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Cabrini Law #2
Murder Aforethought
A ticking clock. A deadly enemy. Can they keep their heads in the game when their hearts are already on the line?
Valentine Rivetti made a horrible mistake when he became a Marine Sniper at the age of twenty. Returning home with PTSD and a guilty conscience, he’s blackmailed into working for the mafia to save his family.
Maksim Kovalenko has everything he ever dreamed of growing up in a Ukrainian slum. As a notorious corporate attorney, he has the world at his feet. But wealth and power can’t protect him from the emptiness he feels every time he shuts his eyes.
When Val is arrested for a murder he didn’t commit, his redemption is a silver fox in a three-piece suit. But Val’s lucky day becomes Maksim’s nightmare when the mafia begins to cut loose ends… starting with them.
The passion between them is overwhelming, but can two solitary men learn to trust each other before it’s too late?
Valentine Rivetti made a horrible mistake when he became a Marine Sniper at the age of twenty. Returning home with PTSD and a guilty conscience, he’s blackmailed into working for the mafia to save his family.
Maksim Kovalenko has everything he ever dreamed of growing up in a Ukrainian slum. As a notorious corporate attorney, he has the world at his feet. But wealth and power can’t protect him from the emptiness he feels every time he shuts his eyes.
When Val is arrested for a murder he didn’t commit, his redemption is a silver fox in a three-piece suit. But Val’s lucky day becomes Maksim’s nightmare when the mafia begins to cut loose ends… starting with them.
The passion between them is overwhelming, but can two solitary men learn to trust each other before it’s too late?
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 22, 2019
137 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Parker St. John
19 books508 followersGay romance author living in the rainy Pacific Northwest who adores strong alpha men, rugged cowboys, blue collar smokeshows, mortal enemies and childhood friends who will make you SWOON when they fall in love!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
June 23, 2020
Story and Audiobook - 4.25 stars
There is just something about this series that makes me enjoy it. I can't say it's special, groundbreaking or anything like that, but it just draws me in. It's like i am reading Better Call Saul. Definitely not for everyone.
I loved the characters, Maksim and Val. Two opposites that fit well together. They are just normal day to day people, trying their best to evade the mob.
The mafia story-line was okay, it kept me interested until the end.
I felt that Maksim and Val had chemistry from the beginning. i ended up falling in love with Maksim. I guess because he is Ukrainian. Yeah, i got i thing for those -ian- people. I bet if he was Russian, i would have fallen deep in love.
Overall, it was enjoyable. I have a feeling Reese is going to be all time favorite in this series. Onto the next.
There is just something about this series that makes me enjoy it. I can't say it's special, groundbreaking or anything like that, but it just draws me in. It's like i am reading Better Call Saul. Definitely not for everyone.
I loved the characters, Maksim and Val. Two opposites that fit well together. They are just normal day to day people, trying their best to evade the mob.
The mafia story-line was okay, it kept me interested until the end.
I felt that Maksim and Val had chemistry from the beginning. i ended up falling in love with Maksim. I guess because he is Ukrainian. Yeah, i got i thing for those -ian- people. I bet if he was Russian, i would have fallen deep in love.
Overall, it was enjoyable. I have a feeling Reese is going to be all time favorite in this series. Onto the next.
March 8, 2023
4.25**** stars
Nice companion while working and better than the first book. Still not sure, tho, whether I like the audio, narrated by Kirt Graves, or not so much.
Even though we met Maksim, one of the MCs, in the previous book already this book works perfectly fine as a standalone. But don't let the title fool you. This is not a mystery romance. More like an action movie and I really liked it.
*the audio was free with my audible subscription.
*************
Cabrini Law Series
Book 1 – Risk Assessment - 3.5 stars
Book 2 – Murder Aforethought - 4.25 stars
Book 3 – Other than Honorable - audio tbr
Book 4 – Reckless Conduct
Nice companion while working and better than the first book. Still not sure, tho, whether I like the audio, narrated by Kirt Graves, or not so much.
Even though we met Maksim, one of the MCs, in the previous book already this book works perfectly fine as a standalone. But don't let the title fool you. This is not a mystery romance. More like an action movie and I really liked it.
*the audio was free with my audible subscription.
*************
Cabrini Law Series
Book 1 – Risk Assessment - 3.5 stars
Book 2 – Murder Aforethought - 4.25 stars
Book 3 – Other than Honorable - audio tbr
Book 4 – Reckless Conduct
May 12, 2020
Audio 5 Stars
Story....4.5 Stars
This newbie author continues to impress the hell out of me!
Story....4.5 Stars
This newbie author continues to impress the hell out of me!
September 4, 2021
(Age difference, forced proximity, hurt-comfort, whodunit mystery, action )
The second book of the 'Cabrini Law series' is better paced, more action-filled than the first book. And, even though I liked the couples of book 1 more, we have better relationship development here.
At 18, Valentine Rivetti(Val)joined the Marines and became a sniper. At 24, he returned home with PTSD and was forced to become a gun-for-hire for a mob boss by his narcissist father. After his father's murder, he decides to dig into the matter and got arrested for being involved in a murder.
His saviour came in the form of a silver fox attorney, Maksim Kovalenko. Maksim is known to be selfish and never cares about anyone else. But, when both of them were attacked, they had to hit the road and keep running.
The action-filled mystery played the main plot and the mob angle was interesting. The relationship development was well developed with plenty of angst. Again like book 1, we have a temporary separation. But, thank God!! it was short. We also get to see the MC of the next book, Reese.
The second book of the 'Cabrini Law series' is better paced, more action-filled than the first book. And, even though I liked the couples of book 1 more, we have better relationship development here.
At 18, Valentine Rivetti(Val)joined the Marines and became a sniper. At 24, he returned home with PTSD and was forced to become a gun-for-hire for a mob boss by his narcissist father. After his father's murder, he decides to dig into the matter and got arrested for being involved in a murder.
His saviour came in the form of a silver fox attorney, Maksim Kovalenko. Maksim is known to be selfish and never cares about anyone else. But, when both of them were attacked, they had to hit the road and keep running.
The action-filled mystery played the main plot and the mob angle was interesting. The relationship development was well developed with plenty of angst. Again like book 1, we have a temporary separation. But, thank God!! it was short. We also get to see the MC of the next book, Reese.
June 6, 2020
***4.5 completely-wowed Stars***
June 16, 2020
I really enjoyed part two of this series.
Again, I was drawn to the MCs very much:
High-flying lawyer Maks, confident, self-assured, but so very lonely, and broken soldier Valentine, a young man with a very old heart and a lot of issues to deal with.
They seem totally unsuited, a theme I adore, but the author does a very good job showing us that deep down they have more in common than one might think. The age gap between the two men just sweetened the story!
Still, I don’t think I felt their connection as keenly as Elliott and Lucas's from book 1.
This was entertaining, fast paced and had a much more involved plot than the previous book. I will certainly return to this universe pretty soon to read the last two books!
Is it weird that
Again, I was drawn to the MCs very much:
High-flying lawyer Maks, confident, self-assured, but so very lonely, and broken soldier Valentine, a young man with a very old heart and a lot of issues to deal with.
They seem totally unsuited, a theme I adore, but the author does a very good job showing us that deep down they have more in common than one might think. The age gap between the two men just sweetened the story!
Still, I don’t think I felt their connection as keenly as Elliott and Lucas's from book 1.
This was entertaining, fast paced and had a much more involved plot than the previous book. I will certainly return to this universe pretty soon to read the last two books!
Is it weird that
November 20, 2020
I love Maksim! I loved him when we met him in the first book, and now - knowing his Ukrainian roots, how hard he worked to make it, and how much he gives back - I love him even more.
Maksim and Val don't have much in common at first glance, but they connect almost immediately.
Val is so broken. Trying to process his parents' death, Val struggles with PTSD. The only person he trusts is Maksim.
I wish the book had focused more on the relationship between the men (I wanted more moments, and more steam, with Maks and Val), but the mystery was well-paced.
I'm really enjoying this series.
Maksim and Val don't have much in common at first glance, but they connect almost immediately.
Val is so broken. Trying to process his parents' death, Val struggles with PTSD. The only person he trusts is Maksim.
I wish the book had focused more on the relationship between the men (I wanted more moments, and more steam, with Maks and Val), but the mystery was well-paced.
I'm really enjoying this series.
October 11, 2020
This is Val and Maksims story. While I didn't really know what to think about Maksim in the first book I grew to love him here. And Val... well, swoon.
I said that I didn't really think the first book was a mystery book. Well, this one had enough action for two. Compared to this one, the first one was pure fluff.
The structure and beats are still a bit off. Everything was a bit delayed. The "I'm not good enough, I'm going to run away", happened so close to the end that it didn't feel like we had enough time to be happy with the couple.
Overall a great read though.
I said that I didn't really think the first book was a mystery book. Well, this one had enough action for two. Compared to this one, the first one was pure fluff.
The structure and beats are still a bit off. Everything was a bit delayed. The "I'm not good enough, I'm going to run away", happened so close to the end that it didn't feel like we had enough time to be happy with the couple.
Overall a great read though.
April 16, 2023
3.5 stars
This book is a romantic thriller in its truest sense and has a very different feel from book 1. I liked both MCs, who are hardened and emotionally scarred loners. Maksim is a hotshot and ruthless defense lawyer who ends up representing Valentine, a former Marine turned mob hitman. Valentine quit the military because he suffers from PTSD and there’s a strong hurt/comfort theme. They soon find themselves on the run from unknown enemies who are gunning for Valentine and Maks. There’s plenty of UST in their slow burn romance. It’s an entertaining story with a fast-moving plot and some great side characters.
This book is a romantic thriller in its truest sense and has a very different feel from book 1. I liked both MCs, who are hardened and emotionally scarred loners. Maksim is a hotshot and ruthless defense lawyer who ends up representing Valentine, a former Marine turned mob hitman. Valentine quit the military because he suffers from PTSD and there’s a strong hurt/comfort theme. They soon find themselves on the run from unknown enemies who are gunning for Valentine and Maks. There’s plenty of UST in their slow burn romance. It’s an entertaining story with a fast-moving plot and some great side characters.
June 19, 2020
Truly impressed by Parker St. John
Really well executed.
Murder Aforethought is much more plot driven than the first book in the series.
Still fast and furious with constant motion throughout the book.
The mystery element was not predictable. I had no idea whodunit until the big reveal.
Believable action, fallible characters, realistic timeline.
Once again it's almost there. The epilogue hit the kind of emotional impact I need in my romance but it was barely at the surface throughout the book. Just a few more scenes with emotional vulnerability between the mc's and this would have been a 5 Star read for me.
Maksim needed his world shaken up. His desire to honor his mother and excel financially has left him isolated from human connections.
Val needed to believe in himself. An accumulation of wrong choices for the right reason has left him demoralized.
Really great characters with complex building blocks. Loved them as individuals. Believed in their chemistry. Not quite there with the 'love' aspect, but still enjoyed the romance.
Slow burn
Age gap
Mystery
Mafia/Crime Family
Lawyers
PTSD
~ 4.25 Stars~
Highly recommend to anyone who wants a solid mystery plot with mafia/crime family elements and lovable characters.
Really well executed.
Murder Aforethought is much more plot driven than the first book in the series.
Still fast and furious with constant motion throughout the book.
The mystery element was not predictable. I had no idea whodunit until the big reveal.
Believable action, fallible characters, realistic timeline.
Once again it's almost there. The epilogue hit the kind of emotional impact I need in my romance but it was barely at the surface throughout the book. Just a few more scenes with emotional vulnerability between the mc's and this would have been a 5 Star read for me.
Maksim needed his world shaken up. His desire to honor his mother and excel financially has left him isolated from human connections.
Val needed to believe in himself. An accumulation of wrong choices for the right reason has left him demoralized.
Really great characters with complex building blocks. Loved them as individuals. Believed in their chemistry. Not quite there with the 'love' aspect, but still enjoyed the romance.
Slow burn
Age gap
Mystery
Mafia/Crime Family
Lawyers
PTSD
~ 4.25 Stars~
Highly recommend to anyone who wants a solid mystery plot with mafia/crime family elements and lovable characters.
June 22, 2020
Standalone in this series that feature volunteers in the Cabrini Law clinics. Of course, Maksim, the wealthy, brilliant, arrogant and cold one, was intriguing in book 1 and I was quite glad to have his story. And with the blurb mentioning the appearance of an ex-Marine with PTSD and wrongly accused of a murder, I tought : yep, looks like a good one for me.
I liked the MCs and the plot, the balance was good and the steam was good. But there was too much “insta” for me to get immersed : too insta into Maksim going into the run with Val, without any question, and too insta in the connection between them. I guess that as I had just reading a book with too much insta for my comfort as well, that was one too many times.
If not for that nagging feeling, it was a good suspenseful romance. And I’m not averse to get to the next in the series.
I liked the MCs and the plot, the balance was good and the steam was good. But there was too much “insta” for me to get immersed : too insta into Maksim going into the run with Val, without any question, and too insta in the connection between them. I guess that as I had just reading a book with too much insta for my comfort as well, that was one too many times.
If not for that nagging feeling, it was a good suspenseful romance. And I’m not averse to get to the next in the series.
November 17, 2019
Second book in Cabrini Law series certainly didn't lack suspense or danger. Racing against time and unknown enemy two men stand to lose both their lives and their hearts. I enjoyed the fast pace, the emotional maelstrom that was Valentine Rivetti and sarcastic smooth talker Maksim Kovalenko, slight mystery and of course a bit of tender love. Told from dual POV this is a story of finding solace and intimacy in times of uncertainty and fear. This can be considered an age gap romance.
Maksim Kovalenko fled poverty and hunger, and now he is at the top. But despite all the comforts the money brings, he is still lonely. He gives back as much as he can, but it never seems enough. There is a heart of gold hiding behind power suits and icy demeanor, if one cares to look long enough. What starts as a regular working day turns into struggle for survival, reevaluation of his life and a new beginning. I liked how sure and steady Maks was, how he was there when people needed him. He surprised me many times. He was not what I thought he was. He was way better.
Valentine Rivetti's life was always precarious. Told from early age that he was not smart enough made him feel less and think he will always be a nobody. He tries to escape and becomes a Marine, but too much death takes its toll on him. Coming back to broken home and having to bury his parents, he seeks answers as to who is responsible. All this leads him to Maks who not only saves his life in more ways than one but gives him hope that he can be more than mindless muscle for hire. I loved Val's protectiveness, his strength to go on when he almost couldn't and his willingness to let Maks go when he didn't believe in himself.
This was a wild ride. In the space of days both men experienced so much together. Anger, frustration, friendship and desire all jump started something deep, but it took time and a bit of peace to realize how much they meant to each other. I liked the side characters like Emma, Miguel and Reese who became a sort of family for both men and were there till the very end. There were moments that made me laugh and want to cry, some made me worried that the boys won't make it. I like when the book makes me feel like that. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
Maksim Kovalenko fled poverty and hunger, and now he is at the top. But despite all the comforts the money brings, he is still lonely. He gives back as much as he can, but it never seems enough. There is a heart of gold hiding behind power suits and icy demeanor, if one cares to look long enough. What starts as a regular working day turns into struggle for survival, reevaluation of his life and a new beginning. I liked how sure and steady Maks was, how he was there when people needed him. He surprised me many times. He was not what I thought he was. He was way better.
Valentine Rivetti's life was always precarious. Told from early age that he was not smart enough made him feel less and think he will always be a nobody. He tries to escape and becomes a Marine, but too much death takes its toll on him. Coming back to broken home and having to bury his parents, he seeks answers as to who is responsible. All this leads him to Maks who not only saves his life in more ways than one but gives him hope that he can be more than mindless muscle for hire. I loved Val's protectiveness, his strength to go on when he almost couldn't and his willingness to let Maks go when he didn't believe in himself.
This was a wild ride. In the space of days both men experienced so much together. Anger, frustration, friendship and desire all jump started something deep, but it took time and a bit of peace to realize how much they meant to each other. I liked the side characters like Emma, Miguel and Reese who became a sort of family for both men and were there till the very end. There were moments that made me laugh and want to cry, some made me worried that the boys won't make it. I like when the book makes me feel like that. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
November 10, 2020
This wasn't a success for me like the first two with this author.
I think the major factors for me was that it was slow - slow to build a connection between these two, and the plot kinda moving slowly - and then once these two did finally kiss and more, it barely focused on them still. There was barely enough time for them.
I believe there was only one full on penetrative sex scene in this whole book. The connection between these two just wasn't well established and then because everything with the main plot took place within a week, this dragged because it felt like it took these two forever to get together when it was actually just a couple days, but a LOT happened in those few days, and it was all mainly plot stuff.
And I didn't much care for the plot, really. Maksim ends up being Val's lawyer, but then right away they're shot out, so Maksim is pulled into some mafia stuff that Val was pulled into as well, and they're basically on the run for their lives and barely have time to sit and breathe, so they barely had time to actually talk and get to know each other and fall in love.
And then the big angst that happens near the end gets resoled fairly easily and then these two are just boop, settled and happy. It's not perfect, and Val, who is a former marine, has PTSD, but they're happy still, and it's like...that's that. And I didn't get to see the build up to the "I love you's" and then when the plot dragged, I was just pulled away from this.
There wasn't enough Maksim and Val romance to keep me invested, because the plot wasn't good enough to keep my fully invested, so this draggggeddd for me.
So, not a winner for me. But there's bound to be books we don't love as much as we want to with authors we love, and this one is it.
It still had some good parts and parts of genuine connection between these two, they were just few and far between and not enough and the plot could have been a lot stronger. So all that combined made it drag.
So I enjoyed parts, and some of these two together, enough to give it 3 stars. But overall it's mostly a letdown. Sucks.
But, onto the next! This certainly isn't making me give up on this author, and I will read more of their work.
I think the major factors for me was that it was slow - slow to build a connection between these two, and the plot kinda moving slowly - and then once these two did finally kiss and more, it barely focused on them still. There was barely enough time for them.
I believe there was only one full on penetrative sex scene in this whole book. The connection between these two just wasn't well established and then because everything with the main plot took place within a week, this dragged because it felt like it took these two forever to get together when it was actually just a couple days, but a LOT happened in those few days, and it was all mainly plot stuff.
And I didn't much care for the plot, really. Maksim ends up being Val's lawyer, but then right away they're shot out, so Maksim is pulled into some mafia stuff that Val was pulled into as well, and they're basically on the run for their lives and barely have time to sit and breathe, so they barely had time to actually talk and get to know each other and fall in love.
And then the big angst that happens near the end gets resoled fairly easily and then these two are just boop, settled and happy. It's not perfect, and Val, who is a former marine, has PTSD, but they're happy still, and it's like...that's that. And I didn't get to see the build up to the "I love you's" and then when the plot dragged, I was just pulled away from this.
There wasn't enough Maksim and Val romance to keep me invested, because the plot wasn't good enough to keep my fully invested, so this draggggeddd for me.
So, not a winner for me. But there's bound to be books we don't love as much as we want to with authors we love, and this one is it.
It still had some good parts and parts of genuine connection between these two, they were just few and far between and not enough and the plot could have been a lot stronger. So all that combined made it drag.
So I enjoyed parts, and some of these two together, enough to give it 3 stars. But overall it's mostly a letdown. Sucks.
But, onto the next! This certainly isn't making me give up on this author, and I will read more of their work.
June 10, 2020
For me book two, like book one, falls under the like not love umbrella. I think I did enjoy it a little more in some ways. It had more depth. But it was almost a be careful what you wish for situation because, while the plot definitely had more substance, it was kind of...boring. I found that I didn’t care much about any of the mafia stuff. Add in a precocious teenager and my eyes were rolling in places. The connection between Val and Maxs was ok but failed to truly wow me. I know, I know. I’m the worst. Feeling picky I guess. I’m sorry. But with all my complaints, I don’t regret reading it. And I do still feel that it’s a series that might continue to get better as it goes. I’m going to keep going with it for now. I think it has potential. And honestly, even if they keep being three star reads, I may read them all. Because, for me, three stars aren’t bad. But I’m still on the fence with these. I am going into the next one. We shall see. It’s 1:00 am and I think I’ve rambled enough now. 😂
February 5, 2021
These just keep getting better
I am a fool for any kind of damaged hero, throw in a Ukrainian lawyer and I'm toast.
This book ticked so many of my boxes it felt like a multiple choice quiz 😁
There wasn't a single bit of this one that didn't work for me. I loved Maks, I loved Val, I loved Emma and Reece, Miguel, all of them played a perfect role in the narrative.
And I really appreciated that the Mafia life and behaviour wasn't excused any at all.
I am a fool for any kind of damaged hero, throw in a Ukrainian lawyer and I'm toast.
This book ticked so many of my boxes it felt like a multiple choice quiz 😁
There wasn't a single bit of this one that didn't work for me. I loved Maks, I loved Val, I loved Emma and Reece, Miguel, all of them played a perfect role in the narrative.
And I really appreciated that the Mafia life and behaviour wasn't excused any at all.
June 16, 2020
Book Reaction: https://neverhollowed.com/2020/06/16/...
Rating: 4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step away
Rating: 4.5 Stars – perfection is only half a step away
March 28, 2024
The second in this series and the second I've read by this author and color me impressed. Parker does a great job of launching you immediately into the grip of a legal thriller, complete with mob ties, stripper joints, beefy intimidating ex marines, snipers, and lots of curveballs even I didn't see coming. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give any of that away, but suffice it to say if you're sleeping on this series and you like cops, lawyers, mafia, then check it out.
Don't read it as a standalone. You really need to listen to #1 first to understand how jarring it is to see Maks make room in his cold life for anyone. I *LOVED* his character in the first book, probably because I listened to it and the audiobook was well done, but Maks's accent was ::chef's kiss:: perfection. Unfortunately Kirt Graves drops the delicious Ukrainian ball on this one by reverting to his stereotypical main guy voice ::womp womp::
"Whoever this guy is, he wants to clean house and you climbed into bed with me the second you took me as your client."
Those arctic blue eyes slid sideways to examine him. "Threat of bodily harm aside, I've chosen worse bedpartners."
🏳🌈 Lots of action (compared to what I normally read)
🏳🌈 Brilliant legal minds
🏳🌈 Age gap
🏳🌈 Late in life love (MC is 42)
🏳🌈 PTSD rep
🏳🌈 Found family
"I just couldn't have you feeling sorry for me. I don't want you to save me Maks."
Maksim kissed him briefly and then drew back.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I want to fall asleep beside you every night. God I've dreamed about it." He couldn't stop kissing him. "I want you to remember what family is like. I want to be your home."
Don't read it as a standalone. You really need to listen to #1 first to understand how jarring it is to see Maks make room in his cold life for anyone. I *LOVED* his character in the first book, probably because I listened to it and the audiobook was well done, but Maks's accent was ::chef's kiss:: perfection. Unfortunately Kirt Graves drops the delicious Ukrainian ball on this one by reverting to his stereotypical main guy voice ::womp womp::
"Whoever this guy is, he wants to clean house and you climbed into bed with me the second you took me as your client."
Those arctic blue eyes slid sideways to examine him. "Threat of bodily harm aside, I've chosen worse bedpartners."
🏳🌈 Lots of action (compared to what I normally read)
🏳🌈 Brilliant legal minds
🏳🌈 Age gap
🏳🌈 Late in life love (MC is 42)
🏳🌈 PTSD rep
🏳🌈 Found family
"I just couldn't have you feeling sorry for me. I don't want you to save me Maks."
Maksim kissed him briefly and then drew back.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"I want to fall asleep beside you every night. God I've dreamed about it." He couldn't stop kissing him. "I want you to remember what family is like. I want to be your home."
December 19, 2021
Meh. I skipped a lot of this one
November 23, 2019
You know how sometimes you're lucky enough to stumble upon an author who makes you want to sit and read every single thing they've written because they're *that good* then you remember that this book you've read is only their second book and you're left thinking "holy crap!" Yeah? Me too! Parker St. John is my new #mustread author!
The second serving of the Cabrini Law series is a fast-paced, well-executed (pun intended) page turner of a book. I was fascinated by Maks in book one and I thoroughly enjoyed getting under his covers in Murder Aforethought. Val, as his love interest, is equally as fascinating and I loved reading their relationship develop under the most extreme of circumstances. I'm already salivating at the thought of book 3 and am assuming it'll focus on the enigmatic Miguel and secretive Reese (great back-story set-up btw).
If you love fast-paced action, great characters, even greater secondary characters (and that includes the bad guys), and am #MMromance that's not all about love hearts and sweet-nothings, then this series, and this book is definitely for you.
I'm really excited about where this author takes us next. 5/5 stars for me ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The second serving of the Cabrini Law series is a fast-paced, well-executed (pun intended) page turner of a book. I was fascinated by Maks in book one and I thoroughly enjoyed getting under his covers in Murder Aforethought. Val, as his love interest, is equally as fascinating and I loved reading their relationship develop under the most extreme of circumstances. I'm already salivating at the thought of book 3 and am assuming it'll focus on the enigmatic Miguel and secretive Reese (great back-story set-up btw).
If you love fast-paced action, great characters, even greater secondary characters (and that includes the bad guys), and am #MMromance that's not all about love hearts and sweet-nothings, then this series, and this book is definitely for you.
I'm really excited about where this author takes us next. 5/5 stars for me ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 26, 2019
4.5 action stars
Book one was good but this one ticked most of my favorite boxes. Ex-military MC/hitman, bullets flying all over and an age gap romance. *Silver. Fox.* Hurt/comfort and moderate steam round out a high-adrenaline plot. I would have liked to see a little more between Maksim and Val at the end but I did enjoy getting a little epilogue. Val’s friend Reese is in the next book but I need to know what’s going on with Miguel. He needs a book!
Book one was good but this one ticked most of my favorite boxes. Ex-military MC/hitman, bullets flying all over and an age gap romance. *Silver. Fox.* Hurt/comfort and moderate steam round out a high-adrenaline plot. I would have liked to see a little more between Maksim and Val at the end but I did enjoy getting a little epilogue. Val’s friend Reese is in the next book but I need to know what’s going on with Miguel. He needs a book!
May 11, 2020
5 stars audio
4.5 stars story
4.5 stars story
February 12, 2020
Such an excellent story. I loved the first book, and this held up to my expectations. The writing was great and the story kept me on my toes. I loved the character of Maks. He was fun to read and root for. Loved this.
April 17, 2020
Another win!
Super impressed with this author. The mark of a great author is one who can write multiple books in a series and not have them come out cookie cutter in storyline / character / voice or even pacing. According to me at least 😆
This was so different from the first book and didn’t have the characters from the first book making cameos at all. Although Miguel cameos quite a bit.
I don’t know what to say about this book except I wish real life didn’t butt into my reading time too much. It took too long to finish this and I’m not happy about it! 😅
On to the next book. Definitely my new favourite author to date 🥰
Super impressed with this author. The mark of a great author is one who can write multiple books in a series and not have them come out cookie cutter in storyline / character / voice or even pacing. According to me at least 😆
This was so different from the first book and didn’t have the characters from the first book making cameos at all. Although Miguel cameos quite a bit.
I don’t know what to say about this book except I wish real life didn’t butt into my reading time too much. It took too long to finish this and I’m not happy about it! 😅
On to the next book. Definitely my new favourite author to date 🥰
November 30, 2019
The day Maksim (Maks) took on Valentine Rivetti's case was the day that changed his life. He may have been on top of the law heap, with success and a thriving career, but he didn't have what Valentine would soon bring to his life - love.
Valentine had always been told he wasn't good enough, wasn't smart enough, wasn't enough. He went into the military thinking that and he came out believing that even more. And now he's under investigation for murder, being blackmailed by someone and coerced into something he wants nothing to do with. He's at the end of his rope. Then along comes a gorgeous savior in a fine suit and icy eyes. But Maks will become his everything if Val will allow him in, allow him to protect him the way Maks longs to, has to.
I FREAKING LOVE this fast-paced, intriguing story. Maks and Val are a fascinating couple - opposites in many ways, years apart in age, but bringing something that each needs to the other. This is truly a beautiful story with two beautiful men. I don't always enjoy age gap love, but it's so well done here, they fit each other seamlessly. The action is just enough without being too much and it brings Reese, fascinating Reese, into the picture. I need his story next! I can't wait for the next Cabrini Law story because I've fallen in love with this one and the world it inhabits.
ARC via LesCourt ARC Team for an honest review.
Review: Live Through Books Blog.
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November 26, 2019
MM romance with side of suspense? Sign me up!
This book is extremely well executed in the suspense department. When reading suspense I often feel like clues about the bad guy is dropped way too soon in the book and I've oftened guessed who the bad guy is before I'm half way through the book. But not with this book. I had absolutely no clue until Val figured it out for himself.
As for the character I think I just might be in love. Maksim intrigued me alredy in the first book in the series and had me wondering about his story at the back of my mind. Actually getting to know him in his own story blew my mind. And then there's Val...him I just want to bring in for a good cuddle because my heart broke for him due to everything he's been through. There are so many layers to the characters in this story, it's like peeling an onion - remove one layer and there's a new one hidden beneatht it - this goes on all the way to the middle where you'll find the heart and soul.
As for the supporting characters, they a strong and complex in their own right but never do they take over the story from Val and Maksim. However, as with after reading the first book in the series, I'm left with curiosity and a need to know about their story.
This is the second book in a series but can be read as a standalone.
This book is extremely well executed in the suspense department. When reading suspense I often feel like clues about the bad guy is dropped way too soon in the book and I've oftened guessed who the bad guy is before I'm half way through the book. But not with this book. I had absolutely no clue until Val figured it out for himself.
As for the character I think I just might be in love. Maksim intrigued me alredy in the first book in the series and had me wondering about his story at the back of my mind. Actually getting to know him in his own story blew my mind. And then there's Val...him I just want to bring in for a good cuddle because my heart broke for him due to everything he's been through. There are so many layers to the characters in this story, it's like peeling an onion - remove one layer and there's a new one hidden beneatht it - this goes on all the way to the middle where you'll find the heart and soul.
As for the supporting characters, they a strong and complex in their own right but never do they take over the story from Val and Maksim. However, as with after reading the first book in the series, I'm left with curiosity and a need to know about their story.
This is the second book in a series but can be read as a standalone.
November 26, 2019
I enjoyed the first instalment to the series so much, so I had high hopes that I’d enjoy this story just as much. Which I did, and then some. Maksim intrigued the hell out of me so I couldn’t wait for his story. There’s the same deep character analysis here where we really get to know Maksim and Val and we almost get a cinematic visual as the storytelling craft was that good; you were pulled right in there with the characters and it’s not a feat that many authors have the ability to do. I adore the fact that Maksim and Val both have an exterior that’s visible to the world—and one they take advantage of to an extent—that’s nothing like who they really are, kind of like an armour against the world. The more time they spend with each other and peel back those layers the more common ground they find. To watch these two cautious and lonely souls drop their guard and be almost forced to trust each other and cope with the chemistry that was brewing between them was an absolute delight to observe (and boy was that chemistry hot!). The author really brought something new to the table for me and I’m in love with their writing so much. They’ll be an auto-buy for me in the future, without a doubt.
November 16, 2019
Just like for Risk Assessment,I find myself doubting that my review can do justice to a Parker St. John's book. Because I'm in awe with what this author managed to do with 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭.
I was hooked right from the first pages,when I met Maksim and Val. It's just that they are so stunning,complex and layered. Because once you dig under the thinly stretched morals,the sarcastic or hardened surface,you uncover the beauty of who they really are, deep down. That's why you're completely enamoured with them,with their kind,caring and gentle hearts. And you understand how come two men,so diametrically opposed, connect at such a cellular level. You see the reason why their lonely souls bond so deeply.
In my opinion, everything about 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 is breathtaking and intense. It's thrill,mystery and danger,but also sweetness, heartbreak and love. I got engaged in a fast flowing,action filled plot,with amazingly depicted characters and a soul-stirring romance,that sucked me right in and kept me enraptured.
I loved it and I think that 5 stars aren't enough to rate it.
I was hooked right from the first pages,when I met Maksim and Val. It's just that they are so stunning,complex and layered. Because once you dig under the thinly stretched morals,the sarcastic or hardened surface,you uncover the beauty of who they really are, deep down. That's why you're completely enamoured with them,with their kind,caring and gentle hearts. And you understand how come two men,so diametrically opposed, connect at such a cellular level. You see the reason why their lonely souls bond so deeply.
In my opinion, everything about 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 is breathtaking and intense. It's thrill,mystery and danger,but also sweetness, heartbreak and love. I got engaged in a fast flowing,action filled plot,with amazingly depicted characters and a soul-stirring romance,that sucked me right in and kept me enraptured.
I loved it and I think that 5 stars aren't enough to rate it.
November 23, 2019
Wow.... This was a phenomenal, emotional, gripping read. Sweet, sexy, and thrilling. I love the broken ones and Val is definitely broken. A lot of times I don’t like the other character as much but in this case I loved them all. And the chemistry between Maks and Val is sizzling hot! This is one of those stay up all night or don’t move off the couch all day reads. Absolutely wonderful! I can’t wait to get my hands on more of these.
November 13, 2021
2.5 stars
Beginning I enjoyed then I stopped caring.. seems more of a me not the book…
Kirt Graves did a great job though!
Beginning I enjoyed then I stopped caring.. seems more of a me not the book…
Kirt Graves did a great job though!
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