elvang's review against another edition
3.0
The premise for this book pulled me in, curious to see how a former CIA agent/now US ambassador to Mauritania Ellie Turner would cope with a mob of angry protestors outside her embassy gates. Angel McTaggert is the best of the best at Flagler Security. She and her team are sent to protect the ambassador and attempt to infiltrate the protesters to determine their purpose and plans. Ellie is not used to being controlled and Angel is not accustomed to having her client refuse to follow her security requests.
From the moment they meet there is instant attraction between Angel and Ellie. There may be sparks but both women try very hard to suppress their feelings not wanting a relationship to interfere with their missions and their objectives. I found it quite frustrating to watch the lack of communication continue on for what felt like weeks. They had no trouble stalking each other yet would not admit their interest in more than a working relationship. I was happy when Ellie stuck to her guns and insisted she visit the solar farm in spite of the demonstration at the gates. I was hoping this would kickstart some much needed action and push the women together. The story improves as soon as they leave the embassy behind and the reader is caught up in the layers of intrigue and dangers to be faced. I wasn’t impressed with some of Angel’s choices and decisions but the book does live up to its action adventure tags. I wish the romance were as strong as the action but it can be a hard balance to achieve.
From the moment they meet there is instant attraction between Angel and Ellie. There may be sparks but both women try very hard to suppress their feelings not wanting a relationship to interfere with their missions and their objectives. I found it quite frustrating to watch the lack of communication continue on for what felt like weeks. They had no trouble stalking each other yet would not admit their interest in more than a working relationship. I was happy when Ellie stuck to her guns and insisted she visit the solar farm in spite of the demonstration at the gates. I was hoping this would kickstart some much needed action and push the women together. The story improves as soon as they leave the embassy behind and the reader is caught up in the layers of intrigue and dangers to be faced. I wasn’t impressed with some of Angel’s choices and decisions but the book does live up to its action adventure tags. I wish the romance were as strong as the action but it can be a hard balance to achieve.
cdownes's review against another edition
3.0
I love a book where I can learn, and I definitely learnt a bit about Mauritania. This was the hook for me even though there's a lot of unpleasantness there, I wanted to read something of the history and the culture. My bad, as this book had a little, but not a lot of that.
The romance between [Guardian] Angel McTaggart and Ambassador Ellie Turner was quite immediate which again isn't really my thing, the plot didn't have the greatest depth but it delivered a fast journey for those onboard reading it.
I received and ARC for an honest review.
The romance between [Guardian] Angel McTaggart and Ambassador Ellie Turner was quite immediate which again isn't really my thing, the plot didn't have the greatest depth but it delivered a fast journey for those onboard reading it.
I received and ARC for an honest review.
corrie's review
4.0
Guardian Angel is my second Becky Harmon novel and I found this action/romance a rather enjoyable read. Sure, it was a bit slow out of the gate – we spent half the book staring at the people standing outside of the embassy gates – but when the action kicks in we are cooking with gas!
US Ambassador in Mauritania Elizabeth (Ellie) Turner gets extra security (by way of 20 Flagler agents) to monitor a group of protesters at the embassy gates. Angel McTaggart and her team arrive and pretty soon both women are budding heads over just about everything. They are also highly attracted to each other. Not ideal, given the job that Angel has been sent to do. Ellie is a major distraction. Ellie don’t get any work done either. They slyly stalk each other’s movements by means of tracking gps bracelets.
Like I said, first half is slow, the second half kicks into gear. I liked the action scenes and the generous helping of Mauritanian culture. The romance was a bit on the meager side, insta-lust combined with mutual stubbornness and a failure to communicate (yes, that old chestnut). But, I don’t want to be too harsh about it either, it was overall a very enjoyable read.
f/f fade to black, I thought the romance was a bit ho-hum
Themes: Ellie: ‘I want to do the thing’, Angel: ‘you can’t do the thing’.
3.7 Stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bella Books for an honest review.
US Ambassador in Mauritania Elizabeth (Ellie) Turner gets extra security (by way of 20 Flagler agents) to monitor a group of protesters at the embassy gates. Angel McTaggart and her team arrive and pretty soon both women are budding heads over just about everything. They are also highly attracted to each other. Not ideal, given the job that Angel has been sent to do. Ellie is a major distraction. Ellie don’t get any work done either. They slyly stalk each other’s movements by means of tracking gps bracelets.
Like I said, first half is slow, the second half kicks into gear. I liked the action scenes and the generous helping of Mauritanian culture. The romance was a bit on the meager side, insta-lust combined with mutual stubbornness and a failure to communicate (yes, that old chestnut). But, I don’t want to be too harsh about it either, it was overall a very enjoyable read.
f/f fade to black, I thought the romance was a bit ho-hum
Themes: Ellie: ‘I want to do the thing’, Angel: ‘you can’t do the thing’.
3.7 Stars
* A free copy was provided by Netgalley and Bella Books for an honest review.
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