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To Serve and Seduce #3
Reunited by the Badge
A megacorporation starts killing patients... and two exes must reunite to save lives!
When he discovers his patients’ lives are threatened, Dr Paul Reilly can turn to only one Simone Black. She will have his back, even if they don’t agree on much else. But as the former lovers work together to track down the evildoers who are tampering with medications, they rediscover unexpected feelings for one another...even as an enemy wants to silence them permanently.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2019
87 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Fletcher Mello
130 books202 followersFor Deborah Fletcher Mello, writing is as necessary as breathing and she firmly believes that if she could not write she would cease to exist. Her first novel, TAKE ME TO HEART, earned her a 2004 Romance Slam Jam nomination for Best New Author. In 2005 she received Book of the Year and Favorite Heroine nominations for her novel THE RIGHT SIDE OF LOVE. In 2008, Deborah won the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Best Series Romance for her ninth novel, TAME A WILD STALLION.
A true renaissance woman, Deborah's many career paths have included working as a retail buyer and size model for a national women's clothing chain, a finance manager for a well-known beverage organization, a sales manager for an infamous candy company, a telecommunications administrator and corporate trainer for a hotel-owning company, an art gallery director for a world-renowned artist, and an administrative consultant for multiple organizations throughout the United States. Deborah is also a licensed real estate broker and general building contractor.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Deborah maintains base camp in North Carolina but considers home to be wherever the moment moves her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 13, 2019
This is an action packed, contemporary, romantic suspense with two great families with starring roles.
Dr Paul Reilly volunteers to work in mission hospitals abroad although his normal role is in a Chicago hospital. He suspects that one of the medicines he has been prescribing has had a detrimental affect on his patients and sets out to investigate why, sending samples back for his brother to check. When those samples and the results are stolen, they suspect the drug company are endeavouring to thwart their investigations. Concerned about what he's getting into, Paul calls up the only person he can trust to advise him - Simone Black, the woman who broke his heart. As the two meet, they discover that others are after them and so begins their desperate race to find the evidence and stop more people being killed by the rogue medication. Can they keep themselves safe and stop the pharmaceutical company selling unsafe medicines? What will happen as the two work together again? Can they give their love a second chance?
You just have to love the Black family and the Reilly brothers! They're a superb group, each with their own quirks but all filled with love and determination to support and protect as well as tease each other. This story is fast paced and full of suspense but also has some laugh out loud moments, too. I really enjoyed reading it and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys contemporary romantic suspense. I'm really looking forward to reading more in this series in future!
Many thanks to the publishers for gifting me a copy of this book (via NetGalley) which I have chosen to read and this is my honest review after doing so.
Dr Paul Reilly volunteers to work in mission hospitals abroad although his normal role is in a Chicago hospital. He suspects that one of the medicines he has been prescribing has had a detrimental affect on his patients and sets out to investigate why, sending samples back for his brother to check. When those samples and the results are stolen, they suspect the drug company are endeavouring to thwart their investigations. Concerned about what he's getting into, Paul calls up the only person he can trust to advise him - Simone Black, the woman who broke his heart. As the two meet, they discover that others are after them and so begins their desperate race to find the evidence and stop more people being killed by the rogue medication. Can they keep themselves safe and stop the pharmaceutical company selling unsafe medicines? What will happen as the two work together again? Can they give their love a second chance?
You just have to love the Black family and the Reilly brothers! They're a superb group, each with their own quirks but all filled with love and determination to support and protect as well as tease each other. This story is fast paced and full of suspense but also has some laugh out loud moments, too. I really enjoyed reading it and have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys contemporary romantic suspense. I'm really looking forward to reading more in this series in future!
Many thanks to the publishers for gifting me a copy of this book (via NetGalley) which I have chosen to read and this is my honest review after doing so.
December 15, 2020
4.5 stars The second book in this series had mixed results for me, but I devoured this novel in one sitting. I loved the plot, I adored the characters; it was a wonderful suspense thriller read for me. And I could tell that the author had researched some of the issues facing both doctors and lawyers before writing a doctor hero and lawyer heroine. That instantly made me happy.
This book has so much packed into it. We get to revisit the Black family, whose members hold prominent posts in law and law enforcement around Chicago. And we have an evil pharmaceutical company, paired with a road/cabin romance and a second-chance-at-love plot. All of this was catnip to me.
We learn pretty quickly that Simone Black and Paul Reilly never really got past their feelings for one another. When Paul returns to Chicago for his job after an extended period doing medical work overseas, some disturbing patient deaths and his own research lead him to the conclusion that a medication marketed for conditions he was treating is in fact killing patients. Someone clearly wants to silence him, and Simone, a top prosecutor as well as Paul's ex-girlfriend, is the one person he thinks can help him.
Not only does Simone help Paul, but the two end up on the run in an attempt to try to preserve Paul's research and to gather evidence - not to mention just trying to stay alive. The two must rely on the varied talents of the Black family to stay out of the clutches of the bad guys and I loved seeing not only how Paul and Simone came together, but also how the entire family helped one another.
There is plenty of suspenseful action in this book, and the author times romantic scenes to fit in nicely. The pacing kept me engaged throughout the story. There is one surprise development that threw off the story a bit, but as I saw the characters reacting and adjusting, I got pulled right back in again even though this event was something that I didn't think I'd go for.
You can read this book as a standalone, but to get a feel for the family, you might want to try at least book 1, Seduced by the Badge first.
cw: mentions of patient deaths, incl. children, animal cruelty, violence
This book has so much packed into it. We get to revisit the Black family, whose members hold prominent posts in law and law enforcement around Chicago. And we have an evil pharmaceutical company, paired with a road/cabin romance and a second-chance-at-love plot. All of this was catnip to me.
We learn pretty quickly that Simone Black and Paul Reilly never really got past their feelings for one another. When Paul returns to Chicago for his job after an extended period doing medical work overseas, some disturbing patient deaths and his own research lead him to the conclusion that a medication marketed for conditions he was treating is in fact killing patients. Someone clearly wants to silence him, and Simone, a top prosecutor as well as Paul's ex-girlfriend, is the one person he thinks can help him.
Not only does Simone help Paul, but the two end up on the run in an attempt to try to preserve Paul's research and to gather evidence - not to mention just trying to stay alive. The two must rely on the varied talents of the Black family to stay out of the clutches of the bad guys and I loved seeing not only how Paul and Simone came together, but also how the entire family helped one another.
There is plenty of suspenseful action in this book, and the author times romantic scenes to fit in nicely. The pacing kept me engaged throughout the story. There is one surprise development that threw off the story a bit, but as I saw the characters reacting and adjusting, I got pulled right back in again even though this event was something that I didn't think I'd go for.
You can read this book as a standalone, but to get a feel for the family, you might want to try at least book 1, Seduced by the Badge first.
cw: mentions of patient deaths, incl. children, animal cruelty, violence
September 11, 2022
This picks right up with Paul's discovery that a drug company might not have their clients' best interests at heart (and are all about the money- big surprise, right?!). There is the possibility that some of the drugs they are marketing are contaminated with bacteria making people sicker and causing death in many cases. And right off the bat, he is targeted. He goes to his ex Simone, she's a lawyer and might be of some help. Her tight-knit family also has law enforcement in their numbers too.
I thought this worked because of Paul and Simone's shared history. They quickly reconnect and are able to talk about their wants/needs and compromise. Good suspense as well. The only problem is the bombshell the family Matriarch dropped at the end of the book.
I thought this worked because of Paul and Simone's shared history. They quickly reconnect and are able to talk about their wants/needs and compromise. Good suspense as well. The only problem is the bombshell the family Matriarch dropped at the end of the book.
October 10, 2019
Very good second chance romance with some intriguing suspense to complicate matters. Paul and Simone have been an on-again-off-again couple since they were in college. Two years earlier, they split up when Simone refused to accompany Paul on one of his medical mission trips. When Paul discovers that medications from a particular company are contaminated he knows that Simone is the best person to help him.
The book started with a bang as Paul returned to Chicago from Africa to find that the samples he sent to his brother Oliver were stolen, along with the compiled data. Tension increased when two suspicious characters showed up at the restaurant where Paul was meeting Simone. Simone spotted them, and I loved how she handled it. When someone shoots at Paul and Simone as they leave the restaurant, Paul realizes they need to get somewhere safe.
I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Paul and Simone. It is evident from the start that there are still feelings between them. Both are independent and stubborn. We get a good look at the emotions of both of them in the first chapter, as each reflects on what went wrong in the relationship. Each is honest in their self-examinations, but both have trouble communicating their feelings. I had some trouble liking Simone because she was so melodramatic at times. Her volatility and short-fuse irritated me because she had a habit of exploding when she should have shut up and actually listened to what Paul had to say. As they holed up in Paul and Oliver's house In the Canadian woods, Simone and Paul had the chance to reconnect. It wasn't long before their old chemistry burned as hot as ever. However, though they admitted they still loved each other, there was still a lack of communication between them. Just as Simone starts to make progress in coming to terms with her fears life throws her a curveball that stirs everything up again. I loved how steady Paul was in his love for Simone, and how determined he was to make their relationship work. I loved his conversation with her father. It took a near-tragedy and an illuminating discussion with her mother for Simone to overcome her fears. I liked that they took time to finally talk to each other and work out their future together. The ending was terrific.
The suspense of the story was good. The subject of big pharma was right out of current headlines, and I enjoyed the way the author handled it. I could feel Paul's frustration and anger as the problems with the medication became apparent, and his determination to do something about it. The tension as the first set of samples disappeared was magnified by the attack on Simone and Paul. They and Oliver fled to the house in Canada to use the backup samples to reconstruct the results. I liked the realism of the process taking weeks rather than days. I felt the anticipation build as they came closer to their goal. That progress also put them in danger, as those responsible became more desperate to stop them. Paul's conversation with the drug rep and the attack at the news conference ramped up the tension. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Paul put himself in the bulls-eye to bring the perp to justice.
This was the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be the last. I will go back and read the previous books in the series. Simone's family is fantastic, and I can't wait to read more about them. I loved their closeness and support of each other, as well as the loving teasing that went on. I especially liked Mingus and his way of getting things done. I look forward to the next book and seeing what happens with the bombshell that their mother dropped at the family dinner.
The book started with a bang as Paul returned to Chicago from Africa to find that the samples he sent to his brother Oliver were stolen, along with the compiled data. Tension increased when two suspicious characters showed up at the restaurant where Paul was meeting Simone. Simone spotted them, and I loved how she handled it. When someone shoots at Paul and Simone as they leave the restaurant, Paul realizes they need to get somewhere safe.
I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Paul and Simone. It is evident from the start that there are still feelings between them. Both are independent and stubborn. We get a good look at the emotions of both of them in the first chapter, as each reflects on what went wrong in the relationship. Each is honest in their self-examinations, but both have trouble communicating their feelings. I had some trouble liking Simone because she was so melodramatic at times. Her volatility and short-fuse irritated me because she had a habit of exploding when she should have shut up and actually listened to what Paul had to say. As they holed up in Paul and Oliver's house In the Canadian woods, Simone and Paul had the chance to reconnect. It wasn't long before their old chemistry burned as hot as ever. However, though they admitted they still loved each other, there was still a lack of communication between them. Just as Simone starts to make progress in coming to terms with her fears life throws her a curveball that stirs everything up again. I loved how steady Paul was in his love for Simone, and how determined he was to make their relationship work. I loved his conversation with her father. It took a near-tragedy and an illuminating discussion with her mother for Simone to overcome her fears. I liked that they took time to finally talk to each other and work out their future together. The ending was terrific.
The suspense of the story was good. The subject of big pharma was right out of current headlines, and I enjoyed the way the author handled it. I could feel Paul's frustration and anger as the problems with the medication became apparent, and his determination to do something about it. The tension as the first set of samples disappeared was magnified by the attack on Simone and Paul. They and Oliver fled to the house in Canada to use the backup samples to reconstruct the results. I liked the realism of the process taking weeks rather than days. I felt the anticipation build as they came closer to their goal. That progress also put them in danger, as those responsible became more desperate to stop them. Paul's conversation with the drug rep and the attack at the news conference ramped up the tension. The final confrontation was a nail-biter as Paul put himself in the bulls-eye to bring the perp to justice.
This was the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be the last. I will go back and read the previous books in the series. Simone's family is fantastic, and I can't wait to read more about them. I loved their closeness and support of each other, as well as the loving teasing that went on. I especially liked Mingus and his way of getting things done. I look forward to the next book and seeing what happens with the bombshell that their mother dropped at the family dinner.
August 24, 2020
I'm such a sucker for a pretty cover. I'm not looking for much in a romance novel. Just fun characters who have sizzling chemistry and keep me entertained from start to finish. The beginning was interesting with our couple on the run. But being on the run was so boring from there! They quickly settled into the same mundane routine and it didn't even feel like there was impending danger. And I feel like they got back together too soon despite having been broken up for a few years. There was no push and pull that makes these stories work.
April 18, 2020
This book has it all.
Second chance
Close proximity
Cinnamon hero
Talking through emotions
Lovely book and I want the rest of the stories for the family.
Second chance
Close proximity
Cinnamon hero
Talking through emotions
Lovely book and I want the rest of the stories for the family.
October 17, 2019
Reunited By The Badge
This book is so exciting I couldn't put it down.Dr.Paul Reilly is being caught up and a web of danger only one person can help free him.Simone Black is Paul's ex_-girl friend and only love.When he find out a pharmaceutical company is killing his patients cause Dr.Reilly to be threatened.Simone Black is the only one he can turn to.Love is on the run Deborah Mello Fletcher can weave a Thrill out of the words that draws us to the end.This is a book that you would love from the beginning to end.Let yourself get caught up and the Black Family and fall in love.Dr.Reilly is one to fall in Love.Let him take you on the run with him.Deborah Mello Fletcher is the one to know she will have you falling in love.😇😎😊
This book is so exciting I couldn't put it down.Dr.Paul Reilly is being caught up and a web of danger only one person can help free him.Simone Black is Paul's ex_-girl friend and only love.When he find out a pharmaceutical company is killing his patients cause Dr.Reilly to be threatened.Simone Black is the only one he can turn to.Love is on the run Deborah Mello Fletcher can weave a Thrill out of the words that draws us to the end.This is a book that you would love from the beginning to end.Let yourself get caught up and the Black Family and fall in love.Dr.Reilly is one to fall in Love.Let him take you on the run with him.Deborah Mello Fletcher is the one to know she will have you falling in love.😇😎😊
October 8, 2019
Corruption by any other name is still deadly!
Paul and Simone were both high achievers, he a doctor and she an attorney. Two years prior Simone broke Paul's heart when she was too scared to follow him on his mission trips. Two years later Paul solicits Simone's help when he suspects the Pharmaceutical company supplying them drugs for their patients that are supposed to cure them but are killing them instead. Paul, Simone and Oliver Paul's brother (who is a research scientist) join forces and uncover the truth. Prior to going public with their findings Simone finds out after Paul performs a pregnancy test on her that she is in fact pregnant. All parties return to the United states, put their plan to go public in motion and while about to announce their findings at a press conference, Simone is shot by hired goons of a female sales rep from the Pharmaceutical company in question. She and her goons are captured when they attempt to kill Paul. This was a very good suspenseful romance novel that I really enjoyed. Everyone who enjoys a good suspenseful story should certainly read this book. This is a Best Seller for sure!!!!!
Paul and Simone were both high achievers, he a doctor and she an attorney. Two years prior Simone broke Paul's heart when she was too scared to follow him on his mission trips. Two years later Paul solicits Simone's help when he suspects the Pharmaceutical company supplying them drugs for their patients that are supposed to cure them but are killing them instead. Paul, Simone and Oliver Paul's brother (who is a research scientist) join forces and uncover the truth. Prior to going public with their findings Simone finds out after Paul performs a pregnancy test on her that she is in fact pregnant. All parties return to the United states, put their plan to go public in motion and while about to announce their findings at a press conference, Simone is shot by hired goons of a female sales rep from the Pharmaceutical company in question. She and her goons are captured when they attempt to kill Paul. This was a very good suspenseful romance novel that I really enjoyed. Everyone who enjoys a good suspenseful story should certainly read this book. This is a Best Seller for sure!!!!!
October 9, 2019
Exhilarating read! REUNITED BY THE BADGE is book three in Deborah Fletcher Mello's To Serve and Seduce series and the return trip into the Black family's world did not disappoint! The intrigue rose quickly and carried throughout the book, and even once the main protagonist was dealt with, we got a tidbit of a new mystery that's going to carry forward into the series going forward that sounds really exciting. Can't wait for a return trip!
Simone is a character that does not disappoint. Throughout the series she's been strong-willed and steadfast in her devotion to her family and her ability to live life the way she wants to.
Paul is a character that grabs our attention quickly as the mystery he's trying to solve heats up and more lives are in danger than ever. He brings a certain softness out in Simone that she doesn't show for anyone else.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read a fast paced story filled with non-stop action, close-knit family connections and a reuniting of former lovers. You can't go wrong with any book in the series!
Simone is a character that does not disappoint. Throughout the series she's been strong-willed and steadfast in her devotion to her family and her ability to live life the way she wants to.
Paul is a character that grabs our attention quickly as the mystery he's trying to solve heats up and more lives are in danger than ever. He brings a certain softness out in Simone that she doesn't show for anyone else.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read a fast paced story filled with non-stop action, close-knit family connections and a reuniting of former lovers. You can't go wrong with any book in the series!
August 24, 2019
I wanted to like this book so much – a romantic suspense with no guns on the cover, no SEALs, no former military of any kind – a physician and a lawyer trying to take down an evil pharmaceutical company. There is a lot to like in the book, but it is so messy that I ended up feeling frustrated.
I’m breaking this review into The Good, The Messy, and The Bad.
The Good
Paul and Simone were good characters. They had a long relationship that had never quite gone where they wanted it to and they broke up for reasons that had nothing to do with either being a bad person. Paul wanted to go on international medical missions and Simone had a career at the Chicago AG office. The conflict over what they wanted from their lives was compounded by communication issues. It made sense to me that Simone would be the person Paul would call when he needed advice about how to proceed, which meant that their being on the run together made sense. I loved that in their time apart they had thought about what they wanted so that when they came back together, they talked about it before falling back into bed.
Most of the characters were great. I loved that Paul and Simone came with family relationships and those relationships were integral to the plot. Both Simone and Paul get heaps of grief from their families about, well, everything, and it is a delight. I would 5 star a book of just siblings heaping grief on Simone and Paul’s heads.
The Messy
So much plot. So many things happen that I got confused about what was happening now and why. By the end of the book Simone and Paul are together (not a spoiler, it’s a romance, they get an HEA), but so many things had happened that I couldn’t remember if Simone and Paul had really resolved the issues in their relationship or if we are to assume that one of the spoilery plot points was a magical fix. In fact, Simone felt like she had been back-burnered in the last quarter of the book, leaving me feeling less invested in the resolution to the romance.
The Bad
I personally hate the evil, slutty ex-flame character. In this case I think it was both annoying and harmful to the plot. Vanessa is only in the most technical of terms an ex-flame. Paul kinda sorta went out with her once or twice after Simone left him. The problem with Vanessa is that she is a caricature in a book full of characters and her evil, slutty ways defang the whole evil corporation plot. Instead of an evil company, it becomes one evil woman.
Reunited by the Badge is the third in an ongoing series. I’m going to check out the second book, which focuses on Simone’s brother, Mingus, at some point. I liked him a lot and I likes Fletcher Mello’s writing enough that I want to give her another try.
I’m breaking this review into The Good, The Messy, and The Bad.
The Good
Paul and Simone were good characters. They had a long relationship that had never quite gone where they wanted it to and they broke up for reasons that had nothing to do with either being a bad person. Paul wanted to go on international medical missions and Simone had a career at the Chicago AG office. The conflict over what they wanted from their lives was compounded by communication issues. It made sense to me that Simone would be the person Paul would call when he needed advice about how to proceed, which meant that their being on the run together made sense. I loved that in their time apart they had thought about what they wanted so that when they came back together, they talked about it before falling back into bed.
Most of the characters were great. I loved that Paul and Simone came with family relationships and those relationships were integral to the plot. Both Simone and Paul get heaps of grief from their families about, well, everything, and it is a delight. I would 5 star a book of just siblings heaping grief on Simone and Paul’s heads.
The Messy
So much plot. So many things happen that I got confused about what was happening now and why. By the end of the book Simone and Paul are together (not a spoiler, it’s a romance, they get an HEA), but so many things had happened that I couldn’t remember if Simone and Paul had really resolved the issues in their relationship or if we are to assume that one of the spoilery plot points was a magical fix. In fact, Simone felt like she had been back-burnered in the last quarter of the book, leaving me feeling less invested in the resolution to the romance.
The Bad
I personally hate the evil, slutty ex-flame character. In this case I think it was both annoying and harmful to the plot. Vanessa is only in the most technical of terms an ex-flame. Paul kinda sorta went out with her once or twice after Simone left him. The problem with Vanessa is that she is a caricature in a book full of characters and her evil, slutty ways defang the whole evil corporation plot. Instead of an evil company, it becomes one evil woman.
Reunited by the Badge is the third in an ongoing series. I’m going to check out the second book, which focuses on Simone’s brother, Mingus, at some point. I liked him a lot and I likes Fletcher Mello’s writing enough that I want to give her another try.
November 1, 2019
Reunited by the Badge was the very first book by Deborah Fletcher Mello I read, but it will not be my last. Nail-biting, compelling, passionate and absolutely fantastic, Reunited by the Badge is a must-read for fans of romantic suspense everywhere.
Dr Paul Reilly regrets the day his relationship with Simone Black came to an end. Paul still cares about Simone and despite the fact that he has tried to move on with his life, nobody has ever come close to Simone – which is why when he suspects that a megacorporation has started killing patients, he realizes that she is the only person he can turn to. When they clap eyes on one another again, the chemistry between them is off the charts and feelings which they have tried so hard to bury for so long resurface with a vengeance. Although they simply cannot agree on anything and they seem to spend most of their time bickering and arguing, Simone and Paul know that they will have one another’s back regardless of what happens – and they are going to need all the strength and support they can muster as the two former lovers are being stalked by dangerous criminals with vengeance on their minds.
With gunshots round every corner, Simone and Paul know that they can only rely on one another as they track down whoever is tampering with the medications. Yet, the closer they get to the truth, the closer they come to danger. With their every move being followed, Simone and Paul realise that they only way they can be safe is if they spend as much time in one another’s company as possible – which further complicates the relationship between the two of them.
Can Simone and Paul manage to defeat the enemy keen to silence them permanently and spend the rest of their lives together? Or is their relationship simply not meant to be?
Deborah Fletcher Mello’s Reunited by the Badge is a fantastic romantic suspense novel I devoured in a single sitting. With its expert blending of passion, suspense and intrigue, Reunited by the Badge features two terrific characters that I absolutely loved.
Simone and Paul are brilliant characters. Simone is strong, sassy and intelligent and sexy Paul is sure to make readers swoon.
A fabulous read from a writer I’ve added to my auto-buy list, Deborah Fletcher Mello’s Reunited by the Badge is not to be missed.
Dr Paul Reilly regrets the day his relationship with Simone Black came to an end. Paul still cares about Simone and despite the fact that he has tried to move on with his life, nobody has ever come close to Simone – which is why when he suspects that a megacorporation has started killing patients, he realizes that she is the only person he can turn to. When they clap eyes on one another again, the chemistry between them is off the charts and feelings which they have tried so hard to bury for so long resurface with a vengeance. Although they simply cannot agree on anything and they seem to spend most of their time bickering and arguing, Simone and Paul know that they will have one another’s back regardless of what happens – and they are going to need all the strength and support they can muster as the two former lovers are being stalked by dangerous criminals with vengeance on their minds.
With gunshots round every corner, Simone and Paul know that they can only rely on one another as they track down whoever is tampering with the medications. Yet, the closer they get to the truth, the closer they come to danger. With their every move being followed, Simone and Paul realise that they only way they can be safe is if they spend as much time in one another’s company as possible – which further complicates the relationship between the two of them.
Can Simone and Paul manage to defeat the enemy keen to silence them permanently and spend the rest of their lives together? Or is their relationship simply not meant to be?
Deborah Fletcher Mello’s Reunited by the Badge is a fantastic romantic suspense novel I devoured in a single sitting. With its expert blending of passion, suspense and intrigue, Reunited by the Badge features two terrific characters that I absolutely loved.
Simone and Paul are brilliant characters. Simone is strong, sassy and intelligent and sexy Paul is sure to make readers swoon.
A fabulous read from a writer I’ve added to my auto-buy list, Deborah Fletcher Mello’s Reunited by the Badge is not to be missed.
September 21, 2019
This one was just middle of the road for me. I've read worse, but I've read far better romantic suspense. The romance was barely there and the suspense was missing completely. Paul and Simone are a second chance couple and I'm always a sucker for second chance romances, but this one fell flat. Simone was difficult to like, at best, and when they were together she was either starting a fight or moaning about how he can't leave her to go do his mission trips. Then they'd hop in bed and everything would be fine for a few more hours. If you're looking for romance you aren't going to find it here.
The suspense plot was good. I really liked that part of the story, but the bad guy was revealed so early in the book there wasn't a lot to hang on for. There were some tense moments in the end, but since you knew who it was, you couldn't get too worked up about it.
I found the secondary characters to be interesting, especially Mingus and Oliver. I want to know more about them and I also want to find out the information that was left open at the end (Obviously for the next book). However, the excessive amount of exclamation!Points!That!Were!On!Every!Page! will probably keep me from reading another book in this series. By 70% it became so distracting I wanted to give up. The characters were constantly yelling at each other with exclamation points and much of it made little sense because they shouldn't have been.
All in all, I liked the plot and the idea that drug manufacturers could be poisoning us and we'd never know it. If you like low key romance and suspense mixed with a large family of interesting characters then you'd enjoy Reunited by the Badge.
The suspense plot was good. I really liked that part of the story, but the bad guy was revealed so early in the book there wasn't a lot to hang on for. There were some tense moments in the end, but since you knew who it was, you couldn't get too worked up about it.
I found the secondary characters to be interesting, especially Mingus and Oliver. I want to know more about them and I also want to find out the information that was left open at the end (Obviously for the next book). However, the excessive amount of exclamation!Points!That!Were!On!Every!Page! will probably keep me from reading another book in this series. By 70% it became so distracting I wanted to give up. The characters were constantly yelling at each other with exclamation points and much of it made little sense because they shouldn't have been.
All in all, I liked the plot and the idea that drug manufacturers could be poisoning us and we'd never know it. If you like low key romance and suspense mixed with a large family of interesting characters then you'd enjoy Reunited by the Badge.
September 30, 2019
This is the third book in the To Serve and Seduce series. It features Paul and Simone, who broke up because of Paul’s work outside of the country. Although they are not together, both still acknowledge that they never stopped loving each other. The romance needed a little umph. There was a lack of chemistry between the two characters. To be exes, I just wasn’t feeling the connection they kept saying they had.
Simone seemed very immature. She wanted things her way all the time and got mad and in her feelings over everything. Their bickering over nonsense was a little exhausting to read. Her feelings of inadequacy when it came to him, just didn’t jive with the strong willed, take no charge personality. It felt like just an excuse.
The suspense in this story was good, I was highly invested in who was after Paul and Simone. The pharmaceutical plot line really carried this book. The resolution was a little quick but answered all the questions.
Another family issue was introduced at the end of the book, and it was an unexpected twist. Looks as if this series is not over yet.
ARC received from NetGalley for an honest review.
Simone seemed very immature. She wanted things her way all the time and got mad and in her feelings over everything. Their bickering over nonsense was a little exhausting to read. Her feelings of inadequacy when it came to him, just didn’t jive with the strong willed, take no charge personality. It felt like just an excuse.
The suspense in this story was good, I was highly invested in who was after Paul and Simone. The pharmaceutical plot line really carried this book. The resolution was a little quick but answered all the questions.
Another family issue was introduced at the end of the book, and it was an unexpected twist. Looks as if this series is not over yet.
ARC received from NetGalley for an honest review.
October 18, 2019
Relevant to issues in the news on an almost daily basis, this latest addition to the To Serve and Seduce series will keep the reader turning pages faster and faster.
The problem is that Dr. Paul Reilly suspects that his patients are dying from the effects of contaminated drugs being used to try to make them heal, but can he prove it? He turns to his brother, a research scientist, and the woman he broke up with before his latest missionary trip to the African continent. Simone Black is an attorney. Can she help him pull the drug company into court?
Simone agrees to help him, but when it becomes clear their own lives may be at risk, they hide at his brother's cabin just over the border in Canada and when they return, other excitement greets them when their togetherness has resulted in... oops. I wasn't going to give that away. And then when they prepare to hold a press conference, shots ring out. Blood reveals someone's been shot, but who is it? Paul or Simone? And will they live to follow through with their plan to bring the drug company to trial?
The problem is that Dr. Paul Reilly suspects that his patients are dying from the effects of contaminated drugs being used to try to make them heal, but can he prove it? He turns to his brother, a research scientist, and the woman he broke up with before his latest missionary trip to the African continent. Simone Black is an attorney. Can she help him pull the drug company into court?
Simone agrees to help him, but when it becomes clear their own lives may be at risk, they hide at his brother's cabin just over the border in Canada and when they return, other excitement greets them when their togetherness has resulted in... oops. I wasn't going to give that away. And then when they prepare to hold a press conference, shots ring out. Blood reveals someone's been shot, but who is it? Paul or Simone? And will they live to follow through with their plan to bring the drug company to trial?
November 6, 2019
Reunited by the Badge is the 3rd installment in the To Serve and Seduce series. When Dr. Paul Reilly discovers a major pharmaceutical company is illegally passing on drugs that has been rejected by the FDA. It’s when his patients start dying that springs him into action. Careful not to bring too many people into this theory, due to safety and trust, he enlists his ex, Simone. He trusts her to keep his confidence and to know which steps to take to expose this company.
Paul and Simone take us through it with their back and forth. The things I enjoyed most in this one was the family characters and their interaction with each other and the subject matter the chose to tackle in this title. You get just the amount of romance, suspense, and twists to keep you turning the pages.
It didn't go unnoticed that the matriarch and patriarch of the Black family drops a smoke bomb that left us wondering and expecting another book. I am looking forward to more as well as catching up with Oliver and his new love interest.
Paul and Simone take us through it with their back and forth. The things I enjoyed most in this one was the family characters and their interaction with each other and the subject matter the chose to tackle in this title. You get just the amount of romance, suspense, and twists to keep you turning the pages.
It didn't go unnoticed that the matriarch and patriarch of the Black family drops a smoke bomb that left us wondering and expecting another book. I am looking forward to more as well as catching up with Oliver and his new love interest.
October 7, 2019
Dr.Paul is noticing a disturbing deadly trend when some of his patients are ending up dead after using a certain supposedly life saving drug. Now he needs the help of an ex Simone Black who can help him build up a case and find who is behind this. Not only with will things heat up between the two but as they dig further its clear someone is willing to do anything to stop them.
If you like a good mystery suspense you'll like this book. I loved seeing all the pieces they were putting together to build the case and how everything worked out in the end. Then there was the romance as they spend more time with each other clearly things were bound to heat up. I loved how I kept wondering when and if something would happen. It is a large company doing some shady dealings and clearly someone is not going to want people to know what they are up to, so there are going to be moments that surprise readers. Overall this was a pretty good book I really enjoyed it.
If you like a good mystery suspense you'll like this book. I loved seeing all the pieces they were putting together to build the case and how everything worked out in the end. Then there was the romance as they spend more time with each other clearly things were bound to heat up. I loved how I kept wondering when and if something would happen. It is a large company doing some shady dealings and clearly someone is not going to want people to know what they are up to, so there are going to be moments that surprise readers. Overall this was a pretty good book I really enjoyed it.
October 7, 2019
Who are Simone, Paul, Tom, Jerry, Mrs. Pippin, Oliver, Armstrong, Davis, Ellington, Parker, Vaughn, and Vivian? How do all of these folks know one another or what are their relationships if they do not know one another? I love Mrs. Pippin! What has gotten Paul into some hot water? What is going on in his mind? What bombshell is dropped on him after he gets off his flight and turns his phone on? Where does Paul end up going? Why? Oh, I love Smone's mother and father's senses of humor!!! Who has the relationship with Vivian and what is it exactly? When she shows up at the hospital, what does she try to do? As Paul is gearing up for a press conference, what happens? Why? Read and see what happens and how harrowing things get and for whom.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
November 19, 2019
Reunited by The Badge is the third book in the To Serve and Seduce series. It is the story of Dr. Paul Reilly and Attorney Simone Black. A second chance at love story that captures your heartstrings from beginning to the end rooting for Paul and Simone every step of the way. Although a few years have passed, these two have an undeniable chemistry that has them putting their very life on the line to keep one another safe. Dr. Paul discovers some troubling news that places the lives of his patients at life-threatening risk. Determined to discover the truth and make things right, Paul turns to the one person he can trust, Simone Black. However, uncovering the truth makes them a target to be silenced. On their quest to uncover the truth and bring down the pharmaceutical company responsible brings danger, yet at the same time, it adds fuel that rekindles the love they have for one another.
Deborah Fletcher Mello brings the fire with this suspenseful page-turner.
Deborah Fletcher Mello brings the fire with this suspenseful page-turner.
December 10, 2019
Now this book had me on the edge of my seat ! It had me from the get go !
Dr Paul Riley is onto something and his life as those of a few others are in danger, as it is many have died already and he's trying to stop more deaths !
What really got to me was the injustice .....the death of innocent lives at the hands of those that were supposed to be trusted and what for ? Money !!! I cannot get over the greed of man 💔😪
This was a brilliant read ,it had me on the edge of my seat ,biting my finger nails but there was also some romance to take the edge off 😘and in the end justice was served, will it bring back those who lost their lives ? No . But it'll prevent it from happening again.....
Dr Paul Riley is onto something and his life as those of a few others are in danger, as it is many have died already and he's trying to stop more deaths !
What really got to me was the injustice .....the death of innocent lives at the hands of those that were supposed to be trusted and what for ? Money !!! I cannot get over the greed of man 💔😪
This was a brilliant read ,it had me on the edge of my seat ,biting my finger nails but there was also some romance to take the edge off 😘and in the end justice was served, will it bring back those who lost their lives ? No . But it'll prevent it from happening again.....
December 10, 2019
Now this book had me on the edge of my seat ! It had me from the get go !
Dr Paul Riley is onto something and his life as those of a few others are in danger, as it is many have died already and he's trying to stop more deaths !
What really got to me was the injustice .....the death of innocent lives at the hands of those that were supposed to be trusted and what for ? Money !!! I cannot get over the greed of man 💔😪
This was a brilliant read ,it had me on the edge of my seat ,biting my finger nails but there was also some romance to take the edge off 😘and in the end justice was served, will it bring back those who lost their lives ? No . But it'll prevent it from happening again.....
REVIEW BY HEIDI
November 2, 2019
Reunited and it feels so good!
Reunited with the love of his life was exciting and nerve wracking. Simone is a member of the Chicago Black's who are part of the City's high ranking officials. Her ex lover was a philanthropic doctor named Paul Reilly. He and Simone ended up on the after a drug companies investigation went south. Mingus, Parker and the other Black' s made an appearance in the saga. You will love this one... The plot twist with Judge Black was a nice segue into the next story...
Reunited with the love of his life was exciting and nerve wracking. Simone is a member of the Chicago Black's who are part of the City's high ranking officials. Her ex lover was a philanthropic doctor named Paul Reilly. He and Simone ended up on the after a drug companies investigation went south. Mingus, Parker and the other Black' s made an appearance in the saga. You will love this one... The plot twist with Judge Black was a nice segue into the next story...
October 2, 2019
What Next
The Black family from the patriarch Jerome to baby grill Simone love, play, and fight hard. But each have their personal idiosyncrasies, Simone being the baby has a doozy. I enjoyed watching her working through it to protect the man she love. I went from wanting to choke her to loving her, enjoyed catching up with the other siblings. Lost my false teeth at the oh s### moments. This series is going to keep us reading.
#Cillasbookmaniacs
The Black family from the patriarch Jerome to baby grill Simone love, play, and fight hard. But each have their personal idiosyncrasies, Simone being the baby has a doozy. I enjoyed watching her working through it to protect the man she love. I went from wanting to choke her to loving her, enjoyed catching up with the other siblings. Lost my false teeth at the oh s### moments. This series is going to keep us reading.
#Cillasbookmaniacs
November 3, 2019
Love Conquers All
Deborah Fletcher Melo does it again. As Paul and Simone reconnect they realize their love is still there, even stronger. The strength of their love gives them the strength to uncover the evils in the pharmaceutical industry. Their love for one another gave them the strength to prevail. This is a must read. I’m looking forward to book 4 of the ‘To Serve and Seduce series’. I know the Black family have more interesting revelations.
Deborah Fletcher Melo does it again. As Paul and Simone reconnect they realize their love is still there, even stronger. The strength of their love gives them the strength to uncover the evils in the pharmaceutical industry. Their love for one another gave them the strength to prevail. This is a must read. I’m looking forward to book 4 of the ‘To Serve and Seduce series’. I know the Black family have more interesting revelations.
February 20, 2022
I'm glad Paul and Simone got themselves together. It was great to see the family union and how close they are especially the siblings nothing is more important than family. The action in this book and the twist and turns intrigue me until the very last page and speaking of cliffhanger what a boom can't wait, I know this series is not over the Black family are too interesting to be over I want more. Excellent job Ms. Mello.
January 26, 2020
I received the book Reunited By The Badge in a FB giveaway with several other books. I have never read any of this authors other books, but I found this one to be very well written full of action and a interesting storyline. Romantic suspense are one of my favorite genres, and this certainly was a intriguing read. I would certainly recommend this book to others.
April 19, 2025
Simone is hard character to like. She is fiercely loyal and love deeply. Paul was the perfect balance for her. I love when her brothers told her they would have left her for all that she put Paul through. Her insecurities were on full blast. This young woman needs therapy to deal with parents high expectations and her imposter syndrome.
October 15, 2019
All That And More! 🤩
This story drew me in from the beginning until the end! There is drama, suspense, twists and turns, Love and romance and a strong family bond! I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series! Highly Recommended! Kudos, Deborah Mello! 💜
This story drew me in from the beginning until the end! There is drama, suspense, twists and turns, Love and romance and a strong family bond! I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series! Highly Recommended! Kudos, Deborah Mello! 💜
November 3, 2019
The main female character made it hard to enjoy the book. She was so annoying and irritating. Also, the author went overboard with the exclamation points. She inserted them where they didn't need to go. I made it seem like the characters were yelling for no reason.
December 17, 2019
Excellent
This was a great series and I can't wait for the next story. What an amazing story. Heartfelt, drama, family love and undeniable love for her mate. If you want a drama, love and killing you don't want to miss this series.
This was a great series and I can't wait for the next story. What an amazing story. Heartfelt, drama, family love and undeniable love for her mate. If you want a drama, love and killing you don't want to miss this series.
December 21, 2019
Enjoyed all three books especially the suspense in each case . I will highly recommended this book
Enjoyed all three books especially the suspense in each . I will highly recommended this book ☺to my friend and the juicy love scene
Enjoyed all three books especially the suspense in each . I will highly recommended this book ☺to my friend and the juicy love scene
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