A Forced Silence (Audio Review)

Title: A Forced Silence (Zero Hour #1)
Author: Cate Ashwood and Scott R. Smith (Narrator)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: June 3rd 2016
Genre(s): M/M Contemporary Romance / Mystery
Length: 5 hrs 47 mins
Reviewed by: Belen
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:

For paramedic Adam Carson, his world is lights and sirens and saving lives. Pressures at work keep him firmly in the closet, and life is too busy to contend with the complications that come with dating and relationships. When a familiar face from his past turns up where he least expects it, Adam starts to question whether or not there is room in his life for those complications.

The last person forensic pathologist Sam McKenna expects to see at pub night is Adam, the guy who made his life hell in high school. The attraction is instant, but Adam isn’t gay and Sam has no interest in pursuing him. Still, the leftover animosity from their teenage years isn’t enough to extinguish the lust growing between them. After both are called to the scene of a horrific murder, Adam admits he’s not as straight as he led Sam to believe and they seek comfort and distraction in each other’s arms. One night becomes many as the murder investigation intensifies, but when Adam is faced with losing Sam, he is forced to make a choice: to break his silence, or to give up everything for the job he loves.

There were several things I loved about this story: the romance that takes center stage, Sam, and Adam’s realistic struggle.

There were a couple of things I didn’t particularly love about the story. I wasn’t happy with it ending on a partial cliffhanger. Though the romance is a complete story, the mystery is left open-ended, and we’re left with a couple of questions regarding Adam’s other personal relationships.

I also struggled a bit with the narration by Scott R. Smith, especially with his cadence and inflections, and I felt a bit let down by his narration of the sex scenes in the story. Cate Ashwood does a particularly good job writing some very emotionally charged and sexy scenes, but I didn’t feel like the narration adequately showcased the heat.

But the things I loved far outweigh the things I didn’t. Ashwood totally conveys the struggle Adam has with falling for this perfect-for-him guy, and feeling like he can’t really declare it because it would negatively impact the rest of his life. She shows how miserable he is when he chooses to stay in the closet. I absolutely loved Sam (or “Dex” as Adam affectionately call him)! He was out and proud, but totally understanding about what Adam was going through. He never pushed or made Adam feel pressured. *sighs* Sam’s such a great character!

As for the mystery, there were several times where I really liked how Ashwood, and Smith, ratchet up the suspense. You just knew something was going to happen and when it did, the thrill didn’t disappoint! Alas, it ends on a cliffie. So we’ll have to wait for the next in the series (Ford’s story) to (hopefully) get some closure.

I tell you, I’m hooked. I can hardly wait for the next story to come out!