Desperate Girls is a bit of a mixed bag. We have some courtroom drama, a bit of action and suspense by way of an escaped murderer set on getting revenge, some hot and steamy romance, and a little more suspense with an interesting twist. This is my first read by Laura Griffin, and I have to say I was impressed. The story moves at a good pace, there are no big lags, and the flow is good. Brynn is a strong female lead, which I always enjoy, and Erik is the very definition of a protector. They have great chemistry and just fit so well together that you can't help but want to see them together. The big bad in this one is about as bad as they get, and the tension builds as he tries to get to Brynn. I would've liked to have seen a bit more from Corby given his intelligence level, but it was still an entertaining read. We do get an intriguing twist at the end - one that I didn't see coming until it was right there. All in all, I enjoyed the book and will certainly be watching for whatever comes next in this new series.

This is a romantic page turner full of action and lots of twists and turns. I have never been disappointed with anything Laura Griffin has written. This was no exception. Awesome read. I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

Note to self: I must remember not to get too attached to whomever Laura Griffin starts the first chapter of her books with. They're never long for this world.

Sigh. Honestly, I should know better by now.

In other (related) news: a new series from Ms. Griffin! Woot!

I loved Desperate Girls (though I'm unsure as to where the title comes from...? Not going to spend much time on it, but it is a headscratcher. The cover sure is pretty, though...) Brynn and Erik were a great heroine and hero, each strong on their own but even better when working--or decidedly not actually working ;) --together. (Erik's "I knew I loved you when..." confession in the epilogue was awesome--it was the cherry on top of the book for me!)

The story was a nice blend of romance and suspense; it didn't move their relationship along too fast to be believed, and the courtroom drama and murderer-on-the-loose bits kept the story going at a steady clip. There is a twist toward the end that I didn't see coming for most of the book, until I did (I was waiting for the other shoe to drop so hard, you guys! You just knew something was going to happen soon, but I wasn't quite sure what it would be...) and when I did realize what was happening, I legit gasped. Seriously, ask the two cats I startled out of at least one of their lives each. They're still annoyed with me. (Not a unique occurrence, so I'm not losing sleep over it.)

Anyway, I'm drained. Brynn and Erik's epilogue vacation sounds like just what I need to help me recover... ;)

For fans of her Tracers series, it is connected--Erik's boss at Wolfe Security is Mark Wolfe's brother. You absolutely don't have to have read any of that series' books to enjoy this one, but if you have, you'll appreciate the connection.

I can't wait to read more from this series!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is a pulse-racing romantic suspense full of twists and featuring a strong heroine. The action keeps the fast pace and has you flipping pages late into the night. I couldn't put it down. What more can you ask for in a great kickoff book to a new series?

A well written romantic suspense. Great character development and a good story line. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

I love a well-written Romantic suspense, and I am very picky about which books I read, review and promote. For every book you see me talking about, there is at LEAST one book behind the scenes I have DNF'd or finished but didn't enjoy. I am always skeptical of a new to me author, as I have been burned more times than I care to think about. Laura Griffin is a new to me author, and I was super skeptical at first, but then I checked out her Amazon and Goodreads reviews, and knew I needed to give her a chance!

I was hooked on this book from the very first couple pages, and I could NOT force myself to put this down at night! My schedule doesn't allow me much time to read right now, so before bed and my lunch break is about it. I was finding myself staying up long past my bedtime because I NEEDED to see what happened next!

Brynn is a sexy, headstrong, stubborn lawyer. I could relate to her on so many levels. Her career is very demanding, not leaving much time for romance. But she is also vulnerable. While she is a shark in the courtroom, she has a kind heart and needs protecting. That is where Erik comes into play.

I loved that this book was a slow burn. The chemistry exists, but the two professionals are also trying to keep things on that professional level. Eventually, they have to succumb to the passion, and the sparks fly! Risking both their lives and careers to give in to their passion, you could feel the turmoil and personal anguish coming through the pages. I could not WAIT for them to figure their stuff out!

Another favorite part of this book for me was the build-up and the constant doubt of the main suspects. So many secrets, Griffin is a master!

I loved absolutely every part of this book, and there were so many twists and turns I never saw coming, I feel like I need to go back and binge read all of Griffin's back works! I loved this book, and you will too!

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to get into and it kept my attention. I loved the thriller mixed with a tad bit of romance. I think the story was well written and the characters were enjoyable. I thought Brynn was a great character. It started off as a tale of an murder by what we think is an escaped murderer then mixes a little romance and mystery. Overall it was a great story and I can't wait to read the next one.

Wow! This should prove to be an interesting and exciting series based on the first one. While I do skip the intimate details, the chemistry was intriguing and the initial spark reliever was explosive. I know there is a term for falling under the spell of one's captor. Is there a word for falling for one's bodyguard? Probably happens often enough that there should be. There are some surprises and tense moments. I look forward to getting to know some of the other employees of this fascinating bodyguard team.

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for a copy of the eARC in exchange for a fair review.


Brynn is a now defense attorney but a few years ago she was a young prosecutor. When her former boss is brutally murdered, Bryan and Ross decide to go to a hotel and their boss Reggie decides that they need bodyguards.


Erik know that it is going to be a tough job protecting Brynn because she doesn't believe she needs a bodyguard, that is until the lead detective on the case she worked on with Jen is murdered as well. Suddenly it is a race against time to find the culprit before any more co-workers are attacked.


Will Erik and Brynn be able to figure it out before it is too late? Will he be able to keep her safe?


I liked this book, but I will be honest it lost me in places. I don't mind romantic suspense, sometimes I really enjoy it. This one I found to be just okay. I liked the characters for the most part. Well I really liked Brynn, I found Erik kind of blah. The plot was extremely interesting it just didn't come together the way I wanted it too.


This had a ton of potential and just kind of fell through for me. Nothing I can really say as to what let me down, it just was good, then flat, good and then flat...

I liked this book even though it was a standard thriller for the most part. There was a few surprising scenes that will startle you.

**4.5 Stars**

Desperate Girls was a smartly-plotted and cleverly designed novel with high suspense and a desperately sexy romance. Griffin’s skill for criminal investigation, police procedurals, and capturing the eeriness of a killer’s mind gave this book its distinct edge while multiple POVs—some outside of the main characters—contributed to the story feeling well-rounded and easily graspable. With the perfect balance of romance and suspense, I couldn’t help but devour it quickly.

Brynn, being as headstrong as she is, could be seen as too careless with her safety throughout the story, but I enjoyed her fire and spunk. Being an attorney, it would’ve been a disservice to have her be any other way. That strong sense of self and duty allowed for juicy conflict to brew with the man paid to protect her; that mounting tension further complicated by the budding attraction to one another in direct correlation to the level of danger around them. Their dynamic had a strong push-pull in a variety of ways, and I loved seeing that have consequences in their jobs and their working relationship. There was a real sense of kinship in the two, and seeing that connection bring intimacy made it easily a favorite aspect of the novel—tied with how skillful the mystery is penned.

With many twists and turns, both chilly and surprising, Desperate Girls was a thrilling read. No other author I’ve read can pen that suspense element so adeptly while showing every aspect of the story through different eyes and still keeping the mystery alive and unknown. Even utilizing a trope done many times—the bodyguard and damsel—there were still little tweaks to make it its own version. Readers will be fascinated by this story and be as anxious as I am for the next in the series.

I love Laura Griffin's books, especially the Tracers series, and was very excited to receive this book for an honest review via NetGalley.

This book didn't disappoint. The beginning of the book has a quick twist and then you are drawn in to the story. Brynn is a lawyer ready for a major trial when she suddenly needs protection due to an escaped convict seeking revenge for those he feels 'wronged' him. Brynn's boss decides to hire security for Brynn and another lawyer from the firm, Ross. Erik is head of her security team at Wolfe Security. The two main characters certainly clash at times, however, you can almost feel the tension as their attraction builds in the book. The book has many secondary characters that truly enhance the story and keep it fast paced and exciting. Normally I am able to figure out the 'twist' in the story, this time I guessed wrong, which was a pleasant surprise. You will certainly enjoy the twist at the end!!

I don't like to spoil the story so I won't get into additional details, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a fast paced thriller with romance added!! The only thing that didn't make sense to me is the title... it really didn't seem to coincide with the outstanding story. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin, which will be released on August 7, starts with a murder…and doesn’t slow down until the end. Brynn Holloran, a defense attorney in Texas, is startled to find out a murderer she helped send to jail has escaped, and the main prosecutor on the case was suddenly, and violating murdered in her home. The timing of his escape is difficult, as Brynn and her law firm are distracted while preparing for a large trial; so, for their protection, the law firm hires a private security firm…including the brooding and mysterious head agent, Erik. A murderer is out there looking for Brynn; Brynn is focused on her case; Erik is focused on her protection. And they both somehow end up focused on each other…

Truly, Desperate Girls is one of the best combinations of crime, suspense and romance I have read this year! Griffin seamlessly blends these different genres and gives readers a dynamic, well-paced story, with a strong female lead. You get the quickened heartbeat during the climatic, suspenseful scenes, the constant questioning of “who-dunnit,” all with the added bonus of some steamy love scenes–without getting the over-the-top drama that romance novels are sometimes critiqued for. Goodreads has this listed as “Wolfe Security #1,” so I’m hoping we get some more interesting romantic thrillers with other attractive security guards in the future! Interested? Well, you still have time to support the author and pre-order Desperate Girls before it’s release next week!

While I wouldn't call Desperate Girls a thriller, I did find it interesting and enjoyed the twisted ending.

Brynn is a successful defense attorney about to begin defending a very big case. When a defendant from a previous case (when she was a prosecutor) escapes from prison and kills one of the other attorneys on that case, her life is turned upside down.

She is having to try to work on her case while being constantly distracted and waylayed by a plethora of bodyguards that her boss has hired to keep her safe. And the danger becomes very real as the escapee continues to kill people associated with his case.

Erik is the head of Brynn's detail. And there is a definite attraction between these two, even though it is highly unethical.

First of all, I don't understand the title at all. Who are the Desperate Girls? The victims of the escapee? We don't really learn much about them, and they are not the focus of the case. Brynn? Yes, she becomes a bit desperate, but she's only one girl. Not a big deal, but it doesn't really make sense to me.

Secondly, this is my bad, but I didn't expect the (very) hot and steamy romance. If you read the blurb, it isn't really mentioned. If you look at the subject headings, it does very clearly say "romance," but I missed that. So I was surprised, but not really disappointed. I was just expecting a straight-up thriller, and it was really a who-done-it/romance.

I was completely stunned by the twist at the end and appreciated that. I suspected that there was more to the story when it seemed like everything was settled with still ten percent of the book to read. That's too long for a denouement, and I was correct. But totally surprised too.

The story is exciting, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the ending. The balance of romance/detecting was just right. Desperate Girls is an adult book and would be appropriate for mature teens.

esperate Girls is a fast paced action thriller that kept my attention to the end. When Judge Jennifer Ballard is found shot in her home and later died in the hospital and a retired detective is also found killed in his home, the two murders appear to be tied to an escaped prisoner that they helped put away for a life sentence. Jenn was a prosecutor at the time. It seems that maybe the murderer is out for revenge against those that put him away. That means that Brynn Holloran, former prosecutor-now defense attorney, might be in danger. She and Jenn worked together to get him convicted of four murders. Brynn's boss and managing attorney at her firm hired Wolfe Security Firm to protect Brynn and another attorney, Ross Foley, as they take on a trial in Dallas. Brynn is a tough woman who doesn't feel that they need to spend money on security when they should be able to take care of themselves. But when their car is shot at on the way to the courthouse, Brynn's mind is changed. Sparks fly between her and hunky bodyguard Erik, former Marine and Secret Service agent, as she tests his patience and as they fight an attraction that they both feel.
This is a story of different levels involving the current case, the former case involving the escaped prisoner and stress permeating all those involved-the protectors and those being protected as well as law enforcement. There is a large task force working together comprised of local law enforcement, US Marshals, FBI and Texas Rangers as they all try to find the killer before he kills again. The danger and suspense is intense with likable, realistic and dedicated characters. Expect a twist near the end. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.
I received a complimentary ARC of the book from Gallery Books through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

New Series by one of my favorite authors. This first book in the new Wolfe Security Series is great! It was great seeing Liam and Mark Wolfe from the Tracers Series. Heart pounding, pulse racing, just when you think it's over - it's not. "Desperate Girls" raises the bar for everything that will come after. Hot romance - it delivers. Heart stopping suspense - it delivers. A twisted mystery - that too. There is nothing this book promises that it doesn't deliver.

Brynn Holloran, a defense attorney, is all set for the trial of a young man she is convinced is innocent. Nothing can change her focus, until the murder of a former associate, Jen Ballard. Now her boss, Reggie Gunn, insists that she and her co-council, Ross Foley, have protection and the man suspected in the murder, James Corby, is a escaped rapist and murderer bent on revenge on everyone who had a hand in convicting him and that included Brynn and Ross.

Erik Morgan, former Secret Service Agent, now a Wolfe Security Operative, has his hands full with the protective detail for Brynn. She is head-strong and doesn't follow orders - at all. But something about this smoking hot, auburn haired spitfire just does it for Erik. She is the total package - beauty, brains and a spine of steel. Keeping her alive may be easier than keeping out of her bed.

With no progress in catching the killer, Brynn and Erik take the search in a different direction. With the help of Lindsey Leary, While combing through her old case files, Brynn discovers some discrepancies in the original case work that could put her in the crosshairs of yet another killer.

Thank you NetGalley and Laura Griffin for the ARC of Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin that I read and reviewed.
This book was an excellent read that was full of both romance and action. I enjoyed the pairing of Brynn and Erik as the main couple because they were matched together perfectly. I also loved that the story kept you guessing a bit throughout the book and gave you a few surprises to keep you on your toes. This was a really enjoyable book.
I am giving Desperate Girls five out of five stars.

Desperate Girls is a book full of suspense and drama, with some romance to add some spice. A few twists to keep the reader engaged. Received a copy from NetGalley.

This is a typical romantic suspense - hero protects damsel in distress. But the addition of adding a legal thriller into this is what kept this from a sense of deja vu while reading. Engaging and well thought out. I'm interested in reading the next in the series. 3.5/5

WOW! This was a page turner and I am surprised my kindle survived it. Actually when I set my kindle down I had my phone in my hand reading because I just could not stop! From the beginning with a murder then immediately setting up security for Brynn and her team and the elite team from Wolfe Security who are charged to keep her safe when in Dallas for a trial. This is a fast paced story that did not disappoint in any way. The suspense was perfect and the underlying romance was outstanding. This author never lets me down and this one is one of her best. I definitely recommend this one. It is a standalone but I hope there are more books in the future with some of these characters!

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**