Puzzle

White House Men Series, Book 6

By: Nora Phoenix

Narrated by: John Solo

Branson loves his job as an analyst for the CIA. Working on the investigation into the assassination of the president is fascinating, and even more so when Ryder, a geeky forensic accountant without a filter, joins the team.

But Ryder doesn’t seem to like Branson. At all. And when he explains to Branson why, Branson is forced to face an uncomfortable truth in the mirror Ryder holds up. Somewhere along the way, he lost sight of who he really is.

As they make crucial breakthroughs in the investigation, Branson is determined to change and earn Ryder’s approval. It seems to work when his tentative friendship with Ryder gets benefits added to it. Really good benefits thanks to a bossy bottom who knows what he wants and Branson having just the right tool for the job.

Sparks fly high between them, and much more is at stake than Branson ever thought possible. Can he become a man worthy of Ryder’s love? Can he show Ryder, who’s got his own wounds and baggage, that he has truly changed?

Puzzle is the sixth book in the White House Men series, a continuing MM romantic suspense series set in the White House that needs to be read in order. It ends with a HEA.

©2021 Nora Phoenix (P)2021 Nora Phoenix

Nora Phoenix wrapping all the characters up

I started listening audio book 7 and from there I started from audiobook 1 all the way to today audiobook 6 took me a while but all I just love how each of these characters have grown from book one and I'm finally putting all these characters names and faces from audiobook 7
as I listen to the stories some of these characters have friends that I want their friends to have their own story so I don't know if that's possible or not but I kind of fell for all these other characters friends that were in the story for a short time

yes the sex was hot but also the story that Noah wrote for each of these characters were my tears were crying and hearing that they fell in love or how each of these man are so bonded by faith by friendship and love

Not My Favorite

This was my least favorite in the series. It wrapped up the mystery all too fast and too prettily. Everything fell into place to easily. However, definitely looking forward to the final book in the series. Great narration as usual!!!

enjoyed it - solid 4 stars

📖 Story comment: Good pace and well written characters.
I enjoyed Ryder's intelligent, adorably focused, geeky character and the interest and care Branson showed to Ryder - the banter between the characters had me smiling on more than one occasion. The ongoing investigation is solved and I felt it was a worthy conclusion for the journey we have travelled from Book 1.

🎧 Narrator comment: I enjoyed John Solo's narration and think he's done a good job narrating Puzzle. Each character had their own voice and it was easy to tell them apart, he has good timing, inflections and intonations, and he did a great performance bringing the story to life.

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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 [4⭐] • 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⭐]
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Exceptionally Wonderful Story, Series & Narration🎧

Consider me wowed, I have been loving this “White House Men” series, those White House men are all amazing, and it has been a joy to follow them, each book featured a different lead couple but some characters reappeared throughout the series and there is an ongoing storyline that runs continually throughout the series. That storyline started in the first book “Press” with a bombing at the Gay Pride Parade in NYC, an investigation of other events that happened after that bombing linked it all together, the case, an ongoing investigation is coming to a head as the two lead characters in this book, Branson & Ryder, help put the pieces together. Ryder, a forensic accountant for the CIA, a geeky numbers guy, did what he does best: he followed the money. Branson, an analyst for the CIA, helped him gather information that eventually helps solve the case. Branson and Ryder quickly became two of my favorite characters, Ryder was adorable, he gets so absorbed in his work that he has no clue what is going on around him, Branson got a kick out of that, he also liked how set in his way Ryder was and how he says what he thinks. He even mentioned something to Branson that opened his eyes about himself. One of the best things in this series is the characters and their storylines, I think I fell in love with every couple because Nora Phoenix makes it so easy to do so, her character development is phenomenal as is the world building. This book is captivating from start to end, it is a brilliantly plotted story and there is never a dull moment, it was great to watch them finally put the pieces of the puzzle together, I am looking forward to Del’s story next, I have a feeling it is going to be epic. Nora Phoenix, thank you for another amazing novel set in this wonderfully exceptional series, I am loving every minute of it.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fabulous narration, Nora Phoenix could not have cast a better narrator for this book and series. John Solo is a talented narrator and a versatile voice artist. He nails it with the character voices, giving each a voice that fits that character’s persona, sounding believable in every role he plays and just as I picture the character to sound. He sets the perfect tone for the story, masters the back-and-forth dialogue effortlessly and naturally, never forcing it at all. You could hear how much heart he puts into his work as he captures the characters’ emotions and projects them into his performance. John Solo an entertaining storyteller and the quality of his work is always top-notch and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another exceptional listen.

Closing In

I love the way Branson and Ryder sort of slide into their relationship. And while this new relationship is fun to see there is so much that is advancing the ongoing story of the terrorism. The whole book builds toward the resolution of the back story. It really draws you along.
I listened to the audio version and it really was well done and added to the enjoyment of the story.

Shallow, Improbable Story. Stilted Narrative

Sorry I wasted my credit on this one. No different from the previous stories. Pretty much a “dead horse”, overexploited story line.