Gunnar

The Four X's Group: La Spezia, Book 1

By: Bella Stone, Annabella Stone

Narrated by: Marcio Catalano, June deBorahae

War doesn’t forge heroes, it reveals them.

Former SEAL Gunnar McKinley knows better than most that war also reveals the flaws in marriages—leading to divorce. Running a multi-billion-dollar government contracting agency doesn’t exactly lend itself to happily ever after, either. He has his brothers, his business, his teams… more than any man could ask for. He has everything except for someone to love. He also has a target on his back.

Jorja Buchanan loves her life. Searching for antiques and attending rare painting auctions is her jam, and she’s good at it. Especially when it involves hacking into places she shouldn’t be. Auction houses, websites, listings… just give her a name and she’ll get you on the bidder’s list. Her life is going as she wants until she has to dig deeper and finds a list of names that will lead her back to a man from her past—if she can reach him in time.

Gunnar’s been burned before, and Jorja’s not looking for love… but finding each other is exactly what their hearts need. As desire turns to passionate love, the danger grows. Can they survive the fallout from the list that brought them together?

One click to listen to this high-octane military romantic suspense filled with an alpha hero, a strong heroine, twists, danger, banter, and love! Happy Ever After guaranteed!

©2023 Embers Romance LLC (P)2025 Embers Romance LLC

Suspense and love

This story gives you romantic suspense with teeth, and I was hooked from the first chaotic reunion. Georgia and Gunnar were childhood friends who went their separate ways, only to crash back into each other’s lives years later under the wildest circumstances. He’s newly divorced and trying to rebuild, she’s a hacker with a sharp mind and a soft spot she refuses to admit and when she spots his name on a dangerous list, she doesn’t hesitate. She goes to warn him.

Their first encounter? Absolutely unhinged in the best way. Tense, messy, a little dangerous… and yes, Gunnar kidnaps her. Accidentally. Mostly. But watching that suspicion melt into trust, then spark into something deeper, is exactly the kind of slow-burn chaos I love.

Gunnar’s brothers add so much texture protective, loud, loyal, and fully ready to square up because his ex is, frankly, a complete disaster of a human being. Their dynamic brings humor and warmth that balances the darker suspense threads beautifully.

🎧 On the narration
The narrators delivered. The voices fit the characters, the pacing kept the tension tight, and the emotional beats landed cleanly. It’s one of those audiobooks where the performance elevates the entire experience.

💭 Overall
- Strong romantic suspense
- Childhood‑friends‑to‑lovers energy
- A wild, unforgettable first encounter
- Protective brothers who stay ready
- A balanced mix of spice, danger, and heart
- Excellent narration that pulls you in

I liked it, the suspense, the chemistry, the pacing, all of it worked together. A fun, fast, slightly chaotic ride in the best way.

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

Gunnar

Jorja is startled when she sees a name from her childhood while she was working on a list that is a hit list. As she works to reach out to Gunnar, she does not realize exactly how her life is about to change. Gunnar is grumpy on a good day and after two injuries in a row, that grumpiness is at a new high. So when he hears about someone asking about him in town, he is determined to find out why. What happens next is a fast paced thrill ride that keeps you on your toes as well as fanning yourself. The narration is top tier and can’t wait to listen to the next one.

Gunnar

Book 1 of The Four X's Group story of hacker Jorja Buchanan and former Navy SEAL Gunnar McKinley. I have to say I am right there with Jorja wanting to kick Gunnar from the moment they meet up till he turns into a be old teddy bear, but every man needs a woman that can drive him crazy and keep him coming back for more is worth her weight in salt. I have to say I loved how Jorja kept Gunnar on his toes with her sassy ways. Not a dull moment to be found in this story.

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

Once bitten twice shy

This is the first book in the Four X's Group series. I love the characters, an alpha man who was burned before and the woman who may just be what he needs to find love. When Georgia finds Gunner's name on a hit list she decides to drive across the country to save him. What happens along the way is worth listening to this story.

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

Military romance

Gunnar by Bella Stone and Annabella Stone is a wonderful military romance. Marcio Catalano and June deBorahea did a wonderful job with the narration. The story is entertaining, interesting, action packed, suspenseful, enjoyable, romantic, steamy, hot, and more. Gunnar is the first book in The Four X’s Group: La Spezia series.