Liam Hetcherson may be in charge in his job as a S.W.A.T. leader, but he is losing it around his apartment. Thin bedroom walls have created some embarrassing and intriguing situations between him and his new neighbor, Liberty Johnson.

She's not impressed by his girl parade, but he is definitely enthralled by her. But she is a challenge and is not going to succumb to his charms or sex appeal easily...and the chase is on.

They spar, flirt, and combust. She's stubborn and sassy. He's bossy and persistent. They drive each other crazy. Their reactions are strong, their chemistry intense, and they are a lot of fun. It's just supposed to be casual, but both seem to be getting in over their heads. 

But Hetch has demons. He was barely keeping them contained and they affect how he handles his life. As situations arise that bring them crashing down around him, they have to deal with them. But Hetch is not used to being open and has kept most of his feelings bottled up too long. And Liberty has trust issues and is not secure in their fragile undefined relationship yet. So they both have a lot to deal with and do not always do so effectively. They become immersed in fears, embarrassment, anger, and uncertainty that require healing, distance, and time. It gets real, raw, confusing, and emotional. They are both struggling, hurting, and stubborn. But can they get past their issues and find a way to meet in the middle and be able to move on?

There is also a danger and suspense subplot and a need for protection. Her job brings safety issues. And his job is dangerous any time he goes out on a call. It just added to the tension as various events unfolded. 

Their support system of friends and family added humor, support, and drama. His team Sterling, Hart, Tate, and Fox are all potential future heroes. Her best friend, Payton and his sister, Kota I can see as future heroines perhaps ending up with one of his friends. Her brother Jett made me want to slap him several times as he made stupid choices. Mitch, one of the boys she assisted in the boy's home made me smile with his sweet, caring personality. I loved how he affected both Liberty and Hetch. I enjoyed getting their dual points of view and really seeing their emotional conflicts. They both were in need of saving, but did not even realize it. 

This story is about moments and people that define individuals. Sometimes they are good. Sometimes they are bad. But they are all significant and shape them. But it is how they choose to deal with them and who stands beside them that becomes the most important aspect of all. There are some sensitive topics covered, but I think they were handled respectively and realistically.

I really enjoyed this first book in this new series. It was funny, sexy, intense, dramatic, and surprisingly emotional. I did not want to put it down. I really became invested in these characters and their stories. I cannot wait to get more with the men of S.W.A.T..

And I do not usually talk about covers in review, but Holy Hell this cover is amazing. But even more so after reading the scene in the book. Gives me chills. 

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review. 


Liberty is on a hiatus from men after her last disaster of a relationship, but is finding it hard to abstain when she meets her neighbor.

With the trigger warning at the beginning, I was worried this was going to be too dark for the place I’m at right now in my life. However I was pleasantly surprised with the way these tough situations were handled. While one character was dealing with some pretty heavy emotions, the story itself wasn’t centered on the darkness. The trigger event is in the past, and while it is relived, something about the distance of time made it much less of a trigger for me.

Hetch is in his own head more than he’s not. But Liberty allows him to forget his pain in a way he’s never found before. I love his protective nature, even when it means he’s hurting himself to do what he thinks protects those around him. He’s an alpha, smooth talking, sexy cop, trying to keep those around him safe.

Liberty is a strong, confident woman with a stubborn streak. When Hetch messes up, she puts him through his paces and sticks to her guns as best as she can when he is her weakness. I loved her relationship with her sister and niece, and the way she cares about the boys she works with, especially Mitch.

I didn’t want to put this story down. The characters and the journey they were on had me hooked almost from the beginning. The alternating narration keeps readers inside both characters heads: we know Hetch’s struggles; we know Liberty’s strength. For as worried as I was prior to starting about the suicide aspect of the story, it turned out to be a rather easy (if at times emotional) read for me. 

The introduction to the other members of Hetch’s SWAT team served to pique my interest about each of the men and the stories they are hiding, and I am looking forward to more from this series. 

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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