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kathydavie's review
4.0
Fourth in The Bodyguards romantic suspense series revolving around the Garrett family and their friends. The couple focus in this story is on Jason "Plowboy" Wilson and Sweet Baby Jane.
My Take
I had a hard time reconciling this Plowboy with the one we briefly met in To the Edge, 1. They just don't seem to be the same person.
Both of the primary characters seem over the top if you accept the stereotype of soldier-boy from Iowa and rock star, but going deeper, you find a young man scarred by his past who has learned from it and a woman determined not to follow in her mother's path.
Other than that bit of darkness, it was a fun, light read. Jason is so intent on proving himself and trying to stay away from the rock star who just keeps impressing him more and more while she's slowly becoming more and more intrigued with "Iowa", fantasizing about easing some of her tensions.
In between, Gerard keeps us hopping and guessing, throwing more possibilities into the mix while she leads us by the nose. It's a sweet combination of wealth and down-to-earth realism with this pragmatic rock star, caught up in unreal situations.
The Story
Jason takes cap in hand to hire on with E.D.E.N. and gets a job guarding Sweet Baby Jane, a superstar rock star who's being used by too many and is being stalked by a predator who thinks he's what she needs.
Only, Janey thinks Plowboy's the one who needs a babysitter.
The Characters
Sweet Baby Jane, a.k.a., Janey Perkins, has worked hard to be where she is---the pinnacle of success as a rock star. It doesn't mean it's gotten easier. Alice Perkins is the mother who only loves her Jim Beam. Fiona is Janey's housekeeper in Malibu.
Jason "Plowboy" Wilson is in bad shape. Tossed out of the Rangers for an on-the-job injury, rejected by police academies and Sara, he's on a downward spiral until he remembers his old squad leader, No-man Garrett. Jeremy is the brother who died. Jason got his young-looking genes from his hot dad, Bruce.
Members of the band/entourage include:
Max Cogan is Jane's business manager, trying to cut back. Derek McCoy is the pretty-boy drummer who thinks he's all that and doesn't understand no. Bryant, the Australian guitar player, has a full suit of tattoos. Cam Logan plays keyboard and keeps to himself. Avery Blanchard plays rhythm guitar; Eric Holmes is on synthesizer; JoJo Starbuck plays bass; and, Lakesha Jones is a backup singer. Chris Ramsey is a freelance videographer making an MTV documentary; she's not above creating some drama for a better film. (Quincy Taylor is Chris' longtime lover and an independent movie producer who is just as venal as she is.) Jack Swingle is the record producer who first saw Janey's talent. Neal Sanders is a friend from school and her amusement park days. John Cummings is her pilot.
The Garretts make up E.D.E.N. Securities, Inc. founded by their father, Wes: Nolan is the youngest, a former Ranger married to Jillian (To the Edge; they have a son, Conner Wesley Garrett); his twin, Eve, married Mac (To The Limit, 2); Dallas is the middle brother, a former Marine and former Force Recon, obsessing over Amy Walker's whereabouts (To the Brink, 3); and, Ethan is the oldest and getting remarried to Darcy Prescott after events in To the Brink. Susan is their mom.
Officer Rodman is the policeman from Tupelo, Mississippi, in charge of the hit-and-run case. Herb Meyers is a bookie without a heart. Mr. Haley is the chatty bank manager.
Edwin Grimm is being released from prison. Alex Marshall is an assassin; he figures the money will tidy up his conscience. Reverend Samuel Black likes to show up at Janey's gigs and protest her music, her performance, and her costumes; Tonya is his deluded wife. Kevin Larson was a mistake.
Kathy Wallace, Candice Richards, Lana Frederickson, and Tammy Smith all have something in common.
The Cover
The cover is an interpretation of a flight scene in Over the Line with Jason and Jane on the run from a killer.
The title reflects Jason's worries about stepping Over the Line.
My Take
I had a hard time reconciling this Plowboy with the one we briefly met in To the Edge, 1. They just don't seem to be the same person.
Both of the primary characters seem over the top if you accept the stereotype of soldier-boy from Iowa and rock star, but going deeper, you find a young man scarred by his past who has learned from it and a woman determined not to follow in her mother's path.
Other than that bit of darkness, it was a fun, light read. Jason is so intent on proving himself and trying to stay away from the rock star who just keeps impressing him more and more while she's slowly becoming more and more intrigued with "Iowa", fantasizing about easing some of her tensions.
In between, Gerard keeps us hopping and guessing, throwing more possibilities into the mix while she leads us by the nose. It's a sweet combination of wealth and down-to-earth realism with this pragmatic rock star, caught up in unreal situations.
The Story
Jason takes cap in hand to hire on with E.D.E.N. and gets a job guarding Sweet Baby Jane, a superstar rock star who's being used by too many and is being stalked by a predator who thinks he's what she needs.
Only, Janey thinks Plowboy's the one who needs a babysitter.
The Characters
Sweet Baby Jane, a.k.a., Janey Perkins, has worked hard to be where she is---the pinnacle of success as a rock star. It doesn't mean it's gotten easier. Alice Perkins is the mother who only loves her Jim Beam. Fiona is Janey's housekeeper in Malibu.
Jason "Plowboy" Wilson is in bad shape. Tossed out of the Rangers for an on-the-job injury, rejected by police academies and Sara, he's on a downward spiral until he remembers his old squad leader, No-man Garrett. Jeremy is the brother who died. Jason got his young-looking genes from his hot dad, Bruce.
Members of the band/entourage include:
Max Cogan is Jane's business manager, trying to cut back. Derek McCoy is the pretty-boy drummer who thinks he's all that and doesn't understand no. Bryant, the Australian guitar player, has a full suit of tattoos. Cam Logan plays keyboard and keeps to himself. Avery Blanchard plays rhythm guitar; Eric Holmes is on synthesizer; JoJo Starbuck plays bass; and, Lakesha Jones is a backup singer. Chris Ramsey is a freelance videographer making an MTV documentary; she's not above creating some drama for a better film. (Quincy Taylor is Chris' longtime lover and an independent movie producer who is just as venal as she is.) Jack Swingle is the record producer who first saw Janey's talent. Neal Sanders is a friend from school and her amusement park days. John Cummings is her pilot.
The Garretts make up E.D.E.N. Securities, Inc. founded by their father, Wes: Nolan is the youngest, a former Ranger married to Jillian (To the Edge; they have a son, Conner Wesley Garrett); his twin, Eve, married Mac (To The Limit, 2); Dallas is the middle brother, a former Marine and former Force Recon, obsessing over Amy Walker's whereabouts (To the Brink, 3); and, Ethan is the oldest and getting remarried to Darcy Prescott after events in To the Brink. Susan is their mom.
Officer Rodman is the policeman from Tupelo, Mississippi, in charge of the hit-and-run case. Herb Meyers is a bookie without a heart. Mr. Haley is the chatty bank manager.
Edwin Grimm is being released from prison. Alex Marshall is an assassin; he figures the money will tidy up his conscience. Reverend Samuel Black likes to show up at Janey's gigs and protest her music, her performance, and her costumes; Tonya is his deluded wife. Kevin Larson was a mistake.
Kathy Wallace, Candice Richards, Lana Frederickson, and Tammy Smith all have something in common.
The Cover
The cover is an interpretation of a flight scene in Over the Line with Jason and Jane on the run from a killer.
The title reflects Jason's worries about stepping Over the Line.
theproficientreader's review
4.0
So I've been on a romantic suspense spree lately and as much as I love those twists and turns, this book had a little bit too much going on. To be honest, while reading this, I had to pause a few times and think "did the Cindy Gerard really write this?" because those Black Ops, Inc. series was just perfect and this was so... not. Having said that, I did like the romance bit, more than whatever the heck was going on clearly since I skipped some of the suspense part.
whatthefawkes's review
2.0
I can't even get myself to finish this. The last book was always going to be a hard book to follow up from and this book sunk like the Titanic. There was far too much going on, too much melodrama and I just couldn't bring myself to give a damn. Unlikely I'll ever pick this back up to try and finish.
laurenjodi's review
5.0
Over the Line
4.5 Stars
This is another series that I had put on hiatus, but am glad I got back into.
There is a good balance between the romance and the suspense elements in the book. Janey Perkins and Jase Wilson are both appealing characters whose interactions are both sweet and spicy. Janey is the antithesis of the spoiled and narcissistic celebrity while Jase epitomizes the veteran who has yet to find his place after returning injured from combat. Their chemistry is sizzling and they complement each other perfectly.
The suspense plot is intriguing with several interlocking threads. It is entertaining to read along as the hints and red-herrings are revealed. Gerrard adds one final twist at the end that makes an otherwise predictable storyline a surprise.
Overall, an excellent read and I will be reading the next one sooner rather than later.
4.5 Stars
This is another series that I had put on hiatus, but am glad I got back into.
There is a good balance between the romance and the suspense elements in the book. Janey Perkins and Jase Wilson are both appealing characters whose interactions are both sweet and spicy. Janey is the antithesis of the spoiled and narcissistic celebrity while Jase epitomizes the veteran who has yet to find his place after returning injured from combat. Their chemistry is sizzling and they complement each other perfectly.
The suspense plot is intriguing with several interlocking threads. It is entertaining to read along as the hints and red-herrings are revealed. Gerrard adds one final twist at the end that makes an otherwise predictable storyline a surprise.
Overall, an excellent read and I will be reading the next one sooner rather than later.
groovygirl858's review
3.0
Note to anyone considering this title: it is a slow burn. I enjoyed the slow burn, but if you prefer a faster paced romance, this isn't the book for you. Both the hero and heroine are likeable and easy to root for. Parts of the book moved slower than others and I had to speed up the narration to get through them.
ccgwalt's review
3.0
3.5* I was almost ready to give this 4* but didn't care for the way the suspense plot worked out. Won't give spoilers, but I'm not a fan of this particular "bad guy" scenario. Up until I had it figured out, I was intrigued with the multilayer suspense plot. I enjoyed the romance between the main characters, as well.
I also thought the reason Jase gives Janey towards the end for why they could work was lame. Earlier in the book the reasons stated were different, and more believable, imo.
I also thought the reason Jase gives Janey towards the end for why they could work was lame. Earlier in the book the reasons stated were different, and more believable, imo.
jonetta's review against another edition
4.0
Since Jase Wilson ended his Army Ranger career, he's drifted from one loser situation to another. When his former team leader, Nolan Garrett offers him a career lifeline with E.D.E.N. Securities, Inc., he decides to take advantage of it and is determined to make it work. His first assignment is a colossal one...providing bodyguard services for mega rock star Sweet Baby Jane (Janey Perkins) who's got a serious stalker.
This story had so many angles as Janey had a wide circle of people around her that didn't necessarily have her best interests at the forefront. I liked that while Jase was attracted to Janey, protecting her and all that entails came first. They had an interesting dynamic that developed pretty naturally. The threats were serious and I liked that there was quite a lot of mystery surrounding the source of it all.
I enjoyed the story though the body count was a bit over the top. The ending, which I thought would be predictable, had a small twist I didn't foresee and liked. Good story and I liked both Jase and Janey.
This story had so many angles as Janey had a wide circle of people around her that didn't necessarily have her best interests at the forefront. I liked that while Jase was attracted to Janey, protecting her and all that entails came first. They had an interesting dynamic that developed pretty naturally. The threats were serious and I liked that there was quite a lot of mystery surrounding the source of it all.
I enjoyed the story though the body count was a bit over the top. The ending, which I thought would be predictable, had a small twist I didn't foresee and liked. Good story and I liked both Jase and Janey.
fresholivebread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The hero, a somewhat lost war veteran takes up a job protecting the heroine, a famous rock star, whose stalker was recently released. Instant attraction abound, but the interaction, friendship and feelings took some time to build. The heroine is independent, and tough with a sweet side. The hero is protective but suffers too much of the "I'm not good enough" syndrome, which really gets on my nerves towards the end, after everything they've been through.
It would've been so much better if he'd come to his senses earlier and they face that final battle as a bona fide couple. The suspense is good but also a bit of an overkill. For a person as nice as the heroine, there's too many people wishing her harm, to the point of being ridiculous. But it's an entertaining read overall, with a decent amount of steam.
It would've been so much better if he'd come to his senses earlier and they face that final battle as a bona fide couple. The suspense is good but also a bit of an overkill. For a person as nice as the heroine, there's too many people wishing her harm, to the point of being ridiculous. But it's an entertaining read overall, with a decent amount of steam.
stephanywrites's review against another edition
4.0
Read this in less than 24 hours! Cindy Gerard never lets me down. :)
thenia's review against another edition
4.0
The story of Ethan and "Sweet Baby Jane", the rocker superstar with a stalker that he's assigned to protect.
Janey is nothing like Ethan expected, and his assignment both easier, since she's the farthest thing from a spoiled diva, and a lot harder, since it soon becomes apparent that her stalker isn't the only one they have to worry about. The attraction between them isn't helping things, especially since Ethan doesn't want to mess his first assignment on the job, but can't seem to be able to resist crossing the line with an all too willing Janey.
The two give each other the understanding and connection they hadn't known they'd needed, and support each other through a series of difficult situations that lead to them falling in love.
That's not all, though, and it soon comes to light that Janey's mom was not killed by a simple hit-and-run accident, but was actually murdered by an assassin for hire, who also killed a number of other women whose names Janey found in her late mother's safety deposit box along with a man's photograph who Janey assumes must have been her father's. Eventually the mystery is solved, when the TV preacher who'd been advocating against Janey as the spawn of Satan, proves to be her father and the father of children of the other women who were killed, and his psycho wife hired the assassin to get rid of them and keep her hypocrite husband's name clean.
A little too complex, with a number of threads tangling up along the way and keeping you guessing as to who is really behind what until the end and culminating in a very engaging story.
The series continues with Under the Wire and the story of Manny, a friend of Ethan's who joins EDEN investigations.
Previous book reviews:
✦ To the Brink (The Bodyguards, #3)
✦ To the Limit (The Bodyguards, #2)
✦ To the Edge (The Bodyguards, #1)
Janey is nothing like Ethan expected, and his assignment both easier, since she's the farthest thing from a spoiled diva, and a lot harder, since it soon becomes apparent that her stalker isn't the only one they have to worry about. The attraction between them isn't helping things, especially since Ethan doesn't want to mess his first assignment on the job, but can't seem to be able to resist crossing the line with an all too willing Janey.
The two give each other the understanding and connection they hadn't known they'd needed, and support each other through a series of difficult situations that lead to them falling in love.
Spoiler
It turns out that apart from Janey's recently released from prison stalker, who really is after her and murders a couple of people in her circle that he feels are standing between him and Janey, a reporter who is supposedly working on an article about Janey is trying to stir things up between her and her bandmates to create more drama, while her trusted manager is being blackmailed by the mafia bookie he'd got himself tangled with due to his gambling addiction.That's not all, though, and it soon comes to light that Janey's mom was not killed by a simple hit-and-run accident, but was actually murdered by an assassin for hire, who also killed a number of other women whose names Janey found in her late mother's safety deposit box along with a man's photograph who Janey assumes must have been her father's. Eventually the mystery is solved, when the TV preacher who'd been advocating against Janey as the spawn of Satan, proves to be her father and the father of children of the other women who were killed, and his psycho wife hired the assassin to get rid of them and keep her hypocrite husband's name clean
A little too complex, with a number of threads tangling up along the way and keeping you guessing as to who is really behind what until the end and culminating in a very engaging story.
The series continues with Under the Wire and the story of Manny, a friend of Ethan's who joins EDEN investigations.
Previous book reviews:
✦ To the Brink (The Bodyguards, #3)
✦ To the Limit (The Bodyguards, #2)
✦ To the Edge (The Bodyguards, #1)