Alec's Dream

Gemini Group, Book 4

By: Riley Edwards

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Erin Mallon

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Past indiscretion with life-altering effects. Macy Spencer hit rock bottom and clawed her way out of the hole her cheating, lying, gambling ex-husband left her in. Drowning in debt and penniless, the single mother of two worked hard to get her life back on track and protect her children from the fallout. But now her ex is in more debt, and his bookie’s knocking on her door for payment. The last thing she needs is the handsome, rough, sexy-as-all-get-out Alec Hall overhearing the threats - but he does - and now he’s making it his mission to protect her and her children. Whether she wants it or not. 

Former Navy SEAL Alec Hall’s world has come to a screeching halt. With a newborn daughter dropped on his doorstep and fatherhood looming, he doesn’t have a moment of free time to spare. But when Alec finds out the woman who runs his daughter’s daycare is in danger, he can’t stay away. The sadness in Macy’s pretty eyes is unmistakable - it calls to him, making all of his protective instincts roar to life. He vows to do whatever necessary to protect Macy and her children. Too bad Macy wants nothing to do with him.A battle is warring in Alec’s head. 

Can he let go of his guilt, embrace his new role, and be the hero Macy needs? The odds are stacked against them and now more than ever Alec needs a miracle.

©2020 Riley Edwards (P)2021 Riley Edwards

Another great one

I love Riley Edwards books! The narrators were great and the story was even better!

Alec and Macy

When a man with anger and grief comes to help heal a woman whose self image and self worth has been broken. They come together to help heal each other plus their babies. Not gonna lie I cried for most of the last 10 chapter lol.

I am officially obsessed with Riley Edwards' stories!.

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

Dream's

Wow!! I wish every woman could find an Alec!!! Great story and one of my favorite's of the series!!

DNF. TRIGGER: significant female abuse.

I have read all the books in this series so far. I’m not going to finish this one as I’m tired of the same plot over and over again. Alec is my least favorite character so far. He bulldozes and bullies an abused woman but says he’s nothing like her abuser. He is just using different methods of abuse. Maybe he gets it together by the end but I can’t wade through the book to find out.

Not Wild About Beginning; Loved Middle & End

This is now the fourth book in this author's Gemini group series I've listened to. I had a few issues with this book at the beginning, but the middle and end are solid and certainly bring the feels. I initially wasn't wild about how the hero treats the heroine in the first part of the book. He wasn't bad to her in any way. Rather, he acted as if he assumed they would have a relationship before she was on board with eve getting to know him, going so far as to call her “babe” nearly from the get-go. Like his former SEAL Gemini Group buddies, Alec is an assertive, protective, and loyal guy makes promises and delivers on them...honestly the perfect kind of man this heroine needs. Out of all the books of the series I've listened to so far, she has the most tragic backstory. She's a victim of verbal abuse and infidelity at the hands of her ex-husband, who is still making her life a living hell. She's strong and doing as much as she can to protect her children, but even Alec fears she might be sending her young son and even younger daughter the wrong messages about what a healthy adult relationship should look like. As you might imagine, this emotionally battered—and eventually physically battered—woman struggles with how to deal with a man like Alec.

Alec has his own struggles, as he is learning how to be a single father after child welfare literally brought his formerly unknown 3-month-old daughter to his doorstep after her mother’s death. Even though Alec grated on my nerves sometimes as much as he did on Macy's, our heroine, he really delivered the goods at the middle and end of the book. Their only scene of intimate consummation ended beautifully with this incredible mirror scene that I will let you discover for yourself if you choose this book. But any woman who's ever been belittled by a man for how she looks physically or how she acts, or ever thought that she wasn't pretty or beautiful because of her supposed flaws will love this scene!

The end of this book, like others in this series, has a thriller aspect as the villain becomes most villainous, and the Gemini Group does what’s needed to keep everyone safe and bring the bad guy to justice. I loved how Alec and Macy created their own family cocoon of themselves and their kids as they faced challenges.

There's one peculiar thing about this series of audiobooks I'm not wild about, and I'm not sure how it translates into actual ebooks or physical books. Every single audiobook in this series ends with a final chapter that essentially kickstarts the next book. Only one of them so far has had that kickstart chapter as the actual beginning of the next book. Frankly, the author should not assume that every person will read or listen to every book in the series in order. This “end of the book” kickstarter to the next really should be the start of the next one so you can understand the background of the story better. For instance, at the end of Weston's book, the previous book in this series, we actually see the scene where Alec finds out he has a daughter, and she is given over into his custody. This is a pivotal moment for Alec, and I actually would have loved to have seen that chapter here in this book, as well as one or two scenes about how he adjusted to fatherhood. Instead, we just hear about some of what happened in those nine months when he thinks about it and later tells Macy about it.

By the way, the book has a lot of profanity, of which I'm not a fan. I strongly believe that authors should warn readers about excessive profanity in books in the book’s blurb. Unfortunately, authors seem to assume that all readers of contemporary Romance know that there can be multiple cuss words and will be fine with that.

The book has only one intimate consummation scene, and it's a little rough for my liking, but others may enjoy that kind of writing more than I do. The book certainly brought the feels, and I believe I was in tears for almost the entire last 2 hours of the book. But I actually love books that do that to me, so that made it a good listen for me.

TRIGGERS: Emotional spousal abuse, threats of harm to a woman and children, physical battery, child kidnapping, on-page death.

Alec's Dream is a dream listen!

This was always my favorite of this series! Alec's dealings with his newborn daughter are heartwarming and hysterical. Add in Macy and her kids and you get funny, romantic, suspenseful ride with a super strong heroine! As always Riley Edwards books are suspenseful, lusty, heroic, sexy, funny, amazing, romantic, and all the feels! Highly recommend listening to this one.

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

My favorite so far!

I've loved each book in this series, and every time think "This is my favorite couple!" But I mean it this time! There was a lot less focus on the physical and a lot more emotional character development. I loved watching these two single parents come together and make a family. The last few chapters brought tears to my eyes.

And as always, Joe and Erin are amazing and added so much to the story.

a new favorite

With each story I find a new favorite. Alec is a good man, a changed man. Macie is a strong loving woman. She is doing everything that she thinks is right but once she opens herself up she is able to realize that there are somethings that she needs to change and after finally realizing that she can make those changes. This is my favorite story from the team so far. I love the characters and I love the way the story progresses. The writing is easy and well done. The characters are well developed and three dimensional. The narration has depth and dimensions that separate the voices.

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

Alec and Macy

I have to say Alec and Macy’s story is my favorite so far. I loved Joe and Erin really bringing these characters to life. We learn so much about Alec and the strength and struggle of Macy and what mothers would do to protect their children.

Macy works in the daycare Alec brings his newly discovered daughter, Joss, and seeing just snippet of how she takes care of the children makes his heart melt. Macy is the kind of person anyone would want but she hates everything about herself. The emotional abuse she has endured from her ex husband was beyond what anyone should. He has ruined her for any man….well every man but Alec.

Alec meets with Macy and the situation that bought them together showed how he strong he was and the depths he would go to protect those who are innocent. Alec was strong willed, and he needed the ex-husband to understand right and wrong. Alec and Macy’s struggle was not only on a personal level but as their story unfolds they are able to see exactly who the man she once loved really was.

This story was filled with love, estrangement, trust, fear, lust, fire and so much more!! Will Alec prove to Macy she is the an incredible person and mother? Can he protect her and her children from the evil that they really didn’t know?

Alec's Dream

The fourth story in the Gemini Group series. Alec and Macy Spencer her two children and Former Navy SEAL Alec Hall and his baby daughter's story. There is drama, suspense, danger, a evil Father of the children, twists, turns and romance. The Audible book held my interest throughout.

Patchwork

I voluntarily listened to this audiobook in exchange for a review. Already for books into the Gemini-series and it is getting better and better. Alec and Macy are meant to be together. I really loved listening to those narrators. They have it down quite good.

Sweet and strong

This was such a sweet story about finding one’s self. I would have liked a bit more backstory on Alec, but overall it’s a really sweet story about finding love and melding families.

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

Good Listen.

Great book. It has wonderful characters, with a good storyline, and I liked the ending. You get drawn in and taken on an entertaining journey. Very enjoyable.

The best in the series so far!

This is the fourth book in the series and it is absolutely loaded! Riley Edwards is focusing on the meaning of family in this book and she has carefully crafted a story that includes everything one would expect from a romantic suspense story plus more. It has its strong alpha man with a hidden sensitive side, its super strong but vulnerable woman, action and lots of chemistry. What is more, this book includes three children and that adds interesting dimension to the plot dynamic.

Macy is a divorced mother of two children who have grown up under the shadow of a father who is both verbally abusive to their mother and negligent to them. In steps Alec with his nine month old baby to bring them together as a family. Between the black eyes, flying bullets, loads of loving friends and family as well as personal challenges, this book is go-go-go from almost the beginning to the end.

This series is well narrated by Joe Arden and Erin Mallon. Each book is fast moving, ending with a little teaser of what comes next. I am already eager to start the next audiobook!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Passionate

Alec is the kind of hero we can all love - commitment phobic turned committed father and now ready for the whole package.

Macey is the kind of mother we all hope we are.

Being one of Riley's books however means that we are treated to some violent disturbances to the arc of the story.

Macey and Alec are portrayed in great detail in this story. Macey's dilemmas and decisions felt so real and Alec's obvious smouldering, and later, blazing passion for her was wonderful to see. I also felt the portrayal of the children was really good, they were pretty hard not to fall in love with.

Overall I found this book really enjoyable.

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

Joe and Erin knock the narration out of the park as usual.

Enjoyable Listen

I have really enjoyed the Gemini Series! These men and their friendship are like none other. I love their connection and brotherhood of supporting each other through the good and the bad.

Both the h and the H are single parents with pasts that have not been kind to them. Alec unexpectedly learns he has a daughter and is her sole guardian while Macy has been through a horrible marriage and messy divorce. Her ex, Doug, is still around and causing issues for Macy. Alec was 100% all in once he decided he wanted more with Macy and was the type of alpha that pushes his way into her life. There were a lot of emotions throughout their journey but I really liked how it focused more on their relationship vs the romance. Another great read in the Gemini Series and definitely one I would recommend.

Audiobook narrated by Erin Mallon and Joe Arden - both are exceptional narrators and they did not disappoint with this narration.

I loved it!!

This is the fourth book in the Gemini Group series, a Romantic Suspense. Wow! I loved it! Alec and Macy's story is captivating, and suspenseful. Alec, a former Navy SEAL, is very handsome, protective, and supportive. He is a single dad of a sweet little baby girl, Jocelyne. Macy is beautiful, smart, and strong. She is a single mother of two super cute children, Aurora/Rory and Caleb. Her ex-husband Doug is a gambler, violent, and unstable. I liked Johnny, Doug's brother. The storyline is suspenseful, and entertaining, filled with danger, twists and turns, and romance. This is also an excellent slow burn romance, heartwarming, and beautifully written. Joe Arden and Erin Mallon did an outstanding job with the narration. Looking forward to listening to Chasin's Surrender, the next book in the series. If you like Romantic Suspense, this series is for you! I highly recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Alec and Macy

I loved every moment in this journey. Alec and his surprise baby as well as Macy's children pulled me in! The narrator's performance was amazing as always but hearing Joe Arden's children's voices always makes my heart warm. Rileys writing brought the world to life just as it has with the rest of the series! Love love love!

Alec & Macy

Every one of these Gemini Group series books is fabulous! I am loving a binge listen to each one! Alec's story is so good. Maybe it's because I love romantic suspense. Or it could be the way Alec is with Macy. Or the fact that he is amazing with children and is swoony when it comes to his daughter. Or it could be the entire team who always is there, having the back of each of the "family"! Yes, it is a culmination of all these things wrapped up into an amazing story. Macy is beginning to settle down, struggling to stay afloat, and keep her kids fed and housed. Her abusive ex is a gambler, and he has a problem letting her go. After all, she is a source he can tap for additional funds. At least that is what his loan sharks think. Alec is taken with Macy. She is amazing with his baby, Jocelyne's care and there is something that draws him to her. Now in danger, he is staking his claim, not only of her but of her kids too. But is it too late? Will he keep his family safe? Give this a listen. The action is nonstop and the chemistry hot! Loved this story!

Joe Arden and Erin Mallon continue their fabulous narration of this series. I love that they keep the same voices for characters from book to book and make us, the listener feel like we are part of their community! A wonderful, exciting performance.

It’s like picking your favourite child…

And as much as I’d never admit it, Alec is my soft spot.

I adore this book and the audiobook is just as good if not better.

Once again Joe Arden and Erin Mallon bring to life the characters with such passion (quite literally on a couple of occasions - I’ll never look at my washing machine the same again that’s for sure!!)

Both characters see each other as they really are but neither can see themselves in the same way, such self recrimination and the narrators do so well to make that feel so real. The love they have for each other, their respective “teams” and the children is at the heart of this story as is the concept of family. Alec as a father slays me, he is the definition of the perfect daddy and I love that for Jocelyn, Aurora and Caleb, as well as Macy’s bond with Jocelyn which is super sweet.

Alec’s determination to not let Macy hide and bring out the woman she was, not the one her ex taught her to be was powerfully written and narrated.

Stand out scenes were the washer (obvs!), the drive by and the mirror scene which almost brought tears to my eyes.

Another winner and onwards to Chasin we go…as I recall this one does have rather an interesting start with the characters getting wet in more than one way from the get go 🫣🤣.

I received a free copy of this audiobook and am voluntarily leaving a review.