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romancejunkie1025's review
4.0
pretty good story. 3.5 stars. looking forward to book 1. full review to come
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review
3.0
The premise of the book is what enticed me to pick it up but after finishing it; I was left with more concerns than enjoyment. Well, first off, the names in the synopsis are different from the names in the book. I hope this is fixed soon because it’s only going to mislead readers. Secondly, I don’t think the book title works for the book. After reading it, the title just doesn’t fit for me. I know what you’re thinking, these are superficial issues and you’d be right. That’s not what really bothered me about the novella.
The main issue I have is that this romantic suspense just had suspense. Granted, I absolutely enjoyed the suspense. It was exciting and kept me engaged in the story, but I found the romantic aspect of the book…lacking. Because of the length of the novella, there is not much room for a romance to grow. And it’s not really a romance, it’s two people having sex and thinking it feels like more, but nothing ever develops. The page time that the hero and heroine shared was mainly in regards to the suspense and not the romance. The sex scenes were pretty glossed over as well.
I know this is the beginning of a series but I would have loved for this story to have been written as a full length novel. There was so much promise and so much room to expand on the story and when it wasn’t, I ultimately felt cheated. But I did appreciate that the author didn’t wrap up the romance with confessions of love or a happily ever after which did leave room for growth in future books. I just wish some of that growth would have happened in this book to make the chemistry between the couple believable.
I think it’s a great start to what’s going to be an engaging romantic suspense series. I just hope that there is an equal balance of romance and intrigue.
Reviewed by Elizabeth for Cocktails and Books
The main issue I have is that this romantic suspense just had suspense. Granted, I absolutely enjoyed the suspense. It was exciting and kept me engaged in the story, but I found the romantic aspect of the book…lacking. Because of the length of the novella, there is not much room for a romance to grow. And it’s not really a romance, it’s two people having sex and thinking it feels like more, but nothing ever develops. The page time that the hero and heroine shared was mainly in regards to the suspense and not the romance. The sex scenes were pretty glossed over as well.
I know this is the beginning of a series but I would have loved for this story to have been written as a full length novel. There was so much promise and so much room to expand on the story and when it wasn’t, I ultimately felt cheated. But I did appreciate that the author didn’t wrap up the romance with confessions of love or a happily ever after which did leave room for growth in future books. I just wish some of that growth would have happened in this book to make the chemistry between the couple believable.
I think it’s a great start to what’s going to be an engaging romantic suspense series. I just hope that there is an equal balance of romance and intrigue.
Reviewed by Elizabeth for Cocktails and Books
chaneyd423's review
5.0
This is the first time I have read this author, I will definitely be reading the next one in this series!
attytheresa's review
2.0
This is a novella featuring Georgie Flynn who is an award-winning photojournalist with a cyber stalker who is incensed that she was not awarded a Pulitzer for which she was nominated. The story opens with Georgie waking up after a one night stand and, intrigued by the light, shadow and shapes, starts taking beefcake photos of her hunky sleeping partner, Philip. Hubba Hubba! They had met and instantly were attracted when Philip showed up as a firefighter with his K-9 Zander for a fundraising calendar photoshoot. We next meet Georgie 2 months later when she arrives home to find her apartment ransacked and her cameras and computer missing. Enter the FBI and now we find ourselves suddenly in the middle of a terrorist plot where it is suspected that Georgie may have photographed someone the week before who attempted to bomb the Russell Senate Office Building. Much to Georgie's surprise, the bomb sniffing dog is Zander and his handler is none other than Philip - whose real name is Brad.
What follows is a tight plot of tracking the bomber who might just be her cyber stalker, all ending with a dramatic conclusion. It's also a sexy romance between Brad and Georgie, although I found Brad distastefully manipulative. I think I liked this a lot more this time reading it than I did the first time, although I still only give it 2.5 stars. It's a bit thin, the emotional territory covered is weak, but it's also less dark than Ayres' other books.
What follows is a tight plot of tracking the bomber who might just be her cyber stalker, all ending with a dramatic conclusion. It's also a sexy romance between Brad and Georgie, although I found Brad distastefully manipulative. I think I liked this a lot more this time reading it than I did the first time, although I still only give it 2.5 stars. It's a bit thin, the emotional territory covered is weak, but it's also less dark than Ayres' other books.
jonetta's review
4.0
Originally posted at The Book Nympho.com
Georgie Flynn is a photojournalist who gets caught up in an FBI investigation, looking for a bomber they think is connected to her. They're not sure if she's a willing accomplice or being unwittingly manipulated. Brad Lawson is the K-9 bomb technician assigned to watch her, who happened to be her one-night stand weeks before.
This story had a great start and managed to develop a solid story in just a few pages. The romance smoked from the onset but suffered a bit at the end because of its brevity. But, the ending held promise and the novella set up the series perfectly. Isn't that what a novella is supposed to do?
Oh, and let's not forget Zander, the bomb-sniffing canine. His relationship with His handler was touching, which helped me forgive Brad's duplicity. I love having a pooch be front and center in a story and am excited about what's next in this series.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Georgie Flynn is a photojournalist who gets caught up in an FBI investigation, looking for a bomber they think is connected to her. They're not sure if she's a willing accomplice or being unwittingly manipulated. Brad Lawson is the K-9 bomb technician assigned to watch her, who happened to be her one-night stand weeks before.
This story had a great start and managed to develop a solid story in just a few pages. The romance smoked from the onset but suffered a bit at the end because of its brevity. But, the ending held promise and the novella set up the series perfectly. Isn't that what a novella is supposed to do?
Oh, and let's not forget Zander, the bomb-sniffing canine. His relationship with His handler was touching, which helped me forgive Brad's duplicity. I love having a pooch be front and center in a story and am excited about what's next in this series.
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
bananatricky's review
3.0
A fun novella
The blurb
Neither Georgie nor Brad are really developed much in this novella - the emphasis is more on the plot which was good
I'll definitely keep an eye out for more by this author
The blurb
It was supposed to be a sexy calendar shoot to raise money for K-9 service dogs. Photographer Georgie Flynn never expected to break all her personal rules and jump into bed with one of the hunky men posing. And after their steamy night together, she certainly never expected to see him again…despite their powerful connection.
When she's targeted by a stalker and possible bomber, Georgie finds that her gorgeous one-night stand is the only one who can help.
Brad Lawson, an FBI operative, and his K-9 bomb sniffing partner are assigned to protect the pretty photographer--and this time, he’s determined to keep things professional. He just didn't count on their explosive connection rekindling. But with a deadly threat on the horizon, will he be able to keep his body’s demands in check and complete his mission?
Neither Georgie nor Brad are really developed much in this novella - the emphasis is more on the plot which was good
I'll definitely keep an eye out for more by this author
mikayla1717's review
3.0
Cute short and sweet. Would have liked to see more of the dog and more work with them. A very unbelievable story with Georgie forgiving Brad so fast but that's ok. It was a good story.
kame's review
5.0
Georgie is currently living every woman's dream; she is photographing HOT men for a charity calendar. One man just makes her heart (and the rest of her girl parts) flutter a little more than the others. They share a passionate night and part; well until a stalker puts her in danger.
Georgie is everything I am in my dreams. D.D. Ayres must be a photographer or talked to a great one when researching; every mention photography was spot on. I even got excited when Georgie talked about pictures! The detail in the entire novella was amazing. I enjoyed Brad's interaction with Zander; his canine partner. I know nothing about K9 partners but it all read authentic to me.
The plot was quick and easy to follow, but without a telegraphed ending. Georgie and Brad had instant chemistry. Their intimate scenes were borderline steamy; but I chalk that up to the length of the novella. I would love to see their relationship mature and glimpses of them in other books in this series but I am not sure what is planned.
This is the first installment in a new series. I am not sure how they will be all related but I can assure you I will be reading them all. I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
Georgie is everything I am in my dreams. D.D. Ayres must be a photographer or talked to a great one when researching; every mention photography was spot on. I even got excited when Georgie talked about pictures! The detail in the entire novella was amazing. I enjoyed Brad's interaction with Zander; his canine partner. I know nothing about K9 partners but it all read authentic to me.
The plot was quick and easy to follow, but without a telegraphed ending. Georgie and Brad had instant chemistry. Their intimate scenes were borderline steamy; but I chalk that up to the length of the novella. I would love to see their relationship mature and glimpses of them in other books in this series but I am not sure what is planned.
This is the first installment in a new series. I am not sure how they will be all related but I can assure you I will be reading them all. I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review.
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