Love the Sinner by Avril Ashton

Title: Love the Sinner
Author: Avril Ashton
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Pages: 229
Characters: Gabriel Ashby, Angelo Pagan
POV: 3rd
Sub-Genre: Contemporary Romance, Gay-For-You
Kisses: 5




Blurb:

Detective Gabriel Ashby has never looked twice at another man, yet the criminal across from him, the man he’s interrogating, isn’t like any other. Gabe can’t deal with the sudden, intense need he has for one of NYPD’s Most Wanted. Everyone close to Angelo Pagan ends up dead, with the smug gang leader standing amid the rubble. Gabe would love nothing more than to bust Angelo’s ass and lock him up. So why is he seeing the bastard in his dreams at night?

Angelo Pagan knows attraction to Gabe is suicide. He’s resolute to ignore the chemistry…until a police raid goes wrong. He critically injures Gabe, changing the trajectory of both their lives. Now the two can’t get close enough. They settle into a forbidden affair threatened by lies and betrayal, living on different sides of the law with no way of breaching the gap between them. With the authorities looking to make an example of Angelo, Gabe has to decide if it’s really worth it to hate the sin but love the sinner.

Review:

Wow! Love the Sinner is a fast-paced, sexy, forbidden romance between a burned out cop and a gangster leader. From the first page to the last word, I was enthralled with the complex and interesting world the two heroes live in. I loved the emotional connection these two men had for one another as well as their determination to find a way to be together. This is the first book I’ve read by Avril Ashton and believe me, it won’t be my last!

Sparks of attraction fly the moment Detective Gabe Ashby meets gangster Angelo Pagan. Gabe is supposed to be interrogating the gangster on a crime, but instead, he finds himself drawn to the fascinating man. To make matters worse, Angelo too seems to be feeling intensity of attraction between them, and both men are finding it hard to concentrate on the matter at hand, instead of giving into the emotional and physical pull between them.

Even though Gabe tries to ignore his fascination for Angelo, Angelo himself seems determined to put himself into Gabe’s life. As Gabe gets to know the ‘real’ Angelo, he starts seeing a good man who is tormented by his past, and the more Gabe’s around the gangster, the more he finds himself liking and falling for him. But, as Gabe finds out that Angelo is involved into something dangerous and illegal, both men are forced to face the forbidden love the have for each other and make a choice of doing what’s right or following their heart.

I loved this book! After I read the blurb, I wasn’t sure how the author was going to convince me that a cop and a gangster would not only fall in love, but somehow find a way to be together. Lucky for us, Ms. Ashton’s intense and creative storytelling abilities was about to work through both of the heroes problems and found a way for them to have a life with one another. I thought the plot itself was very well thought out, and the story was a very smooth read. It has the perfect amount of angst, adventure, intrigue and romance.

Both heroes have their own issues they must work through. Both men have secrets that they slowly start to reveal to one another as their relationship starts to develop between them. I liked how they really cared and brought out the best in one another. It was obvious they wanted to be better men not only for themselves, but for each other. They seemed to be two halves of one whole, and I loved every minute I spent reading about them.

Gay-for-you romances can be a hard sell, but I thought Gabe’s sudden feelings of attraction and more for Angelo was very well-written and believable. Honestly, he never stood a chance of pushing Angelo aside once the gangster set his eyes on him. Angelo’s determination to fit Gabe into his life, as well as his drive to be a man who deserves Gabe’s love made him one of my favorite heroes I’ve read this year. I loved the intensity, love and trust between these two men and I truly hated to see the book come to an end.

Love the Sinner has definitely earned a spot on my keeper shelf. I know when I’m in the mood for a well-written romance with likeable, sexy characters I’ll reach for this book again and again. I’m looking forward to reading more books by Ms. Ashton and highly recommend this book if you are looking for a sexy and fast paced romance.

Reviewed By: Gabbi

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