What do you think?
Rate this book
Loose Ends #3
Kiss Your Scars
Being the king of Atlanta’s underworld used to have its perks, but lately all undercover agent Renzo Vega has seen is the downside. Someone is auctioning off women in his city, and he’s damn sure not about to let that offense stand. Just as he’s set to make a move, Renzo’s club is ambushed and he’s shot. Unsure of who to trust, he turns to the one man he definitely knows wants him dead.
Yanked from his bed, blindfolded and spirited away in the middle of the night, Lowell Scott is shocked to find the darkly gorgeous Renzo bleeding and in need of his help. The very last thing he wants is to come to the aid of the man responsible for his cousin’s death, but the knife at his throat doesn’t give Low much options.
Close proximity doesn’t temper the hatred Low harbors for Renzo, it only brings up new problems. Like the vicious attraction Low struggles to control, and bullets that won’t stop flying. It’s a tough sell to believe there’s anything good in a man as unapologetically dangerous as Renzo. And even if Low could forgive the unforgivable, Renzo is still shadowed in secrets. When they’re exposed, those secrets will bring far-reaching consequences that could sever not just their shaky bond, but Low’s family ties as well.
This is book three in the Loose Ends series, but can be read as a standalone
Warning: Contains references to subjects that may be triggering. Please read with caution
Yanked from his bed, blindfolded and spirited away in the middle of the night, Lowell Scott is shocked to find the darkly gorgeous Renzo bleeding and in need of his help. The very last thing he wants is to come to the aid of the man responsible for his cousin’s death, but the knife at his throat doesn’t give Low much options.
Close proximity doesn’t temper the hatred Low harbors for Renzo, it only brings up new problems. Like the vicious attraction Low struggles to control, and bullets that won’t stop flying. It’s a tough sell to believe there’s anything good in a man as unapologetically dangerous as Renzo. And even if Low could forgive the unforgivable, Renzo is still shadowed in secrets. When they’re exposed, those secrets will bring far-reaching consequences that could sever not just their shaky bond, but Low’s family ties as well.
This is book three in the Loose Ends series, but can be read as a standalone
Warning: Contains references to subjects that may be triggering. Please read with caution
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2018
140 people are currently reading
665 people want to read
About the author
Avril Ashton
78 books1,675 followersA Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Stone Mountain, GA., with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
July 16, 2019
KISS YOUR RENZO
I don’t know if I can write a review for this. I love it so freaking much!! My favourite in the series no freaking challengers.
All I wanna do is run through the streets screaming Renzooooooooo. Like I don’t acquire much book boyfriends but for the few I have, Renzo is in the top 10. This man had me swooning and floundering around on my bed like some teenage girl.
Renzooooooooo
So through most of Ms Avril Ashton books we have been hearing the name Renzo Vega, and now we finally get his story. And what a sad story it was, having suffer great abuse from the hands of a monster and taken away from his family. But Renzo turned out to be a survivor and now he’s one of Atlanta’s most feared criminals. He’s still haunted by his past and it affects him greatly, but even though he moves in the dark he still manages to bring light to some caught suffering through abuse. He bad, but he also good.
When he gets a whiff of Lowell Scott he knows that the man is his, too bad Low hates his guts and can’t stand sigh of him. But hate can’t stop overflowing chemistry and Low gets damn putty in his hands. Low hates him for one reason only; and blames him for the death of his cousin who was also his best friend. Too freaking bad for all that, Renzo is out to get his man.
Low moves in his own shadows keeping the secret of his sexuality from his Caribbean family who have very wrong misconceptions about gay men and homosexuality. While he hides who he is, he also hides how he is feels for one Renzo Vega. The man isn’t someone he should want but his treacherous body isn’t taking the cue. Low has fought for a long time to resist Renzo and its taking care of the man's broken body that leads him to a realization that he can’t not be with Renzo, and for that man he’s willing to lose the love of his family. While Renzo might be used to the shadows Low refuses to keep him there.
I don’t even know what happened in this book my mind was just strictly all Renzo. Again Ms Ashton is good with the words, like sex is all good ad shit but the things my Renzo be spitting had me damn near weak for the entire book. Like plot pops up and all that but in all its entirety it could have just been Renzo saying shit and I’d still be uber happy.
The books goes to some serious topics, such as child sexual abuse and growing up in a Caribbean family while also being gay. I’m just gonna touch on the Caribbean stuff, being Jamaican myself and growing up hearing the harsh things said about gay men. The bible and god always come into play when discussing sexuality and the labeling of them deviants akin to those of pedophiles. So, reading about it in Kiss Your Scars was like my little old self listening in on adult conversations as a kid. Not quite understanding but knowing that without a doubt it was something they hated. So, Low’s struggle is not just fiction it’s real life things that gay men of a Caribbean background have to navigate.
I just had a real connection with this one, with the food, with the family values and just the overall tone. Another culturally diverse book with two MC of colour and I am on the win. Always gonna give props to the author for her books, love or hate her work she’s one of few giving you black heroes, giving you Latino heroes and then writing them as couples. Then giving you both sides of what it’s like to be a person of colour from many backgrounds.
Also Renzo!!
There’s a scene in the book that caused the complete disintegration of panties, and that was the elevator scene. If you know about Caribbean people then you know how we dance and Low putting it on Renzo like that. Deceased!!
Hands down my fave in the entire series. I love Renzo he’s a beautiful man and I am planning on how to steal his ass from Low 😈. Kiss Your Scars was a good finale to a series that I really enjoyed and while I’m sad to see it end. I’m looking hella forward to what’s to come, because my man Renzo got friends and his friends need to fall in love.
SideNote- I do have a little problem with something in the book. So Renzo has suffered great abuse, I’m talking things no child should face, but he made it to adulthood without extensive therapy. I find that way too disbelieving. He was a god damn mess and needed help and it just irks me when things like that don’t get addressed. Renzo get your ass some help please!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Songs
Feel It by Jacquees
Drip by Cardi B, Migos
DayDream by J-Hope
Don't by Bryson Tiller
I don’t know if I can write a review for this. I love it so freaking much!! My favourite in the series no freaking challengers.
All I wanna do is run through the streets screaming Renzooooooooo. Like I don’t acquire much book boyfriends but for the few I have, Renzo is in the top 10. This man had me swooning and floundering around on my bed like some teenage girl.
Renzooooooooo
So through most of Ms Avril Ashton books we have been hearing the name Renzo Vega, and now we finally get his story. And what a sad story it was, having suffer great abuse from the hands of a monster and taken away from his family. But Renzo turned out to be a survivor and now he’s one of Atlanta’s most feared criminals. He’s still haunted by his past and it affects him greatly, but even though he moves in the dark he still manages to bring light to some caught suffering through abuse. He bad, but he also good.
“But the fact was, the waiting had come to an end. He was about to fuck up Low’s life.”
When he gets a whiff of Lowell Scott he knows that the man is his, too bad Low hates his guts and can’t stand sigh of him. But hate can’t stop overflowing chemistry and Low gets damn putty in his hands. Low hates him for one reason only; and blames him for the death of his cousin who was also his best friend. Too freaking bad for all that, Renzo is out to get his man.
“Because you and I, Lowell Scott? We’re about to burn each other to the ground, and I will speak your fucking name when I’m covered in the ashes of us”.
Low moves in his own shadows keeping the secret of his sexuality from his Caribbean family who have very wrong misconceptions about gay men and homosexuality. While he hides who he is, he also hides how he is feels for one Renzo Vega. The man isn’t someone he should want but his treacherous body isn’t taking the cue. Low has fought for a long time to resist Renzo and its taking care of the man's broken body that leads him to a realization that he can’t not be with Renzo, and for that man he’s willing to lose the love of his family. While Renzo might be used to the shadows Low refuses to keep him there.
“You-You’re a criminal.” He was the only person who required that reminder.
“That’s Right.” Renzo murmured at his ear. “And I’ll fuck you like one, too”.
I don’t even know what happened in this book my mind was just strictly all Renzo. Again Ms Ashton is good with the words, like sex is all good ad shit but the things my Renzo be spitting had me damn near weak for the entire book. Like plot pops up and all that but in all its entirety it could have just been Renzo saying shit and I’d still be uber happy.
“Will you call me Daddy, Low?”
The books goes to some serious topics, such as child sexual abuse and growing up in a Caribbean family while also being gay. I’m just gonna touch on the Caribbean stuff, being Jamaican myself and growing up hearing the harsh things said about gay men. The bible and god always come into play when discussing sexuality and the labeling of them deviants akin to those of pedophiles. So, reading about it in Kiss Your Scars was like my little old self listening in on adult conversations as a kid. Not quite understanding but knowing that without a doubt it was something they hated. So, Low’s struggle is not just fiction it’s real life things that gay men of a Caribbean background have to navigate.
I just had a real connection with this one, with the food, with the family values and just the overall tone. Another culturally diverse book with two MC of colour and I am on the win. Always gonna give props to the author for her books, love or hate her work she’s one of few giving you black heroes, giving you Latino heroes and then writing them as couples. Then giving you both sides of what it’s like to be a person of colour from many backgrounds.
Also Renzo!!
There’s a scene in the book that caused the complete disintegration of panties, and that was the elevator scene. If you know about Caribbean people then you know how we dance and Low putting it on Renzo like that. Deceased!!
Hands down my fave in the entire series. I love Renzo he’s a beautiful man and I am planning on how to steal his ass from Low 😈. Kiss Your Scars was a good finale to a series that I really enjoyed and while I’m sad to see it end. I’m looking hella forward to what’s to come, because my man Renzo got friends and his friends need to fall in love.
SideNote- I do have a little problem with something in the book. So Renzo has suffered great abuse, I’m talking things no child should face, but he made it to adulthood without extensive therapy. I find that way too disbelieving. He was a god damn mess and needed help and it just irks me when things like that don’t get addressed. Renzo get your ass some help please!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Songs
Feel It by Jacquees
Drip by Cardi B, Migos
DayDream by J-Hope
Don't by Bryson Tiller
September 20, 2018
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*Might contain spoilers/NOT FOR ME*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
The book centers around undercover FBI agent and the king of Atlanta’s underworld, Renzo Vega (46) and Lowell ‘Low’ Scott (30). Low is deep into the closet, refusing to even consider to tell his family as they are very religious and believes that gay people are evil and pedophiles. Renzo is giving away - has done so since he got his freedom - his soul rescuing others who are in the same nightmare that he was - one that he feels he'll never escape. He feels cold, and the only one who can warm him is Low. Low who hates him and everything he does.
“You want to tell me about dude from the bar?”
Renzo had gone a good few hours without thinking about Lowell Scott. Low was his. His secret. But Dax was his best friend, so Renzo told him, “Three years ago, I saw him. He walked past me, he was hot, he smelled like warmth, and I’ve been wanting him ever since.”
Overall, I didn't like it. I had expected a whole lot different story. At 16% I had a big Oh no, nooo moment when I realized what I had started reading: a daddy kink. Fuck. Me. That was not what I wanted or needed or even like. Ugh. I feel cheated. This is something I should've been informed about, seriously. Sure, Daddy kink can work, but ONLY when you're in the mood. Right the, I wasn't, at all. I didn't feel the characters connection, I didn't feel nor see they fall in love. In fact, though the timeline goes over months, it feels like a insta-love (at least a bad, unreal case of insta-connection) that somehow I missed.
In the throes of his worst nightmares, he forgot Monster wasn’t around anymore. He forgot he’d escaped captivity. He forgot there wasn’t anything to fear.
When he slept, he forgot he was no longer Mauricio Costa.
He was Renzo Vega now. Undercover FBI agent. Powerful and dangerous. Untouchable.
But in his dreams, he was nothing but a terrified little boy, huddled against cold bricks as his teeth chattered, eyes wide in inky, tangible darkness, crying out for his father.
His father never came.
Monster came, though. Every single time.
OTHER CHARACTERS:
List became long - also contain spoilers - so I hid it in a spoiler tag.
He flashed hot, that all too familiar fear gripping him. Kenton had been the only one in the family who knew Low was gay, and he’d sworn his cousin to secrecy. He couldn’t tell Tanty Ellen, she was entrenched in a church and a religion that saw Low and people like him as unnatural and wrong.
He couldn’t tell the one sister he was closest to, because her issues went way deeper than religious beliefs.
“I don’t have a girlfriend.” He coughed. “I too busy.”
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Contemporary Romance (M/M).
Series: - Series (Can Be Read As A Standalone), Book Three.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Dex?.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Probably not.
Would I recommend this book/series? - No.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 2 stars.
lost-interested
February 18, 2019DNF @ 36%
The push/pull made me so frustrated, it was too much and I didn't even read the first half!!
The push/pull made me so frustrated, it was too much and I didn't even read the first half!!
February 1, 2019
3,5 stars actually
I've started this one right after finishing Call the Coroner. This is my second book by this author and maybe I had too high expectations. Well after Call the coroner of course I had high expectations. I absolutely loved that one!!
As much as I enjoyed this one, it wasn't phenomenal. I had some problems with the story here. The biggest would be the Daddy kink. I am not a big fan and even if I find it bearable sometimes, here it wasn't. I like age gaps and here we get 16 years between the MC's, but the Daddy kink didn't work for me.
And I must mention the insta-love because for me it surely felt like it.
Overall the story was entertaining, I've read it in one sitting and the ending was amazing. Looking forward to reading more from this author!!
I've started this one right after finishing Call the Coroner. This is my second book by this author and maybe I had too high expectations. Well after Call the coroner of course I had high expectations. I absolutely loved that one!!
As much as I enjoyed this one, it wasn't phenomenal. I had some problems with the story here. The biggest would be the Daddy kink. I am not a big fan and even if I find it bearable sometimes, here it wasn't. I like age gaps and here we get 16 years between the MC's, but the Daddy kink didn't work for me.
And I must mention the insta-love because for me it surely felt like it.
Overall the story was entertaining, I've read it in one sitting and the ending was amazing. Looking forward to reading more from this author!!
August 18, 2018
***3.5 stars!***
February 25, 2018
I love the grit of this series - the flow, the pace and the heat. Renzo and Low closed this out with the typical, I hate you, I want you, I’d die for you, you hurt me formula... but heavens did I love it. The cross over of characters from other series added depth and again the loyalty amongst killers made me feel a protective warmth for them. Yes it was a bit dramatic in parts but what I know is I read this book into the night without stopping - clearly hooked ! If you’re an Avril fan you should love it
September 7, 2024
[…] he desperately wanted to believe this thing was more than the uncontrollable lust that burned between them.
yea, u and me both, low😒
“Three years ago, I saw him. He walked past me, he was hot, he smelled like warmth, and I’ve been wanting him ever since.”
yup, that’s literally it💀 pure insta lust/love😭 not a fan of those tropes at all, so this didn’t work for me. sexual tension was incendiary tho ngl🥵🥵 however, the insta love really inhibited my investment in the couple…..couldn’t believe a goddamn thing they were saying, like oh you love him?? was it the first time or second time you looked at him that locked you in??🙄💀💀 i ended up skimming the smut (never a good sign) towards the end bc i couldn’t care less. i also found the daddy kink in this to be inorganic?? or possibly just ill-fitting. either way, it didn’t really come across naturally in the scenes for me. plus, is it really etl if one of them is in love from the jump🙄
yea, u and me both, low😒
“Three years ago, I saw him. He walked past me, he was hot, he smelled like warmth, and I’ve been wanting him ever since.”
yup, that’s literally it💀 pure insta lust/love😭 not a fan of those tropes at all, so this didn’t work for me. sexual tension was incendiary tho ngl🥵🥵 however, the insta love really inhibited my investment in the couple…..couldn’t believe a goddamn thing they were saying, like oh you love him?? was it the first time or second time you looked at him that locked you in??🙄💀💀 i ended up skimming the smut (never a good sign) towards the end bc i couldn’t care less. i also found the daddy kink in this to be inorganic?? or possibly just ill-fitting. either way, it didn’t really come across naturally in the scenes for me. plus, is it really etl if one of them is in love from the jump🙄
March 5, 2018
2.5-3 stars
I'm a huge fan of Ashton's books. The angst, the drama, the intensity, I love it! But unfortunately "Kiss Your Scars" fell a bit flat for me. I mean it took me almost two weeks to finish it because I just wasn't too drawn to the story.
The intensity that Avril usually masters so well felt kind of forced here. Just one too many one liners trying to ramp up the intensity. And if I had to read about desire being described like fire one more time, I would have thrown my Kindle. There was instant lust/love too, but I just didn't feel it. Low and Renzo are basically throwing out I love yous after their first or second time together. I mean I did feel their connection but it wasn't enough.
I did quite like the two as a couple, they complemeted each other well and there was some delicious enemies to lovers! Renzo has a terribly dark and tragic past though and I wish they would have delved into that one a bit deeper and no magic dick cure! That guy needs a lifetime of therapy for Christ's sake. They did mention therapy but only very briefly at the end.
Every so often I would get the genuine feeling of intensity and angst and deep love between the MCs I appreciate so much in Ashton's book, but I just didn't fall in love with this story.
I'm a huge fan of Ashton's books. The angst, the drama, the intensity, I love it! But unfortunately "Kiss Your Scars" fell a bit flat for me. I mean it took me almost two weeks to finish it because I just wasn't too drawn to the story.
The intensity that Avril usually masters so well felt kind of forced here. Just one too many one liners trying to ramp up the intensity. And if I had to read about desire being described like fire one more time, I would have thrown my Kindle. There was instant lust/love too, but I just didn't feel it. Low and Renzo are basically throwing out I love yous after their first or second time together. I mean I did feel their connection but it wasn't enough.
I did quite like the two as a couple, they complemeted each other well and there was some delicious enemies to lovers! Renzo has a terribly dark and tragic past though and I wish they would have delved into that one a bit deeper and no magic dick cure! That guy needs a lifetime of therapy for Christ's sake. They did mention therapy but only very briefly at the end.
Every so often I would get the genuine feeling of intensity and angst and deep love between the MCs I appreciate so much in Ashton's book, but I just didn't fall in love with this story.
February 26, 2018
So this author is one I drop everything to read. I was just about to hit the hay, and saw that one of my friends was reading this and whoa, what? It's out?? Ok, maybe a couple chapters. Ten chapters later...
Let's talk about what I really liked.
The glossary made me warm and fuzzy from the door. I absolutely LOVE the Caribbean/West Indian representation in this author's work. It seems like we're in for even more of that in the spin off series (roll on Preacher) so I am EX.CIT.ED! Btw, author, you know good and well when Caribbean women 'pelt that waist', 'wuk it up' and 'bruk it down' that is wining, no h. Don't even put that option in there for the misspelling to continue lol. Thank you for putting the right one in the book itself. Also, I did not know oil down was Grenadian. Amazing how foods are shared across the region.
Renzo's recollection of his experiences - powerful and really well done. Awesome writing here, but I expect nothing less.
The first 30% of the book was FIYAH!! I'm talking delicious anticipation, warm, 'tingly sensation in your gut' sexual tension, the push and pull of Low and Renzo's attraction, just perfect. And then we got to the Daddy kink. The first time Renzo says to Low, "Will you call me Daddy when x,y,z?" I almost melted right off the chair. Yessssssss. Perfectly done but then....
What didn't work:
The Daddy kink:
I went into this book with some trepidation because submissive/switch Daddy is just not a thing for me. Daddy on his knees in submission, not just for something sexual, is just no. I know there are obviously Doms who switch, but a switch Daddy to me is like being a switch MASTER, which is just...not a thing imho (at least not switching with the same person you Dom). But I will read pretty much any Daddy kink cause I'm desperate like that (ha ha!) so I decided to give it a try. Renzo on his knees ended up not really bothering me, mostly because I didn't see him as a Daddy at all.
The problem with the Daddy kink here is that we literally have zero idea why it is a part of Low and Renzo's relationship. There is no build-up, insight, or explanation, on either of their parts, as to why Low calls Renzo Daddy. That may work for a 20-page erotica where one character just calls the other Daddy during sex (it just does what it says on the tin), but this is a full length novel. It just felt 'off' the whole time and I couldn't settle into it. I was confused as to how Renzo knew Low was into that in the first place; why didn't Low ever question how Renzo knew that about him? They never discuss it, not even to say, 'Is it weird when I call you that?' And, even if they never uttered the words to each other, Low was never introspective as to the WHY of it. WHY does it turn him on? Does it make him feel silly, guilty, weird? Does it make him think Renzo looks at him differently? Is it none of those and he just likes saying it? All we needed was a few lines. Again, this is a full-length relationship that's being built, not a few sex scenes thrown together where we're just like, "Ok." Renzo said, once or twice, that his brain turns off when Low calls him Daddy. Why? Is it just sexy? Or does he feel 'Daddy' emotions towards Low? Protection. Nurturing. Guidance. Wanting to make each other happy, and wanting to be there for each other...that's just a regular couple. DK is more than just one partner being older with slightly gray hair (there are lots of May December couples where it doesn't factor in), and more than just one person calling the other Daddy over and over (and over and over and over! Why??). What makes them see each other in this particular way?
So pretty much the Daddy kink did not work for me, but not for the reason I thought it wouldn't. I pretty much cringed and quick-skimmed my way through the sex. Apart from all that, nothing about Renzo screamed 'Daddy'. He was so broken with PTSD, nightmares and the inability to sleep or properly function, that he really couldn't be anyone's D-type. Clearly, theirs was not a traditional D/s relationship (there's no real D/s here) but, with Low being slightly broken and Renzo being horribly broken, it just made the whole Renzo being called Daddy thing all the more unpalatable. For me, the book would have been better without the whole thing.
As for Low and Renzo themselves, they were ok. Their relationship felt more promising before they got together. Once they did it just seemed like a repetitive loop of sex and I love yous with me not understanding how they got there so fast. By 50% I was ready to bail, but held on because I wanted to know the secret Renzo was keeping. That revelation (really well done, and Low's reaction hit me right in the gut and made me teary eyed) brought another round of drama of Low leaving when he wanted to stay, and then abruptly making a u-turn that gave me whiplash. Just too much angst all around. Atta's story was also well done and I ended up having more empathy for her than I thought I would.
One last thing. What usually makes these books great, even if the featured couple doesn't WOW me, is the character cameos from past books. The problem is that I don't like any of the secondary characters that showed up. I couldn't get into Daniel Nieto and Stavros as a couple AT ALL, Tek is interesting but (I feel) unworthy of his boo, and Syren Rua is a character I started off liking but then became meh about because his connections, knowledge, hand in everything, all knowing persona just became too fantastical.
So this book was a bit of a miss for me unfortunately (2.5 stars), but that excerpt for Dax and Deacon - yes, goodness, yes!! Dax was actually my favorite character in this book. I LOVVVVVVVED him and can't wait to see how his story unfolds. The depravity is strong with this one lol.
I know that the author took some time off and this is her first foray back, so I really hate that I didn't love this, but even when I'm not giving her books five stars, they are head and shoulders above the competition. I love her writing and will always rush to read anything she writes.
Let's talk about what I really liked.
The glossary made me warm and fuzzy from the door. I absolutely LOVE the Caribbean/West Indian representation in this author's work. It seems like we're in for even more of that in the spin off series (roll on Preacher) so I am EX.CIT.ED! Btw, author, you know good and well when Caribbean women 'pelt that waist', 'wuk it up' and 'bruk it down' that is wining, no h. Don't even put that option in there for the misspelling to continue lol. Thank you for putting the right one in the book itself. Also, I did not know oil down was Grenadian. Amazing how foods are shared across the region.
Renzo's recollection of his experiences - powerful and really well done. Awesome writing here, but I expect nothing less.
The first 30% of the book was FIYAH!! I'm talking delicious anticipation, warm, 'tingly sensation in your gut' sexual tension, the push and pull of Low and Renzo's attraction, just perfect. And then we got to the Daddy kink. The first time Renzo says to Low, "Will you call me Daddy when x,y,z?" I almost melted right off the chair. Yessssssss. Perfectly done but then....
What didn't work:
The Daddy kink:
I went into this book with some trepidation because submissive/switch Daddy is just not a thing for me. Daddy on his knees in submission, not just for something sexual, is just no. I know there are obviously Doms who switch, but a switch Daddy to me is like being a switch MASTER, which is just...not a thing imho (at least not switching with the same person you Dom). But I will read pretty much any Daddy kink cause I'm desperate like that (ha ha!) so I decided to give it a try. Renzo on his knees ended up not really bothering me, mostly because I didn't see him as a Daddy at all.
The problem with the Daddy kink here is that we literally have zero idea why it is a part of Low and Renzo's relationship. There is no build-up, insight, or explanation, on either of their parts, as to why Low calls Renzo Daddy. That may work for a 20-page erotica where one character just calls the other Daddy during sex (it just does what it says on the tin), but this is a full length novel. It just felt 'off' the whole time and I couldn't settle into it. I was confused as to how Renzo knew Low was into that in the first place; why didn't Low ever question how Renzo knew that about him? They never discuss it, not even to say, 'Is it weird when I call you that?' And, even if they never uttered the words to each other, Low was never introspective as to the WHY of it. WHY does it turn him on? Does it make him feel silly, guilty, weird? Does it make him think Renzo looks at him differently? Is it none of those and he just likes saying it? All we needed was a few lines. Again, this is a full-length relationship that's being built, not a few sex scenes thrown together where we're just like, "Ok." Renzo said, once or twice, that his brain turns off when Low calls him Daddy. Why? Is it just sexy? Or does he feel 'Daddy' emotions towards Low? Protection. Nurturing. Guidance. Wanting to make each other happy, and wanting to be there for each other...that's just a regular couple. DK is more than just one partner being older with slightly gray hair (there are lots of May December couples where it doesn't factor in), and more than just one person calling the other Daddy over and over (and over and over and over! Why??). What makes them see each other in this particular way?
So pretty much the Daddy kink did not work for me, but not for the reason I thought it wouldn't. I pretty much cringed and quick-skimmed my way through the sex. Apart from all that, nothing about Renzo screamed 'Daddy'. He was so broken with PTSD, nightmares and the inability to sleep or properly function, that he really couldn't be anyone's D-type. Clearly, theirs was not a traditional D/s relationship (there's no real D/s here) but, with Low being slightly broken and Renzo being horribly broken, it just made the whole Renzo being called Daddy thing all the more unpalatable. For me, the book would have been better without the whole thing.
As for Low and Renzo themselves, they were ok. Their relationship felt more promising before they got together. Once they did it just seemed like a repetitive loop of sex and I love yous with me not understanding how they got there so fast. By 50% I was ready to bail, but held on because I wanted to know the secret Renzo was keeping. That revelation (really well done, and Low's reaction hit me right in the gut and made me teary eyed) brought another round of drama of Low leaving when he wanted to stay, and then abruptly making a u-turn that gave me whiplash. Just too much angst all around. Atta's story was also well done and I ended up having more empathy for her than I thought I would.
One last thing. What usually makes these books great, even if the featured couple doesn't WOW me, is the character cameos from past books. The problem is that I don't like any of the secondary characters that showed up. I couldn't get into Daniel Nieto and Stavros as a couple AT ALL, Tek is interesting but (I feel) unworthy of his boo, and Syren Rua is a character I started off liking but then became meh about because his connections, knowledge, hand in everything, all knowing persona just became too fantastical.
So this book was a bit of a miss for me unfortunately (2.5 stars), but that excerpt for Dax and Deacon - yes, goodness, yes!! Dax was actually my favorite character in this book. I LOVVVVVVVED him and can't wait to see how his story unfolds. The depravity is strong with this one lol.
I know that the author took some time off and this is her first foray back, so I really hate that I didn't love this, but even when I'm not giving her books five stars, they are head and shoulders above the competition. I love her writing and will always rush to read anything she writes.
August 10, 2025
Edited to add after my reread :
These two had amazing chemistry and although Low’s stubbornness made me want to shake him, it definitely didn’t affect the insane chemistry. So bumping this up by one star!
The Man, The Myth Renzo Vega
Renzo and Low had been circling each other for the last 3 books and the UST has been fun to read about, ESPECIALLY for Low who despised Renzo for what he seemingly did to his family member.
Things come to a head in this book when circumstances throw them together and forces Low to admit and eventually act on the attraction he felt towards the other man.
Making matters worse was Low's preconceptions and his family life. In short, everything that could've been stacked against them was stacked HIGH against them with Secrets within secrets hidden within those secrets.
As for him being closeted, I totally understood it based on his cultural background. I'm just glad he was able to finally embrace his true self.
While all this was happening, we got to know about Renzo's past which was even more traumatic as Syren's(Brooklyn Sinners) be was and we know how terrible that was. Turns out those two have a history and what a history that was.
Overall this was more of the "good good" that has quickly made Avril Ashton one of my favourite authors and even though this ends the series, you can bet that I'll be continuing with the Dread+Terrible series.
Heck who knows, might even be brave and dip my tow in that Dax/Deacon "brotherly love" book 😂😂
These two had amazing chemistry and although Low’s stubbornness made me want to shake him, it definitely didn’t affect the insane chemistry. So bumping this up by one star!
The Man, The Myth Renzo Vega
Renzo and Low had been circling each other for the last 3 books and the UST has been fun to read about, ESPECIALLY for Low who despised Renzo for what he seemingly did to his family member.
Things come to a head in this book when circumstances throw them together and forces Low to admit and eventually act on the attraction he felt towards the other man.
Making matters worse was Low's preconceptions and his family life. In short, everything that could've been stacked against them was stacked HIGH against them with Secrets within secrets hidden within those secrets.
As for him being closeted, I totally understood it based on his cultural background. I'm just glad he was able to finally embrace his true self.
While all this was happening, we got to know about Renzo's past which was even more traumatic as Syren's(Brooklyn Sinners) be was and we know how terrible that was. Turns out those two have a history and what a history that was.
Overall this was more of the "good good" that has quickly made Avril Ashton one of my favourite authors and even though this ends the series, you can bet that I'll be continuing with the Dread+Terrible series.
Heck who knows, might even be brave and dip my tow in that Dax/Deacon "brotherly love" book 😂😂
July 17, 2018
One of the best by this author but only if you 're familiar with Avril Ashton's work. I recommend against reading this as a standalone. Definitely OTT but, as always, hella inclusive and with so much heart.
March 22, 2018
4.5 Stars
Avril Ashton is a dirty, dirty girl. I like that about her! This the last Loose Ends story (boo!) but another spinoff will feature some secondary characters in this story (yay!). Low’s character was great and I enjoyed learning a tiny bit about Granadien culture. I’m going to Google more but the vocabulary and speech was handled wonderfully in the narrative. I also loved the connection between Renzo and Syren Rua from the Brooklyn Sinners series. Having names and people from past series woven into other stories is something I look forward to.
Much like previous stories, there’s a dark and painful history that drives Renzo and he carries secrets about Low that he can’t reveal. Also like previous stories, is the consuming, passionate connections that draw these men together like magnets. Then there’s the raw, filthy sex scenes that nearly melt my reader. Holy shnikes! I’ll never stop enjoying the author’s particular style and brand of storytelling, the cops and criminals in lust and the racially diverse cast of characters rarely present in erotic romance.
Avril Ashton is a dirty, dirty girl. I like that about her! This the last Loose Ends story (boo!) but another spinoff will feature some secondary characters in this story (yay!). Low’s character was great and I enjoyed learning a tiny bit about Granadien culture. I’m going to Google more but the vocabulary and speech was handled wonderfully in the narrative. I also loved the connection between Renzo and Syren Rua from the Brooklyn Sinners series. Having names and people from past series woven into other stories is something I look forward to.
Much like previous stories, there’s a dark and painful history that drives Renzo and he carries secrets about Low that he can’t reveal. Also like previous stories, is the consuming, passionate connections that draw these men together like magnets. Then there’s the raw, filthy sex scenes that nearly melt my reader. Holy shnikes! I’ll never stop enjoying the author’s particular style and brand of storytelling, the cops and criminals in lust and the racially diverse cast of characters rarely present in erotic romance.
March 2, 2018
Notes:
• The sexual tension. Omg! I think I'm having a fever.
•
• I liked how Renzo honest with Lowell. How he confessed his feelings. I adore him!
• Fuck. I do not want to admit I cried a little because of Renzo.
• This book is sappy. Intense and emotional. It has flaws. But that's the thing. You see the flaws and you do not care. As long as it makes you happy. That's the important thing. If I want something real, I'll just go outside my house and talk to people. I think this is the best book from Mrs. Av after '(Watch Me) Unmask You'. Good god, it was so good. You nailed it, Mrs. Av.
• The sexual tension. Omg! I think I'm having a fever.
•
• I liked how Renzo honest with Lowell. How he confessed his feelings. I adore him!
• Fuck. I do not want to admit I cried a little because of Renzo.
• This book is sappy. Intense and emotional. It has flaws. But that's the thing. You see the flaws and you do not care. As long as it makes you happy. That's the important thing. If I want something real, I'll just go outside my house and talk to people. I think this is the best book from Mrs. Av after '(Watch Me) Unmask You'. Good god, it was so good. You nailed it, Mrs. Av.
March 14, 2018
4.5 stars
First I would like to say "Say Daddy for me". Daddy kink is a turn on for me and this book was %#ing HOT!!! The passion, torment, lust, love and violence all were written to perfection for me. I maybe in the minority but I don't mind being alone with Low and Renzo.
But if you are reading this series PLEASE read " The Coroner " after book two in "The Loose Ends" series. Daniel Neito and Stavros Konstantinon are featured in book three and you are going to want to know how their dark, crazy, psychopathic story ends.
New series coming soon, Hell ya! Priest, Prophet, Deacon, Preacher and Bishop. Can not wait. Now onto The Coroner.
First I would like to say "Say Daddy for me". Daddy kink is a turn on for me and this book was %#ing HOT!!! The passion, torment, lust, love and violence all were written to perfection for me. I maybe in the minority but I don't mind being alone with Low and Renzo.
But if you are reading this series PLEASE read " The Coroner " after book two in "The Loose Ends" series. Daniel Neito and Stavros Konstantinon are featured in book three and you are going to want to know how their dark, crazy, psychopathic story ends.
New series coming soon, Hell ya! Priest, Prophet, Deacon, Preacher and Bishop. Can not wait. Now onto The Coroner.
March 1, 2018
Well, Avril Ashton is a great writer and can tell a story and give you tormented characters....however, I think she lost her way on this a lot. I'm sorry but Renzo was way to quick to tell anyone and everybody that he was an FBI agent. Lowell, running away, again and again and again and again was boring. All of that got on my nerves so fast I could barely restrain myself from throwing the book. And the parentage reveal(s) were just too much. Finally, sadly, the daddy kink was just weird, out of nowhere, unsupported and awkward.
Sometimes, when you write stories about criminals, the criminals have to BE criminals. If you try and redeem every one of them from antihero/reluctant occasional good guy to misunderstood all around hero all of the tension and moral ambiguity gets watered down or lost completely. Sometimes good guys love bad guys and have to deal with that (or not) and that is the compelling part of examining the human experience of love and commitment.
Not the best book in this series.
Sometimes, when you write stories about criminals, the criminals have to BE criminals. If you try and redeem every one of them from antihero/reluctant occasional good guy to misunderstood all around hero all of the tension and moral ambiguity gets watered down or lost completely. Sometimes good guys love bad guys and have to deal with that (or not) and that is the compelling part of examining the human experience of love and commitment.
Not the best book in this series.
February 27, 2018
4 'I was REALLY looking forward to Renzo and Low, the connection and promise of that love/hate dynamic from meeting them in previous books was so delicious, they sizzled off the page. There were lots of things I loved about this book, the characters, their stories, Ashtons writing as always gritty hard hitting, awesome. Loved seeing Syren and Kane again and the love he shares with Renzo is beautiful. Dax same, awesome and looking forward to the new series with Deacon and the rest of them. What didnt work for me was the Daddy Kink. Im a hit and miss with this anyway it either works or it doesn't .... here it just didnt make sense, didnt fit and kinda put me off at times. They were unbelievably hot and then he'd drop a Daddy and yeah. Other than that though another good addition to an AWESOME fucking series' stars.
February 22, 2018
WOW
Avril closed out this series on a sweet hopefully note of redemption, forgiveness and tolerance! I am excited for the next round!!!!
Avril closed out this series on a sweet hopefully note of redemption, forgiveness and tolerance! I am excited for the next round!!!!
March 4, 2018
This book is the last in the series and is the story of Renza and Low.
Renza persues Low, even though Low doesnt want to know at first.
i guess this is an action packed story, with the romance of the 2 MCs along with the background of sex trafficking.
no sex for the first 50% of the book and then there is a lot, almost as if they are making up for last time.
a nice read and interesting end to the series.
Renza persues Low, even though Low doesnt want to know at first.
i guess this is an action packed story, with the romance of the 2 MCs along with the background of sex trafficking.
no sex for the first 50% of the book and then there is a lot, almost as if they are making up for last time.
a nice read and interesting end to the series.
June 14, 2018
BITTERSWEET LOVERS!!!
Renzo & Low's story has been a mysterious slow-burn throughout the Loose Ends series. Avril Ashton is very good at writing about damaged, secretive,morally corrupt but seeking love and redemption outsiders. I personally wanted more interactions with cast from this series and past series. Love all the series I hope to read about more run-ins in future books.
Renzo & Low's story has been a mysterious slow-burn throughout the Loose Ends series. Avril Ashton is very good at writing about damaged, secretive,morally corrupt but seeking love and redemption outsiders. I personally wanted more interactions with cast from this series and past series. Love all the series I hope to read about more run-ins in future books.
April 3, 2019
Can be read as a standalone.
I didn't really enjoy it. I liked both guys, I like the setting..
But I skimmed all the sex scene (too much of them, the dialogue/dirty talk made me cringe, the sex felt dull..)
Renzo had a insta crush/love on Low, a bit more build up would have been nice, and Low was dramatic and unfair at the end but overall good book. I liked the story, the darkness of it!
And LOVED D&D!!
I didn't really enjoy it. I liked both guys, I like the setting..
But I skimmed all the sex scene (too much of them, the dialogue/dirty talk made me cringe, the sex felt dull..)
Renzo had a insta crush/love on Low, a bit more build up would have been nice, and Low was dramatic and unfair at the end but overall good book. I liked the story, the darkness of it!
And LOVED D&D!!
February 23, 2018
4.5 Stars
July 21, 2020
if you wanna know my opinion on this book, just know that I'm 5 seconds away from selling my whole ass to the writer. for free
February 24, 2018
I would give this book a hundred thousand million stars if I could. Because... Jesus my ovaries just about imploded. I never wanted it to end! But let me start by explaining...
I. DO. NOT. LIKE. THE. DADDY. KINK.
But I was here for this book. And I think I realized how I made the jump. I'd only ever read ones where there was this tiny twink calling a larger guy Daddy, it was uncomfortable. But with these two, these two dominant muscled hunky men, I just freaking couldn't handle the hotness that it caused.
I FORCED myself to put the book down so that it would last longer but I just couldn't do it. Renzo and Low are my motherfracking spirit animals, both of them. The sex was amazing, their connection was amazing, getting to read Tek more was amazing, even how little it was. And I've got to hand it to Avril Ashton, she has the uncanny ability to force two of the most damaged people together and make them salivate for each other. Man, she's truly a Goddess. Right when I think she couldn't damage a character more beautifully, she does it again.
Normally I'm pretty good about anticipating where a book is going to go but I didn't see that thing with Low's father. I just didn't. And although Avril has a habit of making the climax of the story so harrowing, so deprived, she didn't with this one. Their damage to each other at the time where one betrays the other was kind of anticlimactic in it's heartbreak. But, still, I loved it.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the relationship between Dax and Renzo. Their bond, the way Dax cared for him, and how, oh man, it was just, YES! How affectionate they were with each other was delicious. I kind of went back and forth between wanting Low to be jealous and not wanting him to. And I still don't which one I want more.
Favorite part had to be the scene in the club... on the bar... with the thing they did and the thing. Talk about ovaries exploding.
Of course my favorite side character was DAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't say that enough. Dax. Hhhhmmm.
I. DO. NOT. LIKE. THE. DADDY. KINK.
But I was here for this book. And I think I realized how I made the jump. I'd only ever read ones where there was this tiny twink calling a larger guy Daddy, it was uncomfortable. But with these two, these two dominant muscled hunky men, I just freaking couldn't handle the hotness that it caused.
I FORCED myself to put the book down so that it would last longer but I just couldn't do it. Renzo and Low are my motherfracking spirit animals, both of them. The sex was amazing, their connection was amazing, getting to read Tek more was amazing, even how little it was. And I've got to hand it to Avril Ashton, she has the uncanny ability to force two of the most damaged people together and make them salivate for each other. Man, she's truly a Goddess. Right when I think she couldn't damage a character more beautifully, she does it again.
Normally I'm pretty good about anticipating where a book is going to go but I didn't see that thing with Low's father. I just didn't. And although Avril has a habit of making the climax of the story so harrowing, so deprived, she didn't with this one. Their damage to each other at the time where one betrays the other was kind of anticlimactic in it's heartbreak. But, still, I loved it.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the relationship between Dax and Renzo. Their bond, the way Dax cared for him, and how, oh man, it was just, YES! How affectionate they were with each other was delicious. I kind of went back and forth between wanting Low to be jealous and not wanting him to. And I still don't which one I want more.
Favorite part had to be the scene in the club... on the bar... with the thing they did and the thing. Talk about ovaries exploding.
Of course my favorite side character was DAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't say that enough. Dax. Hhhhmmm.
September 26, 2018
Have you ever read a book and wished it would never end because its so good but was also dying to get to the end so you new how it ended? This was that book. Loved it. Loved Low and Renzo…what a story Renzo has, so heart breaking! We meet Syren again...love that man. I really like how Avril's book inter-link and that in each book we get to catch up a bit. She is an amazing writer and I have yet to find a book of hers I do not like. Warning...this book deals with some heavy issues which includes physical abuse and that of a minor (flashbacks and inferred only) but it is all necessary information required for understanding of who Renzo is. This was an excellent book and I love Avril's boys immensely!
May 13, 2022
Another intense Avril Ashton romance. I adored the chemistry between Renzo and Low, these two are fire. They seem younger than described in the book - according to the book, Renzo is 46 and Low 30, but they felt more like 36 and 20 to me, especially Low.
Discovering Renzo's backstory was a journey and a half. Low's too - a lot of homophobia was explored, something that's not done often enough in recently published MM novels.
Love it!
Discovering Renzo's backstory was a journey and a half. Low's too - a lot of homophobia was explored, something that's not done often enough in recently published MM novels.
Love it!
March 27, 2018
I just tore through the four books in the Loose Ends series like a tornado... action, lovey love (in some cases insta), filthy talk and filthier sex. Avril Ashton is a new author to me but one I will continue to seek out and read in the future.
May 22, 2018
I just love Avril Ashton’s series. While Kiss Your Scars definitely wasn’t one of her harsher books, it was still just as impactful. I loved Low and Renzo. Once Low let himself go, they were wonderful together.
If you have not read any of her series, I highly suggest you get started 😊
If you have not read any of her series, I highly suggest you get started 😊
March 7, 2018
I hate to rate this one less than 4 stars, but this didn't wow me like the rest of her books have. It dragged in some places for me. Again, if you have not read the Brooklyn Sinners series and Call the Coroner you will be lost.
Renzo's past broke my heart. This story was intense and very hot. Avril knows how to write some smexy scenes! I'm never disappointed. I'm not sure what I was looking for in the final book of this series, but I was a little disappointed.
Renzo's past broke my heart. This story was intense and very hot. Avril knows how to write some smexy scenes! I'm never disappointed. I'm not sure what I was looking for in the final book of this series, but I was a little disappointed.
March 11, 2018
So freaking good. Avril you killed it. Can't believe for the next series
March 25, 2018
Huh.... I didn’t like this as much as the others. I found a lot of it cheesy even with the dark themes surrounding the book and characters. It may be due to the author wanting to close this series in order to start a new one and wanting to wrap all loose ends in this book that I found the MC characters at times out of character? But I really love Avril Ashton and although this was my least favorite in the series, it is still a great addition. Im so happy we are introduced to new characters and these new people will be getting their own series and books :). Dax and Deacon TWINCEST omggggggggggg i can’t wait!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews