Fan-freaking-tastic! I really had a severe dislike for Julie in Protecting Fiona, as was Susan's plan, but within 3 paragraphs of this book I felt bad for her and wanted to hug her. When I heard she was getting her own book, I just knew she would be redeemed in my eyes, because I started thinking about what could've made her react that way and how she was coping afterwards. This is now one or my favorite books of the series. Yes, I said that. It's tied for second place (Protecting Cheyenne is my #1 because...DUDE!) with Protecting Jessyka and (irony here) Protecting Fiona.
There is a reason Susan became one of my favorite authors after I first read Protecting Caroline, book 1 in the series, and this book is another brilliant example of why. She made us hate Julie in one book, then fall in love with her while crying right along with her and cheering as she finds love in this one. That, my fellow bookworms, takes natural talent which she has in aces, (ha inside joke from the series) err, spades. It's why I have devoured every book with her name on it and absolutely loved all of them.
So Julie has really grown since she was kidnapped and almost forced into sex slavery, along with Fiona. While she wasn't there as long as Fiona, she did indeed endure a horrific time with her captors. She knows she was absolutely horrible to Fiona and her rescuers and now wants to thank them for saving her and apologize for her behavior. She meets with Zane (shout out to Cat Johnson's SEAL series) and his girlfriend, Missy, who is a friend of Julie's, and tells her story. Zane sees she is sincere and gives her Tex's number. Tex! Tex! Tex! He knows everyone. LOL She then talks to Tex and is given Patrick Hurt's number, the guys' commanding officer. They talk, they meet, there's an attraction and he asks her out. Ooh yeah, that could get awkward. Does it? Does she meet the guys and apologize? Does she meet Fiona? If you're as addicted to this series as I am, you are dying to know Patrick and Julie's story. Read it!!! You'll love it and want to buy me presents as a thank you. While I appreciate the thought, no presents are necessary. LOL Happy reading!!!