Coerced

Harper Security Ops, Book 17

By: A.K. Evans

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Maxine Mitchell

Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Aria Todd is the new girl in town. She doesn’t mind the title. In fact, she’s thrilled that she’ll have the chance to start over in a place where nobody knows her. Where nobody can get to her. And where her new neighbor has her peeking out her window regularly.

Paxton Fields is Steel Ridge’s resident nice guy. He’s kind to everyone, even the injured and abandoned animals he rescues on occasion.

That’s why he catches Aria’s eye, and the pair explore the chemistry between them.

But Paxton’s big heart is just a small part of who he is. When it’s necessary to be foreboding, he rises to the occasion.

And that’s precisely what happens when he learns that there was a reason for Aria’s recent move to his town. Discovering she’s been coerced from her home, Paxton’s protective instincts kick in.

Escaping her past was her plan, but if Paxton can’t find her, Aria may never get to see her future.

©2024 A.K. Evans (P)2024 A.K. Evans

Paxton and Aria!

Book 17 of the Harper Security Ops Series.

Teddy Hamilton is one of my go-to narrators as is Maxine Mitchell! I don’t think any others would have been able to pull Paxton and Aria off like these two working together. Incredible audio book!

I love how AK Evans gives her books a storyline! I love to read about everyday life with a hint of a twist somewhere in the midst of strangers falling in love and I really love it when the guy falls first!!

Tropes:
• Small town
• Neighbors
• Slow burn
• Alpha male

Paxton is Steele Ridge’s protector of all. He has a heart of gold and wants to protect anything he comes into contact with, in comes his neighbor.
Aria moves to Steele Ridge to get away from her family and have a fresh start in living her life for herself.
Instant attraction brings these two together but will their relationship withstand what comes next when danger shows up?

I can never get enough of this series!

So Awesome!!!

Coerced is sooooo awesome!!! I love, love, love Paxton. He is the ultimate alpha-protective book boyfriend with a cinnamon roll persona and a flirty sexy side. He is an animal lover and is kind to everyone until they prove they don’t deserve it. Aria is so sweet with a backbone of steel and her bravery and beauty is simply stunning. Their journey is by turns delightful, intense, funny, sweet, daring, steamy, innocent, and so much more. With all the feels and then some, I was hooked from the first word to the last. The narrators did an amazing job of highlighting the highs, deepening the lows, and bringing so much energy and enthusiasm into these roles. Their voices are easy to listen to, and they brought an extra level of oomph to the story that made it so much fun to listen to. Such a great audiobook!

Coerced

Paxton and Aria's story has cute elements but plenty of drama due to Aria's past. Aria has angst and confidence issues thanks to the past issues, but Paxton seems to break through them. Cute animals help steal the show at times. When the danger comes for Aria, Paxton and the crew run to the rescue of course, so that the new lovebirds can secure their HEA. Narrators brought the characters to life.

Aria and Paxton

Aria runs away from her past and ends up neighbors with Paxton. In this wonderfully written slow burn, found family romance, it is beautiful to watch Aria finally come into who she is without her selfish family. The narrators were excellently cast and fit each character perfectly.

Great Listen and read!

Sweet Romance, starting over in Steel Ridge Aria learns what family should be like, and opens her heart. Paxton is a sexy but sweet guy next door type of man. Aria and Paxton will come up against her past and Haper Security Ops is back again to the rescue.

A series that just keeps getting better

A series that just keeps on giving. 17 books in and I still love it as much as the very first book. Aria is an easy character to relate to and instantly love. She has a fierce loyalty to her family through good times and hard times but knowing when to walk away for her own benefit is vital. The deep betrayal she endures is more than anyone should ever have to face, but Paxton is the perfect new neighbor, friend, and lover. Harper Security Ops men are always extremely protective of the women in their lives and Paxton is no exception.

I absolutely LOVE the addition of all the animals in this book. I think Paxton's love for animals, especially rescues, really just makes you love him even more. He is so patient with Aria even though he knew there was more to her move than she was willing to share.

Another thing that really stuck out to me was how Aria's best friend kept her secret but knew when it was important to share that secret with Paxton. Everyone needs a best friend like that! This story kept me pulled in until the very end.

Even though I knew there would be something big happen eventually, I was not expecting the heartbreaking way things went for Aria in the end. Sometimes the ones we love the most hurt us the deepest and I think so many people can relate to this deeply touching story in one way or another.

Paxton and Aria were utterly loveable!

Paxton was the golden retriever I wasn't expecting but loved dearly. It made perfect sense that he was an animal daddy because that man had a heart of gold.

Aria went through a tough emotional journey with her family, and they were not worthy of all she gave to them over the 5 years she was sacrificing herself for them. When she finally decided to take her life back onto her own hands, and ends up in our favorite small town, Steel Ridge, I was thrilled that Paxton was going to be her guy. She needed a gentle alpha male in her corner that was going to love and cherish her like no other.

If we've learned anything about the men of HSO, it's that they fall fast and hard for their woman, and will stop at nothing to protect them. Paxton lived up to the pedestal I keep these men on and then some. I adored the strong woman that Aria was and was so happy to see her not only get her guy, but one of the good ones.

A.K. Evans is the queen of slow burn but when things get steamy, they get steamy! The storyline and characters are so lovable that we don't need extra spiciness to understand and get their emotional connection.

I will forever love the HSO crew, and always enjoy that we get cameos from other couples and characters in each book. Teddy Hamilton and Maxine Mitchell were fantastic as Paxton & Aria! I love everything they team up on.

Another engaging story in the series

If you are new to the series, Harper Security Ops is not only a security firm, but also a tactical and self defense training center. Though this audiobook is part of a series, rest assure that as with the previous stories, this is a stand alone.
This time it’s Harper Security Ops operative Paxton Fields who finds love when he least expects it. Paxton is known as the nice guy in the neighborhood always willing to help others. Kind not only humans but also to the stray animals around.
Aria Todd recently moved to town hoping for some anonymity and to have a chance to start over with her life.
A sort of friendship and relationship starts developing between these two and just when things seem to be going great, Aria’s past threatens not only the relationship , but also Aria.
Will Paxton be able to keep Aria safe? Will these two get a chance to have a future, or will the evil that follows Aria end it all?
This was another engaging story filled with good hunky guys, bad guys, suspense and of course, romance.
Narrators Teddy Hamilton and Maxine Mitchell do an excellent job of bringing the story to live.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Loved it!

Seventeen books in the series, but it never gets old! Aria just wants to live a quiet life away from all the pain and hurt she's left behind. Luckily for her, Paxton is the nicest, friendliest neighbor anyone could ask for. He's a sucker for stray animals and loves to help everyone, including his new neighbor. They develop a friendship, which leads to more. Paxton feels so protective of Aria, not that she's completely helpless. She feels like she's finally found peace in this town. It helps that she's made some friends and that Paxton is always there for her. She may not have been looking for love, but she sure did luck out when she found Paxton.

It's been a hot minute since I've listened to Maxine Mitchell and Teddy Hamilton narrate a book. I loved how they brought the characters and story to life. Their voices gave this book great depth and made listening very enjoyable.

I received a complimentary copy of the audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this review.