The Negotiator

Games People Play #2.5

by HelenKay Dimon

Lauren Gallagher’s life changed almost three years ago. After her husband disappeared at sea, she was left with a failing pleasure boat company and more than a few secrets. Now, after years spent rebuilding the business and paying off the pile of debts, she finally feels in control. But when she finds her husband, actually dead, on the floor, she becomes the leading suspect in his murder investigation.

Garrett McGrath wants Lauren in his bed, not his heart. He doesn’t do emotions, but every time he sees her, holding himself back gets harder and harder. When Lauren comes under suspicion for killing her previously presumed-dead husband, he knows he has to help her, any way he can.

But as the danger becomes more intense and Garret and Lauren grow closer than either planned, they’re in danger of losing everything…including their hearts.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Contemporary, Novella, Contemporary Romance, Mystery

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2017

About the author

HelenKay Dimon is a divorce lawyer-turned-romance author. After dedicating years to helping people terminate relationships she now writes romance novels full time. Her books have earned praise, appeared on bestseller lists, won numerous awards and twice been named Red-Hot Reads and excerpted in Cosmo. She sometimes writes erotic romance, sometimes writes romantic suspense and sometimes writes contemporary romance. But no matter what she's writing her books are always filled with smart banter and sexy times, and a HEA is guaranteed.

-"Sharp writing and plenty of sexy romantic sizzle..." - John Charles, Chicago Tribune

-"So smart, sexy and fast-paced, I devour her stories." - Lori Foster, NYT bestselling author

-"Lots of heat with lots of humor." - MaryJanice Davidson, NYT bestselling author

-"She's a delight." - Christina Dodd, NYT bestselling author

Reviews

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Negotiator by HelenKay Dimon
Book 2.5 of the Games People Play series
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Publication Date: November 14, 2017
Rating: 3 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lauren Gallagher’s life changed almost three years ago. After her husband disappeared at sea, she was left with a failing pleasure boat company and more than a few secrets. Now, after years spent rebuilding the business and paying off the pile of debts, she finally feels in control. But when she finds her husband, actually dead, on the floor, she becomes the leading suspect in his murder investigation.

Garrett McGrath wants Lauren in his bed, not his heart. He doesn’t do emotions, but every time he sees her, holding himself back gets harder and harder. When Lauren comes under suspicion for killing her previously presumed-dead husband, he knows he has to help her, any way he can.

But as the danger becomes more intense and Garret and Lauren grow closer than either planned, they’re in danger of losing everything…including their hearts.

What I Liked:

This is one of those cases in which I'm like, "it was good buuuuuuuut...". I love HelenKay Dimon's books and haven't been disappointed yet. My favorite of hers is probably Mine, a book in another series. The Games People Play series has been pretty good so far - not as steamy as I expected, but very intriguing in terms of the light suspense and mystery. I'd been waiting for Garrett and Lauren's story since reading book one because they have a lot of great chemistry in the first two books. Now that I've read this novella... I don't necessarily think there was anything wrong with the novella - I think it was my preferences that got in the way of me loving it.

Garrett McGrath has been chasing Lauren Gallagher for months, but she has turned him down every time he asks her out. He doesn't usually do the chase, or invest so much time and effort into one woman, but something about Lauren has always drawn him to her. Lauren's husband was declared dead after he went missing at sea... but one day, suddenly, he show up, very much not dead, and still the infuriating money-seeking idiot who is trying to get his hands on her house. By the end of the day, he is dead in her house. It wasn't Lauren, but as the estranged wife, she is the primary suspect. She calls Garrett for help, and with him comes Matthias and Kayla. Secrets are revealed and suspects are discovered, but it's Garrett and Lauren's love life that begins to unfold.

I adored Garrett, mostly because he is so dependable and kind. He is always there for Lauren, and his friends too. He is very protective and stubborn, and he's a very good negotiator. I like that he never backed down and never gave up. He might be a nice guy, but he is a hardened former spy that knows how to get what he wants. He is a good guy, probably too good for Lauren.

I didn't love Lauren, but parts of her I liked or at least understood. Mostly I didn't like her. But of course you have to feel bad for someone who ended up with such a crappy husband - the crazy ones don't always seem crazy at first.

The mystery of whodunit seemed obvious to me from the start, though Dimon tried to keep readers off the trail for a little while. It's a short book (a novella) so you start to see the real suspect quickly. That made sense and Dimon wrote the motives and purpose really well.

Despite this being a short book, there were a few good sexy times, and Dimon always write good chemistry. Of course I found this series in general to be less steamy than some of her previous series, but the chemistry is always cooked up well.

The ending is cute and definitely a happily-ever-after. Garrett and Lauren have a lot to figure out, but they clearly fit together well. Garrett is such a nice guy and I'm glad he got his HEA. Lauren too, for all the crap she had to put up with her former husband. This was a short, quick read that is a great addition to the series, if you're a fan of the books (or Dimon's books in general).

What I Did Not Like:

I really didn't connect with Lauren. Maybe because she was so walled off? Maybe because she pushed Garrett away one too many times? Even when she was pulling him closer, I didn't like how she didn't see him as the real deal...

... Which leads me to the next thing I don't like and haven't liked in many adult romance novels that I've read recently. Can we stop with having an alpha female s**t all over a nice, sweet, selfless hero? Why is it that heroes these days FALL OVER THEMSELVES to cater to the heroine, and the heroine simply pushes him around, uses him, takes advantages, whatever, and this is okay? I truly disagree with this brand of feminism (or whatever it is). Check yourselves, ladies. Of course, this could be part of a "fantasy" in romance - a man who caters to your every whim and you treat him like crap and he's still there. That's a really odd fantasy and I personally am not a fan. That just seems so disrespectful to another human being.

In terms of the conflict resolution, I really dislike that it was Garrett to come back and apologize. No no no no no. Lauren needed to be doing the grovelling. Garrett did very little wrong.

Lauren was also really clueless, which bothered me because she was supposed to be this smart and sexy woman. Instead she seemed... kind of average and very ditsy?

Also? Small thing but this is supposed to be a Christmas novella and I barely got any Christmas vibes. I love Christmas! I wanted more Christmas! Whenever Christmas was managed (the few times), it was always depressing. Sad life!

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend the other books in the series (The Fixer, The Enforcer), but this novella could be skipped. Of course, fans of the series should try it for themselves, but if you're only now getting into the series, skip this novella. I generally skip novellas because they add so little BUT this one was good because it had a complete love story. It's just too bad I didn't like the heroine.

Rating:

3 stars. I hate 3-star reviews! They're so hard to write. I think I would have completely loved this book if I had liked the heroine. I felt frustrated by her and didn't really care for her tough-girl act and her clueless self. But I liked Garrett a lot and I can never get enough of happily-ever-afters. I'm hoping to be reading the next book, The Pretender, very soon!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - 3.5 *

A sweet novella but I wanted more of Garrett & Lauren, their story just wasn’t enough. Although it happens around Christmas the book isn’t like Christmas puked up in this book you know. They are always so toothache inducing sweet. Great addition to the series and I recommend it. Well isn’t that a surprise, lol.

[Caz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've given this a C+ at AAR, sot that's 3.5 stars

In HelenKay Dimon’s  Games People Play  series, the heroes are all men who bonded in their youth when they were taken under the wing of someone named Quint, who saved them from the downward spirals they were in, helped all of them learn to utilise their unique skill-sets and set them on the straight and narrow.

Years later, the ‘Quint Five’ are all well-placed and powerful individuals who are often called upon by government departments and law enforcement to undertake missions and cases that they can’t touch.  In book one, The Fixer, we met Wren – an enigmatic man whose speciality is making problems go away – and his second-in-command, former Black Ops, professional negotiator, Garrett McGrath.

In The Enforcer (book two) Garrett was sent along to ride shotgun on the mission undertaken by Matthias Clarke, another of the five, whose private security firm is often used by Wren in the course of his business.  Garrett immediately captured my attention; his gregarious, wise-cracking ways were such a contrast to the gruff, taciturn Matthias (I do love a smart-mouthed charmer!) and so many tough-guy heroes are dark, brooding and almost miserable that it was a refreshing change to come across one who knew how to lighten up.   I’ve been looking forward to his book, but I confess that I’d hoped for a full-length novel rather than a novella.  I’m not the greatest fan of novellas anyway (few authors really know how to get them right) and Garrett is such a great character that he deserved more page time.

The Negotiator picks up a few months after the events of The Enforcer, which took place in the small, seafront town in Annapolis where Matthias was searching for a woman named Kayla Roy who was suspected of murder.   One of the secondary characters in the book was Kayla’s friend, Lauren Gallagher, who runs a pleasure boat and fishing tour business; and for the past few months, a rather smitten Garrett has travelled regularly to Annapolis to spend time with Lauren, who adamantly refuses to go on a date with him.  She tries to tell him it’s because she’s older than he is (by five years) or because she was a mess and … he could do better.  But Garrett is a shrewd man and knows there’s more to it than that – and he has his theories as to what that ‘more’ is.  Still, the one thing Lauren hasn’t said is that she’s not interested, so he continues to hope that she will eventually open up and let him in.

Lauren’s husband, Carl, died in a boating accident three years earlier, after he ran off with a younger woman and left their business on the verge of bankruptcy, but Lauren has never really believed he’s dead. She had to keep her suspicions to herself so that she could fight her way through all the legal red-tape that would enable her to take control of her tour company and home, and she has worked tirelessly to rebuild her business and put it back into the black. So when Carl shows up at her door one day, she’s not completely surprised – but she IS furious at the fact that he expects to just waltz back into her life as if nothing has happened. Lauren’s usual self-contained detachment deserts her, and for the first time in her life, she finds herself asking someone for help.

When Garrett receives Lauren’s message, he’s about to board a plane to San Francisco where he’s due to make a pre-Christmas visit to see his aunt and cousin. Garrett’s parents died on Christmas Eve when he was nineteen, so he doesn’t celebrate, preferring to spend Christmas holed up alone somewhere, but Lauren needs him and he doesn’t hesitate; with apologies to his family, he makes his way to Annapolis, where he finds a clearly shaken Lauren even more reserved and evasive than he is used to.

But her problems have only just begun. Returning from a trip to collect take-out, Lauren and Garrett return to her cottage to find a once-and-for-all, very dead Carl lying on her kitchen floor… and Lauren at the top of the list of suspects.

What we’ve got here is basically a whodunnit with a fairly short list of suspects; the girlfriend, the brother (who is carrying a torch for Lauren) and the shady business partner. It’s not difficult to guess where to point the finger, and although the author does try to throw readers off the scent, it doesn’t really work. I enjoyed meeting Garrett again and the snarky back-and-forth between him and Matthias that was so great in the previous book was just as good here, but I can’t help feeling that Garrett was wasted in this story; for a book in a romantic suspense series, there is little suspense and not much action of the sort I’ve come to expect from the genre. The romance fares a little better, however, the fact that Lauren and Garrett have known each other for a while and have been seeing each other in a friendly, non-dating way for months helping to make their progression to a sexual relationship more believable. There is a clear mutual respect and understanding that indicates they have a strong basis for a relationship, but still, I’d have liked to see those non-dates and watch their relationship unfold over time. I’ve seen a few reviews suggesting that Garrett and Lauren’s romance must have begun in the previous book, but I checked and it doesn’t; there are suggestions that maybe Garrett is attracted to Lauren, but that’s about it.

Can I recommend The Negotiator? I think readers who are following the series will probably enjoy it, but I can’t honestly say it’s a good place for a newcomer to start or is a particularly strong example of a romantic suspense story. The pacing is fairly pedestrian and the mystery isn’t very mysterious or suspenseful. I read it for Garrett – sarcastic, charming, sinfully handsome Garrett – who is every bit as attractive here as he was in the last book. I just wish he’d been showcased in a more interesting story.

[Dísir · Rating 1 out of 5]

HelenKay Dimon’s ‘Games People Play’ series is an odd one. Mostly about men who’d grown up disenfranchised, emotionally stunted but wealthy, their HEAs come in such unexpected ways that I don’t really know what to expect in each book. And that arguably, can either be the series’ selling point or its glaring flaw, because it hasn’t quite worked too well for me so far.

Having seen Garrett flit in and out of the series and from the odd, charming way he’d done so, I’ve known from the start that I wanted his story told. But ‘The Negotiator’ was however, a disappointing one—all the more so because I was hoping for a more heart-pounding ride—and I struggled quite a bit to get into it. I’m not too sure what it was, but there was something about the way the narrative—nothing with Dimon’s writing style really—unfolded that just couldn’t hold my attention. There were just insufficient spikes/drops and excitement to keep my interest in the story, a lack of driving focus slowing the pace down even, from the odd way it started to the way it developed with so many details and names stuffed into the first few pages.

I couldn’t finish the story as a result and perhaps it’s also time to say that this series isn’t one I’ll be continuing any longer.

*ARC by the publisher via Edelweiss

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The Negotiator is the first book I read from HelenKay Dimon and I don't think it will be the last. The author mixed together some elements of romance and others of suspence and while I wasn't blown away by the story, I found it good. We are talking about a novella so there is not much room anything which is the reason I am not giving it a lower rating. The killer's identity was revealed in a very convenient way and I wasn't sold on the idea of the main characters getting together because they love each other. I think that if I hadn't read another book with the same elements as this one I would have liked this story more. To be honest, I wasn't very drawn to the story, but I didn't dislike it either. I have lukewarm feelings. I am not sure if I would recommend it as a stand-alone story to get you into the Christmas spirit, but if you have read the previous books, you should give this one a try.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first story by HelenKay Dimon and I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm happy to say that I enjoyed it and I have the next book in the series, The Pretender, sitting on my Kindle. I also want to see if my library has the first two books in the series so I can play catch up.

"The Negotiator" was steamy and sexy, sweet and humorous, but needed to be a little longer. It needed more development.I think the problem was that I haven't read the earlier books and it seems as if much of Lauren and Garrett's relationship happened in that time; they met, their was attraction; they flirted; they sort of dated. The relationship moves to the next level in this story, which is great, but for me, it seemed like their relationship went from zero to sixty. The build-up, the foundation was laid in earlier books and I missed being part of it. It's as if Dimon used the development in the previous books as shorthand to skip ahead in this story.

Now, that said, I liked both Garrett and Lauren. Lauren, obviously, has been hurt and hasn't completely dealt with her feelings for her 'late' husband, Carl. Though I can't imagine what having a husband you believed dead suddenly show up on your doorstep would feel like. Betrayal and shock hardly seem to cover it. Her reaction seemed spot-on to me and her reaching out to Garrett was certainly significant. Garrett was a patient and determined man who knew what he wanted and went for it, but not in an obnoxious or creepy way. They had some communication problems but, after a cooling off period, worked them out. They were adults, which I loved. I could feel the heat, though more so on Garrett's than Lauren. Lauren's passion seemd a little less strong.

The mystery of who killed Lauren's husband Carl was harder for Lauren and Garrett to figure out than it was for me, although I did miss a few details. Dimon telegraphed, often, who the killer was, which was disappointing. I want to be challenged and kept guessing when reading suspense and mysteries. Also, although the book is billed as a Christmas novella, the holiday barely figures into the story at all. It's main function is to serve as a painful time for Garrett though there is a nice scene with picking a live Christmas tree.

"The Negotiator" didn't wow me but I did enjoy it, it was a good introduction to this series, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Ms. Dimon does with a full-length novel.

Some favorite quotes:

Fire flashed in her eyes. "Excuse me?" About damn time. There was the Lauren he knew. Sharp, aware and not easy to push around.

With Garrett, she was free to be who she wanted and take what she needed.

She hated that argument trick. The game where people went after a woman's looks or sexual activity to score points. It was derailing and insulting.

[JenReadsRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series and the characters of Lauren & Garrett a lot, but you would definitely need to read the previous book in the series to best understand The Negotiator .

The book starts with our heroine, Lauren, opening the door to find her presumed dead husband at the door. There's basically no exposition, I had to go back to The Enforcer and remind myself of Lauren and her backstory before continuing. However, once I reminded myself of the characters, I was ready to go. Garrett is the hero, and he works with Wren (from book 1) and Matthias (from book 2). After Lauren's husband shows up, she knows she needs help and calls Garrett. This turns out to be a good call since later that night, the husband ends up murdered. The book follows Lauren & Garrett as they try to figure out who murdered her husband, and for Garrett, to keep Lauren out of danger.

I read this because I very much liked the previous books in the series, and the next one comes out soon. Novellas are just so tough for me--In this case, although it's made clear that Garrett has been hanging out with Lauren in a friendly way the past few months. I didn't want to skip those months of friendly banter and dating! Even though this book is satisfying and I enjoyed it, I would have liked more of the build-up to their romance. Also, if you really care about the "Christmas" part, you'll also be disappointed. This book takes place in December, but there's not really anything inherently Christmasy about it.

Definitely recommended to those who have read the previous books in the series and enjoyed these characters, but I wouldn't start here! This feels more like added chapters to The Enforcer rather than its own well-developed novel...but, then again, it's clearly marked as a novella, so it's not hiding what it is and it's only a dollar!

[Amelia Autin · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE NEGOTIATOR is another winner for HelenKay Dimon. I must admit I read it out of sequence, because I adored the hero, Garrett McGrath, so much in THE FIXER (which I read yesterday), and I couldn't wait to read his story. I wasn't disappointed...other than it ended too soon (I knew going in it was a novella, so I was expecting it. Still...)

I loved the hero, which wasn't a surprise. But I also connected with the heroine, Lauren. There were a few things she did toward the end of the book that I didn't necessarily agree with, but there was no "oh no!" moment (which I had feared after reading THE FIXER). And the secondary characters Matthias and Kayla were so well-drawn I immediately purchased their story (THE ENFORCER).

The love scenes were steamy, but tastefully done. The suspense was just enough and didn't overwhelm the romance. And I loved the "badinage" between Garrett and Lauren, Garrett and his employer, Wren (hero of THE FIXER), and Garrett and Matthias (hero of THE ENFORCER). All in all, I heartily recommend THE NEGOTIATOR.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Negotiator is billed as a Christmas novella, and though it takes place in December and decorating for the holiday becomes a topic late in the story, it isn't terribly Christmas-sy, so be warned. Instead, it's the consummation of a romance that's been building up for months (it apparently began in book 2, The Enforcer ) and resolves the question of what exactly happened with Lauren's missing and presumed dead (or was he?) husband.

I really liked Lauren and Garrett together, and the mystery of who knew what with her husband kept me turning the pages. Though I'm definitely looking forward to seeing part 1 of their romance when I read the prior book in the series, this one worked okay as a starting point--not ideal, but I wasn't lost either. If anything, it convinced me that I absolutely need to read the rest of the books in this series.

Rating: 4 stars / B-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Ruthie Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

3.5*s were negotiated!

This is part of a series, and I wonder if I understood less of the undercurrents because I haven't read the earlier stories.

I enjoy Ms Dimon's books, as they often have a clever twist, which fits well in the story and adds a little bit of tension. That is true here too, and as someone who has been in a boathouse or two, it worked really well. I just was a bit nonplussed by the dialogue near the end, where discussion of negotiation arose.

It is a good plot, with a rather delicious lead in Garrett, and an unexpected leading lady in Lauren.

[Bookgasms Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Negotiator was a quick and fun story about Garrett McGrath from HelenKay Dimon's Games People Play series. It was sexy and full of banter. I loved Garrett and Lauren and the way he was so protective of her. I really could not get enough!

When Lauren Gallagher's long lost husband comes from the dead after three-years, things get complicated. But when he suddenly dies and she is the number one suspect, danger really does come for her.

While I did enjoy this book and seeing previous characters from the first two books in the series, I felt this book was very slow at times. It did not pack the action packed punch as the first two books. However, I can not wait for The Pretender and more from this author in the future! 3.5 stars! ~Ratula

[Sometime · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I quite liked it. The premise sucked me in and I was in the mood for something short and novella length. It does quite well despite its short length. I gave it 3 stars mostly because I'm not really a big fan of thriller/suspense novels. This is definitely a case of "It's not you, it's me" happening as the writing was well done.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Garrett is my favorite part of the Games People Play series, hands down. I adored his snarky banter with Matthias and Wren in the past installments, and witnessing him full-on smolder after Lauren was like getting extra frosting on top. I really wish this series was more Garrett-centric - I would totally read multiple Games Garrett Plays books.

[Jaime Arkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - review to come!

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another book I enjoyed - by the same author. They have a silly overdone love component but the stories are sound.

[Brigitte Alouqua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Après avoir rencontré Garrett, je savais que j’avais envie d’en savoir plus sur cet homme au charisme de dingue, un sex-appeal de fou, et pourtant il semble garder une grande souffrance au fond de lui, je l’ai trouvé assez intriguant lors de ma première rencontre avec lui, et la suite ne fait que me donner raison.
Dans le tome précédent, alors qu’il seconde Matthias dans une enquête un peu personnelle, il va faire connaissance avec Lauren, l’amie de Kayla, celle dont il est question dans l’enquête de Matthias. On peut dire sans se tromper, que Lauren a directement attiré le regard et le désir de Garrett, elle a ce petit truc qui a fait qu’il ne peut s’empêcher de penser à elle. Notre homme ne semble d’ailleurs pas lui être totalement indifférent, mais vu son expérience avec la gent masculine, elle ne se sent pas prête du tout à réitérer la chose. Ce que l’on peut aisément comprendre lorsque l’on sait que son mari, Carl, l’a menée en bateau durant des années, et que cela fait trois ans qu’il est porté disparu en mer. Son mari qui l’a abandonnée, qui l’a trompée, qui l’a escroquée, qui lui mentait, qui n’en avait clairement rien à foutre d’elle. En sachant cela, on peut comprendre sa réticence vis-à-vis des hommes.
Cela fait maintenant plusieurs mois que l’enquête de Matthias est terminée, dans la logique Garrett n’a plus rien à faire non plus à Anapolis , mais il continue de s’y rendre, il invite Lauren, ils se tournent autour sans jamais franchir la barrière. Pourtant, lorsque son mari refait surface et se trouve devant s porte, la seule personne qu’elle va penser à appeler, c’est Garrett, elle a besoin de lui, lui seul peut l’aider à surmonter cette épreuve. Mais Carl va être retrouvé mort, pour de bon cette fois, dans e cottage de Lauren, du coup Garrett va faire appel à Matthias et Wren pour que le coupable soit trouvé, que Lauren soit enfin débarrassée une bonne fois pour toute de ce passé qui la ronge.
Cette nouvelle enquête nous permet également de retrouver Matthias et Kayla, mais également Wren, ils vont tout mettre en œuvre pour venir en aide à Lauren. C’est également grâce à cela qu’un rapprochement va enfin se faire entre elle et Garrett, il ne lui a jamais caché qu’il aimerait que cela aille plus loin entre eux, mais Lauren est méfiante comme je vous l’ai déjà dit. Ils ont chacun un passif émotionnel douloureux et lourd. Peut-être est-ce enfin le bon moment pour eux de lâcher ces bagages encombrants qui les empêchent de réellement avancer ? N’est-il pas temps pour Lauren de penser un peu à elle et de comprendre que tout les hommes ne sont pas comme son mari ? Elle ne peut nier que Garrett l’attire énormément, alors pourquoi ne pas se laisser tenter ?
HelenKay Dimon a l’art et la manière de nous faire tourner chèvre, aaaaah les hommes d’Investigations, c’est quelque chose, c’est le genre d’homme qui vous marquent, qui laissent une trace quelque part en vous. Non seulement elle nous offre des enquêtes très réalistes, un suspens avec un rythme soutenu, des personnages charismatique que l’on aimerait connaître en dehors des pages d’un livre, mais n’oublions pas les moments chauds qui sont très bien écrits et qui émoustillent le lecteur. J’ai hâte de pouvoir retrouver la plume de l’auteure, en à peine trois lectures je peux vous certifier que je suis fan et que je vais continuer de la suivre (bon ok surtout ses parutions mais chuuuuut). Investigations est la saga à ne pas manquer et à dévorer sans modération !

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars--

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 14, 2017

Lauren Gallagher’s life changed almost three years ago. After her husband disappeared at sea, she was left with a failing pleasure boat company and more than a few secrets. Now, after years spent rebuilding the business and paying off the pile of debts, she finally feels in control. But when she finds her husband, actually dead, on the floor, she becomes the leading suspect in his murder investigation.

Garrett McGrath wants Lauren in his bed, not his heart. He doesn’t do emotions, but every time he sees her, holding himself back gets harder and harder. When Lauren comes under suspicion for killing her previously presumed-dead husband, he knows he has to help her, any way he can.

But as the danger becomes more intense and Garret and Lauren grow closer than either planned, they’re in danger of losing everything…including their hearts.

••••••

REVIEW: THE NEGOTIATOR is instalment 2.5 in HelenKay Dimon’s contemporary, adult GAMES PEOPLE PLAY romantic, suspense series. This is former government Black Ops and professional negotiator Garrett McGrath, and pleasure boat operator Lauren Gallagher’s story line. THE NEGOTIATOR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Lauren and Garrett) THE NEGOTIATOR follows in the aftermath of Lauren’s discovery that her husband Carl, a man declared missing and dead, has returned to the living claiming he wants a second chance with our story line heroine. Knowing that the man before has never been capable of telling the truth Lauren contacts the only person she knows who might be able to get the answers she so desperately needs. Enter professional negotiator and investigator Garrett McGrath, and the man with whom Lauren will fall in love. What ensues is the building relationship between our leading couple, and the fall out when Carl is found dead in our heroine’s home, and she becomes the prime suspect in her ex-husband’s murder.

For close to six months Garrett McGrath has desperately tried to convince Lauren to go with him but our heroine has steadfastly denied any attraction or feelings for the man in question preferring to rebuild the business that her husband’s disappearance singlehandedly destroyed. Garrett and Lauren’s attraction to one another is palpable; their sexual energy is seductive and provocative. The $ex scenes are intimate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Wren and Emery (The Fixer #1), and Matthias and Kayla (The Enforcer #2) return for some familiarity and cohesion. We are introduced to Carl’s brother Jake; his business partner Bob, and his latest girlfriend Maryanne

THE NEGOTIATOR is a quick read; a sexy friends to lovers romance that focuses on the search for the truth when a man once thought lost at sea, dies not once but twice with a long line of questionable business decisions, as well as series of long running affairs. The premise is edgy and energetic; the romance is spirited and captivating; the characters are animated and passionate.

Copy supplied by Edelweiss

www.thereadingcafe.com

[Kristen Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Negotiator was a quick but enjoyable read. It blended romance and suspense together quite well.

What would happen if your presumed dead husband showed up very much alive only to end up dead in your house shortly after? Well if you are Lauren - the man who's been trying to catch your attention just might do all he can to clear your name.

I really felt for Lauren - stuck in a more-than-awkward situation, struggling to move on from things only to have it all knock her flat again. She's a good woman, she's been hurt, and she's not quite sure how to react to certain things - but that comes off as very real and fits her character. Who wouldn't be a little lost when the rug has been pulled out from under you in some way, not once, not twice, but three times.

Garrett is a wonderful character, he's very patient and kind - but I'd like to think he also has his limits. He's very all in when it comes to Lauren - much more than she is at first - but his feelings come across as very genuine and developed over time rather than rushed.

The Negotiator is a shorter story and as such I did feel as if it could have used a little more in certain places - but the story came together quite well and developed the tone needed to carry both the romantic and suspenseful elements. Overall I'd give the story a 3.5 star rating.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren Gallagher’s life changed almost three years ago. After her husband disappeared at sea, she was left with a failing pleasure boat company and more than a few secrets. Now, after years spent rebuilding the business and paying off the pile of debts, she finally feels in control. But when she finds her husband, actually dead, on the floor, she becomes the leading suspect in his murder investigation.
Garrett McGrath wants Lauren in his bed, not his heart. He doesn’t do emotions, but every time he sees her, holding himself back gets harder and harder. When Lauren comes under suspicion for killing her previously presumed-dead husband, he knows he has to help her, any way he can.
But as the danger becomes more intense and Garret and Lauren grow closer than either planned, they’re in danger of losing everything…including their hearts.
I wish I had known this was a series book before I started it. I am going back to read the other books. I still liked the book and didn't really feel like I was missing anything but reading in order helps with context and knowing your characters. Which is especially important when reading a novella. It was a good story that I enjoyed. I liked Lauren and loved Garrett. I want a Garrett, but alas he has been taken by Lauren. A good story and a series I will be continuing.

[Amy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Negotiator by HelenKay Dimon was everything I expected and more! For those that have read the other books in the Games People Play series, this one features Garrett and Lauren. We have followed Garrett in The Fixer and The Enforcer where he stole many of the scenes! His snarky and sarcastic personality was a little softer in The Negotiator. That has a lot to do with Lauren and the circumstances surrounding her.

Dimon had me sucked into the story from the very first page and I couldn’t put it down until the very end. Even in such a short story, the mystery had time to develop and we had the chance to watch a romance unfold and fall in love with the characters. The chemistry between Garrett and Lauren is intense once they act on it! Lauren is the perfect match for Garrett. She challenges him because she is quite strong and independent herself. I hope we get glimpses of them through future stories.

I enjoyed the roles that Matthias and Kayla from The Enforcer played in this story. Garrett and Matthias are quite entertaining together and with Kayla and Lauren being best friends it made sense to see them as much as we did. If you are looking for a murder mystery story set around the holidays with an amazing romance, give The Negotiator a read!

[JG · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this short novella that's part of a series but can still be read as a standalone. Garrett and Lauren have known each other for months and has been dancing around an inevitable romantic relationship. But things got a lot complicated when Lauren's dead husband has suddenly turned up alive and demanding to be let in Lauren's home after three years. The next thing she knows she's called Garrett and had some take away to find the body of her really dead husband on her kitchen floor. Now they need to find out who really killed the husband to clear Lauren's name, keep her out of the real killer's sight and get their romance finally off the ground. The Negotiator had the perfect blend of romance and suspense, steam and great dialogue. The plot sounds simple but the execution was fantastic. I did find that to better appreciate Garrett and Lauren's relationship is to read the first two books where they were first featured. Still if you love romantic suspense this is a great read for you.

*ARC provided*

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This ARC was received in exchange for an honest review*

This is the story of Lauren Gallagher, whose husband disappeared at sea three years ago and left her with a mountain of debt, so she was able to declare him dead. Now she has got a good business going and all the debt has cleared until one day her husband turns up at her doorstep wanting to start again from where they left off. Lauren is not happy about this and end up texting the only person she knows who can help in this situation Garrett McGrath.
Garrett has had feelings for Lauren for a while now but when Laurens husband is found dead he has to help her. While they investigating the goings on, the attraction between them both gets heated
This was a great story by HelenKay Dimon where she showed that an independent woman can come back from anything. Can’t wait to read the next instalment in the Games People Play series.

[Perrin Larton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this is novella length, this was a great 'between the novels' read.

Lauren's husband died three years ago leaving her with debts and a failing business. She was able to pull the business up, pay off debts, and is doing well. She met Garrett through her friend (book #2 the Enforcer) and he's a bit smitten. She likes him, but she also thinks she's too old for him and is trying to NOT become involved. When Lauren's dead husband becomes NOT dead and then he becomes really dead, Lauren knows she needs Garrett and his specific skill set so she's not railroaded and convicted of her ex's murder or becomes another victim!

I kind of wanted more time with Garrett. He's been a supporting character in the first two books of this series and I thought he would get a full length book. That having been said, I'm sure we'll see more of Garrett and Lauren as the series continues! I'm loving the Games People Play series, and can't wait for the next book!

[Misty (Reds Romance Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Laura Gallagher's husband disappeared, and was presumed dead, it turned her world upside down, not only was she left alone to deal with their failing business, but also with all the rumors that followed his death. Him leaving the way he did left her frustrated, and also made her realize she didn't really know her husband at all, he had done a lot of things that she couldn't fathom him doing. But little by little in the last three years she has begun to piece it back together, and has even started to see someone new, and it feels good to finally be moving on. But then a ghost shows up on her doorstep and throws her new life into a tailspin once again...

The moment Garrett McGrath met Laura he knew he wanted her, she is beyond beautiful, strong willed, but she doesn't seem to want anything he has to offer. But that hasn't deterred him at all, he still randomly shows up on her doorstep, bringing her meals, and trying to lure her out of her shell, in hopes one day she will give in and accept his offer for a date. Just when he things he is gaining some serious headway with her, a ghost from her past shows up, and it tests the bounds of their little bond. Now there is danger swirling around her, and all be damned if Garrett is going to let anything happen to his beautiful girl...

The Negotiator is a sexy little action packed page turner that is sure to have readers teetering on the edge of their seats the whole way through! The moment I started it I was hooked, I just had to know if these two would finally find their way to one another, or if all the danger surrounding them would win out, and keep them apart. It was such a good read, the story line was intriguing, the characters were uniquely crafted, and all that compiled together made for one explosive little literary escape!! Highly recommend this one, Dimon's wonderful characters are sure to hold you captive from start to finish!!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.

[Bette Stanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, but I’m willing to negotiate.

Well, nothing sucks a reader in like a dead husband coming back to life after three years! This isn’t technically a holiday story other than it happens around Christmas. The Negotiator is more of a romantic suspense. I did not read the first two books in this series. It didn’t detract from this story. I’m sure I would have gotten more out of the relationships between the characters if I had read the previous books, but that’s the only thing that would’ve changed. This is a novella and I think that Lauren and Garrett could’ve filled a full-length book. My main complaint over this one is it felt too short to fully tell their story. I will definitely be going back and starting this series from the beginning, though!

[Crystal's Book World ~ Crystal Cordova · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!!!

I was hooked on the blurb and at times I felt that was the only place that I could feel the excitement of anticipation. I really enjoyed the story as whole. There were a couple of times that areas or story plots were too short and moved on to the next scene. What I did like about the story were the interactions that the characters had for each other. The sexy scenes were great and there were a couple of chapters I thought that I knew who the killer was. So wrong!

This is my first book I have read by Helenkay and I am intrigued enough to continue reading and possibly back track on these books. The main story line was good and I truly enjoyed the story.

[Bungluna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this one. I've enjoyed Garrett since the beginning of this series and was ready to love his story. However...

The heroine was problematic for me. Okay, she got a crappy deal with her first husband and did the best she could to rebuild her life after he "died" at sea. Once he showed up again, it's like she wanted to paint a target in her back. So forgiving of everybody who "done her wrong". I just couldn't warm up to her.

Still, this series has been very enjoyable for me and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[Elaine Lucky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella (150 pages) capturing Garrett & Lauren's story that started in book #3 (The Enforcer). Lauren's husband was lost at sea after he bilked their accounts and ruined their business and financials. Matthias, Wren, & Garrett were looking into it further. Six months later Lauren opens her door and her husband is standing there like nothing happened and later he's dead on the floor. Bad timing, mysterious suspects, and a battle of trying to start a relationship have Garrett and Lauren on a fast track to either disaster or bliss.

[Pgchuis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lauren's estranged husband, who was thought (by most) to have been lost at sea returns and is then found dead in her house. This story follows closely after the plot of the second novel; Garrett has been trying to date Lauren during the six intervening months.

I found this very disappointing, even more so than the second instalment; all the humour that I loved in the first novel has gone and the plot was dull and confusing.

[Kaitlyn Perazzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I read this series, I found myself quickly buying a copy of each book. These books are all steamy, romantic, intense, and suspenseful. The biggest thing to me was that the action between the crime was intense, but the action between the characters was greater and I would recommend this book to virtually anyone.