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jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
The first of Calhoun's Alpha Ops books that I've read (the previous ones were novellas). This is far more conventional that Calhoun's previous work, so a disappointment for me, although I'm sure others who prefer more conventional romance will find it more appealing. A tough cop with abandonment issues gets placed on a temporary "body man" detail, guarding a local upcoming pop star while she is home on a Christmas break. Never mind how unrealistic it is that one person would be able to guard another 24-7, or that a bodyguard would be able to guard someone while he's having sex with his protectee; we're in romancelandia here, right? The threats to the singer, Cady, seemed pretty minor, which kind of makes sense given who turns out to be after her; the parallel suspense subplot, about the cop Conn being falsely accused of excessive violence towards a prisoner, didn't play much of a role until the very end of the story. We got to know Cady fairly well, given all the different people she gets into interact with during the story (her mom, her sister, her manager, her best friend), but most of what we get to know about Conn is through telling rather than showing, which keeps him from becoming a compelling character. Really didn't like the ending of the car-racing subthread; too Hallmark-happy for me.
Was interested by the subthread about whether Cady should release a pop album that was put together by committee rather than work on songs that were her own and more true to herself. Made me wonder if that is how Calhoun is feeling, now that she's working on this far more conventional romance series...
Was interested by the subthread about whether Cady should release a pop album that was put together by committee rather than work on songs that were her own and more true to herself. Made me wonder if that is how Calhoun is feeling, now that she's working on this far more conventional romance series...
mistysreads's review against another edition
4.0
Another great read by this author, I love the Alpha Ops Series. Its one of those series for me that once I start I cannot stop reading the story, Its a sexy, fun filled story.
rainelle_barrett's review against another edition
5.0
This is a well written book. It had flow, entertainment, anticipation and excitement. It’s a good book to read.
bananatricky's review against another edition
4.0
Four rock my world stars!
I think this is the best Alpha Ops book yet. When I read the first chapter of this book at the back of the last I was intrigued and when I was offered an ARC? Well I jumped at the chance.
Cady Ward (aka Maud the latest pop sensation) has just finished a nine month tour and just wants to kick back and relax in her home town of Lancaster. She's bought a new house and she just can't wait to spend time with her mother and baby sister Emily. But when an over-friendly drunk fan tries to maul Cady after her concert at Lancaster's Field Energy Centre her manager Chris insists that she get a new bodyguard, and who better than Matt Dorchester's mysterious friend who stopped the fan in his tracks?
Conn McCormick is a beat cop, reliant on his hunches he doesn't think he is material for detective or promotion, too quick-tempered and built like a brick shithouse he intimidates too many people. When a guy he arrests turns up beaten to a bloody pulp and blames Conn he knows no-one will believe he didn't do it, so when his Lieutenant gives him the job of being Cady's police bodyguard while she is home he accepts with a bad grace.
I've tagged this as thriller romance because someone appears to be trying to victimise Cady but really this is an opposites-attract romance with a leetle bit of suspense. I guessed who had been playing with Cady's mind quite early on but it didn't spoilt the story for me.
I do get tired of saying that characters are grown-ups but Conn and Cady just are adults. They talk things through, they don't fly to assumptions or go off in a huff over some imaginary slight. I just loved Conn, he felt unworthy but who wouldn't when put up against a pop princess? Cady was down-to-earth and a lovely person, I fell a bit in love with her myself.
With this book Anne Calhoun has now become a "read anything by this author" autobuy.
EDIT: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I think this is the best Alpha Ops book yet. When I read the first chapter of this book at the back of the last I was intrigued and when I was offered an ARC? Well I jumped at the chance.
Cady Ward (aka Maud the latest pop sensation) has just finished a nine month tour and just wants to kick back and relax in her home town of Lancaster. She's bought a new house and she just can't wait to spend time with her mother and baby sister Emily. But when an over-friendly drunk fan tries to maul Cady after her concert at Lancaster's Field Energy Centre her manager Chris insists that she get a new bodyguard, and who better than Matt Dorchester's mysterious friend who stopped the fan in his tracks?
Conn McCormick is a beat cop, reliant on his hunches he doesn't think he is material for detective or promotion, too quick-tempered and built like a brick shithouse he intimidates too many people. When a guy he arrests turns up beaten to a bloody pulp and blames Conn he knows no-one will believe he didn't do it, so when his Lieutenant gives him the job of being Cady's police bodyguard while she is home he accepts with a bad grace.
I've tagged this as thriller romance because someone appears to be trying to victimise Cady but really this is an opposites-attract romance with a leetle bit of suspense. I guessed who had been playing with Cady's mind quite early on but it didn't spoilt the story for me.
Spoiler
Although I'm not sure who it was peering through Cady's windows the first time?I do get tired of saying that characters are grown-ups but Conn and Cady just are adults. They talk things through, they don't fly to assumptions or go off in a huff over some imaginary slight. I just loved Conn, he felt unworthy but who wouldn't when put up against a pop princess? Cady was down-to-earth and a lovely person, I fell a bit in love with her myself.
With this book Anne Calhoun has now become a "read anything by this author" autobuy.
EDIT: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
prgchrqltma's review against another edition
5.0
Characters: upcoming pop star, beat cop/bodyguard
World Building: music business, street racing
Plot: finding stalker, clearing name, growing in love
Sex: medium
Read another: Always
I want the next one now! Calhoun does a lovely job with these characters with all their insecurities.
World Building: music business, street racing
Plot: finding stalker, clearing name, growing in love
Sex: medium
Read another: Always
I want the next one now! Calhoun does a lovely job with these characters with all their insecurities.
lauraanne9's review against another edition
4.0
***ARC Provided by the Publisher and NetGalley***
This book is a romantic suspense and is action based. And, yet it isn't. While there is the action, and the tension you would expect, there is also a lot more character development than I was expecting. In some ways, this was great...but in others, it left me not entirely positive how I felt about it.
Calhoun also writes with impressive detail and is very precise in the way she tells the story, so you are not only able to follow along but you also feel like you are getting a lot deeper story than the usual for the genre.
Conn and Cady were both interesting and developed characters, which was different from a lot of romantic suspense, and it resulted in my feeling very connected to the people who were being stalked and having their jobs threatened.
I recommend this book, for the writing, the pacing and the characters. It is the 5th in the series, but it does function as a standalone.
***This and other reviews also featured on “I’m A Sweet and Sassy Book Whore” http://www.imasweetandsassybookwhore.com***
This book is a romantic suspense and is action based. And, yet it isn't. While there is the action, and the tension you would expect, there is also a lot more character development than I was expecting. In some ways, this was great...but in others, it left me not entirely positive how I felt about it.
Calhoun also writes with impressive detail and is very precise in the way she tells the story, so you are not only able to follow along but you also feel like you are getting a lot deeper story than the usual for the genre.
Conn and Cady were both interesting and developed characters, which was different from a lot of romantic suspense, and it resulted in my feeling very connected to the people who were being stalked and having their jobs threatened.
I recommend this book, for the writing, the pacing and the characters. It is the 5th in the series, but it does function as a standalone.
***This and other reviews also featured on “I’m A Sweet and Sassy Book Whore” http://www.imasweetandsassybookwhore.com***
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