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jigsawgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I did think this book started out fast paced, and full of action. From Haley's initial escape to the terrorist attack to the jungle/rain forest escape.
Fair warning, there is discussion of sexual assault, the threat of assault, as well as actual assault and violence. Some of the violence is also graphic.
At some point, this book went on for way too long. I listened to the audiobook and at approximately 25, 26 chapters into the book, we had not gotten much closer to who was behind the attack or why the attack occurred. There were 38 chapters and an epilogue to the audiobook.
I thought the narration was well done, but I didn't think this book would ever end. The ending did allow for a couple of surprises. It really made you wonder about the depth of human depravity and evil.
Fair warning, there is discussion of sexual assault, the threat of assault, as well as actual assault and violence. Some of the violence is also graphic.
At some point, this book went on for way too long. I listened to the audiobook and at approximately 25, 26 chapters into the book, we had not gotten much closer to who was behind the attack or why the attack occurred. There were 38 chapters and an epilogue to the audiobook.
I thought the narration was well done, but I didn't think this book would ever end. The ending did allow for a couple of surprises. It really made you wonder about the depth of human depravity and evil.
jje121579's review against another edition
5.0
Heart pounding action, nail biting suspense, and emotion overload...
From the very first page Quentin Savage embodies the compassionate protector, but Haley Cramer brings out something else in him. Independent, smart, “maneater” Haley would have never thought she would find herself in over her head during a sales pitch. Luckily for her she stumbles into Quentin at just he right time. From there they find themselves in one life and death situation after another.
The storytelling in this book draws us into the lives of these characters so completely. The pain of their baggage of before, the horror of their kidnapping ordeal, the mystery of who is after them and why. And throughout their journey they steal our hearts. And each other’s? Love, love, love this book!
From the very first page Quentin Savage embodies the compassionate protector, but Haley Cramer brings out something else in him. Independent, smart, “maneater” Haley would have never thought she would find herself in over her head during a sales pitch. Luckily for her she stumbles into Quentin at just he right time. From there they find themselves in one life and death situation after another.
The storytelling in this book draws us into the lives of these characters so completely. The pain of their baggage of before, the horror of their kidnapping ordeal, the mystery of who is after them and why. And throughout their journey they steal our hearts. And each other’s? Love, love, love this book!
maymay0316's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I think this book was well written. Yes somethings are very unrealistic, but I am also reading fiction so I expect that. My issue and why I am giving this rating is that this book was pretty overwhelming for me to read.
I felt like I barely got to breathe as a reader because so many bad things were constantly being revealed and happening. I am no stranger to Toni's stories and how there are explicit details and violence but this book has a lot of it. Please read the trigger warnings. This book has a lot of violence and references to sexual assault. Every time something worse happened I just felt so frustrated and sad for these characters. I know bad things like this and worse happen to people everyday especially with hostage situations, but especially after coming out from reading my favorite of Toni's books, this one sort of shook me.
I was so excited to read about Haley since I heard so much about her, but she was different than I expected, not in a bad way. The, but I did enjoy her and Alex's friendship. I liked Quentin, but I do agree with other reviews that I felt like these characters had unfulfilled potential. Quentin was a negotiator but it didn't really serve him in this story. Also I do appreciate that both characters had once felt broken and had past baggage and could empathize with each other, but sometimes it was just so much that I wanted the story to be over with. We kept hearing so much about which did make me empathize and see why he would bring her up in certain moments and how difficult his feelings were, but also yeah it was overwhelming.
I feel like the last 4th of the book was were things got muddled. It felt partially like a promotion of the other couple Darby and Eban, and also the ending just felt really rushed and kind of like a cop out. Also the fact that Alex finds out Haley is dating Quentin from Mallory, who found out from FRAZIER, of all people. Lmao Frazier is my least favorite guy in this series, and now hes's fucking gossip girl. Everything that happened in the ending just kinda had me doing a crazy laugh and wondering wtf did I just read.
Final comment and maybe my one big critique; I love Alex in this story and I loved getting to hear about him being a dad and finally knowing the gender and name of the baby. (Even though I kinda hate the name) I feel like I have now read about Alex in a lot of other books and I do love when he is mentioned. He is probably the best male character in the series and he is kinda like Iron Man in the Toniverse but, I feel like she basically downgraded Mallory to an incubator and background person in all the books I've read. She is either pregnant and that's her big storyline or she's resting. Toni, if you are gonna write such a great male main character and have him be mentioned in most, if not all your books then you need to pair him with someone who also stands out or maybe he shouldn't have gotten together with anyone at all because right now Mallory is about as thrilling as an unsalted soda cracker. I want to like Mallory cause I know Alex deserves the best, but right now mam you are giving us nothing in this department.
I will continue to read her books. I am not sure how I feel about this series yet. Maybe I should start with the first book or read book 5 but I need a break after this one because it's intense.
I felt like I barely got to breathe as a reader because so many bad things were constantly being revealed and happening. I am no stranger to Toni's stories and how there are explicit details and violence but this book has a lot of it. Please read the trigger warnings. This book has a lot of violence and references to sexual assault. Every time something worse happened I just felt so frustrated and sad for these characters. I know bad things like this and worse happen to people everyday especially with hostage situations, but especially after coming out from reading my favorite of Toni's books, this one sort of shook me.
I was so excited to read about Haley since I heard so much about her, but she was different than I expected, not in a bad way. The
Spoiler
Instalust/sex was not my favoriteSpoiler
Quentin's dead wifeI feel like the last 4th of the book was were things got muddled. It felt partially like a promotion of the other couple Darby and Eban, and also the ending just felt really rushed and kind of like a cop out. Also the fact that Alex finds out Haley is dating Quentin from Mallory, who found out from FRAZIER, of all people. Lmao Frazier is my least favorite guy in this series, and now hes's fucking gossip girl. Everything that happened in the ending just kinda had me doing a crazy laugh and wondering wtf did I just read.
Final comment and maybe my one big critique; I love Alex in this story and I loved getting to hear about him being a dad and finally knowing the gender and name of the baby. (Even though I kinda hate the name) I feel like I have now read about Alex in a lot of other books and I do love when he is mentioned. He is probably the best male character in the series and he is kinda like Iron Man in the Toniverse but, I feel like she basically downgraded Mallory to an incubator and background person in all the books I've read. She is either pregnant and that's her big storyline or she's resting. Toni, if you are gonna write such a great male main character and have him be mentioned in most, if not all your books then you need to pair him with someone who also stands out or maybe he shouldn't have gotten together with anyone at all because right now Mallory is about as thrilling as an unsalted soda cracker. I want to like Mallory cause I know Alex deserves the best, but right now mam you are giving us nothing in this department.
I will continue to read her books. I am not sure how I feel about this series yet. Maybe I should start with the first book or read book 5 but I need a break after this one because it's intense.
rubyii's review against another edition
1.0
DNF A woman is propositioned, escapes from a hotel room because she’s scared she’s about to be raped, so distraught she pukes, then less than an hour later offers herself to the guy who helped hide her and screws him! Maybe I could have put up with that, but the fact she puked then didn’t even brush her teeth before kissing him? Nah, THAT’S an unforgivable sin.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Colder Than Sin
3 Stars
Quentin Savage, head of the FBI negotiation unit, is in Indonesia giving the keynote address at a security conference when terrorists attack the luxury resort. In the melee, Quentin and Haley Cramer, CEO of a private security firm, are taken hostage and find themselves forced to resort to any and all measures to stay alive.
***Warning: This book contains references to and details of sexual assault and violence***
The suspense plot is exciting with some solid action scenes, especially at the beginning. Nevertheless, the identity of the mastermind and their motive is obvious early on and all the reader can do is wait for the characters to catch up.
The romance between Quentin and Haley has its moments but is also problematic. To begin with, their initial relationship is based primarily on sex, and the fact that lacks veracity. There is also the impression that without the kidnapping, nothing would have developed between Haley and Quention beyond their instant attraction.
Moreover, neither Quention nor Haley completely fulfills the potential of the characters. Quentin's supposed negotiating skills fail him at key times, and he has to resort to more physical means to survive. Haley is presented as a strong-willed and independent woman but often comes across as weak and whiny.
Finally, there are too many references or incidents of. Yes, the situation sets the stage for this, but Haley . It is all way too excessive and overdone.
All in all, this is one of the weaker installments in the series although the hints at a connection between Darby O'Roarke and FBI agent Eban Winters are very intriguing and I look forward to their story (#5 in this spin off series).
3 Stars
Quentin Savage, head of the FBI negotiation unit, is in Indonesia giving the keynote address at a security conference when terrorists attack the luxury resort. In the melee, Quentin and Haley Cramer, CEO of a private security firm, are taken hostage and find themselves forced to resort to any and all measures to stay alive.
***Warning: This book contains references to and details of sexual assault and violence***
The suspense plot is exciting with some solid action scenes, especially at the beginning. Nevertheless, the identity of the mastermind and their motive is obvious early on and all the reader can do is wait for the characters to catch up.
The romance between Quentin and Haley has its moments but is also problematic. To begin with, their initial relationship is based primarily on sex, and the fact that
Spoiler
Haley has sex with Quention immediately following Wenck's assaultMoreover, neither Quention nor Haley completely fulfills the potential of the characters. Quentin's supposed negotiating skills fail him at key times, and he has to resort to more physical means to survive. Haley is presented as a strong-willed and independent woman but often comes across as weak and whiny.
Finally, there are too many references or incidents of
Spoiler
sexual violenceSpoiler
was raped as teen, mauled by Wenck, and then almost raped by the terrorists. Darby was also raped by several men.All in all, this is one of the weaker installments in the series although the hints at a connection between Darby O'Roarke and FBI agent Eban Winters are very intriguing and I look forward to their story (#5 in this spin off series).
clel's review against another edition
4.0
My first romantic thriller and I enjoyed it!
Quentin and Haley meet at a security conference in Indonesia. Things quickly take a deadly turn when their hotel is attacked by armed men kill and almost everyone inside and take both Haley and Quentin hostage.
TW: Sexual assault on page. The physical, mental, and emotional ramifications last throughout the whole book as well.
The chemistry between Haley and Quentin was there and I liked reading them as a couple especially when they were trying to stay alive together. The synopsis on the back says they have to pretend to be married to stay alive but I wouldn't say that was a big plot point. Did it save Haley's life to say they were? Probably yes. But again, I was expecting that to be more of a focus where they really had to play into that which would heighten the tension and chemistry between them but it didn't. It was a few lines and then never brought up again. That's ok though because as soon as they saw each other across the room it was palpable; and their first time...whew.
It also switches points of views between Quentin and Haley in trouble and the FBI trying to find them. Didn't expect the dual perspectives but I actually liked it because we got to see how it looked from an outside lens and be part of the team trying to solve why they were attacked and taken and how they were going to save them.
I guessed the reveal at the end but all in all I really enjoyed it and the wonderful supporting cast of characters. If you're like me and have never read a romantic thriller I would recommend this as a starter or first one you try. It's high stakes enough to get your feelings going but nothing over the top.
Quentin and Haley meet at a security conference in Indonesia. Things quickly take a deadly turn when their hotel is attacked by armed men kill and almost everyone inside and take both Haley and Quentin hostage.
TW: Sexual assault on page. The physical, mental, and emotional ramifications last throughout the whole book as well.
The chemistry between Haley and Quentin was there and I liked reading them as a couple especially when they were trying to stay alive together. The synopsis on the back says they have to pretend to be married to stay alive but I wouldn't say that was a big plot point. Did it save Haley's life to say they were? Probably yes. But again, I was expecting that to be more of a focus where they really had to play into that which would heighten the tension and chemistry between them but it didn't. It was a few lines and then never brought up again. That's ok though because as soon as they saw each other across the room it was palpable; and their first time...whew.
It also switches points of views between Quentin and Haley in trouble and the FBI trying to find them. Didn't expect the dual perspectives but I actually liked it because we got to see how it looked from an outside lens and be part of the team trying to solve why they were attacked and taken and how they were going to save them.
I guessed the reveal at the end but all in all I really enjoyed it and the wonderful supporting cast of characters. If you're like me and have never read a romantic thriller I would recommend this as a starter or first one you try. It's high stakes enough to get your feelings going but nothing over the top.
marysebcalderon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
missmaj's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I find her stories very riveting, including this one, but I felt like there’s something missing that’s preventing me to rate it four stars like most of her series.
Still a good read, suspense was great.
I find her stories very riveting, including this one, but I felt like there’s something missing that’s preventing me to rate it four stars like most of her series.
Still a good read, suspense was great.