Title: Marcus
Author: Anna Hackett
Series: Hell Squad #1
Pages: 217
In the aftermath of a deadly alien invasion, a group of survivors fight to win the planet back. Elle Milton, once a socialite, has made a new role for herself as communications officer for toughest teams fighting for survival – Hell Squad. Marcus Steele is a protector. He fights to give the human race a chance to survive, which includes Elle, the one woman who he can’t stop thinking about.
“When you’re with someone, you’re supposed to lean on them. Share how you feel. In the good times and the bad.”
I loved Elle and Marcus. Elle was a socialite who conformed to her family’s expectations instead of being herself. Now she has a chance to save lives and be a better person. I love how strong she is even though she is terrified. She puts her life on the line to fight with Hell Squad and take down the aliens’ communication tower. She is beautiful, sweet, but tough as steel.
“You’re a protector, Marcus. Anyone—man, woman or child—knows that the instant they see you.”
Marcus is a protective alpha male. He is scared on the inside and out. He fights his attraction to Elle for months but he can’t ignore it after their mission together. He is such a badass but can also be very caring and kind, especially to Elle. Whenever Elle doubted herself, Marcus was there to remind her of what she has achieved and that everyone changes. That we can’t hold on to the past, just grow from it.
“We can’t erase the past, and frankly, you shouldn’t want to. It’s brought you to this point. It helped make you who you are today.”
Marcus and Elle were everything I want in a hero and heroine. I adored them and couldn’t get enough of their story. The other members of Hell Squad were fascinating and unique as well. I cannot wait to dive back into their stories and watch them fall in love again.
“You’re mine now. I’m not letting you go.” “Good, because I’m going to hold on to you too. Whatever happens, whatever we come up against.”
Hackett does an amazing job with creating unique and fascinating worlds that you get absorbed into and don’t want to leave. The aliens were so unique, creepy, and deadly that they will stick with you. I cannot get enough of this series, which is why I have read it so many times, and I cannot wait to read the rest.
“For now, we just have to find whatever light we can, hold on to it, and use it to guide us until the sun comes up.”
Trigger warnings: death of parents discussed; grief; survivors guilt; PTSD; violent death of children recounted
Red-Haired Ash Reads 