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Death and the Devil #1.8
Devil in the Details
If there’s one thing assassin Ethan Blade knows, it’s how to plan a job. How to study a target, find the weak spot, and strike. He keeps his guns clean, his knives sharp, and his heart sealed away behind more locks than his precious cars. Alone but safe. Until Jack Reardon burrowed his way into Ethan’s life, his car, and his heart. This may just be the deadliest mess he can’t plan his way out of.
Jack wasn’t sure he’d see Ethan again—not after the less-than-stellar ends to their previous hookups. Even finding the assassin skulking about his apartment isn’t as reassuring as it should be, especially when he works out Ethan’s motive for being there might not be personal. That said, Jack will take any chance he can to salvage their relationship, assuming he survives whatever plan Ethan is cooking up.
Ethan and Jack had a bargain, but the parameters changed and neither are certain how to move forward—together or apart. But before they can start to renegotiate, lives, trust, and hearts are endangered by ghosts from the past. Even if they dodge their enemies’ bullets, there’s a risk of friendly fire, and when you let someone get too close, even small knives can cut deep.
Jack wasn’t sure he’d see Ethan again—not after the less-than-stellar ends to their previous hookups. Even finding the assassin skulking about his apartment isn’t as reassuring as it should be, especially when he works out Ethan’s motive for being there might not be personal. That said, Jack will take any chance he can to salvage their relationship, assuming he survives whatever plan Ethan is cooking up.
Ethan and Jack had a bargain, but the parameters changed and neither are certain how to move forward—together or apart. But before they can start to renegotiate, lives, trust, and hearts are endangered by ghosts from the past. Even if they dodge their enemies’ bullets, there’s a risk of friendly fire, and when you let someone get too close, even small knives can cut deep.
195 pages, ebook
First published October 31, 2018
23 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
L.J. Hayward
21 books612 followersL.J. Hayward has been telling stories for most of her life, a good deal of them of the tall variety. She loves reading but doesn’t seem to have enough time between wanting to be a more disciplined writer, being the actual erratic writer she is, and working for dollars in a dungeon laboratory. She also lives on the Gold Coast in Queensland, but rarely sees a beach and can’t surf, though she thinks living on a houseboat might be fun. At least then she’d have an excuse to get a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
November 13, 2024
I am a ABSOLUTE FERAL RAT for Team Jack & Ethan, Holy hell, I was gnawing at my cage REAL GOOD by the end of this novella.
EVERY time even a SMIDGE of emotion is being shown between these two characters, I'm like
AND FROTHING AT THE MOUTH I TELL YA.
This is the first Novella that I didn't at some point or another want to punch Jack in the face?
AND I even wanted to punch our baby boy Ethan a few times in the face this one? You know?
OH HOW THE TIMES HAVE CHANGED WITH THIS ONE!
WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT!?
I thought I'd die on team Ethan, but JACK WAS SOLID in this novella. Honestly.
I always see like... Dev Patel as my Jack in my head cinema?
EVERY time even a SMIDGE of emotion is being shown between these two characters, I'm like
AND FROTHING AT THE MOUTH I TELL YA.
This is the first Novella that I didn't at some point or another want to punch Jack in the face?
AND I even wanted to punch our baby boy Ethan a few times in the face this one? You know?
OH HOW THE TIMES HAVE CHANGED WITH THIS ONE!
WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT!?
I thought I'd die on team Ethan, but JACK WAS SOLID in this novella. Honestly.
I always see like... Dev Patel as my Jack in my head cinema?
November 10, 2021
4.5 Stars!!
Wow. Talk about an intense emotional roller coaster ride!!
Despite this being the 4th interval book between the first and the second main novels, this was for me the best of the bunch - the most fully realized story regarding the nebulous relationship that has slowly been forming between assassin Ethan and government spy Jack.
Action suspense, life threatening situations, all entwined with several awful punches in your gut feels. Quite the painful point in their story but one that plays out beautifully to finally start anew!
Wow. Talk about an intense emotional roller coaster ride!!
Despite this being the 4th interval book between the first and the second main novels, this was for me the best of the bunch - the most fully realized story regarding the nebulous relationship that has slowly been forming between assassin Ethan and government spy Jack.
Action suspense, life threatening situations, all entwined with several awful punches in your gut feels. Quite the painful point in their story but one that plays out beautifully to finally start anew!
October 23, 2018
***5+++++ I wish I could give more stars***
After the ending of the previous novella which left their relationship hanging in a more than doubtful future, Ethan is back. In truly Ethan shoot-first-and-ask-for-forgiveness-later fashion. For once his plan of sneaking back into Jack's life without getting caught fails, though, and despite still feeling hurt, Jack will always remain his biggest weakness. A weakness to which he will always surrender. A weakness he finds his own comfort in. A weakness that lets him be a man, not just a ruthless killer. A man who wants to cave in to his vulnerabilities and let his guard down, to just let himself feel. But Ethan also still feels a bit overwhelmed with the whole situation and way in over his head, so with him being more a man of action than of words, his way to help Jack solving his current case is bound to backfire. Big time. So much so, that Ethan is prepared to loose Jack for good...
With their bargain apparently in a shambles, Jack already resigned himself to never seeing Ethan again. Leaving work early can sometimes pay off, though, and finding Ethan in his home brings buried feelings and revelations about their relationship bubbling up to the surface, only to feel betrayed again in the end. When their paths cross again and something bad happens that makes Jack need Ethan more than ever before, old doubts are back with a vengeance to send his emotional state into a tailspin. But Ethan wouldn't be Ethan without concocting a plan to get them back on track...
Gahhhh, you can't imagine how much I loved this!!! For me, this was without a doubt the best of the novellas so far. And I knew it right from the beginning. How come? Well, after reading the first two sentences I already squeed. Loud. For the very first time we get Ethan's thoughts told in first person POV and being in his head was everything I could have hoped for. Before you get overly excited now, though, it's just in the first of three short stories included in this novella, the rest is once again told from Jack's POV, but the insight I got here was staggering.
Devil in the Details has everything I want in my books. It is centered around emotions and even if it's still not all sunshine and roses between these two...
... I'm still amazed how far Jack and Ethan have come and every fight and argument and tenderness brought them to this moment, so I totally agree with the author that these novellas where absolutely necessary for the relationship development. There's also quite some action here which made my inner adrenaline-junkie happy and hot and steamy sex scenes that made my hormones do this funny little salsa again. But it also made me cry big, fat and ugly tears, so you better surround yourself with everything that makes you happy and some tissues will be needed as well.
L.J. Hayward's unique writing style catapulted me once again right into the story and I always love the setting she chooses for these books, so from the Australian Outback over Singapore and the Gold Coast to the Vietnamese Jungle here, it makes for quite the round-the-world trip for me. ;-)
Overall, this novella answered a lot of questions I had and I will definitely reread the whole series again at some point to connect all the hints and clues we got in the previous books with the knowledge I have now. It ends on a HFN, but I guess the next book will put the guys and us readers through the wringer again, since the author promised more tears to come. Highly recommended to all fans of this series!!!
Jack was caught by the contrast between their skin. The stark delineation of his darker tone against Ethan's paleness, even as it flushed hotly with blood in the wake of Jake's hand. It was nearly enough to make him blow then and there, but when Ethan put his own hand over Jack's, sliding his fingers between Jack's - brown, white, brown, white, brown, white - the pressure moved from his dick to his chest. Then they curled their fingers down together, unconsciously sharing the same desire for closeness, for unity...
After the ending of the previous novella which left their relationship hanging in a more than doubtful future, Ethan is back. In truly Ethan shoot-first-and-ask-for-forgiveness-later fashion. For once his plan of sneaking back into Jack's life without getting caught fails, though, and despite still feeling hurt, Jack will always remain his biggest weakness. A weakness to which he will always surrender. A weakness he finds his own comfort in. A weakness that lets him be a man, not just a ruthless killer. A man who wants to cave in to his vulnerabilities and let his guard down, to just let himself feel. But Ethan also still feels a bit overwhelmed with the whole situation and way in over his head, so with him being more a man of action than of words, his way to help Jack solving his current case is bound to backfire. Big time. So much so, that Ethan is prepared to loose Jack for good...
With their bargain apparently in a shambles, Jack already resigned himself to never seeing Ethan again. Leaving work early can sometimes pay off, though, and finding Ethan in his home brings buried feelings and revelations about their relationship bubbling up to the surface, only to feel betrayed again in the end. When their paths cross again and something bad happens that makes Jack need Ethan more than ever before, old doubts are back with a vengeance to send his emotional state into a tailspin. But Ethan wouldn't be Ethan without concocting a plan to get them back on track...
Gahhhh, you can't imagine how much I loved this!!! For me, this was without a doubt the best of the novellas so far. And I knew it right from the beginning. How come? Well, after reading the first two sentences I already squeed. Loud. For the very first time we get Ethan's thoughts told in first person POV and being in his head was everything I could have hoped for. Before you get overly excited now, though, it's just in the first of three short stories included in this novella, the rest is once again told from Jack's POV, but the insight I got here was staggering.
Devil in the Details has everything I want in my books. It is centered around emotions and even if it's still not all sunshine and roses between these two...
"We all have knives." Anger bubbling up again, Jack shouted over him. "All of us! That's all any of us are. We're just a bunch of knives waiting to cut anyone who gets too close. Our insecurities. Our weaknesses. prejudices, arrogance. Everything that makes us who we are is a knife you can use to hurt someone else. God fucking knows I've hurt everyone around me. Family, friends, lovers. You. And they've hurt me. Stabbed me in the fucking heart."
... I'm still amazed how far Jack and Ethan have come and every fight and argument and tenderness brought them to this moment, so I totally agree with the author that these novellas where absolutely necessary for the relationship development. There's also quite some action here which made my inner adrenaline-junkie happy and hot and steamy sex scenes that made my hormones do this funny little salsa again. But it also made me cry big, fat and ugly tears, so you better surround yourself with everything that makes you happy and some tissues will be needed as well.
L.J. Hayward's unique writing style catapulted me once again right into the story and I always love the setting she chooses for these books, so from the Australian Outback over Singapore and the Gold Coast to the Vietnamese Jungle here, it makes for quite the round-the-world trip for me. ;-)
Overall, this novella answered a lot of questions I had and I will definitely reread the whole series again at some point to connect all the hints and clues we got in the previous books with the knowledge I have now. It ends on a HFN, but I guess the next book will put the guys and us readers through the wringer again, since the author promised more tears to come. Highly recommended to all fans of this series!!!
***ARC generously provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!***
April 17, 2019
After reading this all I want to say to Ethan Blade is...
That whole blushing, shy thing coupled with how fastidious he is makes him hard to resist. I think how unexpected all of that nestled next to someone that could kill you before you even noticed is what makes him that much more intriguing to me.
Anywaaaaay, enough about my crush. "Devil in the Details" I found more enjoyable than the previous novella mostly due to the action sequences. These mini-stories are vital to the overall story arc as well as the development of Jack and Ethan's relationship. So skipping them isn't wise. Also, I've started Why the Devil Stalks Death and the events of this novella are referenced frequently so... Plus, why would you want to deprive yourself of all this action packed fun?
These two by all rights should be enemies. However, regardless of Jack being law enforcement and Ethan being a notorious assassin, they work well together and with each successive story their trust in one another is growing right before our eyes.
On the other hand, their romantic relationship is evolving through their improving communication but it's still a work in progress.
Now you may be asking...
To which I would say how about some bonafide nature sex??? #switcharoo #mindtrick
Bonus points for Tom, his anxiety attack inducing driving and his random movie references.
If you enjoy action/espionage, romantic suspense and/or imperfect characters this series is one you should enjoy.
A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
That whole blushing, shy thing coupled with how fastidious he is makes him hard to resist. I think how unexpected all of that nestled next to someone that could kill you before you even noticed is what makes him that much more intriguing to me.
Anywaaaaay, enough about my crush. "Devil in the Details" I found more enjoyable than the previous novella mostly due to the action sequences. These mini-stories are vital to the overall story arc as well as the development of Jack and Ethan's relationship. So skipping them isn't wise. Also, I've started Why the Devil Stalks Death and the events of this novella are referenced frequently so... Plus, why would you want to deprive yourself of all this action packed fun?
These two by all rights should be enemies. However, regardless of Jack being law enforcement and Ethan being a notorious assassin, they work well together and with each successive story their trust in one another is growing right before our eyes.
On the other hand, their romantic relationship is evolving through their improving communication but it's still a work in progress.
Now you may be asking...
To which I would say how about some bonafide nature sex??? #switcharoo #mindtrick
Bonus points for Tom, his anxiety attack inducing driving and his random movie references.
If you enjoy action/espionage, romantic suspense and/or imperfect characters this series is one you should enjoy.
A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
January 13, 2025
The pining and heartache 😩
The sweet, blushing assassin 🫠
The ‘Fuck me, Jack’ scene 😮💨
The emotions and clarity 🥲
The pace 💣
The loss 💔
The reunion and the talk 🥹
Tom 🥰
THE SWEET TORTURE OF THE STILL MISSING KISS 😭
I can’t get over how good this series is AND I HAVEN’T EVEN STARTED BOOK 2 YET!!!
It’s so well developed, paced and written - especially the sex scenes, they might be the best ones I’ve ever read?
Ethan, baby, I love you so much, you will be okay. Jack, I’m so glad you got your head out of your arse, love you too. Jack & Ethan 4eva 🫶
My fav of the novellas so far!
The sweet, blushing assassin 🫠
The ‘Fuck me, Jack’ scene 😮💨
The emotions and clarity 🥲
The pace 💣
The loss 💔
The reunion and the talk 🥹
Tom 🥰
THE SWEET TORTURE OF THE STILL MISSING KISS 😭
I can’t get over how good this series is AND I HAVEN’T EVEN STARTED BOOK 2 YET!!!
It’s so well developed, paced and written - especially the sex scenes, they might be the best ones I’ve ever read?
Ethan, baby, I love you so much, you will be okay. Jack, I’m so glad you got your head out of your arse, love you too. Jack & Ethan 4eva 🫶
My fav of the novellas so far!
Damn Jack and his rules and careless words and his tender touches and his effortless ability to hurt me.
I CAN’T EVEN 😭😭😭
Jack was so close to losing his last grip on sanity. And maybe he should. Maybe it was time he stopped denying it and just admit what he was feeling. It was getting harder and harder to shove that one fact aside. He wanted to kiss Ethan Blade.
ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME WITH THIS I’M LOSING MY DAMN MIND 😭😭😭
November 23, 2024
Again: fast, emotional, funny, and occasionally heartbreaking 💔 and at the very end, swoony ❤️
First things first: again, shoutout to Rowan Scott. His narration is SO GOOD, you forget that there’s only one person impersonating all the characters. Really made them come alive in my head, every bit of tension, emotion and hesitation so subtle yet real in his voice - outstanding!
As for the plot: you need to read them in order, otherwise you struggle with all the assassination attempts and thwarted terrorist plots.
What I love about these books, too: Jack is brown skinned, of Indian heritage - and even though it’s not usually an issue in his life, there’s one situation in this novella where he ends up in trouble because a police officer doesn’t believe his claim that he’s working for the government. Sadly, probably not unrealistic.
I loved the action plot (seriously: the author should consider writing screenplays for action movies). And the way both Jack and Ethan FINALLY admit that the thing between them is serious ❤️ (even though I’m still waiting for that first kiss…)
So excited for the next book 🥰
First things first: again, shoutout to Rowan Scott. His narration is SO GOOD, you forget that there’s only one person impersonating all the characters. Really made them come alive in my head, every bit of tension, emotion and hesitation so subtle yet real in his voice - outstanding!
As for the plot: you need to read them in order, otherwise you struggle with all the assassination attempts and thwarted terrorist plots.
What I love about these books, too: Jack is brown skinned, of Indian heritage - and even though it’s not usually an issue in his life, there’s one situation in this novella where he ends up in trouble because a police officer doesn’t believe his claim that he’s working for the government. Sadly, probably not unrealistic.
I loved the action plot (seriously: the author should consider writing screenplays for action movies). And the way both Jack and Ethan FINALLY admit that the thing between them is serious ❤️ (even though I’m still waiting for that first kiss…)
So excited for the next book 🥰
August 27, 2019
Reread August 2019
*5 stars+++* (again)
Ahhh. So much hurt and comfort. So many deep feelings. Such a lot of development between Jack and Ethan. That last third of the book is simply the best, cause the guys TALK. Yeap. And even though there are many things that still need to be said, many mysteries about Ethan to be found out, and that kiss ... seriously needs to happen ASAP, this is so much more than we've had.
Getting Ethan's POV at the beginning is truly awesome, because we can see how much Jack and their relationship mean to him. And how difficult it is for him to believe that he is worth it.
Brilliant. This deserves all the stars and more!
Original review:
What is it about Jack and Ethan that reduces me to gooey jelly? Every. Single. Time!?
I start sounding like a stuck record saying it again - but this instalment of their story even tops the previous one (Which I whole-heartedly loved.)
First of all this starts with a huge surprise - the prologue is from Ethan's POV.
I read it twice. First I zoomed through it because OMG, and then I read every single line again, leaving 31 highlights up to 13%. If you think I may have gone a teeny bit overboard - just you wait and see!
I debated which quotes I should add at this point. As you can see there are none because I would hate to spoil the whole pleasure of you finding out what's going on in Ethan's head. His feelings, his insecurities, his heart-breaking defeatism when it comes to Jack and their relationship.
All I will say is - despite who he is on the outside, on the inside he is the most vulnerable, most insecure and lovable guy.
And Jack? He clearly wants 'more', but we have learnt that communication with his loved ones is NOT his strong point. He still regrets holding back from declaring his feelings in novella 1.4 and is determined to go for it when the bad guys (I chuckle every time the author calls the bad guys just that ... ) keep them busy again.
The action is full on for a good part of this 'novella' (my fingers actually do not want to type that word because it is so much more!) and we do get a nasty shock at 55% which left me pretty teary eyed. That event was totally unexpected and it hurt!
So the suspense rises on all levels - will Jack 'out' his real feelings? What is Ethan up to that would compromise him so much? And what major conspiracy is going on that puts either Jack or Ethan in the crossfire of the bad guys (again)? To mention just a few!
But for me the biggest tension comes from ... the elusive kiss on the mouth.
You are a right tease, Miss Hayward! I gasped once, twice, even three times, but ... no.
I can see how this kiss is taking on a deeper and deeper meaning as we go along. Both men want that kiss, but somehow, somehow ... maybe? ... they are not ready for it.
Saying that, I was stunned at how much Jack and Ethan resolve about their 'being together'. A couple of HUGE steps forward are taken which made me whoop with joy. But knowing that two more whole novels are in the pipeline, I expect not everything going according to plan.
LJ Hayward has created two immensely interesting, compelling characters who, together with a good thriller plot and lots of action, make me swoon and ache with them every single step of the way.
Awesome writing on all levels!
Highly recommended!
*5 stars+++* (again)
Ahhh. So much hurt and comfort. So many deep feelings. Such a lot of development between Jack and Ethan. That last third of the book is simply the best, cause the guys TALK. Yeap. And even though there are many things that still need to be said, many mysteries about Ethan to be found out, and that kiss ... seriously needs to happen ASAP, this is so much more than we've had.
Getting Ethan's POV at the beginning is truly awesome, because we can see how much Jack and their relationship mean to him. And how difficult it is for him to believe that he is worth it.
Brilliant. This deserves all the stars and more!
Original review:
What is it about Jack and Ethan that reduces me to gooey jelly? Every. Single. Time!?
I start sounding like a stuck record saying it again - but this instalment of their story even tops the previous one (Which I whole-heartedly loved.)
First of all this starts with a huge surprise - the prologue is from Ethan's POV.
I read it twice. First I zoomed through it because OMG, and then I read every single line again, leaving 31 highlights up to 13%. If you think I may have gone a teeny bit overboard - just you wait and see!
I debated which quotes I should add at this point. As you can see there are none because I would hate to spoil the whole pleasure of you finding out what's going on in Ethan's head. His feelings, his insecurities, his heart-breaking defeatism when it comes to Jack and their relationship.
All I will say is - despite who he is on the outside, on the inside he is the most vulnerable, most insecure and lovable guy.
And Jack? He clearly wants 'more', but we have learnt that communication with his loved ones is NOT his strong point. He still regrets holding back from declaring his feelings in novella 1.4 and is determined to go for it when the bad guys (I chuckle every time the author calls the bad guys just that ... ) keep them busy again.
The action is full on for a good part of this 'novella' (my fingers actually do not want to type that word because it is so much more!) and we do get a nasty shock at 55% which left me pretty teary eyed. That event was totally unexpected and it hurt!
So the suspense rises on all levels - will Jack 'out' his real feelings? What is Ethan up to that would compromise him so much? And what major conspiracy is going on that puts either Jack or Ethan in the crossfire of the bad guys (again)? To mention just a few!
But for me the biggest tension comes from ... the elusive kiss on the mouth.
You are a right tease, Miss Hayward! I gasped once, twice, even three times, but ... no.
I can see how this kiss is taking on a deeper and deeper meaning as we go along. Both men want that kiss, but somehow, somehow ... maybe? ... they are not ready for it.
Saying that, I was stunned at how much Jack and Ethan resolve about their 'being together'. A couple of HUGE steps forward are taken which made me whoop with joy. But knowing that two more whole novels are in the pipeline, I expect not everything going according to plan.
LJ Hayward has created two immensely interesting, compelling characters who, together with a good thriller plot and lots of action, make me swoon and ache with them every single step of the way.
Awesome writing on all levels!
Highly recommended!
October 24, 2018
Jack and Ethan are here once again!
This novella is mainly suspense, action, gunfights and thriller. Everything that has been happening so far to the characters seem to click together somehow in one big, complicated case. It took me a little bit to remember who was who from the previous stories and what role they had played so far, but the author did a very good job in helping along. The case doesn't seem like it's going to get solved any time soon, since it gets more and more complicated as the months pass. That's a good thing though, because the bigger the case gets, the more books with Ethan and Jack we'll get!
The romance takes a second place here, something that everyone following this series should be familiar with, but at the same time the MCs' relationship moves along in some big ways. Nope, I won't tell you what I mean by that.
I love the way these two communicate, the way they connect, the trust they have formed between them. It's an unconventional relationship, but it's an honest and a very real one.
In less than two months we get the second full-length book of the series and I'm very excited about it! The novellas play a crucial role in the story and they are a major part of it, not just extra scenes. They take part in the developement of the plot as well as the progression of Jack and Ethan's relationship. They gave the author the chance to explore the connection between the MCs in a slower pace, to take her time with them and advance their relationship in a moderate pace.
I don't know what comes after the second book, but it's still early to start asking, seeing as this novella isn't even here yet. So I'm just going to be impatient about #2 for now and start being impatient for whatever comes next as soon as I have that one in my hands!
4.5 stars
Oh, I almost forgot: we also get Ethan's POV this time! Woohoo, exciting times!
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*
This novella is mainly suspense, action, gunfights and thriller. Everything that has been happening so far to the characters seem to click together somehow in one big, complicated case. It took me a little bit to remember who was who from the previous stories and what role they had played so far, but the author did a very good job in helping along. The case doesn't seem like it's going to get solved any time soon, since it gets more and more complicated as the months pass. That's a good thing though, because the bigger the case gets, the more books with Ethan and Jack we'll get!
The romance takes a second place here, something that everyone following this series should be familiar with, but at the same time the MCs' relationship moves along in some big ways. Nope, I won't tell you what I mean by that.
I love the way these two communicate, the way they connect, the trust they have formed between them. It's an unconventional relationship, but it's an honest and a very real one.
In less than two months we get the second full-length book of the series and I'm very excited about it! The novellas play a crucial role in the story and they are a major part of it, not just extra scenes. They take part in the developement of the plot as well as the progression of Jack and Ethan's relationship. They gave the author the chance to explore the connection between the MCs in a slower pace, to take her time with them and advance their relationship in a moderate pace.
I don't know what comes after the second book, but it's still early to start asking, seeing as this novella isn't even here yet. So I'm just going to be impatient about #2 for now and start being impatient for whatever comes next as soon as I have that one in my hands!
4.5 stars
Oh, I almost forgot: we also get Ethan's POV this time! Woohoo, exciting times!
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*
August 11, 2024
I was expecting a novella, but over 3000 locations? I'm a happy girl!
November 7, 2018
Ethan is so damn sexy when he says
"half right, Jack"
. Who's with me?
May 31, 2020
**** 3.5 stars ****
For most of the book I expected to be doling out 3 stars -- but a good, solid, no-regrets-for-preordering-this 3 stars. Spy stuff happens, things blow up, grown men struggle to communicate with each other, another attack helicopter makes an appearance (yay!), a good time is had by all.
But in the 600-ish m/m romance books I've read, how often have I been able to watch someone fall in love? Sounds like a stupid question, I know. Surely that's what m/m romance is all about, right? You'd think so. But you know what?
Good job, LJ Hayward! I'm really looking forward to the next book.
For most of the book I expected to be doling out 3 stars -- but a good, solid, no-regrets-for-preordering-this 3 stars. Spy stuff happens, things blow up, grown men struggle to communicate with each other, another attack helicopter makes an appearance (yay!), a good time is had by all.
But in the 600-ish m/m romance books I've read, how often have I been able to watch someone fall in love? Sounds like a stupid question, I know. Surely that's what m/m romance is all about, right? You'd think so. But you know what?
Good job, LJ Hayward! I'm really looking forward to the next book.
January 6, 2019
**Rawhhh**
…Can the adventures of Ethan and Jack get better and better ? Rhetorical question 😂.
The answer is yes..because we get Ethan’s POV, yeah !!! Granted, not for long, but it was perfect. And we get more tidbits about Ethan, I mean the person, not the ruthless assassin.
And here I come with my big feet : Ethan is perfect but how can it be different as he's...French !! Sorry, couldn't help it 😂😂
These guys are so deep into this relationship while keeping it to themselves…It works wonder on me. Gosh, I love both Jack and Ethan, their thoughts, their building coziness, their tip-toeing.
A little bit more of action, here, but just enough to compliment Ethan and Jack’s particular relationship.
And now, ready for book#2 and maybe get a kiss ?!?. I so love this series 😍😍 and recommend it.
PS : Thank you so much, Elf Hazmerso undercover avenger : yep, a fantastic gift !! 😘
The answer is yes..because we get Ethan’s POV, yeah !!! Granted, not for long, but it was perfect. And we get more tidbits about Ethan, I mean the person, not the ruthless assassin.
And here I come with my big feet : Ethan is perfect but how can it be different as he's...French !! Sorry, couldn't help it 😂😂
These guys are so deep into this relationship while keeping it to themselves…It works wonder on me. Gosh, I love both Jack and Ethan, their thoughts, their building coziness, their tip-toeing.
A little bit more of action, here, but just enough to compliment Ethan and Jack’s particular relationship.
And now, ready for book#2 and maybe get a kiss ?!?. I so love this series 😍😍 and recommend it.
PS : Thank you so much, Elf Hazmerso undercover avenger : yep, a fantastic gift !! 😘
March 12, 2024
Alright, I am truly liking the new partner ‘Harry’ and can’t wait to see what happens next.
I absolutely loved Ethan’s POV chapter and want more, such a lovely little sweetheart of an assassin 🧡. This one was so damn good, my favorite of the novellas.
The words ‘bad guys’ though, were used A LOT here, about four dozen times, that’s the only thing I didn’t like about the book!
PS. I reeeally hate flirty, endearment-using bad guys🙂.
I absolutely loved Ethan’s POV chapter and want more, such a lovely little sweetheart of an assassin 🧡. This one was so damn good, my favorite of the novellas.
The words ‘bad guys’ though, were used A LOT here, about four dozen times, that’s the only thing I didn’t like about the book!
PS. I reeeally hate flirty, endearment-using bad guys🙂.
November 20, 2018
I don't think this book should be called a novella...It has more pages than some of the regular novels I have read....and I love it !!!
What I also love is that this time we get to hear Ethan's POV and I so needed that ;)
Both men are pretty busy in this installment, working their "jobs". There is some explanation as to what exactly happened in the previous novella "When the Devil Drives" and how this affected Ethan specifically... It was nice to finally get a bit of insight into his "feelings".
There was also an event that broke my heart a little...I really didn't see it coming, which made it even worse, because it felt so out of the blue...
The steamy scenes were very nice, but I am getting so frustrated... I think I need them to KISS even more than they do
Pucker up boys so that I can watch 
I can't wait to see what's gonna happen next with these two...
Highly recommended !!
This review has been posted on Wendy's Wycked Words
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November 3, 2018
I rarely do short stories, even those in the series I truly enjoy. But I have read all the stories in this series impatiently waiting for the second addition to this series.
And I have to admit that there is a lot going on in this book. Some things are really crucial for the whole story of Jack and Ethan. I'm even surprised that these short stories are not included in the second book, since they are very important for the development of the dynamics in these guy's relationship. I'm so glad I read this book and now I'm even more eager to read the second book in this series as soon as possible.
And I have to admit that there is a lot going on in this book. Some things are really crucial for the whole story of Jack and Ethan. I'm even surprised that these short stories are not included in the second book, since they are very important for the development of the dynamics in these guy's relationship. I'm so glad I read this book and now I'm even more eager to read the second book in this series as soon as possible.
February 20, 2025
Ugggggh these novellas are so freaking good 😭 Usually novellas are like these fun little asides, but LJ Hayward is bringing the heat with these for real. Lots of emotional development going on and I am here for it 🙌🏻 You know what's not going on here though? KISSING ON THE MOUTH 🤣 They are now though so we're getting there in a roundabout way I suppose 😆
September 5, 2021
[3.3] enjoyed this more than the last novella but i’m also terribly underwhelmed by the short bursts of semi-communication sprinkled throughout, half of which are (rudely) interrupted by baddies, sexual impulses, etc. while i’m sure the author is saving it for book 2, the novellas have dragged this out longer than my patience can take 🤣
but as always, it’s nice to witness the violent boom slash pew pew of Ethan and Jack working together on a case!! 🔫
on a side note, shame on me for getting invested in a side character. if you know, you know 😩
but as always, it’s nice to witness the violent boom slash pew pew of Ethan and Jack working together on a case!! 🔫
on a side note, shame on me for getting invested in a side character. if you know, you know 😩
December 8, 2018
There was A LOT in this one. You cannot skip the novellas in this particular series as they actually move the plot along. This one isn't even all that short.
January 11, 2019
I really like how all these novellas move the overall storyline along, but why the author decided to not release a full novel instead remains her secret.
March 22, 2024
5 stars
This has been my favorite installment by-far. Not only did it include a POV from Ethan, but (FINALLY) the emotional growth I’ve been yearning for between these two mc’s. I also enjoyed all the side characters— Tom & Harry especially.
Anything that can pull at my heart strings and make me legitimately shed a tear will always be a 5 star read.
**addition; the action and suspense also felt so much more exciting then all the installments thus far.
This has been my favorite installment by-far. Not only did it include a POV from Ethan, but (FINALLY) the emotional growth I’ve been yearning for between these two mc’s. I also enjoyed all the side characters— Tom & Harry especially.
Anything that can pull at my heart strings and make me legitimately shed a tear will always be a 5 star read.
**addition; the action and suspense also felt so much more exciting then all the installments thus far.
February 20, 2025
I need to scream! I need the whole world to know that Ethan and Jack own me!!!!! I’m completely obsessed in a totally unhealthy way. I still want to punch them like 89% of the time, but I love them 100%. ❤️
This had the perfect amount of stupidity/totes adorbs, hurt/comfort for the two idiots who love each other immensely but are so far up their own arses they can’t see it—yet!
The action was so brutal I’m still feeling the aftershocks, so a quiet vacation at a safehouse in the jungles of Vietnam was exactly what I needed. 🥰 and we even got some target shooting and everything 😅The intimacy and vulnerability of these pages completely derailed me—in the best way. I think I like Jack a bit more now. They are so close to being complete! Huge steps were made, important things were said. 🫶
Then they curled their fingers down together, unconsciously sharing the same desire for closeness, for unity, and Jack’s chest grenade went off. It didn’t scare him this time. Didn’t start an internal battle between running away and making the one gesture he hadn’t made in so many years. This time he just basked in the glow, revelled in the heat spreading through his body, smiled at how it pulled him closer to Ethan.
I’m fully onboard with their plan—nothing but 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 between them—but please, PLEASEEEEEEE, JUST KISS HIM, JACK! YOU NEED IT, ETHAN NEEDS IT, AND I NEEEEEED IT! It 's right there! Just grab it!
I haven’t said in any of the previous reviews, but Jack neural implant is the coolest thing ever!!! 🤩
This had the perfect amount of stupidity/totes adorbs, hurt/comfort for the two idiots who love each other immensely but are so far up their own arses they can’t see it—yet!
The action was so brutal I’m still feeling the aftershocks, so a quiet vacation at a safehouse in the jungles of Vietnam was exactly what I needed. 🥰 and we even got some target shooting and everything 😅The intimacy and vulnerability of these pages completely derailed me—in the best way. I think I like Jack a bit more now. They are so close to being complete! Huge steps were made, important things were said. 🫶
Then they curled their fingers down together, unconsciously sharing the same desire for closeness, for unity, and Jack’s chest grenade went off. It didn’t scare him this time. Didn’t start an internal battle between running away and making the one gesture he hadn’t made in so many years. This time he just basked in the glow, revelled in the heat spreading through his body, smiled at how it pulled him closer to Ethan.
I’m fully onboard with their plan—nothing but 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 between them—but please, PLEASEEEEEEE, JUST KISS HIM, JACK! YOU NEED IT, ETHAN NEEDS IT, AND I NEEEEEED IT! It 's right there! Just grab it!
I haven’t said in any of the previous reviews, but Jack neural implant is the coolest thing ever!!! 🤩
October 31, 2018
Wow!! Wow wow wow, I love this series SO MUCH.
This books aren't full books but they were SO necessary for Jack and Ethan's story - and also this one felt like a full length novel. The location amount in kindle was over 3000, which has to be close to 200 pages or well over 200 pages. That's a full length novel to me, compared to the other short stories.
In this last short story before the next full length novel, we FINALLY get one of the short stories in Ethan's POV, and getting insight into his mind and his feelings for Jack was awesome and amazing and so fun. I hope we get some POV from him in the second book. That would be awesome.
And no, Jack and Ethan STILL HAVE NOT BLOODY KISSED! ARGH! I'm going to scream with how long it is taking. But they are so fucking close to it and it better be fucking explosive and amazing and passionate when it happens because we all have been technically waiting for 5 damn books now.
I also hope we get to learn so much more about Ethan's past. My biggest thing is why he has to wear socks basically at all times. Like what happened with his feet that he wants them covered all the time? I'm curious about the giving a blowjob thing to, if Ethan really doesn't like to give it or if it's more. And if Paul is really his real name, and so on and so forth. So much we still don't know!
And okay, despite the no kiss (yet!) it came soooo fucking close to happening several times and they do get to a much more solid place, relationship wise, in this one. That made my heart sing and I felt giddy. Also these two finally talking about real shit was awesome.
There was one thing that made me so freaking sad
GAH! I can't wait for the next book. And I am so happy for these novella's that got Jack and Ethan's barely there relationship to a much more solid, secure place, and .
Two massive thumbs up from me. Loved this!!! <3
This books aren't full books but they were SO necessary for Jack and Ethan's story - and also this one felt like a full length novel. The location amount in kindle was over 3000, which has to be close to 200 pages or well over 200 pages. That's a full length novel to me, compared to the other short stories.
In this last short story before the next full length novel, we FINALLY get one of the short stories in Ethan's POV, and getting insight into his mind and his feelings for Jack was awesome and amazing and so fun. I hope we get some POV from him in the second book. That would be awesome.
And no, Jack and Ethan STILL HAVE NOT BLOODY KISSED! ARGH! I'm going to scream with how long it is taking. But they are so fucking close to it and it better be fucking explosive and amazing and passionate when it happens because we all have been technically waiting for 5 damn books now.
I also hope we get to learn so much more about Ethan's past. My biggest thing is why he has to wear socks basically at all times. Like what happened with his feet that he wants them covered all the time? I'm curious about the giving a blowjob thing to, if Ethan really doesn't like to give it or if it's more. And if Paul is really his real name, and so on and so forth. So much we still don't know!
And okay, despite the no kiss (yet!) it came soooo fucking close to happening several times and they do get to a much more solid place, relationship wise, in this one. That made my heart sing and I felt giddy. Also these two finally talking about real shit was awesome.
There was one thing that made me so freaking sad
GAH! I can't wait for the next book. And I am so happy for these novella's that got Jack and Ethan's barely there relationship to a much more solid, secure place, and .
Two massive thumbs up from me. Loved this!!! <3
March 23, 2024
I’m obsessed with these two, I literally just want them to be happy and chill and even do chores
August 30, 2019
Re-read - Hmm. At least the first 12% of this was a sex scene! All the doubting each other; while parameters become more fixed overall the effect is to weaken the momentum of the novels themselves. Yet in this novella big events happen, when the story gets going there's real emotions. And you do need to read this in order to follow the series, I still think it would be better included as part of a book rather than a supposed 'extra'. Also EB13 - I'd forgotten that appeared here.
Still seeing a connection to the Templar series and while reading this kept hearing The Saint theme music!
-- --
Before: A little wary of these novellas weakening the dynamic set in the book, but I also like to read all of something!
....
After: Perhaps 2.5 rounding up as I preferred it to the previous instalment.
Unusually for a 'extra' ficlet this had events with consequences, no rule that says that's not allowed but still, not sure how I feel about that; 'extras' aren't compulsory reading. In fact if I wasn't the type to get caught up on reading all, could have happily skipped these myself. There's a risk any who do skip these will reach for the next book and feel they've missed several steps. Unfortunately instead of whetting my appetite for the second book they've somewhat doused exceptions, though pleased many other readers.
It starts with a drawn out sex scene and lots of dithering over how they feel about each other, the resolutions of which will effect the next book but aren't told in a way to give any special meaning here. The novella carries on from the previous one giving the mish-mash of half told stories some consequence - left me wondering why the two weren't combined, edited and brought out as a book. It's not a standalone. A few aspects could have been better expanded on, and there are a number of wrong used words and typing errors.
Once the action started I was more invested in the story, and there is a shock there. But it's a short story and rounded up quickly for some more emotional does he, doesn't he. Enough to remind me of the series strengths but not enough of that to satisfy.
Still getting a strong vibe of the M.Chandler's Shadow of the Templar series.
Still seeing a connection to the Templar series and while reading this kept hearing The Saint theme music!
-- --
Before: A little wary of these novellas weakening the dynamic set in the book, but I also like to read all of something!
....
After: Perhaps 2.5 rounding up as I preferred it to the previous instalment.
Unusually for a 'extra' ficlet this had events with consequences, no rule that says that's not allowed but still, not sure how I feel about that; 'extras' aren't compulsory reading. In fact if I wasn't the type to get caught up on reading all, could have happily skipped these myself. There's a risk any who do skip these will reach for the next book and feel they've missed several steps. Unfortunately instead of whetting my appetite for the second book they've somewhat doused exceptions, though pleased many other readers.
It starts with a drawn out sex scene and lots of dithering over how they feel about each other, the resolutions of which will effect the next book but aren't told in a way to give any special meaning here. The novella carries on from the previous one giving the mish-mash of half told stories some consequence - left me wondering why the two weren't combined, edited and brought out as a book. It's not a standalone. A few aspects could have been better expanded on, and there are a number of wrong used words and typing errors.
Once the action started I was more invested in the story, and there is a shock there. But it's a short story and rounded up quickly for some more emotional does he, doesn't he. Enough to remind me of the series strengths but not enough of that to satisfy.
Still getting a strong vibe of the M.Chandler's Shadow of the Templar series.
January 2, 2025
I reviewed this set of novellas - Bargaining with the Devil, When the Devil Drives and Devil in the Details together, and have given an A- for narration and A- for content collectively. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Novellas are generally hit and miss for me. So often they’re a bit flimsy, the shorter page count/run time contributing to a feeling that the story and/or characters are underdeveloped, and that there isn’t enough of a story to sustain a full-length novel. There are exceptions to that rule, however, and the novellas that span the gap between books one and two of L.J. Hayward’s fabulous Death and the Devil series are three of them. Unlike many novellas in series, however, you can’t skip them, because if you do you’ll miss out on a lot of really important relationship and character development that takes Jack and Ethan’s relationship to a very different place at the beginning of book two (Why the Devil Stalks Death) to where it was when we left them at the end of Where Death Meets the Devil. Taken all together, the novellas are a mini-series of action-packed ‘episodes’ boasting interesting, fast-paced plots that form a single story arc (linked back to that of WDMtD) which also start to peel away the layers of these two complex characters and show them forging an even deeper connection.
Note: The books in this series must be listened to in order, so if you haven’t listened to Where Death Meets the Devil first, you’ll probably be a bit lost. There are spoilers for that book in this review.
This audiobook includes the Coda to book one, as well as the short stories Bargaining With the Devil, Devil on his Shoulder and Death of the Party.
Coda picks up where WDMtD ends, with Jack waking up to the scent of freshly-brewed tea and the sight of Ethan’s neatly folded clothes in his bedroom. At this point, he’s not sure if Ethan’s there to fuck him or kill him after Jack betrayed him to The Office when they were working together to expose a traitor. Thankfully, it’s not the latter option *wink*, and once the slate is wiped clean, Ethan proposes that they should continue hooking up whenever they’re in the same vicinity. Jack knows it’s an utterly ridiculous idea, but there’s something about Ethan, a strange mix of ruthlessness and innocence combined with the glimpses of vulnerability he’d shown Jack on their trek through the desert, that is so utterly captivating that Jack is prepared to risk it. Plus – Ethan is hot as all hell, which isn’t exactly a deterrent. The stories in Bargaining With the Devil highlight a number of different issues, such as Ethan’s need for security and Jack’s problems with intimacy while also addressing the theme of the boundaries of their relationship when Ethan starts interfering in Jack’s missions.
Coda picks up where WDMtD ends, with Jack waking up to the scent of freshly-brewed tea and the sight of Ethan’s neatly folded clothes in his bedroom. At this point, he’s not sure if Ethan’s there to fuck him or kill him after Jack betrayed him to The Office when they were working together to expose a traitor. Thankfully, it’s not the latter option *wink*, and once the slate is wiped clean, Ethan proposes that they should continue hooking up whenever they’re in the same vicinity. Jack knows it’s an utterly ridiculous idea, but there’s something about Ethan, a strange mix of ruthlessness and innocence combined with the glimpses of vulnerability he’d shown Jack on their trek through the desert, that is so utterly captivating that Jack is prepared to risk it. Plus – Ethan is hot as all hell, which isn’t exactly a deterrent. The stories in Bargaining With the Devil highlight a number of different issues, such as Ethan’s need for security and Jack’s problems with intimacy while also addressing the theme of the boundaries of their relationship when Ethan starts interfering in Jack’s missions.
When the Devil Drives
Includes: When the Devil Drives and At Death’s Door
The stories in When the Devil Drives are a couple of slices of life, a look into Jack and Ethan’s relationship when they’re off the clock, that shows the degree to which their whole “just sex” thing has jumped the tracks and is turning into something else. In the first, Ethan asks Jack to accompany him to the charity race he’s been invited to drive in and Jack is helpless in the face of Ethan’s adorkable geekery about high-performance cars. Of course, this is Jack and Ethan we’re talking about, so a simple weekend away turns out to be anything but simple and it’s Jack who ends up in a high-speed chase at the wheel of a hot-pink Ferrari.
Ethan’s next visit coincides with Jack being laid low with the flu; and all the while Jack is thinking what a disappointment it must be for Ethan, turning up expecting some hot sex and instead getting a hot, sweaty mess of Jack high on meds and running his mouth off, Ethan is there, making sure Jack has enough medication and looking after him. Awww.
To call Devil in the Details a novella is a bit of a misnomer; it clocks in at five and a half hours, which is as long as some books which call themselves novels!
Includes: La Petite Mort, Devil in the Details and Death Takes a Holiday
La Petite Mort is the first time we’ve heard directly from Ethan (in first person narrative – Jack’s PoV is in third), and it’s really just one long scene in which we get to hear just how much Jack and what’s happening between them means to Ethan, and how little be believes he deserves it. He arrives at Jack’s place to plant some vital information relating to the case Jack is working on, knowing Jack will be angry at his interference but needing to do it anyway. He hadn’t banked on Jack coming home from work early, though…
Devil in the Details: Jack doesn’t have time to feel angry and hurt about the fact that Ethan lied to him on his most recent visit as he and his work partner Harry travel to Canberra to follow up on the information Ethan supplied. The stakes are raised considerably when Jack and Harry find themselves in the middle of a hostage situation at the hands of a terrorist group with no back-up – other than one rogue assassin. After all hell breaks loose, Ethan is forced to scramble, meaning he can’t be there for Jack after tragedy strikes and Jack needs him more than ever.
Death Takes a Holiday: Jack doesn’t hear from Ethan for over a month and is beginning to wonder if he’ll ever see him again when he receives a plane ticket in the mail. Still angry at being left hanging for so long, resentful and hurt that Ethan wasn’t there when he needed him, Jack considers not going, but then decides it’s time to define exactly what he and Ethan are doing. This is the final novella before book two, and not only does the author give Jack and Ethan the opportunity to clear the air and talk about where they stand and what they want, she also does a really impressive job of pulling together the various plot threads she’s laid down to reveal the big picture and wrap up this story arc. Plus – bonus Star Wars quotes and THAT moment with Jack and the rocket launcher!
I read this series when it was first published and it’s one of my favourites. Jack and Ethan are such compelling, complicated, damaged characters and I love the way their romantic relationship develops from wary but intense attraction to a much deeper emotional connection. L.J. Hayward does an absolutely brilliant job of actually showing Jack falling in love with Ethan across these stories; so often in romances, we’re told that X is in love with Y and see nothing to back that up, but that’s not the case here, and even when Jack doesn’t realise (or admit) what’s happening or he’s misreading Ethan’s cues, it’s very clear to the listener just how far he’s falling. And for Ethan, something as normal as having a relationship is so far out of his realm of experience that he’s struggling with how to handle all these new emotions and is constantly fighting his instinct to run, but we witness him becoming more comfortable in Jack’s space and the author does an incredible job of portraying Ethan’s feelings for Jack even though we’re very rarely in his head. They get things wrong, they don’t always communicate well (they live at a breakneck pace that doesn’t allow a lot of time to talk!) but the moments of intimacy and tenderness between them are utterly swoonworthy and perfectly in character.
Even though Jack and Ethan end this phase of their story knowing what they want from each other, it’s clear that they still have a long way to go to get there – not only because they’re still working out how to be in a relationship, but also because there are still dastardly plots to foil and bad guys to be dealt with – and when you’ve been one of the world’s top assassins, the people you worked for aren’t going to let go of you without a fight.
Rowan Scott delivered a really strong performance in Where Death Meets the Devil, so I was delighted to see he’d been brought back to complete the series. It’s been three years since book one came out so I re-listened to it before I started the novellas to refresh my memory and was pleased to hear Jack and Ethan portrayed so consistently despite the gap. Mr. Scott’s characterisations are absolutely spot on and he does a great job of fleshing them out – Jack’s lively, force-of-nature personality comes through very strongly as does Ethan’s more reticent one – and in the more tender moments, their growing emotional connection is superbly conveyed. Ethan’s English accent is accurate throughout, and Mr. Scott is really comfortable with his formal way of speaking so it never sounds stilted or awkward – and at times, it’s ridiculously endearing. I like the way he manages to convey so many emotions in just one word – “Jack”. The fairly large secondary cast is portrayed appropriately and clearly differentiated; my only reservation, as before, is that sometimes there’s not enough difference between male and female voices, but given there are so few female characters here it’s not a big problem. Well paced and well acted, it’s another terrific performance that enhances these already gripping stories.
I honestly can’t find enough positive things to say about this series. It’s clever and tightly-plotted, there’s plenty of action, plenty of steam and the two leads are characters who will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. In short, it’s got everything you could possibly want from really good romantic suspense, and the intelligent and engaged performance by Rowan Scott is the cherry on top. Highly recommended.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals.
Novellas are generally hit and miss for me. So often they’re a bit flimsy, the shorter page count/run time contributing to a feeling that the story and/or characters are underdeveloped, and that there isn’t enough of a story to sustain a full-length novel. There are exceptions to that rule, however, and the novellas that span the gap between books one and two of L.J. Hayward’s fabulous Death and the Devil series are three of them. Unlike many novellas in series, however, you can’t skip them, because if you do you’ll miss out on a lot of really important relationship and character development that takes Jack and Ethan’s relationship to a very different place at the beginning of book two (Why the Devil Stalks Death) to where it was when we left them at the end of Where Death Meets the Devil. Taken all together, the novellas are a mini-series of action-packed ‘episodes’ boasting interesting, fast-paced plots that form a single story arc (linked back to that of WDMtD) which also start to peel away the layers of these two complex characters and show them forging an even deeper connection.
Note: The books in this series must be listened to in order, so if you haven’t listened to Where Death Meets the Devil first, you’ll probably be a bit lost. There are spoilers for that book in this review.
This audiobook includes the Coda to book one, as well as the short stories Bargaining With the Devil, Devil on his Shoulder and Death of the Party.
Coda picks up where WDMtD ends, with Jack waking up to the scent of freshly-brewed tea and the sight of Ethan’s neatly folded clothes in his bedroom. At this point, he’s not sure if Ethan’s there to fuck him or kill him after Jack betrayed him to The Office when they were working together to expose a traitor. Thankfully, it’s not the latter option *wink*, and once the slate is wiped clean, Ethan proposes that they should continue hooking up whenever they’re in the same vicinity. Jack knows it’s an utterly ridiculous idea, but there’s something about Ethan, a strange mix of ruthlessness and innocence combined with the glimpses of vulnerability he’d shown Jack on their trek through the desert, that is so utterly captivating that Jack is prepared to risk it. Plus – Ethan is hot as all hell, which isn’t exactly a deterrent. The stories in Bargaining With the Devil highlight a number of different issues, such as Ethan’s need for security and Jack’s problems with intimacy while also addressing the theme of the boundaries of their relationship when Ethan starts interfering in Jack’s missions.
Coda picks up where WDMtD ends, with Jack waking up to the scent of freshly-brewed tea and the sight of Ethan’s neatly folded clothes in his bedroom. At this point, he’s not sure if Ethan’s there to fuck him or kill him after Jack betrayed him to The Office when they were working together to expose a traitor. Thankfully, it’s not the latter option *wink*, and once the slate is wiped clean, Ethan proposes that they should continue hooking up whenever they’re in the same vicinity. Jack knows it’s an utterly ridiculous idea, but there’s something about Ethan, a strange mix of ruthlessness and innocence combined with the glimpses of vulnerability he’d shown Jack on their trek through the desert, that is so utterly captivating that Jack is prepared to risk it. Plus – Ethan is hot as all hell, which isn’t exactly a deterrent. The stories in Bargaining With the Devil highlight a number of different issues, such as Ethan’s need for security and Jack’s problems with intimacy while also addressing the theme of the boundaries of their relationship when Ethan starts interfering in Jack’s missions.
When the Devil Drives
Includes: When the Devil Drives and At Death’s Door
The stories in When the Devil Drives are a couple of slices of life, a look into Jack and Ethan’s relationship when they’re off the clock, that shows the degree to which their whole “just sex” thing has jumped the tracks and is turning into something else. In the first, Ethan asks Jack to accompany him to the charity race he’s been invited to drive in and Jack is helpless in the face of Ethan’s adorkable geekery about high-performance cars. Of course, this is Jack and Ethan we’re talking about, so a simple weekend away turns out to be anything but simple and it’s Jack who ends up in a high-speed chase at the wheel of a hot-pink Ferrari.
Ethan’s next visit coincides with Jack being laid low with the flu; and all the while Jack is thinking what a disappointment it must be for Ethan, turning up expecting some hot sex and instead getting a hot, sweaty mess of Jack high on meds and running his mouth off, Ethan is there, making sure Jack has enough medication and looking after him. Awww.
To call Devil in the Details a novella is a bit of a misnomer; it clocks in at five and a half hours, which is as long as some books which call themselves novels!
Includes: La Petite Mort, Devil in the Details and Death Takes a Holiday
La Petite Mort is the first time we’ve heard directly from Ethan (in first person narrative – Jack’s PoV is in third), and it’s really just one long scene in which we get to hear just how much Jack and what’s happening between them means to Ethan, and how little be believes he deserves it. He arrives at Jack’s place to plant some vital information relating to the case Jack is working on, knowing Jack will be angry at his interference but needing to do it anyway. He hadn’t banked on Jack coming home from work early, though…
Devil in the Details: Jack doesn’t have time to feel angry and hurt about the fact that Ethan lied to him on his most recent visit as he and his work partner Harry travel to Canberra to follow up on the information Ethan supplied. The stakes are raised considerably when Jack and Harry find themselves in the middle of a hostage situation at the hands of a terrorist group with no back-up – other than one rogue assassin. After all hell breaks loose, Ethan is forced to scramble, meaning he can’t be there for Jack after tragedy strikes and Jack needs him more than ever.
Death Takes a Holiday: Jack doesn’t hear from Ethan for over a month and is beginning to wonder if he’ll ever see him again when he receives a plane ticket in the mail. Still angry at being left hanging for so long, resentful and hurt that Ethan wasn’t there when he needed him, Jack considers not going, but then decides it’s time to define exactly what he and Ethan are doing. This is the final novella before book two, and not only does the author give Jack and Ethan the opportunity to clear the air and talk about where they stand and what they want, she also does a really impressive job of pulling together the various plot threads she’s laid down to reveal the big picture and wrap up this story arc. Plus – bonus Star Wars quotes and THAT moment with Jack and the rocket launcher!
I read this series when it was first published and it’s one of my favourites. Jack and Ethan are such compelling, complicated, damaged characters and I love the way their romantic relationship develops from wary but intense attraction to a much deeper emotional connection. L.J. Hayward does an absolutely brilliant job of actually showing Jack falling in love with Ethan across these stories; so often in romances, we’re told that X is in love with Y and see nothing to back that up, but that’s not the case here, and even when Jack doesn’t realise (or admit) what’s happening or he’s misreading Ethan’s cues, it’s very clear to the listener just how far he’s falling. And for Ethan, something as normal as having a relationship is so far out of his realm of experience that he’s struggling with how to handle all these new emotions and is constantly fighting his instinct to run, but we witness him becoming more comfortable in Jack’s space and the author does an incredible job of portraying Ethan’s feelings for Jack even though we’re very rarely in his head. They get things wrong, they don’t always communicate well (they live at a breakneck pace that doesn’t allow a lot of time to talk!) but the moments of intimacy and tenderness between them are utterly swoonworthy and perfectly in character.
Even though Jack and Ethan end this phase of their story knowing what they want from each other, it’s clear that they still have a long way to go to get there – not only because they’re still working out how to be in a relationship, but also because there are still dastardly plots to foil and bad guys to be dealt with – and when you’ve been one of the world’s top assassins, the people you worked for aren’t going to let go of you without a fight.
Rowan Scott delivered a really strong performance in Where Death Meets the Devil, so I was delighted to see he’d been brought back to complete the series. It’s been three years since book one came out so I re-listened to it before I started the novellas to refresh my memory and was pleased to hear Jack and Ethan portrayed so consistently despite the gap. Mr. Scott’s characterisations are absolutely spot on and he does a great job of fleshing them out – Jack’s lively, force-of-nature personality comes through very strongly as does Ethan’s more reticent one – and in the more tender moments, their growing emotional connection is superbly conveyed. Ethan’s English accent is accurate throughout, and Mr. Scott is really comfortable with his formal way of speaking so it never sounds stilted or awkward – and at times, it’s ridiculously endearing. I like the way he manages to convey so many emotions in just one word – “Jack”. The fairly large secondary cast is portrayed appropriately and clearly differentiated; my only reservation, as before, is that sometimes there’s not enough difference between male and female voices, but given there are so few female characters here it’s not a big problem. Well paced and well acted, it’s another terrific performance that enhances these already gripping stories.
I honestly can’t find enough positive things to say about this series. It’s clever and tightly-plotted, there’s plenty of action, plenty of steam and the two leads are characters who will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. In short, it’s got everything you could possibly want from really good romantic suspense, and the intelligent and engaged performance by Rowan Scott is the cherry on top. Highly recommended.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals.
January 6, 2023
OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD!!!!!! DID I JUST READ THIS BEFORE BOOK 2????!!!!!!!
YES. I DID!!!!!
PLEASE. SOMEONE TELL ME I DIDNT JUST DO A MONUMENTAL MISTAKE BECAUSE MY EYES ARE TWITCHING AT HOW THE GR ORDER HAS BOOK 2 AHEAD OF THIS.
HSJSISOWPWPWOWISISOWOWOWIDHHSIWOQPQPB
THIS WAS SO GOOD AND NOW IM SCARED TO GO BACK TO NY ANNOTATIONS!!!!!!!!!
YES. I DID!!!!!
PLEASE. SOMEONE TELL ME I DIDNT JUST DO A MONUMENTAL MISTAKE BECAUSE MY EYES ARE TWITCHING AT HOW THE GR ORDER HAS BOOK 2 AHEAD OF THIS.
HSJSISOWPWPWOWISISOWOWOWIDHHSIWOQPQPB
THIS WAS SO GOOD AND NOW IM SCARED TO GO BACK TO NY ANNOTATIONS!!!!!!!!!
November 11, 2021
Had to stop a bit because of work... Do I need the money? Yes, yes I do. *sighs*
ANYWAYS! On to this review. 🤓
If I remember correctly, this was the first book that introduced Ethan's pov and I exploded, it was a surprise, I wasn't expecting it 🤯🤯🤯 And to meet him was a surprise as well, he is so pure to everything that is about Jack.
Ethan was trained and conditioned to be who he is, he really wasn't born that way even though people believes he was, his associates hell yeah, but he became to survive and then didn't find a reason to stop.
Jack became his reason and in here that statement started to surface and I loved it. *swoons*
This one was bittersweet, Ethan started to want more for himself and also, to think that he wasn't enough. Funny thoughts ain't it? And then Jack became aware of "feelings" and proceeded to shit his pants and then ignored them. 🤣🤣
After giving it some thought, Jack was showing his own pain since this one: his fear of abandonment. He always thinks that Ethan isn't going to come back and when he does, he is not sure they are a good idea. But all of those doubts come from the same problem: he is scared.
So yeah, I loved them both and loved knowing them. 🥰🥰
ANYWAYS! On to this review. 🤓
If I remember correctly, this was the first book that introduced Ethan's pov and I exploded, it was a surprise, I wasn't expecting it 🤯🤯🤯 And to meet him was a surprise as well, he is so pure to everything that is about Jack.
Ethan was trained and conditioned to be who he is, he really wasn't born that way even though people believes he was, his associates hell yeah, but he became to survive and then didn't find a reason to stop.
Jack became his reason and in here that statement started to surface and I loved it. *swoons*
This one was bittersweet, Ethan started to want more for himself and also, to think that he wasn't enough. Funny thoughts ain't it? And then Jack became aware of "feelings" and proceeded to shit his pants and then ignored them. 🤣🤣
After giving it some thought, Jack was showing his own pain since this one: his fear of abandonment. He always thinks that Ethan isn't going to come back and when he does, he is not sure they are a good idea. But all of those doubts come from the same problem: he is scared.
So yeah, I loved them both and loved knowing them. 🥰🥰
May 24, 2025
Well this one was quite perfect 😍
Finally some development, some deeper conversations, feelings getting acknowledged ❤️ I’m finally feeling their connection 🙏
I know the next one will be tough but I think I’m ready!
Finally some development, some deeper conversations, feelings getting acknowledged ❤️ I’m finally feeling their connection 🙏
I know the next one will be tough but I think I’m ready!
September 3, 2019
Oh-em-gee! Jack and Ethan are rapidly climbing higher on my favorite action/thriller, enemies to lovers couples list! This is a fantastic compilation of novellas that expands on the complicated relationship they have. There’s even a segment from Ethan’s perspective that really had me worried for a while. Jack and his partner Harry have to hunt down a potential bomb threat but Ethan, as always, appears on the scene for backup. Another scene ends in tragedy and sorrow, narrowly avoiding an ending to Jack and Ethan’s affair. An almost romantic interlude transforms into a fight for their lives through the jungle.
There’s just enough of the steam Ethan and Jack are so good at generating. I’ve also been waiting for the highly anticipated kiss! Does it happen here? I’ll let you find out but there is definitely some progress with the connection between our tarnished heroes. Love, love, love this series and am amazed at the level of excitement and anticipation the author continues to build. Can’t wait for the next episode!
There’s just enough of the steam Ethan and Jack are so good at generating. I’ve also been waiting for the highly anticipated kiss! Does it happen here? I’ll let you find out but there is definitely some progress with the connection between our tarnished heroes. Love, love, love this series and am amazed at the level of excitement and anticipation the author continues to build. Can’t wait for the next episode!
July 24, 2022
Getting a bit of Ethan’s POV was such a gift 😩
Once we were back in Jack’s POV I got a bit bored for a bit, but shortly after that everything was so perfect I forgive it 🥰
Once we were back in Jack’s POV I got a bit bored for a bit, but shortly after that everything was so perfect I forgive it 🥰
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