It is always bittersweet when a series ends, however in this case the sweet is so much stronger than the bitter. Sasha has been lurking in the background through the entire series and finally getting to understand what makes her tick and how she learned her super-spy skills was more than I expected... and I expected a lot! Bybee is never predictable, I would have absolutely expected Sasha to end-up with someone like her, a dark and mysterious spy, but I ended-up loving AJ for her. He isn't a clean-cut rule follower by any means, but his mix of bad-boy and regular guy fit her in a way only Catherine Bybee can create. Great book and perfect end of the series.

SAY IT AGAIN (First Wives Club Book 5) by Catherine Bybee is the last romantic suspense in this series and features the mysterious Sasha, who has made intriguing appearances since book 1. This is a well written series of books that have unique suspense and relationship plots that can be read as standalones, but the relationships between all of the “First Wives” evolve and change, so in my opinion it is best to read the series in order.

Sasha Budanov has grown up learning to only ever depend on herself. She was raised and hidden in a boarding school in Germany. Richter is bastion of secrets. From a young age the students are trained in languages, stealth, firearms and militarized survival through high school and college. When she finds herself discontent and not knowing what direction to take in her life, she decides to return to her old school.

AJ Hofmann has travelled all the way from Florida to Germany searching for answers. His sister was killed and he believes when he discovers her roommate from Richter was also killed that the answers to the murders lie in her old boarding school. He wants answers and he needs Sasha’s help.

Sasha always works alone, but something about AJ just keeps pulling her to help and keep him close. As the two work to uncover secrets the danger escalates and they become the hunted. It will take all the training Sasha has and the help of some old friends to unmask a killer.

I love that Ms. Bybee gave Sasha a full story. She has always been so mysterious and isolated. AJ is not the type of character I would have thought could bring out Sasha’s softer side, but he did and it worked. The dialogue between Sasha and AJ was entertaining and at times very emotional. The romance builds right along with the suspense. I was surprised by the climax, which followed a page-turning read. I read this book in one sitting and it was worth the time spent. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous.

There is a wrap up with all the couples from the previous books at a Christmas get together which ends the series nicely. This is an exciting read and another great addition to this series.

Say it Again is something else! Great read so many twists and turns with such turbulence.
Last book in the First Wives series but was able to read as a standalone Lucky for me I haven’t read the other books in this series so now u have more books to read. .
Sasha is a badass who returns to her boarding school -Richter- where she was taught and excelled in all the extracurricular courses.
AJ is an adrenaline junkie, son of an ambassador who seeks answers in the death of his sister.
All the secrets held keeps the rat wheel of Richter turning. Family, its meaning, its strengths / weaknesses. Family is all about who you invite into your life. The chase, the turn of events, the expose - WOW!

Say it Again is the fifth book in the First Wives series by the talented Catherine Bybee. I love this series and these women and I was so excited to hear that Sasha was getting her own story! This is the last of the series and I'm going to miss these women and the men who love them! We've known Sasha since the beginning. She's a protector for hire and always there when they need her. Now, something hits close to home and she teams up with sexy AJ, a professional car thief, and Reed and the boys to help find answers. Along the way, Sasha finds more answers inside herself and starts to let her friends in. Into her life and her heart. I loved watching Sasha make the choice to care. To want to be around her friends. It's the perfect way to end the series (although, I wouldn't mind a little something from Claire). Sasha is so fantastic with her cat suits and smarts. And I loved AJ and his humor and determination! Overall, I laughed, teared up, got mad, swooned and enjoyed every word.

3.5 stars

I wasn’t sure if the author was going to give Sasha her own story, and I’m glad she did. I still find Sasha somewhat intriguing and mysterious, but I understand her so much better now.

AJ is the perfect mate for Sasha. He’s strong and compassionate while somewhat clueless. Yet he understands when to push her and when to back off. Then there’s Claire, a teenager who reminds Sasha a lot of herself at that age. Who would have realized there was a mama bear inside of Sasha? She’s not quite sure what to do with the emotions these two people bring into her life. And she’s surprised to realize she doesn’t hate the feelings she’s having.

Throw in a lot of Reed and Neil and their team, some babies, and the women Sasha has so far been able to avoid on any deep level, and Sasha is very far out of her element. But it’s a lot of fun for the reader…and she’s still got her butt kicking instincts, which is good because she’s going to need them.

The mystery, so to speak, of this story is a bit of a long and winding road. It’s not that anything shocked me, but there were some curves I didn’t necessary expect. That really kept me engaged with the book. The best part, by far, was the growth Sasha has throughout the story. The connections she’s made throughout the years have strengthened and she’s learned she doesn’t always have to be a lone wolf.

Since this story pretty much wraps up this series, I’m hoping there will be another spin off series with Claire and some of the younger guys on Reed’s security team. It could happen! After all, this series was a spin off of the Weekday Brides series.

This series is magic. As with all the books that came before it, Say It Again was a delight to read. Sasha and AJ have that fantastic push and pull dynamic that really works with all that they encounter. Their chemistry is undeniable. Let’s be honest, this is Sasha after all so you know she’s going to make any man work for it. While that was completely expected what I wasn’t expecting was that she would work equally as hard to nurture and reassure AJ. I love that while Sasha and AJ are both at odds with life and what comes next, they stay true to themselves and their growth evolves naturally.

Claire was an amazing addition. She was exactly what this story needed to come full circle and really shine. I would absolutely love it if we see her pop up in a future series/spin off because she was so very well developed. It was a treat to see everyone involved and the wrap up tied everything together seamlessly.

If you haven’t read this series you need to do it straight away. I cannot recommend it enough.

It only took a hot minute for me to be dazzled by Catherine Bybee’s books when I first discovered them, but it was THIS series in particular that made me irrevocably fall in love with her storytelling, so seeing it come to an end was nothing short of bittersweet. And while I always expected this heroine’s story to be somewhat different from the rest given what we knew of her backstory, nothing could have prepared me for this fast-paced, high-stakes, globetrotting game of cat and mouse that somehow embodies and outdoes every single thing I’ve come to love about this author’s writing style. Bybee keeps us guessing until the very end in this perfect, edge-of-your-seat finale to a much-loved series, delivering an immensely satisfying ending that truly brings the series to full circle.

Full review » https://natashaisabookjunkie.com/2019/09/18/review-say-it-again-by-catherine-bybee/

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**

Say It Again, is the final book in Catherine Bybee's First Wives series. I'm sad this series is ending but what a way for it to go out! Sasha Budanov has been a consent throughout the entire series while not actually a member of the First Wives Club. She's always dropping in to help her friends. She was a loner and a bit of enigma. Now we find out what Sasha made of!

Sasha returns to the military-type boarding school she attended wanting to find answers about her childhood and some direction as to what should come next. This unknowingly sets off a chain of events.

AJ Hoffmann is searching for answers of his own. He's discovered that several students from Richter (Sasha's former school), have ended up dead, his sister included. He believes they're connected and that Sasha is just the person to help him! At first Sasha is incredibly guarded and wary of him, but she quickly realizes that he may be on to something.

As Sasha and AJ delve deeper into this mystery, they discover that there are feelings developing between them, something that is completely foreign to Sasha. Will she be able to trust him and all of her friends to help her figure out the secrets the walls of Richter hold? Will she finally be able to hear those three little words that have alluded her for all of her life?

This was by far my favorite book in the series! I was on the edge of my seat just waiting for the next thing to happen. As mentioned above, I'm sad this series is over but I have no doubt that whatever Catherine Bybee has for us next will great!!

OMG! I loved this book! Sasha has been a mysterious character in other stories in this series. I had wondered about her and was really looking forward to her story. It didn't disappoint for a moment. She's a little lost now that her father no longer poses a threat to her. She is a lone wolf. Her story uncovers details of how she grew up and explains so much. I couldn't have imagined a better match for her than AJ.

The story starts when AJ approaches Sasha to get some answers about his sister's death. It's a roller coaster ride from there! There were lots of twists and turns. The book was so much fun! It reintroduced a few characters from previous books and introduced a few newer ones. I'm really hoping that some of them get future stories!

The book was fabulous - great characters with a lot of chemistry and a lot of excitement. I look forward to reading more from Catherine Bybee!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is the fifth and final book in the series, but don’t worry it reads as a complete standalone. Each book is about someone different with interconnected characters. I do think you have a little more insight of Sasha if you have read the other books, but you will still thoroughly enjoy this book if you have not read the other ones. I’ve loved this entire series and I was always intrigued by the mysterious Sasha. This was worth the wait to read her story. Many times when you get a romantic suspense book, it will be light on the suspense and heavy on the romance, or vice versa. This book gives you a healthy dose of both and you won’t want to put it down. This book is definitely worth checking out.

Phenomenal whirlwind of suspense, passion, laughter and espionage rolled into one! This is what you call intelligent writing! The characters are perfect. I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one sitting!

Oh my heavens! I loooooved Sasha’s story. Man, Catherine brought ALL. THE. FEELS, action, friendships and love in this book! I was completely consumed and didn’t want to put this book down. I tried to savor all the words, knowing this book was the last one in the series. I’m sad to say goodbye but I thought this was a fantastic ending to the series! I now have a lovely book hangover.

Say It Again by Catherine Bybee is the last of the First Wives series. The novel follows Sasha as she tries to find her place. She is not even sure what she is looking for. So Sasha goes back to her old school in Germany. A school that seems to specialize in turning out warriors, spies, and secret agents. It is in Germany, where she meets AJ, a man trying to find answers to his sister’s death. He is positive it happened because of where she went to school.

The story line is fast moving with some great clandestine operations. I enjoyed both Sasha and AJ’ s characters. I loved how AJ was not willing to let Sasha push him away. I love how they treated Claire and helped her. The story line was interesting with how the school and the various people (met in the earlier books) were able to help Sasha and Aj solve their dilemma.

Say it Again by Catherine Bybee is a well written book. THe characters are solid and interesting. Sasha is just enough quirky to be funny. I loved the various relationships and how despite those, Sasha could not just reach out. Another fun read by Catherine Bybee.

Wow!!! I devoured this book in one day, could not put it down. I was so excited to get Sasha's story and this did not disappoint. Protector for Hire, Sasha has returned to her boarding school in Germany to gather information on her past when she meets AJ, also looking for answers on the death of his sister. They will join forces to get to the bottom of her death and along the way find many secrets about Richter.

This is a compelling story with many twists and turns and falling in love when you least expect it. Loved the epilogue, a great way to tie in the previous stories. Always hard to say good bye. This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.

I have been waiting for Sasha's story and it did not disappoint. She is a strong, independent and take charge woman and I couldn't wait to see what kind of man would complement her. AJ was the perfect contradiction to her. Strong in his own way, he never shied away from her or his need for her help. The sexy and playfulness between these two was so good to read! I love everything about Sasha and AJ!

Sasha is struggling. Struggling with where she came from and who she is. So back to her past she goes. Never did she think there would be conspiracies and dark secrets there. Needing something for herself, she challenges the students and finds she cares more than she wants to admit. And when she meets AJ and finds out more about who he is and why he needs her, the more intrigued she is.

AJ needs Sasha's skills to help find his sisters killer. But her beauty and self confidence don't hurt. She is one sexy woman and he wants to peel the layers back and know her. What makes her tick. But the dangers surrounding them keep ramping up, and with their escape from her past with a tag a long that has worked her way into both of their hearts and lives, they have to find out what's going on. And how deep the treachery lies.

As their passions overtake them Sasha realizes she doesn't need AJ but wants him there by her side. But can it ever work?? Can she put herself out there and make herself vulnerable like that?? And as her self discovery continues ues she sees she isn't as alone in the world as she thinks. She has family. She only has to open herself to their love and support.

As I have been reading the First Wives series, Sasha has always been the one that I have needed to know more about. She lives on the outskirts of the "First Wivers" and their families, kind of on the outside looking in, but that is the way likes it... or is it.

She is such a badar$e, you just never know what she is going to get up to next. I loved learning more about her past and how she got to be the woman she is today. And she's the kind of woman we all want to be (at least in our minds). I got a kind of Black Widow vibe from her (but that could just all about the black).

I liked seeing the softer side of Sasha come out too. No woman is an island, and seeing her realise that she is loved was wonderful yet heartbreaking at the same time.

It is probably because of the kind of woman that Sasha is, that I did not feel as connected to her as I have with the other ladies in the series. However I think that is also the way Ms Bybee wants it to be, keeping us all at arms length.

It is always sad when a series comes to an end, however it leaves us open to all the possibilities of what will come next.

I can't wait to see what Ms Bybee brings us next.

One thing I have come to absolutely love about this author is that she NEVER allows her stories to fit any mold. Rather, she follows her characters where they lead instead of forcing them into her box of “contemporary romance”. Yes, all are contemporary but each and every story is different depending on the people within those stories.

This book focuses on Sasha, a very intricately layered woman who is something of a James Bond in female form. She uses her extensive talents to help and protect those she cares about, though. I knew from the very beginning that she would be a very hard nut to crack. I loved that she cared so deeply for people but had no idea how to show or express it. I also loved her awkwardness with affection because she was so over-the-top capable in every other single area.

This is where Ms. Bybee’s talent shines. She follows Sasha’s character and doesn’t force her to be someone she isnt’ just because the story is “supposed” to. This one can’t, it isn’t in the main characters DNA to have a fluffy, or even angst-ridden love affair. Instead it is a mystery/suspense with a very understated growing love. It fits. It’s perfect for her.

With that being said, however, I do wish we could have delved a bit deeper into that slow growing love (I guess Sasha really needed two books - or even a series. One to draw her out, more to explore how she grows) because I never felt a real, true connection between her and AJ. I never could determine if he would ultimately be strong enough for her. He is definitely what she needs to count and compliment her hardness. He understands her like no one else. But, I was never able to actually see strength within him, alone. And that is the ONLY reason this book didn’t receive 10 of 5 stars.

Every other aspect is pitch-perfect, can’t put down, amazing mystery-suspense at it’s very best! And, as a side noted - LOVED Claire!! She is one of the strongest secondary characters I’ve seen in a long time. She needs her own book!!!

4.5 stars
This is the first book that I’ve read by the author and from this series but I felt like it was ok to be read as a stand-alone book.
A very fast paced read, great writing,a lot of mysteries that will keep you wanting more and more, a female character that is one of the greatest female characters that I’ve read , an unexpected love story that i’m always looking forward in any book and an interesting plot overall.
Will definitely read more by the author.

With a heavy dose of suspense and mystery, this book is about much more than our couple finding love. It’s well written and moves quickly, with some great tender moments (that I honestly wish there were more of), and plenty of action. Fans of the series find this satisfying, but this can also easily be read as a standalone.

The story follows Sasha, who is definitely not the typical heroine in a romance novel. She wears black almost exclusively, rides a motorcycle, oozes sex appeal and has casual sex whenever the mood strikes. As an orphan, she’s never known what it feels like to have a true family and much prefers to be a lone wolf than to seek help from others. When she begins feeling aimless, she returns to the school that shaped her (a military-style boarding school in Germany), and she seeks refuge there as well as direction as to what she should do next. While in Germany, she meets an American looking for answers about his sister’s death, which he believes to be related to the school. AJ intrigues Sasha, and though he looks like a clean cut guy, he is also a car thief who understands more about Sasha than she would’ve predicted. As the two try to figure out the mystery surrounding the death of AJ’s sister, they can’t ignore the chemistry that has ignited between them.

There’s a lot to like about the book, from the solid writing to the likeable characters and combustible chemistry. Personally, I thought that the suspense overtook the book. It is not in any way a short book, but the interactions between Sasha and AJ were so spaced out that it felt like their romance was rushed. Perhaps if you go into this anticipating a suspense with a side of romance, you’ll be more pleased with the book as a whole but it took me a while to wrap my head around just how much the suspense was featured. I did love every part of the romance; AJ is the perfect match for Sasha. He understands her in a way that most don’t, and he’s willing to put in the effort to break through her walls. That was absolutely great to read. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC. I am voluntarily leaving a review of this suspenseful and sexy read.

Catherine Bybee has become one of my auto-buy authors. This is book five in the First Wives Club series. When I received an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review, I immediately accepted since I loved the other books in this fantastic series! My opinions are my own and not influenced by anyone.

Say It Again is an emotionally-charged romance with plenty of action and great characters. The plot is suspenseful and had me flipping the pages on my Kindle quickly. As with all of Ms. Bybee’s novels, the dialogue is real, and the characters are flawed, making them so believable.

Sasha’s character had intrigued me in the last book, so I was anticipating a lot, and Ms. Bybee has delivered again! Sasha is gutsy and bold with lots of secrets. She dealt with quite a bit of baggage in the last book, so even though her behavior is shocking, especially in the first scene, I understood why. She isn’t a warm and fuzzy character, and I loved her sassy attitude toward AJ.

AJ Hofmann is a fantastic hero. He’s driven to find his sister’s murderer and will leave nothing to chance. He quickly discovers Sasha is the perfect person to help him. He’s also not a lily-white character and has his own baggage.

The romance between Sasha and AJ ignites quickly and burns hot. AJ is actually able to bring out a softer side of Sasha, one she rarely shows. Under her gritty personality, her heart is generous. That comes out as well when she befriends a young woman at Richter.

If you enjoy character-driven romance novels with engaging characters and a great plot, then you will enjoy Say It Again. While this book can be read as a stand-alone, I do recommend reading the other books in the series first. You will thoroughly enjoy the paths these four women travel as much as I. Happy reading!