It could be a terrorist threat. Or is it some other sinister plot? An unprecedented rash of security breaches at San Diego's international airport is putting passengers at risk and bringing the competence of the airport's chief of security, Ariana Atkins, into question. With explosives the weapon of choice, police K-9 unit captain Logan O'Connor and his bomb detection dog, Boomer, might be Ariana's best, if not only, line of defense. Logan is certain his belief in Ariana, and his growing love for her, aren't misplaced...but it wouldn't be the first time he's misjudged someone's intentions.
Kate spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result, Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word. Kate's goal is to entertain her readers with engaging stories featuring strong, likable characters. Kate has been honored with numerous awards for her writing. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors with their beloved Labrador Retrievers.
Ariana is the Chief of Security at the San Diego International Airport. She meets Logan, a police K-9 unit captain, during an incident involving two drunk women who make a bomb threat. There is an instant physical attraction between them but neither of them are ready to act on that. Breaches in the airport's security keep Logan coming back and the two of them need to work together to figure out what's going on. Their attraction grows but there are obstacles in the way of them pursuing a relationship.
I loved both Logan and Ariana! Ariana worked hard to get where she was. She also has some fears and insecurities: she's nervous around Logan's dog, Boomer, and he is determined to get to the bottom of that. She overhears a conversation which leads her to believe Logan has a girlfriend so she's confused by the signals he sends her. Logan is a competent, loyal, handsome and happily single man. He's in danger of losing his heart to Ariana and is more open to a relationship but he has some concerns. He's kind and generous to his sister who is having some problems. And he's super easy to fall in love with!
I loved the unique setting of an airport. The breaches that were happening were realistic. I figured part of it out but there were twists and turns along the way to learning the extent of what was happening. I love romantic suspense and this was a fantastic blend of both! I was hooked from the beginning, had a hard time putting it down, and was satisfied at the end! There were characters from the other books who make appearances. You don't have to read the other two to figure out what's going on, but if you have, it's fun to get updates on them. This was a fun series and I'm looking forward to reading what Ms. James comes up with next!
I received a copy of this book via Prism Book Tours for an honest review. My opinion is 100% my own.
*This series doesn't necessarily need to be read in order.*
Ariana is the head of security at the San Diego airport and Logan is a K-9 handler, who specializes in explosives. A bunch of security threats throw the two of them together and they are racing against time to solve this mystery.
Ariana is a very strong, tough woman, but she has a very sensitive, soft side, which makes her easy to like. She finds herself in the line of fire a few times, yet she's very competent and efficient. She's like an onion, with layers gradually peeled away and the reader slowly comes to know who she truly is and the reasons behind her behaviors--from fear to jealousy to passion. I have to admit--I thought her jealousy was adorable and caused a few humorous moments.
I have a dog and I wish I could handle him as well as Logan handles Boomer. He's not only a ladies man, but a dog man, for sure. He's determined not to get tied up in a relationship, but he's so patient, kind, and chivalrous. I couldn't help but fall for him a little myself. And Boomer...he completely stole my heart.
The way this story flows is very engaging. The mystery/suspense angle had me on the edge of my seat and guessing until the end. There are enough plot twists to still keep it very intriguing and it makes me wonder how many close calls there are at airports every single day. I have to admire those who sacrifice their time and risk their lives to keep the majority of people safe. I loved the romantic interludes and the way these two show a lot of respect for each other and for their co-workers and friends. I couldn't get enough of the story and enjoyed every page. I think this one may be the best book of the trilogy!
When I Found You by Kate James is a super emotional story that will leave you satisfied until the end. Ms. James creates a cast of deeply flawed characters who are tested and tried throughout the book. The main focus of this story, in my perspective, is trust. I was moved by the inner turmoil of the H/h and I rooted for them along their bumpy journey towards their fulfilling forever after.
Book 3 in the K-9 Trilogy - When I Found You tells the story of Logan O’Connor who appeared in the previous K-9 books. In this book we get to know Logan on a personal level. The author delves deep into his life, chiseling away the tough outer walls he’d built around himself, revealing his soft side. A side where his emotions are raw and his goals are unraveled without overpowering the romantic side of the story. Meanwhile, the heroine of this clean, sweet, suspenseful and emotionally gripping story is Ariana Atkins, Chief of Security at the San Diego International Airport. When a series of security breaches scare the hell out of her, Ariana begins to question herself on whether someone is threatening her on purpose. Because of panic, she must work with Logan in finding the person behind the breaches although all fingers point in her direction! Of course sparks fly between Logan and Ariana. But is it enough to keep Logan from believing Ariana is the one instigating the breaches? Grab a copy of this book and find out!
I am really loving this K-9 series by Kate James. I've read every one so far and this book is a fantastic addition. I loved how each book has a different setting- even though all the books are about K-9 handlers in the same police unit. This book is mostly in an airport setting and I really loved it. I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this and it was fun.
The suspense had me constantly pushing forward to read this book. The pacing was awesome. It had those full of suspense moments but a few downtime moments as well where I got to feel the growing relationship between Ariana and Logan.
Kate James is easily one of my favorites with Harlequin Heartwarming. This book brings the end of this K-9 trilogy which is kind of sad, but I'm sure looking forward to what comes next!
Content: Clean
I received a copy of this book from Prism Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
You better get the tissues out for this very touching read by Ms. James. This is one author that knows how to get right to the heart with a very tear jerker at the end. If you have been following along with the K-9 Trilogy you would have met Logan (Jagger) and Boomer before. He is a tough, strong, with a little of a tempter and a very loyal cop. We get to take a look at the other side a little softer side of him. This is a very intriguing story leaving the characters and us the reader guessing if this is terrorist threat against the airline or a more personal hit against Ariana or maybe it could be both. With Logan and Boomer on the hunt for the explosives it could be a life and death for not only Ariana but Logan and Boomer as well. You have a little bit of a mystery with some fast pace action as dog and handler hunt down IED with Ariana right in the middle. Is she being the one behind it all or is she being setup? This seems to be the question everyone is asking even Logan with his heart is in the middle he is taking a leap of faith and betting it is the lateral but he has been wrong before. With his heart in so deep he doesn’t know which way to go maybe it is better to take one step back. If he does and she is innocent he will have lost the only women he would every love. There are more than lives, jobs, on the line there is love of the sweatiest kind that you only find once in a lifetime. Yes there are thrills and chills in this read but you will find tons of smiles with warm humor waiting for you which will warm your heart as only Ms. James can do.
I really like this Ariana she is one strong tough cookie, a truly lady but knows how to get down in the dirt when she has to, she is strong, stands tall, takes the lead, her employees and what they think of her is important to her. There isn’t anything she won’t do for them they always comes first. She takes her job seriously putting herself and her life on the line to keep those around her safe. Ariana has a few secrets which will lead to misunderstandings pushing Logan away. This is her dream job which is now on the line with IEDs going off around her and more being setup her world is about to fall apart. Is she doing all she can or did she miss something. She races to the answers as she races around the building trying to outwit the person who is trying to bring her down. With captain Logan O'Connor and his bomb detection dog right beside her how could things go so wrong? Logan has her thinking of family, babies and a home but with him backing away how could she be so wrong. Not only is her job on the line but her heart, how do you get over a love like this that makes you go weak in the knees. One that you know will be the love of your life.
Logan I adored from the other books in this series he is tough, strong, kind, and can be very gentle. He puts his life on the line everyday to keep those around him safe. He and his dog Boomer are a team, they are family. Where one goes the other is, if you take one you take them both with the way Ariana acts around dogs leaves Logan wondering what Ariana is hiding she seem to like dogs but always keeps her distances. Just as he gets one thing worked out other issues raise their ugly head. How can he feel this way about a women who isn’t on the up and up with him. When the mighty Logan who has the moves like Jagger falls he falls hard (which give his buddies a good laugh) for the one woman he shouldn’t.
For me this was a very soul touching emotional read right up until the last page which will leave you misty eyed. Ms. James knows how to pull her readers in grabbing right at your heart while twisting a wonderful web of deception leaving the reading wondering who will win in this battle of war between bomber, man, dog or woman. You heart is beating overtime and your breath is held as you picture the bomb going off and wondering who will be standing after the fallout. It is a life and death will love win out or will their lives be blow to pieces in more than one way. Ms. James has her own moves as she twist and turns this story with a plot that has your mind working over time. She throws in turns you won’t see coming and keeps you guessing at who or what is trying to bring Ariana and this airline down. This is a story based on trust in more ways than one. This was a wonderful story with an outstanding plot with enemies I didn’t see coming and neither does Ariana or Logan. This is one story that will touch your heart that you won’t want to miss.
When I Found You is my favorite of the three books so far in this series – and I’ve loved them all! Logan is tough but tender and Ariana brings out his protective side as well as feelings he wasn’t prepared for. Ariana is sharp and independent, but Logan and Boomer soften areas of her heart that she’d closed off for years. Both Logan and Ariana are highly skilled at their jobs but this person who’s terrorizing the airport is giving them a run for their money.
Kate James does a fantastic job writing tension – romantic, emotional, and suspenseful. When I Found You pulses with all three but is never overpowered by any. Just the right amount at just the right time.
Bottom Line: The K-9 Trilogy by Kate James races against the clock to a thrilling finish in When I Found You. Fast-paced, high-tension suspense shares the page with a tender romance and compelling character development. Being able to see the story from both Logan and Ariana’s perspectives adds to the romance as well as the character dimension. The usual culprits of miscommunication and misunderstanding do pull up a bar stool at Buster’s, but you’re tempted to forget all about those when Logan grabs Ariana for a passionate kiss that he just couldn’t hold back any longer. Getting to revisit characters from the first two books is delightful as well, but When I Found You works equally well as a standalone.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Filled with suspense, mystery, and of course romance, the third book in Kate James’ K-9 Trilogy, When I Found You, is a hit among readers! It has just the right combination of mystery and romance for me and I love it! From page one, this fast paced, airport themed novel, will capture the attention of readers with the many twists and turns involving the security breaches at the San Diego International Airport and the sweet romance between Logan and Ariana. I would recommend this novel to readers of Kate’s other K-9 Trilogy novels, as well as to those that enjoy contemporary, mystery-romance novels.
Series: K-9 Trilogy Genre: contemporary, romance, mystery, thriller Publisher: Harlequin Publication date: July 1, 2016 Number of pages: 365
Content Rating: PG, bombs, violence Book Rating: 5 stars
Other books in the series: 1-When the Right One Comes Along 2-When Love Matters Most
A review copy of this book was provided by the author, Kate James.
Ariana Atkins is the heroine of choice for me. She's brilliant, dedicated, gutsy, and there is little that escapes her. Logan O'Connor is the perfect match for her, but he's got massive reservations about any romantic relationship in his life...ever. This bullet train of a fast-paced, well-written thriller is the best of the K-9 series and my favorite of Kate James's novels. The only reason it took me two nights to read it was because I had to work myself. It grabbed me by the throat from the first page and didn't let up. Ariana lives in the nightmare of being the target of a maniac determined to kill her by exploding her, the San Diego airport and any passengers who get in his way. My own detective work and guesses failed. Gripping and enthralling. I highly recommend all the K-9 trilogy.
When I Found You a K-9 Trilogy #3 by Kate James. Any book with a dog in it is cute. Chief Of Security, at San Diego's International Airport, Ariana Atkins, life is in danger. She has only been on this job for two years. Two small bombs have gone off at the airport. Police K-9 unit Captain Logan O'Connor is called in with his dog, Boomer, to sniff out the area. Ariana's office door was rigged to blow up. But Boomer detected something was there. Now to find out who is involved and why. A great read.
Ok, I really detest "just shoot-me-now" ANGST filled romance books! I read to halfway through chapter 16 of 21,when I was just too fed up to go any further! The heroine goes through so many incidents, that it was just totally unrealistic and unbelievable. I also grew weary of her fear of dogs, which was ridiculously irrational according to the explanation given. I just got so I was no longer interested in reading a book that was just aggravating.
When chief of security Ariana Atkins learns that a Boeing 767 is on its way back to the San Diego International Airport shortly after takeoff, there's no way she could predict all that would transpire in the next few days. And neither would the two young women who caused the plane headed for Barbados to turn around. The first question in everyone's minds is, "How did those girls get onto the plane in the first place?"
Having worked at the airport for about a year, Ariana had tightened security, so it didn't make sense that two inebriated people would be allowed onboard the plane. And when another breach surfaces, Ariana knows something is amiss. A security video reveals that an employee is causing problems, and Ariana has no choice but to fire him for leaving a secure door open. It was difficult for her to do, but afterward she feels sure everything is straightened out. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
One positive result of these incidents is Ariana's becoming acquainted with Logan O'Conner, captain of the police K-9 Unit. She feels an immediate attraction to him, even though he's not in the greatest of moods the day they meet, and she soon learns that the feeling is mutual and accompanies him for drinks after his second visit to the terminal. They hit it off right away, but Ariana keeps wondering about a phone conversation she overheard between Logan and someone name Becca. Did he already have a girlfriend?
While Ariana ponders whether or not to accept Logan's invitation to dinner some evening, she has an opportunity to get to know him better at work. Things have settled down, but on Monday morning she finds an envelope on her desk. Thinking it's not significant, she opens it to find a note threatening the security of the airport. Ariana has grown accustomed to idle threats, but somehow she knows this one is real.
The airport is put on alert, and Logan returns with his dog, Boomer, who's trained to detect explosives. During the search, an explosion rocks the building. There are no injuries, but the message is received: Someone is challenging their security system. And as the problems and investigation continue, the chance that Ariana and Logan will get together becomes even more slim. Could the jobs which brought them together ultimately keep them apart?
Kate James did an excellent job of describing airport security and K-9 operations in her riveting novel, which I would recommend to anyone who desires an exciting read along with romance.
4.5 stars. When I Found You is suspense and intrigue from start to nail-biting finish....
When a succession of security breaches at the San Diego airport calls chief of security, Ariana Atkins, reputation as a capable, proficient, and adept security expert into question, K-9 unit captain Logan O'Connor and his explosives detection dog, Boomer, are on the scene to help with the investigations. There's an instant chemistry between Logan and Ariana, one that cannot be ignored. Romance desperately tries to flourish while both are diligently trying to get to the bottom of a series of explosions at the airport that are risking innocent lives, including Ariana's. Oddly, Ariana's body language when in the presence of Boomer suggests fear or dislike for the incredibly obedient dog. Why is she afraid of dogs? Logan cares enough to find out about that and any other secrets she's willing to confide. But when evidence begins to point in the direction of Ariana as a suspect in the unusual occurrences at the airport since her nearly one year tenure there, raising questions as to her true intentions, can Logan put his doubts aside and continue to pursue a relationship? Or will he have to walk away from the woman he's come closest to falling in love with?
I really enjoyed this book. Kate James's settings and scene descriptions are so visually stimulating. I felt as though I was at the airport, in amongst the loud roaring of airplane engines and SDPD personnel bustling about in pursuit of a perpetrator. I could picture Ariana's self doubt and the resultant anxiety regarding the circumstances surrounding her, and the decisions she had to make. She could appear so outwardly strong in her position as chief of security, and yet vulnerable and uncertain in matters of the heart. She was a likeable character and easy to root for. Logan and Boomer were the perfect pair: brave, capable and determined. What's not to love about a police dog and a handsome, rugged handler? These three were meant to be together, and I am hoping to hear more about their story in future books.
If you like to read about tense situations that raise your pulse, along with a bit of blossoming romance, you're sure to love When I Found You. Very, very detailed and well written.
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review which I have given.
When I Found You was the first book I've read by this author, and even though it's the third book in the series it definitely stands on its own. I could tell that certain people were the main characters in the previous books, but that just made me want to read their stories and I think if you've read those books you'll love seeing them in this book.
The romance was sweet and I loved watching the relationship between Ariana and Logan develop. There were some very funny scenes that happened because of misunderstandings, but I do think a lot of the strife Ariana and Logan had could've been avoided if they would've spoken more and assumed less. Still, it was believable that things happened the way they did, because many times people try to avoid confronting people on things.
The mystery part, why the airport was being targeted, was kind of predictable to me. I figured that out rather quickly, so found it boring that it took them so long to figure out why.
I love dogs and loved the K9 aspect to this story. It was interesting learning why Ariana felt the way she did towards dogs, I was very curious why and once explained I completely understood it, but I loved that she stilled cared about them.
This story was definitely a fun and fast read. I recommend it to any fan of contemporary romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. I was asked to give my honest opinion of the book - which I have done.
I received a copy of this book from the Orange County Chapter of RWA’s Book Buyer’s Best Contest, for which I was a first round judge.
When I Found You by Kate James is packed with action, but unfortunately that wasn't enough to hold my attention. The romance itself felt underdeveloped, so once love happens, it didn't seem authentic to me.
San Diego International Airport has had several security breaches recently. Chief of security Ariana Atkins is determined to keep her travelers safe. Ariana joins forces with police captain Logan O'Connor and his explosive-detection dog, Boomer. Together, they must solve the mystery of the multiple security breaches as they simultaneously try to stay alive.
This is a wholesome romance, which is SO not my thing. Aside from that, the story itself is just okay. It's driven by plenty of action, but despite this, I still skimmed a lot since I needed more depth. Additionally, the relationship itself is unconvincing. I didn't understand why Ariana and Logan are so attracted to each other, especially to the point of falling in love. Constant peril heightens their emotions, but I found that a deep and satisfying connection was missing.
My favorite parts of the book involved Boomer, the K-9 unit dog. Sadly, as a romance I found the book lacking, both in storytelling and authenticity.
In Book 3 in The K-9 Trilogy, Kate James brings Logan O'Connor's story to life! We met him as the K-9 Unit Captain in both Cal and Rick's stories previously, but now we get to see a softer side of him. We delve into his family history, his connection with Boomer, and get to watch the mighty Jagger fall hard for a special lady. I really enjoyed Logan & Ariana!
Ariana Atkins has only been Chief of Security at the San Diego International Airport for a short time now, and all of a sudden there is a rash of security breaches happening. Is someone out to get her? Or could she be involved somehow?
Logan O'Connor is filling in as the liaison for his K-9 unit and explosive threats at the airport. He and his canine partner, Boomer, are leading the search into finding out how these security breaches are happening and who could possibly be the culprit. He's falling hard and fast for Ariana, so he's not willing to believe she has anything to do with it ... even if evidence keeps pointing the finger her way.
This is a 3rd in a series but is a separate story. I have not read the first two but definitely want to because love the writing of Kate James. This is the first I have read by her and will not be the last. This book has some romance but a lot a suspense. Ariana is head of security at the San Diego airport. Logan is a policeman with the K-9 unit. I love the way the chapters end, they are not a point to take a break from reading, cause you want to keep reading to find out what will happen next. They are trying to figure out who is behind the things happening at the airport. I could really feel what Ariana was going thru. Loved the characters and really enjoyed the book.
Was given this book to read with a promise of a honest review
What do airports and dogs have in common, probably a lot more then we all think, throw in his handler Logan O'Conner and Airport security and you have a explosive reading there. More twist and plots that had me wondering if I was sane, will their attraction survive the dangers that await her Arian Atkins, will Logan overcome what he fears and admit that his heart is right. I loved the book, the characters and how to story developed, would love to read more of her books. Thank you Kate James for a wonderful trip.
Anyone that loves a good story that just makes you feel good will enjoy When I Found You. Ariana, Logan and Boomer are brought together because there are bombs/IEDs in the airport. Ariana is head of security at the airport which is a job she loves and Logan along with Boomer are part of a K-9 group. I enjoyed the interaction between Logan and Boomer. Dog and partner it made for adding a bit of fun to the story.
Ms. James gave us a real relationship There was miscommunication issues and the misunderstandings between Ariana and Logan. She had them deal with their jobs along with the time constrictions when working on a relationship. She gave us mistrust in the relationship which helped in making it feel more realistic.
I felt that she (Ms. James) did a great job with the story making everything within the airport to the K-9 squad very believable. She did a great job with the research.
The character development was spot on for Ariana although very independent she had that soft side when it came to loved ones and her employees but was a strong boss when she needed to be. Logan always the tough one and very mistrusting but that comes with the job, but when it came to Ariana he almost lost her because he was a little unbending. The dialogue was something you could see happening within the structure of the two different jobs when dealing with a crisis such as the bombs and the IED’s.
This was a very heartfelt story that tugged at my emotions, kept me on my toes and if that wasn’t enough gave me that little bit of romance to finish it off. This being the final story in the K-9 trilogy was wonderful on its own but I think it would have been better had I read the first two. Ms. James brought in characters from the first two books that I was able to figure out but I think I am going to have to go back and read their stories. I enjoyed being able to follow the storyline easily and get a good feel for the conflicts of the characters as they not only worked together in a sense but also as they struggled to get their relationship started. The mystery/suspense in the story was at the forefront with the romance an added bonus which was nice.
This would make a good story to take on vacation or perhaps to unwind with for the week-end. So settle in with a glass of you drink of choice…you may want to grab the first two books and have your own mini vacation at home.
I do see why this was 4 star by other reviewers .. interesting details, but I believe the reason this was not a good read for me was because it was so work oriented. Stress and pressure I have enough at my own work.... Nice ending .. but not too much joy in this read. Bomb dog: Boomer, a Malinois (Also I felt the hero kept a key piece of info from Ariana which Might have helped her nail George, her trusted mentor.) This is the last book of a trilogy .. not too inclined 2 read the others. New author 4 me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Logan and Ariana are both great characters. There is a lot of action in this story, but also a lot of character development. We learn a bunch about both of them. Boomer is a great addition as well.
This story has a breakneck pace, a tense tone, an action oriented storyline with vivid characters and no steamy scenes at all. The series is great! You don't need to read the other 2 before this, but you may want to for the background. Enjoy!
A delightful and, as advertised, heartwarming read about another in the K-9 unit in San Diego. A pleasant beach read with exciting moments, especially towards the end.
When I Found You by Kate James is my first ever clean romantic suspense. It has a life awareness feel to it, meaning the characters often reflect on their actions, learn, and grow from them.
Ariana Atkins has been the Chief of Security for San Diego International Airport for about a year. She’s desperate to prove herself deserving of this job, since she was turned down for joining the SDPD. In her short tenure, she has made numerous improvements to security, even with a limited budget. But things are starting to breakdown and she and her leadership are being questioned.
There have been several security failures, with the biggest being bombs planted and going off inside the airport. Enter Captain Logan O’Connor and his bomb detection dog, Boomer. Logan is known for his womanizing ways, but there’s something about Ariana which pulls him in and makes him want to change his ways and seriously think about having a meaningful relationship.
As Logan’s investigation into the incidents progress, more and more evidence pointing towards Ariana being involved is revealed. In addition, it’s discovered that the federal government is also investigating the airport and have their eyes on Ariana. The saying of “Your mind may mislead you, but your heart will never deceive you.” is one of my favorite quotes. This, in my opinion, is what drives the story. Through everything, Logan is steadfast in his belief that Ariana is innocent. But the question remains, if she’s innocent, how and why does everything lead back to her.
One of the big reasons I chose to read When I Found You was because of the K-9 dog. I mean seriously, you gotta love police dogs. What surprised me about the story was just the characters overall. Ariana truly believes in her job and helping people. She has a huge phobia of dogs, but doesn’t think twice about risking her life to save Boomer. Logan, as I mentioned, chooses to believe the good he sees in Ariana, even when no one else does. He’s a good guy, with a big heart. I was fascinated by the depth of Kate’s story telling of K-9’s and their handler relationships, as well as her indepth detail into the interworking of airport security.
When I read romantic suspense, I like to be put on the edge of my seat and visualize the scenes before me. The edge of your seat action happens close to the end of the story, but is so worth it. Kate has created an intriguing game of cat and mouse that has you second guessing what’s true and not true. I’m looking forward to going back and reading other books in this series and the book to come.
**Received a copy from the author and reviewed voluntarily.**
When I Found You by Kate James Harlequin Heartwarming, 2016 Romance; 365 pgs
Admittedly, my favorite romances tend to either have a paranormal or mystery element, and this one has a definite mystery thread running through it. Ariana Atkins is more than capable at her job as chief of security at San Diego International Airport. She has worked hard to gain the trust of those under here as well as to improve and update the security in the airport. All of that comes into question, however, when a series of security breaches occur at the airport, including the discovery of bombs. San Diego Police Department's Captain Logan O'Connor and his police K-9 Boomer are assigned to help uncover the latest threats at the airport. Logan isn't sure he can completely trust Ariana the more evidence he and the authorities uncover, but he can't deny his growing attraction to her.
When I Found You is both a sweet romance, with the relationship between the heroine and hero building slowly as the novel progresses, and also a suspenseful mystery with high stakes. I figured out pretty quickly who was behind what, but it did not hurt my enjoyment of this novel. I was frustrated on behalf of Ariana when it came to the lack of support she received from her boss and the board. Ariana is more than competent at her job, having worked her way up over the years. She prides herself on being calm under pressure and is clearly an intelligent woman. Logan recognizes that in Ariana and respects that about her. He is also very capable and skilled in his job. I thought the two were well matched, even with Ariana's fear of dogs and Logan's fear of commitment. Boomer, of course, was my favorite character in the novel. Well, he and Sabrina, Ariana's cat. Because animals! Overall, Kate James' novel was a fun summer read, light with quite a few tense moments. Perfect for the poolside or maybe by the campfire.
When I Found You was my first book from this author. It's the third in her K-9 trilogy of books, but it worked okay as a standalone. If you have read the others, though, you'll no doubt appreciate seeing the heroes and heroines from the first two books when they show up in this one.
I really enjoyed the insight that When I Found You gave into both the behind-the-scenes action in airport security and the work that K-9 bomb sniffing dogs do. Fascinating! The mystery was solid, and though I had a pretty good idea as the book went on who might be behind things and why, it wasn't obvious. It was especially understandable that the people involved wouldn't immediately suspect them either.
I loved Logan and his relationship with Boomer, his K-9 partner. Though they did make me look askance at my own not-so-well-behaved dog a few times while I was reading. (I know, I know--it's the owner, not the dog. Yeah, yeah, yeah...)
The romance between Logan and Ariana was enjoyable, though Ariana's tendency to believe the worst about Logan as a potential romantic partner was frustrating. I'll admit that a few times things did look a little questionable, but it seemed like she consistently took the "he's a cheater/player" view immediately without giving him any benefit of the doubt. Why? She didn't seem to have any relationship drama in her past that would have affected her ability to trust him; one person telling her that he got his nickname because he has "moves like Jagger" without seeing any evidence of the same felt like a stretch. As a result, a lot of their relationship drama could have been resolved quickly or even prevented altogether with a bit more conversation, which was frustrating. Still, the ending was sweet and satisfying.
Rating: 3 stars / C+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
An intriguing look at the behind the closed doors airport security and K-9 teams part in it, the bond the partners have, between the handler and the dog, was adorable and sweet. The story's main focus is on the security problems at the airport, the workings of the team, the hierarchy, and the personnel problems of the workforce at the airport, as they are trying to fix the recent problems, solve the mysteries of the bombs, and find out who is behind the attacks. The tension from the suspense is high, the mistrust on all the levels of the operation is breaking down the system from the top level on, with the domino effect, putting travelers lives to risk. Even though the attraction between Ariana and Logan is obvious, their work responsibilities make it difficult for them to connect on a deeper, personal level. They romance takes a backseat on the story, yet the feelings they have for each other has a big effect on the outcome. Trusting each other takes an effort, and willingness to risk their hearts without trust, seems like too much to ask. I was left wondering why Ariana had such a trust issues and why she automatically believed the worst of Logan in every situation. The hectic situations at their jobs didn't give them much time to connect, and the lack of communication between them creates frustrating conflicts. Fascinating and thought-provoking suspense, that kept me on the edge and captivated my interest, alluring and sweet attraction blooming into deeper feelings in the midst of the chaos and anxiety, and adorable K-9 dogs, willing to protect you by risking their lives, all makings of a great riveting entertainment ~ Four Spoons