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Undercover #1
Undercover
Drake Donovan is one of the good guys. He spends his life helping people who need it. Being a police officer is all he's ever wanted to be, and there is nothing else that could ever compare. After months of work he finally has a way in to the underground world he's been trying to close down. A trail of dead prostitutes has led him to a chat room and a man called Dreamfixer, but when a late night meeting goes wrong his life changes forever. Ryden Garrick has the life that nightmares are made of. Growing up with a father like his taught him everything he needed to know to run his area in one of Britain's largest crime organisations. Guns, drugs, money laundering, and the area that Ryden excels in, prostitution. Running one of the largest male prostitution rings, one where anything is acceptable, even murder, is where he dedicates most of his time. When Drake discovered the connection with the young dead bodies, all linked with a letter tattooed on their chest, he knew he had to do something. Now standing in front of the elusive Dreamfixer, he knows that life will never be the same. When gathering evidence becomes the last thing he's thinking about he knows that he will have to make a decision. Follow his feelings or stay strong, doing what he was here to do. Now he has to decide between the job he loves and the man who could change everything. Life for Drake was easy before he went Undercover. M/M romance. Not suitable for readers under 18 years of age due to language and sexual content. ***Please note*** This book contains scenes of murder, rape and abuse which some readers may find uncomfortable.
268 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2016
About the author
T.A. McKay
34 books387 followersAfter being married for ten years and raising three beautiful kids I decided it was time to do something for myself. My passion for reading bled over with a need to tell the story that was repeating in my head and that was the birth of my first book. The rest they say is history.
I love the creative release that writing gives you, being able to take someone away to a different world feels amazing. As a reader I know how important that escape is, and as a writer I love to be able to give people that.
My other loves include music and reading (in case I haven't mentioned that before) and then when I have time a little more reading. I think if I could read for a living I would, but since I can't I will continue on the writing side of things.
I love the creative release that writing gives you, being able to take someone away to a different world feels amazing. As a reader I know how important that escape is, and as a writer I love to be able to give people that.
My other loves include music and reading (in case I haven't mentioned that before) and then when I have time a little more reading. I think if I could read for a living I would, but since I can't I will continue on the writing side of things.
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March 29, 2018Skim City for me
Once again another book I will not be rating. This book would be next to the definition of Stockholm Syndrome. I had no sympathy for Ryden who is the head of a prostitution ring. He is cold and ruthless. Yes, he had a horrifically abuse childhood, but that doesn't give him the right to kidnap and torture others. Then we have Drake, the naive policeman who goes undercover and shocker...gets abused, raped, and falls in love with his captor. I don't know if it was my mindset, but I enjoyed nothing about this book. I feel like I need a shower.
Once again another book I will not be rating. This book would be next to the definition of Stockholm Syndrome. I had no sympathy for Ryden who is the head of a prostitution ring. He is cold and ruthless. Yes, he had a horrifically abuse childhood, but that doesn't give him the right to kidnap and torture others. Then we have Drake, the naive policeman who goes undercover and shocker...gets abused, raped, and falls in love with his captor. I don't know if it was my mindset, but I enjoyed nothing about this book. I feel like I need a shower.
October 5, 2018
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
Bene e male che si vogliono, ma chi vincerà? Drake Donovan ha un sogno nel cassetto. Essere un poliziotto. È un lavoro d’onore, di rispetto, fare del bene è per Drake una missione. Ed arriva il suo momento. È da mesi ne vengono ritrovati cadaveri martoriati in ogni angolo della strada. Straziati e torturati. Si scopriranno essere corpi di prostitute, lasciati a marcire. Quando Drake prende la decisione di infiltrarsi come prostituta, non immaginava di certo che la sua vita sarebbe cambiata drasticamente. Senza amici, il giovane poliziotto dovrà imparare a cavarsela senza poter contare su nessuno. Giorno dopo giorno, botte dopo botte cerca di capire chi si cela dietro quelle cattiverie, con la paura di essere scoperto sempre addosso. Ryden Garrick nasconde un segreto. Ha una bella posizione e un lavoro come dirigente, una vita fantastica. Ma quello che succede nei sotterranei della sua azienda è qualcosa di inimmaginabile e deve restare nascosto. Quando una nuova recluta viene presa, Ryden non riesce a non pensare a lui. È solo lavoro, dice, ma non fa che osservare Drake. È un libro forte, tratta tematiche violente ma l'autrice è stata bravissima a trattare questi argomenti. Prostituzione, ricatti, tormenti si mischieranno in Sotto copertura. Drake e Ryden sono due personaggi che si assomigliano ma sono contrapposti. Drake ha scelto di vivere con dei paletti e delle restrizioni cosa che Ryden non pensa minimamente. Insieme sono come un fuoco e infatti si bruceranno molte volte. Drake nasconde la sua identità e quando qualcosa andrà storto rischierà la vita. Odio e amore, vita e morte, non voglio svelarci il finale ma è da urlo!
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
Bene e male che si vogliono, ma chi vincerà? Drake Donovan ha un sogno nel cassetto. Essere un poliziotto. È un lavoro d’onore, di rispetto, fare del bene è per Drake una missione. Ed arriva il suo momento. È da mesi ne vengono ritrovati cadaveri martoriati in ogni angolo della strada. Straziati e torturati. Si scopriranno essere corpi di prostitute, lasciati a marcire. Quando Drake prende la decisione di infiltrarsi come prostituta, non immaginava di certo che la sua vita sarebbe cambiata drasticamente. Senza amici, il giovane poliziotto dovrà imparare a cavarsela senza poter contare su nessuno. Giorno dopo giorno, botte dopo botte cerca di capire chi si cela dietro quelle cattiverie, con la paura di essere scoperto sempre addosso. Ryden Garrick nasconde un segreto. Ha una bella posizione e un lavoro come dirigente, una vita fantastica. Ma quello che succede nei sotterranei della sua azienda è qualcosa di inimmaginabile e deve restare nascosto. Quando una nuova recluta viene presa, Ryden non riesce a non pensare a lui. È solo lavoro, dice, ma non fa che osservare Drake. È un libro forte, tratta tematiche violente ma l'autrice è stata bravissima a trattare questi argomenti. Prostituzione, ricatti, tormenti si mischieranno in Sotto copertura. Drake e Ryden sono due personaggi che si assomigliano ma sono contrapposti. Drake ha scelto di vivere con dei paletti e delle restrizioni cosa che Ryden non pensa minimamente. Insieme sono come un fuoco e infatti si bruceranno molte volte. Drake nasconde la sua identità e quando qualcosa andrà storto rischierà la vita. Odio e amore, vita e morte, non voglio svelarci il finale ma è da urlo!
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
December 15, 2016
REVIEWED FOR PRISM BOOK ALLIANCE
4.25 Stars
This was delicious and teeny, tiny bit dark and twisted. One hero and one antihero and a story that has you wondering the entire time how on earth they can possibly achieve a HEA.
Drake Donovan is a police officer tied up in a case that involves dead male prostitutes. The clues have been sporadic and mainly led to dead ends so when an ‘in’ from an internet chat room arises Drake grabs onto it with both hands intending to work the case undercover – his first mistake was assuming that would work.
Ryden Garrick is unapologetically bad. He runs a prostitution ring that is organised, efficient and makes him a lot of money. When occasionally things go wrong and a body has to be dumped he has men willing to do that for him too. He is a god that rules over his own kingdom – to question Ryden is stupid but to cross Ryden more than likely means death.
Drake gets his wish to work within the prostitution ring but it doesn’t go exactly according to plan. A snatch and grab finds the exuberant young officer in a tricky situation and from then on it’s as though he has fallen down a rabbit hole. This story skirts the edges of believability but it was such a good read that had me on pins waiting to see how the author could possibly weave any sort of satisfactory ending that I would highly recommend it.
4.25 Stars
This was delicious and teeny, tiny bit dark and twisted. One hero and one antihero and a story that has you wondering the entire time how on earth they can possibly achieve a HEA.
Drake Donovan is a police officer tied up in a case that involves dead male prostitutes. The clues have been sporadic and mainly led to dead ends so when an ‘in’ from an internet chat room arises Drake grabs onto it with both hands intending to work the case undercover – his first mistake was assuming that would work.
Ryden Garrick is unapologetically bad. He runs a prostitution ring that is organised, efficient and makes him a lot of money. When occasionally things go wrong and a body has to be dumped he has men willing to do that for him too. He is a god that rules over his own kingdom – to question Ryden is stupid but to cross Ryden more than likely means death.
Drake gets his wish to work within the prostitution ring but it doesn’t go exactly according to plan. A snatch and grab finds the exuberant young officer in a tricky situation and from then on it’s as though he has fallen down a rabbit hole. This story skirts the edges of believability but it was such a good read that had me on pins waiting to see how the author could possibly weave any sort of satisfactory ending that I would highly recommend it.
November 19, 2018
2ND read just as amazing like the first one
WOW, WOW, WOW
WOW, WOW, WOW
May 13, 2018
I'm not really inspired lately to write reviews but this one I really loved so here I am!
A lot of things are completely unbelievable here but WHO CARES!
So. We have Drake, young police officer. He found a body completely torn appart. beaten and mark with one letter. He swear to this dead body that he will find who did this to him!
So here he is, 5 bodies later and working to go undercover in a sex trafficking ring and find who do this.
Except it doesn't happened like he planed and everything goes to shit from there...
Ryden is the leader of this sex trafficking ring. He is not a good guy. His obsession with Drake since the moment he saw him just make everything complicated for him AND Drake.
And yet, he can't stay away...
Like I said. I managed to not rolled my eyes a few time because, yeah. A lot of things didn't make a lot of sense but really... The chemistry between Drake and Ryden was so intense and hot that I just went along with the whole show! And I LOOOVED it!
I liked Corey and Niko too and apparently the second book is a MMM with them so...
A lot of things are completely unbelievable here but WHO CARES!
So. We have Drake, young police officer. He found a body completely torn appart. beaten and mark with one letter. He swear to this dead body that he will find who did this to him!
So here he is, 5 bodies later and working to go undercover in a sex trafficking ring and find who do this.
Except it doesn't happened like he planed and everything goes to shit from there...
Ryden is the leader of this sex trafficking ring. He is not a good guy. His obsession with Drake since the moment he saw him just make everything complicated for him AND Drake.
And yet, he can't stay away...
Like I said. I managed to not rolled my eyes a few time because, yeah. A lot of things didn't make a lot of sense but really... The chemistry between Drake and Ryden was so intense and hot that I just went along with the whole show! And I LOOOVED it!
I liked Corey and Niko too and apparently the second book is a MMM with them so...
December 15, 2016
So cop gets kidnapped by the criminal he's hunting, who kidnaps men and forces them into prostitution, allows his guards to rape said prostitutes whenever they want, has his men beat the shit out of people whenever they don't comply, etc ... and these two fall in love? I'm sorry, but that's gross as hell and not remotely romantic. And that's leaving out the murders that got the cops involved to begin with. Like, I'm all for cop/criminal stories, but generally there is some redeeming qualities to the criminal. I'm not sure how anyone falls in love with a man guilty of kidnapping men and forcing them into a life of rape and abuse until they get dead.
April 25, 2018
This one took me a little bit to get on board, even though I was interested from the get go. Drake decides he is the best option to go undercover to get to the bottom of the missing and deceased men who have turned up. Word has it there is a high end escort business, which is how Drake manages to get an invite. Luck goes his way when he happens upon a name and ends up making contact. Unfortunately, before he is able to make the scheduled meeting, he is grabbed and kidnapped. Turns out the business is more like the Hotel California – men check in, but they never check out.
Drake caught the eye of Ryden from the first time they met in that chatroom. The plan is still to add Drake to the pool of escorts, but Ryden keeps changing his own rules where Drake is concerned. Among other things, Drake is kept out of general population under the guise of allowing him to adjust. He is also rooming with another escort, Corey, so that Corey can help ease Drake into things.
Drake and Corey strike up a quick friendship. Drake still has the mission on his mind though and wants to save the others, but he isn’t getting anywhere very quickly. With little hope of anyone on the outside knowing where he is, he is on his own. But, in the meantime, things are heating up with the mysterious Ryden. The sparks fly with these two causing Ryden to bend more rules and Drake to give in to the man behind all the horrible things happening to the captured men.
I had a bit of trouble with this aspect of the story, and it took me a little bit to get past it. Ryden was not a good man in any way. But, things turn around, and as their feelings grow and the attraction skyrockets, Ryden realizes he wants a different life and Drake is right smack in the center of it. Likewise, things change for Drake as well. Priorities shift for both of them, and by the end, I was really excited to see the story continue in the next installment. Luckily, I had it all queued up and ready to go!
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
Drake caught the eye of Ryden from the first time they met in that chatroom. The plan is still to add Drake to the pool of escorts, but Ryden keeps changing his own rules where Drake is concerned. Among other things, Drake is kept out of general population under the guise of allowing him to adjust. He is also rooming with another escort, Corey, so that Corey can help ease Drake into things.
Drake and Corey strike up a quick friendship. Drake still has the mission on his mind though and wants to save the others, but he isn’t getting anywhere very quickly. With little hope of anyone on the outside knowing where he is, he is on his own. But, in the meantime, things are heating up with the mysterious Ryden. The sparks fly with these two causing Ryden to bend more rules and Drake to give in to the man behind all the horrible things happening to the captured men.
I had a bit of trouble with this aspect of the story, and it took me a little bit to get past it. Ryden was not a good man in any way. But, things turn around, and as their feelings grow and the attraction skyrockets, Ryden realizes he wants a different life and Drake is right smack in the center of it. Likewise, things change for Drake as well. Priorities shift for both of them, and by the end, I was really excited to see the story continue in the next installment. Luckily, I had it all queued up and ready to go!
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
August 16, 2019
Questo è uno di quei libri in cui o analizzi ogni singola pecca e difetto, o ti innamori comunque pazzamente della storia... a me è successa esattamente la seconda cosa!!ovviamente so che la storia fa un po’ acqua da tutte le parti, ma mi ha ossessionata e rapita nonostante tutto🤩🤩🤩 ho adorato ogni singola parole e incoerenza!!!
September 21, 2016
I was honoured when asked by T.A to beta/arc read this for her as i'm a huge fan of her M/M books.
In this we meet Drake, a police officer who's trying to find and infiltrate an organization which is behind the appearance of dead male prostitutes.
Ryden is the head of the organization and the guy that Drake needs to contact and hopefully get the information needed to close them down.
I have to say that i was intrigued and drawn in from the get go. From the start the story gripped me and pulled me in, just the same as Ryden pulling guys off the street. At first i wasn't that keen on him but got to realise that he is actually a pretty good guy. Yes, what he does and how he goes about it may be wrong, yet the way T.A wrote him, showed that he was actually, in a way, doing the guys a favour.
I'm not going to say things are easy for Drake, they're not easy at all. Some of the scenes were hard hitting both literally for Drake, and figuratively speaking.
There was ONE character i absolutely despised and kudos to T.A for this because at times i actually questioned whether i was right or wrong in my assumption of him. She had me backtracking with my opinion and thoughts quite often in a lot respects with the little twists and turns in the story, some of which where complete red herrings.
I loved the fact that while being under Ryden's "imprisonment", Drake struck up a great friendship with another prisoner/prostitute, but was constantly worried too incase he became the next victim.
The way the relationship built up between Ryden and Drake was gradual which i feel fitted the story perfectly. I also loved how even then Drake never lost sight of his main goal and reason for being their, to infiltrate and shut down the whole operation.
An absolutely brilliantly written story which will have you wondering what the hell is happening, as well as having you cursing her many times too !! (Trust me, i came up with some rather creative names for her whilst reading this !)
Absolutely fantastic !!
In this we meet Drake, a police officer who's trying to find and infiltrate an organization which is behind the appearance of dead male prostitutes.
Ryden is the head of the organization and the guy that Drake needs to contact and hopefully get the information needed to close them down.
I have to say that i was intrigued and drawn in from the get go. From the start the story gripped me and pulled me in, just the same as Ryden pulling guys off the street. At first i wasn't that keen on him but got to realise that he is actually a pretty good guy. Yes, what he does and how he goes about it may be wrong, yet the way T.A wrote him, showed that he was actually, in a way, doing the guys a favour.
I'm not going to say things are easy for Drake, they're not easy at all. Some of the scenes were hard hitting both literally for Drake, and figuratively speaking.
There was ONE character i absolutely despised and kudos to T.A for this because at times i actually questioned whether i was right or wrong in my assumption of him. She had me backtracking with my opinion and thoughts quite often in a lot respects with the little twists and turns in the story, some of which where complete red herrings.
I loved the fact that while being under Ryden's "imprisonment", Drake struck up a great friendship with another prisoner/prostitute, but was constantly worried too incase he became the next victim.
The way the relationship built up between Ryden and Drake was gradual which i feel fitted the story perfectly. I also loved how even then Drake never lost sight of his main goal and reason for being their, to infiltrate and shut down the whole operation.
An absolutely brilliantly written story which will have you wondering what the hell is happening, as well as having you cursing her many times too !! (Trust me, i came up with some rather creative names for her whilst reading this !)
Absolutely fantastic !!
March 30, 2020
I don’t know why I even bothered after reading the blurb. One character is a hardened criminal, another is an undercover cop who falls for him - torture, rape, murder and all. I have no sympathy for either of them.
And there is no excuse for the Present Tense narrative. None.
And there is no excuse for the Present Tense narrative. None.
February 5, 2018
Ho fatto le ore piccole pur di finirlo e neppure così, sono riuscita a scrollarmi di dosso questa storia. Non c’è niente di romantico, nelle premesse e nello svolgersi della trama. Una storia forte, difficile da digerire. Drake è un poliziotto sotto copertura, che indaga sulla prostituzione maschile, ad opera di un misterioso uomo che si fa chiamare Dreamfixer. E quando finirà nella tana del lupo, tutto assume dei nuovi contorni. I suoi principi cambiano, in nome di un uomo che non ha un volto, ma solo una voce:Ryden. È davvero un assassino? Ha commesso quei crimini, macchiandosi di ogni nefandezza? E perché Drake crede che ci sia ben altro, al di là del marcio? Ryden ti intossica, ti invade piano piano. Non capisci più se odiarlo o se amarlo. Il confine è così sottile che alla fine, la risposta la trovi nelle ultime pagine: in un finale inaspettato. Dopo, il vuoto. Lo rileggerei!
June 5, 2018
** 3.5 stars **
November 25, 2016
My Review:
There's not a warning on this book, but it probably needs one. It's very dark, and I'm not saying that as it being something bad, because it's not. The book is fantastic, but there is a lot of graphic violence and you need to be prepared for that. Because flat out...one of these heroes is not a good guy. He inherited the family business from his father and has grown up with this world of violence as the norm. Someone defies him...he kills them. And a lot of that happens within the pages of the book.
You've been warned, but keep reading because I did really like the book. The thing that makes it so good is that there's no way out of this. Drake is a cop. Ryden is obviously a criminal. There's absolutely no way they can have a happy ending...but this is a romance novel so...
And I'm sitting here fiddling with my laptop keys because I don't know what else to say without giving spoilers. The romance is unusual, but it completely worked for me. I loved the chemistry and the build-up. The entire time reading this book, my nerves were on edge not knowing what might come next. At about the 80% mark, the author went someplace I was sure she wasn't at that point. But she did...and it didn't ruin the story...at all. Seriously good story telling.
Despite Ryden's violent life and world, T.A. McKay did an amazing job with this character, because she made me love him even though we should despise him. Through his feelings for Drake, she showed the reader how Ryden might be redeemed (note: I would love to have a revisit with these characters five years down the road to see how that redemption went.)
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was dark and I'll admit that I like dark at times. But there was never a time where I didn't like the MC's or how they treated one another. The story worked for me and I completely and totally fell in love with Ryden and Drake and their romance story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
There's not a warning on this book, but it probably needs one. It's very dark, and I'm not saying that as it being something bad, because it's not. The book is fantastic, but there is a lot of graphic violence and you need to be prepared for that. Because flat out...one of these heroes is not a good guy. He inherited the family business from his father and has grown up with this world of violence as the norm. Someone defies him...he kills them. And a lot of that happens within the pages of the book.
You've been warned, but keep reading because I did really like the book. The thing that makes it so good is that there's no way out of this. Drake is a cop. Ryden is obviously a criminal. There's absolutely no way they can have a happy ending...but this is a romance novel so...
And I'm sitting here fiddling with my laptop keys because I don't know what else to say without giving spoilers. The romance is unusual, but it completely worked for me. I loved the chemistry and the build-up. The entire time reading this book, my nerves were on edge not knowing what might come next. At about the 80% mark, the author went someplace I was sure she wasn't at that point. But she did...and it didn't ruin the story...at all. Seriously good story telling.
Despite Ryden's violent life and world, T.A. McKay did an amazing job with this character, because she made me love him even though we should despise him. Through his feelings for Drake, she showed the reader how Ryden might be redeemed (note: I would love to have a revisit with these characters five years down the road to see how that redemption went.)
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was dark and I'll admit that I like dark at times. But there was never a time where I didn't like the MC's or how they treated one another. The story worked for me and I completely and totally fell in love with Ryden and Drake and their romance story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 22, 2017
MAJOR SPOILERS... The thing is...
I liked the story!
SPOILER ALERT... SPOILER ALERT... SPOILER ALERT... SPOILER ALERT...
SPOILER ALERT... SPOILER ALERT...
But I couldn’t get my mind wrapped around an undercover Officer placing his life in hell to find a brutal serial murderer that he’s been hunting for over a year, fall in love with who he thinks is the murderer and says, f**k it he’s not so bad.
So what, all these men being held here against their will; yes they were kidnapped, forced to have sex with guards, sold for sex to the highest bidder in the thousands, and could be potential murder victims, overlooked for the sake of love.
Oh and then Ryder confesses and tries to justify his reasoning or thinking after what happens to Drake that what he is providing is just business, a service, not rape. But guards are allowed to take the men against their will and not to mention saying no to a buyer is a no no.
The men are kept in a military style setting and beaten if a spec of dirt is found on them! Are you kidding me right now?!?!?! Ryder is a scum bag who pocketed money based on rape and torture!
Yet by the end of the story I still had no clue:
1. Who killed those young men?
2. What in the world was so special about Ryder that made an undercover cop forget the job he was suppose to be doing?
At least have enough integrity to get the kidnapped victims help!
-shakes head in disbelief- I honestly liked parts of the story, I truly did but the cop angle was swept aside so far I would have preferred Drake to have been just a misguided down on his luck soul who found love in a dark hell!!!
The cop angle and its almost nonexistent play throughout the story and the lack of resolution to why Drake went undercover in the first place places this at a 3 star instead of a 4 or 5.
I liked the story!
SPOILER ALERT... SPOILER ALERT... SPOILER ALERT... SPOILER ALERT...
SPOILER ALERT... SPOILER ALERT...
But I couldn’t get my mind wrapped around an undercover Officer placing his life in hell to find a brutal serial murderer that he’s been hunting for over a year, fall in love with who he thinks is the murderer and says, f**k it he’s not so bad.
So what, all these men being held here against their will; yes they were kidnapped, forced to have sex with guards, sold for sex to the highest bidder in the thousands, and could be potential murder victims, overlooked for the sake of love.
Oh and then Ryder confesses and tries to justify his reasoning or thinking after what happens to Drake that what he is providing is just business, a service, not rape. But guards are allowed to take the men against their will and not to mention saying no to a buyer is a no no.
The men are kept in a military style setting and beaten if a spec of dirt is found on them! Are you kidding me right now?!?!?! Ryder is a scum bag who pocketed money based on rape and torture!
Yet by the end of the story I still had no clue:
1. Who killed those young men?
2. What in the world was so special about Ryder that made an undercover cop forget the job he was suppose to be doing?
At least have enough integrity to get the kidnapped victims help!
-shakes head in disbelief- I honestly liked parts of the story, I truly did but the cop angle was swept aside so far I would have preferred Drake to have been just a misguided down on his luck soul who found love in a dark hell!!!
The cop angle and its almost nonexistent play throughout the story and the lack of resolution to why Drake went undercover in the first place places this at a 3 star instead of a 4 or 5.
February 20, 2017
Not what I hoped for
2.5 stars rounded up because I didn't DNF it. I actually kind of enjoyed reading some of this up until I realized there was no way I'd get the kind of resolution I felt was needed. It's going to be hard to explain without big fat spoilers. I also felt the story became rather tedious at times. Through most of the story, there wasn't really much going on, action wise. It followed each character, Drake and Ryden, in alternating POV. It was also written in 1st person, present tense, which isn't a style I prefer but it wasn't done badly, so that was good.
There was a great deal of showing what Drake was doing day to day and some details about Corey, the man he was roomed with. Then it followed Ryden and his actions and conversations, so it was partly good to get details of the characters but by the end, some of it seemed pointless to the overall plot. There was some brutal description of violent acts by Ryden and the evil Craig. At the ending though, there was too much left hanging and utterly disregarded by Drake, the undercover police officer.
I've seen this plot done so much better, where the criminal is mostly forgivable and there is at least some redemption. I could not see any for Ryden. Drake no longer seemed anything like his character as it was presented at the start of the story. I was torn about the rating. I didn't dislike it intensely or anything but I needed more depth than I got. I couldn't even view it as dark because of the way it ended. Just an okay read, with better editing than I saw in the first book I read by this author.
2.5 stars rounded up because I didn't DNF it. I actually kind of enjoyed reading some of this up until I realized there was no way I'd get the kind of resolution I felt was needed. It's going to be hard to explain without big fat spoilers. I also felt the story became rather tedious at times. Through most of the story, there wasn't really much going on, action wise. It followed each character, Drake and Ryden, in alternating POV. It was also written in 1st person, present tense, which isn't a style I prefer but it wasn't done badly, so that was good.
There was a great deal of showing what Drake was doing day to day and some details about Corey, the man he was roomed with. Then it followed Ryden and his actions and conversations, so it was partly good to get details of the characters but by the end, some of it seemed pointless to the overall plot. There was some brutal description of violent acts by Ryden and the evil Craig. At the ending though, there was too much left hanging and utterly disregarded by Drake, the undercover police officer.
I've seen this plot done so much better, where the criminal is mostly forgivable and there is at least some redemption. I could not see any for Ryden. Drake no longer seemed anything like his character as it was presented at the start of the story. I was torn about the rating. I didn't dislike it intensely or anything but I needed more depth than I got. I couldn't even view it as dark because of the way it ended. Just an okay read, with better editing than I saw in the first book I read by this author.
September 13, 2016
Wow this was just something else!
When i got the chance to beta for T.A. McKay i nearly fell off my seat, 4 books into beta reading for her and I'm still surprised how much i love read as it gets written.
Even when you would love for more because your so engrossed and the rest of the book isn't written yet!
This had some really dark tones and some people might not like or overcome.
But then at the same time there are parts that are not that bad! The good weighs out he evil.
When you meet Rydan you just think it will be all the same the others, but he's different.
There is more than meets the eye.
He was just so wow! I couldn't help but fall in love with him even though he is the bad guy!
Drake, damn he was good!
After following the trail for the gay men turning up dead he digs deeper and deeper to the wrong side of the track, so to speak.
It's like falling down the depraved hole.
Not knowing what to expect his actions was true, but the more he hears Rydan the more he gets intrigued.
The secondary characters are really good too!
Makes you want to find out more about them and not just the main characters story line!
I don't really know what more to say other than you did an amazing job with this one Tracy!
I can't wait to read more from you!
❤
When i got the chance to beta for T.A. McKay i nearly fell off my seat, 4 books into beta reading for her and I'm still surprised how much i love read as it gets written.
Even when you would love for more because your so engrossed and the rest of the book isn't written yet!
This had some really dark tones and some people might not like or overcome.
But then at the same time there are parts that are not that bad! The good weighs out he evil.
When you meet Rydan you just think it will be all the same the others, but he's different.
There is more than meets the eye.
He was just so wow! I couldn't help but fall in love with him even though he is the bad guy!
Drake, damn he was good!
After following the trail for the gay men turning up dead he digs deeper and deeper to the wrong side of the track, so to speak.
It's like falling down the depraved hole.
Not knowing what to expect his actions was true, but the more he hears Rydan the more he gets intrigued.
The secondary characters are really good too!
Makes you want to find out more about them and not just the main characters story line!
I don't really know what more to say other than you did an amazing job with this one Tracy!
I can't wait to read more from you!
❤
May 19, 2018
Doppia recensione a cura di Leyla e Lilith per Feel the Book
LEYLA
Scrivere una recensione su questo libro dando delle motivazioni valide alle mie parole senza fare spoiler non sarà affatto semplice, ma cercherò di spiegare le mie perplessità raccontando il meno possibile dello svolgimento della storia.
La trama di questo romanzo aveva un grande potenziale, la storia era veramente interessante e poteva venirne fuori un ottimo libro, purtroppo non è stata sviluppata con sufficiente coerenza e questo ha portato alla descrizione di situazioni poco realistiche.
Drake è un agente di polizia che deve cercare di infiltrarsi in un’organizzazione criminale di cui nessuno sa assolutamente nulla per cercare di scoprire da chi sono stati uccisi e barbaramente seviziati alcuni ragazzi ritrovati morti negli ultimi mesi.
Proprio la posizione di infiltrato di Drake e l’intera gestione della missione sotto copertura è la prima di queste situazioni abbastanza surreali. In pratica Drake di punto in bianco deve infiltrarsi in questa potente organizzazione, ma mentre inizia a prendere contatti continua tranquillamente a lavorare alla centrale di polizia e ovviamente non cambia neanche nome. Con queste premesse un’operazione sotto copertura non potrebbe mai funzionare, e infatti Drake si ritrova solo e in una situazione potenzialmente disastrosa.
Questo è soltanto il primo degli eventi poco realistici che ci troviamo di fronte durante la lettura, ma non posso proprio descriverne altri perché rischierei veramente di dire troppo.
Altro problema è la poca coerenza nella caratterizzazione dei protagonisti, Drake è un poliziotto integerrimo e ligio al dovere, ma gli basta sentire la voce di Ryden solo una volta per pendere dalle sue labbra e mettere in dubbio tutto ciò in cui crede. Ryden non è da meno, viene descritto come un boss crudele e senza scrupoli, ma gli basta poco più di un nanosecondo per innamorarsi di Drake e perdere completamente il suo sangue freddo e la sua cattiveria. A onor del vero devo dire che Ryden resta spietato con il resto del mondo quasi fino alla fine del libro, ma il suo comportamento con Drake è inspiegabile già all’inizio della storia.
Comunque non posso dire che i personaggi in sé non mi siano piaciuti, li ho trovati molto interessanti, ma non coerenti con le premesse e con le caratteristiche che ci sono state descritte inizialmente.
I personaggi secondari mi sono piaciuti più dei protagonisti, in effetti Corey e Niko li ho trovati abbastanza credibili e sarei curiosa di leggere la loro storia. Inoltre c’è Craig, il braccio destro di Ryden, che è un cattivo perfetto e coerente dall’inizio alla fine.
Bella cover, buona la traduzione, trama interessante, scene hot veramente intriganti e molto sensuali, ma purtroppo - per me - realismo praticamente inesistente.
Voto: 2.5 stelle
Editing recensione a cura di Lilith per Feel the Book
LILITH
Drake è un agente di polizia, risponde via radio a una chiamata che segnala un uomo nudo che si aggira per le strade di una delle zone più malfamate della città e interviene per cercarlo. All'inizio sembra un falso allarme, ma si trasforma in tragedia quando trova il corpo esanime di un ragazzo brutalmente picchiato e seviziato. Dopo il ritrovamento di questo cadavere ne vengono individuati altri quattro, tutti picchiati e mutilati, oltre che tatuati con le lettere dell'alfabeto.
Drake ha pochi elementi in mano ma intuisce che i cadaveri, in qualche maniera, sono collegati fra loro; inizia a indagare e finalmente trova una pista, anche se debole, che lo porta in una chat segreta dove incontra Dreamfixer, che gli racconta una storia creata ad arte per essere interessante.
Si accorda per un appuntamento con lo sconosciuto Dream, peccato che invece sia una trappola. Drake viene rapito prima di raggiungere il luogo stabilito. Nel furgone che lo sequestra viene drogato, legato e spogliato di tutti gli abiti; poi viene portato in un luogo segreto e appena arrivati viene bendato e portato al cospetto di qualcuno che lo guarda, lo fissa e gli parla.
Drake rimane affascinato da quella voce, e anche lo sconosciuto rimane affascinato da lui: decide infatti di tenerlo separato dagli altri ragazzi e gli procura un compagno di stanza che possa spiegargli come funzionano le cose e cosa dovrà aspettarsi: J. Tutte le sere devono lavarsi accuratamente, vengono controllati e se non sono puliti vengono picchiati; in più devono prendere tre pastiglie (un sonnifero, vitamine e un antiretrovirale... ciò significa sesso non protetto) e... Eh sì, il nostro agente è finito in un giro di prostituzione maschile. Nel frattempo cerca un modo per avvisare i colleghi, ma accortosi che non esiste modo di mettersi in contatto con loro, subentra il panico.
Le giornate scorrono tranquille, quasi noiose, lui non viene mai venduto, e Il Boss è attratto da lui in maniera sempre più profonda: lo osserva tramite le telecamere di sicurezza e decide di non venderlo ma di tenerlo, anche se sarebbe un punto debole per lui. Tutto precipita quando Craig, il braccio destro del Boss, organizza un'asta umana e di nascosto lo mette fra i partecipanti in vendita...
Una storia bella, anche se il finale è un po' troppo dolce e veloce.
Avviso che c'è una scena di stupro, non descritta nei dettagli, ma è chiaro cosa stia succedendo. Essendo un romance il lieto fine è d'obbligo, ma come dicevo prima è stato troppo veloce. Il Boss per una vita ha fatto quello che fatto per poi sbam! Cambia repentinamente idea per due occhioni verdi?
Va bene l'amore a prima vista ma un cambiamento così improvviso mi ha lasciato un po' perplessa. Drake come vittima ci sta: essendo lasciato a se stesso penso che alla fine o ti adegui o ti adegui, ma ho trovato fantascientifico che, davanti alla chance di scappare...
Se volete un cattivone innamorato questa storia è per voi.
Voto: 3.5 stelle
Editing recensione a cura di Ash per Feel the Book
LEYLA
Scrivere una recensione su questo libro dando delle motivazioni valide alle mie parole senza fare spoiler non sarà affatto semplice, ma cercherò di spiegare le mie perplessità raccontando il meno possibile dello svolgimento della storia.
La trama di questo romanzo aveva un grande potenziale, la storia era veramente interessante e poteva venirne fuori un ottimo libro, purtroppo non è stata sviluppata con sufficiente coerenza e questo ha portato alla descrizione di situazioni poco realistiche.
Drake è un agente di polizia che deve cercare di infiltrarsi in un’organizzazione criminale di cui nessuno sa assolutamente nulla per cercare di scoprire da chi sono stati uccisi e barbaramente seviziati alcuni ragazzi ritrovati morti negli ultimi mesi.
Proprio la posizione di infiltrato di Drake e l’intera gestione della missione sotto copertura è la prima di queste situazioni abbastanza surreali. In pratica Drake di punto in bianco deve infiltrarsi in questa potente organizzazione, ma mentre inizia a prendere contatti continua tranquillamente a lavorare alla centrale di polizia e ovviamente non cambia neanche nome. Con queste premesse un’operazione sotto copertura non potrebbe mai funzionare, e infatti Drake si ritrova solo e in una situazione potenzialmente disastrosa.
Questo è soltanto il primo degli eventi poco realistici che ci troviamo di fronte durante la lettura, ma non posso proprio descriverne altri perché rischierei veramente di dire troppo.
Altro problema è la poca coerenza nella caratterizzazione dei protagonisti, Drake è un poliziotto integerrimo e ligio al dovere, ma gli basta sentire la voce di Ryden solo una volta per pendere dalle sue labbra e mettere in dubbio tutto ciò in cui crede. Ryden non è da meno, viene descritto come un boss crudele e senza scrupoli, ma gli basta poco più di un nanosecondo per innamorarsi di Drake e perdere completamente il suo sangue freddo e la sua cattiveria. A onor del vero devo dire che Ryden resta spietato con il resto del mondo quasi fino alla fine del libro, ma il suo comportamento con Drake è inspiegabile già all’inizio della storia.
Comunque non posso dire che i personaggi in sé non mi siano piaciuti, li ho trovati molto interessanti, ma non coerenti con le premesse e con le caratteristiche che ci sono state descritte inizialmente.
I personaggi secondari mi sono piaciuti più dei protagonisti, in effetti Corey e Niko li ho trovati abbastanza credibili e sarei curiosa di leggere la loro storia. Inoltre c’è Craig, il braccio destro di Ryden, che è un cattivo perfetto e coerente dall’inizio alla fine.
Bella cover, buona la traduzione, trama interessante, scene hot veramente intriganti e molto sensuali, ma purtroppo - per me - realismo praticamente inesistente.
Voto: 2.5 stelle
Editing recensione a cura di Lilith per Feel the Book
LILITH
Drake è un agente di polizia, risponde via radio a una chiamata che segnala un uomo nudo che si aggira per le strade di una delle zone più malfamate della città e interviene per cercarlo. All'inizio sembra un falso allarme, ma si trasforma in tragedia quando trova il corpo esanime di un ragazzo brutalmente picchiato e seviziato. Dopo il ritrovamento di questo cadavere ne vengono individuati altri quattro, tutti picchiati e mutilati, oltre che tatuati con le lettere dell'alfabeto.
Drake ha pochi elementi in mano ma intuisce che i cadaveri, in qualche maniera, sono collegati fra loro; inizia a indagare e finalmente trova una pista, anche se debole, che lo porta in una chat segreta dove incontra Dreamfixer, che gli racconta una storia creata ad arte per essere interessante.
Si accorda per un appuntamento con lo sconosciuto Dream, peccato che invece sia una trappola. Drake viene rapito prima di raggiungere il luogo stabilito. Nel furgone che lo sequestra viene drogato, legato e spogliato di tutti gli abiti; poi viene portato in un luogo segreto e appena arrivati viene bendato e portato al cospetto di qualcuno che lo guarda, lo fissa e gli parla.
Drake rimane affascinato da quella voce, e anche lo sconosciuto rimane affascinato da lui: decide infatti di tenerlo separato dagli altri ragazzi e gli procura un compagno di stanza che possa spiegargli come funzionano le cose e cosa dovrà aspettarsi: J. Tutte le sere devono lavarsi accuratamente, vengono controllati e se non sono puliti vengono picchiati; in più devono prendere tre pastiglie (un sonnifero, vitamine e un antiretrovirale... ciò significa sesso non protetto) e... Eh sì, il nostro agente è finito in un giro di prostituzione maschile. Nel frattempo cerca un modo per avvisare i colleghi, ma accortosi che non esiste modo di mettersi in contatto con loro, subentra il panico.
Le giornate scorrono tranquille, quasi noiose, lui non viene mai venduto, e Il Boss è attratto da lui in maniera sempre più profonda: lo osserva tramite le telecamere di sicurezza e decide di non venderlo ma di tenerlo, anche se sarebbe un punto debole per lui. Tutto precipita quando Craig, il braccio destro del Boss, organizza un'asta umana e di nascosto lo mette fra i partecipanti in vendita...
Una storia bella, anche se il finale è un po' troppo dolce e veloce.
Avviso che c'è una scena di stupro, non descritta nei dettagli, ma è chiaro cosa stia succedendo. Essendo un romance il lieto fine è d'obbligo, ma come dicevo prima è stato troppo veloce. Il Boss per una vita ha fatto quello che fatto per poi sbam! Cambia repentinamente idea per due occhioni verdi?
Va bene l'amore a prima vista ma un cambiamento così improvviso mi ha lasciato un po' perplessa. Drake come vittima ci sta: essendo lasciato a se stesso penso che alla fine o ti adegui o ti adegui, ma ho trovato fantascientifico che, davanti alla chance di scappare...
Se volete un cattivone innamorato questa storia è per voi.
Voto: 3.5 stelle
Editing recensione a cura di Ash per Feel the Book
Want to Read
February 25, 2019
November 27, 2016
Wow! I usually don't like antihero's but Ryden is just so irresistible, and the very sweet Drake is his perfect match. Loved this story and all the characters. Hoping there is going to be more books with these guys.
January 29, 2019
WOW to say i loved this book was a understatment,it was awesome.I love a dark read so add a MM to that and i was a happy bunny.
This started off with the young police officer Drake, looking to catch a break to find the Dreamcatcher on line to set himself up to go under cover to infiltrate this prostitution ring and expose the man behind it all,as there had been five dead body's that came from this organization and Blake wants to get this shut down.
This story sucked me in as soon as Blake got taken off the street into the hands of the dreamcatcher's prostitution den. and had me gripped through out not knowing how or where Blake was going to catch a break to find out who the boss was.There was some hard scenes for Drake to be in and he didn't have it easy in there at all as there was a guard that had it in for him from the start.Plus the boss was not a good guy as he kills for a living,but there was more to him than meets the eye.
This was a dark well written story about two people from different sides of the law that come together.It was a slow build up between Ryden (the boss) and Blake but the chemistry between them was smoking hot.This shouldn't of worked between Ryder who came from a violent world and Blake the undercover police officer but it did,and that is down to this author and her world building and story telling as you can't help but fall for both of these characters,and end up routing for there HEA.
If you like dark MM read this book will keep you gripped through out.Five Huge Hot stars.
This started off with the young police officer Drake, looking to catch a break to find the Dreamcatcher on line to set himself up to go under cover to infiltrate this prostitution ring and expose the man behind it all,as there had been five dead body's that came from this organization and Blake wants to get this shut down.
This story sucked me in as soon as Blake got taken off the street into the hands of the dreamcatcher's prostitution den. and had me gripped through out not knowing how or where Blake was going to catch a break to find out who the boss was.There was some hard scenes for Drake to be in and he didn't have it easy in there at all as there was a guard that had it in for him from the start.Plus the boss was not a good guy as he kills for a living,but there was more to him than meets the eye.
This was a dark well written story about two people from different sides of the law that come together.It was a slow build up between Ryden (the boss) and Blake but the chemistry between them was smoking hot.This shouldn't of worked between Ryder who came from a violent world and Blake the undercover police officer but it did,and that is down to this author and her world building and story telling as you can't help but fall for both of these characters,and end up routing for there HEA.
If you like dark MM read this book will keep you gripped through out.Five Huge Hot stars.
September 21, 2018
The story was well plotted, and you just can’t help but will the two MC’s to get together. I just loved it.
August 8, 2021
As much as I tried i just couldn’t get into it. It was long and flat to me.
Dnf’d it at about 50%.
My rating is on my appreciation of those 50% and the fact I just couldn’t complete the read.
Dnf’d it at about 50%.
My rating is on my appreciation of those 50% and the fact I just couldn’t complete the read.
July 19, 2022
RECENSIONE A CURA DI EVELYNE
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July 18, 2023DNF AT 5%
Bad and boring first chpter. Not a very compelling story and character instruction. And first person pov??? Hell no
Bad and boring first chpter. Not a very compelling story and character instruction. And first person pov??? Hell no
December 2, 2016
"I’d never experienced anything like that before. It was like the whole world had vanished as I focused in on his eyes. Dark and full of racing emotions. It was like in that few seconds I could see everything that they held. Pain, lust and danger, and even though I couldn’t explain why, I felt like I wanted to get lost in those eyes forever..."
- Drake
4.5 / 5 Stars
Hell... just... damn! There're no words to describe how sexy this book was.
Drake is a young and beautiful officer who lands on a big case after finding the first body of several. He goes undercover to bring down the organization responsible for the murders of male prostitutes. Nevertheless, things go wrong before he can start his new mission.
Ryden is the scary, handsome, broody, cold-blooded leader of the organization, he takes very seriously his work and is capable of doing anything to make it prospers. But the moment he sees Drake he takes his eyes off him. Anyhow, he's not going to break his rules... or so he tells himself.
When I read all the warning I did expect a very dark story (I tend to stay away from those) but it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. It touches dark themes but mostly, they are few and off-page and the romantic time between the characters make up any dark-ish moment. I'm so glad I didn't mind the warnings because I could have missed a great book thanks to that.
Now, with the datails. I love when the bad guy, the one who has done all those horrendous things and cannot be redeemed, falls in love. And sometimes, you realize that he's not that bad but he's not good either and will never be. I see Ryden like that, he fells in love with Drake and is capable of doing anything for him, but he's never going to be a "good guy".
Drake is the missing piece in Ryden's life, in my opinion. He's good inside, not overly naive and stands his ground. He sees Ryden as he is and beyond that too, he sees his heart. He's ready to follow his heart even though he knows he has to give up something in return. Unlike what happens with other characters in similar situations that I've read about, I don't see Drake as an idiot who doesn't care about his old life, I think he realizes what's important to him and doesn't take it lightly but he also knows he has to choose.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was an amazing journey that shows love can be found anywhere. I wonder... is the author really sure this is a standalone and not the first book in a series? *blinks innocently* LOL.
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book*
December 3, 2016
I wish I could say this book was even a 4 star read, but it's not. Drake discovers a dead body of a male trafficking victim which leads the police on an extensive hunt for the prostitution ring. He ends up in the hand of Ryden a drug lord, a pimp, and one of the most feared leaders of the underground criminal world.
For the most part this is a good story, but a lot is very unrealistic. When Drake first gets captured he falls off the face of the earth to his department. He doesn't try to get in contact or anything. Nothing in his actions except the vague sense of trying to get a feel of the place and internal structure suggest that he's a cop undercover who got wrongfully abducted. He also falls insta-love with Ryden which I absolutely hate.
On to Ryden. He's supposed to be this big bad mobster of sorts, except he's really a softy with the occasional temper that will murder people painfully. We see this with a few people. Ryden doesn't feel like a hard mob boss, or anything. He just is labeled as the bad guy without actually 'being' the bad guy. Craig is the real bad guy, he could even be the boss because his crap personality fits more
The only real tension is Craig. He's somewhat Ryden's second-in-command, but Ryden doesn't trust him enough. Something in the plot with him doesn't add up. He sorta comes off as this sociopathic character for how he treats the letters. He oversteps his bounds a lot, but he's just 'there' he has no real complex element to the story.
When you read the story you see that it doesn't go anywhere. It takes place in a warehouse of sorts the entire time. Ryden only meets Drake a handful of times, but they become desperately in love because they sexed each other up in a hot way a time or two. They also only meet those few times as well. Ryden rarely gets to interact with Drake. He only knows Drake through the picture Drake sent him.
This book is also one of those dual point of views, which I hate that authors are doing. If it can't be done right it takes away from the story, like this one.
For the most part this is a good story, but a lot is very unrealistic. When Drake first gets captured he falls off the face of the earth to his department. He doesn't try to get in contact or anything. Nothing in his actions except the vague sense of trying to get a feel of the place and internal structure suggest that he's a cop undercover who got wrongfully abducted. He also falls insta-love with Ryden which I absolutely hate.
On to Ryden. He's supposed to be this big bad mobster of sorts, except he's really a softy with the occasional temper that will murder people painfully. We see this with a few people. Ryden doesn't feel like a hard mob boss, or anything. He just is labeled as the bad guy without actually 'being' the bad guy. Craig is the real bad guy, he could even be the boss because his crap personality fits more
The only real tension is Craig. He's somewhat Ryden's second-in-command, but Ryden doesn't trust him enough. Something in the plot with him doesn't add up. He sorta comes off as this sociopathic character for how he treats the letters. He oversteps his bounds a lot, but he's just 'there' he has no real complex element to the story.
When you read the story you see that it doesn't go anywhere. It takes place in a warehouse of sorts the entire time. Ryden only meets Drake a handful of times, but they become desperately in love because they sexed each other up in a hot way a time or two. They also only meet those few times as well. Ryden rarely gets to interact with Drake. He only knows Drake through the picture Drake sent him.
This book is also one of those dual point of views, which I hate that authors are doing. If it can't be done right it takes away from the story, like this one.
November 23, 2016
I received an arc in return for a honest and unbiased review
This review isnt going to give this the credit it deserves but im going to do my best. Let me start by saying T.A Mckay is one of my top authors whos work i one click without even reading her blurb. I love everything about her work from her writing style and story lines to the character build its all amazing. I've followed her work from the very beginning and have always been a huge fan. Her work never fails to amaze me and gets better and better with every book written. Now onto under cover. I fell in love with drake from the very beginning. He seemed such a caring soul from the start but Ryden let's be honest I hated him to begin with. He was the sort of person you would under no circumstances be associated with. As the story progressed I found I loved Ryden just as much as Drake. I don't believe in writing spoiler reviews but if your new to T.A Mckay this is the one to read. If your looking for an amazing m/my book this is it! Even if your randomly looking for a book then this is it! You won't be disappointed.
5 stars!
I wish I could give it more it truly deserves it
This review isnt going to give this the credit it deserves but im going to do my best. Let me start by saying T.A Mckay is one of my top authors whos work i one click without even reading her blurb. I love everything about her work from her writing style and story lines to the character build its all amazing. I've followed her work from the very beginning and have always been a huge fan. Her work never fails to amaze me and gets better and better with every book written. Now onto under cover. I fell in love with drake from the very beginning. He seemed such a caring soul from the start but Ryden let's be honest I hated him to begin with. He was the sort of person you would under no circumstances be associated with. As the story progressed I found I loved Ryden just as much as Drake. I don't believe in writing spoiler reviews but if your new to T.A Mckay this is the one to read. If your looking for an amazing m/my book this is it! Even if your randomly looking for a book then this is it! You won't be disappointed.
5 stars!
I wish I could give it more it truly deserves it
November 24, 2016
3.5 Stars
Everyone isn't as bad as they seem, some are worse.
Very dark topics-prostitution, murder, drugs and rape. Yet even in the midst of all of the pain a bit of happy is found.
Drake and Ryden. There is a sad beauty in their love. So much passion, but given the situation I was constantly second guessing its truth. The idea that the important parts of the soul can be separate and untouched by all of the ugly is a hopeful one.
I would've liked to see more balance in Drake's character. His "good" is the star. Seems so out of place with all of the horror that he finds himself in. Felt I knew Ryden better, wanted/needed more of the why and how Drake came to be. What connects him to Ryden, allows him to see the possibility of more with Ryden?
The secondary characters could have been more nuanced, felt like bad was bad, good was good and sweet was sweet. Depth of characters would have added to the story.
A compelling read overall, for me the destination was worth the painful trip.
Everyone isn't as bad as they seem, some are worse.
Very dark topics-prostitution, murder, drugs and rape. Yet even in the midst of all of the pain a bit of happy is found.
Drake and Ryden. There is a sad beauty in their love. So much passion, but given the situation I was constantly second guessing its truth. The idea that the important parts of the soul can be separate and untouched by all of the ugly is a hopeful one.
I would've liked to see more balance in Drake's character. His "good" is the star. Seems so out of place with all of the horror that he finds himself in. Felt I knew Ryden better, wanted/needed more of the why and how Drake came to be. What connects him to Ryden, allows him to see the possibility of more with Ryden?
The secondary characters could have been more nuanced, felt like bad was bad, good was good and sweet was sweet. Depth of characters would have added to the story.
A compelling read overall, for me the destination was worth the painful trip.
November 23, 2016
This is the first book I have read by T.A. McKay despite following her for just over a year so I was very excited to receive an ARC of this book. From the very first page I was hooked! I honestly couldn’t read this book fast enough. There are some dark scenes and some not so dark scenes but it evens out the story perfectly. I loved the build up to a relationship between Ryden and Drake. It wasn’t rushed and I loved that. I enjoyed reading this and was gutted when I finished it. I will definitely be checking out T.A.’s other books now. Wonderful book!
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