Stranded

This is a book/series that definitely needs to be read sequentially. Any perspicacious reader can figure out in very broad strokes what's happened to the characters but without reading the first book appreciation for the development of the romance/relationship that the author is laying out for the MC is much diminished and why would you do that to yourself?

This part of the story is narrated from Darius' POV and it was good to be in his head. We get tantalizing glimpses behind the armor, an armor which Gray unwittingly and without trying has chinked more than once.

One could say that in and of itself this volume isn't a romance but being as it is not meant to be a standalone but rather part of a greater whole I think it works. We get the realities of the kidnaped once they are first returned to the bosom of their families, the emotional rollercoasters. Of particular interest to us are Gray and Darius.

Darius' usual coping mechanisms after missions like these aren't working and Gray despite the tight embrace of family & friends (folks from the CCU) needs something else/more. They seek solace in each other but no declarations are exchanged (smart choice by the author) and no promises made. However the seeds of something that was planted in bk.1 are growing and I'll be happy to give them time and watch them flourish in the next books.