Isaac (Light & Shadow Book 1) by N.N. Britt

Agent vs crime boss but this is a complete tug of war between right and wrong. Hawk and Isaac get into a relationship that can only end badly but neither is able to change direction.


From the Isaac blurb:

In the heart of Sin City, two men on opposite sides of the law collide in a dangerous game of power, passion, and betrayal.

Isaac Thoreau, the son of a notorious crime boss, has spent nine years behind bars for his father's murder. Driven, cunning, and unfeeling, he's now back to claim what's rightfully his. But when an enigmatic security guard named Hawk is hired to work at his nightclub, Isaac finds himself distracted… and inexplicably drawn to Hawk, despite his best efforts to resist.

Special Agent Dallas Bradley's mission is clear: infiltrate the Hellhounds and bring their leader, Isaac Thoreau, to justice. Posing as Hawk, Dallas is determined to uncover the secrets of the Thoreau criminal empire. But as he delves deeper into Isaac's world, the lines between right and wrong blur, and soon an undeniable attraction grows between the two men, forcing Dallas to question everything.

Walking away before he's compromised would be the smart choice, but Dallas can't resist Isaac's magnetic pull, even if it means risking his life.

As love and duty clash, only one question remains: will Isaac and Dallas survive the fallout?

***

Isaac is the first installment of the Light & Shadow Duet. It can not be read as standalone. This is a dark MM mafia romance that explores various sensitive subjects like violence, abuse, PTSD, etc.


Reed Kaye's review:

This is the first first installment of the Light & Shadow Duet. Normally I don’t do cliffhangers but since both books are available within two weeks of each other and I enjoy the author this is my exception.

Dallas is a FBI agent assigned to get the info on the Hellhounds and get Isaac, the leader, charged and put back in prison. But Hawk, his undercover name, actually meets Isaac, there is this instant attraction and as he gets to know Isaac the lines between right and wrong blur.

Isaac is the son of a crime boss and served nine years in prison for killing his dad. He feels the weight of being the leader of the Hellhounds when he finds Jeremy, his second, has hired Hawk and he feels this attraction to him. He fights it but it is there.

They find themselves caught up in situations that make them both question what they are doing. Especially Hawk when he is faced with proving he is a Hellhound.

This story does end on a cliffhanger and as I said the second is available within two weeks from this one’s release. I would have been upset if I’d had to wait because it really heats up in the first book and stops right when the tension is high.


SNik's review:

First in duet (Light & Shadow), which has a mild cliffhanger. Slow burn. Dual POV. Heed content warnings. 

Isaac may have inherited his family’s criminal business, but having served time for killing his own father and running the business from prison no one doubts his ability for violence even at a young age. Dallas (Hawk) is tasked by the FBI to bring the Hellhounds and Isaac down, he is no stranger to being undercover, but he is unexpectedly drawn to Isaac in a way that may compromise his job. 

There is a long, slow build up while both Isaac and Dallas feel some type of attraction but cannot trust themselves or each other. We get glimpses of Isaac’s background, but not really much from Dallas, as they navigate danger and suspicions surrounding them. The writing is descriptive and the possibilities are interesting and hopefully the continuation of the duet will bring more emotional connection. A good start to a gritty duology.


Isaac is currently available as an e-book and paperback