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One Bullet
When Ethan Brant was shot, he found himself dealing with severe PTSD and unable to do his job as a police officer any longer. With the aid of Detective Shawn Greyson, the man who saved his life, Ethan not only finds himself again but discovers love as well.
Shawn’s life growing up was less than ideal, however, he overcame that to become who he is today. That doesn’t mean he isn’t missing something in his life. What Shawn hadn’t realized, upon first meeting, was that Ethan could give him all that and more.
One bullet changed both their lives.
Content Warnings:
Graphic (explicit, detailed description): Gun Violence, Mental Illness (PTSD), Panic Attacks/Disorders
Moderate: Biphobia / Homophobia, Blood, Medical Content, Police Brutality
Minor (brief mention or description): Ableism, Animal Death (past), Child Abuse (past), Sexual Content (fade-to-black)
Shawn’s life growing up was less than ideal, however, he overcame that to become who he is today. That doesn’t mean he isn’t missing something in his life. What Shawn hadn’t realized, upon first meeting, was that Ethan could give him all that and more.
One bullet changed both their lives.
Content Warnings:
Graphic (explicit, detailed description): Gun Violence, Mental Illness (PTSD), Panic Attacks/Disorders
Moderate: Biphobia / Homophobia, Blood, Medical Content, Police Brutality
Minor (brief mention or description): Ableism, Animal Death (past), Child Abuse (past), Sexual Content (fade-to-black)
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2017
5 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Casey Wolfe
4 books46 followers"Everyone deserves a Happily Ever After."
Casey Wolfe is a self-described history nerd, film buff, avid gamer, and full-time geek. They prefer being lost in the world of fiction—wandering through fantasy realms, traveling the outer reaches of space, or delving into historical time periods. Casey is non-binary, ace, and disabled, writing about their many experiences in fictional form.
Universal Links: https://authorcaseywolfe.carrd.co/
Casey Wolfe is a self-described history nerd, film buff, avid gamer, and full-time geek. They prefer being lost in the world of fiction—wandering through fantasy realms, traveling the outer reaches of space, or delving into historical time periods. Casey is non-binary, ace, and disabled, writing about their many experiences in fictional form.
Universal Links: https://authorcaseywolfe.carrd.co/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
March 15, 2017
I liked the premise of this book but unfortunately the execution did not work for me. It is told in snippets and it jumps all over and all of the important stuff happens off page. (I'm not talking about sex scenes....I'm talking major "Hey we're going to be a couple scenes")
I didn't feel there was any chemistry between MC'S.
Too many irrelevant things happened. That time would been better spent building chemistry or elaborating on one or two things so that there was some emotional attachment between the characters and the reader.
Some things didn't make sense or I had to suspend reality to buy.
I was not engaged with this plot or the characters at all and it did not hold my interest. I would have dnf'd this book if it had not been for a review.
I didn't feel there was any chemistry between MC'S.
Too many irrelevant things happened. That time would been better spent building chemistry or elaborating on one or two things so that there was some emotional attachment between the characters and the reader.
Some things didn't make sense or I had to suspend reality to buy.
I was not engaged with this plot or the characters at all and it did not hold my interest. I would have dnf'd this book if it had not been for a review.
November 4, 2019
3.5 Stars
A very sweetly romantic, low heat story with a focus on the hurt/comfort between an ex-policeman who is suffering from gunshot-related PTSD, and the detective that helped save him.
I think this is the first book I've ever read where the MCs were LEOs and yet there was very little case-work let alone no actual case to solve...which, #Points! for being different, kinda left me floundering. I kept wondering when the drama would ramp up with a mystery, and it never did. But it was, as I mentioned, sweetly romantic to see these two go from complete strangers to great friends to lovers. (Off-page sexytimes.)
I probably could have done without the long, detailed parkour scene. At first it played well with Ethan's physical recover and those friends seemed a bit of a safe-haven when he struggled with the aftermath of the shooting...but then they (and his dedication to the sport) just faded away.
Loved Davies, Shawn's partner on the force, though! I wouldn't have minded even more scenes with him.
A very sweetly romantic, low heat story with a focus on the hurt/comfort between an ex-policeman who is suffering from gunshot-related PTSD, and the detective that helped save him.
I think this is the first book I've ever read where the MCs were LEOs and yet there was very little case-work let alone no actual case to solve...which, #Points! for being different, kinda left me floundering. I kept wondering when the drama would ramp up with a mystery, and it never did. But it was, as I mentioned, sweetly romantic to see these two go from complete strangers to great friends to lovers. (Off-page sexytimes.)
I probably could have done without the long, detailed parkour scene. At first it played well with Ethan's physical recover and those friends seemed a bit of a safe-haven when he struggled with the aftermath of the shooting...but then they (and his dedication to the sport) just faded away.
Loved Davies, Shawn's partner on the force, though! I wouldn't have minded even more scenes with him.
September 1, 2017
I liked this book quite a bit. I was worried going into it that it might get too heavy with the PTSD and I wasn't looking forward to slogging through tons of emotional scenes because they hit a little too close to home. I think the author did a great job balancing out the time spent on Ethan dealing with his illness and when he was living a seemingly 'normal' life. I really liked Shawn and again, I was afraid that I'd end up hating him because he'd be the one who had the magical key to 'curing' Ethan but in the end it was probably his acceptance of Ethan just as he was that won me over.
I'm only left wondering how old Matty, Ethan's brother, is because I don't think it ever said. At times he came off as an adult while other's he seemed like a young teenager. Just something that bugged me and I thought if I mentioned it, the author might tell me.
I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next and it's going on my tbr pile the minute it's released.
I'm only left wondering how old Matty, Ethan's brother, is because I don't think it ever said. At times he came off as an adult while other's he seemed like a young teenager. Just something that bugged me and I thought if I mentioned it, the author might tell me.
I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next and it's going on my tbr pile the minute it's released.
August 20, 2017
4/5 for One Bullet by Casey Wolfe.
This is my first book from this author, but I was immediately impressed. I adored Ethan and Shawn was absolutely perfect for him. Ethan had to deal with very severe PTSD after he was shot. He was an off-duty police officer, just walking about and he was caught in the line of fire between a fellow peace officer and a fugitive trying to get away. At first, I felt like Ethan's reaction to what had happened was completely over-the-top, but as I read more about Ethan and Wolfe got into the full explanation of exactly what happened, I started to understand him better.
Shawn was the perfect match for him that had always been by his side but never seemed like an option. They weren't life long friends or anything like that, but Shawn was there when Ethan got shot and refused to leave his side for reasons of his own. Even though Shawn was much older than Ethan, and Shawn was a detective, he didn't scare Ethan like other peace officers did. Shawn was the one that he could always lean on no matter what.
The romance between these two was a bit of a slow build, but it was 100% worth the wait. I loved this book and I'm looking forward to reading some more of Wolfe's work in the future. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get a sequel for Shawn and Ethan.
Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.
This is my first book from this author, but I was immediately impressed. I adored Ethan and Shawn was absolutely perfect for him. Ethan had to deal with very severe PTSD after he was shot. He was an off-duty police officer, just walking about and he was caught in the line of fire between a fellow peace officer and a fugitive trying to get away. At first, I felt like Ethan's reaction to what had happened was completely over-the-top, but as I read more about Ethan and Wolfe got into the full explanation of exactly what happened, I started to understand him better.
Shawn was the perfect match for him that had always been by his side but never seemed like an option. They weren't life long friends or anything like that, but Shawn was there when Ethan got shot and refused to leave his side for reasons of his own. Even though Shawn was much older than Ethan, and Shawn was a detective, he didn't scare Ethan like other peace officers did. Shawn was the one that he could always lean on no matter what.
The romance between these two was a bit of a slow build, but it was 100% worth the wait. I loved this book and I'm looking forward to reading some more of Wolfe's work in the future. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get a sequel for Shawn and Ethan.
Reviewed by Jordan at Alpha Book Club.
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are my own and not influenced by the author or the publisher in any way.
June 5, 2017
✩ ✩ ✩ ✩ FOUR-STAR ✩ REVIEW ✩ ✩ ✩ ✩
> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
No half-dressed men. Just a spent bullet, still smoking. Very dramatic cover with eye-catching colors and strong title font. The synopsis truly intrigued me.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person.
"Thought you were only supposed to get shot on duty."
An untimely accident causes Ethan to fight for his life.
Detective Shawn Greyson already suffered a patrol partner dying in his arms and he was not about to watch another man bleed to death, especially when the man pulls a badge out of his pocket... not again.
Oh, man... this one was jam-packed full of emotion. Ethan Brant was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of being shot off-duty and having a particular fear of uniformed officers, thus resigned from the force. Shawn stayed in contact with him through recovery in the hospital and even once he was released. There was no other explanation for it, but a bond had been formed and Shawn felt protective of Ethan. The men each helped balance the other out and were compatible in many ways, making their slow-building relationship a joy to read. The chemistry was there, but they were both quite hesitant to act upon it, fearful of the other person's reaction. Eventually, they gravitate too close together to avoid the pull any longer... and talk about heart-melting. These two were perfect for one another.
Secondary characters mostly consisted of family and Shawn's co-worker, Davies. Dialogue was smart, fun, witty, and entertaining. Interactions were believable. The plot was dynamic and engaging. The story flowed smoothly and the writing style was easy and pleasant to read. There were only a few very minor conflicts along the way and they were easily dealt with. Predictability was fairly low. For some reason, I was really expecting a puppy in the barn *pout* but no. The conclusion provided an implied HEA, but I'd hoped for something more solid.
Overall, it's was a very good read. I loved the characters and the plot. I only wish it had been given a stronger, more solidified ending.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.3 ~ Stars: 4
==========================
⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I won a copy of this book from IndiGo Marketing via the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
> > Judging a Book by it's Cover < <
No half-dressed men. Just a spent bullet, still smoking. Very dramatic cover with eye-catching colors and strong title font. The synopsis truly intrigued me.
> > Looking Deeper < <
POV ~> Third-person.
"Thought you were only supposed to get shot on duty."
An untimely accident causes Ethan to fight for his life.
Detective Shawn Greyson already suffered a patrol partner dying in his arms and he was not about to watch another man bleed to death, especially when the man pulls a badge out of his pocket... not again.
Oh, man... this one was jam-packed full of emotion. Ethan Brant was diagnosed with PTSD as a result of being shot off-duty and having a particular fear of uniformed officers, thus resigned from the force. Shawn stayed in contact with him through recovery in the hospital and even once he was released. There was no other explanation for it, but a bond had been formed and Shawn felt protective of Ethan. The men each helped balance the other out and were compatible in many ways, making their slow-building relationship a joy to read. The chemistry was there, but they were both quite hesitant to act upon it, fearful of the other person's reaction. Eventually, they gravitate too close together to avoid the pull any longer... and talk about heart-melting. These two were perfect for one another.
Secondary characters mostly consisted of family and Shawn's co-worker, Davies. Dialogue was smart, fun, witty, and entertaining. Interactions were believable. The plot was dynamic and engaging. The story flowed smoothly and the writing style was easy and pleasant to read. There were only a few very minor conflicts along the way and they were easily dealt with. Predictability was fairly low. For some reason, I was really expecting a puppy in the barn *pout* but no. The conclusion provided an implied HEA, but I'd hoped for something more solid.
Overall, it's was a very good read. I loved the characters and the plot. I only wish it had been given a stronger, more solidified ending.
.
Rating: [R] ~ Score: 4.3 ~ Stars: 4
==========================
⭐ ⭐ **** Disclosure of Material: I won a copy of this book from IndiGo Marketing via the Author/Publisher with the hope that I would voluntarily leave unbiased and unsolicited feedback. I was not asked, encouraged, or required to leave a review - nor was I compensated in any way. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising". ***** ⭐ ⭐
August 31, 2017
~ 3.5 Stars ~
Ethan Brant, off-duty policeman, is caught up in a bad situation—he’s shot by fellow officer. Resigning from the force and becoming somewhat of a recluse, he suffers from PTSD and panic attacks whenever confronted by police. Ethan is trying to have a normal day while walking to work, but when police confront him and become aggressive, even after Ethan identifies himself, he goes into full panic mode.
Detective Shawn Greyson shows up on the scene, and is more than angry that the orders laid out were not followed. He is well aware of who Ethan is—Shawn was there when Ethan was shot, and he helped save Ethan’s life. Shawn, feeling protective of Ethan, takes him home, where Shawn becomes a source of calm for Ethan. They start to spend a lot of time together, going places, discussing family, and Ethan invites Shawn to meet his parkour friends. It’s interesting to see a different side to Shawn, then, as he struggles with abrupt changes and the new social environment.
Shawn has also been reading various self-help books about PTSD, and with Ethan eventually agreeing to Shawn attending his therapy sessions, they learn about controlled exposure and music therapy. As Shawn gets more wrapped up in his cases, Ethan agrees to spending time at the station, testing the new therapy strategies. Ethan even finds that he likes Senior Detective Richard Davies, and they both give Shawn a hard time.
Just as things start to heat up between Shawn and Ethan, however, Ethan disappears. Shawn is sick with worry, but Davies has received a text from Ethan. Driven to the edge, Shawn heads to Ethan’s apartment and breaks in, and he’s shocked and hurt by what he finds. Is this the end of the beginning, or can Ethan come up with a good explanation for leaving?
Casey Wolfe created two really great characters with a nice chemistry in Shawn and Ethan. Ethan still has an innocence about him, and Shawn is the protector. Having their own separate issues, the storyline also addresses the need for both Ethan and Shawn to heal. There’s a good mix of characters who bring warmth and humor to the storyline, and the story itself is an easy read with a nice flow to it. It gives an insight as to how different Shawn’s and Ethan’s lives and families are. As I sometimes am intrigued by secondary characters, I’m hoping there’s a sequel with Davies and Sebastian.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
Ethan Brant, off-duty policeman, is caught up in a bad situation—he’s shot by fellow officer. Resigning from the force and becoming somewhat of a recluse, he suffers from PTSD and panic attacks whenever confronted by police. Ethan is trying to have a normal day while walking to work, but when police confront him and become aggressive, even after Ethan identifies himself, he goes into full panic mode.
Detective Shawn Greyson shows up on the scene, and is more than angry that the orders laid out were not followed. He is well aware of who Ethan is—Shawn was there when Ethan was shot, and he helped save Ethan’s life. Shawn, feeling protective of Ethan, takes him home, where Shawn becomes a source of calm for Ethan. They start to spend a lot of time together, going places, discussing family, and Ethan invites Shawn to meet his parkour friends. It’s interesting to see a different side to Shawn, then, as he struggles with abrupt changes and the new social environment.
Shawn has also been reading various self-help books about PTSD, and with Ethan eventually agreeing to Shawn attending his therapy sessions, they learn about controlled exposure and music therapy. As Shawn gets more wrapped up in his cases, Ethan agrees to spending time at the station, testing the new therapy strategies. Ethan even finds that he likes Senior Detective Richard Davies, and they both give Shawn a hard time.
Just as things start to heat up between Shawn and Ethan, however, Ethan disappears. Shawn is sick with worry, but Davies has received a text from Ethan. Driven to the edge, Shawn heads to Ethan’s apartment and breaks in, and he’s shocked and hurt by what he finds. Is this the end of the beginning, or can Ethan come up with a good explanation for leaving?
Casey Wolfe created two really great characters with a nice chemistry in Shawn and Ethan. Ethan still has an innocence about him, and Shawn is the protector. Having their own separate issues, the storyline also addresses the need for both Ethan and Shawn to heal. There’s a good mix of characters who bring warmth and humor to the storyline, and the story itself is an easy read with a nice flow to it. It gives an insight as to how different Shawn’s and Ethan’s lives and families are. As I sometimes am intrigued by secondary characters, I’m hoping there’s a sequel with Davies and Sebastian.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
May 26, 2017
I am such a sucker for a good hurt/comfort read.
Ethan was a police officer who got shot while off duty by some officer's chasing an armed robber.
It left him with severe PTSD that seemed to get triggered around officers. All but one that is.
Shawn was there the day of his accident and was the one who stopped and helped, Ethan.
He saved his life with his fast thinking and it started a nice friendship.
Shawn was there for him and helped him out when he struggled, to everyone else they could see
the chemistry and the way they looked at each other, but I didn't really notice it. Not until later and even then, everything went from friendship to relationship without any segue. It just like... Oh, I like him, we went out on a date and now we're boyfriends....Which is cool, I guess, but I dunno...threw me off.
I liked the friendships these guys have. Davies and Ethan's friend Seb. I kept having to rethink who people were because people would just pop up mid story line and I'd be like.... who is this, now?
Shawn has a sister named Sophia, and sometimes they called her Soph, which is a cute nickname... but, a lot of the times, they called her Fia, and it drove me crazy.... Am I the only one? Did it not make anyone else cringe? Fia?
OKay, I'm probably being irrational, but I"ve been known to do that a time or two....juss sayin.
Overall though, it was a cute little story that gave me a nice little happily ever after.
3 stars from me.
*I received this story from the publisher with the promise of an honest and unbiased review*
Ethan was a police officer who got shot while off duty by some officer's chasing an armed robber.
It left him with severe PTSD that seemed to get triggered around officers. All but one that is.
Shawn was there the day of his accident and was the one who stopped and helped, Ethan.
He saved his life with his fast thinking and it started a nice friendship.
Shawn was there for him and helped him out when he struggled, to everyone else they could see
the chemistry and the way they looked at each other, but I didn't really notice it. Not until later and even then, everything went from friendship to relationship without any segue. It just like... Oh, I like him, we went out on a date and now we're boyfriends....Which is cool, I guess, but I dunno...threw me off.
I liked the friendships these guys have. Davies and Ethan's friend Seb. I kept having to rethink who people were because people would just pop up mid story line and I'd be like.... who is this, now?
Shawn has a sister named Sophia, and sometimes they called her Soph, which is a cute nickname... but, a lot of the times, they called her Fia, and it drove me crazy.... Am I the only one? Did it not make anyone else cringe? Fia?
OKay, I'm probably being irrational, but I"ve been known to do that a time or two....juss sayin.
Overall though, it was a cute little story that gave me a nice little happily ever after.
3 stars from me.
*I received this story from the publisher with the promise of an honest and unbiased review*
August 2, 2017
Oh, there's just something so incredibly satisfying about reading a book with a hurt/comfort theme. Especially when there's a nice slow burn romance and two characters who are very likable. Casey Wolfe's One Bullet has both and has just enough drama to keep the reader engaged while not taking anything away from the romance. PTSD, parkour, and a cop with a heart of gold made One Bullet the perfect mix and a really enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
Ethan Brant is a former police officer, shot while off duty ... by fellow officers. He almost died, but thanks to some fast thinking action, he didn't. Because of the trauma of the incident, Ethan suffers greatly from PTSD. Shawn Greyson is a fellow officer and the man who saved Ethan's life. The bond that forms between them is tenuous at first, but grows the more time the two spend together. Ethan is funny and charming, almost vulnerable and Shawn is just this wonderfully steady presence whose calm demeanor is exactly what Ethan needs to heal. The chemistry between them is present, though I wish I would have felt a bit more from these two. The potential was certainly there, but fell just a bit short for me.
The romance between Ethan and Shawn develops slowly as they get to know one another and Ethan begins to feel more in control of his life. I liked how these two took their time, it made sense for their characters and for the story line. While the writing is good, I felt like the pace was a bit choppy and some of the information I needed to get me more invested in the story was missing. I loved Ethan's family and Shawn's partner, Davies, was extremely likable. Despite a few things I would have liked to seen done differently, all in all One Bullet was an enjoyable read. I'll be sure to check out more from this author and you should definitely give One Bullet a try!
*this review will also be posted on www.diversereader.blogspot.com
Ethan Brant is a former police officer, shot while off duty ... by fellow officers. He almost died, but thanks to some fast thinking action, he didn't. Because of the trauma of the incident, Ethan suffers greatly from PTSD. Shawn Greyson is a fellow officer and the man who saved Ethan's life. The bond that forms between them is tenuous at first, but grows the more time the two spend together. Ethan is funny and charming, almost vulnerable and Shawn is just this wonderfully steady presence whose calm demeanor is exactly what Ethan needs to heal. The chemistry between them is present, though I wish I would have felt a bit more from these two. The potential was certainly there, but fell just a bit short for me.
The romance between Ethan and Shawn develops slowly as they get to know one another and Ethan begins to feel more in control of his life. I liked how these two took their time, it made sense for their characters and for the story line. While the writing is good, I felt like the pace was a bit choppy and some of the information I needed to get me more invested in the story was missing. I loved Ethan's family and Shawn's partner, Davies, was extremely likable. Despite a few things I would have liked to seen done differently, all in all One Bullet was an enjoyable read. I'll be sure to check out more from this author and you should definitely give One Bullet a try!
*this review will also be posted on www.diversereader.blogspot.com
August 24, 2017
I highly enjoyed this fast paced romance. Ethan and Shawn quickly go from strangers, to acquaintances, friends, and then lovers. The dynamics between the two are hilarious and quirky, but also strained with Ethan's PTSD.
You can see my full review here: http://christinasbookshelf.net/2017/0...
You can see my full review here: http://christinasbookshelf.net/2017/0...
March 29, 2017
I loved the premise of this story. I was excited to dig in and was expecting something dark and gritty, but it turned out this was very low angst and kind of boring instead. There was a bit of drama thrown in here and there, but it was just kinda blah and a bit forgettable. I thought the author had the perfect vehicle in Ethan's PTSD to make this story angsty, but it wasn't used.
Shawn and Ethan were likable characters, but they were missing chemistry until the very end of the story. The writing was good, but the pacing was off. It was choppy and things that I felt should have taken place on page didn't. I wanted more of the getting to know you portion of the story.
All in all, this was a somewhat enjoyable story with a lot of potential. It just needed to be fleshed out some more. Recommendable!
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement.*
March 24, 2017
Can one bullet really change two lives? I was intrigued by the synopsis and wanted to see when the author would take it and overall I was impressed.
Ethan, a police officer was shot while off duty and rescued by police detective Shawn. Shawn saved his life, keeping pressure on the wound until help arrived, visiting the hospital while Ethan recovered. The two struck up an easy friendship even after Ethan had to leave his job on the force due to PTSD. Shawn has been helping Ethan work through his PTSD by going to his weekly therapy appointments with him and suggesting new treatment options he's read about. At some point the line between friendship and relationship was blurred and the two need to figure out if heading forward together is where they want to be.
I really enjoyed the slow buildup of their relationship. I love the way Shawn was so supportive of Ethan's recovery.
The one point of confusion I had was with the opening scene. Ethan is trying to avoid the police looking for him and at one point he's flat out running from them. To the point that the police use the taser on him. Shawn runs to rescue him and the storyline drops. If the police wanted to question him to the point of pursuit and taser use the storyline can't fall flat. There needs to be some sort of conclusion. If the author was using this idea to introduce Shawn as the hero it would totally work, but the conclusion needs a little beefing up.
That said, I really did enjoy the book. The story was well told, the slow build up was great and the character development was on point. It was entertaining and an enjoyable read. I can't wait to see where this author takes us next.
Ethan, a police officer was shot while off duty and rescued by police detective Shawn. Shawn saved his life, keeping pressure on the wound until help arrived, visiting the hospital while Ethan recovered. The two struck up an easy friendship even after Ethan had to leave his job on the force due to PTSD. Shawn has been helping Ethan work through his PTSD by going to his weekly therapy appointments with him and suggesting new treatment options he's read about. At some point the line between friendship and relationship was blurred and the two need to figure out if heading forward together is where they want to be.
I really enjoyed the slow buildup of their relationship. I love the way Shawn was so supportive of Ethan's recovery.
The one point of confusion I had was with the opening scene. Ethan is trying to avoid the police looking for him and at one point he's flat out running from them. To the point that the police use the taser on him. Shawn runs to rescue him and the storyline drops. If the police wanted to question him to the point of pursuit and taser use the storyline can't fall flat. There needs to be some sort of conclusion. If the author was using this idea to introduce Shawn as the hero it would totally work, but the conclusion needs a little beefing up.
That said, I really did enjoy the book. The story was well told, the slow build up was great and the character development was on point. It was entertaining and an enjoyable read. I can't wait to see where this author takes us next.
March 23, 2017
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
The blurb had me thinking this book was going to be really good. I found it to be really dull honestly. There were so many times I found myself skimming the pages, times where there wasn't a lot of dialogue and I was just waiting and hoping for something to happen. At times I could feel the connection between the characters and other times it was like two strangers were together. Usually when the book doesn't hold my attention I can always look forward to the great sex scenes, well this book didn't really have that either,it was implied, not described. I am sure others will enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me.
The blurb had me thinking this book was going to be really good. I found it to be really dull honestly. There were so many times I found myself skimming the pages, times where there wasn't a lot of dialogue and I was just waiting and hoping for something to happen. At times I could feel the connection between the characters and other times it was like two strangers were together. Usually when the book doesn't hold my attention I can always look forward to the great sex scenes, well this book didn't really have that either,it was implied, not described. I am sure others will enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me.
June 1, 2017
A good book - just enough drama to drive the narrative along and high on romance. Makes for a nice beach read.
June 6, 2017
One Bullet is a super sweet romance following the lives of two men after the impact of one bullet.
Ethan is struggling to find equilibrium after being shot and then diagnosed with PTSD while Shawn is a workaholic with a bit of a hero complex.
The story follows their lives as they find love together.
The characters are lovable and feel real, Casey has a way of making you care about them all and I hope they write a second book focusing on Davies as he was my favourite side character.
Ethan is struggling to find equilibrium after being shot and then diagnosed with PTSD while Shawn is a workaholic with a bit of a hero complex.
The story follows their lives as they find love together.
The characters are lovable and feel real, Casey has a way of making you care about them all and I hope they write a second book focusing on Davies as he was my favourite side character.
March 27, 2017
This is a 3.5 Stars for me.
One Bullet is the first book I've read by Casey Wolfe. It's a Romantic Drama (with a New Adult feel to it) dealing with issues of a shooting and the PTSD's that follow. I absolutely loved the slow build up of the relationship between the two main characters, Ethan and Shawn. It was refreshing to read a male/male romance without the explicit sex scenes in it. I look forward to reading more from Casey.
Check out my other reviews on my blog - www.bookreviewsjanisf.com
I received an ARC of this book directly from the publisher.
One Bullet is the first book I've read by Casey Wolfe. It's a Romantic Drama (with a New Adult feel to it) dealing with issues of a shooting and the PTSD's that follow. I absolutely loved the slow build up of the relationship between the two main characters, Ethan and Shawn. It was refreshing to read a male/male romance without the explicit sex scenes in it. I look forward to reading more from Casey.
Check out my other reviews on my blog - www.bookreviewsjanisf.com
I received an ARC of this book directly from the publisher.
December 4, 2017
2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: One Bullet Casey Wolfe
1) I really loved this story and cannot wait to read more by this author. From the beginning, you will find yourself drawn into the story. I really felt for Ethan and could understand why be behaves the way he does. This is one story I will be reading again.
1) I really loved this story and cannot wait to read more by this author. From the beginning, you will find yourself drawn into the story. I really felt for Ethan and could understand why be behaves the way he does. This is one story I will be reading again.
March 7, 2017
Review soon.
May 4, 2017
Ethan was a cop who was accidentally shot by a uniformed officer while off duty. He’s healed physically but now suffers from PTSD, particularly around uniformed officers or crowds. Shawn, the detective who saved his life, has stayed around and is helping Ethan get back on his feet, including saving him again after he is chased and tasered by yet more uniformed police. The whys of this kind of faded away, so I’m not sure why the cops were so adamant to talk to Ethan.
As the two move from strangers to friends to falling for each other, Shawn is there for Ethan, including going to therapy with him. This is a way bigger deal that it seems, considering Shawn’s history. This is probably why when later in the story and Ethan is a real jerk I actually thought, “Leave him, Shawn. Find someone else.” Because Ethan’s shut out was a real douche move and I was ticked.
I personally would have appreciated a little more emphasis on the PTSD, since I thought that was going to be a big part of the book. For the first half, it was and then it sort of fell to the wayside in favor of the details of the relationship. The second half of the story concerns mainly Ethan and Shawn meeting the respective parents, including some homophobes out by the ranch and their daily lives.
There are solid supporting characters, including Fia, Davies and Sebastian. Davies really warmed by heart, let’s put it out there. He’s a sarcastic, pain in the butt, awesomely loyal friend. I liked him a great deal.
Shawn is a good person, made even more impressive by the fact of his wealthy, snobbish, bigoted upbringing. I couldn’t help wondering why his sister, who clearly loves him, makes him go the family parties when he is just as clearly not welcome. I thought she should avoid it as well! I wish we had gotten some resolution of Shawn’s dealing with his family. Father promised, “We’ll talk later.” But things were just left there.
I liked Shawn and Ethan and the story is much more angst-free than I thought it would be. The PTSD is more of a backdrop to the story as it progresses instead of the focus. It’s an easy read.
As the two move from strangers to friends to falling for each other, Shawn is there for Ethan, including going to therapy with him. This is a way bigger deal that it seems, considering Shawn’s history. This is probably why when later in the story and Ethan is a real jerk I actually thought, “Leave him, Shawn. Find someone else.” Because Ethan’s shut out was a real douche move and I was ticked.
I personally would have appreciated a little more emphasis on the PTSD, since I thought that was going to be a big part of the book. For the first half, it was and then it sort of fell to the wayside in favor of the details of the relationship. The second half of the story concerns mainly Ethan and Shawn meeting the respective parents, including some homophobes out by the ranch and their daily lives.
There are solid supporting characters, including Fia, Davies and Sebastian. Davies really warmed by heart, let’s put it out there. He’s a sarcastic, pain in the butt, awesomely loyal friend. I liked him a great deal.
Shawn is a good person, made even more impressive by the fact of his wealthy, snobbish, bigoted upbringing. I couldn’t help wondering why his sister, who clearly loves him, makes him go the family parties when he is just as clearly not welcome. I thought she should avoid it as well! I wish we had gotten some resolution of Shawn’s dealing with his family. Father promised, “We’ll talk later.” But things were just left there.
I liked Shawn and Ethan and the story is much more angst-free than I thought it would be. The PTSD is more of a backdrop to the story as it progresses instead of the focus. It’s an easy read.
Read
September 3, 2018It's not fair of me to rate this. It's well written and a nice story but I expected suspense and angst. It's not that. It's a sweet, slow burn romance focused mainly on emotions, not action.
May 2, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
I liked One Bullet. The characters were good guys who were somewhat damaged, but they had hope. The care and attention Shawn paid to Ethan was very sweet. He was patient and supportive. He even came to Ethan’s appointments with his counselor. Ethan was vulnerable and, at times, the PTSD was crushing him, but he always knew Shawn would be there for him. I liked how their love story was somewhat of a slow burn. There was a whole lot of questioning “Could he really feel that way for me?” “His family is rich. Can he really love a guy like me?” The answer is always a resounding YES! Of course, they didn’t see that right away.
Ethan has a good support system. His family loves him, and his best friend Sebastian is always just a Skype call away. Shawn? Not so much. His sister, Sophia, loves him, but his parents are distant because they’re ashamed of him. When the holidays approach, the men decide to go to a fancy party held by Shawn’s parents and spend Christmas with Ethan’s. It’s all rather formulaic. The fancy party is a bust, with Shawn’s parents acting like stuck up jerks. Christmas at Ethan’s is wonderful.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
I liked One Bullet. The characters were good guys who were somewhat damaged, but they had hope. The care and attention Shawn paid to Ethan was very sweet. He was patient and supportive. He even came to Ethan’s appointments with his counselor. Ethan was vulnerable and, at times, the PTSD was crushing him, but he always knew Shawn would be there for him. I liked how their love story was somewhat of a slow burn. There was a whole lot of questioning “Could he really feel that way for me?” “His family is rich. Can he really love a guy like me?” The answer is always a resounding YES! Of course, they didn’t see that right away.
Ethan has a good support system. His family loves him, and his best friend Sebastian is always just a Skype call away. Shawn? Not so much. His sister, Sophia, loves him, but his parents are distant because they’re ashamed of him. When the holidays approach, the men decide to go to a fancy party held by Shawn’s parents and spend Christmas with Ethan’s. It’s all rather formulaic. The fancy party is a bust, with Shawn’s parents acting like stuck up jerks. Christmas at Ethan’s is wonderful.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
June 5, 2017
(actual rating: 3.5)
A short but feel good read.
I enjoyed Ethan and Shawn's story, but especially Ethan's PTSD and the way he works to overcome it were of great interest of me. This book manages to be a fluffy read without romanticizing PTSD or mental illnesses in general. Yay!
But its shortness does not work in its favour. A lot of important and interesting plot points are glossed over. I didn't get too invested in their relationship as well, because it develops rather quickly - and if you know me you know I need a realistic development to root for a pairing.
One Bullet is still a nice one time read, maybe even more because you'll read it real quick.
The portrayed therapy is a huge bonus point to me, because therapy sessions aren't that often portrayed in books. Plus maybe there are readers out there who learn something from it and they can try it themselves? The musical approach could be of benefit for quite a lot of people, not only those having PTSD.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
A short but feel good read.
I enjoyed Ethan and Shawn's story, but especially Ethan's PTSD and the way he works to overcome it were of great interest of me. This book manages to be a fluffy read without romanticizing PTSD or mental illnesses in general. Yay!
But its shortness does not work in its favour. A lot of important and interesting plot points are glossed over. I didn't get too invested in their relationship as well, because it develops rather quickly - and if you know me you know I need a realistic development to root for a pairing.
One Bullet is still a nice one time read, maybe even more because you'll read it real quick.
The portrayed therapy is a huge bonus point to me, because therapy sessions aren't that often portrayed in books. Plus maybe there are readers out there who learn something from it and they can try it themselves? The musical approach could be of benefit for quite a lot of people, not only those having PTSD.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
October 5, 2017
So this is contemp m/m romance, which I don't tend to read, not because I don't like the genre, but because I have so many fantasy/PNR/Etc to read that I don't get the chance very often.
This is the story of a police officer, and a former police officer and how they, and people in general cope with dangerous and life-threatening situations. It is not just a good read, but it is something that I think a lot of people should read, because it may help you some day. We have so many people living with what can only be described as PTSD in this story, and sometimes you just need that person next to you to help you.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, it wasn't wordy, but it did get to the heart of the characters and what they were going through. I also like the addition of the snarky, yet loving relatives.
This is the story of a police officer, and a former police officer and how they, and people in general cope with dangerous and life-threatening situations. It is not just a good read, but it is something that I think a lot of people should read, because it may help you some day. We have so many people living with what can only be described as PTSD in this story, and sometimes you just need that person next to you to help you.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, it wasn't wordy, but it did get to the heart of the characters and what they were going through. I also like the addition of the snarky, yet loving relatives.
Read
March 22, 2017Review to follow at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words.
ARC provided by NineStar Press in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by NineStar Press in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2017
Blurb sums up this story fairly succinctly and accurately. Shawn, on-site when Ethan was accidentally shot, takes a personal interest in Ethan’s recovery, spending time at the hospital, therapy sessions and post-trauma follow-up. Ethan, still struggling to put the flashbacks behind him, is trying to move on after leaving the police force due to PTSD.
When an encounter with the police while walking to work (why his behavior would be deemed suspicious enough to warrant stopping Ethan was a bit perplexing) triggers a flashback, Shawn was first to respond and calm Ethan down. From here, the two men begin to realize there’s more between them than they first thought.
This was a pleasant story that just kinda rolls along. There isn’t a Big Misunderstanding moment, any angst in the characters is common place when two people move from friends to dating, the one hospital scene was a tich overblown - but I think that was the point - and everything ends happily.
Overall, it was just sort of…vanilla. The two, three moments of borderline excitement were: Ethan not returning Shawn’s phone calls for two days, which I thought came across as juvenile and dumb; Shawn’s co-worker Davies’ calling Ethan to the Hospital but not adding the important bit of why Shawn was in the hospital - minor altercation that resulted in stitches – so Ethan is left thinking the worst. Which made for an unnecessary overly dramatic scene, in my humble opinion, and. And finally, when Davies, Shawn and Ethan are at the local “detective” bar and a slew of uniforms come in triggering a panic attack, suddenly Davies is all solicitous along with Shawn. Rather than just leaving, they all stay and huddle protectively around Ethan. A bit too damsel in distress for my tastes.
For me, the most interesting bits were the diversity in the guys families. Shawn comes from money, and his parents are more interested in social appearances than family relations. Ethan came from a small ranch in Montana, where family is everything. I found this difference in acceptance a bit more interesting than the romance itself, as it brought Ethan’s and Shawn’s siblings into the story.
To sum up, this was a sweet and mellow read that would be perfect for those times when you just need something at the end of the day that doesn’t have an emotional investment.
Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
When an encounter with the police while walking to work (why his behavior would be deemed suspicious enough to warrant stopping Ethan was a bit perplexing) triggers a flashback, Shawn was first to respond and calm Ethan down. From here, the two men begin to realize there’s more between them than they first thought.
This was a pleasant story that just kinda rolls along. There isn’t a Big Misunderstanding moment, any angst in the characters is common place when two people move from friends to dating, the one hospital scene was a tich overblown - but I think that was the point - and everything ends happily.
Overall, it was just sort of…vanilla. The two, three moments of borderline excitement were: Ethan not returning Shawn’s phone calls for two days, which I thought came across as juvenile and dumb; Shawn’s co-worker Davies’ calling Ethan to the Hospital but not adding the important bit of why Shawn was in the hospital - minor altercation that resulted in stitches – so Ethan is left thinking the worst. Which made for an unnecessary overly dramatic scene, in my humble opinion, and. And finally, when Davies, Shawn and Ethan are at the local “detective” bar and a slew of uniforms come in triggering a panic attack, suddenly Davies is all solicitous along with Shawn. Rather than just leaving, they all stay and huddle protectively around Ethan. A bit too damsel in distress for my tastes.
For me, the most interesting bits were the diversity in the guys families. Shawn comes from money, and his parents are more interested in social appearances than family relations. Ethan came from a small ranch in Montana, where family is everything. I found this difference in acceptance a bit more interesting than the romance itself, as it brought Ethan’s and Shawn’s siblings into the story.
To sum up, this was a sweet and mellow read that would be perfect for those times when you just need something at the end of the day that doesn’t have an emotional investment.
Review is cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews
A copy of the book was provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2017
What to say about this book...
I have a bit of a hard time reviewing this as my one major issue with this book was the, frankly horrible, editing. It just didn’t make any sense. I mean why section something off when it’s all part of the same scene? There were just too many paragraphs that weren’t really paragraphs. Normally you have these dividers when there’s a significant change of sorts; in setting / timeline / POV or something else. But not in this book, here they were just everywhere without any sense to them, and more than half of them could easily be removed to get a better flow of the book.
The editing and the many, many unnecessary paragraphs throws the reader out of the story quite a lot, it’s just too messy and at times very confusing, as you can’t keep track when there is a major plot change or when the scene just continues. It’s not the greatest read to be honest. But who knows, this might be updated in time of release of the book.
Enough about that, let’s look at the content for a bit. I can honestly say that the beginning of the book hooked me in good. What a ride! But then I started thinking (bad form, I know) and now it doesn’t make any sense at all. And there were a few more things in the plot that sadly didn't really ring true for me.
I would’ve loved to be able to connect with the characters and the plot, bit I felt like I didn’t get the time to. The book was built too much of short snippets to really be able to connect and get into the story. I would’ve loved to have it all more fleshed out, both the characters and the plot. The foundation is there, but it needs more work.
I was provided with a free ARC of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I have a bit of a hard time reviewing this as my one major issue with this book was the, frankly horrible, editing. It just didn’t make any sense. I mean why section something off when it’s all part of the same scene? There were just too many paragraphs that weren’t really paragraphs. Normally you have these dividers when there’s a significant change of sorts; in setting / timeline / POV or something else. But not in this book, here they were just everywhere without any sense to them, and more than half of them could easily be removed to get a better flow of the book.
The editing and the many, many unnecessary paragraphs throws the reader out of the story quite a lot, it’s just too messy and at times very confusing, as you can’t keep track when there is a major plot change or when the scene just continues. It’s not the greatest read to be honest. But who knows, this might be updated in time of release of the book.
Enough about that, let’s look at the content for a bit. I can honestly say that the beginning of the book hooked me in good. What a ride! But then I started thinking (bad form, I know) and now it doesn’t make any sense at all. And there were a few more things in the plot that sadly didn't really ring true for me.
I would’ve loved to be able to connect with the characters and the plot, bit I felt like I didn’t get the time to. The book was built too much of short snippets to really be able to connect and get into the story. I would’ve loved to have it all more fleshed out, both the characters and the plot. The foundation is there, but it needs more work.
I was provided with a free ARC of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2017
3.5 stars. Nice efficient writing style with to-the-point sentences, short descriptions, good use of words. Sweet empathetic characters you really feel for; you want a happy ending them. Virtually no plot beyond the internal angst and emotional hangups; sex scenes glossed over; felt more like friends hanging out than passionate lovers. A sweet romance but without much of anything happening.
December 19, 2023
Very enjoyable slow burn relationship building with some really good minor characters. I liked the MCs a lot, they were really supportive of each other and fit well together. Somehow I had expected more angst but it was more emotional, good but not what I anticipated. The content warnings are really well written.
June 18, 2018
The book definitely gets good, but it takes a little longer to get there than I would have liked. The only other slight distraction was that the age difference seemed exaggerated. But if Casey was inclined to turn this into a detective series, I would read it.
April 6, 2021
One character is law enforcement, on is ex law enforcement, but there isn't really a case or a mystery.
This one is relationship driven. Which is good, but I missed the mystery.
Interesting to see their different family backgrounds, and how they interacted with them.
I love the back ground.
This one is relationship driven. Which is good, but I missed the mystery.
Interesting to see their different family backgrounds, and how they interacted with them.
I love the back ground.
March 31, 2017
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by NineStar Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*
One Bullet was about a detective and a former police officer whose relationship had a startling beginning. Ethan was an off duty police officer shot while walking down the street. While he lay on the ground bleeding, Detective Shawn Greyson tried to stop the bleeding and saved his life. Ethan is no longer a police officer due to his PTSD and struggles to not become a hermit. Shawn befriends him, and most of the story is about the development of their friendship. Shawn helps Ethan with his PTSD and attends counseling sessions with him. Shawn has helpful suggestions based on research he has done, and he takes Ethan to work with him to help his PTSD reactions to being around police officers.
This whole story seemed to jump around and there was no feeling of completeness to the storylines. The start of this book immediately captured my attention, but once Ethan is dealt with, there's nothing further about this crazy, over the top reaction from police officers. I understand that it was setting the scene for Ethan's PTSD and Shawn's ride to the rescue, but it just felt like there should have been more. The author did a great job of developing the friendship between Ethan and Shawn, but the relationship storyline just didn't exist. One minute they're friends and the next they're in a serious relationship. There was no in between there. A lot of storyline was left off page with just hints that it existed.
Shawn and Ethan were such great characters that were easy to like, I really missed on getting more of both of these men. This story just has so much potential, that it was disappointing to not have it been realized.
Rating: 3.5 stars
One Bullet was about a detective and a former police officer whose relationship had a startling beginning. Ethan was an off duty police officer shot while walking down the street. While he lay on the ground bleeding, Detective Shawn Greyson tried to stop the bleeding and saved his life. Ethan is no longer a police officer due to his PTSD and struggles to not become a hermit. Shawn befriends him, and most of the story is about the development of their friendship. Shawn helps Ethan with his PTSD and attends counseling sessions with him. Shawn has helpful suggestions based on research he has done, and he takes Ethan to work with him to help his PTSD reactions to being around police officers.
This whole story seemed to jump around and there was no feeling of completeness to the storylines. The start of this book immediately captured my attention, but once Ethan is dealt with, there's nothing further about this crazy, over the top reaction from police officers. I understand that it was setting the scene for Ethan's PTSD and Shawn's ride to the rescue, but it just felt like there should have been more. The author did a great job of developing the friendship between Ethan and Shawn, but the relationship storyline just didn't exist. One minute they're friends and the next they're in a serious relationship. There was no in between there. A lot of storyline was left off page with just hints that it existed.
Shawn and Ethan were such great characters that were easy to like, I really missed on getting more of both of these men. This story just has so much potential, that it was disappointing to not have it been realized.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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