saggreader1217's review against another edition
1.0
I couldn't finish the book. Too many storylines. It should have focused on one, and made it the best instead of trying to do to many things at once.
ame_why's review against another edition
3.0
It was nice to read a book with a strong/streetwise female character for a change. Too many books and movies claim to have strong female leads but then spend chapter after chapter (or scene after scene) of said female character making terrible decisions. So I was happy when for a change I got to read a book about a woman who understands the dangers of the world around her and actually takes precautions when there's a stalker/serial rapist out to get her. And on top of that, one of the side characters (also female) successfully defended herself and beat the crap out of the guy when he broke into her apartment early on in the book. The author didn't sugarcoat how scared she was or make it seem unrealistic. She wasn't experienced in combat or anything like that. She simply did what it took to defend her life. I also appreciate that the romance in this book (while corny at times) wasn't overdone. There were moments that made me roll my eyes but for the most part, the relationship that developed seemed natural and somewhat more realistic than what is typical of these sort of books.
capsandclauses's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lbrick363's review against another edition
2.0
Oh my...
This was kind of stupid. I listened to the audio and wanted to gag how cheesy everything was. I did not like Zoe at all. There wasn’t much suspense there either.
This was kind of stupid. I listened to the audio and wanted to gag how cheesy everything was. I did not like Zoe at all. There wasn’t much suspense there either.
becasaur27's review against another edition
4.0
A cute moderately suspenseful read. I have no idea why it was on my Kindle. Where did it come from? I guess I bought it, but why? Did someone recommend it? Was it on a great sale? I don't know. And that's a bit of a problem. I am addicted to buying books sometimes and try really hard to not do that, but sometimes I still do. Anyway, no regrets here. I wouldn't mind reading others, if they randomly also show up on my Kindle, but not sure that I will necessarily actively seek them out.
bananatricky's review against another edition
4.0
Professor Zoe Santangelo is a new hire at the local college in Paradise, Idaho although her long-term ambition is research at one of the Ivy League colleges in her chosen field of Hydrogeology. A native Californian she hasn't yet learned how to deal with Idaho weather and spins out of control on black ice where she is rescued by a local 'farmer' called Cal.
Cal Jackson may be a farmer now but he was once an NFL football player and a household name. Professor Santangelo is small, curvy and all sorts of sassy, her complete ignorance of who Cal is or what he used to do is very refreshing, as is her suspicion and general attitude.
Paradise Idaho is also the home to a serial rapist who likes to stalk and terrorise young female students, Zoe and Cal get drawn into his orbit when one of Zoe's students becomes his next obsession.
Rosalind James is a writer who can write different genres quite effortlessly. I know her best for her New Zealand rugby romances but I have read some of her romantic suspense before. She writes gritty, scarey, violent thrillers with a side order of romance with strong, likeable heroines and equally likeable heroes.
In equal parts, sexy, frightening and swooney this was a great intro to a new series (for me).
Cal Jackson may be a farmer now but he was once an NFL football player and a household name. Professor Santangelo is small, curvy and all sorts of sassy, her complete ignorance of who Cal is or what he used to do is very refreshing, as is her suspicion and general attitude.
Paradise Idaho is also the home to a serial rapist who likes to stalk and terrorise young female students, Zoe and Cal get drawn into his orbit when one of Zoe's students becomes his next obsession.
Rosalind James is a writer who can write different genres quite effortlessly. I know her best for her New Zealand rugby romances but I have read some of her romantic suspense before. She writes gritty, scarey, violent thrillers with a side order of romance with strong, likeable heroines and equally likeable heroes.
In equal parts, sexy, frightening and swooney this was a great intro to a new series (for me).
kluv's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book! Play Hard or Go Home . . .
I love that saying. And Rosalind gives it more depth.
I liked this book and gave it 5 stars because it never gets boring. There weren't any slow parts. I just wanted to keep reading page after page.
I also love the strength and compassion displayed by the lead female character. Rosalind makes her personality as variable as real people. She does the same for the male lead. They are multi-dimensional.
And finally it's a good love story. This books makes the reader think about what love really is. It also shows what love isn't. Love isn't infidelity and complacency. Love is an action. In this book love is devotion, protection, comfort, and sacrifice. It's great!
I love that saying. And Rosalind gives it more depth.
I liked this book and gave it 5 stars because it never gets boring. There weren't any slow parts. I just wanted to keep reading page after page.
I also love the strength and compassion displayed by the lead female character. Rosalind makes her personality as variable as real people. She does the same for the male lead. They are multi-dimensional.
And finally it's a good love story. This books makes the reader think about what love really is. It also shows what love isn't. Love isn't infidelity and complacency. Love is an action. In this book love is devotion, protection, comfort, and sacrifice. It's great!
bookworm71387's review against another edition
4.0
I have spent today reading and now instead of sleep I am left here to describe what a wonderful new author I have found in Rosalind James. I am an avid reader of romantic suspense and found myself browsing for something different to read with my kindle unlimited subscription. Not only is the chemistry between Cal and Zoe undeniable the way that she describes this setting is unbelievable authentic that you can not help but want to keep reading.
The teacher, Zoe Santangelo, is smart and funny and somewhat driven, the kind of person who has let her career aspirations guide her whole life. Cal Jackson is the local-boy-made-good in the NFL, where more than just his shoulder got busted up, and he’s now returned to the farmhouse his great-gran dad built and the town he grew up in. After a bit of a rocky start, Zoe and Cal start to click pretty nicely, and you get to enjoy their deepening relationship for a while, I don't want to go too much into the story line and ruin it for anyone so i will say this would be a great book to turn into a tv movie that you wont regret watching or reading.
The teacher, Zoe Santangelo, is smart and funny and somewhat driven, the kind of person who has let her career aspirations guide her whole life. Cal Jackson is the local-boy-made-good in the NFL, where more than just his shoulder got busted up, and he’s now returned to the farmhouse his great-gran dad built and the town he grew up in. After a bit of a rocky start, Zoe and Cal start to click pretty nicely, and you get to enjoy their deepening relationship for a while, I don't want to go too much into the story line and ruin it for anyone so i will say this would be a great book to turn into a tv movie that you wont regret watching or reading.
schreckjo's review against another edition
3.0
I hadn't heard of this author before. In fact, I only picked up the book because I have a thing for the audiobook narrators. I enjoyed it, and am a fan of mystery romances. The Idaho setting was a good one, and I might pick up the next in this series if it's narrated by the same couple of narrators. There were some unrealistic and overly sappy parts that made me roll my eyes, but not enough to dissuade me from taking a chance on a sequel.