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Staying Afloat #3
Afloat
No place is safe anymore.
Matt and his crew know it all too well—and it’s especially true now as the war with the Alraki has reached the heart of Federation space and struck close to home. Suddenly, Matt is faced with a difficult choice. He has the opportunity to sway the tide of the war and rectify a past wrong by helping the Fleet obtain a groundbreaking Alraki technology. But to do so, he must risk his ship and the lives of his crewmates.
With Matt’s archenemy, the infamous Captain Rodgers, still on the loose and bent on revenge, the Alraki aren’t the only ones who pose a deadly threat to Matt and the people most dear to his heart. With danger and betrayal haunting their steps, Matt and Ryce must find a way to save their friends even as sinister secrets from the past threaten to tear them apart.
This time, the price of staying afloat might be higher than what Matt is willing to pay.
Afloat is the third book in Isabelle Adler’s exciting debut series, Staying Afloat, and concludes the series. For best enjoyment, advise reading the books in order.
Matt and his crew know it all too well—and it’s especially true now as the war with the Alraki has reached the heart of Federation space and struck close to home. Suddenly, Matt is faced with a difficult choice. He has the opportunity to sway the tide of the war and rectify a past wrong by helping the Fleet obtain a groundbreaking Alraki technology. But to do so, he must risk his ship and the lives of his crewmates.
With Matt’s archenemy, the infamous Captain Rodgers, still on the loose and bent on revenge, the Alraki aren’t the only ones who pose a deadly threat to Matt and the people most dear to his heart. With danger and betrayal haunting their steps, Matt and Ryce must find a way to save their friends even as sinister secrets from the past threaten to tear them apart.
This time, the price of staying afloat might be higher than what Matt is willing to pay.
Afloat is the third book in Isabelle Adler’s exciting debut series, Staying Afloat, and concludes the series. For best enjoyment, advise reading the books in order.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2021
50 people want to read
About the author
Isabelle Adler
12 books113 followersIsabelle Adler writes M/M romance, sci-fi, adventure, and fantasy.
She has been a voracious reader from the age of five and always dreamed of one day putting her own stories into writing. She loves traveling, art, and science, and finds inspiration in all of these. Her favorite genres include sci-fi, fantasy, and historical adventure. She also firmly believes in the unlimited powers of imagination and caffeine.
She has been a voracious reader from the age of five and always dreamed of one day putting her own stories into writing. She loves traveling, art, and science, and finds inspiration in all of these. Her favorite genres include sci-fi, fantasy, and historical adventure. She also firmly believes in the unlimited powers of imagination and caffeine.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 15, 2021
4 Series Finale Hearts!
A seriously satisfying space adventure!
What I’ve come to realize about this trilogy is that this is all about Matt and his journey. He’s a guy who grew up in a military family, who couldn’t handle or didn’t want to handle authority, who became disillusioned and wanted no part in being simply a tool. Thus, Matt left the Federation and his family and hasn’t really looked back. He’d say he’s a loner, one who doesn’t care about anything but making the next dollar, but that would be a lie. As much as he may protest, Matt has an extremely strong moral compass when push comes to shove, not to mention loyalty to his crew of three, which happens to include his lover Ryce, a genetically modified superhuman whose skills often come in oh so handy. Matt’s living life by his own rules, despite many disgruntled adversaries who make it difficult for him to make an honest living, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
One day, Matt gets a call from his sister’s first officer. She’s a major in the Federation and has been gravely injured in an alien Alraki skirmish, so much so that he might want to come and possibly say his goodbyes just in case.... and thus, this brings Matt full circle, returning him to the fold and up close and personal with his estranged admiral of a father. Somehow, Matt finds himself recruited for a suicide mission as lives, mainly humanity in its entirety, hangs in the balance when it’s discovered that the Alraki enemy has powerful technology that could turn the war in their favor. Reluctantly, Matt and his crew join a special ops team to steal a prototype to help even the odds, and that’s when things get hairy.
In and amongst this covert operation, it becomes known that despite his often fatalistic attitude and his own self hatred of past mistakes, Matt’s brand of resilience serves him very very well in times of extreme life threatening situations. This makes for intense storytelling that has been consistently seen throughout all 3 books. Ensue fingernail biting action as they fight aliens, encounter government cover ups, suffer betrayals on the highest order, and undergo death defying stunts, all in and amongst some swoony romance. Toss in the return of a most vile enemy who just won’t fucking die, and Matt and Ryce must trust in each other (as well as the rest of their team) to pull out all the stops to possibly maybe have a chance at surviving.
So, in the spirit of any good space saga a’la Star Trek and/or Star Wars, the stakes are sky high, the probability of failure is basically a forgone conclusion but remember, smarts, pure grit, and lots of luck go a long way.
Obviously, I quite enjoyed myself, and Adler delivers a gratifying conclusion to this story arc. I urge you to start with Adrift, in the hopes that she might get a second wind and tell more stories of Matt and his scrappy crew. I suspect there’s plenty of trouble they can get themselves into without even looking. One can only hope.
Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review!
A seriously satisfying space adventure!
What I’ve come to realize about this trilogy is that this is all about Matt and his journey. He’s a guy who grew up in a military family, who couldn’t handle or didn’t want to handle authority, who became disillusioned and wanted no part in being simply a tool. Thus, Matt left the Federation and his family and hasn’t really looked back. He’d say he’s a loner, one who doesn’t care about anything but making the next dollar, but that would be a lie. As much as he may protest, Matt has an extremely strong moral compass when push comes to shove, not to mention loyalty to his crew of three, which happens to include his lover Ryce, a genetically modified superhuman whose skills often come in oh so handy. Matt’s living life by his own rules, despite many disgruntled adversaries who make it difficult for him to make an honest living, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
One day, Matt gets a call from his sister’s first officer. She’s a major in the Federation and has been gravely injured in an alien Alraki skirmish, so much so that he might want to come and possibly say his goodbyes just in case.... and thus, this brings Matt full circle, returning him to the fold and up close and personal with his estranged admiral of a father. Somehow, Matt finds himself recruited for a suicide mission as lives, mainly humanity in its entirety, hangs in the balance when it’s discovered that the Alraki enemy has powerful technology that could turn the war in their favor. Reluctantly, Matt and his crew join a special ops team to steal a prototype to help even the odds, and that’s when things get hairy.
In and amongst this covert operation, it becomes known that despite his often fatalistic attitude and his own self hatred of past mistakes, Matt’s brand of resilience serves him very very well in times of extreme life threatening situations. This makes for intense storytelling that has been consistently seen throughout all 3 books. Ensue fingernail biting action as they fight aliens, encounter government cover ups, suffer betrayals on the highest order, and undergo death defying stunts, all in and amongst some swoony romance. Toss in the return of a most vile enemy who just won’t fucking die, and Matt and Ryce must trust in each other (as well as the rest of their team) to pull out all the stops to possibly maybe have a chance at surviving.
So, in the spirit of any good space saga a’la Star Trek and/or Star Wars, the stakes are sky high, the probability of failure is basically a forgone conclusion but remember, smarts, pure grit, and lots of luck go a long way.
Obviously, I quite enjoyed myself, and Adler delivers a gratifying conclusion to this story arc. I urge you to start with Adrift, in the hopes that she might get a second wind and tell more stories of Matt and his scrappy crew. I suspect there’s plenty of trouble they can get themselves into without even looking. One can only hope.
Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review!
February 15, 2021
The third book in Isabelle Adler's Staying Afloat series, Afloat sees the conclusion (at least for us) of Matt's somewhat chaotic adventures in the vast reaches of space. Not in a bad way, mind you, and the sense of closure that Adler brings with part three leaves you feeling warm, cozy, and content knowing that Matt will be all right (somehow, he always is).
I was lucky enough to be able to beta read this book, so I already knew, to some extent, what I was in for. I will say that Adler blew me away with the finished product!
The third installment picks up with Matt and the crew unsure of where to go next. They've burned a few bridges, mind you, and are having more and more trouble finding a safe port. That is until Matt recieves a call from an old acquaintance with some news that hits a little too close to home. Despite his misgivings about it, Matt (with some encouragement from the ever caring Ryce) decides that he is tired of running, and he needs to deal with his past, rather than run from it. In doing so, he and the rest of the crew agree to risk their very lives to help against the Alraki threat, though they run afoul of Captain Rodgers as well, and it isn't only Matt's past that comes back to haunt the crew.
Honestly, I loved this book most out of the trilogy. It has the most heart, the most danger, and the most development out of the series. Seeing Matt and Ryce together, as a couple, growing and learning and faltering, is a beautiful thing. Of course, Val and Tony are also there, and we get to see more of them and their interaction as well as a few familiar faces for those who are familiar with the series. I can't speak highly enough of this book. It brought me to tears, it made me laugh. All in all, it was a great read and I highly recommend it, especially if you enjoyed the first two.
I was lucky enough to be able to beta read this book, so I already knew, to some extent, what I was in for. I will say that Adler blew me away with the finished product!
The third installment picks up with Matt and the crew unsure of where to go next. They've burned a few bridges, mind you, and are having more and more trouble finding a safe port. That is until Matt recieves a call from an old acquaintance with some news that hits a little too close to home. Despite his misgivings about it, Matt (with some encouragement from the ever caring Ryce) decides that he is tired of running, and he needs to deal with his past, rather than run from it. In doing so, he and the rest of the crew agree to risk their very lives to help against the Alraki threat, though they run afoul of Captain Rodgers as well, and it isn't only Matt's past that comes back to haunt the crew.
Honestly, I loved this book most out of the trilogy. It has the most heart, the most danger, and the most development out of the series. Seeing Matt and Ryce together, as a couple, growing and learning and faltering, is a beautiful thing. Of course, Val and Tony are also there, and we get to see more of them and their interaction as well as a few familiar faces for those who are familiar with the series. I can't speak highly enough of this book. It brought me to tears, it made me laugh. All in all, it was a great read and I highly recommend it, especially if you enjoyed the first two.
February 13, 2021
Ryce and Matt are trying to figure out where they are going next. Needing someplace safe and friendly their choices are limited. Matt receives bad news that sends them off in the direction they least want to go.
Lots of action kept this story very interesting. I like that Ryce having seen Matt as his worst still trusts and loves him. They do have some trust issues so a bit of angst.
Interesting take on aliens and their technology. I am a big SciFi fan and this book ticked all my boxes. Of course the technology is beyond me but Ryce understands it so it’s all good.
I enjoyed this book. All the books need to be read in order or the reader will be lost. This is the final book of a well written series.
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review. Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
Lots of action kept this story very interesting. I like that Ryce having seen Matt as his worst still trusts and loves him. They do have some trust issues so a bit of angst.
Interesting take on aliens and their technology. I am a big SciFi fan and this book ticked all my boxes. Of course the technology is beyond me but Ryce understands it so it’s all good.
I enjoyed this book. All the books need to be read in order or the reader will be lost. This is the final book of a well written series.
This book was provided by the author via IndiGo Marketing & Design in exchange for an honest review. Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
February 16, 2021
This is the conclusion to a great series. I've been reading the Staying Afloat series since its inception and I am a big fan. These characters have become very real to me and I'm quite sad that this is the conclusion of this series. However! All is not lost, as Isabelle Adler has some other great books!
Matt Spears' ship, the Lady Lisa, and his crew (including his partner Ryce Eason). Over the course of this series, Matt has learned to rely on Ryce a little - let him into the edge of his little found family. In this book, these characters may be facing their greatest challenge yet.
Matt, his crew and the Lady Lisa are enlisted by the Fleet... by his estranged father, to help with a dangerous mission that could change the outcome of the war with the Alraki. The stealth technology that has given the Alraki the upper hand could potentially be stolen...but it will take the right bait and the right crew.
Matt is faced with putting his family in danger to help the Fleet get the technology that could change everything. And there's the potential risk of running into the man who imprisoned and tortured Matt... Captain Rodgers. What a choice to have to make! Everyone you love...against saving the world. for the first time in his life, Matt is faced with having a lot to lose.
I don't want to give away a lot about this book because if you start the series - which you really should - you'll be able to follow along with the characters as they change each other's lives. This is more than a found family, it's a family of people who need each other to survive. This series really is a ride. There is love, pain, recovery, fear, tons of action and a quirky found family.
The pacing of this series has been consistently spot-on. I love how Adler manages to flesh out all the characters while still letting the plot progress at a natural pace. I've really found that I have been caught up with the characters and their growth. In particular, Matt is a favourite of mine. He has come so far since the first book of the series. He's struggled with a lot of challenges and had to put a lot behind him in order to move on. Even having a healthy relationship was something that Matt wasn't sure that he could do.
This book, the final one in the Sierra, wraps up all the loose threads that have been created throughout the story. it was very satisfying to read through all of the adventures and get to the end... (even though I didn't want the series to end at all!!!).
Matt Spears' ship, the Lady Lisa, and his crew (including his partner Ryce Eason). Over the course of this series, Matt has learned to rely on Ryce a little - let him into the edge of his little found family. In this book, these characters may be facing their greatest challenge yet.
Matt, his crew and the Lady Lisa are enlisted by the Fleet... by his estranged father, to help with a dangerous mission that could change the outcome of the war with the Alraki. The stealth technology that has given the Alraki the upper hand could potentially be stolen...but it will take the right bait and the right crew.
Matt is faced with putting his family in danger to help the Fleet get the technology that could change everything. And there's the potential risk of running into the man who imprisoned and tortured Matt... Captain Rodgers. What a choice to have to make! Everyone you love...against saving the world. for the first time in his life, Matt is faced with having a lot to lose.
I don't want to give away a lot about this book because if you start the series - which you really should - you'll be able to follow along with the characters as they change each other's lives. This is more than a found family, it's a family of people who need each other to survive. This series really is a ride. There is love, pain, recovery, fear, tons of action and a quirky found family.
The pacing of this series has been consistently spot-on. I love how Adler manages to flesh out all the characters while still letting the plot progress at a natural pace. I've really found that I have been caught up with the characters and their growth. In particular, Matt is a favourite of mine. He has come so far since the first book of the series. He's struggled with a lot of challenges and had to put a lot behind him in order to move on. Even having a healthy relationship was something that Matt wasn't sure that he could do.
This book, the final one in the Sierra, wraps up all the loose threads that have been created throughout the story. it was very satisfying to read through all of the adventures and get to the end... (even though I didn't want the series to end at all!!!).
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February 15, 2021Cover Artist: Natasha Snow
Category: Romance
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Word Count: 70900
Sex Content: Explicit
Pairing: MM
Orientation: Bisexual, Demisexual, Gay
Identity: Cisgender
Warnings: Depictions of violence, abduction, physical injuries. Mentions of torture, mutilation, alcohol abuse. Allusions to past rape. Deaths of minor characters
Afloat is the third and final book of the Staying Afloat series. For best enjoyment, the books should be read in order.
Available for purchase:
NineStar Press: https://ninestarpress.com/product/afl...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/aflo...
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aflo...
Category: Romance
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Word Count: 70900
Sex Content: Explicit
Pairing: MM
Orientation: Bisexual, Demisexual, Gay
Identity: Cisgender
Warnings: Depictions of violence, abduction, physical injuries. Mentions of torture, mutilation, alcohol abuse. Allusions to past rape. Deaths of minor characters
Afloat is the third and final book of the Staying Afloat series. For best enjoyment, the books should be read in order.
Available for purchase:
NineStar Press: https://ninestarpress.com/product/afl...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/aflo...
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/aflo...
February 27, 2021
This book is the final installment in a series, and as it continues the overall story arc, it’s a good idea to read the previous two. They’re well worth the read, so if you haven’t already, give them a shot!
In this installment Matt and co are at a bit of an impasse: their previous adventures have complicated their lives, in some good ways and some bad, and finding a soft place to land is increasingly difficult. The drama ratchets up intensely, also, when Matt makes the choice to confront his past rather than attempt to outrun it. The events of the story are as fraught and engrossing as ever, although there were times when I felt like I was waiting just a bit too long for something (anything) to happen.
As much as I enjoyed the plot, I’d have to say my favorite part of this series is the way the author creates such compelling characters. Matt is one of my favorite protagonists, because he feels so incredibly complex, in both frustrating and endearing ways. I love how he’s grown (and also how some parts of him are stubbornly resistant to change). His bond with Ryce is strong and true, even when a bit of angst and a few trust-issues threaten to destabilize it.
There’s a lot to like about this series: complex, interesting characters, a well developed world, an intriguing storyline, and a relationship that builds, slowly but inexorably, into something beautiful. I highly recommend all three novels, and this one offers a fitting conclusion to Matt’s adventures.
*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an honest review.
In this installment Matt and co are at a bit of an impasse: their previous adventures have complicated their lives, in some good ways and some bad, and finding a soft place to land is increasingly difficult. The drama ratchets up intensely, also, when Matt makes the choice to confront his past rather than attempt to outrun it. The events of the story are as fraught and engrossing as ever, although there were times when I felt like I was waiting just a bit too long for something (anything) to happen.
As much as I enjoyed the plot, I’d have to say my favorite part of this series is the way the author creates such compelling characters. Matt is one of my favorite protagonists, because he feels so incredibly complex, in both frustrating and endearing ways. I love how he’s grown (and also how some parts of him are stubbornly resistant to change). His bond with Ryce is strong and true, even when a bit of angst and a few trust-issues threaten to destabilize it.
There’s a lot to like about this series: complex, interesting characters, a well developed world, an intriguing storyline, and a relationship that builds, slowly but inexorably, into something beautiful. I highly recommend all three novels, and this one offers a fitting conclusion to Matt’s adventures.
*I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily composed an honest review.
February 19, 2021
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Afloat is the third and final book in the Staying Afloat series and you must read these books in order. Aside from the character development that happens, there are events that occur in the earlier volumes that have specific ramifications in Afloat. This is a series that I have thoroughly enjoyed and, while Afloat had some weaknesses, it was still a fun read.
One of the strongest parts of this series has been the evolution between Matt and Ryce, and in Afloat, we seen them finally on an even keel with one another. A lot, though not all, of their communication issues have resolved and Matt finally seems to realize that Ryce isn’t going anywhere and that the love they share is solid.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Afloat is the third and final book in the Staying Afloat series and you must read these books in order. Aside from the character development that happens, there are events that occur in the earlier volumes that have specific ramifications in Afloat. This is a series that I have thoroughly enjoyed and, while Afloat had some weaknesses, it was still a fun read.
One of the strongest parts of this series has been the evolution between Matt and Ryce, and in Afloat, we seen them finally on an even keel with one another. A lot, though not all, of their communication issues have resolved and Matt finally seems to realize that Ryce isn’t going anywhere and that the love they share is solid.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
December 30, 2021
Absolutely amazing. Loved every word. A fantastic conclusion to the series. A perfect SciFi for me.
January 24, 2023
Solid 4 stars as that was the best of all three. The series ends with a satisfying ending.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews