Reviewed by True

TITLE: Nightingale

SERIES: Virtuous Sinners

AUTHOR: Laura Lascarso

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 300 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 15, 2022

BLURB:

An accountant and an assassin set off on a homicidal mission to avenge the wrongs of the past…

Since the moment we met as children at Saint Bernadine’s School for Boys, Julien has held my heart hostage. Now, he’s a ruthless and cunning assassin, known to many only by his code name Nightingale, and I am again at his mercy when he forces me to accompany him on his next hit.

What starts out as a straightforward assignment turns into a winding trip down memory lane, where demons are made real and the monsters are men of flesh and bone. With every kill we grow closer, even while knowing my life and my heart are in danger. What other dark secrets is Julien keeping? Who is this twisted man he’s become?

Trained as an assassin in the art of murder and seduction, I was groomed from a young age to a life of blood, violence, and pain. The only comfort I’ve known is my best friend Kahlil. My lifeline in times of distress, Kahlil gave me something no one else ever has… hope.

But I’m a man on a mission, and if patience is a virtue, I’m its patron saint. I will not rest until all my enemies have been vanquished. One-by-one I will make them suffer, make them pay. Kahlil has my heart, but will his faith in me survive this mission, or will I lose him along the way?

VIRTUOUS SINNERS is a collection of gay romance stories that center on killers who are guided by a virtuous code. These dark novels are connected only by theme and can be read as standalones. The killer’s virtue in NIGHTINGALE: patience.

Trigger warnings for on-page sexual assault against both adults and minors, child trafficking, and graphic depictions of violence, murder, and gore. The contents of this story can be considered deeply disturbing to some, so please consider your personal mental health before reading.

This story ends with an HEA.

REVIEW:

They were once best friends, brothers, when they lived at the orphanage, sharing a bed and more. The Catholic Sisters and Father Aubert took care of them.
Now Khalil tells himself he despises everything about Julien. The once so soft boy turned into a sharp assassin.
Julien in his turn has completely different feelings.

Working for the same mob boss Odalis, Khalil has to join (read: be forced) Julien on one of his jobs. Khalil is way out of his comfort zone, he is an accountant for f sake!

Boundaries are what Khalil needs to set for Julien, or else he’ll be all over him, always, because he is Julien’s, always been, always will, even if he doesn’t want to be.
Little does he know what Julien has been through, why he acts as he does.
I can’t tell much because I could spoil, and that would be awful.
The only thing I’ll say is: mind the trigger warnings!

Every page gives us a glimpse of the hurt, the truth, the horror, the memories, the distrust, the yearning, longing, craving, and hate.

“You let other men fuck you the way I do?”
“All the time,” I say between labored breaths.
“Liar.”

In the claws of the devil, Khalil gets to understand the traumatic truth.
There were so many things wrong, it’s upsetting, a network of sick ugly people.
I’ll say it again mind the trigger warnings!

This author’s writing skills are one of a kind. I always read her stories with amazement, even when it’s cruel AF.
And let’s be honest, this one was cruel AF! Right after the moment I thought the story was maybe a bit dragging, everything got into overdrive, I was on high alert again, because dang, a lot of things happened!
It wasn’t an easy read, it was immensely captivating, harsh, and not for the faint of heart!

RATING:

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