Nash

am I the only one feeling the lack of romance and the sense of reality?

Ana Silva

560 reviews9 followers

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.

arcs

Donna

3,380 reviews42 followers

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!

0-lgbtq-read

Crisana

1,022 reviews46 followers

disability kindle-unlimited m-m

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.

Sharing The Book Love

917 reviews16 followers

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!

Yuli Atta

980 reviews98 followers

We finally have the last book and it was just as good as the previous 3.

Emily Bierman

1,078 reviews18 followers

4-5-stars 5-stars faves-of-2026

Sooo happy that Nash finally got his HEA!! I love this series

Kim

2,857 reviews177 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

January 4, 2026

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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Emily Hernandez

1,404 reviews19 followers

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.

Kitty

775 reviews16 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

January 7, 2026

Yeah, I was really looking forward to this one but sadly it didn't work for me. Love best friend's brother and age gap and size difference, they are all classics for a reason, and when I started reading I was so excited.

I was more excited because Forest has a similar condition to me, and I was excited to see that kind of representation on page. Unfortunately it just left me feeling depressed, so maybe that wasn't the right move. EM Lindsey is usually amazing at disability rep, so I was shocked to see 'inspire' (gag) used in relation to someone's condition. Not the MC's, but even so.

In addition, it did not ring true to me that Forest didn't want to tell his brother or friends about his diagnosis because Creek would smother him, but was happy to let Nash indulge his saviour complex and do everything for him. Apparently it's different with Nash, but it still felt like it went way too far, into infantilising territory. Again, not something I would expect from EM. At the same time, while a honeymoon is nice, it seems odd to take said honeymoon while Forest's condition is unstable and deteriorating. That would be a good time to start the treatment and medication options you married him for.

Unfortunately it felt like it failed as a romance as well. As I said I really enjoyed the beginning, when they liked each other and were getting closer, and at the end when they said they were in love and it was all very overblown and melodramatic, but I missed the part where they actually fell in love, which is always the best part of a romance. It's all very disappointing.

Mandy (MP Book Reviews)

4,935 reviews46 followers

m-m-disability-mental-health m-m-romance

Nash is feeling lonely after his former military housemates move out, leaving only Forest — his friend’s younger brother, who’s grown into someone impossible for Nash not to notice. Forest is sweet, sassy, and far too tempting, but Nash believes he’s too old and too damaged to deserve someone so good. When Forest falls seriously ill, Nash becomes the only person he’ll let close. Determined to protect him, Nash even agrees to a marriage of convenience so Forest can have health insurance. But as their fake marriage deepens into something real, Nash struggles with his feelings and fears. Forest may need his care, but Nash has to find the courage to admit he needs Forest just as much.

I loved this story which was a beautifully emotional journey between two men who never expected to need each other as deeply as they do. Nash’s quiet loneliness and Forest’s vulnerability create a tender, slow‑building connection that feels both intimate and inevitable. What begins as care and protection — a marriage of convenience born from fear and compassion — slowly transforms into something far more powerful. The heart of the book lies in the way these two men love: Nash with his steady devotion and aching self‑doubt, Forest with his fierce loyalty and surprising strength. Their relationship grows through small moments of trust, shared fears, and the dawning realisation that they’re each other’s safe place. It’s emotional, heartfelt, and full of the kind of love that sneaks up on you and refuses to let go. This was an MM story with mature content.

Clara

316 reviews3 followers

January 18, 2026

Surprisingly Boring

I was looking forward to Nash’s book after so many books where he was the stoic leader who supported his friends as they healed and found love. I expected him to find his own love and have some epic story where he found the person who would take care of him and encourage him to be a bit more selfish after spending his life taking care of others. Instead we got another story of him taking care of someone and the romance itself was barely there.

Forest was sweet and in general I can see potential in his character but I feel like half this book was spent in a miscommunication time jump and the other half was just the two of them making plans to help each other with the physical side of their relationship, both the spicy side and the healing side. The romance to me was nearly non existent. There was some heat but even that was lackluster, and if you asked me to describe how these two fell in love and were meant for one another, I genuinely wouldn’t know what to tell you.

This book felt half written and like a thrown together conclusion to the series. There were moments of levity or fun but most of the time it just felt boring. I’m disappointed Nash didn’t get his epic love story but it was nice to get a few scenes of everyone together. The brotherhood of the main characters of this entire series was the real relationship and I guess that will need to be enough.

Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Secret Relationship, Ex-Military, Physical Health Problems, Mental Health
Rating: ⭐️⭐️ 2/5
Spice: 🌶️ 1/5
Relationship: MM

Sarah☀️ Somerville

1,884 reviews22 followers

January 9, 2026

This book was fine - I guess? - but wasn't anything to write home about. This was super disappointing, because we were all looking forward to Nash's book and got... nothing, really.

The disability rep is always great, but it's more interesting when real challenges are explored rather than everyone being absolutely perfect. The marriage-for-health-insurance situation was written in a similar way - could have been a really interesting theme to explore but... wasn't.

But the biggest issue was that it was completely instalove and there was no real relationship development whatsoever. Do these characters even have a relationship/friendship outside sex and Nash looking after Forest? No, no they do not. What do they have in common? What do they enjoy doing together? (Spoiler: nothing.)

Pretty sure I have never cared so little about .

Why did I have to read about .

Actually, you know what, I initially rated this book 3⭐️ but I think I'm gonna drop it to 2⭐️ thanks to that last part of the epilogue.

MNHockeymomreads (Heather)

396 reviews30 followers

5-star-reads age-gap alpha-hero

After getting to know Nash and his caretaker tendencies in all the previous books I was so excited for him to find love! Nash created a safe haven and home for his team, and I love the bond that they share and how they show up for one another. Nash genuinely has a giant heart and loves to help others, but like “the guys” I wondered who takes care of Nash. I always felt that Nash needed a strong but quiet force that stood next to him while also allowing him to be vulnerable.
I don’t think I could have envisioned a more perfect match for Nash than Forest.
Forest is doing what he loves, teaching history and has a safe place to call home but his health is really suffering. I really empathized with Forest on the journey he took to get his diagnosis and it felt so “real” to me. The worry, the fear. He really felt like a real person and my heart hurt for him. I love that he had Nash to love and care for him in his most vulnerable place in his life.
I love a marriage of convenience and I love even more watching these two fall in love so quietly but so fully, too. They really understand one another and complement each other so perfectly. If you love an age gap that doesn’t feel like an age gap, a wonderful found family this series is a must read, in my opinion.

Ruby Abbott

50 reviews

Nash is a solid, satisfying end to the series, like the final episode of a show you love where you’re happy it wrapped up neatly, but still a little mad it didn’t give you that one scene you wanted.
The spice is decent (the series did not suddenly go PG, don’t worry), though I liked this one slightly less than the first three. My main issue? After spending multiple books getting to know Nash as the stoic, hyper-competent protector, I was ready for his emotional breakdown era. I wanted vulnerability. I wanted angst. I wanted at least one moment where he stares into the middle distance and confronts his feelings like a man who has been holding it together for far too long.
Instead, we spent more time on Forest’s emotional journey, which was well done, don’t get me wrong, but it meant Nash stayed a bit too “strong and silent” when I was hoping for “strong, silent, and quietly unraveling.” Missed opportunity.
That said, it’s still a good conclusion overall, ties the series together nicely, and gives fans plenty to enjoy. Just know that if you, like me, were waiting for Nash to emotionally collapse into your arms… you may be left gently whispering, sir, please elaborate on your feelings.

Stephanie

124 reviews2 followers

House dad Nash finally gets his HEA!!!! Nash has been the rock for his soldiers since they discharged after an accident that left them all injured in some way. He's had them living in his house and helping them find their forever people. Now they've all moved out and Nash is left feeling a bit unmoored. Forest is the younger brother of Creek, one of those soldiers, and he's moved in while he's getting his life together in a new city. But things are not going well. Forest is suffering from an unknown ailment that he doesn't want anyone to know about and now he's lost his job and health insurance. Nash has the solution, they get married so that Forest can get on his insurance. It seems crazy, but it is also secretly what Nash wants for real. These 2 are so perfect together. I love a cinnamon roll tough guy, and Nash fits that bill. He's hard when he needs to be but takes such tender care of Forest. And it was a real joy to see him get taken care of in return after he's been the care giver in the previous books. I teared up several times while reading this and that just made it that much better. Totally recommend this whole series.

Mariah

71 reviews

January 14, 2026

2.5 stars

This was really just like a caretaker book more than a romance. Nash is picture perfect to the point that it was getting annoying.

There’s really no conflict, lying to their friends was just not that big of a deal and their reactions were underwhelming to be honest.

I didn’t really like that we never go back to the doctors with Forest, once he gets on Nash’s insurance it’s like “got the tests, on a muscle relaxer, started physical therapy, went to yoga” but we’re never actually there for much of it, we’re just repeatedly told about things without being present for the scene.

The romance was practically insta love, I’m not totally sure what either of them actually like about the other.

Right up to the end Nash is taking care of everyone else and never putting himself first. He tells his buddies he misses them but that’s really the only time it comes up that he’s not doing well (outside of internal monologues). Both Nash and Forest needed to see therapists and it doesn’t really ever happen.

I was hopeful after reading the blurb that this was going to be better but it just wasn’t that good.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.

Michael Burlager

24 reviews

January 16, 2026

Not my favorite of the Honorably Discharged series

Spoiler Alert, sort of. After eagerly waiting for each of the first three books in this series, and then enjoyable tearing through them, I was chomping at the bit anticipating the release of Nash. I couldn't wait for Top to get his own happy ending. While he does, the journey to get there just didn't pull me in the way the other books did. Their path seemed a bit too contrived to me. I'm usually a fan of fake boyfriend/marriage storylines, but when they go on a honeymoon and have hot sex and start to fall in love, and then go home and sleep in separate beds and keep their distance, I was confused. I just wasn't drawn in to this story the way I was to the others. In the previous books, you were there as they struggled to accept their situations, and when they struggled even more as they learned how to cope and adapt to their new realities. I didn't feel the same growth with Forest until it was just kind of slipped in at the end to let you know he was going to be able to cope with his disorder. I own Bean, and will eventually own Creek and Tameron, just not Nash. You should read it to complete the series.

Lyn Solomon-Linville

218 reviews6 followers

This was a wonderful way for two of my favorite authors to end one of my favorite series. In the words of Forest" maybe without them, the center of your gravity has shifted, and you'll need to find your own path, your own orbit."
And Nash does but he desperately misses his brothers, Creek, Bean and Tameron who have all moved out and gotten on with their lives.
This is a story filled with finding strength with the right person who holds you up but not back. And that person loves you and treats you with kindness and is there to give you their strength, but only when yours gives out.
I loved Nash finally found his caregiver and I love this line from Forest. " My stomach clenched. Every time I laid a single brick, he tore it down.
I am sad the series is over, especially since there are characters who could have their stories like Dax and the couple who had the disability yoga class that Forest took. But there is a time for everything, and this time I bid the men of Honorably Discharged Farewell!

Linda Middleman

21 reviews

fabulous

First and foremost I want to say that this book was absolutely amazing. And while I’m not new to the books of E.M. Lindsey, this book along with all her others are always well written. Not only that but I thoroughly enjoy each and every one of them.

Aside from that, the Honorably discharged series is a total first for me and I’m not sad to say that my first book is Nash. And while I’m excited to read Creek, Tam and Beans book next I must say that I was absolutely blown by how well Nash was written.

I mean, not only did Forest and Nash have to face obstacles within each of their own lives but obstacles when it came down to loving each other. I’m also not scared to say that I physically cried near the end of this book. For what started as me thinking that something terribly bad would happen to Forest ended up shifting over to Nash.

And while I don’t want to give out specifics I will say that this book is a total must when it comes down to reading. A complete 10/10. Highly recommend.

Joyfully Jay

9,097 reviews520 followers

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

Nash is the fourth and final book in the Honorably Discharged series featuring a group of men who have become like brothers. The books all feature a different couple, but the guys have appearances in each other’s books. I think these work as standalones, but familiarity with at least some of the other stories will be helpful and enrich the experience. Nash has always been the caretaker of the group, looking out for all the guys and being someone they can lean on. But now that everyone has moved out of has house, Nash is feeling at loose ends.

We get a great epilogue that ties up not just Forest and Nash’s story, but highlights each of the four couples and the friendship among them. This last book really brings the series together well and I enjoyed the ending.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

jay

Bookstagramtea

219 reviews2 followers

January 15, 2026

Whilst the other books in this series are five star from me, this one didn't fit. It was always going to be a different book to the others, since Nash wasn't physically injured in the same accident as the others, however I had very much hoped that his mental 'injuries' were going to be the focus here and instead Nash's book should have been called 'Forest', since Nash became a side character in his own story. I'm not really sure why the authors felt they had to tackle a physical injury - both authors have written excellent non injury based books, and Nash's could have been so interesting to explore his guilt and therapy journey. I can't say I'm not disappointed, since I really do love the other books and I'd been really looking forward to Nash's story, including learning more of his background and maybe some of his flashbacks, since he was such a long serving member of the army. Maybe I built it up? I did have the release date on my calendar. It was okay, but really missing the love story qualities and the emotions that the previous books all had.

Barb

1,907 reviews8 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

January 3, 2026

This was such an amazing read! I’ve loved all these guys from book one and have been patiently waiting for Nash’s story! It was definitely worth the wait! These authors really know how to write characters with such depth and bring them to life! Nash is the leader of this group and wants to fix everything while he puts his needs and wants on the back burner. He’s such a sweetheart and so protective! Forest is Creek’s brother who has been staying with Nash and has been having some serious health concerns. My heart went out to them both! These two are there for each other and they are just so amazing together! This definitely brings out all the feels! This is such a beautiful story with an amazing found family that is always there for each other! Such a beautiful ending! Absolutely loved this story and highly recommend the whole series! This is my honest opinion of this complimentary copy of this book

Megan McGrath

588 reviews5 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

January 11, 2026

Nash & Forest

The slow and oblivious burn between the two of them was so incredibly sweet but definitely painful at times. And that's not even covering the physical pain each of them went through in the book. I can't even imagine the kind of stress put upon Forest in this story, but as Nash told him repeatedly: he was incredibly brave and strong, for himself and others. I can't personally comprehend the amount of willpower it would take to fight through the challenges he faces in this story. I'm in awe of every member of the Honorably Discharged crew and their partners. They each bring something very special to their partnership and each non-titled MC brings something out in the guys that proves their continued worthiness while living as civilians again.

Nash was a beautiful bookend for the Honorably Discharged series. It always had to end with him, because he could never have left any of the others on their own to live his own life. He needed to know they were all taken care of before he ever even considered moving forward--but not moving on because he will always be part of their quad--with his personal happiness. I absolutely loved the story and this series. It was a fantastic and praiseworthy collaboration between Nora Phoenix & E.M. Lindsey.

I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.

Ζωή Παππά

Author 3 books29 followers

Review of advance copy received from Author

"Nash" is a contemporary romance story, it's part of a series but it can be read as a standalone.
This book was so so beautiful, it's the type of book that reminds me why I love reading so much. The authors have managed to create realistic and relatable characters that feel like real people. Characters that you want to jump in the pages and hug. I felt happy happy when they were happy and I was sad when they were hurting. Forest's story broke my heart and I really admired his strength. I wish everyone in the world had someone like Nash in their life. This man cared so much for the people he loved he was willing to do everything to help them.
Nash and Forest's story was romantic and hopeful. Those two went through a lot but they grew and they learned and finally found their much deserved happily ever after. It was wonderful to read. This book had everything I love in a romance.
Found family is my favorite and I adored the found family theme in this book and this series! I hope we'll get more books set in this world. Dax needs as story!
I highly recommend this series.

Nix

55 reviews