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Anchors and Eagles #2
What I Should Have Done
SPIN OFF FROM What I Should Have Said
Torn between love and war, his heart wears the scars of a past his soul can’t forgive.
SEAL operator Mikey Johnson has seen his fair share of horror. The one thing that keeps him going during his deployments is the comfort of knowing who is waiting for him at home. That is, until he returns one day to a betrayal that cuts him deeper than the rest. And love gives way to anger and mistrust. When his team ships out on their next tour, he finds that they’ve been assigned a new, temporary sniper from another branch. The last thing he expects is for that teammate to be a woman.
Scottie Aleck, the first woman to graduate from the United States Army Sniper Course, finds herself a pawn in a political game as she’s assigned to a team of Navy SEALs. She’s familiar with their reputation. They’ve refused to draft a new SEAL for years, leaving the spot open. She has big shoes to fill and with her career on the line, Scottie’s determined to prove herself. Then, she meets him…
The mission is simple: find the bad guy, eliminate the bad guy. Except nothing is as simple as it seems when feelings become involved amidst combat and war. They aren’t supposed to fall in love. They can’t fall in love.
But violence has a way of breaking all the rules.
Torn between love and war, his heart wears the scars of a past his soul can’t forgive.
SEAL operator Mikey Johnson has seen his fair share of horror. The one thing that keeps him going during his deployments is the comfort of knowing who is waiting for him at home. That is, until he returns one day to a betrayal that cuts him deeper than the rest. And love gives way to anger and mistrust. When his team ships out on their next tour, he finds that they’ve been assigned a new, temporary sniper from another branch. The last thing he expects is for that teammate to be a woman.
Scottie Aleck, the first woman to graduate from the United States Army Sniper Course, finds herself a pawn in a political game as she’s assigned to a team of Navy SEALs. She’s familiar with their reputation. They’ve refused to draft a new SEAL for years, leaving the spot open. She has big shoes to fill and with her career on the line, Scottie’s determined to prove herself. Then, she meets him…
The mission is simple: find the bad guy, eliminate the bad guy. Except nothing is as simple as it seems when feelings become involved amidst combat and war. They aren’t supposed to fall in love. They can’t fall in love.
But violence has a way of breaking all the rules.
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 5, 2024
1337 people are currently reading
5124 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 282 reviews
February 14, 2025
Remove the hyperbole, metaphors, sexism, misogyny, and ego from this book and it would be only a few pages long.
December 1, 2025
6⭐️ einašikt, kiek nervų ištąsė
June 10, 2024
I am somewhat new to this authors world, but I read her last book what I should’ve said and became immediately hooked. so it’s safe to say I came into this book with really high expectations because the first one blew me away and I’m happy to report. It did not disappoint.
This is my first book where the couple was both very strong characters in the military so that was a super fun dynamic to be able to navigate.
Mikey and Scottie had this immediate invisible string, magnetism whatever you call it that had me enthralled with their story. The banter between these two and the rest of the team made the book so entertaining to read. The action of this book in the military setting was so well described that I fully understood what was going on and could see the story unfold very clearly in my mind, which is hard to do with the amount of action that’s it.
The exploration of their tortured passion, upbringing, and other traumas they experienced well on tour was so interesting and engaging for me to read.
!!!!! Spoiler time !!!!!
When she gets kidnapped that whole scene of her screaming his name and him burning the world to find her was just incredibly written. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The storyline with the black box in the mole Really had me questioning everyone, and it just had a satisfying ending. I cried when Duncan died. I loved him. He was one of my favorites. His death, though I really thought he had died and her, screaming in the epilogue at the end where he was reliving it and remembering it really just was a dagger to the heart.
My favorite part of the whole book though was when Scottie got to battle it out with Rachel at the end. Stupid bitch did not deserve my man Mikey.
Over all 8.5/10
Spice 2/5
It had some pretty good sex scenes but they were short and lack description, which I understand and really didn’t mind it at all because sometimes the sex scenes become almost too much so I appreciate how this one was written. For me also what really made that build up was the glances and the touching of the hands and any excuse to get near each other is what made it as romantic as it was.
Can’t wait for the next one ;)
This is my first book where the couple was both very strong characters in the military so that was a super fun dynamic to be able to navigate.
Mikey and Scottie had this immediate invisible string, magnetism whatever you call it that had me enthralled with their story. The banter between these two and the rest of the team made the book so entertaining to read. The action of this book in the military setting was so well described that I fully understood what was going on and could see the story unfold very clearly in my mind, which is hard to do with the amount of action that’s it.
The exploration of their tortured passion, upbringing, and other traumas they experienced well on tour was so interesting and engaging for me to read.
!!!!! Spoiler time !!!!!
When she gets kidnapped that whole scene of her screaming his name and him burning the world to find her was just incredibly written. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The storyline with the black box in the mole Really had me questioning everyone, and it just had a satisfying ending. I cried when Duncan died. I loved him. He was one of my favorites. His death, though I really thought he had died and her, screaming in the epilogue at the end where he was reliving it and remembering it really just was a dagger to the heart.
My favorite part of the whole book though was when Scottie got to battle it out with Rachel at the end. Stupid bitch did not deserve my man Mikey.
Over all 8.5/10
Spice 2/5
It had some pretty good sex scenes but they were short and lack description, which I understand and really didn’t mind it at all because sometimes the sex scenes become almost too much so I appreciate how this one was written. For me also what really made that build up was the glances and the touching of the hands and any excuse to get near each other is what made it as romantic as it was.
Can’t wait for the next one ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2025
Agh another dnf. So much action wasted really.
I am not at all an expert nor have I ever experience anything military related but even someone like me can see how irrealistic this story is when it comes to the military element of this romance. Like maybe no research was done?
The SEALS get assigned a mission to recover a box that nobody knows what is has so that this random terrorist doesnt do the random plan nobody knows about? So we are just going on blind missions trying to recover random stuff just... because?? The SEALS? You're kidding right?
Then we add this woman that has undergone ZERO SEALS training??? Because she is the best at shootin? Ok fine let's allow that since she is THE sniper. But then how come she complains about not being "trusted" to be closer to the mission with the team??? Like hello?? Your literal job is to shoot... from afar in very hidden places!! Ughhh... and sorry but she really doesnt seem qualified at all to be there. I get that we are trying ti make her look all "angel" by giving her all the guilt of killing peiple but at a SEALS level??? I expect her to have more nerves of steel by now, more coldness, because her job is to kill! Like girl nobody is making you have this job. She really feels like a kid that needs to fill in big shoes. Very inexperienced and incompetent for her position. It bothers me that she is all barkss and no bite. "I dont need protecting" hello!! We all need tl have each others backs because literally that means life or death, GROW UP!
And then suddenly the plot becomes more ruined and irrealistic when we add a very randoooom kidnapping of the fmc in the middle of a mission agains the random terrorist. I dont know who it was but I just BET it was one of those calling her "squib". Do you seriously believe that one of the highly trained and honorable SEALS is going to randomly BETRAY their countryyyy, their teams, and everything they stand for, pay half a million dollars, have one of their friends/collegues killed and another kidnapped only to appear as a hero to the object of his affection??? This would literally be the act of a psycho and I am so sure that SEALS get psychoanalized thouroughly before they even start to train to become the most lethal soldiers on the planet. That whole thing happening just threw me off completely.
Then the whole "squib" deal?? You are telling me that after ranking so high in the army she didnt earn ghe respect of her peers?? That's sooo not something that would happen irl. She could have not being respected at the beginning, and then earned their respect. And then she could have been a character that comes from learning that she doesnt need to prove herself. A mature woman that knows she is where she is because she knows her worth and her actions speak so much louder than her words!! Close her teammates mouths with actions not words. But instead we get a crying baby that is constantly trying tl prove herself and fail at every turn.
There are so many weird things for me. Like when she was ambushed and the team sees her return, limping and bleeding and the ask where she was and what happened and she goes "is not my blood" and "nothing" and the teams just accepts it and moves on???? And her lying about something important???? Are we in highschool playing paintball? Or are we in the middle of the dessert doing a highly dangerous mission wizhing a group of lethal and highly trained operations team???
No. Sorry but I cant.
Also the romance???? Makes me cringe because this whole thing seems so irrealistic that the romance feels forced. To instant. Too fast. Too cliché. Like at leaaast give us a month in the story before the "enemies" start salivating for each other. How unprofessional of both of the, again, NAVYYYY FREAAAAKING SEALS.
I am not at all an expert nor have I ever experience anything military related but even someone like me can see how irrealistic this story is when it comes to the military element of this romance. Like maybe no research was done?
The SEALS get assigned a mission to recover a box that nobody knows what is has so that this random terrorist doesnt do the random plan nobody knows about? So we are just going on blind missions trying to recover random stuff just... because?? The SEALS? You're kidding right?
Then we add this woman that has undergone ZERO SEALS training??? Because she is the best at shootin? Ok fine let's allow that since she is THE sniper. But then how come she complains about not being "trusted" to be closer to the mission with the team??? Like hello?? Your literal job is to shoot... from afar in very hidden places!! Ughhh... and sorry but she really doesnt seem qualified at all to be there. I get that we are trying ti make her look all "angel" by giving her all the guilt of killing peiple but at a SEALS level??? I expect her to have more nerves of steel by now, more coldness, because her job is to kill! Like girl nobody is making you have this job. She really feels like a kid that needs to fill in big shoes. Very inexperienced and incompetent for her position. It bothers me that she is all barkss and no bite. "I dont need protecting" hello!! We all need tl have each others backs because literally that means life or death, GROW UP!
And then suddenly the plot becomes more ruined and irrealistic when we add a very randoooom kidnapping of the fmc in the middle of a mission agains the random terrorist. I dont know who it was but I just BET it was one of those calling her "squib". Do you seriously believe that one of the highly trained and honorable SEALS is going to randomly BETRAY their countryyyy, their teams, and everything they stand for, pay half a million dollars, have one of their friends/collegues killed and another kidnapped only to appear as a hero to the object of his affection??? This would literally be the act of a psycho and I am so sure that SEALS get psychoanalized thouroughly before they even start to train to become the most lethal soldiers on the planet. That whole thing happening just threw me off completely.
Then the whole "squib" deal?? You are telling me that after ranking so high in the army she didnt earn ghe respect of her peers?? That's sooo not something that would happen irl. She could have not being respected at the beginning, and then earned their respect. And then she could have been a character that comes from learning that she doesnt need to prove herself. A mature woman that knows she is where she is because she knows her worth and her actions speak so much louder than her words!! Close her teammates mouths with actions not words. But instead we get a crying baby that is constantly trying tl prove herself and fail at every turn.
There are so many weird things for me. Like when she was ambushed and the team sees her return, limping and bleeding and the ask where she was and what happened and she goes "is not my blood" and "nothing" and the teams just accepts it and moves on???? And her lying about something important???? Are we in highschool playing paintball? Or are we in the middle of the dessert doing a highly dangerous mission wizhing a group of lethal and highly trained operations team???
No. Sorry but I cant.
Also the romance???? Makes me cringe because this whole thing seems so irrealistic that the romance feels forced. To instant. Too fast. Too cliché. Like at leaaast give us a month in the story before the "enemies" start salivating for each other. How unprofessional of both of the, again, NAVYYYY FREAAAAKING SEALS.
January 13, 2025
Decent-ish read - I read it for a scene I saw in a reel that didn't even happen in the book so I was highly disappointed.
Also I was really disappointed the fmc wasn't more badass, like what was the need to make her untrained?
Although I loved how unhinged the mmc was
Also hated how the fmc made everything about herself and assumed everyone was sexist, although I understand her experience from sniper school probably influenced that but still, the mmc was such a green flag for her despite his own traumas and she just had red flags all over, making so many situations about her.
Also I was really disappointed the fmc wasn't more badass, like what was the need to make her untrained?
Although I loved how unhinged the mmc was
Also hated how the fmc made everything about herself and assumed everyone was sexist, although I understand her experience from sniper school probably influenced that but still, the mmc was such a green flag for her despite his own traumas and she just had red flags all over, making so many situations about her.
December 5, 2025
I’m so glad someone else already said this. At least I’m not the only one. I read this book because of a reel I saw. That scene never even happens in the story!!!!! I was bamboozled.
Anyways, Scottie got on my last nerve. She was not just super emotional throughout but cruel. The way she hurt Mikey was crazy and he kept taking it. All in all it wasn’t even that bad but then After that I was really done with the story. By then I was kind of hate reading. I expected a stronger female snipper and was very sad to not get that.
Anyways, Scottie got on my last nerve. She was not just super emotional throughout but cruel. The way she hurt Mikey was crazy and he kept taking it. All in all it wasn’t even that bad but then After that I was really done with the story. By then I was kind of hate reading. I expected a stronger female snipper and was very sad to not get that.
June 10, 2024
I’m soo excited that I received another arc by this brilliant author.
Let’s start of by saying that I knew this book would not disappoint and it surely didn’t. What I Should Have Said will always hold a special place in my heart because out of the two, it’s still my favorite…but getting Mikey’s POV was something I didn’t even know I needed. I devoured this book and was up in the middle of the night kicking my feet. Flirting by biting a man’s ear off? Perfection. The woman you love gets kidnapped so you rescue her and go feral and absolutely demolish that room full of killers. Perfection. Scottie cupping soft male junk?????? Had me dying haha. Their banter was immaculate and I absolutely loved that we didn’t have miscommunication. Duncan….my fucking jellybean Duncan. I was not expecting that and I was so distraught that I had to read it twice to make sure I read that part correctly. Scottie rocking Rachel’s shit?????? I needed a whole chapter of that but it was so justified. I’m loving this series soo damn much. I’m dreading the day if Ford gets a book because I love that man with everything in me and I’m torn because I want him to have his happy ending but I’m also selfish and want to keep him to myself. Now Bernie….I'm desperate for his book! I also loved getting more of peek into the military which was a great change of pace. Now I have one issue and it was Scottie….she was described as having brown skin and that her skin would stand out against the light tan sand….which to me meant that Scottie was a woman of color, which excited me until another vague description said she was tan and then it was mentioned again about her having brown skin. I notice this a lot when authors that don’t look like me, will use descriptions like this and then in the end the character would just end up being a white person with a tan. And then I saw someone with some pictures of the what they thought the characters looked like and Scottie was white and I was like but she is said to have brown skin a few times, so you can see my confusion.
Overall I loved this book and this author is an automatic read for me and that won’t ever change. Read this damn book!!!!!!
Let’s start of by saying that I knew this book would not disappoint and it surely didn’t. What I Should Have Said will always hold a special place in my heart because out of the two, it’s still my favorite…but getting Mikey’s POV was something I didn’t even know I needed. I devoured this book and was up in the middle of the night kicking my feet. Flirting by biting a man’s ear off? Perfection. The woman you love gets kidnapped so you rescue her and go feral and absolutely demolish that room full of killers. Perfection. Scottie cupping soft male junk?????? Had me dying haha. Their banter was immaculate and I absolutely loved that we didn’t have miscommunication. Duncan….my fucking jellybean Duncan. I was not expecting that and I was so distraught that I had to read it twice to make sure I read that part correctly. Scottie rocking Rachel’s shit?????? I needed a whole chapter of that but it was so justified. I’m loving this series soo damn much. I’m dreading the day if Ford gets a book because I love that man with everything in me and I’m torn because I want him to have his happy ending but I’m also selfish and want to keep him to myself. Now Bernie….I'm desperate for his book! I also loved getting more of peek into the military which was a great change of pace. Now I have one issue and it was Scottie….she was described as having brown skin and that her skin would stand out against the light tan sand….which to me meant that Scottie was a woman of color, which excited me until another vague description said she was tan and then it was mentioned again about her having brown skin. I notice this a lot when authors that don’t look like me, will use descriptions like this and then in the end the character would just end up being a white person with a tan. And then I saw someone with some pictures of the what they thought the characters looked like and Scottie was white and I was like but she is said to have brown skin a few times, so you can see my confusion.
Overall I loved this book and this author is an automatic read for me and that won’t ever change. Read this damn book!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2024
Mikey came back from tour and found his fiancee in bed with another man. He found himself focused on his military career and had no trust for women.
Scottie graduated top of her class at sniper school. Being a woman in a male dominant career wasn't easy for her. Meeting the men on her team for her first mission was as expected, she would have to prove herself twice as hard to build the trust of the group of SEALs she's be working with.
Both MCs are extremely standoffish from the beginning, which is understandable from Scottie's position, she was used to the misogyny in her field. I love the banter in this book and the found family. Both Mikey and Scottie are alone outside of their military families and Scottie fit in seamlessly with all of them. This book is slow paced and has a little spice, but I enjoyed reading it. R.L. Atkinson has become one of my "go to" authors when I want less spice and more plot.
Scottie graduated top of her class at sniper school. Being a woman in a male dominant career wasn't easy for her. Meeting the men on her team for her first mission was as expected, she would have to prove herself twice as hard to build the trust of the group of SEALs she's be working with.
Both MCs are extremely standoffish from the beginning, which is understandable from Scottie's position, she was used to the misogyny in her field. I love the banter in this book and the found family. Both Mikey and Scottie are alone outside of their military families and Scottie fit in seamlessly with all of them. This book is slow paced and has a little spice, but I enjoyed reading it. R.L. Atkinson has become one of my "go to" authors when I want less spice and more plot.
June 18, 2024
Oh my word...this man is unhinged but in the best cinnamon roll way....there's an ear bitten off, and a finger...banter galore that will have you laughing uncontrollably. The FMC is a bad ass with a sweet side...and action along with some triggers. Check your trigger warnings...but this book was such an amazing read. I can't even describe this slice of wonderful
If you like dark...unhinged heros with a sweet dirty side...and FMC that can hold their own...along with the most amazing love story! This is your book...run to get this book. 1000 stars from me...
If you like dark...unhinged heros with a sweet dirty side...and FMC that can hold their own...along with the most amazing love story! This is your book...run to get this book. 1000 stars from me...
August 1, 2024
It was so good to be able to see more of griffins old teammates find love and to see the continuation of the series
10/10 must read
10/10 must read
August 3, 2025
I dont have words to describe the book. The whole book had a tone but the ending felt like a different book. And it gave me whiplash. Don't know how I feel about it yt
July 4, 2024
“𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧. 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫.”
I’m speechless. All I can say is wow. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, R. L. Atkinson never disappoints. WISHD is the second novel in the Anchors and Eagles series and it is so well written. Adventure-packed. Dark. Inspiring. Tense. Funny. Emotional. Gosh, so emotional. I was up at 3am binge reading in tears like the floodgates opened. So here’s your PSA: HAVE TISSUES WITH YOU.
I’m so happy that Mikey found his girl 😭 and that she’s a perfect match. Mikey and Scottie are literally perfect for each other. I’m not going to give any other spoilers but I highly recommend if you’re curious about reading, to take the leap and just do it. You won’t regret it.
I cannot wait for the next story in the series.
Read if you like:
💙 military romance
💙 forbidden romance
💙 dual POV
💙 touch her and 💀
💙 HEA
💙 lots of flirty - teasing banter
💙 bad @$$ MCs
💙 found family
💙 hey, hi. if you’re still looking for a reason on why to read WISHD, dude, just read it. GO GO GO.
Also: check the TW just in case ⚠️
I’m speechless. All I can say is wow. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, R. L. Atkinson never disappoints. WISHD is the second novel in the Anchors and Eagles series and it is so well written. Adventure-packed. Dark. Inspiring. Tense. Funny. Emotional. Gosh, so emotional. I was up at 3am binge reading in tears like the floodgates opened. So here’s your PSA: HAVE TISSUES WITH YOU.
I’m so happy that Mikey found his girl 😭 and that she’s a perfect match. Mikey and Scottie are literally perfect for each other. I’m not going to give any other spoilers but I highly recommend if you’re curious about reading, to take the leap and just do it. You won’t regret it.
I cannot wait for the next story in the series.
Read if you like:
💙 military romance
💙 forbidden romance
💙 dual POV
💙 touch her and 💀
💙 HEA
💙 lots of flirty - teasing banter
💙 bad @$$ MCs
💙 found family
💙 hey, hi. if you’re still looking for a reason on why to read WISHD, dude, just read it. GO GO GO.
Also: check the TW just in case ⚠️
June 16, 2024
Ladies and gentleman, she did it once again. Listen to me when I tell you that this book, is 100% for you. Phenomenal writing from a remarkable author. She sure knows how to play with my emotions (in a good way.) This being the second book of hers that I've read, makes me so delighted to read the other books in the Anchors and Eagles series. The fact that I texted her throughout the book and telling her my feedback makes it so much better because truly got the very raw reaction from me.
Scottie, such a bada*s FMC. You get so much depth from her character because she literally wore her emotions on her face. When time came to be tough, she instantly flipped that switch. Her call sign the boys gave her was so fitting for her, truly because it was a part of her from the get go.
Mikey, the most stubborn/harda*s MMC. You have my heart for not only how strong you had to be growing up due to your childhood, but how hard-core of a person you became. You made me CRYING (iykyk) with the stunt you pulled, but quickly redeemed yourself 🤭
[This is my opinion, that being said, these are my ratings.]
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) Overall rating. The plot? Mind-Blowing! It doesn't even upset me that there was hardly any smut in this book! ✨Diet Spicy✨ is starting to become my new favorite category when it's done properly, and this book was done in just that way.
R.L. Atkinson, let me know if/when special editions come out for this book too because i will give ALL my money!!
Scottie, such a bada*s FMC. You get so much depth from her character because she literally wore her emotions on her face. When time came to be tough, she instantly flipped that switch. Her call sign the boys gave her was so fitting for her, truly because it was a part of her from the get go.
Mikey, the most stubborn/harda*s MMC. You have my heart for not only how strong you had to be growing up due to your childhood, but how hard-core of a person you became. You made me CRYING (iykyk) with the stunt you pulled, but quickly redeemed yourself 🤭
[This is my opinion, that being said, these are my ratings.]
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) Overall rating. The plot? Mind-Blowing! It doesn't even upset me that there was hardly any smut in this book! ✨Diet Spicy✨ is starting to become my new favorite category when it's done properly, and this book was done in just that way.
R.L. Atkinson, let me know if/when special editions come out for this book too because i will give ALL my money!!
June 22, 2024
"Home was not a place, but a person. It was her."
Let me just be the first to say that I am not a fan of non-spicy books or diet spice, but oh my god was this book amazing. I was lucky enough to receive the ARC and I am always extremely unbiased when it comes to authors that I have not read before regardless of the situation.
Mikey is damaged and the book starts out fairly rough for him, but as he gets to know Scottie and what she is capable of we get more insight into what he is thinking and how he feels about the forbidden situation that they have found themselves in.
"The future. He was talking about the future. A future with me."
Scottie is the only female sniper to graduate and she is just as stubborn as Mikey if not more. We truly get to see her grow into her feelings and accept the fate that has been dealt to her. Even though everything that happened between her and Mikey could have demolished her career she realized that what they had was worth fighting for.
"How else was I supposed to flirt with you when you were so far away?"
Through all the twists and turns that they faced they still managed to come out as champions. I would have loved to see more of their story in the future but what we have for now is more than enough I can truly say that I am in love with their relationship and even though it was diet spice it still got spicy within those pages and I definitely recommend giving it a read.
Let me just be the first to say that I am not a fan of non-spicy books or diet spice, but oh my god was this book amazing. I was lucky enough to receive the ARC and I am always extremely unbiased when it comes to authors that I have not read before regardless of the situation.
Mikey is damaged and the book starts out fairly rough for him, but as he gets to know Scottie and what she is capable of we get more insight into what he is thinking and how he feels about the forbidden situation that they have found themselves in.
"The future. He was talking about the future. A future with me."
Scottie is the only female sniper to graduate and she is just as stubborn as Mikey if not more. We truly get to see her grow into her feelings and accept the fate that has been dealt to her. Even though everything that happened between her and Mikey could have demolished her career she realized that what they had was worth fighting for.
"How else was I supposed to flirt with you when you were so far away?"
Through all the twists and turns that they faced they still managed to come out as champions. I would have loved to see more of their story in the future but what we have for now is more than enough I can truly say that I am in love with their relationship and even though it was diet spice it still got spicy within those pages and I definitely recommend giving it a read.
June 14, 2024
This was my first time reading a book by R.L. Atkinson and let me tell you after reading What I Should Have Done, she is now one of my favorite authors. This book was so well written and kept me engaged in every single sentence. It was very hard for me to put down and had to force myself on late nights reading to put it away. That is except for the last night I finished this book, who needs sleep anyways? Now I have to go back and read What I Should Have Said.
Anyways, WISHD is a Forbidden Military Romance with a protective MMC that has touch her and die vibes. It’s action packed and very descriptive with gore if you don’t care about that.
WISHD brought out all of my emotions but most of the time I found myself laughing because of the banter and sarcasm between Mikey, Scottie, and the rest of their team. It felt like they were real people who I want to be friends with because I would fit right in with their sarcasm. The AVOCADO scene had me dying and I NEED to know Bernie’s answer to Mikey’s question about his statement! The ending was literally the best and made me want to grab the popcorn with Mikey to watch the beat down! Guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out for yourself!!
Anyways, WISHD is a Forbidden Military Romance with a protective MMC that has touch her and die vibes. It’s action packed and very descriptive with gore if you don’t care about that.
WISHD brought out all of my emotions but most of the time I found myself laughing because of the banter and sarcasm between Mikey, Scottie, and the rest of their team. It felt like they were real people who I want to be friends with because I would fit right in with their sarcasm. The AVOCADO scene had me dying and I NEED to know Bernie’s answer to Mikey’s question about his statement! The ending was literally the best and made me want to grab the popcorn with Mikey to watch the beat down! Guess you’ll just have to read the book to find out for yourself!!
July 4, 2024
⭐️: 5/5
Mikey is a Navy Seal operator with a tragic past. His team comes into this tour without their former commander and sniper Griffin. The team finds out that their temporary sniper is Scottie, the first woman to graduate from the US Army sniper course. Mikey is immediately thrown by his emotions when meeting her, since a woman is not what he was expecting. Having recently been cheated on by his fiancée when deployed, he has serious trust issues. The team needs to build that trust to function as a successful unit. Mikey and Scottie start building a relationship and opening up to one another on the tour.
🩵 Military Romance
🩵 Forbidden Relationship
🩵 Strong MMC & FMC
🩵 Traumatic Past
I absolutely loved Mikey and Scottie’s story. Scottie is such a strong FMC and puts up with a lot of crap from her former sniper school class and from her new team. As she said it’s a Boy’s Club and she is trying to break through that, especially difficult when they are using her as a political statement. The team embraces her and accepts her. The team had a great relationship and were incredibly supportive of one another. I was not prepared for the twists in this book, I will not spoil them but let me say I could not put the book down. I love that Scottie and Mikey were able to work through there past together and heal from it.
Mikey is a Navy Seal operator with a tragic past. His team comes into this tour without their former commander and sniper Griffin. The team finds out that their temporary sniper is Scottie, the first woman to graduate from the US Army sniper course. Mikey is immediately thrown by his emotions when meeting her, since a woman is not what he was expecting. Having recently been cheated on by his fiancée when deployed, he has serious trust issues. The team needs to build that trust to function as a successful unit. Mikey and Scottie start building a relationship and opening up to one another on the tour.
🩵 Military Romance
🩵 Forbidden Relationship
🩵 Strong MMC & FMC
🩵 Traumatic Past
I absolutely loved Mikey and Scottie’s story. Scottie is such a strong FMC and puts up with a lot of crap from her former sniper school class and from her new team. As she said it’s a Boy’s Club and she is trying to break through that, especially difficult when they are using her as a political statement. The team embraces her and accepts her. The team had a great relationship and were incredibly supportive of one another. I was not prepared for the twists in this book, I will not spoil them but let me say I could not put the book down. I love that Scottie and Mikey were able to work through there past together and heal from it.
August 1, 2024
This book was fantastic. A slow burn that shows not only the angst of a “forbidden” romance, the simmer of a true slow burn build up and the realities of long lasting trauma and grief. This story if about Mikey and Scottie. We first hear of Mikey in What I should have said. In his book, he’s kinda of a lull after catching his cheating fiancé and doesn’t really trust women. All that changes (almost instantly) when Scottie, an extremely talented women sniper is add to the team. He immediately has a connection and does not know how what to do with that.
Scottie being a woman in the army has seen her fair share of prejudices and sexism and is determined to show her worth. When she also feels the same connection with Mikey, she has to fight her own internal battles and balance her need for Mikey against her reputation if the relationship is found out. They both go through so much physical and emotional and find healing in each other before they get their HEA.
I loved this couple so much and how R.L Atkinson was able to show the struggles and challenges of a new relationship. I can’t wait for more in this series!
Scottie being a woman in the army has seen her fair share of prejudices and sexism and is determined to show her worth. When she also feels the same connection with Mikey, she has to fight her own internal battles and balance her need for Mikey against her reputation if the relationship is found out. They both go through so much physical and emotional and find healing in each other before they get their HEA.
I loved this couple so much and how R.L Atkinson was able to show the struggles and challenges of a new relationship. I can’t wait for more in this series!
August 7, 2024
From a military family: this book was a perfect read while we were PCS moving. The book details were accurate and realistic which was refreshing in military romances. I cried in MANY chapters because of how close to home it really was. I can’t wait for the next one in the series!
Scottie’s character was a “breath of fresh air” in seeing a strong, resilient COLORED woman achieving so much despite constant obstacles. A woman who never knew love learned how to love. Mikey’s character is a very closed off, aggressor with trusted issues due to a horrendous upbringing. Despite all his personal struggles, he would/did do everything to save/protect Scottie (even when he denied the real reason); not just because she was a team mate but because of his undeniable love for her.
The beautifully written story depicts the journey of 2 soliders with difficult upbringings & hardships that found peace within themselves WITH each other. They are made for each other, but will the restraints of military guidelines, personal issues and their fears keep them apart; or will the fight with foreign enemies end their time together forever?
Read to fall in love with this military couples story in finding ‘home’ in one another.
Scottie’s character was a “breath of fresh air” in seeing a strong, resilient COLORED woman achieving so much despite constant obstacles. A woman who never knew love learned how to love. Mikey’s character is a very closed off, aggressor with trusted issues due to a horrendous upbringing. Despite all his personal struggles, he would/did do everything to save/protect Scottie (even when he denied the real reason); not just because she was a team mate but because of his undeniable love for her.
The beautifully written story depicts the journey of 2 soliders with difficult upbringings & hardships that found peace within themselves WITH each other. They are made for each other, but will the restraints of military guidelines, personal issues and their fears keep them apart; or will the fight with foreign enemies end their time together forever?
Read to fall in love with this military couples story in finding ‘home’ in one another.
July 7, 2024
I thought Griffin and Jane would be my number one, but Mikey and Scottie surprised me and took it all. Their connection, the antagonizing burn, and the situations brought between them make the book read like a movie. Pulling myself away from the book was more of a chore than it should have been.
The banter is its own character in this book. Not only is the banter between Scottie and Mikey kicking in the air and giggling fantastic, but there's men banter. Realistic, vulgar, and unabashedly hilarious, everything that entails the conversations between men. IYKYK.
R.L. can write men, however they're not just men written by a woman. These guys exhibit traits I know exist. She's not afraid to write men that aren't the morally grey billionaires, but simply love their lady and would risk it all for her. I love that. The billionaire thing is great and all, but feeling safe and yourself around someone is better than all the riches in the world.
Thank you, R.L., for writing this. My little girl thanks you for creating a bad ass girl sniper. I cannot wait for the rest of the boy's stories.
The banter is its own character in this book. Not only is the banter between Scottie and Mikey kicking in the air and giggling fantastic, but there's men banter. Realistic, vulgar, and unabashedly hilarious, everything that entails the conversations between men. IYKYK.
R.L. can write men, however they're not just men written by a woman. These guys exhibit traits I know exist. She's not afraid to write men that aren't the morally grey billionaires, but simply love their lady and would risk it all for her. I love that. The billionaire thing is great and all, but feeling safe and yourself around someone is better than all the riches in the world.
Thank you, R.L., for writing this. My little girl thanks you for creating a bad ass girl sniper. I cannot wait for the rest of the boy's stories.
June 26, 2024
The emotional rollercoaster was real.
Mikey is a loyal navy seal who had his heart stomped on most of his life. Since the retirement of their snipper ( in the first book) there is an opening on the team.
Introducing Scottie….. who’s a woman unfortunately for Mikey.
Things start off rocky between these two but not only building trust during their missions.. but off them. The slow burn that builds is dreamy.
Also his nickname for her is Scotch ( like the tape 🥹)( it makes sense when you find out why)
There are so many things I want to say about this book but I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone. You should just go in blind! Just know I did end up messaging the author multiple times bc my heart was all over the place 😂😂
This does have a HEA ( I promise!!)
** I did receive an advanced copy for an honest review.
Mikey is a loyal navy seal who had his heart stomped on most of his life. Since the retirement of their snipper ( in the first book) there is an opening on the team.
Introducing Scottie….. who’s a woman unfortunately for Mikey.
Things start off rocky between these two but not only building trust during their missions.. but off them. The slow burn that builds is dreamy.
Also his nickname for her is Scotch ( like the tape 🥹)( it makes sense when you find out why)
There are so many things I want to say about this book but I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone. You should just go in blind! Just know I did end up messaging the author multiple times bc my heart was all over the place 😂😂
This does have a HEA ( I promise!!)
** I did receive an advanced copy for an honest review.
July 1, 2024
This book took me by surprise. I had a feeling it was going to be a really good story. What I did not expect was for it to completely blow me away. It had me going through the entire range of human emotion. I laughed, I got angry, I got hot, and it even had me crying as I was doing laundry. Mikey and Scottie's romance is truly captivating. The way their relationship develops throughout the story is so enticing you just can't wait to see them together. Scottie is a bad@$$ and I love her for it. Mikey is angry and full of trauma and I just want to hug him and fix him. I don't typically like slow burn stories but it worked so perfectly in this story that it made that special moment even more satisfying. Definitely a must read, and I am glad I've found myself another great author! If I could give it more than five stars I absolutely would.
July 6, 2024
Military romance with diet spice. Heavy on the military aspect due to being based during an active deployment.
Mikey is one of my favorite MMC having faced a range of trauma through his life the last thing he wanted during his deployment was to work in close contact with a woman after what happened during leave. Mikey is an unhinged SEAL but is a cinnamon roll for his girl.
Scottie an Army Sniper that graduated at the top of her class is getting attached to an established SEAL team that is in need of a sniper for her first assignment. Scottie has her own issues especially being in a male dominated profession.
Mikey and Scottie are drawn to each other from the very beginning whether they want it or not.
Slow burn
Banter
The tension, suspense, and heartbreak will hit you in a good way
Touch her and die vibes
“For the first time in my life, I’m not alone… You’re home. You’re my home. I’ll always come home.”
Excited for the other characters books to come.
I did receive an ARC for this book but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mikey is one of my favorite MMC having faced a range of trauma through his life the last thing he wanted during his deployment was to work in close contact with a woman after what happened during leave. Mikey is an unhinged SEAL but is a cinnamon roll for his girl.
Scottie an Army Sniper that graduated at the top of her class is getting attached to an established SEAL team that is in need of a sniper for her first assignment. Scottie has her own issues especially being in a male dominated profession.
Mikey and Scottie are drawn to each other from the very beginning whether they want it or not.
Slow burn
Banter
The tension, suspense, and heartbreak will hit you in a good way
Touch her and die vibes
“For the first time in my life, I’m not alone… You’re home. You’re my home. I’ll always come home.”
Excited for the other characters books to come.
I did receive an ARC for this book but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 6, 2024
Gah I loved this!
It was definitely different than the first one in the sense of the setting being a bit different but it worked so well & I absolutely Mikey & Scottie.
Okay so maybe I was a little on the fence about Scottie because she had a chip on her shoulder & kept lashing out at Mikey, which I understood where she was coming from. Being a woman in her position couldn’t have been easy but Mikey was trying after a while & he did make a man effort to reconcile with her in the miscommunication. It took that staged moment near the end of the book for her to really pull her head outta her behind.
Mikey was equally as eh for me at first but obviously once they both started opening up about their traumas things made more sense & I felt for him & her.
The two of them together were a force to be reckoned with & their banter was funny.
I could’ve kept reading about them & would love to see their future!
Amazing job!
It was definitely different than the first one in the sense of the setting being a bit different but it worked so well & I absolutely Mikey & Scottie.
Okay so maybe I was a little on the fence about Scottie because she had a chip on her shoulder & kept lashing out at Mikey, which I understood where she was coming from. Being a woman in her position couldn’t have been easy but Mikey was trying after a while & he did make a man effort to reconcile with her in the miscommunication. It took that staged moment near the end of the book for her to really pull her head outta her behind.
Mikey was equally as eh for me at first but obviously once they both started opening up about their traumas things made more sense & I felt for him & her.
The two of them together were a force to be reckoned with & their banter was funny.
I could’ve kept reading about them & would love to see their future!
Amazing job!
June 11, 2024
What a whirlwind! I have been waiting to read this for so long, and it did not disappoint!
Heartbreak, romance, action, heroism, and military. What is not to love?
I absolutely fell in love with Scotties character. She is an absolute badass, easy to picture and easy to relate to.
And who can resist Mikey?! We all need a Mikey to show up on our doorstep, even if he is slightly savage and deranged. (His dentist must love him)
I struggled to put this one down. Just when you thought the action had dwindled, it picked straight up again in the next chapter. There was no dull point where I struggled to keep up. It was captivating, which I absolutely LOVE.
Lastly, the avocado - it kinda makes sense!!
Heartbreak, romance, action, heroism, and military. What is not to love?
I absolutely fell in love with Scotties character. She is an absolute badass, easy to picture and easy to relate to.
And who can resist Mikey?! We all need a Mikey to show up on our doorstep, even if he is slightly savage and deranged. (His dentist must love him)
I struggled to put this one down. Just when you thought the action had dwindled, it picked straight up again in the next chapter. There was no dull point where I struggled to keep up. It was captivating, which I absolutely LOVE.
Lastly, the avocado - it kinda makes sense!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2024
This was a great read. Well worth the wait. I read the first one, What I Should Have Said, and I loved it. This one is a bit more different because it takes place when they're deployed. So there's a lot more combat in the story. It has me on an emotional roller coaster. For the love of everything holy. I highly recommend this book
Spoliers
I just want to say when mikey was shot by dom and screamed for him. I cried my eyeballs out. It was hard to see to read! I mean..the hell? I was so furious. And when she was kidnapped and screamed his name.. yall.. i have never been so freaking invested in a book before. I felt a lot of her pain like it was my own. And that last mission..well if you know you know.
Spoliers
I just want to say when mikey was shot by dom and screamed for him. I cried my eyeballs out. It was hard to see to read! I mean..the hell? I was so furious. And when she was kidnapped and screamed his name.. yall.. i have never been so freaking invested in a book before. I felt a lot of her pain like it was my own. And that last mission..well if you know you know.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2024
All he had was his team.
A surprise homecoming finds his fiancee in their bed with another man. Mikey immediately is over her and doesn't really care. He stays with his team's previous commander until he ships back out.
Back to the desert and ready to meet the team's new sniper leaves everyone stunned.
This new member was top of their class in sniper school. This is their first deployment. They are not a Navy SEAL. However, the biggest shocker happens when they walk into their tent and find that this new member is also a woman.
Can Mikey get past his past betrayal and learn to trust this new woman? Will she fit into the team? Can Scottie prove she belongs and is a perfect fit for the team?
On top of the new team member they are dealing with a mission that seems to be going wrong at every turn. Will everyone come together to complete the mission?
I do not normally read military romance books but I am so glad I read this one. It's the perfect mix of action, emotion, and drama.
A surprise homecoming finds his fiancee in their bed with another man. Mikey immediately is over her and doesn't really care. He stays with his team's previous commander until he ships back out.
Back to the desert and ready to meet the team's new sniper leaves everyone stunned.
This new member was top of their class in sniper school. This is their first deployment. They are not a Navy SEAL. However, the biggest shocker happens when they walk into their tent and find that this new member is also a woman.
Can Mikey get past his past betrayal and learn to trust this new woman? Will she fit into the team? Can Scottie prove she belongs and is a perfect fit for the team?
On top of the new team member they are dealing with a mission that seems to be going wrong at every turn. Will everyone come together to complete the mission?
I do not normally read military romance books but I am so glad I read this one. It's the perfect mix of action, emotion, and drama.
July 14, 2024
Both of the main characters, Scottie and Mikey, are in the military. Which is a new combination I haven't read before, so that was an interesting take, and was done really well. Scottie is strong-willed, who has a lot of pressure on her shoulders being a woman in a largely male-dominated field. Mikey is distrustful of women after finding his fiance cheating. The two of them have a lot of miscommunication, because of these issues, so they struggle at first.
I loved the banter, and it wasn't just between Scottie and Mikey, but the whole SEAL team. It was great, and probably one of my favorite things in the book.
There's an entire scene (don't want to spoil it) that broke my heart, I was tearing up, but they come out on top. I can't wait to read the next story.
Such a great book! Thank you for the ARC.
I loved the banter, and it wasn't just between Scottie and Mikey, but the whole SEAL team. It was great, and probably one of my favorite things in the book.
There's an entire scene (don't want to spoil it) that broke my heart, I was tearing up, but they come out on top. I can't wait to read the next story.
Such a great book! Thank you for the ARC.
June 14, 2024
What I Should Have Done by R.L. Atkinson is her best book yet. The sequel to What I Should Have Said, I was immediately hooked and emotionally invested with the characters from the opening of the book. As the fast paced storyline progressed the characters’ developed both individually and collectively. This novel is a military romance, but there were so many aspects of mystery with twists and turns I never saw coming. There are so many different parts where I did not see that coming and couldn’t put the book down until I had completed the book. There are some scenes in the book that are sensitive so check triggers. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
July 4, 2024
I truly felt all of the emotions; the laughing, the squeals and kicking my feet, and the tears! R.L. Atkinson has a way with words and imagery that is fantastic!
Viper and Scotch’s story is probably going to rank in my top 5 (who knew 😂). Their feelings for each other had me giggling every time they ignored it. Viper’s flirting though? The. Best.
A few of my favorite (vague) moments include the use of their teeth in certain situations, learning what a thumb war is, an avocado comparison and Bernie’s remarks, Merlin getting what was coming for him, that whole cave situation, and soo much more! I hope this was enough to pique all your interests 🤭
“Even death can’t keep me from you. From loving you. Where you are, is where I want to be.”
Viper and Scotch’s story is probably going to rank in my top 5 (who knew 😂). Their feelings for each other had me giggling every time they ignored it. Viper’s flirting though? The. Best.
A few of my favorite (vague) moments include the use of their teeth in certain situations, learning what a thumb war is, an avocado comparison and Bernie’s remarks, Merlin getting what was coming for him, that whole cave situation, and soo much more! I hope this was enough to pique all your interests 🤭
“Even death can’t keep me from you. From loving you. Where you are, is where I want to be.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2024
What I Should have done is book 2 of the Anchors and Eagles series. It is a forbidden military romance, so be sure to check the TW/CW before diving in.
After returning home after a tour Mikey finds his fiancee in bed with another man, driving him to focus on his military career.
Scottie, top of her class graduate, in a male dominated career, has not been easy.
I haven’t read many military romances but I am starting to find they are becoming a favourite. Whether it’s the military aspect or the forbidden aspect I’m not sure all I know is that I really enjoyed this read.
Atkinson did a great job with the story, plot and characters, I love that both Mikey and Scottie are strong characters, and the banter, tension and chemistry build up had me eating this book up.
Overall this was an enjoyable read and if you enjoy military romances you should definitely give this a read.
After returning home after a tour Mikey finds his fiancee in bed with another man, driving him to focus on his military career.
Scottie, top of her class graduate, in a male dominated career, has not been easy.
I haven’t read many military romances but I am starting to find they are becoming a favourite. Whether it’s the military aspect or the forbidden aspect I’m not sure all I know is that I really enjoyed this read.
Atkinson did a great job with the story, plot and characters, I love that both Mikey and Scottie are strong characters, and the banter, tension and chemistry build up had me eating this book up.
Overall this was an enjoyable read and if you enjoy military romances you should definitely give this a read.
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