In the Ruins

Metahuman Files, Book 2

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 :)

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.

Wow Very Hot

Ok, be prepared, there is ALOT of sex in this book. The story is there, background, world building, all there. And ALOT of sex between the MCs.

The team is a wonderful mix of characters with no weak links. Jamie's family is a nightmare of entitled jerks and his sister is a self-centered brat. She acts like a 14yo instead of a 20-something woman with some raising and responsibilities.

Greg Boudreaux does an awesome job of having a different distinctive voice for every character. He is such an awesome narrator!

MORE MORE MORE PLEASE!!! 🙏🙏🙏

A friend recommended this series to me and oh my gosh I am so pleased they did. What an amazing story! I love Jamie and Kyle dearly and can't wait to read more of their story. The world building and the action and the romance are brilliantly written by Hailey Turner and meticulously read by the amazing Greg Boudreaux. Thank you for this wonderful adventure I get to take with the MDF.

Epic storytelling and romance

The pairing of Greg and his excellent accents with the high steam and epic action sequences just makes for an epic book and series. I absolutely adore it. Awesome world building as well.

So glad Greg Boudreaux is still reading the series

We're on to Book 2 of Hailey Turner's Metahuman Files series featuring the Metahuman Defense Force whose special mission is to fight crime perpetrated by villains who are using their supernormal skills or those lawbreakers willing to use Splice as a weapon of mass casualties. Captain Jamie Callahan is the leader of the Alpha team which now has a full complement of team members after Staff Sergeants Kyle Brannigan (sniper) and Alexie Dvorkin (spotter) are conscripted. The members of the Alpha team decide to keep the romantic relationship between Jamie and Kyle quiet, feeling a measure of happiness for both men in spite of the Force's regulations against fraternization.
When the MDF is made aware of a deal to supply terrorists, the Alpha team is called on to go undercover to intercept the parties involved. Using his background as a billionaire's son, Jamie plays the part of a playboy with his team members serving other crucial roles while doubling as a backup. Kyle plays the part of Jamie's boyfriend, giving both men a taste of a love life that is out in the open. The part also makes Kyle uncomfortably aware of the differences in his and Jamie's social status. In spite of it all, he is determined to support, protect, and love him as well as the other members of the team.
In the Ruins, Metahuman Files Book 2 fulfills the promise set forth by book 1 being replete with excitement and action. The writer gives us glimpses of the billionaire's son Jamie in the narrative, making the contrast to the quality of person he is as the Alpha team's leader. Readers are treated to the quantity and quality of character growth that has shaped him into the current Jamie Callahan--making us love him all the more and making it understandable why his team members and especially Kyle respect and admire him. The world-building is incredible as is the case with book 1. Writer Hailey Turner writes an incredible paramilitary adventure that is in NO way dependent upon the truly hot sex Jaime and Kyle get up to. This series is sophisticated and truly clever!

Loved it!

In the Ruins is the second book of Hailey Turner’s Metahuman Files series. Events in this book build on those from the first and while a complete story, there are ongoing story arcs so you’ll definitely want to listen to them all & in order. As such, there may be spoilers to book 1 in my review.

Again, Turner has a fantastic mix of action, suspense, political, thriller, and romance. She does a wonderful job of balancing all the characters’ back stories while still moving forward with an engaging and exciting story. Jamie & Kyle are on solid ground, both in their careers and in their, albeit somewhat secret, relationship. An undercover assignment gives them a chance to be out in the open – but with pretending to be other people it’s not a freeing as it seems.

We get to know individual team members even better and we’re introduced to some new characters as well. There’s more writing from other’s perspectives and it’s great insight. Jamie’s family plays a bigger role in this story and I enjoyed how Turner explored that dynamic.

While I liked that the first two books have centered Jamie & Kyle’s relationship – I’m definitely looking forward to the fact that book 3, In the Shadows, will feature Alexi & Sean.

Narration:
Greg Boudreaux continues to be a great narrator for this series. Characters are consistent from book to book – and he has the added difficulty of accents and mannerisms for when the group is undercover.

Thoroughly enjoyed

Absolutely loved it! This is an awesome series. The characters are very believable & you root for them through their battles, both physical and personal. I read the series on my kindle first, & really enjoyed listening to it also.

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.

Excellent series

I'm loving this series, great characters, lots of action. Good romance. Excellent narration as always from Greg Boudreaux. Just purchased the rest of the series.

Going on strong

Story: I jumped into this book right after the first one and the series is definitely going on strong. The main underlying story arc is really well developed, new characters were really good additions too. I also liked the new POVs the author used. The story is much more interesting this way and I cannot wait to see what comes next.
Narration; Great performance, especially with such a variety of characters! Easy to follow and with very distinctive voices, which is really impressive.

Better and better

The books in this series keep getting better and better. There's plenty of action and a perfect amount of love for me to keep my interest the entire time. on to book 3!