Cutting It Close

Code of Honor Series, Book 1

De: Reese Knightley

Narrado por: Troy Duran

When the only thing you're good at is running or fighting, is a second chance at love even possible?

Captain Maddox Stone is ready to put the men who messed with his family on a fast train to hell. Eliminating the enemy is the only thing he's good at anyway. He sure as hell isn't good at connecting. Of course, on the heels of that thought, his past comes walking through the door. Will he finally have the guts to explain what really happened that night so long ago?

Nothing on earth could bring Lieutenant River Seeger back to the ranch until his grandfather calls for help. With no other recourse, he returns to the Triple R, but makes it clear it's for a limited time. He's left the past behind and with it, his youthful dreams. But, since he's here, shouldn't he at least get some answers?

Two soldiers faced with the past. One man struggles with a tragic secret while the other one demands answers. What's even worse? When Maddox deploys on a mission and River takes on the kidnappers, time is running out for one of them. The only thing for certain is they're definitely cutting it close for any chance at a happy ending.

Contains mature themes.

©2019 Reese Knightley (P)2021 Tantor

enjoyed it

📖 Story comment: good pace, likeable characters, interesting plot.

I listened to all 8 books in the Code of Honor series back to back and loved every one of them. My review covers the whole series in general because there is a story arc that is built on in each book and leads into the next series (Operation Justice Force) so it's all a good fit.

The series is well developed, each story is action packed, has good pace and likeable characters. I like my books a litle longer, but overall I was happy with the series and will listen to it again.

I enjoyed Maddox and River's story, I especially enjoyed River's playful side - its not something often portrayed in an elite soldier.

🎧 Narrator comment: Troy Duran was a good choice of narrator for this series and he did a great job with the narration. Each character had his own voice and I had no problem distinguishing characters from each other and his rhythm, inflections and intonations all worked to bring the characters to life. My only negative comment would be: the secondary characters (ie: other team members) voices were often inconsistent across the series - listening to each book separately I didn't really notice, but when listened to back to back the inconsistency was noticeable.

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📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 7
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough • 5 enjoyed it • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in multiple formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]

Amazing!!!

Love this book! Reese did a phenomenal job balancing the action and suspense with the romance so that it flows together. Story definitely sucks you in from the start! Can’t wait to listen to the other books! Troy Duran was definitely a great choice for narrator. His voice fits the characters and is great at conveying emotion!

Troy Duran is the best

I loved the story and Troy Duran is the perfect narrator. Military men, second chance, MM, and a dose of action made for a great listen. I’m off to grab book 2!!!

Love these boys

One of my favorite teams. Infinity to the rescue always. And I love me some Troy Durant voice. I have the whole collection and listen to it once a year just so fascinated with the teamwork and family dynamics.

"The man"

I think this book suffered as an audio book. Troy Duran did a good job. His Maddox voice was deep and his River was the epitome of his guy next door. Unfortunately, the characters kept using the phrase "the man." He kissed the man. The man walked away. The man was left alone.

Action Packed

Really enjoyed the narrator for this one, it fit perfectly with the action vibe of the story, Love Reese's books!

Great

I read this book before and loved this story. it totally got me hooked on to the author and this series. I loved going back to this story and hearing it all over again. I never listened to this narrator before but I believe he was a great choice. His deep gravely voice is what I would picture for these strong men.

Second Chance Romance

I will start by confessing I like all of Reese knightley books and my only complaint is that no all of her books are on Audible. I read the books out of order and that was not a problem. I started with Phoenix and went backwards. Will the bodyguards books even be on Audible? This book is about the reunion of two young men who were separated by abusive parent and the shame.

Juvenile plot, by the numbers, derivative, uninvolving

This was an especially bad book. Despite competent narration, the stock plotting and unbelievable situations made the story genuinely uninvolving. Cardboard stereotypical characters. Not worth your time.

Formula military, flat story with awful dialogue

This is a series that leans heavily into alpha types with thick necks and gruff vocabularies. The story seems really dumb from the start, but once it is resolved it is crystal clear that the story was, in fact, dumb. The leads are predictable and not that interesting. Once again a gay soldier story set in Texas where everyone is ultimately sooooo accepting, when in reality we know that couldn't be further from the truth as Texas leads the nation with anti gay measures.

Troy Duran does his best with this cardboard story, no one could have saved it, and a lesser talent would have made it worse.

I appreciate on some level that so many women authors write MM in this genre, but for the love of god, meet some gay people first. If you look at the names of the five star reviews this author's audience is clearly female - again great, but this book could be MF or MM, it is that formulaic. I wouldn't recommend if you need to use a credit.