Erryn reviews ‘Above and Beyond’ (Twist of Fate Book #4) by Lucy Lennox and Sloane Kennedy. The ebook was published January 20, 2020, and is 358 pages. The audiobook version of this story was narrated by Michael Dean, released by SKLL on February 6, 2020 and is 10 hrs and 54 mins long. A copy was received in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this book: I’ve been waiting with bated breath for Lucky to get his happy ending.
Lucky
Two 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 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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My Review:
It’s been two years since the last Twist of Fate book, so it feels like I’ve been waiting a long time. Except I’ve wanted Lucky’s story since the first time I met him, so it’s been even longer than that. He’s come a long way from the damaged young man who was adopted by Bennett and Xander. He’s older, more mature, and a bit of a daredevil. Safety conscious, to be sure, but a lover of the danger. He wants to be an aerial rescuer, being lowered down a line out of a helicopter so he can secure injured people and make sure they get rescued. Hanging from a line from a hovering helicopter…yeah, my heart was in my throat several times in this book.
As much as I love Lucky, I also fell in love with Zach. The former army ranger has been to hell and back, and yet soldiers on. An injury ended his career, and he’s been hiding away from his family ever since, unwilling to share his scars – those on the inside as well as those on the outside. He’s stubborn, believing he can go through life alone. Until fate brings Lucky into his classroom. He’d rejected the young man several years ago and has been avoiding him ever since. Now he’s faced with a more mature man whose dedication to saving others is only rivaled by his desire to be taken seriously. He’s young, yes, but he also knows what he wants. The fact he’s hiding his training from his fathers is understandable, but also a point of contention between the two men.
There is plenty of high-octane adrenaline-fuelled action in this book. Several of the scenes had me holding my breath. I mean I know the men are going to come out of the book alive and together, but that didn’t mean I didn’t have doubts. That’s the genius of Lucy and Sloane’s storytelling – I feel every emotion. I am pulled along, enduring every bump in the road. I wanted Lucky to get his happy ending, and it was clear from the beginning that Zach was the person he was meant to be with. But Zach’s stubbornness definitely made things a challenge. But then, those things in life that are most precious are usually the most challenging to obtain. Makes them more special once you secure them.
This book also sets up yet another story, and I’m hoping I won’t have to wait two years for the next book. But I’ll wait (albeit impatiently), because I can’t wait to revisit these men again. And to see more of the lives they’re building for themselves.
Michael Dean (formerly Michael Pauley) narrated this story and, as always, he was perfect. Lucky’s voice was mature and suited him, and Zach was, of course, gruff. Delivering a wonderful performance, Michael hit every note brilliantly, giving me great satisfaction in this book. Loved it. Just loved it.
My Rating:
10/10 Pots of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 5/5 Stars
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