I loved this book. The series gets better with each installment. Peyton has been a character hovering in the background during the earlier books, with her adorable daughter Jess getting far more page time. I had a feeling that Peyton's story would be an interesting one when it was her turn, and I was right.
Peyton and Cade knew each other in high school when she was a freshman, and he was a senior. Both were involved in the high school's arts program, Cade on the music side, and Peyton on the film side. Peyton did her best to keep a low profile because she wasn't in that high school's district, and had pretty much lied her way in. She saw the arts program as her only way out of her abusive family life. Cade knew the truth but kept her secret. He graduated and went off to Nashville to pursue his singing career, while Peyton continued her efforts. By the time she graduated, she had won a full scholarship to a London film school. A few weeks after she graduated from high school, her car broke down, and she took refuge in Cade's lake cabin. He showed up and the attraction they'd fought for years became too much. There were consequences to that night together, but miscommunication and outside interference kept them apart, leaving each believing that the other had turned their back.
Five years later, Cade returns to Oak Grove for a visit and runs into Peyton, the woman he's never been able to forget. Something in that encounter seems off, and it takes some effort for him to track down Peyton and find out why. Peyton is terrified to see Cade, afraid of him finding out what she hid all these years. I was impressed by Cade's determination to get to the bottom of the mystery, and his patience and kindness as he tried to get through to Peyton. I ached for Peyton, who truly believed that he had turned his back on her when she needed him most. I loved that, once she understood what happened, she didn't keep the truth from him. Cade's reaction was priceless, and I loved seeing his joy in the news.
I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Peyton and Cade. There was no doubt that the attraction and feelings between them were just as strong as they'd been before. Cade is determined to show Peyton that she and Jess belong in his life. It was sweet to see how well he still understood her and the confidence he had in her. His insistence that she be in charge of his music video and documentary gave her confidence quite a boost, once she believed it was really happening. I loved watching her bloom, especially standing up to the guy who always put her down. I also adored the scene in the bar during the girls' night out, as he and the LT guys watched their ladies have fun, though it didn't take long for Cade to stake his claim. It was easy to see that Cade was all-in, but Peyton was still a bit wary. She wasn't sure if Cade wanted her, as well as Jess, and was hesitant to fully trust him with her heart. It took two brushes with death for her to finally accept the truth. The ending was fantastic.
Peyton's daughter Jess has been one of my favorite characters throughout the series, and I loved getting to know her even better. She is an adorable mixture of little girl and teenager/young adult. Her relationship with Peyton is fantastic, and the love they share leaps off the page. I loved her stated intention of becoming the "Empress of the Elementary School" and her apparent confidence in her ability to do so. I loved watching her wrap Cade around her little fingers, and laughed out loud at their bonding over bad choices. Her friendship with Finn's son Ethan is as strong as ever. I love Ethan's protectiveness toward Jess, even more so since the events in the previous book. Ethan totally stole my heart with his man-to-man talk with Cade at the end, and I loved how seriously Cade treated Ethan's concerns. I can't wait to see the two of them grow up.
This wouldn't be a Linear Tactical book without danger coming to the main characters. In this book, the threat comes from two directions. Cade has picked up a stalker, one that has escalated from nuisance attacks to something more dangerous. He and his security team have tried to find out who it is, but the stalker seems to stay one step ahead of them. It is disturbing to realize that the stalker seems to know far more of the inside workings of Cade's life than any of them are comfortable with. As the story went on, I had several suspects in mind, but it took me almost to the end to figure out who it was. The final confrontation was terrifying, as the stalker seemed utterly convinced of the necessity of his actions. The second danger focused on Peyton. Five years earlier, her stepfather had nearly killed her and went to prison. Unfortunately, she and her mother learn that Dennis will be released early from prison. Though there is a restraining order to keep him away from them, we all know how that usually works out. When Peyton is attacked, there are questions about whether it is Dennis. Peyton's mother, an alcoholic, believes it is, but there is no evidence. I was on the edge of my seat when Dennis made his move, as there were so many things that could go wrong. I loved Peyton's ability to keep a cool head, and Jess's quick thinking also helped. The deciding factor was the help from an unexpected source, which surprised both Peyton and me. Another surprise was the connection between the two dangers.
I always love the secondary characters. As always, the LT members wander in and out of the book as needed, and have our characters' backs in times of trouble. I liked seeing more of Baby in this book and loved the close friendship between him and Cade. I liked how he gave Cade a kick in the seat when he needed it. I enjoy his self-deprecating humor, his way with the ladies, and have the feeling that there is something important going on with him. I liked seeing more of Girl Riley and loved her support of Peyton. I liked the way she tore into Cade at the beginning. I can't wait for her story because I think she has some trouble ahead of her from a few hints that were dropped along the way. I liked Peyton's mother and felt terrible for her, as her fears of her ex created deeper problems with her alcoholism. I was impressed that she held it together as well as she did during the final confrontation. But it was Cade's Aunt Cecilia that had the most significant secondary role, in my opinion. I did not like her at all at the start of the book. She came across as a snob, cold, and without an ounce of human kindness in her soul. I hated the way she treated Peyton, even more so as her role in keeping Peyton and Cade apart was revealed. She grew on me a little during the scene at the gas station and redeemed herself at the end.
Peyton and Cade knew each other in high school when she was a freshman, and he was a senior. Both were involved in the high school's arts program, Cade on the music side, and Peyton on the film side. Peyton did her best to keep a low profile because she wasn't in that high school's district, and had pretty much lied her way in. She saw the arts program as her only way out of her abusive family life. Cade knew the truth but kept her secret. He graduated and went off to Nashville to pursue his singing career, while Peyton continued her efforts. By the time she graduated, she had won a full scholarship to a London film school. A few weeks after she graduated from high school, her car broke down, and she took refuge in Cade's lake cabin. He showed up and the attraction they'd fought for years became too much. There were consequences to that night together, but miscommunication and outside interference kept them apart, leaving each believing that the other had turned their back.
Five years later, Cade returns to Oak Grove for a visit and runs into Peyton, the woman he's never been able to forget. Something in that encounter seems off, and it takes some effort for him to track down Peyton and find out why. Peyton is terrified to see Cade, afraid of him finding out what she hid all these years. I was impressed by Cade's determination to get to the bottom of the mystery, and his patience and kindness as he tried to get through to Peyton. I ached for Peyton, who truly believed that he had turned his back on her when she needed him most. I loved that, once she understood what happened, she didn't keep the truth from him. Cade's reaction was priceless, and I loved seeing his joy in the news.
I thoroughly enjoyed the development of the relationship between Peyton and Cade. There was no doubt that the attraction and feelings between them were just as strong as they'd been before. Cade is determined to show Peyton that she and Jess belong in his life. It was sweet to see how well he still understood her and the confidence he had in her. His insistence that she be in charge of his music video and documentary gave her confidence quite a boost, once she believed it was really happening. I loved watching her bloom, especially standing up to the guy who always put her down. I also adored the scene in the bar during the girls' night out, as he and the LT guys watched their ladies have fun, though it didn't take long for Cade to stake his claim. It was easy to see that Cade was all-in, but Peyton was still a bit wary. She wasn't sure if Cade wanted her, as well as Jess, and was hesitant to fully trust him with her heart. It took two brushes with death for her to finally accept the truth. The ending was fantastic.
Peyton's daughter Jess has been one of my favorite characters throughout the series, and I loved getting to know her even better. She is an adorable mixture of little girl and teenager/young adult. Her relationship with Peyton is fantastic, and the love they share leaps off the page. I loved her stated intention of becoming the "Empress of the Elementary School" and her apparent confidence in her ability to do so. I loved watching her wrap Cade around her little fingers, and laughed out loud at their bonding over bad choices. Her friendship with Finn's son Ethan is as strong as ever. I love Ethan's protectiveness toward Jess, even more so since the events in the previous book. Ethan totally stole my heart with his man-to-man talk with Cade at the end, and I loved how seriously Cade treated Ethan's concerns. I can't wait to see the two of them grow up.
This wouldn't be a Linear Tactical book without danger coming to the main characters. In this book, the threat comes from two directions. Cade has picked up a stalker, one that has escalated from nuisance attacks to something more dangerous. He and his security team have tried to find out who it is, but the stalker seems to stay one step ahead of them. It is disturbing to realize that the stalker seems to know far more of the inside workings of Cade's life than any of them are comfortable with. As the story went on, I had several suspects in mind, but it took me almost to the end to figure out who it was. The final confrontation was terrifying, as the stalker seemed utterly convinced of the necessity of his actions. The second danger focused on Peyton. Five years earlier, her stepfather had nearly killed her and went to prison. Unfortunately, she and her mother learn that Dennis will be released early from prison. Though there is a restraining order to keep him away from them, we all know how that usually works out. When Peyton is attacked, there are questions about whether it is Dennis. Peyton's mother, an alcoholic, believes it is, but there is no evidence. I was on the edge of my seat when Dennis made his move, as there were so many things that could go wrong. I loved Peyton's ability to keep a cool head, and Jess's quick thinking also helped. The deciding factor was the help from an unexpected source, which surprised both Peyton and me. Another surprise was the connection between the two dangers.
I always love the secondary characters. As always, the LT members wander in and out of the book as needed, and have our characters' backs in times of trouble. I liked seeing more of Baby in this book and loved the close friendship between him and Cade. I liked how he gave Cade a kick in the seat when he needed it. I enjoy his self-deprecating humor, his way with the ladies, and have the feeling that there is something important going on with him. I liked seeing more of Girl Riley and loved her support of Peyton. I liked the way she tore into Cade at the beginning. I can't wait for her story because I think she has some trouble ahead of her from a few hints that were dropped along the way. I liked Peyton's mother and felt terrible for her, as her fears of her ex created deeper problems with her alcoholism. I was impressed that she held it together as well as she did during the final confrontation. But it was Cade's Aunt Cecilia that had the most significant secondary role, in my opinion. I did not like her at all at the start of the book. She came across as a snob, cold, and without an ounce of human kindness in her soul. I hated the way she treated Peyton, even more so as her role in keeping Peyton and Cade apart was revealed. She grew on me a little during the scene at the gas station and redeemed herself at the end.
