I was surprised at just how much I ended up liking Operation Green Card.

Arkady Izmaylov needs to get out of Russia. He's gay and in Russia that's not an acceptable thing. When his sister, Natalya, who lives in the US, comes up with a plan to get him to the US, he knows he has to accept it if he wants to escape his depressing life in Russia. That's where Jason comes in. He agrees to marry Arkady so Arkady can obtain his green card. Jason needs the money so he can send his gifted daughter to a private school. When he meets Arkady, he's surprised that he actually develops an attraction and feelings for him. He had always thought of himself as straight before Arkady, but when he researches and realizes he's bi, he's very accepting of it, which, I have to admit, was a surprise to me considering that Jason is really stoic and gruff. I appreciated his acceptance of this part of his identity and that he had so little angst about it. I felt for him, too, as he had serious self-worth issues thanks to his worthless father. Thank God Arkady came around to help him heal a bit.

Honestly, the only part of Operation Green Card that I didn't wholeheartedly like was Arkady. His character just didn't do it for me. He was a bit dismissive and flippant with Jason, whom I adored. I guess the whole stoic thing really does it for me and that's why I loved Jason. Arkady's character, in contrast, just seemed a little bland and shallow for my tastes.

Still, I ended up liking Operation Green Room. It's super sweet, sexy, and Jason is my perfect kind of hero.

I won’t lie, I am going to miss the Bluewater Bay series by Riptide (last book is out next week!). There have been some really great books in this series. This was a good one in the series, for sure. I like that it was one of the last two, going out in style! 🙂

Green card marriage is a trope which if you grew up reading Harlequin romances, you likely came across a time or two. And this one is based around that trope. However, I did like how this one came about. With as much as you hear in the news about how gay men are treated in countries such as Russia, this makes more sense than not.

There was an instant connection on both sides for these men. Arkady knowing he was attracted. Meanwhile, Jason, never having considered himself to be bisexual, gave himself a ton of excuses, yet didn’t have any problem with it once he realized that he was attracted.

I loved that Arkady was free with his love. He loved his family and friends that he moved from, and wanted to have a new family and friends in his new life, throwing himself fully into loving and caring for the people around him as much as possible. Even down to wanting to do renovations for Jason. The reader could feel that it wasn’t just boredom, but a need to do something for someone who meant something to him.

Jason’s lack of belief in himself, didn’t start with his amputated leg, but as a child, and carried through his adult life. His belief that he couldn’t trust anyone to stay, or to appreciate him, not just himself made it difficult for Arkady to get through. So, he did it in small ways. Whether beers on the couch, or shooting at nuts on a log, he worked his way into Jason’s subconscious minute by minute.

I loved that their moment of realization came while sitting in a government office, it seemed so poetic. Another good entry into this fantastic series.

4 pieces of eye candy

this was a cute read.. i enjoyed the story.. i enjoyed the characters and their banter was fun.. it was overall a very well written story. also it was a lot of fun to see this uncommon twist for a couple.

This was very sweet, but I am not so sure I believed the chemistry between the MCs.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆
Their fake Green Card wedding saves Arkady from homophobic abuse in Russia and allows Jason to pay his daughter’s school fees. But their pragmatic scheming falls apart when their emotions get involved.

Arkady’s situation is bleak. He has lost his job and his life is at risk in Russia. At the start, he is a complicated, damaged man whose fear is palpable. I’m not sure there is enough continuity with his character. I feel like his transition to American life is far too easy and he almost instantly loses his identity as a Russian and a lit professor. I’ve been an expat for a long time and I don’t know anyone, anywhere who has adapted to a new culture so quickly or easily. He uses an American vernacular immediately and becomes quite a bland character by the midpoint.

Jason also had my interest at the start. He’s an intense veteran who keeps his distance from people and keeps his emotions tightly locked away. But again, he also becomes quite bland by the midpoint and we don’t see him work through his issues before he is able to commit to a lifetime with Arkady. We’re given hints about his military experiences at the start, but this isn’t ever explored later in the story.

Neither Jason nor Arkady is a talker. They are both former soldiers who have learned to hide themselves behind protective silence. This makes for great broody Alpha characters, but it doesn’t necessarily make for an easy romantic connection. We learn about the men and their relationship from their own (fairly limited) inner monologues and from other characters’ insights and observations. The problem is the timeframe. It’s hard to believe that these two apparently know and love each other after only a few days together when the don’t seem to manage talking to each other very well.

I’m a little bit conflicted about this story. In some ways, it all happens too fast and I struggled to understand how the lust connection between Arkady and Jason would translate into a lifetime commitment. On the other hand, the whole point of this story is their whirlwind fake romance unexpectedly becoming something real. I want to believe in the magic but I’m not sure I’m completely convinced.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/M Romance
Triggers: Homophobia

Hmmm... where to start? I didn't really connect at all with either of these characters. It felt super rushed and stunted all at the same time.

Arkady is living a life he wishes he wasn't. He lost his job due to his sexual orientation and is struggling to make ends meet. He knows that he needs a change, but he is not too sure how or where that change is going to happen. When his sister calls with a possible solution, Arkady thinks about it briefly and then jumps.

Jason is an ex-soldier who had an injury that left him feeling a little angry. He lost a lot in the war and hasn't really been interested in a lot since then. He works himself to death and sometimes finds time to hang out with co-workers, but overall, he's a loner. Despite having a daughter from a previous hookup, he doesn't really have a lot to do with his family. He does, however, want to help his daughter attend a school for the gifted, so he wants more hours and to work even more. When a co-worker approaches him with a solution to his money issues, he warily accepts the offer.

These two have almost no chemistry. It is a struggle because they also are not very talkative and for the most part, we infer a lot in this story. Arkady and Jason's relationship is supposed to be a whirlwind relationship so that Arkady can stay, but this lacked a lot of development for me.

Overall, this was just a "meh" story.


Veronica – ☆☆☆
Operation Green Card is a bit contrived. It gives us a fake marriage of a gay guy with a supposedly straight man. But once you get past that it is a good story, although not always easy. Jason is difficult and closed off. Even when the story is being told from Jason's point of view I felt like I wasn't getting to know him very well. In fact, I felt I learned more about him through Arkady's eyes.

Getting Jason and Arkady from a fake couple to friends to friends with occasional benefits to a genuine couple was tough on my heart at times. Jason has a very low opinion of himself and is so afraid of being hurt that he makes it hard for Arkady. And Arkady is open, friendly, and so brave, having left his life in Russia behind to start over in the US, I thought he didn't deserve the crap Jason was dishing out.

Arkady and Jason's struggles are worth it and ultimately, their story is quite beautiful and it left me happy in the end.


Angela – ☆☆☆☆
Oddly enough, Operation Green Card is the second green card marriage book I’ve read this weekend, with the other being a M/F romance. But despite sharing a trope, the stories were nothing alike and there was no déjà vu feeling, thankfully. And fortunately for me, I found the author’s tale of a fake relationship becoming real to be a delightful read. My apologies for my rather disjointed review.

As a fan of the Bluewater Bay series whose schedule has prevented me from reading the last few releases, I was pleased to get to curl up with Gordon’s latest contribution. My pleasure increased once Natalya entered the picture and pitched her rather desperate idea for getting her brother safely out of Russia and to America before his homosexuality got him killed. Natalya’s character is one I’ve enjoyed seeing in several stories in the series and I could sympathize with her fear for her brother’s life. It made her proposal to Jason understandable, just as Jason’s desire to help others – first his daughter and later Natalya’s brother – makes his eventual acceptance of her proposal believable.

I appreciated that Gordon included Jason’s memories from his time in the service to show that his attraction to Arkady wasn’t a new facet to his personality. Showing his past attractions to men made Jason’s decision to make their marriage “real” a natural progression. But a natural progression doesn’t necessarily mean a smooth one, and Jason’s poor self-worth and fear of loved ones deserting him means that Arkady has to fight Jason for their future together. Thankfully, Arkady has the same persistent spirit his sister does and is willing to take the hits necessary to win his man.

I also liked how the author used the couple’s problems as a way for Arkady to develop his own identity outside of the marriage. Rather than being relegated to the position of house spouse, Arkady formed friendships with other Russian immigrants, tutored a new friend’s daughter, and made a business contact that gave him the opportunity to push Jason into a new career – one that had the potential to improve Jason’s vision of himself. More importantly, Arkady’s natural ease when interacting with Jason’s daughter was heartwarming to see and painted a picture of a future they could have as a family, a picture that Jason really needed to see. I enjoyed my return to Bluewater Bay, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones, and Operation Green Card was an entertaining addition to the series.

4.5 - 5 Stars... My first reaction after reading Operation Green Card was... I really loved this one, but there were just a couple of teeny tiny issues... More on that later...

Operation Green Card was told from alternating POVs. The first chapter was from Jason's POV and gave readers a pretty good idea of where he was coming from, which helped set the stage for his accepting Natalya's offer. The second chapter was from Arkady's POV and it gave readers a pretty glaring view on Arkady's situation and why he needed out - as soon as possible - and why he would even consider what Natalya proposed.

Broken characters are my kryptonite when it comes to romance and when both characters are a little bit broken it doesn't take me long to fall in love with them. The thing about Arkady and Jason is that even though the goal was to help Arkady, Jason needed Arkady's help just as much - even though he wasn't ready or willing to accept it. No one had cared about what Jason needed up until that point - at least he didn't think so. Watching these two grow closer and eventually fall in love was amazing and it just felt to right to even question.

The supporting characters were great. I wasn't a huge fan of Anna and Natalya's story, but I always like Natalya. She won me over even more in Operation Green Card. Jason's ex-wife was great too and she still really cared about Jason, even though he couldn't understand why. He honestly thought that everyone he cared about would be better off with him out of the picture, but it didn't mean that he shrugged his responsibility where his daughter was concerned.

So what were my issues with Operation Green Card? I'm guessing it's because those close to Jason wanted him to be happy and thought he deserved it, but I really thought at least one of them should question his motives in marrying Arkady. There wasn't even a blip. It was great, because no one should question anyone's motive for falling in love. It was definitely the way it should be, just not the way things usually happen. Other than that, Operation Green Card was a great addition to the Bluewater Bay series. By the time I got to this review, I'd already finished the last two books in the Bluewater Bay series. It was bitter sweet to say goodbye to one of my favorite multi-author series. Stay tuned for my reviews on Outside the Lines and New Hand. ;)

Adorable. There was a good dynamic here, with each man being vulnerable for a different reason. I do think the feelings were a bit rushed, but I'm willing to forgive it since they didn't rush the discovery of Jason's sexuality. I like that he'd had homosexual experiences in the past and just chose to ignore the implications as opposed to Arkady just being like, this magical gay unicorn showing him the light. Like, poof. You were never gay before but now you are! No thank you.

Though the Bluewater Bay series is drawing to a close, I was happy to see that the storytelling that originally pulled me in is just as strong as ever. Despite an initial moment or two of hesitation on my part, Operation Green Card, by G.B. Gordon, turned out to be a very sweet, hopeful tale of against-the-odds romance that I ended up enjoying quite a lot.

Jason, whom we briefly met in Bluewater Blues, is as solitary as anyone could possibly be, keeping everyone—including his own daughter—at a distance. Between not wanting to be hurt, and not wanting to hurt those he cares about, he’s far too lonely for someone with such a giving heart. Arkady, whose loneliness is borne of fear and necessity, isn’t prepared to need anything more from Jason than the means to acquire his green card. But, having always wanted a family to call his own, he quickly realizes that almost finding one only to lose them again too soon might be more heartache than he can bear.

While I ended up getting into Operation Green Card fairly well, there were a few things—that were mostly tied to Jason’s part of the story—which I had a little more difficulty accepting at first. I felt that his will to provide for his daughter was wonderful, but it made his determination to risk imprisonment if he and Arkady are caught seem somewhat reckless by comparison. And although I get why he’d want to avoid any pity that might come from those around him knowing about his prosthesis, I just couldn’t see how he planned to keep it a secret from the man who was supposed to be his husband—or how he thought immigration would react under those circumstances.

Before long, however, I was very much interested in Arkady and Jason’s story, and eager for them to work things out. I found both men to be interesting characters, but, by the end, it was Arkady that I’d become most attached to. Open, giving, and ready to live and love again, I really wanted him to be happy, especially knowing he was exactly what Jason needed, too.

Even with the moments that caused me to stumble a bit in my reading, I couldn’t help but cheer Jason and Arkady on in the end. The author took what could have been a fairly common theme (a green card marriage), and turned it into a love story worth believing in. I’ve been invested in the Bluewater Bay series for a long time now, and found Operation Green Card to be both an endearing and welcome addition.

Jason Cooley works as a security guard at Wolf’s Landing getting through as many shifts as he can to try to the best by his daughter. He doesn’t get to see her much as he doesn’t think he should get between her and her parents but is determined to help with her tuition fees which is why he is considering marrying a complete stranger to help him escape persecution in Russia. His reaction to meeting Arkady puzzles him and makes him revaluate his life.

Reviews shared on Goodreads, V's Reads, Amazon and B & N: https://vsreads.com/2017/12/14/mission-possible-operation-green-card-review-and-giveaway/

Jason Cooley is a war veteran and amputee. He lost his lower leg and foot in his last rescue mission as an Army Ranger. It crushed the fledgling sense of purpose he’d gained from joining the armed services, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father and late mother–who was killed in action when Jason was two. His father had little to do with him from then on, and he was raised in the love-bereft home of his mother’s parents, who treated him as a burden. He joined up straight out of high school, and now works as a security guard on the set of Wolf’s Landing, a long-running TV show filmed in his home town of Bluewater Bay. He still lives in that childhood home, though his grandparents are gone, and it’s cramped and run-down. Jason has a five year old daughter, Lily, conceived literally on the eve of his deployment, with his high school bestie, but they were never truly romantically linked. She’s married and her hard-working husband has formally adopted Lily. Jason sends whatever money he can to support Lily, but he’s not really involved in her life; he’s sure that’s for the best. Only, even after working double shifts, and hardly spending any money on himself, Jason still can’t afford the gifted school Lily’s being recommended for enrollment.

Arkady is living on borrowed time. The situation in Russia is grave, with men accused of homosexuality being literally disappeared to prison or shallow graves. No matter how circumspect he is about his sexuality, he’s a target. He’s been attacked before, and saw his best friend murdered years ago for their “crime”. His sister, Natalya, has been trying to get him a job in security–or whatever–at Wolf’s Landing, but the work visa is not coming. Hearing that Jason needs money, Natalya proposes a solution that could benefit her beloved brother: green card marriage.

The idea seems preposterous on its face, but the more Jason ruminates, the more he envisions this scheme as a new mission in his life. He can pay for Lily’s school, and save Arkady from a death sentence. It appeals to his latent hero complex, and it’s not as if he’s never shared intimacy with a man; it was a down-low practice on some of his deployments. When he says he’s down, Arkady makes plans for a “trip” to visit Natalya. His whole family knows this is code for his defection. Arkady had thought he would never have a loving relationship or family, but coming to the States ignites these desires. He finds Jason incredibly attractive, and that feeling, well, it’s mutual. Jason is stunned at Arkady’s masculine beauty and his growing desire for his “roomie” is confusing. They have a real role to play in convincing all their witnesses that they are having a whirlwind romance, but neither of them expected to get so caught up in it themselves.

Jason’s frustrated that Arkady might not even care about him beyond getting his paperwork managed, and Arkady’s heart is so open to Jason that whenever he perceives Jason pulling back, it hurts, and hurts bad. They do find a way to become intimate, and again, the reality is far brighter than the fantasy—but it crashes and burns when they adhere to the idea that this is a temporary situation, to simply get Arkady’s permanent residency card. For both men, this relationship has become important, and breaking up is unthinkable, so they guard themselves against further vulnerability, until they can’t bear it any longer and the honesty bursts forth.

I loved the tenderness and commitment each man showed for each other’s well-being. It was so fun to watch this marriage of convenience to grow into a passionate romance. Arkady’s joy over building a real family, with Lily and her parents, is immeasurable. The HEA is fantastic! And yummy sexytimes as Jason and Arkady learn to share themselves more and more. Expect a wedding that’s somewhat bittersweet, and a love that is built to last.

Operation Green Card is a bit contrived. It gives us a fake marriage of a gay guy with a supposedly straight man. But once you get past that it is a good story, although not always easy. Jason is difficult and closed off. Even when the story is being told from Jason's point of view I felt like I wasn't getting to know him very well. In fact I felt I learned more about him through Arkady's eyes.

From the first page to the last readers will find this a charming and quick read of insta-love that deals with heavy issues of homophobia and the dangers of living life as a homosexual. It’s a story of unexpected love too in this romance based on a lie with a modern spin on the theme of fake marriages.

Jason Cooley once had a career he loved in the military. Being a soldier defined him and gave him worth. With the loss of his leg though he’s left feeling lost and bitter. The only bright spot he now sees is his daughter and wanting to make life better for her becomes a driving force in making his own life better. To do that he needs more money which makes the idea of marrying a stranger desirous. While the money is helpful, it’s the unexpected emotional connection to another person who’s gone through something traumatic that becomes vital and ultimately leads to HEA. Jason’s a quiet character, readers don’t get deep insight into him other than through his inner dialogues and the perceptions of other characters. I wish more time had been spent getting to know him, but even with that bare bones knowledge I still found myself rooting for him.

Arkady Izmaylov’s life is tough as a homosexual man in Russia under a regime where living your life openly means death. His fears are palpable and it had me aching for him as he’s a good man caught in a terrifying situation. With that danger getting ever closer he’s left with no choice but to leave his homeland. Though he doesn’t expect much when he meets Jason, it’s clear that they have a connection. They’ve both experienced pain and loss and it’s caused them to withdraw but with each other they’re combustible. Like Jason, Arkady’s far from an open book. Though he was a bit more socialable, I still didn’t feel a deep connection to him and wish more time had been invested in his character. I wish too that his transition to becoming Americanized had been depicted as it never seemed to be an issue and would’ve added authenticity to the story. Even without that, I still liked Arkady for the strength he gave to Jason when he needed it most.

This was a nice addition to the Bluewater Bay series and is a quick read that provides a bit of afternoon delight. The premise is appealing and had a good balance of drama and romance. I enjoyed seeing previous characters and these interactions gave a familial and heartwarming vibe that’s part of the reason why we read this series. While I liked the main characters I wish we’d gotten deeper insight into them as I feel we merely scratched the surface. Despite that small quibble this was still a pleasant journey to the place that keeps calling me back and it will be a sad day when this series ends.

Bluewater Bay is one of my absolute favorite series so by default I download all the titles. The premise of Operation Green Card reads like a modern-day headline: gay Russian seeks fake American husband to escape death. I had such hopes for this book but it ultimately didn't do much for me. Although I liked Jason and Arkady, the plot itself felt weak and unfinished in too many spots. All in all a mediocre read.

First of all, I am kind of a fan of this whole Bluewater Bay series. All the books I have read thus far have been super cute, easy reads with likable/lovable character's and the perfect mix of heat/love to keep your interest throughout the whole story.

So in Operation Green Card we meet single father/retired military man Jason. While he is technically a father, at this point in his life he is not really an active part of his daughter's life even though she is aware of who he is. He only wants the best for her and struggles to make the ends meet for her so she can have the best in life.

Enter Arkady, a single man from Russia who is in need of a green card marriage to get out of the country that wants nothing more than to harm him. His sister suggest the idea, and the two men become friends. Of course there is an instant attraction between the two, one which has Jason confused at first. But Arkady is, down deep, a GOOD guy. And he wants what is best for Jason AND his daughter. Jason is just a little hard headed and stubborn and almost lets Arkady go for good.

All in all, this was a cute story. I enjoyed the character's the setting, and the love!!

Be still my heart!

G.B. Gordon’s Operation Green Card surprised the heck out of me. And by that, I mean, I got sucked into a vortex of reading and finished it as quickly as possible even as I wanted to savor every moment again and again. I loved, loved, loved this book!

Arkady gave me so many heart eyes. He lives in Russia, and the situation becomes dire for him. He wants to get out as soon as possible. Enter his sister’s proposition. Marry a guy who needs the money, get himself a green card, and live his life as he was meant to.

But when a fake relationship starts feeling more real than either is prepared for, what are they to do?

I do love a tough guy with an inside of marshmallow fluff. Which was totally Jason. Leaving the military and losing his leg left Jason floundering. Now, he’s searching for a purpose, and he needs the money to do it. His co-worker’s proposition comes out of left field, but the more Jason thinks about it, the more he wants to do it.

And that’s before he meets Arkady.

Jason’s always thought he was straight, but his attraction to the sweet and charming Arkady gives him second thoughts. Then there’s Arkady who is finding Jason’s quiet intensity is just what he’s been looking for.

Close proximity, fake relationships, side-stepping attraction…all of my usual catnip is in this story, and I was sucker punched by these two together. I finished this book with tears in my eyes, and I know I will re-read this book. I recommend this book for anyone wanting a m/m with well-developed characters, heart wrenching situations and emotions that will pull at your heart.

Loved!

5 stars!

Arkady has always feared for his life, growing up as a gay man in Russia, he has had to hide is whole life, when he losing his teaching job because of rumors, he knows his time is limited. When is sister Natalya hatches a crazy plan, he is hesitant but after an attack in the streets he knows he needs to get out.

Jason needs more money to help his daughter go to a gifted school, when a co-worker comes to him with a crazy plan he agrees for the money. Jason and Arkady don't immediately fall for each other or into bed. The more they have to act like they are in a relationship, the less of an act it becomes and more the real thing, but first they have to get over some major hurdles.

Another book in the Bluewater Bay series, and I'm not disappointed in the least. Each of these books deal with real life issues in a way that is both a learning experience for the reader but also very real.

A fake marriage, combined with queerness and a character realising they're bisexual? Sounds like something I'd love! And I did. God, I absolutely loved this book.

Jason is in need of money so he can afford to send his daughter to a good school, while Arkady is gay and lives in Russia, and whose sister Natalya is trying to get him to America so he won't be killed like his friend likely was. He had recently lost his job at a university for being gay. This leads to Natalya's plan for Jason and Arkady to marry so Arkady can get a green card, and he can help fun Jason's daughter's schooling.

Of course, things don't go to plan and from the beginning there's chemistry between the two. For Arkady, this creates fear as Jason is presumed to be straight. For Jason, it creates extreme confusion as he thinks he's straight. He's made even more confused when they kiss for the first time and he feels something from it. He later realises he is bisexual, and is quick to accept it and his feelings for Arkady. He even makes a point saying to himself he wouldn't be upset if he was gay. He at a point researches bisexuality which leads him to realise that's what he is. 

Jason is quite estranged from his family. His mother died in war when he was four while he hadn't seen his father since he was four, instead he lived with his maternal grandparents. He was also in the army until he lost his leg. This created a vulnerability for him, and there's a scene where Arkady takes off his prosthetic which was a great way to show intimacy between them. Another way intimacy was shown between them was Arkady calling Jason 'Yasha', which is the Russian equivalent to his name. It was very believable that they fell in love, even if it was a short period of time.

The book has definitely sealed itself as one of my favourite romance books.

In theory Operation Green Card was a cute story. I liked both MC's background stories and the general idea of family. 

However this book felt partly like it was only an outline. Some parts were really short and lacked padding (especially the wedding and the appearances of the daughter in general). Unfortunately that also meant that the romance felt flat most of the time as well. 
Bummer, because this book could have been great.