Book Review: Long Time Gone by S.E. Jakes

Title: Long Time Gone
Series: Hell or High Water, Book 2
Author: S.E. Jakes
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided via NetGalley
Published: October 28, 2013 by Riptide Publishing

Soldier of fortune Prophet Drews always worked alone—until Tom Boudreaux became his partner. But when Tom walked away three months ago, ostensibly to keep Prophet safe, Prophet learned the true meaning of being alone. Everyone knows that Prophet, a Navy SEAL turned CIA spook turned mercenary, can look after himself. Which means he must’ve driven his lover away.

Even with half a world between them, Prophet can’t get the man out of his head. Maybe that’s why he’s in New Orleans in the middle of a hurricane, protecting Tom’s aunt. But the only looter around is Tom, bursting back into Prophet’s life. It turns out that Prophet’s been stuck in Tom’s head—and heart—too.

Their explosive reunion gets even hotter when Tom is arrested for murder. As they fight to clear his name, they delve deep into his past, finding enemies among everyone they meet. Staying alive in such a dangerous world is hard enough, but they soon discover that fighting to stay together is the most difficult thing they’ve ever done.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Adored! (This review contains spoilers for book one so don’t read this if you haven’t read book one yet.)

The Set Up: Prophet is a CIA spook turned mercenary who always worked alone until Tom. But when Tom left Prophet for his own good, Prophet was left reeling. Even though Prophet won’t return any of Tom’s communications, Prophet can’t leave Tom’s aged aunt to deal alone with a Katrina-level hurricane in New Orleans. The last thing Prophet expects is for Tom to return home at the same time, or for Tom to be charged with murder. While Prophet and Tom negotiate their relationship they must also solve a mystery from Tom’s past.

Why I Read this Book: I adored book one of this series (my review), until the ending which tore Tom and Prophet apart. I’ve been awaiting this book two since I finished book one.

What I Liked: Prophet and Tom are combustible! They use sex to convey their emotional intimacy and this intensity permeates the novel. From their fiery reunion in the middle of the hurricane, to the lazy explorations that occur when they talk about their feelings, Prop and Tom are contenders for my favorite couple of this year!

I was worried that the author would gloss over Tom leaving Prophet at the end of book one but she didn’t take that easy way out. Prophet and Tom both want to just say in this time together but know they must talk about both Tom’s desertion of Prophet and how they’ll make a future together. I loved that the author forced the men to have painful discussions. I also loved how both Tom and Prop stayed true to their characters during their vulnerable conversations. This relationship is complicated and messy but readers won’t be able to imagine either lead with anyone else—ever!

What I Also Liked: The mystery was the backbone of the plot and I liked it. It starts with a hurricane bearing down on the bayou and morphs into a mystery from Tom’s past. This allows Tom to show Prop how he became the man he is and this layered beautifully on the romance development.

I also adore the secondary characters in this series. I can’t spoil who they are but the world of spies and mercenaries that Prophet is a part of offers some stellar characters and I can’t wait to read their stories!

What I Didn’t Like: Nothing, this book is one of my favorites of this year and has cemented my fandom for the series.

IMO: Don’t read this until you’ve read book one but when you are ready for this book, I’m sure you’ll adore it as I did.

J9’s Rating:
5 Frogs