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prgchrqltma's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely less of a body count than previous books. Engaging, although kind of instalust-y.
nday's review against another edition
1.0
DNF 30%
The first book in the Games People Play series and my first time reading this author. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into this one – nothing particularly bad about it, I just realized a third through the book that I didn’t care about the outcome, so it went in the DNF pile. While I enjoyed some of the dialogue, and I thought the premise of a fixer was interesting, the story with the heroine didn’t grip my interest, and it lacked a bit of sizzle between the two main characters.
The first book in the Games People Play series and my first time reading this author. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into this one – nothing particularly bad about it, I just realized a third through the book that I didn’t care about the outcome, so it went in the DNF pile. While I enjoyed some of the dialogue, and I thought the premise of a fixer was interesting, the story with the heroine didn’t grip my interest, and it lacked a bit of sizzle between the two main characters.
alice_thompson's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Let's just say I'm having warm feelings.
Well, at the start I was ambivalent about this thing. On the one hand, it was hot and full of good tension, and on the other hand, Wren felt problematic.
I put the book down and waited for fate to give me a sign to come finish this book.
After a long while, I picked up the book again, and I don't regret it.
In an instant I saw that Wren was actually very perceptive, conscientious and sensitive.
He saw Emery as she is, did not wish to change her, and looked for the way to be with her.
He grew as a character. Became a better man.
He learnt to listen to his heart and the entirety of his instincts and execute them in a healthy way, not listening to his logic only.
He kept his word even when it wasn't easy. Kept telling the truth, kept on doing as he promised.
This part was a delight.
So, do as you will.
Let's just say I'm having warm feelings.
Well, at the start I was ambivalent about this thing. On the one hand, it was hot and full of good tension, and on the other hand, Wren felt problematic.
I put the book down and waited for fate to give me a sign to come finish this book.
After a long while, I picked up the book again, and I don't regret it.
In an instant I saw that Wren was actually very perceptive, conscientious and sensitive.
He saw Emery as she is, did not wish to change her, and looked for the way to be with her.
He grew as a character. Became a better man.
He learnt to listen to his heart and the entirety of his instincts and execute them in a healthy way, not listening to his logic only.
He kept his word even when it wasn't easy. Kept telling the truth, kept on doing as he promised.
This part was a delight.
So, do as you will.
bandherbooks's review against another edition
3.0
"Wren" is a "fixer" who turned childhood trauma into a lucrative career. Pretending to be Wren's second in command instead of the man himself helps get the jobs done. But, when intrepid cold-case investigator Emery starts honing in on his true identity, trying to expose him to help find answers to a case she's been desperate to solve since she was a teenager, Wren finds himself losing both his secret and his heart.
I enjoyed this tale of romantic suspense (the mystery itself was pretty easy to guess, but who cares) and enjoyed the cat and mouse game between Wren and Emery.
I loved Emery's backstory and her career. She was a cool heroine, but made me a bit mad at the end. The final drama at the end of the story came suddenly and resolved too quickly for my personal taste.
Wren is an unusual hero who is quite awkward in social situations, but also killer in bed. He takes things very literally. He is very blunt, but in a way that seems more like he doesn't understand sarcasm or word play. I think the author was using characteristics of Asperger's or Autism but without really labeling it, which I didn't quite pick up on until I read a negative review about the book written by a person who self-identified as autistic. Once I had that in my brain, it was a little easier to see, but also a bit problematic? I can't really comment much more than that, but wish the author had done a bit more to address this head on.
There is also a problematic scene where Wren knocks Emery out to "protect her" and basically kidnaps her to an airplane. It was a scene that was really ridiculous and out of place with the rest of the book which was basically consensual and sexy.
That said I found a lot to enjoy in the story and will be reading more HelenKay Dimon!
I enjoyed this tale of romantic suspense (the mystery itself was pretty easy to guess, but who cares) and enjoyed the cat and mouse game between Wren and Emery.
I loved Emery's backstory and her career. She was a cool heroine, but made me a bit mad at the end. The final drama at the end of the story came suddenly and resolved too quickly for my personal taste.
Wren is an unusual hero who is quite awkward in social situations, but also killer in bed. He takes things very literally. He is very blunt, but in a way that seems more like he doesn't understand sarcasm or word play. I think the author was using characteristics of Asperger's or Autism but without really labeling it, which I didn't quite pick up on until I read a negative review about the book written by a person who self-identified as autistic. Once I had that in my brain, it was a little easier to see, but also a bit problematic? I can't really comment much more than that, but wish the author had done a bit more to address this head on.
There is also a problematic scene where Wren knocks Emery out to "protect her" and basically kidnaps her to an airplane. It was a scene that was really ridiculous and out of place with the rest of the book which was basically consensual and sexy.
That said I found a lot to enjoy in the story and will be reading more HelenKay Dimon!
nbiblioholic's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a bit different from anything I can remember reading lately and I liked it. I'm new to this author but you better believe I'll be reading more of her work after this. This book was an interesting mix of contemporary and suspenseful romance, with a dash of mystery and intrigue thrown in. The blurb actually gives a pretty good idea of what the story is about, which I greatly appreciated.
What I liked:
* Wren. His character development was on point. I loved the mystery that surrounded him and the quirks of his personality that highlighted his uniqueness. This man had a heart of gold for those he allowed admittance to his circle and the lengths he was willing to go to for Emery were admirable. He was, by far, my favourite character of this story and I loved every bit of his POV. The parts about his past, how he came to be the man he was, everything about him commanded my respect.
* the suspenseful elements. I love when an author leaves me guessing until the last possible minute!
* the writing, of course. The author sucked me in with her writing. The way she wove this tale kept me interested and in an almost perpetual state of anxiety.
What I didn't like:
* I liked Emery well enough. She was strong, determined and opinionated. What I didn't like was how abrasive she could be. There were points where I felt as if I were suffering through her POV.
* I've heard that this author's books can be quite erotic but that was missing in this one for the most part. There were some steamy scenes but not to the level that my expectation levels were built up to.
Overall, I thorougly enjoyed the plot and couldn't help but fall for the mysterious Wren.
He’s known only as Wren. A wealthy, dangerously secretive man, he specializes in making problems disappear. A professional fixer, Wren hides a dark past, but his privacy is shattered when Emery Finn seeks him out—and what she wants from him is very personal.
Some people disappear against their will. Emery’s job is to find them and bring closure. Wren is the only person who can help solve Emery’s own personal mystery: the long-ago disappearance of her cousin. Just tracking down the sexy, brooding Wren is difficult enough. Resisting her body’s response to him will prove completely impossible.
Anonymity is essential to Wren’s success, yet drawn by Emery’s loyalty and sensuality, he’s pulled out of the shadows. But her digging is getting noticed by the wrong people. And as the clues start to point to someone terrifyingly close, Wren will have to put his haunted past aside to protect the woman he loves.
What I liked:
* Wren. His character development was on point. I loved the mystery that surrounded him and the quirks of his personality that highlighted his uniqueness. This man had a heart of gold for those he allowed admittance to his circle and the lengths he was willing to go to for Emery were admirable. He was, by far, my favourite character of this story and I loved every bit of his POV. The parts about his past, how he came to be the man he was, everything about him commanded my respect.
* the suspenseful elements. I love when an author leaves me guessing until the last possible minute!
* the writing, of course. The author sucked me in with her writing. The way she wove this tale kept me interested and in an almost perpetual state of anxiety.
What I didn't like:
* I liked Emery well enough. She was strong, determined and opinionated. What I didn't like was how abrasive she could be. There were points where I felt as if I were suffering through her POV.
* I've heard that this author's books can be quite erotic but that was missing in this one for the most part. There were some steamy scenes but not to the level that my expectation levels were built up to.
Overall, I thorougly enjoyed the plot and couldn't help but fall for the mysterious Wren.
Release Day: December 27, 2016
Genre: Contemporary/Romantic Suspense
POV: Dual - 3rd person
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