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nicolerko's review against another edition
4.0
If you want a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat with suspense, but also brings the heart then give this one a go. The story about the stolen books had me hooked, but at the same time the romance of Damian and Kerry had my heart. Damian is just yummy. He's this alpha FBI agent, but when it comes to Kerry we see his caring side. He is definitely swoon worthy materiel. I really liked Kerry. She's not a delicate flower. She has backbone and inner strength in spades. There was one part in this book that was a make it or break it for me. I was gobbling up the pages to see how it would turn out. I shouldn't have worried because though it was horrible experience for the character I was okay with the outcome. I would highly recommend this one! I'm looking forward to more from this series.
mindylou's review against another edition
5.0
2nd Read: Audiobook version. I loved the narrators. Both are favorites of mine and I actually enjoyed this book even more the second time around due to how they brought this book to life. I highly recommend the audiobook.
1st Read: Kerry is a no-nonsense and independent woman. She's 2 years fresh off a bad marriage and has learned that she can only depend on herself. She's got a bit of a chip on her shoulders when her and Damian meet again 2 years later but some of the was due to their previous encounter.
Damian is a bit of a player. His job is more important than a relationship but it's not in your face in this book. He meets up with Kerry and while it is rocky at first, he's recognizes something special in her.
These two met 2 years prior when Damian is one of the agents that rescued Kerry from a kidnapping. While he recognized his attraction at the time, she was married and off limits. This has him focusing more on his job than her as a victim. When he walks into her book store 2 years later, Kerry is a little less inviting in her greeting due to that experience.
As you can see, this meant for a rocky beginning for this main couple. What I liked was that it was enough to be believable but not over the top to make it annoying. I enjoy reading about older couples, 40's in this case, due to more mature issues in a storyline and not unnecessary drama.
The new case that has these two reconnecting was interesting and made for an easy read. I also liked the addition of Damian's family. They brought entertainment to this couples lives as Kerry is once again in danger. Overall, a really good read.
1st Read: Kerry is a no-nonsense and independent woman. She's 2 years fresh off a bad marriage and has learned that she can only depend on herself. She's got a bit of a chip on her shoulders when her and Damian meet again 2 years later but some of the was due to their previous encounter.
Damian is a bit of a player. His job is more important than a relationship but it's not in your face in this book. He meets up with Kerry and while it is rocky at first, he's recognizes something special in her.
These two met 2 years prior when Damian is one of the agents that rescued Kerry from a kidnapping. While he recognized his attraction at the time, she was married and off limits. This has him focusing more on his job than her as a victim. When he walks into her book store 2 years later, Kerry is a little less inviting in her greeting due to that experience.
As you can see, this meant for a rocky beginning for this main couple. What I liked was that it was enough to be believable but not over the top to make it annoying. I enjoy reading about older couples, 40's in this case, due to more mature issues in a storyline and not unnecessary drama.
The new case that has these two reconnecting was interesting and made for an easy read. I also liked the addition of Damian's family. They brought entertainment to this couples lives as Kerry is once again in danger. Overall, a really good read.
meopushkin's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
New to me author and just picked up to read/listen as it was narrated by Christian Fox who is one of my favourite narrators.
It was refreshing to read about romance between 40 something olds who don't talk about how old they are, feel comfortable about their age/appearances and still have some great sex. Also loved the small town working/middle class settings instead of billionaires/CEOs/mafias etc. Relatable and mature but not "old" romance and I appreciated it greatly.
The suspense part was also good. It's definitely a more romance heavy book so don't expect a complicated twist and turns but it was entertaining enough.
The only downside was the female narrator who has a weird inclanation on dragging the last word in every sentences. I had to speed up everytime she narrated as it started to be really irritating.
It was refreshing to read about romance between 40 something olds who don't talk about how old they are, feel comfortable about their age/appearances and still have some great sex. Also loved the small town working/middle class settings instead of billionaires/CEOs/mafias etc. Relatable and mature but not "old" romance and I appreciated it greatly.
The suspense part was also good. It's definitely a more romance heavy book so don't expect a complicated twist and turns but it was entertaining enough.
The only downside was the female narrator who has a weird inclanation on dragging the last word in every sentences. I had to speed up everytime she narrated as it started to be really irritating.
goliathfrog's review against another edition
3.0
WHAT’S IN THE BOX!? WHAT’S IN THE BOX?!
-1 point for everyone being so stupid. I liked the characters and liked the story except for the fact that they never asked the right questions and constantly overlooked or left out pertinent information. This was obviously done to keep the plot going, but I don’t like that for suspense books. It’s just not believable to me that the FBI would never even ask if she has encountered any suspicious characters around her book store or that she didn’t think the fricken weirdo talking about her rare books 2 days before her store is broken into could possibly be a suspect.
Too much obvious and not enough sleuthing. I like the romance though, it was cute.
-1 point for everyone being so stupid. I liked the characters and liked the story except for the fact that they never asked the right questions and constantly overlooked or left out pertinent information. This was obviously done to keep the plot going, but I don’t like that for suspense books. It’s just not believable to me that the FBI would never even ask if she has encountered any suspicious characters around her book store or that she didn’t think the fricken weirdo talking about her rare books 2 days before her store is broken into could possibly be a suspect.
Too much obvious and not enough sleuthing. I like the romance though, it was cute.
fresholivebread's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
An FBI agent and a book shop owner he once rescued become entangled in his book theft case. Kerry is stubborn, pragmatic and a little edgy; Damian is the confident, flirty good guy. Kerry comes off as abrasive at start, wary of Damian but he's quickly enamored, finally acting upon his initial attraction. I liked Damian, but Kerry is a mix bag - I admire her strength but she's too snippy sometimes, and reacts too quickly.
There's little hesitation from Damian as he goes all out to win Kerry once he realises she's someone he wants to keep. It's nice watching Kerry's walls fall with Damian's persistence and care, and their romance is quite sweet. I also loved the portrayal of older characters (both in 40s) with great sex lives. The suspense has good action, and Damian gets to show off his alpha protectiveness. The rowdy side cast is fun, too.
There's little hesitation from Damian as he goes all out to win Kerry once he realises she's someone he wants to keep. It's nice watching Kerry's walls fall with Damian's persistence and care, and their romance is quite sweet. I also loved the portrayal of older characters (both in 40s) with great sex lives. The suspense has good action, and Damian gets to show off his alpha protectiveness. The rowdy side cast is fun, too.
jksh5678's review against another edition
4.0
Even though this is only the 2nd book by Freya Barker I have read, I already know how much I like her writing style. I am a huge fan of the small town setting with a hot law enforcement officer, a sassy heroine with an interesting plot and this one had all that.
The story definitely started off with a bang. I had a feeling that there was a back story and this was a continuation of another series but it did not confuse me at all. This story definitely kept me interested throughout.
FBI Special Agent Damian Gomez was a great hero of this book. He was the agent who rescues Kerry two years prior, unfortunately he did not leave a positive impression and this sort of carries into the present. When he first sees Kerry, even bruised and bloody, he felt a connection with her but unfortunately the wedding ring on her finger deters him from acting on his attraction. Fast forward two years, he is given another chance when he happens to pop in for coffee and lo and behold there she is behind the counter. At first he tries to ignore his feelings toward Kerry, but this all changes when her life is put in danger.
Kerry Emerson is a sassy, strong and business savvy heroine of this story. She is a successful bookshop owner who dabbles in buying and selling rare books. She has moved on from a failed marriage and happy with the life she has now, even though she does feel lonely. As much as I loved how independent Kerry was, I wasn’t too fond of how she reacted to Damian in the beginning. I totally understand she had a horrible marriage and she did not want to go back to that, but her attitude was just too much. She was rude and a bit snippy with him and so stubborn but eventually she did warm up to him and saw the great guy he was.
The suspense plot was pretty interesting. Kerry becomes involved in a criminal investigation related to stolen rare books. Her bookstore is broken into and her life was put in danger in a couple of instances. Damian’s protective instinct is kicked into high gear. The storyline keeps you guessing throughout book on who the “baddie “ is, what is in that missing box and how these two headstrong characters will reach their HEA.
All in all, this was a great read, I am looking forward to reading more from Freya Barker.
The story definitely started off with a bang. I had a feeling that there was a back story and this was a continuation of another series but it did not confuse me at all. This story definitely kept me interested throughout.
FBI Special Agent Damian Gomez was a great hero of this book. He was the agent who rescues Kerry two years prior, unfortunately he did not leave a positive impression and this sort of carries into the present. When he first sees Kerry, even bruised and bloody, he felt a connection with her but unfortunately the wedding ring on her finger deters him from acting on his attraction. Fast forward two years, he is given another chance when he happens to pop in for coffee and lo and behold there she is behind the counter. At first he tries to ignore his feelings toward Kerry, but this all changes when her life is put in danger.
Kerry Emerson is a sassy, strong and business savvy heroine of this story. She is a successful bookshop owner who dabbles in buying and selling rare books. She has moved on from a failed marriage and happy with the life she has now, even though she does feel lonely. As much as I loved how independent Kerry was, I wasn’t too fond of how she reacted to Damian in the beginning. I totally understand she had a horrible marriage and she did not want to go back to that, but her attitude was just too much. She was rude and a bit snippy with him and so stubborn but eventually she did warm up to him and saw the great guy he was.
The suspense plot was pretty interesting. Kerry becomes involved in a criminal investigation related to stolen rare books. Her bookstore is broken into and her life was put in danger in a couple of instances. Damian’s protective instinct is kicked into high gear. The storyline keeps you guessing throughout book on who the “baddie “ is, what is in that missing box and how these two headstrong characters will reach their HEA.
All in all, this was a great read, I am looking forward to reading more from Freya Barker.
devilbunny6's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
chandari's review against another edition
5.0
We get to start off this series meeting Kerry. Who is she? What does she do for a living? Where is she going? What happens as she gets ready to board the plane? Who is Damian? What does he do for a living? Where is he at? What kind of business does Kerry get into after divorcing her husband? Things get mighty interesting when she runs into Damian again 2 years after she first met him. What is going on now? I really liked Bella, Damian's younger sister that moves to town. I could not stop smiling when his mother and other sisters showed up! I was shocked to find out who was actually behind what was going on in the area. Enjoy the read! I am not going to give anything away!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.