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Rival Hero

Redleg Security, Book 4

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Rival Hero

By: Jackie Walker
Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Erin Mallon
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About this listen

I never planned on sleeping with him. Nor did I intend to make him my enemy. I only went into the bar to scope out my competition–him. The scorching hot night that followed was a mutually pleasurable accident. Of course I knew we were in the running for the same position.

It’s not my fault he didn’t know who I was.

Gathering intel is my specialty.

Maybe if he were better at it, he would have gotten the job instead of me.

I tried my hardest to resist our chemistry, but he was too damn hot.

Too charming. Too funny. Too masculine.

And he smelled so freaking good.

My hormones took over.

Now we're working together on the Redleg Security intelligence team. Every day. High stress. Close quarters. Sexual chemistry off the charts.

But he hates me.

The thing is… he should hate me. I treated him like a pawn.

But he’s a real man with dreams, passion, and pain.

And I’ve never wanted someone as much as I want him.

But it’s too late for us.

I made us rivals when we could have been so much more.

Note: Rival Hero is a bodyguard romantic suspense story with rom-com vibes. It features a strong heroine who's a former CIA intelligence officer and a swoony former Army Ranger hero who will make you laugh one minute and swoon the next. There's action and all the feels, along with a healthy dose of humor and tons of spice. There is an HEA, no cheating, and no "other woman" drama. Content warnings are available on the author's website.

Tropes: One night stand to office rivals to lovers, good boy goes bad, and forced proximity.

Listening Order: Rival Hero is Book 4 in the Redleg Security Series. Each of the first four books in this series features a different couple, including their happily ever after and is a "complete story" with no cliffhangers. However, the series is best enjoyed in order to avoid suspense-related plot spoilers. Each book starts right where the prior book ends. If you do not wish to listen to them all, then you can listen as a stand-alone.

©2023 Jackie Walker (P)2024 Jackie Walker
Romantic Suspense Funny Witty Exciting Feel-Good Heartfelt Espionage
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So entertaining on audio

Audiobook review: Narrated by Jason Clarke and Eric Mallon
4.5 stars for story / 5 stars for performance
I have not read anything from this author before, so I obviously have not read any of the other books in the series. That did not play a factor at all in the experience. Of course, it was so, so good that I will be rectifying this issue as soon as possible. The writing here was so clever with hilarious one-liners and witty banter that had me (literally) laughing out loud. It was amazing how she was able to weave such fun and light-hearted moments in the midst of a very serious, suspense laden plot. The main characters were so perfect for each other, both with alpha personalities that melded so well with each other. I absolutely loved every side character as well and it was so nice to get the little hints on possible future stories.
As good as this story was on its own, the audio aspect ratcheted up the total experience of this book exponentially. I pride myself on being able to listen to any audiobook with little reaction but that was not the case with this one. These narrators performed the heck out of this book! The smallest nuances brought so much emotion to these performances...joy, frustration, sadness and more...it all came out it spades. The humor in the writing was delivered perfectly and the moments when the 4th wall is broken brought an extra layer of fun. I highly recommend this one on audio.

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Rival Hero: Redleg Security Book 4

🎧🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧🎧

Never have I ever been so close to spending an exceptionally high dollar amount on audiobooks as I was when I finished this story. NEVER

Do with that tidbit what you will but also, OH EM GEE I LOVE THIS STORY!

This story was exciting and fun in one way or another from the beginning until the very end! Not only did the MCs spark as individuals and a couple, but so did the storyline! The story blended romance, suspense, and levity really well. Jackie is a new-to-me author with Rival Hero and, as I’ve already mentioned, I had to basically sit on my hands not to spend a small fortune on her audiobooks once I finished this story, she has now jumped to a go-to author. I am really looking forward to binging this series ASAP!

🎧Jason Clarke & Erin Mallon’s performances in this story were so good that I might just call it the best I’ve listened to by both in my audiobook era! They brought to life all aspects of the story and its characters so flawlessly that even now, a week after I listened to this story, I can feel the joy the story brought to me! 👏🏻👏🏻loud round of applause for Jackie, Erin & Jason!👏🏻👏🏻 Job well done!!

Two more things I’d like to mention. First, because it deserves to be said again and again (lol), that feeling I had that I wanted to go back and listen/read this series asap, is not something that happens very often for me. I can count on one hand and have fingers left over the times it has happened. I am highly impressed by Jackie Walker. Second, the circumstance surrounding Klein and his mother were dealt with care, respect, and relatability. It is always important to me for stories to be realistic and factual when portraying any kind of disease. It lends credibility to the author and the story. I have dealt and am now dealing with Alzheimer’s disease , and it isn’t something that is black and white. This disease lives in the grey and it takes a huge investment to make sure it is portrayed properly. Thank you for investing the time, Jackie.

Okay, well these are my thoughts, and I would never tell anyone how they should spend their money but … go do the thing (from the beginning) #trust

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Excellent

Absolutely BRILLIANT !! Jackie Walker has written yet again another winner,I LOve her stories they never fail to make me laugh,cry and swoon. Rival Hero is and incredible book and is AUDIOBOOK GOLD..!!..I absolutely loved listening to this book. Erin Mallon and Jason Clarke are EXCELLENT telling this story,they delivery every word of every scene perfectly..Expressing all the right emotions when neccessary,and their comedy value and timing is perfection. Jason Clarke's voice is so WOW it actually made me sigh and swoon..can you fall in love with someones voice?..because I just did. Erin Mallon is the ideal voice to portray Mia with her sassiness and smart mouth Erin is always gives 100%. This is the 4th book in The Redleg security series and I will never get bored of this series because each book seems to just get better.I could never choose a favourite character or story because they are all unique...Like with all the books Jackie Walker writes characters that have issues,or challenges in their lives and she writes these problems with humour emotion and truth.. Mia and Klein are so much fun,enemies to Lovers the connection they have is unexpected and a one night stand spirals into something more than they both could have predicted. Klein has worked for Redleg security for a long time,he was hoping for a kind of promotion wanting a certain job in the company. But he soon discovers that the woman he had a passionate night with has taken the job he wanted,so of course this causes conflict between them,as Klein believes he was used and betrayed. Mia is ex CIA and a very skilled Hacker she has trust issues and is guarded now she has to work with the infuriating and sexy Klein. I love the banter between these two the chemistry is off the scale HOT and STEAMY Making me blush.. Klein is the perfect guy honestly you will fall in love with how sweet he is but don't let him fool you because he is very sexy and commanding in the bedroom...no wonder Mia can't resist him and his dirty mouth. This book is full of surprises and secrets a suspenseful story that will have you riveted from the start,I honestly could not stop listening...I am already excited for the next book. Jackie Walker is a Superb storyteller her wit and the characters she creates are completely endearing and I fall in love with every story she writes. Rival Hero is a phenomenal audiobook and I highly recommend it to all audiobook lovers...and romantic suspense fans. LOved it. 5 Stars

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4.5 Stars!

Naming your MMC Calvin Klein is a bit unserious, but…at least I was not disappointed in the story!

Actually, I really am enjoying this series & this book did not disappoint! I am really enjoying the mix of romance, suspense, humour and banter, and spicy scenes that this series is giving! Overall, entertaining!

Mia and Klein (Cal) are both up for the same position at Redleg Security. Giving Mia’s history and paranoia, she just can’t help but “accidentally” meeting Klein one night at a bar in order to research her competition. Although she did not plan for it, and this meeting was originally meant just to gain information on her competition, Mia and Klein really hit it off and end up having a real connection. Klein thinks they have a real connection and is devastated when he finds out he was deceived. They now have to work together and the tension really is real!

As always Jackie Walker really knows how to get you invested in the characters and the story! I was really into the storyline and was at the edge of my seat wanting to find out everything that was going on; from the progression of the relationship between Klein and Mia, but also with the side plot missions the team were on. Also, this series keeps getting spicier and I’m here for it. This has a touch of bdsm and it was 🔥 Sidenote: I really loved how consent was discussed. Overall, I really loved this book and the journey it took me on. To say this was over 19 hours, I just couldn't put it down. It had my undivided attention, and I was invested from page 1, all the way through to the last page. I most definitely recommend it!

Narration done by Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon. They both did amazingly with the narration. They were able to convey all the emotions and moods that both Cal and Mia were going through. Their voices were perfect for the characters. They truly brought the characters and the story to life! Highly recommend!

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Great Story and Narration!

Rival Hero was a great listen! Don't let the 19 hours of story turn you away - it goes by fast for such a long book! Klein "Cal" and Mia's story contains action, emotion, spice, witty banter, and suspense. Cal is a former special ops and Mia is a sassy ex-CIA hacker. This is a rival coworker to lovers trope. I enjoyed the push and pull and all the angst and intensity they brought as their rivalry started. I have fallen for the Redleg Security family and enjoy catching up with the previous couples and those who still have audiobooks to come. Their found family is everything! Cal and Mia have unstoppable chemistry and the spice will have you blushing as you listen. I felt the author did a great job balancing the spice, suspense, emotion, and action throughout the story and was able to keep my interest until the end. Cal was a total sweetheart and one of the best parts was how relatable and realistic it was with how he faced challenges with taking care of his mother who had dementia. Overall, I felt this was a great addition to this series and I am ready for more from this author.

Jason Clarke and Erin Mallon were phenomenal with the narration! Their performances were delightful to listen to and had me on the edge of my seat throughout the story. Jason Clarke was impressive with his Russian accent and the ease with which he narrated all the female voices. Casting was done well with this audiobook!

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Brilliant!!

I am loving this Redleg series. The banter and one liners in this book are hilarious, Jackie Walker is a genius!!
Jason and Erin’s narration was perfection as always. The spice was on point. I didn’t want this book to end. Can not wait for the next part. If I could give 10⭐️ I would. Loved it!!

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Klein & Mia

Listening to a Jackie Walker audiobook is nothing short of a good laugh and some face blushing when in public.

With Mia, Klein went from boring to baby dom in no time whilst feeling very self conscious about. This was so smexy cute in Jason Clarke’s voice. And Erin Mallon as Mia talking about Klein in a baby voice is just too good.
We also get well and truly ready for Tomer’s story. I’m so ready for it after that big reveal!!

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Action-packed. Great for a long road trip.

This was my first Jackie Walker book and I can’t believe I waited this long to read one of her books. There so much depth to this story, it’s got suspense, but also comedy. There’s great character growth, self-discovery and healing. This is a rivals to lovers workplace romance with lots of banter spice, suspense and plot twists. It’s a long audiobook but the pacing is perfect. The story sucks you in and keeps you wanting more. I think it’s a great road trip listen.

It can be read as a standalone, but for the best reading experience, you should probably start with the first book. The suspense storyline is interconnected so to get a fullest picture, it’s best to read them in order. It was easy enough to follow along with what was going on, though.

I love the chemistry and easy banter between Klein and Mia. I love that they give each other the confidence and the space to explore their darkness and heal from past wounds. Klein’s life is complicated, but Mia fits into it perfectly. She’s very understanding and supportive and helps ground him when he’s feeling overwhelmed.


The side characters in this story were great. They form a really strong found family. They support each other and give each other shit in equal measure. The side characters definitely add a lot of humour to the story. They’re people I’d love to have a drink (or 5) with. And now I’m eager to read their stories.

The narrators for this were excellent. They portray the main characters perfectly. They also bring out the different personalities of the side characters. This is done in dual style and Erin Mallon does a fantastic male voice. Jason Clarke is exceptional in the spicy scenes. This is the first time I’ve read a “dom awakening,” and I think he played out those scenes flawlessly. This book has so many ups and downs and the narrators make us feel all of it. They both put so much emotion into their performance and keep us engaged, every minute of the story.

This book has something for everyone, like suspense, comedy, emotional moments, strong friendships, and so much more. This is a great book for you if you like action and suspense, if you’re in the mood to feel all the feelings and if you like a lot of spice.

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WHAT AN AUDIOBOOK!

Man, oh, man. WHAT AN AUDIOBOOK!
Jason and Erin narrated Cal and Mia's book superbly. It was such an enjoyable listen, even with its length (19ish hours).

I adored the way the book was hard-core suspenseful one second and then with the next sentence I was snorting my drink out my nose.
How the narrators managed to keep their voices free from laughter will forever evade me.

It was sexy, suspenseful, hilarious, heartbreaking and everything in between. Just delightful.
I'm going to be digging out my credit card to go and get the previous books in this series on audio, it was THAT good.

Straight into my top listens of the year.

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Intense and full of adventure!

This was so intense.
There were so many emotions happening during this book. This was another intense adventure for Redleg Security.
This was full of adventures, frustration, anxiety, hurt, lust, new friendships, forgiveness, hope and love.
The tension and chemistry between Klein and Mia is so intense. I love how their dynamic at the office and in the bedroom change immensely throughout the book.
There’s plenty of snark and banter, adventure, edge of your seat assignments, secrets, and family.

Jason Clarke & Erin Mallon both did such a phenomenal job bringing these characters to life.

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