I read the Preface and then wished I hadn't. I didn't want to read the story assuming that a shoe dropping was going to be around every corner. Please don't feel the same way because as each scene goes by you're wonder "is this when it's going to happen?" I know that wasn't the author's intent but my mind wasn't listening.

Emily knew she needed to make changes in her life. She mentions a movie that if you want a good laugh, check it out. There may be some that may have already watched it but now's a good chance to watch it again. The author could have gone two ways with this character and I was happy with her choice.

Tamir has a side job that makes him a man of mystery. He has the persona that he lets people see and then there's the side i don't think you would like to meet. But just like a good movie, it may scare you a little bit but you have no choice but to keep going back for more. Our author made it hard to like him but he begins to grow on you.

It seems our two main characters just may have something in common and it's at that moment you'll want to learn more. It's also the time where you can't seem to stop turning the page - forget getting anything else done. Think of this as a puzzle and each chapter is just a piece of the puzzle and only the author knows where the piece goes. Just becareful because some of the heat she creates may just singe the edges as the pieces come together. It grabbed my attention almost from the beginning and left me wondering what else this author has created.

I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

It is no secret that I am always on the hunt for a good romantic suspense. And after reading the blurb of Where Loyalties Lie, I knew that I wanted this to be my first book from Jill Ramsower. The opening gave me the big eyes and I had to know just what happened.

I liked that both Emily and Tamir had secrets. Ones they held close to the chest because of the devastation they could cause. With Emily fearful and on the run, it was all Tamir could do not to spill his deepest truths. But as the story unfolded and I got to know them, I admired them more and more. For their bravery. Courage in making the hard choices. How they sacrificed love and happiness for survival.

I have to say that I figured out what the twist would be before I hit the halfway mark. That being said, I still wanted to see how Tamir and Emily got to that point and what would come after. It was a twisty and bumpy ride and I was quite sure it was going to have a happy ending. Hats off to Jill Ramsower for keeping me guessing as the drama and danger unfolded. But it was the longing and love that Tamir and Emily couldn't keep hidden (even when they tried to) despite everything happening, that kept me reading.

Where Loyalties Lie by Jill Ramsower is the story of Emily and Tamir. If you have read the 'Five Family series' especially the 'Blood Always' book then you will have already been introduced to Tamir. But, you don't really have to have read them to enjoy this book...but they were some good reads. Emily has secrets that keep her looking over her shoulder knowing that someone is out there looking to get her. Emily ends up taking a Krav Maga class given by Tamir. Tamir with his own secrets is a ex special forces military personnel along with being a hired assassin, but for now he is a instructor in martial arts. Emily catches his eye in his class which leads them to dance around their attraction with just glances at each other at first before they start to actually talk. Then, Tamir happens to see that there is a hit on Emily which leads him to want to know more about what is going on with her. This starts their exciting romance adventure. I do recommend this book and this author's writing.

Where Loyalties Lie is my first book by Jill Ramsower and I loved this book. Not everything and everyone is what they seem and that's what I love about this book. I can't wait to see what Jill comes out with next.

Riveting!

So many secrets! Emily and Tamir take us on a journey full of drama, surprises and emotion. I enjoyed the slow burn between them.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

4.4 stars

This story was good. From the opening foreshadowing prologue, I was very invested in what was going to happen and how that scene came to happen. It was riveting. However, it read more like a fictional suspense story than romantic suspense.

There was a slow build in the characters as the story unfolds, letting glimpses show here and there that there was an interest in the other but nothing more than that until almost 70% of the book. Then when it did happen it wasn't detailed like is generally there. I am not saying that was bad, as it did work. I just wasn't prepared for that after such a slow build. The storyline was good, but again, it felt more like just a great fictional story. I did like the attention to detail in regards to Krav Maga and the reason that it is important.

This is a new to me author and one I've been eager to try since reading the amazing blurb. I knew I was right on being excited from just the preface alone.

With books like these every single little detail is crucial and spoilerish to the bigger picture so I'll keep this short and sweet.

I was hooked from cover to cover, unable to look away, let alone think straight. It was everything I love in a book. Will definitely be going back and reading The Five Families series asap.

Definitely a must click!!!

4.5/5

Today I bring you a review of a book that I don't remember asking to review, and not because I didn't want to but I had many books already to read that I didn't want to take the place of someone else that would have the time to read it, so when it arrived to my email I was surprised but very happy at the same time, it was then that I decided to free up space in my agenda and I went for it.

I'll just start by saying that Wow!!!!, I've been surprised in a good way, this book is almost totally different from what I had read before from this author and I loved it.

Tamir's is a character I wanted to read since I known him from the previous book (Blood Always), the mystery with which his author handled it in that book was very successful in arousing the reader's interest, at least with me it worked like that.

I won't say much so as not to ruin your reading, but I can summarize a little that the suspense and mystery that the author handles in this book kept me reading every time I had free time, in my work I took advantage of my lunch break and those minutes went by very quickly.

Tamir and Emily are careful with what they say and unveil, the mystery of what each one hides seems to be what attracts them at first, that desire to know what they hide will make that when the occasion deserves it they have to half trust and only say part of their best guarded secret, but when the whole truth is discovered it seems that none is willing to believe it and face it, at least on Emily's side, she is tired of that life of her past and the least she wants is someone like that in her life.

Tamir is firm in his decision to pursue his "profession", willing to give Emily the time she needs to decide about them.

The whole book is a story that the author does not force or rush, I liked that very much, the relationship and sex parts of the protagonists is slow and perfect timing, the end is very predictable after a certain meeting of Tamir’s partners, but that’s what I expecting in novels of this type, I love the HEA, and this story has it.

Thank you so mucha to the author and The Next Step Pr for my advance copy on exchange of my honest review.

Emily was literally running for her life. Tamir was lethal and saw something in Emily he wanted to save. Understandably Emily didn’t trust easily. Tamir was going to do whatever he had to for Emily. He wanted to not only help her but to keep her. I enjoyed reading this book. It’s was a adventurous page turner. I would Definitely read another book by this author.

What a surprising and amazing read! I’ve read this author’s work before but this is a little more unique and different. After reading the prologue I couldn’t put it down! It hooks you and carries you through the entire book. The characters were well developed & interesting, and the storyline was mysterious and suspenseful & flowed easily. Tamir & Emily are strong willed and brave characters that you can’t help but cheer for. If you are looking for something different in the romantic suspense genre, check this one out! I thoroughly enjoyed it! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

Both Tamir and Emily are keeping secrets. Bound by their secrets for varying reasons, if they don’t learn to trust one another, Emily might not make it out alive. Emily has a forceful personality, and her inner strength keeps her fighting. She’s highly self-reliant, and sometimes that means not letting Tamir in when she needs to. Described by Emily as scary, Tamir is anything but. His quiet strength comes from his time in the Israeli army and the contacts he’s made along the way. Together they can make the impossible happen, and it all comes down to trust.

This one was fun. Still quietly connected to the five families, but a complete standalone, it contains a bit for everyone. There’s the romance aspect, the danger, mafia, and military all rolled into a steamy slow-burn romance. Jill always delivers a well-written story with fantastically deep characters with strong female leads. Where Loyalties Lie is a fun and heated addition to her ever-growing catalog.

I loved this book! Although I did bounce back and forth with loving Tamir and hating Tamir. This book is filled with so many secrets and suppressed emotions that they came out through me in the form of tears. Emily and Tamir have a lot to overcome and in the end....worth it.

I think that one of the things that I'm enjoying the most about these five families stories from Jill Ramsower is the way that the lines between good and evil blur. While this story isn't directly about members of the five families, it deals with Tamir, who we met in the last book Blood Always. He is a Krav Maga instructor and in the previous book, it was in this role that we saw him, working with prickly Maria. Now he gets his own story when he is thrown into the path of Emily, a woman with a price on her head.
Tamir and Emily both have secrets and I think it is possibly partially this that makes them work so well together. Neither of them is all bad and they are certainly both far from all good. I liked the way that they learn who each other really is and how that affects their feelings towards one another. There is obviously a huge amount of chemistry between them right from the beginning and they need to find their way past that to find out how they really feel about one another.
As I mentioned the lines between good and bad are blurred here. I think that it's testament to what an enjoyable and well-written series this is that you can't help but like and find yourself championing characters that in other circumstances you might see as the bad guys.
This is a great story connected to a great series. I'm looking forward to reading what's next from the five families.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tamir and Emily get to know each other through the Krav Maga classes he teaches. They start to have sparks fly only to find out each is holding secrets. They embark on a road trip to help Emily with her past. Will everything work out, or are the secrets each of them have too much?

Holy smokes Tamir and Emily. This story is full of secrets, suspense and steaminess!! I read this cover to cover. There were so many ups and downs and twists. Great read!!!

After dipping my toe in the Five family series–with much pleasure–I had high expectations for this spin-off, and I wasn’t disappointed.

It had been so long since I last read a book with a consistent theme, but here, you can see it everywhere: in the main relationship, in the relationship between the main characters and the others, as a problem or a trauma from the past… The theme here is trust–when you don’t know how to offer it, when you’re constantly violate it, when it hurts and when it heals. It’s at the core of the romance, but also in all the little things. That’s what I call good writing.

To support the theme, the author created multifaceted characters that you can’t help but love, even when it seems they keep repeating the same mistakes. Because they feel real, you understand their flaws. And to antagonize them, two sorts of villains: a big evil enemy, and themselves.

It’s a romantic suspense, so there’s some criminal activities going around. They’re rather gruesome, but they’re not gratuitous. Just be aware that they could be triggering.

It’s a gripping story of love and trust, so go and grab it!

Quickie

- Series: standalone (but is linked to the Five families series)
- Hashtags: #romantic suspense #forced cohabitation #multicultural relationship #age gap
- Triggers: a bit graphic depiction of rape, mention of human trafficking, violence and mention of murders
- Main couple: Emily Ramirez & Tamir
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + you can’t do more multicultural than a Mexican woman and an Israeli man
- – some of the side characters are really interesting but they come and go too fast

I received an ARC for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Jill Ramsower is quickly becoming one of my favorite one-click authors. Whatever kind of book she is putting out, I immediately want it. This newest book is no different.

Emily is on the run from someone or something. She was finally starting to let her guard down in NYC, but she isn't sure anymore after a recent attack. Having to look behind her and never genuinely feeling free is starting to weigh on her. Thankfully she has had Tamir and his teaching of Krav Maga to help her learn to defend herself.

Tamir has been teaching Krav Maga, and one of his favorite students is Emily. Being able to steal secret glances at her without her knowledge is something he loves. After coming across something that has the potential to turn his world upside down, he is wondering who the real Emily is.

Will Tamir be able to help Emily escape, or will he bring her to her doom? Will Emily be able to survive the possibility of losing Tamir forever or the possibility of loving him forever?

You guys! OMG! I can’t tell you how much I loved this book. It was a slower burn but had the perfect pull and push I love. There was the perfect amount of suspense and whose good or evil. It was everything I needed to read! I loved Emily and Tamir, and I also loved Tamir’s friends. I wouldn’t mind some other books with his friends 😊 I was able to relate with Emily about his dislike in owls. I am with Emily about scary owls, not so much about the witches' part *you have to read that part .* Owls can swoop low and grab things and fly away. Plus, they are masters in staring contests! There is a scene where Emily steals Tamir’s car, and the way Tamir stealthy appears in the back seat was bonkers! I loved it and could imagine Emily freaking out. However, she handled it way better than I would have. I probably would have wrecked the car!

All you need to know is that this book is fantastic. You don’t have to read any other book before this, but if you want a little more backstory in Maria and Tamir’s friendship, you could read her book. However, I HIGHLY recommend this book and any other that Jill is putting out!

WOW this book is one steam roller ride of suspense and drama While Tamir did appear in the Five Families Series you don't have to read them top follow this story it is a perfect stand alone but you may want top do yourself a favour and read them.

Tamir works as a Krav Maga instructor after all it is the perfect job for a retired Israeli ex military but there is much more to this man than anyone realises He is also a hired assassin who will take a job if the pay is high enough. He has a client that he trains Emily what he doesn't know is that she isn't who she seems to be either Then their worlds collide when he sees that there is a bounty on her he could take the contract to take her down the only problem is he has decided he wants to save her now he will need to protect her from any other man trying to collect the bounty The only thing as she told him all of her secrets or is there even more to come out Be prepared for a slow burn romance that has so many twists and turns you will get whip lash I guarantee this is a book you won't want to put down

Where Loyalties Lie was a standalone written by Jill Ramsower. Even though it is a standalone novel , it is based in the same world as the five families. Told in dual pov , this novel was one thrilling ride of survival and passion!

We have Tamir in Blood Always. Finally the badass assassin has found his match. Tamir was an instructor in the krav Maga classes that were held in an institute. He was tough and mysterious in all the damn ways!!! Not to mention , mind blowingly hot! Emily was a sweet girl , who had deep secrets hidden. She was one of the people who attended Tamir's class. They both meet and take a sudden notice of each other. After months of silent glances and looks , both of them finally talk to each other and become close.

However Tamir has secrets even deeper than Emily. From outside he is the instructor of martial arts, but his actual job was that of an assassin. Things were going fine between them , until Tamir identified a picture of a Emily with a bounty on her head. From there things get a bit complicated.

Emily has other Assassins attacking her to get the money , and now it is Tamir who takes the job of trying to keep her safe. But is Emily telling the truth?? What is the reason she is running away?? Does Tamir know much more than she does??

There was so much mystery in this book , so many twists and turns. The moment I thought that things were finally out in the open , some other secret popped up and the shitshorm started again. Jill Ramsower kept me on my toes throughout the whole book and there was not a single page that I did not enjoy.

This book is recommended to all the dark Romance lovers. If you love military men and sassy heroines , this book will be perfect for you.

Where Loyalties Lie is a fitting title for this novel. I was questioning who to trust, what was truth and how the book would end from the get-go. The suspense and tension in this book are high. The questions, half truths and twists build and build, so much that I couldn't stop reading. I needed to see how this story unfolded. Where Loyalties Lie is a perfect example of the romantic suspense genre.

Tamir is ex-special forces, a Krav Maga instructor and a secret assassin for hire. Emily is his self-defense student who has secrets of her own. The building of the relationship between this pair was treacherous. They both held their cards close to their chests. Just when I thought they had laid it all out, there was another layer to be revealed. I was rooting for this relationship, but even the romantic in me was worried about these two ever overcoming the odds against them.

Where Loyalties Lie has plenty of action and drama. The author did a great job dealing out enough tidbits of information to keep the pace of the storyline moving, without revealing too many secrets and plot twists.

This is the first book I have read by this author, and it is a standalone story. There is a link to Jill Ramsower's other series, The Five Families, but there is no need to read them prior. I will be checking them out though, in the hopes that they are as good as this offering.