Double Take

by Jenness Walker

Cole Leighton can barely believe his eyes. A woman on his bus has just been abducted—in an exact reflection of a scene from the bestselling novel he's reading. Someone is bringing the book to life…and isn't above forcing an innocent woman to follow the story to its tragic end. Using the novel as his playbook, Cole catches up with the beautiful victim—but rescuing Kenzie Jacobs doesn't keep her safe for long. The killer is writing his own ending, and none of the twists and turns lead to happily ever after.

Genres: Love Inspired Suspense, Love Inspired, Romance

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read....made awesome mostly by the plot. It was different from most of the suspense books I read, with a book being acted out on an innocent woman. The suspense and characters were great and likable also, especially Cole with his past actions.....maybe I identified with him some on that, with struggling to believe God can forgive some actions. The suspense was also well done, and I really enjoyed this book. I was disappointed to see it looks like this is the only suspense novel the author wrote.

[Makayla Burks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
My sister-in-law wanted me to read this.
A short read, I liked that I didn’t know what was going to happen next, it’s pretty unpredictable. A little cheesy with the romance- but who doesn’t like a feel good book?
Suspenseful but a good amount. A good book for the start of fall.

[Noof · Rating 5 out of 5]

I 💯 enjoyed this book and definitely worth the read in my opinion, definitely didn’t expect anything like this.
Like wdym the story I’m reading a book and it’s happening based on a thriller the MMC is reading ??!
The plot was so different and unique than any thriller or suspense books I’ve read which really helped me stay so focused and wanting to know what would happen next.

It was nice to see how both characters did go through hardships and were trying their very best to face their fears and confront them.
I didn’t expect Luther to be the schemer behind everything all i suspected was poor Cole (I’m sorry dude I’m aware you are so sweeet ) and Police officer Parker … why them I have no clue- 🏃🏻‍♀️

[J.E. Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double Take was a page-turning suspense novel that had me at the first few pages. The characters were exciting and well-developed. At first, I wasn't so sure that Cole wasn't behind the stalking and there is a point in the novel that made me realize Kenzie's part in her dilemma.

Just when I thought I had figured it out there were twists that made me wonder what was going on behind what the author was revealing. It kept me guessing to the end.

You don't want to miss this one. I couldn't put it down.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.65

[Marilyn Upright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started out wing a bang.
I could not wait to read more. But as I read on it kind of faded. It was still good but had to much going on.

[Robin Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't realize Love Inspired had a Suspense line until I picked up this book. I'd never heard of the author. And now I'm disappointed to learn that she only has one other book out, and it's not another romantic suspense. Cuz I really enjoyed this book. A very cleverly plotted mystery that keeps you on edge.

Cole Leighton, on vacation visiting his cousin in Atlanta, boards a bus one day, and opens the mystery novel he is reading. Minutes later, he watches as the events of the book seem to be unfolding before his very eyes.

Kenzie Jacobs' car wouldn't start, so she catches a bus one day, and finds herself taken hostage by armed robbers.

Cole can't bring himself to believe it's just a coincidence, and even though the local police not only don't take his theory seriously, that the kidnappers are acting out the novel, but now consider him a suspect, he is determined to find the missing woman and rescue her.

There are lots of twists and turns along the way. In a lot of suspense stories, the women who are in danger seem to cope very well. Better than I sometimes think I would cope in their place. Kenzie is terrified, drawn to Cole but not sure if she can trust him, and she often gives in to moments of panic. To me she seemed like a very realistic and human, er, person. If that makes sense. She and Cole both have issues in their past that still haunt them, and he is a reluctant hero, who often thinks he should just let the police do their job and go back home to Texas. But he just can't bring himself to abandon Kenzie, even when she makes it clear she doesn't want him around.

All in all, a very gripping and tense story.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the reviews, I'm thinking there is something wrong with the link? The book I read is a Love Inspired Christian romance book, but it seems the reviews are from a totally different book...

Anyway, this was a good book that hooked me from page one. Cole Leighton, an engineer, is on vacation after experiencing a tragedy in his life. He's reading what he thinks would be a great thriller, but turns not so exciting when the events start actually happening. When he finds the missing girl, then reports to the police that the kidnappers are going along with a script from the book, they accuse HIM as being in on the plot.

Kenzie wants only to teach her first grade students at her private Christian school, but things don't work out so well when she suddenly finds herself running from killers. Cole is right there by her side.

Though Cole is a hero, he has a not-to-pleasant past. Usually, the hero/heroine is the victim of such acts; but the author made the hero the one who did wrong. We are imperfect people - even the best of us make wrong decisions...

The suspense was great! It kept me reading from page one to the very last page!

[Paula Hrbacek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cole is waiting for a bus, reading a suspense novel. He notices a woman who looks so much like the cover model that he does a double-take. Then, on the bus, a crew holds them up and takes her hostage. The scene is just like the one he read in the book.
It turns out that MacKenzie is the model from the book's cover, and someone is trying to reinact the entire novel on her. But the story doesn't clearly say if the heroine lives or not. Will She?
This is the best book Love Inspired Suspense has published so far. If you've been disappointed by other books they publish, give them a second chance.
I also recommend Stars Shine After Dark as a contemporary love story with a touch of mild suspense.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kenzie Jacobs is the victim of a stalker and Cole Leighton an innocent by stander trying to save her, or is he. A great romantic suspense that'll keep you guessing. Love the ending. This book would make a good movie of the week.

[John Hanscom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berta told me about these "love inspired suspense" books. I was dubious, as I a not a fan of "romance" novels, and most "Christian" novels are two heavy-handed, but they are OK, and this is the best of the lot so far.

[Joshualyn Prater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good book, had lots of twists and turns. The ending wasn't as predictable as most books. kept you guessing and wondering what was going to happen next. Quick and easy read. I enjoyed it a lot :-)

[Cherry-Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

These books need to be clearly labelled that they are Christian books. While I am Christian I do not like reading the romances because they're usually boring and even more unbelievable than the contemporary romances I normally read. Stilted writing, twilight zone theme, unbelieve characters.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and I quite like her style. The suspense hooked me from the beginning and keep me intrigued to the end. I didn't feel like I was reading just another dropped-out-of-the-mould story that is typical for this line of mass produced novels.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best Love Inspired Suspense books I've read in a while. I love how the plot of this book was based off of someone copying the plot line of a thriller. I was indeed on the edge of my seat from the beginning.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different.

[Aislynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was too romancy for my taste.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the uniqueness of the story and how it unfolds one page at a time

[Janell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a little unbelievable at times, this was pretty intense and kept me guessing.