On Australia’s hottest beach, the most dangerous current is between them.Training to be a lifeguard is tough work, but Cody Grant loves a challenge. He spends long days in the sun and surf rescuing swimmers from treacherous rip currents while trying not to lust after senior lifeguard Liam Fox—who is deeply, painfully closeted.Liam was supposed to be a football legend. Now in his mid-thirties, … legend. Now in his mid-thirties, it’s been over a decade since his dream shattered along with his knee. Fans still recognize him regularly, and he’s terrified his sexuality will be discovered and his conservative parents will reject him. He has strict rules to protect his secret and keeps everyone at arm’s length. Liam never acts on his need to surrender after being shamed for it years ago by the first and only man he trusted.
Out and proud Cody fascinates Liam—and tempts him to break all the rules.
Cody is practically half Liam’s size and age, but has the confidence and compassion to take charge and give Liam the release, affection, and acceptance he desperately craves. But how long can a secret affair satisfy their hearts? As if saving lives isn’t hard enough, Cody faces his greatest challenge yet convincing Liam to trust him and find the courage to live out loud.
Flash Rip is an MM gay romance from Keira Andrews featuring a slow burn, an age gap, scorching first times, and of course a happy ending.
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I absolutely loved this latest book by Keira Andrews! Action-packed and steamy as all get out, I enjoyed both the lifeguarding aspects and the age-gap romance.
I loved the way the relationship between Cody and Liam highlighted the difference in their ages, and thus their experiences with being gay, the expression of their sexuality, the relationship with their families and so much more. Younger Cody has it relatively “easy” compared to the older Liam, and it shows in the psychologies of the two men.
Closeted Liam is ashamed and holds baggage associated with his sexual desires, Cody is out and loves sex, thinks of it as awesome and fun. So many age-gap romances don’t really address the reality that men even just ten or fifteen years apart in age had entirely different experiences with being open about homosexuality. The reader can understand Liam’s distress and how Cody becomes at first a temptation he can’t resist, and then a sanctuary where he can be his true self, and express his real needs. So good!
In addition, the lifeguarding aspects were fun and interesting. The Aussie slang absolutely enjoyable. And the story itself satisfying and sexy. Loved this one!
Foxy & Taz (an audio review)
Where to start with this book? Sometimes when I love so many aspects of a book, I struggle to put into words what I’m feeling.
I’ll start simply by saying I loved the book. The premise worked for me – two handsome, healthy, and fit Australia lifeguards on a beach with a strong rip current. Cody is the brash new trainee who is eager to prove himself. AND he’s Canadian, so yay Canada. He’s out, he’s proud, and he doesn’t want to hide who he is. His father wants him to earn a degree while his mother and sisters are supportive of him following his dream to be a lifeguard. To save lives. A noble pursuit, to be sure.
Liam is, in many ways, the opposite of Cody. He’s older, bigger, and so far in the closet it’d take a flashlight to find him. He heads to Europe when he wants sex. As a former Aussie footy star, he’s easily recognizable in his home country. And the tragic end to his barely started career makes him the object of pity from beach-goers who recognize him. He’d rather just be left alone so he can do his job. He’s one of the best and plans to teach the new recruits – Cody and Mia – just how it’s done. When Cody casually declares he’s gay, Liam is stunned. Not just by Cody’s admission, but by the easy-going acceptance from the entire crew. No big deal.
Yet for Liam, it means everything.
He eventually approaches Cody in a neutral setting and when Cody invites him to his house, Liam follows. Although he’s paranoid about being spotted, he’s also drawn to the younger man. The vitality. The spirit. The freedom. He knows he can’t have the freedom to share his true self to the outside world, but with Cody he can be true to his inherent nature. And I’m not just talking about being gay.
I loved Cody’s easy acceptance not only of Liam but of his desires. Especially as the stronger and larger of the pair, Liam feels there are certain societal expectations upon him. Fortunately Cody calls bullshit on that. He challenges the toxic masculinity that has held Liam back from expressing his true desires. Cody makes him feel safe.
Except he can never stay the night.
Until the day Cody reaches out and Liam is forced to confront his fears. Then the unthinkable happens and things fall apart. Or perhaps they come together.
I will say I was thrilled to see Ethan and Clay make an appearance in this book. I’d loved Honeymoon for One, so getting to see my fave couple was a nice treat. Obviously their love is going strong. And their example of a happy open couple forces Liam to face some hard truths about himself.
So, yeah, I loved the book.
I want to take a moment to speak to Joel Leslie’s narration. He narrated Honeymoon for One as well as The Station and always does a brilliant job with the Aussie accent. I have to say he did a decent job with the Canadian as well, although I might be more critical given I’m Canadian. As is so often the case with his performance, I sank into the story and he carried me through Ms. Andrews’ lovely tale of two men falling – and staying – in love.
Another wonderful romance from Keira Andrews.
Liam really struggles with his internalized homophobia and his very real fear of being found out. The new, young lifeguard, Cody, fascinates him from the start. The story starts a bit slowly, setting the scene and introducing characters. I definitely enjoyed seeing the characters at their job and the secondary characters brought a lot of humor to the story.
Cody is just what Liam needs to start breaking down his barriers, which are thick and sturdy, and start exploring everything he’s been denying himself his entire life. There are moments of angst, and Liam’s family is a big stumbling block, but the scenes between the two MCs are all fantastic. There is a bit of power dynamic in the sex scenes that gave them that extra heat. There is also a realistic ending with a HEA for the two. I’d love to revisit this world again.
Keira Andrews consistently delivers fantastic MM romance books to devour. This is another fab one.
It was like reading a sexy travel guide! What a brilliant story in a setting thay is my backyard and it was written beautifully. Liam struggles and his parents reaction brought tears to my eyes and Cody love and understanding is strong and lovely!
Liam Fox is an ex-AFL star, hiding in a very deep locked closet. Started a career as a lifeguard, living a low key life. Cody, a transplant from Canada, always wanted to be a lifeguard since moving to Australia. He finally got his chance as a trainee. He came out a long time ago to his family, everything was good. As they become friends, it turns to more than friends but Liam is scared to even have someone see him around Cody in any setting other than work. He can’t let anyone know. His parents would probably disown him. His brother might not let him ever see his nephew again. He would be devastated.
But one accident, words were said and some people knew. He didn’t want anyone to know. Cody helps him, lets him know he will always be there. But will telling his family be a great thing or will he lose everyone he loves?
What a great story, friendship, laughter, saving lives, enjoying getting to know one another. Most importantly learning to love yourself! A fantastic read!
Right from the first page of I was drawn in by the story and by Cody’s fascination with Liam,his eagerness to start the trainee program and his nerves for becoming one of the close knit group of lifeguards.
I really need to mention how amazingly Keira Andrews has depicted Barking Beach,the ocean,the people and the work of the lifeguards:their focused vigilance,the complete dedication to their purpose and how much they care about each other.
It was fun to read about how Cody found his own spot among the group,nickname included. How right it feels for him to be there in the middle of the action,experiencing the adrenaline rush of saving lives. And,of course, the highlight of his days is working with Liam.
Liam,who has gutted me with how deeply he’s ashamed of his sexuality,fears and anxiety clogging his air supplies, desperate and trembling with need ,so scared to ask for what he really wants. Liam,who is slowly more and more captivated by Cody,who ” , , , . , . — ’ .”
Yes,Liam is falling in love, but is it enough to help him overcome his fear of exposure? Is Cody’s love the push he needs to finally tell his family the truth about himself?
You should definitely read and find out. The story is stunningly written, everything about it is engaging and real:the characters, the nature and most of all,the feelings.
This book is now my favorite one by Keira Andrews and I can’t recommend it enough.
4.5 Stars. Liam has worked as a lifeguard at Barking Beach since an injury ended his football career. Even though it’s been over 10 years, he still gets recognized. Liam is absolutely terrified that he will lose everything if anyone finds out he’s gay. Cody stayed in Australia when his family moved back to Canada to pursue his dream of being a lifeguard. He gets a job as a trainee at Barking Beach. He’s also out and proud, and happy his coworkers are supportive. As they work together and get to know each other, Cody and Liam start lusting after each other. Liam has rules about hook ups for a reason, but finds himself breaking them all for Cody. They see each other every night, but how long can they keep their affair secret?
I really enjoyed this book. Andrews did a great job of portraying Liam’s paranoia about getting caught. The characters are all super likeable and I found myself rooting for Liam and Cody from the beginning. The book has major heat, but it’s mixed with intimate moments between the couple and adrenaline filled scenes while they work. Overall it had a really good balance to the storyline. My only issue is that it’s marketed as an age gap romance. While the age gap is there, it’s mentioned in passing a couple times and only becomes part of the dialogue in one quick scene. I would have liked it if that trope had been explored more. This was a quick, funny, hot read, and I can’t wait to check out more of Andrews’ books.
I really enjoyed the book, even though I thought it was kind of slow and overly descriptive of some non interesting facts