Madeleine Urban

I know I said that the previous book was my favorite in the series, but now that I've read Divide & Conquer, I have to take it back; this one's my favorite by far. I'm also glad that I read it so close to Fish & Chips, because the lightness and humor in that one, helped me deal better with the heartache and angst in this. In Divide & Conquer, Zane and Ty are together at last in a commited relationship. They still keep it a secret from the rest of the world though, but this is starting to get show more harder and harder. And then a new case begins, as a group of bombers start creating havoc in Baltimore targeting mainly cops and firemen and every kind of lawmen. Somehow -though not surprisingly to the reader- Ty and Zane manage to get in the center of the maelstorm and make big targets of themselves, which creates an extra level of anxiety between them. Zane's refusal to say the three words Ty wants to hear most, is another thorn in their relationship which seems happy and settled on the outside but has both of them fidgeting on the inside. And then a tragic event occurs, an event that completely changes the dynamics in their relationship and challenges their faith and loyalty to each other.To say that this book delivered an emotional punch would be an understatement. It was heartwrenching, it was angsty, it was also emotional and tender and frustrating and basically, I didn't want it to end. It is the kind of book that I was constantly thinking about when I was not actually reading it, the book that made me want to tell what I was reading to everyone around me and I did, which made my brother almost fall of his barstool in surprise:) It also made me unable to pick a new book today; my mind's still stuck on Ty and Zane and their incredible, loving, passionate, tender and very sexy relationship. Well, I'm still thunderstuck by it and can't think of anything more to say. The shock at the end might get some of the blame for that I guess. I'm very happy that I actually bought this one too, before even asking from NetGalley to review it, because I can definitely see myself re-reading it in the future. Looking forward to the next one eagerly!*This book, besides its awesomeness, also contains one of the most ridiculous, silly, gymnastics'-medal-required love scenes I've read and I so fervently wish it was not there. Every time I bring it to mind, it makes me groan and laugh at the same time; not what its original intention was I guess.ARC provided by NetGalley show less

The first book I read in this series...[Sticks & Stones] was loaned to me when I ran out of reading material a few weeks ago. My good friend loaned me the copy and said "Don't judge a book totally by the subject matter." I knew what he was referring to as he and his long-time partner had just gotten back together after a rough patch in their lives. He said he totally related to the character of Zane Grady. I totally believed him. Frankly I never expected to love these two characters..or for show more that matter the series thus far, as much as I have. It was a shot in the dark of something different. It isn't all sex as I suspected it would be... although there is plenty of that...but I was surprised how well the crime parts of it are written...how easy the story comes together and how much sense it all makes. He keeps feeding me books...I keep visiting with Ty and Zane. We are all happy campers. show less

Mild spoilers below. However, I can argue it's abuse with elements of cheating (sucking face with an old friend while in a relationship) and therefore my review is a warning.

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I can't help it. The more I read, the more it's bothering me: is Zane in an abusive relationship? I get that Ty, a boy wonder (he sings, he dances, he speaks Farsi, he ...I wouldn't be surprised if he macrames), is unpredictable, but he is very consistent where it comes to punishing Zane for one thing or show more another. Verbally, physically. Lash out first, think/talk/explain later. Scratch the think part. It never occurs to Ty that holding a drunk person under water may result in serious damage. It also never occurs to Ty that hitting a person with a fresh head injury in the jaw and sending him into a wall may also result in serious damage.

Ty is also needy and selfish. They've been together just a handful of months and Ty is already freaking out because Zane can't say the L word out loud.
- It doesn't matter that Zane loved his wife deeply, had wicked hard time after her death and is still grieving.
- It doesn't matter that every person functions at a different pace.
- It doesn't matter that Zane is more about showing his love rather than telling. Actually Zane did admit to Ty as much, just didn't use the L word itself.
- It doesn't matter that Zane cares and saves Ty's ass over and over again.
None if it apparently counts in Ty's mind.

To me, Ty comes off as a selfish abusive insecure jerk. Who, by the way, was sucking face with Nick right after their conversation about how Ty wasn't sure about Zane being monogamous. He dismisses Zane at almost every turn yet still expects iloveyous from him. The prick. Ty, not Zane.

Maybe it's because I am not into sex scenes. I skip those. And so the rest of it, the out-of-bed relationship, is in. my. face.

I can continue on about this mess of the series, but the list is too long. The bottom line tho, I am now convinced that all the characters in these books are jumping through the hoops to accommodate the authors, although some to lesser degree than others. That's never a good thing and therefore I am done with this series. However, I will re-read [b:Warrior's Cross|6782412|Warrior's Cross|Madeleine Urban|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355864076s/6782412.jpg|6916543] if only to compare my own notes from 5 years ago.

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PS I was just cheering for Zane when he slogged Ty, but dammit, what a disappointment it was when he started grovelling right after it.

Like I said, DONE. show less

5 Stars! - Reread 3/12/24

This.

This right here.

The denial the longing the fear the caring the need the struggle the antagonism the chemistry the fighting the snark the lust.

And yes, the love.

Heady stuff, this imperfect duo. *sigh*

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5 Stars!

*Update - Reread 2/5/15*

The boys are back again, and despite becoming official work partners, each wonders how their romantic feelings fit in their new dynamic, if at all.

As Ty and Zane soon find out, their forced vacation is anything show more but a nice escape. They're faced with extreme life and death situations, all of which solidify their trust in each other and strengthen their new partnership. It also forces them to reflect on feels they don't want to have or are too afraid to look at closely.

What's not in question is their insatiable lust for each other, and their chemistry is combustible. Actions do speak louder than words, and it's an exciting ride as we watch these two fall more for each other despite their own hang ups and reservations. Though they don't know it yet, neither stands a chance at the inevitable,and we wouldn't have it any other way.


Cut & Run Series
1. Cut & Run - 5 Stars
2. Sticks & Stones - 5 Stars
3. Fish & Chips - 5 Stars
4. Divide & Conquer - 5 Stars
Warrior’s Cross - 4 Stars
5. Armed & Dangerous - 5 Stars
6. Tigers & Stripes 5 Stars
7. Touch & Geaux - 5 Stars
8. Ball & Chain - 5 Stars
9. Crash & Burn - 5 Stars show less