His Fateful Heap of Days (More Heat Than the Sun Series Book 8)
John Wiltshire
2021
237 pages
Overall Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
MM Thriller/Suspense Romance
Plot: Ben & Nik's Unofficial Rules of Engagement: Rule #1: Never deny a soldier the opportunity to put his survival skills to use.
Nikolas Mikkelson spent his entire life clawing his way out of the darkness by his fingernails. Now, for the first time, he is content. And that terrifies him. Nik’s life is alarmingly domestic. No one is trying to kill him. Or Benjamin Rider. And even though their partnership is stronger than ever, Nik is fast approaching the mid-century mark, and it makes him wonder– what could Ben possibly see in an old geyser like him? He’s lost his edge, and he knows it.
It’s time to take control of the situation, and the perfect opportunity arises when Ben & Nik discover some human remains on the border of their property. What this mystery needs is a general to oversee its resolution, and Nik is nowhere close to retirement. The moors of Dartmoor are a dangerous place, after all, and someone needs to organize the troops.
First Take: My favorite thing about this series is how every book is completely different, and yet they all come together to make a thrillingly cohesive story. This time, we get a pagan ritual mystery to solve (which contrasts interestingly with the previous book in this series), as well as a bit of a history lesson. I really enjoyed carousing around the moors with Ben, Nik, Squeezy, and Tim as they put their special forces skills to work to crack the case. While many of the books in this series are pretty heavy and serious, things take a much lighter tone on this adventure and there is so much humor. I was constantly cracking up– and I loved it!
Characters: Ben Rider knows he has a lot to atone for. He nearly made one of the biggest mistakes of his life, and it’s his new mission to show Nik he’s all in. Fully committed. But talking to Nik and proving his devotion is difficult, since the man rarely says anything that makes any sense. He knows he has nothing of real value to offer Nik, and what could he possibly give a man who already has everything? Nikolas Mikkelson is dreading his next birthday, which will tip him firmly into the ‘old man’ category. Although Ben is everything, he’s also so young. And Nik can no longer ignore the creaking in his joints or the grey in his hair (though unlimited money is some help in the ageing department).
We also get to see a lot of Tim & Squeezy! I still don’t exactly understand their relationship, but I love them anyway.
Praises: I never thought I’d use the word ‘caper’ to discuss a book in this series, but here we are. And that’s what this book is: a fairly lighthearted, crime-solving, mystery caper. Of course, there’s also some sinister, witchy elements that add a little danger to the mix, but this book was just fun in an entirely different way than the survival adventures we are used to when it comes to Ben & Nik. This book also gives us a glimpse into some of the other people in Ben & Nik’s lives, particularly their friendships with Tim & Squeezy-- I really enjoyed all the male bonding. But probably the best thing? I’ve always had a secret fear that Nik is a robot (not literally, of course, but in his soul) and for the first time we really get to see a man who is vulnerable and scared like the rest of us! He really does have a human side.
Critiques: Honestly, I don’t know that I have any criticisms here, except that there is one small part that felt just a bit over the top, but I didn’t care because John Wiltshire is soo good at making it feel possible anyway. The climax of the story where the mystery is solved felt a tad rushed, I suppose. But I’m really just being nitpicky at this point.
Prose: Dual 3rd person POV Nik & Ben. This story is told primarily from Nik’s viewpoint (don’t fret, we hear plenty from Ben, too), and I never get tired of being in his brain. Nik is such an adorable weirdo. As always, the dialogue and banter is superb, and I love that Ben & Nik’s focus has shifted somewhat from day-to-day survival in favor of future life pursuits as we start to wrap this series up. *Cue tears*
Steam: 4/5 Steam takes a bit of a backseat this time.
Trigger Warnings: Hardly any! A brief bit of violence. Never thought I’d see the day. Overall, this series is a trigger warning cesspool. But as the series ages along with Ben & Nik, we are seeing our heroes settle comfortably into the lives of more emotionally mature, grounded men who resist conflict instead of going out to danger-hunt.
Tropes: Opposites Attract, Athlete Hero, Alpha Hero, Shared Past, Boss/Employee, Workplace Romance, Age Gap, Dominant Alpha, Betrayal, Bi Hero, Circle of Friends, Secrets & Lies, Partners in Fighting Crime, Trauma
Swear Jar: 5/5 Even Nik swears a little in this one!
Cliffhanger: HFN, mild cliffhanger.
Memorable quotes:
Nikolas called Ben his true twin. They could not be less alike in so many ways, but sometimes, in a few precious moments like these, they had an almost otherworldly connection.
Sometimes even he and his carefully laid plans and strategies for deception were entirely undone by the genuine depth of love he held for Ben Rider.
For the first time, it occurred to Nikolas that love wasn’t weakness. Love didn’t leave you vulnerable. If it did, then you were in love with the wrong person.
Worthy of a reread? Yes, obviously.
Stand-Alones, Prequels, Sequels, & Tangents: Book 8 in the More Heat Than the Sun series. Each book follows the exploits of Ben and Nik and must be read in order. Begin with Love is a Stranger. Next up in the series: The Bright and Hungry Future of Hawks.
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There are 9 books in this series.
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