I haven’t read many military books so this was fun and educational for me. I loved learning about MWD (military working dogs) specifically about the Belgian Malinois breed. They are powerful and actually ranked higher than their handlers. I learned a lot about the life of someone with a prosthetic leg too. This book made me grateful for our soldiers that serve. I thought it was also unique to get the perspective of a Hollywood stunt double. It made me google all the famous ones in real life. The book was fast pace with lots of action. I loved the romance. I thought they were soul mates. They are both very unique people that have guarded hearts. But they just fit together so perfectly. I was surprised how much I loved the banter and laughed several times. There was a lot of flirty fighting going on too haha. This was my very first book from this author and I feel like I wasn’t missing out on anything even though previous characters made cameos. I liked the Christian elements that were included. Trusting and believing in God. There was no swearing and the romance was clean which I was grateful for.
SPOILERS and book notes:
Bagram, Afghanistan
This is the type of dog they use in special force a Belgian Malinois.: “While the dog at his feet was pure violence and raw power, she’d been bred for that. Malinois were little more than psycho and all business.” ideal for the military because of their high energy, strong sniffers, trainability, agility, speed, drive, work ethic, loyalty and, when needed, fierceness. They look like a German shepherd but aren’t!! MWD is Military working dog. Marvel is the dog assigned to him but he calls her “psycho” lol. But Havoc is the super loyal dog he found as a stray that was shot. He fed and trained him but couldn’t get him certified. But the dog is crazy loyal to him. Crew got his leg blown off in a mine field. Bc of an idiot corperol that didn’t follow orders. But after it blew it off he tied his own ternaquit on it!!!
Texas Hill Country
He is reunited with Havoc! He is the dog who saved Crews life and dragged him to safety! V is a stunt double and knows so many MMA.
LA California
Crew had ladies throwing themselves at him but was NECER interested. Then he watched Vienna fight acting and he was a goner. ““And her?” He watched the woman do an aerial. Fire a weapon. And while it might not be realistic, it sure was hot.” And this: “A detonation happened somewhere in his gut because this woman had all the moves, the sultriness, and the tough-as-nails expertise that made him want to reconsider his vow to stay single.” And then he didn’t even know the name of the REAL Hollywood star Felicity and treated her like this lol: ““Slow your roll, lady.” He held up a hand. “He’s not as friendly as I am.” She huffed, leaning away from him. “You call this friendly?” “Not really, but I figure you wanted to keep that hand, not feed it to Havoc.” “Havoc?” she balked. “Why would you name a dog that?” “Fluffy was taken.” This is so interesting about the dog: ““I mean, I know everyone wants to hug him—he’s got those soulful brown eyes.” That earned a few laughs. “But this guy’s trained to give some violent affection without a word from me. He reads body language better than I do and will respond if he perceives a threat. Don’t be afraid of him—but respect the dog. Work is play to him, so he’s eager to do it.” Crew calls Vienna “Poetry-in-Motion" in his head bc he doesn’t know her name yet. ““She has multiple black belts—Krav Maga, Jiu Jitsu, and did MMA fighting for a while.” Crew let out a quiet whistle. “You got a preacher on set?” Greene frowned. “I . . . I don’t think so. Why?” “Cuz I’m going to marry her.” The PA twitched. Scoffed. “Well, good luck. She hates men.” Undeterred, Crew smirked and indicated to Havoc. “Why do you think I brought him?” V’s impression on Crew: “The man was a mountain of tatted muscles. Had to be six-two, six-three and built like a tank. No matter how cliché that sounded, the guy was anything but. The way he stood in a relaxed-but-ready stance with all the assuredness of a man who owned his existence.” And she calls him “soldier boy” in her head! “The dog moved closer with raw intensity, making Vienna go still. Sniffing loudly around the toy, the dog trailed his snout up her pant leg, across, then down the other. Soldier-boy jutted his jaw. “Just checking you out. It’s okay.” Laughing as the Malinois pushed his shoulder into Vienna’s thigh, she wondered if the sergeant meant him or his dog. “Gorgeous animal.” “He is that. Thanks.” Love this: “she had a feeling when Soldier-boy here put on his tactical gear, he wore it with the blood, sweat, and death that came with it. Owned it. She looked forward to seeing that. And on that note, she realized she’d been staring. And he’d returned that favor.” Bahaha who knew crew could be so funny?? ““So,” he said as he turned to her, “Vienna. You named that because that’s where your parents conceived you?” Taken aback, she gaped at the indecency of that question. “Are you always this inappropriate?” He looked chagrined—for two seconds before a grin split his fierce visage. “I excel at it, I’m told.” Disbelief snatched her breath, then a laugh escaped.” And Havoc looooves V!! Crew calls him a traitor hehe. ““Am I doing something wrong? Is he going to attack me?” “With his tongue, maybe. The freakin’ traitor.” There was no condemnation in his tone. Only amusement. And a hefty dose of shock. “He usually just snarls at everyone.” And V loves Havoc so much too!! Crew is not happy about havocs new love hahahaha: “I should’ve stated that there are clear lines of demarcation: girls are the enemy. Plain & simple. They chew you up and spit you out. You know that we don’t cooperate with the enemy.” Inhaling his kibble, Havoc didn’t look up. “You’re a piece of work, you know that? Snarl at every Tom, Dick, and Baako, but Wonder Woman you cozy up to while my back is turned.” Hehehehe: ““But no, you had to get up in her face and lick her. Act like you aren’t the killing machine I made you into.” He snorted, still thinking about how she’d nailed the acting and stunts. So fluid and confident. “Flippin’ traitor. But let’s get this clear: I saw her first.”” I like that she isn’t afraid of calling him out on his language. Just like his momma. Her last name is Foxcroft but he calls her Foxtrot hahaha. I love that they both think the other the enemy but they are both just so darn attracted to each other. And intrigued. They work out at the gym at the same time! I love it!! Bc I love working out myself. now they are going to spare in the gym! “Now she felt challenged. “I promise not to hurt you . . . much.” He wheeled around with a broad smile. “Baby, I’d welcome any pain you’d bring.” Wow MMA fighting can be quite intimate…. And sexy haha. He won but she is the one that ended up strsttling him but both loved doing it haha. But she’s a sore loser let’s be honest. She had a scar on her hand from her loser boyfriend and the reason she got into MMA. And crews response: ““I don’t need to know the story to know I’d kill the guy if I met him.”
Istanbul Turkey to film
Ooo that party and when. He saw her in that dress!! And then the place was attacked and they had to fight and protect each other. But V had her very first kill. And she is sobbing and grieving. That would be so hard. “She touched his shoulder, pulling his attention to her. Was something wr— Foxtrot pushed into his arms. Surprise lit through him, but he let her in, coiled his arms around her. Cradled her head against his chest. She curled into his hold and shuddered a few times. “It’s okay,” he murmured, hoping he was right but knowing she needed to hear it.” And then they shared their first kiss! An adrenaline fueled passionate kiss lol. “She also didn’t miss the smirks and fist-bumps the guys had given Crew at first. Clearly about her. About them kissing.” Ugh so much misunderstanding!!! But this…“Baako gave her grief about staying, but then the coward rushed onto the bus.” Glace huffed. “What man leaves a woman behind after what just happened?” “Someone who trusts she has the skills to take care of herself.” Glace tucked her chin and glowered. “Would you leave her behind?” “Not as long as I had breath in my lungs.” I love that she says relying on someone’s strength doesn’t mean you are weak: “The instinct to take his hand, siphon off some of his tanker-deep strength, feel grounded, safe . . . not this swirling vortex of darkness and fear, was huge. Which was insane—since when had she ever sought a man for strength? But . . . why would that be bad? Hadn’t Dad always said he was stronger with Mom than without? Couldn’t it work the other way? It wasn’t one person’s strength superseding another’s, but rather a buffeting, a strengthening . . . iron sharpening iron.” So both Crew and Havoc grab her hand and lay a paw on her leg: “A vow of commitment, loyalty. Just like his handler’s. “Whatever you choose,” Crew said, his voice deep, low, “Havoc and I have your six.”” I love that he loves her toughness: ““I’m not a spy or an operator. I’m . . . fake.” “You pinned me on the mat and stole my manhood. That’s not fake. That’s hot.”” And he distracted her from her worries with their second kiss and then this happened: “She took a step, then glanced over her shoulder and gave Crew a rueful smile. “You can distract me any time.” “Hold up—what?” He drew her back to him. “Let’s practice.” She extricated herself. “Later, Soldier-boy.” He made her a rope ring! So cool!! He would kill to save his woman. HECK YES!! ““Hold up.” She swiveled around in front of him and planted her hands on his abdomen. “You would really kill him.” Crew’s gaze lasered in on her and any of that lightheartedness that she’d come to love and expect from him vanished. His hands were on her hips. “I’d do whatever it took to protect you, Foxtrot.” Was this real? How could he feel that way? She nudged his ballcap back a little to see his eyes better. “You’re serious . . . But I don’t have four legs.” He smirked. “But the two you have are very se—” I love that she can rely on him! ““I’m scared.” It was mostly true. Crew cocked his head. “About what?” Being in a situation where he wasn’t there to fight with her. “I don’t like this any more than you do.” Her gaze flicked to his, surprised. They started watering. “What if they find me?” His nostrils flared. “You’re strong.” “Yeah . . .” She traced his beard, heart hammering. “But I’m stronger with you.” “Holy Moses, Foxtrot.” He pulled her closer. Crushed her to himself and held her tight.” And then look what he says about the rope ring that he gave her on her finger! ““I like which finger you put this on . . .” “It fit perfectly.” “Kind of like us.” Stunned that he’d say that, that he’d voice what she’d been harboring beneath uncertainty and fears, she nodded. “Well, when this is over . . . maybe we could make this . . . nicer.” And then they were under attack and had to just out of a moving on the ground jet!! The bad guys took her and buried her alive!! But havoc and crew found her! So crazy! “Vienna petted him, but then looked at Crew. “My heroes.” Crew gave her a cockeyed grin, his expression going crazy soft. “I like the sound of that. A role we’re proud to fill.” They have to sneak onto a ferry to get away and there is a zodiac coming for them. A Zodiac is a small, inflatable boat that is known for its stability, durability, and maneuverability. When they finally get some downtime: “And I just somehow knew that God was with me, but also that you and He were a package deal.” He smirked. “Absolutely. We both love you as you are and will never leave you.” “Love me?” “Want me to say it again?” Her vision blurred. “I do.” “Getting ahead of the game, aren’t we?” THE EPILOGUE and ENGAGEMENT. Everything about it was hilarious and sooo them. She kept the rope ring on and wore it with her diamond one. “Crew hooked his arm around her and presented the ring. “Will this do?” Foxtrot sat up and whipped around onto her knees, facing him. Face alight. “Seriously?” She cupped her hands over her mouth and laughed, then dropped them to her lap. The look on her face . . . was that anger? “Did I screw this up?” “You haven’t asked . . .” Man, he loved this firestorm. “Vienna Foxtrot—” “Foxcroft.” “I’ll propose how I want to propose.” “Get on with it.” And then later the dad shows up and he is so intimidated and it’s hilarious.