Hard Rain

Tin Star #1

by Reese Knightley

One case. One partner. One hell of a week.

Deputy U.S. Marshals Axel Bain and Whiplash Tauber have spent the last year hunting fugitives across southern Oregon. One charges through the front door. The other figures out why they needed to be there in the first place. Together, they're damn good at what they do.

They're partners. Best friends.
Working side by side has never been the problem.
Neither is chasing fugitives.
Feelings? That's new.

Packed with action, found family, funny banter, and heart, Hard Rain features two stubborn U.S. Marshals who discover that sometimes the biggest risk isn't the job...
It's falling for your partner.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Police

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2026

About the author

Reese Knightley spends her time creating stories from the characters rattling around in her head. Her love of reading mystery, action and adventure, and fantasy books led to her love of writing. Reese works as a full time writer. She loves to hear from her readers.

Reviews

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting start to the Marshalls series

3.5*

Nowhere near as much death and destruction as the previous black ops books, although we do still get some bad guy casualties.

Have to say this was much slower paced than some of Reese's other suspense romances but it actually benefitted from that.

I'm hoping things continue in this way as I did enjoy seeing US Marshalls Axel Bain and Whip Tauber finally get it together after having them pop up in so many of the other connected series'.

The investigation still focuses on the usual sex related crimes mind, it would be a surprise to see any of the hundreds of other serious crime categories that could result in the need for the Marshalls office.

Ah well, maybe some day. I'm guessing Knox is potentially up next with Grant.

[Anidawn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started out good but died a quick death

I was hoping, with this being a new series, we would get back to the original writing style..unfortunately not. I used to LOVE Reese Knightly’s stories and couldn’t wait for the next. Honestly I haven’t even tried to read the last 4-5 that have come out. It’s almost like someone different is writing under her name.
This one started off good, but by about chapter 3 I knew I wasn’t going to finish it. With all the 2-3 word sentences and way too much description the story doesn’t flow smoothly and makes it hard to get into. I don’t need to know on every page what rain sounds like. There is no real dialogue between the MC either. It’s more just them thinking about how they are feeling during whatever is happening. Timelines/events were also off. She says in the beginning that they met in passing while being a Marshal, but had only been partnered for a year. A few chapters later, they went to school together. Very confusing.
I only made it to chapter 6 before I gave up, so it is possible the story could have gotten better, but I don’t think so.

[Aki | nose buried in books | ❤️ | · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uhm... it's the first book in a new series, but at the beginning I kept thinking it was a spin-off of another series because I felt like I'd missed a piece of the story. One word I'd use to describe this book is shallow.
The storyline and the characters are a bit stereotypical, the love story isn't engaging, and anyway, the book is more action oriented but it doesn't do a good job with that plot either. Maybe it's just me, but I was bored, and I expected a better book.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

🤩4 stars🤩

[Dani Elle Maas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reese knightley's work but i have to admit i seriously miss the vibe of her assasins. This book is pretty tame compared to that and although i loved to finally have axel and whip their book i ended up kind if dissapointed. I missed the connection the intimicy which there is so much of in the other series. I will definitely read anything the author writes and i am also a bit curious for,for example knox his story or boones but me personally i will wait patiëntly for more genesis and to finally read the YA stories i am dying to read.

[L Cam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very original

This as like a badly written Marshall's by Mary Calmes mixed with a wannabe Nothing Special by A.E Via. I didn't get any sense of character individually. There was no sense of who they were or the setting either. I'm surprised I finished. I think I usually like the authors other books but this one fell horribly short.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

couldn’t finish

I stopped reading around the 69% finished mark. It had become such a hard slog through that I found I no longer cared what happened in the story line. The author spent so much time detailing their breakfast or snacks and no time describing the characters physical appearance or surroundings that might have been more relevant to the story line. Also there were several times I didn’t know who was the one speaking, so I would have to go back a page or two to try to guess the chronological order to the dialogue. So frustrating. Do not recommend.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Axel and Whiplash are U.S. Marshals who’ve spent a year chasing fugitives as perfect partners and best friends. During one intense week on a new case, unexpected feelings surface, forcing them to face the biggest risk of all — falling for each other amid action, banter, and found family.

This was the start of a new series, and the pacing reflected that — a little slower at first than I’d hoped — but once Axel and Whiplash settled into the case, the story really found its stride. I loved their history of knowing each other as kids and how that familiarity evolved into a deep adult bond when they became best friends and partners in the U.S. Marshals Service. Their connection, and especially their quiet possessiveness of each other, was one of my favourite parts. Their shorthand — finishing each other’s sentences or communicating with barely any words — takes a moment to adjust to, but it perfectly shows how tightly linked they are. The case itself was heavy, involving sex‑related crimes and powerful men pulling strings behind the scenes, and while the emotions between Axel and Whip were present, they understandably had to step aside at times so the investigation could take centre stage. There’s danger, drama, found family, and a stubborn partnership that’s clearly becoming something more. A strong emotional start to a series that promises even deeper feelings ahead. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Book Hoarder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whip Tauber and Axel Bain are both from a small town in Oregon, played football on opposing teams like it was war, went on to the military and special forces in separate branches. The U.S. Marshalls Service was a good choice for both of them after the military. Now they are back in a very small Marshalls’ office in their very small town, and their boss has paired them together. Best friends and partners for the last year, finishing each other’s sentences. When Axel comes home and finds his girlfriend packing her things and her boyfriend of two months coming to get her, Axel loses it. Luckily she had called Axel’s best friend Whip to come and get him. Whip packed a duffle for him and moved Axel into the spare room at his house. Once they were living together it was like they’d never left town. Whip, who was definitely gay, decided he was in love with Axel, who was bi, and maybe always had been, he was just waiting for Axel to catch up. Too bad they’re chasing fugitives in the rain and mud all over Oregon.
Hard Rain is book one of Tin Star, the exciting new Reese Knightley release. Lots of action and snark, partners to lovers, touch him and die, idiots in love. Whip and Axel may be my new favorite characters. I’m all in for this one and can’t wait for book two.

[Cassity Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whip is partners with Axel who just went through a break up and is heart broken that another relationship didn’t work out. Whip and axel have been partners in the US Marshals for a year but have known each other since they were kids. Whip has always had feelings for axel but the timing was never right. Now that axel is staying at whips house things change for him and he finally realizes they belong together even though whip questions the timing. As they chase a suspect they finally come together and are determined to get there happy ever after. This book was a sweet and fast paced read. It’s the type of story that once you start it you won’t want to stop and you’ll be wanting more. Cant stress enough what a great story this is. Must read!!

[Sharon Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by a favorite author and what I enjoyed most about the book was the characters. Reese Knightley has done a few different series with military / law enforcement slant, but this is just that little bit different that grabbed me and didn't let go. Plot slow but steady with logical progression throughout. The characters a little different than her usual, but delightful. The dialogue may put off some readers, but I've known men that worked together so long they can finish each other's thought and found it ringing true. I recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre.

[judith vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whiplash or "Whip" and Axel are US Marshalls both have been best friends for a long time. Axel is staying with Whiplash after the latest in breakups. Whip and Axel both are experiencing new feelings for each other yet neither one knows what to do about it. Do they act on them and ruin a friendship or do they become something more than friends. I love all of Reese's books and how they intertwine with others from the previous series. I am so glad Whip and Axel got their HEA I cannot wait to see what is to come.

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author’s books and this did not disappoint. Axel came home one day to find his girlfriend packing up her things. After getting in a fight, he packs up as his Whip came to get him. Whip invites him to stay.Whip has had feelings go for him for a while, but has not said anything. I loved the pacing of this story as they work to capture a baddie while also trying to work on their relationship. Cannot wait to read more of this world.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I genuinely do not think the two main characters had a conversation longer than 4 words each time they spoke to each other. And then the way axel makes his move was out of nowhere. There was literally 0 indication that this man had intense feelings for Whip besides some minor jealousy and some alleged “it was always there” bs 🍅🍅🍅


3 stars bc the plot was actually pretty solid

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty much a cookie cutter MM law enforcement read

The banter is always top notch with Reese Knightley - I LOL'd at the witty verbal sparring. However, internal monologue/depictions of characters feelings felt... forced and the characters not well fleshed out. All in all, a decent quick read.

[Kehaulani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read from Reese! I loved being back in this world! Axel and Whip's love just flowed so naturally. Whip is absolutely hilarious at times!
I'm really hoping the next book belongs to Grant and Knox! 💗

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bet this would be more enjoyable if I had read more RK books and knew some of these other characters....It feels more like an ensemble.

[Addie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super read.

Highly enjoyed the story. Can feel the connection, to the others. Adding it to my collection. Thanks! You are a great writer!

[Dee]

The banter felt forced and awkward and I just didn't feel the chemistry between the couple

[Jai Oni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enjoyment: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Amy K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The terse prose style lends itself to the tight action scenes and the nature of the work Axel and Whip do. Spicy, hot, and surprisingly sweet for a guy as gruff as Axel.

[Craig Paynter]

I ment to not give any rating if minus 10 was a choice I would have checked that. Explicit graphic writings about two gay detectives sex together with a minor plot of catching child traffickers.

[Mac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note to myself !

Read like a draft.