Troubled Waters

Pine Cove, Book 2

By: H.J. Welch

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Scout Duffy doesn’t know what’s worse. The fact that his scorching one-night stand is his bratty new client, or the fact that he doesn’t even remember Scout. But beneath all the bravado, Scout can see Emery is terrified, and he’ll do anything to protect him from his attacker. If only he would lower his walls and let Scout into his heart as easily as he lets him dominate in the bedroom...

Being out and proud his whole life means Emery Klein has never been safe. But now, his charity work and social media fame have put a target on his back from bigots, and his friends force him to hire a private bodyguard. Emery doesn’t need to be judged by some straight former boxer, but his attraction to the gorgeous hunk is insatiable. When Emery finally recognizes Scout, they can’t keep their damn hands off one another, if only for as long as Scout’s in town.

There’s a reason Emery never looks too closely at the men he sleeps with, just like there’s a reason Scout lives out of a suitcase in motel rooms. Will two men hiding from hurt realize the love that could heal them both is right in front of them? Or will Emery’s attacker take everything before they have the chance?

Troubled Waters is a steamy, stand-alone gay romance novel with a guaranteed HEA and absolutely no cliff-hanger.

©2019 H.J. Welch (P)2019 H.J. Welch

Loved It!

I really enjoyed this fast paced, action packed romance. Emery and Scout are combustible together. Their chemistry jumps off the page. I liked how their relationship evolved. They grew to trust and love each other.
This book had drama, humor, steam and romance. The characters are interesting and likeable. The story was entertaining and definitely kept me glued to the book.
I loved listening to Nick J Russo bring these guys to life!

Bodyguard Romance

Troubled Waters is the second book in the Pine Cove series, a contemporary romance series set within a small town. This book can be read as a standalone, but I think it works best being read right after the first book. I loved the bodyguard/forbidden-love tropes mixed in with an action packed plot with a dangerous mystery. The romance was spicy with some really hot steamy moments. This was a fun addition to the Pine Cove series.

Emery and Scott are combustible together!!

Awesome Narrator!! I loved the story as it unfolded  and how well the emotion of the different scenes were brought to live by his narration in this story. 

Delightfully steamy m/m romance with a bit of suspense and awesome characters. I have been waiting for Emery's story since reading the first book in this series and i was not disappointed.  I really liked the MC's and found the story-line engaging.  The writing flowed and i enjoyed seeing glimpses of people we have met previously.

Emery and Scott are combustible together and i loved the creative ways they found to communicate with each other.  Lots of fun and yet these guys also learn to communicate.  There are several miscommunications and that seemed fitting with their experience with relationships.

This is the second book in the Pine Cove series and can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story.  I personally really enjoyed the first book and would recommend both to you for your pleasure.

Emery is more than meets the eye!

Emery might be a spoiled brat and diva but there is so much more to him than meets the eye. I'm so glad we got his story early in the series because he intrigued me right from the beginning. Scout is the perfect man for him, patient and loving. These two had quit a few hurdles to get past, some external to the relationship and some internal between the two of them but the angst level was not overwhelming at all. The story flowed well in my opinion and the narration was well done by Nick J Russo. I feel that his narration of this series improved in this installment. Definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

Another Wonderful Pine Cove Story

After a one-night stand, where Emery doesn’t remember Scout, the two re-meet when Scout becomes Emery’s bodyguard/personal security while Emery is dealing with hate mail and death threats. But the two get closer the more time they spend together, and Scout reminds Emery of their first encounter. But can Scout continue to keep Emery safe while their feelings continue to grow?
This book was a little different than the first of the Pine Cove Series, a little darker, with Emery’s threats but I liked the way the author brought them full circle. I do wish that there was a little more of Emery’s friends or people from the town involved in the story, but liked seeing more of Swift and Ava. It was also nice to see the reasoning behind Emery’s behavior (not that anyone needs to defend it), but it allows us a view into Emery’s mind and behaviors that I wouldn’t have thought before.
Nick J Russo did a truly amazing job bringing Emery ad Scout to life. His character voices allow you to really get a picture of the characters and the story! I can’t wait for more from this little town!

So good!!

I’m loving this series. The first book was good, but this one was so much better. I loved Emery and Scout‘s story and of course the narration was great. Love Nick Russo’s voice. So excited to start the next book!

Imperfect, but that's okay.

I'd give this a 3.5, rounded up to 4. It was enjoyable and I was fully invested throughout. It was probably very unrealistic in some areas and the characters periodically made some very stupid decisions, but if you're willing to suspense some disbelief and overlook the times the author slipped into British words in Washington State characters, I'd say go for it. Scout and Emery are terribly imperfect people, but perfection can be boring, right? There's also a pretty fun character, Kamran, (I believe that's the spelling - I did audio, so not positive). He doesn't appear for some time, but I found him a highlight and hope he continues to pop up again throughout the remainder of the series, though that might be wishful thinking.
The narration was good, very typical of the narrator, so if you've listened to him before and liked him, this should be no different.
I've already started the next book.

I liked the suspense arc,

the romance, not so much.

I have a lot of issues with Emery. He's self-centred, judgmental and childish, and yes, I get it was supposed to draw us to him, and that it was a defence mechanism, but I simply didn't like it. And his 'No means yes'? I truly loathed it.

Scout, I liked more, although, c'mon! what kind of security professional doesn't knows what's a location pin? What kind of training did he receive? But he was caring and protective, a warm character with the patience of a saint :P

I enjoyed the suspense of the last part of the story, and l liked the whole stalker arc, but, TBH, I could have done without all Emery's drama in the middle,

As always, Nick J. Russo does an excellent work with the narration.

Even better than the first

This story has a bit more violence and drama than the first but if you loved Emery, you have to listen or read this story. Emery is such a dramatic person but the drama really just hides the caring person behind the facade. Scout does a great job doing what he can to keep Emery safe, though he does mess up a bit.

Nick continues to do a great job with these characters and really brings the story to life.

Wonderful

Troubled Waters, the second book in Pine Cove series, hooks you from the beginning and keeps your engaged throughout. Emery and Scout will make you laugh and frustrate you with the things they because of their insecurities but you just can’t help but root for them. The narration by Nick J Russo was excellent as always. I look forward to reading/listening to the next book in the series.