This was one of my most highly anticipated reads for 2017 because I have been waiting YEARS for a new book in this series. There was some talk that maybe it was over but I was so happy to be back with the Troubleshooters! No one rights better romantic suspense in the military vein than Suzanne Brockmann and I seriously loved the characters of Pete and Shay that she created in this book. Shay is an author (romantic suspense, of course) and she was so awesome. Everything about this was seamless. I also think no one can write alternating/multiple POV better than SB - she is so good at creating unique voices that are still easy to read. Although I wasn't actually in love with the sub-story of Pete's daughter's romance (it felt a bit off), I was still all in for this one and devoured it in a day. I really hope this means there might be even more books in this series coming? Maybe?!

Some Kind of Hero comes out next week on July 11, 2017 and you can purchase HERE. I love this series so much!

He just pulled back to look into her eyes again, and time seemed to slow and not-quite stop, but change and expand. He'd experienced something similar a few times, while out on ops with the teams. There was a name for it, that sense of being present and acutely, intensely aware: kairos. The word also meant opportunity, and he was not a fool, so he slowly leaned in and when, once more, she didn't pull away, he kissed her again.

I really wanted to like this one, but I think it's a case of, It's not you, it's me. I have not read any of Suzanne Brockmann's other books, including the first 18 in this series. For me, the biggest issue was how the story opened--in the middle of an action scene--which was really confusing. It didn't help that the MC was talking to herself, a fictional character, one I'm guessing I would have recognized had I read the previous books, and the love interest, simultaneously. I couldn't seem to get my bearings. I made it 25% before giving up. I did skim the last few chapters and it ended well.

Based on the 5 star reviews, I do think fans of the series will enjoy this one.

**Live 7/10**

There’s something about reading Troubleshooters that almost feels like coming home. I wish I could express how much this group of characters means to me. I think it’s the only romance series, 17 books and growing, that I continue to love with the same level of passion I felt in the beginning. Actually, I feel like I’m more passionate now! I enjoyed those early characters, but I really love Izzy and his crew so much, and that crew keeps growing!

I am going to get into Grunge and Shayla, the main plot of Some Kind of Hero, but first I really need to talk about my main squeeze Irving ‘Izzy’ Zanella. This time he was only the supporting character/bestie to Grunge’s lead role, and yet for me he still shot to the forefront. He has got to be one of the most selfless characters I’ve ever read, in any genre. He’s also one of the funniest. I don’t want to spoil anything, but there were multiple times I had to bite my lip to minimize my Izzy induced grin. I’m telling you, my love for him just continues to grow and I beg and plead, Ms Brockmann, please don’t let him fade him into the background! 😀

I also have to show some of my love to the entire group that is Boat Squad John! I have a feeling, those spidey senses are tingling, we’re going to get more and more about this group of guys and I cannot wait. When I was reading Ready to Roll I was all about wanting more Seagull, because he was so awesome! Upon finishing Some Kind of Hero, I am now doing a little shimmy at the idea of more Hans! I don’t know what’s next, but here’s hoping it’s one of those two BSJ members, with tons more Zanella.

Okay, now that I’ve gotten all my fangirling out of my system, let’s talk about the actual story’s plot and the main characters, Grunge and Shayla.

In Ready to Roll, when we were first introduced to Grunge I remember feeling like, while he was mysterious and interesting, he wasn’t the character that stuck with me. Finding out Some Kind of Hero was going to be about Grunge wasn’t a let down, but it wasn’t what I’d been hoping for either.

The thing is, I don’t care who the main characters are, I always want to read books in this world so I’ll never be truly disappointed. And actually, a story about Grunge was enjoyable. I’m sure there are going to be readers out there who really struggle with Grunge’s origin story. It isn’t pretty, and it isn’t admirable (not entirely), and I don’t fault them for it. However, I also found it really realistic in a sad way. To me, Grunge was a good man who thought he was doing the right thing, but he discovered he was very wrong. That made the beginning of his story, and then the end, so much better. He went on a emotional journey, and that’s why I enjoyed it.

And then of course there was Shayla, who I think is the strongest and best written female character in the Troubleshooters world. I adored her. She was a successful writer, but she was a mom first. She wore pressed khaki slacks, a blouse, and sensible shoes. She was pragmatic and honest. And sure, she was also a little insecure, but there was a valid reason for it. Plus, aren’t a lot of us insecure about things? That’s what made her feel human. Here’s what I think really made her stand out though; I feel like Suzanne Brockmann put a lot of herself into Shayla’s character. I remember reading her letter to the fans, announcing Some Kind of Hero. In her letter she talked about how she was trying to write, but it felt like a chore. She felt like she was forcing it… I’m trying to remember after the fact, but I think she said it’s why she said the publication date was pushed back, and why the plans for the novel changed. So, in that sense, I feel like Shayla’s writers block and dread were maybe an extension of what Brockmann was going through. Perhaps that’s what really made Shayla feel so honest. Whatever it was, her character was really outstanding.

Grunge and Shayla together were really cute. I love how they’re an interracial couple, and while I don’t usually like instalove somehow Suzanne Brockmann made it work for me. It was tender, romantic, and sweet. And hot, of course. I mean, the myth-busting a romance novel sex scene, so super steamy!

And finally, while I do think the ‘crime’ portion of the plot was pretty fantastical, I also really didn’t care. For me, Troubleshooters biggest draw isn’t the plot. It’s the characters. It’s the love story. The plot’s don’t suck, by any means, they’re just secondary. In this case, I was more invested in Grunge and Shayla, and even in his daughter Maddie’s perspective. We rarely get the daughter’s story, and I thought getting both sides of their history was a plus. There were times she frustrated me, there were times he frustrated me. But then, doesn’t that also sound about right?

I really want to say more, especially about Dingo, but I feel like if I do it takes me too close to the spoiler zone and I definitely don’t want to do that to anyone. I’ll just say I think Suzanne Brockmann was very graceful in the choices she made, and I appreciated that. I’m hoping in 4-5 years, we get another Maddie story. When she’s a woman.

Wow… 948 words so far. Thank goodness I’m ready for closure!

I really hope this means Suzanne Brockmann has decided to continue the Troubleshooters world. I know I’ll continue to read every single thing she puts out; novel or novella. I don’t think I’ll every be ready to let go of these Navy SEALS.

I love this book and everything Suzanne Brockmann writes.It was good to reconnect with characters from previous books like Lindsay,Eden and Izzy.Peter is a Lt.seal and he gets custody of his daughter Maddie whose 15.He was not married to her mom and wasn't really involved with her life but when her mom dies she moves in with him.She gets involved with drug dealers and gets framed by one of them for stealing alot of money.She takes off to find the money with Dingo,her friend and thats where the adventure begins.Her dad makes friends with the neighbor Shayla and she helps him search for Maddie.The rest of the seal team help also and what a wild ride Ms.Brockmann takes us on.There's history,suspense and love and some very witty things said that had me smiling.I highly recommend this book,great read,hope to see more of the seals.

I was thrilled to receive an early copy of Some Kind of Hero through Netgalley and Ballentine Books.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love, love Suzanne Brockmann and her Troubleshooter series. She brings military life and Navy SEALs particularly to life in a way that not many other authors do. While her heroes are larger-than-life (hello, they’re SEALs!) she also does a great job of showing their vulnerabilities, something we can all relate to.

In Some Kind of Hero we reconnect with Lt. Peter Greene, BUD/S trainer, an elite fighting machine. But this tough guy has met his match; his fifteen-year-old daughter has moved in with him and she’s putting him through his paces!

Grunge wants nothing more than to correct the mistakes he’s made with his girl, but she isn’t interested in making it easy on him. Maddie is hurt, angry, and a little lost. Her mother has suddenly died and left a father she barely knows in charge. She’s forced to move away from her friends and is having trouble settling into her new life.

When she meets a girl who befriends her and a 20-year-old named “Dingo” – a kinda weird, possible hippie/druggie things take a turn for the worse.

Romance writer Shayla Whitman spends hours talking to the voices in her head (not as strange as it sounds :)) so when her hero urges her to help the hot Navy SEAL living across the street, what choice does she have?

This story is a bit of a departure from what we’ve come to expect from the Troubleshooter series, but its cast of characters are just as endearing and memorable as always!

I give Some Kind of Hero 5 lovely kisses
first posted on It's All About the Romance

Shayla Whitman is everything Lieutenant Peter Greene wants in a woman. She is smart, funny, and able to keep him on track when Maddie, his fifteen year old daughter disappears. I loved this book. Pete is a great hero and Shayla is perfect as his side kick. While Maddie does everything wrong when trouble arrives both Pete and Shayla manage to not only keep up but bring a team into play to help. A great addition to the series. The story line is full of tension and the characters fit the action to a tee.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

A runaway turned kidnapping, a budding romance, amazingly fit Navy SEALs to the rescue; what more could you want?

Some Kind of Hero packs all of this into 352 pages crafted by longtime successful author Suzanne Brockmann. SEAL trainer Peter “Grunge” Greene is suddenly thrust into the role of father to his teenage daughter, Maddie in the opening of the book. Being a nosy next door neighbor, Shayla Whitman is thrilled to watch a Navy SEAL moving into the house across the street. Suddenly Maddie has run away and the new neighbors must band together to get to the bottom of her sudden disappearance. Suzanne Brockmann uses her books as a platform to point out social injustices like interracial couples and the Japanese American internment camps of World War II along with her ever present message of homosexual acceptance. As the plot unfolds we learn that Maddie is running from drug dealers trying to kill her and her friends. Can the SEALs recuse Maddie in time to save her? Read this book to find out!

This book is unlike Brockmann’s usual Navy SEAL inspired books in that it lacks continuous thrilling action scenes; instead, it is filled with much more emotion and familial crises. If you are looking for a heartwarming story filled with references to past characters, Some Kind of Hero is for you.

OH how I’ve missed Suzanne Brockmann’s SEALs. This book shows she hasn’t lost a step. I love that the characters are older yet still sexy as hell. I enjoyed that a 15 year old girl can fluster a super competent SEAL Lieutenant. I really enjoyed single mother, romance writer Shayla Whitman. She was smart, sexy and comfortable in her own skin. It was great catching up with Izzy and the gang including some new guys.
Fans are going to want to pick this one up.

Suzanne Brockmann, in the past, has been at the forefront of contemporary authors; revamping tired cliches, showing that protection is sexy, and creating stories for the current day. And this book continues that trend. A diverse (but not forced) cast of characters come together in a story that is on the lighter end (sometimes there are some DARK themes) of the Brockmann spectrum.
I missed the novella that introduced Lieutenant Peter Greene so I did feel a little behind on the story, but that may have been because I'm used to having so much history on previous heroes and heroines. He's struggling. Like, a lot. This isn't a secret-baby story because he knew he had a daughter, he just didn't get to spend a lot of time with her until her mother died. She's sullen and withdrawn but he doesn't realize that might be out of the ordinary until she disappears.
Shayla Whitman is a divorced romance writer (LOVE THIS CHARACTER) who is sort of peripherally aware of her SEAL neighbor but doesn't really connect with him until he's standing in the middle of the road trying to get someone to pull over and help him.
A lot of action and sexy times. A REALLY fast story and an epilogue that didn't need to happen. Overall, a highly enjoyable book that Brockmann fans will adore.

Four stars
This book comes out July 11

Here’s your phrase: Navy Seal. Who or what crosses your mind? Are you blushing? Suzanne Brockmann knows the power and appeal of the Navy Seals and once again, has come up with another fast, fresh, fun and dangerous mission of the heart for Lt Peter Greene. Sure Peter is one bad ass warrior, but he is no match for his hormonal fifteen-year-old daughter who is reeling from the loss of her mother and being forced to live with the father she never knew; the father who could make recruits cry, but is clueless on how to deal with young Maddie.

Enter Romantic Suspense writer, Shayla Whitman when Maddie goes missing and together, she and Peter will do all they can to find Maddie before she comes to harm, because she will come to harm, thanks to her trusting ways, need to spread her wings and poor choices in friends.
Who is the more formidable warrior, Peter of the brawny muscles or Shayla, mother extraordinaire? Together they are a dynamic duo on the hunt, but when Cupid steps in, they are blind to the love that is growing between them.

SOME KIND OF HERO is romantic action at its finest! Fast-paced, with moments of high-tension, sweet uncertainty and denial of the heart as the chase is on for one father to find and protect the daughter he had no idea would mean so much to him! Yep, Suzanne Brockmann knows how to create MY kind of hero or should I say heroes? Start to finish, heart pounding action, passion and romance that feels good! Part of a series that stands proud on its own!

I received an ARC edition from Ballantine Books in exchange for my honest review.

Series: Troubleshooters - Book 17
Publisher: Ballantine Books (July 11, 2017)
Publication Date: July 11, 2017
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Print Length: 353 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

Every once in a while you come across an extraordinary romantic suspense. Its a story with resilience, that ability to stick with you long after you are through. SOME KIND OF HERO has that special something and it comes in the way Brockmann creates her characters. Relateable, likeable and oh, so human.

Fast paced, fun and packed full of everything that I've come to love from Brockmann brand of writing. SOME KIND OF HERO is an example of contemporary romance at its finest with a good dose of suspense on the side.

I received this ARC copy of Some Kind of Hero from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine. This is my honest and voluntary review. Some Kind of Hero is set for publication July 11, 2017.

My Rating: 5 stars

Written by: Suzanne Brockmann
Series: Troubleshooters
Sequence in Series: Book 19
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: July 11, 2017
ISBN-10: 0345543823
ISBN-13: 978-0345543820
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/some...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Some-Kind-Hero...
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/some...

Reviewed for:
http://tometender.blogspot.com

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Okay, guys, I’m about to gush about how much I loved this book.

Suzanne Brockmann initiated me into the Romantic Suspense genre. I remember picking up the first book in the Troubleshooters series and falling quite hopelessly in love with the writing style. I actually made a list of every single book (I think it was about 8 or 9 in the series at the time) and had my mother buy me the rest. I was thrilled when I got them and proceeded to read and fall in love with each book and each character. I’m not sure how I got so far behind until I finally picked up the 17th book, Some Kind of Hero. It was like coming home.

You know, it’s not about not being afraid—it’s about taking action despite the fear,” he pointed out. “That’s called courage.”

Shayla Whitman is an author of Romantic Suspense who has a bad case of writer’s block. That’s the least of her problems when the hot Daddy Seal who lives across the street runs in front of her car and demands she “follow that car!” It looks like Shayla’s been called into a novel of her own real life adventure story as she helps piece together the disappearance of Lieutenant Peter Greene’s daughter, Maddie.

Gosh, did I fall hard for these characters. Shayla is hilarious! A writer, she’s quirky and smart and kind of a badass genius. She’s also the mother of two boys and has her most-popular written character, Harry, constantly giving his two cents. I love how Shayla jumps in, no holds barred, even though she doesn’t know Peter Greene all that well. I also love how she never does what Peter expects. Gotta keep 'em on their toes!

This book wasn’t written like anything else I’ve ever read. I love that there’s a story within a story here. Shayla’s character, Harry, is constantly talking to her, and I totally get this (any writer will sympathize 100% because Yes! Exactly that!) Harry becomes the running commentary of readers—showing his frustrations, egging Shayla on for silly things she or Peter do or don’t do. It’s like a real life reader is present in the story, and that’s you. I was charmed to my toes!

Man, the way her brain clicked along at a million miles an hour was a thing of beauty to behold.

That quote sealed me in. I did my half-swoon as Peter Greene comments on his delight in the heroine’s brain. I literally had a moment of silence. *listens to the many others swoon.*

That makes it a quite emphatic yes, please to Peter Greene. He’s got this aura of control, but he’s also such a down-to-earth sweetheart who finds himself with a teen-aged girl on his hands! (You don’t have to be a parent to sympathize with that.) I love how he accepts Shayla’s quirky nature, and he’s more than willing to let her lead. I was flipping pages as fast as I could, and I still wasn’t reading fast enough.

We get even more than that, however. There’s some deep-seated issues to be dealt with along the way, some harsh realities too, that had me crying and so angry at the injustices of it all. I appreciate that these moments are in here, that this book acknowledges them. Alongside the mystery surrounding Maddie’s disappearance, it offers a well-rounded, deeply emotional experience.

Ms. Brockmann can write tension and heartbreak, humor and high-octane adventure all in one, and it’s a delightful combination that has me hitting myself upside the head for being so far behind in this series. I will continue to recommend this book--the entire Troubleshooters series--all day long.

Some Kind of Hero is Ms. Brockmann at her finest. You’ll want to go deep into your reading fort for this one.

5 stars!

I just loved this book. I am sorry to say that it had been a few years since I last read a book by Ms Brockmann, and this one will have me going back to read all those books I missed.
The story centers around Shayla, a suspense romance author , divorced, with two teenage boys who has moved to LA so the boys could be closer to their Dad.
Pete, her new neighbot, is a LT Navy Seal instructor , now a single Dad . His daughter, Maddie, is 15 years old whom he hadn’t seen since she was a tottler . Their relationship is strained at best .
She hangs out with the wrong crowd and ends up disappearing when a bad guy thinks she has stolen 10K from him, which is NOT true. She has been framed.
The story is full of suspense, hunky Seals, some which were in other of the Troubleshooter books, and of course, romance.
But it’s more than that. It’s full of touching moments and family dynamics. . At times you will laugh out loud, at others, you will want to cry, and there will be moments you will be reminded of the prejudices that we have in our society.
Paraphrasing Shayla, Pete is funny, smart, kind, caring, listens, pays attention and remembers. Shayla too is funny, brilliant, loves her kids, and let’s not forget , her firend “Harry” ,
Some might say that it’s not an edgy suspense romance,. But that’s exactly why I loved it. It’s more real to life. Showing mostly ordinary people, who happen to be ,one that is a Navy Seal another an author. Their profession doesn’t define them, but rather their essence does. Ms Brockmann shows us that life is messy, but family , and love are what make this world a better place.
Thank you , Ms Brockmann , for this wonderful story.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Danger and Intrigue

I’ve always loved Suzanne Brockmann’s books, and this was no exception. A few months ago I figured it was time for a reread of the Troubleshooters, and getting to mix a new story in with my rereads was awesome. Brockmann has created a world full of characters you constantly want to know more about, and seeing familiar faces throughout the series is something I really enjoy.

In Some Kind of Hero, we get to know Peter and Shayla. They are two single parents (Shay has shared custody with her ex) who would do anything for their kids, and they bond over this. Although they get to know each other under less-than-ideal circumstances – Peter’s daughter Maddie gone missing and trouble following in their wake – the sparks fly and they eventually give in, giving us some very hot scenes! Shay also helps Peter connect with his daughter through a retelling of how he and her mother ended up together, which was emailed in installments to Maddie.

We also get to know Maddie, and see that while she is mature in some ways, she still has that teenage angst. Mix that with the grief from her mother’s death and living with a dad she barely knows, Maddie runs rather than seek help from her SEAL dad when trouble comes knocking. She sticks with an older friend, Dingo, who freaks when he realizes she is only 15 years old (because, while technically friends, they both like each other, obviously). Although not the smoothest guy, Dingo is kind and honorable – and smart enough to finally convince Maddie they need to call in the troops. Hopefully we will get to see more of him and Maddie once she is no longer jailbait.

While I could have done with a little less of Shay’s inner dialogue with her fictional FBI agent (especially her usually-audible shushing), it was less intrusive as the main story picked up. Being able to see Izzy again was a huge plus, and I also loved getting to know the “John’s” a little better. All-in-all, this book was another great addition to the Troubleshooter world!

Arc provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rich with unique characters, snarky humor, sizzling romance, and intense suspense, Some Kind of Hero is another great read in the Troubleshooters series!  Brockmann’s signature multifaceted characters and plotlines are prevalent, but to a somewhat lesser extent than some previous books, and as always, heroes are larger than life.

Anyone with dreams of becoming one of the elite Navy SEALS must make it through BUD/S Training and survive Hell Week as in overcome every impossible obstacle that Lt. Peter “Grunge” Greene throws in their path.  Failure is not an option if they are to become one of the elite.  Grunge practices what he preaches in every aspect of his orderly life.  So what stops this big, bad*ss SEAL dead in his tracks, throwing him off his game?  Grunge is suddenly faced with the overwhelming responsibility of raising a teenage daughter he doesn’t know - a mere, mortal 15-year-old.  Should be a piece of cake for a man who whips wannabe SEALS into shape, right?  Wrong.  Rebellious, sullen, unhappy, and mourning the sudden loss of her mother, Maddie isn’t interested in getting to know her father – a man she believes never wanted her - and so she splits at the first opportunity with 20-year-old “Dingo” no less – a kinda weird, possible hippie/druggie who befriended her.  Before the unpacking is done, Grunge has lost track of Maddie!  When it becomes obvious that he’s not the only person searching for her – that she’s in real danger, he hits panic mode and calls in back-up.
Shayla Whitman is a smart, funny, creative single mother extraordinaire raising two boys on her own while penning romance/suspense novels and arguing with voices in her head.  When she sees the sexy SEAL that just moved in across the street flagging down cars and yelling “my daughter is missing,” she does what any Mom would do . . . drives to the rescue with both “mom-barrels” blazing.  Shayla is in for the long haul, ready to share her “mother-of-a-teenager” knowledge along with some of her suspense/mystery solving skills aka romance/suspense book research.  With intense sexual chemistry sparks flying, their journey from strangers to friends to cohorts to lovers begins.

Some Kind of Hero started off with a different vibe for me – not the norm I have come to expect from the Troubleshooter books.  While the scenario of a frantic father looking for his missing daughter is intense, the delivery had a light-hearted tone.  It threw me at first as Peter seemed out of character and came across as a little inept for a SEAL, making some costly *well, duh* mistakes for the professional, well-trained man that he is and often relying on Shayla to tell him what to do.  I realized, however, that he was reacting as an inexperienced scared Dad vs. a take-charge Navy SEAL.

As the story unfolds, it flows more toward what I have come to expect from these books – deeper, more action-intense plot line, past characters riding in to the rescue, slow-burn romance simmering with lots of tension.  And as with many of the other books, a past historic story line weaving its way throughout - connecting past places, times, and characters with the plot of the present - adding yet another rich and heart-touching layer.  Favorites like Izzy help deliver another intriguing Troubleshooter story with just the right blend of snarky humor, romance (with a side of HOT sex), and suspense with a few twists along the way.  Another Must Read in one of my favorite series ever!

Some Kind of Hero is the latest romantic suspense book in The Troubleshooters series written by author Suzanne Brockmann. It's also very funny. Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the advance copy.

Peter Greene is a lieutenant and has recently become the custodian of his teenage daughter. While they don't have the best of relationships, since he hardly got to see her, he deeply cares for her. Hence the reason he tries to find her when she is running away. As time passes by, we find out that he is honourable to a fault because of the things he had to put up with.

Shayla Whitman, an author, is a divorcee with two male teenagers. She seems to have a regular inner conversation with one of her fictional male characters at random moments. Also, is willing to help a stranger when it is needed especially when it involves a child.

Both Peter and Shayla are instantly attracted to one another and they work well together in trying to find his daughter Maddie.

Maddie is just a troubled teen who has gotten into the worst sort of situation because of someone she considered a friend since moving in with her father after her mother passed away.

The story's is written in the third person and is mostly taking the point of view of Peter and Shayla. There are also some from Maddie. Like other Suzanne Brockmann novels, she informs the audience of the past. In this case, it is that of Peter and Lisa, his ex. Appearances from other characters within the series make it even more interesting and we catch glimpses of where there are at.

Although this is the nineteenth novel in her Troubleshooters series, it is not necessary to have read the previous books. However, if you like romance suspense, then this series is highly recommended. It is not as action packed as her other ones but still worth a read. It is also very informative about the Japanese encampment.

I overloaded on Brockmann a few years back (you can see the reviews by clicking her name tag below), but this book is a perfect reminder of why I binged in the first place. Some Kind of Hero is populated with wonderful characters from the wastrel Dingo to the leads, a blocked writer Shayla and her Navy Seal, Peter. But more than just a jumble of characters, this is a story of family, the one you’re born into and the one you choose. As part of that family, there are characters of a broad age range, all of whom have their distinct characteristics and interactions.

This book isn’t a job gone south or even an adventure that goes sideways. It’s straight up real people who get tangled up in the dark side of life.

I loved the way Shay helps Peter introduce Maddie to her real dad rather than the hostile, overbearing image she’d built up from her mother’s heavily selective storytelling. Peter had so far failed to correct this in part to protect Maddie from a tarnished version of the mother she’d just lost.

That Maddie doesn’t immediately crumble speaks to her life and character as well. She hasn’t had an easy time of things, but is used to handling whatever comes pretty much on her own. Maddie’s determined to figure this out, and while fully aware of the consequences, she’s not used to being able to ask for help.

Even how the history of Manzanar becomes a touchstone in the story shows how deep things get, and how important it is to connect with family and history. At the same time, the way things come about, and how what Maddie knew to be fact wasn’t, point to how complex family can become, often for reasons that seem nonsensical when seen from an outside perspective but carry all too much weight in the middle of it.

There is nothing simple about this story, which isn’t to say there aren’t light moments or sexy moments, because there definitely are. The connection between Shay and Pete grows right there on the page, and not just in his pants, either. The one off-note was how hard they both worked to say this wasn’t anything more than intense lust, but even there, a later reveal gives deeper meaning to the situation from Shay’s perspective and touches on another hard truth while Pete’s reluctance comes to light through Maddie. The real human element in their interactions also managed to carry me through even if they were unable to see the attraction for what it was.

I can’t forget to mention Harry. Shay’s character offers pointed, often lewd, comments and suggestions in her head that both introduce humor at key moments and give voice to what Shay can’t say on her own. Though, as her connection to Pete grows, she needs Harry less and less, so he doesn’t butt in as much.

As you might have guessed, this story covers a lot of ground. Between Manzanar and a few incidents where Shay being black and Pete white play a part, the role racism played in U.S. history and modern day is given some time. There’s the issues of drug use in high schools and how even innocents can be swept into that world all unknowing. The level of rage and revenge in the high school scene is also worth noting, but I’ll say nothing more for fear of spoilers. There was a good amount of social justice hidden in the narrative, which is cool. Telling things like they really are without stopping the story to do so.

It is also softly explicit during the sex scenes, and the language becomes so at times, sometimes bringing forth a humorous moment with kids involved.

This book succeeds in so many ways, and I’m delighted to rediscover a favorite author with such a strong demonstration of all the reasons I have enjoyed her writing.

P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

We already met our hero Peter in the previous book - he's the SEAL instructor in San Diego.
But at the moment he's a concerned Dad. He just - kind of - inherited his 15 year old daughter Maddie. Her mom left him when the baby was just a toddler and he never saw them again. She's been with him for three months now and she's NOT loving it. And now she's also ... missing! That's how he ends up in his neighbor Shay's car to follow a trail. But they don't find her. But Shay and Pete are not giving up, obviously. The single mom of two teenage boys is a romantic thriller author, and she has all the best ideas what to do in these kinds of situations! ☺ And with the help of Peter's huge Troubleshooter family they do everything in their power to find Maddie and fix her problems!

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Finally a new #Troubleshooters book!
I've loved Suzanne's SEALs books since the very first one I've read ages ago!
They're all so full of ... story and history and love.
They're so much fun! They're suspensy and sexy and adorable and ... deep.

And this new Troubleshooter book was just as great as the others.
I loved it. It was extremely romantic and sexy and funny and exciting.

I only have two tiny little things to complain about ... the first one ... it might've been a bit too long. With a few more cuts here and there the reader wouldn't have felt that the story dragged a bit every once in a while. BUT, as I always say with my beloved Troubleshooters - the more the better! ☺ It didn't bother me much!!!
And then Harry. Who is Harry you ask? Remember Anastasia Steele's inner goddess? Yup, that's Harry here. He's the star of Shay's FBI book series and he's in her head telling her what to think - or rather, he's telling her how hot Peter looks most of the time. And that she should hit that!☺ I never loved the inner goddess - I hated her. And I didn't much love Harry either. He's not around all that much, but he confused me in the middle of Suzanne's already slightly confusing writing style! BUT - since our beloved Jules Cassidy wasn't in this book, it was totally ok to have a fictional gay FBI guy in Shay's head! (Missing you JC!!!)☺☺
Some people might complain about the standalone part of the book, because of course we have lotsa people from other books showing up. But what do you expect when you start at book 19 in a series. START at the beginning people! You don't know what you're missing out on!

If you've always been a fan of the Troubleshooters, you NEED to read this book. You do not want to miss meeting everyone again. And you also want to find out if and how Shay and Grunge will get their HEA!!! New readers can of course read it too, but I would suggest you start with book #1! These characters are such an amazing bunch of people! It would be a shame to miss meeting them all! BUT - this story can totally be read as a standalone!
It's an amazingly huge romantic suspensy family drama thing! I just loved it!
Can't wait for the next Troubleshooter book!