What do you think?
Rate this book
Assassin/Shifter #19
Lessons Learned
Years ago, sensitive Jude Brooks got tired of watching junior high life through the vents in his locker. Unfortunately, handsome Hayden Cox's favorite pastime was putting him in there. When Jude's werewolf friends torment Hayden for being human, he takes it out on distractingly beautiful Jude. A lot.
Tired of having his son picked on, pack member Henry Cox moves his family away. "Cox the cock" is gone - so why does Jude feel disappointment mixed with his exhilaration? In another city, Hayden is finally being accepted - so why is he constantly haunted by the memory of mesmerizing violet eyes?
Fast-forward to a meeting as adults, and the air is so thick with tension and anger that it can be grabbed and shaped into adorable animals. Jude's rage toward his nemesis has boiled over and nothing Hayden can do or say will make it go away. Hayden's efforts to make peace convince everyone but Jude he's a changed man. In fact, he's a werewolf now and he wants nothing more than for Jude to forgive him. Jude wants nothing more than to ignore Cox the cock and be taken seriously as a protector of the pack.
If longing looks and lustful thoughts are anything to go by, this situation is far from resolved. Is Jude's best friend really dating Hayden? And why does he care? Can he ever completely trust the person who spent years treating him like an algebra book? Will a survival test in Siberia and a stunning revelation bring them together or tear them farther apart?
Maybe they'll both be taught a lesson about love.
Tired of having his son picked on, pack member Henry Cox moves his family away. "Cox the cock" is gone - so why does Jude feel disappointment mixed with his exhilaration? In another city, Hayden is finally being accepted - so why is he constantly haunted by the memory of mesmerizing violet eyes?
Fast-forward to a meeting as adults, and the air is so thick with tension and anger that it can be grabbed and shaped into adorable animals. Jude's rage toward his nemesis has boiled over and nothing Hayden can do or say will make it go away. Hayden's efforts to make peace convince everyone but Jude he's a changed man. In fact, he's a werewolf now and he wants nothing more than for Jude to forgive him. Jude wants nothing more than to ignore Cox the cock and be taken seriously as a protector of the pack.
If longing looks and lustful thoughts are anything to go by, this situation is far from resolved. Is Jude's best friend really dating Hayden? And why does he care? Can he ever completely trust the person who spent years treating him like an algebra book? Will a survival test in Siberia and a stunning revelation bring them together or tear them farther apart?
Maybe they'll both be taught a lesson about love.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2013
21 people are currently reading
350 people want to read
About the author
Sandrine Gasq-Dion
79 books1,346 followersI have been blessed in this life to not only have parents that support me, but kids that do as well. I grew up in a loving but "Old School" French household. My parents worked for the airlines (TWA) so I was able to see a lot of Europe as a kid. I moved to Seattle Washington at the age of 22 and stayed there for twelve years before moving to Alaska for a little over two. Fairbanks, AK was one hell of an experience and I wouldn't hesitate to go back! I spent a little over a year in South Carolina before moving back to Arizona. I then left for Kansas for five years and now reside in Arizona. I've been connected to the military in one way or another for over half my life and wouldn't change a thing about it. Writing has become my full time job and I've never been so happy doing a job I love and being able to do it in my jammies. I plan on writing until I dry up and die. Hopefully, that won't happen soon!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 2, 2013
It is a given that I loved this book. This author is my crack. The stories are a light, fun read. They are totally unbelievable but that is where the fun is at. The author’s voice and the relationships the characters have with each other (as well as the 137 secondary characters in the books) are what I enjoy most. If you choose to read this series, fair warning: they will suck you in and never let you go.
September 4, 2013
3.5 stars
I think it is the longest series with most characters I've kept up with, and even though the books haven't all blown me away, I still really enjoy the story. They are fun and surprisingly easy to keep up with, given the huge cast of characters.
It was nice to see Jude and Hayden finally getting over their longstanding issues. My only real beef with them is that one minute, they are really immature, and the next, they are hardened SEAL assassins. Then, they sound like teenagers again. However, this issue works itself out a bit as the story goes on.
A few things going on in this segment, and we learn a few new things about some of the pack members. Of course, I'm looking forward to the next one and really excited to learn more about the Santorno family.
Killian makes an appearance at the end, and what an interesting character he seems to be. Hope to see more of him as well.
September 9, 2013
Imagine my great delight and joy to find not only one, but two Assassin/Shifter stories released within one month. I have read every one of these stories from cover to cover and some of them more than once or even twice. I was also VERY pleased to note that Sandrine had also created a “family tree” for all the characters in this series. I plan on printing that out and referring to it often.
The latest stories, “The Littlest Assassin/Shifters” and “Lessons Learned” continue the saga of the Assassin/Shifter series.
I am looking forward to the next stories as the group continues to fight the rogue wolves and find love among each other as well as make the world a safer and better place.
Well done Sandrine!!!
The latest stories, “The Littlest Assassin/Shifters” and “Lessons Learned” continue the saga of the Assassin/Shifter series.
I am looking forward to the next stories as the group continues to fight the rogue wolves and find love among each other as well as make the world a safer and better place.
Well done Sandrine!!!
December 12, 2020
✮4 Stars✮
March 17, 2017
Hayden & Jude are one of my fave couples and love how things worked for them.
February 10, 2014
*sigh* That didn’t work so well for me. Oh, the main romance was nice (Hayden’s humble devotion particularly; Jude’s close-minded reluctance less so) – it simply did not feel like enough to fill a book.
But let’s get my complaints out of the way. (Sorry. I know it must be way past boring by now.)
So. Explain to me why no one is following up on what that rogue spilled in the beginning. I’d have expected it to be a priority matter. Hell, I’d have thought they’d use the mind-link for that. But as with so many other things it gets ignored for however long the plot needs it to be ignored.
Oh god, it’s Tarzan. Dasan even sounds like Tarzan.
Heh, but he’s fine so far.
Yeah, you guys are trekking through the wilderness of Siberia. I’m sure shredding your jeans makes perfect sense.
You know? This is not the first shifter series that made me feel this way, but I am seriously disappointed by the fact that these people in shifted form are so much bigger than the real animals. This series in particular takes that to extremes. That… kind of makes it significantly less appealing to me. In part because they don’t even have a snowball’s chance in hell to pass for an animal, thus preventing many good plotlines, but also because bigger is not necessarily better. Depending on the animal it can simply be clumsier. And why celebrate the apparent beauty of an animal with these stories by changing it into something it’s not?
Here they’re going to be the size of a house soon. And I don’t even feel that I am exaggerating. Just look at my teleportation crack. I intended for it to be something ludicrously unlikely, yet it pretty much happened (the ancestors teleport willy-nilly, and Chance’s astral projection and shape changing speed-travelling certainly apply).
That sounds like a (young) teenager all hyped up over having snagged the coolest boy in school because he has the most popular attributes imaginable to the teenage mindset.
I can’t take these people seriously as adults. And that goes for almost everyone in this series.
And, as happy as I usually am about versatility in my gay romantic couples, if everyone’s the exact same way it defies the purpose just as much as when everyone’s strictly divided into tops and bottoms. Mix it up a little!
Finally, I wanna make a point about tattoos. If your werewolf healing is so powerful that not only your fresh wounds close up fast enough to watch it happening, but it also heals decade-old scars upon transformation – then how do tattoos ever take hold? I’d expect the ink to be expelled the same way that bullets are.
Okay, I’ll admit I am grumbly now.
No, this wasn’t an awful book. I had my share of amused moments. But it could be a hell of a lot better. Then again, I am beginning to think it’s not supposed to be anything other than what it is – a juvenile fantasy. Hey, that’s not inherently a bad thing.
I should simply take a break.
But let’s get my complaints out of the way. (Sorry. I know it must be way past boring by now.)
So. Explain to me why no one is following up on what that rogue spilled in the beginning. I’d have expected it to be a priority matter. Hell, I’d have thought they’d use the mind-link for that. But as with so many other things it gets ignored for however long the plot needs it to be ignored.
Oh god, it’s Tarzan. Dasan even sounds like Tarzan.
Heh, but he’s fine so far.
Yeah, you guys are trekking through the wilderness of Siberia. I’m sure shredding your jeans makes perfect sense.
You know? This is not the first shifter series that made me feel this way, but I am seriously disappointed by the fact that these people in shifted form are so much bigger than the real animals. This series in particular takes that to extremes. That… kind of makes it significantly less appealing to me. In part because they don’t even have a snowball’s chance in hell to pass for an animal, thus preventing many good plotlines, but also because bigger is not necessarily better. Depending on the animal it can simply be clumsier. And why celebrate the apparent beauty of an animal with these stories by changing it into something it’s not?
Here they’re going to be the size of a house soon. And I don’t even feel that I am exaggerating. Just look at my teleportation crack. I intended for it to be something ludicrously unlikely, yet it pretty much happened (the ancestors teleport willy-nilly, and Chance’s astral projection and shape changing speed-travelling certainly apply).
Every eye was on his man and Jude couldn’t have been more proud to have Hayden as a mate. He was beautiful, caring and sensitive, could sing and dance and was one hell of a badass soldier.
That sounds like a (young) teenager all hyped up over having snagged the coolest boy in school because he has the most popular attributes imaginable to the teenage mindset.
I can’t take these people seriously as adults. And that goes for almost everyone in this series.
And, as happy as I usually am about versatility in my gay romantic couples, if everyone’s the exact same way it defies the purpose just as much as when everyone’s strictly divided into tops and bottoms. Mix it up a little!
Finally, I wanna make a point about tattoos. If your werewolf healing is so powerful that not only your fresh wounds close up fast enough to watch it happening, but it also heals decade-old scars upon transformation – then how do tattoos ever take hold? I’d expect the ink to be expelled the same way that bullets are.
Okay, I’ll admit I am grumbly now.
No, this wasn’t an awful book. I had my share of amused moments. But it could be a hell of a lot better. Then again, I am beginning to think it’s not supposed to be anything other than what it is – a juvenile fantasy. Hey, that’s not inherently a bad thing.
I should simply take a break.
September 11, 2013
WOW! WOW! WOW! Jude and Hayden were sooo worth the wait. What a wonderfully entertaining installment in the series. This story was a lifetime in the making and our terrific author gave them a beautiful story. It also proved you can't out run the mating bond....just ask Jude lol. Plus we got some more great follow up with past characters and introduced to some new ones. Of course I HIGHLY recommend this book and this series. It will not run you broke, it's one of the more affordable series.
September 4, 2013
I had a wonderful time reading about Hayden and Jude in previous books. Watching the build up made the wait for their story just that much more excruciating. Well, Sandy didn't disappoint in her delivery of her newest release. Like her other stories, this one stole my heart. Can't wait to reread it. WHEN'S THE NEXT ONE COMING OUT, SANDY???
September 1, 2013
Just finished reading this. It was one of the stories I was really looking forward to and I have to say it was well worth the wait. It has to been one of my favorites. I can not wait for the rest please keep them coming.
September 13, 2013
Usually by this far into a season the stories start to deteriorate. not this series. This book is just as good as the 1st, the 5th, and the 15th. I love this series. can not wait for more!!!
September 7, 2013
Sandrine never disappoints. I love this one!!!
September 1, 2013
God!!! Just when I think you can't write anything better, you blow it right out of the water!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!
February 8, 2020
Love it
My heart is broken; with the loss of this wonderful author. I will never get the love story between Ruslan and Dasan.
I always wanted to see a Nik and Colin wedding. Maybe little baby Nik’s and Colin’s. It was weird Ruslan is older than Dasan but in the 12 Olympians they made it sound like Dasan was older. So; I just wish that the love story could have been completed.
My heart is broken; with the loss of this wonderful author. I will never get the love story between Ruslan and Dasan.
I always wanted to see a Nik and Colin wedding. Maybe little baby Nik’s and Colin’s. It was weird Ruslan is older than Dasan but in the 12 Olympians they made it sound like Dasan was older. So; I just wish that the love story could have been completed.
July 19, 2017
Another great add to the series. Jude Brooks and Hayden Cox story started when they were kids and evolved into what they could be as adults. I enjoyed their journey together and the added new characters and story. Can't wait for the next.
March 2, 2017
Smiles...Huge Smiles...
October 28, 2013
Am I the only one who gets this authors style? I LOVE the fact that she gives you a sneak peek into the other men (Obviously if she just wrote a book about Jaxon and Elijah and we'd never heard of them before, people would be saying, "Huh? Who are those two?") I love the fact that during each and every book, we get to see a little foreshadowing of the next in line to fall in love.
This book was well written, very clean and the plot moved. It kept my interest throughout, which is a big PLUS in my book--so to speak. Any of the three and below star ratings just make me shake my head.
A: It's a Male on MALE romance, so straight women, or heterosexual couples are NOT the main story line. THANK GOD.
B: Of course there's a lot of gay men! It's a MALE ON MALE ROMANCE.
C: I'm not going to complain one bit about the length of these books because I've seen shorter for much more money!
I've read where this author has said 'You can't please everyone' and boy was she right. Thankfully for her, I am always pleased with her books! Well worth the money!
This book was well written, very clean and the plot moved. It kept my interest throughout, which is a big PLUS in my book--so to speak. Any of the three and below star ratings just make me shake my head.
A: It's a Male on MALE romance, so straight women, or heterosexual couples are NOT the main story line. THANK GOD.
B: Of course there's a lot of gay men! It's a MALE ON MALE ROMANCE.
C: I'm not going to complain one bit about the length of these books because I've seen shorter for much more money!
I've read where this author has said 'You can't please everyone' and boy was she right. Thankfully for her, I am always pleased with her books! Well worth the money!
October 3, 2015
These are just my notes because I have too many reviews to write.
In earlier books it was said that Hayden harassed him for being gay. Now it's because he wasn't protected.
Cargo pants aren't supposed to be tight.
You don't go from singing really badly to having people cheer. Either you have an ear or you don't. You can improve but you're not going to sound exactly like the original artist.
Wow. A heterosexual couple. Dead, but still.
They've kissed and yet both are surprised the other wants more. Then they have sex and he doesn't want to be just friends and the other is surprised. Seriously?
They're out in the middle of nowhere with only what they can carry as wolves and they're ripping up their clothes for sex?
Good taste in music.
As always, she doesn't know when to end it. Several chapters out of 13 after climax and love connection before book ends. Story is too linear. Other stuff had to have happened while they were in Siberia.
Isn't Cougar Mountain really populous? I don't think huge shifters would go unnoticed.
Less head hopping than usual. 3.5 stars
In earlier books it was said that Hayden harassed him for being gay. Now it's because he wasn't protected.
Cargo pants aren't supposed to be tight.
You don't go from singing really badly to having people cheer. Either you have an ear or you don't. You can improve but you're not going to sound exactly like the original artist.
Wow. A heterosexual couple. Dead, but still.
They've kissed and yet both are surprised the other wants more. Then they have sex and he doesn't want to be just friends and the other is surprised. Seriously?
They're out in the middle of nowhere with only what they can carry as wolves and they're ripping up their clothes for sex?
Good taste in music.
As always, she doesn't know when to end it. Several chapters out of 13 after climax and love connection before book ends. Story is too linear. Other stuff had to have happened while they were in Siberia.
Isn't Cougar Mountain really populous? I don't think huge shifters would go unnoticed.
Less head hopping than usual. 3.5 stars
July 19, 2017
I read this book a few months back and somehow forgot to mark it read. I enjoyed it immensely, though i read it out of order. I tried to go back and start at the beginning of the series but the first didnt hold my attention. I want to skip a few books ahead, but there are several characters mentioned in this book that caught my attention, past couples and future ones as well. Will be reading more of this series when i can figure out where to jump in. I also rated this a little higher despite this being a 'serial' book, because i like this troupe!
November 25, 2014
Did anyone else want to smack some sense into Jude? He went from being bullied to almost acting like the bully. I mean I understand that once that's been done it can take time to get over and he didn't get to experience Hayden's change in demeanor but I kinda felt he should have been grown up enough to give Hayden a chance. Though I'll admit Hayden didn't always go about trying to get Jude's forgiveness the right way (that kiss and getting thrown into the cake in Devin and Andrei's story? Priceless!)
I loved this book though, especially when Jude was protecting Hayden and Dasan.
I loved this book though, especially when Jude was protecting Hayden and Dasan.
January 24, 2014
Jude and Hayden.
I loved how Hayden wanted to see that Jude changed, but I actually couldn't blame Jude for thinking that Hayden was with Ross. What kinds of friends are those? If I were Jude I would have run, far and fast. No need to see that day in and day out and be told by your friends the ins and outs of their relationship :( That made me sad. I actually cried for Jude.
We learn some cool things about Jude and his dad, Jonas. It's pretty awesome and I hope we see it more. We also learn more about the rogues and their "list". Scary!!
I loved how Hayden wanted to see that Jude changed, but I actually couldn't blame Jude for thinking that Hayden was with Ross. What kinds of friends are those? If I were Jude I would have run, far and fast. No need to see that day in and day out and be told by your friends the ins and outs of their relationship :( That made me sad. I actually cried for Jude.
We learn some cool things about Jude and his dad, Jonas. It's pretty awesome and I hope we see it more. We also learn more about the rogues and their "list". Scary!!
October 13, 2013
The story line is okay. My biggest issues are that it's repetitive of the books that proceeded it. In paranormal, not everyone who is human should be so easily accepting. Also, continually "mating" children with grown men is sick. Granted, there are no inappropriate sex scenes. But, seriously... Jesse, 30, is the youngest of his brothers. So, why are both older brothers interested in teen-agers?
Where are Maggie's powers? Females are definitely not equals in this series.
Where are Maggie's powers? Females are definitely not equals in this series.
December 10, 2015
A new dynamic
Every book I read in this series makes me want to read more and more. Each book is fantastic on its own but the ongoing storyline and interconnected characters knock this out of the park for me. With every book I read, I can't wait to read the next one. There hasn't been a couple yet that I haven't fallen for. I love that there's always something and someone new being added.
Every book I read in this series makes me want to read more and more. Each book is fantastic on its own but the ongoing storyline and interconnected characters knock this out of the park for me. With every book I read, I can't wait to read the next one. There hasn't been a couple yet that I haven't fallen for. I love that there's always something and someone new being added.
November 9, 2016
3.5 stars
These story lines are improving and I tend to enjoy the whole experience now that SGD doesn't get bogged down in detail. It flows better as we keep moving to the next couple/s.
Our MCs in this book knew each other in school, one the bully, one the victim ~ although the victim was pretty understanding during the school years. That understanding becomes bitterness over the intervening years. This book details their reconciliation with a few twists.
These story lines are improving and I tend to enjoy the whole experience now that SGD doesn't get bogged down in detail. It flows better as we keep moving to the next couple/s.
Our MCs in this book knew each other in school, one the bully, one the victim ~ although the victim was pretty understanding during the school years. That understanding becomes bitterness over the intervening years. This book details their reconciliation with a few twists.
January 15, 2014
Awww.......Hayden & Jude, what a cute couple! I loved their story. They started off a bit wobbly and took years to find their way but they soon could not fight their chemistry and love for each. I loved them both and really enjoyed reading about past characters and new ones. Looking forward to reading the next book in this series!!!
February 5, 2014
I realize that Hayden picked on Jude as a kid and so Jude has issues but instead of dealing with things like an adult he ends up becoming a bully himself. Disappointed about that. Kids do stupid things and yeah, it was awful how he was treated but it is obvious that Hayden has changed and he does everything he can to try and apologize and explain but Jude won't listen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2014
Hayden and Jude, what a story they had to tell and damn what a story that was!
The beginning of their relationship was very hard on both of them in different ways but as kids they both suffered. As adults Hayden fought long and hard to not only win forgiveness from Jude, but also his friendship and love.
Yet again another mind blowing book in this off the charts series.
The beginning of their relationship was very hard on both of them in different ways but as kids they both suffered. As adults Hayden fought long and hard to not only win forgiveness from Jude, but also his friendship and love.
Yet again another mind blowing book in this off the charts series.
May 6, 2014
Well Hayden did a lot of growing up after having been moved away as a teenager, and not all of it good. I understand both sides but wish that Jude could have forgiven him sooner. I really like all the kids in the books and I can't wait to read about more of them. I enjoy the little teasers of the other men and then trying to figure out which ones will be in the next book.
July 26, 2014
lets just say this book totally taught me to read books in order and if a series specifically says charas from other series appear to read them first. i took me this long to place stone,skyler,Elijah etc.. yeah im dumb esp since caden and riley are mentioned in 12olympians series. anyways almost done with the series i love it got to go back and read the olympians again after.
September 4, 2013
Really liked that Hayden and Jude finally got it together! This has been a long time in coming. Also liked seeing all the kids :) Hmmmm- who's next? When are we going to find out what the deal is with Skyler, Stone and Elijah???
September 2, 2013
I love this series and am happy that Hayden finally got his man. But...the number of characters that are introduced in each book is overwhelming. The author is now posting a link to a flow chart at the end of the books. I'll keep reading because I want to read the Salvatore brothers' stories. :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews