Mistake number one: falling in love with a man who betrayed me. Showing up on his doorstep years later asking for his help? Also not brilliant.Haven: Naive. Foolish. Call it what you like, but I let myself get conned by a man who claimed he loved me. Nine years later, he’s as sexy and compelling as ever. I find myself wanting to believe he’s changed, wanting to believe I’m his, wanting him to … believe I’m his, wanting him to touch me. But how the hell am I supposed to trust a con?
Ethan: Grifter. Master manipulator. Hustler. Call it what you like, but I’m damn good at what I do. I earn trust, I break it, and I never make mistakes. Then Haven knocks on my door, every bit as gorgeous and brilliant and impossible as I remember, with her curves and wholesome innocence. I’ll protect her. Earn her trust.
An interconnected standalone in the Masters of Manhattan series. Though it isn’t necessary to read book one, your reading experience will be enhanced if you do.
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This is the 2nd book in the Manhattan Masters series. It follows a group of men who were brought together because of a common enemy, who killed a person that they love. Ethan was brought up to be a con man. When he was 21, he dated Haven and conned her family out of their life savings. But this con has haunted him for a decade. And now she is asking for the Masters help, as the attorney for a man that helped them in the previous book. Can she trust him to help her client? Can he right the wrongs of a decade? Can they get closer to the truth of who wronged all of them? A lot of suspense, a lot of steam. I am waiting with bated breath for the next installment. Strong 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In book 2 of this series, we get the story of Ethan and Haven. They were together 9 years ago but Ethan was a bad boy back then. In those years, he has come to regret what he did to hurt people and is trying to make up for all the wrongs he did. Haven’s parents were one of his “wrongs” so imagine her surprise when she asks for help from the Masters and discovers Ethan is one of them! Shock, anger, hurt and betrayal surge through her as she decides if she wants to continue to get the help she needs from them to get a client, who was wrongly convicted, out of prison. This is a wonderful story of second chances. Jane and Maisy totally bring the characters to life and feel all the emotions as Ethan and Haven struggle to find their HEA! But there are still forces at work who are determined no one will find the answers Haven and ALL the Masters are searching for. Completely fell in love with this book and now I can’t wait for the next one!
“Hustler” is book 2 in the Masters of Manhattan series by Jane Henry and Maisy Archer and if you haven’t read any of this duos books, I suggest you start with book 1 and then, quick like a bunny, grab a copy of “Hustler”. The overarching premise to the stories is a group of men with seeming no connection whatsoever are brought together to figure out who killed someone close to them. And from there…the hunt begins.
In “Hustler”, we finally learn who killed Ethan Warner’s twin brother, Eli, and we meet his love interest, Haven Wright. Their relationship is rocky from the start with some spectacular arguments as pride plays a key role in their interactions. At the same time, their chemistry is enticing and for every negative spark, there is an even brighter positive one.
I’m really enjoying this series. The camaraderie between the Masters is amazing whether it’s “frat house” fun or actual brotherhood and both Ms Henry and Ms Archer are doing an amazing job of bringing the love interests into the folds. And I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that the romance elements are downright sexy.
Hustler is the second book in a new series Masters of Manhattan by writing duo Jane Henry and May Archer
The story picks up a few weeks after the ending of Knave and it tells the story of Ethan. When he meets Haven he is confronted with his past and the choices he made then. Choices he regrets. Being with the masters has changed him. Will Haven accept him or hold his past against him and can he make his wrongs right again?.
What I loved about this book is the inside we get into the different characters and the story is like a puzzle. The pieces are slowly falling into place.
There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about this book.
I can’t wait for the next in the series.
Masters of Manhattan, Book #2. The past explodes into the present, and nothing will ever be the same!
Max Pederson’s accused of murder. His attorney, Haven Wright, believes he’s innocent. But how to prove it? The case against Max is ironclad. In desperation, Max sends Haven to the Masters. Five men, security experts, supposedly hold the key to his innocence? What could these men possibly do to help Max? When Haven shows up at their penthouse apartment, she never expects what she finds. Xavier Malone, the Wall Street tycoon? Anson “Saint” Daly, the legendary thief? Two others, Caelan Jamison and Walker Smith, who she knows nothing about? Seriously? And where’s the fifth man? Enter Ethan Warner, consummate conman and Haven’s worst nightmare. Nine years ago, Ethan, or Tad as she then knew him, destroyed her life. She’s never forgotten, nor forgiven, him. Now she’s supposed to accept him, his “team,” to save her client? But the case against Max is set in stone. Although she’ll never trust Ethan, the Masters seem her only hope to save Max. When the investigation ties Ethan’s biggest trauma to Max Pederson, no one, not even Haven, can keep him away. Worse, the explosive chemistry that pulled Haven and Ethan together nine years ago now burns brighter than ever. With the stakes climbing higher with every move, and Ethan put directly in the line of fire, can Haven allow herself to care? Is this just another con? Ethan’s the consummate chameleon, always has been. And just how much does she truly know about the other Masters? She fell for the explosive physical chemistry and Ethan’s smooth lines once before. She won’t be stupid enough to do it again! But when the ultimate betrayal puts Haven’s life at stake, can she put her trust in the Masters? Will her past condemn her present? Can shattered trust ever truly be repaired? Or will Haven’s belief in redemption doom her, her client, and her entire future?
This book took me by complete surprise. When we first met the Masters, they were a mismatched group of men thrown together by a common goal. They’re still a disparate group of men with that same common goal. But while their dedication to that goal is unquestioned, it certainly doesn’t mean they’ve come to grips with their differences. But what makes this story unique are Ethan and Haven. Ethan’s suave, easygoing, a natural charmer. But nothing about him is as it seems. And Haven? Dedicated, hardworking, determined, rock steady, Ethan’s the last thing she wants or needs. But can that be the truth either? These two are as diametrically opposed as two people could possibly be. The premise of the story is as unusual as it is explosive. Absolutely nothing is clear. None of this should work. The discrepancies between the Masters, Ethan’s opportunistic nature, Haven’s past trauma, the revelations that slowly emerge throughout the story, everything seems completely unworkable. The scorching heat between Haven and Ethan is the last thing either wants or needs. The over-the-top mystery, constant conflicts, and apparent changing loyalties keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. The story was so engrossing that I couldn’t read fast enough. The action is nonstop and constantly changing. You never know from one page to the next what any of the characters is going to do. Jane Henry and Maisy Archer have again accomplished what seems like the impossible. This story not only works. It’s beautifully done and one of the best romantic mysteries I’ve read. I literally couldn’t put this book down. Thank you, Ms. Henry and Ms. Archer, for another fantastic book that I absolutely loved. This book deserves nothing less than five stars!
A final note. This is an ADULT book. It contains explicit language and sexual scenes. If you don’t enjoy this genre, this may not be the book for you. There are book synopses and reviews available on Goodreads and Amazon. Use these resources. DON’T LEAVE A NEGATIVE REVIEW WHEN YOU KNOW YOU WON’T ENJOY THE BOOK. It’s not fair to the authors. They work hard to provide a quality work product. If you know you’ll object to a book’s subject matter before you buy it, you’re doing yourself and the authors an extreme disservice.
Thanks for reading my review and happy reading!