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pannapark's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
texmom22's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
t8r's review against another edition
1.0
This book is a weakly plotted sex/romance novel. I felt like I was reading a second rate paperback geared toward middle-aged women looking for a good fantasy. It is neither tasteful nor worth reading.
williamz4lyf's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fair read. The suspense was okay, I'm not sure I necessarily liked the characters, but it was still an enjoyable read, and I'm biased toward any Sandra Brown book.
paulabrandon's review against another edition
1.0
The only way to review this book is to discuss how unbelievably fucking stupid it is, which could include spoilers!
Emory Charbonneau decides to prepare for an upcoming run by choosing THE MOST deserted place she can possibly find. Next thing she knows, she's in a cabin with a wound on her head, and a mysterious stranger tending to her. He won't reveal his name, and he won't let her leave. He has his reasons, and half the book is Emory's attraction/intimidation in regards to him. As other reviewers have pointed out, there's definitely an element of rape fantasy here, and it's gross, especially considering HE HAS NO REASON TO BE SO MYSTERIOUS.
I'm just going to get right to the point! It's intimated throughout most of the book that this man - Hayes Bannock (there is no real reason why his name can't be provided to the reader) - was involved in a mass shooting that killed eight people and that is why he is in hiding with an FBI agent after him, and his sister also in hiding so she can't be forced to give him up. As it turns out, Hayes was an FBI agent and he shot dead the shooter. He couldn't stand everybody thinking of him as a legend and hero for killing another person, so totally went off the grid. Apparently this abhorrent admiration from strangers was so awful that he couldn't speak to anyone EVER lest they know about his act. Heck, even his sister had to go into hiding. That makes sense! And that FBI agent? He's just spent four years tracking Hayes down because "Aw shucks, Hayes is a good guy!"
1. Wouldn't being an FBI agent involve the possibility of shooting bad guys? Just a teensy bit? Did Hayes wonder into the FBI academy by chance, blind and blissfully naive? Has Hayes being living under a fucking rock?
2. Hayes has spent the last several years exacting revenge on the people who bullied the teenager who shot dead seven people. YOU'RE ASKING ME TO FEEL SORRY FOR A MASS MURDERER??? Bullying is awful, with dreadful consequences, but I have zero sympathy for somebody who chooses to deal with it by shooting dead seven innocent people.
3. Why would an FBI agent who shot dead a killer/terrorist/bad guy be some sort of celebrity? These dregs of society are either arrested or killed every day and we never learn the details of who delivered the kill shot. In fact, I'm pretty sure there are regulations in place that prevent these details getting out. Hayes is just a stupid martyr. If he doesn't like the fact he might have to kill people as part of his job, HE SHOULDN'T HAVE APPLIED FOR THAT FUCKING JOB!
4. Hayes has little qualms about violently injuring people, though. The place he's keeping Emory is next door to a couple of hillbillys who bullied that mass murderer, and who have raped their younger sister repeatedly. He plans to get revenge. It's mostly there to pad out the stupid, thin storyline.
5. Why does shunning publicity have to involve going COMPLETELY off the grid? You're not fucking Tom Cruise, Hayes. Get over yourself! I'm fairly certain most people couldn't give two shits that you shot someone dead as part of your job.
6. Are FBI agents allowed to simply use up company time and dollars to track down a colleague who couldn't handle the requirements of the job?
7. Hayes's sister never thought to tell him he was being a bit melodramatic? In fact, she felt it was best to go into hiding too? The only person looking for Hayes was the FBI agent, as far as I can tell.
Good grief, there was just so much stupid in this book!
Then we have Emory's husband Jeff, who is very emasculated by her. He's so odious you wonder why the supposedly smart Emory married him in the first place. Then again, we're always told Emory is smart and together, but never shown. I'm fairly certain most smart people don't go running in isolated areas and don't tell anybody where they can be found if they don't return. Jeff is having an affair with Emory's close friend, Alice Butler. A later chapter has Jeff furious that Emory is still alive, because she was supposed to be dead. This is conveniently forgotten when it turns out Alice is actually the killer. She wanted Jeff for herself, and hates that Emory and Jeff got together when Alice introduced them. Except, during her hilariously ridiculous killer's monologue, she says she wants to frame Jeff for Emory's death. So - what does she want? Emory out of the way? Or Jeff to herself? I don't think the author even knows.
I can't believe, after 75 books this year (this is number 75!) I can still find a book stupider and more idiotic than the last 1 star stinker I read. Does Sandra Brown even live on planet Earth? None of her characters actions or decisions make a lick of sense! I think she needs to step out of the 1980s, and learn that intimidating men who keep women prisoner over the flimsiest of reasons are not sexy, and that women can have healthy friendships that aren't ruined by them both wanting the same man, especially not to the degree that murder would become involved.
I actually get angry and sad when I think that people like Sandra Brown get paid good money to release this sort of hackneyed, offensively stupid rubbish! I really hated it!
Emory Charbonneau decides to prepare for an upcoming run by choosing THE MOST deserted place she can possibly find. Next thing she knows, she's in a cabin with a wound on her head, and a mysterious stranger tending to her. He won't reveal his name, and he won't let her leave. He has his reasons, and half the book is Emory's attraction/intimidation in regards to him. As other reviewers have pointed out, there's definitely an element of rape fantasy here, and it's gross, especially considering HE HAS NO REASON TO BE SO MYSTERIOUS.
I'm just going to get right to the point! It's intimated throughout most of the book that this man - Hayes Bannock (there is no real reason why his name can't be provided to the reader) - was involved in a mass shooting that killed eight people and that is why he is in hiding with an FBI agent after him, and his sister also in hiding so she can't be forced to give him up. As it turns out, Hayes was an FBI agent and he shot dead the shooter. He couldn't stand everybody thinking of him as a legend and hero for killing another person, so totally went off the grid. Apparently this abhorrent admiration from strangers was so awful that he couldn't speak to anyone EVER lest they know about his act. Heck, even his sister had to go into hiding. That makes sense! And that FBI agent? He's just spent four years tracking Hayes down because "Aw shucks, Hayes is a good guy!"
1. Wouldn't being an FBI agent involve the possibility of shooting bad guys? Just a teensy bit? Did Hayes wonder into the FBI academy by chance, blind and blissfully naive? Has Hayes being living under a fucking rock?
2. Hayes has spent the last several years exacting revenge on the people who bullied the teenager who shot dead seven people. YOU'RE ASKING ME TO FEEL SORRY FOR A MASS MURDERER??? Bullying is awful, with dreadful consequences, but I have zero sympathy for somebody who chooses to deal with it by shooting dead seven innocent people.
3. Why would an FBI agent who shot dead a killer/terrorist/bad guy be some sort of celebrity? These dregs of society are either arrested or killed every day and we never learn the details of who delivered the kill shot. In fact, I'm pretty sure there are regulations in place that prevent these details getting out. Hayes is just a stupid martyr. If he doesn't like the fact he might have to kill people as part of his job, HE SHOULDN'T HAVE APPLIED FOR THAT FUCKING JOB!
4. Hayes has little qualms about violently injuring people, though. The place he's keeping Emory is next door to a couple of hillbillys who bullied that mass murderer, and who have raped their younger sister repeatedly. He plans to get revenge. It's mostly there to pad out the stupid, thin storyline.
5. Why does shunning publicity have to involve going COMPLETELY off the grid? You're not fucking Tom Cruise, Hayes. Get over yourself! I'm fairly certain most people couldn't give two shits that you shot someone dead as part of your job.
6. Are FBI agents allowed to simply use up company time and dollars to track down a colleague who couldn't handle the requirements of the job?
7. Hayes's sister never thought to tell him he was being a bit melodramatic? In fact, she felt it was best to go into hiding too? The only person looking for Hayes was the FBI agent, as far as I can tell.
Good grief, there was just so much stupid in this book!
Then we have Emory's husband Jeff, who is very emasculated by her. He's so odious you wonder why the supposedly smart Emory married him in the first place. Then again, we're always told Emory is smart and together, but never shown. I'm fairly certain most smart people don't go running in isolated areas and don't tell anybody where they can be found if they don't return. Jeff is having an affair with Emory's close friend, Alice Butler. A later chapter has Jeff furious that Emory is still alive, because she was supposed to be dead. This is conveniently forgotten when it turns out Alice is actually the killer. She wanted Jeff for herself, and hates that Emory and Jeff got together when Alice introduced them. Except, during her hilariously ridiculous killer's monologue, she says she wants to frame Jeff for Emory's death. So - what does she want? Emory out of the way? Or Jeff to herself? I don't think the author even knows.
I can't believe, after 75 books this year (this is number 75!) I can still find a book stupider and more idiotic than the last 1 star stinker I read. Does Sandra Brown even live on planet Earth? None of her characters actions or decisions make a lick of sense! I think she needs to step out of the 1980s, and learn that intimidating men who keep women prisoner over the flimsiest of reasons are not sexy, and that women can have healthy friendships that aren't ruined by them both wanting the same man, especially not to the degree that murder would become involved.
I actually get angry and sad when I think that people like Sandra Brown get paid good money to release this sort of hackneyed, offensively stupid rubbish! I really hated it!
txin211's review against another edition
4.0
I think I can probably put Sandra's books in my "guilty pleasure" shelf. Haha... It's kind of satisfying to read. Very fast paced and vivid characters.
The -1 star came from the occasional cringy bits, feels like I'm watching cliche drama scenes that supposed to be romantic or serious, but crack me up instead. And there's absolutely no buildup for the killer revealing sequence. Really? Is this it?
The -1 star came from the occasional cringy bits, feels like I'm watching cliche drama scenes that supposed to be romantic or serious, but crack me up instead. And there's absolutely no buildup for the killer revealing sequence. Really? Is this it?
ave_alexandra's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mols33's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
makaylalove's review against another edition
3.0
i don’t appreciate sympathy for mass shooters regardless of what they went through beforehand..
heidibetts's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Incredible author. Keeps you guessing, keeps surprising you--great story and writing!