Reviews

Dead in the Desert by Lou Harper

bitchie's review

4.0

I read this immediately after Dead in LA. I literally closed one book and opened the other, because I didn't want to lose the momentum, as I often do when waiting between books. I enjoyed this one just as much, maybe more, than the first book, simply because there were more feelings involved. While the first book had more of a "fuck buddies with hidden, pushed down feelings" vibe, this story finally pushed those feelings to the front. I found the mystery in this story engaging, and I loved the little, microscopic, connection to the Sanguine world at the end in the epilogue.

This story felt like a conclusion somehow, but I really hope there are more stories to come in this series, or at least, that Jon and Andy pop up somehow someplace else. Maybe with Harvey and Gabe, since that tenuous link was formed between the series.

bookcraft's review against another edition

4.0

Just as good as the previous book. I like that Jon's emotional journey is ongoing, and that while Andy recognizes it's going to take time for Jon to heal, he doesn't allow himself to be treated like a doormat for the sake of not disturbing Jon's status quo. I find it very refreshing that Jon is self-aware when it comes to his own jealousy, and works to own it and overcome it rather than taking what he recognizes as irrational feelings out on Andy.

As with Dead in L.A., the mystery here is more the backdrop than it is the A Plot, but that's perfectly fine with me; as far as I'm concerned the evolution of Jon and Andy's relationship is (and should be) the true A Plot — this is a romance, after all. I loved the theme of

Spoiler

reinventing oneself, and not letting one's family determine who one is

that unfolded as the mystery was solved. It resonated in a very personal way with me.

I hope Harper plans to write more in this series, because I'd love to spend more time with Jon and Andy.

suze_1624's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this next installment of Jon and Andy's developing relationship as well as the mystery elements

Spoiler

though I was expecting something more from the finding of Ethan

looking forward to more from them!

cachou's review

emotional mysterious medium-paced

3.25

kaje_harper's review

4.0

This is another good installment in the L.A. Paranormal series, and hopefully not the last. This story lets us see Jon and Leander more than half a year into their relationship, which is now one of friends with plenty of sexy benefits (although the actual sex scenes are rather briefly presented - nice but not detailed.) It's pretty clear that they actually care more about each other than mere friendship, but Andy isn't pushing, and Jon is still holding back to protect his heart from future loss. A couple of new cases of missing people bring them in contact with dead bodies and the police, in a story that is interesting and melodramatic in content while being matter-of-fact in tone. We get a few moments between the guys that have a sweet resonance, as they begin to talk more about their feelings for each other. This was a very fast read - a bit more solid and satisfying than the two previous novellas, but still a brief taste that left me eager to spend more in-depth time with these two guys.

lillian_francis's review against another edition

5.0

The first book was a great introduction to the characters and their situation. This book was better. More emotional, with feelings to be traversed and a more satisfying mystery to tax Andy and Jon.
And whilst the short epilogue was a nice touch I found I had to skip back to the last page of the story proper, just to touch base with our couple again before I closed the book.