Book #4 in the thrilling, award-winning series Shatterproof BondTrue love comes at a cost…After the devastating events in the Scottish Highlands, Sam and Declan have moved on to a new, deeper level in their romance. Their commitment to each other is unquestionable; however, there are plenty of questions that need answering about other aspects of their lives, and those who sought to end them.Sam … of their lives, and those who sought to end them.
Sam is trying his best to deal with the day to day frustrations of his injuries. He’s completely dependent on Declan for everything and hates the way the scales have tipped in their relationship. Although he’s officially on leave, Sam’s mind cannot stop replaying all that happened to him and questioning why, and who is behind it all.
Declan’s relief at having Sam home throws him into house-husband mode. He’s happy to take the reins and care for his partner, however, beneath the surface Declan cannot help but be drawn back to how he felt in the Highlands, and how they were betrayed by a man who was supposed to have their back. Declan had promised Sir James Aiken that he would pay if he hurt Sam, and now Declan has to decide how he can deliver his payback and put his and Sam’s world back on an even keel.
Also available in paperback and as a thrilling audiobook, narrated by Gary Furlong
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Counterblow is the 4th book in the Shatterproof Bonds series. All these books build off events from previous books, so you’ll want to listen to them all and in order.
Isobel Starling can build some serious tension. Not only an emotional wedge in Sam & Declan’s relationship – but there is some serious psychological thriller aspects going on. It was creepy, yet enthralling. Completely unpredictable. Plot twists. I loved it and listened to the whole thing in one day. (I mean, I basically binged the whole series in a little over a week, so…)
I continue to love Sam & Declan as a couple and as individuals. They are not perfect, but they are trying and definitely have each other’s best interests at heart even if they’re slightly misguided at times. Again Starling leaves me squirming to share things without the ability to because I hate giving away spoilers. Declan gets some serious revenge and it’s epic.
This is a complete story in some aspects, but does end on a bit of cliffhangery “there’s more to learn” element that I had to make myself stop and jot down my thoughts before jumping right in to Powder Burns.
Narration:
Gary Furlong continues a fabulous narration of the series. He’s consistent with all the accents and personalities and switches between characters effortlessly. The interview that dominates about a 1/3 of the book is particularly creepy, in a good way. Furlong’s delivery works so well with Starling’s writing.
This has got to be the most uneven series in the history of series.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m sort of in love with both Sam and Declan and they’re the most amazing couple to follow. However, these are supposed to be suspense/spy/secret agent kind of books. But you can never know if an instalment will actually contain any secret agenting (that’s a word right?) or not.
I keep expecting this series to have a classically composed plotline. You know where there’s a case/mystery/whatever that slowly unfolds and then escalates towards the end where it’s finally resolved. All the while there’s a long-term plot that continues in the next book.
Well. That’s not how Shatterproof Bond is structured at all. This series consists of one long-term storyline where the actual plot wasn’t really hinted at until the third book.
Book #1 was a love story.
Book #2 was Declan’s welcome-to-the-Aiken-family.
Book #3 was where all the action happened (It was awesome!) with some actual agent-stuff going on.
And then in Counterblow (#4) it was all about Sam recuperating and then interrogating the villain.
So, the overall story put together is bloody spectacular and I love these guys. But I do find it rather irritating that the pace of the story-telling varies so much.
And this fourth instalment had hardly any content at all. Sam struggles with his injuries, goes to physical therapy. He gets the chance to interrogate his nemesis, so he puts on a disguise and does just that. The end.
Despite how incredibly annoyed this uneven tempo makes me however, I’m stuck now. I just have to know what’s going to happen. So obviously that says something about the story, because I’m invested. This supremely un-agent-y secret-agent series has gotten me good.
And even though I might get irritated over the anti-climactic endings of some of these instalments, I still recommend this series.
I has great characters and hot, (super-gay) shenanigans. It’s character-driven story-telling where it’s all about Sam and Declan and their relationship. There are loads of secrets that are merely hinted at (which might never be revealed at the pace this is going). Secrets that are both about Sam’s father and his shady business spilling over and threatening Sam’s life, but also about Declan’s past.
Just as long as you don’t expect a traditional suspense-series, you won’t be disappointed.
Irritated? Angry? Frustrated? Yes to all three.
But it’s worth it.
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What I Think: Finally, someone finally handed Mr. Shadows his arse on a gold plated tray. Please, give me a minute while I roar my pleasure and happiness to the sky. Actually, wait while I read that scene one more time. Yes, by the goddess, Dec didn’t let me down! Okay, okay. I’m cool, calm, and collected. Let’s review this tale. Sam is having nightmares and Dec just wants his lover and partner back to the way he was before. I really hate secrets because somehow they always hurt when they come out and this amazing couple really needs to get it together now. It hurts that secrets are still being kept even after a huge milestone in their relationship occurs which leads to a travesty as this Authoress naughtily skips the details of a very important event only to mention it in passing. Da horror! Sam’s feelings of frustration at his helplessness make this tale even more personal than the others because living with 2 health disorders means I go through this every damn day. Between his frustrations, nightmares, and Dec’s worry and fear, I’m strung tight with tension, only for my Dec to deliver some well-deserved justice even as he finally figures out a way to heal his partner from the inside, which means facing his nightmares. I have never cried during a lovemaking scene, but Mme. Isobel did it. It didn’t help that it came as a break after such a slew of emotionally tough moments that fed each other until the waterworks started. I cried with joy and happiness mixed with a longing for a forever love too. Only for me to return to the edge of my seat as the plan to help Sam face his nightmares takes off. But Mr. Shadows is the real monster in Sam’s nightmares because even when he should be feeling love and pride, or crowing with delight, fear of Mr. Shadows revenge on his partner overshadow those feelings so as Sam and Dec start to think of getting out of the game for good, I am, of course, cooking up conspiracy theories. And if what I think is true, then Sam and Declan will never be free. After all, who inherits the whole Enterprise? Mr. Shadows is a lot of things but immortal, he is not and I know he will never let Sam and Dec go without exacting a horrible price. But just then, I am reminded that Sam has been a trained agent since almost as soon as he could think when he reveals a side of him that makes him as fearsome as he is lovable. Seeing him in action gives me hope that not only do he and Declan make a magnificently perfect team, but perhaps, Mr. Shadows should start looking over his shoulder as well. The best part though? Sam and Dec realizing that the time for secrets is past and they need to have everything in the open, at least between them, if they’re ever to win this game. Did I mention I hate secrets?
Verdict? When love is the price, secrets have no place and even kittens unsheathe their claws!
Audiobook review:
Overall: 5
Performance: 5
Story: 5
Another great book in this series!
After the horrifying events in the previous book, Return to Zero, I couldn’t wait to listen to Counterblow. Sam and Declan are adjusting to a new normal while Sam recuperates from the injuries he suffered in the last book. Sam isn’t used to needing help from anyone and at first, it’s hard for him to accept that he needs help from Declan.
Declan is happy to support Sam but he doesn’t want to push too much and upset him. There are more hard times for this pair in this story as Declan wants Sam to face his abductor and they both have to deal with Sam’s underhanded father.
As hard as some of the dark things are to listen to in this series, Gary Furlong’s excellent performance of the stories has held me captive while listening and the hot sexy time (and Gary’s voice) between Sam and Declan help to make up for the pain and suffering these guys go through.
I’m moving on to the next one right away!
Probably the most illuminating of this whole series, not to mention HOT M/M romance
This is a sequel to a series of stories all pertaining to Sam and Declan a sweet and saucy M/M couple. Fortunately, there is a foreword with a brief synopsis of what has transpired in the last few books. In this book there is the ongoing story of Sam and Declan’s lusty relationship but other interwoven plots I hope we see resolved by the end of this series.
In COUNTERBLOW Sam is having a very difficult time getting over events that occurred in the last book, RETURN TO ZERO. After five months he has PTSD, wakes up during the night with nightmares and in a sweat. Of course, his husband, Declan is extremely upset for the love of his life, that he takes measures. Some of this is actually humorous in a macabre sort of way. As I said in the title, this is most eye-opening: where Sam’s fear comes from, where his enemy’s fear came from and how his father played a part.
Solidly good book, well-written suspenseful thriller with many steamy M/M scenes between the new husbands, Sam and Declan or “Buttercup” and “Westley.” (Remember the movie, “The Princess Bride?”)
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through A Novel Take PR and it comes highly recommended if you like anything I’ve said above. I give it 4.5 steamy stars.
This is book four of the Shatterproof Bonds series and does need to be read in order. If you haven’t read Top hat now is a good time for that too.
This book takes off and kind of deals a lot with the last book so I won’t do a rundown so I don’t spoil things. This one does a lot of summing things up and sort of tying up some loose ends. But no, it does not conclude the series.
I will say there is a favorite scene in this book that is my favorite in the entire series and that is when Declan and James come to blows…literally. I loved seeing Declan stand up for Sam. (I would love to se a wedding story though perhaps another short? Hint-Hint) There is a new character introduced I would love seeing more of too. Oh, and I cannot wait for the next book!
Picking up where Return to Zero left off, Sam is recovering from injuries sustained by his nemesis, and Declan, wonderful, supportive partner that he is, is also working to expand his skill set. Bonus: the interesting collection of side characters continues to grow as the plot thickens.
I’m a sucker for established couple romances, and the further we get into this series the sweeter and more compelling Sam and Declan’s relationship becomes. (That scene where they’re repeating their vows is stunning). I’m also loving the way Isobel Starling is building the tension in the plot, the scene with Sam interviewing Madsson is spectacular.
While the Shatterproof Bond series itself is fantastic, I must give credit to narrator Gary Furlong. Every aspect of this story, between the increasing intimacy between Sam and Declan as well as the mounting intensity of the mystery, is enhanced by Mr. Furlong’s stunning performance. His talent for accents and voices continues to amaze me.
It’s been a little more than a year since the release of the audiobook edition Counterblow. Fingers crossed Ms. Starling plans to issue the rest of the series in audio as well… I’m just not sure I can wait to find out what happens in Powder Burns!
The fourth book starts right where the third left off. Declan and Sam are engaged, Sam is still recovering both physically and mentally. Both men struggle with what happened in the Highlands – Sam hates his loss of mobility and is haunted by nightmares while Declan still remembers the moments that Sam plunged into darkness and how helpless he felt.
Fast forward 5 months. After months of grueling PT Sam is close to being himself again. Sam and Dec are finally married and committed to each other. And it’s time to get to the bottom of who is behind Erik Madsson’s obsession with the Aiken family. Sam asks for help from the one source that he’s kept close to his chest even from Declan. Declan has been slowly preparing for the day when he can kick James Aiken’s a$$. That day finally comes but with it comes an agreement that might just get Declan into trouble. Both James and Declan know that Sam hasn’t healed from the ordeal, so they devise a plan to help him cope with it and move on.
I must say that the plan itself was brilliant, and the execution of it was well-written. I loved how flawlessly the agents worked together, how Sam finally was able to see Maddson not as a monster he built up in his head but just a man. He gets better results than James but as always Sam’s father proves he is aptly named Viper because he strikes Sam right where it hurts the most ensuring compliance.
I loved the power play between three men – all three trying to up one another. Declan and Sam also had time to become close since his injuries in the beginning required a lot of personal care from Declan. That kind of situation helped develop intimacy more profound that they had before. There was humor, a bit of angst and a lot of fast-paced situations where subtlety and subterfuge were required. In the end some questions were answered and both Sam and Declan are finally in the right direction as to who is behind it all. I liked this chapter in Declan and Sam’s lives and hope to read the next one soon!
Counterblow is the fourth book in the Shatterproof Bond series by Isobel Starling. This one focuses mostly on Sam and Declan and the aftereffects of the previous book. But there is some drama and action here. I love these two and their heat together, their sweetness to one another and how they interact. I like this series alot and definitely want more.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.
Counterblow continues the story of Sam and Declan. This instalment has less intensity (relatively speaking) and mystery than the previous two books, and focuses more on psychological issues as Sam slowly heals from his near-death experience. Physical healing progresses faster and easier than mental healing, and Sam struggles to return to his previous life. Declan is solid and steady by his side. I loved the way he called out Sir James. The set-to between these two was spectacular…and a long time coming. Eventually Sam has to face his fears and confront his enemy to recover his peace of mind. That scene is intense and harrowing. While I liked the book, I felt cheated at not seeing Sam and Declan’s nuptials. At the start of the book, we see Sam in painful physical rehab and refusing to marry until he is recovered. Then the story jumps forward five months where Sam is greatly improved and he and Declan are wedded. I wanted to watch it happen. Still, overall, another very satisfying book. I am excited for the next book in the series.
I also listened to the audiobook. The narration by Gary Furlong is superb as always. I especially like his depiction of Sir James. He sounds like a perfect arrogant a**.
I received a complimentary copy of the book and audiobook from the author. This is my honest, voluntary review.