REVIEWED by Jay V.
TITLE: The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes
AUTHOR: Alice Winters
SERIES: The Hitman’s Guide #2
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 336 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 26, 2019
BLURB:
Jackson
Now that Leland’s decided to give up his life as a hitman and take a walk on the mild side, we’ve been enjoying a simple life of taking down bad guys the legal way. I didn’t know he would be just as reckless as a PI, but it’s not my fault if I happen to enjoy helping him hunt down the occasional criminal. If only I could keep the house from being overrun by Leland’s gun shrine—or stop him from making our cases “more exciting” by terrorizing people into confessing. Overall, life seems perfect, right?
Wrong.
We’ve been called in to investigate a suspicious murder committed by someone claiming to be the Sandman. When we find a note on the victim’s body, we realize that this could ruin our lives forever.
Leland
I wasn’t involved in the murder. It might look like my writing and my note, but I wouldn’t do that to Jackson—especially after I promised him that I wouldn’t take a hit ever again. At least, not without telling him. I’m finally starting to learn that we’re stronger together, and I’m not going to jeopardize that.
Luckily for both of us, this copycat doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. Game’s on, fake Sandman. You think you can mess with me? Well, maybe you can, but that’s beside the point, because I will protect Jackson no matter what, even if I almost drown him in the process. (Really, that wasn’t my fault. He should learn how to swim better.)
REVIEW:
Leland and Jackson are back at it again. Someone has stolen Leland’s hitman persona and is out killing in his name. Not cool.
The second book in this series picks up just a few weeks after the first. Leland and Jackson are settling in to their relationship after a rocky start of kidnapping, murder, and mayhem. And now another wrinkle adds peril not only to them, but their friends and family.
Leland continues on his streaks of jokes and manic craziness, with Jackson starting to develop some of his habits and going along for the ride, though nothing will compare to Leland’s predilection for his precious guns.
As they get deeper in to unwinding their predicament, there are some surprises and some predictable actions that occur. All of this just brings the two together even more and Jackson’s tolerance of Leland borders on sainthood, though Jackson might not be as straitlaced as first appearances. Multiple crazy outfits, outdoor escapades, and the dungeon room keep the spirit alive. I won’t go in to deeper detail about the story as you just have to read for yourself, try not to laugh uncontrollably on public transport, and have moments of sadness to find out more about them, especially Leland.
Alice Winters continues to shine with her humor and creating truly memorable characters. As I stated last time, Leland is already becoming a fast favorite, and his mere mention sends so many in to exclamations of joy, knowing exactly who you’re referring. We’re going to have to wait a bit for the next book, and waiting will be tortuous, but I somehow think Leland likes it that way – a little pain with pleasure.
RATING: 
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