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First to Fight #1
Anchor
I'll do anything to save her.
A woman I’ve never met, whose name I don’t even know, gambled her own life to protect my child. In return, she was taken by a mad man.
I’ll put my career, my security, and my life on the line to get her back, even if it means facing the truth about my own mistakes.
The only thing she can't trust me with... is her heart.
This is a FULL LENGTH, STANDALONE with a HEA and NO CLIFFHANGER.
A woman I’ve never met, whose name I don’t even know, gambled her own life to protect my child. In return, she was taken by a mad man.
I’ll put my career, my security, and my life on the line to get her back, even if it means facing the truth about my own mistakes.
The only thing she can't trust me with... is her heart.
This is a FULL LENGTH, STANDALONE with a HEA and NO CLIFFHANGER.
182 pages, ebook
First published August 1, 2015
2364 people are currently reading
3424 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Blanchard
63 books2,016 followersNicole Blanchard is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the TikTok-viral dark romance Toxic, a wildly addictive bestseller that has sold over 90,000 copies worldwide. Known for her morally gray antiheroes, off-the-charts heat, and jaw-dropping twists, Nicole’s stories drag readers deep into love’s darkest corners—where no one escapes unscarred.
When she’s not crafting twisted love stories that break your heart and then heal it, you can find her soaking up beach sun with a glass of sweet tea, getting inked, or running a farm full of lovable misfit animals.
You may learn more about Nicole and her work at www.authornicoleblanchard.com. Join her mailing list for updates at http://www.authornicoleblanchard.com/...
When she’s not crafting twisted love stories that break your heart and then heal it, you can find her soaking up beach sun with a glass of sweet tea, getting inked, or running a farm full of lovable misfit animals.
You may learn more about Nicole and her work at www.authornicoleblanchard.com. Join her mailing list for updates at http://www.authornicoleblanchard.com/...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 462 reviews
September 18, 2016
Anchor (First to Fight 0.5)
by Nicole Blanchard
Anchor is a fun little intro novella to the First to Fight series. (I will be releasing as a full length novel on September 20, 2016
I would like clear something up before you start this book, this is not Fighting book as you might think.. Its fighting in different sense … The cover image & the series title are miss leading
Also the author has previously wrote different version of this book on August 1, 2015
Chloe work mostly as receptionist at travel agency, but when Chloe best friend & boss ask her to do a work flavor - by taking pictures of potential new client.
Chloe is scheduled take Ferry to Rockaway, until she finds herself held hostage by lunatic after she just help save mother & daughter
Gabriel Rossi (Gabe) is Ex-Marine that now volunteers as Coast Guard, so he can still feel like he is serving his country & community. Gabe also took over his father’s tourist boating business – to be closer to his love of his life (Emily) his 5 year old daughter
This book will suck you in right away.. It has fast past & tons of twist & turns along the way..
**ARC generously provided by BookFunnel in exchange for an honest review.**
by Nicole Blanchard
Anchor is a fun little intro novella to the First to Fight series. (I will be releasing as a full length novel on September 20, 2016
I would like clear something up before you start this book, this is not Fighting book as you might think.. Its fighting in different sense … The cover image & the series title are miss leading
Also the author has previously wrote different version of this book on August 1, 2015
Chloe work mostly as receptionist at travel agency, but when Chloe best friend & boss ask her to do a work flavor - by taking pictures of potential new client.
Chloe is scheduled take Ferry to Rockaway, until she finds herself held hostage by lunatic after she just help save mother & daughter
Gabriel Rossi (Gabe) is Ex-Marine that now volunteers as Coast Guard, so he can still feel like he is serving his country & community. Gabe also took over his father’s tourist boating business – to be closer to his love of his life (Emily) his 5 year old daughter
This book will suck you in right away.. It has fast past & tons of twist & turns along the way..
**ARC generously provided by BookFunnel in exchange for an honest review.**
January 12, 2023
Hero worship!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🤎🖤💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 😠😘🤓😉
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The Heroes: Gabriel - he is a divorced father of a little girl named Emily and a former marine commander who now volunteers for the Coast Guard and works for his own tourist boating business on Rockaway Island where he grew up. He has a contentious relationship with his ex wife. He is a player with women but is getting a bit bored with the women he has been seeing.
The heroine: Chloe - she is helping out a friend by looking over a potential investment opportunity for a client on Rockaway Island. Chloe owed her friend who gave her a place to live and a job as a receptionist at her firm after college when her ex fiancée dumped her. So she finds herself on the ferry to Rockaway Island.
The Story: Chloe was running late to the ferry, when he ex shows up and tells her he is getting married. She is pleased to find that his news doesn’t bother her. She sees a young girl and her mother in front of her and a man with a gun bumps walks in front of the line of people. When the man takes the young girl and pushes the mother into the ocean, Chloe steps in and yells for someone to help the mother, while she does what she can to help the child.
When Gabriel gets to the dock, he is surrounded by news vans and helicopters and knows that something is wrong. He finds that the gunman has taken control of the ferry, with a bunch of hostages including a woman who put herself at risk in order to save his daughter.
The book is told in dual points of view via dual narration. It was narrated by Stephen Dexter and Susan Fouche. Stephen is terrific, as always. He has a fantastic voice and speaks in a great tempo. He is age appropriate for Gabriel. Susan Fouche is not one of my favorites, she has a soft, ultra feminine voice and sounds like a bit of an airhead.
The story is really good and pretty detailed for and audiobook of less than 5 hours. There is a lot of action and the story aboard the ferry constitutes the majority of the book, though there is time for romance and some steamy situations.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙🤎🖤💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌍
Character development: 😠😘🤓😉
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The Heroes: Gabriel - he is a divorced father of a little girl named Emily and a former marine commander who now volunteers for the Coast Guard and works for his own tourist boating business on Rockaway Island where he grew up. He has a contentious relationship with his ex wife. He is a player with women but is getting a bit bored with the women he has been seeing.
The heroine: Chloe - she is helping out a friend by looking over a potential investment opportunity for a client on Rockaway Island. Chloe owed her friend who gave her a place to live and a job as a receptionist at her firm after college when her ex fiancée dumped her. So she finds herself on the ferry to Rockaway Island.
The Story: Chloe was running late to the ferry, when he ex shows up and tells her he is getting married. She is pleased to find that his news doesn’t bother her. She sees a young girl and her mother in front of her and a man with a gun bumps walks in front of the line of people. When the man takes the young girl and pushes the mother into the ocean, Chloe steps in and yells for someone to help the mother, while she does what she can to help the child.
When Gabriel gets to the dock, he is surrounded by news vans and helicopters and knows that something is wrong. He finds that the gunman has taken control of the ferry, with a bunch of hostages including a woman who put herself at risk in order to save his daughter.
The book is told in dual points of view via dual narration. It was narrated by Stephen Dexter and Susan Fouche. Stephen is terrific, as always. He has a fantastic voice and speaks in a great tempo. He is age appropriate for Gabriel. Susan Fouche is not one of my favorites, she has a soft, ultra feminine voice and sounds like a bit of an airhead.
The story is really good and pretty detailed for and audiobook of less than 5 hours. There is a lot of action and the story aboard the ferry constitutes the majority of the book, though there is time for romance and some steamy situations.
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February 20, 2019
Chloe's hopping the ferry to take some shots of a resort for work. Gabriel's daughter is taking the ferry to see her dad. While boarding, a gun-toting stranger starts waving it around, making demands, and Chloe risks her own safety to protect the child and get her off the boat. Mission accomplished, she, along with the other passengers, are left vulnerable to the gun man's whims. Luckily Gabriel is determined to help the woman who saved his daughter's life.
Anchor was unlike any other book I've read before! I don't know what about it set it apart from the rest, but I know I really liked it! It was high intensity suspense with a sexy edge that practically grabbed my attention from the start and didn't let go until the very last page. I was on the edge of my seat and just when I thought things had settled down... BOOM, something else happened. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
Anchor was unlike any other book I've read before! I don't know what about it set it apart from the rest, but I know I really liked it! It was high intensity suspense with a sexy edge that practically grabbed my attention from the start and didn't let go until the very last page. I was on the edge of my seat and just when I thought things had settled down... BOOM, something else happened. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from this author.
May 21, 2017
Couldn't finish even the first chapter. The hero was a jerk to his ex, didn't remember the name of the woman in his bed, and that's pushing my sexist jerk limit. Then when he said his daughter is the only woman he can stand, I quit. There's nothing heroic about a guy who has decided all women are unworthy of his time.
September 17, 2016
Action packed but lacking in a bit of character development.
September 17, 2016
This was certainly one of those heart gripping, uncoventional meeting types of romances. After deadly hijacking and kidnapping takes place, Gabe and Chloe are thrown into a thrilling whirlwind of a race against time to disarm their assailant before they and the other passengers on board on the ferry are murdered off one by one.
I haven't come across this type of main situation in reads, so it was definitely a sh*% hit the fan, everything at stakes read for sure.
Author Nicole Blanchard continues to spill out her hits as the first book in the First to Fight series fails to not disappoint me!
I haven't come across this type of main situation in reads, so it was definitely a sh*% hit the fan, everything at stakes read for sure.
Author Nicole Blanchard continues to spill out her hits as the first book in the First to Fight series fails to not disappoint me!
September 28, 2025
Anchor by Nicole Blanchard
First to Fight series #1. Romantic suspense. 1st person, present tense, alternating POV.
When a gunman takes hostages on a ferry at its loading, Chloe McKinney intercedes to save a little girl. Unfortunately it leaves her in the hands of the psychopath and he insists she drives the boat for whatever he plans. Chloe is given instructions to radio the authorities and ask for Gabriel Rossi. She’s to tell them the gunman plans to kill hostages the longer it takes Gabe to arrive. Little does he know, Gabe has already snuck onto the boat, trying to save everyone, including the beauty who saved his daughter's life. Now he needs to figure out how to save everyone from the desperate and vengeful gunman.
Fast moving suspense and action. Chloe and Gabe are selfless in their acts but the gunman is intent on destruction. Twists along the way keep the tension on the edge.
I’m not a fan of present tense. Other than that, I enjoyed the speed (and yes, it reminded me just a bit of that movie) and romance.
First to Fight series #1. Romantic suspense. 1st person, present tense, alternating POV.
When a gunman takes hostages on a ferry at its loading, Chloe McKinney intercedes to save a little girl. Unfortunately it leaves her in the hands of the psychopath and he insists she drives the boat for whatever he plans. Chloe is given instructions to radio the authorities and ask for Gabriel Rossi. She’s to tell them the gunman plans to kill hostages the longer it takes Gabe to arrive. Little does he know, Gabe has already snuck onto the boat, trying to save everyone, including the beauty who saved his daughter's life. Now he needs to figure out how to save everyone from the desperate and vengeful gunman.
Fast moving suspense and action. Chloe and Gabe are selfless in their acts but the gunman is intent on destruction. Twists along the way keep the tension on the edge.
I’m not a fan of present tense. Other than that, I enjoyed the speed (and yes, it reminded me just a bit of that movie) and romance.
March 15, 2025
If you love Die Hard and Speed, you will LOVE this suspenseful romance! The action kept me in the edge of my seat the entire time. Definitely ready to read the next in this series if it is anything like this one!
May 19, 2023
His enticement to care for the safety and health of his ex-wife, a woman he once loved and the mother of his child, while she's in the hospital is to remind himself that he's been inside her.
The way women are viewed and regarded in this book is repulsive and shameful.
Real or fictional, you don't summon respect for someone by considering where she let you stick your miserable dick.
The ex-wife is treated with so much disrespect at every turn. His constant dismissive attitude toward her, belittling her feelings, ignoring her calls when it's about their daughter, consistently being late to their meetings, only finding value in her as a sexual object or what she can provide for him.
And even the daughter. He mentions how he just tunes her out, uses her to get women to come home with him, and cares more about the status she brings him than anything.
I read fiction to escape reality, the absolute least I expect is for fictional men to be better than real-life men.
I'm not just disgusted, I'm disheartened. Do fucking better Nicole Blanchard.
The way women are viewed and regarded in this book is repulsive and shameful.
Real or fictional, you don't summon respect for someone by considering where she let you stick your miserable dick.
The ex-wife is treated with so much disrespect at every turn. His constant dismissive attitude toward her, belittling her feelings, ignoring her calls when it's about their daughter, consistently being late to their meetings, only finding value in her as a sexual object or what she can provide for him.
And even the daughter. He mentions how he just tunes her out, uses her to get women to come home with him, and cares more about the status she brings him than anything.
I read fiction to escape reality, the absolute least I expect is for fictional men to be better than real-life men.
I'm not just disgusted, I'm disheartened. Do fucking better Nicole Blanchard.
June 7, 2017
Chloe McKinney is asked by her boss and friend to take a job on Rockaway Island. But instead of a nice ferry ride to the island, a lunatic holds her and the other passengers hostage. But she does manage to save a mother and daughter from boarding the ferry. However, her actions bring the bad guy's attention on her. Gabriel Rossi is late to pick up his daughter from his ex-wife and when he arrives he finds police vehicles surrounding the place. Soon he discovers that his ex-wife and daughter are at the hospital.
I hesitate to say more because I don't want to give away any spoilers. But the story is told from both Chloe's and Gabe's first person point of view. Not my favorite style of writing but it wasn't hard to follow. A good portion of the story is, of course, the hostage situation and rescue. Makes it hard to build a relationship but the author did a good job of doing it anyway. Looks to be a pretty good start to the series.
I hesitate to say more because I don't want to give away any spoilers. But the story is told from both Chloe's and Gabe's first person point of view. Not my favorite style of writing but it wasn't hard to follow. A good portion of the story is, of course, the hostage situation and rescue. Makes it hard to build a relationship but the author did a good job of doing it anyway. Looks to be a pretty good start to the series.
October 25, 2021
2.5 stars
A quick, free read. I wish the book was longer so the characters could be more developed. But the action kept me interested, so I'm rounding up. I'd be willing to give this author another try.
A quick, free read. I wish the book was longer so the characters could be more developed. But the action kept me interested, so I'm rounding up. I'd be willing to give this author another try.
November 14, 2016
Well written but just reminded me too much of the movie Speed, with a different setting and an added twist or two.
Want to read
December 1, 2025FREE on Amazon today (10/28/2017)!
May 25, 2023
DNF
All the characters were unlikeable. Couldn’t stand Gabe from page 1 where he was reminiscing about his prowess with women and how they always “knew the score” as he sent his latest conquest home (whose voice was hoarse from screaming bc Gabe is just that good in bed) without even walking her out. Chapter one basically let’s us all know that Gabe is Gods’ conceited, misogynistic gift to all women with low self esteem. Bleh. I love reading books with alpha male leads and I can give you over a dozen authors that do this really well. There is a big difference between arrogance and confidence. Gabe is arrogant. Chloe was unpredictable but not in a good way. Her personality and overreactions were so all over the place. Her biggest flaw was that she was super boring. Did I mention how absolutely awful Gabe was? I just can’t get over it.
Also, the whole hostage plot was a joke. What kind of captors allow their hostages free reign on the radio to talk with the police? They just hand them the mic and wander off. I was shaking my head through so much of the 7 chapters I read that I had to stop before I hurt my neck. First and last time reading this author.
All the characters were unlikeable. Couldn’t stand Gabe from page 1 where he was reminiscing about his prowess with women and how they always “knew the score” as he sent his latest conquest home (whose voice was hoarse from screaming bc Gabe is just that good in bed) without even walking her out. Chapter one basically let’s us all know that Gabe is Gods’ conceited, misogynistic gift to all women with low self esteem. Bleh. I love reading books with alpha male leads and I can give you over a dozen authors that do this really well. There is a big difference between arrogance and confidence. Gabe is arrogant. Chloe was unpredictable but not in a good way. Her personality and overreactions were so all over the place. Her biggest flaw was that she was super boring. Did I mention how absolutely awful Gabe was? I just can’t get over it.
Also, the whole hostage plot was a joke. What kind of captors allow their hostages free reign on the radio to talk with the police? They just hand them the mic and wander off. I was shaking my head through so much of the 7 chapters I read that I had to stop before I hurt my neck. First and last time reading this author.
May 17, 2015
Received an ARC for an honest review! This is the first book I have read by Nicole Blanchard. Let me say she will be a one click author for me from now on. Anchor will be part of the Summer Fire Anthology. Chloe needs to get some work done as she is on assignment and she will not take another "no" for an answer. Gabe, ex navy, is the man for the job. These two have chemistry that neither one wants to admit. What happens when the storm that is brewing outside comes in faster than expected? Take shelter, protect the best you can and #anchor yourself for a ride. While you are anchored take a look at the storm that is brewing inside and see what happens. I enjoyed this novella and I am looking forward to more. Nicole Blanchard was able to bring these characters to life. You are able to visualize and hear the conversations. Chloe is strong and Gabe is sexy. I can see that Gabe will be a new book boyfriend for a lot of people. Get ready and be sure to #anchor yourself for this novella.
October 3, 2020
This is a pulse-pounding romantic suspense! I absolutely loved the hook of this novel, and Nicole Blanchard definitely delivers! Despite the intense, fast-paced action, there is opportunity for Gabriel and Chloe to gradually fall in love while fighting for their lives. That said, the last 15 % of the book is after the climactic events on the ferry, and the focus of the novel shifts from the “suspense” element to “romance”. I would have liked to have seen this integrated into the suspenseful plotline a little better, but I didn’t mind! I was glad that the book didn’t end when the danger was gone, and we had a chance to see if their feelings for each other would last in the real world.
There are a couple of great twists in the storyline, along with a surprise at the end that I didn’t see coming. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
There are a couple of great twists in the storyline, along with a surprise at the end that I didn’t see coming. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
March 29, 2017
Reluctant heroes/heroines are among my favorites. Chloe doesn't disappoint. Talked into giving up her weekend to research a resort property for her boss, Chloe throws herself between a little girl and a maniac. Former seal , member of a coastal rescue team, and hot alpha male, Gabe rushes to rescue Chloe. The action and adventure is excellent. The insta-love and insta-lust while attempting to survive in harrowing circumstances didn't work for me. Making out would not have been my reaction. That part aside, the overall story is good, the characters interesting, and steamy moments steamy (if a tad drawn out).
September 29, 2016
Sometimes free books are free for a reason. I gave this book two stars because the writing wasn't bad, I just thought the overall story was kind of silly. I don't see myself reading anything else from this author.
November 26, 2016
Not a fan of the first person narrative used in this story. It needs more character development and less inner monologue.
December 21, 2024
It wasn’t horrible. I liked how it began and the action part of it where they were trying to take out the bad guy. Some of it was confusing and the bad guy just kind of gave up and killed himself and they got rescued. It was kind of weird how it just fizzled out after all he did and the fact that he killed 2 passengers for no reason. But I was able to suspend reality and just go with it.
Once the danger was over, their relationship moved super fast into sexual territory and then…it just ended. It was so jarring!
The book takes place over a few days. One day on the boat then a few days in the hospital which is mostly glossed over. Then she goes to his house, they have sex, take down another bad guy who comes after them, kiss some more and then…it’s over. Like, what?? That’s all we get of their “relationship?”
The whole reason they met in the first place is because she saved his daughter from being on the ferry which most likely would have ended with her being killed. The daughter and the daughter’s mother are so grateful to the h and want the H to go and save her now that she’s a hostage on the boat, so he does. But we never get to see the h meet the daughter or the mother. We never see if there is any kind of bond made. We don’t get to see anything! If this had been advertised as an action type book, ok I can deal with it. But it’s supposed to be a romance and we don’t get any kind of closure.
I wouldn’t even call this a HFN because hell, maybe they didn’t even last for a week after this. There are no I love you’s, no relationship development, nothing. You can sign up to get an epilogue and normally I don’t mind signing up for bonus content, but I didn’t even bother with this one. I shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get the end of the damn book.
There were some continuity errors that annoyed me. The captain of the ferry had white hair and reminded her of Santa clause, then a few chapters later he had sweat dripping from his bald head. She used her cardigan to stop the H’s bleeding and since it was soaked in blood, she threw it under the boat’s helm. Then a few chapters later she’s putting a gun in the pocket of her cardigan. I really don’t understand how a book can go through edits, beta readers, arc readers, etc and still come out with these dumb errors.
Overall it had a lot of potential but ended up being a disappointment. I’d say it’s probably more of a 2.5 star read but I’ll round up because I’ve read way worse and I sure couldn’t do better. At the beginning of the book I thought I’d be continuing with the series but now I’m not going to because I don’t see the point. If I wanted to read action books, that’s what I’d read. I don’t want to invest all that time into reading something that only has a blip of unfinished romance.
Safety: The H is with a ONS at the beginning of the book. He’s clearly a manwhore pig after his marriage failed. There are no details and the sex isn’t on page. Since it was before he knew the h existed it didn’t bother me. The h has had a recent bad breakup and had a run in with her ex on her way to the ferry but she just kind of brushes him off so no real drama. Other than that, no OW/OM drama.
Once the danger was over, their relationship moved super fast into sexual territory and then…it just ended. It was so jarring!
The book takes place over a few days. One day on the boat then a few days in the hospital which is mostly glossed over. Then she goes to his house, they have sex, take down another bad guy who comes after them, kiss some more and then…it’s over. Like, what?? That’s all we get of their “relationship?”
The whole reason they met in the first place is because she saved his daughter from being on the ferry which most likely would have ended with her being killed. The daughter and the daughter’s mother are so grateful to the h and want the H to go and save her now that she’s a hostage on the boat, so he does. But we never get to see the h meet the daughter or the mother. We never see if there is any kind of bond made. We don’t get to see anything! If this had been advertised as an action type book, ok I can deal with it. But it’s supposed to be a romance and we don’t get any kind of closure.
I wouldn’t even call this a HFN because hell, maybe they didn’t even last for a week after this. There are no I love you’s, no relationship development, nothing. You can sign up to get an epilogue and normally I don’t mind signing up for bonus content, but I didn’t even bother with this one. I shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get the end of the damn book.
There were some continuity errors that annoyed me. The captain of the ferry had white hair and reminded her of Santa clause, then a few chapters later he had sweat dripping from his bald head. She used her cardigan to stop the H’s bleeding and since it was soaked in blood, she threw it under the boat’s helm. Then a few chapters later she’s putting a gun in the pocket of her cardigan. I really don’t understand how a book can go through edits, beta readers, arc readers, etc and still come out with these dumb errors.
Overall it had a lot of potential but ended up being a disappointment. I’d say it’s probably more of a 2.5 star read but I’ll round up because I’ve read way worse and I sure couldn’t do better. At the beginning of the book I thought I’d be continuing with the series but now I’m not going to because I don’t see the point. If I wanted to read action books, that’s what I’d read. I don’t want to invest all that time into reading something that only has a blip of unfinished romance.
Safety: The H is with a ONS at the beginning of the book. He’s clearly a manwhore pig after his marriage failed. There are no details and the sex isn’t on page. Since it was before he knew the h existed it didn’t bother me. The h has had a recent bad breakup and had a run in with her ex on her way to the ferry but she just kind of brushes him off so no real drama. Other than that, no OW/OM drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2024
»Stay behind me and for God's sake don't shoot me on accident.«
»I might just shoot you on purpose.«
★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑪𝒉𝒍𝒐𝒆
She was very brave and a likeable character.
❥ 𝑮𝒂𝒃𝒆
I liked him, he is a badass.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This one was okay.
It was interesting and I liked following their story but more than 50% of the book happen on the kidnapped ferry. So there was very little of a love story and more insta love.
It was cute and all but I would say forgettable.
If you want to read a short and sweet military romance then this book is for you.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 3/5
spice: 1/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 4/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
forced proximity, protective hero, brave heroine, kidnapping, ex navy, military, insta love
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: both in their late 30s I think
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no
»I might just shoot you on purpose.«
★ ★ ★
❥ 𝑪𝒉𝒍𝒐𝒆
She was very brave and a likeable character.
❥ 𝑮𝒂𝒃𝒆
I liked him, he is a badass.
✥ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌
This one was okay.
It was interesting and I liked following their story but more than 50% of the book happen on the kidnapped ferry. So there was very little of a love story and more insta love.
It was cute and all but I would say forgettable.
If you want to read a short and sweet military romance then this book is for you.
𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝟓
plot: 3/5
spice: 1/5
humor: 4/5
couple/tension: 4/5
world building: 5/5
happy end?: yes
𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬
forced proximity, protective hero, brave heroine, kidnapping, ex navy, military, insta love
𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
ages: both in their late 30s I think
cheating: no
sharing: no
kinks: no
May 25, 2015
“It’s funny how you don’t realize a part of your life is missing until a beautiful woman strands and blindsides you with her perky smile and sweet perfume.”
Anchor, by Author Nicole Blanchard, is a quick and saucy read that takes us on a vacation and work adventure with Gabriel (Gabe) Rossi and Chloe McKinney as they pass from one environmental storm into a sexy storm that leads to a possible calm in their lives that they didn’t know they were missing.
“…do us both a favor and take your train wreck somewhere else.”
If Anchor were a fairytale it would be called “The Princess and the Douchebag”. But, that's only an initial glance of these lovable characters. There's a point reached in the story that makes us realize the actual fairytale would more likely be Beauty and the Beast, with a large side of fire and heat.
“What’s a princess without her glass slipper.”
Within the first few pages I connected with Chloe. She was accident prone at the worst times, which I can definitely identify with. Gabriel had no time for a girl like Chloe. He needed to tend to what seemed most important. Their short time together left me wanting more and more. The dual points of view were perfectly written for this story. It wasn't like a retelling from one person to the next, but rather an expounding upon and telling from different personalities that added more depth to the story. I arrived at one point in the book with a particular happening that totally took me by surprise and wanted to scream "I love you, Nicole Blanchard!!!” It was so wonderfully written. I look forward to the next book in this series and more from this author.
“I was perfectly content to go on living my life as I had been. And then you blew into my life, literally, and changed all my plans.”
I was given this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not in any way effect my review.
Anchor, by Author Nicole Blanchard, is a quick and saucy read that takes us on a vacation and work adventure with Gabriel (Gabe) Rossi and Chloe McKinney as they pass from one environmental storm into a sexy storm that leads to a possible calm in their lives that they didn’t know they were missing.
“…do us both a favor and take your train wreck somewhere else.”
If Anchor were a fairytale it would be called “The Princess and the Douchebag”. But, that's only an initial glance of these lovable characters. There's a point reached in the story that makes us realize the actual fairytale would more likely be Beauty and the Beast, with a large side of fire and heat.
“What’s a princess without her glass slipper.”
Within the first few pages I connected with Chloe. She was accident prone at the worst times, which I can definitely identify with. Gabriel had no time for a girl like Chloe. He needed to tend to what seemed most important. Their short time together left me wanting more and more. The dual points of view were perfectly written for this story. It wasn't like a retelling from one person to the next, but rather an expounding upon and telling from different personalities that added more depth to the story. I arrived at one point in the book with a particular happening that totally took me by surprise and wanted to scream "I love you, Nicole Blanchard!!!” It was so wonderfully written. I look forward to the next book in this series and more from this author.
“I was perfectly content to go on living my life as I had been. And then you blew into my life, literally, and changed all my plans.”
I was given this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not in any way effect my review.
July 23, 2022
It may have been a good story if someone else was writing it. There were so many errors. I mean not your typical errors either like major errors. I could get over the fact that the H kept going on about the h’s black hair and then when she described it, her hair could have been brown or auburn. Those things I can look over but the descriptions of the scenes made no sense. In one part, the guy is supposedly hiding in a bench, then she’s says he comes down the statues behind her and moves in front of her. She then pressed her face in his back and the next minute it says he’s climbing out of the bench?!?! WTH? Scenes like this continued through the book. I put it down over and over but figured I’d keep trying so I could honestly say in my review that I’d read it. It didn’t get any better. I had so many complaints that I lost count.
“nearly trip over Gabe as he storms down the stairs behind me.”
“Gabe moves in front of me, his broad shoulders blocking the horrific sight from view. Without thinking, I inch closer and burrow my face into the space between his shoulder blades. For a fleeting second, his left hand finds mine. He clasps it, squeezes, and steps forward.”
“Gabe climbs out of the bench, his hands still raised in front of him.”
This happens in this exact order within two pages.
She goes from wearing a dress and having bare shoulders to wearing a cardigan she uses to stop the flow of blood to Gabe’s forehead…
“back from her face into a hasty bun. Pieces of it are falling down around her bare shoulders.”
“take off my cardigan and hold it up to his forehead to soak”
Just tons of mistakes…
““You’re the one who’s being stupid if you think I won’t let you commit suicide.”
I think she means…..You’re the ones who’s being stupid if you think I WILL let you commit suicide.
“nearly trip over Gabe as he storms down the stairs behind me.”
“Gabe moves in front of me, his broad shoulders blocking the horrific sight from view. Without thinking, I inch closer and burrow my face into the space between his shoulder blades. For a fleeting second, his left hand finds mine. He clasps it, squeezes, and steps forward.”
“Gabe climbs out of the bench, his hands still raised in front of him.”
This happens in this exact order within two pages.
She goes from wearing a dress and having bare shoulders to wearing a cardigan she uses to stop the flow of blood to Gabe’s forehead…
“back from her face into a hasty bun. Pieces of it are falling down around her bare shoulders.”
“take off my cardigan and hold it up to his forehead to soak”
Just tons of mistakes…
““You’re the one who’s being stupid if you think I won’t let you commit suicide.”
I think she means…..You’re the ones who’s being stupid if you think I WILL let you commit suicide.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2018
2.5-3.0 Stars
While I liked the idea of this book, the actual story itself was lacking.
The dialogue among the characters was often over the top and at times completely cheesy. “It takes a few moments before my hearing returns. Then I remember that I have eyes that do a beautiful thing called seeing, so I open them for a test drive to see if they’re still working.” (Kindle Location 2108.) Yes, that was actually a quote from this book.
A number of the main characters’ actions and reactions with a gunman who has taken over a ferry with hostages, were unbelievable and hard to imagine. I felt no connection between Gabe and Chloe and struggled to finish this book.
While I liked the idea of this book, the actual story itself was lacking.
The dialogue among the characters was often over the top and at times completely cheesy. “It takes a few moments before my hearing returns. Then I remember that I have eyes that do a beautiful thing called seeing, so I open them for a test drive to see if they’re still working.” (Kindle Location 2108.) Yes, that was actually a quote from this book.
A number of the main characters’ actions and reactions with a gunman who has taken over a ferry with hostages, were unbelievable and hard to imagine. I felt no connection between Gabe and Chloe and struggled to finish this book.
May 15, 2025
Felt like 2 different books
It started our interesting and seemed like it was going OK. Then suddenly the two main characters went brain dead and stopped making sense. They are in a tense situation with a crazed bomber and are having flirty conversations like he isn't 3 feet away. They had seemed like level headed, smart people, but the sight of each other made all of their common sense go out the window. It felt like it was written by 2 people, one who wanted it to be a edge of your seat thriller and one who wanted to smut it up.
It started our interesting and seemed like it was going OK. Then suddenly the two main characters went brain dead and stopped making sense. They are in a tense situation with a crazed bomber and are having flirty conversations like he isn't 3 feet away. They had seemed like level headed, smart people, but the sight of each other made all of their common sense go out the window. It felt like it was written by 2 people, one who wanted it to be a edge of your seat thriller and one who wanted to smut it up.
July 26, 2022
The book had a good premise but wasn't what I expected.
From the beginning, there was action and suspense, but instead of it grabbing my attention, it was actually distracting.
Not only was the situation a little too farfetched, but there was also no connection between the main characters whatsoever prior to the attack, so it was hard to care for either of them.
When you know the characters beforehand, when you have time to fall in love with them and root for the couple to be together, it's angsty to watch them suffer and be in danger.
In this case, it was almost like they were extras in a movie, so if anything happened to them, it wouldn't bother me.
Their interactions were also annoying. They're facing what's supposed to be a deadly situation, with a deranged man carrying bombs and threatening people, but hey, what a great time to flirt with a stranger and not care at all if the enemy might listen to us and try to kill us.
Oh, would you look at that? A person just died. Well, all in a day *shrugs*.
And why the heck was Gabe getting a medal when Chloe was the one who did all the hard work and saved his a** time and time again?
I know a lot of people liked this book, so I believe maybe it just wasn't for me because, as I said, the premise was good.
And I liked the writing enough to finish reading it and even try again. So I'll read another book in this series and I do hope it touches me.
From the beginning, there was action and suspense, but instead of it grabbing my attention, it was actually distracting.
Not only was the situation a little too farfetched, but there was also no connection between the main characters whatsoever prior to the attack, so it was hard to care for either of them.
When you know the characters beforehand, when you have time to fall in love with them and root for the couple to be together, it's angsty to watch them suffer and be in danger.
In this case, it was almost like they were extras in a movie, so if anything happened to them, it wouldn't bother me.
Their interactions were also annoying. They're facing what's supposed to be a deadly situation, with a deranged man carrying bombs and threatening people, but hey, what a great time to flirt with a stranger and not care at all if the enemy might listen to us and try to kill us.
Oh, would you look at that? A person just died. Well, all in a day *shrugs*.
And why the heck was Gabe getting a medal when Chloe was the one who did all the hard work and saved his a** time and time again?
I know a lot of people liked this book, so I believe maybe it just wasn't for me because, as I said, the premise was good.
And I liked the writing enough to finish reading it and even try again. So I'll read another book in this series and I do hope it touches me.
September 5, 2025
This book was absolutely awful. I’m sorry but it’s true. The entire book spanned like 72 hours of them meeting. About the first 60% was in 24 hours. Before everything went down he’s talking about the hot blonde in his bed, how much he loves kissing and there’s a detailed part about him kissing her! And then he later, that same day kisses the FMC!
Then when things are said and done and getting to the spicy times, they do it on the same sheets he just had a different girl on! It’s gross and that’s not even a drop in the water of my problems with this book. It wasn’t romantic at all. The MMC’s inner monologue was appalling often, we barely saw his daughter in the story and the synopsis is wrong. His ex wife and daughter convinced him to save the FMC. He didn’t think about it at all, he needed to be convinced.
⭐️/5
🌶️.75/5
Then when things are said and done and getting to the spicy times, they do it on the same sheets he just had a different girl on! It’s gross and that’s not even a drop in the water of my problems with this book. It wasn’t romantic at all. The MMC’s inner monologue was appalling often, we barely saw his daughter in the story and the synopsis is wrong. His ex wife and daughter convinced him to save the FMC. He didn’t think about it at all, he needed to be convinced.
⭐️/5
🌶️.75/5
December 23, 2024
3.5⭐
I came across this book randomly on Facebook & I love a good suspense romance, so I figured I'd give it a try as this author is new to me.
So I enjoyed the suspense part, I liked that it wasn't just like two chapters and over.
I also enjoyed the 🌶, it wasn't over done.
What I didn't like was how I was only at 89% and the story was abruptly over.
However, if you want a quick suspense read, then definitely try this out.
I came across this book randomly on Facebook & I love a good suspense romance, so I figured I'd give it a try as this author is new to me.
So I enjoyed the suspense part, I liked that it wasn't just like two chapters and over.
I also enjoyed the 🌶, it wasn't over done.
What I didn't like was how I was only at 89% and the story was abruptly over.
However, if you want a quick suspense read, then definitely try this out.
December 15, 2025
Not good lol
Male Mc was terrible. Treated his ex like crap, was a terrible dad, treated women like crap, acted like he was gods gift to women.
The plot was ridiculous and made no sense.
The romance was forced and cringy.
Male Mc was terrible. Treated his ex like crap, was a terrible dad, treated women like crap, acted like he was gods gift to women.
The plot was ridiculous and made no sense.
The romance was forced and cringy.
September 17, 2016
This was a fun, action packed, suspenseful romance. The romance is a slow burn type but you can really start to feel the chemistry between them building. This was the first time I ever read a Nicole Blanchard book, but it most definitely won't be my last.
Gabriel is a retired Marine who now helps the coast guard when needed. Chloe works from a travel agency and has to take the ferry to head over to the island. As she's boarding the ferry a man with a gun is trying to take a little girl hostage. Chloe helps the little girl get free but ends up a hostage herself. The little girl just so happens to be Gabriel's daughter, so he volunteers himself to rescue her.
I really loved that Chloe wasn't your typical damsel in distress. She was tough! Gabe wasn't so bad himself, and was also a sweetheart.
I couldn't put this one down! I needed to know what happened so I read it all in one sitting. It had a lot of action and some violence (just as a warning). The suspense part takes up a lot of the story, so my only "negative" was that I would have liked just a little more time spent on them as a couple. I loved all of the characters we were introduced to and can't wait to read the rest in the series.
** I received a free ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
Gabriel is a retired Marine who now helps the coast guard when needed. Chloe works from a travel agency and has to take the ferry to head over to the island. As she's boarding the ferry a man with a gun is trying to take a little girl hostage. Chloe helps the little girl get free but ends up a hostage herself. The little girl just so happens to be Gabriel's daughter, so he volunteers himself to rescue her.
I really loved that Chloe wasn't your typical damsel in distress. She was tough! Gabe wasn't so bad himself, and was also a sweetheart.
I couldn't put this one down! I needed to know what happened so I read it all in one sitting. It had a lot of action and some violence (just as a warning). The suspense part takes up a lot of the story, so my only "negative" was that I would have liked just a little more time spent on them as a couple. I loved all of the characters we were introduced to and can't wait to read the rest in the series.
** I received a free ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
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