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Brooklyn Sinners #2
Sinner, Savior
Book two in the Brooklyn Sinners series.
Gun runner Pablo Castillo has cemented his reputation in the gun trade as callous and cold-hearted. Personal feelings no longer matter, not with everyone out to make him a sacrifice on their way to the top. He remains untouchable, until a meeting with a rival gang leader and a new deal brings him face-to-face with temptation.
Dev is the right hand to a sadistic bastard out for blood and glory. He hides his true feelings of distaste for his boss, not the least of his many secrets. He could’ve sworn those secrets were safe, but after meeting Pablo he’s not so sure. The two men come together in a heated affair neither can deny, battling themselves, each other and a deadly enemy bent on spilling blood. Pablo and Dev will have to stick together or walk away from a love neither man expected to find. The choice should be simple. It never is.
Reader Advisory: Contains brief scenes of gang-related violence.
Gun runner Pablo Castillo has cemented his reputation in the gun trade as callous and cold-hearted. Personal feelings no longer matter, not with everyone out to make him a sacrifice on their way to the top. He remains untouchable, until a meeting with a rival gang leader and a new deal brings him face-to-face with temptation.
Dev is the right hand to a sadistic bastard out for blood and glory. He hides his true feelings of distaste for his boss, not the least of his many secrets. He could’ve sworn those secrets were safe, but after meeting Pablo he’s not so sure. The two men come together in a heated affair neither can deny, battling themselves, each other and a deadly enemy bent on spilling blood. Pablo and Dev will have to stick together or walk away from a love neither man expected to find. The choice should be simple. It never is.
Reader Advisory: Contains brief scenes of gang-related violence.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2012
72 people are currently reading
932 people want to read
About the author
Avril Ashton
78 books1,676 followersA Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Stone Mountain, GA., with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
February 25, 2020
The second installment of the Brooklyn Sinners series is the story of Juan Pablo Castillo, the current leader of Los Pescadores and Devon McGhee (in fact ).
Pablo is a very complex character. As a gun runner, he has a neatly built reputation as ruthless and cold-hearted. It is not without reason. He is violent, hot-tempered, and loves to spill blood. He is a killer. He is haunted by his past. He is threatened by his enemies. He is lonely and broken. When he had lost Angelo at the end of Love the Sinner, he lost not only the man he loved, but his best friend too.
Pablo doesn’t believe in love. He doesn’t allow himself to be close with anyone.
But Pablo also has a secret self, the one that longs for valuable things, such as love, intimacy, and commitment. I loved to see his protectiveness and possessive nature.
Dev is the right hand to the head of a rival gang. But he also has a hidden alter ego which makes their relationship all the more complicated. Dev is determined to figure out the real Pablo Castillo. Dev is not afraid of his feelings for Pablo (as Pablo is), and he goes for what they could have together without hesitation. Except Pablo doesn’t let him.
Their relationship is not easy because of many reasons, and I liked the variety of obstacles very much. I loved the tension, the chemistry between them. Loved the slow realization of deeper feelings for each other.
Great plot (with minor flaws), thrilling suspense, intriguing and promising secondary characters, steamy and intense erotica.
Sinner, Savior is a truly captivating story, I enjoyed every line of it.
Highly recommended to MM romance fans!
My favorite quotes.
Pablo is a very complex character. As a gun runner, he has a neatly built reputation as ruthless and cold-hearted. It is not without reason. He is violent, hot-tempered, and loves to spill blood. He is a killer. He is haunted by his past. He is threatened by his enemies. He is lonely and broken. When he had lost Angelo at the end of Love the Sinner, he lost not only the man he loved, but his best friend too.
Pablo doesn’t believe in love. He doesn’t allow himself to be close with anyone.
In a business like his, there was no room for heart, no room for weakness, no room for questions. Only the day-today struggle to keep his territory safe and his ass bulletproof.
But Pablo also has a secret self, the one that longs for valuable things, such as love, intimacy, and commitment. I loved to see his protectiveness and possessive nature.
“Dev,” Pablo whispered his name. “I want to kiss you, but I can’t.”
A frown creased Dev’s brow and Pablo grinned. “Your lips, they’re a dead giveaway. Everyone will know.”
Dev is the right hand to the head of a rival gang. But he also has a hidden alter ego which makes their relationship all the more complicated. Dev is determined to figure out the real Pablo Castillo. Dev is not afraid of his feelings for Pablo (as Pablo is), and he goes for what they could have together without hesitation. Except Pablo doesn’t let him.
I’m not walking away. “I want your heart and I won’t settle for less.”
Their relationship is not easy because of many reasons, and I liked the variety of obstacles very much. I loved the tension, the chemistry between them. Loved the slow realization of deeper feelings for each other.
He’d thought he’d been in love before, but this.
Nothing compared. Everything paled in contrast to the bright, shiny glow that was Shane.
Great plot (with minor flaws), thrilling suspense, intriguing and promising secondary characters, steamy and intense erotica.
Sinner, Savior is a truly captivating story, I enjoyed every line of it.
Highly recommended to MM romance fans!
My favorite quotes.
January 19, 2018
4.25 Stars
"The man he loved was choking him to death. His life in the hands of the man who held his heart. The hands that once teased and caressed him were ending his life."
There is bad blood between Pablo and Dev’s boss. Dev’s boos tried to kill Pablo twice. Beside that, Pablo’d been on a quest to find his mother’s murderer for years and now he thinks Dev’s boss’ new client is the one. So he wants Dev to spy on his boss otherwise he’ll kill him but he doesn’t know that two can play the game, right!?
God, I love this author’s writing! I always enjoy Ashton's writing-style! This one was better than the first book in the series. It caught my attention from the first chapter. But I enjoyed the second half more than the first. Love both characters but Dev was something else! I liked the way both of them were at war with themselves for wanting the enemy but Dev was more mature than Pablo and I liked that he didn’t stop trying and was insistent to show that Pablo was wrong. My only complaint was the ending! It was a bit rushed and I wanted more, that wasn’t enough for me!
Told in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s the second installment in the "Brooklyn Sinners" series with character crossover but I think if you read it as a standalone you don’t feel lost. Overall, I loved it and hope you enjoy it as well!
"The man he loved was choking him to death. His life in the hands of the man who held his heart. The hands that once teased and caressed him were ending his life."
There is bad blood between Pablo and Dev’s boss. Dev’s boos tried to kill Pablo twice. Beside that, Pablo’d been on a quest to find his mother’s murderer for years and now he thinks Dev’s boss’ new client is the one. So he wants Dev to spy on his boss otherwise he’ll kill him but he doesn’t know that two can play the game, right!?
God, I love this author’s writing! I always enjoy Ashton's writing-style! This one was better than the first book in the series. It caught my attention from the first chapter. But I enjoyed the second half more than the first. Love both characters but Dev was something else! I liked the way both of them were at war with themselves for wanting the enemy but Dev was more mature than Pablo and I liked that he didn’t stop trying and was insistent to show that Pablo was wrong. My only complaint was the ending! It was a bit rushed and I wanted more, that wasn’t enough for me!
Told in dual POV, 3rd person. It’s the second installment in the "Brooklyn Sinners" series with character crossover but I think if you read it as a standalone you don’t feel lost. Overall, I loved it and hope you enjoy it as well!
June 14, 2019
Audio - 5 +++ stars! New to me narrator, Renard Pasquale, blew me away with his performance.
Story - 3.5 stars!!
Surprise, surprise! I really enjoyed this one despite the ott insta and the telenovela-esk drama. The narrator was phenomenal with accents and personality performances. Maybe that played the greater part of my enjoyment, that and/or maybe my taste is changing. Either way, I’m glad that I can now appreciate this author’s books (the ones on audio at least). Hopefully, she is considering more audiobooks.
Story - 3.5 stars!!
Surprise, surprise! I really enjoyed this one despite the ott insta and the telenovela-esk drama. The narrator was phenomenal with accents and personality performances. Maybe that played the greater part of my enjoyment, that and/or maybe my taste is changing. Either way, I’m glad that I can now appreciate this author’s books (the ones on audio at least). Hopefully, she is considering more audiobooks.
June 18, 2017
4 pretty boy stars!
Another fantastic addition in the Brooklyn sinners series. Book two is the story of Pablo who now is the leader of los Pescadores gang. He faces not just a rival gang trying to get in his territory to sell drugs (which los P don't deal with) but by an enemy from his past that still haunts him. Between all that he meets the second hand of his enemy gang Dev, who in reality hates his boss but showing how he truly feels would get him killed.
As with book one Pablo/Dev have the same insta lust soon becomes love relationship, which I love. Their forbidden affair just made their loving more delicious and so hot. As I've come to know from this author there's always so much passion and emotions with her stories and MC you kinda forget everything else. The story never drags everything happens fairly quickly but it goes really well with the story line. There's a bit of push/pull between the guys but in difference with book one, this one didn't annoy me at all.
I loved both Pablo/Dev both sexy, protective and loyal. I have to say my fave was Dev, liked how he fought so much for Pablo he didn't care what he had to do or give up for him. Thank goodness Pablo didn't make him wait too long. I didn't mind that the ending was a bit abrupt because I know there's at least one novella following to let us catch up with our guys.
looking forward to finally reading the elusive Syren's.❤
Another fantastic addition in the Brooklyn sinners series. Book two is the story of Pablo who now is the leader of los Pescadores gang. He faces not just a rival gang trying to get in his territory to sell drugs (which los P don't deal with) but by an enemy from his past that still haunts him. Between all that he meets the second hand of his enemy gang Dev, who in reality hates his boss but showing how he truly feels would get him killed.
As with book one Pablo/Dev have the same insta lust soon becomes love relationship, which I love. Their forbidden affair just made their loving more delicious and so hot. As I've come to know from this author there's always so much passion and emotions with her stories and MC you kinda forget everything else. The story never drags everything happens fairly quickly but it goes really well with the story line. There's a bit of push/pull between the guys but in difference with book one, this one didn't annoy me at all.
I loved both Pablo/Dev both sexy, protective and loyal. I have to say my fave was Dev, liked how he fought so much for Pablo he didn't care what he had to do or give up for him. Thank goodness Pablo didn't make him wait too long. I didn't mind that the ending was a bit abrupt because I know there's at least one novella following to let us catch up with our guys.
looking forward to finally reading the elusive Syren's.❤
March 11, 2015
Written September 18, 2014
4.2 Smut Stars - Sizzling, steamy intensely hot! -
It almost smoldered out sweaty sexy steam from my (audio) ears
Book #2
I listened to #1 - Love the Sinner (3.5 stars) a couple of months ago. That one wasn't an amazing book but in all cases a good smexy M/M romance. My friends kept telling me that this second part Sinner, Savior should be even (or much) better.
Woohoo!!! ~
Finished this nine hours audio listening a few hours ago AND I'm still quite overwhelmed by my heart pounding and drooling emotions about it. Was what happening here?
Oh Ingela, Ingela, silly Ingela - you are so gullible and easy sometimes. This was emotionaly-hot-intensive written in the best way. I swallowed it all, ha ha! ~ A big applause for Ms Ashton!
***********************************************************
The Brooklyn gang Los Pescadores are traiding with weapons. Not drugs and not street girls but after all, illegal business with shady business partners. Their new (after Angelo - book #1) gang leader Pablo Castillo is a bitter, angry, restless new 'boss'. ...Still cursing the man who left him (chosed a cop #$%&!!) alone with the gang and the mess.
Then one day he see something he want and yearn for in the mysterious newcomer, the gorgeous Pretty Boy. - Devon McGhee, the man with so many secrets, who is working for an "enemy" gang leader.
Soon are they both in the middle of a baffling sex-game ....and a upcoming gang war.
***********************************************************
Sinner, Savior had "it". This book felt intensly steaming hot from the very start. I was glued in to it and could feel that great romance-reader-feeling for a new amazing "tough rough guys" story. ~ Yay, yay, yay!!!
It wasn't an easy journey...
Latino gang leaders in Brooklyn NY don't partner up with a right hand to a sadistic enemy from another district. These two had "everything" against them. Danger, reputation, honor, law, secrets, etc., ie completely impossible from the first hot gaze. ~ And freaking hot it was...
So, as you guess, this isn't another sugary cheesy M/M novel. No, this is raw, tough and nervy nervously. For every new punch and drop of blood grow their need and love stronger. Who will survive? Who will be bleeding next? Who will be tortured, f@cked hard, betrayed, exposed, and left behind with a cracked heart?
Everything that happens here are absolutely not in all ways credible or possible (no no no), but the big question was if Pablo and Dev could compromise and find a way for a possible future? ~ Never the less in the end I got and ultimately epic heartwarming grand scene. ...of course. This is, after all, a romance, and nothing else.
***********************************************************
There was a great love speech there (below) and I think it says a lot about these mens struggle and feelings.
***********************************************************
A smutastic simply mouthwatering steaming hot one.
I just must keep on listening to my friends, they were so right, this second part was better. It was a great story in this "gangster genre".
Once again narrated by Renard Pasquale and this time did I love his husky, growling, sexy MC voices from the first page (minute). He did it so yummy niiiice. Next to read #3 - A Sinner Born.
I LIKE - oh la la, my naughty me is very happy
******
The Brooklyn Sinners series by Avril Ashton:
4.2 Smut Stars - Sizzling, steamy intensely hot! -
It almost smoldered out sweaty sexy steam from my (audio) ears
Book #2
I listened to #1 - Love the Sinner (3.5 stars) a couple of months ago. That one wasn't an amazing book but in all cases a good smexy M/M romance. My friends kept telling me that this second part Sinner, Savior should be even (or much) better.
Woohoo!!! ~
Finished this nine hours audio listening a few hours ago AND I'm still quite overwhelmed by my heart pounding and drooling emotions about it. Was what happening here?
Oh Ingela, Ingela, silly Ingela - you are so gullible and easy sometimes. This was emotionaly-hot-intensive written in the best way. I swallowed it all, ha ha! ~ A big applause for Ms Ashton!
***********************************************************
The Brooklyn gang Los Pescadores are traiding with weapons. Not drugs and not street girls but after all, illegal business with shady business partners. Their new (after Angelo - book #1) gang leader Pablo Castillo is a bitter, angry, restless new 'boss'. ...Still cursing the man who left him (chosed a cop #$%&!!) alone with the gang and the mess.
Then one day he see something he want and yearn for in the mysterious newcomer, the gorgeous Pretty Boy. - Devon McGhee, the man with so many secrets, who is working for an "enemy" gang leader.
Soon are they both in the middle of a baffling sex-game ....and a upcoming gang war.
‘He didn't usually go for men like Pablo Castillo, but everything was all f@cked up. On the verge of dying and his body was betraying him. Lusting after a straight man with a sadistic streak.’
***********************************************************
Sinner, Savior had "it". This book felt intensly steaming hot from the very start. I was glued in to it and could feel that great romance-reader-feeling for a new amazing "tough rough guys" story. ~ Yay, yay, yay!!!
It wasn't an easy journey...
Latino gang leaders in Brooklyn NY don't partner up with a right hand to a sadistic enemy from another district. These two had "everything" against them. Danger, reputation, honor, law, secrets, etc., ie completely impossible from the first hot gaze. ~ And freaking hot it was...
So, as you guess, this isn't another sugary cheesy M/M novel. No, this is raw, tough and nervy nervously. For every new punch and drop of blood grow their need and love stronger. Who will survive? Who will be bleeding next? Who will be tortured, f@cked hard, betrayed, exposed, and left behind with a cracked heart?
Everything that happens here are absolutely not in all ways credible or possible (no no no), but the big question was if Pablo and Dev could compromise and find a way for a possible future? ~ Never the less in the end I got and ultimately epic heartwarming grand scene. ...of course. This is, after all, a romance, and nothing else.
***********************************************************
There was a great love speech there (below) and I think it says a lot about these mens struggle and feelings.
“I want you. Every f@cking day in my bed. In my house. I want to sleep in your arms and wake up the same. I want to be the only man in your heart. The only man to own you, body and soul. I want your clothes in my drawers and your food in my fridge. I want dinners with my family and you. Just you.”
***********************************************************
A smutastic simply mouthwatering steaming hot one.
I just must keep on listening to my friends, they were so right, this second part was better. It was a great story in this "gangster genre".
Once again narrated by Renard Pasquale and this time did I love his husky, growling, sexy MC voices from the first page (minute). He did it so yummy niiiice. Next to read #3 - A Sinner Born.
I LIKE - oh la la, my naughty me is very happy
******
The Brooklyn Sinners series by Avril Ashton:
July 14, 2013
He is fierce... He is strong... He is amazing...
He is...
JUAN PABLO CASTILLO
And I love him.
I almost skipped this book because I wanted to read Kane's story so bad. Shame on me.
Where the first book in this series was red hot, this second book wasn't. No, it was so much more. I was sucked in from the very beginning by all of the action and the emotions. This book made me feel.
I fell in love. I fell in love with an amazing man. An amazingly broken man. A man who had the world on his shoulders and his heart locked up tight, so tight.
But alas, it was never meant to be between him and I because he fell in love with the most caring, loving WONDERFUL man. He found his soulmate.
I will always love you, Juan Pablo Castillo. I always will.
He is...
JUAN PABLO CASTILLO
And I love him.
I almost skipped this book because I wanted to read Kane's story so bad. Shame on me.
Where the first book in this series was red hot, this second book wasn't. No, it was so much more. I was sucked in from the very beginning by all of the action and the emotions. This book made me feel.
I fell in love. I fell in love with an amazing man. An amazingly broken man. A man who had the world on his shoulders and his heart locked up tight, so tight.
But alas, it was never meant to be between him and I because he fell in love with the most caring, loving WONDERFUL man. He found his soulmate.
I will always love you, Juan Pablo Castillo. I always will.
July 6, 2021
4 “I can get another job. I can’t get another you” stars
“I want you. Every fucking day in my bed. In my house. I want to go to sleep in your arms and wake up the same. I want to be the only man in your heart. The only man to own you, body and soul. I want your clothes in my drawers and your food in my fridge. I want dinners with my family and you. Just you.”
First things first, realistically this book is closer to 3 stars for me but I cried for like half the book and getting me to connect to a book at that level is a very rare thing now a days, so I rounded up my rating. I rather feel emotions and cry then feel nothing when reading a book, so you win a lot of bonus points with me when I am invested in your book enough that it makes me cry.
So… hmmm… I think I am starting to. understand the Avril Ashton hype. I hope the next books continues being like this one because I really loved what this book had to offer.
I actually really loved this book. Up to 80%, I was insanely in love with this book. But sadly, the last 20% of the book felt very rushed and I spent a lot of the last 20% wishing I was in the book so I could shake one of the main characters until he stopped being an asshole.
This was still a buddy read with Candy, which thank you for following me on this ride, I am not sure I would have survived through my tears and my furry while reading this book if I didn’t talk to you about it. Especially at that one scene at 95%, you know the one lol
Brief summary
Pablo is 33 years old and a gang leader. Dev (aka Shane) is 34 years old and he’s working for a rival gang.
(———This will be a spoiler so just Skip this line if you don’t want to see it Dev also works for the DEA and he is infiltrating that gang. It’s also an obstacle to him being with Pablo since Pablo is a gang leader. ———)
Pablo meets Dev when they are discussing business and they end up having sex and then falling in love, with lots of pining since they are on different sides and can’t be together unless one of them gives up their job.
“Thank you for saving me. For coming for me.” […] “I knew you’d come for me somehow,” […] “You proved me right and I must thank you for being a man I can trust to take care of me.”
First, I loved how they wanted to hate each other but they couldn’t resist each other. I loved seeing them brutalize each other while trying to fight off the attraction. I loved the mix between them wanting to kill each other and wanting to kiss each other.
Second, this is the kind of over the top plot that I can get behind. I love when books are over the top but in a fun and engaging way and this one did it. This book was so interesting and pulled me in so much that I kept thinking about it everytime I had to put the book down.
Third, the pinning and the push and pull in this book was exceptional. I absolutely adored it. For example, there is a scene where Dev masturbates while thinking of Pablo and it’s so damn good, I just loved it so much.
Fourth, everything about this much was better than the first book. The gang aspect actually made sense and Pablo seemed like a menacing leader. There was pining. The characters were well developed and had good personality. The characters actually fit together and they had good chemistry. The story was much more interesting and easier to follow and way more developed. I’m really enjoyed where this series is going and i’m hoping it stays this way.
Fifth, the entire relationship development here really worked for me. They were on two different sides and knew they couldn’t be together but they had too much attraction to deny it and it led to some very sweet moments, which I really enjoyed. Would have prefered it to be a little more slow burn and for them to spend more time together before the drama hit but I still really enjoyed it. The love and emotional connection came a little too fast but it was so well done and felt genuine that I didn’t really care.
Sixth, this was angsty but the good kind of angst, the one that made me try to guess what would happen next and the one that made me scared, excited and crying all at the same time. This book made me cry so fucking much. Seriously, I cried at most of the sex scenes in this book, just to show you how emotional I was. The pain and suffering these two went through was so vividly described that it made my own heart hurt, so much.
Here is a preview of how I looked while reading a lot of this book:
Seventh, I really loved both of these characters, they were strong on their own and made each other even better together. I loved how Pablo was ready to murder everyone who dared hurt his man. You could feel the love between these two in everything they did. Also their backstories were nice and their actions makes sense with their characters and the characters reactions to events felt very true to who they were as characters, so I really loved that part.
Side note, I loved how Pablo’s trauma was shown, it affected his actions and his daily life and his actions a it was very well done.
Eight, the sex scenes were scorching hot and filled with emotions and I absolutely adored them.
Ninth, my biggest problem with the book was that Dev was pining so much and did everything he could to get them together. I thought that Pablo needed to put in more work. Pablo kept walking away from Dev and it made sense why he did it, because they had jobs that prevented them from being together, but it was still annoying how he kept doing it and hurting Shane. Shane had to do most of the work. Pablo had this idea that they just could not be better together and he kept pushing Shane away, when Shane did everything to get Pablo to he with him and it felt one sided, a lot of the time. I needed Pablo to talk to Shane about his feelings more, he often left Shane wondering if Pablo loved him and I hated seeing how much that hurt Shane. The problem was that this book did a really good job showing that Pablo cares about Shane and how much he loves him. There was a lot of scenes where you could see Pablo’s feelings and his love for Shane, BUT the problem is they were either happening in his head or he shared them with other people and never with Shane, so for the longest time, Shane had no idea Pablo loved him. As the reader I knew how much Pablo loves Shane but I wanted Shane to know too because he spent so much hurting because he thought Pablo didn’t love him and that broke my heart.
Tenth, the resolution of the book was so sweet and could have been everything I wanted. I liked how it was Pablo who fixed things and reaches out to Shane, because after how much Pablo pushed Shane away, I did feel like it was up to Pable to fix everything. I did want Pablo to grovel more, I felt like he did about a quarter the groveling needed for how much he was an asshole to Shane. Pablo was kind of an asshole and kept pushing Shane away. I waited the entire book for him to groveling and apologize but he never did, well he did, but it wasn’t enough for me. The resolution happened at about 96% so there wasn’t enough time spent on it to be worth it for me. I wanted way more time to be spent on the resolution.
Also, that were a weird scene with the guys from book 1 at 95% and it was really a buzz kill. Shane and Pablo had broken up and weren’t even together then so why waste them on other characters. This was valuable time that should have been spent on getting the two main characters back together.
I really enjoyed this book and Candy and I are already half way through the third book in this series so I don’t think I need to tell you that I might be a little into these books and this universe.
“I want you. Every fucking day in my bed. In my house. I want to go to sleep in your arms and wake up the same. I want to be the only man in your heart. The only man to own you, body and soul. I want your clothes in my drawers and your food in my fridge. I want dinners with my family and you. Just you.”
First things first, realistically this book is closer to 3 stars for me but I cried for like half the book and getting me to connect to a book at that level is a very rare thing now a days, so I rounded up my rating. I rather feel emotions and cry then feel nothing when reading a book, so you win a lot of bonus points with me when I am invested in your book enough that it makes me cry.
So… hmmm… I think I am starting to. understand the Avril Ashton hype. I hope the next books continues being like this one because I really loved what this book had to offer.
I actually really loved this book. Up to 80%, I was insanely in love with this book. But sadly, the last 20% of the book felt very rushed and I spent a lot of the last 20% wishing I was in the book so I could shake one of the main characters until he stopped being an asshole.
This was still a buddy read with Candy, which thank you for following me on this ride, I am not sure I would have survived through my tears and my furry while reading this book if I didn’t talk to you about it. Especially at that one scene at 95%, you know the one lol
Brief summary
Pablo is 33 years old and a gang leader. Dev (aka Shane) is 34 years old and he’s working for a rival gang.
(———This will be a spoiler so just Skip this line if you don’t want to see it Dev also works for the DEA and he is infiltrating that gang. It’s also an obstacle to him being with Pablo since Pablo is a gang leader. ———)
Pablo meets Dev when they are discussing business and they end up having sex and then falling in love, with lots of pining since they are on different sides and can’t be together unless one of them gives up their job.
“Thank you for saving me. For coming for me.” […] “I knew you’d come for me somehow,” […] “You proved me right and I must thank you for being a man I can trust to take care of me.”
First, I loved how they wanted to hate each other but they couldn’t resist each other. I loved seeing them brutalize each other while trying to fight off the attraction. I loved the mix between them wanting to kill each other and wanting to kiss each other.
Second, this is the kind of over the top plot that I can get behind. I love when books are over the top but in a fun and engaging way and this one did it. This book was so interesting and pulled me in so much that I kept thinking about it everytime I had to put the book down.
Third, the pinning and the push and pull in this book was exceptional. I absolutely adored it. For example, there is a scene where Dev masturbates while thinking of Pablo and it’s so damn good, I just loved it so much.
Fourth, everything about this much was better than the first book. The gang aspect actually made sense and Pablo seemed like a menacing leader. There was pining. The characters were well developed and had good personality. The characters actually fit together and they had good chemistry. The story was much more interesting and easier to follow and way more developed. I’m really enjoyed where this series is going and i’m hoping it stays this way.
Fifth, the entire relationship development here really worked for me. They were on two different sides and knew they couldn’t be together but they had too much attraction to deny it and it led to some very sweet moments, which I really enjoyed. Would have prefered it to be a little more slow burn and for them to spend more time together before the drama hit but I still really enjoyed it. The love and emotional connection came a little too fast but it was so well done and felt genuine that I didn’t really care.
Sixth, this was angsty but the good kind of angst, the one that made me try to guess what would happen next and the one that made me scared, excited and crying all at the same time. This book made me cry so fucking much. Seriously, I cried at most of the sex scenes in this book, just to show you how emotional I was. The pain and suffering these two went through was so vividly described that it made my own heart hurt, so much.
Here is a preview of how I looked while reading a lot of this book:
Seventh, I really loved both of these characters, they were strong on their own and made each other even better together. I loved how Pablo was ready to murder everyone who dared hurt his man. You could feel the love between these two in everything they did. Also their backstories were nice and their actions makes sense with their characters and the characters reactions to events felt very true to who they were as characters, so I really loved that part.
Side note, I loved how Pablo’s trauma was shown, it affected his actions and his daily life and his actions a it was very well done.
Eight, the sex scenes were scorching hot and filled with emotions and I absolutely adored them.
Ninth, my biggest problem with the book was that Dev was pining so much and did everything he could to get them together. I thought that Pablo needed to put in more work. Pablo kept walking away from Dev and it made sense why he did it, because they had jobs that prevented them from being together, but it was still annoying how he kept doing it and hurting Shane. Shane had to do most of the work. Pablo had this idea that they just could not be better together and he kept pushing Shane away, when Shane did everything to get Pablo to he with him and it felt one sided, a lot of the time. I needed Pablo to talk to Shane about his feelings more, he often left Shane wondering if Pablo loved him and I hated seeing how much that hurt Shane. The problem was that this book did a really good job showing that Pablo cares about Shane and how much he loves him. There was a lot of scenes where you could see Pablo’s feelings and his love for Shane, BUT the problem is they were either happening in his head or he shared them with other people and never with Shane, so for the longest time, Shane had no idea Pablo loved him. As the reader I knew how much Pablo loves Shane but I wanted Shane to know too because he spent so much hurting because he thought Pablo didn’t love him and that broke my heart.
Tenth, the resolution of the book was so sweet and could have been everything I wanted. I liked how it was Pablo who fixed things and reaches out to Shane, because after how much Pablo pushed Shane away, I did feel like it was up to Pable to fix everything. I did want Pablo to grovel more, I felt like he did about a quarter the groveling needed for how much he was an asshole to Shane. Pablo was kind of an asshole and kept pushing Shane away. I waited the entire book for him to groveling and apologize but he never did, well he did, but it wasn’t enough for me. The resolution happened at about 96% so there wasn’t enough time spent on it to be worth it for me. I wanted way more time to be spent on the resolution.
Also, that were a weird scene with the guys from book 1 at 95% and it was really a buzz kill. Shane and Pablo had broken up and weren’t even together then so why waste them on other characters. This was valuable time that should have been spent on getting the two main characters back together.
I really enjoyed this book and Candy and I are already half way through the third book in this series so I don’t think I need to tell you that I might be a little into these books and this universe.
August 24, 2013
Juan Pablo Castillo, former #2 of Los P gang, now the boss man is in a world of unrequited love angst. He still carries a torch for his former boss and it hurts...he hurts. And his enemy's lackey, Devon McGhee is the perfect person to take his frustration out on. If only he could stop thinking about him. But he can't.
When Dev and Juan Pablo start a scene, it leaves a trail of steam in their wake. These two have their secret rendezvous and I'm liking lots! Bad guys fucking...mmmhmmm hot!
And everything was going swell because bad boys and I are like peanut butter and jelly when it comes to my fiction choices. Then 45% happens, BAM! I got donkey punched in my nonexistent balls!
I so did not see that plot twist! In fact I had to investigate a past chapter to see if I noticed any clues. How the fuck did I not notice? Well done, Ms. Ashton.
So Dev and Juan Pablo, to me their love was a case of insta-love but their struggles was worth the craziness of it all. I could taste their sexual tension. Rough sex, crazy ass antics (can you say strangulation and knife points anyone?) Both acts were in the heat of the moment and I love characters that great cray-cray for one another. But these men seem to tone it down for the most part. And we get glimpse of Angel and Gabe (yay!), Syren is still his naughty self and this Mateo...I want to play with him.
Why not 5 STARS? Well the outcome of J.P.'s career...eh, tied up too neatly for me. Plus MANTEARS (while yes, it's less than book #1...I could have done without a few scenes of those)
(I love this gif BTW)
I rated Love the Sinner 3.5 stars. I kept feeling more feminine vibes from the male characters in book #1. Not so much in this "Sinner, Savior". I find book #2 to be better, somewhere in the 4-4.25 range.
So in closing:
Strangling is just another form of love -
I learned something new.
I anticipate more cray cray (hopefully) in the next book.
When Dev and Juan Pablo start a scene, it leaves a trail of steam in their wake. These two have their secret rendezvous and I'm liking lots! Bad guys fucking...mmmhmmm hot!
And everything was going swell because bad boys and I are like peanut butter and jelly when it comes to my fiction choices. Then 45% happens, BAM! I got donkey punched in my nonexistent balls!
I so did not see that plot twist! In fact I had to investigate a past chapter to see if I noticed any clues. How the fuck did I not notice? Well done, Ms. Ashton.
So Dev and Juan Pablo, to me their love was a case of insta-love but their struggles was worth the craziness of it all. I could taste their sexual tension. Rough sex, crazy ass antics (can you say strangulation and knife points anyone?) Both acts were in the heat of the moment and I love characters that great cray-cray for one another. But these men seem to tone it down for the most part. And we get glimpse of Angel and Gabe (yay!), Syren is still his naughty self and this Mateo...I want to play with him.
Why not 5 STARS? Well the outcome of J.P.'s career...eh, tied up too neatly for me. Plus MANTEARS (while yes, it's less than book #1...I could have done without a few scenes of those)
(I love this gif BTW)
I rated Love the Sinner 3.5 stars. I kept feeling more feminine vibes from the male characters in book #1. Not so much in this "Sinner, Savior". I find book #2 to be better, somewhere in the 4-4.25 range.
So in closing:
Strangling is just another form of love -
I learned something new.
I anticipate more cray cray (hopefully) in the next book.
January 31, 2023
The Story: 3.5 Pants Off
This couple doesn’t burn like the authors other couples.
The Narration: 3.5 Pants Off
It was alright, but man do I hate the voice for Syren Rua. Like who in all the world thought that was a good idea? Pass!
This couple doesn’t burn like the authors other couples.
The Narration: 3.5 Pants Off
It was alright, but man do I hate the voice for Syren Rua. Like who in all the world thought that was a good idea? Pass!
September 1, 2013
2.5 Stars
Avril Ashton has the ability to create some pretty interesting characters. Sadly, like the first book in the Brooklyn Sinners series, the story line here didn't just stretch the bounds of reason ... it broke it.
Bottom line: Interesting characters but sub-par story line.
Avril Ashton has the ability to create some pretty interesting characters. Sadly, like the first book in the Brooklyn Sinners series, the story line here didn't just stretch the bounds of reason ... it broke it.
Bottom line: Interesting characters but sub-par story line.
August 12, 2016
3.5 stars
Enjoyable as hell, but completely, utterly unrealistic. Hardened men crying like teenagers every few pages, , gang members sitting around as in Oprah's couch discussing their feelings...
And yet. I did enjoy it, there's no question about it. However I do feel that Dev's lust to love feelings came out of the blue and I wish they'd spent a little more time talking than having wild sex all the time.
Enjoyable as hell, but completely, utterly unrealistic. Hardened men crying like teenagers every few pages, , gang members sitting around as in Oprah's couch discussing their feelings...
And yet. I did enjoy it, there's no question about it. However I do feel that Dev's lust to love feelings came out of the blue and I wish they'd spent a little more time talking than having wild sex all the time.
July 12, 2016
~~~
3 Stars
Buddy Read with the delightful Mare SlitsRead http://slitsread.wordpress.com/.
Neither of us was too sure about continuing on with the series, but we went for it.
What I liked -
-The danger of having dangerous sex.
-The chemistry.
-The ridiculously hot sex scenes.
-The pace.
-Tough guys being tender.
-The improved writing and plot from book 1, book 2 is better.
-Tommy.
-Great dirty talk. (I love dirty talk and there's not enough in my reads.)
-And dammit, I cried.
What I didn't like -
-Insta-love, again.
-Emotion/Confession before any hint of a relationship, i.e. chemistry is not a relationship.
-That the characters even know there isn't anything to their feelings. If they question it, I'm gonna question it.
-Lack of emphasis on really important developments.
-Sex "because" of a particularly gruesome description.
-All the missing "of". He went out the door!
-And I guess I didn't really "love the sinner" I just didn't feel him.
-Shane's a little wimpy at the end.
-Magically healed wounds.
-And dammit, I cried.
Actually, this quote pretty well sums up the issues that I have with book one and two:
I'm pretty sure I'll continue on with the series. There are freebie shorts here:
http://avrilashton.com/books/free-reads/
I really do want to read more about Tommy and Mateo. And, I'm confident that Avril Ashton is going to keep improving this series.
Thanks Mare, it was fun!!!
~~~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
3 Stars
Buddy Read with the delightful Mare SlitsRead http://slitsread.wordpress.com/.
Neither of us was too sure about continuing on with the series, but we went for it.
What I liked -
-The danger of having dangerous sex.
-The chemistry.
-The ridiculously hot sex scenes.
-The pace.
-Tough guys being tender.
-The improved writing and plot from book 1, book 2 is better.
-Tommy.
-Great dirty talk. (I love dirty talk and there's not enough in my reads.)
-And dammit, I cried.
What I didn't like -
-Insta-love, again.
-Emotion/Confession before any hint of a relationship, i.e. chemistry is not a relationship.
-That the characters even know there isn't anything to their feelings. If they question it, I'm gonna question it.
-Lack of emphasis on really important developments.
-Sex "because" of a particularly gruesome description.
-All the missing "of". He went out the door!
-And I guess I didn't really "love the sinner" I just didn't feel him.
-Shane's a little wimpy at the end.
-Magically healed wounds.
-And dammit, I cried.
Actually, this quote pretty well sums up the issues that I have with book one and two:
Great sex did not a relationship make, especially not between and weapons dealer and a . It was foolish and selfish and dangerous to get caught up in the moment. To romanticize what they shared.
I'm pretty sure I'll continue on with the series. There are freebie shorts here:
http://avrilashton.com/books/free-reads/
I really do want to read more about Tommy and Mateo. And, I'm confident that Avril Ashton is going to keep improving this series.
Thanks Mare, it was fun!!!
~~~
Take a look at my Male/Male Romance Book Blog:
June 27, 2016
Well that was all kinds of awesome! Yes, you do have to suspend reality a bit. Don’t think too hard about it, just enjoy the ride. Dev is a gang member. One of Jeffery York’s top men. He falls for Juan Pablo Castillo (even his name is sexy!), the leader of a rival gang. While book #1 was all about insta-love, this was all angry gangster sex! And I freaking loved it!!! I can’t wait to read Save Me, Sinner.
May 6, 2013
If the first book is instalove GFY constant sex, then this one is antagonistic, unrequited, constant sex. Its all good. This one has more story detail. It's def more than 160 pages, more like 250. Its good. I like the style, the badass, the angst and the dialog. Even if Angelo and Pablo are serial killers, lol.
Shane is also the worst Special Agent ever. His cover gets blown to bits and he gets the crap beat out of him with no fight. He never even shoots anyone.
I would have liked to see more physical descriptions of the men, their tats, their heights, etc.
And HUGE kudos to avril and Ellora's Cave for No typos in either book. An extra star just for that. That makes me so happy. Wish i knew how to add gifs cuz i would put a happy dance one here.
Shane is also the worst Special Agent ever. His cover gets blown to bits and he gets the crap beat out of him with no fight. He never even shoots anyone.
I would have liked to see more physical descriptions of the men, their tats, their heights, etc.
And HUGE kudos to avril and Ellora's Cave for No typos in either book. An extra star just for that. That makes me so happy. Wish i knew how to add gifs cuz i would put a happy dance one here.
May 2, 2023
Seriously??
2 men meet in the middle of a job to transact on illegal arms dealing. Lust ignites. “Love” is thrown around by the younger man, Dev. Older man Pablo still has a “bitch” in Philly, who he decides to drain his balls with but then quits bc he can’t stop thinking of Dev… and he admits this the 3rd time they see each other….
REALLY???
DNF 11%
2 men meet in the middle of a job to transact on illegal arms dealing. Lust ignites. “Love” is thrown around by the younger man, Dev. Older man Pablo still has a “bitch” in Philly, who he decides to drain his balls with but then quits bc he can’t stop thinking of Dev… and he admits this the 3rd time they see each other….
REALLY???
DNF 11%
September 13, 2016
Just like with Book 1, I am giving this four stars with qualifications. Because of my level of 'feel good' at the end, I am awarding this rating despite:
1) A gang leader, and a law enforcement agent who cry more in one book than I have in my entire life.
2) a) The love interests having sex twice, and thinking they're soul mates and b) Solving every problem with sex. The insta-love is the major downfall of this series. The pacing just isn't there.
3) A gang leader inviting law enforcement into his home, complete with a hand-over of keys and full access, after the second or third time meeting him.
4) Way too much talking during sex.
5) Same premise as book 1 (and because I've started reading it, book 3). Criminal and law enforcement agent fall for each other, criminal and/or LE agent has a fellow criminal/coworker who's in love with him (setup for next book).
6) LE agent gets sliced with a knife in the face, deeply enough to splash blood on a white wall, but it's never mentioned again. No stitches, nothing.
Still, despite all of this, I'm addicted to this series. The writing is awesome, I love the characters, the twists and turns are interesting, and despite point #5, the books are different. Again, I know what the lower rated books will say and I don't disagree but 4 stars is my feeling at the end. You have been warned. I think it's easier for me to like these books, even with the insta love, and ridiculous premises, because I've read and loved the later books in the series, and I see how much the author continues to improve and hone her craft.
On to Book 3!
1) A gang leader, and a law enforcement agent who cry more in one book than I have in my entire life.
2) a) The love interests having sex twice, and thinking they're soul mates and b) Solving every problem with sex. The insta-love is the major downfall of this series. The pacing just isn't there.
3) A gang leader inviting law enforcement into his home, complete with a hand-over of keys and full access, after the second or third time meeting him.
4) Way too much talking during sex.
5) Same premise as book 1 (and because I've started reading it, book 3). Criminal and law enforcement agent fall for each other, criminal and/or LE agent has a fellow criminal/coworker who's in love with him (setup for next book).
6) LE agent gets sliced with a knife in the face, deeply enough to splash blood on a white wall, but it's never mentioned again. No stitches, nothing.
Still, despite all of this, I'm addicted to this series. The writing is awesome, I love the characters, the twists and turns are interesting, and despite point #5, the books are different. Again, I know what the lower rated books will say and I don't disagree but 4 stars is my feeling at the end. You have been warned. I think it's easier for me to like these books, even with the insta love, and ridiculous premises, because I've read and loved the later books in the series, and I see how much the author continues to improve and hone her craft.
On to Book 3!
February 27, 2013
I really enjoyed this story about strong, tough criminals from rival gangs falling in love. Pablo is the leader of a gang that traffics weapons and Dev is right-hand man to his rival.
Pablo struggles to give his heart as he had previously been hurt but Dev knows that he has fallen in love. "I want you. Every f*cking day in my bed. In my house. I want to go to sleep in your arms and wake up the same. I want to be the only man in your heart. The only man to own you, body and soul. I want your clothes in my drawers and your food in my fridge. I want dinners with my family and you. Just you.."
However things don't go smoothly,
Full of hot characters, well-written sex scenes and a plot that includes gang dramas and action.
Pablo struggles to give his heart as he had previously been hurt but Dev knows that he has fallen in love. "I want you. Every f*cking day in my bed. In my house. I want to go to sleep in your arms and wake up the same. I want to be the only man in your heart. The only man to own you, body and soul. I want your clothes in my drawers and your food in my fridge. I want dinners with my family and you. Just you.."
However things don't go smoothly,
Full of hot characters, well-written sex scenes and a plot that includes gang dramas and action.
November 1, 2014
The second book of the Brooklyn Sinners series is Pablo and Devon’s story.
Like the first book it’s was an entertaining read. The sex was hot and the plot was gripping, and again we watch a good guy fall for a bad guy.
I’m not entirely sure why but I enjoyed this book more than the previous one. I will definitely continue reading. Now on to Kane and Syren’s story. :)
August 17, 2017
Re-read August 2017
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
June 1, 2018
Another erotic and thrilling tale of our Brooklyn sinners. Great MC's with super hot chemistry blaze across these pages as they battle the harsh world around them. Lots of action in and out of the bedroom. Some of the story falls a bit too easily into place and the ending is very abrupt; like taking you to the very edge of a cliff and then giving you a hard shove off. Thankfully, there's a FREE read after this to keep us from hitting rock bottom too hard.
Overall, I really enjoyed another journey with this group of guys. Happy reading.
Overall, I really enjoyed another journey with this group of guys. Happy reading.
June 3, 2015
This still wasn't perfect for me. I'd probably give it 3.5 stars overall, but I'll round it up as I did enjoy the read for the most part. There are still a lot of head shaking yeah right moments for me with this. Too much insta-love not enough reality, especially for the cop and the bad guy romance. But I liked JP and Shane in this. They both had their strong suits and I happy for them to try to make a go of things as a couple.
April 2, 2018
This series is turning into a binge read.
Same chemistry, same great plot development. I loved Dev. Pablo was a bit more angst than I like, but I was still rooting for him.
I’m totally addicted to Avril Ashton’s writing style.
On to the next.... totally psyched for Syren’s story.
I usually write longer reviews but I’m too into reading. I may expand once I’m done with the series. For now, know that I highly recommend book 1 and 2.
Same chemistry, same great plot development. I loved Dev. Pablo was a bit more angst than I like, but I was still rooting for him.
I’m totally addicted to Avril Ashton’s writing style.
On to the next.... totally psyched for Syren’s story.
I usually write longer reviews but I’m too into reading. I may expand once I’m done with the series. For now, know that I highly recommend book 1 and 2.
September 12, 2013
Synopsis:
Book two in the Brooklyn Sinners series.
Gun runner Pablo Castillo has cemented his reputation in the gun trade as callous and cold-hearted. Personal feelings no longer matter, not with everyone out to make him a sacrifice on their way to the top. He remains untouchable, until a meeting with a rival gang leader and a new deal brings him face-to-face with temptation.
Dev is the right hand to a sadistic bastard out for blood and glory. He hides his true feelings of distaste for his boss, not the least of his many secrets. He could’ve sworn those secrets were safe, but after meeting Pablo he’s not so sure. The two men come together in a heated affair neither can deny, battling themselves, each other and a deadly enemy bent on spilling blood. Pablo and Dev will have to stick together or walk away from a love neither man expected to find. The choice should be simple. It never is.
My Thoughts:
I really do <3 Ms. Ashton. I was somewhat wary about starting this book because of how much I really loved Gabe and Angelo together and now we were switching to a new couple. I knew that Pablo would be carrying some anger over the way things went down with Angelo and I wasn't sure that I was prepared for dealing with his pain. I'm glad I finally came around to reading this, though. Pablo and Dev scorched up my kindle and made me cry and made my heart pound. At the end of the book, I was feeling pretty damned proud of Pablo.
This book has a lot more gang activity in it than the first one did. In Love the Sinner, we definitely saw Angelo in his capacity as the leader of a gang involved in weapons running, but the story was mostly about his starting and establishing a lasting relationship with Gabe. There was violence, but not too much of it. In Sinner, Savior, it's Pablo's turn to be the leader. And he leads well. He's also out to the top members of his gang, which is good. Keeping secrets didn't work out so well for him and Angelo. The book starts off with Pablo meeting an enemy turned current business partner and laying eyes on Dev for the very first time. He was a goner from there. And he did not help his situation when Dev shows up to collect some guns and he lets him put the moves on him. He knew he shouldn't have gone there. He knew it every time and yet, he kept right on going there.
For Dev's part, he was smitten from the first. For a gang member, he was surprisingly sweet. And open. Then he meets Pablo and he's wide open. He couldn't hide the way he felt even if he had actually tried. When Pablo finds out the truth about him and starts pushing like hell to get him out of his life, Dev refuses to go. In fact, Dev takes a ton of shit from Pablo and keeps on kicking. It isn't until the very end when Pablo gives him the final shove that he breaks and finally walks away. And Pablo deserved that kick to the gut that he felt when he did.
Pablo frustrated me a lot in this book, but he allowed himself to be vulnerable at times. He wasn't always a hard ass. He tried so hard to be, but when he fell in love, he fell hard. He tried his best to fight it. Total fail. In the end, he did the right thing and got his man. Not to say that he didn't fuck up along the way. He did some things that will likely piss you off, but Pablo is a scary dude and grew up in violence and without a whole lot of softness. He couldn't handle it. When it became clear he couldn't live with it, he manned the fuck up. So proud.
I liked that we got to see a lot more of Syren in this book. He intrigues me. I can't wait to see what is in store for that beauty. I loved that we got to see Angel and Gabe again, too. That was a really nice scene. It was good for both Pablo and Gabe, I think.
With the state Los P is in now, though, what will happen to everyone else in the gang? I know Teo is gonna go after Tommy at some point and the last book in the series is coming out after theirs and at this point, I have no idea who it'll be about.
For now, I'm jumping right into Syren and Kane's story.
Book two in the Brooklyn Sinners series.
Gun runner Pablo Castillo has cemented his reputation in the gun trade as callous and cold-hearted. Personal feelings no longer matter, not with everyone out to make him a sacrifice on their way to the top. He remains untouchable, until a meeting with a rival gang leader and a new deal brings him face-to-face with temptation.
Dev is the right hand to a sadistic bastard out for blood and glory. He hides his true feelings of distaste for his boss, not the least of his many secrets. He could’ve sworn those secrets were safe, but after meeting Pablo he’s not so sure. The two men come together in a heated affair neither can deny, battling themselves, each other and a deadly enemy bent on spilling blood. Pablo and Dev will have to stick together or walk away from a love neither man expected to find. The choice should be simple. It never is.
My Thoughts:
I really do <3 Ms. Ashton. I was somewhat wary about starting this book because of how much I really loved Gabe and Angelo together and now we were switching to a new couple. I knew that Pablo would be carrying some anger over the way things went down with Angelo and I wasn't sure that I was prepared for dealing with his pain. I'm glad I finally came around to reading this, though. Pablo and Dev scorched up my kindle and made me cry and made my heart pound. At the end of the book, I was feeling pretty damned proud of Pablo.
This book has a lot more gang activity in it than the first one did. In Love the Sinner, we definitely saw Angelo in his capacity as the leader of a gang involved in weapons running, but the story was mostly about his starting and establishing a lasting relationship with Gabe. There was violence, but not too much of it. In Sinner, Savior, it's Pablo's turn to be the leader. And he leads well. He's also out to the top members of his gang, which is good. Keeping secrets didn't work out so well for him and Angelo. The book starts off with Pablo meeting an enemy turned current business partner and laying eyes on Dev for the very first time. He was a goner from there. And he did not help his situation when Dev shows up to collect some guns and he lets him put the moves on him. He knew he shouldn't have gone there. He knew it every time and yet, he kept right on going there.
For Dev's part, he was smitten from the first. For a gang member, he was surprisingly sweet. And open. Then he meets Pablo and he's wide open. He couldn't hide the way he felt even if he had actually tried. When Pablo finds out the truth about him and starts pushing like hell to get him out of his life, Dev refuses to go. In fact, Dev takes a ton of shit from Pablo and keeps on kicking. It isn't until the very end when Pablo gives him the final shove that he breaks and finally walks away. And Pablo deserved that kick to the gut that he felt when he did.
Pablo frustrated me a lot in this book, but he allowed himself to be vulnerable at times. He wasn't always a hard ass. He tried so hard to be, but when he fell in love, he fell hard. He tried his best to fight it. Total fail. In the end, he did the right thing and got his man. Not to say that he didn't fuck up along the way. He did some things that will likely piss you off, but Pablo is a scary dude and grew up in violence and without a whole lot of softness. He couldn't handle it. When it became clear he couldn't live with it, he manned the fuck up. So proud.
I liked that we got to see a lot more of Syren in this book. He intrigues me. I can't wait to see what is in store for that beauty. I loved that we got to see Angel and Gabe again, too. That was a really nice scene. It was good for both Pablo and Gabe, I think.
With the state Los P is in now, though, what will happen to everyone else in the gang? I know Teo is gonna go after Tommy at some point and the last book in the series is coming out after theirs and at this point, I have no idea who it'll be about.
For now, I'm jumping right into Syren and Kane's story.
August 11, 2013
Sequel to Love the Sinner, this time featuring Angelo's best friend Pablo.
Pablo was beyond angry and beyond hurt when Angelo fell in love with a cop. Best friends for life and he didn't even know Angelo was gay, so Pablo never acted on his feeling for him until it was too late.
That anger carries on through most of this book and into his relationship with Dev. If you can call angry gangster sex a relationship. Poor Dev has it bad for Pablo, but Pablo is cruel and uses and abuses him. Doesn't help that Dev is part of a rival gang...and what he doesn't know is that Dev is really a DEA agent undercover.
It take Dev getting hurt for Pablo to come around...but even then he has yet to settle his feelings for Angelo and has serious trust issues where the heart is concerned. Dev lays it all out on the line for Pablo, but Pablo send him away anyway. Harsh Pablo, Harsh!
It takes a lot of soul searching, interfering friends, and lots of luck, but Pablo finally pulls his head out of his butt and goes after his man...after he finally makes nice with Angelo and his cop.
Can't wait to read Syren's story, and wow, Matea & Tommy's story will be a heart-wrencher.
Pablo was beyond angry and beyond hurt when Angelo fell in love with a cop. Best friends for life and he didn't even know Angelo was gay, so Pablo never acted on his feeling for him until it was too late.
That anger carries on through most of this book and into his relationship with Dev. If you can call angry gangster sex a relationship. Poor Dev has it bad for Pablo, but Pablo is cruel and uses and abuses him. Doesn't help that Dev is part of a rival gang...and what he doesn't know is that Dev is really a DEA agent undercover.
It take Dev getting hurt for Pablo to come around...but even then he has yet to settle his feelings for Angelo and has serious trust issues where the heart is concerned. Dev lays it all out on the line for Pablo, but Pablo send him away anyway. Harsh Pablo, Harsh!
It takes a lot of soul searching, interfering friends, and lots of luck, but Pablo finally pulls his head out of his butt and goes after his man...after he finally makes nice with Angelo and his cop.
Can't wait to read Syren's story, and wow, Matea & Tommy's story will be a heart-wrencher.
August 18, 2017
3rd Time read 8-17-17
I think I loved Dev even better this time around. I read this and then immediately read the freebie short. That's what my Brooklyn comment was about...not in this, but in the freebie, Save Me, Sinner. It really truly completes this story. So if you haven't read it, read it! It can be found on Avril's website.
Changing my rating to 5 Stars (from 4 Stars)!
7-25-14
LOVE! Love Dex and Pablo. Man, why did I wait so long to read this series?
Brooklyn.
I think I loved Dev even better this time around. I read this and then immediately read the freebie short. That's what my Brooklyn comment was about...not in this, but in the freebie, Save Me, Sinner. It really truly completes this story. So if you haven't read it, read it! It can be found on Avril's website.
Changing my rating to 5 Stars (from 4 Stars)!
7-25-14
LOVE! Love Dex and Pablo. Man, why did I wait so long to read this series?
Brooklyn.
May 24, 2022
Tested my patience
I liked this book but by God it was an intense test on my patience.
First off, I didn't see what Dev saw in Pablo and also didn't understand why he kept staying through ALL the BS Pablo threw his way. The man hardly ever said a nice thing to him and he was "in love"? What? How? And most importantly WHYYYY?
Dev lost his self respect and common sense(especially when it came to meeting up with Pablo in public) somewhere at the beginning of the story and I spent the rest of the book waiting for him to locate and reinstate it. Unfortunately, It didn't happen.
With Pablo, I got that he was heartbroken but in my opinion that did not excuse the "hot and cold" attitude he kept giving Dev. It was understandable initially but got old real quick. It made me not warm up to him as a character.
So yeah, even though I liked the writing, both MCs annoyed me and I was glad to be done with it. Hopefully the novella after this would make them more tolerable.
I liked this book but by God it was an intense test on my patience.
First off, I didn't see what Dev saw in Pablo and also didn't understand why he kept staying through ALL the BS Pablo threw his way. The man hardly ever said a nice thing to him and he was "in love"? What? How? And most importantly WHYYYY?
Dev lost his self respect and common sense(especially when it came to meeting up with Pablo in public) somewhere at the beginning of the story and I spent the rest of the book waiting for him to locate and reinstate it. Unfortunately, It didn't happen.
With Pablo, I got that he was heartbroken but in my opinion that did not excuse the "hot and cold" attitude he kept giving Dev. It was understandable initially but got old real quick. It made me not warm up to him as a character.
So yeah, even though I liked the writing, both MCs annoyed me and I was glad to be done with it. Hopefully the novella after this would make them more tolerable.
September 11, 2014
Review: This is Pablo's story. 2 yrs later and Pablo is still pissed about losing Angelo to 'the cop'. He is still in that space of 'what if's" and having to go it alone as he can't take another rejection/hurt to his heart like this one. Thrown for a loop when he meets a new face ('pretty boy')at a meet with a rival (enemy) leader - who requests a gun shipment with a list that can only be from Pablo's long lost father. Lots of angst and machismo in this one just like in book one. Along with a lot of hot sex. Can't forget that. How does love happen when you least expect or want it - especially when he works for the enemy?....or so he thought. I didn't peek but I want to read Syren's book and Mateo's book. Getting to know and like all the side characters.
August 10, 2013
OMG - could this series be any more hilarious and smutty? I love the awfulness of it all. So steamy and gangsta and totally wrong, but yet so very right.
It's like someone took a ridiculous Harlequin and a story from Literotica and put them in a blender and got a smutty smoothie.
The characters from this one didn't have the whole insta-love factor cranked up the way first book in the series did, and I kinda missed that passion, but they made up for it with their growling drama and soap opera like storyline. Total train wreck - super terribly awesome!
I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
It's like someone took a ridiculous Harlequin and a story from Literotica and put them in a blender and got a smutty smoothie.
The characters from this one didn't have the whole insta-love factor cranked up the way first book in the series did, and I kinda missed that passion, but they made up for it with their growling drama and soap opera like storyline. Total train wreck - super terribly awesome!
I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
March 26, 2013
So, so good. Pablo is so bad, but I loved him. I liked this one even more than the first.
March 14, 2016
This series is just getting better and better for me. So I'm on to the next book which is Save Me Sinner which means more Pablo and Dev/Shane, insert sigh of happiness here.
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