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Assassins in Love #2
Killer Moves
He’s a hacker. A high-tech hitman. And now…a daddy?
When Matteo skips prison with a clean record, his conscience is anything but. Guilt hits him like a sack of marbles when he spots the woman he jilted. The clincher? A child who looks like him.
Renee’s son may have Matteo’s eyes, but she won’t say who fathered AJ. She’s also mum on what sent her into hiding or why guys with guns are after her. But when Matteo blocks an attack, he persuades Renee to appoint him their protector.
Keeping them safe means faking they’re a normal family road tripping with s’mores and snuggles and possibly a sniper rifle. Toss in a potty-training toddler and temptation from the woman he still craves, and it’s officially Matteo’s toughest mission.
But with danger nipping their heels, the only way to save his family may be to leave their lives for good.
When Matteo skips prison with a clean record, his conscience is anything but. Guilt hits him like a sack of marbles when he spots the woman he jilted. The clincher? A child who looks like him.
Renee’s son may have Matteo’s eyes, but she won’t say who fathered AJ. She’s also mum on what sent her into hiding or why guys with guns are after her. But when Matteo blocks an attack, he persuades Renee to appoint him their protector.
Keeping them safe means faking they’re a normal family road tripping with s’mores and snuggles and possibly a sniper rifle. Toss in a potty-training toddler and temptation from the woman he still craves, and it’s officially Matteo’s toughest mission.
But with danger nipping their heels, the only way to save his family may be to leave their lives for good.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2022
421 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
Tawna Fenske
73 books1,614 followersWhen Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA Award finalist, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
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March 23, 2025
Killer Moves is book two in the Assassins in Love series by Tawna Fenske. This is Matteo and Renee’s book and I loved it so much. I feel like it was even more suspenseful then the first one was and was so excited to see Matteo finally have something go right for him.
If you are reading this series in order, then you know that Matteo Bello, who is Jennifer and Nicole’s older brother, has been in prison for false charges. Matteo might not be an innocent man, he has done things in his life. But he did not do what he was sent to prison for. He was framed by a bad cop. We also know that he had someone in his life previously that was special to him, someone he had to walk away from to protect her. Someone he never got over. But now he has been cleared of his charges. He’s back at the winery where his sister Jennifer and Dante lives. And then he sees her. The woman he has always loved. And she has a child with her. A child that looks a lot like him!
Renee Lorenson and her three year old son, A.J. have been on the run since he was born. They’ve been in Oregon for awhile now and she likes it here. A.J. likes his day care. But then out of the blue, he’s there. The man who left her with no explanation. The man she should hate but she just can’t.
When it becomes obvious someone is following Renee, that she and A.J. are in danger, Matteo steps in to protect her. Maybe the time together will also give them the chance to talk, to share their truths and find out if there is any chance for them. The danger could be from something in Matteo’s past. Maybe it’s his fault and she would be safer without him? Or could it be something in her past?
I have said many times how much I love Tawna Fenske’s writing. I love the suspense of this series and adore these characters. Now I can’t wait for the final book, Sebastian and Nicole’s book in Killer Smile. Sebastian is so cheeky. I have a feeling he’s going to be a hand full!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
If you are reading this series in order, then you know that Matteo Bello, who is Jennifer and Nicole’s older brother, has been in prison for false charges. Matteo might not be an innocent man, he has done things in his life. But he did not do what he was sent to prison for. He was framed by a bad cop. We also know that he had someone in his life previously that was special to him, someone he had to walk away from to protect her. Someone he never got over. But now he has been cleared of his charges. He’s back at the winery where his sister Jennifer and Dante lives. And then he sees her. The woman he has always loved. And she has a child with her. A child that looks a lot like him!
Renee Lorenson and her three year old son, A.J. have been on the run since he was born. They’ve been in Oregon for awhile now and she likes it here. A.J. likes his day care. But then out of the blue, he’s there. The man who left her with no explanation. The man she should hate but she just can’t.
When it becomes obvious someone is following Renee, that she and A.J. are in danger, Matteo steps in to protect her. Maybe the time together will also give them the chance to talk, to share their truths and find out if there is any chance for them. The danger could be from something in Matteo’s past. Maybe it’s his fault and she would be safer without him? Or could it be something in her past?
I have said many times how much I love Tawna Fenske’s writing. I love the suspense of this series and adore these characters. Now I can’t wait for the final book, Sebastian and Nicole’s book in Killer Smile. Sebastian is so cheeky. I have a feeling he’s going to be a hand full!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
May 21, 2022
I continue with my shameless obsession with Tawna Fenske’s enticing and amusing Assassins. They are the coolest and sexiest bunch of quirky do-gooding killers on the planet. I suggest they should keep recruiting to their ranks to ensure that this series can continue on into perpetuity as each installment has been such a delight to read. The storylines are original and pleasantly entertaining as well as cleverly detailed with a brain-tickling assortment of comedic and perceptive insights and observations. I am eagerly anticipating “The Dentist’s” installment, which is due in a few weeks, although it can’t come soon enough.
March 2, 2024
DNF 32%. I don’t like reading the day to day of the MCs. Pointless conversations went for whole chapters. I don’t need to know so many details. So boring
This is like my 10th DNF
I’m trying to try different genres and authors but still nothing
I refuse to believe I’m the problem here 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
This is like my 10th DNF
I’m trying to try different genres and authors but still nothing
I refuse to believe I’m the problem here 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2022
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trope: second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥
After being released from prison for a crime he didn't commit, Matteo returns home to visit his sister. He ends up coming across the ex he ghosted with a little boy that looks exactly like him. Renee hasn't had the best luck in picking men and is currently hiding out. When someone from her past starts threatening them, Matteo goes full on protector mode while trying to win back Renee and get a relationship with his son.
Killer Moves is a sweet romantic suspense with a good amount of action. I liked how Renee made Matteo really work for it after his past behavior. The chemistry between them is awesome and you really start to root for them and their happily ever after.
Trope: second chance
Angst: 😱😱😱
Smexy: 🔥🔥
After being released from prison for a crime he didn't commit, Matteo returns home to visit his sister. He ends up coming across the ex he ghosted with a little boy that looks exactly like him. Renee hasn't had the best luck in picking men and is currently hiding out. When someone from her past starts threatening them, Matteo goes full on protector mode while trying to win back Renee and get a relationship with his son.
Killer Moves is a sweet romantic suspense with a good amount of action. I liked how Renee made Matteo really work for it after his past behavior. The chemistry between them is awesome and you really start to root for them and their happily ever after.
October 29, 2022
I read it, and I liked it.
This book follows Matteo, who has been released from prison after being setup, and Renee, his estranged lover. Matteo is surprised to find that not is Renee a single mom with the sweetest little boy who looks a bit like him, she seems to be running from something or someone.
A romantic-suspense that has secrets, a few action scenes, and a sense of hope for second chance love. I really enjoyed it! (Thanks for the recommendation, Emily)
4 stars.
Novelstorian (Blog) ✨ Instagram ✨ Twitter ✨
This book follows Matteo, who has been released from prison after being setup, and Renee, his estranged lover. Matteo is surprised to find that not is Renee a single mom with the sweetest little boy who looks a bit like him, she seems to be running from something or someone.
A romantic-suspense that has secrets, a few action scenes, and a sense of hope for second chance love. I really enjoyed it! (Thanks for the recommendation, Emily)
4 stars.
Novelstorian (Blog) ✨ Instagram ✨ Twitter ✨
March 18, 2025
Teo gets his story. He's out of prison thanks to Seb & Dante. Reuniting with Renae and trying to rebuild and keep her safe takes them on a road trip filled with mystery and revelations. His sisters play roles in the story and questions from the past are answered. A solid story with surprises and the assassins finding solace and peace with family. Looking forward to Seb's story next
April 23, 2022
Book two in this series can be read as a standalone, but readers will want to read the books in series order to gain the full benefit of recurring characters and interconnected story lines. This book is written in third person from a dual perspective and ends with a HEA.
Once his record is expunged, Matteo returns home after being in prison for the last couple of years. One of his first stops is to see his sisters. He is surprised to run into his ex, who has a little boy who looks a whole lot like him. Renee has been on the run. She has tended to pick the wrong men in her life, which has not been easy. She has a few ex-boyfriends that have served time and with them comes some baggage that leads her t be on the run.
Matteo is a wonderful protector. He is immediately committed to helping Renee and her son stay safe. Renee is stronger than she realizes. AJ, her three-year-old son, is beyond adorable. I love what a good mom Renee is to AJ. I loved the relationship that Matteo immediately forms with AJ. There are some downright adorable moments. The elements of danger and suspense were well done. I adore how Matteo, Dante, and Seb can work together to take of Renee, AJ, Nic, and Jen. (Not that Nic, Jen and even Renee aren’t capable of taking care of themselves. They certainly do well there too.) Matteo and Renee have plenty of heat between them and some steam to their story. I was fully engaged in why Renee needed to run and the resolution of that problem. I am seriously looking forward to book three as these men, who have lived in the gray area of life, find love and forever as the men they are at heart.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
Once his record is expunged, Matteo returns home after being in prison for the last couple of years. One of his first stops is to see his sisters. He is surprised to run into his ex, who has a little boy who looks a whole lot like him. Renee has been on the run. She has tended to pick the wrong men in her life, which has not been easy. She has a few ex-boyfriends that have served time and with them comes some baggage that leads her t be on the run.
Matteo is a wonderful protector. He is immediately committed to helping Renee and her son stay safe. Renee is stronger than she realizes. AJ, her three-year-old son, is beyond adorable. I love what a good mom Renee is to AJ. I loved the relationship that Matteo immediately forms with AJ. There are some downright adorable moments. The elements of danger and suspense were well done. I adore how Matteo, Dante, and Seb can work together to take of Renee, AJ, Nic, and Jen. (Not that Nic, Jen and even Renee aren’t capable of taking care of themselves. They certainly do well there too.) Matteo and Renee have plenty of heat between them and some steam to their story. I was fully engaged in why Renee needed to run and the resolution of that problem. I am seriously looking forward to book three as these men, who have lived in the gray area of life, find love and forever as the men they are at heart.
I am voluntarily leaving this honest review after receiving an advance reader copy of the book.
April 7, 2022
After reading Killer Instincts (Book 1 in this series) not too long ago, I figured Book 2 would have to pull out all the stops to match it. Dante, from the first book, was a great male lead and his love interest, Jen, was just as likeable. Thankfully, Killer Moves was a cracker of a follow up and while Dante remains a firm favourite, Matteo in Killer Moves is just as swoon-worthy. If you haven't read the free prequel to this series, nor Book 1, you can definitely start here but I'd recommend the first two not only because they set up the series and the characters, but because they were really entertaining reads as well.
Matteo, having just been released from a two or so year stint in prison for a cyber crime he was framed for, arrives back home to finally be reunited with his sisters. Upon walking into his sister Nic's daycare for at-risk families, he's knocked for six when he finds himself face to face with the one that got away and the love of his life, Renee. Having left her three years previously on the hope he was keeping her safe when the corrupt cops he was running from started to catch up with him, she was never far from his mind and his biggest regret (even though, I'll add, he was a bit of jerk to leave her in the first place). And because that's not a big enough slap to the face, she's there with her son, AJ, who bears quite the resemblance to Matteo. High five here for one of my most favourite tropes: surprise baby. Yassss.
When Renee and her son are threatened by unknown assailants, Matteo bangs into protective mode and brings out all the skills he's attained over the years as a high level assassin. While I expected his skills to run more along the technology side of things seeing as that's his area of expertise, the flexing of his muscles was a very welcome presence in the book and I ate up every page he was on. He was the perfect book boyfriend - intelligent, protective, alpha without being a giant tool and sweet. Renee held her own as well. She was a strong female lead and her trust issues balanced perfectly with her vulnerability and need to feel loved. I really loved how she didn't have a perfect past but didn't let it define her or AJ's future.
I really enjoyed the story line in this book, maybe even more than Book 1 - big call, I know, because I loved Killer Instincts. There was a little bit more action, a touch more underhanded, nefarious plotting from their enemy and heaps of good opportunities for Matteo to flex his muscles. While I probably would have liked a few more details on Matteo's initial set up and release, I really enjoyed how the author portrayed his re-entry into civilisation and hit the ground running with the relationship side of things. There was just the right amount of steam and smexy times and I loved that Matteo knew what he wanted: Renee and his son. While plots like this have a huge potential to backfire if authors rely on clichés and other well-worn plot lines, Ms Fenske kept the book moving along at a great pace and didn't fall into any of these traps.
As per usual with Tawna Fenske, there's plenty of humour and great dialogue weaved throughout the story. I especially loved how Matteo's voice came through in this one, like a guy who was poleaxed but was making the most of it and loving every second. He was a nerd but far from geeky, his dialogue was dry and everything about him just worked for me. If you're familiar with this author's work, there was also a cheeky cameo from one of Ponderosa's finest that warmed my cold, jaded heart as well.
Overall, this book really worked for me. It was funny, entertaining and had a solid amount of action and intrigue built into the plot. There was a satisfying conclusion to the story and it certainly ticked off the feel-good factor (as this author always does for me - she's like comfort food). I'm already looking forward to the third book in the series and there were enough teasers throughout Killer Moves to be pretty sure I'm going to fall in love with Mr Minty Fresh, aka Sebastian, as well. Be still my beating heart lol.
Matteo, having just been released from a two or so year stint in prison for a cyber crime he was framed for, arrives back home to finally be reunited with his sisters. Upon walking into his sister Nic's daycare for at-risk families, he's knocked for six when he finds himself face to face with the one that got away and the love of his life, Renee. Having left her three years previously on the hope he was keeping her safe when the corrupt cops he was running from started to catch up with him, she was never far from his mind and his biggest regret (even though, I'll add, he was a bit of jerk to leave her in the first place). And because that's not a big enough slap to the face, she's there with her son, AJ, who bears quite the resemblance to Matteo. High five here for one of my most favourite tropes: surprise baby. Yassss.
When Renee and her son are threatened by unknown assailants, Matteo bangs into protective mode and brings out all the skills he's attained over the years as a high level assassin. While I expected his skills to run more along the technology side of things seeing as that's his area of expertise, the flexing of his muscles was a very welcome presence in the book and I ate up every page he was on. He was the perfect book boyfriend - intelligent, protective, alpha without being a giant tool and sweet. Renee held her own as well. She was a strong female lead and her trust issues balanced perfectly with her vulnerability and need to feel loved. I really loved how she didn't have a perfect past but didn't let it define her or AJ's future.
I really enjoyed the story line in this book, maybe even more than Book 1 - big call, I know, because I loved Killer Instincts. There was a little bit more action, a touch more underhanded, nefarious plotting from their enemy and heaps of good opportunities for Matteo to flex his muscles. While I probably would have liked a few more details on Matteo's initial set up and release, I really enjoyed how the author portrayed his re-entry into civilisation and hit the ground running with the relationship side of things. There was just the right amount of steam and smexy times and I loved that Matteo knew what he wanted: Renee and his son. While plots like this have a huge potential to backfire if authors rely on clichés and other well-worn plot lines, Ms Fenske kept the book moving along at a great pace and didn't fall into any of these traps.
As per usual with Tawna Fenske, there's plenty of humour and great dialogue weaved throughout the story. I especially loved how Matteo's voice came through in this one, like a guy who was poleaxed but was making the most of it and loving every second. He was a nerd but far from geeky, his dialogue was dry and everything about him just worked for me. If you're familiar with this author's work, there was also a cheeky cameo from one of Ponderosa's finest that warmed my cold, jaded heart as well.
Overall, this book really worked for me. It was funny, entertaining and had a solid amount of action and intrigue built into the plot. There was a satisfying conclusion to the story and it certainly ticked off the feel-good factor (as this author always does for me - she's like comfort food). I'm already looking forward to the third book in the series and there were enough teasers throughout Killer Moves to be pretty sure I'm going to fall in love with Mr Minty Fresh, aka Sebastian, as well. Be still my beating heart lol.
May 21, 2022
After Matteo was found guilty of a crime he wasn’t responsible for he has spent the last two years incarcerated but his innocence has finally been proven. What he wants is to see his family again, but he never expected that this would include Renee, the woman he walked away from, and her son AJ who might just be his as well.
Renee has learnt time and time again that men can’t be trusted, and Matteo’s past actions haven’t changed her opinion. The only problem is that she and her son are in danger and to keep them safe she might have to put her faith in the one man she wants to distance herself from.
Intrigue, surprises and heat as Matteo is determined to make amends for the past and prove that Renee and AJ can trust him with their hearts and their lives as he fights for the family and the future that they all deserve.
Renee has learnt time and time again that men can’t be trusted, and Matteo’s past actions haven’t changed her opinion. The only problem is that she and her son are in danger and to keep them safe she might have to put her faith in the one man she wants to distance herself from.
Intrigue, surprises and heat as Matteo is determined to make amends for the past and prove that Renee and AJ can trust him with their hearts and their lives as he fights for the family and the future that they all deserve.
May 17, 2022
Oh my! I just loved Matteo and Renee. I was so curious about Matteo before reading this and loved getting to dig in to his life. Renee, the single mom with her absolutely adorable little boy, AJ, gets that second chance with Matteo. They have an intense pull to each other, a history and pain to work through. Add in the suspense, being on the run and it's one great ride from start to finish. I love how dedicated he is, how strong of a friendship he has with his buddies and how that all works together to create a story I couldn't put down. I'm hooked on this series and am ready for the next book!
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
May 19, 2023
What a captivating page turner! This series has so many surprises that they keep the story fresh and really entertaining!
Matteo's "super talented friends" get the bogus charges dropped, and Matteo is now a free man. He stops by Nicole's day care and gets the shock of his life. Renee, the woman he has loved forever and then ultimately walked out on, is there with the cutest little boy who looks just like Matteo's sisters. Wait! What? Cutie Pie A. J. is Matteo's son.
And then , the story rolls on like an out of control freight train, from that point on!
Matteo's "super talented friends" get the bogus charges dropped, and Matteo is now a free man. He stops by Nicole's day care and gets the shock of his life. Renee, the woman he has loved forever and then ultimately walked out on, is there with the cutest little boy who looks just like Matteo's sisters. Wait! What? Cutie Pie A. J. is Matteo's son.
And then , the story rolls on like an out of control freight train, from that point on!
May 15, 2022
ARC for honest review with no compensation Received from Social Butterfly 4.5 stars
Killer Moves is book 2 in the Assassins in Love by Tawna Fenske and she just keeps bringing her A game!!
Up next is Matteo, who has just been released from prison after being setup by a dirty cop and Renee who he thought he was protecting when he left and ended up in prison.
Mystery, secrets, surprises, second chances. This story has it all! Ms Fenske just keeps you turning pages and sets you up for the next book too.
Killer Moves is book 2 in the Assassins in Love by Tawna Fenske and she just keeps bringing her A game!!
Up next is Matteo, who has just been released from prison after being setup by a dirty cop and Renee who he thought he was protecting when he left and ended up in prison.
Mystery, secrets, surprises, second chances. This story has it all! Ms Fenske just keeps you turning pages and sets you up for the next book too.
April 16, 2024
CUTE STORY WITH AN EVEN CUTER 3YR. OLD. I DIDN'T CARE FOR THE WRITING STYLE, IT JUMPED AROUND TOO MUCH, CONFUSING. JUMPING FROM ONE THOUGHT TO ANOTHER CAN'T TELL WHICH CHARACTER IS THINKING WHICH THOUGHT. AJ WAS THE STAR OF THE BOOK I JUST LOVED HIM. ;D
January 28, 2024
Matteo is certainly the swoon worthy hero and Renee a kick ass heroine and AJ a gorgeous touch. They have great chemistry and the suspense was working
April 12, 2025
Better than previous one. But kinda same…
April 5, 2022
I am thoroughly enjoying the Assassins in Love series and Killer Moves was another good addition! Matteo Bello had met the woman of his dreams over three years ago then everything blew up in his face! After disappearing without a word, Renee Lorenson doesn't know what she feels about Matteo but she knows that she has to move forward with her life no matter how much it hurts. When Matteo is released from prison for a crime that he didn't commit he goes home to his sisters. What he does not expect is to come face to face with Renee and her 3 year old son. What is he to think? Who is AJ's father? Renee isn't talking and in fact she has been on the run for awhile from someone stalking her but she has no idea who. Matteo wants to help her and hopefully explain how sorry he is for everything he was unable to tell her in the past but he has a lot of groveling to do. I really enjoyed their second chance story. It has bit of suspense tossed in with witty banter and kept me hooked to the pages. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend them all and it is best to read them in order even though each couple has their own unique story.
April 6, 2022
Second installment of the Assassins in Love series finds Matteo Bello reconnecting with Renee Lorenson, the woman he walked away from two years ago thinking it was the best way to protect her. Renee finds it hard to trust Matteo again, but he proves himself, when she finds herself in danger. While on the run from her unknown followers, they discover their love is just as strong as it was before he abandoned her. Many secrets are revealed which help strengthen their connection. There are several side characters in this book that provide great comedic relief and open doors for the final book in the series. Great read. Love this author.
May 12, 2022
Fun, sexy and action packed!!
I was really looking forward to Matteo’s story and I was NOT disappointed! Matteo is released from prison and heads home only to find a big surprise: the woman he loved and she's not alone! As they head off on a road trip to escape the bad guys, love blooms.
Definitely a great addition to this series!!
I was really looking forward to Matteo’s story and I was NOT disappointed! Matteo is released from prison and heads home only to find a big surprise: the woman he loved and she's not alone! As they head off on a road trip to escape the bad guys, love blooms.
Definitely a great addition to this series!!
May 13, 2022
I originally received this book for free from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This review & author are no longer associated with Social Butterfly PR but since it was already completed, I still wanted to share!
My Thoughts
Killer Moves is book two in the Assassins in Love series which features our favorite cinnamon roll hacker, hit-man and big brother, Matteo, fresh out of prison. We briefly are introduced to his estranged love interest, Renee, in the Killer Looks novella but here we find her with a kiddo that looks suspiciously like our boy. Of course people are trying to kill her and Matteo will do anything to protect the woman he wants back and the child that might be his own.
Like it's predecessor, Killer Moves, is a super quick, fun read that feels fluffy even though we are dealing with hit-men. Murder. Being on the run. You know, a Sunday afternoon for these guys. What I appreciated about Killer Moves is that I felt the tension and danger a bit more in this one. There are some pretty intense moments there toward the end. Once again, Sebastian steals the page for me and I am absolutely dying to read Killer Smile.
Overall
Overall, I was completely entertained and enjoyed Killer Moves even more than book one. If you like your romance light with cinnamon roll men, a dash of danger, second change romance, and some banter tied up with a neat bow at the end, check out Killer Moves and the Assassins in Love series. Did I also mention I am SUPER EXCITED to read Seb's story next?!?!
About Tawna Fenske
When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA Award finalist, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, stand up, paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
My Thoughts
Killer Moves is book two in the Assassins in Love series which features our favorite cinnamon roll hacker, hit-man and big brother, Matteo, fresh out of prison. We briefly are introduced to his estranged love interest, Renee, in the Killer Looks novella but here we find her with a kiddo that looks suspiciously like our boy. Of course people are trying to kill her and Matteo will do anything to protect the woman he wants back and the child that might be his own.
Like it's predecessor, Killer Moves, is a super quick, fun read that feels fluffy even though we are dealing with hit-men. Murder. Being on the run. You know, a Sunday afternoon for these guys. What I appreciated about Killer Moves is that I felt the tension and danger a bit more in this one. There are some pretty intense moments there toward the end. Once again, Sebastian steals the page for me and I am absolutely dying to read Killer Smile.
Overall
Overall, I was completely entertained and enjoyed Killer Moves even more than book one. If you like your romance light with cinnamon roll men, a dash of danger, second change romance, and some banter tied up with a neat bow at the end, check out Killer Moves and the Assassins in Love series. Did I also mention I am SUPER EXCITED to read Seb's story next?!?!
About Tawna Fenske
When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA Award finalist, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, stand up, paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
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May 19, 2022
Who doesn’t love a romance that includes an adorable kid?
In the prequel story, Killer Looks, we see Matteo distracted by the fact that he left Renee in the dead on night with no goodbye. He realizes how strong his feelings are for her and promises himself that he will go back to her and beg forgiveness after that job is complete, except Matteo is picked up by a corrupt cop and goes to prison. In Killer Insticts, Dante and Sebastian get Matteo released frim prison
In this story, Matteo freshly released goes to see his sister who runs a daycare for those women who need a shelter and protection from someone (witness protection, hiding from spouse, etc.). He is just greeting his sister when his ex-girlfriend, Renee (under an assumed name) walks in with her son AJ who looks surprisingly like Matteo
Renee is on the run from someone and she thinks she about to run again. she keeps seeing a man watching her. Mateo recognizes the signs and offers his protection to Renee and AJ. While Renee wants to tell him to take a flying leap, she know that Matteo is her best bet to protect her son so she agrees.
He gets her to his family’s beach house but they have been found and they have to go on the run again. Matteo needs to keep them safe but he also needs to win Renee’s trust again so hopefully she will confess to him that he is AJ’s father. But when they are found again and Matteo disappears, will Renee believe that he has abandoned her again or does she trust that Matteo truly cares for them and will always have her back?
Being on the run adds an excitement to this story since we don’t know who is after them or why? Is someone after Renee for something she did or are they using her to get to Matteo? Do they know Matteo is with them? It definitely kept you reading.
We also have the adorable AJ bringing a lightheartedness to the story. We know that Matteo spent much of his childhood helping to raise his younger sisters but Renee is so surprised how easily he steps in as a role model and helper with her son. She badly wants to trust him but a criminal father who was in and out of prison doesn’t make her trust easily.
It was an interesting story although I have to complain about how flimsy the whole “send Matteo to prison/corrupt cop” storyline was. Maybe we will get more in the third book.
I also have a weird side complaint. Renee’s father was in and out of prison and so Renee was in and out of foster homes but a big deal is made of the shabby furniture handed down to her from her grandmother that Renee can’t part with for sentimental reasons, so #1 – where was this furniture while she was in foster homes and her father was in prison, #2 – if she had a beloved grandmother who left her furniture, why didn’t grandma take her in, and #3 – how did this single mom with very little finances move this very, very heavy old furniture from house to house and while she was on the run? I know it seems obscure but I am obsessed with this. The furniture thing bothered me.
It does bring in characters from the ponderosa ranch series as a bonus for fans.
In the prequel story, Killer Looks, we see Matteo distracted by the fact that he left Renee in the dead on night with no goodbye. He realizes how strong his feelings are for her and promises himself that he will go back to her and beg forgiveness after that job is complete, except Matteo is picked up by a corrupt cop and goes to prison. In Killer Insticts, Dante and Sebastian get Matteo released frim prison
In this story, Matteo freshly released goes to see his sister who runs a daycare for those women who need a shelter and protection from someone (witness protection, hiding from spouse, etc.). He is just greeting his sister when his ex-girlfriend, Renee (under an assumed name) walks in with her son AJ who looks surprisingly like Matteo
Renee is on the run from someone and she thinks she about to run again. she keeps seeing a man watching her. Mateo recognizes the signs and offers his protection to Renee and AJ. While Renee wants to tell him to take a flying leap, she know that Matteo is her best bet to protect her son so she agrees.
He gets her to his family’s beach house but they have been found and they have to go on the run again. Matteo needs to keep them safe but he also needs to win Renee’s trust again so hopefully she will confess to him that he is AJ’s father. But when they are found again and Matteo disappears, will Renee believe that he has abandoned her again or does she trust that Matteo truly cares for them and will always have her back?
Being on the run adds an excitement to this story since we don’t know who is after them or why? Is someone after Renee for something she did or are they using her to get to Matteo? Do they know Matteo is with them? It definitely kept you reading.
We also have the adorable AJ bringing a lightheartedness to the story. We know that Matteo spent much of his childhood helping to raise his younger sisters but Renee is so surprised how easily he steps in as a role model and helper with her son. She badly wants to trust him but a criminal father who was in and out of prison doesn’t make her trust easily.
It was an interesting story although I have to complain about how flimsy the whole “send Matteo to prison/corrupt cop” storyline was. Maybe we will get more in the third book.
I also have a weird side complaint. Renee’s father was in and out of prison and so Renee was in and out of foster homes but a big deal is made of the shabby furniture handed down to her from her grandmother that Renee can’t part with for sentimental reasons, so #1 – where was this furniture while she was in foster homes and her father was in prison, #2 – if she had a beloved grandmother who left her furniture, why didn’t grandma take her in, and #3 – how did this single mom with very little finances move this very, very heavy old furniture from house to house and while she was on the run? I know it seems obscure but I am obsessed with this. The furniture thing bothered me.
It does bring in characters from the ponderosa ranch series as a bonus for fans.
May 16, 2022
3.75 stars- KILLER MOVES is the second full length instalment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary adult ASSASSINS IN LOVE romantic suspense series . This is Matteo Bello, and Renee Lorenson’s story line. KILLER MOVES can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: For fans of Tawna Fenske, there is a slight cross over with the author’s PONDEROSA RESORT series. Like the previous instalments, I do NOT consider the series a rom-com...there is nothing funny or humorous in the premise. Some of the retailers have marked the story as a romantic comedy, I am guessing because of the author’s history of writing the rom-com genre.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Matteo and Renee) KILLER MOVES follows in the wake of the reappearance of Matteo Bello who walked out of Renee’s life years before only to be targeted by a dirty cop, and sent to prison for a crime he did not commit but with his return Matteo discovers that all is not well in Renee’s life, as the woman he once called his own, is now on the run,with a young boy who looks exactly like our story line hero. Desperate to protect the family he never knew he had, Matteo becomes guardian and protector as the threesome find themselves desperate to stay one step ahead of an unknown predator. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Matteo and Renee, and the potential fall-out as the past demands information, information Renee knows nothing about.
Renee Lorenson grew up in the foster care system as her father spent most of his time in and out of jail. On her own, Renee never expected to become a single mother but AJ is a reminder of what she can never have. Seeing Matteo Bello brought back too many memories from the past, memories of abandonment and mistrust, love and loss. Matteo Bello never intended to walk out of Renee’s life but life as a ‘hitman’ means never falling in love, and never pulling someone else into a lifestyle that is dangerous and dark.
The relationship between Renee and Matteo is one of second chances but Renee struggles to trust a man who walked out and never came back, a man whose history she never really knew. As Matteo slowly seduces the woman with whom he had fallen in love, our couple find themselves on a cross country journey where the bad guy is constantly just around the corner. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.
The familiar secondary and supporting characters include Dante Goodman and twenty-six year old, vintner Jennifer Bello (Killer Instincts 1),Jennifer and Matteo’s sister Nicole, Renee’s son AJ, as well as Dr. Sebastian LaDouceur-Dante and Matteo’s comrade in arms. The requisite evil has many faces.
KILLER MOVES is a story of family and relationships, secrets and lies, greed and power. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are dynamic and energetic. My only complaint about the series, is the limited back story for the series characters.
www.thereadingcafe.com
NOTE: For fans of Tawna Fenske, there is a slight cross over with the author’s PONDEROSA RESORT series. Like the previous instalments, I do NOT consider the series a rom-com...there is nothing funny or humorous in the premise. Some of the retailers have marked the story as a romantic comedy, I am guessing because of the author’s history of writing the rom-com genre.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Matteo and Renee) KILLER MOVES follows in the wake of the reappearance of Matteo Bello who walked out of Renee’s life years before only to be targeted by a dirty cop, and sent to prison for a crime he did not commit but with his return Matteo discovers that all is not well in Renee’s life, as the woman he once called his own, is now on the run,with a young boy who looks exactly like our story line hero. Desperate to protect the family he never knew he had, Matteo becomes guardian and protector as the threesome find themselves desperate to stay one step ahead of an unknown predator. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Matteo and Renee, and the potential fall-out as the past demands information, information Renee knows nothing about.
Renee Lorenson grew up in the foster care system as her father spent most of his time in and out of jail. On her own, Renee never expected to become a single mother but AJ is a reminder of what she can never have. Seeing Matteo Bello brought back too many memories from the past, memories of abandonment and mistrust, love and loss. Matteo Bello never intended to walk out of Renee’s life but life as a ‘hitman’ means never falling in love, and never pulling someone else into a lifestyle that is dangerous and dark.
The relationship between Renee and Matteo is one of second chances but Renee struggles to trust a man who walked out and never came back, a man whose history she never really knew. As Matteo slowly seduces the woman with whom he had fallen in love, our couple find themselves on a cross country journey where the bad guy is constantly just around the corner. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.
The familiar secondary and supporting characters include Dante Goodman and twenty-six year old, vintner Jennifer Bello (Killer Instincts 1),Jennifer and Matteo’s sister Nicole, Renee’s son AJ, as well as Dr. Sebastian LaDouceur-Dante and Matteo’s comrade in arms. The requisite evil has many faces.
KILLER MOVES is a story of family and relationships, secrets and lies, greed and power. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are dynamic and energetic. My only complaint about the series, is the limited back story for the series characters.
www.thereadingcafe.com
May 16, 2022
Matteo Bello got arrested at the end of Killer Looks and was sent to prison. While he's by no means innocent, he was framed for the crime he was charged with. Thankfully, his friends Dante and Sebastian were able to secure his release. Now a free man again, he's intent on spending some quality time with his sisters in his hometown.
Imagine his surprise when he runs into the woman he was never able to forget. That surprise doubles when she brings with her a little boy who bears a striking resemblance to him. While Renee is understandably hesitant to trust him - after all, he did abandon her without so much as a goodbye or an explanation - she does agree to meet him to talk.
During that meeting, and because of her son's enrollment in Matteo's sister Nicole's daycare for people in hiding/on the run, it is obvious she is running from something. Unfortunately, even she doesn't know who she's running from, or why. She just knows she's being watched, and has spent the last several years moving around.
Matteo injects himself into the situation when things start to spiral out of control, and he takes Renee and her son AJ to his grandmother's beach house. Being in close quarters again, and caring for AJ together, brings back long-buried feelings. I liked how neither of them tried to deny their attraction to each other. Instead, they welcome their connection, but are honest about the issues they face.
Renee needs some stability in his life, and isn't shy in expressing these needs. Matteo is still apprehensive about his presence in her life and how it might mean more danger, but he's willing to fight for the family he never knew he could have.
While Matteo and Renee are in hiding, Dante, Sebastian and Nicole work behind the scenes to find out more about the people who are after Renee. I liked how they're not alone in this. Their time away also allows them to reconnect and open up more.
While I didn't see the big reveal coming, I was pleasantly unsurprised as to the outcome, if that makes sense. It ties up several loose ends in a satisfying way.
This series is definitely on a roll, so I'm eager to see what the next book has in store for us.
Imagine his surprise when he runs into the woman he was never able to forget. That surprise doubles when she brings with her a little boy who bears a striking resemblance to him. While Renee is understandably hesitant to trust him - after all, he did abandon her without so much as a goodbye or an explanation - she does agree to meet him to talk.
During that meeting, and because of her son's enrollment in Matteo's sister Nicole's daycare for people in hiding/on the run, it is obvious she is running from something. Unfortunately, even she doesn't know who she's running from, or why. She just knows she's being watched, and has spent the last several years moving around.
Matteo injects himself into the situation when things start to spiral out of control, and he takes Renee and her son AJ to his grandmother's beach house. Being in close quarters again, and caring for AJ together, brings back long-buried feelings. I liked how neither of them tried to deny their attraction to each other. Instead, they welcome their connection, but are honest about the issues they face.
Renee needs some stability in his life, and isn't shy in expressing these needs. Matteo is still apprehensive about his presence in her life and how it might mean more danger, but he's willing to fight for the family he never knew he could have.
While Matteo and Renee are in hiding, Dante, Sebastian and Nicole work behind the scenes to find out more about the people who are after Renee. I liked how they're not alone in this. Their time away also allows them to reconnect and open up more.
While I didn't see the big reveal coming, I was pleasantly unsurprised as to the outcome, if that makes sense. It ties up several loose ends in a satisfying way.
This series is definitely on a roll, so I'm eager to see what the next book has in store for us.
May 16, 2022
Loving this series!
Matteo and Renee's story is everything I hoped for after finishing book one ( Killer Instincts )! It's a second chance romance, since the two dated for a few months--before he ghosted her and then spent a few years in prison for something he didn't do.
Yeah, he had some serious groveling to do. And Renee had a bit of a surprise for him...
A bit of a coincidence that she'd end up enrolling her son in the preschool run by Matteo's older younger sister? Maybe. But it was a coincidence that kicked the story off in a fabulous direction, so I'll take it! ;)
I loved watching Matteo and Renee reconnect and learn to trust each other again--and watching Matteo get to know his son? Even better! A.J. is absolutely adorable, and *almost* makes up for the fact that we hardly see any pigs here--though there is a visit to a petting zoo, so we're not totally without cute animals...there's just not as many fun animal puns ;)
I really enjoyed the suspense part of the story as well--the last quarter of the book had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously reading as fast as I could to get them all safely out of the danger they were in. Ms Fenske did a great job of wrapping things up nicely, and the HEA was absolutely fabulous. I can't wait to see them back in book 3 ( Killer Smile )!
Killer Moves could be read as a standalone, but since books 1 and 2 featured/will feature his friends/fellow assassins falling for his younger sisters, do yourself a favor and put them all on your TBR so that you can more fully enjoy seeing Matteo squirm uncomfortably. You won't be sorry! ;)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Matteo and Renee's story is everything I hoped for after finishing book one ( Killer Instincts )! It's a second chance romance, since the two dated for a few months--before he ghosted her and then spent a few years in prison for something he didn't do.
Yeah, he had some serious groveling to do. And Renee had a bit of a surprise for him...
A bit of a coincidence that she'd end up enrolling her son in the preschool run by Matteo's older younger sister? Maybe. But it was a coincidence that kicked the story off in a fabulous direction, so I'll take it! ;)
I loved watching Matteo and Renee reconnect and learn to trust each other again--and watching Matteo get to know his son? Even better! A.J. is absolutely adorable, and *almost* makes up for the fact that we hardly see any pigs here--though there is a visit to a petting zoo, so we're not totally without cute animals...there's just not as many fun animal puns ;)
I really enjoyed the suspense part of the story as well--the last quarter of the book had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously reading as fast as I could to get them all safely out of the danger they were in. Ms Fenske did a great job of wrapping things up nicely, and the HEA was absolutely fabulous. I can't wait to see them back in book 3 ( Killer Smile )!
Killer Moves could be read as a standalone, but since books 1 and 2 featured/will feature his friends/fellow assassins falling for his younger sisters, do yourself a favor and put them all on your TBR so that you can more fully enjoy seeing Matteo squirm uncomfortably. You won't be sorry! ;)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
August 6, 2022
Matteo is a hacker and he is the oldest siblings of Jen and Nicole. He is recently freed from prison after being locked up for a crime has not committed. As he goes to see his sisters, he helps them with the lambs and he finds a kid walking towards the lamb on his arms. He lets the kid pet the lamb and that is when he notices her. Then, he realizes that the kid is three years old which could have been his kid. Renee does not expect to see Matteo again for such a long time. They dated for six months and he suddenly left without telling her anything. She knew that he went to prison and he is also a criminal. He didn't talk much about himself and he has a couple of secrets, but she didn't make him talk about it. She tells him how someone is following her, though she has no idea why they are after her. Matteo offers to help Renee to keep her safe. He takes them to a desolated place to stay for awhile. He apologizes how he suddenly left her and for not being there when she was pregnant. They are heading towards a lake to camp along with the other campers. However, he still has no information about her stalker and he does not know that danger is lurking around the area.
The plot is well-written and the character development is good. It has some sweet, romantic, suspense, and action scenes that made it so interesting to read. Renee is a strong, independent, caring, and amazing mother of AJ. Matteo is an intelligent, sweet, strong, protective man. I love how AJ calls Matteo and the cute bonding moments as I love the book wherein she made him work her trust for leaving her after all those years. Renee and Matteo have an HEA ending which I love and I hope there would be a bonus epilogue of them in the future.
The plot is well-written and the character development is good. It has some sweet, romantic, suspense, and action scenes that made it so interesting to read. Renee is a strong, independent, caring, and amazing mother of AJ. Matteo is an intelligent, sweet, strong, protective man. I love how AJ calls Matteo and the cute bonding moments as I love the book wherein she made him work her trust for leaving her after all those years. Renee and Matteo have an HEA ending which I love and I hope there would be a bonus epilogue of them in the future.
April 4, 2022
This series just keeps getting better
You would not think a paid assassin would be a swoon worthy romantic hero - but you’d be wrong. Matteo is the whole swoony worthy heroic package. Add in Renee and her precocious son, AJ, and it’s a beautiful, sexy, heart warming, exciting story of all the things. Matteo is a former assassin, mostly for the country of Dovlano. He has just been exonerated and released after spending two years in prison. His intention is to have a normal life with a regular job. Matteo dated Renee prior to his incarceration but left her without a goodbye to protect her. Now she has a son but is Matteo his father? They reconnect at Renee’s son, AJ’s, daycare which happens to be run by Matteo’s sister. Once they reconnect, they are thrown together and are connected at the hip as they run and hide while Matteo attempts to protect them from whoever is stalking and threatening Renee. This book has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from a good romantic suspense story - sweet moments, strong friendships and family, sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, painful pasts, dangerous high stress situations, some chuckles, and over the top alpha protectiveness. Expect to feel all the things as you read about Matteo, Renee and AJ - you will laugh, cry, swoon, grind your teeth, cheer, gasp, and happy sigh. While the bad guy in the story was fairly easy to guess, that did nothing to diminish the ratcheting up of the suspense or the enjoyment of the story. This book did a great job of balancing the romance with the suspense making both important and integral parts of the story. This was another fantastic book in this series and I cannot wait for Sebastian’s book. I willingly reviewed an early copy of this book.
You would not think a paid assassin would be a swoon worthy romantic hero - but you’d be wrong. Matteo is the whole swoony worthy heroic package. Add in Renee and her precocious son, AJ, and it’s a beautiful, sexy, heart warming, exciting story of all the things. Matteo is a former assassin, mostly for the country of Dovlano. He has just been exonerated and released after spending two years in prison. His intention is to have a normal life with a regular job. Matteo dated Renee prior to his incarceration but left her without a goodbye to protect her. Now she has a son but is Matteo his father? They reconnect at Renee’s son, AJ’s, daycare which happens to be run by Matteo’s sister. Once they reconnect, they are thrown together and are connected at the hip as they run and hide while Matteo attempts to protect them from whoever is stalking and threatening Renee. This book has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from a good romantic suspense story - sweet moments, strong friendships and family, sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, painful pasts, dangerous high stress situations, some chuckles, and over the top alpha protectiveness. Expect to feel all the things as you read about Matteo, Renee and AJ - you will laugh, cry, swoon, grind your teeth, cheer, gasp, and happy sigh. While the bad guy in the story was fairly easy to guess, that did nothing to diminish the ratcheting up of the suspense or the enjoyment of the story. This book did a great job of balancing the romance with the suspense making both important and integral parts of the story. This was another fantastic book in this series and I cannot wait for Sebastian’s book. I willingly reviewed an early copy of this book.
April 23, 2022
This book can be read as a standalone, but why would you want to do that when the series characters are so enthralling, strong, sometimes funny and always interconnected. Killer Moves is Matteo and Renee’s story. We first met Matteo in Killer Looks and Killer Instincts, and there were references to Renee, but she doesn’t appear until this book.
Matteo was sent to jail on trumped-up charges leveled at him by a dirty cop. Upon his release, he immediately goes to see his sisters, Nic and Jen. Nic runs a pre-school, and there he runs into Renee, who he had dated three years prior, but left abruptly, and without a word, when he felt his presence was not safe for her. Renee’s adorable three-year-old AJ is one of Nic’s students. Yes, you do the math.
Renee has been on the run for the past three years, being pursued by an unknown stalker/assailant, and Matteo, determined to set things right, steps in to find this person (s) while protecting Renee and her son (all the while thinking that AJ could be his son). He also recruits his friends and fellow assassins, Dante and Seb (Seb’s story will be told in Killer Smile, and I can’t wait for that one!). The interplay among all the characters is so riveting and enjoyable. I’ll stop now before I give away any spoilers, but I honestly could not put this book down. Like all of Tawna’s books (and I’ve read all 40 of them), the dialogue is witty and sharp, the situations real life, the women are so strong, the sex and romance are delightful, and the HEA is perfect. Counting the days until they release Killer Smile!
I received an advanced reader copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Matteo was sent to jail on trumped-up charges leveled at him by a dirty cop. Upon his release, he immediately goes to see his sisters, Nic and Jen. Nic runs a pre-school, and there he runs into Renee, who he had dated three years prior, but left abruptly, and without a word, when he felt his presence was not safe for her. Renee’s adorable three-year-old AJ is one of Nic’s students. Yes, you do the math.
Renee has been on the run for the past three years, being pursued by an unknown stalker/assailant, and Matteo, determined to set things right, steps in to find this person (s) while protecting Renee and her son (all the while thinking that AJ could be his son). He also recruits his friends and fellow assassins, Dante and Seb (Seb’s story will be told in Killer Smile, and I can’t wait for that one!). The interplay among all the characters is so riveting and enjoyable. I’ll stop now before I give away any spoilers, but I honestly could not put this book down. Like all of Tawna’s books (and I’ve read all 40 of them), the dialogue is witty and sharp, the situations real life, the women are so strong, the sex and romance are delightful, and the HEA is perfect. Counting the days until they release Killer Smile!
I received an advanced reader copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
May 8, 2022
As much as I love good romantic suspense sometimes you need some laughs to go with the action and this series has it in spades!
Matteo may finally be free after the trumped-up charges against him were proved false. But he's not free and clear yet - the corrupt cop is still on the loose and Matteo is on high alert. That is until he visits his sister's highly guarded nursery school and sees the love of his life that he was forced to leave behind. Who has a son who is scarily his little mini-me!
Renee tried to put Matteo behind her when he left her high and dry but no man has been able to live up to him. Now with the time reminder of their love, she is on the run. But when Matteo slams back into her life she has to deal with the consequences of keeping his son out of his life and hoping that the bad guys won't find them!
Matteo is just everything you want in a MC - he's warm, fun, friendly, dedicated and once he has a mission he sticks with it. He loved AJ even when he wasn't sure he was his. He and Renee were a package deal and that was fine by him. He may be a tad "unconventional" in the employment department but that doesn't make him a bad man! Renee is a brill mum even if her taste in men, except Matteo, is complete dross!
My laughs were full-on belly-laughs when the RV was described - that thing was a full-on battlebus LOL. The camaraderie between Matteo, Dante, and Seb is great and the trash talk between Matteo and Dante over D sleeping with M's sister is hilarious!
Matteo may finally be free after the trumped-up charges against him were proved false. But he's not free and clear yet - the corrupt cop is still on the loose and Matteo is on high alert. That is until he visits his sister's highly guarded nursery school and sees the love of his life that he was forced to leave behind. Who has a son who is scarily his little mini-me!
Renee tried to put Matteo behind her when he left her high and dry but no man has been able to live up to him. Now with the time reminder of their love, she is on the run. But when Matteo slams back into her life she has to deal with the consequences of keeping his son out of his life and hoping that the bad guys won't find them!
Matteo is just everything you want in a MC - he's warm, fun, friendly, dedicated and once he has a mission he sticks with it. He loved AJ even when he wasn't sure he was his. He and Renee were a package deal and that was fine by him. He may be a tad "unconventional" in the employment department but that doesn't make him a bad man! Renee is a brill mum even if her taste in men, except Matteo, is complete dross!
My laughs were full-on belly-laughs when the RV was described - that thing was a full-on battlebus LOL. The camaraderie between Matteo, Dante, and Seb is great and the trash talk between Matteo and Dante over D sleeping with M's sister is hilarious!
May 12, 2022
The second book in the Assassins in Love series and Matteo Bello is a free man with his record expunged. Imagine his surprise when upon returning home to see his sisters, pretty much the first person he lays eyes on is the woman he left nearly four years ago but Renee is not on her own, she has a three year old son who looks eerily familiar to Matteo. Renee is hiding from an unknown threat. Strange things have been happening and feelings of being watched have her running scared. The last thing she wants to do is trust the man who walked out on her without a word but Matteo will do whatever he has to to protect his new found family.
I think I preferred this book to the first one in the series. Whereas Killer Instincts give me slight vibes of a romcom, Killer Moves falls completely into the romantic suspense category as Matteo, Renee and AJ set off on a road trip in an attempt to stay one step ahead of the unknown but escalating threat while trying to discover exactly who is behind it and why. I loved the characters and the development of their relationship and the plot built up the tension throughout before reaching a fantastic finale. One of the highlights for me though was Matteo or should that be My Tail’s interactions with his mini me especially when it came to the toilet training. All in all this was a great addition to the series. Next up it’s Nicole and Sebastian aka the Dentist and judging by the hints we got in this book Killer Smile is shaping up to be an amazing read.
I think I preferred this book to the first one in the series. Whereas Killer Instincts give me slight vibes of a romcom, Killer Moves falls completely into the romantic suspense category as Matteo, Renee and AJ set off on a road trip in an attempt to stay one step ahead of the unknown but escalating threat while trying to discover exactly who is behind it and why. I loved the characters and the development of their relationship and the plot built up the tension throughout before reaching a fantastic finale. One of the highlights for me though was Matteo or should that be My Tail’s interactions with his mini me especially when it came to the toilet training. All in all this was a great addition to the series. Next up it’s Nicole and Sebastian aka the Dentist and judging by the hints we got in this book Killer Smile is shaping up to be an amazing read.
April 17, 2022
Matteo looks back at her.
"What's part of the act?"
"You're guarding me. We're supposed to be together."
Heart knocking at her ribs, she steps closer.
"That's what you said, right?"
"Yes." The rasp in his voice wasn't there before.
"So maybe..." Her fingers skim the back of his neck.
"Maybe just a small kiss to..."
Renee knew Matteo once. A long time ago. Three years, to be exact. Looking at her son AJ, she knows it's been three years. Matteo returning to her life was very unexpected. For both of them. But here he is, protecting her from an unknown threat. All of the feelings she had for him in the past resurface. The feelings she had before he just disappeared one day. Completely. How does she trust him now?
Matteo knows that Renee has no reason to believe he's sticking around to be sure her and her son are safe. Though he suspects he knows who AJ's father is, he tells himself it doesn't matter. He will protect them both. He had strong feelings for Renee once. He did walk away without a trace. Not because he wanted to - but because he thought it was the best thing for her. Now he has to try to win her trust back. And he's hoping that she still feels the same way he does.
I love Tawna Fenske's take on these lovable assassins! Great book and great series.
"What's part of the act?"
"You're guarding me. We're supposed to be together."
Heart knocking at her ribs, she steps closer.
"That's what you said, right?"
"Yes." The rasp in his voice wasn't there before.
"So maybe..." Her fingers skim the back of his neck.
"Maybe just a small kiss to..."
Renee knew Matteo once. A long time ago. Three years, to be exact. Looking at her son AJ, she knows it's been three years. Matteo returning to her life was very unexpected. For both of them. But here he is, protecting her from an unknown threat. All of the feelings she had for him in the past resurface. The feelings she had before he just disappeared one day. Completely. How does she trust him now?
Matteo knows that Renee has no reason to believe he's sticking around to be sure her and her son are safe. Though he suspects he knows who AJ's father is, he tells himself it doesn't matter. He will protect them both. He had strong feelings for Renee once. He did walk away without a trace. Not because he wanted to - but because he thought it was the best thing for her. Now he has to try to win her trust back. And he's hoping that she still feels the same way he does.
I love Tawna Fenske's take on these lovable assassins! Great book and great series.
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