“I trusted once. I won’t make that mistake again…”An ugly childhood and devastating betrayal have left 25-year-old Cain Jensen scarred inside and out. Protecting himself means keeping everyone at arm’s length and protecting others means never getting emotionally involved. In the three years since he’s joined an underground vigilante group, every life he saves helps ease the guilt of the ones … the ones that were lost to him so long ago. So when he’s sent to a remote cabin in the Cascade Mountains just north of Seattle to follow up on the disappearance of his boss’s co-worker, his only thought is to see that justice is served, no matter what the circumstances.
But nothing he’s ever experienced has prepared the cold-hearted and very straight Cain for who he finds on that mountain…or the intense need to suddenly offer more than just protection.
“I’ve finally managed to break free, but I’ve never felt more trapped in my entire life…”
Ethan Rhodes has been running for six months, but it’s never fast enough, it’s never far enough. At 30 years old, the talented ER Doctor should be spending his days saving other people’s lives, not worrying about his own. But he knows that the four years of physical and emotional abuse he’s suffered at the hands of his volatile ex are nothing compared to what will happen when Ethan runs out of places to hide, especially after taking something from the man he once was sure would be the love of his life.
A violent episode that has Ethan narrowly escaping death leads to a quiet cabin in the mountains where his battered body will have time to heal before he and the young girl relying on him need to run again. But everything changes with the arrival of a mysterious stranger who threatens to give Ethan something he’d finally accepted was gone forever…hope.
“I didn’t see this coming. I don’t think he did either…”
To get to the truth, Cain must first get through Ethan’s defenses, but watching the other man’s walls start to come down forces Cain to face his own past. And as the tremulous connection between the two men grows and gives way to something more, both will need to decide if they’re willing to risk giving each other the one thing that has cost them so much in the past…trust.
Will two men who’ve vowed never to let someone close again let down their guard long enough to find each other, or will they let their pasts determine their future?
Trigger Warning: This book includes references to physical, emotional and sexual abuse so please proceed with caution
Note: This book contains M/M sexual content and is intended for mature audiences.
This is Book 7 in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone story – no cliffhangers.
The Protectors series crosses over with some of my other series, so for the most enjoyment, they should be read in this order, but it is not required:
Book 1 – Absolution (M/M/M)
Book 2 – Salvation (M/M)
Book 3 – Retribution (M/M)
Logan’s Need (Escort Series #3) (M/M)
Redeeming Rafe (Barretti Security Series #2) (M/M)
Saving Ren (Barretti Security Series #3) (M/M/M)
Freeing Zane (Barretti Security Series #4) (M/M)
Book 4 – Forsaken (M/M)
Book 5 – Vengeance (M/M/M)
Book 5.5 – A Protectors Family Christmas
Book 6 – Atonement (M/M)
Book 7 – Revelation (M/M)
more
**********Contains Spoilers**********
I really enjoyed this story. This book was pretty hard to read especially after everything that both men have been through by those who supposedly love them, well in Cain’s case as Ethan’s boyfriend Eric doesn’t know the first thing about love his kid of love is all about possession and control. I think what Cain went through is just unimaginable and I totally understand his adversity to touch but seeing start to trust Ethan by allowing his touch and knowing that he isn’t going to hurt him like his father and subsequently his mother did was amazing. Also seeing the moment when Ethan knows that Cain won’t hurt him like his ex did and that he can trust him in return was also awesome to see. I liked getting to see more of Ronan’s transformation that he made after he became Seth’s husband and adopting Willow, Nicole and Jaime. Wow, he’s a completely different man than he was when we were introduced to him in Mace, Cole & Jonas’s story Absolution (The Protectors Series) Book 1. I enjoyed meeting Vincent and I really want to know who he is considering he didn’t say much but he obviously has some friends in high places. I loved both Ethan and Lucy’s love and protection of each other and I loved how Cain spoke to Lucy when him and Ethan got back to Seattle and explained what happened to him with his family to make him weary about trusting her not to st*b him in the back but he has no doubt that he’ll trust her the same way as he trusts Ethan she just needs to give him some time. It let Lucy know that it’s not her but everyone that he looks for danger with but they can work together with Ethan to become a family unit. I loved seeing Cain slowly accept being part of Ethan’s family and even allowing Ethan’s mum’s hand on his face very briefly, it showed how far he’s come. I’m looking forward to finally getting to know what makes Phoenix tick after him being mentioned in a few of the previous books in this universe. I’d definitely recommend this book, series, universe and author to everyone.
What can I say, but another awesome book in the Protectors series. This type of betrayal is probably the worst kind there is. The story surrounding it is amazing and hot too.
Cain and Ethan’s story while dark on both sides held a light of hope throughout the book that the situation would get better. Each man had his own ghosts to fight both from the past and present as they haunted them until they were dealt with. This book had a lot of tough issues but still a beautiful story about healing and family.
Oooh, this was a tough one. I loved it. Two men who are broken, who suffer so much find love, acceptance and happiness. I loved them both. Sweet and caring Ethan who never fit in and always felt lacking meets the worst bully who becomes his everyday tormentor. What he went through is just hard to even think about. Yet he still finds it in himself to trust, and his capacity for love is amazing. He stands up for himself, he is so brave. I couldn’t help but admire him.
Cain is reserved and rigid. He lets no one close. He simply can’t. When he tells his story it’s heartbreaking. It’s hard to lose those you love but to have the one person who should stand by you no matter what turn their back… It breaks Cain to the point where he builds a wall around him that no one can get though. It takes kindness and understanding of one man for Cain to be able to let go and make peace with his past. The road to happiness is covered in traps, lies, ugly words and blood but they make it. Cain finally is able to feel and breathe, and Ethan is finally free.
At the heart of the conflict is obsession. When does love that cherishes turns into love that hurts? Both Ethan and Cain know the price of obsession, they lived through the pain and emotional turmoil, and they will do anything to leave it behind. The story is gripping, passionate and full of anguish but it all leads to hope and love, and both men are brave enough to take a chance. I loved it all! I highly recommend it!
This book was amazing. Cain and Ethan have both been mentally and physically put through hell. Watching has these two learn to trust each other was a reader’s dream. The way Sloane Kennedy pulls you in to the lives of her characters is what makes the stories so powerful. One thing that is key to this book and all her books is that these men are survivors. Not just surviving either. They come out stronger. You see this all play out. No skimping on the emotions nor what her characters have been through. I was very fortunate to receive and advanced reader copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. Sloane Kennedy’s books are an emotional roller coaster ride that I will always get back in line to ride again and again. I highly recommend reading all of her books. You will see why we love the great big extended family she has created.