Jen Frederick

So I just picked up this audiobook from my library via Hoopla. I have read it before, but I want to finish the series so I needed to re-read as a refresher. And let me tell you, I enjoyed this book SO much more this time around all because of Iggy Toma, the absolutely yummy Russian-accented male narrator. He absolutely brought Nikolai's character to life and made even the most crude words titillating in that short, clipped Russian accent. The first time I read the book, I thought the show more dialogue was a bit choppy... but I realize that it's not really. It's just written to go along with this accent. It worked so much better for me in audio. There is a female narrator, Kasha Kensington, and she did a fine job. But I just loved Iggy mucho mas! I raved about Iggy to Deanna and convinced her to pick up this series in audio as well. You should all do it, do it now.

So this is the story of Daisy and Nikolai. I consider it more Nikolai's story as he just seemed to play a stronger role in the story (or this could be my fixation on that Russian accent). Nikolai is Ukranian and was taken into the Bratva as a young boy. He has been trained as a hitman, and carried on in that role after he left the Bratva at 15 years old. When Nikolai sees Daisy, he immediately recognizes her innocence and purity and thinks he is not worthy of her.

Daisy has demons of her own, namely growing up in a home with an agoraphobic father after her mother was murdered. At 21 years old, Daisy can no longer live under the extreme control of her father and makes a run for it. Running from a farm to the city was an eye-opening experience for Daisy... she was sheltered to the point of only reading the classics and watching children's television programs. Even the historical romances she covertly read at the library were not enough to prepare her meeting the stoic and broody Nikolai.

Usually uber-naive heroines get on my nerves, but I didn't mind Daisy. Her innocence was somewhat endearing, and she didn't whine or complain about her situation. She met every new experience with awe and wonder, but it wasn't so over the top that it made your teeth ache. Nikolai was what you would expect of a hitman, sober and unemotional. Though he had horrible self-esteem, sometimes it was endearing and sometimes it was a little annoying. You usually see more confidence with Mafia heroes. But Nikolai absolutely worshiped Daisy and it was nice to see how he took care of her.

If you are a fan of audiobooks while you are driving or puttering around the house, this is a great series in audio format. 4 stars / 4 flames. show less

One of my FAV heroes. Enjoyed his alpha presence and how he had life plans in place for himself and Grace, despite her "undeclared" status. This excerpt pretty much sums it up:
" “I just don’t get it. She’s not your type at all,” Bo said.
“What’s my type?” I challenged.
“Someone more driven. Someone who has her act together.”
“She’s got her act together,” I said. I really didn’t know if she did, but what did it matter. I knew where I wanted to go. She could just come show more along with me.” "


Grace is a wishy washy kinda heroine. Polar opposite to Noah. But this is the basis, the foundation on which this story is built. She's meant to be indecisive and weak, otherwise the title wouldn't make sense. So while I prefer stronger heroines, this book didn't need one. Noah didn't need one. He was strong enough for the both of them, she just had to love him and want to be with him.


Can't wait for Bo's book next. Oh boy:
" “Nice buffet.” Bo came up to stand next to me, waving at the college girls.............” "

" “Who’s lovely Lana?” Mal asked.
“Lovely Lana,” Bo said, “is a glorious blonde creature.”
“You hitting that?” Mal asked.
“Nope,” Bo leaned in. I could tell he was going to impart one of his dating philosophies. He had many. “There are only two circumstances in which you sleep with your wingman’s girl’s friend.” He pointed to me. “First, when all you’re doing is hooking up casually. Second,” he lifted another finger, “when you think you’re both going to marry those girls. Otherwise, you dip your wick elsewhere.”
“Why’s this?” Mal said.
“Don’t encourage him,” I protested.
“Because when your wingman breaks up with his girlfriend, you don’t want to be stuck with the extra baggage.” He cocked his fingers at me and pretended to shoot me with them.” "


I learnt a new word courtesy of Ms Frederick:
ameliorated

So while the feel of the book was vague and cloudy, I enjoyed it for what it was. That's the part that made the book different for me. Yes, there are inconsistencies and unresolved issues but it didn't irritate me overly much. I especially enjoyed their inner voices, both Noah and Grace. Through that I could see Noah's strength and determination and Grace's ditsyness. (I think I just made that word up) show less

This review and more, including giveaways, can be viewed on my blog: The Muses Circle

My Review: "It takes many muscles to smile, more to frown, but only a few to pull the trigger."

If you haven't guessed already, stories about assassins or hitmen are taking the romance world by storm. The good news is, Last Hit by the dynamic collaborative team Jessica Clare and Jen Frederick is at the top of the leader board. You want sexy? Check. You want edgy? Double check. There are so many more "it" show more factors this story has which I will be getting to momentarily. I like to think of Last Hit as a cross between HITMAN the movie (starring the sexy-as-ever Timothy Olyphant) and Roxie Rivera's My Russian Protector series. Since I am a fan of her work, I became a little worried when I noticed many of the character names in Last Hit matched those in Rivera's My Russian Protector series, such as Nikolai, Sergei, Yury, Vasily. Thankfully, the stories are extremely different and I've read and learned enough to know that these names are quite common in the Russian/Ukrainian world.

I first want to talk about the very distinct dual perspectives and voices of Nikolai and Daisy, in particular Nick's accent. It's been a long time since I've been reminded as to why this technique works so well. I've read stories with alternating character POV that have left me confused or worst of all, having to go back a few pages to figure out who's head I'm supposed to be in (even with the help of character names at the beginning of chapters or section breaks). Last Hit does not suffer this fate. Nikolai's Ukrainian accent was AMAZING. I don't know how Frederick was able to translate his accent on paper, but I swear, I could almost hear it through the pages. I've been reading romance novels since I was 12, everything from historical to paranormal, with characters from all over the world and in different dimensions. Most authors take the easy way out when writing characters with foreign accents, often telling the reader that the character has one but doesn't go about showing it in any way (especially in the dialogue where it would be most prevalent). Showing Nikolai's accent through his narration, dialogue, and even text messages to Daisy made him feel almost 3-Dimensional.

Daisy... how can I sum up my feelings about this fascinating female heroine? Jessica Clare, who wrote Daisy's parts, also has a gift. I'm not even going to lie. I started this story with blinders on. After reading the first two chapters, I had Daisy figured out and put in a neat little box. I thought she was going to be your typical, "damsel in distress"-- weak, virginal, naïve girl that Nikolai would be rescuing at every turn, even from her own shadow. While she was a virgin and definitely a little naïve (which makes sense considering her extremely sheltered childhood due to her father's severe agoraphobia), I couldn't have been more wrong about the kind of female character she turned out to be. My level of respect and awe grew for her during the part when she is confronted/accosted by the men from Nikolai's past. Instead of Daisy panicking, screaming, or crying, a strange calm fills her. Years of her father's obsessive survival practices envelops her. While she may not be a match against these trained killers, she sure as hell doesn't make it easy for them. I didn't expect her to be so strong. I don't think she even realized it.

I also liked the ages of the characters. I know, sounds strange, but I was shocked when I read a few negative reviews complaining about Daisy and Nikolai's ages. Some felt that by keeping the characters in the 18-25 year bracket, it was an easy way for Clare and Frederick to market Last Hit as a NA romance. Hmm, not sure about that, nor do I care. However, what really bothered me were those who found Nikolai being a 24/25 year old world-renowned hitman unrealistic. They felt there was no way a person that young could have that kind of skill set. I obviously disagree. We are not talking about some random guy in his 20's taking up a gun and running around the country shooting people. Nikolai was targeted, trained, and desensitized at a very young age by the Petrovich Bratva, one of the most dangerous and powerful criminal organizations in the world. At the age of 15, he was kicked out by his mentor, Alexsandr:

"...Alexsandr dismissed me from the ranks and sent me off on my own. At fifteen, all I knew how to do was kill. And so that is what I do. I am a man who kills for money."

So let's put this into perspective. How is Nikolai and his upbringing any different from the children in Uganda that are taken from their homes by force at the tender ages of 6, 7, and 8 years old and trained with guns to be killers? Just because an idea or topic may be foreign to you doesn't mean there is no truth to it. There are so many unbelievable acts of evil and violence going on in the world that most of us are oblivious to and maybe that's the problem. Some people rather live in a bubble then admit that these kinds of things are happening everyday. I choose to live with my eyes wide open and that's how I know Nikolai being an experienced hitman at 24 is possible.

Anyway, Daisy being 21 makes sense as well. Any younger or older may not have worked in her particular circumstances. When she finally decided it was time for her to make her escape, waiting until she was 21 gave her an advantage. If her father tried to get the police involved to bring her back, he would have no leg to stand on because in the eyes of the law, she was legally an adult. If Daisy had been older, say 25-26, I don't think her story would have been as believable. At that point, what would be holding her back? Nikolai and Daisy compliment each other exceptionally. They are two young people that in many ways are outsiders, don't quite know the social norms for their age group, and have lived and survived through their own personal kind of hell but refuse to allow their pasts to define them. They truly are two halves of a whole.

Last Hit is remarkably well written and had me going through a multitude of emotions. There are parts that are funny, such as Nikolai not quite understanding American slang or figures of speech which causes him to say things awkwardly:

"'Daniel,'" I answer. "'What is happening?'"

Daniel coughs into the phone, as if he is covering a laugh. I wonder what mistake I have made.

"'It's what's happening. You're too formal." --Nikolai

Parts that are sexy:

"I'd rub my body over hers so that she smelled of me. When she walked this city, other men would stay away, recognizing she was marked as my own. Belonging to Nikolai. Maybe I would tattoo it around her neck like a collar." --Nikolai

And parts that are thought provoking, sad, and heart wrenching:

"There is something so vibrant, so aware, so alive about him that it sings to me. I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Is it because my father has always been a shadow of himself and because he did his best to break me? Nick, I think, would never be broken. I like this about him." --Daisy

"This girl in Room 224 is unprotected, but she is innocent and sweet. I envy her. When she first walked into her apartment, she did not notice the cracked and peeling paint, the cheapness of the mattress on the floor...it all looked wonderful to her. I wonder what she would think of me--I am not unlike her apartment. I am cracked and peeling inside." --Nikolai

"When I killed, I targeted those who were the dregs and vermin of the world. Someday someone would take me out, and no one would mourn. But if Daisy was killed? Some light in the world would have been snuffed out. I want a piece of that light for myself, even if just for a short time. I know I do not deserve it--nor will I be able to keep it." --Nikolai

What also made this story feel fresh and gave it a sense of unpredictability was the pacing and deviation from the normal formula. Again, I thought I had everything figured out because at the 200 page mark, there were no resolutions in sight and Nikolai and Daisy hadn't done the deed yet, although there was some really hot sexy time along the way that kept my attention riveted to the screen of my kindle. The way the story was going, I was almost positive the sequel, Last Breath, was going to be a continuation of Daisy and Nick's story. Thank the gods I didn't bet any money because as that thought entered my mind, I decided to read the book blurb for Last Breath...and was shocked to learn it would be Daniel and Regan's story. That's when I started to sweat. How were Clare and Frederick going to wrap things up and add in all the hot lovin' Daisy and Nikolai deserved in 60 pages without making it feel rushed? Well, as you can see from my rating, I was not disappointed. They not only met my expectations, they surpassed them. They even earned extra brownie points for taking the time to address the issue with Daisy's father. I also wasn't quite sure how I originally felt about Nikolai's "gift" he gives to Daisy. That was probably the one and only thing I struggled with, but after he explains his reasons why and how Daisy comes to terms with this "gift", my reservations faded away. And yes, I am being vague to avoid spoilers!

There was only one minor inconsistency that I caught in the beginning of the story, but nothing that would cause me to mark my rating down. When we first meet Daisy, we learn that she only leaves the house for an hour or two a day. All windows are boarded up, so since the age of 8, she has had very little real sunlight. Daisy is described as being pale, which makes sense. But once she leaves home and Nikolai sees her, he contradicts himself twice while describing her:

"Her skin is creamy but golden as if she lives outdoors instead of within the stained brick walls of this dirty rundown apartment complex."

"Her pale skin is lovely even in this dimly lit basement."

So which is it? Is her skin pale or is it golden? Again, it's nothing major, but when I looked back at my notes to prepare for this review, I had a question mark next to these quotes.

Last Hit by Jessica Clare and Jen Frederick will forever hold a special place in my heart because quite honestly, I can't remember the last time I gave a book a perfect 5 star rating. While I was sad to see Daisy and Nikolai's story come to an end, I walked away feeling satisfied. Now I have something else to look forward to Last Breath, book 2 in the Hitman series, also written by the dynamic duo. I can't wait to read Daniel and Regan's story which sounds even more tragic and edgier than its predecessor.

Mia @ The Muses Circle
http://www.themusescircle.blogspot.com/ show less

Last Breath captivated me up until the very last word. It was a page turner without one dull moment! The hurt and anguish Regan endured though out the first few chapters, strangled me with tears. Living her trauma right along with her (because that’s what this book was capable of doing) you didn’t read this book you lived on the pages with the characters. You were there with them both through it all. And Daniel being sound enough to realize that Regan was indeed broken no matter how she show more tried so hard to be strong. And having the strength to be patient and do the right thing even though deep inside he wanted something more. Letting Regan take the lead. I LOVED this book! It was beautifully Brutal, that would be the best way I can describe it. I fell in love with this series, when I began Last Hit, its just as amazing. So this was one book I waited and watched for. It was a book I didn’t want to end, I kept watching the pages go by thinking how am I going to read after this. Such and emotional journey.

★Jammie show less