Saving Penni, by Nicole Flockton, is a fun and fast read that is perfect for devouring poolside. As I understand it from the foreword, this novel (series, actually) is a fan-fiction project based on writer Susan Stoker's prolific [Insert gerund] [Insert woman's name] series; Stoker herself wrote said foreword and a few of her characters have cameos. But the work here is all Flockton.
Penni and Knox meet at a convenience store, unfortunately during a robbery and hostage situation, Penni being the hostage. After Knox saves the day, he returns to his SEAL team and she to her PR career. Knox regrets not getting Penni's digits and uses SEAL powers to track her down, which is not stalkerish at ALL (okay, a little bit). Penni decides to give him the benefit of the doubt, and their relationship skyrockets from there.
Meanwhile, the convenience store robbery was not as simple as it seemed, and Penni's life is again threatened. Will Knox lose the woman of his dreams just as he finds her? Of course not; it's called Saving Penni. The story is more about the Knox being head over heels for Penni and her feeling the same way, if a little more cautiously.
In his pursuit of Penni (especially when he waits for her in the dark), Knox crosses the line into a little creepy a few times, and I can't help but wonder if Penni would have forgiven him if he were a normal guy and not a hunky SEAL. Penni, though, is no shrinking violet. She is as strong as she is sweet, and I found myself thinking that she does as much saving as Knox.
The story moves quickly, though I wish Flockton spent more time on the lingering threat to Penni than in their burgeoning relationship (it feels like "it's only been two dates" is oft repeated). i.e, I'd like a little more emphasis on the suspense part of "romantic suspense." When we finally get there, the issue resolves a little too neatly for my taste.
Regardless, I am definitely looking forward to more in the series. It seems like Angela (Penni's BFF) and Knox's teammate Silver's story is next up!
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!