mob killings ( )

Harry O'Dell is a burnt FBI agent, although a good one, but bent on revenge for his son and ex-wife's murder. Alessandra Lamont is the ex-wife of a guy who cheated the mob boss, Michael Trotta, and, Michael Trotta wants what is his.
Alessandra is the typical trophy wife, blonde, beautiful and dumb but Harry can't stop lusting after her, even if he thinks that she's stupid. Micheal Trotta wants his money back and while trying to intimidating Alessandra, he makes an enormous mistake that he needs to correct. Alone, without money nor home, Alessandra ties to make the best of the situation and prove everyone's wrong, especially Harry. But things got a little complicated when she gets a prize on her head, the FBI puts her in danger and Harry betrays her.
Leaving all behind, Harry tries to make up to her and put her in safety but first he needs to make amends with his past. The same with Alessandra, that needs to let the past go in order to make a future.

I adore the way Suzanne Brockmann can 'jumbles' everything and still make sense. She has a way of making you believe and connect with her characters, making you want to help them, love them and suffer with them that few writers accomplish. This is Suzanne, describing a normal life, full of ups and downs, mistakes, love and humor. ( )

Typical contemporary from Brockmann. Her characters almost always are more compelling than the plot. ( )

This is the first Suzanne Brockmann book I have read that is not part of one of her Navy SEALs series. I enjoyed it very much - Brockmann’s characters are always realistic, and certainly don't always do the right or likeable thing. They are definitely flawed people, and that makes the story interesting.

You have to love these unconventional characters. This little spiel comes from the hero - Harry - said to the heroine - Alessandra - right in the middle of the story. She’s upset with him for withholding important information, and Harry - being who he is - certainly doesn’t turn into a stereotypical Harlequin hero:

“When you sit that way, you look kind of like a beach ball with a head,” he continued. “Your haircut is really, really bad, I’m probably going to lose my job for helping you this way, and I’m dying to f**k you.”

He glanced at her. “That honest enough for you?”

Alessandra married a rich mob man, gave up all of her dreams because he wanted her to, and then was promptly abandoned seven years later. Her husband was murdered and left Alessandra in colossal debt and with her own life in danger. Harry - a man whose family has been ripped to shreds by these same people - is an FBI agent who reluctantly takes over her protection. He makes a lot of assumptions about her based on her looks, and finds out fast that he’s completely wrong about her, about who she is.

There were twists and turns I didn’t anticipate; not everyone has to get a happy ending for a book to be good. It was actually quite brave the way Brockmann made sure not everything was tied up with a pretty bow. The whole story came across as more realistic that way. There was an epilogue where it seemed things ended up quite nicely for most of the characters; but then after everything they’d been through they deserved a bit of happiness.

I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. It was supposed to be filler while I waited for my other Brockmann Navy SEALs books to arrive. But it is a wonderful, complex story with original characters and an engaging romance. Very easily five stars. ( )

I read this several years ago when I first discovered Brockmann's books. This one isn't as good as those in the SEALS/Troubleshooters series...

The chemistry between harry and Aly is great, but she's a bit too whiny for my tastes. I found myself wondering why, other than her often described and repeated beauty, Harry was so intrigued by her.

This was a decent distraction from chores... ( )