Helpful Score: 2
I enjoyed book one of this series and then I liked book two even better, but book three is my favorite so far. Maya Banks series is getting better with each book. Can't wait for the next one. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romantic suspense, especially to those like me who like military heroes.
From the earlier books I wan't sure I was going to like Garret, but you see a whole other side to him in this book. And I also liked Sarah who admits that she doesn't know how to be on the run and hide, but gives it her best shot anyway. She is inept at it without being stupid or aggravating. This book is a winner!!
From the earlier books I wan't sure I was going to like Garret, but you see a whole other side to him in this book. And I also liked Sarah who admits that she doesn't know how to be on the run and hide, but gives it her best shot anyway. She is inept at it without being stupid or aggravating. This book is a winner!!
Very good book. Love the series.
really good. another winner in the KGI series!
Thus far this series is getting a little better with each book. I liked Sarah more than I thought I would. (She is not TSTL even though she is naive). Enjoyed the parts with various family members. About time those boys finally accepting Rusty as part of the family. Unfortunately, it took something bad happening before the boys stopped acting like assholes where she was concerned. Good read.
Blurb: The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, to secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Host/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can't...
A man who shoots first and asks questions later...
Most people would take an all-expenses-paid trip to the beach in a heartbeat. Garrett Kelly only accepts to keep tabs on Sarah Daniels, who's in hiding after witnessing a murder by Marcus Lattimer, her half-brother -- and a personal enemy of KGI. This gig may be beneath a disciplined soldier like Garrett, but if he gets a shot at Lattimer, it will all be worth it...
...and the ultimate moving target.
But Garrett hadn't counted on falling for Sarah. He'd considered seduction as a tactical maneuver, but when he glimpses Sarah's dark past, he feels an urgent desire to keep her safe -- even after she disappears on him. Garrett doesn't know exactly who, or what, Sarah's running from, but whatever it is, she's running for her life...
What Stephanie Thought: I usually don't find myself enjoying romantic suspense because I like my romance books to be simple and realistic, something I can snuggle up with after a long day and not have to think too deeply about. Hidden Away, March's upcoming Berkley Sensation release, is an exception though. Frankly, I loved it.
Let me begin with the story line first. I had not realized, when I started reading, that this book was the third installment of Maya Banks's KGI series. So, much of the plot was confusing, but I had it down pat once I was about halfway-through; it wasn't that hard to figure out and I will personally say it makes a great stand-alone novel. The Kellys are a noble, cunning family with a proud line of spies, agents, and soldiers alike. All of the Kelly sons were once part of the Marine or the Army yet Garrett Kelly, though only in his thirties, is retired due to injuries. He now accepts top-secret missions to save and protect refugees and victims of crime or war. And he thought by leaving the military, the hard part was over -- until he was assigned Sarah's case.
To make a long story short, Sarah Daniels was raped by her boss, Allen Cross, and her half-brother, Marcus, rebounds with a cold vengeance by murdering him. Once the trigger is pulled though, is when Marcus realizes that killing a man right in his office is a tragic mistake, and Sarah, the only witness of the shooting, is forced to run away in order to keep her half-brother safe from the government.
Even before actually meeting Sarah, Garrett knows there is something about her that draws him to her. He willingly accepts the mission, and locates Sarah at her "hiding place" way too easily. Though he is hired by the very men who want to convict Marcus, he lies to Sarah saying Marcus is the one who brought him to her, and unfortunately, Sarah believes him.
Hidden Away is a story of failed trust, loyalty, and deceit. Sarah's journey of losing herself within Garrett's charm and kindness is portrayed beautifully, only to have it shatter when she finds out he is actually after Marcus. Garrett's struggle to remain loyal to his family and the KGI, but "fall head over ass" is admittedly enlivening, but heartbreaking at the same time. And the way Sarah is able to rebuild her trust in the man she realizes she loves is a warm, hopeful ride that is complemented by strong passion and scintillating romance.
By far, Hidden Away was made enjoyable most by Banks's writing style. Her voice is rich and detailed, but not too flowery, and her writing contains LOTS of humor, provided, it's mostly crude. However, that's my kind of story: one with wit and vulgarity, so I found it entertaining. A warning for the more genteel: there is a lot of swearing in this book. Maybe one or two swear words per page, oftentimes more. I didn't have a problem with it, but some of you might, so it's just a heads up.
Another thing I loved about this novel. Berkley Sensation is the erotic imprint of the Berkley Publishing Group. Unlike most erotic novels however, Hidden Away does not have characters sleeping with each other all over the place within the first few chapters. In fact, despite major flirting, innocent kissing, and somewhat heavy petting, actual sex does not occur until about the last quarter of the book. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I think it enhanced my anticipation of the story because I knew Sarah and Garrett had it bad for each other; it was just a matter of when they would express that attraction. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time building up to the (sinfully) steamy sex scene. Not only because of all the suspense with guns and fighting, because I just needed to know what would happen in the relationship. And Banks certainly satisfied by detailing a scene of passion sensually and enticingly.
Some of the dialog was repetitive. This wouldn't have been so disappointing if the original line wasn't so good. I would come across a line while reading and laugh out loud thinking, "Oh my gosh, this is great." But then about fifty pages later, the same line would come up again, which took away from my initial awe of Banks's delightful verbosity. That is the only thing I disliked about Hidden Away. Other than that, it is perfect, perfect, and more perfect. Not one stray bullet.
Stephanie Loves: "'It's all right,' he crooned as he stroked down her arm. 'You're safe now. Take some deep breaths.' ... Gradually her heartbeat slowed and he could no longer feel the erratic thump of her pulse. She raised her head, bumping his chin as she stared across the room at the table where his gun rested.
'You have a gun,' she whispered.
He winced. Trust her to notice that detail. She was probably one of those women who fainted at the sight of a weapon.
'Yeah.'
She raised herself off his chest to look into his eyes. 'Can I have it?'
As what-the-fuck moments went, this one was one of the bigger ones. The thing was, she was dead serious. There was an earnestness to her gaze that said she really wanted him to give her his gun. Shit."
Where Stephanie Got It: Kim at SOS Aloha for review.
Radical Rating: 9 hearts- One of my all-time favorites! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Host/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can't...
A man who shoots first and asks questions later...
Most people would take an all-expenses-paid trip to the beach in a heartbeat. Garrett Kelly only accepts to keep tabs on Sarah Daniels, who's in hiding after witnessing a murder by Marcus Lattimer, her half-brother -- and a personal enemy of KGI. This gig may be beneath a disciplined soldier like Garrett, but if he gets a shot at Lattimer, it will all be worth it...
...and the ultimate moving target.
But Garrett hadn't counted on falling for Sarah. He'd considered seduction as a tactical maneuver, but when he glimpses Sarah's dark past, he feels an urgent desire to keep her safe -- even after she disappears on him. Garrett doesn't know exactly who, or what, Sarah's running from, but whatever it is, she's running for her life...
What Stephanie Thought: I usually don't find myself enjoying romantic suspense because I like my romance books to be simple and realistic, something I can snuggle up with after a long day and not have to think too deeply about. Hidden Away, March's upcoming Berkley Sensation release, is an exception though. Frankly, I loved it.
Let me begin with the story line first. I had not realized, when I started reading, that this book was the third installment of Maya Banks's KGI series. So, much of the plot was confusing, but I had it down pat once I was about halfway-through; it wasn't that hard to figure out and I will personally say it makes a great stand-alone novel. The Kellys are a noble, cunning family with a proud line of spies, agents, and soldiers alike. All of the Kelly sons were once part of the Marine or the Army yet Garrett Kelly, though only in his thirties, is retired due to injuries. He now accepts top-secret missions to save and protect refugees and victims of crime or war. And he thought by leaving the military, the hard part was over -- until he was assigned Sarah's case.
To make a long story short, Sarah Daniels was raped by her boss, Allen Cross, and her half-brother, Marcus, rebounds with a cold vengeance by murdering him. Once the trigger is pulled though, is when Marcus realizes that killing a man right in his office is a tragic mistake, and Sarah, the only witness of the shooting, is forced to run away in order to keep her half-brother safe from the government.
Even before actually meeting Sarah, Garrett knows there is something about her that draws him to her. He willingly accepts the mission, and locates Sarah at her "hiding place" way too easily. Though he is hired by the very men who want to convict Marcus, he lies to Sarah saying Marcus is the one who brought him to her, and unfortunately, Sarah believes him.
Hidden Away is a story of failed trust, loyalty, and deceit. Sarah's journey of losing herself within Garrett's charm and kindness is portrayed beautifully, only to have it shatter when she finds out he is actually after Marcus. Garrett's struggle to remain loyal to his family and the KGI, but "fall head over ass" is admittedly enlivening, but heartbreaking at the same time. And the way Sarah is able to rebuild her trust in the man she realizes she loves is a warm, hopeful ride that is complemented by strong passion and scintillating romance.
By far, Hidden Away was made enjoyable most by Banks's writing style. Her voice is rich and detailed, but not too flowery, and her writing contains LOTS of humor, provided, it's mostly crude. However, that's my kind of story: one with wit and vulgarity, so I found it entertaining. A warning for the more genteel: there is a lot of swearing in this book. Maybe one or two swear words per page, oftentimes more. I didn't have a problem with it, but some of you might, so it's just a heads up.
Another thing I loved about this novel. Berkley Sensation is the erotic imprint of the Berkley Publishing Group. Unlike most erotic novels however, Hidden Away does not have characters sleeping with each other all over the place within the first few chapters. In fact, despite major flirting, innocent kissing, and somewhat heavy petting, actual sex does not occur until about the last quarter of the book. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I think it enhanced my anticipation of the story because I knew Sarah and Garrett had it bad for each other; it was just a matter of when they would express that attraction. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time building up to the (sinfully) steamy sex scene. Not only because of all the suspense with guns and fighting, because I just needed to know what would happen in the relationship. And Banks certainly satisfied by detailing a scene of passion sensually and enticingly.
Some of the dialog was repetitive. This wouldn't have been so disappointing if the original line wasn't so good. I would come across a line while reading and laugh out loud thinking, "Oh my gosh, this is great." But then about fifty pages later, the same line would come up again, which took away from my initial awe of Banks's delightful verbosity. That is the only thing I disliked about Hidden Away. Other than that, it is perfect, perfect, and more perfect. Not one stray bullet.
Stephanie Loves: "'It's all right,' he crooned as he stroked down her arm. 'You're safe now. Take some deep breaths.' ... Gradually her heartbeat slowed and he could no longer feel the erratic thump of her pulse. She raised her head, bumping his chin as she stared across the room at the table where his gun rested.
'You have a gun,' she whispered.
He winced. Trust her to notice that detail. She was probably one of those women who fainted at the sight of a weapon.
'Yeah.'
She raised herself off his chest to look into his eyes. 'Can I have it?'
As what-the-fuck moments went, this one was one of the bigger ones. The thing was, she was dead serious. There was an earnestness to her gaze that said she really wanted him to give her his gun. Shit."
Where Stephanie Got It: Kim at SOS Aloha for review.
Radical Rating: 9 hearts- One of my all-time favorites! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
So far I think this is my favorite one. Although with each book I like each male character that much more. However I can't help it Garrett has been my favorite since the beginning and I was not let down with his book
My favorite KGI Group novel so far. In the previous books I had the impression that Garret was kind of a goober. I was intrigued by the real Garret. Warm, sensitive, funny, thoughtful, loving and honorable.
His hard fought mission to keep Sarah alive and make her his was adorable, funny and heart wrenching. It hurt him deeply that he had to lie and deceive her. Because of it he almost lost her. He learned that revenge is not that important in the face of true love.
Garret's maternity ward experience with his sister-in-law Sophie was hilarious and probably what most men feel under that circumstance.
His hard fought mission to keep Sarah alive and make her his was adorable, funny and heart wrenching. It hurt him deeply that he had to lie and deceive her. Because of it he almost lost her. He learned that revenge is not that important in the face of true love.
Garret's maternity ward experience with his sister-in-law Sophie was hilarious and probably what most men feel under that circumstance.
Spoilers included.
I was really surprised I couldn't get into this book because I loved the first one. It was kind of slow for me and nothing much happened.
Garrett was my favorite character from the first book and I had loved the scenes with the big, crazy family. But the banter between brothers here were really bad. Mostly just a lot of F- you's and not fun at all. Also in the first book Garrett wasn't that much like Ethan but here he was. All the personality that made him kind of special in the first book was lost in a caricature of an alpha male.
I like Sarah up until the end of the book. Even though I understand why Garrett set her up and don't really fault him for doing his duty, I thought she was too easy to get over it. I guess that was what bothered me most about the book. From the first book I was really impressed with how Banks didn't take the easy way out to create a happily ever after with her characters. Here, I felt like she just slapped on a happy ending that wasn't believable at all. Sarah just found out Garrett used her which lead to her brother being shot and killed right in front of her. It seems like right after her brother's death she was ready to betray him all over again first to CIA and then she was all ready to hop back into a relationship with Garrett without feeling any guilt. I mean, after all that has happened, what does she really know about Garrett and how can she trust him again. It just seemed like she never even was angry at him for betraying her and her brother. Wished he had to work harder to get her back. So the lame ending ruin the book for me.
There was a lot of repeated dialogue, information. There was even the same dialogue and reaction from the first book but said by a different character here.
Things I did like was Rusty's story. I aliked how Banks pitted her attempted rape experience with Sarah's. Both were not officailly reported and Banks did a really good job with showing the fears and feelings of the victim. Unfortunately the big showdown between the brothers and the guy who attacked Rusty lacked emotional importance because Sean the cop already said the exact same thing to the would-be rapist. Kind of takes the steam out of it. Plus it was disappointing to know that they would just warn the guy because he did slap Rusty around a bit and dump her car in a ditch. Seems those action would have warranted a nice butt kicking instead of just a verbal warning.
I will continue to read the series though. I kind of think it was a fluke that I disliked this one so much.
I was really surprised I couldn't get into this book because I loved the first one. It was kind of slow for me and nothing much happened.
Garrett was my favorite character from the first book and I had loved the scenes with the big, crazy family. But the banter between brothers here were really bad. Mostly just a lot of F- you's and not fun at all. Also in the first book Garrett wasn't that much like Ethan but here he was. All the personality that made him kind of special in the first book was lost in a caricature of an alpha male.
I like Sarah up until the end of the book. Even though I understand why Garrett set her up and don't really fault him for doing his duty, I thought she was too easy to get over it. I guess that was what bothered me most about the book. From the first book I was really impressed with how Banks didn't take the easy way out to create a happily ever after with her characters. Here, I felt like she just slapped on a happy ending that wasn't believable at all. Sarah just found out Garrett used her which lead to her brother being shot and killed right in front of her. It seems like right after her brother's death she was ready to betray him all over again first to CIA and then she was all ready to hop back into a relationship with Garrett without feeling any guilt. I mean, after all that has happened, what does she really know about Garrett and how can she trust him again. It just seemed like she never even was angry at him for betraying her and her brother. Wished he had to work harder to get her back. So the lame ending ruin the book for me.
There was a lot of repeated dialogue, information. There was even the same dialogue and reaction from the first book but said by a different character here.
Things I did like was Rusty's story. I aliked how Banks pitted her attempted rape experience with Sarah's. Both were not officailly reported and Banks did a really good job with showing the fears and feelings of the victim. Unfortunately the big showdown between the brothers and the guy who attacked Rusty lacked emotional importance because Sean the cop already said the exact same thing to the would-be rapist. Kind of takes the steam out of it. Plus it was disappointing to know that they would just warn the guy because he did slap Rusty around a bit and dump her car in a ditch. Seems those action would have warranted a nice butt kicking instead of just a verbal warning.
I will continue to read the series though. I kind of think it was a fluke that I disliked this one so much.
This is the third book in Maya Banks KGI series about a family of six brothers who own and operate KGI, a private mercenary company. The CIA hires KGI to take down the head of a huge criminal organization named Lattimer. Garrett Kelly takes the job. Its personal for him since Lattimer shot him and killed members of his team. The CIA wants Garrett to get close to Lattimer's sister Sarah who may be the key to capturing Lattimer. Garrett soon realizes that Sarah is in more danger than they first realized. Protecting Sarah has become personal for Garrett and he will stop at nothing to make sure she comes out alive. A good quick beach read.
Loved the KGI series!
where can I find my own KGI Guy??? I want one! LOL love the whole family, this series is a keeper to read over and over!
