REVIEW: In Seconds by Brenda Novak

Title: In Seconds
Series: Bulletproof, #2
Author:  Brenda Novak
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Source: NetGalley
Published: August 30, 2011 by Mira

They're back…

Laurel Hodges has changed her identity twice. She's been on the run for the past four years, trying to outdistance the gang members who blame her for the death of one of their own. She's finally found peace and stability in the small town of Pineview, Montana. But just when Laurel thinks she and her children are safe…the nightmare starts all over again.

The Crew, a ruthless prison gang with ties to Laurel's brother, will never forget and they'll never forgive. And now that they've finally tracked her down, they'll stop at nothing.

Sheriff Myles King, who happens to live next door with his thirteen–year–old daughter, appoints himself Laurel's personal guardian. His growing attraction to her could change his life—Myles is beginning to picture marriage and family. But it could also end his life. If he can't save her, everything he's built, everything he wants, could be destroyed. In seconds…

Why I Read this Book: After reading Inside (my review), the first book in this trilogy, I’ve been dying to read the rest of the books.

What I Liked: The characters in this book were extremely well-developed. I am completely terrified of Ink; he literally scares the shit out of me. He’s not just a ‘regular’ criminal or gang member; this guy is ruthless and past of the point of being delusional. What he plots to do is terrifying and unnerving. The author’s ability to paint a vivid, yet disturbing, portrait of a villain is haunting. The author doesn’t sugar coat anything; she puts it out there and I think for a romantic suspense read, it gives the story validity (and gave me the creeps).

Vivian’s feelings towards Myles were completely understandable and I liked the direction the author took with their relationship. Vivian didn’t want to put Myles, or his teenage daughter, in harm’s way. This meant trying not to jump into a relationship with him no matter how much she was attracted to him.

I love how In Seconds ended. The suspense was nail-biting up until the very end. The outcome was exactly what I was looking for in terms of closure.

It was so easy for me to relate to Peyton’s character,Virgil’s wife and a secondary character in this book. It was ironic really. She’s pregnant with gestational diabetes and just weeks away from her due date. That was totally me when I read this book. It just made the fear and suspense that much more nerve wrecking for me as a reader.

What I Didn’t Like: Not sure that I entirely agree with Virgil's decision to handle a particular situation all on his own, especially since it forced him to leave his very pregnant wife at home alone. Yeah, it was something that had to be done but I just don’t like that he went in it alone and with Peyton so close to her due date.

This next bit I’m going to mention isn’t really a ‘don’t like’ for this particular book but it’s something that’s concerning for me so I’m going to mention it here. Before reading the book blurb for In Seconds, I had thought that Laurel’s character was going to end up with Rex. After reading the book blurb for this book, it’s clear that there’s a new character thrown into the mix who’s meant for Laurel. After reading the book blurb for the next (and final book in this trilogy), In Close, I’m not sure we’ll even get closure for Rex’s character. He’s a pretty big supporting character and I’d like to see him get a HEA of his own. Guess I’ll find out when I read In Close.

Overall Impression: This is a great romantic suspense series. If you’re a fan of the romantic suspense genre, you’ll enjoy In Seconds' balanced blend of romance and suspense. In Seconds was a gripping read, even with its disturbing parts, and I can’t wait for the next book, In Close.

The Book Vixen’s Rating: