Onyx

GEM Series #3

by Freya Barker

GEM: a privately-funded organization operating independently in the search for—and the rescue and recovery of—missing and exploited children. Although, at times working in conjunction with law enforcement, GEM aims to ensure the victims receive justice…by whatever means necessary.
____

Onyx; balanced, strong, a guardian
She’s the voice of reason, advocates, and strategizes.

Supporting the team from the background, Onyx rarely goes out in the field. However, when a widespread child exploitation ring is discovered, her particular skill set is needed to get close.

Unfortunately, her boss—a man she’s never laid eyes on before—is dead set against her taking the lead. Outvoted, he finds a way to keep her in his sights, risking his own exposure.

It’s only a matter of time before the final truth is revealed, and they’re forced to face the past and secure their future.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Dark, Abuse, Emotional, Contemporary Romance

301 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 6, 2023

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.
Driven to make her books about 'real' people; she creates characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills in their lives.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, and Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, Freya continues to add to her rapidly growing collection of published novels as she spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

Reviews

[Carvanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as I hate to see this series end, what a spectacular way to end it!





Entering into the world of thoroughbred horses and its elite lifestyle, Raj/Onyx finds herself in the center of GEM’s investigation as Jacob guides her from behind the scenes. However, the time has come for him to step out of the dark and his entrance had me shaken, excited, and filled with questions.





There is so much more to this story and this series than I ever imagined. I was completely consumed with Jacob and Raj and loved the little twist and turns this author gave us throughout this book. This is filled with drama and danger along with some intense chemistry between these characters. I found myself gobbling this down as quickly as possible, reluctant to set this aside for even a moment.

Dual POV
Safe no ow/om drama; h not a virgin; H not a manwhore
Triggers This deals with the apprehension of those responsible for a pedophile ring and touches on the actions that were done. Although it does not go into deep detail, there are memories but never graphic.
Steam 4 /5; explicit; condoms

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the author saved the best couple for last. Raj and Jacob's story is so tragic and to see them accomplish the ultimate take down and finally get their happily ever after was a beautiful thing to see. This whole series unfortunately represents something very real in the world today and I can only hope there are real life GEM warriors out there saving the many children who are abducted daily.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

6+++ Stars for Onyx by Freya Barker!!!

This MOST anticipated read from Freya Barker DID NOT disappoint, in ANY way!!! The third and final book in the GEM series answers the many questions from the first two books in such a SPECTACULARLY unexpected conclusion, I still can't wrap my brain around it! This compelling, enthralling, completely captivating story had me alternately smiling, gasping for breath, holding it in anticipation, sitting on the edge of my seat with the suspense and crying tears of joy at the way things were all wrapped up in the end! Add to all that the steam (which is just enough to make your lady bits pay attention)...now THAT'S a 6+++ star read in my book!

Once again, Ms. Barker has given us an intriguing, UN-PUT-DOWNABLE story, one that deserves ALL THE STARS!!! I can't recommend this series or this author highly or STRONGLY enough!!! YOU NEED TO READ HER BOOKS!!! I can't WAIT to see what is coming next!

[Leigh Parrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

GEM series..I can’t believe we’re already at the end!! These books have been highly enjoyable for me! If you love a little bit of mystery and action with your romance like I do… go get book 1 now!!!
Onyx/Raj finally tells her story in book 3 and some parts broke my heart. She’s overcame horrible, tragic things in her youth that would break most people but she fought through it and has become such a strong woman now! Her fight to help others really spoke to my heart.
Jacob, the voice on the other end of the phone finally steps out into the light and makes an explosive entrance! I knew he would have an intense story to tell but never imagined how much he went through.
The love and connection these 2 share from their past and now, in the present, is so powerful. It kept me turning the pages to see what happened next!
I’m glad to finally see justice served..but also sad to leave this GEM Team behind. I give this book and this series an overall 5 big stars!!

[A.BookNerd.Bookseller&Bibliophile.Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Onyx. Wow. Amazing and I loved every second of it! There were a couple of plot twists that left me spinning, one I kinda of thought “wouldn’t that be quirky coincidence if…” and bam. That second one though, wow! I think of the entire GEM series, this one was my favorite! Suspense, horses, a bit of whit, justice, some romance sprinkled in and then wrap it up with a three legged rescue dog?! Sign me up every time!
~Heidi💜

[Nathalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books by Freya Barker always make you have ALL THE FEELINGS... and Onyx is one of them.

This Story was hard to stomach in parts - so sad, so heartbreaking what happened to Onyx... but, as typical for Freya Barker, there's never just darkness but always a light at the End of the Tunnel...

5/5⭐️

Can be read as Stand-Alone, but for maximum reading enjoyment should be read in Order of Release.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Onyx is the perfect ending to the GYM series. It is a great blend of sexy romance and page turning suspense. Freya Barker writes great characters, and secrets are revealed to wrap up the series. I love Onxy’s story. The GEM group survived so much, and they became a force for good. I couldn’t put the book down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final truth to this series is revealed in Onyx and what a read. As usual Freya has saved the best till last and does not disappoint! There's so much happening within this storyline, you need as the reader, to pay attention. Onyx and Jacob’s story is revealing, intense and emotional. This series is about GEM a privately funded organisation that searches for and rescues missing and exploited children. Not an easy subject to deal with, but I can assure you that Freya Barker brings her best writing skills, touching with sensitivity in Jacob and Onyx’s story. Jacob the owner of GEM and Onyx the last of 3 main characters get their own storyline…..thus bringing their pasts to a revealing emotional end. I would highly recommend you read these books in order to bring this series to its explosive conclusion.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

[Read All About It · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic way to end this series. So many shocking surprises that I sure didn’t see coming. This series has certainly been heartbreaking . Even though all these women lived through so much they have overcome and destroyed the evil that changed there lives. This author just keeps giving us the best stories and this one she saved the best for last.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Onyx GEM #3 - Onyx is indeed balanced, strong, and a guardian as she enters the sometimes elite world of thoroughbred horse racing in order to take down yet another child exploitation ring. As usual Jacob is calling in favours and calling out orders from afar to keep Onyx safe when she ventures into the field, something she doesn’t do often although she is more than prepared for the challenge. But just how far away is Jacob and what is he willing to risk with a view to keeping Onyx safe from those who want to see her harmed so their evil and thriving misdeeds continue take place uninterrupted. The supporting cast of characters add great depth to this well written story that deals with some very delicate subject matter. Once again Freya has hit the mark with this completely engrossing read.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfying conclusion to the series with answers and justice for the team.

Definitely read this book after the two prior books in the series to understand the tragic and emotional pasts of the main characters and their teammates. Raj/Onyx is undercover and lead for the first time since joining the GEM team. She’s normally the support and behind the scenes coordinator for GEM.

Jacob has been a voice on the phone directing his team in the prior books, but for this mission he takes a bigger role. The reader is subtly clued in on who he is and able to enjoy the slow reveal to Raj and the other ladies. No spoilers, but his past definitely has driven him to seek out justice and maybe even some well deserved revenge.

Such a satisfying read despite the gritty and dark subject matter. The characters are clearly the good guys and overcoming their pasts.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a story when the good wins out over the bad and there is a happily ever after as the trophy!
So, get ready because the pieces of this complex puzzle have all come together in Onyx, book three in the GEM series where the present and past are so very tightly intertwined and the evil from the past is finely brought to justice.
I loved the dynamics between Raj (Onyx) and Hamish, or is it Jacob or maybe it’s Nathan! She definitely had her hands full as she balanced not only her personal life but also being undercover for the first time. But more importantly as they worked together they they developed a friendship, passion and understanding. However, they couldn’t win the fight alone. So, with the added help from the rest of the team who worked tirelessly together they were able to accomplish their goal to bring down the evil ones who haunted their past!

[Renee Entress · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 star

I was pulled right into this story. The story has laughs, secrets, suspense, danger, and heartbreak.


If you have not read the below I would recommend reading those books(s) first
Opal (GEM Series #1)
Pearl (GEM, #2)

This is Onyx’s story. She is usually in the background while fighting justice. But she has a special set of skills that is needed for the next part of the investigation. Her boss the man in charge is not wanting her to be the lead. When she is still put in the lead, he makes it his mission to help her out even if it means he is exposed in the process. But when all the secrets are revealed will they get closure from the past or build a future are recovering from the secrets?

I highly recommend this book.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything! Freya always has a way of bringing real issues out of the shadows and sucking you into her world.
I highly advise reading all three books in the series in order. I couldn’t wait for Onyx and Jacob’s book. Freya did an amazing job with their storyline, and tying up all the loose ends from each book.
I don’t want to give away anything but trust me, this is a story you don’t want to miss. This whole series was amazing. I so did not want it to end.
I wish I could give this more than five stars.

[Audrey Krofchick · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG…. Can I give it all the stars and not just 5? This book ends this series so perfectly! This book and the series touches on serious subjects, but they are so well written and needed to explain the story. In this book we learn more about Onyx and the mysterious Jacob…and let me tell you it was worth the wait and surprise…. I am sad to see this series end! But cannot recommend it enough!

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that were difficult for me to read. I thought the author handled them well as she didn't detail certain situations anymore than necessary. The subject matter was both difficult and delicate.

There were a number of surprises in this book. One thing that wasn't a surprise was Jacob and Onyx's chemistry. I won't mention the other thing that was not a surprise because it was fairly obvious. I enjoyed watching the developing attraction between Jacob and Onyx as they worked together to put an end to a heinous situation.

The conclusion to this book was particularly satisfying on a number of levels. I think Onyx could easily be read as a standalone. I also think a reader would get a much clearer picture if the books are read in order. The HEA's in this book and series were well deserved.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to end an amazing series! I absolutely loved Onyx so much. Not only do we finally get to see Onyx/Raj reach her happily ever after but to pair her up with Jacob was just fantastic!! Jacob has been a mystery throughout this series, just a disguised voice on the telephone.

I was prepared that this was going to be an emotional read with Onyx’s backstory, but Jacob’s is just as heartbreaking. They are both individually so very strong, but together they were dynamite. I loved following along on their journey. There are definitely some twists and turns throughout the story and I devoured it all. I was so happy that there was finally closure for all that they had endured, but it was bittersweet because the series is now at an end.

Overall, I have to say Onyx and Jacob’s story has to be my favorite of the three, but they are all such wonderful stories. They were definitely some tough topics that were addressed but handled so well. A fantastic 5-star read!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story!!!
Excellent conclusion to this great series!
Onyx is a member of GEM and is going on her first undercover mission to help solve a child trafficking ring. Jacob is the person who has brought them together. Onyx has always felt a connection to Jacob even though she’s never met him or even heard his actual voice.
This story will pull at your heartstrings and will have your emotions all over the place.
Don’t read too many reviews - just go into this one kinda blind if you can. You won’t be disappointed!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

secrets are laid bare, along with years of great pain and suffering by many victims

some survivors work to help where they can and to seek justice and possibly vengeance against those that hurt them


and the surprises multiply, along with new victims

victories come at high costs, as tomorrows are dreamed of, and sometimes won


intense and compelling suspense, action and drama

[Charlotte Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow. I don't know what to say but the truth comes out. I couldn't put book down once started.

We always had the question who is Jacob Chance. And we finally find out who he is. We also got to know Onyx more.

I highly recommend this book.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking forward to Onyx’s book since book one of the GEM series.

We didn’t know a lot about Raj and she really intrigued me….. almost as much as Jacob.

Both their history was complicated and their stories were heart hurting. People who are supposed to care for you but who cause you the worst kind of pain, they both suffered from some unspeakable and unthinkable experiences.

There were so many secrets and disclosures in this read. Some I sorta had worked out and a few others which were complete surprises. I loved how the team came together and worked to get to the heart of the case they’ve been with on since the start of the series.

Well written as ever, this was another fabulous offering from Freya and was action packed, full of intrigue and heat. While I’m sad this series is complete, I cannot wait for what’s to come next from Ms B.

I think one of the saddest and most harrowing things with this story is that though Ms Barker has written it as fiction, all you have to do is look at the news IRL and see awful reports about similar things like this…. which inexplicably includes the same kind of people that Freya has as characters in Onyx’s story.

I would encourage you to grab your copy of the books in this series and discover what the GEM team are all about….



** Thanks to Buoni Amici Press for allowing me to read an ARC - though I have also purchased my own ecopy.

[Ginny Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing end for this series.
GEM was created due to what happened to most of the characters in this series. It's soo sad with the reality of the reasons it was created.
Jacob has started GEM to find missing and exploited children and take those behind it down. With the help from Pearl, Opal, and Onyx, he has been able to help a lot of children.
The goal is also to bring down those who are directly related to all of their pasts. The women just didn't know who Jacob really was.
I love how this story brings it all to a head and happy endings for all.

[Rosheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great final book in this series. Works very well as both a standalone read or completion of the series. Interesting and well timed reveal and the plot was well thought out. Even though the Gem series is not my most favourite of this authors, the series had (for me ) some confronting triggers , they were well handled and demonstrated that Freya tells such an engaging story each and every time I’ll read her work any day .

[Ela La1978 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Freya Rocks, literally. This story has so much feels and emotions to it it’s overwhelming. Combined with informations to their pasts and so many reveals within the story of Onyx and Jacob, it’s impossible to put the book down even for a second. Its definitely a most read and the best of the GEM Series. 10🌟 if I could.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

.25stars-ONYX is the third (and final?) instalment in Freya Barker’s contemporary, adult GEM dark, erotic, romantic suspense series. This is Rajani ‘Onyx’ Agarwal, and Jacob Branch’s story line. ONYX can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary but I recommend reading the series in order.

SOME BACKGROUND: GEM stands for Gather, Evaluate, Mobilize

GEM, a group that works independently of other organizations, searching for missing and exploited children; and CARD (Child Abduction Rapid Deployment) is a division of the FBI working to stop those trafficking in children. Approximately twenty years earlier Raj (Onyx), and her fellow GEM agents Kate (Opal) and Janey (Pearl) were abducted from a teen youth center, help captive and abused by a madman who was believed to have died in a fire at the center but their investigations into the missing and exploited all reveal a connection to the center, and the probability the baddest of the bad survived.


NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there WILL BE triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Onyx and Jacob) ONXY focuses on the take down of the last man that destroyed Onyx, Opal and Pearl’s lives. Raised in a group home for troubled teens, the boys and girls were used and abused by the people in charge but a fire allowed the children to escape, and the survivors are searching for the ones who got away. Fast forward to present day, the members of GEM are all former childhood victims whose duty it is to protect those most vulnerable but as a side proclamation, GEM searches for the men who destroyed their lives, and with only one man still on the run, Onyx goes undercover in the hopes of taking down the remaining abuser who is about to turn the tables on our story line couple. With the help and coordination of GEM’s boss and CEO Jacob Branch, as well as Jacob’s friend Hamish, the trio face down the nightmare who continues to destroy so many lives.

The world building continues to focus GEM, but more specifically the three women and their boss Jacob Branch, who have pledged to help those unable to help themselves. With the number of missing and exploited children on the rise, GEM is kept busy searching for those unable to help themselves.

The relationship between Onyx and Jacob is employee and boss but very few people are truly aware Jacob’s secret or his real identity. As Onyx begins to tumble down the rabbit hole, secrets are revealed, lies are exposed, and Onyx struggles to accept what happened and why. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including Opal and Mitch, Pearl and Lee, Hamish Adrian, and Jacob’s caretaker Bernice Nelson. The requisite evil has many faces.

ONYX is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, forgiveness, acceptance and love. ONYX is twisted, passionate and dramatic story of tragedy and recovery; the characters are struggling and broken; the romance is fated but predicated on deceit and deception.

There are several moments of confusion, a couple of twists to the story line that at times left me wondering what happened and why but all will be revealed throughout the story.

Copy supplied for review

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Books, Booze & Bon Voyage (Krista Webster) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Onyx by Freya Barker is the third a book in her GEM series and what a way to bring the series to a conclusion. This is romantic suspense at its best as everyone involved in GEM fight for the justice they deserve. The story is action packed as GEM face the final push to bring down the perpetrators of both past and present horrors. It is full of intrigue, secrets, subterfuge and deception which will keep you on the edge of your seat but what will be the consequences for Jacob and Raj when all the truths are finally exposed.

Jacob has always felt the burden of being anonymous, having lots of secrets and hiding behind technology. He intends to tell them everything once the case is closed. They have successfully eliminated Kendrick and Sladky so it’s just David Wheeler left. Their investigations into his whereabouts have led them to the horse racing world. Jacob assigns Rajani aka Onyx to go undercover as a racehorse owner to find him but she doesn’t usually do covert operations.

Jacob knows the undercover work could trigger bad memories for Raj especially if she finds Wheeler .He is desperate to protect her but will his gamble work or has he set plans in motion that will destroy all his work. They are so close to reaching his goal that is it worth risking all he has sacrificed and invested to change things now. Could he lose everything that has ever meant anything to him.

Hamish Adrian, a horse trainer and Jacob’s friend, comes along to help her. Onyx and Hamish develop a friendship and he fascinates her with his scars and guarded personality. She is shocked she is attracted to him and how easily she shares information about herself to him. This confuses her because she has always felt a connection to Jacob even though she has no idea who he is, what he looks like or what he sounds like. Which of them will she choose?

The author gives us all the answers from the previous books and ties up all the loose ends. However, events lead to even more revelations and an attempt on Raj’s life rattles everyone. I was captivated as the story unfolded and loved all the unexpected twists and turns.

Bernie is a great secondary character and really understands and cares for Jacob. Her cinnamon buns were a real light-bulb moment for me !! I also loved all the news about Lee and Janey. I loved all the insights into how Jacob started GEM and why he got the three women involved. It was emotional to finally find out his connection to everything and hear what he’d been through. It was great how Jacob helped all three women get back their power after the trauma of their childhood.

After years of struggling with the aftermath of their traumas, can Raj and Jacob find the happiness they both deserve. I thought the promises made and the determination to keep and fulfil them was heartbreaking but the crux of this book. Even though the subject matter is hard I fully recommend this series.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a good day when a new Freya Barker book comes out but I am sad just the same to see the end of this trilogy. Ms Barker unweaves the final webs on this expansive child exploitation ring, revealing the answers to all the questions that have not yet been answered in the series. A book strung high on emotions as the GEM team take down the last terror from their past and find some solice in coming full circle.

Onyx/Raj has been the quiet one in the background thus far and we don't really know too much about her. Her background in phycology has helped her to be the strength for those they have helped and brought out of this nightmare along the way. Sadly Raj's personal history makes her understanding of what others are feeling without them really even being able to explain it. When it is her turn to step out into the field and play her part, she doesn't really put up too much of a fuss. She is as determined as her team to take down the ring and save others from the pains of her past. Though she is strong, she still has some losses she has never really moved past, maybe the closure of this ring will give her a chance.

Jacob has so many regrets from that fateful night when he was ripped away. He has spent so many years hiding and building this empire in an attempt to finally take down the players that started the hell his and his teams life once was. Being out in the open is difficult for him to start. Fighting his feeling and not coming forward with all of his secrets and risking this final investigation is very difficult and certainly takes it's toll on him emotinally.

As the secrets are revealed and emotions are high, the goal never is forgotten and even when the feeling could get in the way, somehow these amazingly strong character seem to hold everything together when needed. The love that formed so long ago and has a second chance after all these years is something dreams are made of. I applaud Ms. Barker for her unique gift of sharing these difficult subject with enough detail to get her points across but not so much detail it is too much to read.

So sad to see these charcters come to an end, but maybe we will see some somewhere in another book along the way. Top Recomendation for me.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review.***

[~lil maso~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Robyn for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner

I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy and eagerly awaited this book—and wasn’t disappointed! Although the content is based on the same thing, child abduction and abuse, I love how each story is so different.

Raj, or Onyx, is a strong woman who has personally experienced childhood trauma at the hands of sexual predators. Her degree in psychology is perfect for helping those children recovered by the GEM organisation she works for. Opal and Pearl, both having suffered similar trauma, are the other two main operatives we’ve previously met. Onyx’s strength lies in being organised and being able to strategise before and during an op instead of being an active field operative, but in this book, that completely changes. I have to say it’s great getting to know Raj, as she was a bit of a mystery, having only been in the periphery in the two prior books. She is a great character who is not only strong but also very honest, too.

Jacob is in this book more, and we get revealing glimpses of him as the book goes on. He’s been such an enigma so far that any and all information about him is eagerly gobbled up. All of the characters help to make this an exciting and entertaining story.

As this story built in intensity, my heart just about jumped out of my chest! I found myself reading as fast as possible, hoping thingsings that worked out in theseew incredible scenes. Talk about trepidation and anticipation! Every question I had throughout the trilogy was answered and the story itself left me feeling true satisfaction. I can honestly say with certainty that this trilogy is one of the best I have ever read.

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

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[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not one to play favorites... Okay, that's a lie. I totally play favorites and I have no qualms making that declaration. This third and final book in the GEM series? It's my favorite, and that's saying something considering the first two novels were excellent romantic suspense reads. Onyx closes out what's been a truly entertaining and intriguing trilogy, and Freya Barker pulled out all the stops with the much-awaited story of Rajani Agarwal and Jacob Branch. For the uninitiated in all things GEM, Raj goes by the operative name Onyx, and she's the last in a trio of women who work for Jacob in GEM--Gather, Evaluate, and Mobilize--which is a private enterprise dedicated to finding and rescuing minors who have been exploited. Raj is rarely dispatched out on the field, working in the background instead, providing essential information and support to Opal and Pearl, aka Katherine Jones and Janey Fisher. But in order to bring down a dangerous child exploitation ring, Raj needs to take point. While everyone is supportive of the idea, Jacob isn't. Can he make sure she's safe while going after their targets without losing everything in the process?

Talk about saving the best for last, and that's saying something considering how good the first two novels were in this series. All those loose ends and pending unanswered questions were finally ticked off the list, and in fantastic Freya Barker fashion, naturally. Like the women before her, Raj is the epitome of a someone who not only survived her experiences, but she has thrived and found a purpose. I love the strength Raj has shown, but I'm also inspired by her vulnerability. Then there's Jacob, the man who's been a Charles "Charlie" Townsend-like figure (the Charlie in Charlie's Angels for those who aren't familiar) for most of the series. Talk about making an entrance and making his presence known to one and all! These two had such heartrending back stories, but it's made them stronger, and what a formidable team they make. Barker is a go-to when it comes to quality romantic suspense for a reason. Onyx receives five stars.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Onyx by Freya Barker
GEM #3

This series could go on and on forever and I would read every one of the books BUT I have a feeling this could be the last book in the series, and I will have to think about the characters instead of reading about them in the future. I will miss them.

What I liked:
* Rajani “Raj” Agarwal: AKA Onyx, GEM operative-employee, difficult backstory that motivates her in her current job, young love lost impacted her greatly as did the trauma s he experienced at the hands of predators and abusers, strong, smart, survivor, lead on this case, closed off but intrigued by Jacob and Hamish
* Jacob Branch: owner and head of GEM, invested in saving missing and exploited youth, suffered more than one trauma in the past – physical and mental, strong, resilient, wealthy, intelligent, has many assets to work with, drawn to a woman and has loved her a long time, intriguing man
* Hamish Adrian: scars from burns suffered in a stable fire at a horse training facility, horse trainer, ex-military, brother-in-arms to Jacob, more to him than meets the eye
* The development of the relationship between Raj and the man she ends up with and how it unfolds – they so deserve to be together
* Bernie: a woman who has had Jacob’s back for many years
* Getting to see how Kate & Mitch and Janey & Fisher are doing
* The plot, pacing, and writing
* Being able to hate the evil characters
* Knowing that GEM and CARD managed to bring to justice some very evil predators and hopefully save some young people, too
* All of it except for…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like – and there were quite a few to dislike
* Knowing that there are evil people in the world willing to harm others in the pursuit of their own horrific lusts and desires

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Definitely

Thank you to the author and Buoni Amici PR for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars