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Project Five Fifteen #3
Becoming
You can’t run from darkness. Eventually, the sun has to set.
Turning his back on the killer he was trained to be wasn’t as easy as Kalen Smith had hoped. They’d tried to run. They’d tried to hide. People had lost their lives. The wrong people. Now, driven by a thirst for revenge, Kalen and his team are preparing to take down those responsible.
But vengeance comes at a price and Ronnie can feel the boy she fell in love with slipping away from her, as the darkness he’s been running from for so long threatens to consume him.
With danger looming in every direction, the possibility of a happy-ever-after is looking bleak, but The Agency isn’t the only obstacle in the way of Ronnie and Kalen’s future. Ronnie’s harbouring a tragic secret that isn’t hers to keep and the truth could destroy not only their relationship, but what’s left of Kalen’s humanity.
One way or another, everything is about to change...
Turning his back on the killer he was trained to be wasn’t as easy as Kalen Smith had hoped. They’d tried to run. They’d tried to hide. People had lost their lives. The wrong people. Now, driven by a thirst for revenge, Kalen and his team are preparing to take down those responsible.
But vengeance comes at a price and Ronnie can feel the boy she fell in love with slipping away from her, as the darkness he’s been running from for so long threatens to consume him.
With danger looming in every direction, the possibility of a happy-ever-after is looking bleak, but The Agency isn’t the only obstacle in the way of Ronnie and Kalen’s future. Ronnie’s harbouring a tragic secret that isn’t hers to keep and the truth could destroy not only their relationship, but what’s left of Kalen’s humanity.
One way or another, everything is about to change...
280 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2013
1 person is currently reading
430 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 13, 2013
It seems that there are two types of romance-y books.
The first type is the kind where romance is front and center, and overthrows every other element of the book. The kind where random sex happens at the absolute wrong moments and puts whatever important thing just happened in the dust.
The second is where the romance aspect slowly builds around the main point of the plot. Amongst the action and thrills, there is this gentle romantic tension that makes you giggle and grin. An equal blend of action or fantasy and romance.
I can happily say that this book (this entire series actually) falls into my favorite of the two: neither. It is a beautiful compilation of the two, but mostly a remix of the second type. The romance is there, but it is not all the plot revolves around. There are no unnecessary love scenes that would add nothing to the story. Everything happens for a perfect reason, and that is my favorite type of romance.
Becoming may just be my favorite in the Project Five Fifteen series. (I think I’ve said that for the other two books, but they just kept getting better).
The ending of As You Were left me shaking. (The betrayal!)! I was desperate for a next book, even though I knew this one would be the end.
There has never been a single moment in this series that I’ve been able to predict what would happen. That right there started my love for Project Five Fifteen. The awesome, kickass characters sealed the deal.
Ronnie is by far one of the strongest female characters that have ever been put to pen and paper. She loves Kalen with a fever, but Kalen loves her just as much. And they use that to their advantage. They use it to protect one another. To save one another.
And although Kalen is absolutely perfect, Ace takes the cake for me.
He is adorable. Sweet and genuine. He loves Ronnie just as much as Kalen does, but he protects her as if they are family.
And maybe that is what makes this series the best.
The strong connection of these boys. The will they have to survive. The lengths they will go to have each other’s back. The bond between Ronnie and her sister, Rachel. The loss of their father. Getting past their anger towards one another and becoming a unit again.
And blended delicately with all this romance and bonding are fight scenes that rival the latest Thor movie. Intense and extremely real! Edge of your seat action.
Oh, my god. I loved getting inside the guys heads and seeing what they feel. A play by play of every situation. That was a delightful surprise.
I’ve been with this series from the beginning and I’m so grateful that I got to experience all three books. Although the journey has ended, and I hate to see it go, the peace for the boys at the end of the book was totally worth it.
I want to thank Ms. Samantha Summers for the opportunity to be with the boys from the beginning. I just wanna pour some vodka out for the ones we lost along the way!
The first type is the kind where romance is front and center, and overthrows every other element of the book. The kind where random sex happens at the absolute wrong moments and puts whatever important thing just happened in the dust.
The second is where the romance aspect slowly builds around the main point of the plot. Amongst the action and thrills, there is this gentle romantic tension that makes you giggle and grin. An equal blend of action or fantasy and romance.
I can happily say that this book (this entire series actually) falls into my favorite of the two: neither. It is a beautiful compilation of the two, but mostly a remix of the second type. The romance is there, but it is not all the plot revolves around. There are no unnecessary love scenes that would add nothing to the story. Everything happens for a perfect reason, and that is my favorite type of romance.
Becoming may just be my favorite in the Project Five Fifteen series. (I think I’ve said that for the other two books, but they just kept getting better).
The ending of As You Were left me shaking. (The betrayal!)! I was desperate for a next book, even though I knew this one would be the end.
There has never been a single moment in this series that I’ve been able to predict what would happen. That right there started my love for Project Five Fifteen. The awesome, kickass characters sealed the deal.
Ronnie is by far one of the strongest female characters that have ever been put to pen and paper. She loves Kalen with a fever, but Kalen loves her just as much. And they use that to their advantage. They use it to protect one another. To save one another.
And although Kalen is absolutely perfect, Ace takes the cake for me.
He is adorable. Sweet and genuine. He loves Ronnie just as much as Kalen does, but he protects her as if they are family.
And maybe that is what makes this series the best.
The strong connection of these boys. The will they have to survive. The lengths they will go to have each other’s back. The bond between Ronnie and her sister, Rachel. The loss of their father. Getting past their anger towards one another and becoming a unit again.
And blended delicately with all this romance and bonding are fight scenes that rival the latest Thor movie. Intense and extremely real! Edge of your seat action.
Oh, my god. I loved getting inside the guys heads and seeing what they feel. A play by play of every situation. That was a delightful surprise.
I’ve been with this series from the beginning and I’m so grateful that I got to experience all three books. Although the journey has ended, and I hate to see it go, the peace for the boys at the end of the book was totally worth it.
I want to thank Ms. Samantha Summers for the opportunity to be with the boys from the beginning. I just wanna pour some vodka out for the ones we lost along the way!
November 21, 2013
I write this post about Samantha Summers' latest book, Becoming, with mixed emotions. My sadness is not because I disliked Becoming (FAR from it!) or that it ended on a bad note. No, I have this empty feeling because Becoming is the last book in Summers' Project Five Fifteen series. A series that I absolutely adore. A series that I found myself immersed in. A series that I didn't want to end. But like all good things...
I first discovered Ronnie and Kalen a year ago and immediately fell in love with all of the characters and fast moving storyline. In fact, I posted my review of First Light, the first book in the series, on November 4th of 2012 (Click here to read it.) After that I couldn't wait to find out what was next for Ronnie and Kalen, along with the rest of the Five Fifteen boys. I had to wait until August to read the second book, As You Were (Review found here.) As You Were was left with a cliffhanger of sorts. Would Ronnie and Kalen's relationship survive the secret she now knows about his past? How would Kal, Ace, and Denver beat their nemesis and if they managed to pull it off would there be causalities? All of these questions and more were running through my mind as I impatiently waited for Becoming to be published.
I didn't know how Summers would top First Light and As You Were, but somehow she did! Becoming just might be the best book in the Project Five Fifteen series, and that is saying a lot! From the moment I opened the cover I was pulled into Kal and Ronnie's life on the run. Becoming is full of twists, turns, romance, heartache, laughter, adventure, and mystery. I loved learning more about the other Five Fifteen boys and where life took them when they escaped Canter Creek. I am secretly holding out hope that Summers may decide to write another book delving into the lives of these other boys. I would LOVE to see Ace find love and for Denver to meet his match. Wouldn't it be great to see Raf reunite with his 'family?' And how about the other 'project' the Agency at Canter Creek had started? I would be interested to see Ace and Denver deal with that new complication.
I can not praise Becoming, by Samantha Summers, enough. I really and truly loved everything about this book (and series!) In fact, I would love to see the Project Five Fifteen series turned into a movie franchise. Kalen and Ronnie on the big screen? Excuse me while I swoon! Please take my advice and if you pick up a book to read this winter, do yourself a favor and read this fantastic series. You won't be sorry!
December 28, 2018
I've waited so long to read this book and when I did I was so happy. Thank you so much Samantha Summers for sending me this wonderful gift - it was awesome from the beginning to end. Sorry for the delay, I couldn't wrap my mind around it and describe my emotions for a long time. I was too sad to leave this universe and the characters.
If you read my reviews about the first two books you know how excited I was about this series and how much I love it still. It's one of my favorites and I have no idea why it's not yet famous. The entire journey was a mystery, not at all predictable, getting better and better and the characters... Oh my God! They were great. And this time we have even more boys to dream about. :))
The action starts where we left off. After all the tragedy that they've been through, my group of trained boys decides to fight back and destroy The Agency once and for all. And to be sure they succeed they reunite the boys for a last battle. We meet Paul, Raf, Zach, Gabriel and some others that we know or not. Ronnie and Kalen are still together but a certain secret brings rupture between them and their relationship suffers some unexpected changes. Now Kal needs to figure out what is more important to him: revenge or love and Ronnie will do anything in her power to help him with his mission, even if she puts her life in danger.
Between the chapters where we follow different characters I was happy to find the flashbacks that I was so fond of from the first book. We can then understand the motives and fire behind their actions. All the episodes were intense and full of surprizes and it involved kidnapping, planning, gunning, all the elements for a great book. I think I liked this one best, if it's even possible. Just one word: perfection.
The series had a perfect ending, even though I didn't want to leave these wonderful characters and the story. I loved it and I definitely recommend it!
Great book! You need to read it.
If you read my reviews about the first two books you know how excited I was about this series and how much I love it still. It's one of my favorites and I have no idea why it's not yet famous. The entire journey was a mystery, not at all predictable, getting better and better and the characters... Oh my God! They were great. And this time we have even more boys to dream about. :))
The action starts where we left off. After all the tragedy that they've been through, my group of trained boys decides to fight back and destroy The Agency once and for all. And to be sure they succeed they reunite the boys for a last battle. We meet Paul, Raf, Zach, Gabriel and some others that we know or not. Ronnie and Kalen are still together but a certain secret brings rupture between them and their relationship suffers some unexpected changes. Now Kal needs to figure out what is more important to him: revenge or love and Ronnie will do anything in her power to help him with his mission, even if she puts her life in danger.
Between the chapters where we follow different characters I was happy to find the flashbacks that I was so fond of from the first book. We can then understand the motives and fire behind their actions. All the episodes were intense and full of surprizes and it involved kidnapping, planning, gunning, all the elements for a great book. I think I liked this one best, if it's even possible. Just one word: perfection.
The series had a perfect ending, even though I didn't want to leave these wonderful characters and the story. I loved it and I definitely recommend it!
Great book! You need to read it.
September 15, 2021
Wow! A perfect end to a perfect series. I couldn’t help but be sad that series I became emotionally invested in was coming to an end. The book was fantastic and totally unpredictable with amazing characters that we got to know and love. The whole series continued to blow my mind with an engaging storyline. I am beyond excited for the next book the author releases!
Can we also take a minute to appreciate the male characters in the book (oh my goodness, it made me want to be Ronnie)!
Can we also take a minute to appreciate the male characters in the book (oh my goodness, it made me want to be Ronnie)!
November 21, 2013
The Project Five Fifteen Series is one of those series that will take up permanent residence in your memory and I have to say that it is a bittersweet moment because though I am thrilled with being able to read the final installment, I am also sad to see it end. Samantha Summers has done an outstanding job in creating a series that will capture your attention, and each book in the trilogy just gets better and better. Becoming is no exception, and Summers has once again outdone herself in providing an exceptional novel that will grip your emotions and attention from cover to cover.
Project Five Fifteen is a story that centers around a group of badass young assassins and a girl name Ronnie Rose. Kalen, Ace, Denver and several other boys were part of a government run program (Project Five Fifteen) where the boys were trained to be ruthless, professional, and perfect assassins from a young age, 4 or 5 until age 16. They managed to escape and have been on the run and in hiding for the past 5 or so years, and have been constantly pursued by the agency since their escape, with quite a few of them having been murdered by the agency. For every boy that was killed, however, they took probably ten times that many corrupt agency soldiers with them. Becoming picks up where As You Were leaves off. The boys and Ronnie have suffered the loss of two of the team members (and the boys are like brothers), which has left them devastated. Kalen has made the decision with the support of the other boys to stop running and go to the source, taking Barker and the agency down once and for all. The story picks up with the group now in America, planning to do just that, and they are in the process of searching for and recruiting other boys who also escaped with them to help. Believe me that isn't an easy task and provides for some intense situations.
Kalen is bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders, much of which revolves around his need to keep Ronnie safe, and in the process is pulling away emotionally from Ronnie more and more. Ronnie has a life-changing secret that she is trying to find away to tell Kalen about, but hasn't found "the right time" yet. A unforeseen circumstance arises and she is forced to make the secret known to Kalen, after which something happens to change the whole dynamic of everything that is and has gone on, and in the process, Ronnie has to face the fact that this may be something that drives a wedge between Kalen and her forever. As the story progresses and the details of the planned attack come together, more secrets are revealed, old friends and relationships resurface, lives are threatened, and everyone realizes what they are willing to do and willing to sacrifice for those they love and care about. This culminates in a epic battle that tests everything they all believe in, resulting in the ultimate sacrifice for some, and the promise of freedom for others.
Becoming is an action packed, heart-stopping, thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat, causing you to feel like you are hanging on by your fingertips at times, and then turned upside down and hanging on with the tips of your toes at other times. If I had to compare this series to something, it would be the Jason Borne movies, and trust me when I say Jason Borne doesn't have anything on Kalen and his crew. I have so enjoyed getting to know Ronnie and Kalen while watching their relationship and love develop over the course of the series. The romance aspect of the story adds so much to the overall theme. It has been so rewarding to watch all the characters grow and change over the course of the series. Ronnie has developed into quite the heroine herself, and with the help of the boys, can now hold her own very well when necessary. Of all the boys, Ace is my favorite, and I would love to see a spin-off series where we get to see more of him, as well as Denver. I truly connected on a deep level with Kalen, Ronnie, and Ace as well. The other secondary characters were also very well written and played integral roles in the story, and were also well fleshed out. We get to meet several new boys in Becoming also, as well as see some of the old arch nemeses that we saw in the previous books reappear again with a vengeance. I loved the ending. It was just perfect.
I can't tell you enough what a wonderful series this is. The Project Five Fifteen Series, including this last installment, Becoming, is filled with suspense, action, romance, intense battle scenes, conspiracy, murder, and is absolutely thrilling. I thoroughly enjoyed it and most definitely recommend it. You won't be disappointed. I can't wait to see what Samantha Summers has in store for us in the future.
Project Five Fifteen is a story that centers around a group of badass young assassins and a girl name Ronnie Rose. Kalen, Ace, Denver and several other boys were part of a government run program (Project Five Fifteen) where the boys were trained to be ruthless, professional, and perfect assassins from a young age, 4 or 5 until age 16. They managed to escape and have been on the run and in hiding for the past 5 or so years, and have been constantly pursued by the agency since their escape, with quite a few of them having been murdered by the agency. For every boy that was killed, however, they took probably ten times that many corrupt agency soldiers with them. Becoming picks up where As You Were leaves off. The boys and Ronnie have suffered the loss of two of the team members (and the boys are like brothers), which has left them devastated. Kalen has made the decision with the support of the other boys to stop running and go to the source, taking Barker and the agency down once and for all. The story picks up with the group now in America, planning to do just that, and they are in the process of searching for and recruiting other boys who also escaped with them to help. Believe me that isn't an easy task and provides for some intense situations.
Kalen is bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders, much of which revolves around his need to keep Ronnie safe, and in the process is pulling away emotionally from Ronnie more and more. Ronnie has a life-changing secret that she is trying to find away to tell Kalen about, but hasn't found "the right time" yet. A unforeseen circumstance arises and she is forced to make the secret known to Kalen, after which something happens to change the whole dynamic of everything that is and has gone on, and in the process, Ronnie has to face the fact that this may be something that drives a wedge between Kalen and her forever. As the story progresses and the details of the planned attack come together, more secrets are revealed, old friends and relationships resurface, lives are threatened, and everyone realizes what they are willing to do and willing to sacrifice for those they love and care about. This culminates in a epic battle that tests everything they all believe in, resulting in the ultimate sacrifice for some, and the promise of freedom for others.
Becoming is an action packed, heart-stopping, thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat, causing you to feel like you are hanging on by your fingertips at times, and then turned upside down and hanging on with the tips of your toes at other times. If I had to compare this series to something, it would be the Jason Borne movies, and trust me when I say Jason Borne doesn't have anything on Kalen and his crew. I have so enjoyed getting to know Ronnie and Kalen while watching their relationship and love develop over the course of the series. The romance aspect of the story adds so much to the overall theme. It has been so rewarding to watch all the characters grow and change over the course of the series. Ronnie has developed into quite the heroine herself, and with the help of the boys, can now hold her own very well when necessary. Of all the boys, Ace is my favorite, and I would love to see a spin-off series where we get to see more of him, as well as Denver. I truly connected on a deep level with Kalen, Ronnie, and Ace as well. The other secondary characters were also very well written and played integral roles in the story, and were also well fleshed out. We get to meet several new boys in Becoming also, as well as see some of the old arch nemeses that we saw in the previous books reappear again with a vengeance. I loved the ending. It was just perfect.
I can't tell you enough what a wonderful series this is. The Project Five Fifteen Series, including this last installment, Becoming, is filled with suspense, action, romance, intense battle scenes, conspiracy, murder, and is absolutely thrilling. I thoroughly enjoyed it and most definitely recommend it. You won't be disappointed. I can't wait to see what Samantha Summers has in store for us in the future.
November 10, 2013
I don't know where to start with my review of 'Becoming' because I loved this book and indeed this series so much that I can't believe it's all over! When the final instalment landed through my letterbox I was equally torn between shutting myself away to start reading it immediately (because I really couldn't wait to start it) and wanting to wait and prolong the enjoyment and anticipation. In the end, my desire to find out how the story was going to conclude and what was going to happen to my very favourite book couple, Ronnie and Kalen, won out. I read it in one evening and could not put it down. Samantha Summers storytelling held me in the palm of it's hand and each chapter delivered so much that I was gripped and absorbed the whole way through.
It's no secret that I love the romance between Ronnie and Kalen. What I love even more is the fact that there's no obligatory love triangle thrown into the mix just to shake things up between the two of them. They've only ever had eyes for each other and although obstacles have frequently been put in their path, when it comes down to who their hearts belong to, there's no doubt that they are soul mates. Although there wasn't quite as much romance in this instalment as I would have liked ('As You Were', the second book, delivered this in spades), I did enjoy the final twist that was thrown in and I thought it made the last few moments of the book even more special. I'm trying desperately not to give away any spoilers but I do want to say that I thought the ending was mind-blowingly brilliant and was very true to all the characters and their stories.
Ronnie has taught Kalen so much about himself since they met. I particularly liked some of the flashbacks in the book to when he first set eyes on her and how he couldn't get her out of his head, even when he tried desperately to forget about her. They've always had an amazing connection and although at times Kalen has doubted whether or not they should be together because of the danger it puts Ronnie in, there has never been any doubt in my mind that they are a team and always work better together.
With Kalen and co plotting to take down The Agency once and for all, there are lots of new faces in the book as the other boys of Project Five Fifteen begin to surface. I loved seeing them all together and although they're not actually related by blood they are like a family and have each other's backs. Ace is yet again utterly adorable and I really warmed to Denver who steps up and takes charge when needed. There's definitely potential for a spin-off featuring some of the other characters or even a TV show! (I pictured Colton Haynes in my head when I was reading about Kalen).
'Becoming' was a superb read which delivered romance, adventure, action and excitement in spades! I was absolutely engrossed in the story and found it compulsive reading. I'm so sad that the series is over because I've become invested in the characters and their lives and I don't want the adventure to end. I'm going to be re-reading the trilogy over and over again because I have so many favourite moments that I want to go back and relive. Samantha Summers, I applaud you and I will read anything you turn your hand to next. Thank you for giving me Ronnie and Kalen and thank you for writing such a wonderful series of books.
It's no secret that I love the romance between Ronnie and Kalen. What I love even more is the fact that there's no obligatory love triangle thrown into the mix just to shake things up between the two of them. They've only ever had eyes for each other and although obstacles have frequently been put in their path, when it comes down to who their hearts belong to, there's no doubt that they are soul mates. Although there wasn't quite as much romance in this instalment as I would have liked ('As You Were', the second book, delivered this in spades), I did enjoy the final twist that was thrown in and I thought it made the last few moments of the book even more special. I'm trying desperately not to give away any spoilers but I do want to say that I thought the ending was mind-blowingly brilliant and was very true to all the characters and their stories.
Ronnie has taught Kalen so much about himself since they met. I particularly liked some of the flashbacks in the book to when he first set eyes on her and how he couldn't get her out of his head, even when he tried desperately to forget about her. They've always had an amazing connection and although at times Kalen has doubted whether or not they should be together because of the danger it puts Ronnie in, there has never been any doubt in my mind that they are a team and always work better together.
With Kalen and co plotting to take down The Agency once and for all, there are lots of new faces in the book as the other boys of Project Five Fifteen begin to surface. I loved seeing them all together and although they're not actually related by blood they are like a family and have each other's backs. Ace is yet again utterly adorable and I really warmed to Denver who steps up and takes charge when needed. There's definitely potential for a spin-off featuring some of the other characters or even a TV show! (I pictured Colton Haynes in my head when I was reading about Kalen).
'Becoming' was a superb read which delivered romance, adventure, action and excitement in spades! I was absolutely engrossed in the story and found it compulsive reading. I'm so sad that the series is over because I've become invested in the characters and their lives and I don't want the adventure to end. I'm going to be re-reading the trilogy over and over again because I have so many favourite moments that I want to go back and relive. Samantha Summers, I applaud you and I will read anything you turn your hand to next. Thank you for giving me Ronnie and Kalen and thank you for writing such a wonderful series of books.
September 9, 2021
As a fan of First Light and As You Were I was so excited to get my hands on the final instalment in the Project Five Fifteen trilogy - Becoming. The author did such a wonderful job with this story and I was very sad to reach the end. I tried to drag it out to delay the inevitable but like the earlier books, I found this impossible to put down. Well done to the author for creating such a great series that appeals to men and women of all ages. There is something in this series for everyone and if you haven't already, I highly recommend you read them. I wait with high anticipation for more works from this talented author!
September 15, 2021
I’m so sad it’s over! Samantha Summers is a very talented author by the way she has captivated readers throughout the entire series. I tried to take my time with this book to draw out the series but I still couldn’t help it and read it all in one day! There were many twists and turns that I did not see coming which can be hard for me to find, and I love the way the friendships grew throughout the series. So pleased with the ending but am sad that it’s over!
September 18, 2018
Absolutely in love and emotionally invested in the characters in this book!
March 15, 2021
This book was fantastic! Love reading these,
January 29, 2024
Amazing! 🎉
January 4, 2015
This was a great conclusion to the series. I actually only picked up the series because it was recommended to me, and I'm so glad I did. It's tense (throughout all three) and a really interesting series that's written from various viewpoints. The editing gets better through the three books, with editing errors becoming less frequent towards the end, but it's something that you just let go, because there are mistakes in every book. No, no, I was very impressed. Brilliant :D
November 28, 2013
4.5 Stars
Ahhh! What a brilliant conclusion to the trilogy! If you're looking for a YA thriller romance with plenty of great characters and strong, engaging and action-packed plot, then definitely check this out.
Review to come.
Ahhh! What a brilliant conclusion to the trilogy! If you're looking for a YA thriller romance with plenty of great characters and strong, engaging and action-packed plot, then definitely check this out.
Review to come.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews