hhushaw's review against another edition
4.0
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This was a very nice read; I was drawn into the story the adrenaline and suspense that the gunman created. The relationship between the two characters did seem a bit fast, even with the life or death situation they were in. Especially because Tory had mentioned commitment issues in the past. Even with the quickness, I enjoyed the love story, what I didn't like was the gunman's point of view. If the gunman's point of view was gone and there was more story between Tory and Peyton, I would have no doubt given this story five stars.
annaavian's review against another edition
2.0
Despite the fact that the premise sounded interesting I found this book to be incredibly boring. A lot of things didn't sound plausible and I just wish the authors dug deeper into the two survivors' trauma, emotional state and healing.
sunnydaysrainynights80's review
3.0
This book was well written and for the most part enjoyed it. I however didn’t enjoy the first POV from the shooter. I don’t want to be inside a psycho’s head space. That part creeped me out!
I enjoyed getting to know the other two characters. I thought Tory was better developed than Peyton. Tory was a three dimensional person while Peyton fell flat.
I am not likely to pick up a book written by a trio of authors again but I will keep reading the authors as individual authors.
I enjoyed getting to know the other two characters. I thought Tory was better developed than Peyton. Tory was a three dimensional person while Peyton fell flat.
I am not likely to pick up a book written by a trio of authors again but I will keep reading the authors as individual authors.
freelunch's review against another edition
5.0
A Smashing Romantic Thriller!
Peyton and Tory meet in a bridal boutique. Both are there to be fitted for bridesmaid dresses (for different weddings) and they strike up a conversation moments before a gunman enters the store and opens fire on everyone. Peyton and Tory survive.
This the story of their coming to terms with what they've been through, and it is the story of the gunman who decides (as revealed in the blurb, so not a spoiler) that two survivors are two too many.
Against All Odds is a collaboration between three authors who each took on the voice of one of the three central characters. It is primarily a romance, with the gunman lurking in the shadows, plotting and inveigling his way into the lives of the survivors.
It all comes together brilliantly. Tension and swooning and feels all 'round. Very highly recommended.
Peyton and Tory meet in a bridal boutique. Both are there to be fitted for bridesmaid dresses (for different weddings) and they strike up a conversation moments before a gunman enters the store and opens fire on everyone. Peyton and Tory survive.
This the story of their coming to terms with what they've been through, and it is the story of the gunman who decides (as revealed in the blurb, so not a spoiler) that two survivors are two too many.
Against All Odds is a collaboration between three authors who each took on the voice of one of the three central characters. It is primarily a romance, with the gunman lurking in the shadows, plotting and inveigling his way into the lives of the survivors.
It all comes together brilliantly. Tension and swooning and feels all 'round. Very highly recommended.
judeinthestars's review
5.0
I didn’t read this book when it came out, even though I wanted to, as I like all three authors and was curious about them writing together. The audiobook coming out recently gave me a second chance (thank you Maggie Cummings for the code). Because I trust all three authors and remembered my trusted reviewers had reviewed this story favourably, I didn’t read the blurb. I would still have listened (and probably enjoyed just as much) if I had read it, but I would also have known what to expect.
The funny thing with triggers is that they don’t always take the same form. And they don’t always trigger. Or not with the same consequences. Triggers are insidious and polymorphic.
One of my triggers – sometimes, not always – is mass shootings, whether linked to terrorism or disgruntled masculinist jerks.
Take Bradley Richter for example. His ex-fiancée is about to get married to another guy, and he’s made it his mission to save her from what he sees as a huge mistake, which he blames on the people around her. A dress fitting at Angelina’s Bridal Boutique is the perfect opportunity to make his point. With his gun. Peyton Clarke and Tory Stevens, two other clients of the shop, met just before Bradley walked and began shooting. In those precious minutes before all hell broke loose, the chemistry between them was palpable and they had just enough time to exchange phone numbers. As fate would have it, the two women are the only survivors of Bradley’s carnage. When Tory visits Peyton in the hospital, the connection they felt earlier is still obvious. But while Peyton, a police officer, is obsessed with catching the killer, Tory doesn’t want to give him any more of her time.
It’s taken me long enough to get to this fundamental part of the review: I loved this book. I am impressed at how well each author’s writing meshes with the others’. They each have their own voice and yet they work wonderfully together. It felt like I was getting the best of each (even though that’s not really fair to M. Ullrich), hearing each of their voices distinctly while completely forgetting there was more than one writer. They work seamlessly together. Each author wrote a character – Tory, Peyton, Bradley – and the story is told from each character’s point of view, as M. Ullrich explained in this video (each author reads from the first chapter of the character they wrote, if you’re want to know who wrote who).
The reason I mentioned triggers earlier is that what Tory and Peyton went through and the ensuing PTSD made them all the more relatable to me. I won’t compare our experiences but I know that strange feeling that something wonderful came out of an event that killed and maimed so many and traumatized even more. Not that they wouldn’t have been relatable otherwise. They’re lovely in a normal, not-Hollywood way. They have normal people flaws and qualities. Tory, for example, can be quite judgemental, especially when it comes to bridesmaids dresses. Both Peyton and Tory are endearing and they feel very approachable and caring. I loved them both, I felt their fears but also their joy and wonder at finding love in the strangest circumstances. I also liked that the authors kept the PTSD to a minimum. It’s there, everywhere, always, but it’s not the story being told and it doesn’t overshadow the romance.
My only issue is that I wish the authors hadn’t written Bradley as deranged. It wasn’t necessary (not all mass shooters are crazy) and it plays unnecessarily into mental health stereotypes. I’m also not a fan of being in the bad guy’s head but with three authors writing, it makes sense. Apart from that, I loved everything, except Bradley, of course, whom I hated. I also like Melissa Sternenberg’s narration a lot. She doesn’t have the most distinctive voices for the different characters, but honestly, I’d rather have a well-read story than bad acting and Melissa Sternenberg’s reading is perfect: the intonations, the rhythm, the breathing, the small touches of vulnerability… It serves the book impeccably.
The funny thing with triggers is that they don’t always take the same form. And they don’t always trigger. Or not with the same consequences. Triggers are insidious and polymorphic.
One of my triggers – sometimes, not always – is mass shootings, whether linked to terrorism or disgruntled masculinist jerks.
Take Bradley Richter for example. His ex-fiancée is about to get married to another guy, and he’s made it his mission to save her from what he sees as a huge mistake, which he blames on the people around her. A dress fitting at Angelina’s Bridal Boutique is the perfect opportunity to make his point. With his gun. Peyton Clarke and Tory Stevens, two other clients of the shop, met just before Bradley walked and began shooting. In those precious minutes before all hell broke loose, the chemistry between them was palpable and they had just enough time to exchange phone numbers. As fate would have it, the two women are the only survivors of Bradley’s carnage. When Tory visits Peyton in the hospital, the connection they felt earlier is still obvious. But while Peyton, a police officer, is obsessed with catching the killer, Tory doesn’t want to give him any more of her time.
It’s taken me long enough to get to this fundamental part of the review: I loved this book. I am impressed at how well each author’s writing meshes with the others’. They each have their own voice and yet they work wonderfully together. It felt like I was getting the best of each (even though that’s not really fair to M. Ullrich), hearing each of their voices distinctly while completely forgetting there was more than one writer. They work seamlessly together. Each author wrote a character – Tory, Peyton, Bradley – and the story is told from each character’s point of view, as M. Ullrich explained in this video (each author reads from the first chapter of the character they wrote, if you’re want to know who wrote who).
The reason I mentioned triggers earlier is that what Tory and Peyton went through and the ensuing PTSD made them all the more relatable to me. I won’t compare our experiences but I know that strange feeling that something wonderful came out of an event that killed and maimed so many and traumatized even more. Not that they wouldn’t have been relatable otherwise. They’re lovely in a normal, not-Hollywood way. They have normal people flaws and qualities. Tory, for example, can be quite judgemental, especially when it comes to bridesmaids dresses. Both Peyton and Tory are endearing and they feel very approachable and caring. I loved them both, I felt their fears but also their joy and wonder at finding love in the strangest circumstances. I also liked that the authors kept the PTSD to a minimum. It’s there, everywhere, always, but it’s not the story being told and it doesn’t overshadow the romance.
My only issue is that I wish the authors hadn’t written Bradley as deranged. It wasn’t necessary (not all mass shooters are crazy) and it plays unnecessarily into mental health stereotypes. I’m also not a fan of being in the bad guy’s head but with three authors writing, it makes sense. Apart from that, I loved everything, except Bradley, of course, whom I hated. I also like Melissa Sternenberg’s narration a lot. She doesn’t have the most distinctive voices for the different characters, but honestly, I’d rather have a well-read story than bad acting and Melissa Sternenberg’s reading is perfect: the intonations, the rhythm, the breathing, the small touches of vulnerability… It serves the book impeccably.
elvang's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this read. Impressive seamless effort by three authors collaborating on one story of an active shooter event leaving two survivors to pick up the pieces of their lives. Bradley is creepy and crazy enough to ensure the reader fears for the welfare of Tory and Peyton throughout the novel. I liked the added tension to what would have been another lovely romance. I also thought the human toll, survivors guilt and post traumatic emotions rang true for both women.
Nicely done.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
Nicely done.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
mjsam's review against another edition
4.0
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this book intrigued me, especially as it is one story told by three authors. I don’t know if they each took a POV, I’ve read a lot of Bryant’s books, but haven’t read enough of Ulrich or Cummings to be able to decide who wrote what. In all honesty I only read the Tory and Peyton POV sections and either didn’t read or just skimmed over any of “Bradley’s” scenes because, to quote a line Tory says in the book “I don’t care. I don’t care what his issues are or why he did it.”
Peyton and Tory are both great characters, the connection between them at the start of the book carries through and their entire relationship was sweet and organic. It helped that they talked to each other and there were no stupid dramas and unnecessary breakups to endure. The side characters aren’t really too fleshed out, but I didn’t care because I was more interested in the leads and their relationship anyway. I did enjoy all scenes with Peyton’s family and Jake, but felt that Tory wasn’t as well explored in who was in her life, other than her cat.
As noted before, I did not care about Bradley, and would have preferred that his POV wasn’t included at all, and the follow up subplot after the shooting was also unnecessary. Less of him would have allowed for more time with the side characters, and Peyton and Tory’s recoveries, which I’d have enjoyed more.
Still this was a lovely romance built on the premise that good things can come from terrible situations, which quite frankly, is something to cling to in the current climate. 4 stars.
The premise of this book intrigued me, especially as it is one story told by three authors. I don’t know if they each took a POV, I’ve read a lot of Bryant’s books, but haven’t read enough of Ulrich or Cummings to be able to decide who wrote what. In all honesty I only read the Tory and Peyton POV sections and either didn’t read or just skimmed over any of “Bradley’s” scenes because, to quote a line Tory says in the book “I don’t care. I don’t care what his issues are or why he did it.”
Peyton and Tory are both great characters, the connection between them at the start of the book carries through and their entire relationship was sweet and organic. It helped that they talked to each other and there were no stupid dramas and unnecessary breakups to endure. The side characters aren’t really too fleshed out, but I didn’t care because I was more interested in the leads and their relationship anyway. I did enjoy all scenes with Peyton’s family and Jake, but felt that Tory wasn’t as well explored in who was in her life, other than her cat.
As noted before, I did not care about Bradley, and would have preferred that his POV wasn’t included at all, and the follow up subplot after the shooting was also unnecessary. Less of him would have allowed for more time with the side characters, and Peyton and Tory’s recoveries, which I’d have enjoyed more.
Still this was a lovely romance built on the premise that good things can come from terrible situations, which quite frankly, is something to cling to in the current climate. 4 stars.
mgncpr's review against another edition
5.0
I was really interested to see what it would be like to read a book written by three established authors - is it easy to identify who wrote what, will their styles meld? I've read and enjoyed Ullrich and Bryant's books, but Cummings is not an author I was familiar with - how would she stack up against two authors I really like?
I started reading the book trying to dissect the writing and ended up forgetting all about the fact that three people were involved in writing it because the story just grabbed me by the ears and dragged me along for the ride.
This is a romantic suspense novel that works extremely well. The start is a bit horrific - a mass shooting at a bridal shop where the two leads are both trying on bridesmaid dresses - but the authors manage to present it in such a way that the gore factor is not over the top but it still hits you hard. They even switch things around where Peyton, an off-duty cop, is the one who needs saving by Tory, the realtor.
The romance is handled quite well - prior to the shooting, the two women meet and flirt a bit, to the point of exchanging numbers so its established that there is a spark and interest from the beginning and the relationship would have likely developed if the day had not gone so terribly wrong. The chemistry between the two works particularly well - fueled by the fact that they both experienced the same life altering event and have been lucky enough to survive and make the most of their lives.
Both women are strong - they each deal with what happened in their own way, but they do deal with it and help one another. The set up could have easily fallen into an angst driven melodrama, but the characters and the storyline didn't go for the easy route and focused on the healing rather than how broken the events could have left them.
The suspense factor worked so much better than I expected. The book is told in three POV's: Peyton's, Tory's and Bradley (the shooter). I normally hate when the killer gets a POV as it is usually cheesy and over the top, but whoever manged Bradley's POV did a fantastic job - inserting a certain level of menace and suspense and also giving a nice twist as he begins to obsess over the two women who managed to escape the shooting.
Overall - a really great romantic suspense that manages both parts of the equation perfectly. This is a book you won't be able to put down.
Definitely recommended.
I started reading the book trying to dissect the writing and ended up forgetting all about the fact that three people were involved in writing it because the story just grabbed me by the ears and dragged me along for the ride.
This is a romantic suspense novel that works extremely well. The start is a bit horrific - a mass shooting at a bridal shop where the two leads are both trying on bridesmaid dresses - but the authors manage to present it in such a way that the gore factor is not over the top but it still hits you hard. They even switch things around where Peyton, an off-duty cop, is the one who needs saving by Tory, the realtor.
The romance is handled quite well - prior to the shooting, the two women meet and flirt a bit, to the point of exchanging numbers so its established that there is a spark and interest from the beginning and the relationship would have likely developed if the day had not gone so terribly wrong. The chemistry between the two works particularly well - fueled by the fact that they both experienced the same life altering event and have been lucky enough to survive and make the most of their lives.
Both women are strong - they each deal with what happened in their own way, but they do deal with it and help one another. The set up could have easily fallen into an angst driven melodrama, but the characters and the storyline didn't go for the easy route and focused on the healing rather than how broken the events could have left them.
The suspense factor worked so much better than I expected. The book is told in three POV's: Peyton's, Tory's and Bradley (the shooter). I normally hate when the killer gets a POV as it is usually cheesy and over the top, but whoever manged Bradley's POV did a fantastic job - inserting a certain level of menace and suspense and also giving a nice twist as he begins to obsess over the two women who managed to escape the shooting.
Overall - a really great romantic suspense that manages both parts of the equation perfectly. This is a book you won't be able to put down.
Definitely recommended.
lezreviewbooks's review
5.0
When Police officer Peyton Clarke and real estate agent Tory Stevens meet by chance at a bridal shop trying bridemaids' dresses, their attraction is instant but it's interrupted by a mass murderer attacking the shop customers. As the only survivals of the shooting, Tory and Peyton see their initial bond grow stronger. But with the attacker on the loose, taking their relationship for granted could be a fatal mistake.
Lately in lesfic we've seen a series of two authors joining forces to pen books together, we've even seen three authors writing as many books as part of a series. But, as far as I know, this is the first collaboration of three authors writing a single novel. As I normally read (and love) books by these three authors, for me it was a no-brainer to give it a try. I'm glad I did.
'Against all odds' is equal parts thriller and romance, the balance between action and love, fast and slow pace makes this novel a very entertaining read. The authors managed to weave the plot consistently and make it flow without issues. It is written in first person from the point of view of Tory, Peyton and mass shooter Bradley, each one a chapter at a time. However, this doesn't affect the flow as each scene is told by only one character and the book is always moving forward. My only criticism is that I found Bradley's voice very distinctive (for obvious reasons, him being the villain and the only man), but, Tory and Peyton's voices were not that easy to tell apart. They sounded pretty much the same to me and I found myself several times going to the start of the chapter to check the point of view.
Having said that, the romance part is very sweet, Tory and Peyton have great chemistry and the intimate scenes are well written. Bradley is also a very well rounded character and adds a great creepy factor to the thriller part of the story. Once the action scenes are set out, it's a page turner impossible to put down.
Overall, a very well written book by an unusual collaboration, it's entertaining, gripping and will appeal both romance and action fans. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
Lately in lesfic we've seen a series of two authors joining forces to pen books together, we've even seen three authors writing as many books as part of a series. But, as far as I know, this is the first collaboration of three authors writing a single novel. As I normally read (and love) books by these three authors, for me it was a no-brainer to give it a try. I'm glad I did.
'Against all odds' is equal parts thriller and romance, the balance between action and love, fast and slow pace makes this novel a very entertaining read. The authors managed to weave the plot consistently and make it flow without issues. It is written in first person from the point of view of Tory, Peyton and mass shooter Bradley, each one a chapter at a time. However, this doesn't affect the flow as each scene is told by only one character and the book is always moving forward. My only criticism is that I found Bradley's voice very distinctive (for obvious reasons, him being the villain and the only man), but, Tory and Peyton's voices were not that easy to tell apart. They sounded pretty much the same to me and I found myself several times going to the start of the chapter to check the point of view.
Having said that, the romance part is very sweet, Tory and Peyton have great chemistry and the intimate scenes are well written. Bradley is also a very well rounded character and adds a great creepy factor to the thriller part of the story. Once the action scenes are set out, it's a page turner impossible to put down.
Overall, a very well written book by an unusual collaboration, it's entertaining, gripping and will appeal both romance and action fans. 4.5 stars.
ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
More...