Review: Unleashed...Unbelievable
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 16, 2014
Review of UNLEASHED, by Scott HildrethReview by Jaycee, for Books ‘N Cozy Spots Book Reviews, www.Talon-ps.comAfter the finale in Book 2 (Unstoppable), and it is highly recommended you read in order because its just too damned good not to, I was not certain what to expect.  Despite Mr. Hildreth’s assurances that “I. Got. This”, I couldn’t see how he could really, ‘have it’.  I mean, what could he write that was going to make Ripp and Viv okay after something like…well…murder, her being an attorney and all?  How could he make a legal story interesting, outside maybe conjugal visits?  And what in the name of all that is good in the world would this do the global sales figures of Chucks?Enter Vivian Simon, Barracuda–at-Law; the entire Dream Team in one tiny female body.  I loved her confidence in herself, within her own personal fight ring.  I didn’t love the game that is the Justice…sorry, Legal System, but for the purposes of the story, it was awesome how she maneuvered through the mire that was Ripp’s life and his case.  However, the more important message here, if one must see it as a message, is that her utter devotion to Ripp at home did not detract from, or demean in any fashion, the strong, independent woman with a meaningful career.  She is in fact, normal.  Whooda thunk it?Ripp, the man-boy formerly known as “What?  Me?  Serious?”,  never shirked from his responsibility, and in so doing he found more in himself than he realized was there.  He was smart enough and man enough to let Viv take the lead in her ring, and throw the punches for him.  I loved the case resolution, and the sense of self  that Ripp won because of the process, but it turns out that was just the first half of the book.This Hildreth guy is gooooood…In true and very appreciated fashion, Mr. H. delivers us a life and love story that, while not perfect, evolves with no silly drama, and while the ending is somewhat predictable –given the post trial course of the story-it is well done, not trite.  It’s…complete.  Fully realized.  Just like Ripp and Viv.And lest you think that these two lives took place in a vacuum, this installment contained some really excellent and quite deep insights into some of the secondary characters, some of whom will hopefully get their own day in court.  Just not Viv’s court please!  Hmmm, I wonder if A-Train practices Head Steppin’…