Shock and Awe (Sidewinders Book 1) by Abigail Roux

So first, the review, of Shock and Awe by Abigail Roux:

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not effect my opinion of the book or my review.

Shock and Awe is the first in the Sidewinder spinoff series,  spun off from the Cut and Run series, also by Abigail Roux (with earlier books co-written with Madeline Urban). I have not read the Cut and Run series yet, though I definitely want to after reading this book! And even though I didn't have a connection to the characters from earlier books in the original series, it didn't matter. I loved this book  anyway.

Shock and Awe follows the story of Nick and Kelly, best friends who served on the same Marine Force Recon Team for years. Kelly was shot in a previous Cut and Run book, and Nick has taken time off to help him as he heals. But Kelly is interested in far more than just resting up, and what originally starts as curiosity turns into something far deeper than either of them could have imagined.

This is a sweet, sexy m/m romance, with hints of the battle action and police work I imagine are more prevalent in the Cut and Run books. Kelly and Nick both feel likable and real, and Roux is very good at making readers feel their emotional and physical connection. This is definitely not a PG read, both because of language and sexual situations. These two men are hot, hot for each other, and hot together, but its their emotional bond that shines through the most.