I was asked to take a picture of the book, not read it. However it looks good and has a 3.96 average rating on Goodreads. I don't usually read suspense romance because I'm a big scaredy cat. Many say this is a great book entrance for the rest of the series.

I was happy to read this first installation to give me background on the second, on which I was doing a formal review. I loved the setup of a mobster's ex-wife on the run, and an FBI agent who finally earns her trust. Rafferty has a great voice, and sets an exciting pace. Both the plot and the characters were believable. Just an enjoyable book all around.

Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The storyline was great. And, the characters! Avery strong and beautiful. Fierce! Hot FBI agent? Insert Vincent Modena. The chemistry between Vincent & Avery was FIRE! Pure perfection!

Lots of this book made very little sense, but it was a fast-paced, action-packed romance. Vincent was a determined and stubborn hero, even when Avery was running scared and not really being logical.

When Avery Coppola learns that not only are her ex-husband's people after her but also the FBI, believing she has files that could take her ex-husband and mafia boss Dante Coppola down forever for his crimes, she's forced to go on the run again. Yet, there's one man that won't seem to allow her to keep running. Will she put her trust in Special Agent Vincent Mondena or will she lose the man she's coming to care for more than she ever thought possible?

What a wild and thrilling ride Ms. Rafferty takes readers on in this first book of her Secret Agents series, which was action-packed and had me reading quickly determined to discover what obstacles the hero and heroine would have to overcome to be together. Certainly, Avery is suspicious of everyone after all that she's been through and because if anyone discovers her secret than she could be in big trouble. Will Vincent learn the truth? However, it was the moment that the hero and heroine meet where this story gets very exciting, as no one is more determined to protect the heroine than Vincent. Will Avery let down her guard so the hero can help her?

As for the main characters, I loved them both immensely because of their back stories. Everything that's happened to the heroine while being married to a mafia boss has made her resilient, courageous and determined to do everything in her power to protect her sister. Will Avery be able to keep her sister safe? I also liked that Avery wasn't afraid to go into a dangerous situation knowing that she might not come out of it alive. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine is that she took a chance on the hero. He's a good guy that would do anything to protect her, even though it's palpable that she doesn't need his protection by the mad skills that she has. While the hero, he's confident, strong and I liked how determined he was to win the heroine over because she can't continue to go at things alone, especially not with how dangerous things get for her. I also liked how protective Vincent was of Avery, despite the fact that she doesn't need protection, which is proven by something he witnesses when they face danger and has him wondering just what she's hiding. Yet, what I liked most of all about the hero is that he was willing to do whatever it takes to for Avery, even if it means going head-to-head with his boss.

Overall, Ms. Rafferty has delivered a wonderful read in this book where the dialogue entertained me from start to finish, as Avery provides quite the challenge for the hero; the chemistry between the hero and heroine was strong and had me liking these two together; and the ending had me worried for the main characters, but had me liking how things work out for Vincent and Audrey, especially after what the hero does and what it could mean for his job. However, it was the epilogue that I loved because it sets up the next story, which I'm looking forward to reading. I would recommend Caught by You by Kris Rafferty, if you romantic suspense, the opposites attract trope, or books by authors AJ Nuest, Laura Griffin, Katie Reus and Katie Ruggle.

This story was a triple treat for me starting with the author's voice and style to tell a story. It was flowing, smooth, and engaging, it pulled me into the story and held my interest throughout. The storytelling was intense and sharp mixed with a little drizzle of delightfully dry humor, and sort of delicate, graceful, lightness like life itself is.
The suspense and the whole high-speed chase, the case the FBI is working on is a twisted twine of lies, doubts, and mistrust. Nothing is as it seems to be, the truth is an evasive abstract character in the tale, the one that is impossible to catch. The action is at times brutal, at times breathtaking, and always fierce.
Avery Coppola and Special Agent Vincent Modena had a chemistry that was off the charts. They clicked, they got each other, they saw the true self in each other despite all the lies and half-truths, the misguided loyalty and fears. The bond between them was tight from the start, the attraction was burning hot as well, yet the mental tie was as big of a force as the physical one was.
Avery had so much to lose, the things she had had to face, she had had to do, to learn just to protect herself and her sister were heartbreaking. Yet she owned it like a true queen, like a survivor who knows she did what she had to even though not all of it was completely above the law. She is fierce, smart, capable, a true heroine, and I admired her.
From the first moment, Vincent had seen Avery's picture he had felt a kindred spirit towards her. The first face to face meeting confirmed that she was everything he thought she would be. I loved Vincent's ability to put himself completely into the situation, and his willingness to protect Avery, even if she didn't need it, no matter what.
Fantastic, intense, sharp romantic suspense from a new author to me, and I am enamored with the characters, with the perplexing case, and with the smooth yet fierce storytelling.
~ Five Spoons!

*******2.75 Stars*******

Caught by You was my first book Kris Rafferty. While not my normal reads, I did find this book had some really nice moments.

This book follows a group of undercover FBI agents as they try to bring down a criminal syndicate. Vincent is tasked with getting close to Avery, so the FBI can bring down her ex-husband and his criminal empire. However, Avery is full of her own secrets and one that my cost Vincent his life.

What I liked:
***I loved Avery. This lady was such a badass. She was no victim and did want was needed to survive. She was tough and saved Vincent's life more times then I can count but I also liked how she was still vulnerable and wasn't a robot. The life she has lead, has taken a toll on her and it does impact her.
***I also liked the concept of the story. A mafia princess whose family is assassinated, marries the new crime boss for for protection and then escapes when she decides this is not the life for her.
*** I also love how there was non-stop action throughout the book.

What I didn't like:
***I thought the hero, Vincent, was a wet blanket. He didn't live up to my standards for Avery. He seemed weak and needed too much saving.
*** I also felt like the story lacked in backstory. Avery had a real awesome back story that was glossed over for the most party. I think I would have enjoyed it more to see what happened to these two characters in the past. I think understanding where the came from would have made there present story more interesting.

Overall a descent adult romance book, that many will enjoy.

Caught By You by Kris Rafferty
Secret Agents #1

This introduction of a new series had many slowly exposed secrets that the heroine keeps close to her chest…or should I say on her fingers? Avery Toner Coppola is the ex-wife of a mobster who is in hiding with her younger sister. She knows that there is a hit out on her and she needs to run again. When Agent Vincent Modena is sent in to talk her into taking FBI protection in exchange for files she stole from her husband…well…all she can think about is her younger sister and keeping her safe.

This is an action-packed story with a heroine unable to trust anyone but herself and a hero with his own trust issues. It is a story of ruthlessness and revenge. There is romance of the slow burn variety but with plenty of chemistry between Vincent and Avery. The FBI team seems a bit unbelievable with Jack being the lead of the team after having his cover so recently blown – he seems to want justice at any cost – where was his handler? Cynthia, the profiler, really didn’t seem to belong on the team but perhaps she and Agent Gilroy (and even Jack) are merely mentioned rather superficially so they will be able to have stories of their own in the future.

I really admired Avery’s commitment to her sister, her physical and mental strength and her willingness to do whatever it took to achieve the goals she set for herself. I liked the relationship between Vincent and Avery though Avery kept pulling fast ones and Vincent should have figured her out a bit sooner, perhaps? I liked the rings (read the book) and the legend of The Stinger and…enjoyed the story. I look forward to reading the second book in the series when it comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Press – Liaison for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

Review by Amanda for Love Romance Books Blog

I was asked by the author for an honest review.

I thought that the characters were really interesting. This book had an unusual mix of not-quite-military, not-quite-law-enforcement, not-quite-organized-crime elements incorporated into the plot. I would recommend it to readers who like romantic suspense books with more complex plots and fewer love scenes.

This is a tough one to review. I hate saying that. I love Kris and her books. What I hope is that this book just suffered from first book of the series stutters and that the next one will smooth out.
I loved Avery and Vincent and the plot. Avery was such an interesting woman, strong and powerful willing to protect her baby sister at all costs. She trusted no one. No even Vincent. Granted he was an FBI agent but on more than one occasion I think he proved himself serving her best interest. His injection of "let us help you" felt like he was obligated to say that, and he was. He risked his neck for this woman. Clearly their attraction was strong and I liked the chemistry and the ever so so slow burn between them. Avery always thinking ahead wanted to ditch Vincent, determined to go it on how own, at first assuming her baby sister is safe, until she isn't. And Vincent, well he just keeps turning up, unwilling to let her go it alone. Avery has a secret and it was a doozy. That I also liked. Married and now divorced to a deadly mafia head and managing to disappear for 3 years was her safety. Name change, she lived off the grid, keeping her and Millie safe. Once she's compromised thanks to the Feds, her world crumbles. After sending Millie to a safe place, she's left to deal with the Feds. Thanks to an agent who's cover was blown, he's convinced that the price on Avery's head has something to do with some "files" she supposedly has and he's convinced that getting these files will put her ex away forever. He couldn't be more wrong. I didn't like his character, despite him being a background character, I didn't like him. For a Fed he was dumb as hell. Having said that the other supporting characters sorely lacked as well. The female lead agent had the personality of the a board and for a profiler didn't do a damn thing for the story. She totally missed the mark, making her a useless name. The other agent was a little more personable but still, these guys are Feds and are what we're led to believe is a huge case and they're like the Keystone Cops. The only characters that had any mettle were Avery and Vincent. And even Vincent at times seemed weak. His slow to draw left me wondering what the hell he was thinking. Unnecessary b.s. between the agents drew the book out a little long but it really takes off at the 80% mark and from there was the suspense I waited for throughout the book.
Kris can write a great story, this one just took a while to get its bearings. I want to read the next book in the series. It's their next assignment and stars the agent I didn't care for. Should be an interesting read. This book gets 4 for plot.
3.5 stars


*arc from NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for an honest review. My review is my honest opinion and thoughts contained therein are my own.**

I really like romantic suspense and this one fits perfectly. Avery was a unique and interesting character. I liked finding out more of why she wanted to take down her ex-husband. Vincent was a rather likable character. Avery and Vincent do make a good couple. I liked how the author was able to weave such a suspenseful tale. Good solid writing .I totally enjoyed it.

The story arc and its character development are great. I have no problems with those. Even the plot twists and pacing of the story is superb. The flow of the dialogue is believable.

The one big problem that caused this book a low rating for me is the description of the characters' movements. I can't see it. I can't picture it. As an action story, the movements are crucial to the overall quality of the book. It lacked on that aspect for me. I can't say there is a problem with the author's writing style because the majority of the elements needed for the book is acceptable.

Maybe writing an action story is not one of the author's strengths? Or is it just me? But I have read a number of action books and I didn't have difficulties imagining the character movements on most of them.

Avery Coppola is the daughter of a crime boss and the ex wife of his successor. She went on the run from him with her baby sister. Dante says she stle information from him and the FBI have heard these rumours. She may just give them the "in" they need.

Vincent has been under the radar for over a year trying to bring down Dante Coppola. But he has now been sent to schmooze, seduce or otherwise get to know Avery and grab the information she has. But he didn't plan on being drawn to the ex-mob wife and her cute as a button sister. But there is more to Avery than being a mob wife. She made her ex-husbands "associates" train her and she had wreaked her own kind of justice on those she held responsible for her parents deaths. But she may have been misinformed and there may just be some stragglers, who are just as keen to take her out!

Great rollercoaster ride! Avery is a complicated and conflicted character - good girl at heart but with the skills of an assassin! Her sister is cuteness personified but oh so grown up when it comes to following orders to keep them safe. Vincent is a great alpha male protector but he recognises skills when he sees them! Can't wait for the next!

Avery is a women that is feared by a lot of men. The man that made her that way should be scared most of all, her ex husband. With or without Vincent's help she's going after him to find her sister and avenge her family. Throughout the book you can see that both Avery and Vincent want to trust each other, but they have good reasons not to. This was a book that was hard to put down.

I received an arc from Netgalley. This was kind of an eerie romance. Avery fleas with her sister from her crime family. After three years in hiding the crime catches up with her along with the FBI and agent Vincent.

Lots of action, murder, and romance in this book that you don’t want to miss. Although I did find this book eerie at times it kind of grew on me.

Can’t wait to read Benton’s story . 4 stars

LOVED this book!!! The characters in this novel are fantastic - from the damaged waitress Avery who has endured unspeakable horrors and survived, to the reluctant hero Vincent, who is nursing wounds of his own. The author made me feel connected to the characters, especially Avery, and invested in their story.

This is a must read book that fans of the genre will love - it's fast paced and full of tension. The author is on my must read authors' list and should probably be on yours as well.