The Thrilling sequel to “Illuminate the Shadows”Pulled into a world of secrets and lies for the man he loves, Declan Ramsay’s life has changed immeasurably in the eight months since meeting, and falling for his boss’s son, Sam Aiken. Declan journey of personal discovery is about to take a darker turn, and for Sam, the world becomes more treacherous than he could ever have imagined.Two agents are … imagined.
Two agents are missing — presumed dead, while on a reconnaissance mission at an outdoor adventure centre in the Scottish Highlands. Sir James Aiken sends his son and Declan to follow the trail, and discover the fate of the agents.
As the mission offers his first chance to use the skills he learned on the MI6 training course in Morocco, Declan is keen to get started. However, Sir James sees to it that the seeds of doubt and discord have been sewn between the couple, as they begin their mission.
The journey to their Highland location, and the discoveries they make when they reach the G’wan Adventures centre, prove that Sir James Aiken has been less than honest with his son. Events in the Highlands force Sam and Declan to face their greatest fears, and understand what they both really want from life — and from each other.
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It just gets better and better… at almost 7 hours this is the longest book so far and Starling packs it with an impossible to put down story. All these books build off events from previous books, so you’ll want to listen to them all and in order.
Declan gets more training but still struggles with feeling like he’s years behind Sam. They get a mission where Declan’s experience is invaluable and this seems to put the pair on equal footing. They’re working as a solid team until James and others make the couple hesitate to trust one another. Combine all this with uncovering a company that is quickly becoming not what it appears.
An old nemesis appears and the lovers are separated. The rescue is harrowing and heart wrenching. Gah! I loved it and while it’s a complete story – even more questions are uncovered and I’m looking forward to Counterblow.
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Gary Furlong continues a fabulous narration of the series. He’s consistent with all the accents and personalities and switches between characters effortlessly. While I enjoy Starling’s writing immensely, I cannot imagine experiencing this without Furlong’s performance.
What I Think: So, Dec is back from training and itching to go on an assignment, anything to prove that this shadow world love has dragged him into is real and not just a game of some rich, bored, old man. Yet, he’s loving every minute spent with sweet, mischievous Sam. Getting to know each other as they build their trust and faith in each other, never losing the humor and nerdiness that began their attraction when an ominous repeat of that little incident in book 2 occurs. Its truly enjoyable the way Mme. Isobel melds erotica with secrets and real life. I want a perfect short miniseries on tv and I know it would be to die for even as Sam decides that its time to bring his loving partner even further into the shadows and so the tale takes off!
I know this tale is all about danger and secrets but I need to pause and talk about those little moments of intimacy because thats what steals my breath again and again. The shared closet, Dec choosing clothes for Sam as they go for a meeting with Mr. Shadows who’s finally deemed it fit to turn up, naked yoga etc. Those are the things that leave one filled with longing.
And trust me when I say these moments are necessary and must be stored up as precious jewels because Sir Shadows is about to rip these 2 apart as he begins to say things that not only remind Dec of what happened during his induction but make him realize that even though he’s walking through hell by Sam’s side, he doesn’t trust him as much as he should. Which of course makes me want to cuff him on the head. Because he’s hurting, he doesn’t realize that Sam is hurting right along with him which is something he would never not notice, given how detailed he is, if he wasn’t so trapped in his head. Please, Mme. Isobel, please promise me that Dec gets seriosuly smacked at some point because he’s making me growly and violent. Some things can only be cured with a good ol’ smacking and this is one of those instances.
But my heart begins to thump for a different reason, tendrils of fear and unease twining themselves round my poor heart as Sir Shadows sends this pair on a job in the lowest time of their relationship. Have I told you I despise Sam’s father? Passionately so? But once more I am distracted by the strength Sam shows as he refuses to let his partner slide into that dark well of self pity and refuses to let go even when things seem to be done. His tenacity is as humbling as Dec’s big heart fills one with longing but this happens to be the one time someone is fucking with Mr. Shadows and I can’t wait to find out who they are because they must have balls of steel. But why does it have to happen in such a beautiful place? The detailing and description ensured Scotland just got added to my bucketlist.
Mr. Shadows is pure evil and even though he does something sweet, I know its because he wants his latest asset working well and focused, not out of the sweetness of his coal lump heart. I am slowly trying to figure out his end game because I am convinced he’s got his own conspiracy.
I kept getting side-tracked as these 2 are so in love that I had to read some parts peeking through my fingers as certain moments made me feel like a shy voyeur.
This couple is anything but vanilla and I love that no matter the situation, there’s always that erotic charge barely underneath the surface, just waiting to break free. As role- and rough-play come into things, they venture into the kind of bdsm I love. If you need some inspiration, this is a good place to learn dirrty talk. Make sure you seat where it’s chilly for fear of over-heating.
But the real danger comes when Sam realizes he’s being used as bait and my heart got wedged in my throat as my tummy roiled pure bile at the thought of a father who would use his son so. I really have to be careful what I wish for in this series because my wish for Dec to be cuffed on the head came true only for evil to pounce. The worst part is he and Dec could do nothing but finish the game setup by Sam’s nightmare and permitted by Sir Shadows. The horror and fear made me feel like my heart had dropped to my feet and I was certain that we had crossed the point of no return. Sam was saved by the skin of his teeth. At which point my worry and tension turned into pure rage. If someone, hopefully, Dec, doesn’t make Sir Shadows bleed at some point, I am going to be utterly dissatisfied. This didn’t stop relief from making my hands and legs all shaky or stop the waterworks that spilled over. First, I need a break from this series to let my heart recover. More importantly, I need a TV series of these tales. How do we make this happen?
Verdict? A violent, thrilling and achy reminder of the shadows and the true meaning of As You Wish.
Audiobook review:
Overall: 5
Performance: 5
Story: 5
Great story, fantastic narration.
I was on pins and needles throughout most of this book. The twists and turns were amazing and the last couple of chapters? WOW is all I can say. I can’t wait to listen to the next one. I’ve had this series in my play list for way too long. Now I wonder why I waited so long to listen to it.
Brilliant young gay man brings his older brawny Scotsman and sweetheart into the fold…
This is the third book in the SHATTERPROOF BOND series if you don’t count TOP HAT: A SAM AIKEN PREQUEL, which I highly recommend. I have so loved getting to meet and understand these two wiley guys who fall in lust in AS YOU WISH and in love later. In this book they have gotten over some disturbance from the last story and seem to be moving on to better things until…Sir James Aiken, Sam’s father and former sleuth has an undercover business which keeps Sam busy and has enlisted Declan recently (see ILLUMINATE THE SHADOWS). Sir James has sent these two on a mission together. Seems harmless at first.
Fortunately, there is a foreword with a brief synopsis of what has transpired in the last two books. In this book there is the ongoing story of Sam and Declan’s lusty relationship but a couple other interwoven plots, one to be resolved in this book and the other may take to the end of this series. There is some explicit M/M love, desire, angst, suspense and intrigue. What I thought was fascinating was the reappearance of Declan’s younger self who “arrives” in military fatigues and keeps “real” Declan on task. LOVE the spectacular ending even though I cried.
As I write this review, I can vividly see these books put in a TV series like Masterpiece Theatre or on Starz Cable Channel. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through A Novel Take PR and it comes highly recommended for readers who like mystery, suspense and M/M romance.
Their first assignment together; could it also be their last?!
June 12, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 stars
Brain, brawn and survival skills come front and center in this installment of Sam and Declan’s adventurous romance in the Shatterproof Bond series. It had a slower start in their London scenes, but once the guys take on their first assignment together the pace and tension build, all things related to a twisted piece of red rope! It’s exciting, often steamy, and heavy with cloak and dagger, but at the center of it all is Sam’s weird relationship with his father/employer and an old nemesis juxtaposed against his out of the stratosphere love and passion for Declan.
Declan continues to fight his resentment about being kept in the dark, but he proves forgiving and a tower of strength when he’s needed most. My kind of hero! And, he’s got one or two secrets of his own to share with Sam, including a lovely secret/surprise at the end. Unsurprisingly, the story concludes with a danger still on the horizon and a quote from The Princess Bride; onward to book four and more thrills with Westley and Buttercup!
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
I love this series, and this book/audiobook is the best one yet. Sam and Declan continue to grow together. Their sexual relationship continues to be hot and steamy, but there is so much more to these books. There is a real story as well. There is mystery, adventure, drama, and danger. It was great to see Sam and Declan work as a team, fitting together like the interlocking pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. I also loved seeing the vulnerable side of Sam, his fears and frailty, and seeing him rely and depend on Declan, who – as always – stepped up heroically. In spite of the drama, the book doesn’t sink into some dark thriller. It retains its character as a true and honest love story. The ending was beautiful, and I can’t wait for more of Sam and Declan’s story.
I also listened to the audiobook. Narrator Gary Furlong is a master, and I was so glad to have someone who could so effortlessly pronounce all the names of the places that provide the setting for the book. His deliver truly adds to the pleasure and enjoyment of the audiobook.
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book and audiobook by the author. This is my honest, voluntary review.