From the Shadows - JA Owenby

Oh my goodness. This book was something words can barely describe. It was deep, dark, intense, emotional, and completely consuming. If life hadn't gotten in the way, this is the kind of book I would have sat down and finished in a single sitting.

I don't want to give anything away because this is absolutely a story that deserves to be experienced exactly as J.A. Owenby intended. The reveals, the emotions, and the moments that hit the hardest all come at the perfect time. All I'll say is that this book took me places I wasn't expecting to go. It shared things I wasn't prepared for and made me feel emotions I wasn't ready for.

After reading the first three books in the series, it was obvious that Dope's story was going to be heavy. The glimpses we got of his past hinted at something devastating, but actually getting inside his head was a completely different experience. He is unlike any other character in the series. The way his mind works, the things he's survived, and the person he's become made him fascinating to read about. There were so many layers to him, and uncovering them piece by piece was one of my favorite parts of the book.

I'll admit, I was unsure about Sloane at first. There was something about her that gave me an uneasy feeling, and I wasn't sure how she would fit into the story. The more I read, though, the more I realized she was exactly who this story needed. She brought a necessary balance I didn't expect and blended seamlessly into the world.

One of my absolute favorite parts of the entire book wasn't even a romance scene. It was a scene involving the women. As much as I love the men in this series—and protective MMCs will always have my heart—the relationships between the women were incredible. Their support, loyalty, and connection brought something special to the story, and honestly, I'd love to read more scenes centered around them.

This book is one of those stories that stays with you long after you've finished the last page, replaying moments in my head, and still processing everything that happened. I received this as an ARC and am leaving the honest review voluntarily.

“Don't go," I said. Simple. Honest. No armor. "Don't leave me with the sound of that f****** door closing."