
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michelle
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review


I honestly don't know what to say or where to begin because after reading WASTED LUST by J.A. Huss, my emotions are all over the place. Julie definitely took her readers on a big emotional suspenseful roller-coaster ride. And was the ride worth it? Absolutely!! Wasted Lust was one of my most anticipated summer reads not only it was written by one of my favorite authors but also because finally our beloved smurf assassin, Sasha is finally getting her story told. And this time, Sasha, the 24 year old grad student will once again steal our hearts as she finally gets to LIVE HER LIFE.
"I have trust issues.Love issues. Reality issues."
Ten years has passed and Sasha Aston formerly known as Sasha Cherlin has grown up to be a beautiful, intelligent grad student. Everything in her life is about order and following this plan that she has expected of herself from getting herself educated and assimilating to her new family and friends. The life she lived as a former assassin and her association with The Company behind her now. Or so she thought.
"Secrets are a part of her, just like they're a part of me."

FBI Special Agent Jax Barlow appears in Sasha's life asking questions of her relations with Nick Tate and The Company. He is well aware that Nick is the son of the Admiral of The Company and his return back to the States is connected with Sasha. So Jax makes it known to Sasha that he will be keeping an eye out on her and will be surveying her every move since he knows Nick wants to make contact with her. For Sasha, Nick is a sensitive and touchy subject matter since he was promised to her and was heartbroken when he left her.
"I need the longing. I need the emptiness in my heart to remind me of what's possible. A life. Not a half-dead girl who lives in the past. But a life. A real life filled with the promise of a future."
Sasha's life has been one hell of a roller-coaster ride filled with so many ups and downs. Death, loss, revenge, hurt, anger, and pain has been part of her life. It is a burden that she shoulders and so she has trust and love issues. Her real family are all gone and dead and so the only family that she calls home is the Aston family and her small group of friends that consist of James, Harper, Merc, Sydney, Ronin, Rook, Veronica, and Spencer. These people became her adoptive family. So when Jax appeared in her life, she didn't expect slowly that he will chip and break down her walls trying to gain her trust and love.
The Jax and Sasha relationship was one that I was instantly captivated by. One minute, I was questioning the real motives of Jax and if he could really be trusted. But as I continued reading, I loved how Julie was able to show this raw and vulnerable side to Jax as he and Sasha grew closer and intimate. With the mission to bring down Nick, Sasha soon finds herself torn with the man she was promised to and to the man, who was slowly healing her heart and showing her love. Jax also finds himself in predicament because he knows if he takes down Nick, it will devastate her. So what will Special Agent Jax do?
Wasted Lust was one of those reads that I devoured in one sitting and was practically on the edge of my seat because after reading several of Julie's book, you never know what to expect or what sudden twist of events awaits for the readers. And once again, Julie took me on one emotional raw suspenseful ride. My emotions were all over the place. My heart broke for Sasha. I felt her pain and struggles as she tries to find herself. Questions about who she is will always linger and remain. Is she the assassin or the graduate student? Is she capable of love? Who does she love Nick or Jax?
"I'm so fucking sad, Jax. I've lost everything and still they find new things to take from me. And if they take Nick, that will just be the final nail in my coffin. Because if they can take the things that they already took, over and over again, then when will it stop? When will it end?"
I really don't want to spoil anything for the readers because this story is definitely one book you want to read and experience. The big question remains is The Company really gone? And the answer to that question will be finally answered in this book. All the pieces of the puzzle are finally put together and every detail, characters truth, and secrets play a vital important role into laying the bigger picture. Nothing is wasted.

Tragic, Manic, Panic, Slack, Taut, Bomb, Guns, Come, Come Back, Coming For You, Meet Me In The Dark and Three, Two, One are all neatly tied and integrated in Wasted Lust giving readers like myself one epic epilogue. Wasted Lust was a bittersweet read for me because I honestly didn't want to say goodbye to these beloved characters that has managed to capture my heart. As always, JA Huss did an amazing job writing this book. In all honesty there is nothing like reading a JA Huss book. She has a way to spellbind you with her wicked storytelling and flawed characters. She will grip you in this heart wrenching, touching and suspenseful tale of love, loss, second chances, friendship and family.

Overall, all I can say is that Wasted Lust took my heart, twisted it around, tore it to pieces, and slowly taped it back together. So if you haven’t read a book by JA Huss, I highly recommend you do. You do not want to miss an epic, heartbreaking, beautiful suspense filled romance that will have you yearning for more. What I truly love about Ms. Huss is that she writes beautiful, captivating, heartbreaking, and touching stories that grips you, touches you and stays with you. And Wasted Lust was a perfect example of this. The story-line is original, the characters were genuine and honest and the emotions were raw.

JA Huss
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