Review of Cage by Harper Sloan

[Barbara Ann RS]

After reading Axel, the first book in the Corps Security series, I was looking forward to getting Greg Cage’s story. Even though Axel and Izzy’s romance is featured in the first book, Cage is still a main character who plays an important role throughout the story. He is one of Izzy and Dee’s best friends, and fiercely protective of them.

He was there when Izzy finally has the courage to leave her abusive husband. and stands by her side throughout the entire book.  However, Cage has his own demons and guilt that he carries around. We briefly get a bit of background about Cage, in the first book but  only enough to entice us to find out more about this tough alpha male with a heart of gold.

I strong recommend that you read Axel first because Cage picks up right where Axel ended and the main characters that were introduced still play prominent enough roles with hints as to their future stories that I think if you skip the first book you not only may be lost, you will miss out on the rich character development and significance of the drama that carries over to Cage.

After reading Axel, I knew what to expect from Sloan’s writing style with clipped, fragmented syntax for emphasis, use of strong language, and sizzling love scenes. However, Cage surprised me because there were significantly more erotic scenes throughout the entire book, even starting in the first chapter. If Axel sizzles, Cage is scorching hawt! 

As Cage’s character becomes fully developed, I was slightly surprised by some aspects of his personality that emerge. He is depicted as the same alpha male we met in the first book, loyal to his friends, protective of women, especially after what happened to his sister, Grace, and just a downright sweet guy. Yet, in this book we also see a different side of Cage that remained hidden in first book.  Cage is a man who is tender to the two most important women in his life, Izzy and Dee, and will do anything for them. On the other hand, he can be brusque to women who attempt to encroach upon his personal space. This is especially true for Mandy, who is obsessed with Cage and doesn’t seem to understand that he only spends time with her for their mutual sexual gratification.

When Cage meets Izzy’s friend, Melissa he is captivated by her beauty and that, unlike most women, she doesn’t swoon over him. She seems resistant to his charm and poses a challenge that he is eager and more than willing to accept. Indeed, Melissa does her best to avoid developing relationships with men. She has her own painful past to contend with, and, in her eyes, men are despicable creatures who will only hurt you. She tries hard to resist Cage who is persistent about letting Melissa know she intrigues him and brings out his lusty side as well.  His seductive charm makes it impossible to resist him, so she decides that there’s no harm in having a one stand with Cage, to scratch an itch and move on.  When I first meet Melissa, a nurse for a local pediatrician, she seems so mild-mannered that I am caught off guard by this bold, brassy, fearless woman capable of putting Cage in his place. Her brazen flirtation with Cage only heats the flame simmering between them.

Not surprisingly with their combustible chemistry and how much they have in common, one night just isn’t enough. Yet, no matter how drawn she is to Cage, Melissa has no intentions of allowing this man, or any other, for that matter, into her life. Plus, Melissa has family complications that require much of her free time. Family comes first with her, and she is reluctant to share her problems with Cage because she’s so used to shouldering her burdens alone. She doesn’t expect Cage to want anything more than casual sex.

In the past,  Cage has always shied away from commitments with women, but from the moment he meets Melissa, he knows she's different.

“Having her in my arms feels like I’m coming home…My body wants her; that is no secret, but the level of want is borderline craving. I need her. Needing someone is not something I am used to. No, I am used to being needed…something this woman clearly doesn’t want.”

Over and over, Cage proves that he is different from any man she has ever known. Cage wants to be there for her, to know she's not alone and he's willing to help whenever she needs him, and as they spend more and more time together, Cage slowly begins to open Melissa's closed off heart.

Unfortunately, Cage is keeping a secret from Melissa, fearing that once she learns the truth, she will not forgive him. Yet, as we all know, keeping secrets can hurt a relationship down the road, and can create a crack in what is otherwise a solid relationship. From this point on, the plot intensifies leading to a suspenseful conclusion and held my attention throughout.

So far, I’m enjoying the series and look forward to the next installment and am eager to find out whose story will be featured in the third book. In addition to creating likable dynamic characters, Sloan has aroused my curiosity to know more about the evolving subplots simmering in the background for now.

I received a copy of this book from the author to provide an honest review.

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