Review: action + romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 30, 2014
Strauss delivers another seamless story with characters you'll root for until the very end. Unlike the first 2 books in the series, though, this one feels less like a pure contemporary romance and more like spy-thriller and romance smashed together. Honestly, I think I prefer the contemporary romance genre, but that is a matter of personal taste and nothing against the quality of Strauss's writing.In this story, you get reintroduced to Gabrielle, who played only a minor role in the second book in the series. We meet her a year following the death of her new husband, still completely undone by his murder. When she learns he'd left her a cottage in England, she leaves Germany in search of answers. Next door, and determined to scare Gabriele off, is the husband's twin brother, Callum (whom the husband never mentioned). Gabrielle is understandably shaken when she comes face to face with her dead husband's likeness. But this brother is nothing like his twin. And even though sparks sometimes fly between the two, Gabrielle is believably conflicted about her feelings.The danger that killed Gabrielle's husband has followed her to the cottage, and Callum has the daunting task of protecting his brother's widow without falling for her -- or getting them both killed.I don't want to give away what the danger is, but suffice it to say, it's a very real and plausible threat. Gabrielle is a good leading lady. She doesn't back down from anything or anyone in this book, but she's still vulnerable, making her well-rounded and likable. While this book was my least favorite of the series (again, a genre preference), I still very much enjoyed it and stayed up late reading. As long as you don't mind a healthy does of danger in your contemporary books, I'd recommend it.** I was provided a review copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. **