Publisher: Avon Impulse
Source: pr firm in exchange for an honest review
Release Date:
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Blurb from goodreads:
Kellan Maguire's on the run from the mob, living a secret life. The only bright spot is his U.S. Marshal handler. Yeah, he wants to handle her....a lot. And in spite of all the rules it would break, Federal Marshal Delaney Evans secretly fears she’d risk everything for one night with Kellan. Even though Delaney’s career, her entire world, could implode if she admits how important he is to her. And all that is before the biggest complication of all hits...
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My Thoughts:
The Pros:
1) *Sings "Anticipation!"*
I've been waiting for this book since the first book of the trilogy. Kellan and Delaney have been flirting and sniping since day one and I couldn't wait to see how their relationship played out and how Barth handled the inherent conflicts in their relationship. Barth didn't disappoint, mostly. More on that down in the cons.
2) Kellan and Delaney's flirting and sniping was fun and I loved that they understood each other so well and respected each other. Yeah, they sniped but it was good natured and if someone went too far, they apologized. Sniping was also how they flirted, and they could be funny. Kellan and Delaney got each other, and were able to talk about what mattered, able to share, vent, and yell. There were several misunderstandings but they fit the story and they characters. They weren't just manufactured to provide conflict but arose organically from who and what they were.
3) I had serious misgivings about Kellan and Delaney getting together since it was a conflict of interest and against the US Marshall rules. I wasn't sure what HEA would be believable. Happily, it mostly works.
4) Kellan finally talked to, and stood up to, his brothers. Going into Witness Protection was a huge life change and Kellan was pissed at his brothers for forcing it on him. He finally let it all out. I enjoyed seeing him come into his own. Although he was confident to begin with, he developed even more confidence as he took charge of his life, even when it might mean disappointing or angering his brothers.
5) Seeing Delaney come out of her self-imposed shell and make friends. She wasn't perfect and that was okay. I smiled and laughed at the scenes with Mollie and Sierra. Besides making me laugh, they fleshed Delaney out and made her more interesting.
6) Steamy, steamy sex scenes that were emotionally charged! Hot, hot, hot. 👍
The Cons:
1) At times, it felt like problems were resolved a little too easily. It was fairly low angst, which I liked, but it could have used more conflict.
2) There's an event late in the book, a development in Delaney and Kellan's life, that I wasn't thrilled with. It was hinted at in the blurb so I kind of expected it but I was hoping I was wrong. Barth didn't drag it out or milk it overly much but it did provide a way for Delaney and Kellan to achieve their HEA. To me though, it felt like a cop-out. Oh, Barth laid some groundwork for it throughout the story, but it just seemed too simplistic. But just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean you won't like it.
3) I'm still puzzled as to what purpose Delaney's temporary partner, Kono, served. He adds little to the story and just seems to exist a) to serve as a plot device and b) to add a drop of racial diversity. Granted, this is a very white book but his character really didn't lessen that. Perhaps if he'd played a significant role in the story, served an actual purpose.
4) After all the build up about the mob trial and the return to their hometown, Barth skips ahead and keeps all of that off the page. We get a brief reminiscence about the trial and that's it. I felt cheated. Surely it rated at least a few pages since it was the whole reason for the series and the springboard for the romances. :(
The Verdict:
A funny, sexy, sweet, low angst story that has a delightful romance between two equals who respect each other. Not a perfect story, it nevertheless kept me swiping pages on my Kindle and provided me with several hours of enjoyment.
About the Author ~
Christi can always be found either whipping up gourmet meals (for fun, honest!) or with her nose in a book. She lives in Maryland with the best husband in the world.
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