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Wasted Lust
Wasted Lust is a 321 spin-off, full-length, romantic suspense filled with lies, secrets, and the power of redemption by the New York Times bestselling author, JA Huss.
A GIRL WITH REGRETS…
Sasha Cherlin died the night she let Nick Tate walk out on her for a life of crime. Her very essence was destroyed when they broke their promise to one another.
A MAN WITH REMORSE…
Nick Tate made his choice with her future in mind. He loved Sasha enough to know that leaving her behind was the only way to keep her safe.
A PATH TO REVENGE…
Special Agent Jax Barlow understands the bond of love and he plans to use it to get justice. Nick and Sasha will do anything to rewrite their past. He’s counting on that to bring them down.
Wasted Lust is a standalone book, BUT, you have to be willing to go along for the ride. The Sasha character has a long history in all my other books (she was 12 in those books, now she's grown up). And it's a parallel book to 321, so new story, new characters, but same timeline and the plots converge in the middle. No spoilers for 321 in Wasted Lust.
A GIRL WITH REGRETS…
Sasha Cherlin died the night she let Nick Tate walk out on her for a life of crime. Her very essence was destroyed when they broke their promise to one another.
A MAN WITH REMORSE…
Nick Tate made his choice with her future in mind. He loved Sasha enough to know that leaving her behind was the only way to keep her safe.
A PATH TO REVENGE…
Special Agent Jax Barlow understands the bond of love and he plans to use it to get justice. Nick and Sasha will do anything to rewrite their past. He’s counting on that to bring them down.
Wasted Lust is a standalone book, BUT, you have to be willing to go along for the ride. The Sasha character has a long history in all my other books (she was 12 in those books, now she's grown up). And it's a parallel book to 321, so new story, new characters, but same timeline and the plots converge in the middle. No spoilers for 321 in Wasted Lust.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2015
239 people are currently reading
2501 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Huss
144 books9,059 followersJ.A. Huss never wanted to be a writer and she still dreams of that elusive career as an astronaut. She originally went to school to become an equine veterinarian but soon figured out they keep horrible hours and decided to go to grad school instead. That Ph.D wasn’t all it was cracked up to be (and she really sucked at the whole scientist thing), so she dropped out and got a M.S. in forensic toxicology just to get the whole thing over with as soon as possible.
After graduation she got a job with the state of Colorado as their one and only hog farm inspector and spent her days wandering the Eastern Plains shooting the shit with farmers. After a few years of that, she got bored. And since she was a homeschool mom and actually does love science, she decided to write science textbooks and make online classes for other homeschool moms. She wrote more than two hundred of those workbooks and was the number one publisher at the online homeschool store many times, but eventually she covered every science topic she could think of and ran out of shit to say.
So in 2012 she decided to write fiction instead. That year she released her first three books and started a career that would make her a New York Times bestseller and land her on the USA Today Bestseller’s List eighteen times in the next three years. Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie award in 2016 and 2017 respectively, her audiobook Mr. Perfect was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017, and her book, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Johnathan McClain is her first (and only) writing partner and even though they are worlds apart in just about every way imaginable, it works.
She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.
After graduation she got a job with the state of Colorado as their one and only hog farm inspector and spent her days wandering the Eastern Plains shooting the shit with farmers. After a few years of that, she got bored. And since she was a homeschool mom and actually does love science, she decided to write science textbooks and make online classes for other homeschool moms. She wrote more than two hundred of those workbooks and was the number one publisher at the online homeschool store many times, but eventually she covered every science topic she could think of and ran out of shit to say.
So in 2012 she decided to write fiction instead. That year she released her first three books and started a career that would make her a New York Times bestseller and land her on the USA Today Bestseller’s List eighteen times in the next three years. Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie award in 2016 and 2017 respectively, her audiobook Mr. Perfect was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017, and her book, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Johnathan McClain is her first (and only) writing partner and even though they are worlds apart in just about every way imaginable, it works.
She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.
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July 9, 2020
4.5 'We Win' stars!!!
Wasted Lust is one of my most highly anticipated new releases this summer. If you’ve read all (or most) of JA Huss’s books, you met Sasha Cherlin a while ago. If you’re like me, this little girl stole your heart in Ford’s novella. Then this amazing assassin smurf stole the show in her Dirty, Dark, and Deadly series. So now we have Sasha, all grown up. Yes, that little girl is now 24 years old and this is her story.
Sasha is a grad student. She works hard, studies hard, but isn’t really living. Then she meets Jax Barlow (you might recognize Jax as Ark’s brother from 321 ;) ) who is out for the truth. He’s trying to get justice and he needs Sasha’s help. Sasha is no longer a Company kid. She’s an adult trying to live a normal life. But when Jax brings Nick Tate’s name up, he has her attention.
Nick Tate was Sasha’s promise. Nick has been out of the country for a while now. Sasha is hesitant to help Jax. Especially if it has to do with Nick. Nick was her friend, but he was more than that. No matter what he’s done or what choices he’s made, Sasha still wants to protect him. To save him. It’s just who she is.
It takes a while for Jax to really get Sasha to open up. To feel safe with him. It’s not an easy feat. This girl is tough as nails. But eventually, he starts to break through.
Sasha is one of my favorite characters out of any Huss book. There is just something about this girl, her strength, determination and feisty attitude I love. She hasn’t had an easy life, but she’s had it better than most Company girls. She knows this and does what she can to put things right. I love that she met Jax, someone who compliments her, accepts her for who she is and genuinely wants to help her and be there for her.
The best part about this (and any Huss book) is that you never know whats coming next. Never know what to expect. I love that I was surprised with the direction this story took, especially towards the end. It’s like the Company- nothing is what it seems.
The last half of this book takes the reader on a crazy ride. The last 30% or so was completely epic. Everything came full circle. The end hit me so hard I cried. Not only did the story bring me to tears, but the fact that I’m saying good bye to some of my favorite characters I’ve felt attached to for so long.
Wasted Lust can be read as a stand-alone. It’s considered a 321 spin off. I personally feel like you would get more out of it having read Slack/Taut, the DDD series and 321. Only because you’ll have more Company background and have more of a connection to the characters. Plus, they’re wicked awesome reads.
Wasted Lust is one of my most highly anticipated new releases this summer. If you’ve read all (or most) of JA Huss’s books, you met Sasha Cherlin a while ago. If you’re like me, this little girl stole your heart in Ford’s novella. Then this amazing assassin smurf stole the show in her Dirty, Dark, and Deadly series. So now we have Sasha, all grown up. Yes, that little girl is now 24 years old and this is her story.
Sasha is a grad student. She works hard, studies hard, but isn’t really living. Then she meets Jax Barlow (you might recognize Jax as Ark’s brother from 321 ;) ) who is out for the truth. He’s trying to get justice and he needs Sasha’s help. Sasha is no longer a Company kid. She’s an adult trying to live a normal life. But when Jax brings Nick Tate’s name up, he has her attention.
Nick Tate was Sasha’s promise. Nick has been out of the country for a while now. Sasha is hesitant to help Jax. Especially if it has to do with Nick. Nick was her friend, but he was more than that. No matter what he’s done or what choices he’s made, Sasha still wants to protect him. To save him. It’s just who she is.
It takes a while for Jax to really get Sasha to open up. To feel safe with him. It’s not an easy feat. This girl is tough as nails. But eventually, he starts to break through.
“I said you’re safe with me. I meant it. I’m not here to rip your world apart, Sasha. I’m here to put it back together.”
Sasha is one of my favorite characters out of any Huss book. There is just something about this girl, her strength, determination and feisty attitude I love. She hasn’t had an easy life, but she’s had it better than most Company girls. She knows this and does what she can to put things right. I love that she met Jax, someone who compliments her, accepts her for who she is and genuinely wants to help her and be there for her.
The best part about this (and any Huss book) is that you never know whats coming next. Never know what to expect. I love that I was surprised with the direction this story took, especially towards the end. It’s like the Company- nothing is what it seems.
Here’s something you need to understand. Nothing is ever what it seems with these people, OK? Nothing.
The last half of this book takes the reader on a crazy ride. The last 30% or so was completely epic. Everything came full circle. The end hit me so hard I cried. Not only did the story bring me to tears, but the fact that I’m saying good bye to some of my favorite characters I’ve felt attached to for so long.
Wasted Lust can be read as a stand-alone. It’s considered a 321 spin off. I personally feel like you would get more out of it having read Slack/Taut, the DDD series and 321. Only because you’ll have more Company background and have more of a connection to the characters. Plus, they’re wicked awesome reads.
October 2, 2015
Wasted Lust might end up being one of the hardest reviews I’ve had to write. I want to just cut open myself open and let all my emotions just spill out. So this might be one of those reviews. The kind that will make no sense until you read the book and understand the way a heart can break and heal and hope all at the same time.
We met Sasha Cherlin as a twelve year old girl in Slack. We saw her go from child to killer in Come Back and Coming For You and now in Wasted Lust we see Sasha Aston grow into a woman.
Special Agent Jax Barlow has been searching for the key to unlock the mystery of the Company and it isn’t until Sasha falls into his lap that the answers are within reach. But Sasha is trying to be normal, it’s been ten years since her, James, Harper, Merc and Nick sent the Company spiraling out of control. Ten years to become a member of society and not just a child assassin. Ten years to get over the broken heart of her broken promise.
But if the rumors are true, Nick Tate is returning to the states. Returning for what is the question that everyone wants to know, but only Nick holds the answer to. Jax wants information and he wants vengeance but he might find himself wanting something so much more before it’s all said and done.
Let me touch on the sexy times a bit. At first I was a little worried about a grown up Sasha having sex. I imagined Ford busting in to ruin the moment every time. I mean, we’ve loved this girl for years. Since she was little. But holy smokes. Let’s just say Sasha is all grown up. But what I loved most was that the sex in this was part of two characters progression through this story. It was not too subtle, it was not overdone. It was just right. There were far too many things going on in this story to make it too heavy on the sex.
This story was all about the emotions. I bawled. I cried like a baby. I’ve read this two times already and I still can’t stop thinking about it. There are key scenes in this book that I can’t even think about without crying, scenes that will remain with me for years to come. The epilogue. I died. All the deads.
I spent the weeks leading up to this release rereading all twelve books in this journey. So much was fresh in my mind. So many characters that I loved. I wanted to be prepared to read Wasted Lust. I needed to be up to speed. I needed to have all the information fresh in my head so I didn’t have to pause during reading this. I think doing that turned this conclusion into an epic experience.
There is no doubt that JA Huss writes stories that are twisty, dark and yet, still remain romances – but Wasted Lust was all of that but more. Wasted Lust was that climatic moment where everything that had happened gets closure. We get closure. We get answers to all the questions we had. We get our hope restored. We get our hearts healed although we got it smashed just moments before.
321 had become my favorite Huss book earlier this year and I am on the fence right now because Wasted Lust I think just nudged it out of first place. I think the fact that this book was the conclusion of the whole Company Saga gives it an advantage because the emotions were already there for all these characters. There was no need to find a connection, it had been forged long ago.
After finishing this book I can’t help but have hope. Just hope. Not quite sure yet what that hope is for, but it’s just this feeling like it can all be OK. Even if it’s not right now. It will be OK. I love that this book reached inside and affected me. I love that even thinking about this story right now has me choked up all over again – because that is what it is all about. Feeling. Julie makes you feel and that is the best gift an author can give you.
Wasted Lust delivered in every way imaginable. A little girl with braces who loved dinosaurs stole my heart and as a grown woman, she amazed me. Nick Tate was a character that was cloaked in so much mystery. We saw him through Harper’s eyes and through Sasha’s eyes... but we never really got to see him through his own until now. And wow. I loved what I saw. Jax... Oh. Jax. I claimed Jax a while back. I’d like state for the record I claimed him first – there is evidence of this online. I can show it to you. He was everything I needed him to be. He was EVERYTHING. (and MINE)
If you have not read books by this author you are missing out. Like, your life is missing something. I’ve included the reading order below and highly recommend starting from Tragic and reading all the books in order – you get the clearest picture that way.
For fans of Julie, who have read all these books there is no doubt that this is going to be loved. There is no way not to love this book if you’ve known all the players all this time. And although the books really only span 2 years in reality and more like 12 years in the book world, it feels like I’ve spent a decade with them, not just 2 years.
(full graphic review to come at release day)
***Reading Order***
Rook & Ronin:
Tragic, Manic , Panic
**we meet Ford and Spencer in this series.
Ford:
Slack, Taut
**we meet Merc and Sasha in Slack *Syd is referenced*
Spencer:
Bomb, Guns
**we meet ‘James’ and Merc gets a mention or two.
James & Harper:
Come, Come Back, Coming For You
**Sasha, Merc and the whole gang show up.
**Jax appears in the epilogue
Three, Two, One: Jax is introduced (Ark’s brother)
Meet Me in The Dark: Merc & Syd’s story brings us back to Sasha.
**Not an actual quote / Just fan art**
We met Sasha Cherlin as a twelve year old girl in Slack. We saw her go from child to killer in Come Back and Coming For You and now in Wasted Lust we see Sasha Aston grow into a woman.
Special Agent Jax Barlow has been searching for the key to unlock the mystery of the Company and it isn’t until Sasha falls into his lap that the answers are within reach. But Sasha is trying to be normal, it’s been ten years since her, James, Harper, Merc and Nick sent the Company spiraling out of control. Ten years to become a member of society and not just a child assassin. Ten years to get over the broken heart of her broken promise.
But if the rumors are true, Nick Tate is returning to the states. Returning for what is the question that everyone wants to know, but only Nick holds the answer to. Jax wants information and he wants vengeance but he might find himself wanting something so much more before it’s all said and done.
Let me touch on the sexy times a bit. At first I was a little worried about a grown up Sasha having sex. I imagined Ford busting in to ruin the moment every time. I mean, we’ve loved this girl for years. Since she was little. But holy smokes. Let’s just say Sasha is all grown up. But what I loved most was that the sex in this was part of two characters progression through this story. It was not too subtle, it was not overdone. It was just right. There were far too many things going on in this story to make it too heavy on the sex.
This story was all about the emotions. I bawled. I cried like a baby. I’ve read this two times already and I still can’t stop thinking about it. There are key scenes in this book that I can’t even think about without crying, scenes that will remain with me for years to come. The epilogue. I died. All the deads.
I spent the weeks leading up to this release rereading all twelve books in this journey. So much was fresh in my mind. So many characters that I loved. I wanted to be prepared to read Wasted Lust. I needed to be up to speed. I needed to have all the information fresh in my head so I didn’t have to pause during reading this. I think doing that turned this conclusion into an epic experience.
There is no doubt that JA Huss writes stories that are twisty, dark and yet, still remain romances – but Wasted Lust was all of that but more. Wasted Lust was that climatic moment where everything that had happened gets closure. We get closure. We get answers to all the questions we had. We get our hope restored. We get our hearts healed although we got it smashed just moments before.
321 had become my favorite Huss book earlier this year and I am on the fence right now because Wasted Lust I think just nudged it out of first place. I think the fact that this book was the conclusion of the whole Company Saga gives it an advantage because the emotions were already there for all these characters. There was no need to find a connection, it had been forged long ago.
After finishing this book I can’t help but have hope. Just hope. Not quite sure yet what that hope is for, but it’s just this feeling like it can all be OK. Even if it’s not right now. It will be OK. I love that this book reached inside and affected me. I love that even thinking about this story right now has me choked up all over again – because that is what it is all about. Feeling. Julie makes you feel and that is the best gift an author can give you.
Wasted Lust delivered in every way imaginable. A little girl with braces who loved dinosaurs stole my heart and as a grown woman, she amazed me. Nick Tate was a character that was cloaked in so much mystery. We saw him through Harper’s eyes and through Sasha’s eyes... but we never really got to see him through his own until now. And wow. I loved what I saw. Jax... Oh. Jax. I claimed Jax a while back. I’d like state for the record I claimed him first – there is evidence of this online. I can show it to you. He was everything I needed him to be. He was EVERYTHING. (and MINE)
If you have not read books by this author you are missing out. Like, your life is missing something. I’ve included the reading order below and highly recommend starting from Tragic and reading all the books in order – you get the clearest picture that way.
For fans of Julie, who have read all these books there is no doubt that this is going to be loved. There is no way not to love this book if you’ve known all the players all this time. And although the books really only span 2 years in reality and more like 12 years in the book world, it feels like I’ve spent a decade with them, not just 2 years.
(full graphic review to come at release day)
***Reading Order***
Rook & Ronin:
Tragic, Manic , Panic
**we meet Ford and Spencer in this series.
Ford:
Slack, Taut
**we meet Merc and Sasha in Slack *Syd is referenced*
Spencer:
Bomb, Guns
**we meet ‘James’ and Merc gets a mention or two.
James & Harper:
Come, Come Back, Coming For You
**Sasha, Merc and the whole gang show up.
**Jax appears in the epilogue
Three, Two, One: Jax is introduced (Ark’s brother)
Meet Me in The Dark: Merc & Syd’s story brings us back to Sasha.
**Not an actual quote / Just fan art**
June 23, 2015
5 “You’re Safe With Me” Stars
I’m a little late to the writings of JA Huss, especially to this series. I started this series with 321 and then went to Meet Me in the Dark and now Wasted Lust. Not being privy to the prior books, I was a little concerned at the beginning. Sasha Aston/Cherlin has been around for a long time and she has a lot of history with this series. There were times when I was thinking that I could not relate but just as that thought came to me, JA Huss read my mind and supplied information to make me at ease. The more I read, the more absorbed I became with the story. The background and needed information for the story was given in bits and pieces that made the story suspenseful, engaging, dark, menacing, and twisted. But what I most felt with this book was a deep and dark sense of wanting and needing love. This book kept me reading when I should have been doing other things, I couldn’t put it down. It captivated me!!
Sasha and Agent Jax are two people with many secrets. One so lost in her secrets that she is nothing but a shell living her life. The other is obsessed with avenging a wrong. But their secrets tie them together in a profound way. As they begin to trust one another and divulge their secrets, their connection becomes emotional, sensual and REAL. The twists and turns within the book turn the tides back and forth but Jax and his feelings for Sasha never waiver. It’s Sasha that has to learn to become real again, to trust again and to feel again. But before she can do that, she has to deal with the one man that she has loved since she was 13 yrs old, the one that left her behind, the one that haunts her dreams........Nick Tate. But Sasha, Nick and Jax are all woven together in a mysterious and twisted way. They must all deal with one another if life is to move along, if it’s to be real once again.
I really can’t tell you much more about the story. You should experience it on your own. But if you are a JA Huss fan then you know that this book will be complicated, it will be dark, it will be twisted, it will be emotional and it will be moving. The mind of JA Huss is absolutely fascinating. She writes an amazing plot that keeps you guessing from beginning to end. And in case you have any doubts, she delivered an amazing and beautiful read with Wasted Lust and she wrote an epilogue that calmed you, made you smile and left you happy and content……..it was definitely the extra icing on the already fabulous cake.
So in closing, it would have been great to have started at the beginning of this series but I didn’t. While I believe that reading all the previous books would have been an added benefit, JA Huss still manages to give you all the information within each book for it to be a standalone. Below is the list I stole from the Incredible Michelle New if you want to read this series in order.
***Reading Order***
Rook & Ronin:
Tragic, Manic , Panic
**we meet Ford and Spencer in this series.
Ford:
Slack, Taut
**we meet Merc and Sasha in Slack *Syd is referenced*
Spencer:
Bomb, Guns
**we meet ‘James’ and Merc gets a mention or two.
James & Harper:
Come, Come Back, Coming For You
**Sasha, Merc and the whole gang show up.
**Jax appears in the epilogue
Three, Two, One: Jax is introduced (Ark’s brother)
Meet Me in The Dark: Merc & Syd’s story brings us back to Sasha.
ARC graciously given by author in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a little late to the writings of JA Huss, especially to this series. I started this series with 321 and then went to Meet Me in the Dark and now Wasted Lust. Not being privy to the prior books, I was a little concerned at the beginning. Sasha Aston/Cherlin has been around for a long time and she has a lot of history with this series. There were times when I was thinking that I could not relate but just as that thought came to me, JA Huss read my mind and supplied information to make me at ease. The more I read, the more absorbed I became with the story. The background and needed information for the story was given in bits and pieces that made the story suspenseful, engaging, dark, menacing, and twisted. But what I most felt with this book was a deep and dark sense of wanting and needing love. This book kept me reading when I should have been doing other things, I couldn’t put it down. It captivated me!!
Sasha and Agent Jax are two people with many secrets. One so lost in her secrets that she is nothing but a shell living her life. The other is obsessed with avenging a wrong. But their secrets tie them together in a profound way. As they begin to trust one another and divulge their secrets, their connection becomes emotional, sensual and REAL. The twists and turns within the book turn the tides back and forth but Jax and his feelings for Sasha never waiver. It’s Sasha that has to learn to become real again, to trust again and to feel again. But before she can do that, she has to deal with the one man that she has loved since she was 13 yrs old, the one that left her behind, the one that haunts her dreams........Nick Tate. But Sasha, Nick and Jax are all woven together in a mysterious and twisted way. They must all deal with one another if life is to move along, if it’s to be real once again.
I really can’t tell you much more about the story. You should experience it on your own. But if you are a JA Huss fan then you know that this book will be complicated, it will be dark, it will be twisted, it will be emotional and it will be moving. The mind of JA Huss is absolutely fascinating. She writes an amazing plot that keeps you guessing from beginning to end. And in case you have any doubts, she delivered an amazing and beautiful read with Wasted Lust and she wrote an epilogue that calmed you, made you smile and left you happy and content……..it was definitely the extra icing on the already fabulous cake.
So in closing, it would have been great to have started at the beginning of this series but I didn’t. While I believe that reading all the previous books would have been an added benefit, JA Huss still manages to give you all the information within each book for it to be a standalone. Below is the list I stole from the Incredible Michelle New if you want to read this series in order.
***Reading Order***
Rook & Ronin:
Tragic, Manic , Panic
**we meet Ford and Spencer in this series.
Ford:
Slack, Taut
**we meet Merc and Sasha in Slack *Syd is referenced*
Spencer:
Bomb, Guns
**we meet ‘James’ and Merc gets a mention or two.
James & Harper:
Come, Come Back, Coming For You
**Sasha, Merc and the whole gang show up.
**Jax appears in the epilogue
Three, Two, One: Jax is introduced (Ark’s brother)
Meet Me in The Dark: Merc & Syd’s story brings us back to Sasha.
ARC graciously given by author in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2015
I'm so fucked up right now. Thank you J.A.Huss. You are AMAZING!!!
----------------
“We are love in slow motion. We move as one, leaving the darkness behind, where it belongs, and become the light.”
----------------
“We are love in slow motion. We move as one, leaving the darkness behind, where it belongs, and become the light.”
January 2, 2016
5 STARS
Holy Sh*t! This wrecked me ! It was so much MORE than I expected and I expect A LOT from Julie as she's one of my ultimate favourite authors.
While this is a standalone, a spin off from Three, Two, One, this was also an ending to a phenomenal ride with all those connected to the Company. Don't get me wrong, you can read this without having read anything else from Julie and if you do, and really like this one, I strongly suggest going back to the beginning (see reading order below) and savour every delicious minute of this FUBAR mind bending story!
This is Sasha Aston's (nee Cherlin) story. It was as much about her past as it was about her future.
“I was never Sash Aston. She doesn’t exist. I was born, and have always been, Sasha Cherlin. Company kid. Daughter to a traitor. Child assassin.”
Sasha is desperately seeking a new life, a "normal" life and yet she's not really living or participating in life. Something or someone - Nicholas Tate - is holding her back.
“I feel like he is the last piece of the puzzle that is me. The one thing in my past that is unresolved.”
For me, this was an unassuming read. I was reading along tickety-boo and then BAM! I started to unravel. As Sasha struggled with who she was, her past and that 12 year old girl with her love of dinosaurs and all the loss she endured and what she had to do came flooding back...and this only intensified as she continued on her collision course with Nick.
Nick was such a big character and yet so dark and illusive throughout the Company adventure. We only saw snippets of him throughout this journey and could only form an opinion about him based on the thoughts of others, especially Harper (his sister) and Sasha. Nick was all that I'd hoped he'd be. I was also thrilled to finally have his POV. Like Sasha, I couldn't help but fall for him. Thank you, Julie!
And Special Agent Jackson (Jax) Barlow...I liked him from the get go but I also feared for Sasha. I didn't know if I could trust him and his motives. But he quickly squashed my worries.
“I said you’re safe with me. I meant it. I’m not here to rip your world apart, Sasha. I’m here to put it back together.”
This links with 321, there's a cameo of Ark (his brother - aka Jake), as this story takes place along side that one. Seeing Jax with Sasha, his brother and also getting his POV, all equaled me loving Jax!
As this story unfolds, especially the last third of the book, had me going back and reading excerpts from other books as dots were connected and the larger picture was revealed. Julie really pulled together all the little details! This book had all of it coming together for me and I'm sure I missed some of it. And on top of all the feels, there was a moment...that I knew was coming...that just had my heart breaking even more for Sasha.
I also freakin’ loved the cameo of some of Sasha’s posse, especially James (yeah, I love that fuckin’ maniac!).
“You’re stuck with me, brat. It’s your lucky day. I am known throughout the world for having mad motherfucking parenting skills.”
As much as this was a standalone, it was also an ending. While it was emotional and bittersweet, I was at peace with how things were left. It just felt right.
I can't recommend Julie Huss or this book and all the other books in the Company story enough. If you love an epic story with a true and dark mind fuck, as well as suspense and romance, you must read these books!
Reading Order:
Tragic / Manic / Panic
Ford: Slack / Taut
Spencer: Bomb / Guns
Come / Come Back
Coming for You
Three, Two, One
Meet Me in the Dark
Wasted Lust
Holy Sh*t! This wrecked me ! It was so much MORE than I expected and I expect A LOT from Julie as she's one of my ultimate favourite authors.
While this is a standalone, a spin off from Three, Two, One, this was also an ending to a phenomenal ride with all those connected to the Company. Don't get me wrong, you can read this without having read anything else from Julie and if you do, and really like this one, I strongly suggest going back to the beginning (see reading order below) and savour every delicious minute of this FUBAR mind bending story!
This is Sasha Aston's (nee Cherlin) story. It was as much about her past as it was about her future.
“I was never Sash Aston. She doesn’t exist. I was born, and have always been, Sasha Cherlin. Company kid. Daughter to a traitor. Child assassin.”
Sasha is desperately seeking a new life, a "normal" life and yet she's not really living or participating in life. Something or someone - Nicholas Tate - is holding her back.
“I feel like he is the last piece of the puzzle that is me. The one thing in my past that is unresolved.”
For me, this was an unassuming read. I was reading along tickety-boo and then BAM! I started to unravel. As Sasha struggled with who she was, her past and that 12 year old girl with her love of dinosaurs and all the loss she endured and what she had to do came flooding back...and this only intensified as she continued on her collision course with Nick.
Nick was such a big character and yet so dark and illusive throughout the Company adventure. We only saw snippets of him throughout this journey and could only form an opinion about him based on the thoughts of others, especially Harper (his sister) and Sasha. Nick was all that I'd hoped he'd be. I was also thrilled to finally have his POV. Like Sasha, I couldn't help but fall for him. Thank you, Julie!
And Special Agent Jackson (Jax) Barlow...I liked him from the get go but I also feared for Sasha. I didn't know if I could trust him and his motives. But he quickly squashed my worries.
“I said you’re safe with me. I meant it. I’m not here to rip your world apart, Sasha. I’m here to put it back together.”
This links with 321, there's a cameo of Ark (his brother - aka Jake), as this story takes place along side that one. Seeing Jax with Sasha, his brother and also getting his POV, all equaled me loving Jax!
As this story unfolds, especially the last third of the book, had me going back and reading excerpts from other books as dots were connected and the larger picture was revealed. Julie really pulled together all the little details! This book had all of it coming together for me and I'm sure I missed some of it. And on top of all the feels, there was a moment...that I knew was coming...that just had my heart breaking even more for Sasha.
I also freakin’ loved the cameo of some of Sasha’s posse, especially James (yeah, I love that fuckin’ maniac!).
“You’re stuck with me, brat. It’s your lucky day. I am known throughout the world for having mad motherfucking parenting skills.”
As much as this was a standalone, it was also an ending. While it was emotional and bittersweet, I was at peace with how things were left. It just felt right.
I can't recommend Julie Huss or this book and all the other books in the Company story enough. If you love an epic story with a true and dark mind fuck, as well as suspense and romance, you must read these books!
Reading Order:
Tragic / Manic / Panic
Ford: Slack / Taut
Spencer: Bomb / Guns
Come / Come Back
Coming for You
Three, Two, One
Meet Me in the Dark
Wasted Lust
June 25, 2015
Wasted Lust. Oh this book, it completely tore me up. When you read multiple books about characters you begin to feel like you know them. With that comes this protectiveness over them. Wasted Lust is the last book about The Company, Sasha Aston’s story.
"I was never Sasha Aston. She doesn’t exist. I was born, and have always been, Sasha Cherlin. Company kid. Daughter to a traitor. Child assassin."
It has been ten years since Sasha last saw Nick Tate. Nick was her childhood love, her promise. While logically most girls would shun an arranged married, Sasha embraced her arrangement with Nick. She is Company kid, it’s what she knows. Even years later she still longs for Nick to return to her.
Jax is an FBI Agent assigned to monitor Sasha. When the story begins Sasha and Jax are meeting for the first time. He is an elite agent trust with the task of bringing Nick in. His job to monitor the bait, Sasha. Jax is studied, prepared and completely invested, but when he sees Sasha in real life his world stops. He knows it’s wrong, forbidden, but he wants her.
Sasha is crazy independent and regardless of what Nick does or did, she is loyal. She won’t hurt him or help capture him. The story progresses over several months. Months of Jax watching, Sasha living the life she is supposed to have, and Nick unseen.
Julie builds the story at a cruise. In the beginning, I am on the edge of my seating waiting to see what happens. By the time I am comfortable the whole story flips and begins flying. It was the Julie I am used to, the story teller who says to hell with it all and goes balls the wall. Sasha’s story is thrilling, heartbreaking and of course sexy as sin.
I loved this story, I loved Sasha. She is one of my favorite heroines. She is so smart and strong, but also relatable. My heart hurt for her at times, but in the end, she got her perfect story. It’s funny because at first sight this isn’t the ending I would have given Sasha, but I am so short sighted. Sasha’s HEA is perfect. This is why I love Julie’s writing – it’s planned, cunning, hers. She tells her story for her characters and in the end it’s perfect for her fans.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2015
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
I honestly don't know what to say or where to begin because after reading WASTED LUST by J.A. Huss, my emotions are all over the place. Julie definitely took her readers on a big emotional suspenseful roller-coaster ride. And was the ride worth it? Absolutely!! Wasted Lust was one of my most anticipated summer reads not only it was written by one of my favorite authors but also because finally our beloved smurf assassin, Sasha is finally getting her story told. And this time, Sasha, the 24 year old grad student will once again steal our hearts as she finally gets to LIVE HER LIFE.
"I have trust issues.Love issues. Reality issues."
Ten years has passed and Sasha Aston formerly known as Sasha Cherlin has grown up to be a beautiful, intelligent grad student. Everything in her life is about order and following this plan that she has expected of herself from getting herself educated and assimilating to her new family and friends. The life she lived as a former assassin and her association with The Company behind her now. Or so she thought.
"Secrets are a part of her, just like they're a part of me."
FBI Special Agent Jax Barlow appears in Sasha's life asking questions of her relations with Nick Tate and The Company. He is well aware that Nick is the son of the Admiral of The Company and his return back to the States is connected with Sasha. So Jax makes it known to Sasha that he will be keeping an eye out on her and will be surveying her every move since he knows Nick wants to make contact with her. For Sasha, Nick is a sensitive and touchy subject matter since he was promised to her and was heartbroken when he left her.
"I need the longing. I need the emptiness in my heart to remind me of what's possible. A life. Not a half-dead girl who lives in the past. But a life. A real life filled with the promise of a future."
Sasha's life has been one hell of a roller-coaster ride filled with so many ups and downs. Death, loss, revenge, hurt, anger, and pain has been part of her life. It is a burden that she shoulders and so she has trust and love issues. Her real family are all gone and dead and so the only family that she calls home is the Aston family and her small group of friends that consist of James, Harper, Merc, Sydney, Ronin, Rook, Veronica, and Spencer. These people became her adoptive family. So when Jax appeared in her life, she didn't expect slowly that he will chip and break down her walls trying to gain her trust and love.
The Jax and Sasha relationship was one that I was instantly captivated by. One minute, I was questioning the real motives of Jax and if he could really be trusted. But as I continued reading, I loved how Julie was able to show this raw and vulnerable side to Jax as he and Sasha grew closer and intimate. With the mission to bring down Nick, Sasha soon finds herself torn with the man she was promised to and to the man, who was slowly healing her heart and showing her love. Jax also finds himself in predicament because he knows if he takes down Nick, it will devastate her. So what will Special Agent Jax do?
Wasted Lust was one of those reads that I devoured in one sitting and was practically on the edge of my seat because after reading several of Julie's book, you never know what to expect or what sudden twist of events awaits for the readers. And once again, Julie took me on one emotional raw suspenseful ride. My emotions were all over the place. My heart broke for Sasha. I felt her pain and struggles as she tries to find herself. Questions about who she is will always linger and remain. Is she the assassin or the graduate student? Is she capable of love? Who does she love Nick or Jax?
"I'm so fucking sad, Jax. I've lost everything and still they find new things to take from me. And if they take Nick, that will just be the final nail in my coffin. Because if they can take the things that they already took, over and over again, then when will it stop? When will it end?"
I really don't want to spoil anything for the readers because this story is definitely one book you want to read and experience. The big question remains is The Company really gone? And the answer to that question will be finally answered in this book. All the pieces of the puzzle are finally put together and every detail, characters truth, and secrets play a vital important role into laying the bigger picture. Nothing is wasted.
Tragic, Manic, Panic, Slack, Taut, Bomb, Guns, Come, Come Back, Coming For You, Meet Me In The Dark and Three, Two, One are all neatly tied and integrated in Wasted Lust giving readers like myself one epic epilogue. Wasted Lust was a bittersweet read for me because I honestly didn't want to say goodbye to these beloved characters that has managed to capture my heart. As always, JA Huss did an amazing job writing this book. In all honesty there is nothing like reading a JA Huss book. She has a way to spellbind you with her wicked storytelling and flawed characters. She will grip you in this heart wrenching, touching and suspenseful tale of love, loss, second chances, friendship and family.
Overall, all I can say is that Wasted Lust took my heart, twisted it around, tore it to pieces, and slowly taped it back together. So if you haven’t read a book by JA Huss, I highly recommend you do. You do not want to miss an epic, heartbreaking, beautiful suspense filled romance that will have you yearning for more. What I truly love about Ms. Huss is that she writes beautiful, captivating, heartbreaking, and touching stories that grips you, touches you and stays with you. And Wasted Lust was a perfect example of this. The story-line is original, the characters were genuine and honest and the emotions were raw.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages:http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly... JA Huss
I honestly don't know what to say or where to begin because after reading WASTED LUST by J.A. Huss, my emotions are all over the place. Julie definitely took her readers on a big emotional suspenseful roller-coaster ride. And was the ride worth it? Absolutely!! Wasted Lust was one of my most anticipated summer reads not only it was written by one of my favorite authors but also because finally our beloved smurf assassin, Sasha is finally getting her story told. And this time, Sasha, the 24 year old grad student will once again steal our hearts as she finally gets to LIVE HER LIFE.
"I have trust issues.Love issues. Reality issues."
Ten years has passed and Sasha Aston formerly known as Sasha Cherlin has grown up to be a beautiful, intelligent grad student. Everything in her life is about order and following this plan that she has expected of herself from getting herself educated and assimilating to her new family and friends. The life she lived as a former assassin and her association with The Company behind her now. Or so she thought.
"Secrets are a part of her, just like they're a part of me."
FBI Special Agent Jax Barlow appears in Sasha's life asking questions of her relations with Nick Tate and The Company. He is well aware that Nick is the son of the Admiral of The Company and his return back to the States is connected with Sasha. So Jax makes it known to Sasha that he will be keeping an eye out on her and will be surveying her every move since he knows Nick wants to make contact with her. For Sasha, Nick is a sensitive and touchy subject matter since he was promised to her and was heartbroken when he left her.
"I need the longing. I need the emptiness in my heart to remind me of what's possible. A life. Not a half-dead girl who lives in the past. But a life. A real life filled with the promise of a future."
Sasha's life has been one hell of a roller-coaster ride filled with so many ups and downs. Death, loss, revenge, hurt, anger, and pain has been part of her life. It is a burden that she shoulders and so she has trust and love issues. Her real family are all gone and dead and so the only family that she calls home is the Aston family and her small group of friends that consist of James, Harper, Merc, Sydney, Ronin, Rook, Veronica, and Spencer. These people became her adoptive family. So when Jax appeared in her life, she didn't expect slowly that he will chip and break down her walls trying to gain her trust and love.
The Jax and Sasha relationship was one that I was instantly captivated by. One minute, I was questioning the real motives of Jax and if he could really be trusted. But as I continued reading, I loved how Julie was able to show this raw and vulnerable side to Jax as he and Sasha grew closer and intimate. With the mission to bring down Nick, Sasha soon finds herself torn with the man she was promised to and to the man, who was slowly healing her heart and showing her love. Jax also finds himself in predicament because he knows if he takes down Nick, it will devastate her. So what will Special Agent Jax do?
Wasted Lust was one of those reads that I devoured in one sitting and was practically on the edge of my seat because after reading several of Julie's book, you never know what to expect or what sudden twist of events awaits for the readers. And once again, Julie took me on one emotional raw suspenseful ride. My emotions were all over the place. My heart broke for Sasha. I felt her pain and struggles as she tries to find herself. Questions about who she is will always linger and remain. Is she the assassin or the graduate student? Is she capable of love? Who does she love Nick or Jax?
"I'm so fucking sad, Jax. I've lost everything and still they find new things to take from me. And if they take Nick, that will just be the final nail in my coffin. Because if they can take the things that they already took, over and over again, then when will it stop? When will it end?"
I really don't want to spoil anything for the readers because this story is definitely one book you want to read and experience. The big question remains is The Company really gone? And the answer to that question will be finally answered in this book. All the pieces of the puzzle are finally put together and every detail, characters truth, and secrets play a vital important role into laying the bigger picture. Nothing is wasted.
Tragic, Manic, Panic, Slack, Taut, Bomb, Guns, Come, Come Back, Coming For You, Meet Me In The Dark and Three, Two, One are all neatly tied and integrated in Wasted Lust giving readers like myself one epic epilogue. Wasted Lust was a bittersweet read for me because I honestly didn't want to say goodbye to these beloved characters that has managed to capture my heart. As always, JA Huss did an amazing job writing this book. In all honesty there is nothing like reading a JA Huss book. She has a way to spellbind you with her wicked storytelling and flawed characters. She will grip you in this heart wrenching, touching and suspenseful tale of love, loss, second chances, friendship and family.
Overall, all I can say is that Wasted Lust took my heart, twisted it around, tore it to pieces, and slowly taped it back together. So if you haven’t read a book by JA Huss, I highly recommend you do. You do not want to miss an epic, heartbreaking, beautiful suspense filled romance that will have you yearning for more. What I truly love about Ms. Huss is that she writes beautiful, captivating, heartbreaking, and touching stories that grips you, touches you and stays with you. And Wasted Lust was a perfect example of this. The story-line is original, the characters were genuine and honest and the emotions were raw.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages:http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly... JA Huss
June 27, 2015
‘Hate is hard. But love is easy.’
Fantastic – what an emotional and riveting read Wasted Lust was. We’ve been with these characters – this evolving storyline – since day one chasing that completion. Chasing the answers but more than that, chasing the safe and happy. Julie Huss NAILED it. We could not put this book down for love nor money. The pace, the love, the discoveries, the drama and the harrowing all snowballed into one brilliant reading experience. The writing was superb – it was flawless. The emotions overwhelming switching from intrigue and suspense to sobbing tears from one minute to the next. There was no rest for the wicked as we followed Sasha, Jax and Nick, never resting on our convictions- rather knowing that as always we had to expect the unexpected and never feel safe until there really is no doubt. Even then….
“I’m a survivor. But it’s no fun being the only one left.”
We have to say Wasted Lust is without question one of our absolute favourite JA Huss books. It almost says I’ll see your story and raise you tenfold. Utter perfection. This Author writes a powerful intricate web of suspense, vengeance and passion shrouding characters that feel, suffer, love and fight the daily battle to stay alive in one dark and twisted world where it’s all about manipulation, double crossings and the power of the elite.
“Make it stop. Make this loneliness go away. I’m so fucking tired of being alone.”
We’ve loved Sasha since day one but never quite felt safe with her; we knew something was coming and we still hadn’t seen that basic human side to this beautiful sassy young girl. This killer. Well bloody hell didn’t she catapult herself right on into our hearts tearing it apart with the momentum of her story. This girl did not go gently into the goodnight. She set it on fire – taking names whilst trying to find herself and that well deserved slice of normal.
“You can’t live your life on someone else’s timeline. Find your passion. And then give it all you’ve got.”
Enter Jax – be still our beating hearts – yes Jax there’s room enough for you too because you deserve that special place in our hearts. Secrets and lies converting into deceptions. Jax had us questioning everyone including him – reading with an air of doubt followed by us championing him to the finish line.
‘I’m a man who gets what I want, no matter what it takes.’
Can you spell double cross? We think that word is paramount to the workings of JA Huss’ mind and we bloody love her for it. Standing ovation, Lady. You surpassed our wildest theories in this one whilst showing an incredible human side to the coldest of characters.
‘It tastes like shattered dreams and wasted lust.’
JA Huss knocked this one out the park and if you haven’t picked her books up yet we highly recommend you do. Start at the beginning and go enter a world from day one where you meet some wonderful fucked up characters, get wrapped up in mystery, suspense, thrills and some pretty passionate spills. You won’t regret a single minute in the über capable hands of JA Huss herself.
‘How did my reality get so far away from the fantasy I had imagined?’
**Reviewed from an ARC copy provided by the author, with thanks.**
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December 17, 2015
5 love-should-never-be-wasted stars
Oh boy, this is gonna be tough. I needed a little time to gather my thoughts on this but I didn’ t get very far with that so I’m just gonna go with the flow.
My first J A HUSS reading material was about James Fenici in Dirty, dark and deadly series and I fell in love with him, well actually and in those books we meet Sasha Cherlin as a thirteen year old trained killer on the run and in hiding, taken under the wings of James Fenici and Harper Tate in efforts to escape the merciless fate set by the notorious Company depriving them of any chances for the “real” life. The last “playout” ends on the beach where the final decisions were made in ruthless style and sacrifice made by Nick Tate (Harper’s twin brother) when he makes a deal with the drug lord Matias in order to make Sasha, James, Harper and Merc safe.
In the last pages of the 3rd book of those series we were given a short introduction into the Sasha and Nick’s story ten years after that fatal event on the beach…and the last sentence that told us that Nick is coming for Sasha made me hooked in an instant!!!
Here is the fallout of what happened next…
I must admit it took me by surprise cause I expected a full blown action BUT instead I was taken into the introspective psychological insight of Sasha Aston (Sasha Cherlin)
her grown persona in a body of a now 23 year old PhD anthropology student living the “normal” life. She was adopted by Ford and given his last name, new identity in normalcy with a few aspects of her previous trained life. She’s trying to blend into these “everyday” sequences – home, work, school scheme but she’s lost in it. She doesn’t know what normal actually means cause her “normal” was NOT everyone else’s “normal” and she so wanted to escape from her previous life. She wanted a chance to do what regular people did BUT she didn’t actually have a clue how to do that, how to switch off her child killer in her and start up this new young adult life. She has no friends and she starts to doubt the meaning of everything…
She still feels the hurt of being left behind by Nick. And she actually never did let go of him in this 10 years. She lacks answers and closure….
Her inner struggle to cope with everything gradually escalades from desperation, doubt to realization and confirmation.
“I’m dying of loneliness. I ‘m drowning in a sea of shattered dreams and wasted lust.”
“I’m real.”
I wasted ten years lusting after a dream life I was never meant to live.
When she’s approached by FBI agent Jackson Barlow things start to stir up and unravel in a way Sasha is not prepared for…
Jackson Barlow aka Jax
is someone I was not expecting at all to tell you the truth…
he is a good guy with a hidden agenda and he’s a smooth talker a real negotiator and persistant and determined to win Sasha over and to make her join him in an operation of bringing Nick Tate down. Otherwise she’s in danger cause Nick is looking for her and his motives are only to be speculated.
Sasha turns him down the first time and is turning him down constantly avoiding his attempts and not engaging in any interaction. BUT as I mentioned Jax is a smooth talker and persistant SOB but that is his trained professionalism. He has his own reasons to put Nick Tate away and he’s determined to do so no matter what the cost…but the prize he suddenly has in his sight is more than he ever wanted or hoped for . But his words ultimately have a huge impact on Sasha and his actions in helping Sasha to reveal and find her “real” self only makes him fall deeper in an uncharted territory. And he can no longer close his eyes on what he feels…
She is mine and I’m going to keep her forever.
And the need to protect her only goes stronger…and that’s what he does he gives her inner shelter, he’s giving her the chance to find herself, to open up to buried instincts, to feel love he feels for her.
”You’re safe with me, Sasha. Always know you’re safe with me”
”Love me Jax. If you really want to save me, then love me. Make our moment count.”
In this worlds of lies, spies, conspiracy, false pretence and hidden agendas only makes it harder to cope with the nirvana of presumed reality when in fact the only truth you can live in is the one within yourself.
Nick Tate
was the guy you should most likely NOT to like at all, he’s the first born and grown into the Company world. He’s the core of it, he’s the heir and ruthless killer who has no remorse nor second thoughts in achieving the goals set upon him of by him. Sasha was his promise when she was 13 years old but he never acted upon this promise. It would seem that there are other issues he has with it but in fact his actions actually prove differently. He loves Sasha. And the only way to protect her and keep her safe was to leave her. He always loved her in his own way.
“I saw everything, Sasha Aston. Everything. I never left you, I watched you from Honduras….I was always there, even when I wasn’t…No matter where you where, no matter what you were doing. I did it with you.”
BUT now ten years after…the Company (Nick) is not dead and buried its still ticking and it’s spreading its evil shadows through out… and it has to stop. Nick is sick of it, he’s dead inside…
“I’m already dead, Sasha. But not dead enough.”
Sasha is the only one who can stop it. She is the key to salvation. The ultimate one…but will she be able to reach inside her and find the true self to do it.
“Save me, Sasha Cherlin. Save me, Sasha. I’m begging you.”
“Shoot me, Sasha. I’m begging you. If you love me –of you ever loved me –kill me now.”
I never thought I would feel sorry for the guy like Nick BUT I did. I could feel his depravation and desperation. He was the product of scrupulous environment merciless and cruel emotionless machine that takes away the very core of you and leaves you shallow, alone and empty. Nick wanted out and he wanted it clean, he wanted the salvation although he didn’t deserve it…and Sasha was the means to achieve that.
This was a mind blowing moderately slow paced story that hooks you in a world so far yet so close to us that you find yourself interwoven in it and you can’t step away from it NOR you want to.
I had feelings for every character even for the ones I was not supposed to feel a thing BUT that’s the power of JA HUSS and her magic words, she makes them “real” humanly bad to the core yet vulnerable and she makes you feel the empathy and she brings out in you the basic human emotion that makes you interact and reach out no matter how bad things or persons are – compassion.
There is so much more to say here and I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface with this BUT all I can add is that this is another phenomenal read I’ve had the pleasure or being a part of.
Oh boy, this is gonna be tough. I needed a little time to gather my thoughts on this but I didn’ t get very far with that so I’m just gonna go with the flow.
My first J A HUSS reading material was about James Fenici in Dirty, dark and deadly series and I fell in love with him, well actually and in those books we meet Sasha Cherlin as a thirteen year old trained killer on the run and in hiding, taken under the wings of James Fenici and Harper Tate in efforts to escape the merciless fate set by the notorious Company depriving them of any chances for the “real” life. The last “playout” ends on the beach where the final decisions were made in ruthless style and sacrifice made by Nick Tate (Harper’s twin brother) when he makes a deal with the drug lord Matias in order to make Sasha, James, Harper and Merc safe.
In the last pages of the 3rd book of those series we were given a short introduction into the Sasha and Nick’s story ten years after that fatal event on the beach…and the last sentence that told us that Nick is coming for Sasha made me hooked in an instant!!!
Here is the fallout of what happened next…
I must admit it took me by surprise cause I expected a full blown action BUT instead I was taken into the introspective psychological insight of Sasha Aston (Sasha Cherlin)
her grown persona in a body of a now 23 year old PhD anthropology student living the “normal” life. She was adopted by Ford and given his last name, new identity in normalcy with a few aspects of her previous trained life. She’s trying to blend into these “everyday” sequences – home, work, school scheme but she’s lost in it. She doesn’t know what normal actually means cause her “normal” was NOT everyone else’s “normal” and she so wanted to escape from her previous life. She wanted a chance to do what regular people did BUT she didn’t actually have a clue how to do that, how to switch off her child killer in her and start up this new young adult life. She has no friends and she starts to doubt the meaning of everything…
She still feels the hurt of being left behind by Nick. And she actually never did let go of him in this 10 years. She lacks answers and closure….
Her inner struggle to cope with everything gradually escalades from desperation, doubt to realization and confirmation.
“I’m dying of loneliness. I ‘m drowning in a sea of shattered dreams and wasted lust.”
“I’m real.”
I wasted ten years lusting after a dream life I was never meant to live.
When she’s approached by FBI agent Jackson Barlow things start to stir up and unravel in a way Sasha is not prepared for…
Jackson Barlow aka Jax
is someone I was not expecting at all to tell you the truth…
he is a good guy with a hidden agenda and he’s a smooth talker a real negotiator and persistant and determined to win Sasha over and to make her join him in an operation of bringing Nick Tate down. Otherwise she’s in danger cause Nick is looking for her and his motives are only to be speculated.
Sasha turns him down the first time and is turning him down constantly avoiding his attempts and not engaging in any interaction. BUT as I mentioned Jax is a smooth talker and persistant SOB but that is his trained professionalism. He has his own reasons to put Nick Tate away and he’s determined to do so no matter what the cost…but the prize he suddenly has in his sight is more than he ever wanted or hoped for . But his words ultimately have a huge impact on Sasha and his actions in helping Sasha to reveal and find her “real” self only makes him fall deeper in an uncharted territory. And he can no longer close his eyes on what he feels…
She is mine and I’m going to keep her forever.
And the need to protect her only goes stronger…and that’s what he does he gives her inner shelter, he’s giving her the chance to find herself, to open up to buried instincts, to feel love he feels for her.
”You’re safe with me, Sasha. Always know you’re safe with me”
”Love me Jax. If you really want to save me, then love me. Make our moment count.”
In this worlds of lies, spies, conspiracy, false pretence and hidden agendas only makes it harder to cope with the nirvana of presumed reality when in fact the only truth you can live in is the one within yourself.
Nick Tate
was the guy you should most likely NOT to like at all, he’s the first born and grown into the Company world. He’s the core of it, he’s the heir and ruthless killer who has no remorse nor second thoughts in achieving the goals set upon him of by him. Sasha was his promise when she was 13 years old but he never acted upon this promise. It would seem that there are other issues he has with it but in fact his actions actually prove differently. He loves Sasha. And the only way to protect her and keep her safe was to leave her. He always loved her in his own way.
“I saw everything, Sasha Aston. Everything. I never left you, I watched you from Honduras….I was always there, even when I wasn’t…No matter where you where, no matter what you were doing. I did it with you.”
BUT now ten years after…the Company (Nick) is not dead and buried its still ticking and it’s spreading its evil shadows through out… and it has to stop. Nick is sick of it, he’s dead inside…
“I’m already dead, Sasha. But not dead enough.”
Sasha is the only one who can stop it. She is the key to salvation. The ultimate one…but will she be able to reach inside her and find the true self to do it.
“Save me, Sasha Cherlin. Save me, Sasha. I’m begging you.”
“Shoot me, Sasha. I’m begging you. If you love me –of you ever loved me –kill me now.”
I never thought I would feel sorry for the guy like Nick BUT I did. I could feel his depravation and desperation. He was the product of scrupulous environment merciless and cruel emotionless machine that takes away the very core of you and leaves you shallow, alone and empty. Nick wanted out and he wanted it clean, he wanted the salvation although he didn’t deserve it…and Sasha was the means to achieve that.
This was a mind blowing moderately slow paced story that hooks you in a world so far yet so close to us that you find yourself interwoven in it and you can’t step away from it NOR you want to.
I had feelings for every character even for the ones I was not supposed to feel a thing BUT that’s the power of JA HUSS and her magic words, she makes them “real” humanly bad to the core yet vulnerable and she makes you feel the empathy and she brings out in you the basic human emotion that makes you interact and reach out no matter how bad things or persons are – compassion.
There is so much more to say here and I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface with this BUT all I can add is that this is another phenomenal read I’ve had the pleasure or being a part of.
July 28, 2015
4.5 even in confusion stars!
I loved this even having spent the first 40% confused...I'm going back to read the Come series because i need more to wrap my head around ...THEN I will give a full full review!
I loved this even having spent the first 40% confused...I'm going back to read the Come series because i need more to wrap my head around ...THEN I will give a full full review!
June 26, 2015
‘Hate is hard. But love is easy.’
Fantastic – what an emotional and riveting read Wasted Lust was. We’ve been with these characters – this evolving storyline – since day one chasing that completion. Chasing the answers but more than that, chasing the safe and happy. Julie Huss NAILED it. We could not put this book down for love nor money. The pace, the love, the discoveries, the drama and the harrowing all snowballed into one brilliant reading experience. The writing was superb – it was flawless. The emotions overwhelming switching from intrigue and suspense to sobbing tears from one minute to the next. There was no rest for the wicked as we followed Sasha, Jax and Nick, never resting on our convictions- rather knowing that as always we had to expect the unexpected and never feel safe until there really is no doubt. Even then….
“I’m a survivor. But it’s no fun being the only one left.”
We have to say Wasted Lust is without question one of our absolute favourite JA Huss books. It almost says I’ll see your story and raise you tenfold. Utter perfection. This Author writes a powerful intricate web of suspense, vengeance and passion shrouding characters that feel, suffer, love and fight the daily battle to stay alive in one dark and twisted world where it’s all about manipulation, double crossings and the power of the elite.
“Make it stop. Make this loneliness go away. I’m so fucking tired of being alone.”
We’ve loved Sasha since day one but never quite felt safe with her; we knew something was coming and we still hadn’t seen that basic human side to this beautiful sassy young girl. This killer. Well bloody hell didn’t she catapult herself right on into our hearts tearing it apart with the momentum of her story. This girl did not go gently into the goodnight. She set it on fire – taking names whilst trying to find herself and that well deserved slice of normal.
“You can’t live your life on someone else’s timeline. Find your passion. And then give it all you’ve got.”
Enter Jax – be still our beating hearts – yes Jax there’s room enough for you too because you deserve that special place in our hearts. Secrets and lies converting into deceptions. Jax had us questioning everyone including him – reading with an air of doubt followed by us championing him to the finish line.
‘I’m a man who gets what I want, no matter what it takes.’
Can you spell double cross? We think that word is paramount to the workings of JA Huss’ mind and we bloody love her for it. Standing ovation, Lady. You surpassed our wildest theories in this one whilst showing an incredible human side to the coldest of characters.
‘It tastes like shattered dreams and wasted lust.’
JA Huss knocked this one out the park and if you haven’t picked her books up yet we highly recommend you do. Start at the beginning and go enter a world from day one where you meet some wonderful fucked up characters, get wrapped up in mystery, suspense, thrills and some pretty passionate spills. You won’t regret a single minute in the über capable hands of JA Huss herself.
‘How did my reality get so far away from the fantasy I had imagined?’
**Reviewed from an ARC copy provided by the author, with thanks.**
★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
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June 25, 2015
5 "We win" Stars!
Another slam dunk from JA Huss!! This one might be my favorite, just like I said the last time I opened one of her books. Action packed, full of suspense, secrets, betrayal, and most importantly love.
"Love is easy, and not one moment of it is wasted."
Sasha. Smurf. Killer.
Little girl, Assassin, A lost woman.
"Stalking, hunting, shooting, killing. Being blown up, being tracked, being hated and wanted dead. The anger I had, the love I lost, the life that was ripped away."
We've watched Sasha grow up. Met her in Slack, got to know her in The Dirty Dark and Deadly Series, she showed up in Meet Me In The Dark. She's special, like the glue to all of the series Huss has written, with the exception of The Social Media. This is labeled a spin-off to 321 as well. I won't tell you to read all the other books before this one, but I'd say you will be missing a few pieces. And you'll definitely be missing all the connections, the team, the loyalty that flows each character in the group.
This was a long awaited story, one that blew my motherflucking mind. I say this every time I open up a Huss book. You might not believe me, but this marks the end of an era. The final fall of an organization that's plagued these characters since the beginning. I read with a lump in my throat, knots in my stomach, and crazy goosebumps that didn't stop. There's no way I explain the plot, characters, or the greatness of this book.
It's an experience to need to read for yourself.
This marks the second time I've cried while reading an epilogue.
A bittersweet conclusion! I don't ever want to say good bye. I'm to cry now.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Another slam dunk from JA Huss!! This one might be my favorite, just like I said the last time I opened one of her books. Action packed, full of suspense, secrets, betrayal, and most importantly love.
"Love is easy, and not one moment of it is wasted."
Sasha. Smurf. Killer.
Little girl, Assassin, A lost woman.
"Stalking, hunting, shooting, killing. Being blown up, being tracked, being hated and wanted dead. The anger I had, the love I lost, the life that was ripped away."
We've watched Sasha grow up. Met her in Slack, got to know her in The Dirty Dark and Deadly Series, she showed up in Meet Me In The Dark. She's special, like the glue to all of the series Huss has written, with the exception of The Social Media. This is labeled a spin-off to 321 as well. I won't tell you to read all the other books before this one, but I'd say you will be missing a few pieces. And you'll definitely be missing all the connections, the team, the loyalty that flows each character in the group.
This was a long awaited story, one that blew my motherflucking mind. I say this every time I open up a Huss book. You might not believe me, but this marks the end of an era. The final fall of an organization that's plagued these characters since the beginning. I read with a lump in my throat, knots in my stomach, and crazy goosebumps that didn't stop. There's no way I explain the plot, characters, or the greatness of this book.
It's an experience to need to read for yourself.
This marks the second time I've cried while reading an epilogue.
A bittersweet conclusion! I don't ever want to say good bye. I'm to cry now.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2015
Review: Surj
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So this is only the second book by JA Huss that i've read and I can hand on heart say, the more I read by this author, the more I desperately want to read her back catalogue of work. "Wasted Lust" was just brilliant and had me intrigued right from the outset. The synopsis had me hooked and from the minute I was introduced to Sasha and Jax, I was captivated by this crazy game of cat and mouse. The question was, who was the cat and who was the mouse?
There were so many dimensions to "Wasted Lust." So many layers to peel back but with each layer came a whole host of questions, not only about the characters but also about their past and the "company" as a whole. Although this can be read as a standalone, I really wish I'd read the previous books because there were times I felt like I was a little late to the party, trying to get to know everyone and their stories (and trust me, there were a lot of stories that piqued my interest). This didn't ruin my enjoyment of Sasha and Jax's story, but just left me craving more knowledge.
Sasha's character blew me away. In one breath, she was this feisty, fiery, quick tongued assassin who had killed many times over and won't think twice at doing it again. But there was another side to her... a side that craved being normal. Where she wanted to be able to do all the things other people her age had done... have normal friends, fall in love, have a social life. but instead, Sasha had never felt more alone and that left me so sad. Jax was a character I immediately warmed to and I absolutely loved his charming, persistent and often very funny ways. He wormed his way into Sasha's life, never lying about what he wanted from her but equally offering the hand of friendship she desperately craved. But so many times I couldn't help but wonder which way this story would go. The synopsis lead me to believe one thing, the story itself lead me to believe another and as for the title of the book (Wasted Lust), well that just added to my befuddlement... lol. This one will leave you guessing for quite some time.
There were so many elements to "Wasted Lust," and I don't think I could fit it into one particular genre. There was mystery, suspense, murder and treachery. But there was also love, lust and broken promises, each playing their part in how this story unfolded. This was such a gripping, captivating, emotionally charged read and to say that I was going through a bit of a book funk but read this whilst on a weekend away with my husband kinda says it all... I couldn't put this book down!!! The writing was impeccable, the characters intriguing and the storyline addictive. I cannot wait to delve into the other books by this author. I have a feeling, she will be moving up my automatic one click author list very quickly.
I rated "Wasted Lust" ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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So this is only the second book by JA Huss that i've read and I can hand on heart say, the more I read by this author, the more I desperately want to read her back catalogue of work. "Wasted Lust" was just brilliant and had me intrigued right from the outset. The synopsis had me hooked and from the minute I was introduced to Sasha and Jax, I was captivated by this crazy game of cat and mouse. The question was, who was the cat and who was the mouse?
"I'm not here to rip your world apart, Sasha. I'm here to put it back together."Although not as dark as "Three, Two, One," Jax and Sasha's story was still full to the brim of mystery and suspense, where I desperately tried to work out who was lying and who was telling the truth, who was manipulating and and who was double crossing and ultimately, who the goodie was and who the baddie was. This book was definitely not as straight forward as the synopsis lead me to believe and nothing, and I mean nothing was quite as it seemed. There appeared to be an ulterior motive for everything but what would happen when feelings started getting involved and walls that had been carefully constructed over the years came tumbling down?
There were so many dimensions to "Wasted Lust." So many layers to peel back but with each layer came a whole host of questions, not only about the characters but also about their past and the "company" as a whole. Although this can be read as a standalone, I really wish I'd read the previous books because there were times I felt like I was a little late to the party, trying to get to know everyone and their stories (and trust me, there were a lot of stories that piqued my interest). This didn't ruin my enjoyment of Sasha and Jax's story, but just left me craving more knowledge.
And I'm dying, Jax. “I’m dying of loneliness. I ‘m drowning in a sea of shattered dreams and wasted lust.”
Sasha's character blew me away. In one breath, she was this feisty, fiery, quick tongued assassin who had killed many times over and won't think twice at doing it again. But there was another side to her... a side that craved being normal. Where she wanted to be able to do all the things other people her age had done... have normal friends, fall in love, have a social life. but instead, Sasha had never felt more alone and that left me so sad. Jax was a character I immediately warmed to and I absolutely loved his charming, persistent and often very funny ways. He wormed his way into Sasha's life, never lying about what he wanted from her but equally offering the hand of friendship she desperately craved. But so many times I couldn't help but wonder which way this story would go. The synopsis lead me to believe one thing, the story itself lead me to believe another and as for the title of the book (Wasted Lust), well that just added to my befuddlement... lol. This one will leave you guessing for quite some time.
"You want something real? If you walk out on me tomorrow, Sasha, I will never recover. That's something real."
There were so many elements to "Wasted Lust," and I don't think I could fit it into one particular genre. There was mystery, suspense, murder and treachery. But there was also love, lust and broken promises, each playing their part in how this story unfolded. This was such a gripping, captivating, emotionally charged read and to say that I was going through a bit of a book funk but read this whilst on a weekend away with my husband kinda says it all... I couldn't put this book down!!! The writing was impeccable, the characters intriguing and the storyline addictive. I cannot wait to delve into the other books by this author. I have a feeling, she will be moving up my automatic one click author list very quickly.
I rated "Wasted Lust" ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
We are love in slow motion. We move as one, leaving the darkness behind, where it belongs, and becoming the light.
June 27, 2015
First off.( The following is from my friend who shall remain nameless. She's not brave enough to put these thoughts in her review, so I have stolen them.) :
Dear Julie,
You can't put us in Ford's house, around his kids and friends and even have a phone conversation with his wife and not ever once even have him talk. Total tease. And not the good kind. The Ford and Five book better be off the charts.
End of friend review. Here is mine:
WTF Julie Huss?! No fucking Ford? No fucking way!? You better have fucking Ford in Five's book or else! I will cut you off my auto buy list! (Although I did not buy 321 despite ploy that this book was 321 spinoff. Because yeah LE didn't fall for that. This had Come/Rook and Ronin series spinoff all over it).
So the story. Well first half not much happens. We get a lot of adorableness from the Princess Shrike tikes though ( to die for). Sasha is depressed mess in most of this book. But the last half of book really is fantastic. Hopefully this is the final nail in the Company coffin. Because, enough Company already.
This would have been five star read if beginning not so boring. Plus NO FUCKING FORD. So star loss!
Dear Julie,
You can't put us in Ford's house, around his kids and friends and even have a phone conversation with his wife and not ever once even have him talk. Total tease. And not the good kind. The Ford and Five book better be off the charts.
End of friend review. Here is mine:
WTF Julie Huss?! No fucking Ford? No fucking way!? You better have fucking Ford in Five's book or else! I will cut you off my auto buy list! (Although I did not buy 321 despite ploy that this book was 321 spinoff. Because yeah LE didn't fall for that. This had Come/Rook and Ronin series spinoff all over it).
So the story. Well first half not much happens. We get a lot of adorableness from the Princess Shrike tikes though ( to die for). Sasha is depressed mess in most of this book. But the last half of book really is fantastic. Hopefully this is the final nail in the Company coffin. Because, enough Company already.
This would have been five star read if beginning not so boring. Plus NO FUCKING FORD. So star loss!
June 30, 2015
I LOVED the characters, the hero was really awesome, the romance and heat was great, kick ass heroine too.
My problem was that the whole story was dedicated to a backstory, everything was going over what had happened in the past and i've not read every single book. I got lost and disinterested.
My problem was that the whole story was dedicated to a backstory, everything was going over what had happened in the past and i've not read every single book. I got lost and disinterested.
October 31, 2017
Sasha, Sasha, Sasha...my favorite, most complicated killer!
How you've grown, little Smurf
Sasha Cherlin Aston is at a crossroads in her life.
For a Company kid that was pulled into a 12-year "safety net" by (reformed?) con-men and stone-cold killers, her life plan to "normal" spirals out of her legendary self-control.
But who is pulling the strings, and to what end, is what drives Sasha's journey. Her very life, and all those whom she has loyalties, are at stake. Trust is tested. So is her guarded heart.
Sasha and Nick's story needed to be told, of course.
Her future begins to look like her past. As if its inevitable.
I had put this one off because of how gutted Merc's story Meet me in the Dark and the suspense ride of Three, Two, One left me. *wipes sweaty brow*
Don't expect that level of dark in Sasha's tale here...until the last 1/3 of the book. Whoo-boy. Baby, does it all speed up, sending my reading heart into a tailspin only a J.A. Huss read can!
I really didn't know how I felt about the story arch till that point...it just felt MEH...a lot of rehashing old Company history...and I didn't get Jax in her life.
Truth?
Kinda dragged for me.
I am glad I trusted my dear author to lay an intricately woven plot bomb in my lap, one I could not have seen coming (no matter how much I searched character names in my ebook to sneak peeks ahead to guess who would/could still be standing at the end. Hey, I'm a Taurus. We like to swipe to the epilogues LOL #instantgratification)
But. Don't. Do it!
Let Sasha's story play out...savor the end of a 12 book journey. And read the author's signature EOBS...but NOT until AFTER that awesome epilogue!
Solid 3.5*
Not to be missed to add to your library!
Did I mention James Fenici is the reason that I am a forever fangirl?
I love Fucking Ford with the rest of you, but it has always been James. ♡
Just putting that out there!
How you've grown, little Smurf
Sasha Cherlin Aston is at a crossroads in her life.
For a Company kid that was pulled into a 12-year "safety net" by (reformed?) con-men and stone-cold killers, her life plan to "normal" spirals out of her legendary self-control.
But who is pulling the strings, and to what end, is what drives Sasha's journey. Her very life, and all those whom she has loyalties, are at stake. Trust is tested. So is her guarded heart.
Sasha and Nick's story needed to be told, of course.
Her future begins to look like her past. As if its inevitable.
I had put this one off because of how gutted Merc's story Meet me in the Dark and the suspense ride of Three, Two, One left me. *wipes sweaty brow*
Don't expect that level of dark in Sasha's tale here...until the last 1/3 of the book. Whoo-boy. Baby, does it all speed up, sending my reading heart into a tailspin only a J.A. Huss read can!
I really didn't know how I felt about the story arch till that point...it just felt MEH...a lot of rehashing old Company history...and I didn't get Jax in her life.
Truth?
Kinda dragged for me.
I am glad I trusted my dear author to lay an intricately woven plot bomb in my lap, one I could not have seen coming (no matter how much I searched character names in my ebook to sneak peeks ahead to guess who would/could still be standing at the end. Hey, I'm a Taurus. We like to swipe to the epilogues LOL #instantgratification)
But. Don't. Do it!
Let Sasha's story play out...savor the end of a 12 book journey. And read the author's signature EOBS...but NOT until AFTER that awesome epilogue!
Solid 3.5*
Not to be missed to add to your library!
Did I mention James Fenici is the reason that I am a forever fangirl?
I love Fucking Ford with the rest of you, but it has always been James. ♡
Just putting that out there!
November 28, 2015
Wasted Lust was a fast read, but didn't feel like it! The twists and turns of the plot were tricky, shit you didn't see coming slapped you in the face and nothing I mean nothing was predictable. Tho I wanted to hate Nate and Jax I couldn't, both were exceptional men.
June 21, 2015
Sasha Cherlin was a smart ass thirteen year old girl in the Dark and Dirty books of The Company series. In Wasted Lust, Sasha Aston is a proper young lady getting her education like any other twenty four year old. The only thing is her past. The Company isn't something you blow up and leave. Unfortunately for all of them, no matter how far your run or sail, you're always part of The Company.
"...only a company kid can understand what I am. We don't walk the edge, we live on the other side of it."
~Sasha
That is why I loved this character. She was a thirteen year old assassin who ran with the big dogs, grown men were scared of this little girl in braces. In The Company, Sasha was promised to Nick when she turned eighteen. For Sasha's sake Nick left her, knowing she wouldn't understand now, but it would be the best for her in the long run.
"I'm not normal"
"I'm a liar"
"I'm a killer"
"I was born, and have always been, Sasha Cherlin. Company Kid. Daughter to a traitor. Child assassin."
~ Sasha
Sasha Aston knows it's getting harder and harder to curtail Sasha Cherlin with a new nosey FBI Agent snooping around. The young, handsome Jax Barlow thinks he knows what makes this girl tick and is going to use it to his advantage to get her to talk. While he isn't Comapny, he wants to bring it to it's knees with her help.
"I'm not here to rip your world apart, Sasha. I'm here to put it back together." ~ Agent Jax
So he says. Once he meets the real Sasha, he isn't sure which way his case should go now. Seeing that she is on the edge, Jax knows he needs to move fast if his is going to get her help with Nick. This Company thing is deeper than he thought and if he can't trust her, he can't trust anybody.
"...no matter how hard I try, no matter how fast I run, how many times I change my name, or how many degrees I get to make myself legitimate...I still belong to them. I am property." ~ Sasha
Ugh Sasha breaks my heart this time around. She is such a little girl lost between the life she is suppose to be living and The Company. Her love for Merc and James is different than what she feels for Nick and even Jax. This girls mind is mush and I kept reading faster, hoping it would all work out. I have read all of the books in the series and this one brought me to tears. Sasha goes through and has been through so much heartbreak, you wonder how the girl is still standing.
"I'm a survivor. But it's not fun being the only survivor, Jax. It's no fun being the only one left." ~ Sasha
Wasted Lust can be read as a standalone as JA Huss fills you in on who's who along the way. For the JA Huss fan, we get a glimpse of the original players and what they've been up to for the past ten years. After reading about their lives, all I could think of were the potential story lines there. Poor JA Huss herself will never be out of The Company she created. Thank you for letting me read it early for an honest review.
"...only a company kid can understand what I am. We don't walk the edge, we live on the other side of it."
~Sasha
That is why I loved this character. She was a thirteen year old assassin who ran with the big dogs, grown men were scared of this little girl in braces. In The Company, Sasha was promised to Nick when she turned eighteen. For Sasha's sake Nick left her, knowing she wouldn't understand now, but it would be the best for her in the long run.
"I'm not normal"
"I'm a liar"
"I'm a killer"
"I was born, and have always been, Sasha Cherlin. Company Kid. Daughter to a traitor. Child assassin."
~ Sasha
Sasha Aston knows it's getting harder and harder to curtail Sasha Cherlin with a new nosey FBI Agent snooping around. The young, handsome Jax Barlow thinks he knows what makes this girl tick and is going to use it to his advantage to get her to talk. While he isn't Comapny, he wants to bring it to it's knees with her help.
"I'm not here to rip your world apart, Sasha. I'm here to put it back together." ~ Agent Jax
So he says. Once he meets the real Sasha, he isn't sure which way his case should go now. Seeing that she is on the edge, Jax knows he needs to move fast if his is going to get her help with Nick. This Company thing is deeper than he thought and if he can't trust her, he can't trust anybody.
"...no matter how hard I try, no matter how fast I run, how many times I change my name, or how many degrees I get to make myself legitimate...I still belong to them. I am property." ~ Sasha
Ugh Sasha breaks my heart this time around. She is such a little girl lost between the life she is suppose to be living and The Company. Her love for Merc and James is different than what she feels for Nick and even Jax. This girls mind is mush and I kept reading faster, hoping it would all work out. I have read all of the books in the series and this one brought me to tears. Sasha goes through and has been through so much heartbreak, you wonder how the girl is still standing.
"I'm a survivor. But it's not fun being the only survivor, Jax. It's no fun being the only one left." ~ Sasha
Wasted Lust can be read as a standalone as JA Huss fills you in on who's who along the way. For the JA Huss fan, we get a glimpse of the original players and what they've been up to for the past ten years. After reading about their lives, all I could think of were the potential story lines there. Poor JA Huss herself will never be out of The Company she created. Thank you for letting me read it early for an honest review.
June 21, 2015
This comes out in a few short days and I cannot wait to buy it and read it again. I received an early reviewer's copy and it was definitely NOT disappointing.
I outright stole the reading order for you from Michelle New's review. So here it is. And yes, you need to read them.
***Reading Order***
Rook & Ronin:
Tragic, Manic , Panic
**we meet Ford and Spencer in this series.
Ford:
Slack, Taut
**we meet Merc and Sasha in Slack *Syd is referenced*
Spencer:
Bomb, Guns
**we meet ‘James’ and Merc gets a mention or two.
James & Harper:
Come, Come Back, Coming For You
**Sasha, Merc and the whole gang show up.
**Jax appears in the epilogue
Three, Two, One: Jax is introduced (Ark’s brother)
Meet Me in The Dark: Merc & Syd’s story brings us back to Sasha.
***********************
Sasha Ashton, formerly known as Sasha Cherlin, is all grown up. And she's a successful post-grad student, living her life, her away from the Company life. But life isn't all sunshine and roses. She's harboring secrets from her adoptive parents, a secret that keeps her terrified, she harbors longing for Nick who abandoned her ten years ago, she harbors longing for life, true life.
Jax Barlow is an Agent. And he's determined to use Sasha as means to an end. But he wasn't expecting who Sasha is and what that might mean for him.
This book was one of those books where you snarl at anyone who dares interrupt the beauty of all that this is. The twisty little ties coming together to form a complicated, celtic knot of love, loyalty, deceit, murder, psychosis, friendship, and all the other ties that bind.
And you know what? That's my review. I'm not saying a damn thing more. Read the series in order. Get a handle on what The Company is, what it means, look for all the subtle clues that have been woven throughout, and then get this book. This Sasha chapter. And then ask yourself: could you have survived?
I outright stole the reading order for you from Michelle New's review. So here it is. And yes, you need to read them.
***Reading Order***
Rook & Ronin:
Tragic, Manic , Panic
**we meet Ford and Spencer in this series.
Ford:
Slack, Taut
**we meet Merc and Sasha in Slack *Syd is referenced*
Spencer:
Bomb, Guns
**we meet ‘James’ and Merc gets a mention or two.
James & Harper:
Come, Come Back, Coming For You
**Sasha, Merc and the whole gang show up.
**Jax appears in the epilogue
Three, Two, One: Jax is introduced (Ark’s brother)
Meet Me in The Dark: Merc & Syd’s story brings us back to Sasha.
***********************
Sasha Ashton, formerly known as Sasha Cherlin, is all grown up. And she's a successful post-grad student, living her life, her away from the Company life. But life isn't all sunshine and roses. She's harboring secrets from her adoptive parents, a secret that keeps her terrified, she harbors longing for Nick who abandoned her ten years ago, she harbors longing for life, true life.
Jax Barlow is an Agent. And he's determined to use Sasha as means to an end. But he wasn't expecting who Sasha is and what that might mean for him.
This book was one of those books where you snarl at anyone who dares interrupt the beauty of all that this is. The twisty little ties coming together to form a complicated, celtic knot of love, loyalty, deceit, murder, psychosis, friendship, and all the other ties that bind.
And you know what? That's my review. I'm not saying a damn thing more. Read the series in order. Get a handle on what The Company is, what it means, look for all the subtle clues that have been woven throughout, and then get this book. This Sasha chapter. And then ask yourself: could you have survived?
July 15, 2017
I have been dying to revisit Sasha and Jax. After listening to this, I'm not sure why. I fucking cried. I cried the first time and I think I cried even more this time. I knew how it would end. I knew what would happen, yet I still fucking cried.
I know Huss says this is a standalone, but you will get so much more out of this book if you read everything else. Sasha first shows up in Ford Aston's book. Then she's a key player in Come, Come Back, and Coming for You. We see her again in Meet Me in the Dark, where we get Merc and Sydney's story. She's even mentioned--unnamed, but mentioned--in 321. So, yes, this is Sasha's standalone book, but you'll appreciate it more when you know her entire story.
My recommendation? Go back and start with Rook and Ronin. Get to know those characters, Ford, and Spencer. If you do this, then those names will actually mean something when you hear them in WL. But if you're a rebel, you can start here. You will get everything you need for this story in this book. Julie does not disappoint in that regard. And if she says this can be a standalone, who am I to argue?
Does anyone really want to hear about this story or just how it makes me feel? Because I'm not summarizing this one. I'm just telling you that it makes me feel everything. Hate, love, sadness, happiness, trepidation, unease, and the list continues. This book touches on all of my feelings and that is why I had to come back. I had to go back to see how Sasha Cherlin got her happy ending. Because when you meet that seen-too-much twelve year old girl, you just have to know how her story ends. Yohave to see what this kid goes through for her HEA.
And then there's Jax. And Nick. And the sheer mention of The Team. That original Team that sent me on a reading binge like I had never before seen or experienced.
This is the conclusion to all of those Company books. In true Huss fashion, she takes you on quite a journey.
I know Huss says this is a standalone, but you will get so much more out of this book if you read everything else. Sasha first shows up in Ford Aston's book. Then she's a key player in Come, Come Back, and Coming for You. We see her again in Meet Me in the Dark, where we get Merc and Sydney's story. She's even mentioned--unnamed, but mentioned--in 321. So, yes, this is Sasha's standalone book, but you'll appreciate it more when you know her entire story.
My recommendation? Go back and start with Rook and Ronin. Get to know those characters, Ford, and Spencer. If you do this, then those names will actually mean something when you hear them in WL. But if you're a rebel, you can start here. You will get everything you need for this story in this book. Julie does not disappoint in that regard. And if she says this can be a standalone, who am I to argue?
Does anyone really want to hear about this story or just how it makes me feel? Because I'm not summarizing this one. I'm just telling you that it makes me feel everything. Hate, love, sadness, happiness, trepidation, unease, and the list continues. This book touches on all of my feelings and that is why I had to come back. I had to go back to see how Sasha Cherlin got her happy ending. Because when you meet that seen-too-much twelve year old girl, you just have to know how her story ends. Yohave to see what this kid goes through for her HEA.
And then there's Jax. And Nick. And the sheer mention of The Team. That original Team that sent me on a reading binge like I had never before seen or experienced.
This is the conclusion to all of those Company books. In true Huss fashion, she takes you on quite a journey.
June 28, 2015
I can't even tell you how happy this book made me! Sasha has been one of my favorite JA Huss characters, and I missed her. Maybe because she is mysterious, but maybe because she is a badass assassin, yet still a girl. My heart breaks for her. Some of my favorite quotes ever will come from this book. I love how she finds herself and how she finds love.
I love this book because it was all about her. Lots of characters from other books made appearances but I was so glad to hear Sasha's voice again. There is such raw emotion that made me laugh with her and weep for her, yet mixed with the usual dark, twisty plot that kept my interest!!
I highly recommend this book as a way to find out what happened to Sasha, but also because it is really well written as a standalone! The writing is the usual JA Huss, but I feel like this is so much more. It's better and deeper and I think she really cares about Sasha and wanted us to know how her story ends.
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
I love this book because it was all about her. Lots of characters from other books made appearances but I was so glad to hear Sasha's voice again. There is such raw emotion that made me laugh with her and weep for her, yet mixed with the usual dark, twisty plot that kept my interest!!
I highly recommend this book as a way to find out what happened to Sasha, but also because it is really well written as a standalone! The writing is the usual JA Huss, but I feel like this is so much more. It's better and deeper and I think she really cares about Sasha and wanted us to know how her story ends.
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
June 25, 2015
*I received a free ARC of Wasted Lust in exchange of an honest and unbiased review*
Wasted Lust is such a complex story about redemption, finding oneself, the meaning of life, love, loyalty, friendship and closure. I have pages of pages with highlights of quotes I just loved, and I am in no way ready to write a full review today. It will be up on my blog on release day. Finally getting Sasha's story was a real treat, though!
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Wasted Lust is such a complex story about redemption, finding oneself, the meaning of life, love, loyalty, friendship and closure. I have pages of pages with highlights of quotes I just loved, and I am in no way ready to write a full review today. It will be up on my blog on release day. Finally getting Sasha's story was a real treat, though!
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
June 29, 2015
I'm sorry to say that this book wasn't great for me. I have read 3,2,1 and loved that but obviously I've missed critical details that should have made this 'standalone' a 5 star read. I think the only decent part was the last 50 or so pages. I felt emotion towards the ending within the main 3 characters but otherwise it felt boring and lost throughout this book.
My tip is either read the series leading up to it first or try and read in long sittings. It looks like I'm the minority because all I'm hearing a rave reviews. Sorry.
My tip is either read the series leading up to it first or try and read in long sittings. It looks like I'm the minority because all I'm hearing a rave reviews. Sorry.
June 26, 2015
4.5 stars!! I can say is thank god for epilogues. Once again JA Huss delivers...a story I never anticpated, a story I loved and a story that was sooooo emotional. Loved every single word. (full review to come)
February 24, 2016
Loved it!
I was reading this, then Sasha sounded so familiar I looked I'm my other book, meet me in the dark ,and there she was. I love how all her characters are in everyone of her books! Ja Huss is amazing!
I was reading this, then Sasha sounded so familiar I looked I'm my other book, meet me in the dark ,and there she was. I love how all her characters are in everyone of her books! Ja Huss is amazing!
August 18, 2016
4,5 OMFG estrelinhas!!!
Minhas experiências com livros dessa autora não foram muito boas, mas resolvi dar mais uma chance... E não me arrependo!
Finalmente, depois de um bom tempo, um livro consegue me surpreender!
Adoreiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!! <3
Minhas experiências com livros dessa autora não foram muito boas, mas resolvi dar mais uma chance... E não me arrependo!
Finalmente, depois de um bom tempo, um livro consegue me surpreender!
Adoreiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!! <3
September 28, 2024
FUCKING BRILLIANT.
December 6, 2021
We meet Sasha early on in this series as a 13yr old girl. I highly recommend starting from the beginning as you really need to know her history to appreciate this book (and the company).
I have loved getting to know Sasha and her story was great. I loved the chemistry between her and Jax and especially loved how this ended. It wrapped up a very long series very well.
I have loved getting to know Sasha and her story was great. I loved the chemistry between her and Jax and especially loved how this ended. It wrapped up a very long series very well.
June 22, 2015
Every time I sit down to read a new book from this author, I know I'm going to get something original, unpredictable, sexy, and thought provoking. And while each storyline is unique, there is one thing all of her books seem to have in common: trust no one.
The synopsis felt like a one two punch. First, I expected some serious heartache. Second, I was desperate to read as soon as possible. Am I a masochist? Doubtful, but I knew the author wasn't going to make things easy for me, and I couldn't wait. So figure that one out.
While I would have surmised that this story would mostly be about Sasha and Nick, I was wrong. Most of it actually takes place between Sasha and Jax. One is trying to protect Nick, one is trying to capture him. If you've read the author's other books, it should be clear which person was which. Although you don't have to read the other books by the author, this book felt like a treat. Being the master storyteller that she is, she wove together plots from three other stories (Come series, Three Two One, and Meet me in the Dark). Since I've read all of the other books, it was a great way to reconnect with those characters and fill in the missing pieces of each story. At the same time, I felt the author gave you enough background on each that it isn't required to read those books before this one (although there is a big spoiler for Three Two One in this book, so it is suggested you read that one first).
Sasha is suffering a bit of an identity crisis. With a passion for dinosaurs and attempting to get her PhD, her path becomes murky and she begins to challenge her own direction. Added to that is the FBI agent, Jax, who won't leave her alone. With Jax, she is reminded of the person she never got over, her "promise" Nick who left her at the age of 13.
Thirteen and wanting to die so bad because this boy left me. Live your life, he told me. Grow up, move on. You will love again.
I never had a choice, did I?
What Nick has been up to all these years is unclear for some time, in fact he doesn't actually enter the story until much later.
"You've locked yourself away in this prison of your own making, and it's killing you. I can see it in your eyes. You live in the past when the present is all around you."
I wavered on my feelings about Jax. The revelations about his past were slow to come so I didn't always trust him. He was forceful at times in getting Sasha to follow his plans, and it's good her instincts are still sharp, because he unknowingly puts her in danger. He eventually does win me over with his honesty about Nick and his own home life. Which is right about the time when I started to get nervous about Nick. Was he going to come in and create some crazy ass FBI/assassin love triangle? How things do play out was a complete surprise.
After it all, I'm not sure what to think about Nick. What he did for Sasha and her friends was honorable. What he did prior regarding the Company children, I may never understand. But he felt he was saving them. In the end, he manages to do that for a select few.
"We win."
Who was part of the Company is a puzzle that is only revealed piece by piece, as the author quickly lays them out in the last 10% of the story, leaving my head spinning. "Promises" are not as they seem and even family can't be trusted. While I felt Sasha's decision about her direction between Jax and Nick was made for her, it seemed like the right one. And although my heart did hurt, it was clear only one was the right choice.
The epilogue of this series seems like it was written specifically for JA Huss fans. We don't just get a HEA for this story, but also one for James and Harper (Come series) and Merc and Sydney (Meet me in the Dark). The latter being so special because the future of that couple didn't seem solidified in my mind, until now. I do wish there was some hint as to what Sasha planned to do with her life, but that was a minor detail. This story gives you closure to a lot of storylines and a firm end to the Company. I hope.
*An ARC was received for an honest review.
The synopsis felt like a one two punch. First, I expected some serious heartache. Second, I was desperate to read as soon as possible. Am I a masochist? Doubtful, but I knew the author wasn't going to make things easy for me, and I couldn't wait. So figure that one out.
While I would have surmised that this story would mostly be about Sasha and Nick, I was wrong. Most of it actually takes place between Sasha and Jax. One is trying to protect Nick, one is trying to capture him. If you've read the author's other books, it should be clear which person was which. Although you don't have to read the other books by the author, this book felt like a treat. Being the master storyteller that she is, she wove together plots from three other stories (Come series, Three Two One, and Meet me in the Dark). Since I've read all of the other books, it was a great way to reconnect with those characters and fill in the missing pieces of each story. At the same time, I felt the author gave you enough background on each that it isn't required to read those books before this one (although there is a big spoiler for Three Two One in this book, so it is suggested you read that one first).
Sasha is suffering a bit of an identity crisis. With a passion for dinosaurs and attempting to get her PhD, her path becomes murky and she begins to challenge her own direction. Added to that is the FBI agent, Jax, who won't leave her alone. With Jax, she is reminded of the person she never got over, her "promise" Nick who left her at the age of 13.
Thirteen and wanting to die so bad because this boy left me. Live your life, he told me. Grow up, move on. You will love again.
I never had a choice, did I?
What Nick has been up to all these years is unclear for some time, in fact he doesn't actually enter the story until much later.
"You've locked yourself away in this prison of your own making, and it's killing you. I can see it in your eyes. You live in the past when the present is all around you."
I wavered on my feelings about Jax. The revelations about his past were slow to come so I didn't always trust him. He was forceful at times in getting Sasha to follow his plans, and it's good her instincts are still sharp, because he unknowingly puts her in danger. He eventually does win me over with his honesty about Nick and his own home life. Which is right about the time when I started to get nervous about Nick. Was he going to come in and create some crazy ass FBI/assassin love triangle? How things do play out was a complete surprise.
After it all, I'm not sure what to think about Nick. What he did for Sasha and her friends was honorable. What he did prior regarding the Company children, I may never understand. But he felt he was saving them. In the end, he manages to do that for a select few.
"We win."
Who was part of the Company is a puzzle that is only revealed piece by piece, as the author quickly lays them out in the last 10% of the story, leaving my head spinning. "Promises" are not as they seem and even family can't be trusted. While I felt Sasha's decision about her direction between Jax and Nick was made for her, it seemed like the right one. And although my heart did hurt, it was clear only one was the right choice.
The epilogue of this series seems like it was written specifically for JA Huss fans. We don't just get a HEA for this story, but also one for James and Harper (Come series) and Merc and Sydney (Meet me in the Dark). The latter being so special because the future of that couple didn't seem solidified in my mind, until now. I do wish there was some hint as to what Sasha planned to do with her life, but that was a minor detail. This story gives you closure to a lot of storylines and a firm end to the Company. I hope.
*An ARC was received for an honest review.
June 22, 2015
“It’s all about you right now, killer. All about you.” That it most certainly is. Wasted Lust, which follows Sasha Cherlin, the cutest and most lethal little Smurf assassin that ever lived, is the continuation of the wildly popular Rook and Ronin series (can be read as a stand alone as well). In this book, we finally get a front row seat to everything that is Sasha (the current Sasha Aston and the former Sasha Cherlin). And, let me tell you, I was completely off base with where I thought this story was going – I love it when that happens! It was amazing how well J.A. Huss was able to bring this story to life and continuously shock me from one page to the next.
Enter FBI Agent Jax Barlow – yum…do I want a piece of this guy! “The dimple that reminds me a little bit of Ford. The confidence that reminds me of James. And the air of danger that reminds me of Merc.” He is like all of my favorite people rolled into one! But, don’t be fooled. He is not just a pretty face and hot body. No – there is something dark and mysterious lying under his exterior. And the reason why he needs Sasha – Nick Tate.
I went back and forth from liking Jax, to being suspicious of him. What is his game? Better yet, what is his endgame? Has Sasha let down her guard too much over the past ten years that she has been out of the Company? I felt paranoid for her every time she crossed paths with him, but I also craved for them to be together. This bouncing back and forth kept me on my toes the entire way through.
What was interesting and surprising to me was the vulnerability that Sasha and Jax and Nick, for that matter, showed throughout. We see them as such badasses in the series that we don’t necessarily think they will have any weaknesses, but they do. This made them flawed, yes, but also more human. It worked perfectly to really give these characters that extra edge.
Not only does Ms. Huss give us an incredible story with Sasha, but we also see the rest of the gang and receive updates on where they are in their own lives. I loved the ‘princesses’ and the ‘birds’ but, most of all, I could not get enough of Five and his no nonsense, genius little ten-year-old brain. He is Ford times 1,000 and he is hilarious. Please tell me that he is going to get his own book(s)!
Overall, I absolutely, 100% loved everything about this book! I felt exhilarated with the suspense and danger, distraught over what could happen to any one of these characters at any given moment and overcome with emotion when the characters showed their true selves. What a fantastic read, what a fabulous portrayal of characters and what an amazing job well done!
*An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Enter FBI Agent Jax Barlow – yum…do I want a piece of this guy! “The dimple that reminds me a little bit of Ford. The confidence that reminds me of James. And the air of danger that reminds me of Merc.” He is like all of my favorite people rolled into one! But, don’t be fooled. He is not just a pretty face and hot body. No – there is something dark and mysterious lying under his exterior. And the reason why he needs Sasha – Nick Tate.
I went back and forth from liking Jax, to being suspicious of him. What is his game? Better yet, what is his endgame? Has Sasha let down her guard too much over the past ten years that she has been out of the Company? I felt paranoid for her every time she crossed paths with him, but I also craved for them to be together. This bouncing back and forth kept me on my toes the entire way through.
What was interesting and surprising to me was the vulnerability that Sasha and Jax and Nick, for that matter, showed throughout. We see them as such badasses in the series that we don’t necessarily think they will have any weaknesses, but they do. This made them flawed, yes, but also more human. It worked perfectly to really give these characters that extra edge.
Not only does Ms. Huss give us an incredible story with Sasha, but we also see the rest of the gang and receive updates on where they are in their own lives. I loved the ‘princesses’ and the ‘birds’ but, most of all, I could not get enough of Five and his no nonsense, genius little ten-year-old brain. He is Ford times 1,000 and he is hilarious. Please tell me that he is going to get his own book(s)!
Overall, I absolutely, 100% loved everything about this book! I felt exhilarated with the suspense and danger, distraught over what could happen to any one of these characters at any given moment and overcome with emotion when the characters showed their true selves. What a fantastic read, what a fabulous portrayal of characters and what an amazing job well done!
*An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
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