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

Love Reno Taylor

I've read Close Quarters by Romeo several times, but this is my first time experiencing the audiobook, and wow, Michael Dean absolutely crushed it!

Romeo wrote an awesome story, and Reno Taylor... I mean, come on. The man is hot as sin, the grumpiest grump, yet somehow one of the sweetest, most caring characters Romeo has ever created. Every time Reno speaks, I melt.

The Isaiah Ranch series is one of Romeo's best, and Close Quarters is hands down my favorite book in the series. There’s something about Reno Taylor that just hits, and I can't get enough of him. Michael Dean took this character to a whole new level. His delivery of Reno's sarcasm and grumpy charm is perfection. He totally exceeded every expectation I had for how Reno would sound and how his annoyance with Elliot would come across.

Romeo and Michael Dean both did an amazing job giving this story life in such an unforgettable way!

Love found and a hopeless place

This is my third Romeo Alexander book, and they just keep getting better. For me this isn’t just a romance; it’s a story about second chances, healing, and tearing down the boxes people try to shove men into.

We’ve got Elliot, the sunshine chatterbox with ADHD whose mind never stops running. He’s cheerful, chatty, and smaller than some of the guys at the ranch so people assume he’s “soft,” someone they can run over. Spoiler: they’re wrong. Elliot’s joy is strength, and his resilience is unmatched.

Then there’s Reno, the broody loner with a temper and a wall of grief. He’s strong, standoffish, and gives off that “don’t mess with me” vibe. Which means everyone around him assumes he can’t be gay, because masculinity is still too often equated with straightness. Again ..... wrong.

💥 Watching these two men defy those assumptions and fall for each other is powerful. The book tackles the messy reality of how people perceive masculinity and queerness showing us that being gay doesn’t look one way, and strength doesn’t sound one way.

⚠️ Trigger warnings matter here. They’re part of the fabric of the story, and they deserve attention before diving in.

Why it worked for me:
- Elliot’s relentless optimism vs. Reno’s guarded silence = electric tension.
- The audiobook narration nails their contrasts Elliot’s rapid‑fire thoughts, Reno’s quiet grief.
- The third act twists had me clutching my headphones, but the payoff was worth every second.
- Most importantly: it challenges the stereotypes about what gay men “should” look like, and what masculinity “should” mean.

🎤 Final verdict: Tender, stereotype‑breaking, and full of emotional punch. If you want a romance that makes you feel while also making you think about identity and perception, Close Quarters is a must‑listen.

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

Loved every minute

Reno and Elliot are both ranch hands at a prison reform ranch who are just trying to serve their time. After a friendly wrestling match goes too far Reno and Elliot end up getting punished by being forced to work their differences out together. Tension is thick and the steam is red hot as they find out they have way more in common than they thought.

male/male
forced proximity
spicy.

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

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.