Reviewed by Annika

TITLE: Shatter

SERIES: Unbreakable Bonds #2

AUTHOR: Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

NARRATOR: Kenneth Obi

PUBLISHER: Drake & Elliott Publishing

RELEASE DATE: May 2, 2019

LENGTH: 10 hours, 48 minutes

BLURB:

Maverick trauma surgeon Ashton “Snow” Frost keeps the world at a distance, relying only on his three closest friends to keep him connected. But when a ghost from their past returns to Cincinnati, Snow stands to lose everyone he loves. Framed for murder and reeling from attacks on his friends, Snow is pushed to his breaking point.

Jude Torres won’t let the doc shatter. The paramedic has been attracted to the doctor since he first laid eyes on him at the hospital, even if the arrogant, solitary man doesn’t fit into any of his plans. One hot, reckless kiss shows that Snow isn’t who he appears to be. And one night together will never be enough. Jude will fight for the doc.

Fight to keep him whole. Fight to keep him safe. Fight to simply keep him.

REVIEW:

We first met Ashton Frost – Snow in Shiver, twisted up and desperate for some release, something to ground him. Keeping him together before breaking apart. This time is no different. An attack on his friends devastates them all and when he’s later framed for a horrendous murder he’s pushed to his limit. But taking it out on the hot paramedic from work is not in his plans. If only said paramedic would listen and keep away from him. Jude’s been attracted to Snow for a long time, so when the chance arises he takes it. One kiss leads to another, and soon he’s following along into the dangerous world of traffickers and past ghosts coming back for revenge.

The plot as a whole is not meant (I hope) to take seriously. It’s one to be entertained by – because the credibility factor is low, but the entertainment factor is high – on all points. Snow and Jude were great together, they made sense in every way. They were equals. For right now Jude was exactly what Snow needed to be whole, and I have no doubt that going forward Snow will do the same for Jude – he will definitely make their relationship interesting.

This book, series really, is not only about the main couple – which changes book to book. They are about a group of friends, brothers, standing together through thick and thin. Fighting together for each other. But also seeing how the dynamic changes as one after the other falls in love and brings a new person into their fold.

Kenneth Obi has done a 180 in my book (ears). A year ago I think I said I’d stay away from his narration from then on – they just didn’t work for me. Yet here I am, eating the proverbial crow, and enjoying his performance like I never thought I would. And I couldn’t have been happier about it. Obi brings this book and characters to life. He gets them, knows them – and makes you feel like it too.

There were a few instances where it was painfully obvious that a re-take was made. Where for a single sentence, the tone did not match the rest of it. This is not unique to this book per se, there are many books where you notice re-takes, but this time the difference was too much for the listener not to react to it

One moment in this book really stood out to me in every way. It’s in the alley (I think they were in an alley) behind the club after the fight. Where Snow is wound up to max, pushing Jude’s buttons and kind of aiming for a new fight – of any kind. Anything to keep from shattering. Jude on the other hand, pushes back, takes control in a way that’s new to Snow. You really feel that light coming on in Snow when he realises that was what he’d been searching for. Someone to take control over him. That moment was beautiful and Obi made it even more so. You could see, feel and hear Snow coming together under Jude’s ministrations.

Shatter was a great follow up in this series, and if you enjoyed the first book you’ll love this one for sure.

RATING:

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