Hidden Comrade

Project Morpheus #2

by Jillian David, Tiffany Morgan (reader)

Pele Tuitama’s Morpheus Squad mission infiltrating a Smoky Mountain children's camp is FUBAR. He might be a virally-enhanced military experiment, but augmented abilities won’t help him protect Reagan McNeill, the most unsecure-able target imaginable. Sweet Reagan’s kisses and the possibility of a future he should never consider, distracts his laser focus. If Pele can’t keep Reagan safe from an evil adversary bent on revenge against the entire McNeill family, then Reagan will die.

After a nasty breakup, Reagan doesn’t trust any man—or herself. Enter handsome Pele, the world’s worst camp counselor. She doesn’t believe his story or his motives. When overly-protective Pele draws her close and then rejects her, Reagan is finished with games. Then the truth she learns rips open recently-healed emotional wounds.

In order to escape through the mountains, Pele must share his deadliest secret. To have a chance at their future, they must reveal their demons and pray for acceptance ... and survival.

Genres: Military Fiction

Audio CD

Published August 8, 2023

About the author

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Award-winning and bestselling author and physician Jillian David quickly writes then slowly edits medical romance, paranormal romance, and romantic suspense books. She loves to use medical situations and characters to drive drama in her books. Her favorite cell is the platelet and her least-favorite organ is the pancreas. She fully believes that curse words, when appropriately deployed during surgery, are hemostatic. Which also explains why no book of hers will ever bleed out...

According to multiple starred reviews, Jillian's books cause sleep deprivation and a drop in productivity, as well as visceral responses from her vivid descriptions -- side effects which might qualify as a breach of her Hippocratic Oath to 'do no harm.'

Here's what readers are saying:
- "You will not want to start this book right before bed like I did because you won’t want to go to sleep."
- "...a highly original, paranormal, second chance, romantic suspense novel on steroids, and it kept me turning pages until dawn, and it gets 5 bleary-eyed stars from this reader."
- "I started this incredible paranormal suspense filled love story and couldn't put it down. I stayed up the entire night reading it."
- "Such an awesome read. As soon as I started it, I couldn't put it down. I even stayed home from the gym just to be able to finish this in the same day."
- "(T)his author sure knows how to write torture scenes and make you feel the physical abuse the characters are going through!"
- "(T)his (writer) can make you twist around in your seat in an effort to not pee yourself from fear."
- "Jillian writes incredibly interesting characters in situations that keep you reading late into the night, even if you have to work the next morning."
- "Just read the 4-book story (The Cowboys of Copper River series) to the end, started yesterday afternoon! Couldn't put it down, except for 3 hours when I fell asleep early this morning."

YUKON VALLEY, ALASKA (medical romance)
1) Dr. Alaska
2) Paging Dr. Breakup
3) Five Alarm Love

HELL TO PAY (paranormal romance)
1) Immortal Flame
2) Relentless Flame
3) Flame Unleashed
4) Flame's Dawn

HELL'S VALLEY (paranormal western romance)
1) Legacy of Lies
2) Legacy Lost
3) Legacy of Danger
4) Legacy Found

PROJECT MORPHEUS (military romantic suspense)
1) Fallen Comrade
2) Hidden Comrade
3) Silent Comrade

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Reviews

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jillian David has added another installment to the Morpheus series, and it doesn’t disappoint!

Read full review in the 2023 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Reagan, I am falling in love with you. If there's a chance that one day you might feel the same way, I'd like to try again. Slowly. At your pace. Without any lies. Give us a chance to create some kind of real future together." - Pele Tuitama

Excuse me while I'm swooning over here, Jillian David just did her thing again and I'm on my knees crying....

Woman, I have to look at non-fictional men AT SOME POINT IN MY LIFE, and you're not helping any! I'm already at the point where I would give my life for the Morpheus members I met in the previous book, now I have to worry about those Hunt sent away, too?!



So, the story here picks up a bit before the first book's ending - if my calculations were correct. Pele is the guy Hunt sent to protect Reagan, one of Kiera's sisters. Which would have been easy, if said sister wasn't working with kids out in the wild mountains! Add to that her trust issues - special Christmas present from an ex that I swear could have been spawned by the devil himself - and the guy is in for a ride that will not only be hard to forget, but also nearly impossible to pilot. Thank God for the virus in his veins, right?

I always enjoy this author's books. Her stories suck you in and are easy to navigate and understand, enough to be almost instantly immersed and invested in her characters. Even so, Jake in the previous book was a tough bite to chew for me, despite all his good points.

But where Jake failed to make me completely root for him all the time, Pele delivered. In spades! Page one of his introduction and I was already in love! His inner thoughts, his struggle, his wonderful heart - the guy was too good to be true! Even when I knew that Reagan was right about the lies, I couldn't 100% be on her side, because I was that much of a fan for the tattooed, gentle Samoan giant.

And he even had it harder than Jake did, because he had to protect not only Reagan, but also be careful not to harm kids. Which meant complete chaos in a seasoned soldier's routine. Plus, no antidote? Daaaaamn!

The tension in this book was off the charts, as well. This time, there wasn't a constant chase, but out in the mountains, with danger lurking even if not obviously, it might as well have been. Plus, unlike Jake, Pele didn't mind constantly trying to get up and personal with his ward, despite being cockblocked more times than a married father of 5! Gotta love a man who knows what he wants, despite tradition and everything in between, and keeps up the effort to get it no matter how much his timing sucks! (besides, who doesn't like a guy who respects and loves a strong, independent woman?)

As for Reagan, I couldn't help but admire her to hell and back. The woman got out of an abusive relationship, and was honest with herself. She knew what she wanted, she wasn't scared to voice it, and could actually survive on her own enough - what with all her knowledge of the wilderness. Not to mention her ability to mock a killing machine that nearly busted her spine after wrestling a black bear - it takes balls to do that, and the woman had a pair the size of Jupiter, no joke!

Now, with all those people pitying the other sister's security detail, I'm really curious to see why! Can't wait!

"I don't know at what point I fell in love with you, Pele, but I'm there, too. Damned crazy virus, bizarre situation, and all." - Reagan McNeill

***I was given an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com

[**Elle**Bee**Double U** · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so excited to have gotten the chance to read more about the Morpheus Squad!
After reading the first book I was so curious just how far Lequire was going to go to keep his secrets and protect his father's reputation as well.
Reagan is Kiera's older sister. While the whole family has suffered the loss of their mother and Blake their older brother, Reagan has also had to deal with the issue of an abusive ex-fiance. After being with him for two years she's only just now finally starting to find herself again without the critical and hurtful words of her ex.
Pele's been assigned to protect Reagan. A job that seems to be doomed from the beginning given that Reagan works outdoors in the mountains at an educational camp for school age children. He's planned and set up surveillance the best he could given the short time to plan for his mission. What he didn't plan on was Reagan herself. A woman who's obviously been hurt but is determined to take back her control and life. A woman who's willing to research a meal to assuage his homesick feeings for his homeland.
However, these feelings are a distraction that Pele can't afford. But at the same time he can't hurt and reject Reagan when these mutual feelings and his beast call out for her. It's also not like the life he has now is productive and ideal for a woman. Especially one who's only just finding herself again after a failed relationship.

I won't lie, I felt like it took F-O-R-E-V-E-R to get to the action of this book. While I can understand it, I just felt like compared to the first book this was slow going and then when we do get to the action part it's very quick and over faster than I was hoping. By the time I got to the 75% marker of this book I was wondering if we were honestly going to be getting a book about this sister, but no issues with Lequire.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BooksBooksandmoreBooks69 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Morpheus Squad series, and I would suggest that before reading this one you read book one.
Reading the first one although not absolutely necessary, will give you a better understanding of this book.

I’d read the first book (which is great by the way) I did wonder where the next book would take us….. and let me tell you it’s a bumpy ride!

Reagan is Kiera's older sister. (She’s the main female character from the first book) And as a whole the family have suffered terribly (what with the loss of their mother and the death of their brother, which was explained in book one.)
Reagan has also had to deal with her abusive ex-fiance. She’d been with him for two years, she’s struggled to find herself, but slowly she’s getting there. But still has moments of self doubt.

Pele's job/assignment is to protect Reagan.
It’s not going to easy as she works outdoors in the mountains at an educational camp for children. In the short space of time, he’s set up cameras to keep an eye on her.
But plans won’t go correctly if the subject is Reagan!

Reagan doesn’t trust the new camp councillor, he just doesn’t fit in! But he is easy on the eye. 😉 nether the less, she’s not interested in a new relationship, she just wants to concentrate on helping the kids.
The back and forwards between Pele and Reagan will have you laughing one minute then wanting to shake either character in the next.

Although a slow burn romance, it doesn’t lack for action/betrayal and mystery. Pele does try my patience, it’s a push and pull with him, he wants her, but he doesn’t think he deserves her.
And when they finally decide to try at a relationship, a secret comes along and blows Reagan’s shaky confidence. Can they really move forward and leave the past behind?

I’d have to say I liked the first book more than this one. But I can’t wait to read the next book.

🦋

[MammaDi3Gatti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden Comrade offers a great story with an original take on romantic suspense. Second in a series (my first), it can stand alone, but I found myself wishing I'd read the first book. Although each book focuses on a different Morpheus Squad member and (presumably) McNeill sister, there is an overarching storyline that continues through the series. In other words, you'll get your HEA but not the full resolution.

I liked both Reagan and Pele quite a bit, and I thought they were cute together. I do wish they had gotten to know each other more at the beginning, but I suppose Pele's need to keep his super secret mission and super secret superpowers (wait for it) a secret did make casual bonding time harder to arrange. But I was rooting for them. And if I kept envisioning Dwayne Johnson in the role of Pele, sue me.

With regard to tropes, I sensed a little shifter creeping in, with the virus inside Pele almost carrying on conversations with its human half, much like a shifter's wolf or dragon would. It gave me a little hope that our Morpheus Squad dudes will get better at working with the virus rather than trying to keep it at bay.

The end comes a little too quickly, especially when taken in contrast to the detail and slower unfolding in the first three quarters of the book. I know the suspense part is guaranteed to continue into future books, but the book-specific conflict that relates to Reagan and Pele felt a little incomplete. Overall though, I really liked this book and will definitely pick up the other books in this series.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

[Leah Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an advance reader copy of this book, but I would’ve bought it anyway. I buy all Jillian David’s books because I appreciate her talent for throwing humor in at the most suspenseful moments of a story. Things like, “her heart hammered like a deranged drummer…” gives levity when you least expect it. This is the second book in the series, and I’m delighted she wrote Pele’s story.

He’s damaged and interesting with the experimental virus making him both paranoid and tremendously protective. Pele is asked to secretly guard the sister of his teammate’s wife, and he isn’t allowed to disclose she’s in danger. To accomplish this, Pele, a powerful, virus enhanced special forces soldier, must learn how to tell campfire stories and lead nature hikes for little kids. He breaks all the rules when he falls for the beautiful camp counselor.

Reagan survived her abusive ex, making her distrustful of the motivations of others. She has no idea she’s being hunted by a deranged man who would use her as leverage to get what he wants. So when she discovers Pele has lied to her, by omission, she knows he’s like every other man who has let her down. But when the killers close in on her location, Pele is there to keep her safe, even facing off against an angry bear when they are on the run through the wilderness to rendezvous with a rescue team.

This book is a must read if you enjoy, humor, suspense, and some hot, sexy times. Thank you, Jillian David for another wonderful book.

[Heather Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enhanced operative on a mission so far out of his comfort zone, Pele has no idea how he’s going to cope. His enhancement has him just about ready to kill everything, throw in some children, and it’s a total freak out. He’s supposed to stay under the radar and close to Reagan at the same time as being the new camp counsellor. Give him a break it’s an impossible task.
Reagan is out of sorts, and just trying to make sense of life as it is now. Much has happened recently, and she’s feeling a bit abandoned by her family. You’d think tragedy would bring family closer, but not it appears for her family. With the split from her abusive ex too, she’s got a lot of self-doubt to contend with. And what’s with the new camp counsellor Pele. He’s like smoke, and turns up everywhere she is, and is clueless with the children.
I really liked how Jillian portrayed Pele’s interaction with the children. You could almost feel him cringing, but then he did the sweetest if awkward thing for them. This story moves smoothly, and holds your attention. There’s plenty going on, and if you’ve read previous books you re-meet characters you already know.
As this book could be read as standalone I have one criticism. IMO the author perhaps should have incorporated a bit more detail about Project Morpheus.
I received a review reader’s copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow on from Fallen Comrade

Pele whose enhancement brings out the uber protective machine; Reagan who is reeling from all the loss of people near and dear to her and then suffered hectic abuse at the hands of a man who professed to loving her.

Reagan manages an educational camp for children & Pele has been assigned to protect her without her knowing. How to do that? Easy, become a camp counsellor. Oops, Pele doesn't do children so he has a steep learning curve. Actually quite fun and moving to watch him grow in this new role.

As to be expected, Reagan finds out what's going on. And they need to run for their lives.

Both characters are unsure of themselves which is endearing and extremely frustrating (at least I thought so).

it would have been good to have some more info about Project Morpheus..

Bring on the next book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

I feel like even though this story said it could be read as a "standalone", that the reader would have a richer experience if they read the first book first. I felt like I was coming into the middle of a story already being told. It didn't grip me like I had hoped and I probably wouldn't consider it for a reread. Some of the writing was repetitive and the characters seemed to change their minds and emotions at the drop of a hat.

I did appreciate the bits of humor and cleverness sprinkled throughout. The insight into the Samoan culture was interesting.

[Nicole Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pele & Reagan - You are in for a rollercoaster ride

This is my second time reading this author & they certainly delivered. Pele & Reagan story is book 2 in the series & I am hooked. I believe the author has absolutely nailed it with the romance, suspense, hint of paranormal all wrapped up in a thrilling read. I can't recommend this book highly enough. 5 stars from me. I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Flavia Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit of everything...
I was looking forward to this read! Just like the first book, this story has a little bit of everything. And all of it taken together makes it hard to put this reading down. Suspense, danger, a super protective man and a woman who is a survivor and resilient. And they are so good together! I can't wait to continue reading this series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia Baxes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different sort of read. The storyline was sort of convoluted; the characters really strange and somewhat hard to keep up with; plot twists and turns were borderline bizarre—but very interesting; and the ending was hard fought. You almost needed a scorecard! While this book wasn’t exactly a favorite, it definitely had its moments. I suggest you get a copy for yourself! (I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and found it interesting.)👍

[Mg Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hidden Comrade was a out of his element super solider that's tasked with saving the girl without revealing that's his mission statement there's a little drama a little action and a low heat level I'm sorry to say but I found this plot to be slightly awkward and clunky feeling I just never got a good connection to these characters or their struggles. I received a ARC copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adventure gone wild! Pele is in such a hard spot. Throw in what he needs to do & what he actually feels, you feel for the guy. Reagan needs to trust what she feels besides her baggage. All the action & crazy chemistry keeps you engaged. Looking forward to the next book!.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series, and I would highly recommend reading the first one so that you understand this one better. I loved this one just as much as the first one, lots of suspense and romance, along with some hold your breath moments. Cannot wait to read the next one.

I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Underbrink · Rating 3 out of 5]

A big thank you to NetGalley and Evernight Publishing for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is part of a series, second book, but it reads okay as a stand alone. This is a fast paced suspense. Unfortunately the bad guy got away. This is not really my thing, but worth the read.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is amazing. Soldiers are given drugs to enhance their skill sets. Pele is scared to get close to anyone because he doesn't want to put them in danger. But he may have met his match in Reagan. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laurie Ryan]

I read the first book in the series and could hardly wait for book 2. It did not disappoint at all. I was hooked from the beginning and loved it.

[Laura Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific intrigue and suspense continue in this compelling military romance series. Loved the sweet connection between the characters that turned to spicy romance. Eagerly awaiting book three!