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The Woodbury Boys #3
Rough Trade
Quick-witted hustler Ghost is no stranger to living dangerously; survival has always been the name of the game.
He’s just always gone it alone.
Now he’s got the wrong people breathing down his neck, and the only way out demands placing his trust in the unlikeliest of Duncan Rook, a gruff cop whose ethics are as solid as his body.
Cozying up to a criminal is hardly what Duncan’s reputation on the force needs—especially when that criminal is temptation personified. Ghost is Duncan’s polar opposite, and the last person he expected to fall for.
So then why does every imaginable scenario for taking down their common enemy end with Ghost in his arms?
This book is approximately 122,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
He’s just always gone it alone.
Now he’s got the wrong people breathing down his neck, and the only way out demands placing his trust in the unlikeliest of Duncan Rook, a gruff cop whose ethics are as solid as his body.
Cozying up to a criminal is hardly what Duncan’s reputation on the force needs—especially when that criminal is temptation personified. Ghost is Duncan’s polar opposite, and the last person he expected to fall for.
So then why does every imaginable scenario for taking down their common enemy end with Ghost in his arms?
This book is approximately 122,000 words
One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2018
74 people are currently reading
886 people want to read
About the author
Sidney Bell
8 books419 followersSidney Bell lives in the drizzly Pacific Northwest with her amazingly supportive husband. She received her MFA degree in Creative Writing in 2010, considered aiming for the Great American Novel, and then promptly started writing fanfiction instead. Eventually more realistic grown-ups convinced her to try writing something more fiscally responsible, which is how we ended up here.
When she’s not writing, she’s playing violent video games, yelling at the television during hockey games, or supporting her local library by turning books in late.
When she’s not writing, she’s playing violent video games, yelling at the television during hockey games, or supporting her local library by turning books in late.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
October 21, 2018
"Everyone pays for sex.It's just that we don't always pay with money(...)"
Ever since Ghost was introduced in book one I've been fascinated by him.Book two wasn't a massive hit for me so I went into this with some trepidation.After a shaky start I really liked this and it's definitely my favourite book in the series.
Who would be the man who finally tamed Ghost?
Turns out the Author created the perfect character in Duncan.Not someone I would have imagined Ghost with but this is Ghost so I really didn't know what to expect.
With the drama of Mama and Spratt unfolding around him,Ghost finds himself having to put his trust in a Cop.Their relationship is not conventional at all.There's no insta lust or love here.What there is,is a slow understanding of each other and their boundaries.Don't go into this expecting lots of dirty sex,which given Ghost's past might be a realistic expectation...
“Everyone pays for sex. It’s just that we don’t always pay with money. Sometimes it’s with dinner or dancing first to make your partner feel respected, sometimes it’s with drinks in a bar, sometimes it’s with date movies or going to see someone play in their awful band or listening to someone talk about their bullshit.”
Ghost might have been a whore but sex did nothing for him apart from survival.His body might have been used but mentally he switched off every time,as a result this is an extremely slow burn which I didn't mind at all.In fact anything else here wouldn't have been believable here.Ghost learns a lot about himself from Duncan and he wants to be a better man for him.There is drama,there is angst but there are also some tender moments-watching old movies together and taking care of each other had me melting a little bit.
Duncan and Ghost turned out to be pretty damn special together
Recommended.
Review copy provided by the publisher,via NetGalley.
December 18, 2018
4 Ghost Stars
Omg Okay so I didn't read the other 2 books in this series. Now this book can be read as a standalone, but you can tell it's part of a series. I felt like I missed some "getting to know" Ghost moments by not reading the first two books. Still it didn't take me long to fall in love with Ghost. My heart broke for him and all his went through. Some of the things in this book were ugly, raw, and hard to read. Selling sex to survive as a teen, the hunger, abuse, betrayal, just everything!!! It tore my heart out. Ghost had dark issues and I love that the author didn't gloss over them. Duncan took a little longer to warm up to for me, but in the end I loved him too. Not as much as Ghost but..... Duncan and Ghost had a really slow burn relationship. Which was understandable with trust issues and past demons. Plus it really gave depth to Duncan and Ghost's love. I did however take a star off because I would have liked a little more steam between them. Just a tad! Still this book was a great and emotional read with lots of action. This was my first time reading anything by Sidney Bell but it won't be my last. I plan on going back and reading the first two books in this series too.
https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
Omg Okay so I didn't read the other 2 books in this series. Now this book can be read as a standalone, but you can tell it's part of a series. I felt like I missed some "getting to know" Ghost moments by not reading the first two books. Still it didn't take me long to fall in love with Ghost. My heart broke for him and all his went through. Some of the things in this book were ugly, raw, and hard to read. Selling sex to survive as a teen, the hunger, abuse, betrayal, just everything!!! It tore my heart out. Ghost had dark issues and I love that the author didn't gloss over them. Duncan took a little longer to warm up to for me, but in the end I loved him too. Not as much as Ghost but..... Duncan and Ghost had a really slow burn relationship. Which was understandable with trust issues and past demons. Plus it really gave depth to Duncan and Ghost's love. I did however take a star off because I would have liked a little more steam between them. Just a tad! Still this book was a great and emotional read with lots of action. This was my first time reading anything by Sidney Bell but it won't be my last. I plan on going back and reading the first two books in this series too.
https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
November 14, 2018
BR with Adam!
This book kind of wrecked me and I don't know what to say that wouldn't be considered spoilery, so I'm just going to spout some gibberish about my feelings and hopefully there will be something useful amongst the gibberish.
Gibberish with copious graphics. Like I do.
Rough Trade picks up where Hard Line left off and we finally FINALLY get inside Ghost's head. He's on the run and the action plot line takes up quite a bit of this story. He and Duncan join forces to try to figure out how to extricate Ghost from this situation with minimal collateral damage and without breaking the law. Parts of their hiding out I did think dragged but when it picked up it was fun and kept me on the edge of my seat. However, throughout all of it Bell developed a relationship sturdy enough to withstand a Cat-5 hurricane.
Ghost, for me, has been largely enigmatic. I assumed some things about his past that contributed to shaping him and unfortunately I was right about those things. Ghost has survived his own personal hell. (Trigger for mentions of childhood sexual abuse.) That sort of upbringing necessitated a certain tenacity and a set of survival skills that make him somewhat unpredictable; they are second nature to him. Unlearning them is no easy feat. The complexity of Ghost cannot be overstated.
What blew me away... well, a bunch of things actually, but once Ghost starts dealing with his past, some of that dialogue is stunning and the insightfulness of it dazzled me. Ghost's honesty stole my breath a couple times. At one point I was even talking to my kindle! Like a nutbag.
It's no secret that I (along with many others) have been enamored with Ghost from the start but after being inside his head, it's official. I love him. I never ever expected him to be funny. What a surprise that was. I cackled repeatedly at his snarky and highlighted like a fiend. The banter between he and Duncan was a delight.
Honestly, I also never expected Ghost to fall for a cop who's a giant either. Were Duncan a different sort of person this thing between them would've never gotten off the ground, but Duncan is eerily intuitive when it comes to Ghost. How he just knew not to do certain things and to do others made me respect him. The way that subtly changes the longer they know each other is what made me love him, love them. He is a positive influence and a caretaker at heart but mostly importantly, he believes in Ghost which is exactly what Ghost needs making his size a source of comfort rather than a source of intimidation.
I read romance all the time and there are a lot of phenomenal writers out there who can convince me that their couple are soulmates or of their compatibility or of their longevity, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ghost and Duncan will never leave. Neither of them are built that way with Duncan being steadfast to the core coupled Ghost's loyalty and trust issues makes them rock solid in my mind. Maybe all their days won't be sunshine and daisies but they won't leave. They've fought too hard for each other for that to happen. This, I know. And as a romance reader, there's not a lot that beats that feeling. However, there is very little sex content. It just doesn't fit their narrative and I appreciate that Bell stayed true to that.
Instead we're treated to a multitude of quiet moments that meticulously construct a manifest intimacy between them that I found poignant. Slow burns aren't always my cup of tea but the way in which this particular relationship developed made them necessary to each other and that for a squishy marshmallow like me is what brings me back to the genre again and again.
I freely admit that I am biased when it comes to Sidney Bell simply because I feel a sort of kindredness with her writes. She is wordy. I am wordy. She seems to be fascinated with the human psyche as am I. Sometimes that sort of thing doesn't work for people but for me it does. All the words have a purpose: character development. She crawls inside her characters and turns them inside out, showing them warts and all. Neither Ghost nor Duncan are perfect. They make mistakes with each other, they have weaknesses and blind spots but there was never an instance wherein I didn't understand exactly why they chose to do what they did, both the good and the bad. Those choices are what made them fully realized characters, characters that will remain in my memory for the foreseeable future.
So, if you enjoy slow burn romances between protagonists who are polar opposites that are fantastically well developed by a highly talented writer, give this series a try. All the Woodbury boys have been terrific and Rough Trade is not a standalone.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book kind of wrecked me and I don't know what to say that wouldn't be considered spoilery, so I'm just going to spout some gibberish about my feelings and hopefully there will be something useful amongst the gibberish.
Gibberish with copious graphics. Like I do.
Rough Trade picks up where Hard Line left off and we finally FINALLY get inside Ghost's head. He's on the run and the action plot line takes up quite a bit of this story. He and Duncan join forces to try to figure out how to extricate Ghost from this situation with minimal collateral damage and without breaking the law. Parts of their hiding out I did think dragged but when it picked up it was fun and kept me on the edge of my seat. However, throughout all of it Bell developed a relationship sturdy enough to withstand a Cat-5 hurricane.
Ghost, for me, has been largely enigmatic. I assumed some things about his past that contributed to shaping him and unfortunately I was right about those things. Ghost has survived his own personal hell. (Trigger for mentions of childhood sexual abuse.) That sort of upbringing necessitated a certain tenacity and a set of survival skills that make him somewhat unpredictable; they are second nature to him. Unlearning them is no easy feat. The complexity of Ghost cannot be overstated.
What blew me away... well, a bunch of things actually, but once Ghost starts dealing with his past, some of that dialogue is stunning and the insightfulness of it dazzled me. Ghost's honesty stole my breath a couple times. At one point I was even talking to my kindle! Like a nutbag.
It's no secret that I (along with many others) have been enamored with Ghost from the start but after being inside his head, it's official. I love him. I never ever expected him to be funny. What a surprise that was. I cackled repeatedly at his snarky and highlighted like a fiend. The banter between he and Duncan was a delight.
Honestly, I also never expected Ghost to fall for a cop who's a giant either. Were Duncan a different sort of person this thing between them would've never gotten off the ground, but Duncan is eerily intuitive when it comes to Ghost. How he just knew not to do certain things and to do others made me respect him. The way that subtly changes the longer they know each other is what made me love him, love them. He is a positive influence and a caretaker at heart but mostly importantly, he believes in Ghost which is exactly what Ghost needs making his size a source of comfort rather than a source of intimidation.
I read romance all the time and there are a lot of phenomenal writers out there who can convince me that their couple are soulmates or of their compatibility or of their longevity, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Ghost and Duncan will never leave. Neither of them are built that way with Duncan being steadfast to the core coupled Ghost's loyalty and trust issues makes them rock solid in my mind. Maybe all their days won't be sunshine and daisies but they won't leave. They've fought too hard for each other for that to happen. This, I know. And as a romance reader, there's not a lot that beats that feeling. However, there is very little sex content. It just doesn't fit their narrative and I appreciate that Bell stayed true to that.
Instead we're treated to a multitude of quiet moments that meticulously construct a manifest intimacy between them that I found poignant. Slow burns aren't always my cup of tea but the way in which this particular relationship developed made them necessary to each other and that for a squishy marshmallow like me is what brings me back to the genre again and again.
I freely admit that I am biased when it comes to Sidney Bell simply because I feel a sort of kindredness with her writes. She is wordy. I am wordy. She seems to be fascinated with the human psyche as am I. Sometimes that sort of thing doesn't work for people but for me it does. All the words have a purpose: character development. She crawls inside her characters and turns them inside out, showing them warts and all. Neither Ghost nor Duncan are perfect. They make mistakes with each other, they have weaknesses and blind spots but there was never an instance wherein I didn't understand exactly why they chose to do what they did, both the good and the bad. Those choices are what made them fully realized characters, characters that will remain in my memory for the foreseeable future.
So, if you enjoy slow burn romances between protagonists who are polar opposites that are fantastically well developed by a highly talented writer, give this series a try. All the Woodbury boys have been terrific and Rough Trade is not a standalone.
An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2018
4,75 stars
Ghost's story! I was dying to read it for SO long!!! He was the most intriguing character in this series.
When I got this ARC from NetGalley I was over the moon. Before diving into this one I've read a wonderful book. The trouble is that we tend to compare the books we read. So after a pretty HOT and kind of rough book, action packed and full of crimes, this one left me wanting a little more. Don't get me wrong, I am still rounding up and giving 5 stars to this one, but I will mention why it's not a "5 huge stars" book for me.
What I absolutely adored here would be the way this story was revealed to us. The chase, the wounds, the motel, the mistrust, all the sweet moments. I was surprised many times and it's definitely a page turner!
This wasn't a light read. I am all for angst in books and I am not easily touched by the stories. Here I ached for Ghost. I think it's safe to mention there are some scenes that could make you tear up. Ghost's past just broke my heart. No wonder it was SO hard to get close to him. After all he's been through, he was still protecting himself from getting hurt. In any way he could.
The romance was painfully slow. I was just dying for more. OK, I get it, Ghost was keeping his distance (as always) and Duncan didn't want to cross the line, but... It just took them too much to explore what they felt.
There are some scenes that simply melt your heart, like them watching old movies together and Ghost being brutally honest and admitting what he feels for the first time in his life. But there were some other things that didn't really work for me. Even if I know it wouldn't have been realistic for Ghost to dive right into a relationship with Duncan, it still hurt how he chose to act, radio silence and all. And then I really didn't like how Duncan chose to ignore him.
I would have wanted many more scenes with Ghost and Duncan, more sweet and also hot ones.
We do get A LOT of action and I am happy with how things ended with Mama and Spratt, but overall the ending left me wanting a little more.
ARC kindly provided by Carina Press via NetGalley.
Ghost's story! I was dying to read it for SO long!!! He was the most intriguing character in this series.
When I got this ARC from NetGalley I was over the moon. Before diving into this one I've read a wonderful book. The trouble is that we tend to compare the books we read. So after a pretty HOT and kind of rough book, action packed and full of crimes, this one left me wanting a little more. Don't get me wrong, I am still rounding up and giving 5 stars to this one, but I will mention why it's not a "5 huge stars" book for me.
What I absolutely adored here would be the way this story was revealed to us. The chase, the wounds, the motel, the mistrust, all the sweet moments. I was surprised many times and it's definitely a page turner!
This wasn't a light read. I am all for angst in books and I am not easily touched by the stories. Here I ached for Ghost. I think it's safe to mention there are some scenes that could make you tear up. Ghost's past just broke my heart. No wonder it was SO hard to get close to him. After all he's been through, he was still protecting himself from getting hurt. In any way he could.
The romance was painfully slow. I was just dying for more. OK, I get it, Ghost was keeping his distance (as always) and Duncan didn't want to cross the line, but... It just took them too much to explore what they felt.
There are some scenes that simply melt your heart, like them watching old movies together and Ghost being brutally honest and admitting what he feels for the first time in his life. But there were some other things that didn't really work for me. Even if I know it wouldn't have been realistic for Ghost to dive right into a relationship with Duncan, it still hurt how he chose to act, radio silence and all. And then I really didn't like how Duncan chose to ignore him.
I would have wanted many more scenes with Ghost and Duncan, more sweet and also hot ones.
We do get A LOT of action and I am happy with how things ended with Mama and Spratt, but overall the ending left me wanting a little more.
ARC kindly provided by Carina Press via NetGalley.
January 21, 2019
This is the case of this is not the book, it’s me. 🙂 Time of death is 58%. I definitely overestimated my ability to catch up the series because I haven’t read the first and second book in this series. So I was just lost. 😬 I am genuinely interested in Ghost’s story so I tried my best but after trying to read this book for more than a month, I just couldn’t get into it because I haven’t got a clue about what is happening. 🤨 I definitely should have read the previous books in the series. So .. it’s time to call a spade and a space and move on to next book. 😌 Since I didn’t finish this book, it will be an automatic 3 stars rating as for all my unfinished reads.
3 head hangs in shame stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Disclaimer: This book was provides by the publisher through Netgalley for an honest and unbiased review.
3 head hangs in shame stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Disclaimer: This book was provides by the publisher through Netgalley for an honest and unbiased review.
November 6, 2018
Ok I was really worried there for a minute. I have been waiting for Ghost’s story for ever! I loved the beginning but as I kept reading, I found myself less and less invested. The horror! This can’t be, The Woodbury Boys is one of my favorite series ever. Thankfully, it all worked out in the end.
Ghost and Duncan are incredible characters. Very well sketched, very unique and very interesting. The dialogue and the banter were out of this world. I ‘ve highlighted tons of quotes that made me laugh out loud. Ghost pretending to not take anything seriously and his wittiness contradicted Duncan’s calmness and his patience in the most funny way.
So what didn’t work? Sydney Bell’s books always have a mystery/suspense/action storyline. But for the first time ever I felt that the romance took a backseat and for a while it was all about Spratt and Mama and escaping the cops and the mafia. I loved the characters separately but together…meh. That’s not to say that there was no connection between them, because there was. There was cuddling and sleeping together and watching movies and just…learning to really trust.
And then 80% happened. BOOM!
There is groveling and then there is…GROVELLING. Ghost grovels like no other! Loved, loved, loved it. There was some action too, but it was mostly feelings, romance and…groveling. Duncan stops being so patient and calm, and Ghost stops being so uncaring. So good! So incredibly good.
There is a very small amount of steam in this story . This was very understandable considering Ghost’s history of abuse. He has never even felt attracted to another person before Duncan. Do I think there could be more steam? Yes, and not just because I’m a perv. This was a major milestone for Ghost and Duncan and they reached it. Some more steam would have benefited the story in my opinion. Bell is a very competent writer and she could definitely pull it off.
All storylines get their closure and there is even an epilogue four years down the road. For some reason, though, the ending still felt a little bit abrupt. But only a little.
Bottom line, I expected to like Ghost’s story more. Maybe I was building up anticipation? In any case, I’m happy to report that I ended up liking it. Recommended for all fans of the series.
Ghost and Duncan are incredible characters. Very well sketched, very unique and very interesting. The dialogue and the banter were out of this world. I ‘ve highlighted tons of quotes that made me laugh out loud. Ghost pretending to not take anything seriously and his wittiness contradicted Duncan’s calmness and his patience in the most funny way.
“Could you draw me a map?”
“Of course.” Ghost accepted a pen and a napkin and sketched something, taking long enough that Duncan began to hope they might really have something. Then he held it out, revealing a map in the vague shape of the US, labeled with a star in the middle that said BUM-FUCK EGYPT. YOU ARE HERE. SUCKS TO BE YOU. He’d also drawn a hairy dick in the corner with a slit in the shape of a smile. It looked alien and disgusting. Duncan glared at him.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
So what didn’t work? Sydney Bell’s books always have a mystery/suspense/action storyline. But for the first time ever I felt that the romance took a backseat and for a while it was all about Spratt and Mama and escaping the cops and the mafia. I loved the characters separately but together…meh. That’s not to say that there was no connection between them, because there was. There was cuddling and sleeping together and watching movies and just…learning to really trust.
And then 80% happened. BOOM!
There is groveling and then there is…GROVELLING. Ghost grovels like no other! Loved, loved, loved it. There was some action too, but it was mostly feelings, romance and…groveling. Duncan stops being so patient and calm, and Ghost stops being so uncaring. So good! So incredibly good.
"You know that I felt like a fucking God every time you felt safe enough to let me touch you? You know that you never once made me feel like I was paranoid or bitter or too angry or too moody or like my view of the world was dark or twisted? I never once felt like I had to justify my edges with you, Ghost, because you have every bit as many."
There is a very small amount of steam in this story . This was very understandable considering Ghost’s history of abuse. He has never even felt attracted to another person before Duncan. Do I think there could be more steam? Yes, and not just because I’m a perv. This was a major milestone for Ghost and Duncan and they reached it. Some more steam would have benefited the story in my opinion. Bell is a very competent writer and she could definitely pull it off.
All storylines get their closure and there is even an epilogue four years down the road. For some reason, though, the ending still felt a little bit abrupt. But only a little.
Bottom line, I expected to like Ghost’s story more. Maybe I was building up anticipation? In any case, I’m happy to report that I ended up liking it. Recommended for all fans of the series.
August 30, 2021
Loved this end to the series, and Ghost was everything. Amazing characterization and psychological insight, and good on Bell for keeping the arc true to the story and characters, rather than to arbitrary romance genre edicts.
I had minor niggles with the pacing in parts, and even though Duncan was the perfect choice for Ghost's partner, there were opportunities for further development of his character. But nothing that keeps the book (and series!) from a strong recommend from me.
Be sure to check out the extended epilogue here; it's really a wonderful wrap to this story.
I had minor niggles with the pacing in parts, and even though Duncan was the perfect choice for Ghost's partner, there were opportunities for further development of his character. But nothing that keeps the book (and series!) from a strong recommend from me.
Be sure to check out the extended epilogue here; it's really a wonderful wrap to this story.
Read
June 17, 2021DNF @ 70%
Time to let go and set myselt free. The nonexistent romance and Ghost's lack of vulnerability killed my mood. They'll probably fuck in the next chapter but I just couldn't care anymore. I'm done. I'm so done. I'm undeniably exhausted.
Time to let go and set myselt free. The nonexistent romance and Ghost's lack of vulnerability killed my mood. They'll probably fuck in the next chapter but I just couldn't care anymore. I'm done. I'm so done. I'm undeniably exhausted.
October 17, 2018
5 MASSIVE stars!
Wow.
I've been waiting for for Ghost's story since the first book of this series and it didn't disappoint at all. What an amazing ride this book takes you on.
This book starts off with a few flashbacks with Ghost, including how he met what's-his-face, the dirty cop, Benjamin something - SPRATT! Right, him. But back in present day it starts off basically where the second book left off.
Ghost is on the run with the old retired cop, and he's taking Ghost to stay with Duncan Rook, a good man if not a good cop, to help protect him from Spratt and Mama.
But when things go awry, Ghost is left injured and dependent on Duncan to help protect him. Not that Ghost can't take care of himself, but not even Ghost can take on all of Spratt's men himself.
What follows is these two on the run, and a pretty awesome slow burn.
See, Ghost has had a pretty shitty life, and he was and anything to do with romance or sex is all an act for Ghost, because he doesn't actually like it or want it. But it does give him control he got taken away from him as a kid - control in that HE got to choose what he did with his body.
And Duncan, he really is a good man, and when Ghost tries to pull his hooker moves on him - all an act, but a way of control - Duncan isn't having it, especially when Ghost goes into a fugue state, basically a doll, protecting himself from what is happening. Duncan isn't a rapist, and he won't do anything with Ghost unless Ghost actually wants something too.
So in the weeks they're on the run from Spratt - and Mama too, really - they get to know each other, and there's just something about Duncan that gets to Ghost. Maybe how he's probably the first one to treat Ghost with respect and decency when it comes to sex. There's Tobias and Church, but they're his friends, and there's nothing sexual or romantic there. But Duncan is attracted to Ghost, and yet he still refuses to do anything Ghost doesn't want to do. It surprise Ghost and makes him off balance.
And maybe as well, it's just how damn truthful Duncan is. He's an honest, good man at his core and he doesn't take Ghost's bullshit - he sees it for the bullshit it is and calls him out on it - and he admits to being attracted to Ghost when most probably would have lied. It's obvious he wants Ghost, but he doesn't take advantage of Ghost's apparent willingness, because he can see it for what it is. He tells Ghost he's not a good person, when most would lie and say he is. But then he also says Ghost CAN be a good person. He doesn't say it's hopeless either, that Ghost can't make different choices.
He's also good at keeping emotion out of his voice, which makes him hard for Ghost to read, and that only frustrates him more.
But they also make each other laugh, and smile when they both so rarely do.
They watch old movies together and end up eventually cuddling, kind of, in bed. It's a thing they start to do, and it brings them both comfort, but especially Ghost.
I will say that, once Spratt and Mama are dealt with, it almost felt too easy - or well, over with quickly. But it felt authentic and real and not drawn out for drama's sake, or shortened because the author didn't know what to do. More that they were ended in the most realistic way possible, and sometimes that isn't in a long, drawn out way.
There is some smut, but not a lot. Don't expect much - and no penetrative sex - but there is still some, mostly at the end. But given Ghost's past and how he never even really wanted sex until Duncan, it makes sense that it took him time to get to a place that he'd be comfortable doing sexual things and wanting them, and being ready for them. I like to think that Ghost and Duncan got to penetrative sex eventually and it was awesome and beautiful, just like when they do get to smutty things, it's not just about the sex. It's about their feelings for each other, and how safe Duncan makes Ghost feel, and how much Ghost actually wants it when he's with Duncan.
I love where Ghost ends up by the end of this. Not only was getting his perspective awesome and amazing, but seeing where he ends up versus where he started out? Simply beautiful. Ghost actually chooses, at one point, to start going to therapy, and it helps him SO much. I was so proud of Ghost when he decided to go, because he so desperately needed it.
Also where Ghost and Duncan start out and where they end? Just as beautiful. Let's just say they start out with Ghost threatening to stab Duncan or somewhere along those lines if he got close to him, and by the end there is love - real, raw, honest love.
This is 350 pages of awesomeness, of getting to go on a journey with Ghost, who starts out this book - this series - so broken by what life has thrown at him, and getting to a happier, healthier place by the end of it. Never "fixed" or "cured" but better. Healing.
The ending made me so freaking happy, and the epilogue was just perfect for these two. I would have liked a little more with them in the epilogue, but in a way it was perfect for Ghost, who got closure in the best way, and had Duncan at his side in the end. And really, in the end Duncan, Tobias, and Church (and maybe their boyfriends...on occasion) is all Ghost needs and wants in life. They're his family.
All I can really say without given everything away is...yeah, read this. A lot of us were waiting for Ghost's story, and it was everything and more than I could have asked for. And maybe...maybe I'm just greedy, but a little short with just tad more of Ghost and Duncan wouldn't be asking for too much, would it? No? Darn ;)
Also, P.S. at the very end we find out what I assume is Ghost's real, legal name. :O I'll always think of him as Ghost, but it's super cool to know his real name, too.
Two massive, MASSIVE thumbs up - this is the best in the series, in my opinion. And my second favorite Sidney Bell story. Such a beautiful, amazing story, I loved it to pieces. I can't sing it's praises enough.
Highly, HIGHLY recommend!
***ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
Wow.
I've been waiting for for Ghost's story since the first book of this series and it didn't disappoint at all. What an amazing ride this book takes you on.
This book starts off with a few flashbacks with Ghost, including how he met what's-his-face, the dirty cop, Benjamin something - SPRATT! Right, him. But back in present day it starts off basically where the second book left off.
Ghost is on the run with the old retired cop, and he's taking Ghost to stay with Duncan Rook, a good man if not a good cop, to help protect him from Spratt and Mama.
But when things go awry, Ghost is left injured and dependent on Duncan to help protect him. Not that Ghost can't take care of himself, but not even Ghost can take on all of Spratt's men himself.
What follows is these two on the run, and a pretty awesome slow burn.
See, Ghost has had a pretty shitty life, and he was and anything to do with romance or sex is all an act for Ghost, because he doesn't actually like it or want it. But it does give him control he got taken away from him as a kid - control in that HE got to choose what he did with his body.
And Duncan, he really is a good man, and when Ghost tries to pull his hooker moves on him - all an act, but a way of control - Duncan isn't having it, especially when Ghost goes into a fugue state, basically a doll, protecting himself from what is happening. Duncan isn't a rapist, and he won't do anything with Ghost unless Ghost actually wants something too.
So in the weeks they're on the run from Spratt - and Mama too, really - they get to know each other, and there's just something about Duncan that gets to Ghost. Maybe how he's probably the first one to treat Ghost with respect and decency when it comes to sex. There's Tobias and Church, but they're his friends, and there's nothing sexual or romantic there. But Duncan is attracted to Ghost, and yet he still refuses to do anything Ghost doesn't want to do. It surprise Ghost and makes him off balance.
And maybe as well, it's just how damn truthful Duncan is. He's an honest, good man at his core and he doesn't take Ghost's bullshit - he sees it for the bullshit it is and calls him out on it - and he admits to being attracted to Ghost when most probably would have lied. It's obvious he wants Ghost, but he doesn't take advantage of Ghost's apparent willingness, because he can see it for what it is. He tells Ghost he's not a good person, when most would lie and say he is. But then he also says Ghost CAN be a good person. He doesn't say it's hopeless either, that Ghost can't make different choices.
He's also good at keeping emotion out of his voice, which makes him hard for Ghost to read, and that only frustrates him more.
But they also make each other laugh, and smile when they both so rarely do.
They watch old movies together and end up eventually cuddling, kind of, in bed. It's a thing they start to do, and it brings them both comfort, but especially Ghost.
I will say that, once Spratt and Mama are dealt with, it almost felt too easy - or well, over with quickly. But it felt authentic and real and not drawn out for drama's sake, or shortened because the author didn't know what to do. More that they were ended in the most realistic way possible, and sometimes that isn't in a long, drawn out way.
There is some smut, but not a lot. Don't expect much - and no penetrative sex - but there is still some, mostly at the end. But given Ghost's past and how he never even really wanted sex until Duncan, it makes sense that it took him time to get to a place that he'd be comfortable doing sexual things and wanting them, and being ready for them. I like to think that Ghost and Duncan got to penetrative sex eventually and it was awesome and beautiful, just like when they do get to smutty things, it's not just about the sex. It's about their feelings for each other, and how safe Duncan makes Ghost feel, and how much Ghost actually wants it when he's with Duncan.
I love where Ghost ends up by the end of this. Not only was getting his perspective awesome and amazing, but seeing where he ends up versus where he started out? Simply beautiful. Ghost actually chooses, at one point, to start going to therapy, and it helps him SO much. I was so proud of Ghost when he decided to go, because he so desperately needed it.
Also where Ghost and Duncan start out and where they end? Just as beautiful. Let's just say they start out with Ghost threatening to stab Duncan or somewhere along those lines if he got close to him, and by the end there is love - real, raw, honest love.
This is 350 pages of awesomeness, of getting to go on a journey with Ghost, who starts out this book - this series - so broken by what life has thrown at him, and getting to a happier, healthier place by the end of it. Never "fixed" or "cured" but better. Healing.
The ending made me so freaking happy, and the epilogue was just perfect for these two. I would have liked a little more with them in the epilogue, but in a way it was perfect for Ghost, who got closure in the best way, and had Duncan at his side in the end. And really, in the end Duncan, Tobias, and Church (and maybe their boyfriends...on occasion) is all Ghost needs and wants in life. They're his family.
All I can really say without given everything away is...yeah, read this. A lot of us were waiting for Ghost's story, and it was everything and more than I could have asked for. And maybe...maybe I'm just greedy, but a little short with just tad more of Ghost and Duncan wouldn't be asking for too much, would it? No? Darn ;)
Also, P.S. at the very end we find out what I assume is Ghost's real, legal name. :O I'll always think of him as Ghost, but it's super cool to know his real name, too.
Two massive, MASSIVE thumbs up - this is the best in the series, in my opinion. And my second favorite Sidney Bell story. Such a beautiful, amazing story, I loved it to pieces. I can't sing it's praises enough.
Highly, HIGHLY recommend!
***ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
November 3, 2018
"Hey, what's your sign? I want to read your horoscope."
"You're pissing me off."
"Scorpio, huh?"
Of course I jumped right into this after HARD LINE. Sure, sometimes I put things off but once I'm in it.. I'm in it to win. I also have no chill.
"Are you flirting with me by not murdering people?"
"Do you like it?"
"Jesus. No. No, I don't. That's not.. this is so fucked up. Conversations with you are like minefields."
There has been so much buildup to Ghost's story since he was first introduced in LOOSE CANNON and I'm not going to lie.. while I had absolute faith in Bell's abilities to see this through, you still have expectations as a reader, right? Big ones. But this didn't disappoint whatsoever.
"For the record, working in retail is way more demeaning than hustling ever was. People are dicks when they think you won't stab them."
What was surprising, though, was how much humour there was here. I expected Ghost's book to be gritty and dark and painful -- and it definitely had moments of that (the scene with the therapist almost had me lose it, and if not for the fact that I was heading out the door I would not have choked back those tears) -- but this was also a journey of healing, of exploration, of moving forward and I liked that Bell focused on some of the lighter moments between this very different pair of personalities, and the awkward banter, the bitching, the lack of play.. it was hilarious and wonderful and kinda awful at times but I lived for it.
He knew the filthy words, the porn-star poses, the right pressure and pace and angles. He didn't know how to make it good for Duncan specifically, though. And he didn't know how to make it good for himself. He felt abruptly young and lost and a little frightened.
Considering all the sexy of the last book, and particularly considering Ghost's tendencies, this was the least sexy of all the Woodbury Boys books and it was so perfect. It fit. It was just.. oh man. Slowburn, yes, but more accurately it was a slow-trust. It was Ghost finally having the opportunity to discover who he was, what he liked, and gah the feels.
"I have the flu."
"No you don't. You have feelings. It's okay to have feelings."
"It might be Ebola."
This was an easy four star right from the opening chapter and when I think about the journey I've been on with this series, and the amazing characters and the growth they had, the things they've overcome, there's nothing to do but award this all the stars. For all my nitpicking about the mafia-heavy plot at play in book one, I wonder how I would feel about it with a reread now that I've seen not only where but how those elements have played out. My guess is I would be a whole lot less bothered but who knows. Ultimately I was super happy with how it resolved, as you can see by that shiny five, and I was happy we had something of a reunion with all the Woodbury boys. Happy for them. Happy for me as a reader. And pleased as punch for Bell, too.
So looking forward to whatever this author does next (and she's teased it and it sounds amazing and I want it) and will no doubt happily reread this series, and BAD JUDGMENT, many many times. Definitely recommend.
4.5 "you gonna stab me? / not right now / fair enough" stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
"You're pissing me off."
"Scorpio, huh?"
Of course I jumped right into this after HARD LINE. Sure, sometimes I put things off but once I'm in it.. I'm in it to win. I also have no chill.
"Are you flirting with me by not murdering people?"
"Do you like it?"
"Jesus. No. No, I don't. That's not.. this is so fucked up. Conversations with you are like minefields."
There has been so much buildup to Ghost's story since he was first introduced in LOOSE CANNON and I'm not going to lie.. while I had absolute faith in Bell's abilities to see this through, you still have expectations as a reader, right? Big ones. But this didn't disappoint whatsoever.
"For the record, working in retail is way more demeaning than hustling ever was. People are dicks when they think you won't stab them."
What was surprising, though, was how much humour there was here. I expected Ghost's book to be gritty and dark and painful -- and it definitely had moments of that (the scene with the therapist almost had me lose it, and if not for the fact that I was heading out the door I would not have choked back those tears) -- but this was also a journey of healing, of exploration, of moving forward and I liked that Bell focused on some of the lighter moments between this very different pair of personalities, and the awkward banter, the bitching, the lack of play.. it was hilarious and wonderful and kinda awful at times but I lived for it.
He knew the filthy words, the porn-star poses, the right pressure and pace and angles. He didn't know how to make it good for Duncan specifically, though. And he didn't know how to make it good for himself. He felt abruptly young and lost and a little frightened.
Considering all the sexy of the last book, and particularly considering Ghost's tendencies, this was the least sexy of all the Woodbury Boys books and it was so perfect. It fit. It was just.. oh man. Slowburn, yes, but more accurately it was a slow-trust. It was Ghost finally having the opportunity to discover who he was, what he liked, and gah the feels.
"I have the flu."
"No you don't. You have feelings. It's okay to have feelings."
"It might be Ebola."
This was an easy four star right from the opening chapter and when I think about the journey I've been on with this series, and the amazing characters and the growth they had, the things they've overcome, there's nothing to do but award this all the stars. For all my nitpicking about the mafia-heavy plot at play in book one, I wonder how I would feel about it with a reread now that I've seen not only where but how those elements have played out. My guess is I would be a whole lot less bothered but who knows. Ultimately I was super happy with how it resolved, as you can see by that shiny five, and I was happy we had something of a reunion with all the Woodbury boys. Happy for them. Happy for me as a reader. And pleased as punch for Bell, too.
So looking forward to whatever this author does next (and she's teased it and it sounds amazing and I want it) and will no doubt happily reread this series, and BAD JUDGMENT, many many times. Definitely recommend.
4.5 "you gonna stab me? / not right now / fair enough" stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
Read
November 25, 2018DNF @46%
No rating
I KNOW I am in the minority here, but I really struggled with this one. I couldn't connect with either character, and I after a while, I was just bored. I felt like they kept going over the same stuff over and over.
I am sad because I loved the first two books in this series, and I was really looking forward to Ghost's story.
This one is on me, and absolutely being a moody reader. Please read other reviews because all my friends loved this one.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
No rating
I KNOW I am in the minority here, but I really struggled with this one. I couldn't connect with either character, and I after a while, I was just bored. I felt like they kept going over the same stuff over and over.
I am sad because I loved the first two books in this series, and I was really looking forward to Ghost's story.
This one is on me, and absolutely being a moody reader. Please read other reviews because all my friends loved this one.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2018
*4.75 stars*
I have been waiting for Rough Trade since the second I knew Ghost would get his own story. It was the book of 2018 for me - the one I was looking forward to the most. So imagine my happy dance when I was approved for an ARC :D
I dove into the story with expectations as high as Mt. Everest and here I am not disappointed. How is this even possible, right? I think it's just Sidney Bell's writing that speaks to my heart even though I usually dislike the tropes (Bodyguards in Bad Judgment, BDSM in Hard Line, prostitution in this book... it's just crazy!).
Rough Trade is an action filled, pretty dark and twisted novel. There are books that are too long and there are those that are not long enough. This one is almost double the length of our standard novels but it still falls to the latter category O,o. Call me an addict... I could have read twice the amount and the pages would still have turned by themselves. The writing keeps you glued to the pages (I even hid in the bathroom when I actually had visitors just to get some more pages in).
I wondered non-stop what kind of man Ghost would need in his life since we know from previous books that he has a hard time trusting or being touched even by his long term friends. The answer is: Duncan Rook who is solid as a rock and a giant - oh yeah, I LOVE masculine guys. His morals are pretty impeccable and so is his honesty. I think it was his calm and his lack of games that won Ghost over (and me too in the process).
Everyone who read the first two books will probably have guessed that Ghost had an abusive past. Honestly, I suppose most others would have broken completely. And while he definitely took some mental damage from his past, he is also a survivor you can only admire.
The relationship between the two MCs builds very slowly which was exactly the right way in my opinion. Trust doesn't build overnight! Ghost was badly hurt in the beginning and Duncan helped to protect him from the bad guys: meaning Benjamin Spratt - a dirty cop who has a very special relationship with Ghost and Mama - a really bad crime boss most people will know from the previous books.
While they are alternately fleeing or hiding from our villains, Ghost and Duncan grow closer. There are some tender moments that had my heart beat double time <3 Is it odd to listen to 'Love is in the air' when reading such a dark book?! It melted my heart at times.
Good things come to those who wait - and that is why I could believe that Duncan and Ghost were stable in the end. Slow burn has never been more needed or expertly implemented.
So, why 4.75 and not 5 stars? The answer is simply that I missed the heat. I get why physical intimacy is hard for Ghost and why it was good that in the beginning there was no such thing but there could have been more towards the end. I like my books a little bit dirty at least and I felt strongly that our two MCs both had the trust they needed. Still, they did never go all the way and I hope that we get something like that in the after-book content. Also, I am not necessarily a fan of radio silence or breaks in a relationship.
But that's it - those are my only two complaints, the rest is fantastic, awesome, terrific and I highly recommend it.
**ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I have been waiting for Rough Trade since the second I knew Ghost would get his own story. It was the book of 2018 for me - the one I was looking forward to the most. So imagine my happy dance when I was approved for an ARC :D
I dove into the story with expectations as high as Mt. Everest and here I am not disappointed. How is this even possible, right? I think it's just Sidney Bell's writing that speaks to my heart even though I usually dislike the tropes (Bodyguards in Bad Judgment, BDSM in Hard Line, prostitution in this book... it's just crazy!).
Rough Trade is an action filled, pretty dark and twisted novel. There are books that are too long and there are those that are not long enough. This one is almost double the length of our standard novels but it still falls to the latter category O,o. Call me an addict... I could have read twice the amount and the pages would still have turned by themselves. The writing keeps you glued to the pages (I even hid in the bathroom when I actually had visitors just to get some more pages in).
I wondered non-stop what kind of man Ghost would need in his life since we know from previous books that he has a hard time trusting or being touched even by his long term friends. The answer is: Duncan Rook who is solid as a rock and a giant - oh yeah, I LOVE masculine guys. His morals are pretty impeccable and so is his honesty. I think it was his calm and his lack of games that won Ghost over (and me too in the process).
Everyone who read the first two books will probably have guessed that Ghost had an abusive past. Honestly, I suppose most others would have broken completely. And while he definitely took some mental damage from his past, he is also a survivor you can only admire.
The relationship between the two MCs builds very slowly which was exactly the right way in my opinion. Trust doesn't build overnight! Ghost was badly hurt in the beginning and Duncan helped to protect him from the bad guys: meaning Benjamin Spratt - a dirty cop who has a very special relationship with Ghost and Mama - a really bad crime boss most people will know from the previous books.
While they are alternately fleeing or hiding from our villains, Ghost and Duncan grow closer. There are some tender moments that had my heart beat double time <3 Is it odd to listen to 'Love is in the air' when reading such a dark book?! It melted my heart at times.
Good things come to those who wait - and that is why I could believe that Duncan and Ghost were stable in the end. Slow burn has never been more needed or expertly implemented.
So, why 4.75 and not 5 stars? The answer is simply that I missed the heat. I get why physical intimacy is hard for Ghost and why it was good that in the beginning there was no such thing but there could have been more towards the end. I like my books a little bit dirty at least and I felt strongly that our two MCs both had the trust they needed. Still, they did never go all the way and I hope that we get something like that in the after-book content. Also, I am not necessarily a fan of radio silence or breaks in a relationship.
But that's it - those are my only two complaints, the rest is fantastic, awesome, terrific and I highly recommend it.
**ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
January 12, 2020
4.5 stars
The final book in the series started with a bang and didn’t disappoint. I liked how the mystery/suspenseful plot that started in the first book was brought to conclusion, even if at times it steered a bit too close to an action movie, and Duncan was a really good character in himself and the perfect love interest for Ghost. What I liked most, though, was Ghost’s character development and, by extension, the relationship development between him and Duncan. The author took the time to really develop things in a realistic, and therefore slow and full of setbacks, manner and the result was great.
And I also got , which was a nice bonus and something I missed in the previous book.
Speaking of nice bonuses, make sure to read the “real” epilogue, the extended one available here.
The final book in the series started with a bang and didn’t disappoint. I liked how the mystery/suspenseful plot that started in the first book was brought to conclusion, even if at times it steered a bit too close to an action movie, and Duncan was a really good character in himself and the perfect love interest for Ghost. What I liked most, though, was Ghost’s character development and, by extension, the relationship development between him and Duncan. The author took the time to really develop things in a realistic, and therefore slow and full of setbacks, manner and the result was great.
And I also got , which was a nice bonus and something I missed in the previous book.
Speaking of nice bonuses, make sure to read the “real” epilogue, the extended one available here.
November 9, 2018
Tag team review with Cupcake!
I’ll admit that I’ve been very iffy on Ghost. In fact, I don’t think I even liked him much before book 3.
The way Ghost treated Church and Tobias. His disappearing act. His attitude. It just didn’t sit right with me.
But I am now a reformed man. I will root for Ghost - and Duncan - till the end of my days.
‘Rough Trade’ picks up where things left off in book 2. Ghost is stuck between Mama and Spratt, and his time is running up quickly.
As far as the crime/action plot goes, this book hits the ground running. The danger that Ghost is in is imminent from the get-go, and it never really slows down.
The twists and turns kept me very entertained. I’m a sucker for a good action plot, and ‘Rough Trade’ did not disappoint.
It’s got all the corrupt cops, crime lords (or, in this case, ladies), shoot outs, and close calls I could ask for.
But the real star of this book isn’t the crime angle, it’s the slow-build relationship between Ghost and Duncan.
Ghost’s predicament brings him to Duncan’s doorstep. And while Duncan knows that Ghost is nothing but trouble, his unshakeable morals won’t let him turn away.
The two men are complete opposites. Duncan is a by-the-book officer of the law. Ghost has spent his entire life trampling that book into the ground.
And yet these two are helpless to the web that slowly weaves them together.
But it isn’t easy. Ghost has lived a life of trauma, and fuck, did his backstory ever hurt. His only protection has been to build a shell of deceit and manipulation around himself. Duncan sees right through it, and won’t settle for anything less than the man he knows is underneath Ghost’s exterior.
It was almost painful to see Ghost’s struggle as he slowly fell for Duncan. But when he finally let himself believe that he deserved something good in life, Ghost showed up in a big way.
My only niggle: I thought Duncan could have been a tad more considerate of why Ghost was the way he was. But even so, there’s never any doubt that Duncan loves and accepts all of Ghost’s pointy edges.
It takes a lot of hard work, but Ghost and Duncan more than earn their happy ever after.
Overall, this was a great conclusion to the Woodsbury Boys series. If you’re looking for romance, crime, and complex characters, give this series a try!
I’ll admit that I’ve been very iffy on Ghost. In fact, I don’t think I even liked him much before book 3.
The way Ghost treated Church and Tobias. His disappearing act. His attitude. It just didn’t sit right with me.
But I am now a reformed man. I will root for Ghost - and Duncan - till the end of my days.
‘Rough Trade’ picks up where things left off in book 2. Ghost is stuck between Mama and Spratt, and his time is running up quickly.
As far as the crime/action plot goes, this book hits the ground running. The danger that Ghost is in is imminent from the get-go, and it never really slows down.
The twists and turns kept me very entertained. I’m a sucker for a good action plot, and ‘Rough Trade’ did not disappoint.
It’s got all the corrupt cops, crime lords (or, in this case, ladies), shoot outs, and close calls I could ask for.
But the real star of this book isn’t the crime angle, it’s the slow-build relationship between Ghost and Duncan.
Ghost’s predicament brings him to Duncan’s doorstep. And while Duncan knows that Ghost is nothing but trouble, his unshakeable morals won’t let him turn away.
The two men are complete opposites. Duncan is a by-the-book officer of the law. Ghost has spent his entire life trampling that book into the ground.
And yet these two are helpless to the web that slowly weaves them together.
But it isn’t easy. Ghost has lived a life of trauma, and fuck, did his backstory ever hurt. His only protection has been to build a shell of deceit and manipulation around himself. Duncan sees right through it, and won’t settle for anything less than the man he knows is underneath Ghost’s exterior.
It was almost painful to see Ghost’s struggle as he slowly fell for Duncan. But when he finally let himself believe that he deserved something good in life, Ghost showed up in a big way.
My only niggle: I thought Duncan could have been a tad more considerate of why Ghost was the way he was. But even so, there’s never any doubt that Duncan loves and accepts all of Ghost’s pointy edges.
It takes a lot of hard work, but Ghost and Duncan more than earn their happy ever after.
Overall, this was a great conclusion to the Woodsbury Boys series. If you’re looking for romance, crime, and complex characters, give this series a try!
December 30, 2018
I honestly didn't think this book would be able to comprehensively pull together all the suspense elements of the first two into a believable and cohesive ending.
But it really does, and not only that, it also brings a unique love story which never once follows the traditional path and yet still manages to be truly romantic and full of emotional growth.
It also manages to make me have feelings for two of the bad guys - or bad women in this instance, who were both as trapped in a situation out of their control as Ghost and Duncan were.
I wasn't expecting things to go down like they did but there was some clever narrative play which ultimately drew out the most effective and truthful ending for all parties involved.
The romance itself is a quiet, unobtrusive one, it's not hot and sexy, it's built up of small things, of trust, of movie marathons and a desire to want someone else's happiness to come first.
There couldn't, imho, have been any other way for things to go given Ghost's lifetime of experience with sex as a weapon and as an abuse, even four years later in the epilogue I think it was still fitting that the reader's gaze remained external and not in the bed with them.
Truly a wonderful example in this genre and a fitting conclusion to the series as a whole.
#ARC kindly received from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.
But it really does, and not only that, it also brings a unique love story which never once follows the traditional path and yet still manages to be truly romantic and full of emotional growth.
It also manages to make me have feelings for two of the bad guys - or bad women in this instance, who were both as trapped in a situation out of their control as Ghost and Duncan were.
I wasn't expecting things to go down like they did but there was some clever narrative play which ultimately drew out the most effective and truthful ending for all parties involved.
The romance itself is a quiet, unobtrusive one, it's not hot and sexy, it's built up of small things, of trust, of movie marathons and a desire to want someone else's happiness to come first.
There couldn't, imho, have been any other way for things to go given Ghost's lifetime of experience with sex as a weapon and as an abuse, even four years later in the epilogue I think it was still fitting that the reader's gaze remained external and not in the bed with them.
Truly a wonderful example in this genre and a fitting conclusion to the series as a whole.
#ARC kindly received from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.
April 13, 2019
Absolutely fabulous. One of the best books I’ve read this year.
Ghost was an enigma in book 1 of the series. He turns out to be one of the most complex characters I’ve read.
And Sidney Bell unravelled him so brilliantly.
Ghost’s issues are deep-seated and complicated.
How can you live a ‘normal’ life when you have never experienced normalcy?
How can you act ‘normal’ when all you know is how to survive?
How can you allow feelings when switching them off is the safest way to stay sane?
How can you trust anyone if virtually everyone has let you down?
How can you ever have a real relationship when sexual abuse and hustling is all you’ve ever known?
Ghost’s disillusionment with this ‘normal’ world and his place in it is down-right heart-breaking and so sad. And yet, there is still a ray of hope inside him that makes him want to strive to be better, do better and become what he sees ‘a good person’.
But Ghosts’ self-worth is below zero, he can’t see his own strengths, the loyalty to his friends. I think what got most to me is his obvious need to be loved. A craving which is horribly abused by someone he cares for.
I loved, loved, loved the psychology here, the way Sidney Bell lets Ghost realize in baby steps what he really needs. The conversations between Duncan and Ghost are absolutely amazing. And there are plenty along the way, with the themes of lying and trusting at the very core. I was mesmerized.
Sooooooooo …. Duncan. He is a mountain of man, a rock, and as gentle and protective as they come. Which is kind of my dynamite. Big time. Duncan floored me, again and again, with his understanding, his patience, his ability to read Ghost and his willingness to go with the flow.
And the plot kept me on my seat, too. I really had NO idea how on earth their precarious situation could possibly pan out. I expected a big finale at the end, but no, one of the main issues is dealt with by 70%.
So, what now? I thought. That’s all sorted.
We get heaps and heaps of relationship development. That’s what we get. And again, I was blown away.
Forget anything you might anticipate – it’s not going to be that. I loved what happened and how it happened.
Sex plays a huge role in this book, but not in steamy scenes. Ghost is totally traumatised by his past and his work, so having sex is a total no go area for him. It takes a while before he allows himself to touch Duncan’s hand. Or let Duncan hold him. Their first kissed moved me to tears. It simply means so much.
To make this short – not a lot happens in the sex department until the very end, and even then it is not the full monty, but let me tell you – it is absolutely beautiful and overwhelming and so meaningful and hopeful and full of love… Argh, I guess another tear might have slipped away somehow.
Fabulous book and ok to read as a stand-alone. And it was nice to see Church and Tobias from the previous books make their appearances.
Highly recommended!
Ghost was an enigma in book 1 of the series. He turns out to be one of the most complex characters I’ve read.
And Sidney Bell unravelled him so brilliantly.
Ghost’s issues are deep-seated and complicated.
How can you live a ‘normal’ life when you have never experienced normalcy?
How can you act ‘normal’ when all you know is how to survive?
How can you allow feelings when switching them off is the safest way to stay sane?
How can you trust anyone if virtually everyone has let you down?
How can you ever have a real relationship when sexual abuse and hustling is all you’ve ever known?
Ghost’s disillusionment with this ‘normal’ world and his place in it is down-right heart-breaking and so sad. And yet, there is still a ray of hope inside him that makes him want to strive to be better, do better and become what he sees ‘a good person’.
But Ghosts’ self-worth is below zero, he can’t see his own strengths, the loyalty to his friends. I think what got most to me is his obvious need to be loved. A craving which is horribly abused by someone he cares for.
I loved, loved, loved the psychology here, the way Sidney Bell lets Ghost realize in baby steps what he really needs. The conversations between Duncan and Ghost are absolutely amazing. And there are plenty along the way, with the themes of lying and trusting at the very core. I was mesmerized.
Sooooooooo …. Duncan. He is a mountain of man, a rock, and as gentle and protective as they come. Which is kind of my dynamite. Big time. Duncan floored me, again and again, with his understanding, his patience, his ability to read Ghost and his willingness to go with the flow.
And the plot kept me on my seat, too. I really had NO idea how on earth their precarious situation could possibly pan out. I expected a big finale at the end, but no, one of the main issues is dealt with by 70%.
So, what now? I thought. That’s all sorted.
We get heaps and heaps of relationship development. That’s what we get. And again, I was blown away.
Forget anything you might anticipate – it’s not going to be that. I loved what happened and how it happened.
Sex plays a huge role in this book, but not in steamy scenes. Ghost is totally traumatised by his past and his work, so having sex is a total no go area for him. It takes a while before he allows himself to touch Duncan’s hand. Or let Duncan hold him. Their first kissed moved me to tears. It simply means so much.
To make this short – not a lot happens in the sex department until the very end, and even then it is not the full monty, but let me tell you – it is absolutely beautiful and overwhelming and so meaningful and hopeful and full of love… Argh, I guess another tear might have slipped away somehow.
Fabulous book and ok to read as a stand-alone. And it was nice to see Church and Tobias from the previous books make their appearances.
Highly recommended!
June 26, 2020
I was afraid this one wouldn't be as good as the bac debut novel...and I was right.
That being said, this one was still pretty good. Tho I would have felt better if the 5 star debut novel was $5.99 and this one was $2.49. And I still don't think I want to read the other books based on reviews.
I do get some of my fave tropes tho:
* tortured hero (Ghost)
* BIG, MANLY, LOYAL, TRUE Hero (Duncan)
I liked that Duncan was so patient and gentle with Ghost and coaxed Ghost to finally trust him. I also liked that Ghost had to really WORK HARD at getting Duncan back after hurting him. My main issue with the first book (tho it was also part of the character intrinsically) was that the H forgave other H for everything, incl. having sex with another man. Here, Duncan behaved as I would expect a man like him would behave-- I can almost hear his thoughts --I entrust my heart to you. I lay down my life for you. I put your needs above my own. I make you come riding my hard-on through my jeans. You leave me in the middle of the night while I'm feeling most vulnerable after handing my heart on a platter to you. I'm done with you. You want back in my life, you prove you're worth my time.
And that's a MAN! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
That being said, this one was still pretty good. Tho I would have felt better if the 5 star debut novel was $5.99 and this one was $2.49. And I still don't think I want to read the other books based on reviews.
I do get some of my fave tropes tho:
* tortured hero (Ghost)
* BIG, MANLY, LOYAL, TRUE Hero (Duncan)
I liked that Duncan was so patient and gentle with Ghost and coaxed Ghost to finally trust him. I also liked that Ghost had to really WORK HARD at getting Duncan back after hurting him. My main issue with the first book (tho it was also part of the character intrinsically) was that the H forgave other H for everything, incl. having sex with another man. Here, Duncan behaved as I would expect a man like him would behave-- I can almost hear his thoughts --I entrust my heart to you. I lay down my life for you. I put your needs above my own. I make you come riding my hard-on through my jeans. You leave me in the middle of the night while I'm feeling most vulnerable after handing my heart on a platter to you. I'm done with you. You want back in my life, you prove you're worth my time.
And that's a MAN! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
dnf
April 18, 2019This is a hesitant DNF (at 50%), because I’m still not sure if I should stop or perhaps continue.
The reason I’m pausing this is because this book is so darn LONG. And so far it’s not what I’d hoped.
Ghost’s whole attitude about life is making me sad and depressed. I get that he has been mistreated his entire life, but darn, the way he sees people and life in general is just terrible. He can’t even see life beyond escaping from the corrupt cops he’s running from. He has no plans or wishes for his future and all he knows is that he doesn’t want to be dead. And he’s so prickly that it’s kind of hard for me to like him.
And I’m all for a good hurt/comfort/healing book, but I’m now at 50% and it’s not any time soon that Ghost will be even remotely healed or will think about anything sexual (besides hustling). And nothing actually happens. These guys are in a motel and they're just talking about the same stuff over and over again.
I just can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel and it’s making me cranky and sad.
The reason I’m pausing this is because this book is so darn LONG. And so far it’s not what I’d hoped.
Ghost’s whole attitude about life is making me sad and depressed. I get that he has been mistreated his entire life, but darn, the way he sees people and life in general is just terrible. He can’t even see life beyond escaping from the corrupt cops he’s running from. He has no plans or wishes for his future and all he knows is that he doesn’t want to be dead. And he’s so prickly that it’s kind of hard for me to like him.
And I’m all for a good hurt/comfort/healing book, but I’m now at 50% and it’s not any time soon that Ghost will be even remotely healed or will think about anything sexual (besides hustling). And nothing actually happens. These guys are in a motel and they're just talking about the same stuff over and over again.
I just can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel and it’s making me cranky and sad.
December 31, 2018
When I first read Loose Cannon and met Ghost in its pages, I fell in love with that character and begged for Ghost to get his own book. In the 2nd book of this trilogy, we instead got Tobias' story, and there was very little of Ghost in that book. And then finally, book 3 arrived, and it was all about Ghost.
I went in knowing that I would likely find heartbreak within, that I would be on the edge of my seat more often than not, and that finding out Ghost's true backstory would be painful.
I wasn't wrong.
But I wasn't ready for the magic of Duncan Rook. I wasn't ready for the man who would finally give Ghost a safe haven, who would see the man behind the rentboy mask, who would take the time to tamper the fight or flight response that has kept Ghost alive for so long.
This book was everything I had hoped for, and then some. I'm not going to tell you the plot - you should read this so you can find out for yourself - but I will tell you that this book is perfect and exactly how it should be, and there's not a single thing I would change about it. It gets five shiny stars, because that's all I can give here, but I would give it more if I could.
What struck me most about this book is how little sex there's in it. Stay with me here, so I can explain... because you may have expected there to be a lot of hot and heavy stuff happening, seeing how this is Ghost, but I can tell you that the relationship between Duncan and Ghost isn't based on sex. Nor is there any kind of physical relationship for a long while. And that's how it had to be. There's a scene that made me cry my eyes out, because... no. You read this yourself. I was moved to tears more than once, because Duncan, while not perfect as a character (yeah, he has flaws too), was perfect for Ghost. He understood him. He watched him and his reactions so carefully, so closely, and then adjusted his actions accordingly. He learned who Ghost truly is, not the face he presents to most of the people in his life.
And Ghost, OMG. Ghost, despite his upbringing, despite the abuse he's suffered (oh how I cried), despite the life he's led so far, only relying on himself, knowing that he can't trust anyone... Ghost learns to trust Duncan. It's slow, so slow, but as time passes, and as Duncan passes test after test, Ghost learns to trust. And the person that emerges from behind the mile-high walls he's built around himself - gah. I can't even tell you what that did to me.
So, this book. Read it. You have to read the other two first, because this isn't a standalone, and the trilogy must be read in order. But read it, you must.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not promised in return. **
I went in knowing that I would likely find heartbreak within, that I would be on the edge of my seat more often than not, and that finding out Ghost's true backstory would be painful.
I wasn't wrong.
But I wasn't ready for the magic of Duncan Rook. I wasn't ready for the man who would finally give Ghost a safe haven, who would see the man behind the rentboy mask, who would take the time to tamper the fight or flight response that has kept Ghost alive for so long.
This book was everything I had hoped for, and then some. I'm not going to tell you the plot - you should read this so you can find out for yourself - but I will tell you that this book is perfect and exactly how it should be, and there's not a single thing I would change about it. It gets five shiny stars, because that's all I can give here, but I would give it more if I could.
What struck me most about this book is how little sex there's in it. Stay with me here, so I can explain... because you may have expected there to be a lot of hot and heavy stuff happening, seeing how this is Ghost, but I can tell you that the relationship between Duncan and Ghost isn't based on sex. Nor is there any kind of physical relationship for a long while. And that's how it had to be. There's a scene that made me cry my eyes out, because... no. You read this yourself. I was moved to tears more than once, because Duncan, while not perfect as a character (yeah, he has flaws too), was perfect for Ghost. He understood him. He watched him and his reactions so carefully, so closely, and then adjusted his actions accordingly. He learned who Ghost truly is, not the face he presents to most of the people in his life.
And Ghost, OMG. Ghost, despite his upbringing, despite the abuse he's suffered (oh how I cried), despite the life he's led so far, only relying on himself, knowing that he can't trust anyone... Ghost learns to trust Duncan. It's slow, so slow, but as time passes, and as Duncan passes test after test, Ghost learns to trust. And the person that emerges from behind the mile-high walls he's built around himself - gah. I can't even tell you what that did to me.
So, this book. Read it. You have to read the other two first, because this isn't a standalone, and the trilogy must be read in order. But read it, you must.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not promised in return. **
December 8, 2018
This was the exciting ending to the Woodbury Boys trilogy. The story has two aspects. One is the case of the crooked policemen that they're working together on and the other is their relationship.
The case was action packed and could be made into a movie. There's fighting and car chases and shoot outs. I thoroughly enjoyed how this part of the story played out and how it gets wrapped up
I was most looking forward to the relationship aspect though. I admit I was a bit worried going in to this. Ghost has had a terrible past and he's suffered a lot of trauma over the years. I was really worried that the author might try to wrap up all his issues with the love of a good man as we so often see in romance stories. She didn't though. She made Ghost's progression very gritty and very realistic. He works so hard for his happily ever after. When he gets there though it is beautiful. The epilogue made my ears tear up I was so happy for him. Ghost was a very conplex and well written character and his sense of humor helped break up some of the more emotionally heavy scenes.
Duncan wasn't at all what I would have thought as a match for Ghost but he ended up being perfect. He was so calm. He took Ghost's issues seriously and he respected his boundaries which really needed to happen in a story which such a serious plotline.
I had high hopes going into this book and I'm really excited to say this exceeded my expectations. I loved every minute of this book and I'm sure this is going to make my Top 10 list for the year. This should not be read as a standalone as the criminal case is an ongoing one since book one. You should also note a content warning for non-graphic child sexual abuse flashbacks.
If you haven't started this trilogy I highly recommend it. All three books have been 5 star reads for me and some of the best books I've read this year.
*ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
The case was action packed and could be made into a movie. There's fighting and car chases and shoot outs. I thoroughly enjoyed how this part of the story played out and how it gets wrapped up
I was most looking forward to the relationship aspect though. I admit I was a bit worried going in to this. Ghost has had a terrible past and he's suffered a lot of trauma over the years. I was really worried that the author might try to wrap up all his issues with the love of a good man as we so often see in romance stories. She didn't though. She made Ghost's progression very gritty and very realistic. He works so hard for his happily ever after. When he gets there though it is beautiful. The epilogue made my ears tear up I was so happy for him. Ghost was a very conplex and well written character and his sense of humor helped break up some of the more emotionally heavy scenes.
Duncan wasn't at all what I would have thought as a match for Ghost but he ended up being perfect. He was so calm. He took Ghost's issues seriously and he respected his boundaries which really needed to happen in a story which such a serious plotline.
I had high hopes going into this book and I'm really excited to say this exceeded my expectations. I loved every minute of this book and I'm sure this is going to make my Top 10 list for the year. This should not be read as a standalone as the criminal case is an ongoing one since book one. You should also note a content warning for non-graphic child sexual abuse flashbacks.
If you haven't started this trilogy I highly recommend it. All three books have been 5 star reads for me and some of the best books I've read this year.
*ARC provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
December 1, 2019
"My outfit might be retro, but my thinking isn't. Cross-dressing's only a problem if you think being like woman somehow makes a man less. And I've read far too much Vogue to fall for that bullshit, thanks."
Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. This was most definitely my favorite book in the whole series. From the moment Ghost got page time in the first book I was intrigued. I had no idea what he was thinking, and it drove me crazy. I couldn't wait to get to his book and it did not disappoint. This is the first book I've read about a sex worker and man, it was heartbreaking and hard to read at times. Bell did such an amazing job exploring Ghost's character, his traumas, his defenses and way of thinking, all his facets and habits, even down to his body language. He was so fleshed out.
Even though this book showcased some severe and heavy trauma it had just enough wit and humor to soften the punches to the heart. Ghost was sarcastic AF and freaking f u n n y. I enjoyed him so much. His character development was brilliant. Kudos to Bell for her clear understanding of mental health and her willingness to not only go there, but to also cover the recovery as well. There were some really brilliant moments of mental health insight in this book.
"I had sex before and it tore me open. I have sex now and I don't feel a single thing about it. Tell me that's not progress."
And then there is Duncan. Who is as stable as Ghost is a hot, hot mess. V hot mess, ya'll. Understandably, but I digress. Duncan didn't shine as brightly as Ghost, that's for sure, but it didn't bother me one bit. It was rather perfect really. His character was so reassuring and a little in the background, but not in a bad way more in a always-has-your-back-but-let's-you-try-and-figure-shit-out-on-your-own-first way. His patience was incredible and I love how he just got Ghost. Their banter was hilarious and so fun, and their sweet moments were so emotionally intelligent and conscious of Ghost's trauma. They were perfect for each other.
"Since I can't tell if you're joking, I'm going to pretend you didn't say that."
"Fair enough. I'm going to pretend you have a personality."
This plot was engaging and a blast, in all it's mobster glory. My BR partner in crime (Moons) and I kept talking about how we did not see how Ghost and Duncan were going to get out of this. As the ending to a series this book was great. It had to perfect mix of plot, relationship development, but also involvement of the other characters from past books. I think that is another reason I liked this one so much. Church and Tobias appeared in this the perfect amount and it was so fun to see them all together, how far they had all come. I also really loved how feminist this felt. Even though it's a romance series about gay men, there were a lot of powerful women in this which was awesome!
Overall, this was a strong series that explored different facets of mental health and how trauma affects people, especially people living with childhood trauma. Of and it was romantic, swoony AF and fun as well!
November 1, 2018
At last, we get to learn Ghost’s story! Ghost is the enigmatic, semi-feral figure appearing in books one and two, central to the story arc for this series. He likes to think he cares for no one but he remains loyal to Church and Tobias, no matter how he tries to deny it. This will stand alone to an extent but I highly recommend reading the first two books. The author does a fabulous job fleshing out a deeply troubled Ghost and the circumstances that shaped him. Duncan Rook is a cop with his own firm ethics, that don’t necessarily align with the law or the expectations of the brotherhood of police. Good thing because Ghost fiercely tests his boundaries. There’s a lot of action from start to finish and it breaks up long periods where the two are forced to hide out, and that’s where they build their connection. There is little sex in this one, which only makes sense as Ghost’s full history is revealed. There’s no graphic or on-page description of his abuse but his suppressed memories provide enough for imagination to fill in the blanks.
This isn’t just slow burn as it takes a good part of the book for Ghost and Duncan to even begin to understand each other. It was fascinating seeing how the author brought two people with such wildly different backgrounds together. Much of that rests on the experience and instinct given to Duncan as a cop, allowing him to tease out the puzzle that is Ghost. I adored Duncan and his steady support against Ghost’s demons but Ghost is the type you want to wrap up in a hug, except he’ll cut you if you do. Even when he treats Duncan rather badly, his reasons made me mad at Duncan for not forgiving him right away. This is an excellent trilogy and the individual plots and overall arc are well conceived and executed. I highly recommend this story in particular. #NetGalley #RoughTrade
*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or a promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review*
This isn’t just slow burn as it takes a good part of the book for Ghost and Duncan to even begin to understand each other. It was fascinating seeing how the author brought two people with such wildly different backgrounds together. Much of that rests on the experience and instinct given to Duncan as a cop, allowing him to tease out the puzzle that is Ghost. I adored Duncan and his steady support against Ghost’s demons but Ghost is the type you want to wrap up in a hug, except he’ll cut you if you do. Even when he treats Duncan rather badly, his reasons made me mad at Duncan for not forgiving him right away. This is an excellent trilogy and the individual plots and overall arc are well conceived and executed. I highly recommend this story in particular. #NetGalley #RoughTrade
*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or a promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review*
October 17, 2025
Whatever you do, do not do as I did and pick up this book randomly without reading other previous books of the series. I am used to romance series, which are all standalone-ish, single pairings and while this is a series of one romantic pairing per book, the time line in this series is intricate, action starts years ago when the main character (and the others of the series) were younger and a reformatory. Then there is a scene with a baddie out of the blue and one of our MCs is stuck in a place, but it gets fixed off page and the action develops from there with that MC on the run from two baddies because reasons. We do not actually know how that MC got out of the place he was locked in or many other details. It's a bit confusing and not very relatable.
I was still able to overlook it and figure it out and fill in past plot details and enjoy it. There is a really fascinating MC here, a victim of child sexual abuse and trafficking now turned 20 year old prostitute. The trauma is really deep (though not detailed, no explicit flashback scenes) and this book tries to give him a believable way forward. Ghost, I really cared about even if I was not understanding the whole plot, but I think I was happier about him getting his new therapist than his love interest! I mean, Duncan is fine on paper but he just felt so bland, unvivid when compared to Ghost - not helped by the book's structure and what passes for third act conflict when Ghost leaves to try to sort his feelings and then returns and Duncan is IMO an asshole about it, and then forgives him during a romantic weekend and it is all why? I do not get, relate to Duncan. I loved Ghost and his relationship with his new therapist though so that have me HEA enough. And just a warning, the past trauma is really dark and really traumatic.
But cheapening it all, I think the whole setup fails. The book is very thriller, action oriented, a lot of chases, deaths, corruption in powerful places, and our MCs seem to be in a hopeless place, except oh they figure it out, they google the right person to contact about it and she takes care of everything and main action plot solved really easily at around 70% (though author seems to be addicted to those and has to thrown more action. It's all pretty unbelievable and over the top, and it is a bad balance because I meant to think the book is realistic about Ghost's trauma .
I liked it tried to spend more time in how realistically Ghost would process, slowly, past trauma to be in a romantic relationship. I think the author, at heart, is not totally committed to the romantic relationship, and a few of the important moments felt random, like why decide to withhold love and why decided to return it right then? The epilogue kind of missed the point. Maam this is a Wendy's, this is a romance, that epilogue gives us nothing of their day to day life, of how "normal" their sex lives are at that time (or how Duncan deals with it), it is closure about the abuse yeah but it is not meaningful to their relationship..
In all, crazily ambitious and pulls a lot of things off, but it does not all hang together meaningfully. I would read more of the author, see if their skills progressed, if I had the chance. I hope I do because there is effort and heart here, even if maybe a bit too in love with the action plot (without the skills to back it up).
I was still able to overlook it and figure it out and fill in past plot details and enjoy it. There is a really fascinating MC here, a victim of child sexual abuse and trafficking now turned 20 year old prostitute. The trauma is really deep (though not detailed, no explicit flashback scenes) and this book tries to give him a believable way forward. Ghost, I really cared about even if I was not understanding the whole plot, but I think I was happier about him getting his new therapist than his love interest! I mean, Duncan is fine on paper but he just felt so bland, unvivid when compared to Ghost - not helped by the book's structure and what passes for third act conflict when Ghost leaves to try to sort his feelings and then returns and Duncan is IMO an asshole about it, and then forgives him during a romantic weekend and it is all why? I do not get, relate to Duncan. I loved Ghost and his relationship with his new therapist though so that have me HEA enough. And just a warning, the past trauma is really dark and really traumatic.
But cheapening it all, I think the whole setup fails. The book is very thriller, action oriented, a lot of chases, deaths, corruption in powerful places, and our MCs seem to be in a hopeless place, except oh they figure it out, they google the right person to contact about it and she takes care of everything and main action plot solved really easily at around 70% (though author seems to be addicted to those and has to thrown more action. It's all pretty unbelievable and over the top, and it is a bad balance because I meant to think the book is realistic about Ghost's trauma .
I liked it tried to spend more time in how realistically Ghost would process, slowly, past trauma to be in a romantic relationship. I think the author, at heart, is not totally committed to the romantic relationship, and a few of the important moments felt random, like why decide to withhold love and why decided to return it right then? The epilogue kind of missed the point. Maam this is a Wendy's, this is a romance, that epilogue gives us nothing of their day to day life, of how "normal" their sex lives are at that time (or how Duncan deals with it), it is closure about the abuse yeah but it is not meaningful to their relationship..
In all, crazily ambitious and pulls a lot of things off, but it does not all hang together meaningfully. I would read more of the author, see if their skills progressed, if I had the chance. I hope I do because there is effort and heart here, even if maybe a bit too in love with the action plot (without the skills to back it up).
April 5, 2023
Bullets and banging
and knifing and killing. And
falling into love.
and knifing and killing. And
falling into love.
November 18, 2018
I'm going to get this out of the way first so I can then gush about this awesome book.
The problem persists. Several books later and it still hasn't been addressed by an editor. 😡. Dialogue changes from character to character without notice, leaving the reader confused as to who is speaking. I mentioned it in my reviews of the previous books. This time I'm putting it front and center. This needs fixing!
Alright, now that's out of the way, let me tell you about this book. It's Ghost's story. The one so many of us have been impatiently waiting for. --- It was worth the wait. Sydney Bell delivers!
Ghost, oh my goodness... poor, hurt, broken, brave, wonderful Ghost.
In the mad bid to escape Mama and Spratt, Ghost teams up with officer Duncan Rook. Polar opposites in everything, these two may be exactly what the other needs.
The action and suspense is second only to the character development in this beauty of a book.
If you've been following this series, this is a must read. If you want to pick this one up as a stand alone, you won't be sorry.
Review ARC graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley
The problem persists. Several books later and it still hasn't been addressed by an editor. 😡. Dialogue changes from character to character without notice, leaving the reader confused as to who is speaking. I mentioned it in my reviews of the previous books. This time I'm putting it front and center. This needs fixing!
Alright, now that's out of the way, let me tell you about this book. It's Ghost's story. The one so many of us have been impatiently waiting for. --- It was worth the wait. Sydney Bell delivers!
Ghost, oh my goodness... poor, hurt, broken, brave, wonderful Ghost.
In the mad bid to escape Mama and Spratt, Ghost teams up with officer Duncan Rook. Polar opposites in everything, these two may be exactly what the other needs.
The action and suspense is second only to the character development in this beauty of a book.
If you've been following this series, this is a must read. If you want to pick this one up as a stand alone, you won't be sorry.
Review ARC graciously provided by the publisher via NetGalley
December 10, 2018
OMG, I loved this, sooo much! I knew Ghost was going to break my heart but I had no idea I would have so many pesky feelings.
I'm not going to share a full review until we're closer to the release date. But this is a book you don't want to miss and that's not something I say lightly.
I think I might have my first ever book hangover! Anyone know of a cure? I'm so not ready to be done with Ghost and Duncan yet. Read More
I'm not going to share a full review until we're closer to the release date. But this is a book you don't want to miss and that's not something I say lightly.
I think I might have my first ever book hangover! Anyone know of a cure? I'm so not ready to be done with Ghost and Duncan yet. Read More
November 8, 2024
probably would have liked this more if I wasn't reading it 5 days before the most stressful election of my life 😭😭😭
ETA 8 Nov -- damn, now it's connected in my head with the unmentionable, so much for a future re-read
ETA 8 Nov -- damn, now it's connected in my head with the unmentionable, so much for a future re-read
March 8, 2022
4.5 rounded up
This was an excellent conclusion to this trilogy! I have to say, I was sort of luke-warm on Ghost as a character in the first two books and wasn't quite sure how it would play out in a book of his own, but I really enjoyed this one! Rook was absolutely lovely, and I thought the author did a great job with him and with Ghost, and showing them slowly coming together. The build was perfect, and I loved their characterizations and the way they fit together. The plot here felt a little weaker than the first two books, maybe because the author both had to wrap everything up and couldn't make the case part happen too quickly because Ghost & Rook needed time together. It was fine, but it just wasn't quite as tightly woven as it could have been. I thought the ending worked well and made a lot of sense for the characters, and just overall I really enjoyed reading this one! The first book is definitely my least favorite, but thankfully these last two books really came through!
This was an excellent conclusion to this trilogy! I have to say, I was sort of luke-warm on Ghost as a character in the first two books and wasn't quite sure how it would play out in a book of his own, but I really enjoyed this one! Rook was absolutely lovely, and I thought the author did a great job with him and with Ghost, and showing them slowly coming together. The build was perfect, and I loved their characterizations and the way they fit together. The plot here felt a little weaker than the first two books, maybe because the author both had to wrap everything up and couldn't make the case part happen too quickly because Ghost & Rook needed time together. It was fine, but it just wasn't quite as tightly woven as it could have been. I thought the ending worked well and made a lot of sense for the characters, and just overall I really enjoyed reading this one! The first book is definitely my least favorite, but thankfully these last two books really came through!
January 24, 2022
“…love was too uncomplicated a word to describe what he felt for Ghost. Fascinated. Captivated. Lured. Overwhelmed.”
Rough Trade has a distinctly different flavor from the two other books in the series. It focuses much more heavily on suspense than romance. I liked Ghost’s story, but can see why it’s the least popular book.
Characters
Ghost is the most messed up of the Woodbury boys. He’s a manipulative street hustler who lies without compunction. Duncan is a cop on medical leave suffering from post-concussion syndrome. He’s a good guy with a strong moral code and seems like the least likeliest guy to end up with Ghost.
Plot
Ghost is on the run from a powerful and corrupt police chief, as well as the matriarch of a Russian mob. He is forced to rely on Duncan for protection throughout the ordeal. The story is action-driven, revolving around murder and a revenge plot.
Romance
Ghost’s and Duncan’s relationship is a real slow burn. Given the severe childhood sexual abuse Ghost has endured, his love story was bound to be complicated. Most of their relationship hinges on Ghost overcoming his self-destructive patterns and trust issues before he can be open to a relationship. Sexual intimacy is a minefield for him. Don’t expect much steam here. But this is realistic given Ghost’s history of trauma. Duncan’s wounds are physical, but unlike Ghost, he has his emotional and mental shit together. He is strong, calm and self-aware. Although he has a hero complex that makes him want to take care of people, he also has a competency kink. He therefore can’t help but be turned on by Ghost’s survival skills and his ability to take care of himself no matter the danger.
“Duncan had always been attracted to strength in a person, and Ghost fit that bill perfectly. He was incredibly strong.
Not to mention very fucked up.”
Quibbles
My main criticism is that it feels as if the author prioritized tying up every loose end in the series at the expense of more romance between Ghost and Duncan. Plus, I wanted to see more of Ghost and Duncan once they finally got together.
Rough Trade has a distinctly different flavor from the two other books in the series. It focuses much more heavily on suspense than romance. I liked Ghost’s story, but can see why it’s the least popular book.
Characters
Ghost is the most messed up of the Woodbury boys. He’s a manipulative street hustler who lies without compunction. Duncan is a cop on medical leave suffering from post-concussion syndrome. He’s a good guy with a strong moral code and seems like the least likeliest guy to end up with Ghost.
Plot
Ghost is on the run from a powerful and corrupt police chief, as well as the matriarch of a Russian mob. He is forced to rely on Duncan for protection throughout the ordeal. The story is action-driven, revolving around murder and a revenge plot.
Romance
Ghost’s and Duncan’s relationship is a real slow burn. Given the severe childhood sexual abuse Ghost has endured, his love story was bound to be complicated. Most of their relationship hinges on Ghost overcoming his self-destructive patterns and trust issues before he can be open to a relationship. Sexual intimacy is a minefield for him. Don’t expect much steam here. But this is realistic given Ghost’s history of trauma. Duncan’s wounds are physical, but unlike Ghost, he has his emotional and mental shit together. He is strong, calm and self-aware. Although he has a hero complex that makes him want to take care of people, he also has a competency kink. He therefore can’t help but be turned on by Ghost’s survival skills and his ability to take care of himself no matter the danger.
“Duncan had always been attracted to strength in a person, and Ghost fit that bill perfectly. He was incredibly strong.
Not to mention very fucked up.”
Quibbles
My main criticism is that it feels as if the author prioritized tying up every loose end in the series at the expense of more romance between Ghost and Duncan. Plus, I wanted to see more of Ghost and Duncan once they finally got together.
November 9, 2018
So yeah, I'll be the first to admit I was very nervous about this one. With the way the first book skirted the edge of my comfort zone I couldn't imagine reading about Ghost's past and well, present.
That doesn't mean I didn't need it, because I did.
I needed him to be safe and I figured no matter how horrible it was going to be to read I still had to.
Whew! What a relief. That makes it sound easy and it wasn't but truthfully the author did a brilliant job of giving just enough of the bad and letting the readers use their imagination and take it as far as they were comfortable with. Thank you for not forcing me to read it on page, my imagination did a find job on its own. Great job, truly. I wasn't too freaked and I feel I was able to handle it and focus on the story and not so much what Ghost went through, which was a fear of mine.
So, let's talk about the story. Weeeeeeelllll...there was a lot of time where I felt not so much was happening. I wouldn't say it dragged necessarily but there was a lot of time just spent in hotel rooms. This made the vibe feel a little different from its predecessors and I wasn't expecting it in this book. I guess there had to be a lot of recovery time which read true.
And then BAM!! Once the action started it was insane!
I'll stop there.
I think overall this wrapped up the story line properly. Ghost's story mostly lived up to my expectations and I am over the moon happy for him and where he's going with his life.
**ARC provided by the author via A Novel Take Promotions in exchange for an honest review.**
That doesn't mean I didn't need it, because I did.
I needed him to be safe and I figured no matter how horrible it was going to be to read I still had to.
Whew! What a relief. That makes it sound easy and it wasn't but truthfully the author did a brilliant job of giving just enough of the bad and letting the readers use their imagination and take it as far as they were comfortable with. Thank you for not forcing me to read it on page, my imagination did a find job on its own. Great job, truly. I wasn't too freaked and I feel I was able to handle it and focus on the story and not so much what Ghost went through, which was a fear of mine.
So, let's talk about the story. Weeeeeeelllll...there was a lot of time where I felt not so much was happening. I wouldn't say it dragged necessarily but there was a lot of time just spent in hotel rooms. This made the vibe feel a little different from its predecessors and I wasn't expecting it in this book. I guess there had to be a lot of recovery time which read true.
And then BAM!! Once the action started it was insane!
I'll stop there.
I think overall this wrapped up the story line properly. Ghost's story mostly lived up to my expectations and I am over the moon happy for him and where he's going with his life.
**ARC provided by the author via A Novel Take Promotions in exchange for an honest review.**
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