Flash Rip

By: Keira Andrews

Narrated by: Joel Leslie

Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

On Australia's hottest beach, the most dangerous current is between them.  

Training to be a lifeguard is tough work, but Cody Grant loves a challenge. He spends long days in the sun and surf rescuing swimmers from treacherous rip currents while trying not to lust after senior lifeguard Liam Fox - who is deeply, painfully closeted.  

Liam was supposed to be a football legend. Now in his mid-30s, it's been over a decade since his dream shattered along with his knee. Fans still recognize him regularly, and he's terrified his sexuality will be discovered and his conservative parents will reject him. He has strict rules to protect his secret and keeps everyone at arm's length.  

Out and proud Cody fascinates Liam - and tempts him to break all the rules.  

Cody is practically half Liam's size and age, but has the confidence and compassion to take charge and give Liam the release, affection, and acceptance he desperately craves. But how long can a secret affair satisfy their hearts? As if saving lives isn't hard enough, Cody faces his greatest challenge yet convincing Liam to trust him and find the courage to live out loud.  

Contains mature themes.

©2019 Keira Andrews (P)2020 Tantor

Excellent!

Keira Andrews once again brings us to Australian beaches, sea, surf, sand - secret affairs. Cody & Liam are wonderful together, though their road isn't easy, it is an adventure. An older, ex-footy star, burying his true self his whole life. A younger Canadian-turned-Aussie, out, just living his life. Two lifeguards working together to save lives of strangers, people in trouble, and perhaps each other, as well. The writing, story, characters & pacing were all wonderful! I look forward to more from this author.
Audio: Joel Leslie. Oh, need more? His accents, emotion, intensity, humor, timing, VOICE - he always does a fantastic job!
The cameo of 2 of Keira's characters from another book was a very welcome pleasant surprise !

Fun at the beach

Nicely done coming out story. I’ve been avoiding coming out stories because there’s so much more than that available now, but the reviews were good & this one really worked.

Because of the age gap & differing backgrounds, Liam & Cory have very different internalized views on what being gay in public can be. Because they’re compatible (and hot, fit lifeguards) it’s also a sexy little fantasy. Bridging the gap between them and exploring their needs makes it interesting.

There’s a good deal of humor. “I’ll make my famous cereal”. There are even some slightly off attempts at humor at work and they’re handled deftly. It’s clear who is and isn’t going to be a jerk and most people decide not to be jerks. But not all, which is why there are real stakes that we care about, mostly for Liam.

As other reviewers pointed out, the pacing of the book it excellent. The background, beach living and lifeguarding jobs, feel real, even if they rescue more people than I’d have expected. It’s not low angst exactly but it doesn’t dwell in angst. It comes in and out in waves. Flash Rip a good fit it you want something mostly fluffy & sexy with some minor kink.

Steam: Med hot. The guys explore some D/s in the boudoir. M/M details are on page throughout. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind a sexy second epilogue to see what they’re up to since we mostly just see them starting out.

Narration: I can only speak to the Canadian accent being mostly good enough. The Aussie accent seemed fine to my MN/canadian tuned ears. It was a fun listen.

Oh Liam 🖤

Liam’s story will tug at your heartstrings, so be prepared for it. But Cody is his perfect counterweight, all reassuring goodness and love. This book is not a light & fluffy read. I adored the whole thing from start to finish! And good lord it is HOT 🔥 I won’t spoil it for you, but trust me, there’s some f*cking hot scenes and you’re gonna need to turn on a fan to cool yourself down lol. Joel Leslie was phenomenal as per usual!!

loved it!

great characters, super sweet and steamy story
with a wonderful narration... couldn't ask for better. highly recommend.

Great story and narration!

This was so amazing! I really felt the tension and the pain it took for Liam to make the reach to being an out and proud man in a partnership. Keira did a really nice job with the pacing. Cody’s constant, unwavering support matched his age and experience, while Liam was understandably lagging behind and so, so fearful but when he does make the transition it felt authentic.

I loved learning about Barkers beach and the life of full time lifeguards. I always learn so much when I read Keira’s books – they are so clearly well researched. I also loved all the new slang I learned!

This was not my favorite sexual theme, I’m not real keen on D/s but it was gentle and it really felt necessary for Liam and his development romantically.


Audio

Joel Leslie is super fantastic and wonderful – as always!
Highly recommended!



5 stars

Amazing combo of thrill and scorching romance

The narration was spectacular! Joel Leslie is a master at accents, sure, but his ability to bring emotion and truly feel the characters is remarkable. This is a book I loved in E-book and the audio in another layer of depth draped over this amazing story that brings it out even more. Joel made sure every one of the lifeguards is a unique, distinct person, it was like I was watching an episode of Bondi Beach.

I was sunk deep into this book, gladly letting it pull me under. Flash Rip has managed to capture the vibe of the TV show Bondi Rescue - that I actually watched a bit online. I really like Documentary-reality type shows that have all the action of rescuing and dangerous situations and this book really got that feel through it and all the rescue and lifeguard procedures seemed authentic and were fascinating. It was really enjoyable to dive into the 'reality' of the rescuers at Barkin Beach with a cast full of memorable supporting characters. I fell into to rabbit hole of the TV show again these last month or so, and reading this book again (now in audio) is just spot on exactly like it happens in real life!

Liam is such a compelling character, he evokes the need to care for him (and no wonder Cody does). Liam embodies the complex reality of many gay men in hyper masculine environments and I was both frustrated and understanding of his conflict and ingrained fear.
Cody is a character you enjoy reading, he has such a strong drive for achieving his goals, is compassionate and kind. Cody truly sees Liam, and although they had their issues with Liam so deep in the closet he was much more understanding then many characters in similar situations in other books I read. They have amazing chemistry, explosive in it's intensity and super, smoking, lava HOT scenes that will melt your freezer in the dead of winter. The kinky side of their relationship was also a surprising, delightful bonus.

In it's core this book is about living the life you wish for, not letting others hold you back. Breaking free of expectations and societal boundaries, being true to yourself fully. This is the most important part about this book, and it's greatest achievement. A wonderful story I would gladly read more of (or maybe other characters from the rescue team).

I Like Keira's stories

Great story. very realistic, imperfect MC's. I think I love Aussies more each time I find myself in their world. Consistently see them portrayed as unjaded, down-to-earth people. Not as tough around the edges as some other groups. Book very well done.

DAZZLING, lovable novel. DAZZLING perfomance.

I simply loved the book and already miss the characters.
Joel Leslie's performance is a masterpiece portraying 3-dimensional characters, authentic emotions, distinct voices. Bravo!!

Rip Flash is a relatable and extremely enjoyable romance, not clichéd or sappy. Beyond romance however, love making the effort to nurture another person. This book shows this love catalyzing undreamt of change in another.
Australia, beach communities and lifeguard profession were easy to picture.
We see the interior lives of gay men, shaped by both the of love and disapproval they’ve experienced.
Australia, beach communities and lifeguard profession were clear as can be.
I hope you’ll have the pleasure of reading it - I can’t recommend it enough.

Wonderful story and excellent narration!

Combining a few different elements that I enjoy into one great story, Flash Rip was a great read with characters that were interesting and some quick bursts of action when they had to go into lifesaving mode. There’s a bit of an age gap, one very closeted former professional athlete, sizzling sex scenes, and hot lifeguards everywhere.

Cody is definitely comfortable in his own skin, and with being out. Liam though has been in the closet for a very long time, to the point where he’s ultra-disciplined at hiding what he really wants from everyone. Once Cody comes onto the scene though, cracks begin to appear in Liam’s previously solid armor. Thus begins his journey of acceptance. I loved how well the two of them fit together, and I have to say Cody’s patience when it came to how paranoid Liam was about anyone finding out about him was pretty strong.

There are quite a few supporting characters from Cody and Liam’s fellow lifeguards to their respective family members, and all of them help contribute to the story. I was especially fond of their boss (and Liam’s best friend) Teddy with how supportive he was not just of Liam but of Liam and Cody together. Liam’s family members’ reactions went how I thought they would, which made their story more realistic.

The scenes with them at work patrolling the beach and the rescues gave the story just the right amount of drama to help divert from Liam’s constant fear of being found out, while also bringing some extra excitement. I liked the setting, even though I’m not much of a beach person myself.

Flash Rip was a 4.5-star read for me, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to any M/M romance reader. This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.

The narration: As usual, Joel Leslie does a superb job on the narration of this book. Excellent differentiation between characters, intense emotions portrayed in the voices...5 stars for the narration!

Clay and Ethan cameo

loved this book, the best bit was that Clay and Ethan made a cameo appearance on the beach. I love Keira's novels. If you want a relaxed gay romance, get stuck in. a real page Turner

Enjoyable

This is the coming out story of a very closeted guy who faces homophobia in his family. If you don’t like it when people are in the closet, then this book is not for you, but this was really lovely - both with him discovering and being comfortable with himself, and the developing relationship. I liked the older bigger guy being submissive, too, as it’s a twist on the usual dynamic.

Joel Leslie is always a great narrator. Not sure he pulled off a Canadian accent, but I soon forgot about it and sank into the story.

another cracker from Kiera.

this was an amazing story, really delved into the struggle some people have with coming out to a very homophobic family. fighting internalised homophobia is something not many people realise is a problem. also, the cameo from a previous book couple was a great surprise!

joel once again bats it out of the park. I can never praise his performances enough, and you know your going to get the best if his name is linked to it. always an auto buy for me.

I highly recommend this book 15 stars from me!