Five Minutes Longer

By: Victoria Sue

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Talon Valdez knew when he transformed into an enhanced human, his life and his dreams were finished. Reviled, mistrusted, and often locked away, the enhanced were viewed as monsters, despised by the public, and never trusted to serve in the military or any law enforcement agency.

Years later he gets a chance to set up a task force of enhanced to serve in the FBI, but with one proviso: each enhanced must partner with a regular human.

Finn Mayer dreamed of joining the FBI from the time he was 14 and made every possible sacrifice to make it happen, including living with his selfish mother and bullying, homophobic brother and never having a boyfriend. But his undiagnosed dyslexia stopped his aspirations dead in their tracks. His last chance is to partner with Talon, an enhanced with deadly abilities who doesn't trust regular humans with their secrets and wants Finn to fail.

Four weeks to prove himself to the team. Four weeks for the team to prove itself to the public. And when another group threatens their success - and their lives - four weeks for them to survive.

©2016 Victoria Sue (P)2017 Dreamspinner Press

Nick J. Russo doesn't disappoint.

Five Minutes Longer was a thrill ride! Action-packed from almost the beginning, so much happens to these characters and the story takes place in less that two weeks! There is strong pace that doesn't let up, some sexy times, and the beginning of a romance between human Finn and enhanced Talon.

Mostly I was really happy this was told in a dual POV, because without it I might have really hated Talon based on his actions. But for real though? I just felt bad for Finn in this. Man, the guy has had a really rough week.

I'm so happy I grabbed this up on audio! Nick J. Russo doesn't disappoint. He makes this a fun listen, with great character voices, a steady pace, and good tone. Every audio I listen to Russo seems to be getting better - honing his craft and giving great performances.

All in all I thought it was an interesting story, but I would have liked a little more world building. Though this doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, not all loose ends were tied up, so it's a nice set up for a series.

I am definitely down for listening to the sequel if Nick is narrating it.

Exciting start to a new series

What a great start to a new series involving naturally occurring “enhanced” humans pairing up with a regular human to form a new FBI task force. I am a huge fan of paranormal and alpha types in a law enforcement setting so this book was right up my alley. In this first installment, the ground work is being set with a bit of history on the enhanced and their uphill battle to gain acceptance. It is not always an easy read, and in some places, it is downright heartbreaking.

In many ways, this book was similar to the THIRDS series, by Charlie Cochet, except that it is completely different, at the same time. Confusing, I know, but it kept popping into my mind while I was listening. These guys do not shift, but instead they each have different powers. The problem is that they are so fearful of exposing them, rightfully so, that they hide some of their abilities to avoid further persecution or ending up in a laboratory.

This book focuses on Talon, the leader of the new “enhanced-human” FBI team, and Finn, his human partner. These guys each have to overcome a lot to get where they are, but their past has left a huge scar on the both of them. They have to establish trust, and deal with attraction at the same time. Fortunately, it is not drawn out too far, and many of the dramatic moments are not caused by their relationship, which I greatly appreciated. I do love a good story to back up my romance novels.

I did not read this book, but instead listened to the audio. Sometimes I read first, but since I’ve listened to many audiobooks by Nick J. Russo, I knew I would have no problems following along. He has a really smooth voice, and honestly, I could listen to him read all day long. He easily performed a multitude of characters, and I never once had to rewind to figure out who was speaking. As far as audios go, you can never go wrong having Nick in your corner.

This is my second Victoria Sue story, and after looking back at that first review, I can see a marked improvement in a writing style that works great for me. I can also tell you, this won’t be my last book by her. I look forward to seeing where this series goes from here, and I am hopeful that Nick J. Russo remains the voice of the Enhanced.

Love this book!

This is the first book in an amazing series. The characters are well developed, the story is well written and sets up future books without hitting you over the head. The narration fits the characters and sounded exactly how I imagined them.

WOW!

What a fantastic story! I didn't want to end..... Sexy, angsty and totally entertaining! As always Nick J Russo did the characters justice. Soooo good!

Promising Start to A New Series!

I listened to this series some time ago and recently re-listened to it. For some reason, it reminds me a little bit of the THIRDS series, just the aspect of a "regular" human paired with "enhanced" ones.

I adore Finn. I admire his drive, his dedication to get somewhere in life and get out of his sh!tty home. I was rooting for him even if Talon was being such a massive jerk. I like that there was a process of gaining trust and respect for both of them to work together. I also liked that the attraction between them wasn't too drawn out and they eventually recognized it for what it was.

I can't wait to listen again to the next books. It's good to experience them again.

Nick J. Russo's performance is great! He definitely gave the characters justice with his narration and performance.

Loved it!!

It allowed me to think about today's injustice. I was so happy that this book was so incredible good!! I'll give it 5 awesome stars! Also 5 amazing stars to do author!😉😊

Love this book

I read this book and loved it, so I immediately picked up the audible version.
I'm a huge Nick J. Russo fan, but not for this one.
Looking forward to the next in line still :)

Love is the most special ability

Why did I wait so long to listen this delightful book? 🤦‍♀️ Guys, the hype is legit! 😱 I love this new series of Victoria Sue. 💙 How come she rocks in every sub genre when it comes to MM romance? 🤔 I discovered her with her ABO books which I loved and gushed over several times, and I loved her contemporary “Rainbow Cove” series and damn, I loved this urban fantasy, sci-fi book! The world building is simply refreshing and fascinating. 👏


Talon is an enhanced, a human with special abilities most normal humans feared and ostracized. Needless to say, Talon is really mistrustful of normal humans so when his superior officer said he’s brining in a normal human to their special task force, he was all against it. Finn thought becoming an FBI Agent is a hopeless dream. After all, he has dyslexia that he kept secret so diligently and as a result his college scores were mediocre at best. That is until he got a call from FBI asking him to join them on a special task force, a task force that each enhanced human will pair with a normal human as a partner. Finn has no problems working with enhanced humans, in fact he’s all for enhanced human rights. But his teammates are aloof and distrustful and Talon who’s supposed to be his partner is the worst among them. 😁 But you can be attracted to someone even when you dislike them. Right? Right? 😉


There’s no way around it, Finn’s family is just shitty. I wanted to bash his mom and his older brother several times. 🤬 And I saw so many people having problems with Talon’s attitudes towards Finn but I get it. I mean enhanced humans are so feared and criticized, it’s difficult for them to accept that there are some normal people who don’t think they are monsters and will treat them different. The chemistry! 🔥 Oh the chemistry!!! 😍That I want you but I don’t like you but oh, I want you more!!! 🔥 I am ALL for it. 👍 I loved Finn, such a sweetheart with a heart of gold and I loved all the other secondary characters in this story. And I know Talon can be a bastard most of the times but he can be a boyfriend of the year when he wants to. 😁 I especially loved the UST and relationship development between these two. And of course, popping butt cherry is always a plus in my book! 😂 So hot! 🔥 And I loved all the thrilling and mystery aspect of the story. Didn’t see that one coming! The villain!!! *gasp* 😱 As always, Nick J. Russo did a damn fine job narrating this story. I loved his Talon voice, so gruff and sexy! 😏 I’m glad I have the book 2 ready in my hands because I can’t wait to start listening ASAP. 💜



4.75 love is the most special ability stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟







Audio rating


Story - 4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Narration - 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 4.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Overall - 4.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟

Brilliant new series

Another new series that I have fallen in love with. There were times that I wanted to knock Talon upside the head. Make a damn decision and stick to it!!! This book did remind me of a cross between the Thirds series and the Metahuman series throwing in some x-men along the way. I hope we are in for a long ride with this series!!!!! Finn reminds me of Dex who also can't keep himself out of trouble. I had the bad guy figured out but not what was behind it all. There isn't really a cliffhanger but things are left unfinished. Off to the next one.

Enhanced indeed!

I love the premise of this story. Though it has a similar sync to the "Thirds" series, it really doesn't, sorta, kinda, not really. Regardless, I love the writing style of Victoria Sue and this story has you on the edge of your seat. Of course, always a huge fan of Nick J. Russo narration style, which adds so much to the story of Finn and Talon. I got pulled into the story and now I must continue forth to see what happens to these protagonists. Seriously, loved this story! On to the next...

Okay book, but with some issues

It's okay, but the narrator has an annoying tendency to make pauses before dialogue tags, making it sound more like they belong with the next sentence than the dialogue itself. E.g. "What do you think?" [pause] Talon asked, "I'm not sure." [pause] Eli responded and frowned. (Not an actual quote from the book, but you get the picture.)

There's also a major issue with continuity, where Finn ends up at Talon's place early in the book. Later, he ends up there again, and from everything said and thought it's apparently the first time he's there. You'd think the author would keep better track of what's going on.

Good narration for lacklustre story

I've listened to many stories in the mm genre that have the same tropes of law enforcement officers with super powers. This story was along the same lines - regular guy recruited into unit with men who had super powers.

There was a serious lack of women in this story- the only memorable female was Betty who ran the diner!

When it comes to the nitty gritty the writing just wasn't that good- and neither was the editing of the manuscript.


For example, Finn and Talon went to Talons apartment the same day Finn joined H.E.R.O, and Finn stayed overnight yet, later in the story when they went back to Talons apartment it was written like we had never been there, and Talon suddenly had a dog!


The over description of gestures became really annoying too e.g 'he took a breath, blinked, then blinked again and his shoulders dropped' -this is not a word-for-word quote, just an example. There was a lot of this kind of padding in the final third of the book which took away any credibility the book had gained.

The two mc's were in love within a week, and this topped things for me. if your looking for fluff this book might be for you, but as a paranormal police procedural with romance it wasn't to my standards.

Enjoyable Story

A well written story with and interesting  concept.  The characters are likeable and the narration is very good.

Fantastic start to a new series

I absolutely love paranormal romance and Victoria Sue outdid herself with the worldbuilding. The book sucks its reader /listener from the very beginning.

as great as the ebook

The story is always 4-5 stars, because if I wouldn't like the story as ebook, I wouldn't listen to the audiobook. I can't listen to an audiobook without knowing the book, that's not possible for me.

The performance from the narrator is also very important for me. I can't listen to a lot, because my English as a non-native-speaker isn't so perfect to follow a whole story over hours, when the narrator speaks too fast or too sloppy. Normally I have to SEE the person, who is talking to me in English. Nick J Russo is one of the top 5 narrators for me, I can listen without break and have no problems to follow.
I'm just not yet finish with the book, just over the half, but I listen enough to give a review.

PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings:

5* - very very good
it's like an A+

4* - very good and will be often re-listening
it's like an A

3* - it's more then a one-time-listening.
it's like a B

Fun action packed

I quite enjoyed the story line but felt Finley spent more time unconscious then being actually helpful.
The narrator did a great job but I would have liked more infliction for the side characters, but he did great with the MCs.
I’m really looking forward to reading more in the series.

Talon and Finn

What a brilliant start, a wonderful world. They are setting up an FBI Task force to help with the humans with abilities known as Enhanced. The Leader is Talon an Enhanced human and they bring in a new human Recruit to help Finn. Talon doesn't believe they need humans and wants him gone, but they fall for each other. Nick = Perfection

Great book!

I loved this book! The story is great, with a lot of suspence. Finn is the outsider trying to fit into his new job/team, and Talon and the rest of the team is not sure they want him there. The narrator does a great job, it's really enjoyable to listen, and he gives life to both the emotions and the different people. Thumbs up for both author and narrator! :)

wonderful

amazing and sexy.. fun and interesting.. keeps me interesting and action packed.. plus amazing characters and the narrator brings the story to life. it makes me happy to hear. so good

Most was good, until cruel talk by the enemy.

I liked the story. The idea of enhanced people I find fascinating. But 30 before the end an enemy started talking really cruel torture like things. And that was too much for me. I hated not being able to finish the book.
But that is only personal taste. The story was good.