INNOCENT TARGET by Katie Reus. This was an enjoyable story that suspense and danger throughout. This is the story of Axel and Hadley. I like Axel. Despite his occupation, he was a good guy with a big heart. Hadley was ok. I liked her enough but I think her young age sown through at times. She was sweet and kind and an animal lover too. Overall, I enjoyed this installment of the Redemption Harbor series. (Received ARC from NetGalley for honest review)

This is a great fast paced story! We met Hadley at the end of Brooks story and now she is in trouble and everyone is out to keep her safe, especially Axel. Axel and Hadley immediately hit it off. He will do anything to keep her safe including being scrutinized by her family. This is a feel good story with the characters I already loved and the 2 main characters that you can't help but root for. Must read!!!

I've read many books by this author, I might add very happily read her books. This book in the 'Redemption Harbor' series was not a disappointment. I mean how many authors can get you to fall in love with a hitman? From the first chapter of 'Innocent Target' I was hooked, I mean the kind of hooked like if the house caught on fire I'd be leaving with just my kindle, charger and phone, just in-case... shrugs shoulders priority's and all.
Hadley is new to the area, new to the school, new to her friends and new to her father and half brother. Even though they did not know she existed until recently, they love her and want to protect her. Though she sees it at times as overprotective, overbearing, like two “big bulldogs” but loves having them in her life.
One night after her college class Hadley finds herself in a bad situation, with an attacker at her back and hands wrapped around her neck, she wished for her overprotective family and friends were close by. But what she finds is a mysterious man taking on the bad guy and placing his unconscious body in the trunk of a car? Trying to get the attack off her mind and going about her life she runs, like literally runs into a sexy man that she finds very attractive.
Axel, what a sexy and dangerous name for a man in... Finance? Really? That's the ridiculous story he gives Hadley. When really his job is a little more of a “hands on" kind of job, or a knife or a scope but with the same end game. But he's different then some in his line of work, he has morals, he will not hurt innocent people. Which is exactly what Hadley is, innocent, so he will protect her as best as a hitman can.
I really liked the two characters as a couple. I felt because of Hadley's brother and friends ability to live in a gray area, she was able to accept Axel and his choice of career. I also like having previous characters from the first books in the story, because I just love Skye, in every scene she is in I always have a big smile on my face from her. I have to say, I have read some really bad hitman stories and felt by far this was a better written scenario then those other books. I felt the characters were more believable as real people, people I want on my side.
If you like books with ex-military men/women who follow the law in the gray, action, suspense, some hot sexy scenes, and characters you will love for a long time. This is a book for you. Enjoy!


***I voluntarily reviewed this ARC for an honest review via NetGalley, this is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by the author, Publishers or NetGalley in anyway.*** Thank you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

I could not put this book down. The plot was fast moving and thoroughly entrancing. The scenes were vividly playing in my mind just like a movie. The characters were very believable.

Hadley is a strong but gentle loving woman who had to grow up early due to a competitive mom. Hadley is now in contact with her wealthy father and brother. It is because of her wealthy father that a contract to kidnap her is put out on her. Axel is a man that is paid to kill for living. A copy of the contract is given to him as someone thinks it is a mistake and wants Axel to look into it. I adored Axel and his strong alpha tendencies to protect Hadley. The journey to their HEA is full of conflict and mystery. Who put out the contract? Were there more hit men out there? Would Hadley accept Axel into her life knowing what he did for a living?

This book was written in multiple POV format. Getting into the mind set of the characters is really necessary to fully understand the characters. I really think that Ms. Reus did a wonderful job in crafting a really intriguing suspenseful romance.

Some items in this story my cause certain triggers for some readers. There is no graphic descriptions of violence but the kidnapper's intention for Hadley was mentioned. If you love suspenseful romance, then this one is for you.

Wow didn’t see that coming!
So when this series began we had the expectation of exactly how many stories we’d get and who the characters in each would be because of the set-up of the agency, but we get a surprise in this novel when Hadley—a relatively new addition to the series and family—gets her very own romance. Hadley came out of nowhere in a previous novel as the long-lost half-sister of Brooks, one of the Redemption Harbor guys, and unknowingly has made herself a target of a deadly contract. Axel is a contract killer, but when he finds out this target, he knows he can never let her death happen, so he ventures to the small town of Redemption Harbor to keep her safe and finds himself instantly so drawn to the young woman that he cannot leave her alone. When Hadley meets Axel she has no idea of his true identity, but she is blown away by him and can’t believe that he is attracted to her. Axel knows he shouldn’t touch her, but Hadley makes him feel things he hasn’t in years and she pulls on his heart like no other ever has. When the truth comes out and Hadley has to come to terms with what brought Axel into her life she must decide if she is willing to stand up for the man she has fallen for or give him up just because of perceived hurts and his dangerous past. I LOVED seeing Hadley and Axel fall in love and find their HEA in this story. The passion and sensuality they inspire had me reaching for cold water several times, despite the story being shorter than previous ones, and I liked that they both found a way to overcome their fears and pasts to embrace their love. Axel is obviously a man that has a dark and rocky past, but the love that he feels for Hadley is undeniable and when he finally lets go of his fears and takes the hand and heart she is offering him he becomes the best man he can be. While it was interesting seeing the operator side of him as well, working with the Redemption Harbor team, the best part for me was the quiet moments he shared with Hadley. Hadley too was a character that tugged on my heart; she has lost her mother and just found her place in her new family, but is still fighting to find her footing in her new life, when she meets the man of her dreams, only to have a dark truth threaten it all again. The way she handles all the emotional pitfalls she is faced with, with a grace and dignity that are irreproachable show me that she will only grow and develop into an even more admirable woman. I cannot wait to see more of these characters in future novels and of course I’m dying to see how the rest of the team fall into the arms of Eros as they meet their match. Keep the Love coming, Katie.

WOW!!! What a geat read. The story grabs the reader from the very first chapter, and makes it hard for the reader to put the book down. Axel and Hadley are the perfect couple - both haivng a terrible childhood. Both of the main character's mother's cared more about themselves than they did about their children. Hadley is reunited with her older half-brother and their father in common after the death of her mother - and her addmission to Vet school. I don't want to give the story away - but it is a fast read and one that I could not out down.

I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest
The characters + storytelling were very captivating
Hadley just found out that she had a rich father.
Because of that, she is now in danger.
Axel had a contract for Hadley.
What happens when the contract killer falls for his intended ?
The storytelling + the character's build were awesome!
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!

ARC received for review

We met Hadley, Brooks half-sister, at the end of the last book. Axel is a killer for hire, but in this case he on it to save Hadley. Axel was sweet, as well as hot and sexy and smart and overall a great guy. He didn't run away when Brooks confronted him, but stood his ground and fought for Hadley. I thought the bad guy was going to be nastier than he turned out to be. What a wimp. Loved seeing all the gang again.

INNOCENT TARGET is an awesome combination of sweet romance, danger, suspense and family truths. Hadley had been separated from her father and brother by her bitter mother and was adjusting to their over-protectiveness, having won a few battles, but with the danger she is now in, that automatic reaction comes out in full force.

Author Katie Reus will have you on the edge of your seat, grinning like a fool, laughing out loud and loving every action-packed moment of INNOCENT TARGET. This is the fourth book of her Redemption Harbor series, and despite bringing in some past characters, this is a fantastic standalone.

~Annetta Sweetko, reviewer for Fresh Fiction

Complete review may be read at: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=66067

This was an excellent addition to the series, and I have read them all. I really enjoyed the smart, confident characters in this one. It's always fun when previous, secondary characters are developed and of course when we see previous heroes and heroines interact with the current ones. The author does this well. I enjoyed the plot, it was suspenseful and interesting. I'm looking very forward to reading the next book in the series. Keep 'em coming!

Another steamy, fast paced installment of Katie Reus' Redemption Harbor series. Innocent Target brings back characters we know and love from the previous books, and introduces new players to the game.

Hadley is the innocent target. She worked up the courage to find her father and brother, to be welcomed with open arms. Now she's learning to adapt to her new "family", which includes overprotective friends of questionable sanity. Yes, I'm talking about Skye, and yes, she continues to be my favorite character in this series. I hope that Reus continues to showcase her in the rest of the series. She's also pursuing her dream of being an equine veterinarian. She's careful, because she's been taking care of herself for a long time. But she's still the victim of a mugging, only to be rescued by a shadowy stranger.

Axel isn't a good guy. He knows what he does for a living. They're the choices he made and he can live with them. When he's sent a job because it has to be a mistake, he makes it his priority to keep her safe. While she's too good for him, keeping her safe is the right thing to do, until he actually meets her. After that, all bets are off.

Reus' Redemption Harbor world is complex and messy. Her characters flawed, and in some cases, a bit insane, but they have a compelling quality. You just want to know more about them. The plot and action are tight and you never feel like the story is flagging. I love that Reus lets us follow the couples from the previous installments of the series. I'm really attached to these characters, and that's the sign of masterfully crafted book. I can't wait for the next one!

4.5 stars

Innocent Target by Katie Reus is such a good read.
From the first few pages I was hooked, the writing is well done, they storyline is entertaining and I ended up reading it in one sitting as I couldn't put it down.

Innocent Target is a great addition to the Redemption Harbor series, each book can be read as a standalone and I highly recommend them.

*A big thank you to the publisher for the advance copy via Netgalley.*

A intriguing suspenseful enjoyable read i really enjoyed it and would recommend giving it and the author a try

4.5 stars-- INNOCENT TARGET is the fourth instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary, adult REDEMPTION TARGET romantic, suspense series focusing on the men and women who work security and Black Ops investigations for Redemption Harbor Consulting. This is thirty-two year old, former FBI agent and assassin Axel O’Sullivan, and twenty-two year old vet school student /heiress Hadley Lane-Alexander’s story line. INNOCENT TARGET can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary. Hadley is Brooks Alexander’s (Dangerous Witness #3) half-sister.

Told from several third person perspectives including Hadley and Axel, INNOCENT TARGET follows the building relationship between former FBI agent and assassin Axel O’Sullivan, and vet school student /heiress Hadley Lane-Alexander. Assassin for hire Axel O’Sullivan is sent notification about a potential target, a young woman who was not the usual type of mark, but a woman who has no idea that multiple assassins are heading her way. To ensure Hadley’s well being, Axel takes personal responsibility for the safety of Hadley Lane, a responsibility that includes quickly losing his heart to our story line heroine. What ensues is the building romance between Hadley and Axel as the team as Redemption Harbor Consulting are pulled in to investigate and search for the person responsible for ordering a hit on Hadley Lane.

Axel O’Sullivan is a reluctant assassin but all of his targets are the lowest of the low, people who have destroyed too many lives, ensuring no one is saddened by their loss or disappearance. Meeting Hadley Lane finds our hero with a change of heart as his attraction to, and developing love for our story line heroine includes threats of a personal nature from the men and women who work and own Redemption Harbor Consulting.

The relationship between Hadley and Axel is one of immediate attraction; a palpable sexual energy that sees our heroine wanting more before the truth about Axel is finally revealed. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

The colorful and dynamic secondary and supporting characters include all of the previous story line couples: Colt Stuart and Skye Arevalo (Resurrection #1), Zac Savage and Olivia Carter (Savage rising #2), Brooks Alexander and Darcy Cooper (Dangerous Witness #3 ), as well as Hadley’s father Douglas Alexander. The requisite evil has many faces.

INNOCENT TARGET is a fast paced, intriguing and sexy story line. The premise is suspense-filled and dramatic; the romance is impassioned and breathtaking; the characters are charismatic and sassy. Katie Reus’ energetic cast of characters pulls the reader into a thrilling and intoxicating story .

Copy supplied by Netgalley

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This is the sweet and awesome story of Hadley, Brooks sister from Dangerous Witness, and Axel a hired contract killer! Yesssssss! More action, killing, characters from the past stories, suspense, hot sex and most importantly a HEA! Hadley is targeted because of her Dad's billions and Axel is tasked in protecting her from those contracted to kill her. This was a great read and as per usual, never a disappointment from my go to author. Axel was incredibly sweet and patient with Hadley. I truly enjoyed this one and cannot wait for Gage's story next. Oh, and Leighton...definitely want to know what is going on with him, Lol. 4 stars!!

*****ARC provided thru NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*****

Innocent Target by Katie Reus is book Four in the Redemption Harbor series. This is the story of Axel and Hadley.
Hadley just moved to Redemption Harbor after finding her father and brother. They are very wealthy protective people that Hadley is getting used to being around.
Axel is a hard man who only wanted to warn Hadley of what information he just came into but once he meets her its hard to just leave.
But where Hadley is innocent he is everything but...can there be something more?

Alex is such a great character in this story. Instead of just warning Hadley and the crew of a contract on her and getting out, he is embroiled into the story with all of the characters we love in 'The Redemption Harbor' series. He becomes a bulldog when it comes to protecting Hadley, and as a killer himself, he has to prove to the others that he is there for her well-being. While protecting Hadley, things take a hot steamy turn for Alex and Hadley, bringing the story to a fast paced, sexy adventurous read that will lead to their HEA, and a place for Alex in Redemption Harbor. A standalone romantic suspense, I found it a great read. I would like to thank NetGalley and KR Press LLC for gifting me "Innocent Target". My opinion is my own. This is mine. 4.5 Stars!

Innocent Target continues the Redemption Harbor series and brings everything I love about Katie Reus. You get peeks into the characters from previous books, creating a 'family' for characters. You get danger. You get romance. What more could I want in a book? There is a reason Reus is one of my go to authors!

Hadley has just moved to Redemption Harbor to be close to her new found family when she is attacked in a parking lot at school. Turns out, someone wants her dead and Axel was given the job. These two meet but Hadley doesn't know exactly who Axel is or what he does.

I was surprised at how vulnerable Axel seemed at times. He is a badass but there are these flashes of insecurity or something that pop up once in awhile. I thought it made him seem more real. Hadley was sweet and likable; not my favorite heroine, but she was still enjoyable. Skye and Colt play a big part of the story (given their history with special operations and such) attempting to find out who is targeting Hadley. Brooks is obvious a large part of the story since he is Hadley's newly found brother! Axel takes on the role of Hadley's protector while they try to find out who wants her dead. He isn't honest with her about who he really is though, which creates tension in the relationship. They have some instant attraction, but overall, I found their relationship sweet.

Innocent Target is a great addition to the Redemption Harbor series and I am really loving the world Reus has created for these characters. Certainly looking forward to more books in this series!

I’ve enjoyed the first three books in the Redemption Harbor Series and did a little fangirling when I got my ARC for Innocent Target. Yes, there have been some plot hole and timeline issues that have taken away from the experience, but I’m really getting into this group of characters. They are all loyal to each other and have each other’s back through thick and thin. What I’m really enjoying is the diversity of the character types. They are each strong in their own way and I’m relishing getting to know them. For instance, Skye is the ultimate badass female character whose favorite accessory is explosives, but the heroine of this story is Hadley, who is sweet, kind, and more than a bit naive but who has also had a rough childhood that she didn’t let break her. She’s not tough at all in a lot of ways, but a strong character nonetheless.

This does not mean that Hadley didn’t have me rolling my eyes a bit with some of her actions. After an attack at her school, she agrees to go out on a date with a relative stranger, to his house no less! At least she took some steps so that if the worst had happened someone knew who she was with, but still. As much as I liked her, this crossed the TSTL line in a big way. The good news is it happened early on and it was her only jaunt through TSTL land. For the rest of the book, she played it fairly smart.

Unbeknownst to her, her date was a hired killer who was given a contract on her. It’s lucky he’s an assassin with a moral compass who had decided to protect her, not kidnap her. I really liked Axel. From the start, something about him tugged at my heartstrings. Like Hadley, he’d had a tough upbringing. He started out as a good guy wanting to save the world, and a convoluted path led him to his current vocation. Still a good guy, but he definitely worked in some dark gray areas.

Like the first and third book, there were a couple things that kept me from awarding this all the stars. As much as I liked Axel, I don’t feel like we got very deep into his character which was a bit frustrating. My main issue was the bad guy. Once again he was almost caricatured in his evilness, and it was never fully explained why he had such a hard-on for Douglas. In fact, when we finally got more info, it confused rather than clarified the issue. None of this kept me from enjoying the story though.

There was suspense, a small bit of action, and time spent with the Redemption Harbor group of characters that I am so fond of. Plus the chemistry between Hadley and Axel was off the charts and they were sexy as hell together. All this together made for an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see who falls next in this exceedingly interesting group of friends.

Rating: 4 Stars

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

Whew, I had to read the book straight through as it was so engaging as Hadley was targeted by a crazy person who wanted to kidnap, torture, then kill her just because of who her father was.

Since I have read the previous books in this series, it was so much fun to see them as part of the team to keep Hadley safe and also meet Axel who fell for her when he first met her. While I loved the previous characters in this book, it is not necessary to have read any of the previous books as this can be read as a stand alone book.

The romance between Axel and Hadley was fast and hot but also love that they were so honest with each other and there were no games involved! The conclusion to the danger that HAdley was facing was kind of quick but so glad that she didn't wait for the guys to rescue her and took action

I really love this series and hope that we will get a book focusing on Gage soon!