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Fallen
“If it wasn’t an armed robbery, it was a hit. An execution.”
Amid a sultry Atlanta summer, someone is targeting police…
The investigation becomes personal for APD Detective Ryan Winter when a colleague and friend is shot dead, the second victim in just weeks. But even as he finds himself being drawn into the tense hunt for a serial cop killer, he is forced to re-examine his own shattering personal tragedy.
An ER physician at Atlanta’s busy Mercy Hospital, Dr. Lydia Costa is no stranger to suffering. Still, the recent police slayings reopen barely healed wounds — and bring her face-to-face with her ex-husband, Ryan Winter.
As the body count rises and paranoia tightens its grip on the police force, Lydia and Ryan are pulled together by circumstances and fate… causing old passions to reignite despite their painful shared past. But as Ryan moves closer to discovering the killer’s identity, someone is watching, placing both him and Lydia in mortal danger.
Amid a sultry Atlanta summer, someone is targeting police…
The investigation becomes personal for APD Detective Ryan Winter when a colleague and friend is shot dead, the second victim in just weeks. But even as he finds himself being drawn into the tense hunt for a serial cop killer, he is forced to re-examine his own shattering personal tragedy.
An ER physician at Atlanta’s busy Mercy Hospital, Dr. Lydia Costa is no stranger to suffering. Still, the recent police slayings reopen barely healed wounds — and bring her face-to-face with her ex-husband, Ryan Winter.
As the body count rises and paranoia tightens its grip on the police force, Lydia and Ryan are pulled together by circumstances and fate… causing old passions to reignite despite their painful shared past. But as Ryan moves closer to discovering the killer’s identity, someone is watching, placing both him and Lydia in mortal danger.
Paperback
First published October 12, 2014
24 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
Leslie Tentler
12 books357 followersLeslie Tentler is the author of seven novels, including the Rarity Cove series (BEFORE THE STORM, LOW TIDE, and IN DARK WATER), FALLEN, and the Chasing Evil Trilogy (MIDNIGHT CALLER, MIDNIGHT FEAR, and EDGE OF MIDNIGHT). She was a finalist for Best First Novel at ThrillerFest 2012, and is a two-time finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense. She is also the recipient of the prestigious Maggie Award of Excellence. A native of East Tennessee, she currently resides in Atlanta.
Visit Leslie and sign up for her newsletter at www.LeslieTentler.com.
"Taut, page-turning suspense and heart-stopping romance: Leslie Tentler is a rising star of romantic suspense." - New York Times Bestselling Author Allison Brennan
Visit Leslie and sign up for her newsletter at www.LeslieTentler.com.
"Taut, page-turning suspense and heart-stopping romance: Leslie Tentler is a rising star of romantic suspense." - New York Times Bestselling Author Allison Brennan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
March 24, 2018
Someone is killing cops in Atlanta. Dr. Lydia Costa works in the E.R. when they bring in an injured policeman. She knows him. He works with her ex-husband, Ryan Winter, who is a detective with the Atlanta Police Department leading the investigation into the murders. Lydia worries that Ryan may be the next cop rolled into her E.R. The death of their young son tore apart their marriage, but they obviously still care for each other.
This was a well-written romantic suspense story. I had never read anything by this author, but will certainly look for more of her books now. The second chance romance in this book is wonderful. You couldn't help but root for Lydia and Ryan to get back together. The suspense portion of the book never let up. There were a handful of suspects to pick from. I was very surprised when the killer was revealed. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
This was a well-written romantic suspense story. I had never read anything by this author, but will certainly look for more of her books now. The second chance romance in this book is wonderful. You couldn't help but root for Lydia and Ryan to get back together. The suspense portion of the book never let up. There were a handful of suspects to pick from. I was very surprised when the killer was revealed. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
May 26, 2017
FALLEN by Leslie Tentler is an Atlanta-based novel —a troubled cop, Ryan and ex-wife, Lydia— an action-packed crime suspense, filled with mystery, obsession, intrigue, and romance.
Mercy Hospital, ER physician, Lydia Costa and her ex-husband Atlanta cop, Ryan Winter, have experienced a horrible tragedy filled with grief as their toddler son died in a horrible accident.
Due to the grief, blame, and guilt, they have been unable to work their way back to one another, now divorced; however, not forgotten, as their lives tend to intersect often, due to their jobs.
When the story opens, Atlanta police officers are being targeted and murdered, with the close friend of the couple, hitting close to home.
Ryan is in the center of the investigation, and suspects the killings are gang or drug related, following up on every lead; however, it is apparent the killer does not like cops, always taking their shield, with the count rising daily.
At the same time, Lydia sees her share of tragedy as well, in the ER daily. Now a patient is admitted, an abusive wife of a rich and powerful man, as she appears to be a frequent visitor of the hospital, pointing to dangerous abuse and is too afraid to press charges.
Lydia calls the police, and urges the woman to get away from her husband and offers her help. (Lydia has a family past and is all to familiar with the signs).
As the two stories connect, Lydia and Ryan both are in danger and each have a strong need to protect one another. With a ruthless killer on the loose targeting cops, and a powerful man out to stop Lydia from interfering with his past can this couple save one another, and find their way back to one another before it is too late?
Intense and suspenseful with twists and turns, and obstacles—keeping you guessing as to the killer’s identity until the end, with well developed dual storylines.
In addition, a strong romantic twist with a sizzling attraction between two lovable strong protagonists, making for an engaging, tightly written intense suspense, with a heartwarming and an emotional look into human dynamics, and relationships—while overcoming grief with hope for second chances.
The novel also crosses into a bit into the obsession and psychological-thriller genre, which fans will enjoy, as well as a strong women's fiction, with an inside look into domestic abuse.
However, in addition to the cover, and the summary, was highly impressed with FALLEN, and the newfound Atlanta author—hooking me from page one and holding until the end.
Even though Tentler’s writing is unique with the mix of crime and romance; the cop/doctor, crime, drama, and the Hotlanta spots, reminded me a little of Karin Slaughter (Atlanta- crime, not as aggressive); Mary Kay Andrews (Atlanta – Callahan Garrity series minus the southern humor), and two authors I have recently discovered with a good usage of suspense and romance: Kimberly Belle-The Last Breath, and Christina Dodd-Virtue Falls.
The only thing missing— not a lot of humor, which would have enhanced the novel as always enjoy a little sarcasm and wit, with the crime and police procedures.
However, well-deserving of 5 Stars, and one you will want to read in one setting; a page-turner, well researched and strong on the medical and cop procedures, and the local Atlanta area.
Tentler is an author to follow!
A special thank you to Left Field Press and NetGalley for a complimentary reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
TOP 30 BOOKS OF 2014
Check out Leslie's Rarity Cove Series! Before the Storm and Low Tide.
A dynamic southern series filled with suspense, romance, and mystery! Before the Storm landed on My Top Books of 2015. Currently reading Low Tide on my Top 20 Books for June.
Mercy Hospital, ER physician, Lydia Costa and her ex-husband Atlanta cop, Ryan Winter, have experienced a horrible tragedy filled with grief as their toddler son died in a horrible accident.
Due to the grief, blame, and guilt, they have been unable to work their way back to one another, now divorced; however, not forgotten, as their lives tend to intersect often, due to their jobs.
When the story opens, Atlanta police officers are being targeted and murdered, with the close friend of the couple, hitting close to home.
Ryan is in the center of the investigation, and suspects the killings are gang or drug related, following up on every lead; however, it is apparent the killer does not like cops, always taking their shield, with the count rising daily.
At the same time, Lydia sees her share of tragedy as well, in the ER daily. Now a patient is admitted, an abusive wife of a rich and powerful man, as she appears to be a frequent visitor of the hospital, pointing to dangerous abuse and is too afraid to press charges.
Lydia calls the police, and urges the woman to get away from her husband and offers her help. (Lydia has a family past and is all to familiar with the signs).
As the two stories connect, Lydia and Ryan both are in danger and each have a strong need to protect one another. With a ruthless killer on the loose targeting cops, and a powerful man out to stop Lydia from interfering with his past can this couple save one another, and find their way back to one another before it is too late?
Intense and suspenseful with twists and turns, and obstacles—keeping you guessing as to the killer’s identity until the end, with well developed dual storylines.
In addition, a strong romantic twist with a sizzling attraction between two lovable strong protagonists, making for an engaging, tightly written intense suspense, with a heartwarming and an emotional look into human dynamics, and relationships—while overcoming grief with hope for second chances.
The novel also crosses into a bit into the obsession and psychological-thriller genre, which fans will enjoy, as well as a strong women's fiction, with an inside look into domestic abuse.
However, in addition to the cover, and the summary, was highly impressed with FALLEN, and the newfound Atlanta author—hooking me from page one and holding until the end.
Even though Tentler’s writing is unique with the mix of crime and romance; the cop/doctor, crime, drama, and the Hotlanta spots, reminded me a little of Karin Slaughter (Atlanta- crime, not as aggressive); Mary Kay Andrews (Atlanta – Callahan Garrity series minus the southern humor), and two authors I have recently discovered with a good usage of suspense and romance: Kimberly Belle-The Last Breath, and Christina Dodd-Virtue Falls.
The only thing missing— not a lot of humor, which would have enhanced the novel as always enjoy a little sarcasm and wit, with the crime and police procedures.
However, well-deserving of 5 Stars, and one you will want to read in one setting; a page-turner, well researched and strong on the medical and cop procedures, and the local Atlanta area.
Tentler is an author to follow!
A special thank you to Left Field Press and NetGalley for a complimentary reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
JDCMustReadBooks
TOP 30 BOOKS OF 2014
Check out Leslie's Rarity Cove Series! Before the Storm and Low Tide.
A dynamic southern series filled with suspense, romance, and mystery! Before the Storm landed on My Top Books of 2015. Currently reading Low Tide on my Top 20 Books for June.
July 9, 2016
A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow.
The second chance love story in this book captivated me the moment I found out what happened to MCs in the past.
“We loved each other before we lost Tyler,” he whispered roughly. “I believe we can again. We’re supposed to be together, Lyd. We need each other to get through this life.
Protective, honorable and sensible, Ryan is easily to be in the list of my favorite hero characters.
There are quite a few subplots about crime investigations, but the love story is still an essential part of the book that make me feel. Leslie Tentler is a new-to-me author and now I am curious about her other books:D
The second chance love story in this book captivated me the moment I found out what happened to MCs in the past.
“We loved each other before we lost Tyler,” he whispered roughly. “I believe we can again. We’re supposed to be together, Lyd. We need each other to get through this life.
Protective, honorable and sensible, Ryan is easily to be in the list of my favorite hero characters.
There are quite a few subplots about crime investigations, but the love story is still an essential part of the book that make me feel. Leslie Tentler is a new-to-me author and now I am curious about her other books:D
November 26, 2014
I'll go 4.5...This was a great read for me. Ryan and Lydia have lost a child together...an horrible tragedy for them and their marriage. I'm not a big fan of 'reuniting' stories, but this worked for me. This a strongly suspense-based romantic suspense, but I loved the couple in this. Plenty of danger/suspense kept the story flowing and kept me reading. Ryan was amazing, and Lydia had finally healed enough to come around. Tentler did an amazing job writing the reunion of a couple who had been through such immense pain...all while closing in on a cop serial killer.
July 8, 2016
A mystery/suspense/romance story that was okay but I think went on a little too long. The main characters are a formerly married cop and an ER doctor who divorced after their son drowned in a swimming pool and the doctor just couldn't get over her grief. This story finds them thrown together again as a serial killer is targeting and killing cops. Each cop that is brought into the ER reawakens the feelings in the doctor just hoping that it isn't her ex-husband who she still really loves. There's also several side stories about an abused wife, cheating cops, gang bangers, etc.
It was heartwarming to find them finding each other again but I think there were too many side stories that distracted from the romance, so it was just okay for me.
It was heartwarming to find them finding each other again but I think there were too many side stories that distracted from the romance, so it was just okay for me.
March 15, 2016
Someone is killing cops in Atlanta and Ryan is a homicide detective who is determined to stop the killer. Lydia is his ex-wife who is an Attending Physician in the ER at Mercy Hospital who is embroiled in issues of her own after an abused woman comes to her for help.
This story grabbed me from page one and kept me turning. The characters were interesting and realistic and the story was intense and kept me guessing. A very satisfying read.
This story grabbed me from page one and kept me turning. The characters were interesting and realistic and the story was intense and kept me guessing. A very satisfying read.
November 19, 2014
In Atlanta, a killer is targeting police officers and an intense and compelling romantic suspense unravels in the first book in Leslie Tentler’s new series. As a fan of Tentler’s “Midnight Trilogy,” I was excited and eagerly awaiting her next release. She did not disappoint.
I would recommend her books to any reader who enjoys a great romantic suspense.
I would recommend her books to any reader who enjoys a great romantic suspense.
February 7, 2016
Ryan Winter is an Atlanta police detective. Lydia Costa is a doctor. The two of them had been married until tragedy struck and their young son drowned in a neighbor's pool. Unable to deal with her grief, Lydia fled to New Orleans to be with her mother and sister where she had a complete breakdown and was hospitalized. She never told Ryan and the two of them ended up divorcing. Their paths cross again, however, when someone begins targeting the police. A friend of Ryan's is gunned down in his apartment's parking garage. He's brought into the ER where Lydia works and she does her best to offer Ryan her support.
While the suspense is good in this, a couple of interesting twists add to its appeal. Not only is Ryan in possible danger from the killer, Lydia too is faced with danger from an unknown source. She begins receiving strange phone calls, even one from a child who claims to be her dead son, Tyler. She tries to keep it from Ryan, knowing all he has on his plate at the moment but he soon finds out. Now he's not only trying to find a cop killer, he's doing his best to protect Lydia because he's never really gotten over her to begin with. If there's any chance at all of them getting back together, he intends to take it.
One thing I liked about this couple was their shortcomings. They were real. Lydia struggles with her growing dependency on alcohol and vows to do something about it while Ryan is faced with the knowledge Tyler died on his watch. He let his family down and he didn't blame Lydia for leaving him. In spite of their difficulties, however, they are both strong people and continue to work towards overcoming their issues.
The romance between them was nice as well. It was clear from the start they still had feelings for one another. Although there's another doctor interested in Lydia, she is honest with him about her relationship with Ryan but he persists in his pursuit of her. This makes for some additional tension between Ryan and Lydia. Naturally Ryan is jealous. And it doesn't help that Ryan's brother hasn't yet forgiven Lydia for leaving him.
There were a lot of factors that made the story enjoyable and I was taken totally by surprise when the killer was finally revealed. I didn't see that one coming at all!
While the suspense is good in this, a couple of interesting twists add to its appeal. Not only is Ryan in possible danger from the killer, Lydia too is faced with danger from an unknown source. She begins receiving strange phone calls, even one from a child who claims to be her dead son, Tyler. She tries to keep it from Ryan, knowing all he has on his plate at the moment but he soon finds out. Now he's not only trying to find a cop killer, he's doing his best to protect Lydia because he's never really gotten over her to begin with. If there's any chance at all of them getting back together, he intends to take it.
One thing I liked about this couple was their shortcomings. They were real. Lydia struggles with her growing dependency on alcohol and vows to do something about it while Ryan is faced with the knowledge Tyler died on his watch. He let his family down and he didn't blame Lydia for leaving him. In spite of their difficulties, however, they are both strong people and continue to work towards overcoming their issues.
The romance between them was nice as well. It was clear from the start they still had feelings for one another. Although there's another doctor interested in Lydia, she is honest with him about her relationship with Ryan but he persists in his pursuit of her. This makes for some additional tension between Ryan and Lydia. Naturally Ryan is jealous. And it doesn't help that Ryan's brother hasn't yet forgiven Lydia for leaving him.
There were a lot of factors that made the story enjoyable and I was taken totally by surprise when the killer was finally revealed. I didn't see that one coming at all!
November 9, 2015
5 star review to come.
October 13, 2021
I enjoyed this one.
Well written & suspenseful, Leslie Tentler has written an intense mystery and suspense thriller with some romance sprinked in.
This was my first read of Leslie Tentler. I will definitely read her again. I listened to the audio version on audible. It was included free with membership. The narration was top notch and helped the story come alive.
Although I guessed who the killer was pretty early on, the writing kept me wanting to find out how they would be caught.
Recommended!
Rounded to 4.5
Well written & suspenseful, Leslie Tentler has written an intense mystery and suspense thriller with some romance sprinked in.
This was my first read of Leslie Tentler. I will definitely read her again. I listened to the audio version on audible. It was included free with membership. The narration was top notch and helped the story come alive.
Although I guessed who the killer was pretty early on, the writing kept me wanting to find out how they would be caught.
Recommended!
Rounded to 4.5
October 17, 2014
I received an ARC from the author for an honest review: Read this and other reviews at my website: www.thebookbindersdaughter.com
Ryan Winter is a detective on the Atlanta Police Department and has just been assigned the toughest case of his career. There is a killer on the loose who seems to be targeting police officers. He suspects that it might be gang related but there are very few leads to go on.
Ryan is also struggling with recent events in his personal life as he has just recently gotten divorced from his wife Lydia. Lydia is a doctor in the emergency room and their jobs make it so that they keep running into each other. From the very beginning Leslie Tentler makes it clear that there is still some electricity in the air when Ryan and Lydia are in a room together. Are things really over between them?
There were several plot lines going on at the same time in this book and I was puzzled a few times where the author was going with them. But the end was definitely a surprise for me and all of the various stories were brought together cleverly and cohesively. The book is definitely worth the read just for the ending alone.
The other aspect of the book I really appreciated was all of the research that went into the book about police procedurals and medical terminology. Leslie Tentler immerses the reader into the fast-paced, high anxiety world of cops and emergency room doctors.
If you enjoy a good mystery with some good old-fashioned romantic chemistry thrown in the mix then FALLEN by Leslie Tenter is definitely worth the read.
Ryan Winter is a detective on the Atlanta Police Department and has just been assigned the toughest case of his career. There is a killer on the loose who seems to be targeting police officers. He suspects that it might be gang related but there are very few leads to go on.
Ryan is also struggling with recent events in his personal life as he has just recently gotten divorced from his wife Lydia. Lydia is a doctor in the emergency room and their jobs make it so that they keep running into each other. From the very beginning Leslie Tentler makes it clear that there is still some electricity in the air when Ryan and Lydia are in a room together. Are things really over between them?
There were several plot lines going on at the same time in this book and I was puzzled a few times where the author was going with them. But the end was definitely a surprise for me and all of the various stories were brought together cleverly and cohesively. The book is definitely worth the read just for the ending alone.
The other aspect of the book I really appreciated was all of the research that went into the book about police procedurals and medical terminology. Leslie Tentler immerses the reader into the fast-paced, high anxiety world of cops and emergency room doctors.
If you enjoy a good mystery with some good old-fashioned romantic chemistry thrown in the mix then FALLEN by Leslie Tenter is definitely worth the read.
January 6, 2015
A solid, good read about two people torn apart by tragedy finding their way back to each other amidst homicides and other threatening events. Leslie Tentler has created two very sympathetic and mature characters in Ryan and Lydia, both of whom struggle with their feelings and their single statuses after their painful divorce. I'm awed by research that must have gone into medical procedures and police standard operating protocols - all of which definitely lent a weighty authenticity to the scenes in the book.
October 23, 2014
~~~RECEIVED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW~~~
AAAMMMAAAZZZZIIINNNGGG! Absolutely loved this book! First time reading by this author and an very pleased with her work! Suspenseful and page gripping that will keep you glued to your seat! An author who is well worth reading more from!
AAAMMMAAAZZZZIIINNNGGG! Absolutely loved this book! First time reading by this author and an very pleased with her work! Suspenseful and page gripping that will keep you glued to your seat! An author who is well worth reading more from!
November 10, 2014
Oh gawd, another great romantic suspense by Leslie Tentler. I found myself telling my son he better be careful around midtown ATL. Yeah, it feels that real. The characters. Their professions. The crimes. Love it.
February 4, 2015
l have read all the books by Leslie Tenter and thought they were all great. This book was no exception. It was really good. Kept my interest start to finish. I love books that are hard to figure out, this was certainly one.
December 2, 2014
See my review at http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
September 26, 2018
4 stars - Crime/Romantic Suspense
June 22, 2017
Disappointing.
Much of the story isn't about their love or romance. It's about unimportant stuff. I skipped over much.
The villian, how this person got the drop on all these seasoned police men makes no sense. And this person supposedly has a mental issue but is completely fine all through the book until the end.
So many inconsistancies.
The police work to find the killer is almost non existent, what is done is completely ineffective. Ridiculous.
So many things bothered me. One for instance; the heroine is being harassed and threatened by a man abusing her patient, his wife. So does she report the 8 phone calls, the threats and when he puts his hands on her. No. She chooses to ignore it. Hoping the guy will just give up. Really?! You of all people know better. Author just made heroine look stupid.
H and h kept saying how they need to talk. Never happened. They had sex and then decided they loved each other. But I wanted them to tell each other what they were saying in their heads. They were thinking wonderful things about each other but never said them!!
Opportunity missed. It could have been a beautiful scene.
If the author got the romance right and cut away all the useless story she could probably get a good book out of it.
Much of the story isn't about their love or romance. It's about unimportant stuff. I skipped over much.
The villian, how this person got the drop on all these seasoned police men makes no sense. And this person supposedly has a mental issue but is completely fine all through the book until the end.
So many inconsistancies.
The police work to find the killer is almost non existent, what is done is completely ineffective. Ridiculous.
So many things bothered me. One for instance; the heroine is being harassed and threatened by a man abusing her patient, his wife. So does she report the 8 phone calls, the threats and when he puts his hands on her. No. She chooses to ignore it. Hoping the guy will just give up. Really?! You of all people know better. Author just made heroine look stupid.
H and h kept saying how they need to talk. Never happened. They had sex and then decided they loved each other. But I wanted them to tell each other what they were saying in their heads. They were thinking wonderful things about each other but never said them!!
Opportunity missed. It could have been a beautiful scene.
If the author got the romance right and cut away all the useless story she could probably get a good book out of it.
September 1, 2021
3.75 Stars for me!
My rating range of this story... 3 - 4 Stars
If significant, why?
Main Character Ratings...
H = 7/10
h = 7/10
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of? Death of a child which caused the failure of a marriage.
Scenes with heat... A couple
What point does it start? 60%
How much of the story? 5% or less
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained
Heat Rating... 4/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No
The back story... The H is a detective who gets wrapped up in a case involving the murder of Atlanta Police Officers. His ex is a doctor who is facing issues after she helped a woman escape her abusive ex. Both still have strong feelings for each other.
The Romance... Very slow burn.
The drama explosion... The H stumbles into the murderer.
Did it feel real or contrived? Contrived
Was it OTT? Yes
Separation involved? Ni
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Neither
Final Notes... The drama explosion with the murderer is very drawn out and was a bit frustrating.
HEA or HFN? HEA
My rating range of this story... 3 - 4 Stars
If significant, why?
Main Character Ratings...
H = 7/10
h = 7/10
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of? Death of a child which caused the failure of a marriage.
Scenes with heat... A couple
What point does it start? 60%
How much of the story? 5% or less
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained
Heat Rating... 4/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No
The back story... The H is a detective who gets wrapped up in a case involving the murder of Atlanta Police Officers. His ex is a doctor who is facing issues after she helped a woman escape her abusive ex. Both still have strong feelings for each other.
The Romance... Very slow burn.
The drama explosion... The H stumbles into the murderer.
Did it feel real or contrived? Contrived
Was it OTT? Yes
Separation involved? Ni
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Neither
Final Notes... The drama explosion with the murderer is very drawn out and was a bit frustrating.
HEA or HFN? HEA
November 25, 2021
Not bad.
I was honestly thinking this was going to be some corny murder mystery hyping up law enforcement, but it was pretty realistic and well researched. The story follows Detective Ryan Winters, who is assigned a case involving the death of his fellow policemen while also battling his pushed aside grief of the death of his son and his still present feeling for her ex-wife and ER doctor Lydia. When the killings don't seem to be a random gang initiation, Ryan starts looking under every nook and cranny for clues even though it seems that it's right under his nose the whole time.
Though the story was short, it wrapped up fairly well and I was a little surprised towards the end. There are a few sexy scenes but nothing crazy honestly which is nice for a change since these types of books, in my experience, aren't very graceful about these scenes to put it lightly. I enjoyed the not-so-obvious characters' development that didn't seem focused and how the characters were flawed.
In the end, it was a pretty decent read, a classic murder mystery with some heart to it.
I was honestly thinking this was going to be some corny murder mystery hyping up law enforcement, but it was pretty realistic and well researched. The story follows Detective Ryan Winters, who is assigned a case involving the death of his fellow policemen while also battling his pushed aside grief of the death of his son and his still present feeling for her ex-wife and ER doctor Lydia. When the killings don't seem to be a random gang initiation, Ryan starts looking under every nook and cranny for clues even though it seems that it's right under his nose the whole time.
Though the story was short, it wrapped up fairly well and I was a little surprised towards the end. There are a few sexy scenes but nothing crazy honestly which is nice for a change since these types of books, in my experience, aren't very graceful about these scenes to put it lightly. I enjoyed the not-so-obvious characters' development that didn't seem focused and how the characters were flawed.
In the end, it was a pretty decent read, a classic murder mystery with some heart to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
December 27, 2022No rating because I want to be kind, but the protagonists are dumb and they spend entire book doing dumb people things and being TSTL and causing misunderstandings
Also, not really a spoiler since it just happens with no real significance to the story, but a cop kills a homeless person and they all feel just sooooo sad about the poor man's life, the cop's life that is, because who cares about the homeless person. And I'm not even going to comment on the aftermath of that incident
I will also say the murderer was really dumb, but the motivation and the behavior make no sense and I hate when everything is explained with BPD diagnosis, it just gets old so fast
Also, not really a spoiler since it just happens with no real significance to the story, but a cop kills a homeless person and they all feel just sooooo sad about the poor man's life, the cop's life that is, because who cares about the homeless person. And I'm not even going to comment on the aftermath of that incident
I will also say the murderer was really dumb, but the motivation and the behavior make no sense and I hate when everything is explained with BPD diagnosis, it just gets old so fast
September 1, 2023
What a beautiful way to end my reading for August 🤗
This was full of beautiful emotion. I loved the conflict and well rounded characters. I swooned over the romance, especially towards the end. Ryan and Lydia suffered through so much.
I also loved the touch of a love triangle! Who’d have thought I’d be swooning over 40 and 50 year olds in a love triangle?! But it was captivating. A lot was going on in this story with different types of subplot and I love that it wasn’t just linear. The address of grief moved me so much. I wish Lydia had been pregnant at the end, but I still love how she and Ryan came back to each other 🩷
I also adored the twist to the situation where the police were the HUNTED! Imagine a serial killer who hunts cops!! Brilliant!
I was SO sure Adam was the killer but I’m glad I was wrong and surprised! It was so cleverly done who the killer was! So unexpected.
5 stars. I had no issues with the story. Only enjoyment from start to finish! The rest of my thoughts are on the reading updates! Will be binging books from this author hence.
This was full of beautiful emotion. I loved the conflict and well rounded characters. I swooned over the romance, especially towards the end. Ryan and Lydia suffered through so much.
I also loved the touch of a love triangle! Who’d have thought I’d be swooning over 40 and 50 year olds in a love triangle?! But it was captivating. A lot was going on in this story with different types of subplot and I love that it wasn’t just linear. The address of grief moved me so much. I wish Lydia had been pregnant at the end, but I still love how she and Ryan came back to each other 🩷
I also adored the twist to the situation where the police were the HUNTED! Imagine a serial killer who hunts cops!! Brilliant!
I was SO sure Adam was the killer but I’m glad I was wrong and surprised! It was so cleverly done who the killer was! So unexpected.
5 stars. I had no issues with the story. Only enjoyment from start to finish! The rest of my thoughts are on the reading updates! Will be binging books from this author hence.
September 3, 2021
I was dumbfounded to find out this was published in 2014. This read like a romantic suspense read ala JD Robb from the early 00's.
This was fast enough though that I was able to enjoy the angst of the divorced romatic leads as well as the two mystery/suspense story lines. They did give the male MC a more involved mystery... cause police officer? I really thought that the cop killings would be folded into her suspense story line but instead it was all handled outside of the story and really fixed by the male MC.... cause police officer?
It was entertaining just don't look at the actual suspense portion of this book for satisfaction. It does give you a twist so there can be some actually bloody action. So, there is that.
The romantic story, I think, alone carried this book and tore at my heart enough for it to feel beat up and relieved when they finally commenced with the HEA.
I would recommend this book for those who miss a JD Robb (Nora Roberts) but with more romantic notes.
This was fast enough though that I was able to enjoy the angst of the divorced romatic leads as well as the two mystery/suspense story lines. They did give the male MC a more involved mystery... cause police officer? I really thought that the cop killings would be folded into her suspense story line but instead it was all handled outside of the story and really fixed by the male MC.... cause police officer?
It was entertaining just don't look at the actual suspense portion of this book for satisfaction. It does give you a twist so there can be some actually bloody action. So, there is that.
The romantic story, I think, alone carried this book and tore at my heart enough for it to feel beat up and relieved when they finally commenced with the HEA.
I would recommend this book for those who miss a JD Robb (Nora Roberts) but with more romantic notes.
May 2, 2022
I listened to this standalone by Leslie Tentler via the Audible Plus catalog. This involves a second-chance romance between a cop and an ER doctor, whose marriage ended after the tragic loss of their child. They reconnect after someone begins killing cops in Atlanta, and struggle through their feelings about each other, past and present.
There are triggers for recurring discussion of the death of a child, alcoholism, and depression. This story was much more emotional than some of the other ones I've listened to by this author. The added layer of an existing relationship and the strained bond between the H/h made for a nice dynamic. Again, the author presents multiple candidates for the villain of this story, and though I wasn't personally too surprised by the reveal, I still enjoyed the story quite a bit.
Happy Reading!
There are triggers for recurring discussion of the death of a child, alcoholism, and depression. This story was much more emotional than some of the other ones I've listened to by this author. The added layer of an existing relationship and the strained bond between the H/h made for a nice dynamic. Again, the author presents multiple candidates for the villain of this story, and though I wasn't personally too surprised by the reveal, I still enjoyed the story quite a bit.
Happy Reading!
July 9, 2018
Using the city of Atlanta as another character, "Fallen" is a fun read for anyone wanting to escape life and read a well written, mystery/romance book. It's the story of a couple ripped apart by tragedy, only to confront how they truly feel. In between all of that is the mystery of who is trying to off Atlanta police officers. Is it a perp? Is it a jilted lover? Read the quick moving book to find out.
February 23, 2018
There were parts of this story that was so sad, Lydia and Ryan's past. It's easy to see why their lives crumbled, even though they still had a connection. I liked seeing them find their way back to each other and have a new start.
Once done with the book, you realize how simple the reason for the murders were. I sort of felt sorry for the bad guy.
Once done with the book, you realize how simple the reason for the murders were. I sort of felt sorry for the bad guy.
August 17, 2018
Good mature love story with suspense and a bat crazy villain. I enjoyed this book. The emotion in this book, dealing with loss and trying to find coping mechanisms is so real. It broke my heart. The characters are believable.
The narration was also great. Everything just fell into place with this book. Definitely not my last read (or listening) from this author and narrator.
The narration was also great. Everything just fell into place with this book. Definitely not my last read (or listening) from this author and narrator.
February 8, 2019
For the most part, I liked this book but my main issue was with the heroine. Through the entire book she strings along another man while she sleeps with her ex-husband and has feelings for her ex. I constantly just wanted her to be straight up with the other man and tell him she wasn't interested but she never did.
It made me really dislike her.
It made me really dislike her.
September 8, 2021
This is a good story from a genre I don't often read, romantic suspense. I didn't realize that's what it was when I began listening. I'm glad I didn't because I would have missed out on a good book.
I listened to the audiobook that was included with my Audible subscription.
I listened to the audiobook that was included with my Audible subscription.
November 29, 2021
An intensely suspenseful and intriguing romance. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. This is the first book from Leslie Tentler I have indulged myself with and it wont be the last. Ms. Tentler has a new fan.
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