Remade

Hillcroft Group #3

by Cara Dee

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.

Genres: M M Romance, Military Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Found Family, Action

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2025

About the author

​
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.

Reviews

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[ML · Rating 5 out of 5]

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! 😩😩😩😩

[Renée · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[The Secret Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Santy · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

**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.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 :)

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Cyndy · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[TC · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Mhor · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Cin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[nancy_booknerd_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Lesetiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[JenCW · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.*

[B. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Ashley -Goldstarreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Teeny · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mary Forster · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leighton is in training to become an operator for Hillcroft. The training is hard but it’s all about preparing him to survive in a dangerous world where he’s always going to have a target on his back. His rock is Bo, possibly his first real friend and ultimately his first and only love.

I enjoyed Leighton’s introduction to his new family. The Quinn’s welcomed him with open arms. No drama, just acceptance. Actually the book was pretty drama free. Both men walked into their relationship fairly easily and I appreciated that the author gave them their moments together with what amounted to real joy for the stoic couple.

The jungle training didn’t disappoint. I laughed at Leighton’s descriptions and feelings. I don’t have an issue with bugs but I might be rethinking my stance on that.

I like how the author brings characters from other series’ into the book and seamlessly intertwined them. It gave this book an authentic feel and gave the story a solid history.

I liked the book.

Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.

[Hani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The military things and the found-family things were interesting and awesome. The romance/smut kinda fizzled flat after the moment they exchanged I-love-yous, taking a back seat to the military stuff.

While Unmade felt like the first half of a romance novel, this book felt more like early Hogwarts when they were still trying to pass their exams, or even The Final Years at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton (31-Jul-2014) Paperback; you know, a coming-of-age boarding school final exams story. So I took one star away for the genre-change between book one and book two.

But if you enjoy action-adventure in a school setting, this book unexpectedly falls in there and is a pretty fun version of it.