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Code Name #4

Hot Pursuit

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He’s hot. He’s tough. He’s dangerous...

Bestselling suspense writer Taylor O’Toole has a huge problem--almost overnight, her quiet, humdrum life is starting to resemble one of her novels. Who knew that a little unofficial surveillance for a friend would backfire--throwing her into the crosshairs of a stalker? And why does her sexy new neighbor always seem to turn up when things start heading south?

He’s a Navy SEAL with a top secret her!

When Navy SEAL Jack Broussard is called back from a dangerous mission, the last thing he expects is a top secret assignment protecting a beautiful mystery writer. Jack can drop a kidnapper with his bare hands, run airtight surveillance, and cook a mean lasagna, but tangling with his unpredictable neighbor is enough to drive any man crazy. Like it or not, his new orders are to keep Taylor O’Toole in his sights--after all, she could be a key link in the government search for a missing Navy scientist. But when an attempt on Taylor’s life ratchets up the stakes, Jack knows he’d better watch his heart. Because suddenly the chase is on . . . and seduction has never been so close. Or so dangerous.

448 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

27 people are currently reading
399 people want to read

About the author

Christina Skye

60 books341 followers
AKA Roberta Helmer

Roberta Helmer is an American writer of Chinese art and culture and as Christina Skye is a best-selling USA Today and Publishers Weekly writer of over 23 romance novels. Her romance book have been translated into 8 languages.

Roberta Helmer was born in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A., an is a descendant of Revolutionary War hero Adam Helmer. She attended the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a doctorate in classical Chinese literature at Ohio State University, where she learned to speak fluent Chinese, French, and Japanese. Later, she worked as translator and as a consultant to the National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History. She lived in on the western slopes of McDowell Mountains in Arizona.

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5 stars
277 (31%)
4 stars
298 (34%)
3 stars
228 (26%)
2 stars
56 (6%)
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7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Jessi.
5,566 reviews19 followers
December 13, 2021
I hadn't read books from this series in a while. Christina Skye is an interesting writer though I usually like her paranormals better than her contemporaries. This was... okay.
Suspense writer Taylor O'Toole has just discovered that she was adopted and can't decide what to do about it. This seems to be a point about why she's in such emotional upheaval but doesn't really add anything to the story. The bigger problem of her life right now is that somebody seems to be trying to kill her. All she did was try to help a friend by spying on the friend's boyfriend. The guy turns out to be a despicable jerk who is creating poisons for a foreign power and he's spent their money but hasn't turned over the money. Her sister's husband is worried about her and has sent Izzy who in turn sent Jack Broussard to watch over her. Jack is a SEAL and is ready to help out, even before he falls in love with Taylor. A bit dated, after all, it was written in 2003 and some of the technology is different. Even women's attitudes would be different because, oh my god, Taylor is an idiot but she mostly didn't REALLY annoy me until the end so an okay book.
Profile Image for Cheesecake.
2,800 reviews504 followers
June 26, 2015
I got this in audio format, so i felt compelled to finish it despite it not really capturing my interest after the first hour or so. Plus I did like Taylor (except when she was inanely difficult to those trying to help keep her alive... sheesh! grab a brain girl!). I never did warm up to Jack. Sure, he's supposed to be 'hot' but he's not 'warm' if you know what I mean. Total cold fish even if he does look nice in a tux. Plus the author tries to make the characters too realistic in their relationship insecurities in the end... as if the story was realistic in the first place... at all. not. It made the whole ending less than romantic and I still couldn't care less how 'hot' Jack was supposed to be. I guess I'm just not into this author. So what started as mildly interesting became an exercise in perseverance and then a complete fizzle. I would be interested if she ever did a story about Izzy, but it seems not.
Profile Image for Tremont G.
187 reviews4 followers
January 13, 2014
I have to agree with another's review, Taylor's attitude became very irritating about halfway through. Also, too many over the top characters, too much senseless banter & not enough action. I skipped most of the dumb conversations (including the many Taylor had with herself!), just to get through this book.
Profile Image for Laura.
316 reviews1 follower
May 28, 2009
4th in the SEAL/Code Name series.
Hot Pursuit follows up with Taylor O'Toole, sister to Annie from My Spy. She is a writer who doesn't like to follow the rules, but somehow she has gotten mixed up with some dangerous men without even knowing it. Her brother-in-law (Sam McKade from My Spy) has requested protection for her to make sure the trouble keeps away from her. Jack Broussard, Navy SEAL, masquerades as a civilian to try and keep her safe, but no matter what he does, trouble seems to follow her--or she goes head first into it.
I had a difficult time getting into this one. I didn't really like Taylor or Jack. They just didn't grab me and want me to like them. Jack seemed too flat and just like all the other alpha male characters I have read about. I was about 2/3 through the book before I started to actually sort-of like the characters. Although Taylor was pretty eccentric and out-there, I just didn't like her that much.
T.J. and Tess McCall (from 2000 Kisses are revisited for a short period in this book. I still like them...it is nice to revisit characters from the past.
So, this book was only so-so for me. I liked Izzy in it, as usual, and the storyline, but the h/h weren't all that for me. Plus, the ending just kinda fizzled for me. I hate the story getting tied up with just an explanation in the epilogue. I hate being left with lots of questions at the end of the chapters--I always thought the epilogue was just an addition to the main story, but shouldn't really be part of the main plot. Oh, well, I'm not a literary expert. I just didn't like the ending.
Profile Image for Anita.
2,609 reviews216 followers
November 21, 2014
The 4 stars is given grudgingly. This book has a lot of the same technical problems that #3, My Spy had. It is choppy, disjointed, time sequences don't jive and a whole lot of other issues that distract from what is a fairly good plot. The angst level is also on the high side with a heroine, Taylor, who is just a piece of work and no one can tell her what to do, even if they are just trying to protect her. As a reader, from the beginning, you just know that Candice is no good, but Taylor just can't see it or believe it. I, frankly, don't have a clue what Jack could possibly see in Taylor. She is argumentative, bull headed, and selfish to the point of endangering her life and Jack as well.

Profile Image for Daelith.
542 reviews15 followers
March 31, 2009
I'd really give this book about 2.5 stars because it started to drag a little for me. Just didn't seem to take a while to finish. The last chapter had me pretty feed up with Taylor and her attitude. Could have been about 70 something pages shorter. And what is with the obsession with the kids sneakers at the McCalls?
Profile Image for Peni.
4,796 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2020
I love this series by Christina Skye. Each story stands on it's own but when reading them all, the story is only enhanced. These are fast paced and quite edgy. In my opinion, these stories are for adult readers.

I love crazy stubborn Taylor and rock solid Jack. They are just what each other needs.

Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Timoty Cocjin.
1 review
October 8, 2013
I really love Christina Skye's Code Name Series.. I can't get over with these HOT NAVY SEALS! I also love stubborn women like Taylor, it can make the story more interesting. These two main characters could not fight their own desires, too, even though they are in the middle of dangerous situation.
Profile Image for April Blaine.
31 reviews1 follower
August 21, 2015
Taylor is hard to love but she feels the same way about herself so you have to give her leeway on that. Jack is an alpha but hides it as the next door neighbor. I like her trust in her friends even though it is at times misplaced.
Profile Image for April Blaine.
31 reviews1 follower
August 31, 2016
Taylor is hard to love but she feels the same way about herself so you have to give her leeway on that. Jack is an alpha but hides it as the next door neighbor. I like her trust in her friends even though it is at times misplaced.
Profile Image for Jane Baldwin.
54 reviews1 follower
March 4, 2012
Took about 100 pages before it got interesting. Even then, it was predictable. But that's ok, I'm on painkillers and needed something mindless.
Profile Image for Katie.
322 reviews
June 25, 2013
I feel like I just read Annie's story - so it was a pleasant surprise when I found Taylor's story! "Did you say your job was a carpenter?"
Profile Image for Darby Tompkins.
1 review
January 12, 2025
Great thriller, funny and strong character. This is part of a serious with characters from past book making a appearance, but can be read as a stand alone.
Profile Image for Elaine Lucky.
1,084 reviews117 followers
April 27, 2021
Mystery writer Taylor has a hunky new neighbor (Jack) who saves her in an apparent convenience store robbery where she was following her friend's boyfriend to get dirt on him. Jack is actually a Navy Seal who is protecting her from nefarious enemies she knows nothing about. She is a key in the hunt for a missing scientist & her friend's boyfriend. An actually interesting story trying to find out why people are trying to kill her and the clashes between she & Jack which lead to hot sex and possibly a relationship.
Profile Image for Luisa Angela.
11 reviews
September 2, 2022
This book is a fun and interestinh read. I rated it with 4.5 and I will recommend it. I really like the building of the plot. It was smooth flowing and it was never boring, especially with the witty exchange of words between Jack and Taylor. I like their smart mouths. I won't say that it was a slowburn because they ocassionally flirt with one another when they were alone and it was so good to read. I really like the tension/mystery in the plot. I enjoyed this book very much, I was just wishing for more romance for Taylor and Jack.
Profile Image for Rainelle Menges.
24 reviews
March 6, 2025
Gosh, it took so much in me to finish the book. Every time I think jack and Taylor are good they start fighting. Taylor honestly annoyed me with how careless she could be for her own safety. I felt like they really only started getting along at the end. There was really only one part of sec scenes, none that went into any detail and were pretty pg for me. At the very end of the book, Taylor’s doubts about jack and hers relationship really disappointed me. This book was pretty boring throughout. 🤷🏼‍♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
293 reviews2 followers
December 6, 2020
This is well written. The interactions between our two main characters is quite intriguing with lots of angst on both parts. There are some steamy interactions between the two. Overall it is a good read.
Profile Image for Mai.
2,863 reviews6 followers
July 26, 2018
I enjoyed this. But when does Iggy get his own story?
Profile Image for Chandra Woolson.
435 reviews1 follower
June 13, 2022
I really like the hero and heroine in this book. Fast read, and fun storyline.
Profile Image for Cathy.
1,238 reviews
November 22, 2023
author Taylor O'Toole is helped by Navy SEAL Jack Broussard
Profile Image for Taylor Shoemaker.
501 reviews4 followers
January 13, 2024
Kinda hard to follow at times, Taylor’s recklessness about her safety was annoying, and ending was kinda anticlimactic
Profile Image for Christie P..
124 reviews3 followers
May 8, 2015
Taylor O'Toole's life has gone from trying to make her book deadlines to trying not to end up dead. She doesn't know what she's done to piss someone off but it seems more and more like someone wants to make sure she never has the chance to publish any more books. Good thing her new next door neighbor is more than meets the eye.

Jack Broussard has been assigned the duty of keeping an eye on Taylor. He doesn't expect her to come barging in to his "apartment" to complain about the noise, nor does he expect to enjoy watching her eat his homemade lasagna and eclairs.

He inserts himself into Taylor's life to keep her safe but it becomes more than that. It becomes making sure she eats more than candy, meeting her sister and brother-in-law, accompanying her to events, and comforting her pains. But the threat to her life remains strong as ever and he has to figure out some way to keep her from harm.

I was excited to read Taylor's story after meeting her in "My Spy". I want to either be Taylor when I grow up or be Taylor's BFF. She is so much fun and full of life, I don't know how anyone could not like her. And I think Jack is her perfect counter part. He is so grounded and logically it balances Taylor out.

I was surprised when the bad guy was revealed, did not see that one coming. But I did enjoy going back to Almost Arizona and catching up with some of the people there, including T.J. and Tess.

If you enjoyed "My Spy" and/or "2000 Kisses" you will definitely enjoy this story!
Profile Image for Kimberly.
1,449 reviews13 followers
December 6, 2011
Another great book by Christina Skye. This is # 4 in the Code Name/SEAL series. Taylor is a writer who gets pulled into a dangerous situation. Jack is a Navy SEAL who is sent to protect her. Her life is put into danger so many times it's amazing she makes it to the end of the book and Jack always is there to save the day. We met Taylor is book #3 with Annie who is the sister to Taylor.

Once again this book has all the action and romance Skye is known for. The scenes are riveting and it leaves you wanting more. Yes I am one of those who loves a good SEAL book even though it is so obvious this is nothing like a real SEAL would go through but hell if I wanted real I wouldn't read a romance novel. I want HOT and Skye hands it to you on a silver platter.

I loved "seeing" Izzy again. His character is one that just makes me smile like a old friend come to visit. I will say though Izzy was not his jovial self as much in this book, he was much more serious but I still enjoyed it. I enjoyed "visiting" with Sam and Annie too (#3-My Spy). And a short visit to Almost, AZ was wonderful to check in with Tess and T.J. (#1-2000 Kisses) and meet their ever growing family. **I enjoy books that let us know how previous characters are doing**

Do you need to read the other books to understand this book? Not at all!!! Will it make you want to go back and read the other books? You bet!!! Enjoy this book! I did!!!

Profile Image for Kristi.
260 reviews36 followers
November 14, 2011
Yes, I know this one is at the library. No, I won't waste your time looking for it. However, I will give rise to a little sibling rivalry though. I know! I hate to do it, but it must be done. I'm afraid to say it's true, but the BNB opinion is that Taylor's story is so much better than Annie's. Taylor was so much more fiesty. BNB loves fiesty.

You still get the military tough guy. You still get the wit and humor that is Ms. Skye. You still get the romance. So you get all that you did with the last one, plus a tougher heroine for your time. There's this hallway scene....ah well you'll have to read it for yourself. Let's just say it was quirky and smile-worthy at the minimum. Depending on your sense of humor, it might just a laugh-out-loud moment.

Maybe you disagree. Or if you haven't read them, check them out (NO pun intended here), and let us know which sister's story you liked better.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,636 reviews
March 10, 2015
This is another book in the series by Christina Skye. I really enjoyed the excitement in this book and the way it kept you on your toes trying to figure out what exactly was going on. Taylor O'Toole was a famous writer of suspense and romance. She had quite a following who were just waiting for the next book to come out and her deadline was approaching. Unfortunately, a friend asked her for a favor and then her whole life turned upside down and she lost control. Good looking SEAL Jack Brousssard had been brought in especially to take care of Taylor without telling her what was going on. This did not make Taylor happy and she kept fighting to take charge of her own life.

When she was involved in a situation where someone was shot and killed, she realized that it was different than what she had written about in her books. This story is believable and exciting. Good read.
Profile Image for jenjn79.
723 reviews266 followers
March 27, 2008
Good book. I enjoyed it as I did all her other books. Loved the appearance of Izzy - a very popular recurring character who Skye says will eventually get his own book. The storyline was interesting, even if not that...hmmm...guess-worthy? It was just that I was pretty easily able to figure some things out before they were actually "revealed". Taylor was a bit annoying at times. She was one of those females who does whatever she wants even if it puts her in a lot of danger. Jack was super-sexy though. And they worked together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amy.
100 reviews2 followers
January 28, 2010
This book was not as good as the 3rd in the series. I think it was annoying that the author never mentioned Annie going in to labor OR Taylor finishing her book. Both those topics were throughout the whole book; then never addressed in the epilogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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