Hearts on the Line by T.A. Chase

Baxter and Addison are meant to die, but their love for each other won’t let them choose that future.

In 2134, the United States of America no longer exists as the super power it once was. Americans struggle to fight to keep from being completely conquered by their enemies. Scientists have begun to genetically engine soldiers to fight the war. These men were stronger, faster, and more impervious to injuries. The soldiers are created in labs, then once they are birthed, they are shipped to compounds where they are trained from their very first breath to fight.

Baxter and Addison are two such soldiers. They are from different compounds, but serve in the same unit. Baxter isn’t the most intelligent of the soldiers, and he knows it. His job is to kill the bad guys, and not to do anything else. Addison understands his place in the world, but he finds he wants more at times. He doesn’t want to just be a killer. He wants to have some other kind of life, and he’s discovered he wants his life to be with Baxter.

When their unit decides to make a desperate run for the border and freedom, Baxter and Addison only have the certainty of their love to get them through the dangers they are about to face.

Publisher's Note: This book has previously been released elsewhere. It has been revised and re-edited for re-release with Pride Publishing.

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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆
T.A. Chase is a new-to-me author.

Hearts on the Line is a futuristic, military romance set in a dystopian world. Addison and Baxter are the narrators, both genetically engineered soldiers in the war to protect humans. I need to state, Addison and Baxter are human, but considered cannon fodder.

Bred for brains, Addison is in charge of his grouping of soldiers, stationed in a new location, beneath a human who would rather they expire in the war than grace his area. Baxter is Addison's underling – the disposable muscle.

I had a difficult time starting the novel. The reader is thrust into a military operation without getting a feel of the characters or the world building. Then just as fast, the romance starts. Instead of slowly seeing, learning there is a connection between Addison and Baxter, it already exists, so the reader doesn't feel the connection. Without tension, the reader is simply told an intense connection exists and to accept it, without seeing it.

Hearts on the Line is a military, science fiction romance, meaning the military and science fiction aspects are interrupted with bizarre inner monologues about romance. This is probably the only time I will say this, as it's a pet peeve of mine when a book relies heavily on steam – I wish the book had been lustier to keep my interests.

Frankly, the novel wasn't for me. While it wasn't my cup of tea, that doesn't mean others won't go head-over-heels for the story. The writing felt stilted to me, without a draw to keep me engaged. I felt like I was in the middle of a book at the start, with the author playing catch-up to inform me what had happened in the beginning I missed. A lot of world building and background information was told, not shown, within a few pages, making it so I never truly connected. I felt like I was missing a book, or the book itself needed to start earlier for the characters.

Recommended to MM romance fans, particularly those who enjoy futuristic military romances that are more fade-to-black, instead of steamy and tension-filled.

There is beauty in every kind of love, so why not live a life without boundaries? Experiencing everything the world offers fascinates TA and writing about the things that make each of us unique is how she shares those insights. When not writing, TA's watching movies, reading and living life to the fullest.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Hearts on the Line by T.A. Chase to read and review.