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heabooknerd's review against another edition
3.0
CUT by Lara Adrian
3 stars
Tori thought she had the love of her life, but when Ethan disappears one morning she's devastated. When Tori runs into Ethan 3 years later she wants answers but she's not sure she can trust anything Ethan says. Ethan was an agent in the covert government Phoenix Group that uses psychically gifted people to prevent terrorist attacks. However, when the group is burned and all the agents go into hiding, Ethan is forced to leave Tori behind. He's been on the run ever since and he doesn't want Tori to end up in danger because of him. I loved the concept of the psychic agent covert group and how all these agents are on the run after they get burned. This book was mostly action and the reuniting of Tori and Ethan but it sets up the beginning of the Phoenix agents getting back together. Though Ethan's immediate problem is resolved, the overall mystery of what happened to the Phoenix Group is left unanswered. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Ethan, since he's hiding his true identity from Tori and knows he'll have to leave her at any second. But I did end up liking him as you understand how his feelings grew for Tori and how in reality, Ethan long ago pushed away his "real" identity and his hurtful past. I did feel like Tori forgave Ethan really quickly after they met again but the book is only about 135 pages so there really wasn't space to drag it out.
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RUN by Tina Folsom
2 stars
Scott was a part of the Phoenix Program before it all went down and he's been hiding out ever since. But he was more than just an agent, he was the adoptive son of the Program creator and he feels that loss keenly. Phoebe is a journalist about to lose her job if she doesn't do something to impress her Editor in Chief. When she and the kids she's chaperoning are almost killed, she's stunned to be saved by a mysterious motorcyclist who seemed to know exactly what to do. But when he runs and refuses to talk about himself, Phoebe becomes suspicious. I struggled a lot more with this one for several reasons. First, there was something about the writing that just didn't work well for me. It was super descriptive in some areas, especially the bedroom scenes, and I found myself skimming most of them toward the end. I did like Scott's character and I really felt for him in regards to losing his father. You could tell he was still affected by that loss even after 3 years. However, I didn't really like Phoebe because she came across as really one-dimensional and a bit stereotypically. I know that the characters are supposed to have insta-love but they fall into bed together really fast and in a way that just doesn't make sense. Phoebe also gets angry at all the "right" moments that a woman is supposed to get angry and she had very little background development compared to Scott. The assassin in this one was also terrible; he came across as a caricature of what an evil assassin is supposed to be. He was way too emotional and seemed to be taking the assignment personally which is the exact opposite of hired killers.
3 stars
Tori thought she had the love of her life, but when Ethan disappears one morning she's devastated. When Tori runs into Ethan 3 years later she wants answers but she's not sure she can trust anything Ethan says. Ethan was an agent in the covert government Phoenix Group that uses psychically gifted people to prevent terrorist attacks. However, when the group is burned and all the agents go into hiding, Ethan is forced to leave Tori behind. He's been on the run ever since and he doesn't want Tori to end up in danger because of him. I loved the concept of the psychic agent covert group and how all these agents are on the run after they get burned. This book was mostly action and the reuniting of Tori and Ethan but it sets up the beginning of the Phoenix agents getting back together. Though Ethan's immediate problem is resolved, the overall mystery of what happened to the Phoenix Group is left unanswered. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about Ethan, since he's hiding his true identity from Tori and knows he'll have to leave her at any second. But I did end up liking him as you understand how his feelings grew for Tori and how in reality, Ethan long ago pushed away his "real" identity and his hurtful past. I did feel like Tori forgave Ethan really quickly after they met again but the book is only about 135 pages so there really wasn't space to drag it out.
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RUN by Tina Folsom
2 stars
Scott was a part of the Phoenix Program before it all went down and he's been hiding out ever since. But he was more than just an agent, he was the adoptive son of the Program creator and he feels that loss keenly. Phoebe is a journalist about to lose her job if she doesn't do something to impress her Editor in Chief. When she and the kids she's chaperoning are almost killed, she's stunned to be saved by a mysterious motorcyclist who seemed to know exactly what to do. But when he runs and refuses to talk about himself, Phoebe becomes suspicious. I struggled a lot more with this one for several reasons. First, there was something about the writing that just didn't work well for me. It was super descriptive in some areas, especially the bedroom scenes, and I found myself skimming most of them toward the end. I did like Scott's character and I really felt for him in regards to losing his father. You could tell he was still affected by that loss even after 3 years. However, I didn't really like Phoebe because she came across as really one-dimensional and a bit stereotypically. I know that the characters are supposed to have insta-love but they fall into bed together really fast and in a way that just doesn't make sense. Phoebe also gets angry at all the "right" moments that a woman is supposed to get angry and she had very little background development compared to Scott. The assassin in this one was also terrible; he came across as a caricature of what an evil assassin is supposed to be. He was way too emotional and seemed to be taking the assignment personally which is the exact opposite of hired killers.
romancejunkie1025's review against another edition
3.0
3.75 a pretty good by short read with not much of an overall conclusion for each story. seems to be not really cliffhangers as much as loose threads in each story. looking forward to the next two books though
jetenold's review against another edition
4.0
Highly enjoyed it. Added the next one to my wish list:)
inmyhumbleopinion's review against another edition
4.0
Two books in one. Two fabulous authors telling stories from one world. Romantic suspense that will leave you breathless.
chelseaj91's review against another edition
3.0
Cut by Lara Adrian 3 Stars!This was an interesting introduction. I did find myself wanting more on Phoenix and how they came to be. Like, there was a little more in the next story but I still wanted more of an explanation on stuff. On the one hand, I wanted to smack Ethan at the interaction after three years; she'd already called out, so his trying to get her to go away was a moot point. It had already attracted attention so there wasn't any point in pretending it hadn't. I did find myself worrying he was going to leave and while he tried for about half a second, he stuck around. I did have to laugh at his rationalization that he was going to protect Tori for the night and then stick her on an airplane the next day and walk away. Bro, you didn't even try! I liked the way Tori handled things; yeah, she was angry at him but she also still trusted him, even if it seemed weird. On the one hand, I did wish there'd been a little more reconciliation with Ethan's dad/his past, at the same time, the way that was handled seemed just right for the character
Run by Tina Folsom 3 Stars!Didn't quite like this one as much as I did Cut, although I will admit to liking Scott a little more than Ethan. Phoebe made me roll my eyes. I get wanting to save her job and get this story, the event was pretty harrowing and admittedly deserved something, but it was clear that Scott hadn't wanted to be found. Yet she lied to his boss and showed up out of nowhere at his apartment. Especially considering the fact that she was thinking he might be some kind of criminal, I was just wondering what part of her brain she was using?! Then there was the interaction at the motel; granted the info was pretty damning but use your brain for 2 seconds, woman! There was a little more on how Phoenix came into being this time around, but I'm still curious about this program. And who killed Sheppard and sent the rest of the team to ground. And who's sending out these assassins! Kind of interested in reading the next book...
juddicted's review
Sadly this companion book wasn't it for me. The stories were too short to be well elaborated. The plots for both stories felt weak - which is to be expected for this pagetime and the main focus being a romantic relationship.
Speaking of which: where I could understand the growing feelings for the first pairing - since they knew each other back then - I felt absolute no connection for the second pairing. Despite the amazing sexual tension between them, there was NOTHING that could explain their growing feelings. Nothing but Instalove, cause that's what it was to me. Also both male characters often had chauvinistic tendencies when "handling" their women and the female protagonists felt pretty weak and acted stupid in so many ways.
Honestly I expected the whole world building to be different. For example I thought the Phoenix program would contain moredifferent skills, not only premonition and that these skills would play a more prominent role.
One bonus point is, that there seems to be a main storyarc, which builds up with each book. Also the writing style of both authors was good and understandable, so no complaints there. But all in all, this book series isn't it for me, so I won't continue with it.
Speaking of which: where I could understand the growing feelings for the first pairing - since they knew each other back then - I felt absolute no connection for the second pairing. Despite the amazing sexual tension between them, there was NOTHING that could explain their growing feelings. Nothing but Instalove, cause that's what it was to me. Also both male characters often had chauvinistic tendencies when "handling" their women and the female protagonists felt pretty weak and acted stupid in so many ways.
Honestly I expected the whole world building to be different. For example I thought the Phoenix program would contain more
One bonus point is, that there seems to be a main storyarc, which builds up with each book. Also the writing style of both authors was good and understandable, so no complaints there. But all in all, this book series isn't it for me, so I won't continue with it.
karja26's review
5.0
This is absolutely amazing! Love how both Lara and Tiny unfolded each story without giving too much information in regards to Phoenix. Have to say reading Tina's Run I started thinking "oh no Henry, really hope there's a twist and Henry's alive". Through Scott's eyes we see Henry more than the leader of Phoenix. Lara's Cut was a wonderful opening to the series. And as usual Lara delivers splendidly!
Job well done ladies! Already preordered Hide & Seek, June can't get here fast enough.
Job well done ladies! Already preordered Hide & Seek, June can't get here fast enough.
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