Wow, this was a great read. Heartbreaking, uplifting, exciting, passionate. Lots of applicable adjectives. Normally, I don't like stories told in the first person (here, alternating between Cass and Tim) because I prefer to be an observer rather than so close inside a character's head, but I couldn't put this book down.
From the blurb, I thought the romance part would be a second-chance one, with the focus being on a couple that's drifted apart. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Cass and Tim are both fully devoted to each other. Moreso, they have enormous faith in each other, and they show great respect for the other's professional abilities. It's been a while since I've read a novel where the hero and heroine were so perfectly suited.
The nonstop action is incredible too. I've read a lot of so-called suspense novels lately where the suspense is milquetoast at best. Jo Chambliss really delivers here, seeing each element of suspense through without feeling the need to embellish. Anything graphic (suspense, action, or romance) is integral to the plot. The only issue I had--and it's on me--was keeping track of all the secondary characters. As the purported last book in the series, this book brings back a lot of previous characters and references to their stories. The characters refer to each other by nicknames, surnames, or first names--depending on the speaker--and I didn't always know who was where and in what condition. I hadn't read any part of this series until now, so I just had to go with it. Series readers will love it though.
I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!