They’re free of the White House, but can their forbidden romance survive in the real world?With his father no longer president, twenty-two-year-old Rafa Castillo can finally be with ex-Secret Service agent Shane Kendrick. Shane’s given up his career for Rafa, a move his fellow agents question the sanity and morality of. Eager to get away from the questions and judgement, Rafa and Shane are … judgement, Rafa and Shane are building a new life together in Australia. Though Shane struggles with nightmares and his over-protective instincts while Rafa fights his own insecurity, they love each other more than ever.
Now they just have to get through a visit from the former president and first lady.
Rafa’s parents certainly don’t approve of his romance with forty-year-old Shane, and they’re determined to make him see reason. They don’t see how their son could possibly be happy settling down with an older man, and they question Shane’s motives. Shane and Rafa just want a normal life together—but when they must suddenly battle for survival, they fight to prove their fierce love can withstand any threat.
This gay romance from Keira Andrews is the conclusion of the Valor duology. It features a May-December age difference, sex on the beach, and of course a happy ending.
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I read both books as a complete duology.
MM, Age gap, First Time, Hurt/comfort Contemporary romance. Easy to read and page-turners, the books flowed from book 1 to book 2 seamlessly. Both main characters were likeable and both had their own insecurities and pain to cope with, lots of drama and action throughout. I enjoyed both books and read them in one sitting. HEA.
Test of Valor, is not meet the parents! Shane and Rafa are trying to life life as normal people. It’s not as easy as they didn’t think. They have relationship challenges affected by their former positions. They have professional challenges that test them as individuals and a couple. They both are experiencing PTSD from their previous ordeal, but they love each other. Then the former Presideng and former First Lady decide to visit. More challenges! Can they fix themselves? They ready for Mom and Dad? Is it the age thing? Is it the job thing? Can Rafa and Shane figure it out?Good flow. Nice story. Good follow-on. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my review of Valor: The Complete Duology – Overall 4.4 Stars
A Secret Service agent, assigned to protect the President’s son. Protecting him is not the only relationship either wishes to have. Definitely a forbidden romance. One of the best kind.
Valor on the Move 3.75 Stars
Rafael Castillo grew up in the WH. Being gay was never easy. Not free to explore. Especially when you’re always being watched. There was always that innate fear of stepping out and being true to himself. Add conservative parents and you have a recipe for disaster.
Shane Kendrick, worked his way through the ranks. Professionalism is very important to keeping your job. No personal relationships with those you are sworn to protect. Being assigned to the president’s son… anything but harmless.
There were some pace-of-story drawbacks with how their relationship came together. Not the right kind of conflict, given what their match was destined to become.
Shane had lots of world experience and Rafa didn’t posses any. Rafa was definitely immature. I guess it’s to be expected, given the sheltered life he lived in the WH and with strict parents.
Test of Valor- 5 Stars
We continue to follow the story of Shane and Rafael.
Shane gave up his career as a Secret Service agent. Rafa is awaiting his chef classes to begin. Both in Australia, living their best life… until Rafa’s parents and brother, decide to make their presence known. There can be only one reason for the visit. While on a trip across Australia, Rafa and Shane begin to have an unusual amount of disagreements. Then unthinkable happens. Now they are all in danger. It takes Rafa and Shane working together and bringing them to safety.
Facing Rafa’s family as a unit, was the best choice for them.
Rafa has grown so much and Shane is a positive influence on him. These two are weathering their storms together. After reading the second book, we can have a greater picture of how their story has naturally progressed.
**I received this duology ARC via Gay Romance Reviews for my honest feedback.**
Rafael “Rafa” Castillo is finally living his true life. He’s in Australia waiting for chef school to start and learning to surf. Shane gave up his secret service career to be with Rafa. Moving with him to Australia was an easy decision if only the nightmares would stop. Rafa and Shane are making a life together and they aren’t about to let the visit from Rafa’s parents mess with that. When Rafa’s parents show up it’s abundantly clear that they’re there to break the two up. When Rafa and Shane are invited on a train trip through Australia with his parents and brother, things get worse and Rafa and Shane are arguing over things that should’ve been talked through. An accident puts all their lives in jeopardy and only Rafa and Shane working as a team will they have a chance of coming out okay.
I really liked this follow up book. Rafa and Shane are more committed and working on a life together. As in book one Rafa’s mother is a piece of cake and it takes life and death to get her to see reason. The father and siblings are more supportive of their relationship in this book. There was entirely too much sex in a book of this length IMO.
I loved this one even more than the first – maybe because the first was an HFN and this was Shane & Rafa’s HEA. There’s a lot of relationship building, a little bit of personal drama, a little bit of family drama, and smidge of suspense. Fairly low angst, but thoroughly enjoyable.
Really have to read/listen to Valor on the Move first and these fit together more as a “duet” – but they’re both long enough and written in such a way that they’re two complete & enjoyable books.
Iggy Toma’s narration was fantastic. He does a great job of giving each character unique voices and personalities.
This is the 2nd half in this duology. Rafa and Shane are still together and seem to be going strong but with every relationship there comes obstacles.
Like:
Their relationship.
The two of them are together.
Dislike:
Keeping secrets
Over protective parents
Overall a solid read. I think when Shane and Rafa ate open and honest with another they are at their best.
*ARC provided by GRR, this is my honest review.*
I’m happy we got to see Shane and Rafa again but I must say that I spent most of this book frustrated with all of the characters in it. Rafa’s parents, grrr. As for, Rafa and Shane, they have a truly intense bond but oh how I wish they had just talked more, or at least sooner. Their love is palpable though and I’d bet on them against anyone.
I loved book one and this book is a nice follow up story that examines what happens during the happily ever after.
Rafa and Shane are now happily ensconced in Australia, spending their days surfing (and having sex) as Rafa prepares to start school soon and Shane works to get his security service off the ground (which is confusing as in the earlier book it said he had a security contract after he quit his Service job.) But Shane is suffering from the after effects of Rafa’s kidnapping and having nightmares. Rafa’s parents are being awful about their relationship and their impending visit is amping up the stress. Add to that the tabloid attention of their relationship coming out and the anger of Shane’s former colleagues. Life is not necessarily pretty for the couple.
The examination of the relationship, the story with all the stressors, the big dramatic incident here, all of that is great. The writing is crisp and shows both humor and drama well. Rafa’s brother Matthew would be the big scene stealer here if this were a tv show! It all kept the book engaging (I was up all night reading it!)
My one critique is, what seemed to me to be, the gratuitous sex scenes. I did A LOT of skimming in this book. The sex scenes seemed over the top. I am not a prude and I love a good steamy scene as much as the next person when it adds to and enhances the story line and character development. This really struck me as sex scenes for sex’s sake and became almost pornish in nature. I am sure tons will disagree with me but to me the pervasive sex scenes took away from the great writing and character development, the examination of people’s biases and motivations, and the messages of the piece…almost as if the author thought the human story could not stand on its own. And it’s a great story so that’s a shame.
I envision this action-packed story on the big screen!
I didn’t read the first book in this series and I wish that I had, not because I had trouble engaging but because this was such a good story that I want much more. This is an action and passion-filled story with one of my favorite things, an age-gap relationship and coming to terms with roles, needs and feelings as well as parental acceptance of a non-traditional partnership. Rafa and Shane have much to learn about a partnership and they make great headway under the most extraordinary circumstances. These characters are realistic, flawed individuals and extremely lovable individually and as partners, lovers. They make sense together.
I do love the little ‘tongue in cheek’ references to real-life current events hidden within the dialogue. “If she doesn’t have her passport she is fucked, which means I am fucked. Pray for me. Also good luck with your mom and dad. I think we both need prayers today. (Not to mention the even more useful ‘thoughts,’ of course.”
The ending is perfect but things certainly do not run smoothly for the two main characters, Rafa, codename Valor, son of the former president and former Secret Service Agent, Shane, his older boyfriend. Rafa finally is enjoying his life and almost feels ‘good enough’ after hiding himself in plain sight at the White House during his father’s presidency. How could Shane possibly want him and stay with him? What does he have to offer? Shane, an agent in disgrace because having a relationship with your protectee, or a family member of your protectee is frowned as it certainly reflects poorly on the Service. From Shane’s perspective, he is the fortunate one and even though he doesn’t really believe in his heart that Rafa will be with him forever, he is determined to be with him and take care of him the best that he can. Rafa doesn’t want to be his boy. He want’s to be his man.