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After my brothers in arms have all moved out, I’m suffering from a kind of empty nest syndrome. The only one left is Forest, Creek’s little brother.
Except he’s not that little. He’s seriously hot and sassy, and the way I dream about him is anything but brotherly.
But he’s too young for me, too innocent. Too…perfect. He doesn’t need a man with my kind of baggage.
When he gets sick, I’m there for him, even when he allows no one else in.
I will do anything to take care of him…and that includes marrying him so he’ll have health insurance.
But when fake becomes real, I don’t know what to do. Forest may need me, but how do I explain to him that I need him just as much?
Nash is the fourth book in the Honorably Discharged Series, which can be read as standalones but are much more fun read in order.
Except he’s not that little. He’s seriously hot and sassy, and the way I dream about him is anything but brotherly.
But he’s too young for me, too innocent. Too…perfect. He doesn’t need a man with my kind of baggage.
When he gets sick, I’m there for him, even when he allows no one else in.
I will do anything to take care of him…and that includes marrying him so he’ll have health insurance.
But when fake becomes real, I don’t know what to do. Forest may need me, but how do I explain to him that I need him just as much?
Nash is the fourth book in the Honorably Discharged Series, which can be read as standalones but are much more fun read in order.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 8, 2026
About the author
Nora Phoenix
126 books2,404 followersWould you like the long or the short version of my bio?
The short? You got it.
I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.
How was that?
A little more detail? Gotcha.
I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.
My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.
Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.
Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noras...
Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/
You can also stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoraFromBHR
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-...
The short? You got it.
I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.
How was that?
A little more detail? Gotcha.
I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.
My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.
Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.
Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noras...
Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/
You can also stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoraFromBHR
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
January 11, 2026
The book is ok, I just wanted so much more for Nash😒
January 21, 2026
"He took a single step back, giving enough space between us for Jesus— as my youth group leader used to say during our yearly socials."
What a disappointment.
Wow.
This is so boring it hurts.
They took Nash, a really strong side character from the series, one with the biggest potential to get a really great book, and completely blew it.
This was a washed-up version of Nash, he was a completely different person in this book. Not to mention that he was a sergeant, a Top, a caretaker, big daddy energy, openly gay, a mature, stable, dominant man in his prime, yet here, Nash ends up in a stupidly boring, uneventful love story paired up with a mediocre twink he fake-marries, and they supposedly fall in love while acting like idiots half the time.
🟢 A college professor / a vet (Sargeant), now EMT
🟠 Fake husbands
🟡 Almost no height, but some size difference
🔵 Age gap - 11 years, I think around 30 / over 40
🟣 Neurological disability
🌶️ Some sex, quite good, but not as much as I'd expect; oral, penetrative; t/b, hinting at vers
We come into this story right in the middle. We skip over the first time Nash and Foster see each other, which is only told at the very end of the book. We also skip a lot of their early times hanging out together, being in each other’s company and eventually living together as roommates, because, apparently, the fact that they both had crushes on each other for a longer time didn’t matter that much.
When Foster, Creek's younger brother, gets a bad diagnosis and is fired from his job as a college professor, he’s basically at home with Nash, his brother's former NCO, who is the only one who knows what’s going on with Foster. All the other guys who were supposed to be so close to and so connected with Nash, are nowhere to be found throughout most of the book. Nash is hiding everything from them, from Foster's devastating diagnosis to getting fake-married so Foster can get healthcare benefits.
How they manage to go weeks and even months without any kind of contact is beyond me, they were constantly in touch in all the other books, but especially now that Forest is here, one would think there'd be even more of that spending time together.
When Nash and Forest finally get fake married, they keep a lot from each other, they just don't talk about anything, but they do start talking about getting off, and just when you think they’re getting closer or at least are going to hook up regularly, they have their little honeymoon, come back home, and go right back to sleeping in their separate rooms.
Yeah, they continue sleeping separately, but you’re led to believe during that honeymoon that they’re at least going to keep having sex, right? They've finally gotten closer, right?
Sure, it came out of nowhere and I wasn't really sold on it, but at least there'd be some nice intimacy, getting closer, if nothing else.
Right?
Weeks pass where they barely even look at each other or talk.
I mean, what is this? What are they waiting for? This kind of stupid pining while living two feet apart isn't cute. And it's not even good pining, it's just being stupid.
Eventually, after all those weeks of nothing happening, Nash gets into a car accident. Suddenly, they’re forced to confront how much they love each other (??), but then they go back home and… nothing. They’re just recovering and doing absolutely nothing else. They don’t even address their relationship until the very sappy, annoying ending.
The authors managed to completely obliterate the Nash we knew from the previous books. He’s boring and mundane here. He’s not proactive, he’s not leading, he’s not passionate, he’s just awkward, restrained, and lost in this weird, almost puritanical story. The main love relationship isn't well developed, I don't know where the authors were going with this.
And Foster is nowhere near the kind of partner I’d want for Nash. Based on everything we’ve seen so far in the series, the person who actually would have worked with Nash is Dayton, his boss and best friend. That would have made sense.
This didn’t.
What a disappointment.
Wow.
This is so boring it hurts.
They took Nash, a really strong side character from the series, one with the biggest potential to get a really great book, and completely blew it.
This was a washed-up version of Nash, he was a completely different person in this book. Not to mention that he was a sergeant, a Top, a caretaker, big daddy energy, openly gay, a mature, stable, dominant man in his prime, yet here, Nash ends up in a stupidly boring, uneventful love story paired up with a mediocre twink he fake-marries, and they supposedly fall in love while acting like idiots half the time.
🟢 A college professor / a vet (Sargeant), now EMT
🟠 Fake husbands
🟡 Almost no height, but some size difference
🔵 Age gap - 11 years, I think around 30 / over 40
🟣 Neurological disability
🌶️ Some sex, quite good, but not as much as I'd expect; oral, penetrative; t/b, hinting at vers
We come into this story right in the middle. We skip over the first time Nash and Foster see each other, which is only told at the very end of the book. We also skip a lot of their early times hanging out together, being in each other’s company and eventually living together as roommates, because, apparently, the fact that they both had crushes on each other for a longer time didn’t matter that much.
When Foster, Creek's younger brother, gets a bad diagnosis and is fired from his job as a college professor, he’s basically at home with Nash, his brother's former NCO, who is the only one who knows what’s going on with Foster. All the other guys who were supposed to be so close to and so connected with Nash, are nowhere to be found throughout most of the book. Nash is hiding everything from them, from Foster's devastating diagnosis to getting fake-married so Foster can get healthcare benefits.
How they manage to go weeks and even months without any kind of contact is beyond me, they were constantly in touch in all the other books, but especially now that Forest is here, one would think there'd be even more of that spending time together.
When Nash and Forest finally get fake married, they keep a lot from each other, they just don't talk about anything, but they do start talking about getting off, and just when you think they’re getting closer or at least are going to hook up regularly, they have their little honeymoon, come back home, and go right back to sleeping in their separate rooms.
Yeah, they continue sleeping separately, but you’re led to believe during that honeymoon that they’re at least going to keep having sex, right? They've finally gotten closer, right?
Sure, it came out of nowhere and I wasn't really sold on it, but at least there'd be some nice intimacy, getting closer, if nothing else.
Right?
Weeks pass where they barely even look at each other or talk.
I mean, what is this? What are they waiting for? This kind of stupid pining while living two feet apart isn't cute. And it's not even good pining, it's just being stupid.
Eventually, after all those weeks of nothing happening, Nash gets into a car accident. Suddenly, they’re forced to confront how much they love each other (??), but then they go back home and… nothing. They’re just recovering and doing absolutely nothing else. They don’t even address their relationship until the very sappy, annoying ending.
The authors managed to completely obliterate the Nash we knew from the previous books. He’s boring and mundane here. He’s not proactive, he’s not leading, he’s not passionate, he’s just awkward, restrained, and lost in this weird, almost puritanical story. The main love relationship isn't well developed, I don't know where the authors were going with this.
And Foster is nowhere near the kind of partner I’d want for Nash. Based on everything we’ve seen so far in the series, the person who actually would have worked with Nash is Dayton, his boss and best friend. That would have made sense.
This didn’t.
August 1, 2026
The final book in a series about 4 friends, all veterans honorably discharged after a training accident that caused disabilities to 3 of them. This 4th book is about the the caretaker of the group, the bossy higher ranked one, that while not disabled himself carries a lot of (unwarranted) guilt about the accident. He is now is hosting the younger brother of one of his friends and having feelings of all kinds about him. (Forest seems older and more mature than what I remembered from previous books, though it might be just be that I read the books a while ago, which makes the age gap and little brother angst a bit silly IMO).
The other 3 books were all focused, understandably, on each of the MCs acquiring a life-changing disability and needing to learn to deal with it while still finding romance. Nash was not physically affected by the accident, but this book somehow ends up fitting that theme also, it's the other MC who discovers and needs to process he now has a chronic neurological condition. So a few tropes follow, marriage of convenience for medical insurance AND keeping things secret from the brother because, oh, I don't know exactly, it all felt so forced. That was part of my problem with this book, the whole drama about keeping the relationship and marriage and diagnosis a secret seemed overwrought (and seriously, some of the lying and hiding difficult to forgive from the past of the brother) and the characters had no chemistry at all, not romantic or emotional.
The chronical illness aspect was interesting but there was something a bit shallow about it - with an illness with an unknown cause, Forest seems resigned to it being chronical and unchangeable almost at once, there is no rage, denial, a deep dive into research or expressing hope for future cures and breakthroughs (unknown cause! surely there is hope it might be cured sometime in the future?). Nash seems to fall into caretaking mode almost instantly without much insight about his need to take care! It all did not seem at all healthy to me, sorry the pun, not to either of them.
If all romances have an element of wishfulfillment about them, this one is about Forest getting financial (insurance) and emotional support when diagnosed with a chronic illness. And Nash, whose story we had been waiting for 3 weeks, just naturally seems bland and the means to that end, to provide an HEA for the other character. It is sweet, but not really romantic maybe because it is so uneven. (Plus the stupid secrets thing...)
The other 3 books were all focused, understandably, on each of the MCs acquiring a life-changing disability and needing to learn to deal with it while still finding romance. Nash was not physically affected by the accident, but this book somehow ends up fitting that theme also, it's the other MC who discovers and needs to process he now has a chronic neurological condition. So a few tropes follow, marriage of convenience for medical insurance AND keeping things secret from the brother because, oh, I don't know exactly, it all felt so forced. That was part of my problem with this book, the whole drama about keeping the relationship and marriage and diagnosis a secret seemed overwrought (and seriously, some of the lying and hiding difficult to forgive from the past of the brother) and the characters had no chemistry at all, not romantic or emotional.
The chronical illness aspect was interesting but there was something a bit shallow about it - with an illness with an unknown cause, Forest seems resigned to it being chronical and unchangeable almost at once, there is no rage, denial, a deep dive into research or expressing hope for future cures and breakthroughs (unknown cause! surely there is hope it might be cured sometime in the future?). Nash seems to fall into caretaking mode almost instantly without much insight about his need to take care! It all did not seem at all healthy to me, sorry the pun, not to either of them.
If all romances have an element of wishfulfillment about them, this one is about Forest getting financial (insurance) and emotional support when diagnosed with a chronic illness. And Nash, whose story we had been waiting for 3 weeks, just naturally seems bland and the means to that end, to provide an HEA for the other character. It is sweet, but not really romantic maybe because it is so uneven. (Plus the stupid secrets thing...)
January 14, 2026
A fitting conclusion to this series
This series has been an excellent example of how to write disabilities, frustrating circumstances, complicated and challenging men and beautiful stories of love.
Leaving Nash until the end was the obvious choice because he's the one who's been there for the others without ever realising how much he needed to let himself be cared for.
In Forest, he finds the perfect balance in being able to care for someone while opening up and allowing that same grace for himself.
While I'd have preferred to not have the additional drama of how everything falls out with Creek because I would have loved to see them actually facing the consequences when there hadn't been a crisis, I also thoroughly enjoyed how things worked out.
I also love the rest of the found family in this series and I'd love to see a follow-up with Kaelan and Dex also finding their happy endings, preferably with each other!
#ARC kindly received from the authors, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This series has been an excellent example of how to write disabilities, frustrating circumstances, complicated and challenging men and beautiful stories of love.
Leaving Nash until the end was the obvious choice because he's the one who's been there for the others without ever realising how much he needed to let himself be cared for.
In Forest, he finds the perfect balance in being able to care for someone while opening up and allowing that same grace for himself.
While I'd have preferred to not have the additional drama of how everything falls out with Creek because I would have loved to see them actually facing the consequences when there hadn't been a crisis, I also thoroughly enjoyed how things worked out.
I also love the rest of the found family in this series and I'd love to see a follow-up with Kaelan and Dex also finding their happy endings, preferably with each other!
#ARC kindly received from the authors, I am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 13, 2026
Ich hab die Serie so gerne gelesen, aber das letzte Buch war ... nicht so wie ich es mir erwartet habe. Ja, es ging auch um Nash und seine PDST und andere Probleme, aber es war ja dann doch eher ein "all-about Forest" Buch und irgendwie hat mir da etwas gefehlt. Vielleicht war es zu kurz? Es sind immer wieder Wochen übersprungen worden, bei denen ich gerne mehr Beziehungsarbeit gesehen hätte und auch der Umgang mit der Krankheit von Forest.
Habe ich es dennoch gerne gelesen, ja. Habe ich mir mehr erwartet, ja.
Habe ich es dennoch gerne gelesen, ja. Habe ich mir mehr erwartet, ja.
January 10, 2026
am I the only one feeling the lack of romance and the sense of reality?
December 10, 2025
Review to come (RTC)
January 9, 2026
If this is the conclusion to this series, I am extremely satisfied. Nash and Forest were just the best way to end such an emotional series.
I am in awe of Forest’s strength. The way he handled such a life changing diagnosis was nothing short of brave and inspiring.
He didn’t let it get to him like many others would have. He didn’t throw in the towel and felt sorry for himself. He fought with tooth and nail to keep his life as normal as possible.
Nash was the same caretaker he’s always been but in a more deeper sense because now he was taking care for Forest. His feelings for him were deeper than he wanted to admit and he would do anything to protect him.
The marriage might have been fake, but the love he felt for Forest was as real as the sun. He just was too afraid to let him know.
They were two idiots who loved each other but neither had the guts to say anything🤦🏻♀️
It took a major scare for them to realize their feelings but once they did, it was obvious how gone they were for each other.
Nash had been everyone’s pillar of strength and now he had someone who was his. They both had suffered so much, it was time they too found happiness.
I really loved this series. Loved that both E.M. and Nora wrote these flawed, relatable characters who were so inspiring and resilient. Life threw them a curveball but they still swung for the fences.
They refused to give up and took control of their own lives. It’s not what happens to us that matters, it’s how we react to it that does. They chose to get up when they got knocked down and that in itself is brave as hell.
I am in awe of Forest’s strength. The way he handled such a life changing diagnosis was nothing short of brave and inspiring.
He didn’t let it get to him like many others would have. He didn’t throw in the towel and felt sorry for himself. He fought with tooth and nail to keep his life as normal as possible.
Nash was the same caretaker he’s always been but in a more deeper sense because now he was taking care for Forest. His feelings for him were deeper than he wanted to admit and he would do anything to protect him.
The marriage might have been fake, but the love he felt for Forest was as real as the sun. He just was too afraid to let him know.
They were two idiots who loved each other but neither had the guts to say anything🤦🏻♀️
It took a major scare for them to realize their feelings but once they did, it was obvious how gone they were for each other.
Nash had been everyone’s pillar of strength and now he had someone who was his. They both had suffered so much, it was time they too found happiness.
I really loved this series. Loved that both E.M. and Nora wrote these flawed, relatable characters who were so inspiring and resilient. Life threw them a curveball but they still swung for the fences.
They refused to give up and took control of their own lives. It’s not what happens to us that matters, it’s how we react to it that does. They chose to get up when they got knocked down and that in itself is brave as hell.
January 20, 2026
Unfortunately I wanted more for Nash! I think some of it is down to what this series is about, that these were people finding love despite their physical disabilities. And that worked incredibly well for the first three books, where the disabilities were already established, but it fell apart with this book to me. It felt like Forrest’s whole FND diagnosis was just a way to shoehorn this last book into the series. I think I would have much preferred it to be more focused on Nash’s PTSD from his time in the military and all the things he’s been pushing down to take care of his men. We got a little bit of that story with his nightmares, but not nearly enough for me. It felt like we waited this whole time for Nash’s story, and then he wasn’t even the main character of the book that had his name on it. I also thought it was SUPER unfair how much Creek was maligned in this, like the way everyone just got on board, Creek included, with the idea that he was suddenly not a safe person for Forrest to talk with? Was wild to me, may that kind of friendly and brotherly love never find me.
January 17, 2026
I admit that after the first wedding, I skimmed the remainder of the story because I will never understand how Forest is so against having his brother know what is happening with him, just because Creek is overprotective. Like, putting Nash in such a position of lying to his friends and marrying without them being there for him... just because Forest wants to avoid drama... Yeah no. And then leaving Nash at the hospital.... yeah nop.
January 9, 2026
I have a rule... if I cry or laugh out loud, the book gets 5 stars. This one made me do both, so... 🥰
Even though I felt like the romantic relationship between Nash and Forest took a back seat to other issues, that is just how real life is sometimes. A chronic illness is just that... forever. So many things get put on hold, and improvement or recovery takes center stage. Is this fair? Nah... but that is just how things work, sometimes. So, take your good and occasional GREAT moments and keep them close to your heart for when it feels like life is never going to give you that wonderful feeling ever again... trust me, you will be glad that you did!
This series is one of those that makes me wish I did rereads. My heart was touched by each and every story, and I hope to carry the love and hope that was found by these wonderful characters into my future!
Even though I felt like the romantic relationship between Nash and Forest took a back seat to other issues, that is just how real life is sometimes. A chronic illness is just that... forever. So many things get put on hold, and improvement or recovery takes center stage. Is this fair? Nah... but that is just how things work, sometimes. So, take your good and occasional GREAT moments and keep them close to your heart for when it feels like life is never going to give you that wonderful feeling ever again... trust me, you will be glad that you did!
This series is one of those that makes me wish I did rereads. My heart was touched by each and every story, and I hope to carry the love and hope that was found by these wonderful characters into my future!
January 12, 2026
It was OK but not my favourite. I'm not sure when these two fell in love but I did not see it happening as all the time it was just Nash taking care of Forest. Then we have what happened with Nash at the end and it felt unnecessary to be honest.
Bit of a meh ending as well with the 2nd wedding. I think I would have preferred to see everyone together doing something else a few years ahead.
Bit of a meh ending as well with the 2nd wedding. I think I would have preferred to see everyone together doing something else a few years ahead.
January 10, 2026
So happy to read Nash's happy ever after! Forest is prefect for him and the drama and angst and secrets is all totally relatable to the story!
Sad the series has finished but happy to see all 4 MCs get their loves!
Sad the series has finished but happy to see all 4 MCs get their loves!
January 23, 2026
I liked it, but maybe I expected more. This series has done a lot of exploration to disability and yet I feel like Forest's is the least explored one. And as the most dynamic one, it had potential to give a lot to the dynamic. I liked the book anyway though
February 2, 2026
4 1/2 stars...
March 4, 2026
It was ok. It was nice seeing Nash and Forest get their HEA but they spent the majority of the book just friends. No tension, No banter, No real connection for me. It was boring.
May 6, 2026
Full disclosure I skipped books 2 & 3 bc I was chomping at the bit for Nash’s story. It was lacking for me personally. I fell in love with Nash instantly and was so excited about best friends brother trope with Forest but it just flopped. I needed more for Daddy Nash.
May 26, 2026
LEAST FAVORITE OF THIS SERIES…..what do you MEAN everyone else got emotional support boyfs to heal from their trauma but we had to give Nash’s boyf EVEN MORE TRAUMA THAN HIM for no reason?
January 8, 2026
We finally have the last book and it was just as good as the previous 3.
January 10, 2026
Sooo happy that Nash finally got his HEA!! I love this series
January 16, 2026
4.5☆
ᔑᑭᏆᑕᗴ: 🔥🔥🔥
しᗩᑌᏀᕼᔑ: 🤣🤣
Ꭲᗴᗩᖇᔑ:😭😭😭
ᗰᑕᔑ. Nash, Forest
ᑭᝪᐯ: 1st Person Dual Pov
Ꭲᖇᝪᑭᗴᔑ: Roommates to lovers, Brother's best friend, Age Gap
Nash cosito bien hecho
ᔑᑭᏆᑕᗴ: 🔥🔥🔥
しᗩᑌᏀᕼᔑ: 🤣🤣
Ꭲᗴᗩᖇᔑ:😭😭😭
ᗰᑕᔑ. Nash, Forest
ᑭᝪᐯ: 1st Person Dual Pov
Ꭲᖇᝪᑭᗴᔑ: Roommates to lovers, Brother's best friend, Age Gap
Nash cosito bien hecho
August 7, 2026
A fantastic book. I've loved this series from the start for the emotions and their disabilities that I highly recommend. The book had a great ending with Forrest and Creek sorting out their brotherly problems. Secrets have a way to coming out which it does in a bad event. My Full Blog Review Link
May 24, 2026
As with the previous work, the writing in this book is fluid and the progression of the plot is supported by sufficient content. However, I find the narrative dynamic deeply unappealing, specifically the recurring pattern where the protagonist constantly doubts the partner's feelings while they have already engaged in every intimacy. While it is understandable that the author intends to build emotional tension toward a climax at the end, this choice means that eighty percent of the story is filled with self-pity, misunderstandings, deception, and the emotional wounding of others.
When everything finally reaches its breaking point, although the plot is well-structured and logical, it remains difficult to invest as a reader. In a romance novel where moments of genuine connection are far outweighed by suspicion and misunderstanding, the resolution of conflict feels dependent on external accidents rather than character-driven growth. Even when the climax passes and the central conflict is supposedly resolved, the underlying mistrust lingers. This makes it difficult to believe in the promise of a happy ending or the sincerity of the characters' claims of personal evolution, especially since the characters have previously claimed to have matured only to repeat the exact same behaviours in the following chapter.
When everything finally reaches its breaking point, although the plot is well-structured and logical, it remains difficult to invest as a reader. In a romance novel where moments of genuine connection are far outweighed by suspicion and misunderstanding, the resolution of conflict feels dependent on external accidents rather than character-driven growth. Even when the climax passes and the central conflict is supposedly resolved, the underlying mistrust lingers. This makes it difficult to believe in the promise of a happy ending or the sincerity of the characters' claims of personal evolution, especially since the characters have previously claimed to have matured only to repeat the exact same behaviours in the following chapter.
January 15, 2026
disappointed
I liked all of the books prior to this one however, when I got to this particular book I closed it when I realized that once again EM Lindsey decided that instead of making humanity kind to turn it ugly when it comes to disabilities. I won’t go into specifics as to not give spoilers but for goodness sake when you write books solely with disabled persons it gets old when a good majority of the time assuming people are just cruel or dismissive to those with said disability. Change it up show some kindness not just jumping to worst case every single time or how lousy people are to people with disabilities. I like Nora Phoenix and her flexibility in writing but more and more I am seeing EM Lindsey writing the same old judgmental books assuming that able bodied persons are rude, disrespectful and out to dismantle persons with disabilities.
Never mind that this book should be called Forrest when there is very little about Nash and what he has going on.
I liked all of the books prior to this one however, when I got to this particular book I closed it when I realized that once again EM Lindsey decided that instead of making humanity kind to turn it ugly when it comes to disabilities. I won’t go into specifics as to not give spoilers but for goodness sake when you write books solely with disabled persons it gets old when a good majority of the time assuming people are just cruel or dismissive to those with said disability. Change it up show some kindness not just jumping to worst case every single time or how lousy people are to people with disabilities. I like Nora Phoenix and her flexibility in writing but more and more I am seeing EM Lindsey writing the same old judgmental books assuming that able bodied persons are rude, disrespectful and out to dismantle persons with disabilities.
Never mind that this book should be called Forrest when there is very little about Nash and what he has going on.
February 26, 2026
Excellent Story & Narration🎧Riveting & Emotional!
Nash
Honorably Discharged, Book 4
By: Nora Phoenix, E.M. Lindsey
Narrated by: John Solo
And then there was Nash, one of my favorite characters in Nora Phoenix and E.M. Lindsey’s “Honorably Discharged” series, and the last one to find his special someone. Nash was the anchor of the found family, a group of veterans who served together, living through the same traumatic incident that left them broken, each in their own way. Nash has been everyone’s rock throughout the series, being there for everyone, helping them get through and/or past their own struggles and battles with inner demons, yet he still suffers from his own. All his brothers in arms are flying the coop, but before Creek moves out, he mentions his brother, Forest, was looking for a place to live, suggesting he take his room, and Nash agrees. Forest, a college professor, wanted a new start, thinking his old job was stressing him out and causing his unexplained illnesses. He and Nash hit is off and were perfect housemates, but when Forest’s unexplained illnesses came back with a vengeance, he turned to Nash when he needed someone to turn to, keeping it from his brother. Nash is a natural caregiver, and he helps Forest as much as Forest allows, and when Forest loses his job and his needed health benefits, he comes up with a solution, or rather a proposal, a marriage proposal. A marriage of convenience turns into something so much more, and it was great to watch them first fight off their feelings and then give in to them. It was also great to see Nash finally open up about what happened and his struggles with his PTSD. These two, an unexpected pairing that worked for them, and the chemistry between them was smoking hot. I loved catching up with the other characters from the earlier books too. This is another amazing Nora Phoenix and E.M. Lindsey collaboration, a beautifully written, multi-layered story that has the perfect balance of drama, angst, some heartwarming moments, profound emotions, and steamy romance. Thank you for another fantastic story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧Another exceptional audiobook production and listen performed by John Solo, who does an amazing job bringing these characters to life. He gives each character their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and tell who is who, with voices that have been consistent throughout the series. His character voices are always fitting to their personalities, and his portrayal of the two leads, Nash and Forest, was perfection. John Solo’s performances are consistently enjoyable; he is entertaining, and his captivating performance keeps you invested in the story.
Nash
Honorably Discharged, Book 4
By: Nora Phoenix, E.M. Lindsey
Narrated by: John Solo
And then there was Nash, one of my favorite characters in Nora Phoenix and E.M. Lindsey’s “Honorably Discharged” series, and the last one to find his special someone. Nash was the anchor of the found family, a group of veterans who served together, living through the same traumatic incident that left them broken, each in their own way. Nash has been everyone’s rock throughout the series, being there for everyone, helping them get through and/or past their own struggles and battles with inner demons, yet he still suffers from his own. All his brothers in arms are flying the coop, but before Creek moves out, he mentions his brother, Forest, was looking for a place to live, suggesting he take his room, and Nash agrees. Forest, a college professor, wanted a new start, thinking his old job was stressing him out and causing his unexplained illnesses. He and Nash hit is off and were perfect housemates, but when Forest’s unexplained illnesses came back with a vengeance, he turned to Nash when he needed someone to turn to, keeping it from his brother. Nash is a natural caregiver, and he helps Forest as much as Forest allows, and when Forest loses his job and his needed health benefits, he comes up with a solution, or rather a proposal, a marriage proposal. A marriage of convenience turns into something so much more, and it was great to watch them first fight off their feelings and then give in to them. It was also great to see Nash finally open up about what happened and his struggles with his PTSD. These two, an unexpected pairing that worked for them, and the chemistry between them was smoking hot. I loved catching up with the other characters from the earlier books too. This is another amazing Nora Phoenix and E.M. Lindsey collaboration, a beautifully written, multi-layered story that has the perfect balance of drama, angst, some heartwarming moments, profound emotions, and steamy romance. Thank you for another fantastic story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
🎧📚🎧Another exceptional audiobook production and listen performed by John Solo, who does an amazing job bringing these characters to life. He gives each character their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow along and tell who is who, with voices that have been consistent throughout the series. His character voices are always fitting to their personalities, and his portrayal of the two leads, Nash and Forest, was perfection. John Solo’s performances are consistently enjoyable; he is entertaining, and his captivating performance keeps you invested in the story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5+ stars
It is finally Nash's turn to find his person. We have seen "Top" take in and take care of the other guys who were injured in the military on his watch, and now Creek, Bean, and Tameron have found their loves and moved out. Nash is dealing with the loss of a full house, changing friendships, loneliness, and his attraction to his new roommate, Forest, who happens to be his friend's little brother.
Forest is in a new city, with a new job, and suffering from some physical symptoms he is afraid to look deeper into. He is younger, smart, sassy, but his issues are starting to stress him out. And he also seems to have what he thinks is an unrequited crush on his new house owner.
When Forest finds out news on several fronts that will change his life, Nash does what he does best and goes into fixer, caretaker, and protector mode. But Forest is a guy who does not like to depend on people and does not like to be underestimated or a burden to others. And Nash is so used to taking care of everyone else that he finds it hard to accept help if he needs it. These two are sweet and caring, but also stubborn and in need of an anchor in their lives.
This is an age gap, friend's little brother, secret, marriage-of-convenience, hurt-comfort, forced proximity love story with heart and heat. I loved how Nash treated Forest and also how Forest did not want to just take and wanted to be there for Nash too. They both have fears and insecurities, and hiding their situation adds tension and drama. Their backgrounds and current situation complicate matters.
This brings back all of our friends from this series: Creek and Heath, Bean and Jarek, Tameron and Dayton, as well as Dayton's brother, Dax, and Nash's friend, Kaelen. I would like to see more from them. I love the hurt-comfort, found family, and disability rep in all of this series and how they are resilient, loving, and find their person who accepts and loves them for all that they are.
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It is finally Nash's turn to find his person. We have seen "Top" take in and take care of the other guys who were injured in the military on his watch, and now Creek, Bean, and Tameron have found their loves and moved out. Nash is dealing with the loss of a full house, changing friendships, loneliness, and his attraction to his new roommate, Forest, who happens to be his friend's little brother.
Forest is in a new city, with a new job, and suffering from some physical symptoms he is afraid to look deeper into. He is younger, smart, sassy, but his issues are starting to stress him out. And he also seems to have what he thinks is an unrequited crush on his new house owner.
When Forest finds out news on several fronts that will change his life, Nash does what he does best and goes into fixer, caretaker, and protector mode. But Forest is a guy who does not like to depend on people and does not like to be underestimated or a burden to others. And Nash is so used to taking care of everyone else that he finds it hard to accept help if he needs it. These two are sweet and caring, but also stubborn and in need of an anchor in their lives.
This is an age gap, friend's little brother, secret, marriage-of-convenience, hurt-comfort, forced proximity love story with heart and heat. I loved how Nash treated Forest and also how Forest did not want to just take and wanted to be there for Nash too. They both have fears and insecurities, and hiding their situation adds tension and drama. Their backgrounds and current situation complicate matters.
This brings back all of our friends from this series: Creek and Heath, Bean and Jarek, Tameron and Dayton, as well as Dayton's brother, Dax, and Nash's friend, Kaelen. I would like to see more from them. I love the hurt-comfort, found family, and disability rep in all of this series and how they are resilient, loving, and find their person who accepts and loves them for all that they are.
January 22, 2026
A Beautiful Ending to a Brilliant Series
What a fitting end to a beautiful series. Nash the superior officer, the older and protective man, looking after his three brothers in arms and ensuring they all had a home and a safety net in which to heal and adjust to life outside the military.
I absolutely loved all of these books, Nash with his PTSD and unwarranted guilt over the injuries of his men, Creek coming to terms with losing his leg, Bean dealing with his traumatic brain injury and Tameron, the intuitive one, learning ASL as he slowly loses all his hearing. The authors did their research and each story was written beautifully and sensitively.
The book starts with Tameron, the last of the group, moving out of Nash’s home. They have all battled to overcome their disabilities and trauma to find love amongst the overwhelming challenges, and whilst Nash is so happy for them all he is also bereft and lost.
But he is not really alone as Creek’s little brother Forest, a lecturer at a nearby university, moved into the house a few months before, and whilst Nash hasn’t really got to know him yet he was instantly attracted to the small, slim, shy man but and it was a big but, he was hot headed Creek’s little brother and a few years younger than Nash so definitely off limits. But when Nash starts to notice Forest acting strangely and appearing unwell his protective instinct kicks in.
I cried for poor Forest, as his symptoms got worse and he was diagnosed with FND a neurological incurable disease that can only be eased with finding the right meds. When Forest loses his job and his health insurance, Nash steps up with a proposal, a marriage of convenience!
But when two people are secretly attracted to each other how long before it becomes real.
Nash thoroughly deserved his HEA with the tough, feisty Forest and I loved that we got lots of catch up with the other guys and their partners as well. I shed a tear when Forest found a friend in Dax, Dayton’s younger brother. His first real friend, a friend that wasn’t Creek’s or Nash’s but just his.
Definitely recommend this book and the series.
What a fitting end to a beautiful series. Nash the superior officer, the older and protective man, looking after his three brothers in arms and ensuring they all had a home and a safety net in which to heal and adjust to life outside the military.
I absolutely loved all of these books, Nash with his PTSD and unwarranted guilt over the injuries of his men, Creek coming to terms with losing his leg, Bean dealing with his traumatic brain injury and Tameron, the intuitive one, learning ASL as he slowly loses all his hearing. The authors did their research and each story was written beautifully and sensitively.
The book starts with Tameron, the last of the group, moving out of Nash’s home. They have all battled to overcome their disabilities and trauma to find love amongst the overwhelming challenges, and whilst Nash is so happy for them all he is also bereft and lost.
But he is not really alone as Creek’s little brother Forest, a lecturer at a nearby university, moved into the house a few months before, and whilst Nash hasn’t really got to know him yet he was instantly attracted to the small, slim, shy man but and it was a big but, he was hot headed Creek’s little brother and a few years younger than Nash so definitely off limits. But when Nash starts to notice Forest acting strangely and appearing unwell his protective instinct kicks in.
I cried for poor Forest, as his symptoms got worse and he was diagnosed with FND a neurological incurable disease that can only be eased with finding the right meds. When Forest loses his job and his health insurance, Nash steps up with a proposal, a marriage of convenience!
But when two people are secretly attracted to each other how long before it becomes real.
Nash thoroughly deserved his HEA with the tough, feisty Forest and I loved that we got lots of catch up with the other guys and their partners as well. I shed a tear when Forest found a friend in Dax, Dayton’s younger brother. His first real friend, a friend that wasn’t Creek’s or Nash’s but just his.
Definitely recommend this book and the series.
January 11, 2026
After watching Nash send each of his men off to live their happily ever afters, I was eager to see him find his life partner. His and Forest's journey was incredibly heartwarming, a story of two strong men learning it's okay to lean on each other and let others help carry their burdens. Forest was going through the scary uncertainty of navigating a new health diagnosis, complete with all manner of pokes and prodding and adjusting to his body's new normal. Nash was a grounding presence for Forest in those early days, someone he could open up to and be vulnerable around in a way he wouldn't show the rest of the world. When the two of them decided on a marriage of convenience for healthcare reasons, I had hoped to see more signs of intimacy growing between them, but despite their spine-tingling chemistry, Nash and Forest were too dang stubborn to acknowledge how head over heels they were for each other. Their home life became a frustrating middle ground of affection that never crossed the line from friendly to something more, and for a while I began to despair that they would never let go of their fears over changing the status quo. Thankfully they each had a support system who weren't afraid to knock some sense into them, and when life threw a particularly nasty curveball at the two of them, Forest and Nash realized they were far better off together than pretending they could go at it alone. I absolutely adored the epilogue E. M. Lindsey and Nora Phoenix crafted, and I thought it served as not just a fantastic closer to this book but to the series as a whole. I'm really going to miss reading about these honorable men and the lives they built for themselves after service, but my heart is so happy knowing that they're all happily in love and surrounded by a tight-knit community of friends and found family.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
March 13, 2026
Well-written but….
This is more like 3.5⭐️, rounded up b/c I like both these authors and they develop enjoyable characters and worlds. Unfortunately, as much as I was looking forward to this book and I generally enjoyed the dynamic between the 2 mc’s, I had to force myself to finish 2/3-3/4 of the way through. It was unfortunate that this story arc relied so (excessively) heavily on a lack-of-communication trope. It became tiresome. Both of these characters have depth and believable backgrounds. As someone in a health profession, I had to look up FND b/c I thought that the progression was too fast, but apparently not. So, I let that go. But the agonizing over not communicating with the other characters (ie: Creek, Forrest’s brother and the others who Nash considers family) was blatant and hard to believe. Forrest moves to ‘be closer to Creek’ but then, from the perceived timeline in the book, goes MONTHS without seeing his brother AT ALL. I just don’t buy it. Avoidance means the lack of communication never has to be addressed with them. And then both Nash and Forrest, hooking up, enjoying each other’s company and companionship so much then defaulting back to avoiding each other, even though they live together and are compatible was just a little too hard to swallow. It felt contrived and it was from there that I forced myself to finish.
I thought Nash and Forrest were a good fit together. I mostly enjoyed their burgeoning connection. I enjoyed the glimpses of the guys from the other books. This book almost did it for me and so I think that heightens that I’m disappointed it fell rather flat for me. That said, I will definitely read more by these authors. Had they been less skilled creators this book would have been a flop.
This is more like 3.5⭐️, rounded up b/c I like both these authors and they develop enjoyable characters and worlds. Unfortunately, as much as I was looking forward to this book and I generally enjoyed the dynamic between the 2 mc’s, I had to force myself to finish 2/3-3/4 of the way through. It was unfortunate that this story arc relied so (excessively) heavily on a lack-of-communication trope. It became tiresome. Both of these characters have depth and believable backgrounds. As someone in a health profession, I had to look up FND b/c I thought that the progression was too fast, but apparently not. So, I let that go. But the agonizing over not communicating with the other characters (ie: Creek, Forrest’s brother and the others who Nash considers family) was blatant and hard to believe. Forrest moves to ‘be closer to Creek’ but then, from the perceived timeline in the book, goes MONTHS without seeing his brother AT ALL. I just don’t buy it. Avoidance means the lack of communication never has to be addressed with them. And then both Nash and Forrest, hooking up, enjoying each other’s company and companionship so much then defaulting back to avoiding each other, even though they live together and are compatible was just a little too hard to swallow. It felt contrived and it was from there that I forced myself to finish.
I thought Nash and Forrest were a good fit together. I mostly enjoyed their burgeoning connection. I enjoyed the glimpses of the guys from the other books. This book almost did it for me and so I think that heightens that I’m disappointed it fell rather flat for me. That said, I will definitely read more by these authors. Had they been less skilled creators this book would have been a flop.
January 28, 2026
Nash Brockway has always been the dad of the group. The one who kept the others safe and fed and taken care of. The one they call Top, who they trusted in the Army and after. But now, Bean, Creek, and Tameron have moved out and into their own places with their men, and as happy as Nash is for them, he's also lonely.
But the house feels a little brighter with Forest. Forest is Creek's younger brother, an adjunct professor who moved to the area for a change of scenery and to reduce stress. But now that he's settled he's realizing that his medical issues are getting worse, not better, despite the fact that his sexy roommate takes care of him so well.
When the diagnosis comes in, Forest is devastated. When he realizes he won't be able to afford the treatment he needs, Nash offers him something incredible: his hand in marriage so that Forest can get on his health insurance.
Forest doesn't know what to do. He needs treatment, he really likes Nash, and he doesn't want to worry his brother. But pretending to be the husband of someone who Forest has very real feelings for is going to be harder than any physical issue that might come his way.
FINALLY Nash got his HEA! It was SOOOO good. He's always been flying solo and helping everyone else and Forest was actually brilliant for him. I also love how the guys threw some tough love back at Nash and reminded him that he also deserved kindness and help. Forest had issues but he was also so strong and determined. They were a perfect match.
I'm sad to see this series come to an end but it was so good. I would like to see Kaelan and Dax...maybe we can have a spinoff!
But the house feels a little brighter with Forest. Forest is Creek's younger brother, an adjunct professor who moved to the area for a change of scenery and to reduce stress. But now that he's settled he's realizing that his medical issues are getting worse, not better, despite the fact that his sexy roommate takes care of him so well.
When the diagnosis comes in, Forest is devastated. When he realizes he won't be able to afford the treatment he needs, Nash offers him something incredible: his hand in marriage so that Forest can get on his health insurance.
Forest doesn't know what to do. He needs treatment, he really likes Nash, and he doesn't want to worry his brother. But pretending to be the husband of someone who Forest has very real feelings for is going to be harder than any physical issue that might come his way.
FINALLY Nash got his HEA! It was SOOOO good. He's always been flying solo and helping everyone else and Forest was actually brilliant for him. I also love how the guys threw some tough love back at Nash and reminded him that he also deserved kindness and help. Forest had issues but he was also so strong and determined. They were a perfect match.
I'm sad to see this series come to an end but it was so good. I would like to see Kaelan and Dax...maybe we can have a spinoff!
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