LuckyTwo years ago I humiliated myself by declaring my love to an older man who clearly didn’t share my feelings. And that’s fine. One day Zach will come around. Meanwhile, I’ve built a life for myself in northern Montana, pursuing my college degree while working hard toward certification in high-risk alpine search and rescue on the side. And perhaps I’ve kept the danger part a secret from my two … danger part a secret from my two dads. After all, what they don’t know won’t hurt them…
Everything’s going exactly as planned until my dads send Zach to check on me just as I’m dealing with an ex who doesn’t understand the meaning of the word no. It’s bad enough Zach still thinks of me as a child; now he also thinks I’m incapable of looking out for myself. I need to get him off my back before he finds out I’m not heading to Wyoming for summer break like everyone thinks. I’m going to Glacier National Park to learn how to rappel from helicopters…
Zach
Two years ago I wanted something I couldn’t have, so I threw myself back into my job as an Army Ranger and wound up scarred in more ways than one. When the army dumps my sorry self back into the real world, it’s time to start over. I accept a summer job teaching high-risk search and rescue. On the way there, all I have to do is peek in on little Lucky Reed and make sure he’s okay.
He’s not. Someone has it out for him, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let him get hurt on my watch. My plan is to keep him safe until he heads south for his summer job playing trail guide to tourists. Once he’s gone, I’ll be free to head to Glacier where my biggest challenge will be keeping a handful of alpine search and rescue students safe as they learn how to dangle from helicopters high above the Rocky Mountains.
It’s all fine. Until it’s not. Danger follows us to Glacier, and by the time I finally start seeing Lucky as more than the awkward teenager he used to be, I wonder if it’s too late to convince him that this scarred soldier sees him as anything but little anymore.
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It has been some time, but I finally got my Sloane Kennedy/Lucy Lennox fix. This is the fourth book in the Twist of Fate series and this time we get “Lucky’s story. And those of you who have been reading all the books in the series, know exactly who Lucky is. Those of you that haven’t…please go back and read “Lost & Found”, because things will be so much clearer if you do.
Lucky, who happens to be Xander and Bennett’s son has had a big crush on Zach, for as long as he remembers. Zach, who is Jake’s brother (book 3), has always known about Lucky’s crush, but being much older than Lucky, he has tried to keep his distance. Even going as far as breaking an 18-year-old Lucky’s heart…
But young guys grow up too, and so what is a man to do when he comes face to face with the boy who used to crush on him, only to find out, that he isn’t a boy anymore…but a beautiful young man. A young man who still harbors the same feelings, even though he doesn’t want to in the beginning.
I have to admit that Zach did get on my nerves at times. I could understand his demons and his doubts, but I really wanted him to snap out of it. Also …being older doesn’t always mean you know better as well.
For those of you who are a fan of “hurt/comfort”, there is plenty to go around. Both men have tons of issues (especially Zack) that they need to overcome.
This book isn’t a sweet and fluffy read. It is pretty emotional and painful at times. But we all know how sweet that hurt/comfort can be. And even though they had a long way to go…at least they got there…together.
I’ve been waiting for Lucky to grow up and give me his story since I met him in Lost and Found, and folks?… it was well worth the wait.
First of all, I enjoyed seeing the characters from books 1-3. They are still just as lovely as I remember them being, and they added a lot to this story.
Lucky has grown into a strong young man. He is everything I could have imagined him to be at this age. Sweet, kind, loyal, courageous, funny, smart, and so much more. And to go from his harsh beginnings to being so loving and lovable is beautiful. There are times when his still young age is apparent, but that shows a vulnerability that makes me want to squeeze him tight and make his hard times better. I love it when an author(s) puts me right smack dab into a character’s heart and mind.
Zach is a tougher nut to crack. His time in the military has done a number on him, and the walls he has built protect not only himself but those around him. His traumatic experiences, both personal and professional, have affected every aspect of his life. I could feel his pain and anguish as he struggled to get through each day and night living with PTSD. Lucky changes that. Not that he’s a miracle worker or anything. He just stands steadfast and strong by Zach’s side, offering whatever he needs. Now don’t get me wrong, I wanted to snatch a knot into Zach several times, but his pain and inability to move past it all broke my heart.
These guys are not perfect, and this isn’t a sweet and fluffy read. It has some moments like that, sure, but mostly it is about ordinary people struggling with not so ordinary situations. It is harsh and hard and confusing, and the characters struggle through the best way they can until they get to a place where they can rest for a while until they have to get up and try again. So painful, and so good.
I haven’t mentioned the spicy times yet. Even though they are like gas on fire together, I didn’t feel the emotional connection until right at the end of the book. That is when their desire moved above and beyond lust to where they were seeking more than completion. They were seeking and found love.
I look forward to more from these authors.
It feels like I’ve been waiting for Lucky’s story for forever! Above and Beyond not only doesn’t disappoint, it gives the readers everything they could have possibly wanted and more.
The intense emotions between Zach and Lucky blew me away. I already knew I loved Lucky but Zach was a wonderful surprise. Together these two fight difficult pasts, hurts and pain. Nothing comes easy with these two but the ride is well worth it. I will just say EPIC ENDING!!!! I love when I finish the last page with the biggest smile on my face and a full heart. Loved it!!!!
Lucky finally got his happily ever after with his soul mate! While it wasn’t an easy or short road, both Zach and Lucky worked hard to find the happiness they both deserved. I absolutely loved this addition to this beloved series.
Trust & Fight
I’m so glad Lucky finally got his HEA but what a hard-won one it was. Though I think that means Zach and he will treasure and protect their love even more. “From the moment we met, you brought this light into my life that I thought had been burned out forever.” Zach made me angry at times with his unwillingness to open up but when he did gah, it hit me right in the heart. He and Lucky took me on an emotional ride but one I’m better for having experienced. Love this wonderful and beautiful series along with the amazing characters that are part of it.
Love is a splendid thing when it is returned but getting there can be quite the rough journey!
Heartbreaking, tragic, witty, moving and filled with love in many ways. Acceptance and understanding and need filled moments that lead us on a tale of men that are bound by things they don’t even know until it almost gets away.
Enjoyed it and teared up over it and truly happy I got to read it!
I REALLY wanted to love this book…. I’ve been waiting for Lucky’s and Zach’s story for so long.
Above and Beyond was not my favourite in this series For me, I think the characters were a bit over the top. Lucky’s biggest flaw was how much he wanted Zach… it’s almost like he had no self-esteem.. whatever it took, no matter how many times and how badly Zach used and then rejected him. Zach on the other hand was too flawed. His character disappointed me, time and time again. His constant using of Lucky, then turning his back on him, got old.
If nothing else, this was a hard earned HEA
A rating. I loved everything about this book especially the setup and the characters. It simply worked for me in every way.
Oh wow, this was a book with all the feels & angst. Anger, sadness, heartbreak,fear & love. I was an emotional mess. I loved Lucky of course & was so happy he was getting a story when he got of age, he had it hard, I tell you, my heart broke for him time & time again. Then there was Zach, I so didn’t like him at all, he went through some stuff & my heart hurt for him but all the time he’s hurt Lucky, nope, sorry. But Lucky kept going after him & giving in, I’m here shaking my head at him. Young Love & all that right? So, anyways, I didn’t like Zach until last chapter(sorry). Happy he finally gave in & gave Lucky he’s HFN hopefully HEA eventually…