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Logan was a lot of firsts for Annika. Her first friend. Her first love. And the first man she’d ever struck.

And it hurt.

But not nearly as much as the hurt his abandonment caused the night her twin brother died. Consumed by grief, for both men, she fights each day to persevere. She’s a survivor and will weather confronting her past and the man whose arms always felt like coming home.

He deserved that slap, but Logan had his reasons for leaving. Unable to face the guilt he felt because of the accident that killed her brother, he ran and joined the SEALs. He spends fifteen years risking his life to save others as penance for the one life he hadn’t been able to save, while trying to put the woman whose smile sets him on fire behind him.

Desperate for Annika’s forgiveness, Logan sets out to make things right. But someone with a score to settle threatens his second chance. Will he be able to shield Annika from the threat or will his own demons destroy their happily ever after?

Annika’s Aurora is the second book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue Series. A standalone, second chance, full length novel with no cliffhanger, no cheating and a guaranteed happy ever after.

Warning: this book contains discussions of grief, suicide, and a school shooting which might be unsettling for some readers.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 6, 2021

71 people are currently reading
174 people want to read

About the author

Amanda Zook

15 books229 followers
Amanda Zook has been an avid romance reader since middle school and has finally decided to liberate the stories that live in her head. After growing up in the Sweetest Place on Earth (Hershey, Pennsylvania) she attended college at a small liberal arts school where she met the love of her life. They spent the first 20 years of their marriage on the Jersey Shore (no, not the MTV reality show), before moving halfway across the country.

Amanda now lives in the Southwest corner of the mitten state on the shores of Lake Michigan (no sharks, no salt, no problem).

She is a wife, a mother of teenage twin girls (even though she is aghast that her children dislike reading and pizza) and can now add published author to her list of achievements.


Find her at http://www.amandazook.com and sign up for her newsletter
https://linktr.ee/AmandaZookAuthor

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
7,160 reviews33 followers
July 23, 2021
This is a new author and my first book from them. The story flows well, the characters are strong and engaging and have great chemistry. This is an enjoyable second chance at love. I am looking forward to read more from this author. The author gives us the background story of these two and you are left wanting more to see where they will end up.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.
527 reviews4 followers
August 6, 2022
4.5 stars

Annika's Aurora is the second in a series (my first) where each book tells the story of member of a Great Lakes search and rescue team. This one is Logan's story, but the story starts long before he ever becomes a Nighthawk. As a youth with no biological family apart from a stoic grandmother, Logan befriended twins Jamie and Annika. The three became inseparable and lived in each other's pockets until a devastating accident took Jamie's life. Stubbornly believing it was his fault, Logan fled without a backward glance. Fifteen years later, he and Annika find themselves together again. As they both work through guilt and grief, they also find love and happiness. Mixed in with the emotional chaos is a lot of action, life-threatening situations, and a whole new set of friends for Annika.

The story is engaging and a very fast read (a few hours for me) that alternates between 15 years ago and the present, from both Annika's and Logan's perspectives. It could get muddied with a lot of grief and sadness (see trigger warnings at the very end), but it manages to stay positive at its core. At times, I wanted to smack sense into Logan, and for his sake, it's good that Annika is so forgiving. Additionally, while it does a good job with the friends-to-lovers trope (my kryptonite), it doesn't fully hit the mark. I needed them to share a little bit more wonder when they first kiss and come together, that wonderful sigh of unexpectedly coming home.

I did enjoy this book though, and I'd definitely read more in this series.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion.

Trigger warnings (possible spoilers): death, depression, suicide attempt, PTSD, violence, mention of sexual assault (off page and not a main character), sex, loss of spouse
Profile Image for Courtney.
43 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Logan Cain, Annika Northrup, and her twin brother Jamie were the best of friends. They clicked instantly when Logan moved to town in elementary school and had been inseparable ever since. They did almost everything together.

Until a tragic accident on their last night together kills Jamie and would have killed Annika too had Logan not been able to get to her in time.

Unable to face the Northrup family because of his guilt over the accident, Logan packs his bags and leaves for the Navy, leaving Annika mourning not just the loss of her brother but also the loss of the person she had been falling in love with.

Fifteen years later, both Logan and Annika, who are dealing with their own devastating circumstances, have to get away for a little while. They both decide, with a bit of meddling from Annika's mother, that they want to spend some time at the family lake house where they and Jamie had spent their last summer together. Neither one expected that they would finally see each other again.

After all of the anger and the hurt that Annika has been through, she doesn't know if she can ever forgive logan for leaving her when she needed him the most.

Logan wants Annika's forgiveness but doesn't think he deserves it. After all this time he still feels like Jamie's death was his fault. Days go by with uncomfortable small talk and silence. Annika's anger has Logan apologizing over and over and over again for all of the pain he caused her.

But soon Annika, who now understands why Logan left, realizes that she can't stay mad at Logan forever. He is her person, and she knows she needs to forgive him so that they can move forward with the rest of their lives.

(Trigger Warning: Discussions about suicide, attempted suicide, gun violence, death, depression, PTSD.)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Guys... This book!

I loved Annika's Aurora so much! I'm a crier, and lots of books make me cry. But I don't think a book has ever made me cry like this one did. This book is heartbreaking at times and beautiful at others. There were happy tears, and there were devastated tears.

In the years after losing Jamie, both Annika and Logan experience so much grief and so much hurt. I can't get into specifics without spoiling things, but the things they each go through, just... damn.

Their development throughout the story was fantastic, as they each helped to heal the other. I felt like they each had grown so much throughout the book that I felt myself cheering for them like I would my own best friends.

This story is beautiful, the writing is beautiful. I loved every moment of this book. Also, the quotes are beautiful. Being an English major, Annika has tons of wisdom to share. She was an amazing human being with the biggest heart!

I would recommend this book to virtually everyone that likes a good romance and enjoys a book that makes them feel all the emotions.

*I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
Profile Image for Emmie.
148 reviews23 followers
June 25, 2021
I received this book Annika's Aurora by Amanda Zook as a beta reader reviewer. My review is based on my own opinions, and I was not coerced or compensated for it. I recommend reading Book 1 first, as events are referenced in this book.

Logan, Annika, and Jamie were inseparable, best friends. Annika and Jamie are twins. A tragic accident leaves them crushed, shattered, separated, and completely wrecked. After all these years, the universe has a strange way of bringing them back together, but is it too late to rebuild their friendship? Will they fall in love, or should they leave without closure?

I was blown away by how brilliantly the book was written and how emotionally attached I was. The characters were realistic, believable, and relatable. It kept my attention till the end, twisting my gut and causing me to shed a few tears.

Here are two people who are strong, have great core values, even though their life moves off the course they originally wanted, they became stronger through experiences

Logan's protective nature allowed me to connect with him by enabling us to see the depth and layers of his personality. We see his vulnerable side, protective side and nurturing side. The way his character holds guilt, we can see the problematic affect it has on his relationships and the pain and anguish it causes him.

Annika's quirky personality and the resilience and diversity she has had to overcome had me from the start. There's so much to her character, but I don't want to give that away. I relate to her on a number of levels. I will say that through her deepest darkest times she has risen up, taken stock of herself and she was definately my favourite to read.

It was BRILLIANT. I found it engaging and believable. I'm still thinking about it three days later. This series is OUTSTANDING!!! It is a MUST READ!!!

To be honest, this is the first book I've read by Amanda Zook, and I'm overjoyed to have found her.
190 reviews7 followers
July 13, 2021
Annika’s Aurora is a real heart strings tugger. Right from the start this book ramps up the emotion level to about an 8 & it doesn’t really drop too far down from there. I found myself utterly captivated the entire way.

Annika and Logan have known each other almost their whole lives. They grew up together, along with Annika’s twin brother, Jamie. But when the trio were struck by tragedy, Logan ran & didn’t come back. It was only when someone else decided to meddle that Annika and Logan were able to reconnect.

The pull between these two characters is very strong. They both have issues to overcome and they each have times where their issues become a bit stronger than they are. But the way their struggles are handled is very real and relatable and I felt a strong sense of empathy for both characters, as I really liked both of their personalities.

This is the second book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue series, and while it can easily be read as a stand alone, I think it is well worth the effort to go back to the start and read book one as well.

I will admit that I did find some parts of this story a little unlikely. Without giving the game away, I’ll just say that more than once I was left wondering how much bad luck one person could have!? And the situation that brings the two back together has me wondering why they both hung around. But it was well handled and all very appropriate within the story, so it didn’t annoy me as a reader or detract from the story.

Annika’s Aurora is an easy 5 thumbs up for me and I’ll be at the front of the queue for the next book in the series!

Thank you to the author Amanda Zook for sharing a copy of this e-book with me.
Profile Image for AE McRoberts.
Author 4 books12 followers
June 18, 2023
Another great book by Amanda, but then again, I fully expect that now.

I've got to admit that the school shooting aspect was a little much. It almost felt like the book needed words, so the ceremony went on a little long. It's also a tricky subject because it's now a growing thing in the USA. So that can be really touchy for some people.

However, in true fashion the characters were excellent. I thought Annika was a little too close to perfect Mary Sue for my 100% love. I would have liked some more flaws or something besides just trust/love/forgiveness. But Logan was nicely well rounded, and not too much of a dumbass.

The only thing that did sort of get under my skin at some points was the fact that a lot of sentences started with He or She very close together. At one point I counted four consecutive sentences that started with he.

But, the story was so engaging that I grimaced and went on. I really love how Amanda can harness emotions so well. Seriously, if you read for the emotions (which is why I read), then you'll really love this story (and if I'm a betting woman, her other books as well). Because the emotions are so great!

All in all, a solid story, with really engaging characters and a fantastic emotional journey. I made myself motion sick walking and reading because I just couldn't put it down! LOL.
Profile Image for Amanda.
734 reviews9 followers
July 12, 2021
This book just draws you in, it is extremely well written. The characters are very well developed and you are drawn to them and truly understand all that they are experiencing. This is an emotional friends to lovers romance that comes with an extended Nighthawk family. The book does have a couple of triggers, so be aware.

I love Annika, she has been through so much but is extremely resilient. I will admit as a teacher, I had to take a break after reading about what happened in Annika’s classroom. I like that the author did not just glaze over the feelings she had and truly explained her experiences. It was interesting to learn about the other girls in the book experiences, and how they can help each other heal. There is so much happening in this book, every time things seem to be working out something new happens.

This book has so many amazing moments, but Logan making rainbows for her on her desk when they were younger, was wow. Aurora is mentioned several times in the book, but what Logan did in the end was so sweet. It is worth threading just to get to that moment. I highly recommend this book, it is definitely worth reading what an amazing couple.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kat.
312 reviews6 followers
July 14, 2021
Logan Cain and Annika Northup were childhood best friends where Annika had hoped one day he would see her as more than just a best friend. A tragedy struck them where Annika’s twin brother, Jamie, was killed in an accident. That night, Annika not only lost her brother but Logan as well. The guilt was so unbearable it had caused Logan to run and leave for the Navy Seals never to return until fifteen years later.

I personally don’t think he groveled enough but it doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book. I absolutely loved it even though my heart broke into two with all of the tragedies they had to face (and they faced A LOT of tragedies/were put in A LOT of unlucky situations!! How unlucky can one person be??). Their chemistry was undeniable even when they were teenagers and I am so happy they were finally able to have their happily ever after despite of everything.

Annika’s Aurora is the second book of the Nighthawk Search and Rescue series but can be read as a standalone. Childhood friends to lovers/second chance, no cheating, and a happily ever after. Also written in third person POV.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.8k reviews361 followers
July 24, 2021
Logan and Annika's Story . . .

Logan Cain had a rough childhood. But Jamie and Annika Northrup became best friends and family to him. But a horrible event where Jamie was killed caused Logan to run away. He became a Navy SEAL where he could help others. Annika was left behind to mourn the loss of both her deceased brother Jamie and her best friend Logan. Logan would not return for 15 years when he was sent home on forced leave.

Annika’s mother suggests she should go to their lake house to and she is reunited with Logan. Will her forgiveness be what he needs to let go of the painful past? Will the two of them heal together and move forward with their own feelings? Even as teenagers they were close and Annika would gladly have become more than just a friend. Is it too late for a second chance?

There is still more drama in the story when an enemy tries to get even with Logan and it puts Annika in danger. Can he protect her now? Grab your copy and see how the story resolves. These two deserve peace at the very least. And if they can heal from the past, perhaps they can have the HEA as well.
Profile Image for PatchesAtTheEnd.
40 reviews
August 24, 2022
This is the second book in the nighthawk series but my first (can be read as a standalone but has references and characters from the first)

The book was okay. I know it’s a fiction but it was unrealistic. Female main character Annika had so many accidents and near fatal incidents that were hard to believe.
The writing was… also okay but very repetitive. I get it- she has a heart of gold- you don’t need to tell me for the 15th time!
A common complaint among books is that the character’s aren’t ‘fleshed out’ enough though with this one I’d say the opposite.
Annika and Logan between them had enough tragic backstory to fill about 10 characters. At some point you have to wonder- what is ‘too much’ emotional damage?
Another thing was the story didn’t seem to have much… well… story!
Annika and Logan meet again after 15 years
Ann got into danger, Lo saved her. x3
The End.

There are lots of positive reviews for this one but I just wasn’t invested in the story or characters enough to enjoy it.

Thanks to Netgalley, Amanda Zook, and Author Collective 20 for a review copy of the book.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
443 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2022
This was another home run! I loved the first book of this series and this one didn’t disappoint. Logan, Jamie, and Annika were inseparable as kids and teens. They did everything together then an accident happened their summer after high school graduation. Their lives were forever changed. It has now been 15 years since Logan has seen Annika and he is wanting nothing more than to explain why he ignored her and her family for so many years. He also is ready to show her how he really feels about her. Annika has had so much tragedy and dark times in her life but she keeps pulling through. With Logan now back her world is rocked but in a good way. Will they be able to pick up the pieces of their hearts and move forward with their relationship? I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review,
877 reviews7 followers
August 21, 2022
This is an angst filled second chance romance that should come with some trigger warnings as it touches on many sensitive subjects such as suicide, depression, PTSD, death of a family member, school shootings to name a few. Tragedy causes a split between Annika and Logan who don’t meet up again until 12 years later. While I realize this is fiction, I was surprised at how many tragic incidents could happen to one person, primarily Annika; multiple car accidents, school shooting, falling off a cliff, being held hostage, abduction. Annika had more lives than a cat! This was too over the top for me. However, the suspense side of this story held my interest more than the romance which I found trite and predictable. While the intimate scenes were steamy, they did not hold my attention.

I received a free copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
Profile Image for Trish.
1,618 reviews7 followers
July 24, 2021
This is the second book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue series. You can read this as a standalone, but I do recommend book one, it was very good. The books are connected, and you will see characters from the previous book show up in this one. Logan and Annika's story is an emotional one. They were childhood best friends until a tragedy split them up. Now fifteen years later they finally come face to face for a chance to heal old hurts. I loved this book, it's a page turning, steamy story. The author pulls you in to the story and you just don’t' want to put it down. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Lisa Garcia.
220 reviews5 followers
July 28, 2022
Amanda Zook is now one of my go to authors. This is the second book in the Nighthawk Search & Rescue Series and it focuses on Logan and Annika - former childhood sweethearts who reconnect fifteen years later. Even though it goes back and forth from past to present it was very easy to follow. Logan and Annika’s characters are so well written and believable. Their story is a very emotional one and I found myself gasping and even teary at times. The action never stops. I love that this book dealt with how others can help you heal and that sometimes facing your past will secure your future. I highly recommend this book.

I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series and learn the journeys of the rest of the “Nighthawk family.

Profile Image for Jin.
1,117 reviews3 followers
September 27, 2022
Logan, Jamie and Annika were best friends ever since they were young. Graduating from high school, Logan enlisted in Navy and Jamie and Annika were heading to college. They promised to each other to be there for each other until one fatal accident took away everything Annika wanted.
Annika lost her twin brother Jamie but she also lost Logan as well. Logan and Annika survived the fatal crash but he joined Navy without saying good bye. She was grieving for her brother and loss of her best friend Logan too.
15 years later, Logan is still struggling with death of recent rescue mission, his boss asks him to take time off and ends up in Annika's family cabin. He wasn't sure if he deserves a kindness from Northup family but he will start somewhere.
Annika has been through a lot and she was dealing with recent accident at her school. Her mother suggests she takes some time off by spending some time at the cabin without knowing who would be there.
Now Annika and Logan is in same cabin and will need to work their issues. Annika is still angry at him for abandoning her and his promise. She is not ready to forgive him but she will eventually have to. When Annika is in trouble, Logan is to rescue but will it amend their hearts? Second chance at their happily ever after won't come as easily. Someone wants revenge and Annika is getting in the way. Will Logan be there in time to rescue her?
This is second chance romance for two best friend. Suspense until the end. Keep you on your toe.
Very emotional and heartbreaking at times. This book can be standalone ( I didn't read the first one.).
Thanks to Netgalley and Author for ARC.
Profile Image for Blye Donovan.
Author 11 books77 followers
August 7, 2021
WOW. This book had me in tears from the beginning, and I balled throughout the whole thing—but in a good way! This is the second book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue series, and I enjoyed it even more than the first. The characters pulled me in right from the start. I loved Annika and after all she'd been through was ecstatic when she got the happy ending she deserved. Logan was also totally deserving of that happy ever after, and, being a Navy vet myself, I couldn't help but root for the former Navy SEAL :) BRAVO ZULU, Amanda! Can't wait for the next one!
360 reviews3 followers
February 24, 2022
Keep Tissues Handy

This author is new to me and while I read the first book of the series and enjoyed it, this book took me through the ringer emotionally. There were so many elements addressed in this book that tied together nicely and cohesively. There is also the suspense and action of several rescues to break up the emotional scenes. I absolutely loved all of the characters and the message of family which is not always but blood but by choice. I highly recommend this book. But keep the tissues handy 😌.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,574 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2023
I don't know if it was my attitude when I read this book or whether it was the constant use and definition of the word hero that I gave this book 3 stars. There was a story there but if I read one more thing about how much of a hero Annika was I was going to start cheering for Mr Peterson. (This is not to diminish real life trauma and courage in the face of those situations). I'm going to read the third book to see if this one is just a fluke since I enjoyed the first one in the series.


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Profile Image for Barbara.
19.2k reviews8 followers
July 23, 2021
The second book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue series a story that kept me turning pages. Annika Northrup and Logan Cain’s story of a second chance after fifteen years apart, these two have to let go of the past when her brother died. There is suspense, drama, danger, a villain, and love. I want to read the next book. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
42 reviews
September 27, 2021
I cried so much …

My poor little heart did not expect this story to have so much heartbreak … god did I shed many tears over these pages!!

This book is amazing , the series so far is brilliant and you honestly will not be disappointed.

I was lucky enough to ARC read book one and my review can be found on my page … once you start you really can’t put this series down!

Now to start book three!!!
2 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2021
The Night hawk Series

I have been an avid reader all my life and have read hundreds of well-written books. This book is without a doubt the best emotional read I have ever read. The characters (even the minor ones) were so realistic. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was so intense and really touched my heart. I really look forward to reading the other books in this series. I can't say enough about this book. I laughed and I cried. Very well done Ms. Zooks!!! Anna S.
1,898 reviews5 followers
August 1, 2022
There's adventure aplenty in this heartfelt book. My heart broke for the angst felt after a car accident alters the lives of three childhood friends. As many years pass, a second change evolves as friends get to know each other again. Love, friendship, passion and forgiveness are all addressed skillfully in this book. The psychological components of grief, despair and fear lead to horrifying results that shape the experience. I read this book on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Courtney.
327 reviews43 followers
July 15, 2021
Childhood friends, secret crushes, accidents, shootings, kidnapping, attempted murder...can you say action packed?! Book 2 is Logan and Annika's story and all I can say is wow! If the first book didn't already have me hooked, this book and the teaser at the end have me craving the next book in this series.
6,142 reviews17 followers
July 23, 2021
This story really pulls on the heart strings! It is emotional roller coaster ride that begins with a tragedy. Annika and Jamie are twins whose best friend is Logan. When tragedy strikes Logan runs. This is a nicely developed story that I could not put down. I love the characters and they have one incredible journey to face.
900 reviews6 followers
November 26, 2021
Great story, dripping with intensity.

I loved this story, but found my throat closed and my eyes filled with tears over the loss of life and love. Through it all lessons were learned, forgiveness was given and new life and love was taking shape for an on-going life of love and happiness.
Profile Image for Sue Wallace .
7,402 reviews140 followers
July 29, 2022
Annika's aurora by Amanda Zook.
Nighthawk search and rescue book 2.
Very good read. I liked Annika and Logan and Joanna Annikas mother. I loved how Logan and Annika were together. My favourite bit is where they are naked under the covers in the cabin. I won't say why. I'm looking forward to the next book. 5*.
418 reviews
September 18, 2022
ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and opinion. Logan and Annika were hit with one thing after another. Growing up together built a bond that was tested when Logan left to heal. Their love was rekindled with the interference of Annika's mother, but it was just what they both needed.
29 reviews5 followers
December 5, 2022
Another Great Read!!

I really enjoyed Natalie's book, but I think this one was even better. Can't wait to read the next one. I like that all the women in this series have come through whatever conflicts in their lives to be strong, capable women who love their heroes with such strength.
Profile Image for Linda Elliott.
1,594 reviews9 followers
March 24, 2023
This is a book you won't be able to put down to your finish

Good strong characters are written into this book. Lessons are also written into this book in a way that you will enjoy. The story line is a bunch of twist and turns the keeps you reading to the very end. I like the way the author is words to make this story smooth and enjoyable and one you won't forget.
91 reviews
July 3, 2023
Not a bad read, but also not great either. It had its moments, butI felt like the internal monologues of the mc’s were very repetitive, particularly Logan’s ‘it’s all my fault’ mentality. I found myself rolling my eyes at Annika’s heroics, heart of gold, literary genius, negotiating skills, and the fact she still used the same orange scented shampoo after 15 years?!?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews

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