Those who know me well understand my most favorite series is In Death by J. D. Robb. Troubleshooters is a very close second. After a very lengthy hiatus, Brockmann returned to the series last year with gusto!
Navy SEAL Lieutenant Peter (Grunge) Greene is a formidable BUD/S instructor, tough and is up to any assignment he’s handed. However, becoming a father to his 15-year old daughter for the first time after her mother’s sudden death might be the challenge that brings him to his knees. She’s now missing and his instincts are screaming at him that she’s in serious trouble (she is). Romance author and divorced mother of two Shayla Whitman was in the right place at the right time when he needed help. She just happens to be his neighbor and together they begin putting together clues and actions to find Maddie.
There’s a different vibe to this story but at the same time, a lot that’s familiar. Told from Peter, Maddie and Shayla’s points of view, it transitions from the varying voices rather seamlessly. I liked that Peter and Shayla are older (he’s close to 40; she’s there already) so it’s a more mature relationship that develops without the protracted angst you typically find between two people thrown together in these circumstances. On the surface, they don’t seem all that compatible but when they’re together, everything about them works. I loved these two together and how she helped him forge a relationship with Maddie. It was brilliantly orchestrated while at the same time providing us with his crucial backstory.
Shayla writes romantic suspense and her main fictional character is an FBI agent named Harry who is a major part of her own inner dialogue. It was disconcerting at first but as the story moved along, I found myself wanting Harry’s opinion! It ultimately works as he’s really her own alter ego that pushes her into romantic action with Peter.
I loved this story and how the members of Boat Squad John and SEAL Team Sixteen were woven into the action. And through Shayla, we get an important plug for the romance genre, presenting a smart, talented writer who really shatters a few myths. She was classic Suzanne Brockmann and I adored her:) Well done on every level.
Book Info
- Release Date: July 11, 2017
- Pages: 448
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(I received an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review)
Lovely review, Jonetta! You impress me with your commitment to series! I wish I could do a little better with them, but I’m just all over the place with reading.
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Thanks, Jennifer! When I find an author who is highly skilled at writing and character development, I tend to latch on. And if that writer has a series, I dive in and immerse myself in a good time.
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Great review! I’m glad you are enjoying the series 🙂
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Thanks, Deanna!
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Well now that’s commitment! And impressive! Wonderful review!
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Thank you! This series is SO good.
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I love JD. Robb and read into the high teens before losing track of where I was. I need to fix that. Now you have me very curious about this series. I am off to look up book one.
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This series hits its stride by book #3. I liked #1, didn’t love it but then binge read through the next 10 books.
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This was the only book I read in this series, but I did enjoy it quite a bit. Great review Jonetta. Maybe I need to add more of them to my TBR.
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Oh, Carla, the others are just amazing. It’s also best served up in order.
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Wonderful review, Jonetta! Glad to see this was a good one for you!!
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Thanks, Brenda!
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This sounds really interesting. I love the idea of a former military father and romance author working together to find his daughter. I love that the fictional author’s character got to you in the end. That’s pretty funny. Great review.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
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Thanks, Melanie! Brockmann is a fantastic writer.
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I enjoyed this one too. I liked how Shayla jumped in and helped, when lots of people don’t care or don’t want to get involved. They both seemed like compassionate people. Anne – Books of My Heart
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There was so much I liked about this book!
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Finding and loving a series is great! Wonderful review!
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Thank you, Marialyce! This one is close to my heart.
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