Rocky Start

A-List Security, Book 4

By: Annabeth Albert

Narrated by: Kirt Graves

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

I think I’m falling for my bodyguard coworker. Now I need protection…from myself.

As a former SEAL intelligence officer, I’m supposed to be smart. Unfortunately, those smarts don't apply to love. I did a nice thing and took my heartbroken fellow bodyguard out for a Valentine’s dinner. Just us bros. But my plan worked a little too well, and a night that ended with a scorching kiss has turned into the most awkward morning at the office ever. Now we’re working together as bodyguards on a remote mountain movie shoot. And we’re roommates.

I’ve never been attracted to a guy before, but something about Avery calls to every protective instinct I have. We’re not dating, but every night alone together, I fall a little deeper. It's also Avery’s first time with a guy too, and while we’re both enjoying all sorts of new things together, I worry my heart will be broken when we return to civilization.

No matter how badly this may end, I can’t seem to stop wanting Avery. All of him. I want to see who he'll become if he ever manages to get out of his own way. I want to be his biggest cheerleader, best friend, and the guy he comes home to. But going from secret hookup to forever after is a big ask. Are we both brave enough to take the leap?

Rocky Start is book four in the A-List Security series. It features two highly protective SEAL bodyguards, a double awakening, an exploration of the sexy, lacy kind, and all sorts of brand-new emotions. Get ready for all the high heat, big feels, and found family feels listeners expect from this fan-favorite military romance author. Join A-List Security for this lower-angst series featuring former SEALs and celebrity clients. Happy endings and no cliffhangers guaranteed!

©2023 Annabeth Albert (P)2023 Annabeth Albert

Great book

I am soo happy the other books are soo good, as one was just soo bad.

This book is a great love story one all gay men need to hear ! Yes but it and you will have a great had on time !!

Love Avery and Malik’s self discovery journey and romance!

Narration: Kirt is a really hit or miss narrator for me and this performance fell somewhere in between. While I enjoyed it enough to keep listening, and Kirt’s voice fit the characters well enough, Kirt doesn’t have a large range and basically uses the same 2 “voices” with every book. I can think of some other narrators I would’ve personally preferred for Avery and Malik, but again Kirt was totally fine. And I do love the emotion you can hear in Kirt’s parts in the more tense/passionate parts.

Story: What started out as a fun coworkers-to-friends-with-benefits premise and a little forced proximity turned into a beautiful story of self and s*xual discovery. Avery has essentially done everything imaginable to prove his masculinity - even going so far as to join the military and serve time as a Seal - and his friendship with Malik helps him realize just how much of that is internalized homophobia. The story is technically a double awakening, but Malik is much more go-with-the-flow when it comes to his s*xuality and doesn’t care about labels.

These guys finding each other was literally the best thing ever. They have a lot in common including struggling to find a fulfilling purpose in life after the conclusion of their military careers. They’re also their own worst critics and that’s the part I loved most about this story - how they each navigate their self blame and insecurities in pursuit of their happiness. Avery’s true self is just under the surface and he slowly lets it free, and it was so beautiful to see his unwavering trust in and vulnerability with Malik. It’s clear that, even though Avery doesn’t realize it, he’s needed someone to open up to and be himself. The same can be said of Malik. The poor guy has so much buried deep inside and he finds himself opening up to Avery like he’s never before done with another person.

Another favorite thing about this book - it was INCREDIBLY spicy, but also liberating and affirming as these two found themselves and grew close through intimacy. They jump right into exploring different things (including lingerie!) and letting their freak flags fly. Yes, Avery has to work through reservations, but oh boy does he! I have a deep appreciation of and love for writers who can intertwine spicy and romance without compromising either. The writing and storytelling talent in this book is extraordinary and I highlighted a ton of lovely passages/scenes.

I could go on and on, but I’ll just note that the setting was a lot of fun - they’re providing security on a film set that’s in a small town in Colorado - and there’s a great cast of side characters. There are some found family vibes that I loved!

Rocky Start is easily the best book of this series and it might now be my favorite Annabeth book. I loved it so much. It can be read as a stand-alone, so feel free to dive right in, and happy reading!

Courageous, Spicy, Inspiring

Great!, Spicy, Romantic story about love and self acceptance that I did not want to end. This unfolding romance between two Navy Seals, Malik and Avery, whom are perfect for one another but not immediately accepted emotionally by one of them at first, kept me engaged throughout, and Kurt Graves compelling and nuanced narration helped to reveal an emotional depth in each of the characters, that allowed me to easily identify with their unique personalities.
Loved this one to the end. Rocky Start, Gives Way to Cheers of Joy!

Great addition to this series!

When I started reading this forth book of this series I was not sure what to expect but in the end I can say that this story of self discovery was not what I was expecting but I enjoyed it from page one.

In the continuation of the A-Lisa Security series we meet Malik and Avery - both former military with their own scars and issues. Malik, freshly out of a serious relationship was looking for friendship and nothing more as he was happy with how his life and career were despite dealing with his PTSD. While Avery, wounded amputee vet and also fresh out of a relationship but curious about his sexuality finds the bravery to explore such things with Malik when the two are assigned a security job where they are forced to share a room and their curiousities.

I thought that this story of self exploration while in close proximity was well written. I thought that the exploration of their kinks was an interesting twist but it was done tastefully. The pair had chemistry and I liked how both of the characters also addressed the 'scars' that they received while serving their country. I felt the anxieties that both characters faced when they came out to their respective family members was believable as well as well written.

Overall, this was a good read that I enjoyed from start to finish and would recommend to others.

WOW!!

Unbelievably Beautiful ❤️
I'm completely in love with Avery and Malik 💕 such beautiful couples they make...their Friends with benefit-to-Lovers story is the best one in this series. Can't explain how much I loved it.
I also love the way Malik always supported Avery and his dreams, they were so beautiful together 🥰

And The Narrator is the best 💗 he portrayed the characters so beautifully 👏👏

great listen !

I really enjoyed this book so when I found out it was coming out on audio I had to jump at the chance to get it. Kirt did such a lovely job with this book. You know how when you read a book and the charters sound a certain way in your head, well that's what Kirt did for me. He brought a fantastic book to life for me. I truly enjoyed it. I really liked this series a lot.

Made me feel lots of feels!

Another great books by Annabeth Albert!

Malik and Avery are a couple that grow together throughout the book and learn to ask for (and accept) what they need to be their best selves.

AA has her first (to my knowledge) Middle Eastern hero and added thoughtful cultural pieces throughout the book.

Easily going into my re-read “stack” when I need a dose of a sweet couple who are learning to live and love (themselves and each other.)

Great audio version of Rocky Start

I loved this book when I read it and listening to it was great, too. Graves sometimes uses accents I don’t expect or are inconsistent, but I still enjoy listening.

Excellent as an audiobook! - by Shana W

I've read and reviewed the ebook, and I enjoyed the story all over again as I listened to the audiobook. In fact, I think I actually enjoyed the book even more this time.  The narrator, Kirt Graves, has the perfect voice and pacing for this book, and brings the story and the characters to life. Whether audiobook or ebook, this story is a must-read!
I received an audiobook copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

So much depth

Best of the 4. Love! I can’t decide which character I’m in love with more.