Combining a few different elements that I enjoy into one great story, Flash Rip was a great read with characters that were interesting and some quick bursts of action when they had to go into lifesaving mode. There’s a bit of an age gap, one very closeted former professional athlete, sizzling sex scenes, and hot lifeguards everywhere.
Cody is definitely comfortable in his own skin, and with being out. Liam though has been in the closet for a very long time, to the point where he’s ultra-disciplined at hiding what he really wants from everyone. Once Cody comes onto the scene though, cracks begin to appear in Liam’s previously solid armor. Thus begins his journey of acceptance. I loved how well the two of them fit together, and I have to say Cody’s patience when it came to how paranoid Liam was about anyone finding out about him was pretty strong.
There are quite a few supporting characters from Cody and Liam’s fellow lifeguards to their respective family members, and all of them help contribute to the story. I was especially fond of their boss (and Liam’s best friend) Teddy with how supportive he was not just of Liam but of Liam and Cody together. Liam’s family members’ reactions went how I thought they would, which made their story more realistic.
The scenes with them at work patrolling the beach and the rescues gave the story just the right amount of drama to help divert from Liam’s constant fear of being found out, while also bringing some extra excitement. I liked the setting, even though I’m not much of a beach person myself.
Flash Rip was a 4.5-star read for me, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to any M/M romance reader. This story is meant for readers 18+ for adult language and sexual content.
The narration: As usual, Joel Leslie does a superb job on the narration of this book. Excellent differentiation between characters, intense emotions portrayed in the voices…5 stars for the narration!