REVIEW: Unwanted by Jennifer Estep

In Unwanted (Elemental Assassin #14.5) by Jennifer Estep, Recent events have given Finnegan Lane a lot to think about. Especially where his family is concerned. After making decisions that led to the harm of others, including his own foster sister, assassin Gin Blanco, Finn is determined to try to do right by those he cares for and those that were hurt because of his foolish actions. It will never happen again if he has anything to say about it.

‘She might be an assassin, but Gin Blanco was far and away the best person I knew.
And I’d failed her miserably.’

Family secrets may have blinded Finn for a while but his eyes are now open to the evil around him and what is truly at stake. So when he aims to be there to support the family of one of his bank’s security guards during their grief, he in turn ends up protecting them from thugs out for blood and money. Finn will have to use his extensive training and resources to ensure he can keep those around him safe from further harm.

‘It was a sad, sad day when you couldn’t even bribe people with sugar to be civil to you.
Yep, it was official. I, Finnegan Lane, was the most unwanted man in Ashland.’

Fan favorite Finn Lane gets his own novella in Unwanted, which finds Gin’s handsome foster brother dealing with the aftermath of his recent decisions and becoming the least liked person in Ashland–for now.

At about one hundred pages, this was a quickie of a story. Basically, it was enough to tide us over until Unraveled (book fifteen) comes out in a couple of months. It was nice to get Finn’s POV for a change and see what he really thinks about Gin, Bria and the rest of the crew. This story, though, is set about three weeks after a huge event from the previous book which pretty much shattered Finn’s world and his relationship with his co-workers at the bank. Needless to say you’ll want to read Bitter Bite (book fourteen) before checking this one out.

Without giving away any spoilers, I can tell you that due to the events at the end of the previous book this was a rather somber, heavy story. Okay. So there is always a dark, gritty edge to this series, but it was a little tough to see Finn so down and unsure about himself. He’s typically a charmer who can talk his way through anything. This time it was actually Gin and Bria who were trying to keep his spirits up and make sure he was taken care of instead of the other way around like normal. At least this did end with Finn gaining back a little confidence and feeling like he was finally able to help out after his previous error in judgement.

I think Unwanted will be just enough to keep Elemental Assassin fans happy until we can get back into the thick of things with Gin and her group of friends while they continue to rid Ashland of its evil underground.

Book Info:

 Published July 18th 2016 | by Pocket Star | Elemental Assassin #14.5

The New York Times bestselling Elemental Assassin series continues with a new e-novella–from the point of view of Finnegan Lane, the foster brother of Gin Blanco, and a fan favorite of readers of the series.

The fallout from his disastrous “family reunion” in Bitter Bite has left Finn feeling hurt, angry, and depressed. He can barely stand to look at himself in the mirror, much less eat any of the delicious barbecue from Gin’s famed Pork Pit restaurant.

But when the funeral for a slain security guard at his bank turns into a showdown with some nasty underworld giants, Finn knows that he must act in order to protect an innocent family.

Finnegan Lane might be the most unwanted man in Ashland these days, but he’s determined to try to make amends for his past mistakes…