Pretty good start to the series :)

3.5-4 stars

This was a pretty good story. Maddy was a good heroine (for the most part) and I liked Sam. The story was interesting and kept me engaged.

Maddy is an environmental activists. She's the daughter of a rich oil tycoon but follows in her dead mother's footsteps, fighting for the environment. The problem is that since she's so passionate about her work (seeing it as her "calling"), she often won't stop what she's doing even when she's in imminent danger.

Sam is a latino Navy SEAL. He grew up poor and due to an issue when he was a senior in high school where he was targeted because of his race and income level, he has a very strong prejudice against right people. He's a nice guy outside of his issues with the rich.

When the story begins, Maddy is in a bad situation...the area she's in has been taken over by drug runners but she refused to leave because she wanted to try to protect the girls in a local school from being taken by the drug runners to be sold into the slave trade. TBH, she wasn't much of a deterrent since she had no real fighting or defensive skills but she felt the need to do what she could even if it put herself in the same danger as the girls. Sam and 3 members of his team get called in to rescue her and he's not pleased about it, thinking that she's just another spoiled rich girl that is putting herself in danger and her daddy has enough power to pull his team off of a more important mission to go save her. Obviously, their first meeting doesn't go well be even with that, the attraction between them is pretty obvious.

Maddy and Sam end up being thrown together a couple times...ending in a situation where he's been sent to an area to work against the terrorists that are inhabiting the area and she's gotten a job in that same area testing for pollution due to the oil wells in the area (ones owned by her family's company). They're both surprised to see each other but Sam suspects that her father may have been using his contacts so Sam will be close and can look after her, something that Sam is not happy about. Regardless of this, their attraction flares and things heat up between them. In the meantime, Maddy ends up drawing the attention of some terrorists and becomes a target but she doesn't want to leave because of her work which leads to even more danger. There ends up being multiple threats to her safety and Sam has to work hard to keep her safe. They fall pretty hard for each other while this is happening but Sam does let his prejudices lead him into an act of relationship stupidity and it takes a bit for them to work things out. Thankfully, they do and end the story in a nice HEA together.

This was a pretty enjoyable story. I liked Maddy outside of her stupid insistence of her work being more important than her life. She was kind of a TSTL heroine when it came down to it but I guess if she let herself be run off the story wouldn't have progressed... Sam was a good hero and I liked him (except for his stupid move at the end). Once they came to an understanding, they worked pretty well together. I thought the story itself was very good and it kept me engaged through the end. I'm on the edge about recommending it, I guess I would as long as you can deal with a heroine who puts herself in danger (a lot). :)

* note - The narrator did a pretty good job...he pronounced all the names of the foreign places well but there were time he seems a bit stiff in his narration.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sorry to Say "For Melton Fans Only"

Is there anything you would change about this book?

This had no reviews, but was a recent release. I did not buy the Enforcer, which had good reviews, but older listen. My mistake! I took a chance on this one, but this needed better editing. It had a good outline, but it also listened like outline. So much potential in the story and characters. More mystery maybe...it seemed to be missing the "macho" of the Seals. If you like tender men, then this is for you. If a listen is about the Seals, I want it as hunky as it can get. I would consider this a tender story. Not much mystery, ok suspense maybe, but a stretch. For me, it was not worth 9 hrs of precious listening time.

Has Danger Close turned you off from other books in this genre?

I love the genre, but this author may not be for me. I know a bit more editing could have made this fantastic. Wobbling on now trying the "Enforcer". That sample was not long enough to tell if author continues to have "tender heroes", which are not for me.

What does David Brenin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

David got such great reviews, and he did a fab job on this listen. He brought all the characters to life.

Do you think Danger Close needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Author wrote about Seals and there can be more books with each of the Seals. However If author writes with the same level of "tenderness", not for me. This book was not a mystery, and it missed on the erotic vain, so "Tender" sums it up. The suspense was some what there, but needed better editing.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Wow talk about a small world

Would you listen to Danger Close again? Why?

Yes I was I was very engrossed in the story from the start

What was one of the most memorable moments of Danger Close?

When Sam realized Maddy was in Paraguay.where he is

What does David Brenin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He does an amazing job of bringing the characters and the story to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

yes when Sam realizes he's been an ass about Lye and Maddy and finally calls Lye to check on Maddy

Any additional comments?

I actually just started this series backwards by reading/listening to book 5. I was so hooked by that book I realized I needed to read the whole dang series.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Good story!

When a book is about a military main character it should be read by a male. This narrator made this book hold my interest! Of course this is one persons' opinion😅

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Tightly woven & well-written romantic suspense

Danger Close (Echo Platoon, #1), my second read from author Marliss Melton. Enjoyable, tightly woven & well-written romantic suspense. I'd received a free Audible copy of Take Cover (Echo Platoon #4.5) and read it & enjoyed it greatly and decided to read the series. “I received a free Audible copy of this book and I'm voluntarily leaving a review." David Brenin's narration adds to the enjoyment of the book. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll be reading more from this author and in this series. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

First Marliss Melton experience

Would you listen to Danger Close again? Why?

Probably not. Only because I have such an extensive library, that there is no time to listen to books a second time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Danger Close?

When Maddie broke Sam's nose.

Which character – as performed by David Brenin – was your favorite?

Sam

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

This was my first Marliss Melton and David Brenin book. I enjoyed both the story and the narrator's voice. I plan on reading the other Melton books. My enjoyment of an audiobook can be influenced by the narrator and how well I like his/her voice. There are certain narrator's that I will not listen too because his/her voice just grates on me. That is not the case with David Brenin.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Exciting, Opposites Attract Romantic Suspense

If you could sum up Danger Close in three words, what would they be?

Dangerous, Passionate, Engaging

Who was your favorite character and why?

Salim- I found him such a compelling man who was nuanced with shades of gray. The last scene he appeared in left me very emotional.

What does David Brenin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I felt like he brought Sam to life and gave his character heart. He told a story that wasn't overshadowed by any of its many individual components.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had more than one extreme reaction.

I never did warm up to the heroine. She drove me nuts b/c she was stubborn-stupid over things.

There were two moments that left me emotional. One made me cry when a character I liked died.
Then the Epilogue was such a big happy that I was 'ah'ing and grinning.

Any additional comments?

I felt this story was a nice balance of romance and suspense. The descriptions, back grounds and plot felt authentic and exciting. Pace was good. The romance wasn't my thing at first b/c I didn't like the heroine, but I still appreciated the way the author wrote the romance development.
The narrator did a good job with individual voices and accents. His pace was good, his emoting was just right and I thought he was a good choice for a thrilling romantic suspense with lots of male characters.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Just not feeling this one

I usually like this author. I really liked the short story that preceded this book. This book just did not work for me. I think I had trouble connecting with the characters. It happens sometimes, not every book appeals to everyone.

Sam has a lot of baggage, which makes him more contentious to the heroine. Maddy is meant to be independent, but really she makes stupid decisions. She does things to be willful, which makes her seem more immature. The situation she was in at the beginning of the book was noble, she should have fought harder to get the SEALS to help. I was also really upset the SEALS did nothing to help the young girls in the school, knowing what would happen to them. The actions of this first mission totally soured my feeling towards them, it kept popping into my mind the whole book. There was no reason they could not have done something to help the schoolgirls.

Moving forward in the book, they story is all over the place. There is so much going on and so many twists, I could have used a chart to help follow all the intrigue. If you are looking for a plot to keep you on your toes, this will fit the bill.

It is a mixed narrative, going between the two leads POV. This helps you understand Sam better but Maddy is more than a touch annoying. Sorry, she just has some serious TSTL moments.

This is a smexy read, although things happen really quickly. I am willing to accept a certain amount of instant attraction/chemistry, but they do not even seem to like each other most of the time.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by David Brenin, who is always delightful. I love his tone on smexy reads, he has this delicious rumble that I can not get enough of hearing. He has a great pace that really helps move the story when the action drags. I will admit, his read kept me listening well after I had lost interest in the story. He is a very engaging narrator and a compliment to the read.

This was not the book for me, but I am sure there are others out there who will adore this drama-fest. Plenty of people like characters like Maddy and will love her. I am just not one of them. While I adore other books from Ms Melton, this series might not be my cup of tea.

*** I hope this review was useful to you and helped your decision to read or not read this book. I love reading and sharing my opinions with other readers. I listen at double speed; all my impressions of the narration are from that setting. Thanks for taking the time to read my review! You can see more audiobook reviews on my blog Eargasms Audiobook Reviews ***

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Another hit by this author!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely, yes! Adventure, passion and romance!

Who was your favorite character and why?

You can't help but love the hero, with his strong determination, his passion for right and wrong and his passion for love.

What does David Brenin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

An appreciation of danger, action and suspense!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Echo Platoon in action.

Any additional comments?

An action filled tale, that will hold your attention and leave you in awe. WIW! What a tale. My hat goes off to the author and to the narrator.

*Received for an honest review from the author*

Thank you!

Rating: 5
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Danger Close (The Echo Platoon Series, Book 1)

What did you love best about Danger Close?

I enjoy the books about Navy SEALs....the alpha men who get the job done no matter how difficult the task. The interaction between the team members are unique because they function as a unit, not as individuals. Sam Sasseville is a LT in his unit, the leader.There were times when Sam didn't seem like the strong leader that he should have been. (Which is why I gave the story a 4.5 instead of a 5.) His unit has been sent in on more than one occasion to rescue Madison Scott, daughter of a rich oil executive. Sam has issues from his past pertaining to the wealthy. Madison, while coming from a powerful family, is an environmentalist at heart. She is out to save the environment and Sam is out to save the world. Their world is not so different after all.

What other book might you compare Danger Close to and why?

Marliss Melton's books are reminiscent of another favorite author, Suzanne Brockmann's Navy SEALs books.

What aspect of David Brenin’s performance would you have changed?

This is only the second audio book I have ever listened to. I did not like it when the reader did the female voice because the she came off weak and I think that this is why I did not give the book a 5 star.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

What is not to love about a book involving Navy SEALs and a strong woman battling against each other only to realize that their worlds will mesh together to make the perfect couple.

Any additional comments?

I love Marliss Melton's books (I probably have all the books she has written) and I cannot wait until the newest installment of this series comes out! I will probably buy the Kindle version instead of the audio. I'm too easily distracted (actually fell asleep twice while listening) so I ended up reading the Kindle version while I listening to the audio version at the same time.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful