Sadly a series that I've 100% DNF , tried more then once and still couldn't get into this series ,just not for me at all. .

The Hands We’re Given by O.E. Tearmann
Aces High, Jokers Wild #1

Marvelous story I was immersed in immediately and one that I had to finish!

What I liked:
* Aidan: newly minted commander, given challenging post, anxiety issues, secrets, transgender, better leader than he realizes, really impressed by him and looking forward to hearing more in future books
* Kevin: ten years on the base, in charge of logistics-procurement, brilliant, interested in history and words, raised in upper echelons, close to his team
* The family feel of those on the base
* The complexity of the characters, their development, their interactions as a team, and the feel of family and community that they shared
* Commander Morgan: wise, supportive, bulwark of strength, good leader
* The world building that had me understanding what the Dusters were up against in the dystopian world the USA became
* The references to places, music, books, songs from the past
* The futuristic bits interspersed with common things we have today
* Feeling I was part of the story
* The cause that the group were fighting for
* Thinking about the life the people lived and wondering how it would be
* Wanting to know how those outside corporate and not on bases lived
* The growth in the young computer technician brought to the base
* The growth of the friendship and romance between Aidan and Kevin
* The accepting attitude of those living on the base
* The references in the back of the book
* All of it really except

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like: the seven corporation conglomerates that took over and oppressed the rest
* Thinking about a world like the one Kevin escaped from – did enjoy thinking about taking them down, though

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and ??? for the ARC – This is my honest review

5 stars

Sooo many twists and so much suspense. I don't think i picked up my jaw from the floor. Every page kept putting me on edge until the very end.