Target: The Girl

Emily Calby #3

by Dorian Box

The Award-Winning Emily Calby Series

—Best Psychological Thriller of the Year (BestThrillers)
—Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Finalist
—IndieReader Discovery Award for Fiction
—Feathered Quill Medal for Mystery/Suspense
—National Indie Excellence Award Finalist
—Readers’ Favorite Awards in Suspense and New Adult fiction

Emily Calby’s destiny as a justice-seeker was cast at age twelve when two men invaded her rural Georgia home and murdered her family. The only survivor, she ran away and went missing. Ex-gang member Lucas Jackson took her in off the streets and became her family. He taught her a lot, including how to survive—and kill. Arrested for murder at sixteen, Emily discovered a new path to justice in a prison library. The Law. Yet the struggle within her to right wrongs by any means necessary continues.

Now she’s twenty and excited to start law school in sunny Florida. One problem. She’s being stalked. Or is she? Traumatized by her past, she lives in a state of hypervigilance where the ordinary seems ominous. A moved houseplant. A broken starfish. They’re nothing ... but still.

Determined to be the warrior and survivor Lucas taught her to be, she suffers in secret while navigating the rites and rigors of law school, where trouble follows her every move. From a budding romance that’s not what it seems to a legendary professor in need of help—and Justice.

“A marvelous mystery that will thrill readers who love drama, suspense, and female protagonists with attitude.” — Readers’ Favorite (5-Star Seal)

“An exacting, imaginative crime thriller that does wonders with the development of its singular heroine. … There may be no relationship in contemporary literature quite like Emily and Lucas, and every moment of interaction is a highlight.” — BestThrillers

“Once again, I’m floored, breathless, and sleep-deprived from racing through yet another harrowing and heartfelt adventure in the ever dangerous life of young Emily Calby.” — NetGalley

“[E]xceptional … an entrancing story filled with conflict and action … Emily Calby is a rich and complex protagonist … a strong young woman who mastered the ability to cry in silence.” — IndieReader (5-Star “IR Approved” Seal)

“A powerful and emotional story featuring a trauma survivor that will touch your heart.” — Feathered Quill

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2021

About the author

Dorian Box is the pen name for A.J. McClurg, a former law professor. He likes to blend dark themes with heart, hope and humor with a goal of evoking tears and laughs over the same book.

His novels have received awards and honors such as: Writer's Digest Award for Genre Fiction; Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Finalist in Mysteries/Thrillers (twice); IndieReader Discovery Award for Fiction; Feathered Quill Medal for Mystery/Suspense; Best Psychological Thriller of the Year and Finalist, Best Legal Thriller of the Year (BestThrillers); National Indie Excellence Award Finalist; and Readers’ Favorite medals in four different categories (Suspense, Legal Thrillers, Humor, and New Adult Fiction).

At one time or another his books have been Amazon No. 1 Bestsellers in categories such as Thrillers, Psychological Thrillers, Legal Thrillers, and Women Sleuths (for the Emily Calby Series), and General Humorous Fiction, Humorous Dark Comedy, and Amateur Sleuth Mysteries (for the Danny Teakwell Series).

His nonfiction books include an Amazon Editors’ Favorite Book of the Year. As an academic, he's been interviewed as a legal expert by National Public Radio, the PBS Newshour, and many other sources.

McClurg (or maybe it's Box) lives out his childhood rockstar fantasies singing and playing in Memphis cover bands.

Reviews

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Emily Calby series. She is now 20 years old and has moved to Florida to attend law school there. She is still struggling to make real friends and is still getting into trouble! And no surprises, her shocking story has followed her to Florida. She doesn’t seem to be able to have any privacy

Also, she still has that saviour complex! One of her favourite lecturers, the distinguished 84 year old Professor Nemworth, is being exploited by a young woman. She stands up against insults to her friend, Julie and so on. However, there some odd occurrences which lead her to wonder if she is being stalked. Emily’s PTSD is never far from the surface. Luckily Lucas, her (now official) guardian is never far from the scene. Somehow turning up when he is needed.

I really enjoyed book one. I absolutely loved book two. This one - there was nothing to really put my finger on but it just seemed that the author was kind of just throwing issues at Emily to solve to fill the pages. Not all of these situations seemed to flow as naturally as in the earlier books. What is mean is they seem contrived! If you are following the series - absolutely read this book. I hope there is another instalment because Emily is one of the most interesting characters I have met recently but I think this is the weakest of the 3 books. But, you know, it’s splitting hairs. Many thanks to Netgalley and Fiction Press for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

3.5 stars rounded up.

[Wendy'sThoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Everything I Could Want And More Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free And Yes, I Gave Up Sleep, Again!
I love when I fall hard for characters and the authors that write them. It happens when the crafting, stories, and the details in the stories are so strong, you feel like you know these people. When it happens with a Mystery/Thriller type, I become obsessed and will read in basically one sitting. Life's responsibilities will be put aside if possible, and I will be in my happy place.

The first time this happened with a Dorian Box novel was with The Hiding Girl (Emily Calby, #1). It then happened again with The Girl in Cell 49B (Emily Calby, #2). I sang my praises about these books and the author. I had always hoped another book would be coming but life goes on and you know how that goes.

And then I got the most wonderful email, an invitation to read Target: The Girl (Emily Calby, #3). I dropped everything and I am so glad I did.

Emily Calby is now twenty and beginning her first year at law school. We are with her every step of the way, experiencing her awkwardness with others due to her past history, her intelligence with her insight into the law and how it works, her attempt to assist her professors with mixed results, and her gut instincts that something isn't quite right where she lives.

Oh the tale, we get. We have Lucas, Emily's surrogate father figure since she was twelve, we get others who have been there for Emily in the past, and new people who play a part in her new environment.

Was this totally, totally perfect, almost. For me, what was so special was how Dorian Box kept the interest going until the very end of the tale. Yes, please, please give me more.

This can be read without the other books, however, they are so strong and worth your time, I would read them if possible. (Hint Hint, They are Kindle Unlimited...Just Sayin')

The Hiding Girl (Emily Calby, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Girl in Cell 49B (Emily Calby, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Target: The Girl (Emily Calby, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~
November 8, 2021
When You Have Survived The Unsurvivable...
Your Perceptions, Rightly So, Are Heightened...

Emily Calby Is Not Just A Warrior...
Rising Above Her Past...
She Has Made The Leap...
Of Being Accepted To Law School...
Planning To Take Her Life...
And Make It What She Wanted...

But Things Keep Making...
Her Instincts Twitch...
Because Someone or Something...
Are Shifting And Moving Her Things...

And Dealing With Law School...
The Other Students and Professors...
Takes All Of Emily's Focus To Get By...

Which May Cloud Her Vision...
Not Realizing She Has Become...

Target: The Girl (Emily Calby, #3)- December 1, 2021

A gifted copy was provided by Friction Press Via NetGalley for an honest review.

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the series featuring Emily Calby; I've adored all three! This one has Emily heading off to law school at age 20 even though she's suffered horrific circumstances. She witnessed her parents being murdered and survived a stint in prison. Now she's a survivor, still being long-distanced mentored by Lucas, a gun-toting, savvy man who treats her like a daughter. But law school isn't what she planned as she is stalked by unknown people, and finds her apartment building isn't the safest. But of course she is a survivor (and a brilliant one at that) so you will be cheering as she encounters adversaries and makes friends. Who can she trust? Well, read it and find out (though it may keep you reading into the night); it's totally worth it!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Doug Yonce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book in the series is by far the best as Emily has matured as a character and as a person. Being a One-L is tough enough, but when you’re a celebrity and being stalked, it gets even tougher. Throw in a sensitive heart for those who can’t really protect themselves, and you have an amazing character and a great story.I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[Sandy Quill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much thank NetGalley, Doran Box and his publisher for the invitation to read this third book in the Emily Calby series.
Once again, I'm floored, breathless, and sleep-deprived from racing through yet another harrowing and heartfelt adventure in the ever dangerous life of young Emily Calby.
The survivor of a childhood forever altered by the horrific, senseless slaughter of her family, Emily has also endured and prevailed through an equally calamitous adolescence. If you've read the previous two books in this series, "The Hiding Girl" and "The Girl In Cell 49B", then you already know what I'm referring to. If you haven't, you should dive into Emily's life ASAP, though "Target: The Girl" still functions well as a stand alone
This new book finds Emily now 20 years old and starting her first semester of law school. And she's still a fiercely independent force to be reckoned with and and if endangered by those who mean her harm, she'll become a take-no-prisoners, fairly merciless avenging angel.
She's aided and sometimes scolded whenever necessary, by, her always formidable mentor/father-figure guardian angel Lucas, a former gang member criminal. who's had her back since her childhood escape from psychotic murderers.
And now she's facing two massive challenges..........taking on the grueling study load of a fledgling law student while dealing with a host of new and potentially lethal adversaries - sick, twisted stalkers who are either attracted or repulsed by her fame and notoriety (If that isn't enough on her plate, she also takes on the task of trying to rescue her elderly curmudgeon law professor from a pair of evil con-artists....)
What unfolds here is an infectiously entraining mixture of that law-school movie "The Paper Chase" combined with a fearless, yet heart-breakingly vulnerable heroine who's every bit the equal of Lisabeth Salender from the 'Dragon Tattoo' books. As with Emily Calby's previous two stories, I zipped through the pages at light speed.
It's never been easier for me to rate a book 5 stars and the only downside to finishing this one is the anxiety of wondering how long we'll have to wait for the 4rth book in the series. It can't come soon enough. I would declare my undying affection for Emily, but I most definitely wouldn't want her to get the wrong idea and mistake me for a stalker........

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorian Box’s third Emily Calby series book comes full circle, as the now 20-year-old is gearing up to become an attorney. Series fans have followed Emily since she was a 12-year-old whose family was murdered in The Hiding Girl. Along the way, Emily discovers that she’s not only wired for survival, but also for revenge. In the second series book The Girl in Cell 49B, the teenager stands trial for her acts of vigilante justice, but finds a law library within the juvenile detention center that promises to be her salvation.

Target: The Girl finds Emily in St. Augustine, Florida. Armed with an undergraduate degree, she’s a first-year law student on full scholarship. Nothing about her is average. She’s younger than her classmates. She’s famous, or perhaps infamous, depending on your opinion. She even has fans who call themselves the Calbies as well as haters. And as a result of all she’s been through, her behaviors and thought processes are ruled by PTSD.

Box devotes ample time in the early going documenting Emily’s paranoia – or as she thinks of it, hyper-vigilance – in her day-to-day activities. Emily struggles to shrug off numerous oddities that most ordinary people wouldn’t give a second thought. For example, the way her professor’s demeanor changes when a woman named Christina stops by to get a mysterious envelope, or how Emily is convinced someone is moving her palm tree. Longtime readers will know Emily has earned the right to be careful, but the hardships she’s endured open the possibility that she’s imagining some of it. Box stacks these seemingly small observations up like kindling being prepared for a raging fire.

The thing that leads Emily to declare that she’s being stalked? A starfish missing two limbs. But unlike the first series book, there are no early acts of extreme violence. Box plays with expectations expertly en route to the book’s first shocking twist.

Series fans will welcome the return of Lucas, Emily’s longtime ally and spiritual guide. In early chapters, he proves to a voice of reason to calm her nerves (“You don’t need no gun…I’ll send you a door camera”). But as the narrative advances, he’s a voice of incredulity (“Gettin’ a dead cat in the mail ain’t distracting to you?”). There may be no relationship in contemporary literature quite like these two characters share, and every moment of interaction – whether in person or remote – is a highlight.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Target: The Girl is an action-packed work of fiction that follows up on the two excellent novels that proceed it. The protagonist Emily is a young woman who has a difficult upbringing, serves time in prison, and now must conquer the challenges of law school. Target: The Girl is the third novel in the “Emily Calby” series by Dorian Box

Emily Calby is now at 20 years old and ready to enter university. She has decided to study law because her upbringing has made it obvious to her that there are many injustices that need to be addressed in the courts. Soon after arriving at University Emily realizes that she is being stocked but no one believes her. There seems to be things out of order like one moved houseplant, an anonymous welcome note, and a broken starfish. These are small items but they make Emily nervous. Besides dealing a probable stocker Emily must solve the mystery of an elderly professor who is being victimized and, on a personal note, she must deal with her own experience with unrequited love.

The character of Emily is always very interesting. She always struggles with her own past and her resultant anger management issues. She finds a best friend who turns against her and her mentor Lucas, who has quite a history himself, questions her mental stability and insists she quit school and come home. Emily always seems to be swimming upstream, but she never quits.

The story itself is very interesting because it seems to be going on one track and then it quickly switches direction. There are a number of storylines. Emily moves from being in danger, to dealing with a con man, to being embarrassed in her love life and her relationships with her fellow students. All these perspectives keep the reader interested throughout the story.

I recommend this story to anyone who likes a good mystery and a fast action paced novel with lots of twists. I give it a five on five. I want to thank NetGalley and the author Dorian Box for providing me with a digital copy of this book. I provide their review voluntarily.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Target the Girl by Dorian Box
Emily Calder #3

Coming into her own, Emily Calder is moving away from the man who saved her and helped her through the years twelve through twenty. Her future is focused on becoming a lawyer for victims and she is eager and ready to do so.

What I liked:
* Emily: strong, intelligent, reserved, lethal, has PTSD, triggers see her acting aggressively, difficulty making friends, closed off, younger than her classmates, there for those she cares about.
* Lucas: ex-gang member, computer savvy, Emily’s guardian and protector, a bit of a chameleon, kills when necessary, interesting, focused on Emily’s safety and wellbeing.
* Watching Emily as she navigated various issues she was faced with: male interest, friendship overtures, stalking, elder abuse, crushes, etc
* Thinking about the various issues and wondering if they were linked or separate
* The way Lucas’s speech impacted more than one – including Emily
* The twists, turns and surprises
* Professors Nework, Stafford and how they played into the plot
* That one of the baddies ended up being someone I could understand and feel a bit sorry for…a bit and only a bit
* That the baddies all were determined and dealt with one way or another
* Wondering what will happen next in Emily’s life

What I didn’t like”
* The bad guys…in school and out of it
* The warped thinking and behaviour of the bad guys
* Knowing that what the bad guys believed and did in this story no doubt exists in real life
* Having to wait for book four

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley, Friction Press, and the author for the ARC – this is my honest review.

4.5 Stars

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stumbled on the Emily Calby series, and have now read them all to date and have found myself bonded to her character. Emily's character development has grown so much through all three books it is almost like following her as she grows up and matures..... and finds trouble everywhere she goes! Lucas would be a character most people wouldn't like from just the description of being a gang banger and thug of the streets, but his character develops so much from book one to three! Lucas took Emily under his wing, protected her, and grew to love her in his own way as the most recent book points out Emily has only had Lucas say "I love you" twice to her throughout the span of the storyline with these two. Emily Calby represents perseverance to me, but also struggle because of how she went from the girl who had a family to the girl who had to learn about survival. Emily is what you hope your child never has to endure, but also you hope if they do they can survive and find a path like she did but also hoping she gets her mental health in check! I don't know if there will be anymore Emily Calby books but if there are I'm there for it and the bond I have developed through these characters that are raw and sharp edged! Thank you NetGalley for the copy to read and review! Thank you Dorian Box for creating characters that you can bond with through reading I like finding that in books I read.

[Henry Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST READ - Target: The Girl is a high-tension drama full of thrills and clues that you do not want to put down – reading it on a flight, you will ask the pilot to take a longer flight route. Highly rated, Award-winning Author Dorian Box’s superior writing skills takes the reader through the ever-growing complexities of life for, now, 20-year-old, law school student, Emily Calby as she begins unraveling the vagaries of the law in the midst of escalating personal drama. You can read Target: The Girl simply as a great story. More dramatically, Box delivers a type of complex, modern day Aesop’s fable (or several fables) where the reader will continuously absorb (or assess) the moral lessons gained from the tribulations of young Emily, learning life, the gritty wisdom of Lucas, her mentor, who has seen it all, and is still changing, plus the vulnerabilities of life through those we always think of as in control. For attorneys, the flashbacks to highly accurate descriptions of the first-year of law school, bring an added value. The book can be read free-standing, without having read the first two in the trilogy, with excellent segue interludes – of course, the full reading experience is heightened reading all three. I'm very fortunate to have found Dorian Box's fantastic thriller dramas.

[Diana Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Calby has lived through more in her short life than most. She saw her mother and younger sister murdered, went on the run, was taken in by Lucas,a former gang member and trained in self defense and used that training that ended up in a murder and her incarceration. She briefly was the subject of unwanted attention both good and bad but is hoping to leave it behind as she begins a new life as a law school student in Jacksonville, FL. Lucas would have preferred she stayed closer to home but she tells him she wants to be by the beach. While Emily enjoys the challenges of her studies, reading people is more difficult for someone who has never had normal relationships and trouble seems to follow wherever she goes.
This is the third installment of the Emily Calby series and I loved each one of them. When asked for a book or author that is lesser known as a recommendation this one I cannot say enough good things about. Emily is a character you root and your heart breaks for and I love Lucas and would love a book centered on his character. I had a huge stack of books TBR but happily put them aside for anything this author writes. You could read this on its own but why deprive yourself? Start at the beginning with “ The Hiding Girl”.

[Ksandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars

In this stunning sequel, we follow Emily Calby, law student. She is determined to make something of her life, even when she believes she is being stalked.

This is a fantastic novel that is also a quick read. I have loved these characters for years now, especially that of Emily. She is such a strong-willed woman that can't catch a break. But that doesn't stop her from trying to be the best she can be... with a little destruction to help those she cares about.

All the new characters we meet are interesting and exceptional. Each could be the mystery person Emily is sure is stalking her or it could just be the PTSD Emily is still working through. There is also a situation that the author writes that is heartbreaking enough to read, only to find out our author experienced it in her own life. Its that kind of situation that makes this book feel so realistic and hard to put down.

As this novel ended, part of me wants this to be the final book on Emily Calby, because as our characters have concluded, trouble finds her wherever she is. But at the same time, I really need to see how her life plays out and would absolutely love another book!

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from Netgalley and the author.

[Energy Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how I missed the release of a new book in The Emily Calby series, but I’m glad I saw this in KU. I haven’t been sleeping well lately, so how perfect that I have this twisty thriller to binge on the long nights.

Now twenty, Emily is attending law school. She knows that the law works, so that’s where she wants to be. It will be hard being away from Lucas. But she’s worked hard to get here, and she knows she has his support.

Emily’s life is full of drama and danger. She’s impulsive, so she often jumps first and thinks later. As a result, she’s not really learning from some of her mistakes. Suffering from PTSD, she doesn’t tend to take care of herself as well as she should, a trait a lot of us with PTSD have. She’s survived some horrific things, and unfortunately, it’s going to catch up with her. But Lucas has always told her how strong she is, and she’s going to use that strength to get her through the rough road ahead.

Emily is such an assertive and strong character, and she won’t sit by when bad things are happening around her. She will go to any lengths to defend those she cares for. This makes for a very dramatic, dangerous, and twisty ride. My only sorrow is this feels like a finale, and I do not want to let Emily and Lucas go. Superb read!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, I’ve had fun reading this trilogy and would love to see more of it continued! To recap: the first book, Hiding Girl, starts with Emily Calby,a 12 yr old running from a horrific tragedy and finding Lucas to help her exact her revenge. Don’t let her age deter you, trust me, she is a BADASS! In the next book, Girl in 49b, Emily is 16 and finds herself in prison for murder. And in this most recent book, Emily is 20 and attending law school. This series is so unique and written so well, with unforgettable characters and a storyline that I think about from time to time. Out of the three books, this one was probably the least strong, but still worth it to spend my time with Emily and Lucas saving the world and each other. I will forever be recommending this series and they are all available on KU! Thank you Netgalley, Friction Press, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book is available now!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Calby is an amazing young woman. Having filed two murderous men at age 12 to attending law school at age 20. It definitely hasn’t been all sunshine and flowers for Emily.

If you haven’t read this series yet, you might see this reviews as a spoiler. No secrets have been given out, only plot lines briefly recapped.






Review:

The first book introduced us to Emily and told us what happened to land her in Memphis with Lucas. The second book tells us what happened to land her in prison facing death row. This third book tells us about her first year in law school.

Emily is very astute and self-aware to the point of paranoia but, that could just be her PTSD getting in the way. Being around 1000 miles from the second home she’s known and loved, Emily strikes out on her own to attend law school and live on the beach.

What could go wrong on the beach and on school? Well, it seems lots of things if you’re Emily Calby. Things get very convoluted in this story and you won’t want to miss a single word. We get to know Lucas as little bit better as well as make new friends.

Tuck in with some popcorn because your mental movie is about to begin!

[Gregory Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorian Box, the author, hooked me into reading her heart pounding story, “Target the Girl,” after a few paragraphs. Ms. Box has done a great job developing strong characters and an interesting story plot along with subplots. The story focuses on Emily Calby, a young girl, who lost her entire family in a brutal multiple murder at age twelve. Lucas, a former fugitive, becomes a father figure in her life. He re-enters the story when she is at law school and faces many challenges there to stay alive.

Tension ratchets up in every turn Emily takes as she begins her first year, referred to as 1L, in law school at St. Augustine, Florida. You will enjoy all the interesting characters that are introduced there, especially the professors and FBI agents.

As an author and avid reader, I enjoyed this story so much that I want to read the complete Emily Calby series and you will too.

[Linda Leone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Target: The Girl is the 3rd book in the Emily Calby series. I loved the first two and loved this one as well. Not sure how it is possible that each book is better than the last. I fell in love with Emily in The Hiding Girl and am loving her even more now.
Emily is starting law school, but nothing is ever simple in her life. When you are famous for not so good reasons, life gets even harder. On top of all the other stuff she is dealing with she now has a stalker.
Her friend, mentor and savior Lucas is along for the ride in this one too. Lucas and Emily are both amazing characters.
I highly recommend this series.

A special thanks to Dorian Box (author) for the invitation to read this book via Friction Press and NetGalley.

[Carol Dass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily is an amazing character. She has endured more in her twenty years than most people do in a lifetime! Through it all she remains fearless, strong and good hearted. She always has Lucas by her side, her friend, mentor, father figure, all rolled into one. Now, at age twenty, Emily is enrolled in law school. She wants to help victims, those who do not have a voice and cannot find anyone to speak for them. But trouble seems to find her wherever she goes. I adore this series and hope there will be more of Emily.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sue Plant · Rating 5 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this exceptional book

book 3 of this amazing series and we follow emily to law school, she never has it easy and with her past following her and trouble always finding her its not long before emily is in the thick of it....

oh my word i couldnt put this book down..so much action and how much trouble can one person get into...even whilst studying the law

cant fault this book at all and i cant wait for the next one in this series

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I received an email giving me the chance to read the third Emily Colby book. I enjoyed the first two and couldn’t wait to start the third. I just love Emily’s character. She has been through so much in her short life, but yet she is a strong young lady. Thanks in part to her friend/father figure Lucas. He has his own criminal past, but he has always been there for Emily since her childhood. Dorian Box introduces us to some new and interesting characters in this book. One of my favorites being Professor Nemworth. This book is full of twists and surprises. It did not disappoint. I would love to see more of Emily Colby and Lucas. This series would make a great movie. Thanks for the chance to read this book. I would highly recommend reading the whole series.

[Caitlin Mucha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three from The Emily Calby series was so great, I couldn’t put it down and finished it in two days!!! I wasn’t expecting to like the third book as much as the first two, because the third book in a trilogy is never as good… except in this case. I think it’s my favorite of the three. I enjoyed the law school aspect of the book and was glad to see Lucas more in this book. As usual, trouble follows Emily wherever she goes and this book takes you for a ride! Dorian Box really surprised me with this one… don’t hesitate to read it.

[ML · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Emily Calby continues, a story that keeps getting better! Having witnessed the murder of her mother and her sister (book 1 in the series), gone on the run, and suffered through incarceration (book 2 in the series), twenty-year-old Emily is now a first-year law student in Florida and struggles not only with her studies by also with a stalker. Luckily, her mentor and now legal guardian Lucas is able to help out as always, even though he is physically miles away.

This is another engaging book in the series with plenty of action (and some twists and turns). It was definitely an interesting read. Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Melissa E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily Calby, not Colby (ha), is one tough cookie… who seems to always find trouble! This 3rd installment of the series taker her to her first year of law school. I loved it. Here she meets some iffy characters in her building, some not-so-nice students…. Perhaps a stalker? A grumpy old professor who might be being taken advantage of… can she manage to get through her first semester unscathed?

This book can be read as a stand-alone, IMO. And I do highly recommend it. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

[Agnes Muscoreil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the amazing Emily Calby series, and Emily is now entering law school at the age of 20 years old. It is not necessary to read the first two books to enjoy this, but they add so much to the story as you learn about Lucas, her surrogate dad and all the others who have been a big part of her story. Emily is definitely a survivor, and you will cheer her on once again as she faces threats and danger. Thank you to #NetGalley for my copy of Target the Girl.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Friction Press, and Dorian Box for the arc of this book! I read the second book in this series last year and immediately bought the first book. This is the third book and was just as good as the others. I loved it! The writing is so good I read it in one day. The story sucked me in and there were many different things happening I wasn't sure how the book would end. While I guessed one of the 'twists' it was actually so much better than I had imagined. Emily and Lucas are such great characters I can't wait for the next book to see what their next adventure is. If you're looking for a new series, I highly recommend this one. You won't be disappointed.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Target: the girl by Dorian Box.
The Emily Calby Series Book 3.
When Emily Calby's family was murdered when 2 men invaded her home when she was 12 Emily ran away. Lucas Jackson took her in off the street. He taught her how to survive and KILL. Now at 20 she is excited to start law school but her past makes her hypervigilance. Is someone following her?.
A really enjoyable read. I love this series. I love Emily. I hope there is more to come. 4*.

[diane collar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome series, looking forward to many more! It would make awesome film series.

[Karen (kmo.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who needs sleep? Yes, I dropped everything and immediately downloaded this book. I have been waiting for what feels like forever! It was a thrilling, edge of my seat novel full of conflict and tension.

This is the 3rd book in the Emily Calby series. Emily is now in law school in Florida. She is thousands of miles away from Lucas and her emotions are running high. Stuck between moving towards her future and being on edge, Emily is just trying desperately to keep it together. She refused to change her name and knows its only a matter of time before people learn about her past. Emily just wants to move on with her life and despite her best attempts there are still people out to get her.

Thank you to Friction Press, NetGalley and the author for the #gifted copy of the book.

[Victoria c · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed all 3 of the Emily Colby series. I finished the series so fast. Great characters and story lines. ❤️

[Duncan W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the first two books in this series and wondered if book 3 could continue that suspense. Well, dear Reader, worry not. Book 3 keeps up the pace with some very interesting twists. I've enjoyed each character's development. Mr. Box has created some amazing characters, plot and a storyline I would love to see as a screenplay or Netflix series. When's Emily Calby #4 coming out?