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trin's review
3.0
The one where Jules and Robin actually get together. They share the narrative (much more equally than in [book: Hot Target]) with a het couple, ex-cop-turned-private-eye Ric and his childhood friend/assistant Annie. Annie is incredibly awesome. She’s take-charge and kickass, but in a very realistic way—she’s not a martial arts expert or trained in espionage, but she’s willing to put herself out there, and she’s brave and clever. I really liked her. Ric’s not chopped liver himself, despite frequently needing a bit of a smack. Their reasons for not getting together were really lame, though. Lots of “It might mess up our friendship” and “I thought you were a lesbian!”-type crap. (See? Ric needs a smack again.) A character as awesome as Annie deserves a more exciting narrative!
As for the Robin and Jules storyline, I wasn’t madly in love with it, but its ultimate conclusion is total gold. (Spoiler: After they’ve all worked together to save the day, Robin says “fuck it” to staying in the closet to benefit his acting career and kisses Jules right in front of a bunch of news helicopters.)
So, a pretty good book in general: a bit slow, but with fewer headdesky moments than [book: Gone Too Far]. Now, where’s the book where Jules and Annie have wild madcap adventures together?
As for the Robin and Jules storyline, I wasn’t madly in love with it, but its ultimate conclusion is total gold. (Spoiler: After they’ve all worked together to save the day, Robin says “fuck it” to staying in the closet to benefit his acting career and kisses Jules right in front of a bunch of news helicopters.)
So, a pretty good book in general: a bit slow, but with fewer headdesky moments than [book: Gone Too Far]. Now, where’s the book where Jules and Annie have wild madcap adventures together?
mbedrosian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
seeinghowitgoes's review
5.0
Initial rating 4*, upped to 5* on 2nd re-read.
I haven't read this book for nearly 8 years, remembered almost none of the details and storyline but the one thing that always stood out clearly was the BLAZING HOT CHEMISTRY between Robin and Jules. As much as I wanted to go back and re-read their entire story arc, I wasn't sure I could put myself through all of the angst and instead jumped straight to the good parts.
Only in romance land could a terrorist plot intersect and somehow reunite an estranged FBI agent and his super hot in the closet Actor ex-something something. I'll continue to mourn the fact that these two didn't get their own novel, but it feeds in so well to this storyline that I'll accept it.
This also reminds me how much I've been missing out on a basic plot and storyline in my latest run of historical romance, as eyebrow raising as these plots can be they keep the pace moving at a thundering rate.
I haven't read this book for nearly 8 years, remembered almost none of the details and storyline but the one thing that always stood out clearly was the BLAZING HOT CHEMISTRY between Robin and Jules. As much as I wanted to go back and re-read their entire story arc, I wasn't sure I could put myself through all of the angst and instead jumped straight to the good parts.
Only in romance land could a terrorist plot intersect and somehow reunite an estranged FBI agent and his super hot in the closet Actor ex-something something. I'll continue to mourn the fact that these two didn't get their own novel, but it feeds in so well to this storyline that I'll accept it.
This also reminds me how much I've been missing out on a basic plot and storyline in my latest run of historical romance, as eyebrow raising as these plots can be they keep the pace moving at a thundering rate.
scoutmomskf's review
5.0
Loved this book. I read it in one sitting (2:30 pm until almost 3 am), which is not unusual for me when reading Brockmann's books. I have to keep turning the pages to see what happens next.
jazzrizz's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this one. Jules is one of my very favorite characters, and it was great to have this book revolve around him this time out.
Ric and Annie are great. Just another great installment in this series.
Ric and Annie are great. Just another great installment in this series.
magicalrocketships's review against another edition
5.0
Do love this book.
Update: this is my most read book on goodreads and I regret absolutely zero of my life choices as I finish this for the seventh time.
Update update: I still love this book, even if I do skip over most of Martell's dialogue, which hasn't aged as well as the rest of it.
Update: this is my most read book on goodreads and I regret absolutely zero of my life choices as I finish this for the seventh time.
Update update: I still love this book, even if I do skip over most of Martell's dialogue, which hasn't aged as well as the rest of it.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Force of Nature
4.5 Stars
P.I. Ric Alvarado is hired to locate a missing person, but the case takes a dangerous turn when his client tries to gun down the son of a local crime boss. Soon Ric and his assistant, Annie Dugan, find themselves in the middle of an FBI investigation when agent Jules Cassidy asks for their help in infiltrating the notorious mobster's compound. The situation is further complicated by the appearance of Robin Chadwick, Hollywood's latest heartthrob and Jules's former flame, on the scene. Ric, Annie, Jules, and Robin join forces but quickly learn that they will be risking more than their lives in attempting to stop a malicious killer.
Although connected to the Troubleshooters series, this installment focuses on four side characters rather than on the main group of SEALs and operatives. Nevertheless, the suspense plot is intense and exciting, especially the riveting events at the end, and the dual romantic pairings, Ric and Annie, and Jules and Robin, are engaging and keep the pages turning.
Ric and Annie are relatively unknown characters. Ric made a short-lived appearance in Gone Too Far and Annie is new to the series. Regardless, their friends-to-lovers romance is adorable as they fight their attraction (and each other). While they have incredible chemistry, there are moments where their bickering is overdone although not quite as bad as Sam and Alyssa's.
There is finally some closure to Robin and Jules's complex entanglement. Brockmann's portrayal of Robin's struggle with his sexual identity and his drinking problem is realistic and adds an edge both to his character and to his relationship with Jules. Readers who have been rooting for these two amazing men will not be disappointed in how their connection unfolds.
On a final note, Brockmann constantly refers to the passage of time between Robin and Jules' first meeting and the present as "a few years". However, it has only been two years since they first met and the implication of a longer duration is incongruous and confusing. This is a minor issue but had the effect of drawing me out of the story.
Overall, an entertaining installment and I look forward to the next one.
4.5 Stars
P.I. Ric Alvarado is hired to locate a missing person, but the case takes a dangerous turn when his client tries to gun down the son of a local crime boss. Soon Ric and his assistant, Annie Dugan, find themselves in the middle of an FBI investigation when agent Jules Cassidy asks for their help in infiltrating the notorious mobster's compound. The situation is further complicated by the appearance of Robin Chadwick, Hollywood's latest heartthrob and Jules's former flame, on the scene. Ric, Annie, Jules, and Robin join forces but quickly learn that they will be risking more than their lives in attempting to stop a malicious killer.
Although connected to the Troubleshooters series, this installment focuses on four side characters rather than on the main group of SEALs and operatives. Nevertheless, the suspense plot is intense and exciting, especially the riveting events at the end, and the dual romantic pairings, Ric and Annie, and Jules and Robin, are engaging and keep the pages turning.
Ric and Annie are relatively unknown characters. Ric made a short-lived appearance in Gone Too Far and Annie is new to the series. Regardless, their friends-to-lovers romance is adorable as they fight their attraction (and each other). While they have incredible chemistry, there are moments where their bickering is overdone although not quite as bad as Sam and Alyssa's.
There is finally some closure to Robin and Jules's complex entanglement. Brockmann's portrayal of Robin's struggle with his sexual identity and his drinking problem is realistic and adds an edge both to his character and to his relationship with Jules. Readers who have been rooting for these two amazing men will not be disappointed in how their connection unfolds.
On a final note, Brockmann constantly refers to the passage of time between Robin and Jules' first meeting and the present as "a few years". However, it has only been two years since they first met and the implication of a longer duration is incongruous and confusing. This is a minor issue but had the effect of drawing me out of the story.
Overall, an entertaining installment and I look forward to the next one.
olayac's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
2.0
Le voy a poner un 2/5 y no le doy menos gracias a Jules y Robin. Me molesta que no sean protagonistas absolutos del libro, sobre todo porque su historia es una de las más interesantes de la serie. La otra pareja no me ha entusiasmado en ningún momento, y la trama de suspense deja bastante que desear.
dja777's review
4.0
I don’t care a whit for the primary couple in this romance, but it’s completely worth reading for Jules and Robin’s HEA.