Shiver

I knew going in that this was going to be a dark and twisty ride. What I didn't know, was how much I was going to like dark and twisty! There was no build up with this book... no teasers beforehand, barring the jacket cover posted a couple hours before the book released. What a wonderful treat that was!There are definite triggers in this book, so if that is something you are concerned about, go in with your eyes open!The characters in this are so beautiful, one in his depravity and one in his naivety! They complement each other so well, taking me on an emotional journey that left me wanting more! There is something profoundly hot about a commanding man leading his "lamb"! This is NOT a romance, it is however hauntingly romantic.Brooke and Ella have once again co-written an amazing story! Definite must read and shoots to the top of my 2017 best of list!

Jesse Clark is a recent archeology graduate trying to make ends meet. One night he accompanies his good friend to an exclusive sex club and discovers a completely new world. For Jesse, this one time is enough but unbeknownst to him, he’s been noticed by a man who excels in the hunt.Salvatore Wolfe is a man of exotic tastes and has the wealth and drive to get what he wants. Upon seeing Jesse in his club, his predatory instincts take over despite his efforts to avoid past mistakes. As a wolf on the prowl, he’s prepared to ensnare his little lamb.With Salvatore setting his traps, he couldn’t be more pleased by Jesse’s continued willingness to submit to his desires. For Jesse, Salvatore offers a place of safety and his trusting nature becomes a continued temptation. What ensues between these two is quite hot, as Salvatore is dominating in every way.Told in dual POV, it becomes immediately apparent that Wolfe is predator with a dark past. As he calculates and manipulates, he can’t hide his true feelings for the little bit of light in his life. While Jesse is much younger than Salvatore and a bit naïve, his character offers a needed balance and a sense of goodness. Knowing Salvatore’s true tastes, the sexual tension of what’s to come is intriguing.Overall, I enjoyed the predator and prey elements, along with Salvatore’s darker side. I was hoping for more of Salvatore’s past, but what was revealed remained aligned with his character right until the very satisfying end.Shiver is a story of lust and obsession where boundaries are crossed. This book will appeal to those who enjoy their MM action with some kinkery.

I must say I usually do not read books in the mm genre. I am typically more of a white picket fence, HEA, babies and wedding type of reader. I have always been a fan of Ella Frank and Brooke Blaine so I decided to give SHIVER a try. Went in with an open mind know it WASN’T romance, knowing there WASN’T a HEA and knowing there WASN’T going to be babies or a white picket fence. This book is straight up stalker. It’s an edge of your seat page turner. It’s dark and dangerous, twisted and if you have a warped sense of humor then pick it up and you will enjoy it. I say that because Wolfe is my new book boyfriend (tall, dark, handsome and mysterious). The Wolfe has found his prey…This is a standalone and for your sanity, that is probably a good thing.

“That boy’s not right…” Richard MarxHazard…I love that song and it instantly came to mind when the Wolfe mentioned that he was from a small town called Hazard so I was interested to read at the end of the book that the song inspired the story. I love it when music plays a part in an author’s thought process.This was definitely different and a little twisted but not as dark as I was expecting but that’s okay. I definitely enjoyed the ride. The story was engaging and intriguing and I wasn’t really sure how it was going to go until right up to the end. I had guessed how Lee died fairly quick in the story so that wasn’t surprising to me but it did not detract from the read since it really wasn’t sold as a mystery.The only problem I really had with the story was the fact that it was mentioned early on that Jesse had a degree in archaeology but archaeology was never mentioned again. Instead, he got a job in the paleontological wing of the local Museum of Natural History. He got excited about a gift from his lover of a mosasaur skeleton, his safe word was triceratops and he was at one point in the book excited about a research project involving comparing modern birds to those of the Cretaceous period. All things that my husband, with a doctorate in geology with a emphasis in paleontology would be extremely excited about and my friend with a degree in archaeology would have cared less about, and would more likely be excited about Incan pottery, arrowheads and have a safe word of hieroglyphs or Angkor Wat. All I can think is that Jesse’s degree subject must have been a mistake that wasn’t caught in the rewrites. Just a little off.“We used to walk along the river and dream a way out of this town.” Richard Marx

These authors are correct. This is not a love story. Part of me wanted these two to find some sort of happy ending. I wanted this to get wrapped up nicely by the end to make me feel better. But the authors did the right thing. It would have cheapened the story, as well as went against the characters, to have this all end nicely and sweetly. I really want more to these two interesting characters, but then I think where they ended it is just right. You can conclude your own theory on how things progress. I hope for happy things, even though the real world would not have that be a likely case.I was glad I read this. It took me a little out of my comfort zone, and I know for many people this might be too much to take. Wolfe is one hundred percent a stalker. It is wrong to romanticize that, which is why I think these authors did right by making what happened towards the end happen. It was interesting to get into Wolfe's head, and I think this story is likely to stick with me for a while. It is well written, very hot in many places, and a true mind f..k. Read at your own risk!