When the Devil Drives (Death and the Devil, #1.6)by L.J. Hayward
Self-published
LGBT, romance, thriller
Work-life balance for a spy may be an oxymoron, but Jack Reardon likes a good challenge. And he's almost bested this one. He's settled into his Meta-State promotion as a field leader and into his new team with a second he can trust. Shop in order, he can take a day or two off when Ethan blows into town, their bargain finally starting to paying off.
Assassin Ethan Blade has few pleasures in his life - a decent cup of tea, a job well done, racing his fleet of supercars, and Jack. With plans to combine the last two into one thrilling weekend, Ethan's attempt at having a normal, happy life may deliver everything he's ever desired - or backfire spectacularly.
Jack and Ethan made a bargain, but the deal is thrown into jeopardy when the expectations and identities of the dealmakers shift - stoking the fires of doubt and jealously. Not to mention a contract killer out for revenge and an illness that threatens to reveal closely guarded secrets. Rewards are on the table for both men, maybe bigger than they even realize, if only they can renegotiate - and survive.
When the Devil Drives has two novellas; the titular one and another called At Death's Door. I have come to love Hayward's word play with the titles and their double meanings, and it just adds to the story. Mainly I wonder, how do these novellas get better and better? I need more, but mostly I just need the next full novel. I can never get enough of Jack and Ethan, and their complicated relationship.
When the Devil Drives was fun all the way around - Ethan invited Jack to join him to a trip to Gold Coast, where he's going to race one of his supercar. There's fast cars, racing, and so much adrenaline it's almost unbelievable. As a lover of fast cars and racing, I truly loved the novella! There's also plenty of Jack contemplating their relationship and how well they actually know each other, when he comes face to face with people who are very familiar with one side of Ethan.
At Death's Door has entirely different tone to it; Jack gets a bad case of flu and he's mostly delirious with fever - and of course Ethan comes for a visit then. There's a lot more about Jack's past, when he has fever dreams and memories that explain a lot where his problems with intimacy comes from. This aspect of the story got me so hyped up for the next full novel; I hope we'll get more glimpses of Jack's past and actually have him acknowledge his problems.
Definitely recommend to pick When the Devil Drives and the other novellas: they are essential for the story. More than that, pick up Where the Death Meets the Devil if you haven't already.
5 of 5 stars
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