Close Quarters

Isaiah Ranch

De: Romeo Alexander

Narrado por: Michael Dean

The only thing that frustrates me more than my life, is Elliot!
And the feeling is mutual.

Yes, yes, I know. I let my temper run away with me again. That's what got me locked up in the first place. I hit Riley, then Elliot and I got into a fight, and now I'm stuck with the idiot 24/7. What kind of hellish punishment is that?

I don't think I hate him, and I'll be the first to admit he's kind of hot, but God, will he ever just shut up!

Forced together and told to work out whatever this thing is between us, it turns out Elliot may be the one person in the world capable of keeping my temper at bay. He gets me. Maybe we could be good for each other. Maybe more?

Turns out we are good together, very good! He brings out a softer side of me no one has seen before, including me. I can't possibly be falling for him, can I?

But violence and death are just around the corner, and if I'd known what hell awaited us thanks to a missing flock of dumb sheep and a gang of drug runners, I might have walked away but now, it's too late.

©2024 Romeo Alexander (P)2024 Romeo Alexander

Great narration

**update to my original review**

I just listened to the audio book narrated by Michael Dean. I loved his Texas accent. He made the story come alive.

Wow, talk about opposites. Elliot and Reno are both in prison for different reasons. They were both sent on a reformed ranch. Reno has a horrible attitude, who hates everyone. Elliot has ADHD. He is high energy and speaks a lot. As a "punishment," they were both thrown today, 24-7. They were not happy about that. They constantly fight. They had one thing in common, both had a bad upbringing. It was nice seeing Reno's slow change.
This book was so good, a page turner, and emotional. It is a standalone with a HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Really good book

Reno and Elliott's story was really good read. These two are opposites but are just what the other needs. Reno and Elliot are forced to spend time together after they bump heads too many times but that is the push they need to realize they need and want each other. Michael Dean did a wonderful job bring Reno and Elliot to life. Michael Dean is one of my favorite narrators.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Opposites Attract

I enjoyed listening to this opposites attract story. Elliot and Reno had quite a bit of fun banter but emotional points also. I also enjoyed Michael Dean's great narration.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

I Enjoyed It

'I jammed my thumb at Elliot. “He gives off an aura that sucks you into his chipmunk-brained world. I’ve given up trying to keep up with it. Just gives me a headache.”
“I like how I’m the one with ADD, but it’s somehow my fault that you guys got off topic,” Elliot scowled.'

I really enjoyed this book. I loved both Elliot and Reno and the dynamic between them. They were opposites, but balanced each other out and brought out each other's better qualities. Their bickering and banter was outright funny at times and I loved the grumpy/sunshine personalities. And their chemistry was scorching. <3 I also loved the supporting characters.

Michael Dean did a great job bringing these characters to life. I especially loved his voice for Elliot and that southern accent! I just found his personality all the more charming by listening to him.

Overall: 4 stars
Performance: 4 stars
Story: 4 stars

Enemies to lovers

Reno lets his temper get in the way takes it too far with Riley. Leon decides that the best thing for him and Elliot is to room together, work together and be constant companions. Elliot is a constant talker and it is not long before he sets Reno off, their fight turns into something more.

Elliot just might be the one person that Reno needs in his life. Reno might be the one to keep the gremlin in Elliot's head at bay. The pair have such chemistry and learn to work well each other. The each have a support system that was lacking in their early lives. The narrator does a better job with this one over the first, it is easier to tell each character apart.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Romance and action/survival

Book two in a series but can stand alone. Prickly Reno and boisterous Elliot get paired up as a result of an incident at the Isaiah Ranch, a place where prisoners get a chance to work their way up in a sort of work parole situation.
As they learn to tolerate one another and find they get along, and their attraction becomes explosive. Meanwhile, peril lurks in the future where they have to survive to be together.
Michael Dean’s voice performance, as always, is fantastic.

Was fine until the end

This book is well written. However, I became uncomfortable with the introduction of the Spanish drug cartel. I feel like the book reinforces negative stereotypes about Latinx immigrants and doesn’t portray the struggle of Latinx immigrants in a humanizing way. Latinx immigrants are often fleeing persecution, famine, genocide, poverty, and violence at home. They seek refuge in the U.S. and go through great lengths to work hard to provide for their families at home. This portrayal of Latinx immigrants feeds into a negative narrative that they’re the violent bad guys who are a threat to Americans, meanwhile we’re the ones who are making their countries inhabitable. I refused to finish the book knowing that the racial stereotypes would only agitate me.