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Forbidden Forces #1
My Forbidden Commander
I’ve led men into hell and brought them home again.
I’ve buried soldiers. Broken enemies. Made impossible calls with blood on my hands and a straight face.
Discipline is the only reason I’m still alive.
Then Noah Reyes lands in my unit.
Twenty-three. Reckless. Mouthy.
Too pretty for his own damn good.
And under my command.
He should be just another soldier. Another name on a roster. Another body to keep alive in a war neither of us started.
Instead, he becomes my worst mistake waiting to happen.
Because “Yes, sir” has never sounded so sweet.
He’s my subordinate.
My responsibility.
My temptation.
And if I touch him, I could ruin us both.
But when the war turns brutal and Noah ends up in the line of fire, I stop pretending there’s anything honorable left in me.
Because he isn’t just my soldier anymore.
He’s mine.
And God help anyone who tries to take him from me.
My Forbidden Commander is a high-heat MM military romance featuring a possessive Special Forces commander, his reckless younger subordinate, forbidden desire, dangerous missions, power imbalance, praise, punishment, “yes, sir” tension, and absolutely no chill.
I’ve buried soldiers. Broken enemies. Made impossible calls with blood on my hands and a straight face.
Discipline is the only reason I’m still alive.
Then Noah Reyes lands in my unit.
Twenty-three. Reckless. Mouthy.
Too pretty for his own damn good.
And under my command.
He should be just another soldier. Another name on a roster. Another body to keep alive in a war neither of us started.
Instead, he becomes my worst mistake waiting to happen.
Because “Yes, sir” has never sounded so sweet.
He’s my subordinate.
My responsibility.
My temptation.
And if I touch him, I could ruin us both.
But when the war turns brutal and Noah ends up in the line of fire, I stop pretending there’s anything honorable left in me.
Because he isn’t just my soldier anymore.
He’s mine.
And God help anyone who tries to take him from me.
My Forbidden Commander is a high-heat MM military romance featuring a possessive Special Forces commander, his reckless younger subordinate, forbidden desire, dangerous missions, power imbalance, praise, punishment, “yes, sir” tension, and absolutely no chill.
246 pages, Hardcover
Published August 24, 2026
About the author
Arden Hart
19 books371 followersArden Hart writes dark, obsessive romances that linger in the shadows. Expect possessive heroes, twisted desires, and tension that grips you until the last page.
When not weaving danger and obsession onto the page, Arden enjoys strong coffee and dreaming up morally gray characters who refuse to let go.
When not weaving danger and obsession onto the page, Arden enjoys strong coffee and dreaming up morally gray characters who refuse to let go.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
September 5, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ HOLD ON. I really didn’t expect them to SWITCH??? A NEEDY COMMANDER??? FUCK YES!!!
The way he claimed Noah so fast was insane too. One kiss and he was like, “YOU’RE MINE!” 😭
The military terms were honestly confusing at first. I was like, WTH are they talking about? 💀 But either way, I ATE THIS SHIT UP!!
The way he claimed Noah so fast was insane too. One kiss and he was like, “YOU’RE MINE!” 😭
The military terms were honestly confusing at first. I was like, WTH are they talking about? 💀 But either way, I ATE THIS SHIT UP!!
September 3, 2026
I actually LOVED this book, It was so much better than I expected! (I seriously need to stop judging books by their covers 😅)
I fully expected Rhys to be the bottom and Gabriel to be the top, and I was right… BUT THEN THEY SWITCHED THINGS UP AT THE END AND IT BECAME MUTUAL??? 😭😭
Like, I LOVE a mutual dynamic, but NOT when there’s a 22-year age gap between them, Gabriel is 45 and Rhys is 23… I’m sorry but that made everything feel SO weird to me.
I literally screamed when I got to the scene where Gabriel asked Rhys to have sex with him 😭 I was NOT ready for that switch-up 💀
I fully expected Rhys to be the bottom and Gabriel to be the top, and I was right… BUT THEN THEY SWITCHED THINGS UP AT THE END AND IT BECAME MUTUAL??? 😭😭
Like, I LOVE a mutual dynamic, but NOT when there’s a 22-year age gap between them, Gabriel is 45 and Rhys is 23… I’m sorry but that made everything feel SO weird to me.
I literally screamed when I got to the scene where Gabriel asked Rhys to have sex with him 😭 I was NOT ready for that switch-up 💀
September 15, 2026
3.5
reckless subordinate x grumpy colonel puleeeease the cover speaks for itself
AND a 22 yr age gap - yes yes yes 1000 times yes 🤤💦
“Yesterday I got two seconds of eye contact in the ops hut and rode the high for six hours. I have to ration this stuff.”
This is an exact depiction of how i felt getting little glimpses into their chemistry, it didn’t feel like enough!!
How infatuated do i like my men? Noah getting his form corrected and accidentally pressing his ass into Colonels front and getting so hard over the memory he bails mid-lap to go beat one out. TO ONLY GET CAUGHT TOO. ugh perfection.
I’ve been flip-flopping between 3 and 4 stars just because I feel like it could have been more developed? but all in all can’t wait for the next one!!
reckless subordinate x grumpy colonel puleeeease the cover speaks for itself
AND a 22 yr age gap - yes yes yes 1000 times yes 🤤💦
“Yesterday I got two seconds of eye contact in the ops hut and rode the high for six hours. I have to ration this stuff.”
This is an exact depiction of how i felt getting little glimpses into their chemistry, it didn’t feel like enough!!
How infatuated do i like my men? Noah getting his form corrected and accidentally pressing his ass into Colonels front and getting so hard over the memory he bails mid-lap to go beat one out. TO ONLY GET CAUGHT TOO. ugh perfection.
I’ve been flip-flopping between 3 and 4 stars just because I feel like it could have been more developed? but all in all can’t wait for the next one!!
September 29, 2026
Here's the thing, when you open your Kindle and search for gay monster or alien romance, you soon realize that there’s suddenly a bunch of new authors publishing short stories with AI covers and generated text.
This book was my final shot after reading a few others that I won’t even bother reviewing. This one, however, was actually quite good and it's not generated, at least that's my feel on this book. Based on the writing, you're really pulled in. I like the military jargon used in the book, it really gives you the right feel for where the characters are and what they're doing.
The story does start to lose its momentum a bit around 70%, I think it could have developed differently to get the same impact it had in the first half, but it has a good setting, interesting characters, and I’ll read the next installment.
🔵 A specialist / colonel
🟡 Age gap 23 / 45
🟢 Both gay (both in the closet)
🟣 Some size difference, not much
🔵 A fictional country
🌶️ Good sex scenes, could do with more intimacy; oral, penetrative; both vers
This is a story about a military base that's dealing with an ongoing war with Americans and the fictional country of Dravosk.
Gabriel is a very esteemed colonel who gets additional crew at his base in Kestrel and in that crew is also Noah, a young specialist with a hefty record. A lot of it is good, some of it is questionable, but from the first time Gabriel and Noah meet, sparks fly and Gabriel then has to deal with his repressed sexuality coming out in full force.
Noah is young, confident and a little cocky, but in a good way. He's a likeable character and he falls for Gabriel right off the bat.
“Yes, sir,” he says. Two words. Regulation words. Every soldier in this war says them fifty times a day, and not one of them says them like that— like the sir is a door he’s holding open just to see if I’ll walk through it.
Gabriel's carefully constructed walls start crumbling, and he's making some eyebrow raising moves on the field. They're both not as subtle as they think they are, but thankfully, no one says anything.
They fall hard and fast and they're sneaking out to hook up, they're pretty good together, passionate and gentle at the same time and the sex is hot, but still, they get to those iloveyou's way too fast. The right timing for me would be at 97% and not sooner than that
“Yeah,” he says. “But you love me anyway.”
“I do,” I say, my voice husky. “God help me, I wouldn’t change a single thing about you.”
this is literally all you need, nothing more. They're not the cheesy romantic types, they fell completely for each other, they're still at the very beginning and also in the middle of war.
I'd like for more to be said about this world. I did like all the side characters too. I think we're in for a long series of most of these guys getting coupled up, but I would definitely like more character development. Let us get to know these characters, there are so many of them and they're all hardened military men, so peeling off those layers and I don't know, maybe creating this private, hidden, secrets not told military base of all of them coupled up would be quite fantastic.
What I think is probably the biggest thing that kept me from getting fully into the story was that disconnect I had about Dravosk and USA and who all these people really are. I was interested in the setting, but I kept having questions about what happened that they're now at war. And who the hell are Dravosians??
The book definitely wasn't long enough. I think more pages could have been added and used for Noah and Gabriel's relationship progression, their relationship didn't have time to go past the hook-up stage and of course nothing is said about how they get to stay there and continue this without being reported.
One thing I will add is that this is this author's first gay romance book and she's planning on writing more. If you're trying to get MM readers to pick up your book, you're going to have to drop the AI covers. It might be a bit hypocritical coming from me since I'm posting AI pics in my reviews so I can remember the main characters and the story, but I'm not a published author. You'd do better if you just picked up some tactical gear, grabbed a few guys to put it on and took some photos.
This book was my final shot after reading a few others that I won’t even bother reviewing. This one, however, was actually quite good and it's not generated, at least that's my feel on this book. Based on the writing, you're really pulled in. I like the military jargon used in the book, it really gives you the right feel for where the characters are and what they're doing.
The story does start to lose its momentum a bit around 70%, I think it could have developed differently to get the same impact it had in the first half, but it has a good setting, interesting characters, and I’ll read the next installment.
🔵 A specialist / colonel
🟡 Age gap 23 / 45
🟢 Both gay (both in the closet)
🟣 Some size difference, not much
🔵 A fictional country
🌶️ Good sex scenes, could do with more intimacy; oral, penetrative; both vers
This is a story about a military base that's dealing with an ongoing war with Americans and the fictional country of Dravosk.
Gabriel is a very esteemed colonel who gets additional crew at his base in Kestrel and in that crew is also Noah, a young specialist with a hefty record. A lot of it is good, some of it is questionable, but from the first time Gabriel and Noah meet, sparks fly and Gabriel then has to deal with his repressed sexuality coming out in full force.
Noah is young, confident and a little cocky, but in a good way. He's a likeable character and he falls for Gabriel right off the bat.
“Yes, sir,” he says. Two words. Regulation words. Every soldier in this war says them fifty times a day, and not one of them says them like that— like the sir is a door he’s holding open just to see if I’ll walk through it.
Gabriel's carefully constructed walls start crumbling, and he's making some eyebrow raising moves on the field. They're both not as subtle as they think they are, but thankfully, no one says anything.
They fall hard and fast and they're sneaking out to hook up, they're pretty good together, passionate and gentle at the same time and the sex is hot, but still, they get to those iloveyou's way too fast. The right timing for me would be at 97% and not sooner than that
“Yeah,” he says. “But you love me anyway.”
“I do,” I say, my voice husky. “God help me, I wouldn’t change a single thing about you.”
this is literally all you need, nothing more. They're not the cheesy romantic types, they fell completely for each other, they're still at the very beginning and also in the middle of war.
I'd like for more to be said about this world. I did like all the side characters too. I think we're in for a long series of most of these guys getting coupled up, but I would definitely like more character development. Let us get to know these characters, there are so many of them and they're all hardened military men, so peeling off those layers and I don't know, maybe creating this private, hidden, secrets not told military base of all of them coupled up would be quite fantastic.
What I think is probably the biggest thing that kept me from getting fully into the story was that disconnect I had about Dravosk and USA and who all these people really are. I was interested in the setting, but I kept having questions about what happened that they're now at war. And who the hell are Dravosians??
The book definitely wasn't long enough. I think more pages could have been added and used for Noah and Gabriel's relationship progression, their relationship didn't have time to go past the hook-up stage and of course nothing is said about how they get to stay there and continue this without being reported.
One thing I will add is that this is this author's first gay romance book and she's planning on writing more. If you're trying to get MM readers to pick up your book, you're going to have to drop the AI covers. It might be a bit hypocritical coming from me since I'm posting AI pics in my reviews so I can remember the main characters and the story, but I'm not a published author. You'd do better if you just picked up some tactical gear, grabbed a few guys to put it on and took some photos.
September 8, 2026
Hiç fena değildi, sadece fazla askeri bi kitaptı, 1 yıldızı ordan kırdım
(hmm demek üzerinde military romance yazan ve kapağında 2 asker olan kitap fazla askeriydi Naile, olucak iş değil 😂)
Yani tabiki asker olduklarını bilerek başladım ama cidden karakterlerin asker olması ve kitabın kışlada geçmesi bi tık fazla göz önündeydi bana göre.
Eğer bu tarz gerçekçi setup ları seviyorsanız hayal kırıklığına uğramazsınız. Ben kurguda daha romance odaklı hikayeler seviyorum, gerçekçilik o kadar mühim değil o yüzden fazla gelmiş olabilir.
Devam kitabını da baya merak ettim aslında ama galiba o poly gibi birşey olucak ve ben sharing hiç sevmem, ama bakalım...
(hmm demek üzerinde military romance yazan ve kapağında 2 asker olan kitap fazla askeriydi Naile, olucak iş değil 😂)
Yani tabiki asker olduklarını bilerek başladım ama cidden karakterlerin asker olması ve kitabın kışlada geçmesi bi tık fazla göz önündeydi bana göre.
Eğer bu tarz gerçekçi setup ları seviyorsanız hayal kırıklığına uğramazsınız. Ben kurguda daha romance odaklı hikayeler seviyorum, gerçekçilik o kadar mühim değil o yüzden fazla gelmiş olabilir.
Devam kitabını da baya merak ettim aslında ama galiba o poly gibi birşey olucak ve ben sharing hiç sevmem, ama bakalım...
September 16, 2026
OBSESSED! 😍 This was so freaking good 😏🔥🙌
August 30, 2026
So, this is the story of Colonel Gabriel Wolfe who is getting a fresh task force. One of the soldiers is Noah Reyes. Gabriel had never let himself be attracted to another man but Noah test all his limits.
What I liked:
- I love me some big age gap and here Gabriel is 45 and Noah is 23😌
- I can feel the tension and the chemistry between Gabriel and Noah. I was giddy everytime they were together❤️🔥
- How Noah didn’t push Gabriel in sex and trying out stuff until Gabriel was ready.
- Gabriel joining in on missions all of a sudden to protect Noah although convincing himself otherwise🥺 “I’m trying to figure out how to run this task force,” I say, my voice pitched low, “without losing my mind every time you walk outside the wire without me.”
- Gabriel, the serious rule follwing colonel, throwing everything to the wind just because he cannot resist Noah and can’t stand not touching him
- The spice and the dirty talk are hot🔥
- Gabiel getting jealous just because a Corporal said a joke and Noah laughed😅
- Noah being a brat in the bedroom and Gabriel punishing him for that during drills🤭
- Good amount of suspense/missions
What I didn’t quite like:
- Some repetition like same scenes from both POVs
- Too insta lust. Especially cus Gabriel never let himself be attracted to another man before. I would have appreciated more of a slow burn instead of both getting hard and jacking off thinking about each other since the start.
- Going bare with no talk about protection or any safe sex discussion.
- It might be a personal opinion but for me spice doesn’t belong in an epilogue. Here, each of the 2 epilogues is a spicy scene. I prefer my epilogues to be sweet and show me how the love and emotional connection grew and where the couple are in that aspect.
- I wanted more drama. It is supposed to be forbidden and it felt forbidden but not to the extent of how I expted it to be.
No OP drama or on page scenes or anything that causes ick.
Overall, a good read and a great chemistry between the MMCs.
“You’re fucking mine, Reyes.” My hips slam forward, chasing his fist, chasing him. “Do you hear me? Not Walker’s. Not Hayes’s. Not anyone’s. If anyone else touches you like this, I’ll shoot them myself.”
“Jesus, sir.” He squeezes us together, making my vision go white. “Like I could be with anyone else. I’m too fucking gone for my Colonel.”
What I liked:
- I love me some big age gap and here Gabriel is 45 and Noah is 23😌
- I can feel the tension and the chemistry between Gabriel and Noah. I was giddy everytime they were together❤️🔥
- How Noah didn’t push Gabriel in sex and trying out stuff until Gabriel was ready.
- Gabriel joining in on missions all of a sudden to protect Noah although convincing himself otherwise🥺 “I’m trying to figure out how to run this task force,” I say, my voice pitched low, “without losing my mind every time you walk outside the wire without me.”
- Gabriel, the serious rule follwing colonel, throwing everything to the wind just because he cannot resist Noah and can’t stand not touching him
- The spice and the dirty talk are hot🔥
- Gabiel getting jealous just because a Corporal said a joke and Noah laughed😅
- Noah being a brat in the bedroom and Gabriel punishing him for that during drills🤭
- Good amount of suspense/missions
What I didn’t quite like:
- Some repetition like same scenes from both POVs
- Too insta lust. Especially cus Gabriel never let himself be attracted to another man before. I would have appreciated more of a slow burn instead of both getting hard and jacking off thinking about each other since the start.
- Going bare with no talk about protection or any safe sex discussion.
- It might be a personal opinion but for me spice doesn’t belong in an epilogue. Here, each of the 2 epilogues is a spicy scene. I prefer my epilogues to be sweet and show me how the love and emotional connection grew and where the couple are in that aspect.
- I wanted more drama. It is supposed to be forbidden and it felt forbidden but not to the extent of how I expted it to be.
No OP drama or on page scenes or anything that causes ick.
Overall, a good read and a great chemistry between the MMCs.
“You’re fucking mine, Reyes.” My hips slam forward, chasing his fist, chasing him. “Do you hear me? Not Walker’s. Not Hayes’s. Not anyone’s. If anyone else touches you like this, I’ll shoot them myself.”
“Jesus, sir.” He squeezes us together, making my vision go white. “Like I could be with anyone else. I’m too fucking gone for my Colonel.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🫦🫦🫦🫦 ☠️
Oh, I already love the brand new series by Arden Hart, and I can't wait to read more of these delicious hunks in uniform 🪖
This story is about Noah, an exceptional specialist, and Gabriel, a commander of the base at the enemy's border. Noah has already survived so much for his young age, and along the way, he lost his will to live. But when he met Gabriel, he instantly felt there was more than meets the eye 👀
This is an amazing story about forbidden desires, lost faith, and a powerful bi-awakening 🔥
Arden has truly outdone herself and created another masterpiece.
Go read this if you love a forbidden romance that could get them both court-martialed, a broken soul slowly finding a reason to fight again, and the kind of tension that builds behind closed barracks doors.
🪖 MM
🪖 Military
🪖 Age Gap
🪖 Power Imbalance
🪖 Dominant Bottom
🪖 Banter
🪖 Dude Virgin
🪖 Bi-Awakening
🪖 Secret Relationship
🪖 BJ, Verse MMCs, Riding
❗️Check TW ❗️
135/26
Oh, I already love the brand new series by Arden Hart, and I can't wait to read more of these delicious hunks in uniform 🪖
This story is about Noah, an exceptional specialist, and Gabriel, a commander of the base at the enemy's border. Noah has already survived so much for his young age, and along the way, he lost his will to live. But when he met Gabriel, he instantly felt there was more than meets the eye 👀
This is an amazing story about forbidden desires, lost faith, and a powerful bi-awakening 🔥
Arden has truly outdone herself and created another masterpiece.
Go read this if you love a forbidden romance that could get them both court-martialed, a broken soul slowly finding a reason to fight again, and the kind of tension that builds behind closed barracks doors.
🪖 MM
🪖 Military
🪖 Age Gap
🪖 Power Imbalance
🪖 Dominant Bottom
🪖 Banter
🪖 Dude Virgin
🪖 Bi-Awakening
🪖 Secret Relationship
🪖 BJ, Verse MMCs, Riding
❗️Check TW ❗️
135/26
September 6, 2026
Oh this was such a fun read! First time I’ve read a military romance and it did not disappoint! We have Gabriel who’s the colonel and his Sargent Noah who’s 23 cocky and doesn’t really care about orders
Gabriel noticed him right away Gabriel is very very closeted and at 45 he hasn’t let his true feelings come through! But with Noah it’s hard to resist him I mean their first actual touch with Noah running his pinky along his hand was so so cute! Butttt when Noah followed Gabriel into the bathroom and Gabriel let go that was very very satisfying!! Noah gets Gabriel to let go as much as he can but people notice one of the other Sargents does as well as Gabriel’s second in command
When Noah starts sneaking into Gabriel’s hut things escalate! I did not expect big burly Gabriel wanting to be at Noah’s mercy as a bottom but I like that Gabriel felt safe enough with Noah to be vulnerable in that position!
We get some close calls with the war and their patrols and you can see each time one of them is threatened they can’t keep in their panic in front of the others!
I think Okafor has resigned to the fact that they are together when he tells Noah to get Gabriel back to his cabin!
Their I love yous were so damn sweet!
I literally LOLed when Tyler caught them kissing! He’s like I knew it!!
I think the next book is gonna be extra spicy Ryan is a pow but I think who took him is gonna make things interesting for him!
Gabriel noticed him right away Gabriel is very very closeted and at 45 he hasn’t let his true feelings come through! But with Noah it’s hard to resist him I mean their first actual touch with Noah running his pinky along his hand was so so cute! Butttt when Noah followed Gabriel into the bathroom and Gabriel let go that was very very satisfying!! Noah gets Gabriel to let go as much as he can but people notice one of the other Sargents does as well as Gabriel’s second in command
When Noah starts sneaking into Gabriel’s hut things escalate! I did not expect big burly Gabriel wanting to be at Noah’s mercy as a bottom but I like that Gabriel felt safe enough with Noah to be vulnerable in that position!
We get some close calls with the war and their patrols and you can see each time one of them is threatened they can’t keep in their panic in front of the others!
I think Okafor has resigned to the fact that they are together when he tells Noah to get Gabriel back to his cabin!
Their I love yous were so damn sweet!
I literally LOLed when Tyler caught them kissing! He’s like I knew it!!
I think the next book is gonna be extra spicy Ryan is a pow but I think who took him is gonna make things interesting for him!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2026
Hello, Daddy Gabriel…
After reading the Carnival of Sins series by this author I am basically at the point where if she’s writing something then I am one hundred percent going to read it.
This was engrossing. The writing had me smack dab in the middle of that command location. The curiosity and fascination in Noah’s thoughts. The gravitas and internal struggle in Gabriel’s. Some of the phrasing just had me pausing and exhaling at how good it was.
I found myself laughing out loud at the banter between some of the soldiers. Hayes definitely had me cracking up. Between everything already mentioned and then the delicious tension between Noah and Gabriel, I could have read for hours more… except the book ended. I was a little miffed with an unresolved plot point, but then saw the author’s note that it will be the central story in book 2 so I’m not mad anymore.
After reading the Carnival of Sins series by this author I am basically at the point where if she’s writing something then I am one hundred percent going to read it.
This was engrossing. The writing had me smack dab in the middle of that command location. The curiosity and fascination in Noah’s thoughts. The gravitas and internal struggle in Gabriel’s. Some of the phrasing just had me pausing and exhaling at how good it was.
I found myself laughing out loud at the banter between some of the soldiers. Hayes definitely had me cracking up. Between everything already mentioned and then the delicious tension between Noah and Gabriel, I could have read for hours more… except the book ended. I was a little miffed with an unresolved plot point, but then saw the author’s note that it will be the central story in book 2 so I’m not mad anymore.
August 29, 2026
This could’ve been another 250+ pages and I would’ve devoured every single one of them! I was a little nervous going into my first MM romance but call me awakened because I absolutely loved this book!
The tension, the pacing of the plot and the slow burn, the side characters, the soft, tender moment that they have only for each other is immaculate. The way the characters wanted each other but knew they shouldn’t. Even down to the serious moments where the fear and job took over, was so well done. The way this book consumed my waking hours was insane! All I wanted was an extra 30 minutes of free time to be back in this world with Wolfe and Rayes!
There’s a reason I keep coming back for more of Arden’s writing because she knows exactly what she’s doing! Arden has an absolute gift for dark romance and that’s exactly why she’s become one of my of my favourite authors.
I cannot wait to read Callahan’s story!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The tension, the pacing of the plot and the slow burn, the side characters, the soft, tender moment that they have only for each other is immaculate. The way the characters wanted each other but knew they shouldn’t. Even down to the serious moments where the fear and job took over, was so well done. The way this book consumed my waking hours was insane! All I wanted was an extra 30 minutes of free time to be back in this world with Wolfe and Rayes!
There’s a reason I keep coming back for more of Arden’s writing because she knows exactly what she’s doing! Arden has an absolute gift for dark romance and that’s exactly why she’s become one of my of my favourite authors.
I cannot wait to read Callahan’s story!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 27, 2026
If Arden wrote it then I will read it, her writing just draws you into any world she has decided she needs to put in print. This dark military story of a budding MM romance is no different, portraying a fictional war environment with the two men and their team on a base in hostile territory.
Colonel Gabriel Wolfe the commander, forty five knows his way around the area, what he didn’t foresee was a young twenty five year old specialist with a death wish, transferring into his camp. Arden takes us through the trials they are faced with and not just on the frontlines 🫢 There are tense moments for both and their team, there are intimate moments and then there are their background moments, all settling into your head ensuring you feel as though you are a part of this affair, base and their lives.
Totally enjoyed this one, loved Hayes’s banter and the intensity of Gabriel and Noah’s connection. I can’t wait to find out about Callahan and what happens to him.
Colonel Gabriel Wolfe the commander, forty five knows his way around the area, what he didn’t foresee was a young twenty five year old specialist with a death wish, transferring into his camp. Arden takes us through the trials they are faced with and not just on the frontlines 🫢 There are tense moments for both and their team, there are intimate moments and then there are their background moments, all settling into your head ensuring you feel as though you are a part of this affair, base and their lives.
Totally enjoyed this one, loved Hayes’s banter and the intensity of Gabriel and Noah’s connection. I can’t wait to find out about Callahan and what happens to him.
September 1, 2026
Warm fuzzies wrapped in camo
Dual pov with just enough action to keep it interesting. The way the side characters were written seemed strategic. I eagerly anticipate the next books in this series.
Dual pov with just enough action to keep it interesting. The way the side characters were written seemed strategic. I eagerly anticipate the next books in this series.
August 29, 2026
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I was sucked in! It was the perfect mixer of suspense and heat! 🥵🥵
I appreciate that Noah challenged Gabriel but not in a disrespectful way.
We get the sweet side...
"I’ve got butterflies. Actual stupid, teenager butterflies, and I hate how much I love it."
And the filthy side....
“Then choke me with it, sir. You know you want to.”.
I was sucked in! It was the perfect mixer of suspense and heat! 🥵🥵
I appreciate that Noah challenged Gabriel but not in a disrespectful way.
We get the sweet side...
"I’ve got butterflies. Actual stupid, teenager butterflies, and I hate how much I love it."
And the filthy side....
“Then choke me with it, sir. You know you want to.”.
August 31, 2026
I dont know why this was so addicting to me but it was. This is between a Specialist and the Colonel of an army base. They begin a romantic relationship even though it is forbidden.
This book is spicy! Does end in a cliffhanger and very emotional towards the end.
Thank you Booksprout and Arden Hart for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book is spicy! Does end in a cliffhanger and very emotional towards the end.
Thank you Booksprout and Arden Hart for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 14, 2026
WOWWWWWW I had the BEST time reading this I couldn't put it down 🤭🤭 im gonna be thinking about Gabriel and Noah for a while 😍 cant wait for the 2nd book!
August 31, 2026
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5
🌶️ Spice: 5/5
My Forbidden Commander is a dark M/M military romance about Colonel Gabriel Wolfe and Specialist Noah Reyes, and apparently military regulations are merely decorative when the chemistry is this disrespectful.
Gabriel is forty-five, disciplined, intimidating, experienced, and so emotionally controlled he practically runs on regulations and black coffee. Then twenty-three-year-old Noah arrives at his unit: reckless, sarcastic, ridiculously talented, and carrying enough emotional baggage to qualify as checked luggage.
Gabriel immediately knows Noah is trouble. Noah immediately realizes Gabriel is attractive. And from there, the phrase “Yes, sir” becomes less of a military response and more of a personal attack.
What really worked for me is that Noah is not just the mouthy younger guy there to tempt the older commander. He is an exceptional soldier, especially with a rifle, and his recklessness comes from deep trauma, grief, abandonment, and a history of surviving things he should never have had to survive. Gabriel, meanwhile, is dealing with decades of repression and an identity built around control. Noah does not simply tempt him. He dismantles him.
And baby, the dismantling is thorough.
The chemistry is immediate, the tension is constant, and the power dynamic is absolutely part of the fantasy. This is a superior-and-subordinate romance with a large age gap, so if that dynamic bothers you, this is not the book to test your tolerance. The story knows the relationship is forbidden and repeatedly acknowledges the career consequences and ethical mess surrounding it.
The spice? Five peppers. Easily. Once these two cross the line, they do not quietly step over it. They sprint across it, set it on fire, and probably violate three additional regulations on the way back. The intimacy is explicit, frequent, possessive, emotional, and eventually surprisingly tender.
The military plot also matters. There are patrols, firefights, injuries, tactical decisions, danger, and real consequences. It gives the romance stakes beyond “someone might find out we kissed.”
My only complaint is that Gabriel spends a lot of time internally repeating how much he should not want Noah while very clearly wanting Noah with the determination of a man trying to argue with gravity. Sir, we understood. The specialist is attractive. Please return to command.
Triggers
Military combat, gun violence, battlefield injuries, blood, grief, infant loss/SIDS, parental death, substance abuse, abandonment, foster care, childhood trauma, survivor’s guilt, internalized shame regarding same-sex attraction, age gap, superior/subordinate power imbalance, fraternization, secret relationship, and explicit M/M sexual content. Noah’s backstory includes significant childhood loss and abandonment.
Final Verdict
⭐️ 4.5/5
Dark, forbidden, emotional, dangerous, filthy, and far more vulnerable than I expected. Gabriel and Noah are basically self-control versus chaos, and chaos came prepared.
If you like age gaps, forbidden authority dynamics, possessive older heroes, reckless younger heroes, military danger, emotional trauma, and the word “sir” being used in ways no regulation manual intended, My Forbidden Commander delivers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
🌶️ Spice: 5/5
My Forbidden Commander is a dark M/M military romance about Colonel Gabriel Wolfe and Specialist Noah Reyes, and apparently military regulations are merely decorative when the chemistry is this disrespectful.
Gabriel is forty-five, disciplined, intimidating, experienced, and so emotionally controlled he practically runs on regulations and black coffee. Then twenty-three-year-old Noah arrives at his unit: reckless, sarcastic, ridiculously talented, and carrying enough emotional baggage to qualify as checked luggage.
Gabriel immediately knows Noah is trouble. Noah immediately realizes Gabriel is attractive. And from there, the phrase “Yes, sir” becomes less of a military response and more of a personal attack.
What really worked for me is that Noah is not just the mouthy younger guy there to tempt the older commander. He is an exceptional soldier, especially with a rifle, and his recklessness comes from deep trauma, grief, abandonment, and a history of surviving things he should never have had to survive. Gabriel, meanwhile, is dealing with decades of repression and an identity built around control. Noah does not simply tempt him. He dismantles him.
And baby, the dismantling is thorough.
The chemistry is immediate, the tension is constant, and the power dynamic is absolutely part of the fantasy. This is a superior-and-subordinate romance with a large age gap, so if that dynamic bothers you, this is not the book to test your tolerance. The story knows the relationship is forbidden and repeatedly acknowledges the career consequences and ethical mess surrounding it.
The spice? Five peppers. Easily. Once these two cross the line, they do not quietly step over it. They sprint across it, set it on fire, and probably violate three additional regulations on the way back. The intimacy is explicit, frequent, possessive, emotional, and eventually surprisingly tender.
The military plot also matters. There are patrols, firefights, injuries, tactical decisions, danger, and real consequences. It gives the romance stakes beyond “someone might find out we kissed.”
My only complaint is that Gabriel spends a lot of time internally repeating how much he should not want Noah while very clearly wanting Noah with the determination of a man trying to argue with gravity. Sir, we understood. The specialist is attractive. Please return to command.
Triggers
Military combat, gun violence, battlefield injuries, blood, grief, infant loss/SIDS, parental death, substance abuse, abandonment, foster care, childhood trauma, survivor’s guilt, internalized shame regarding same-sex attraction, age gap, superior/subordinate power imbalance, fraternization, secret relationship, and explicit M/M sexual content. Noah’s backstory includes significant childhood loss and abandonment.
Final Verdict
⭐️ 4.5/5
Dark, forbidden, emotional, dangerous, filthy, and far more vulnerable than I expected. Gabriel and Noah are basically self-control versus chaos, and chaos came prepared.
If you like age gaps, forbidden authority dynamics, possessive older heroes, reckless younger heroes, military danger, emotional trauma, and the word “sir” being used in ways no regulation manual intended, My Forbidden Commander delivers.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 7, 2026
Gabriel is the Colonel and Noah is a specialist just transferred into his unit, This has alot of action, steamy intense moments. to see both of them open up to each other was really awesome. A well written story, Not my normal kind of read but I love this author, Now I can't wait for more in the series,.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2026
Five freaking stars. That was soooooo hot 🥵
September 1, 2026
Skulle vært lenger.. gi meg mer av dem 😩
September 27, 2026
Cheesy af title but actually a sweety pie story.
September 15, 2026
Fun military read
If you like military men, then this is the MM story you need to add to your collection. Older and young men. Fun little read.
If you like military men, then this is the MM story you need to add to your collection. Older and young men. Fun little read.
August 28, 2026
Hello, Daddy Wolfe and Pup Reyes! Do they call themselves this in the book? No, but the vibes are there! Gabriel is a silver foxed Daddy who doesn’t know he’s a Daddy, and Reyes is willing to take the risk to see if he can snap Gabriel’s carefully calculated control 🤭🔥
🖤Special Forces Commander x Reckless Younger Subordinate
💥Possessive Commander Losing Control
🖤Age Gap (22 years)
💥Forbidden Romance
🖤“Yes, Sir” Tension
💥Dangerous Missions
🖤Power Imbalance (and they like it)
💥Praise, Punishments & C💦m Play
🖤Bisexual Awakening & Verse MCs
Gabriel Wolfe has let his discipline guide him — into war with countless enemies, hostile territory, and a hell civilians can’t comprehend. His discipline is why he’s alive and has never failed him…until Noah. Noah Reyes arrives in his unit and should just be another soldier in the ranks. Reyes is mouthy, reckless, too pretty to ignore and “yes, sir” has never sounded so good. Noah is subordinate temptation in combat boots and touching him could ruin them both. But when Noah ends up in the line of fire, Gabriel can’t pretend that Noah isn’t his…and he will burn it all to the ground if anyone tries to take Noah from him.
I ATE up this forbidden romance tension! Gabriel has always maintained control, but when Noah enters the base? A powder keg just waiting to explode! Noah pushes boundaries of what’s regulation and when it comes to his superior? He can’t stay away or help crossing lines drawn in the sand, and when Gabriel’s resistance crumbles away, it is delicious! Never have I wanted to be a fly on a wall in a makeshift military-base latrine before this story, because that handy?! One of the hottest I’ve read. And Noah? He’s filthy and loves to clean up every last drop 👅 The protective nature of each of these men is unmatched, and when they get vulnerable? Your heart is going to burst at the seams!
I’m on the edge of my seat with this fictional conflict and can’t wait to get more from this group of soldiers!
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
🖤Special Forces Commander x Reckless Younger Subordinate
💥Possessive Commander Losing Control
🖤Age Gap (22 years)
💥Forbidden Romance
🖤“Yes, Sir” Tension
💥Dangerous Missions
🖤Power Imbalance (and they like it)
💥Praise, Punishments & C💦m Play
🖤Bisexual Awakening & Verse MCs
Gabriel Wolfe has let his discipline guide him — into war with countless enemies, hostile territory, and a hell civilians can’t comprehend. His discipline is why he’s alive and has never failed him…until Noah. Noah Reyes arrives in his unit and should just be another soldier in the ranks. Reyes is mouthy, reckless, too pretty to ignore and “yes, sir” has never sounded so good. Noah is subordinate temptation in combat boots and touching him could ruin them both. But when Noah ends up in the line of fire, Gabriel can’t pretend that Noah isn’t his…and he will burn it all to the ground if anyone tries to take Noah from him.
I ATE up this forbidden romance tension! Gabriel has always maintained control, but when Noah enters the base? A powder keg just waiting to explode! Noah pushes boundaries of what’s regulation and when it comes to his superior? He can’t stay away or help crossing lines drawn in the sand, and when Gabriel’s resistance crumbles away, it is delicious! Never have I wanted to be a fly on a wall in a makeshift military-base latrine before this story, because that handy?! One of the hottest I’ve read. And Noah? He’s filthy and loves to clean up every last drop 👅 The protective nature of each of these men is unmatched, and when they get vulnerable? Your heart is going to burst at the seams!
I’m on the edge of my seat with this fictional conflict and can’t wait to get more from this group of soldiers!
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
August 28, 2026
MY FORBIDDEN COMMANDER is the first in the Forbidden Forces series, and when I say it's explosive, I'm not talking about the fictional war!
Forty-five-year-old Gabriel Wolfe is the commander of the Kestrel Outpost in a war against Dravosk. Now, the reasons and whyfores of the war aren't mentioned, and you honestly don't need to know them. (For now, at least!) He has some new recruits arrive at the post, including talkative Hayes and possible troublemaker, twenty-three-year-old Noah Reyes. Reyes shakes up his controlled life in ways Wolfe simply wasn't expecting.
Oh, man, but I loved this. I read it in one sitting and didn't want it to end. Noah makes a comment about Gabriel being a Daddy, and I am here for it! Mind you, Noah has mischievous antics just like a puppy, so I guess they're well matched! For obvious reasons, their relationship has to be kept quiet, and it's a sort of slow-burn spicy story. Their relationship progresses naturally, without it ever seeming forced.
It was great to learn about all of the characters, and I look forward to getting to know them better in future books. The pacing was smooth, and the writing was evocative enough to feel the cold and the constant mud. There is just enough world-building for the story to make sense without being bogged down with unnecessary details.
A brilliant start to the series, and one I absolutely recommend.
** The same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian
Aug 28, 2026
Forty-five-year-old Gabriel Wolfe is the commander of the Kestrel Outpost in a war against Dravosk. Now, the reasons and whyfores of the war aren't mentioned, and you honestly don't need to know them. (For now, at least!) He has some new recruits arrive at the post, including talkative Hayes and possible troublemaker, twenty-three-year-old Noah Reyes. Reyes shakes up his controlled life in ways Wolfe simply wasn't expecting.
Oh, man, but I loved this. I read it in one sitting and didn't want it to end. Noah makes a comment about Gabriel being a Daddy, and I am here for it! Mind you, Noah has mischievous antics just like a puppy, so I guess they're well matched! For obvious reasons, their relationship has to be kept quiet, and it's a sort of slow-burn spicy story. Their relationship progresses naturally, without it ever seeming forced.
It was great to learn about all of the characters, and I look forward to getting to know them better in future books. The pacing was smooth, and the writing was evocative enough to feel the cold and the constant mud. There is just enough world-building for the story to make sense without being bogged down with unnecessary details.
A brilliant start to the series, and one I absolutely recommend.
** The same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian
Aug 28, 2026
September 5, 2026
I can confidently say I enjoyed this read and am really sad the next book isn't out yet.
I think the premise and set up for so many things was there. This easily could've been a really well done 400ish page novel, however we missed out on some great scenes, build ups, and side topics, just due to length. There would've been some really interesting and well detailed chapters otherwise.
Despite these missing factors I loved this book.
Pretty good pacing, lots of loveable characters and just enough mix between action and romance to keep me engaged.
The leads are great together and really help one another come to terms with their own reality and do a bit of soul searching along the way.
Noah comes across as a no fucks to give playboy but is actually just emotionally overwhelmed. He's patient, understanding, brave and just desperate for someone to actually see him.
Gabriel is a closeted, hard ass who's judt so wrapped up in this ideal image and reputation he's created he's forgotten to actually live (consequently he's a little emotionally constipated).
Together the leads have a great beginning to a romance for the ages in a world where life and death is 5 seconds away.
While I'm satisfied enough with the leads and where we end off I definitely have more questions than answers.
That being said, if you don't necessarily care about minor details and love some MM, age gap, forbidden love I'd recommend this book.
If you aren't comfortable with theorizing and daydreaming about the what ifs and all the other unknowns id hesitate picking this one up.
Giving this a 4 cause I really wish there was more. More answers, more scenes, more build up, just more pages.
I think the premise and set up for so many things was there. This easily could've been a really well done 400ish page novel, however we missed out on some great scenes, build ups, and side topics, just due to length. There would've been some really interesting and well detailed chapters otherwise.
Despite these missing factors I loved this book.
Pretty good pacing, lots of loveable characters and just enough mix between action and romance to keep me engaged.
The leads are great together and really help one another come to terms with their own reality and do a bit of soul searching along the way.
Noah comes across as a no fucks to give playboy but is actually just emotionally overwhelmed. He's patient, understanding, brave and just desperate for someone to actually see him.
Gabriel is a closeted, hard ass who's judt so wrapped up in this ideal image and reputation he's created he's forgotten to actually live (consequently he's a little emotionally constipated).
Together the leads have a great beginning to a romance for the ages in a world where life and death is 5 seconds away.
While I'm satisfied enough with the leads and where we end off I definitely have more questions than answers.
That being said, if you don't necessarily care about minor details and love some MM, age gap, forbidden love I'd recommend this book.
If you aren't comfortable with theorizing and daydreaming about the what ifs and all the other unknowns id hesitate picking this one up.
Giving this a 4 cause I really wish there was more. More answers, more scenes, more build up, just more pages.
August 28, 2026
This was quite an emotional roller coaster… in a good way
Gabriel is a colonel in charge of one the camps and Noah is one of the new soldiers joining his team after having experienced a traumatising experience. We are told about Noah’s last mission and why he has requested to join one of the most dangerous border patrols (please read the triggers).
I liked Gabriel’s and Noah’s story. It’s not the most imaginative or any sort of original trope but the author has very nicely packaged the emotional slow burn, the angst over the taboo nature of the relationship, and the possessive obsessiveness of both Noah and Gabriel is actually quite sweet (to me).
I found their age gap to be a little questionable (I think it’s like 45 vs 23) and them both being soldiers makes it hard to see a future where they can maintain their relationship or how to overcome the secrecy required since they are not allowed to have a relationship. We never quite know how they look like in the future either or if they live happily forever and forever after so it has seemed to me like a HFN rather than HEA.
So although the story seems to be a little shakey at times the great writing and emotional tension had me hooked. I tend to enjoy stories where I’m more emotionally invested in the story so this worked well for me.
Whilst the main couple story is complete the background story still continues on and ends in a cliffhanger. I was looking forward to Callahan’s book but unfortunately MM+ is not my usual reading so I might have to miss it (I’m sure you will be fine Callahan!!)
Gabriel is a colonel in charge of one the camps and Noah is one of the new soldiers joining his team after having experienced a traumatising experience. We are told about Noah’s last mission and why he has requested to join one of the most dangerous border patrols (please read the triggers).
I liked Gabriel’s and Noah’s story. It’s not the most imaginative or any sort of original trope but the author has very nicely packaged the emotional slow burn, the angst over the taboo nature of the relationship, and the possessive obsessiveness of both Noah and Gabriel is actually quite sweet (to me).
I found their age gap to be a little questionable (I think it’s like 45 vs 23) and them both being soldiers makes it hard to see a future where they can maintain their relationship or how to overcome the secrecy required since they are not allowed to have a relationship. We never quite know how they look like in the future either or if they live happily forever and forever after so it has seemed to me like a HFN rather than HEA.
So although the story seems to be a little shakey at times the great writing and emotional tension had me hooked. I tend to enjoy stories where I’m more emotionally invested in the story so this worked well for me.
Whilst the main couple story is complete the background story still continues on and ends in a cliffhanger. I was looking forward to Callahan’s book but unfortunately MM+ is not my usual reading so I might have to miss it (I’m sure you will be fine Callahan!!)
September 1, 2026
My Forbidden Commander was a high-heat MM military romance with an age gap, gay awakening, forbidden relationship and lots of spice! Gabriel is a Colonel and Noah is a young Specialist in his unit, and these two had some serious chemistry.
I really liked watching Gabriel slowly start to let his guard down. He has kept himself so closed off for so long and then Noah comes along and starts pushing all those buttons. Noah is young, a little reckless and definitely not afraid to give Gabriel a hard time. I loved their back and forth and all the tension between them.
Once Gabriel finally gives in, I loved how protective and possessive he became of Noah. The spice was definitely a 5 out of 5 for me! I loved the age gap, the inexperience and all the tension between these two.
I also really enjoyed all of the side characters. There is such a good group of friends and family around Gabriel and Noah, and I loved the feeling of everyone becoming their own little group. There are definitely some characters I would love to see get their own stories, so I am really looking forward to continuing this series. I was completely drawn into the story and couldn't put it down.
Gabriel and Noah do get their happy ending, but the ending definitely leaves things open for the next book. I am SO excited to continue this story and see where Arden Hart takes it next!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really liked watching Gabriel slowly start to let his guard down. He has kept himself so closed off for so long and then Noah comes along and starts pushing all those buttons. Noah is young, a little reckless and definitely not afraid to give Gabriel a hard time. I loved their back and forth and all the tension between them.
Once Gabriel finally gives in, I loved how protective and possessive he became of Noah. The spice was definitely a 5 out of 5 for me! I loved the age gap, the inexperience and all the tension between these two.
I also really enjoyed all of the side characters. There is such a good group of friends and family around Gabriel and Noah, and I loved the feeling of everyone becoming their own little group. There are definitely some characters I would love to see get their own stories, so I am really looking forward to continuing this series. I was completely drawn into the story and couldn't put it down.
Gabriel and Noah do get their happy ending, but the ending definitely leaves things open for the next book. I am SO excited to continue this story and see where Arden Hart takes it next!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 10, 2026
This was a quick and fun read! It’s clearly set up to be a series, but at just over 200 pages, I couldn’t help feeling like the story was cut short and I was only given the Cliff Notes version.
Lust at first sight? Check.
Gay/bi-awakening? Check.
Action? Check.
Top tier romantic chemistry? Check. Gabriel and Noah make a great pair.
You’ve got a hard-ass Colonel who suddenly turns soft and mushy at just the right moments while also keeping his authoritative personality, a Specialist with a cocky attitude, and side characters providing all the comedic relief to make you laugh at just the right moments.
This easily would have been a 5-star read for me if there had been just a bit more backstory surrounding the war/combat zone and the setting the author drops us into. At times, I felt like I’d walked into the middle of an episode of the TV show SEAL Team with absolutely no context for the events happening around the romance. I loved all the action sequences (even the not so action-packed portions), I just wish I’d understood a little more about what was going on and why.
Personally, coming from a family with a military background, I appreciated that the author didn’t bog down the story with long, drawn-out explanations of military terms. But if you’re unfamiliar with the lingo, be prepared to Google a few things along the way.
Lust at first sight? Check.
Gay/bi-awakening? Check.
Action? Check.
Top tier romantic chemistry? Check. Gabriel and Noah make a great pair.
You’ve got a hard-ass Colonel who suddenly turns soft and mushy at just the right moments while also keeping his authoritative personality, a Specialist with a cocky attitude, and side characters providing all the comedic relief to make you laugh at just the right moments.
This easily would have been a 5-star read for me if there had been just a bit more backstory surrounding the war/combat zone and the setting the author drops us into. At times, I felt like I’d walked into the middle of an episode of the TV show SEAL Team with absolutely no context for the events happening around the romance. I loved all the action sequences (even the not so action-packed portions), I just wish I’d understood a little more about what was going on and why.
Personally, coming from a family with a military background, I appreciated that the author didn’t bog down the story with long, drawn-out explanations of military terms. But if you’re unfamiliar with the lingo, be prepared to Google a few things along the way.
September 23, 2026
Okay, apparently give me a 45-year-old, serious, rule-following Colonel completely losing his mind over a 23-year-old soldier and I’m seated. 😂
The tension between Gabriel and Noah was SO good. Gabriel spends half the book trying to convince himself he’s just being a responsible commander while suddenly joining missions because he can’t stand Noah going outside the wire without him. SIR. We all know what you’re doing. 😭😂
I also really liked Noah. He’s confident and a little bratty, but he never pushes Gabriel beyond what he’s ready for. Watching Gabriel slowly throw all his carefully constructed rules out the window because he simply cannot stay away from this man was probably my favorite part. 🫠
I do wish this had been more of a slow burn, especially with Gabriel never allowing himself to explore his attraction to men before. I wanted MORE of that internal struggle before everything happened. There were also a few repetitive scenes, and I would’ve liked the forbidden aspect to create a little more drama.
But the chemistry? 🔥 The banter? The jealousy? Gabriel absolutely losing his ability to behave like a rational commanding officer whenever Noah was involved? 😂 Yeahhhh, that worked for me.
And knowing that unresolved storyline is leading into book two? I’m definitely continuing. 👀🖤.
The tension between Gabriel and Noah was SO good. Gabriel spends half the book trying to convince himself he’s just being a responsible commander while suddenly joining missions because he can’t stand Noah going outside the wire without him. SIR. We all know what you’re doing. 😭😂
I also really liked Noah. He’s confident and a little bratty, but he never pushes Gabriel beyond what he’s ready for. Watching Gabriel slowly throw all his carefully constructed rules out the window because he simply cannot stay away from this man was probably my favorite part. 🫠
I do wish this had been more of a slow burn, especially with Gabriel never allowing himself to explore his attraction to men before. I wanted MORE of that internal struggle before everything happened. There were also a few repetitive scenes, and I would’ve liked the forbidden aspect to create a little more drama.
But the chemistry? 🔥 The banter? The jealousy? Gabriel absolutely losing his ability to behave like a rational commanding officer whenever Noah was involved? 😂 Yeahhhh, that worked for me.
And knowing that unresolved storyline is leading into book two? I’m definitely continuing. 👀🖤.
Review of advance copy
My first time reading a male/male romance novel, and it was a great introduction to the subgenre.
The military scenes and scenarios felt very real and well-researched. The romance had plenty of heat, and the spice level felt just right without overshadowing the plot.
The military background added strong tension and authenticity to the story. The author clearly knows how military operations or life work, which made the high-stakes moments feel grounded. The chemistry between the two MMC was fantastic. Because this was my first M/M romance, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the emotional connection felt natural and the intimate scenes ("spice") were well-written and satisfying. I really liked that it has a happy moment to breathe ("happy for now"), but the lingering suspense plot leaves the door wide open for a sequel. I am definitely ready to read the next book to see how the mission resolves!
Who Should Read This?
• Fans of military romance who want accurate field details.
• Readers looking for a well-paced romance with a good amount of spice.
• Anyone wanting to try M/M romance for the first time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The military scenes and scenarios felt very real and well-researched. The romance had plenty of heat, and the spice level felt just right without overshadowing the plot.
The military background added strong tension and authenticity to the story. The author clearly knows how military operations or life work, which made the high-stakes moments feel grounded. The chemistry between the two MMC was fantastic. Because this was my first M/M romance, I wasn't sure what to expect, but the emotional connection felt natural and the intimate scenes ("spice") were well-written and satisfying. I really liked that it has a happy moment to breathe ("happy for now"), but the lingering suspense plot leaves the door wide open for a sequel. I am definitely ready to read the next book to see how the mission resolves!
Who Should Read This?
• Fans of military romance who want accurate field details.
• Readers looking for a well-paced romance with a good amount of spice.
• Anyone wanting to try M/M romance for the first time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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