This is my first time reading this author, after hearing such rave reviews for her Tracer series. This book happens to be the first in a new series of hers, Wolfe Security. The description of this book fit perfectly into the types of books that I enjoy reading. I love a good suspense book and don't mind when some romance is thrown in to give it a little more depth. This book seems to be the cliche story though. Strong woman who wants to rebel against those she turned to for help, then falls in love with the strong man in the story. I did enjoy this story, but after such an amazing year for new books, this was just kind of middle of the road. I read that it was 'intensely suspenseful' and I would not describe it that way. Maybe just suspenseful would be better. I can say that I will be reading her other novels because she does write well.

Overall, this book nicely balanced romance with the crime fiction bits, was light on the legal terminology, and lightly held my interest. The characters were entertaining to a point but I wasn’t swept away by them, sadly. Would still recommend this book to romantic suspense readers even though it didn’t quite work for me

Laura Griffin has created a spell binding story that keeps you glued to the pages! Excellent detail to the characters and the plot development. Really enjoyed reading this book!

Brynn is a force to be reckoned with. She has dedicated her life to her career. Forsaking relationships and continuing on her path in life. All of that is upset when a convicted killer escapes from a maximum security prison.

With an important trial starting, Brynn doesn't have time to focus elsewhere. All she cares about is her client and proving that he didn't commit the heinous crime he has been accused of. While trying to be her best for her client she also has to focus on her new unwanted security detail.

Twists and turns will have you searching for the solution in this novel. A gripping and thrilling read that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Not sure I get the title of the book, but this is another good suspense from Laura Griffin. Brynn is heading up a major trial, but a killer she prosecuted has escaped prison and her boss hires Wolfe Security to protect her and her colleague. Erik works for Liam and heads up her team.

The book has lots of action and the romance took a back seat to the ongoing mystery. There is romance, but it almost felt like an afterthought and didn’t blend together with the mystery like previous books have. There is a slight twist to the mystery at the end, but no real surprises in the end.

A good start to her new Wolfe Security series and I look forward to more.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first experience with Laura Griffin's work and I am very impressed. I was hooked from the beginning! It's the kind of thing that's right up my alley: procedural, fast-paced, slightly unexpected twists, lots of action. There were a few different subplots and they all meshed well together. The characters felt dynamic and relatable and I wanted to know what happened to them. And I wanted to be friends with Brynn; she was a great mix of strong/independent and yet reserved and vulnerable.

My only complaint is the title. I don't see how it ties into the story.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series! I'd recommend this to anyone who:

- enjoys procedural cop and/or lawyer shows on TV
- wants an entertaining, quick read
- is looking to dive into Laura Griffin's body of work for the first time
- wants to drool over a hunky male lead

Defense attorney Brynn Holloran is right at home among cops, criminals, and tough-as-nails prosecutors. With her sharp wit and pointed words, she has a tendency to intimidate, and she likes it that way. She’s a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, but in her personal life, she’s a mess.

When a vicious murderer she once helped prosecute resurfaces and starts a killing spree to wipeout those who put him behind bars, one thing becomes clear: Brynn needs to run for her life.

With no help from the police, Brynn is forced to take matters into her own hands, turning to a private security firm for protection. But when Brynn defies advice and gets involved in the investigation, even the former Secret Service agent assigned to protect her may not be able to keep her safe. With every new clue she discovers, Brynn is pulled back into the vortex of a disturbing case from her past.

As the clock ticks down on a manhunt, Brynn’s desperate search for the truth unearths long-buried secrets and reignites a killer’s fury.

* * * * *

I have to admit that I am a sucker for a well written romantic suspense and that I can't believe that it has taken this long to discover Ms. Griffin. DESPERATE GIRLS has everything needed to keep you glued to the pages and holding on tight through all the twists and turns.

I just love Brynn! She is a tough as nails defense attorney with her low-cut shirts and high heels. And she's not a bit happy with being assigned a bodyguard team by her boss. Erik is an utter professional. His job is to be alert at all times to anything that might endanger his client. He just didn't plan on Brynn who refuses to be cooperative unless he talks everything out with her first especially as she doesn't feel that she is in any real danger.


DESPERATE GIRLS is one of those books that I just couldn't put down. There was danger coming from a new direction every time they turned around. And the heat between Brynn and Erik was combustable. The tension continues to build up until the shocking conclusion. I highly recommend this book to any of my readers who enjoy the romantic suspense genre. It's well worth the read!!

***I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by the publisher or author.

I enjoy reading Laura Griffin books and this one was no exception. Brynn is a tough as nails person! She takes a lot of risks and that lends itself to a great story. This book is loaded with excitement.

As good as it was....The story was sort of formula. The whole part about the escaped killer trying to revenge kill was over the top. The killer was sooooo good he could infiltrate any situation and the body guards were soooooo bad they could not defend the people they were guarding. The romance was hot but nearly impossible to sustain since their jobs would pull them apart. I am assuming the author is trying to set up a sequel using Brynn, Eric and Lindsey.

What a great beginning to a new series! Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin is the first book in her new Wolfe Security series. This story is an enjoyable reading experience for me. Both the hero, Erik and the heroine, Brynn are delightful characters with many layers.

Brynn Holloran is a defense attorney who started her career as a prosecutor. She is preparing for a high-profile trial of a young man she knows is innocent. At the same time, her mentor, Judge Jen Ballard is found murdered by an escaped prisoner that Jen and Brynn prosecuted. Because of their connection, Reggie, Brynn’s boss hires Wolfe security to guard his legal team until the prisoner is found.

Erik Morgan is assigned to head Brynn’s team. He is disciplined, buff and attractive. He is also attracted to Brynn but knows he can’t act on his attraction because losing focus can compromise the mission. Both Erik and Brynn are strong, career-minded characters. Their stubbornness causes them to lock horns on more than one occasion. Erik quickly learns that it isn’t that easy to rule Brynn’s life and activities. He needs to convince her of the danger, and she needs to convince him that changes to her routines require communication in advance. It is refreshing how they work out what they both need to do their jobs.

Desperate Girls is a romantic suspense that unfolds at a steady pace. As the story develops the suspense builds, but it never creates what I call “on the edge of my seat” type of anxiety. Instead, it is more the niggling uncertainty that hangs in the background of a slow-burn thriller with an even slower burn romance. The characters’ focus is always on their work making neither Erik nor Brynn successful in relationships. In the past, their relationships always fell apart because they didn't give their significant other time.

The secondary characters are interesting. I want to know more about the other men and women on the Wolfe team especially Skylar and Liam. The team members are close. Their backgrounds and missions can be dangerous. Liam Wolfe, the owner of the company, has an elaborate setup. I want to know how he got there.

My only criticism is that Erik is still a mystery. I know why he left the job he loves for the position at Wolfe. What is never revealed is the reasons for his estrangement from his family. I did expect to get answers to some of those questions. I also expected more of Brynn’s family. It isn't essential, but my curiosity is piqued. Maybe there will be more reveals about these two characters later in the series.

I recommend Desperate Girls if you enjoy a tense adventure that is more plot driven than character. There is romance, but it is more incidental than the focus of the story. We are looking for the bad guy and his motives first.

Great book, just enough murder/mystery and romance for me! I can't wait to read other books by this author. Loved the ending, wasn't expecting that at all.

What a book, it had it all - murder, mystery, romance, court room drama, attacks, chases, FBI, police depts,, federal marshals, and security firms. This was my first Laura Griffin and I can’t wait to read more of her books. A real page turner!

Thank you #NetGalley for a copy of #DesperateGirls!

I really tried to enjoy this book but unfortunately it was a little too slow for me. The only type of books I like are psychological thrillers that, at the end, leave me shocked/excited and my head spinning from what I just read (I.e. The Wife Between Us). This book just wasn’t that. I’m not saying it was a bad book, just not my cup of tea! The plot was more a love story between the defense attorney, Brynn, who is being hunted by a murderer she’d put away when she was a prosecutor and the man hired to protect her, Erik. Without spilling anything there was one twist towards the end that I really didn’t see coming! Would I recommend this book to others??? If you enjoy love stories and thrillers you’d probably enjoy this!

Desperate Girls is a fantastic, thrilling , non stop suspenseful thriller that I could not put down.
In Desperate Girls we meet defense attorney Brynn Holloran who is tough as nails and very intimidating in the courtroom, not so much in her personal life.

A murderer that Brynn helped prosecute pops up and starts a heinous killing spree and Brynn is next on his list. The police of course are no help, and Brynn turns to a private security firm to protect her life.

Against the clock, Brynn is doing everything to stay alive.

I could not put this book down, it was riveting and had so much action , chills and thrills with so many twists until its shocking end. This is the first novel I have read by this author, but DEFINITELY not my last! (less)

This starts off at a fast pace when a female judge is murdered. The story rockets on from there and keeps the reader engaged not only with the plot but with a bit of steamy romance.

I gave Desperate Girls 3.5 stars. It was fairly predictable but overall enjoyable, easy, and quick read!

Brynn, defense attorney, who was on the case as the offense attorney years before, is being stalked by the escape convict who she helped prosecute years before. Her firm has hired a security firm to protect her. One of the guards, Erik, is interested in her personally. They are 2 strong willed characters who 'butt heads' over many decisions. There is a surprise in the outcome of the previous murders and who did the actual killing.

Defense attorney Brynn Holloran is right at home among cops, criminals, and tough-as-nails prosecutors. With her sharp wit and pointed words, she has a tendency to intimidate, and she likes it that way. She’s a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, but in her personal life, she’s a mess.

When a vicious murderer she once helped prosecute resurfaces and starts a killing spree to wipeout those who put him behind bars, one thing becomes clear: Brynn needs to run for her life.

When the police come up empty-handed, Brynn turns to a private security firm for protection. But when she defies advice and gets involved in the investigation, even the former Secret Service agent assigned to protect her may not be able to keep her safe. With every new clue she discovers, Brynn is pulled back into the vortex of a disturbing case from her past.

As the clock ticks down on a manhunt, Brynn’s desperate search for the truth unearths long-buried secrets and reignites a killer’s fury.

My thoughts: This was really hard to put down. I pretty much read it all in 1 day. Brynn is a tough woman and you do find out why. She gives the private security people a hard time but does end up working well with them. As time runs out on finding a murderer and people getting hurt and you wonder if something will happen to Brynne. But something else on this manhunt comes to light and I was right on what and who it was.

Available now: Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin
****4/5 stars

A fabulous action-thriller-romance with tough, smart-girl lawyer, 



Recommended readers:

Laura Griffin or mystery-thriller drama plots
for action-adventure-romance lovers
if you're a fan of lawyer-crime series, you'll love anything Laura Griffin
Here's my Rankings:

4/5 for characters
4/5 for plot
4/5 overall
3/5 steaminess
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:
Laura Griffin is my favorite go-to, never-fail mystery-action-romance author. Even without being my favorite genre, I absolutely fly through her books. Desperate Girls is a great one - featuring smart-girl lawyer Brynn Holloran. She's smart, dedicated and  passionate lawyer, with no personal life. And when a former Secret Service agent is assigned to protect her from a killer who escaped prison, she dives into the drama and tries to steer clear of a strong attraction. 

Available now: Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin

I'd been in a bit of a book slump and this was the perfect pick me up. Romantic suspense always helps me get over a book slump and this book had the perfect amount of thrill and romance blended together. Laura Griffin never disappoints in this genre and I always look forward to reading her newest novels.