ve only just met. If I weren’t so distracted by business, I’d try to figure out her story. She’s the only one keeping me grounded as my world spins out of control.
I’m going to lose the one man who has ever meant anything to me – the only man to ever call me son. I want to deny his request, but there is no avoiding what awaits me. I never wanted any of this, but I’m out of options, and time is running out.
Some choices have unforeseen consequences, and some choices are simply irrevocable.
A big one?
I’m back in Chicago and back in business with my boss, Rinaldo Moretti. So much for my run at a normal life. There are some new faces in the organization, and someone’s been cooking the books. Personally? I think they’re after more than a just little cash. If I have any hopes of flushing out the traitor, I’m going to need to find a good hooker to help me sleep at night.
As the bodies pile up, I find solace in Alina. There’s something about her, something different. She understands me without asking a lot of questions. It’s as if she’s known me for years, yet we’ve only just met. If I weren’t so distracted by business, I’d try to figure out her story. She’s the only one keeping me grounded as my world spins out of control.
I’m going to lose the one man who has ever meant anything to me – the only man to ever call me son. I want to deny his request, but there is no avoiding what awaits me. I never wanted any of this, but I’m out of options, and time is running out.
Some choices have unforeseen consequences, and some choices are simply irrevocable.
463 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2015
14 people are currently reading
553 people want to read
About the author
Shay Savage
44 books3,798 followersShay Savage is an independent author from Cincinnati, Ohio, where she lives with her family and a variety of household pets. She is an accomplished public speaker and holds the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster from Toastmasters International. Her hobbies include off-roading in her big, yellow Jeep, science fiction in all forms, and soccer. Savage holds a degree in psychology, and she brings a lot of that knowledge into the characters within her stories.
From the author: “It’s my job to make you FEEL. That doesn’t always mean you’ll feel good, but I want my readers to be connected enough to my characters to care.”
Savage’s books many books span a wide variety of topics and sub-genres with deeply flawed characters. From cavemen to addicts to hitmen, you’ll find yourself falling for these seemingly irredeemable characters!
From the author: “It’s my job to make you FEEL. That doesn’t always mean you’ll feel good, but I want my readers to be connected enough to my characters to care.”
Savage’s books many books span a wide variety of topics and sub-genres with deeply flawed characters. From cavemen to addicts to hitmen, you’ll find yourself falling for these seemingly irredeemable characters!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
May 26, 2015
**I received an ARC courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.**
*** WARNING!*** ***MY REVIEW IS FULL OF MAJOR SPOILERS! ***
I am utterly stupefied right now. I loved the entire Evan Arden series up until this point. I really enjoyed Isolated. I didn't blame Lia one bit for leaving...but I naively assumed Evan would go after her. He lets her go with a shrug and a 'she's better off without me' explanation. I just feel so cheated. For three books Savage has convinced us (or at least me) Lia is the one for Evan, the one to love him and heal him. I was excited for this book, now I'm just sad.
Not only was Evan and Lia's HEA completely shit on, now in just one book we're supposed to accept Alina, the hooker with the magic hands, as a better match? Not fucking likely. I tried. I really did. In reality, relationships end all the time and in Evan's situation not just any girl can handle him and all the baggage he brings but I thought we were past that already. I felt like we were reading book one all over again - Evan can't escape Rinaldo, he still needs professional help for his PTSD (although he gets semi-cured in a way I'm still scratching my head over), and even his relationship with Alina is still shaky.
For me, it was hard to focus on the meat of the story which is all about finding a traitor and the future of Rinaldo's business. I just kept wondering if Lia was crying at her mother's house assuming Evan is dead because he never came for her. I wish Evan let Jonathan check on her, it might have made me feel better if she was happy. I know this is fiction, I know this series is Evan's story not the Evan and Lia story but it doesn't make it any less upsetting. I may even be the only one that feels this way. I'll continue to read Savage's work but I'm very disappointed in this finale.
*** WARNING!*** ***MY REVIEW IS FULL OF MAJOR SPOILERS! ***
I am utterly stupefied right now. I loved the entire Evan Arden series up until this point. I really enjoyed Isolated. I didn't blame Lia one bit for leaving...but I naively assumed Evan would go after her. He lets her go with a shrug and a 'she's better off without me' explanation. I just feel so cheated. For three books Savage has convinced us (or at least me) Lia is the one for Evan, the one to love him and heal him. I was excited for this book, now I'm just sad.
Not only was Evan and Lia's HEA completely shit on, now in just one book we're supposed to accept Alina, the hooker with the magic hands, as a better match? Not fucking likely. I tried. I really did. In reality, relationships end all the time and in Evan's situation not just any girl can handle him and all the baggage he brings but I thought we were past that already. I felt like we were reading book one all over again - Evan can't escape Rinaldo, he still needs professional help for his PTSD (although he gets semi-cured in a way I'm still scratching my head over), and even his relationship with Alina is still shaky.
For me, it was hard to focus on the meat of the story which is all about finding a traitor and the future of Rinaldo's business. I just kept wondering if Lia was crying at her mother's house assuming Evan is dead because he never came for her. I wish Evan let Jonathan check on her, it might have made me feel better if she was happy. I know this is fiction, I know this series is Evan's story not the Evan and Lia story but it doesn't make it any less upsetting. I may even be the only one that feels this way. I'll continue to read Savage's work but I'm very disappointed in this finale.
consider-later
May 28, 2015Irrevocable is LIVE! (links below)
Shh… on GR is beyond thrilled that our SPOTlight on LIVE chat with Shay Savage is only days away. Mark your calendars for May 30th at 11:00 AM EST (US Eastern): https://goo.gl/4oOwR4
(Time zone converter: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock...)
FIVE attendees will be randomly drawn to win a $10 Amazon gift card, so be sure to RSVP! and chime in during the chat!
★ And in anticipation of our May 30th LIVE chat this week’s TopPick is re-directed to Shay’s PRE-chat; Come read and chat with us: https://goo.gl/SSD42G
★ Be sure to RSVP for a chance to PRE-post YOUR question to Shay: https://goo.gl/UwLL5E
★ If you haven’t already join our #ShhSPOTlightOn Hashtag Campaign: https://goo.gl/wSvJnd
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XW9U71I
Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...
Barnes and Noble- www.barnesandnoble.com/w/irrevocable-...
Shh… on GR is beyond thrilled that our SPOTlight on LIVE chat with Shay Savage is only days away. Mark your calendars for May 30th at 11:00 AM EST (US Eastern): https://goo.gl/4oOwR4
(Time zone converter: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock...)
FIVE attendees will be randomly drawn to win a $10 Amazon gift card, so be sure to RSVP! and chime in during the chat!
★ And in anticipation of our May 30th LIVE chat this week’s TopPick is re-directed to Shay’s PRE-chat; Come read and chat with us: https://goo.gl/SSD42G
★ Be sure to RSVP for a chance to PRE-post YOUR question to Shay: https://goo.gl/UwLL5E
★ If you haven’t already join our #ShhSPOTlightOn Hashtag Campaign: https://goo.gl/wSvJnd
Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XW9U71I
Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebo...
Barnes and Noble- www.barnesandnoble.com/w/irrevocable-...
May 27, 2015
VERY DISAPPOINTED!
This review is from: Irrevocable (Evan Arden Book 5) (Kindle Edition)
After everything they went through, especially to Lia for sticking by his side and on top of everything, saving his life! I'm so disappointed by the turn this story had taken. HE SHOULD HAVE PUT HIMSELF DOWN AS HE REPEATED SO MANY TIMES IF LIA EVER LEAVE HIM OR IF SOMETHING HAPPEND TO HER.
LIA SEARCHED FOR HIM FOR MONTHS, NEVER LEFT HIS SIDE THROUGHOUT THE MESS, AND HE COULDN'T EVEN DO THE SAME AND TRIED TO GO AFTER HER, BUT INSTEAD WENT AND FIND HIMSELF ANOTHER HOOKER TO REPLACE HER? (DON'T TAKE ME WRONG, NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, BUT IN THAT CASE HE SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT AFTER KILLING BRIGITTE, AND SHOULD HAVE PUSHED LIA AWAY BEFORE HE HAD PULL HER DIP INTO HIS LIFE)!
I WAS MISLEAD FIRST BECAUSE THE TRILOGY TURN OUT TO BE A 5 BOOK SERIES INSTEAD, AND SECOND BECAUSE LIA IS GONE AND HE DIDN'T EVEN GIVE A SH*T! YES, BECAUSE IF NOT ONLY THAT HE DIDN'T EVEN TRIED AND GET HER BACK, BUT IN ADDITION HE MADE HER A "TARGET" SINCE EVERYBODY KNEW SHE'S THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE! (YEAH RIGHT)!
SORRY, BUT JUST STICKING TO THE "TRILOGY" ENDING INSTEAD! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENDS WHEN A FOUND AN AMAZING AUTHOR THAT TAKES ME DIP INTO THE STORY AND FOUND MYSELF PURCHASING THE ADDITIONAL BOOKS, AND SUDDENLY THERE IS NOT CLOSURE AND THE HERO BECOMES A SELFISH BASTARD!!!!!!
May 11, 2015
COMING MAY 26th!
Have you ever made a mistake?
A big one?
I’m back in Chicago and back in business with my boss, Rinaldo Moretti. So much for my run at a normal life. There are some new faces in the organization, and someone’s been cooking the books. Personally? I think they’re after more than a just little cash. If I have any hopes of flushing out the traitor, I’m going to need to find a good hooker to help me sleep at night.
As the bodies pile up, I find solace in Alina. There’s something about her, something different. She understands me without asking a lot of questions. It’s as if she’s known me for years, yet we’ve only just met. If I weren’t so distracted by business, I’d try to figure out her story. She’s the only one keeping me grounded as my world spins out of control.
I’m going to lose the one man who has ever meant anything to me – the only man to ever call me son. I want to deny his request, but there is no avoiding what awaits me. I never wanted any of this, but I’m out of options, and time is running out.
Some choices have unforeseen consequences, and some choices are simply irrevocable.
Have you ever made a mistake?
A big one?
I’m back in Chicago and back in business with my boss, Rinaldo Moretti. So much for my run at a normal life. There are some new faces in the organization, and someone’s been cooking the books. Personally? I think they’re after more than a just little cash. If I have any hopes of flushing out the traitor, I’m going to need to find a good hooker to help me sleep at night.
As the bodies pile up, I find solace in Alina. There’s something about her, something different. She understands me without asking a lot of questions. It’s as if she’s known me for years, yet we’ve only just met. If I weren’t so distracted by business, I’d try to figure out her story. She’s the only one keeping me grounded as my world spins out of control.
I’m going to lose the one man who has ever meant anything to me – the only man to ever call me son. I want to deny his request, but there is no avoiding what awaits me. I never wanted any of this, but I’m out of options, and time is running out.
Some choices have unforeseen consequences, and some choices are simply irrevocable.
not-reading
July 23, 2015I will not be reading. Yesterday after sorting through all the " street team five star reviews " I found one honest one with spoilers. Bottom line is the HEA with Lia is destroyed. Why anyone would want to read it and five star that is beyond me. I have no idea why a romance author would do that. Because it results in people NOT buying her book. Sad. I truly am.
Shay officially gets the LE seal of disapproval
Shay officially gets the LE seal of disapproval
July 17, 2015
I have been in love with this author from the beginning. After reading the reviews and finding out how she completely shit on the entire series this author is dead to me.
I'm so upset about this that I will no longer be reading any of her books. I feel cheated! What a way to ruin a series for loyal fans!
I'm so upset about this that I will no longer be reading any of her books. I feel cheated! What a way to ruin a series for loyal fans!
March 4, 2017
Okay, so I am a fan of the Evan Arden Series and I admit that after reading Isolated I was scared to jump into Irrevocable. For those that have not yet read single book in this series, stop reading reviews of the final books! You’re ruining all the fun and suspense.
So Evan is back in Chicago, his stint as a law abiding citizen didn’t last very long, if at all. He lost the one woman that gave him a bit of peace because he had ties too strong to a man that he saw as a father to ever truly sever. So he returns. Back to Rinaldo Moretti and the mob. Back to sleepless nights.
He was only away for a few months, but things have changed.
Faces that Evan doesn’t recognize and a feeling in his gut that something just isn’t right.
But as Evan’s mind spirals he finds comfort in arms of a new woman. A hooker, one that seems smart enough not to make the mistakes of the ones that came before.
Suddenly Evan is finding more than just slumber in her arms. But for a man like Evan, normal just isn’t going to be possible. Normal doesn’t play into his future.
So I am slightly torn on this. The writing and the story was done so exceptionally well. No doubt there. And yeah, I got over my Lia issues near the end of this story but still feel a little on the fence over the whole thing. And although this had strong elements of a romance story, it really lacked the romance side for me. The action, suspense and drama were utterly nailed. But the love just sort of felt like a very secondary part of the story. By the time I started to have real feelings for Alina, I was looking for a grand gesture of sorts. And I know that Evan is very limited in his abilities to be normal and I didn’t need him to suddenly become this white knight... but I felt like the mob side of the story overpowered the other aspect.
So here I am, a few days after finishing it. Debating on my rating. The writing and story – six stars all the way. The small glitch I had with the romantic changes and romance playing a smaller role – four stars. So the middle ground is still a five star read. But I am still so flipping torn over the genre shift that I felt this book had. Alina and Evan shared some hot moments but I didn’t get the butterflies at their interactions like I did when Evan first met Lia in the first book. I think we had so much more time to watch that love story develop and Irrevocable just didn’t lend itself enough pages to get it all down on paper for Alina and Evan.
Overall as a series, this was an amazing series. The storyline was exciting and suspenseful and Evan shined as one crazy dark hero. There was a cast of characters that although you never got a chance to get too close to, you still enjoyed. I will never hear someone say “custom” without thinking about Jonathan. If you like fast paced action-romance, this is a series you should pick up. Shay has a talent with taking on the male POV and creating a wonderful fantasy world to fall into. Not many authors can deliver so often with the male’s POV – but Shay does. Each and every time.
April 25, 2016
1 "I FUCKIN' TRUSTED YOU AND YOU KILLED THAT TRUST" STAR
WOW.. I'm crying so hard here, I have never been this betrayed by a writer. I have been rooting for Evan and Lia ever since the first book and I'm so fucking mad and heartbroken right now.
Shay Savage, this is my GOODBYE to you, I had "Transcendence" and the second book to "Surviving Raine" (loved the first book) lined up next but, you know what? I am going to return all the books by Shay Savage and going to delete this series.
This betrayal from a writer to a fan is one I will NEVER forget and trust me, I hold on to grudges like no other.
My friends talked about how an alternate book where the "other-w" does not exist will extinguish the anger in her but, for me, I will never forgive Shay for this and this is my last and ultimate goodbye to this author.
If you have enjoyed the other books of the series, PLEASE, I request you to NOT read this book. It's not worth it.
Now, I'm going to go cry, punch some stuffs and try to forget this shitty series.
WOW.. I'm crying so hard here, I have never been this betrayed by a writer. I have been rooting for Evan and Lia ever since the first book and I'm so fucking mad and heartbroken right now.
Shay Savage, this is my GOODBYE to you, I had "Transcendence" and the second book to "Surviving Raine" (loved the first book) lined up next but, you know what? I am going to return all the books by Shay Savage and going to delete this series.
This betrayal from a writer to a fan is one I will NEVER forget and trust me, I hold on to grudges like no other.
My friends talked about how an alternate book where the "other-w" does not exist will extinguish the anger in her but, for me, I will never forgive Shay for this and this is my last and ultimate goodbye to this author.
If you have enjoyed the other books of the series, PLEASE, I request you to NOT read this book. It's not worth it.
Now, I'm going to go cry, punch some stuffs and try to forget this shitty series.
read-when-i-am-brainless
March 1, 2017HERO IS A CHEATER CHEATING ON EVERYONE!
Not one faithful bone in his body!!!
Just noooo!
Check out Roksana's review for more information
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Not one faithful bone in his body!!!
Just noooo!
Check out Roksana's review for more information
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 26, 2015
LIVE on AMZ- http://amzn.to/1erXq1a
4.5 'He's so bad, he's good' Stars!
I have seriouslyate up followed along the Evan Arden Series from it's conception a couple years ago. Shay Savage first hooked me with Surviving Raine and her imperfect, brooding anti-hero Bastian Stark. From there, I met the elusive Evan Arden. A very psychologically flawed mafia hitman, he's no Cassanova. He's dark, and he will take a life in the bat of an eye without an iota of remorse. The only time I'd really seen this man's heart truly warm was when he had past scenes with his dog, Odin. **sniff sniff** Well, now Odin is gone, Evan is back from the tournament with Bastian (Bastian's Storm)...and Evan is alone, once again.
Evan is acclimating back in Chicago after the events in Isolated. He's returned to the only family he holds any loyalty to- Rinaldo Moretti- Chicago mafia capo. Evan remains the shell of a man suffering from PTSD hallucinations of "Ralph," the child His nightmares are at the worst and sleep still won't come...unless he hires a hooker to hold him while he sleeps. Enter Alina, a hooker that Evan, for only the second time ever, wants as a repeat. She calms his mental storm; her lavender scent lulls him to sleep... And most importantly, she doesn't fear him. EVERYONE fears him. Rightfully so.
Irrevocable has all the elements we've come to expect from Shay Savage. She writes very flawed, vicious antiheroes the reader can't help but love. We don't care he murders for a living. We care that he's a shell of a person because of the sacrifices he's made for our country...to save his comrades. Second, her novels always include a strong heroine. A woman able to see beyond the ugly in the man, bringing forth the beauty of a love-story born from the ugly. She did not disappoint with Alina. Another person who endured an ugly past yet brings forth the courage to move on as a stronger person.
Steam- well, take a certified badass hitman, mix it up with his Alpha tendencies, and holy shit on a shingle, it was smoking. Wowsa. She has an anal scene here that, I swear, my kindle was steaming!
But I digress... Apparently this is the END end of Evan Arden. I love the way she chose to end his story...happy yet open for even more good things to come. I'll miss him but I'm glad he finally found a person to tame his inner battles. Goodbye Ralph, he won't need you anymore!
Thank you, Shay Savage, for sharing his story!
As a side note- Kudos to Ms Savage for the profound respect she infused throughout this book for our veterans. Whether happily retired, deceased, or living on the streets, she highlights our vets for their service and gives them the RESPECT they SO deserve. I thank you for that!
Pre-order on AMZ- http://amzn.to/1R9B0Qz
4.5 'He's so bad, he's good' Stars!
I have seriously
Evan is acclimating back in Chicago after the events in Isolated. He's returned to the only family he holds any loyalty to- Rinaldo Moretti- Chicago mafia capo. Evan remains the shell of a man suffering from PTSD hallucinations of "Ralph," the child His nightmares are at the worst and sleep still won't come...unless he hires a hooker to hold him while he sleeps. Enter Alina, a hooker that Evan, for only the second time ever, wants as a repeat. She calms his mental storm; her lavender scent lulls him to sleep... And most importantly, she doesn't fear him. EVERYONE fears him. Rightfully so.
Irrevocable has all the elements we've come to expect from Shay Savage. She writes very flawed, vicious antiheroes the reader can't help but love. We don't care he murders for a living. We care that he's a shell of a person because of the sacrifices he's made for our country...to save his comrades. Second, her novels always include a strong heroine. A woman able to see beyond the ugly in the man, bringing forth the beauty of a love-story born from the ugly. She did not disappoint with Alina. Another person who endured an ugly past yet brings forth the courage to move on as a stronger person.
Steam- well, take a certified badass hitman, mix it up with his Alpha tendencies, and holy shit on a shingle, it was smoking. Wowsa. She has an anal scene here that, I swear, my kindle was steaming!
But I digress... Apparently this is the END end of Evan Arden. I love the way she chose to end his story...happy yet open for even more good things to come. I'll miss him but I'm glad he finally found a person to tame his inner battles. Goodbye Ralph, he won't need you anymore!
Thank you, Shay Savage, for sharing his story!
As a side note- Kudos to Ms Savage for the profound respect she infused throughout this book for our veterans. Whether happily retired, deceased, or living on the streets, she highlights our vets for their service and gives them the RESPECT they SO deserve. I thank you for that!
Pre-order on AMZ- http://amzn.to/1R9B0Qz
June 26, 2015
Wow, I'm amazed at how quickly an author can go from being one of my top 5, to one I don't know I'd ever read again. The Evan Arden series and the Surviving Raine series were two of my ultimate favorites. When will authors learn that HEAs are a deal-breaker for us romance readers? Two thumbs down, Shay.
July 3, 2015
I am so sorry i could not give a higher review rating for this book but it absolutely destroyed me. I have been rooting for Evan and Lia since day one and this book completely shit all over that. I just couldn't get past it to even try to enjoy it. so incredibly heartbroken right now. I WANT A REDO!
December 17, 2015
5 "Otherwise Healed" stars
This was an ARC provided by the author
and I got to see, in first hand, a phenomenal conclusion to the Evan Arden's story...
And I think I can finaly make my decision...
review to come after the May 26th
May 27th
Alright, it's time to face the truth. This is the end...
I'm sitting on my bed thinking about what I'm gonna say and the truth is I can't find any sense in thw words that are coming to my mind cause let's face it this is actually a goodbye. I'm supposed to say goodbye to
Evan Arden– a broken, tormented, devastatingly messed up ex marine and POW turned professional hitman for the mafia – the only family he'd known after the shattered „normal“ life left in a war.
We've met him through out 4 books: Otherwise Alone,Otherwise Occupied, Otherwise Unharmed, Isolated
we've followed his detached persona, his troubled mind torn between java and halucinations followed by the shadows of the past and guilt, we watched him break, crumble then rise again just to be crushed again by loss of love – the only emotion he actually craved and long for...
This final installment gives us every little bit of him, he's like a phoenix rising from the ashes, picking himself up again from the mud and gutter of selfdeprivation and selfdevastation...
we find him at the begning with the notion...
„...I'm ultimately unfixable.“
And yet at the prime of his time...
“I'm in my element, confident in my own abilities...“
He's still fighting the insomnia, the image of a troubled past actions personified in the form of a tragicaly killed boy, boy who was just another casulty of war, a boy who died by Evan's hand, by the power of a single finger pulling the trigger...Evan calls him Ralph giving him the power of remorse, the hope of forgivness lingering in the restless mind of a tormented man...
Evan goes back to his old ways, encountering the hookers looking for solace in their presence...trying to buy the time and peace in sleeping next to a warm female body, without attachment, without unnecessary words or annoying questions...
here comes Alina a young woman who was deprived of childhood but who accepted her own fate by embracing the inevitable truth of selfexistence and survival yet Evan sees more in her...even in his cruel and rude ways...
„I want her. I don't just want a hooker; I want THAT hooker
She gives him much wanted peace and he doesn't want for that to change BUT he can't say it...he doesn't know how...
“Tell me what you really need, Evan,“
We find out Alina's story and background and she's more connected to Evan in a way he could never imagine possible. She brings out his past persona to face his present one – the honorable hero marine liutenant against the cold professional mafia hitman troubled by unimaginable guilt...
„...that brave, heroic man...that's you, Evan. It's you. You WERE and you ARE that same man.“
„Everything I've done since then...“
„None of that takes away from what you did before. It doesn't stop you from being that same person. You are still him.“
Alina makes him peaceful again, makes him question his guilt, the reasons that are „eating“ him alive for the decisions he made in cruel and unpredictable situation where collateral victims are just another added number...
„If i had known.
There's nothing i could have done.
For the first time since it happened, I believe it.“
Alina's past is revealed and Evan takes upon himself to avenge her, to try and make it right for her even though she's damaged with no going back...
„...I don't forgive – that's God's job.“
Evan's life inside the famiglia under the protection and the only fatherly love he's ever known by the Capo Rinaldo Moretti is about to be shaken to the core and his grounds are about the crumble under his feet...leaving him in a unexpected and somewhat unwanted position...in those turmoiled times he makes mistakes, acknowledges them and seeks amends, he will feel the loss and he will reach out and find the long lost connection in next of kin...
being more humanly humble then ever...saying out loud the most painful and terrifying truth...
„I don't wanna be alone.“
And the enemies are striking leading the follow up to the matter of life and death...
And I'm gonna stop right here...won't reveal anything more...I just have a need to say that Evan Arden was the character whose complexity was completely overwhelming and so personalized that I can't help myself in what I'm about to say and not sound cheesy as hell – but he deserves everything good , he earned it, he made amends, he redeemed himself and he found his long lost soul...
„You've lost what you needed to lose. The question is what have you gained?“
Everything worth living and fighting for...again.
I will miss Evan.
I feel like i'm missing a piece of my own soul and I guess when you relate and get attached to a character or a story it kinda messes with you on a very personal and intimate level but as much as it pains me to say goodbye, i also feel free and complete, sad and happy at the same time.
this was a journey that I won't forget.
And I have to let go now. Bye.
This was an ARC provided by the author
and I got to see, in first hand, a phenomenal conclusion to the Evan Arden's story...
And I think I can finaly make my decision...
review to come after the May 26th
May 27th
Alright, it's time to face the truth. This is the end...
I'm sitting on my bed thinking about what I'm gonna say and the truth is I can't find any sense in thw words that are coming to my mind cause let's face it this is actually a goodbye. I'm supposed to say goodbye to
Evan Arden– a broken, tormented, devastatingly messed up ex marine and POW turned professional hitman for the mafia – the only family he'd known after the shattered „normal“ life left in a war.
We've met him through out 4 books: Otherwise Alone,Otherwise Occupied, Otherwise Unharmed, Isolated
we've followed his detached persona, his troubled mind torn between java and halucinations followed by the shadows of the past and guilt, we watched him break, crumble then rise again just to be crushed again by loss of love – the only emotion he actually craved and long for...
This final installment gives us every little bit of him, he's like a phoenix rising from the ashes, picking himself up again from the mud and gutter of selfdeprivation and selfdevastation...
we find him at the begning with the notion...
„...I'm ultimately unfixable.“
And yet at the prime of his time...
“I'm in my element, confident in my own abilities...“
He's still fighting the insomnia, the image of a troubled past actions personified in the form of a tragicaly killed boy, boy who was just another casulty of war, a boy who died by Evan's hand, by the power of a single finger pulling the trigger...Evan calls him Ralph giving him the power of remorse, the hope of forgivness lingering in the restless mind of a tormented man...
Evan goes back to his old ways, encountering the hookers looking for solace in their presence...trying to buy the time and peace in sleeping next to a warm female body, without attachment, without unnecessary words or annoying questions...
here comes Alina a young woman who was deprived of childhood but who accepted her own fate by embracing the inevitable truth of selfexistence and survival yet Evan sees more in her...even in his cruel and rude ways...
„I want her. I don't just want a hooker; I want THAT hooker
She gives him much wanted peace and he doesn't want for that to change BUT he can't say it...he doesn't know how...
“Tell me what you really need, Evan,“
We find out Alina's story and background and she's more connected to Evan in a way he could never imagine possible. She brings out his past persona to face his present one – the honorable hero marine liutenant against the cold professional mafia hitman troubled by unimaginable guilt...
„...that brave, heroic man...that's you, Evan. It's you. You WERE and you ARE that same man.“
„Everything I've done since then...“
„None of that takes away from what you did before. It doesn't stop you from being that same person. You are still him.“
Alina makes him peaceful again, makes him question his guilt, the reasons that are „eating“ him alive for the decisions he made in cruel and unpredictable situation where collateral victims are just another added number...
„If i had known.
There's nothing i could have done.
For the first time since it happened, I believe it.“
Alina's past is revealed and Evan takes upon himself to avenge her, to try and make it right for her even though she's damaged with no going back...
„...I don't forgive – that's God's job.“
Evan's life inside the famiglia under the protection and the only fatherly love he's ever known by the Capo Rinaldo Moretti is about to be shaken to the core and his grounds are about the crumble under his feet...leaving him in a unexpected and somewhat unwanted position...in those turmoiled times he makes mistakes, acknowledges them and seeks amends, he will feel the loss and he will reach out and find the long lost connection in next of kin...
being more humanly humble then ever...saying out loud the most painful and terrifying truth...
„I don't wanna be alone.“
And the enemies are striking leading the follow up to the matter of life and death...
And I'm gonna stop right here...won't reveal anything more...I just have a need to say that Evan Arden was the character whose complexity was completely overwhelming and so personalized that I can't help myself in what I'm about to say and not sound cheesy as hell – but he deserves everything good , he earned it, he made amends, he redeemed himself and he found his long lost soul...
„You've lost what you needed to lose. The question is what have you gained?“
Everything worth living and fighting for...again.
I will miss Evan.
I feel like i'm missing a piece of my own soul and I guess when you relate and get attached to a character or a story it kinda messes with you on a very personal and intimate level but as much as it pains me to say goodbye, i also feel free and complete, sad and happy at the same time.
this was a journey that I won't forget.
And I have to let go now. Bye.
May 28, 2015
4.5 Perfect Stars
Evan Arden is now back in Chicago and working for Rinaldo the only man that Evan thinks is family and the only man to call him son.
This time there is a traitor amongst the firm and Evan needs to find out quickly to protect the ones he loves.
Still having the nightmares, he can go days without sleeping and that is going to cause him problems as he needs to keep a clear head.
My thoughts....
I'm so glad Shay Savage gave us to another chapter in Evan Ardens life.
I think she has done a fantastic job finally bringing Evan back with the although he still has some of the same problems, I feel this time maybe there's more hope.
The twists were there and some of the things Evan does still makes me go..
She has finally bought this fantastic series to a close.
Evan Arden is now back in Chicago and working for Rinaldo the only man that Evan thinks is family and the only man to call him son.
This time there is a traitor amongst the firm and Evan needs to find out quickly to protect the ones he loves.
Still having the nightmares, he can go days without sleeping and that is going to cause him problems as he needs to keep a clear head.
My thoughts....
I'm so glad Shay Savage gave us to another chapter in Evan Ardens life.
I think she has done a fantastic job finally bringing Evan back with the although he still has some of the same problems, I feel this time maybe there's more hope.
The twists were there and some of the things Evan does still makes me go..
She has finally bought this fantastic series to a close.
November 21, 2015
Funny thing, I'd never read any of the books in this series, yet
Irrevocable could have easily been a standalone. With a ton of action and who done it suspense, I cringed waiting for the next shoe to drop, trust me several fell! Loved the story between Evan & Alina.
While the body counts are tolling higher both of them are tip toeing on horrifying words, like relationship, love and god forbid loyalty.
Yes it was fun journeying down the rabbit hole. Blood on the streets, loved ones and families being slaughtered, your best friend stabbing you in the back, an excellent thrill ride!
Irrevocable could have easily been a standalone. With a ton of action and who done it suspense, I cringed waiting for the next shoe to drop, trust me several fell! Loved the story between Evan & Alina.
While the body counts are tolling higher both of them are tip toeing on horrifying words, like relationship, love and god forbid loyalty.
Yes it was fun journeying down the rabbit hole. Blood on the streets, loved ones and families being slaughtered, your best friend stabbing you in the back, an excellent thrill ride!
Read
July 15, 2015Why does this exist? Am I living in a parallel universe where authors completely disregard their fan base?
April 20, 2017
I had totally forgotten how broken and damaged Evan Arden was, but this book was a huge reminder of that! Poor Evan! Even though he was a dangerous and sometimes (usually) violent person, I couldn't help but feel for him and my heart broke. He still suffers from nightmares and sleeping is always an issue for him. And then there's Ralph....you may remember this small boy from Evan's time overseas in the military. Well, he still haunts him and it was so believable.
That aside, this book was action packed! I mean, we're talking about organized crime and the consequences for betrayal. I found myself cringing at some of the torture and death, but this is Evan's world and I wouldn't have expected anything less.
As far as his love life, I'm not going to say much. Did he get his HEA? Hmmmm.....not sure there's an easy answer to that! Did it end how I thought it should end for all parties involved? Well, yes it did.....but it took me some time to accept that.
That aside, this book was action packed! I mean, we're talking about organized crime and the consequences for betrayal. I found myself cringing at some of the torture and death, but this is Evan's world and I wouldn't have expected anything less.
As far as his love life, I'm not going to say much. Did he get his HEA? Hmmmm.....not sure there's an easy answer to that! Did it end how I thought it should end for all parties involved? Well, yes it did.....but it took me some time to accept that.
September 7, 2015
I never thought I'd actually do this (and especially to a book in a series that I enjoyed very much), but I have to. I really have to do this.
So... 1.5 stars for the final Evan Arden book.
Actually, scratch that. I am angry at how this book turned out to be.
After reading the previous novella (it was too short to be called an actual novel), I had hoped for a legit continuation of the story that was developed in the previous books, but what I actually got felt sort of like a reboot. To my eyes, it was basically the same story that occured in the previous two, only now we have a new love interest.
And I can't seem to understand why.
After hearing Evan talking about Lia all the time and proclaiming that he loves her and would fight for her, he just gives up at the very beginning of this book. And it makes me wonder, how could he do this so easily, defending himself by stating all the time that it was her choice to leave him and he couldn't pressure her. If I remember correctly, Evan left Lia in the first book and yet Lia still continued to search for him for a year, until he eventually found him and not on a good time of his life, I may add. On the other hand, when the roles were reversed Evan pretty much shrugged and thought to himself "Whatever".
Hmmm... I'm not going to lie, that bothered me a lot.
I don't have a big problem with Alina, because I really don't know her that much and I don't think I got to know her. I remember reading a review where the reviewer pointed out that s/he found Lia's character a bit one-sided or something like that, if I remember correctly, and the author agreed with the reviewer on that point, so I can't help to think that maybe that change happened because of that...? I'm just making speculations, but I think it would have been helpful if there was at least some sort of resolution between Evan and Lia in the end. It would have made me understand the situation better. Plus, I think Alina's character had the same depth as Lia's, but with a tragic backstory, rather than the somewhat normal one of the latter.
As for Evan, I just couldn't support his actions anymore. Too irrational and thick-headed and almost everything he did was at the spur of the moment resulting in more problems. I skipped a great deal of the business part because I couldn't bother with them anymore. I'm just going to repeat myself: it felt like a reboot.
The only ray of sunshine in this book for me was Sebastian Stark's sort-of cameo. Hence the additional half star. My baby. I'm still crossing fingers for an extented epilogue of his story with Raine.
So, to summarise everything I stated above: I think my journey with Evan Arden should have ended at Otherwise Unharmed.
So... 1.5 stars for the final Evan Arden book.
Actually, scratch that. I am angry at how this book turned out to be.
After reading the previous novella (it was too short to be called an actual novel), I had hoped for a legit continuation of the story that was developed in the previous books, but what I actually got felt sort of like a reboot. To my eyes, it was basically the same story that occured in the previous two, only now we have a new love interest.
And I can't seem to understand why.
After hearing Evan talking about Lia all the time and proclaiming that he loves her and would fight for her, he just gives up at the very beginning of this book. And it makes me wonder, how could he do this so easily, defending himself by stating all the time that it was her choice to leave him and he couldn't pressure her. If I remember correctly, Evan left Lia in the first book and yet Lia still continued to search for him for a year, until he eventually found him and not on a good time of his life, I may add. On the other hand, when the roles were reversed Evan pretty much shrugged and thought to himself "Whatever".
Hmmm... I'm not going to lie, that bothered me a lot.
I don't have a big problem with Alina, because I really don't know her that much and I don't think I got to know her. I remember reading a review where the reviewer pointed out that s/he found Lia's character a bit one-sided or something like that, if I remember correctly, and the author agreed with the reviewer on that point, so I can't help to think that maybe that change happened because of that...? I'm just making speculations, but I think it would have been helpful if there was at least some sort of resolution between Evan and Lia in the end. It would have made me understand the situation better. Plus, I think Alina's character had the same depth as Lia's, but with a tragic backstory, rather than the somewhat normal one of the latter.
As for Evan, I just couldn't support his actions anymore. Too irrational and thick-headed and almost everything he did was at the spur of the moment resulting in more problems. I skipped a great deal of the business part because I couldn't bother with them anymore. I'm just going to repeat myself: it felt like a reboot.
The only ray of sunshine in this book for me was Sebastian Stark's sort-of cameo. Hence the additional half star. My baby. I'm still crossing fingers for an extented epilogue of his story with Raine.
So, to summarise everything I stated above: I think my journey with Evan Arden should have ended at Otherwise Unharmed.
April 26, 2025
I read this series as a group buddy read, in my group:
Midnight's Embrace
Rating:
10/10 ⭐
Ms. Savage you came and did the damn thang with this closing to Evan's saga..🤩🤩🤩
What can I say? Evan took me on his journey and put me through it all! From book one I was completely hooked. Enthralled. Enamored with this complicated man.
Evan your journey, your life, is certainly not a cake walk. Thank you for sharing your story with me. Unapologetically. For better or for worse I am in love with you and your world.😍
This was the perfect closing to this world and Evan's story. Filled with all of the twists, shocks and turns that we've grown accustomed to with Ms. Savage's prose. But the stakes here are so much higher than they've ever been. I had no idea what this finale would bring me to. I was scared sh^tless and rightfully so.🤯😥😲😱
I never saw coming what came to pass. Many things I hoped for and was rewarded. Many I was shocked and just flabbergasted about.
All of it was edge of your seat entertainment. Some of it was poignant. Lots was heartbreaking. Many of it was hot 🔥🥵🥵
I couldn't ask for a better closing here. I only hate that I have to say goodbye to my man, Lt. Evan Nathaniel Arden😢
I love you Evan and am so proud of you. You drove me crazy! You pissed me off, but you never lost my love. Rest easy in the light now. You deserve all the happiness that your heart and hands can hold💜
🗣Read this Saga people!
Get the box set and do it in order.
DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS SERIES!
#EvanArden
#KingSniper
#HotMarine
#AuthorShaySavage
Midnight's Embrace
Rating:
10/10 ⭐
Ms. Savage you came and did the damn thang with this closing to Evan's saga..🤩🤩🤩
What can I say? Evan took me on his journey and put me through it all! From book one I was completely hooked. Enthralled. Enamored with this complicated man.
Evan your journey, your life, is certainly not a cake walk. Thank you for sharing your story with me. Unapologetically. For better or for worse I am in love with you and your world.😍
This was the perfect closing to this world and Evan's story. Filled with all of the twists, shocks and turns that we've grown accustomed to with Ms. Savage's prose. But the stakes here are so much higher than they've ever been. I had no idea what this finale would bring me to. I was scared sh^tless and rightfully so.🤯😥😲😱
I never saw coming what came to pass. Many things I hoped for and was rewarded. Many I was shocked and just flabbergasted about.
All of it was edge of your seat entertainment. Some of it was poignant. Lots was heartbreaking. Many of it was hot 🔥🥵🥵
I couldn't ask for a better closing here. I only hate that I have to say goodbye to my man, Lt. Evan Nathaniel Arden😢
I love you Evan and am so proud of you. You drove me crazy! You pissed me off, but you never lost my love. Rest easy in the light now. You deserve all the happiness that your heart and hands can hold💜
🗣Read this Saga people!
Get the box set and do it in order.
DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS SERIES!
#EvanArden
#KingSniper
#HotMarine
#AuthorShaySavage
February 16, 2016
The last installment of the Evan Arden saga is everything I didn't even know I wanted. This story is precise and tight, there are no fillers, no wasted time everything happens exactly when it should.
I have to say that Evan is one of those characters that works his way into your heart and stays with you. I love Evan, and I feel like I know him intimately, he is like a friend to me now, that is how good the writing is.
The supporting characters are also fully fleshed out and real. Alina is my fav in the story, she is strong and doesn't take Evan's shit. And that made me love her! I really enjoyed how Evan and Alina evolved, it started out as casual, but slowly and deliciously turned into something more.
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This story brings Evan full circle. I feel like all the questions I ever had were answered, nothing was left out. It left me feeling sated and at peace. I didn't think I wanted more of Evan, I foolishly thought his story ended in Otherwise Unharmed and then I read Isolated and it broke my heart. I was hesitant to read this story, but I'm so happy that I did!
This story is action packed and full of nail-biting angst and full throttle action the kind that Shay is famous for. This woman knows how to tell a story that will thrill you, make you swoon, and leave you thoroughly entertained.
doubtful
November 9, 2015I've read exhaustive comments on this one and don't think I will be able to read. This is like another well-known series in which the author betrays legions of fans by throwing away characters and relationships in the final book. I can't handle another betrayal. I like this author and have not added to my shelf "Will Never Buy Authors Books Again" yet. Authors, please stop doing this to your invested readers!
May 26, 2015
It's been a little over a year since I’ve been in the crazy world that is Evan Arden. I was happy with how Otherwise Unharmed had finished and always thought that was the end of Evan and the series. Well Shay surprised me when I found out there was going to be another book and for sure the last one. So I hurried up and read Isolated, which I didn’t realize was even out. I do recommend reading Isolated before reading Irrevocable. It will fill in a few details that are needed between books Otherwise Unharmed and Irrevocable.
After leaving town and the business behind, Evan is back in both the business and in Chicago. After being gone for so long things have changed and so have some of the faces. With someone skimming money from the organization Evan isn’t sure who can be trusted. Besides the stress of all the new faces and a possible traitor, Evan is back to his old habit of not be able to sleep. Another woman in his bed is the only way for him to get some sleep, but being able to find that woman hasn’t been easy. That’s until he finds a hooker name Alina. She different than most women he has met, she doesn’t push Evan for more or for more info about himself. As things in the organization start to come apart, Evan finds comfort and solace in Alina.
I won’t get much more into the story because it’s a pretty crazy ride like most of the other Evan Arden books are. I did find the story a little slow moving at times, but even though I felt it was slow Shay did a great job keeping me going chapter after chapter. I do love how Shay can get inside a man's head, she writes great male POV’s. I am sad to see this series come to an end, but I’m so happy with how it ended even more than I was with otherwise Unharmed. I feel we really get closer for Evan.
Arc provided by the author for an honest review.
After leaving town and the business behind, Evan is back in both the business and in Chicago. After being gone for so long things have changed and so have some of the faces. With someone skimming money from the organization Evan isn’t sure who can be trusted. Besides the stress of all the new faces and a possible traitor, Evan is back to his old habit of not be able to sleep. Another woman in his bed is the only way for him to get some sleep, but being able to find that woman hasn’t been easy. That’s until he finds a hooker name Alina. She different than most women he has met, she doesn’t push Evan for more or for more info about himself. As things in the organization start to come apart, Evan finds comfort and solace in Alina.
I won’t get much more into the story because it’s a pretty crazy ride like most of the other Evan Arden books are. I did find the story a little slow moving at times, but even though I felt it was slow Shay did a great job keeping me going chapter after chapter. I do love how Shay can get inside a man's head, she writes great male POV’s. I am sad to see this series come to an end, but I’m so happy with how it ended even more than I was with otherwise Unharmed. I feel we really get closer for Evan.
Arc provided by the author for an honest review.
June 26, 2016
Evan Arden
I don’t really know what to say.
I’m speechless.
I’m floored. Incensed. Relieved. Overwhelmed.
I finished the series late last night and spent the rest of my sleep with jumbled up dreams of the book. I have very mixed feelings about Evan Arden and there is no way I can talk about this book to just anyone. Argh! Everything I want to say would only be understood by someone who read it because I don’t want to ruin it for anyone.
This is the kind of series you really need to have a buddy to read with. You are going to want vent, scream, discuss, speculate, analyze, judge, and cry with a friend. Shay Savage pulls no punches with this book. This is not your typical romance. She may offend some people and she most definitely will shock you and surprise you. She will make you feel. Think. This series will bring out every damn emotion you have. My best advice is set aside a chunk of time for this because you're either gonna want to dnf it or be like me and not be able to put it down until every last page is turned. I highly suggest the reading order Shay has on her website. I read the Surviving Raine series first because I didn’t know the two series were connected but it would be much better to read in order...
Chronological order:
Otherwise Alone
Otherwise Occupied
Uncockblockable (optional read)
Otherwise Unharmed
Surviving Raine
Bastian's Storm
Isolated
Irrevocable
The Evan Arden series is written from his perspective, Shay Savage does an amazing job writing from the male point of view. If I didn’t know who the writer was I would definitely think a man wrote the books. Evan Arden is a hardened, war-torn man and do not go into this expecting a dreamy alpha hero to sweep you off your feet. Evan Arden could be enjoyed by male of female and I would not categorize this a romance though it does have steamy scenes and romantic elements...
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys excellent writing, action, suspense, intrigue, military, mafia, and romance genres.
Lieutenant Evan Arden is an honorably discharged Marine POW suffering from severe PTSD after being rescued from 18 months of torture in an Iraqi camp in the desert.
He is recruited for his skills as a sniper to be a hit man for Rinaldo Moretti, a Chicago mafia crime boss. Evan is very tortured by his past but very persevering and tenacious. He is also extremely perceptive, nothing hardly gets past his notice. Three things get him by and that’s his beloved Great Pyrenees dog Odin, his Barrett sniper rifle, sleeping with prostitutes to get him through his nightmare filled nights.
I don’t think I should say much more than that. You need to read it for yourself. Don’t read any spoilers. Don't expect hearts and flowers. This is gritty, this is in your face, abrasive, explicit, and extraordinary. Yes, there are things I found offensive, things I wish were written differently and even though I didn’t like how some of the storyline developed its still a 5 star read. Evan Arden and the Surviving Raine series is an epic in scope, visually cinematic and unforgettable. I was about to say unputdownable but that wouldn’t be true. There were times I had to put the book down because my emotions got the best of me. My mind needed a break. But aren’t those stories the most unique, the most memorable? Evan Arden will stay with me for a long time come.
She was everything I needed, and I was fucking poison to her.
“You’re perfect for me,” I said, “and I’m just…just bad for you.”
“You went overseas to serve in the best way you could. You led people in battle. You were willing to give up your life for someone you didn’t even know. You stayed strong in your heart, no matter what they did to your body, and never gave them any information even though it might have been easier on you if you had.”
“You’re warm,” she said as her body pressed against mine, “and you’re so smart. You’re gentle, and strong, and handsome. You’re compassionate and self-sacrificing.”
“You are perceptive,” she continued. “You always know exactly what I want and need. You’re loyal and brave. You have endured so much—far more than any one person should ever have to face—but you kept going.”
And that's all any of us can do in the wake of adversity...keep going.
February 24, 2019
ARC kindly provided for honest review
DNF
For Shay Savage fans looking for the quality of story telling, writing and character intrigue as found in Otherwise Occupied, look elsewhere. Unfortunately I have to stick by reviews for the first three books in the Evan Arden Series that cite this series as a failure with the anomaly of the second installation peaking with quality.
My perspective is that Savage tried to do too much with Irrevocable - appease fans that love Evan, appease fans that want this to be a romance, appease fans that were sucked in by Otherwise Occupied - but this newest edition simply didn't appease me and I have broken up with Evan Arden for good.
Personally I was excited to see one-dimensional Lia get scrapped - good riddance to her. However, she was replaced by a cookie cutter version of herself that is, *gulps*, even blander than she was. Alina brings nothing to Evan or the series and cements another of Savage's attempts at fleshing out a female character to fall flat. The mafia drama lama arc nearly put me to sleep - completely unengaging. And worst of all - Evan seemed to be having an identity crisis - he (nor I) wasn't sure if he was PTSD, schitzo, depressed. Evan failed to be interesting. Evan is the whole point I read the series - but I couldn't find the Evan I knew on the pages in this book.
So even though I was smitten the first two installments in this series, a break up is what is best for Evan and I.
* On a side note: Shay Savage is a class act. I am a highly analytic, hard to please reader and she engaged and considered my chatter. Which tells me she is a truly devoted writer able to reflect on her strengths and improve where needed. Obviously Irrevocable just didn't work for me and I know she is capable of more than how this series dwindled - I have glimpsed her potential previously in this series. I wish her well in not losing sight of accomplishing the quality and goals of where she wants to take her writing.
DNF
For Shay Savage fans looking for the quality of story telling, writing and character intrigue as found in Otherwise Occupied, look elsewhere. Unfortunately I have to stick by reviews for the first three books in the Evan Arden Series that cite this series as a failure with the anomaly of the second installation peaking with quality.
My perspective is that Savage tried to do too much with Irrevocable - appease fans that love Evan, appease fans that want this to be a romance, appease fans that were sucked in by Otherwise Occupied - but this newest edition simply didn't appease me and I have broken up with Evan Arden for good.
Personally I was excited to see one-dimensional Lia get scrapped - good riddance to her. However, she was replaced by a cookie cutter version of herself that is, *gulps*, even blander than she was. Alina brings nothing to Evan or the series and cements another of Savage's attempts at fleshing out a female character to fall flat. The mafia drama lama arc nearly put me to sleep - completely unengaging. And worst of all - Evan seemed to be having an identity crisis - he (nor I) wasn't sure if he was PTSD, schitzo, depressed. Evan failed to be interesting. Evan is the whole point I read the series - but I couldn't find the Evan I knew on the pages in this book.
So even though I was smitten the first two installments in this series, a break up is what is best for Evan and I.
* On a side note: Shay Savage is a class act. I am a highly analytic, hard to please reader and she engaged and considered my chatter. Which tells me she is a truly devoted writer able to reflect on her strengths and improve where needed. Obviously Irrevocable just didn't work for me and I know she is capable of more than how this series dwindled - I have glimpsed her potential previously in this series. I wish her well in not losing sight of accomplishing the quality and goals of where she wants to take her writing.
May 26, 2015
Irrevocable is the last book in the Evan Arden Series. I've read them all: Otherwise Alone, Otherwise Occupied, Uncockblockable (Optional), Otherwise Unharmed, Isolated, & now Irrevocable. Ideally, you should read Surviving Raine and Bastian's Storm between Otherwise Unharmed and Isolated. Following Evan through all these it is bittersweet to finish his last book.
Evan suffers from extreme PTSD since his time in the Marines as a prisoner of war. Irrevocable starts out with Evan being very much alone, due to mistakes he has made in his last relationship. He is desperate for sleep without ominous nightmares in which only sleeping with Lia kept away. He feels the solution is to find a hooker to sleep next to him for company. Finding someone who is compatible is not an easy task, as his courting or smooth talking is nonexistent. He even admits that Prince Charming never fit anyone’s idea of him.
He has fallen back into the Business with his old boss Rinaldo, who he considers his only family, except for a very recently found half-brother. Evan will do anything to keep his boss safe, and even remove any threats to Rinaldo that in his mind are perceived as dangerous. This causes him to make a few bad choices.
Something happens to Evan that has a life altering moment. He wakes up and decides he wants to start over, but some actions are simply “irrevocable”. I deducted a star from my overall rating of this final installment, because I wanted to know why a major character/heroine was removed from this series without any closer or explanation. I adored her character and really wanted to see them have a HEA together.
Evan suffers from extreme PTSD since his time in the Marines as a prisoner of war. Irrevocable starts out with Evan being very much alone, due to mistakes he has made in his last relationship. He is desperate for sleep without ominous nightmares in which only sleeping with Lia kept away. He feels the solution is to find a hooker to sleep next to him for company. Finding someone who is compatible is not an easy task, as his courting or smooth talking is nonexistent. He even admits that Prince Charming never fit anyone’s idea of him.
He has fallen back into the Business with his old boss Rinaldo, who he considers his only family, except for a very recently found half-brother. Evan will do anything to keep his boss safe, and even remove any threats to Rinaldo that in his mind are perceived as dangerous. This causes him to make a few bad choices.
Something happens to Evan that has a life altering moment. He wakes up and decides he wants to start over, but some actions are simply “irrevocable”. I deducted a star from my overall rating of this final installment, because I wanted to know why a major character/heroine was removed from this series without any closer or explanation. I adored her character and really wanted to see them have a HEA together.
Read
December 30, 2015DNF. I should have read the reviews first.
As soon as I saw Evan's words (to a hooker, in reference to having a girlfriend): "Been there and done that. Way too much trouble," I was totally done with this book. Any character development on his part was completely undone by that statement, whether his words were sincere or not.
Lia went through so much for Evan, and he just let her go. I know he thinks he doesn't deserve her or whatever other melodramatic bullshit... and he's totally right about that, but at least going after her would have shown that he has ONE redeeming quality... loyalty. No, instead, all his loyalty goes to fucking Rinaldo. Oh and now, Evan is apparently replacing Lia with some random fucking hooker. Alina seems nice enough, but I'm not going to waste my time hoping for a HEA for a "hero" who doesn't really deserve one. I guess I should have stopped reading when he was with a hooker on the very first page of chapter one.
The moral to this disaster is: there's nothing wrong with being unpredictable or unconventional, but usually not at the cost of pissing off your readers.
As soon as I saw Evan's words (to a hooker, in reference to having a girlfriend): "Been there and done that. Way too much trouble," I was totally done with this book. Any character development on his part was completely undone by that statement, whether his words were sincere or not.
Lia went through so much for Evan, and he just let her go. I know he thinks he doesn't deserve her or whatever other melodramatic bullshit... and he's totally right about that, but at least going after her would have shown that he has ONE redeeming quality... loyalty. No, instead, all his loyalty goes to fucking Rinaldo. Oh and now, Evan is apparently replacing Lia with some random fucking hooker. Alina seems nice enough, but I'm not going to waste my time hoping for a HEA for a "hero" who doesn't really deserve one. I guess I should have stopped reading when he was with a hooker on the very first page of chapter one.
The moral to this disaster is: there's nothing wrong with being unpredictable or unconventional, but usually not at the cost of pissing off your readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2015
NO NO NO NO NO !!! seriously ?!!! why killing that fabulous series like that ?! I don't get it ... I'm so fraking disappointed !!!!!
April 26, 2025
An entertaining and intense closing to this series.
May 27, 2015
The ending of the Evan Arden series is here. *Tears* Evan Arden has been one of my favorite male characters over the last year. He's raw, unforgiving, resilient, impassioned, and loyal. He's a bad-assed motherfucker who will get the job done and pretty much has nine lives. We have seen Evan kill, fall in love, fight for his "family", and fall down. But in Irrevocable we finally see him heal.
Evan is poised to take over the Moretti family (mob family) even if he likes it or not. The is a lot going on in the family since he's been away (See Savage's other book Bastion's Storm to find out where Evan has been). A lot of what's going on doesn't sit well with Evan. His boss, Rinaldo, wants Evan to find the the unloyal members of the family who have been skimming. This sets Evan on a new journey into the underbelly of the mob world. One that he knows all too well. But Evan still is suffering from PTSD and can't sleep. We meet a hooker named Alina. She helps him sleep and feel normal again, but she's a hooker, so no strings. Except there are a lot of strings. Many of which hit too close to home. With Rinaldo on his death bed, the family in shambles, Evan has to weed out who he can trust. Which proves to only make him more human than he would like to admit.
What I really loved about this book to the end of the series is that Evan does finally grow up. Not that he was a kid or immature by any means. But emotionally he grew. I thought that Lia would make an appearance again since she was so central in the former books, but Evan moved on from her. It was another testament to his continued healing. He wasn't dwelling on their relationship. Alina proved to be more of a ideal love interest than Lia. She gave Evan closure that he was looking for.
Like I said before, Evan falls in this book. It was inevitable that it was coming. Savage handled it so well. The development of Evan's character through all the books was excellent and I felt that this book was the perfect ending to the series. We got a HEA and knowledge that Evan would be all right.
I would rec this book series to anyone. Male or female. Yeah, Savage's main audience is female but she writes such a good male perspective that any male reader will be drawn to this book.
Evan is poised to take over the Moretti family (mob family) even if he likes it or not. The is a lot going on in the family since he's been away (See Savage's other book Bastion's Storm to find out where Evan has been). A lot of what's going on doesn't sit well with Evan. His boss, Rinaldo, wants Evan to find the the unloyal members of the family who have been skimming. This sets Evan on a new journey into the underbelly of the mob world. One that he knows all too well. But Evan still is suffering from PTSD and can't sleep. We meet a hooker named Alina. She helps him sleep and feel normal again, but she's a hooker, so no strings. Except there are a lot of strings. Many of which hit too close to home. With Rinaldo on his death bed, the family in shambles, Evan has to weed out who he can trust. Which proves to only make him more human than he would like to admit.
What I really loved about this book to the end of the series is that Evan does finally grow up. Not that he was a kid or immature by any means. But emotionally he grew. I thought that Lia would make an appearance again since she was so central in the former books, but Evan moved on from her. It was another testament to his continued healing. He wasn't dwelling on their relationship. Alina proved to be more of a ideal love interest than Lia. She gave Evan closure that he was looking for.
Like I said before, Evan falls in this book. It was inevitable that it was coming. Savage handled it so well. The development of Evan's character through all the books was excellent and I felt that this book was the perfect ending to the series. We got a HEA and knowledge that Evan would be all right.
I would rec this book series to anyone. Male or female. Yeah, Savage's main audience is female but she writes such a good male perspective that any male reader will be drawn to this book.
May 26, 2015
It's Live! --> http://amzn.to/1GskRSX
If I said I wasn't a little bit worried about the direction the author was taking this story after finishing Isolated then I'd be lying. It's just that I have never read a series where one of the main characters gets the boot. Like, for real. Gone. Will the series still flourish without that character? The answer is yes because this is Evan's story. These books center around him, his demons, his constant struggle with PTSD, his life.
In my opinion, this book ended up being the best of the entire series. Hands down. My worries were all for nothing because the Ms. Savage handled the changes quite well, and I didn't feel there were any lose ends that weren't cleared up. I've become so invested with Evan. I've wanted for so long for him to find peace and eventually a happily ever after. Sometimes I wanted to jump into the book and hug him tight. Other times I wanted to ring his neck.
Overall, I was left feeling satisfied with the ending of the mafia romance I've come to endear. Irrevocable had action, the feels, and smoking hot sexy times that left me panting. It even had a running joke throughout about a soccer mom sticker that had me laughing several times. :) Evan Arden is one of my favorite anti-heroes, and I am going to miss him. 4.5 Stars!
If I said I wasn't a little bit worried about the direction the author was taking this story after finishing Isolated then I'd be lying. It's just that I have never read a series where one of the main characters gets the boot. Like, for real. Gone. Will the series still flourish without that character? The answer is yes because this is Evan's story. These books center around him, his demons, his constant struggle with PTSD, his life.
In my opinion, this book ended up being the best of the entire series. Hands down. My worries were all for nothing because the Ms. Savage handled the changes quite well, and I didn't feel there were any lose ends that weren't cleared up. I've become so invested with Evan. I've wanted for so long for him to find peace and eventually a happily ever after. Sometimes I wanted to jump into the book and hug him tight. Other times I wanted to ring his neck.
Overall, I was left feeling satisfied with the ending of the mafia romance I've come to endear. Irrevocable had action, the feels, and smoking hot sexy times that left me panting. It even had a running joke throughout about a soccer mom sticker that had me laughing several times. :) Evan Arden is one of my favorite anti-heroes, and I am going to miss him. 4.5 Stars!
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