The Catt's Meow

The Hitman's Guide to Tying the Knot Without Getting Shot - Alice Winters (The Hitman's Guide, book 3)

Synopsis

Leland Is a nice little wedding with Blow-up Randy and Jackson My Love too much to ask for? Clearly, because someone’s trying to kill one of us… again. Generally, this would be my thing and I would jump right in singing my murder song, but they want Jackson dead and I will do anything (and I mean anything) to keep him alive—including and not limited to: ten Dobermans, bulletproof glass, and dragging Cassel in with the promise of more Jerebear. These people have no idea what they’ve done targeting the man I love because I’m coming after them. But when it feels like everything might be lost, I start to understand that I have a family now who will stand by my side and do everything they can to make sure we end this on our terms.

Jackson When someone attacks me, it’s clear they want something from me. The issue is that I have no idea who they are or what they’re after. And if I don’t figure it out soon, I’m afraid Leland is going to smother me with his overprotectiveness (or put me in a bubble at the top of a tower). The issue is that time is ticking and with the price tag on my head, there’s no telling who is coming for me or when. Together, Leland and I have to decipher who is telling the truth in this game of life or death because I have plans to marry the man of my dreams and no one is going to stop me—especially with Leland by my side.

This 100k word book contains humor, action, romance, bad behavior on a golf course, sort of abducting a child who lacks kung fu power, enough car chases and shooting to make even Leland happy, and spontaneous singing.

My Thoughts

A idle Leland makes for a very, very annoying Leland. I’m usually very amused by his brand of chaos, but I’m finding that enough is enough. It’s not that I want him to be less unhinged – I do like him unhinged – I think I’m just quite tired with the over the top silly antics, and everyone around him falling for it every time. At some point, learning to manage the antics has to happen, or nothing else can be taken seriously.

All that being said, when Leland is focused on something – in this case, finding out who’s trying to have Jackson killed – he’s on point and unbelievably focused. All while also planning their wedding. (As someone who fully gave up on planning a wedding, major kudos, because that shit is stressful and infuriating.)

The last couple of books have done deep dives into Leland’s past, which made for an interesting twist when the tables are turned on Jackson. Jackson hasn’t spoken much about his time in the military, and now we know why. And we also know that this has a connection to the hit out on his head. And Leland isn’t about to let that stand.

I’m familiar with the pattern now, which meant I was able to see the twist before it came. That also meant I was able to read in anticipation of when Leland and Jackson would figure it out. And their reaction was exactly what I expected it to be.

All in all, this is a very fun, medium-stakes action-filled adventure series. While Leland’s antics are starting to get annoying for me, I can still enjoy the levity of his character, and the story this series is telling.

The Hitman's Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes - Alice Winters (Hitman's Guide, book 2)

Synopsis

Jackson

Now that Leland’s decided to give up his life as a hitman and take a walk on the mild side, we’ve been enjoying a simple life of taking down bad guys the legal way. I didn’t know he would be just as reckless as a PI, but it’s not my fault if I happen to enjoy helping him hunt down the occasional criminal. If only I could keep the house from being overrun by Leland’s gun shrine—or stop him from making our cases “more exciting” by terrorizing people into confessing. Overall, life seems perfect, right?

Wrong.

We’ve been called in to investigate a suspicious murder committed by someone claiming to be the Sandman. When we find a note on the victim’s body, we realize that this could ruin our lives forever.

Leland

I wasn’t involved in the murder. It might look like my writing and my note, but I wouldn’t do that to Jackson—especially after I promised him that I wouldn’t take a hit ever again. At least, not without telling him. I’m finally starting to learn that we’re stronger together, and I’m not going to jeopardize that.

Luckily for both of us, this copycat doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. Game’s on, fake Sandman. You think you can mess with me? Well, maybe you can, but that’s beside the point, because I will protect Jackson no matter what, even if I almost drown him in the process. (Really, that wasn’t my fault. He should learn how to swim better.)

This 110k word book contains: Disco ball pinata, camping with Sasquatch, an acrobatic housekeeper named “Mr. Cleanyface,” a questionable massage table, weapons everywhere, Jackson’s nemesis—the fence, a turkey showdown, aerial silk antics, a reappearance of Blow-up Randy, over-the-top body armor, too many hitmen, and so many emotions that Leland’s chest might explode. This is the second book in a series—while you could read and enjoy it on its own, you really should read The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love for maximum enjoyment.

My Thoughts

We find Leland and Jackson in a new house, with Leland now working full-time as a detective for Leland’s agency. Following the events of the first book, Jackson’s realized that Leland can’t quite give up all of the tricks of the hitman trade as easily as they thought he could. And it’s a good thing Leland has been keeping his skills sharp, too.

There’s a copycat out there following in Leland’s footsteps, and even leaving the same calling card after a kill – a note signed by the Sandman. While Leland is very much retired (mostly), having another Sandman running around is very, very dangerous. But mostly, Leland just wants to know who is doing it, and why.

And finding those answers is, honestly, quite terrifying. Leland’s past come back to haunt him – almost literally – in a very big way, which puts everyone he cares about at risk. And from that moment on, it’s really just constant motion. There’s barely a moment for anyone to breathe as Jackson and Leland focus on keeping their loved ones safe.

Again, there’s a rather big twist that I really should have seen coming, but didn’t. Winters is pretty great at diverting my attention just enough so that I don’t see the gigantic red flag waving right in front of my face. It certainly keeps me on my toes!

In the end, our ragtag team comes out on top – and they’ve made a new friend along the way! Another hitman who was trained by the man who trained Leland. Cassel is going to be a very interesting addition to the detective agency, and very likely the reason Jackson finally loses his mind. Leland on his own his enough chaos personified – but now there’s another person with a very similar brand of chaos. It’s going to be a very, very interesting ride going forward.

The Hitman's Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love - Alice Winters (The Hitman's Guide, book 1)

Synopsis

What happens when a snarky hitman and a by-the-book PI cross paths?

Leland Being a hitman has its perks, but I never thought getting an accidental mooning by an attractive PI while he’s caught on a fence would be one of them. While it’s not exactly love at first sight, he’s captured my interest and won’t let go.

Suddenly, I find myself caught in a game of cat and mouse, determined to attract the attention of Jackson, the PI who should be my enemy. He pretends like he’s not flattered by my flowers and the mentions of my totally-not-fictitious blow-up doll Randy (or was it Dandy?), but I know better. Why else would he be teaming up with me to bring down Hardek, one of the city’s most ruthless criminals?

Jackson Even though the cops are telling me that the hitman is a notorious contract killer, I can’t help but admit that I’m drawn to him. He’s funny, charismatic, and attractive. There’s no way this ridiculous man can be the person the cops are after.

But when Leland ends up at my doorstep injured, I’m faced with a tough choice. It’s my duty to hand him over to law enforcement, but my heart has other plans. I want to keep him. To protect him. To be with him.

Though one question remains: why in the world does the man have so many d*mn guns?

Contains: shenanigans on a swing that you would NOT find at a playground, a car chase that sadly doesn’t have flips or explosions, a horsey ride sans horse, cuddles, an exuberant mutt, a suspicious chief of police, and lots and lots of laughs.

My Thoughts

My first impression of Leland is that he’s completely unhinged in possibly the best way. A killer who takes out the trash, he’s highly skilled, but bored. And that makes him dangerous not only to himself, but to everyone around him. Which is why Jackson is such a good balance for him.

Where Leland is pure chaos, Jackson is pure control. Jackson has his ducks in a row, and he takes his job as a private investigator very seriously. Encountering Leland while on a job throws all of that completely off kilter. And even knowing that Leland is a hitman, he can’t bring himself to turn him in.

Their dynamic is a true delight. It’s a dynamic I’ve become accustomed to with Alice Winters, and I love it so much. Leland is pure chaotic sunshine, and Jackson is just straight up grumpy. They’re drawn to each other, and learn how to navigate the case they’ve found themselves both working on together in the most unhinged way I could possibly ever imagine. And I love it so much. It’s honestly never a dull moment with these two.

As they work together to solve the case, I honestly didn’t see the big twist coming, though I feel like I should have. I was so distracted by Leland and Jackson and their budding romance, I kind of developed a tunnel vision just for them.

In the end, they really did prove to make an incredible team. Even with Jackson coming to terms with Leland’s darker side (look, he has incredible skills, and there’s no reason he shouldn’t use them to their benefit), and Leland learning to live a life outside of the self-described monster he was abused into becoming, I have a feeling their work as private investigators is going to keep everyone they encounter on their toes for a very, very long time.