Cold cases, old enemies, ex-lovers, and vengeful spirits are making life dangerous for psychic medium Simon Kincaide and his boyfriend, homicide detective Vic D’Amato.
The ghosts of Myrtle Beach are restless, trapped by love, secrets, scandals, and spells, keeping Simon busy protecting the living from the unhappy dead. Someone from Vic’s past is out to destroy him and everyone he holds dear, and the high-profile trial of the first case Simon and Vic worked together puts them in the spotlight—and put a target on their backs. As a deadly trap closes around them, can Simon and Vic tie up the loose ends to stop the threat, or will they become the newest ghosts of the Grand Strand?
Loose Ends is an urban fantasy MM paranormal romance with spooky supernatural suspense, hot sex, hurt/comfort, feisty friends, found family, ghosts galore, and dark magic. It is part of a series but can be read as a standalone and features an evolving, established romantic relationship with all the feels. Intended for readers 18 years of age and older.
Loose Ends by Morgan Brice Badlands series #4. Paranormal, urban fantasy M-M romance. Best read in series order. The ghosts of Myrtle Beach are restless. Simon is a ghost hunter that helps ghosts move to the other side, in particular if they are harmful or unhappy. Someone from Vic’s past is out to destroy him and everyone he holds dear. Simon and Vic work together to stop the threat but it’s closer than they realize.
This book helps establish the relationship depth between Simon and Vic as well as introduces family and a bit of their background growing up. There are utterly heartbreaking moments and ultimately a sweet and heartwarming ending. Steamy, loving, and kindness from ghosts make this a wonderful addition to the series.
“Yes, I know. Yes, I love you. Yes, I want to marry you. You beat me to buying rings, but I guess that’s a good thing, or we’d have two sets.”
4.5 ⭐
Loose Ends, book 3 in the Badlands Series, follows Vic and Simon as Vic's ex tries to kill them. That’s the main plot of this book.
Now, I will be honest, it’s been some time since I read this, and I read another one in this series, so I am trying not to get them confused. I don’t know why I wait so long to review books, but sitting down and writing is the last thing I want to do after reading something, because I usually am reading till late at night and just want to crash. Then I push shit off until I finally have too many books to review.
Either way, some pretty dramatic stuff happens in this book, and it follows as Vic and Simon are ready to take the next big step in their relationship. This series is pretty cool because I do love me some ghosts and cops, plus Vic and Simon have such a sweet, loving relationship. They also have pretty nice sex, which is always a plus, and compared to another series I am reading, where they are both horned up non-stop, Vic and Simon are always ready, willing, and able to jump each other’s dicks, but it’s not the main focus of their relationship.
We get intimate moments without sexual context, alongside the sex and romantic language, which makes them a good, loving couple. Plus, we get ghost whispering, which is something I love. Plus recurring ghosts. I love a pirate, you know?
Either way, I like this series a lot, and I can’t quite remember if there was another mystery alongside the ex trying to off them, but I do remember having a good time, and I rated it with 4.5, so it had to be a good time.
Morgan Brice is one a few authors that I can honestly say could write manuals for installing toilets and I would read every word and anxiously wait for the sequel. This lady just cannot write a bad story or invent characters that are not lovable, interesting, and stimulating. Vic and Simon are just perfect! What I also love about her books is that after you are attached to the characters and even if a new series begins, she allows all of the characters from the other series to become friends, to communicate, and visit frequently with one another so we never lose track of them. This is my sixth reread of the "Badlands" series and I plan to do many, many more. The action and the suspense is so worth the reread and especially seeing the growing love and connection between Vic and Simon only added to it. We got to meet Simon's ex an saw more of Vic's big mistake also. I hope Morgan Brice plans at least another hundred installments of this series. She can also add another hundred to the "Witchbane" series while she's at it.
This is a very nice addition to the series but I doubt I will remember it in a while. However, I will continue to read this series.
Even though I enjoyed this book, I don't have much to say about it. This is just a nice, if maybe a little too simple, story. I guess I missed a more complicated plot. We learn quite quickly who is the perpetrator and it does not change until the end. There is no surprise.
I still like Simon and Vic as the main characters. They make a really lovely couple and I'm glad there aren't any major misunderstandings between them, because that's what I really don't like in my books. I guess I wish Simon and Vic had spent more time working together to solve the case, as in the previous books. I like their time together. But it's also probably the first time I really noticed Ross, and I think he added an interesting element to this book.
I'd also like the suspense part to be more related to magic or Simon's skills. I definitely missed that. While the supernatural thread is definitely present, it seems to me that the main storyline might as well exist without it. I wish it were otherwise.
But in the end, it's not a bad story and it was nice to meet Simon and Vic again and see them dealing with the problems together. I will no doubt read more books in this series.
Another wonderful chapter in lives of psychic medium Simon and his detective boyfriend Vic. Told from dual POVs we get to see both men settled into living together and maybe planning something more. The story is fast-paced, suspenseful with a touch of mystery, mystical with a whole lot of magic and moderately angsty but with so much love and care! Loved getting reacquainted with Myrtle Beach and its quirky residents.
I like Simon and Vic as a couple. They are so caring, so supportive of each other especially in times of adversity - a true team ready to fight be it human or a ghost! This time both men find themselves at the mercy of people they thought they loved in the past who came to ruin their future. I enjoyed the situations they found themselves in - the anger, the indignation and all the issues they caused!
I loved the magical aspect of the book. Simon has surrounded himself with a close circle of friends who will stand by him and come to his aid should he ever need them. I love the diverse cast of this series - the snarky, the edgy and the mysterious friends he has. Awesome story that kept me on edge till the end! One of the best psychic/detective pairings I have ever read. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
Loose Ends is the third novel in Morgan Brice’s excellent Badlands series, and this is another entertaining installment. I love Vic and Simon as a couple and this story really reinforces what a good fit they are for each other. These guys both came out of bad relationships and neither expected to find love like they have with each other. As a couple, they are romantic and sexy and tender. I love the way they support each other, particularly how Vic fully believes in Simon and his paranormal talents. The story has both quiet moments for the couple, as well as thrilling ones, and through it all I could really feel the connection that has grown between them.
While the story does have some supernatural elements, particularly as Simon is looking into various hauntings, the main focus here is on someone from Vic’s past who is putting the men in danger. I was a little surprised how fast we learn who the bad guy is, but I still think the story is exciting and tense, particular toward the end when things really heat up.
Simon and Vic have been together for a while and now are both considering putting a ring on it, but naturally, that's when life explodes on them with Simon's ex and mother being as pesky as the cursed ghosts Simon must attend while Vic is caught up with someone out to destroy his life just as the Slitter trial is on the docket. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? I love this pair and was excited to get right back into their Myrtle Beach Grand Strand world.
Loose Ends is the third of the Badlands series of tightly connected paranormal romantic suspense.
As the tourist traffic heats up on Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand, Simon and Vic have enjoyed some relative quiet of work and enjoying a deepening relationship with someone special to come home to. Simon gets a call from one of his psychic friends that there is trouble at an abandoned amusement park outside of town- ghosts are more than restless and someone is about to get hurt if Simon can't intervene. This event while opening a cold case seems the catalyst for a growing series of troubles for the couple. A hit and run, hacked social media, ex and mom trouble for Simon, and a growing threat to them both that forces Vic, his work partner and captain to dig deep into his past to find out who is attempting to destroy his life and escalating the danger with each passing day. Meanwhile, Vic has bought the ring and is suddenly vulnerable because his heart is on the line for this man he loves more than anything and he can only hope Simon wants it all with Vic, too.
I am unsure if this is the last in the series. It sure felt like it as the romance is coming to the deepest commitment point and the two men have confronted their pasts and issues and stuck it out together into a relationship that others can only envy. But, there is the villain in the shadows looking to destroy all that and has an ax to grind from the past. Things were desperate and dire and I required tissues to get through it all just like a final book should be like.
I enjoyed Vic asking advice from his detective partner and close friend about proposing and being ready. It was cute and he was so befuddled when he's usually confident in front of others. I also enjoyed the bit of family reunion that comes in this one. Okay, not the family reunion on Simon's side. He got one, too, but it was sour and sad and made me so glad that this wonderful guy is loved and appreciated by Vic's family and friends since his own parents and old friend only want to use him and demand from him. Not, that he doesn't have his own amazing circle of friends from his work assistant to his BFF and his witch consultants. I wanted his Bruja and Rootworker pals to hex his ex something awful.
It is always fascinating the way Simon works with the ghosts to help them lay to rest their issues so seeing him in action several times working out their troubles and then in the end how his ghost abilities were what saved the day was fabulous.
Kale Williams has been great as Simon, Vic, and the whole cast. He is flexible through the changing pace of the story and brings out the emotions so well. There was a bit of a sound editing issue that I don't remember being present in the earlier stories that didn't clean up a whistle he had to some sounds, but it wasn't drastic just noticeable.
All in all, this series has grown on me so that if this is the end, I'm saddened because I love this pair. I did skip a couple novellas so at least I have those and the other series by the author, but I do adore Simon and Vic. Those who love spicy m/m paranormal romantic suspense should click this one on and settle in for some good stuff.
My thanks to Tantor Audio who provided a copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review.
One of my favorite Morgan Brice couples, I loved seeing these guy get their happy ending. I definitely read this one when it came out, but it was nice to revisit it in audio. A wonderful performance by Kale Williams.
I enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed this entire series. I really love Vic and Simon as a couple and they were rock solid in this book. I liked that when issues came up they communicated with each other and didn't jump to conclusions. In this one they both have their pasts come back to haunt them. The overall story didn't feature quite as much supernatural although it still played a large part in the book and even though we knew who the villain was fairly early it still kept me on the edge of my seat. There were a few different plot lines but I enjoyed each one of them. I also liked that Vic's partner played a larger role in this book. What I really love about this is that their is actually a lot of police work that happens and Vic doesn't completely rely on Simon's abilities to solve the cases. It helps at times but Vic is first and foremost a detective.
A real page turner that combines paranormal, supernatural, mystery and m/m romance into what you'd think would just be a mishmash but which actually works very well together. I fell in love with Simon and Vic, the mystery element was so twisty and turny that it kept me guessing for a long time and I even ended up enjoying the ghosts/psychic aspect which is out of my normal reading material.
An entertaining and well thought out story. It's the fourth book in the series and does reference past events, but I never felt lost and it can definitely be read as a standalone, though it did interest me in picking up the others. Thanks to Hidden Gems for my copy which I have chosen to review.
This series continues to get better and better! Simon and Vic are settling in as a couple and they're separately starting to think about proposing marriage to the other - but exes from both of their pasts are putting them each in danger. Morgan Brice continues to blend action, romance, ghosts, mystery, and hot-as-hell love scenes that capture both the tenderness and the primal force that are present in an ideal MM encounter. It's clear that Simon and Vic have a heart-connection with each other. It was great to see old favorites like Gabriella Hernandez and Miss Eppie again (if I ever get into trouble where ghosts or dark magic are involved, I hope to have someone like them on my side!) and to meet intriguing new characters like Luis, the ghost of a nurse who benevolently haunts the hospital emergency room where he died. This is my favorite urban fantasy series, although I also love Morgan Brice's Witchbane series and the Deadly Curiosities series she writes under her other name, Gail Z. Martin.
I did not enjoy this book as much as the last. The beginning was fairly bogged down by the author reminding me of what had happened previously. I also think that too much time was spent on Vic and Simon questioning themselves and their feelings. There was a fair amount of ghost action and mystery which kept the story line afloat and interesting.
Danger lurks around every corner in this spine chilling sequel. I loved how suspenseful and exciting this book was. I enjoyed reading more about the characters and watching their relationship continue to bloom and evolve.
Wow! This is the best of the series so far, and it kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. I love Simon and Vic!
Story: 4.5 STARS Blown away! I've always loved this series, and I would even go so far as to say this one is my favorite by Morgan Brice, but there was something about this one that sucked me in and kept me enthralled. It wasn't so much that I was left guessing until the end about the mystery, but the way the story was written, the interactions from the characters, and the plot were great! I loved it. Tension, suspense, emotional...Loose Ends has it all. Much like the other books in this series, there are cameos from some great secondary characters, a fantastic plot that will keep you guessing, and amazing main characters. Well-written, the story moves at a good pace, but be aware, like the other books, there might be a character or two you want to slap and push into the ocean.
Narration: 5 STARS Kale Williams did a great job bringing Vic and Simon to life once again. His voice is smooth, and the characters each have their own personalities. I loved listening to him.
Overall: 5 STARS This is one you don't want to miss. It's an amazing story with a fantastic narration. Both the story and the characters are brought to life, and trust me, you want to know the ending. Overall, this audiobook gets 5 stars and I suggest you one-click today!
I have enjoyed every one of the four books in this paranormal series. The two main characters are amazing and show great growth over the series. The final book brings everything to its conclusion in a wonderful way. I certainly plan to read more books by this talented author.
I always love returning to these characters in this series. There is a lot going on this time around here in Loose Ends. Simon has quite a few ghosts who need his attention, and while he’s being kept busy helping them out his partner Vic’s life seems to be getting attacked left and right. Someone sure has it out for him, with at first minor inconveniences eventually growing into life-threatening situations. Just another day for these guys, right?
People from both Vic and Simon’s pasts are coming out of the woodwork, throwing multiple wrenches into their lives. Family and former lovers are doing their best here to turn things upside down; enough is going on to sow seeds of doubt in their relationship.
There always seems to be something going on here, and even as it appears they might be solving one issue another just pops right up. It does keep you on your toes as the story progresses, and my attention was fully engaged through the entire book. The author does a great job weaving different folklore aspects into the story, something I’ve come to expect in their books.
Even though Simon and Vic are an established couple, their relationship does experience growth here with the tests to their trust in each other. The events of the story serve as a reminder of the strength of their commitment, and both of them come to some important realizations of exactly what they want.
Though this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I think you’ll get more out of it if you read the preceding stories, but it shouldn’t be a dealbreaker and there is enough explanation to know what’s going on without feeling like you’re missing anything. Loose Ends was a 4.5-star read for me, and is another excellent addition to the Badlands series.
The narration: Kale Williams delivers a solid performance with consistent differentiation between character voices and even pacing. His narration definitely kept me focused on the story, and I wound up listening to it in one sitting. 4.5 stars for the narration.
‘Loose Ends’ is the third book of Morgan Brice’s ‘Badlands’ series, but the first that I’ve read. I had no trouble at all jumping into the series at this point. The story is self-contained and complete, despite knowing that this couple was established in a prior book. There are hints to what has transpired beforehand that only serves to make me want to now go back and read those books as well.
While I’m not a wholesale fan of the paranormal genre, I do on occasion read those that involve psychics and ghosts. This book seemed like it’d be a good fit, so when I saw it as a selection available by request as a free review copy, I took the opportunity to listen and offer a voluntary opinion for it.
This book offers an established couple in the form of psychic medium Simon and homicide detective Vic, both fairly recent transplants to Myrtle Beach. Simon’s abilities go beyond just seeing ghosts. He is capable of speaking to them, persuading them to ‘move on’, sometimes they can assist him in the physical world and he can use their elemental power when possessed by them. His abilities certainly make for an interesting character. Vic, on his part, believes in Simon’s abilities enough to use the information gathered from ghosts to solve crimes. Morgan Brice has given the reader an appropriately adult relationship, full of respect, affection and love, with these guys.
Along with the romantic main story, there’s a mix of secondary elements that enhance Simon and Vic’s bond quite nicely. With a haunted amusement park, statue and painting, Simon has no shortage of work and Vic is dealing with a skeleton, missing persons and the looming trial of a serial killer. Both are dealing with exes making reappearances. Stir in some bruja magic with all the suspense and it combines into a well-told whodunit.
Kale Williams’ narrative interpretation is stellar. He is an extremely talented voice actor. I’m looking forward to listening to more of his work.
Loose Ends! What an appropriate title to this Badlands series novel! In addition to the work Simon does putting the dead to rest, preventing malevolent spirits from being a danger to both living and dead, he provides emotional support to homicide detective Vic D'Amato as he is being personally and professionally attacked. But all is not a bed of roses for Simon, either. His mother, in her bid to see him 'living optimally', has encouraged his ex-fiancé to pursue a reconciliation that will benefit both professionally, academically, and financially. When contacts in Pittsburg tell him about the escape of his ex-lover/ex-partner, Vic and his associates at the Myrtle Beach Police Department realize who it is that is responsible for all of his current troubles. Vic also understands that Simon is in real danger as the ex has threatened to destroy all that he loves. Unfortunately for Simon's ex, he gets captured by Vic's ex who mistakes one man for the other. A spirit gleeful of the ex's coming demise lead tells Simon how the ex destroyed him professionally in order to advance at the university. When the ex is rescued and lying in the hospital, Simon confronts him with what he knows. It isn't likely that Simon's ex will bother him again in hopes that Simon will keep secret what he has learned. Once again readers experience a superb story that results from an incredible premise with outstanding world-building and great character development. In addition, the story flows well as the writer is meticulous with the pacing and balance in the narrative. As this series is becoming more outstanding with the addition of each sequel, readers can't help but clamor for the next novel. I'm anxious to see what Morgan Brice has in store for her audience!
As a huge fan of this series, (I’d been following Simon and Vic’s adventures since book 1), when I received this book as an ARC I was so happy... I don’t know where to begin, this series has 3 main elements that made all the books so good. First of all is the amazing paranormal aspect and in every book we learned a little bit more about the extension of Simon powers; Morgan Brice is brilliant in building a world so credible and natural, that you expected Simon intromission in everything paranormal while witnessing how he is so comfortable with his powers and how this confidence helped all the people around him especially Vic, had confidence in him too. It is great watch that after the initial doubts Vic felt more relaxed around all the supernatural situations happening. The second element is the police and detective related. The plot on this book 4 is interesting and well written taking you step by step in the mystery until the astonishing resolution. The author got me at the edge of the book since the beginning because I needed to know what will happen and you can name this anyway you want, action-packed, page-turner, but it was so good that I started reading it again to be sure I didn’t loose anything. The final element is the romantic aspect of the story and after watching how the relationship evolved to love and more, to avoid spoilers I am just telling you.... OMG. If you are new to this wonderful series I recommend you to start in book 1, to fully enjoy this treat that Ms Brice brought to us. The best in the series so far... Loved it!! I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
This is such a good series! I love the way Vic and Simon's relationship continues to grow stronger with hardly any major conflicts. Loose Ends is such an apt title - people and issues from both MCs past come to the forefront, especially for Vic. There are chills and things that go bump in the night as well as a solid romance and friendships; all elements to make a great story within an excellent series. As long as Morgan Brice continues to write these characters, I will continue to read their stories :)
*Audio review* The more I listen to Kale Williams, the more I think that he's great for the series! He has a way of making you feel that you're in the middle of the story. This is particularly effective when it gets to the supernatural parts ...and the intimate times. I really enjoyed revisiting Simon and Vic and the ghosts of Myrtle Beach!
Loose Ends was a pleasant surprise. I don’t normally go for books involving psychics and mystery but this one was extremely enjoyable and kept me interested throughout it all.
Simon, a psychic medium, and his detective boyfriend, Vic are thinking about taking their relationship to the next level but ghosts from the past are trying their best to keep that from happening. And, now the type of ghost Simon is used to.
Confession time. I did not read the first two books in this series which made me nervous going in but I actually never felt like I was missing anything. The author did a wonderful job catching readers up on what they may have missed or forgotten. So, throughout the book I was never confused nor lost and felt connected to the characters.
And, Simon and Vic are absolutely beautiful together. The thing I enjoyed most about them was their communication -- any complications they had were resolved fairly quickly which was nice. I also usually love me some steamy scenes but there were few sexy scenes in this book but it worked. It felt genuine and fit the couple.
I also really enjoyed the mystery and psychic part of it. There wasn’t any part of this book that I found boring in anyway -- it all fit together nicely, had plenty of conflicts to keep me entertained and kept me guessing. I am looking forward to going back in starting from the start of Simon and Vic’s journey but I will definitely be keeping my eye out for future books in this series.
Loose Ends is for anyone who enjoys a good mystery involving psychic mediums and cops with a sweet romance to balance it all out.
I love this author. I love Simon and Vic. I think they are great characters. I love the mysteries. This is a great series. Loose Ends is the perfect title for this story as both Simon and Vic's exes converge on them, separately, but at the same time. So Simon and Vic have two sets of threads to unravel when trying to figure out what is really going on. The supernatural becomes a bit of of a side issue in this story as it shows that not all mysteries are supernatural in origin. The story has a red herring but it is a bit on the weak side. So it is easy to set aside. Still, it comes off as a great story. I totally recommend this mystery writer.
4.5 stars. Audiobook. Paranormal romance, contemporary setting, ocean-side boardwalk town, ghosts tour guide/medium and homicide detective. Low drama, low angst, medium spice. Series of 6 books, following the same couple, must be read in order. Book after book held interesting mysteries that required police work and paranormal talents to tackle. Very well done, I read them one after the other and the series stayed interesting. Narration by Kale Williams was great, multiple characters voices done really well.
There are multiple series from this author in this same universe/timeline, some cameos of other characters, but nothing integral to this series.
Loose Ends is a great addition to the Badlands series. Vic and Simon are an established couple. They are incredible together and complement each other perfectly. It's fun to see them in spurts of domestic normalcy between rounds of ghostly and earthly peril. In this story, both are dealing with problems from their past. We get to see Vic's family and hear from Simon's mom. The difference in the two families is pronounced. Loose Ends is a quick and exciting read. As with all of her books I've read so far, Morgan Brice reels you in right away and keeps the action going until the end. I read this one in pretty much one sitting. I highly recommend this book and series.
As always, a beautifully written story. I like how this is more focused on Vic. Seems odd to say that since this is where you get to see Simon's family and ex, but Vic is really the star of the book i think. This is where you really get to see inside Vic, and not just because he the one in the hospital bed this time. Though Simon finding out what love in a family is like was a little heartbreaking. Imagine being stunned that someone asked you how you are holding up while your partner is fighting for his life? Poor baby, you too are worthy of being cared foor.