Reviewed by Valerie 

TITLE:  Into the Tempest

SERIES:  The Storm Boys #2

AUTHOR:  N.R. Walker

PUBLISHER:  BlueHeart Press

LENGTH:  198 pages

RELEASE DATE:   June 27, 2023

BLURB:   

Jeremiah Overton is now in charge of Darwin’s Bureau of Meteorology, and his storm chaser boyfriend, Tully Larson, couldn’t be happier. For Tully, it means watching summer storms with the love of his life but for Jeremiah, it means relearning everything on equipment that’s older than he is.

But summer storms also mean it’s cyclone season. While Tully’s no stranger to tropical storms and the occasional cyclone, for Jeremiah, it’s a first.

As Tropical Cyclone Hazer bears down on the city, Jeremiah and Tully prepare to stay behind. Jeremiah knows what to expect, theoretically, but living through it is a different story.

If they live through it at all.

REVIEW:   

Into the Tempest, the second of three books in N.R. Walker’s same couple The Storm Boys series, picks up right after the end of Outrun the Rain. This is an exciting novel with the suspense of a dangerous storm the guys must endure. And of course, there are lots of feels with Tully and Jeremiah’s brand spanking new romance.

Jeremiah has barely settled into living with Tully in his home in Darwin, where he is now in charge of the Bureau of Meteorology. Tully is thrilled that Jeremiah has moved his life from Melbourne to Darwin because he’s so far gone over him. The adorable first scene of the book delivers Tully at his goofiest.

Instead of lightning, this second book centers around a massive storm: a Category 5 cyclone bearing down witha direct hit on Darwin. (A cyclone is the same as a hurricane or typhoon depending on where you live in the world.) Jeremiah is under extreme pressure as he shoulders the responsibility of keeping the community safe with updated reports; he is the sole source of storm development news. Lucky for him, Doreen – a character with character coming out her ears – returns to help him. She is a fantastic, colorful woman who provides the scant bits of humor in the book.

Tully’s family figures prominently in the story. His brother, Ellis, is a delight. Jeremiah, who’s never had anyone care about him, envies the love Tully has within his family. They don’t hesitate to bring Jeremiah into their fold; it’s heartwarming to see him be the recipient of Tully’s mom’s affection. As the storm rapidly progresses, Tully’s fears extend beyond his and Jeremiah’s safety to that of his entire family, his friends, and his hometown community.

I love same couple series (of which Ms. Walker excels) because we get to follow a couple with front row seats to the development of their new lives together as their love blossoms and intensifies. It can be said that how an individual behaves during an incredibly stressful time shows their true character. In this case, both Tully and Jeremiah are at their best. Love grows quickly in this series with only a small bit of time elapsing. This book covers only a handful of days and it’s been just a few weeks since the men met in Outrun the Rain. It’s not insta love but nor is it a slow burn.

Ms. Walker explains in her author’s note that the weather tracking of the Bureau of Meteorology is purely fictional. Facts shmacts! I couldn’t care less about its accuracy. I’m not studying meteorology or preparing to be a storm chaser. What matters to me is this book’s entertainment value, with both its suspenseful plot and love story, and it delivers in both areas.

If you’ve started the series you’ll certainly want to continue with this installment. It’s a lovely story of two men clinging to hope as they endure a nightmare scenario. If you haven’t begun, you need to read it’s predecessor first and might as well read the series prequel novella, Second Chance at First Love. The prequel is not necessary but it’s an enjoyable, short read.

Highly recommended.

RATING:

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