Helpful Score: 2
I love Ms. Gerard, & have enjoyed all of her Black Ops books, but this one is the weakest of the bunch. The storyline, the character development, & the resolution - all could have been sooo much more. I think the author must have been daydreaming because this book is just a shadow of some of her other books. Disappointing.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book! I spent all day yesterday and late into the night reading - just couldn't put it down. Joe is such a great character, and he's tormented (and being beaten and starved in a Sierra Leone prison). Stephanie, his girlfriend, is the sister of one of the BOI's, the one Joe couldn't save. It's a thriller, a page turner, a hot romance, and wonderful. Although I missed the BOI guys, the final gathering at the end was a lovely way to get caught up with their lives and growing families. I can't wait for Mike (the hottest pilot ever). His story is next, and I've been in love with him forever. Cindy Gerard's books are all wonderful! I just know when I buy one, I'll be happily holed up for a day or two, and she's never let me down. Do yourself a huge favor - read Last Man Standng!
This was a good, solid ending to a great series. We've seen Joe and Steph's arc over several books and it was only fitting that the family which suffered the greatest loss (Bryan's family and Steph's brother) is finally able to get some resolution and happiness in this last installment for the BOI's. My ONLY complaint was that I felt Joe straddled the line a little too much between being alpha and beta, and I felt like ALL the BOI's are probably very much alpha in character but Joe didn't feel that way for me. Loved Steph and love how she was ready to walk away if she had to. 4.5 stars/A-
I truly enjoyed this book and was surprised by the lukewarm reviews it's received. If you like the "she rescued him right back" concept this book is for you! I think the fact that Joe had been jailed, starved, and beaten daily was the reason for his slightly less "alpha" than usual behavior. Sharing his emotional pain and leadership in the field ultimately makes him stronger in the end and they're a great couple! Nice glimpse of the whole gang in the epilogue.
After years of believing that his teammate's death was a set-up, Joe Green has finally discovered who was behind it. Not wanting to drag his lover, Stephanie Tompkins, into danger, Joe heads to Sierra Leone to find evidence of the crime. But his hunt is cut short when he is thrown into prison for murder. Stephanie couldn't believe it when Joe told her he didn't love her. She knew he was lying, but didn't know why. When she discovers that Joe has been lingering in prison for weeks, she knows she has to help him out of the mess he is in.
This is the last full-sized book in Cindy Gerard's Black Ops, Inc. series. We've seen both Stephanie and Joe throughout the series. I figured their book would be the best of the bunch. Well, it was good but not great. I can't put my finger on it, but something was missing. I liked the new take-charge Stephanie. She's been hanging around the Black Ops guys for so long, she's starting to think like them. Joe was an all-around nice guy who needed smacked for dumping his girlfriend for her own good. Really? He couldn't just tell her the truth? I did enjoy the addition of a former RUF fighter who helps them out of a jam. My rating: 4 Stars.
This is the last full-sized book in Cindy Gerard's Black Ops, Inc. series. We've seen both Stephanie and Joe throughout the series. I figured their book would be the best of the bunch. Well, it was good but not great. I can't put my finger on it, but something was missing. I liked the new take-charge Stephanie. She's been hanging around the Black Ops guys for so long, she's starting to think like them. Joe was an all-around nice guy who needed smacked for dumping his girlfriend for her own good. Really? He couldn't just tell her the truth? I did enjoy the addition of a former RUF fighter who helps them out of a jam. My rating: 4 Stars.
Excellent reading
The last one of the series and I expected it to go out with a bang but I have to say I was a little disappointed. I agree this one was the weakest out of them. Perhaps Gerard got tired of writing this series.
Things I did like: It was action packed and moved rather quickly. I loved the side characters, especially the ex-RUF boys.
Things I did not like:
1. The reader never gets to work anything out. Gerard basically tells you who the bad guy is and what he did. There is no mystery.
2. I hated that Stephanie had to become someone else before Joe really loved and respected her. I kind of like the smart Stephanie that doesn't kick butt. She could have been a strong character without the physical aspects. She basically became BJ (one of the other woman from the series). Joe also gave up the take charge role to her too quickly. She has no field experience. Why wouldn't he double-check and why wouldn't they want his input? That bit seemed more like Stephanie trying to get back at him for treating her like she was a weakling and it didn't make sense.
3. The other BOI members are mentioned throughout but not involved. The only real scenes they are in are in the epilogue when everyone gets together. I was kind of hoping I would get to see everyone in action together for one last time.
4. You knew what was going to happen with the bad guy in the end the minute he was introduced.
It was an okay read. It just wasn't as good as the rest of the books and it being the last one, I was expecting more.
Things I did like: It was action packed and moved rather quickly. I loved the side characters, especially the ex-RUF boys.
Things I did not like:
1. The reader never gets to work anything out. Gerard basically tells you who the bad guy is and what he did. There is no mystery.
2. I hated that Stephanie had to become someone else before Joe really loved and respected her. I kind of like the smart Stephanie that doesn't kick butt. She could have been a strong character without the physical aspects. She basically became BJ (one of the other woman from the series). Joe also gave up the take charge role to her too quickly. She has no field experience. Why wouldn't he double-check and why wouldn't they want his input? That bit seemed more like Stephanie trying to get back at him for treating her like she was a weakling and it didn't make sense.
3. The other BOI members are mentioned throughout but not involved. The only real scenes they are in are in the epilogue when everyone gets together. I was kind of hoping I would get to see everyone in action together for one last time.
4. You knew what was going to happen with the bad guy in the end the minute he was introduced.
It was an okay read. It just wasn't as good as the rest of the books and it being the last one, I was expecting more.
