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collete1112's review
5.0
LOVED it!!! Elliott and Tony are amazing together. They made me laugh, cry, scream with rage and smile sometimes all at once. This book takes you on a whirlwind of emotions from the beginning to the end. Elliott and Tony's story is heartbreaking, soul searching and healing all at the same time. While reading this book, the world around me stopped, I was so engrossed in their story nothing mattered, but turning the next page.
Kennedy's books do this to me every time. I love how she spins words into stories that take you down a path filled with excitement, danger, angst and romance. I could go on and on, but I won't. Just read the book, you won't regret it.
Kennedy's books do this to me every time. I love how she spins words into stories that take you down a path filled with excitement, danger, angst and romance. I could go on and on, but I won't. Just read the book, you won't regret it.
mnhockeymomreads's review
5.0
This book is going down as one of my top reads of 2021. Yes, I loved it that much. When Kennedy Mitchells latest series Seals & CIA I knew it was going to be amazing, and I wasn’t wrong. We meet Elliot Smith on her mission in Columbia, and to say this woman is a badass is actually putting it lightly. She is seriously fierce, tough and so strong. Strong physically but also emotionally. As her mission is set to complete and the SEALS are coming in for backup it all goes sideways. Elliot is saved by a mystery SEAL. In comes SEAL leader Tony Hackenberg. He lost good men months back and is wallowing in his despair. When a mission comes around that could pull both Tony and Elliot from their darkness together we are sent on an intensely covert and steamy operation.
When I said that Elliot was a badass it wasn’t a joke. She loves weapons, and can blow things up and kill a man so many ways it makes my head spin. She is FEISTY. Seriously and so darn whitty. She comes across as fearless and has never allowed herself to think she will have an actual partner and love. Because of that she keeps pretty much everyone at arm's length and doesn’t grow attached.
Tony hasn’t had it easy. Divorced and stuck in his own head he drowns himself in the bottle until his friends pull him out of his funk. In my mind Tony embodies everything I envision a SEAL to be. He is tough, driven, fast moving, emotionally tough and stealthy. In his case it doesn't hurt that he is also very hot.
When the pair finally get together it is STEAMY. Holy cow. There isn’t a lot of on page action, so to speak but when it is my Kindle almost melted. And Tony is a total alphahole that takes charge in the best way possible. He sees Elliot for who she really is and supports her professionally and personally in the best way possible. And the nicknames, they were on point! There is a lot of witty and funny banter between all of the characters, too! If you love a mission heavy book with a lot of chemistry and amazing side characters then this is the book for you! I thoroughly enjoyed every single page of this book. I found myself really slowing down and savoring this book! Five star read for me all the way. I CANNOT recommend this book enough!
When I said that Elliot was a badass it wasn’t a joke. She loves weapons, and can blow things up and kill a man so many ways it makes my head spin. She is FEISTY. Seriously and so darn whitty. She comes across as fearless and has never allowed herself to think she will have an actual partner and love. Because of that she keeps pretty much everyone at arm's length and doesn’t grow attached.
Tony hasn’t had it easy. Divorced and stuck in his own head he drowns himself in the bottle until his friends pull him out of his funk. In my mind Tony embodies everything I envision a SEAL to be. He is tough, driven, fast moving, emotionally tough and stealthy. In his case it doesn't hurt that he is also very hot.
When the pair finally get together it is STEAMY. Holy cow. There isn’t a lot of on page action, so to speak but when it is my Kindle almost melted. And Tony is a total alphahole that takes charge in the best way possible. He sees Elliot for who she really is and supports her professionally and personally in the best way possible. And the nicknames, they were on point! There is a lot of witty and funny banter between all of the characters, too! If you love a mission heavy book with a lot of chemistry and amazing side characters then this is the book for you! I thoroughly enjoyed every single page of this book. I found myself really slowing down and savoring this book! Five star read for me all the way. I CANNOT recommend this book enough!
readwithrach's review
5.0
I loved Tony and Elliot. I wasn’t sure how I would like Tony after book one but he definitely redeemed himself. I was hooked from the prologue and couldn’t put this down! I definitely recommend it for romantic suspense fans.
theeditorreads's review against another edition
5.0
In Covert Vengeance, Navy SEAL Tony and CIA agent Elliot’s past and present collide in a fireball of passion and action.
Trigger Warning: Violence, Torture
Synopsis:
CIA Officer Elliot Smith is eagerly waiting for their operation in Colombia to get over; it’s been eighteen long months of it. But everything goes sideways as their identities are revealed to the arms dealer whose reign of terror they wanted to end. With her partner killed in action, and her captured, it’s Anthony Hackenbreg’s SEAL team that comes to her rescue, but that only leads to half of his men being killed. Will these two survive to find out the mole that led to the death of so many?
Review:
After reading so much about Tony in the last book, I was a bit apprehensive about reading his story. But it’s [a:Kennedy L. Mitchell|15505700|Kennedy L. Mitchell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1542508144p2/15505700.jpg] writing it, so I had to read it. Covert Vengeance starts with a prologue from Elliot’s point of view and it’s one action-packed prologue. And after reading about her and Kurt’s (her CIA partner) equation, I was totally invested in this story.
A bonus was having Gabe and Luce as a part of this, the protagonists from Covert Affair, and seeing their equation and camaraderie further evolve.
Maybe I’m crazy but I loved how the CIA women in this series all love their knives. Sigh! Self-defence over everything. Moreover, the way the title connects to the story is brilliant. And it’s bloody vengeance all the way.
What I didn’t expect at all was Tony’s arc to be the way it was, which was a revelation, especially after the last book. And I was sad too, about him losing some of the men in his platoon. That Gabe and Tony’s friendship is special was established in the first book and to see more of it was wonderful.
After the prologue, the story starts eight months after the shit went down. And it’s as much thrilling as it’s sad. Give me a heroine who can cross-stitch and fire a gun any day. Especially someone who speaks her mind as Elliot does.
As much as I enjoyed sweet as hell Gabe in the previous book, I enjoyed Tony more, with his challenging and as crazy as his counterpart attitude. And when starting this book, I never expected that I would say this!
While the ending is as surprising as it is badass, it has a terrific epilogue as well, with their naughty and hot selves on full display.
P.S. This book had a very important message, to always stay hydrated. Even in between deadly missions, and even in between reading breathtaking books.
P.P.S. Why do I have the sneaky suspicion that next up will be Tony and Gabe’s CO Williams’ story?
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
Trigger Warning: Violence, Torture
Synopsis:
CIA Officer Elliot Smith is eagerly waiting for their operation in Colombia to get over; it’s been eighteen long months of it. But everything goes sideways as their identities are revealed to the arms dealer whose reign of terror they wanted to end. With her partner killed in action, and her captured, it’s Anthony Hackenbreg’s SEAL team that comes to her rescue, but that only leads to half of his men being killed. Will these two survive to find out the mole that led to the death of so many?
Review:
After reading so much about Tony in the last book, I was a bit apprehensive about reading his story. But it’s [a:Kennedy L. Mitchell|15505700|Kennedy L. Mitchell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1542508144p2/15505700.jpg] writing it, so I had to read it. Covert Vengeance starts with a prologue from Elliot’s point of view and it’s one action-packed prologue. And after reading about her and Kurt’s (her CIA partner) equation, I was totally invested in this story.
A bonus was having Gabe and Luce as a part of this, the protagonists from Covert Affair, and seeing their equation and camaraderie further evolve.
Maybe I’m crazy but I loved how the CIA women in this series all love their knives. Sigh! Self-defence over everything. Moreover, the way the title connects to the story is brilliant. And it’s bloody vengeance all the way.
What I didn’t expect at all was Tony’s arc to be the way it was, which was a revelation, especially after the last book. And I was sad too, about him losing some of the men in his platoon. That Gabe and Tony’s friendship is special was established in the first book and to see more of it was wonderful.
Never let your guard down. Always stay vigilant. That’s how you come home in one piece. And now more than ever, I have a reason to come home.
After the prologue, the story starts eight months after the shit went down. And it’s as much thrilling as it’s sad. Give me a heroine who can cross-stitch and fire a gun any day. Especially someone who speaks her mind as Elliot does.
As much as I enjoyed sweet as hell Gabe in the previous book, I enjoyed Tony more, with his challenging and as crazy as his counterpart attitude. And when starting this book, I never expected that I would say this!
So maybe this is love. An explosive, edgy, bloodthirsty type of love.
While the ending is as surprising as it is badass, it has a terrific epilogue as well, with their naughty and hot selves on full display.
P.S. This book had a very important message, to always stay hydrated. Even in between deadly missions, and even in between reading breathtaking books.
P.P.S. Why do I have the sneaky suspicion that next up will be Tony and Gabe’s CO Williams’ story?
Originally posted on:
Shaina's Musings
lyndsaydurbs's review
5.0
I absolutely LOVED Elliot and Tony’s story which really surprised me. I didn’t like Tony much in the first book and was kinda let down in the first book as well compared to a lot of Mitchell’s other stories I’ve read.
Even though Elliot feels like a crazy character to love, I super enjoyed her. And Tony definitely had some major growth just in the time between book 1’s ending and book 2’s prologue.
Also the CIA is portrayed like absolute monsters in this one which kinda surprised me which is how Mitchell usually portrays various government agencies in her books
Even though Elliot feels like a crazy character to love, I super enjoyed her. And Tony definitely had some major growth just in the time between book 1’s ending and book 2’s prologue.
Also the CIA is portrayed like absolute monsters in this one which kinda surprised me which is how Mitchell usually portrays various government agencies in her books
trish_beautifulchaosreviews's review
5.0
Oh, Kennedy L Mitchell has got the alpha male down, no doubt. But holy moly, she just nailed the alpha female with perfection. Elliot is so fantastic; you just want to cheer for her every time she speaks, especially when she's talking about playing with explosives. Tony is the perfect foil for her over-the-top antics, and he's the one that can out-alpha her. The author filled the story with suspense, characters from previous books with meaty roles in this book (which I loved), new characters (McLovin--book please), and bad guys that kept you turning pages. This book is a fun ride from page one with memorable characters, steam, and a heckuva excellent love story. I need more Kennedy L Mitchell books, please!
jennyreads_2022's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I thought Covert Affair was intense, but it was nowhere near as intense as this book. The action started from the prologue and it never stopped. This book was full of action and adventure with just enough emotion and humor to keep me from biting my nails off.
Tony was a completely different character in this book. Gone was the selfish SEAL who cheated on his wife. He really struggled with the failed mission that he lost men on and left him scarred. The quest for vengeance brought him back, but he had a lot of insecurities about his back and had lost his one night stand mentality in his healing process.
Elliott might be my favorite female character I’ve ever read. She was a force. She was crazy, but also vulnerable. She and Tony bonded over their need for vengeance even though Elliott wasn’t aware that their scars stemmed from the same failed mission. I found Elliott to be hilarious. She had a way of making even the most tense situation fun and the banter between Elliott and Tony was amazing.
The one thing I learned from this book is that I have no desire to be in the CIA. The agency was terrible to Elliott and I loved the way Tony took care of her when she was at her most vulnerable. The whole second mission to Colombia was intense, but I loved the dynamic between Tony, Elliott, and McLovin.
This was a great book with twists and turns and plenty of action.
onceupon_a_bookdream's review
5.0
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
Covert Vengeance is the second book in the SEALS and CIA series by Kennedy L Mitchell. This can without a doubt be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but there are cross over characters from book 1.
A mission gone wrong greatly impacted the lives of Navy SEAL Tony Hackenbreg and CIA agent Elliot Smith. It also gave these two strangers a common enemy. Being forced to partner together is the last thing either of them want, but it's what they both need. Falling for each other would be a liability and a weakness, but you can't control emotions. When their mission goes array, will they both come out survivors once again.
I know my recap of the book was vague, but if you want more, scroll on up and read the synopsis because I didn't want to accidentally give any spoilers. Covert Vengeance is action packed from start to finish. There are life or death situations, both leads pushing their bodied and minds to the limits, sexual tension, and explosive chemistry.
Tony and Elliot are both extremely complex characters, with layers upon layers. If you read the first book you might not have been a fan of Tony, like myself, but he just completely stole my heart in this one, which I never could have expected. The mission that starts off the book completely changes Tony as a person. He is nothing like the characters who I couldn't stand in the first book. He is drowning in grief and feels like a failure. That on top of the reasons for why he used to be a cheating man whore just crushes you with emotions. I really appreciated that his character started his personal journey of growth and change before his relationship with Elliot even begins. Instead, she helps him come to terms with his grief and helps him heal.
"If there's a life without you in it, I don't want it."
Now onto Elliot, holy moly where to begin with her. She is such a wildcard in the best way possible. More than a bit crazy, fierce, sharp tongued, bad a** who likes to cross stitch in her downtime, and I totally had a girl crush on her from the start. She didn't need saving, she needed an equal who she could let her guard down around. Tony gave her that and more, knowing he trusted she could handle herself but that he would step in in a heartbeat. They had each other's back even before their feelings got involved. Elliot also had as much childhood trauma in her past as Tony did. Even though it made her into the strong woman she is, it was still heartbreaking to read.
"You're the counterpart to my crazy, and I don't ...I don't know what t do with that. I'm f*cking lost in you, and I'm not sure I ever want to be found."
Hot Damn
Covert Vengeance is the second book in the SEALS and CIA series by Kennedy L Mitchell. This can without a doubt be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but there are cross over characters from book 1.
A mission gone wrong greatly impacted the lives of Navy SEAL Tony Hackenbreg and CIA agent Elliot Smith. It also gave these two strangers a common enemy. Being forced to partner together is the last thing either of them want, but it's what they both need. Falling for each other would be a liability and a weakness, but you can't control emotions. When their mission goes array, will they both come out survivors once again.
I know my recap of the book was vague, but if you want more, scroll on up and read the synopsis because I didn't want to accidentally give any spoilers. Covert Vengeance is action packed from start to finish. There are life or death situations, both leads pushing their bodied and minds to the limits, sexual tension, and explosive chemistry.
Tony and Elliot are both extremely complex characters, with layers upon layers. If you read the first book you might not have been a fan of Tony, like myself, but he just completely stole my heart in this one, which I never could have expected. The mission that starts off the book completely changes Tony as a person. He is nothing like the characters who I couldn't stand in the first book. He is drowning in grief and feels like a failure. That on top of the reasons for why he used to be a cheating man whore just crushes you with emotions. I really appreciated that his character started his personal journey of growth and change before his relationship with Elliot even begins. Instead, she helps him come to terms with his grief and helps him heal.
"If there's a life without you in it, I don't want it."
Now onto Elliot, holy moly where to begin with her. She is such a wildcard in the best way possible. More than a bit crazy, fierce, sharp tongued, bad a** who likes to cross stitch in her downtime, and I totally had a girl crush on her from the start. She didn't need saving, she needed an equal who she could let her guard down around. Tony gave her that and more, knowing he trusted she could handle herself but that he would step in in a heartbeat. They had each other's back even before their feelings got involved. Elliot also had as much childhood trauma in her past as Tony did. Even though it made her into the strong woman she is, it was still heartbreaking to read.
"You're the counterpart to my crazy, and I don't ...I don't know what t do with that. I'm f*cking lost in you, and I'm not sure I ever want to be found."
Hot Damn
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