Sandra Brown is one of my automatic go-to authors. While most of her books follow a set pattern, her last book, Overkill, went a different direction. In this captivating story, Zach Bridger, former Super Bowl quarterback is suddenly thrust into a volatile situation when his ex-wife Rebecca, who was violently attacked, has been placed on life support and he has been given power of attorney. Despite his hesitation, he hands over custody to his ex-in-laws and goes on with his life.

Four years later he is contacted by the state prosecutor, Kate Lennon, when Rebecca’s attacker is released from jail. Kate wants to put her attacker, Eban, back in jail but, she needs Zach to step in and take back control of Rebecca’s life and death decisions. This book is intense and touches on the always sensitive life-or-death decision.

This book is a thriller up to the very end that Sandra Brown is notorious for, and the steamy romance between Zack and Kate is an added bonus. My thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I gave it four stars.

I cannot believe I didn't DNF this book. (I'm actually mad at myself for not DNFing it!)

This story is about the consequences of a horrific sexual assault, which is eventually (and wholly unnecessarily) described in detail by the perpetrators. The victim is on life support, and the protagonist is left with the dilemma of whether or not to end the heroic measures keeping her alive. (Is the moral of the story to get/update your Health Care Directives??)

There are so many things about this book that I didn't like. There is no mystery or suspense because the crime is known at the outset, and the rest of the story is a slow-paced slog to get to the confrontation between the villain and the protagonist. There's also a romance subplot, but it is very jarring (insta-lust) and forced, including explicit sex scenes that didn't fit the tone of the surrounding story. I suppose this could be considered a romantic suspense, but I didn't find it romantic or suspenseful.

Overall, the writing was pretty rough and didn't read like other books I've devoured by this author. I'm super sad to realize this might signal the end of my days reading new Sandra Brown books. (The last book I read was OUTFOX, and I had issues with the romance subplot in that one too.)

I hate giving a book such a low rating—I usually only reserve 1-star ratings to books I don't finish—but this one was just *that* bad. 😭

CW: illicit drug use, sexual assault, suicide

RATING: F

Wow I'm just stunned with how good this title was. I just had so much fun reading this title and getting to along for the ride with these amazing characters. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

This book was good, it wasn’t my favorite. I genuinely liked the plot and the characters a lot, and the writing itself is good, but the way the characters are described is very old fashioned and occasionally felt like it was bordering on sexist … so that was uncomfortable at times. I skimmed the sex scenes because some of the language used was also uncomfortable.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Overkill is a fast paced, enjoyable romantic thriller that is Sandra Brown’s specialty.. I liked the protagonists, felt empathy for characters caught in the vortex of evil, and truly loathed the sociopathic young man who was never made to suffer the consequences of his actions.

The story was well paced, tightly plotted and engaging. I rated this book 4 stars instead of 5 because the obligatory romance/ sex scenes were dull to me. I skipped several pages.

In any event I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read an ARC courtesy of net galley and Grand Central Publishing.

Having never read a Sandra Brown book, I was excited to see what the author would bring to the table. I had high hopes that,unfortunately, were not met. I'm not sure if this is her usual or a rare flop, but I will say it will be a long time before I pick up another one of her books. I'm giving it two stars only because I begrudgingly finished this one. If I didn't have to leave a review and wanted it to be as honest as possible I would have stopped a long time ago. It took me weeks to power through this book. I could not stay engaged and didn't find anything about this story interesting. Sadly, would not recommend.

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC
I am giving this book 3 Stars.
Overkill by Sandra Brown has Zach Bridger, a former MVP quarterback, forced to make a difficult decision. His ex-wife, Rebecca Pratt has been in a coma after a night of overindulgence and abuse with bad boy, Eban Clarke and two of his friends.
Four years later, Rebecca's attacker, Eban—the scion of a wealthy family in Atlanta—gets an early release from prison. The ludicrous miscarriage of justice reeks of favoritism, and Kate Lennon, a brilliant state prosecutor, is determined to put him back behind bars. Rebecca’s parents have kept her alive all these years, but if her condition were to change—if she were to die—Eban could be retried on a new charge: murder.

It isn’t lost on Zach that in order for Eban to be charged with Rebecca’s murder, Zach must actually be the one to kill her. He rejects Kate’s legal standpoint but can’t resist their ill-timed attraction to each other. Eban, having realized the jeopardy he’s in, plots to make certain that neither Zach nor Kate lives to see the death of Rebecca—and the end of his freedom.

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Zach Bridger, made famous due to his prowess on the gridiron, becomes tabloid fodder once again because of his ex-wife. Rebecca was assaulted after their divorce, but because the medical power of attorney was never taken out of his name, he became responsible for her care. Unable to take the pressure, Zach walked away, leaving Rebecca's care decisions to her parents. It is now four years later and a change in circumstances might make Zach rethink his decision. Kate Lennon, state prosecutor, brings to Zach another impossible choice. Can Zach assert his responsibilites without causing more harm than good?

Although I am not a huge fan of romantic suspense, I do like mystery thrillers. The main characters are fine, with good character development and connection to the plot. I am less than impressed with the criminal element, especially Eban. His motivations are less clear, more tied to his prestige and standing than anything concrete. With the addition of multiple side plots, the story itself is a bit sluggish and not as thrilling as I would expect. Overall, readers who like romantic suspense may like Overkill, but those who like mystery thrillers may be less than impressed.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this book rested entirely with me.

A former football legend named Zach Bridger appears in Sandra Brown's romantic thriller book Overkill. Bridger has to manage his ex-care wife's while she is in a vegetative state while also dealing with public scorn and her family's intense animosity. The second important character is Kate Lennon, a driven state prosecutor who is determined to hold the playboy accountable for leaving Zach's ex-wife in such a state but is given an early release because of his wealthy father.

Sandra Brown is a writer who doesn't hold back when it comes to throwing punches or killing off her characters, which makes some things very unexpected and surprising. She also crafts a story with a snappy read-through pace. Overkill is a fun read, but it's obvious that it's a romantic suspense book with more emphasis on the steam than the thriller elements.

*Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley are to be thanked for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a frank review.*

I have loved ever book that I've read by Sandra Brown. While this book was good, it wasn't my favorite. I found this book to be more sexy romance than thriller and I prefer just the opposite - but that is definitely a personal preference. With that said the story is well written and the characters are well fleshed out. I
Sandra Brown is a phenomenal author and I look forward to reading what she write next.

Excellent book which is no surprise for Sandra Brown You are drawn in from page 1 and it just keeps getting better and better. A real page turner with twists and turns around every page. another 5 gold stars for Sandra Brown and this book. I would highly recommend this book. #netgalley #pageturner #greatmystery #awesomebook #5goldstarbook

3.5 ⭐️‘S One time NFL great, Zach Bridger was enjoying a get away in the Cayman Islands when he learns that his ex wife, Rebecca, was found unresponsive at a party and was transported to a nearby hospital. What Zach wasn’t aware of at the time is that Rebecca had not changed her will and it’s now Zach’s decision to end her life or keep her alive indefinitely in a vegetative state. Her parents are devastated and having no real regard for Zach are totally against him pulling the plug. Zach is more than willing to turn over her care to them, but they continue to punish him by leaving him in charge.

Eban Clarke, son of a local big wig, was with Rebecca when she lost consciousness. Eban is found guilty of negligence and incarcerated, but when Eban is released early after serving only two years, Zach is approached by Kate Lennon, an ambitious state prosecutor, who is about to become Eban’s worst nightmare. Kate is ready to have Eban charged with Rebecca’s murder the moment the plug is pulled. The only issue is that it’s been four years and Zach so far has refused to pull the plug, but in order to have justice served is now the time? As Zach and Kate work together to put Eban back behind bars, there relationship takes a turn Zach didn’t see coming. Will the change in there relationship ultimately damage their case? Eban is not about to let anything stop his carefree living and he’ll stop at nothing to get Kate and Zach out of his life. Will justice finally be served or will Eban continue to live out his breezy lifestyle? Someone is going to die, but will good overcome evil??

Sandra Brown does excel in the romantic suspense genre. While I love suspense, I can do without ALL of the romantic details (of which there were several 🤪).
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Overkill by Sandra Brown. Pub Date: August 16, 2022. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟. This is a tough one for me because I’ve been a Sandra Brown reader for a really long time, but this book just did not work for me. Too much spice and not enough substance. The premise is great, a woman on life support and her ex husband holds medical power of attorney, but the story just drags forever. Major miss for me. Thanks to #netgalley and #grandcentralpublishing for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #bookstagram #bibliophile #igreads #bookworm #overkill

Overkill presents an intriguing premise… what to do when your ex-wife is in a vegetative state type of coma and the man who harmed her is being released from prison. The only thing that may send him back for murder is if you pull the plug and she dies. Adding to the suspense, what if the woman who is prosecuting the criminal and is asking you to end your ex-wife’s life in order to keep others safe has also become quite important in your life in a romantic possibility way? This kind of plot thinking is the reason I read every release of Sandra Brown’s. Often they make me think outside of the box, beyond my normal thought process into the ‘what-if’ territory.

I enjoyed Overkill very much. Zach and Kate were believable characters, the steam rising between them was blinding at times, there were other factors in play as well such as his ex-wife’s parents and how they’ve refused to let their daughter die in spite of being told there is no hope for recovery. And then, there’s a very nasty, vile villain to contend with – it was so easy to loathe the very air that Ebon breathes.

Because this is a Mystery/Suspense that should be experienced firsthand I’m not going into any details beyond saying that I read this in one sitting, enjoyed myself, and would recommend it to those readers who enjoy a bit of steam and romance mixed into their suspense books. It’s a good story, one that will make you think a bit about your own views.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Zach Bridger receives a call that changes his life. His ex-wife, Rebecca Pratt, is left on life support after an assault, and Zach is left with the decision to keep her on life support or take her off of it. Zach, not wanting to make the decision, leaves that up to Rebecca's parents. The former Super Bowl MVP, spirals from grace after the terrible incident and press. Four years later, Rebecca's attacker is released from jail and trouble begins again for Zach. Sandra Brown has perfected the psychological thriller, mixed with spicy romance. A page turner that will not leave you disappointed.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A racy beach read with a killer plot twist.

Zach Bridget has been given the life support dilemma for his ex wife. He has not handled it well and has become a recluse until a lawyer from the attorney general’s office tries to convince him to let his ex wife go. What follows is an adventure that could cost both of them their lives.

An intriguing tale of romantic suspense.

Rebecca, a woman whose taste for the wild life has left her in a coma, lies in a medical facility. Zach is her former husband, an NFL superstar who was savaged by the press in the wake of the tragedy an lost his career, who now lives a quiet and secluded life. Rebecca’s father despises Zach and blames him for what befell her. Eban, the wealthy young man who was imprisoned for his role in the tragedy, is being released from prison, Kate is an ambitious young lawyer who wants him right back behind bars, but the only way for that to happen is for Rebecca to die.

Rebecca’s father is adamantly opposed to removing her from life support, but it is Zach who holds the legal authority to do so. As Zach struggles with the request Kate has made of him, Eban is enjoying his freedom…and has no intention of ever going back behind bars.

What is the right thing to do for Rebecca? What really happened the night she was left in a coma? And how far will Eban go to remain a free man?

An interesting dilemma with a smart, determined woman and the damaged man she first needs to pave the way to prosecuting a predator…but soon, she wants Zach for much more.

Well paced, plenty of plot twists, and an enjoyable read for lovers of romantic suspense. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy.

Ever read a book and remember why an author is a favorite of yours? Don't sleep on Overkill by Sandra Brown. This smart, witty and dare I say sexy book will take you on an adventure through the world of the priveliged lives of the elite and the aftermath of their destructive actions. Sexy characters, Sizzling chemistry, twists and turns that will have you not able to put this book down.

Overkill is a thriller that actually makes you think about advance directives and making your wishes known. Zach a former NFL football player suddenly has to deal with the fallout of his ex-wife's party lifestyle and be the one in charge of her medical decisions.
Years later when Zach's ex-wife Rebecca's attacker is out of prison it falls on Zach again to make the hard decisions. Throw in a little romance with ADA prosecutor Kate and being tormented by one of Rebecca's attackers Eban. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat with new twists/turns.

I want to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for offering an Advance Reader Copy of the book for reviews. I always give my honest opinions.