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Coast Guard Rescue One
ARMY CAPT. JORDAN ARMSTRONG SURRENDERED A PIECE OF HER SOUL TO THE BURNING SANDS OF AFGHANISTAN
Now back home, only two things keep her her demanding job as a Search and Rescue pilot and sailing her 45-foot yacht around the coast of McKinley Point, Western Australia – alone. Plenty of women have tried to reach behind her walls, but Jordan remains aloof.
When American expat Sara Matthews shows up in her life and takes an instant dislike to her, it sets her heart on fire. For the first time in what feels like forever, Jordan truly wants to be seen and understood. She desperately wants Sara to discover the real person behind the mask.
AND SO, IT BEGINS...
*** ‘Classic Lesfic – hugely entertaining!’ ***
Now back home, only two things keep her her demanding job as a Search and Rescue pilot and sailing her 45-foot yacht around the coast of McKinley Point, Western Australia – alone. Plenty of women have tried to reach behind her walls, but Jordan remains aloof.
When American expat Sara Matthews shows up in her life and takes an instant dislike to her, it sets her heart on fire. For the first time in what feels like forever, Jordan truly wants to be seen and understood. She desperately wants Sara to discover the real person behind the mask.
AND SO, IT BEGINS...
*** ‘Classic Lesfic – hugely entertaining!’ ***
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2018
260 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Debrabandere
41 books238 followersMy novels are about strong, grounded women who live, love, and thrive in adventurous worlds.
As Natalie Debrabandere, I write lesbian fiction with a romantic twist.
As N.D. Shar, I dive into edgy sci-fi with kick-ass female leads and non-stop action.
If this is your first experience with my books, I hope you’ll find as much pleasure in reading them as I do in writing them.
The best way to support me? Read, review, and share—share—share!
My books are available worldwide in Kindle and paperback formats on your local Amazon site.
You can contact me through my website: nataliedebrabandere.com
As Natalie Debrabandere, I write lesbian fiction with a romantic twist.
As N.D. Shar, I dive into edgy sci-fi with kick-ass female leads and non-stop action.
If this is your first experience with my books, I hope you’ll find as much pleasure in reading them as I do in writing them.
The best way to support me? Read, review, and share—share—share!
My books are available worldwide in Kindle and paperback formats on your local Amazon site.
You can contact me through my website: nataliedebrabandere.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
February 3, 2019
3.5 Stars. This was another solid book by Debrabandere. It was very readable and the book had a good pace. The romance was decent. I didn’t care for the fact that the “I love yous” were said so quickly, but I did like the two mains as a potential couple. Actually, all the characters were likable even the secondary ones. There was some good excitement which I enjoyed. However, considering the title of the book, I did wish for another Coast Guard rescue scene. I think the book could have been extended slightly to add another action scene or two in. Overall I was entertained and I thought this was a good Kindle Unlimited read.
June 19, 2019
Tortured soul?✔️ Women in uniforms?✔️ Enemy to lover?✔️
Writing this review is a lot harder than I thought because I'm trying to think of a nice way to say "Yeah this was good but it could have been so much better!" As much as I liked Jordan and Sara as a couple, I wanted more scenes of them in action. Not that kind of action, get your minds out of the gutter! I mean the rescue missions which the author did a really good job of writing.
Jordan's tragic backstory and subsequent PTSD was another element I wish the author had spent more time on instead of making it seem like her relationship with Sara magically fixed her. Speaking of said relationship. Going from "I can't stand you" to "are you ok with At Last by Etta James being the first dance at our wedding?" in 0.5 seconds was a teeny tiny bit too fast for me.
Unfortunately the biggest problem of the book was that it was written in such a way that every now and then I had to pause to try and figure out who was doing what. The POV would shift from person to person multiple times. Sometimes even within a single paragraph which doesn't make for pleasant reading.
This book has a lot of potential and could really benefit from the help of a good editor making it a true page turner. Maybe then I would get an answer as to why the hell Jordan was constantly running around bare footed. Or why everyone was so into eating crocodile burgers?
Dear Diary Moment #307: lunch @work 2 days ago
Me: "I hate summer. Any part of me that's not covered by clothing gets tanned darker and no longer matches the rest of me. Like right now my hands won't match my arms because of the long sleeved blouse i'm wearing. F*ck Christian Grey, I'm the original 50 shades.. of brown!"
P: "So is that a yes or no on the fruit tart?"
Me: "I feel like you don't take me serious anymore."
P: "It's cute how you think I ever did. Tart?"
Writing this review is a lot harder than I thought because I'm trying to think of a nice way to say "Yeah this was good but it could have been so much better!" As much as I liked Jordan and Sara as a couple, I wanted more scenes of them in action. Not that kind of action, get your minds out of the gutter! I mean the rescue missions which the author did a really good job of writing.
Jordan's tragic backstory and subsequent PTSD was another element I wish the author had spent more time on instead of making it seem like her relationship with Sara magically fixed her. Speaking of said relationship. Going from "I can't stand you" to "are you ok with At Last by Etta James being the first dance at our wedding?" in 0.5 seconds was a teeny tiny bit too fast for me.
Unfortunately the biggest problem of the book was that it was written in such a way that every now and then I had to pause to try and figure out who was doing what. The POV would shift from person to person multiple times. Sometimes even within a single paragraph which doesn't make for pleasant reading.
This book has a lot of potential and could really benefit from the help of a good editor making it a true page turner. Maybe then I would get an answer as to why the hell Jordan was constantly running around bare footed. Or why everyone was so into eating crocodile burgers?
Dear Diary Moment #307: lunch @work 2 days ago
Me: "I hate summer. Any part of me that's not covered by clothing gets tanned darker and no longer matches the rest of me. Like right now my hands won't match my arms because of the long sleeved blouse i'm wearing. F*ck Christian Grey, I'm the original 50 shades.. of brown!"
P: "So is that a yes or no on the fruit tart?"
Me: "I feel like you don't take me serious anymore."
P: "It's cute how you think I ever did. Tart?"
January 1, 2022
This book has a little of everything-romance, some action, tragedy. You know you are invested in the story when you find yourself pleading with the book-No, no, no, not her. (Next page) It better not be her. (Next page) Or her. (Next page) Ok, I can manage with that other one. (Next page) But why do that?!
And ok, there were a couple of tears. I’m a cryer anyway.
Well written with good characters. Would recommend and will be looking at other books by this author.
This book is available through Kindle Unlimited.
And ok, there were a couple of tears. I’m a cryer anyway.
Well written with good characters. Would recommend and will be looking at other books by this author.
This book is available through Kindle Unlimited.
June 29, 2019
Almost a 4 ⭐
June 12, 2019
I guess the tortured, butch, ex-military butch might just not be for me....
September 21, 2019
Retired Army Captain Jordan Armstrong suffered a traumatic loss while on a tour in Afghanistan. Now she is a Search and Rescue pilot based in McKinley Point, Western Australia. She likes keeping to herself despite having plenty of women interested in her, that is, until American paramedic Sara Matthews shows up in her life. Will Jordan be able to let Sara in and start a relationship?
This is an entertaining lesbian dramatic romance audiobook with a bit of action at the side. Despite its title and cover, the main focus of the book is the love story of Jordan and Sara who have a bit of a rocky start. After their initial hesitation, things progress between them quite quickly, with powerful intensity and raw emotions that the author captures well. However, their relationship evolves a bit too fast for my liking, insta-love included. Their chemistry is sizzling and there are some very light elements of BDSM that I wasn’t expecting but made sense within the plot.
Regarding the action part of the story, the best is left for last with some rescue scenes that will keep the reader/listener’s attention. These scenes pick up the pace of the story which makes a good contrast with the slow rhythm of the romantic plot. While there is a lot of telling how the characters feel about each other and themselves, the action parts show quite well their personalities in motion.
I’ve listened to the audiobook version of this novel for free with my Scribd subscription, narrated skilfully by Emma Wilder. This is the first time I’ve listened to her and I was impressed. Ms. Wilder conveys the rawness of emotions beautifully and makes them very believable. A good part of the tone of the book is dramatic and the narrator performs it well without overdoing it. I also liked her interpretation of the different voices, even the male ones. It was pleasurable to listen to. I think her narration made the book even better and I’m not sure if my enjoyment would have been the same by reading it.
Overall, a good dramatic romance with a bit of action at the side and a very good narrator’s performance. 4 stars for the story, 4.5 for the narration. Average 4 stars.
Not available on Audible Escape but it’s free with the Scribd subscription.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
This is an entertaining lesbian dramatic romance audiobook with a bit of action at the side. Despite its title and cover, the main focus of the book is the love story of Jordan and Sara who have a bit of a rocky start. After their initial hesitation, things progress between them quite quickly, with powerful intensity and raw emotions that the author captures well. However, their relationship evolves a bit too fast for my liking, insta-love included. Their chemistry is sizzling and there are some very light elements of BDSM that I wasn’t expecting but made sense within the plot.
Regarding the action part of the story, the best is left for last with some rescue scenes that will keep the reader/listener’s attention. These scenes pick up the pace of the story which makes a good contrast with the slow rhythm of the romantic plot. While there is a lot of telling how the characters feel about each other and themselves, the action parts show quite well their personalities in motion.
I’ve listened to the audiobook version of this novel for free with my Scribd subscription, narrated skilfully by Emma Wilder. This is the first time I’ve listened to her and I was impressed. Ms. Wilder conveys the rawness of emotions beautifully and makes them very believable. A good part of the tone of the book is dramatic and the narrator performs it well without overdoing it. I also liked her interpretation of the different voices, even the male ones. It was pleasurable to listen to. I think her narration made the book even better and I’m not sure if my enjoyment would have been the same by reading it.
Overall, a good dramatic romance with a bit of action at the side and a very good narrator’s performance. 4 stars for the story, 4.5 for the narration. Average 4 stars.
Not available on Audible Escape but it’s free with the Scribd subscription.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
September 22, 2025
Sometimes I feel for our heroines - you just know there will be angst, some horrific action or tragedy - especially when at the half way point all is tickity-boo! Is that a spoiler? But it made me cry, had me cheering for the good guys - superb back characters - and wishing them as friends. Not quite sure why not a 5*s - it needed something more somewhere.... but not sure what.
March 3, 2024
3.5 stars
A doctor transfers from the US to Australia after a bad breakup and meets a coast guard pilot. They both have some issues to overcome, and I liked that their friends were supportive of them. They had a good dynamic with each other and once they got over their own hangups, they didn't let anything hold them back. It was sweet, not that intense except for the last chapter or so. But the ending did feel pretty rushed.
A doctor transfers from the US to Australia after a bad breakup and meets a coast guard pilot. They both have some issues to overcome, and I liked that their friends were supportive of them. They had a good dynamic with each other and once they got over their own hangups, they didn't let anything hold them back. It was sweet, not that intense except for the last chapter or so. But the ending did feel pretty rushed.
June 10, 2019
This was my first book by author Natalie Debrabandere but definitely won't be my last. Great characters with a sweet romance, a dash of angst, a bit of action, and great narration by Emma Wilder definitely has me hoping that the rest of her books come to audible soon!
April 13, 2023
DNF 62%. There’s a lot of problems with this book, but when they started playing at playing Dom/Sub i was OUT
And can someone tell me why are they always barefoot?? Pleaaaase I want to know WHY????????????
For example:
And can someone tell me why are they always barefoot?? Pleaaaase I want to know WHY????????????
For example:
“Jordan was dressed in a pair of baggy board shorts and a simple white t-shirt. Barefoot as always.”
December 4, 2024
After my scathing updates, I have no more to say. This was appalling
November 10, 2020
This book ist about two strong woman, which were hurt in the past and now they tried to find their way in a new life. Captain J. Armstrong try to live quite life in Western Australia and forget the past and Sara Matthews try to find her new esy after her relationship failed. Both meet under strange circumstance, but they can´t ignore the strong attraction beetwen them.
I really like the write style of Debrabandere, the story is well written and it was fun to read this.
I really like the write style of Debrabandere, the story is well written and it was fun to read this.
December 1, 2018
Good action sequences
A woman leaves behind her life in NYC by moving to Australia for a better existence. She runs into a local coast guard helicopter pilot whom she immediately dislikes. They continue to cross paths.
This was a good story. There were a few 'action' scenes that were well written as they truly made me anxious.
The overall writing kept me confused at times as to who was thinking and saying what.
Also, one of the characters personality changes 180 from one page to another part way through. It was too rushed to feel authentic for me. I would have expected a little longer transformation.
The final 1/4 of the book was very good.
So overall hit and miss for me.
A woman leaves behind her life in NYC by moving to Australia for a better existence. She runs into a local coast guard helicopter pilot whom she immediately dislikes. They continue to cross paths.
This was a good story. There were a few 'action' scenes that were well written as they truly made me anxious.
The overall writing kept me confused at times as to who was thinking and saying what.
Also, one of the characters personality changes 180 from one page to another part way through. It was too rushed to feel authentic for me. I would have expected a little longer transformation.
The final 1/4 of the book was very good.
So overall hit and miss for me.
December 30, 2019
“Coast Guard Rescue One” is a slow-burn romance between two women who are each trying to avoid their attraction to each other.
MC Sara is tired of girlfriends cheating on her, and she moves to Australia to restart her life. MC Jordan lost her fiancee in Afghanistan, and is afraid to give her heart to anyone again.
There are some really entertaining scenes in this story, such as their picnic adventure on an island. There are also some really hot explicit sex scenes - eventually! Overall, though, this story just spent too much time on each woman trying hard not to move forward with their lives, focusing on regrets from their pasts.
The narration was very good, and I liked many of the side characters. 4.45*
MC Sara is tired of girlfriends cheating on her, and she moves to Australia to restart her life. MC Jordan lost her fiancee in Afghanistan, and is afraid to give her heart to anyone again.
There are some really entertaining scenes in this story, such as their picnic adventure on an island. There are also some really hot explicit sex scenes - eventually! Overall, though, this story just spent too much time on each woman trying hard not to move forward with their lives, focusing on regrets from their pasts.
The narration was very good, and I liked many of the side characters. 4.45*
November 24, 2018
It didn’t disappoint. I have enjoyed all the books I read from this author.
Read
June 5, 2019DNF
November 23, 2018
Great story!
What a great love story! Full of adventure and very charismatic characters. The chemistry between Jordan and Sara was off the charts. The suspenseful segments with the cyclone was intense. The beautiful description of Rhys Island made me want to be there as well. Ala in all, this writer has done an excellent job with her descriptive and evocative prose to put you the reader right in the book throughout the whole story! Well done!
What a great love story! Full of adventure and very charismatic characters. The chemistry between Jordan and Sara was off the charts. The suspenseful segments with the cyclone was intense. The beautiful description of Rhys Island made me want to be there as well. Ala in all, this writer has done an excellent job with her descriptive and evocative prose to put you the reader right in the book throughout the whole story! Well done!
did-not-finish
November 22, 2020DNF @ 36%. Just too much pinning away and long internal monologues going nowhere, fast. It was tedious to get through and the characters had very little likability or compatibility, for me.
Both women are supposed to be very intelligent capable women, but their actions and behaviours allude to anything but. I get it, they both have issues and need to overcome them - but they never felt realistic or authentic. It all just felt very shallow and going around in circles.
It felt very immature, so I couldn't persist.
Kindle Unlimited Read.
Both women are supposed to be very intelligent capable women, but their actions and behaviours allude to anything but. I get it, they both have issues and need to overcome them - but they never felt realistic or authentic. It all just felt very shallow and going around in circles.
It felt very immature, so I couldn't persist.
Kindle Unlimited Read.
November 23, 2018
I love this type of story,
Natalie tells the story of these strong women so well! Sara & Jordan’s love story is filled with adventure! I love reading about strong, empowered females & this book has a few of those! Throw in a brave helicopter pilot & an attractive, smart, medically trained SAR recruit & you have a winning story!
Natalie tells the story of these strong women so well! Sara & Jordan’s love story is filled with adventure! I love reading about strong, empowered females & this book has a few of those! Throw in a brave helicopter pilot & an attractive, smart, medically trained SAR recruit & you have a winning story!
March 19, 2024
I am not going to give a super detailed review but all I can say is that this book starts with a typical sapphic storyline and then just went you think “what’s new in this book, it’s just like the others!” It gives you a 360!!!! Even though I saw some of it coming yet, my heart was in my mouth when those scenes were being narrated and yes there were some tears involved too in the end. The narrator did an amazing job of carrying both American and the Aussie accent and transitioning smoothly between them. A must read for those who want a different sapphic story line and don’t mind some intense chapters.
September 1, 2025
Fantastic Story
Some books just have so much within them and this fantastic story is one of them. So much personal growth within the main characters, so much support from the side characters, and just a heck of a story weaving it all together. Wow.
I highly recommend this book to those who love some depth to their entertainment.
Some books just have so much within them and this fantastic story is one of them. So much personal growth within the main characters, so much support from the side characters, and just a heck of a story weaving it all together. Wow.
I highly recommend this book to those who love some depth to their entertainment.
November 13, 2023
Very nice story. Some good steamy, spicy parts as well. The threads of the story hang together well. While some of the action toward the end of the book is a but rushed and crammed in, it manages to hold together. Lots of feelings and characters that you can care about. Well done.
April 2, 2024
DNF at 66%
December 8, 2024
3.5/5. Good read with likeable characters. I would have liked more focus on the coast guard/rescue part though.
May 28, 2021
Mother nature does not care!
Who does care are the people who are prepared for the next time. Jordan losing her mate in a desert while being shot at meets a young New Yorker Sara in Australia who has her mind set more or less. Between rescuing and being crushed by a burning building the two women manage a good story from the author. Enjoy!
Who does care are the people who are prepared for the next time. Jordan losing her mate in a desert while being shot at meets a young New Yorker Sara in Australia who has her mind set more or less. Between rescuing and being crushed by a burning building the two women manage a good story from the author. Enjoy!
January 30, 2019
I was hoping I would like this book, certainly the reviews were good. That was not the case. I always Google locations to get an idea of where the book takes place. I certainly couldn't find the town, the islands in Google so I assume they're made up. Not something that appeals to me. The story goes fast (as in Jordan's sudden turn around) or slow as in sailing around fictional locations. The ending to me is ridiculous, without giving away the person or the event, who wants a limb amputated because of pain? No one. In other words, I didn't care for the story, didn't care for the way it was written and do not recommend this book.
September 13, 2022
Jordan is an ex army captain pilot and has served in Afghanistan and now flies search and rescue. Sara has recently moved from the States to Australia looking for more out of life. I also have to mention Kelly who is Jordan's BFF and a grounding force through emotional and traumatic issues.
I was invested in Jordan and Sara's story from the beginning, this book is well written and draws you in. The plot twists keep you guessing and I did not expect some of what happened.
One of the best from this author and fantastic narration by Emma Wilder
I was invested in Jordan and Sara's story from the beginning, this book is well written and draws you in. The plot twists keep you guessing and I did not expect some of what happened.
One of the best from this author and fantastic narration by Emma Wilder
November 21, 2018
This was my first book by this author and it was a solid 3.5 stars for me. I had some challenges with the pace of the story. It would drag in some areas and speed through others. I liked the characters and storyline. If the book was a song; it would be well played instruments not quite coming together for a symphony. Each instrument is interesting on its own that it’s not train wreck without achieving that special melody or symphony.
December 16, 2018
Very interesting book. Funny at times, serious at others. I feel like by the end got really slow and skipped pretty fast. In the end very good.
April 8, 2020
I enjoyed this read, although I thought it ended a bit quickly and I would have cut the dom/sub stuff out of it, it just didn't fit right and didn't feel realistic to me. I kept grumbling at those scenes because it read like they were playing at playing. Aside from that the action was good, the chemistry between the characters was good and it kept me turning the pages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews