Bénediction: Diversion, T9

Diversion #9

by Eden Winters

" Tu as peur, ou pas encore ? Tu devrais." Lucky Harrison, agent sous couverture de la lutte contre la drogue et ancien trafiquant, a payé sa dette à la société et mène dorénavant une vie honnête avec l’homme qu’il aime et leur fils. Un vieil ennemi rôde dans l’ombre, menaçant tout ce à quoi il tient. Un témoin décédé. Une tentative d’enlèvement. Un incendie. Tout cela veut dire : « Tu vas payer ». Caché dans les bas-fonds d’Atlanta, avec toujours un coup d’avance sur Lucky, le tueur ne reculera devant rien pour se venger de l’homme qui a déjoué tous ses plans. Mais, si quelqu’un pense pouvoir ôter à Lucky le monde parfait qu’il a créé, cette personne ferait mieux d’y réfléchir à deux fois. #MM #Romance #Suspense #famille

Inclus la nouvelle Domestication (9.1)
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« Quelle fin incroyable pour une série aussi fantastique ! Je suis très triste d'en voir la fin, mais l'autrice n'aurait pas pu la terminer plus parfaitement. » - Shaz (Goodreads)

Genres: M M Romance, Mystery, Romance, Mystery Thriller, LGBT, Audiobook, Contemporary

376 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2021

About the author

You will know Eden Winters by her distinctive white plumage and exuberant cry of “Hey, y’all!” in a Southern US drawl so thick it renders even the simplest of words unrecognizable. Watch out, she hugs!

Driven by insatiable curiosity, she possibly holds the world’s record for curriculum changes to the point that she’s never quite earned a degree but is a force to be reckoned with at Trivial Pursuit.

She’s trudged down hallways with police detectives, learned to disarm knife-wielding bad guys, and witnessed the correct way to blow doors off buildings. Her e-mail contains various snippets of forensic wisdom, such as “What would a dead body left in a Mexican drug tunnel look like after six months?” In the process of her adventures, she has written over thirty gay romance novels, lost count of novellas and short stories, has won Rainbow Awards, was a Lambda Awards Finalist, and lives in terror of authorities showing up at her door to question her Internet searches.

When not putting characters in dangerous situations she’s cosplaying for children's charities or hanging out at the farm being a mother, grandmother, and vegetarian.

Her natural habitats are hardware stores and on the backs of motorcycles.

Reviews

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio - 5 ++++ Stars
Story - 5 + Stars!

Why oh why does this series have to come to an end. I'm going to miss Bo and Lucky and their crew so hard!!

[Simone - on indefinite hiatus - · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excuse me while I sit here hugging my Kindle crying happy tears…

Oh, and if you hear someone playing Achy Breaky Heart? At full blast?

That would be me. ;-)

P.S. Kudos to the author for doing an outstanding job with Lucky‘s character development without ever letting him loose his unique grumpiness personality. ;-)

[Caz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series re-listen, 2024.

The Diversion series is one of the best m/m romantic suspense series I've ever read - and it was possibly even better the second time around. It's right up there with the likes of the best of Josh Lanyon, Gregory Ashe, Nicky James, LJ Hayward's Death and the Devil books and better than the legendary Cut & Run series. I can't praise it highly enough, and if you haven't listened to it before, then run, don't walk!

~ ~ Original Review from 2022 ~ ~

Some long-running series run out of steam and limp to the finish, but that’s absolutely NOT the case with Eden Winters’ fabulous Diversion series, which stayed strong through nine full-length novels and a few novellas. We’ve been with Lucky and Bo through thick and thin and it’s been one helliva ride as they’ve negotiated life-and-death missions full of intrigue and suspense, difficult family dynamics and fatherhood, and I’ve loved every second of it. This final instalment is a terrific send-off; a well-plotted, exciting story that ties up all the loose ends and leaves the boys in the best place possible as they (metaphorically) ride off into the sunset to begin the next phase of their lives together. The character development across these books has been stellar; I’m in awe of the way both men have changed and matured while retaining the characteristics that make them so recognisably ‘them’; Lucky has grown much while at the same time he’s still the “card carrying asshole” we’ve come to know and love.

The audio version includes the bonus novella, Domestication, which rounds everything out wonderfully, and although I’m not generally an epliogue person, this one was simply perfect – that last line… <3

I’m sorry to have reached the end of course, but Eden Winters has done Bo and Lucky proud – and I have nine wonderful audiobooks to revisit whenever I feel the need of a little bit of Cocky Bantam Rooster wisdom in my life ;)

Speaking of audiobooks – every time I’ve dropped a short review here, I’ve said how fantastic Darcy Stark’s narration is, and I can’t finish this review without reiterating that. Lucky’s gravelly growl, Bo’s charming – and very sexy – drawl, Walter’s Boston twang, Rett’s take-no-prisoners attitude – they’re all perfect, and the same is true of the portrayals of all the secondary characters, who are all given clear and distinct characterisations. His pacing is spot on, and his timing in the back-and-forth banter between Lucky and Bo and Lucky and Rett is terrific. His performances are beautifully consistent and really get to the heart of who Lucky and Bo are, communicating their complexity, their vulnerabilities and their humanity in a set of outstanding performances that I know I’ll be returning to over and over again.

So long guys – and thanks to Eden Winters and Darcy Stark for sharing them and their stories, and for bringing them so spectacularly to life.

[Agla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very nice ending to a very good series. The investigation is a follow up to the one started in book 7. It was gripping and well plotted, as in less obvious than book 8. The relationship continued to develop nicely. A few pages could have been cut toward the end but it was very nice to see how Lucky had grown throughout the series without really losing himself. I won't go into more detail because I don't want to spoil anything but the family aspect was very nice and well done. Aside from Lucky acting all macho man towards his sister. She checked him hard so it was ok because his behaviour was clearly not condoned. I could kind of understand where he was coming from but I still wanted to slap him! The extra-epilogue or final novella was VERY sweet and the perfect ending. I could have done without the last 3 pages hinting at another book but other than those it was GREAT.

Overall series Every book had a different pacing which kept things interesting for 9 books and 3 novellas. The relationship development was great even if at first it kind of felt like 3 steps forward one step back from one book to the next: they would move forward at the end of the book and some of the development was "lost" when the next book started but they got back on track. I LOVED that they were really equal partners at the end, they did not reproduce uneven gender roles at all and that's rare enough to be highlighted! Some reviews mention too much sex, and there is quite a number of sex scenes but it is clearly their love language, their way of connecting and coping with life so it did not bother me or felt gratuitous. I would recommend the whole series, I was hesitant because it's very long (each book is around 400p don't believe GR page count...) but it was worth it and kept improving IMO. Onto non-fiction because I can't get to know another couple right away 😊 Lucky and Bo were so perfect together.

[Kaje Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying wrap up for this series, with a bonus novella that leaves the guys where we wanted them to be. Read this series in order, to watch Lucky and Bo move toward this Happy Ever After (with more danger, mayhem and a few laughs along the way.)

(Caveat - I beta read this last one.)

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how much they have changed as a couple but Lucky kept his snark and outside tough guy while being a softy who loved his family and friends above all. Thank you for such an amazing series

[Gerbera_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was way better than I imagined. It was a proper send off for one of my favorite book couples. Ms Winters didn't leave a stone unturned, tied loose ends and gave Bo and Lucky the life they wanted and deserved. It was a fast paced at times humorous story with plenty of steam and intense emotional moments as well as joy at seeing both men work hard towards their future and see it all pay off. I loved the epilogue. The author went above and beyond to bring fourth Bo and Lucky's happy ever after. So long boys! Your adventures were as dangerous as they were fun.

[Shaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing ending to such a fantastic series! I'm very sad to see the end of it, but the author couldn't have ended it more perfectly.

I love the progression of both Lucky and Bo's character throughout these books. Even though there's 9 years between Diversion and this one, their characters have remained true. They've grown, matured and of course changed as they should, but the underlying characteristics of their personality haven't changed. And I consider that quite a feat.

I also love the epilogue of the included bonus novella. It wraps it all up perfectly and still allows the story to continue, even just in my imagination, lol.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading this series for YEARS (like 8 of them) and over time my taste have changed a lot and i haven't cared for the last few books. I knew this was the last one though so i had to read it. Overall the plot was just ok. I skimmed a lot of it (especially the excessive number of sex scenes). I probably would have given it 2 stars except for the epilogue. It was lovely and it made my heart happy to see them down the road. A must read for fans of the series.

[BevS · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Audio Review***

The usual decent [read good] narration from Darcy. I'll miss Bo, Lucky and the rest of those crazy critters 😀.

***Book Review***

4.5 stars rounded up from me for this, the series finale...and what a bittersweet read it was too. 2020 may have been a godawful year, but for me, it's ended on a high note and this will probably be my last completed read of the year. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I'm not going to give anything anyway, other than to say it ended exactly as I hoped it would, and we even had a bonus story from Eden called Domestication to wrap things up. I understand that we may get a little follow up story at some stage in the future featuring a couple of former drug lords turned international drug enforcement bosses...but please don't quote me 😏.

Many thanks for the advance copy Eden, and I'll definitely be buying Darcy's audio when that comes out. Goodbye Lucky, Bo and all the other wonderful characters...it's certainly been a blast!! 😍😍😍

[Samantha Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

FR- Alors alors…alors…c’est toujours difficile de parler du dernier tome d’une série sans spoiler les 8 tomes précédents. Tout ce que je peux vous dire c’est que si vous ne connaissez pas encore cette série…. mais qu’attendez vous????

Diversion c’est 9 tomes de pur bonheur. 9 tomes d’action, de suspense, d’intrigue, de souffrance. 9 tomes de fou rire, d’amitié, de sexe torride, d’amour. D’amour surtout, parce que je n’ai jamais vu un amour plus beau que celui qui lie Lucky et Bo.

Lucky, ce personnage si atypique, si antipathique au début du premier tome mais pour qui on craque très rapidement. C’est un personnage qui évolue énormément au fil des tomes et son amour pour Bo n’y est pas pour rien.

Bo quand à lui est, de prime abord, le personnage parfait. Mais très vite, on découvre ses failles ce qui ne le rend que plus attachant. Et lui aussi va énormément évoluer.

Ce couple de personnage est un des plus attachant qui m’a été donné de lire. J’aime leur évolution. Que ce soit à titre personnel mais aussi à titre de couple. J’ai aimé les suivre sur 9 tomes et j’ai adoré tout ce que l’auteure nous propose pour eux. Particulièrement dans ce tome là.

Les personnages secondaires ne sont pas en reste et on s’attache très rapidement à eux. Eden Winters réussit à créer une famille autour de ses personnages et on a l’impression d’en faire partie. On souffre avec eux, mais on vit également énormément de bons moments.

Le mélange action/enquête et romance est savamment dosé et on ne s’ennuie pas un seul instant. La série, qui était déjà très bonne au premier tome, s’améliore de tomes en tomes pour nous proposer un final éblouissant.

Parlons maintenant plus particulièrement de ce tome 9. Lire le dernier tome d’une série est toujours un peu particulier. Surtout une série aussi longue et qu’on suit depuis plusieurs années. Se dire qu’on ne reverra plus les personnages et ne pas savoir si l’auteure leur réservera l’happy ending qu’ils méritent.

Bien entendu, j’ai dévoré ce tome. Ainsi que la nouvelle Domestication, qui suit et qui est la fin parfaite pour cette série et ces personnages. J’ai adoré chaque moment. J’ai savouré chaque baiser, chaque moment tendre entre Bo et Lucky. J’ai adoré revoir tous les personnages qu’on suit depuis si longtemps. Même Victor et Nestor. J’ai aimé chaque page, chaque mot. Je me suis, une fois de plus , laissée emporter par l’histoire, par les mots de cette auteure, par ces personnages si attachants, par ces intrigues si prenante. J’ai ris, j’ai pleuré, j’ai vibré. J’ai ressentit tout ce que je ressens en lisant un roman d’Eden Winters, puissance 10 000 puisqu’il s’agit de Bo et Lucky et qu’il s’agit du dernier tome. Et ce dernier tome est parfait.

Alors merci à Eden Winters de nous avoir fait ressentir tout ça tout au long de ces 9 tomes. Merci d’avoir créée des personnages aussi géniaux, une histoire aussi fantastique et de nous avoir fait vibrer pendant 9 tomes tous meilleurs les uns que les autres. Merci pour cette apothéose finale d’une série qui pour moi, est un incontournable dans la romance MM.





ENG- So well well well… well it’s always difficult to talk about the last volume of a series without spoiling the 8 previous volumes. All I can tell you is that if you do not know this series yet …. but what are you waiting for ????

Diversion is 9 volumes of pure happiness. 9 volumes of action, suspense, intrigue, suffering. 9 volumes of laughter, friendship, hot sex, love. Love above all, because I have never seen a love more beautiful than the one between Lucky and Bo.

Lucky, this character so atypical, so unpleasant at the beginning of the first volume but for whom we fall in love very quickly. He is a character who evolves enormously over the books and his love for Bo is not for nothing.

At first glance, Bo is the perfect character. But very quickly, we discover its flaws which only makes it more endearing. And he too will evolve enormously.

This couple of characters is one of the most endearing that I have read. I like their evolution. Whether on a personal basis but also as a couple. I enjoyed following them over 9 volumes and I loved everything the author has to offer for them. Particularly in this tome there.

The secondary characters are not left out and we get attached to them very quickly. Eden Winters succeeds in creating a family around his characters and we feel like part of it. We suffer with them, but we also have a lot of good times.

The mix of action / investigation and romance is skillfully balanced and you won’t get bored for a single moment. The series, which was already very good in the first volume, is improving from volume to volume to offer us a dazzling finale.

Now let’s talk more specifically about this volume 9. Reading the last volume of a series is always a bit special. Especially such a long series that we have been following for several years. Saying that we will never see the characters again and not knowing if the author will give them the happy ending they deserve.

Of course, I devoured this tome. As well as the new Domestication, which follows and which is the perfect ending for this series and these characters. I loved every moment. I savored every kiss, every tender moment between Bo and Lucky. I loved seeing all the characters we have followed for so long. Even Victor and Nestor. I liked every page, every word. Once again, I let myself be carried away by the story, by the words of this author, by these endearing characters, by these intriguing intrigues. I laughed, I cried, I vibrated. I felt everything I feel when reading an Eden Winters novel, power 10,000 since it is about Bo and Lucky and it is the last volume. And this last volume is perfect.

So thank you to Eden Winters for making us feel all this throughout these 9 volumes. Thank you for creating such great characters, such a fantastic story and for making us vibrate for 9 volumes, each better than the next. Thank you for this final apotheosis of a series which for me is a staple in MM romance.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.5 stars

Benediction is the ninth and final book in Eden Winters’ wonderful Diversion series. I have made no secret of my love for this romantic suspense series, which I have enjoyed in both ebook and audio format. So, oh, let me tell you how bittersweet it was to start this story, knowing it is the end for two characters and a great ensemble cast I have grown to love. Winters does Bo and Lucky proud here, giving them an ending that ties up their story neatly, with plenty of suspense and excitement, a big dose of friends and family, and the sweetest of love shining through between the men.

I hope you all have had a chance to enjoy this series, and if not, I can strongly recommend you check it out.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find it really difficult writing reviews for books I love. When a story doesn’t work it’s easier to list what went wrong or what I think went wrong but when I love something, I feel like I repeat myself. Just saying I loved this story, I loved the characters, I loved the adventure or drama never seems enough, Benediction falls in that category, what a beautiful love story.

What first came to mind when I finished reading this and the short story that follows (which is really a longish epilogue) was sadness then contentment. Sadness because this is it, there will be no more Lucky and Bo stories, the author made sure of that, in a good way. I don’t want to give anything away so I’m not going to say what happens, but I was thrilled and really sad at the same time. Yes, it made me cry!

Lucky and Bo are a favorite couple of mine. Lucky made me laugh, I love his brand of snark, Bo made me swoon and they made me cry. They put me on the edge of my seat so many times I wanted to scream. But there was never a time I thought they wouldn’t make it; I always knew their love would survive. I may not have absolutely loved every single book in the series, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of them. Now that I’ve come to the end and I look back at the series as a whole, I wouldn’t change a thing. Everything happens for a reason and the things Lucky and Bo went through brought them to the place they are now.

So, with great sadness but begrudging contentment I say goodbye to these guys… until I go back and re-read their story.

**I received a pre-release copy from the author

TAGS
--Uniform/law enforcement -- established couple -- drama -- adventure -- mystery/suspense -- such a beautiful love story -- some really sweet moments -- made me laugh -- made me cry – made me anxious -- heart stopping events -- LOVED the MCs… Lucky & Bo -- LOVED the secondary characters – loved the snark -- swoon worthy -- don’t want this to be over – satisfying ending – will re-read – NOT A STAND-ALONE

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bo and Lucky are one of my all-time favorite couples. I've actually owned this book since it came out but I couldn't bear to say goodbye to them. Now I feel like my best neighbors (Yes, Lucky, even you!) have moved away. I'm sad for me but happy for them.

I just dug through my old list of books to find where I purchased Diversion so I can dig it out and reread it. I just need to take that walk down memory lane. This was one of the first books I bought in 2012 when I had been recently introduced to MM.

There were a few repetitive moments in this story and a few points where I wanted to rush, but these were rare and overall my pleasure in coming to the end of this very well plotted and intricate action adventure series was most definitely a minimum of 5 stars.

Farewell my friends.

[Esra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best epilogue ever!!!
I'll miss Lucky and Bo deeply!
If only Andro and Jenny had their own books too!!!
Frankly, I am very curious about their stories because of what I read in the epilogue. I hope the author writes books for them too.

[Lena Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Every moment brings us some benediction. Even the rough hand of trial holds in its clasp for us some treasure of love.” ~ J.R. Miller

Even though Lucky keeps proclaiming: “I’m too old for this sh*t”, whether taking care of their son, Andro, looking forward to the child his sister is now carrying for Lucky and Bo, or dealing with work challenges, he keeps chugging along.

Since Walter recommended Bo to take over his job when he retires, Bo has been working in earnest to learn what he needs to keep their department running smoothly. Lucky is slowly adjusting to the fact that Bo will be his boss at work instead of his partner. Things are going well until Walter learns that the higher-ups have decided that Bo doesn’t have enough experience and want to put another man, O’Donoghue, in the position instead. Although disappointing, when Lucky learns who has been recommended, he goes ballistic.

Jameson O’Donoghue is a man whom Lucky does not trust. Even though he has worked with O’Donoghue, Lucky has a long memory and a healthy sense of deception. Also, he has never forgiven O’Donoghue for trying to take Walter’s job when he was in the hospital, much less how he also tried to take Bo away!

As if work weren’t complicated enough, he gets a call from Chastain, a victim and a witness in a former case. Lucky’s reaction to Chastain’s perceived threat ends up being too slow. When Lucky arrives at Chastain’s house, he finds that he has been murdered. Besides the shock and guilt of Chastain’s death, Lucky finds something that alarms him even more – a note threatening him and his family. Lucky goes into protective overdrive. Regardless of what he has to do, he will keep his family safe.

This story, along with the entire series for that matter, has been a wonderfully complex tale of crime and mayhem along with a healthy dose of character growth, particularly for Lucky. Bo has had his own demons to do battle with as well, but together, they have taken life as it has come to them, weaving their strengths and weaknesses into an amazingly bonded company. Together, they have grown into the kind of men who love and deserve each other; with the help of family and friends, they now have the family they have always wanted and needed. What better “benediction” could there be than that? Eden, thank you for allowing me to follow these wonderful characters on their sometimes painful, but always rewarding journey. I will miss them dearly!

Domestication (Diversion 9.1)
It’s been a long time coming but, finally, Lucky and Bo are engaged. As so often happens when planning a wedding, the choices that should be made by the couple have been hijacked by Lucky’s sister Charlotte and his friend, Loretta.

While they are busy making arrangements, Lucky is getting more nervous all the time, not about getting married, but from the feeling that control over the event has been taken away from him. He doesn’t want to hurt Charlotte’s or Loretta’s feelings by telling them that he doesn’t like what they are doing, so he doesn’t say anything. Bo senses his distress and questions him about it. When Lucky won’t stand up for himself Bo takes matters into his own hands. When the time comes, their wedding takes place in a way that Bo knows Lucky will be comfortable with. Holding their children, they recite their vows in front of family and friends. It’s much more meaningful for everyone.

I have been pondering how to review the epilogue and have decided that trying to do so would give too much away. I will tell you that it was written by one of Lucky’s children twenty-five years in the future. It was so endearing and touching that it made me cry. Y’all are gonna love it. Thanks, Eden, for the incredible ride.

[Sophie ARGINTARU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Et voilà… c’est le dernier, le der des der… suivi par un très long épilogue. Eden Winters a parfaitement réussi son final ! Après avoir fait rebondir l’intrigue au septième opus, nous voici dans la continuité : démasquer les traitres du bureau des narcotiques, qui vont s’en prendre aux proches de Lucky. Cela, notre héros ne peut le supporter et aidé par tous, le voici lancé dans une guerre finale, alors qu’il est sur le point d’être « papa » pour la seconde fois.

Comme toujours, l’aspect suspense est très solide, sur fond de drame, danger, et menaces. Mais, c’est encore une fois contrebalancé, par des évènements humoristiques… et un Lucky plus ronchon que jamais. Même s’il est adouci par l’amour de Bo, et de sa famille proche, il prend en effet beaucoup plus soin des autres, son caractère est pourtant toujours le même avec ses répliques fielleuses et cyniques (la première scène où il est « le support » des cours pour l’accouchement est franchement très amusante !).

Enfin, comme c’est le final, on retrouve avec un vrai plaisir tous les personnages récurrents de la série, qui évoluent également, ainsi que le pauvre Lucky va soudain s’en apercevoir avec effroi. L’épilogue prendra le temps de s’attarder sur le devenir des uns et des autres, tout en tenant compte de la personnalité de Lucky et Bo. Le rythme est soutenu, l’histoire prenante, et de plus en plus palpitante au fur et à mesure que « les méchants » se dévoilent. On quitte plutôt tristement ces personnages devenus des amis, au fur et à mesure des années passées, mais en même temps, c’est un grand plaisir de voir à quel point, l’autrice est parvenu à mettre un point final, avec imagination et entrain, en évitant de faire « le livre de trop ».

Un coup de cœur pour ce dernier tome enthousiasmant. Une de mes séries préférées « romantic suspense M/M » que je relirai avec plaisir !

[Antisocial Recluse · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 nostalgic stars

I hate goodbyes and Bo and Lucky will always be a favorite couple. In this final volume, I admit not being very engaged by the plot, feeling it kind of lost its way after a strong start but it could just be me. Threads of past cases did get wrapped up pretty well especially with the extra novella/epilogue included. I’ll miss them.

[Wende · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book in the series. It was so good. I am sad that it ended but hope to see them in the future again. I was happy they have their children and they got married. It was a wonderful ending to a great series. 💓💓

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this has been one long journey for fans of Lucky and Bo. The series has come to a satisfying end with the take-down of a couple of long-standing baddies (recurring over a few previous titles), the addition of brand new family members and a milestone in our MC's relationship. Not quite the reformation of a rake, but the author makes repetitive (to the point of annoying) effort via Lucky's internal snarky voice, to remind readers of the relational/developmental evolution of one arrogant, take-no-hostages, junk food loving, lone-wolf, prickly, 'I want to be left alone' SNB agent (with the best take-down record) when forced to partner up and mentor one fresh out of training, ex-marine, go-by-the-rulebook, health-freak vegetarian rookie. I love Lucky in all his incarnations ... and was particularly 'tickled pink' with the phrase "Everyone needed a calling in life. Lucky’s was being a bad influence."; this just about sums up all the delightful bad-ass goodness of this MC.

There were hints of this impending conclusion with the last couple of festive-themed novellas, featuring family reconciliations from both MC's sides. The author does her best to bring back major recurring characters in this last offering (Victor, Nestor, Cruz, Graciela, Mrs Griggs, Lisa, Dean) and provides satisfying endings for so many characters fans have become invested in (Rett, Charlotte, Walter, Keith ... even Moose and Cat Lucky!). The bonus novella Domestication at the end was the literal cherry on top of the cake for those wanting to witness Bo and Lucky tie-the-knot ... and in a style true to their preferences. I did feel by jumping forward two decades to switch POVs to the now grown-up baby Schollenbergers was kinda over the top. Perhaps there would be a spin-off futuristic series featuring one Alejandro Schollenberger and his feisty sister!

I'd probably go back to re-read the entire series again (and I note the consistent 4 star ratings over the years) ... with my most favorite story-lines in books #3, #4, #5 and #7 - just because the 'danger, action and drama' was more heightened IMO. Thank you Ms Winters for a great series and for introducing two memorable characters in Richmond Eugene Lucklighter and William Patrick Schollenberger III (aka Lucky and Bo).

[Kochka94 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Et voilà, c'est fini...

En fait, j'ai ce tome dans ma PAL depuis sa sortie, il y a donc 6 mois, je l'ai pris dès sa sortie, impatiente que j'étais de le lire... et pourtant, j'ai attendu parce que le lire, ça veut dire se résoudre à en finir avec Lucky et à Bo. J'appréhendais un peu la lecture de ce tome pour ça, pas par peur d'être déçue, parce que cette série ne m'a jamais déçue. Et pour un final, Eden Winters nous a gâté en nous offrant finalement la conclusion du tome précédent, mais aussi un petit bonus en 3 tomes intitulé Domestication, qui offre enfin ce que j'attendais depuis le début... et pour finir, un dernier cadeau, un épilogue 27 ans plus tard pour donner quelques nouvelles rapides de tout le monde... et clore définitivement le sujet, eh oui, certains auteurs devraient en prendre de la graine, il est bon de savoir s'arrêter.

Je ne vais pas résumer l'histoire ni ce tome, après tout, sans compter les tomes intermédiaires, il s'agit d'un tome 9 donc, forcément, si on en arrive jusque là, c'est qu'on a lu les 8 premiers et qu'on est donc parfaitement au courant de tout ce qui tourne autour des deux hommes.

Merci donc à Eden Winters de nous avoir offert cette histoire et adieu au petit coq arrogant, au T-Rex, à Lucky le Chat, au courageux Moose, à Andro et à Jenny (le fou rire quand au choix du prénom...), à Walter et sa femme, à Rett, à Char et ses fils, à Victor et Nestor les parrains-gâteaux, à Cruz et Vivienne, à Jimmy, à Keith, à Lisa et sa crème à la banane, à la chaise de la mort, à la fossette et à sa petite soeur, à Madame Griggs, aux balades en Harley, aux prénoms du NASCAR, ... et si Bo et Lucky ne figurent pas sur la page du souvenir du SNB, ils restent dans mon souvenir à moi.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hate saying goodbye to a favorite couple and let me tell you, Bo and Lucky are in the top 5!

This series, though full of action and violence, was a "family" based series! Watching these two grow as partners in every extent of the word was fulfilling, entertaining, and sometimes downright terrifying... but along the way, Bo and Lucky were just that... LUCKY!!!

If you are lucky enough to have the edition that has a "short" story at the end... grab the tissues and prepare to be wrapped in a warm blanket of family love! 💖💖💖

[Marge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and fitting end to the series. I would love to see a few snippets or holiday stories down the road sometime.

[Britin71 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Une superbe conclusion pour cette saga et ce couple que j’aime d’amour ♥️🥰

Bo et Lucky s’apprêtent à devenir parents pour la seconde fois, mais autour d’eux le danger rôde. Lucky est prêt à tout pour veiller sur sa famille de sang et de cœur et il compte bien tout faire pour les protéger.

Encore un tome très bien écrit avec le juste équilibre entre action et sentiments 🥰 L’enquête est rythmée (bien qu’assez simple) et j’ai aimé retrouver Lucky dans ce baroud d’honneur. Il a tellement évolué depuis les premiers tomes 😱 Bo aussi bien sûr mais c’est surtout Lucky qui me frappe car on a ses pensées depuis le début de la saga 💗
Ce couple est très touchant sans verser dans le pathos. Ils sont aussi chaud bouillant, ce qui ne gâche rien 😜🔥

La petite nouvelle à la fin, Domestication, est la parfaite happy end attendue 🥰 Sans niaiserie et en respectant les caractères de Bo et Lucky, elle apporte la petite dose de smile en plus 😁 Et l’épilogue est juste trop bien ! ♥️

[Aethena Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't quite believe this series is over. I enjoyed getting to know Lucky and Bo. I have shed a fs and laughed a few times. I learned a bit about southern culture and the perils of the not so legal drug industry.

The research that was involved in creating this series is obvious. The author's spin on how to resolve the problems in the drug trade was insightful. I really wish we could all see more stories like this in both the fictional and real world. Perhaps we would all sleep a little better at night.

This final book was a good end. All the big issues are resolved to my satisfaction. I will certainly be rereading the entire series again. I will also be listening to Darcy Stark read me this series again and again.

[Aurore62128 · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Relecture VF*

J'ai tardé a lire ce dernier tome ... et puis j'ai voulu relire toute la saga pour terminer en beauté.
Un très bon tome, une très bonne fin pour Bo et Lucky.
Une de mes sagas MM favorite qui ne m'a jamais décue.

[Ingeborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad to say goodbye to Lucky and Bo but what a wonderful end of the series.

[Marsilisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sad to see them go.
It was a eventful journey. I cried and laughed with them. I love that series.
Thank you

[EQUUS · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most difficult things for me to do is writing a review for the book I really loved. I just don't want to sound like a crazed fan girl and I usually fail miserably. Also there are some books and series out there that hit all the right buttons for me and I know that no words can make them justice. This is one of them. Starting Benediction was bitter-sweet because I just didn't want to say goodbye to one of my favorite couples in MM, but the author managed to write a perfect and satisfying conclusion to one of the best mystery suspense series I was lucky to get my hands on in more than 12 years. I didn't even finish the first two pages and I had to wipe my eyes and glasses. Tears in my eyes from laughing out loud. Lucky and Bo will do that to you, they will also break your heart and mend and melt it over and over again. Don't get me wrong there's nothing sugary sweet in this series, just moments that will touch your heart on a very realistic level. The quote from the blurb for the first book says a lot and it's just perfect : "There are good guys, bad guys and than there's Lucky..." So if mystery /suspense /enemies to lovers trope with a very healthy dose of snarky humor and heat is your thing this series is absolutely a must read. I know I've reread it more times than I care to admit over the years and I think I'll be doing it again very soon.