Read my reviews of previous books in the Lost Boys series:
The Thief (#0.5) | The Skeptic (#1) | The Crush (#2)
This book is both exactly what it says on the tin and simultaneously full of delightful surprises. That Sawyer and Hen are meant to be is evident from events in earlier in the series (and obvious to almost everyone but the two of them). However, what we think we know about the characters barely scratches the surface of their personalities and why, exactly, they would work better together than apart. With this series, Fox has crafted a complex bit of storytelling that only becomes more intricate (and intriguing) the more we uncover about each individual character and narrative.
From the first moment, I want to wrap Hendrix in a blanket burrito and give him a kitten to snuggle. Whatever dream he might have been chasing that led him out of Seguin has slowly transitioned to something more akin to running away. Luckily, the bonds of family and friendship that still tie him to Seguin ensure he has people to catch him when he finally runs straight off the edge of a cliff. That Sawyer insists on being Hen’s primary safety net, especially over Hen’s parents, might as well flash his feelings for Hen in neon. Mostly, I wanted to also wrap Sawyer’s unrequited love for Hen in a blanket burrito.
Watching these characters on a collision course was fun, but the surprising layer of spice Fox adds to the proceedings makes this book an absolute delight. Sawyer is the definition of “it’s always the quiet ones,” but the depths he’s hidden from Hen turn out to be exactly what makes them a perfect match. This is true regarding Hen’s personal and professional needs, though these are fairly intermingled due to Hen’s life as a rock star. Fox also ties the external plot for these characters to Seguin with a reveal that is an excellent twist on how these stories are so grounded in a well-developed world, which is important even for contemporary settings.
Hen’s character arc is relatively neat, but he starts from such an unrooted point that it is still entirely satisfying. Sawyer’s arc is much messier, but watching him go nuclear on Hen’s enemies is both satisfying and sexy AF. Along the way, because these men exist as part of a strong found family, we also see plenty of hints of stories yet to come. Those moments are part of what makes Fox’s shared world stories equally fun to read and frustrating in the best ways possible.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
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