4 stars for an original and grippingly suspenseful story. 2 stars for a largely one-sided romance. So 3.5 stars, it is. A.J. Thomas wove a compelling 4 stars for an original and grippingly suspenseful story. 2 stars for a largely one-sided romance. So 3.5 stars, it is. A.J. Thomas wove a compelling tale that I couldn't put down, even if the romance let me down.
In his 22 years, Sean Wilkinson made mistakes, found successes, and endured a series of traumas, culminating in an explosion on an oil rig where he loses his leg. Although he often feels damaged beyond repair, he pulls himself up to pursue a settlement with the aid of a certain GQ model, erm, attorney.
Despite outward appearances, Nate Delany is no golden boy. Smart and driven, he seeks but fails to earn a fair chance from his father. When he leaves the family firm and takes Sean's case, he is prepared to prove himself - but he isn't quite prepared for Sean. As their relationship transcends attorney and client, the case also transcends an ordinary corporate liability case into one involving greed, theft, and murder.
Let me get my crying out of the way. The romance felt unbalanced. Nate’s feelings for Sean? I never doubted his respect for Sean, his admiration of the engineer’s intelligence and the artist’s talent, his determination to treat Sean as fully capable and his remorse whenever he fell short. Nate went above and beyond for Sean, risking not only his career but his life for him.
So why am I crying again? Because I was never convinced that Sean’s feelings for Nate ran much deeper than lust and gratitude. Sean’s point-of-view scenes rarely included the sentiments found in Nate’s. Even as other characters claimed that Sean cared deeply for Nate, it didn't come across that way to me. His actions during the book's climax? I felt like he would have done that for anyone, including gross creepy Bruce. Heck, I even felt that his feelings for Bruce read as deeper and more genuine! And while familial love was an important component of Sean’s story, those feelings also resonated more strongly. I don’t mind a slow-burn romance, but I want to believe in the happy ending. Instead, the epilogue made me nervous about their future, nervous that Sean still seemed detached and aloof with Nate. Everything in the epilogue came back to Nate’s feelings for Sean, what Nate did for Sean. What did Sean do for Nate? Slept through his brother’s wedding! Sean was the center of Nate's world, but Nate seemed like an afterthought to Sean.
Romance rant aside, I very much enjoyed the overall story arc, which combines suspense and family drama and corporate intrigue and mystery with a heaping of legalese and petroleum engineering (and as an attorney married to a chemical engineer, I ate those latter two up). Even as I formed suspicions, the twists and turns ensured that I never quite figured everything out.
Since it doesn't appear that Thomas will revisit these two, I have no choice but to accept defeat on the romance front. But I have enjoyed Thomas' work, especially the Least Likely Partnership series, and I will happily read more in the future.
Read for SBTB January - March 2018 Quarterly Challenge: a book with a three word title.
Merged review:
4 stars for an original and grippingly suspenseful story. 2 stars for a largely one-sided romance. So 3.5 stars, it is. A.J. Thomas wove a compelling tale that I couldn't put down, even if the romance let me down.
In his 22 years, Sean Wilkinson made mistakes, found successes, and endured a series of traumas, culminating in an explosion on an oil rig where he loses his leg. Although he often feels damaged beyond repair, he pulls himself up to pursue a settlement with the aid of a certain GQ model, erm, attorney.
Despite outward appearances, Nate Delany is no golden boy. Smart and driven, he seeks but fails to earn a fair chance from his father. When he leaves the family firm and takes Sean's case, he is prepared to prove himself - but he isn't quite prepared for Sean. As their relationship transcends attorney and client, the case also transcends an ordinary corporate liability case into one involving greed, theft, and murder.
Let me get my crying out of the way. The romance felt unbalanced. Nate’s feelings for Sean? I never doubted his respect for Sean, his admiration of the engineer’s intelligence and the artist’s talent, his determination to treat Sean as fully capable and his remorse whenever he fell short. Nate went above and beyond for Sean, risking not only his career but his life for him.
So why am I crying again? Because I was never convinced that Sean’s feelings for Nate ran much deeper than lust and gratitude. Sean’s point-of-view scenes rarely included the sentiments found in Nate’s. Even as other characters claimed that Sean cared deeply for Nate, it didn't come across that way to me. His actions during the book's climax? I felt like he would have done that for anyone, including gross creepy Bruce. Heck, I even felt that his feelings for Bruce read as deeper and more genuine! And while familial love was an important component of Sean’s story, those feelings also resonated more strongly. I don’t mind a slow-burn romance, but I want to believe in the happy ending. Instead, the epilogue made me nervous about their future, nervous that Sean still seemed detached and aloof with Nate. Everything in the epilogue came back to Nate’s feelings for Sean, what Nate did for Sean. What did Sean do for Nate? Slept through his brother’s wedding! Sean was the center of Nate's world, but Nate seemed like an afterthought to Sean.
Romance rant aside, I very much enjoyed the overall story arc, which combines suspense and family drama and corporate intrigue and mystery with a heaping of legalese and petroleum engineering (and as an attorney married to a chemical engineer, I ate those latter two up). Even as I formed suspicions, the twists and turns ensured that I never quite figured everything out.
Since it doesn't appear that Thomas will revisit these two, I have no choice but to accept defeat on the romance front. But I have enjoyed Thomas' work, especially the Least Likely Partnership series, and I will happily read more in the future.
Read for SBTB January - March 2018 Quarterly Challenge: a book with a three word title....more
He’d spent so many years wandering in a sort of cold darkness. Now he knew fire lurked underneath the surface, just waiting for the right make to makeHe’d spent so many years wandering in a sort of cold darkness. Now he knew fire lurked underneath the surface, just waiting for the right make to make him burn.
3.5 stars rounded up for the last chapter, which delivered the emotion that seemed missing for much of the book.
First things first, I’m #TeamSeth! Well, I’ll clarify: for all that Seth was a, well, dick here, I didn’t find it excessive. Having just re-read Guarding Mr. Fine, Alec wasn’t exactly an innocent. Turnabout is fair play 😜 And don't worry - I'm also #TeamAlecAndGaige.
In my review for Stranded, I describe Dimon as first-rate at writing romantic suspense. And sure enough, she delivers the thrills, the intrigue, the action and adventure.
Alec, brilliant billionaire businessman, and Gaige, brilliant hacker reluctantly beholden to the CIA, both have reasons to retain walls around their emotions. Of course, they can’t remain aloof and distrustful with one another for long. And while they agree to indulge in some smoking hot sexcapades, it can’t remain “just sex” for long (Side note: I was slightly disappointed that, given all the hints about Alec’s penchant for tying his partners up, we didn’t get a full-fledged bondage scene. Sexytimes were still sexy, though). The rawness and the intensity present in many of Dimon’s other stories felt somewhat lacking here, but I appreciated that she didn’t force them to fall into insta-love. While the last chapter did a good job solidifying their bond, I hope that we get an additional glimpse into Alec and Gaige’s HEA in the next book.
While I’m excited for Dirty Games, the next installment in the series, I’m also a bit confused. The synopsis on Goodreads and the synopsis on Amazon are currently and dramatically different in their descriptions of Finn’s love interest, Justin. I’m pulling for the Amazon synopsis because I’m firmly of the opinion that Dimon excels at writing characters with a pre-existing connection. Plus me likey military men.
Merged review:
He’d spent so many years wandering in a sort of cold darkness. Now he knew fire lurked underneath the surface, just waiting for the right make to make him burn.
3.5 stars rounded up for the last chapter, which delivered the emotion that seemed missing for much of the book.
First things first, I’m #TeamSeth! Well, I’ll clarify: for all that Seth was a, well, dick here, I didn’t find it excessive. Having just re-read Guarding Mr. Fine, Alec wasn’t exactly an innocent. Turnabout is fair play...more
“Maybe we’re not over.” “I would have done anything to hear those words ten months ago.” “I’ve been saying them, feeling them, every day since.”
A HelenK“Maybe we’re not over.” “I would have done anything to hear those words ten months ago.” “I’ve been saying them, feeling them, every day since.”
A HelenKay Dimon story is NOT a dime a dozen. Ugh, I knows that I needs to stop with the bads plays on words.
Suspense is my preferred subgenre of romance, and I consider Dimon a first-rate author. She employs a fairly standard “secrets and lies” formula, but it gets me every damn time. I know that “secrets and lies” doesn’t sound exactly, um, promising for romance, but trust me on this: you never doubt the characters’ utter devotion, their loyalty, their willingness to sacrifice anything and anyone to protect one another. And if you’re an angst-slut like me, you will relish in the agony. AND you’ll get some most passionate sexing.
So back to the formula. One main character is typically concealing something vital from the other, whether it be their true identity, true intention for establishing the relationship, or true motivation behind a particular act. Of course, something else is true: the undercover lover fell head over heels in love with the unsuspecting partner. I’m SUCH a sucker for that trope.
Cabe comes face-to-face once more with Brax, the lover who betrayed him (but not really) and left him for dead (again, not really). You feel their rawness and intensity of emotion so potently. The desperation and desire pour off the page. As they reconnect, they face some external but mainly internal challenges. I would have loved if this story was longer. I think it would have been better if it had been longer. Vital plot foundations and additional character development were needed. That said, Dimon did well within a constrained length.
It isn’t uncommon for Dimon to feature couples in a pre-existing relationship. Since this doesn’t always work for some readers, I would encourage caution but still recommend her works wholeheartedly.
Cabe and Brax's story wrapped up nicely, but I feel there is a potential for more. I wouldn't mind a follow-up - or two or three - in this universe. 😜
Merged review:
“Maybe we’re not over.” “I would have done anything to hear those words ten months ago.” “I’ve been saying them, feeling them, every day since.”
A HelenKay Dimon story is NOT a dime a dozen. Ugh, I knows that I needs to stop with the bads plays on words.
Suspense is my preferred subgenre of romance, and I consider Dimon a first-rate author. She employs a fairly standard “secrets and lies” formula, but it gets me every damn time. I know that “secrets and lies” doesn’t sound exactly, um, promising for romance, but trust me on this: you never doubt the characters’ utter devotion, their loyalty, their willingness to sacrifice anything and anyone to protect one another. And if you’re an angst-slut like me, you will relish in the agony. AND you’ll get some most passionate sexing.
So back to the formula. One main character is typically concealing something vital from the other, whether it be their true identity, true intention for establishing the relationship, or true motivation behind a particular act. Of course, something else is true: the undercover lover fell head over heels in love with the unsuspecting partner. I’m SUCH a sucker for that trope.
Cabe comes face-to-face once more with Brax, the lover who betrayed him (but not really) and left him for dead (again, not really). You feel their rawness and intensity of emotion so potently. The desperation and desire pour off the page. As they reconnect, they face some external but mainly internal challenges. I would have loved if this story was longer. I think it would have been better if it had been longer. Vital plot foundations and additional character development were needed. That said, Dimon did well within a constrained length.
It isn’t uncommon for Dimon to feature couples in a pre-existing relationship. Since this doesn’t always work for some readers, I would encourage caution but still recommend her works wholeheartedly.
Cabe and Brax's story wrapped up nicely, but I feel there is a potential for more. I wouldn't mind a follow-up - or two or three - in this universe....more
This is hard to rate, so I'm not rating it. Especially because I've been sick again and I don't want my grumpiness to affect it (oh autumn, I used to This is hard to rate, so I'm not rating it. Especially because I've been sick again and I don't want my grumpiness to affect it (oh autumn, I used to love you, but now it's just illness after illness - welcome to life with a threenager ...more
I'm behind on reviews (thanks to the "fun" illness that I had) so I'll just say that I enjoyed the continued adventures, both personal and professionaI'm behind on reviews (thanks to the "fun" illness that I had) so I'll just say that I enjoyed the continued adventures, both personal and professional, of this pair. It's not necessarily a popular opinion, but I also enjoyed the angst and conflict; in fact, I welcome it in series featuring established couples, or I feel bored ...more
3.5 stars. Well-written - as always! Smart - as always! Thrilling - you guessed it, as always! Unfortunately, a lukewarm romance and frustrating heroi3.5 stars. Well-written - as always! Smart - as always! Thrilling - you guessed it, as always! Unfortunately, a lukewarm romance and frustrating heroine bogged it down. Still, I enjoyed the premise and the supporting characters.
Seth, a FBI Hostage Rescue specialist, saves Zoe, a forensic anthropologist dedicated to recovering migrant remains, after she finds the "wrong" body and is kidnapped by a dangerous cartel. Zoe is also the daughter of the Vice President, and as she refused Secret Service protection, Seth is tasked with escorting her to Washington, D.C. Their simmering attraction is tested by political intrigue, the lingering cartel threat and their own personal insecurities.
I usually love Toni Anderson's heroines, so it was a surprise AND a bummer that I didn't like Zoe. She came across as very self-centered, frequently endangering herself and others. Every man seemed to want her, and I never understood why. Moreover, I really had to suspend disbelief regarding her anonymity. Her mother was the freaking Vice President and her father was a prolific Hollywood director. The idea that multiple FBI agents, or faculty at a Virginia (of all states!!) university, wouldn't recognize her face or name? Silly! Meanwhile, Seth was serviceable, if somewhat bland. Seth's extreme ambition and career focus seemed incompatible with "risking it all" for Zoe, especially after a short time. It would have been more believable with a slower burn, even if they didn't get together until 70% rather than 50%.
Despite my complaints, Cold Justice is one of the best long-running romantic suspenses by far. I'm particularly interested in the teased Cowboy/Meghan pairing - I loathe the widower trope, but a badass, tough-as-nails FBI agent heroine is my favorite. And I need a Will Graham update (another quasi-widower, *sob*) ASAP!...more
This was kind of a slog for me. The beginning was strong and suspenseful, but I struggled to remain engaged.
The plot - or at least how it unfolded - This was kind of a slog for me. The beginning was strong and suspenseful, but I struggled to remain engaged.
The plot - or at least how it unfolded - was not the most riveting. Alec, former Army Ranger cum military contractor CEO cum senatorial hopeful - yes, that's a lot, and no, his character didn't feel very authentic - is ambushed in the Alaskan wilderness. Archaeologist Isabel saves his life, but the two are not on good terms: she is relentlessly investigating the suspicious "accidental" death of her brother, who worked for said contractor. They form a tentative alliance to uncover the truth behind his death - while trying to avoid their own.
I didn't particularly care for the warring military contractor premise, with its focus on covert advanced weaponry and ruthless mercenaries. Nor did I like the slow, isolated setting. Unfortunately, the relationship suffered from the "inappropriate lust at inappropriate times" curse that frequently plagues romantic suspense novels. Rachel Grant is usually excellent at avoiding this, but the attraction felt too instant and forced. Moreover, it manifested during bizarre circumstances. Give me the lust, the feels, the love - but only when it makes sense!
Four installments down, and the first is still my favorite....more
4.5 stars. Did I somehow forget how GOOD Nora Roberts is? No, but also...kind of? Because I was basically hypnotized while reading Identity, and I did4.5 stars. Did I somehow forget how GOOD Nora Roberts is? No, but also...kind of? Because I was basically hypnotized while reading Identity, and I didn't expect that. Since I haven't read Nora for a few years, I forgot that it is an immersive experience. Like falling into the pages.
The suspense was extraordinarily gripping and disturbing; unsurprising given the premise. Morgan, an office manager by day and bartender/aspiring bar owner by night, narrowly escapes a con man and serial killer. As she attempts to start over, I was engrossed by the most basic details: from life in the quaint Vermont town, to bonding with her mother and grandmother, to her new job at the local resort. Morgan's romance with Miles, whose family owns said resort, was quiet yet engaging.
The dialogue! Nora's reign as Queen of Dialogue is unchallenged. Moreover, she imbues her stories with such authenticity. Very slice-of-life. Case in point: the lingering, often lengthy descriptions of Morgan at work. But was I delighted that it provided me with ample drink recipes? You bet. I should have tried one during the parts that focused on the villain - the stress was real!
Last week my reading time was limited to evenings, and I stayed up laaate with this book. One more chapter turned into three. But it was worth it....more
4.5 stars. This was ridiculously good. And I shouldn't be surprised, because I previously read a Rachel Grant book and found it smart and engaging, wi4.5 stars. This was ridiculously good. And I shouldn't be surprised, because I previously read a Rachel Grant book and found it smart and engaging, with top-notch suspense, crisp writing, dynamic characters and steaming chemistry. But since this is one of her older works, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it as much.
Never fear! Concrete Evidence had all of the above qualities - and more. Erica, (unjustly) disgraced underwater archeologist, and Lee, aimless "intern" (*cough*a cybersecurity expert*cough*) are keeping secrets. From others, and from each other. Both seek to thwart an international artifacts smuggling ring while conducting an archeological survey on an indigenous reservation for their day jobs. Oh, and stumbling upon a decades-old murder. Teaming up makes sense; but can they trust each other?
Ordinarily, I'm obsessed with the "secret identity with a side of undercover mission" trope, but it tested me here. There were a few times where I wanted to shake the characters. Still, that particular trope is very difficult to execute, and Grant did an excellent job.
A thrilling, mildly addicting and all-around fantastic read, and I can't wait to dive further into the series!...more
Not the most credible or twisty suspense, but an entertaining story with a unique lead and a fairly common but nevertheless engaging premise. Alas, clNot the most credible or twisty suspense, but an entertaining story with a unique lead and a fairly common but nevertheless engaging premise. Alas, clothes MAJORLY irked me. Yes, clothes.
Laurel, child prodigy turned illustrious FBI profiler, returns to her hometown in Washington State to catch a serial killer. Her detour was unexpected, and she didn't have weather-appropriate clothing. She mentioned having clothing sent from home, or buying more suitable outfits. But she never did. Instead, she borrowed her mother's clothes. Which would be fine if they were normal clothes. But they weren't. They included various items like *flowered bell-bottoms* and *hot pink corduroy skirts* and *pants so oversized that they dragged and hung.* Laurel herself repeatedly complained about these clothes - not just that they didn't fit well, or weren't very suitable for the weather, but that she looked ridiculous. So all I could think was, "She looks ridiculous. How is anyone taking her seriously?" Not to mention that she had appropriate black dress pants when she first arrived, but apparently never wore them again. Why not?? Wearing those pants every day would have been 10x better than drowning in green skirts and lemon shirts!!
I'm aware that I sound unhinged, and maybe I'm still mind poisoned from my time in Big Law, but I could NOT reconcile this superstar FBI Agent, supposedly so brilliant and successful, wearing bizarre, ill-fitting clothes while trying to catch a serial murderer. It both distracted and irritated me.
Yes, I'm still planning to read the next book. The writing was crisp and absorbing, and Laurel's romance with Huck, a gruff local, was slow yet fitting. There are family secrets to uncover. But I really hope that she finally gets her own damn clothes....more
Anne Boleyn's Ghost
>
Books:
the-suspense-is-killing-me
(122)
Loading...
