reading_rainy's review
3.0
The first book in the series was so much better in terms of plot, romance, and character depth. There are layers upon layers of political manipulation and intrigue in this one.
**** There will be spoilers in my review below
Vivi was a decent decent h, and she's a wonderful single mother. I couldn't imagine the horrors of the mall, the pool, the safe house, the cabin, and then the hospital!!
There are some really irritating flags while reading this that take you right out of the flow. For example:
FBI agent using a credit card that could easily be traced to his family's cabin. Duh.
The constant use of the word "bad guys" is this really a term the FBI, CIA, and police officers use? It felt so childlike.
The narrators voice mumbled at times so I had a hard time understanding if he was saying Jed? Jet? Jeb?
The kid is in a hidden cabinet with a tiny crack to breathe through, I highly doubt he was able to see anyone in order to then recognize them in the future.
So the H had a past love. Mia? Some other woman he loved and she died in Afghanistan? She's brought up all the time is a reason why he won't fall in love again, but we know absolutely nothing about her or their relationship.
This is a very weak romance, almost zero character building. I have no idea why they even liked each other other than the adrenaline rush from constantly being under a death threat.
There's one intimate scene that's immediately over, and they both feel like it's a mistake.
**** There will be spoilers in my review below
Vivi was a decent decent h, and she's a wonderful single mother. I couldn't imagine the horrors of the mall, the pool, the safe house, the cabin, and then the hospital!!
There are some really irritating flags while reading this that take you right out of the flow. For example:
FBI agent using a credit card that could easily be traced to his family's cabin. Duh.
The constant use of the word "bad guys" is this really a term the FBI, CIA, and police officers use? It felt so childlike.
The narrators voice mumbled at times so I had a hard time understanding if he was saying Jed? Jet? Jeb?
The kid is in a hidden cabinet with a tiny crack to breathe through, I highly doubt he was able to see anyone in order to then recognize them in the future.
So the H had a past love. Mia? Some other woman he loved and she died in Afghanistan? She's brought up all the time is a reason why he won't fall in love again, but we know absolutely nothing about her or their relationship.
This is a very weak romance, almost zero character building. I have no idea why they even liked each other other than the adrenaline rush from constantly being under a death threat.
There's one intimate scene that's immediately over, and they both feel like it's a mistake.
bookshelf1792's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
xkay_readsx's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐
Political thriller+Romance combo!
As I understand it, this series has different heroes/heroines in each book so they can be read in any order.
Single mother Vivi and her eight-year-old son Michael went to Minneapolis Mall before Christmas. As they were in a toy store, they heard a bang and gunshots. Vivi's instinct to protect Michael has to find the exit alone so she hid him under a cash register, and told him to stay put. Michael unintentionally saw the terrorists and heard their conversation. Also, at the mall was an off-duty Special Agent Jed Brennan.
This is an exciting thriller. The story hooks me right from the beginning and the character development is great. However, I find the pace a bit off, it was a tad slow when they have to move from witness protection to Wisconsin Northwoods and hide at Jed's cabin. The story picks up after Viv and Jed's attraction becomes hot & spicy! Overall, a good amount of action (combat kind, and lovin' kind). I didn't guess the motivation for the shooting, or the people behind it nor was I shocked by the reveal, but I do like how it ended! I'll be reading more from this series.
The audiobook was enjoyable. Read by Eric G. Dove!
Political thriller+Romance combo!
As I understand it, this series has different heroes/heroines in each book so they can be read in any order.
Single mother Vivi and her eight-year-old son Michael went to Minneapolis Mall before Christmas. As they were in a toy store, they heard a bang and gunshots. Vivi's instinct to protect Michael has to find the exit alone so she hid him under a cash register, and told him to stay put. Michael unintentionally saw the terrorists and heard their conversation. Also, at the mall was an off-duty Special Agent Jed Brennan.
This is an exciting thriller. The story hooks me right from the beginning and the character development is great. However, I find the pace a bit off, it was a tad slow when they have to move from witness protection to Wisconsin Northwoods and hide at Jed's cabin. The story picks up after Viv and Jed's attraction becomes hot & spicy! Overall, a good amount of action (combat kind, and lovin' kind). I didn't guess the motivation for the shooting, or the people behind it nor was I shocked by the reveal, but I do like how it ended! I'll be reading more from this series.
The audiobook was enjoyable. Read by Eric G. Dove!
aquariandancer's review against another edition
5.0
Cold Justice Book Two.
On a shopping trip with her son, Vivi Vincent is stuck in the middle of a mall shooting. She hides Michael in a cabinet and tries to find a way out. Meanwhile, Special Agent Jed Brennan is trying to get as many people out as he can. When the dust clears, they find out that Michael may have heard names or plans significant to the terrorists' plots. However, he is a mute, eight year-old boy.
Audio Review:
Eric Dove narrates this series. He utilizes multiple accents to accomplish character voices. It is always clear who is speaking and how they are feeling.
If you're looking for a fast-paced, thrilling mystery this is the book for you!
On a shopping trip with her son, Vivi Vincent is stuck in the middle of a mall shooting. She hides Michael in a cabinet and tries to find a way out. Meanwhile, Special Agent Jed Brennan is trying to get as many people out as he can. When the dust clears, they find out that Michael may have heard names or plans significant to the terrorists' plots. However, he is a mute, eight year-old boy.
Audio Review:
Eric Dove narrates this series. He utilizes multiple accents to accomplish character voices. It is always clear who is speaking and how they are feeling.
If you're looking for a fast-paced, thrilling mystery this is the book for you!
bodebeabay's review against another edition
4.0
Acquired on January 24, 2019 Amz
October 4, 2017 – Finished Reading
[b:Cold Pursuit|22042892|Cold Pursuit (Cold Justice, #2)|Toni Anderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1399331062l/22042892._SY75_.jpg|41366314] by [a:Toni Anderson|2820461|Toni Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1607125087p2/2820461.jpg]
Genres: Adult, Crime, Romance, Suspense
4.5 Stars
Starts off fast paced.
Filled with suspense and mystery.
Great characters and a perfect blend of adult romance.
Some repetition and typos/editing errors.
All and all, this is a great series.
October 4, 2017 – Finished Reading
[b:Cold Pursuit|22042892|Cold Pursuit (Cold Justice, #2)|Toni Anderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1399331062l/22042892._SY75_.jpg|41366314] by [a:Toni Anderson|2820461|Toni Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1607125087p2/2820461.jpg]
Genres: Adult, Crime, Romance, Suspense
4.5 Stars
Starts off fast paced.
Filled with suspense and mystery.
Great characters and a perfect blend of adult romance.
Some repetition and typos/editing errors.
All and all, this is a great series.
ymiranda's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read October 26, 2019 - 4 stars
Keeper Shelf
Hands down one of the very best romantic suspense books I've ever read. I'm off to read #1 in the series.
Keeper Shelf
Hands down one of the very best romantic suspense books I've ever read. I'm off to read #1 in the series.
marysues's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
madrona's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
The main characters have the personality of cardboard, and their relationship development was not plausible or satisfying. I actively disliked the MMC, and then his actions spurring the third act conflict were borderline irredeemable. Despite that, the FMC nearly immediately forgives him before he even has a chance to explain himself, let alone grovel.
The overarching plot is interesting enough for me to continue the series (and I did enjoy the first book), yet it didn't really come in until the very end. I felt most of the time they were at the cabin felt pretty stodgy, I was expecting a much more tense, isolated-and-circled-by-enemies sort of feel, which it didn't really deliver.
I also thought the story's treatment of the kid's maybe-autism was distasteful and does not hold up to a 2022 read. It's fine to state that his diagnosis is inconclusive, but on multiple occasions it's noted that they didn't want to label him as autistic due to his "clear intelligence". And then he is magically improved, seemingly only through proximity with the MMC. Cool.
The overarching plot is interesting enough for me to continue the series (and I did enjoy the first book), yet it didn't really come in until the very end. I felt most of the time they were at the cabin felt pretty stodgy, I was expecting a much more tense, isolated-and-circled-by-enemies sort of feel, which it didn't really deliver.
I also thought the story's treatment of the kid's maybe-autism was distasteful and does not hold up to a 2022 read. It's fine to state that his diagnosis is inconclusive, but on multiple occasions it's noted that they didn't want to label him as autistic due to his "clear intelligence". And then he is magically improved, seemingly only through proximity with the MMC. Cool.
sheakoebel's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
iferlop2's review
4.0
3.5 STARS
I like the world, characters, and romance a lot but, at times, the plot seems a bit rush and unpolish the same happens with some elements (secondary characters, some information, or possible side plot) that are dropped like little crums but never developed.
I like the world, characters, and romance a lot but, at times, the plot seems a bit rush and unpolish the same happens with some elements (secondary characters, some information, or possible side plot) that are dropped like little crums but never developed.