This one was so good!! I loved the characters; I hope the subsequent Luke Steele books include Amberlyn because she is amazing. This was an exciting read and the ending was intense. I recommend for fans of the genre! 4.5

Traci Hunter Abramson’s newest release, Hometown Vendetta, is a fabulous addition to her library. It is the first in a new series with Shadow Mountain Publishing. It has everything I’ve come to expect from Traci’s books and more.

It was fun to meet new characters, Luke Steele and Amberlyn Reiner. With compelling pasts, these two come together to prevent another tragedy. Luke and Amberlyn have their ups and downs in both work and their relationship. As they learn to trust each other, they are able to overcome their current tasks together.

In true Traci fashion, the suspense lasted through the entire book. I kept turning pages and guessing until the end. It is never what or who you think it should be with Traci’s books, and yet, always the right villain.

Hometown Vendetta is one that all has it all for Traci fans, and it’s the perfect introduction into Traci’s books for new readers. If you love suspense with a budding romance, this is a great book for you.

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy. These thoughts are my own.

Hometown Vendetta has fake dating with well written tension. A mystery that keeps you guessing and puts you on the edge of your seat, and depth of characters that has you immediately invested in their world.

This is going to be the start of a fabulous series.

I was ecstatic when I heard one of my favorite suspense authors was starting a new series!! I'm here for anything Traci Hunter Abramson writes and if this book is any indication of what we can expect in the Luke Steele series, it's going to be fantastic!! Once I started reading Hometown Vendetta I didn't want to put it down.

Marine Captain Luke Steele and FBI Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner are thrown together under tense circumstances, tasked with unraveling a terrorist conspiracy that hits far too close to home for Luke.

The plot is fast-paced and action-packed, with a looming threat of another terrorist attack. The author knows how to balance the suspenseful elements with the developing romance between Luke and Amberlyn. Their characters are relatable and the chemistry between them feels natural and unforced. Their fake relationship provides moments of humor, tenderness, and tension. I was engaged in their romance as much as I was in the suspenseful plot.

There were so many possible suspects I couldn't figure out who was behind everything. I'm not a good detective and at one point I was suspicious of everyone. Can we say mass conspiracy? (LOL) This book blends elements of small-town intrigue, personal redemption, and national security creating a story that will keep you guessing until the final page. I'm ready for the next book in the series!! If you like more suspense than romance in your romantic suspense this is the book for you.

Warning: this book will cause you to lose sleep and ignore all responsibilities as it keeps you turning pages. Who needs sleep or food when there are bad guys to be found?

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Oh wow! This was a prime example of why I love this author! I am a totally romantic, and somehow I am even glued when the romance is in the background to the main storyline! This author knows how to write great stories! I was thoroughly engaged in what was going on throughout the book! This is a big plus for this romance reader! Loved it!

Thank you to Covenant Communications and NetGalley for this book. All opinions are my own.

Another great book by Traci Hunter Abramson.

Amberlyn works for the FBI when a bomb goes off and kills her best friend. She ends up working with a guy that ghosted her years ago. They pretend to be dating to go to his high school reunion. This is a great story of discovering who is behind the bombings and why. It definitely has its tense moments.

A great start to a new series by one of my favorite authors. This story hit a little close to home with Luke's experiences in high school. Granted, the things he went through were much worse than what I went through, but my experiences still were very unpleasant. I could definitely relate to his extreme reluctance to go back into that den of wolves.
I look forward to reading future books in this series.

I am a big fan of Traci’s newest series! I cruise through this book. Just the right touch of romances mixed in with the action/mystery and intrigue. I enjoyed the two main characters and felt their relationship developed at the right pace. The story kept me interested and I enjoyed that I didn’t figure it out who did it right away. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this book! I loved the suspense and how the characters worked together to figure everything out. I loved how we were given little hints through out the story to help us figure out who was behind everything right along with the characters. I also loved the characters and can’t wait to read more books with these characters. I would highly recommend this book.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

This story pulled me in a few pages in and I couldn’t put the book down. It is a fast paced story with plenty of twist and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I rode the roller coaster with this book. I was tearful one moment then the next I was telling the characters to hurry the next. Overall a great read.

Marine Luke and FBI agent Amberlyn are tasked to find the instigator and motive behind the bombing of a FEMA building in Kansas City. They travel to Luke’s hometown for Amberlyn to pose as his girlfriend at his 15th High School reunion.
The stakes are high and the danger ramps up as they seek answers. Which of his old schoolmates would pull off such a diabolical plot?
The story was intricate, puzzling and fast-paced. The romance progressed steadily and the clues seem elusive. I like how Luke and Amberlyn worked together seamlessly. I also liked how the older generation of friends banded together to help the community. A scene of workers putting together packs of food to send home with needy grade school kids parallel what we do in our community. I am pleased to be a part of funding that endeavor.
This was a great story of teamwork and smarts to track down a twisted bad guy.
*A complimentary digital copy was provided by Shadow Mountain publishers via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

What an epic start to a new series by Traci Hunter Abramson! Yay! I loved this book and I'm so very excited for the next book whenever it comes out! Luke and Amberlyn are both wonderful and deep characters! I loved how they they started off on the slightly wrong foot for a bit, but as soon as they spend more time together...😍 Luke is such a perfect hero and of course he doesn't always see how amazing he is.
This had plenty of twists and turns! What a great suspense. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have been looking forward to reading this book ever since it was announced. Abramson is one of my favorite authors and I was excited for a new series with fresh, new characters. This book does not disappoint. The author brings her knowledge of government ways into the story.

After a terrorist attack, Luke and Amberlyn are thrown together to try to solve it. I loved how they worked so well. Each bringing their strengths to the table when they were both dealing with personal things in the aftermath. This book brings a page turning plot with action, fake dating, strong characters, romantic tension, and second chances.

I am looking forward to reading more books in this series. Huge thank you to the publisher for the paperback ARC and NetGalley link.

Abramson is the master and hooking you in early, keeping the action going, and adding in a little romance to make you never want to put the book down! This is a great beginning to a series and now I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

It took me a little while to read this book. I liked the characters and the overall story, but got held up by some of the dialogue and details that didn’t seem to move the story along. Those items were less noticeable as the action increased though.

A great read! I loved this new book by Traci Hunter Abramson. True to her writing style, I was captivated from the start. I enjoyed the dual perspective of Luke and Amberlyn. I did not like how they didn't communicate about their brief pass encounter, however, that was resolved later in the book. I enjoyed the easy friendship they built. Great action and mystery with a little romance. I didn't want it to end.

Luke Steele works as a military aide to the President and due to a terrorist attack has to return to his hometown. Luke has horrible memories of high school and the constant attacks he was forced to suffer as a student. He is now returning for a high school celebration with Special Agent Amberlynn Reiner trying to track down these terrorists who were spotted wearing tattoos and rings connected to Pine Hills school.
He is coming with Amberlynn as his fiancée which he hopes will be a good cover for their enquiry.

The return is not easy and the taunting is continuous. When their car is trashed and when a bomb destroys the apartment they are staying in, the attack seems personal and focussed on running them out of town. Their enquiry seems to be too close to home and although their cover is blown, both of them are committed to the chase. Now the urgency is to find the suspected second car bomb which is targeting the celebration at the school itself.

Highlighting the subject of bullying is a key point in this story as it has molded Luke to what he is today. It is also a worrisome feature in present society.

The element of romance was not overly emphasized and blended into the story.

I like the main characters. I like we are dropped in the action and have time to reflect moments as well. I'm looking forward to the new series. Luke is a wounded warrior who thought he wouldn't have to go back home. Amberlynn was speaking to a friend when a bomb went off. It was great to see how they followed leads to solve the bombing and prevent more deaths. I will read more by this author and hope to see more in the series.

Hometown Vendetta (Luke Steele #1) by Traci Hunter Abramson, 320 pages. Shadow Mountain, 2024. $28.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: ADULTS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Amberlyn is intimately involved in tragedy as she works every day as an FBI profiler, but this last domestic terrorism act becomes more personal when it kills her best friend. She gets pulled into a meeting to help update the president, and his military aide, Luke, helps them make a breakthrough on the case. Now Amberlyn and Luke have to work together—hoping beyond hope that the other doesn’t remember when they first met—by going undercover in the last place Luke wants to be: home.
Abramson keeps readers on their toes—anxious about terrorists, seemingly random accidents, new characters with too convenient stories, shoot outs, and a little forced-proximity fake dating. Once I started reading, there was no stopping, and I enjoyed every step of the journey. I’m excited to visit these characters again in the next book.
The majority of characters are implied White. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mentions of drugs, illegal activity, and kissing. The violence rating is for gun and bomb use, terrorism, and murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

I am so excited for the new "Luke Steele" books! Everything Traci Hunter Abramson puts her hands on is gold, including this book. I loved every page, every character and everything about the storyline. I can't wait to read more Luke Steele books!!!