This is K-9 Special Op Thor's story, and it's one you won't want to miss! Some people would say it's Tori and Deck's story, but they aren't reading the book right. ;-) Seriously, though, this action-packed read is the first in a new series by this author, and the series promises to be as intriguing as her Federal K-9 series, which I loved. Ms. O'Fallon has a real talent for telling a realistic, seat-gripping story with likeable main characters and seriously awful bad guys. If you are a fan of police procedural and/or romantic suspense books, you will enjoy this read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled/Amara for providing an ARC for review.

New series with a great start. I enjoyed this book and as a first in a series, it is sometimes difficult to know the characters as they are developing. Tee did an excellent job in not only making the characters likable, but also getting to know them. Tough Justice reminds us that justice is sometimes hard to get, but when you have a group like the DEA Special Ops helping, it can be done. Deck and Tori are two, who despite their differences are fighting the same battle and find love along the way.

Deck and Tori couldn’t be more different. She is an ER Dr with a strong dislike for the DEA and he is a DEA Agent with a strong distrust of Doctors. Their paths cross in the ER and they both see that they are dealing with the same problem, deadly drugs, but from different perspectives. They form a reluctant team to try to stop the deaths that are plaguing their city. Even although they don’t trust each other, they can’t help but feel the attraction. She is caring, intelligent and strong, he is determined, loyal and focused. Even although there are a lot of reasons for them not to be together they can’t seem to stay apart, until it all comes crashing down and their differences tear them apart. I thought the reasons for their distrust of each other were a bit extreme. I didn’t see the twist coming until near the end which is always a plus for me. I loved Thor! This was an enjoyable romantic suspense and I would read more in the series.

DEA agent Adam Decker and his K9 partner are on the trail of the maker of a particularly nasty new batch of a drug that nearly took out one of their team. Luckily the other agent was saved by one of the ER doctors.

This hospital seems to be getting more and more of these over doses all the time.

Dr. Victoria Sampson has seen too many people die of this new drug. Despite her dislike of anything to do with the DEA she wants to help save lives.

This is an action packed romantic /suspense / thriller. The characters are fabulous especially Thor. There are plenty of suspects to choose from and it's not until nearly the end that we find out who the guilty party is. There are secrets to reveal and bullets to dodge.

This is the start of a new series and I will definitely be reading all of them.

I loved it.

Two people with a past that haunts them yet circumstances bring them together. Tori’s does not want anything to do with DEA agents because of what her family has been through years ago. Decker watches the ER doc like a hawk as she treats his partner after his exposure to Grey Death, the latest drug to hit the street. Deck doesn’t trust Doctors after his first hand experience with his sister. Can they get past there issues to compromise in order to get the drugs off the street? Will they ever find a way to trust each other?
Enjoyed this story. Thank you Netgalley for complimentary copy.

The good stuff:
Would I recommend? Yes!
Themes/tropes: enemies to lovers, slow burn
Steam level: medium-high
Content warning: drug overdose

Ok I started rather skeptical but this was a pretty great book!

It follows Dr. Tori Sampson, an ER doctor with a grudge against the DEA, and Adam "Deck" Decker, a DEA agent with a distrust of doctors due to their part in the opioid crisis. They reluctantly decide that they have to work together to solve the mystery of how to stop the supply of this new drug that's overtaking their city, resulting in a large number of new overdose deaths. Deck's K-9 partner, Thor, is basically a third main character in the best way possible.

The biggest thing that makes this book stand out to me is that the author is a federal agent herself, and her knowledge of the industry definitely comes through in this book. The character development is amazing. You really get to know Tori and Deck in a way that makes all their decisions make sense. Deck is the perfect balance of protective without being overbearing or creepy, and is so sweet in his concern and care for Tori.

I would describe this is as a bit of a slow-burn; by 40% in there's only been a kiss, but the wait is worth it. Once it gets going though, there's some definite steam! The mystery aspect of this book was also outstanding; I was kept guessing until the end! I even thought I had it figured out before realizing I was wrong. I love that!

As far as what I would change, just a couple minor things. In the beginning pages of the book, it states "At Entangled (publishing company), we want our readers to be well-informed. If you would like to know if this book contains any elements that might be of concern for you, please check the book's webpage" and then links the website. Upon seeing this, I thought there must be some trigger warnings I should be aware of. Then I went to the website to find there were none listed, so I proceeded with confidence. Then the first chapter describes in detail a teenager fatally overdosing - WHAM! Even though I knew this book was about drug ODs, that felt like a swift intro to the topic. Even though the synopsis includes this info, I feel it would be appropriate to put a content warning at the beginning of the book, as the seriousness of the topic could be really harmful to some readers. Additionally, I would prefer any content warnings be listed right in the book rather than being directed to the website to look for myself.

As far as the story, it was just a tiny bit long compared to others in this genre. Also, there was a point in the beginning when all Deck's cohorts were being introduced that included a lot of long, detailed job titles. That was the only time I felt like the author's thorough knowledge of the topic was a hindrance - as a reader, I don't know or care much about details like that, and it was confusing. Overall, I loved the book and would definitely recommend!

Tough Justice by Tee O'Fallon (K-9 Special Ops book # 1)

**I received a copy of this book from Net Galley and Entangled Publishing in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own own and not solicited.**

I have to say I look forward to reading each and every one of Ms. O'Fallon's books because they are action packed and every handler and K-9 dog has a personality that will make you fall in love with them. You'll get wound up into the story quickly until you realize that its 2 am in morning and you've finished it.

This is Adam "Deck" Decker and Dr. Tori Sampson's story each has a distrust for each other due to their professions and will join together to find the "Big D" who is distributing a powerful drug that almost took the life of one of the officers. When Tori starts to put all the puzzle pieces together as the drug lord seems to be one step ahead it will be Thor, Deck, Brett, Evan and their dogs helping rescue her from certain death because she knows too much. Deck and Thor would like to have Tori to be their HEA so they will do whatever it takes to keep her alive.

Tough Justice by Tee O’Fallon was an action packed romantic suspense. You can tell the author did a lot of research or knows her stuff when it comes to police procedures.

The story seemed so realistic and gave you the inside look at how drug overdoses impact the hospitals and the law enforcement communities.

Dr Tori was sick of losing patients to drug overdoses. however she also had her own reasons for not trusting the DEA.

Deck and his K9 were adorable! He is swoon-worthy. Deck works for the DEA and has a passion for taking drugs off the streets. I also hope that Deck’s friends get their own books. I enjoyed their camaraderie.

Sexual content - 3
Violence - 3 she saw someone be murdered and someone is trying to kill her
Drinking - 2 casual drinking
language - 3 use of the f word 17 times

This book was fine. I felt many aspects of it were annoying, the repeated references to the characters past without actually saying anything was a little over the top for me, I felt like it distracted from the main point of the story which was actually quite good. I also found it really coincidental which felt a bit forced. If I could have skipped the first 20% and had the book pick up where Tori is helping Deck I think it would have been a 4 star read. I really liked the suspense and the action, I enjoyed the characters, Deck and Tori seemed to have good chemistry although I felt the forced hatred at the beginning was a bit much. Thor was an enjoyable part of the story and I loved reading about the drug busts and the parts they played in it. I also really enjoyed the side characters and would be tempted to read a book about them! The romance was fine and the last 30% of the book was fantastic. Overall, a 2.5 star read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled for the advanced copy of this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#ToughJustice #NetGalley

Wow, this book was hot, hot, hot. Deck and Tori have chemistry for days. I loved how they learned to trust each other and get over their biases. They worked well together and I usually don't like animals in books but Thor was awesome. I can't wait to read more of this series.

Although this book is definitely about Tori and Deck - the real start of the show is Thor.

Tori is an ER doctor who has been treating patients in this big wave of ODs that have been coming through thanks to the terrible new street drug in Denver. Her family does not like the DEA - and when Deck comes in to her ER with his DEA vest on - she immediately dislikes him even as she works to save his friend. Deck doesn't trust doctors after his sister died because of an addiction related to carelessly prescribed opioids. Even with that - Deck needs Tori's help in training his colleague on how to deal with this batch of drugs and finding the source.

Deck and Tori definitely have a rough go of it - but I think the way they worked through things (minus the serious a-grade external drama) made a lot of sense for their characters and really worked for the story. Deck is definitely serious book-boyfriend material.

Thor - Deck's working dog - is just awesome tho. From the way he shakes hands - to climbing ladders. Totally swoon worthy hero!

Overall - I recommend this book and the entire series. These are such well-researched, action packed books. And the awesome dogs definitely don't hurt either!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
I absolutely love this author and this book.

Deck is a DEA agent with a K-9 partner Thor who is so lovable. Deck meets Tori when he brings his DEA partner in for an overdose.

As Deck starts investigating the opioid overdoses that keep occurring he asks Dr. Tori for her help.

As they start working together to find the man behind the distribution they grow closer but past experiences and loss threaten to keep them apart.

Thor is adorable and the storyline of their parents, priceless!

Tee starting a new romantic suspense series? I'm THERE!
Me getting an e-arc? MONTH = MADE.
Me finishing the book? I NEED THE NEXT ONE LIKE YESTERDAY, thank you very much!

Holy heck, this was a great read! From the get go, this story had me utterly hooked/addicted.
What more could I want for in a romantic suspense with also a K-9 element present? Absolutely nothing, because this book had it ALL!
I knew early on already that this one would be a huge hit with me. Just a feeling at first, but the prologue already made sure I was instantly ready for more and made things at the get to so very interesting.
And then we got to meet Deck and Tori and of course Thor, the K-9 dog, and that was IT for me.

Deck and Tori were such amazing characters; so well written/developed as characters on their own, but together? ON FIRE!
Both living other lives and having their own '(emotional) bagage' which made them sceptic of eachother at first, mistrusting.
It was very well written into the mental aspect of both characters, how they had to overcome that part of the other that made them want to keep their distance of one another.
And it was then such a frigging joy then to see them growing closer together and seeing that romance developing, overcoming that mistrust that was so deeply rooted in both of them.
That bond they've grown throughout the book was truly addictive to read about. I really couldn't get enough of it all.

The suspense/mystery element with the drugs etc was super exciting to read about and had me engaged. 'Who's behind all this?' Sometimes you think it seems obvious, but then the author has you questioning yourself again haha. Loved it!
*in the end, my initial hunch was right so yay for me tho hahaha!*

The writing is as per usual, engaging and easy to lose myself in, just as I've come accustomed to when it comes to Tee's writing.
Whenever there's a new book of hers coming our way, I get instantly excited. She always delivers and never lets me down.
This new book may already be one of my favorites by her now! Just such strong writing!

Truly, this romantic suspense has everything I love in this sub-genre;
- a strong headed female main character whom gives as good as she gets and feels very realistic to me
- action packed >> So exciting!
- mystery/suspense element that has you engaged at all times.
The drugs element was a strong one; really well written into the story line!
- badass hero with a fantastic soft side coming to the surface, that fierce protectiveness, and whom is plain right hot AF
I have such a weak spot for badass K-9 handlers like Deck, damnnnnn 🔥
- K-9 Thor whom is able to steal even the coldest of hearts out there, I'm sure haha!
What a fantastic dog he is!

Conclusion
MUST READ if you're into romantic suspense of any kind,
if you're looking for an exciting and engaging read from beginning 'till end,
if you're into romance that is really well developed and has just the right amount of Steam to get you all hot and bothered hehe,
if you haven't gotten yourself aquainted yet with Tee's books...

You could pick up any series of hers, but like I said; this one may already belong to my faves so I just highly reccommend it! If you decide pick it up; ENJOY!!! Can't wait myself to add this one to my shelves in print when the book releases and re-read in the future. I've just finished it, the book hasn't even released yet and I'm already craving my next 'book hit' haha, that's how much I love this author folks!

I received an advanced reader's copy of Tough Justice by Tee O'Fallon from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was not the first book by Tee O'Fallon that I've read and I have never been disappointed so I went in with high hopes. Happily, the positive track record continued with another fantastic book!

Overall, I felt this was a solid romance and I found it to be well written. I especially liked the primary and secondary characters' interactions and found their dialogue to be engaging from the start. The main characters, DEA K-9 agent Adam “Deck” Decker and ER doctor Tori Sampson, started out a bit adversarial with the only things in common being a desire to get drugs off the streets and a love of Deck’s canine partner, Thor, but that changed as they worked together.

I thought the action was steady and the romance to be believably paced and hot. Plus, it's a book with a dog as a main part of the plot. What more do you really need?!

All in all, Tough Justice by Tee O'Fallon was a quick, fun read and I would recommend it for any romance fan.

This book has everything you could want in a romantic suspense novel, I couldn’t put it down! Adam ‘Deck’ Decker has appeared in the Federal K-9 series and I’m so happy he finally appeared in his own book which kicks off a new series.
Tori Sampson is an ER doctor that has a lack of trust in the DEA so she is immediately antagonist towards Deck when they first meet. Deck also has a prejudice against doctors due to a past event. Tori eventually agrees to help him with his investigation into a new drug cocktail that is causing an influx of patients into the ER. This was an action packed read with lots of danger and suspense. I really loved both of the main characters, they’re strong willed but not unwilling to compromise in the end. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!

Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled for the advanced copy of this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tough Justice was a fun enemies to lovers story. I would recommend this to fans of Katie Ruggle and Shannon K. Butcher. Hoping this was book 1 in a trilogy and we will get some other k-9 stories about Deck's friends.

Erm anyone else totally swayed by a tough guy cover and then added bonus of a cute dog too??

Yes another book influenced by the cover! Thankfully the book is just as good as the cover. It’s 4 stars for me.. I adored the dynamics between Deck and Tori both have their own kind of baggage that makes the story interesting.

Deck and Tori are both strong willed and focused on what they want out of life to the point of almost being blinkered that if they bent just a little they’d get soo much more out of life.

Spoiler Alert!!
They manage to get over their hang-ups! Whilst the story was well written I wouldn’t have minded a little more danger and intrigue. Make Deck/Tori work for their story.

Thanks to the author and netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love Tee O`Fallon books! She has a way of crafting a story that grabs you from the start and doesn't let go. This book had some heavy topics, but she knocked it out of the park, as usual.

A quick-moving romantic suspense story.

This first book in a new series, 'K-9 Special Ops' by Tee O'Fallon, is an enemies-to-lovers trope. DEA agent, Deck, distrusts doctors and our ER doctor, Tori, blames the DEA for her family's pain and suffering. And of course, our third main character that everybody loves Thor, the K-9 special agent.

Although the main action centres around the search for the leading distributor of a deadly new street drug, the character growth is positioned around the revelations of the main characters' pasts with the other's respective professions.

The action and suspense are fast-paced and the mystery well constructed. The pacing of the book was perfect. The attraction between our characters is sizzling, and their conflicted feelings about it come across as very real. The path to the HEA was not easy for these characters, and their ability to work through "love, trust, compromise and acceptance' is admirable. I cannot wait for the second book in this series.

I was kindly provided with an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Entangled) and author via NetGalley; The review is my honest opinion.

Tough Justice is the first in a new series and it was a delight to read. Unlike other mystery thrillers, I didn't know who the bad guy was till it was revealed. Also reading Deck and Tori work through their differences was amazing. I will definitely be in the look out for more of this series.