Over the Line by Kelly Irvin – Mixed Reaction

Over the Line is Kelly Irvin’s newest book in the romantic suspense genre. I recently discovered Kelly’s writing when I read two of her recent Amish themed books and fell in love with her writing. That’s why I was excited to read her newest book.

Over the Line is an action-packed novel that seems like it could have been taken from today’s headline news. Chef and restaurateur, Gabriella Benoit is locking up her restaurant late at night and is met by a stranger who was carrying a gun and calling her name. As he clutches his chest and falls to the ground he says “Jake” but dies before he can say anything more about Gabby’s brother. She’d never imagined she’d need help from her former fiancé Eli Cavazos to find her missing brother or find herself in the middle of an illegal gun smuggling ring at the border. How is she going to protect her sister and family from some very desperate and dangerous men? Just who are the good guys and who are the bad ones?

I had a mixed reaction to Over the Line. I appreciate that it’s clean and not filled with sexual immorality or filthy language. There is some Christian faith included in the book and I thought it was better and more genuine towards the end of the book. I liked Eli’s mother and her openness and transparency and how different characters dealt with the issue of forgiveness. I especially liked the character Deacon, he was a nice surprise. As you get to know him you can see he’s a decent sincere person and Natalie was very likeable too.

But over-all, I feel like the action was center stage and eclipsed the characters. Some of the prayers or mentions of God and faith seemed like they were out of place or just thrown in, instead of a natural overflow of the character’s thinking or feelings. Some of the character’s actions didn’t make a lot of sense, like Deacon trespassing or Gabby confronting a police officer she suspected was corrupt because she was overcome with emotion instead of using reason and logic. That didn’t make sense coming from a person who was a former district attorney. The scene where Gabriella and Natalie crashed the van doesn’t seem realistic because the dialogue goes on and on when the bad guys are coming their way with big guns. I wasn’t overly fond of the main character Gabriella.

As I was reading this book, I kept thinking this must be the second book in a series because there was a lot of back-story between Gabriella and Eli and what had happened in Natalie’s life previously. I was surprised to find out that this wasn’t the second book. Some of the background information and questions I had were answered later in the book.

I would recommend Over the Line to someone who likes Kelly Irvin’s writing, with a note that it’s much different than her Amish themed books. Also, for those who enjoy Christian suspense novels. Over the Line will be available June 11, 2019.

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Over the Line by Kelly Irvin in exchange for an honest review. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.



This book is full of tension and intrigue. It's interesting that many things that are discussed in the book are true today but were not true at the time of writing. We are given insight to the struggles of "Mexican border" towns, and all the illegal stuff they have to deal with. The characters were well developed and the plot was exciting. It was page turning at times and other times calm to give the reader a rest from the action. Many times suspense novels are so packed with action that you are totally worn out reading it. The romance part was there but not overly done or too mushy. The subplot involving Gabby's sister adds a lot to the story line.

In this latest suspense novel by Ms. Irvin, readers meet Gabriella, former attorney to current restaurant owner. As Gabriella leaves her restaurant late one night she encounters a young man who has been shot. However, he knows her name and her brothers. She is afraid for her brother’s life. She is so afraid she seeks the help of her ex-fiancé, Eli, who is a homicide detective. Together, they embark on a journey to find the truth and to also find Jake. Following several mishaps, they fear who to trust to determine the truth. They discover they are in the middle of a gun smuggling ring that is occurring across the border. Not only are they in a fight for their lives, but also they must learn to trust each other in any situation. Both Eli and Gabriella have not had it easy in the past. This was a thrilling adventure into their lives. It will keep you up late at night so that you can come to the finale. I highly recommend this book and don’t believe you will be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

Over the Line by Kelly Irvin is a romantic suspense. Gabby is a retired DA who now runs a restaurant. The story opens with a young man’s death who mentions her brother. She and her ex-boyfriend go on a quest to find her FBI brother. He had been working a case and they think it is all related.
Gabby’s ex is a homicide detective. Both Gabby and Eli have lots of baggage.
A few of the side characters were a great addition to the story. Natalie is Gabby’s sister and quite frankly I liked her as much or more than Gabby. Natalie has some of her own challenges but appears to be stronger than Gabby. Brenton was a reporter that I ended up liking because of his interactions with Natalie.
The story was relevant for today’s issues. The author was able to provide a surprise or two. My only recommendation would have been to add some humor or good moments. The entire book seemed to be negative; mostly because of Gabby and her issues. Natalie was able to add what humor was in the book; like the wheel chair races.
Sexual content. Kissing hugging,
Violence - nothing descriptive but people die, kidnapped, tortured behind the scenes.
Drinking - mention of others drinking, damage from drinking and driving,

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

Kelly Irvin has written a solid faith-based thriller with a rougher edge than I generally enjoy. Gun smuggling is hurting the reputations of San Antonio, TX, and Laredo, TX. It was also effecting the lives of Gabriella Benoit (former San Antonio prosecutor and current restaurateur) and her family.

Beginning with the death of a confidential informant working with her brother, an ATF agent, the books moves along. Sadly, though the plot is good and attention holding, it felt to this reader as if he were sloshing through foot deep mud for most of the book. There times when the reader felt that it was moving at a good clip, but those places were few and far between. Of course, the book’s pace is a much a function of the reader’s taste as it is of the author’s writing - so other readers may find the book to be a faster read than I did.

Those who enjoy faith-based thrillers will find the story worth reading. Because of the added grittiness of the book, the local church library would do well to have one or two local members pre-read this book before definitely adding it to their collection. Local libraries serving a conservative community may want to consider adding this book to their collection.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Gabriella desperately needs the help of former fiance Eli, whom she is reluctant to trust. As Gabriella searches for her brother and is unwillingly involved in a crime scene, Gabriella has no choice but to accept Eli's help. Very fast-paced, suspenseful book filled with family and love. Great book!

Gabriella Benoit, former assistant district attorney and current restaurant owner wants nothing more than a good night’s sleep after a long day. But life rarely turns out the way we want. Her ex-fiancé shows up to beg her forgiveness. Again. And then a young man comes out of the darkness, whispering her name before collapsing at her feet.

Eli Cavazos, San Antonio Police Detective, will do almost anything to win back the love of his life. But Gabby doesn’t want anything to do with him. When she screams for his help across the plaza, he rushes in to rescue her. What happens next will give him the excuse he needs to stay with her—and hopefully muster up the courage to really talk to her.

As Gabby and Eli rush to find out what happened to her brother Jake, armed men break into Gabby’s house and threaten her sister Natalie, her niece and nephew, and Deacon, her reporter friend. Although Eli doesn’t trust Deacon, Gabby knows that they all need to work together to unravel the mystery of Jake’s disappearance.

The Laredo Police Department wants to arrest Jake, an ATF agent, for murder. But no one can find him. Jurisdiction squabbles, dirty cops, and uneasy relationships keep getting in the way of the search.

Irvin creates another fast-paced, chilling suspense novel that will keep you up late at night (start it on a weekend). Not just another suspense novel, though, the author weaves in the message of forgiveness and grace.

A good book by a great author. Kelly Irvin knows how to tell a story, and she tells this one very well. Lots of action and suspense with likeable characters. The ending is intense and kept me turning pages to see who survived. This is a good entry into the Christian suspense genre. Although I love this author’s Amish fiction, I’m hoping she writes more of these suspenseful stories.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Gabriella Benoit, ex ADA turned chef, is approached by a stranger, a young man who appears to know her brother, but who dies at her feet without telling her how or what he knows.

Eli Cavazos, San Antonio homicide detective, and ex-fiance of Gabriella has just left the site. He regularly attends at her restaurant’s closing time watching as she locks up and drives away safely.

Gabriella’s brother, an ATF agent is missing. He hasn’t been seen or heard from since he left his office to meet with an informer. He is being sought by the Laredo PD as a suspect in the murder of his informer. Gabriella cannot reach him and so she decides to go to Laredo to find him. The chances are that he is dead.

Gabriella, Natalie and her children, live in the house in which the sisters and their brother, were raised,

Natalie, a psychiatrist, paralysed in a car accident that killed her husband, decides to accompany Gabriella. to Laredo. When their house is invaded by masked and armed men looking for a phone they think the murdered man has passed to Gabriella, a reporter from the local paper is there too. He had been trying to get a story from Natalie. Realising the danger she and her children are now in, he rashly offers to accom[any them to Laredo where his aunt and uncle live.

Confused yet? Yes, there are lots of things going on and lots of characters.

There’s a Laredo police detective who might or might not be on the other side;, a young woman claiming to be Jake Benoit’s fiancee; an arms smuggler who is an uncle of the dead man; Deacon Alder the reporter, getting more involved in the case; his aunt and uncle brought into the case because they are sheltering Gabriella, Natalie, and her children; an ATF agent who is gunned down in broad daylight’; an ex Police chief now retired and running a ranch ,and more. So many characters – I found I had to go back to check on who was who at times.

We are asked to put logical thinking on hold and believe that two women, one a paraplegic, can take on an armed gang and rescue three men held hostage.

There are some Christian beliefs scattered throughout the story but not enough to trouble you if this is not your faith.

That having been said, it’s is a good story, well told, if you can get past the poor proofreading.

Kelly Irvin’s latest story is a riveting ride that will keep you wondering until the very end! I enjoyed her previous suspense story but this one was my favorite. Over the Line follows Gabriella and Eli, two people struggling with self guilt and doubt. A former couple, they are forced to work together when Gabriella’s brother comes up missing. He is an ATF agent who was working to stop the smuggling of guns across the Mexican border. When a dying man approaches Gabriella with her brothers name on his lips, she must work with Eli, the man who betrayed her, to find her brother. They soon discover that there is more going on than they realized and their lives, as well as those close to them, are in danger. I loved how the book kept you guessing and wondering right until the end. I also love the story of redemption that underlies the fabric of the novel. It did an great job of showing how we are all broken, but God is bigger than any mistake we could ever make. It also did a good job of touching on events that relate to us every day in the world we live in. I would say five stars for sure! It is a must read! I received a fee copy of this story from NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I don't like writing reviews where the entire plot is given away. The story is set in the border town of Laredo Texas. The story starts and ends with a Bang! After a man falls dead at her feet, Gabriella goes on an unwavering search for answers. Throughout her journey, her former fiance who is a homicide detective accompanies her along the way. The story has corruption, guns, romance, suspense, and a whole lot grit. Over the Line is about forgiveness and the power of God's love and mercy. There a different characters in the book that helps shape the story into what it is. I'm hoping that some of the secondary characters get a story of their own.

As a native Texan (Houston) the most diverse city in the US , I love reading stories that are set in Texas.

Over the Line is a fantastic romantic suspense. Loved the plot with it many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. Suspense fans will not want to miss this book. I received an arc from the publisher via Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

This was a fairly good romantic suspense novel. It wasn't my favorite, but it got better the more I read. There was suspense and a little twist, with some romance thrown in along the way. The characters were well developed and interesting.

When a young man comes to Gabby and falls in front of her, he says her brother's name in her ear. Gabby hasn't heard from her brother in a long time. So Gabby, her sister and Gabby's ex-boyfriend set out to find their brother. I love how strong this family is together.

I received this novel from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love detective mysteries and I never read anyone like this. Over the line, tells the story of Gabriella and how she recently broke up with her boyfriend who was a homicidal detective. Determined to move on from the relationship, she later meets a man at her door with a bullet in his chest and his last words were her brother's name. She later find out that this man is part of a ring of criminals that have been chased down for years. With her brother missing, there is only one man that can help her, Eli Cavazos, Gabby's ex-boyfriend. They must team up to find her brother and catch these criminals once and for all. Every page was a surprise that left me breathless and shocked at every page. This is definitely a book you will want to keep by your bedside.

We will consider adding this title to our Mystery collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

Pretty good plot, including the the characters’ relationships. I thought Gabby was rather immature in her grudge but it sorts out in the end

It is a race against time for law enforcement to find missing ATF agent Jake Benoit before he turns up dead. Jake's two sisters, Natalie and Gabriella, are also targeted and in danger. Gabriella's ex-boyfriend and a newspaper reporter find themselves in the thick of danger as they try to protect the women. Follow along as this fast-paced story takes you on the ride of your life as you try to guess who the traitor is, who is fronting for the cartel, and when and where the cartel bad boys will hit next. This story takes place along the US and Mexican border and gives a factual view of the struggle with ICE agents and other law enforcement fighting against the great Mexican drug cartel powers. The author does a good job to not make this story a political stand, but rather lay out facts.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This story is relevant to today's headlines about the southern border. The story has lots of action, dealing with gun-running, murder, police corruption, etc. There were so much untold background material about the characters, it seemed as if the book was the middle is a series. Information was slowly given out, but I thought a little more should have been given earlier to clarify things.

3.5 stars

This book started strong from the get-go. We're introduced to restaurant owner, Gabriella Benoit as she is closing up her restaurant one night. Her police officer ex-fiance, Eli shows up to make sure she gets to her car safely and after arguing with him, she reaches her car as a young man staggers up, mumbles something about her brother and dies. She is immediately drawn into a deeper intrigue. She and Eli end up heading from San Antonio to Laredo to search for her brother, as he has gone missing. Meanwhile, the bad guys believe the dead guy gave her his cell phone, which has incriminating evidence on it regarding gun smuggling over the Mexican border. She has to stay one step ahead of them in order to save her own life.

The plot was fast moving, the characters were likeable and the underlying theme of forgiveness was great for this Christian romantic suspense. One issue I had was feeling like this was book 2 in a series (which it isn't) and that I'd missed some important history. While everything eventually came to light, by the time that it did, the romance had become central and I didn't understand how it really got there. If I overlook that piece, though, this was a good romantic suspense. I did also note a few grammatical and spelling errors; however, since this was an advanced copy from NetGalley, I assume those will be taken care of in final editing and did not reflect in my rating at all.

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced E-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

OVER THE LINE ..by Kelly Irwin
Gabriella , they warned her about dating a detective, Eli for four years. He wants forgiveness, she knew he came with baggage. She didn’t know the whole suitcase full would be dumped on her head. Waiting to follow her home from closing restaurant after midnight. A young kid comes out from nowhere, calling her name, then Jake her brother’s name, now falling from a gun shot wound. No one can get in touch with Jake he was working undercover, his place has been ramshacked. Tension from the first page, you get the scenario with the characters, what is really going on behind the scene.
Is it more than the cartel, and stolen guns. The author has once again given
us a suspenseful plot, that readers won’t want to miss reading.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson.

OVER THE LINE by KELLY IRVIN is more than a romantic suspense novel with great characters and a really good plot - it is a book in which the importance of forgiveness, both God's forgiveness towards us and ours towards those who have hurt us, is woven throughout the story.
It is a fast paced and exciting read, impossible to put down, with many twists and turns that keep us guessing right to the end.
Gun running on the Texas/Mrxico border, violent crime, law enforcement at its best and also it's worst, news reporting, loyalty, and the love of family, all make up part of this book, which I can really recommend.
It is the second of this author's books that I have read, Tell Her no Lies, was the first, and I will be watching for more novels of this caliber from her in the future.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.