The Rebel Candidate

Shatterproof Bond, Book 6

By: Isobel Starling

Narrated by: Gary Furlong

The long-awaited explosive final book in the Shatterproof Bond M/M romance thriller series.

Sam and Declan are done with being field agents. The successful Vienna mission ended with a little bonus—a memory key that contained compromising material about Sir James Aiken. The plan was to use it as a bargaining tool to extract them both from A.L.L....but fate had other ideas.

Returning to London, they walk into their HQ and find a massacre and James is missing. Neither man will be leaving A.L.L. until James is found, dead or alive. They get to work, digging into James' past.

Who are the Alphabet Club?

Where in the world is James being imprisoned?

Can they save him...and do they really want to?

©2023 Isobel Starling (P)2023 Decent Fellows Press

Book is good, narration is spectacular

I really loved this series as an audio book. Love the store line and main characters. I hope their will at least be a spin-off.

I’m sad it’s over

Sam and Declan’s journey has been long and full of suspense, danger, and hot times. I know all things must end, but I’m sorry this one did. Perhaps one day they’ll decide to come back.

And, of course, Gary Furlong’s narration. He’s every superlative I can think of and I’m so glad he did this series.

I wasn't ready for this series to end

I spent the last two months relistening to this series in anticipation of this audiobook. It was hard to get into at first, but I think it was hard for me to know I was reading the last book of the series. Declan and Sam are a swoon-worthy couple and had been put through a lot of bad situations. Sam's father was always a thorn in their sides, and with him being taken in the last book, I wasn't sure I really wanted him rescued. The recovery mission was really planned out well and a lot more secrets were revealed that put Sam's dad in an even poorer light, but also managed to make the reader feel a bit of sympathy for him. I really enjoyed this listen and the narrator Gary Furlong was amazing throughout the series. Sam and Declan got their happy ending, but I also felt that there might be a wee bit of an opening for these characters to get another book if the author ever decides to revisit them.

Spectacular, Marvelous Performance by G. Furlong

So it's been a few years since I've read Isobel Starling's Shatterproof Bond series, and I meant to do a reread before starting The Rebel Candidate. Once I bought the audiobook, I knew waiting was out of the question!

Shatterproof Bond fans, don't worry if it's been years, Isobel Starling does an amazing job of recapping past events in the exciting prologue. It's like no time has passed at all.

For folks new to this series, start with As You Wish, I can promise you one fantastic ride. And audiobook fans, go with the audio version!!! Gary Furlong does an amazing job with all of the books in this series. Furlong delivers an incredible performance. His accents and voices are beyond compare. It's like listening to a movie or a Broadway play being performed just for me.

The Rebel Candidate was well worth the wait. Spectacular!

Dramatic Conclusion

I’m sad this series is over and I want more! I’ve re-listened to the series a couple of times and really see how well thought out this entire series is. Characters in Rebel Candidate are mentioned, in small seemingly unremarkable scenes in earlier books, and they play a key role in Rebel Candidate. The second and third time you enjoy the series, those connections are made and the brilliance of the story; the thoroughly detailed arc, and interwoven relationships bring another layer of depth…. Just leaves you wanting even more.

Bittersweet

I LOVE SAM AND DECLAN! I have been eagerly awaiting their final book, these two have captured me. I loved this final journey but am SO sad it's the end. I hope someday they decide to take on new adventures. Narration was absolutely perfect!

Need more Declan and Sam

Really enjoyed this series. Isobel took us on quite a ride before Declan and Sam got their HEA. The protagonists were interesting, well developed and they had a great relationship. Plenty of action in and out of bed. The supporting characters and antagonists were also well done.

Gary Furlong did an exceptional job narrating. Every character had a distinct, easily recognizable voice. There were many different accents all of which were well done. Kudos, Gary!

enjoyed it

📖 Story comment: Good pace, likeable characters, interesting plot.
I enjoyed this series when it was first released in audio back in 2017 and each subsequent release had me go back and relisten to each book in the series before embarking on the next new adventure, with the release of The Rebel Candidate I went back again, and all these years later continued to enjoy each book all over again.

The Rebel Candidate: I've been waiting for this conclusion for a long time. Having done a series relisten before starting this one, when Sir James was taken, part of me really wanted to leave him where he was! Overall though, a satisfying conclusion for Sam and Declan (even if it did feel like it took forever!!!!) - overall I'm happy with the ending and live in hope that one day there may be another adventure.

🎧 Narrator comment: Gary Furlong is a perfect choice for a series heavy in dialects - he perfectly captures Sam and Declan in the spirit of "Wesley and Buttercup". His characters voices are consistent across the series, I had no problem distinguishing characters and the rhythm, inflections and intonations all worked to make the book (and series) come alive.

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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 [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⭐]