Book Review – An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke

Subparheroes
Publisher: Jenn Burke
Pages: 151
Characters: Ward/Dev
POV: 1st
Genre: Contemporary, Superhero, Series

Blurb:
No more Mr. Nice Hero

Ex-hero Ward Sullivan used to be a household name before his career went up in smoke. Now he’s stuck hunting for the cause of mysterious fires in Northern Ontario. Worse still is his new partner, an overly cheery Canadian named Devlin Campbell.

Dev’s a lumberjack and he’s okay with that. It sure beats working in an office where his not-so-super power forced everyone to be nice to him. Partnering with the famous ex-hero Firefox is a dream come true. Not only is he one of Dev’s idols, he’s immune to his niceness.

Dev’s upbeat vibe soothes Ward’s grumpy soul, but he’d never admit it. Nor would he admit that he really likes the way Dev handles an axe. But when a threat from the past comes roaring into Ward’s present, it’s no more Mr. Nice Hero. Ward may have to give up a future with the nicest guy he knows to save the world one last time.

An Ex-Hero’s Guide to Axe-Handling is a part of the multi-author Subparheroes MM romance series.

Buy Link

Review

I’m loving this series, and the imaginative abilities the authors are bringing to each book. Ward and Dev’s story is a wonderful opposites-attract with a good dollop of hurt/comfort and action/drama. I loved how Dev comes into his own, and of course the appearance of April, and SPAM.

I loved how Ward and Dev’s relationship slowly burns into something bright. They’re both nice guys, despite Ward hiding his under a grumpy façade, which is no wonder considering his past! Dev’s power is interesting, and different. His use of an axe is a lovely visual.

Hailie is a fabulous side character, who grows so much during the story. I love how she bonds to both of them, and in particular the scene where she and Dev work together.

I liked how the bad guy showdown has very real consequences, especially for Ward. The villain totally deserves his ending – very satisfying.

I love the different ways April is worked into each book, and SPAM is such a cool organisation.

5 out of 5 stars.

About Anne Barwell

Anne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with a cat with “tortitude” who is convinced that the house is run to suit her; this is an ongoing “discussion,” and to date, it appears as though Kaylee may be winning. In 2008, Anne completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra. She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as “too many.” These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of “spare time” is really just a myth. She also hosts and reviews for other authors, and writes monthly blog posts for Love Bytes. She is the co-founder of the New Zealand Rainbow Romance writers, and a member of RWNZ. Anne’s books have received honorable mentions five times, reached the finals four times—one of which was for best gay book—and been a runner up in the Rainbow Awards. She has also been nominated twice in the Goodreads M/M Romance Reader’s Choice Awards—once for Best Fantasy and once for Best Historical. Anne can be found at https://annebarwell.wordpress.com

View all posts by Anne Barwell →

This entry was posted in book review. Bookmark the permalink.