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Hillcroft Group #3
Remade
The Hillcroft Group #3 • MM • Age Gap • Military Romance • Hurt Comfort • Healing/Loss
This book picks up where Unmade left off and continues the story of Leighton Watts and Bo Beckett.
This book picks up where Unmade left off and continues the story of Leighton Watts and Bo Beckett.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2025
About the author
Cara Dee
104 books4,243 followers
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
May 22, 2025
I neeeeed more in this series like yesterday!
This starts immediately where Unmade left off and, I must admit, I'm not sure I see the need to have split this into two books. It's not an extraordinarily long narrative if they were combined.
However, that's just a personal opinion and has no effect on the quality of the story being told, which is absolutely brilliant. Cara writes military with kink so well and here she's on top form with the former - the military aspects of this book had my heart racing at times.
There's much more focus on the romance in this half of the story too and it's also wonderfully developed as Bo stops fighting his feelings for Leighton and decides he's "all in" with the relationship and being boyfriends which is incredibly cute to read!
Of course, this means he can't be Leighton's mentor at work any more, so he gets moved to Danny's care and things kick up a pace as the trainees start preparing for the final two week Ecuadorian trial.
On top of this pressure, Leighton's also got the Quinns too and this amazing family really comes in all love blazing to fully welcome him into their arms but it's still a lot for him to deal with. I really adored this part of the book. I'm such a fan of all the Quinns and I loved seeing each of them fully embracing Leighton not just because he was Jake's son but for himself too.
There's so much going on in this instalment that you really appreciate the down times when Bo and Leighton either spend time together or with Alex, as a little family of their own, and the humour and gentle teasing is on top form throughout.
Also on top form is the sex, my lawd it gets heated and it's used to great effect as either a pressure release for Leighton and Bo, or as a way for them to connect after a brief separation due to training (not a split up, a physical distance separation!) and they go all out, totally wrecking each other's bodies in release.
Of course, while Bo and Leighton's relationship side of things gets firmly established here, there's still the on-going series long story arc developing and I am dying for more on that front. I'm not sure who is up next in the Hillcroft series but I cannot wait.
#ARC kindly received from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review
This starts immediately where Unmade left off and, I must admit, I'm not sure I see the need to have split this into two books. It's not an extraordinarily long narrative if they were combined.
However, that's just a personal opinion and has no effect on the quality of the story being told, which is absolutely brilliant. Cara writes military with kink so well and here she's on top form with the former - the military aspects of this book had my heart racing at times.
There's much more focus on the romance in this half of the story too and it's also wonderfully developed as Bo stops fighting his feelings for Leighton and decides he's "all in" with the relationship and being boyfriends which is incredibly cute to read!
Of course, this means he can't be Leighton's mentor at work any more, so he gets moved to Danny's care and things kick up a pace as the trainees start preparing for the final two week Ecuadorian trial.
On top of this pressure, Leighton's also got the Quinns too and this amazing family really comes in all love blazing to fully welcome him into their arms but it's still a lot for him to deal with. I really adored this part of the book. I'm such a fan of all the Quinns and I loved seeing each of them fully embracing Leighton not just because he was Jake's son but for himself too.
There's so much going on in this instalment that you really appreciate the down times when Bo and Leighton either spend time together or with Alex, as a little family of their own, and the humour and gentle teasing is on top form throughout.
Also on top form is the sex, my lawd it gets heated and it's used to great effect as either a pressure release for Leighton and Bo, or as a way for them to connect after a brief separation due to training (not a split up, a physical distance separation!) and they go all out, totally wrecking each other's bodies in release.
Of course, while Bo and Leighton's relationship side of things gets firmly established here, there's still the on-going series long story arc developing and I am dying for more on that front. I'm not sure who is up next in the Hillcroft series but I cannot wait.
#ARC kindly received from the author, I am voluntarily leaving a review
November 9, 2025
Unmade(part 1 of this duology but book 2 of the Hillcroft series) ended on a cliffhanger, mid military operation with Bo seriously injured so OF COURSE I had to start this one ASAP Unfortunately after that initial excitement was over it turned into one long fluffy epilogue.
It was not even a good smutty kind of epilogue after all that fighting, action and pining from afar, the sexual chemistry really just flopped. It also became more age gap fetish-y than I like. Instead of Leighton being the strong recruit and borderline psychopath he was in book 1, there is a pronounced emphasis on Leighton being “little” and treated in a bit of a childlike way, far too many “baby boy” endearments than I can handle.
The tension was gone. In both plot and romance. In fact, the plot kind of just derailed completely and became non-existent. Instead we are given choppy, disjointed scenes over the course of the year that never really went anywhere and felt like a waste of time.
Scenes were weirdly cut short like Leightons interrogation training. Felt like just a teaser.
Lots of time skips and scenes described rather than lived in real time on page.
Again soooo many cameos from characters from multiple other series. I wouldn’t recommend reading this unless you’ve read most of Cara Dee’s extensive backlist. There is a lot of page time spent of characters I didn’t know about or care for.
Its also really confusing having a duology in the middle of a series, both with the exact same cover and they are called Unmade and Remade. They don’t even have a proper ending between them, they just continue on where one left one with the same scene.
This really should have just been one book condensed into a more solidly structured story, it felt scattered and unsatisfying.
It was not even a good smutty kind of epilogue after all that fighting, action and pining from afar, the sexual chemistry really just flopped. It also became more age gap fetish-y than I like. Instead of Leighton being the strong recruit and borderline psychopath he was in book 1, there is a pronounced emphasis on Leighton being “little” and treated in a bit of a childlike way, far too many “baby boy” endearments than I can handle.
The tension was gone. In both plot and romance. In fact, the plot kind of just derailed completely and became non-existent. Instead we are given choppy, disjointed scenes over the course of the year that never really went anywhere and felt like a waste of time.
Scenes were weirdly cut short like Leightons interrogation training. Felt like just a teaser.
Lots of time skips and scenes described rather than lived in real time on page.
Again soooo many cameos from characters from multiple other series. I wouldn’t recommend reading this unless you’ve read most of Cara Dee’s extensive backlist. There is a lot of page time spent of characters I didn’t know about or care for.
Its also really confusing having a duology in the middle of a series, both with the exact same cover and they are called Unmade and Remade. They don’t even have a proper ending between them, they just continue on where one left one with the same scene.
This really should have just been one book condensed into a more solidly structured story, it felt scattered and unsatisfying.
April 16, 2026
Bo promised me I’d find life in more places than death. But it was only in the middle of combat I felt the air fill my lungs in a way I’d never experienced before. What if something was wrong with me? What if I was always going to need an adrenaline rush bigger than the last in order to feel something? Sometimes, you didn’t have to wait long for answers. Then again, I’d waited in my pit of cowardice for years already. Nevertheless…Bo was proving to be a man worth listening to. Maybe there was hope. Maybe I would find out for myself that some clichés were very true and that life began outside the comfort zone. Like in a war zone? Okay, that was half a joke. I cracked jokes when I was nervous—but freaking excuses me. My whole future was on the line. The battlefield was literally on fire, and then shots blasted through the air, and I looked at Bo and felt horror draining my face of color.
This is book 3 of the Hillcroft Group series, and it’s the continuation of book 2, Unmade These two titles follow the same couple, Leighton and Bo. Cara Dee has done it again! This one, Remade, takes up where Unmade left off and is even heavier on the tension. It's filled with lots of action with Bo and Leighton, who we saw getting together in Book #2, heating up every page with the chemistry they share. Most of the main characters from the first two book are back, but I did miss the twins; but I loved seeing all the Quinns.
This book takes off right where Book#2, Unmade left off so it really can't be read as a standalone. We see the ops plot develop further, the recruits training and graduation, and the romance between Bo and Leighton gets dialed up to at least a plus 10, as they head towards their "Happy Ever After. It just fasts forwards with no regrets and no looking back.
This has all of Cara Dee’s signature themes... found family, amusing banter and high chemistry with a just a smidgen of kink thrown in, in all the right spots. If you haven't started or already read this series, I would highly recommend it. It’s exceptional for all those who love fast-paced action-packed M/M Romances.
This is book 3 of the Hillcroft Group series, and it’s the continuation of book 2, Unmade These two titles follow the same couple, Leighton and Bo. Cara Dee has done it again! This one, Remade, takes up where Unmade left off and is even heavier on the tension. It's filled with lots of action with Bo and Leighton, who we saw getting together in Book #2, heating up every page with the chemistry they share. Most of the main characters from the first two book are back, but I did miss the twins; but I loved seeing all the Quinns.
This book takes off right where Book#2, Unmade left off so it really can't be read as a standalone. We see the ops plot develop further, the recruits training and graduation, and the romance between Bo and Leighton gets dialed up to at least a plus 10, as they head towards their "Happy Ever After. It just fasts forwards with no regrets and no looking back.
This has all of Cara Dee’s signature themes... found family, amusing banter and high chemistry with a just a smidgen of kink thrown in, in all the right spots. If you haven't started or already read this series, I would highly recommend it. It’s exceptional for all those who love fast-paced action-packed M/M Romances.
May 26, 2025
Bought this early off Cara’s website because I could not wait for the Amazon release on 5/30.
Love, love, love these characters. Leighton and Bo grew so much in book 2. Both shared a common purpose which helped. The angst wasn’t as heavy which I was grateful for! My heart can’t take too much angst atm
Love that we got Darius AND Ryan as side characters in this installment. Their banter is top notch. Cara is very good at writing kids into the story. I’m not a fan of kids in books but Alex, Bo’s niece was a ray of sunshine.
Lemon and nugget 🤣🤣🤣
The end gives me hope for the series to keep on an exciting trajectory too bad to have to wait until December! 😩😩😩😩
Love, love, love these characters. Leighton and Bo grew so much in book 2. Both shared a common purpose which helped. The angst wasn’t as heavy which I was grateful for! My heart can’t take too much angst atm
Love that we got Darius AND Ryan as side characters in this installment. Their banter is top notch. Cara is very good at writing kids into the story. I’m not a fan of kids in books but Alex, Bo’s niece was a ray of sunshine.
Lemon and nugget 🤣🤣🤣
The end gives me hope for the series to keep on an exciting trajectory too bad to have to wait until December! 😩😩😩😩
May 24, 2025
3.5 stars
June 6, 2025
Rating: 5
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: military romance, MM
Tropes / tags: age gap, hurt / comfort, action / suspense
This is not a standalone, Unmade should be read first.
Review might contain minor spoilers.
I have to admit I was glad that I waited for this part to be released before I read Unmade - it was a relief to instantly be able to get the rest of Bo and Leighton's story!
Remade picked up right after where Unmade ended, in the thick of the action / suspense plot. There were a lot of things going on, they were in the middle of an operation and things were quite chaotic. Emotions were also running high, especially for Leighton as he found out that his father’s brother was part of the operation. Their introduction had me sobbing, and to be honest, most scenes with Leighton's newly found family hit me right in the feels.
There was a strong theme of healing and family in this part, and I felt like Leighton really started to come into his own here. I loved the development between him and Bo, and how fiercely committed they both were to each other. Bo ended up being a lot sweeter and more tender than I expected, and I liked how clingy Leighton was here. I really enjoyed Leighton's character growth, he made quite the personal journey in this duet.
Remade was an exceptional follow up to Unmade, and I was so invested in Bo and Leighton's story! The depth of the characters was fantastic and I pretty much always write this in my reviews for Cara Dee books, but she's amazing at writing characters that feel genuine and real. I can't wait to read more about the Hillcroft Group, I'm loving their banter and found family!
Steam: 3
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: military romance, MM
Tropes / tags: age gap, hurt / comfort, action / suspense
This is not a standalone, Unmade should be read first.
Review might contain minor spoilers.
I have to admit I was glad that I waited for this part to be released before I read Unmade - it was a relief to instantly be able to get the rest of Bo and Leighton's story!
Remade picked up right after where Unmade ended, in the thick of the action / suspense plot. There were a lot of things going on, they were in the middle of an operation and things were quite chaotic. Emotions were also running high, especially for Leighton as he found out that his father’s brother was part of the operation. Their introduction had me sobbing, and to be honest, most scenes with Leighton's newly found family hit me right in the feels.
There was a strong theme of healing and family in this part, and I felt like Leighton really started to come into his own here. I loved the development between him and Bo, and how fiercely committed they both were to each other. Bo ended up being a lot sweeter and more tender than I expected, and I liked how clingy Leighton was here. I really enjoyed Leighton's character growth, he made quite the personal journey in this duet.
Remade was an exceptional follow up to Unmade, and I was so invested in Bo and Leighton's story! The depth of the characters was fantastic and I pretty much always write this in my reviews for Cara Dee books, but she's amazing at writing characters that feel genuine and real. I can't wait to read more about the Hillcroft Group, I'm loving their banter and found family!
August 26, 2025
3.5 Stars
May 25, 2025
What a marvelous duet! Cara Dee is the best of the best!!
The military content and action were flabbergastingly written!
Men who are tough and vulnerable, emotional and hard, honest and willing to fight for their job and loves.
Leighton finally meets his dad’s family, the only family he has. The Quinn’s are warm and welcome.
Both Bo and Leighton have lost and they understand each other more than anyone.
Bo’s endearments to Leighton were so heartwarming, Baby, Pup, Baby Boy, be still my heart!!
When Bo goes all in with his relationship with Leighton their connection even grows stronger and deeper and hotter. What a sight for the eyes!
I can’t express how much I adore Unmade and Remade as a duet.
Highly recommended!
The military content and action were flabbergastingly written!
Men who are tough and vulnerable, emotional and hard, honest and willing to fight for their job and loves.
Leighton finally meets his dad’s family, the only family he has. The Quinn’s are warm and welcome.
Both Bo and Leighton have lost and they understand each other more than anyone.
Bo’s endearments to Leighton were so heartwarming, Baby, Pup, Baby Boy, be still my heart!!
When Bo goes all in with his relationship with Leighton their connection even grows stronger and deeper and hotter. What a sight for the eyes!
I can’t express how much I adore Unmade and Remade as a duet.
Highly recommended!
June 3, 2025
There's still not much I can and want to say. Part two delivered exactly what it was supposed to deliver. I couldn't have wished for more.
June 4, 2025
Great Ending
This was a great ending to the awesome duology. I adored Leighton even more in this one and his connection with Bo.
I enjoyed this so much it made me realize how much I usually like this author’s work (save the super kinky books) . I will definitely be going back to do a thorough read of her back log and with the way this went, I know I’ll enjoy them thoroughly.
This was a great ending to the awesome duology. I adored Leighton even more in this one and his connection with Bo.
I enjoyed this so much it made me realize how much I usually like this author’s work (save the super kinky books) . I will definitely be going back to do a thorough read of her back log and with the way this went, I know I’ll enjoy them thoroughly.
May 23, 2025
**I am a member of Cara Dee's ARC team and received an electronic ARC through BookSprout.**
Cara Dee continues the story begun in Unmade with Remade. This is absolutely a "part two" with Remade continuing right where Unmade left readers on a cliffhanger. Because this is technically book 3 (2.5?) in the Hillcroft Group series, there isn't a lot to be said about the events of Remade that avoids spoilers other than mentioning that Leighton and Bo's story continues in this one.
I am aware that Unmade and Remade were originally one story and that there was a need to split because the story was simply too long. If Unmade is the introduction to Leighton and Bo featuring some training montage-type grey man school, then Remade is the portion centered on family and building security for Leighton. Together, the combined story of Leighton and Bo is strong. As an individual story, I really can't say that Remade stands on its own feet. I absolutely love the content in Remade, but it needs the content from Unmade to support it. One can argue that's often the case for sequels, but I would say that these stories are in no way self-contained. If you read either book independently of one another, you are receiving an incomplete story. Just consider the two week break between publication of Unmade and Remade to be your commercial break. This is a deliberate choice and is a feature, not a bug.
In the end, I'm a sucker for all things Hillcroft. Leighton and Bo are a great pair to follow with high stakes both emotionally and externally. The respect that develops between them is realistic and admirable. Leighton's family situation in this book is very much smooth compared to what it could have been, and I think readers will agree he deserves the win on that front given the rest of the struggles faced in any other given direction.
Overall, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read Remade early, and I am eagerly awaiting not just future Hillcroft books but also anything else Cara chooses to write.
Cara Dee continues the story begun in Unmade with Remade. This is absolutely a "part two" with Remade continuing right where Unmade left readers on a cliffhanger. Because this is technically book 3 (2.5?) in the Hillcroft Group series, there isn't a lot to be said about the events of Remade that avoids spoilers other than mentioning that Leighton and Bo's story continues in this one.
I am aware that Unmade and Remade were originally one story and that there was a need to split because the story was simply too long. If Unmade is the introduction to Leighton and Bo featuring some training montage-type grey man school, then Remade is the portion centered on family and building security for Leighton. Together, the combined story of Leighton and Bo is strong. As an individual story, I really can't say that Remade stands on its own feet. I absolutely love the content in Remade, but it needs the content from Unmade to support it. One can argue that's often the case for sequels, but I would say that these stories are in no way self-contained. If you read either book independently of one another, you are receiving an incomplete story. Just consider the two week break between publication of Unmade and Remade to be your commercial break. This is a deliberate choice and is a feature, not a bug.
In the end, I'm a sucker for all things Hillcroft. Leighton and Bo are a great pair to follow with high stakes both emotionally and externally. The respect that develops between them is realistic and admirable. Leighton's family situation in this book is very much smooth compared to what it could have been, and I think readers will agree he deserves the win on that front given the rest of the struggles faced in any other given direction.
Overall, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read Remade early, and I am eagerly awaiting not just future Hillcroft books but also anything else Cara chooses to write.
May 21, 2025
Remade picks up exactly where Unmade left off, right on that cliffhanger, and throws you straight into Leighton’s story. He’s still raw, still trying to piece himself back together, and you feel every second of it. The grief, the hesitation, the aching need for connection it’s all there, and it hit me immediately. I cried within the first few pages, even sitting on a full bus.
Leighton’s journey is slow, emotional, and deeply personal. He’s learning how to let people care for him, how to be part of something, and how to believe he deserves that kind of love. Beckett is a steady, grounding presence throughout always there, never asking for more than Leighton can give. One moment that really shows the shift in him comes when he realizes how much more he’s got in life at the moment: “The stakes were higher. I had family to get to know. And Beckett…[…] I needed him in my life. I needed him to pull me close again“.
And the Quinns what they offer him is powerful in its simplicity. It’s not big speeches or dramatic declarations. It’s the way they include him without question, the way they see him. Ryan casually says, “We’re family. You’re supposed to be nice.” And it’s those little comments that build something real. Even so early on, within the first fifty pages, they make him feel wanted, like he already belongs.
Cara has a rare gift. She keeps creating these characters that feel so incredibly real like people you know, people you ache for. Reading her books is never surface-level; it’s emotional, immersive, and unforgettable. I’m already so excited for the upcoming Hillcroft books and the characters she teased throughout this one. She’s building something that feels alive.
I received a free ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review :)
Leighton’s journey is slow, emotional, and deeply personal. He’s learning how to let people care for him, how to be part of something, and how to believe he deserves that kind of love. Beckett is a steady, grounding presence throughout always there, never asking for more than Leighton can give. One moment that really shows the shift in him comes when he realizes how much more he’s got in life at the moment: “The stakes were higher. I had family to get to know. And Beckett…[…] I needed him in my life. I needed him to pull me close again“.
And the Quinns what they offer him is powerful in its simplicity. It’s not big speeches or dramatic declarations. It’s the way they include him without question, the way they see him. Ryan casually says, “We’re family. You’re supposed to be nice.” And it’s those little comments that build something real. Even so early on, within the first fifty pages, they make him feel wanted, like he already belongs.
Cara has a rare gift. She keeps creating these characters that feel so incredibly real like people you know, people you ache for. Reading her books is never surface-level; it’s emotional, immersive, and unforgettable. I’m already so excited for the upcoming Hillcroft books and the characters she teased throughout this one. She’s building something that feels alive.
I received a free ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review :)
May 21, 2025
This book is the second half of a "duet" in a rapid release in this new series of Cara Dee's. I love the world she's created with Hillcroft, and I really enjoyed the first book, so I was super excited to get my hands on this one.
The first book ended in an emotional cliffhanger, and I'm happy to report that the resolution happens immediately. Thank goodness, right? And because of that, we get some decent page time in this book of all the Quinn's! Cara is the queen of crossovers, and we have tons of them in this series.
This book is a lot like the first in that we get some inner workings of Hillcroft, some action, some cameos, and some romance. This definitely IS a romance novel, but I think the romance is more balanced out with everything else. It's *there*, but we also spend a lot of time talking about PMC stuff and being in the thick of things. Both of these books have a kind of "slice of life" approach with a lot of focus on what it's like to be a recruit for Hillcroft.
When it comes to Bo and Leighton, I liked that they didn't fight things. Sometimes it's nice to just have a couple that are like "we know there are hurdles, but it's worth it" without a lot of angst and back and forth.
Overall, I think this was a solid ending to the duet. I do stand by my statement from my reviews of the last few new releases by Cara that these books don't need to be split into duets though. I feel like the first book is really awesome, and the second just kind of fizzles out. They need to be one book with one storyline so we don't get lost in the sauce.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
The first book ended in an emotional cliffhanger, and I'm happy to report that the resolution happens immediately. Thank goodness, right? And because of that, we get some decent page time in this book of all the Quinn's! Cara is the queen of crossovers, and we have tons of them in this series.
This book is a lot like the first in that we get some inner workings of Hillcroft, some action, some cameos, and some romance. This definitely IS a romance novel, but I think the romance is more balanced out with everything else. It's *there*, but we also spend a lot of time talking about PMC stuff and being in the thick of things. Both of these books have a kind of "slice of life" approach with a lot of focus on what it's like to be a recruit for Hillcroft.
When it comes to Bo and Leighton, I liked that they didn't fight things. Sometimes it's nice to just have a couple that are like "we know there are hurdles, but it's worth it" without a lot of angst and back and forth.
Overall, I think this was a solid ending to the duet. I do stand by my statement from my reviews of the last few new releases by Cara that these books don't need to be split into duets though. I feel like the first book is really awesome, and the second just kind of fizzles out. They need to be one book with one storyline so we don't get lost in the sauce.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
June 6, 2025
I’m writing one review for both books. These were only ok for me. I’m a huge Cara Dee fan but every now and then, this happens 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t think there needed to be two books and there was too much of the military part and not enough of the romance for me. I did like both mc’s and that they communicated and were straight forward with each other. And all the side characters. And seeing some familiar faces was pretty cool, as always. I’ll keep reading the series - maybe they’ll feel better for me.
June 10, 2025
4.5 ✨
Once again, Cara Dee has created a work of art that I could not get enough of. I’m so excited to continue exploring this series, and I loved seeing the progression of Leighton and Bo’s relationship alongside Leighton’s career growth. I do wish we had gotten a little more one on one time between Leighton and Bo and a little more focus on the romance, while this focused a lot on Leighton’s family and other non-romantic things. But still, they were a great couple and I loved continuing on their story with them. Can’t wait for the next book to come out!
Once again, Cara Dee has created a work of art that I could not get enough of. I’m so excited to continue exploring this series, and I loved seeing the progression of Leighton and Bo’s relationship alongside Leighton’s career growth. I do wish we had gotten a little more one on one time between Leighton and Bo and a little more focus on the romance, while this focused a lot on Leighton’s family and other non-romantic things. But still, they were a great couple and I loved continuing on their story with them. Can’t wait for the next book to come out!
September 16, 2026
Cara Dee (Hillcroft) Remade 4.5*
Tropes and Themes :
PMC
Age Gap
Slow burn
What I liked / loved :
The deep, deep emotions from the reunions. I swear that I literally wept when Ryan eventually understood that Leighton was Jake’s son. Even from Leigh’s perspective, it was super emotional and everything I expected from Ryan, and that’s without me having not read his book, only from what I’ve seen of him in other books. Then with Leigh’s grandmother. If that little woman ain’t emotional, it’s so obvious how she’s feeling, in her words, in her tears. Then Willow… that’s when I cried the most I think. For Leighton’s own tears in front of her, for everything she said and for how it was orchestrated. Dee wonderfully dealt with Willow’s inability to be vocal when she meets someone new and she was so cute.
Again, I loved that the dates were super clear at the beginning of and throughout each chapter. It’s so much better than authors’ vague indications of time passing. That’s really a detail that I love in books. I also loved how some chapters were fast paced, giving glimpses of several dates in one. Also dual point of view, and first person, which is my favourite style.
I loved 24yo Leighton. He might be young and might have lost his innocence too fast while growing up, but it made him a mature young man who is down to earth, smart and realistic. He still has a few insecurities but he’s clearly in the right place at HG. He’s confident enough, stands his ground, and doesn’t freak out, even after he wocould have been killed in Bo’s apartment. He is strong, has a solid temper, and doesn’t hesitate to blurt out stuff, and not in a childish manner, or like many of the Little characters in Dee’s books with an age gap. He wants to be an equal and he acts as such.
I also loved Bo’s character to no end. Not only because he’s older, dominant and overprotective. Also because he has his weaknesses that don’t make him weaker, because he’s realistic and objective on his personality. He knows about all his qualities but he’s not arrogant. He has many traits of a sociopath but the way he gets so quickly attached to Leighton is great to watch.
And last but not least, the secondary characters. Camassia Cove, Auctioned series and The Renegades series are at the top of my favorite universes list, with Darius, Ryan, Crew and the others having their sweet spot in my heart. It was so good to see some interaction again between Crew and Ryan, with their teasing and Crew calling him Gramps, I really loved the connection between those two in the Renegades. I just wish this book had been longer, seen more connections and moments. I could read about snippets with past characters forever, I love this universe so much.
And all the other characters. Alex (Dee has a thing for making children fun and interesting in her book, the only exception being Julia in Just sign here), Tanner, Coach, …
I really hope there’ll be more books in this series. I need Gage and Slater, Tanner, Riggs, Coach, Hyatt. I’m on to the next one, and I hope to see some mystery about Coach, Doc and the rest revealed.
What I disliked / hated :
I have to say I was a bit, or a lot, disappointed with the way Darius reacted upon meeting with Leighton. I suppose it somehow fits his hermit personality but I would have have liked to see more emotions in his welcoming Leigh to the family, like Ryan did. In the end, the best reaction is Ryan’s and I haven’t even read his book.
I also wish the book had been longer to give us more about Bo and Leighton, not just a few days after they’re back home. I wanted to see them buy that house, their first op together with Willow in Leigh’s ear, with Darius and Ryan and Crew going with them. Even more so as the op with Omar Said isn’t even over.
The last disappointment is the revelation that Gage, Gray’s brother, is Operator Nolan, which Bo somehow confirms to Darius, but nothing comes off that. So unless he gets his own book at some point, it’s quite pointless.
The usual… like Cara Dee’s recurring expressions we see in every book… when push comes to shove (twice here), the blunt nails
Characters :
Leighton Watts: born in 2000, 18 in the prologue, then 24
Bo Beckett: born in 1981, 43
Jake Quinn: Darius’ big brother who died in Afghanistan, in 2008, was in the army
Darius: from Auctioned
Ryan Quinn: Darius’s younger brother, ex PMC, in a throuple
Elise Quinn : Darius’s sister who own a pastry shop in CC
Willow Quinn: autistic sister of Darius, tech genius
Ethan Quinn: another brother of Darius, owns a gym in CC, married, one child, second one coming
Lias: the youngest Quinn brother
Vince: Bo’s big brother who was murdered 7 months before
Alex: 8yo, Vince’s daughter and Bo’s goddaughter. Her mom, Mandy, died while giving her birth.
Kat: Bo’s big sister, married to Eric, a soldier, mom to 5 kids
Kristen: Bo’s almost ex girlfriend
Emerson Payne: from book1, 66, retired, consultant
Danny Rose: from book 1, now 54, now has a desk work after several injuries
Reese and River Tenley: they’d retired in 2018 (cameo in prologue) but are coming back
Shay: 30, the twins’ lover, replacing Syd as martial arts instructor
Coach: mentioned in previous series but I never knew who he was exactly. Head of field ops. Still a mysterious character whose name is never revealed. Has a tie with Doc, mysterious too. Owns the safe house in Italy where Crew had taken Adrian to in the Renegades.
Terrance Daniels: founder of HG, retired now
Arthur Winters: founder of HG, died in 1988
Syd: instructor at HG, retired now
TJ Daniels: Terrance’s son, managing HG now
Quin Winters: Arthur’s son
Shira: works in intel at HG
Green: jr operator
Riggs: operator at HG who was with David, another operator who’s moving to the UK. Was close to Vince. A bit older than Bo. Has a son in high school. Secretive.
Hyatt: operator at HG, pilot
Tanner Kelley: another recruit whose brother Finnian is a junior operator at HG
Elliott Jones: former NAVY, started JATTE, now sister company to HG in Cali, from Renegades series
Crew Finlay: ex military and PMC at another group, from the Renegades, now working for Elliott’s company which has merged with HG
Adrian: Crew’s husband, former FBI, now working for Elliott at JATTE
Kyle Finlay: retired skid pilot who occasionally does gigs with HG, the one who saved Bo when he didn’t want to leave Vince’s body behind
Mathis: ex operator from Boston, retired years ago
Wilde: jr operator, just back from her first rotation
Slater: HG operator
Nolan: HG operator, the one who spars with Slater at the beginning of the first book, on Leigh’s first day, and he watches them. Nolan is actually Gray’s big brother and no one in the family knows he works there.
Hahns: family in traffic who killed Vince
Full story (spoilers ahead) :
Oct 2nd
We’re back to the small camp after Leigh met Ryan and had a panic attack. Bo arrives and takes him further into the woods to calm him down with a hug. Leigh totally breaks down from the stress of meeting Ryan. Bo reassures him on Ryan, and also on what Coach told him about their relationship, and as Leigh feels better, Bo goes to get Ryan, and makes a brief introduction of how he met Leigh and they tell him that Jake was his dad. Jake had always been Ryan’s hero, and now he sees him in Leigh’s features. This is a very emotional ride for the both of them that Bo leaves them alone to live. Ryan instantly hugs Leigh, then shows him pictures of Jake, of the family, tells him the most important information on all his uncles and aunts, his grandparents. This is an entire family he’s about to get to know, a family who’s going to welcome him with open arms. They also talk a bit about out HG, which was Darius’ entire life before he retired, but they’re interrupted when Ryan notices movement by the trees and starts to communicate with the team (with Bo already freaking out) and to give Leigh instructions. Ryan quickly forms a plan to have Leigh as bait, so he hugs him, at the same time dropping a gun in Leigh’s pocket and his earpiece in his ear, then wanders off. Leigh is now communicating with Bo and pacing as if he were on guard duty, and after a while, the Spanish guys start coming closer, and Leigh only acknowledges their presence until 3 of them are really close. They believe Leigh is not armed, and they actually want him alone. Leigh gives them the benefit of the doubt but soon they attack. They’re not fighters and he takes them down easily. As the other 4 approach, he pulls out his gun, shoots 3, and Crew chases the last one. Ryan congratulates him again.
However, Bo is pissed and worried beyond measure and he might be right, even if his judgement is biased by his feelings for Leigh, and three days hunting bad guys and discovering that Vince had royally fucked up with his coordinates tattoo and all the confidential information he held in the safe house. Anyway, Bo fears that Leigh is riding a high from an emotionally intense day and that it’s going to backfire. Also, Bo isn’t fully trained, he doesn’t know the most important theory that an operator is supposed to know. Hudson reasons him a bit because Leigh is just that good at what he does, and yes, there are things he doesn’t know yet, but they’d all been there. Coach also reasons him to take on Leigh into action tonight as they break into the bunker by guilting him about how he’d react during the operation if he knew Leigh stayed back, wondering if he was safe outside. Bo yields and then offers an apology to Leigh in private for taking some distance the last two hours. They talk through and get ready with the others for the op.
Bo stalls a bit in leading the attack. Ryan joins him and mentions Aleppo, an 8yo mission they shared, their first together, when many children and mothers died from landmines in front of them. And that’s exactly what scares Bo here. Who knows if there aren’t children inside. They decide to postpone the attack by a few hours to get support from Hyatt and his drones. His equipment doesn’t find mines but a vent to a concrete block in the grass. They finally had their break in method, or rather a way to gas them in the basement.
Oct 3rd
The op is a huge mess with more attackers joining from outside, and the guys are clearly outnumbered as opponents with flame throwers set fire all over the woods and grass, complicating things. There are fights, shots, and several of the guys get hit in the process, but they eventually get rid of all the enemy. Coach was hit in the shoulder but Bo got it worse in the leg and in the arm. Having bled a lot, he turns unresponsive and is taken away by helicopter.
Oct 4th
Bo is back at HG, in the medical quarters after he went through surgery and patching up in a hospital the day before. Leigh is asleep in his arms when Doc visits. They banter about coach being the worst patient ever, Doc teases Bo about Leigh and says he wants two sessions with Leigh a week for a while after the last events, but he also wants Bo, even if this mission is now over.
Leigh spends the day with Bo, and they talk a lot about possessiveness, giving themselves a chance, their future, their fears, Leigh’s family and so on. They have dinner brought in from a steakhouse and then Leigh blows off Bo.
Oct 5th
It’s time for the encounter between Leighton and his father’s family, and it’s so emotional. Mary is the most emotional one as she clearly sees her son in Leigh. The others too but they’re more subtle about it. Leigh thus meets his grandparents, Ethan, Darius, Gray, and Willow who is clearly uncomfortable outside of her element. She and her mother stay in Leigh’s room while the others gather in a rec room, though the dad shortly joins Willow too. That allows the other men to talk about work when Ethan escapes to call his wife, and there’s the usual funny banter between them all. Leigh then has a private moment with Willow (the tears!!!!!) who reverts to writing rather than talking. She explains how much she loved Jake and their special connection, which means it’s a lot for her to see Leigh now, she tries to convince him to drop off HG and move to CC, which he obviously rejects, so she threatens with forcing his superiors to accept that she’ll be his intel and her comms in every op he takes, which he gladly accepts. Later he joins Darius and Bo who are talking work separately, about Omar Said, the next guy they need to take down in the Hahn family, though that won’t be before several months. Overall, Leigh is overwhelmed with emotion from finding a new family, his family, and it seems like everything is falling into place for him.
Nov 26th
The 9remaining recruits are training water quals. Leighton gets a 6K check for his participation in the operation early October, which is a lot to him since they don’t have a salary as recruits.
Nov 28th
For Thanksgiving, they’re having lunch at Em and Danny’s with a few other operators. At some point Leigh drags Bo out for a talk, and confesses he’s a bit upset that he told Alex they’d probably go to San Diego for Christmas when Alex said she wanted to go with Leigh to CC. Bo realises that he might be harder to read than he thought if Leigh felt like he didn’t dare to offer that option when that’s what he wanted, so they promise to talk more openly. They also overhear a phone conversation between Wilde and her brother where she mentions Em as Uncle Em.
Dec 14th
After some morning sex and a nap, they go shopping for Christmas, both hating it. Leigh wants to find something for all his family members. Bo wants to find something for Leigh and stalls. The ideal gift would be a key to a house for them, or at least the new apartment he wants to rent at Lincoln Towers. He just wants them to live together.
Dec 24th
They make it to CC and straight to Darius and Gray’s where they’ll stay at the guest cabin. Leigh meets Lias at last. While the younger ones stay at the guest cabin, Bo has coffee with Darius. Darius actually has a request. Gage, Gray’s older brother has been acting weird over the past few years, further to some guilt after what happened to Gray he believes, and he wonders if he hasn’t joined HG. He knows that Bo can’t answer, but in the event it was the case, in his place, he’d encourage Gage to contact Gray and tell him the truth. Bo uses Alex to answer Darius’ question, and the little girl mentions a certain Operator Nolan who swims so good and keeps sparring with Operator Slater. Darius thanks him.
Dec 25th
Getting a breather outside during the family lunch at Mary and James, Bo gives Leigh his gifts, and asks him to move in with him after he’s finally said I love you and Leigh accepts.
Feb 14th
Bo and Leigh have moved in together in their new apartment with Alex who is testing their patience and limits occasionally.
March 25th
The recruits are starting the Resistance to Interrogation training with other people from other agencies. One of them is Elliott Jones from the Renegades. They’re split in three groups, Leigh going to Danny’s team with Miguel and Gabriella. Jones too, though he’s here as a mole obviously.
Mar 27th
All the recruits are doing good so far, resisting, except for one, Phillip, who wants to call it out. Bo gives him 24 hours to think it over because he was a promising recruit.
May 24th
The training is over and Leigh passed. Bo is just coming back from his Hell Week training away where he stupidly twisted his ankle on the way back. He meets Leigh and others on the roof for a BBQ where everyone gives him shit for his injury. Crew also banters with Coach about the so-called house in Italy.
Jun 6th
This is the day the recruits depart the Ecuador building to spend two weeks in the rain forest jungle, the same test that Gray, Shay and Crew did at the end of the Renegades. Leigh received several encouraging texts from his family, and after a private moment with Bo, he’s off to the jungle.
Jun 9th, Leigh is pestering about humidity but close to get a marker
Jun12th, he awakes facing a giant spider. He gets approx 2 hours each night and has already used half his antibiotics.
Jun 14th is a good day. He’s having dinner with fish and berries.
Jun 16th, he gets a marker from a tree where a snake is hanging, but manages without issues.
Jun 20th Leigh makes it back to the facility and he’s second after Miguel who arrived a few hours before with a broken leg and was transported to the hospital in Quito. Other than rash and some insects bites, and the exhaustion, Leigh is doing good and becomes operator Quinn. Two recruits gave up. Once they’re all back, they have a small informal ceremony to proclaim them operators. They’re due to sign their contracts once back in Arlington, they get two weeks off and then they’re on duty.
Epilogue: Bo gets some presents for his birthday from Leighton and Alex and then from his mom as she comes to pick up Alex who’s going to stay with her while they’re on their first gig
Leighton meets Tanner in the locker room at HG, and they grumble about the boring tasks they’ll get for at least one or two years. Leigh then sees Coach with a pile of applications for new recruits and he thinks back to the time it was his in that pile. He’s happy, feels alive, has a boyfriend, a new family and a bright future.
Tropes and Themes :
PMC
Age Gap
Slow burn
What I liked / loved :
The deep, deep emotions from the reunions. I swear that I literally wept when Ryan eventually understood that Leighton was Jake’s son. Even from Leigh’s perspective, it was super emotional and everything I expected from Ryan, and that’s without me having not read his book, only from what I’ve seen of him in other books. Then with Leigh’s grandmother. If that little woman ain’t emotional, it’s so obvious how she’s feeling, in her words, in her tears. Then Willow… that’s when I cried the most I think. For Leighton’s own tears in front of her, for everything she said and for how it was orchestrated. Dee wonderfully dealt with Willow’s inability to be vocal when she meets someone new and she was so cute.
Again, I loved that the dates were super clear at the beginning of and throughout each chapter. It’s so much better than authors’ vague indications of time passing. That’s really a detail that I love in books. I also loved how some chapters were fast paced, giving glimpses of several dates in one. Also dual point of view, and first person, which is my favourite style.
I loved 24yo Leighton. He might be young and might have lost his innocence too fast while growing up, but it made him a mature young man who is down to earth, smart and realistic. He still has a few insecurities but he’s clearly in the right place at HG. He’s confident enough, stands his ground, and doesn’t freak out, even after he wocould have been killed in Bo’s apartment. He is strong, has a solid temper, and doesn’t hesitate to blurt out stuff, and not in a childish manner, or like many of the Little characters in Dee’s books with an age gap. He wants to be an equal and he acts as such.
I also loved Bo’s character to no end. Not only because he’s older, dominant and overprotective. Also because he has his weaknesses that don’t make him weaker, because he’s realistic and objective on his personality. He knows about all his qualities but he’s not arrogant. He has many traits of a sociopath but the way he gets so quickly attached to Leighton is great to watch.
And last but not least, the secondary characters. Camassia Cove, Auctioned series and The Renegades series are at the top of my favorite universes list, with Darius, Ryan, Crew and the others having their sweet spot in my heart. It was so good to see some interaction again between Crew and Ryan, with their teasing and Crew calling him Gramps, I really loved the connection between those two in the Renegades. I just wish this book had been longer, seen more connections and moments. I could read about snippets with past characters forever, I love this universe so much.
And all the other characters. Alex (Dee has a thing for making children fun and interesting in her book, the only exception being Julia in Just sign here), Tanner, Coach, …
I really hope there’ll be more books in this series. I need Gage and Slater, Tanner, Riggs, Coach, Hyatt. I’m on to the next one, and I hope to see some mystery about Coach, Doc and the rest revealed.
What I disliked / hated :
I have to say I was a bit, or a lot, disappointed with the way Darius reacted upon meeting with Leighton. I suppose it somehow fits his hermit personality but I would have have liked to see more emotions in his welcoming Leigh to the family, like Ryan did. In the end, the best reaction is Ryan’s and I haven’t even read his book.
I also wish the book had been longer to give us more about Bo and Leighton, not just a few days after they’re back home. I wanted to see them buy that house, their first op together with Willow in Leigh’s ear, with Darius and Ryan and Crew going with them. Even more so as the op with Omar Said isn’t even over.
The last disappointment is the revelation that Gage, Gray’s brother, is Operator Nolan, which Bo somehow confirms to Darius, but nothing comes off that. So unless he gets his own book at some point, it’s quite pointless.
The usual… like Cara Dee’s recurring expressions we see in every book… when push comes to shove (twice here), the blunt nails
Characters :
Leighton Watts: born in 2000, 18 in the prologue, then 24
Bo Beckett: born in 1981, 43
Jake Quinn: Darius’ big brother who died in Afghanistan, in 2008, was in the army
Darius: from Auctioned
Ryan Quinn: Darius’s younger brother, ex PMC, in a throuple
Elise Quinn : Darius’s sister who own a pastry shop in CC
Willow Quinn: autistic sister of Darius, tech genius
Ethan Quinn: another brother of Darius, owns a gym in CC, married, one child, second one coming
Lias: the youngest Quinn brother
Vince: Bo’s big brother who was murdered 7 months before
Alex: 8yo, Vince’s daughter and Bo’s goddaughter. Her mom, Mandy, died while giving her birth.
Kat: Bo’s big sister, married to Eric, a soldier, mom to 5 kids
Kristen: Bo’s almost ex girlfriend
Emerson Payne: from book1, 66, retired, consultant
Danny Rose: from book 1, now 54, now has a desk work after several injuries
Reese and River Tenley: they’d retired in 2018 (cameo in prologue) but are coming back
Shay: 30, the twins’ lover, replacing Syd as martial arts instructor
Coach: mentioned in previous series but I never knew who he was exactly. Head of field ops. Still a mysterious character whose name is never revealed. Has a tie with Doc, mysterious too. Owns the safe house in Italy where Crew had taken Adrian to in the Renegades.
Terrance Daniels: founder of HG, retired now
Arthur Winters: founder of HG, died in 1988
Syd: instructor at HG, retired now
TJ Daniels: Terrance’s son, managing HG now
Quin Winters: Arthur’s son
Shira: works in intel at HG
Green: jr operator
Riggs: operator at HG who was with David, another operator who’s moving to the UK. Was close to Vince. A bit older than Bo. Has a son in high school. Secretive.
Hyatt: operator at HG, pilot
Tanner Kelley: another recruit whose brother Finnian is a junior operator at HG
Elliott Jones: former NAVY, started JATTE, now sister company to HG in Cali, from Renegades series
Crew Finlay: ex military and PMC at another group, from the Renegades, now working for Elliott’s company which has merged with HG
Adrian: Crew’s husband, former FBI, now working for Elliott at JATTE
Kyle Finlay: retired skid pilot who occasionally does gigs with HG, the one who saved Bo when he didn’t want to leave Vince’s body behind
Mathis: ex operator from Boston, retired years ago
Wilde: jr operator, just back from her first rotation
Slater: HG operator
Nolan: HG operator, the one who spars with Slater at the beginning of the first book, on Leigh’s first day, and he watches them. Nolan is actually Gray’s big brother and no one in the family knows he works there.
Hahns: family in traffic who killed Vince
Full story (spoilers ahead) :
Oct 2nd
We’re back to the small camp after Leigh met Ryan and had a panic attack. Bo arrives and takes him further into the woods to calm him down with a hug. Leigh totally breaks down from the stress of meeting Ryan. Bo reassures him on Ryan, and also on what Coach told him about their relationship, and as Leigh feels better, Bo goes to get Ryan, and makes a brief introduction of how he met Leigh and they tell him that Jake was his dad. Jake had always been Ryan’s hero, and now he sees him in Leigh’s features. This is a very emotional ride for the both of them that Bo leaves them alone to live. Ryan instantly hugs Leigh, then shows him pictures of Jake, of the family, tells him the most important information on all his uncles and aunts, his grandparents. This is an entire family he’s about to get to know, a family who’s going to welcome him with open arms. They also talk a bit about out HG, which was Darius’ entire life before he retired, but they’re interrupted when Ryan notices movement by the trees and starts to communicate with the team (with Bo already freaking out) and to give Leigh instructions. Ryan quickly forms a plan to have Leigh as bait, so he hugs him, at the same time dropping a gun in Leigh’s pocket and his earpiece in his ear, then wanders off. Leigh is now communicating with Bo and pacing as if he were on guard duty, and after a while, the Spanish guys start coming closer, and Leigh only acknowledges their presence until 3 of them are really close. They believe Leigh is not armed, and they actually want him alone. Leigh gives them the benefit of the doubt but soon they attack. They’re not fighters and he takes them down easily. As the other 4 approach, he pulls out his gun, shoots 3, and Crew chases the last one. Ryan congratulates him again.
However, Bo is pissed and worried beyond measure and he might be right, even if his judgement is biased by his feelings for Leigh, and three days hunting bad guys and discovering that Vince had royally fucked up with his coordinates tattoo and all the confidential information he held in the safe house. Anyway, Bo fears that Leigh is riding a high from an emotionally intense day and that it’s going to backfire. Also, Bo isn’t fully trained, he doesn’t know the most important theory that an operator is supposed to know. Hudson reasons him a bit because Leigh is just that good at what he does, and yes, there are things he doesn’t know yet, but they’d all been there. Coach also reasons him to take on Leigh into action tonight as they break into the bunker by guilting him about how he’d react during the operation if he knew Leigh stayed back, wondering if he was safe outside. Bo yields and then offers an apology to Leigh in private for taking some distance the last two hours. They talk through and get ready with the others for the op.
Bo stalls a bit in leading the attack. Ryan joins him and mentions Aleppo, an 8yo mission they shared, their first together, when many children and mothers died from landmines in front of them. And that’s exactly what scares Bo here. Who knows if there aren’t children inside. They decide to postpone the attack by a few hours to get support from Hyatt and his drones. His equipment doesn’t find mines but a vent to a concrete block in the grass. They finally had their break in method, or rather a way to gas them in the basement.
Oct 3rd
The op is a huge mess with more attackers joining from outside, and the guys are clearly outnumbered as opponents with flame throwers set fire all over the woods and grass, complicating things. There are fights, shots, and several of the guys get hit in the process, but they eventually get rid of all the enemy. Coach was hit in the shoulder but Bo got it worse in the leg and in the arm. Having bled a lot, he turns unresponsive and is taken away by helicopter.
Oct 4th
Bo is back at HG, in the medical quarters after he went through surgery and patching up in a hospital the day before. Leigh is asleep in his arms when Doc visits. They banter about coach being the worst patient ever, Doc teases Bo about Leigh and says he wants two sessions with Leigh a week for a while after the last events, but he also wants Bo, even if this mission is now over.
Leigh spends the day with Bo, and they talk a lot about possessiveness, giving themselves a chance, their future, their fears, Leigh’s family and so on. They have dinner brought in from a steakhouse and then Leigh blows off Bo.
Oct 5th
It’s time for the encounter between Leighton and his father’s family, and it’s so emotional. Mary is the most emotional one as she clearly sees her son in Leigh. The others too but they’re more subtle about it. Leigh thus meets his grandparents, Ethan, Darius, Gray, and Willow who is clearly uncomfortable outside of her element. She and her mother stay in Leigh’s room while the others gather in a rec room, though the dad shortly joins Willow too. That allows the other men to talk about work when Ethan escapes to call his wife, and there’s the usual funny banter between them all. Leigh then has a private moment with Willow (the tears!!!!!) who reverts to writing rather than talking. She explains how much she loved Jake and their special connection, which means it’s a lot for her to see Leigh now, she tries to convince him to drop off HG and move to CC, which he obviously rejects, so she threatens with forcing his superiors to accept that she’ll be his intel and her comms in every op he takes, which he gladly accepts. Later he joins Darius and Bo who are talking work separately, about Omar Said, the next guy they need to take down in the Hahn family, though that won’t be before several months. Overall, Leigh is overwhelmed with emotion from finding a new family, his family, and it seems like everything is falling into place for him.
Nov 26th
The 9remaining recruits are training water quals. Leighton gets a 6K check for his participation in the operation early October, which is a lot to him since they don’t have a salary as recruits.
Nov 28th
For Thanksgiving, they’re having lunch at Em and Danny’s with a few other operators. At some point Leigh drags Bo out for a talk, and confesses he’s a bit upset that he told Alex they’d probably go to San Diego for Christmas when Alex said she wanted to go with Leigh to CC. Bo realises that he might be harder to read than he thought if Leigh felt like he didn’t dare to offer that option when that’s what he wanted, so they promise to talk more openly. They also overhear a phone conversation between Wilde and her brother where she mentions Em as Uncle Em.
Dec 14th
After some morning sex and a nap, they go shopping for Christmas, both hating it. Leigh wants to find something for all his family members. Bo wants to find something for Leigh and stalls. The ideal gift would be a key to a house for them, or at least the new apartment he wants to rent at Lincoln Towers. He just wants them to live together.
Dec 24th
They make it to CC and straight to Darius and Gray’s where they’ll stay at the guest cabin. Leigh meets Lias at last. While the younger ones stay at the guest cabin, Bo has coffee with Darius. Darius actually has a request. Gage, Gray’s older brother has been acting weird over the past few years, further to some guilt after what happened to Gray he believes, and he wonders if he hasn’t joined HG. He knows that Bo can’t answer, but in the event it was the case, in his place, he’d encourage Gage to contact Gray and tell him the truth. Bo uses Alex to answer Darius’ question, and the little girl mentions a certain Operator Nolan who swims so good and keeps sparring with Operator Slater. Darius thanks him.
Dec 25th
Getting a breather outside during the family lunch at Mary and James, Bo gives Leigh his gifts, and asks him to move in with him after he’s finally said I love you and Leigh accepts.
Feb 14th
Bo and Leigh have moved in together in their new apartment with Alex who is testing their patience and limits occasionally.
March 25th
The recruits are starting the Resistance to Interrogation training with other people from other agencies. One of them is Elliott Jones from the Renegades. They’re split in three groups, Leigh going to Danny’s team with Miguel and Gabriella. Jones too, though he’s here as a mole obviously.
Mar 27th
All the recruits are doing good so far, resisting, except for one, Phillip, who wants to call it out. Bo gives him 24 hours to think it over because he was a promising recruit.
May 24th
The training is over and Leigh passed. Bo is just coming back from his Hell Week training away where he stupidly twisted his ankle on the way back. He meets Leigh and others on the roof for a BBQ where everyone gives him shit for his injury. Crew also banters with Coach about the so-called house in Italy.
Jun 6th
This is the day the recruits depart the Ecuador building to spend two weeks in the rain forest jungle, the same test that Gray, Shay and Crew did at the end of the Renegades. Leigh received several encouraging texts from his family, and after a private moment with Bo, he’s off to the jungle.
Jun 9th, Leigh is pestering about humidity but close to get a marker
Jun12th, he awakes facing a giant spider. He gets approx 2 hours each night and has already used half his antibiotics.
Jun 14th is a good day. He’s having dinner with fish and berries.
Jun 16th, he gets a marker from a tree where a snake is hanging, but manages without issues.
Jun 20th Leigh makes it back to the facility and he’s second after Miguel who arrived a few hours before with a broken leg and was transported to the hospital in Quito. Other than rash and some insects bites, and the exhaustion, Leigh is doing good and becomes operator Quinn. Two recruits gave up. Once they’re all back, they have a small informal ceremony to proclaim them operators. They’re due to sign their contracts once back in Arlington, they get two weeks off and then they’re on duty.
Epilogue: Bo gets some presents for his birthday from Leighton and Alex and then from his mom as she comes to pick up Alex who’s going to stay with her while they’re on their first gig
Leighton meets Tanner in the locker room at HG, and they grumble about the boring tasks they’ll get for at least one or two years. Leigh then sees Coach with a pile of applications for new recruits and he thinks back to the time it was his in that pile. He’s happy, feels alive, has a boyfriend, a new family and a bright future.
June 17, 2025
Books 2 and 3 of the Hillcroft Group series continue to explore trauma, survival, and found family through Bo and Leighton’s relationship. Watching Bo evolve from detached and emotionally guarded to someone capable of deep, daily love is the beating heart of these books. His steadiness, once a defence mechanism, becomes a source of safety - for Leighton, for Alex, and eventually for himself.
But the worldbuilding does raise some concerns. The “Hillcroft protocol” - which includes burning unconscious enemy combatants alive - is presented with disturbing nonchalance. It seems meant to show Bo’s damaged morality, but the narrative doesn’t fully engage with the horror of it. This choice, like the year-long unpaid training for recruits, points to a system that feels morally and structurally broken. As an Australian reader, that unpaid labour especially stands out — full-time training without compensation would be considered exploitative here.
There’s also some unexamined language that frustrates - dismissive shorthand around children (“she barely counted - like a tiny adult”) and tired gender coding (“tomboy,” “cool like a boy”) that reinforces rigid norms rather than challenging them. It’s not malicious, but it’s lazy, and it dulls the sharpness of otherwise emotionally nuanced writing.
And while Bo and Leighton’s bond is compelling, it’s hard not to wish their relationship had developed more slowly. With such emphasis on discipline and hierarchy, waiting longer than a few months into Leighton’s training would have deepened the payoff and felt more authentic.
Still, the connection between them is undeniable. The emotional growth, the vulnerability, the quiet daily love? It lingers. Even when the system feels broken, their bond doesn’t.
But the worldbuilding does raise some concerns. The “Hillcroft protocol” - which includes burning unconscious enemy combatants alive - is presented with disturbing nonchalance. It seems meant to show Bo’s damaged morality, but the narrative doesn’t fully engage with the horror of it. This choice, like the year-long unpaid training for recruits, points to a system that feels morally and structurally broken. As an Australian reader, that unpaid labour especially stands out — full-time training without compensation would be considered exploitative here.
There’s also some unexamined language that frustrates - dismissive shorthand around children (“she barely counted - like a tiny adult”) and tired gender coding (“tomboy,” “cool like a boy”) that reinforces rigid norms rather than challenging them. It’s not malicious, but it’s lazy, and it dulls the sharpness of otherwise emotionally nuanced writing.
And while Bo and Leighton’s bond is compelling, it’s hard not to wish their relationship had developed more slowly. With such emphasis on discipline and hierarchy, waiting longer than a few months into Leighton’s training would have deepened the payoff and felt more authentic.
Still, the connection between them is undeniable. The emotional growth, the vulnerability, the quiet daily love? It lingers. Even when the system feels broken, their bond doesn’t.
May 30, 2025
I stayed up until 4am this morning to read both books back to back. During this journey, Leighton is unmade by Bo and remade by him.
Bo & Leighton travel an emotional and dangerous road, but looked so beautiful in the end.
Hold on tight, anytime you have the Quinn’s, Tenley’s and a whole bunch of crazy operator’s it’s going to be exciting.
This is an emotional & well written story. I cried and laughed. I was in awe of how many characters Cara has introduced us to in her past stories that just popped up in this one. It was great seeing these characters. Thank you Cara Dee for all your hard work, on this story, and all the stories you’ve given us. Can’t wait to read more of your books.
Bo & Leighton travel an emotional and dangerous road, but looked so beautiful in the end.
Hold on tight, anytime you have the Quinn’s, Tenley’s and a whole bunch of crazy operator’s it’s going to be exciting.
This is an emotional & well written story. I cried and laughed. I was in awe of how many characters Cara has introduced us to in her past stories that just popped up in this one. It was great seeing these characters. Thank you Cara Dee for all your hard work, on this story, and all the stories you’ve given us. Can’t wait to read more of your books.
June 8, 2025
Good read but too much skipping time and scenes cut short
Firstly I should say that I do generally like this author's books, especially her Game series. However, she seems to have developed a tendency to skip time and jump from one situation or scene to another which I am becoming increasingly frustrated with, and is the reason for reducing stars as I struggle to connect to the story. The first book in this series had me feeling as though I was viewing the story as though scenes passing by the window and this was the same in parts. I didn't understand why we were enjoying the journey of Leighton's training in resistance to interrogation only to have it cut short and jumping weeks ahead...found this really pointless and very frustrating when I'm invested in the moment and situation only to be robbed of the end. Then there is the dates given, which I forget and have to skip back to the previous given date to see how many days or weeks have been skipped, because we don't get the narration telling us within the description saying that it's been a few days etc.
I did like the characters and I do love her world building and how we see characters overlap in her different series so I feel connected to their continued journey like that of the Tenleys. I think that's why I get so frustrated because this author has a talent of drawing in the reader to the world she creates but then cuts short the depth with skipping so much. I also think there could be more description of appearances and use of the senses so I really feel as though I'm actually there with them. I did also love the banter between the Quinn family, coming from a small family as an only child I've always loved reading the secondary 'family' dynamics and banter created.
All in all it was good but could have been so much more.
Firstly I should say that I do generally like this author's books, especially her Game series. However, she seems to have developed a tendency to skip time and jump from one situation or scene to another which I am becoming increasingly frustrated with, and is the reason for reducing stars as I struggle to connect to the story. The first book in this series had me feeling as though I was viewing the story as though scenes passing by the window and this was the same in parts. I didn't understand why we were enjoying the journey of Leighton's training in resistance to interrogation only to have it cut short and jumping weeks ahead...found this really pointless and very frustrating when I'm invested in the moment and situation only to be robbed of the end. Then there is the dates given, which I forget and have to skip back to the previous given date to see how many days or weeks have been skipped, because we don't get the narration telling us within the description saying that it's been a few days etc.
I did like the characters and I do love her world building and how we see characters overlap in her different series so I feel connected to their continued journey like that of the Tenleys. I think that's why I get so frustrated because this author has a talent of drawing in the reader to the world she creates but then cuts short the depth with skipping so much. I also think there could be more description of appearances and use of the senses so I really feel as though I'm actually there with them. I did also love the banter between the Quinn family, coming from a small family as an only child I've always loved reading the secondary 'family' dynamics and banter created.
All in all it was good but could have been so much more.
June 2, 2025
After the emotional rollercoaster of the first book, I eagerly anticipated Remade. Unmade left me so emotionally high that I couldn't pick up anything else. I found myself in a complete book slump, just waiting for the second instalment to land in my hands. When it finally arrived, my expectations were through the roof.
The remade starts strong, especially with the war and gunfight scenes that deliver that signature Cara Dee tension. However, as I delved deeper into the story, the thrill and excitement I had carried from the beginning began to wane. The second book felt more like a happy medium, emotional, steady, and full of heart, but without the sharp edge and surprises of the first.
The family reunion and the transition of Bo and Leighton's relationship were heartwarming and satisfying. It was nice to see things come full circle without unnecessary drama. Still, I wished for more conflict or intensity to shake things up. There were threads that I hoped would be more fully explored. The glimpse we got felt more like a teaser than a payoff.
I still enjoyed Remade. The plot is expressive, well-written, and full of the Cara Dee charm I love. However, compared to the first book, it didn't have the same impact. I am already planning a re-read of both back-to-back.
I have a feeling reading them together without the gap might make the whole experience feel more complete.
I'm hopeful for what is to come. I would love to see more of Leighton, Bo, and Riley and maybe more connections with characters like Darius, Ryan, and the rest of the Hillcroft crew. This series is fantastical, and I'm eager to read the next book.
The remade starts strong, especially with the war and gunfight scenes that deliver that signature Cara Dee tension. However, as I delved deeper into the story, the thrill and excitement I had carried from the beginning began to wane. The second book felt more like a happy medium, emotional, steady, and full of heart, but without the sharp edge and surprises of the first.
The family reunion and the transition of Bo and Leighton's relationship were heartwarming and satisfying. It was nice to see things come full circle without unnecessary drama. Still, I wished for more conflict or intensity to shake things up. There were threads that I hoped would be more fully explored. The glimpse we got felt more like a teaser than a payoff.
I still enjoyed Remade. The plot is expressive, well-written, and full of the Cara Dee charm I love. However, compared to the first book, it didn't have the same impact. I am already planning a re-read of both back-to-back.
I have a feeling reading them together without the gap might make the whole experience feel more complete.
I'm hopeful for what is to come. I would love to see more of Leighton, Bo, and Riley and maybe more connections with characters like Darius, Ryan, and the rest of the Hillcroft crew. This series is fantastical, and I'm eager to read the next book.
May 30, 2025
While I loved Unmade, I found the second part of the duet, Remade, to not be quite as satisfying. That being said, it does deliver on the premise of a HEA.
One of the reasons I loved Unmade was the tension, including such a great emotional cliffhanger. In Remade, the focus shifts. The beginning part of the story wraps up the lingering questions with little drama. Part of that makes sense given the background family issues (the Quinn Family has always been amazing). However, the workplace imbalance seemed glossed over, which was a tad disappointing.
Essentially, book one was high angst, high action versus Remade being low angst and significantly sweeter. It’ll appeal to a wide variety of readers by doing it this way. However, Unmade must be read before Remade.
The chemistry between the main characters is still explosive, which I loved seeing. Some of the other aspects of characters were softened, but as they became closer they learned to trust each other and themselves. It was hard earned growth and I would have loved to see that explored more.
After the first half of the book, it really focused on the technical aspects of training and finishing that. It was interesting to learn further about the Hillcroft Group. While the readers are shown the journey, it is a very high level only, told in snapshot fashion. This means that some parts (such as the counter interrogation training or the final test) felt more like teases.
Overall, despite some fundamental issues, I felt it delivered its goal.
4 stars for a sweet HEA.
One of the reasons I loved Unmade was the tension, including such a great emotional cliffhanger. In Remade, the focus shifts. The beginning part of the story wraps up the lingering questions with little drama. Part of that makes sense given the background family issues (the Quinn Family has always been amazing). However, the workplace imbalance seemed glossed over, which was a tad disappointing.
Essentially, book one was high angst, high action versus Remade being low angst and significantly sweeter. It’ll appeal to a wide variety of readers by doing it this way. However, Unmade must be read before Remade.
The chemistry between the main characters is still explosive, which I loved seeing. Some of the other aspects of characters were softened, but as they became closer they learned to trust each other and themselves. It was hard earned growth and I would have loved to see that explored more.
After the first half of the book, it really focused on the technical aspects of training and finishing that. It was interesting to learn further about the Hillcroft Group. While the readers are shown the journey, it is a very high level only, told in snapshot fashion. This means that some parts (such as the counter interrogation training or the final test) felt more like teases.
Overall, despite some fundamental issues, I felt it delivered its goal.
4 stars for a sweet HEA.
June 9, 2025
Remade picks up exactly where Unmade left off. I therefore strongly recommend reading both books together.
The story of Bo and Leighton continues. And at the end of Unmade, I was already really nervous about how Leighton would feel when he met his father's relatives for the first time. Guys, I was on hanky panky alert.
Hillcroft's recruits are also undergoing further training and I found it interesting to get an insight into their training. Of course, Leighton does everything he can to complete his training successfully and it's tough.
But things get really exciting along the way. There's a lot of action and suspense, because Bo is on the hunt for his brother's murderer and it doesn't always go as planned.
If you are a fan of Cara Dee's books, you will look forward to seeing many characters from other volumes again, here it is mainly the Quinns.
And then there's the romance between Bo and Leighton. You can feel the unique chemistry here, and it takes a few admissions, but a happy ending is in sight.
As with the first volume of the Bo/Leighton duology, the main focus isn't on the steamy scenes, but they do exist.
As with the first volume of the Bo/Leighton duology, the main focus isn't on the steamy scenes, but they do exist.
I was thoroughly entertained and captivated from start to finish.
I loved this duology, which has all the charm of the author's earlier books. For fans of the author and those who want to become fans, I can give it an absolute recommendation!
The story of Bo and Leighton continues. And at the end of Unmade, I was already really nervous about how Leighton would feel when he met his father's relatives for the first time. Guys, I was on hanky panky alert.
Hillcroft's recruits are also undergoing further training and I found it interesting to get an insight into their training. Of course, Leighton does everything he can to complete his training successfully and it's tough.
But things get really exciting along the way. There's a lot of action and suspense, because Bo is on the hunt for his brother's murderer and it doesn't always go as planned.
If you are a fan of Cara Dee's books, you will look forward to seeing many characters from other volumes again, here it is mainly the Quinns.
And then there's the romance between Bo and Leighton. You can feel the unique chemistry here, and it takes a few admissions, but a happy ending is in sight.
As with the first volume of the Bo/Leighton duology, the main focus isn't on the steamy scenes, but they do exist.
As with the first volume of the Bo/Leighton duology, the main focus isn't on the steamy scenes, but they do exist.
I was thoroughly entertained and captivated from start to finish.
I loved this duology, which has all the charm of the author's earlier books. For fans of the author and those who want to become fans, I can give it an absolute recommendation!
May 30, 2025
4.5 Stars!
I was so happy to get this book after the cliffhanger in the last one. Remade picks up right where we left off in Unmade, and it starts off with a bang. I don't want to spoil anything for other readers, so I'm going to keep things as simple as possible.
While the ongoing situation was tenuous, I was glad that Bo took the time to help Leighton through some emotional moments. Leighton proved his worth in the first bit of this book, even as untrained as he was. I loved getting to see glimpses of a number of characters from other books and series. While I still haven't managed to go back and read the Auctioned series, every time I read one of the author's books containing characters from it, I am reminded that I really need to read that series soon.
I liked seeing Bo and Leighton learn to communicate with each other honestly. I liked seeing Bo slowly realize how important Leighton is to him and that his series of relationship failures did not apply here. I liked seeing Leighton find himself, his place, and his family. I loved seeing him comfortable with himself and his place in the world. I was glad that Bo didn't keep himself from Leighton and made things work for them as their relationship cemented itself. This was a fantastic read, and I can't wait for the next book.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*
I was so happy to get this book after the cliffhanger in the last one. Remade picks up right where we left off in Unmade, and it starts off with a bang. I don't want to spoil anything for other readers, so I'm going to keep things as simple as possible.
While the ongoing situation was tenuous, I was glad that Bo took the time to help Leighton through some emotional moments. Leighton proved his worth in the first bit of this book, even as untrained as he was. I loved getting to see glimpses of a number of characters from other books and series. While I still haven't managed to go back and read the Auctioned series, every time I read one of the author's books containing characters from it, I am reminded that I really need to read that series soon.
I liked seeing Bo and Leighton learn to communicate with each other honestly. I liked seeing Bo slowly realize how important Leighton is to him and that his series of relationship failures did not apply here. I liked seeing Leighton find himself, his place, and his family. I loved seeing him comfortable with himself and his place in the world. I was glad that Bo didn't keep himself from Leighton and made things work for them as their relationship cemented itself. This was a fantastic read, and I can't wait for the next book.
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*
May 28, 2025
3.75 stars
Leighton and Bo are classic Cara Dee men in that they're complex, stubborn, direct (ish) and capable. Here we have the conclusion to things started in book 2 Unmade (which needs to be read as books 2 & 3 are a duet). Remade picks up immediately where Unmade left off. Bo is running an op to get the guys involved in his brother's death and the attempts on his life while Leighton is actively melting down at the inevitability of coming face to face with the family he's been too afraid to meet. Firstly, kudos to Dee for the action heavy piece that was Bo's op. I thought it was really well done. Lots happens and there were loads of moving parts but it worked. Some very familiar faces from many of Dee's other works make appearances and that's always fun.
My favourite parts of Remade of course were Leighton's meeting his father's family who knew nothing of him (and whom he discovered in Unmade). There were really great scenes there and as Leighton's family are a significant one in the Cara Verse, the meetings didn't disappoint. Leighton and Willow's meeting was particularly touching.
As always with Dee and her PMCs, there are really interesting characters hanging about that I can't wait to get to know and see who they end up with and of course there's some breadcrumbs dropped in Remade. Excited to find out which Operator is up next. Recommend!
Leighton and Bo are classic Cara Dee men in that they're complex, stubborn, direct (ish) and capable. Here we have the conclusion to things started in book 2 Unmade (which needs to be read as books 2 & 3 are a duet). Remade picks up immediately where Unmade left off. Bo is running an op to get the guys involved in his brother's death and the attempts on his life while Leighton is actively melting down at the inevitability of coming face to face with the family he's been too afraid to meet. Firstly, kudos to Dee for the action heavy piece that was Bo's op. I thought it was really well done. Lots happens and there were loads of moving parts but it worked. Some very familiar faces from many of Dee's other works make appearances and that's always fun.
My favourite parts of Remade of course were Leighton's meeting his father's family who knew nothing of him (and whom he discovered in Unmade). There were really great scenes there and as Leighton's family are a significant one in the Cara Verse, the meetings didn't disappoint. Leighton and Willow's meeting was particularly touching.
As always with Dee and her PMCs, there are really interesting characters hanging about that I can't wait to get to know and see who they end up with and of course there's some breadcrumbs dropped in Remade. Excited to find out which Operator is up next. Recommend!
June 1, 2025
I love Leighton and Bo so much. They are so cute and sweet together. This was the perfect follow up book to the duet. The story picks up right where hook 1 ended, and from there it’s a fast paced, doesn’t slow down adrenaline rush for that op. After the op we get to see Bo and Leighton’s relationship continue to develop while Leighton continues his training and builds new relationships with the Quinn family. I always love getting to see more of my favorites and Darius and Grey and Ryan are some of my faves. Leighton has come so far from the start of book 1, his growth is amazing. And Bo has too, he’s stopped hiding behind these fake, surface level relationships and growing up and moving on from the loss of his brother. This story is full of love and adrenaline. It made me laugh and smile so hard and it made me bawl like a baby cause Ryan and I share that one thing together, reunions make us cry. And I cried as Ryan welcomed him to the family, I cried at the Hillcroft reunion. I cried during Willow’s note scene. I just cried, my heart was so full for Leighton and the Quinn family. It was an emotionally beautiful moment. These characters are just so endearing and lovable. They are funny and snarky and I just love immersing myself in this world. Cara Dee creates amazing worlds and characters and interesting plots and steamy scenes. I can’t wait for the next one!
May 29, 2025
This book finishes the journey to final acceptance of the love story between Bo Beckett and Leighton Watts. We meet these two in "Unmade" where Beckett first meets a young Watts whose recent death sends him searching for his father who he never knew. The book does a wonderful job of laying the groundwork for who these two are and how they come together. It's a mentor relationship and the romance begins late in the book.
In Remade, we pickup right after the first book and the writing is exquisite. The journey and character growth of both characters is organic and reads true to life. How Bo and Leighton finally become a family with Alex, Beckett's niece will bring tears to your eyes and warm the coldest heart.
This writing is top tier, which I've come to expect from this author. The family that surrounds, loves and supports these three is a wonderful addition and adds such depth.
Read this series: "Unmade" and "Remade" are the 2nd and 3rd books in the Hillcroft Group books. It is not necessary to read the first "The Story of Danny Rose" before "Unmade". You do need to read "Unmade" before "Remade".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In Remade, we pickup right after the first book and the writing is exquisite. The journey and character growth of both characters is organic and reads true to life. How Bo and Leighton finally become a family with Alex, Beckett's niece will bring tears to your eyes and warm the coldest heart.
This writing is top tier, which I've come to expect from this author. The family that surrounds, loves and supports these three is a wonderful addition and adds such depth.
Read this series: "Unmade" and "Remade" are the 2nd and 3rd books in the Hillcroft Group books. It is not necessary to read the first "The Story of Danny Rose" before "Unmade". You do need to read "Unmade" before "Remade".
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 7, 2025
This book started slow for a book that was supposed to be about private military contractors. The overall storyline was fine, but the first half of the book was all over the place. There was very little operator action. I didn’t think this book succeeded well in either the military ops or mm genre. The Rogue series did a decent job of mixing both genres together. Her first book in the Auction series mixed the two genres together the best.
I did like how she wove multiple of my favorite characters in this story. However sometimes it felt like the character involvement was forced just to throw them into the story to get new readers to check out her other book series. I feel bad for readers if this is the first book of hers that they have read. Way too many characters to keep up with if you haven’t read several of her other series.
She builds interesting characters but then she uses inane descriptions repeatedly. I wish I had a dollar for every time she uses the phrase “a dip of his chin”. Please just stop it! Also, the mm scenes were dull. Unusual for her.
I definitely like the author’s Games Series much better. Hoping for more books in that series with the Tenleys, Greer & his brood, and Lucian.
I did like how she wove multiple of my favorite characters in this story. However sometimes it felt like the character involvement was forced just to throw them into the story to get new readers to check out her other book series. I feel bad for readers if this is the first book of hers that they have read. Way too many characters to keep up with if you haven’t read several of her other series.
She builds interesting characters but then she uses inane descriptions repeatedly. I wish I had a dollar for every time she uses the phrase “a dip of his chin”. Please just stop it! Also, the mm scenes were dull. Unusual for her.
I definitely like the author’s Games Series much better. Hoping for more books in that series with the Tenleys, Greer & his brood, and Lucian.
May 31, 2025
Something isn't clicking for me in this "duology". Don't get me wrong, it was a very good read all and all but it didn't win me over.
Could be because it felt more like Leighton's story than a military romance between Leighton and Bo?
The fact that in the beginning of this second part we continued from where we left off in the previous one, Leighton, Bo, Coach, Ryan and another 3-4 people are ready to storm the bunker where Kahn's people are hiding and somehow someway they get overwhelmed from the sheer number of gang members that appear to take them out. How did escape Hillcroft's notice just how many people of Kahn's were in Freder-sth?
Or maybe that we got a delicious taste between Leighton and Bo at the end of the previous book and almost nothing here?
I loved the humor at the end when Leighton took his operator final exam in Ecuador as well as their X-mas vacation in Darius and Gray's homestead.
I will be back for the next books because I can't resist seeing Tanner and Riggs and how that will play out and anything we might get about Operator Nolan!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Could be because it felt more like Leighton's story than a military romance between Leighton and Bo?
The fact that in the beginning of this second part we continued from where we left off in the previous one, Leighton, Bo, Coach, Ryan and another 3-4 people are ready to storm the bunker where Kahn's people are hiding and somehow someway they get overwhelmed from the sheer number of gang members that appear to take them out. How did escape Hillcroft's notice just how many people of Kahn's were in Freder-sth?
Or maybe that we got a delicious taste between Leighton and Bo at the end of the previous book and almost nothing here?
I loved the humor at the end when Leighton took his operator final exam in Ecuador as well as their X-mas vacation in Darius and Gray's homestead.
I will be back for the next books because I can't resist seeing Tanner and Riggs and how that will play out and anything we might get about Operator Nolan!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
June 26, 2025
This second half picks up immediately where we left the action in the first half, creating a complete romance and external plot arc by the end, but not without putting us through the wringer. Before any resolution to either arc, we'll fear for both men's lives more than once in an epic military operation that balances suspense with the no-nonsense professionalism of the Hillcroft Group that I've come to expect from these characters (and from Dee's writing about such combat actions). That professionalism also lends itself to how things work out for the slightly taboo nature of the fraternization between Bo and Leighton, where any angst is placed solidly in the character development realm (to both poignant and good effect). If these are the first books you pick up by this author, you might find the references to Leighton's family overwhelming, but fear not. While the rest of us gleefully enjoy visits from familiar favorites, you're in for the treat of meeting everyone in this fabulous, expansive world for the very first time.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
August 23, 2025
A Great Story
This is book two in Leighton and Bo’s story. You have to read book one, Unmade before reading this book. You will get lost if you start this book first.
Leighton can’t believe how his life is turning out. He really can’t believe he gets a family that he didn’t think would want him. He gets caught up in a trap but he keeps going with Coach with him. He will do whatever it takes to keep him and others safe. The more time he spends with Bo, the more feelings get involved. All Leighton wants to do is be the best Operator and make Bo proud Ali g with his new family.
Bo has to overcome so things going on in his mind. He needs to focus and get his mind in the right place. When he hears about what happened with Coach and Leighton, he does what he can to get to them. Now Bo must figure out a plan and get things handled.
Leighton still has his recruiting to finish and learn as much as he can. After all, he wants to be like his dad. He just hopes he has Bo and his fa I love you with him.
Such a great story and so glad how it all went. It was great getting to know both of them and the history. Looking forward to more books in this series.
This is book two in Leighton and Bo’s story. You have to read book one, Unmade before reading this book. You will get lost if you start this book first.
Leighton can’t believe how his life is turning out. He really can’t believe he gets a family that he didn’t think would want him. He gets caught up in a trap but he keeps going with Coach with him. He will do whatever it takes to keep him and others safe. The more time he spends with Bo, the more feelings get involved. All Leighton wants to do is be the best Operator and make Bo proud Ali g with his new family.
Bo has to overcome so things going on in his mind. He needs to focus and get his mind in the right place. When he hears about what happened with Coach and Leighton, he does what he can to get to them. Now Bo must figure out a plan and get things handled.
Leighton still has his recruiting to finish and learn as much as he can. After all, he wants to be like his dad. He just hopes he has Bo and his fa I love you with him.
Such a great story and so glad how it all went. It was great getting to know both of them and the history. Looking forward to more books in this series.
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