The Grave Between Us: M|M Romantic Suspense (A Noah & Cole Thriller Book 2)

Excellent sequel to The Murder Between Us. Loved the characters, Noah and Cole. They were so freaking awesome together. So into each other. They looked out for each other. So glad they had each other in every sense. Sex scenes were swoon worth! Ha. Cole's backstory was very interesting. Loved it!!!!

The Grave Between Us (Noah & Cole Thriller Book 2) Tal Bauer 2021 378 pages Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ MM Thriller/Suspense Romance Plot: When Cole Kennedy began his career as a FBI profiler, his mission was to catch the bad guys. Reunite families and rescue damsels in distress. He was idealistic and naive. Stupid. Cole has faced countless criminals in the interrogation room over the years and quickly learned that working with murders is no picnic. But none of them were ever quite like Ian. Ian Ingram is evil in a way most people can’t imagine. Eight years ago, Cole spent many weeks interviewing the psycho killer and playing creepy mind games in an attempt to uncover the extent of his crimes. When it comes to Ian, nothing is ever straightforward or easy. The experience changed them both forever. Ian became obsessed. Cole began to doubt himself. Then Ian escaped from his shackles and disappeared into the wilderness, leaving a string of bodies in his wake. And then, silence. Eventually, Cole quit looking over his shoulder and moved on. He fell in love with Agent Noah Downing. Found something and someone to live for. He moved to Iowa, for Pete’s Sake. You only do that if you really, really love someone. Ian Ingram was gone from Cole’s mind and memories, hopefully for good. Until he wasn’t. Suddenly, Ian has resurfaced, and he’s left his signature calling card. The killer is on the hunt again and this time it’s Noah he’s after. Working with Ian nearly broke Cole the last time, and Cole knows the only way to catch a serial killer is to understand him, to dive deep into his mind and learn just what makes him tick. There’s an empty grave out there with Noah’s name on it, and Cole will have to push himself harder than ever if he hopes to save the love of his life. First Take: Whoa. This one got me. I LOVED it. If you, too, felt strangely fascinated by getting inside the mind of a serial killer in book one (via Cole’s super-interesting profiler insights) … just you wait. Things go absolutely bananas this time around. It’s next level. The Grave Between Us is dark. It’s twisty. It’s suuuuper cringey (because serial killers are icky). But it’s so, so good. I could not put this book down. I don’t usually order my romances with a side of psychological thriller but I was beyond thrilled with this one. The push and pull between Cole and his arch nemesis was brutally captivating. It was like watching a tennis match on steroids. I. Could. Not. Look. Away. And I was desperate to know how it all ended. Praises: This book is super creepy. It’s a story about the many different faces of love, and how it can be used for good or twisted into evil. This constant contrast between romantic love and toxic love made for a really interesting exploration into how feelings motivate people into action, sometimes with disastrous results. The characters are interesting and achingly human, and the mind games & cringey dialogue will have you squirming in your seat. One of my critiques about book one in this series is that the mystery and romance felt a little rushed. That’s not a problem this time around. For one, this story is altogether different (see below). I’m happy to report that the pacing here is perfection, and Bauer really takes his time getting the reader into the right mindset before going straight for the jugular. It’s a perfect series for Spooky Season. Critiques: I’d caution against going into this one thinking it’s a romance novel. It’s really more of a psychological thriller with a side of romance. Sometimes that romance is nice, sometimes it’s perverse. But the strength of the love between Noah and Cole is what grounds the entire novel, and you will spend your time clinging desperately to those sweet moments in the midst of the darkness. Also, yikes. Beware of triggers. This one is full of them. Prose: 3rd person POV from Cole and, less frequently, Noah. Tal Bauer is a master at presenting a character’s thoughts and feelings and motivations. He expertly uses the past as a window into the soul and deftly weaves in a series of flashbacks that demonstrate exactly how we get from point A to point B. Steam: 💜💜💜 I’m not entirely sure how to rate this one, because there is not a ton of sweetly steamy romance between our heroes, but we do get to spend some time inside the mind of a serial killer, which is an altogether different type of place. Cliffhanger: No cliffhanger. HEA. Memorable quotes: Noah had drawn a heart over his sink in dry-erase marker. Would they ever not be ridiculous about each other? Would this hummingbird heart he had for Noah ever slow down? He hoped not. He loved loving Noah. “There’s a hole inside of me. I call it my grave. It’s where I put the things I’ve seen that can’t be described. The things I can’t talk about or share. The grave sits between me and the rest of the world. Even between you and me.” Stand-Alones, Prequels, Sequels, & Tangents: Book two of the Noah & Cole Thriller duology. You will need to read them in order, so start with book one, The Murder Between Us.

This starts eight months after book one. It brings back a serial killer from Cole's past that got away. Its been a long time since Cole thought of him, but when the man cokes back its with vengeance. The man rips Cole's world apart going after Noah at first. However Noah is the one that discovers the killers actual target when Cole and his former boss have tunnel vision of the past. A killer who escaped years ago wanting to destroy Cole. I loved most all of this book. The family that Cole found with Noah and Katie especially. The love that they have and the way Noah saved Cole this time around. He didn't take no for an answer when he was being pushed away for safety. He took on so much in order to get to Cole in time. Loved their wedding at the end and how they are recovering. Loved this so much I bought it.

Riveting and terrifying, the second book in the Noah & Cole Thriller series, The Grave Between Us, is a detailed heart pounding romantic suspense novel that leaves you torn between never wanting to put the book down and needing to take breaks to cope with the intensity. In true Tal Bauer fashion, you are quickly drawn into the unfolding story. The well-developed characters brim with intense emotions while descriptive phrases like “Mist hung between the thick tree trunks, wet, frigid claws that scratched down his spine,” fully immerse you in angst as the story progresses. Noah and Cole are quickly introduced to the book’s third main character, Ian, a serial-killer from Cole’s past – the one predator who got away from the brilliant FBI profiler. Masterfully switching back and forth between present and past, the author reveals Cole and Ian’s interactions eight years prior, and incorporates that history into Ian’s current, terrifying presence in their lives. While he explores the predator’s twisted thoughts and actions, the author also vividly portrays the effects of primary and secondary trauma on law enforcement officers and their families. The Grave Between Us is an intense emotional journey that leaves you wrung out and desperate for more as you wonder whether Noah and Cole will find and stop Ian before he destroys their fledgling family.

It took me a week to finish this after it's release but let me tell you, I didn't want to put it down! Tal mixes terror and romance like nothing I've ever seen. Am I reading because it's horrifying or am I reading because I love the characters? Well BOTH if I'm honest LOL. I went into this book not having read the blurb (it's a thing I do with his books because I trust his writing) and boy was it a ride full of whiplash! I know this sounds like a wild, possibly negative review but IT IS NOT! I PROMISE! It was incredible to see Noah, Cole and Katie again. And what plays out in this book (no spoilers of course) makes me only love them more! Their relationships are beautiful. Tal knows how to make a reader fall head over heels for the characters in his books. They become very personal to you. This was no exception. I screamed, I slammed my phone/kindle down more than once, and I definitely couldn't tear my eyes away because WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT?! I don't know about you but I LOVE that in a book. I can't wait for the next time we catch up with these two. I promise if you open up this book, you won't be disappointed. It's unlike anything I've read before. Is it a romance? Absolutely. Is it a thriller? One hundred percent. What's better than that?!

I just finished another one of Tal Bauer’s amazing masterpieces. I’m truly blown away by the intensity of this gripping psychological thriller. A must read and deserves the top spot on your TBR. Unlike in the first book in the series (The Murder Between Us) the angst in this story is triggered by the focus on the plot rather than the relationship of the MCs. Noah and Cole take on the challenge of apprehending one of the most gruesome and depraved serial killers I’ve ever read about. Amidst discussions about marriage and planning a future, a dark part of Cole’s past resurfaces and threatens their hard-won happiness. The author supplies us with glimpses into the killer’s mind which filled me with disgust and fascination in equal measure. A truly magnificent reading experience.

Noah and Cole’s story in the first book was so good, there was plenty of nail biting suspense, lots of heartfelt romance, so many encounters with wonderful family and friends. I admit, going into this one, I thought to myself ‘how can Tal possibly top that?’ Top it he did. This story was creepy, crude and not just nail biting - it was full on rip the nails outta the nail beds in anxiety. All with a side of perfect romance. Ian has got to be one of the best (worst) and most sadistic bad guys I’ve ever encountered in a story, his sick perversions were truly terrifying. I knew the big moment would arrive where one of them would be within Ian’s clutches.. but even though I saw it coming I was so tense and anxious until things were resolved. As much as I loved these stories (I really did) I do hope to not see a Noah and Cole adventure ever again. I feel like they’ve had more than their share of professional excitement and torment - now they just need to be the boring federal agents solving soybean crimes living a happy life together!!

The suspense, the nail-biting thrill, the chilling story arch, everything is so greatly depicted. I couldn't stop the thoughts and the tears as I read it throughout the night. Amazing depiction of the serial killer narrative and all the hardships they had to face to get their peaceful ending. Great read!

Another very good book by Tal Bauer. The sequel to Murder Between Us. We get to know what happens between our special agents, and that is a lot.

I couldn't put this book down! The suspense was palpable and the romance intense. Really enjoyed both books and would highly recommend!