Tal Bauer - Enemies of the State

Author: Tal Bauer

Title: Enemies of the State (The Executive Office #1)

Language: English

Format: ebook

Rating: 3½ stars

No of pages: 340

Reading challenge: A book by a non-Estonian were Estonia or Estonians are mentioned

Read: 16.07-20.07.2018

Goodreads

BLURB:

A rogue Black Ops unit with the president in their crosshairs.

A Secret Service agent who will break every rule.

A president falling for the one person he shouldn’t—a man.

Newly elected President Jack Spiers’s presidency is rocked from the very beginning, and he’s working furiously to keep the world from falling apart. Between terrorism attacks ripping apart Europe, Russia’s constant posturing and aggression, and the quagmire of the Middle East, Jack is struggling to keep his campaign promise—to work toward a better, safer world.

For Special Agent Ethan Reichenbach, Jack is just another president, the third in twelve years. With Jack’s election, he’s been promoted, and now he’s running the presidential detail, which puts him side by side with Jack daily. He’s expecting another stuffed suit and an arrogant DC politician, but Jack shocks him with his humor and humanity.

There are rules against a Secret Service agent and one of their protectees developing a friendship—big rules. Besides, Jack is a widower, and Ethan has always avoided falling for straight men. Ethan keeps his distance, but Jack draws him in, like gas to a naked flame, and it’s a lure he isn’t strong enough to turn away from.

As the two men collide, rules are shattered and the world teeters on the verge of war, and a rogue Black Ops unit bent on destruction sets Jack in their deadly crosshairs. Ethan must put everything on the line in order to save the man he’s come to love, Jack’s presidency, and the world.

First, I must admit that I found this book by accident lying on my Kindle. Apparently, I had grabbed a copy at some point when it was free, because honestly, I don't really see myself paying for books with a strong political theme as it simply is not my cup of tea. I read to escape the real world and I don't particularly care for books filled to the brim with political jargon. To my utter surprise, though, I found myself actually enjoying this book despite my prejudices against politics and books about politicians.  

Although, I have to admit that I liked the political aspect of things quite a lot less than I did the romance part of the story. The love story between Jack and Ethan was a pure joy to read about and would've loved to see more of their relationship and less about Jack's work as the president of the US. But hey, that's just me.

Also, the entire world coup theme? I found parts of it a bit tedious, but other parts surprisingly engaging.

My copy had a preview for the next book in the series as well... I read it, and honestly, I'm not really tempted to start it even though I actually quite liked the first book in the series.