Reviewed by Marieke
TITLE: Shiver
SERIES: The Unbreakable Bonds Series
AUTHORS: Jocelynn Drake and Rinda Elliott
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 300 Pages
BLURB:
Lucas Vallois is always in control. He’s building an empire in the glittering city of Cincinnati and created his own family from his three close friends. The self-made millionaire has everything he wants within his tight grasp. But his world starts to crumble after he’s jumped by a trio of thugs late one night after leaving a club. The warning is clear—give up his new property venture or end up dead.
Caving to the demands of his friends, Lucas accepts the help of bodyguard, Andrei Hadeon, as he hunts for the source of this new threat. But as Lucas gets closer to uncovering the danger, he realizes the sexy Romanian bodyguard poses an even bigger risk to his carefully constructed world. Trapped by a need he never expected, Lucas must find a way to deny the shiver of longing he cannot control.
His brother. His warrior. His heart. Four friends. Unbreakable bonds
REVIEW:
Lucas Vallois has made his on family with his four friends, the only people who truly matter to him. They’re all damaged in some way and Lucas supports them all. They assume they support him too, but Lucas has trouble showing any weakness or vulnerability. He is the center that keeps his little family together and the others are determent to keep him safe when professional fighters attack him. Row even forces a bodyguard on him.
Lucas is bisexual and as soon as he lays eyes on Andrei––his new bodyguard–– he’s in lust. Andrei is straight though, but he can’t help but notice how handsome Lucas is. The first evening when Lucas is home from the hospital, his girlfriend comes by to see why he’s ignoring her. Lucas is drugged up with painkillers and dumps her unceremoniously, then he starts flirting with Andrei.
Andrei doesn’t know what to think, he actually liked Lucas’ flirting, and it makes him wonder if he could be bisexual or gay. But before he gets the chance to think about it, Lucas takes over and showers him with attention and gifts…and another accident slash attack. This time Andrei gets hurt more than Lucas and Lucas feels guilty…and something else he’s not willing to think about more closely.
The friends work together to figure out who’s behind the attacks and why they want Lucas out of the neighborhood he just bought a building in. Trying to keep out the annoying detective proves a lot of work, but when someone turns up dead the four friends and Andrei come up with a–– very risky–– plan.
Andrei takes an enormous risk to protect Lucas, but it doesn’t turn out the way he wanted it.
This book was filled with angst, excitement, action and a whole lot of emotion. I loved how Lucas and Andrei slowly grew together, and Andrei discovers his true sexuality. How Lucas realizes he’s let in Andrei without him noticing and without a whole lot of effort. The amount of feelings that these two authors have managed to write into and action filled book is amazing.
The only thing that would’ve made this book even better is if they had written a bit more about the other friends, but I’m assuming they will have to wait until the other books in this series. It sucks though, because there is a LOT of information given about how Snow is hurting and even a tiny bit about why. You get a little hint about a possible partner, but not even one scrap of conversation between them. It’s frustrating.
Besides Snow, you have Ian, who’s also gay. Rowe is happily married to a woman though, so no book for him I guess. These friends are very tight knit and that is so incredibly well written, I felt gut wrenched when Snow and Rowe tried to protect Lucas and he still ended up hurt again. Ian is sweet, innocent yet so strong. He’s lovely and such a welcome addition to the hard-edged group of friends. Andrei fits right in with his personality being a mix of most of the other guys.
Is this a must read? Yes, yes it is. Definitely worth the money!
RATING: 
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