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Remi: The Four X's Group: La Spezia, Book 2
War doesn't forge heroes, it reveals them!
Former Navy SEAL and communication specialist for The Four X’s Group—a paramilitary organization he runs with his brothers, Remi *Zipper* McKinley has slammed the lid shut on the box he stuffed his heart into. He chained that puppy up, slapped on a padlock, and tossed the key away with prejudice. Never again will he allow flowery words and empty promises to dictate his future. Love, feelings, and happy ever after are not for him. The only thing a wife brings is pain, betrayal, and a bank balance with a big fat zero. Been there, done that, and he’s got the damn t-shirt.
For Serena Wayland, the chance of vacationing on safari within her budget was too good to pass up. Her first clue something was wrong was when the destination changed, her second when her friend and traveling companion disappeared, and her third when she was abandoned by her guides in Uganda. Unless those gorillas watching her every move have a phone and will let her use it—she’s up a certain creek and paddles didn’t come as part of her package deal.
A favor for a friend sends Remi on the trail of a missing woman, the one he finds is not on his list. But his honor won’t allow him to leave Serena to fend for herself. He’s everything she ever desired. She’s everything he never knew his soul needed. But can Serena convince Remi she’ll protect his heart as fiercely as he protects his country?
A woman in need, a man in pain and the only thing which can truly save them—the courage to face the greatest risk of love.
Former Navy SEAL and communication specialist for The Four X’s Group—a paramilitary organization he runs with his brothers, Remi *Zipper* McKinley has slammed the lid shut on the box he stuffed his heart into. He chained that puppy up, slapped on a padlock, and tossed the key away with prejudice. Never again will he allow flowery words and empty promises to dictate his future. Love, feelings, and happy ever after are not for him. The only thing a wife brings is pain, betrayal, and a bank balance with a big fat zero. Been there, done that, and he’s got the damn t-shirt.
For Serena Wayland, the chance of vacationing on safari within her budget was too good to pass up. Her first clue something was wrong was when the destination changed, her second when her friend and traveling companion disappeared, and her third when she was abandoned by her guides in Uganda. Unless those gorillas watching her every move have a phone and will let her use it—she’s up a certain creek and paddles didn’t come as part of her package deal.
A favor for a friend sends Remi on the trail of a missing woman, the one he finds is not on his list. But his honor won’t allow him to leave Serena to fend for herself. He’s everything she ever desired. She’s everything he never knew his soul needed. But can Serena convince Remi she’ll protect his heart as fiercely as he protects his country?
A woman in need, a man in pain and the only thing which can truly save them—the courage to face the greatest risk of love.
Audible Audio
Published December 30, 2025
5 people want to read
About the author
Annabella Stone
63 books992 followersAnnabella Stone and Bella Stone are the alter egos of a wife and mom, who was lucky enough to find happy ever after with her own personal hero.
Annabella loves to write Military Romance and Romantic Suspense where warriors love harder when bullets fly. She believes in love at first sight and wants everyone to have the happy ever they deserve. Even if they have to dodge bullets and fight with everything that they are to get it.
Born and raised in Ireland, Annabella has a Grá for a good story and the breakfast blaa, but funnily enough, prefers Jack Daniels to Irish whiskey. Having lived across 7 countries and 3 continents over the last thirty years, she loves to explore new places and cultures. In her world, coffee is king, and she is 100% sure it deserves it's own food group.
Annabella is owned by a pack of malamutes, whom she loves to both work and show. If you can't find her at the computer writing, chances are she and her woofers have escaped to enjoy at day at a dog show, or they are on a mountain trail with the dryland rig or the sled, depending on the time of year.
Annabella's motto is "Live life like a malamute who found the gate open, but take the time to enjoy the sights while you're running."
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 12, 2026
Gunnar McKinley may be the head of the Four X’s Group, their paramilitary organization, but his brother Remi is the heart. Having to leave the Seals with a Traumatic Brain Injury after a heli crash. Remy runs the war room and his ADHD keeps his mind running almost as fast as his computers. Only the Ghosts have someone as capable in their TOC. Remi can find anyone or anything, plan missions and keep the teams safe out there but he can no longer go himself on combat missions. The only thing Remi wishes for now is a little help in the war room as he is getting snowed under.
Serena Wayland and her roommate and best friend Marissa Ricci finally get to plan a vacation together and find a safari in Uganda within their budget. Things certainly don’t go according to plan. Serene is lost and abandoned in the jungle and Marissa’s brother, an Italian military operator, knows she is in trouble. Deployed and unable to help, he reaches out to his friend Marco at the Four X’s. Remi sends a team after them, pulling Marissa out of danger but goes himself after Serena, only finding her two days later after a six hour hike through the jungle. Sure human trafficking is involved, the team brings both women back to the headquarters to keep them safe, only 48 hours before Jorga and Gunnar’s wedding. Keeping Serena with him for a week makes it hard to let her go. Not even sure if she is safe back in Rome.
Fast action, hard hitting military romantic suspense at it’s finest from an author who knows. I own dozens of her books and am thrilled she has branched out into audio. Mollie Stark and William McCloud narrated this one and did a great job. Have read the book last August I was impressed with the way he handled the Italian and the accents. The book makes mention of Remy’s gruff voice, and he handled that really well too. A great job all around.
Serena Wayland and her roommate and best friend Marissa Ricci finally get to plan a vacation together and find a safari in Uganda within their budget. Things certainly don’t go according to plan. Serene is lost and abandoned in the jungle and Marissa’s brother, an Italian military operator, knows she is in trouble. Deployed and unable to help, he reaches out to his friend Marco at the Four X’s. Remi sends a team after them, pulling Marissa out of danger but goes himself after Serena, only finding her two days later after a six hour hike through the jungle. Sure human trafficking is involved, the team brings both women back to the headquarters to keep them safe, only 48 hours before Jorga and Gunnar’s wedding. Keeping Serena with him for a week makes it hard to let her go. Not even sure if she is safe back in Rome.
Fast action, hard hitting military romantic suspense at it’s finest from an author who knows. I own dozens of her books and am thrilled she has branched out into audio. Mollie Stark and William McCloud narrated this one and did a great job. Have read the book last August I was impressed with the way he handled the Italian and the accents. The book makes mention of Remy’s gruff voice, and he handled that really well too. A great job all around.
January 4, 2026
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
This audiobook was a triple first for me. I didn't know the author or the two narrators, but I found the blurb really interesting.
Best friends Serena and Mariassa decide to take a trip to Uganda together. But during an excursion, the two get separated. And if it weren't for Marissa's brother, it could have ended badly. But the Four-X team takes a trip to Uganda to rescue the two.
I liked the author's writing style. The story is written in a lighthearted way, and I was quickly immersed in the two young women's vacation planning.
The story is exciting and very entertaining. I had to smile a few times at Serena's involuntary adventure in the jungle.
I found the two friends and Remi, the former Navy SEAL who rescues Serena, very likeable. Remi is strong, but has an emotional past. The chemistry between Remi and Serena was palpable. So it's no wonder that the two have some very hot moments. And I took the search dog Zombie very much to my heart.
The story is very entertaining, romantic, and exciting with unexpected twists and turns, because suddenly Remi and his brother disappear without a trace. Can we hope for a happy ending? Read it for yourself!
The audiobook was narrated by Mollie Stark and William Macleod, and I think they did a really good job. They read in a varied way and perfectly captured both the voices and the emotions!
And now I absolutely have to listen to volume 1, because I've become curious about The Four X's Group: La Spezia.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️
This audiobook was a triple first for me. I didn't know the author or the two narrators, but I found the blurb really interesting.
Best friends Serena and Mariassa decide to take a trip to Uganda together. But during an excursion, the two get separated. And if it weren't for Marissa's brother, it could have ended badly. But the Four-X team takes a trip to Uganda to rescue the two.
I liked the author's writing style. The story is written in a lighthearted way, and I was quickly immersed in the two young women's vacation planning.
The story is exciting and very entertaining. I had to smile a few times at Serena's involuntary adventure in the jungle.
I found the two friends and Remi, the former Navy SEAL who rescues Serena, very likeable. Remi is strong, but has an emotional past. The chemistry between Remi and Serena was palpable. So it's no wonder that the two have some very hot moments. And I took the search dog Zombie very much to my heart.
The story is very entertaining, romantic, and exciting with unexpected twists and turns, because suddenly Remi and his brother disappear without a trace. Can we hope for a happy ending? Read it for yourself!
The audiobook was narrated by Mollie Stark and William Macleod, and I think they did a really good job. They read in a varied way and perfectly captured both the voices and the emotions!
And now I absolutely have to listen to volume 1, because I've become curious about The Four X's Group: La Spezia.
January 4, 2026
Loved the narration from Mollie Stark and William Macleod who bring the romance and drama to your ears.
I was not sure if I like Serena at the start but trust me she is no silly wall flower. Who can’t not take up a holiday that sounds too good to be true. A cheap safari in Uganda with a friend. Remi is a man of many layers. He like his brothers served their country with honour, but he has lost his trust in women due an e trying to pass another mans child as his. He also suffered a traumatic brain injury while on a mission.
Serena’s holiday has gone to hell in a wicker basket. It was a cover for human trafficking. Remi and his brother Talon are sent into find and stop the trafficking.
Serena is a strong and full of sass. Remi has pain but the sunshine of Serena slowly breaks down his large brick wall
This book has drama, emotions, pace, chemistry, characters you will want to achieve the full on romance they need and so want.
Ohh yes steam.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was not sure if I like Serena at the start but trust me she is no silly wall flower. Who can’t not take up a holiday that sounds too good to be true. A cheap safari in Uganda with a friend. Remi is a man of many layers. He like his brothers served their country with honour, but he has lost his trust in women due an e trying to pass another mans child as his. He also suffered a traumatic brain injury while on a mission.
Serena’s holiday has gone to hell in a wicker basket. It was a cover for human trafficking. Remi and his brother Talon are sent into find and stop the trafficking.
Serena is a strong and full of sass. Remi has pain but the sunshine of Serena slowly breaks down his large brick wall
This book has drama, emotions, pace, chemistry, characters you will want to achieve the full on romance they need and so want.
Ohh yes steam.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews