Randi is a patrol officer in the Portsmouth PD. One night she pulls over Jule and offers to let her go in exchange for sex. Jule turns her down and it's a bit of a turning point for both women.

It's a bit hard to describe the plot without some spoilers, but it was definitely an interesting one.

Randi's life has been in an upheaval for a long time and when she meets Jule she slowly (very, very slowly at some points) starts changing.

Jule has a compelling past (slightly more recent one) that compels her to change her ways (and she seems much better at changing).

The back and forth seemed much real-er than I've read in some lesbian romances, and there was just enough thriller in it too.

I got this galley via Netgalley on behalf of Bold Strokes Books.

The premise of this book sounded interesting but unfortunately it wasn't quite what I expected. I found both leads extremely unlikeable from the start - Randi is a corrupt cop and a loose cannon, and Jule's righteousness gets a little annoying. I also really struggled with the fact that one of the leads used their position of power over the other to make unwanted sexual advances at the beginning of the book.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This was a great book; it went in depth about loss and the pain and the difference in one's life once they lose someone. At first, I didn't like Randi, her cocky attitude and how she acted as a police officer. As we got to know her and her interaction with Jule my opinion began to change, just like most of the opinions of the secondary characters in this book. The characters were three dimensional and had such interesting back stories and interactions that you can't help but enjoy this read.

This was my first book by Holly Stratimore. The book for me started very rough. I like characters with flaws, but a corrupt police officer that uses her position to solicit sex from women..... Wow.. I just couldn't get over it. What kind of person must Officer Randi be that she disrespects women so much? I was ready to put the book down and walk away. At this point it was one star, only because it is the lowest possible. I hate to not finish a book, and it was so near the beginning I decided to carry on. I am actually glad I did because the beginning was the worst of it. Jule was actually a character I enjoyed, though I questioned her judgement quite often. She didn't have a great record of choosing women. Would you be able to fall in love with Officer Randi? I don't think I could. Romance is supposed to make you believe that the love is real, it could happen. I just couldn't buy it. My rating did go up and ended with 3 stars which is a pretty big improvement. It is just really difficult to come back from, "I want to stop reading this book, but guilt requires I continue." I am going to read her first novel and will give her a try in the future.

a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29502519-arrested-hearts" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="Arrested Hearts" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1459540007m/29502519.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29502519-arrested-hearts">Arrested Hearts</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8035586.Holly_Stratimore">Holly Stratimore</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1871706994">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I rec'd a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. An emotional romance revolving around a cop Randi and civilian Jules. Nicely handled by the author, I eventually found empathy for Randi and delighted in the maturing of Jules' character. Flawed individuals persevered. 3.5 stars
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/31134832-gail">View all my reviews</a>

Holly Stratimore is a good writer. The editor did his/her job, but I really wasn't crazy about the content. The synopsis was entriguing and I was happy to begin reading. It was hard to really find fun in the traffic stop at the beginning. Would a police officer really act like that? The characters were okay but I didn't get attached to them. This could possibly be a novel others will enjoy. Like I said good writing, but not so great content.