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Duality #1
Dual Destruction
Not a villain, but never the hero.
Foster Golden kills people for a living, and with no family and few friends, he’s the perfect man for the job. But distracted by memories of a hedonistic weekend he wishes he could forget, his next assignment brings him face to face with the one man he cannot--the mysterious and sadistic Sage Rosetti.
Never a hero, and not quite the villain.
Sage Rosetti is no stranger to the shady side of the world. Throughout his life, he’s searched out the deepest corners of the darkest places in the pursuit of his business and his pleasure. When a wink from a stranger leaves him bleeding out in an alley, Sage doesn’t know where to go. He ends up in last place he should be, the arms of the very man who wants him dead, Foster Golden.
You’re mine to own, mine to end.
Against his better judgement, Foster nurses Sage back to health, the two of them rekindling feelings better left buried in the past. Sage and Foster could be unstoppable, but after shots are fired and plans are put into motion, Sage becomes a man obsessed with a desire so powerful it threatens to destroy not just their future, but their lives.
Foster Golden kills people for a living, and with no family and few friends, he’s the perfect man for the job. But distracted by memories of a hedonistic weekend he wishes he could forget, his next assignment brings him face to face with the one man he cannot--the mysterious and sadistic Sage Rosetti.
Never a hero, and not quite the villain.
Sage Rosetti is no stranger to the shady side of the world. Throughout his life, he’s searched out the deepest corners of the darkest places in the pursuit of his business and his pleasure. When a wink from a stranger leaves him bleeding out in an alley, Sage doesn’t know where to go. He ends up in last place he should be, the arms of the very man who wants him dead, Foster Golden.
You’re mine to own, mine to end.
Against his better judgement, Foster nurses Sage back to health, the two of them rekindling feelings better left buried in the past. Sage and Foster could be unstoppable, but after shots are fired and plans are put into motion, Sage becomes a man obsessed with a desire so powerful it threatens to destroy not just their future, but their lives.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2021
108 people are currently reading
718 people want to read
About the author
Kate Hawthorne
93 books936 followersWith over two dozen published romances to her name, Kate Hawthorne has built a recognizable brand around telling emotional stories that pack a figurative (and sometimes literal) punch.
Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.
Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com
Existing on a steady diet of wine and coffee, Kate spends her days dreaming up angsty stories full of heat, kink, and heart. Kate now lives in Louisville, where she writes romance, reads romance, and hides from the humidity.
Visit her website at http://www.katehawthornebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
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October 26, 2022
The man jumped up and Golden stood straight, a dangerous smile settling across his face. God, he was doing it again. He was a dangerous man, I knew it, but seeing him work and then seeing him bend and beg for me. I was a fucking king, a god. Golden had given me more power than I deserved and, fuck, I loved him for it.
mcs who can literally kill each other with no hesitation but just choose not to is one of my favorite dynamics. i actually loved the moments when they'd physically try to threaten each other and show the other not to underestimate them. 😌 but i also think they simply just fit and understood each other quite well, in terms of what the other wants and needs (inside and outside of their sex life) so i loved reading about their pull towards each other.
overall, this book, along with its prequel novella, Dual Hostilities, were very entertaining reads and Golden/Sage have my heart. 🥹
mcs who can literally kill each other with no hesitation but just choose not to is one of my favorite dynamics. i actually loved the moments when they'd physically try to threaten each other and show the other not to underestimate them. 😌 but i also think they simply just fit and understood each other quite well, in terms of what the other wants and needs (inside and outside of their sex life) so i loved reading about their pull towards each other.
overall, this book, along with its prequel novella, Dual Hostilities, were very entertaining reads and Golden/Sage have my heart. 🥹
March 2, 2023
5 ‘’Why you’’ stars
“Did you mean what you said before?” he asked, stepping away and palming his growing erection. “When you said you loved me.”
I nodded.
“Even…” He gestured to me on my knees. “Even like this?” I nodded again, more vigorously.
My wants, my desires…none of it had changed just because I’d accidentally fallen in love with Sage Rosetti. I still wanted him to hurt me, to abuse me within our limits, to take as much as I offered him and then a little more.
I was sold on this book as soon as I read the blurb and realized that it was about people who want to kill each other and it had a lot of BDSM in it, and god was I not disapointed.
You know when you read a book and everything about it is absolutely perfect and everything you ever wanted in a book? This was this book for me. I don’t really know what to say about this book because I loved every seconds of it and I had an absolute blast while reading it.
Brief summary:Foster and Sage spent a weekend together and now Foster, an hired killer, has a contract where he has to kill Sage... but he falls in love with him instead.
First, the plot of this was really engaging and I really enjoyed reading about it. Everything made sense and was well explained and I had a really good time reading this book. It always kept me interested in seeing what would happen next. I also really enjoyed how there wasn’t that much angst and no relationship angst, I would have expected a lot of both because of the subject matter but I was really happy to see there wasn’t.
Second, god did I love how you could feel how much Sage and Foster hated each other but they still were not able to fight the pull they have towards each other. I often feel like people who are supposed to be enemies in books, just don’t seem like they hate each other enough. But with this one, it was easy to see the hate they had for each other. They often wanted to kill the other, but the pull they had towards the other was stronger than the hate. And I adored that, so much.
Third, I really adored these two together. I loved every thing about them as a couple, they fit together so so well. I really loved how easy it was to see how much they wanted each other and how it affected them. I also adored how they kept fighting to not want the other but the push was too strong and they kept reaching for each other. I loved the transitions between them wanting to kill each other to them having sex. The longing they had for the other, it was so so good. I loved reading about it, I could feel how much they wanted each other so well. I also loved how possesive they were of the other. I also loved how strong they were together. I also adored how they didn’t have to say they loved each other because you could see it in everything they did. Everything about these two guys together, I absolutely adored.
“If you…if you want to be…with me…then I’m the only one who gets to make you bleed.”
Fourth, I absolutely adored the two main characters. I really loved Foster. I loved how he was so dominant at his job and then switch to being submissive to Sage and how he wanted sage to hurt him. I loved how well he obeyed Sage and how all he wanted was to please him. Foster was such a well built and well portrayed character with multiple layers, depending on the situation, and I really loved him. I also loved Sage. I really loved how dominant, possessive and sadistic he was. He was the perfect fit for Foster. I loved how he was portrayed as a little bit lost and how he didn’t know his place in the world at first and how we saw him grow and find his place during the book. I really loved how well developed these two men were, they felt very realistic.
Fifth, I also really loved how strong Sage and Foster were together. I expected them to not talk to each other, because they were rivals trying to kill each other, but no, they had really good communication and always fought for the other. It was so lovely to see.
Sixth, I always love a good BDSM book. But i’m really picky with my BDSM and it’s rare that it totally clicks for me. Most of the time the book is just too angsty and I can’t get into it. Or it’s not enough BDSM for my taste. But everything about the sex scenes in this book was perfect to me. I very much enjoyed all of the sex scenes and they were all really fucking hot. Definitely a massive bonus for the book.
Side note, reading the prequel is really important here, I feel like I would have been so long if I hadn’t read it first, it definitely builds up a lot of the story.
Everything about this book was perfect to me, it fit all of my wants in a book and i’m so happy about it.
“Did you mean what you said before?” he asked, stepping away and palming his growing erection. “When you said you loved me.”
I nodded.
“Even…” He gestured to me on my knees. “Even like this?” I nodded again, more vigorously.
My wants, my desires…none of it had changed just because I’d accidentally fallen in love with Sage Rosetti. I still wanted him to hurt me, to abuse me within our limits, to take as much as I offered him and then a little more.
I was sold on this book as soon as I read the blurb and realized that it was about people who want to kill each other and it had a lot of BDSM in it, and god was I not disapointed.
You know when you read a book and everything about it is absolutely perfect and everything you ever wanted in a book? This was this book for me. I don’t really know what to say about this book because I loved every seconds of it and I had an absolute blast while reading it.
Brief summary:Foster and Sage spent a weekend together and now Foster, an hired killer, has a contract where he has to kill Sage... but he falls in love with him instead.
First, the plot of this was really engaging and I really enjoyed reading about it. Everything made sense and was well explained and I had a really good time reading this book. It always kept me interested in seeing what would happen next. I also really enjoyed how there wasn’t that much angst and no relationship angst, I would have expected a lot of both because of the subject matter but I was really happy to see there wasn’t.
Second, god did I love how you could feel how much Sage and Foster hated each other but they still were not able to fight the pull they have towards each other. I often feel like people who are supposed to be enemies in books, just don’t seem like they hate each other enough. But with this one, it was easy to see the hate they had for each other. They often wanted to kill the other, but the pull they had towards the other was stronger than the hate. And I adored that, so much.
Third, I really adored these two together. I loved every thing about them as a couple, they fit together so so well. I really loved how easy it was to see how much they wanted each other and how it affected them. I also adored how they kept fighting to not want the other but the push was too strong and they kept reaching for each other. I loved the transitions between them wanting to kill each other to them having sex. The longing they had for the other, it was so so good. I loved reading about it, I could feel how much they wanted each other so well. I also loved how possesive they were of the other. I also loved how strong they were together. I also adored how they didn’t have to say they loved each other because you could see it in everything they did. Everything about these two guys together, I absolutely adored.
“If you…if you want to be…with me…then I’m the only one who gets to make you bleed.”
Fourth, I absolutely adored the two main characters. I really loved Foster. I loved how he was so dominant at his job and then switch to being submissive to Sage and how he wanted sage to hurt him. I loved how well he obeyed Sage and how all he wanted was to please him. Foster was such a well built and well portrayed character with multiple layers, depending on the situation, and I really loved him. I also loved Sage. I really loved how dominant, possessive and sadistic he was. He was the perfect fit for Foster. I loved how he was portrayed as a little bit lost and how he didn’t know his place in the world at first and how we saw him grow and find his place during the book. I really loved how well developed these two men were, they felt very realistic.
Fifth, I also really loved how strong Sage and Foster were together. I expected them to not talk to each other, because they were rivals trying to kill each other, but no, they had really good communication and always fought for the other. It was so lovely to see.
Sixth, I always love a good BDSM book. But i’m really picky with my BDSM and it’s rare that it totally clicks for me. Most of the time the book is just too angsty and I can’t get into it. Or it’s not enough BDSM for my taste. But everything about the sex scenes in this book was perfect to me. I very much enjoyed all of the sex scenes and they were all really fucking hot. Definitely a massive bonus for the book.
Side note, reading the prequel is really important here, I feel like I would have been so long if I hadn’t read it first, it definitely builds up a lot of the story.
Everything about this book was perfect to me, it fit all of my wants in a book and i’m so happy about it.
June 30, 2024
Foster Golden was a dream and a nightmare. He was my rise and my downfall. He would no doubt be the cause of my destruction, but until then, he was the only thing in my world that mattered. Foster Golden was the rest of my life.
We know Sage and Foster already from the prequel and I can only say my love for them both grew so much more.
This book was everything to me, it was from start to the end just perfect , it had everything I’ve every dreamed of and satisfied me to my core.
If I tell you that I adored both MCs to my bones I mean it! I loved everything about those two they were perfect for each other. Both are literally capable to kill each other but decide not to do it. But I enjoyed when they both physically threatened each other and not only when they both had their rough, hardcore kinky scenes, it just was really thrilling.
It was a constant finger between giving in to their desire to devour each other and kill each other (in a hot way).
“I’m fighting every instinct in my body, every rule, everything I know about my life and my job. You’re alive because I’m so busy fighting.“
The longes for each other was so possessive they just craved and needed to hurt another but also smooth each other with their own way of tenderness.
And I adored how both absolutely without doubt trusted each other to know what the other needed. They worked so well together without much communication because deep down they know each others by heart.
I also loved that they both had no need to say to the other that they love them because they couldn’t see and feel it in everything they did for each other.
„If you…if you want to be…with me…then I’m the only one who gets to make you bleed.”
And to the plot Omg it was really engaging and I absolutely enjoyed reading about it. I was never once bored and I‘m glad that everything was so well explained and made sense in the end!
Other thing I want to mention are the side characters! I love Ronan and Kevin, they caught my interest from the beginning and since I’m already reading the second book I can say the also have a really big place in my heart.
Since the prequel already had really intense and hardcore BDSM scenes I expected them here as well and thank god this book didn’t let me down!!
I devoured them all and I loved the intensity of Sages and Fosters sessions, it’s really rare that I find books were I can say „damn that hit the spot“ but it definitely did here.
We know Sage and Foster already from the prequel and I can only say my love for them both grew so much more.
This book was everything to me, it was from start to the end just perfect , it had everything I’ve every dreamed of and satisfied me to my core.
If I tell you that I adored both MCs to my bones I mean it! I loved everything about those two they were perfect for each other. Both are literally capable to kill each other but decide not to do it. But I enjoyed when they both physically threatened each other and not only when they both had their rough, hardcore kinky scenes, it just was really thrilling.
It was a constant finger between giving in to their desire to devour each other and kill each other (in a hot way).
“I’m fighting every instinct in my body, every rule, everything I know about my life and my job. You’re alive because I’m so busy fighting.“
The longes for each other was so possessive they just craved and needed to hurt another but also smooth each other with their own way of tenderness.
And I adored how both absolutely without doubt trusted each other to know what the other needed. They worked so well together without much communication because deep down they know each others by heart.
I also loved that they both had no need to say to the other that they love them because they couldn’t see and feel it in everything they did for each other.
„If you…if you want to be…with me…then I’m the only one who gets to make you bleed.”
And to the plot Omg it was really engaging and I absolutely enjoyed reading about it. I was never once bored and I‘m glad that everything was so well explained and made sense in the end!
Other thing I want to mention are the side characters! I love Ronan and Kevin, they caught my interest from the beginning and since I’m already reading the second book I can say the also have a really big place in my heart.
Since the prequel already had really intense and hardcore BDSM scenes I expected them here as well and thank god this book didn’t let me down!!
I devoured them all and I loved the intensity of Sages and Fosters sessions, it’s really rare that I find books were I can say „damn that hit the spot“ but it definitely did here.
April 11, 2021
2 STARS
I really, really wanted to like this book but from the beginning until the end I felt like I was missing a big part of the background story. Like I fell right in the middle of the plot and everything was happening so fast and wasn't sure I even understood the conflict and the solution of it. I'm guessing Foster's friends are part of a universe I'm not aware of, because it felt like this was some sword of cameo. And as I have never read a book by this author at least ¾ of the story were a big question mark for me.
I think a warning or an author's note at the beginning would've been pretty useful. As confused as I was about these characters and the whole past cabin story, I couldn't connect with the plot or even understand their motives and personalities. The main part of the story seemed to have happened in another book, for real. That ruined the book for me, I didn't enjoy the book as much as I would've wanted.
Let's be honest, this plot has everything to be perfect. We have:
- Assassins
- Mafia
- Hot men
- Smut
- An amazing S&M relationship
But it was totally lacking:
- Background story for new readers
- Action. I really missed this. The action scenes were omitted. And I don't know about you, but if I'm getting assasins and mafia, there should be some action scenes in between somewhere. There were none. The only one being at the beginning with Sage and it was good. But then we got nothing. Absolutely nothing.
And again, I didn't understand the conflict and it's solution. As most of the action happened off page I felt like this whole fighting-for-their-lives plot was nothing more than a big misunderstanding and it all ended with them being like "haha whoops. my bad 😳".
I'm sad... I really wanted to love this book. Sage and Foster seem really lovable and exciting, but I couldn't get to really know them, there was almost no relationship developing because it was supposed to have happened in the past but we got no details. Ugh. I'm frustrated. Sorry.
I guess if you're a fan of the author and know who the secondary characters are, you will definitely love this book, but for a newcomer like me, it flopped really bad ;(
I really, really wanted to like this book but from the beginning until the end I felt like I was missing a big part of the background story. Like I fell right in the middle of the plot and everything was happening so fast and wasn't sure I even understood the conflict and the solution of it. I'm guessing Foster's friends are part of a universe I'm not aware of, because it felt like this was some sword of cameo. And as I have never read a book by this author at least ¾ of the story were a big question mark for me.
I think a warning or an author's note at the beginning would've been pretty useful. As confused as I was about these characters and the whole past cabin story, I couldn't connect with the plot or even understand their motives and personalities. The main part of the story seemed to have happened in another book, for real. That ruined the book for me, I didn't enjoy the book as much as I would've wanted.
Let's be honest, this plot has everything to be perfect. We have:
- Assassins
- Mafia
- Hot men
- Smut
- An amazing S&M relationship
But it was totally lacking:
- Background story for new readers
- Action. I really missed this. The action scenes were omitted. And I don't know about you, but if I'm getting assasins and mafia, there should be some action scenes in between somewhere. There were none. The only one being at the beginning with Sage and it was good. But then we got nothing. Absolutely nothing.
And again, I didn't understand the conflict and it's solution. As most of the action happened off page I felt like this whole fighting-for-their-lives plot was nothing more than a big misunderstanding and it all ended with them being like "haha whoops. my bad 😳".
I'm sad... I really wanted to love this book. Sage and Foster seem really lovable and exciting, but I couldn't get to really know them, there was almost no relationship developing because it was supposed to have happened in the past but we got no details. Ugh. I'm frustrated. Sorry.
I guess if you're a fan of the author and know who the secondary characters are, you will definitely love this book, but for a newcomer like me, it flopped really bad ;(
April 10, 2021
I nearly DNF this two chapters in but I hate doing that, so I pushed through. It felt like it started half way through Sage and Foster’s story, and I’m guessing you really need to read the 0.5 book Dual Hostilities first (I wasn’t aware of it before I started this one). That said, I’m not even sure whether it’s published yet?
Whilst I did like the connection between the MCs, it felt underdeveloped and the rush to the conclusion felt forced and contrived. That sounds harsh but just IMO.
Probably just not my type of book as I’m clearly in the minority given the reviews 😊.
Whilst I did like the connection between the MCs, it felt underdeveloped and the rush to the conclusion felt forced and contrived. That sounds harsh but just IMO.
Probably just not my type of book as I’m clearly in the minority given the reviews 😊.
July 9, 2022
Reread 06/22:
Rereading this book 1.5 years after the first time I changed my review from 3 to 5 stars. The story is intense and really beautiful.
Wow! This book was intense. BDSM is not my style but I enjoyed reading the prequel and now I was curious about how the story keeps going. It was really wee written and I enjoyed it very much.
Rereading this book 1.5 years after the first time I changed my review from 3 to 5 stars. The story is intense and really beautiful.
Wow! This book was intense. BDSM is not my style but I enjoyed reading the prequel and now I was curious about how the story keeps going. It was really wee written and I enjoyed it very much.
September 2, 2023
I could see this working really well for some folks, but it just fell flat for me. Extremely exciting shenanigans yet the relationship development just didn't feel fleshed out. Instalove sometimes works for me, but not here. And I still don't understand what was going on with the plot and why everyone was trying to kill each other. Very vibey, loose on the details. The erotica short prequel was honestly better than the actual book.
March 23, 2023
4.5 stars
A very enjoyable read with vague mystery elements and surprisingly convincing emotionally-challenged men.
CW: Murder (on page), attempted murder (of MC, on page), CNC
I really enjoy reluctant love interests. Sage and Golden really don't want to like each other, even though they've each been obsessed with the other since their encounter in the cabin a few weeks earlier.
Side-note - I'd highly recommend reading the free intro novella Dual Hostilities, unless you are not at all into BDSM elements in which case you can skip it but it's got important character development and is mentioned several times in this book.
When Sage shows up half-dead on Golden's doorstep, the same day that Golden was informed that Sage was his next hit, he's torn but can't bring himself to take him out. Instead, they embark on finding out who issued the hit and getting to them first.
This was dark and a bit grim, but also surprisingly tender, and I just loved both Sage and Golden as characters. There are a lot of BDSM elements in this story, but it's nowhere near as full-on as the prologue, and it was interesting to watch them explore their dynamic, and agree that it can't be as intense as at the cabin all the time or they'll destroy each other.
Was the mystery purely a setup for the next 2 books? Yes. Did I care one bit? No. Well, ok, maybe a little. I'm intrigued by the next book but I can't say I'm holding my breath. If I've understood correctly, it will be telling Ronan and Kevin's story over the same timeline as this book.
I enjoyed how the ending came full circle, and though I almost always prefer a HFN over a cheesy HEA, I'd have liked for this to be a little more fleshed out since it doesn't look like we'll be getting any further closure in the next book. Maybe in book 3?
Sexual content: Plenty and dirty. Blowjobs, rimming, anal sex (strict top/bottom), felching.
Kink: D/s, CNC, impact play, orgasm denial, asphyxiation
A very enjoyable read with vague mystery elements and surprisingly convincing emotionally-challenged men.
CW: Murder (on page), attempted murder (of MC, on page), CNC
Tears leaked out of the corners of my eyes and I glared up at him. Glared at the way he watched me like I amazed him. How dare he think that about me? He had no right.
I really enjoy reluctant love interests. Sage and Golden really don't want to like each other, even though they've each been obsessed with the other since their encounter in the cabin a few weeks earlier.
Side-note - I'd highly recommend reading the free intro novella Dual Hostilities, unless you are not at all into BDSM elements in which case you can skip it but it's got important character development and is mentioned several times in this book.
When Sage shows up half-dead on Golden's doorstep, the same day that Golden was informed that Sage was his next hit, he's torn but can't bring himself to take him out. Instead, they embark on finding out who issued the hit and getting to them first.
This was dark and a bit grim, but also surprisingly tender, and I just loved both Sage and Golden as characters. There are a lot of BDSM elements in this story, but it's nowhere near as full-on as the prologue, and it was interesting to watch them explore their dynamic, and agree that it can't be as intense as at the cabin all the time or they'll destroy each other.
Was the mystery purely a setup for the next 2 books? Yes. Did I care one bit? No. Well, ok, maybe a little. I'm intrigued by the next book but I can't say I'm holding my breath. If I've understood correctly, it will be telling Ronan and Kevin's story over the same timeline as this book.
I enjoyed how the ending came full circle, and though I almost always prefer a HFN over a cheesy HEA, I'd have liked for this to be a little more fleshed out since it doesn't look like we'll be getting any further closure in the next book. Maybe in book 3?
“Did you mean what you said before?” he asked, stepping away and palming his growing erection. “When you said you loved me.”
I nodded.
“Even…” He gestured to me on my knees. “Even like this?”
I nodded again, more vigorously. My wants, my desires…none of it had changed just because I’d accidentally fallen in love with Sage Rosetti. I still wanted him to hurt me, to abuse me within our limits, to take as much as I offered him and then a little more.
Sexual content: Plenty and dirty. Blowjobs, rimming, anal sex (strict top/bottom), felching.
Kink: D/s, CNC, impact play, orgasm denial, asphyxiation
March 4, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Dual Destruction is a great thriller featuring some heavy kink and two super intense men in Sage and Foster. Starting with the suspense side, I was pleasantly surprised by the direction this story takes. I am not sure why I wasn’t anticipating that this is a thriller, but for some reason it caught me off guard in a good way. Every time I thought I knew where things were going, the story takes a new twist. We never quite know where the real threat lies and who is behind it all, and that adds some nice excitement to the story. I think given how intense the relationship is between Sage and Foster, adding this larger suspense plot gives some breathing room and adds a really nice element to the story. The basics wrap up here, but there are threads that are not fully resolved as we lead into the next book. However, this story feels complete and ends us at a great point.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Dual Destruction is a great thriller featuring some heavy kink and two super intense men in Sage and Foster. Starting with the suspense side, I was pleasantly surprised by the direction this story takes. I am not sure why I wasn’t anticipating that this is a thriller, but for some reason it caught me off guard in a good way. Every time I thought I knew where things were going, the story takes a new twist. We never quite know where the real threat lies and who is behind it all, and that adds some nice excitement to the story. I think given how intense the relationship is between Sage and Foster, adding this larger suspense plot gives some breathing room and adds a really nice element to the story. The basics wrap up here, but there are threads that are not fully resolved as we lead into the next book. However, this story feels complete and ends us at a great point.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
dnf
March 29, 2025dnf @ 44% - i should’ve stopped after not vibing with the prequel bc it did not, in fact, get better. or rather more immersive as i wanted rip😭
May 7, 2021
4.5 for this dark & gritty beginning. A little OTT in moments but heavy on the S&M if you enjoy a little pain in your read !
April 19, 2022
M/M romance/erotica, HFN, intense, BDSM heed the warnings, do not try at home.
Characters:
Foster Golden: hitman, true masochist, has like 2 friends
Sage Rosetti: no interest in the family business, has strong opinions on wine, Sadist, will do that thing you like
Plot: please read the prequel before diving into this gem. It will help things make more sense. We start out with our boy Foster getting a job to kill Sage, but apparently he's not the only one. While he's trying to decide if he wants to kill him, Sage ends up on his doorstep half dead.
My opinion: wow this is some intense BDSM. Definitely do not try this at home. I'm assuming both these individuals have experience with BDSM and that is why they talk about things like safe words and limits, but the way they brutally fuck is something right out of a national geographic animal mating ritual. It is not for the faint of heart and it WORKS for them. While it may not be for everyone it certainly is for them and it's nice to see the communication even if it's small. It's good to see Sage wanting verbal communication from Foster about his wants and desires. I have definitely been where Foster is and have experienced seeing everyone else with their Dom and wanting that and while I don't want the intensity behind what he got I can see how much he needs it and how much they both appreciate it. I'm curious to see how things unfold. Besides the fucking and the actual plot (which was in there somewhere) I found it a little far fetched and convoluted but I am assuming this is a series and more will unfold.
Characters:
Foster Golden: hitman, true masochist, has like 2 friends
Sage Rosetti: no interest in the family business, has strong opinions on wine, Sadist, will do that thing you like
Plot: please read the prequel before diving into this gem. It will help things make more sense. We start out with our boy Foster getting a job to kill Sage, but apparently he's not the only one. While he's trying to decide if he wants to kill him, Sage ends up on his doorstep half dead.
My opinion: wow this is some intense BDSM. Definitely do not try this at home. I'm assuming both these individuals have experience with BDSM and that is why they talk about things like safe words and limits, but the way they brutally fuck is something right out of a national geographic animal mating ritual. It is not for the faint of heart and it WORKS for them. While it may not be for everyone it certainly is for them and it's nice to see the communication even if it's small. It's good to see Sage wanting verbal communication from Foster about his wants and desires. I have definitely been where Foster is and have experienced seeing everyone else with their Dom and wanting that and while I don't want the intensity behind what he got I can see how much he needs it and how much they both appreciate it. I'm curious to see how things unfold. Besides the fucking and the actual plot (which was in there somewhere) I found it a little far fetched and convoluted but I am assuming this is a series and more will unfold.
February 27, 2021
I thought I was prepared for how intense Foster and Sage's play would be from the prequel, but this story surpassed even my own expectations with its gritty realism and breathtaking passion. When two dangerous men come together to play dangerous games, it only makes sense that the end result would be violently delightful, and I loved the journey. Even when the only thing between Sage and Foster was obsessive hatred, I could tell there was the potential for so much more. The ups and downs of their adventures kept my heart racing, and it was thrilling to know that these men were willing to go as far as it took to uncover the answers they were seeking. When push came to shove, neither Sage nor Foster were willing to take each other out, but that didn't mean it was smooth sailing for their romance. From near-fatal injuries to fighting their own feelings, Sage and Foster took the longest, most complicated route to love imaginable. I, for one, was not surprised at all by how stubborn these men ended up being, but that made it all the more satisfying when they did finally give in to their desires. Every time I started to get lost in the action going on around them, Sage and Foster reminded me of their explosive chemistry with some of the most painfully pleasurable steamy moments I've ever read. At times I was genuinely uncomfortable with the things Foster allowed Sage to do to him, but it was obvious that Foster soaked it all up and wanted more. In the moments when Sage and Foster weren't tearing each other apart, they had to deal with some pretty terrifying enemies. I'll admit that some of the finer details went over my head, but I was in awe at how the two of them pieced everything together to get rid of the threat. At the end of the day, what Sage and Foster built together was unique but undeniably romantic--a blend of intense passion, trust, and deep-seated love to last a lifetime.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
August 15, 2021
Meh. I read it through, but only because I kept thinking it would get better.
We are dropped into this world with an opening scene specifically for shock value. I should have just moved along at that point because I'm more into soft, mild BDSM if at all - so I skipped a lot of the sex scenes. These two are of the hard core S and M pursuasion. As in, Foster's only limit is no mutilation.
As for the suspense aspect, the story line is far fetched and gets convoluted the further into the story you get. Sage's interactions with his father are b movie caricatures. Their storyline should have been better fleshed out considering how much of it played into the suspense aspect, but instead just felt like filler.
And then there is the romance. They had a certain chemistry, probably due to the intense situation. However, their entire relationship is based on their S/M needs. They don't know anything about each other and spend no time getting to know each other outside of sex. Yet, they love and trust each other implicitly. Not buying it and I'm not all that upset if they don't make it.
All in all, I wasn't impressed, but I powered through.
We are dropped into this world with an opening scene specifically for shock value. I should have just moved along at that point because I'm more into soft, mild BDSM if at all - so I skipped a lot of the sex scenes. These two are of the hard core S and M pursuasion. As in, Foster's only limit is no mutilation.
As for the suspense aspect, the story line is far fetched and gets convoluted the further into the story you get. Sage's interactions with his father are b movie caricatures. Their storyline should have been better fleshed out considering how much of it played into the suspense aspect, but instead just felt like filler.
And then there is the romance. They had a certain chemistry, probably due to the intense situation. However, their entire relationship is based on their S/M needs. They don't know anything about each other and spend no time getting to know each other outside of sex. Yet, they love and trust each other implicitly. Not buying it and I'm not all that upset if they don't make it.
All in all, I wasn't impressed, but I powered through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2021
Kate Hawthorne's Dual Destruction is the first book in the Duality series. This book is outstanding! I was drawn in and held captive by the fantastic characters and intriguing storyline. Exciting, suspenseful, funny, sexy... this enemies to lovers story gave me all the angst and heat I craved and left me begging for more. I can not wait to see where this series takes me next.
March 8, 2021
3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Dual Destruction (a wonderful title choice I might say) starts off with us learning what Foster has been up to since his weekend with Sage. Not much time has passed, Foster is still on vacation from work, but he’s already itching over Sage. As much as he wants to, he can’t get the man to leave his head. We get to see the hidden vulnerabilities he’s keeping from everyone, including his best friends. Those vulnerabilities are what made me instantly love Foster to begin with. He’s a not quite villain, not quite hero that desperately longs to feel wanted and loved. Although, he will never admit that.
Then we get to peer into Sage and what he’s been doing. Sage was always the mystery man, since the prequel was from Foster’s POV. We instantly get into Sage’s mind as well, and just from the beginning it’s easy to see why he chooses to be a Dom. Although he exhibits control and confidence in his every day life, it appears he’s not always the one in control. So it’s no wonder he looks for that elsewhere.
Someone is out to kill Sage. A many someones. And after a near death encounter Sage ends up bloody at Foster’s doorstep. A dangerous feat. Then a beautiful push and pull of dominance, submissiveness and letting go ensues.
“The thought of walking out of this house, leaving him behind? It wasn’t an option. I didn’t know when it had happened, when my feelings moved from pure desire to the need for ownership, but I’d told him before. I’d told him I owned him, and I didn’t know why I’d expected him to listen to the warning while not heeding it myself. Golden came apart for me, then and now, and I wanted to spend the rest of my probably very short life putting him back together.”
Ugh I fucking love the “relationship” these two characters have. It’s not your every day, oh I’m in love with you type of relationship. It’s a relationship of power and control - where both parties, but especially Foster, is learning to give themself over to another human being. I absolutely love the struggles being shown on page on how they both need to bow down to the feelings they’re having.
The only issue I had with this book was all of the sex. There was A LOT. In OFTNY the whole book was sex, but it made sense. That’s what its premise was. A weekend with no limits but one. No safeword until the end. There wasn’t supposed to be another story to it. Just an introduction to who these two people were. It made absolute sense and I loved the filthy thing. But for Dual Destruction, so much more was introduced. There was a lot going on story wise. Lots of characters, lots of hits for death, and lots of power struggles with families. But I felt it all got washed away with the sex. It just felt off. Every time I’d get immersed into the mystery going on, it was interrupted with another sex scene. While these are hot and amazing, I kind of just wanted the story this time. The ending was another sex scene and I’m left feeling unsatisfied. I know there is a second book, but I have so many questions. The final words of this didn’t seem to call out cliffhanger, but I’m feeling like I didn’t get all the answers I wanted. All of the other issues and characters got shoved to the background and it was just sex in the end.
I don’t know. It might just be me. We shall see what the second book brings.
Dual Destruction (a wonderful title choice I might say) starts off with us learning what Foster has been up to since his weekend with Sage. Not much time has passed, Foster is still on vacation from work, but he’s already itching over Sage. As much as he wants to, he can’t get the man to leave his head. We get to see the hidden vulnerabilities he’s keeping from everyone, including his best friends. Those vulnerabilities are what made me instantly love Foster to begin with. He’s a not quite villain, not quite hero that desperately longs to feel wanted and loved. Although, he will never admit that.
Then we get to peer into Sage and what he’s been doing. Sage was always the mystery man, since the prequel was from Foster’s POV. We instantly get into Sage’s mind as well, and just from the beginning it’s easy to see why he chooses to be a Dom. Although he exhibits control and confidence in his every day life, it appears he’s not always the one in control. So it’s no wonder he looks for that elsewhere.
Someone is out to kill Sage. A many someones. And after a near death encounter Sage ends up bloody at Foster’s doorstep. A dangerous feat. Then a beautiful push and pull of dominance, submissiveness and letting go ensues.
“The thought of walking out of this house, leaving him behind? It wasn’t an option. I didn’t know when it had happened, when my feelings moved from pure desire to the need for ownership, but I’d told him before. I’d told him I owned him, and I didn’t know why I’d expected him to listen to the warning while not heeding it myself. Golden came apart for me, then and now, and I wanted to spend the rest of my probably very short life putting him back together.”
Ugh I fucking love the “relationship” these two characters have. It’s not your every day, oh I’m in love with you type of relationship. It’s a relationship of power and control - where both parties, but especially Foster, is learning to give themself over to another human being. I absolutely love the struggles being shown on page on how they both need to bow down to the feelings they’re having.
The only issue I had with this book was all of the sex. There was A LOT. In OFTNY the whole book was sex, but it made sense. That’s what its premise was. A weekend with no limits but one. No safeword until the end. There wasn’t supposed to be another story to it. Just an introduction to who these two people were. It made absolute sense and I loved the filthy thing. But for Dual Destruction, so much more was introduced. There was a lot going on story wise. Lots of characters, lots of hits for death, and lots of power struggles with families. But I felt it all got washed away with the sex. It just felt off. Every time I’d get immersed into the mystery going on, it was interrupted with another sex scene. While these are hot and amazing, I kind of just wanted the story this time. The ending was another sex scene and I’m left feeling unsatisfied. I know there is a second book, but I have so many questions. The final words of this didn’t seem to call out cliffhanger, but I’m feeling like I didn’t get all the answers I wanted. All of the other issues and characters got shoved to the background and it was just sex in the end.
I don’t know. It might just be me. We shall see what the second book brings.
January 30, 2022
DNF at 27%
1. I felt like I got dropped in the middle of a series, and in the middle of Foster and Sage's story.
If you too feel this way: there's apparently a novella that precedes this book, with Foster and Sage's mysterious weekend. I haven't read it (didn't know about it until I read some reviews) but based on my experience with this book, it seems critical to have read it. I don't feel any actual connection - not even the lust-addiction type - between the two of them, and presumably that was created in the novella.
Additionally, this immediately pulls in characters from an earlier series - it's pretty clear they have their own earlier stories, but it also immediately bogs this story down.
2. I felt like all the focus was on those earlier book characters, and not Foster and Sage
There was so much focus on the couples from an earlier series I felt like Foster and Sage were background characters in their own novel. There was also so much focus on these other characters sex lives that the scenes between Foster and Sage felt like afterthoughts.
3. I couldn't tell them apart as characters
This alternates first person POV, and they sound pretty much the same.
4. The plot - Foster has a contract out on Sage but is conflicted - had no tension for me
There was nothing backing up Foster's hitman background, he felt like...nothing, actually. Vague military background I guess? I didn't really understand what Sage was - mafia family? crime family? something not legal? - and he doesn't seem to actually do anything for his crime family, he feels like a trust fund baby, so it never felt....real. Both characters were flat.
I had no reason to believe that Foster was facing any conflict having received the contract on Sage, partially because I didn't believe he was a hitman, and partially because I didn't buy their connection.
5. There was far too much focus on sex for the plot to happen
I'm all for smut, but I went into this hoping for the hitman/target push-pull love dynamic, especially with the "showing up at your enemies house mortally wounded". Except I have no idea why Sage ever thought he was in danger from Foster. That part really bothered me actually - I never understood why they were antagonistic, why Sage felt that Foster would kill him, when he didn't know about the contract or Foster being a hitman. Or was this addressed in the novella?
This is a small thing, but I sure would have appreciated a heads up on the level of kink in the blurb. I guess the earlier series (again!!) warned about all this kink, but this one didn't and so I walked into a person acting as a coffee table in the first page. I like a little warning!
1. I felt like I got dropped in the middle of a series, and in the middle of Foster and Sage's story.
If you too feel this way: there's apparently a novella that precedes this book, with Foster and Sage's mysterious weekend. I haven't read it (didn't know about it until I read some reviews) but based on my experience with this book, it seems critical to have read it. I don't feel any actual connection - not even the lust-addiction type - between the two of them, and presumably that was created in the novella.
Additionally, this immediately pulls in characters from an earlier series - it's pretty clear they have their own earlier stories, but it also immediately bogs this story down.
2. I felt like all the focus was on those earlier book characters, and not Foster and Sage
There was so much focus on the couples from an earlier series I felt like Foster and Sage were background characters in their own novel. There was also so much focus on these other characters sex lives that the scenes between Foster and Sage felt like afterthoughts.
3. I couldn't tell them apart as characters
This alternates first person POV, and they sound pretty much the same.
4. The plot - Foster has a contract out on Sage but is conflicted - had no tension for me
There was nothing backing up Foster's hitman background, he felt like...nothing, actually. Vague military background I guess? I didn't really understand what Sage was - mafia family? crime family? something not legal? - and he doesn't seem to actually do anything for his crime family, he feels like a trust fund baby, so it never felt....real. Both characters were flat.
I had no reason to believe that Foster was facing any conflict having received the contract on Sage, partially because I didn't believe he was a hitman, and partially because I didn't buy their connection.
5. There was far too much focus on sex for the plot to happen
I'm all for smut, but I went into this hoping for the hitman/target push-pull love dynamic, especially with the "showing up at your enemies house mortally wounded". Except I have no idea why Sage ever thought he was in danger from Foster. That part really bothered me actually - I never understood why they were antagonistic, why Sage felt that Foster would kill him, when he didn't know about the contract or Foster being a hitman. Or was this addressed in the novella?
This is a small thing, but I sure would have appreciated a heads up on the level of kink in the blurb. I guess the earlier series (again!!) warned about all this kink, but this one didn't and so I walked into a person acting as a coffee table in the first page. I like a little warning!
dnf
January 11, 2025I should have read reviews first. I guess there is a book # 0.5 that lays the foundation of this book? Because otherwise you are dropped into people who are too familiar with each other and as the reader you have no idea why. I tapped out between 50 & 60%.
March 1, 2021
Wow, This book is so dirty, steamy and intense! Dual Destruction is the story of Foster and Sage, since the moment they meet they have a dangerous and explosive encounters, both stubborn and even if they want to kill each other they can’t help to need each too.
Foster is a hitman with no family and just a few friends, he doesn’t want a relationship because of what he do for a living but yearn for what his friends have, he doesn’t trust easily and have certain needs that not everyone can fulfill, he like to get hurt.
Sage also have a dubious past too, he is a Dom, he and Foster have a weekend of pleasure and pain that both can’t forget. When Sage end up bleeding in an alley and doesn’t know where to go he end up in the last place he should be, in Foster doorstep.
The last assignment Foster received brings a lot of conflicting feelings for him and now with Sage in his house bleeding he doesn’t know what to do, these two are perfect for each other they can really have a relationship if they finally accept that they can protect each other, they know what both are capable of and they can fulfill each other needs.
Contracts, assassins for hire, family rivalry and dangerous situations made this book an entertaining story. This is a enemies to lovers, masochist/sadist relationship with toys, knives, guns but always consensual. I looking forward for the next book!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Foster is a hitman with no family and just a few friends, he doesn’t want a relationship because of what he do for a living but yearn for what his friends have, he doesn’t trust easily and have certain needs that not everyone can fulfill, he like to get hurt.
Sage also have a dubious past too, he is a Dom, he and Foster have a weekend of pleasure and pain that both can’t forget. When Sage end up bleeding in an alley and doesn’t know where to go he end up in the last place he should be, in Foster doorstep.
The last assignment Foster received brings a lot of conflicting feelings for him and now with Sage in his house bleeding he doesn’t know what to do, these two are perfect for each other they can really have a relationship if they finally accept that they can protect each other, they know what both are capable of and they can fulfill each other needs.
Contracts, assassins for hire, family rivalry and dangerous situations made this book an entertaining story. This is a enemies to lovers, masochist/sadist relationship with toys, knives, guns but always consensual. I looking forward for the next book!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2021
Can we all take a minute a bow down to the queen of MM BDSM romance? My goodness, Kate Hawthorne has blown me away with this one. Of everything I have ever read by this author (spoiler alert: I've read every single book), this is hands down the best one ever.
First. Stop and be sure to read the prequel before you pick up Dual Destruction. It's a necessary short story to get you all the background on Sage and Foster. Kate does not back up and replay scenes from the prequel, so do yourself a favor and read it so you better appreciate Sage and Foster here.
Okay onto the book review.
Oh, my heart. How many ways can you say I love you without uttering those three words? According to Sage and Foster, tons. In nearly every conversation. Especially those laced with threats of submission, domination, blood, tears, and pounding heartbeats.
This book explored how to love someone without traditional aspects attached to it. Sage and Foster delve into obsession, jealousy, territorial protective instincts, and the baser desires of BDSM. Let me tell you that I cannot explain the number of times I swooned for these two. Five stars doesn't even begin to cover my love of S&F who have undoubtedly become my all-time favorite couple written by Kate Hawthorne.
Run, don't walk and get this book for yourself ASAP.
First. Stop and be sure to read the prequel before you pick up Dual Destruction. It's a necessary short story to get you all the background on Sage and Foster. Kate does not back up and replay scenes from the prequel, so do yourself a favor and read it so you better appreciate Sage and Foster here.
Okay onto the book review.
Oh, my heart. How many ways can you say I love you without uttering those three words? According to Sage and Foster, tons. In nearly every conversation. Especially those laced with threats of submission, domination, blood, tears, and pounding heartbeats.
This book explored how to love someone without traditional aspects attached to it. Sage and Foster delve into obsession, jealousy, territorial protective instincts, and the baser desires of BDSM. Let me tell you that I cannot explain the number of times I swooned for these two. Five stars doesn't even begin to cover my love of S&F who have undoubtedly become my all-time favorite couple written by Kate Hawthorne.
Run, don't walk and get this book for yourself ASAP.
March 5, 2021
I am never disappointed with a Kate Hawthorne book. OMG when I am in the mood for a kink story Kate is definitely the author I go too. Sage and Foster's story is absolutely perfection! I just couldn't stop reading this story. This enemies to lovers is exactly what i love with the tension that made this story so HOT. Then this story also had me at the edge of my seat. So many twist and turns that I just love so much. These two are so far my favorite characters of Kate Hawthorne's world.
March 5, 2021
Deliciously dark and messed up
I've been waiting for this since reading the prequel and it didn't disappoint me at all.
The relationship between Sage and Golden is all kinds of unhealthy, but it works. They are messed up people who are messed up over each other. Golden only has one hard limit, so the play between them is hardcore (although the prequel was much more hardcore).
I love a well done dark romance and this ticks all the boxes.
I've been waiting for this since reading the prequel and it didn't disappoint me at all.
The relationship between Sage and Golden is all kinds of unhealthy, but it works. They are messed up people who are messed up over each other. Golden only has one hard limit, so the play between them is hardcore (although the prequel was much more hardcore).
I love a well done dark romance and this ticks all the boxes.
March 3, 2021
This is another amazingly well written book by Kate Hawthorne. Please note you want to read Dual Hostilies which gives you the background on how Foster and Sage meet. This book is deliciously dark and depraved as well as sweet and loving. Kate finds a good balance between what Sage and Foster need from each other versus what they are feeling. There isn’t a lot of internal conflict or will they/won’t they get a HEA. Even though these flawed characters live lives that shouldn’t allow for love and vulnerability, Sage and Foster unapologetically take what they want. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series as well as the audio.
February 27, 2021
Fantastic!!! This was deliciously and delightfully dirty, sinfully steamy, and freakin fantastic!! I loved the obsessive passion and intensely dark and dangerous chemistry that Sage and Foster had for each other. Throughout the story, the author kept us enthralled with a mystery that had many twists and turns that you will not see it coming. Their journey was dark but so worth the wait!! This story was well written and so fun to read, I literally could not put it down! I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received.
April 6, 2021
When Foster walked out of the cabin after his debauched weekend with Sage, I wanted to scream. How could Kate leave us like this? I was desperate for the rest of their story.
Kate may have made me wait for it but she didn't disappoint. These guys are combustible and stubborn AF. Watching them battle each other is half the fun. They hate each other but they also have needs that only the other one can fulfill.
I wasn't sure how they'd get to a point where they stopped fighting and started admitting their feelings but they did. There were lots of twists and turns along the way and I liked the surprises. Their story was unexpected and fun to read.
I liked the strength that Foster showed in his submission and loved watching Sage own him.
Kate may have made me wait for it but she didn't disappoint. These guys are combustible and stubborn AF. Watching them battle each other is half the fun. They hate each other but they also have needs that only the other one can fulfill.
I wasn't sure how they'd get to a point where they stopped fighting and started admitting their feelings but they did. There were lots of twists and turns along the way and I liked the surprises. Their story was unexpected and fun to read.
I liked the strength that Foster showed in his submission and loved watching Sage own him.
March 17, 2021
Dark! Loving! And good!
Wow! It never stop to amaze my how sucked in to Kate’s books I become! This one is dark, but still loving
Wow! It never stop to amaze my how sucked in to Kate’s books I become! This one is dark, but still loving
June 15, 2021
Really intense, violent sex, with heavy ownership. The plot didn’t really make sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
3.75 / 4 stars.
I loved the way he did what he was told even though he hated it.
Holy wow. I was so keen for this novel as soon as I read 'Owned for the New Year' which was released as part of the Winter Wonderland giveaway at the beginning of this year, and let me just say that it did not disappoint!
"I'll come back in one piece," I promised him.
"And you stay in one piece. The only person who gets to take you apart is me."
Sage and Foster are the same dynamic characters that we met in the short novella, but with so much more depth about them, and we get much more insight into their lives outside of that cabin over New Years. It was an absolute joy coming along on the enemies-to-lovers ride that these characters hated to love so much.
"I'm not dead yet," Golden countered with a smirk, a blunt reminder that the man who came to heel for me was a fucking hurricane.
And I absolutely love the relationship that these two have. I won't go into detail because I want to keep this review spoiler-free, but these are two men who prefer to live their life on the darker and more dangerous side of the spectrum, and that most definitely transitions into the bedroom as well, but that just means that witnessing the smallest moments of compassion and love between the two of them is that much sweeter.
"My name is Foster Golden, and if you weren't sure, let me confirm for you that I do in fact kill people for a living. I'm fucking good at it, so the only reason you and your son are alive is because I want you to be. And to be honest, I don't even want you alive that much. I just don't want him to be mad at me.
I'll conclude this review by saying that books featuring BDSM are generally not more forte. It's not really my thing, and so I don't normally read about it because I can't connect to the characters in the way I normally like. HOWEVER. I can say that I definitely enjoyed those aspects in this novel and let me just tell y'all that they are hot with a capital H.
If you're looking for a book that's got an enemies-to-lovers trope, a little bit (or more than a little) of violence, and two characters who are forces of nature with a rather intense sex life, then I would definitely recommend this book to you.
I loved the way he did what he was told even though he hated it.
Holy wow. I was so keen for this novel as soon as I read 'Owned for the New Year' which was released as part of the Winter Wonderland giveaway at the beginning of this year, and let me just say that it did not disappoint!
"I'll come back in one piece," I promised him.
"And you stay in one piece. The only person who gets to take you apart is me."
Sage and Foster are the same dynamic characters that we met in the short novella, but with so much more depth about them, and we get much more insight into their lives outside of that cabin over New Years. It was an absolute joy coming along on the enemies-to-lovers ride that these characters hated to love so much.
"I'm not dead yet," Golden countered with a smirk, a blunt reminder that the man who came to heel for me was a fucking hurricane.
And I absolutely love the relationship that these two have. I won't go into detail because I want to keep this review spoiler-free, but these are two men who prefer to live their life on the darker and more dangerous side of the spectrum, and that most definitely transitions into the bedroom as well, but that just means that witnessing the smallest moments of compassion and love between the two of them is that much sweeter.
"My name is Foster Golden, and if you weren't sure, let me confirm for you that I do in fact kill people for a living. I'm fucking good at it, so the only reason you and your son are alive is because I want you to be. And to be honest, I don't even want you alive that much. I just don't want him to be mad at me.
I'll conclude this review by saying that books featuring BDSM are generally not more forte. It's not really my thing, and so I don't normally read about it because I can't connect to the characters in the way I normally like. HOWEVER. I can say that I definitely enjoyed those aspects in this novel and let me just tell y'all that they are hot with a capital H.
If you're looking for a book that's got an enemies-to-lovers trope, a little bit (or more than a little) of violence, and two characters who are forces of nature with a rather intense sex life, then I would definitely recommend this book to you.
March 16, 2021
💞A good start as Foster gets a few words from Roman and Rich regarding Sage, if you've have read the prequel, Dual Hostilities you'll know what happened. There was a link at the end of the book for those who hadn't grabbed it.
A perfect hate to love story for both these guys as they hate each other but connect in a hot hot sexy way. A mystery to figure out with them who put the hits out as it gets dangerous with guns in the action scenes along with a few knives.
Sage hated his father and there was no love lost on either side. Sage collected debuts and wanted out of the business before someone killed him of his father did.
History repeats itself on a hot tangled night but what happens next. WOW Alpha Sage gets Golden in rough sexy scenes with pain. Ooh but there's a twist a Hit has been put out for Sage's death.
The question was who wanted Sage dead? But the book gets complicated further you read. I'd read the prequel short novella Dual Hostilities and wanted more of their story. A great book for them both. I'd read the authors books before and this one was just a little different but a good different I loved.
Includes an attacks and danger, pain play, sexy scenes, domination and submission, and more.
Past: Foster had one night with Sage and now he can't forget him even with Sage walking out. Foster's occupation wasn't then legal but he'd loved the adrenaline rush of it all, the money was good too.
Sage was nearly 30 but his father could still give a good talking to him. He still struggled with what happened at the cabin and can't forget.
A perfect hate to love story for both these guys as they hate each other but connect in a hot hot sexy way. A mystery to figure out with them who put the hits out as it gets dangerous with guns in the action scenes along with a few knives.
Sage hated his father and there was no love lost on either side. Sage collected debuts and wanted out of the business before someone killed him of his father did.
History repeats itself on a hot tangled night but what happens next. WOW Alpha Sage gets Golden in rough sexy scenes with pain. Ooh but there's a twist a Hit has been put out for Sage's death.
The question was who wanted Sage dead? But the book gets complicated further you read. I'd read the prequel short novella Dual Hostilities and wanted more of their story. A great book for them both. I'd read the authors books before and this one was just a little different but a good different I loved.
Includes an attacks and danger, pain play, sexy scenes, domination and submission, and more.
Past: Foster had one night with Sage and now he can't forget him even with Sage walking out. Foster's occupation wasn't then legal but he'd loved the adrenaline rush of it all, the money was good too.
Sage was nearly 30 but his father could still give a good talking to him. He still struggled with what happened at the cabin and can't forget.
March 12, 2021
This is not my favorite Kate Hawthorne book. Which is sad because I was so looking forward to this. Kink plus morally gray characters? Yes, please, sign me up. I had such high hopes as Kate Hawthorne is a master at writing authentically kinky books. She's proven over and over again that she can write the genre without any of the stereotypes usually found in BDSM books. And while we get that, the play that Foster and Sage engage in is deliciously hot, she missed the mark on the morally gray aspect.
While most of her books are focused on the relationship between the characters, building them up so it makes sense and works for them, this one had the promise of an added, darker plot with an assassin for hire as one of the MCs. Unfortunately that plot didn't take off.
It ends far too abruptly and it reads much like someone who's never written in the genre before has written it. Which wouldn't be a bad thing, we all have to start somewhere, I just wish there was more.
It had so much potential with these characters but did not make it, sadly.
I am definitely going to read more in the series as the next book is about two of my favorite characters but I hope the plot follows the usual formula of her books because I think she needs more time to develop this skill.
While most of her books are focused on the relationship between the characters, building them up so it makes sense and works for them, this one had the promise of an added, darker plot with an assassin for hire as one of the MCs. Unfortunately that plot didn't take off.
It ends far too abruptly and it reads much like someone who's never written in the genre before has written it. Which wouldn't be a bad thing, we all have to start somewhere, I just wish there was more.
It had so much potential with these characters but did not make it, sadly.
I am definitely going to read more in the series as the next book is about two of my favorite characters but I hope the plot follows the usual formula of her books because I think she needs more time to develop this skill.
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