Real Risk

West Coast Forensics, Book 3

By: Elle Keaton

Narrated by: Michael Dean

It's possible they're a match, but first the two men will have to survive trial by fire.

Chief Flynn is fighting smoke and flames, tirelessly protecting the lives and property of his fellow islanders from yet another spate of fires.

Arson or accident?

When injury puts him on the sidelines, West Coast Forensics Arson Investigator Kimball Frye offers his assistance. Frye is the most irritating man in the world, a condescending know-it-all who rubs Devon the wrong way.

Or does he?

Decades ago, an arsonist stole his family from him; since then, Frye has devoted his life to putting them behind bars. At 49, he doesn't believe in permanent relationships, instead preferring the company of interchangeable younger men.

Is the arsonist trying to shift the blame onto Devon or trying to kill him? If it's the latter, it just might work.

Feeling the pull of attraction to Devon as the firebug grows bolder is inconvenient. Will Kimball listen to his heart or his head? The younger men he's always preferred are nothing like the solid, stalwart fire chief.

#SlowBurn #OppositesAttract #LoveLaterInLife #ProtectiveHeros #Bickering #SlowSlowSlowBurn

Real Risk is the third in the West Coast Forensics series and can be listened to as a stand-alone but may be enjoyed more if you hear Real Trouble and Real Danger first. It is dual POV following Devon Flynn and Kimball Frye as they bicker and fumble their way to their happily ever after.

©2022 Dirty Dog Press LLC (P)2022 Dirty Dog Press

Exciting

This was suspenseful and exciting. The storyline was intriguing with lots of mystery. Loved the characters Devon and Kimball they are a wonderful couple. The narration was good. I am excited to listen to more.

Older Romance

Every once in a while I get in the mood to read about an older romance, and this one was great. Devon Flynn, our fire chief is in his late thirties and working on a small island. His island has been racked with too many fires, so an investigator is called in. Kimball Frye, is in his late forties and is the investigator called in to help. These two know each other, so it wasn't hard to feel that the banter between the two was genuine. Devon would tease Kimball about his dating habits and Kimball would harp on Devon about his eating habits. What I really enjoyed was watching these two grow closer during the case. They didn't have an instalove romance and they were enemies to lovers. They were acquaintances that grew to deeply care for one another. Even with the arson case as the driving plot, we were still treated to moments of them connecting and enjoying each others company.

A simmering suspense.

When I first started this book, I thought I’d need to read the other two in the series first to understand it and enjoy it. I wished I would’ve, cause I’m anal like that, but it isn’t necessary. Man, these two liked to push each other’s buttons! It wasn’t so much an enemies to lovers deal, it was more like foreplay. The suspense was set at a simmer throughout the book. I kind of wish the climax could have been more suspenseful, but it was still very good. I look forward to reading the first two of the series now.

Michael Dean is one of my most favorite narrators. He is so talented and I just love his voice.

Hot as fire!

When a grumbly and self-sufficient fire chief and a prickly and commitment-fobic fire investigator are forced together by an ongoing investigation (and a meddling sister), what can go wrong? Absolutely nothing, instead everything is perfectly right in this story! I love how this series always combines the romance and mystery part, and I especially loved how the two older and set in their ways MCs reluctantly start to thaw and then warm up to the idea of a relationship!

Great story. Great narration.

Watching Elle Keaton's writing evolve over time is a special treat. From the beginning, her characters have been engaging, and the settings have been beautifully constructed. Even when different series aren't directly connected, you can see elements that tie them together. This was one of those books that feels like the end of one story arc and the beginning of another. I am looking forward to more.

The romance was sweet, the mystery was interesting, the social commentary blended into the story nicely, and the narration was very enjoyable. .

An Intriguing Mystery Thriller! Excellent Story🎧

Elle Keaton delivers another fantastic romantic suspense set in her “West Coast Forensics” series and it is great to back Piedras one of my favorite places to visit. She created something special on this island and with “West Coast Forensics” and this third book gives us WDF’s Founder and Lead Arson Investigator, Kimball Frye and Piedras’ Fire Chief Devon Flynn’s story. The chemistry between these two is explosive and undeniable, if only they could admit it to themselves and give into it. Both are highly opinionated and set in their ways, including their thoughts and assumptions about each other, and their story plays out in a “friends, sometimes enemies, to lovers” romance, and very slow burn romance because they take a while to figure it out. Life is never boring on Piedras or with those two, there is an arsonist on the loose and he is escalating in his crime, targeting larger properties, Frye offers his expertise to assist in the investigation but Devon is resistant to work with him but when fingers point his way, he could use all the help he could get. It was great to watch everything unfold as they peel back the layers of the investigation, also great to watch these two navigate each other and find that they have more in common than they thought, except for the twinks of course, LOL. Keaton does a great job keeping you on your toes as you try to figure out who is behind it all, the arsons and trying to throw Devon under the bus. This fast moving, action-packed story is cleverly plotted with plenty of drama, heartfelt emotions, mystery, thrilling suspense, a touch of angst and some steamy romance. Elle Keaton, thank you for another great story and emotional rollercoaster ride!

🎧📚🎧 Michael Dean continues to do a great job bringing these characters and their story to life. He has a complete understanding of the characters he portrays, gives each a voice that fits that character’s persona and is believable in each role that he plays. He sets the perfect tone for the story, captures all the character’s emotions and projects them into his performance. Michael Dean is a talented narrator and an entertaining storyteller. Thank you for another great listen.

Loved It

This is another great story in this series. Kimball and Devon have been fighting their attraction for a while but finally give in. I loved their story and the mystery that was solved within it. Loved Michael Dean's narration with this.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

LOVED

Real Risk is a terrific addition to the West Coast Forensics series.
I loved the chemistry and connection between Devon and Kimball.
Their banter is top notch and had me laughing many times.
I love a good snark!
I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the fires and loved watching these two guys work together as they were falling for each other.
As always Michael Dean does an outstanding job of giving life to this story!

Simple Man

I love this West Coast Forensic series and was happy to see book 3 being released on Audible. Michael Dean always does an amazing job. The first two books of this series were also narrated by him as well.

This book is about Devon and Kimball. Neither guy is looking for a relationship... you see where this is heading, right?

Kimball is the founder of West Coast Forensics and Devon is the Piedras Island fire chief.

Kimball is turning 50 this year. He loves young twinks...Devon is neither of those things (young or a twink).

Devon is turning forty this year. His job is his life and he loves his solitude and his cottage is his sanctuary. He has survived on hookups when the need arises (no pun intended) by visiting the nearby town of Skagit.

There's an arsonist on the loose and it's a race to find out whodunit before someone gets hurt.

Forced proximity, lots of banter and snark, slow burn, mystery, suspense, dual POV.

enjoyed it

📖 Story comment: Good pace, likeable characters, interesting plot.
This one is probably my favourite of the WCF series, I really enjoyed getting to know Devon and Kimball. I enjoyed the way the relationship between the two MC's developed and their chemistry and banter worked to really bring the characters to life. I loved that these guys are older, set in their ways, and don't want a relationship 😆.

🎧 Narrator comment: I enjoyed Michael Dean's performance. Although I felt his voice for Kimball came across a little younger than a man in his 50's, the personalities he gave the characters suited them, has good timing, inflections and intonations and brings the book to life.

-------
📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 8
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough [3⭐] • 5 enjoyed it [4⭐] • 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 all formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]