Nixon’s Promise by Riley Edwards

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Former Navy SEAL Nixon Swagger is home. 
After twelve years of service and twice as many deployments, all Nix wanted was quiet. He’d sought the solace of the land he’d grown up on and found the peace he needed to silence the noise and figure out his next move. Nixon’s stay was supposed to be temporary. He wasn’t supposed to meet a feisty, head-strong woman who made his pulse race and set his body on fire. Falling in love hadn’t been part of his plan. Taking a government contract to stop a homegrown terrorist group hadn’t been either, but when the organization threatens to attack Philadelphia, he had no choice but to accept. 

McKenna Wilson was living. Every day was the same. Raising her two teenage siblings didn’t leave time for much else. Most days, she was okay with that. Then she bumped into the sexy war hero and, in an instant, her world changed. She had no idea falling for Nixon would be so dangerous. Now she was going head-to-head with the small-town’s dirty sheriff who was hell-bent on ruining Nixon and avenging a fifteen-year-old grudge. She’d lost her heart, but losing her life wasn’t part of the plan. 

Nixon Swagger had learned a few things as a Navy SEAL—adapt, improvise, and overcome were among the many. In the middle of an inferno, so ominous even Dante wouldn’t buy a ticket, Nixon must adapt to his new surroundings and overcome multiple threats before he loses the woman he loves.

Nixon’s Promise

Hard Work, Hot Hero, High Stakes

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙❤️🩷
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: 😋🙂☺️😘🥰
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine: McKenna “Mickey” Wilson

McKenna Wilson doesn’t just run a farm—she runs a household, a legacy, and a life built on resilience. In the quiet town of Cliff City, she works in software development while also working her hobby farm, raising her teenage siblings Mandy and Zach after the loss of their parents. She’s no stranger to hard work or heartbreak, and she’s learned to tune out the small-town gossip that buzzes like flies around fresh drama. So, when she meets Nixon Swagger—local legend turned war hero—outside the grocery store, she doesn’t flinch at the rumors. PTSD, reclusiveness, emotional baggage? She’s heard it all. What she sees is a man who lifts a 50 lb. bag of dog food without hesitation and offers a quiet strength that feels familiar. And yes, she notices the muscles. But she’s got a farm to run and two teens to raise—romance isn’t exactly on the chore list.

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero: Nixon “Nix” Swagger

After twelve years as a Navy SEAL, Nixon Swagger returns to Cliff City carrying more than just duffel bags. The ghosts of war, the weight of loss, and the scars of decisions made under fire haunt him. He’s not looking for attention—just a place to breathe. But small towns have long memories and loud whispers, and Nix quickly finds himself the subject of speculation and unwanted flirtation. His father’s farm, left to decay during his absence, becomes both refuge and redemption. He throws himself into restoring the place, hoping the sweat and soil will quiet the noise in his head. What he doesn’t expect is the woman next door—McKenna Wilson—whose strength rivals his own and whose life is just as battle-worn.

🔥 Plot Snapshot

What begins as neighborly proximity slowly deepens into something more intimate. Nix is drawn to McKenna’s fierce loyalty and quiet competence. She’s not just raising two teens—she’s shaping them with love and discipline, despite their sass and scars. When Nix offers Zach a dirt bike in exchange for help on the farm, and later teaches him to drive, he’s not just building fences—he’s building trust. Supper invitations turn into shared moments, and admiration turns into something deeper. Meanwhile, tension simmers in town: the Sheriff still holds a grudge from high school, where Nix defended assaulted classmates against the Sheriff’s son—now a deputy. And when Nix’s former SEAL team rolls into town, the stakes rise. Homeland Security taps them to investigate a domestic terrorist threat, laying the groundwork for the formation of The Gemini Group.

❤️‍🔥 What Worked

• McKenna and Nix are both grounded, hardworking characters who carry their responsibilities with quiet pride. Their chemistry is built on mutual respect, not just attraction.
• The subplot with the Sheriff adds a layer of moral complexity and small-town politics that feels authentic and infuriating in equal measure.
• The introduction of Nix’s SEAL team and the birth of The Gemini Group adds a thrilling edge and sets the stage for future installments with high-stakes action.

🤨 Room for More

• Nix had been married before and he had some bad feelings towards his time with his ex-wife which didn’t look good on him, even if the feelings were justified.

🎧 Narration Vibes

Dual narration by Joe Arden and Erin Mallon elevates this audiobook to another level. Arden’s gravelly timbre perfectly captures Nix’s internal battles and quiet intensity, while Mallon’s versatility brings McKenna’s strength and vulnerability to life. Their performances are immersive, emotionally resonant, and never overdone. Mallon’s ability to shift seamlessly between characters is especially impressive—she doesn’t just read, she inhabits.

📝 Final Thoughts

This audiobook blends emotional depth with small-town grit, military intrigue, and a slow-burn romance that feels earned. McKenna and Nix aren’t perfect—they’re real. And that’s what makes their story worth listening to. With stellar narration and a setup for future Gemini Group missions, this is a solid start to a series that promises heart, heat, and heroism

Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Twitter|BookBub

View all my reviews