*** NOTE: This book was originally published in three serial installments (Privacy Code, Illicit Contact, and Naked Risk) under the pen-name Jordan Burke. If you read those titles, you have read WATTS. ***
From the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kate Dawes comes a romantic, sexy, suspense novel.
Catherine Kolb has found the perfect diversion from her life of nearly complete seclusion: a virtually anonymous correspondence with a man she knows only as "Watts."
Intelligent, mysterious, and with an insatiable appetite for sex, he begins to draw Catherine out of her closely guarded world, tempting her with his words--some are wildly explicit, others simply enticing...
"You should indulge your curiosities, especially the forbidden ones."
Watts insists on privacy. He has no choice. In the wrong hands, his secrets could get people killed. Including Catherine.
Common sense says they should never meet, but curiosity and lust prove stronger than reason and caution. A planned one-time encounter sets into motion a series of events that bring Catherine and Watts to the edge of ecstasy and the brink of peril.
Two very private people. One risky night. A shot at love and redemption.
Due to mature themes, this book is recommended for readers 18+. Full-length novel, no cliff-hangers.
I’ve read other books by the author so I was curious about this book. I enjoy thrillers with some romance and mystery to added value. I was gripped and floored. The writing was seamless and flowed so easy to the point you are hooked from the beginning without hope of pealing your eyes from the screen (or page).
The characters are interesting and relatable. Catherine isn’t a girl that needs to be saved, she’s had a hard start and is pragmatic in her thinking, but a beauty inside an out. She doesn’t trust well and there’s a reason for that and it goes to the core of her being. She isn’t a whiney woah is me character, she’s a woman in control of her life…but it’s a safe life…routine and safe.
Enters Watts! Mysterious and a sexy email writer. You are captured by the persona he creates and the connection he and Catherine make online and watch it develop. There are rules. Rules that keep both apart from his perspective, imperative and required for safety - his privacy code. He is unwavering in his rules as his life has been about rules which have served him well. Watts is an unwavering alpha male.
Rules are also made to be broken and once they are everything changes. Heartache if felt, longing and confusion. But together, they are perfect even if neither wants to admit it, but it isn’t long and you can feel the ‘ying/yang’ connection that has missing from both of their lives.
You will be caught in the suspense, intrigued by the mystery of both characters and your heart will race for the sexy sparks that fly when they are together. They need each other more than either will ever know.
You will not regret this read, it’s well written and flows so that you can’t wait to turn the next page.
Catherine meets Watts on an online dating site and they converse via email for 6 months until she decides to meet him. And this begins their rocky relationship. I loved the steamy emails.
I really liked Watts... sexy talk, romantic and then he turns out to be British! Swoon.
I kinda liked this. Would have liked it more if Catherine stopped asking annoying questions.
For a character who reads a lot she sure hasn't learned anything... like when you fall in love with a mercenary you can't ask questions!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I LOVE DPOV books, it helps me connect with the characters so much better and Watts and Catherine did not disappoint! Two lost and lonely souls brought together and then conquering through dangerous circumstances! Beautiful story!
I read this book in it's original form as 3 novellas, Privacy Code, Illicit Contact, and Naked Risk.
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review~
Watts is complicated, and throughout this book we're not quite sure what he does. Is he good? Does he work for the FBI or CIA or some such? Is he more like a terrorist? It surely keeps you guessing. Catherine works for the FBI in the mail room, she's a rather boring sort. They meet online over a dating website, and books. They have a really unique relationship and what I took from the book was what was going to become of their relationship, especially since they'd discussed such and decided they didn't need to meet. That their stimulating and often erotic emails were good enough. Seriously, could I stop reading while waiting to see if they meet? Nope...so read I did, all day until I got to the end and was like WHAT????? I had to jump right into book 2!
Watts and Catherine are getting embroiled deeper into each other, their souls calling out for the other. Their relationship is hot and steamy, erotic and lovely. As they fall hard for each other, their secrets are spilling over.. They feel the need to be honest and see how the other reacts. Catherine's job at the FBI could become a real problem now that she knows Watts secrets, and her life could be in danger. Illicit Contact really amps up the storyline for the Shatterproof series, and I sped through this book, really enjoying it.
This was ultimately hot, not just sexy hot, but relationship wise too. Catherine has learned that the FBI will be implementing lie detector tests shortly, will she be able to pass if they begin to question her about her current relationship? Is she being followed? Is Watts safe? She knows what Watts does, but can it be safe for him, especially when he goes days with no contact? Can she really leave her life behind to live this way? WOW, there is soooo very much going on, the book flies by, which is good because you get completion, but bad because you're so entangled in their lives. I LOVED Naked Risk and it was the perfect culmination to the Shatterproof series which I enjoyed immensely. So as a series (or one book-Watts) I give thiss 4.5 Stars
A dating site, an intriguing first approach, the beginning of an impossible relationship?
Right from the start the aura of mystery, secrets, and erotic emails will hook into a story like no other. The emails between Catherine and Watts are incredible. For a shy, self retrained girl like Catherine, the anonymity the Internet provides is her shield. For Watts, Catherine's intelligence is so attractive, it encourages him to let loose and pour his thoughts and fantasies into his correspondence.
Who is Watts? Is that his real name? What is his life like? Why would it put Catherine in danger to meet him? Inquiring minds want to know!
Remarkably well written, these characters come alive on the page to involve the reader in the mystery that surrounds them. This is book #1 of the trilogy. Although there is no cliffhanger, you will be hungry for more after reading this first installment.
I love mysteries and thrillers! Now, throw in some erotic romance, and you have me panting for more...
I loved how mysterious and sexy Watts was when he was corresponding with Catherine through email. If only you really could meet someone like that on a real dating website! Right ladies?!
As the story unfolds you learn more about Watts and Catherine and why their pasts and similar interests bring them together. As well as what the mysterious Watts has been hiding from his new lady love.
I have to say though, I kept waiting for something really tragic to happen to Catherine. But, luckily for her she made it through without anything too traumatizing happening to her. Plus she ends up with Watts, the sexy Brit in the end. What more could you ask for right?
I wanted to really love this book. I loved the whole email perspective. There were many scenes in the book that were very sensual, which I did really enjoy. But...nothing seems to really happen (dramatic wise) until close to the end of the book, like near 80%. Then everything happened very fast. When it ended, it just ended. No epilogue, nothing. There was no closure of the story. What happened to them? What was in the envelope? Am I missing a book?
Catherine and Watts are drawn together through a dating site. They stay together connected by similar past and present experiences. Watts kept you guessing all through the book. A strong 3.5.
This was a great story. The characters were well developed and the chemistry was hot. I enjoyed this book and will definitely look for others by Kate Dawes.
The fact that this is a complete well written story is worth *****Five Stars***** alone.
I enjoyed everything about this story. It had just the right amount of angst, romance, sex, plot, and well written sub characters to make this a great read.
I usually don't talk about the story unless I'm venting, in my reviews. The back story of Watt's and Catherine's lives was done so perfect. Usually back stories gets on my nerves, but not in this book.
The only hope I had was that Catherine was a virgin. I love a good cherry busting story. That would have made this good book an A+ for me. I know many people hate when the girl is a virgin, but not me.
Great story Kate Dawes!!! I'm going to see what else you've got out there : )
I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story. It had it all, and some. This is the 2nd time I’ve read it, and it was even better than the first time. There was an excellent plot with brilliant writing. I loved the two main protagonists, Watts and Catherine; they were made for each other. Watts in particular was a great character, especially as he’s 'deliciously dark, too. Catherine is very quiet, and reserved; she is 'real'. Both very sympathetic characters.
I’d recommend you read this story, although I can’t find this version any longer on Amazon. Which is sad. It is now listed as three books, written by a Jordan Burke? 🤔🤨 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jordan-Burke...
really 3.5 stars...I don't know...maybe I've become a book snob or even a book bitch. while I loathe a CH, I'm not really feeling the "perfectly wrapped up and tied with a big giant cheerful bow" endings either. if that's your cup of tea then this is SO your next book!
3.5 stars for the same reasons that others have mentioned: abrupt ending, it's sweet, but nothing really happens, and when it does, it's out of left field. I liked it. Nothing stellar, but a decent way to spend time.