Title: HETCH (Men of S.W.A.T. #1)

 

My Review

*****5 Amazing Stars*****

From the moment I saw the amazing cover of Hetch, I knew I had to read it. From the second I read its alluring blurb, I knew I had to devour it as soon as humanly possible. As soon as I knew this book was written by River Savage, I had no doubt that it would give me an all-feeling, intensely heated and emotionally gripping story that I wouldn’t soon forget. And you know what, I was definitely right with those thoughts.

Hetch was an all-consuming read that packed the perfect level of mesmerizing heat and connection, heartfelt and thoughtfully crafted emotion, and two characters that seared themselves to my heart from the very first moment I met them.

Now it’s no secret that I am a huge fan of River Savage. I have read and loved all of her books, and they have all given me some phenomenal reading experiences, along with some pretty unforgettable characters. When I sit down to read a book of hers I know it will pack one helluva story that will have me on the edge of my seat feeling and experiencing it all through every page. I also know that her writing will completely encapsulate me within her story, her world, and with her characters in a way that feels so real, so raw and authentic, and just so wonderful. Hetch was no different, and I was blown away by what I got within the pages of this book.

Hetch and Liberty’s story in this book was mesmerizing and emotionally intense to say the least. I felt every single word of it as they tried to figure out what in the world they were doing with one another. Experiencing what it was like for those two to find each other, feel for one another, and fall oh so wonderfully hard for one another was everything, and I loved every moment I got with them in this book.

What I absolutely loved about Hetch:

• A whole new world and series to love. Hetch is the first book in River Savage’s Men of S.W.A.T. series, and I have to tell you that I am already loving this series something fierce. This series opens up the world of this brotherhood that bursts with loyalty, grit, and a sense of connection that is unyielding in the best way. I loved getting to know all of the new characters of this series, and getting to experience their memorable personalities throughout this book. River Savage has a true talent with giving you supporting characters that are so wonderfully distinctive, and this book is no different. I got to know and fall in love with the many members of Hetch’s SWAT Unit, as well as the girlfriends that Liberty has. I can’t wait to get to know each and every one of them more as this series continues. Something tells me they all have some serious stories to tell, and I’ve already got grabby hands just thinking about what’s to come.
• An evolution that makes sense. I have to say that one of my favorite aspects of Hetch was the evolution of Liberty and Hetch’s relationship. It never felt rushed or force, it just felt right. Those two share one intense and incredible connection that will have you mesmerized in no time, and everything you experience with them in this book heightens that and every feeling they start to share. After meeting in a quite memorable way, these two can’t seem to stay away from one another, and despite them both having their trepidations, they soon start to feel something way more than either of them bargained for. What initially started out as fun, soon turns into something very real and raw and heartfelt. That scares Liberty and Hetch a bit, or a lot, but at the same time it shows them what they just might be able to have together, if they only give it all a chance and let themselves embrace the feelings they have.
• Hetch’s emotional journey. Hetch definitely goes through a seriously emotional journey, and River Savage let me experience every ounce of that with him. She let me understand him, she put me in some very tough moments with him, and she let me feel that emotional struggle he was having as he tried to overcome the emotional trauma of his past and its ramifications. She just really allowed me to get him on every level possible, and that made everything he was going through in this book that more real, that more intense, and that more connected to what I was feeling for him. Hetch is definitely a force to be reckoned with, and he has this way about him that will simultaneously make you blush and melt and fall like crazy for him, but at the same time you will feel for him immensely. So many of the events in this book push his character, both mentally and emotionally, and they make him realize and experience some not so easy things. Being with him through all of that placed that man in my heart, and I just loved him so much. I felt for him, I cared, and I just wanted him to make it through, and all of that connection was possible because of how phenomenally River Savage created his character.
• Liberty’s got that fire. River Savage knows how to write a female character with some sass and fire, and Liberty was no different. I absolutely loved her character, and I loved that she was not afraid to do what she thought she needed to or what was right. She also wasn’t afraid to push Hetch’s buttons or to call him on his shit, and I had some major respect for her with that. What I loved about Liberty was that she was just such an easy character to love and relate to. She was kind, thoughtful, and she had a spunk that never failed to bring a smile to my face. At the same time, she was so genuine and real, and she was so invested in the work she was doing for her boys. Seeing and experiencing the true goodness of her just had my heart going to her in no time, and had me hoping with all I had that her and Hetch would be able to find a way to make it all through. Liberty is no wilting flower, and the fire, strength, and determination she had emanated from the pages of this book in the most memorable way with her.
• A love worth feeling and fighting for. Liberty and Hetch share a connection that just doesn’t quit. From the first moment they meet, it fires off like crazy and continues to build in the most tension filled and heated way. The more those two were together, the more I wanted them to climb each other like trees, and the more I wanted them to explore the more they could share together. While Liberty and Hetch share a heated physical connection, I loved how deeply they felt towards one another. Their emotional connection was just as intense and just as visceral, and even though that connection scared them both so much because they didn’t know what to do with it, at the same time that connection gave them it all. Their connection was palpable, heartfelt, and all-feeling, and every moment with them in this book gives you that connection in the most incredible way. Throughout this story they struggle to figure out where that connection will take them, and while it isn’t always easy for the two of them, and while they have to work on the bumps in the road they face, you will have no doubt that their fight is highly worth it in every way possible.
• The best twists and turns. Like any book by River Savage, Hetch had some glorious twists and turns that had me one the edge of my seat the entire time. I love how she adds in the action and drama in a way that makes sense for the stories and the characters, and in a way that has my emotions going through the ringer just a bit. Every turn of the page in this book brought a new twist or turn, either in Liberty and Hetch’s relationship, or in the outside forces surrounding them. The more I read this book, the more I brought myself closer to that edge with all that happens, and the more my heart became invested in what I was reading with all of these characters. I never knew what they would all face next, but I had no doubt I would feel and experience every ounce of it, and that made this book so phenomenal to read.

Hetch is an emotionally charged story of what happens when you meet that one person who puts you back together in ways you never knew possible. It’s about how the right person can give you things you never even knew you needed, and how they can give you it all, if you only open yourself and your heart up to them. This book is about feeling and living and loving with all that you have, and about letting go of that past that threatens to consume you, so that you can embrace that future that just might give you it all.

I loved every bit of Hetch and Liberty’s story in this book. I loved what it made me feel, how it made me fall, and how it gave me their enrapturing story that was so full of meaningful emotion, and an intense and heart squeezing connection that just couldn’t be beat. Those two have a connection and a dynamic that bursts from the page, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. What they share and what they go through in this book together will have you feeling and caring for them both so much, and in the end you will just love them both to pieces. I know I did.

I thought this was an outstanding first book in this new and enthralling series, and I can’t wait to get more time with these characters soon. I have a feeling this series will be one of my new favorites, and I have no doubt that River Savage will continue to blow me away with all she’s got as she brings The Men of S.W.A.T. to the my eagerly awaiting hands.

Hetch was phenomenal in every way. I am telling you that you want this intense, enrapturing, and all-feeling book in your life as soon as possible, and I have no doubt that you will love Liberty and Hetch with all you’ve got!

 

They say moments of clarity hit you hard. Like suddenly a deep understanding smacks you in the face. Your vision becomes unclouded, and a truth that’s been out of your reach rushes at you. It’s in that second your perception of reality becomes so clear you can’t begin to describe it.

Some call it beautiful, some say it can be saddening, some even compare it to the moment your drug of choice washes over you, offering a moment of escape.

I wish I could I say my moment of clarity is an epiphany or some kind of life-defining moment that showed me where my messed-up life is going.

No, my moment hits me as the first wave of the orgasm I’ve been chasing the last few minutes washes over me.

“Fuck, woman, wait for me this time.” His voice pulls me from my haze first, reminding me how messed up I am.

Heat covers my body, not from the life-altering orgasm, but from embarrassment.

Without thinking rationally, I throw my vibrator to the floor and freeze, afraid to move, as a low moan pauses on my lips. The thump of my beating heart, almost syncing in perfect rhythm to the throb drumming between my legs.

Jesus, please tell me he didn’t hear me.

“Don’t go shy on me now, babe.” He half chuckles, half growls, and even though there is a wall between us, the words wash over me; Goose bumps prickle my skin as if his warm breath whispered over me.

Shit.

Shit.

Shit.

Slowly, as if by some freak of nature, apartment nine can see me through the wall, I roll off the bed and find myself on all fours.

Really, Liberty?

Fully committed to my actions, I slowly army crawl my way to the nearest exit.

A strong tap on the wall halts my escape followed by, “You still there?” Another wave of humiliation crashes over me when I take stock of my predicament.

If I don’t get out of here fast, I’ll be drowning in so much embarrassment, nothing will resuscitate me.

Unable to form a coherent thought, and not willing to engage with the pervert, I continue to low crawl my way out of my bedroom and into my bathroom. Closing the door, I stand, and quickly walk to the shower. After turning the faucet on, I strip the rest of my clothes off, then step under the spray of the water.

Jesus, that was close.

I have no idea what I was thinking. In fact, I know I wasn’t. Which scares me even more.

I, Liberty Jenson, would never take risks like this. If asked what prompted this change in me, I’d answer with two things.

Apartment nine.

And a self-appointed sex sabbatical.

It all started when I moved into my new apartment. At first, I was excited, ready for a fresh start. After a messy break-up, which included dealing with a douche ex who didn’t know how to keep his dick in his pants, I needed a new place. Somewhere closer to town this time, secure, and most importantly, affordable. However, finding a place close to the city, which was secure enough to make me feel safe and would still leave me enough money left over from my program director’s wage, proved to be a feat. After searching for five weeks, I was about to give up, accept defeat and move in with my mom and dad again. I mean it wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to a single thirty-year-old woman.

Right?

Luckily for me, I didn’t have to resort to such desperate measures when this place came up two weeks ago. After a quick walk through, I fell in love with the two bedrooms, one bath, and open kitchen living area. I filled out the paperwork, paid my deposit, a month’s rent in advance, and moved in five days later.

Everything seemed perfect.

That was until I realized how paper-thin the walls were between apartments.

It started out subtle, a sneeze in the early evening on my first night here as I settled into bed. A soft murmur of a man’s voice the third night.

But then came the sex.

The hot, wild, filthy sex.

The fourth night in my new apartment, I was woken to the low moans of what I assumed to be a needy woman.

My face heats up remembering the screams, the grunts. The deep baritone of apartment nine’s voice as he told the ‘bitch’ to keep it quiet.

Unsure what to do, I laid silent, listening to my new neighbor fuck some lucky woman into submission.

I’m not going to lie; I wasn’t turned on by it. I was set alight.

I never thought I would be that kind of person, the kind who got off from listening in on someone get off, but something in the way he spoke to her, something in the way he spoke to all the other women since, stirred a new want in me. Soon I found myself seeking out my room for a chance to hear him.

It was wrong.

So wrong.

But it didn’t stop me from wanting it.

The screams.

The deep grunts of pleasure.

I wanted it all.

I wanted it to be me.

“I’m officially going to hell.” I groan under the water, trying to wash the stupidity off me. Stupid would be the nice way of calling me a fucking idiot. And an idiot is what I am. Especially after tonight.