Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Troubled Waters
SERIES: Pine Cove
AUTHOR: H.J. Welch
NARRATOR: Nick J. Russo
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 7 hours and 8 minutes
RELEASE DATE: October 15, 2019
BLURB:
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?
REVIEW:
Note: This is the second book in this series and takes place directly after the first book. As such, there are spoilers for book 1.
Emery is quite the free spirit. We met him in Book 1 and he’s a successful blogger/influencer. He’s good friends with the Cole family and Ava is his bestie. He’s very much out and proud. He’s flamboyant and in your face with his queer identity. He does this as part of his representation and brand – helping other kids like himself who may feel alone, isolated, unsupported, etc. He wants to show people that they can be who they are. But he’s somehow picked up some haters along the way. And they’ve become more pointed in their threats – so much so that his friends think he needs security. This seems like a pretty good idea after he has a very hot encounter at a club with a guy and when he gets home, he’s got a intruder. He manages to get away, but he’s scared enough to consider the option of security.
After his hot night at the club, Scout Duffy is sad that he didn’t get the name/number of his companion. But then he’s shocked to find that the client he’s been sent to Pine Cover to protect is indeed that one night stand. But worse, Emery doesn’t even recognize him. Ouch!! So Emery is a total prickly pear about the whole security thing and frankly treats Scout pretty badly, assuming he’s straight, trying to make him as uncomfortable as possible. Things are definitely escalating with his stalker/hater and Scout just wants to keep him safe – which he does.
When they go away on a trip that wa planned long before the stalker issues, Emery finally realizes who Scout is and he pretty much demands a repeat. Scout tries to keep things professional and that they can explore other possibilities once the threat is neutralized. Of course Emery does not like this answer. So he makes Scout even more miserable than before. But then things really go off the rails with the stalker and Emery’s life is in danger. Scout does his best to get Emery out of a jam, but boy he doesn’t make it easy.
Well I’m on the fence on this one. I really liked Emery in book 1, but I spent most of this book wanting to slap him. Mostly because he jeopardized not only himself by Scout as well. I was angry with Scout for not putting Emery in his place and making him understand how much he was jeopardizing himself and every one around him. I didn’t really care what Emery’s excuses were. He acted like a spoiled brat and a baiter for much of the story. I can’t imagine what Scout was thinking and it made the story a whole lot less believable for me. I honestly cannot imagine making such a decision. I don’t care how hot the guy is. So yeah, that really detracted from the story for me. I was frankly a bit disappointed after the first story. Thankfully Nick Russo’s narration saved it a bit – he really held the story together. I particularly liked the climactic scenes towards the end. That being said, I’m looking forward to Swift’s story 🙂
RATING: 
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