In the Ruins

By: Hailey Turner

Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's Summary

Truth and lies.

Captain Jamie Callahan knows the Metahuman Defense Force frowns on fraternization. For once in his life, he’s breaking all the rules. Having Staff Sergeant Kyle Brannigan on his team and in his bed is worth the risk of being found out. When a mission comes down requiring Alpha Team to go undercover in order to infiltrate a criminal alliance, Jamie knows it won’t be easy. Putting his family’s name on the line is nothing compared to the role the MDF wants him to play - that of a billionaire’s son, discharged from the military, with a lover on his arm, looking to make his own shady business deals.

Dirty little secret.

Kyle knows the only way to be with Jamie is to hide their relationship from their superiors. Waking up to Jamie at home is more important than being together in public, or so Kyle thought, until he comes face to face with what he’s been missing. Pretending to be a couple on paper for the sake of the mission thrusts Kyle into a world of incredible wealth and a social status he’s not sure he belongs in, but he’ll do anything to stay by Jamie’s side.

Play the game to win.

Surrounded by the enemy, Jamie and Kyle need to trust each other now more than ever. Their covers - and the life they’re trying to build together - depend on it.

In the Ruins is a 105,000-word steamy gay sci-fi military romance with a HFN ending that skirts HEA. There is military violence within the story that may not be suitable for everyone, as well as explicit intimate scenes not suitable for listeners under the age of 18. This is a sequel to In the Wreckage, and listening to the first book in the series would be helpful in enjoying this one.

©2017 Hailey Turner (P)2018 Hailey Turner

Broome's Books

First, let me talk about the greatness of Greg Boudreaux as a narrator. He's got one of those voices that just hit the spot (with everyone but Annabelle, but that's just nitpicking about southern accents). I could probably listen to him speak with an English or a Scottish accent for days. Oh and the Russian accents *shiver*. I loved hearing Alexei's speaking parts. Boudreaux had a way with differentiating between different characters with his voice. I didn't get lost in conversation sections. I knew who was talking and how they were feeling in that moment. He made it very easy to get lost in this world and I highly recommend listening to his work. I already have his other three works in my to listen list.  Now on to the story!  In the Ruins picks up a few months after In the Wreckage ends. We see the MDF going undercover to continue their fight against a group of criminal organizations who are working together, instead of fighting each other, for power.  They utilize Jamie's family wealth as the background for the teams covers. There are a lot of challenges that come with this. Jamie has to become a person he used to be and never wanted to be again; selfish, overbearing, unkind. Kyle experiences what Jamie's life was like before the Marines and just how wealthy Jamie's family is.  Also, Jamie and Kyle can publicly be together due to Kyle's cover as Jamie's arm candy. They can hold hands, they can kiss, they can sleep in the same bed without having to sneak out of the room early in the morning. These two men have chemistry that is out of this world. It's obvious that that their relationship has continued to grow. The scenes with only two pair of them together, oh boy. Just turn the AC down and grab a fan, cause things just got hot. They are beyond intense.  Their mission was always at the forefront of their minds. Even if I lost track of what the mission actually was at some points. I liked that the action balanced out with the romance parts. This universe that Turner has created is amazing. I could see what Jamie's apartment looked like. Then I could see 2285 London, the underground, the museum where the gala took place. The way she described the characters and the settings, it was opulent. That's the only word that would do this world justice.  There were a few parts that dragged on for me and got a bit slow. I think it may be because I got so attached to Alexei. Will I continue this series? Most likely. I really enjoy the detail Turner puts into her novels and her characters. Should you read this? If you like sci-fi, military, steamy romances, yes. One hundred percent yes.

Excellent Narrator Saves The Story

Full disclosure- I'm here for the ScFi story, not gay erotica. I would have enjoyed book 2 so much more if it had been told from the perspective of another main character, like Kyle's brother. I loved book one but I really didn't need a rehash of how Jamie and Kyle roll in bed or Jamie's family drama. (I like butt sex as much as any gay guy, but seriously, TMI !)... The metahuman story line seemed to take back seat to more Jame/Kyle play time. Apart from the sex, the plot in book two is all about political intrigue (kinda boring) and Jamie's ongoing conflicts with his farther. Lots of over the top angst that seemed out of character for a guy like Jamie. The metahuman good guy/bad guy battles are minor and infrequent. I'll consider book three with caution (and rubber gloves).

Narrator is the icing on an already great cake

So happy another installment of this series is available on audio, can’t wait for the rest! This was an unexpectedly excellent Kindle Unlimited series, I highly recommend reading the whole thing. Mostly this review is to rave about the narrator’s performance. Already one of my favorite narrators, Greg Boudreaux had an extra challenge with the amount of international accents needed for this book. He did a fantastic job, making an already good book a great listening experience. PS - if someone can get him to perform a book with a lot of Irish and Scottish men, that would be just lovely :)

Romance and Ruins

The second book in the Metahuman Files series, In the Ruins should be read after In the Wreckage. This series has an overarching plot and reading the series in order is important to fully understand and enjoy this book. You don’t have to read the free, short story “A Distant Devotion” before this book, but it’s a fun (FREE!) treat, so I recommend it. In the Ruins continues where the first book left off. Jamie and Kyle are together, but keeping their relationship hidden. This secret causes all sorts of obstacles for them as they focus on carrying out their mission against the illegal Spice labs. Like the first book, the military details and team dynamics are fantastic and really add such depth and intricacy to already complex and fascinating world. The plot, like always, keeps the readers attention and I thought Hailey Turner did a great job with the pacing and transitions. The romantic relationship between Jamie and Kyle is addicting – they are just so good together, both in and out of bed. I love their tenderness just as much as I love their hot and kinky sex. The audiobook was narrated by Greg Boudreaux. Greg narrated the first book and does just as great of job with the second book as he did with the first. I really liked how consistent the character voices are and his performance really brought that element of drama and thrill that I crave in my audiobooks. I highly recommend this audiobook and the entire series.

love this story!!!

Great narrator and a great story. I am looking forward to listening to the next one in the series.

5*

5* Favorite. Not sure what more I can say besides Thank You Dear Author and Narrator. I've had so many voices wrong and I love it. 🤗

Great follow up

Loving where this series is going. This book turned up the heat on all fronts. Better action scenes, story scenes, sexy scenes. Overall the story is cohesive, interesting and can keep you invested. Better world building and getting to know the characters. I reallllllly like series. The sexy moments are sprinkled in here too for us to to enjoy and luckily doesn't overdo it or overwhelm the story building. Theres just enough to have some fun and not nearly enough for anyone to consider this book porn. I don't understand why this book is under the Erotic category, its no more Erotic then majority of romance novels ive read. Anyways, highly recommend to anyone that enjoyed the last book and are interested in getting more invested in this sexy superhero world.

Too much...

I enjoyed the continuation of the tale regarding this eclectic cast of characters, primarily Kyle and Jamie. Not sure if this is a stand alone because it begins almost where #1 leaves off but who am I to say. The only thing I would like to have seen was more meat to the story. It would have been nice to see how the team adapted to the undercover aspect rather than a mere mention of months passing by and the abundance of sex. I know that I am going to sound like a prude, but come on already. I enjoy a good sex romp as the next dude, but one scene went on for over 23 minutes of narration...which was just...! I'm sure there are those who need such a lengthy duration, but I think so much more could have been added to enhance the story beyond Kyle and Jamie's need to feel and deal with anger and their fear to admit their love...I almost put the story down. I am going on to read or listen to #3 because I love the narration of Greg Boudreaux...who did a lot to make this a win for me. Again, I enjoy Turner's writing, I just wished that more focus could have been on the build up of the actual story and not the sexual interaction between the protagonists.

great

This was a great continuation. We get to see the gang work with another organization to try and take down terrorists. We also get to see Jamie & Kyle make their relationship work, while keeping it a secret.

Too Short!

This book could have used a bit more meat, but it was very good for what it was. I reccomend that anyone who loves the genre give it a try.

Awesome

Greg Boudreaux His accents for Alexi spot on, for each character I love his voice. Can't wait for the rest of this series. A new fan here. The book seemed more alive with this is audible.

Love the series so far, but

I do love a series and I really liked this one narrated by Greg Boudreaux. But I have to issues. 1 the sex even though isn’t often is excessive. I know some people think it’s hot, but it makes me blush like a school ma’am after a while. I know, I know I’m a prude but wow it does go on and on and on. 2. Greg’s narration sometimes jars me. I’ve listened to other narrators and even though I do like Greg’s voice, sometimes it sounds stilted with no clear definition of character. Apart from that a good solid book, with a great ending to start the next book in the series.

Great series

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

Great second instalment

Another exciting instalment in this military/sci-fi series - the action shifts to London and I was pleased at the way the author incorporated it into the story (I've done a lot of walking backwards and forwards through those tunnels under Exhibition Road on the way to South Ken station!) The overarching plotline of the series - terrorist groups are out to create Metahumans of their own - really kicks into gear, and we get to meet Jamie's friend, Liam - thirteenth in line to the British throne - and a new team-member, ex CIA agent, Sean Delaney. Hm. Alexei doesn't like spooks. Although... he might like this spook... I'm loving the storyline about Jamie and his family - he really is stuck between a rock and a hard place, caught between his desire to serve his country and his love for his family (and he does love them, no matter that they drive him up the wall) - and there's more relationship development in this one. In In the Wreckage what was going on between Jamie and Kyle was more of a full-on shagfest, but now there's the sense that what's between them is more than that. There's still some full-on shagfesting going on, but I was pleased by the relationship stuff as well ;) Greg Boudreaux is excellent as ever - he sports a suitably posh English accent as Liam (and the few other English characters in the story), and although there are a lot of male characters in the main cast, they're well differentiated so there's no confusion as to who you're listening to. My one niggle is that there's a scene featuring an Irish character who sounds mostly Scottish. But that's it -otherwise, it's a strong performance that hits all the highs and lows and everywhere in-betweens. Fingers crossed the rest of the series will come out in audio soon.

A cracking sequel!

This is fast becoming one of my favourite series at the moment, the plot is exciting, the world building and characters well developed and the chemistry between Jamie and Kyle is HOT! I believe that Hailey Turner has 5 books in the series so far, and I hope there are plans for the other 3 to go on audio, with the exceptionally talented Greg Boudreaux continuing to narrate as he has the vocal range and ability to vocalise all the different foreign accents perfectly.