Missing in Action

By: Kate Canterbary

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Jacob Morgan, Christian Fox, Lucy Rivers

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's Summary

Former Navy SEAL turned Covert Agent Wes Halsted spent his days - and weeks and months - being someone else. But with his cover blown and his injuries requiring months of recuperation, he must learn how to be himself again. 

Only...he'd rather save his issues for another day and get to know a stressed-out, suited-up businessman instead. 

Tom Esbeck has everything under control. Meal plans, workout plans, project plans, five-year plans. A plan for everything and everything according to plan. 

Except there's no plan for a surprise - and shirtless - encounter with the built-for-sin spy he'd crushed on years ago. 

But crushes - and spies - burn out fast. 

Missing in Action is a steamy full-length contemporary gay stand-alone romance with strong ties to the Walsh series. 

Performed by Teddy Hamilton as Wes Halsted and Jacob Morgan as Tom Esbeck, with brief appearances by Christian Fox as Will Halsted and Lucy Rivers as Shannon Walsh.  

Produced by One Night Stand Studios.

©2019 Kate Canterbary (P)2020 Kate Canterbary

Listen to This for the Narration Alone

I listened to this book on Audible. Teddy Hamilton, Jacob Morgan and Christian Fox are without contest my three favorite narrators. I was so excited when I saw all three of them in one book. I would give this five stars for narration.

And the story was pretty good. I'd give the setting and plot about four stars.

But. But. The romance didn't work for me at all. And since this is a romance, that's darn disappointing. In fact, I think Tom needs pretty intensive therapy. He says he's had it, but I don't feel he got where he needs to go. I feel like he's a cluster B borderline. Wes was great. He deserves better. But I feel like the author forced them together. About an hour before the end of the book I was praying they wouldn't end up together. But through lies and subterfuge they were somehow welded together. I really hope there's a sequel and it starts with them broken up and Tom gets the help he needs. Wes will probably need therapy by then. He probably does anyway for his PTSD. Then they could find their way back together. Or to completely different people. Either would work for me.

I'd recommend you listen to this book for the narration alone. That is awesome.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Just loved this audio. The narration was perfect. Found Kate Canterbary’s books starting with the Walsh series so it was so nice to hear Lucy Rivers and Christian Fox reprise their roles as Shannon and Will. Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan were amazing as Wes and Tom. I just love Kate’s books; her writing style, her characters are so relatable and down-to-earth, like they’d be your friends if they were flesh-and-blood people. Definitely worth a credit!

Excellent narration, not a great standalone

This is my first book from this author. Overall I really enjoyed it. It was much funnier than I was expecting. However, I'm not sure it really works as a standalone. I love reading book series and I realize that there's always a more thorough understanding of supportive characters when all the books are read. But for me, there wasn't enough individual interaction with Tom and Wes and too much interaction with the other characters to work as well as a standalone. The narration was excellent, as expected from these seasoned narrators.

Very original storyline!

This is the first book I've read in a while that had a unique-to-me story line. In all fairness, I don't usually gravitate towards Navy Seal storylines, so I don't know if that's why, but either way I really enjoyed it.

Wes and Tom were complete opposites from one another. I always love when the two characters have traits like that because it's so interesting to see how they fit together. Wes was a bit of a wild card and Tom was definitely very buttoned up. Every time Tom cooked for Wes it made me chuckle because Wes seemed to have no idea what to do with what Tom was making. And I don't mean that Tom cooked weird stuff, but there was a line where Wes said (paraphrasing) that you should always have rice with fish (I agree) and Tom was all, no there's too much starch in rice. It was just one of those moments that subtly showcased their differences and I really enjoyed that.

The story overall was a good read. I wish there had been more about Wes' time as a Seal because I think more details about that would have really helped develop Wes' character. We know little things here and there, but I was just left wanting a little more from that. I felt like the book focused solely on their relationship and not enough on their backgrounds. Canterbary did a pretty solid job with Tom, but Wes felt a little incomplete. Another thing I didn't like was Tom's monologue to Wes about Wes not coming out. I honestly felt like Wes' reasons were extremely valid and that his nervousness towards a certain person made complete sense. Especially given the history of that person's feelings. It was odd how everyone was just like "oh, this person would be okay" but that was never explicitly shown so why would/should Wes feel that way? I felt like Tom was not understanding about what Wes was trying to say and that really, really bugged me. That particularly bit of the story should really have been flushed out more. That's ultimately why I knocked a star off.

Wes and Tom had really good chemistry though and I liked how they sort of just came to be. Their time spent together was very sweet and swoony. This book wasn't very high on the steam factor as there were only two or three scenes about that, so if that's something you look for in a book, this might not be the book for you. Don't get me wrong, the scenes that were there were HOT, but there weren't many.

As usual, Teddy and Jacob did a PHENOMENAL job. They are the ultimate m/m duo and are honestly the reason why I wanted to listen to this book so much. I'm not sure if I would have listened to it otherwise because, like I said before, I don't usually gravitate toward Navy Seal books.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book! I'm really glad I ended up giving it a chance and I'll re-listen to it again in the future!

Disappointed...

I haven't read any of the other books in this series but was excited to jump in because of the good reviews. Unfortunately, the story progression of the main characters were not developed well and I hate to say this but Tom is so unlikeable. Wes deserves so much better then Tom whom comes off arrogant and very self absorbed. He doesn't even have a nice character development towards the end to make him more likable. I get that he has a horrible past but never learns from it and lashes out on Wes for no good reason. So disappointed for Wes I hope he leaves Tom because Wes was a good character. The voice actors were amazing though, helped me get through the horrible relationship that felt forced.

Nothing missing from this book!

I love this team of narrators paired with this author. Wes and Tom are couple goals! Definitely one for the re-listen pile! The interaction between Wes and Tom is fantastic in the book and enhanced in the audio.

I don’t get it

This book got high reviews. Why??? The narration was ok but the story sucked donkey balls. I don’t get it. It rated really high. It the story really sucked. It was really bad. No connection between the two MCs. I wouldn’t pay for this book

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I grabbed this book by mistake, but am so glad I did. It is a beautiful story that I needed to hear. Maybe it is because the characters seem like people I have known in my life and the struggles they have endured.
I don't know why we insist on denying who we are for fear of others or create stories about what others do or will think. It is our life and if we aren't hurting others, why not live our life in love. This wonderful story reminded me of that.

Opposites most definitely attract

My first read by Kate Canterbury, and true to my current reading genre binge it’s m/m. Even though this is book 2 in a spin-off series it’s a complete standalone, be aware though, one thing it has done is make me want to read more of this author’s work. Opposites most definitely attract as ex navy seal/secret agent Wes Halsted starts wooing sexy businessman Tom (no h) Esbeck. Tom is looking to settle down in a relationship, and that is not going to happen if he spends his days lusting after his boss’s brother, a fly by the seat of his pants nomad, who doesn’t want to settle down, and isn’t completely ‘out’ to his parents and work colleagues. Nope, he’s not going to go there, but Wes is persistent, and sweet, and fun to be with. A wonderful audio narrated by my two most perfect narrators, Teddy Hamilton and Jacob Morgan, with a couple of additional chapters narrated by Christian Fox and Lucy Rivers. A wonderful, sweet and addictive m/m romance.

Wes & Tom are electric!

Military romance with Walsh series character cameos - YES! Jacob & Teddy are so amazing together as Wes & Tom, who are completely sexy, super adorable, and HAF! "You taste like a memory I've forgotten... " #DEAD The humor is excellent as well - You can't not crack up when Tom says "Wesley Halsted! No murders!!" I can't believe I waited so long to listen. ❤