What do you think?
Rate this book
Wayward
The family guilt and secrets that have haunted Audrey Linser from childhood have become her armor, her excuse to keep people away. This independence has been an asset during her Army career as a CID agent in the field, until a close call ends her solo days. Now, she's stuck at Fort Huachuca, the home of intelligence training and her childhood ghosts. All she wants is to leave—until she meets Simon.
Simon Carwell was a military brat before enlisting in the Army. He's spent the last couple years weighed down by his own guilt after tragedy struck in Afghanistan. With some help from friends and a direct order, he's finally getting help and coming to terms with what happened. Facing those demons has him wanting more from life than the next thrill.
Their attraction is strong, but so are their issues. And while they're working through those, they have an even bigger problem to solve—
Who is trying to kill Audrey and why?
Simon Carwell was a military brat before enlisting in the Army. He's spent the last couple years weighed down by his own guilt after tragedy struck in Afghanistan. With some help from friends and a direct order, he's finally getting help and coming to terms with what happened. Facing those demons has him wanting more from life than the next thrill.
Their attraction is strong, but so are their issues. And while they're working through those, they have an even bigger problem to solve—
Who is trying to kill Audrey and why?
- GenresMilitary Fiction
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2021
18 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 7, 2022
Wow! Solid writing. This was such an enjoyable read. Going in I didn’t know what to expect from a Military Romance but this was a mix of bag of genres that I was not expecting. The up and down relationship between the two main characters Audrey and Simon had me so invested. Each character having secrets and watching things play out had me hooked. Themes of PTSD, abandonment & lack of trust are explored in such a way that felt organic. Simon also stood out among the cast. He became my favorite character and I couldn’t help but root for him. I enjoyed as we found out more about him as the story went on. The side characters also added to the story and were well fleshed out. One thing I also like was that none of Audrey superiors talked down to her. They talked and treated her with respect. The sex scenes were so tasteful and well written that it was easy to visualize what was happening on the pages. The third act was very climatic and the sense of urgency was intense. You felt like time was running out and once it hooked me it didn’t not let go. I enjoyed how well the humor, the steamy scenes, the suspense worked hand in hand to deliver this amazing story so well that I can’t wait to see what’s next.
December 16, 2021
I don't know where to even start. This is a phenomenal read in every sense of the word.
I'll start by speaking on her prose. Kimber has this innate ability to channel what the reader needs to know or see in the most incredible way. Every sentence is strategically formulated and placed to carry the readers on a journey with Simon and Audrey. It is my belief that great works pull the reader in, making it an experience emotionally. Kimber does this in spades. You go from feeling mushy due to the meet-cute to playing Sherlock Holmes to anger to being grossed out by a skeezy character. She plays the heartstrings like a professional harpist.
The story itself isn't one I've ever read before. Oftentimes, you will read things that are so similar to other works, and the tropes/cliches get overplayed. Kimber has done a marvelous job at steering clear of this folly. It's fresh, clever, witty, fun, and engaging. The twist, by the way, is freaking unbelievable.
I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn't put it down. I read it in two days utilizing every spare moment, be it waiting in the pick-up line to get my kids from school or watching noodles boil for dinner.
This is a worthy read, and I promise you will not be disappointed! Kimber has my support and business for as long as she churns out books. I can't wait for Book 2 of this series!
I'll start by speaking on her prose. Kimber has this innate ability to channel what the reader needs to know or see in the most incredible way. Every sentence is strategically formulated and placed to carry the readers on a journey with Simon and Audrey. It is my belief that great works pull the reader in, making it an experience emotionally. Kimber does this in spades. You go from feeling mushy due to the meet-cute to playing Sherlock Holmes to anger to being grossed out by a skeezy character. She plays the heartstrings like a professional harpist.
The story itself isn't one I've ever read before. Oftentimes, you will read things that are so similar to other works, and the tropes/cliches get overplayed. Kimber has done a marvelous job at steering clear of this folly. It's fresh, clever, witty, fun, and engaging. The twist, by the way, is freaking unbelievable.
I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn't put it down. I read it in two days utilizing every spare moment, be it waiting in the pick-up line to get my kids from school or watching noodles boil for dinner.
This is a worthy read, and I promise you will not be disappointed! Kimber has my support and business for as long as she churns out books. I can't wait for Book 2 of this series!
December 21, 2021
This was a great book. Kimber Delaney brought us two broken people who fight their inner demons while solving a crime, and falling in love. I was immediately swept up into this story and couldn’t put it down. I am looking forward to more in this series!
December 19, 2021
Well written, believable, the right tone for some of the heavier subject matter.
June 8, 2022
I'm not very acquainted with erotic romances, so I can't compare Wayward to other books in the genre. But there is far more to this book than just steamy romance, including a great mystery and some real humanity to its characters.
Telling the story of Audrey Linser and Simon Carwell, Wayward tells a romance story with many of the tropes you would expect from a romance, with drama following them as they work out whether the other is the one. This is an erotic romance, so if you prefer PG-rated stories, this may not be the book for you. If you don't mind some heat, the author has presented each love scene as a thing of beauty. These scenes leave little to the imagination but are all written delicately and tastefully. The author guides the reader through these scenes, and through this heat shows the characters' passion and feelings for one another.
The exploration of these characters moves well beyond these scenes. One of the book's many strengths is the characterisation, whether it's the leads, their friends, colleagues, or the villains. Most of these characters are likeable, others make the skin crawl; every one is well-defined, with even the most minor characters being three dimensional. They all read like someone you could meet in real life, bringing a sense of believability to the story.
While all the characters shine, the leads shine the brightest. They are damaged by life experiences, which is realised in the book in realistic and heart-wrenching ways. Through these characters, the author explores themes about trust, abandonment, depression and PTSD. The stunning character world and honest representations of these issued drew me in and had me desperate to see how these stories would play out.
The realism in Wayward extends past the character work; it is evident the author has taken a great deal of care to explore military life accurately. Every facet feels realistic, with not a single aspect of the story causing me to question its basis in fact. The story unfolds in a grounded way that doesn't feel remotely embellished.
The grounded realism extends to the overarching mystery, which is sure to keep readers turning the page. At no point did I have to suspend my disbelief as I read. It's a satisfying mystery with a strong threat that feels entirely realistic.
Much of this success can be attributed to the pacing. The author sets the scene in the background of the first act, and continues to build upon it in the second. Once the book reaches the third act, it builds to a wonderful crescendo. With the romance and character work, it is a testament to the author's skill that Wayward has been paced so expertly.
All the elements are connected through brilliantly written prose. The early meet cute feels as though it stepped out of a romantic comedy, the thrilling ending is an intense pay-off to a creeping mystery, the character studies throughout let the readers right into these characters’ heads, and the love scenes are beautifully erotic. There are many different elements in the book, and the narrative blends them together beautifully.
This is the first book in a series, but rest assured that it stands alone perfectly. From what I've seen of Book 2's description, it moves the focus to another character from this book.
If you're not a fan of steamy romance stories, this mightn't be the book for you. But if you're a fan of them, or if you're ambivalent to that aspect and enjoy strong mysteries and excellent character work, you'll be drawn into a wonderful package.
My full review will be available on my website from 10 June, 2022. For my entire thoughts (and a host of other reviews), click here.
Telling the story of Audrey Linser and Simon Carwell, Wayward tells a romance story with many of the tropes you would expect from a romance, with drama following them as they work out whether the other is the one. This is an erotic romance, so if you prefer PG-rated stories, this may not be the book for you. If you don't mind some heat, the author has presented each love scene as a thing of beauty. These scenes leave little to the imagination but are all written delicately and tastefully. The author guides the reader through these scenes, and through this heat shows the characters' passion and feelings for one another.
The exploration of these characters moves well beyond these scenes. One of the book's many strengths is the characterisation, whether it's the leads, their friends, colleagues, or the villains. Most of these characters are likeable, others make the skin crawl; every one is well-defined, with even the most minor characters being three dimensional. They all read like someone you could meet in real life, bringing a sense of believability to the story.
While all the characters shine, the leads shine the brightest. They are damaged by life experiences, which is realised in the book in realistic and heart-wrenching ways. Through these characters, the author explores themes about trust, abandonment, depression and PTSD. The stunning character world and honest representations of these issued drew me in and had me desperate to see how these stories would play out.
The realism in Wayward extends past the character work; it is evident the author has taken a great deal of care to explore military life accurately. Every facet feels realistic, with not a single aspect of the story causing me to question its basis in fact. The story unfolds in a grounded way that doesn't feel remotely embellished.
The grounded realism extends to the overarching mystery, which is sure to keep readers turning the page. At no point did I have to suspend my disbelief as I read. It's a satisfying mystery with a strong threat that feels entirely realistic.
Much of this success can be attributed to the pacing. The author sets the scene in the background of the first act, and continues to build upon it in the second. Once the book reaches the third act, it builds to a wonderful crescendo. With the romance and character work, it is a testament to the author's skill that Wayward has been paced so expertly.
All the elements are connected through brilliantly written prose. The early meet cute feels as though it stepped out of a romantic comedy, the thrilling ending is an intense pay-off to a creeping mystery, the character studies throughout let the readers right into these characters’ heads, and the love scenes are beautifully erotic. There are many different elements in the book, and the narrative blends them together beautifully.
This is the first book in a series, but rest assured that it stands alone perfectly. From what I've seen of Book 2's description, it moves the focus to another character from this book.
If you're not a fan of steamy romance stories, this mightn't be the book for you. But if you're a fan of them, or if you're ambivalent to that aspect and enjoy strong mysteries and excellent character work, you'll be drawn into a wonderful package.
My full review will be available on my website from 10 June, 2022. For my entire thoughts (and a host of other reviews), click here.
June 23, 2022
Two soldiers - both dealing with past trauma - find each other and support from the other as they heal. Though there are some heavy themes in this book, I was happy to read about soldiers going to therapy and exploring healthy ways to deal with PTSD. Additionally, the mystery in the book was well-developed and well executed. The spicy scenes were entertaining, as well. As an Army brat, I really appreciated Delaney's realistic portrayals. I'll certainly look out for the second book in this series!
September 2, 2023
Ok, so. I don't really read romance. It's not my thing. I decided I wanted to give it a go, and so far I'm not entirely impressed. Until now. Absolutely loved this book. I loved the mystery surrounding the characters, the spicy scenes were so well written, and I couldn't put it down.
September 21, 2025
love this story
I am so glad I brought this at the book festival I went to. I wish I would have gotten more from this author. This story was amazing. Love the spice this is a military romance.
I am so glad I brought this at the book festival I went to. I wish I would have gotten more from this author. This story was amazing. Love the spice this is a military romance.
April 22, 2022
Very well written, and incredibly steamy. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two leads very much.
Want to Read
February 6, 2024Prch Amz Jan. 31, 2024
Read
February 2, 2024FREE today (January 31, 2024) on Amazon.
March 17, 2022
I'm not a romance reader but I was in the mood for one. Wayward was suggested to me by a friend. It's a quick read, steamy, and just what I was looking for.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews