From the bestselling author of the Callahan Security Series. Meet Finn Walsh of the US Coast Guard’s TEAM RECON. As in reconstructed. As in broken and needs fixing. After an abandoned ship is found in international waters, Team RECON is summoned by Homeland Security to find answers. Finn Walsh has massive reservations about boarding the empty US Navy ship. His worst fears come to life when they find all the navigation and electronics equipment disabled, smashed, or gone. But when Finn finds a hidden stash of dead bodies, and the boat begins to sink because of a violent storm, he can’t get off the ship fast enough.
Homeland Security analyst Victory Stanhope evaluates foreign and domestic terrorist cells from the safety of a desk in Washington D.C. After a dangerous stint with the CIA, that’s exactly how she likes it. But when a ‘request’ to investigate an abandoned ship comes from the Director himself, Tory heads back into the field as the reluctant leader of a Coast Guard special operations team. Life becomes more interesting after she realizes that the unforgettable man she slept with once at a low point in her life is part of the team she’s overseeing.
Tory sidelines her strong attraction to Finn and throws herself into the riddle of what happened to the crew of the Oceanus Explorer and who is selling government secrets to other nations.
The stakes get even higher when Tory realizes that the sinister mastermind of the treasonous plot is closer to home than she thought possible.
I grew up in a house filled with books and readers. Some of my fondest memories are of reading in the same room with my mother and sisters, arguing about whose turn it was to make tea. No one wanted to put their book down! I was introduced to romance because of my mom’s habit of leaving books all over the house. One day I picked one up. I still remember the cover. It was a Harlequin by Janet Daily. Little did I know at the time that it would set the stage for my future. I went on to discover mystery novels. Agatha Christie was my favorite. And then suspense with Wilber Smith and Ian Fleming. I loved the thought of combining my favorite genres, and during high school, I attempted to write my first romantic suspense novel. I wrote the first four chapters and then exams happened and that was the end of that. I desperately hope that book died a quiet death somewhere in a computer recycling facility. A few years later, (okay, quite a few) after two degrees, a husband and two kids, I attended a workshop in Tuscany that lit that spark for writing again. I have been pounding the keyboard ever since here in New Jersey, where I live with my children—who are thrilled with my writing as it means they get to eat more pizza—and my very supportive husband.
Lori Matthews grabs your attention from the first page to the last. A great book!
Finn Welsh and his fellow US Coast Guard Recon team members were sent to the Oceanus Explorer to investigate the empty and disabled ship floating in the shipping lanes off the coast of Nova Scotia. The Canadians who originally boarded the ghost ship did not find any crew or equipment. What they did find was a lot of blood and damaged controls. Crew members from the Coast Guard cutter Robert Walton are currently attempting to move the ship to port navigating rough sea waters while the team onboard searches the vessel for clues. They find the integrity of the ship damaged and are afraid it may capsize during the storm. One last check, Finn finds the bodies of the missing crew members and a clue as to what may have happened to them right before they have to abandon ship. Victory Stanhope (Tory), a Homeland Security Analyst is sent to the Robert Walton to investigate the Oceanus believing HSA has an idea of why the ship is there. Once she gets the proof needed, she takes over as team leader and brings the Recon team up to date on the mission. While investigating the wreckage and loss of life, they discover a serious security leak. It seems that someone is always a step ahead of them blocking their progress to get information and finding someone to trust is just getting harder and harder. After several attempts on their lives and not knowing who to trust, the team has only a matter of time to find the information taken during the security leak.
So honestly, this book wasn't what I expected. Even after reading the synopsis, I was still surprised. It was a really great story that was darker and had more depth than I realized it would. I loved it! All of the characters were great and I loved the dynamic. It was a perfect balance of intrigue, romance, humor and darkness. I have not yet read the first 3 books, but you do not need to in order to full enjoy this one. You don't feel like you missed a thing. The 2 main characters Finn and Tory have dark pasts that they have struggled to deal with and are forced to face them during the events in the book. This changes their characters throughout the story. So though there were times I was irritated with Tory, you understood where she was coming from. It deals with real life stuff, politics, new and unsteady love and trauma.
Though in any story, you want to punch the bad guys in the face, this one really delivers a doozy that will set your blood on fire.
Can't beat a book that draws you in from the first few pages and makes you go through all the emotions at least once before you get to the end. I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. I need more of these characters and love mix of triller with a splash of romance.
Definitely would recommend to anyone. Because the romance is light enough that anyone could enjoy the book for what it is. The details the author provides are real and believable. Definitely more intrigue than mushy love. Very much along the lines of A.G Riddle's style, whom I love.
This is another book in the Coast Guard RECON series, and it is another great adventure with this group of special operators from the Coast Guard/Homeland Security Agency. Although they can each be read as a standalone, I personally encourage reading all of them and in order. I enjoy learning more about each team member as the series progresses. I have been hooked since I was given the first book as an ARC from Hidden Gems and continue to request them if I see it offered. This is the story of Finn Walsh and Victory (or Tory), who had one unforgettable night, but never exchanged contacts. To say meeting on an abandoned ship in the North Atlantic is a surprise would be an understatement. They are then thrown into the case of figuring out what organization was on the ship and what are they going to do with the information they have obtained. This then puts them in the middle of an international conspiracy. Lots of great locations and adventure round out an exciting romance for these two reunited lovers. Cannot wait to read the next one!
I am both in awe of and frightened by the twisted ways this author’s mind works. It’s more than a simple “what’s the worst that could happen?” She takes the worst possible outcome and ups the ante by a factor of ten or more. The danger and intrigue come in a form that I think a lot of us are getting more familiar with every day with recent news reports. And this book made me stop and wonder about what’s going on in our world more than once. On the relationship front, I love that this was a spin on a second chance: one night that never had the opportunity to go anywhere then but a partnership now that could make or break both Finn and Tory’s careers. The more we learn about the amazing men that are a part of Bertrand’s Team RECON, the more I want to know. I don’t know quite what the author has up her sleeve for what’s coming next, but I know I need to read it. I received a complimentary copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
Woke up at 2:00 AM this morning and couldn't fall back asleep so I decided to read a chapter or two of SUBVERTED, the newest Coast Guard RECON book by Lori Matthews that downloaded to my Kindle yesterday. At 5:00 AM, I was still wide awake and deeply immersed in the life or death intensity of this compelling story. Matthews has once again delivered intriguing characters, edge-of-my-seat suspense, scenarios I hope never happen but am well aware could, and complex, multi-layered storytelling that kept me up - literally - all night.
If you enjoy romantic suspense thrillers that grab your attention from the start and hold it securely until you turn that final page, you won't want to miss this book. It includes crossover characters from the first three books in the Coast Guard RECON series (which I also highly recommend) but also stands well on its own.
(4.5) This book had the writings of a psychological thriller rounded out with romantic suspense. Such a mystery and your on board from the get go. Finn is our intrepid alpha with a heart of gold. Tory is our feminine alpha without the brawn. They are both intelligent caring individuals that make this a win for romance readers. We have our Coast Guard Recon team rounding out the team. It is so hard to not give spoilers! As you read this book there are little nuggets along the way that explain so much about Finn and Tory. The mystery itself was dark and engaging and our evil doer was disgustingly evil. This is not a simple romantic suspense, there are so many layers with some frighteningly relatable in our world today. I highly recommend. Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #subverted#lorimatthews#hiddengems
I enjoyed this book. It was well paced and leaned a little more to action and suspense than romance. I liked that Tory wasn't sidelined as much as Andy was in Conflicted. However, when I finished the book, I felt that the situation with the Oceanus Explorer wasn't fully addressed or explained. I mean, there were tidbits of information here and there that suggested answers to why the ship was there and what happened onboard, and I understand the ties to the grander nefarious plot, but there was no definitive explanation that I could find. Or maybe I missed it-- if so, please let me know where it is in the book! As it stands, it feels like the author hoped that we would be distracted by everything else going on so they wouldn't have to clearly explain the immediate mystery surrounding the ship.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This story started off a bit slow for me, taking a few chapters to really get into it with the set up. Finn and Tory, along with the rest of the team, are up against a lot when it comes to the mystery that is their mission to solve. This is a romantic suspense that is higher on suspense than romance. At the same time, you see the strong love these two do have for each other, even when they let their fears, tempers, and the job keep them apart. The thrill of the suspense and desire to know who all is behind the danger had me constantly reaching for the book once the story line really picked up. This is the first I've read in this series but I plan to go back and read the previous books in the series.
*I am leaving an honest and voluntary review after receiving this book as an ARC.
A former US Navy vessel is found abandoned in off the coast of Nova Scotia. No one knows why. But someone must...since the elite Coast Guard RECON team is sent in. Who is masterminding this plot? With tendrils right up the chain of command, Finn, from the RECON team and Tory, now of Homeland Security but formerly CIA, must get to the bottom of this mystery before there are repercussions at the highest level of government.
A 'right out of the gate' great read for me. I love this series and am constantly amazed that the author has so many plot twists in her bag! This was a bit darker than some of her other novels, and none of those have been light reading. A fabulous romantic suspense. Truly worth reading.
The last person Homeland security analyst Victory ‘Tory’ Stanhope expected to see when she had to debrief the RECON Coast Guard team, was the man she’d never stopped fantasizing about since their single night together Finn Walsh. At least now she knew his name. But first things first, what did they find on that abandoned ship besides blood spatters.
Finn almost forgot his injured shoulder when SHE stepped in the room, he knew she gave him a false name but that didn’t stop him from wanting to see her again even if it was unlikely. Now he has to relive a horrific scene he barely got through an hour ago. And how dangerous exactly is whatever the powers that be know that they aren’t telling and how does Tory fit in? Rating: 4.25stars
Finn unexpectedly meets up with a former one night stand, one who had occupied his mind for a long time, and both still feel the same attraction but Tory shuts him down. However they and the RECON team are working together on a high level security breach where they are in danger of not only losing their jobs but their lives especially when the source of the breach is discovered. The characters are likeable and totally believable, the storyline is action packed and the suspense keeps mounting. The author is brilliant at keeping the reader curious and engaged with the story all the way through. Brilliant series. I received an ARC of this book but voluntarily leave this review.
The men of TEAM RECON are bada*ss. The suspense starts on the first page and takes you on a rollercoaster ride throughout the entire book. What I really love about this team of men is the camaraderie. They pull each other up and keep each other real. Laughing is a given in Lori’s stories. It’s a bit scary to think of the alphabet agencies and who can be turned and why. This story has all that I like in a suspense and more. There is treason, spying and dangerous situations. I also loved Finn and Tory’s dancing around each other. Lovers to enemies to lovers is fantastic. Another amazing story from this author.
Finn and Tory had a one night stand, and too late realised they could have had something more. However, the last thing either of them thought was that they’d reconnect years later on a mission. Like all the previous books, it has a convoluted, twist turning story line, and it’s a decent length of a read, holding ones attention right to the end. I thoroughly enjoyed book four Finn and Tory's story from the Coast Guard Recon series. Also a an older reader I like the maturity to the couples in the series from this author, and look forward to the rest of the teams HEAs still to come. I received an ARC of this book for my voluntarily review.
Intriguing: This was another exciting addition to the Coast Guard Recon series. It was full of danger and suspense, with more intrigue than action though. I nevertheless found it compelling and was interested in finding out how it was all going to play out. There was a slow burn romance between Tori and Finn that I thought felt authentic. Overall I enjoyed spending time with this unique group of individuals and I eagerly look forward to the next book. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Coast Guard Recon is an amazing series and Subverted is not to be missed. Government conspiracies, treason and the involvement of all the alphabet agencies add danger and suspense to this gripping story. Ex-CIA and current DHS, Tory has issues with her past that are now about to destroy her career and possibly end her life. Together with Finn and the rest of Recon and against all odds, they need to out maneuver some powerful people and stop the collapse of the US government. Edge of your seat thriller with fantastic characters that are willing to do whatever it takes. Loved it.
Finn unexpectedly meets up with Tory, a former one night stand, and whom neither had forgotten. When they end up having to work together, she puts feelings aside and concentrates on the job in hand, alongside the RECON team. There is a security breach where everyone is in danger of not only losing their jobs but also their lives especially when the source is discovered. A fast paced, action packed suspenseful romance, with excellent and believable characters. I guarantee this is a book where you’ll be happy to keep turning the pages until the very end. If you enjoy thrillers full of suspense and some romance, then this is for you. I would like to add that this book does include some crossover characters from the previous books, and although this book stands by itself, I do recommend you read them in order.
Another wonderful story in this series. Finn is a member of the Coast Guard RECON team that performs special operations. Tory is ex CIA but currently works as an analyst at DHS. They are dragged deep into a case that seems them running and hiding for their lives. It also places them trying to recapture a relationship from a one night stand. The characters continue to prove entertaining. Te plot is detailed and interesting. The team is successful on their mission and Tory and Finn get to start a solid relationship with no baggage.
I think Lori Mathews is great author. You definitely need to check out her books. The Coast Gaurd Recon series is amazing. Subverted did not disappoint. I loved the action, drama and suspense. I love the characters that Lori creates. The women are strong and the men have big hearts. Tory and Finn are awesome. I love their chemistry and their strength. Really good book!
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.
Matthews really knows how to write romantic suspense in a way that grabs you right from the start. The plot keeps you turning the page all the way to the end too!
I love all the guys on this coast Guard team!! They all have their gifts that add to the team. I am really looking forward to Cain’s story next!!
If you enjoy Romantic Suspense, a team of men on the Coast Guard and some great romance, then you will love this series!!
Subverted is the 4th book in this riveting series. Like the previous ones, it manages to combine suspense, danger and intrigue with a romance full of heat and steam. A fantastic read that will definitely has a place on my keeper shelf. With a series going from strength to strenght like this, I can't wait for the next one! I received a copy through Hidden Gems and am leaving this review voluntarily and honestly.
This is a very very good story. More than half the story is on the sea with lots of exciting mystery and investigating that brings you to the high seas Conclusion. I really enjoyed the adventure. I do sorta wish the Team's girls were in some of the books either at the end like in the epilogue or in the main story.... But they are all pretty good stories. I liked this one the best so far I think.
Tory and Finn: one night stand, but they both wished it was more. Bad events lead them to meet again and they get their second chance. Along the way they deal with murder attempts, betrayal from government colleagues, family disappointments, and help solve a major leak in government information. The team works great together and it is fun seeing the development and trust as each story progresses. This is a quick read with a great and entertaining ending.
I received an ARC copy of this book via Hidden Gems and I'm voluntarily leaving a review. Wow... thrilling. I throughly enjoyed reading Finn and Tory's story, it was brilliant from start to finish. It's told from the POV of both characters, fantastic storyline, loveable characters and a fab HEA. Looking forward to the next one in the series!
Wow! The details in this one get a bit gory, but holy cow, did they make for a good plot! Finn and Tory meet up again after a no-names one night stand that neither could forget. The story was quick-paced with juicy twists and turns to keep the reader turning the page. I think this might be my favorite book in the series!
Lori Matthews kept me turning the pages, yet again. I was really pleased that Finn found someone that would challenge him. I was wondering where the suspense was going to take me and who could be trusted. I loved the way the guys brought it all together. An on the edge of your seat read. A well crafted story. I received an ARC through Hidden Gems for an honest review
Great read! I couldn’t put it down once I started reading. The plot was terrific. Storyline flowed smoothly. I loved all the characters! Finn and Tory were great together despite not feeling their chemistry. I can’t wait to read Cain’s book as well as the first books in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.
The h, who had been CIA and was supposed to be smart and good at her job, kept being a doormat. She didn’t take charge of the team, she didn’t think through her strategy, and she was hot and cold to the H. Had the h been stronger, the story would have been a LOT better.
Love Laurie Matthews books specially the ones with the coast guards they are in your injured my heart. Love Finn ‘s book some of the characters, do you feel like you know or have known. She addresses a lot o of issues as in abuse, and what greedy people will do to this country. It could be what’s happening now with Biden and China wake up.
Another fascinating and intriguing story in this ongoing series. I love getting to see all our favourite characters and meeting new ones along the way as always this Author writes so well and her books contain so much intrigue love and action The narration was excellent as well. I can’t wait to read the next book