ex-cop, law-enforcement, lawyers, ghetto, m/m-romance, m/m-mystery, language-issues, violence, violent-crimes, murder-investigation, corruption, friendship, friends, drugs-issues, suspense, thriller, threats, criminal-acts, criminal-injustice-system, crime-thriller, fiction, LGBT, PTSD, banter, snark-fest, family-drama, family-dynamics, action, unputdownable*****

The cop from the ghetto who didn't die but was tossed out of the force collides with a really up-tight high end attorney and the sparks (and bullets) fly. Fast paced with nonstop action and a lot of really convincing characters made this made this intense thrill ride unstoppable. And the narration by voice actor Greg Tremblay knocks it up more than a notch! ( )

This story is INTENSE. Relentless is the word I used on Twitter, at 29% in. I finished this in a day. It's not a short book. I just couldn't put it down. Jackson is just... Well. His pet is perfect for him. And Ellery. I see what Amy Lane did there, just before she starts to show us who he really is. In fact, watch how she offers tropes, and then reshapes expectations, sometimes in one swift kick, but more often subtly. I see a few now that blended in too well while I was in the words. It's masterful writing. I'm glad I've learned enough to appreciate it!

I read this a year ago, that's the original review above. The second reading was even better. I didn't have to be in such a hurry, and I noticed more. The fifth book in this series comes out Oct 15. I wish I had it right now! ( )

I found this one challenging to get truly invested in, which is rare for me with an Amy Lane book. There was just something about the characters that didn't really click for me, and I had to work at times to keep reading. The pacing also seemed a bit off. I guess this one just wasn't my cup of tea. ( )

Jackson and Elery...two men from two completely different walks of life that collide unexpectedly. From the moment they came together they each knew that deep down neither will walk away. They fight and they tease like cats and dogs...yet they work together like a well-oiled machine. Eventually it turns out that neither can imagine life without the other. Someone is out to get Jackson Rivers. He survived once, but this time it involves his family and the one man who came close enough to see his tortured soul...but loves him anyway...warts and all. They dodge bullets...car crashes...thefts....and dirty cops who will stop at nothing to wreck one family's life. It's a constant roller coaster of ups and downs, wins and losses, safety and danger. Added to the cast is Billy Bob the cat who has a penchant for German shepherds. Pity the German shepherd. There is not a boring minute. I loved every page and am looking forward to book #2. ( )

I cannot in good faith continue this book.

Because I'm finding it both overtly and inadvertently racist. It takes some work, but I think it's there.
One fatherless black family with a super young mother (because of course) takes in a underfed white boy (they feed him chicken fwiw) sprinkle in the adult hyper sexual sassy sister (Jade) who scares the pants off white lawyer from posh family (Ellery) who is a little too 'rough' for Ellery despite only showing her full attitude (or some such reference by the author) the first time they are in the office together about an hour in....AND which Ellery never says about white ex-cop Jackson...even though Jackson considers himself a sibling to her brother, Kaden, who is in the slammer framed up for being a cop killer. So, I wonder what the difference could be...basically the same mom...same brother...huh, whatever could make her seem so threatening.

Look, the premise isn't bad. In fact, there's a BUNCH of great stuff here. Dirty cops, racist cops, and some of this set-up I was all about letting slide (let it also be known that Kaden knocked up his girlfriend young but is a wonderful and present father) BUT....it was starting to add up....I hope you see. If you don't, it's fine, but I feel a review of it is important in the way that I heard/read it.

BUT then there's this moment where Kaden tells Jackson that his neighbor is racist. To which Jackson,who claims this man is his brother, 'he's not racist, he's just old.'

So imagine me kicking my pocket computer to the moon. Or, no, rather gripping the steering wheel really nice and tight--teeth gritted. If there's something I've learned in this life? No one gets to tell me what is sexist, if I decide it is, and I better not go around refuting people of color's feelings on racism. Much less make any excuse-old?

And then the inadvertent part began to dawn. Jackson is so enlightened, while his ex-gf/sister type is uh...homophobe, and Kaden is similarly 'macho' and then Jackson's all kneeling at Kaden's feet letting him know he'll look after Rhonda and the kids and they will all be saved...

By Jackson and Ellery. The white dudes. Because of course.

So, yeah, I don't watch those movies. I won't read those books. And the portrayal of the black family felt more than a little cringe-worthy and inauthentic here. I'll be returning this one. ( )