Journalist Karly Bonham is on her first overseas mission, covering the new United States ambassador to Thailand, when she is taken hostage by terrorists, with only her wits and courage to keep her alive—until help arrives in the form of Navy SEAL Ethan Dunn.
As part of an elite SEAL team called Alpha Crew, Ethan has been on countless harrowing missions, but he knows this one is different the instant he meets Karly—the sexy young reporter who somehow managed to escape the terrorists’ clutches. Ethan is impressed by her, especially when he learns she has intel that could be the key to a successful rescue op. Ethan knows working with a civilian raises the stakes on an already dangerous mission. But with the clock ticking down, he enlists Karly’s help to thwart a vicious plot and bring a terrorist mastermind to justice.
I enjoyed this book. Karly and Ethan meet under intense circumstances, and share a connection. And, I loved that while that connection was acknowledged, it really was never inappropriate or to such a degree where I felt that it didn't make sense that the events would occur, no sex against the wall during the gun fights or other silliness that just made no sense.
I liked their relationship, and the idea that it was a one night stand, at first. And then it was a 2 night stand, and then it was more. This followed and felt real. The way the aftermath of what Karly experienced is handled also felt authentic. While not going into any details, and not giving anything away, I felt like she acted as someone who had been in a hostage situation would. I found this to not only be realistic, but also interesting.
I liked the way the book ended, after a second or so. It is a little abrupt, and at first I found myself wanting more, an epilogue, a further story, a what happens next...something. But, I have all I needed. I decided the reason I wanted more was that I genuinely liked the story, and Ethan, and I wanted to see what happened to them and wanted more of them.
Not a bad way to leave a reader, honestly. Enjoying what they read and wanting more is definitely the way to end a book.
I recommend this title. It does function as a standalone, although there are references to characters from the previous titles referenced in this one. If you have read those (and I recommend them) this is fun...if you haven't, they function as secondary characters who don't detract from the story.
Overall, this was enjoyable and I look forward to the next in the series.
