This was my first Sandra Brown novel and it was really good!! A super quick read, everything flows very well. I related with all the main characters and the plot had me questioning so many scenarios! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Exciting and intriguing romantic suspense. A sensitive subject of life support. Makes one think of their own views. Not an easy decision. Interesting couple. I skipped over their intimate details and wished I could have done so for the initial crime. The story ended well with some surprises along the way. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.

When former NFL star Zach Bridget divorced his ex wife Rebecca he never thought he’d have to deal with her again. That is until one day when Rebecca is partying hard she gets attacked and is left in a vegetative state Unknown to him though he’s still listed as her Medical Power of Attorney. Not wanting to deal with the responsibility, negative press, and Rebecca’s religious parents he bails leaving her parents in charge of her care. He retires and is trying to live a quiet and secluded life when Kate a member of the Attorney General’s office knocks on his door bringing his past back to him and with news that the man responsible it’s getting released.

It’s been a minute since I’ve read a book by this author but I absolute love her romantic suspense novels. They always have just the right amount of suspense and spice. I really liked the main characters and their attraction, as well as how they handled all the shocking twists that came their way. The only thing that I can say bad about this one is that it had a bit too much football jargon if it hadn’t been for that it would have been a solid five star read. Definitely read this one if your into suspenseful twists, grumpy/sunshine, spice, and football.

Overkill, is another captivating novel by Sandra Brown. This book has romance, mystery, and suspense. Well developed characters and story. Definitely, a good read.
Zach, a former NFL player was briefly married to Rebecca. One evening he received a call that she was unresponsive after attending a party. He doesn’t understand as they have been divorced for awhile. He is surprised to find that he is still her medical power of attorney. Her Father is adamant about taking her off life support even though there is no hope. Zach abides by her parents wishes and even pays for her care in a convalescent facility.
When Eban, who was responsible for Rebecca’s condition is released from prison early. Kate, a prosecutor approaches Zach with a plan to send him back to prison by being charged with murder. Of course this can only happen if Rebecca dies. Zach must make a decision once again whether to pull the plug or not.
The ending has a nice twist.
Many thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC.
#netgalley
#SandraBrown

Thankful to Grand Central publishing for the ARC. Sandra Brown is my favorite author and I really enjoyed this book! I finished it in a day! I loved the characters and the romance. Great suspense, keeping you guessing throughout the book!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an e ARC of this book.
One of the better Sandra Brown novels. A quick read because everything flows. Main characters are likeable and the plot raises moral questions that are thought provoking.

I’m not going to lie, when I got approval email from NetGalley for the new Sandra Brown book, I did a squeal and a happy dance around my kitchen. She introduced me to the romantic thriller genre, and I quickly devoured her books.

Overkill hits all of the best things I’ve come to expect from a Sandra Brown book:

⚫️ Rugged hero who prefers a hermit's life, is wealthy and has a past claim to fame ✅

⚫️Pretty, smart heroine who is ballsy and confident ✅

⚫️A good mystery and driven story ✅

Zach Bridger was a former NFL Super Bowl hero, before an attack on his ex-wife, Rebecca, and the subsequent fall out jettisoned his career. He got his life in track, retired to a mountain side and hiked every day. It would have been happily ever after had his wife’s attacker not gotten out of jail early thanks to his daddy’s connections. Enter Kate Lennon, a up and coming star state prosecutor. She comes up with a way to put the slimy Eban away for good. Too bad it means Bridger facing the decision and confrontation he’s been avoiding for years.

This book is everything I want in a romantic thriller. Intriguing, full of suspense and a red-hot romance all in one.

Former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Zach Bridger is the medical power-of-attorney for his ex-wife, Rebecca Pratt. After she was violently assaulted at a party, she was left comatose, & she has been on life support ever since, Zach is asked to make an impossible choice: keep her on life support or take her off of it. Buckling under the weight of the responsibility and the glare of public scrutiny, Zach ultimately walks away, letting Rebecca's parents have the final say. Fast-forward four years - Eban, on an early-release from prison after he was charged with assaulting Rebecca, is ready to pick back up where he left off. He has learned nothing, and has no remorse for what he did. 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.
I read every thriller that this author writes and although this wasn't my favorite, I did really enjoy it. I did think that it lagged a bit at times, but the rest of the time, I was completely captivated. Eban made an excellent villain. He was a sociopath who had unlimited funds and an enabling father. His two best friends who were also present when Rebecca was assaulted, but only witnessed it, didn't actually participate in the assault, have been on probation, were actually remorseful, and were working to turn their lives around. Eban getting out of prison was the worst thing that could happen for them. There is the moral/emotional issue with taking someone off of life support that is widely discussed in this book....a decision that no one ever wants to have to make for someone. Overall, this is a really good book, and I definitely recommend it.

This read was okay. Rather predictable, Found it somewhat boring and not the best I have read from the author.

A thriller that I had to put down several times to get my heartrate to drop. The bad guy, Eban, is seriously evil with no conscience. The subjects of his rampage are almost helpless to stop him. Be prepared for a wild ride.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

solid sandra brown read as always! i loved watching the two characters come together, and i liked the suspense/mystery element as well.

I am always up for a new Sandra Brwon novel. I mean, who isn't? I was skimming some of the early reviews of this one. I mean, sure, to each their own. However, some of the mid-star reviews cracked me up. I am not sure what these readers where expecting from a romantic suspense novel. *shrug*

As always, this book pretty much stands on its own. It's very different than pretty much all other books. The subject matter was a bit... thought provoking. You are left thinking, what would you do if you were in that position? Would you choose justice or life? This is the main theme of the book. As a reader, you are given a lot of past information that leaves you feeling full of indecision.

Then enters the new possible romance. And man, Ms. Brown turned up the scorch-o-meter in this one. Admittedly, I haven't read close to all of her books. However, I have read a handful. I don't remember any of them having that much sexy time, but I am not complaining. The scenes fit with what was happening. They were the natural progression, so I can't complain.

Overall, this book is another winner for me. I wouldn't say it's my favorite of hers. But I did enjoy the journey I took with this book.

Overkill by Sandra Brown is a fast paced crime thriller. Social media and other communications technology has changed the world in positive ways. But they have also created a public arena in which anyone, not only celebrities, but anyone could find themselves defending their privacy, their integrity, even their life, for the amusement of a universal, bloodthirsty audience. That was a lesson that Zach Bridger learned the hard way. As a famous quarterback at the height of his career, he married the wrong gal which ended in a divorce before their first anniversary. But the ex-wife became a thorn in his side for many years to come. It was only by fate that he has an opportunity to be saved from himself by a beautiful, dainty creature with hair the color of a rising full moon and eyes like blue topaz. Brown is a skillful story teller who weaves together a fascinating tale of family dynamics, fame in the 21st century, religious zealotry and a thirst for justice. It is an exceptionally well written, engaging tale.

It has been quite a few years since I read one of Sandra Brown's novels, though she was at one time a favorite of mine. So, when I saw Overkill was available on Netgalley for request, I was excited to dive back into one of her novels...I was not disappointed!

Overkill is a taut thriller, which grabs the reader from the first chapter, and builds steadily to an exciting conclusion with a twist that I did not in any way anticipate. The main characters are well-developed, with multi-faceted personalities, and a villain that is truly despicable. Zach Bridger is a former pro football player, contender for sexiest man alive honors, whose quickie marriage to a groupie ended in a disastrous divorce and ultimately his downfall. Kate Lennon is a rising star as an assistant prosecutor, and she has an unsettled score that she is looking to resolve. The bad guy, Eban Clarke, is a rich, spoiled sociopath, one of the most unlikable characters I've read in a long time; he really had no redeeming traits, and his lack of empathy or remorse has the reader rooting hard for Kate and Zach to find a way for justice to prevail.

The storyline has it all, with a strong romantic subplot and the ethical conundrum of medical end of life decisions added to the mix. My only criticism of the novel was that the few bedroom scenes seemed awkwardly written and somewhat randomly thrown into the story. I felt like they could have been omitted to keep the tension high. Overall, I really enjoyed Overkill, and will be looking to catch up on the author's backlog which I have missed.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Overkill. The opinions in this review are my own.

This is a thriller with a strong romance element that makes you cheer and also fear for the MC’s. There’s also a lot of philosophical life and religion questions that are brought up in the story that Make you think. When Zach’s ex wife is caught in the crosshairs of an orgy gone wrong, he must step in as her legal guardian. That makes for a whole lot of emotional mess as he literally had her life in her hands. Whether his decision is wrong or right it causes a domino effect in which Eban, our villain, will do anything to stop him. This was fast paced. I felt like there was always a new development and side plots that kept me glued to the pages. I was anxious to see how it would all unfold and it took a turn I didn’t expect. Recommended for romance suspense fans as the romance is hot and very big factor in the story.

The decision to “pull the plug” to suspend life-sustaining measures of a loved one is a heart-wrenching responsibility with innumerable factors to consider and weigh. When that decision must be made upon the world stage, to be observed, debated, and judged by all, no decision will ever be viewed as right or just. Author Sandra Brown delivers a controversial and thought-provoking exploration of what constitutes mercy between sparing a life or taking a life in her latest thriller, “Overkill.”

Zach Bridger is a former Superbowl winning MVP quarterback that made the mistake of marrying the wrong woman. Two years after their divorce, the hospital summons Zach when an assault on his ex-wife leaves her brain dead and in a coma. Unbeknownst to him, a medical power of attorney leaving him solely responsible for her has remained in effect. As the world breathlessly waits, Zack must decide whether to cease life-sustaining measures and allow nature to run its course. Unable to bear the weight of ending her life, Zach allows her to remain in her coma. Two years later, the violent sociopath responsible for her assault uses his considerable wealth and influence to obtain an early release from prison, and once again goes on the warpath. An ambitious district attorney on a personal quest reaches out to Zach to inform him that the only way to deliver justice is to pull the plug on his ex-wife, learn the truth about that fateful night, and file murder charges against her attacker. Once again under the judging eyes of the public, Zach must decide if he has the wisdom and strength to do the right thing.

Sandra Brown remains at the top of her game with an engaging, suspenseful, and thought-provoking thriller. Her smooth flowing prose captures the imagination and delves deep into controversial topics both powerful in their universal accessibility and divisive in their social implications. Evocative language and vivid imagery demonstrate the passion and anguish of the characters in a way that is both insightful, poignant, and incredibly memorable.

The characterization of the two protagonists is one of the strongest elements of the novel. Zach Bridger is a dynamic and multi-dimensional character. Initially rude, abrasive, and arrogant, the reader must get to know Zach in the same way as co-protagonist, Kate Lennon; by slowly peal back the layers to learn what lies beneath the surface. As the state district attorney, Kate is equally multi-dimensional. Not always the paragon of bravery and justice, Kate is desperately hoping that if she can find justice in this case it may help balance some of the mistakes and regrets from her past. One of my biggest critiques of this novel is that the balance between endearing and unappealing traits is not extended to the antagonist, Eban Clarke. Clarke is the man whose vicious assault on Zach’s ex-wife left her brain dead, and he is an irredeemably evil character. Attempts to make him a charming or roguish sociopath in his dealings with the law, his friends, and even his father fall flat as he comes across the page as a bland stereotypical villain. Even the slightest slice of regret or human empathy would have worked wonders to create a more engaging antagonist.

Natural, authentic sounding dialogue is unique to each character and adds depth and texture to their characterization. Speech patterns and diction choices perfectly reflect social, economic, and professional distinctions among the different characters. The overall tone of the novel is menacing and emotionally charged due to the gravity of the subject matter, as there’s a natural weight throughout that emphasizes the burdens facing the protagonists.

The subject matter is heavily thematic and controversial. The universal debate between quality of life versus quantity of life, or whether it is more important to preserve a person’s life or their dignity are at the forefront of the entire narrative. Furthermore, several characters explore the moral and ethical quandaries of the right or obligation to suspend life-sustaining measures throughout. The exploration is deeply interesting and equally though-provoking, and Sandra Brown approaches this “hot button” topic with poise and respect.

Sandra Brown has created a unique thriller that for a change is not a race to save someone’s life, but rather a search for a merciful justification for ending a victim’s life. By turning the genre on its head, “Overkill” is an engaging and entertaining suspense thriller that veers away from several conventions with wonderfully compelling results. Engaging, dynamic characters and an expertly crafted plot result in a terrific reading experience. Fans of Sandra Brown will fall in love with Zach Bridger and Kate Lennon, and newcomers will find a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller that is difficult to put down. Very well done!

I absolutely love the cover art on this one. It's layered and moody just like the plot of this story.

This author has strong skills and an interesting style that I truly admire. Her word choices and clever phrasing kept me reading. However, in this particular novel, I wasn't a huge fan of some of the scenes depicted nor many of the characters.

My inability to fully connect with this story will not prevent me from wanting to read her next release as I have thoroughly enjoyed her work in the past. I sincerely urge you to check out her other novels if you haven't already.

I'd like to thank NetGalley for an advanced copy of Overkill for my unbiased evaluation. 3.5 stars

It's been a lot of years since I have read a Sandra Brown book. It reminded me how much I enjoyed her writing. I loved the main characters. Zach & Kate have a chemistry from the start. I liked both of them. The book is fast paced & had a good amount of suspense. The story pulled me in immediately & I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed every moment of the story. The book had a great blend of romance and suspense. I received an advance copy from NetGalley & am voluntarily leaving a review.

This one shocked me in the end. I thought I knew what was going to happen, who would walk away and who wouldn't make it, I was about 45% right.

I spent alot of time thinking about the sub plot in Overkill between Rebecca Zach, her father and everyone involved.

I've had to make life and death decisions and it's a terrible place to be.

Sandra Brown was able to describe the feeling and thoughts associated with that kind of decision beautifully and I thank her for the respect she has to give people that make those decisions and the dignity she gave the people who have to have people make decisions for them.

As for the spice, it's just the right amount in my opinion and happened in what seemed like the right timing of the story, it made sense and didn't seem rushed.

Overall this is a really good mystery/thriller, more than a few times I found myself holding my breath or letting out a little gasp and any book that draws a physical response is a good book.

Wow! Delivers on all counts! A page turning thriller with a bit of romance. Zach Bridger, a has been NFL MVP superstar has for the last 4 years avoided the limelight. After his ex-wife partying went wrong and left her in a vegetated coma. Zach finds out he still has the medical power of attorney. Giving in to Rebecca’s parents he keeps her on life support, but now the man that cause the state Rebecca is in is released early. Approach by Kate Lennon, a state processor to rethink about Rebecca and his decision, which would allow the state to reopen the case as a murder if she dies.
The story is about the dilemma of what to do? Twist and turns and very suspenseful. Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #Overkill