Alec’s Dream by Riley Edwards

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Past indiscretion with life-altering effects. 

Macy Spencer hit rock bottom and clawed her way out of the hole her cheating, lying, gambling ex-husband left her in. Drowning in debt and penniless, the single mother of two worked hard to get her life back on track and protect her children from the fallout. But now her ex is in more debt and his bookie’s knocking on her door for payment. The last thing she needs is the handsome, rough, sexy-as-all-get-out Alec Hall overhearing the threats—but he does—and now he’s making it his mission to protect her and her children. Whether she wants it or not. 

Former Navy SEAL Alec Hall’s world has come to a screeching halt. With a newborn daughter dropped on his doorstep and fatherhood looming, he doesn’t have a moment of free time to spare. But when Alec finds out the woman who runs his daughter’s daycare is in danger, he can’t stay away. The sadness in Macy’s pretty eyes is unmistakable—it calls to him, making all of his protective instincts roar to life. He vows to do whatever necessary to protect Macy and her children. Too bad Macy wants nothing to do with him. 

A battle is warring in Alec’s head. Can he let go of his guilt, embrace his new role, and be the hero Macy needs? The odds are stacked against them and now more than ever Alec needs a miracle.

Alec’s Dream

SEALs, Secrets, and Single Moms

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

🦸🏻‍♂️ Hero: Alec

Alec is the kind of man who walks away from corruption, even when it costs him everything. A former Navy SEAL turned Homeland Security agent, he left the job when backdoor deals and compromised raids started costing lives. Disillusioned but not defeated, Alec joins The Gemini Group—a private security firm run by his former SEAL brothers—just in time for a life-altering surprise: a one-night stand from months ago has passed away, leaving behind a three-month-old daughter… and naming Alec as the father. Cue emotional whiplash.

🦸🏼‍♀️ Heroine: Macy

Macy is the director of a local daycare and a single mom of two—twelve-year-old Caleb and six-year-old Aurora. Her past is bruised but not broken; she stayed too long in a toxic marriage with a compulsive gambler and serial cheater, clinging to hope until it nearly drowned her. Now, three years post-divorce, she’s still dodging her ex’s manipulative custody games and verbal harassment. Small-town gossip hasn’t been kind, but Macy’s resilience quietly roars.

🔥 Plot Snapshot

Alec’s transformation into a devoted father is tender and believable, helped along by his found family at Gemini Group. His daily daycare drop-offs bring him face-to-face with Macy, whose quiet strength and bruised vulnerability catch his attention. When her ex shows up at the daycare and verbally attacks her, Alec’s protective instincts ignite. What begins as a desire to shield Macy soon deepens into something far more intimate—and dangerous, as a suspenseful side plot ramps up the stakes.

❤️‍🔥 What Hit Home

• Macy’s ex-husband storyline felt painfully real. His weaponization of custody and post-divorce harassment mirrored my own experience, and Alec’s unwavering support was cathartic. Every time he stood up for Macy, I felt seen.
• Macy’s guilt for staying too long in her marriage was raw and honest. Her internalized shame—especially in a town that watched her suffer—was heartbreaking and beautifully handled.
• The romantic suspense was top tier. This series consistently delivers high-stakes action, emotional depth, and just the right amount of steam. Alec and Macy’s slow-burn chemistry was worth every page.

🤨 Room to Grow

• Macy’s low self-esteem made sense given her history, but after three years of solo parenting and professional success, I wanted to see more self-recognition. She’s earned her confidence—now let her wear it.

🎧 Narration Vibes

Dual POV narration by Joe Arden and Erin Mallon? Yes, please. These two are voice-acting royalty.

• Erin Mallon brings emotional nuance and character distinction with effortless grace. Her voice is warm, expressive, and deeply immersive.
• Joe Arden’s gravelly timbre is pure hero material—commanding, sexy, and emotionally grounded. Together, they elevate the story from compelling to unforgettable.


📝 Final Thoughts

This installment of the Gemini Group series blends heart-pounding suspense with emotional healing and found family. Alec’s journey into fatherhood and Macy’s fight to reclaim her worth are beautifully

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