REVIEW: “She had wasted enough of my life - I refused to allow her to ruin my career.” Erik trained warriors. He was a Triton, a god of the sea. Months ago, his heart was stolen by Olympic gold-medalist Aria. She disappeared only to show up as his student in Erik’s first Navy SEAL BUD/S class. His anger swirled around her deception and his belief that women should not be allowed into combat. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that Aria was the one for him. Aria struggles with her attraction to Erik and her commitment to become the first woman to complete the torturous training. Sometimes, her shyness and lack of assertiveness seemed at odds with her strength. This was still a great story of dedication and triumph. I voluntarily provided this review of an Advanced Reader Copy.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: Aria—I teach mermaid fitness at a ritzy hotel next to the Naval Amphibious Base. I know better than to let one of those famous frogmen chase my tail. But in a moment of weakness, I submit to Erik, a tattooed badass Navy SEAL. After one night of incredible passion, I can’t stop thinking about his cocky ways and his dirty mouth.
But I am about to train to be the first female Navy SEAL.
When I show up on the first day of training, I’m horrified to realize that Erik is my BUD/S instructor. He’s the only person who stands in the way of me achieving my dream.
I’m not a quitter. He can taunt me, tease me, and run me ragged, but I’ll never ring that bell.
Erik—Aria is the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. She won the gold medal for synchronized swimming, and she looks like a little mermaid the way she moves underwater. Once I find out that the sexy redhead is teaching aquatic classes next to my base, I vow to do anything to make her mine.
After a mind-blowing month together, she tells me she needs to go away to train. I assume it’s for another synchro competition.
I’m dead wrong.
She shows up in BUD/S as a member of the first class to let in women. And I’m her instructor.
There’s no way in hell I will lower the standards of my Team to please the brass and make a political statement.
It doesn’t matter how much I want her because she’s forbidden to me now. She will obey my every command.
She can try to pass hell week, but she will fail.
I’m a Navy SEAL, a Triton, a god of the sea.
And she will never be part of my world. ( )

Received an ARC for my voluntary review for Hidden Gems. I enjoyed book. I almost wanted to knock both of them out at one point, her for not telling him that she planned to join the Seal's but she did know that he was so dead set against it, and she did prove him wrong, so I was proud of her, however I wished she would have stuck up for herself more when he was being mean to her, I know she was in love with him, and that she felt that she did him wrong, but that did not give him the right to treat her that way, yes he was her instructor and could not give her a break, but he was just being an ass. Now I wanted to knock him out, when he was being an ass to her, and when he held that grudge for so long, but I am glad that he finally admitted to himself and her that she was right all along. I do hope that we get to find out what happens next with them. ( )