Scout Duffy doesn’t know what’s worse. The fact that his scorching one-night-stand is his bratty new client, or the fact that he doesn’t even remember Scout. But beneath all the bravado, Scout can see Emery is terrified, and he’ll do anything to protect him from his attacker. If only he would lower his walls and let Scout into his heart as easily as he lets him dominate in the bedroom. Being out …
Being out and proud his whole life means Emery Klein has never been safe. But now his charity work and social media fame have put a target on his back from bigots, and his friends force him to hire a private bodyguard. Emery doesn’t need to be judged by some straight former-boxer, but his attraction to the gorgeous hunk is insatiable. When Emery finally recognizes Scout, they can’t keep their damn hands off one another, if only for as long as Scout’s in town.
There’s a reason Emery never looks too closely at the men he sleeps with, just like there’s a reason Scout lives out of a suitcase in motel rooms. Will two men hiding from hurt realize the love that could heal them both is right in front of them? Or will Emery’s attacker take everything before they have the chance?
Troubled Waters is a steamy, standalone MM romance novel with a guaranteed HEA and absolutely no cliffhanger.
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She’s a winner! Emery, oh how I love you! One of my favorite characters HJ Welch has written. This story definitely had more suspense and angst than the first but was so good! While the fact that Emery was being attacked at all is disheartening, the suspense storyline was top-notch in this book. Scout was such a fun character and was the perfect complement to Emery’s personality. I can’t wait for the rest of the books in this series! I hope we will see Kamran again in the future.
Troubled Waters is the second book in the Pine Cove series, a contemporary romance series set within a small town. This book can be read as a standalone, but I think it works best being read right after the first book. I loved the bodyguard/forbidden-love tropes mixed in with an action packed plot with a dangerous mystery. The romance was spicy with some really hot steamy moments. This was a fun addition to the Pine Cove series.
This was my first book by H.J. Welch. I was pleasantly surprised. The characters, Emery and Scout, were well-developed, and the storyline was easy to follow. Emery’s spoiled, entitled divaness shown through, and there were times I wanted to just smack him. Scott was portrayed as a strong, take-charge kind of guy, who was at times completely baffled by his feelings for Emery and Emery’s antics. In the end, however, they get their HEA. If you are a fan of snarky divas, lots of angst, and a slow building to a relationship, this book is for you.
* AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *
I loved this story, it was sweet but also a little annoying (in good ways).
Emery is really a annoying bratty little queen, but Scout is unshakable and so sweet. They are very different but still fit like a puzzle coming together.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Good and fun dialogues
Steamy love scenes
Characters is well described and developed in to semi realistic personalities with their own quirks.
I feel like I know them at the end of the story and that gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling
I love these two and their story is building nicely to a happy ending.
Narrator:
Clear pronunciation and read with feelings so it’s easy to be engaged in the story.
Troubled Waters is the second book in HJ Welch’s Pine Cover series. It focuses on Emery, an outgoing and sassy minx, completely comfortable in his own skin and with what he wants. Emery is a social media influencer and when he starts to receive death threats and hate messages, his life takes a dark turn. Worried about his safety, his friends convince him to hire a personal bodyguard, who, turns out to be Scout Duffy, the ex-boxer hook-up Emery had the night before. The problem though is that while Scout remembers Emery, Emery has intentionally blocked Scout from his mind and doesn’t recall his face. Of course working together then becomes a recipe for both disaster and hot, sexy times!
There is a decent amount of angst along the way as both Emery and Scout struggle to let each other in and give what they have together a real shot. If Emery isn’t putting his shields up, Scout is unwilling to let his judgement become clouded on the job. I’ll admit to being a little annoyed with both of them more than once, and just wanted them to get their act together. But the questionable choices they made certainly felt right for their characters and gave the story some tenable emotional upheaval.
A little darker than its predecessor, with more explosive drama, Troubled Waters is still incredibly fun and steamy, and wraps up with a gorgeous HEA. Emery and Scout were a perfect blend of spicy and sweet, and I cannot wait to see more of Pine Cove!
[I received an advanced reader’s copy from the author, and am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation].
Emery Klein, a walking glitter bomb too fabulous for his own good, has been receiving death threats and needs protection. He has never had to apologize for who he is, and he’s not about to start now. Scout, a former boxer turned bodyguard, is given the job… and he is definitely up for it – just one complication: he and Emery have ‘met’ before, but Emery doesn’t recognize him. He even assumes that Scout is straight.
In this second installment in the Pine Cove series, Emery and Scout must acknowledge their attraction for each other while dealing with the threat to Emery’s life. Themes of hurt/comfort and Emery’s non-binary nature combine with lots of humor and shedloads of steam, and perhaps a teary moment or two, to deliver a very satisfying read. Highly recommended!
If you love small town series you will love this new one from Helen. These stories makes me feel like I am in Hidden Creek or O’Leary or Sawyer’s Ferry or Anticipation…..you get my drift.
This second book in this series is just as great as the first and I hated when it was over. Emery intrigued me in book 1 and I was kinda surprised to get his book so early in the series but thankfully we didn’t. One thing I have noticed though and kinda like, is that all the natives of this town are bringing more people to Pine Cove. Maybe it will be different as we continue but I like how one MC is not linked to previous books.
A gruff ex-boxer bodyguard and a total queen of a social media persona? Sign me up!
HJ Welch intoduces us to a pair who could not be more different from one another, yet they are also a perfect match! Add in an interesting plot and some bumps on the road, and you’re in for one heck of a story!
I loved this book and am already looking forward to another book in the series!