Brian has spent his life on the outside. Huntsmen are born in pairs, always having someone at their back. Brian’s twin died at birth and being a single Huntsman is not easy, and having the nicknames Bareback and Jinx have left Brian with the need to get away from his overprotective family. Moving to a small town seemed like the perfect idea; but that was before he found himself the only witness to a murder. Caught up in a town full of secrets, Brian finds himself getting closer to Joe, a lieutenant on the local police force. Forced to work together to keep Brian safe and find out who’s responsible for the brutal murders, Joe and Brian discover more than the evil lurking in town. Can they find out the truth and stop the terror before it stops them? And will Joe be able to accept who and what Brian is?

Bareback is the second book in The Huntsmen series, and having read and enjoyed the first book, I was looking forward to continuing the story of these intriguing men. In Bareback we’re introduced to Brian. Having lost his brother at birth, he’s an oddity, but with the love and support of his family, he’s made it to adulthood. Amber Green has woven a world all too believable; with her Huntsmen and Hydes she has given us a dark tale of terror and courage. Huntsmen are just one step away from Hydes, but with their strong beliefs they have maintained a well ordered world, a world that fits seamlessly into the one around them. Keeping their existence a secret isn’t easy, and they face discovery every day. But with a close community the huntsmen have continued to thrive. Ms. Green’s talent in storytelling jumps off every page, Bareback has such depth that I found myself completely engrossed and unable to put the book down. Brian’s young and vulnerable but still has an underlining strength that has seen him survive life alone. Being Bareback or Jinx as he’s nicknamed, has kept him from connecting too closely to anyone other than family, but his slide into caring for Joe is inevitable. The chemistry between these two goes from simmering to a full out boil in no time, and the fact that Joe is straight doesn’t stop it. Obviously Joe isn’t as straight as he likes to believe, and his internal struggle over his attraction to Brian shows a depth of understanding not many authors are able to convey. While these two fight their way through emotions and confusion, they’re faced with the very real terror escalating around them. Joe’s family adds color to an already colorful story, and the closeness of his friends expands this tale into a solid book well worth reading. Ms. Green has done a wonderful job with Bareback, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying this complex and intriguing tale.

Reviewed by: Rachel C.