4.5 stars

"I can't make any promises about where this is gonna go but what I can do is give you me, keep you safe while you walk on the wild side and work my ass off to do what I can so this never goes bad for you." ~Brock Lucas

Oooo Kristen Ashley does it again! I loved Brock and Tess' story! I loved how FUNCTIONAL they were as a couple!! Its always SO refreshing to find book couples like that. Ones who talk through their issues, don't let stupid things come between them and are open and honest with each other.

"No games, no lies, no bullshit."

It was different than book 1, less action-packed, more focused on relationship development, and family drama. But as usual, it was filled with yummy, hot, swoon/drool-worthy alpha men, strong heroines, and an engaging plotline.

Brock Lucas is a DEA agent that we originally met in book 1, Mystery Man. In the beginning of the story, his job is to get close to Tess O'Hara to discover any possible connection to her ex-husband's dirty business deals. But he soon falls for her and realizes she's completely not involved and they begin a 4 month relationship but with her only knowing him under his work alias. When she is brought in for questioning in relation to her ex-husband's case, he (listening in on the interview) discovers that she was raped by her ex and looses it. But she sees him at the station, realizes that he was part of the case the whole time and doesn't want to see him again. Three months later, after giving her space to heal, Brock shows up and in his typical, no-bullshit, we-will-deal-with-this-properly attitude, demands she listen to him and hear his side of the story. The combination of her being reasonable and him not playing games and being completely honest about things leads them into a beautiful relationship.

"Brock Lucas is wild and he's rough and he's driven but he's loving and affectionate and so fucking loyal it isn't funny. He takes care of me. He make's me feel safe..."

I loved how instantly and whole-heartedly Tess accepted Brock's 2 sons into her life. Between her monster of an ex-husband and his crazy ex-wife, they have a lot of family drama to deal with but they never let anything come between them, and if anything, everything just makes them come together closer as a family unit.

I loved how caring, protective and understanding Brock was about Tess' past. She was raped by her ex-husband and was obviously quite scarred by the experience. But he helps her learn to trust again, and deal with her emotions, and heal by creating a relationship she can feel absolutely safe in.

"Babe, he took your power. Tonight, you took it back. And it..." his arm gave me a squeeze, "was," his hand gave me a squeeze, "fuckin'," his forehead dropped to rest on mine, " beautiful."

I closed my eyes and pulled in a deep breath.

Then I opened them and said, "You had my back."

"I always have your back."

I loved seeing all the factions of characters from Kristen Ashley's world working together. Lee Nightingale's boys (from the Rock Chick series), Hawk's commandos (from book 1), and Brock and Mitch's cops make for delicious additions to the story.

And I loved how in the end, when the shit hit the fan, Tess was no damsel in distress and you could really see the healing that she went through in action.

Here's how I see Brock and Tess:



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