Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: It Starts with a Bang
SERIES: Redemption Ridge
AUTHOR: Aimee Nicole Walker
NARRATOR: Lance West
PUBLISHER: Tantor Audio
LENGTH: 6 hours and 28 minutes
RELEASE DATE: February 3, 2026
BLURB:
The best way to get over a cheating jerk is to get under someone new.
Dominic isn’t looking for love or salvation at the Thirsty Cowboy. He needs a temporary escape, and the universe provides him with the sexiest distraction he’s ever seen. Sven is a sucker for sad eyes, thick thighs, and a Royal Cosmopolitan. He scores the trifecta when a broody hunk buys him a drink. Sparks fly, passions flare, and a simple kiss becomes a four-alarm blaze until an untimely interruption douses the men with an icy reality, pitting loyalty against lust.
They shouldn’t. They couldn’t. Spoiler alert: they do!
It was supposed to be one and done but memories of their encounter won’t let go. A single text triggers two years of conversations, healing, and an endearing friendship.
An unexpected invitation could provide the nudge their hearts need. Exploring their reignited passion for two weeks in Vail would be a heavenly hideaway if not for a hellish houseguest’s resolve to cause trouble. Family rifts and uncomfortable confrontations abound, and embracing a future with Sven means Dom must face his past. Is their love strong enough to withstand the fire, or will they go down in flames?
Contains mature themes.
REVIEW:
Note: The timeline of this book overlaps with the previous book in this series, so there are some spoilers for that book here.
Sven is out for a good time and when a broody guy sends him a drink at his favorite bar, he things well this might be ok for the night. After a bit of a fitful start, he discovers that this man is just what he’s looking for and the evening is definitely looking up. Until during their first liplock, his brother Kerry interferes. Turns out the man he’s kissing? His brother’s best friend Dominic who Sven didn’t recognize since he hasn’t seen him in about 20 years. Uh-oh. He doesn’t feel like his brother should have anything to say about who Sven can kiss, but then Kerry drops the bomb that Dominic is in the middle of an ugly divorce and Sven never picks the right guy 🙁
Dominic IS in the middle of a bad divorce and he’s not in a great place. But he is so attracted to Sven and was looking forward to a good time. He’s not about to lose his best friend over a guy though. Kerry has stood by him. Sven reluctantly lets Dom go. But when Dom leaves, Sven not so discreetly follows him to his – um, van? Dom is a private investigator and the van is for stakeouts, etc. Um, okay. Despite knowing they are playing with fire, they have a quick hookup but agree that they neither one want to piss Kerry off, nor is Dom in a headspace to be what Sven needs. So they exchange numbers.
For the next couple of years, they text, watch movies, and occasionally chat. Both guys want more, but Dom is building his business which takes long hours. Sven is living his life, but he really only wants Dom. He’s absolutely convinced the Dom is the guy for him. They see each other occasionally at family events that Sven’s parents and his brother invite Dom to and try to keep their hands off each other – with varying degrees of success.
Then Dom’s parents drop the bomb of a family holiday at a chalet in Vail with his aunt and uncle, grandmother and his cousin. Well that might have been ok except that Christian, his cousin, is the guy who his cheating ex is now with, so Emerson, the slimy ex will be there too. Um, no. But they guilt Dom into being there. Kerry and Keegan suggest that Sven should go as Dom’s fake boyfriend (little do they know it’s not fake on either side).
At the chalet, hijinks and serious conversations ensue. There is a TON of family drama – and not just with Dominic. Granny is a hoot. There are lots of cookies and holiday movies. And some very hard truths 😉
I loved this installment of this series. It’s a little bit of a companion piece since Redemption Ranch isn’t really a star here. Dom is a lovely guy who just chose poorly with Emerson. His cousin had a lot to answer for. Dom’s extended family were a huge surprise. I loved Kerry and Keegan’s relationship and they way they were trying to take care of Sven. There are plenty of sexy times with Sven and Dominic and they got their HEA with support from all their friends and family. Dom’s parents were hilarious and so very sweet. The villains got what was coming to them and I was there for it!
Lance West does another fine job with this audio. His growly moody Dom was perfect. Sven is a ray of sunshine and so totally himself and I really felt that in this performance. Kerry and Keegan were so consistent from past books. I loved all the choices for the many family members in this one too. Just a great marriage of story and narrator. Highly recommended.
RATING: 
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