Jaime Reese

Great

4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed Dylan and Wall’s story.
Dylan to me was an easy character to love, he’s chatty and quirky and really has a hard time in social situations which bring out his snark. I found him so entertaining.
He is a bit like Cole in the fact that he wasn’t completely innocent and had profited from his previous life, but I liked that he didn’t really spend it on himself, it was more for things to help either other people or to help Wall protect them. He took show more responsibility for what happened to put him behind bars and accepted his part. His need to be accepted was hard to read at times. His interactions with Ox were so well done and showed the caring side of Dylan that he hides from the world.
And Wall with his quiet strength, I loved seeing his personality peaking through as he opened up more and more to Dylan. The chemistry between them was fantastic to read. Due to both of their trust issues they took the time and actually got to know each other. Wall’s past was also hard and I kind of understood why he shut down and didn’t talk or trust many people especially romantic attachments. I liked seeing his interactions with his mum and how she brought out both of the guys and gave Dylan his first sense of family
I enjoyed the story line and liked that they went away from the halfway house, although I’m glad we found out what happened to Ox at the end, I hope we get more from him in future
Great addition to the series show less

4 Stars

I know there’s a bit of divisiveness when it comes to this story but if you’ve read and liked Reese’s The Men of Halfway House series, I would hedge my bets that you’ll like this too. It doesn’t hurt at all that this is basically the love child of [b:Warrior's Cross|6782412|Warrior's Cross|Madeleine Urban|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1355864076s/6782412.jpg|6916543] and [b:Zero at the Bone|6382879|Zero at the Bone (Zero at the Bone)|Jane show more Seville|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1239008011s/6382879.jpg|6570901], which will either clinch your decision to read this book or avoid it all together.

I think with any assassin trope with a heart of gold, it is always a bit of a stretch for realistic progression. Killian has been doing this for years, basically bred and trained to take after his father, and he does it with utmost precision and skill. Killian doesn’t sugarcoat what he’s done to make a living, but he does have a conscience and a set of rules that he follows when accepting contracts. The only kink in Killian’s impenetrable armor is when he falls for equally mysterious waiter Nick, who doesn’t shy away from his intimidating nature and suspicious shady circumstances. Killian doesn't think anything will come of it because…. well, he’s a murderer. However, when Nick’s past catches up to him, Killian can’t not help him and thus, both quickly become embroiled in more danger than they bargained for.

Why this was a win for me is because Reese consistently writes her stories with plenty of swoon and emotions. All her protagonists have a moral compass despite their situation. They certainly have an endearing vulnerability and always plenty of baggage and turmoil. When they find that person who’s their soulmate it just clicks, and of course they’d do anything for the other to see them happy and safe.

So yes, this was a bit far fetched. However, Reese never shorts the reader on the writing nor does she fail on delivering the smex and the sweeping romance that always comes with a very satisfying happily ever after. Again, consistency is key and this is signature Reese! show less

I hate that it takes a year between these realistically written books because poof like a bag of potato chips the ride is over and I have to wait another year. This third installment in the Men of Halfway House series is my favorite so far. I got sucked right into the subtle interplay between Cole and Ty. There is no insta-love, let's fuck action in this story that is so prevalent in many m/m romance story. Ms Reese keeps it refreshingly real Cole is a complex character who primarily uses show more his off the wall humor as a cover for the hurting guy inside. He's our newbie at Halfway House and is a pro at giving Julian fits. I just wanted to hold Ty and make it all better. Like his favorite cars, Ty is very broken. He has the love and support of his employees, his brother Aidan but just cannot find his way out of the pit. It takes time, laughter and love to restore him all thanks to Cole. Smoothly written and a quick read considering the length, this story just like the other two will leave you feeling good. It's easier on the waist than the potato chips too. show less

Much like the first book, this second ‘Men of Halfway House’ book is a very sweet romance starring two great men who have more than a few issues to work through before they get what they want. Different from the first book, there is also a simmering mystery, several external hurdles, and more than one villain who conspire against first one, then both heroes. It is a great story about Cameron, an ex-convict who more than deserves a second chance after the shitty hand he’s been dealt, show more and Hunter, the very aptly named assistant state attorney who not only falls for him, but has the motive and opportunity to not only stop Cam’s enemies from sending him back to prison, but to potentially exonerate him while he’s at it. What a challenge!

Cameron had my sympathy from the first page. Yes, he is in prison, or rather, just about to leave after ten years of pure hell, but there is something so obviously wrong about that, it made me sit up and pay notice. There were lots of little hints all along telling me he isn’t the criminal everyone makes him out to be. Even though he himself believes he is a murderer, the author very cleverly placed more than enough evidence all along to keep me doubting that was the whole truth. The scenes after Cameron is first released are very touching, and kept me glued to the pages. To experience freedom, something I take for granted, so intensely was an eye-opener as to how precious it really is. And as he gradually adjusts, with the help of Matt and Julian (from book one) who run the halfway house Cameron is placed at, he still refuses to believe he is truly free to start a new life. It made me want to punch everyone who had put him down.

Hunter is something else. He sounds like a prince straight from a fairy tale. Physically and mentally strong, an ex-Marine who knows what is right and how to fight for it, he is honorable to the core and takes no sh*t from anyone. There is only one problem. He is now forty years old and still hasn’t found the man to share his life with. He is lonely, but only when he meets Cam does he realize HOW lonely he’s been and exactly what he has missed out on. In typical Hunter fashion, he will not let anything or anyone stop him from getting what he wants—to share his life with Cameron.

The suspense in this novel kept me turning the pages. The character’s emotional ups and downs made me laugh and cry with them, and their deepening feelings had me rooting for them all the way. The unfolding mystery as to who is behind Cameron’s conviction kept me guessing, and each villain, as they were revealed made me yell in anger. If you like deeply emotional stories with lots of tension and a very sweet, yet hot romance, then you should definitely read this second book in the ‘Men of Halfway House’. It kept me entertained, and I am now eagerly awaiting book three.


NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. show less