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The Long Game
After spending six years deep undercover, special agent Calvin Purnell has a new mission: stay alive until his dangerous ex is apprehended. Survival means going off the grid and staying radio silent, totally disconnected from his old life. He's scraping to get by in a nowhere town, isolated and alone… until he meets AJ.
As a high school counsellor, AJ Morris is used to piecing people back together, and experience tells him Calvin's nothing but trouble. AJ already bears too many scars from his difficult adolescence to fall for a man who might leave at any time. But attraction isn’t rational, and the risk seems worth it, right up until loving Calvin turns into a threat to AJ’s own life.
As the past catches up with him, Calvin must return to where his nightmare started in a race against the clock to rescue AJ. But he quickly learns that he’s not the only one playing the long game.
As a high school counsellor, AJ Morris is used to piecing people back together, and experience tells him Calvin's nothing but trouble. AJ already bears too many scars from his difficult adolescence to fall for a man who might leave at any time. But attraction isn’t rational, and the risk seems worth it, right up until loving Calvin turns into a threat to AJ’s own life.
As the past catches up with him, Calvin must return to where his nightmare started in a race against the clock to rescue AJ. But he quickly learns that he’s not the only one playing the long game.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2021
9 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Anna Martin
48 books478 followersAnna Martin is from a picturesque seaside village in the south west of England. After spending most of her childhood making up stories, she studied English Literature at university before attempting to turn her hand as a professional writer.
Apart from being physically dependent on her laptop, she is enthusiastic about writing and producing local grassroots theatre (especially at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she can be found every summer), travelling, learning to play the ukulele, and Ben & Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk.
Although her most recent work is in the LGBT romance genre, in the past Anna has worked on a variety of different projects including short stories, drabbles, flash fiction, fan fiction, plays for both children and adults, and poetry. She has written novels in the Teen or Young Adult genre, Romance and Fantasy novels.
Anna is, by her own admission, almost unhealthily obsessed with books. The library she has amassed is both large and diverse; "My favourite books," she says, "are 'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee and 'Oryx and Crake' by Margaret Atwood." She also owns multiple copies of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park books and re-reads the Harry Potter novels with almost startling regularity.
Anna claims her entire career is due to the love, support, pre-reading and creative ass-kicking provided by her closest friend Jennifer. Jennifer refuses to accept any responsibility for anything Anna has written.
Apart from being physically dependent on her laptop, she is enthusiastic about writing and producing local grassroots theatre (especially at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she can be found every summer), travelling, learning to play the ukulele, and Ben & Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk.
Although her most recent work is in the LGBT romance genre, in the past Anna has worked on a variety of different projects including short stories, drabbles, flash fiction, fan fiction, plays for both children and adults, and poetry. She has written novels in the Teen or Young Adult genre, Romance and Fantasy novels.
Anna is, by her own admission, almost unhealthily obsessed with books. The library she has amassed is both large and diverse; "My favourite books," she says, "are 'The Moonstone' by Wilkie Collins, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee and 'Oryx and Crake' by Margaret Atwood." She also owns multiple copies of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park books and re-reads the Harry Potter novels with almost startling regularity.
Anna claims her entire career is due to the love, support, pre-reading and creative ass-kicking provided by her closest friend Jennifer. Jennifer refuses to accept any responsibility for anything Anna has written.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 4, 2021
I liked this story. Told from dual POV it was steadily paced, had a nice plot twist and had two likable MCs who actually talked to each other and shared their thoughts. I liked AJ and his unflappable attitude, his steadfast presence in Calvin's life. Calvin was an interesting character since he after many years undercover forgot who he was and had to find himself again. Both men had good chemistry and meshed well in what they wanted and the kind of lives they had.
I liked that both men were open with each other. This was not a great passion but a well balanced mix of affection, physical desire and actual planning for the future. The dynamics in the bedroom was a nice surprise and made both men even more approachable. The book had mild to low angst, some suspense and a whole lot of healing done by both AJ and Calvin. I liked how the author finished their story. Well done. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
I liked that both men were open with each other. This was not a great passion but a well balanced mix of affection, physical desire and actual planning for the future. The dynamics in the bedroom was a nice surprise and made both men even more approachable. The book had mild to low angst, some suspense and a whole lot of healing done by both AJ and Calvin. I liked how the author finished their story. Well done. Copy received for my honest and unbiased review
March 5, 2021
I received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest review.
GAWD I wanted to love this book. I really did. Anna Martin wrote one of my favorite books ever: The Impossible Boy, and the premise of this book jus clicked alit of boxes for me...
The execution however, was less than perfect. I kept reading though, because every once in a while, there would be a page or an event in the book that would reel back in.
I was invested enough to keep going and I wanted to know what would happen especially after
GAWD I wanted to love this book. I really did. Anna Martin wrote one of my favorite books ever: The Impossible Boy, and the premise of this book jus clicked alit of boxes for me...
The execution however, was less than perfect. I kept reading though, because every once in a while, there would be a page or an event in the book that would reel back in.
I was invested enough to keep going and I wanted to know what would happen especially after
March 4, 2021
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
The Long Game by Anna Martin has such a great synopsis that I was excited to read it. While it technically delivered on what it describes it just felt it wasn't properly executed.
The characters individually are decent but because of the writing I had trouble really connecting to them. Calvin who had legitimate reasons for not being able to talked about his past and situation gave AJ a lot of answers when he asked, but it took AJ himself way longer than he should have to talk about his own trauma. Their relationship is very insta-lovey and they each fall in love in the matter of weeks. Also, I was completely unsatisfied with the ending, after Calvin rescues AJ he immediately leaves him. I understand having to work on yourself but to go through ALL they went through to say 'peace see yeah later ' the day after. It just didn't work for me.
In the end, I think my biggest issue was the writing style. Even when I actually started to get into the plot I still feel like the conversations, descriptions and scene changes weren't smooth. Sadly The Long Game by Anna Martin was a flop for me.
The Long Game by Anna Martin has such a great synopsis that I was excited to read it. While it technically delivered on what it describes it just felt it wasn't properly executed.
The characters individually are decent but because of the writing I had trouble really connecting to them. Calvin who had legitimate reasons for not being able to talked about his past and situation gave AJ a lot of answers when he asked, but it took AJ himself way longer than he should have to talk about his own trauma. Their relationship is very insta-lovey and they each fall in love in the matter of weeks. Also, I was completely unsatisfied with the ending, after Calvin rescues AJ he immediately leaves him. I understand having to work on yourself but to go through ALL they went through to say 'peace see yeah later ' the day after. It just didn't work for me.
In the end, I think my biggest issue was the writing style. Even when I actually started to get into the plot I still feel like the conversations, descriptions and scene changes weren't smooth. Sadly The Long Game by Anna Martin was a flop for me.
February 23, 2021
First of all, AJ was such a sweet soul. Always upbeat, looking for the upside and helping anywhere and everywhere he could. So, when he met ex-undercover agent Calvin, he had a puzzle on his hands that needed solving, in more than one way.
The way they dated and just needed each other so much from the start really did something to me. Their deep connection made this story really resonate within me. I think by the time they were in the real conflict together, you could feel their bond.
Cal was a tough character on his own because he was such a mystery, so I never really got a sense of him, but AJ was enough to keep me going and wanting me to see how it all turned out.
This is probably one of my favorite Anna Martin novels to date!
The way they dated and just needed each other so much from the start really did something to me. Their deep connection made this story really resonate within me. I think by the time they were in the real conflict together, you could feel their bond.
Cal was a tough character on his own because he was such a mystery, so I never really got a sense of him, but AJ was enough to keep me going and wanting me to see how it all turned out.
This is probably one of my favorite Anna Martin novels to date!
March 11, 2021
Told in dual POV, the Long Game by Anna Martin is a story of two men, who are both coping with different forms of PTSD, finding safety and support in each other.
This story is a solid 3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the characters both AJ and Calvin are good men. At his heart, AJ is searching for someone to love, someone to call his own. Calvin is trying to rediscover, or find out for the first time, just who he is after so many years, from a relatively young age, of being under intense undercover and being forced into a relationship he didn’t want.
These two men are genuinely likeable characters, and the story flowed well. The synopsis of this story grabbed me as soon as I read it, but for some reason it just didn’t resonate with me, and I have no idea why!
There is nothing really wrong with this story, it’s not bad or shallow characterisation, the plot moves logically and at a good pace. The writing style is good. I’d find myself really enjoying the story, then I’d lose interest a bit, then I’d be back into it (the last 20% is particularly gripping). This pattern kept repeating.
I think it’s a classic case of ‘it’s me, not you’.
I would recommend anyone who is interested by the blurb to give it a go. I can see the story’s potential to appeal to many, for some reason I just didn’t click with it, but I’d certainly not discourage anyone to give it a go.
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March 25, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
The Long Game is a decent romance, though it tends to get tripped up by an occasionally weak plot. But on the whole, this book has plenty to recommend and if, like me, you look past the issues, it’s an enjoyable read.
Calvin and AJ are a sweet couple and, for the most part, their romance works on multiple levels. There were times it felt a bit rushed to me, but there’s still a meaningful connection between them and an honesty that I appreciated. Both are developed as characters and they never seemed superficial. The pacing is strong and I felt engaged. The author did a good job of bringing me along as a reader and integrating the romance with the action, without getting bogged down in unnecessary details or long-winded explanations.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
The Long Game is a decent romance, though it tends to get tripped up by an occasionally weak plot. But on the whole, this book has plenty to recommend and if, like me, you look past the issues, it’s an enjoyable read.
Calvin and AJ are a sweet couple and, for the most part, their romance works on multiple levels. There were times it felt a bit rushed to me, but there’s still a meaningful connection between them and an honesty that I appreciated. Both are developed as characters and they never seemed superficial. The pacing is strong and I felt engaged. The author did a good job of bringing me along as a reader and integrating the romance with the action, without getting bogged down in unnecessary details or long-winded explanations.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
April 26, 2021
The Long Game by Anna Martin is a fast-paced read. I liked the romance in this book, but I also liked the action-adventure type story going on too. Who knew you could find love while undercover? This story is told in dual pov, I personally think it did not serve this story well, but it did move it along nicely. Just made for some choppy reading.
Special Agent Calvin Purnell or just Cal. He is undercover in a small town. He has a lot of demons in his soul. But he is a good man with a huge capacity to love.
AJ Morris, he is a school counselor. He is patient, kind, and can spot a wounded soul out in a crowd. He is exactly what Cal needs. They both have been through a ton. But they both have come out the other side too.
Overall, I liked this book it is action-packed and full of love.
Special Agent Calvin Purnell or just Cal. He is undercover in a small town. He has a lot of demons in his soul. But he is a good man with a huge capacity to love.
AJ Morris, he is a school counselor. He is patient, kind, and can spot a wounded soul out in a crowd. He is exactly what Cal needs. They both have been through a ton. But they both have come out the other side too.
Overall, I liked this book it is action-packed and full of love.
March 12, 2021
3.5* rounded up.
The title of the book fits the pacing perfectly. I think that Anna Martin was trying for suspense in the beginning, with mysterious conversations and slowly revealing details, but it didn't really work for me. It made it difficult to connect to the characters or to believe their connection to each other.
However, I've enjoyed Anna Martin's work before, so I kept reading, hoping it would pick up - and it did. Once the action took off, I really enjoyed it. I hope that other readers can be as patient, and hold on until the action gets going.
I had an uncorrected proof as an arc, so I'm hoping that some of the rough edges get smoothed in that final proofing. Overall, it's a good storyline and sympathetic characters, with medium heat.
The title of the book fits the pacing perfectly. I think that Anna Martin was trying for suspense in the beginning, with mysterious conversations and slowly revealing details, but it didn't really work for me. It made it difficult to connect to the characters or to believe their connection to each other.
However, I've enjoyed Anna Martin's work before, so I kept reading, hoping it would pick up - and it did. Once the action took off, I really enjoyed it. I hope that other readers can be as patient, and hold on until the action gets going.
I had an uncorrected proof as an arc, so I'm hoping that some of the rough edges get smoothed in that final proofing. Overall, it's a good storyline and sympathetic characters, with medium heat.
March 7, 2021
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Calvin a FBI undercover agent is hiding since his op went wrong. He ends up in a small town where he meets a high school Counselor AJ. With AJ’s help he finds a job but before things get too serious with these two Calvin gets called back to the FBI. I found this story moved right along at a good pace. The mystery part outcome I found worked out well. The author pulled the personal part together in a way that I felt addresses the issues between these two. Both characters are likable and I found I would not be able to pick one over the other. I was given a copy from GRR and thank them for introducing me to a new author I enjoy.
March 7, 2021
I'm going to say this up front: I was lucky enough to receive an uncorrected advanced copy, which was appreciated, but there were major issues with the formatting when the book was converted to a mobi file. There were footers and page numbers in the middle of paragraphs (often in the middle of sentences), sentences split over different paragraphs, no indicators for breaks/changes in narrative mid-chapter and chapter headers were unformatted so they were easy to skip past. These distractions made it really hard to read and in may have made it too difficult to judge The Long Game fairly.
OK, to the story. I really liked the blurb - it offered so much that I love in a romantic suspense book - government agents, a case gone wrong, two slightly broken men who have the chance to help each other heal. Calvin, until recently an undercover special agent, is now on the run in Palen Ridge California, just near the Arizona border, having left behind his old life in San Francisco. AJ, high school guidance counsellor, volunteers as a careers advisor. It's when Calvin is looking for a job to raise the rent that the MCs meet.
Both main characters have things they can't talk about or find difficult to express which makes them engaging and interesting. I would have liked to see more of their personal growth (especially Calvin). Their budding relationship is sweet, though - none of the insta here...there's actual dating! Also, I do really appreciate the route the author took to Calvin and AJ's HEA, even if I'd like to see more of Cal's perspective at the end. There's a decent cast of side characters, too, especially AJ's family and his friend, Max.
The themes around family and self discovery/awareness also resonate. I'm usually quite happy with the 3rd person, dual POV writing style (particularly for a suspense story), but in this book I found it hard to keep track of who was doing what...those ARC pagination / formatting issues I mentioned don't help here. The case that Calvin is embroiled in is a good premise, but I would have liked a bit more action to ramp up the tension of the suspense, which felt a little underdeveloped.
Ultimately, although I like Calvin and AJ and the mystery storyline, The Long Game doesn't quite add up to the sum of its parts for me. As I say, my experience may have been tainted by the formatting issues in the ARC...maybe I'll re-read it again after publication and feel differently. For now, though, it's 3*.
This is my honest review.
OK, to the story. I really liked the blurb - it offered so much that I love in a romantic suspense book - government agents, a case gone wrong, two slightly broken men who have the chance to help each other heal. Calvin, until recently an undercover special agent, is now on the run in Palen Ridge California, just near the Arizona border, having left behind his old life in San Francisco. AJ, high school guidance counsellor, volunteers as a careers advisor. It's when Calvin is looking for a job to raise the rent that the MCs meet.
Both main characters have things they can't talk about or find difficult to express which makes them engaging and interesting. I would have liked to see more of their personal growth (especially Calvin). Their budding relationship is sweet, though - none of the insta here...there's actual dating! Also, I do really appreciate the route the author took to Calvin and AJ's HEA, even if I'd like to see more of Cal's perspective at the end. There's a decent cast of side characters, too, especially AJ's family and his friend, Max.
The themes around family and self discovery/awareness also resonate. I'm usually quite happy with the 3rd person, dual POV writing style (particularly for a suspense story), but in this book I found it hard to keep track of who was doing what...those ARC pagination / formatting issues I mentioned don't help here. The case that Calvin is embroiled in is a good premise, but I would have liked a bit more action to ramp up the tension of the suspense, which felt a little underdeveloped.
Ultimately, although I like Calvin and AJ and the mystery storyline, The Long Game doesn't quite add up to the sum of its parts for me. As I say, my experience may have been tainted by the formatting issues in the ARC...maybe I'll re-read it again after publication and feel differently. For now, though, it's 3*.
This is my honest review.
March 14, 2021
I really liked this book, the mc's and storyline kept me interested. Calvin and AJ made a great couple, and had some serious heat between the sheets. Both had past/current traumatic experiences that they were struggling with. It was nice how comfortable they were with one another, how they found themselves opening up to the other with complete trust. When Calvin's caught up in the mess he's been running from, I just knew it meant bad news was coming. AJ knew how much Cal needed him, and of course he would be willing to follow him anywhere. They both were invested in the other, and found the love they had been longing for. You want them to get a fairy tale ending, to never have anything bad happened again, but life really isn't a fair bitch. With the obvious fact that someone, or someones, had been betraying them, the tension starting rising. What happened next made me anxious, made me desperate for someone to hurry up and find a way to save the day before it was too late. Things got scary for the guys. Things got dark. The emotional, mental, and physical trauma I knew they would suffer was saddening. I couldn't help but be engrossed in what was happening. The story was just so good. But, then once the the case was solved, the rescue was made, when I expected that they would lean on each other while getting the help they would need, it all fell apart. I didn't like the direction the storyline went in. I felt that those things could have still been accomplished without the separation. Then the ending was off, it didn't feel finished, the story left me unsure if they actually got their HEA. I was happy with the conversation they were having, and was looking forward to what I was sure was coming next, but it just ended. Oh well, up until those two points of the story I really was very happy with the book, and even though I wasn't thrilled with the unexpected swerve, and then the not so neatly wrapped up ending, I still would recommend this to others.
March 17, 2021
Looking for a suspense-filled read with a side of hot romance? Try The Long Game. It's the story of Calvin, an FBI agent who had to run for his life when his cover was blown - after being embedded with a huge criminal organization for six years - and AJ, a youth counselor dealing with physical and mental scars from a fire when he was a teenager.
They are an unlikely pair, and their story sucked me in from the start. Cal's undercover life is revealed slowly, which kept me turning the pages until well after bed time last night! But AJ is the perfect partner for him, as he doesn't push to know everything all at once. In fact, Cal actually lets AJ in on his secrets before AJ tells him about the fire that gave him the scars he carries. When we first meet the pair, I thought Calvin was going to be the stronger man, but as things unfolded, it became clear that AJ is the one who is the real rock.
Both men are pretty broken - particularly Cal, as he is trying to live a life where he's got one foot in with the FBI and one foot out. People are hunting him, and he has no idea when or if the FBI is ever going to catch the criminals he spent 6 years with. And while he's falling in love with AJ, he is terrified that he will be putting him in danger if they are together.
AJ is less obviously broken, but he has spent his whole adult life being ashamed of his body, and feeling guilty about feeling that shame, knowing that if he didn't have the scars, people he loved would have died. They both have a lot to sift through, and it takes a major crisis for them to openly acknowledge how much they mean to each other.
I fell in love with both AJ and Cal, and I was so invested in their happy ending it nearly drove me crazy! But I wasn't disappointed and you won't be either. The Long Game will get your heart going in more ways than one!
They are an unlikely pair, and their story sucked me in from the start. Cal's undercover life is revealed slowly, which kept me turning the pages until well after bed time last night! But AJ is the perfect partner for him, as he doesn't push to know everything all at once. In fact, Cal actually lets AJ in on his secrets before AJ tells him about the fire that gave him the scars he carries. When we first meet the pair, I thought Calvin was going to be the stronger man, but as things unfolded, it became clear that AJ is the one who is the real rock.
Both men are pretty broken - particularly Cal, as he is trying to live a life where he's got one foot in with the FBI and one foot out. People are hunting him, and he has no idea when or if the FBI is ever going to catch the criminals he spent 6 years with. And while he's falling in love with AJ, he is terrified that he will be putting him in danger if they are together.
AJ is less obviously broken, but he has spent his whole adult life being ashamed of his body, and feeling guilty about feeling that shame, knowing that if he didn't have the scars, people he loved would have died. They both have a lot to sift through, and it takes a major crisis for them to openly acknowledge how much they mean to each other.
I fell in love with both AJ and Cal, and I was so invested in their happy ending it nearly drove me crazy! But I wasn't disappointed and you won't be either. The Long Game will get your heart going in more ways than one!
March 13, 2021
The Long Game is an interesting romance by Anna Martin.
Calvin is incognito, which leaves him without a resume to get a job. He's been undercover for the FBI and is on the run, trying to save his life. He suffers from PTSD and is always looking in the shadows. This aspect pulled me in, as I felt for him immensely. Seriously, there's a lot for him to deal with, including an ex wife he never even wanted to marry.
AJ, meanwhile, is a counselor who was burnt in a fire years ago and is still traumatized by it. The issues he has with his body is hard to read. He desperately wants to find love, but it's tough for him to trust anyone.
The trust between the two is instant and they grow close quickly. Oh course, the attraction is strong and the sex is good.
Honestly, you can feel the connection early on. Calvin immediately feels that he can trust AJ and is finally able to open up to someone.
The danger and suspense part of the story is when things really get good. It does take a long time to get here though, so hang in there. Calvin is on the run, so yes, someone is after him. I couldn't read this part fast enough.
In the end, The Long Game is a good hurt/comfort read. Anna Martin keeps things interesting in this tale of healing.
Amy's MM Romance Reviews
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Calvin is incognito, which leaves him without a resume to get a job. He's been undercover for the FBI and is on the run, trying to save his life. He suffers from PTSD and is always looking in the shadows. This aspect pulled me in, as I felt for him immensely. Seriously, there's a lot for him to deal with, including an ex wife he never even wanted to marry.
AJ, meanwhile, is a counselor who was burnt in a fire years ago and is still traumatized by it. The issues he has with his body is hard to read. He desperately wants to find love, but it's tough for him to trust anyone.
The trust between the two is instant and they grow close quickly. Oh course, the attraction is strong and the sex is good.
Honestly, you can feel the connection early on. Calvin immediately feels that he can trust AJ and is finally able to open up to someone.
The danger and suspense part of the story is when things really get good. It does take a long time to get here though, so hang in there. Calvin is on the run, so yes, someone is after him. I couldn't read this part fast enough.
In the end, The Long Game is a good hurt/comfort read. Anna Martin keeps things interesting in this tale of healing.
Amy's MM Romance Reviews
You can find me at -
https://amysmmromancereviews.blogspot...
https://www.facebook.com/amysmmromanc...
https://twitter.com/amydufera2
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4...
https://www.pinterest.com/amydufera/m...
https://www.instagram.com/amysromance...
March 16, 2021
I love Anna Martin’s books, and this one was no exception. I got pulled into the story immediately by the setup, and the description of Calvin’s emotional state. I quickly became invested in his and AJ’s story, and was on the edge of my seat as the tension ramped up, trusting in the author to get them both through safely and give them their HEA.
The contrast between AJ and Calvin’s worlds is nicely done, although AJ has had his share of grief too, and lives with the aftermath of it in the form of an injury. I liked how AJ makes Calvin feel safe, and the realism in his moments of panic when he thinks he recognises someone. The op that Calvin was involved in that went bad sounds horrific, and his mark comes across disturbingly well as someone very unhinged and dangerous. I thought it was realistic that AJ and Calvin take it slow, and although they’re sleeping together, take their time to admit and realise that they’re in love.
I liked the supporting cast in this one too. In particular Max, AJ’s friend, and also how AJ’s family make Calvin feel welcome. Cal’s handler and friend Rafe is a good guy too. I thought the revelation of who the mole inside the FBI was well done, especially with the red herrings that had me looking completely in the wrong place.
The action/drama part of the plot is tense and exciting, and I stayed up late reading as I had to make sure both AJ and Calvin survived. I thought the lead up to the ending was realistic, and the final pages very satisfying. I’d love a glimpse of these guys a few years on.
The contrast between AJ and Calvin’s worlds is nicely done, although AJ has had his share of grief too, and lives with the aftermath of it in the form of an injury. I liked how AJ makes Calvin feel safe, and the realism in his moments of panic when he thinks he recognises someone. The op that Calvin was involved in that went bad sounds horrific, and his mark comes across disturbingly well as someone very unhinged and dangerous. I thought it was realistic that AJ and Calvin take it slow, and although they’re sleeping together, take their time to admit and realise that they’re in love.
I liked the supporting cast in this one too. In particular Max, AJ’s friend, and also how AJ’s family make Calvin feel welcome. Cal’s handler and friend Rafe is a good guy too. I thought the revelation of who the mole inside the FBI was well done, especially with the red herrings that had me looking completely in the wrong place.
The action/drama part of the plot is tense and exciting, and I stayed up late reading as I had to make sure both AJ and Calvin survived. I thought the lead up to the ending was realistic, and the final pages very satisfying. I’d love a glimpse of these guys a few years on.
March 15, 2021
AJ is a counselor who volunteers at the job center of the local library-- where he meets Calvin, a man with no job history and clearly a whole lot of baggage. Their chemistry is instant, however, and as they grow closer, the details of Calvin’s past become clearer, as does the possibility of a shared future. And then the other shoe drops…
I liked the connection between Calvin and AJ, and that Calvin, despite his job description, didn’t conform to the well-worn archetype of stoic, never-shows-emotion, always-ready-to-kick-down-a-door masculinity. He’s great at some things, not so much at others. AJ, too, has strengths and weaknesses, and it’s interesting to see the ways they compliment each other.
Calvin definitely makes some decisions that probably (and by probably, I mean almost definitely) violate FBI operations protocols in major ways, but quibbles about realism aside, the narrative of the ways in which his former undercover life comes back to bite him, and AJ, in a big way, is really engrossing: there’s plenty of tension and it’s easy to get invested in what happens next. At times, it can feel like the suspense elides the romance, and without spoilers, I do wish the ending had been a little less abrupt, but overall, it’s an enjoyable read.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked the connection between Calvin and AJ, and that Calvin, despite his job description, didn’t conform to the well-worn archetype of stoic, never-shows-emotion, always-ready-to-kick-down-a-door masculinity. He’s great at some things, not so much at others. AJ, too, has strengths and weaknesses, and it’s interesting to see the ways they compliment each other.
Calvin definitely makes some decisions that probably (and by probably, I mean almost definitely) violate FBI operations protocols in major ways, but quibbles about realism aside, the narrative of the ways in which his former undercover life comes back to bite him, and AJ, in a big way, is really engrossing: there’s plenty of tension and it’s easy to get invested in what happens next. At times, it can feel like the suspense elides the romance, and without spoilers, I do wish the ending had been a little less abrupt, but overall, it’s an enjoyable read.
*I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 1, 2021
Calvin is an undercover agent who was part of a sting gone horribly wrong. He goes into hiding and hasn’t stopped looking over his shoulder. AJ is a counselor of high school kids who also works on the side as a career counselor. These two find themselves drawn together and then AJ gets sucked into the maelstrom that is surrounding Calvin. AJ wants a relationship and a family; Calvin just wants to be able to move on and wrap up the last 6 years of his life. Calvin has trouble figuring out what he wants and who he is now that he is no longer undercover. This book was really good. Both men have to figure out what they want in life. AJ decides that the other man is worth taking a chance on. I felt like this book needed an epilogue just to wrap up the ending a little but it was a good book. The overall mystery of the op that went bad doesn’t really come into play until later in the book, but once it does I found myself trying to figure out who the mole was. I loved the characters and I also liked how both men knew at the end that they had to recover from the events that happened before they could move forward. A nice HEA and worth a read.
March 10, 2021
A man running away from a dangerous past, a man looking for a homey life and peaceful future… can they build a life together?
Calvin Purnell is not at his best. Running away from a his past life, he doesn’t know who he can trust, but somehow AJ Morris manages to gain his trust… and much more. But Calvin is in danger and anybody he gets close to is going to be in danger as well… Can he put the man he is beginning to love in such a risk?
Okay… so I love Anna Martin’s books. And I was looking forward to reading this story, which sounded really good in the blurb. It is told from a split point of view, every chapter narrated by one of the main characters, and that normally gives added depth to the story. And it does here. The main problem is that I could not feel the chemistry between the main characters. Both Calvin and AJ are likeable enough (I liked AJ better, though), but the insta-attraction into oh-so-intense love seems too much, too soon. And I had problems following the narration. There were gaps in time and jumps in the story I could not really follow.
And yet, it has potential. I think it only needs a bit more of work
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Calvin Purnell is not at his best. Running away from a his past life, he doesn’t know who he can trust, but somehow AJ Morris manages to gain his trust… and much more. But Calvin is in danger and anybody he gets close to is going to be in danger as well… Can he put the man he is beginning to love in such a risk?
Okay… so I love Anna Martin’s books. And I was looking forward to reading this story, which sounded really good in the blurb. It is told from a split point of view, every chapter narrated by one of the main characters, and that normally gives added depth to the story. And it does here. The main problem is that I could not feel the chemistry between the main characters. Both Calvin and AJ are likeable enough (I liked AJ better, though), but the insta-attraction into oh-so-intense love seems too much, too soon. And I had problems following the narration. There were gaps in time and jumps in the story I could not really follow.
And yet, it has potential. I think it only needs a bit more of work
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2021
The story of Calvin and AJ is a dramatic, twisty tale that has plenty of action, passion and grit!
Calvin is on the run after his undercover op went wrong, AJ is a careers councillor who meets Calvin when he is searching for a job. The two connect instantly but the road to a happy ever after is not clear. Calvin has to go back to finish his op and then discover himself again. AJ has hang ups and takes on new issues after the trauma he goes through so needs time to mend. It’s an angst filled, gritty story that catches your attention and pulls you in.
I read an uncorrected proof which was a little irritating so may be different once published but the thing that irritated me the most was the switching of times, the story would skip to a different place, time or person in the next sentence but it didn’t really warn of this, no real break so a few times I’d have to go back a little to check I hadn’t switched pages without realising or just lost track! It wasn’t as flowing as it could have been I felt, all it needed were some **** to indicate a break but that’s just my thoughts. Don’t let it put you off downloading the book
Calvin is on the run after his undercover op went wrong, AJ is a careers councillor who meets Calvin when he is searching for a job. The two connect instantly but the road to a happy ever after is not clear. Calvin has to go back to finish his op and then discover himself again. AJ has hang ups and takes on new issues after the trauma he goes through so needs time to mend. It’s an angst filled, gritty story that catches your attention and pulls you in.
I read an uncorrected proof which was a little irritating so may be different once published but the thing that irritated me the most was the switching of times, the story would skip to a different place, time or person in the next sentence but it didn’t really warn of this, no real break so a few times I’d have to go back a little to check I hadn’t switched pages without realising or just lost track! It wasn’t as flowing as it could have been I felt, all it needed were some **** to indicate a break but that’s just my thoughts. Don’t let it put you off downloading the book
March 12, 2021
This is such a great story and I devoured it from the first page to the last.
Calvin is on the run from an undercover assignment that went wrong and trying to find himself now he’s not playing a part. AJ is a high school councellor and meets Calvin when he tries to find work while he is hiding out. They find themselves spending time together but as they are getting comfortable in their relationship Calvin is called back in to help finally close the case and poor AJ gets caught in the middle.
The MCs were sweet, likable, sexy and awesome together as they navigate both their budding romance and the bad situation they find themselves in.
The author kept me hooked and madly turning pages with the suspense and the story had just the right amount of angst between the two men. Anna Martin is a new author for me and I’m glad I found her because this won’t be the last book of hers I read.
I was given an ARC of this story to review and this is my honest opinion.
Calvin is on the run from an undercover assignment that went wrong and trying to find himself now he’s not playing a part. AJ is a high school councellor and meets Calvin when he tries to find work while he is hiding out. They find themselves spending time together but as they are getting comfortable in their relationship Calvin is called back in to help finally close the case and poor AJ gets caught in the middle.
The MCs were sweet, likable, sexy and awesome together as they navigate both their budding romance and the bad situation they find themselves in.
The author kept me hooked and madly turning pages with the suspense and the story had just the right amount of angst between the two men. Anna Martin is a new author for me and I’m glad I found her because this won’t be the last book of hers I read.
I was given an ARC of this story to review and this is my honest opinion.
March 16, 2021
Engaging, complex, steamy, great characters with a bit of a mystery. I really enjoyed the MC's and the story-line kept me reading to the last page. There is a real intensity and connection between Calvin and AJ, right from the beginning that really resonated with me. Both men, for different reasons, really needed the other and that bond, had me rooting for them. The story has a slow build-up and then when Calvin's past assignment catches up with them, the book gets really good!
I really liked how these guys take time to heal and figure out what they want after the mystery is solved and the bad guys are taken care of. Calvin especially had to figure out what he wanted after his undercover assignment and the resulting mess was resolved. i liked how these guys learned to communicate and be honest with each other.
I was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review
I really liked how these guys take time to heal and figure out what they want after the mystery is solved and the bad guys are taken care of. Calvin especially had to figure out what he wanted after his undercover assignment and the resulting mess was resolved. i liked how these guys learned to communicate and be honest with each other.
I was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review
April 11, 2021
So I started this book late on Friday thinking that I'd just read a few pages before bed. Well when I looked up, I was at 39%. This author writes in a style I find very engaging and readable. Two MCs with significant issues. Calvin, running from the world in some sort of desperate escape, and AJ, dealing with long term trauma, meet when Calvin needs a job, any job and AJ is is the career services person in a tiny town in California. Coming together while navigating their respective problems was wonderful to watch. Now I did have a problem with the law enforcement angle. It was messy and with some plot holes you could drive a truck through. I wanted to yell at my Kindle "Really?? Why would you do that?" But still a solid read for me. I've read several of this author's books and find them all different but with her deft touch at capturing her MCs' problems without overwhelming the reader. She writes about mature people just trying to live life and find love.
March 4, 2021
Calvin Tyson Purnell lives in a crappy apartment on the run. He was an undercover secret agent for 6 years, until he almost got killed and went AWOL. He meets the sweet and lovely AJ, who has this this beautiful and underestimated inner strength.
You really got to know AJ, as he was a much more open character whereas “Calvin was still being incredibly tight-lipped about his past, but AJ thought he was probably getting to know Calvin at the same sort of pace that Calvin was starting to get to know Calvin.”
Whilst I loved the relationship,and you could feel how much they cared and loved one another, it still left me wanting more and feeling I was still missing pieces of their relationship.
Overall a great read and would definitely read a sequel if there was ever to be a follow up on AJ and Calvin.
You really got to know AJ, as he was a much more open character whereas “Calvin was still being incredibly tight-lipped about his past, but AJ thought he was probably getting to know Calvin at the same sort of pace that Calvin was starting to get to know Calvin.”
Whilst I loved the relationship,and you could feel how much they cared and loved one another, it still left me wanting more and feeling I was still missing pieces of their relationship.
Overall a great read and would definitely read a sequel if there was ever to be a follow up on AJ and Calvin.
March 17, 2021
After reading this blurb I was 100% in. It has age gap, both MC's have baggage and the one is in hiding with the other a high school counsellor.
It was interesting to see both characters work through through the ghosts of the past to fully commit to the future. You have Calvin who has lead a dangerous life working undercover; now fighting to get back to a normal since his last assignment went wrong. Then there is AJ who is looking for a stable home life and Calvin doesn't fit the mold.
Both men have to decide if they are able to fight for what they want or will the past outweigh the future?
I wanted to give 5 stars, but some of the writing stopped me. There is enough action and moments that kept me reading, but not one that I was eating up word for word every page. Still a good book though and worth the read!
It was interesting to see both characters work through through the ghosts of the past to fully commit to the future. You have Calvin who has lead a dangerous life working undercover; now fighting to get back to a normal since his last assignment went wrong. Then there is AJ who is looking for a stable home life and Calvin doesn't fit the mold.
Both men have to decide if they are able to fight for what they want or will the past outweigh the future?
I wanted to give 5 stars, but some of the writing stopped me. There is enough action and moments that kept me reading, but not one that I was eating up word for word every page. Still a good book though and worth the read!
March 16, 2021
I was not expecting this book. I’m generally one who doesn’t look for romantic thrillers because so often the book ends up being disappointing with little to none of the thrill it promised. But I took a chance thinking the romance portion sounded right up my alley. Much to my surprise the thrill was what hit me the most. The relationship between AJ and Cal went through so many trials it made my heart hurt. The author did a wonderful job building the tension that the effects of Cal’s secrets brought to the relationship but gave the characters a chance to use the secrets each held as a way of gaining closure and getting closer to each other. Overall a very enjoyable book. This review is an honest and unbiased reflection of my thoughts after reading an advanced readers copy of the book.
March 17, 2021
So I really liked this book until about halfway through. Then it sort of went off the rails. This is a perfect example of a great blurb. I had expectations for this story based on it that just didn’t pan out over the course of the book. While there was an MM relationship here, the story felt more suspense and less romance. I like AJ and Calvin as characters, but the story just wasn’t what I expected. The latter parts of the book completely diverged from where I thought the story would go and that was very frustrating. This is not to say that the writing is terrible. That is not the case at all. The suspense plot was well written as were the characters. It just was put together in a way that delivered an inconsistent and ultimately disappointing story.
March 17, 2021
I will admit I was a tiny bit let down with this book. From the blurb, it had all the elements needed for a great romantic suspense book. It just fell a little short in my opinion. What I did love was the fact that it isn’t too insta-love; there is actual dating to make the growth of their relationship feel organic. Both MCs are generally likeable, I just couldn’t feel their chemistry or get past their lack of communication when I didn’t feel it made sense - particularly for AJ. What’s more is the execution wasn’t quite there. There are scenes and interactions that don’t flow smoothly, and the balance between romance and suspense felt off. Ultimately, the end and beginning don’t mesh very well and it made the conclusion not as satisfying as I was hoping for.
April 29, 2021
Frankly I could not put this book down. I love mysteries and Calvin is a total mystery. AJ also holds some secrets but is a high school counselor with a family that supports each other. They meet because Calvin needs a job and AJ volunteers at the library’s job placement center. Calvin has no work history but needs money. AJ helps get him a job in a warehouse. They become friends and lovers, also enjoying each other’s company. Calvin confided to AJ about some of his past working undercover. Things just escalate from there to going to the agency, kidnapping, attempted murder, murder and a mole in the agency. You never know who to trust or what is true. Really great page turner you won’t want to miss reading
March 5, 2021
This book sounded really good. It seemed like it would have a lot of action and twists and turns. Calvin was an intriguing character, but I didn't get the vibe from him that he had been an undercover agent. AJ was sweet and patient, but it took him longer to open up to Calvin. If anyone wasn't going to open up, I would have thought it would have been Calvin.
I had a hard time following this book. The writing was choppy and all over the place. It didn't flow. There would be a conversation, and then it jumped into a future date/time without any warning. Other people seemed to enjoy this. It didn't work for me.
I had a hard time following this book. The writing was choppy and all over the place. It didn't flow. There would be a conversation, and then it jumped into a future date/time without any warning. Other people seemed to enjoy this. It didn't work for me.
March 15, 2021
This is an action filled book and I have really enjoyed it. It is a jewel point of view read and watch the characters really communicate – well as much as Calvin can about certain things. AJ and Calvin mesh well right from the start, there is a decent plot twist as well, to make this an even more interesting read. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a thriller-esque type of read. The characters are well written even if in some spots the execution was slightly clumsy, like Calvin leaving AJ on his doorstep, I realise why it had to happen but how it was written brought me out of the story but then this is just my thinking. Overall a book I enjoyed.
March 6, 2021
I really enjoyed this mystery wrapped up in a romance my first by Anna Martin a new author for me but definitely not my last. I never knew how difficult life on the run could be, the undercover opp I have been involved with for the last 6 years went sideways, so running was the only option. I need a job but with no job history and hiding out my only option was using an employment counselor who name was AJ. There was just something about him and even though lis going to get really interesting, maybe we can figure a way out of this mess together.
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