Beyond the Rules

This is a fast-paced thriller and one, if you love flawed characters who do the right thing, no matter what, you won’t want to put down until turn the final page. It is well-written, filled with the emotional twists and turns you expect from a great writer, and read like a movie in my mind. I felt what the characters felt in the moment, the hallmark of good writing.

Kimmer Reed is a well-developed character whose terrible past is the foundation for the woman she is today. Her survival skills, honed as a child to survive her abusive family, serve her well as a go-it-alone special operative, but also keep her distanced and afraid to trust in the present. Kimmer lived her whole life depending upon herself, trusting no one and counting on show more nobody but herself. Following her as she slowly comes to understand what true family means is both riveting and delightful.

Her disdain for family is an interesting counterpoint to her partner, Rio, who puts family above all else. Following these two through the twists and turns of betrayal by Kimmer’s brother as they learn to see the world through the other’s eyes is, at times, funny, sad, ironic and ultimately fulfilling.

Doranna Durgin’s work is a welcome addition to my bookshelf. I loved it and look forward to reading more from this author.
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. show less

*Note: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Wow. I've never read any books by Doranna Durgin before, but I think I'll pay closer attention to her books! It's loaded with action, so naturally, it can be classified as a thriller/fast-paced novel. It does contain some language, but this has been somewhat cleaner than most books of this genre.

Kimmer Reed is a young woman with no close ties to her family. She had an unpleasant childhood that steeled her into a strong determined young lady who no longer takes guff from anyone. The past stays in the past, until her brother pops up, bringing with him nothing but trouble. And thus the adventure begins...

I received this ebook as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

After reading the first book about Kimmer and Rio, Exception to the Rules, I was eager to read this second installment in their story. It did not disappoint! Non-stop action, nice character development, and interesting plot wrap together into a satisfying read.

Kimmer (aka Chimera) Reed has finally found almost happiness. She has a live-in boyfriend, and if he came with a cat, she's learning to be okay with that, too. But when her brother demands her assistance, and men with guns start coming to call she remembers all too clearly exactly how dangerous relationships can be.

I like Kimmer, and Rio's pretty cool, too. The main problem I have with this particular book is it reads like a sequel -- but unless I'm missing something major, it's not. Durgin also spends a fair amount of time emphasizing just how weak and helpless Kimmer seems, maybe in order to make her appear stronger when she takes out the bad guys? At any rate, it's enjoyable fluff for a rainy afternoon.

I received this as part of the Early Reviewers program.

I enjoyed this book. The writing was well done, the characters were nicely rounded and both the hero (Kimmer) and her lover (Rio) had complex motivations, back stories, and emotions, and both grew during the story as they faced inner and outer issues. Nothing can drain you or render you hopeless as family, and nothing can be better than learning to know that you count on your new family. The story, which centers around how a member of Kimmel's family which she had thought she had left behind (for very good reasons) drags her into a situation which can now destroy everything she has worked to build - a career as an agent for the Hunter Agency, a home, and a budding love. The action show more is tense, the pace is fast, and the conclusion very satisfying. I have not read any of Doranna Durgin's previous works in this series but I think I may go back and do so. show less

I received this as an ebook through Early Reviewers. Like the other books I've read by Doranna Durgin, this features likeable, interesting characters. Part of the Wild Hearts collection, it is an action-adventure-mystery rather than Durgin's more typical fantasy. This is the second book of the Hunter Agency series featuring Kimmer Reed and Rio Carlsen. You don't need to have read others to pick up what is going on, but it follows the story in Exception to the Rules. In this book Kimmer and Rio's relationship is developing. Kimmer's estranged brother shows up and brings trouble with him. Rio, who has a very close family, can't understand Kimmer's reluctance to get involved with anything to do with her brother. Quick, fun read, lots of show more action, and kept me invested in the characters right to the finish. show less

I loved operative, Kimmer Reed in this fast-paced thriller.

Kimmer left her abusive family (her father and 4 brothers) as soon as she was old enough, hoping to never see them again. So when her brother, Hank, showed up many years later, asking for her help, she wanted to tell him to get lost. But after hearing his story about witnessing a murder and that the men responsible were after him, she couldn’t turn him away because she was worried they would go after her nieces if she didn’t help Hank get out of this mess. When the men following Hank ended up on Kimmer’s doorstep, her boyfriend, Rio, an ex-CIA agent, helped her. They handled it along with the Hunter team, without causing too much trouble for the Agency along the way.

After show more her horrible childhood, Kimmer didn’t want anything to do with her family. She didn’t want to let anyone get close to her and couldn’t imagine a happy forever life with Rio. On the other hand, Rio came from a very close family. He was concerned that Kimmer wouldn’t agree to stay with him or to trust they could have a good life together.

Kimmer Reed was an amazingly competent, badass operative for the Hunter Agency. After surviving her abusive family, she worked hard to be the best she could be but believed she had to do it alone.

This action-packed family drama showed how far someone would go to do the right thing. Even if it means going against family. I am happy to have received Beyond the Rules after requesting it to review. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy romantic suspense. show less