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Games People Play #3
The Pretender
“Sexy, emotional, funny . . . Dimon gives it all to her readers.” —New York Times Bestselling Author Jill Shalvis
They say it takes a thief to catch a thief, and Harrison Tate is proof. Once a professional burglar, he now makes a lawful living tracking down stolen art. No one needs to know about his secret sideline, “liberating” artifacts acquired through underhanded methods. At least until one of those jobs sees him walking in on a murder.
Gabrielle Wright has long been estranged from her wealthy family, but she didn’t kill her sister. Trouble is, the only person who can prove it is the sexy, elusive criminal who shouldn’t have been at the island estate on that terrible night. She’s not expecting honor among thieves—or for their mutual attraction to spark into an intense inferno of desire.
Under the guise of evaluating her family’s art, Harris comes back to the estate hoping to clear Gabby’s name. But returning to the scene of the crime has never been riskier, with their hearts and lives on the line.
They say it takes a thief to catch a thief, and Harrison Tate is proof. Once a professional burglar, he now makes a lawful living tracking down stolen art. No one needs to know about his secret sideline, “liberating” artifacts acquired through underhanded methods. At least until one of those jobs sees him walking in on a murder.
Gabrielle Wright has long been estranged from her wealthy family, but she didn’t kill her sister. Trouble is, the only person who can prove it is the sexy, elusive criminal who shouldn’t have been at the island estate on that terrible night. She’s not expecting honor among thieves—or for their mutual attraction to spark into an intense inferno of desire.
Under the guise of evaluating her family’s art, Harris comes back to the estate hoping to clear Gabby’s name. But returning to the scene of the crime has never been riskier, with their hearts and lives on the line.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2017
62 people are currently reading
429 people want to read
About the author
HelenKay Dimon
167 books989 followersHelenKay Dimon is a divorce lawyer-turned-romance author. After dedicating years to helping people terminate relationships she now writes romance novels full time. Her books have earned praise, appeared on bestseller lists, won numerous awards and twice been named Red-Hot Reads and excerpted in Cosmo. She sometimes writes erotic romance, sometimes writes romantic suspense and sometimes writes contemporary romance. But no matter what she's writing her books are always filled with smart banter and sexy times, and a HEA is guaranteed.
-"Sharp writing and plenty of sexy romantic sizzle..." - John Charles, Chicago Tribune
-"So smart, sexy and fast-paced, I devour her stories." - Lori Foster, NYT bestselling author
-"Lots of heat with lots of humor." - MaryJanice Davidson, NYT bestselling author
-"She's a delight." - Christina Dodd, NYT bestselling author
-"Sharp writing and plenty of sexy romantic sizzle..." - John Charles, Chicago Tribune
-"So smart, sexy and fast-paced, I devour her stories." - Lori Foster, NYT bestselling author
-"Lots of heat with lots of humor." - MaryJanice Davidson, NYT bestselling author
-"She's a delight." - Christina Dodd, NYT bestselling author
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
December 26, 2017
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Amazon US *Amazon UK
HelenKay Dimon is one of my pre-Goodreads authors that I somehow lost track of and now need to catch up on everything she's written since then. Because The Pretender brought back all of the reasons I loved reading her books in the past. She writes characters that captivate me and stories that have me leaving the real world and entering whichever one she's created.
Harrison and Gabby had an attraction to one another almost immediately and I liked seeing how they came together. They had to help each other figure out who the real murderer was and at the same time their chemistry was bringing them closer and closer to one another. In the end they actually helped each other in a bigger way than with just the mystery surrounding them.I love characters like Gabby and Harrison who can find the romance in such a complicated time.
While this is the third book in the Games People Play series it can definitely be read as a standalone. I didn't have any problem jumping into the series with the third book, though it did make me want to go back and read the previous books right away.
Amazon US *Amazon UK
HelenKay Dimon is one of my pre-Goodreads authors that I somehow lost track of and now need to catch up on everything she's written since then. Because The Pretender brought back all of the reasons I loved reading her books in the past. She writes characters that captivate me and stories that have me leaving the real world and entering whichever one she's created.
Harrison and Gabby had an attraction to one another almost immediately and I liked seeing how they came together. They had to help each other figure out who the real murderer was and at the same time their chemistry was bringing them closer and closer to one another. In the end they actually helped each other in a bigger way than with just the mystery surrounding them.I love characters like Gabby and Harrison who can find the romance in such a complicated time.
While this is the third book in the Games People Play series it can definitely be read as a standalone. I didn't have any problem jumping into the series with the third book, though it did make me want to go back and read the previous books right away.
December 27, 2017
3 STARS
HelenKay Dimon was one of the very first contemporary romance authors I read back in the day, right after Lori Foster and Jill Shalvis. But it's been a hot minute since I've read one of her books and I couldn't even tell you why. The synopsis for The Pretender caught my eye right away, and felt like just the right book to dive back into my love affair with this author.
While I haven't read the first two books in this series, I had no trouble jumping into the third. I felt there was a lot of history with the characters that I missed out on, but everything I needed to know for this story was carefully laid out and explained.
If you like your romance with a dash of mystery and suspense, The Pretender will surely do the trick. As a matter of fact, it's the one thing that kept me reading. Unfortunately, I didn't feel a connection the main characters or their romance. It felt rushed and sudden, like it came out of nowhere. Though Harrison actually knows the heroine from a job went wrong over a year ago, they had no other connection. When he comes back to the island to help clear her name of a murder he has proof she didn't commit, the sparks fly. Where I struggled is believing those sparks. Yes, they had chemistry, but it was just too sudden considering everything else going on.
There's quite a bit of intrigue and red herrings thrown into the mix to truly throw the reader for a loop and it certainly did the job for me. The identity of the bad guy kept me guessing right until the very end. When I thought I knew who it was there was a heck of a plot twist thrown in that certainly livened things up a bit from what seemed to be a predictable end.
Even though the romance left something to be desired for me, I enjoyed the mystery and suspense quite a bit. It was definitely enough to hook me to want to read the rest of the series.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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He had changed everything.
HelenKay Dimon was one of the very first contemporary romance authors I read back in the day, right after Lori Foster and Jill Shalvis. But it's been a hot minute since I've read one of her books and I couldn't even tell you why. The synopsis for The Pretender caught my eye right away, and felt like just the right book to dive back into my love affair with this author.
While I haven't read the first two books in this series, I had no trouble jumping into the third. I felt there was a lot of history with the characters that I missed out on, but everything I needed to know for this story was carefully laid out and explained.
If you like your romance with a dash of mystery and suspense, The Pretender will surely do the trick. As a matter of fact, it's the one thing that kept me reading. Unfortunately, I didn't feel a connection the main characters or their romance. It felt rushed and sudden, like it came out of nowhere. Though Harrison actually knows the heroine from a job went wrong over a year ago, they had no other connection. When he comes back to the island to help clear her name of a murder he has proof she didn't commit, the sparks fly. Where I struggled is believing those sparks. Yes, they had chemistry, but it was just too sudden considering everything else going on.
There's quite a bit of intrigue and red herrings thrown into the mix to truly throw the reader for a loop and it certainly did the job for me. The identity of the bad guy kept me guessing right until the very end. When I thought I knew who it was there was a heck of a plot twist thrown in that certainly livened things up a bit from what seemed to be a predictable end.
Even though the romance left something to be desired for me, I enjoyed the mystery and suspense quite a bit. It was definitely enough to hook me to want to read the rest of the series.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
December 22, 2017
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Harris has changed his ways to become a Robin Hood thief but his latest mission has him embroiled in a murder.
Gabby is the rich girl no one wants to feel sorry for and when her sister is murdered, even her uncle thinks she could be to blame.
Harris knows Gabby isn't guilty but he can't reveal himself, however, with help from his friends he's going to work to clear her name.
Old secrets and new attractions will be exposed.
"You ever make a mistake and feel like you'll probably spend a lifetime trying to fix it?"
Third in the series, Games People Play, we have Harris the art thief as the star. I haven't read the others in the series yet but I didn't have a problem following along. There are obviously past characters, Harris' "boss" and future stars, Harris' friend Damon but each relationship was fleshed out enough to provide a good understanding of the group's world.
As with most of Dimon's books, the story is full of danger, mystery, and sex. I thought this started off intense and grabbed my attention right away with a murder that leads to a tightly controlled whodunit. The story takes place on an island with only a handful of characters. Our hero and heroine's characters start off a bit in the shadows as Harris' background takes a while to be revealed and Gabby's past and motivations are kept hidden in favor of extending the mystery. I felt Gabby's story was dragged out for too long and her past reveals had me, as the reader, feeling a bit lost in terms of her character. While getting to know the characters felt stagnant and hidden, their attraction for one another felt too swift. It was hard for me to get into their first sexual encounter because of how leery they still seemed to be with one another and how I didn't really feel like I knew them yet.
As I mentioned, this is a tight intimate story with only a handful of secondary characters that are mostly red-herrings to keep you guessing until the end. Gabby's uncle plays the out in front villain but as the story goes on, he feels pushed to the side and starts to feel more like a villainous outline rather than a fully filled out character. There are three other characters that shadow the sidelines until the end where the mystery suddenly speeds up and our villain's reasons and motivations are thrust forward. Harris' friend Damon plays a good sized role and he has next hero written all over him.
Having this set on an island provided a sense of danger and the small cast kept the mystery intimate. Gabby and Harris' attraction feels a bit sudden and their sex scenes start to take over in place of depth and moving along the mystery side; the middle drags. However, if you're looking for some sex and mystery, Dimon never fails to deliver.
Harris has changed his ways to become a Robin Hood thief but his latest mission has him embroiled in a murder.
Gabby is the rich girl no one wants to feel sorry for and when her sister is murdered, even her uncle thinks she could be to blame.
Harris knows Gabby isn't guilty but he can't reveal himself, however, with help from his friends he's going to work to clear her name.
Old secrets and new attractions will be exposed.
"You ever make a mistake and feel like you'll probably spend a lifetime trying to fix it?"
Third in the series, Games People Play, we have Harris the art thief as the star. I haven't read the others in the series yet but I didn't have a problem following along. There are obviously past characters, Harris' "boss" and future stars, Harris' friend Damon but each relationship was fleshed out enough to provide a good understanding of the group's world.
As with most of Dimon's books, the story is full of danger, mystery, and sex. I thought this started off intense and grabbed my attention right away with a murder that leads to a tightly controlled whodunit. The story takes place on an island with only a handful of characters. Our hero and heroine's characters start off a bit in the shadows as Harris' background takes a while to be revealed and Gabby's past and motivations are kept hidden in favor of extending the mystery. I felt Gabby's story was dragged out for too long and her past reveals had me, as the reader, feeling a bit lost in terms of her character. While getting to know the characters felt stagnant and hidden, their attraction for one another felt too swift. It was hard for me to get into their first sexual encounter because of how leery they still seemed to be with one another and how I didn't really feel like I knew them yet.
As I mentioned, this is a tight intimate story with only a handful of secondary characters that are mostly red-herrings to keep you guessing until the end. Gabby's uncle plays the out in front villain but as the story goes on, he feels pushed to the side and starts to feel more like a villainous outline rather than a fully filled out character. There are three other characters that shadow the sidelines until the end where the mystery suddenly speeds up and our villain's reasons and motivations are thrust forward. Harris' friend Damon plays a good sized role and he has next hero written all over him.
Having this set on an island provided a sense of danger and the small cast kept the mystery intimate. Gabby and Harris' attraction feels a bit sudden and their sex scenes start to take over in place of depth and moving along the mystery side; the middle drags. However, if you're looking for some sex and mystery, Dimon never fails to deliver.
September 24, 2017
‘The Pretender’ is HelenKay Dimon’s third foray into a group of mysterious men who do mysterious things and it’s one of those books that tend to leave me (as the previous books in this series have) with a very unfulfilled sense of ending, because of the very nature of these men and women who are frankly, difficult to get into.
It isn’t a slight on Dimon’s writing at all, because that itself is quite polished and I love this particular bit about Dimon that keeps me coming back for her books. In fact, the beginning chapter sucked me in straight as a watching art thief gets embroiled in a vicious murder, whose presence—should he confirm it—would exonerate a woman accused of many things. But from there onwards I found myself putting down and picking up the story so many times over the span of about a week or so, just unable to get deeper into the mystery that didn’t unfold as quickly for me as I liked.
There is a boat load of things going on, as there is a weird claustrophobic feel of the island setting as characters find themselves as potential pawns and suspects, but the pieces of this puzzle are doled out piecemeal and very sparingly in the first half.
It was tooth-clenchingly hard to get them put together, and I was frustrated when the pacing stuttered because the protagonists chose sex over talking too often, leaving half-truths on the table as trust is treated almost as secondary to passion. There is some form of continuing deception and dishonesty on both Harris and Gabby’s sides while a murderer is running loose, and this proves ultimately not only distracting but puts the whole relationship on shaky foundation that consequently made it hard to get invested in.
But because ‘The Pretender’ tried to juggle the whodunnit element of a mystery thriller with the obstacles of what deception might to do a relationship that began on the wrong footing, there were parts where the mystery was going nowhere when motives didn’t generally become that much clearer even as the story went on. Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed with this one—the difficulty in finishing the book was enough proof of it.
*ARC by the Publisher and Edelweiss
It isn’t a slight on Dimon’s writing at all, because that itself is quite polished and I love this particular bit about Dimon that keeps me coming back for her books. In fact, the beginning chapter sucked me in straight as a watching art thief gets embroiled in a vicious murder, whose presence—should he confirm it—would exonerate a woman accused of many things. But from there onwards I found myself putting down and picking up the story so many times over the span of about a week or so, just unable to get deeper into the mystery that didn’t unfold as quickly for me as I liked.
There is a boat load of things going on, as there is a weird claustrophobic feel of the island setting as characters find themselves as potential pawns and suspects, but the pieces of this puzzle are doled out piecemeal and very sparingly in the first half.
It was tooth-clenchingly hard to get them put together, and I was frustrated when the pacing stuttered because the protagonists chose sex over talking too often, leaving half-truths on the table as trust is treated almost as secondary to passion. There is some form of continuing deception and dishonesty on both Harris and Gabby’s sides while a murderer is running loose, and this proves ultimately not only distracting but puts the whole relationship on shaky foundation that consequently made it hard to get invested in.
But because ‘The Pretender’ tried to juggle the whodunnit element of a mystery thriller with the obstacles of what deception might to do a relationship that began on the wrong footing, there were parts where the mystery was going nowhere when motives didn’t generally become that much clearer even as the story went on. Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed with this one—the difficulty in finishing the book was enough proof of it.
*ARC by the Publisher and Edelweiss
August 14, 2018
3 – 3.5 Stars.
A lie by omission is still a lie.
Characters & Chemistry.
Harrison Tate is a liberator of items that need to go back to their rightful owners. Part of the Qint Five there are very few he trusts. On one job he runs into a murder the tail end of a murder. He tried to resuscitate but to no avail. To remove all suspicion from himself he tampers with the crime scene but through his actions he makes Gabby the prime suspect.
I neither liked nor disliked Harris. He was just there you know? He is a good Hero but as I wrote a lie of omission is still a lie. He kind of redeems himself but not enough for my liking.
Gabby Wright’s world turned upside down 14 months ago. She still hasn’t managed to catch a break. Being the prime suspect for murdering your sister kind of puts a dampener on life. Gabby has had it tough with her family and now with her uncle being the only Wright left accusations are being flung without no one believing her.
Now I liked Gabby although she was strong I didn’t like the fact that she succumbed to Harris so quickly. But as a heroine she is strong and has a strong sense of loyalty although let’s face it the people she is trying to protect don’t really deserve it. But hey I’m more vengeful then most people.
They have chemistry which never is lacking when it comes to Ms. Dimon’s books but compared to her other books I felt that there was a lot more sex in the book than in the previous books. Which I wasn’t entirely thrilled about.
Writing, Plot & Pace.
I am a fan of this authors writing. The story and characters are engaging and I loved getting to know them. The plot is unique and the pace is fast paced, smooth and kept me entertained. To be honest I don’t know why it didn’t quite work for me. Oh well, can’t win all of them. Am I right?
Verdict.
Not my favourite but still a great addition to the series although based on cold cases this case wasn’t cold enough for me. Although it is connected to an older case. I felt slightly disappointed.
A lie by omission is still a lie.
Characters & Chemistry.
Harrison Tate is a liberator of items that need to go back to their rightful owners. Part of the Qint Five there are very few he trusts. On one job he runs into a murder the tail end of a murder. He tried to resuscitate but to no avail. To remove all suspicion from himself he tampers with the crime scene but through his actions he makes Gabby the prime suspect.
I neither liked nor disliked Harris. He was just there you know? He is a good Hero but as I wrote a lie of omission is still a lie. He kind of redeems himself but not enough for my liking.
Gabby Wright’s world turned upside down 14 months ago. She still hasn’t managed to catch a break. Being the prime suspect for murdering your sister kind of puts a dampener on life. Gabby has had it tough with her family and now with her uncle being the only Wright left accusations are being flung without no one believing her.
Now I liked Gabby although she was strong I didn’t like the fact that she succumbed to Harris so quickly. But as a heroine she is strong and has a strong sense of loyalty although let’s face it the people she is trying to protect don’t really deserve it. But hey I’m more vengeful then most people.
They have chemistry which never is lacking when it comes to Ms. Dimon’s books but compared to her other books I felt that there was a lot more sex in the book than in the previous books. Which I wasn’t entirely thrilled about.
Writing, Plot & Pace.
I am a fan of this authors writing. The story and characters are engaging and I loved getting to know them. The plot is unique and the pace is fast paced, smooth and kept me entertained. To be honest I don’t know why it didn’t quite work for me. Oh well, can’t win all of them. Am I right?
Verdict.
Not my favourite but still a great addition to the series although based on cold cases this case wasn’t cold enough for me. Although it is connected to an older case. I felt slightly disappointed.
December 28, 2017
***ARC Provided by InkSlinger PR via Edelweiss***
3.5 Stars
Harrison and Gabrielle have an incredibly difficult relationship. His past, her past, the things that are happening in the present and the ties that they have to one another in the near past.
And, that is all I can say without giving away the plot of the story. This is a romance, absolutely...but it is between 2 people who are a little suspicious of one another, and who don't totally trust one another. They keep secrets, they tell partial truths...and, they fall in love. But, really, all I can say is that.
The writing was strong and the pacing moved the story in such a way that it kept my interest in the mystery...but it lost me a little in the romance, as I felt for most of the book that they were convenient to one another, not that they were together because there was no one else they would want to be with.
I did enjoy this overall, but more as a suspense and a mystery with some romance than as a romantic suspense.
3.5 Stars
Harrison and Gabrielle have an incredibly difficult relationship. His past, her past, the things that are happening in the present and the ties that they have to one another in the near past.
And, that is all I can say without giving away the plot of the story. This is a romance, absolutely...but it is between 2 people who are a little suspicious of one another, and who don't totally trust one another. They keep secrets, they tell partial truths...and, they fall in love. But, really, all I can say is that.
The writing was strong and the pacing moved the story in such a way that it kept my interest in the mystery...but it lost me a little in the romance, as I felt for most of the book that they were convenient to one another, not that they were together because there was no one else they would want to be with.
I did enjoy this overall, but more as a suspense and a mystery with some romance than as a romantic suspense.
April 2, 2018
***3.5 stars***
May 8, 2018
Oh man, I enjoyed this twisty turny tale! Check out my full review on Scandalicious Book Reviews:
http://bit.ly/2wrH5I0
http://bit.ly/2wrH5I0
July 2, 2018
HelenKay Dimon has made a name for herself writing romantic suspense stories with male/female and male/male couples. I’ve read a handful from a few different series and they’ve all been exciting, sexy and entertaining romances. In The Pretender, the third book of the Games People Play series, a murder mystery plot keeps the reader guessing right until the dramatic conclusion. It also serves up the romance of two people with plenty of secrets of their own.
Harrison Tate used to be an art thief. Now he helps track down stolen works of art, while also getting his thrills in a less legitimate way by ‘liberating’ goods that have ended up in the wrong hands. On one such case, a painting in an estate on an island is his target. After spending several weeks casing the place, he makes his move. But in a cruel twist of fate, he stumbles upon a dying woman in the library that holds the painting. There for her last breath, he can do no more than watch in horror as she bleeds out on the carpet. It’s imperative that he make a quick escape lest he be blamed for the murder, but in doing so, he leaves the sister of the dead woman, who finds the body after him, under suspicion. He knows she’s not the killer but to reveal that he’d been there when victim died would invite too many questions. When the opportunity arises to return to the island under the guise of an estate appraisal, he takes the chance to see if he can help unravel the mystery and find the real killer.
Gabrielle Wright may have been estranged from her family but she loved her sister. As an older teenager she had endured a kidnapping that her parents thought she’d planned, resulting in the loss of their trust and support. Then they’d died in a plane crash, leaving Gabby and her sister alone except for an uncle, who believes Gabby murdered her sister. He’s hired a series of investigators to look for clues to prove that Gabby is guilty, and the latest includes a man who says he’s there to value the art on the estate – but who clearly has another agenda.
Harris and Gabby have the same goal – to prove Gabby is innocent – even if Gabby doesn’t know it. And Gabby’s behavior and actions lead Harris to believe that even if she isn’t guilty of murder she’s clearly hiding something. It doesn’t stop them from being attracted to each other though. For a few stolen moments they can forget the reason they are on the island and indulge in some passionate and steamy sex. But will the secrets they hold ruin any chance of a happy ending?
From the start this story is pretty intense! Harris discovers the dying woman and hears Gabby’s cries during his frantic escape from the island, scenes that set the tone for the rest of the novel. Fourteen months elapse between that time and Harris’ return in his new guise. It’s also a return for Gabby to the scene of the crime, though we quickly find out she has another reason for being on the island. The story has an abundance of twists and turns with a small cast of characters, so you know that one of them must be the guilty party. The author does a great job of providing some red herrings and making the ultimate reveal an exciting one.
The romance between Harris and Gabby proceeds fairly quickly on a physical level, but slower on an emotional one. It’s not a surprise, since are both keeping some pretty serious secrets from each other, not least of which is the fact that Harris was there when Gabby’s sister died, a secret that eats away at his conscience as he falls for this spirited woman who has dealt with so much tragedy in her life. He can offer her a physical shoulder for support but knows it’s pointless to expect anything real with her unless he tells her the truth. The sex scenes add a touch of more lightheartedness to an overall serious story, as do their banter and conversations.
The same can be said for Harris’s friendship with Damon, the investigator hired by Gabby’s uncle who belongs to a small group of longtime friends under the leadership of Wren, known as the Fixer (and hero of book one of the series). It was Wren who had helped Harris escape from the island and cover his tracks, inadvertently destroying some of the evidence that would prove Gabby’s innocence. I’m partial to scenes of true friendship between men and/or women and it’s clear that Wren, Damon and Harris have a strong bond that they will protect with their lives.
The Pretender starts with an interesting and unique premise and then adds in enough other mysteries to keep the reader turning the pages until the final scene. Along the way, Harris and Gabby find in each other kindred spirits who’ve got an abundance of baggage – and a partner willing to carry the weight. It’s a sexy and intense romance, and I’ve already put the rest of the series on my to-read shelf.
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for review.
Harrison Tate used to be an art thief. Now he helps track down stolen works of art, while also getting his thrills in a less legitimate way by ‘liberating’ goods that have ended up in the wrong hands. On one such case, a painting in an estate on an island is his target. After spending several weeks casing the place, he makes his move. But in a cruel twist of fate, he stumbles upon a dying woman in the library that holds the painting. There for her last breath, he can do no more than watch in horror as she bleeds out on the carpet. It’s imperative that he make a quick escape lest he be blamed for the murder, but in doing so, he leaves the sister of the dead woman, who finds the body after him, under suspicion. He knows she’s not the killer but to reveal that he’d been there when victim died would invite too many questions. When the opportunity arises to return to the island under the guise of an estate appraisal, he takes the chance to see if he can help unravel the mystery and find the real killer.
Gabrielle Wright may have been estranged from her family but she loved her sister. As an older teenager she had endured a kidnapping that her parents thought she’d planned, resulting in the loss of their trust and support. Then they’d died in a plane crash, leaving Gabby and her sister alone except for an uncle, who believes Gabby murdered her sister. He’s hired a series of investigators to look for clues to prove that Gabby is guilty, and the latest includes a man who says he’s there to value the art on the estate – but who clearly has another agenda.
Harris and Gabby have the same goal – to prove Gabby is innocent – even if Gabby doesn’t know it. And Gabby’s behavior and actions lead Harris to believe that even if she isn’t guilty of murder she’s clearly hiding something. It doesn’t stop them from being attracted to each other though. For a few stolen moments they can forget the reason they are on the island and indulge in some passionate and steamy sex. But will the secrets they hold ruin any chance of a happy ending?
From the start this story is pretty intense! Harris discovers the dying woman and hears Gabby’s cries during his frantic escape from the island, scenes that set the tone for the rest of the novel. Fourteen months elapse between that time and Harris’ return in his new guise. It’s also a return for Gabby to the scene of the crime, though we quickly find out she has another reason for being on the island. The story has an abundance of twists and turns with a small cast of characters, so you know that one of them must be the guilty party. The author does a great job of providing some red herrings and making the ultimate reveal an exciting one.
The romance between Harris and Gabby proceeds fairly quickly on a physical level, but slower on an emotional one. It’s not a surprise, since are both keeping some pretty serious secrets from each other, not least of which is the fact that Harris was there when Gabby’s sister died, a secret that eats away at his conscience as he falls for this spirited woman who has dealt with so much tragedy in her life. He can offer her a physical shoulder for support but knows it’s pointless to expect anything real with her unless he tells her the truth. The sex scenes add a touch of more lightheartedness to an overall serious story, as do their banter and conversations.
The same can be said for Harris’s friendship with Damon, the investigator hired by Gabby’s uncle who belongs to a small group of longtime friends under the leadership of Wren, known as the Fixer (and hero of book one of the series). It was Wren who had helped Harris escape from the island and cover his tracks, inadvertently destroying some of the evidence that would prove Gabby’s innocence. I’m partial to scenes of true friendship between men and/or women and it’s clear that Wren, Damon and Harris have a strong bond that they will protect with their lives.
The Pretender starts with an interesting and unique premise and then adds in enough other mysteries to keep the reader turning the pages until the final scene. Along the way, Harris and Gabby find in each other kindred spirits who’ve got an abundance of baggage – and a partner willing to carry the weight. It’s a sexy and intense romance, and I’ve already put the rest of the series on my to-read shelf.
This review also appears at All About Romance: https://allaboutromance.com/book-revi...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for review.
January 7, 2018
Actual Rating 4.5 Stars
I honestly fell in love with HelenKay Dimon with The Negotiator ( Read My Review and I haven't looked back since: she writes in a way that grabs hold of your attention and doesn't let go of you until you reach the very end.
Harrison Tate is a modern day Robin Hood - a man who steals art/artifacts when provenance can't be proved but on his last job everything went topsy - turvy. But that also means that he lived in a limbo for 15 months of his life; until he had to go back to where everything went wrong.
Grabrielle or Gabby Wright is a woman who has lost everything that ever mattered to her - and 15 months before she lost her baby sister; and if that wasn't enough her own Uncle was hell bent on proving that she was the one who murdered.
When everything comes to head; it brings Harrison head to head with Gabrielle.
I adored Gabrielle and Harrison together - they are hilariously adorable together; where Harrison is charming, Gabby is sarcastic and they are sprinkled with the quips of Damon as well.
There are particular plot-holes in the story, major of them was a glaring issue that I wish had been handled better (No spoilers, I promise!) - but I still enjoyed reading this one, just because of Harrison and Damon together; even more than Harrison and Gabby! :D
But this has to be my favourite of this series; if only because I am more excited of Damon's book now <3
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December 29, 2017
4 stars
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 16, 2017
They say it takes a thief to catch a thief, and Harrison Tate is proof. Once a professional burglar, he now makes a lawful living tracking down stolen art. No one needs to know about his secret sideline, “liberating” artifacts acquired through underhanded methods, at least until one of those jobs sees him walking in on a murder.
Gabrielle Wright has long been estranged from her wealthy family, but she didn’t kill her sister. Trouble is, the only person who can prove it is the sexy, elusive criminal who shouldn’t have been at the island estate on that terrible night. She’s not expecting honor among thieves—or for their mutual attraction to spark into an intense inferno of desire.
Under the guise of evaluating her family’s art, Harris comes back to the estate hoping to clear Gabby’s name. But returning to the scene of the crime has never been riskier, with their hearts and lives on the line.
••••••••••
REVIEW: THE PRETENDER is the third full length instalment in HelenKay Dimon’s contemporary, adult GAMES PEOPLE PLAY erotic, romance series focusing on a tight knit group of life-long friends, known as the Quint Five, whose business it is to investigate and ‘fix’ whatever has gone wrong for the rich and famous. This is former professional thief Harrison ‘Harris’ Tate, and Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Wright’s story line. THE PRETENDER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabby and Harris) THE PRETENDER focuses on the hunt for the truth. Fourteen months earlier, while on ‘assignment’ to procure a missing piece of art Harrison Tate walked into the aftermath of a fatal attack against Tabitha Wright- a woman left for dead by an unknown assailant. Running from the scene of the crime Harrison will come face to face with Gabby Wright, the victim’s sister, and the woman with whom he would fall in love. Fast forward to present day wherein Harrison must return to the Tabitha Island to prevent Gabby’s uncle Stephen from destroying her life, having blamed our heroine for everything that went wrong. What ensues is the building relationship between Gabby and Harrison, as they endeavour to uncover the truth, along with Harrison’s partner Damon Knox, about the death of Tabitha Wright, and the potential fall out when the truth about Harrison’s presence, and his appearance fourteen months earlier, that could have stopped months of grief and accusations against our story line heroine.
Gabby Wright has struggled to come to terms with the brutal murder of her sister but as the primary suspect our heroine is no closer to proving her innocence in light of the truth. As her uncle Stephen continues to accuse our heroine of killing Tabitha, an investigator /auditor is called in to itemize the contents of the house on Tabitha Island, and find evidence that will prove Gabby is guilty of the heinous crime. Harrison Tate, a man whose guilt about that day fourteen months earlier, found our hero on the run, in the hopes that his identity would not be revealed but Harrison’s friend and ‘fixer’ Wren forces Harrison to face the woman in an attempt to prevent further harm or accusations thrown her way. As Gabby, Damon and Harrison search for the truth, a series of break-in, fires and threat aimed at our heroine begin to take their toll.
The relationship between Harris and Gabby is one of mutual and immediate attraction but Gabby suspects Harris is lying about his true reasons for coming to the island. Their physical relationship begins soon after Harrison arrives on the island, a relationship that could be destroyed by the truth. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a small ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Gabby’s uncle Stephen, estate groundskeepers Burton Kramer and his son Ted, ferry service owner Craig Pak; as well as Harrison’s friends Damon Knox, Garrett McGrath, Levi ‘Wren’ and Emery Finn (The Fixer). Damon’s story line is next in THE PROTECTOR.
THE PRETENDER is a story of romance and suspense; of mystery and betrayal; of forgiveness and falling in love. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are edgy and tragic; the romance is energetic and passionate. My only complaint is the lack of background information about our leading hero. THE PRETENDER is a provocative, moving and intriguing story line.
Copy supplied by Edelweiss
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 16, 2017
They say it takes a thief to catch a thief, and Harrison Tate is proof. Once a professional burglar, he now makes a lawful living tracking down stolen art. No one needs to know about his secret sideline, “liberating” artifacts acquired through underhanded methods, at least until one of those jobs sees him walking in on a murder.
Gabrielle Wright has long been estranged from her wealthy family, but she didn’t kill her sister. Trouble is, the only person who can prove it is the sexy, elusive criminal who shouldn’t have been at the island estate on that terrible night. She’s not expecting honor among thieves—or for their mutual attraction to spark into an intense inferno of desire.
Under the guise of evaluating her family’s art, Harris comes back to the estate hoping to clear Gabby’s name. But returning to the scene of the crime has never been riskier, with their hearts and lives on the line.
••••••••••
REVIEW: THE PRETENDER is the third full length instalment in HelenKay Dimon’s contemporary, adult GAMES PEOPLE PLAY erotic, romance series focusing on a tight knit group of life-long friends, known as the Quint Five, whose business it is to investigate and ‘fix’ whatever has gone wrong for the rich and famous. This is former professional thief Harrison ‘Harris’ Tate, and Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Wright’s story line. THE PRETENDER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Gabby and Harris) THE PRETENDER focuses on the hunt for the truth. Fourteen months earlier, while on ‘assignment’ to procure a missing piece of art Harrison Tate walked into the aftermath of a fatal attack against Tabitha Wright- a woman left for dead by an unknown assailant. Running from the scene of the crime Harrison will come face to face with Gabby Wright, the victim’s sister, and the woman with whom he would fall in love. Fast forward to present day wherein Harrison must return to the Tabitha Island to prevent Gabby’s uncle Stephen from destroying her life, having blamed our heroine for everything that went wrong. What ensues is the building relationship between Gabby and Harrison, as they endeavour to uncover the truth, along with Harrison’s partner Damon Knox, about the death of Tabitha Wright, and the potential fall out when the truth about Harrison’s presence, and his appearance fourteen months earlier, that could have stopped months of grief and accusations against our story line heroine.
Gabby Wright has struggled to come to terms with the brutal murder of her sister but as the primary suspect our heroine is no closer to proving her innocence in light of the truth. As her uncle Stephen continues to accuse our heroine of killing Tabitha, an investigator /auditor is called in to itemize the contents of the house on Tabitha Island, and find evidence that will prove Gabby is guilty of the heinous crime. Harrison Tate, a man whose guilt about that day fourteen months earlier, found our hero on the run, in the hopes that his identity would not be revealed but Harrison’s friend and ‘fixer’ Wren forces Harrison to face the woman in an attempt to prevent further harm or accusations thrown her way. As Gabby, Damon and Harrison search for the truth, a series of break-in, fires and threat aimed at our heroine begin to take their toll.
The relationship between Harris and Gabby is one of mutual and immediate attraction but Gabby suspects Harris is lying about his true reasons for coming to the island. Their physical relationship begins soon after Harrison arrives on the island, a relationship that could be destroyed by the truth. The $ex scenes are intimate, seductive and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
There is a small ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including Gabby’s uncle Stephen, estate groundskeepers Burton Kramer and his son Ted, ferry service owner Craig Pak; as well as Harrison’s friends Damon Knox, Garrett McGrath, Levi ‘Wren’ and Emery Finn (The Fixer). Damon’s story line is next in THE PROTECTOR.
THE PRETENDER is a story of romance and suspense; of mystery and betrayal; of forgiveness and falling in love. The premise is entertaining and engaging; the characters are edgy and tragic; the romance is energetic and passionate. My only complaint is the lack of background information about our leading hero. THE PRETENDER is a provocative, moving and intriguing story line.
Copy supplied by Edelweiss
www.thereadingcafe.com
December 26, 2017
My Review:
The first thing you need to know is that if you haven't read the rest of the series, you will be perfectly fine reading this book as a standalone. I haven't read any of the others and never had a single moment of confusion. The author does a really good job of giving you the info about the setup of the group that you need.
So, the premise of this book is that Harris stumbled upon a murder. He didn't see who committed the murder, but he knows it wasn't Gabby. He's the only one who believes that she's innocent. When it looks like she may be going to jail, he steps in with his group of friends to help set things straight...and immediately finds himself more than a little intrigued with her.
Gabby has spent her entire adult life being blamed for things she didn't do. She's always the guilty-looking party in a series of awful tragedies that have left her basically alone in the world. But the murder of her sister is the most devastating. So, when Harris shows up and actually believes in her, she's just thankful to have a seeming-ally even if she is sure that there's much more to his story than he's telling.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. My heart broke for Gabby and all that she's lost and has been stolen from her. The cold way she was treated after her kidnapping was awful. This poor girl!
I had no idea who the bad guy was until the very end although the cast of possibilities is very limited. The two main characters bonded over their troubled family life during their childhoods, and I liked those ties that bound them. Although there were moments when the story seemed to lag a little bit. Nothing wrong with the story line per say, I just think it could have been tightened up a bit. It felt like there was a lot of internal dialogue that was repeating throughout the story.
But other than that, I did enjoy this book. I need to check out the rest of the series. I'm curious about the Quint Five...
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The first thing you need to know is that if you haven't read the rest of the series, you will be perfectly fine reading this book as a standalone. I haven't read any of the others and never had a single moment of confusion. The author does a really good job of giving you the info about the setup of the group that you need.
So, the premise of this book is that Harris stumbled upon a murder. He didn't see who committed the murder, but he knows it wasn't Gabby. He's the only one who believes that she's innocent. When it looks like she may be going to jail, he steps in with his group of friends to help set things straight...and immediately finds himself more than a little intrigued with her.
Gabby has spent her entire adult life being blamed for things she didn't do. She's always the guilty-looking party in a series of awful tragedies that have left her basically alone in the world. But the murder of her sister is the most devastating. So, when Harris shows up and actually believes in her, she's just thankful to have a seeming-ally even if she is sure that there's much more to his story than he's telling.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. My heart broke for Gabby and all that she's lost and has been stolen from her. The cold way she was treated after her kidnapping was awful. This poor girl!
I had no idea who the bad guy was until the very end although the cast of possibilities is very limited. The two main characters bonded over their troubled family life during their childhoods, and I liked those ties that bound them. Although there were moments when the story seemed to lag a little bit. Nothing wrong with the story line per say, I just think it could have been tightened up a bit. It felt like there was a lot of internal dialogue that was repeating throughout the story.
But other than that, I did enjoy this book. I need to check out the rest of the series. I'm curious about the Quint Five...
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
December 26, 2017
After reading the Negotiator, I knew I had to continue reading the series. As it turns out it was a great decision. I almost fell in love with the story. Something prevented me from doing so though and I am not exactly sure what it was. Maybe it was the reason why the hero was on the island the night Gabi's sister was murdered. It was mentioned in the blurb, but I didn't like that he kept it from Gabi for so much time.
Gabi is such a nice person. Sure, she made mistakes in the past that still haunt her, but she is a changed person now and she is trying to do the right thing in her life. She has her evil uncle who is blaming her for everything, so it was easy to like her and want to defend her from the moment I met her. Harrison is not a bad character. He wasn't able to win me over, but I didn't dislike him and he had his good moments.
I feel like the pace was good. It wasn't rushed and the story wasn't dragging. The suspects are limited, but everything felt right in the way things were progressing. My heart broke a little when some truths about Gabi's sister were revealed and I wanted her to rise from the dead (though that would change the genre of the book).
Overall the book was good and so were its characters. It's a definite recommendation for those who have read the previous books in the series and a strong suggestion for those who haven't since this book can be read as stand alone.
Gabi is such a nice person. Sure, she made mistakes in the past that still haunt her, but she is a changed person now and she is trying to do the right thing in her life. She has her evil uncle who is blaming her for everything, so it was easy to like her and want to defend her from the moment I met her. Harrison is not a bad character. He wasn't able to win me over, but I didn't dislike him and he had his good moments.
I feel like the pace was good. It wasn't rushed and the story wasn't dragging. The suspects are limited, but everything felt right in the way things were progressing. My heart broke a little when some truths about Gabi's sister were revealed and I wanted her to rise from the dead (though that would change the genre of the book).
Overall the book was good and so were its characters. It's a definite recommendation for those who have read the previous books in the series and a strong suggestion for those who haven't since this book can be read as stand alone.
January 9, 2018
3.5 Stars - 3 Flames
These guys are amazing. I've really enjoyed meeting each of them and diving in to their lives. Whether be the lives that lead to them become who they are, or their love lives.
While working on a job (a thief job), Harris literally stumbles on to a crime scene. Not just any crime scene though. One that is completely graphic and horrible. A scene that he inadvertently contaminated while stumbling on it. And now? Now he's been forced back to the scene to help prevent an innocent woman from going to jail. But it ends up costing him more than he bargained for.
Gabby has been a victim her whole life, but not the kind that you might be thinking about. Well, maybe. She's been kidnapped, her parents have died and now her sister was brutally murdered. So why is Gabby the victim? Because her uncle seems to think that she's responsible for everything and she just can't seem to prove him wrong. That is until Harris shows up on the island. He seems to be the only person who actually believes her.
First, I have to admit that the suspense in this story is top notch. The way it unfolds and presents itself is well done. But even though the story was great, I found the chemistry between Gabby and Harris at a level 6 out of 10. I'm all for chemistry and lust, but for some reason, I had a hard time "relating" to their relationship. So let's not focus on that. Back to the story. Pretty cool. The mystery. The drama. The intrigue. The awesome banter between the characters. These are the things that kept me turning the pages of this book. And now I can't wait for Damon's story. Bring. It. On.
These guys are amazing. I've really enjoyed meeting each of them and diving in to their lives. Whether be the lives that lead to them become who they are, or their love lives.
While working on a job (a thief job), Harris literally stumbles on to a crime scene. Not just any crime scene though. One that is completely graphic and horrible. A scene that he inadvertently contaminated while stumbling on it. And now? Now he's been forced back to the scene to help prevent an innocent woman from going to jail. But it ends up costing him more than he bargained for.
Gabby has been a victim her whole life, but not the kind that you might be thinking about. Well, maybe. She's been kidnapped, her parents have died and now her sister was brutally murdered. So why is Gabby the victim? Because her uncle seems to think that she's responsible for everything and she just can't seem to prove him wrong. That is until Harris shows up on the island. He seems to be the only person who actually believes her.
First, I have to admit that the suspense in this story is top notch. The way it unfolds and presents itself is well done. But even though the story was great, I found the chemistry between Gabby and Harris at a level 6 out of 10. I'm all for chemistry and lust, but for some reason, I had a hard time "relating" to their relationship. So let's not focus on that. Back to the story. Pretty cool. The mystery. The drama. The intrigue. The awesome banter between the characters. These are the things that kept me turning the pages of this book. And now I can't wait for Damon's story. Bring. It. On.
January 2, 2018
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
Harrison "Harris" Tate was a professional thief but now he works for those trying to get stolen painting and other items back to the rightful owners without going through all the red tape of governments. He has worked for insurance companies and even Interpol but on the day he is to steal a painting from the home on Tabitha Island, he comes in at the end of a killing. And he has to run before he is blamed for killing Tabitha Wright. He is the only one that knows for sure that Gabby didn't kill her.
Gabrielle “Gabby” Wright has been the outcast of her family for many years. Both her parents died a few years back and her sister was murdered a little over a year ago, Gabby has returned to the family island to try to help figure out who killed her sister. With her Uncle Stephen there and he is always blaming her for Tabitha's death and trying to make her feel guilty. Gabby just wants someone to believe her when she says she didn't kill her sister.
While Harris is there to help Gabby and keep her safe, he has to lie to her or she really will hate him. Will they be able to trust each other and find out who killed Tabitha? Will Harris and Damon be able to find out the truth before whoever killed Tabitha comes after Gabby? Will Gabby trust Harris enough to tell him all of her secrets? Can Harris trust her and himself to tell Gabby the truth about his involvement in her sister's death?
This is a first for me from this author and I really enjoyed the suspenseful storyline. It was a great story that had me hooked from the beginning and I didn't want to put it down because I had to know how it ended. Now I want to go back and read the others in this series. So if you are looking for a good suspenseful who-done-it, then this one is for you. So I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Harrison "Harris" Tate was a professional thief but now he works for those trying to get stolen painting and other items back to the rightful owners without going through all the red tape of governments. He has worked for insurance companies and even Interpol but on the day he is to steal a painting from the home on Tabitha Island, he comes in at the end of a killing. And he has to run before he is blamed for killing Tabitha Wright. He is the only one that knows for sure that Gabby didn't kill her.
Gabrielle “Gabby” Wright has been the outcast of her family for many years. Both her parents died a few years back and her sister was murdered a little over a year ago, Gabby has returned to the family island to try to help figure out who killed her sister. With her Uncle Stephen there and he is always blaming her for Tabitha's death and trying to make her feel guilty. Gabby just wants someone to believe her when she says she didn't kill her sister.
While Harris is there to help Gabby and keep her safe, he has to lie to her or she really will hate him. Will they be able to trust each other and find out who killed Tabitha? Will Harris and Damon be able to find out the truth before whoever killed Tabitha comes after Gabby? Will Gabby trust Harris enough to tell him all of her secrets? Can Harris trust her and himself to tell Gabby the truth about his involvement in her sister's death?
This is a first for me from this author and I really enjoyed the suspenseful storyline. It was a great story that had me hooked from the beginning and I didn't want to put it down because I had to know how it ended. Now I want to go back and read the others in this series. So if you are looking for a good suspenseful who-done-it, then this one is for you. So I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
December 17, 2017
I have been a fan of HelenKay Dimon's Games People Play series since the beginning and honestly cannot get enough of it. The women are always strong and sassy and the perfect complement to the takecharge alpha men in these stories. I thought this novel was fantastic. Gabby and Harris' chemistry was HOT and their banter just as snappy. I loved them together and never wanted this story to end!
When former thief, Harrison Tate comes across a dying woman in the middle of a job, he flees the scene. Ultimately this causes rampant speculation and suspicion to fall on Gabby Wright, sister of the victim and the person who found the body. But can they work together to figure out what happened that night?
I really enjoyed this novel and the passion and chemistry between Gabby and Harris. The added element of suspense throughout the story was also fabulous. I cant wait for the next in this series by the author. Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula
When former thief, Harrison Tate comes across a dying woman in the middle of a job, he flees the scene. Ultimately this causes rampant speculation and suspicion to fall on Gabby Wright, sister of the victim and the person who found the body. But can they work together to figure out what happened that night?
I really enjoyed this novel and the passion and chemistry between Gabby and Harris. The added element of suspense throughout the story was also fabulous. I cant wait for the next in this series by the author. Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula
December 25, 2017
The Pretender had a great start--Harris, who is someplace for slightly less-than legal reasons comes upon an almost-murder scene that quickly becomes a homicide; partly because of his actions there an innocent woman comes under scrutiny but he can't come out and clear her without implicating himself--really, I'm not sure what Ms. Dimon could have done there to make me less likely to be able to put this book down in the first few chapters! Harris and Gabby and both highly likeable, and the isolated island setting and the mysterious things that kept happening kept the tension high.
But...
A little further in--around 50%? 66%?--the story started dragging a bit, and I had a hard time exactly pinpointing why as it was more of a general feeling. Too much backstory exposition dragged out over too long of a time, drawing focus away from the more present danger? An intimate relationship that went too fast considering the lack of trust the characters had at the time and the danger at least one of them seemed to be in at the time? I'm not sure, all I know is that at some point putting the book down and doing something else became easier than I would have liked. Still, I did enjoy how the mystery ended and their HEA was sweet--overall this was a good read, even if I wasn't riveted to the page every single minute.
This one worked well as a standalone--only two of the other series characters really play a part; the focus is heavily on Harris and his island mystery--and it definitely has me interested in picking up both earlier and future series books. I'm generally a big fan of Ms. Dimon's writing--even if this one won't make my favorites list, I do enjoy the characters she's peopled this series with.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
But...
A little further in--around 50%? 66%?--the story started dragging a bit, and I had a hard time exactly pinpointing why as it was more of a general feeling. Too much backstory exposition dragged out over too long of a time, drawing focus away from the more present danger? An intimate relationship that went too fast considering the lack of trust the characters had at the time and the danger at least one of them seemed to be in at the time? I'm not sure, all I know is that at some point putting the book down and doing something else became easier than I would have liked. Still, I did enjoy how the mystery ended and their HEA was sweet--overall this was a good read, even if I wasn't riveted to the page every single minute.
This one worked well as a standalone--only two of the other series characters really play a part; the focus is heavily on Harris and his island mystery--and it definitely has me interested in picking up both earlier and future series books. I'm generally a big fan of Ms. Dimon's writing--even if this one won't make my favorites list, I do enjoy the characters she's peopled this series with.
Rating: 3 1/2 stars / B-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
October 29, 2017
Harrison Tate is a thief…
Gabrielle Wright has been estranged from what is left of her family for years. Her uncle is determined to prove that she was involved in the murder of her sister. She was the only one on the island when her sister was killed … or so everyone thinks.
Harrison Tate is a thief. He was also on the island the night that Gaby’s sister was murdered and he is the only one who can prove that Gaby wasn’t involved, but it would be at the expense of revealing who he truly is and does. Instead of come forward, he’s kept an eye on the news surrounding Gaby. When her Uncle starts digging again, he knows that he has to get involved.
Harris arrives at the estate under the guise of evaluating her family’s art and hopefully to help clear Gaby’s name, but someone is determined to hide who the real killer is and that means both their lives are in danger.
I really love this series, but this was probably one of my least favorite in the three that are out so far.
I think I just didn’t click with both Gaby and Harris as much as I had the other couples. While I enjoyed the banter between them, I just didn’t feel like they clicked for me as the others had. The story was intriguing and I certainly didn’t guess who was responsible for the death of Gaby’s sister so bonus points for that!
If you’re a fan of romantic suspense I definitely suggest this series. While I didn’t love this one as much as the other two it was still a wonderful addition to the series! I’m definitely excited for more!
Gabrielle Wright has been estranged from what is left of her family for years. Her uncle is determined to prove that she was involved in the murder of her sister. She was the only one on the island when her sister was killed … or so everyone thinks.
Harrison Tate is a thief. He was also on the island the night that Gaby’s sister was murdered and he is the only one who can prove that Gaby wasn’t involved, but it would be at the expense of revealing who he truly is and does. Instead of come forward, he’s kept an eye on the news surrounding Gaby. When her Uncle starts digging again, he knows that he has to get involved.
Harris arrives at the estate under the guise of evaluating her family’s art and hopefully to help clear Gaby’s name, but someone is determined to hide who the real killer is and that means both their lives are in danger.
I really love this series, but this was probably one of my least favorite in the three that are out so far.
I think I just didn’t click with both Gaby and Harris as much as I had the other couples. While I enjoyed the banter between them, I just didn’t feel like they clicked for me as the others had. The story was intriguing and I certainly didn’t guess who was responsible for the death of Gaby’s sister so bonus points for that!
If you’re a fan of romantic suspense I definitely suggest this series. While I didn’t love this one as much as the other two it was still a wonderful addition to the series! I’m definitely excited for more!
December 31, 2017
I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is a wonderfully classic murder mystery and I loved the psychological suspense in this story. A wealthy heiress is murdered and everyone on the secluded island is a suspect. There is a bitter family feud and dark secrets for Harris and his high tech team to unravel.
I love the characters. Harris is a brilliant anti-hero. He’s a slightly reformed art thief turned investigator with secrets of his own. Gabby is everyone’s favourite suspect and she doesn’t help herself with the secrets she holds close. Add in her scheming uncle, the island’s caretaker and his family and the man who ferries guests and residents between the island and mainland and the author has created a diverse group of suspects worthy of an Agatha Christie novel.
I didn’t figure it out until the end. And I love that. It was hard to invest in the romance between Gabby and Harris when I didn’t completely trust either of them - but I kinda loved that too. I haven’t read the two earlier books in this series but I don’t feel like it detracted from this story but I will definitely go back and read them both.
I’ve been a fan of this author’s m/m books for a while but this is the first of her m/f stories I’ve read. And I’m impressed. I love the quality of writing here. The story has been carefully crafted, tightly edited and perfectly polished. Highly recommended!
This is a wonderfully classic murder mystery and I loved the psychological suspense in this story. A wealthy heiress is murdered and everyone on the secluded island is a suspect. There is a bitter family feud and dark secrets for Harris and his high tech team to unravel.
I love the characters. Harris is a brilliant anti-hero. He’s a slightly reformed art thief turned investigator with secrets of his own. Gabby is everyone’s favourite suspect and she doesn’t help herself with the secrets she holds close. Add in her scheming uncle, the island’s caretaker and his family and the man who ferries guests and residents between the island and mainland and the author has created a diverse group of suspects worthy of an Agatha Christie novel.
I didn’t figure it out until the end. And I love that. It was hard to invest in the romance between Gabby and Harris when I didn’t completely trust either of them - but I kinda loved that too. I haven’t read the two earlier books in this series but I don’t feel like it detracted from this story but I will definitely go back and read them both.
I’ve been a fan of this author’s m/m books for a while but this is the first of her m/f stories I’ve read. And I’m impressed. I love the quality of writing here. The story has been carefully crafted, tightly edited and perfectly polished. Highly recommended!
December 28, 2017
The Pretender (Games People Play #3) by HelenKay Dimon
4 stars
M/F Romance/Mystery
Triggers: Murder, attempted murder
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Harris is trying to right a wrong from several years ago. When he realizes that an estate and town are still not over the murder that he stumbled on, he has to head back to make sure that Gabby doesn't take the fall for something she didn't do, but has been blamed for since the day her sister, Tabitha was murdered.
Gabby's uncle has been unrelenting in his disgust for Gabby. He thinks of her as spoiled and he isn't willing to even consider that she didn't murder her sister.
Despite Gabby's reservation for going back home, she wants to find out what happened to her sister just as much as her spiteful uncle does.
This is truly a great mystery story. There are so many characters and possibilities. I love how protective Harris is of Gabby and despite the deception, they develop a fairly organic relationship.
I didn't think that you needed to read the previous books to understand this one, but since I enjoyed this one so much, I might have to go back and read the first few books.
4 stars
M/F Romance/Mystery
Triggers: Murder, attempted murder
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
Harris is trying to right a wrong from several years ago. When he realizes that an estate and town are still not over the murder that he stumbled on, he has to head back to make sure that Gabby doesn't take the fall for something she didn't do, but has been blamed for since the day her sister, Tabitha was murdered.
Gabby's uncle has been unrelenting in his disgust for Gabby. He thinks of her as spoiled and he isn't willing to even consider that she didn't murder her sister.
Despite Gabby's reservation for going back home, she wants to find out what happened to her sister just as much as her spiteful uncle does.
This is truly a great mystery story. There are so many characters and possibilities. I love how protective Harris is of Gabby and despite the deception, they develop a fairly organic relationship.
I didn't think that you needed to read the previous books to understand this one, but since I enjoyed this one so much, I might have to go back and read the first few books.
July 21, 2020
The narration at the beginning of the book bothered me. I didn’t/don’t like the male narrator’s voice for the female lead. So it took me a while to get used to it and get into the story. It’s a good one, and worth the time. The mystery, the love, the sex - all good.
Bought from libro.fm.
Bought from libro.fm.
August 13, 2019
The extent people will go to to hide a crime is amazing. Even if it includes murder. Good story of unraveling the mystery surrounding the death of one young woman.
January 25, 2018
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-HC
Harris Tate is a thief. While he has a legitimate career recovering stolen art, his secret passion is returning art objects to their rightful owners, the ones who don't have the necessary legal paper trail to demand the return of their property. So, like a modern day Robin Hood, he steals back stolen art. While attempting one of his secret burglaries, he comes upon a gruesome scene, a badly injured woman taking her last breaths of life. His attempts at resuscitation are useless, and he hears another person coming onto the scene. As he hastily wipes away evidence of his being at the murder scene, then flees, he hears the anguished cries of Gabrielle Wright as she finds her dead sister's body.
Over a year later, the murder is still unsolved, though speculation is high that Gabrielle was involved in her sister, Tabitha's, death. Gabby's uncle, in particular, is vocal in his accusation, and is actively trying to make sure she doesn't inherit any of Tabitha's wealth. Harris' heart broke when he fled the murder scene and heard Gabby's painful cries. He knows that she wasn't guilty, but he can't disclose what he knows without revealing his own criminal presence, and casting suspicion on himself. Harris has a very powerful friend with connections everywhere, who has arranged for Harris to return to the scene of the murder, Tabitha Island. Harris is undercover as an art appraiser, while his friend, Damon, is there as an investigator.
Gabby was a bit of a wild child as a teenager of wealthy parents. There was a mysterious kidnapping incident, which her parents believed she, herself, staged. This caused a rift between them, and caused them to disinherit her. Gabby became more responsible as she grew older, but her experiences have made her suspicious and leery of people professing to be her friend. Her "romantic" relationships have been superficial - physical only, with no emotions involved. Harris, too, is living a life that was shaped by his past, as his mother led a double life which, when exposed, blew his family apart. He has also avoided any emotional entanglements.
As Harris and Damon investigate the murder, Gabby and Harris embark on a very steamy affair. They are each confident that it will be the usual no-strings relationship, but they find something in each other that cries out for more. It was easy to root for these two damaged characters and to hope they could finally find a genuine love. The situation looks bleak, as they grow closer, Harris still hasn't confessed his initial involvement to Gabby, and she detests deception. THE PRETENDER is set on a small island with a limited cast of suspects, making for an intense and suspenseful read. Gabby and Harris have an explosive chemistry with plenty of sexy scenes in this fast paced whodunit. I stepped into the middle of the GAMES PEOPLE PLAY series, about the Quint Five, and didn't feel lost at all. THE PRETENDER can be read as a standalone, but I look forward to the upcoming conclusion, and I'll be going back to pick up the three previous stories.
Harris Tate is a thief. While he has a legitimate career recovering stolen art, his secret passion is returning art objects to their rightful owners, the ones who don't have the necessary legal paper trail to demand the return of their property. So, like a modern day Robin Hood, he steals back stolen art. While attempting one of his secret burglaries, he comes upon a gruesome scene, a badly injured woman taking her last breaths of life. His attempts at resuscitation are useless, and he hears another person coming onto the scene. As he hastily wipes away evidence of his being at the murder scene, then flees, he hears the anguished cries of Gabrielle Wright as she finds her dead sister's body.
Over a year later, the murder is still unsolved, though speculation is high that Gabrielle was involved in her sister, Tabitha's, death. Gabby's uncle, in particular, is vocal in his accusation, and is actively trying to make sure she doesn't inherit any of Tabitha's wealth. Harris' heart broke when he fled the murder scene and heard Gabby's painful cries. He knows that she wasn't guilty, but he can't disclose what he knows without revealing his own criminal presence, and casting suspicion on himself. Harris has a very powerful friend with connections everywhere, who has arranged for Harris to return to the scene of the murder, Tabitha Island. Harris is undercover as an art appraiser, while his friend, Damon, is there as an investigator.
Gabby was a bit of a wild child as a teenager of wealthy parents. There was a mysterious kidnapping incident, which her parents believed she, herself, staged. This caused a rift between them, and caused them to disinherit her. Gabby became more responsible as she grew older, but her experiences have made her suspicious and leery of people professing to be her friend. Her "romantic" relationships have been superficial - physical only, with no emotions involved. Harris, too, is living a life that was shaped by his past, as his mother led a double life which, when exposed, blew his family apart. He has also avoided any emotional entanglements.
As Harris and Damon investigate the murder, Gabby and Harris embark on a very steamy affair. They are each confident that it will be the usual no-strings relationship, but they find something in each other that cries out for more. It was easy to root for these two damaged characters and to hope they could finally find a genuine love. The situation looks bleak, as they grow closer, Harris still hasn't confessed his initial involvement to Gabby, and she detests deception. THE PRETENDER is set on a small island with a limited cast of suspects, making for an intense and suspenseful read. Gabby and Harris have an explosive chemistry with plenty of sexy scenes in this fast paced whodunit. I stepped into the middle of the GAMES PEOPLE PLAY series, about the Quint Five, and didn't feel lost at all. THE PRETENDER can be read as a standalone, but I look forward to the upcoming conclusion, and I'll be going back to pick up the three previous stories.
December 24, 2017
Harrison is usually meticulous when planning how to "liberate" stolen art from its unlawful owner, otherwise he would have ended up dead or in jail a very long time ago. That's why he is downright shocked and shaken to his core when he enters Tabitha's house expecting her to be outside as she always is at that time of day and instead finds her dying on the floor. Despite his attempts at CPR, he is unable to save her and only narrowly escapes being discovered by both Tabitha's sister Gabby and the police who swarm the island with a little help from his fixer best friend Wren.
Over a year later, Harris is still haunted by memories of that night but he has been keeping tabs on the media frenzy to ensure that Gabby is not wrongfully charged in her sister's death. When it looks like that is exactly what is going to happen, Wren makes arrangements for Harris to be sent to the island undercover as an art appraiser with a little bit of help from another of their tight-knit circle of friends Damon who will be the lead investigator for Tabitha's estate.
Sparks fly between Harris and Gabby, but those sparks have nothing on the seething hatred her uncle shows for her at every turn. He is determined to see her in hell or in jail and he is not particular about which one actually happens first. Gabby learned long ago that trust is best withheld except in the rarest of circumstances, but something about Harris has her spilling the secrets that she has never told another soul aside from Tabitha. And Harrison never expects to find himself doing the same with Gabby which has Damon more than a little amused at his best friend's floundering attempts to stay on Gabby's good side. He is also worried that Gabby isn't telling the whole truth either and that Harrison is going to end up getting hurt in the end.
I enjoyed the whodunit part of this story so much! The list of suspects that actually had access to the island to kill Tabitha is short, but yet finding the right answer is complicated by a series of break-ins, a fire and an attack that confuses everyone. Add in that Harrison hasn't told Gabby that he was actually the man she saw that day and he is stressed right out but that doesn't stop the two of them from hitting the sheets at every opportunity! Of course when that secret comes out, it goes over just about as well as you might expect.
The Pretender was a pretty quick read that kept me engaged and entertained. Harris and Gabby were a little difficult to connect with at times but overall I liked them. Gabby was a wounded soul who was used to taking on the world on her own, and Harrison is not used to letting anyone in other than the men he formed a familial bond with years ago. The suspense element of the story is great though and it kept me guessing up until about 75% of the way through the story when I finally got a pretty good lock on who the killer might be. I just wish that a little more time had been devoted to the ending to give these two a bit more happy time with no secrets between them.
Over a year later, Harris is still haunted by memories of that night but he has been keeping tabs on the media frenzy to ensure that Gabby is not wrongfully charged in her sister's death. When it looks like that is exactly what is going to happen, Wren makes arrangements for Harris to be sent to the island undercover as an art appraiser with a little bit of help from another of their tight-knit circle of friends Damon who will be the lead investigator for Tabitha's estate.
Sparks fly between Harris and Gabby, but those sparks have nothing on the seething hatred her uncle shows for her at every turn. He is determined to see her in hell or in jail and he is not particular about which one actually happens first. Gabby learned long ago that trust is best withheld except in the rarest of circumstances, but something about Harris has her spilling the secrets that she has never told another soul aside from Tabitha. And Harrison never expects to find himself doing the same with Gabby which has Damon more than a little amused at his best friend's floundering attempts to stay on Gabby's good side. He is also worried that Gabby isn't telling the whole truth either and that Harrison is going to end up getting hurt in the end.
I enjoyed the whodunit part of this story so much! The list of suspects that actually had access to the island to kill Tabitha is short, but yet finding the right answer is complicated by a series of break-ins, a fire and an attack that confuses everyone. Add in that Harrison hasn't told Gabby that he was actually the man she saw that day and he is stressed right out but that doesn't stop the two of them from hitting the sheets at every opportunity! Of course when that secret comes out, it goes over just about as well as you might expect.
The Pretender was a pretty quick read that kept me engaged and entertained. Harris and Gabby were a little difficult to connect with at times but overall I liked them. Gabby was a wounded soul who was used to taking on the world on her own, and Harrison is not used to letting anyone in other than the men he formed a familial bond with years ago. The suspense element of the story is great though and it kept me guessing up until about 75% of the way through the story when I finally got a pretty good lock on who the killer might be. I just wish that a little more time had been devoted to the ending to give these two a bit more happy time with no secrets between them.
December 31, 2017
This seductive and intense tale continues the intriguing series that has been one of my favorites this year, each installment highly anticipated.
If you allow me to fangirl for a moment with HelenKay Dimon's stellar writing - the smoothly flowing stories that have strong, capable, and smart characters are well written, the puzzling plots thoroughly thought out, and chemistry between the alluring characters, both protagonists and the secondary characters, is a tangible force impossible not to notice. The witty, crafty dialog carries the stories forward, giving insights to the characters, and always manages to seduce my mind and make me smile. She is one of the authors I was reading before I was publishing my reviews and I'm delighted and excited about each new book published.
And The Pretender didn't disappoint either.
The investigation of the murder is tense and tricky because of the main stage is a private island and the turbulence of the family drama and tragedy playing on the side involves the main characters as well.
As the plot thickens, it is obvious that the culprit is a known character, most likely currently on the island, and prepared for drastic measures to keep their secrets.
The relationship between Harrison Tate and Gabrielle Wright is precious and so natural, it felt like they have known each other always. Both of them have had a challenging foundation for their lives, with childhood experiences no one would envy or wish upon anyone, making it hard for them to trust or let people in. Yet when Harrison and Gabby come together, it feels like the bond between them is innate. The need to open up and share the secrets they never ever talk about is urgent. And with all the lies, secrets, and half-truths there is raw honesty, fragile and gentle tenderness, sincerity between them that is enriched by the searing hot passion igniting since the first touch.
When the characters are secretive and withdrawn and they hold everyone at the arm's length the possibility that the reader will feel that distance to the characters is a possibility as well. There were a couple of instances in the first half of the story, that Gabby and Harrison kept their inner turmoil from me as well, I felt I couldn't connect with them. But as the story progress, I was invested to find the murderer, to find the culprit behind the attacks, and definitely allured by the charming characters.
A thrilling and engaging continues into the enjoyable, riveting series, yet easy to read as a stand-alone book since it does not require you to know the previous cases.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
If you allow me to fangirl for a moment with HelenKay Dimon's stellar writing - the smoothly flowing stories that have strong, capable, and smart characters are well written, the puzzling plots thoroughly thought out, and chemistry between the alluring characters, both protagonists and the secondary characters, is a tangible force impossible not to notice. The witty, crafty dialog carries the stories forward, giving insights to the characters, and always manages to seduce my mind and make me smile. She is one of the authors I was reading before I was publishing my reviews and I'm delighted and excited about each new book published.
And The Pretender didn't disappoint either.
The investigation of the murder is tense and tricky because of the main stage is a private island and the turbulence of the family drama and tragedy playing on the side involves the main characters as well.
As the plot thickens, it is obvious that the culprit is a known character, most likely currently on the island, and prepared for drastic measures to keep their secrets.
The relationship between Harrison Tate and Gabrielle Wright is precious and so natural, it felt like they have known each other always. Both of them have had a challenging foundation for their lives, with childhood experiences no one would envy or wish upon anyone, making it hard for them to trust or let people in. Yet when Harrison and Gabby come together, it feels like the bond between them is innate. The need to open up and share the secrets they never ever talk about is urgent. And with all the lies, secrets, and half-truths there is raw honesty, fragile and gentle tenderness, sincerity between them that is enriched by the searing hot passion igniting since the first touch.
When the characters are secretive and withdrawn and they hold everyone at the arm's length the possibility that the reader will feel that distance to the characters is a possibility as well. There were a couple of instances in the first half of the story, that Gabby and Harrison kept their inner turmoil from me as well, I felt I couldn't connect with them. But as the story progress, I was invested to find the murderer, to find the culprit behind the attacks, and definitely allured by the charming characters.
A thrilling and engaging continues into the enjoyable, riveting series, yet easy to read as a stand-alone book since it does not require you to know the previous cases.
~ Four Spoons with a teaspoon on the side
October 28, 2017
I loved this book by HelenKay Dimon. It is the third book in her Games People Play series. I haven’t read any of the other books in the series and didn’t miss them. I could follow this story without any of the background from the other books, although, having read this one makes me want to go back and read the other two.
Harrison Tate is an art thief. Granted, he liberates stolen art and returns it to its rightful owners especially art stolen during World War II by the Nazis, but he is still an art thief. He loves the challenge of his job and the adrenaline rush that comes with each successful job. Harris never expected to find a murder victim or to be privy to her last words before she died. Now her sister stands accused of the crime and Harris is the only one who knows that she is innocent.
Gabrielle Wright hasn’t been perfect. She has made mistakes and lost her family. She thought losing her parents was a devastating day until the day she walks into her sister’s study and finds Tabitha dead on the floor. Gabby thought things couldn’t get worse until her uncle insists that she is the one who killed Tabitha. She is back on the island to make things right and to try to move on.
Gabby and Harris have an immediate connection. They both harbor secrets and that draws them towards one another. As Harris tries to find the real killer and clear Gabby’s name, Gabby tries to figure out how her life came to this and what to do next. Their attraction both complicates and makes things simpler. They can lose themselves in each other, but not knowing the whole truth could drive them apart.
I liked the combination of mystery and romance. There is a killer and we go with Harris as he tries to find out the truth. We are given some clues, but the real killer is not obvious to the reader. Don’t worry; everything gets tied up at the end in a way that makes sense.
Harrison Tate is an art thief. Granted, he liberates stolen art and returns it to its rightful owners especially art stolen during World War II by the Nazis, but he is still an art thief. He loves the challenge of his job and the adrenaline rush that comes with each successful job. Harris never expected to find a murder victim or to be privy to her last words before she died. Now her sister stands accused of the crime and Harris is the only one who knows that she is innocent.
Gabrielle Wright hasn’t been perfect. She has made mistakes and lost her family. She thought losing her parents was a devastating day until the day she walks into her sister’s study and finds Tabitha dead on the floor. Gabby thought things couldn’t get worse until her uncle insists that she is the one who killed Tabitha. She is back on the island to make things right and to try to move on.
Gabby and Harris have an immediate connection. They both harbor secrets and that draws them towards one another. As Harris tries to find the real killer and clear Gabby’s name, Gabby tries to figure out how her life came to this and what to do next. Their attraction both complicates and makes things simpler. They can lose themselves in each other, but not knowing the whole truth could drive them apart.
I liked the combination of mystery and romance. There is a killer and we go with Harris as he tries to find out the truth. We are given some clues, but the real killer is not obvious to the reader. Don’t worry; everything gets tied up at the end in a way that makes sense.
December 30, 2017
Whew! The Pretender by HelenKay Dimon is a fantastic romantic suspense / mystery in the Games People Play Series. I was sucked in from the beginning and could not put it down until I knew who was the guilty. My emotions were all over the place with this one. I love that we get to follow the clues along with the characters in this story. Along with the murder mystery, The Pretender follows the romance of Harris and Gabby. Two very flawed characters looking to fit somewhere and with someone even if they don’t realize it.
The pace of the story was spot on and I found myself hanging on to each word. I felt like I couldn’t read it fast enough yet I had to go slow enough so I didn’t miss anything. Harris and friend Damon come to Tabitha Island to keep the heat off Gabby, who is falsely being accused of killing her sister by her uncle. Of course, they come in undercover sort of. Sparks fly between Gabby and Harris in a primal, physical way and eventually in an emotional way. They take a different path to love then a lot of people. The intimate scenes are smoking hot! Dimon does a fantastic job with the show of those scenes.
As with any series, I adore characters from past books and Wren (from The Fixer) is always a presence in any of the books in the series. The scene near the beginning with Wren, Emery, and Harris was fantastic. It shows so much of each of their personalities. Just perfect. I was glad to be introduced to Damon, another Quint Five member, and hope to read a book about him in the future.
If you are looking for a romantic suspense and/or mystery book that will catch you from the very first page and won’t let you stop thinking about the characters until after you finish the book, give The Pretender a read. While it is part of a series, each book can be read as a stand alone with its own plot.
The pace of the story was spot on and I found myself hanging on to each word. I felt like I couldn’t read it fast enough yet I had to go slow enough so I didn’t miss anything. Harris and friend Damon come to Tabitha Island to keep the heat off Gabby, who is falsely being accused of killing her sister by her uncle. Of course, they come in undercover sort of. Sparks fly between Gabby and Harris in a primal, physical way and eventually in an emotional way. They take a different path to love then a lot of people. The intimate scenes are smoking hot! Dimon does a fantastic job with the show of those scenes.
As with any series, I adore characters from past books and Wren (from The Fixer) is always a presence in any of the books in the series. The scene near the beginning with Wren, Emery, and Harris was fantastic. It shows so much of each of their personalities. Just perfect. I was glad to be introduced to Damon, another Quint Five member, and hope to read a book about him in the future.
If you are looking for a romantic suspense and/or mystery book that will catch you from the very first page and won’t let you stop thinking about the characters until after you finish the book, give The Pretender a read. While it is part of a series, each book can be read as a stand alone with its own plot.
December 31, 2017
Loved this book. Such a fast paced thriller that leaves you turning the page to see what happens next!
Harris is a reformed art thief. Now he only steals to get paintings back to their rightful owners. While doing this once before he found a dead body of a woman he had been watching via the computer to find out about the painting.he tries to save her but doesn't. He hears her sister Gabby coming so he runs..But not before he hears Gabby's screams.
Seems Gabby has been accused by her uncle of killing all the family. Harris and others have been watching for 14 months to keep her from getting accused of murder and thrown in jail. Thanks to Wren she isn't.
She comes back to the Tabitha Island and here comes Harris first than Damon. Gabby thinks they work for her bastard of an Uncle...But they don't..
There is something there from the beginning between Harris and Gabby. They finally come together and it is HOT! He opens up to her about stuff he talks about to no one else..she opens up to him...
They are all trying to find the killer..there are several suspects..finally when it is revealed who it is Gabby doesn't take it for granted and she doesn't hold back on telling them what she thinks..
But while doing this Harris lets is slip about being there and Gabby confronts them..She sends him away but Damon talks to her...
This is a must read book! I haven't been able to put it down so long as I had to find what happened next. The book keeps hopping. You are always wondering what will happen the next page..
Harris is a reformed art thief. Now he only steals to get paintings back to their rightful owners. While doing this once before he found a dead body of a woman he had been watching via the computer to find out about the painting.he tries to save her but doesn't. He hears her sister Gabby coming so he runs..But not before he hears Gabby's screams.
Seems Gabby has been accused by her uncle of killing all the family. Harris and others have been watching for 14 months to keep her from getting accused of murder and thrown in jail. Thanks to Wren she isn't.
She comes back to the Tabitha Island and here comes Harris first than Damon. Gabby thinks they work for her bastard of an Uncle...But they don't..
There is something there from the beginning between Harris and Gabby. They finally come together and it is HOT! He opens up to her about stuff he talks about to no one else..she opens up to him...
They are all trying to find the killer..there are several suspects..finally when it is revealed who it is Gabby doesn't take it for granted and she doesn't hold back on telling them what she thinks..
But while doing this Harris lets is slip about being there and Gabby confronts them..She sends him away but Damon talks to her...
This is a must read book! I haven't been able to put it down so long as I had to find what happened next. The book keeps hopping. You are always wondering what will happen the next page..
January 10, 2018
The Pretender starts off with a bang right from the first page. A murder, a former thief and a devastated sister star in the prologue. After fourteen months, the sister and the ex-thief are thrown once again, this time to finally find the real killer and for the thief to make amends to the wrongly accused sister. Harrison and Gabby's characters are really well defined and multidimensional. They both hold secrets and their personal lives are slowly revealed to each other in on point moments. The mystery was really well plotted. Since Gabby's sister was murdered in an island, which can only be reached by boat, there are only several suspects that could have done the deed. I totally loved how this was played out, how the motive for the killing was slowly revealed which eventually led to the killer and how Gabby's past comes into play as well. It was a superb way of deflecting suspicion which led to you not guessing the real culprit until the last pages. Gabby and Harris's developing romance was as expected, sexy and steamy but in no way was Gabby a damsel in distress. In this relationship Harris showed a more vulnerable and emotional side which was a great reversal of roles. Another plus is the introduction of the next hero to be featured in the series, Damon. And Damon and Harris's bromance is the envy of all, these two could have a short novella featuring the two of them and it will be a hit. The Pretender definitely hits all the right buttons when it comes to steamy romance and a whodunit worthy of suspense aficionados.
*ARC provided*
*ARC provided*
October 21, 2020
Gabrielle Wright has spent the last 14 months trying to cope, not only with the death of her younger sister Tabitha, but also trying to find a way to prove that she didn't kill her. Now Gabby has been called back to the house where her sister was murdered because the items located there are finally going to be appraised and sold. Gabby's Uncle Stephen is also there and takes every opportunity to blame Gabby for Tabitha's death. Harrison "Harris" Tate barely escaped seeing who murdered Tabitha, but his reason for being at the house that night was to steal a painting that he was trying to reappropriate for the family of the original owners after it was taken by the Nazis in World War II. He has spent the last 14 months keeping an eye on Gabby, planning to step in if she is arrested, but now he and his friend Damon will go undercover and may be able to prove what really happened the night that Tabitha died.
The Pretender does a good job developing the main characters by showing the torment that they have experienced in their lives and the effect that their backgrounds have had on recent behaviors. The addition of Damon as Harris's best friend adds humor to the story and softens Harris's character. The story is narrowed a bit by the limited setting of the island where Tabitha's house is located, but overall, a decent mystery with a well developed romance.
The Pretender does a good job developing the main characters by showing the torment that they have experienced in their lives and the effect that their backgrounds have had on recent behaviors. The addition of Damon as Harris's best friend adds humor to the story and softens Harris's character. The story is narrowed a bit by the limited setting of the island where Tabitha's house is located, but overall, a decent mystery with a well developed romance.
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