prgchrqltma's review
4.0
Characters: spy/assassin, mercenary company leader
World Building: weapons
Plot: find and neutralize villain from previous book, enemies to lovers
Sex: Medium
Read another: Always
World Building: weapons
Plot: find and neutralize villain from previous book, enemies to lovers
Sex: Medium
Read another: Always
poisonivy70's review
4.0
In the second book in the Blood Money series, Tobias Faraday has been haunted by his sister Beth’s torture, and determined to avenge his sister as well as show the world you don’t mess with the Faradays, not on his watch. To do this, he must infiltrate the heart of the Polnoch’ Pulya. And to do that, he needs the help of a double agent named Chandler MacAllister. Chandler’s done some horrible, horrible things in the name of God and country, or more importantly, to protect her twin sister Pippa. If she goes back to Russia, it could very well be her last mission. But she has no choice. Tobias and Chandler must work together...after they go to Pippa’s wedding in the English countryside. And you know what happens when they do that? Romance, that’s what.
The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
-Excellent suspense series: I was very impressed with Blamed, the first book in this series, and I would say its prologue is one of the best I’ve ever read. Truly gripping, with so many unanswered questions that I felt compelled to keep reading, it was a fantastic thrill ride and I absolutely adored the heroine, Beth Faraday. Ms. Harris has a talent for setting up an interesting spy story and her prologue here worked well. Ripped has its own tempo, and the characters are different, which I do appreciate because so often these stories can fall into their own formula and blend together. There is no danger of that here - Toby and Chandler stand on their own.
-Tobias is a great stuffed shirt type of hero: I love when a hero starts off as the proper, bespoked kind of man, portraying himself to the world one way, but when you dig a little deeper, you really see the protective, loving man they can be. Tobias, or as Chandler calls him to his great consternation, Toby, is just such a man. My impression of Tobias from the first book was very ruthless. Had I not read the first book, I probably would have wondered more at his reputation, but I loved little moments such as when he took notes on how to be a boyfriend. If my love for the romance could be based on one character alone, it would be for him. However, it takes two to tango, and in this instance….
-Chandler’s a prickly sort of heroine: My main concern going into this story was always how I would feel about Chandler. **SPOILER ALERT** She has her hands in the events of the first book, especially what happens to that heroine, Beth, so yes I’ll admit, Chandler had to work a little harder than most heroines to get in my good books. I felt that Ms. Harris really takes the time and explains the choices Chandler made, and the things she’s had to do to survive make her a strong heroine in her own right were all good, on paper. I appreciated her...but I’m not sure I liked her, or was really invested in her relationship with Tobias. I’ll admit, I definitely never connected with her the way I did with Beth.
-I wanted more tension: I had a certain expectation based on my reaction to Blamed, which took you on a roller coaster ride from the very first page. Beth’s life being in danger by person or persons unknown gave it a sense of urgency that wasn’t present in the first half of this book. And yes, I loved Beth and Vick in a way I don’t love Tobias and Chandler. Perhaps it was because I wanted to be in the thick of it in Russia that the slower pace in Wolverhampton made me a bit antsy. I found it a bit too easy to put this book down when all I really wanted was to be swept up in the thick of it. About halfway through, the action really steps up, but I would have liked more of that feeling to ratchet things up a notch.
The Bottom Line (3.5 stars)
I enjoyed it. I think this series has so much going for it, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of the Faradays and their loves navigate their spy games.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
The Good, The Bad and Everything In Between
-Excellent suspense series: I was very impressed with Blamed, the first book in this series, and I would say its prologue is one of the best I’ve ever read. Truly gripping, with so many unanswered questions that I felt compelled to keep reading, it was a fantastic thrill ride and I absolutely adored the heroine, Beth Faraday. Ms. Harris has a talent for setting up an interesting spy story and her prologue here worked well. Ripped has its own tempo, and the characters are different, which I do appreciate because so often these stories can fall into their own formula and blend together. There is no danger of that here - Toby and Chandler stand on their own.
-Tobias is a great stuffed shirt type of hero: I love when a hero starts off as the proper, bespoked kind of man, portraying himself to the world one way, but when you dig a little deeper, you really see the protective, loving man they can be. Tobias, or as Chandler calls him to his great consternation, Toby, is just such a man. My impression of Tobias from the first book was very ruthless. Had I not read the first book, I probably would have wondered more at his reputation, but I loved little moments such as when he took notes on how to be a boyfriend. If my love for the romance could be based on one character alone, it would be for him. However, it takes two to tango, and in this instance….
-Chandler’s a prickly sort of heroine: My main concern going into this story was always how I would feel about Chandler. **SPOILER ALERT** She has her hands in the events of the first book, especially what happens to that heroine, Beth, so yes I’ll admit, Chandler had to work a little harder than most heroines to get in my good books. I felt that Ms. Harris really takes the time and explains the choices Chandler made, and the things she’s had to do to survive make her a strong heroine in her own right were all good, on paper. I appreciated her...but I’m not sure I liked her, or was really invested in her relationship with Tobias. I’ll admit, I definitely never connected with her the way I did with Beth.
-I wanted more tension: I had a certain expectation based on my reaction to Blamed, which took you on a roller coaster ride from the very first page. Beth’s life being in danger by person or persons unknown gave it a sense of urgency that wasn’t present in the first half of this book. And yes, I loved Beth and Vick in a way I don’t love Tobias and Chandler. Perhaps it was because I wanted to be in the thick of it in Russia that the slower pace in Wolverhampton made me a bit antsy. I found it a bit too easy to put this book down when all I really wanted was to be swept up in the thick of it. About halfway through, the action really steps up, but I would have liked more of that feeling to ratchet things up a notch.
The Bottom Line (3.5 stars)
I enjoyed it. I think this series has so much going for it, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of the Faradays and their loves navigate their spy games.
**ARC provided by publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
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