I now wish I had read "End Game" first! (So I am totally ordering a copy as soon as is possible!)

I highly enjoyed "Backlash" and it was a wonderful introduction to Rachel Dylan for me!

I loved seeing a difference in how this suspense has several different agencies that are often only shown by themself in fiction.

I was somewhat lost for some things since this was the second book but I still enjoyed it very much.

Content: Mentions of sexual abuse, killing, and attempted killing among other things.

18+

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e/copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Rachel Dylan amazes me. Just when I think I’ve read her best book ever, she comes along with another incredible, suspense-filled storyline that keeps me on the edge of my seat. I won’t be giving specific details so as to not spoil the suspense of the story, but following Layla and Hunter as they seek to clear her name, and escape from the danger that surrounds them, will keep you reading and swiftly turning pages. The mystery in this book is not easily solved, and there’s never really a lull in the storyline. Once you finish this book, you’ll want to read more from Rachel Dylan. Don’t miss this one!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

The product description of this book includes this notice: “For those who are content sensitive: this book contains non-graphic scenes and descriptions of physical and sexual assault.”

Another excellent book from Ms. Dylan! The plot was expertly woven together to keep the guilty party(ies) hidden from the reader until the end. I loved Layla as a character and enjoyed seeing how things would unfold between her and her ex-boyfriend. The twists and turns definitely keep the reader's interest up--would recommend!

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Bethany House. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Review This story truly had me on the edge of my seat as I was reading it. I was stayed up way too late because I couldn’t go to bed in the middle of tense situations!

I love that Dylan gave Layla and Hunter a past history. For me, that always makes the romance part of the story more believable. It adds a dimension to the characters that makes them more believable.

This story had me guessing until the last moment. I did not catch on to who the mole was until I got to that exact moment in the story. It was so well written! I also loved the thread of the story that talked about God being with us through the struggles. There were no trite answers in this story. Only honest and open dialogue about the journey of faith.

Rachel Dylan has become one of my favorite authors. I always look forward to the next release, And I could definitely see myself going back and reading all of the stories in this series again back to back.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my own, honest opinion.

Great book by Rachel Dylan. I enjoyed Izzy, Cass and Laylas stories. It was almost like 3 novellas intertwined to make one great book. Layla and Hunter's story offered the suspense that I usually love out of these types of books as well as the heartwarming romance. I have to say though it was a little predictable and I wish we would have been left guessing who was involved. Also, once we found out I was a little disappointed to not have a little bit more suspense and thrill. Everything was happening and then with one shot it was not. I wanted a lot more of Izzy's story. I wish that Cass and Izzy would have had their own full length books.

Overall a great read. You will enjoy these characters and their collaborative satires.

With no surprise, Rachel Dylan has penned another fast-paced, action-packed adventure with plenty of twists and turns to keep you captivated and the pages turning. I always enjoy diving into her stories and this one was no exception. Although it's part of a series it could also be read as a standalone, however full warning there's quite the cast of characters regardless of reading the first or not, so it takes a bit to get everyone and their relationships straightened out. In a way it comes with the territory with writing series that shift the main characters between books when they're all friends.

Although I felt the action and suspense were very well written, I struggled with some of the dialogue. It felt cheesy and juvenile in it's delivery, which unfortunately made the characters feel more 2D. If the "team spirit" could be toned down a little bit, I think it would have felt more genuine and realisttic. But dialogue aside, the story kept my attention and author managed to keep moving the plot forward. And I'm still looking forward to the next one when it releases.

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

CIA Analyst Layla Karam never planned to be a field agent, but she is thrust into what is supposed to be an open and shut field mission with the DEA only for the mission to fall apart, making Layla a target of a drug cartel and an internal investigation.

A fast-paced, suspenseful read, Layla feels trapped with nowhere to turn, she finds herself reconnecting with a former flame, Hunter McCoy who happens to be an independent contractor for the DEA. This was a quick read for me, it keep me on the edge of my seat, with so much unknown and twists that kept me guessing. I loved how this book's plot unfolded with tension that builds throughout.

Layla is determined to not let them steamroll over her, I admired her strong faith, and he unwillingness to compromise what was important to her. There was great character interaction throughout, as she and Hunter slowly dissolve the distrust between them.

Overall, this was a page turning thriller, with high stakes and heart-pounding suspense. This book could be read as a stand alone, but I think that readers will get more out of Izzy's story if the book are read in order. Fantastic characters, and plot that kept me guessing till the end!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Every time I read something from Dylan, I adore her more. She is definitely one of my favorite authors and best kept secrets in the Christian Romantic Suspense genre. I’m so glad to see her name pop more often in book conversations. I wish being an author paid better, because I wish she could write full time and give up more stories to enjoy!
This book is the second installment in the Capital Intrigue series. While I always advocate for reading series in order, this one can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel.
CIA secrets, DEA drama, and a seemingly successful op that is coming back to haunt them.
Layla is a CIA analyst that under investigation for something she has no part in, and her old, unfaithful boyfriend is the private investigator that is going to help prove her innocence.
This book had so many plot twists and action-packed scenes that I couldn’t have stopped turning the pages if I wanted to! Dylan kept me captivated and guessing until the very end.
One thing I love about Dylan is that she can introduce a number of different characters and plot lines, yet I never feel confused or have to go back and re-read to try and keep up. She spins a seamless story, start to finish, and I’m always sad when it’s over. There was no exception in Backlash, one of my favorites from her, so far.
I cannot wait for Power Play!

Definitely intriguing.

The twists and turns of this book had no end. I was curious to see how things with Hunter would be worked out. I did not see that coming but what a noble sacrifice. The betrayals really hurt and I felt so bad for Layla. You just never know who is good and who is bad. I got my wish though for more of Izzie's story.

There were kind of three storylines going at once - Layla, Izzie, & Zane/Cass. While they all wrapped up pretty well, I think I would have liked the book to be longer to give more time to each story. They could have used some more fleshing out. I liked each set of characters. They had unique stories and it was fun getting to know more secondary characters.

What a thrilling read! This book has a ton of excitement from the first chapter and it keeps it up throughout the book. The mysteries(there's more than one!) are captivating and full of danger-both emotional and physical. There were a couple surprises along the way and all of it worked nicely for a perfect ending. If you like fast paced mysteries and suspense with a dash of romance, check out this series!

Great suspense novel that will keep you flipping the pages. The romance is heart warming and I love that we get to see some of the characters from the first book!

This book was awesome!! It was truly hard to put down and I could never figure out what was going to happen next. That’s the kind of book that keeps my heart pumping and my interest keen. Thanks Rachel for this winner!!

Danger lurks at every turn for CIA analyst Layla Karam. Forced by the head honchos at Langley from her desk comfort zone into a joint field op with the DEA in Honduras, Layla returns home to discover that members of her team are being targeted. When her boss brings in outside help to independently investigate, she is stunned to recognize her ex-boyfriend, Hunter McCoy. Can she see past her anger with him to the man who just wants to protect her, and maybe earn a second chance?

As her friends, Cassandra Ruiz and Izzy Cole fight their own battles, it begins to feel like the only person Layla can trust is Hunter. Can she set aside the way he torpedoed their relationship six years ago and trust the man he has become? When it becomes obvious that there is a mole somewhere in either the DEA or the CIA, can Layla even trust those in command of the operation?

This book was kind of like reading three stories at once - Layla & Hunter, Cass & Zane, and Izzy & Aiden. While Layla's and Cass' stories overlap since they were both on the same DEA operation, and both are being stalked as a result, Izzy's story is completely separate, but because they are all friends, the stories all get told together. I liked that. These women are all strong characters, and all of them have the ability to bring down those who are trying to kidnap, or kill, or discredit them. I also liked that I had no idea until the very end who the actual turncoat was. Every time I thought I knew, Dylan would dole out a new discovery that discredited my "bad guy" choice.

Readers who love suspense with a heavy dose of law, will enjoy Backlash. Rachel Dylan is a corporate lawyer, so she has great insight into how lawyers think. I like that several of the women are connected to the law in some way, either as prosecutors, or potential law school candidates. This book would make a great movie, or TV series, as there is quite a bit of action to visualize as you read. While this is the second book in the Capital Intrigue series, I think it can be read as a stand-alone. It refers to the characters in Book 1, but readers don't need to know that story to enjoy Backlash. I absolutely recommend this!

Have you ever finished a book and then, just because the ending was so unexpected, you just sat back to think about what you just read? That is what happened with me after reading Backlash. I've never read anything by Rachel Dylan before, but I am so glad I gave this book a chance! This book is filled with unexpected twists and turns, that keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to keep reading. The story is about Layla Karam, a CIA analyst who just came back from a field op in Honduras, to find herself the target of the Mejia cartel. Then after an almost fatal attack at her favorite restaurant, she finds out that she is now under investigation, because there is evidence that she is in cahoots with a top ranking member of a terrorist group in the Middle East! Layla has no choice, but to accept the help of her ex-boyfriend whom she thinks cheated on her. And while all this is happening Layla's friend Izzy is being accused of murder and now she has to keep reliving the worst day of her life. I know that there is a warning at the bottom of the book about physical and sexual assault, but I wanted to let those who are not content sensitive, that there aren't any vivid or graphic descriptions - Izzy just has to tell her side of the story to the cops who thinks she murdered her attacker. Overall, I absolutely LOVED the book, and cannot wait for the third book to come out (at least I have the first book in the series to read in the meantime). I give this book 5 out of 5 stars and definitely list it as one of my Must Read's.

Special thanks to Bethany House Publishers,NetGalley and Rachel Dylan for allowing me to read and review this book – all opinions are my own.

TW: sexual assault, death

I enjoyed this book! After reading End Game, the first book in the series, I wasn't super excited about this book, since while I did enjoy it, it was very dense and terminology heavy. However, this one was pretty fun to read! I'm not sure if I'm just more used to the writing style/familiar with the characters or if this one really did just read smoother, but this one is in my opinion, much easier to read and follow.

Something that I find really interesting about Rachel Dylan's books is that she herself is a lawyer, and so she is very knowledgeable in the field. This contributes to some of the dense terminology, but I think having an expert in the field write fiction about it is just so cool!

The primary focus of this book is on Layla and Hunter: Layla is an analyst (actually based on Dylan's life!) and Hunter is a private investigator. They have had some history between them in the past, but have been forced to work together as Layla's team is being targeted by a cartel after a mostly successful mission. I'm not a huge fan of the "broken up but are getting back together couple" trope, and this one was but a mediocrely done one.

While it is apparently that there is still chemistry between Layla and Hunter, the reason they broke up was . . . a pretty major deal breaker (it turns out okay, but it is a spoiler so I won't say) and it feels like them getting back together should have happened in more than a "oh I still like you and by the way [aforementioned spoiler]" kind of conversation. I enjoyed reading about them together, but since I wasn't a huge fan of how their relationship history went, it wasn't really that great.

In my review for End Game (Book 1), I mentioned that there was a sexual assault on one of the characters. The character and couple are the "B" storyline in this book, and honestly I like it a lot more! Her assault is unpacked a little bit more, and while sexual assault is a very heavy topic to discuss, I appreciate that it is being discussed in these books. There is a lot more development with that story arc (that continued from book 1) and I like the way it was handled. With that being said though, it is discussed a lot more and in more detail in this book, so if you are uncomfortable with it, or if it is triggering to you, this may not be the book for you.

With all that being said, I like the suspense part of this book a lot more! Like the last one, the mystery was not easily deciphered, and I didn't so much as suspect who the perpetrator was it was revealed. The suspense kept me reading, and it took me just about 24 hours to read it, which hasn't happened in a while. I also liked the reappearance of characters from book 1 (though I remember very little from it so there's also that).

I also liked the discussions about faith in this book a lot: Layla especially talked openly about what she believed in, and I really enjoyed that! They didn't pray or go to church or anything in the book, and it wasn't a super important part of the book either, but I did appreciate where it did appear.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one! It kept me reading (which hasn't happened in a while) and suspense was really well written.

It is good to have friends who have your back:
This was book 2 in the series and I would recommend reading them in order and preferably fairly close together as I had forgotten who some of the key players were by the time I came to read this. Nevertheless it is an enjoyable fast paced, action filled romantic suspense with a gentle Christian theme.
Layla is a CIA analyst who suddenly finds herself a target yet it is unclear who the perpetrator is. Ex-boyfriend Hunter was tasked with getting to the bottom of things but along the way he could no longer deny his feelings for feisty Layla. Meanwhile she had to work through her issues of trust and forgiveness to decide whether she could give him a second chance.
I really enjoyed how the personal and faith aspects did not just take a back seat to the mystery and suspense, but were strong elements in their own right. The many twists and turns kept me on my toes and now I can't wait for the final book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

This is book 2 in the Capital Intrigue Series. I have read the first book - but they can be read as a standalone. I love everything that I read by this author. She always writes stories that leave you in shock. Just like her other books - this one starts off with a bang and does not let up. Layla Karam, a CIA Analyst is clearly a target when her favorite restaurant gets bombed, a member of her team turns up dead and a team members house is broken into. Who would want her dead? Her ex boyfriend, Hunter who is a private investigator is tasked with trying to figure out who is involved. Is it the DEA? Is it the CIA? What will happen if sparks start to fly. This book will take you on many twists and turns throughout the journey. The author always has a way of throwing wrenches into the the path.

The author has created some strong, well written characters. She has written a very suspenseful storyline that will keep you guessing.

I received a copy of this book through the author - all thoughts are my own.

Backlash
by Rachel Dylan


Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 06 Oct 2020


I am reviewing a copy of Backlash through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:





Layla Karam is a CIA Analyst who finds herself thrown into a dangerous DEA field operation against a cartel that puts a target on her back. despite the fact that Layla never wanted to be a field agent Langley had other ideas. Layla finds herself scrambling to find safety after one of her team members is murdered because of the fallout from the Op.






It is as she is going through all of this that the CIA opens up an internal investigation against her. Layla then turns to her ex boyfriend Hunter McCoy who is a private investigator for help in finding out what she can do about finding out who is trying to ruin her career.




It doesn’t take long for Layla and Hunter to discover there is a mole inside the DEA, and that the mole sold the teams identity to the cartel. Now she must clear her name with the Agency and protect herself and her teammates from cartel retaliation. Layla finds herself having to put her trust with hunter, with threats on all sides and pray they all make it out, but it’s hard for her to put her trust in the man who broke her heart.






I give Backlash five out of five stars, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books of suspense and intrigue!



Happy Reading!

From the moment CIA analyst Layla Karam answers the late-night knock at her door, Backlash propels you through a high stakes page turner filled with revenge, false accusations and more than a little romance. When Layla’s life and livelihood are on the line, she is forced to work with Hunter, the man who broke her heart to find out who is behind the attacks. Is the Cartel she helped hit after her, or is the threat coming from inside the CIA itself? Throw in a murder investigation with NCIS agent Izzy Cole in its crosshairs and you’ve got a book that will dare you to put it down before you’ve turned the last page.

I definitely recommend this book for fans of Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason or Irene Hannon!

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

This is my first book from Rachel Dylan and I’m hooked! I couldn’t put this book down!
I’m definitely going to be following her and reading her previous books! It’s always great to discover a new author you love and discover you have yet to read more of her books without waiting for a new one to be published!
This series involves four good friends: Layla, Vivian, Bailey and Izzy. This is Layla’s stories, although we also get a glimpse of part of Izzie’s story too. I love it when the heroine has good female friends she can always count with. And this is the case with this group, Izzy being the last addition. Layla, Vivian and Bailey have been good friends since College days at Georgetown University.
Layla Karam is a CIA Analyst, passionate for her work, although she has been asked of late to work on the field, which is of course, to say the least, threading dangerous waters. Layla’s recent mission was in Honduras, where she was sent with three other operatives by the DEA to bring down a cartel. They didn’t get the ringleader, but they did confiscate drugs, cash and traffickers. But the operation didn’t get to the root of the cartel.
When she returns, things start to happen… One of the ops from the mission gets a visit from a mysterious intruder who has cartel symbols as a tatoo… Then a bomb explodes in the restaurant where she usually meets her friends, and a couple who were seated in their favorite table dies from the impact. Then another op member of the team is murdered at his home… Someone is definitely after them, and she becomes an important target. Not only that, but shortly after that, the CIA opens up an international investigation against her. Providentially, Hunter McCoy, her exboyfriend who broke her heart, and now a Private Investigator, is around town and rushes to the hospital when he learns of Layla’s accident. Even though Layla is hesitant to let him into her life again, he’s determined to make things right to her this time, as he has never forgotten her in all these years. He gets the opportunity to help Layla out when, other than find out who is trying to destroy her career, they both discover there is a mole inside the DEA who has sold out the team’s identity to the cartel. But who can they trust? Is the traitor amongst the people Layla trusts? And the ultimate question: can Layla trust Hunter, not only with her life, but also her heart?
I don’t want to spoil the story for you. You’ll have to ride this journey with Hunter and Layla -and Izzy has her own part too- to find out how they fare and survive. This was a thrilling story from page one until the end. I literally couldn’t put the book down and kept reading late at night! The plot is non stop action and intrigue, almost breathless. But what I loved more was the depth of the characters, and how they grow through out the story, personally, and in strengthening their fragile faith, especially Hunter’s. They have very interesting and enlightening dialogues. I loved the different angles of faith in the Lord each character went through, and how they, together, supporting each other through their fears and struggles, end up bettering each other!
The anguish of being a revenge target felt so real and I found myself almost praying for Layla’s life! It’s a thriller through and through, yet it has more substance and inspiration than normal thrillers do! I loved this! Knowing that God never abandons us and only He can bring good out of grief and evil. This is not an easy conviction in this shattered world, so I love when the characters get to this point, even if sometimes through the hard way.
I definitely recommend this story! You won’t be able to put it down, that’s for sure! I want to read more of Rachel Dylan's stories!
I received a complimentary copy from the Publisher but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.