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Beyond the Veil #2
The Boy in the Locked Room
Sometimes dreams aren’t just dreams…
The boy begging for help in my nightmares is very real. He’s trapped, and it’s up to me and Mason to get him out. The trouble is, we have to find him first.
It would be a lot easier if we weren’t also trying to solve a series of magical murders and deal with my horrible ex-boyfriend at the same time.
Oh, and on top of that, I’m trying to make this relationship work, but that’s not the easiest thing to do when you’re a magnet for ghosts and murderers, your ex is a complete narcissist, and your boyfriend is an orc witch.
As they say, when it rains, it pours.
A HFN, M/M Paranormal Romance—book two in Mason and Ward’s story.
Book Two of Beyond the Veil.
Book One: The Ghost in the Hall
The boy begging for help in my nightmares is very real. He’s trapped, and it’s up to me and Mason to get him out. The trouble is, we have to find him first.
It would be a lot easier if we weren’t also trying to solve a series of magical murders and deal with my horrible ex-boyfriend at the same time.
Oh, and on top of that, I’m trying to make this relationship work, but that’s not the easiest thing to do when you’re a magnet for ghosts and murderers, your ex is a complete narcissist, and your boyfriend is an orc witch.
As they say, when it rains, it pours.
A HFN, M/M Paranormal Romance—book two in Mason and Ward’s story.
Book Two of Beyond the Veil.
Book One: The Ghost in the Hall
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2022
91 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
March 29, 2022
Sophomore slump? I hope so…
To clarify, I love romance and like explicit scenes in my books. I am a fan.
That said, there is a limit. The first 50% of this boos could have been titled: The sex lives of Orcs and Mediums. By the time I was 13% in there had been 3 explicit scenes already. By the time I was 20 something percent through I had lost the plot, was frustrated enough that I would have DNF’d the whole thing if it had not been for the strength of book 1. Especially when a book with an historian character mistakenly attributes a saying about gifts and horses to the Trojan war. That is not the origin of that saying. The saying that originates from that is “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.” Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth refers to the fact that horses teeth tell they’re age and it is rude and entitled to check the quality of a gift.
So anyway, I was anyway: I was thisclose to giving up on what was, until about 40-something percent, one long scene interrupted inaccuracies and descriptions of food, when the plot woke from its long coma. And things finally get back in track.
TRIGGER WARNING: there is a sexual assault.
But around the half way mark the book gets on track (I can’t say “back” on track because from the start it was a mess) and things significantly improve from there.
Now a DNF is a 1 stat review from me. That’s the first half. The second half was 4 stars. Still some unnecessary sec scenes that could have easily been cut out but otherwise it was strong. I decided to round up to 3 stars hoping this is a second book blip.
I wish the author had spent the first half of the book showing us more research progress on the mystery of the boy’s identity. I wish that the police aspect had started earlier like at the 25% mark. I wish we had spent more time with Elspeth and gotten to know her better. I wish we’d seen more of her first meeting with Ward and Mason. I wish the author had a competent developmental editor pr even beta reader that would have said: do we really need 10 erotic scenes before we’re even half way through the story?
But none of that happened. Will I read the next book? I’ll start reading it because of the first book and the second half of this one. Buy whether I finish is another story. You don’t need 14 sex scenes to show love or commitment. And especially not in a book that revolves around crime and mystery.
There is so much potential in these characters and this world. I hope this is just a second book blip. Because it would be a shame it this story was further harmed by unfocused plots, poor research and incompetent editing/beta reading.
To clarify, I love romance and like explicit scenes in my books. I am a fan.
That said, there is a limit. The first 50% of this boos could have been titled: The sex lives of Orcs and Mediums. By the time I was 13% in there had been 3 explicit scenes already. By the time I was 20 something percent through I had lost the plot, was frustrated enough that I would have DNF’d the whole thing if it had not been for the strength of book 1. Especially when a book with an historian character mistakenly attributes a saying about gifts and horses to the Trojan war. That is not the origin of that saying. The saying that originates from that is “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.” Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth refers to the fact that horses teeth tell they’re age and it is rude and entitled to check the quality of a gift.
So anyway, I was anyway: I was thisclose to giving up on what was, until about 40-something percent, one long scene interrupted inaccuracies and descriptions of food, when the plot woke from its long coma. And things finally get back in track.
TRIGGER WARNING: there is a sexual assault.
But around the half way mark the book gets on track (I can’t say “back” on track because from the start it was a mess) and things significantly improve from there.
Now a DNF is a 1 stat review from me. That’s the first half. The second half was 4 stars. Still some unnecessary sec scenes that could have easily been cut out but otherwise it was strong. I decided to round up to 3 stars hoping this is a second book blip.
I wish the author had spent the first half of the book showing us more research progress on the mystery of the boy’s identity. I wish that the police aspect had started earlier like at the 25% mark. I wish we had spent more time with Elspeth and gotten to know her better. I wish we’d seen more of her first meeting with Ward and Mason. I wish the author had a competent developmental editor pr even beta reader that would have said: do we really need 10 erotic scenes before we’re even half way through the story?
But none of that happened. Will I read the next book? I’ll start reading it because of the first book and the second half of this one. Buy whether I finish is another story. You don’t need 14 sex scenes to show love or commitment. And especially not in a book that revolves around crime and mystery.
There is so much potential in these characters and this world. I hope this is just a second book blip. Because it would be a shame it this story was further harmed by unfocused plots, poor research and incompetent editing/beta reading.
May 31, 2024
When I finished The Ghost in the Hall, I was SO psyched to start book 2, The Boy in the Locked Room. The hook in the epilogue worked, I wanted to know everything and given the strengths of the first book, I fully expected to get a hell of a ride. *Cue sad trombone* I was sorely disappointed.
What I wanted: Story. Plot. Intrigue. Mystery. Spooky, compelling ambiance. The creepy, chilling atmosphere promised in the epilogue.
What I got: Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex. And more and more sex. Eventually we get to the plot, but even then sex kept being thrown in.
Another review mentions there are 14 sex scenes, I didn’t count so I can’t confirm that but I believe it. I read two of the sex scenes but skimmed the rest because, as I said earlier, I was there for the story of the boy in the locked room, the mystery and intrigue, the meat and bones of the story and I don’t mean manly beefcake meat and bones.
What I did eventually get in the way of mystery, ghostly interaction and paranormal adventure was mostly good but this story could have been so much better. It could have been so much more if the story had devoted at least some of the time spent on sex to actual compelling, interesting, atmospheric plot.
Melanie’s fantastic review and Layla’s review sum it up so much better than I have. Suffice to say I am in completely agreement with their assessments.
3 stars
Continuing on with the series but much less enthusiastically than after finishing book one. I know K.M. Avery has is in them to write a fantastic story, let’s hope the third book, The Skeleton Under the Stairs, delivers *fingers crossed*
Edited to add May 31, 2024 from an update by K.M. Avery:
The Ghost in the Hall will be FREE from June 1-3 to kick off Pride Month!
Then The Boy in the Locked Room will be FREE from June 4-6!
And then The Skeleton Under the Stairs from June 7-9!
The Dog in the Alley June 10-12!
The Bones in the Yard June 13-15!
And The Elf Beside Himself June 16-18!
And to close out Pride Month, Threadbound, a stand-alone fae M/M romance, will be FREE June 28-30!
PS In the end, the series worked out to be one of my all time favorites! And there are still more to come. I wasn’t thrilled with the narrator of the Ward and Mason audiobooks, books 1-3, but I LOVE the Hart audiobook and am currently listening to it for the third time. In any case, despite the hiccups of book 2, this is a fantastic series so of you haven’t checked out this author yet, June would be the perfect time to do so.
What I wanted: Story. Plot. Intrigue. Mystery. Spooky, compelling ambiance. The creepy, chilling atmosphere promised in the epilogue.
What I got: Sex. Sex. Sex. Sex. And more and more sex. Eventually we get to the plot, but even then sex kept being thrown in.
Another review mentions there are 14 sex scenes, I didn’t count so I can’t confirm that but I believe it. I read two of the sex scenes but skimmed the rest because, as I said earlier, I was there for the story of the boy in the locked room, the mystery and intrigue, the meat and bones of the story and I don’t mean manly beefcake meat and bones.
What I did eventually get in the way of mystery, ghostly interaction and paranormal adventure was mostly good but this story could have been so much better. It could have been so much more if the story had devoted at least some of the time spent on sex to actual compelling, interesting, atmospheric plot.
Melanie’s fantastic review and Layla’s review sum it up so much better than I have. Suffice to say I am in completely agreement with their assessments.
3 stars
Continuing on with the series but much less enthusiastically than after finishing book one. I know K.M. Avery has is in them to write a fantastic story, let’s hope the third book, The Skeleton Under the Stairs, delivers *fingers crossed*
Edited to add May 31, 2024 from an update by K.M. Avery:
The Ghost in the Hall will be FREE from June 1-3 to kick off Pride Month!
Then The Boy in the Locked Room will be FREE from June 4-6!
And then The Skeleton Under the Stairs from June 7-9!
The Dog in the Alley June 10-12!
The Bones in the Yard June 13-15!
And The Elf Beside Himself June 16-18!
And to close out Pride Month, Threadbound, a stand-alone fae M/M romance, will be FREE June 28-30!
PS In the end, the series worked out to be one of my all time favorites! And there are still more to come. I wasn’t thrilled with the narrator of the Ward and Mason audiobooks, books 1-3, but I LOVE the Hart audiobook and am currently listening to it for the third time. In any case, despite the hiccups of book 2, this is a fantastic series so of you haven’t checked out this author yet, June would be the perfect time to do so.
August 15, 2022
some great elements, some problematic ones
Rating: 3.5🌈
The Boy in the Locked Room is a good example of second book syndrome. The first story sets the characters and world building. The second story needs to continue that momentum going, while further developing the storylines (if that’s the format the author’s chosen) as well as allowing for character growth.
It definitely shouldn’t raise more issues than it does contribute towards a bettering a relationship with the characters and the series arc the author’s laying out.
Which is my problem with The Boy in the Locked Room . See full list at the bottom.
At the end of The Ghost in the Hall , a book I loved btw, the MC the medium, Edward Campion, had become paralyzed from the waist down, due to a battle with a evil spirit.
Avery’s descriptions of Ward dealing with his long recovery, his disability and it’s very real impact on every aspect of his life is raw, filled with tears, darkness, and is absolutely believable.
Ward isn’t thinking about the boy who needs saving. And still visits him nightly, albeit rarely in the beginning of the book. Ward is rightfully concerned with his own personal issues. His business, which is taking a hit because of his recovery. He’s depressed and feeling too dependent on others, like his orc Professor boyfriend, Mason . They’ve moved in together but even that’s feeling out of sync. The adjustment isn’t going smoothly.
This is where I’m conflicted because Avery does an incredible job with Ward in this situation , once having made the decision to injure Ward so severely in the story. However, it now becomes so much a part of the current story that any other subjects or threads are relegated to a lesser narrative status.
Including the boy in the locked room.
What comes next in the high percentage of scenes after the turmoil of Ward adjusting to his disability and new reality is his sex life. Or rather his and Mason’s. This does dovetail into how both parties are relating to each other physically and emotionally after Ward’s trauma.
But, there’s so many that just as we start with a scene or storyline that’s connected to Rayn, the tormented boy that’s dream walking, and crying out for help, it’s stopped. And we’re back to yet another sex scene.
The entire subject of the book’s title is given very little space until the story is halfway finished which is a shame because the horror and mystery is a excellent idea, but truly not given the depth or details it needs.
So where did the space go to? Chapter 19. A chapter the author themselves states, in a Dear Readers note within the book , can be skipped over because it includes,“an attempted sexual assault in Chapter 19. Readers who have survived similar experiences may be more comfortable skipping ahead to Chapter 20.” Avery has written a raw, graphic scene that’s hard to read, where a vulnerable person is being sexually assaulted. This includes a suspenseful build up as well as the scene itself. It’s the entire chapter.
This also includes a trip to the hospital, rape kit scene, and police investigation. Raw and brutal, as it would be.
There’s one impactful magical element that’s of note. It could be referenced or brought into this story another way outside of this chapter.
So my issue and question is, if a full chapter and entire major aspect of a plot and character storyline be skipped over, is it really necessary to begin with? Especially one that’s so traumatic, carries with it triggers, and deep emotional pain ?
Was it just needed to bring that one magical development to light?
That’s a chapter that could have been used to further the complicated history and horror that’s Rayn. Or any of the other ghosts or families asking Ward and Mason for assistance. Some including Sylvia are fantastic.
And let’s not forget the fantastic elf Detective Hart. His role here was enlarged, remarkable, and again makes me want a series just for him.
So for me? The Boy in the Locked Room (Beyond the Veil #2) by K.M. Avery suffered from :
- [x] too many sex scenes, which leads to
- [x] a lack of concentration on the actual title subject matter,
- [x] the fact it contains an entire chapter devoted to a brutal attempted sexual assault that the author said could be skipped . So is it really necessary?
Final question. If a book has wonderful characters, great ideas, and moments where it seems to come together but just didn’t because of every reason I just stated, would you be recommending it?
I’ll leave you to decide the final answer.
Beyond The Veil series:
- [x] The Ghost in the Hall #1
- [x] The Boy in the Locked Room #2
- [ ] The Skeleton Under the Stairs #3
Rating: 3.5🌈
The Boy in the Locked Room is a good example of second book syndrome. The first story sets the characters and world building. The second story needs to continue that momentum going, while further developing the storylines (if that’s the format the author’s chosen) as well as allowing for character growth.
It definitely shouldn’t raise more issues than it does contribute towards a bettering a relationship with the characters and the series arc the author’s laying out.
Which is my problem with The Boy in the Locked Room . See full list at the bottom.
At the end of The Ghost in the Hall , a book I loved btw, the MC the medium, Edward Campion, had become paralyzed from the waist down, due to a battle with a evil spirit.
Avery’s descriptions of Ward dealing with his long recovery, his disability and it’s very real impact on every aspect of his life is raw, filled with tears, darkness, and is absolutely believable.
Ward isn’t thinking about the boy who needs saving. And still visits him nightly, albeit rarely in the beginning of the book. Ward is rightfully concerned with his own personal issues. His business, which is taking a hit because of his recovery. He’s depressed and feeling too dependent on others, like his orc Professor boyfriend, Mason . They’ve moved in together but even that’s feeling out of sync. The adjustment isn’t going smoothly.
This is where I’m conflicted because Avery does an incredible job with Ward in this situation , once having made the decision to injure Ward so severely in the story. However, it now becomes so much a part of the current story that any other subjects or threads are relegated to a lesser narrative status.
Including the boy in the locked room.
What comes next in the high percentage of scenes after the turmoil of Ward adjusting to his disability and new reality is his sex life. Or rather his and Mason’s. This does dovetail into how both parties are relating to each other physically and emotionally after Ward’s trauma.
But, there’s so many that just as we start with a scene or storyline that’s connected to Rayn, the tormented boy that’s dream walking, and crying out for help, it’s stopped. And we’re back to yet another sex scene.
The entire subject of the book’s title is given very little space until the story is halfway finished which is a shame because the horror and mystery is a excellent idea, but truly not given the depth or details it needs.
So where did the space go to? Chapter 19. A chapter the author themselves states, in a Dear Readers note within the book , can be skipped over because it includes,“an attempted sexual assault in Chapter 19. Readers who have survived similar experiences may be more comfortable skipping ahead to Chapter 20.” Avery has written a raw, graphic scene that’s hard to read, where a vulnerable person is being sexually assaulted. This includes a suspenseful build up as well as the scene itself. It’s the entire chapter.
This also includes a trip to the hospital, rape kit scene, and police investigation. Raw and brutal, as it would be.
There’s one impactful magical element that’s of note. It could be referenced or brought into this story another way outside of this chapter.
So my issue and question is, if a full chapter and entire major aspect of a plot and character storyline be skipped over, is it really necessary to begin with? Especially one that’s so traumatic, carries with it triggers, and deep emotional pain ?
Was it just needed to bring that one magical development to light?
That’s a chapter that could have been used to further the complicated history and horror that’s Rayn. Or any of the other ghosts or families asking Ward and Mason for assistance. Some including Sylvia are fantastic.
And let’s not forget the fantastic elf Detective Hart. His role here was enlarged, remarkable, and again makes me want a series just for him.
So for me? The Boy in the Locked Room (Beyond the Veil #2) by K.M. Avery suffered from :
- [x] too many sex scenes, which leads to
- [x] a lack of concentration on the actual title subject matter,
- [x] the fact it contains an entire chapter devoted to a brutal attempted sexual assault that the author said could be skipped . So is it really necessary?
Final question. If a book has wonderful characters, great ideas, and moments where it seems to come together but just didn’t because of every reason I just stated, would you be recommending it?
I’ll leave you to decide the final answer.
Beyond The Veil series:
- [x] The Ghost in the Hall #1
- [x] The Boy in the Locked Room #2
- [ ] The Skeleton Under the Stairs #3
October 1, 2025
“Nobody wants to be told they’re ‘adorable’ when they’re angry. It’s really hard to maintain righteous indignation. It’s also hard to be mad at someone when they think you’re adorable. Damnit.”
3⭐️
I’m trying to figure out how this series went from having an actual mystery plot with maybe five sex scenes… to this book, where I swear they had sex twelve times. Girl, please. It’s enough. We get it, Mason is using Ward like his own personal fleshlight for half the book.
On top of that, we get some rather disturbing scenes that happen to Ward, and they felt like they came out of nowhere. They did add some emotional depth, but the book didn’t let those moments breathe. Instead, it wanted us to solve the mystery of Rayne and watch Mason and Ward fuck like dogs in heat. The problem is, there was no real investigation into the Rayne plot. And that’s sad, because he was introduced in the last book and deserved more depth. Instead, we got chapter-long sex scenes while the actual mystery fell flat.
I was disappointed. Maybe it’s for the best that the series switches to different characters in book four, because there are only so many 400-page ghost “mystery” books I can sit through that are really just nonstop sex. Where the fuck is the mystery? Give Ward’s hole a break, dude. He’s literally trying to learn to live while in a wheelchair.
I wanted more of the emotional dilemmas in Mason and Ward’s relationship, more of their business struggles, and most of all, more of the asylum ghost investigation. Instead, we got a plot buried under endless sex scenes. And listen, I love hot dude-on-orc sex as much as the next person, but it can’t be the entire plot. Especially not when the first book showed me this series could actually deliver story and mystery.
Crazy, bro. Crazy work.
3⭐️
I’m trying to figure out how this series went from having an actual mystery plot with maybe five sex scenes… to this book, where I swear they had sex twelve times. Girl, please. It’s enough. We get it, Mason is using Ward like his own personal fleshlight for half the book.
On top of that, we get some rather disturbing scenes that happen to Ward, and they felt like they came out of nowhere. They did add some emotional depth, but the book didn’t let those moments breathe. Instead, it wanted us to solve the mystery of Rayne and watch Mason and Ward fuck like dogs in heat. The problem is, there was no real investigation into the Rayne plot. And that’s sad, because he was introduced in the last book and deserved more depth. Instead, we got chapter-long sex scenes while the actual mystery fell flat.
I was disappointed. Maybe it’s for the best that the series switches to different characters in book four, because there are only so many 400-page ghost “mystery” books I can sit through that are really just nonstop sex. Where the fuck is the mystery? Give Ward’s hole a break, dude. He’s literally trying to learn to live while in a wheelchair.
I wanted more of the emotional dilemmas in Mason and Ward’s relationship, more of their business struggles, and most of all, more of the asylum ghost investigation. Instead, we got a plot buried under endless sex scenes. And listen, I love hot dude-on-orc sex as much as the next person, but it can’t be the entire plot. Especially not when the first book showed me this series could actually deliver story and mystery.
Crazy, bro. Crazy work.
November 17, 2024
This was absolutely fantastic. I loved the mutual caretaking, disability rep, caring, and just ... everything about this. Big CW for on page assault of one MC and the fallout. It was super tough to read because it was so well written.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
April 9, 2022
Okay read- some spoilers
I love the characters and if I read book 3 it will be for that reason only, because this book was a rambling mess and all over the place. I'm still not sure what the point of the murder was about as it didn't have a conclusion and although it did help advance the storyline. Also like the frist book we didn't get to really see a lot Wards gift, it talked about and brought up repeatedly but you don't get to see much other then just talking to the ghost and personally I think that needs more on page storytime. Last but not least what happened with Tyler had no bearing on this story, it was violence just for violence, and even Ward said it was out of character as Tyler had been abusive emotionally and mentally but never physically and suddenly over a year and a half later he shows up and dose that to Ward? It made no sense and didn't add anything to the story. It was just violence mad drama added to be there with no reason. It actually made me upset to have used attempted rape just as added drama. Otherwise this was an okay read with amazing characters that actually make you want to continue reading even with an okay storyline.
I love the characters and if I read book 3 it will be for that reason only, because this book was a rambling mess and all over the place. I'm still not sure what the point of the murder was about as it didn't have a conclusion and although it did help advance the storyline. Also like the frist book we didn't get to really see a lot Wards gift, it talked about and brought up repeatedly but you don't get to see much other then just talking to the ghost and personally I think that needs more on page storytime. Last but not least what happened with Tyler had no bearing on this story, it was violence just for violence, and even Ward said it was out of character as Tyler had been abusive emotionally and mentally but never physically and suddenly over a year and a half later he shows up and dose that to Ward? It made no sense and didn't add anything to the story. It was just violence mad drama added to be there with no reason. It actually made me upset to have used attempted rape just as added drama. Otherwise this was an okay read with amazing characters that actually make you want to continue reading even with an okay storyline.
April 4, 2022
I really wanted to like this book more. I did. I LOVED the first one. There were so many cons to this book I couldn't give it a higher rating.
Cons - Too much sex. I never thought I'd say this about any book. Ever. Certainly not my current favorite MM category. But dude, really? There were so many sex scenes in the first half of the book that I ended up skimming through them after a few. And they were LONG. REALLY REALLY LONG. Pages (at least in my kindle they seemed to last FOREVER). I don't need to know about every vein on Mason's cock thank you very much. There was a fairly triggering assault in the middle of the book, which felt like a filler. I couldn't see the purpose in propelling the plot so why? It was also too long. Or maybe it felt that way with all the sex scenes and assault/aftermath. It would have been a much more enjoyable book pacing and plot wise with fewer sex scenes and elimination of the mid book assault.
Pros - As always the actual writing is good. The character development and world building is excellent. I love Mason and Ward as a couple and they did get their HEA. Detective Hart is snarky and fun as always.
I'll read the next one for sure. Because I love the characters. I hope to see more story, less sex.
Cons - Too much sex. I never thought I'd say this about any book. Ever. Certainly not my current favorite MM category. But dude, really? There were so many sex scenes in the first half of the book that I ended up skimming through them after a few. And they were LONG. REALLY REALLY LONG. Pages (at least in my kindle they seemed to last FOREVER). I don't need to know about every vein on Mason's cock thank you very much. There was a fairly triggering assault in the middle of the book, which felt like a filler. I couldn't see the purpose in propelling the plot so why? It was also too long. Or maybe it felt that way with all the sex scenes and assault/aftermath. It would have been a much more enjoyable book pacing and plot wise with fewer sex scenes and elimination of the mid book assault.
Pros - As always the actual writing is good. The character development and world building is excellent. I love Mason and Ward as a couple and they did get their HEA. Detective Hart is snarky and fun as always.
I'll read the next one for sure. Because I love the characters. I hope to see more story, less sex.
April 6, 2022
It's a 3 simply because the storyline is interesting. Otherwise, it would barely be 2 stars.
There are things that apparently happen off-page: example . There are things that are tossed in for no particular reason that I can see .
But dear gods.....the unnecessary sex scenes are numerous and redundant. They add nothing to the story. Bad dream? Sex. Get back from a walk with the dog? Sex again. Talking about something from the previous book? Let's have sex! Whywhywhywhy?
There are things that apparently happen off-page: example . There are things that are tossed in for no particular reason that I can see .
But dear gods.....the unnecessary sex scenes are numerous and redundant. They add nothing to the story. Bad dream? Sex. Get back from a walk with the dog? Sex again. Talking about something from the previous book? Let's have sex! Whywhywhywhy?
March 30, 2022
Still amazing!
After devouring the first book, I was eager to start on the second. I wasn’t expecting to cry multiple times (be aware of the trigger warning—both the incident and the aftermath are difficult), but I loved how Mason solidly stood by Ward through thick and thin. These two guys love each other so much and I just adore them together.
The plot/mystery was fantastic and it kept me riveted. I LOVE Hart, the grouchy elf, and I want to smother Rayn with warm blankets and cookies and love.
Though this series will continue (hooray!), I love that the author wraps everything up to the point that you can be content with the ending. The mystery is solved, the couple is happy, all that good stuff. So while I’m thrilled to have more to look forward to, don’t feel like you have to wait for more to come out to read and enjoy it!
After devouring the first book, I was eager to start on the second. I wasn’t expecting to cry multiple times (be aware of the trigger warning—both the incident and the aftermath are difficult), but I loved how Mason solidly stood by Ward through thick and thin. These two guys love each other so much and I just adore them together.
The plot/mystery was fantastic and it kept me riveted. I LOVE Hart, the grouchy elf, and I want to smother Rayn with warm blankets and cookies and love.
Though this series will continue (hooray!), I love that the author wraps everything up to the point that you can be content with the ending. The mystery is solved, the couple is happy, all that good stuff. So while I’m thrilled to have more to look forward to, don’t feel like you have to wait for more to come out to read and enjoy it!
July 27, 2025
"People who want to hurt other people want them to be afraid. And you don't. I know you don't. You hate it when people are afraid of you."
Okay, finally trying to start the final version of this... Still quote heavy! Couldn't help myself.
First and foremost, the first half of this book seemed rather unnecessary. There was just one sex scene after another and then another and another. That's practically all the first half was. We get that they're into each other, that they love each other and they can't get their hands off each other. However, sex is not the only way to show this. Also, we don't always need the whole sex scene shown on-page if the author truly wants the sex to happen at that moment. Don't get me wrong there were some hot scenes going on and I have no problem reading sex scenes, but... Too much. Especially when this is mystery and they're supposed to be working on a case. How about more of that?
Unfortunately, more of the whole-working-on-the-case bit doesn't truly getting started until a terrible event happens and that Ward is sexually assaulted by a past partner, Tyler, who used to be abusive in said relationship. The SA is on-page; it is detailed and the helplessness is plainly felt by Ward.
There were some truly heartbreaking scenes as Ward tries to work through the trauma and I was there for that. I loved how even Hart stepped up and was there for Ward when Mason was away with his family.
Hart came around to where Shay had been, dragging a plastic chair with him, and sat. He leaned forward a little, and then I felt cool fingers wrap around my hand.
"You break my fingers if you fucking need to, okay, Ward?"
A sob pushing at the back of my throat, I nodded.
Switching gears, Ward annoyed tf out of me during the first half of this book (yes, this is definitely the theme as it was a huge flop). I definitely didn't blame him for wallowing in self-pity (I'm sure I would too!) but it was especially annoying with Mason's birthday and I spent most of Mason's thirty-seventh birthday feeling like a terrible boyfriend. How about you just be there for your boyfriend? The way that Ward's birthday was done was complete opposite and I loved the bracelet that Mason gives Ward (which is later than super sad with Ward's question about the protection).
He appeared deeply skeptical of the whole new-Ward thing, and reminded me at least once a day that he loved me even when I did complain.
This morning, I'd told him that I was glad he did, but I didn't love me when I complained.
I liked how we got to see more differences with magic here like how Mason's healing works and that [Magic] could speed healing, but it couldn't make it like the injury have never happened. So if my spinal column wasn't going to fix itself, magic couldn't make it any better. And when Mason "...stopped massaging and started casting, warm fingers tracing patterns on skin that soothed damaged nerves and reknitted torn muscle fibers."
There were some great scenes here; some funny, some cute, some sad, frustrating and awful. The bit when Rayn and that whole "institution."
Hart sighed. "You do realize that now you've not only weaponized dead people, but also started an organized dead-people crime ring, right?"
I tried to look innocent. "Is one a ring?"
Mason snorted, then turned it into a cough when Hart glared at him.
"You're a fucking dead-people mafia don," the elf accused.
I smiled up at him from my chair, lacing my fingers together. "She made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
Hart had some fantastic bits and I loved him.
He didn't French kiss me, but he did kiss my cheek, and Alma's and Peveril's heads. And, I'm guessing from the very startled "What the fuck, elf?" I heard from the kitchen, probably Mason, too.
I liked the proposal and the ring (it also seems like Mason is more thoughtful than Ward xD), and thought it was a very fitting way to end this, regardless of it not being a surprise. I will continue with this series as this did have its moments and I'm really hoping it is just - as so often happens - that it's the second book in a series. Also, I really hope that Jackson doesn't come live with them anytime soon as I'm not looking forward to that. I like it being just Mason and Ward, and I don't want a child added.
Couple quotes/scenes that I loved that didn't really fit anywhere but I didn't want to get rid of:
Unable to do anything else, I curled around the pain in my body, a sob ripping its way free from my chest. And I couldn't stop. I couldn't think. I could barely breathe, my whole body convulsing around the pain.
[...]
But I also couldn't stop myself from trying to hold on to him, and I reached out blindly, my hand finding his braids. I tried to pull myself towards him with my arm around his neck, but he resisted me a little, making a soft sound. I felt him shift, still holding me away, but then his arms pulled me closer, half-sliding me off the edge of the bed and gathering me against his chest, wrapping his whole body around mine as I clung to his neck, burying my face in his chest.
One big hand smoothed through my curls as trembling lips pressed against my forehead.
I wrapped my arms around him and spoke into the skin of his torso. "I love you. So much."
And I held him as he let go and wept softly into my hair.
Okay, finally trying to start the final version of this... Still quote heavy! Couldn't help myself.
First and foremost, the first half of this book seemed rather unnecessary. There was just one sex scene after another and then another and another. That's practically all the first half was. We get that they're into each other, that they love each other and they can't get their hands off each other. However, sex is not the only way to show this. Also, we don't always need the whole sex scene shown on-page if the author truly wants the sex to happen at that moment. Don't get me wrong there were some hot scenes going on and I have no problem reading sex scenes, but... Too much. Especially when this is mystery and they're supposed to be working on a case. How about more of that?
Unfortunately, more of the whole-working-on-the-case bit doesn't truly getting started until a terrible event happens and that Ward is sexually assaulted by a past partner, Tyler, who used to be abusive in said relationship. The SA is on-page; it is detailed and the helplessness is plainly felt by Ward.
There were some truly heartbreaking scenes as Ward tries to work through the trauma and I was there for that. I loved how even Hart stepped up and was there for Ward when Mason was away with his family.
Hart came around to where Shay had been, dragging a plastic chair with him, and sat. He leaned forward a little, and then I felt cool fingers wrap around my hand.
"You break my fingers if you fucking need to, okay, Ward?"
A sob pushing at the back of my throat, I nodded.
Switching gears, Ward annoyed tf out of me during the first half of this book (yes, this is definitely the theme as it was a huge flop). I definitely didn't blame him for wallowing in self-pity (I'm sure I would too!) but it was especially annoying with Mason's birthday and I spent most of Mason's thirty-seventh birthday feeling like a terrible boyfriend. How about you just be there for your boyfriend? The way that Ward's birthday was done was complete opposite and I loved the bracelet that Mason gives Ward (which is later than super sad with Ward's question about the protection).
He appeared deeply skeptical of the whole new-Ward thing, and reminded me at least once a day that he loved me even when I did complain.
This morning, I'd told him that I was glad he did, but I didn't love me when I complained.
I liked how we got to see more differences with magic here like how Mason's healing works and that [Magic] could speed healing, but it couldn't make it like the injury have never happened. So if my spinal column wasn't going to fix itself, magic couldn't make it any better. And when Mason "...stopped massaging and started casting, warm fingers tracing patterns on skin that soothed damaged nerves and reknitted torn muscle fibers."
There were some great scenes here; some funny, some cute, some sad, frustrating and awful. The bit when Rayn and that whole "institution."
Hart sighed. "You do realize that now you've not only weaponized dead people, but also started an organized dead-people crime ring, right?"
I tried to look innocent. "Is one a ring?"
Mason snorted, then turned it into a cough when Hart glared at him.
"You're a fucking dead-people mafia don," the elf accused.
I smiled up at him from my chair, lacing my fingers together. "She made me an offer I couldn't refuse."
Hart had some fantastic bits and I loved him.
He didn't French kiss me, but he did kiss my cheek, and Alma's and Peveril's heads. And, I'm guessing from the very startled "What the fuck, elf?" I heard from the kitchen, probably Mason, too.
I liked the proposal and the ring (it also seems like Mason is more thoughtful than Ward xD), and thought it was a very fitting way to end this, regardless of it not being a surprise. I will continue with this series as this did have its moments and I'm really hoping it is just - as so often happens - that it's the second book in a series. Also, I really hope that Jackson doesn't come live with them anytime soon as I'm not looking forward to that. I like it being just Mason and Ward, and I don't want a child added.
Couple quotes/scenes that I loved that didn't really fit anywhere but I didn't want to get rid of:
Unable to do anything else, I curled around the pain in my body, a sob ripping its way free from my chest. And I couldn't stop. I couldn't think. I could barely breathe, my whole body convulsing around the pain.
[...]
But I also couldn't stop myself from trying to hold on to him, and I reached out blindly, my hand finding his braids. I tried to pull myself towards him with my arm around his neck, but he resisted me a little, making a soft sound. I felt him shift, still holding me away, but then his arms pulled me closer, half-sliding me off the edge of the bed and gathering me against his chest, wrapping his whole body around mine as I clung to his neck, burying my face in his chest.
One big hand smoothed through my curls as trembling lips pressed against my forehead.
I wrapped my arms around him and spoke into the skin of his torso. "I love you. So much."
And I held him as he let go and wept softly into my hair.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2025
4⭐
The first book had the most evil big bad that had ever eviled, but somehow this book ended up being darker. It's so much more about abuse done by humans, the more mundane kind, and it's so dreadful. There is an onpage sexual assault here and very widespread, horrifying abuse. Still, the overall tone is not dark. There's a lot of love here and the main couple building their lives and careers. Ward is a very compelling character and I'm all for following his struggles with his disability and also the mystery of his medium abilities.
There's also a lot of sex. I'm snickering here reading the other reviews. Yeah, it's a bit too much but I read every page anyway. But if we would trim these books a bit - and we could - a few of those sex scenes should definitely go. Though this book was slightly shorter than the first one, and didn't leave me exhausted, so I wouldn't complain. I was also left with more incentive to continue on to book 3. I'm really starting to love the supporting characters too and want to know what will happen next.
The first book had the most evil big bad that had ever eviled, but somehow this book ended up being darker. It's so much more about abuse done by humans, the more mundane kind, and it's so dreadful. There is an onpage sexual assault here and very widespread, horrifying abuse. Still, the overall tone is not dark. There's a lot of love here and the main couple building their lives and careers. Ward is a very compelling character and I'm all for following his struggles with his disability and also the mystery of his medium abilities.
There's also a lot of sex. I'm snickering here reading the other reviews. Yeah, it's a bit too much but I read every page anyway. But if we would trim these books a bit - and we could - a few of those sex scenes should definitely go. Though this book was slightly shorter than the first one, and didn't leave me exhausted, so I wouldn't complain. I was also left with more incentive to continue on to book 3. I'm really starting to love the supporting characters too and want to know what will happen next.
February 12, 2025
Oof, my heart is a bit battered from this one. I think I need to lie down for a bit now. Yeesh, talk about an emotional roller coaster.
December 21, 2025
The reviewers who said there was a lot of sex in this book did not exaggerate.
March 21, 2022
Graaaaaaaaaaaaahh!
I never wanted this to end! Is it too much to ask to just sort of link in to an author somehow so I never have to leave their universes and characters? This author is AMAZING! The world building is superb, the writing style flows so easily, the plot is interesting and layered, the characters have such realistic depth, the romance is so sweet you just die... I feel like I could rave about this book and this author for hours to anyone I could tie down and force them to listen.
Mason and ward are such great characters and I seriously love Sylvia and hart too. I need the next book like I need air. I reccomend this series so highly that the people on the ISS probably see it float by their windows sometimes. 17 billion stars!
I never wanted this to end! Is it too much to ask to just sort of link in to an author somehow so I never have to leave their universes and characters? This author is AMAZING! The world building is superb, the writing style flows so easily, the plot is interesting and layered, the characters have such realistic depth, the romance is so sweet you just die... I feel like I could rave about this book and this author for hours to anyone I could tie down and force them to listen.
Mason and ward are such great characters and I seriously love Sylvia and hart too. I need the next book like I need air. I reccomend this series so highly that the people on the ISS probably see it float by their windows sometimes. 17 billion stars!
July 10, 2022
Good story plot.
August 8, 2025
First read, 2 stars: I still love Mason and Ward. They are sweet together and supportive of each other. I love Sylvia and Beck, but we didn’t get nearly enough of them. I enjoyed the mystery elements, although much like the previous book, it felt like they rolled a dice for mystery elements and didn’t really take the time to flush out a full plot.
Now for the parts that I hated.
1. The sex. Smut can be enjoyable, but when it’s a paranormal mystery book and they have sex 5 times before the mystery is introduced… no. Give me cute Mason/Ward moments, or cute family moments. Stop with all the sex scenes.
2. The assault. Please, someone, tell me: what did this add to the book? How did the plot or the characters grow or develop from this? Because as far as I can tell, it did absolutely nothing. They rolled the element dice again and decided to add pointless drama with an on page sexual assault of the main character. With NO BUILD UP!! One page: here’s the ex boyfriend. Next page: exboyfriend is braking down the door. Literally. Wtf?
3. The sex. I know I already mentioned this, but it actually needs to be said again in light of the sexual assault. Ward was nearly raped in his own home… and yet the sex scenes DO NOT SLOW DOWN. Right away, as soon as he’s physically healed, they are back to having sex. Now, I am well aware that each individual heals in their own way and puts different emphasis on physical connections. I’m not saying that Ward and Mason shouldn’t have continued that relationship. But as far as the writing goes… as a reader, I needed more time to heal and adjust to the sudden assault. I needed a break from the on page constant sex.
4. Okay, so…. What happened with the hospital people? With the families who knew what was being done to their patients? How about the ENTIRE SECRET SOCIETY THAT GOT BROUGHT UP!?!? Please, please start finishing the mysteries.
Second Read, 3 Stars: Many of my opinions from the first read remain the same, but I’m not as mad about it now. I skimmed the sex scenes and the assault, which let me enjoy the rest of the story quite a bit more. Still, there were a lot of questions left in the end. I also still dont get the purpose of bringing the ex in except to cause drama. We’ll see what book 3 brings I guess.
Now for the parts that I hated.
1. The sex. Smut can be enjoyable, but when it’s a paranormal mystery book and they have sex 5 times before the mystery is introduced… no. Give me cute Mason/Ward moments, or cute family moments. Stop with all the sex scenes.
2. The assault. Please, someone, tell me: what did this add to the book? How did the plot or the characters grow or develop from this? Because as far as I can tell, it did absolutely nothing. They rolled the element dice again and decided to add pointless drama with an on page sexual assault of the main character. With NO BUILD UP!! One page: here’s the ex boyfriend. Next page: exboyfriend is braking down the door. Literally. Wtf?
3. The sex. I know I already mentioned this, but it actually needs to be said again in light of the sexual assault. Ward was nearly raped in his own home… and yet the sex scenes DO NOT SLOW DOWN. Right away, as soon as he’s physically healed, they are back to having sex. Now, I am well aware that each individual heals in their own way and puts different emphasis on physical connections. I’m not saying that Ward and Mason shouldn’t have continued that relationship. But as far as the writing goes… as a reader, I needed more time to heal and adjust to the sudden assault. I needed a break from the on page constant sex.
4. Okay, so…. What happened with the hospital people? With the families who knew what was being done to their patients? How about the ENTIRE SECRET SOCIETY THAT GOT BROUGHT UP!?!? Please, please start finishing the mysteries.
Second Read, 3 Stars: Many of my opinions from the first read remain the same, but I’m not as mad about it now. I skimmed the sex scenes and the assault, which let me enjoy the rest of the story quite a bit more. Still, there were a lot of questions left in the end. I also still dont get the purpose of bringing the ex in except to cause drama. We’ll see what book 3 brings I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
So, the previous book got 4 stars - it had a strong, mysterious storyline, good character development and the romance side of things developed nicely so I had really high hopes for this one.
However. In 'The Boy in the Locked Room', we have a traumatised psychic youth, in peril, and yet everytime I want Mason and Ward to crack on and figure out where he is and how to rescue him, they just have a bonkfest.
Sex scenes are fine, and there were a couple that not only showed Mason and Ward's feelings for each other but also took the story forward. But, in the first third or so of the book it seemed like they were just being added to pad things out, and it was frustrating because the first book was heavily plot focused, full of story, but you really had to dig for the story elements in this one.
Which I did, because I'd enjoyed book one so much, but I had to skip past a lot of sex to get to the plot in this one.
I will try book three and use it as my continue / not continue litmus test.
However. In 'The Boy in the Locked Room', we have a traumatised psychic youth, in peril, and yet everytime I want Mason and Ward to crack on and figure out where he is and how to rescue him, they just have a bonkfest.
Sex scenes are fine, and there were a couple that not only showed Mason and Ward's feelings for each other but also took the story forward. But, in the first third or so of the book it seemed like they were just being added to pad things out, and it was frustrating because the first book was heavily plot focused, full of story, but you really had to dig for the story elements in this one.
Which I did, because I'd enjoyed book one so much, but I had to skip past a lot of sex to get to the plot in this one.
I will try book three and use it as my continue / not continue litmus test.
September 19, 2022
Too much sex
For the record I loved book one in this series and gave it 5 stars. However, this book was 65 to 70 percent gratuitous sex that served no purpose to forwarding the storyline except for a couple of scenes after a MC was attacked.
The author either had a deadline and used sex as a filler, or was stuck or lazy. There were numerous areas where the author had opportunity to develop secondary characters thus telling us more about them and the MCs. Like a birthday party where friends came over that was covered in 3 pages, we had cake, we had fun, I opened presents was the general gist.
I read the first book for free as I often do with authors new to me. This book I had purchased. The next book if available on read for free will be read that way. I don't want to waste my money on a book that is 70 percent filler and only 30 percent content.
For the record I loved book one in this series and gave it 5 stars. However, this book was 65 to 70 percent gratuitous sex that served no purpose to forwarding the storyline except for a couple of scenes after a MC was attacked.
The author either had a deadline and used sex as a filler, or was stuck or lazy. There were numerous areas where the author had opportunity to develop secondary characters thus telling us more about them and the MCs. Like a birthday party where friends came over that was covered in 3 pages, we had cake, we had fun, I opened presents was the general gist.
I read the first book for free as I often do with authors new to me. This book I had purchased. The next book if available on read for free will be read that way. I don't want to waste my money on a book that is 70 percent filler and only 30 percent content.
January 31, 2026
not what I was expecting
This was a disappointment really. Book one was incredibly strong and such a fun ride. The plot and mystery were the center of the narrative and aided in us getting to know the main characters as they worked together to solve it. The world and magical rules and lore were well thought out and explained. It was just really well done. When I saw there were ten books total with different arcs that took the time to focus on all the characters I’d come to know and love from book one, I was ecstatic. Reading book two couldn’t have been more of a letdown.
First of all, the sex was incredibly too prevalent for a novel that doesn’t consider itself erotica. I’m pretty sure every other chapter had an incredibly detailed but inevitably repetitive sex scene. It was completely ridiculous and made even worse by the god awful audio narrator who made the most ludicrous sex sounds. If I’m reading erotica, I expect to get sex, sex, and more sex, with only the barest hints of plot. However when I’m reading a ghost mystery, I expect heaps of dead people, magic, mayhem, and just a bit of romance mixed in for good measure since it’s also an mm romance. That was not the case here.
Which brings me to my second issue. Very little of the page count was dedicated to the over arching mystery of the title which was also looped in to the previous epilogue. Rayne, our eponymous Boy in the Locked Room, was much less present than you would expect considering he was supposedly part of the main plot line. Instead we got to know way more about Ward and Mason’s sex lives than we ever needed to know. I would’ve been way more happy learning about Mason and how he and Ward were adapting to working together, exploring his magic, and helping Ward explore his. I would’ve liked to learn more about the tools Ward uses in his line of work and the new business he was setting up. I was hoping to see how he would incorporate the ghosts into the business itself, not just using them whenever. These are just a few ideas.
Finally, the Tyler situation just came completely out of left field. The previous novel ending with Ward becoming paralyzed from the waist down led to one of the better parts of this book as he learned to adapt and accept his new normal. I will say, I felt the author handle it better than some other things. Though it does call into question the marathon sex but I will admit to having little actual experience to draw on for judgment. Despite that though, his struggles with depression as he came to terms with it was an incorporated into the novel very well. The same could be said for the incident with Tyler. I’m not sure why it was necessary for the story. We were already aware of Ward’s poor dating history and how it led to lasting trust issues and self confidence issues. How this impacted his relationship with Mason was already part of their story. He was also already dealing with the trauma of the previous book and the life altering injury he sustained. And I love the inclusion that comes with a powerful magic wielding medium who also just so happens to be newly paraplegic. He’s a fucking hero who has saved countless souls and helped them and their loved ones find comfort. It’s fucking awesome that we can see fantasy stories with more diverse characters. But did we really need to see that same character be horribly sexually assaulted by his ex? See him go through the trauma of reliving it as he laid facedown in his hospital bed? As he spoke to SVU detectives? As he had to overcome the idea of reentering the room of his own home that it happened in and saw his own blood on the rug?
I could go on but I won’t. I think you get the point. Is this a story that deserves to be told? Absolutely. I just don’t think it needed to be told here. Especially as it was used as a plot device for Ward to come into his powers. That could’ve been done any other number of ways. It really just seems like the author enjoys wearing Ward down to build up the fact that Mason is such an “angel” for staying by his side. You know, even though it’s also hammered home that Mason is “lucky” to have Ward because no one else but his family could ever love an orc. It’s weird how some things are done so well but others just seem to miss the mark and come off rather odd. I want to continue the series but I’m very worried that it’ll be more of the same with each novel just continuing to heap abuse on the main characters. That’s really not something I want to experience when I read for fun.
This was a disappointment really. Book one was incredibly strong and such a fun ride. The plot and mystery were the center of the narrative and aided in us getting to know the main characters as they worked together to solve it. The world and magical rules and lore were well thought out and explained. It was just really well done. When I saw there were ten books total with different arcs that took the time to focus on all the characters I’d come to know and love from book one, I was ecstatic. Reading book two couldn’t have been more of a letdown.
First of all, the sex was incredibly too prevalent for a novel that doesn’t consider itself erotica. I’m pretty sure every other chapter had an incredibly detailed but inevitably repetitive sex scene. It was completely ridiculous and made even worse by the god awful audio narrator who made the most ludicrous sex sounds. If I’m reading erotica, I expect to get sex, sex, and more sex, with only the barest hints of plot. However when I’m reading a ghost mystery, I expect heaps of dead people, magic, mayhem, and just a bit of romance mixed in for good measure since it’s also an mm romance. That was not the case here.
Which brings me to my second issue. Very little of the page count was dedicated to the over arching mystery of the title which was also looped in to the previous epilogue. Rayne, our eponymous Boy in the Locked Room, was much less present than you would expect considering he was supposedly part of the main plot line. Instead we got to know way more about Ward and Mason’s sex lives than we ever needed to know. I would’ve been way more happy learning about Mason and how he and Ward were adapting to working together, exploring his magic, and helping Ward explore his. I would’ve liked to learn more about the tools Ward uses in his line of work and the new business he was setting up. I was hoping to see how he would incorporate the ghosts into the business itself, not just using them whenever. These are just a few ideas.
Finally, the Tyler situation just came completely out of left field. The previous novel ending with Ward becoming paralyzed from the waist down led to one of the better parts of this book as he learned to adapt and accept his new normal. I will say, I felt the author handle it better than some other things. Though it does call into question the marathon sex but I will admit to having little actual experience to draw on for judgment. Despite that though, his struggles with depression as he came to terms with it was an incorporated into the novel very well. The same could be said for the incident with Tyler. I’m not sure why it was necessary for the story. We were already aware of Ward’s poor dating history and how it led to lasting trust issues and self confidence issues. How this impacted his relationship with Mason was already part of their story. He was also already dealing with the trauma of the previous book and the life altering injury he sustained. And I love the inclusion that comes with a powerful magic wielding medium who also just so happens to be newly paraplegic. He’s a fucking hero who has saved countless souls and helped them and their loved ones find comfort. It’s fucking awesome that we can see fantasy stories with more diverse characters. But did we really need to see that same character be horribly sexually assaulted by his ex? See him go through the trauma of reliving it as he laid facedown in his hospital bed? As he spoke to SVU detectives? As he had to overcome the idea of reentering the room of his own home that it happened in and saw his own blood on the rug?
I could go on but I won’t. I think you get the point. Is this a story that deserves to be told? Absolutely. I just don’t think it needed to be told here. Especially as it was used as a plot device for Ward to come into his powers. That could’ve been done any other number of ways. It really just seems like the author enjoys wearing Ward down to build up the fact that Mason is such an “angel” for staying by his side. You know, even though it’s also hammered home that Mason is “lucky” to have Ward because no one else but his family could ever love an orc. It’s weird how some things are done so well but others just seem to miss the mark and come off rather odd. I want to continue the series but I’m very worried that it’ll be more of the same with each novel just continuing to heap abuse on the main characters. That’s really not something I want to experience when I read for fun.
January 2, 2026
I LOVED the first book... I thought it was wonderful with only a few niggly bits... however this one is not living up to the wonderfulness of its predecessor IMO.
I'm not hating it, I still love Ward & Mason, but so far I'm about 3 hours in & there's an insidious element to Ward's character that I'm REALLY not a fan of...
Every single time that Mason is upset, stressed, frustrated... what have you! Ward ALWAYS makes it about himself & how much much his disability affects HIM!
A few examples... Mason comes in the door, sighing & Ward notices that he looks stressed... he never asks Mason if he's okay, but it ends up a one-sided convo about how much Ward hates being in a wheelchair.
They're having some happy times... Ward has previously mused that he wishes Mason would be a bit rougher when they're having sex... I'm not sure if Ward has actually conveyed that to Mason or merely thought it...
Regardless, Mason is a bit rough, so Ward thinks that something must be bothering Mason & then he decides in his head that he won't ask Mason if he's OK, because he hates it that Mason is always asking him.... which, maybe fair... but Ward NEVER asks Mason if he's ok or not... ever, but like with the previous example, Ward starts going down a self-pitying path...
So, naturally Mason (who's an empath for his Ward) picks up on the fact that something's up with Ward & Ward makes, at best, a token attempt to ask Mason what is up with him, which is quickly overlooked & we're back discussing how much Ward hates not being able to walk.
Now, I'm not blaming Ward for his feelings on the matter, he's more than justified..I do however feel like Ward keeps ignoring Mason's feelings so as to have a pity party.
He kinda did something similar in the previous book, which is that whenever Mason is talking, expressing himself or asking a question, Ward THINKS he knows what Mason is about to say, interrupts him & doesn't actually lets him finish.
It's way too one-sided IMO... yes, losing the ability to walk is harrowing, but being someone's full-time carer also takes its toll... we're only ever told in Ward's thoughts that Mason never complains about all the adjustments that he's had to make, but we never see Ward asking Mason if that's the case.
He takes it for granted & tells us how sweet Mason is for not complaining, but frankly Mason doesn't really get a chance TO complain, even if he wanted to, because Ward can be a bit too self-involved with his self-pitying parties!
He's constantly (even before his injury) thinking that everything will lead to Mason breaking up with him & Mason knows this... so he doesn't really voice his thoughts, but as we only get Ward's POV, I wish there were some instances showing us that Ward concerns himself with what Mason is feeling & we haven't gotten any of that as of yet.
Another example is that they're having a conversation & Mason starts talking about some of the trauma in his childhood, so Ward turns it into a joke.
They're talking about their experiences of getting tge virus, Ward obviously is fuming about his experience, when it comes to Mason's experience, which was worse as he's now even more ostracised than he was due to his Orc appearance & losing his livelihood which he loved as a result & Ward tells him... "oh yeah, but if it hadn't happened you wouldn't have met me"... the reverse is also true for him; but in his case, even though he hated his job, we all need to feel sorry for him, but it's a happy thing when it comes to Mason... it's just becoming a bit too Me, me, me... for my tastes!
Also, if you're strapped for cash & wish you were contributing more financially... WHY would you turn down jobs. Simply ask the people requesting a booking, if you can do it on another day when you know Mason is free... or even have Aunt Pearl drop you off & Mason pick you up.
Aside from Halloween's, any other day will serve to summon spirits, because it's not like the ghosts are going anywhere & 8 to 9 thousand in a month is a substantial amount unless you're a millionaire or billionaire... so, yes he should be doing those jobs, even if the people have to come to him rather than the other way around 🤷♀️
I'm not hating it, I still love Ward & Mason, but so far I'm about 3 hours in & there's an insidious element to Ward's character that I'm REALLY not a fan of...
Every single time that Mason is upset, stressed, frustrated... what have you! Ward ALWAYS makes it about himself & how much much his disability affects HIM!
A few examples... Mason comes in the door, sighing & Ward notices that he looks stressed... he never asks Mason if he's okay, but it ends up a one-sided convo about how much Ward hates being in a wheelchair.
They're having some happy times... Ward has previously mused that he wishes Mason would be a bit rougher when they're having sex... I'm not sure if Ward has actually conveyed that to Mason or merely thought it...
Regardless, Mason is a bit rough, so Ward thinks that something must be bothering Mason & then he decides in his head that he won't ask Mason if he's OK, because he hates it that Mason is always asking him.... which, maybe fair... but Ward NEVER asks Mason if he's ok or not... ever, but like with the previous example, Ward starts going down a self-pitying path...
So, naturally Mason (who's an empath for his Ward) picks up on the fact that something's up with Ward & Ward makes, at best, a token attempt to ask Mason what is up with him, which is quickly overlooked & we're back discussing how much Ward hates not being able to walk.
Now, I'm not blaming Ward for his feelings on the matter, he's more than justified..I do however feel like Ward keeps ignoring Mason's feelings so as to have a pity party.
He kinda did something similar in the previous book, which is that whenever Mason is talking, expressing himself or asking a question, Ward THINKS he knows what Mason is about to say, interrupts him & doesn't actually lets him finish.
It's way too one-sided IMO... yes, losing the ability to walk is harrowing, but being someone's full-time carer also takes its toll... we're only ever told in Ward's thoughts that Mason never complains about all the adjustments that he's had to make, but we never see Ward asking Mason if that's the case.
He takes it for granted & tells us how sweet Mason is for not complaining, but frankly Mason doesn't really get a chance TO complain, even if he wanted to, because Ward can be a bit too self-involved with his self-pitying parties!
He's constantly (even before his injury) thinking that everything will lead to Mason breaking up with him & Mason knows this... so he doesn't really voice his thoughts, but as we only get Ward's POV, I wish there were some instances showing us that Ward concerns himself with what Mason is feeling & we haven't gotten any of that as of yet.
Another example is that they're having a conversation & Mason starts talking about some of the trauma in his childhood, so Ward turns it into a joke.
They're talking about their experiences of getting tge virus, Ward obviously is fuming about his experience, when it comes to Mason's experience, which was worse as he's now even more ostracised than he was due to his Orc appearance & losing his livelihood which he loved as a result & Ward tells him... "oh yeah, but if it hadn't happened you wouldn't have met me"... the reverse is also true for him; but in his case, even though he hated his job, we all need to feel sorry for him, but it's a happy thing when it comes to Mason... it's just becoming a bit too Me, me, me... for my tastes!
Also, if you're strapped for cash & wish you were contributing more financially... WHY would you turn down jobs. Simply ask the people requesting a booking, if you can do it on another day when you know Mason is free... or even have Aunt Pearl drop you off & Mason pick you up.
Aside from Halloween's, any other day will serve to summon spirits, because it's not like the ghosts are going anywhere & 8 to 9 thousand in a month is a substantial amount unless you're a millionaire or billionaire... so, yes he should be doing those jobs, even if the people have to come to him rather than the other way around 🤷♀️
July 14, 2024
What an awesome listen/read this series is becoming. Another flawless performance by Daniel Henning. The story picks up after the heartbreaking climax events where book 1 ended, which was an emotional roller coaster and opened a whole new reality for Ward (MC1) and Mason (MC2), brilliantly narrated by Daniel. As it's a continuation of what occurred in Book 1, there will be some spoilers mentioned in this review, so please read Book 1 first.
I appreciate that the author has given us a recap of some instances of the previous book, before continuing the life-altering changes Ward and Mason found themselves in as a couple. The story follows from the visions that Ward kept getting about a young boy locked somewhere and urging Ward to find him. This was the most intriguing plot continuation that intrigued me and Daniel portrayed the boy's voice splendidly. And then there are the emotions, Daniel has shown such depth in portraying Ward and Mason's turmoiled feelings so realistically. You can feel the struggle, the wobble in the voice every time Ward is trying to keep a strong front for Mason while getting bombarded with depressive thoughts of adjusting to his handicapped life. Mason, on the other hand, is gifted with the patience of a saint. Not only is he acting as the physical and emotional support system for Ward, but he is also trying to be the researcher of Ward's medium business (which is struggling) while taking up side jobs to keep them afloat. There are instances, brilliantly acted by Daniel, showing how Mason has to hold himself back not to push Ward for answers or even start a conversation when he sees him struggling. He's a healer and a witch of immense abilities so he can't help himself from caring for Ward. Among the support cast Sylvia and Hart's voices and their characters stand out again. They are both brilliant in their unflinching support to Ward and Mason especially when Ward encounters his ex and the events that follow that incident. But, the most standout and haunting performance was of the boy "Rain" who was kept in a horrendous hospital place for people with special abilities. It's the pleading, and helplessness portrayed by the narrator's voice that makes you see what a struggle it's been for Rain to keep on asking for help from the only person whom he was able to reach out to through his night walking (yes that's another ability). Ward also becomes more powerful and uses his medium abilities of not just interacting with ghosts, but controlling them.
There are many more instances in this book that I can mention, but I'm just blown away by Daniel Henning's performance and how this series is going so far. This book was a tide bit slower than the previous book when it comes to ghostly action which played a big part in the previous book. But, the author again covers many facets of characters and the character development is up quite a few notches. I can't wait to see what the next adventure of Ward, Mason, Sylvia, and Hart will be like.
I appreciate that the author has given us a recap of some instances of the previous book, before continuing the life-altering changes Ward and Mason found themselves in as a couple. The story follows from the visions that Ward kept getting about a young boy locked somewhere and urging Ward to find him. This was the most intriguing plot continuation that intrigued me and Daniel portrayed the boy's voice splendidly. And then there are the emotions, Daniel has shown such depth in portraying Ward and Mason's turmoiled feelings so realistically. You can feel the struggle, the wobble in the voice every time Ward is trying to keep a strong front for Mason while getting bombarded with depressive thoughts of adjusting to his handicapped life. Mason, on the other hand, is gifted with the patience of a saint. Not only is he acting as the physical and emotional support system for Ward, but he is also trying to be the researcher of Ward's medium business (which is struggling) while taking up side jobs to keep them afloat. There are instances, brilliantly acted by Daniel, showing how Mason has to hold himself back not to push Ward for answers or even start a conversation when he sees him struggling. He's a healer and a witch of immense abilities so he can't help himself from caring for Ward. Among the support cast Sylvia and Hart's voices and their characters stand out again. They are both brilliant in their unflinching support to Ward and Mason especially when Ward encounters his ex and the events that follow that incident. But, the most standout and haunting performance was of the boy "Rain" who was kept in a horrendous hospital place for people with special abilities. It's the pleading, and helplessness portrayed by the narrator's voice that makes you see what a struggle it's been for Rain to keep on asking for help from the only person whom he was able to reach out to through his night walking (yes that's another ability). Ward also becomes more powerful and uses his medium abilities of not just interacting with ghosts, but controlling them.
There are many more instances in this book that I can mention, but I'm just blown away by Daniel Henning's performance and how this series is going so far. This book was a tide bit slower than the previous book when it comes to ghostly action which played a big part in the previous book. But, the author again covers many facets of characters and the character development is up quite a few notches. I can't wait to see what the next adventure of Ward, Mason, Sylvia, and Hart will be like.
November 21, 2025
What the heck happened here?? First one had enough promise that I moved onto this one immediately after, but.. guh. What. Book one had a few too many sex scenes imo, but was otherwise quite good. THIS one had an absolutely ABSURD number of sex scenes--like 5+ before we got introduced to any actual plot, plus another peppered in every chapter or so after to ensure we couldn't get TOO invested in anything going on before our attention was directed back to orc penis again. The good parts are good, but the majority of the word count is just endless repetitive, boring sex... and it doesn't even lean into the size difference or monsterfucker stuff, so what's the point of having an orc involved really--ahem. Anyway. I was actively annoyed by the third time they started going at it, and just rolled my eyes and completely zoned out every time things headed in that direction from there on. What, oversaturate us with sex so we'll be sure to notice the few chapters where they DON'T bone after the ? Which they then spend however long dedicated to the aftermath of.. what a bizarre tone shift. And of course the majority of the time they spent not fucking in that window, they spent talking/thinking about how they weren't fucking because of ~what happened~, and whatever plot we'd ALMOST managed to pick up on got sidelined again. Never fear though, they were back to their regularly scheduled suckin' n fuckin' not long after!
Look, I'd thought that Ward was a bit of an overly emotional crybaby beforehand, but with this added on top, I'm like.. he's a straight up damsel. Yeah, men can cry and men can be assaulted, but wtf is going on here? Why are we dumping trauma after trauma onto him, just to have his big orc man take care of him? There could have been a tense confrontation with the ex that led to ghostly intervention without dedicating an entire chapter to Ward's sexual assault. It made no sense. It came out of nowhere. When the ex broke in, I literally thought he was going to be possessed by some ghost who wanted to get at Ward, bc being an asshole ex is one thing but like.. what motivation did the guy have beyond that? We were given the impression that all of Ward's exes sucked (they always do, because how else will we know that love interest is Good if everyone else isn't Very Very Bad), but this guy was straight up evil enough to stalk him to his new house, break in, and attempt to rape him? Wtf is going on here? Why on earth was that at all necessary?
What we did get in plot and ghostly mystery was decent, but oh my god, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. A haystack of endless, boring sex.
Oh, and shoutout to the narrator. Same absolutely awful, off-putting sex voices & moans as in book one.
Look, I'd thought that Ward was a bit of an overly emotional crybaby beforehand, but with this added on top, I'm like.. he's a straight up damsel. Yeah, men can cry and men can be assaulted, but wtf is going on here? Why are we dumping trauma after trauma onto him, just to have his big orc man take care of him? There could have been a tense confrontation with the ex that led to ghostly intervention without dedicating an entire chapter to Ward's sexual assault. It made no sense. It came out of nowhere. When the ex broke in, I literally thought he was going to be possessed by some ghost who wanted to get at Ward, bc being an asshole ex is one thing but like.. what motivation did the guy have beyond that? We were given the impression that all of Ward's exes sucked (they always do, because how else will we know that love interest is Good if everyone else isn't Very Very Bad), but this guy was straight up evil enough to stalk him to his new house, break in, and attempt to rape him? Wtf is going on here? Why on earth was that at all necessary?
What we did get in plot and ghostly mystery was decent, but oh my god, it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. A haystack of endless, boring sex.
Oh, and shoutout to the narrator. Same absolutely awful, off-putting sex voices & moans as in book one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2025
Loving Them Still
This picks up in February after the first book ended in December. I do warn of trigger warning of attempted sexual assault. You can skip chapter 19 and go to 20 which is in the note up front of this book on the trigger warning. This also had some miss spellings which to some maybe annoying but I just read like should have been. Still an excellent book to series.
Ward is trying to come to terms with what happened at the end of book one that put him in a wheelchair. (as someone who because of health reasons has to use one part of the year I can understand his frustrations.) He has to do things differently now and he can't just get up and go on a job when he wants. He has to wait for Mason to be able to drive him or like one part someone to pick him up. Some of his independence has been taken and that was written well because felt like was hitting home with me especially right now.
Mason and Ward are living together still though with financial issues Ward's feeling like a burden. Mason gives a suggestion that fixes that. They do their Beyond The Veil agency as their main income and Mason stops working for his sister. Beyond The Veil can bring in more money after all.
Ward's also trying to locate Ryan. (I think the name because half book spelled this way then it was spelled Rayn the rest) Ryan is the young man that Ward first met in his dreams in book one who asked him for help. This book Ryan is the focus for half of it. A new case with the place he's being held also comes into play with the staff being murdered.
I really love the characters (that are good hate Ward's ex and what the ghosts do to him was perfect that's in chapter 19). Not fade to black which is perfect for me. The animals are back. So is Sylvia and Detective Hart. I can't wait for his trilogy coming after book 3. The ending was perfect. Also Ward's discovering that he might be different than he thinks either from the last book's events or it was buried already and those events woke those abilities up.
This picks up in February after the first book ended in December. I do warn of trigger warning of attempted sexual assault. You can skip chapter 19 and go to 20 which is in the note up front of this book on the trigger warning. This also had some miss spellings which to some maybe annoying but I just read like should have been. Still an excellent book to series.
Ward is trying to come to terms with what happened at the end of book one that put him in a wheelchair. (as someone who because of health reasons has to use one part of the year I can understand his frustrations.) He has to do things differently now and he can't just get up and go on a job when he wants. He has to wait for Mason to be able to drive him or like one part someone to pick him up. Some of his independence has been taken and that was written well because felt like was hitting home with me especially right now.
Mason and Ward are living together still though with financial issues Ward's feeling like a burden. Mason gives a suggestion that fixes that. They do their Beyond The Veil agency as their main income and Mason stops working for his sister. Beyond The Veil can bring in more money after all.
Ward's also trying to locate Ryan. (I think the name because half book spelled this way then it was spelled Rayn the rest) Ryan is the young man that Ward first met in his dreams in book one who asked him for help. This book Ryan is the focus for half of it. A new case with the place he's being held also comes into play with the staff being murdered.
I really love the characters (that are good hate Ward's ex and what the ghosts do to him was perfect that's in chapter 19). Not fade to black which is perfect for me. The animals are back. So is Sylvia and Detective Hart. I can't wait for his trilogy coming after book 3. The ending was perfect. Also Ward's discovering that he might be different than he thinks either from the last book's events or it was buried already and those events woke those abilities up.
June 20, 2023
Trigger warning! On page sexual assault
Tags: disability, rape, M/M, modern fantasy, psychic, magic, witch, ghosts, hospital scene
3.5 stars (would have been a full star higher if it weren’t for all the sex)
Way too much sex again. Three scenes in the first 45 pages, each lasting several pages, very little differentiating them other than location. Ward always says “anything” indicating Mason should make the moves but when Mason checks again in one scene, “anything” is pretty much the same thing. It’s a hot scene but I’d read it three times and wanted to get on with the plot. By halfway in, there had been 7-8 scenes. I began to lose count. I’d guess there were at least fourteen or fifteen, maybe more in the book. That is way too much for a novel that isn’t billed as erotica. If the next one is like this, I probably won’t even finish it let alone continue with the series.
The plot was good when it was around. I would have liked more of it, greater danger and horror, an even more emotional scene with Rayn. I loved the advancement of Ward’s abilities and the increased involvement of ghosts.
I still love the characters and this time Ward wasn’t nearly as self-hating. He stuck up for himself when he needed to. I love Hart even more than before and of course Mason is Mr. Perfect. The business and their relationship progress appropriately and interestingly.
The assault scene was hard but it was well done as was the aftermath. It wasn’t really related to the plot though, just bringing more drama, probably because the climax was rather lackluster. But it deepened the MCs relationship and showed realistic ways different people deal with trauma. I just wish there had been more danger at the end.
Tags: disability, rape, M/M, modern fantasy, psychic, magic, witch, ghosts, hospital scene
3.5 stars (would have been a full star higher if it weren’t for all the sex)
Way too much sex again. Three scenes in the first 45 pages, each lasting several pages, very little differentiating them other than location. Ward always says “anything” indicating Mason should make the moves but when Mason checks again in one scene, “anything” is pretty much the same thing. It’s a hot scene but I’d read it three times and wanted to get on with the plot. By halfway in, there had been 7-8 scenes. I began to lose count. I’d guess there were at least fourteen or fifteen, maybe more in the book. That is way too much for a novel that isn’t billed as erotica. If the next one is like this, I probably won’t even finish it let alone continue with the series.
The plot was good when it was around. I would have liked more of it, greater danger and horror, an even more emotional scene with Rayn. I loved the advancement of Ward’s abilities and the increased involvement of ghosts.
I still love the characters and this time Ward wasn’t nearly as self-hating. He stuck up for himself when he needed to. I love Hart even more than before and of course Mason is Mr. Perfect. The business and their relationship progress appropriately and interestingly.
The assault scene was hard but it was well done as was the aftermath. It wasn’t really related to the plot though, just bringing more drama, probably because the climax was rather lackluster. But it deepened the MCs relationship and showed realistic ways different people deal with trauma. I just wish there had been more danger at the end.
June 4, 2024
3-3.25⭐️
After the way book 1 ended I was anxious to see how our MC's were coping with the changes in thier life, both the good ones and the bad ones. I appreciated that the author gave us a glimpse into Wards and Masons lives while they coped with their trauma from the end of the last book and also how they navigated their relationship. While I can relate to Ward and his awkwardness and his feelings of being not good enough for Mason, I liked that Mason didn't let him get away with deflecting conversations and that they both communicated with each other.
The parts I wasn't particularly a fan of was that while I love relationship stuff in books and liked it here too, I would've liked it if we saw the 2 of them actually get in to the main plot of this book before the 30-40% mark of this book. And while I like a bit of spice or intimacy in my books, the prevalence of it in this book just got to me a bit. In the end I just skimmed or skipped those parts, considering there were multiple scenes in just the first 20% of the book.
While the blurb mentions Wards Ex coming into the picture, I did not like it that we were misled on that count. I mean he did make an appearance and he did have a huge impact on Ward and Mason and their relationship and I hate him, but the blurb made it sound like he would be the driving source of external conflict while he wasn't for almost 60% of the book. He doesn't make an appearance till we were more than halfway through the book and is in the story physically for no more than a few pages, while the consequences of his appearance lasted longer.
All in all I liked this book, though not as much as I did the first one. I am looking forward to the next book.
After the way book 1 ended I was anxious to see how our MC's were coping with the changes in thier life, both the good ones and the bad ones. I appreciated that the author gave us a glimpse into Wards and Masons lives while they coped with their trauma from the end of the last book and also how they navigated their relationship. While I can relate to Ward and his awkwardness and his feelings of being not good enough for Mason, I liked that Mason didn't let him get away with deflecting conversations and that they both communicated with each other.
The parts I wasn't particularly a fan of was that while I love relationship stuff in books and liked it here too, I would've liked it if we saw the 2 of them actually get in to the main plot of this book before the 30-40% mark of this book. And while I like a bit of spice or intimacy in my books, the prevalence of it in this book just got to me a bit. In the end I just skimmed or skipped those parts, considering there were multiple scenes in just the first 20% of the book.
While the blurb mentions Wards Ex coming into the picture, I did not like it that we were misled on that count. I mean he did make an appearance and he did have a huge impact on Ward and Mason and their relationship and I hate him, but the blurb made it sound like he would be the driving source of external conflict while he wasn't for almost 60% of the book. He doesn't make an appearance till we were more than halfway through the book and is in the story physically for no more than a few pages, while the consequences of his appearance lasted longer.
All in all I liked this book, though not as much as I did the first one. I am looking forward to the next book.
July 29, 2023
I still like Ward and *love* Mason, but this book has some of the same issues as the first (which I mostly overlooked), along with some new ones.
As others have pointed out, too much of this book focused on sex. And while it's nice to see that Mason's injury hasn't ruined his ability to enjoy sex, it also didn't really align with some of the other heaviness in the Ward's perspective (imo). Along with that, I wanted more world building and tension related to the plot rather than so much of Ward's personal struggles (which sometimes felt not only a bit whiny but also overdone).
The actual mystery was intriguing but too skimmed over for my taste. As for the other issues,
The mystery was resolved too easily, and although I'm continuing with the series (at this point), I'm disappointed that the pessimism of Ward's outlook is so prevalent. It's hard for me to read sometimes, tbh, because he's such a downer. I'm just not like that, and I feel like his outlook is immature and again founded in kind of a 'I'm a victim' basis. Still, I'm hopeful that the plot will again take front stage -- and even allow Ward and Mason to focus on the really intriguing paranormal conflicts that Avery's imagined for this world. :)
As others have pointed out, too much of this book focused on sex. And while it's nice to see that Mason's injury hasn't ruined his ability to enjoy sex, it also didn't really align with some of the other heaviness in the Ward's perspective (imo). Along with that, I wanted more world building and tension related to the plot rather than so much of Ward's personal struggles (which sometimes felt not only a bit whiny but also overdone).
The actual mystery was intriguing but too skimmed over for my taste. As for the other issues,
The mystery was resolved too easily, and although I'm continuing with the series (at this point), I'm disappointed that the pessimism of Ward's outlook is so prevalent. It's hard for me to read sometimes, tbh, because he's such a downer. I'm just not like that, and I feel like his outlook is immature and again founded in kind of a 'I'm a victim' basis. Still, I'm hopeful that the plot will again take front stage -- and even allow Ward and Mason to focus on the really intriguing paranormal conflicts that Avery's imagined for this world. :)
September 24, 2023
The main character has a relatively new spinal injury and is in a wheelchair (6 months out). He was injured at the end of the first book. In the first 15% of the book, there have been maybe 20 references to how sweet and saintly and patient the boyfriend is for "putting up" with his disability. The boyfriend is literally lauded for his saintliness at one point for.....asking the MMC about his day.
And look, I'm disabled. I absolutely get that it's a long process to come to terms with the new normal. I get the worry about being a burden on family/partners. I get the internalized ableism. But it's also really really gross to constantly hear in books/media/etc about how saintly partners/family are for sticking around.
I think it's also really bothering me since there isn't a whole lot of thought that's been put into the portrayal of the disability. I mean, the character with the spinal injury was able to have penetrative anal sex about 3 days after getting home from the hospital in the first book, has absolutely no issue with getting erections (and seems to have no refractory period, and no problem having sex several times a day), he has all feeling intact, there's no mention of needing to alter sex positions, no mention of muscle spasticity or needing massages after sex or after sitting all day.....
And maybe asking for realism in a PNR is too much, but if you are going to be portraying a real world condition, even in a fantasy world, you have a responsibility to do the bare minimum of research.
I read the series out of order, and read Hart and Taavi's books first and had mostly liked them with a few caveats, but unfortunately, this is where I end it.
And look, I'm disabled. I absolutely get that it's a long process to come to terms with the new normal. I get the worry about being a burden on family/partners. I get the internalized ableism. But it's also really really gross to constantly hear in books/media/etc about how saintly partners/family are for sticking around.
I think it's also really bothering me since there isn't a whole lot of thought that's been put into the portrayal of the disability. I mean, the character with the spinal injury was able to have penetrative anal sex about 3 days after getting home from the hospital in the first book, has absolutely no issue with getting erections (and seems to have no refractory period, and no problem having sex several times a day), he has all feeling intact, there's no mention of needing to alter sex positions, no mention of muscle spasticity or needing massages after sex or after sitting all day.....
And maybe asking for realism in a PNR is too much, but if you are going to be portraying a real world condition, even in a fantasy world, you have a responsibility to do the bare minimum of research.
I read the series out of order, and read Hart and Taavi's books first and had mostly liked them with a few caveats, but unfortunately, this is where I end it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2022
Well......... ok. Let's call this a 3.5 star read for me. The storyline was just as fab as the first book's, and I enjoyed it - and Mason and Ward and the rest of the cast - thoroughly. But even though the author does a great job of writing engaging, high-steam sex, as I saw another viewer point out, in this case it wasn't hot, it was just distracting. Fucking distracting, lol. Like, there was soooooo much of it and none of it actually advanced the story, so, uh, yeah. That happened, and I was not a fan even though I'm always down for hot sex scenes... but I also love good STORY, and I want to actually read some, not just get bogged down in pages-long repetitions of the same basic sexual encounter over and over. (And fine, maybe some of it advanced the story or had some variety in positions/exclamations/whatever... I don't know, because after the 2nd or 3rd of MANY - like, SO many - I just skipped ahead for each one to try and figure out what was going to happen next.)
I'm still very much planning on grabbing the next in series, but I do hope the author tones down the frequency of the on-page sex, because then when they *do* include it - as with the first book in the series - it can actually feel like a hot, engaging addition instead of another repetitive annoyance to be flipped past (at least for me.)
I'm still very much planning on grabbing the next in series, but I do hope the author tones down the frequency of the on-page sex, because then when they *do* include it - as with the first book in the series - it can actually feel like a hot, engaging addition instead of another repetitive annoyance to be flipped past (at least for me.)
May 30, 2023
The second book in the Beyond the Veil series, this picks up after the climatic and life-changing events of book one. Ward is trying to come to terms with his new normal and Mason is there as an ever-steadying presence. The world continues to turn and Ward and Mason investigate the boy that keeps appearing in Ward’s dreams, a mysterious and shadowy secret organisation and some unusual murders, assisted by the excellent supporting cast including Hart and Sylvia.
Please pay attention to the trigger warnings as there is an on-page SA that is very upsetting. (I cried loads).
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, it (obviously) focused a lot more on Ward and Mason’s personal life with the murder cases and the titular boy weaving in and out. I know a lot of people didn’t like all the sex scenes in the book but I’m glad the author decided to show that disabled people can have exciting sex lives too. I liked the further glimpses into Mason’s family life and how Ward is now pretty much one of the family there too. It's sweet. I love it.
I think this is the book where I fell in love with Hart too. He was awesome in this book. I also loved the references to Romancing the Stone (which is one of my favourite 80s films)
Scores on the doors:
Overall Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75/5
Spice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Please pay attention to the trigger warnings as there is an on-page SA that is very upsetting. (I cried loads).
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, it (obviously) focused a lot more on Ward and Mason’s personal life with the murder cases and the titular boy weaving in and out. I know a lot of people didn’t like all the sex scenes in the book but I’m glad the author decided to show that disabled people can have exciting sex lives too. I liked the further glimpses into Mason’s family life and how Ward is now pretty much one of the family there too. It's sweet. I love it.
I think this is the book where I fell in love with Hart too. He was awesome in this book. I also loved the references to Romancing the Stone (which is one of my favourite 80s films)
Scores on the doors:
Overall Story: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75/5
Spice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
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