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Z Boys #1

A Table for Ten

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Z Unit doesn't exist. So a knock on the door on Christmas Day brings more than one surprise to the special ops band of brothers.Lincoln ‘Ace’ Kelly has traded everything for command of his unit and the girl who saved his life—even if she’s furry and sleeps on the floor. Every year at Christmas the boys of his unit put extra chairs around the table for the ones they’ve lost.

Next year, Lincoln expects to see new faces around the table and a whole lot more chairs.

When Hadleigh Rawson knocks on his door on Christmas Day, Linclon is reminded of what Christmas is about—gratitude for the band of soldiers who are more like brothers than employees, good food, better company and the hope that an old grunt might be worthy of redemption and love.


A Table for Ten is a COMPLETE short Christmas story that sets the scene for Z Boys.

35 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 28, 2022

88 people are currently reading
95 people want to read

About the author

Sofia Aves

131 books572 followers
USA Today Bestselling author Sofia Aves writes fast-paced police romances, sizzling military units, steamy cowboys with a Montana backdrop and the occasional cheeky god. Sofia writes kidlit for charity and has over one hundred and fifty publications across five not-so-super-secret pen names. She’s the acquisitions editor for Evernight and Evernight Teen publishing and is a mum of three crazies in a returned veteran household. Sofia has two overly large fur babies who think they’re teacup puppies.
Sofia lives near Brisbane, Australia where she has her own alpaca park, Lorendel.


Rep: Nicky Lovick at WGM Atalntic

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5 stars
56 (32%)
4 stars
44 (25%)
3 stars
45 (26%)
2 stars
20 (11%)
1 star
6 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
1,332 reviews
March 21, 2022
Sofia Aves certainly knows how to write a short story that leaves you salivating at the thought of a new series
The table was set with the extra places for fallen colleagues, colleagues who would be toasted as they were every Christmas.
Fairview House Cairns was the home of Z unit, a black ops unit that was made up of inter service personnel who each had their own speciality, Christmas day was the only day that they could call a "day off"
Lincoln Kelly (Ace) led the team, he had done a deal with Acting Brigadier Ridgell which allowed him to keep his beloved dog Helix, a dog who had taken bullets for him, Ace would stay in the team and take the lead and Halix would be saved from the retirement breeding cage.....the relationship between Ace and the Brigadier wasn't good but would Ace change his perception of Ridgell when his beautiful PA Hadleigh Rawson arrived with a basket of goodies as a gift from him, the team quickly snapped up the goodies and Ace was delighted with Hadleigh's interaction with Halix, Christmas was looking up but were things as they appeared ?
I can't wait to read about the exploits of Lincoln (Ace), Noah (King), Scotty (Joker), Caleb (Hearts) and the Trans twins (Nave and Queen). Short but sweet, I loved it.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.
348 reviews
June 22, 2022
Definitely a great quick intro to the Z boys! While having Christmas dinner and a day off together, the boys have a surprise visitor who turns out not to be who she said she was. Ace, the leader of the team, has an instant attraction but with a twist since Hadleigh isn’t who she says she is. Can’t wait to read more about this team!
1,397 reviews9 followers
March 5, 2022
This book was a great introduction to the 'Z boys' military series. We meet Ace and the soldiers on his team. It's Christmas and the group is having a day off and dinner with each other. A woman shows up who says she was sent from their commander and brings Christmas treats. Ace finds her attractive and really enjoys her company. They talk for a bit and end up kissing each other. Ace realizes he can't be in a relationship with anyone because of his career and puts distance in between them. After she leaves Ace realizes that the woman is not who she said she was. I can't wait to read more about this group and find out more about what lies in Ace and Hadleigh's future.
Profile Image for Micki_1989.
1,155 reviews4 followers
December 21, 2024
Huh! Not what I was expecting from this story line and definitely was expecting at least a little smut but nope just some kissing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,020 reviews12 followers
July 7, 2022
a great Christmas starter

I loved the richness of the world building, especially regarding Cairns. The characters were all standout, providing a great deal of energy and emotion. What a Christmas!
379 reviews7 followers
April 24, 2023
This short story is a prequel to a series of six books (so far) about the Z Boys. At 35 pages long, it’s a very quick read; still, I did not care for this little story.

Unless you’ve read a book or two about the Z Boys, prepare to be confused because the writer lands the hapless reader smack in the middle of a set of unknown characters. And there are too many characters to fit into 35 pages. Apparently, the writer expects readers to have read her earlier books because no explanations are given regarding who the Z Boys are and what they do in Z Unit, which seems to be housed in Fairview House in Cairns, Australia.

The story is difficult to get into. I think it’s about a woman who gets herself invited into Fairview House (where, perhaps, the Z Boys live) on Christmas. I’m unsure, but the impression I have is that Z Unit is a super-secret organization. If so, how is it that an unknown woman is allowed to come in and traipse all over the house, on her own, and at least twice without an escort? That’s odd.

I have no idea where the romance was in this story. Possibly, it was to have been between Hadleigh Rawson, the unknown woman who shows up on Z Unit’s doorstep, and the narrator, Lincoln Kelly (or is it Kelley, as written on page 17?). If this is the romantic couple, then the chemistry is non-existent. Both characters are flat.

A prequel should be exciting, inducing in the reader a desire to read the books in its series. That doesn’t happen here. There is no excitement, even when the woman is found to have been a latter-day Mata Hari. These thirty-five pages were mostly descriptive, without a plot, and without enough information about any of the myriad characters to whet a literary appetite. I guess this story is a little vignette, like a home movie watched without popcorn. In the end, a reader will not be hungry for more about the Z Boys.

I rated this story 2 stars because I never felt drawn to any of the characters and the plot is so thin that it’s nonexistent. I don’t believe I’ll read any more stories about the Z Boys. I still don’t know who they are or what they do. I can hazard a guess, but I really don’t know. I think the narrator, Lincoln Kelly, is better off with his dog, Helix, who took a bullet for him. She, Helix, is much nicer than the strange woman who showed up at Z Unit's door, unannounced.
1,710 reviews13 followers
March 3, 2022
Lincoln Ace Kelly is a Black Ops team leader stationed in Australia at this time he and his team are celebrating Christmas when as they are about to eat their dinner a knock at the door changes everything Kelly answers the door and there is a beautiful woman with a gift for them which he assumes is from his commander and she leads him to believe that to be true she says she is visiting family but Kelly and the guys are so taken with him as well as his girl Helix that he doesn't follow protocol and she roams freely about their place and also gets Kelly's temperature on the rise before he comes to his Senses and sends her away. The damage has been done. An Interesting look at what we might be in for with this new series. I purchased this book. I volunteered an honest review.
Profile Image for Phyllis Farmer .
605 reviews8 followers
March 23, 2022
A Table For Ten

Sofia Aves’ short story in the ‘Limited Edition Collection of Short Holiday Romances’ was a very touching tale. When the Z Boys Unit get together for their Christmas Day dinner, a beautiful woman, named Hadleigh, appears bearing a wonderful holiday basket full of treats for the men. Hadleigh said she was Brigadier Ridgell’s PA and that he sent her with the goodies. She’s extended an invitation to join all the men for dinner. Their tradition and conversations are unique and surreal. This was a delightful Christmas story that had an unexpected twist. This book is also the prequel to Sofia’s new series about the Z Boys coming in 2022. Highly recommended and definitely a MUST read!
1,104 reviews9 followers
May 15, 2022
This is a great introduction to the Z boys military series, a short story that leaves you salivating at the thought of new stories. We meet Ace and the soldiers on his team at Christmas, when the group is having a day off. The table is set with the extra places for fallen comrades who are toasted to. A woman shows up, says she is sent from their commander and brings a welcome basket. Ace finds her attractive and really enjoys her company, they talk, they kiss, he realizes he can't have a relationship because of his career. After she leaves, there are revelations and many many open questions. I can't wait to read about the exploits of Ace and his comrades! I loved it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Colleen Daley.
315 reviews31 followers
March 9, 2022
A fantastic introduction to the next series. I am excited to read more on the Z-boys and can't wait to get the full story about Lincoln Kelly!!! I also loved the connection between Lincoln and his dog Helix, it was such a wonderful addition to the story and fantastic to read for an animal lover like myself. The Z-boys get a big surprise as they sit down to celebrate Christmas dinner and a visitor arrives with some Christmas treats. The book ends on a fantastic twist you won't see coming and I can't wait to find out what happens to the Z-boys in the new series.
Profile Image for Amanda.
739 reviews9 followers
March 12, 2022
This was an exciting short story that introduces a new book series, Z Boys. I enjoyed the group and definitely want to learn more about them. Their recognition of their fallen comrades by having empty chairs was so touching. Everything changed when a stranger appeared at their door. Their interaction was definitely interesting, I definitely was not expecting the twist that happened. I highly recommend you read this book, I can not wait to see what happens next. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Profile Image for Mx Phoebe.
1,528 reviews
March 27, 2022
Sofia Aves gives us a quickie to kick off her new Z Boys series. These military men are stationed in Australia, but come from all over the world. In A Table For Ten, they come together for their one day off a year to celebrate Christmas.

I do like the twist at the end which says that Ace and Hadleigh will meet again. I hope it's as hot as their kiss.

I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

Check out the rest of my review at Phoebe's Randoms. Link in bio.
1,886 reviews20 followers
May 3, 2022
A short novella that will keep you reading from start to finish. A short story but with a lot of emotion packed into it.

A unit of military men are having Christmas dinner, its the one day that they took some down time. They have empty chairs at their table to honor their fallen comrades. While they were getting ready to eat they hear a knock on the door and a young lady shows up claiming she has a care package from their boss.

Check out the story I think you will find it enjoyable.
Profile Image for Meghan C..
458 reviews5 followers
March 1, 2022
What a great introduction to a new series, Z Boys! Lucas and his unit always celebrate Christmas together with extra empty seats for the people who they lost. When a stranger knocks on the door one Christmas, everything changes. The unexpected twist at the end made me excited about the series! I cannot wait to see what happens next with Lucas and Hadleigh and the rest of the Z boys!
3,105 reviews3 followers
June 6, 2022
This was a good enjoyable Christmas story that has you choked up and feeling emotional with the chairs that get filled and that are empty and looking forward to the next story with these characters to see what happens next. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Joy Whiteside.
5,046 reviews120 followers
March 5, 2022
This is an amazing short story that will grab you and keep you reading. It moves along at a great pace, keeping you interested, has amazing characters and a story that keeps you want to read. This book needs to be on your TBR list, no doubt about it.
Profile Image for Mrs R.
1,459 reviews20 followers
March 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this, it was a great introduction to the Z boys and now I can't wait for the series.
The guys gather round for a Christmas meal, remembering colleagues they've lost. Then they get an unexpected visitor.
I expecially enjoyed the twist at the end, was not expecting that at all.
159 reviews2 followers
March 19, 2022
What an awesome induction to the Z-boys series... This short story written by Sofia is about a group of Aussie military men. I am excited to read more and cant wait to get the full story of these men.
159 reviews2 followers
March 19, 2022
What an awesome induction to the Z-boys series... This short story written by Sofia is about a group of Aussie military men. I am excited to read more and cant wait to get the full story of these men.
Profile Image for Karen Zornek fitzcharles.
440 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2022
Interesting book .. If you want to know why there is a Table for Ten you should read this book for the details. Thank you Sofia for writing this book. Please read and review your books.
1,838 reviews19 followers
March 25, 2022
A table for ten

A good read for people who are into the series recommended highly a good read but quick shaping up to be a enjoyable series must read the next one of the series
Profile Image for Zoë Miranda.
645 reviews11 followers
December 30, 2023
Holiday Cheer Meter: 0/5
(Where 1 is as Christmassy as 'Die Hard' and 5 is more like 'Elf')

I'm on a bit of a holiday 'mission', trying to get through a bunch of my holiday TBR before the new year so I'm starting with the shortest and working my way up over the next couple of days.

I'll be honest, I didn't have high expectations for this one, it's only 35 pages and is ostensibly a set-up book for a series. BUUUT, it was free and I do enjoy a good military romance and I love Christmas so it made the cut, especially since it was billed as "a COMPLETE short Christmas story..." (emphasis not mine).

This failed in all of it's objectives; as a prequel setting up the characters of the series, as a hook to get me interested in the series, and as a complete short Christmas story.
- I could barely name any of the characters aside from Helix and Lincoln Kelly/Kelley (Ace); codenames don't really count when they are essentially the suits of a deck of cards.
Scotty Evans (Joker), Tran Twin #1 (Knave), Tran Twin #2 (Queen), Caleb (Hearts), and Noah King (King). Hadleigh Rawson.
- I still have no real idea who the Z boys are individually or as a team.
- There are virtually no festive feels.
- My definition of a complete story is very different from that of the author... the "romance" between "Ace" and "Hadleigh" is the featured relationship of the first Z Boys book so that is definitely left up in the air, neither is her purpose for showing up revealed, literally nothing is resolved.

As if all of that wasn't enough I didn't like the writing style, it felt so disjointed. I have no desire to read more of the series.

I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I wish the author had left the whole romance angle out. I love romance, I read it pretty much exclusively, but, it was poorly executed and didn't add anything to the story. I would have much rather read an introduction to the team enjoying a festive day off before shipping out on a mission.

This was such a bummer even the dog couldn't save it.
Profile Image for Raecharmed.
9,319 reviews70 followers
June 11, 2022
Lincoln is a black ops team leader, and his team is in Australia taking some time to celebrate Christmas. There's a knock on their door and the find Hadleigh with a gift basket for them. Everyone welcomes her into their space as they continue to relax and unwind. Things heat up between Hadleigh and Lincoln before she leaves. Its not until she has left that they get some disturbing new. Will he see Hadleigh again? Are they in trouble?

This isa great story that will draw you in and leave you wanting more. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
945 reviews11 followers
August 20, 2022
This short prequel is the beginning of a military series Z Boys.

In this one we are introduced to the friends and team as they celebrate Christmas. I liked that for a short story it was very well described and detailed. I feel like I built up a good image for the characters from this story.

The story focuses on Lincoln Kelly,  or Ace as he's known. When a female PA turns up with a care package for the guys,  Lincoln can't help but be drawn to her. Even though she isn't what she appears.

This does end on a sort of cliffhanger,  but it is a free read on kindle right now for anyone who is interested in military romance novels.
161 reviews2 followers
September 6, 2022
, what they do, how they celebrate Christmas and respect for those not there.

Then an unknown woman arrives to join them. The Z Unit team leader, Kelly, finds it very hard to resist Hadleigh and came close to loosing himself in her. Before it went too far, he sent her away. And then he found out she was not who he thinks she is.

A lot of information packed into 35 page introduction to a new series. At this stage I honestly don’t know if the information overload will stick in my head.

I received an advance review copy of this book for free, from the author and Booksirens, and am l leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Chey.
1,499 reviews50 followers
March 7, 2022
Mixed Feelings

I have very mixed feelings on this book. I liked Lincoln and Hadeleigh together, for the shirt time they had, and it seemed like they were having a great connection. The author built a great relationship quickly and I was excited to see where it went.

Then the book ended abruptly, and I'm left wondering what the point of the book was. The writing was great, but 30 pages of build up isn't really worthwhile. It seems like this would be the first two chapters in a new book, rather than an entire book by itself.
1,612 reviews32 followers
May 14, 2022
Z BOYS was inspired by an Aussie WWII unit called Z Unit, a joint ops group formed to take on jobs no one else would touch. There stories are slowly only being released now after 75+ years . Reading their stories inspired the author to recreate a series filled with soldiers who are filled with snarky, passionate protectors. They were disbanded as being too volatile. These soldiers saved a lot of lives and put away a number of extremely psycopathic individuals. I received this novel from BookFunnel. This is my honest and true full review.
Profile Image for Erin Robinson.
38 reviews2 followers
June 7, 2022
I'm guessing this novella was meant to set the storyline for an upcoming series of books. While well written, there was not enough story to pull me in and want to continue. We get a broad description of the secret military group these men belong to and the introduction of a (possible?) h. I didn't connect with the H or the h in this book, and their story is not even next in the series. I may or may not continue with this series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Dawn.
232 reviews1 follower
October 1, 2022
The wrong kind of “special” ops

The story would be cute if it wasn’t so cringe worthy. The reader sees all the mistakes and it’s hard to watch Kelley being so stupid. Then It’s a bit disappointing when it’s not as bad as it should be. Just saying, I wouldn’t let a stranger into my house, why are they letting one into their top secret headquarters?

Too many characters with too many different names for a short story. But I’d this was written as a bonus story for a longer series , then I’m just the wrong reader.
Profile Image for Ronel Janse van Vuuren.
Author 70 books55 followers
April 24, 2022
I enjoy trying out new series – especially when there’s a short, free introduction to it.

I like the Z Crew. But I’m not sure I like them enough to read the series.

There were some issues with the story, not big, but the “romance” part felt a bit forced. There were some typos (e.g. “Kelly” spelled “Kelley” at some point).

The best part of the book, for me, is the dog, Helix. Seeing her on the cover was why I downloaded the book in the first place.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews