Real Risk

West Coast Forensics, Book 3

De: Elle Keaton

Narrado por: 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.

Real Risk

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Review Copy of this book.

This part of the review is specific to the audiobook version (see below for the story review):
I thought Michael Dean did a really good job with this story. There was enough variation to the characters to make it easy to follow. The pacing was good and and the narrator has a nice even flow.

Below is my review for the book:
Devon and Kimball were great together. The banter between them was great and we get a chance to see them build a connection in this book. The arson plot was okay, but the romance is really the highlight of this book. I could understand why both of them had some issues with relationships, but I think it made the connection between them even better. It was the little moments between them that really showed the bond (really want to try those pineapple waffles!).

Devon's sister, Birdy, is amazing. Not only is she a great deputy (more based on the other books, but I still stand by it), but she manages to wrangle he overly stubborn big brother. I also really liked Foster (looking forward to his book!). I also getting to see some of the characters from previous stories, a great chance to catch up (even just a bit) with some favorites.

*I think this book is better if you've read the previous books and the Veiled Intentions series for the background and secondary characters, but it isn't required.

This one is on fire!

I loved listening to this audiobook about the hawt firemen! The storyline is interesting and intriguing. It left me wondering who did the deed. The appearances of characters from other books makes my day!

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!

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.

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📌 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⭐]

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. .