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Shadow Hawk

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The deadliest combo is a killer body—with a lover’s touch!

When his latest mission turns into a bloodbath, ATF officer JT Hawk realizes he’s been set up by someone at the top. Wounded and on the run, he has no choice but to take beautiful Abby Wells hostage. After all, she’s in danger, too. And if the only way to keep the fiercely independent communications expert safe is to cuff her and bring her along for the ride, he’ll do it. With pleasure, even.

Only, given their close contact, it’s not long before Hawk’s thinking about a totally different kind of pleasure....

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

79 people are currently reading
611 people want to read

About the author

Jill Shalvis

386 books13.8k followers
Jill Shalvis is a NYT, USA Today, and Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of small-town romance and romcoms, known for big feels, found family, and plenty of shenanigans.

If you love small-town chaos, meddling friends and neighbors, sizzling chemistry, and heroes who fall hard for the one woman they absolutely did not plan on, you’re in the right place. Jill’s books blend laugh-out-loud moments with emotional gut punches, slow-burn tension, and deeply earned happily ever afters.

She writes the stories she loves to read: small-town romance and romantic comedies packed with heart, heat, second chances, grumpy/sunshine sparks, and the kind of found-family vibes that make you want to move right into the pages. Many of her series are perfect for binge-reading, and a number of her books are available in Kindle Unlimited and at major retailers.

When she’s not writing, she’s probably plotting new ways to torture her characters, avoiding laundry, or daydreaming about fictional men and the strong, complicated women who bring them to their knees—and then making them work for it.

You can follow Jill here on Goodreads to keep up with new releases, add her books to your shelves, and discover which small town you want to get lost in next.

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5 stars
239 (32%)
4 stars
213 (28%)
3 stars
219 (29%)
2 stars
55 (7%)
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18 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Montana Campbell.
6 reviews26 followers
June 17, 2015
Full disclosure my darlings, this is the only book I have ever stolen. When I was at university a friend with mutual interests discovered this book at our local library. She introduced me to Shadow Hawk. We shared custody of it for all three years, borrowing it each month on alternating accounts. Finally when we left we couldn't bear to leave it behind. So we stole it. I don't really remember the exact scenario but I'm pretty sure one of us now has a really really big library fine to go back to if we ever return to our university town...

I have since bought Shadow Hawk. Twice in fact, once in paperback and once as an ebook when I didn't have my paperback with me and I just really needed to read Shadow Hawk dammit! I have zero regrets about any of these purchases/steals.

Anywho, let me tell you why this book is so good I would risk a million dollar library fine. Shadow Hawk is the story of Abigail Wells, an ATF agent who falls for fellow agent Conner Hawk when the two become outlaws after Hawk is framed by a mole in the ATF. I make no secret of men in uniform being a weakness of mine so really this book is basically catnip to me but DAMN WAS IT GOOD.

Key points about this book -

Conner Hawk is the stuff dreams are made of. He's the reason romance novels are ruining real men for me. Because he's just the sexiest but also cutest ever. There is a scene in which he lets her handcuff him because she has issues but wants the sexy times anyway and OH MY GOODNESS YOU GUYS IT'S JUST THE BEST. The best.
The side characters also have the cutest little side romance. I can give or take side romances usually but this one was good. Do they have a book about their relationship? IS THIS A SERIES? WHY HAVE I NEVER THOUGHT TO LOOK IN TO THAT?
(It's not but while I was Googling that I found so much more Jill Shalvis and now my Amazon wishlist is huge.... LIKE MY LOVE FOR SHADOW HAWK) (I'm sorry for that outburst).

Shadow Hawk is the kind of Harlequin which can make you forgive anything else Harlequin has done to you in the past and accept that sometimes they give you some damn good authors.

5 out of 5 naked military torsos!

Love,

Montana xx
Profile Image for Maura.
3,883 reviews113 followers
August 25, 2019
JT Hawk and Abby Wells are ATF agents, and she came to the team 6 months earlier and has given him the cold shoulder ever since, even though they clearly lust after one another. They've been tracking down the leader of a group called the Kiddie Bombers and have finally gotten a hot tip. On the night of the raid, however, Hawk is betrayed and set up to take the fall as the leader of the criminal group (and there's no mystery who the actual villain is). Abby, devasted by the betrayal, tries to turn Hawk in, but he turns the tables on her, handcuffs her and takes her hostage, but mostly to protect her. It takes a while, but he's able to convince her that he's being set up and the real villain is actually more of a betrayal to Abby, who was kidnapped and nearly tortured 6 months ago when she got too close to solving the case. Together, along with Hawk's partner Logan, they track down the real leader of the Kiddie Bombers and the man who betrayed them all. In the meantime, Abby and Hawk explore the attraction she's been denying all along.

This was a very enjoyable suspense romance. I appreciate the fast pacing there in the beginning as we learn who the betrayer is and Hawk ends up having to kidnap Abby in order to protect her (and yes, it all does make sense in the story if it didn't in my blurb :-/) Abby of course isn't thrilled with it and you get about 50% of pretty exciting, fast paced story before things slow down again. That's when things start steaming up, first between Abby and Hawk and then also between Logan and his nurse. Callen and Logan's story didn't particularly add much to the story, but it didn't detract from it either (except maybe in the momentum of some of Abby and Hawk's love scenes). I liked Hawk quite a bit, as he was a nice, honorable hero type guy and Abby was bad ass and vulnerable at the same time. It would have been nice to learn a bit more about their backgrounds, rather than some token mentions. But the focus here remained mostly on the suspense plot and the steamy romances. So while this wasn't a perfect story, it was a very quick and fun read. I'm really liking this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Janet.
3,326 reviews24 followers
June 12, 2019
Plenty of action and sex. What's not to like?
Profile Image for Laura.
316 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2009
Let me start by saying Jill Shalvis is a favorite author. I've enjoyed all of her books, so maybe I am biased?

This one starts off quick and just keeps moving--no slowing down. I had a very difficult time putting it down. Abby and Hawk are both great characters and the chemistry is well written.

I think I would have liked this book even more if it were a "full-length" title instead of just a category romance. More development of Logan would have been great. For what it is, though, I really enjoyed it. It was a quick read since I didn't want to put it down (it only took me an evening+morning--I did need to get some sleep).
Profile Image for Carrie.
2,035 reviews93 followers
October 11, 2011
3.5*

This book was almost a 4* read for me. I thought the writing was great and overall the plot was good. I've read several of Shalvis's category romances and while I've always enjoyed them, they aren't her strongest work. This was the exception in many ways. However, she lost me when I couldn't suspend disbelief enough . Shalvis could have pulled it off had she made his injuries somewhat less extensive. If she had, the book would have rated 4* as a hot, sweet and exciting little story.
Profile Image for Cheri.
2,269 reviews28 followers
September 13, 2018
3.5 stars

This is actually two stories in one. Although the main characters are Hawk and Abby, there’s also another smaller love story going on with Hawk’s partner and a nurse. While the story of Callen and Logan doesn’t have quite as much depth and intrigue going on, it’s actually really sweet.

The story of Hawk and Abby is action-packed and full of sparks. Technically, Hawk kidnaps her. That’ s only because Abby is more of a by-the-book type of agent and doesn’t have all of the facts when things hit the fan. There are a lot of stories that have me annoyed with the heroine because of her resistance in believing the hero (or vice versa), but here it made sense that she had her reservations.

There were some things that made it obvious to me that this book was written at the front end of this author’s career. Her habit of giving a location every time the scene changes was one of them. The good news, I didn’t need those sentences to give me context because the writing was quite good enough for me to figure out if the narrative changed location or which characters were being featured. The bad news, it was a bit annoying.

Even with the leaps and bounds in technology since this book was written more than 10 years ago, it didn’t seem to terribly dated…which is a bonus. I’ve had some ups and downs with my reading Jill Shalvis’ back library. This one was an up.

https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.c...
314 reviews5 followers
February 16, 2025
Inspired by a recent Fated Mates episode on the Harlequin Blaze line I picked up a few at my favourite charity second hand book store the other day.

This had to be first cab off the rank after I saw a review where the reviewer admitted that this was the only book she ever stole from her library. While at university she and a friend had shared custody of it for three years, borrowing it each month on alternating accounts. They then couldn't bear to leave it behind when they left.

This was a fun quick read with lots of adventure and intrigue thrown in.
Profile Image for Amanda Nan Dillon.
1,349 reviews37 followers
September 3, 2023
Bananas in that way only categories can get away with it. The whole damn book can be explained with “romance reasons.” Hawk is being framed by a superior in the ATF because he gets too close to figuring out who the rogue agent is. In a sting that was a setup, Hawk ends up kidnapping Abby to keep her safe. The secondary romance plot is instalove within 24 hours. And everything gets wrapped up neatly with a bow 24 hours after the shit hit the fan, then the 2 couples fly off to the South Pacific for a month. Just a fun little bonkers book for a long weekend of nothing but reading.
Profile Image for James Kearney.
84 reviews
January 7, 2024
Shadow Hawk: Jill Shalvis

My first ever Harlequin read. It was okay. ATF officer Hawk was set up by his boss on a raid. Hawk runs for it during the raid but not before being stopped by fellow ATF officer Abby. The two of them make an unlikely team trying to uncover the truth. There were some "I'm going to save this helpless damsel in distress moments that were gag and eye roll worthy." But nothing makes it unreasonable.
⭐️⭐️½— it was eh. I'm not gagging to read this again
732 reviews
December 17, 2019
Hawk was sweet and I got to appreciate Abby too through his eyes. The plot was okay, with the baddy known from the start. An injured Logan doing the steamy with Callen though? Hard to believe that's allowed for a patient! And a nurse with free time on her hands? Not sure. 3 stars.
7 reviews
June 26, 2021
Couldn’t put it down, some of Jill Shalvis’ earlier novels are better than her current ones- this is one of them! Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Shelley.
384 reviews4 followers
January 26, 2020
Very good book. One I love to reread every so often. Highly recommend it to those who like mystery, yummy alpha protector type hunk, and a strong and independent woman who has big scars...great book with a good balance between action, mystery, suspense, romance, and sex.... a good and enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Mfred.
552 reviews15 followers
March 19, 2010
Since starting Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter Series, I've had a real love-jones for romantic suspense. I've also been meaning to read Jill Shalvis since the Smart Bitches made Instant Attraction one of their Save the Contemporary picks.

I can't say this is the best romance novel I have ever read. Maybe it's the limitations of the format-- I don't have a lot of experience with category romance, so it is hard for me to say.

Shalvis hits all the right notes when it comes to the will they/won't they, I-want-you-but-I'm-fighting-it attraction between the hero and heroine. Abby's reasons for not wanting to act on her attraction are maybe slightly clichéd as far as romance novels go (I think Brockmann does "damaged woman with a past" in Breaking Point's Gina Vitagliano), but whatever Shalvis looses with Abby, she gains in Hawk. Everything about him worked for me- his sense of humor, his slightly over the top alpha physical presence, and especially how his heroism is not compromised by having emotions or feelings. Hawk was great... Shalvis gives good hero, I'll admit.

However, I found the action scenes clunky, and the villain a tad too dastardly. It all added up to a plot that was just too thin for me to really enjoy. There were times I could just start to envision a scene only to have the character I thought was in one place showing up in another to throw a punch or hit the deck, and it broke everything I thought I understood. I had to read and re-read passages that should have been suspenseful page-turners.

I was expecting a little more from Shalvis, based on reviews of her other books. Maybe I was expecting too much out of a category.
Profile Image for ThePerpetualBookJunkie.
165 reviews26 followers
February 20, 2011
This was an exciting and thrilling story about an ATF agent who got really close in uncovering a case about the kiddie bombers. But what’s an action-packed thriller story if it has no romance, titillating sex and humor in it, right??? Best recipe for a page-turning Blaze’s novel!

Conner Hawk was the best ATF agent in his field and he’s got pretty close in uncovering the mastermind in the Kiddie Bomber case they were working on. Logan, his best friend and team mate, and him both suspected that one of their own was tipping the bombers or worst may even be masterminding them.
So, the night of their mission to recover stolen ATF rifles gone haywire and found himself being set-up by their boss whom he long ago suspected behind the stolen ATF rifles, he kidnapped and took hostage Abigail Wells, a fellow agent and the communication expert, whom he’s been attracted to for the last six months since she was transferred in their office.

Abby Wells knew she should be terrified by Hawk. Not only did he kidnap her but he had the gall to put her in handcuffs which made her thrashed out, kicked at him for a moment until he had to subdue her with a tender kiss! And she’s all forgotten about everything but the feel of his lips and tongue on her and the havoc his nearness was wreaking on her senses! God, but the guy could ever kiss! Which she had been fantasizing and losing sleep over since the day she got transferred six months ago and had seen without a shirt on. He’s never left her mind since and often wonders how it feels to be kissed by the sexiest ATF agent she’s ever worked with. Now, she’s had first-hand experienced!

This story was really engaging and very sexy! And the secondary characters of Logan and Callen were equally entertaining, and their part in the story was the most hilarious! I wish they had a story of their own though.
Profile Image for ツ Renée.
208 reviews25 followers
September 16, 2012
Oh, I loved Conner Hawk. He was funny, sexy, intelligent, strong, and honorable. He had his work cut out for him trying to prove his innocence, and it didn’t help the way Abby treated him. Granted – she suffered a terrible ordeal, but I had a hard time warming up to her – I don’t do bitch well. She came around later on, and I was able to appreciate the emotion and pull between them. They had some wonderful scenes. I particularly liked their first time together. Conner’s patience and understanding, Abby’s innocence and excitement. She really was a sweetheart once the ice melted. I’m glad things worked out for them.

Could not get enough of Logan. He was smoking hot. He got the business – poor baby, but once he was ok the fun really began with him and Callen. Their connection was instantaneous. Callen – now that woman had a serious poker face.

This was a fun read filled with action, suspense, humor, and two interesting couples.

Profile Image for Jodi Lynn.
Author 41 books72 followers
February 5, 2008
Finished this one over the weekend and really enjoyed it! There were a couple moments that were kinda hokey in regards to the romance (ending felt rushed and a little cliche to me), but the plot and suspense elements were strong enough for me to look past this. If I had the option I would give it a 4.5 or maybe a 4.8. Since I don't, I will give it a 5, as the book does have a great storyline. I will say it reads more like a Silhouette Romantic Suspense than a traditional Blaze though, so if you don't like a good suspense plot with a danger edge you may want to look elsewhere.
Profile Image for Dee Haddrill.
1,844 reviews29 followers
January 9, 2013
I have to be honest and say this disappointed me a little, purely because it's by Jill Shalvis and she has done much better. I think the problem may be mine, because I absolutely LOVE her trilogies and series, and they always contain so much character development and humour, and you just can't get that as much in a stand-alone novel. That said, however, it was a good romantic suspense and the sex was hot and the love sweet.
Profile Image for Anita.
49 reviews
March 11, 2012
Okay, so this is probably my absolute favourite Mills and Boon novel of all time. I've actually reread it (several times - reread a Mills and Boon novel!) and I think that's saying something. I've held onto this one; it was just that great. If you spot it in an exchange bookstore, pick it up. It's worth the dollar you'll pay for it :).
Profile Image for Sheryl C. Nash.
2,019 reviews432 followers
January 12, 2012
So not a lot of good reviews but I'm a cover whore and the cover is making me wet err ... sweat, and I seriously love the name Hawk... Now I just have to finish the housework then I get to concerntrate on the body err ... book! :)

So i finished the book and it was pretty good! Very remeniscient of Cindy Gerard and Suzanne Brockmann...but obviously in a shorter format.
Profile Image for RedBecca.
62 reviews8 followers
September 25, 2011
I really like Jill Shalvis but I didn't love this book. I guess I'm just not a fan of stories where the heroine is getting over her victimization for most of story. It was well-written, just not my cup of tea.
Profile Image for Leslie.
440 reviews5 followers
October 1, 2011
I couldn't decide on 2 or 3 stars on this one. I like Jill Shalvis, but this was not one of my favorite books. It took me a while to get into it, but once I did I enjoyed the story for the most part.
Profile Image for Dawn ♥ romance.
1,830 reviews28 followers
January 10, 2012
Good story with a very exciting beginning and once the plot was established the characters worked on building their trust all nicely interspersed with a secondary romance. ATF officer Hawk has been setup and wounded on a mission then takes fellow ATF Abby hostage.
Profile Image for Anne - Books of My Heart.
3,854 reviews226 followers
March 19, 2013
I enjoyed this as I love all the books by Jill Shalvis. This was a quick read. This book had less funny than some of her books. The main story of Hawk & Abby was good. I found the side story of Logan & Callen not very believable and the characters not very defined or real to me at all.
Profile Image for Emily Higgins.
1,923 reviews6 followers
April 24, 2016
ATF agents Abby Wells and J. T. Hawk are on an operation to catch gun runners when everything goes terribly wrong. Under suspicion of being the gun runners, they must locate and bring to justice the boss of the operation.
Profile Image for Netanella.
4,727 reviews38 followers
September 7, 2009
Not much blazing going on - instead, we get a sweet romance between two ATF agents who are double crossed by the big boss. Nicely done.
Profile Image for Michele.
7 reviews7 followers
January 2, 2011
Really liked it though the subplot was a bit of surprise because I don't recall seeing a lot of those in category books. Though I will admit I haven't read a ton of category in recent years.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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