Ground Zero (Zero Hour Book One)

Okay, so what I liked:The two crimes in one book was a cool idea. I did think maybe there would be a twist where they actually connected, but that didn’t happen. Which meant all the time spent on suspects was a bit pointless. Also, the criminals were beyond idiotic. You didn’t need to be a good detective to solve these. An amateur could have figured it out (which is how Sawyer and Royce came across). The first crime you were given suspects and an attempt at police work. But then the bad guy gave themselves away too easily, and suddenly was admitting to the crime. It was over quickly. And then we swiftly moved onto the next murder. I was surprised by this, but I decided, once I adjusted my expectations, that I liked how there was an overview on the crimes. Sort of like someone giving you the cliff notes version of a crime show episode. It can be interesting without having to get heavily invested. But then the second one didn’t really move for so long. They just knew who the killer was based on loose “evidence”, and then it focused on the “romance” until the very end, where they swung back to the crime. What police work were they doing in the meantime? Who knows.I liked the characters and their backgrounds. It was tragic enough to be interesting, and to leave some crumbs to pick up in future books. I also liked the secondary characters. Their coworkers and Sawyer’s mom made nice touches.What I didn’t love:The insta-love. During their first day together, there was serious dislike with a hint of lust, and then a couple days later they’re making out (and acting as though their love story is a truly tragic one!). It was… weird. I think this was written in a way where either it should have taken a lot more time to earn that kind of intimacy, or where these two guys weren’t ever meant to be together. The coffee guy was pointless. He was there as a love interest, but then was super cool when he realized Sawyer was already involved with his partner. It was like the author thought about going the way of Sawyer dating someone else, but then changed it later on, so instead of undoing all the previous writing, she made it super chill and tried to avoid any hurt feelings/cheating by adding a cat allergy and making them friends. After that, he’s not in the book again. Maybe he shows up later? Otherwise, he truly was pointless.Their names were distracting. I kept forgetting which one was Locke and which was Key. Sawyer and Royce I could follow fine. As soon as the narrator said Locke, I was trying to remember which one it was. That’s probably a me thing. But the names were so connected that I couldn’t associate one with the person. Even now, after an entire book, I would be guessing.The narrator was a bit of a mixed bag. I don’t think he did a bad job, but there wasn’t a huge difference between the men, so sometimes I had no idea who was meant to be speaking. Also, he was mostly monotone, which made it difficult to feel much for the story. That’s totally a personal preference.Would I recommend? Yes, but with warning. If you’re after a police m/m story where the crime isn’t a main part, the story doesn’t closely follow what police protocols are, and if you enjoy insta-love which focuses on sex rather than the chemistry/emotions of the main couple, then maybe give this a try. This gave me massive A.E Via – Nothing Special series vibes (although not as much focus on sex as in that series). If you liked that one, then you’re probably going to love Ground Zero.

I am not a fan of enemies-to-lovers. I am not a fan of mismatched professionals like cops or military men. I am not a fan of maybe deeply closeted hunk forced to work with openly gay hunk with a public identity.But Ms. Walker has made me a fan of all these genres in the personas of Sawyer Key (on the cover) and Royce Locke, a very conveniently named pairing (well, too conveniently named) who proceed to cover all the grounds imaginable as Locke and Key. Just cheesy as a series prop but in the end it works.This one has two murder mysteries, a bevy of seriously well developed supporting characters, and enough here and there situations which kept me riveted until the inevitable sexual identity strugle explodes into our heroes' faces, and other bodily parts.Get in there and you will find yourself frustrated and then satisfied enough to go on and get the sequel, which I did--which has Royce on the cover. Woof!

Newly assigned to the Savannah PD, Detective Key navigates high-profile crimes and grumpy but hot Detective Locke. This is an interesting enough cop, crime, and sexy tale. It has the usual Detective MCs dynamics but the crime storylines were a bit different. In fact, the crime plots confused me. I kept thinking they were related or too easily resolved. The twists and turns of this premise added uniqueness to the story. Overall, an entertaining tale. Rating: 3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I listened to Ground Zero last month and loved it! I finished the trilogy, listened to the spin-off trilogy (Sinister in Savannah,) and I just finished the Matrimony and Mayhem trilogy follow-up with Sawyer and Royce. I love all of these books but I am restarting Ground Zero at the moment to re-live the beginnings of this fabulous love story, the moments that are cringe, funny, sad and heart melting, not to mention spicy. I have a feeling that all of these books will become frequent listens and reads for me because the characters are so fantastic and I love seeing so many appear in their own stories. I can't wait for a few more spin-offs to reach audio so I can buy them and listen.

Royce Locke and Sawyer Key. Locke and Key. Their pairing up on the job was destined like peas and carrots. Or, err, maybe oil and water?“Who’d you [upset]to get stuck with Locke?”“They decided our last names would make us good partners,” Locke quipped dryly. “You guys with Knight and Dayton are pretty close, but not as cutesy as us. We ready to do this, or do you need to crack a few more jokes and chat with Key like long-lost pals?”Royce Locke and Sawyer Key each bring a lot of baggage into their new partnership. Fortunately, they’re professionals and there’s a lot of great police procedural which kept the momentum high and constant. Of course, while all this detective work is happening is some high level sexual tension that just might cause some damage when it snaps.Love these characters and all their layers. The witty repartee is funny, endearing, and totally sucked me into everyone’s dynamic.

As their names can suggest, they are a perfect match together.This was the very first book I read from this author and, let me tell you all how gobsmacked I was. I was searching for a different kind of romance, something that could add to the HFN MM plot that I kept reading this days.Her way to mix steamy scenes, drama, violence and romance is flawless. She navigates with such naturally skills through police affairs that brings me the positive vibe of an author that either lives this reality personally or studies deeply to obtain this fluency. And I deeply respect this effort, it really humbled me reading books like that.Gave 5 stars just because I could not give 6.I would strongly recommend this book to all readers in search of high octane plots that could keep your curiosity and make you devour every page.Thumbs up and hands down one of the best books I read in these past months.

Sawyer Key is starting a new job in the Savannah Crime Unit. His partner is Royce Locke. Locke lost his old partner six months earlier and doesn't want a new one. He makes it very hard for Sawyer.The other people in the precinct like Key, so his job isn't half bad.The relationship between the two main characters is volatile and you wonder if they will ever get along.The author paints a gritty picture of the types of cases they deal with on a daily basis and how they learn to rely on each other to get through it.

I'm in love with Sawyer and Royce <3 Thank you for sharing such a great story with us... I'm looking forward the next in this series!

I recommend this book as an interesting book. The flow of the story is good with no unecessary moments and keep the reader’s interest and commitment. The main characters’s depth is well developed and shared with the reader at a good pace. Supporting characters and criminals are superficially described, they appear 2D but it keeps the story focused on the MCs and keep the story light so I do not deduce stars from this fact. I recommend this read if you like a good and sometimes challenging relationship between police officers/detectives.

The characters depth and personalities were fantastic. Great flow and realistic timeline throughout. Can’t wait for the next book!! WHEN????!!!!