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Nights at Mata Hari #1
Every Breath You Take
Someone is murdering young gay men in Washington, DC.
When Zachary Hall leaves Utah for a job in Washington, it’s finally his chance to live as a gay man and maybe find someone special. In a bar he meets Thomas Scarborough, a man who seems perfect in and out of the bedroom. But Thomas never dates. He never even sleeps with the same man twice. Despite their instant connection, he can offer Zachary only his friendship, and Zachary is looking for more.
Thomas is tempted to break his own rules, but years before, he became the victim of a stalker who nearly destroyed his life. Even though his stalker died, Thomas obsessively keeps others at a distance. Despite his fascination with Zachary, he is unable to lower his barriers. Frustrated, Zachary accepts he will never have what he wants with Thomas and soon finds it with another man.
But the dead gay men all have a connection to Thomas. Once again someone is watching Thomas’s every move. Can it be a coincidence? When the depraved killer turns his attention toward Zachary, Thomas must face the demons of his past—or lose his chance to open his heart to Zachary forever.
Every Breath You Take is a gay romantic suspense novel with no cliffhanger and a happy ending. Trigger warning for references to child abuse. It is part of the Nights at Mata Hari series but can be read as a standalone.
Another publisher previously released this novel with a different cover. The current publisher has made only editorial changes to this edition.
When Zachary Hall leaves Utah for a job in Washington, it’s finally his chance to live as a gay man and maybe find someone special. In a bar he meets Thomas Scarborough, a man who seems perfect in and out of the bedroom. But Thomas never dates. He never even sleeps with the same man twice. Despite their instant connection, he can offer Zachary only his friendship, and Zachary is looking for more.
Thomas is tempted to break his own rules, but years before, he became the victim of a stalker who nearly destroyed his life. Even though his stalker died, Thomas obsessively keeps others at a distance. Despite his fascination with Zachary, he is unable to lower his barriers. Frustrated, Zachary accepts he will never have what he wants with Thomas and soon finds it with another man.
But the dead gay men all have a connection to Thomas. Once again someone is watching Thomas’s every move. Can it be a coincidence? When the depraved killer turns his attention toward Zachary, Thomas must face the demons of his past—or lose his chance to open his heart to Zachary forever.
Every Breath You Take is a gay romantic suspense novel with no cliffhanger and a happy ending. Trigger warning for references to child abuse. It is part of the Nights at Mata Hari series but can be read as a standalone.
Another publisher previously released this novel with a different cover. The current publisher has made only editorial changes to this edition.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 2017
22 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Robert Winter
19 books351 followersRobert Winter is a recovering lawyer who likes writing about hot men in love much more than drafting a legal brief. Once upon a time, he went to Georgetown University law school. Upon graduation, he moved to New York to work in a large law firm, but later returned to Washington, DC. The legal work was entertaining and Robert spent a lot of time in bankruptcy court, usually representing either groups of creditor or the debtors themselves. But legal work didn’t satisfy the urge Robert felt to tell stories.
When he turned 50, Robert left behind the (allegedly) glamorous world of international law firms and bankruptcy court to pursue his real passion. Now he spends time with his husband in Montreal, QC.
When Robert isn’t writing, he loves to cook Indian food. The aromas of the spice blends excite and challenge him. Although he’s never been to India, the food seems comforting and home-like. Add a trip to the Golden Triangle to the bucket list!
When he turned 50, Robert left behind the (allegedly) glamorous world of international law firms and bankruptcy court to pursue his real passion. Now he spends time with his husband in Montreal, QC.
When Robert isn’t writing, he loves to cook Indian food. The aromas of the spice blends excite and challenge him. Although he’s never been to India, the food seems comforting and home-like. Add a trip to the Golden Triangle to the bucket list!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
May 10, 2017
3.5 Hearts
Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I'll be watching you
Oh can't you see
You belong to me
My poor heart aches
With every step you take
When you first heard that illustrious song did you think it was a love song? I did. Until I really listened to the lyrics and thought:
Sting's seductive voice masked its underlying FAKE NEWS lub! What the song and this book are about is obsession.
Thomas had a stalker in Seattle that destroyed his life, forced him to change his name, cost him his job, any semblance of a relationship with his parents and prompted a cross country move. Thomas being painfully attractive and well aware of his irresistibility began his sexual journey at 14 and embraced the one and done. He tried the long term thing a couple times but it didn't take. One night he makes the worst smash 'n dash mistake of his life and lands himself in the sights of Creepy McCrayCray.
Once he's free of Creepy he continues his philandering ways which, quite frankly, puzzled me. There is an explanation but... *squints* For argument's sake let's say I do buy it, so my question then becomes why continue to hit bars? Why not move to Grindr where the "come and go, thanks bro." mentality is more commonplace? What's more, why in the Sam hell does he continue to bring randoms back to his place?
I did like Thomas but his self-denial where Zachary's concerned frustrated me and dragged out too long. Also, *SOAPBOX MOMENT* this whole fidelity thing in the romance genre particularly in this instance feels so contrived. I get that the majority of romance readers aren't interested in reading about their MCs being with others, but Thomas has acquired a line of dudes he's dicked down longer than a line for a Taylor Swift concert and I'm supposed to believe that he goes cold turkey after he and Zachary boink? Once?
I was born at night but it wasn't last night, ok?
Anywhat, enough of my soapboxing.
Zachary is younger than Thomas and he reads younger. He's like a gamboling puppy, speaks before he thinks and has a naiveté about him that makes him immediately likable. He's exceptionally forthright without artifice and isn't afraid to call people out when needed, like Thomas.
Every Breath You Take is told from several different perspectives including Thomas and Zachary. They aren't together for much of it, but they think about the other near constantly which was both sweet and salty.
However, when they are together...
Somebody unexpectedly becomes Bossy McTopperton and somebody got drilled! *grunts* Believe me when I say it was amazemagastic. This author doesn't hold back on the deets and bless him for it. If you appreciate the fine art of analingus and completely wrecking a bottom, you've found the gay sex equivalent of Mecca. Go forth, my friends, but make sure all your things are powered up. #ProTip
So, HUGE check on the sexual chemistry. I'm pretty sure in my "checking" of said box I left a gaping hole in the questionnaire. Oops. It's amazing how lead just goes straight through paper when you're busy swallowing your tongue. Like a knife through butter, I tell ya.
Since you've gone I been lost without a trace
I dream at night I can only see your face
I look around but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying baby, baby, please
The narrative is balanced between the serial killer and romance plot lines. I didn't expect to be bowled over by the thriller plot line, but Winter did a great job making Psycho McWowsers incredibly deranged, diabolical and unhinged. I shuddered more than once. The action parts of the narrative were well done, though the end was a bit anti-climatic.
There were some splendid secondary characters too. If you read September then you'll remember Joe and Terry. I really love Joe and that he got a larger role in this book, but I think the Joe/Terry subplot was distracting. Randy is an amazing friend and I would not be upset in the slightest if he were to show up again somewhere. Torres is the investigating officer and she's smart, not easily intimidated nor egomaniacal. I'm seeing more and more strong female characters in m/m who aren't clichés and this is a trend I'm heartily in favor of.
While reading Every Breath You Take I experienced a range of feels and I liked it, but I do think it could've been tightened up. There were lulls in the middle I had to push through, but overall, the story was woven together strongly with good characterizations and a sweet HEA. Maybe the HEA was a little OTT and I waffled on whether or not the dialogue was cheesy. It probably is, but I'm guessing Thomas is mid to late 30's and in love for the first time, so let your sap flag fly, T! I ain't mad at it!
Recommended to fans of thrillers and smutters who go for AMAZEMAGASTIC, SMOKING HOT, TONGUE SLAP YOUR BRAINS OUT SEX!
You're welcome.
A review copy was provided.
September 7, 2017
Cross-posted at Shelf Inflicted and at Outlaw Reviews
Well written, and a whole lot of fun!
Zachary Hall left his oppressive home in Utah and took a job in Washington, DC, where he can thrive in his career and live life on his own terms. The only thing that’s missing in his life is that special someone.
At the Mata Hari, his first gay bar, he meets Thomas Scarborough, a gorgeous, self-confident man who appeals to Zachary. Despite their mutual attraction and connection, Thomas is very skittish about commitment, but wants to remain friends, while Zachary is looking for more than just great sex.
While Thomas’ feelings toward Zachary are strong, he is not forthcoming about the stress and trauma in his past caused by a very persistent stalker who is now dead. Frustrated, Zachary finds comfort in a new relationship with Sam Ryder, a man he meets on a business trip to New Orleans. Zachary and Sam have a lot in common, and while Zachary finds him attractive and appreciates that he wants to take things slowly, there is no real spark like there is with Thomas.
Meanwhile, gay men are getting brutally murdered in DC and someone has his eyes set on Thomas – and on Zachary.
The mystery is predictable. I knew who the villain was as soon as he was introduced. What I enjoyed most about this story is the blazing attraction between Thomas and Zachary, their sexual exploration and experimentation, the suspense and tension, and the insight into a very sick mind.
There is a wonderful cast of secondary characters. I especially loved Randy the bartender, a very close friend of Thomas, and Joe Mulholland, a former monk and teacher who wants to make the world a better place.
I could have used a little more bonding time between Zachary and Thomas to help convince me their love was real, but they had their hands full with working together, trying not to be the next victims of a vicious stalker. That’s probably more than enough to forge a bond.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and look forward to more from this author.
*This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
Well written, and a whole lot of fun!
Zachary Hall left his oppressive home in Utah and took a job in Washington, DC, where he can thrive in his career and live life on his own terms. The only thing that’s missing in his life is that special someone.
At the Mata Hari, his first gay bar, he meets Thomas Scarborough, a gorgeous, self-confident man who appeals to Zachary. Despite their mutual attraction and connection, Thomas is very skittish about commitment, but wants to remain friends, while Zachary is looking for more than just great sex.
While Thomas’ feelings toward Zachary are strong, he is not forthcoming about the stress and trauma in his past caused by a very persistent stalker who is now dead. Frustrated, Zachary finds comfort in a new relationship with Sam Ryder, a man he meets on a business trip to New Orleans. Zachary and Sam have a lot in common, and while Zachary finds him attractive and appreciates that he wants to take things slowly, there is no real spark like there is with Thomas.
Meanwhile, gay men are getting brutally murdered in DC and someone has his eyes set on Thomas – and on Zachary.
The mystery is predictable. I knew who the villain was as soon as he was introduced. What I enjoyed most about this story is the blazing attraction between Thomas and Zachary, their sexual exploration and experimentation, the suspense and tension, and the insight into a very sick mind.
There is a wonderful cast of secondary characters. I especially loved Randy the bartender, a very close friend of Thomas, and Joe Mulholland, a former monk and teacher who wants to make the world a better place.
I could have used a little more bonding time between Zachary and Thomas to help convince me their love was real, but they had their hands full with working together, trying not to be the next victims of a vicious stalker. That’s probably more than enough to forge a bond.
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and look forward to more from this author.
*This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2018
Stalker = a person who harasses or persecutes someone with unwanted and obsessive attention (Def. according to Oxford Dictionaries)
Every Breath You Take conveys a sense of how creepy, nerve-wracking and life-altering such an obsession can be for the person in the center of this attention...
"Evil comes into our lives for many reasons and in many different ways, but it's madness to imagine we have control or that we can single-handedly stop it. All we can do is face it and fight."
... but it also reminds the reader that in most cases there is a reason for such a behaviour.
Thomas Scarborough experienced this kind of fixation firsthand years ago, when a casual hookup ends up with him being in the crosshairs of someone who traces his every move. Although the stalker dropped off the radar by reported suicide, the whole incident almost destroyed Thomas's life and resulted in him taking serious precautions regarding his love life. He always led the life of a playboy, with his extreme good looks and wealthy background, but now his sole coping and defense mechanism consists of one big rule in his life: no hookup gets a repeat and no one stays the night.
His rule unravels when he meets Zachary Hall in a gay bar, a young man who escaped his small hometown to avoid coming out to his parents and to explore his sexuality without the fear of being exposed. Both men feel attracted to each other from the very beginning, but they also sense that this attraction could go deeper, ...
"You already know how handsome you are to me—don’t you dare smirk—but I think you’re even more beautiful inside." ~Zach~
... deeper than especially Thomas feels comfortable with. He tries his hardest to stick to his own rule, up to the point that Zach decides to move on and messes around with another man, but something in Zach makes it hard to keep Thomas's resolve up and he begins to care for Zach in a way that is completely new to him. Due to the gruesome death of young gay men in his social environment, Thomas's fear of being targeted yet again by someone whose obsession seems to escalate comes to life again and this time it is entirely possible that he is gunning for Zach...
At the beginning of the book I found it a bit hard to connect with the characters, but soon it became apparent that there is more to both men than meets the eye. Thomas hides his vulnerable side well by behaving a bit like a slut, but I loved that he uses his power and money to help people in need. He is the burnt child that dreads the fire and allows only a few select people to come near him, but he is utterly loyal to those who belong to his inner circle. Zach, who seems to me to be a bit naive at the beginning, proves to be a smart and witty guy who impresses with his amiable personality and his charme.
Admittedly, the writing style was sometimes a tad cheesy for my taste, especially near the ending in a situation when things were about to be resolved and it evoked more than one eye-roll from me. And the terms of endearment did sometimes sound a bit... strange. Seriously? Who the hell says to his lover "What do you need, sweet man?"???
What also niggled me was that the 'L' word came once again far too soon, especially since both men acknowledge the fact that they barely know each other. For me, love needs to be developed and established over time and both men definitely had not enough on-screen time together to accomplish that. On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised, though, that they took their time to deal with the aftermath of everything what happened and did not dive headfirst into a relationship.
Boy, everything in between, though? Compelling! The story captivated me and I could hardly put my Kindle down. The stalker seriously gave me the creeps right from the start and his escalation has been portrayed in a very believable fashion.
What amazed me the most, though, was the sex. Holy hotness...
THRILLING. SIZZLING. HOT.
Thomas and Zach definitely had chemistry and -damn- did Zach explore his sexuality... He helped Thomas discover a new side to himself buried so deep he never even knew he possessed. Believe me when I say, you will love a bossy Zach and his dirty talk. ;-)
Contributing to this engaging story were also some great side characters. Joe was such a sweetheart and Randy definitely made me want to read his story. I hope there will be a chance to get his book someday. Recommended!
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession
May 30, 2017
Robert Winter has written a very engaging crime mystery m/m romance novel.
It took me forever to unravel the "who dunnit". There are quite a few twists and turns. There is also some horrific killing which may need a trigger warning. The scenes are not super detailed but there's enough information that I was cringing away from my e-reader.
The entire plot is tied together by the developing romance between our two main characters, Zachary and Thomas. Their story shows what happens when we meet "the one". We see how our perceptions change. Often, our lifestyle changes as well.
I could have used a little more on page time between the two to really buy in to their feelings for each other. But, with the crime plot taking me on it's crazy ride, I didn't have a big problem suspending disbelief.
I thought the side characters were extremely well done. The circle of friends and family felt realistic and were easy to picture. Even the police force felt realistic.
If I have a single complaint, it is that the dialogue felt a little stilted. I especially noticed it at the beginning before the crime plot reeled me in. However, I again have to say that the plot was engaging enough that I overlooked the niggle and thoroughly enjoyed the story.
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
It took me forever to unravel the "who dunnit". There are quite a few twists and turns. There is also some horrific killing which may need a trigger warning. The scenes are not super detailed but there's enough information that I was cringing away from my e-reader.
The entire plot is tied together by the developing romance between our two main characters, Zachary and Thomas. Their story shows what happens when we meet "the one". We see how our perceptions change. Often, our lifestyle changes as well.
I could have used a little more on page time between the two to really buy in to their feelings for each other. But, with the crime plot taking me on it's crazy ride, I didn't have a big problem suspending disbelief.
I thought the side characters were extremely well done. The circle of friends and family felt realistic and were easy to picture. Even the police force felt realistic.
If I have a single complaint, it is that the dialogue felt a little stilted. I especially noticed it at the beginning before the crime plot reeled me in. However, I again have to say that the plot was engaging enough that I overlooked the niggle and thoroughly enjoyed the story.
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2017
**4.5 stars**
Beware : this story is stronger on the suspense than on the romance and with some disturbing references to sexual abuse. But it’s worth it !!
A man has been brutally murdered and the investigation leads the cops to a gay bar where the victim has last been seen. The same bar that Zachary, freshly arrived in Washington from a little town with not a lot of opportunities for a gay man, chooses as his starting point for making friends and enjoying his freedom as being gay. And he does meet some people that helps him to settle in Washington. Among them, Zachary feels deeply attracted to Thomas and this leads to an explosive night. But Thomas has a rule : no repeat, no exception, even for Zachary. He may be perceived as an asshole, but that’s the way he deals with his past, ie being the central attention of a now dead stalker.
Zachary has a hard time to accept these rules but put up a nice front to move on, while Thomas is greatly disturbed by the police investigation that stirs unwelcomed memories.
The plot is gripping, full of twists and exuding creepiness as the insanity of the past reaches its pick while Zachary and Thomas dance around each other with Zachary confused about the vibes he gets from Thomas and with Thomas forced to revaluate his life.
Add to that 2 great secondary characters : Joe, the ex-monk, and a real piece of sunshine and Randy, Thomas’s friend and owner of the bar where a lot of action takes place.
My only niggle is about the romance between Zachary and Thomas : I wish it could have been more developed (and let be honest, more steamy), which, imo, would have made for a better and meaningful ending. It didn’t prevent for a great and smoking hot epilogue, though.
Another great BR with Karen, Josy, Heather and Jan and with Simone supporting us. These ladies rock, no kidding !! And a common comment : “68%...oh shit”
Beware : this story is stronger on the suspense than on the romance and with some disturbing references to sexual abuse. But it’s worth it !!
A man has been brutally murdered and the investigation leads the cops to a gay bar where the victim has last been seen. The same bar that Zachary, freshly arrived in Washington from a little town with not a lot of opportunities for a gay man, chooses as his starting point for making friends and enjoying his freedom as being gay. And he does meet some people that helps him to settle in Washington. Among them, Zachary feels deeply attracted to Thomas and this leads to an explosive night. But Thomas has a rule : no repeat, no exception, even for Zachary. He may be perceived as an asshole, but that’s the way he deals with his past, ie being the central attention of a now dead stalker.
Zachary has a hard time to accept these rules but put up a nice front to move on, while Thomas is greatly disturbed by the police investigation that stirs unwelcomed memories.
The plot is gripping, full of twists and exuding creepiness as the insanity of the past reaches its pick while Zachary and Thomas dance around each other with Zachary confused about the vibes he gets from Thomas and with Thomas forced to revaluate his life.
”If I could let anyone in, Zach, it would be you”
Add to that 2 great secondary characters : Joe, the ex-monk, and a real piece of sunshine and Randy, Thomas’s friend and owner of the bar where a lot of action takes place.
My only niggle is about the romance between Zachary and Thomas : I wish it could have been more developed (and let be honest, more steamy), which, imo, would have made for a better and meaningful ending. It didn’t prevent for a great and smoking hot epilogue, though.
Another great BR with Karen, Josy, Heather and Jan and with Simone supporting us. These ladies rock, no kidding !! And a common comment : “68%...oh shit”
May 4, 2017
"Every Breath You Take," written by Sting, was the number one song of 1983. While some think this song is suitable for weddings and other romantic events, Sting himself said "I think the song is very, very sinister and ugly and people have actually misinterpreted it as being a gentle little love song, when it's quite the opposite." When reading Robert Winter's Every Breath You Take, keep these lyrics in mind because this book is majorly creepy and will demand your interest from page 1:
Zachary quickly finds a group of friends at the bar - Joe the former Franciscan monk and his husband Terry, Miss Ethel at the piano, bar owner Randy who is a seriously gorgeous muscle daddy (and former Secret Service agent) - and ends up volunteering at the homeless shelter that is Joe's passion. And although it's difficult, Zachary and Thomas work at keeping their relationship in the friend zone.
While I had some difficulty with Thomas initially, I loved how the relationship with Zachary changed Thomas' preconceptions and their chemistry was combustible.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take ... I'll be watching you. Every single day, every word you say, every game you play, every night you stay ... I'll be watching you.Nice guy Zachary moves to DC from Utah, meets Thomas ("the most handsome man Zachary had ever seen") on his first (ever) foray into a gay bar and goes home with him for a night of oh-so-very-hot sex. But it turns out Thomas is kind of a jerk - his rules are one-night stands only, no repeats and no one spends the night. Then again Thomas certainly has a valid reason since his life and career were devastated by a stalker and it only stopped upon the stalker's reported suicide.
Zachary quickly finds a group of friends at the bar - Joe the former Franciscan monk and his husband Terry, Miss Ethel at the piano, bar owner Randy who is a seriously gorgeous muscle daddy (and former Secret Service agent) - and ends up volunteering at the homeless shelter that is Joe's passion. And although it's difficult, Zachary and Thomas work at keeping their relationship in the friend zone.
“If I could let anyone in, Zach, it would be you.”But always on the fringes is an unnamed stalker who obsessively watches Thomas, calling him the Beloved. The stalker is truly terrifying (think Criminal Minds) in the ways he observes Thomas' every move and Winter does an excellent job of balancing the romantic elements of the story with the unfolding horror of murders that seem to have a connection to Thomas. Without revealing too much, there's a well-done red herring plus the slow discovery of secrets from the past and Winter doubles down on a frightening and suspenseful resolution.
While I had some difficulty with Thomas initially, I loved how the relationship with Zachary changed Thomas' preconceptions and their chemistry was combustible.
All those years he had maintained a careful distance and control. He had always taken charge as he found his pleasure in the bodies of countless men. Yet Zach had taught him something new about his own body and his own desires that he never before recognized.4.5 stars for "Every Breath You Take"and I'm hoping there is a sequel featuring Randy.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
May 20, 2017
So if you're anything like me...
when you saw this book title the first thing that came to your mind was something like this...
Anyways, my point here is that this song is very appropriate to this book. So needless to say, I didn't have to look long or hard to find a song for this book.
This was another super awesome buddy read with my besties Josy & Christelle and made even funner with the addition of Jan & Heather and the icing on our cake we had our own personal stalker cheerleader the ever awesome Simone.
To say that this story was very different from this author's first book 'September' is a bit of an understatement and while after much consideration I have to say I did like 'September' more but that doesn't negate that I enjoyed this book. 'Every Breath You Take' is a solid mystery/thriller with a definitely romance backing it up and I love a good mystery/thriller add in some romance and I'm totally on board.
Thomas and Zachary are drawn to each other and while Thomas is clear from the the start that he doesn't do relationships...he's a one and done type of guy...at least that's what he says. He also seems to send mixed messages leaving Zach feeling more than a little confused at times. As things play out between Thomas and Zach young men are dying and the only connection the police can find is Thomas.
I have to admit I was totally fascinated with the mystery in this one and I enjoyed it from start to finish and that's all I'm saying about that...because spoiling a mystery is just bad form. I have to admit it was the romance that fell a little bit short for me on this one. Not even because I wanted more, since given the circumstances and events that were playing out more just wouldn't have seemed realistic...nope what threw me was that there were a couple of things that happened on the romance side that just felt a little off kilter. Between Thomas and Zach, from start to finish it was consistently Thomas who acted and gave the impression of being the dominant partner in this pairing and yet we are suddenly presented with Zach as being not only dominant but rather aggressive in the bedroom.
I think if there had even been the tiniest hint of this possibility somewhere along the way it would have felt less awkward (yeah, I'm borrowing your word on this one Jan because if the shoe fits...) In general while this was only one thing it did impact an important part of the story which was the romance between Thomas and Zach.
Aside from the mystery one of my favorite parts of this book was some of the secondary characters...we actually got to see more of Joe and Terry, who we first met in the book September and Joe...oh, what can we say about Joe...he's sweet, adorable, kind, loving...yeah, everyone should have a Joe in their life...as for Terry...well, he's got some redemption to earn so time will tell. Maybe, with any luck these two will get their own book. The other secondary character who I would just love to know more about and see get his own HEA is Thomas's friend and bar owner Randy. Randy was awesome and I really would love to see who the author thinks would be the right person for him.
There's definitely no mystery about the fact that I'm looking forward to future books from this author...mystery or romance or a combination of both matters not to me just sign me up and I'll happily read it.
when you saw this book title the first thing that came to your mind was something like this...
"Oh can't you seeBack in 1983 a group called 'The Police' recorded a song by the same title as this book 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police is a song about an obsessive stalker and if you go on You Tube and google 'top 10 stalker songs' at the top of that rather interesting list you'll find 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police. Now this might be surprising for some...not me, sorry that song has always made my skin crawl...seriously it's all in the lyrics.
You belong to me
My poor heart aches
With every step you take"
Anyways, my point here is that this song is very appropriate to this book. So needless to say, I didn't have to look long or hard to find a song for this book.
This was another super awesome buddy read with my besties Josy & Christelle and made even funner with the addition of Jan & Heather and the icing on our cake we had our own personal stalker cheerleader the ever awesome Simone.
To say that this story was very different from this author's first book 'September' is a bit of an understatement and while after much consideration I have to say I did like 'September' more but that doesn't negate that I enjoyed this book. 'Every Breath You Take' is a solid mystery/thriller with a definitely romance backing it up and I love a good mystery/thriller add in some romance and I'm totally on board.
Thomas and Zachary are drawn to each other and while Thomas is clear from the the start that he doesn't do relationships...he's a one and done type of guy...at least that's what he says. He also seems to send mixed messages leaving Zach feeling more than a little confused at times. As things play out between Thomas and Zach young men are dying and the only connection the police can find is Thomas.
I have to admit I was totally fascinated with the mystery in this one and I enjoyed it from start to finish and that's all I'm saying about that...because spoiling a mystery is just bad form. I have to admit it was the romance that fell a little bit short for me on this one. Not even because I wanted more, since given the circumstances and events that were playing out more just wouldn't have seemed realistic...nope what threw me was that there were a couple of things that happened on the romance side that just felt a little off kilter. Between Thomas and Zach, from start to finish it was consistently Thomas who acted and gave the impression of being the dominant partner in this pairing and yet we are suddenly presented with Zach as being not only dominant but rather aggressive in the bedroom.
I think if there had even been the tiniest hint of this possibility somewhere along the way it would have felt less awkward (yeah, I'm borrowing your word on this one Jan because if the shoe fits...) In general while this was only one thing it did impact an important part of the story which was the romance between Thomas and Zach.
Aside from the mystery one of my favorite parts of this book was some of the secondary characters...we actually got to see more of Joe and Terry, who we first met in the book September and Joe...oh, what can we say about Joe...he's sweet, adorable, kind, loving...yeah, everyone should have a Joe in their life...as for Terry...well, he's got some redemption to earn so time will tell. Maybe, with any luck these two will get their own book. The other secondary character who I would just love to know more about and see get his own HEA is Thomas's friend and bar owner Randy. Randy was awesome and I really would love to see who the author thinks would be the right person for him.
There's definitely no mystery about the fact that I'm looking forward to future books from this author...mystery or romance or a combination of both matters not to me just sign me up and I'll happily read it.
July 18, 2022
As I've said before about Robert Winter's September and Asylum...they are absolutely fantastic books and characters. When I saw the series "Nights at Mata Hari" by Winters, with Every Breath You Take being book 1, and thought since I liked the others so much, why not? This series is slightly different. Where the two books I mentioned were more M/M romance stories, this one is more of a mystery with some pretty hot guys and some romance thrown into the mix. I understood Thomas's theory for only taking guys home with him once and no repeats...but didn't think that was going to work out for him for very long, especially when he met Zachary and how different his feelings were for Zach than any of the others. Now about the killer...I was half right...but also half wrong. Absolutely brilliant the way you sneaked that one in Mr. Winter! I have book 2 in this series, Lying Eyes... and Robert Winter is still on the top of my favorite authors of all times list, even if he did only let me be half right and made me stay up really late to find out just how wrong I was.
May 18, 2017
This starts with a bang that immediately sucks you into the book. Never read anything that had a stalker in it before. And this one is pretty gruesome.
Robert Winter really got to me with those creepy scenes where we are in the mind of the perpetrator. (in the best possible way). This is where I should mention that this book is written from multiple POVs, but the main emphasis is on the MCs, so no worries there!
Of course we know from the blurb that Zach will be on the radar of the crazy stalker eventually, which creates a nice bit tension throughout. For some reason though the scene where the MCs finally face off with that maniac fell a bit flat for me. Maybe what happened was too predictable?
Zach is cute and very sympathetic. But I found it difficult to buy the dichotomy between his often quoted innocence and the way he behaved in bed.
Thomas is a bit of a mystery man. We know he is really gorgeous, and we know he has got extreme commitment issues. Yes, we find out why to some extent, but I never felt we got the whole story. Would he not have gone for therapy after his ordeal? Or sought out some other help? I also had trouble to understand why he couldn't/ wouldn't break his bad habits and ingrained fear.
I agree with Jan (Jan's review) about the secondary characters. Joe and Randy are brilliant side-kicks I wouldn't mind getting to know better another time!
Although I enjoyed the mystery part of the book the romance was definitely too laid back for me, There is some good UST, lots of yearning, but I would have liked the MCs to interact more with each other throughout the book.
All in all a nice book and a good read.
ARC received from author via Indigo Marketing And Design in exchange for an honest review.
Robert Winter really got to me with those creepy scenes where we are in the mind of the perpetrator. (in the best possible way). This is where I should mention that this book is written from multiple POVs, but the main emphasis is on the MCs, so no worries there!
Of course we know from the blurb that Zach will be on the radar of the crazy stalker eventually, which creates a nice bit tension throughout. For some reason though the scene where the MCs finally face off with that maniac fell a bit flat for me. Maybe what happened was too predictable?
Zach is cute and very sympathetic. But I found it difficult to buy the dichotomy between his often quoted innocence and the way he behaved in bed.
Thomas is a bit of a mystery man. We know he is really gorgeous, and we know he has got extreme commitment issues. Yes, we find out why to some extent, but I never felt we got the whole story. Would he not have gone for therapy after his ordeal? Or sought out some other help? I also had trouble to understand why he couldn't/ wouldn't break his bad habits and ingrained fear.
I agree with Jan (Jan's review) about the secondary characters. Joe and Randy are brilliant side-kicks I wouldn't mind getting to know better another time!
Although I enjoyed the mystery part of the book the romance was definitely too laid back for me, There is some good UST, lots of yearning, but I would have liked the MCs to interact more with each other throughout the book.
All in all a nice book and a good read.
ARC received from author via Indigo Marketing And Design in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2017
Robert Winter’s Every Breath You Take is a fast paced gem of a mystery with two intriguing main characters and a creative cast of supporting players. This is the first chance I’ve had to read anything by this author and his smooth and witty writing captivated me from the opening scene to the action packed conclusion.
The prologue sets up the story with a grisly murder and gives just a hint of what’s to come. This part of the story unfolds gradually while the main characters are introduced.
Zachary, a young man recently moved to Washington DC, chooses the piano bar Mata Hari for his first experience in living an openly gay life. When he meets Thomas at the bar their mutual attraction is undeniable, and Zachary goes home with him for a night of incredibly hot sex. While Zachary has hopes for a long term commitment, or at least a second date, he is put off by Thomas for whom “sex is a onetime thing”. Thomas has been hurt in the past and can’t bring himself to become emotionally involved, so he has filled the last few years with meaningless one night stands.
I love the way Robert Winter writes his characters.
The portrayal of Thomas is beautifully done. I got so deep into Thomas’ head and could really understand his fears, his conflicting emotions, and why he does what he does. He has spent his life feeling appreciated for his looks, wealth, and connections and recognizes how shallow he has become. When he realizes Zachary sees beyond those things, he starts to wish for a life for himself and to become the man Zach sees. It is a wonderful character study of which I’ve never read better.
The creepiness of the stalker/murderer is nicely done. Again, Winter gets into this guy’s head and it is off the charts.
What goes through his mind, the planning he does, and how he reasons everything out is absolutely perfect. I’m still reeling from the final scene.
I’m so glad I discovered this author and I highly recommend Every Breath You Take. I hope Robert Winter plans to write many more books as I’m officially a fan.
The prologue sets up the story with a grisly murder and gives just a hint of what’s to come. This part of the story unfolds gradually while the main characters are introduced.
Zachary, a young man recently moved to Washington DC, chooses the piano bar Mata Hari for his first experience in living an openly gay life. When he meets Thomas at the bar their mutual attraction is undeniable, and Zachary goes home with him for a night of incredibly hot sex. While Zachary has hopes for a long term commitment, or at least a second date, he is put off by Thomas for whom “sex is a onetime thing”. Thomas has been hurt in the past and can’t bring himself to become emotionally involved, so he has filled the last few years with meaningless one night stands.
I love the way Robert Winter writes his characters.
The portrayal of Thomas is beautifully done. I got so deep into Thomas’ head and could really understand his fears, his conflicting emotions, and why he does what he does. He has spent his life feeling appreciated for his looks, wealth, and connections and recognizes how shallow he has become. When he realizes Zachary sees beyond those things, he starts to wish for a life for himself and to become the man Zach sees. It is a wonderful character study of which I’ve never read better.
The creepiness of the stalker/murderer is nicely done. Again, Winter gets into this guy’s head and it is off the charts.
What goes through his mind, the planning he does, and how he reasons everything out is absolutely perfect. I’m still reeling from the final scene.
I’m so glad I discovered this author and I highly recommend Every Breath You Take. I hope Robert Winter plans to write many more books as I’m officially a fan.
July 19, 2017
This book hit two of my personal least-favorite tropes, so four stars means it did well, in keeping me reading. I've become less and less of a fan of sexual stalkers as plot devices (especially nastily violent and yet elaborate stalkers) and I don't like being in the antagonist's POV, (unless it shows us his/her deeply conflicted complexity.) This book features both. However it also features Zachary, an appealing main character in his mix of big-city wide eyes and warm self-awareness. I enjoyed spending time with him, as he found a new broader life in the big city without losing his basic kindness.
In contrast, Thomas is nicely flawed, hiding from himself, in his pretenses about why he never sleeps with the same guy twice. I had a mix of compassion and irritation in response, and I do like when a character is able to evoke a reaction from me. The sex scenes are well done, with meaning as well as heat. And we get a little look at old friends Joe and Terry, and a bit of evolution of their relationship.
The secondary characters are a strength of this series. I appreciate it when our main characters are not living in a vacuum, and the balance here is good. The writing is smooth and clear. For some, this will be a very angsty read. For my part, I kind of wished the time between climax and epilogue - during which the appropriate character apparently got plenty of therapy - thank you, author - had been on page. To me, some of the deepest emotions would be in the aftermath of the climax. Still, it pulled me in enough to immediately move on to secondary character bartender Randy's book in the third installment.
In contrast, Thomas is nicely flawed, hiding from himself, in his pretenses about why he never sleeps with the same guy twice. I had a mix of compassion and irritation in response, and I do like when a character is able to evoke a reaction from me. The sex scenes are well done, with meaning as well as heat. And we get a little look at old friends Joe and Terry, and a bit of evolution of their relationship.
The secondary characters are a strength of this series. I appreciate it when our main characters are not living in a vacuum, and the balance here is good. The writing is smooth and clear. For some, this will be a very angsty read. For my part, I kind of wished the time between climax and epilogue - during which the appropriate character apparently got plenty of therapy - thank you, author - had been on page. To me, some of the deepest emotions would be in the aftermath of the climax. Still, it pulled me in enough to immediately move on to secondary character bartender Randy's book in the third installment.
May 9, 2017
OMG, the cheese.
did-not-finish
August 27, 2021DNF @ 10%
The writing is not for me - too flowery and oddly formal.
The writing is not for me - too flowery and oddly formal.
May 6, 2017
A new job, moving to a new town, and meeting new people can be great catalysts for changes in someone’s life. When Zachary, who finally wants to live openly as a gay man, arrives in Washington, DC, he is full of hope. But the man he meets and is very interested in, Thomas, has a dark past and is extremely commitment-phobic. As it turns out, Thomas has excellent reasons for being careful, and when his past returns to haunt him, things get really scary really fast. I should have taken the prologue more seriously – it really is a good indication of the level of creepiness of this novel’s central theme.
Zachary is determined to find a man to share his life with. He isn’t out to his conservative parents back in Utah, and he is fairly naïve, but that doesn’t stop him from exploring the gay scene in his new hometown. His attraction to Thomas is immediate and intense, but when it becomes clear that Thomas is unable to be the man Zachary needs him to be, Zachary turns elsewhere. Yet he and Thomas keep running into each other, then the murders and the investigation push them together, and Zachary discovers that things are not as they seem. It’s a good thing there is a core of strength underneath his sweet exterior – he needs it all to get through the mess that follows!
Thomas is not one to let others close. He has erected very high, solid barriers around his heart and follows strict rules about hookups (once only) and relationships (none). Even though Zachary tempts him, Thomas can’t get himself to change a set of behaviors that have kept him alive and safe – at least in his own mind. For him, being linked to the murders of young gay men in any way is a horrific experience. Seeing Zachary in danger from a stalker is motivation enough for Thomas to reconsider his principles, but deciding to change and actually doing it are two very different things.
The “depraved killer” – as he is described in the blurb – is a despicable excuse for a human being. It was as interesting as it was horrifying to find his point of view interspersed throughout the story. The methodical thoroughness with which the murderer follows his future victims and the intelligent way in which he sets things up makes him a sociopath of the first order. Very well done!
If you like suspenseful mysteries cleverly woven into your romance, if you think that two men who come from very different worlds might be a good match, and if you’re looking for a read that is intense, scary, and nail-bitingly fascinating, then you will probably like this novel.
Zachary is determined to find a man to share his life with. He isn’t out to his conservative parents back in Utah, and he is fairly naïve, but that doesn’t stop him from exploring the gay scene in his new hometown. His attraction to Thomas is immediate and intense, but when it becomes clear that Thomas is unable to be the man Zachary needs him to be, Zachary turns elsewhere. Yet he and Thomas keep running into each other, then the murders and the investigation push them together, and Zachary discovers that things are not as they seem. It’s a good thing there is a core of strength underneath his sweet exterior – he needs it all to get through the mess that follows!
Thomas is not one to let others close. He has erected very high, solid barriers around his heart and follows strict rules about hookups (once only) and relationships (none). Even though Zachary tempts him, Thomas can’t get himself to change a set of behaviors that have kept him alive and safe – at least in his own mind. For him, being linked to the murders of young gay men in any way is a horrific experience. Seeing Zachary in danger from a stalker is motivation enough for Thomas to reconsider his principles, but deciding to change and actually doing it are two very different things.
The “depraved killer” – as he is described in the blurb – is a despicable excuse for a human being. It was as interesting as it was horrifying to find his point of view interspersed throughout the story. The methodical thoroughness with which the murderer follows his future victims and the intelligent way in which he sets things up makes him a sociopath of the first order. Very well done!
If you like suspenseful mysteries cleverly woven into your romance, if you think that two men who come from very different worlds might be a good match, and if you’re looking for a read that is intense, scary, and nail-bitingly fascinating, then you will probably like this novel.
February 13, 2018
Meh...
I was hoping for much more than I got both in terms of writing and character development.
The dialogue and descriptions were often very dramatic and over the top. This would have worked in a comedy, or a purposely campy book, but it didn’t work in the murder mystery. Too bad.
One of the MCs suffers from past stalker-shock and limits himself to single hook-ups and avoids any sort of relationships. Since his stalker latched on after a hook-up, wouldn’t he avoid those specifically?
The other MC, was nice, and sweet, and cute. That’s about it.
The perp was a nasty piece of work who wasn’t too difficult to finger.
So, there is is. Not a glowing review, but I didn’t hate it. Some lines truly made me laugh (“thick tube of flesh”). I’ve read other books by Robert Winter and liked them better. I’ve not bother to check the publication date on this one, but maybe it was an earlier work. If so, I’ll forgive the unsexy tube of flesh. If not, well maybe some other nouns should be taken into account when writing a sex scene.
I was hoping for much more than I got both in terms of writing and character development.
The dialogue and descriptions were often very dramatic and over the top. This would have worked in a comedy, or a purposely campy book, but it didn’t work in the murder mystery. Too bad.
One of the MCs suffers from past stalker-shock and limits himself to single hook-ups and avoids any sort of relationships. Since his stalker latched on after a hook-up, wouldn’t he avoid those specifically?
The other MC, was nice, and sweet, and cute. That’s about it.
The perp was a nasty piece of work who wasn’t too difficult to finger.
So, there is is. Not a glowing review, but I didn’t hate it. Some lines truly made me laugh (“thick tube of flesh”). I’ve read other books by Robert Winter and liked them better. I’ve not bother to check the publication date on this one, but maybe it was an earlier work. If so, I’ll forgive the unsexy tube of flesh. If not, well maybe some other nouns should be taken into account when writing a sex scene.
July 16, 2017
This book was very different from the first book I read by this author. I liked September a bit more but these books aren't really comparable. Every Breath You Take was more mystery than romance but what a mystery it was! It had me glued to the page, biting my fingernails, holding my breath, and kept me guessing who the bad guy really was.
This is a seriously creepy book and I'm so glad I had the company of some very lovely ladies who lightened the mood with some sexy pictures and great songs, who played the guessing game with me, and who held my hand and reassured me that I could get through the more gruesome parts of the story. Karen, Christelle, Jan, Heather, and Simone (you were a much nicer stalker than the one in the book, lol) it was a pleasure to read this book with you!
This is a seriously creepy book and I'm so glad I had the company of some very lovely ladies who lightened the mood with some sexy pictures and great songs, who played the guessing game with me, and who held my hand and reassured me that I could get through the more gruesome parts of the story. Karen, Christelle, Jan, Heather, and Simone (you were a much nicer stalker than the one in the book, lol) it was a pleasure to read this book with you!
May 26, 2017
4.5 Stars! What a riveting story this was. If you read Robert Winters first book, September, although it's not necessary to before reading this one, you'll remember Joe and Terry, who we see again as good friends of Thomas Scarborough. They all hang out at Mata Hari, a piano bar owned by another friend of theirs, Randy. This is the club Zachary chooses for his first gay bar experience, after moving to D.C. from his restrictive life in Utah. Zachary and Thomas strike sparks right away but after a night of spine melting sex *fans self* Thomas bursts Zachary's bubble.
I really liked Zachary's character, honest, sweet and caring but capable, unafraid to speak his mind and demand what he wants. Thomas's character was much harder to like and his reasoning didn't seem quite logical to me, yet it was easy to empathize with him, in spite of wanting to give him a good smack. I think the multiple POV's made it much easier, as we see different aspects of each man through various eyes. The other characters only voice their thoughts at critical moments and the focus of the narrative remains on Zachary and Thomas. Their attraction is hopeless due to Thomas's attitude and despite Zachary's desire to remain close to Thomas, he eventually moves on with his life and attempts another relationship.
Some POV switches are quite chilling, as the lurking killer and the police detective reveal gruesome and cringe-inducing details of the crimes. Thomas is puzzled as more clues and information surface, because he doesn't know how his past would have any bearing on current events. I will say it was fairly easy to guess the killers identity but that only added to the tension while waiting to find out where the story was headed. Towards the last third of the book, I kept putting it down because I was almost afraid to find out how bad it might be!
The investigative details leading up to the climactic scenes seemed realistic and logical, and the resolution is filled with action and danger without becoming theatrical. The aftermath, ending and epilogue were paced well and gave me the warm fuzzies. Very warm. Hot even! Highly recommended, with a fair balance between the suspense and romance, with somewhat more emphasis on the suspense. Robert Winter is a writer to be reckoned with!
*I
I really liked Zachary's character, honest, sweet and caring but capable, unafraid to speak his mind and demand what he wants. Thomas's character was much harder to like and his reasoning didn't seem quite logical to me, yet it was easy to empathize with him, in spite of wanting to give him a good smack. I think the multiple POV's made it much easier, as we see different aspects of each man through various eyes. The other characters only voice their thoughts at critical moments and the focus of the narrative remains on Zachary and Thomas. Their attraction is hopeless due to Thomas's attitude and despite Zachary's desire to remain close to Thomas, he eventually moves on with his life and attempts another relationship.
Some POV switches are quite chilling, as the lurking killer and the police detective reveal gruesome and cringe-inducing details of the crimes. Thomas is puzzled as more clues and information surface, because he doesn't know how his past would have any bearing on current events. I will say it was fairly easy to guess the killers identity but that only added to the tension while waiting to find out where the story was headed. Towards the last third of the book, I kept putting it down because I was almost afraid to find out how bad it might be!
The investigative details leading up to the climactic scenes seemed realistic and logical, and the resolution is filled with action and danger without becoming theatrical. The aftermath, ending and epilogue were paced well and gave me the warm fuzzies. Very warm. Hot even! Highly recommended, with a fair balance between the suspense and romance, with somewhat more emphasis on the suspense. Robert Winter is a writer to be reckoned with!
*I
May 5, 2017
This is a solid romantic suspense that is light on romance and heavier on suspense. It does provide me with a good creep factor that had me slightly freak out by the mysterious stalker, especially with the villain's POV.
Zach is new in DC and for the first time wanted to enjoy his freedom as a gay man away from his conservative family. What better way to start off other than to visit the local gay bar and meeting the bar regular hottie who is infamous for his no-repeats-hook-up.
Thomas is the usual manwhore, but he had been burned badly by a stalker. Now he is still a manwhore, but he had his rules, no repeats, no attachment. I can understand his reasoning and the past incident seems to scarred him for life, but I would actually recommend him to go celibate if he were so damn worried about getting another stalker. I don't see how constant one night stand can help with his situation.
After their one night, Zach was disappointed that Thomas doesn't reciprocate his feelings and Thomas is feeling all torn up about his inability to have a relationship with someone he like. They remains as sort of 'friends' without benefits, but the heated looks they gave each other really doesn't help.
When one of Thomas's ex-one-night-stand turned up dead, Thomas once again fearing he got himself another stalker. But does lightning really does strike twice on him?
Actually throughout the story, I feel that Zach and Thomas doesn't really have a lot of opportunity to develop their feelings further. I can feel their dilemma and attraction towards each other, but due to a big portion of the story is dedicate into our stalker issue, it was not being explore further. Anyway, it didn't really affect my enjoyment of the story because I'm really hooked with the suspense. I felt the nervousness, the excitement, the scariness and the anticipation of the villain every move.
Overall, I find that is a good romantic suspense with enough heat and great suspense plot to engage me throughout the read. The epilogue is pretty neat too.
Zach is new in DC and for the first time wanted to enjoy his freedom as a gay man away from his conservative family. What better way to start off other than to visit the local gay bar and meeting the bar regular hottie who is infamous for his no-repeats-hook-up.
Thomas is the usual manwhore, but he had been burned badly by a stalker. Now he is still a manwhore, but he had his rules, no repeats, no attachment. I can understand his reasoning and the past incident seems to scarred him for life, but I would actually recommend him to go celibate if he were so damn worried about getting another stalker. I don't see how constant one night stand can help with his situation.
After their one night, Zach was disappointed that Thomas doesn't reciprocate his feelings and Thomas is feeling all torn up about his inability to have a relationship with someone he like. They remains as sort of 'friends' without benefits, but the heated looks they gave each other really doesn't help.
When one of Thomas's ex-one-night-stand turned up dead, Thomas once again fearing he got himself another stalker. But does lightning really does strike twice on him?
Actually throughout the story, I feel that Zach and Thomas doesn't really have a lot of opportunity to develop their feelings further. I can feel their dilemma and attraction towards each other, but due to a big portion of the story is dedicate into our stalker issue, it was not being explore further. Anyway, it didn't really affect my enjoyment of the story because I'm really hooked with the suspense. I felt the nervousness, the excitement, the scariness and the anticipation of the villain every move.
Overall, I find that is a good romantic suspense with enough heat and great suspense plot to engage me throughout the read. The epilogue is pretty neat too.
May 6, 2017
Loved this book! This is the story of Zachary and Thomas. Its about friendship, love and a very creepy stalker!
Zachary has moved to Washington DC to work in the treasury office to escape coming out to his parents and create an independent life for himself as a gay man. He decides to try a local gay bar Marta Hari where he makes friends with a lovely married couple Joe and Terry. He also meets the most handsome man he's ever met Thomas.
They are instantly attracted to each other and subsequently spend the night at Thomas' apartment together. Due to a rough past involving a stalker Thomas only sleeps with men once and tells Zachary as such but theres just something about him he cant get over.
“I love you, Zach. I think I’ve been in love with you maybe even from the beginning."
Zachary has moved to Washington DC to work in the treasury office to escape coming out to his parents and create an independent life for himself as a gay man. He decides to try a local gay bar Marta Hari where he makes friends with a lovely married couple Joe and Terry. He also meets the most handsome man he's ever met Thomas.
They are instantly attracted to each other and subsequently spend the night at Thomas' apartment together. Due to a rough past involving a stalker Thomas only sleeps with men once and tells Zachary as such but theres just something about him he cant get over.
“I love you, Zach. I think I’ve been in love with you maybe even from the beginning."
I wont spoil anything else but this book kept me interested the whole way and I just could not put it down! Zachary is so sweet but theres a strength to him deep inside that i admire. Thomas is really struggling to move on from the baggage of his past but its obvious he really cares for Zachary.
'You already know how handsome you are to me—don’t you dare smirk—but I think you’re even more beautiful inside.'
Secondary characters in this book are great and really well developed. They really add to this story and i found myself really invested in them and their lives too.
“It isn’t how many one-night stands you’ve had before me that matters, Thomas. It’s whether I’m going to be the last on the list.”
I am now looking forward to reading other books by this author!
Reviewed by Lulu from Alpha Book Club 
June 24, 2017
4.5 stars
Gripping story but kinda light on the romance part. The guys are not really together together for most of the book.
Gripping story but kinda light on the romance part. The guys are not really together together for most of the book.
April 5, 2025
Every Breath You Take was just named Best Gay Suspense Novel in the 2017 Rainbow Awards. It also ranked #2 overall in Best Gay Book! Read more here: https://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwi...
I've released the second edition of Every Breath You Take, with a brand new cover. I made only minor editorial changes to the book itself. I hope you like the new cover!
I've released the second edition of Every Breath You Take, with a brand new cover. I made only minor editorial changes to the book itself. I hope you like the new cover!
May 12, 2017
*2.5 stars*
I really wanted to love this more cause I really loved this author's debut novel September.
I can really enjoy some insta lust but I can't handle insta love that well. It doesn't make sense to me. The love exlamations seem to come out of nowhere. Really such a shame cause I don't get to experience their development much.
The mystery part of this book was nicely done. But if you're looking for a really good romance, I wouldn't recommend this book.
I really wanted to love this more cause I really loved this author's debut novel September.
I can really enjoy some insta lust but I can't handle insta love that well. It doesn't make sense to me. The love exlamations seem to come out of nowhere. Really such a shame cause I don't get to experience their development much.
The mystery part of this book was nicely done. But if you're looking for a really good romance, I wouldn't recommend this book.
May 14, 2017
There are several triggers in this story that you should be aware of, and I will spoiler them.....
The title of the story is of course a famous song from the 80's by Sting and the Police. I've read some reviews which said that they had assumed that Every Breath You Take was a love song....joking right?? You really couldn't be further from the truth, as it was and I quote 'about obsession with a lost lover, and the jealousy and surveillance that follow', and although not named, was clearly a reference to Sting's former wife and the trouble she had accepting the fact that he had moved on.
As far as this story is concerned, it was OK and I liked the little cameos by Joe and Terry from September, although I was definitely not happy with Terry and his wandering ways, but I suppose if you're married and in an agreed 'open' relationship, you get what you deserve in some ways...being married and in an open relationship certainly don't mix in my opinion.
I thought Zach's outlook and behaviour were too innocent at times for a 27 year old [just cos he was from Utah shouldn't necessarily preclude him from being an experienced young gay man should it?] and Thomas?? Well, he was pretty slutty and no-one can deny it....how would you feel if you thought the man you were lusting after had probably had sex with every man in that particular gay piano bar?? Yes, he had his reasons for no repeats and no overnighters and I can't describe him as cheap, cos he had lots of money but he was always on the prowl.
As for the creepy stalker [and of course, he was much more], well I'll let you discover for yourselves what sort of an appalling family life he had, and what his completely twisted mind thought of as perfectly acceptable behaviour. Yes, he was a deranged sexual deviant, but with a mother like his, who can be surprised?? 3.5 stars rounded up from me.
The title of the story is of course a famous song from the 80's by Sting and the Police. I've read some reviews which said that they had assumed that Every Breath You Take was a love song....joking right?? You really couldn't be further from the truth, as it was and I quote 'about obsession with a lost lover, and the jealousy and surveillance that follow', and although not named, was clearly a reference to Sting's former wife and the trouble she had accepting the fact that he had moved on.
As far as this story is concerned, it was OK and I liked the little cameos by Joe and Terry from September, although I was definitely not happy with Terry and his wandering ways, but I suppose if you're married and in an agreed 'open' relationship, you get what you deserve in some ways...being married and in an open relationship certainly don't mix in my opinion.
I thought Zach's outlook and behaviour were too innocent at times for a 27 year old [just cos he was from Utah shouldn't necessarily preclude him from being an experienced young gay man should it?] and Thomas?? Well, he was pretty slutty and no-one can deny it....how would you feel if you thought the man you were lusting after had probably had sex with every man in that particular gay piano bar?? Yes, he had his reasons for no repeats and no overnighters and I can't describe him as cheap, cos he had lots of money but he was always on the prowl.
As for the creepy stalker [and of course, he was much more], well I'll let you discover for yourselves what sort of an appalling family life he had, and what his completely twisted mind thought of as perfectly acceptable behaviour. Yes, he was a deranged sexual deviant, but with a mother like his, who can be surprised?? 3.5 stars rounded up from me.
July 15, 2017
**A bit spoilery below, read with caution**
I'm really liking the things I read from Robert Winter. This is only my second book from him but I love how he tells his stories. His characters aren't perfect and have their issues but feel relatable and real. And damn, but he can keep you holding your breath when things go down in the story.
The stalker bits of the story were super creepy and honestly shudder-inducing, very well done by the author. Reading what Thomas went through previously was horrifying and I had all sympathy for him. But however up-front he tried to be with his hook-ups, he was still an asshole, just by virtue of how he operated, and he did that before he was stalked. It made it hard for me to like him.
I did like Zachary, he was super sweet and very appealing. I liked the duality of his nature, how he wasn't all sweet and light and I very much enjoyed him turning the tables on Thomas. *RAWR* But he seriously disappointed me with his TSTL moment, especially since .
There were some great secondary characters, and I know we get to see Thomas's friend Randy in the next book, so I'm excited to read that. I also liked the aftermath, that Zachary's recovery wasn't glossed over and everything healed by the power of love *and/or magical dick*. This gave Thomas time to think about who he wanted to be, how he wanted to go forward. Loved the epilogue, because I needed to see Thomas & Zachary get to be happy with each other.
Well written, creepy and tense crime drama with a little romance mixed in, I very much enjoyed this one, my small gripes aside. I'm looking forward to whatever else Robert Winter writes!
I'm really liking the things I read from Robert Winter. This is only my second book from him but I love how he tells his stories. His characters aren't perfect and have their issues but feel relatable and real. And damn, but he can keep you holding your breath when things go down in the story.
The stalker bits of the story were super creepy and honestly shudder-inducing, very well done by the author. Reading what Thomas went through previously was horrifying and I had all sympathy for him. But however up-front he tried to be with his hook-ups, he was still an asshole, just by virtue of how he operated, and he did that before he was stalked. It made it hard for me to like him.
I did like Zachary, he was super sweet and very appealing. I liked the duality of his nature, how he wasn't all sweet and light and I very much enjoyed him turning the tables on Thomas. *RAWR* But he seriously disappointed me with his TSTL moment, especially since .
There were some great secondary characters, and I know we get to see Thomas's friend Randy in the next book, so I'm excited to read that. I also liked the aftermath, that Zachary's recovery wasn't glossed over and everything healed by the power of love *and/or magical dick*. This gave Thomas time to think about who he wanted to be, how he wanted to go forward. Loved the epilogue, because I needed to see Thomas & Zachary get to be happy with each other.
Well written, creepy and tense crime drama with a little romance mixed in, I very much enjoyed this one, my small gripes aside. I'm looking forward to whatever else Robert Winter writes!
May 5, 2017
Awww. I really wanted to love this. I read the author's debut book September and loved it from beginning to end. I think my biggest issue was the tone of the story. It seemed very procedural and lacked any form of emotion when I was reading it. I liked the idea of the story and plot a lot. I knew it wasn't for me by day 2 reading it. If I'm all in with a book then I'm usually done in the first day. Its the speed I read. With this book, I was super disconnected and just keep putting it down.
I finally pushed through reading it, and certain areas are forgettable for me. I didn't really buy Zachary's attraction to Thomas either. That seemed forced. I guess there was nothing in the dialogue of their first meeting to encounter to warrant this level of attraction. It seemed off. I could never get passed them. Even after the who one night stand spew that Thomas does, it seems out of his character that this one guy has the ability to change 20 years of sex for him. Umm not believable in my eyes.
I did like the stalker side of the story. Didn't need his creepy point of view, but I understood where the author was coming from. Like some of the supporting characters a lot. Overall it wasn't a bad story. It was decent in parts and while I didn't love it. Thought it was okay work for a follow up for the author's work. I am looking forward to more work from this author.
May 4, 2017
If you are looking for a good suspenseful read with lots of surprises and a little bit of love, well this book is for you.
This book was gripping that I had a hard time putting it down. Robert Winter did such an incredible job on not giving anything away as too how this book would turn out until Robert was ready to reveal the final act. This is one of those reads that is a little bit dark and somewhat of a sadistic killer that leaves the reader with their mouth hanging open and shaking their head thinking, I did not see that coming.
As far as the two main character tees in this book is concerned, I just fell in love with both of them. Zachary and Thomas are two completely different men but when they met you could feel the chemistry rolling off of them.
Zachary is one of those optimistic people that believes in good and believes in falling in love. That love will help people through the hard times. He believes in helping where he can and he believes in those that he calls friends and wants to help where he can where they are concerned.
Thomas is more closed off. He has had an awful event in his past that has helped to shape who he is today and he does not let people get close to him. H is also a giving person but when it comes to love, he does not want anything to do with it.
Thomas knows that when he meets Zachary that Zachary is different then anyonehe has ever met but he is afraid of letting him in so he keeps pushing him away and then pulling him back in again only to push him away. Zachary eventually gets fed up with it but still holds on to the small amount of hope that Thomas will realize he connection they felt was real and rare. Even still Zachary has decided it is time to move on with his life and begins dating a man named Sam.
The o my problem is someone is watching and waiting in the shadows and no one, including the police can figure out who it is and who is next on the killers list. If Zachary and Thomas are not careful one or both could be next.
This was such an exciting read. It was suspenseful and action packed. I love that Robert took to genres, mystery and romance, and put it in a book that was just simply incredible. I will definitely be reading more books by Robert Winter in the future because after this book, I have found a new author to add to my favorite authors list.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
This book was gripping that I had a hard time putting it down. Robert Winter did such an incredible job on not giving anything away as too how this book would turn out until Robert was ready to reveal the final act. This is one of those reads that is a little bit dark and somewhat of a sadistic killer that leaves the reader with their mouth hanging open and shaking their head thinking, I did not see that coming.
As far as the two main character tees in this book is concerned, I just fell in love with both of them. Zachary and Thomas are two completely different men but when they met you could feel the chemistry rolling off of them.
Zachary is one of those optimistic people that believes in good and believes in falling in love. That love will help people through the hard times. He believes in helping where he can and he believes in those that he calls friends and wants to help where he can where they are concerned.
Thomas is more closed off. He has had an awful event in his past that has helped to shape who he is today and he does not let people get close to him. H is also a giving person but when it comes to love, he does not want anything to do with it.
Thomas knows that when he meets Zachary that Zachary is different then anyonehe has ever met but he is afraid of letting him in so he keeps pushing him away and then pulling him back in again only to push him away. Zachary eventually gets fed up with it but still holds on to the small amount of hope that Thomas will realize he connection they felt was real and rare. Even still Zachary has decided it is time to move on with his life and begins dating a man named Sam.
The o my problem is someone is watching and waiting in the shadows and no one, including the police can figure out who it is and who is next on the killers list. If Zachary and Thomas are not careful one or both could be next.
This was such an exciting read. It was suspenseful and action packed. I love that Robert took to genres, mystery and romance, and put it in a book that was just simply incredible. I will definitely be reading more books by Robert Winter in the future because after this book, I have found a new author to add to my favorite authors list.
Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review
May 28, 2021
this was an interesting book an I really liked reading it - which is why I upgraded it from 3,5 to 4 stars
but it had its weaknesses.
I loved that we could see both POVs - the additional POVs where quite interesting as well
but I had a hard time connecting to them as a couple or I think, for them being a couple I would have needed a lot more page time of them together
in the whole book we don't really get them as a couple and that is totally not enough for me to sell the romance part
the mystery was quite intersting and I had some suspicions which were wrong - so well done on that
but it had its weaknesses.
I loved that we could see both POVs - the additional POVs where quite interesting as well
but I had a hard time connecting to them as a couple or I think, for them being a couple I would have needed a lot more page time of them together
in the whole book we don't really get them as a couple and that is totally not enough for me to sell the romance part
the mystery was quite intersting and I had some suspicions which were wrong - so well done on that
dnf
March 3, 2018This is a total let-down, especially after the other book I read by this author September
I didn't even manage 10%, the dialogues were so dreadful, I really couldn't read on. Might be I'm totally old fashioned but for the life of me I can't imagine a conversation between two people meeting just a few minutes ago at a bar talking about being a virgin. Sorry, not working for me. Besides of that I cannot imagine real people talking to each other like that. This whole thing was rather far-fetched and I don't have the patience for it.
And to imagine - I already bought the follow-up :( well, at least I did something good for the author.
I didn't even manage 10%, the dialogues were so dreadful, I really couldn't read on. Might be I'm totally old fashioned but for the life of me I can't imagine a conversation between two people meeting just a few minutes ago at a bar talking about being a virgin. Sorry, not working for me. Besides of that I cannot imagine real people talking to each other like that. This whole thing was rather far-fetched and I don't have the patience for it.
And to imagine - I already bought the follow-up :( well, at least I did something good for the author.
June 3, 2019
DNF @ 34%.
The dialogue is over the top. The mystery is no mystery. The MCs are lacking dimension.
There is far too much time spent describing outfits.
I skipped over pretty much the entire scene at the museum, as I'm not reading a MM mystery/romance to get an education on Renaissance paintings.
"thick tube of flesh", "beautiful piece of meat", "the warm flesh", "his gloved shaft". We're all adults here, can't we just say "cock"?
The dialogue is over the top. The mystery is no mystery. The MCs are lacking dimension.
There is far too much time spent describing outfits.
I skipped over pretty much the entire scene at the museum, as I'm not reading a MM mystery/romance to get an education on Renaissance paintings.
"thick tube of flesh", "beautiful piece of meat", "the warm flesh", "his gloved shaft". We're all adults here, can't we just say "cock"?
November 18, 2021
Creepy mystery that definitely got me hooked!
Interesting characters, especially sweet Zachary was awesome!
4.5 stars
Interesting characters, especially sweet Zachary was awesome!
4.5 stars
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