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Troubled Waters

Pine Cove, Book 2

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Troubled Waters

By: H.J. Welch
Narrated by: Nick J. Russo
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About this listen

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 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, stand-alone gay romance novel with a guaranteed HEA and absolutely no cliff-hanger.

©2019 H.J. Welch (P)2019 H.J. Welch
Contemporary Contemporary Romance Literature & Fiction Romance Heartfelt
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What listeners say about Troubled Waters

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Loved it

I really enjoyed this audiobook.
I loved the story and the narration was great.
Definitely a must listen.
I can’t wait to listen to more of this series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Angst, tension, and a bit of danger!

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4.5 stars
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 4
🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration: 5

Angst, tension, and a bit of danger! This book has a little of everything!

I loved Scout. He’s bold, confident and professional, almost to a fault and I felt for him when Emery didn’t remember him, at all! I loved Scout’s strength and protectiveness and how he grew over this story. I’m still on the fence about so much of the miscommunications between these two, but I think Scout did mostly the right thing. Emery didn’t remember and kept needling him till he broke. I really enjoyed the steamy scenes and could definitely feel the sparks crackle!!

There was so much more to Emery underneath the surface, workaholic, dramatic, sassy ‘twink’. He has a real heart with real feelings and I loved that he was trying to make a difference and better himself in all that he did. I liked that he knew what he wanted but was saddened that his past still dragged him down. I felt these two were a great make and once they communication they were able to bring out the best in each other!!!

Thanks for reading!

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Really good


Emery doesn’t remember faces, he is a vlogger who is getting threats, but not taking them seriously. A one night stand that he can’t quite forget and now a bodyguard who seemed familiar at first glance, who makes him feel safe, even though Emery likes to push his straight man buttons.

Scout can’t believe the minx that he had the hottest night of his life with, is not only his next client but doesn’t remember him… like, at all and thinks he is straight!

Welcome back to Pine Cove and the second book of the series, It’s a tale of the bodyguard falling for his charge, it’s a fast paced story with plenty going on, a rollercoaster of emotions as them to men fight and then giving to their attraction. Written in HJ Welch’s brilliant style, which grabs your attention from the start through to the books conclusion and with Nick J. Russo’s dulcet voice this is a winner for anyone. I really enjoyed this one, wonder who gets their HEA next.

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Beautiful story with amazing narration

Absolutely loved this story, such a great follow up to book one. There's the same small town with great characters but even more added to the mix. From the first chapter there is a hot chemistry between Emery and Scout, then once we dive into the story there is drama, tension, mystery and a lot of attitude from Pine Cove's favourite brat.
Emery has gained himself an unwanted follower and Scout has been hired to protect him, also unwanted by Emery. That is until things escalate and there's no denying the danger he's in.
Between the two of them is sizzling sexual tension, right from the beginning but there's a little more to their history than Emery remembers and Scout doesn't have it in him to reveal all. Emery clearly loves and cares for those close to him but has walls up against anyone new which has occurred because of bullying and how he fits into society. He is bratty and snarky which was occasionally a little much but a perfect match for Scout. Scouts main aim is to keep the man safe, whether they get close or not. The plot thickens as they struggle to discover who is after Emery but with Emery not being the most willing person in need of protection makes Scout's job much harder. He clearly has the brains and the brawn to protect him whilst also needing to protect his own heart.
I love Pine Cove in the way it's full of love and acceptance which you can feel from so many characters, those important to this story as well as regular town folk.
HJ Welch has built up a really great storyline that has several elements working well together and it was a constant guess who as to the suspect. It all crashed together with drama and action with a healthy dose of attraction and friendship from those who love Emery and want what's best for him, whether he likes it or not.
I definitely recommend listening to Troubled Waters. It can definitely be heard as a stand alone but I loved book one too so am recommending the whole series as you gradually get to know all of the characters in Pine Cove.
Again, Nick has done a fantastic job with narrating the characters and the story. Emory is given the perfect voice with attitude sass and vulnerability whilst Scout has his protectiveness, determination but softer side. There's a lot of emotion with highs and lows that Nick gives a great amount of detail to and really draws you into the story right from the start. Very easy to listen to!

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Return to Pine Cove

Emery is a blogger and influencer. He’s over the top, full on and bratty. He doesn’t have a knack for faces. Which makes one night stands fine...because he literally doesn’t remember the actual person after.

Scout is in the security business, and an ex boxer. He’s tough and isn’t planning on having a relationship. He’s in Pine Cove for a job when the night prior to the meeting he goes to a club and hooks up. The man vanished after the deed and leaves Scout strangely wanting more. Next day he’s at his security meeting and meets the person he’s to be protecting...who’s none other than his one night stand - and a man who does not remember him at all.

There’s been trouble brewing for Emery though that’s soon to ramp up...and Scout’s the man to protect him.

I loved the idea of this book, and I felt for Scout when he realised that he wasn’t worth enough to remember (in his eyes - we learn the real truth over this). Emery was endearing in spite of, or maybe because of, his brattiness. The whole of Pine Cove is adorable, and there’s so many characters I can picture getting a book I really enjoyed the narration bringing the characters to life and I look forward to more from the series.

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Really enjoyed this one!

I was a bit wary about this book at first, but H.J. Welch did a fantastic job balancing the chemistry between Scout and Emery and the suspense of finding out who was stalking Emery, and let me tell you, it was quite a twist that I didn't see coming at all, and maybe because of that, I enjoyed it all the more.

Loved Scout and Emery and though things weren't all that great at the start, seeing that Emery didn't remember Scout had been his one-night stand just before the first attack, and Scout feeling a bit hurt that he hadn't been all that memorable for Emery, they managed to move past that. I also liked that Scout wavered between giving in to his feelings and his job as Emery's bodyguard, it made it more realistic to me.

Nick Russo was awesome as always, he brings a lot of emotion into his narration and his voices are just so distinct and I was thoroughly impressed at how the suspense of some scenes came through in his performance. This has got to be one of my favorites of his in my ever-growing list from his narrations. Very recommendable!

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Beautiful incredible moving

Scout and emery's journey was such a beautiful intense moving powerful meaningful and had me captivated from start to finish

Nick I russo did such a incredible and beautiful job of bringing scout and emery's story to life i felt everything in this story i loved every moment

One minute i was laughing the next i was crying i loved every moment

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fabulous

sad, sassy and a little scary, but all together amazing... kept me on my toes like all the other amazing stories...thank you for writing and the narrator is one of my favourites 😍

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Listener received this title free

🎧 LesCourt Reviewer 🎧

Troubled Waters is the 2nd book in the Pine Grove series by H.J. Welch I enjoyed the chemistry between Scout and Emery. The story was a little slow for me at times but still a good listen.
The Narrator Nick J. Russo Did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life.

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Two lost souls find each other

Emery Klein is quite a character. He’s out, proud, and loud. He wears his gay on his sleeve and isn’t afraid to show himself. For all to see, he’s happy and joyous. He’s also a social media influencer – something I admittedly know very little about. In that sense, this book was a huge revelation for me. I had always seen these people through the lens of the Kardashians. That an influencer could use their position for good? That they could use their ability to reach out to the vulnerable and give them hope? Mind blown. I probably should have seen it, but now I’ll view things differently. Oh, to be sure there are vapid and selfish people who want the adulation, but apparently there are people out there who use their celebrity for good.

Like I said, Emery does this and it endeared him to me. Of course so did the hedgehog Sonic. Anyone who can love such an…interesting…creature must be a good person, right? His one fault? The inability to connect with people he has sex with. He has close friends and chosen family (many of whom I met in the first book and it was nice to have them back!). What he lacks is the desire to have more than what amounts to one-night stands. From the start I could see the toll it takes on him. Heck, the opening scene was…interesting (okay, and also kind of explosive – I’ll never look at guppies the same way). But while the encounter meant everything to his partner, Emery let it blend into all the others.

Or so he tells himself. He might not remember faces, but he does remember someone who dominates him. He’ll do just about anything to repeat that particular experience.

Scout Duffy is also a man who runs from his feelings. He’s had a few one-night stands as well, but his job keeps him on the move, going for assignment to assignment. Town to town. When he agrees to be the bodyguard of some gay social media influencer, it’s not the gay part that bothers him. He’s convinced Emery is just another guy whose whole focus is taking a good picture of his food – or of himself. Scout immediately recognizes Emery as the guy he banged (so to speak), but Emery’s lack of recognition hurts. More than he’s willing to admit.

But the threat to Emery is very real and Scout figures he can tuck away the lust and focus on the job. Until Emery finally recognizes him and then all bets are off the table. Hot times ensue. Ethics are pesky things, though, and Scout must, he believes, choose between protecting Emery or making hot damn love with him. As a boxer, Scout was all brute strength and very much in the closet. He’s out now, but certainly doesn’t advertise the fact. Being with Emery means changing that. For the better? Hard to say.

There is a lot of drama in this book. More so even than in the last book. The sleepy town of Pine Cove isn’t as dull as it might seem. The eventual standoff scene uncovers how deep hate can really run. Suddenly Emery’s safety is jeopardized and Scout realizes the depth of his feelings for the man.

I enjoyed this book. There was a lot to take in and it worked. Watching the men connect was fun but the deeper emotions came much later. Of course a happy ending is guaranteed, but I still wondered how it would all come together with Emery attached to Pine Cove and Scout living an itinerant life.

Nick J. Russo is a great narrator and he’s perfect to helm this series. He always delivers a solid performance and this book was no exception. If you enjoy snarky twinks and the dominant men who love them then this is the right book for you.

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