Safe Harbor

Pine Cove, Book 1

By: HJ Welch

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Robin Coal wonders if asking his straight housemate Dair to be his fake boyfriend for his high school reunion will be the worst thing he’s ever done…or the best. But there’s no way he’s going home to face his abusive ex alone, and former Marine Dair is just the protection he needs. So long as he doesn’t find out about Robin’s secret crush, everything will be fine. 

Mechanic Dair Epping never expected to spend a week sharing a bed with his adorkable friend; however, pretending to be bi is easier than he imagined. He knows he’ll do anything to keep Robin safe from his ex-boyfriend, but as the chemistry between them grows, the line between fake and reality begins to blur. 

Could Dair actually be bi? Even if he was, would an ex-Marine really be interested in a computer geek like Robin? When his ex’s intentions turn dangerous, how far will Dair go to protect the man he’s falling for? 

Safe Harbor is a steamy, standalone MM romance novel with a guaranteed HEA and absolutely no cliffhanger.

©2019 HJ Welch (P)2019 HJ Welch

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

Sweet GFY MM Romance. Enjoyed the characters and the story line. I will be hoping for book 2 soon.
The narration was really good on this audiobook. I have listened to him before and hope to see more of him too!

Narrated well, a bit chick- flicky

Robin and Dair have a fake boyfriend start to their relationship, and I do like that trope a lot.
Here I think the story had some issues, mainly the way Robin sank into his insecurity, and how Mac (his ex) was very manipulative in a telenovella kind of way. it was hard to like Robin, even though he was a fun character, because of how he saw himself and didn't see the obvious way others too advantage of it.
Dair, the protective straight guy falling for the cute twink theme could have been good but in a way he was a bit too into it, it was too easy without buildup OR some elf searching. So in a way I was missing something with how he figured out he was into Robin.

It just seemed like it was a collection of misunderstandings and some cliche's, and it was not set up well enough to pass over the little glitches in the plot.
The side characters were fun, interesting and appealing, The narration was very good and sensual.

Cliche book, reads like a high school fanfic

this story was okay. but every character was a cliche trope with no actual depth. lines were cheesey. the moment they got together was cute, but then they both fall prey to the "misunderstanding" that was more annoying than believable. who would fall for that? insta love and kinda lame.

Great start of a series

It’s a sweet story of two roommates who started out as fake boyfriends turned to lovers. Dair’s sexual awakening made the book more interesting for me, since he’s always identified as straight. Robin was adorable although his naivety was driving me batty. It was irritating at times. Thank goodness for a great support system and for Dair.

It’s light on the angst, although don’t be surprised if you get frustrated with Robin or if you wanna punch Mac’s throat.

Nick J Russo’s performance in this book was amazing. His voiced the characters individually and real well.

The way Pine Cove is being described, it makes me wanna move to that beautiful town. So I’ll live vicariously through the rest of the characters in this series.

Much better than expected

4 Blue Roses
4 Blue Flames

Nick J Russo's deep, sexy voice lends itself perfectly to this audiobook.
I was surprised by the action and angst and found myself emotionally engulfed and almost screaming at the ex-boyfriend as he manipulated and almost killed and drowned Robin.

How stupid of Robin to go into the row boat with his ex-boyfriend. Rocks have more brains!
Robin Coal needed to go home for his 10 year reunion. He asked his housemate Dair to be his fake boyfriend. Dair is retired from the US Marines, dripping with sexyness and totaly oblivious to the attraction between Robin and himself.

I recommend this audiobook for when you are in the mood for some lighthearted romantic comedy dipped in some syrupy sexy times.
Happy Listening

beautiful trash

you know what you're getting when you download this book. a cliche story with a mary-sue and a poster boy nerd. but, i still love it. it's a trashy rom-com, and that's what i wanted. every once in a while i would laugh at the ridiculous dialogue, or when a sex term came out of nowhere. so while this is not great literature, it's fun, funny, hot, and full of heart. can't wait to listen to more from this author and narrator.

Painfully un-self-aware main characters...

Ok. So, I just forced myself to finish this book. Yeach.

The MCs were so embarrassingly un-self-aware and shallowly written, it was a struggle to keep listening. The story centers around a 10-year high school reunion, and that was a constant reminder that the characters were supposed to be ‘adults’, but gee-wiz, it felt like a teen melodrama. The character’s self-doubt, plot moving misunderstandings and the MCs inability to communicate would be fine for a story about 15 year olds, but not a book about late twenty-something adults.

The side characters were likable, the plot and settings were well written, the smexy bits were good and the narrator was professional.

I just couldn’t get over how unrealistically adolescent the MCs were. Very off-putting.

I'll be returning this one.

Feel good listen

Robin and Dair- fake boyfriends who evolve into much more. I enjoyed Nick J Russo’s narration a lot! He made the characters feel real. Ready for book 2!

Cute story

This was a fun story. I liked the idea of Dair pretending to have recently discovered his bisexuality (or pansexuality) because of his feelings for Robin, only to suddenly realize that his real life was going the same direction as his pretense. Dair was really too perfect to be true, with amazing looks combined with a wonderful heart. I loved him as much as everyone else did. Robin was adorable but lacked confidence in himself. He also didn't listen to the people he trusted the way he should, and that caused me a bit of stress. When these two were together, without Robin's doubts, they were great. Add in Dair's scene-stealing dog, and they were perfect.
The cute story was enhanced by a talented narrator I always enjoy. This was a good listen that made my commute almost pleasant!

Great Narration that brings the story to life!!

Once again, I was drawn into the story of Robin and Dair, but this time, Nick Russo added to the wonderful story and the depth of the characters.

From the moment you meet Robin, he makes you smile. Him and his roommate, Peyton, are looking for a third roommate in Seattle to share the rent and on the last applicant, they hit the jackpot. Dair is an ex-marine who works as a mechanic now that he's out of the service. He's caring, gentle, and grows to care about his roommates fairly quickly, especially Robin. One night, Robin is worried about his upcoming class reunion and while he wants to go and reconnect with his family, he knows his ex will be there. Dair volunteers to go with Robin, to be his bodyguard while pretending to be his boyfriend and Robin agrees.

The characters in this book, especially Robin, is so realistic. He's hung up on the past with his abusive ex-boyfriend and refuses to get emotional or have a relationship, and for the longest time, you can't see why. But then you meet Robin's family, his large, funny, loving family and you realize that Robin would know nothing of abuse and manipulation because he never had to deal with anything like that before. But now he's home, his ex goes about trying to manipulate his relationship with Dair.

Dair is a wonderfully honest character who like Robin, hasn't had a lot of experience past the corp and his work as a mechanic. When he finds himself liking Robin more and more, he gets protective, but he also realizes his growing feelings for Robin have more to do with being his real boyfriend.

The story is a lovely read, angsty at times because of the manipulation and anger from the ex, but in the end, Dair and Robin and their happy ending are all that matters. A lovely read and I highly recommend this book!!

Would have been perfect with less drama

I have a love hate relationship with this story as there’s so much unnecessary conflict and drama but I still loved it . Up until around 70% in I was quite enjoying myself. Is Robin very annoying and full of self doubt? Yes. Is Dair the most annoyingly sweet perfect man on the planet who you just want a version of? Most definitely. Is Nick J Russo absolutely perfect as the narrator? YES.

The book went from enjoyable fluff to telenovela levels of melodramatic in a quick second. Remember this story is meant to be about men in their later 20s but I had to keep reminding myself that as robin in particular came across as a boy in his teens. There was such a lack of communication that just lead to silly drama. Dair just had to be out of sight whenever Mac did something devious, Robin had to act like Mac was a changed man and keep ignoring red flags. Mac just had to be the biggest bogey man possible, I mean seriously his pathetic attempts at manipulation should not have worked but of course they did.

I really do love Dair as a character I just wish he hadn’t been so perfect. We’re expected to believe he’d only been with one woman ever, even whilst in the marines but he’s just so willing to accept that he might be bi and is completely okay with having sex with Robin. There didn’t feel like there was enough build up you know? Surely he’d have to think things through just a little more.

Good but to drawn out

Good but story could have ended after lake. Didnt listen to last 3-4 chapters as fustrated by anx relationship. Very tame story. Repetitive at times and overly wordy. Kind of wish hadnt bought, but read on kindle unlimited instead. It would have been cheaper and returned sooner.

Great small town, big love book.

I love this series, Robin and Alistair are the main characters, the geeky kind and the ex marine beefcake. They shouldn't work on paper but in real life there's a spark. Great book, good characters and an HEA that we all love.

Really heart warming

l really enjoyed listening to this story, the characters were great, the emotions and strong family ties spoke to my heart. The intimate scenes believable and smoking hot.
l especially enjoyed the description of the stunning nature and pretty town with all of its inhabitants.
The narration was on point, really entertaining.

Love love love!

This book has everything. I just can't. Serious book hangover right now.
Fake boyfriends, bisexual awakening, an asshole of an ex, a support network and family and cute puppies. A must read

Restores faith in love

Absolutely couldn’t stop listening to this. The author really pulls you in to the story. It’s so sensual without being overtly corny.

meh

your average story, mistakes are made and people dont communicate properly so feelings are left unsaid and misunderstandings lead to conflict. very cliche. Robin is also stupid, what a moron and he does keep going back to mac so he shouldn't have been so surprised

Wonderful

Loved this book HJ Welch has done a great job with GFY. Can't wait to continue this journey. Loved how the kids are all named after birds. Nick's narration topped this off.

excellent narration of a sneaky little book!

I was gifted my copy of this book direct from the author, that I write a review was NOT required.

This book landed right on my kindle when I was between bigger, heavier, darker books and it proper hit THAT spot, you know? The one that lets you fall into this book, and just read, and wile away a few hours while you recover from minor surgery. It landed, I read.

And I bloody LOVED it!

Robin has immediate attraction to Dair, right from the very first meeting but he doesn’t act on it, at all, cos Dair is straight. When Robin’s high school reunion comes up, he doesn’t really want to go, because it means he will come face to face with his abusive ex. When Robin’s best friend, Peyton, suggest he takes Dair as his plus one, Robin is not convinced it’s a good idea, but Dair does. It means Dair can get to know Robin better. THEN the suggestion is made for Dair to be Robin’s pretend boyfriend and things spiral out of control. Is Dair straight, or could he be bi? When Robin’s ex gets nasty, Dair knows what and WHO it is he wants, he just has to get there in time.

LOVED this, I really did!

It creeps up on you, and it’s sneaky the way it does.

The attraction that Robin has to Dair is powerful, right from the beginning, but Dair’s attraction to Robin sneaks up on him. It creeps and crawls when they go to Pine Cove, and to Robin’s family home. It sneaks up on him when he’s “pretending” and then it becomes a case of NOT pretending. He wants to touch Robin, hold his hand, kiss him. He WANTS more than those fleeting moments.
The thing with Robin’s ex, that sneaks up on you too! I did NOT see that coming out the way it was going, I really didn’t. I really thought he was trying to make amends! I did not think he was going to go as far as he did!
There is a sneaky thing going on with Peyton, Robin’s best friend, and his sister, Ava. Wonder how that will play out! There were lots of hints and clues and maybe I’m totally reading it all wrong but again, it’s a sneaky book!

It’s not overly explicit, but the physical relationship between Dair and Robin grows over time, so it doesn’t need to be. It’s got a bit of drama and angst with the ex, but not too much. Some danger to...well....just some danger in the book but not saying what.

It really was a thoroughly enjoyable, if sneaky, little book. But then again, its not even LITTLE! It’s just short of 300 pages, and I read it in one go.

Thank you, Ms Welch, for my copy. I hope I get to follow up with the people we met here.

Nick J Russo narrates.
I love Mr Russo’s work, and this is no exception!
His voices for Robin and Dair are PERFECT! They fit so well, they really do, to what I heard when I READ this book first. I do that a lot, know you, hear the voices and then when I find the book is being narrated, I hope my voices match the voices the narrator gives the characters and here I was no disappointed!
We get all of Robin’s instant and powerful attraction to Dair. We get Dair’s dawning realisation that he may not be as straight as he thought. We get all of Robin’s conflict with his ex and we get all of Dair’s terror when Robin is in danger.
Some of these come across when reading, but not all, and Russo nails the delivery!
His reading voice is deep and clear, and all the voices, for everyone, were different enough for me to have no trouble keeping up with multi person conversations.
I hope he gets to narrate the next books too. I need to listen to Troubled Waters, which is book two in this series.
5 stars for the narration
5 stars for the book
5 shiny, but sneaky stars overall

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

Coming home?

Nick J. Russo is an excellent choice for bringing the guys to life. I haven't had an audio narrated by him in quite some time, but this reminded me why he is one of my favourites.
I love this room mates/fake boyfriend trope combined with Robin's high school reunion. I love how he got to go home and be with his family. I enjoyed how Dair just stays close by even when they fight and he could just as easily leave.
I hated Robin's ex as the smarmy piece of work that he is and was glad to see him get a serving of just desserts in the end.
This is a highly recommended Contemporary MM Romance.