Desperate Girls is a tightly wound, fast-paced romantic thriller that follows a desperate woman on the run as she hides from a killer’s symbolic revenge spree.
Defense attorney Brynn Holloran is right at home among cops, criminals, and tough-as-nails prosecutors. With her sharp wit and pointed words, she has a tendency to intimidate, and she likes it that way. She’s a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, but in her personal life, she’s a mess.
When a vicious murderer she once helped prosecute resurfaces and starts a killing spree to wipeout those who put him behind bars, one thing becomes clear: Brynn needs to run for her life.
When the police come up empty-handed, Brynn turns to a private security firm for protection. But when she defies advice and gets involved in the investigation, even the former Secret Service agent assigned to protect her may not be able to keep her safe. With every new clue she discovers, Brynn is pulled back into the vortex of a disturbing case from her past.
As the clock ticks down on a manhunt, Brynn’s desperate search for the truth unearths long-buried secrets and reignites a killer’s fury.
Laura Griffin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty books and novellas. She is a two-time RITA Award winner, as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award. Laura got her start in journalism before venturing into the world of suspense fiction. Her books have been translated into fourteen languages. Laura lives in Austin, Texas, where she is working on her next novel. Series: * Texas Murder Files * Tracers * Wolfe Security * Alpha Crew * Moreno and Hart Mysteries * Glass Sisters * The Borderline
Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin is a 2018 Gallery Books publication.
Laura Griffin is always a solid ‘go to’ author of high- octane romantic suspense. While I do enjoy ‘The Tracers’, I was excited to see LG was starting a new series.
The military alpha male driven romantic suspense is very popular, but I still prefer the more traditional storylines- serial killer on the loose, smart and sassy protagonist, detectives, etc. The old school plot line just feels more sinister and atmospheric, and maybe a little more realistic. This story blends the old with the new, but with mixed results.
Brynn is defending a client whose life hangs in the balance. It’s a high- profile case which should command her undivided attention. However, a killer she once put away has escaped from prison and has gone on a killing spree. As a result, a security team is hired to be Brynn’s bodyguards- 24/7- a hassle she doesn’t need.
Enter Erik- a former secret service agent. In charge of the team guarding Brynn, he takes his job very seriously. So seriously, his protection often interferes with Brynn’s ability to do her job. The two immediately clash, but an underlying sexual chemistry is humming beneath the surface, bringing even more tension to an already volatile situation.
I’m on the fence about this one. There were some things about the story I really liked, but once again, here is a book with a few too many characters, which is nearly always a problem for me. The story was just a little too busy. Erik was almost a cartoonish alpha male caricature and laughably over the top, with a very wooden personality. As a result, the romantic chemistry was very flat.
That said, the mystery thriller portion of the book is enough to lay a decent foundation for this new series. Because I do like this author, I’m pulling for this series, and hope it will stabilize and become as popular as her other books are.
I desperately wanted to like this book much more than I did!
Brynn Holloran is a defense attorney who is forced to seek protection from a private security firm after a murderer she helped put behind bars appears to begin a killing spree targeting those who were involved in his capture and imprisonment. Brynn is good at her job but due to being so dedicated to her work, her personal life is negatively affected and makes it hard for her to be in a relationship.
Erik is a former secret service agent who is now assigned to protect Brynn and keep her safe. He is good at his job and leads a team in keeping her and her co-counsel safe. While keeping her safe, he begins to feel an attraction to her. He plays things by the book and is told by Brynn he comes off as a "robot"
Although I did enjoy this book, I didn't love it. I would have enjoyed this book more had it been just one thing - either a romance or a police procedural book. This book blended both genres and again, I did enjoy this book, but I hoped for more. This book is told through various points of view- Brynn's, Erik's and a police detective who is trying to solve the murder of a judge at the beginning of the case. Although, the reader is given several POV's I didn't feel as if I got to know any of the characters well enough to really care about them and if they would get together or solve the crime. I would have loved more character development in this book. I saw this book as having so much potential but left me feeling underwhelmed. I wanted more feeling, more emotion, more personality from each of the characters.
There is a twist at the end. The twist does seem to come out of left field, but then again, so many twists do. I really didn't mind the twist. Having said that, the book seemed to focus more on the attraction and the relationship than it did on the police procedures/investigation that by the time the twist came, it lacked some of its impact.
Thank you to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Have you ever gone to the grocery store and not sure of what you want for dinner? You grab a cart and go up and down the aisles looking for something that hits you and say "now this looks good, I think I'll try it!" After what seems like an eternity, suddenly something that you've never had before catches your eye and you eagerly go home now excited for dinner. Unfortunately, the reality of the meal isn't quite what you hoped for but it still turns out to be ok and you keep eating. Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin was that meal for me. The cover and book description gave me the thought that this was going to be a super spicy thriller. But what I got was something milder and not sure what flavor wanted to dominate more, the legal aspect, the case from the past or the relationship drama between the two main characters, Brynn and Erik. The book kept me interested enough to keep reading and finish it but not love it. This "spicy-lite" book will leave you full but not completely satisfied. I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley. #netgalley #desperategirls
Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin is the first book in the romantic suspense Wolfe Security series. The book is told from multiple points of view with the main Brynn who’s boss has insisted on protection, Erik one of the security team and then detectives working on tracking the killer.
The book begins with a judge coming home to prepare for a date that evening by putting some food in the oven and then going off to shower and dress. As she comes back to finish preparing dinner she notices glass on the floor and suddenly an intruder is there.
After that opening we find that the judge was murdered and that she had once been Brynn Holloran’s boss when she had worked for the prosecution side of the law. Now in a private practice Brynn has moved over to the defense and has a big case coming up but her boss has insisted on hiring security to look over her as it seems a killer that Brynn had helped put behind bars has escaped and is out for revenge.
Desperate Girls is a typical romantic suspense with the hero being called in to protect the damsel in distress and the pair growing a huge sexual attraction to one another. I would say the romance and suspense seemed well enough but I loved that in this one we got a side of legal thriller in the mix with Brynn being an attorney although some may not like the courtroom drama I’m always a fan.
When finished with this one I had a rather odd complaint in I’m not even sure why it was given the title it was seeing that it was centered around Brynn and her needing security but oh well, I guess we need to stick girl in the title of most thrillers these days. I'd give this opener 3.5 stars though and would be interested in seeing how the next book goes as it seems by the series title it will contain the security team protecting some else but I wondered if it will continue to contain the courtroom side.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
Esse livro era tudo o que eu precisava! Há dias não estava conseguindo concluir nenhuma leitura, chegava na marca de 30% e perdia o interesse. Após três livros e três duras tentativas, finalmente encontrei algo que realmente prendesse a minha atenção.
Eu adorei a Brynn e Erik. Ambos me cativaram desde o início. Gostei muito da personalidade da Brynn, independente, forte, inteligente... apesar de alguns momentos ela me irritar com a sua teimosia, ainda sim foi uma grande heroína.
Eu particularmente gostaria de ter visto mais momentos dos dois juntos, onde pudessem se conhecer melhor e a partir daí desenvolver um relacionamento mais consistente. Porém, dada a situação que se encontravam com um serial killer à solta, não havia muito tempo disponível para isso.
A história é narrada em terceira pessoa e com diversos pontos de vista. O desenvolvimento da trama, o suspense e as reviravoltas me agradaram bastante. Prendeu meu interesse do início ao fim. Não consegui parar de ler enquanto não chegasse a última página. Tive uma conexão total com personagens e história.
Eu adorei a escrita e narrativa da autora; simples, sem firulas e dinâmica. Geralmente eu tenho dificuldade com esse estilo de narrativa, o que felizmente não ocorreu aqui. A leitura foi fluida e com um ritmo muito bom. Esse é o primeiro livro que leio da autora e com certeza não será o último!
Estou bem curiosa para saber o que virá a seguir nesta série!
This story is told primarily from three angles: an attorney handling the most important case of her career, a bodyguard who’s attracted to his client, and detectives carefully combing through evidence in order to find a killer who escaped custody. Each POV contributed a different aspect to the story without seeming too similar in voice and the action scenes were much appreciated!
The first four pages of this story really grabbed me! But then the story headed into lackluster territory and only a few areas really kept my attention until the end. The courtroom drama was so-so and I felt indifferent towards the characters. They were just okay, but mostly meh. This was more of a plot-driven story versus character-driven so I never felt like the characters were truly fleshed out, despite the length of this book. The epilogue was a nice wrap up, though.
► Overall, this book nicely balanced romance with the crime fiction bits, was light on the legal terminology, and lightly held my interest. The characters were entertaining to a point but I wasn’t swept away by them, sadly. Would still recommend this book to romantic suspense readers even though it didn’t quite work for me.
*NetGalley ARC kindly provided by Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books in exchange for an honest review.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
Brynn Holloran is a successful defense attorney working for a high-powered law firm, getting ready to begin a high-profile trial in Dallas when a case from her past resurrects in the worst of ways. A serial killer she helped put away when she was a prosecutor has escaped from prison and appears to be seeking retribution from those associated with his incarceration. Wolfe Security is engaged to provide her and her partner protection until the killer’s recapture. Erik Morgan is the security team leader and he’s immediately taken with this brash and talented woman who doesn’t suffer fools nor is she willing to let security dictate her life.
This story had a chilling start that set an expectation for the tension and suspense that didn’t really materialize. However, it was always in the background, so I felt tension. Brynn was a marvelous character, making this story work as we watch her in action in the courtroom and at night as she worked her strategy. She’s unconventional, striking in appearance and great at what she does. It was no wonder that Erik was taken in by her large persona as she was someone who could hold her own with his strong presence. While their romance didn’t light any fires, I sensed that they were well matched and filled in each other’s vacuums. In that sense, their relationship worked.
I enjoyed the story, even though it lacked the high tension I felt it promised as the search for the killer involved too many people in a fragmented investigation led by someone with whom everyone lacked confidence. I did like that twist near the end, seemingly coming out of nowhere but in retrospect it made sense (those are the best kind). It’s a good start to the series and I plan to continue. 3.5 stars
(I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review)
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you like nail-biting suspense, this is your author. I've thoroughly enjoyed every book I've read from her.
This story gets out of the gate from the first chapter and you are propelled on a bumpy ride that is fast paced with a lot of twists and turns.
Bryan is a defense attorney who suddenly needs protection after she learns one of her clients has escaped from a maximum security prison. It is clear he is bent on revenge and is getting too close to her.
Bryan has found the clock security while she is also taking on a case that requires her immediate attention. As she digs deep with the facts, she learns that things don't add up. She leans on Erik, who is part of her security detail, and feelings start to develop. Both know it is a bad idea to get involved but the intensity of their circumstances can't keep them apart.
The plot takes an unexpected turn and your heart is racing because you're feeling the anxiety and conflict that the characters are and that's what this author does best, she gets your heart pumping, wanting more as a reader and not wanting to hurry up and get to the end. Good story telling and given the many characters in the story, I'm guessing and hoping this will become a series.
The perfect blend of romance and suspense all wrapped up in a courtroom drama!
The romantic suspense genre is a favorite of mine, but a lot of times authors have a hard time finding a good balance between the two genres... this book was very well-balanced and will appeal to both suspense and romance lovers! A book full of hot thrills and spine tingling chills.... A spicy suspense that will make you sweat and swoon!🥵
This book starts off with a BANG! A murder, an intense scene that will start your heart racing! Soon you find out the murder victim was Brinn’s former boss and now her life is in danger... Brinn used to be a prosecuting attorney, and now it looks like a killer she helped convict is out and killing everyone responsible for his incarceration.... in the middle of the case of her life and unable to go into hiding her boss insists she hire a bodyguard.... and of course as in all good romances the bodyguard is hot! Makes a girl want a bodyguard!?! Eric is former Secret Service and tries to keep it professional fighting his feelings for Brinn...
The book is told from multiple points of view Brinn, Eric, and the cops investigating the killer... I thought this gave us a great perspective and perception of what was going on in the story! Where the story fell a little flat for me was in the character development, I think all of the characters could have been better developed, but I guess this was more of a plot driven story.... also this is the first book in a new series and I’m not sure where it is going from here? Will it be the same characters or or they’ll be different wolf security man saving multiple damsels in distress?
Recommend for anyone who is a big fan of the romantic suspense genre, this is a well-done balance!
*** many thanks to Gallery for my copy of this book ***
Luv Laura Griffin and Wolfe Security... so good. 4.5 Stars ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One of the reasons Laura Griffin tops my list of romantic suspense writers is because she writes about crime, cop drama, and suspenseful situations that increase the emotional aspect of the story. Then she sweetens the pot by teaming up federal agents or former military who always adds a sweaty aspect because the men are just so damn hot.
After all, many women love the whole protection aspect, if it is written well, simply for the swoon factor. There is just no way to resist that romantic and sexy pull. And trust me when I say, Laura Griffin knows how to write it well.
Desperate Girls is loaded with tension, heightened anticipation, stressful situations, and on the off-the-chart romance that made it a fabulous story, which quickly became very difficult to put down. The author added numerous twists to the story, along with the fast pace thrills and chills, that even gave a romantic suspense reader like me a few pauses.
This action-packed story is definitely one that you need to read if you are a lover of hot men, hot situations, and hot thrills. Another fabulous series including Wolfe Security and I am sooooo happy about that!
Desperate Girls is the first book I've read by Laura Griffin and it will not be the last. The first chapter will have you enthralled and it just keeps getting better, chapter after chapter. I definitely classify this book under the mystery and suspense genre with a sprinkle of romance. Laura did an excellent job of blending all of the components together and I quite enjoyed the end result. The budding relationship between Erik and Brynne was subtle and evolved seamlessly in the book. Obviously the relationship and the trust built between Erik and Brynne was important to the storyline but it didnt overshadow the actual plot. In my opinion, some authors try to cram so many things into a book that a mystery and suspense will turn into a romance with a little bit of mystery. Thankfully that was not the case here. I definitely recommend that you add this your TBR list. Not once, throughout the book, did I lose interest or skim through paragraphs. Intrigued yet? You should be. Buckle up and get ready for twist and turns. It's a fast paced read and will keep you guessing until the end.
Desperate Girls is a romantic suspense novel that starts out a little slow but steadily climbs to a heart pounding, edge of your seat experience! I was very much engrossed into this story and these incredibly strong characters.
There are multiple storylines going on that all lead back to Brynn. Her defense of a teenager against a murder charge, while being heavily guarded against an escaped convict who she helped convict. This man is on a revenge rampage and going after everyone who helped put him away. With this threat against Brynn, her boss hires a security firm to keep her safe as she goes to trial on her current case.
This introduces us to Erik. Erik is the lead bodyguard helping to protect Brynn as well as trying to help track down the escaped convict and eliminate the threat. Erik is very big on rules for the sake of protection but Brynn is shattering his control every step of the way.
Laura Griffin is fast becoming one of my favorite Romantic Suspense authors. While some of her books are heavier on the suspense and less romance than I prefer, I've learned that she's a very compelling writer and I've loved everything I have read by her so far. I look forward to more from this author. ARC provided by NetGalley.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
First chair in a big case for her career, Brynn is under a lot of stress. When a serial killer she helped put away escapes from prison and murders the lead attorney that prosecuted his case with Brynn, she not only has her career but life to worry about. Erik was an active Marine, Secret Service agent, but is currently working in the personal security private sector. He is built and used to high intense and dangerous situations, but not emotional and personal developments. Brynn and Erik have let work dictate their lives but danger is about to reveal to them what they have been missing.
First in the new Wolfe Security series (there is a small character tie-in from the author's Tracer series) Griffin immediately drops the reader into murder and mystery. This tense start had me on edge, which the author was able to maintain to pretty much the ending.
Our heroine Brynn is a complete workaholic who is stubborn, brusque, and demanding. We get to see heroes, who are usually labeled "alpha", with these traits all the time, so it was refreshing to see a woman with such a forceful personality. However, Brynn veered, especially in the beginning, to oblivious, too stupid to live territory with her insisting she wasn't really in danger and therefore actively working to put her in more danger. Her demands and attitude got a bit repetitive in this regard and hurt her character rather than make her seem tough and smart.
The hero's calm, cool, and collective attitude made him seem smart and capable and when he would lose his grip a little in regards to his attraction to Brynn, it added some great steam to the story. His cool façade did mask his characterization a bit; we don't really get to know him until the later part of the book.
There is a large cast of characters that the author did a great job introducing but she failed to have them conversationally interacting. This would have been a great way to see and get to know the hero more; friendships are great showcases for personalities. The lack of conversation, in favor of courtroom scenes, gave this more of a dry feel.
With the lack of more emotional aspects, the book makes up for it in the murder mystery tone. The tension, wondering, and danger will keep your nerves taunt; the author excelled on the technical, realistic feel of security and the creepy factor of a serial killer on the loose. I would have liked a pov from the villain to add more depth, there was kind of an info dump that provided what felt like a pointless red-herring, and while surprising a last second drama that felt more tagged on than enriching.
The chemistry and romance is weaker but you'll want to sign up for the thriller aspects and tension. The author's writing has charisma and the series set-up will have me checking out the next in the series.
Desperate Girl's by Laura Griffin is book 1 in Wolfe Security series and it's a fantastic nail biting start, I definitely can't wait for the next book😆. It's a fast paced thriller with plenty going on but not to the point you can get lost and my god the twist at the end was not expected at all it jumps at you from nowhere and kind of side sweeps you. There's plenty of thrilling times, romance and a great HEA. Definitely recommending this 📖
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
New Series by one of my favorite authors. This first book in the new Wolfe Security Series is great! It was great seeing Liam and Mark Wolfe from the Tracers Series. Heart pounding, pulse racing, just when you think it's over - it's not. "Desperate Girls" raises the bar for everything that will come after. Hot romance - it delivers. Heart stopping suspense - it delivers. A twisted mystery - that too. There is nothing this book promises that it doesn't deliver.
Brynn Holloran, a defense attorney, is all set for the trial of a young man she is convinced is innocent. Nothing can change her focus, until the murder of a former associate, Jen Ballard. Now her boss, Reggie Gunn, insists that she and her co-council, Ross Foley, have protection and the man suspected in the murder, James Corby, is a escaped rapist and murderer bent on revenge on everyone who had a hand in convicting him and that included Brynn and Ross.
Erik Morgan, former Secret Service Agent, now a Wolfe Security Operative, has his hands full with the protective detail for Brynn. She is head-strong and doesn't follow orders - at all. But something about this smoking hot, auburn haired spitfire just does it for Erik. She is the total package - beauty, brains and a spine of steel. Keeping her alive may be easier than keeping out of her bed.
With no progress in catching the killer, Brynn and Erik take the search in a different direction. With the help of Lindsey Leary, While combing through her old case files, Brynn discovers some discrepancies in the original case work that could put her in the crosshairs of yet another killer.
I have to say, that having read some of the Tracers series by this author, I had some pretty high expectations for this new novel. Wow, did it pass with flying colours! The characters are driven, intense, and passionate; while the plot is a non-stop thrill ride full of murder, revenge, and romance. This book had me hooked right from the beginning, and kept me turning the pages all the way to the ending you won't see coming. Readers who are new to this author will have discovered a new favourite, while current fans will be delighted with this new instalment. One thing that is for certain, both new and old fans will be eagerly waiting for the next Wolfe Security to arrive!
Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin is Criminal Minds meets Law & Order with a couple sex scenes and some humor thrown in. And the thing is, I really enjoyed it!
What it's about: Defense attorney Brynn Holloran is great at what she does. A force to be reckoned with in the courtroom and good looking to boot. But when one of the killers she helped put behind bars escapes and starts up on a terrifying killing spree to get rid of the people that put him there, those are not things that will keep her from being killed. Her boss Reggie enlists the help of an extremely competent security company called Wolfe Security, and while Brynn isn't happy about the guys following her around at all times, she doesn't have a choice. However, as things get crazy for her in court and her real life, she starts getting attached to the head of her security detail, Erik. Will she be able to stay ahead of the killer, and possibly fall in love at the same time?
I wanted to put SOMETHING in my summary about the romance aspect to this book since the synopsis doesn't talk about it at all. Reading the back of the book I never knew it was romantic suspense, which is something I think is important to note since not all people like that genre. For me, this was my second time reading a romantic suspense novel and I enjoyed it a hell of a lot more than the first time. I don't like when romance overtakes a book, and luckily that did not happen at all in Desperate Girls. I found it to be the perfect blend of suspense, police procedural, courtroom drama, and romance.
Desperate Girls is book one in the Wolfe Security series, and I think it made for an excellent start. There is a ton of action throughout the entire novel, and there is a twist at the end that essentially came from nowhere and completely shocked me. It felt a tiny bit abrupt, but oftentimes twists are like that and I loved that it surprised me the way it did.
The only issue I had with this book is that I think there are just way too many viewpoints, and you don't really get to know any of the characters except for Brynn and Erik. I don't really like when an author has too many characters since they get hard for me to keep track of and feel too impersonal unless done the right way. It was nice to get the different viewpoints though, and I really hope at least a couple of them come back in the second book. I loved the tough as nails women in this novel, and it was very refreshing to read a book where you like and root for all of the female leads.
Song/s the book brought to mind: Bad Reputation by Kelly Clarkson
Final Thought: I really enjoy the way Griffin writes, and I can definitely tell this book isn't her first rodeo. Desperate Girls made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes, plus made me blush at the racy sex scenes. If you don't like sex in books, but still want to read this, it would be totally doable. There are really only 2, and they could easily be skimmed or skipped. In other words, this was the perfect romantic suspense book for me, and I can't wait to read more from this author!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Tldr: Romantic suspense bogged down by a hero whose most interesting attributes is that his name is Erik instead of Eric.
I was so excited to read this but it left me cold. Brynn is a great heroine; tough and great at her job. I loved her courtroom scenes! I also liked Lindsay, the detective who is a strongly drawn supporting character-- and who I hope gets her own book.
I wasn't wowed by the plot--it's pretty standard romantic suspense (woman in danger from a killer she worked to convict who has since escaped! But is he the real danger, or is someone else involved?)--but the hero, Erik, was the biggest letdown of Desperate Girl.
Erik is part of the security team hired by Brynn's boss and he's assigned to Brynn. He's attracted to her, which makes sense because she's pretty awesome. However, Erik is so so so bland. He's dedicated to his job, hot, fit, and good in bed (natch).
The problem is that's all Erik is. He's a collection of traits, not a character. There's nothing that makes him unique from an other hero and he, in fact, could have been cut and pasted out and then back in from any of the other members of Brynn's security team. His backstory is blah, his upbringing so typical I rolled my eyes, and in the end, I never believed that he was interesting enough to be the hero. Except he is.
I was so disappointed in this book. LG has been a favored author and I loved some of her other books. I've read most of her books 2 times and I definitely wouldn't re-read this one.
It's well written but doesn't contain the suspense and detail that some of her previous books have had. I feel I've read some version of this book a thousand times before. It just seemed so cliche.
When a judge is murdered in her own home, the past rushes in to confront Brynn. The suspect is an escaped prisoner that Brynn helped convict and law enforcement has every reason to believe he may target her next. Now she’s got a team of bodyguards interfering in her daily routine and a trial that demands her undivided attention. Added into that stress is her attraction to Erik who refuses to act on his own desires due to his job to keep her safe.
Brynn was one tough heroine who had definite ideas and plans and no one was going to stop her. There were times I was afraid her choices were going to land her in deep water but fortunately that never happened. She was a bit brash and outspoken, a tough, experienced lawyer who fought for justice for her clients.
Erik struggled to keep his focus on the case, on keeping Brynn safe and not on what he wanted to do to her. He was intense and stoic, an alpha hero without the over the top alphaness. He knew that a break in his concentration could cost someone their life, possibly even Brynn.
This was a fast paced romantic thriller filled with suspense and mystery as well as a twist that was absolutely shocking. The characters were all well developed and the steam was what I would consider a medium heat. When they finally came together later in the story, it was pretty hot but there wasn’t a lot of build up to get to that place Secondary characters were everywhere and were important to the story.
I enjoyed this book and the thriller feel to it with plenty of chases and close calls. I did feel that this couple needed more time together to connect but that was almost impossible with a serial killer on the loose. It was missing a certain “humph” factor that made me know this couple would work out and would be together forever and I really, really wanted to feel they were a forever couple. Perhaps an epilogue a few years down the road would have eased my concerns.
However, I would definitely recommend this for the suspense/thriller elements as these plot points kept me riveted to the story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Pocket Books. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Huge thanks to Gallery, NetGalley and Laura Griffin for providing me with a complimentary copy of Desperate Girls in exchange for an honest review.
Talk about excited about reading Desperate Girls. I love all the books by Laura Griffin and I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one. Even better, Desperate Girls is the first book in the Wolfe Security series (Yay! more swoony alpha guys to look forward to). Not that I didn't miss the Tracer series' characters and I'm selfishly hoping for more books in that world.
Desperate Girls begins with the murder of a prominent judge. This murder is linked to a known murderer and rapist who recently escaped from prison. The judge used to be a prosecutor and she was the one responsible for putting him behind bars.
Brynn Holloran is a defense attorney. She's ruthless in court and she's always prepared for whatever happens there. Her next case is extremely important to her. She believes the accused is actually innocent. She wants to do anything in her power to make sure he's a free man. When the news of the judge's death gets to her, she's shell-shocked. Brynn used to be a prosecutor and she worked for the demised judge.
Brynn's boss is convinced her life is in danger. He doesn't want Brynn or Ross, another lawyer in the firm, to be the next victims. He hires Wolfe Security to prevent any damage.
Erick is an ex-secret service agent. He now works for Wolfe Security. His job is to protect Brynn. It does bother him that he's attracted to her but he can't let himself get distracted by it or she could suffer the consequences.
Romantic Suspense, when done well, is a pleasure to read. Laura Griffin knows the exact combination of action and romance to inject into her books to make it work. She made Brynn a strong heroine. Although in the beginning, Brynn was not pleased with her security entourage and a couple of times she rebelled against it. Not very smart on her part. However, once she knew the threat was real, she followed their lead without questions.
Eric knew his job. He was a man of a few words but no one could say he was not the take charge kind of guy. He was secure in his ability to protect her and defend her from any threat. He tried to avoid falling for her but sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants.
Desperate Girls is written in three different points of views. Brynn and Erick have one. So does the female police officer investigating the case. There is one character crossover from the Tracers series and a couple of interesting male cops too. The twist at the end was unexpected but welcomed.
Defense attorney Brynn’s boss when she worked at the prosecutor's office is murdered and the suspect is an escaped convict that she had helped put behind bars . Brynn’s new boss hires Wolfe Security to provide her and her partner protection until the killer’s caught. Erik Morgan is the security team leader and soon there is attraction humming beneath the surface between them which adds to the tension .
Desperate Girls is a romantic suspense and the the first in the Wolfe Security series. The book is told from multiple points of view with Brynn ,Erik and the detectives working on the case. Overall a nicely balanced romantic suspense book a with legal thriller on the the side makes it an interesting read .
I would like to thank Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.
Laura Griffin tends to write amazing romantic suspense. This book is no different and is the start of a new series yet still connected to her popular Tracer series (the hero is the brother of one of the heroes of the series).
The heroine is a defense attorney and being threatened is par for the course but when her boss hires security for her, she is not having it. The heroine is difficult at first but the hero and his team are professionals.
I did like how for him having feelings for someone he was protecting was an anomaly. I am not going to let out the “who-dunnit” but both the mystery and romance kept me engaged. That my folks is a winning combination for me when it comes to my former favourite genre of romantic suspense. Plus as a bonus the author introduced several characters I would like to read more about.
Brynn Holloran is a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, but her life is turned upside down when she finds out a defendant she helped put away has escaped and is wanted for the brutal killing of her co-counselor. This guy tortured, raped and strangled women, and chilled her with his cold, deadly staring during the trial. Brynn’s current boss is taking no chances with this dangerous threat and hires the Wolfe Security to protect Brynn and another lawyer. Brynn at first balks at this level of action, but it soon becomes apparent the threat is very real!
Erik Morgan is serious when it comes to protecting his asset; lust and attraction have no place in his job, but Brynn ticks all his boxes. She’s gorgeous, feisty and confident, and Erik can’t help but admire her conviction and determination, even if she is a pain in the ass to guard.
Laura Griffin kicks off her new series with a bang! I didn’t want to put the story down when the danger kept coming! Brynn and Erik’s chemistry popped, the tension building between them as they got to know each other in close quarters. All the while trying to figure out the killer’s next move. Desperate Girls was an exciting blend of danger, action, and romance! A definite recommend! A copy was kindly provided by Gallery Books via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Some things in life are just so easy, and picking up a Laura Griffin book is one of those things. I never doubt if her books are gonna be a good read. I just buy the book, but I’ve got to say, Desperate Girls felt a little different from her previous works, and guess what? I really, really, extra super liked it!
A bit more heat, a fantastically plotted storyline, a chemistry that burned up the pages, and an unexpected twist that left me stunned. All the things I expect from Laura Griffin: smart capable women, a case that engulfs the reader, and an ending that completely satisfied me–– all with an added kick.
Check out the blurb below with all the details, but take my advice and add this to your list of August must-read releases.
This is my first book by Laura Griffin. It grabbed me from the first page and I read it pretty quick. I didn’t love the book but I liked it ok. Would I recommend it? Yes, I would. There was a twist at the very end that I didn’t see coming but then the book ended and that was that. I was given this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review.
‘Desperate Girls’ isn’t a title I’d immediately associated with the blurb of the story and it became quite clear from the onset that the story is so much more than the rather irrelevant-sounding title. As a sort-of offshoot of Laura Griffin’s Tracers series, I was eager nonetheless to take a closer look into Liam Wolfe’s Security company staffed by supersized heroes and the different kind of romantic suspense revolving around security that Griffin was going to write.
The stoic bodyguard who eventually falls for his principal when they are paired up—typically reluctantly on the latter’s part—as a threat escalates isn’t a new idea, but Griffin’s take on it is a unique, intriguing one, going further than the usual bodyguard-type romance. The standout as always, is Griffin’s writing, her ability to juggle so many elements at once while revealing the intricate details about the security business that simply go beyond shadowing a principal. The complexity of the police case, the red-herrings, solid protagonists and the well-researched and fantastic writing made ‘Desperate Girls’ an entertaining read, even though my rather shallow way of measuring this had partially to do with the amount of sleep I had the past few nights at night as I got lost in Griffin’s writing.
My only gripes were the few TSTL moments early on, the courtroom drama that proved a bit of a lull (I was more caught up in the danger of a psychopathic, escaped convict and the slow, amping up of the action) and the final plot-twist feeling like a last-gasp attempt at drama that proved to be downers for me. I did feel that characterisation suffered a little under the hyper-focus on the court case and the overall suspense but these however, weighed against how much I enjoyed the developing action nonetheless, probably seem somewhat churlish to include. Still, the pulse-pounding moments, all leading up to the action-movie-type ending (complete with the exotic location) seemed to be over too soon, leaving me eager for the next book in this promising series and its fresh, new cast of characters.
Set in the same world as the Tracers series, this book was a readable but, ultimately, kind of forgettable romantic suspense. Liked the characters and the plot but everything seemed a bit thin compared to some of the books in her other series.