Member Reviews

This had plenty of twists and turns, and made for an amazing suspenseful read. I can’t believe it’s a debut novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Melissa Koslin is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. A gender swap story of a male scientist who's discoveries may be putting him in danger, and a beautiful female sniper who strives to protect him.

I loved the storyline and I love that there was a story of forgiveness and finding faith in a fast pace dangerous world. Our heroin had a main coon cat sidekick which I absolutely loved, he played a cute little hero himself🙂.

Action, romance and twists and turns you may not see coming. I really enjoyed it and couldn't stop listening to the audiobook.

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I loved Never Miss by Melissa Koslin! Never Miss tells the story of Kadance and Lyndon trying to stop terrorists from releasing a viral attack, staying alive, and trying not to fall in love with each other. I loved the cultural diverse representation in the book and how the story line kept you on the edge of your seat and how the struggle was palpable. I appreciated how fast-paced the book was and the intrigue that was in it. I highly recommend Never Miss! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads,

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Oh my. Never Miss by Melissa Koslin does NOT read like a debut novel! Instead, it reads like an action thriller.

Kadence Tolle was once the best sniper the CIA had ever seen. Embedded for 10 years in Afghanistan, she took out targets no one else could have. When she returns home, her family expects her to join the family business. She knew going in that everyone in her family was a trained sniper. What she didn't know was that they were all assassins, until they tricked her into doing a "job" that she later learned her father was paid to do. Now, she spends her time running from her family and protecting the people they are hired to kill. By saving Lyndon Vaile from a sniper attack, she risks being found by her family, but she feels compelled to help.

Dr. Lyndon Vaile is one of the foremost authorities on ebolavirus. When a sniper tries to take him out, he returns home to discover his apartment has been trashed. Someone, somewhere, knows what he has been working on. Can he and Kadence stay a step ahead of those who are chasing them, and stop a terrorist plot to "cleanse" the world using a super virus?

These characters are not very relatable, but there's a reason for that. Kadence was raised to be a weapon but she chooses to weaponize herself for the "good guys". She doesn't really understand emotion, so it takes her a long time to realize that she has feelings for Lyndon. Lyndon, on the other hand, is almost autistic in his singular focus. He's over-the-top smart, graduating as valedictorian in every ceremony he's in, and there have been a few. He hold three doctorates. However, Lyndon doesn't take long to realize that he loves Kadence, and he shows it by trying to protect her, something no one else has ever tried to do for her. Can he convince her that his feelings for her are genuine, and that he understands if she can't return them?

I started out listening to this book, but as the action picked up, I switched to reading it because I could read faster than the audio was letting me listen to it. This was an adrenaline-rush kind of story, with danger around every corner. Readers who are into political intrigue with a strong dash of action should pick this one up. This one made my heart pound!

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Never Miss is a great debut for Melissa Koslin. It had me from start to finish. I am giving it five stars.

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I read about 25% of the book and then lost interest. I liked the characters but I picked up another book and never got back into this one.

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Never Miss
by Melissa Koslin
Pub Date 04 May 2021
Revell
Christian



I am reviewing a copy of Never Miss through Revell and Netgalley:



Kadance TolleIs a former CIA sniper who possesses a special set of skills as well as a rare pedigree. Kadance comes from a family of assassins, saving Lyndon Vaile's life puts her at risk at being found by them. Despite the danger though Kadance feels the need to hell Lyndon find out whose after him, as well as the research of his that seems to prove that the Ebola virus was manmade and is about to be weaponized.





While shadowy figured are pursuing them, and a master mind is watching their every move. Kadance and Lyndon must hurry to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. Unfortunately their warnings fall on deaf ears and it becomes increasingly clear that there's no one they can trust except perhaps each other.




If you’re looking for a fast paced story, full of mystery, action and intrigue that will keep you up late into the night then I highly recommend Never Miss.




I give Never Miss five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

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This is a new author to me. I look forward to reading more from this author. This is a Suspenseful, action packed, mystery book with a dash or romance.

I enjoyed getting to know Kadance and Lyndon. Their opposite personalities and desire to find the truth. I am curious if this will turn into a series, but if not is is a great book either way. I can't with to read more from this author.

I was given a copy of this book for my honest opinion.

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Wow! A fascinating, nonstop, adventure read. A chance meeting, or maybe not, set the course for a race against both death and time to stop an Ebola outbreak planned to “save the earth” by reducing the human population. And one person is behind it all, seemingly, magically manipulating the strings.
Two lonely people, both from difficult backgrounds realize they can trust each other and help protect the innocent but not before developing much deeper feelings than neither has allowed themselves to feel in many years.
There is some talk about God throughout the story but more from a scientific mindset. Yes, science points to God’s creation, but only having the head knowledge will not save you. I was disappointed there was no talk of why Jesus died on the cross for our sin and how important a personal relationship with Him is.

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3.5 stars.
This debut novel by Melissa Koslin is definitely memorable with a great plot and unique characters. The storyline has plenty of twists and turns that are completely unexpected and makes for an excellent suspenseful atmosphere. Lyndon, a gifted researcher, and Kadance, a gifted sniper, are unusual main characters with unusual talents who make a fantastic team as they struggle to figure out who is targeting them and who is trying to unleash a deadly virus. Their friendship is fun but the emphasis on physical attraction felt a bit excessive, particularly on Lyndon’s part. Dialogue felt stilted (but perhaps that was a reflection of the characters’ personalities?) and writing was somewhat choppy at parts but the plot still moved at a good pace. I loved Mac, Kadance’s cat, who was like another main character.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, you will enjoy this book. I received the book from Revell/Baker Publishing Group via Interview & Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are solely my own.

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This did not read like a debut novel! I was really impressed with the interesting plot and the unique abilities of the characters.

I really loved the slow burn romance too. It really felt like it developed organically and there were a lot of great conversations between Kadence and Lyndon.

I especially appreciated that while this novel had Christian characters it was never preachy. It was nice to read honest conversation and not a sermon from one non-preacher character to another.

This was definitely a page turner and I would definitely read more from this author.

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

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I didn't love the characters in this story, I especially had a hard time liking the heroine, but I suppose that makes sense when her background comes into the story, since she isn't a warm and fuzzy or relatable character.

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Never Miss by Melissa Koslin is an exceptional debut novel. This romantic suspense has all the requisite elements of the genre — engaging characters, a twisting plot, and an interesting premise.

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Never Miss is a contemporary thriller written by Melissa Koslin.

Summary: When Kadance Tolle sees a stranger targeted by a sniper, she makes a split decision and saves his life.

But the danger is not over, and Kadance must decide if it is worth the risk to continue helping-especially when stepping out of the shadows might expose her to a past she is desperate to avoid.

Lyndon Vaile’s research has led him to a startling conclusion-Ebola has been weaponized, and an attack is imminent. And that conclusion has marked him for death.

Can he rely on the mysterious Kadance to help him prevent a devastating terrorist attack, or do they even have a chance when it seems everyone is out to get them?

My Thoughts: I liked this book. The plot is unique and inventive, and the characters are complex and well-developed. It’s an action-packed adventure, and an enjoyable read.

I would like to thank Revell for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

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Kadance Tolle is a former CIA Assassin, running from her family of assassins because she does not like their ethics. She comes across Lyndon Vaile, a medical researcher who is studying the Ebola virus and has people trying to kill him. She determines to help him and protect him and the more they find out about the people chasing them, the more involved they get in trying to save the country from a major outbreak and also stop the perpetrators. This is a fast-paced, intriguing story and parallels current events in some ways. I couldn't put it down.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion

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Review Snippet:
With everything from an intriguing super virus to riveting suspense and mind-blowing lead characters with unique skill sets, Melissa Koslin captures readers attention with Never Miss!

This epic page-turner kept me engrossed from beginning to end. As Lyndon Vaile and Kadence Tolle join forces, using his brain and her braun to stop a sinister plan unfolding, readers will find themselves a captivated audience in this detailed race against time.

Full Review:
*I voluntarily received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Revell at Baker Publishing Group via NetGalley. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

Readers who enjoy the high-stakes adventure/military style of authors Ronie Kendig or Susan May Warren and the captivating suspense of authors such as Elizabeth Goddard, Dani Pettrey or Lynette Eason might just love Melissa Koslin’s debut novel, Never Miss.

The eye-catching cover to Never Miss immediately drew me in and intrigued me. I expected a suspense story that held a hint of sy-fy (guilty of judging the book by it’s cover!) but rather, found a fast-pace race against time story of two very unique individuals pairing up to stop world destruction with a super-virus.

This novel had great characters whom I enjoyed very much. I loved that they were each working through something and complimented each other well, though they were very different. Koslin surprised and enraptured me with her heroine Kadance, a former CIA sniper with a dark past and with Lyndon, a sexy, highly intelligent man with his own capable, heroic force. Koslin stepped outside the box when she created these two characters and for me, they were the captivating enjoyment behind this story - getting to know them, feeling empowered by their skills and somewhat eccentric minds.

Witnessing the connection form, and grow, between these two characters was what kept me coming back for more from this book.

The story had excellent suspense and moved at a great pace, keeping me intrigued. The creative plot was unique and unlike other novels in the Christian fiction suspense category. The level of detail Koslin incorporated was very appreciated as she carefully unfolded the plot while maintaining the high stakes.

One thing I noticed about this story was how it focused solely on Lyndon and Kadance. The secondary characters played very minor roles which was interesting to me. I found that I enjoyed that aspect and it kept me guessing as to what came next.

While I felt the super-virus threat and suspense was very real and even probable, I did struggle with Kadance’s family of snipers and her situation there. Perhaps that was the imaginative, super-fiction element Koslin was aiming for, but it was lost on me and took away some of the believability of the story for me.

Overall, however, Never Miss was different from others in its genre and that in itself, was refreshing! The characters were highly enjoyable, eccentric and skilled. The novel is well written and after reading the teaser for Koslin’s next novel, I’m delighted to say, I can’t wait!

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“And if her training had taught her anything other than how to kill, it was how to survive.”

“I already saved you once—I won’t let you get killed now.”

“If you do something like that again, I will find out...And I will come back and kill you.”

Unfortunately for me, Never Miss by Melissa Koslin was an absolute miss. I thought this one had great potential and based on such positive reviews, I was ready for a page turning, action packed ride. Sorry to say that wasn’t the case. I thought that Kadence and Lyndon made a nice pairing. But it was too much talking and not enough action for me. And after reading Andrew Huff’s John Cross series, this one was a big letdown for me.

*I received this book free from Netgalley and publisher Revell in exchange for an honest review.

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Never Miss by Melissa Koslin

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes

Debut story by Melissa Koslin is one that invites you on an adventure into the world of virology and espionage with characters that are quirky and excellently written.

This story combined some of my favorite things - super smart but socially stunted guy who is also very likeable with a world-wise gal who is trying to keep him alive. I loved the intriguing build up to Kadance and Lyndon first meeting and the way they choose to stick together even if it doesn't seem like they can work together. Lyndon is uber-smart and has so many brainy talents but finds himself in danger he never expected. Kadance, a former CIA operative who comes from a family of assassins, is determined to keep this genius from being killed by an antagonist bent on ridding the world of it's parasitic occupants - humans. The banter and conversations between the two MCs was well done with some moments of levity to relieve the constant tension. I liked that it was dual POV so you could see all sides of the story. And it was interesting to see Lyndon try to deal with his immediate attraction to Kadance, which was messing with his ability to figure things out. This is often the case for those who are work focused and while it was realisticly written, Ms. Koslin also kept it clean. Kadance was dealing with her own initial attraction but had to understand how Lyndon saw her before she allowed herself to be in a real relationship after her difficult past. And Kandance's journey to faith was interesting. It was the only part of the story that I think needed more fleshing out but it was pretty good. Overall, I found the story interesting as well as entertaining and would really like to see more stories from this author. I will certainly recommend this story to others and hope they will enjoy it as well as I did.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

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So this was a fun and enjoyable romantic suspense. You have your snipers, bioterrorism, a bad guy who is completely whacko, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages to find out how our hero and heroine are going to make it out. Alive.

However, my very favorite part of this whole drama rich story, is the characters. Two completely unique and out of the box characters who are thrown together because they need to survive but stay together because they want to. Both Kadance and Lyndon have pasts that are very shady and they each have unique skillsets.

Lyndon is smart. Super smart, like a walking computer. Not only that but he is also a fighter. He knows how to take care of himself. Kadance is from a family of assassins and her upbringing brings to mind the ancient people of Sparta. Kadance is no damsel in distress and she is not only smart as well, but she has some lethal skills. Lyndon and Kadance come together when just out of the blue, Kadance saves his life from a sniper. But who was the sniper really aiming for? Throw in Mac the cat who barks his meow's and you have a most interesting trio team. And the romance? Well that is very well done as Lyndon is the perfect gentleman and protector. They were right for each other from the beginning and it was fun to watch their relationship play out especially with their unique personalities. It was a bit swoony.

I look forward to more stories by this new to me author. This is my favorite suspense this year.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

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Kadance Tolle's upbringing was untraditional, to say the least. A former sniper with the CIA and born into a family of assassins, when she sees someone in danger (even though she is on the run from said family) she can't help but intervene. Kadance may have some deep and understandable trust issues but at the core she is a caring person who wants to do what is good.

Lyndon Vaile is not just brilliant - he has a photographic memory and holds three doctorates: microbiology, pathology, and epidemiology, all of which he earned before turning 30 (oh, and a master's in cybersecurity btw). When Kadance saves his life and their paths become intertwined, they must work together on a case that has both global and national security ramifications.

I loved the cat (we had a Maine Coon that was basically a dog in cat form - that breed is amazing), and overall I really thought this was a very solid first book from this new author. Although there were some mild mis-steps -and frankly, the things that I noticed seemed like they were an editing issue that could have been solved with a word search for repetitive statements- it was overcome by the interesting backgrounds of both main characters and highly relevant subject matter. I look forward to more offerings from this author.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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