Forbidden Hero: Redleg Security, Book 2 (Unabridged‪)‬

Yes this is a suspense with some good spice, but it’s also hilarious. I could not stop laughing. The suspense, the love story and the spice were all good, but the characters one liners were amazing. I kept snickering even when it was totally inappropriate to be laughing. This book deals with some very serious stuff and both the characters have some horrible traumas, but the way they still found ways to laugh made the story for me. Loved every second of this listen and would highly recommend.

When Forbidden Hero was first released, I was right there downloading my copy. I LOVE the Redleg Security books… in fact, I anxiously waited for them after discovering the Love and Laughter Series. So, I am not here to review the story/writing for Forbidden Hero. I’m here to give you my thoughts about the audiobook.

Let me be honest. I have a love/hate relationship with audiobooks. I have loved reading a book only to hate the audiobook. I have loved an audiobook only to be frustrated that it takes me so long to get through the story. I read extremely fast, so audiobooks can simply feel too slow. That said, it is a rare pleasure to find an audiobook that pulls me into the world of the story in a way that the passage of time becomes nothing to me. This phenomenon lies firmly on the shoulders of the narrator(s).

Forbidden Hero is one of these rare diamonds of audiobooks for me. Robert Hatchet and C.J. Bloom have a commanding understanding of the characters of Sawyer and Sammie.

Robert’s voice, while warm, contains an edginess that seems perfect for an ex-Ranger who works in security with his brothers-in-arms. His diverse accents for Sawyer’s voices and how he can sound edgy and still vulnerable gave me goosebumps.

CJ seemed to channel Sammie with such a perfectly snarky voice that keeps you from feeling any weakness… even as Sammie struggles with massive trauma. Her performance brings such strength to Sammie’s character and truly performs the growth and perseverance of Sammie’s journey.

I could see this couple’s story like a movie in my imagination, just as strongly as I did when I read the book. I almost never experienced this level of visualization with audiobooks. I will look for other books narrated by these voice actors… just like I do for some of my favorite narrators. Jackie Walker’s decision to cast Robert Hatchet and C.J. Bloom will not disappoint you.

Forbidden is the story of Sawyer & Sammy.

Sawyer is a fun-loving, coffee-fiending, prankster, bodyguard. Sawyer has always been one of my favorite characters in previous books, his personality always adds humor whenever he is involved.

Sammy is Sawyer’s best friend Leo’s sister. She has just escaped a very troubled relationship.

Sawyer has secretly loved Sammy for years but has hidden it out of respect for his best friend. When Sammy is threatened, the Redleg Security family rallies to protect her. On the insistence of her brother, Sammy is assigned a babysitter, or as they refer to them, a bodyguard.

Being tasked with protecting her, Sawyer lays down some ground rules that frustrate Sammy. As we know, rules are made to be broken. When their chemistry becomes too much to deny, the dilemma becomes whether or not to keep it a secret.

The author weaves an enjoyable story of loyalty, love and heat. Forbidden Hero has all the things you love in a Forced Proximity, Friends to Lovers, Hero falls first story.

This was my first audiobook so I was a little hesitant going in, but I was hooked by the end of Chapter The narrators did a great job of bringing the story and the characters to life. The female narrator portrays Sammy’s sassy attitude while the male narrator nailed Sawyer’s playfulness and love of accents.

I highly recommend both the book and the audio. ***CAUTION*** Contains steam, be aware of your surroundings and method of listening (invest in some headphones).