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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
Dnf—
Wow this was an an absolute miss for me. First of all: every kind of shaming possible. Throw away lines about being a “crackhead mother “, “tramp stamps”, slut shaming, fat shaming etc. It’s all minor, but it adds up. Apparently unless you are the MC, you’re doing life wrong.
Add in very unlikeable characters, including a maudlin MC and a love interest who won’t take no for an answer (if the girl tells you no three times within the first 97 pages, it’s not going well).
The whole dyslexia thing was also annoying. As a dyslexic myself, the whole “how did you get TWO degrees with dyslexia?!?” convo was a no for me.
Don’t waste your time.
Wow this was an an absolute miss for me. First of all: every kind of shaming possible. Throw away lines about being a “crackhead mother “, “tramp stamps”, slut shaming, fat shaming etc. It’s all minor, but it adds up. Apparently unless you are the MC, you’re doing life wrong.
Add in very unlikeable characters, including a maudlin MC and a love interest who won’t take no for an answer (if the girl tells you no three times within the first 97 pages, it’s not going well).
The whole dyslexia thing was also annoying. As a dyslexic myself, the whole “how did you get TWO degrees with dyslexia?!?” convo was a no for me.
Don’t waste your time.
Fatal Affair by Marie Force is a 2010 Carina Press publication.
I have read some of the books in Marie Force’s other series, but have always wanted to dive into this one, since it is so popular. One thing, sadly, that has kept me at bay is the lack of availability of these books. Some subscription services have titles from other series, but not this one. Both of my Overdrive library accounts have a waiting list for every very single book in the series, so I just kept putting it off.
However, with the tenth book coming out soon, I decided to get busy before I get so far behind I can't catch up. I may have to skip around some, but I’m fine with that. At least I had a copy of this first book in the series and was able to establish the foundation on which the series has been based.
This first book starts off with the shocking death of a Senator, a man Nick loved like a brother. When Sam arrives to take over the investigation, she and Nick realize the attraction they had for one another, six years ago, is as strong as ever. But, because Nick is a witness in the case, Sam has to keep him at arm’s length. But, Nick is pretty persistent, so…
But, Sam and Nick will soon discover the senator had a few skeletons in the closet, which could have been the catalyst that caused his death. Other outside influences emerge that complicates Sam’s life and put Nick in danger, creating tension within the newly rekindled relationship.
We also meet Freddie, a charming character, and one I hope stays in the series for a while, as he adds a little humor to the story.
I knew this series was super popular and very well received and after reading this book, I can see why it caught on like wildfire. Smart dialogue, lots of action, a solid mystery, well drawn and likeable characters, and a great romance, makes this a well rounded novel, and gives the series a solid foundation to build on.
I am sure the series gets stronger as it goes along and I so I will be patiently waiting for my library holds to become available!
Overall, 4 stars
I have read some of the books in Marie Force’s other series, but have always wanted to dive into this one, since it is so popular. One thing, sadly, that has kept me at bay is the lack of availability of these books. Some subscription services have titles from other series, but not this one. Both of my Overdrive library accounts have a waiting list for every very single book in the series, so I just kept putting it off.
However, with the tenth book coming out soon, I decided to get busy before I get so far behind I can't catch up. I may have to skip around some, but I’m fine with that. At least I had a copy of this first book in the series and was able to establish the foundation on which the series has been based.
This first book starts off with the shocking death of a Senator, a man Nick loved like a brother. When Sam arrives to take over the investigation, she and Nick realize the attraction they had for one another, six years ago, is as strong as ever. But, because Nick is a witness in the case, Sam has to keep him at arm’s length. But, Nick is pretty persistent, so…
But, Sam and Nick will soon discover the senator had a few skeletons in the closet, which could have been the catalyst that caused his death. Other outside influences emerge that complicates Sam’s life and put Nick in danger, creating tension within the newly rekindled relationship.
We also meet Freddie, a charming character, and one I hope stays in the series for a while, as he adds a little humor to the story.
I knew this series was super popular and very well received and after reading this book, I can see why it caught on like wildfire. Smart dialogue, lots of action, a solid mystery, well drawn and likeable characters, and a great romance, makes this a well rounded novel, and gives the series a solid foundation to build on.
I am sure the series gets stronger as it goes along and I so I will be patiently waiting for my library holds to become available!
Overall, 4 stars
When Senator John O'Connor is found died Sergeant Sam Holland needs to find the killer quickly to salvage her career. Taking needed help from ex-one night stand Nick Cappuano, who was O'Connor's friend and chief of staff.
Contains somes sex scenes
Contains somes sex scenes
Review posted on my blog.
Fatal Affair is a solid start to Force's Fatal series. Its suspense is well-written--I didn't guess "whodunit" until I was nearly at the end--and the romance was solid. The characters--both the hero and heroine, Nick and Sam, and the many secondary characters--were a lot of fun to read about, and I can't wait to see them all again in later books in the series. Freddy Cruz in particular is a hoot. I loved the scenes with him and Sam in them--great interactions. I wasn't even done with this one yet when I made sure I had book two ready to go.
There were a few aspects that kept this one from being a five-star read, though. First, it bothered me that Nick couldn't get why he and Sam shouldn't get involved while she was working a case that he was a material witness for. It felt like he was pressuring her unreasonably about it, and sure enough, it will (literally) blow up in their faces. Second, I thought the "L" word was used just a little bit too quickly to be believed by the main characters, especially Nick. Could they really have fallen in love in a single night, and kept it going over six long years with no interaction? I'm not entirely convinced.
Still, these factors weren't enough to dim my enjoyment of the book. I'm really looking forward to seeing Sam and Nick's relationship develop as the series continues.
Fatal Affair is a solid start to Force's Fatal series. Its suspense is well-written--I didn't guess "whodunit" until I was nearly at the end--and the romance was solid. The characters--both the hero and heroine, Nick and Sam, and the many secondary characters--were a lot of fun to read about, and I can't wait to see them all again in later books in the series. Freddy Cruz in particular is a hoot. I loved the scenes with him and Sam in them--great interactions. I wasn't even done with this one yet when I made sure I had book two ready to go.
There were a few aspects that kept this one from being a five-star read, though. First, it bothered me that Nick couldn't get why he and Sam shouldn't get involved while she was working a case that he was a material witness for. It felt like he was pressuring her unreasonably about it, and sure enough, it will (literally) blow up in their faces. Second, I thought the "L" word was used just a little bit too quickly to be believed by the main characters, especially Nick. Could they really have fallen in love in a single night, and kept it going over six long years with no interaction? I'm not entirely convinced.
Still, these factors weren't enough to dim my enjoyment of the book. I'm really looking forward to seeing Sam and Nick's relationship develop as the series continues.
I've been on a three-day romance/mystery kick lately, and I have to say… it has not been fruitful.
Idk man. Obviously I was disproportionately excited to have guessed the murderer, but loathe as I am to admit it, this was not a very difficult task. Force's method of keeping the murderer out of the reader's mind was to mention them as few times as possible and misdirect attention towards someone else more predictable — only, were they more predictable?Not to be heteronormative, but I think murder (of women) preceded by penetrative rape points much more towards a man than a woman. Why did Sam not figure this out… Not only does this make the mystery kind of weak-hitting, but it makes the main character(s) look stupid. Also I literally know nothing about murder investigations, but besides obvious suspects being overlooked, it sounds to me as if Sam did a terrible job with this one because three people died during the investigation, but these deaths don't gnaw at her. So is she only racked up with guilt about the Johnson boy because he was a child? Surely these ones are more on her conscience for not being a better detective? It was an intriguing setting and I like the politics, because I like how seedy the inner lives of everyone in office are, but the mystery just fell flat.
It also seems really dodgy to me how Sam shares all the details of the case with Nick without him even signing anything but whatever goes in fiction I guess. At least in Castle he had permission from her CO and all.
Mostly though the fault is mine. I didn't check Goodreads before I jumped into this, and now I rue this oversight because I thought I was going to get a series with changing leads each book. Now I don't know if I'm up for what's ahead. I don't really like Sam and Nick enough to read two books with them, let alone fifteen. Am I going to read book 2? Probably, because I'll forget about the mild disappointment currently in my heart. Am I going to get all the way to book 15? Probably not, but I did once read sixteen bad to mildly decent books because my friend vividly described to me a scene in #16 so I might get back on my bullshit for this series.
Idk man. Obviously I was disproportionately excited to have guessed the murderer, but loathe as I am to admit it, this was not a very difficult task. Force's method of keeping the murderer out of the reader's mind was to mention them as few times as possible and misdirect attention towards someone else more predictable — only, were they more predictable?
It also seems really dodgy to me how Sam shares all the details of the case with Nick without him even signing anything but whatever goes in fiction I guess. At least in Castle he had permission from her CO and all.
Mostly though the fault is mine. I didn't check Goodreads before I jumped into this, and now I rue this oversight because I thought I was going to get a series with changing leads each book. Now I don't know if I'm up for what's ahead. I don't really like Sam and Nick enough to read two books with them, let alone fifteen. Am I going to read book 2? Probably, because I'll forget about the mild disappointment currently in my heart. Am I going to get all the way to book 15? Probably not, but I did once read sixteen bad to mildly decent books because my friend vividly described to me a scene in #16 so I might get back on my bullshit for this series.
This book is so far out of my usual genre (historical and highlander romance), I wasn't sure I'd like it. But the more I get into it the better it is. It's set in the area I live in so I'm familiar with many of the locations. It's got some great intrigue and some great sexual tension and, so far, I'm liking it.
UPDATE! LOVED this book. I didn't figure out who the bad guy was until the very end. And in between there and the beginning this book kept me turning pages with passion and love and romance and mystery and suspense. Read it. . . it was a free download on B&N for me and the other 5 books in the series are like $3. I've already started on the 2nd one.
UPDATE! LOVED this book. I didn't figure out who the bad guy was until the very end. And in between there and the beginning this book kept me turning pages with passion and love and romance and mystery and suspense. Read it. . . it was a free download on B&N for me and the other 5 books in the series are like $3. I've already started on the 2nd one.
2.75/5
This wasn’t bad. The mystery element kept me guessing but there just seemed to be too many unrealistic instances involving. I just kept thinking to myself “lol this would never happen”.
This wasn’t bad. The mystery element kept me guessing but there just seemed to be too many unrealistic instances involving. I just kept thinking to myself “lol this would never happen”.
This is the first book I have read by this author. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I enjoy series where we see the same couple. It's great to see complicated people do the work so they can be together. The murder was horrific. The police procedural good. The characters wonderful. I love Nick and Sam, but I also love that we get to see them interact with others. A great story. I'm looking forward to more.
So we're doing an episode on romantic mysteries for Read or Dead and I picked this up from the library on a whim cause it looked kind of ridiculous but I ended up mostly liking it? You can hear my work out my feelings with finding a romance that I didn't hate in the episode, probably. (Also helped me fulfill the Read Harder task of read a book with a terrible cover cause MAN that cover is terrible)
See me talk about this book briefly in my February wrap up: https://youtu.be/pbHr4Jc3Y_M?t=3m26s
See me talk about this book briefly in my February wrap up: https://youtu.be/pbHr4Jc3Y_M?t=3m26s
Fatal Affair originally was released from Carina Press in June 2010. I’m not really sure how I missed out on reading this series when it first released, as I own a copy on my kindle, but until the publisher sent me a print copy for review, I had missed this series. All I can say is I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book.
Fatal Affair has everything I love about a romantic suspense book, and the added bonus of a reunion romance made this book-reading crack for me. Seriously, I couldn’t put it down and read it in less than a day when not at work.
I absolutely loved both Sam and Nick from the moment they appeared on the page. I loved they are both such strong characters. The fact they had a history added an extra issue with the investigation, but also allowed Sam and Nick to re-connect. I absolutely loved them as a couple and thought their chemistry was sizzling. I also loved that Nick was willing to do anything in his power to help Sam solve the case of his best friend’s murder.
Part of the reason Fatal Affair was the perfect romantic suspense book for me was the fact that I was still guessing about the bad guy when it was revealed. I love when an author keeps me guessing and I totally had the wrong person in mind for the bad guy until the end. This is my dream romantic suspense book and has me chomping at the bit to start reading the next book in the series. So much so that I purchased the next 5 books as soon as I finished reading Fatal Affair. I highly recommend Fatal Affair to all fans of romantic suspense.
Fatal Affair has everything I love about a romantic suspense book, and the added bonus of a reunion romance made this book-reading crack for me. Seriously, I couldn’t put it down and read it in less than a day when not at work.
I absolutely loved both Sam and Nick from the moment they appeared on the page. I loved they are both such strong characters. The fact they had a history added an extra issue with the investigation, but also allowed Sam and Nick to re-connect. I absolutely loved them as a couple and thought their chemistry was sizzling. I also loved that Nick was willing to do anything in his power to help Sam solve the case of his best friend’s murder.
Part of the reason Fatal Affair was the perfect romantic suspense book for me was the fact that I was still guessing about the bad guy when it was revealed. I love when an author keeps me guessing and I totally had the wrong person in mind for the bad guy until the end. This is my dream romantic suspense book and has me chomping at the bit to start reading the next book in the series. So much so that I purchased the next 5 books as soon as I finished reading Fatal Affair. I highly recommend Fatal Affair to all fans of romantic suspense.