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Lost Without You
Rachel Desoumas’s father disappeared thirty-four years ago and never returned. A linguistics professor, Rachel excels at solving puzzles, but her father’s case is one she can’t solve alone. Enter Ethan Blackwell, former FBI agent, author and consultant. Partnering with Ethan is a smart move but falling for him is a risk Rachel isn’t sure she’s prepared for…
Ethan’s moved on from his FBI past. Or so he thought. When he gets a request from Rachel, he can’t resist. Not the mystery, and not Rachel…
From San Francisco to New York City, they’re hot on the trail of a very cold case and it’s not just the investigation that’s heating up. But Ethan’s plagued by an angry ex and Rachel’s desire for answers may prove costly.
As Ethan and Rachel journey closer to the truth, only one thing is they’d be lost without each other.
Ethan’s moved on from his FBI past. Or so he thought. When he gets a request from Rachel, he can’t resist. Not the mystery, and not Rachel…
From San Francisco to New York City, they’re hot on the trail of a very cold case and it’s not just the investigation that’s heating up. But Ethan’s plagued by an angry ex and Rachel’s desire for answers may prove costly.
As Ethan and Rachel journey closer to the truth, only one thing is they’d be lost without each other.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2023
10 people want to read
About the author
Ava Olsen
29 books196 followersAva Olsen writes steamy & dreamy contemporary romance.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 27, 2023
Thank you to BookSirens for a free advance review copy, I am leaving this review voluntarily.
**SPOILERS**
I initially enjoyed this story. There was some good slow-burn to the relationship between Rachel and Ethan, and the mystery with Rachel’s father added a good plot to the story which I was enjoying. I don’t think there are enough books out there which do well at combining a spicy romance with a mystery, and this story is on its way there. I also LOVED Ethan’s filthy and bossy mouth during the ✨spicy✨ scenes - what a man! Rachel is also clearly a strong, smart and independent woman who knows her worth - I really do like her character.
However, my opinion of the book changed at the end. I am NOT a fan of how this ended. Other than the mystery with Rachel’s father being solved, I really was not happy with the ending or the epilogue.
1. Firstly, Lara - Ethan’s ex. She literally, in my opinion, adds nothing to the story. Why is she mentioned so much? Why did Ethan take so long to tell her to stop calling him? Seemed very much like a “filler” character.
2. The ending was just so rushed. Ethan and Rachel had started seeing each other, and they were close to finding Rachel’s father. And then the same day that Rachel meets her father again in 30+ years, she is engaged, married and discussing children with Ethan? In the space of less than 24 hours? May I repeat this was all in the same night that Rachel met her father again - why could more time not have been spent reconnecting with family? I just found this a bit odd.
3. Leading on from point 2, I’m even more confused as this was a slow-burn. Rachel did not even seem interested in Ethan when they first met - there was just no hint of sexual tension from her side during their first meeting and then 2 weeks later they’re married? I’m just confused. Like yeah it’s cute, they’re in love, but they’ve gone from 0 to 100 SO QUICK and it made the story and ending just feel rushed.
4. Finally, the fact that the FMC was 39/40 and managed to get pregnant within 5 months of being with Ethan just didn’t sit right with me. I don’t like how so many romance books end with the couple being married and pregnant/with kids - especially only a year into their relationship when we all know how difficult it is for older women to conceive. It’s unrealistic and unnecessary especially when more of the story could have been focused on different plot lines or twists with Rachel’s father. I think I would have preferred this story if the mystery had lasted longer, and the one-year-later epilogue was Rachel and Ethan’s wedding - it wouldn’t have felt so rushed then.
All in all, this could have easily been a 4 star read for me, but the ending was just not it, hence 3 stars.
**SPOILERS**
I initially enjoyed this story. There was some good slow-burn to the relationship between Rachel and Ethan, and the mystery with Rachel’s father added a good plot to the story which I was enjoying. I don’t think there are enough books out there which do well at combining a spicy romance with a mystery, and this story is on its way there. I also LOVED Ethan’s filthy and bossy mouth during the ✨spicy✨ scenes - what a man! Rachel is also clearly a strong, smart and independent woman who knows her worth - I really do like her character.
However, my opinion of the book changed at the end. I am NOT a fan of how this ended. Other than the mystery with Rachel’s father being solved, I really was not happy with the ending or the epilogue.
1. Firstly, Lara - Ethan’s ex. She literally, in my opinion, adds nothing to the story. Why is she mentioned so much? Why did Ethan take so long to tell her to stop calling him? Seemed very much like a “filler” character.
2. The ending was just so rushed. Ethan and Rachel had started seeing each other, and they were close to finding Rachel’s father. And then the same day that Rachel meets her father again in 30+ years, she is engaged, married and discussing children with Ethan? In the space of less than 24 hours? May I repeat this was all in the same night that Rachel met her father again - why could more time not have been spent reconnecting with family? I just found this a bit odd.
3. Leading on from point 2, I’m even more confused as this was a slow-burn. Rachel did not even seem interested in Ethan when they first met - there was just no hint of sexual tension from her side during their first meeting and then 2 weeks later they’re married? I’m just confused. Like yeah it’s cute, they’re in love, but they’ve gone from 0 to 100 SO QUICK and it made the story and ending just feel rushed.
4. Finally, the fact that the FMC was 39/40 and managed to get pregnant within 5 months of being with Ethan just didn’t sit right with me. I don’t like how so many romance books end with the couple being married and pregnant/with kids - especially only a year into their relationship when we all know how difficult it is for older women to conceive. It’s unrealistic and unnecessary especially when more of the story could have been focused on different plot lines or twists with Rachel’s father. I think I would have preferred this story if the mystery had lasted longer, and the one-year-later epilogue was Rachel and Ethan’s wedding - it wouldn’t have felt so rushed then.
All in all, this could have easily been a 4 star read for me, but the ending was just not it, hence 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2023
The disappearance of a loved one is something no one ever gets over considering the constant why, what happened, could they still be alive, so many unanswered questions yet no answers well we met Rachael and Ryker sister and brother whose father just disappeared without a trace. Ryker has let it go. He misses his father, but he has made peace with it. However, his sister Rachel has not. Rachel loved their dad because of his disappearance. She has become especially good at solving puzzles but the one puzzle she can’t seem to piece together is what happened to her father and finally doing something about it with the help of a former FBI agent whom we met in a previous book. Ethan sexy as all get out former FBI agent, who has retired but agrees to assist the beautiful Rachel in her quest and if anything, to keep her safe because he understands walking into the unknown, or kicking up rocks that shouldn’t be kicked bringing out the worst in the ones who committed the crime or who can even answer questions. So, the adventure begins the quest to finding out what happen to her dad but what neither of them counted on was the intense attraction to one another or the magnetic pull that can’t be ignored and him doing his best to keep her safe but throw in his crazy ex. dangers of digging and you got yourself a full fledge adventure but where will it lead them, will she find out what happened to their dad, why her dad was taken, will she be able to keep herself from falling from the FBI agent, will he keep from falling for her, what does he do about the crazy ex. and can their be some form of peace along with happiness for these two?
June 19, 2023
When I was first introduced to Ryker Dosoumas in “A Novel Affair” and the mystery surrounding his father, I was intrigued. Then we met Rachel, his sister, and Ethan, the former FBI agent turned novelist, and I knew that they would make the perfect pair to solve the disappearance of what happened to Walter Hoffman.
I was so excited to pick up this book and see what happened to Ryker and Rachel’s father so long ago. Ethan was the perfect person to help Rachel out. I get so tired of female characters who are referred to as ‘strong’ but who are not. Rachel was a strong woman who was not going to put up with anything. She was not afraid to push Ethan away when he was acting like a fool and I just respected her so much for that. She didn’t grovel or cry. She knew her worth.
The romance was sweet, but it did feel a little instalove. I don’t necessarily mind that, but I know some people do. I loved seeing Ryker and Wes again. I loved how the mystery was finally solved though it felt a little anticlimactic. I would have liked to have seen more about that resolution. Also, could have done without Ethan’s stalkery ex. Rachel was absolutely right to ask him why he still made himself available to be disrespected and berated.
I really loved this story and I look forward to reading more from Ava Olsen.
I received an ARC for my honest review
I was so excited to pick up this book and see what happened to Ryker and Rachel’s father so long ago. Ethan was the perfect person to help Rachel out. I get so tired of female characters who are referred to as ‘strong’ but who are not. Rachel was a strong woman who was not going to put up with anything. She was not afraid to push Ethan away when he was acting like a fool and I just respected her so much for that. She didn’t grovel or cry. She knew her worth.
The romance was sweet, but it did feel a little instalove. I don’t necessarily mind that, but I know some people do. I loved seeing Ryker and Wes again. I loved how the mystery was finally solved though it felt a little anticlimactic. I would have liked to have seen more about that resolution. Also, could have done without Ethan’s stalkery ex. Rachel was absolutely right to ask him why he still made himself available to be disrespected and berated.
I really loved this story and I look forward to reading more from Ava Olsen.
I received an ARC for my honest review
June 22, 2023
Good to have the mystery disappearance of Rachel and Ryker's dad solved
Ever since we met Ryker in his story, Novel Affair, and learned of his father's disappearance, I wondered if we'd ever find out what happened. His sister Rachel was desperate to investigate but Ryker wasn't too keen so I hadn't expected this story.
I liked all the investigation and the drama surrounding it, and I loved seeing Ryker and his husband Wes again. Rachel was such a strong, forthright character and I liked her very much. We met Ethan before, through Wes, and he was the obvious candidate to aid Rachel in her search. I liked him as a character too.
What I wasn't so keen on was the introduction of Ethan's ex-wife. It was annoying, made absolutely no sense, had no bearing on the plot at all, and made Ethan look like a spineless idiot whose ex continued to walk all over him, seven years after their divorce and her subsequent re-marriage.
After a decent and involved investigation, the resolution came a bit too easily and neatly, but at least we got an HEA for the whole family and that was what I needed from this story.
Ever since we met Ryker in his story, Novel Affair, and learned of his father's disappearance, I wondered if we'd ever find out what happened. His sister Rachel was desperate to investigate but Ryker wasn't too keen so I hadn't expected this story.
I liked all the investigation and the drama surrounding it, and I loved seeing Ryker and his husband Wes again. Rachel was such a strong, forthright character and I liked her very much. We met Ethan before, through Wes, and he was the obvious candidate to aid Rachel in her search. I liked him as a character too.
What I wasn't so keen on was the introduction of Ethan's ex-wife. It was annoying, made absolutely no sense, had no bearing on the plot at all, and made Ethan look like a spineless idiot whose ex continued to walk all over him, seven years after their divorce and her subsequent re-marriage.
After a decent and involved investigation, the resolution came a bit too easily and neatly, but at least we got an HEA for the whole family and that was what I needed from this story.
October 10, 2023
This was a really great book! On top of the romance, mystery, and suspense, it was also just really interesting. Rachel has lived with the disappearance of her father for the last thirty four years. She has never been able to move past it because she has never been able to get any solid answers and she refuses to give up. So she teams up with Ethan Blackwell who is a former FBI agent along with being a current author and consultant.
These two immediately had some serious sparks flying and their instant connection was so clear. Ava Olsen expertly had Ethan and Rachel falling for each other in such a believable and naturally progressive way. The development of their relationship was incredible and I honestly didn't see the ending coming. I strongly recommend this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
These two immediately had some serious sparks flying and their instant connection was so clear. Ava Olsen expertly had Ethan and Rachel falling for each other in such a believable and naturally progressive way. The development of their relationship was incredible and I honestly didn't see the ending coming. I strongly recommend this book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 29, 2023
The was a really wonderful story. I loved the characters of Ryker and Rachel. The storyline draws you in and you are on the journey to find Rachel's father who disappeared 34 years ago. She needs help so she calls Ethan Blackwell, former FBI agent, consultant, and author. They journey together and as they do Ethan and Rachel start to fall in love. There was suspense, mystery, and sizzling steam. This is the first book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 26, 2023
A great romantic suspense:
This was a fabulous book and a nice escape. It drew me in from the very beginning and I felt a connection to not just the main characters, but to the story as a whole. I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense aspects and found myself curious as to how it was all going to play out. Rachel and Ethan were great together and you could really feel the chemistry between them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a fabulous book and a nice escape. It drew me in from the very beginning and I felt a connection to not just the main characters, but to the story as a whole. I really enjoyed the mystery and suspense aspects and found myself curious as to how it was all going to play out. Rachel and Ethan were great together and you could really feel the chemistry between them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 27, 2023
Rachel and her brother are searching for answers to their fathers disappearance. Retired FBI agent Ethan is helping her with the investigation and luckily he still has some valuable friends who can help them. Loved the characters and the storyline right from the beginning. Tension arrives with his ex, which throws some of their plans out the window. Great ending to pull it all together.
I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2023
Rachel and Ethan are a power couple in the making. He’s a former FBI agent turned mystery writer and she’s a university professor searching for her father who has been missing for over 30 years. An intense and passionate crime/romance. Shattered pasts healed, mysteries uncovered, and the overwhelming love of a family. Easy read that will keep you captivated from beginning to end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 27, 2023
A brilliant read
Totally loved reading Rachel & Ethan's story. Their story is brilliant mix of slow burn, erotic & suspense. Sparks fly between them , but will the strain of trying to find out what happened to Rachel's missing father snap their connection or bring them closer together?.
I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Totally loved reading Rachel & Ethan's story. Their story is brilliant mix of slow burn, erotic & suspense. Sparks fly between them , but will the strain of trying to find out what happened to Rachel's missing father snap their connection or bring them closer together?.
I received a free copy of this book via Evernight and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 30, 2023
I absolutely loved reading Rachel and Ethan’s story. The character development and back stories were so well written. I also enjoyed the attention to detail and the surprising ending to the story. I highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy a good suspense story! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews