I enjoy Z.A. Maxfield's writing and this was no different. I'll admit that most of the characters in this book took me a bit of time to 'get to know' and some even to actually like. But they did grow on me and engaged me in their story.

The ending was a little abrupt, that would be a small whinge of mine, but then I always want more. I'm never quite ready to let any of the boys go... ( )

This isn't your traditional romance. The MCs are not perfect or even always likeable but both are good men at heart. The villain is a truly despicable and cruel man and yet loves his boy enough to let him go. Yves letter and plan had me in tears and yet Dylan and William's freedom is bought at unspeakable cost! A really satisfying book! ( )

DESCRIPTION DOES NOT DO IT JUSTICE

A little background - I'm working my way through a list of books that happen to be m/m. No real preference for the genre but I am big on seeing the world through different perspectives and will often read something simply bc someone I care about asked me too. After I read(listened to?) one such book, I stumbled across a list of similar books. I keep reading and listening through the list bc they have serious character and story development. This book was on the list but I kept skipping it because it felt like it would just be a bunch of pointless drama used as an excuse to convey "exotic" scenes. I can't explain it exactly but something in the description just kept screaming NO to me. I've actually seen many reviewers voice that description fails to do the story justice.

THE POINT -
Dylan is openly secret gay lover of a mob boss. He cares about his lover and believes that his lover cares about him. Dylan, up till now, has turned a firm blind eye to the fact that his pampered life is made possible by the fact his lover does some very bad things. However, when Dylan is kidnapped and then rescued, he is forced to make a choice. He can allow his lover to brutally murder someone in retribution, or save the man. The catch is that while the man was one of his kidnappers, he also had done all he could to protect Dylan from the other attackers.

William never wanted to be a gang banger. He never wanted to hurt anyone. He was a college student with his life ahead of him until the death of his grandmother forces him back into the world she had fought so hard to protect him from. Beaten, broken, scarred beyond belief, full of grief, and guilt, William must choose whether or not to trust the very man he had attacked or face certain death.

Together they have to fight to survive their injuries, the gang and mob, their pasts, and ultimately themselves. They must choose who can and can't be trusted and decide what they are willing to do and face whether it be together or alone.


This book goes even deeper than that though and really delves into how badly those we love most can hurt and betray us the most. It also explores how much we can misread a situation when blinded by emotion and fear. Plus, we see how badly a person's fears and pride can cause them to sabotage themselves.


OH and while there is definitely sexual content, I never felt like it was over the top controlling the book. When it was there, it served a purpose in moving the book forward which is a tough balance to strike with any book in the romance genre regardless of the genders involved. ( )

I liked this better than Drawn Together. I enjoy Z.A. Maxfield's voice and storytelling, mixing the mystery/action with the love story.


I love Dylan, he is such a sweetie who must somehow let his past mesh with his future to find balance. We see William as someone who can accept who Dylan is.

I really wanted to slap Peter up side the head several times, but I imagine that there are many men who are stuck in his position.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. ( )