(Watch Me) Save You (Run This Town, #4) By Avril Ashton
My friend Ele and I decided to console ourselves and do a buddy read because...
everyone ran off to GRL without us. So really what's a girl to do besides grab a friend and read about some seriously messed up sexy men!
'(Watch Me) Save You' is book 4 in Avril Ashton's 'Run This Town' series and right off the bat the first thing I'm going to say is this is not a stand alone book if you haven't read the first 3 books I honestly can't imagine truly enjoying this book. The characters and storylines are so interwoven and tied together that to try and do so would definitely leave the reader missing a whole lot of relevant background information.
Quinn Storm is the ex-husband of Xavier Storm, whom we met in the first book. Tek is a friend of Elias Kote's, we met him in book 3 and Elias figures very prominently in Tek's story as does Israel Storm, who is Xavier's cousin and one of the MCs from the second book. Then we have Stavros Konstantinou and he's a real charmer...NOT!!! But he is the scum of the earth and just like all good bad pennies he keeps turning up, over and over and over again and he is a very prominent player in this story. So to really appreciate and understand book 4 you need to go back to the beginning, but I'm not going to do that.
'Run This Town' for me isn't so much a series about bad men as it is a story about men who are doing what they have to, to get by and protect the people they care about. It's not about the black and white of life but all the shades of grey that are in between.
The plotlines in these stories at times can get a bit convoluted but ultimately they work and I really enjoy not always knowing where the author is taking us and thinking we should have zigged when she zagged.
I honestly can't decided whether I liked book one or this one the best but then I don't honestly need to pick so I loved them both and I'm definitely on board to see what comes next.
Ele, if you want to do a buddy read for the next one, just give me a shout. Especially if it's going where we think it might be.
By the way Ms Ashton I saw what you did there sliding in some of the characters from your Sinners series. That was cool and I wouldn't be disappointed if it happened again.
4.5 stars rounded down to 4 here on GR because damn, still no half stars anywhere to be found. 287 Worth it
I saw some reviews of this book that said Tek was going to annoy the ever living crap out of me with his antics but because I was on a mission to read all of Avril's series' in order, I couldn't well skip it like I was tempted to.
The verdict is in and I'm glad I decided to read this and not listen to those reviews because they were way off base for me.
Sure, I respect people's opinions and not everyone is going to have the same reading experience but for this book, I'll advise you to read it first to you make up your own mind.
It was so worth it for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
First thing you need to know is that both Quinn and Tek were very, very messed up. Quinn because of the tragic things done to him and Tek because of the messed up environment he grew up in. Both had self-loathing in spades and couldn't find a way out of the darkness. Unfortunately, they turned to self destructive coping mechanisms to handle their pain/despair/fear/self-loathing.
Their way to each other was filled with super intense moments, feelings coming at you from all sides, decisions that will make you want to pull on your hair and a chemistry so explosive that I had to pause at times and stare in wonder.
Avril Ashton did her thing with this book and the series as a whole. Go read it.
PS:
Stavros showed here why people hated him. Heck, I've read Call the Coroner and still found him so despicable in this book. Ugh.
All I can say I'm glad he got all that he got from Daniel. He needed that shake up. 287 This book definitely had me glued to the pages, but I really wanted a little bit more from Quinn and Teks healing. These two men are the most broken, defeated men I have ever read about and because of that I was so looking forward to the moment they found comfort and some hope in each other. This absolutely did happen but....it wasn't as good as I hoped.
It was mainly Quinn's fault. I loved him! There was such a good heart wrenching build up to what happened to him and how he was lost within his past trauma, then suddenly, when he accepts he wants Tek he's all take charge and toppy. Once again, super hot! Not complaining, but just....not what I wanted. He went to therapy and stuff so it definitely wasn't 'your dick healed me', but we didn't see any gradual healing once he was with Tek.
This story also runs along the same timeline as the previous book and because it had been so long since I read it, some of the side characters took a while for me to place. So no, this can't really be read as a standalone. But the other books were my favourite anyway 😁 287 I don't know how I feel about this one fully. I've been waiting on Tek's story since he came into the picture. This is going to be spoiler free. I can say I'm surprised about the roles reversal between Quinn & Tek. I am extremely happy that Tek found someone whom he can be himself to fully. I loved that little gem surrounding him. Ugh just give me a little of Dima, why don't you. Glad to see him as well as some old faces, and new ones. WTH about the ending though. I'm happy Mrs. A decided to have a new series surrounding Dutch hopefully. I'm begging for Dutch to get a book or something.
This one was a little bit more plot driven then the rest. I liked how this one coincided with the last book. It's nice to see the story play out from both directions. I'm so happy Quinn was able to do better for himself and his love. I feel like we have more to see regarding Renzo & Low. Am I asking too much for a Syren sighting. This just makes me want to go re-read his book for the 15th time if that. I liked how this book summed up most of the lost ties surrounding book 2 & 3. I'm looking forward to more from Mrs. A as usual! 287 4.5 stars 287
Free read (Watch Me) Save You (Run This Town, #4)
Is love enough to pull two drowning men back from the edge of darkness?
No one will love you. Tek Ng has heard that statement his entire life, and after all he’s been through, he believes it. The tortured reality of who he is wars with everything else in his world. He’s got a fiancée he doesn’t want, a family legacy he wants to escape, and unrequited love so unavoidable he descends into sexual depravity with the last person he should. Tek is drowning, but he’s not sure he wants to be saved.
Quinn Storm hides in his quiet house, afraid of his shadow and his memories. At one time he had a husband and a life, but that was snatched away in a violent attack. Hardly daring to live, Quinn is alive only because he’s too scared to end it all himself. He’s drowning and wants no chance at being saved.
A favor for a friend brings these two men together just in time for Tek to watch Quinn unravel. Quinn quickly becomes the most important thing in Tek’s life, but can he trust Quinn to love him once he realizes what Tek is hiding? Just as they reach for each other, their reprieve is shattered by Tek’s demons, leaving Quinn with the realization that he’s not the only one in need of saving. (Watch Me) Save You (Run This Town, #4)
~BR with Karen. Because everyone is at GRL.~
I was very excited about this release, having met Quinn in the first book of the series. Unfortunately, I can't say this is my favorite book of the author.
Maybe my expectations were too high, maybe I kept comparing it to the previous book, (Watch Me) Unmask You which was perfection or maybe it was just me (probably, considering all the great reviews). I can't exactly pinpoint the reason.
The start was amazing and very promising. Yes, the angst is too much but this is expected considering how screwed up both men are. BUT, I felt that somewhere in the middle of the story, Quinn stopped being the same man he was. In the first half he kept pushing Tek away, he was always scared and isolated. And then, when he has sex with Tek for the first time, he suddenly becomes all confident and bossy.
And what's up with using Xavier's tone of voice to make Tek all hot and bothered? And how many times can a person use the word sugar as a pet name?
I have to say that I absolutely loved the crossdressing theme here. Very interesting take on the matter.
So, I may not enjoyed it as much as the others, but I'll definately read the next one. How the hell will you pull this off miss Ashton? Can't wait to see;) 287 Tek!
I struggled with this read because of the intro ....well, for me it did not make for an easy read. I had to read through the sadness first. The couple though...they were sweet together and they simply fit. 287 Tek & Quinn Storm who hides in his quiet house...
Bad boys, make no excuse they will cut you. Worth the wait...LOVE,ACTION AGAINST ALL ODDS, DANGER, CHEMISTRY AND WUV! This series is so damn good! 287 3.5
~WATCH ME MAN PAIN ALL OVER THE PLACE~
This might be my least favourite Avril book ever. There’s just something about it that doesn’t ring true or it could be that lead couple don’t sizzle like they should be doing.
Tek Ng he hardcore but he also likes the prettier things in life. He loves women’s clothing but the world he rolls in doesn’t allow him to be who he truly is. So he does it behind closed doors and for shady ass Stavros (wow what a bag of dicks he was and not the good kind). He lost his parents to things he likes so when he dons his dresses he hates the girl looking back at him.
Quinn has been through some shit and he’s still dealing with it (what is it with these men and not getting serious professional help). So when Tek invades his space, Quinn is just one breath away from losing his shit. But Tek is the pushy type and suddenly he’s not only invading Quinn’s home he’s also taking up space in his head and heart.
Cue man pain and extraness and Watch Me Save You is a wrap....but seriously though I’m wondering why I didn’t love this like I should.
Reason 1- Tek’s love of women clothing wasn’t an intricate part of the story. I needed it to be more in there than just something his ass broods about. I would have loved more of that.
Reason 2- Quinn went from barely being able to function to out there living his best life. Man just Jekyll and Hyde his own freaking story.
Reason 3- I didn’t buy their freaking romance. It was too quick even for Avril Ashton’s norm. They felt rushed and not fleshed out as individuals and less so as a couple.
Overall, didn’t hate it but not the best in the bunch. Highlight was my mans dem Dima and X making a cameo. If I love Dima one more time 😍😍😍 287 3 Stars!
There had to be a rotten one in the bunch eh? They all couldn't be fivers. And believe me, I was really disappointed that this book and me didn't come together in beautiful harmony. Tek was one of the characters I was most looking forward to reading about. He continued to be a complete mystery in all three books. I actually really liked him. His story was heartbreaking as I figured it would be. I didn't have issues with his character or his story. Quinn is where the majority of my issues lye. Is it just me or did he in the end turn out to be quite different then he started out to be? Now I don't mean like he was broken and found strength and changed in that way. Because he did. Characters grow and change in a book. What I am talking about is like a personality switch. He was vulnerable and had this isolated way about him because of his past trauma. But then he got him a taste of Tek and he just flipped his role. He seemed like a complete different character. Now he's jumping on planes where he couldn't even leave the house. Now he's all about being a bossy top and giving out orders where before he panicked just by being touched or having someone close to him. It was like I got whiplash how quickly his character jumped.
What really didn't work for me was how heavy the book was. I got hit with a double wammy with both men being broken and in need of healing. It was just too much for me in one book. I needed some reprieve from all that darkness. It never really lightened up so it was depressing as hell. I know you have to be in the mood for this type and I guess I thought I could handle it, but I was wrong. I guess I am not made for both of my MC's to be broken. At least not this damn broken all in one book.
I loved Tek and was confused by Quinn. I did enjoy their more intimate moments together. I loved how Quinn made Tek feel accepted and loved as he was.
Still enjoying this author and will continue with this series and her others.
Happy reading dolls! xx
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