Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Terrific book that kept me hooked from beginning to end. It was fast-paced, with a believable scenario and sympathetic characters. Though the action took place over 24 to 36 hours, it did not feel rushed. In addition to the main characters, Jake and Becca, previous characters Nash and Lynn (Wyoming Winter Rescue) also play significant roles in this book.
Jake and Becca are FBI agents who have a friends-with-benefits relationship. They've known each other since they attended the FBI Academy, where a simmering attraction underscored an intense rivalry. After meeting again recently, they began a no-strings, no-commitment relationship, indulging their passion without risking their hearts. But that is about to change.
As the book opens, Becca breaks the news that she's pregnant with his baby. She wants to know where he sees their relationship going. Stunned by the news, Jake isn't sure how to react. He tells her he likes things the way they are, sticks his foot in his mouth about the baby, and is distracted by a drive-by shooting. They are at the local library waiting to pick up Becca's nephew. As gunmen approach the library, Becca rushes in to attempt to get her nephew and his friends out but gets taken hostage along with the others.
Jake, an FBI hostage negotiator, steps up to help local officials deal with the situation. He's still reeling from Becca's news but has to bury those feelings to do his job. However, knowing she is in danger makes him realize how much he cares for her. He's avoided commitment because of a disastrous past relationship, but his feelings for Becca are strong enough to overcome those fears. He just has to keep her alive long enough to tell her.
I loved the depth of detail in the book, from the actions taken by the characters to their thoughts and motivations. Jake's patience and determination are stellar, and I loved seeing him work his magic with the head hostage taker. He has to deal with outside influences, and I enjoyed seeing him shut them down. Jake's fear for Becca is palpable as the negotiations go on. Meanwhile, Becca, who has not disclosed that she is an FBI agent, is determined to do whatever she can to help Jake and the others succeed. She took several risks that could get her killed and drew the attention of the least stable of the gunmen, and I held my breath at several close calls. The final confrontation at the library was a nail-biter.
Then an unexpected discovery reveals that the threat isn't over. The time to prevent a disaster is short, and the agents are left scrambling to get the information they need. I loved that Becca knew where to find the weakest link, thanks to her time as a hostage. Her methods of getting the required information were precisely what was needed. The intensity was incredible as she, Jake, and other agents raced to the scene. Of course, Becca was the one who found what they were looking for and had the training to handle it.
I loved the ending. I liked seeing how the events they experienced affected Jake. Initially, though he knew Becca was excellent at her job, he constantly questioned her judgment and actions. This frustrated her, and I sometimes wondered why she stayed with him. I liked how she called him out on it. I liked how he finally gave her the respect she deserved, though he still had a little work to do. His confession of his feelings was emotional, awkward, and sweet. I hope to see more of them in later books.
Jake and Becca are FBI agents who have a friends-with-benefits relationship. They've known each other since they attended the FBI Academy, where a simmering attraction underscored an intense rivalry. After meeting again recently, they began a no-strings, no-commitment relationship, indulging their passion without risking their hearts. But that is about to change.
As the book opens, Becca breaks the news that she's pregnant with his baby. She wants to know where he sees their relationship going. Stunned by the news, Jake isn't sure how to react. He tells her he likes things the way they are, sticks his foot in his mouth about the baby, and is distracted by a drive-by shooting. They are at the local library waiting to pick up Becca's nephew. As gunmen approach the library, Becca rushes in to attempt to get her nephew and his friends out but gets taken hostage along with the others.
Jake, an FBI hostage negotiator, steps up to help local officials deal with the situation. He's still reeling from Becca's news but has to bury those feelings to do his job. However, knowing she is in danger makes him realize how much he cares for her. He's avoided commitment because of a disastrous past relationship, but his feelings for Becca are strong enough to overcome those fears. He just has to keep her alive long enough to tell her.
I loved the depth of detail in the book, from the actions taken by the characters to their thoughts and motivations. Jake's patience and determination are stellar, and I loved seeing him work his magic with the head hostage taker. He has to deal with outside influences, and I enjoyed seeing him shut them down. Jake's fear for Becca is palpable as the negotiations go on. Meanwhile, Becca, who has not disclosed that she is an FBI agent, is determined to do whatever she can to help Jake and the others succeed. She took several risks that could get her killed and drew the attention of the least stable of the gunmen, and I held my breath at several close calls. The final confrontation at the library was a nail-biter.
Then an unexpected discovery reveals that the threat isn't over. The time to prevent a disaster is short, and the agents are left scrambling to get the information they need. I loved that Becca knew where to find the weakest link, thanks to her time as a hostage. Her methods of getting the required information were precisely what was needed. The intensity was incredible as she, Jake, and other agents raced to the scene. Of course, Becca was the one who found what they were looking for and had the training to handle it.
I loved the ending. I liked seeing how the events they experienced affected Jake. Initially, though he knew Becca was excellent at her job, he constantly questioned her judgment and actions. This frustrated her, and I sometimes wondered why she stayed with him. I liked how she called him out on it. I liked how he finally gave her the respect she deserved, though he still had a little work to do. His confession of his feelings was emotional, awkward, and sweet. I hope to see more of them in later books.
