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Reese Holt #1
The Dark Side
Kidnap victim Alex Throne literally drops into the arms of security specialist Reese Holt, pulling Holt into a battle against a ruthless drug cartel, personal betrayal, and a specter from Holt's CIA past.
Holt agrees to put his team of specialists on the trail of Alex's assailants while he takes on the personal job of protecting the life he inadvertently saved, motivated, in part, by a romantic attraction.
Keeping his mind on protecting Alex could prove difficult, especially when he can't keep his mind off Alex's body.
Holt agrees to put his team of specialists on the trail of Alex's assailants while he takes on the personal job of protecting the life he inadvertently saved, motivated, in part, by a romantic attraction.
Keeping his mind on protecting Alex could prove difficult, especially when he can't keep his mind off Alex's body.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2016
8 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Laura Baumbach
48 books311 followersLaura Baumbach is the best-selling, multi-award winning, acclaimed author of short stories, novellas, novels and screenplays. Most recently, Mexican Heat, written in collaboration with Josh Lanyon, has been chosen as a FINALIST for Best Gay Romance in the 2009 Lambda Literary Awards, a FINALIST in the 2010 EPPIE Awards, and has received an Honorable Mention at the 2009 San Francisco Book Festival. Laura was nominated for Best GBLT Author 2008 in the LRC's Best Of Awards for 2008. Her adventure story The Lost Temple of Karttikeya won the 2008 EPPIE Award for Best GLBT novel. Her sequel to the best-selling novel A Bit of Rough, Roughhousing, was 2007 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 19, 2016
Dangit, my streak has been broken.
It's not that this was a horrible story as such, but the INSTA-everything was doing my head in.
Also there were quite a lot of spelling mistakes (NAS = NSA??), missing words and weird shifts in names. (Reese Holt is introduced in the beginning; he is called Reese a lot of the time, but also Holt, and all of a sudden we're back to his full name in the middle of the story. Also Max/Avery was freaking confusing. Choose one and go with it; at times it felt like there were WAY more characters, than was actually the case.)
So Reese is on a mission to retrieve... Something (I know it had no impact on the 'main-story' but the amount of time spent on the that mission as well as the 'mystery' of the package annoyed me, since it was never 'resolved' or described again.)
When Reese is in the water, Alex drops directly into his arms by accident, he is bound and beaten and 'left for dead'.
Reese saves him, and then begins the most over-the-top, FAST mystery-plot I've read in a while.
Within a week, Alex Also we have drug-lords and an 'enemy' from the past. WITHIN A WEEK, PEOPLE.
I can't even...
I get that we, as readers, sometimes have to suspend reality, but this was just WAAAAAY too much happening, WAAAAY too fast.
The thing is, I kept thinking, during the first couple of chapters : "Shouldn't something happen soon?" because these chapters were spent on the boat and the percentage of the book kept rising, but nothing moved forward, and then... BAM things really moved forward!
Also the mystery wasn't really that hard to figure out, which was too bad since it could have been quite solid, had it been spread out more.
I kind of liked Alex as a character, and Reese wasn't bad either, but the plot of the book and the decisions for these two as a couple were so out there, that this book did not work for me.
I will not be reading the next one, since I'm pretty sure I can't forget the beginning for Alex and Reese.
It's not that this was a horrible story as such, but the INSTA-everything was doing my head in.
Also there were quite a lot of spelling mistakes (NAS = NSA??), missing words and weird shifts in names. (Reese Holt is introduced in the beginning; he is called Reese a lot of the time, but also Holt, and all of a sudden we're back to his full name in the middle of the story. Also Max/Avery was freaking confusing. Choose one and go with it; at times it felt like there were WAY more characters, than was actually the case.)
So Reese is on a mission to retrieve... Something (I know it had no impact on the 'main-story' but the amount of time spent on the that mission as well as the 'mystery' of the package annoyed me, since it was never 'resolved' or described again.)
When Reese is in the water, Alex drops directly into his arms by accident, he is bound and beaten and 'left for dead'.
Reese saves him, and then begins the most over-the-top, FAST mystery-plot I've read in a while.
Within a week, Alex Also we have drug-lords and an 'enemy' from the past. WITHIN A WEEK, PEOPLE.
I can't even...
I get that we, as readers, sometimes have to suspend reality, but this was just WAAAAAY too much happening, WAAAAY too fast.
The thing is, I kept thinking, during the first couple of chapters : "Shouldn't something happen soon?" because these chapters were spent on the boat and the percentage of the book kept rising, but nothing moved forward, and then... BAM things really moved forward!
Also the mystery wasn't really that hard to figure out, which was too bad since it could have been quite solid, had it been spread out more.
I kind of liked Alex as a character, and Reese wasn't bad either, but the plot of the book and the decisions for these two as a couple were so out there, that this book did not work for me.
I will not be reading the next one, since I'm pretty sure I can't forget the beginning for Alex and Reese.
January 20, 2018
Updated to add audiobook review
Read Sammy’s audio review in its entirety here.
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
The Dark Side is the first in a new series by Laura Baumbach. This author has been rather hit and miss for me, but I find she’s always worth giving a chance and The Dark Side didn’t disappoint. It’s packed with plenty of action and enough characterization to drive the plot forward without ever feeling laggy. Alex and Reese are both fairly well developed and, while we don’t get a ton of depth, both are portrayed as realistic and believable and they definitely work as a couple. There is a nice secondary cast that both provides insight into Reese as a character and gives a nice balance of humor and action without consuming the entire novel. There are a couple moments during the action when the secondary cast clutters up things a bit, but this doesn’t last long and doesn’t happen so frequently as to become annoying.
The biggest problem with The Dark Side is the idea of insta-love. Alex and Reese pretty much fall for one another almost immediately and, as a result, while their relationship is somewhat enjoyable it also comes off as rather ridiculous. They’re declaring their love for one another within a matter of days, so there isn’t much by way of believability. Had this courtship taken place over a more reasonable amount of time, their romance could have been epic. Still, despite how much I hate the insta-love trope, Alex and Reese were charming enough to save this relationship from being utterly laughable. The other major issue with The Dark Side is the lack of a decent antagonist. We know who the bad guy is right away and while their actions are certainly despicable, they don’t always seem particularly believable. Again, had this whole aspect been teased out a bit, I think it would have had more impact.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
Read Sammy’s audio review in its entirety here.
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
The Dark Side is the first in a new series by Laura Baumbach. This author has been rather hit and miss for me, but I find she’s always worth giving a chance and The Dark Side didn’t disappoint. It’s packed with plenty of action and enough characterization to drive the plot forward without ever feeling laggy. Alex and Reese are both fairly well developed and, while we don’t get a ton of depth, both are portrayed as realistic and believable and they definitely work as a couple. There is a nice secondary cast that both provides insight into Reese as a character and gives a nice balance of humor and action without consuming the entire novel. There are a couple moments during the action when the secondary cast clutters up things a bit, but this doesn’t last long and doesn’t happen so frequently as to become annoying.
The biggest problem with The Dark Side is the idea of insta-love. Alex and Reese pretty much fall for one another almost immediately and, as a result, while their relationship is somewhat enjoyable it also comes off as rather ridiculous. They’re declaring their love for one another within a matter of days, so there isn’t much by way of believability. Had this courtship taken place over a more reasonable amount of time, their romance could have been epic. Still, despite how much I hate the insta-love trope, Alex and Reese were charming enough to save this relationship from being utterly laughable. The other major issue with The Dark Side is the lack of a decent antagonist. We know who the bad guy is right away and while their actions are certainly despicable, they don’t always seem particularly believable. Again, had this whole aspect been teased out a bit, I think it would have had more impact.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
April 21, 2020
I want you to imagine you (mid-30s M) are in the middle of a Top Secret mission, you're in the middle of the Atlantic, 40 feet under the surface in full diving gear. You're just a bit on edge. Suddenly, a body plummets from the surface above right where you are. It's bound, hand and foot. You catch it; it's a man, he's bleeding but still alive, though clearly not for much longer. Now - this is the tricky bit - do you:-
A - make as rapidly as possible for the surface?
B - give the man air, as you head rapidly for the surface?
C - notice how wavy his hair is, how blue his eyes, and ruminate for a moment on the quirk of fate that has sent him here into your arms?
Any (C) readers will enjoy this book.
A - make as rapidly as possible for the surface?
B - give the man air, as you head rapidly for the surface?
C - notice how wavy his hair is, how blue his eyes, and ruminate for a moment on the quirk of fate that has sent him here into your arms?
Any (C) readers will enjoy this book.
October 20, 2016
3.5 Stars
“The Dark Side” is a romance+action novel with intense, adrenaline-fueled fight sequences, ruthless drug lords and a whole lot of brutality while also boasting a romance in the middle of all the chaos. Action/espionage/military/mercenary, these are some favourite genres of mine and I try to read every one of them (emphasis on the “try”) and mixed with that when I get romance then I have to read it. This book combined the two genres very nicely. The budding romance amongst the hair-raising situations our MCs gets dragged into, satisfied my clamoring for both action and romance. Although I would have liked more time between the MCs but as this is the first book in this series, I am sure I will get more of that in the next books along with some serious “special-forces style” asskicking.
Reese Holt is an ex-special forces soldier who now is the owner of an internationally renowned security company, Overlap. Reese’s company handles job for governments of various countries, celebrities and any other who’s who of the world. He has an elite team of operatives who are highly trained ex soldiers and are highly efficient in what they do. While on a mission near the coast of New Jersey, Alex Thorne, son of billionaire Jason Thorne, almost lands on his lap in the middle of the ocean. Reese is drawn to the handsome young man with the startling turquoise blue eyes almost instantly. Alex seems to have been kidnapped by a notorious drug lord and they also have his sister. Reese is hired by Alex’s father to investigate into his daughter’s disappearance and protect Alex.
What ensues is a series of action-packed events with Reese trying to keep Alex safe while fighting an intense attraction towards the young man.
This trope has been used many times and I always enjoy them in various degrees. I enjoyed this book too but I found the first half of the book a little slow-going for my taste. The events of the book happen in the matter of a few days but there was a long time of inactivity for our hero, Reese and I wanted more action. In the second half of the book the story picks up when the bad guys strike again and Reese and his team powers full steam ahead to bring them down.
The mystery part of the plot as in : “ What’s the original motive behind the kidnappings?” or “Who is the main culprit?” is predictable and not that surprising but still I liked the execution of it all.
As for the characters the MCs are given the maximum focus as well as few team members of Reese.
Reese is portrayed as a very serious man who doesn’t have the time or the luxury to entertain a social/love life. His work is dangerous and he does not believe that he is lucky enough to find a guy who will love him inspite of his profession. His intense attraction to Alex always kept humming just below the surface throughout the first half of the book. There was a huge anticipation for when Reese will acknowledge his feelings and finally give into his attraction towards Alex. Reese’s character is a little closed-off coz that’s how he has trained himself to be. He does not show a lot of emotions but those who know him well can understand him with a mere nod of his head. His relationship with his best friend, Max Avery in addition to his tragic past adds a nice depth to his character.
Alex on the other hand is a very genuine human being with a kind and beautiful soul. He is a billionaire’s son but he is not jaded with power or money. He is a math geek who loves his family and loves giving to the less privileged. He is sensitive and vulnerable but during tough times he can hold his own. I loved his courage and strength, which was just what made him perfect for Reese.
The romance part was sort of slow-burn with Reese and Alex finally getting together almost at the end of the book. It was inst-love, sure but I liked the build-up of the emotions and Reese’s growing conviction that this time he is in love for real.
Overall, this book is a nice action –packed, gritty novel with an intense and passionate romance mixed in good measure. Those of you who live to read action with an added bonus of romance then definitely give this book a try!!!
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
“The Dark Side” is a romance+action novel with intense, adrenaline-fueled fight sequences, ruthless drug lords and a whole lot of brutality while also boasting a romance in the middle of all the chaos. Action/espionage/military/mercenary, these are some favourite genres of mine and I try to read every one of them (emphasis on the “try”) and mixed with that when I get romance then I have to read it. This book combined the two genres very nicely. The budding romance amongst the hair-raising situations our MCs gets dragged into, satisfied my clamoring for both action and romance. Although I would have liked more time between the MCs but as this is the first book in this series, I am sure I will get more of that in the next books along with some serious “special-forces style” asskicking.
Reese Holt is an ex-special forces soldier who now is the owner of an internationally renowned security company, Overlap. Reese’s company handles job for governments of various countries, celebrities and any other who’s who of the world. He has an elite team of operatives who are highly trained ex soldiers and are highly efficient in what they do. While on a mission near the coast of New Jersey, Alex Thorne, son of billionaire Jason Thorne, almost lands on his lap in the middle of the ocean. Reese is drawn to the handsome young man with the startling turquoise blue eyes almost instantly. Alex seems to have been kidnapped by a notorious drug lord and they also have his sister. Reese is hired by Alex’s father to investigate into his daughter’s disappearance and protect Alex.
What ensues is a series of action-packed events with Reese trying to keep Alex safe while fighting an intense attraction towards the young man.
This trope has been used many times and I always enjoy them in various degrees. I enjoyed this book too but I found the first half of the book a little slow-going for my taste. The events of the book happen in the matter of a few days but there was a long time of inactivity for our hero, Reese and I wanted more action. In the second half of the book the story picks up when the bad guys strike again and Reese and his team powers full steam ahead to bring them down.
The mystery part of the plot as in : “ What’s the original motive behind the kidnappings?” or “Who is the main culprit?” is predictable and not that surprising but still I liked the execution of it all.
As for the characters the MCs are given the maximum focus as well as few team members of Reese.
Reese is portrayed as a very serious man who doesn’t have the time or the luxury to entertain a social/love life. His work is dangerous and he does not believe that he is lucky enough to find a guy who will love him inspite of his profession. His intense attraction to Alex always kept humming just below the surface throughout the first half of the book. There was a huge anticipation for when Reese will acknowledge his feelings and finally give into his attraction towards Alex. Reese’s character is a little closed-off coz that’s how he has trained himself to be. He does not show a lot of emotions but those who know him well can understand him with a mere nod of his head. His relationship with his best friend, Max Avery in addition to his tragic past adds a nice depth to his character.
Alex on the other hand is a very genuine human being with a kind and beautiful soul. He is a billionaire’s son but he is not jaded with power or money. He is a math geek who loves his family and loves giving to the less privileged. He is sensitive and vulnerable but during tough times he can hold his own. I loved his courage and strength, which was just what made him perfect for Reese.
The romance part was sort of slow-burn with Reese and Alex finally getting together almost at the end of the book. It was inst-love, sure but I liked the build-up of the emotions and Reese’s growing conviction that this time he is in love for real.
Overall, this book is a nice action –packed, gritty novel with an intense and passionate romance mixed in good measure. Those of you who live to read action with an added bonus of romance then definitely give this book a try!!!
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
August 7, 2021
"The Dark Side" grabbed my interest from almost the first page and it moves along at a steady pace into a world of kidnapping, murder, intrigue, private security specialists, and an instant connection between Alex Throne and Reese Holt.
Reese Holt is "ex-Special Forces, sniper trained, trained in field combat, stealth missions, hand to hand combat. I carry a gun. I don’t need a gun, but I’m one of the best there is with it.” His team of security experts discretely handle "situations" around the globe at a moment's notice. Not exactly a good foundation for any type of relationship, which hasn't been a problem for loner Reese - until Alex comes into his life. The chemistry between Alex and Reese is hot and messy and pretty damn intense, with a pair of mind-blowing scenes toward the end of the book.
This book for me is a solid 3.75 stars, with only a few minor foibles. While the majority of the book is in Reese's POV, there are only a few glimpses of Alex's POV and I would have liked more insight into Alex. Although I guessed the instigator of the kidnapping scheme fairly quickly, the ending does a good job of putting everything in place and sets the stage for additional books in the series.
I received a copy of this book from MLR Press in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Reese Holt is "ex-Special Forces, sniper trained, trained in field combat, stealth missions, hand to hand combat. I carry a gun. I don’t need a gun, but I’m one of the best there is with it.” His team of security experts discretely handle "situations" around the globe at a moment's notice. Not exactly a good foundation for any type of relationship, which hasn't been a problem for loner Reese - until Alex comes into his life. The chemistry between Alex and Reese is hot and messy and pretty damn intense, with a pair of mind-blowing scenes toward the end of the book.
This book for me is a solid 3.75 stars, with only a few minor foibles. While the majority of the book is in Reese's POV, there are only a few glimpses of Alex's POV and I would have liked more insight into Alex. Although I guessed the instigator of the kidnapping scheme fairly quickly, the ending does a good job of putting everything in place and sets the stage for additional books in the series.
I received a copy of this book from MLR Press in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
June 12, 2017
3.5 stars. My favorite Laura Baumbach book was Mexican Heat: Crimes & Cocktails Series, Book 1. I hadn't read too many others of hers but when I saw the blurb for this, I had to get it. It was pretty good and I enjoyed the story but it didn't quite get to the level of Mexican Heat.
Reese is a former Special Forces soldier, now the owner of a high-end specialist security company. He's got some of the alpha-hole vibe; very stoic, cold and unemotional, except with his best friend Max sometimes. While scuba diving on a mission, Alex Throne, son of a billionaire, falls into the sea right in front of him. Alex was kidnapped by a drug cartel and after rescuing him, Reese realizes he's very attracted but feels he needs to remain unattached due to his profession. He's determined to walk away once Alex is returned home but *gasp* he ends up hired by Dad to protect Alex.
It's a frequently used trope but it's done fairly well here and not terribly cliche. They do spend only a few days together, most of it punctuated by danger, so it's still insta-love IMO. It's not expressed until after the climactic events though and only kisses are exchanged until close to the end of the book. It's not the most intriguing plot, with much of it easily guessable, but there are realistic elements and it's solid. I do tend to instantly hit the buy button whenever I see any former military, security/mercenary type characters in books but this one lived up to it.
Reese is a former Special Forces soldier, now the owner of a high-end specialist security company. He's got some of the alpha-hole vibe; very stoic, cold and unemotional, except with his best friend Max sometimes. While scuba diving on a mission, Alex Throne, son of a billionaire, falls into the sea right in front of him. Alex was kidnapped by a drug cartel and after rescuing him, Reese realizes he's very attracted but feels he needs to remain unattached due to his profession. He's determined to walk away once Alex is returned home but *gasp* he ends up hired by Dad to protect Alex.
It's a frequently used trope but it's done fairly well here and not terribly cliche. They do spend only a few days together, most of it punctuated by danger, so it's still insta-love IMO. It's not expressed until after the climactic events though and only kisses are exchanged until close to the end of the book. It's not the most intriguing plot, with much of it easily guessable, but there are realistic elements and it's solid. I do tend to instantly hit the buy button whenever I see any former military, security/mercenary type characters in books but this one lived up to it.
October 18, 2016
This was intense and action packed. I liked how Reese tried to fight his attraction to Alex. It was a cuteness in the middle of a gritty tale.
I also really enjoyed the relationship between Reese and Avery. Again, it was a cuteness in the middle of a gritty tale. It provided some humor in an otherwise dark story.
I liked how the story unfolded. I do wish there was more intimate times between Reese and Alex, and no I'm not talking about sex. I'm talking about close and quiet moments. I felt like there was too much go-go-go and little downtime. I wanted to see them talk more.
I wouldn't mind reading more from these guys.
I also really enjoyed the relationship between Reese and Avery. Again, it was a cuteness in the middle of a gritty tale. It provided some humor in an otherwise dark story.
I liked how the story unfolded. I do wish there was more intimate times between Reese and Alex, and no I'm not talking about sex. I'm talking about close and quiet moments. I felt like there was too much go-go-go and little downtime. I wanted to see them talk more.
I wouldn't mind reading more from these guys.
Did Not Finish
December 6, 2016DNF at 32%. Long descriptions of how great the MC was, insta-love, purple prose....
August 2, 2021
This is a compend of all that I don't like in a story: absurdly cliché dialogue, cartoonish characters, and instalove in its worst expression.
Also, revenge is not justice, and a bloody knife is not a romantic gift. Just saying...
I should stop listening to audiobooks because I like the narrator and begin to pay closer attention to the author. Had I done that, I would have seen that the only book by Josh Lanyon I ever left unfinished was the one that was co-authored with this writer. Live and learn *laughs*
Also, revenge is not justice, and a bloody knife is not a romantic gift. Just saying...
I should stop listening to audiobooks because I like the narrator and begin to pay closer attention to the author. Had I done that, I would have seen that the only book by Josh Lanyon I ever left unfinished was the one that was co-authored with this writer. Live and learn *laughs*
November 11, 2016
The Blogger Girls
This is a really good start to a new series… and one that I am keeping my fingers crossed actually finishes. Mexican Heat is one of my favorite books and I was beyond bummed when that series fizzled. I was hesitant to start this book for the same reason. So, here’s to being optimistic that the future is not representative of the past.
Reese is this super alpha, ex-Special Forces security specialist. Knowing that this series revolves around this sexy man gets me all excited. Alex is the kidnapped son of a billionaire that quite literally lands in Reese’s lap, in the middle of the ocean. As a reader, that scene was quite original and it shocked Reese and me quite equally. Alex is a great guy and Reese is instantly intrigued and attracted…fortunately, Alex feels the same.
There is not a whole lot of tip toeing around each other and dealing with feelings, because they are constantly one step behind the men who want to do Alex and his family harm. Reese, a man who knows that relationships and his job are not compatible, is helpless in his need to protect Alex…and hope that just maybe Alex can handle his not so conventional work life.
There is a lot of action, hot sexy times, and a budding relationship that happens quickly, but mostly it is a great start to this new series and I look forward to more of the same in the next installment.
This is a really good start to a new series… and one that I am keeping my fingers crossed actually finishes. Mexican Heat is one of my favorite books and I was beyond bummed when that series fizzled. I was hesitant to start this book for the same reason. So, here’s to being optimistic that the future is not representative of the past.
Reese is this super alpha, ex-Special Forces security specialist. Knowing that this series revolves around this sexy man gets me all excited. Alex is the kidnapped son of a billionaire that quite literally lands in Reese’s lap, in the middle of the ocean. As a reader, that scene was quite original and it shocked Reese and me quite equally. Alex is a great guy and Reese is instantly intrigued and attracted…fortunately, Alex feels the same.
There is not a whole lot of tip toeing around each other and dealing with feelings, because they are constantly one step behind the men who want to do Alex and his family harm. Reese, a man who knows that relationships and his job are not compatible, is helpless in his need to protect Alex…and hope that just maybe Alex can handle his not so conventional work life.
There is a lot of action, hot sexy times, and a budding relationship that happens quickly, but mostly it is a great start to this new series and I look forward to more of the same in the next installment.
July 10, 2017
Review by The Blogger Girls.
This was an interesting series starter about Reese, who is part of a special ops mercenary group who, while on what should be an easy recovery mission, ends up in the middle of a whole other mess. In the center of that mess is Alex who, in an attempt to escape his kidnappers, ends up falling right into Reece’s arms. Things are a little bit confusing in the beginning as you try to figure out who is who, as first names are used sometimes, and last names other times. Once I was up on the characters though, it was easy to follow.
Once the crew takes care of their initial recovery, they handle the return of Alex. But when things don’t seem as they should, Reese is reluctant to just give him up. After the tables are turned and Alex’s father wants to hire Reese and his company to protect Alex, he is unable to resist Alex’s pleas for help. Again, everything is not as it seems, and Reese and his team work to put their fingers on what and who, but it is sort of one race leading to another.
This was a rather fast-paced story that, while a bit over the top and unbelievable at times, was exciting and interesting and kept my attention. The guys were sweet together and had good chemistry. Gotta love alpha ex-soldiers! So, as they try to get to the bottom of things, who the kidnappers were and why they did it, Alex and Reese grow closer. When Alex is taken again from under Reese’s nose, things get pretty serious as Reese tries to figure out who from his past was able to get the jump on him. There are a few twists and turns, though nothing to hard to figure out, but it all made for a fun afternoon read that left me definitely interested in reading more in this series.
This was an interesting series starter about Reese, who is part of a special ops mercenary group who, while on what should be an easy recovery mission, ends up in the middle of a whole other mess. In the center of that mess is Alex who, in an attempt to escape his kidnappers, ends up falling right into Reece’s arms. Things are a little bit confusing in the beginning as you try to figure out who is who, as first names are used sometimes, and last names other times. Once I was up on the characters though, it was easy to follow.
Once the crew takes care of their initial recovery, they handle the return of Alex. But when things don’t seem as they should, Reese is reluctant to just give him up. After the tables are turned and Alex’s father wants to hire Reese and his company to protect Alex, he is unable to resist Alex’s pleas for help. Again, everything is not as it seems, and Reese and his team work to put their fingers on what and who, but it is sort of one race leading to another.
This was a rather fast-paced story that, while a bit over the top and unbelievable at times, was exciting and interesting and kept my attention. The guys were sweet together and had good chemistry. Gotta love alpha ex-soldiers! So, as they try to get to the bottom of things, who the kidnappers were and why they did it, Alex and Reese grow closer. When Alex is taken again from under Reese’s nose, things get pretty serious as Reese tries to figure out who from his past was able to get the jump on him. There are a few twists and turns, though nothing to hard to figure out, but it all made for a fun afternoon read that left me definitely interested in reading more in this series.
May 31, 2017
Stone cold Reese Holt is hired to protect Alex Thorne, nerdy son of a billionaire. What follows is a page turning, high octane old fashioned adventure. A complex plot, and some sexy scenes make for a great start to summer reading.
November 7, 2016
Reese Holt is ex-special ops and the owner of Overlap Security Services, Inc. He takes on D3 assignments—dirty, dark and dangerous—around the globe, even jobs the US government won’t take on because they are borderline illegal. His clients are high-profile and the jobs high-risk, and his company has nothing but the best in the way of ex-military personnel. Reese is also a loner; he can’t take a chance on a relationship because the danger is too high, and he just never knows if the next mission will be the last. There are two rules he goes by: 1) He’s nobody’s white knight, and 2) never let it get personal. On a mission to retrieve a black box, five miles off the coast of New Jersey, Reese finds himself in a dilemma when he comes face to face with a pair of blue-eyes.
Alex Throne isn’t what Reese thinks he is. Alex isn’t the spoiled rich kid at all. Even though his father is owner of Throne Industries, Alex doesn’t want the responsibility of corporate raiding and all the business that comes with it. He has a special affinity for numbers that he has kept secret. He chose to be an accountant, and handles some charities for Throne Industries. As Reese and Alex get to know one another, it opens a door on how talented, caring and brave Alex really is. While under Reese’s protection, Alex is kidnapped by the crazed Pablo Cali, sending Reese and his team into the jungles of Columbia to rescue Alex and his sister.
MLR promoted The Dark Side for months, and I couldn’t wait for it to come out. It was definitely worth the wait—Laura Baumbach never fails to entertain. This is a fast paced and power packed story full of action, suspense, and heartbreak. It’s loaded with emotion and really great characters. Max Avery, Ryan East, Mark Banner, and Chris Wells are all a part of Reese’s dynamic team, but he has a special relationship with Max. Max is more than a best friend to Reese.
Reese and Alex are going to be a couple to watch out for, and Alex was just amazing. This was an absolute page turner for me, and I can’t wait to see what Ms. Baumbach does with the Reese Holt series next.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
Alex Throne isn’t what Reese thinks he is. Alex isn’t the spoiled rich kid at all. Even though his father is owner of Throne Industries, Alex doesn’t want the responsibility of corporate raiding and all the business that comes with it. He has a special affinity for numbers that he has kept secret. He chose to be an accountant, and handles some charities for Throne Industries. As Reese and Alex get to know one another, it opens a door on how talented, caring and brave Alex really is. While under Reese’s protection, Alex is kidnapped by the crazed Pablo Cali, sending Reese and his team into the jungles of Columbia to rescue Alex and his sister.
MLR promoted The Dark Side for months, and I couldn’t wait for it to come out. It was definitely worth the wait—Laura Baumbach never fails to entertain. This is a fast paced and power packed story full of action, suspense, and heartbreak. It’s loaded with emotion and really great characters. Max Avery, Ryan East, Mark Banner, and Chris Wells are all a part of Reese’s dynamic team, but he has a special relationship with Max. Max is more than a best friend to Reese.
Reese and Alex are going to be a couple to watch out for, and Alex was just amazing. This was an absolute page turner for me, and I can’t wait to see what Ms. Baumbach does with the Reese Holt series next.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
October 29, 2016
When security specialist Reece Holt is on a mission to recover a box, he is surprised when a kidnap victim falls right into his arms. Saving him is easy but it also throws him into a battle against drug cartels, betrayal and a man from Reece’s past CIA days. One look, though and Reece knows he will do what he can to ensure Alex Throne’s safety. When he is hired to protect Alex, Reece knows how difficult it will be when his mind is also on his desire for the very sexy Alex. He also knows that no one can do as a good a job as him.
It is amazing to have Laura Baumbach writing again. This is an incredible story with non-stop action, betrayal, constant danger and more than a few twists. We travel to a few different parts of the world and meet men that will make you cringe. The action begins on page one and does not end until the last page. Two incredible heroes combined with suspense and danger make for a captivating tale. Don’t miss The Dark Side and the good part is that it is called Book One. We can look forward to more. It is great to have Laura Baumbach back in the writing seat.
It is amazing to have Laura Baumbach writing again. This is an incredible story with non-stop action, betrayal, constant danger and more than a few twists. We travel to a few different parts of the world and meet men that will make you cringe. The action begins on page one and does not end until the last page. Two incredible heroes combined with suspense and danger make for a captivating tale. Don’t miss The Dark Side and the good part is that it is called Book One. We can look forward to more. It is great to have Laura Baumbach back in the writing seat.
Read
October 25, 2016Gotta mull over the rating for a bit :-)!!
November 6, 2017
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; NOVEMBER 5, 2017
Narrator: Joel Leslie
2.5 stars
I've got to get this off my chest first: I adore Joel Leslie and have bought just about every audiobook he's narrated. BUT - he was so wrong for this book. His voice - that unique inflection and cadence that makes JL special - was totally unsuited to an action-romance. Really, a very poor choice on the part of whoever made this decision, and JL should have turned it down.
That over and done with, the book - should have been good seeing as it came from one half of the writing pair that gave us Mexican Heat. Since Lanyon has given me several winners and is an autobuy (unless it has ghosts) and Baumbach never made my TBR after that, I've inevitably concluded which of the two was responsible for my loving MH so much.
This would be confirmed by the writing in Dark Side. My god. The preponderous amount of navel gazing by Reese should be made illegal. The man needs to talk to a therapist. Maybe then I would get a real action-romance that concentrates on the plot rather than Reese's self-preoccupation.
Because of the above, the action/suspense doesn't come into play until three quarters of the story is done. What was an 8-hour audio felt ten times longer as a result of Reese's inner ramblings. I'd given up on the audio by then, and finished the book on my Kindle, skimming most of it just to check if there were any surprises. There weren't.
Those who like their romances heavier on the romance should find this first Reese Holt installment satisfactory though I'd say my complaint isn't about the romance but the heavy-handed treatment of Reese's baggage and characterization. The author also tends to explain her characters' dialogue as if she feels her readers won't understand where they are coming from. Not true. The dialogue is fine and often, a single word from the character is sufficient to convey everything. Ms Baumbach has yet to master this.
Hopefully, the next installment will be an improvement though I'm not excited at the prospect as there wasn't any other character in the story whose book I'd be interested in. And I certainly wouldn't buy it if it's Joel Leslie narrating again.
This audio has left such an unsatisfying feeling in me insofar as JL is concerned that I'm tempted to start on his Cronin's Key Trilogy just to wash Dark Side away.
Narrator: Joel Leslie
2.5 stars
I've got to get this off my chest first: I adore Joel Leslie and have bought just about every audiobook he's narrated. BUT - he was so wrong for this book. His voice - that unique inflection and cadence that makes JL special - was totally unsuited to an action-romance. Really, a very poor choice on the part of whoever made this decision, and JL should have turned it down.
That over and done with, the book - should have been good seeing as it came from one half of the writing pair that gave us Mexican Heat. Since Lanyon has given me several winners and is an autobuy (unless it has ghosts) and Baumbach never made my TBR after that, I've inevitably concluded which of the two was responsible for my loving MH so much.
This would be confirmed by the writing in Dark Side. My god. The preponderous amount of navel gazing by Reese should be made illegal. The man needs to talk to a therapist. Maybe then I would get a real action-romance that concentrates on the plot rather than Reese's self-preoccupation.
Because of the above, the action/suspense doesn't come into play until three quarters of the story is done. What was an 8-hour audio felt ten times longer as a result of Reese's inner ramblings. I'd given up on the audio by then, and finished the book on my Kindle, skimming most of it just to check if there were any surprises. There weren't.
Those who like their romances heavier on the romance should find this first Reese Holt installment satisfactory though I'd say my complaint isn't about the romance but the heavy-handed treatment of Reese's baggage and characterization. The author also tends to explain her characters' dialogue as if she feels her readers won't understand where they are coming from. Not true. The dialogue is fine and often, a single word from the character is sufficient to convey everything. Ms Baumbach has yet to master this.
Hopefully, the next installment will be an improvement though I'm not excited at the prospect as there wasn't any other character in the story whose book I'd be interested in. And I certainly wouldn't buy it if it's Joel Leslie narrating again.
This audio has left such an unsatisfying feeling in me insofar as JL is concerned that I'm tempted to start on his Cronin's Key Trilogy just to wash Dark Side away.
December 13, 2016
As a child Alex Throne was taught to stay calm and think of an escape plan. Those lessons served adult Alex well when he was kidnapped. Unfortunately, Alex’s only escape was a fall into the ocean; fortunately Alex fell within reach of Reese Holt.
The Dark Side is the first book in the Reese Holt series. The plot is like a deadly complex puzzle, each piece is a clue adding to the big picture of the perpetrator’s identity. The plot exhibits a touching good vs. evil description, making it easy to feel emotionally involved in the down-to-earth, sometimes amusing characters.
Alex is a modest man that becomes the pawn in this thriller, he has no interest in taking over his billionaire father’s companies. Instead Alex chose to do part of the accounting work as a concession to his father’s concern for safety plea. Although Alex was not involved in the company’s main operations, he was targeted because of his highly intelligent accounting skills as well as a threat to any corruption within the company.
Security specialist Reese Holt is the owner of Overlap Security Service, a company that deals with high risk assignments. Reese, along with his staff, are all compassionate, highly skilled, the best of the best former military. Though Reese and his team are classified as civilians, they perform their missions in a precision military manner.
Rather than the billionaire’s request to hire him after returning Alex to his home, it is the hint of a mutual attraction between them that influenced Reese to become Alex’s bodyguard. Each new concentrated attack on Alex’s life garners more multifaceted clues until the list of suspects emerged and the quarry is finally captured.
The Dark Side is an excellent enjoyable saga. The engaging main characters are well-matched with similar backgrounds and personality traits. The combat style fighting is intense with a few surprises included. The criminals are a cold blooded nasty piece of work that inspires a cheer when they were eliminated.
The Dark Side is the first book in the Reese Holt series. The plot is like a deadly complex puzzle, each piece is a clue adding to the big picture of the perpetrator’s identity. The plot exhibits a touching good vs. evil description, making it easy to feel emotionally involved in the down-to-earth, sometimes amusing characters.
Alex is a modest man that becomes the pawn in this thriller, he has no interest in taking over his billionaire father’s companies. Instead Alex chose to do part of the accounting work as a concession to his father’s concern for safety plea. Although Alex was not involved in the company’s main operations, he was targeted because of his highly intelligent accounting skills as well as a threat to any corruption within the company.
Security specialist Reese Holt is the owner of Overlap Security Service, a company that deals with high risk assignments. Reese, along with his staff, are all compassionate, highly skilled, the best of the best former military. Though Reese and his team are classified as civilians, they perform their missions in a precision military manner.
Rather than the billionaire’s request to hire him after returning Alex to his home, it is the hint of a mutual attraction between them that influenced Reese to become Alex’s bodyguard. Each new concentrated attack on Alex’s life garners more multifaceted clues until the list of suspects emerged and the quarry is finally captured.
The Dark Side is an excellent enjoyable saga. The engaging main characters are well-matched with similar backgrounds and personality traits. The combat style fighting is intense with a few surprises included. The criminals are a cold blooded nasty piece of work that inspires a cheer when they were eliminated.
February 9, 2020
Reese Holt is an ex-everything from CIA to Special Ops, and now manages a mercenary/security firm that works all kind of James Bond-esque missions. The book opens with Reese working job that takes him out to sea, where, quite literally, Alex Throne drops right in front of him in the middle of the water. From there, Reese and Alex’s lives are intertwined, and Reese finds a new mission in life: protecting Alex Throne. The plot is fast paced with a lot of action and some heart wrenching moments. There’s violence, grief, and implied sexual assault, but the relationship between Reese and Alex is loving and gets its happy ever after.
Joel Leslie is a phenomenal narrator and does a wonderful job bringing the book to life. I love the different voices he uses and the amount of emotion he brought to his performance.
Overall this book was a 3 star rating for me. The writing was solid, but the plot had a lot happening with not enough build up for my taste. I never fully felt like I connected with the characters, and that may be because this book was supposed to be the first in a series (unfortunately, I don’t think anymore books was written in the series) and it felt like an introduction to the characters. The book does well as standalone, and I still enjoyed the story overall.
Joel Leslie is a phenomenal narrator and does a wonderful job bringing the book to life. I love the different voices he uses and the amount of emotion he brought to his performance.
Overall this book was a 3 star rating for me. The writing was solid, but the plot had a lot happening with not enough build up for my taste. I never fully felt like I connected with the characters, and that may be because this book was supposed to be the first in a series (unfortunately, I don’t think anymore books was written in the series) and it felt like an introduction to the characters. The book does well as standalone, and I still enjoyed the story overall.
October 14, 2019
This was ok. The story was interesting, but I got really tired of the ego stroking descriptions of Holt. I don't mind a story that talks up the MC, but this was repetitive and irritating. And there needed to be more Avery. I typically laughed out loud when he spoke. He reminds me of Hawk from the Robert B. Parker Spenser series.
Joel Leslie, as the narrator, was not a good fit for this. His voice is breathy, and that doesn't work for these characters. He sounded like he was in pain while reading this. I have liked his narrations in other books, but just not this one.
Joel Leslie, as the narrator, was not a good fit for this. His voice is breathy, and that doesn't work for these characters. He sounded like he was in pain while reading this. I have liked his narrations in other books, but just not this one.
November 5, 2020
I really enjoyed the book. I know some thought there were a lot of spelling mistakes, but I only saw a few and could easily read into it. It kept that "who dun it" feeling as to who was actually trying to kill Alex Throne, the billionaire's son.
Reese Holt, ex-military and once worked for the CIA, keeps himself in check to not blur his feelings for the gorgeous Alex from the job he had to do to keep him alive and not get kidnapped again. Reese and his team know it had to be someone with the building that Alex lived to get to the man. The action-pack story was a page-turner for me.
Reese Holt, ex-military and once worked for the CIA, keeps himself in check to not blur his feelings for the gorgeous Alex from the job he had to do to keep him alive and not get kidnapped again. Reese and his team know it had to be someone with the building that Alex lived to get to the man. The action-pack story was a page-turner for me.
June 27, 2020
This was my first Laura Baumbach book and if it wasn't for Joel Leslie's awesome narration, it would have been a DNF for me. I didn't like the MC Holt, he was just too over the top for my liking. Since a lot of what bothered me about the book has already been mentioned in other reviews, I won't do a repeat here. I just wanted to give a shout out to the narrator.
Joel Leslie's narration - 5 stars
The book - 2
Joel Leslie's narration - 5 stars
The book - 2
November 27, 2017
I read and reviewed this book as part of a contest. The story is a mystery, suspense, action-adventure, but it also includes trust and two men finding more together.
I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it a local library.
I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it a local library.
May 14, 2019
My only real issue is that it was so obvious who was behind it all. And I knew it as soon as they walked on page. It was full of action and suspense which I enjoyed. The insta-love did not bother me one bit; I do believe in love at first site. I hope at some point that more books will come out in this series, but it has been 3 years, as there were some really good secondary characters.
September 25, 2020
A poorly-written detective story featuring a gay "fall in love with my bodyguard" trope. The text is padded with excessive descriptions that detract from the story flow. It is immediately obvious who the villain is, there being only one suspect. The story has notable contradictions. If that weren't enough, the story is loaded with clichés.
October 30, 2016
Nice to read something new by Laura. She has written some of the first mm books that I read back in '08 so I have a soft spot for her books.
And I adored the reference to our own Queen. No clue why it was there but it was a good surprise.
And I adored the reference to our own Queen. No clue why it was there but it was a good surprise.
November 16, 2017
Full of action. I did like the reveal at the end.
The insta-love didn't work for me. It never built up to a feeling of love for me.
But I did like the action and the reveal. It was obvious from the beginning that person was involved, but I still liked them getting called out in the end.
The insta-love didn't work for me. It never built up to a feeling of love for me.
But I did like the action and the reveal. It was obvious from the beginning that person was involved, but I still liked them getting called out in the end.
March 31, 2018
3.5 - 4 stars
Audiobook narrated by Joel Leslie
Typical romantic suspense story but it held my interest till the end. I didn't find Joel Leslie's narration his best performance but it was enjooyable as always.
Audiobook narrated by Joel Leslie
Typical romantic suspense story but it held my interest till the end. I didn't find Joel Leslie's narration his best performance but it was enjooyable as always.
November 3, 2018
4.5 stars--A good, solid story that is well enhanced by one of my favorite narrators--Joel Leslie.
It's been over two years since this one was published, I sure hope a second book is still possible.
It's been over two years since this one was published, I sure hope a second book is still possible.
July 10, 2019
Reese Holt: The Dark Side
This is a great book to read loved it. Thank you Laura for a fantastic read would have loved to of had some more it to read especially Reese and Alex and their love. Still it is a great read.
This is a great book to read loved it. Thank you Laura for a fantastic read would have loved to of had some more it to read especially Reese and Alex and their love. Still it is a great read.
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