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thewordslinger's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.5
This book needed to be longer. Needed to be more involved than it was.
Don't get me wrong, we get enough to understand what's happening--but I wanted more, plot-wise. More about Addy (Abby)'s past. More about her father. More about how she's been running and who exactly is after her and why. There's talk of a mysterious "They" throughout the book but other than vague references to foreign intelligence (possibly the KGB), we don't really learn who it is.
I also wanted more about Crew's profession, what he's done, where he's been, who he is. We know that he's "a killer". But I kind of wanted to see him in action in this, and we get almost none of that.
We get snippets here and there of vital information, a conversation where he tells Addy in the briefest terms what he did before he retired. But it doesn't feel like nearly enough. It <i>almost</i> feels like this is a spinoff of some other series where the details were already given and we're supposed to already know all the nitty-gritty about peoples' pasts and jobs and the organizations they work/worked for etc. I don't think that's the case though--I think this is just the way this author writes.
Something else: the timeline in this book is whack. But the characters acknowledge it, so I guess I can't complain too much. They're not oblivious to the fact that it's absolutely insane that it's only been a week and he's already sleeping over at her house. If you can forget that they've known each other a handful of HOURS before he's calling her baby and getting her naked, then maybe this won't be such a big deal for you. There are mentions of time-skips. Saying that weeks or months have passed later in the book. But the initial hook-up is INSTANT and kind of baseless?
I dunno. It didn't bother me as much as this sort of thing has in other books. Probably because I was actually engaged in the story.
If you're into reading about dangerous alpha men and their strong-willed women and enjoy a good secret-agent/CIA/assassin story, this might just be your jam.
Don't get me wrong, we get enough to understand what's happening--but I wanted more, plot-wise. More about Addy (Abby)'s past. More about her father. More about how she's been running and who exactly is after her and why. There's talk of a mysterious "They" throughout the book but other than vague references to foreign intelligence (possibly the KGB), we don't really learn who it is.
I also wanted more about Crew's profession, what he's done, where he's been, who he is. We know that he's "a killer". But I kind of wanted to see him in action in this, and we get almost none of that.
We get snippets here and there of vital information, a conversation where he tells Addy in the briefest terms what he did before he retired. But it doesn't feel like nearly enough. It <i>almost</i> feels like this is a spinoff of some other series where the details were already given and we're supposed to already know all the nitty-gritty about peoples' pasts and jobs and the organizations they work/worked for etc. I don't think that's the case though--I think this is just the way this author writes.
Something else: the timeline in this book is whack. But the characters acknowledge it, so I guess I can't complain too much. They're not oblivious to the fact that it's absolutely insane that it's only been a week and he's already sleeping over at her house. If you can forget that they've known each other a handful of HOURS before he's calling her baby and getting her naked, then maybe this won't be such a big deal for you. There are mentions of time-skips. Saying that weeks or months have passed later in the book. But the initial hook-up is INSTANT and kind of baseless?
I dunno. It didn't bother me as much as this sort of thing has in other books. Probably because I was actually engaged in the story.
If you're into reading about dangerous alpha men and their strong-willed women and enjoy a good secret-agent/CIA/assassin story, this might just be your jam.
calliek927's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 strong stars. And I think I'll definitely be reading more Brynne Asher books! The chemistry between the 2 MCs is fabulous, and we get a killer, a winery, and pet cows? I mean really, what else can we ask for?
Crew and Addie (Abby) meet after a cow-wrangling adventure and their chemistry is an instant spark. But he's dark and dangerous and trying to get out of his hellish life. Is she going to be his undoing? And then we get her dark secrets too. Lots of weaving of characters, and yet still some unanswered questions? Obviously, I'll need to read more of the series, hoping to figure out who this mysterious Maya character is.
Crew and Addie (Abby) meet after a cow-wrangling adventure and their chemistry is an instant spark. But he's dark and dangerous and trying to get out of his hellish life. Is she going to be his undoing? And then we get her dark secrets too. Lots of weaving of characters, and yet still some unanswered questions? Obviously, I'll need to read more of the series, hoping to figure out who this mysterious Maya character is.
kkomo's review against another edition
5.0
delightful
I was in a book rut and this completely fixed that! Fantastic author- I was already a fan, but now I am even more enamored with her writing. This has a great story, and it’s just different enough to make it quite memorable.
I was in a book rut and this completely fixed that! Fantastic author- I was already a fan, but now I am even more enamored with her writing. This has a great story, and it’s just different enough to make it quite memorable.
uehfiwo's review against another edition
3.0
These last two books were fine. Short, kinda sweet with a small sprinkle of darkness.
by_bella's review against another edition
DNF @ 17%
I don’t really like the way it’s written for some reason. I’m not vibing with the book.
I don’t really like the way it’s written for some reason. I’m not vibing with the book.
kzimm2024's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story, solid 4 for me. Not really insta-love but 1 week together is pushing it (circumstances aside). I will be reading more in the series.
It has humor, heat, good characters, solid story and believable action. I know it's fiction but sometimes it's nice to read something that is easy to believe.
I liked Addy and Crew, he just had a few moments for me that I didn't care for. Like when he joined poker night and sat in her chair, and when she told him it was her chair he told her it wasn't a big deal for her to sit in a different chair. That kind of stuff just rubbed me the wrong way. The blatant dominance. And there was definitely that in the bedroom.
Funny parts were when he dumped BBQ chips on his pasta and mixed it up- he was a total guy. Its a running joke for me at any potlucks- watch what the single guys bring. Usually a loaf of bread to share. This guy brings a 6 pack of beer, BBQ chips and Laffy Taffy. This is super original and I enjoyed that aspect.
I also liked how she was successful on her own, running a business and not afraid to glare him down if she wanted to :) The cows are a wonderful touch.
It has humor, heat, good characters, solid story and believable action. I know it's fiction but sometimes it's nice to read something that is easy to believe.
I liked Addy and Crew, he just had a few moments for me that I didn't care for. Like when he joined poker night and sat in her chair, and when she told him it was her chair he told her it wasn't a big deal for her to sit in a different chair. That kind of stuff just rubbed me the wrong way. The blatant dominance. And there was definitely that in the bedroom.
Funny parts were when he dumped BBQ chips on his pasta and mixed it up- he was a total guy. Its a running joke for me at any potlucks- watch what the single guys bring. Usually a loaf of bread to share. This guy brings a 6 pack of beer, BBQ chips and Laffy Taffy. This is super original and I enjoyed that aspect.
I also liked how she was successful on her own, running a business and not afraid to glare him down if she wanted to :) The cows are a wonderful touch.
babeard's review against another edition
3.0
Cute. 3.3⭐️
It’s giving things we never got over sort of vibes with an assassin? I wish they were not head over heals within a minute of knowing each other, but what can you do. It’s not a super deep read but it was a cute one for sure!
It’s giving things we never got over sort of vibes with an assassin? I wish they were not head over heals within a minute of knowing each other, but what can you do. It’s not a super deep read but it was a cute one for sure!
icecoffeebookqueen's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing
I loved this book. The two characters had a great connection and I was excited to see them together through the whole book.
I loved this book. The two characters had a great connection and I was excited to see them together through the whole book.
katyanaish's review against another edition
5.0
Holy shit, you guys, I loved this so much.
This is a new-to-me author, and I found this book to be utterly compelling - I absolutely could not put it down. I loved all the characters, and their backstories, and watching them connect. Addy was so great, and Crew ... I just can't gush enough.
Will definitely be continuing on with the series, and if I love it as much as this book, checking out the rest of this author's back-list.
This is a new-to-me author, and I found this book to be utterly compelling - I absolutely could not put it down. I loved all the characters, and their backstories, and watching them connect. Addy was so great, and Crew ... I just can't gush enough.
Will definitely be continuing on with the series, and if I love it as much as this book, checking out the rest of this author's back-list.
valeehill's review
slow-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
2.5