Conceal

Reed Hawthorne Security #0

by Danielle Pays

Cody

I told myself I could walk away and never look back. That was a lie.

As a former Navy SEAL, I work in protection services. My latest assignment puts me right next to my hometown. Close to her. Too close. But nothing prepares me for the moment I see her again. Or the moment I discover the man I’m protecting is her ex-husband.

But when the threat extends to Lucy, I’ll do what it takes to keep her safe. Even if she doesn’t want my protection. Because now that I’ve seen her, I can’t let her go again.

Lucy

His leaving destroyed me. I never thought I’d see him again.

Now he’s back, and if he thinks he can just barge back into my life, he has another thing coming. He might be even sexier than he once was, and yeah, my heart might still ache for him. But I can’t forgive him for destroying me.

But when my jerk of an ex-husband entangles me in his criminal pursuits, I have no choice but to lean on Cody. But leaning on him is dangerous for my heart.

Genres: Military Fiction, Second Chance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary

Paperback

First published September 12, 2021

About the author

Danielle Pays writes romantic suspense with twists and a hint of humor. When not trying to write her characters into some kind of trouble, she can be found chasing her dog or annoying her kids. Unless the sun is out. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and if the sun comes out, it is a requirement to go outside before it hides again.

Reviews

[Joy Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
     Conceal was all my favorite tropes of romance all in one place. This is romantic suspense with a second chance woven in. It is a story about Cody and Lucy. 
     They were sweethearts in high school and made plans for college and a life after and then Cody leaves without explanation which breaks Lucy's heart. Cody went on to be a Navy SEAL. After 13 years, a job protecting a professor at the college he wanted to attend brings him back. He is surprised to learn the love of his life is a professor also. More than that, she is his asset's ex-wife. Upon seeing him again, she is surprised by how angry she still is with him. 
     This book has so many twists and turns, I found it incredibly hard to put down. I got confused a little but overall, I had fun trying to figure out everything and who was responsible and who wasn't. I love it when I can figure it out and am surprised by the reveal. I really enjoyed the main characters' journey to their HEA. This definitely goes in the good pile for the month. I'm really curious about this author's other works. 
     

[Kay H]

This started out great but then it just kept going... And going... We'd get an answer and think we are nearing the end of the plot and then it'd get bigger. But it didn't feel natural, felt like a page goal was in mind. Also, it kept going back and forth with if he was living Brooklyn or California and it felt like such an obvious thing to get right that it made me wonder if anyone edited, beta or ARC read this before publication.

[Danielle Pays · Rating 5 out of 5]

I growl as I turn away from him. So matter of fact. He shows no sign of feeling anything and I’m a mix of nerves, anger, and hell, I don’t know what else but it’s all mixing inside like some sick Jell-O swirly pop. This is my chance to find out why the hell he did it.

“We were supposed to graduate college and get married. You made so many promises. I believed you. Then you bailed on me. On us.”

I can feel the tears threatening to fall so I wipe my eyes before he can see.

“Luce—”

“No.” I whirl back around, and my finger is in his face. “No, you don’t get to call me that anymore.”

He visibly swallows as he nods. Maybe there is some emotion under there after all.

“I’m sorry. I was young and I didn’t see any other option.”

“The other option was to go to college like we planned. If you were having doubts, you should have talked to me. No, instead you decided and told me how it was going to be. I had no say. You know what, let me return the favor. I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to talk to you. Get out!”

“Lucy, please. What are the odds we would run into each other like this? Leaving you has always been my biggest regret.”

Now I can’t stop the tears from falling. “No, you can’t come in here and say things like that. You can’t come in here and disrupt my life. Go.”

“Lucy.” He takes a step closer.

[Mari (Mystics & Metaphysics Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh, this has suspense, danger, some undeniable chemistry and a whole sleuth of characters I need more of. While there is a lot going on in the story that sometimes left me confused, I loved the chemistry between Cody and Lucy and their road to a second chance.

[Stox4story · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why do I call this a page turner? Well, if you’re like me, you’ll be drawn into the characters and their behaviors so much that you’ll be frustrated, you’ll be happy, you’ll be angry and you’ll be rolling your eyes, sometimes all at once. You can’t help but want to keep turning the pages to see just what mischief will come up next. And maybe mischief is the wrong word. Lets just say there is a lot of mystery alongside a lot of questionable behavior and you get to figure out ‘who done it’ … just who is the culprit, or should I say culprits, and whose lives are on the line, and WHY? Hmmmm….. have fun guessing 🙃

👁^👁OBSERVATIONS

… Well, she may have a PhD but Lucy is dumber than all get out. I could understand self-righteous indignation but not stupidity. Then when I realized her home life and the people influencing her from childhood to adulthood, I quit rolling my eyes so much. At times, Lucy was her own worst enemy😥

… Cody is a real winner. He’s a keeper❣️

… I keep wondering about the university president. Something just doesn’t add up 🤔

… Valerie, Vince, Ted, Lawrence … could it be? Really? And who on earth is Uncle Lewis? Just how deep does this ‘family’ business run? 😱

Sooooo, I had to keep turning the pages to see who was what and what plot twist was next. 😲

I received an advance copy of this book and am leaving my personal thoughts and opinions.

[ReadonReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had so many twists, turns, and things that kept me glued to it the whole time. Cody is hired to take a job to protect a professor near his old hometown. When he left years ago, he did it with a heavy heart and no intention of coming back. Cody finds out that the guy he must help is his one and only love of his life’s ex-husband. He isn’t too thrilled with this, and a lot of things seem to be happening that doesn’t make a lot of sense, but once he lays eyes on Emelia again it’s like no time had passed. Emelia comes from a wealthy family that rumors surround with having mafia like ties, but Emelia always just played off, but she did know her father had his moments where he could be cold and cruel. When Cody left, she was so broken hearted, and she couldn’t understand why but now that he is back, and they find out the reasons things change. Emelia doesn’t want to be hurt again but she can’t resist Cody and the love they had. They had to learn each other again, navigate all these negative things coming for them, and the people set out to hurt them while trying to fall again. Will Emelia let her guard down to let Cody back in or will her fear reject him? Can Cody see past his anger at her family to be able to move? This was very entertaining, cute, and action packed.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cody & Lucy were high school sweethearts who had made future plans when he decided to give her no say & hit the road. He hasn't been back in thirteen years, and the only reason he's back is because of a job to protect a person at an University, and imagine his shock to learn that Lucy works there as well. Oh, and she's still pissed off at him which I found very understandable because he did her dirty no matter what his reasons were since he never came back for her. Oh, and the person he's supposed to protect is her ex, and she may or may not be caught in the crossfire herself. Both of them figure out that those past feelings have never left but she doesn't trust him which she shouldn't, so how will that play out?! Oh, and there's still all the mystery going on with secrets that don't make friends but do make the twists come in hot so yeah, that portion of the program put me firmly in my happy place. I honestly loved this story hard despite the anger I felt towards Cody, but to see if he redeemed himself in my eyes, you'll have to hit those one click buttons as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conceal by Danielle Pays is part of the Salvation Society World . From the moment I met Cody and Lucy I was so hooked , I know without a doubt there was no way I was going to be able to stop reading . Thirteen years ago Cody not only left home but also left Lucy , they were just kids . But he had his reasons for leaving . Now Cody is back home and they once again have a second chance . What a emotional story . There were so many moments I found myself balling my eyes out , and at the same time rooting for them to get Their second chance at happiness. Lucy still has so much anger inside her , but who came blame her , she was so in love with Cody and he broke her heart . Can these two find their way back to one another . I don’t want to give to many details out about this wonderful story , as you really need to experience it for yourself. Danielle is Such a phenomenal writer as well as one of my very favorite authors. I adored Avery single moment of this wonderful book ❤️😍🖤

[Kristina Wampler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story between Cody and Lucy. One time former lovers who had a heartbreaking falling out manage to reenter each other's lives 13 years later. Lucy tries everything she can to keep her distance from Cody since he broke her heart all those years ago. Cody wants nothing more than to get her back and will stop at nothing to do that. This book had so many twists and turns that it keeps you on your toes. You think you know what's going to happen but then you are hit with another curveball. Can these two find their H.E.A with so many obstacles and people trying to keep them apart!?

[AND 1515 · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't move forward while holding on to the past....

Sometimes fate steers us in directions we don't want to go, like the saying goes all roads lead home.
Even when it's the last place you really want to be.
Her life wasn't exactly how she'd pictured it nope not at all.
But now her past just road back into town and his presence was on the verge of being annoying.
The Grand Canyon would probably be easier to traverse then the vast painful issues between them, however they'll have to figure it how to trust one another.

I received this book for free and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cody is a second chance romance between Cody, a security specialist who works in protection services, and Lucy, who he broke her heart when he left thirteen years ago. Cody returns to his hometown to protect the ex-husband of Lucy. There is still strong attraction between Lucy and Cody. Cody, however, has to come up with answers when a series of mysterious deaths occur. This suspenseful book has great characters, mystery, and steamy chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jessica G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cost left Lucy behind 13 years ago and now he is back. From the moment he spots her, he knows he can’t be without her. Lucy is still hurt after all this time, but can’t deny she still feels for him what she always has.

This is a great story. There is love, romance, reconnections and of course mystery. Some definite surprises in the book that I didn’t see coming. A great read and I highly recommend.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Lisa Rangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conceal is the first book that I have read by Danielle Pays and let me tell you I loved the storyline and the characters in the story. I know I was reading where there is another book before this one and now I have to pick it up to read it.
But Cody and Lucy remind me of me and husband how he had left me years ago and then years later we see one an another again and he knew that its always been me and I have always loved him.. This story just has everything you will fall in love with!!

[Amanda Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book a 4.5. I loved the suspense. I am a sucker for second chance romance. I wish Cody tried to come back sooner. Waiting 13 years is a long time but the story is good. I loved the twists.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not usually one for modern romance, but this came up on Kindle Unlimited or something and I decided to give it a try. The H and h are in their 30s, which I liked.
The story had me hooked
The basic plot is that Cody and Lucy were HS sweethearts. They planned to go to uni together after graduation. Cody had a football scholarship. But Cody left the night of graduation and enlisted. he's just come back after several years. Turns out he's guarding Lucy's ex, who is a scumbag (he's a gambler and keeps stealing from her and from the university!). He meets up with Lucy as she teaches there and is entangled with the ex because, as stated before, he sucks.
It was a sweet romance, but with a hint of danger. Nothing too graphic.

Now (spoilers).. the part I find unbelievable is that Cody reveals he left town because his mom got in a car accident and he'd missed a final because he was at the hospital. The teacher of the class wouldn't let him make up the test. Neither would the principal. Which led to his grade not being high enough for his GPA and the university dropped his scholarship. He couldn't afford university. Okay. I'm not sure that's how grades work, but we'll go with it.
So Cody left town humiliated. He always felt he wasn't smart or good enough for Lucy (awww).
Turns out that Lucy's dad is like a mob boss and set all this up... including possibly drugging his mom so she got in an accident (I mean... drunk drivers make it home all the time, so that part of the plan didn't seem like a sure bet).
But Lucy had no idea until Cody tells her.
I call BS. No way. That would have been all over a small town the day after at the latest.

Anyway, other than that. I really liked this story and I plan on continuing the series. This story bridges two security firms. One in NY and one in WA.
Danielle Pays is a good writer and I like that the characters are older. She writes really well and I can't wait to keep getting to know the members of the MTS.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting dramatic romance, second chance novel. An interesting concept but a bit lengthy and drawn out with a lot of characters that get tangled up a little too much in the plot.

Thirteen years ago he shreaded Lucy's heart when he up and left without a word. They'd made so many plans and promises; all forgotten. When Cody suddenly shows up on the campus where she's a professor all the emotions of loss and abandonment return.

Ex SEAL Cody Anthony works for Reed Hawthorne Security and has just been assigned to protect a Havenwood University Professor in the town right next to his hometown. Nothing prepared him for finding out the woman he had to leave behind is a professor at the same University or that the man he was sent to protect is her ex-husband.

Things become very twisted when it seems nothing about this case makes sense. When the threats extend to Lucy, Cody is even more determined to protect her while getting to the bottom of the mysterious events going on in this town.

When Cody makes it clear he wants a second chance Lucy will have to decide if she can trust Cody with her heart again.

[Angi Everett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sometimes with suspense books I don't mind if it's lengthy. Usually there's action and intrigue. That is not the case here. Not even half way thru and I feel like everything could be resolved in half the amount of pages left.
Another waste of downloading a whole series :(
“No shit? You’d give up sunny California to move here?”
Brooklyn isn't I California. Not even the same time zone. Another problem with long books. Mistakes too often make the final cut. Of voyage it returns to NY later because editors suck at their job these days.

So far most tgd female characters are childish and irritating. The author may think they're portrayed as smart and independent, but they're not. Lucy has been consistently dumb for a psychology professor, and Connie pours alcohol over a guy's head and it's made to seem cool and cutting. It was just childish since the guy didn't do anything to warrant it. What's worse is he made it seem awesome.

"To say I was shocked is an understatement."
Considering your boyfriend told you repeatedly, there should have been no shock. Despite everything he wax right about, she was continually shocked by everything. This lady needs to give up her degree and the MMC needs someone more worthy of him.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

By Danielle Pays
Main Characters: Lucy and Cody
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
5 out of 5 stars
You have to love the chemistry between these two main characters. Cody had left Lucy about 13 years ago with no explanation why???? This is a second chance romantic suspense. Many twists in it. The story has many ups and downs for these two but of course, we do see a HEA ending.

[Pauline Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. Cody was forced into taking a different path than what he wanted to after he graduated from high school, but a path that he could live with. He lost his first and only love Lucy. Both Cody and Lucy learn stuff they have struggled with and made better life choices for them.

[Love Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, betrayal, money laundering, second chances and more what’s not to love about this book? Lucy was devastated when Cody left after high school graduation without even a goodbye. Now he’s back in town guarding her ex husband of all people. This story is so good there are so many twists and turns I felt like I was on a rollercoaster. Leaving a voluntary review for an arc.

[Carla Krewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many characters

There are so many twists and turns and bad characters in this story it is hard to keep track of everything. Definitely could have told just as good of a story with a few less people involved in the drama.

[Hanna Giesen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t like this much! I thought the plot was all over the place and didn’t really make sense and I got extremely annoyed with both of the MCs multiple times. Some of the conversations?! Terrible and most of the conflicts?! Super unnecessary.
2⭐️ 🌶🌶🌶🌶

[Christine Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Read

This was a fun book to read. There were a lot of facets to the characters and that helped to keep your interest in the story. I liked the characters and their relationship with each other. The romance was a nice bonus.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has very entertaining characters and suspense with a criminal organization operating in a college town. There is the renewal of a romance. There is lots of mystery and action that held my interest and kept the story going at a good pace. The romance has a happy ending.

[C. Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve read Saving Her Target then you met Cody, this is his story. Grab some tissues, a blanket, drink and get comfy because once you start this you won’t be able to put it down. 🖤❤️‍🔥🔥❤️‍🔥🖤

[Tom Prejsner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance

Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novel series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The story was all over the place without a clear finish. However, it did move along and there were no boring/dragging spots or too much repetition of the main angst.

[Claudia Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

La historia ni los protagonistas lograron convencerme, espero que el siguiente sea mejor.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been thirteen years since Cody left Pine Valley and Lucy Gardiner. They were just kids then but he had his reasons. Now, a security job has brought him back to the nearby town of Fallwell Cove where his dreams of attending the University there had been crushed. Finding out Lucy was a professor at the University where he was now providing security for an administrator was a shock, but even more so, the man is Lucy's ex husband. And Cody instantly realizes he has never stopped loving her.

After this many years Lucy Gardiner never thought she'd see Cody again. She is even more surprised to realize just how angry she still is with him. And how much she still loves him. Now, she will see him every day on campus. But why does her ex need security? And even though her feelings for Cody are stronger than ever he left her once without a word. Will he leave again?

Even as Lucy and Cody begin to rebuild the trust they once lost, the secrets that twist through this small town could tear it apart. And the people you think you can trust the most are the ones with the biggest lies to conceal. 

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book there was so much going on with so many characters that it felt like the author tried to wind too many of them together to keep the reader guessing and in the process the unweaving to the finale was abrupt, a little difficult to follow and left unanswered questions regarding some of those characters.  

I received an ARC and voluntarily offer this review.

Merged review:

It's been thirteen years since Cody left Pine Valley and Lucy Gardiner. They were just kids then but he had his reasons. Now, a security job has brought him back to the nearby town of Fallwell Cove where his dreams of attending University there had been crushed. Finding out Lucy was a professor at the University where he was now providing security for an administrator was a shock but he instantly realizes he has never stopped loving her.

After this many years Lucy Gardiner never thought she'd see Cody again. She is even more surprised to realize just how angry she still is with him. And how much she still loves him. But he left her once without a word. Will he leave again?

Even as Lucy and Cody begin to rebuild the trust they once lost, the secrets that twist through this small town could tear it apart. And the people you think you can trust the most are the ones with the biggest lies to conceal. 

Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book there was so much going on with so many characters that it felt like the author tried to wind too many of them together to keep the reader guessing and in the process the unweaving to the finale was a little difficult to follow and left unanswered questions regarding some of those characters.  

I received an ARC and voluntarily offer this review.

[Dawne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I have had the opportunity to read from Danielle Pays and it won't be my last.  It was nicely written and the story moved well. Pays shows great attention to detail throughout the book.I love the chemistry between Cody and Lucy.

My only big complaint is with Lucy. When Lucy breaks up with Cody (on 2 different occasions) why would she say yes to going out with her colleague Ted so easily? She is always calling her friend  Connie for help or to just crash on her couch, but she breaks up with Cody, her true love and is willing to accept an invitation that same day with Ted to dinner.

The book has twists and turns and will keep your interest. I would love for the cover to be closer to Cody's description. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but he has tattoos (as all SEALs do) one is particularly meaningful and would add to the book cover.

I love the banter with Cody and Lucy's friends Dax and Connie and I look forward to reading a story about them finding HEA.

You want a great story, good read, and new book boyfriend? You will find it here in this story.

I received a free Arc copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.