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The Milvus Files #1
The Kite
Ex-Australian Specialist Response Group, Tim “Harry” Harrigan, has been running covert ops for almost a decade. A lone wolf, he’s single-handedly taken down terrorists and national security threats, or so he thinks. He’s been in the game far too long, and when he sees a familiar threat, he knows his time is up.
Asher Garin is a dangerous man. A man without loyalty, a man without a nationality, without a country, or a home. He’s also a mercenary for hire to the highest bidder. His next job is a face he recognises, and after a tip-off, he learns he too is a marked man.
It’s a different game now, and Harry and Asher have a better chance at surviving if they stick together. But it’s not just the game or the rules that have changed. The stakes have too.
Because on their own, they had nothing to lose. Together, they do.
~
#EnemiesToLovers #GayAssassins #UsAgainstThem
Caution: on-page physical and gun violence. Reader discretion advised.
Asher Garin is a dangerous man. A man without loyalty, a man without a nationality, without a country, or a home. He’s also a mercenary for hire to the highest bidder. His next job is a face he recognises, and after a tip-off, he learns he too is a marked man.
It’s a different game now, and Harry and Asher have a better chance at surviving if they stick together. But it’s not just the game or the rules that have changed. The stakes have too.
Because on their own, they had nothing to lose. Together, they do.
~
#EnemiesToLovers #GayAssassins #UsAgainstThem
Caution: on-page physical and gun violence. Reader discretion advised.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2022
About the author
N.R. Walker
112 books4,953 followersAuthor also writes as A. Voyeur
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
She’s been writing ever since...
https://www.facebook.com/N.R.WalkerAu...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 464 reviews
July 3, 2022
N.R. Walker was one of the first MM authors I ever read, and she quickly became an author I counted on, so it pains me to give one of her books 1-star for the very first time.
The potential was there.
We are promised assassins, enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, one-bed trope, us-against-them, and hate sex.
The execution, though, was not.
Somehow, it was these things exactly that disappointed me.
Every time I read a book that is promising a specific thing but ends up being just another loosely marketed one, it reminds me that I probably could write my own enemies to lovers with other favorite tropes and do the bare minimum for it, yet it would likely garner attention due to its marketing strategies. Perhaps it’s because I continue having high hopes for it, but whenever a book is promoted as “enemies to lovers,” I feel I’ll finally find the one I’m looking for. Sadly, it only ends up being the same enemies to lovers book as every other one I’ve read: we have our two main characters who hate each other for the first 10-20%, yet still find each other very attractive, to the point where their hatred is suddenly forgotten and taken over by their attractiveness. It’s such a weak structure. It shows how little development authors put into their relationship. It’s even sad how someone’s looks brainwash you entirely to the point where you find yourself attracted even though you hated every part of them only a little ago. Suddenly you don’t know who you are, everything has changed, and you feel the need to protect them. I wish someone could explain to me how exactly this works.
Enemies to lovers trope is not a superior trope for me. It’s weak, hardly ever developed, and has a repeated formula. In the case of The Kite, our two main characters, Harry and Asher, although they have a similar role, are enemies. Why? I have no fucking idea. We are told they hate each other and have to accept it. The lack of backstory on why they hate each other is one problem I found. We spend the book following them around as they run and hide together, but we never find out why they hate each other. Before we know it, they’re catching feelings. This structure is fragile, underdeveloped, and shows how little info you place on your character’s arcs to let the reader get to know them more. While we learn more about both of them later on, as they tell each other part of their stories, it’s at the point where both are attracted in a romantic and sexual sense. The lack of a backstory between passages didn’t help the characters’ non-existing chemistry. 20% in, one of Harry’s inner monologues is asking himself why Asher affects him and where the patience and indifference he’s prided himself in is. He asks, “What is it about Asher Garin that rankles me so much?” Honestly, I also want to know because we never really find out. Their relationship takes a 360 turn in a matter of pages and moments.
6% - Asher smiled, and good fucking lord, Harry hated him. “I want to put a gun to your head,” Harry mumbled. “So fucking bad.”
And what did Asher do? He laughed.
Harry pulled his pistol. “Tell me why I shouldn’t put a bullet in you.”
Asher didn’t even flinch. In fact, his smile became a smirk. Unbothered. Unbelievable.
(If their banter had continued like this without sex taking over most of the time they had together that wasn’t focused on running and hiding, it would have definitely made it more sexually tense, added to their growing connection, and overall friendship.)
29% - His head was telling him not to be stupid, but his heart was . . . well, his heart was now beginning to make decisions, and that scared the shit outta him.
(Look at how fucking early on his stupid heart got involved.)
31% - It really pissed Harry off that he enjoyed Asher’s company. As much as he annoyed him, as much as Asher infuriated him, Harry absolutely hated that he liked him.
(Okay but why? Why do you like him? What is there to like? He teases you and makes you want to shoot him in the head. Other than that, what development has happened?)
33% - Sure, he trusted Asher. Somewhat. But not that much.
(You trusted him enough to give his mouth your dick, so that’s enough, right?)
37% - “You won’t even look at me,” Asher yelled, this time in English, before he shoved Harry in the back.
(Imagine being in your 30s and throwing a tantrum as you pout because your supposed enemy won’t look at you, give you what you want (sexually) and is denying what his body wants? How pathetic.)
After this, they had a physical fight, Asher wanted to be dominated, so Harry did dominate, they gave in, had sex, went to sleep, woke up in the morning, day moved on.
45% - Asher grinned. “You are jealous.”
Yes, you are. Admit it. As much as you loathe this man, you like him too.
(What is there to like? All you’ve done is have oral and anal sex and bicker.)
46% - Asher laughed. “We’re all bad guys, Harry. You and me, we are the bad guys.” He shook his head, amused. “You kill for your government. I kill for anyone’s government. They might call it service or honourable duty, but it’s all murder.”
(Too bad the roles of being assassins were hardly relevant to the story)
51% - He liked Harry.
Sure, he was grumpy and his sense of humour could use some work, but he was also thoughtful and protective. And Asher knew, without a doubt, that Harry would have his back if and when it came down to it.
(Where can I find someone who likes me for two personality traits—being grumpy and having a boring sense of humor, but also because I’m a generic human being?)
63% - “You still angry? Pissed off? Wanna pummel something, Harry? You know I like it when you’re rough with me.”
(This is (unfortunately) how their relationship developed)
68% - “Please. He is . . . he is everything to me. Please. Did you see anything?”
(Since when?)
92% - “I don’t think my home was ever a place, Harry. I think that’s what this whole mess has taught me. I spent so many years longing for a normal life, for a home. But home for me was never a place or a country or a flag. It’s a person. And wherever he decides feels right for him, that’ll be okay with me.”
(Oh it’s the end already?)
There is no development as they run and hide together. Every moment is either sexual, formed through the desire and arousal they have, or they’re running because they’re being followed to be killed. Yet, in between those moments, there is nothing else being offered. Even though they are entirely and provably sexually attracted to an extreme (which I would have appreciated, along with the “hate sex” if it wasn’t the only thing they could do), the sexual tension between the two is primarily negative in the sense that it feels shameful at first (such as how Harry hates that he wants Asher physically, and Asher even gets mad at Harry because he won’t give in even though they both know he wants to). I’m not a fan of this kind of attraction. Look, I get it. They’re both men in their 30s, have some pent-up anger they want to release, and their hormones act are making them act like teenagers again. They don’t think with their mind but their body most of the time, and it takes only a couple of seconds to get them going. Yet, when it comes to sexual tension, which can lead to the emotional connection, especially in enemies to lovers, I expect it to be more, you know, tense? But it felt like there was no sexual tension. There were none of those moments that books tease us with–eye contact, desire but not giving in, getting closer to each other, wishing for a kiss, subtly making physical contact, admiration, and more. There weren’t any moments that made me believe in growing feelings between the two as we’re more perceptive of the character’s emotions.
I believe this book had a promising start when we met both Harry and Asher. Harry is the grump, always scowling, wishing Asher would shut up, and hardly ever smiles. His cold demeanor comes from the lack of connection he has to the world. He has a job to fulfill, missions to complete, and targets to get rid of. So he does as he says and moves on. On the other hand, Asher is the polar opposite–while not entirely a sunshine personality, his bright self is more prominent. Instead of scowling all the time, he maintains his bright smile to earn himself a good reputation. While he also has a role in fulfilling tasks to care for, he carries scars from his past. Having no loyalty, nationality, family, or home, he sticks to himself with the help of his informant. What starts as a back and forth, push and pull, teasing, bickering, and even fun banter turns into annoyance, repetition, and confusion. Even with suspension of disbelief, which I didn’t need to do here (mostly because I’m used to it already when it comes to military/action media), I couldn’t get behind the relationship. No matter how fun, entertaining, and funny the banter between our protagonists is, it adds nothing when it doesn’t further the attraction they’re trying to deny. Most of it is because it only started a certain way. Still, once things began changing gears and getting steamier, most of their conversations felt the same, with sex added to it. Asher started to push Harry’s buttons sexually, and Harry wanted to deny his sexual attraction but couldn’t resist. Most of the time they spend together is either of them having sex or figuring out their following location to run away to.
I’ve said this before, but for two opposites and “enemies,” the relationship was fast-paced. Not only with the lack of development, but I couldn’t figure out what exactly the two characters liked from each other. It felt like they only acted like their personality traits, and there wasn’t anything else they could offer. It happened too quickly. Sex is also not something that verifies a connection between the characters. Instead, it makes it less believable, underwhelming, and more disappointing overall. If you’re not going to give me a reason to believe in two characters falling in love, especially two men who had never fallen in love before, had trust issues the entire beginning of the book, and have roles that aren’t the exact best spot to be in when you’re vulnerable, I’m not going to be rooting for the couple at all. I know N.R. Walker is known for her low-angst, comforting reads that make love seem easy. Still, considering how she decided to take a different route in her writing here and write something new, it should be expected that there needs to be more growth added. I’ve read books from this author that are shorter and longer than I’ve enjoyed, and I believe in the love between the characters. So there’s no excuse, but it all feels lazy at this point. It’s weak, lacks a lot of substance, and holds no actual value to what the book is trying to pinpoint, mean, and show.
So far, this is my least favorite book by this author. It was underwhelming, disappointing, and didn’t offer anything it promised to give. However, even with the suspension of disbelief, I couldn’t get behind accepting and loving the characters and the relationship. But for anyone who does want to read anything by her, I love and highly recommend The Weight of It All, Galaxies and Oceans, On Davis Row, Exchange of Hearts, and the Missing Pieces trilogy.
The potential was there.
We are promised assassins, enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, one-bed trope, us-against-them, and hate sex.
The execution, though, was not.
Somehow, it was these things exactly that disappointed me.
Every time I read a book that is promising a specific thing but ends up being just another loosely marketed one, it reminds me that I probably could write my own enemies to lovers with other favorite tropes and do the bare minimum for it, yet it would likely garner attention due to its marketing strategies. Perhaps it’s because I continue having high hopes for it, but whenever a book is promoted as “enemies to lovers,” I feel I’ll finally find the one I’m looking for. Sadly, it only ends up being the same enemies to lovers book as every other one I’ve read: we have our two main characters who hate each other for the first 10-20%, yet still find each other very attractive, to the point where their hatred is suddenly forgotten and taken over by their attractiveness. It’s such a weak structure. It shows how little development authors put into their relationship. It’s even sad how someone’s looks brainwash you entirely to the point where you find yourself attracted even though you hated every part of them only a little ago. Suddenly you don’t know who you are, everything has changed, and you feel the need to protect them. I wish someone could explain to me how exactly this works.
Enemies to lovers trope is not a superior trope for me. It’s weak, hardly ever developed, and has a repeated formula. In the case of The Kite, our two main characters, Harry and Asher, although they have a similar role, are enemies. Why? I have no fucking idea. We are told they hate each other and have to accept it. The lack of backstory on why they hate each other is one problem I found. We spend the book following them around as they run and hide together, but we never find out why they hate each other. Before we know it, they’re catching feelings. This structure is fragile, underdeveloped, and shows how little info you place on your character’s arcs to let the reader get to know them more. While we learn more about both of them later on, as they tell each other part of their stories, it’s at the point where both are attracted in a romantic and sexual sense. The lack of a backstory between passages didn’t help the characters’ non-existing chemistry. 20% in, one of Harry’s inner monologues is asking himself why Asher affects him and where the patience and indifference he’s prided himself in is. He asks, “What is it about Asher Garin that rankles me so much?” Honestly, I also want to know because we never really find out. Their relationship takes a 360 turn in a matter of pages and moments.
6% - Asher smiled, and good fucking lord, Harry hated him. “I want to put a gun to your head,” Harry mumbled. “So fucking bad.”
And what did Asher do? He laughed.
Harry pulled his pistol. “Tell me why I shouldn’t put a bullet in you.”
Asher didn’t even flinch. In fact, his smile became a smirk. Unbothered. Unbelievable.
(If their banter had continued like this without sex taking over most of the time they had together that wasn’t focused on running and hiding, it would have definitely made it more sexually tense, added to their growing connection, and overall friendship.)
29% - His head was telling him not to be stupid, but his heart was . . . well, his heart was now beginning to make decisions, and that scared the shit outta him.
(Look at how fucking early on his stupid heart got involved.)
31% - It really pissed Harry off that he enjoyed Asher’s company. As much as he annoyed him, as much as Asher infuriated him, Harry absolutely hated that he liked him.
(Okay but why? Why do you like him? What is there to like? He teases you and makes you want to shoot him in the head. Other than that, what development has happened?)
33% - Sure, he trusted Asher. Somewhat. But not that much.
(You trusted him enough to give his mouth your dick, so that’s enough, right?)
37% - “You won’t even look at me,” Asher yelled, this time in English, before he shoved Harry in the back.
(Imagine being in your 30s and throwing a tantrum as you pout because your supposed enemy won’t look at you, give you what you want (sexually) and is denying what his body wants? How pathetic.)
After this, they had a physical fight, Asher wanted to be dominated, so Harry did dominate, they gave in, had sex, went to sleep, woke up in the morning, day moved on.
45% - Asher grinned. “You are jealous.”
Yes, you are. Admit it. As much as you loathe this man, you like him too.
(What is there to like? All you’ve done is have oral and anal sex and bicker.)
46% - Asher laughed. “We’re all bad guys, Harry. You and me, we are the bad guys.” He shook his head, amused. “You kill for your government. I kill for anyone’s government. They might call it service or honourable duty, but it’s all murder.”
(Too bad the roles of being assassins were hardly relevant to the story)
51% - He liked Harry.
Sure, he was grumpy and his sense of humour could use some work, but he was also thoughtful and protective. And Asher knew, without a doubt, that Harry would have his back if and when it came down to it.
(Where can I find someone who likes me for two personality traits—being grumpy and having a boring sense of humor, but also because I’m a generic human being?)
63% - “You still angry? Pissed off? Wanna pummel something, Harry? You know I like it when you’re rough with me.”
(This is (unfortunately) how their relationship developed)
68% - “Please. He is . . . he is everything to me. Please. Did you see anything?”
(Since when?)
92% - “I don’t think my home was ever a place, Harry. I think that’s what this whole mess has taught me. I spent so many years longing for a normal life, for a home. But home for me was never a place or a country or a flag. It’s a person. And wherever he decides feels right for him, that’ll be okay with me.”
(Oh it’s the end already?)
There is no development as they run and hide together. Every moment is either sexual, formed through the desire and arousal they have, or they’re running because they’re being followed to be killed. Yet, in between those moments, there is nothing else being offered. Even though they are entirely and provably sexually attracted to an extreme (which I would have appreciated, along with the “hate sex” if it wasn’t the only thing they could do), the sexual tension between the two is primarily negative in the sense that it feels shameful at first (such as how Harry hates that he wants Asher physically, and Asher even gets mad at Harry because he won’t give in even though they both know he wants to). I’m not a fan of this kind of attraction. Look, I get it. They’re both men in their 30s, have some pent-up anger they want to release, and their hormones act are making them act like teenagers again. They don’t think with their mind but their body most of the time, and it takes only a couple of seconds to get them going. Yet, when it comes to sexual tension, which can lead to the emotional connection, especially in enemies to lovers, I expect it to be more, you know, tense? But it felt like there was no sexual tension. There were none of those moments that books tease us with–eye contact, desire but not giving in, getting closer to each other, wishing for a kiss, subtly making physical contact, admiration, and more. There weren’t any moments that made me believe in growing feelings between the two as we’re more perceptive of the character’s emotions.
I believe this book had a promising start when we met both Harry and Asher. Harry is the grump, always scowling, wishing Asher would shut up, and hardly ever smiles. His cold demeanor comes from the lack of connection he has to the world. He has a job to fulfill, missions to complete, and targets to get rid of. So he does as he says and moves on. On the other hand, Asher is the polar opposite–while not entirely a sunshine personality, his bright self is more prominent. Instead of scowling all the time, he maintains his bright smile to earn himself a good reputation. While he also has a role in fulfilling tasks to care for, he carries scars from his past. Having no loyalty, nationality, family, or home, he sticks to himself with the help of his informant. What starts as a back and forth, push and pull, teasing, bickering, and even fun banter turns into annoyance, repetition, and confusion. Even with suspension of disbelief, which I didn’t need to do here (mostly because I’m used to it already when it comes to military/action media), I couldn’t get behind the relationship. No matter how fun, entertaining, and funny the banter between our protagonists is, it adds nothing when it doesn’t further the attraction they’re trying to deny. Most of it is because it only started a certain way. Still, once things began changing gears and getting steamier, most of their conversations felt the same, with sex added to it. Asher started to push Harry’s buttons sexually, and Harry wanted to deny his sexual attraction but couldn’t resist. Most of the time they spend together is either of them having sex or figuring out their following location to run away to.
I’ve said this before, but for two opposites and “enemies,” the relationship was fast-paced. Not only with the lack of development, but I couldn’t figure out what exactly the two characters liked from each other. It felt like they only acted like their personality traits, and there wasn’t anything else they could offer. It happened too quickly. Sex is also not something that verifies a connection between the characters. Instead, it makes it less believable, underwhelming, and more disappointing overall. If you’re not going to give me a reason to believe in two characters falling in love, especially two men who had never fallen in love before, had trust issues the entire beginning of the book, and have roles that aren’t the exact best spot to be in when you’re vulnerable, I’m not going to be rooting for the couple at all. I know N.R. Walker is known for her low-angst, comforting reads that make love seem easy. Still, considering how she decided to take a different route in her writing here and write something new, it should be expected that there needs to be more growth added. I’ve read books from this author that are shorter and longer than I’ve enjoyed, and I believe in the love between the characters. So there’s no excuse, but it all feels lazy at this point. It’s weak, lacks a lot of substance, and holds no actual value to what the book is trying to pinpoint, mean, and show.
So far, this is my least favorite book by this author. It was underwhelming, disappointing, and didn’t offer anything it promised to give. However, even with the suspension of disbelief, I couldn’t get behind accepting and loving the characters and the relationship. But for anyone who does want to read anything by her, I love and highly recommend The Weight of It All, Galaxies and Oceans, On Davis Row, Exchange of Hearts, and the Missing Pieces trilogy.
July 10, 2022
~3.5~
I liked Asher and Harry. They weren't true enemies, but Harry knew Asher was the only man who could kill him, and vice-versa.
When Asher saves Harry's life, he does so for mostly selfish reasons; when Harry saves Asher's, it's purely selfless. But much happens between the former and the latter.
I will admit the middle of the book dragged a bit, and if Harry said "shut the fuck up" one more time, I was going to sprain my eyeballs from rolling them so much. Grumpy banter was Harry's love language, but it got annoying.
Around the 60 percent mark, the plot picked up, and I was really rooting for Harry and Asher. I enjoyed meeting Asher's mysterious friend too.
But the pièce de résistance was Harry's revenge against his evil, greedy handler. The fucker got what was coming to him.
Walker didn't skimp on the steam in this book, although the sexy scenes lacked the intimate details I crave.
Harry's POV dominated the story, with Asher narrating a few of the chapters.
The sections from the perspective of the two military goons chasing the MCs were random and unecessary, but the revenge scene from the POV of the monster who deserved it was icing on the cake.
Rounding up for the HEA (kitten included).
I liked Asher and Harry. They weren't true enemies, but Harry knew Asher was the only man who could kill him, and vice-versa.
When Asher saves Harry's life, he does so for mostly selfish reasons; when Harry saves Asher's, it's purely selfless. But much happens between the former and the latter.
I will admit the middle of the book dragged a bit, and if Harry said "shut the fuck up" one more time, I was going to sprain my eyeballs from rolling them so much. Grumpy banter was Harry's love language, but it got annoying.
Around the 60 percent mark, the plot picked up, and I was really rooting for Harry and Asher. I enjoyed meeting Asher's mysterious friend too.
But the pièce de résistance was Harry's revenge against his evil, greedy handler. The fucker got what was coming to him.
Walker didn't skimp on the steam in this book, although the sexy scenes lacked the intimate details I crave.
Harry's POV dominated the story, with Asher narrating a few of the chapters.
The sections from the perspective of the two military goons chasing the MCs were random and unecessary, but the revenge scene from the POV of the monster who deserved it was icing on the cake.
Rounding up for the HEA (kitten included).
Read
September 10, 2024Stilted, unrealistic, an awkward story. I actually had to go back and look at the publishing date, because I thought this was perhaps a first book by this author.
Shocked at how simple the writing feels. There was no emotional connection to either one of these characters, in fact, I couldn’t force myself to continue after 28%.
I hope if you read this story and don’t enjoy it, you give this author another try. Her older works are some of my most favorite.
Red Dirt Heart (the entire series)
The Weight of It All
Shocked at how simple the writing feels. There was no emotional connection to either one of these characters, in fact, I couldn’t force myself to continue after 28%.
I hope if you read this story and don’t enjoy it, you give this author another try. Her older works are some of my most favorite.
Red Dirt Heart (the entire series)
The Weight of It All
August 7, 2022
I really thought I would hate this book, but I freaking ADORED on this so much. 🫶🫶
This book has been on my tbr since Nicole announced it and just when I was getting around to reading it, I saw a bunch of low rating and negative reviews that downed my excitement of reading this. I was racking my brain to reading something (other than Jayda) and when I saw this on my phone, ugk fucking fine.
I'm so GLAD I did.
This book was a riot to deal with, Asher and Harry were absolute smile-fest to read about, their banter, their arguments, their two seconds away from murdering each other, the fucking SEXUAL TENSION between them, ugk, they two just clicked and ignited when they were together.
This book was grumpy-sunshine personified and I was left grinning every second of it.
I love Asher so much, he was such a R I O T, I fucking loved how he exasperated Harry and fucked with Harry. His confidence was BEAUTIFUL. His sass was tremble worthy, and his comebacks was OLALALAAAAAAA.
Can u guess who the grump of this duo was, I'm surprised it was Harry cus I've never associated the name Harry with sourness. Harry was so moody, had an small fuse and an ill temper when it came to Asher, and pretty much anyone really, and I LOVE HIM FOR IT!!!
The more you get to know, his fierce protectiveness, his thoughtfulness, HOW FUCKING GENTLE he became, just-🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧
Still, their banter-
The last third of this book was my favorite because Asher and Harry really became ONE together.
Also, was it JUST ME? I felt like I dived into another dimension and I wasn't reading an nr walker book, people, I was 75% convinced I was reading a Tal Bauer Book! LIKE DONT EVEN! You can't tell me, the mystery, the vigilante vibes, the runaway scenes, the SETTING!! the FUCKING VILLAIN POV???? that screams TAL. FUCKING. BAUER. just the construction of this book gave me flashbacks of Executive Office and I was crying of Ethan Spiers-Reinbach. The only difference is Tal would've had more action scenes making this book longer 💀💀
The only time I didn't appreciate this book, was their first time, because I literally laid there like-
👁️ 👄👁️
WHAT JUST HAPPENED???
inital reaction: Nicole has the utmost gift for making my peasant ass appreciate life 💜🤍
“No. Your first mistake was sending Asher to kill me. Not because you wanted me dead, not because you betrayed your country. But because by giving Asher to me, you gave me a reason to live. That was your first mistake.”
This book has been on my tbr since Nicole announced it and just when I was getting around to reading it, I saw a bunch of low rating and negative reviews that downed my excitement of reading this. I was racking my brain to reading something (other than Jayda) and when I saw this on my phone, ugk fucking fine.
I'm so GLAD I did.
Two loners, with a penchant for killing people, forced to be together in a tiny apartment was asking for trouble.
This book was a riot to deal with, Asher and Harry were absolute smile-fest to read about, their banter, their arguments, their two seconds away from murdering each other, the fucking SEXUAL TENSION between them, ugk, they two just clicked and ignited when they were together.
Harry stared at him. He took the longest, calming inhale he could manage and exhaled just as slow. “You must be really turned-on,” he mumbled. “Because I’m really fucking mad.”
This book was grumpy-sunshine personified and I was left grinning every second of it.
Harry thought of himself as more of a ‘what you see is what you get’ kind of guy. Sure, he could kill people too, but he looked like he killed people.
Asher looked like a guy on vacation.
I love Asher so much, he was such a R I O T, I fucking loved how he exasperated Harry and fucked with Harry. His confidence was BEAUTIFUL. His sass was tremble worthy, and his comebacks was OLALALAAAAAAA.
Can u guess who the grump of this duo was, I'm surprised it was Harry cus I've never associated the name Harry with sourness. Harry was so moody, had an small fuse and an ill temper when it came to Asher, and pretty much anyone really, and I LOVE HIM FOR IT!!!
He hadn’t expected to like Harry. All of his intel on the man had said he was stoic and cold. And he was grumpy and irritable. That much was true. But there was a decent man under the prickly armour. There was an incredible body too.
The more you get to know, his fierce protectiveness, his thoughtfulness, HOW FUCKING GENTLE he became, just-🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧🤧
And now this guy, who had intended to kill him, who infuriated him like no one else ever had, was under his skin.
Like a fucking tick.
"Watching you two work together was interesting, and knowing you saved Asher was one thing. But seeing you with him, how gentle you are with him, how you care for him, is another. And if I could ever choose any one person for him, it would be a mountain of a man who would stop at nothing to protect him.”
Still, their banter-
Asher glared. He looked so mad he could just about spit. But there was something else in his eyes. Two different kinds of fire. “Is this your idea of foreplay, Harry?” he said gruffly. “You keep threatening me like that, I just might think you’re starting to like me.”
Harry grinned at him, and Asher laughed.
Harry wasn’t sure if this was fun or insane.
Maybe a little of both.
The last third of this book was my favorite because Asher and Harry really became ONE together.
Also, was it JUST ME? I felt like I dived into another dimension and I wasn't reading an nr walker book, people, I was 75% convinced I was reading a Tal Bauer Book! LIKE DONT EVEN! You can't tell me, the mystery, the vigilante vibes, the runaway scenes, the SETTING!! the FUCKING VILLAIN POV???? that screams TAL. FUCKING. BAUER. just the construction of this book gave me flashbacks of Executive Office and I was crying of Ethan Spiers-Reinbach. The only difference is Tal would've had more action scenes making this book longer 💀💀
The only time I didn't appreciate this book, was their first time, because I literally laid there like-
👁️ 👄👁️
WHAT JUST HAPPENED???
“You’re confident on the we, you-and-me thing, huh?”
Asher smiled, his face a work of art in the tropical sunshine. “Yeah, I’m confident. Aren’t you? Don’t even try to tell me you don’t love me, Harry. I know how to read you and how you look at me.”
Harry pulled him in close and kissed the side of his head, then smiled out across the ocean. “You could be right.”
inital reaction: Nicole has the utmost gift for making my peasant ass appreciate life 💜🤍
September 30, 2022
You know those stories that you read and afterward, you can close your eyes and clearly see them on the big screen? This is one of those! Before we get to the action-packed details, I want to swing by Walker’s bookshelf. If there is one thing that’s certain, Walker does not pen in a straight line. Her books are not only diverse but have a wide reach across the typical tropes. I love her sweet stories. I love her geeky scientists and cowboys. I love the anticipation when she has a new release and couldn’t wait to see if I’d fall for her assassin couple. I have a few authors that are auto-buys for me, one particular British author excels at snark and banter. But the thing is, after a while, all the books kind of blend together. I don’t necessarily mind and still read them and ultimately enjoy them. But there’s a repetitive recipe that can’t be denied. NR Walker? I never know what to expect! Whenever I open one of Nic’s books, curiosity burns and my heart rate picks up. Hanging onto Harry and Asher’s wild ride, my heart never slowed.
Harry is a contract killer. Think of Jason Bourne but twice the size and Australian. Oh, and he’s a grumpy bear. He left the military a decade ago and has been hunting alone ever since. No friends, no family, and no real home. His life is held by two ties, his current mission and the next. He’s not only good at what he does, but he’s also the best. Or second best if you ask Asher. When Asher Garin drops into his path, his weak ties threaten to break. Asher has his own share of contracts and was sent to kill him. But for some reason, he can’t. Sure Harry is blazing hot but there’s more to it. Asher’s gut tells him to wait and watch. His hesitation is noticed by the puppetmasters. Suddenly, there’s a hit out for him too. Someone wants both of them dead. Asher is determined to find out who. Getting Harry to trust him is one thing, but admitting their burning attraction is another.
Asher is carefree and relaxed to Harry’s harsh stiffness. They are both cold-blooded killers but Harry is lacking any warmth. Until Asher. Asher lights a fire in Harry that he never knew existed. They bicker and banter while battling for their lives. Harry can be extremely frustrating at times; just ask Asher. But as soon as Asher goads Harry out of his shell, there’s no going back. Their passion is just as volatile as their lives. Once Harry accepts his heart does more than pump his blood and can beat for another, he’s all in. But normal isn’t meant for people like him and Asher. Or could it be? Is there a chance, even a sliver, that they could escape from their world of death and chaos? If anyone can find a way, it’s Harry and Asher with a helping hand from Asher’s secret weapon. The rapid-fire pace never ceases. The questions never stop. Betrayed assassins are bound to leave a trail of gore and destruction in their wake. I was captivated by the places they went and the people they met. I cringed and cheered and found myself swooning by the end. Harry hated being compared to a kite, a liability cut loose. What he didn’t understand was losing his tethers finally allowed him to be free. After everything they went through, I was so glad Nic granted them a well-deserved, sticky and sappy epilogue.
Beware of: There is blood that is shed and hearts that are shared. In a world of bad men, goodness can be found. Expect violence and tenderness with sass and steam mixed in.
This book is for: If you think two men swapping their license to kill for a license to love sounds intriguing, this gripping story is just what you need.
Book UNfunk
Harry is a contract killer. Think of Jason Bourne but twice the size and Australian. Oh, and he’s a grumpy bear. He left the military a decade ago and has been hunting alone ever since. No friends, no family, and no real home. His life is held by two ties, his current mission and the next. He’s not only good at what he does, but he’s also the best. Or second best if you ask Asher. When Asher Garin drops into his path, his weak ties threaten to break. Asher has his own share of contracts and was sent to kill him. But for some reason, he can’t. Sure Harry is blazing hot but there’s more to it. Asher’s gut tells him to wait and watch. His hesitation is noticed by the puppetmasters. Suddenly, there’s a hit out for him too. Someone wants both of them dead. Asher is determined to find out who. Getting Harry to trust him is one thing, but admitting their burning attraction is another.
Asher is carefree and relaxed to Harry’s harsh stiffness. They are both cold-blooded killers but Harry is lacking any warmth. Until Asher. Asher lights a fire in Harry that he never knew existed. They bicker and banter while battling for their lives. Harry can be extremely frustrating at times; just ask Asher. But as soon as Asher goads Harry out of his shell, there’s no going back. Their passion is just as volatile as their lives. Once Harry accepts his heart does more than pump his blood and can beat for another, he’s all in. But normal isn’t meant for people like him and Asher. Or could it be? Is there a chance, even a sliver, that they could escape from their world of death and chaos? If anyone can find a way, it’s Harry and Asher with a helping hand from Asher’s secret weapon. The rapid-fire pace never ceases. The questions never stop. Betrayed assassins are bound to leave a trail of gore and destruction in their wake. I was captivated by the places they went and the people they met. I cringed and cheered and found myself swooning by the end. Harry hated being compared to a kite, a liability cut loose. What he didn’t understand was losing his tethers finally allowed him to be free. After everything they went through, I was so glad Nic granted them a well-deserved, sticky and sappy epilogue.
Beware of: There is blood that is shed and hearts that are shared. In a world of bad men, goodness can be found. Expect violence and tenderness with sass and steam mixed in.
This book is for: If you think two men swapping their license to kill for a license to love sounds intriguing, this gripping story is just what you need.
Book UNfunk
December 25, 2023
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
Asher smiled, and good fucking lord, Harry hated him. “I want to put a gun to your head,” Harry mumbled. “So fucking bad.”
I really do love this book, but I enjoyed it even more when I listened to the audiobook. I love romantic suspense so much, and this is *full* of action. I enjoy the ‘mystery’ part a lot, and especially how it’s all solved and wrapped up by the end.
Honestly, if Harry wanted to kill Asher while he slept, with nothing but his bare hands, he very well could. And so Asher closed his eyes and let sleep claim him, knowing if death was to meet him, he’d rather not see it coming.
I’m also very impressed by how the author wrote two interesting MCs with so much depth in a book where so much is happening externally. Asher’s life and story made me a bit weepy.
“Why didn’t you start with that?” Asher zipped up his duffle bag and grinned at him. “Because it turns me on when you get mad.” Harry stared at him. He took the longest, calming inhale he could manage and exhaled just as slow. “You must be really turned-on,” he mumbled. “Because I’m really fucking mad.”
There is a fair bit of things I’m not usually that into (enemies to lovers, fighting as foreplay, banging without lube or prep), BUT, it works so well for these guys. They’re both very much into it, which helps, and when they do pass the ‘enemies’ stage, it’s so damn loving. Also, they’re both just seriously badass, lol.
“Did you call me baby?” Asher was so freaking happy. “I’m sorry, I think I misheard you. Could you repeat that?” “I said,” Harry enunciated slowly, “shut the fuck up.”
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Enemies to lovers
Contract killers
International escape mission
Rivals
Rough sex
Size difference
Forced proximity
Only one bed
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
On page killing
Penetration without lube or prep
Gun violence
Explicit sexual content
Injured MCs
Attempted murder
Rough sex
Physical fight between MCs
Fighting as foreplay
Disowned by parents (past)
Brief mentions of domestic violence (father/son, past)
Kidnapping
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, multiple POV
Genre: Romantic suspense, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 33 and 36
Pages: 284
Harry thought of himself as more of a ‘what you see is what you get’ kind of guy. Sure, he could kill people too, but he looked like he killed people. Asher looked like a guy on vacation.
“How much longer do I need to suffer being in this car with you?” Harry asked. “Is there a petrol station or a motel? A bridge, perhaps, that I could throw myself off.”
It really wasn’t Harry’s style to shoot someone in the back. “Psst.” The man spun around at the sound, and Harry shot him in the forehead. Much more Harry’s style.
Harry growled at Asher. Asher threw the balled-up tee shirt at him and Harry threw it back at his head five times harder.
Asher smiled, and good fucking lord, Harry hated him. “I want to put a gun to your head,” Harry mumbled. “So fucking bad.”
I really do love this book, but I enjoyed it even more when I listened to the audiobook. I love romantic suspense so much, and this is *full* of action. I enjoy the ‘mystery’ part a lot, and especially how it’s all solved and wrapped up by the end.
Honestly, if Harry wanted to kill Asher while he slept, with nothing but his bare hands, he very well could. And so Asher closed his eyes and let sleep claim him, knowing if death was to meet him, he’d rather not see it coming.
I’m also very impressed by how the author wrote two interesting MCs with so much depth in a book where so much is happening externally. Asher’s life and story made me a bit weepy.
“Why didn’t you start with that?” Asher zipped up his duffle bag and grinned at him. “Because it turns me on when you get mad.” Harry stared at him. He took the longest, calming inhale he could manage and exhaled just as slow. “You must be really turned-on,” he mumbled. “Because I’m really fucking mad.”
There is a fair bit of things I’m not usually that into (enemies to lovers, fighting as foreplay, banging without lube or prep), BUT, it works so well for these guys. They’re both very much into it, which helps, and when they do pass the ‘enemies’ stage, it’s so damn loving. Also, they’re both just seriously badass, lol.
“Did you call me baby?” Asher was so freaking happy. “I’m sorry, I think I misheard you. Could you repeat that?” “I said,” Harry enunciated slowly, “shut the fuck up.”
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Enemies to lovers
Contract killers
International escape mission
Rivals
Rough sex
Size difference
Forced proximity
Only one bed
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
On page killing
Penetration without lube or prep
Gun violence
Explicit sexual content
Injured MCs
Attempted murder
Rough sex
Physical fight between MCs
Fighting as foreplay
Disowned by parents (past)
Brief mentions of domestic violence (father/son, past)
Kidnapping
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, multiple POV
Genre: Romantic suspense, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
MCs age: 33 and 36
Pages: 284
Harry thought of himself as more of a ‘what you see is what you get’ kind of guy. Sure, he could kill people too, but he looked like he killed people. Asher looked like a guy on vacation.
“How much longer do I need to suffer being in this car with you?” Harry asked. “Is there a petrol station or a motel? A bridge, perhaps, that I could throw myself off.”
It really wasn’t Harry’s style to shoot someone in the back. “Psst.” The man spun around at the sound, and Harry shot him in the forehead. Much more Harry’s style.
Harry growled at Asher. Asher threw the balled-up tee shirt at him and Harry threw it back at his head five times harder.
July 13, 2022
Assassins on the run!
I LOVED the first 1/2 of this novel.
The part where they didn’t trust each other.
The part with UST.
The part with slow burn.
I wanted to TRASH the second half.
The half where they got together.
The half where they started acting stupid.
The half where the characterization from the 1st part was thrown out the window.
The half where they got all mushy gushy with long declarations of feelings.
I could have done without the second 1/2.
I LOVED the first 1/2 of this novel.
The part where they didn’t trust each other.
The part with UST.
The part with slow burn.
I wanted to TRASH the second half.
The half where they got together.
The half where they started acting stupid.
The half where the characterization from the 1st part was thrown out the window.
The half where they got all mushy gushy with long declarations of feelings.
I could have done without the second 1/2.
July 4, 2022
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
There is very little I wouldn't do to get my hands on a N.R. Walker title.
Sadly, I had a hard time connecting to this one.
The Kite sounded incredibly promising. Enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity? Where do I sign.
However, on the action front this ran a little thin. The plot and general premise were underdeveloped, and though this is a romance that kept me from losing myself in the story.
You can't promise action and intrigue and then just sort of hope your readers will be forgiving when things don't hold together.
That said, the lack of structure would be easier to forgive if the romance had done literally anything to try and make up for it. Sadly, that wasn't the case.
Both characters were likeable enough but lacked any real depth, and consequently didn't connect with each other.
It read like enemies to lovers for the sake of it, with no real explanation as to why.
The steam was okay, but without that connection it just doesn't work for me.
I would still pay cash money to read NRW's grocery list.
There is very little I wouldn't do to get my hands on a N.R. Walker title.
Sadly, I had a hard time connecting to this one.
The Kite sounded incredibly promising. Enemies to lovers, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity? Where do I sign.
However, on the action front this ran a little thin. The plot and general premise were underdeveloped, and though this is a romance that kept me from losing myself in the story.
You can't promise action and intrigue and then just sort of hope your readers will be forgiving when things don't hold together.
That said, the lack of structure would be easier to forgive if the romance had done literally anything to try and make up for it. Sadly, that wasn't the case.
Both characters were likeable enough but lacked any real depth, and consequently didn't connect with each other.
It read like enemies to lovers for the sake of it, with no real explanation as to why.
The steam was okay, but without that connection it just doesn't work for me.
I would still pay cash money to read NRW's grocery list.
August 8, 2022
I always refer to NR Walker as ‘the queen of fluff’. Saying that, she has written quite a few ‘grittier’ books, too. Over the years she’s dipped into many genres under the m/m umbrella most of which I have loved.
This is unfortunately a huge exception.
If you want a very sweet ‘assassin romance’ with a huge pink bow tied round it – you’ll be fine.
For me, and this gives me absolutely NO joy to say, there is simply too much wrong with this:
.) Neither character comes across as an assassin, more like two boys playing at being one. Nothing about the way they act and speak feels authentic to who they are supposed to be.
.) Harry feels more like a toddler throwing tantrums, shouting ‘I hate you’ and being a grouchy ‘teddy bear’ rather than a seasoned killer, supposedly the best.
.) Asher is forever smiling, forever upbeat, and more a competitive, horny teenager than anything else.
.) Neither man is characterized in depth. There is so much scope here to make them more complex, but as it is, they are superficial with no emotional depth at all. Their relationship ‘develops’ on a ‘mild’ enemies-to lovers-vibe, which would be totally my thing normally, but the execution left me scratching my head. I did not feel any connection between the guys, no depth of emotion whatsoever.
.) The plot is so simplistic, made so easy (with Asher’s all-knowing, all-powerful friend sorting out every little hitch along the way) and so banal, I was close to DNF after a third into the book. And the thing that happens on the last two pages made me actually face-palm.
.) The writing itself is uncharacteristically mediocre, with a preference for short sentences and basic structures, almost with the feel of a children’s book.
NR Walker is a great author, but I have NO idea what she is trying to do here. There are some fabulous ‘assassins/agents romances’ out there, but this is certainly not one of them. Fluffy, shallow assassins – it didn’t work for me.
Unless I totally misunderstood, and this is actually a romantic comedy?
Sorry, but this was a HUGE flop for me, and I only finished it because wanted to give it a chance.
This is unfortunately a huge exception.
If you want a very sweet ‘assassin romance’ with a huge pink bow tied round it – you’ll be fine.
For me, and this gives me absolutely NO joy to say, there is simply too much wrong with this:
.) Neither character comes across as an assassin, more like two boys playing at being one. Nothing about the way they act and speak feels authentic to who they are supposed to be.
.) Harry feels more like a toddler throwing tantrums, shouting ‘I hate you’ and being a grouchy ‘teddy bear’ rather than a seasoned killer, supposedly the best.
.) Asher is forever smiling, forever upbeat, and more a competitive, horny teenager than anything else.
.) Neither man is characterized in depth. There is so much scope here to make them more complex, but as it is, they are superficial with no emotional depth at all. Their relationship ‘develops’ on a ‘mild’ enemies-to lovers-vibe, which would be totally my thing normally, but the execution left me scratching my head. I did not feel any connection between the guys, no depth of emotion whatsoever.
.) The plot is so simplistic, made so easy (with Asher’s all-knowing, all-powerful friend sorting out every little hitch along the way) and so banal, I was close to DNF after a third into the book. And the thing that happens on the last two pages made me actually face-palm.
.) The writing itself is uncharacteristically mediocre, with a preference for short sentences and basic structures, almost with the feel of a children’s book.
NR Walker is a great author, but I have NO idea what she is trying to do here. There are some fabulous ‘assassins/agents romances’ out there, but this is certainly not one of them. Fluffy, shallow assassins – it didn’t work for me.
Unless I totally misunderstood, and this is actually a romantic comedy?
Sorry, but this was a HUGE flop for me, and I only finished it because wanted to give it a chance.
September 25, 2022
[3.4~3.5] it wasn't bad, per se, it just didn't deliver on what was promised. rounding up even though this turned into one of the fluffiest “enemies” to lovers stories 😆
----pre-release reaction----
“Tropes include grumpy/sunshine, gay assassins, hate sex, romance despite their best efforts to the contrary, espionage, and did I mention trying not to kill each other.”
SAY NO MORE, SIGN ME UP 🏃🏻♀️😩💖
----pre-release reaction----
“Tropes include grumpy/sunshine, gay assassins, hate sex, romance despite their best efforts to the contrary, espionage, and did I mention trying not to kill each other.”
SAY NO MORE, SIGN ME UP 🏃🏻♀️😩💖
July 16, 2022
3 stars ⭐️ Please, someone, tell me why Asher and Harry hate each other in the first place because there is no specific explanation that we receive from the author as to why they should point guns at each other's heads every time they cross paths.
I like reading the enemies-to-lovers trope, but given how rarely authors get the trope right makes it really hard to find promising books with the greatest writing.
The first half of the book was good, and it was fast-paced. I loved how I could read it without getting bored. I really liked both Harry and Asher. They were a typical NRW couple.
But I thought the story would be much darker than what the author delivered.
Nonetheless, it wasn't a total disappointment. 🫠
I like reading the enemies-to-lovers trope, but given how rarely authors get the trope right makes it really hard to find promising books with the greatest writing.
The first half of the book was good, and it was fast-paced. I loved how I could read it without getting bored. I really liked both Harry and Asher. They were a typical NRW couple.
But I thought the story would be much darker than what the author delivered.
Nonetheless, it wasn't a total disappointment. 🫠
June 28, 2022
4.5*
This was a departure from Nic's usually light-hearted romances and I was totally down for it!
It's a fast-paced, adrenalin rush ride as two off the books black ops assassins end up working together to find out who's put a bounty on their heads.
Bouncing around the Mediterranean, North African coast and into the Middle East, the narrative takes the reader from one country to another as Harry and Asher follow leads and search for clues under the direction of a mysterious man known only as Four.
Along the way they go from uneasy allies to frenemies, to friends with benefits to lovers and then to falling in love, all while dodging bullets and the two men on their tail.
For a book which has a surprisingly large number of deaths on page, it doesn't feel particularly violent in tone, which sounds like a bit of a contradiction. But the kills aren't drawn out, it's a one line reference to someone being shot and nothing is graphically described on page.
Which is one of the reasons for why I knocked a half star off. For me it made Asher and Harry's role as assassins a little bit too good and lacking some of the tension which comes from taking a life - whether that life has been spent doing evil in the world or not.
Especially when Harry finds out that his kills in the last few years haven't been bad men at all, but people who knew too much about his handler's dirty deals. He's essentially killed three innocent men and yet there is no reaction to that news.
There's always an element of having to suspend disbelief when you're reading any kind of book that deals with special ops, black ops, behind the scenes dodgy government dealings etc, but this one didn't go too out there and make things ridiculous.
Four's ability to know everything and find Asher and Harry ways to escape from every corner they found themselves trapped in was a bit too easy, but it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility.
I did think the big climax was far too easily achieved though and I would have liked just a little bit more of a confrontation and final throw down with the bad guys.
Overall though, this was an enjoyable read and I would definitely read more of Asher and Harry - if they hadn't retired their guns and settled down to a life of domesticated bliss :D
#ARC kindly received from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review
This was a departure from Nic's usually light-hearted romances and I was totally down for it!
It's a fast-paced, adrenalin rush ride as two off the books black ops assassins end up working together to find out who's put a bounty on their heads.
Bouncing around the Mediterranean, North African coast and into the Middle East, the narrative takes the reader from one country to another as Harry and Asher follow leads and search for clues under the direction of a mysterious man known only as Four.
Along the way they go from uneasy allies to frenemies, to friends with benefits to lovers and then to falling in love, all while dodging bullets and the two men on their tail.
For a book which has a surprisingly large number of deaths on page, it doesn't feel particularly violent in tone, which sounds like a bit of a contradiction. But the kills aren't drawn out, it's a one line reference to someone being shot and nothing is graphically described on page.
Which is one of the reasons for why I knocked a half star off. For me it made Asher and Harry's role as assassins a little bit too good and lacking some of the tension which comes from taking a life - whether that life has been spent doing evil in the world or not.
Especially when Harry finds out that his kills in the last few years haven't been bad men at all, but people who knew too much about his handler's dirty deals. He's essentially killed three innocent men and yet there is no reaction to that news.
There's always an element of having to suspend disbelief when you're reading any kind of book that deals with special ops, black ops, behind the scenes dodgy government dealings etc, but this one didn't go too out there and make things ridiculous.
Four's ability to know everything and find Asher and Harry ways to escape from every corner they found themselves trapped in was a bit too easy, but it wasn't beyond the realms of possibility.
I did think the big climax was far too easily achieved though and I would have liked just a little bit more of a confrontation and final throw down with the bad guys.
Overall though, this was an enjoyable read and I would definitely read more of Asher and Harry - if they hadn't retired their guns and settled down to a life of domesticated bliss :D
#ARC kindly received from the author via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review
August 18, 2024
08/17/24 re-read. I just so happened to be re-reading this one when I got the newsletter announcing that the sequel will be published next month. This is a grade A five star book for me and I am absolutely pumped that we’re getting more.
_____________________________
12/17/23 re-read. God, I love Asher. So often he makes me smile, and now and then he makes me laugh out loud. And, again, what wonderful narration from Glen Llyod! 10/10 will read again.
_____________________________
01/28/23 reread. This time around I listened to the audiobook. What wonderful narration by Glen Llyod! The way he voices Harry is exactly how I imagined. I also really enjoyed the way he makes Asher's charming and playful moments shine. This book holds up upon reread. Still 5/5 stars.
_____________________________
This is a classic grumpy/sunshine story with an assassin boyfriends twist. And I loved it! Yes, this is a romance and the development of the romance takes center stage throughout. But the backdrop is a compelling thriller in which these two assassins work together to bring down a corrupt Australian intelligence official. For fans of the Jason Bourne franchise, this gives Bourne movie vibes, only gay and with much more romance.
This one is billed as enemies-to-lovers, and it is, but the friction between these two is playful rather than hateful. Asher is the sunshine in this grumpy/sunshine duo and his antics bring out the grump in Harry. And a grumpy Harry is, somehow, an adorable Harry without losing any of his edge.
A thing I really loved about the book is just how frequently there is only one bed. It's that one bed that, over time, shows the reader the building trust between these two as they go from taking turns sleeping on the floor to sharing the one bed.
For fans of hurt/comfort, there is quite a bit of caretaking in the last third of the book. Walker is able to make Asher vulnerable without making him appear helpless or weak. And for all that Harry is a grump, the way he watches over Asher is a demonstration of his sincere feelings.
Sometimes authors tell us rather than shows us, but here we have the opposite. The blossoming relationship between these two is shown over time. And while both MCs have trouble saying ILY, that sentiment is demonstrated in their actions.
How a book that features on-page violence and hate sex can also be cute, I'll never know, but Walker certainly pulls it off with this one. All the stars!
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
_____________________________
12/17/23 re-read. God, I love Asher. So often he makes me smile, and now and then he makes me laugh out loud. And, again, what wonderful narration from Glen Llyod! 10/10 will read again.
_____________________________
01/28/23 reread. This time around I listened to the audiobook. What wonderful narration by Glen Llyod! The way he voices Harry is exactly how I imagined. I also really enjoyed the way he makes Asher's charming and playful moments shine. This book holds up upon reread. Still 5/5 stars.
_____________________________
This is a classic grumpy/sunshine story with an assassin boyfriends twist. And I loved it! Yes, this is a romance and the development of the romance takes center stage throughout. But the backdrop is a compelling thriller in which these two assassins work together to bring down a corrupt Australian intelligence official. For fans of the Jason Bourne franchise, this gives Bourne movie vibes, only gay and with much more romance.
This one is billed as enemies-to-lovers, and it is, but the friction between these two is playful rather than hateful. Asher is the sunshine in this grumpy/sunshine duo and his antics bring out the grump in Harry. And a grumpy Harry is, somehow, an adorable Harry without losing any of his edge.
A thing I really loved about the book is just how frequently there is only one bed. It's that one bed that, over time, shows the reader the building trust between these two as they go from taking turns sleeping on the floor to sharing the one bed.
For fans of hurt/comfort, there is quite a bit of caretaking in the last third of the book. Walker is able to make Asher vulnerable without making him appear helpless or weak. And for all that Harry is a grump, the way he watches over Asher is a demonstration of his sincere feelings.
Sometimes authors tell us rather than shows us, but here we have the opposite. The blossoming relationship between these two is shown over time. And while both MCs have trouble saying ILY, that sentiment is demonstrated in their actions.
How a book that features on-page violence and hate sex can also be cute, I'll never know, but Walker certainly pulls it off with this one. All the stars!
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
Read
June 25, 2022DNF ~43%
Starting to suspect that Walker is another one of the author casualties of my changing preferences. Something about the writing here felt quite stilted and awkward--I've noticed this in many of their other books, but not *all* of them, and IDK if it's because it actually isn't a consistent writing trait, or if I enjoyed the plot/characters enough in the other books to overlook it.
I went into this ready to suspend belief, which is definitely necessary, but I just... didn't care about the plot. We're basically dropped right in the middle of it, and it was a little confusing exactly what was happening, other than both the MCs have a hit out on them. I get that is part of the mystery, but it did get to a point where I was like... wait, what? There's ~handwave assassins~ and then there's ~didn't feel like doing any actual work to make this even a little bit plausible or understandable~. I also didn't particularly care about either characters, didn't really buy the tension, and the smut did absolutely nothing for me. Which, to be fair, I've been in a bit of a mood lately because I've got an itch and all the books I've been reading lately have refused to scratch it, and instead have given me the exact opposite of what I want. I probably wouldn't be annoyed so much if this wasn't the Nth book I've read that didn't satisfy by craving.
My guess is if I kept reading it would probably end up a two star read for me, but I just am not interested in continuing. A bummer. :/
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Starting to suspect that Walker is another one of the author casualties of my changing preferences. Something about the writing here felt quite stilted and awkward--I've noticed this in many of their other books, but not *all* of them, and IDK if it's because it actually isn't a consistent writing trait, or if I enjoyed the plot/characters enough in the other books to overlook it.
I went into this ready to suspend belief, which is definitely necessary, but I just... didn't care about the plot. We're basically dropped right in the middle of it, and it was a little confusing exactly what was happening, other than both the MCs have a hit out on them. I get that is part of the mystery, but it did get to a point where I was like... wait, what? There's ~handwave assassins~ and then there's ~didn't feel like doing any actual work to make this even a little bit plausible or understandable~. I also didn't particularly care about either characters, didn't really buy the tension, and the smut did absolutely nothing for me. Which, to be fair, I've been in a bit of a mood lately because I've got an itch and all the books I've been reading lately have refused to scratch it, and instead have given me the exact opposite of what I want. I probably wouldn't be annoyed so much if this wasn't the Nth book I've read that didn't satisfy by craving.
My guess is if I kept reading it would probably end up a two star read for me, but I just am not interested in continuing. A bummer. :/
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2022
This author is usually a yes for me!
There is grumpy/ sunshine and some ops that need to be discovered. I really enjoyed their relationship.
Not her best work though
There is grumpy/ sunshine and some ops that need to be discovered. I really enjoyed their relationship.
Not her best work though
June 30, 2022
Reading The Kite was like watching action movies about special agents who keep surviving despite all odds, with the addition of rough sex.
Without family or friends to care for, Harry has been doing the government’s dirty laundry for years and he’s the best at his job. But he’s becoming a danger; he knows too much.
Harry is a kite, and it’s time to cut him loose…
Asher is the best shooter, the only able to take Harry down, so that’s exactly what the government wants him to do. Asher quickly realizes he’ll be the next one in line afterwards, and decides to make Harry his ally to uncover the corruption of the government and clean their names.
Separately, they are easy targets.
Together, they have a chance to live. Maybe even someone to live for…
I have to admit I’ve never been a great fan of unrealistic action movies, with their impossible feats and inmortal main characters, and this one was very much that style. However, NRW managed to keep the stakes high without being too predictable. There wasn’t a scene where you could breath and relax, the fear of other guys showing up was ever-present.
Although not very realistic, I loved Asher’s character. He lived to tease Harry and make him angry, manipulating him to give Asher exactly what he wanted. It was a lot of fun and, when Asher succeeded, it led to very steamy fight-sex.
“He's like a song you can’t get out of your head until it drives you crazy. Then he burrows into your heart and you’re never the same again.”
As for Harry, he was the stoic guy: protective, cold exterior and prude -except when Asher managed to make him lose it, then he showed his cuddle-lover heart and filthy mouth.
“Did you call me baby?” Asher was so freaking happy. “I’m sorry, I think I misheard you. Can you repeat that?”
“I said,” Harry enunciated slowly, “shut the fuck up.”
While their banter feels a bit out of place in the middle of a life-or-death situation, it is enjoyable as long as you are able to keep your disbelief aside. Where I couldn’t help being skeptical was in the romance department. I’ve read dozens of books by this author and she always manages to deliver couples that just click, where you can see the love even if the book is short and they have only been together for a couple of paragraphs. This time though, I could see the attraction, I could enjoy the banter and the feelings were shown in their thoughts, but they didn’t convince me. For two men who have never fallen in love, who have the very needed trust-issues for their line of work, everything was too fast, too perfect, too easy. And, while I don’t care about sex and action scenes being plausible, I need the romance to feel real.
“It turns me on when you get mad.”
Harry stared at him (). “You must be really turned-on, because I’m really fucking mad.”
Overall, a very different read from the light romances NRW is known for, perfect for fans of impossible action movies and hot sex, but the romance felt underdeveloped. However, I can appreciate authors that are able to get out of their usual formulas and write different kinds of stories, even if their typical ones are closer to my tastes.
“Have anything to shut me up with?”
Without family or friends to care for, Harry has been doing the government’s dirty laundry for years and he’s the best at his job. But he’s becoming a danger; he knows too much.
Harry is a kite, and it’s time to cut him loose…
Asher is the best shooter, the only able to take Harry down, so that’s exactly what the government wants him to do. Asher quickly realizes he’ll be the next one in line afterwards, and decides to make Harry his ally to uncover the corruption of the government and clean their names.
Separately, they are easy targets.
Together, they have a chance to live. Maybe even someone to live for…
I have to admit I’ve never been a great fan of unrealistic action movies, with their impossible feats and inmortal main characters, and this one was very much that style. However, NRW managed to keep the stakes high without being too predictable. There wasn’t a scene where you could breath and relax, the fear of other guys showing up was ever-present.
Although not very realistic, I loved Asher’s character. He lived to tease Harry and make him angry, manipulating him to give Asher exactly what he wanted. It was a lot of fun and, when Asher succeeded, it led to very steamy fight-sex.
“He's like a song you can’t get out of your head until it drives you crazy. Then he burrows into your heart and you’re never the same again.”
As for Harry, he was the stoic guy: protective, cold exterior and prude -except when Asher managed to make him lose it, then he showed his cuddle-lover heart and filthy mouth.
“Did you call me baby?” Asher was so freaking happy. “I’m sorry, I think I misheard you. Can you repeat that?”
“I said,” Harry enunciated slowly, “shut the fuck up.”
While their banter feels a bit out of place in the middle of a life-or-death situation, it is enjoyable as long as you are able to keep your disbelief aside. Where I couldn’t help being skeptical was in the romance department. I’ve read dozens of books by this author and she always manages to deliver couples that just click, where you can see the love even if the book is short and they have only been together for a couple of paragraphs. This time though, I could see the attraction, I could enjoy the banter and the feelings were shown in their thoughts, but they didn’t convince me. For two men who have never fallen in love, who have the very needed trust-issues for their line of work, everything was too fast, too perfect, too easy. And, while I don’t care about sex and action scenes being plausible, I need the romance to feel real.
“It turns me on when you get mad.”
Harry stared at him (). “You must be really turned-on, because I’m really fucking mad.”
Overall, a very different read from the light romances NRW is known for, perfect for fans of impossible action movies and hot sex, but the romance felt underdeveloped. However, I can appreciate authors that are able to get out of their usual formulas and write different kinds of stories, even if their typical ones are closer to my tastes.
“Have anything to shut me up with?”
January 24, 2023
Assassins are seldom my favorites for main characters, due to a necessary amorality, but NR Walker gives us two men I can empathize with. Harry, who has been killing people for over a decade under government orders, assured they're the bad guys that laws can't touch. And Asher, whose childhood molded him into the elite sniper and killer for hire he became.
When both men become a liability, knowing too much, a hit is put out on them, but a hacker friend of Asher's gets them warning in advance. Teaming up is the one way they might survive, and figure out who ordered the hit, and why.
The relationship is the best part of this book. Harry is stoic and closed off, grumpy and very alone: Asher is smooth, vocal, teasing, and a man who has never loved. They annoy each other, dance around each other, save each other, and fall. It feels slow, even though the timeframe is short, because we are with them each step of the way.
The incredible and justice-minded hacker friend of Asher's is a plot device to make a HEA possible, and sadly, someone we don't seem to have in real life, where these two would've no doubt ended up dead and the wealthy and powerful criminals continued on their way. But it's fun to watch them move through the story under his guidance (as long as you're okay with a lot of deaths in their wake), and it was delightful to get that satisfying and justice-served ending.
When both men become a liability, knowing too much, a hit is put out on them, but a hacker friend of Asher's gets them warning in advance. Teaming up is the one way they might survive, and figure out who ordered the hit, and why.
The relationship is the best part of this book. Harry is stoic and closed off, grumpy and very alone: Asher is smooth, vocal, teasing, and a man who has never loved. They annoy each other, dance around each other, save each other, and fall. It feels slow, even though the timeframe is short, because we are with them each step of the way.
The incredible and justice-minded hacker friend of Asher's is a plot device to make a HEA possible, and sadly, someone we don't seem to have in real life, where these two would've no doubt ended up dead and the wealthy and powerful criminals continued on their way. But it's fun to watch them move through the story under his guidance (as long as you're okay with a lot of deaths in their wake), and it was delightful to get that satisfying and justice-served ending.
October 1, 2024
Action, adventure, sex, love...
A fun read, I loved the multiple POV. I thought Harry and Asher are perfect for one another. I'm a sucker for assassin stories so the action sucked me in, but it's Harry and Asher falling for each other and that ending that I really loved.
A fun read, I loved the multiple POV. I thought Harry and Asher are perfect for one another. I'm a sucker for assassin stories so the action sucked me in, but it's Harry and Asher falling for each other and that ending that I really loved.
Read
June 30, 2022DNF at about 15% and the award for the biggest disappointment of the year. Poor writing , simplistic , I just couldn’t go on. And I was excited about this release ..
September 30, 2024
Reread/Relisten: September 2024: 3.5-4 stars
I'd say that it is consistent with the rating I did two years ago (which wow, didn't think it has beenb that long).
It took me a minute to get into this story, but once I did, I was hooked!
I hope that book two The Bait, comes out on audio soon, I know that Glen Lloyd is finishing up the audio (or at least that is what NR Walker said on her facebook page).
Original Read/Listen: September 2022: 3.5-4 stars
I enjoyed this more than I thought. This book is on Scribd with Glen Lloyd narrating and he did a good job with the Aussie accent for Harry but idk what accent Asher had haha
Two enemy assassins teaming up, and on the run and mainly one bed! Haha lots of banter and sexual tension!
What an adventure these two went on and I am glad I picked this up.
NR Walker’s writing to me helps me out of slumps so I am glad I picked this up, it was like a pallet cleanser haha and now to find the next book!
I'd say that it is consistent with the rating I did two years ago (which wow, didn't think it has beenb that long).
It took me a minute to get into this story, but once I did, I was hooked!
I hope that book two The Bait, comes out on audio soon, I know that Glen Lloyd is finishing up the audio (or at least that is what NR Walker said on her facebook page).
Original Read/Listen: September 2022: 3.5-4 stars
I enjoyed this more than I thought. This book is on Scribd with Glen Lloyd narrating and he did a good job with the Aussie accent for Harry but idk what accent Asher had haha
Two enemy assassins teaming up, and on the run and mainly one bed! Haha lots of banter and sexual tension!
What an adventure these two went on and I am glad I picked this up.
NR Walker’s writing to me helps me out of slumps so I am glad I picked this up, it was like a pallet cleanser haha and now to find the next book!
September 23, 2024
Re-read Sept 2024 before the Bait release - still as enjoyable as the first time.
______________________________________________
Was it perfect or believable? - no.
Did I enjoy it? - 100% yes
Loved the dynamics between MCs. Fast paced action plot was entertaining - a mix of James Bond and Mission Impossible. The epilogue was perfect.
______________________________________________
Was it perfect or believable? - no.
Did I enjoy it? - 100% yes
Loved the dynamics between MCs. Fast paced action plot was entertaining - a mix of James Bond and Mission Impossible. The epilogue was perfect.
June 27, 2022
⭐︎
4.5 stars rounded up!
⭐︎
Miss Walker changed things up and went a little bit of a different story than she usually does. While we eventually got the romance she's so good at, this was more gritty than her usual work, and the MC's were more serious and hardened by their lives, and it was mainly lust they felt for each other at first.
This book focuses on Harry and Asher, two assassins. Harry works for his government as an assassin, but Asher is an assassin who has no affiliation, a mercenary basically.
At the start of this, though, we learn that Harry has been betrayed by his handler, and he's been killing many innocent people who didn't deserve to die, in order to cover up his handler's shady dealings.
He learns of this through Asher, who saves his life after Harry is the one who has a contract put out on him as a scapegoat for his handler's criminal activity. Asher also has a hit out on him, but he also has someone who is basically the only family he has, a man he saved many years ago from being killed and who is a super genius hacker who he trusts implicitly.
So Asher already knew of the hit on him and Harry - he was even contracted himself to kill Harry, but he doesn't - and a lot of the details of why and how.
Instead of killing Harry, he saves him and takes him with him to not only be on the run from those trying to kill them, but to also find information and proof of Harry's handler's illegal dealings so they can stop those coming after them and hopefully retire from the assassin life and live a more normal life.
As they are chased all over northern Africa and into the Middle East, these two start to fall for each other, although Harry perpetually has a scowl on his face and has a wall up around him, and is determined to hate Asher even though he can't help but like him.
Asher is less severe and more talkative and outgoing than Harry, but he has his own demons and has his moments of darkness. He is an assassin too after all.
My only real niggle to this, and why I gave this .5 stars off, is mainly the transition from lust to love in this.
It felt like it happened maybe a little too fast. The way this story was going, it was feeling like it'd need at least another book to get these two a place of love. So from one minute going to Harry trying to deny any attraction to Asher and even so much as liking him - even though he couldn't help but like him - to fairly quickly being in love with him and being all in was just rushed to me, it felt like.
Now don't get me wrong, I always love how this author writes romance. She's just so good at expressing the love between her two MC's. But because this story was more gritty and dark and our MC's have never really known love and are hard asses who have a hard time letting someone in - mainly Harry, but Asher sees it as just physical at first (or he tries to think of it as just physical) before Harry changes the game - I expected it to take longer for the love to come and for them to realize it.
So that transition could have been done better. But overall, once we got the change and once these two were on that "I love you" train, it was done well.
The chemistry was so well done in this. I felt it throughout and it was very believable that these two were into each other.
Also the rough sex was very hot - as much as the time where they have slow sex - and it felt very intense either way they had sex. As this author rarely writes such sex scenes (the rough ones. Their first time with penetrative sex doesn't even use any lube or prep, nothing. How Asher loved that, I don't know, but I guess he loves the pain. He's a fan of rough sex haha.) it was fun to get those kind of scenes in this book.
It made when we got the sex that was closer to love making - that this author does more in books. Which are also great and I love that - all the better.
And of course these two eventually prevail and Harry's handler gets his. Was a tad too easy? Maybe. But also they were on the run for weeks prior and went through a lot of shit so it didn't feel too unearned and unbelievable.
If you love this author and want to get a different kind of story than what she usually writes, this is a great book to dive into.
We get assassins falling in love - always a treat - and some high stakes action that sees our MC's almost die a few times.
The plot holds up well enough - even though yeah, it could have been tighter and probably stretched out for more than one book, in my opinion - and it kept my interest throughout, wanting to see how these two would get out of it.
I highly recommend this book. It's N.R. Walker moving out of her comfort zone a little bit and worked very well.
Two massive thumbs up from me. I say definitely give this one a chance! 🥰😘😍
***ARC received by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
Miss Walker changed things up and went a little bit of a different story than she usually does. While we eventually got the romance she's so good at, this was more gritty than her usual work, and the MC's were more serious and hardened by their lives, and it was mainly lust they felt for each other at first.
This book focuses on Harry and Asher, two assassins. Harry works for his government as an assassin, but Asher is an assassin who has no affiliation, a mercenary basically.
At the start of this, though, we learn that Harry has been betrayed by his handler, and he's been killing many innocent people who didn't deserve to die, in order to cover up his handler's shady dealings.
He learns of this through Asher, who saves his life after Harry is the one who has a contract put out on him as a scapegoat for his handler's criminal activity. Asher also has a hit out on him, but he also has someone who is basically the only family he has, a man he saved many years ago from being killed and who is a super genius hacker who he trusts implicitly.
So Asher already knew of the hit on him and Harry - he was even contracted himself to kill Harry, but he doesn't - and a lot of the details of why and how.
Instead of killing Harry, he saves him and takes him with him to not only be on the run from those trying to kill them, but to also find information and proof of Harry's handler's illegal dealings so they can stop those coming after them and hopefully retire from the assassin life and live a more normal life.
As they are chased all over northern Africa and into the Middle East, these two start to fall for each other, although Harry perpetually has a scowl on his face and has a wall up around him, and is determined to hate Asher even though he can't help but like him.
Asher is less severe and more talkative and outgoing than Harry, but he has his own demons and has his moments of darkness. He is an assassin too after all.
My only real niggle to this, and why I gave this .5 stars off, is mainly the transition from lust to love in this.
It felt like it happened maybe a little too fast. The way this story was going, it was feeling like it'd need at least another book to get these two a place of love. So from one minute going to Harry trying to deny any attraction to Asher and even so much as liking him - even though he couldn't help but like him - to fairly quickly being in love with him and being all in was just rushed to me, it felt like.
Now don't get me wrong, I always love how this author writes romance. She's just so good at expressing the love between her two MC's. But because this story was more gritty and dark and our MC's have never really known love and are hard asses who have a hard time letting someone in - mainly Harry, but Asher sees it as just physical at first (or he tries to think of it as just physical) before Harry changes the game - I expected it to take longer for the love to come and for them to realize it.
So that transition could have been done better. But overall, once we got the change and once these two were on that "I love you" train, it was done well.
The chemistry was so well done in this. I felt it throughout and it was very believable that these two were into each other.
Also the rough sex was very hot - as much as the time where they have slow sex - and it felt very intense either way they had sex. As this author rarely writes such sex scenes (the rough ones. Their first time with penetrative sex doesn't even use any lube or prep, nothing. How Asher loved that, I don't know, but I guess he loves the pain. He's a fan of rough sex haha.) it was fun to get those kind of scenes in this book.
It made when we got the sex that was closer to love making - that this author does more in books. Which are also great and I love that - all the better.
And of course these two eventually prevail and Harry's handler gets his. Was a tad too easy? Maybe. But also they were on the run for weeks prior and went through a lot of shit so it didn't feel too unearned and unbelievable.
If you love this author and want to get a different kind of story than what she usually writes, this is a great book to dive into.
We get assassins falling in love - always a treat - and some high stakes action that sees our MC's almost die a few times.
The plot holds up well enough - even though yeah, it could have been tighter and probably stretched out for more than one book, in my opinion - and it kept my interest throughout, wanting to see how these two would get out of it.
I highly recommend this book. It's N.R. Walker moving out of her comfort zone a little bit and worked very well.
Two massive thumbs up from me. I say definitely give this one a chance! 🥰😘😍
***ARC received by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review***
October 24, 2024
Reread and my ratings staying the same 🥰
4.5 stars rounded to 5
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
The Kite is a romantic suspense by author N.R.Walker. Two assassins with a bounty on their heads and trying to take down the man who put it there. I think this is a contender for one of my favorite N.R. Walker books I've had the pleasure of reading. It will take a whole lot to beat out my love for Tallowwood, but this one came close.
Harry and Asher are the best in their field. They have opposite approaches with Harry favoring close contact over Asher's long range firepower, but both have a 100% success rate. When Asher is tasked with taking out Harry, he realizes something might be off and before he knows it, his name is right alongside Harry's to be taken out. The two have to ignore their instincts to kill each other and find a way to work together in order to stay alive.
"No touching," Harry said, his voice low.
Asher hummed in reply. "Threatening bodily violence turns me on."
"I didn't threaten you."
Asher's gaze went to Harry's hand, still gripping his wrist. "I never said you did. I was just letting you know for your future reference."
I loved so much about this book! Harry, Harry, Harry, grumpy and deadly, was just a fantastic character. He did everything for his country and had his life thrown off axis to have them betray him. Asher was the sunshine to his grumpy, but that didn't make him any less deadly. He was high energy, full of endless sexual innuendos, and craved the sting of pain with his sex. Their first intercourse was painful to read, and it might be part of the reason I can't give it a straight five stars (no matter how rough you like sex, dry anal is not a joy to read). I lived for their banter and the overly charged sexual encounters between them. Even when the banter continues but their intimacy turned sweet and caring, I was just as invested in these two.
It was the kind of hug that fed his soul. He could feel parts of himself long thought broken starting to come back to life, to knit back together. Healing. Soothing.
I wasn't expecting to have my heart melted by two top assassins, but that's exactly what happened. When Harry accepts his feelings for Asher and starts with the terms of endearment and the way he cares for Asher when he's hurt. Also, I was not prepared for Asher's heart crushing backstory, damn it! It made me want to smoother Asher in love, and I am so glad that Harry was a secret teddy bear who could fill that void in Asher's life. The two turned into the precious couple I look forward to when I read an N.R. Walker book, with a sweet and adorable epilogue that I was so happy with.
Overall , The Kite by N.R. Walker was a winner and I highly expected to reread it in the future and really look forward to hearing it in audio. A suspenseful hate to love romance between two assassins filled with dual POV, action, danger, violence, sexual innuendos, admiring the scenery, dirty talk, and entertaining banter.
4.5 stars rounded to 5
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
The Kite is a romantic suspense by author N.R.Walker. Two assassins with a bounty on their heads and trying to take down the man who put it there. I think this is a contender for one of my favorite N.R. Walker books I've had the pleasure of reading. It will take a whole lot to beat out my love for Tallowwood, but this one came close.
Harry and Asher are the best in their field. They have opposite approaches with Harry favoring close contact over Asher's long range firepower, but both have a 100% success rate. When Asher is tasked with taking out Harry, he realizes something might be off and before he knows it, his name is right alongside Harry's to be taken out. The two have to ignore their instincts to kill each other and find a way to work together in order to stay alive.
"No touching," Harry said, his voice low.
Asher hummed in reply. "Threatening bodily violence turns me on."
"I didn't threaten you."
Asher's gaze went to Harry's hand, still gripping his wrist. "I never said you did. I was just letting you know for your future reference."
I loved so much about this book! Harry, Harry, Harry, grumpy and deadly, was just a fantastic character. He did everything for his country and had his life thrown off axis to have them betray him. Asher was the sunshine to his grumpy, but that didn't make him any less deadly. He was high energy, full of endless sexual innuendos, and craved the sting of pain with his sex. Their first intercourse was painful to read, and it might be part of the reason I can't give it a straight five stars (no matter how rough you like sex, dry anal is not a joy to read). I lived for their banter and the overly charged sexual encounters between them. Even when the banter continues but their intimacy turned sweet and caring, I was just as invested in these two.
It was the kind of hug that fed his soul. He could feel parts of himself long thought broken starting to come back to life, to knit back together. Healing. Soothing.
I wasn't expecting to have my heart melted by two top assassins, but that's exactly what happened. When Harry accepts his feelings for Asher and starts with the terms of endearment and the way he cares for Asher when he's hurt. Also, I was not prepared for Asher's heart crushing backstory, damn it! It made me want to smoother Asher in love, and I am so glad that Harry was a secret teddy bear who could fill that void in Asher's life. The two turned into the precious couple I look forward to when I read an N.R. Walker book, with a sweet and adorable epilogue that I was so happy with.
Overall , The Kite by N.R. Walker was a winner and I highly expected to reread it in the future and really look forward to hearing it in audio. A suspenseful hate to love romance between two assassins filled with dual POV, action, danger, violence, sexual innuendos, admiring the scenery, dirty talk, and entertaining banter.
July 9, 2023
Another reread - this audio is excellent.
Reread - Listened to the audiobook and still love this romance! Glen Lloyd did a great job narrating. Grumpy sunshine assassins just work so well, and I love how much the grumpy MC begrudgingly does kind things for the sweet MC. Adorable, very action packed. Queer Jason Bourne.
I'm a sucker for a grumpy-sunshine pairing, even more when it's between two contract killers that are on the run after having hits put out on each of them. This was described as a queer Jason Bourne romantic suspense, and that is so true.
I loved the pairing of a very talkative and charming hero teamed up with a strong and grumpy giant hero. One that also turns extremely protective. A hero that will burn the world down for you is such an excellent trope. There's some hot and desperate steam, along with building that emotional vulnerability after you've already had sex.
I have highlighted so many sections, with the banter (and chemistry) between the leads, to the swoony moments. I loved how much Harry (the grumpy one) got mad at himself for doing little things for Asher (the sunshine one), and proceeded to keep doing it. Buying him his favorite mints when he's grabbing them food, care taking, spooning in the one bed.
There's also plenty of plot and action in this, if you are looking for a romantic suspense that also has heavy romance with the heavy suspense, i'd recommend this one. I loved it. (Also the epilogue was perfection and I will not be elaborating more.)
**I do want to note that I have no expertise or large knowledge of the countries discussed or the wars mentioned in the story, and was reading as someone from the US with limited knowledge of the cultures and people represented throughout their traveling.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Reread - Listened to the audiobook and still love this romance! Glen Lloyd did a great job narrating. Grumpy sunshine assassins just work so well, and I love how much the grumpy MC begrudgingly does kind things for the sweet MC. Adorable, very action packed. Queer Jason Bourne.
I'm a sucker for a grumpy-sunshine pairing, even more when it's between two contract killers that are on the run after having hits put out on each of them. This was described as a queer Jason Bourne romantic suspense, and that is so true.
I loved the pairing of a very talkative and charming hero teamed up with a strong and grumpy giant hero. One that also turns extremely protective. A hero that will burn the world down for you is such an excellent trope. There's some hot and desperate steam, along with building that emotional vulnerability after you've already had sex.
I have highlighted so many sections, with the banter (and chemistry) between the leads, to the swoony moments. I loved how much Harry (the grumpy one) got mad at himself for doing little things for Asher (the sunshine one), and proceeded to keep doing it. Buying him his favorite mints when he's grabbing them food, care taking, spooning in the one bed.
There's also plenty of plot and action in this, if you are looking for a romantic suspense that also has heavy romance with the heavy suspense, i'd recommend this one. I loved it. (Also the epilogue was perfection and I will not be elaborating more.)
**I do want to note that I have no expertise or large knowledge of the countries discussed or the wars mentioned in the story, and was reading as someone from the US with limited knowledge of the cultures and people represented throughout their traveling.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 18, 2024
Re-read - Sept 23 - 4 stars
This totally hit the spot on re-read. The spot being alpha-action-man fun.
I also really enjoyed Glen Lloyd's narration and can definitely see myself revisiting the audio again in the future.
Jan 23 - 3.5 stars
This was a ridiculous book, but I had a lot of fun reading it.
As someone else here said, the genre is "queer Jason Bourne romantic suspense". I didn't realise I needed this, but now I want more.
The MCs, sunshiney Asher, and grumpy Harry, aren't really enemies, and don't really hate each other. So it's not a real enemies-to-lovers book, but they both get off on goading each other so it still fits the vibe.
I went all awww when Harry started to break down and fall for Asher. I've said it before, my favourite stories are ones where lots of bad shit happens, but the MCs are sweet on each other, and this totally fits the bill. Harry caring for Asher when he's injured was just lovely.
The plot of this moves along very smartly, and there's not a second of downtime. I thought the pacing was great, and loved that there was no insane climax where shit absolutely hits the fan and everything goes off the rails but rather a never-ending suite of bad-bad-things.
I thought the resolution of the action-plot was perfect, and I'm actually glad it
And now I'm off to see if N. R. Walker has written anything else, or if I can find other similar books.
This totally hit the spot on re-read. The spot being alpha-action-man fun.
I also really enjoyed Glen Lloyd's narration and can definitely see myself revisiting the audio again in the future.
Jan 23 - 3.5 stars
This was a ridiculous book, but I had a lot of fun reading it.
As someone else here said, the genre is "queer Jason Bourne romantic suspense". I didn't realise I needed this, but now I want more.
The MCs, sunshiney Asher, and grumpy Harry, aren't really enemies, and don't really hate each other. So it's not a real enemies-to-lovers book, but they both get off on goading each other so it still fits the vibe.
I went all awww when Harry started to break down and fall for Asher. I've said it before, my favourite stories are ones where lots of bad shit happens, but the MCs are sweet on each other, and this totally fits the bill. Harry caring for Asher when he's injured was just lovely.
The plot of this moves along very smartly, and there's not a second of downtime. I thought the pacing was great, and loved that there was no insane climax where shit absolutely hits the fan and everything goes off the rails but rather a never-ending suite of bad-bad-things.
I thought the resolution of the action-plot was perfect, and I'm actually glad it
And now I'm off to see if N. R. Walker has written anything else, or if I can find other similar books.
August 5, 2022
N.R. Walker has written some of my favorite M/M books (the Red Dirt Series, Sixty Five Hours, Learning to Feel, etc.) and as I started The Kite, I did not like it. Well, okay, I really liked the premise of two assassins working together to uncover the truth behind the hits placed on them both.
But the first half of the book seems an endless retread of
But then, darn it, I started caring about Harry and wondering what sort of childhood Asher had endured, and then Harry started noticing things not essential to the mission, like architecture and children .... and Asher realizes that "between arguing and laughing, seeing how the man's mind worked, sharing a bed with him, and the incredible sex - he's grown feelings for Harry."
Darn if I know how that it happened, but the last half of the book was very gripping and I desperately wanted Asher and Harry to stay alive, figure out how to get retribution, meet Asher's amazing handler, and have some sort of HFN. And the epilogue delivered in spades (and kittens) So, okay, yeah, I ended up enjoying this book. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
But the first half of the book seems an endless retread of
"Asher smiled, and good fuckin lord, Harry hated him. "I want to put a gun to your head," Harry mumbled. "So fucking bad." And what did Asher do? He laughed.Toss in a few rounds of "Shut the fuck up" and it's pretty much rinse, lather, repeat.
But then, darn it, I started caring about Harry and wondering what sort of childhood Asher had endured, and then Harry started noticing things not essential to the mission, like architecture and children .... and Asher realizes that "between arguing and laughing, seeing how the man's mind worked, sharing a bed with him, and the incredible sex - he's grown feelings for Harry."
Darn if I know how that it happened, but the last half of the book was very gripping and I desperately wanted Asher and Harry to stay alive, figure out how to get retribution, meet Asher's amazing handler, and have some sort of HFN. And the epilogue delivered in spades (and kittens) So, okay, yeah, I ended up enjoying this book. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2022
DNF@26%
I normally ignore reading blurbs and that’s what I did, I regret not reading the blurb with this one, something is just off about the story and the two MCs have got no chemistry at all it feels forced and their dialogue is so cringeworthy I can’t continue with this book, sorry 😢
I normally ignore reading blurbs and that’s what I did, I regret not reading the blurb with this one, something is just off about the story and the two MCs have got no chemistry at all it feels forced and their dialogue is so cringeworthy I can’t continue with this book, sorry 😢
June 30, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up
Reading this book is like watching an action movie with an extra dose of queer. It was a lot of fun to adventure around with the assassins on the run and watch them fall in love. The grumpy one gets soft for the sunshine one! The grumpy one murders everyone around but protects the sunshine one!!
While this wasn't anything particularly groundbreaking or new it was an enjoyable read. I highly recommend not thinking too hard about the details or continuity or realism. Just sit back with your popcorn and enjoy the action.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
Reading this book is like watching an action movie with an extra dose of queer. It was a lot of fun to adventure around with the assassins on the run and watch them fall in love. The grumpy one gets soft for the sunshine one! The grumpy one murders everyone around but protects the sunshine one!!
While this wasn't anything particularly groundbreaking or new it was an enjoyable read. I highly recommend not thinking too hard about the details or continuity or realism. Just sit back with your popcorn and enjoy the action.
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Read this review and more on my blog: https://horsetalkreviews.blogspot.com/
November 21, 2024
Absolutely perfect! Exactly what I needed to brighten my day!
August 30, 2022
I've given this a B+ at AAR, so 4.5 stars
N.R. Walker’s The Kite is a fast-paced action flick in book form in which the world’s two deadliest assassins find themselves forced to work together when they discover they’ve been marked for death themselves. I admit, I was expecting the romance in this one to be a tough sell – these are two lone wolves who don’t trust easily (if at all), have never been in a relationship or had anything resembling a ‘normal’ life, and I thought perhaps there might not be time in a single story to make a believable transition from walled-off tough guy to man-in-love. But while the progression from lust to love is perhaps a little fast, the chemistry is terrific and the strong emotional connection the author creates was enough to convince me that they were in it for the long haul by the end.
It’s been years since Tim Harrigan – known as Harry – has set foot on Australian soil; so long that he’s almost forgotten what home feels like. A highly trained operative for the Australian Specialist Response Group, Harry has been running covert ops for years, single-handedly eliminating terrorists and threats to national security on behalf of the Australian government, no questions asked. The whys and wherefores are none of his business. He’s in Madrid following his most recent mission when he realises he’s being followed – and if someone’s after him, it can only mean one thing. He’s the mark. Shit.
Trying to evade his pursuers, Harry enters a building at the end of an alley, runs up the stairs and along at roof level before jumping down onto a balcony – when he’s grabbed and pinned against a wall in a darkened hall, a hand covering his mouth. Instinctively, Harry puts his gun to his assailant’s head, even as he registers the cool metal pressed against his own temple. It’s only a few seconds before the “I’ve lost him” and sound of fading footsteps outside mean Harry can take a breath – which is when he realises just who got the drop on him. It’s Asher Garin – the only other man on the planet good enough to take Harry out. So… why didn’t he?
“You and me; double hit. They want us dead. You’re a kite, and your government just cut you loose.”
Asher shows Harry the assignment details on his phone screen; locations, dates, names, photographs, just like any of the thousands Harry has received over the years. Except the photos are of him and Asher. But who put out the hit and why? Who has Harry really been working for all these years? And will Harry and Asher be able trust each other enough to find out the truth – or will they kill each other first?
You’ll have to suspend your disbelief a bit – although probably no more than with Bond, Bourne or Ethan Hunt – as Harry and Asher race across countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East trying to work out who wants to get rid of them while staying one step ahead of them. The pacing is fast and the stakes are high, and fortunately, they’re not completely alone; while Harry has always worked for his government, Asher has been a gun for hire to whoever could afford it, working through a handler he refers to only as “Four” a reclusive genius who works behind the scenes to help them however he can.
Harry and Asher are a classic grumpy/sunshine pairing – although that doesn’t mean that the sunshine-y one is any less deadly! Asher is all smart-mouth and snarky flirtatiousness, he’s charming, talkative and knows just how to push Harry’s buttons and drive him round the bend. But behind all that is a very lonely man who has never known what it is to belong anywhere or with anyone, and his backstory is truly heartbreaiking. Like Harry, Asher has never believed he could ever have a ‘normal’ life, or that he would ever want such a thing, but lately, he’s been thinking about it more and more – what it might look like and how he might achieve it. Harry is Asher’s opposite in many ways – physically imposing and wearing a permanent scowl, he, too, is trying to find his way after his world is upended. For the past few years, Harry realises, he’s been working for the bad guys, helping them to make shady deals to line their own pockets and taking out the competition. It’s a lot to take in, but the more he learns the more there’s no denying that what Asher is telling him is true – and that his last three three targets were not who he’d been led to believe they were.
N.R. Walker is an author whose work I generally enjoy, but her last couple of contemporary romances haven’t really worked for me, so the change of direction in The Kite was a welcome and successful one. I liked Harry and Asher’s dynamic, Asher’s ability to see past Harry’s defences, the way Harry tries so hard not to like him but can’t help doing so, and the trust that develops between them. Their relationship starts out as an uneasy alliance born of expediency, and Harry is determined to ignore the attraction that sparks between them and to resist Asher’s flirting and obvious overtures – but of course, he can’t. The attraction is very much mutual and when the inveitable happens, the sex is pretty explosive – Asher likes it rough and views arguments as foreplay – and of course both men are convinced it’s nothing more than convenient stress relief. The way they progress from fuck-buddies to lovers is nicely done, with neither of them really noticing it until it’s too late and they’re all in.
I really enjoyed The Kite and could quite happily read more books about Harry and Asher, although there are a couple of things that caused me to lower my final grade a little. The first time the men have penetrative sex is a result of Asher goading Harry to such an extent that it feels as though Harry has been forced into giving Asher what he wants (plus, dry anal is not sexy!) Then there’s the mysterious Four, who is something of a deus ex machina character, an incredibly wealthy computer whizz who can do pretty much anything from his hideaway island in the Pacific. His presence in the story doesn’t take anything away from the tension or the dangers Harry and Asher face, but I can’t deny that sometimes, he’s just a bit too… convenient.
The Kite is one of those books you can just swtich off and kick back with, an action-packed, faintly ridiculous adventure about two hot assassins that’s funny and sexy with a great grumpy/sunshine dynamic, excellent banter, a well-executed adventure plot and a very satisfying HEA. I had a great time reading it and am happy to recommend it.
N.R. Walker’s The Kite is a fast-paced action flick in book form in which the world’s two deadliest assassins find themselves forced to work together when they discover they’ve been marked for death themselves. I admit, I was expecting the romance in this one to be a tough sell – these are two lone wolves who don’t trust easily (if at all), have never been in a relationship or had anything resembling a ‘normal’ life, and I thought perhaps there might not be time in a single story to make a believable transition from walled-off tough guy to man-in-love. But while the progression from lust to love is perhaps a little fast, the chemistry is terrific and the strong emotional connection the author creates was enough to convince me that they were in it for the long haul by the end.
It’s been years since Tim Harrigan – known as Harry – has set foot on Australian soil; so long that he’s almost forgotten what home feels like. A highly trained operative for the Australian Specialist Response Group, Harry has been running covert ops for years, single-handedly eliminating terrorists and threats to national security on behalf of the Australian government, no questions asked. The whys and wherefores are none of his business. He’s in Madrid following his most recent mission when he realises he’s being followed – and if someone’s after him, it can only mean one thing. He’s the mark. Shit.
Trying to evade his pursuers, Harry enters a building at the end of an alley, runs up the stairs and along at roof level before jumping down onto a balcony – when he’s grabbed and pinned against a wall in a darkened hall, a hand covering his mouth. Instinctively, Harry puts his gun to his assailant’s head, even as he registers the cool metal pressed against his own temple. It’s only a few seconds before the “I’ve lost him” and sound of fading footsteps outside mean Harry can take a breath – which is when he realises just who got the drop on him. It’s Asher Garin – the only other man on the planet good enough to take Harry out. So… why didn’t he?
“You and me; double hit. They want us dead. You’re a kite, and your government just cut you loose.”
Asher shows Harry the assignment details on his phone screen; locations, dates, names, photographs, just like any of the thousands Harry has received over the years. Except the photos are of him and Asher. But who put out the hit and why? Who has Harry really been working for all these years? And will Harry and Asher be able trust each other enough to find out the truth – or will they kill each other first?
You’ll have to suspend your disbelief a bit – although probably no more than with Bond, Bourne or Ethan Hunt – as Harry and Asher race across countries in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East trying to work out who wants to get rid of them while staying one step ahead of them. The pacing is fast and the stakes are high, and fortunately, they’re not completely alone; while Harry has always worked for his government, Asher has been a gun for hire to whoever could afford it, working through a handler he refers to only as “Four” a reclusive genius who works behind the scenes to help them however he can.
Harry and Asher are a classic grumpy/sunshine pairing – although that doesn’t mean that the sunshine-y one is any less deadly! Asher is all smart-mouth and snarky flirtatiousness, he’s charming, talkative and knows just how to push Harry’s buttons and drive him round the bend. But behind all that is a very lonely man who has never known what it is to belong anywhere or with anyone, and his backstory is truly heartbreaiking. Like Harry, Asher has never believed he could ever have a ‘normal’ life, or that he would ever want such a thing, but lately, he’s been thinking about it more and more – what it might look like and how he might achieve it. Harry is Asher’s opposite in many ways – physically imposing and wearing a permanent scowl, he, too, is trying to find his way after his world is upended. For the past few years, Harry realises, he’s been working for the bad guys, helping them to make shady deals to line their own pockets and taking out the competition. It’s a lot to take in, but the more he learns the more there’s no denying that what Asher is telling him is true – and that his last three three targets were not who he’d been led to believe they were.
N.R. Walker is an author whose work I generally enjoy, but her last couple of contemporary romances haven’t really worked for me, so the change of direction in The Kite was a welcome and successful one. I liked Harry and Asher’s dynamic, Asher’s ability to see past Harry’s defences, the way Harry tries so hard not to like him but can’t help doing so, and the trust that develops between them. Their relationship starts out as an uneasy alliance born of expediency, and Harry is determined to ignore the attraction that sparks between them and to resist Asher’s flirting and obvious overtures – but of course, he can’t. The attraction is very much mutual and when the inveitable happens, the sex is pretty explosive – Asher likes it rough and views arguments as foreplay – and of course both men are convinced it’s nothing more than convenient stress relief. The way they progress from fuck-buddies to lovers is nicely done, with neither of them really noticing it until it’s too late and they’re all in.
I really enjoyed The Kite and could quite happily read more books about Harry and Asher, although there are a couple of things that caused me to lower my final grade a little. The first time the men have penetrative sex is a result of Asher goading Harry to such an extent that it feels as though Harry has been forced into giving Asher what he wants (plus, dry anal is not sexy!) Then there’s the mysterious Four, who is something of a deus ex machina character, an incredibly wealthy computer whizz who can do pretty much anything from his hideaway island in the Pacific. His presence in the story doesn’t take anything away from the tension or the dangers Harry and Asher face, but I can’t deny that sometimes, he’s just a bit too… convenient.
The Kite is one of those books you can just swtich off and kick back with, an action-packed, faintly ridiculous adventure about two hot assassins that’s funny and sexy with a great grumpy/sunshine dynamic, excellent banter, a well-executed adventure plot and a very satisfying HEA. I had a great time reading it and am happy to recommend it.
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