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Operation Justice Force #1
Lethal: Library Edition
A traitor with stolen information.
Adam Campbell, 33, blacklisted CIA agent, needs to get covert information into the right hands. Alone and on the run, his world suddenly stops when he discovers the identity of the Pegasus operative who is on his tail. Arranging a meeting just to gaze into the eyes of the man he's always loved, Adam is set up and almost killed. Out of resources and nowhere to turn, Adam returns to the only home he's ever known.
An operative who always catches the bad guy.
Dalton Weber, 38, second in command of Pegasus, has a job to Stop ex-CIA agent, code name Sphinx, from selling classified information. When Sphinx disappears after Dalton's botched attempt at contact, Dalton takes a break. Going home for the holiday, Dalton finds Adam, the man he'd walked away from years ago.
A surprising encounter.
Imagine Adam's shock when Dalton shows up. Imagine Dalton's disbelief when he finds out the facts about the man who has always owned his heart. When explosions, secrets, and attempted murder hit close to home, Pegasus opens up a lethal dose of ass kicking. Will that be enough to stop the bad guys and give Adam a chance to come clean?
Contains mature themes.
Adam Campbell, 33, blacklisted CIA agent, needs to get covert information into the right hands. Alone and on the run, his world suddenly stops when he discovers the identity of the Pegasus operative who is on his tail. Arranging a meeting just to gaze into the eyes of the man he's always loved, Adam is set up and almost killed. Out of resources and nowhere to turn, Adam returns to the only home he's ever known.
An operative who always catches the bad guy.
Dalton Weber, 38, second in command of Pegasus, has a job to Stop ex-CIA agent, code name Sphinx, from selling classified information. When Sphinx disappears after Dalton's botched attempt at contact, Dalton takes a break. Going home for the holiday, Dalton finds Adam, the man he'd walked away from years ago.
A surprising encounter.
Imagine Adam's shock when Dalton shows up. Imagine Dalton's disbelief when he finds out the facts about the man who has always owned his heart. When explosions, secrets, and attempted murder hit close to home, Pegasus opens up a lethal dose of ass kicking. Will that be enough to stop the bad guys and give Adam a chance to come clean?
Contains mature themes.
Audio CD
First published February 25, 2022
299 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
About the author
Reese Knightley
54 books585 followersReese Knightley spends her time creating stories from the characters rattling around in her head. Her love of reading mystery, action and adventure, and fantasy books led to her love of writing. Reese works as a full time writer. She loves to hear from her readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
March 19, 2022
3.5>
All boxes necessary for an action-romance are checked. Ms. Knightley even cared about some boxes which makes other sub-genres a treat like adding an orphan and a meddling family. It's fast-paced and sexy so logic never gets in the way of action and passion. She even makes the maybe excusable mistake of the first book of a new series to give future couples too much room.
All in all Lethal is like a vacation on a cruise ship after years of such vacations. You feel comfortable with the routine. There might be stops in new harbors but you know what to expect. You are surrounded by new people and enjoy the small talk. Everything is pleasant and nothing too deep to be disturbing. You might confuse your current cruise with one of your others but that supports only your relaxation and you always can dream about your next cruise, so everything is good.
All boxes necessary for an action-romance are checked. Ms. Knightley even cared about some boxes which makes other sub-genres a treat like adding an orphan and a meddling family. It's fast-paced and sexy so logic never gets in the way of action and passion. She even makes the maybe excusable mistake of the first book of a new series to give future couples too much room.
All in all Lethal is like a vacation on a cruise ship after years of such vacations. You feel comfortable with the routine. There might be stops in new harbors but you know what to expect. You are surrounded by new people and enjoy the small talk. Everything is pleasant and nothing too deep to be disturbing. You might confuse your current cruise with one of your others but that supports only your relaxation and you always can dream about your next cruise, so everything is good.
May 10, 2022
What a mess 🤦🏽♀️
Ok the book started off so well and then went downhill at about 71% it was just messy instead of the climax that I’m sure the author was aiming for it was just a mess. Too many characters being introduced and it was so confusing 😕
The dialogues were just 😒, I really wanted to love and connect with the two main characters (Adam and Dalton) but I just couldn’t, something was just lacking
It’s as if the book was written with a movie setting in mind but then failed at delivery. I will read the next book though I’m hoping for an improvement
Ok the book started off so well and then went downhill at about 71% it was just messy instead of the climax that I’m sure the author was aiming for it was just a mess. Too many characters being introduced and it was so confusing 😕
The dialogues were just 😒, I really wanted to love and connect with the two main characters (Adam and Dalton) but I just couldn’t, something was just lacking
It’s as if the book was written with a movie setting in mind but then failed at delivery. I will read the next book though I’m hoping for an improvement
July 17, 2025
Started off well
The beginning of this was excellent and for a while, it looked like things would be continuing.
Adam's character was intriguing in the opening few chapters, Dalton seemed like he could be redeemed and I was definitely on Adam's side at first.
Then we find out there wasn't really a proper reason why Dalton ended things, although he was only 23, Adam 18, at the time, so all of a sudden it's not some epic love story with loads of grovelling required.
Instead it's a bit of an insecure young man, newly in the Marines and still in the closet, running scared.
Perfectly understandable, if a bit harsh that he never properly spoke to Adam about his feelings. Then, one blow job in a linen closet later, Adam's not actually putting things behind him and moving on.
Nope, he's forgiven Dalton and they're back to exchanging I love yous. I sighed deeply at this point.
The suspense element also started off well, the premise is interesting and originally feels like a potentially believable situation.
But, once again, things just escalate beyond any kind of realism into the absurd. I'm sorry but I don't believe for a minute, no matter how corrupt individuals are, that the FBI would lob explosives into a public bar!
I know there's always a 'just go with the flow' with a lot of romantic suspense stories, but there does normally also have a grounding in being able to think 'it might happen'.
This one got less and less that way the more it went on. Also don't try and read this if you haven't read all the other series' that come before it.
You'll get utterly lost with the sheer number of extra secondary characters who show up from other books with only a line or two of explanation.
The beginning of this was excellent and for a while, it looked like things would be continuing.
Adam's character was intriguing in the opening few chapters, Dalton seemed like he could be redeemed and I was definitely on Adam's side at first.
Then we find out there wasn't really a proper reason why Dalton ended things, although he was only 23, Adam 18, at the time, so all of a sudden it's not some epic love story with loads of grovelling required.
Instead it's a bit of an insecure young man, newly in the Marines and still in the closet, running scared.
Perfectly understandable, if a bit harsh that he never properly spoke to Adam about his feelings. Then, one blow job in a linen closet later, Adam's not actually putting things behind him and moving on.
Nope, he's forgiven Dalton and they're back to exchanging I love yous. I sighed deeply at this point.
The suspense element also started off well, the premise is interesting and originally feels like a potentially believable situation.
But, once again, things just escalate beyond any kind of realism into the absurd. I'm sorry but I don't believe for a minute, no matter how corrupt individuals are, that the FBI would lob explosives into a public bar!
I know there's always a 'just go with the flow' with a lot of romantic suspense stories, but there does normally also have a grounding in being able to think 'it might happen'.
This one got less and less that way the more it went on. Also don't try and read this if you haven't read all the other series' that come before it.
You'll get utterly lost with the sheer number of extra secondary characters who show up from other books with only a line or two of explanation.
November 19, 2024
This story...the start of the Operation Justice series, brings suspense, love and as the series title suggests...the fight for justice. Dalton and Adam fell in love when they were very young but didn’t know then how to make it work. Thirteen years of wasted time and Adam, aka "Sphinx", is blacklisted in the CIA. Dalton and "Pegasus" were assigned to find him and bring him in, but the meeting had been compromised. Adam and Dalton recognized each other’s voices while they were shooting at each other. At that point I just wanted to scream at them to "STOP SHOOTING"!!!
Adam quickly decided he needed to change location and decided to go home which just happened to be Dalton's families' home. Dalton and "Pegasus" had been both given the Christmas holidays off and he was by this time, really missing Adam. Knowing that Adam would be there, he quickly made off for his house. He had for some time suspected that Adam might be "Sphinx" but he couldn’t find evidence enough to prove it. Adam wasn't sure that Dalton wouldn't just arrest him and ask questions later...so he again withheld his identity...but then his location was again compromised. Finally, he started putting the pieces together but needed Pegasus to help catch the "bad guys". By now my head was swimming and I just wanted the two of them to get it together.
Overall, it was a pretty good love story when Dalton and Adam finally came to the conclusion that hey. we're both on the same side. I like books with "Happy Ever After" endings and this one didn't disappoint. On to book #2.
Adam quickly decided he needed to change location and decided to go home which just happened to be Dalton's families' home. Dalton and "Pegasus" had been both given the Christmas holidays off and he was by this time, really missing Adam. Knowing that Adam would be there, he quickly made off for his house. He had for some time suspected that Adam might be "Sphinx" but he couldn’t find evidence enough to prove it. Adam wasn't sure that Dalton wouldn't just arrest him and ask questions later...so he again withheld his identity...but then his location was again compromised. Finally, he started putting the pieces together but needed Pegasus to help catch the "bad guys". By now my head was swimming and I just wanted the two of them to get it together.
Overall, it was a pretty good love story when Dalton and Adam finally came to the conclusion that hey. we're both on the same side. I like books with "Happy Ever After" endings and this one didn't disappoint. On to book #2.
March 27, 2022
What you first need to know about this book is that it's not the first in the series. It might say it is but that is a lie. Some of you may already know this, you might be thinking, no it is but it's a spin-off series, see. It's fucking not. I've read spin-offs before and you get a nice little cameo from a previous character or a little mention and a nod to the previous parent works and you carry on with your story. This book. This god damn mess of a book, has so many characters in it from the previous series that you'd need a shovel to dig out the main characters it's supposed to be about.
And that is a damn shame. Because the two characters (Adam and Dalton - I remembered their names!) have a great history, a wonderfully (sort of) complicated family that makes that history as tangled as their present and could have made for a well explored second-chance romance with some spy shenanigans thrown in the mix.
But that's not what this book is. This book doesn't deal with the past in any satisfying way, it doesn't even really focus on the spy plot in any satisfying way. It's just an excuse for an endless parade of people I don't know because I haven't read any of the previous books in the series because, and I cannot stress this enough, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES. There was absolutely no reason to market this book as a spin-off (although actually marketing it properly as one might have made it easier on me) because it's just an excuse to include about forty characters I don't know and don't care about and ruin any chance I had of properly enjoying this book.
There was a moment, at the party, when Adam and Dalton's eyes meet and I felt how much Adam hurt. It was a moment. That was all you get. After pages and pages of building up the hurt Dalton caused its just brushed off, set aside like it meant nothing. And that properly infuriated me. Why even have that history between them, set up that pain and heartbreak, if you didn't want to deal with it?
I'm not about to read the next in the series and I'm not about to go back to the beginning because I'm not convinced this author will be one I can stomach. I live for proper communication, not the idea that life & death situations or sexual chemistry solves all your problems.
Hard fucking pass.
And that is a damn shame. Because the two characters (Adam and Dalton - I remembered their names!) have a great history, a wonderfully (sort of) complicated family that makes that history as tangled as their present and could have made for a well explored second-chance romance with some spy shenanigans thrown in the mix.
But that's not what this book is. This book doesn't deal with the past in any satisfying way, it doesn't even really focus on the spy plot in any satisfying way. It's just an excuse for an endless parade of people I don't know because I haven't read any of the previous books in the series because, and I cannot stress this enough, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES. There was absolutely no reason to market this book as a spin-off (although actually marketing it properly as one might have made it easier on me) because it's just an excuse to include about forty characters I don't know and don't care about and ruin any chance I had of properly enjoying this book.
There was a moment, at the party, when Adam and Dalton's eyes meet and I felt how much Adam hurt. It was a moment. That was all you get. After pages and pages of building up the hurt Dalton caused its just brushed off, set aside like it meant nothing. And that properly infuriated me. Why even have that history between them, set up that pain and heartbreak, if you didn't want to deal with it?
I'm not about to read the next in the series and I'm not about to go back to the beginning because I'm not convinced this author will be one I can stomach. I live for proper communication, not the idea that life & death situations or sexual chemistry solves all your problems.
Hard fucking pass.
August 21, 2022
2.5 stars
Loads of action, and for those who enjoy suspense romance books it's a light, easy read.
That being said, as other reviewers have mentioned, there are a shit ton of side characters that tie into the author's other series. I'm guessing it's best read after completing the other books.
The dialogue was a bit cheesy at times, and more often than not really clunky and unnatural. Despite everyone being gay (the colleagues at least, of which there are many) the dialogue, actions and even the sex scenes felt flat*.
*Edited. Rethought my wording on the book feeling "straight"...
Loads of action, and for those who enjoy suspense romance books it's a light, easy read.
That being said, as other reviewers have mentioned, there are a shit ton of side characters that tie into the author's other series. I'm guessing it's best read after completing the other books.
The dialogue was a bit cheesy at times, and more often than not really clunky and unnatural. Despite everyone being gay (the colleagues at least, of which there are many) the dialogue, actions and even the sex scenes felt flat*.
*Edited. Rethought my wording on the book feeling "straight"...
August 31, 2024
This is book number 1 but from almost page one I knew this must be a part of some universe and felt a bit lost. So many names, so many people, and to what end? It is OK to drop names in ongoing series, since it is nice for me also to rejoin with loved characters while reading series made from standalone books but doing so in Book#1? it felt tiring and confusing.
The relationship was OK
The pace of things was good yet the "Big secret" turned out to be not that big
The ending, again was just a chaos of names.
Sorry but wasn't good enough.
The relationship was OK
The pace of things was good yet the "Big secret" turned out to be not that big
The ending, again was just a chaos of names.
Sorry but wasn't good enough.
December 3, 2022
*** 2.5 Stars ***
I think this book had a fun concept, and I love a second chance romance, but I found the execution of the ideas, characters, and dialogue sloppy.
I think this book had a fun concept, and I love a second chance romance, but I found the execution of the ideas, characters, and dialogue sloppy.
January 18, 2023
Exciting action and adventure, a welcome change after a plethora of bleh books. And the author has a substantial catalogue, score. I finally got around to reading some of this author’s earlier books, so a reread of this one was merited. There are so many crossovers between books that the timeline can be difficult to pin down, I’m pretty sure I’m reading them out of order.
August 21, 2022
I’m such a hoe for kindle smut like this
October 10, 2024
Lethal is a second chance, childhood lovers, military/security romance and it's great. I loved that Dalton wanted to make it work with Adam after the messed up as kids (no cheating).
As Reese usually does, the two men interconnect but it's in a believable way.
I loved the connection and romance. I also liked that the reason for the split wasn't some cheesy story about someone's parents paying them off. It was just a true reason that could happen to anyone.
You could feel the love between these two men and as usual, the story is a romantic suspense action packed novel. You will always get 50% action and 50% romance. Just go in knowing, the two MC's won't spend the entire novel with each other because there is an overarching plot that needs to be resolved.
As Reese usually does, the two men interconnect but it's in a believable way.
I loved the connection and romance. I also liked that the reason for the split wasn't some cheesy story about someone's parents paying them off. It was just a true reason that could happen to anyone.
You could feel the love between these two men and as usual, the story is a romantic suspense action packed novel. You will always get 50% action and 50% romance. Just go in knowing, the two MC's won't spend the entire novel with each other because there is an overarching plot that needs to be resolved.
June 21, 2023
I grew attached to the characters of Phoenix,Fury and Infinity so going into this series with new characters I was like these aren’t my boys and I’ve not heard of them before. As with every other book I’ve read by Reese I fell in love with Adam and Dalton and their story. Second chance trope is one that I love in MM and am not a fan of in MF. I love who this story sets up for future books. I love seeing some of our guys Link, Eagle, Greene, Holden and Oliver and I love the second generation with Jacob!
December 19, 2023
4.5 stars!
I was hooked from the beginning with this book. Dalton and Adam captivated me with their separate storylines but also with them as a second chance couple. I did start this book on audio and the narrator did an amazing job bringing the whole cast to life. I will definitely be continuing with this series!
I was hooked from the beginning with this book. Dalton and Adam captivated me with their separate storylines but also with them as a second chance couple. I did start this book on audio and the narrator did an amazing job bringing the whole cast to life. I will definitely be continuing with this series!
April 7, 2024
Very good story but too many characters
Book ★★★★☆
Audio ★★★★★
This story has all the elements of an enemies-to-lovers plot, with a twist—only one of them is clueless about the other being their enemy.
Similarly, it embodies the essence of a second-chance romance, but beneath the romance lies a mission of utmost importance, one that has fatal consequences.
I do enjoy the push-and-pull dynamic between the two main characters a lot. Plus, the suspense and action-packed moments really grab my attention.
Now, here's the thing. This book is the first in a series, and it's also a spin-off from another series by the same author. That means there are a bunch of characters and complicated relationships thrown into the mix. For readers who haven't read the author's previous works, it can be a real challenge to keep up with all the connections.
So, if you're up for a thrilling enemies-to-lovers story with a twist and some intense action, give it a shot. Just be prepared to navigate through a web of characters if you're new to the author's universe.
話說這個世界除了FBI，CIA和警察之外還有兩個秘密機構，一個叫“鳳凰”，一個叫“飛馬”。這個系列的主角都是飛馬的成員。飛馬的副官Dalton與隊友正在追踪一名正在潛逃的代號Sphinx的前CIA。FBI聲稱Sphinx要轉售機密資料，發出了殺無赦的命令。但FBI的武斷引起了Dalton團隊的懷疑，於是他們決定活捉Sphinx以了解事情始末。Sphinx的真實身份是Dalton分開十多年的青梅竹馬前男友Adam，遭人陷害而被迫潛逃。Adam在逃亡過程中發現追捕自己的人就是自己的初戀情人Dalton，而Dalton仍對Sphinx身份一無所知。
聖誕將至，受傷的Adam走投無路之際投靠了Dalton的娘家，為多年冷落家人而於心不安的Dalton也回了娘家，兩人毫無預警地相遇。知道Dalton身份的Adam在情人與敵人的身份之間糾結不已，而依然蒙在鼓裡的Dalton則一心一意想要挽回那段悔恨多年的愛情。這部分的情感拉扯寫得還行，但我覺得可以再虐一些。
劇情方面還算OK，懸念能維持到80%，武戲部分也頗緊張刺激。雖然謎底並不深刻，但起碼故事能圓起來。兩百多頁的篇幅能把感情線和劇情線都寫得完整其實不容易了。
主要缺點在於人物實在太多，關係又複雜，前半部分看得我雲裡霧裡，這是主要的扣分點。雖然這一本是系列的開頭，但這個系列又與作者另一個系列的spin-off。能看得出來作者想要建立一個Justice Enforcement的宇宙，可我強烈建議作者再卷前語加個人物關係圖以減輕讀者負擔。
有聲書是我近期很喜歡的Declan Winters。可以說我是因為看到他而選的文，果然好的Narration會令故事增色不少。
Book ★★★★☆
Audio ★★★★★
This story has all the elements of an enemies-to-lovers plot, with a twist—only one of them is clueless about the other being their enemy.
Similarly, it embodies the essence of a second-chance romance, but beneath the romance lies a mission of utmost importance, one that has fatal consequences.
I do enjoy the push-and-pull dynamic between the two main characters a lot. Plus, the suspense and action-packed moments really grab my attention.
Now, here's the thing. This book is the first in a series, and it's also a spin-off from another series by the same author. That means there are a bunch of characters and complicated relationships thrown into the mix. For readers who haven't read the author's previous works, it can be a real challenge to keep up with all the connections.
So, if you're up for a thrilling enemies-to-lovers story with a twist and some intense action, give it a shot. Just be prepared to navigate through a web of characters if you're new to the author's universe.
話說這個世界除了FBI，CIA和警察之外還有兩個秘密機構，一個叫“鳳凰”，一個叫“飛馬”。這個系列的主角都是飛馬的成員。飛馬的副官Dalton與隊友正在追踪一名正在潛逃的代號Sphinx的前CIA。FBI聲稱Sphinx要轉售機密資料，發出了殺無赦的命令。但FBI的武斷引起了Dalton團隊的懷疑，於是他們決定活捉Sphinx以了解事情始末。Sphinx的真實身份是Dalton分開十多年的青梅竹馬前男友Adam，遭人陷害而被迫潛逃。Adam在逃亡過程中發現追捕自己的人就是自己的初戀情人Dalton，而Dalton仍對Sphinx身份一無所知。
聖誕將至，受傷的Adam走投無路之際投靠了Dalton的娘家，為多年冷落家人而於心不安的Dalton也回了娘家，兩人毫無預警地相遇。知道Dalton身份的Adam在情人與敵人的身份之間糾結不已，而依然蒙在鼓裡的Dalton則一心一意想要挽回那段悔恨多年的愛情。這部分的情感拉扯寫得還行，但我覺得可以再虐一些。
劇情方面還算OK，懸念能維持到80%，武戲部分也頗緊張刺激。雖然謎底並不深刻，但起碼故事能圓起來。兩百多頁的篇幅能把感情線和劇情線都寫得完整其實不容易了。
主要缺點在於人物實在太多，關係又複雜，前半部分看得我雲裡霧裡，這是主要的扣分點。雖然這一本是系列的開頭，但這個系列又與作者另一個系列的spin-off。能看得出來作者想要建立一個Justice Enforcement的宇宙，可我強烈建議作者再卷前語加個人物關係圖以減輕讀者負擔。
有聲書是我近期很喜歡的Declan Winters。可以說我是因為看到他而選的文，果然好的Narration會令故事增色不少。
March 6, 2022
New Spin Off! YAY!! Can't wait for more.
October 26, 2022
El problema de esta mujer es que todas sus series están relacionadas y además no son para nada inolvidables por lo que o las lees de un tirón o estás más perdida que un "pulpo en una cacharrería" porque todos los protagonistas se repiten y se repiten y como casi no recuerdas el anterior, imagínate el de dos series más atrás ...!!
La acción me resultó entretenida porque era lo que me apetecía y me encantan los libros corales, pero después de tres me planto porque cuando salga en cuarto no me acuerdo de nada.
Les doy pocas estrellas porque reconozco que la calidad brilla por su ausencia, pero reconozco que me entretuvieron .
La acción me resultó entretenida porque era lo que me apetecía y me encantan los libros corales, pero después de tres me planto porque cuando salga en cuarto no me acuerdo de nada.
Les doy pocas estrellas porque reconozco que la calidad brilla por su ausencia, pero reconozco que me entretuvieron .
July 2, 2022
What a fun read! I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
August 11, 2022
a fast paced , highly entertaining, very suspenseful story
Rating: 4.5🌈
The cover and description give the reader a pretty good indication of what Lethal, the first book in Reese Knightley’s new Operation Justice Force , has in store for them.
Dark alley, hot, muscled men, with tattoos (some of them), just a hint of danger. Works perfectly for a undercover operation filled with ex Black ops, ex Marines , ex CIA agents, you name it, this agency has the law enforcement type employed there.
I wasn’t aware there’s connecting series that precedes this, Code of Honor Justice Force series as well as Out for Justice Cobalt Security series. Neither of which I’ve read but some of the characters from those series do make appearances here.
The agency here is a twin operation of one referenced above, only a tad more under the radar. They are run by the same person and under the same government auspices .
Luckily, Knightley puts all that knowledge in place here so the new reader like myself doesn’t feel like they are scrambling too much to pull together the foundational structure.
Lethal is a two person POV, a dynamic format which works tremendously well with this type of story and characters.
It’s a dark explosive opening, and we’re off to a highly suspenseful, intense storyline diving into a mystery that has a murderous cat and mouse game already in progress.
While the transitions between the differing POV may seem abrupt at the beginning, I found it increased the pace of the exposition, heightened the sense of danger to the men involved, and laid a layer of dark rawness over this section of the storyline.
Dalton Weber, 38, second in command of Pegasus, is chasing Sphinx,a ex CIA suspected of being a traitor and stealing a important in-house list of names. That’s the situation we start at. A meeting between Dalton and Sphinx gone wrong.
Adam Campbell, ex CIA, is on the run, unsure of who he can trust, with information he needs to protect. He’s such a interesting character, exhausted, alone, fighting to survive. Who he is and what his connection is with Dalton makes this story. It’s such a great twist.
I won’t spoil the book but it’s a fast paced , highly entertaining, very suspenseful story. It’s got terrific characters, themes , and a fabulous ending.
There’s a few questions about Dalton’s family history, and his background but in general, this is a story that will keep you entertained and invested right until the end.
And it’s one I’m recommending!
The list of the series to date is below. Check them out.
🔹Operation Justice Force series:
- [x] Lethal #1
- [ ] Rough #2
- [ ] Honor #3
- [ ] Rebel #4 - Nov 17, 2022
Rating: 4.5🌈
The cover and description give the reader a pretty good indication of what Lethal, the first book in Reese Knightley’s new Operation Justice Force , has in store for them.
Dark alley, hot, muscled men, with tattoos (some of them), just a hint of danger. Works perfectly for a undercover operation filled with ex Black ops, ex Marines , ex CIA agents, you name it, this agency has the law enforcement type employed there.
I wasn’t aware there’s connecting series that precedes this, Code of Honor Justice Force series as well as Out for Justice Cobalt Security series. Neither of which I’ve read but some of the characters from those series do make appearances here.
The agency here is a twin operation of one referenced above, only a tad more under the radar. They are run by the same person and under the same government auspices .
Luckily, Knightley puts all that knowledge in place here so the new reader like myself doesn’t feel like they are scrambling too much to pull together the foundational structure.
Lethal is a two person POV, a dynamic format which works tremendously well with this type of story and characters.
It’s a dark explosive opening, and we’re off to a highly suspenseful, intense storyline diving into a mystery that has a murderous cat and mouse game already in progress.
While the transitions between the differing POV may seem abrupt at the beginning, I found it increased the pace of the exposition, heightened the sense of danger to the men involved, and laid a layer of dark rawness over this section of the storyline.
Dalton Weber, 38, second in command of Pegasus, is chasing Sphinx,a ex CIA suspected of being a traitor and stealing a important in-house list of names. That’s the situation we start at. A meeting between Dalton and Sphinx gone wrong.
Adam Campbell, ex CIA, is on the run, unsure of who he can trust, with information he needs to protect. He’s such a interesting character, exhausted, alone, fighting to survive. Who he is and what his connection is with Dalton makes this story. It’s such a great twist.
I won’t spoil the book but it’s a fast paced , highly entertaining, very suspenseful story. It’s got terrific characters, themes , and a fabulous ending.
There’s a few questions about Dalton’s family history, and his background but in general, this is a story that will keep you entertained and invested right until the end.
And it’s one I’m recommending!
The list of the series to date is below. Check them out.
🔹Operation Justice Force series:
- [x] Lethal #1
- [ ] Rough #2
- [ ] Honor #3
- [ ] Rebel #4 - Nov 17, 2022
March 4, 2022
4 stars.
4 of these stars are for: badass characters, interesting plot line, fighting scenes, suspense, HEA
1 less star for: Adam melted and re-fell in love with Dalton in 3 seconds of his presence after THIRTEEN YEARS of separation and really shitty break up.
This is exactly what happened: They locked eyes together. Went to another room. Fucked. Two days after that confessed love. ??? WHY?? I was holding for the big fight and tension, but I got like love confessions bleh.
The suspense built for their meeting was ruined by the insta-(re?)love. Other than that honestly the whole book was super badass. The suspense was real. Despite how their meeting was disappointing, everything around that was so hot. Also Adam being Sphinx behind Dalton's back was what I was living for. Adam being badass in general, period.
4 of these stars are for: badass characters, interesting plot line, fighting scenes, suspense, HEA
1 less star for: Adam melted and re-fell in love with Dalton in 3 seconds of his presence after THIRTEEN YEARS of separation and really shitty break up.
This is exactly what happened: They locked eyes together. Went to another room. Fucked. Two days after that confessed love. ??? WHY?? I was holding for the big fight and tension, but I got like love confessions bleh.
The suspense built for their meeting was ruined by the insta-(re?)love. Other than that honestly the whole book was super badass. The suspense was real. Despite how their meeting was disappointing, everything around that was so hot. Also Adam being Sphinx behind Dalton's back was what I was living for. Adam being badass in general, period.
September 30, 2024
hmmmm not bad
Pretty decent beginning of a series. It just felt like the potential was lost somewhere in the middle. The romantic aspect, the whole relationship between the MCs really, just felt a bit off. Not only was it rushed and unrealistic, the whole approach made it somewhat unbelievable. And don’t get me wrong. There are books where this approach works perfectly, tho here it was mainly leaning to the romance with the suspense subplot, so I was just expecting something less cliche ig.
We could argue that if you love someone, you are able to forgive them, but we are talking about 13 years here! Like that’s a half Adam’s life (circa). There is just no way…
Still, pretty good read. I’ll give the series a chance :)
Pretty decent beginning of a series. It just felt like the potential was lost somewhere in the middle. The romantic aspect, the whole relationship between the MCs really, just felt a bit off. Not only was it rushed and unrealistic, the whole approach made it somewhat unbelievable. And don’t get me wrong. There are books where this approach works perfectly, tho here it was mainly leaning to the romance with the suspense subplot, so I was just expecting something less cliche ig.
We could argue that if you love someone, you are able to forgive them, but we are talking about 13 years here! Like that’s a half Adam’s life (circa). There is just no way…
Still, pretty good read. I’ll give the series a chance :)
March 2, 2022
2.5 stars, could call it dnf because I skimed all the "romance" after the party b... event.
I think I'm on a bad spot where I can't like the MCs of the M/M romances I read, in this book I just wanted to shake the soul out of Adam and Dalton, I just can't see how are they so dumb on their personal lifes after being highly trained military operatives.
The event at the party was just like the cherry on top to murder any hope to like the romance part, at least the "mistery" part got me engaged, it was a little OTT, and the typical plot but good enough to wanted to finish it.
I'm definetly gonna buy Gage and Mason story, I liked what we see about them on this book.
I think I'm on a bad spot where I can't like the MCs of the M/M romances I read, in this book I just wanted to shake the soul out of Adam and Dalton, I just can't see how are they so dumb on their personal lifes after being highly trained military operatives.
The event at the party was just like the cherry on top to murder any hope to like the romance part, at least the "mistery" part got me engaged, it was a little OTT, and the typical plot but good enough to wanted to finish it.
I'm definetly gonna buy Gage and Mason story, I liked what we see about them on this book.
July 15, 2022
Adam is 6 foot and is constantly referred to as small, make that make sense. Dalton being 6'5 doesn't make him massive (compared to Adam), or at all able to fluidly pick up Adam especially during sex. So weird and unnecessary.
Nothing about this story measures up: Daltons non reason for ditching Adam, the reason Adam was blacklisted, everyone being gay, Adam rolling over within seconds of Dalton saying sorry, as though Dalton actually came back for him when in reality, it was a coincidence. Them professing their love for each other after less than a week after being apart for 13 years. Just stupid.
Nothing about this story measures up: Daltons non reason for ditching Adam, the reason Adam was blacklisted, everyone being gay, Adam rolling over within seconds of Dalton saying sorry, as though Dalton actually came back for him when in reality, it was a coincidence. Them professing their love for each other after less than a week after being apart for 13 years. Just stupid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2022
This is one of those book where you're just waiting for one of the MCs to figure out the big secret. And you wait and wait and they find out and it's no big deal. Hmm. That was anticlimactic. I did enjoy the book but I was more invested in the action adventure aspect than the romance. I mean the romance was nice but the other parts I loved. I guess you could read this before reading her previous series but you'll enjoy it more if you read them first. Will definitely continue with these guys.
October 2, 2023
Book 1 - Lethal - 4 stars - 7/18/23
Book 2 - Rough - 3 stars - 8/6/23
Book 3 - Honor - 2 stars - 8/23/23
Book 4 - Rebel - 3.75 stars - 10/1/23
Book 2 - Rough - 3 stars - 8/6/23
Book 3 - Honor - 2 stars - 8/23/23
Book 4 - Rebel - 3.75 stars - 10/1/23
August 16, 2022
Lethal was a missed potential read for me. It had some good points but also quite a number of bad ones.
Storyline: I think what made me disappointed was that Lethal had a very good starting point. It started off excitingly and immediately into the action. The book was exciting because the set up for the romantic relationship was great. Furthermore, it was also weaved into the plot which makes it more interesting. Adam was a wrongly accused CIA agent who was on the run from the team that Dalton was on. Because of a mishap in an attempted parley between the two, Adam was under the impression that Dalton was trying to kill him. However, as Adam used a different code name and wore a mask, he could recognize Dalton but Dalton could not recognize him. This became even more shocking when they met again in their home town after another botched meeting attempt. Adam and Dalton also had a past relationship which ended badly. The setup sounded great.
Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. The plot couldn’t maintain its tension and just became boring after a while. Despite Adam being vehemently against getting together with Dalton again, he practically gave in immediately. Dalton, with his toxic masculinity behavior, practically ordered Adam to spend time with him and being the weak willed hero he is, he quickly caved. More of the book was dedicated to Adam giving into Dalton and submitting quickly rather than on the interesting action plot it had about Adam being wrongfully accused. This also has the sad effect of making the romance feel cheap and not really earned.
The last action part was also anticlimactic (and abit nonsensical). The whole trying to take Adam out secretly was so that no one would realize Adam was innocent. But the main bad guy decides to go “fuck it” and sends a whole army to attack the headquarters of a team of secret agents in a head-on firefight and thinks that was the smartest thing to do? Keep in mind that this evil bad guy even personally CAME down to solve this issue despite being supposedly some kind of high profile senator who has to work in the shadows.
The event prior to this was also weird as there was supposed to be an emotional part where Adam left Dalton for his own safety so that Adam can figure out how to solve the issue. He ran away…..only to travel countless miles to Dalton’s agency’s headquarters. What? You ran from your boyfriend to run towards where your boyfriend works anyway? It made the whole running away fall so flat emotionally, not to mention completely pointless.
Side characters: one large issue with the book as well is the sheer number of side characters introduced! Literally! Everybody and their moms and husbands and first cousins and in laws were introduced in this book. There were so many characters with each having very little to define them that I got lost halfway through trying to even remember some of the important ones. It’s all well and good to have a large cast but you can’t just word vomit them onto your reader. There’s really no reason for me to even care about the vast majority of them. The characters should have been slowly introduced as part of the series rather than all at once at the beginning.
Lastly, another annoying things about Dalton’s family. Another weird thing I noticed is that in the past apparently, Dalton dumped Adam which broke his heart. Because of this, Dalton’s whole family got pissed at him and KEPT THAT GRUDGE FOR OVER 15 YEARS! Jesus. I get that it was his fault but their relationship is really none of your business let alone something that the family needs to be angry at their son about for over a decade. In fact, majority of dalton’s family only exists as characters to love Adam and talk about how great he is and trash talk Dalton. It’s very disturbing to have your family just turn on you like that. This got even weirder because Dalton wasn’t sure if he wanted something long term yet which was why he dumped Adam. Adam was EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD and Dalton was TWENTY THREE. Abit early for “forever”. Yes, it’s a jerk move but honestly, his family was more of a jerk for holding that against Dalton for over a decade for honestly, quite a reasonable reason to not want to get married at 23 years old.
Storyline: I think what made me disappointed was that Lethal had a very good starting point. It started off excitingly and immediately into the action. The book was exciting because the set up for the romantic relationship was great. Furthermore, it was also weaved into the plot which makes it more interesting. Adam was a wrongly accused CIA agent who was on the run from the team that Dalton was on. Because of a mishap in an attempted parley between the two, Adam was under the impression that Dalton was trying to kill him. However, as Adam used a different code name and wore a mask, he could recognize Dalton but Dalton could not recognize him. This became even more shocking when they met again in their home town after another botched meeting attempt. Adam and Dalton also had a past relationship which ended badly. The setup sounded great.
Unfortunately, it went downhill from there. The plot couldn’t maintain its tension and just became boring after a while. Despite Adam being vehemently against getting together with Dalton again, he practically gave in immediately. Dalton, with his toxic masculinity behavior, practically ordered Adam to spend time with him and being the weak willed hero he is, he quickly caved. More of the book was dedicated to Adam giving into Dalton and submitting quickly rather than on the interesting action plot it had about Adam being wrongfully accused. This also has the sad effect of making the romance feel cheap and not really earned.
The last action part was also anticlimactic (and abit nonsensical). The whole trying to take Adam out secretly was so that no one would realize Adam was innocent. But the main bad guy decides to go “fuck it” and sends a whole army to attack the headquarters of a team of secret agents in a head-on firefight and thinks that was the smartest thing to do? Keep in mind that this evil bad guy even personally CAME down to solve this issue despite being supposedly some kind of high profile senator who has to work in the shadows.
The event prior to this was also weird as there was supposed to be an emotional part where Adam left Dalton for his own safety so that Adam can figure out how to solve the issue. He ran away…..only to travel countless miles to Dalton’s agency’s headquarters. What? You ran from your boyfriend to run towards where your boyfriend works anyway? It made the whole running away fall so flat emotionally, not to mention completely pointless.
Side characters: one large issue with the book as well is the sheer number of side characters introduced! Literally! Everybody and their moms and husbands and first cousins and in laws were introduced in this book. There were so many characters with each having very little to define them that I got lost halfway through trying to even remember some of the important ones. It’s all well and good to have a large cast but you can’t just word vomit them onto your reader. There’s really no reason for me to even care about the vast majority of them. The characters should have been slowly introduced as part of the series rather than all at once at the beginning.
Lastly, another annoying things about Dalton’s family. Another weird thing I noticed is that in the past apparently, Dalton dumped Adam which broke his heart. Because of this, Dalton’s whole family got pissed at him and KEPT THAT GRUDGE FOR OVER 15 YEARS! Jesus. I get that it was his fault but their relationship is really none of your business let alone something that the family needs to be angry at their son about for over a decade. In fact, majority of dalton’s family only exists as characters to love Adam and talk about how great he is and trash talk Dalton. It’s very disturbing to have your family just turn on you like that. This got even weirder because Dalton wasn’t sure if he wanted something long term yet which was why he dumped Adam. Adam was EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD and Dalton was TWENTY THREE. Abit early for “forever”. Yes, it’s a jerk move but honestly, his family was more of a jerk for holding that against Dalton for over a decade for honestly, quite a reasonable reason to not want to get married at 23 years old.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2022
|| 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 📝
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Lethal
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Reese Knightly
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Romantic Suspense
𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Alright, let me start this review by saying that this is my first book from this author and I was very excited to read it.
Suspense Romances are some of my absolute favourite types of love stories. I love the action and passion you get from them and this one was no exception.
It had my heart racing with adrenaline and I found the storyline both intriguing and well thought out (𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥) so on these facts, yes I would highly recommend this book.
𝘏𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳. . .
I got so lost for most of the book that I didn't know which way was up. There were just to many characters. I couldn’t for the life of me keep track of who anyone was, therefore I found it extremely difficult to form any kind of connection to the main characters. I just felt I spent half the book trying to remember who everyone was that I didn't get to know the main characters at all, therefore their connection didn't come across for me.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬, 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭?
Based on the top half of this review, yes I would. Because when all said and done just because I didn't feel for the main characters and couldn't keep up with the multitude of supporting characters doesn't mean you won't so definitely check it out if you get the chance.
Unfortunately for me though, I won't be continuing with the series. Maybe I'll go back to it at some point but not right now.
𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞:
"𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘪𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳".
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐟:
• Steamy Reads
• Action Packed Romance
• Second Chance
• MM Romance
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘖𝘧 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘖𝘧 𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝘗𝘭𝘰𝘵: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
***************************
𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Lethal
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Reese Knightly
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Romantic Suspense
𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Alright, let me start this review by saying that this is my first book from this author and I was very excited to read it.
Suspense Romances are some of my absolute favourite types of love stories. I love the action and passion you get from them and this one was no exception.
It had my heart racing with adrenaline and I found the storyline both intriguing and well thought out (𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥) so on these facts, yes I would highly recommend this book.
𝘏𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳. . .
I got so lost for most of the book that I didn't know which way was up. There were just to many characters. I couldn’t for the life of me keep track of who anyone was, therefore I found it extremely difficult to form any kind of connection to the main characters. I just felt I spent half the book trying to remember who everyone was that I didn't get to know the main characters at all, therefore their connection didn't come across for me.
𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬, 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭?
Based on the top half of this review, yes I would. Because when all said and done just because I didn't feel for the main characters and couldn't keep up with the multitude of supporting characters doesn't mean you won't so definitely check it out if you get the chance.
Unfortunately for me though, I won't be continuing with the series. Maybe I'll go back to it at some point but not right now.
𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞:
"𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘪𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳".
𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐟:
• Steamy Reads
• Action Packed Romance
• Second Chance
• MM Romance
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
𝘌𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘖𝘧 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝘘𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘖𝘧 𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝘗𝘭𝘰𝘵: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
***************************
𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 15, 2023
Hmmm.
It started great and then it fizzled out. I loved the enemy to lover thing until it turned into a second chances. Second chances are really hard to write because you have to come up with something genuine rather than the "I was too stupid to appreciate you" trope and this book failed in this. The action was great in the beginning but in the end the shooting at the brewery was just a side line with no real substance. The main characters weren't even there but downstairs. And another couple's plight was introduced while the bad guys destroyed the bar and injured people upstairs. A lot of people have complained about too many characters and I agree. I haven't read the previous series that this is a spin-off of but apparently there are quite a few people from those books that stomp over the pages of this one.
Another thing that has me rolling my eyes is of course the no communication thing between the main characters. I kind of get that the spy business is a need to know basis, but it really stuns me every time that they rather have sex than talk. And it isn't only the actual talk about the feelings, the hurt and the outfall of 15 years of separation but also the "I am a burned agent and I need help" discussion that took way too long.
Overall I love the cover, and the beginning of the book and the action. If you can overlook the short comings of the book it's a good read between two books.
It started great and then it fizzled out. I loved the enemy to lover thing until it turned into a second chances. Second chances are really hard to write because you have to come up with something genuine rather than the "I was too stupid to appreciate you" trope and this book failed in this. The action was great in the beginning but in the end the shooting at the brewery was just a side line with no real substance. The main characters weren't even there but downstairs. And another couple's plight was introduced while the bad guys destroyed the bar and injured people upstairs. A lot of people have complained about too many characters and I agree. I haven't read the previous series that this is a spin-off of but apparently there are quite a few people from those books that stomp over the pages of this one.
Another thing that has me rolling my eyes is of course the no communication thing between the main characters. I kind of get that the spy business is a need to know basis, but it really stuns me every time that they rather have sex than talk. And it isn't only the actual talk about the feelings, the hurt and the outfall of 15 years of separation but also the "I am a burned agent and I need help" discussion that took way too long.
Overall I love the cover, and the beginning of the book and the action. If you can overlook the short comings of the book it's a good read between two books.
July 22, 2022
I like RK and I like her writing style. She brings you into the story and her characters are so real. I also do love her action scenes in the book, she does them so well 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰.
Sadly Adam let this book down for me 😏😏😏😏😏.
He needs to watch more spy movies as he should have had a safety deposit box at the train or airport terminal together with an old but reliable car 🙄.
I did not like that he had no money, no connections to help him out and when he had to borrow money from Leslie whom he hasn't spoken to in a very very long time!, just NO NO NO NO NO!!!!
And then he had to go and ruin it for me, by jumping Dalton 5 seconds after seeing him for the 1st time in 6 years after a really stupid break up - just HELL NO 🤬🤬🤬🤬.
I had to re-read Adams description as he was described as small a few times and then he was suddenly 6 Foot tall and he also came across as too feminine for me 🤔🤔🤔🤔.
I liked that Adam was Sphinx and that Dalton had no clue.
The snippets we got about Jacob and Ace was really fun to read, Loved Them 😍😍😍😍😍
Overall this is a very good book from an author that writes very well but there where a few things about this book that annoyed me greatly.
I now look forward to reading Rough
Sadly Adam let this book down for me 😏😏😏😏😏.
He needs to watch more spy movies as he should have had a safety deposit box at the train or airport terminal together with an old but reliable car 🙄.
I did not like that he had no money, no connections to help him out and when he had to borrow money from Leslie whom he hasn't spoken to in a very very long time!, just NO NO NO NO NO!!!!
And then he had to go and ruin it for me, by jumping Dalton 5 seconds after seeing him for the 1st time in 6 years after a really stupid break up - just HELL NO 🤬🤬🤬🤬.
I had to re-read Adams description as he was described as small a few times and then he was suddenly 6 Foot tall and he also came across as too feminine for me 🤔🤔🤔🤔.
I liked that Adam was Sphinx and that Dalton had no clue.
The snippets we got about Jacob and Ace was really fun to read, Loved Them 😍😍😍😍😍
Overall this is a very good book from an author that writes very well but there where a few things about this book that annoyed me greatly.
I now look forward to reading Rough
August 5, 2025
Action packed!
This a a great first book in a spin off series in a great universe. I love this author’s work. Great suspense stories with lots of action, explosions, and guns. And all in service to emotional love stories. So to sum up, these books provide everything you can want in a Romantic suspense book. In this series we get the story of a new secret special operations agency, Pegasus, under the auspices of the SecDef and answering to Giovanni Rossi. Readers of this author will recognize that name. The book is part of a new series in a larger universe but can be read as a stand alone (unless you are a reader like me who has FOMO and needs to know every character’s backstory!!)😁
This book gives us a second chance romance between a Pegasus operative, Dalton, and a former CIA agent, Adam, who’s been blacklisted and set up to take a fall. When Pegasus is called in to help capture the guy things don’t seem kosher and when Dalton starts asking questions things get even more deadly.
The suspense story and the romance work well together as the author weaves those threads. I stayed up until 3:30 am to read the book in one sitting as I didn’t want to put it down. I can’t decide whether to go right on to book two or to go back and catch up on some of this universe’s books that I’ve missed so I’ve got the complete backstory on all the characters. There are familiar cameos here but I hated not knowing all the players well!
This a a great first book in a spin off series in a great universe. I love this author’s work. Great suspense stories with lots of action, explosions, and guns. And all in service to emotional love stories. So to sum up, these books provide everything you can want in a Romantic suspense book. In this series we get the story of a new secret special operations agency, Pegasus, under the auspices of the SecDef and answering to Giovanni Rossi. Readers of this author will recognize that name. The book is part of a new series in a larger universe but can be read as a stand alone (unless you are a reader like me who has FOMO and needs to know every character’s backstory!!)😁
This book gives us a second chance romance between a Pegasus operative, Dalton, and a former CIA agent, Adam, who’s been blacklisted and set up to take a fall. When Pegasus is called in to help capture the guy things don’t seem kosher and when Dalton starts asking questions things get even more deadly.
The suspense story and the romance work well together as the author weaves those threads. I stayed up until 3:30 am to read the book in one sitting as I didn’t want to put it down. I can’t decide whether to go right on to book two or to go back and catch up on some of this universe’s books that I’ve missed so I’ve got the complete backstory on all the characters. There are familiar cameos here but I hated not knowing all the players well!
September 4, 2025
The first two-thirds of the book were decent and had some action and suspense. However, there were still logic gaps in the actions of the MCs. The last third of the book goes sideways and almost made me drop it to 2 stars. The conflict at the brewery was not written clearly. The location of people and where they were shooting from were confusing and hard to picture. And the actions of the team, the police, and the senator didn't make sense. Then things got even worse towards the very end because the action drops off and the story turns into the silly, sappy trope that is typical of this genre.
I didn't find Dalton's family believable. I also thought Ace was inconsistently portrayed in the book. Plus, no explanation was given on how he can just pick up the phone and call the SecDef. Even if old friends, that just isn't realistic.
Some readers say there are too many characters, but most are secondary and show up towards the end of the story. It's easy to tell this was done to set up future books. My last grumble is regarding the cover. I can't understand why authors in this genre allow silly, lame book covers. At a minimum they should do what N.R. Walker does and create alternate covers and let the reader choose.
Overall, 2.5 stars but I rounded up because of the action and suspense in a few places. I'm not sure if I will read the second book although I did like those two characters in this book.
I didn't find Dalton's family believable. I also thought Ace was inconsistently portrayed in the book. Plus, no explanation was given on how he can just pick up the phone and call the SecDef. Even if old friends, that just isn't realistic.
Some readers say there are too many characters, but most are secondary and show up towards the end of the story. It's easy to tell this was done to set up future books. My last grumble is regarding the cover. I can't understand why authors in this genre allow silly, lame book covers. At a minimum they should do what N.R. Walker does and create alternate covers and let the reader choose.
Overall, 2.5 stars but I rounded up because of the action and suspense in a few places. I'm not sure if I will read the second book although I did like those two characters in this book.
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