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Becker Circle #1
Becker Circle
New starts mean new rules. Can she triumph through the challenges? My boyfriend believed I was too gutless to leave. He was dead wrong. I graduated Harvard early and left his hot temper and everyone else behind for Dallas. Determined to make it on my own, I land a second job bartending at the neighborhood pub, smack in the middle of drama central, where almost every jerk in the neighborhood hits on me. A week into the job, the neighborhood’s very popular drug dealer falls to his death a few feet from the table I’m serving. The cops say suicide, but the hot guitar player in the house band and I suspect foul play, and we intend to prove it. Digging deeper, we’re drawn closer to each other. Then we make a shocking discovery. We know the murderer.
- GenresRomantic Suspense
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2018
24 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Addison Brae
4 books150 followersAddison Brae lives in Dallas, Texas on the edge of downtown. As a child, she was constantly in trouble for hiding under the bed to read when she was supposed to be napping. She has been writing since childhood starting with diaries, letters and short stories. She continues today with articles, video scripts and other content as an independent marketing consultant.
When she’s not writing, Addison spends her time traveling the world, collecting interesting cocktail recipes and hosting parties. She’s still addicted to reading and enjoys jogging in her neighborhood park, sipping red wine, binge-watching TV series, vintage clothing and hanging out with her artistic other half and their neurotic cat Lucy.
When she’s not writing, Addison spends her time traveling the world, collecting interesting cocktail recipes and hosting parties. She’s still addicted to reading and enjoys jogging in her neighborhood park, sipping red wine, binge-watching TV series, vintage clothing and hanging out with her artistic other half and their neurotic cat Lucy.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 14, 2018
Gillian is in Dallas to start a new life. She is in the process of starting over while getting her CPA license and getting away from an abusive boyfriend. While accomplishing these goals she works as a bookkeeper in a job she doesn’t much enjoy and has a part-time job working as a bartender at the George & Dragon Public House in Becker Circle.
As she juggles her jobs and studies she begins to put names to faces and then creates nicknames for each that will help her remember what each regular in the pub prefers to drink. She is popular with everyone and finds herself rather in demand with a number of handsome men…most seem to be pretty faces without much substance, though.
Gillian is a witness when Bobby falls from his balcony and ends up deceased in the patio area of the pub. Thought she does not know Bobby she does not believe the suicide story going around. Mentioning her thoughts to Jon one day the two concur but when she mentions wanting to find out who might have killed Bobby Jon advises her to let the police do their job. Well, how can you have a book with a mystery to solve if the main character lets the police do what she has set her mind to do? Jon, a nice guy, offers to be her partner and thus a team of amateur sleuths take up the task of seeking clues to find the murderer.
Gillian is smart…at least most of the time. She is good at whatever she sets her mind to. She seems fairly normal as she finds friends to spend time with, dates and works. Her choices are usually wise but since she is human some decisions she makes are a bit iffy and have consequences.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to finding out what will happen in Becker Circle next.
Thank you to the author and Tirgearr for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
As she juggles her jobs and studies she begins to put names to faces and then creates nicknames for each that will help her remember what each regular in the pub prefers to drink. She is popular with everyone and finds herself rather in demand with a number of handsome men…most seem to be pretty faces without much substance, though.
Gillian is a witness when Bobby falls from his balcony and ends up deceased in the patio area of the pub. Thought she does not know Bobby she does not believe the suicide story going around. Mentioning her thoughts to Jon one day the two concur but when she mentions wanting to find out who might have killed Bobby Jon advises her to let the police do their job. Well, how can you have a book with a mystery to solve if the main character lets the police do what she has set her mind to do? Jon, a nice guy, offers to be her partner and thus a team of amateur sleuths take up the task of seeking clues to find the murderer.
Gillian is smart…at least most of the time. She is good at whatever she sets her mind to. She seems fairly normal as she finds friends to spend time with, dates and works. Her choices are usually wise but since she is human some decisions she makes are a bit iffy and have consequences.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to finding out what will happen in Becker Circle next.
Thank you to the author and Tirgearr for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars
March 27, 2018
Gillian’s boyfriend believed she was too gutless and dependent upon him to leave. WRONG! Gillian graduated Harvard early and left his hot temper and everyone else behind for Dallas quite determined to make it on my own. She found a job in an accounting firm as she worked towards her CPA and then landed a second job bartending at the neighborhood pub. Tips were good but it’s smack in the middle of drug central where almost every jerk in the neighborhood hits on her.
Soon after starting her bartending gig, the neighborhood’s very popular drug dealer fell to his death a few feet from the table Gillian was serving. The cops say suicide, but the hot guitar player in the band and she suspect foul play. They started their mini investigation and as they discover more and more they’re drawn closer to each other. Before long they discovered, they knew who the murderer is!
*** Well talk about some colorful characters! BECKER’S CIRCLE had them all and then some! From the ‘witchy’ boss from hell at Gillian’s ‘day’ job at the accounting firm, to the girls who frequented the bar scene identified by their drink of choice names.
One has to commend Gillian by taking control of her destiny and setting off for a new life away from a toxic boyfriend who wanted complete control over her. Yes, she made a couple of mistakes before she hooked up with her guitar wheeling buddy but overall I think she did well; juggling full time and part time jobs while studying for her CPA exam. The clues she came across to discover who the murderer was were actually pretty minute, but in the end she persevered, and came out the heroine of Becker Circle.
Frankly this was a pretty sweet and suspenseful story with lots of twists and turns. At the end I loved the career choice!
Marilyn Rondeau
Soon after starting her bartending gig, the neighborhood’s very popular drug dealer fell to his death a few feet from the table Gillian was serving. The cops say suicide, but the hot guitar player in the band and she suspect foul play. They started their mini investigation and as they discover more and more they’re drawn closer to each other. Before long they discovered, they knew who the murderer is!
*** Well talk about some colorful characters! BECKER’S CIRCLE had them all and then some! From the ‘witchy’ boss from hell at Gillian’s ‘day’ job at the accounting firm, to the girls who frequented the bar scene identified by their drink of choice names.
One has to commend Gillian by taking control of her destiny and setting off for a new life away from a toxic boyfriend who wanted complete control over her. Yes, she made a couple of mistakes before she hooked up with her guitar wheeling buddy but overall I think she did well; juggling full time and part time jobs while studying for her CPA exam. The clues she came across to discover who the murderer was were actually pretty minute, but in the end she persevered, and came out the heroine of Becker Circle.
Frankly this was a pretty sweet and suspenseful story with lots of twists and turns. At the end I loved the career choice!
Marilyn Rondeau
March 10, 2018
The cover of this book is lovely. I like the colors, they immediately drew me in and I had to find out more.
There were a lot of things I liked about this book, and some things I didn’t. The story had such potential, but the characters fell flat. There’s mystery and suspense, but it’s bogged down by a minutiae of details and descriptions of irrelevant tasks, situations, and characters. This book is listed as romance on Amazon, but the only sex scene we get is one where consent is ambiguous and the romantic relationship is never front and center in this book. There’s the potential for a strong kicka** female lead, but for most of the book I shook my head and mumbled ‘stupid, stupid girl.’
The story is told in the first person from Gillian’s perspective. I suspect it might have been an easier read written in the third person. Although we’re in Gillian’s head we don’t see her thoughts or feelings all that often. There was a disconnect between me and Gillian, I couldn’t understand what she was thinking or why she was making the decisions she was. Much of what she did made no sense to me, her behavior seemed risky and immature. I struggled to take her seriously. Sometimes she appeared naïve, other times wise beyond her years.
This story progressed at an almost painfully slow pace. It focused on tedious details written in such a way I expected everything to be important and come together in the end. When the story concluded, I was disappointed with how little of the book was relevant and how many story lines were left unfinished.
I enjoyed the unique characters Gillian met at the bar and her descriptions of the neighborhood. The name game she played to remember what the regular customers drank amused me. I appreciated the originality of solving the murder of a drug dealer, someone most people wouldn’t care about.
Overall, Becker Circle was a good book that I’m sure many people will love.
There were a lot of things I liked about this book, and some things I didn’t. The story had such potential, but the characters fell flat. There’s mystery and suspense, but it’s bogged down by a minutiae of details and descriptions of irrelevant tasks, situations, and characters. This book is listed as romance on Amazon, but the only sex scene we get is one where consent is ambiguous and the romantic relationship is never front and center in this book. There’s the potential for a strong kicka** female lead, but for most of the book I shook my head and mumbled ‘stupid, stupid girl.’
The story is told in the first person from Gillian’s perspective. I suspect it might have been an easier read written in the third person. Although we’re in Gillian’s head we don’t see her thoughts or feelings all that often. There was a disconnect between me and Gillian, I couldn’t understand what she was thinking or why she was making the decisions she was. Much of what she did made no sense to me, her behavior seemed risky and immature. I struggled to take her seriously. Sometimes she appeared naïve, other times wise beyond her years.
This story progressed at an almost painfully slow pace. It focused on tedious details written in such a way I expected everything to be important and come together in the end. When the story concluded, I was disappointed with how little of the book was relevant and how many story lines were left unfinished.
I enjoyed the unique characters Gillian met at the bar and her descriptions of the neighborhood. The name game she played to remember what the regular customers drank amused me. I appreciated the originality of solving the murder of a drug dealer, someone most people wouldn’t care about.
Overall, Becker Circle was a good book that I’m sure many people will love.
March 13, 2018
This is an awesome mystery/thriller set against the backdrop of a popular neighborhood full of intrigue, a fascinating cast of characters and a sexy romance. It'll make you look at your favorite neighborhood bar in a different light.
March 13, 2018
Becker Circle and Gillian kept me on the edge of my seat between the romance, suspense, and mystery. Every chapter took me to a place I didn't see coming and an ending that I would have never anticipated. 5 stars Addison Brae!
October 24, 2018
BECKER CIRCLE ADDISON BRAE
Welcome to Becker Circle. Gillian has just moved 2000 miles from her abusive ex boyfriend and lands right smack dab of a mystery! Did seemingly happy Bobby kill himself or meet a more sinister end? Questions and speculations are flying around as fast as Gillian can pour shots! With the help of barfly Jon, Gillian tries to get to the bottom of the mystery without facing imminent danger. Becker Circle is one part romance and 2 parts suspense that is a recipe for reading enjoyment. I give Becker circle 5 Jagerbombs for great story telling and anxiously await Ms. Braes next book!
Welcome to Becker Circle. Gillian has just moved 2000 miles from her abusive ex boyfriend and lands right smack dab of a mystery! Did seemingly happy Bobby kill himself or meet a more sinister end? Questions and speculations are flying around as fast as Gillian can pour shots! With the help of barfly Jon, Gillian tries to get to the bottom of the mystery without facing imminent danger. Becker Circle is one part romance and 2 parts suspense that is a recipe for reading enjoyment. I give Becker circle 5 Jagerbombs for great story telling and anxiously await Ms. Braes next book!
March 28, 2018
3.5 stars
I received an offer from the author to read and review her debut novel, Becker Circle. The book description sounded interesting, so I eagerly accepted her kind invitation. New adult is not one of my favorite genres, but Becker Circle is a fine example and follows what I expect when reading that genre.
The plot is excellent. I enjoyed the characters as well. One thing I noticed, the story could have used smoother transitions from one character/scene to another. At times, it was a bit abrupt, which had me searching to catch up, so the pacing goes from slow to fast quite often.
At times, I really liked Gillian, but some of her ill-advised decisions had me shaking my head. I would have liked to get into her feeling and motivations on a deeper level. Normally, when a book is in first person POV, that comes through. Unfortunately for me, that did not happen. I kept reminding myself that this novel was New adult, so when the romantic relationship took way too long to develop, I tried to be patient.
I did like Jon quite a lot. He certainly has patience with Gillian when she takes off in a dangerous direction. Again, I wish I could have gotten a better sense of his goals, motivation and conflict, but since the author never gives his POV, it was difficult to truly fall in love with him.
The romance in Becker Circle is slim to none. It's well into the last 25% of the book before I could even figure out who the hero was. This book isn't truly a romance, even for New Adult. It's more women's fiction with a small romantic element. True lovers of romance may grow impatient waiting for something to happen.
Nonetheless, the story is enjoyable, and I'm sure other readers will enjoy Becker Circle. The secondary characters are interesting and added greatly to my overall enjoyment. I congratulate Ms. Brae on her debut novel and wish her well. Happy reading!
I received an offer from the author to read and review her debut novel, Becker Circle. The book description sounded interesting, so I eagerly accepted her kind invitation. New adult is not one of my favorite genres, but Becker Circle is a fine example and follows what I expect when reading that genre.
The plot is excellent. I enjoyed the characters as well. One thing I noticed, the story could have used smoother transitions from one character/scene to another. At times, it was a bit abrupt, which had me searching to catch up, so the pacing goes from slow to fast quite often.
At times, I really liked Gillian, but some of her ill-advised decisions had me shaking my head. I would have liked to get into her feeling and motivations on a deeper level. Normally, when a book is in first person POV, that comes through. Unfortunately for me, that did not happen. I kept reminding myself that this novel was New adult, so when the romantic relationship took way too long to develop, I tried to be patient.
I did like Jon quite a lot. He certainly has patience with Gillian when she takes off in a dangerous direction. Again, I wish I could have gotten a better sense of his goals, motivation and conflict, but since the author never gives his POV, it was difficult to truly fall in love with him.
The romance in Becker Circle is slim to none. It's well into the last 25% of the book before I could even figure out who the hero was. This book isn't truly a romance, even for New Adult. It's more women's fiction with a small romantic element. True lovers of romance may grow impatient waiting for something to happen.
Nonetheless, the story is enjoyable, and I'm sure other readers will enjoy Becker Circle. The secondary characters are interesting and added greatly to my overall enjoyment. I congratulate Ms. Brae on her debut novel and wish her well. Happy reading!
June 4, 2018
Gillian is a survivor! Graduating from Harvard, she makes a bold move by abandoning her narcissistic boyfriend who does nothing but demean her and moves to Texas! She’s now studying for her CPA Certificate while working for business company as an accountant and bartending several nights a week. It’s a stressful life but she handles it with admirable aplomb before the actual conflict begins!
She must learn to dress appropriately for her nighttime job but gets the help of a friend. The result is not only does she make great drinks but is a hit with the guys. As she proceeds from night to night, she learns several “rules” that she lives by which mostly include being attractive enough to be “hit on” but not to allow abuse or crude behavior. She’s pleasant but not a tease.
Things, however, become challenging when she learns there’s a large circle of drug runners operating in Beckers Circle and some of the sellers are frequenters of the bar she’s tending. Then tragedy strikes – an acquaintance who saved her life one night dies suddenly after jumping from a high riser apartment deck. But slowly but surely it seems it was a murder although no one wants to admit that or get involved in the suspicious rumors. With the help of a guy Jon and some cop presence, she realizes someone she calls “Creepy” is stalking her and not for sex. They want her to stop asking questions about the dead “Bobby.”
The remainder of this swiftly moving plot reveals that there’s a drug war happening. In the process of her being involved, another person will die, and Gillian will be placed in a life or death situation. Gillian, however, gets wiser and stronger throughout the stressful experience and discovers warm, caring, sexy love without the trashy attitudes some associate with love.
Addison Brae is great at crafting a mystery and romance that is endearing and nail-biting at the same time. Although the reader thinks Gillian will figure it all out by the end of the novel, she keeps the reader guessing until very close to the last page! The engaging and seedy side of the bar life is shown without being highly offensive, and we have an intelligent, sensitive, compassionate and determined, spunky character to root for all the way! Nicely crafted, Addison Brae! Keep writing!
She must learn to dress appropriately for her nighttime job but gets the help of a friend. The result is not only does she make great drinks but is a hit with the guys. As she proceeds from night to night, she learns several “rules” that she lives by which mostly include being attractive enough to be “hit on” but not to allow abuse or crude behavior. She’s pleasant but not a tease.
Things, however, become challenging when she learns there’s a large circle of drug runners operating in Beckers Circle and some of the sellers are frequenters of the bar she’s tending. Then tragedy strikes – an acquaintance who saved her life one night dies suddenly after jumping from a high riser apartment deck. But slowly but surely it seems it was a murder although no one wants to admit that or get involved in the suspicious rumors. With the help of a guy Jon and some cop presence, she realizes someone she calls “Creepy” is stalking her and not for sex. They want her to stop asking questions about the dead “Bobby.”
The remainder of this swiftly moving plot reveals that there’s a drug war happening. In the process of her being involved, another person will die, and Gillian will be placed in a life or death situation. Gillian, however, gets wiser and stronger throughout the stressful experience and discovers warm, caring, sexy love without the trashy attitudes some associate with love.
Addison Brae is great at crafting a mystery and romance that is endearing and nail-biting at the same time. Although the reader thinks Gillian will figure it all out by the end of the novel, she keeps the reader guessing until very close to the last page! The engaging and seedy side of the bar life is shown without being highly offensive, and we have an intelligent, sensitive, compassionate and determined, spunky character to root for all the way! Nicely crafted, Addison Brae! Keep writing!
July 5, 2018
Simply... I loved this book! Absolutely fantastic read. Just what I was looking for. It was very exciting and very suspenseful.
"Harvard honors graduate. Accountant. Bartender. Narcotics dealer"
Now doesn't that sound like fun!
I loved how this book revolves around the bar scene - so much fun so much excitement. Not to mention all the crazy (drunk) characters.
Excellent character development! I loved the main characters - Gillian, Jon, Kyle, Pinkie, Steve, etc. All great characters, and I even loved some of the minor ones.
Gillian was a rock star! She was just the right amount of kick-ass heroine without being cocky. And Jon is just a sweetheart! Awwww :-)
This was very easy to get into and once I started I didn't want to stop! Very well done. I can't wait to read another one by this author. This has already gotten some great reviews on Amazon - so far not a single negative one! And be sure to watch the trailer! It will hook you for sure!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from RABT - Thank You!!
"Harvard honors graduate. Accountant. Bartender. Narcotics dealer"
Now doesn't that sound like fun!
I loved how this book revolves around the bar scene - so much fun so much excitement. Not to mention all the crazy (drunk) characters.
Excellent character development! I loved the main characters - Gillian, Jon, Kyle, Pinkie, Steve, etc. All great characters, and I even loved some of the minor ones.
Gillian was a rock star! She was just the right amount of kick-ass heroine without being cocky. And Jon is just a sweetheart! Awwww :-)
This was very easy to get into and once I started I didn't want to stop! Very well done. I can't wait to read another one by this author. This has already gotten some great reviews on Amazon - so far not a single negative one! And be sure to watch the trailer! It will hook you for sure!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from RABT - Thank You!!
September 4, 2018
This is a debut novel, and it sure doesn’t read like one. Addison Brae is already proving to be a great storyteller with a nicely moving plot. I’m not a heavy reader in the mystery/suspense genre, but this book kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next. After the half way point, it is non-stop. It is first person narrative, which is not my favorite, but again, the author did a good job with it, although I still think it would have been even better if it wasn’t.
The characters, especially Gillian who leaves her horrible boyfriend behind and moves to Texas. As she works two jobs, one of those jobs is bartending a few nights a week. When a person she knows jumps from a high rise balcony, she knows it wasn’t an accident. But she starts getting a bit too close to the truth with Jon’s help, and then the tension ramps up.
It’s a promising debut from an author and this book has put her on my radar and is one to watch.
Reviewed by Cyrene
The characters, especially Gillian who leaves her horrible boyfriend behind and moves to Texas. As she works two jobs, one of those jobs is bartending a few nights a week. When a person she knows jumps from a high rise balcony, she knows it wasn’t an accident. But she starts getting a bit too close to the truth with Jon’s help, and then the tension ramps up.
It’s a promising debut from an author and this book has put her on my radar and is one to watch.
Reviewed by Cyrene
July 29, 2018
I'm going to start with the setting, I really enjoyed the fact that it was easy to picture with the wonderful descriptions the author used.
For the most part I think the author managed to write a pretty authentic novel.
It did take a while for the action to begin and the story to unfold, but once it got going, I couldn't put it down.
The intricate twists and turns together with Becker's amazing mind and ability to strategize keeps the reader guessing as the story slowly unravels and the villains and motives become clear.
For the most part I think the author managed to write a pretty authentic novel.
It did take a while for the action to begin and the story to unfold, but once it got going, I couldn't put it down.
The intricate twists and turns together with Becker's amazing mind and ability to strategize keeps the reader guessing as the story slowly unravels and the villains and motives become clear.
August 12, 2023
Addison Brae's debut romantic suspense novel features a strong female character: smart, sassy and - against all her new rules for a fresh start - always getting into trouble. With a large cast of reality-charged characters you might meet yourself at your local tavern, Gillian becomes entangled with men she shouldn't be, with a suspicious death, a kidnapping, drug deals and ultimately - a killing. Brae has set up this first book nicely for a fun series to follow, especially recommended for the under 35 readers who love some city-dweller spice and ultimately, a lot of action and surprise.
July 16, 2018
Fun, fast paced romance.
I loved the instant undeniable connection and chemistry that melts the pages. It really took a certain kind of man to handle Gillian and her ways and he balanced her perfectly.
There is plenty of action and twists and turns to keep you invested throughout.
I loved the instant undeniable connection and chemistry that melts the pages. It really took a certain kind of man to handle Gillian and her ways and he balanced her perfectly.
There is plenty of action and twists and turns to keep you invested throughout.
November 23, 2021
I've never read
this author before. And since she doesn't have her books in Kindle unlimited, I guess I won't in the future either. I fell in love with Becker Circle! When I finished, I was so anxious to start on the second book. Until I realize it wasn't in kindle unlimited. I read approximately three to four books a day. There's no way I can afford to pay for that many books. I've always loved to read. I would be a loyal, devoted reader. Reading everything you wrote. But i will recommend Becker Circle to anyone who enjoys a well written book. You won't be sorry. You won't guess the killer till the end.
this author before. And since she doesn't have her books in Kindle unlimited, I guess I won't in the future either. I fell in love with Becker Circle! When I finished, I was so anxious to start on the second book. Until I realize it wasn't in kindle unlimited. I read approximately three to four books a day. There's no way I can afford to pay for that many books. I've always loved to read. I would be a loyal, devoted reader. Reading everything you wrote. But i will recommend Becker Circle to anyone who enjoys a well written book. You won't be sorry. You won't guess the killer till the end.
June 6, 2018
Still trying to get through this book..........I was really hoping to like it more than I am but I think it will appeal to the 20 year olds.......a lot of jumping into bed with various people and drinking, drinking, drinking.......which I agree they do a lot in Dallas! Majority of the story takes place in the bar that Gillian works in and I have been more interested in the happenings in her accounting job, where there seems to also be some type of crime but that hasn't been made clear yet. I have really been skimming these pages recently because it is getting tedious.
March 20, 2019
Life is a little crazy
Gillian leaves Boston, an abusive ex-boyfriend, her best friend Lauren, for a CPA job in Dallas, Texas. She also picks up a part time job as a bartender @ George &Dragon Public house.
Life gets more interesting, fun and crazy for Gillian. While she tries to solve a murder,she’s kidnapped, passes her CPA licensing, gets propositioned by various guys, and finally falls in love.
This story was fun, interesting and fast paced. I would definitely recommend.
Gillian leaves Boston, an abusive ex-boyfriend, her best friend Lauren, for a CPA job in Dallas, Texas. She also picks up a part time job as a bartender @ George &Dragon Public house.
Life gets more interesting, fun and crazy for Gillian. While she tries to solve a murder,she’s kidnapped, passes her CPA licensing, gets propositioned by various guys, and finally falls in love.
This story was fun, interesting and fast paced. I would definitely recommend.
June 12, 2018
3.5/5.0
“Becker Circle” is presented as a first-person narrative in which Gillian is telling the reader the story in real time.
Read full review in the 2018 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
“Becker Circle” is presented as a first-person narrative in which Gillian is telling the reader the story in real time.
Read full review in the 2018 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews