Midnight Man (Midnight Trilogy, #1)

by Lisa Marie Rice

• ISBN10: 1519708300
• ISBN13: 9781519708304
• Publish Date: 27 December 2015 (first published 12 November 2004)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 294
• Language: English

Reviews

[thebookdisciple]

There are certainly aspects of the story I liked: the mystery of who is trying to kill Suzanne, the danger, etc. But there were lots of things I had issues with too.
#1. John is way too alpha. His behavior on their 1st date was so over the top. If he weren't hot, Suzanne would have been getting a restraining order. It wasn't sexy, it was stalkerish.
#2. John is apparently incapable of doing anything but having sex and killing people. He seems totally unable to function when he isn't doing those 2 things.
#3. The end is insanely abrupt.

So, the story has potential. And, while I thought John's behavior was appalling, I still didn't DNF because I was invested enough in the story. There is potential there. Not sure I would pay for the rest of the series (this book was a freebie I grabbed some time ago).

[Lynn]

This was a free download from Amazon. I enjoyed Midnight Man, but didn't love it. John was a bit too wooden and quiet for me. I like my alpha males to have a bit more personality! That been said, I'll still go on and read about Bud and Claire in book 2 and read part 3 as well.

This was painful to read. It's only really romantic suspense if you squint - it's mainly erotica. I'm not even sure where to begin with all the things that bothered me about this book. I like alpha males but this was too aggressive - borderline rapey. It's not like Suzanne seems to like him or want him or is willing to stand up for herself - or even talk. She's basically a non-entity waiting for him to do whatever he wants. It was awkward and wrong.

John says: I'm a gentleman.
What he actually does: But I'm not going to take no for an answer, crowd your space and take over every inch of your life whether you like it or not.
Suzanne's really not that much better. She's supposedly self-assured and confident but she spends all her time freaking out and being overwhelmed by everything he does - and frankly not in a good way. It's not like she's overcome with lust - it's like she's terrified.

I liked the Men of Midnight series. The first two books; Jacko and Metal were alpha males - but they weren't aggressively ignorant of their females thoughts and feelings. John just doesn't seem to care if it's what he wants. There's lots of talk about how he shouldn't and wouldn't hurt her but no actual proof.

The suspense plot was farfetched and very lightly used. And what the hell was with Todd's murder - John just doesn't even tell her? It's her friend for fks sake?! Plus how the hell is she supposed to remember everything or anything of importance if he doesn't tell her something that's relevant to the situation. I mean for godsakes her and Todd are working together on one job - with one client - who is also murdered. It's not fkn rocket science.

“As long as it takes,” he answered bluntly. He debated, briefly, telling her about Todd Armstrong, then decided against it. She had a right to know, and she’d be angry later. But now it was his call and he decided not to overwhelm her. He needed her to think straight and she wasn’t going to do that knowing a friend was dead, because of her. “We’re going to have to figure out what’s going on, honey. As long as we’re in the dark, we’re vulnerable. I need to ask you some questions.”

Rice, Lisa Marie. Midnight Man (Midnight series Book 1) (pp. 163-164). Jasmine Jade. Kindle Edition.

Plus is there any point not telling her when at the start they made her look at the dead freaking body with his sliced throat to ID him? Made no sense. But I could roll with the light suspense if the romance was decent - but it's not. I mean this beauty.

He made sure the women he had realized he had a strong sex drive and that they were going to be used hard. If that’s what they wanted, fine. If not, there were plenty of other women around.

Rice, Lisa Marie. Midnight Man (Midnight series Book 1) (p. 159). Jasmine Jade. Kindle Edition.

Used hard? Charming. Apart from that winner, in all of the sex scenes - he knows he's hurting her but can't control himself enough to stop himself? Seriously? All that talk about control and SEALS and he can't stop? It's so much worse than him hurting her by accident. He is actually aware that he's hurting her but does it anyway. And it's not like she's there saying hey it's okay I like it or I want it - she does not - he just can't help himself. This just perpetuates the idea that rapists are not guilty of their own actions and that's a load of crap.

All men and women are responsible for their actions. Sexual assault is not okay. Rape is not okay. Hurting someone because you can't control yourself - is not okay.

1 star.

[leelu92]

John is my kind of guy. ALPHA, ALPHA, ALPHA. Suzanne was a bit annoying- too much handwringing for my taste. BUT- she finally came around and came into her own power a bit. I hope to see more of this from her in the following books. And the last scene with them in the car....HOT.

[mitabird]

3.5 stars