Series: Men of Hidden Justice*
Release Date: October 14, 2021
Because love can bleed into the darkest heart
Terrified and on the run, I was lost.
He found me.
I witnessed his crime and he gave me a choice.
Marriage or death.
I never expected to love him.
But the choices were never really mine.
Could this avenging angel of death ever love me back?
His touch consumed me.
Did my heart stand a chance?
Previously published on Book+Main and in Take Me To Bed Collection. New added content for a complete romantic suspense experience.
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
• Gun violence
• Murder
• Reference to child pornography and sex trafficking
• Attempted murder
• reference to/discussion of abusive romantic relationship
— Heroine’s stalker is an ex-boyfriend of 6-months
*** there’s no physical abuse in the MCs relationship. However, there are some scenes that can be off-putting for some:
—— the couple have a discussion after a heated argument where the Hero mentions he stayed away because he was angry, feeling out of control and scared he would’ve physically lashed out:
—— Heroine is unable to leave the house without Hero’s permission because he has enemies.
• Reference to kidnapping
• No OW/OM drama
• Does have the Hero pushing the Heroine away
• No separation
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: eARC
Rating: 3/5 stars
*Each book in the series is Standalone
Note: I received The Boss from Melanie Moreland’s team in exchange for an honest review.•••
The Boss is the first in the new Men of Hidden Justice series by Melanie Moreland. It follows Evie and Matteo after they have an unfortunate run-in; Evie is hiding from a stalker, abusive ex-boyfriend and Matteo just so happen to be exacting permanent justice on some corrupt members in his organization. To ensure Evie can’t be a witness against him, he marries her (also because insta-lust/love, you now).
The Boss is a new genre for Melanie, with a darker plot, tackling the insidious criminal underbelly of human trafficking. Considering how much I enjoy Melanie’s sweet romances, I couldn’t wait to experience how such a romance fits within a much darker world.
A New Genre for Moreland
I really enjoyed the darker romantic suspense plot of The Boss. The opening chapter was compelling and immediately drew me into the story. I also thought the setup between the two main characters, Evie and Matteo, was well done. While they were opposites, they complimented each other; became each other’s refuge in a very dark moment in their lives.
The subplot concerning Matteo’s work – what his job is, who he works with and who he reports to – created an intriguing world. I’m eagerly waiting to return to the Men of Hidden Justice series, especially now that “the commander” will have his own book (to be released in Feburary 2022).
Despite The Boss being set up as a romantic suspense novel, I appreciated the focus of the novel centred Evie and Matteo’s marriage as they slowly became attuned to each other. There was a steep learning curve, as Matteo wasn’t used to taking anyone’s feelings into consideration. This leads me to why the book wasn’t 4-stars, let alone 5-stars.
Why Not 5-stars?
My 3-star rating reflects my discontent with Matteo’s treatment of Evie. Hypocrites, double standards and paternalistic, sanctimonious Heroes always get on my nerves (I have a Goodreads bookshelf dedicated to them to remind myself which Heroes angered me to tears). Matteo’s disregard for Evie’s feelings affected my rating to such a degree partly because Evie never stood up for herself. Evie was the one constantly apologizing, making herself smaller to ensure Matteo was satisfied.
In Conclusion
I really liked the contrasting darker plot with the sweeter romance. Considering the opposing emotions they evoked, such contrast emphasized the tenderness between Evie and Matteo, as well as the darkness Matteo was struggling with within his work. I also appreciated the subplot in The Boss that confronted the mental toll such a role would have on Matteo as team leader.
However, I couldn’t get over how Matteo’s treatment of Evie was riddled with double standards. Despite my frustration with this aspect of Matteo and Evie’s relationship, I’m eagerly looking forward to the second book in the series, Second-in-Command which releases November 11th!
Buy The Boss
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