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lexee9's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really enjoyed this story. It was interesting and a little different than the prior ones since this time we had a arson fire detective and explosive detection K9. Carly ends up helping a drugged Noah and tied up Harley out of a fire next door to her shop. Noah is being framed for arson and set up to look like he was killing himself. The evidence is starting to stack up against him and the biggest problem is they can't quite figure out who another suspect could be. Once Carly starts getting more details and believes Noah, she can't just leave it alone and their connection starts to build. They aren't supposed to be together due to her being a witness and Noah being a suspect but her mind just keeps digging and they are drawn to each other. I thought the story was interesting and entertaining. I was engaged and enjoyed the story the entire time. It had a few twists as well. This is the 5th in the series but it is a complete standalone. It didn't really have any characters that had been introduced in any of the past stories in this one.
The narrator did a good job with the story.
The narrator did a good job with the story.
jonetta's review
3.0
Carly Harrington-Reese works late one night in her soon-to-be-opened boutique when she hears an animal whimpering from the next door unit. She discovers an unconscious Noah Glover and his service dog, Harley, and barely has time to rescue them before the place erupts in fire. Noah is an arson investigator but all evidence points in his direction this time as the perpetrator. And Carly is caught squarely in the middle.
I really liked the mystery/suspense angle of the story, especially the inclusion on the real arsonist's point of view (but we still have to guess his identity). I also appreciated the added diversity as Carly is a former super model who happens to be Black. Unfortunately, the "romance" between Carly and Noah was more a lust-fest and it was difficult to swallow their instant love after only knowing each other a few days. There was a missed opportunity here to develop this relationship, including Noah's role as a single parent.
As with the other books in the series, Harley is the real star of the show, displaying his exceptional skills as an explosives expert while also illustrating his relationship to his handler. I read the series primarily for that education and this book delivered. If that's your main interest and you like mystery and suspense, you'll still enjoy the story despite the flaws in the romance. I'm still a faithful fan and look forward to the next book. 3.5 stars
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
I really liked the mystery/suspense angle of the story, especially the inclusion on the real arsonist's point of view (but we still have to guess his identity). I also appreciated the added diversity as Carly is a former super model who happens to be Black. Unfortunately, the "romance" between Carly and Noah was more a lust-fest and it was difficult to swallow their instant love after only knowing each other a few days. There was a missed opportunity here to develop this relationship, including Noah's role as a single parent.
As with the other books in the series, Harley is the real star of the show, displaying his exceptional skills as an explosives expert while also illustrating his relationship to his handler. I read the series primarily for that education and this book delivered. If that's your main interest and you like mystery and suspense, you'll still enjoy the story despite the flaws in the romance. I'm still a faithful fan and look forward to the next book. 3.5 stars
(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
bananatricky's review
4.0
Three and a half stars.
I didn't enjoy this novel as much as some of the others in the series. Harley was kind of incidental to the story (although having said that, he was fundamental to the start and end, so what I'm saying is that he didn't feature much in the middle).
Noah is an arson investigator, kind of a cross between a fireman and a policeman. Carly is a former model who is opening up an arts and crafts shop with exclusive designs. One night while finalising her display prior to opening she hears a dog whining. When she goes to investigate she finds a guy, Noah, unconscious in a deserted warehouse with a dog tied up beside him. Just as she tries to untie the dog the warehouse catches fire and she has to rescue both Noah and his dog, Harley.
Noah has no recollection of how he wound up in the warehouse but his boss and colleagues all received a suicide text, there is also damning evidence that Noah started the fire - on compulsory leave and under investigation Noah turns to Carly to understand what happened.
I liked this, heck I like all D.D. Ayres' novels, but TBH I have read this plot before. Arsonist tries to frame someone in retaliation for perceived slight. It also didn't help that I had reviewed another book within the same week which also had an arsonist. I'm not sure that Carly and Noah's shared experiences with previous lovers added much to the plot other than the feeling of massive coincidence, as if only they could understand how the other felt.
Nevertheless, if you haven't read a novel recently about an arsonist trying to frame an innocent man this is a taut, well-written suspense.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I didn't enjoy this novel as much as some of the others in the series. Harley was kind of incidental to the story (although having said that, he was fundamental to the start and end, so what I'm saying is that he didn't feature much in the middle).
Noah is an arson investigator, kind of a cross between a fireman and a policeman. Carly is a former model who is opening up an arts and crafts shop with exclusive designs. One night while finalising her display prior to opening she hears a dog whining. When she goes to investigate she finds a guy, Noah, unconscious in a deserted warehouse with a dog tied up beside him. Just as she tries to untie the dog the warehouse catches fire and she has to rescue both Noah and his dog, Harley.
Noah has no recollection of how he wound up in the warehouse but his boss and colleagues all received a suicide text, there is also damning evidence that Noah started the fire - on compulsory leave and under investigation Noah turns to Carly to understand what happened.
I liked this, heck I like all D.D. Ayres' novels, but TBH I have read this plot before. Arsonist tries to frame someone in retaliation for perceived slight. It also didn't help that I had reviewed another book within the same week which also had an arsonist. I'm not sure that Carly and Noah's shared experiences with previous lovers added much to the plot other than the feeling of massive coincidence, as if only they could understand how the other felt.
Nevertheless, if you haven't read a novel recently about an arsonist trying to frame an innocent man this is a taut, well-written suspense.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
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