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Cunningham Security #3
Desperate
If it weren’t for bad luck, she’d have no luck at all.
Ekko Rose is no stranger to struggle. Born to a single, addicted mother, she’s experienced more than her fair share of hardship. Ekko has dreams she’s desperate to fulfill, but when another stroke of bad luck leaves her homeless, her only option is to focus on survival.
Dominick ‘Dom’ Moore has had his eyes on Ekko ever since he saved her life several months ago. He kept his distance then because she was attached to another man. Now, seeing her living out of her car, Dom resolves to help her get back on her feet.
When Dom approaches Ekko, she wrestles with knowing her rightful place in the world and wanting to latch onto something better.
Just as the pair fall hard for one another, Ekko’s streak of misfortune delivers one more blow. With their relationship thrown into a pit of despair and hopeless desire, Dom must crack the case he’s been trying to solve for weeks.
Because if he can’t, Ekko might be lost to him forever.
Ekko Rose is no stranger to struggle. Born to a single, addicted mother, she’s experienced more than her fair share of hardship. Ekko has dreams she’s desperate to fulfill, but when another stroke of bad luck leaves her homeless, her only option is to focus on survival.
Dominick ‘Dom’ Moore has had his eyes on Ekko ever since he saved her life several months ago. He kept his distance then because she was attached to another man. Now, seeing her living out of her car, Dom resolves to help her get back on her feet.
When Dom approaches Ekko, she wrestles with knowing her rightful place in the world and wanting to latch onto something better.
Just as the pair fall hard for one another, Ekko’s streak of misfortune delivers one more blow. With their relationship thrown into a pit of despair and hopeless desire, Dom must crack the case he’s been trying to solve for weeks.
Because if he can’t, Ekko might be lost to him forever.
326 pages, Paperback
Published March 18, 2022
536 people are currently reading
470 people want to read
About the author
A.K. Evans
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A.K. Evans is a contemporary romance author of over twenty published novels. While she enjoys writing a good romantic suspense novel, Andrea’s favorite books to write have been her extreme sports romances. That might have something to do with the fact that she, along with her husband and two sons, can’t get enough of extreme sports.
Before becoming a writer, Andrea did a brief stint in the insurance and financial services industry and managed her husband’s performance automotive business. That love of extreme sports? She used to drive race cars!
When Andrea isn’t writing, she can be found homeschooling her two sons, doing yoga, snowboarding, reading, or traveling with her family. She and her husband are currently taking road trips throughout the country to visit all 50 states with their boys.
http://eepurl.com/dmeo6z
Amazon:
http://amzn.to/2v8sjUH
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/authorAKEvans/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/authorakevans/
A.K.'s Book Babes (FB Reader Group):
http://bit.ly/2ys50mU
BookBub:
http://bit.ly/2r3fJm8
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AuthorAKEvans
A.K. Evans is a contemporary romance author of over twenty published novels. While she enjoys writing a good romantic suspense novel, Andrea’s favorite books to write have been her extreme sports romances. That might have something to do with the fact that she, along with her husband and two sons, can’t get enough of extreme sports.
Before becoming a writer, Andrea did a brief stint in the insurance and financial services industry and managed her husband’s performance automotive business. That love of extreme sports? She used to drive race cars!
When Andrea isn’t writing, she can be found homeschooling her two sons, doing yoga, snowboarding, reading, or traveling with her family. She and her husband are currently taking road trips throughout the country to visit all 50 states with their boys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 24, 2018
FTC DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH INKSLINGER PR. I VOLUNTARILY OFFER MY HONEST REVIEW OF THE BOOK, THOUGH IT IS NOT EXPECTED OF ME! RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
Having started this series out of order, I was eager to see how things would go with Ekko and Dom, since I had loved Dom so much in Overcome. I was blown away by their story!
I was immediately hooked into the book, despite not having read Overcome in so long. The author did a wonderful job throughout the book in reminding the reader what had happened previously! I found the story to be very engaging and entertaining, to the point where I often had tears in my eyes over some of the events of the book!
I immediately connected with Ekko, and found her to be a very strong and capable heroine, someone I could definitely relate to. She needed Dom, but didn't feel she deserved him. I loved how she kept chasing after her dreams! Meanwhile, Dom was such a patient hero! I loved how hard he worked to convince Ekko to be with him, despite his mistaken beliefs in the beginning. The surprise at the end was such an amazing one! I can't wait to see the updates in upcoming books about these two!
All things considered, I highly recommend this book!
Having started this series out of order, I was eager to see how things would go with Ekko and Dom, since I had loved Dom so much in Overcome. I was blown away by their story!
I was immediately hooked into the book, despite not having read Overcome in so long. The author did a wonderful job throughout the book in reminding the reader what had happened previously! I found the story to be very engaging and entertaining, to the point where I often had tears in my eyes over some of the events of the book!
I immediately connected with Ekko, and found her to be a very strong and capable heroine, someone I could definitely relate to. She needed Dom, but didn't feel she deserved him. I loved how she kept chasing after her dreams! Meanwhile, Dom was such a patient hero! I loved how hard he worked to convince Ekko to be with him, despite his mistaken beliefs in the beginning. The surprise at the end was such an amazing one! I can't wait to see the updates in upcoming books about these two!
All things considered, I highly recommend this book!
November 17, 2018
My My My is what I was saying after I finished reading this book. I was totally gutted by this book. I cried at times because Ekko has had a hard life and she has shizz luck. She has bad things happen to her all the time. She struggles everyday until one day she is left homeless living in her car. That is when she meets Dom and he helps her out.
Dom Dom Dom I loved him right from the start. He is such a nice, loving, caring guy that will do anything to help Ekko out and make her his. At first Ekko is leary about accepting Dom's help because she doesn't want anything bad to happen but she soon gives in and they start a relationship. But you know the saying life's a biatch and it comes back with a vengeance and it does. Ekko and Dom will have to fight to the end to stay together but it is worth it.
Can Ekko hold on long enough to let Dom be her savior and protector? Can Dom save her from her bad luck? Read on to find out!
Dom Dom Dom I loved him right from the start. He is such a nice, loving, caring guy that will do anything to help Ekko out and make her his. At first Ekko is leary about accepting Dom's help because she doesn't want anything bad to happen but she soon gives in and they start a relationship. But you know the saying life's a biatch and it comes back with a vengeance and it does. Ekko and Dom will have to fight to the end to stay together but it is worth it.
Can Ekko hold on long enough to let Dom be her savior and protector? Can Dom save her from her bad luck? Read on to find out!
November 26, 2018
Ekko Rose has struggled her entire life, only wanting one thing . . . to feel loved and wanted. But, even though she has been on her own most of her life, she refuses to give up on her dreams. Even when she hits rock bottom and all her effort is on surviving, she keeps her eyes on the prize of going back to school and becoming a librarian. Ekko feels her luck starts looking up when Dominick Moore walks back into her life. She’s never felt so lucky before.
Dominick Moore hasn’t been able to forget about Ekko since the night he saved her from becoming part of a sex trafficking ring months ago. He’s been watching over her from afar, because she had a boyfriend. But, now that she is single, all bets are off and he can finally make his move, and the timing couldn’t be better for the struggling Ekko. But Dom wants so much more than just to help Ekko get back on her feet. He wants a happy ever after with her.
As Dom and Ekko fall further and further into their relationship and each other, Ekko’s luck takes yet another turn for the worse. Dom’s current case also takes a sinister turn. With fate seeming to pull them apart, it’s up to Dom to find out not only the secret Ekko is keeping but also crack the case that is deadly enough to keep them apart forever.
A.K. Evans did a stunning job with Desperate! Dominick Moore is truly one of the good guys who only wants the best for Ekko. He’s incredibly caring and supportive of her as well as her hopes and dreams for the future. His patience helps her blossom and thrive, and all he wants in return is her love and happiness.
Ekko is an amazing heroine. She’s never had the very basic of things that people have in life, including love. The fact she has achieved all she has and that she still has hopes and dreams is a testament to her character. Watching her become more sure of herself and begin to experience things like having friends for the first time as well as the joy of a loving relationship was beautiful to read.
While watching their relationship unfold was gorgeous, there is enough drama between Dom’s unsolved case and Ekko’s secret that leaves readers wondering if these characters will get the happy ever after they both desperately deserve. I also wanted to give a shout out to the author for handling Ekko’s self esteem and other issues (sorry, no spoilers LOL) with beauty and grace. 5 stars!
Dominick Moore hasn’t been able to forget about Ekko since the night he saved her from becoming part of a sex trafficking ring months ago. He’s been watching over her from afar, because she had a boyfriend. But, now that she is single, all bets are off and he can finally make his move, and the timing couldn’t be better for the struggling Ekko. But Dom wants so much more than just to help Ekko get back on her feet. He wants a happy ever after with her.
As Dom and Ekko fall further and further into their relationship and each other, Ekko’s luck takes yet another turn for the worse. Dom’s current case also takes a sinister turn. With fate seeming to pull them apart, it’s up to Dom to find out not only the secret Ekko is keeping but also crack the case that is deadly enough to keep them apart forever.
A.K. Evans did a stunning job with Desperate! Dominick Moore is truly one of the good guys who only wants the best for Ekko. He’s incredibly caring and supportive of her as well as her hopes and dreams for the future. His patience helps her blossom and thrive, and all he wants in return is her love and happiness.
Ekko is an amazing heroine. She’s never had the very basic of things that people have in life, including love. The fact she has achieved all she has and that she still has hopes and dreams is a testament to her character. Watching her become more sure of herself and begin to experience things like having friends for the first time as well as the joy of a loving relationship was beautiful to read.
While watching their relationship unfold was gorgeous, there is enough drama between Dom’s unsolved case and Ekko’s secret that leaves readers wondering if these characters will get the happy ever after they both desperately deserve. I also wanted to give a shout out to the author for handling Ekko’s self esteem and other issues (sorry, no spoilers LOL) with beauty and grace. 5 stars!
October 27, 2018
Oh, Dom. I loved him in previous books, but his battle to win and keep Ekko has earned him a permanent place in my “top three book men” ranking. And Ekko has managed to join the ranks of Lexi and Emme in my eyes because of her ability to find the strength to power through anything life throws her way.
Dom helped Ekko out of a potentially nasty and terrifying situation months ago, but stayed away from the beauty who caught his eye because he thought she was taken by another. When he finally decides to see Ekko again, he finds that she’s in dire need of kindness and that he wasted time due to his mistaken impression of her availability. Dom’s stubbornness wears Ekko down and she agrees to accept his help, and eventually so much more.
Ekko has had a very rough life and lives by the “if it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all” credo because everything slightly good in her life gets ripped away. Because of this, she’s afraid to let herself get too involved with Dom, but she never counted on love or her dreams coming true. She made me want to cry for her because she rips her own heart out while trying to make others happy, and her willingness to break herself for the betterment of others proved just how worthy and deserving of the good life she is.
Dom and Ekko’s journey was full of love, and even an attempt to separate them permanently only served to strengthen their bond and devotion to each other. I can’t wait to see where AK Evans takes us with her next novel, because I find myself feeling that every story is so much better than the last (which is hard to accomplish, but she manages to do it!).
Dom helped Ekko out of a potentially nasty and terrifying situation months ago, but stayed away from the beauty who caught his eye because he thought she was taken by another. When he finally decides to see Ekko again, he finds that she’s in dire need of kindness and that he wasted time due to his mistaken impression of her availability. Dom’s stubbornness wears Ekko down and she agrees to accept his help, and eventually so much more.
Ekko has had a very rough life and lives by the “if it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all” credo because everything slightly good in her life gets ripped away. Because of this, she’s afraid to let herself get too involved with Dom, but she never counted on love or her dreams coming true. She made me want to cry for her because she rips her own heart out while trying to make others happy, and her willingness to break herself for the betterment of others proved just how worthy and deserving of the good life she is.
Dom and Ekko’s journey was full of love, and even an attempt to separate them permanently only served to strengthen their bond and devotion to each other. I can’t wait to see where AK Evans takes us with her next novel, because I find myself feeling that every story is so much better than the last (which is hard to accomplish, but she manages to do it!).
November 23, 2018
ARC REVIEW
This book exceeded all my expectations. One of the few books I don't mind that it is written in first person switching POVs between Dom and Ekko. Dom is perfect book boyfriend material, it's almost annoying how perfect he is but that doesn't turn me off in any way I still want him to be my book boyfriend. Ekko hasn't had an easy life, she thinks the only luck she has is bad luck, until Dom walk into her life again. Ekko is days away from earning enough money to getting her own place when she finds out her ex-boyfriend/roommate is selling drugs she decides living in her car is a better choice. Dom has been keeping an eye on Ekko ever since he saved her from being kidnapped and sold into white slavery. He's known since the moment he saw her that she was going to be his, but he bided his time until he was sure she wasn't in a relationship. When he finds her sleeping in his car he makes his move.
Good things start to happen and Ekko is waiting for the other shoe to drop because for her nothing good lasts forever. Dom is determined to show and give Ekko the life she deserves and not the life she's been dealt. But Ekko was right and life deals her one last blow that devastated her enough to break up with Dom. That's not all Dom has a case that has him completely dumbfounded he doesn't realize until almost to late there's a threat to Ekko as well.
Overall, I loved this book. The characters are well written you really empathize with Ekko and Dom is just yummy I want one of him. The story is well thought out and well paced it did have has much excitement and suspense as the last book Overcome but it was still very good the main focus was the relationship between Ekko and Dom and dealing with Ekko's emotional hesitation when it comes to her relationship with Dom. It was emotional and exciting the end was just, wow. I can't wait for more.
This book exceeded all my expectations. One of the few books I don't mind that it is written in first person switching POVs between Dom and Ekko. Dom is perfect book boyfriend material, it's almost annoying how perfect he is but that doesn't turn me off in any way I still want him to be my book boyfriend. Ekko hasn't had an easy life, she thinks the only luck she has is bad luck, until Dom walk into her life again. Ekko is days away from earning enough money to getting her own place when she finds out her ex-boyfriend/roommate is selling drugs she decides living in her car is a better choice. Dom has been keeping an eye on Ekko ever since he saved her from being kidnapped and sold into white slavery. He's known since the moment he saw her that she was going to be his, but he bided his time until he was sure she wasn't in a relationship. When he finds her sleeping in his car he makes his move.
Good things start to happen and Ekko is waiting for the other shoe to drop because for her nothing good lasts forever. Dom is determined to show and give Ekko the life she deserves and not the life she's been dealt. But Ekko was right and life deals her one last blow that devastated her enough to break up with Dom. That's not all Dom has a case that has him completely dumbfounded he doesn't realize until almost to late there's a threat to Ekko as well.
Overall, I loved this book. The characters are well written you really empathize with Ekko and Dom is just yummy I want one of him. The story is well thought out and well paced it did have has much excitement and suspense as the last book Overcome but it was still very good the main focus was the relationship between Ekko and Dom and dealing with Ekko's emotional hesitation when it comes to her relationship with Dom. It was emotional and exciting the end was just, wow. I can't wait for more.
November 20, 2018
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I hadn't read any of the books int his series but was so interested. Right from the get go I found Dom to be such a great character. He helped Ekko but stayed away because he thought she belonged to someone else. He made him admirable to me because there are plenty of men who wouldn't step aside. When he finally goes to Ekko he finds that his mistaken belief has left Ekko in need of help.
Ekko was such a wonderful character. She was so determined to make others happy at her own expense that my heart broke for her. She was the kind of person that needs love, kindness, and compassion and that is just what she finds in Dom. Even though she never believed she would. I can't tell you how much this book touched me. This review was originally posted on A Lucky Grace
Ekko was such a wonderful character. She was so determined to make others happy at her own expense that my heart broke for her. She was the kind of person that needs love, kindness, and compassion and that is just what she finds in Dom. Even though she never believed she would. I can't tell you how much this book touched me. This review was originally posted on A Lucky Grace
November 18, 2018
Ekko has endured a traumatic past and every time she thinks that she making a step forward sometime happens that knocks her down again. After all the setbacks she has endured she now believes that she doesn’t deserve better.
Ever since Dom rescued Ekko from a dangerous situation a few months ago he had feelings for her but has kept his distance as he believes she has a boyfriend but that hasn’t stopped him from keeping an eye on her. When he finds out about her latest setback, he is determined to help but her past is not about to let her go so easily.
I loved these two together. Dom is a good man who shows Ekko that she deserves so much more than what life has given her and with his support her strength and resilience shines through. Full of love and emotion this is a story you won’t soon forget. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Ever since Dom rescued Ekko from a dangerous situation a few months ago he had feelings for her but has kept his distance as he believes she has a boyfriend but that hasn’t stopped him from keeping an eye on her. When he finds out about her latest setback, he is determined to help but her past is not about to let her go so easily.
I loved these two together. Dom is a good man who shows Ekko that she deserves so much more than what life has given her and with his support her strength and resilience shines through. Full of love and emotion this is a story you won’t soon forget. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
November 12, 2018
Truly Breathtaking Story!
I couldn't put this book down from start to finish it had me hooked. Ekko and Dom's story is nothing short of beautiful. Evans has done it again!, I didn't think I could love the Cunningham security boys anymore than I already did, but she has really outdone herself with Dom. From his continued battle to keep Ekko and show her that she truly deserved a good man was heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time. Ekko has had a bad hand dealt to her, her entire life, that is until she meets Dom, although they met in an unfortunate manor the story that evolves following their introduction is mesmerising!
A must read for everyone and Fans alike.
I couldn't put this book down from start to finish it had me hooked. Ekko and Dom's story is nothing short of beautiful. Evans has done it again!, I didn't think I could love the Cunningham security boys anymore than I already did, but she has really outdone herself with Dom. From his continued battle to keep Ekko and show her that she truly deserved a good man was heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time. Ekko has had a bad hand dealt to her, her entire life, that is until she meets Dom, although they met in an unfortunate manor the story that evolves following their introduction is mesmerising!
A must read for everyone and Fans alike.
October 28, 2018
Desperate was a fantastically well written story! Ekko is a character that can be related to by so many people. And Don is so sweet and so romantic, he will be everyone’s next book boyfriend! I loved the fact that AK Rvans took a very sensitive subject and wrote about it so eloquently. It was heartbreaking and beautiful. This story is so much more than just an HEA. Ekko conquers so much and is so strong, this is a survival story as well. Another amazing installation the Cunningham Security Series! Definitely worth a second, and maybe fifth read!
November 21, 2018
Marie's Tempting Reads ARC Review:
A STUPENDOUS, SIZZLING, HEART-MELTING ROMANCE THAT GAVE ME THE GOOD CHILLS AND MADE ME WARM ALL OVER!
I do so enjoy A.K. Evans writing. And Desperate gave me everything I was looking for and then some. The characters are not just likable but lovable. The story is rich with passion and romance and I loved every minute of this story. It was flawless and had a damsel in distress/knight in shining armor theme that I frankly adored, especially since its one of my favorite themes in a romance. It was heart warming and sexy too.
Desperate gets a HEART-SIZZLING FIVE SHOOTING STARS!
A STUPENDOUS, SIZZLING, HEART-MELTING ROMANCE THAT GAVE ME THE GOOD CHILLS AND MADE ME WARM ALL OVER!
I do so enjoy A.K. Evans writing. And Desperate gave me everything I was looking for and then some. The characters are not just likable but lovable. The story is rich with passion and romance and I loved every minute of this story. It was flawless and had a damsel in distress/knight in shining armor theme that I frankly adored, especially since its one of my favorite themes in a romance. It was heart warming and sexy too.
Desperate gets a HEART-SIZZLING FIVE SHOOTING STARS!
November 27, 2018
I loved this latest addition to the Cunningham Security series, as a matter of fact, once I started reading it I didn't want to put it down. It was a delightfully told story with characters that made you fall in love with them. Each book by new author A.K. Evans just gets better & better and honestly, she is a writing machine! This is her 7th book in the last year and a half and she doesn't show signs of stopping anytime soon. If you want a book that you can just crawl up into a chair with and lose yourself in...this is that book.
October 29, 2018
Exceptionally well written with such love between them. Dom is the ultimate man. Not afraid of his feelings or his love, even I didnt realise stuborness was such a wonderful trait.
The insecurities that Ekko had about not being "good enough" were dealt with very well as anyone could relate to how strong she had to be to overcome everything she had.
If you havent read Desperate yet ... Why not ? it is an excellent read...... A K Evans you have done it AGAIN ... Well done
The insecurities that Ekko had about not being "good enough" were dealt with very well as anyone could relate to how strong she had to be to overcome everything she had.
If you havent read Desperate yet ... Why not ? it is an excellent read...... A K Evans you have done it AGAIN ... Well done
November 1, 2018
Such a beautiful story! I was captivated by this book from the beginning. Ekko grew up with an absent father that left before she was born, and a mother that was neglectful and a drug user. Dom works for Cunningham Security and fell in love with Ekko the first time he saw her. So much tragedy and heartbreak, and romance. This is my absolute favorite book by this author. I highly recommend reading this book!
November 8, 2018
Dom stole my heart and made me swoon so much I couldn’t stop smiling. Dom he’s protective, sexy, sweet and every woman’s dream man. Ekko she’s determined, beautiful, sweet and so strong she amazes me. Two people that have so much chemistry it’s off the charts. But with Ekko’s past and new information will all love be lost? Definitely a must read romance that makes your heart skip and beat. 5/5 sugar stars
October 27, 2018
Im blown away yet again you said it was going to be good and you nailed it.
Anyone who hasn't read it you need to.
I haven't put my kindle down all day cause I've been hooked!
Your right Ekko and Doms story needed to be told and what a great story it was.
Whose next !?
Anyone who hasn't read it you need to.
I haven't put my kindle down all day cause I've been hooked!
Your right Ekko and Doms story needed to be told and what a great story it was.
Whose next !?
November 4, 2018
I really enjoyed this read! It’s one that you can’t help but finish in one sitting. Dom and Ekko easily became some of my favorite characters.
October 6, 2021
ANOTHER GREAT ONE
Great story and the series has been amazing so far. On to the next one.... can't wait to see what twists and turns will happen.
Great story and the series has been amazing so far. On to the next one.... can't wait to see what twists and turns will happen.
November 5, 2018
This was such a great read.
What can I say about this book? Does the fact that I couldn’t put it down until it was finished say it all? Dinner that day ended up being pizza since I lost track of time reading until my sweet family had the nerve to interrupt.
Ekko and Dom ended up being one of my favorite couples of the series, which is saying a lot because I adored the previous books. Dom is such an upstanding, caring, intense guy whose heart is as big as he is. All he wants to do is take care of Ekko and help her through the situation she’s in. Ekko has been through so much in her life it broke my heart. This had me rooting for them as a couple as well as cheering for Ekko to find self worth and success as her own person.
I enjoyed this so much it is going in my “to read again” pile, to be enjoyed and savored when I’m missing this awesome couple.
Well done Ms. Evans!
What can I say about this book? Does the fact that I couldn’t put it down until it was finished say it all? Dinner that day ended up being pizza since I lost track of time reading until my sweet family had the nerve to interrupt.
Ekko and Dom ended up being one of my favorite couples of the series, which is saying a lot because I adored the previous books. Dom is such an upstanding, caring, intense guy whose heart is as big as he is. All he wants to do is take care of Ekko and help her through the situation she’s in. Ekko has been through so much in her life it broke my heart. This had me rooting for them as a couple as well as cheering for Ekko to find self worth and success as her own person.
I enjoyed this so much it is going in my “to read again” pile, to be enjoyed and savored when I’m missing this awesome couple.
Well done Ms. Evans!
November 5, 2018
This book. Holy WOW.
I'm not sure there was a single emotion I didn't feel while reading this story. It had a little bit of everything. Heartbreak, angst, love, tenderness, and a whole lot more. I couldn't put it down.
With each book she releases, I'm falling more and more in love with A.K. Evans as a writer. I can't wait to see where the next one takes us.
I'm not sure there was a single emotion I didn't feel while reading this story. It had a little bit of everything. Heartbreak, angst, love, tenderness, and a whole lot more. I couldn't put it down.
With each book she releases, I'm falling more and more in love with A.K. Evans as a writer. I can't wait to see where the next one takes us.
September 22, 2023
OK - I just did a re-read and OMG it was even better than I remembered - how does Dom just keep getting better and better. He has has propped himself to the top of my book boyfriend list.
I swear while reading Desperate I was completely transported out of my daily life, it is the best my favourite part of reading A.K. Evans books, I can just ignore life and enjoy the moment!
From the minute I opened this book I was HOOKED!
Dom is incredible. Anyone who has read the previous books in the Cunningham series would know that Dom was a person we needed to know more about. The more we learn about him, the more we love. He is this huge man with the most amazing heart. The way he loves his family, his friends and the way he loves Ekko, well, I'm swooning. He is stubborn, he is kind, he is thoughtful and admits his faults. Who wouldn't fall in love with him?
Ekko is one tough cookie. She has been given the short end of the stick at every turn and yet she still manages to push through and never give up on life. She is such a lovable and relatable heroine.
A.K. Evans does such a beautiful job pulling her readers into this world of dreamy men and fierce women. As a reader we always hope that the authors will transport us away from our lives and into a dream word, Evans succeeds in Desperate. It left me desperate for more!
I swear while reading Desperate I was completely transported out of my daily life, it is the best my favourite part of reading A.K. Evans books, I can just ignore life and enjoy the moment!
From the minute I opened this book I was HOOKED!
Dom is incredible. Anyone who has read the previous books in the Cunningham series would know that Dom was a person we needed to know more about. The more we learn about him, the more we love. He is this huge man with the most amazing heart. The way he loves his family, his friends and the way he loves Ekko, well, I'm swooning. He is stubborn, he is kind, he is thoughtful and admits his faults. Who wouldn't fall in love with him?
Ekko is one tough cookie. She has been given the short end of the stick at every turn and yet she still manages to push through and never give up on life. She is such a lovable and relatable heroine.
A.K. Evans does such a beautiful job pulling her readers into this world of dreamy men and fierce women. As a reader we always hope that the authors will transport us away from our lives and into a dream word, Evans succeeds in Desperate. It left me desperate for more!
May 31, 2020
I am going to try my best to put into words how much I loved Desperate. I loved Dom in all the other books he made appearances in. You could tell that he was so caring and compassionate in those stories. That is exactly what he is in this book. He is what every woman probably dreams of as a significant other. He is dreamy and handsome. He takes care of Ekko right from the beginning. Ekko has a broken spirit after coming from a hard life. To see her fight for herself and try to battle everything on her own broke my heart. It also made me love her even more because she was a fighter and not looking for handouts. As soon as Dom and Ekko are together in the book you can feel their attraction and chemistry. I love a book that can give me all the feels! This book was one of them! Dom and Ekko are my favorite characters A.K. Evan's has wrote so far! I wish there was more to their story. I have a serious book hangover from it! I can't wait for what is next in this series, as it just keeps getting better!
October 18, 2023
"Desperate," Book 3 in the Cunningham Security series of romantic suspense by A.K. Evans, is one of my favorite books. There is just something about Ekko and Dom's story - far from a fairy tale and yet still conjures up all the feels - that speaks to me on a personal level. Not only is Evans a gifted storyteller, but the talent she chose for the audio narration is fantastic. The performances of Troy Duran and Maxine Mitchell make this already gorgeous piece of work into something that is absolutely extraordinary. I've read this book multiple times, so it's safe to say that I know it well. However, hearing Mitchell's performance in a particular scene was so devastatingly beautiful and emotional that I was crying by the end of it. Just stunning. Words simply can't do this justice in my opinion.
April 12, 2020
Oh wow ...What an amazing and awesome book. Having started the Cunningham series and falling in love with it, each book is eagerly awaited. This was no exception and in the previous book we met our heroine when Dom and Cruz rescued her. So I guessed this would be a tearjerker and I was right! Ekko broke my heart, her life was so tragic I wanted so badly to hug her. When Dom finds her alone and unsafe he becomes her hero. What unfolds is a beautiful but heartbreaking story where love is tested and to top that off outside influences contrive to keep them apart. Fortunately love eventually wins out with the most amazing outcome. Read it to find out for yourself. Highly recommend this book and series.
November 24, 2018
Desperate was a rough read for me. The story was intriguing enough to make me want to finish it, but the writing was so amateurish it continually pulled me out of the book. In the acknowledgments I read that this is the author’s seventh book, but had I not read other books by AK Evans – and that sentence in the back of the book – I would have thought this was a debut foray into publishing.
I loved the idea of Ekko and Dom, and there were moments when they were beautiful together. I appreciated how fully he supported her in everything and how sweet he was to her. A lot of their relationship was just too saccharine for me, though.
I also felt like there was a lot of story left on the table. In the prologue this huge bomb is dropped on us that Ekko is going into the foster care system, then – apart from her briefly recalling the exact scene that made up the prologue – there is never another mention of it. In fact, she continually laments how hard her life has been until Dom entered it but never delves into what made it that way. After a while, it felt like she was just whiny since we had no real reference for the traumas she’d suffered throughout her life.
I also felt like beyond the romance book perfect boyfriend Dom was through Ekko’s eyes, I had no idea who he was. I don’t know why he was so kind and caring, I don’t know what his past was like, I don’t know what motivated him. His character development was sorely lacking, and I am wholly disappointed that after spending an entire novel reading about a character I have no deep impressions of him.
Finally, this book is in desperate need of some heavy-handed editing. AK Evans continually goes back and forth from present to past tense, occasionally in the same sentence. There was also a lot of who/that confusion, and a lot of very clunky and awkwardly constructed sentences. For a good part of the novel, the writing felt very forced, as if Ms. Evans didn’t feel the natural flow of the story and was just trying to get enough words in to hit a required word count by a specific deadline.
Desperate is the third book I’ve read by AK Evans, each time hoping the writing would improve and be worthy of the ideas held in the plot to no avail, and it will be my last. I’m sure she has the potential to be better than the books of hers I’ve read, but she has yet to impress upon me that she is anywhere near it. I wish her the best in honing her craft and reaching her full potential.
I loved the idea of Ekko and Dom, and there were moments when they were beautiful together. I appreciated how fully he supported her in everything and how sweet he was to her. A lot of their relationship was just too saccharine for me, though.
I also felt like there was a lot of story left on the table. In the prologue this huge bomb is dropped on us that Ekko is going into the foster care system, then – apart from her briefly recalling the exact scene that made up the prologue – there is never another mention of it. In fact, she continually laments how hard her life has been until Dom entered it but never delves into what made it that way. After a while, it felt like she was just whiny since we had no real reference for the traumas she’d suffered throughout her life.
I also felt like beyond the romance book perfect boyfriend Dom was through Ekko’s eyes, I had no idea who he was. I don’t know why he was so kind and caring, I don’t know what his past was like, I don’t know what motivated him. His character development was sorely lacking, and I am wholly disappointed that after spending an entire novel reading about a character I have no deep impressions of him.
Finally, this book is in desperate need of some heavy-handed editing. AK Evans continually goes back and forth from present to past tense, occasionally in the same sentence. There was also a lot of who/that confusion, and a lot of very clunky and awkwardly constructed sentences. For a good part of the novel, the writing felt very forced, as if Ms. Evans didn’t feel the natural flow of the story and was just trying to get enough words in to hit a required word count by a specific deadline.
Desperate is the third book I’ve read by AK Evans, each time hoping the writing would improve and be worthy of the ideas held in the plot to no avail, and it will be my last. I’m sure she has the potential to be better than the books of hers I’ve read, but she has yet to impress upon me that she is anywhere near it. I wish her the best in honing her craft and reaching her full potential.
June 27, 2025
as much as id like to finish this, i fear i have to skip and dnf this one
yeah i really did not like how this rolled out, the writing and retelling of the story is nowhere near intriguing/catchy. i am almost at the 100th page and there’s literally nothing going on other than going back and forth how fucked up her life is, so on and so on. the time jump was a bit too much too, without a proper background on what actually happened to the fmc after being put in foster care up until to her situation at the present
i didn’t like some of the dialogues too, some of it are too forced and unnecessary. there is no absolutely chemistry between the characters, other than they keep saying how attracted they are to each other
i did not like some of the actions of the fmc too, she’s literally living up to the title lol. and from being almost kidnapped/trafficked, she doesn’t give off any of that with any of her actions/subtle trauma other than it was literally just mentioned that she was saved from that by the mmc
this is sooo slow, i had to skim past some of the pages because they are just too full of words without actually adding to the actual story. already halfway through the book and i still couldn’t figure out what was exactly the plot of this story, other than being “saved” by the mmc from financial struggles and then falling in love along side it (which even that is really hard to get)
i’d like to guess this story would just revolve around the mcs playing tug of war whether they should be together because of their different backgrounds/class, and then here comes the ex bringing trouble, which the hero will then save AGAIn the damsel in distress. and voila! they’d finally admit their whole ass feelings for each other, happily ever after 🙃
*sigh*
all in all, i’d say this book is too slow and too fast at the same time in certain ways. sorry, but i dont think id give this another try
⭐️ financially struggling fmc
⭐️ private investigator mmc
⭐️ i literally dont know what to put here that stood out in the story lmao
yeah i really did not like how this rolled out, the writing and retelling of the story is nowhere near intriguing/catchy. i am almost at the 100th page and there’s literally nothing going on other than going back and forth how fucked up her life is, so on and so on. the time jump was a bit too much too, without a proper background on what actually happened to the fmc after being put in foster care up until to her situation at the present
i didn’t like some of the dialogues too, some of it are too forced and unnecessary. there is no absolutely chemistry between the characters, other than they keep saying how attracted they are to each other
i did not like some of the actions of the fmc too, she’s literally living up to the title lol. and from being almost kidnapped/trafficked, she doesn’t give off any of that with any of her actions/subtle trauma other than it was literally just mentioned that she was saved from that by the mmc
this is sooo slow, i had to skim past some of the pages because they are just too full of words without actually adding to the actual story. already halfway through the book and i still couldn’t figure out what was exactly the plot of this story, other than being “saved” by the mmc from financial struggles and then falling in love along side it (which even that is really hard to get)
i’d like to guess this story would just revolve around the mcs playing tug of war whether they should be together because of their different backgrounds/class, and then here comes the ex bringing trouble, which the hero will then save AGAIn the damsel in distress. and voila! they’d finally admit their whole ass feelings for each other, happily ever after 🙃
*sigh*
all in all, i’d say this book is too slow and too fast at the same time in certain ways. sorry, but i dont think id give this another try
⭐️ financially struggling fmc
⭐️ private investigator mmc
⭐️ i literally dont know what to put here that stood out in the story lmao
October 18, 2023
Ekko Rose did not have a great childhood and she is attempting to get her life back in order. Yet it feels like for every step forward she ends up taking two steps back. After almost being kidnapped a couple of months prior she knows she is lucky to be alive.
Dom Moore works for Cunningham Security and since foiling a kidnap attempt on Ekko he can't get her off his mind. He watches from a distance to make sure she is safe and hopes one day he will have a chance.
When Ekko's life takes another bad turn Dom shows up to help her out but Ekko doesn't like taking handouts.
Can Dom prove to Ekko that he is one of the good guys?
This was another good book in the series and I liked it more than the first one but not as much as the second.
I didn't love Ekko as much as I wanted to. She had gone through so much and I gave her props for getting through as well as she did but I just found her up and down. She had such an issue with trust yet found herself in a bad thing with Ryan but was unable to see him for what he was. Ekko had great goals which she was working towards but was too proud that she didn't want any help.
I loved Dom and thought he was a great character. He was super caring and just wanted to help Ekko and didn't expect anything in return. He never put any pressure on Ekko although he let her know what he wanted.
There was a lot of chemistry between Ekko and Dom but they had to get to a place where Ekko knew that Dom was there for the right reason. I liked how things progressed between them.
I didn't like how Ekko made up Dom's mind for him regarding their relationship.
There was a character who seemed odd but you never knew why until the very end. I wasn't sure how the character was able to link everything together.
The end was good and I am looking forward to more in this series.
3.5 Stars- Rebecca
Dom Moore works for Cunningham Security and since foiling a kidnap attempt on Ekko he can't get her off his mind. He watches from a distance to make sure she is safe and hopes one day he will have a chance.
When Ekko's life takes another bad turn Dom shows up to help her out but Ekko doesn't like taking handouts.
Can Dom prove to Ekko that he is one of the good guys?
This was another good book in the series and I liked it more than the first one but not as much as the second.
I didn't love Ekko as much as I wanted to. She had gone through so much and I gave her props for getting through as well as she did but I just found her up and down. She had such an issue with trust yet found herself in a bad thing with Ryan but was unable to see him for what he was. Ekko had great goals which she was working towards but was too proud that she didn't want any help.
I loved Dom and thought he was a great character. He was super caring and just wanted to help Ekko and didn't expect anything in return. He never put any pressure on Ekko although he let her know what he wanted.
There was a lot of chemistry between Ekko and Dom but they had to get to a place where Ekko knew that Dom was there for the right reason. I liked how things progressed between them.
I didn't like how Ekko made up Dom's mind for him regarding their relationship.
There was a character who seemed odd but you never knew why until the very end. I wasn't sure how the character was able to link everything together.
The end was good and I am looking forward to more in this series.
3.5 Stars- Rebecca
November 12, 2018
This really was a beautiful story from start to finish, awful at times and hard, but beautiful nonetheless. I really enjoyed the flow of the story. That was one of the best things for me. It was just seamless and effortless. I think that's A.K. Evans secret super power. She has this incredible gift for effortlessness and fluidity.
Dom was just so beautiful throughout. You could feel that about him. If just oozed out of him right from his soul. His deep protection and attentiveness towards Ekko was sublime. To care that deeply about someone is a beautiful thing and Dom did that in spades and was always there for Ekko even through the not so good times.
He was everything a loving man should be. He was so gentle with her and patient. He gave her everything she needed. The basic things in life we need, he gave them to her in such a beautiful way it was heart wrenching.
It's so clear to see that they complete each other. They are the perfect piece to each others puzzle. They are just on that level where they completely get each other and are completely happy and content.
They were everything I hoped they would be and more. Their story was beyond beautiful and sorrowful but my god did it get you in the feels. Definitely be reading on a regular basis.
#RelationshipGoals. Dom and Ekko are IT.
Dom was just so beautiful throughout. You could feel that about him. If just oozed out of him right from his soul. His deep protection and attentiveness towards Ekko was sublime. To care that deeply about someone is a beautiful thing and Dom did that in spades and was always there for Ekko even through the not so good times.
He was everything a loving man should be. He was so gentle with her and patient. He gave her everything she needed. The basic things in life we need, he gave them to her in such a beautiful way it was heart wrenching.
It's so clear to see that they complete each other. They are the perfect piece to each others puzzle. They are just on that level where they completely get each other and are completely happy and content.
They were everything I hoped they would be and more. Their story was beyond beautiful and sorrowful but my god did it get you in the feels. Definitely be reading on a regular basis.
#RelationshipGoals. Dom and Ekko are IT.
August 8, 2019
*** 4.5 STARS ***
I freaking LOVE this book and I think A.K Evans style of writing just keeps on improving. Desperate is Book 3 in the Cunningham Security series and I've been doing nothing but binged read this series eversince someone from a bookgroup recommended Ms Evans to me.
In Desperate we got to know about Ekko whom we briefly met during a rescued kidnapping that the hunky guys from Cunningham Security did in a previous book. In that book we saw a glimpse of Ekko's desperation and reading her backstory in this book, you just cannot help but feel for the young woman. Life dealt her a bad hand time and time again, never seems to give her a break but Ekko is strong and she keeps persevering. I have to say that I love Dom, I've loved him since Book #1 and he's my favourite Cunningham Security guy. He's ever so patient understanding with Ekko. He's sensitive to her needs and he is so protective! This is my favourite couple (so far) in this series and one of the reasons is because Ekko is a short girl like me and I have a huge weakness for really tall men like Dom. To me the height difference is really sexy, also the nicknames they gave each other is not as annoying :D
I would have given this 5 solid stars if only the epilogue is longer. I love epilogues, Kristen Ashley style of epilogues LOL! Can't wait to get read the next book. Highly recommend!
I freaking LOVE this book and I think A.K Evans style of writing just keeps on improving. Desperate is Book 3 in the Cunningham Security series and I've been doing nothing but binged read this series eversince someone from a bookgroup recommended Ms Evans to me.
In Desperate we got to know about Ekko whom we briefly met during a rescued kidnapping that the hunky guys from Cunningham Security did in a previous book. In that book we saw a glimpse of Ekko's desperation and reading her backstory in this book, you just cannot help but feel for the young woman. Life dealt her a bad hand time and time again, never seems to give her a break but Ekko is strong and she keeps persevering. I have to say that I love Dom, I've loved him since Book #1 and he's my favourite Cunningham Security guy. He's ever so patient understanding with Ekko. He's sensitive to her needs and he is so protective! This is my favourite couple (so far) in this series and one of the reasons is because Ekko is a short girl like me and I have a huge weakness for really tall men like Dom. To me the height difference is really sexy, also the nicknames they gave each other is not as annoying :D
I would have given this 5 solid stars if only the epilogue is longer. I love epilogues, Kristen Ashley style of epilogues LOL! Can't wait to get read the next book. Highly recommend!
September 16, 2023
Desperate (Cunningham Security Series Book 3) by A K Evans is an exciting suspense romance. A. K. Evans can write protector romance unlike any other. The audiobook is a must-listen, with the narrators Maxine Mitchell and Troy Duran bringing an emotional edge and sexiness to their telling of the story.
Ekko is a woman who lived through unimaginable hard times with a drug-addicted mother, losing her apartment, moving in with her ex-boyfriend, ending up homeless, and sleeping in the car. All that and finding herself rescued from being abducted by human traffickers by a guy named Dom and his team on a sting operation. Dom feels drawn to Ekko and decides to observe her without her knowledge to ensure she is okay. When he realizes she is homeless, he offers her to stay with him in an extra bedroom in his home. Living together is the tipping point moment for Ekko and Dom’s lives to change and never be the same again. Living together develops into a friendship that each hopes grows into more, but both carry emotional scars from their past. Desperate keeps the reader on edge until the last chapters, containing surprises with a twisty, unexpected turn of events that brings the book to an OMG spectacular HEA ending!
Ekko is a woman who lived through unimaginable hard times with a drug-addicted mother, losing her apartment, moving in with her ex-boyfriend, ending up homeless, and sleeping in the car. All that and finding herself rescued from being abducted by human traffickers by a guy named Dom and his team on a sting operation. Dom feels drawn to Ekko and decides to observe her without her knowledge to ensure she is okay. When he realizes she is homeless, he offers her to stay with him in an extra bedroom in his home. Living together is the tipping point moment for Ekko and Dom’s lives to change and never be the same again. Living together develops into a friendship that each hopes grows into more, but both carry emotional scars from their past. Desperate keeps the reader on edge until the last chapters, containing surprises with a twisty, unexpected turn of events that brings the book to an OMG spectacular HEA ending!
October 26, 2023
This was another good book in the series and I liked it more than the first one but not as much as the second.
I didn't love Ekko as much as I wanted to. She had gone through so much and I gave her props for getting through as well as she did but I just found her up and down. She had such an issue with trust yet found herself in a bad thing with Ryan but was unable to see him for what he was. Ekko had great goals which she was working towards but was too proud that she didn't want any help.
I loved Dom and thought he was a great character. He was super caring and just wanted to help Ekko and didn't expect anything in return. He never put any pressure on Ekko although he let her know what he wanted.
There was a lot of chemistry between Ekko and Dom but they had to get to a place where Ekko knew that Dom was there for the right reason. I liked how things progressed between them.
I didn't like how Ekko made up Dom's mind for him regarding their relationship.
There was a character who seemed odd but you never knew why until the very end. I wasn't sure how the character was able to link everything together.
The end was good and I am looking forward to more in this series.
3.5 Stars
I didn't love Ekko as much as I wanted to. She had gone through so much and I gave her props for getting through as well as she did but I just found her up and down. She had such an issue with trust yet found herself in a bad thing with Ryan but was unable to see him for what he was. Ekko had great goals which she was working towards but was too proud that she didn't want any help.
I loved Dom and thought he was a great character. He was super caring and just wanted to help Ekko and didn't expect anything in return. He never put any pressure on Ekko although he let her know what he wanted.
There was a lot of chemistry between Ekko and Dom but they had to get to a place where Ekko knew that Dom was there for the right reason. I liked how things progressed between them.
I didn't like how Ekko made up Dom's mind for him regarding their relationship.
There was a character who seemed odd but you never knew why until the very end. I wasn't sure how the character was able to link everything together.
The end was good and I am looking forward to more in this series.
3.5 Stars
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