ARC of Jagged EdgeI don’t want Jason Vega.Not at all. It’s the worst idea ever.Ah hell… be further apart. I’m crawling toward the light, while he sinks into the dark.
But it doesn’t matter how different we are, or what logic dictates.
I just can’t get Jason out of my mind. Can’t stop myself from seeking him out, even as ghosts from my past come back to haunt me.
Yeah, I really shouldn’t want Jason Vega – but I just can’t stop.
He’s under my skin, and sinking deeper…
* Standalone M/M contemporary romance with lots of angst *
more
Just like all of the other books of Jo’s I’ve read, this book had me sucked in quick!!! I haven’t read any of the other stories that featured most of these characters, but it read as a great stand alone!
From the beginning Raine was someone that was super interesting to me, it seemed that he had overcome a lot. With the help of his brother he really made a good life for himself, but he was missing something. With Jason it almost seemed the opposite, people trying to help him and him getting no where. There was so much to both of their lives that made their characters so dynamic and so interesting. Each of them were so different, but their chemistry was undeniable.
No matter how much either of them tried to quit each other they kept coming back for more. This was something that had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I read this book. I couldn’t wait to see where it led them, and what path they went down. Their pasts and present were both so prevalent in each others lives that we really had no clue where life would lead. Jo does this so well, she kind of makes you second guess any expectation you have and really keep your mind wondering the whole time. It’s such a great way to keep the reader going and enticed, and boy did it work! I can’t wait to read the works that these other characters were in to. I think it’d prove a great background and get a better idea of what these men had overcome.
Jason and Raine were well worth the wait!!!! Jason life on the streets is getting harder to bear. The deal he cut with Simon has left him with little to no options. He can either submit to the devil or watch helplessly as his friends are hurt by his hand. Everything about his life leaves something to be desired – the fear, the degradation, the pain suffering and strife – but worst of all is the complete lack of hope of for the future. He cannot want for a better life as that would just be wishing for added pain he doesn’t need. Which is probably why Raine Storm makes him so resentful. He makes him want and dream. For years he has haunted his thoughts as this elusive person that was too good for him. Raine knows he should forget about Jason Vega. It’s been 3 years and that’s far too long for him be obsessed with someone he just cannot have. Jase fills his thoughts and no matter how many times he tries to convince himself that a hooker is a poor choice for a crush. Their attraction mixes with business and business mixes with pleasure. Jase needs out of his world and Raine is determined to make that happen no matter the risk.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book
DNF – Throw in the towel!
This should not be read as a standalone. IMO
There are too many people and background stories from Damage Control Series & Inked Brotherhood Series..
Oh my God! Oh my God! I am gutted! This book….f**king fantastic! 5 Stars! My full review coming soon!
5 Stars to Jagged Edge by Jo Raven!
Jo did it to me again! My heart and soul are never safe when reading her books. Jagged Edge was absolutely gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, panic-inducing and angsty. And I wouldn’t have it any other way as this is Jo Raven’s speciality. She will lore you in with the pretense of sexy, sinful heroes but once you’re invested in the story you quickly realize it is not cookie cutter romance. Your heart will beat louder and faster with each page. You will even want to physically hurt the antagonists. And when the HEA comes, you are so damn happy, you will cry. Because Jo’s characters deserve nothing less than their happily ever afters. As Jo mentions in her bio, she lives for torturing her heroes and that makes their HEAs all the more satisfying.
Get your tissues ready!
Raine and Jason…….
Jagged Edge is a standalone but interconnected with Jo Raven’s Damage Control series. If you’ve read that series then you know that Raine is Ocean’s brother. Jason was introduced early in the series with Jesse’s book.
Raine is trying his best to distance himself from his past. He is now living in the same city as his brother, Ocean, and working at the same tattoo shop manning the front desk. Raine is gay. I liked Raine a lot. He was really trying to be a responsible guy. Unfortunately he had a quick temper and was known to say things he later came to regret. He did this often with Jason, constantly making assumptions. Jason, however innocent he was, did not make it easy for Raine to trust him because of his way of life. A way of life that was beyond horrific and tragic. Way beyond. I don’t know how Jason survived to reach his twenties but he did. Jason was also gay. That in itself drew these two together, however there was so much more that kept bringing them together.
Trust was a big issue between Jason and Raine at first. Not only did they have trouble trusting (especially Jason), but the torment in that situation was that they wanted to trust each other. There were some misunderstandings as well. It was easier for Raine to learn to trust because of his circumstances. Once he figured out what he truly wanted, his first and only priority became Jason.
There is a lot of intense situations which include violence. Some violence is on the pages and a lot is inferred. This book has triggers and Jason in particular finds himself in the most horrific circumstances. I won’t go into details because this is a book where you don’t want to know what’s coming. I will say if you love intense, dark, and emotional reads, Jo Raven is an author that will not let you down. This book will be in my head and my heart for a long time to come.
As an afterthought I want to mention that even though this book is romance; it is not a typical one with dates etc. It is emotional, scary, and heartbreaking.
As I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review; I will tell you that my review is heartfelt, honest and unbiased.
I always love reading Jo’s books; she’s an automatic one-click author for me and a definite favourite. You can’t go wrong with any of her books and this one is no different. It’s the first M/M read of hers and she did a great job; it’s not as easy to write. The story really had so many great aspects and you couldn’t help but feel for both Raine and Jason, to hope they get a happy ending, especially after what they went through. You will have to read the story to see if they get one 🙂 Definitely worth the read, not only if you love M/M reads but also to read something different… You won’t regret it!
Both Jason and Raine haven’t had an easy childhood. They are opposites but they can’t seem to leave each other alone. Even if Raine doesn’t agree with what Jason does for a living and fears for his safety, he can’t help the way he’s feeling towards him. It isn’t easy for both of them to let their guard down and when everything around them is going down, it’ll take all of them to keep on standing…