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Deep Ops #4
Driven
Angus Force is determined to hunt down the serial killer he'd once shot dead—or so he thought. But an anonymous source reports that Lassiter is alive. Force hasn't slept since, knowing it's only a matter of time before "the Surgeon" strikes again. And soon, a body is found, bearing Lassiter's same maniacal MO. It's just the beginning of a murderous trail blazing through DC and Virginia, right to Force's backyard . . .
Nari Zhang is the shrink for the ragtag Deep Ops Unit, though she isn't Force's shrink—which is a very good thing. Because once they're thrown together on the case, their attraction is explosive and irresistible. They'll just have to fight that much harder to keep the heat between them from flaming out of control. But things are about to become far more challenging, and deadly, than they could have imagined . . .
Once the killer catches a glimpse of Nari, she becomes his new obsession. She is now the focus point—for both Force and Lassiter—in a dangerous dance for survival . . .
1 pages, Audio CD
First published January 26, 2021
613 people are currently reading
7569 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Zanetti
118 books9,964 followersNew York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has published more than seventy novels and novellas, which have been translated into several languages, with millions of copies sold world-wide. Her books have received Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus starred reviews, favorable Washington Post and New York Times Book Reviews, and been included in Amazon best books of the year.
Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest.
Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 544 reviews
January 20, 2021
5 Finally Stars
The sexual tension between Angus and Nari has been building since book 1. I had some high expectations for this couple. Angus has been obsessed with Lassiter to the point of being a broken drunk mess. Nari was this smart, classy shrink out of place with all the outcast agents on Force's team. I wanted her backstory so badly. I wanted to know why she was working with all those bad boys. I knew I would enjoy this book because Rebecca Zanetti is so talented, but I didn't know how much I would love this book. Angus and Nari were everything I hoped for.
Angus was just so deliciously tortured. I knew that Lassiter murdered Angus' sister, but the pain and guilt that this book gave us reader omg. No wonder Angus drinks to numb the pain. My heart bled for him. Nari's past was a bit of a surprise for me. I liked the amount of depth it gave her. In the other books I liked Nari, but she was always closed off. I felt like finding out her background made her real to me. Both super smart and stubborn it was fun watching Angus and Nari dance around each other, but OMG when they came together it was explosive. I loved every bit of their relationship.
This book kept me on the edge the whole read. It was almost non stop action. I truly didn't know what would happen next. I also didn't know who the killer was until it was revealed. Angus and Nari had more lives than a cat. Both kicked major ass too. I love a bad ass hero but omg when you have a kickass heroine it's so much hotter. There was tons of time with my favorite Wolfe. He's just so yummy. I enjoyed time with all the past couples. They feel like family so it's nice to see how they are all doing. I loved the ending. Well really I loved the whole book. I hope Jethro gets his own book. I totally recommend this book. I recommend the whole series.....actually I would recommend all of Rebecca Zanetti's book. She is an amazing author and I have never read a book from her that I didn't love.
https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
The sexual tension between Angus and Nari has been building since book 1. I had some high expectations for this couple. Angus has been obsessed with Lassiter to the point of being a broken drunk mess. Nari was this smart, classy shrink out of place with all the outcast agents on Force's team. I wanted her backstory so badly. I wanted to know why she was working with all those bad boys. I knew I would enjoy this book because Rebecca Zanetti is so talented, but I didn't know how much I would love this book. Angus and Nari were everything I hoped for.
Angus was just so deliciously tortured. I knew that Lassiter murdered Angus' sister, but the pain and guilt that this book gave us reader omg. No wonder Angus drinks to numb the pain. My heart bled for him. Nari's past was a bit of a surprise for me. I liked the amount of depth it gave her. In the other books I liked Nari, but she was always closed off. I felt like finding out her background made her real to me. Both super smart and stubborn it was fun watching Angus and Nari dance around each other, but OMG when they came together it was explosive. I loved every bit of their relationship.
This book kept me on the edge the whole read. It was almost non stop action. I truly didn't know what would happen next. I also didn't know who the killer was until it was revealed. Angus and Nari had more lives than a cat. Both kicked major ass too. I love a bad ass hero but omg when you have a kickass heroine it's so much hotter. There was tons of time with my favorite Wolfe. He's just so yummy. I enjoyed time with all the past couples. They feel like family so it's nice to see how they are all doing. I loved the ending. Well really I loved the whole book. I hope Jethro gets his own book. I totally recommend this book. I recommend the whole series.....actually I would recommend all of Rebecca Zanetti's book. She is an amazing author and I have never read a book from her that I didn't love.
https://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessi...
October 14, 2024
This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, steamy, romantic suspense novel. It is the fourth entry in Ms. Zanetti's outstanding Deep Ops series, and can be enjoyed as a standalone, If you enjoy a good betrayal, Along with plenty of vengeance plus a tight bond between team members murder and tons of deep obsession between more than one character …. I think you might be in the right place
Angus Force is the head of the Deep Ops
group – This band of misfits are mainly Band together due to the fact that for one thing or another they had messed-up Somewhere along their career
Angus seem to be Famous for the serial killer “the Surgeon” he supposedly shot and killed five years earlier.
Everyone but him believes the man to be dead, and Force’s obsession with proving otherwise is what essentially derailed his FBI career and saw him sidelined into setting up a rag-taggle group of agents who get their hands dirty when the Bureau can’t afford to
No one on Angus's team knew that the Homeland Defense Department ( HDD) Had given him one year to prove that Henry Wayne Lassiter was still alive
That year came and went and now it seems like there’s a string of murders that are similar to Lassiter,…….. To make matters worse , It seems like everyone on his team is a target including himself
Their handlers came in to disband the misfits…… Well at least they try to but now this group has a strong bond between them and they will do just about anything to survive
One of the things I enjoy most about this series is the real sense of camaraderie the author has created between the team members, and that’s a big reason why I need to tell my friend thank you so much for Recommending the series to me as well as letting me use her paperbacks
January 26, 2021
Driven by Rebecca Zanetti
Book 6 of the Deep Ops series. Contemporary romantic suspense. Classified hidden government agency. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series.
Angus and Nari’s story.
Angus is convinced his nemesis is still alive and killing again. Everyone but his hand picked team believes that Angus is chasing a ghost.
Nari is a fighter. Sure, she’s been trained by HDD but she is fighting for her life and proves herself over and over. She’s not just the pencil pusher psychologist but stands up to dangerous events.
Twists and turns make this a gripping and enthralling read from start to finish
This book wraps up the series arc and I’m happy to hear that there will be more books.
This book stays on my keeper shelf and expect I will be reading it again.
Roscoe fake snoring. Hilarious.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.
Book 6 of the Deep Ops series. Contemporary romantic suspense. Classified hidden government agency. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series.
Angus and Nari’s story.
Angus is convinced his nemesis is still alive and killing again. Everyone but his hand picked team believes that Angus is chasing a ghost.
Nari is a fighter. Sure, she’s been trained by HDD but she is fighting for her life and proves herself over and over. She’s not just the pencil pusher psychologist but stands up to dangerous events.
Twists and turns make this a gripping and enthralling read from start to finish
This book wraps up the series arc and I’m happy to hear that there will be more books.
This book stays on my keeper shelf and expect I will be reading it again.
Roscoe fake snoring. Hilarious.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.
October 5, 2020
I'm so happy to see Angus getting the respect he deserved from the very beginning. Driven was everything I was hoping it would be for his story. There was a lot to prove here and I think the author did a fantastic job of wrapping it all up. I'm not sure if that means this series is ending, but I really hope it's not. She really could keep these guys going for more, but now they will have the backup they truly deserve. Plus, we gotta get Jethro's story!
Each book is a standalone but I do highly recommend starting with book one. Angus is the beginning of everything for this series and the reason why we got this ragtag team in the first place. You learn so much about each individual character in their own book. You won't understand what it truly means for each of them to stand by Angus they way they did unless you start at the beginning. You also won't truly appreciate Roscoe the dog. He is one of my favorite side characters in a series. period.
Each book is a standalone but I do highly recommend starting with book one. Angus is the beginning of everything for this series and the reason why we got this ragtag team in the first place. You learn so much about each individual character in their own book. You won't understand what it truly means for each of them to stand by Angus they way they did unless you start at the beginning. You also won't truly appreciate Roscoe the dog. He is one of my favorite side characters in a series. period.
October 12, 2024
This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, steamy, romantic suspense novel. It is the fourth entry in Ms. Zanetti's outstanding Deep Ops series, and can be enjoyed as a stand alone, but is even better when read in order. It has a strong and capable female protagonist, a hot hero, sizzling chemistry, intrigue, action, a heart-warming romance, and a surprise ending.
October 28, 2020
I have been craving the story of Angus Force ever since I read my copy of Hidden. He was brooding, damaged, and full of demons. Once the FBI's top profiler, a serial killer turned his entire world upside down. A bottle of booze, his faithful hound, and an isolated spot in Kentucky were all he needed to be content. Then he's pulled right back into the world he successfully escaped and that's how the deep dark secret of the HDD, the best team to take out the world's worst nightmares, was created.
For three books, Angus has been absolutely certain that Lassiter, the serial killer who ruined his life, the abomination he had killed, was very much alive. Too bad no one believes him. When the first body turns up with a twisted form of the killer's signature, everyone believes it's the work of a copycat. Even Nari, the one woman he would love to claim as his own, doubts him. And all of those doubts start to seep in, making him question himself. Could he be wrong? If so, who is out there targeting him and the members of his team?
This book was thrilling and had my adrenaline pumping from beginning to end. It had me on edge and I was constantly trying to figure out if Angus was on the money. I've never liked Nari in the other books and while I still didn't like her in this one, I did like the ways in which she played off of Angus. Their scenes were truly intimate and their chemistry was hot. Then again, Angus could do no wrong for me so that could be why I was cool with her in the end.
There are bombs, shootouts, interrogations, dead bodies, tons of drama, bits of romance, and even moments of humor sprinkled throughout this book. If you enjoy suspenseful stories that keep you guessing, you're gonna love this. Now I cannot wait until Jethro's story!!
For this review and more:
For three books, Angus has been absolutely certain that Lassiter, the serial killer who ruined his life, the abomination he had killed, was very much alive. Too bad no one believes him. When the first body turns up with a twisted form of the killer's signature, everyone believes it's the work of a copycat. Even Nari, the one woman he would love to claim as his own, doubts him. And all of those doubts start to seep in, making him question himself. Could he be wrong? If so, who is out there targeting him and the members of his team?
This book was thrilling and had my adrenaline pumping from beginning to end. It had me on edge and I was constantly trying to figure out if Angus was on the money. I've never liked Nari in the other books and while I still didn't like her in this one, I did like the ways in which she played off of Angus. Their scenes were truly intimate and their chemistry was hot. Then again, Angus could do no wrong for me so that could be why I was cool with her in the end.
There are bombs, shootouts, interrogations, dead bodies, tons of drama, bits of romance, and even moments of humor sprinkled throughout this book. If you enjoy suspenseful stories that keep you guessing, you're gonna love this. Now I cannot wait until Jethro's story!!
For this review and more:
June 20, 2023
HDD Deep Ops team leader Angus Force has had many sleepless nights since he received a tip that a serial killer he thought he killed several years ago is still alive. Angus had a year to lead a team to find Henry Wayne Lassiter, but no evidence has turned up. Now that the year is up and the group is disbanded, bodies of women with missing hearts are surfacing in the D.C. area. Is it really Lassiter or a copycat? The dead women resemble members of Angus' Deep Ops team. Angus grows increasingly worried when Nari Zhang, a psychologist who worked on the Deep Ops team, is attacked in her apartment. He will do anything to protect Nari and bring down Lassiter.
I've been waiting for this book since the series started. Angus and Nari have been circling each other since the beginning of the series. I knew that eventually they wouldn't be able to stay away from each other. There was a good balance between romance and suspense, with lots of action in this story. Someone is gunning for Angus, while others are trying to kill Nari. These two had to keep their eyes open since there were bad guys around every corner. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
I've been waiting for this book since the series started. Angus and Nari have been circling each other since the beginning of the series. I knew that eventually they wouldn't be able to stay away from each other. There was a good balance between romance and suspense, with lots of action in this story. Someone is gunning for Angus, while others are trying to kill Nari. These two had to keep their eyes open since there were bad guys around every corner. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
December 28, 2021
Angus and Nauri have been simmering for awhile now so I was ready to see where they are going. They have mutual respect and great chemistry so I knew it would be an entertaining read. I love that Nauri is an intelligent woman in her own right and brought that to the table. I love Rebecca Zanetti and this series is entertaining.
February 8, 2021
4 - "You’re sexy when you go all psychobabble on me…" Stars!
We return to the Deep Ops series for book four; Driven finally giving us Angus and Nari’s story, although I have to admit I was just as interested in seeing more of his awesome dog Roscoe as I was seeing the two of them getting together.
"We’re not good for each other…"
We knew quite a bit about Angus before this one with him being the teams leader, and his obsession with supposedly dead serial killer 'The Surgeon' although as this one progresses it’s looking more and more likely that he isn’t.
"It’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you…"
As always it wasn’t a struggle to read, with plenty of interaction from the rest of the crew, Roscoe’s antics bought on a few giggles, and as you would expect the story was filled with action, thrills and spills. The sexy-times between Angus and Nari were the authors usual mix of Alpha and sweet and overall I really enjoyed the book, it did go a little 'Scooby Doo' towards to end but other than that a really decent addition to the series.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
We return to the Deep Ops series for book four; Driven finally giving us Angus and Nari’s story, although I have to admit I was just as interested in seeing more of his awesome dog Roscoe as I was seeing the two of them getting together.
"We’re not good for each other…"
We knew quite a bit about Angus before this one with him being the teams leader, and his obsession with supposedly dead serial killer 'The Surgeon' although as this one progresses it’s looking more and more likely that he isn’t.
"It’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you…"
As always it wasn’t a struggle to read, with plenty of interaction from the rest of the crew, Roscoe’s antics bought on a few giggles, and as you would expect the story was filled with action, thrills and spills. The sexy-times between Angus and Nari were the authors usual mix of Alpha and sweet and overall I really enjoyed the book, it did go a little 'Scooby Doo' towards to end but other than that a really decent addition to the series.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
January 26, 2021
Driven is book 4 in the Deeps Ops series and finally it's time for Angus and Nari. To be honest I was a little nervous about this book. While I did love Angus I had a hard time imagining him as a leading man but oh boy was I proven wrong. Angus was delicious, he's definitely damaged from the death of his sister at the hands of a serial killer but he was so much more. Nari was also a pleasant surprise, during the series she seemed uptight but it's far from what she actually was with Angus. Together their chemistry was explosive and they worked great together. Driven had me on the edge of my seat with it's non-stop action and a twist I didn't see coming. I loved this book from beginning to end and I can't wait for more.
***I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***
***I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***
September 29, 2022
I love it when the build-up couple and storyline pay off when it finally happens ... this was a two books in the making and even though you can read this series out of order I suggest you don't do it... while in other books in this series I liked the romance part more this book has equally amazing action and suspense...as well as an excellent romance couple
January 9, 2021
OMG I did not see that coming!!
➵ Hero: Former FBI profiler, Angus Force is Driven to catch the serial killer who murdered his sister no matter what. Not when every other agency believes the killer is dead, not when he’s no longer part of the Homeland Defense Department, especially not when bodies resembling the female members of his HDD team start appearing at an alarming rate with the killer’s M.O.
➵ Heroine: Nari Zhang is the Deep Ops’s psychologist who has been attracted and at odds with Angus right from the start. She’s a total badass and since I had an image of her right from the start I could imagine all the action sequences with her clearly.
➵ My opinion: I had been wanting to read Angus’s book from the moment I met the surly and tortured man who loved his crazy dog. This book is thrilling roller coaster ride complete with shootouts, humor, explosions, romance, law enforcement agencies butting heads, drama and a really cray-cray villain that kept me my heart pumping at full Force(See what I did there?) and guessing until the very end. I could totally see this book and series made into a TV show or movie.
If I liked Wolfe before, I absolutely ADORED him in this one. He stole the show more than once added welcome comedy relief. I can’t wait for Jethro’s book!
➵ Facts: Driven is book #4 of the Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti. It is a thrilling suspenseful romance that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. It is a standalone book, told from both points of view, with a happy ending. No cliffhanger. Possible triggers: graphic descriptions of the serial killer’s homicide scenes.
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/35oeIcA
Stalk me on FaceBook * Instagram * More reviews
➵ Hero: Former FBI profiler, Angus Force is Driven to catch the serial killer who murdered his sister no matter what. Not when every other agency believes the killer is dead, not when he’s no longer part of the Homeland Defense Department, especially not when bodies resembling the female members of his HDD team start appearing at an alarming rate with the killer’s M.O.
➵ Heroine: Nari Zhang is the Deep Ops’s psychologist who has been attracted and at odds with Angus right from the start. She’s a total badass and since I had an image of her right from the start I could imagine all the action sequences with her clearly.
➵ My opinion: I had been wanting to read Angus’s book from the moment I met the surly and tortured man who loved his crazy dog. This book is thrilling roller coaster ride complete with shootouts, humor, explosions, romance, law enforcement agencies butting heads, drama and a really cray-cray villain that kept me my heart pumping at full Force(See what I did there?) and guessing until the very end. I could totally see this book and series made into a TV show or movie.
If I liked Wolfe before, I absolutely ADORED him in this one. He stole the show more than once added welcome comedy relief. I can’t wait for Jethro’s book!
➵ Facts: Driven is book #4 of the Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti. It is a thrilling suspenseful romance that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. It is a standalone book, told from both points of view, with a happy ending. No cliffhanger. Possible triggers: graphic descriptions of the serial killer’s homicide scenes.
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. *
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/35oeIcA
Stalk me on FaceBook * Instagram * More reviews
December 30, 2020
This whole series has been amazing and while each book has been fulfilling in itself, they’ve also built up my desire for Angus’ story. And with Driven, I finally have it.
The fact that I’ve had numerous opportunities to see Angus and Nari interact in the previous books, added more depth to their story. But now I got to really see them in action and they did not disappoint. While Angus is definitely a protective hero, he was never over the top with it. I liked that he was able to allow Nari to do her thing, even if he would have preferred to keep her hidden away. Nari actually took me by surprise. She was nothing as I expected making her the perfect match for Angus.
This is filled with so much action, drama, suspense and danger. All of it was sprinkled with a bit of humor and a healthy dose of sizzling chemistry. I was a bit disappointed that Roscoe’s character was not given the chance to shine as much as he has in some of the previous books. He’s still my favorite from the whole series.
While this is part of a series and would be better read in order, it doesn’t have to be. I highly recommend this book and any of the previous books!
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers villain kills in a brutal, horrific manner after possible rape - not on page
The fact that I’ve had numerous opportunities to see Angus and Nari interact in the previous books, added more depth to their story. But now I got to really see them in action and they did not disappoint. While Angus is definitely a protective hero, he was never over the top with it. I liked that he was able to allow Nari to do her thing, even if he would have preferred to keep her hidden away. Nari actually took me by surprise. She was nothing as I expected making her the perfect match for Angus.
This is filled with so much action, drama, suspense and danger. All of it was sprinkled with a bit of humor and a healthy dose of sizzling chemistry. I was a bit disappointed that Roscoe’s character was not given the chance to shine as much as he has in some of the previous books. He’s still my favorite from the whole series.
While this is part of a series and would be better read in order, it doesn’t have to be. I highly recommend this book and any of the previous books!
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers villain kills in a brutal, horrific manner after possible rape - not on page
January 26, 2021
Driven delivered from its story arc to its sizzling romance.
Angus Force is the leader of the Deep Ops team. Once a top profiler within the FBI, his obsession with a serial killer known as the “surgeon” has him working in a dilapidated basement with a group of agents who each have a case that pushed them to the edge.
I love this team, their pets and their partners. From the sprinkle laden coffees to the drunk dog. From the beginning there has been a tension between Angus and Nari Zhang. A dance of sorts and their story was all friction and heat. A push and pull that swept me along.
It was neat getting inside Angus’s head and being privy to his thoughts on Nari. Nari is the team’s shrink and we get her full story as the heat builds between them. Nari gets Angus and doesn’t try to fix him. Can Angus trust enough to let her in?
We learn about how the team was formed, even as it appears the surgeon is alive and targeting them. The suspense thread was action-packed with twists and terror as Angus finds his team and Nari threatened.
I am hoping we see a lot more from this team. While each book has its own romance and case, the overall series arc, friendships and buildup have me recommending you read the books in the order of their release. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Angus Force is the leader of the Deep Ops team. Once a top profiler within the FBI, his obsession with a serial killer known as the “surgeon” has him working in a dilapidated basement with a group of agents who each have a case that pushed them to the edge.
I love this team, their pets and their partners. From the sprinkle laden coffees to the drunk dog. From the beginning there has been a tension between Angus and Nari Zhang. A dance of sorts and their story was all friction and heat. A push and pull that swept me along.
It was neat getting inside Angus’s head and being privy to his thoughts on Nari. Nari is the team’s shrink and we get her full story as the heat builds between them. Nari gets Angus and doesn’t try to fix him. Can Angus trust enough to let her in?
We learn about how the team was formed, even as it appears the surgeon is alive and targeting them. The suspense thread was action-packed with twists and terror as Angus finds his team and Nari threatened.
I am hoping we see a lot more from this team. While each book has its own romance and case, the overall series arc, friendships and buildup have me recommending you read the books in the order of their release. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
October 24, 2020
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
'Driven' is the fourth book of the 'Deep Ops' series by the best selling author Rebecca Zanetti. Told in dual perspectives , get ready to Finally meet Nari and Agnus.
I have been following this series , right from the moment the first book came out , and I am a die hard of this Author's writing. She excels in writing books from all genres such as Fantasy and mystery romance. Agnus and Nari's story had been a long time coming one and I was lucky enough to to get an ARC of this book to read and review via Netgalley!
For years , Agnus had been chasing after the Serial Killer Lansister. He thought he had succeeded in killing his sister's murderer , but then he got the news that Lansister was still alive. No one else believed him , but something along the gut told him that he was right. So he collected a team of agents and set on his way to search for Lansister. Now almost after a year , there has been no clue about Lansister's where abouts and he has no choice but to give up his plan.
That is until the murders begin again. The style of murdering is somewhat similar and The targets are the women of his Team. Including Nari. Now that is something that Agnus cannot let happen again. He won't loose Nari even though he won't ever admit that he somewhat likes her. Nari is the shrink of their group. She has been with the team for years and knows them all thoroughly. Everyone except Agnus. The leader of the group has a special dislike for shrinks and has never been civil with her. That is until they both start getting close.
With a murderer on the loose and their growing attraction , they have no choice but to stay close and survive. This book was one thrilling tale of murder , mystery and Romance , all wrapped up in a perfect little bundle for you to devour. A definite recommendation to all the dark Romance lovers out there!
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March 6, 2023
Driven is the 4th book in the Deep Ops series, and this installment was such a fun one here. I absolutely loved it so much. I was so fascinated to see what Rebecca Zanetti would deliver with this one here. I really found that this might be one of my favorites of the series actually. Now I physically read this on my kindle, but I listened to the previous installments, so I do think that her books are best physically read if I am being honest.
Now this story was SO much different than I was expecting. Within this story we get the leader of the group and his story with the therapist. Now what is different about this one is that they will be fighting not only the one that they have been hunting, and the one that has been alluding them but also will have to face up to the government agency who is trying to destroy them and split them apart and put the blame on Angus.
I just loved all the factors that went into this story and the way in which we see how this team really has to learn to rely on each other when its get worse than anything they have ever faced until now. I just couldn't get enough of seeing everything that comes together on this one. I would say that this is borderline romantic suspense with romantic thriller, because while there is definitely a romance present, its not the focus of the story. But I did love seeing the way in which our couple: Angus and Nari really come together in this one here.
Overall I found Driven to be such a stunning read and I can't wait for the next one!
Now this story was SO much different than I was expecting. Within this story we get the leader of the group and his story with the therapist. Now what is different about this one is that they will be fighting not only the one that they have been hunting, and the one that has been alluding them but also will have to face up to the government agency who is trying to destroy them and split them apart and put the blame on Angus.
I just loved all the factors that went into this story and the way in which we see how this team really has to learn to rely on each other when its get worse than anything they have ever faced until now. I just couldn't get enough of seeing everything that comes together on this one. I would say that this is borderline romantic suspense with romantic thriller, because while there is definitely a romance present, its not the focus of the story. But I did love seeing the way in which our couple: Angus and Nari really come together in this one here.
Overall I found Driven to be such a stunning read and I can't wait for the next one!
March 26, 2024
I've given this a B+ for narration and a B for content at AudioGals
In Driven – the fourth full-length book in Rebecca Zanetti’s Deep Ops series – we finally found out exactly what is driving (!) the damaged, stubborn and somewhat enigmatic Angus Force, formerly one of the FBI’s top profilers, and find out exactly how and why he was relegated to a crappy basement office of the Homeland Defense Department (HDD). While each of the books in the series contains a self-contained suspense plot and romance and can be listened to as a standalone, there has been an overarching plotline running through the series which culminates in Driven. A year or so earlier, Force shot and killed serial killer Henry Lassiter, but shortly after, information from a trusted source led Force to believe that Lassiter wasn’t dead. With no proof, his repeated insistence that Lassiter was alive, and what was seen as a growing obsession with him eventually tanked Force’s career and sent him into the bottom of a bottle. Well. Several bottles.
But Force couldn’t let go of his conviction that Lassiter is alive. The FBI (very reluctantly) grant his request for a team and a year to prove it, which leads to Force’s recruitment of Malcolm West, Clarence Wolfe and Raider Tanaka (and by extension, Brigid Banaghan and Dana Mulberry) – and also to the assignment of psychologist, Nari Zhang to the team. Force hates shrinks, but her being on board is a dealbreaker, so Force reluctantly sucks it up – but doesn’t miss a chance to let Nari knows how much he wants her gone.
Over the past three books the Lassiter storyline has rumbled along in the background as the team has infiltrated a cult, foiled people traffickers, and brought down organised crime syndicates and drug rings, but now it comes to the fore, because just as Force’s year is up – a time limit about which he’d neglected to inform his team – the body of a young woman is found bearing all the hallmarks of Lassiter’s MO. Force wants to investigate but the HDD is adamant that his time is up and shuts the team down.
When Force appears to take this lying down, Mal and Wolfe are instantly – and rightly – suspicious. They’re sure he’s going to try to go it alone, but they’re having none of it. They’re still a team, no matter what HDD says, and even though Force vehemently protests that he doesn’t want to put anyone else in the firing line, they’re having none of that, either. They’re going to help and they’ve got his back whether he likes it or not.
Thanks to a contact at the local PD, Force was able to view the latest victim’s body – and even though she wasn’t Lassiter’s usual leggy blonde, she was killed and mutilated in the same way as his previous victims. It strikes Force that the petite, dark-haired Asian woman has a similar body-type and colouring to Nari – and there’s what seems to be a fresh tattoo on the back of her hand of a German shepherd who looks suspiciously like his dog Roscoe. When another victim is found the very next day, with similar build and colouring to Brigid, Force is sure that this is Lassiter sending a very personal message – and that once he’s killed women who resemble all the women who’ve worked on Force’s team, he’ll move on from killing lookalikes to killing the real thing.
The plot of Hidden is fast-paced and well put together, as Force has to race against time to figure out what Lassiter is up to and work out how to draw him out, while also to contending with a police department and a pair of hostile FBI agents who are growing increasingly suspicious of him. It’s not hard to work out where things are going to go, but the author skilfully ramps up the tension and keeps things moving, and I was happy to be on board for the ride.
Force and Nari have been striking sparks off one another ever since the first book, and now, with time running out and Force determined to find Lassiter no matter what it takes, the pair finally admit to their attraction to one another and agree to a one-night fling before Force leaves town, probably never to return. They have great chemistry and the love scenes are steamy but emotional too, because of course, once isn’t going to be enough for either of them and they both know it. Because the early stages of their relationship – which is mostly combative with a strong side of lust – takes place in the earlier books, anyone who jumps into the series here (which I wouldn’t advise) might find their romance a bit insta-lusty, but I’ve been here from the start, so it didn’t feel that way; it’s been a looooong time coming!
One thing I’ve really enjoyed across the series as a whole is the strong friendships and sense of camaraderie Ms. Zanetti has built up between the team members. They snipe and snark, but it’s all affectionate and good-natured, and it’s very clear that this is a close-knit bunch who will do anything for one another. Force has been my favourite character from the start (closely followed by Roscoe!) – he’s your classic tortured-by-his-past maverick, ultra-protective hero who takes no crap and who will do whatever it takes to get to the truth, but he’s got a vulnerable side he keeps under wraps that we get to see a bit more of here. Nari is ballsy and not afraid to go toe-to-toe with Force, and after finding out why she was assigned to the team and seeing the crap she had to deal with from colleagues – one of them her own father – I admired her strength – both physical and mental – and her confidence and intelligence even more.
I enjoyed the story very much – right up until the totally WTF? ending. I can’t say much without spoilers, but the identity of the villain (or one of them anyway) came from so far out of left field, it wasn’t even in the ballpark (or the country!) and I knocked my grade for the story down because of it.
Roger Wayne has done excellent work on this series. His voice and style of delivery are perfect for romantic suspense and he’s especially good at portraying the sexy alpha males typically found in the genre; I wish he’d record more of it! There are a lot of characters in this story, and he provides clearly identifiable voices for them all; the previous couples all make appearances and there are quite a few other speaking roles too, but Mr. Wayne takes it all in his stride, performing them consistently and differentiating clearly and effectively between all the main and secondary roles. His pacing is just right, and he injects an appropriate degree of expression into both narrative and dialogue, heightening the tension in the action scenes, dialling it down for moments of introspection and intimacy, and bringing out the humour and strong sense of connection between the members of the Deep Ops team. My only nitpick is that one or two of the minor female characters sound very similar, but it’s a small criticism and wasn’t something that spoiled my enjoyment of the performance overall. I’ve liked Mr. Wayne’s portrayal of Force since Hidden ; that touch of gravel in his voice and his forthright delivery work really well to describe the character’s strength and determination (plus – that growl is hella sexy!) and the English accent (note – again – there is no such thing as a British accent!) he uses for Jethro is pretty good with only the odd slip or mispronunciation.
And speaking of Jethro – I’d assumed that Force’s story would be the last in the series, but since the author introduced former MI6 officer Jethro (Jet) Hanson – a friend of Force’s who is now a professor of philosophy and ethics – in the previous book, I’ve been hoping he might get a book of his own. I’ll be here for it if he does.
To sum up; if you’ve been following the Deep Ops series, then you won’t want to miss this instalment in one of the better m/f romantic suspense series around at the moment. Driven is a fast-paced, compelling story with plenty of action and plenty of steam, and Roger Wayne’s excellent performance definitely makes it well worth experiencing in audio format.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals
In Driven – the fourth full-length book in Rebecca Zanetti’s Deep Ops series – we finally found out exactly what is driving (!) the damaged, stubborn and somewhat enigmatic Angus Force, formerly one of the FBI’s top profilers, and find out exactly how and why he was relegated to a crappy basement office of the Homeland Defense Department (HDD). While each of the books in the series contains a self-contained suspense plot and romance and can be listened to as a standalone, there has been an overarching plotline running through the series which culminates in Driven. A year or so earlier, Force shot and killed serial killer Henry Lassiter, but shortly after, information from a trusted source led Force to believe that Lassiter wasn’t dead. With no proof, his repeated insistence that Lassiter was alive, and what was seen as a growing obsession with him eventually tanked Force’s career and sent him into the bottom of a bottle. Well. Several bottles.
But Force couldn’t let go of his conviction that Lassiter is alive. The FBI (very reluctantly) grant his request for a team and a year to prove it, which leads to Force’s recruitment of Malcolm West, Clarence Wolfe and Raider Tanaka (and by extension, Brigid Banaghan and Dana Mulberry) – and also to the assignment of psychologist, Nari Zhang to the team. Force hates shrinks, but her being on board is a dealbreaker, so Force reluctantly sucks it up – but doesn’t miss a chance to let Nari knows how much he wants her gone.
Over the past three books the Lassiter storyline has rumbled along in the background as the team has infiltrated a cult, foiled people traffickers, and brought down organised crime syndicates and drug rings, but now it comes to the fore, because just as Force’s year is up – a time limit about which he’d neglected to inform his team – the body of a young woman is found bearing all the hallmarks of Lassiter’s MO. Force wants to investigate but the HDD is adamant that his time is up and shuts the team down.
When Force appears to take this lying down, Mal and Wolfe are instantly – and rightly – suspicious. They’re sure he’s going to try to go it alone, but they’re having none of it. They’re still a team, no matter what HDD says, and even though Force vehemently protests that he doesn’t want to put anyone else in the firing line, they’re having none of that, either. They’re going to help and they’ve got his back whether he likes it or not.
Thanks to a contact at the local PD, Force was able to view the latest victim’s body – and even though she wasn’t Lassiter’s usual leggy blonde, she was killed and mutilated in the same way as his previous victims. It strikes Force that the petite, dark-haired Asian woman has a similar body-type and colouring to Nari – and there’s what seems to be a fresh tattoo on the back of her hand of a German shepherd who looks suspiciously like his dog Roscoe. When another victim is found the very next day, with similar build and colouring to Brigid, Force is sure that this is Lassiter sending a very personal message – and that once he’s killed women who resemble all the women who’ve worked on Force’s team, he’ll move on from killing lookalikes to killing the real thing.
The plot of Hidden is fast-paced and well put together, as Force has to race against time to figure out what Lassiter is up to and work out how to draw him out, while also to contending with a police department and a pair of hostile FBI agents who are growing increasingly suspicious of him. It’s not hard to work out where things are going to go, but the author skilfully ramps up the tension and keeps things moving, and I was happy to be on board for the ride.
Force and Nari have been striking sparks off one another ever since the first book, and now, with time running out and Force determined to find Lassiter no matter what it takes, the pair finally admit to their attraction to one another and agree to a one-night fling before Force leaves town, probably never to return. They have great chemistry and the love scenes are steamy but emotional too, because of course, once isn’t going to be enough for either of them and they both know it. Because the early stages of their relationship – which is mostly combative with a strong side of lust – takes place in the earlier books, anyone who jumps into the series here (which I wouldn’t advise) might find their romance a bit insta-lusty, but I’ve been here from the start, so it didn’t feel that way; it’s been a looooong time coming!
One thing I’ve really enjoyed across the series as a whole is the strong friendships and sense of camaraderie Ms. Zanetti has built up between the team members. They snipe and snark, but it’s all affectionate and good-natured, and it’s very clear that this is a close-knit bunch who will do anything for one another. Force has been my favourite character from the start (closely followed by Roscoe!) – he’s your classic tortured-by-his-past maverick, ultra-protective hero who takes no crap and who will do whatever it takes to get to the truth, but he’s got a vulnerable side he keeps under wraps that we get to see a bit more of here. Nari is ballsy and not afraid to go toe-to-toe with Force, and after finding out why she was assigned to the team and seeing the crap she had to deal with from colleagues – one of them her own father – I admired her strength – both physical and mental – and her confidence and intelligence even more.
I enjoyed the story very much – right up until the totally WTF? ending. I can’t say much without spoilers, but the identity of the villain (or one of them anyway) came from so far out of left field, it wasn’t even in the ballpark (or the country!) and I knocked my grade for the story down because of it.
Roger Wayne has done excellent work on this series. His voice and style of delivery are perfect for romantic suspense and he’s especially good at portraying the sexy alpha males typically found in the genre; I wish he’d record more of it! There are a lot of characters in this story, and he provides clearly identifiable voices for them all; the previous couples all make appearances and there are quite a few other speaking roles too, but Mr. Wayne takes it all in his stride, performing them consistently and differentiating clearly and effectively between all the main and secondary roles. His pacing is just right, and he injects an appropriate degree of expression into both narrative and dialogue, heightening the tension in the action scenes, dialling it down for moments of introspection and intimacy, and bringing out the humour and strong sense of connection between the members of the Deep Ops team. My only nitpick is that one or two of the minor female characters sound very similar, but it’s a small criticism and wasn’t something that spoiled my enjoyment of the performance overall. I’ve liked Mr. Wayne’s portrayal of Force since Hidden ; that touch of gravel in his voice and his forthright delivery work really well to describe the character’s strength and determination (plus – that growl is hella sexy!) and the English accent (note – again – there is no such thing as a British accent!) he uses for Jethro is pretty good with only the odd slip or mispronunciation.
And speaking of Jethro – I’d assumed that Force’s story would be the last in the series, but since the author introduced former MI6 officer Jethro (Jet) Hanson – a friend of Force’s who is now a professor of philosophy and ethics – in the previous book, I’ve been hoping he might get a book of his own. I’ll be here for it if he does.
To sum up; if you’ve been following the Deep Ops series, then you won’t want to miss this instalment in one of the better m/f romantic suspense series around at the moment. Driven is a fast-paced, compelling story with plenty of action and plenty of steam, and Roger Wayne’s excellent performance definitely makes it well worth experiencing in audio format.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals
January 26, 2021
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
There are a lot of things I like about this book and some things I don't. Overall, the good outweighs the bad and this is a really good suspense that keeps you clueless and guessing to the very end. Nari has some TSTL moments, but she is a smart character and Angus is just obsessed and that clouded his perspective at times.
Nari and Angus have had a simmering something going on since the start of the series. Nari has been assigned to the rag tag group by the powers that be in order to keep tabs on them, or so Angus believes, and to keep Angus in line. In spite of not being able to trust her, Angus is drawn to her. Nari knows that Angus is driven and obsessed, yet that pure animal magnetism and hot, rough sex are irresistible.
His deal with HDD (Homeland Defense Department), a secret branch of the Department of Homeland Security, was for a year. His team would work the crap cases and Angus would be free to pursue a serial killer, Lassiter, that everyone else thinks is dead. That year is over and the Deep Ops Team is being shut down, members reassigned or outright fired. Then the bodies start dropping. Young women who look like Angus's team members and the MO is virtually the same as the dead Lassiter. Or, could he be alive as Angus has always believed? What is clear is that this killer has a vendetta against Angus and the next body just might be Nari if he isn't stopped.
There are a lot of things I like about this book and some things I don't. Overall, the good outweighs the bad and this is a really good suspense that keeps you clueless and guessing to the very end. Nari has some TSTL moments, but she is a smart character and Angus is just obsessed and that clouded his perspective at times.
Nari and Angus have had a simmering something going on since the start of the series. Nari has been assigned to the rag tag group by the powers that be in order to keep tabs on them, or so Angus believes, and to keep Angus in line. In spite of not being able to trust her, Angus is drawn to her. Nari knows that Angus is driven and obsessed, yet that pure animal magnetism and hot, rough sex are irresistible.
His deal with HDD (Homeland Defense Department), a secret branch of the Department of Homeland Security, was for a year. His team would work the crap cases and Angus would be free to pursue a serial killer, Lassiter, that everyone else thinks is dead. That year is over and the Deep Ops Team is being shut down, members reassigned or outright fired. Then the bodies start dropping. Young women who look like Angus's team members and the MO is virtually the same as the dead Lassiter. Or, could he be alive as Angus has always believed? What is clear is that this killer has a vendetta against Angus and the next body just might be Nari if he isn't stopped.
November 14, 2020
I have been patiently waiting for Angus and Nari's story. And its finally (or about to be) here!!!
After seeing hints of their sexual tension through the first couple of books in the series, you could just tell that their story, and the conclusion to figuring out if Lassiter is still alive, was going to be packed full of action.
I so hope that RZ writes more for this series. I would love to see the professor find his love match and maybe a scene of Dana giving birth, and Wolfe possibly losing his cool lol
I voluntarily read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
After seeing hints of their sexual tension through the first couple of books in the series, you could just tell that their story, and the conclusion to figuring out if Lassiter is still alive, was going to be packed full of action.
I so hope that RZ writes more for this series. I would love to see the professor find his love match and maybe a scene of Dana giving birth, and Wolfe possibly losing his cool lol
I voluntarily read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 2, 2022
So happy with my first book of 2022!
“Driven” is the 4th in the Deep Ops serious and we finally see Angus Force battling it with serial killer Lassiter who was believed to be dead. It was very fast paced and so good! The way Lassiter baited Force and killed so many people who resembles the team makes my head hurts. The psychopath has really upped his game.
Also happy to see the start of a relationship between Force and Nari Zhang, the resident psychologist and I love women who are strong and with a mind of her own. And she can really fight too!
“Driven” is the 4th in the Deep Ops serious and we finally see Angus Force battling it with serial killer Lassiter who was believed to be dead. It was very fast paced and so good! The way Lassiter baited Force and killed so many people who resembles the team makes my head hurts. The psychopath has really upped his game.
Also happy to see the start of a relationship between Force and Nari Zhang, the resident psychologist and I love women who are strong and with a mind of her own. And she can really fight too!
February 4, 2025
Yay! We’re finally at Angus and Nari’s story and it doesn’t disappoint. Again - you MUST listen to the audio.
Angus Force (team leader of Deep Ops Unit) is convinced that the serial killer he thought he killed is actually still alive. He’s been called unstable by the HDD, plus nobody believes him. He now leads a group of misfits and Nari Zhang (psychologist) is one of those team members. These two have been dancing around their sexual chemistry since Book 1, but Angus will never act on it because he’s afraid she'll get hurt because of him, just like his sister was. Now there’s a serial killer on the loose, and nobody knows if it's a copycat or the original. Now, it’s a race against time to find to find out who the killer actually is. We also don't know if it's one killer or two!!!
This one was nonstop action and requires the entire team to figure out who the killer or killers are and how to stop them. One thing I was frustrated with was why he never started wearing a body camera. That would have easily proven that what he was saying was true.
The chemistry between Angus and Nari is amazing and I love that we finally get some sex without condoms. We also get new players, Tate (Angus’s cop friend) and his partner, Buckle (cop). You also have Scott (lawyer) who gets his own book. Rosco is still acting up and we love him for it. There was one annoyance
As I’ve said before – each book keeps getting better. Do you know how rare it is for me to have FMC’s that are all awesome?!! The only thing I didn’t like about Nari is she giggled a few times. You know I can’t stand giggling, but I won’t hold it against her. She’s perfect in every other way.
Angus Force (team leader of Deep Ops Unit) is convinced that the serial killer he thought he killed is actually still alive. He’s been called unstable by the HDD, plus nobody believes him. He now leads a group of misfits and Nari Zhang (psychologist) is one of those team members. These two have been dancing around their sexual chemistry since Book 1, but Angus will never act on it because he’s afraid she'll get hurt because of him, just like his sister was. Now there’s a serial killer on the loose, and nobody knows if it's a copycat or the original. Now, it’s a race against time to find to find out who the killer actually is. We also don't know if it's one killer or two!!!
This one was nonstop action and requires the entire team to figure out who the killer or killers are and how to stop them. One thing I was frustrated with was why he never started wearing a body camera. That would have easily proven that what he was saying was true.
The chemistry between Angus and Nari is amazing and I love that we finally get some sex without condoms. We also get new players, Tate (Angus’s cop friend) and his partner, Buckle (cop). You also have Scott (lawyer) who gets his own book. Rosco is still acting up and we love him for it. There was one annoyance
As I’ve said before – each book keeps getting better. Do you know how rare it is for me to have FMC’s that are all awesome?!! The only thing I didn’t like about Nari is she giggled a few times. You know I can’t stand giggling, but I won’t hold it against her. She’s perfect in every other way.
November 5, 2020
*3.25 ROLLERCOASTER STARS*
Well, this was quite a ride.
I usually love romantic suspense novels when they're executed well, but as this was my first time reading a Deep Ops book, I was kind of thrown in the middle of it all, and it took me a while to get into this. As the attraction between Nari and Angus has probably been simmering during the other books in this series, I didn't really feel a connection between them aside from a physical one.
I also thought the pacing was a bit off sometimes, especially the ending felt very rushed. I also feel like it didn't make a lot of sense, but that might just be me not being completely into the story and Angus' background with Lassiter.
All in all, this was a nice read. Roscoe was my favorite character of them all. I'd continue reading this series just for him!
Well, this was quite a ride.
I usually love romantic suspense novels when they're executed well, but as this was my first time reading a Deep Ops book, I was kind of thrown in the middle of it all, and it took me a while to get into this. As the attraction between Nari and Angus has probably been simmering during the other books in this series, I didn't really feel a connection between them aside from a physical one.
I also thought the pacing was a bit off sometimes, especially the ending felt very rushed. I also feel like it didn't make a lot of sense, but that might just be me not being completely into the story and Angus' background with Lassiter.
All in all, this was a nice read. Roscoe was my favorite character of them all. I'd continue reading this series just for him!
November 3, 2022
WOW! What a twist at the end. Never saw that coming.
November 12, 2020
5 stars!
The fourth book in the Deep Ops series, this is the long-awaited story of Angus and Nari, and it’s an absolute rollercoaster! Exciting, action-packed, dramatic and suspenseful with the elements of humour the I love so much about Rebecca’s writing, and a love story that is passionate and intense, and so fitting for these characters. It’s a thrill ride, representing everything that I love about this series, and I loved this one!
This book is the culmination of build-up over the last few books as Deep Ops Unit Director, Angus Force confronts his demons when a nemesis from his past resurfaces. Years ago, he shot and killed the serial killer that he hunted for a year and who murdered his sister, but for a while now he’s had the feeling that the deranged psycho may not actually be dead. When murdered women start surfacing in the killer’s signature style - each of them a lookalike for the women in Force’s life - he goes on the hunt again.
Nari Zhang is the Psychologist who was demoted and being punished when she was allocated to the Deep Ops Unit, but she has found her place there and is a much-loved member of the team. Angus is the one person who hasn’t taken up the offer of regular therapy sessions, and there is a delicious dynamic between them that is part aggression, part sexual tension, and all foreplay. Over the last few books their chemistry has been building, and we’ve all been waiting for them to finally take that step, and with danger swirling around them and the two of them forced close together for Zari’s protection, all of that tension is about to explode.
It’s hot, sexy, and so freaking exciting, and though Angus is determined to keep feelings out of it, now that they’ve begun to explore their connection, the intensity of everything between them is absolutely unstoppable. With the added danger bringing a fantastic edge, the emotion is impossible to hold back, and I loved watching them fall into it.
The love story unfolds amidst near-constant action and thrills as bodies keep appearing and Angus and Nari find themselves in the firing line over and over again. There’s never a moment to rest, and my heart was pounding as the suspense builds closer and closer to the inevitable confrontation. My mind was racing trying to figure it all out, and I loved that I was kept guessing right up until the very end.
Meanwhile, the powers that be have torn the Deep Ops Unit apart… but the familial bonds formed between the team are not so easily broken, so never fear, we still get to see the characters from previous books, and though they are in on all of the excitement, they bring some great levity to the story, and I laughed out loud at their banter and antics.
It’s all happening, and it’s so freaking exciting, and I struggled to put this book down. I loved the suspense and the action, but as always, it’s the romance that I was there for, and I loved watching Angus and Nari finally come together.
What a fantastic ride! I’m loving this series and am so excited for whatever is coming next!
5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The fourth book in the Deep Ops series, this is the long-awaited story of Angus and Nari, and it’s an absolute rollercoaster! Exciting, action-packed, dramatic and suspenseful with the elements of humour the I love so much about Rebecca’s writing, and a love story that is passionate and intense, and so fitting for these characters. It’s a thrill ride, representing everything that I love about this series, and I loved this one!
This book is the culmination of build-up over the last few books as Deep Ops Unit Director, Angus Force confronts his demons when a nemesis from his past resurfaces. Years ago, he shot and killed the serial killer that he hunted for a year and who murdered his sister, but for a while now he’s had the feeling that the deranged psycho may not actually be dead. When murdered women start surfacing in the killer’s signature style - each of them a lookalike for the women in Force’s life - he goes on the hunt again.
Nari Zhang is the Psychologist who was demoted and being punished when she was allocated to the Deep Ops Unit, but she has found her place there and is a much-loved member of the team. Angus is the one person who hasn’t taken up the offer of regular therapy sessions, and there is a delicious dynamic between them that is part aggression, part sexual tension, and all foreplay. Over the last few books their chemistry has been building, and we’ve all been waiting for them to finally take that step, and with danger swirling around them and the two of them forced close together for Zari’s protection, all of that tension is about to explode.
“You have to stop pushing everyone away.”
He leaned in even closer, ducking his head to trap her gaze. “Baby, the last thing I want to do is push you away.”
It’s hot, sexy, and so freaking exciting, and though Angus is determined to keep feelings out of it, now that they’ve begun to explore their connection, the intensity of everything between them is absolutely unstoppable. With the added danger bringing a fantastic edge, the emotion is impossible to hold back, and I loved watching them fall into it.
She looked at him the way nobody in his entire life had looked at him. As if he could do anything. As if he was her hero. His body heated, and he wanted more than anything to hold that look forever. To actually be a hero, which he’d never come close to.
The love story unfolds amidst near-constant action and thrills as bodies keep appearing and Angus and Nari find themselves in the firing line over and over again. There’s never a moment to rest, and my heart was pounding as the suspense builds closer and closer to the inevitable confrontation. My mind was racing trying to figure it all out, and I loved that I was kept guessing right up until the very end.
Meanwhile, the powers that be have torn the Deep Ops Unit apart… but the familial bonds formed between the team are not so easily broken, so never fear, we still get to see the characters from previous books, and though they are in on all of the excitement, they bring some great levity to the story, and I laughed out loud at their banter and antics.
It’s all happening, and it’s so freaking exciting, and I struggled to put this book down. I loved the suspense and the action, but as always, it’s the romance that I was there for, and I loved watching Angus and Nari finally come together.
“I love you, Nari Zhang. When I first met you, right now, and forever. No matter what, you’re everything to me.”
What a fantastic ride! I’m loving this series and am so excited for whatever is coming next!
5 stars!
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2024
Oh man, I wasn’t sure…. I questioned how this book was going to go…. But this was also the one book I was so excited about…. I mean how are you not. Washed up alcoholic FBI profiler with an alcoholic side kick dog.
A man who is completely obsessed with a serial killer he shot and killed years ago, but swears he is still alive. All the evidence says he is a dead, everyone involved says he is dead.. Is he though?
Angus thought he was dead. I mean he pulled the damn trigger. But he also got shot at the same time. A year before he put this team together he got a tip that the crazy AF serial killer he profiled, became obsessed with, that ended up killing his sister before he finally killed him himself, might actually be alive.
Nari was assigned to Angus’ team as the resident psychologist to make sure all these crazy fuckers don’t get any crazier (good luck girl, I hope you got a raise). Nari has her own shit happening between family, work and an ex. But this girl is a badass!!
These two have sexual tension from the freaking start!! But they also very much don’t get along, because Angus hates shrinks and while he wants to bang the shit out of Nari, he won’t get close enough to her because he doesn’t want her to “fix” his crazy.
Angus’ obsession with Lassiter (our serial killer) is what brought this entire team together, but he only had 1 year to prove that Lassiter was alive and that year ended a week ago…..
Now a week after the deadline bodies are being found, that all look mysterious like the women on Angus’ team. The first being the cute little shrink that he is trying so hard to avoid.
What do you do when your obsession starts to target the one woman you have been fighting against getting close to. You do what you swore you wouldn’t ever do and get friendly with your little shrink.
These two are really a great couple. Their chemistry is awesome, banter even better. The way they handle each other's neuroses. Guys, I will tell you, this is not an insta-love book, insta-attraction yes, but it was building for the 3 books prior! Its a little on the slow-burn and this couple takes a hot minute to talk their shit out and get on the same page, but you will enjoy watching them figure it out.
This book is so much more than just a romance. It has everything you want in a mystery romance. You won’t know what happens until it happens.
Of course we can’t forget about our amazing Roscoe. Sadly he did not get hammered or wear any heels in this book. But he is one fierce protector.
ARC kindly provided by NetGallery and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.
A man who is completely obsessed with a serial killer he shot and killed years ago, but swears he is still alive. All the evidence says he is a dead, everyone involved says he is dead.. Is he though?
Angus thought he was dead. I mean he pulled the damn trigger. But he also got shot at the same time. A year before he put this team together he got a tip that the crazy AF serial killer he profiled, became obsessed with, that ended up killing his sister before he finally killed him himself, might actually be alive.
Nari was assigned to Angus’ team as the resident psychologist to make sure all these crazy fuckers don’t get any crazier (good luck girl, I hope you got a raise). Nari has her own shit happening between family, work and an ex. But this girl is a badass!!
These two have sexual tension from the freaking start!! But they also very much don’t get along, because Angus hates shrinks and while he wants to bang the shit out of Nari, he won’t get close enough to her because he doesn’t want her to “fix” his crazy.
Angus’ obsession with Lassiter (our serial killer) is what brought this entire team together, but he only had 1 year to prove that Lassiter was alive and that year ended a week ago…..
Now a week after the deadline bodies are being found, that all look mysterious like the women on Angus’ team. The first being the cute little shrink that he is trying so hard to avoid.
What do you do when your obsession starts to target the one woman you have been fighting against getting close to. You do what you swore you wouldn’t ever do and get friendly with your little shrink.
These two are really a great couple. Their chemistry is awesome, banter even better. The way they handle each other's neuroses. Guys, I will tell you, this is not an insta-love book, insta-attraction yes, but it was building for the 3 books prior! Its a little on the slow-burn and this couple takes a hot minute to talk their shit out and get on the same page, but you will enjoy watching them figure it out.
This book is so much more than just a romance. It has everything you want in a mystery romance. You won’t know what happens until it happens.
Of course we can’t forget about our amazing Roscoe. Sadly he did not get hammered or wear any heels in this book. But he is one fierce protector.
ARC kindly provided by NetGallery and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2020
3.5 stars
The Deep Ops series is one where a ragtag crew (with their own quirks that sometimes straddle the unbelievable) battle the little things that go wrong, but 'Driven' feels a bit more like a police procedural gone rogue. Angus Force and Nari Zhang have had some sort of tension in Rebecca Zanetti's previous books in the series and 'Driven' is their story, where the catalyst that brings them together is the return of a serial killer that has long haunted Angus dreams.
The premise is certainly quite an unusual one that kept me reading: the mutual preoccupation of Angus Force and the serial killer Lassiter that dates all the way back to Angus's FBI profiling days and the fateful day that his sister got caught in Lassiter's net. Except that Lassiter's supposed to be dead...until dead bodies of women who resemble the team members in Angus's crew start turning up and showing the same hallmarks of Lassiter's kills.
Barring the action scenes aplenty, there isn't nonetheless, much context given to this abnormal relationship between Angus and Lassiter; much less clear is the odd (and not-too-convincing) revelation at the end about who really was pulling Lassiter's strings all along. As a result, those who dive straight into 'Driven' might have some difficulty assimilating why Angus is the way he is, who the secondary characters are and how Nari and her job seem to be so integral to the plot.
The murder mystery did sometimes overshadow the growing relationship between Angus/Nari, which seemed to progress in uneven patches that moved quickly from work colleagues to lovers to lovers-being-in-trouble to HEA. They're not a surprise pairing because Zanetti has been hinting at them from the start, but I wish she could have done them more justice with their emotional development instead of constantly thrusting them into one dangerous whomping scene into the next.
Overall though, this is definitely the book I enjoyed the most in the series. Despite my reservations, it was a fun ride and a few days' worth of entertainment.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
The Deep Ops series is one where a ragtag crew (with their own quirks that sometimes straddle the unbelievable) battle the little things that go wrong, but 'Driven' feels a bit more like a police procedural gone rogue. Angus Force and Nari Zhang have had some sort of tension in Rebecca Zanetti's previous books in the series and 'Driven' is their story, where the catalyst that brings them together is the return of a serial killer that has long haunted Angus dreams.
The premise is certainly quite an unusual one that kept me reading: the mutual preoccupation of Angus Force and the serial killer Lassiter that dates all the way back to Angus's FBI profiling days and the fateful day that his sister got caught in Lassiter's net. Except that Lassiter's supposed to be dead...until dead bodies of women who resemble the team members in Angus's crew start turning up and showing the same hallmarks of Lassiter's kills.
Barring the action scenes aplenty, there isn't nonetheless, much context given to this abnormal relationship between Angus and Lassiter; much less clear is the odd (and not-too-convincing) revelation at the end about who really was pulling Lassiter's strings all along. As a result, those who dive straight into 'Driven' might have some difficulty assimilating why Angus is the way he is, who the secondary characters are and how Nari and her job seem to be so integral to the plot.
The murder mystery did sometimes overshadow the growing relationship between Angus/Nari, which seemed to progress in uneven patches that moved quickly from work colleagues to lovers to lovers-being-in-trouble to HEA. They're not a surprise pairing because Zanetti has been hinting at them from the start, but I wish she could have done them more justice with their emotional development instead of constantly thrusting them into one dangerous whomping scene into the next.
Overall though, this is definitely the book I enjoyed the most in the series. Despite my reservations, it was a fun ride and a few days' worth of entertainment.
*ARC by the publisher via Netgalley
January 3, 2021
3 5 ☆
It's time to catch a serial killer...
I've waited a very long time for this to be released. Since reading the first book I have wanted, no needed more about Angus Force and the wait was absolute torture. Who would be perfect for Angus and his alcohol loving, high heels wearing Czech German Shepherd Roscoe? Well, Nari Zhang of course.
Angus made a deal with the HDD that he add one year to find out if Lassiter is dead. Nobody believes him and once the department is disbanded the murders start to happen. Not the same MO as with the previous victims but now women who look similar to the women/girlfriends on and associated with the team.
It is a race against time especially when Angus is more and more in the crossfire of the sitauation. These two have demons to slay and well they have to figure out what is going on between them the sexual chemistry even after a year hasn't dissipated.
RZ did a truly outstanding job to make this a nail biting read that is action packed and with a very interesting twist. Here's hoping that the Brit gets his book.
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
It's time to catch a serial killer...
I've waited a very long time for this to be released. Since reading the first book I have wanted, no needed more about Angus Force and the wait was absolute torture. Who would be perfect for Angus and his alcohol loving, high heels wearing Czech German Shepherd Roscoe? Well, Nari Zhang of course.
Angus made a deal with the HDD that he add one year to find out if Lassiter is dead. Nobody believes him and once the department is disbanded the murders start to happen. Not the same MO as with the previous victims but now women who look similar to the women/girlfriends on and associated with the team.
It is a race against time especially when Angus is more and more in the crossfire of the sitauation. These two have demons to slay and well they have to figure out what is going on between them the sexual chemistry even after a year hasn't dissipated.
RZ did a truly outstanding job to make this a nail biting read that is action packed and with a very interesting twist. Here's hoping that the Brit gets his book.
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2021
This being Angus’ story and the wrapping up of the case that has haunted him for the past few years make it seem that the series is over, but I am not ready for it to be. Especially since we’ve met Jethro the past few books. He is EVERYTHING! How can it be over without him getting a book and a HEA. Surely we wouldn’t get teased like this.
This rag tag group of operatives which includes a kitten and alcoholic dog has become one of my favorite teams EVER. Angus was always a mystery to me since he was drunk the majority of the time but in this we see the real him and he has quickly become one of my favorites. In fact I was surprised his age was early 30s, I thought he was so much older as he was always portrayed as the father figure/matchmaker of the group.
This is also Nari’s book and she and Angus have been circulating around each other for the past year and when they finally get together their chemistry is off the charts hot! They made a great team on and off the job. The investigation and hunt for Lassiter was riveting and surprising. This is a great conclusion to this story-arc but now that the team is legit they need to keep it going! 5 stars!
This rag tag group of operatives which includes a kitten and alcoholic dog has become one of my favorite teams EVER. Angus was always a mystery to me since he was drunk the majority of the time but in this we see the real him and he has quickly become one of my favorites. In fact I was surprised his age was early 30s, I thought he was so much older as he was always portrayed as the father figure/matchmaker of the group.
This is also Nari’s book and she and Angus have been circulating around each other for the past year and when they finally get together their chemistry is off the charts hot! They made a great team on and off the job. The investigation and hunt for Lassiter was riveting and surprising. This is a great conclusion to this story-arc but now that the team is legit they need to keep it going! 5 stars!
December 28, 2020
This is Angus Force's story and it was perfect. This book could be read as a "stand alone" but I wouldn't recommend it because each of the team members have been fully developed in their own book previously in this series. Their support of Angus in this book is understandable based on their own stories.
With each chapter Ms. Zanetti was able to ratchet up the tension as Angus Force's "dead" nemesis reappears and is targeting women who look similar to his female team members while setting up Angus to take the fall. Suspense, action, hot romance and a huge twist at the end made this a riveting read that I could not put down. What a wonderful ride!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Zebra Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
With each chapter Ms. Zanetti was able to ratchet up the tension as Angus Force's "dead" nemesis reappears and is targeting women who look similar to his female team members while setting up Angus to take the fall. Suspense, action, hot romance and a huge twist at the end made this a riveting read that I could not put down. What a wonderful ride!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Zebra Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
September 23, 2020
I have been looking forward to Angus and and Nari's book and it did not disappoint.
Just when Angus has time to really look into Lassiter, the seriel killer he supposedly killed, the deal he made with the HDD is up and they come to close his office down and reassign some. Even Nari cannot believe it. But make no mistake that is not the end for this team.
But with each new death the evidence is adding up and isn't against Lassiter. Will they be able to stop him before one of their own is put away?
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Just when Angus has time to really look into Lassiter, the seriel killer he supposedly killed, the deal he made with the HDD is up and they come to close his office down and reassign some. Even Nari cannot believe it. But make no mistake that is not the end for this team.
But with each new death the evidence is adding up and isn't against Lassiter. Will they be able to stop him before one of their own is put away?
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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