I really really enjoyed this but I was expecting to like it a little bit more because I absolutely loved the third book in the series so I'm a little let down that it wasn't quite that good. I already already really enjoyed these characters because I read the third book first and especially already really liked brand because I've seen more of his storyine even if I didn't know the back story as much.

 I think both Hugo and brand have really interesting families thations because they're not overwhelmingly traumatic the way that a lot of back stories tend to be but they're just traumatic enough that they feel realistic if that makes sense. They both have old hurts and new hurts to get through them but it's not so overwhelmingly bleak or devastating, instead it's just things that real life people have to work through. 

 My biggest gripe with this that the pacing is weird. There's a lot of tension and conflict throughout the entire book so it's not boring by any means it's just that there's this massive spike in events in the last 10% of the book. I would have really preferred it to be a little bit more spread out, maybe in the last 25% so Brand and Hugo could maybe

break up a little earlier so that we don't get the break up then immediately the stabbing then the conversation with Brand's dad all in 10% at the very end

.  Wish we had seen more of the oldest brother Colt because I think he's an interesting character and it's in an interesting situation in the family dynamic.  Brands 2 younger sisters are pretty much non-existent so it's sort of annoying that they keep being brought up when they aren't on screen literally at all. 

 Having read out of order means that I pieced together some points that I didn't even realize were missing in the third book and it's actually really fun. But I can also see where this book hints about where the next book is going and I think it's done in a really good way where you wouldn't guess that this particular point connects to a sequel unless you already knew. 

left a lot of loose ends and the sexual assault towards the end was unnecessary. also suffers from the favorite trope of people who aren’t gay men writing gay men: “my partner is closeted! how dare he hurt me in this way!” a la legally blonde. 

other than that thought a fun quick read with great sex scenes and hot characters. despite my reservations i’ll definitely read more from this author.