MIDNIGHT GAMES (KILLER INSTINCTS #3) reunites us with both Jim Morgan's and Noelle's teams - his of the ex-military and deadly mercenaries and her very capable, take care of themselves, chameleons. Jim is absent throughout most of the story although spoken of often by both teams. What's he up to especially when all hell is breaking loose? No one knows where he's off to and why although he's gone underground before. Noelle puts herself in charge of the mission and the members of his team seem surprisingly okay with that.

Kennedy's MIDNIGHT GAMES is Trevor and Izzy's story and this book is my favorite of the series so far. There's an edginess to it but the storyline isn't as dark and sinister as either of the first two books even though once again there are whores and drugs involved. Trevor has a hard time realizing that Izzy is just as capable at her job as he is at his. Watching his admiration for her work grow is heartwarming even given their line of work especially when she realizes that nobody has ever understood her or got her like he does! They both fight their attraction throughout but her more than him and that just puts him in protection mode that much more. The interactions between all the characters is phenomenal especially how they support each other when Morgan's compound is under siege and they have no idea why or who's doing it. From there their bonds just get stronger as they unite to fight whodunnit. There are a lot of deaths and it was heartbreaking watching the teams dealing with the loss of their comrades and friends. The action takes place in Mexico but also in Monte Carlo and there are a lot of twists and turns to the story but I liked that the storylines and characters from the first two books were brought in as well which gave a nice flow and great continuity. Seeing Noelle take charge of the mission while still keeping her distance and cool and also earn the respect of Morgan's team was an interesting twist. There were family, friends, comrades, wealth, gambling, colleagues, transformations, hidden identities, shootouts, surveillance, injuries, tears, happiness, romance and love. The descriptions were vivid and made me feel that I was there whether in the hotels, the casino, the museum or at the compound amongst other places. The characters had many layers to them and many secrets which they kept even from each other. I hope to see the Reilly twins in future storylines since they add a little bit of comedic relief right when it's needed. There was nice closure and a happily ever after in the offing. I'm happy to know I'll be back in the trenches with the teams not too far off in the future!

Kennedy is a fairly new to me author since I've only read her first two books in this series, MIDNIGHT RESCUE and MIDNIGHT ALIAS, respectively, but it only left me wanting more. I can't wait to read the other books in this series before book six, MIDNIGHT CAPTIVE, is released in June. Her books will be added to my always growing TBR pile since I can't wait to see what the teams are involved in next!