• Counterblow

  • Shatterproof Bond, Book 4
  • By: Isobel Starling
  • Narrated by: Gary Furlong
  • Length: 4 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (102 ratings)

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Counterblow  By  cover art

Counterblow

By: Isobel Starling
Narrated by: Gary Furlong
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Publisher's summary

After the devastating events in the Scottish Highlands, Sam and Declan have moved on to a new, deeper level in their romance. Their commitment to each other is unquestionable; however, there are plenty of questions that need answering about other aspects of their lives, and those who sought to end them.

Sam is trying his best to deal with the day to day frustrations of his injuries. He's completely dependent on Declan for everything and hates the way the scales have tipped in their relationship. Although he's officially on leave, Sam's mind cannot stop replaying all that happened to him and questioning why, and who is behind it all.

Declan's relief at having Sam home throws him into house-husband mode. He's happy to take the reins and care for his partner, however, beneath the surface, Declan cannot help but be drawn back to how he felt in the Highlands, and how they were betrayed by a man who was supposed to have their back. Declan had promised Sir James Aiken that he would pay if he hurt Sam, and now Declan has to decide how he can deliver his payback and put his and Sam's world back on an even keel.

©2017 Isobel Starling (P)2017 Isobel Starling

What listeners say about Counterblow

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Wow...Sam is something else!

And we’re off again. Sam’s recovering and Declan’s mothering. Surprisingly, James gave them time off to recover physically and emotionally.

The couple is awesome together privately and has a strong relationship, so they don’t dwell on miscommunication nor do their rows carry on for too long. Sam’s recovery is a bit trying but does make them closer. Declan’s idea to get Sam back in the fray unsettles Sam but it turns out to be exactly what he needed and was the perfect way for Sam to show his brilliance. (I do love hearing them refer to each other as husband.)

James needs to go…and I don’t care who gets rid of him.

Argh! This ends with another cliffhanger!

The vocal performance is perfection. His myriad of accents and voices are brilliant.

Powder Burns is not on audio yet which makes me a little sad because the vocal performance is spectacular. I can’t wait to see how it turns out though, so I’ll have to read it now and listen when it does get released on audio.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

This is a fantastic series

Love the series, the narration is on point, and Declan and Sam are lovely. My only wish is that book 5 was in audio and that each book didn't end on a mild cliffhanger.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wow, love the series

I enjoyed this latest installment! Sam and Declan's relationship has grown, but here, the dynamic has changed - Sam is the one who needs help after he gets injured. The love and care that the men have for each other helps to balance out the darker themes from the villains, especially Sam's father.
As always, Gary Furlong is the voice for this series and I love his character portrayals (Declan sounds dreamy!) and the hot times between Declan and Sam are steamy! The narrative portions are good too.
This is a well written romantic thriller. I am so looking forward to the next one!
Definitely a series worth investing in!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

enjoyed it

📖 Story comment: Good pace, likeable characters, interesting plot.
I enjoyed this series when it was first released in audio back in 2017 and each subsequent release had me go back and relisten to each book in the series before embarking on the next new adventure, with the release of The Rebel Candidate I went back again, and all these years later continued to enjoy each book all over again.

Illuminate the Shadows: another great instalment - enjoyed the continuing story ... and really ... James needs to go!

🎧 Narrator comment: Gary Furlong is a perfect choice for a series heavy in dialects - he perfectly captures Sam and Declan in the spirit of "Wesley and Buttercup". His characters voices are consistent across the series, I had no problem distinguishing characters and the rhythm, inflections and intonations all worked to make the book (and series) come alive.

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📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 7
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough [3⭐] • 5 enjoyed it [4⭐] • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator [4⭐] • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in all formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Oooh! I loved this one

Counterblow is the 4th book in the Shatterproof Bonds series. All these books build off events from previous books, so you’ll want to listen to them all and in order.

Isobel Starling can build some serious tension. Not only an emotional wedge in Sam & Declan’s relationship – but there is some serious psychological thriller aspects going on. It was creepy, yet enthralling. Completely unpredictable. Plot twists. I loved it and listened to the whole thing in one day. (I mean, I basically binged the whole series in a little over a week, so…)

I continue to love Sam & Declan as a couple and as individuals. They are not perfect, but they are trying and definitely have each other’s best interests at heart even if they’re slightly misguided at times. Again Starling leaves me squirming to share things without the ability to because I hate giving away spoilers. Declan gets some serious revenge and it’s epic.

This is a complete story in some aspects, but does end on a bit of cliffhangery “there’s more to learn” element that I had to make myself stop and jot down my thoughts before jumping right in to Powder Burns.

Gary Furlong continues a fabulous narration of the series. He’s consistent with all the accents and personalities and switches between characters effortlessly. The interview that dominates about a 1/3 of the book is particularly creepy, in a good way. Furlong’s delivery works so well with Starling’s writing.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another great book in this series!

After the horrifying events in the previous book, Return to Zero, I couldn't wait to listen to Counterblow. Sam and Declan are adjusting to a new normal while Sam recuperates from the injuries he suffered in the last book. Sam isn't used to needing help from anyone and at first, it's hard for him to accept that he needs help from Declan.

Declan is happy to support Sam but he doesn't want to push too much and upset him. There are more hard times for this pair in this story as Declan wants Sam to face his abductor and they both have to deal with Sam's underhanded father.

As hard as some of the dark things are to listen to in this series, Gary Furlong's excellent performance of the stories has held me captive while listening and the hot sexy time (and Gary's voice) between Sam and Declan help to make up for the pain and suffering these guys go through.

I'm moving on to the next one right away!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Listener received this title free

Shatterproof

received a free copy of the audiobook narrated by Gary Furlong.

This entire series pulled me in. I absolutely loved it. Samuel Aiken and Declan Ramsey are amazing characters. If you have an opportunity to listen to the audiobook version, take it. I highly recommend it. Mr. Furlong brings these characters to life perfectly. Amazing story and series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

AWESOME SERIES!

Loved it! The narration is always great! The author does a great job with the character builds and plot. I am looking forward to reading the next book! I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sam and Declan are Full of Surprises

Sam is slowly recovering from the events in the Highlands. His injuries require Declan to help him, something Declan is happy to do, but makes Sam unhappy. Both men find themselves dwelling on what happened. Sam wants to know why and who Is behind it while Declan wants to pay Sir James back for his betrayal and for hurting Sam. He sees this to take the chance to even the odds and bring their world back on an even keel.

Wow! Sam still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Declan does as well. Counterblow will leave you with an admiration for the two men and a few cheers for them as well. I cannot wait for the next book, which is coming soon.

It is incredibly easy to fall into the world of Declan and Sam. Gary Furlong’s narration makes the story so incredibly rich and realistic that you feel as if you are there and experiencing exactly what the characters are.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I hope this isn't the end.

This is book four of the Shatterproof Bonds series and does need to be read in order. If you haven’t read Top hat now is a good time for that too.
This book takes off and kind of deals a lot with the last book so I won’t do a rundown so I don’t spoil things. This one does a lot of summing things up and sort of tying up some loose ends. But no, it does not conclude the series.
I will say there is a favorite scene in this book that is my favorite in the entire series and that is when Declan and James come to blows…literally. I loved seeing Declan stand up for Sam. (I would love to see a wedding story though perhaps another short? Hint-Hint) There is a new character introduced I would love seeing more of too. Oh, and I cannot wait for the next book!

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