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booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
Flawless by Heather Graham is a 2016 MIRA publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Is it just me, or does it seem like it’s been a really long while since Heather Graham has released a standard romantic suspense novel? Since I’ve begun to shift away from the PNR genre, I have lost touch with this author, so I’m happy to see she is starting a new series which focuses more on traditional mystery and suspense.
Immediately, I was sucked into the setting of the family owned Irish pub in New York City. The Finnegan clan has gone through some tough times, but Kieran has just begun her first job as a criminal psychologist, while still helping out in the pub from time to time. Her brothers, who have colorful past, are separating themselves from their previous criminal activities in favor of earning an honest living, or at least we hope they are. However, in the name of honor, one of her brothers and her best friend, Julie, pull a risky and illegal move that forces Kieran to right their wrong, which plunges her headlong into the dangerous world of diamond heists.
This is a very unique story with a equal balance of action, mystery, suspense, and romance. I really liked the big Irish family and how they work together and stick together. I also thought the intrigue was well plotted with a few very surprising twists along the way. The only weak spot for me was with the romance, which seemed forced, without a lot of build-up, and no emotional connection. The secrets Kieran keeps even after all is said and done left me feeling like there was a loose end that needed to be tied.
Other than that, the story is solid and fast paced, with well-developed characters, and great supporting cast, that I hope will get their own story someday.. maybe Danny and Julie?
Heather Graham is an experienced author who writes across many romantic sub-genres, but for me her historical romances and her romantic suspense series are where she really shines. This book is a fine example of that. Recommended for fans of romantic suspense and mystery/thriller readers.
4 stars
Is it just me, or does it seem like it’s been a really long while since Heather Graham has released a standard romantic suspense novel? Since I’ve begun to shift away from the PNR genre, I have lost touch with this author, so I’m happy to see she is starting a new series which focuses more on traditional mystery and suspense.
Immediately, I was sucked into the setting of the family owned Irish pub in New York City. The Finnegan clan has gone through some tough times, but Kieran has just begun her first job as a criminal psychologist, while still helping out in the pub from time to time. Her brothers, who have colorful past, are separating themselves from their previous criminal activities in favor of earning an honest living, or at least we hope they are. However, in the name of honor, one of her brothers and her best friend, Julie, pull a risky and illegal move that forces Kieran to right their wrong, which plunges her headlong into the dangerous world of diamond heists.
This is a very unique story with a equal balance of action, mystery, suspense, and romance. I really liked the big Irish family and how they work together and stick together. I also thought the intrigue was well plotted with a few very surprising twists along the way. The only weak spot for me was with the romance, which seemed forced, without a lot of build-up, and no emotional connection. The secrets Kieran keeps even after all is said and done left me feeling like there was a loose end that needed to be tied.
Other than that, the story is solid and fast paced, with well-developed characters, and great supporting cast, that I hope will get their own story someday.. maybe Danny and Julie?
Heather Graham is an experienced author who writes across many romantic sub-genres, but for me her historical romances and her romantic suspense series are where she really shines. This book is a fine example of that. Recommended for fans of romantic suspense and mystery/thriller readers.
4 stars
krisrid's review against another edition
2.0
I guess I am just too fond of Graham's paranormal books, because this was okay, but it just didn't hold my attention the way the Krewe of Hunters books always do.
The story was okay, and the characters were fine, and everything was just okay. But I realized about chapter 10 that I just wasn't really engaged with any of it. I didn't hate it, I didn't love it, it was "meh", and with over 500 books on my to-be-read list, "meh" usually doesn't get finished with me. Too many books, not enough time means if I am not loving it, I'm moving on to the next book, which is, sadly, what I'm doing with this one.
That said, I typically really enjoy Graham's paranormal stories and I will definitely keep reading those. This just didn't grab me.
The story was okay, and the characters were fine, and everything was just okay. But I realized about chapter 10 that I just wasn't really engaged with any of it. I didn't hate it, I didn't love it, it was "meh", and with over 500 books on my to-be-read list, "meh" usually doesn't get finished with me. Too many books, not enough time means if I am not loving it, I'm moving on to the next book, which is, sadly, what I'm doing with this one.
That said, I typically really enjoy Graham's paranormal stories and I will definitely keep reading those. This just didn't grab me.
clak5686's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I hope that it will be a series including the other Finnegan siblings. I really liked the family dynamic. The love the siblings have is something to be treasured. I also like that Kieran, the only girl, is such a caretaker. She's a newly minted criminal psychologist. She's at a diamond store, Flawless, when there is a robbery. FBI agent, Craig Frazier, chases after the robbers when they take Kieran hostage. She ends up saving him and the robbers are captured. But, Craig believes there are two sets of robbers. Soon, it appears someone wants to kill Kieran. Craig is not about to let that happen. They mystery and the romance got equal billing in this and it was very enjoyable.
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