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willowb's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great book! The mystery was amazing and I enjoyed watching Dawn and Tucker come through the adventure. I missed the first one in the series so I'm off to read it now.
shahlasworld's review against another edition
5.0
A suspenseful and drama filled tale of a killer on the loose, trying to establish who he is while time runs out and watching long lost love get a second chance.
Loved loved loved it!
Loved loved loved it!
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Great book! Loved the mystery and I loved the romance! Really great book, and I can't wait to read more of this series!
nadenetotallyaddictedtoreading's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I had fun with this book. Before the Dawn, the second book in Cynthia Eden’s Killer Instinct series delivered on so many levels. A Second chance romance, suspense, mystery, a strong heroine and a hero who would do anything to protect the woman he loves.
The story started out on an interesting note. Tucker and Dawn, the main characters, shared a friendship which had slowly developed into so much more. However, their love would face the most diabolical test when Tucker’s brother chose Dawn as his next victim. Forced to end his brother’s life to save the woman he loved placed Tucker in a difficult situation. A situation further worsened by Dawn's inability to face Tucker because he looked like his brother, which led to the end of their relationship. Fast forward seven (7) years later: a killer using the same MO as Tucker’s brother has struck. The question on everyone’s mind was, has the Iceman returned or is this the work of a copycat.
Dawn has grown since that fateful day seven (7) years ago. She now works as a Private Investigator. I admired her refusal to be a victim again, and also her strength and determination. Tucker being a member of the FBI’s serial killer task force and because of the nature of the murders and his connection to a serial killer he was chosen to head up the investigation.
He had a horrible childhood, and seeing how his brother turned out had him doubting himself several times. He, however rose above the stigma of his childhood. I found his refusal to open to Dawn about his past disappointing.
I enjoyed the interaction between Tucker and Dawn. Their reunion may not have been under the best of circumstances, but their love for each other still burned bright as ever. Despite this, they still struggled with the issues which drove them apart all those years ago. Being hunted by a killer didn’t work in their favour either. Despite Dawn being capable of protecting herself, Tucker did not want to leave her unprotected. I loved how she stood her ground and let him know in no uncertain terms that she did not need protection.
I thought I had the identity of the killer figured out, but then the Eden put a wrench in my theory, which threw me off my game for a moment. The killer’s motive proved to be the biggest shock of the story. That I never would have guessed. The journey into his mind proved to be an intense and sometimes scary experience.
Eden delivered an engaging and intense second chance romantic suspense, which r fans of the genre would enjoy.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
The story started out on an interesting note. Tucker and Dawn, the main characters, shared a friendship which had slowly developed into so much more. However, their love would face the most diabolical test when Tucker’s brother chose Dawn as his next victim. Forced to end his brother’s life to save the woman he loved placed Tucker in a difficult situation. A situation further worsened by Dawn's inability to face Tucker because he looked like his brother, which led to the end of their relationship. Fast forward seven (7) years later: a killer using the same MO as Tucker’s brother has struck. The question on everyone’s mind was, has the Iceman returned or is this the work of a copycat.
Dawn has grown since that fateful day seven (7) years ago. She now works as a Private Investigator. I admired her refusal to be a victim again, and also her strength and determination. Tucker being a member of the FBI’s serial killer task force and because of the nature of the murders and his connection to a serial killer he was chosen to head up the investigation.
He had a horrible childhood, and seeing how his brother turned out had him doubting himself several times. He, however rose above the stigma of his childhood. I found his refusal to open to Dawn about his past disappointing.
I enjoyed the interaction between Tucker and Dawn. Their reunion may not have been under the best of circumstances, but their love for each other still burned bright as ever. Despite this, they still struggled with the issues which drove them apart all those years ago. Being hunted by a killer didn’t work in their favour either. Despite Dawn being capable of protecting herself, Tucker did not want to leave her unprotected. I loved how she stood her ground and let him know in no uncertain terms that she did not need protection.
I thought I had the identity of the killer figured out, but then the Eden put a wrench in my theory, which threw me off my game for a moment. The killer’s motive proved to be the biggest shock of the story. That I never would have guessed. The journey into his mind proved to be an intense and sometimes scary experience.
Eden delivered an engaging and intense second chance romantic suspense, which r fans of the genre would enjoy.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
thebookdisciple's review against another edition
4.0
Mix Criminal Minds with a second chance love story and you have Before the Dawn. You do not have to read book 1 1st in order to enjoy this story; it is a total standalone.
Tucker and Dawn have a seriously messed up past. Dawn was the only victim to escape the serial killer known as the 'Iceman'. At the time, she was a college student with a boyfriend. The killer? Her boyfriends brother, Jason. Tucker saves her, but that is the end of their relationship. Tucker doesn't want to hurt Dawn by being a reminder. Typical man though, he never bothered to ask Dawn what she wanted or felt. He just left. Now, he has quite the tragic past as well, which he never shared with Dawn. Seven years later, a killer is using the Iceman's MO in the city Dawn lives in and Tucker, working for a special unit in the FBI is sent to handle the case putting him back in Dawn's path again.
Dawn has feared that perhaps Jason didn't die and he might be out there, but Tucker doesn't think thats possible. She doesn't want to be left out of the investigation. She works in NOLA as a PI and knows the town well. The mystery of the story is who the killer is. It could be Jason (maybe he never died), or it could literally be almost anyone else. I suspected many different people throughout the story. While the hunt is on, you have the rekindling of the romance between Dawn and Tucker. However, they are both still struggling with the same things that drove them apart before. It was a little annoying that Tucker treated Dawn like a china doll when she obviously wasn't. I appreciated that Dawn expressed herself as much as possible and tried to be honest with Tucker and her struggles. Tucker however, didn't seem to share that same outlook on self expression. Frankly, I was kind of getting annoyed with him.
Like with all of Eden's books I have read, she includes glimpses into the mind of the killer which adds lots of tension. While I am not usually a fan of 3rd person, it works perfectly for romantic suspense books where the antagonist is unknown. Thrilling plot twists, steamy romance, and potent supporting characters makes Before the Dawn a must read romantic suspense!
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: serial killer, second chance
- Triggers:
Spoiler
Obviously, there is a serial killer in the story and some of the torture is described might be upsetting to some readers. - Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger:
Spoiler
no - HEA:
Spoiler
yes
The Devil's Daughter by Katee Robert, Deep Dark by Laura Griffin, Kill Without Mercy by Alexandra Ivy...then you will probably like Before the Dawn!
Before the Dawn
beckymmoe's review against another edition
4.0
OMG, this book. The very first page grabbed me and just wouldn't let go--I can't tell you how many times I gasped out loud and/or winced while reading! The last 20% it was virtually nonstop...good thing Mini Moe #1 has become used to my gasps that come seemingly out of nowhere while he's driving...
Before the Dawn is a romantic thriller/second chance romance story with the twist that the hero was the brother of the guy who tortured and nearly killed the heroine several years earlier. Tucker had to choose between his brother (dubbed "The Iceman") and the woman he loved back then, and has been haunted by the words of his brother, "Blood comes first," ever since. Their father had been a horrible person, his brother was even worse--would Tucker truly be able to avoid their legacy? Could Dawn ever look at him and not see the man who literally made her life a living hell? Add in the fact that it looks like there's an Iceman copycat killer running around in the city which Dawn has moved to and Tucker's FBI team is on the case, and yeah. Pretty freaking intense.
Before the Dawn is the second book in the series, but worked pretty well as a standalone. Based on this one, though, I'm definitely going to back up and read the prequel and book one ([b:The Gathering Dusk|32145570|The Gathering Dusk (Killer Instinct, #0.5)|Cynthia Eden|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1478001010s/32145570.jpg|52780140] and [b:After the Dark|30836269|After the Dark (Killer Instinct, #1)|Cynthia Eden|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470851402s/30836269.jpg|51433352]) to get ready for book three ([b:Into the Night|35344024|Into the Night (Killer Instinct #3)|Cynthia Eden|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497310002s/35344024.jpg|56710159]) when it comes out, because I. Must. Read.
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Before the Dawn is a romantic thriller/second chance romance story with the twist that the hero was the brother of the guy who tortured and nearly killed the heroine several years earlier. Tucker had to choose between his brother (dubbed "The Iceman") and the woman he loved back then, and has been haunted by the words of his brother, "Blood comes first," ever since. Their father had been a horrible person, his brother was even worse--would Tucker truly be able to avoid their legacy? Could Dawn ever look at him and not see the man who literally made her life a living hell? Add in the fact that it looks like there's an Iceman copycat killer running around in the city which Dawn has moved to and Tucker's FBI team is on the case, and yeah. Pretty freaking intense.
Before the Dawn is the second book in the series, but worked pretty well as a standalone. Based on this one, though, I'm definitely going to back up and read the prequel and book one ([b:The Gathering Dusk|32145570|The Gathering Dusk (Killer Instinct, #0.5)|Cynthia Eden|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1478001010s/32145570.jpg|52780140] and [b:After the Dark|30836269|After the Dark (Killer Instinct, #1)|Cynthia Eden|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470851402s/30836269.jpg|51433352]) to get ready for book three ([b:Into the Night|35344024|Into the Night (Killer Instinct #3)|Cynthia Eden|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1497310002s/35344024.jpg|56710159]) when it comes out, because I. Must. Read.
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
shell74's review against another edition
5.0
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
Cynthia Eden’s second book in her exciting Killer Instinct series was everything I hoped it would be. Harrowing suspense, plenty of conflict, and a passionate second chance romance to top it all off. Who could ask for more, right?
‘Dawn thought that he was just as much of a monster as his brother.
And the problem was…she was right.’
I love it when a romantic suspense or thriller can take me on a journey from the first page to the last and keep me guessing–or at least doubting myself–about who the killer truly is. So far with this series, Cynthia Eden has done exactly that. I really did waffle on who I thought the culprit was but it was the twist of why they did it and how they were involved in everything that I didn’t figure out until towards the end. Love that! Read More
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
Cynthia Eden’s second book in her exciting Killer Instinct series was everything I hoped it would be. Harrowing suspense, plenty of conflict, and a passionate second chance romance to top it all off. Who could ask for more, right?
‘Dawn thought that he was just as much of a monster as his brother.
And the problem was…she was right.’
I love it when a romantic suspense or thriller can take me on a journey from the first page to the last and keep me guessing–or at least doubting myself–about who the killer truly is. So far with this series, Cynthia Eden has done exactly that. I really did waffle on who I thought the culprit was but it was the twist of why they did it and how they were involved in everything that I didn’t figure out until towards the end. Love that! Read More
elylibrarysec's review against another edition
5.0
Samantha Dark is having a very bad day. Blake Gamble is there to witness the meltdown. One of the characters that ties these two together is a man named Cameron Latham. But that’s not all there is to this mystery. It’s also a great showcase as to the devious mind of our author.
There are scenes where two stories are going on. This is a reminder that when trying to solve a mystery, paying attention is a must. Some would think that this would get confusing but it’s more like a teaser that just builds the anticipation. It will have you on the edge of your seats and not wanting to put the book down.
It was a fine line as to which I liked better and that just shows what a great job Ms. Eden has done. I really liked the mystery of the secondary character. But he just made the two main characters shine. My problem became that it took my attention away from Samantha and Blake because I wanted to know what was coming next. I like how I get my happy ending before I even read the Epilogue. But it did leave me wondering if I will see Samantha and Blake again. I’m also looking forward to reading more of this series.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
There are scenes where two stories are going on. This is a reminder that when trying to solve a mystery, paying attention is a must. Some would think that this would get confusing but it’s more like a teaser that just builds the anticipation. It will have you on the edge of your seats and not wanting to put the book down.
It was a fine line as to which I liked better and that just shows what a great job Ms. Eden has done. I really liked the mystery of the secondary character. But he just made the two main characters shine. My problem became that it took my attention away from Samantha and Blake because I wanted to know what was coming next. I like how I get my happy ending before I even read the Epilogue. But it did leave me wondering if I will see Samantha and Blake again. I’m also looking forward to reading more of this series.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
clak5686's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book in the Killer Instinct series and I liked it just as much as the first. Tucker Frost killed his brother Jason. Jason was a serial killer who tried to kill Tucker's girlfriend. Tucker saved her but ended up leaving her because every time she looked at Tucker she saw Jason. It's seven years later and a woman in New Orleans is killed using the same method as the Iceman (Jason Frost). Tucker is sent to work on the case. Dawn now lives in New Orleans. This is a very twisty tale. I was able to guess who the guilty person was but I did not figure the "why" in advance. I really enjoyed this entry in the series and hope that Macy's story is up next.
whit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75