Ashwin by Kit Rocha [Review]

Ashwin (Gideon's Riders #1) by Kit Rocha
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: February 18, 2017

Gideon's Riders
1. Ashwin - Kindle
2. Deacon
3. Ivan

Kit Rocha
| Website | Twitter (Kit Rocha) | Twitter (Donna) | Twitter (Bree) | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Lieutenant Ashwin Malhotra is a Makhai soldier--genetically engineered to be cold, ruthless. Unfeeling. His commanding officers consider him the perfect operative, and they're right. Now, he has a simple mission: to infiltrate Gideon's Riders, the infamous sect of holy warriors that protects the people of Sector One.

He's never failed to execute an objective, but there's one thing he didn't anticipate--running into Dr. Kora Bellamy, the only woman to ever break through his icy exterior.

When Kora fled her life as a military doctor for the Makhai Project, all she wanted was peace--a quiet life where she could heal the sick and injured. The royal Rios family welcomed her like a sister, but she could never forget Ashwin. His sudden reappearance is a second chance--if she can manage to touch his heart.

When the simmering tension between them finally ignites, Kora doesn't realize she's playing with fire. Because she's not just falling in love with a man who may not be able to love her back. Ashwin has too many secrets--and one of them could destroy her.

Thoughts on Ashwin: Yooouuuuu guys, I'm INCREDIBLY pleased to be back in the Sectors. One is definitely a different place than Four is, but getting to see the survivors put their lives back together after the war and figure out how to live without the constant threat of Eden hanging over them makes me so happy. SO HAPPY.

Which isn't to say everything is perfect. It's not. Ashwin is still soldiering, which means there are people in Eden keeping an eye on the Sectors and everything they're building out there. There are deserters and those who would prey on the weak. And Ashwin and the other Makhai are still feared because of what they are.

BUT...things have also changed. Ashwin among them. While he's playing the part of the perfect soldier and telling himself he's doing his job, seeing Kora starts to unravel him. An unhinged Makhai is dangerous and part of Ashwin doesn't trust himself. Another part can't stay away from Kora and her gentleness.

From Kora's point of view, seeing Ashwin again gives her an opportunity she'd thought she'd never get. Honestly, I liked how Kora smoothed his rough edges. I like how he didn't have to temper himself around her because she accepted him as he was. Sure, the secrets he was keeping were a bit of a stumbling block, but THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON, RIGHT?

Things happen. AND THEY ARE GLORIOUS!

I love love love getting to see old faces and meeting new ones. Let's see where this journey takes us!