Shattered Duty (Deadly Ops #3) by Katie Reus

Shattered Duty totally made up for the lack of truly yummy Romantic-Suspense in my readery life as of late. It's one of those Rom-Suspense you can just fall into and get all wrapped up in--both the romance and the suspense--and then all the sudden you realize...dammit!...it's almost over! Nooooo!!!!!!!!

The quick of it is that the big bad is planning on doing...some big bad shit. And he needs to be taken down. Something the heroine is all for taking part in. Especially when this big bad is the one who destroyed another agent's life by murdering his wife and unborn child. An agent that's gone rogue to avenge their murders. And an agent she owes more than he realizes. Despite their different objectives...he just wants to flat out murder the sonofabitch and she's got to keep said sonofabitch alive long enough to prevent the big bad shit he's got planned...they've got to find a way to work together and pull everything off. Ahhhh dilemma

I had a great time with both Levi and Selene. They have a little history--though Levi doesn't realize it--and I loved seeing that play out. How something years ago came full circle in the best possible way. They're both rather badass in their own right with serious skills and talents from being agents. They're both tough and determined and just likable people who both struggle with bits of the past and need someone who gets them. I liked seeing them deal with their attraction and with lingering mistrust. That'd he'd go off halfcocked and get his revenge before it was time or that she'd turn him into the agency he'd abandoned years earlier to get his revenge. They really walked a fine line which made it interesting.

While the heat of things wasn't the main focus it was a fantastic background element and never had me going Really? Really?? You're going to get nekkid...now?!!! Which I seriously appreciate in my Rom-Suspense. It fit. It felt natural. It worked! The romance did as well. It wasn't in your face but the connection was there and solid despite the short time together. It didn't smack of insta-love which was nice too despite moving pretty dang quick.

The suspense was really were things kicked off and went full speed. I enjoyed that. It wasn't full out action the whole time but figuring things out, how to prevent catastrophe, how to get revenge and justice at the same time. It worked nicely and had a couple little surprises there at the end I didn't fully see coming. Always love that. So...nicely done, Reus!

All in all, Shattered Duty was some fine romantic-suspense and pulled together everything I love about the genre. It was exciting, heart breaking and rocked a wonderful romance and spot of heat. Good times. Good times. Can't wait for the next!

When his wife was murdered two years ago, Special Agent Levi Lazaro turned his back on everything he cared about. Ever since, he has thought of nothing but vengeance. Now he's finally uncovered the identities of those who killed his wife—and he's ready to destroy them at any cost. He won’t let anything stand in his way—not even a beautiful NSA agent on a mission of her own.

Special Agent Selene Wolfe prides herself on being the best. Her fearlessness and quick-thinking make her the perfect person to take down a deadly terrorist cell. But she needs Levi’s help, and the moment he shows up, Selene knows her objectivity—and her heart—are in trouble.

As the two strike an uneasy alliance, Levi finds himself tormented by his desire for Selene—a feeling he thought long dead. But when their mission takes an unexpected turn, he finds himself faced with an impossible choice: either put aside his need for revenge, or save the woman who’s reawakened his soul…


Amazon | All Romance | Book Depository | BAM | Goodreads

Have you read Reus? Have a favorite?
Do you like Rom-Suspense?
Are you more on the Rom side or the Suspense side? Any good recs?

    

*covers link to Amazon

I love hearing from yall! So don't be shy...leave a comment!