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Freelancers #2
Roman
A mercenary and a disgraced pastor. The fire blazing inside their remote cabin just might melt the snowstorm raging outside.
Fresh off the death of a member of his team, all Roman wants is a quiet place to decompress. Which is why he’s at the cabin he hasn’t visited in ages. He expected some dust and a few cobwebs, not a stranger sleeping in his bed.
Tate Galvin just wants to lay low after the scandal of being publicly outed. His mentor’s cabin is the perfect place…until he opens his eyes to find two guns pointed at his head.
A mix-up has them snowed in with no one to talk to but each other and nothing to do but give in when attraction proves too intense to ignore. But snow eventually melts and fires burn themselves out. So what’s left for one man who’s commitment-averse and another whose heart already belongs to a higher power?
Fresh off the death of a member of his team, all Roman wants is a quiet place to decompress. Which is why he’s at the cabin he hasn’t visited in ages. He expected some dust and a few cobwebs, not a stranger sleeping in his bed.
Tate Galvin just wants to lay low after the scandal of being publicly outed. His mentor’s cabin is the perfect place…until he opens his eyes to find two guns pointed at his head.
A mix-up has them snowed in with no one to talk to but each other and nothing to do but give in when attraction proves too intense to ignore. But snow eventually melts and fires burn themselves out. So what’s left for one man who’s commitment-averse and another whose heart already belongs to a higher power?
161 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 19, 2021
About the author
Avril Ashton
78 books1,706 followersA Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Stone Mountain, GA., with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 17, 2021
4.25 stars
Fans of Avril will probably find this book too fluffy compared to her usual work , but it isn't any less good.
What I loved...
Roman: He was a juxtaposition... bad boy, dangerous assassin who went sweet and submissive for Tate. He was filled with misplaced guilt and sorrow beneath the heartless façade of an assassin.
Tate: He was larger than life, a pillar Roman could lean on, and a shoulder he could take comfort from. He was self aware and strong, and he lent his strength to Roman.
The Plot...
It's very relationship oriented. Both men have monsters to slay, and aspects they have to discover about themselves. Being together and talking pushes them both that much closer together and towards their true selves.
The Romance....
Its a novella, so there is a bit of a insta-love situation going. I do appreciate however the little moments of connection they had. I can understand insta-atrraction and that was written well. The pace was also written well.
The Heat: Trademark "Avril" Steam.
Angst: low-ish angst
The HEA: Perfect and well paced for a novella.
Fans of Avril will probably find this book too fluffy compared to her usual work , but it isn't any less good.
What I loved...
Roman: He was a juxtaposition... bad boy, dangerous assassin who went sweet and submissive for Tate. He was filled with misplaced guilt and sorrow beneath the heartless façade of an assassin.
Tate: He was larger than life, a pillar Roman could lean on, and a shoulder he could take comfort from. He was self aware and strong, and he lent his strength to Roman.
The Plot...
It's very relationship oriented. Both men have monsters to slay, and aspects they have to discover about themselves. Being together and talking pushes them both that much closer together and towards their true selves.
The Romance....
Its a novella, so there is a bit of a insta-love situation going. I do appreciate however the little moments of connection they had. I can understand insta-atrraction and that was written well. The pace was also written well.
The Heat: Trademark "Avril" Steam.
Angst: low-ish angst
The HEA: Perfect and well paced for a novella.
March 27, 2021
‘You don’t have to ask me to wait for you. Just know that I will’
How have I never heard of this author?
FUCKING. EXCELLENCE.
This book follows Roman, who’s a mercenary, and Tate, a pastor who’s been exposed on social media. We later see them forced to be together in a cabin due to a snow storm and their relationship develops from there.
This book got me HOOKED. I loved everything about it. The characters, the plot, the language, the writing , the TROPE. I mean : forced proximity, one bed. Yes yes yessss.
I absolutely love how we got to see Roman, with his past and demons, submit to tate and become vulnerable. It’s so sweet. This was a very veryyy quick read.
How have I never heard of this author?
FUCKING. EXCELLENCE.
This book follows Roman, who’s a mercenary, and Tate, a pastor who’s been exposed on social media. We later see them forced to be together in a cabin due to a snow storm and their relationship develops from there.
This book got me HOOKED. I loved everything about it. The characters, the plot, the language, the writing , the TROPE. I mean : forced proximity, one bed. Yes yes yessss.
I absolutely love how we got to see Roman, with his past and demons, submit to tate and become vulnerable. It’s so sweet. This was a very veryyy quick read.
May 22, 2021
It’s a meh for me!
April 12, 2021
Not the best book I've read by this author 🤷
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
March 28, 2021
I've been trying to expand my horizons by reading books by new-to-me authors or authors whose work I haven't read in a while. Avril Ashton falls into the latter category.
I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either.
Let's start with the good: Kudos to writing an interracial couple and not making that the main focus of the story. I also can't deny that the sex was raw and passionate.
But I thought the emotional intimacy came much too soon. Roman and Tate were in sync within a day of meeting. I had a hard time believing a Christian preacher would simply accept that his lover was a mercenary.
Tate seemed a little too sweet, and Roman's backstory was over the top dramatic.
I'm a fan of forced proximity stories, but the ending felt abrupt.
This one's closer to a 2.5 star read for me, rounding up.
I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it either.
Let's start with the good: Kudos to writing an interracial couple and not making that the main focus of the story. I also can't deny that the sex was raw and passionate.
But I thought the emotional intimacy came much too soon. Roman and Tate were in sync within a day of meeting. I had a hard time believing a Christian preacher would simply accept that his lover was a mercenary.
Tate seemed a little too sweet, and Roman's backstory was over the top dramatic.
I'm a fan of forced proximity stories, but the ending felt abrupt.
This one's closer to a 2.5 star read for me, rounding up.
April 1, 2021
*3.5 words*
Like its prequel, Roman is one of the very few books by Avril Ashton that can be read as standalones. Her stories intertwine so much,, in my humble opinion, it's almost impossible to fully get into a a book without reading the others. I'm a big fan of her work, so that's never been a problem for me. On the contrary, I prefer those stories.
This one was too insta-lovey for my tastes. As per usual, it was very hot, diverse and had a lot of heart. But it also felt too underdeveloped. Extra points for the re appearance of Renzo Vega!
Like its prequel, Roman is one of the very few books by Avril Ashton that can be read as standalones. Her stories intertwine so much,, in my humble opinion, it's almost impossible to fully get into a a book without reading the others. I'm a big fan of her work, so that's never been a problem for me. On the contrary, I prefer those stories.
This one was too insta-lovey for my tastes. As per usual, it was very hot, diverse and had a lot of heart. But it also felt too underdeveloped. Extra points for the re appearance of Renzo Vega!
Read
April 25, 2021DNF @ 42% - For some reason I’m just not feeling it. I may come back to this one later though
March 27, 2021
Avril Ashton is one of my favorite authors, and this novella just reminds me again why that is.
Roman is from the very publicized, wealthy family that is Janulis. Due to a very heartbreaking incident when Roman was eighteen years old, he chose to leave his family. A man that grew up with servants and more money than one needs, he went into underground fighting and from there became a mercenary. After the death of one of his team members (Henry, whose fiancé was an MC in the first Freelancers novella) he decides to head up to his cabin in Vermont for some solitary peace. When he gets there he finds a stranger in his bed.
Tate may have been an unwelcome sight at first, but the Pastor and mercenary form a quick bond. Tate, after losing both of his parents young had a troubled youth. Due to some unfortunate incidents, Tate ended in a position where he came across his mentor, Paul. The two of them helped to form an inclusive church community that Tate has always been proud of. Not so proud of is the fact that he welcomes LGBTQ+ members into the community but never publicly let anyone know he himself is gay. That comes to light in a bullying fashion and Tate runs away to Vermont to spend some time contemplating his next steps.
Due to the lives both men have led, Roman and Tate have much to talk about. Roman having always been a quiet, private man and never letting himself get close to another man since he was eighteen - he finds himself wanting to open up to Tate and be closer than possible. He doesn’t want to see him go. Tate, naturally the Pastor, has many words of advice to offer and very often the touch that Roman didn’t even know he was so starved for. Both men realize they are complete opposites but they must decide what’s most important.
—————————————————————
I’m usually not the biggest fan of close proximity stories, especially the stuck in a cabin during a winter storm type since it’s so overdone. But, I didn’t even need to worry about that here because of course, Avril just knows how to write a damn story. I actually really loved that it was just the two of them with no connection to the outside world for a long time. It just made everything more special. Roman and Tate are both lovable characters and I could keep reading about them. Their chemistry was wonderful. I’m hoping to see them again in a future book about the ahem job opportunity.
❗️Oh, and the sexual chemistry. Gahhhh. And the hostility behind it like any of Avril’s characters. ”That was the most powerful orgasm he’d ever had and he wanted another one. He wanted more. He wanted to know who else Tate made feel that same pleasure so he could find them and empty his clip into their fucking face. No one should have this but him.”
😉
Roman is from the very publicized, wealthy family that is Janulis. Due to a very heartbreaking incident when Roman was eighteen years old, he chose to leave his family. A man that grew up with servants and more money than one needs, he went into underground fighting and from there became a mercenary. After the death of one of his team members (Henry, whose fiancé was an MC in the first Freelancers novella) he decides to head up to his cabin in Vermont for some solitary peace. When he gets there he finds a stranger in his bed.
Tate may have been an unwelcome sight at first, but the Pastor and mercenary form a quick bond. Tate, after losing both of his parents young had a troubled youth. Due to some unfortunate incidents, Tate ended in a position where he came across his mentor, Paul. The two of them helped to form an inclusive church community that Tate has always been proud of. Not so proud of is the fact that he welcomes LGBTQ+ members into the community but never publicly let anyone know he himself is gay. That comes to light in a bullying fashion and Tate runs away to Vermont to spend some time contemplating his next steps.
Due to the lives both men have led, Roman and Tate have much to talk about. Roman having always been a quiet, private man and never letting himself get close to another man since he was eighteen - he finds himself wanting to open up to Tate and be closer than possible. He doesn’t want to see him go. Tate, naturally the Pastor, has many words of advice to offer and very often the touch that Roman didn’t even know he was so starved for. Both men realize they are complete opposites but they must decide what’s most important.
—————————————————————
I’m usually not the biggest fan of close proximity stories, especially the stuck in a cabin during a winter storm type since it’s so overdone. But, I didn’t even need to worry about that here because of course, Avril just knows how to write a damn story. I actually really loved that it was just the two of them with no connection to the outside world for a long time. It just made everything more special. Roman and Tate are both lovable characters and I could keep reading about them. Their chemistry was wonderful. I’m hoping to see them again in a future book about the ahem job opportunity.
❗️Oh, and the sexual chemistry. Gahhhh. And the hostility behind it like any of Avril’s characters. ”That was the most powerful orgasm he’d ever had and he wanted another one. He wanted more. He wanted to know who else Tate made feel that same pleasure so he could find them and empty his clip into their fucking face. No one should have this but him.”
😉
March 17, 2021
This book proves that Avril Ashton can write good stories without her famous trademark: rivers of angst! Jokes aside, I believe this is the fluffiest book I’ve ever read from her, and I can now say I’m even more hooked to her writing. The story follows Roman, a mercenary and Tate, a pastor who had his life turned upside by an ex lover. They met in a not so common circumstance, and from there they developed a relationship - and here i’m saying in the most basic meaning of the word. Although this is a novella, the pace is not rushed, so we have a good story that really flows. And I said above that this is not angsty as Avril’s previous books, but there is some in there - in the perfect amount. Another thing I loved: Renzo Vega. The man is everywhere and… I love him. Always nice to see his cameos on other books.
I really enjoyed this one, and I would love to read more about the Freelancers in the future.
I really enjoyed this one, and I would love to read more about the Freelancers in the future.
Read
March 27, 2021listen... I haven't actually read an Avril Ashton book in 3 years. so either my taste has drastically changed or something is off here.
March 24, 2021
I love Avril Ashton and she has proven over and over why she's one of my favorite authors. This opposites-attract novella shouldn't work. A priest and a mercenary? They shouldn't work, but they do.
Snowed in, both of them running from things they rather not think about, nothing to do but get to know one another. This book has everything you could ever want out of an Avril Ashton novella. I devoured it in one sitting. My only complaint is that it's a novella.
Snowed in, both of them running from things they rather not think about, nothing to do but get to know one another. This book has everything you could ever want out of an Avril Ashton novella. I devoured it in one sitting. My only complaint is that it's a novella.
December 11, 2021
I liked both Tate and Roman though their story felt rushed. The short length definitely took away from the story.
March 28, 2021
Low-key
Nothing wrong with it, just didn’t grab me. I have an automatically negative reaction to anything remotely religious, although there isn’t any actual religious content here. So it’s just me.
Nothing wrong with it, just didn’t grab me. I have an automatically negative reaction to anything remotely religious, although there isn’t any actual religious content here. So it’s just me.
March 19, 2021
Roman and Tate Opposite Attracts I love how Avril Ashton write diversity in her character and the connection between them was smoking hot this book was a grate novella and I couldn't put the story down
March 19, 2021
This was a mostly enjoyable romance by Avril Ashton. I’ve learned to shy away from her more violent stuff, so this was right up my alley. That being said, even though the two MCs weren’t literally torturing each other or on opposite ends of a gang war or murdered the other’s wife—you know, just typical romantic things—there was still plenty of angst here, enough that it was heart wrenching at times. The two characters are Roman, a mercenary, and a pastor named Tate. Due to a mixup, they end up snowed in together. Oh no, there’s only one bed!! You can guess what happens next, my friends.
Is there some insta-love? Well, yeah. But then again, both Roman and Tate are at a turning point in their lives and feeling intense emotions. I was a big fan of Tate, which was a surprise to me considering my intense dislike of organized religion and what with him being a pastor and such. However, he was a really nice guy coming to terms with himself: there wasn’t any of that “blah blah God hates me I’m going to hell, I must pray away the gay” stuff, instead it was more of an “I’m a famous person with no privacy and everyone knows I’m gay now” type scenario. It was Roman who was in true agony. His past was just—very upsetting to me. However, Tate was the perfect person, warm and caring (and sexy), to help him move on from his past.
I didn’t read the first book in this series, but I didn’t have any problem following the events in this one because I’m familiar with other related Avril Ashton books. Overall, I recommend this one because it’s a good balance of sweet and angsty with a two men that are perfect for each other. I just wanted more!
Is there some insta-love? Well, yeah. But then again, both Roman and Tate are at a turning point in their lives and feeling intense emotions. I was a big fan of Tate, which was a surprise to me considering my intense dislike of organized religion and what with him being a pastor and such. However, he was a really nice guy coming to terms with himself: there wasn’t any of that “blah blah God hates me I’m going to hell, I must pray away the gay” stuff, instead it was more of an “I’m a famous person with no privacy and everyone knows I’m gay now” type scenario. It was Roman who was in true agony. His past was just—very upsetting to me. However, Tate was the perfect person, warm and caring (and sexy), to help him move on from his past.
I didn’t read the first book in this series, but I didn’t have any problem following the events in this one because I’m familiar with other related Avril Ashton books. Overall, I recommend this one because it’s a good balance of sweet and angsty with a two men that are perfect for each other. I just wanted more!
March 21, 2021
Ashton is a favourite author of mine that always packs an emotional and angsty punch with her writing and while Roman was short on angst, the emotions of Roman and Tate were present and believable here even in such a short work. These two characters find themselves, and each other, at important crossroads of change in their complicated lives where stumbling upon a stranger is a welcome place to confide in and share parts of themselves they can't (or won't) share with those in around them. Roman is a merc running from tragedy, guilt, privileged expectations while Tate is a pastor running from a very public forced outing, suppression of himself as well as dissatisfaction with how his calling is manifesting in his life. These themes seem like a lot to tackle in a relatively short novella but as usual, Ashton is able to drill down on those most important details and aspects of each character that readers need to know and understand in order to be able to go on the journey with these two. I definitely knew where each character was coming from and what they were struggling with and why which I think can be a real struggle in a shorter format but not here. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised at how emotionally affected I was by a homecoming scene for one of the characters because it packed an unexpected whollop that was quite lovely in its contrast (though I really shouldn't have been because... Avril lol). As always, the sexy times were top notch and I'm very much looking forward to Demming's story (as he's the only single Freelancer left). Recommended.
April 17, 2021
A mercenary and a pastor are forced to share a small cabin during a massive winter storm. What's the worst that could happen?
After a mission went wrong, leaving a team member dead, Roman escapes to his remote cabin for some quiet time to decompress. But when he gets there, he discovers that his cabin has an unauthorized visitor.
Tate was publicly outed on social media by a spiteful ex and he did not want his personal life to cast any negativity on his church so he accepts his mentors offer of retreating to his cabin up north for some time away to reflect on what his future may hold.... except when the key to the front door doesn't work, he blames it on the cold weather and jimmies open a small window on the side of the cabin and makes himself at home up until the point where he's awoken by an angry man pointing two guns at him.
As the storm rages on outside, Tate and Roman come to a temporary agreement of sharing space. It's not like either can leave!
Opposites attract / forced proximity / multiracial-interracial / third person.
The plot, characters, and overall flow of the story were enjoyable.
The only thing that threw me off was the fact that during proofreading, beta, and editing, no one seemed to catch the times that RoMan was referred to as RoNan.
After a mission went wrong, leaving a team member dead, Roman escapes to his remote cabin for some quiet time to decompress. But when he gets there, he discovers that his cabin has an unauthorized visitor.
Tate was publicly outed on social media by a spiteful ex and he did not want his personal life to cast any negativity on his church so he accepts his mentors offer of retreating to his cabin up north for some time away to reflect on what his future may hold.... except when the key to the front door doesn't work, he blames it on the cold weather and jimmies open a small window on the side of the cabin and makes himself at home up until the point where he's awoken by an angry man pointing two guns at him.
As the storm rages on outside, Tate and Roman come to a temporary agreement of sharing space. It's not like either can leave!
Opposites attract / forced proximity / multiracial-interracial / third person.
The plot, characters, and overall flow of the story were enjoyable.
The only thing that threw me off was the fact that during proofreading, beta, and editing, no one seemed to catch the times that RoMan was referred to as RoNan.
March 18, 2021
I have to say, this was by far the fluffiest and lightest Avril Ashton book I’ve ever read. And although I prefer her dark and intense reads, this book doesn’t disappoint. I was captivated from the first sentence.
The story follows mercenary Roman after a mission gone bad and pastor Tate, whose life was turned upside down.
Ashton again created multilayered, relatable and intriguing MCs.
I loved how the relationship between these two men evolved from complete strangers to more. How being forced to spend time together made them realize and admit some truths about themselves. Roman and Tate are total opposites (not just in looks but also in their personalities) but still make it work.
The romance happens a little too fast for my taste but it’s a novella and still the story develops naturally. Overall the plot focuses on their relationship, there is no outside-angst.
And I was overjoyed to see a special someone from her other books making an appearance. Love these cameos.
So, if you’re looking for a light, opposites attract/forced proximity romance with the right amount of steam, you should definitely read this one!
The story follows mercenary Roman after a mission gone bad and pastor Tate, whose life was turned upside down.
Ashton again created multilayered, relatable and intriguing MCs.
I loved how the relationship between these two men evolved from complete strangers to more. How being forced to spend time together made them realize and admit some truths about themselves. Roman and Tate are total opposites (not just in looks but also in their personalities) but still make it work.
The romance happens a little too fast for my taste but it’s a novella and still the story develops naturally. Overall the plot focuses on their relationship, there is no outside-angst.
And I was overjoyed to see a special someone from her other books making an appearance. Love these cameos.
So, if you’re looking for a light, opposites attract/forced proximity romance with the right amount of steam, you should definitely read this one!
March 19, 2021
OMG! SQUEEEE! This book embodies everything that is Avril. Its sexy, intense, and passionate.
Book two gives us Roman and Tate, and boy do these two light up a page! These two men share heartbreak, laughter, freindship and passion while forced together in a cabin in Vermont. They learn about acceptance, love and forgiveness and teach each other what real love is. My heart broke for Tate when he had to let go. Then it broke for Roman when he dealt with his tragedy. But fear not ladys for Avril always gives good reason for heartbreak. She packs alot into such a short book. You can tell she loves her boys and it feels like they truly do speak to her.
All in all this was a five star read. This author always gives that deep in your gut passion and exquisite intensity that sucks you in and makes you salivate for more. This author will always be a one click for me. Please read this,
I promise you will not be disappointed! There are a few familiar faces and a couple of name drops I almost stroked out on! I cannot stress this enough you will love this raw, gritty amazing novella.. This book is everything!!!!!!
(Oh and that olive oil scene! DAMN!)
Book two gives us Roman and Tate, and boy do these two light up a page! These two men share heartbreak, laughter, freindship and passion while forced together in a cabin in Vermont. They learn about acceptance, love and forgiveness and teach each other what real love is. My heart broke for Tate when he had to let go. Then it broke for Roman when he dealt with his tragedy. But fear not ladys for Avril always gives good reason for heartbreak. She packs alot into such a short book. You can tell she loves her boys and it feels like they truly do speak to her.
All in all this was a five star read. This author always gives that deep in your gut passion and exquisite intensity that sucks you in and makes you salivate for more. This author will always be a one click for me. Please read this,
I promise you will not be disappointed! There are a few familiar faces and a couple of name drops I almost stroked out on! I cannot stress this enough you will love this raw, gritty amazing novella.. This book is everything!!!!!!
(Oh and that olive oil scene! DAMN!)
May 9, 2021
LO AMÉ.
Sin duda es una lectura ligera y muy -muy- agradable de leer. Es fresca y llena de tintes de angustia mezclado con ternura que hacen que el corazón no sepa distinguir entre la felicidad y la tristeza.
Aunque no soy fan del insta-love, o la proximidad forzada, creo que para solo 12 capítulos Avril supo manejar y desarrolar los tiempos a la perfección. La relación de Roman y Tate simplemente fluyo de una manera muy agradable y para nada forzosos. Sentí completamente la conexión de ambos hombres.
He llorado con Roma, el un hombre que a lo largo de los años se cerro en un caparazón que no ha dejado entrar a nadie. Solo queria meterme en el libro y abrazarlo ¡es un hombre tan dulce! Tiene ese exterior duro, frío -y es un mercenario- pero tiene un corazón tan noble y es una dulzura. (Completamente enamorada, sí)
Tate es pastor, así que es bondadoso y buenos con las palabras. Estaba pasando por momentos de incertidumbre y conocer a Roman lo conecto con aquel lado espiritual que habia dejado atrás.
Estos hombres se encontraron para amarae y asi fue.
Simplemente precioso.
Sin duda es una lectura ligera y muy -muy- agradable de leer. Es fresca y llena de tintes de angustia mezclado con ternura que hacen que el corazón no sepa distinguir entre la felicidad y la tristeza.
Aunque no soy fan del insta-love, o la proximidad forzada, creo que para solo 12 capítulos Avril supo manejar y desarrolar los tiempos a la perfección. La relación de Roman y Tate simplemente fluyo de una manera muy agradable y para nada forzosos. Sentí completamente la conexión de ambos hombres.
He llorado con Roma, el un hombre que a lo largo de los años se cerro en un caparazón que no ha dejado entrar a nadie. Solo queria meterme en el libro y abrazarlo ¡es un hombre tan dulce! Tiene ese exterior duro, frío -y es un mercenario- pero tiene un corazón tan noble y es una dulzura. (Completamente enamorada, sí)
Tate es pastor, así que es bondadoso y buenos con las palabras. Estaba pasando por momentos de incertidumbre y conocer a Roman lo conecto con aquel lado espiritual que habia dejado atrás.
Estos hombres se encontraron para amarae y asi fue.
Simplemente precioso.
March 18, 2021
As a huge fan of Avril Ashton I just knew the second book in the Freelancers series was going to be amazing.
Caught up in a scandal, Pastor Tate Galvin escapes to a cabin in Vermont to reflect and meditate. Little does he know he's at the wrong address. Unbeknownst to him, he is at the cabin of Roman Janulis, mercenary and son of Samuel Janulis, billionaire cruise line owner.
Roman walked away from his family years ago never looking back after his family drove his then lover to suicide. Brokenhearted he got into underground fighting and lastly working with a mercenary group doing jobs others wouldn't think of. He was retreating to his cabin exhausted and saddened by the loss of a teamate. What he finds is a stranger in his cabin. Snowbound the two try to make do until Tate can retreat to the right place but an instantaneous connection between these two cannot be ignored. Sparks fly. Can a pastor and a mercenary have a life together? This book takes you through the stages of grief, awareness, finding comfort you needed and never had, and love. Five stars for Roman!!!!
Caught up in a scandal, Pastor Tate Galvin escapes to a cabin in Vermont to reflect and meditate. Little does he know he's at the wrong address. Unbeknownst to him, he is at the cabin of Roman Janulis, mercenary and son of Samuel Janulis, billionaire cruise line owner.
Roman walked away from his family years ago never looking back after his family drove his then lover to suicide. Brokenhearted he got into underground fighting and lastly working with a mercenary group doing jobs others wouldn't think of. He was retreating to his cabin exhausted and saddened by the loss of a teamate. What he finds is a stranger in his cabin. Snowbound the two try to make do until Tate can retreat to the right place but an instantaneous connection between these two cannot be ignored. Sparks fly. Can a pastor and a mercenary have a life together? This book takes you through the stages of grief, awareness, finding comfort you needed and never had, and love. Five stars for Roman!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2021
So freakin’ good!
This book was everything I expected and more. Usually with novellas, I am left wanting and feeling like the story was rushed but that is never the case with Avril. It amazes me how Avril always makes her novellas seem like full-length novels. No matter what she writes, I am left completely satisfied, yet anxiously awaiting the next installment and Roman was no exception.
Roman and Tate couldn’t be any more different, from their backgrounds to their professions, but none of that matters because their hearts are in perfect harmony. This book made me smile and it made me cry. And let’s not even talk about the amount of squirming I did as their passion incinerated the pages. No one, and I do mean no one, can touch Avril’s ability to write sex scenes that will leave you panting and feeling like you’re right there in the room watching it all happen.
Roman will have you invested from page one and will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
5/5 sweet, beautiful, heartbreaking, smoking-hot stars!!!!
This book was everything I expected and more. Usually with novellas, I am left wanting and feeling like the story was rushed but that is never the case with Avril. It amazes me how Avril always makes her novellas seem like full-length novels. No matter what she writes, I am left completely satisfied, yet anxiously awaiting the next installment and Roman was no exception.
Roman and Tate couldn’t be any more different, from their backgrounds to their professions, but none of that matters because their hearts are in perfect harmony. This book made me smile and it made me cry. And let’s not even talk about the amount of squirming I did as their passion incinerated the pages. No one, and I do mean no one, can touch Avril’s ability to write sex scenes that will leave you panting and feeling like you’re right there in the room watching it all happen.
Roman will have you invested from page one and will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
5/5 sweet, beautiful, heartbreaking, smoking-hot stars!!!!
March 19, 2021
A pastor and a mercenary get locked into a cabin together during a snowstorm, what's the worst that can happen? I love Avril Ashton's books, and once you start you won't be able to stop and become obsessed. This book follows Tate and Roman, two very different people but who fit so well together. Tate goes to a cabin to collect his thoughts but ends up in Roman's cabin and stuck due to a snow storm. Roman and Tate both have a rough background and have experienced pain in their own worlds. I loved the aspect of religion in this book, it doesn't follow the norms and actually was super nice to see. This book has romance, tragedy, sorrow, and acceptance. Plus the scenes are very steamy. I highly recommend this book, it's standalone but you'll want to read the first one anyways.
September 12, 2022
For me, this was a hard-earned 4 stars. For some reason(s) that I haven't been able to identify, I had difficulty connecting with either Roman or Tate. I went back and forth between DNF and slugging my way through, but then there would be a section that I liked. It had smoothed out at the end enough to warrant the 4 stars, and I will be moving on to Demming's story. And with Renzo's cameo, it reminded me that I hadn't finished the Loose Ends series. So, it looks like I'm lucky and will be spending some more time in the near future with this author.
March 18, 2021
Sooooo.. this book was unexpectedly good. Avril is an insta buy for me, no questions asked. This was quite a deviation from her usual works, alot more "fluff" and while no one does hurt/comfort like her, this was more mellow.
I loved these MC's. Highly relatable and loveable, there was a tiny smidge of too insta love but done in a way that made it fairly plausible. I honestly couldn't put it down.
My only issue was there were very minor grammatical issues and since I've never seen one before in an AA book it threw me off.
Read this to make your soul happy.
I loved these MC's. Highly relatable and loveable, there was a tiny smidge of too insta love but done in a way that made it fairly plausible. I honestly couldn't put it down.
My only issue was there were very minor grammatical issues and since I've never seen one before in an AA book it threw me off.
Read this to make your soul happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2021
Freckles
“The love of a good man is a fragile thing.” Never has this been more true with Roman and Tate. I knew that Roman’s quietness hid an inner strength but still I cried when I heard his story. Tate is the balm he needs to help him heal. In fact they healed each other. I loved hearing their truths and how they both recognized their other half in each other, and oh how the tension sizzled between these two as they fought the pull. When they gave in, sparks and fireworks flew but it was the pure love they have that made my heart happy and brought sunshine to my life.
“The love of a good man is a fragile thing.” Never has this been more true with Roman and Tate. I knew that Roman’s quietness hid an inner strength but still I cried when I heard his story. Tate is the balm he needs to help him heal. In fact they healed each other. I loved hearing their truths and how they both recognized their other half in each other, and oh how the tension sizzled between these two as they fought the pull. When they gave in, sparks and fireworks flew but it was the pure love they have that made my heart happy and brought sunshine to my life.
March 20, 2021
When a mix up causes Tate and Roman to be stranded together in a cabin, they are forced to share a common space.
Sharing a common space, slowly leads to communication which slowly leads to more, thus causing these two totally opposite men to find in each other many different things.
Salvation, healing, comfort, care, passion and a connection that brings them unexpected peace.
A shorter read from this author, but a read packed with emotion, wonderful main characters and some past characters as well. The story ends on a HFN, so I’m hoping we get to see more of these guys in the future.
Sharing a common space, slowly leads to communication which slowly leads to more, thus causing these two totally opposite men to find in each other many different things.
Salvation, healing, comfort, care, passion and a connection that brings them unexpected peace.
A shorter read from this author, but a read packed with emotion, wonderful main characters and some past characters as well. The story ends on a HFN, so I’m hoping we get to see more of these guys in the future.
March 25, 2021
A hot sexy, new book by Avril Ashton. Two lost souls that comes together and they are burning up the the pages. Roman is hurting emotionally. He's a mercenary, just lost a companion, and he's father is dying. Pastor Tate is hiding from a scandal and the two are trapped in the blizzard together. The two gets to know each personally and intimately but Roman can't handle the pressure and he's returns home to see his dying father. The book is sweet, some angst, romantic, a lot of soul searching and I enjoyed it.
April 2, 2021
Great
This story was great Tate may have been at the wrong place but he was definitely there at the right time. Roman is needing some alone time after a fellow mercenary is killed. When he arrives to his cabin and finds a stranger he's very cautious. They both began to open up about their lives and what brought them together soon they find themselves falling for each other. Soon they realize reality will burst their bubble of romance that unless they decide to stay together once real life intrudes.
This story was great Tate may have been at the wrong place but he was definitely there at the right time. Roman is needing some alone time after a fellow mercenary is killed. When he arrives to his cabin and finds a stranger he's very cautious. They both began to open up about their lives and what brought them together soon they find themselves falling for each other. Soon they realize reality will burst their bubble of romance that unless they decide to stay together once real life intrudes.
March 17, 2021
I can never go wrong when choosing to read about Avril Ashton's men, they hold a special place for me.
While this was a bit sweeter than what I had expected, I still liked the troubled Roman and the stoic Tate, they fit well together, and opposites attract is always good.
Scorching bed scenes, and the build up before they came together was perfect.
A quick read with minimum angst, and hot men tearing each others clothes off along with a bit of pining.
While this was a bit sweeter than what I had expected, I still liked the troubled Roman and the stoic Tate, they fit well together, and opposites attract is always good.
Scorching bed scenes, and the build up before they came together was perfect.
A quick read with minimum angst, and hot men tearing each others clothes off along with a bit of pining.
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