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jasminepnwgirl's review
5.0
~Was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review~
I have been a fan of Cindi Madsen’s since I read her book “Cinderella Screwed Me Over” she did not disappoint with Taking Care of the Target.
From the very first chapter, it sucks you in until the very end!! Cassie is probably one of the kindest person that you could meet. She has been through a lot in her life. She works in a restaurant, where she is attracted to Vince, who basically runs the restaurant. She is unsure if he likes her too. During a normal shift, she accidentally sees something that she is not supposed to see. Now her life is in danger!
Vince…. I have no words on how to describe him…. he is just sexy, all around the perfect book boyfriend!!! He has liked Cassie from the first time he saw her…. but since she is in danger, is it because of him? Or maybe he should save her!
Taking Care of the Target will have you laugh, swoon, and you will be on the edge of your seat the whole time!
I have been a fan of Cindi Madsen’s since I read her book “Cinderella Screwed Me Over” she did not disappoint with Taking Care of the Target.
From the very first chapter, it sucks you in until the very end!! Cassie is probably one of the kindest person that you could meet. She has been through a lot in her life. She works in a restaurant, where she is attracted to Vince, who basically runs the restaurant. She is unsure if he likes her too. During a normal shift, she accidentally sees something that she is not supposed to see. Now her life is in danger!
Vince…. I have no words on how to describe him…. he is just sexy, all around the perfect book boyfriend!!! He has liked Cassie from the first time he saw her…. but since she is in danger, is it because of him? Or maybe he should save her!
Taking Care of the Target will have you laugh, swoon, and you will be on the edge of your seat the whole time!
jackielizn's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. I love a good romantic suspense. This was a real page turner. The suspense kept you locked in the story and wanting to know what would happen next. The chemistry between Cassie and Vince was amazing. You could really feel their connection to each other. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
thebookdisciple's review against another edition
3.0
Link to full review below! Good action and suspense but I wasn't sold on the romance. See full review on The Book Disciple
ladywithaquill's review
4.0
This was such an exciting book! I loved the action, the suspense, the forbidden romance...it was gripping and hard to put down.
Cassie Dalton is a shy, unassuming waitress when she is the accidental witness to a murder by the mafia. In her attempt to escape, she runs out into the road and is hit by a car. When she comes to, she has no memory of the last few years and muddles through day by day without knowing what she missed. Vince DaMarco is the mob boss's nephew and in love with Cassie. When his uncle calls for her to die, Vince knows he is the only one who can save her. Running from the FBI, who wants her as a witness, and the mob, who wants her in a grave, they move farther away from home and towards a very uncertain future.
I loved the chemistry between Cassie and Vince! It was really sweet how he didn't take advantage of her memory loss to make his move. It actually took quite some time for the sexy times to begin, and I found it both romantic and refreshing. Vince was a very confused character, at times wanting to be clean and stay out of mafia business, and at others he was calling cops pigs and explaining away his own past brushes with the law. Fighting between loyalty to his family and loyalty to the woman he loved was sad to read about, but I think the author did a great job. Cassie was a sweetheart and almost too good to be true for Vince. Virtually no flaws in her, which can sometimes be irritating but was welcome in her.
I look forward to reading more books by this author! Very enjoyable read, with an exciting plot and relatable characters.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
Cassie Dalton is a shy, unassuming waitress when she is the accidental witness to a murder by the mafia. In her attempt to escape, she runs out into the road and is hit by a car. When she comes to, she has no memory of the last few years and muddles through day by day without knowing what she missed. Vince DaMarco is the mob boss's nephew and in love with Cassie. When his uncle calls for her to die, Vince knows he is the only one who can save her. Running from the FBI, who wants her as a witness, and the mob, who wants her in a grave, they move farther away from home and towards a very uncertain future.
I loved the chemistry between Cassie and Vince! It was really sweet how he didn't take advantage of her memory loss to make his move. It actually took quite some time for the sexy times to begin, and I found it both romantic and refreshing. Vince was a very confused character, at times wanting to be clean and stay out of mafia business, and at others he was calling cops pigs and explaining away his own past brushes with the law. Fighting between loyalty to his family and loyalty to the woman he loved was sad to read about, but I think the author did a great job. Cassie was a sweetheart and almost too good to be true for Vince. Virtually no flaws in her, which can sometimes be irritating but was welcome in her.
I look forward to reading more books by this author! Very enjoyable read, with an exciting plot and relatable characters.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
jackielizn's review
5.0
This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. I love a good romantic suspense. This was a real page turner. The suspense kept you locked in the story and wanting to know what would happen next. The chemistry between Cassie and Vince was amazing. You could really feel their connection to each other. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.
arielleira123's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book for the most part. I really enjoyed Vince, but Cassie was not my favorite. I can't put my finger on it, but there was just something about her that I didn't completely like. The main reason this story is getting three stars is because it was so long. The story would pick up and then slow down constantly. I understand though because it wasn't like your normal play that you could easily wrap up in 300 pages, but my short attention span couldn't handle it. I think It was more of "it's me not you" as far as this book is concerned which is why I didn't give it a low rating.
kimmylovestoread's review
4.0
4 1/2 stars!!
I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review.
Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Cassie Dalton was just doing her job and ends up in the hospital with short term memory loss. She can't remember what led her to run into the street and get hit by a truck and if she does, she is as good as dead. Enter Vince DaMarco. He is the restaurant manager where Cassie works and the nephew of the man who wants to make sure Cassie doesn't remember what she saw. Vince has always liked Cassie and can't stand the thought of anyone hurting her, so he offers to take care of it. When he realized that she has no memory of what happened, he doesn't kill her, but inserts himself in her life so he will know as soon as she does. Everyone pretty much loves Cassie and they don't want to hurt her, but that is how things work in their world.
I really enjoyed this book. I like to think of Vince as a (sort of) mobster with a heart of gold. He genuinely cares about Cassie (always has) and doesn't want to see her hurt. Of course as he spends time with her, his feelings grow. He wants to protect her. He needs to protect her. And the Cassie that wakes up after the accident is a more bold Cassie. When she "meets" Vince, she immediately takes a liking to him and accepts his friendship, no questions asked.
I enjoyed Vince & Cassie's relationship. Yes, it was a bit unconventional, but it came from a great place. They genuinely liked each other before everything happened, but Cassie was a bit shy and Vince was hesitant to get involved considering his line of work and family connections. But circumstances are now different and the two of them together makes sense.
*sigh* I just LOVED them.
Putting aside the whole "Vince is supposed to kill Cassie" thing, they were so great together. Cassie post accident was so brave and direct in what she wanted and while that surprised Vince, he welcomed it. Cassie was a strong, badass woman and she proved it time and time again. But this book is not all about their relationship. There is plenty of action to keep things moving. Who doesn't love a little shoot 'em up, mob related romance once in a while? This book is different from Cindi's previous books and I hope she writes more like it.
I received an advanced copy of this book with the promise of an honest review.
Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Cassie Dalton was just doing her job and ends up in the hospital with short term memory loss. She can't remember what led her to run into the street and get hit by a truck and if she does, she is as good as dead. Enter Vince DaMarco. He is the restaurant manager where Cassie works and the nephew of the man who wants to make sure Cassie doesn't remember what she saw. Vince has always liked Cassie and can't stand the thought of anyone hurting her, so he offers to take care of it. When he realized that she has no memory of what happened, he doesn't kill her, but inserts himself in her life so he will know as soon as she does. Everyone pretty much loves Cassie and they don't want to hurt her, but that is how things work in their world.
I really enjoyed this book. I like to think of Vince as a (sort of) mobster with a heart of gold. He genuinely cares about Cassie (always has) and doesn't want to see her hurt. Of course as he spends time with her, his feelings grow. He wants to protect her. He needs to protect her. And the Cassie that wakes up after the accident is a more bold Cassie. When she "meets" Vince, she immediately takes a liking to him and accepts his friendship, no questions asked.
I enjoyed Vince & Cassie's relationship. Yes, it was a bit unconventional, but it came from a great place. They genuinely liked each other before everything happened, but Cassie was a bit shy and Vince was hesitant to get involved considering his line of work and family connections. But circumstances are now different and the two of them together makes sense.
Cassie grabbed Vince’s arm and pulled him back to the sidewalk. “So, how was your day?” she asked, throwing as much sarcasm into her words as she could.
“Productive. Yours?”
“Sucky. And then I come outside and find you being a total caveman. Was it really necessary to haul him halfway out of the car like that?”
“Yes.” He put his hand on her back and guided her into the Jeep.
She wasn’t sure how to feel about dating a Neanderthal, but she had to admit she felt pretty damn safe.
Well, she’d admit it to herself. Vince didn’t need encouragement. When they pulled up to her apartment complex, Vince kept the engine running. “I told you from the beginning I wasn’t the do-gooder type and that my life was messy,” he said. “I’m not denying it. But I do know how to take care of problems, even if my methods are a little—”
“Archaic? Caveman-esque? Crazy pants?”
His eyebrows drew low over his eyes. “I was going to say unconventional.”
She shook her head. “Unconventional barely scrapes the surface of describing you.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever used the term crazy pants, either.”
A laugh slipped out before Cassie clamped her lips shut.
“Did I screw it up?” Vince asked, imploring her with those brown eyes she had such a hard time resisting.
“I think…” His intense gaze and the way it made her heart hammer her rib cage made it hard to get words to come out right. She cleared her throat. “Well, I think security is a good field for you. And honestly, I would’ve died that night we were shot at if you hadn’t been there, and it’s good to know I wasn’t just paranoid, thinking someone was following me.”
“But?”
Cassie swallowed hard. The truth was, Vince terrified her. Not because she was scared he’d hurt her—not physically, anyway. Emotionally, though? She already relied on him too much, and she’d opened up to him more than she ever had with anyone else. She was starting to fall for him, and she didn’t think she could simply recover from a guy like Vince. Their vast differences made her wonder if they were crazy to even attempt a relationship. But the other option was ending things, and the thought of that made her lungs constrict.
She ran her fingertip down the muscled line of his forearm. “But maybe we should try a little harder to have days not involving bullets or pulling people out of cars.”
A lopsided smile spread across his face. “And I could trust your judgment a little more?”
“Exactly. No demanding I have to wait for you to pick me up. And how about just ask guys why they’re following me before threatening them.”
“People are so much more motivated to answer that way, though.”
Cassie raised an eyebrow at him.
He held up his hands. “Okay. For you, I’ll try a little less…archaic methods. Are you happy?”
She nodded. “Skeptical, but happy.”
“Smart girl,” he said. “Now, did you eat? Because as much as I love watching you cook, I think I owe you dinner out. Somewhere nice.”
“Do I get to change first?”
“Like any good apology dinner bribe, you get whatever you want.”
She started out of the Jeep, then abruptly turned back and put her hand on the side of his face. “Just so you know, Vince DaMarco, I see you. The real you. Even if you don’t.”
*sigh* I just LOVED them.
Putting aside the whole "Vince is supposed to kill Cassie" thing, they were so great together. Cassie post accident was so brave and direct in what she wanted and while that surprised Vince, he welcomed it. Cassie was a strong, badass woman and she proved it time and time again. But this book is not all about their relationship. There is plenty of action to keep things moving. Who doesn't love a little shoot 'em up, mob related romance once in a while? This book is different from Cindi's previous books and I hope she writes more like it.
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