Never Hollowed By The Stare

Unbreakable Bonds: Shatter – Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott

Maverick trauma surgeon Ashton “Snow” Frost keeps the world at a distance, relying only on his three closest friends to keep him connected. But when a ghost from their past returns to Cincinnati, Snow stands to lose everyone he loves. Framed for murder and reeling from attacks on his friends, Snow is pushed to his breaking point.

Jude Torres won’t let the doc shatter. The paramedic has been attracted to the doctor since he first laid eyes on him at the hospital, even if the arrogant, solitary man doesn’t fit into any of his plans. One hot, reckless kiss shows that Snow isn’t who he appears to be. And one night together will never be enough. Jude will fight for the doc.

Fight to keep him whole. Fight to keep him safe. Fight to simply keep him.

Unbreakable Bonds is centered around four men who have deep connections with each other. Lucas Vallois, the alpha and the center who holds everything together. Ashton ‘Snow’ Frost, dark and brooding, is a trauma surgeon and the one Lucas considers his brother. Rowan ‘Rowe’ Ward, laid back and goofy, they met him during basic military training. He is their warrior. Their heart is Ian Pierce, a talented chef. He’s adorable, the type you want to put in your pocket to keep safe. Well, I want to put them all in my pocket really. I love these guys! ♡

Shatter is Snow trying to keep it all together.

Dr. Ashton Frost, aka Snow to his friends, Surgeon General to his colleagues at the hospital, is all sharp edges. He has no attachments to anybody except his close friends, Lucas, Rowe and Ian whom he consider his family. He keeps everybody at arms length. When I first met him in Shiver, he was angry and brooding and I was like, what the hell was his problem? But, I was all over him anyway.

Where Lucas was the confident alpha, Snow was more of the arrogant lone wolf. But those who watched him closely could see he is sad and lonely. He goes on these anonymous one night stands to fill the void. He is attracted to Jude but he has a no dating rule in place which he strictly follows. Still, it couldn’t hide the obvious spark they had whenever their eyes met.

Jude Torres, the paramedic, is all set to solve the puzzle that is Dr. Ashton Frost. Raised by a loving (and hip) Greek-Spanish mother, Jude is cheerful, and kind, quite the opposite of Snow. I liked Jude, his easy-going manner puts things at ease. He was determined to have Snow but he wasn’t pushy. His firm and steady grasp won the doctor over. Also, the paramedic should be congratulated for bringing out a deeply hidden romantic streak of the Surgeon General (wow, who knew!). Jude knew exactly what Snow needed

This man had a heart of gold and he needed love like nobody Jude had known before.

They fit together perfectly.

Snow, along with his two friends, has always been very protective of Ian. When he learned the man who hurt their younger friend was back in town, Snow went on on a quest to hunt him down. The mystery this time was much more compelling than in the first book. The doctor was framed for a murder, Ian and Melanie Rowe were in a tragic accident while Jude was suddenly mixed up in this dirty business.

And the man was impressive! Even though he had almost no idea what was going on, he backed Snow up and pulled off entitled Euro-trash so well he fooled the bad guys and got our heroes some much needed information.

The action-suspense element was still weak and I wished Snow would be more careful with his million-dollar hands. I’m glad Hollis was much more useful this time but I think he should go ahead and arrest Snow for obstruction of justice. The doctor, who knew better, hardly listened when warned against tampering with a crime scene. The scene where Snow was talking to the detective in the car was hilarious!

“ … I thought it would be nice if you came with me so we do this all above board.”

“Kind of like how you guys got Andrei back a few months ago?” He snorted. Stopping the car at an intersection, Hollis looked over at Snow, as if waiting to see if he would admit or deny it, but after only a second he shook his head and eased the car forward. “Someday, I’ll have to sit all you mavericks down and explain above and below.”

“Oh we get it, cop.” Snow chuckled and knew it sounded dirty. “We just like to straddle.”

Hollis held up a hand. “TMI, doc. TMI.”

Snow rolled his eyes and faced front. “You strike me as one who always wants the raunchy details.”

Surprisingly, the doc gave him his approval to ask Ian out.

As for the rest, Lucas and Andrei were still at it like bunnies. I love seeing them though their friends’ eyes. Apparently, they met Andrei’s parents. Rumor has it the Hadeons are crazy. I haven’t read the short stories so this I must find out!

Ian was confined to a wheelchair and had a bodyguard. The kid’s too precious for this world! Protect at all cost!

Poor Rowe, was missing for the most part of the book and I couldn’t blame the man for wanting to get away from it all for a while. His reunion with the family was got me emotional. o(TヘTo)

Shatter is a strong follow up to Shiver. We learn more about Lucas, Snow and Ian’s past, the family’s connection with a criminal group and witness Rowe trying to cope with Mel’s passing. We see Andrei thriving as a bodyguard and as Lucas’ boyfriend. Hollis is also slowly gaining their grudging approval and Jude proved he can handle the doctor quite well. Most importantly, Shatter succeeded in uncovering the many layers of Snow. And it was a joy to discover everything underneath all that prickly exterior.

P.S.

Rowe’s story is next. Hmm…I dunno but, whatever makes you happy, Rowe.

First book of Unbreakable Bonds, Shiver, here.
Jocelynn Drake books here

Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

Soundtrack: Shatter
Artist: Feeder
Album: Tumble And Fall