Customer Reviews

Sex, Lies and Surveillance

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Please don't judge this book by its cheesy cover. The people on the cover look nothing like what I imagined while reading this story.

Janey DeMarco is the youngest child, and only daughter, of former spies. Unlike her two older brothers who spent time in military, Janey has always worked as part of her family's PI Firm. She's what keeps the firm moving and working as the Office Manager and tech genius. When she meets new recruit Mal Laughlin she wants more than just an office friendship, but fears an office romance would end in disaster. Besides, how would she be able to sneak away with him without drawing the protective eyes and fists of her brothers? Mal is actually an NSA operative sent undercover to find a link between the DeMarcos and gun smugglers responsible for his partner's death. After a month acting like a nerd, he finds a link which points to Janey!

This was a great read! It was just what I was looking for at the time. I had just come off of reading several mediocre historical stories and needed a change. This provided it without all the clichés.

I was a bit apprehensive about how the whole "discovery" of identities would play out in this story, but I was pleasantly surprised at how smooth it all went down. Things didn't get all blown out of proportion or roll out of control over exactly who Mal is. It was a nicely done and still so very believable.

I liked Janey and her family. Her parents are legendary spies who met on an assignment and married without anyone the wiser until years later when they decided that they would only work with each other or would walk. Her brothers are strong and very protective of their little sister, and I can't wait to read more about them. Janey was smart and strong and could hold her own. Her backstory about how she learned to break a man's nose was heartfelt and believable and added to her kiss-ass persona without making her over the top. Janey is surrounded by type-A personalities and manages them just fine.

So if I think this story is great, why am I only giving it 4 stars out of 5? The whole "I'm not who Janey thinks I am" thing from Mal got annoying. But what was grating was Mal's constant idiocy about the case with the smugglers. He was so blinded by revenge that he kept ignoring the obvious and couldn't see the truth that was right in front of him. And it just went on TOO long. Now, don't get me wrong--I don't hate Mal. I liked him quite nicely, in fact. He's capable, smart (well, mostly. Maybe I should say intelligent), hot, and fits in just perfectly with Janey's family.

I'm hoping Ms. Julian writes more about this amazing PI Firm. We already know that Janey's bestfriend and her brother have a sordid past and major sexual tension. Will we get to read about them? I haven't seen anything on her website, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I loved this book!

It ticked all my boxes it had protective alpha males, strong independent females, great chemistry and great main story.

I hope there is more and this becomes a series because if it was this is a great beginning.

I was given this book via Net Galley

My Review:

This book starts out so funny and sweet with the hero of the story, Mal, slowly going insane with lust while he listens to the object of his desire, Janey, move around the office. His inner dialogue...I just loved it, especially his inner-lectures from his dead father!! But while this style started off really cute, there was a point at about 35%-50% into the book, where I was tired of it and wanted the story to really start moving forward. That did finally happen and I fell in love with the book again. There was just that section in the middle of reading it where I got a little worn down by the repetitive emotions and seemingly never-ending sexual tension.

Overall this was a really fun read. Mal was a fabulous character although, at times, I had a hard time understanding his actions. In my defense, there were times when HE had a hard time understanding his actions too. I couldn't decide if the conflict was the way that he was written or if it was because he was working undercover and would let his real persona slide through. He is normally an undercover agent, but is working at the PI agency as a geeky computer guy with a shy persona. Unfortunately, it's hard for him to control his inner alpha when Janey is involved. Add to that, she throws him off-balance a lot of the time, and it's hard for him to stay in character...either of them and I honestly think that she brings out his inner-ditz sometimes too.

I would consider this book light romantic suspense. While there were elements of suspense and action, they fell within the realm of a really fun and entertaining contemporary romance. This story was definitely more character and romance driven than your typical romantic suspense. As such, it would be great for readers that are just dipping into the suspense genre or for romantic suspense fans who are just getting into general contemporary romance.

I really enjoyed the family dynamic of the DeMarco family. All of their stories were so well-developed. I love the fact that they all work in the family PI agency started by the parents, who just happen to be world-renowned spies with LOTS of influence in the political realm. I really hope that there are more books coming featuring this family. Janey has two gorgeous older brothers, Nic- who is the tough-guy agent of the family business, and Jimmy- who is the brains behind the inventions of the family business.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it!

I enjoyed it very much!

Mal is NSA operative and was sent undercover to find a link between the De Marcos and the smuglers who killed his partner, so he dressed as a geek and infiltrate their company. He was used to being a chamaleon. All the evidence points to Janey De Marco, and he can't keep a thought in his head when she is near... Janey has a hunch he is hidding something. Both of them are attracted to each other and they try their best to seduce the other while learning some secrets...

Lovely characters, sensual scenes and a bit of action too. I can't wait to read the story of Nic and Annie, another sensual love story for sure!