Susan F. (scoutmomskf) - , reviewed on 5/19/2023 + 2608 more book reviews

A fantastic, fast-paced, and action-filled book I read in one sitting. Charlie owns USD (Underground Self Defense), a gym that teaches self-defense to women. Charlie also has a lesser-known activity of helping women escape their abusers. It is a cause near and dear to her heart for heartbreaking reasons, and those reasons left her with a deep-seated distrust of cops.

As the book opens, Charlie gets a call from one of her clients, Haley, who says her cop husband, Seth, is going to kill her. Charlie races to Haley's rescue, only to find the kitchen spattered with blood and no sign of Haley. No sooner does Charlie leave the home to search for Haley than the house explodes. She escapes before the fire department arrives and asks her ATF agent cousin, Rocco, for help. Rocco is tied up with work and sends his friend Detective Brian Bradshaw to her, warning him about Charlie's attitude.

Brian first met Charlie a year earlier and was immediately taken by her beauty and feistiness. Unfortunately for him, Charlie won't give him the time of day, no matter how hard he tries. So, when Rocco asks Brian for help, he can't say yes fast enough. But nothing prepares him for what she has to say.

Charlie remembers Brian very well. He's the only man who has stirred her emotions in years, but trusting him doesn't come easily. She isn't happy to see him show up at her house, but she realizes she needs the help. There are some tense moments when Brian learns that a fellow officer is the suspected murderer, but when someone shoots at her house, he is determined to keep her safe. Brian is very protective of Charlie, but she isn't someone who can sit back and let him do it all. Because of her trust issues, she isn't exactly upfront about her plans and gets into some risky situations. The deeper they get into their investigation, the more complicated it becomes. There were unexpected twists, players who weren't what they seemed, and a final confrontation that could have easily gone sideways.

I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Charlie and Brian. Because of his feelings for her, Brian does an excellent job of not pushing too hard and lets his actions speak for themselves. I loved seeing him let her barbs roll off his back because he knew he had the patience to wait for her to trust him. I knew he was getting closer when she shared her past with him. Their chemistry was intense, and here again, Brian practiced patience, waiting for Charlie to be ready for more than a fling. However, they have to survive to have the relationship he wants. I loved the ending and Brian's surprise for her.

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