ARC provided by the Publisher and Netgalley.
Going Deep is the 5th title in the Alpha Ops series. This book is romantic suspense based and I found that this book didn't live up to the claim. I'm giving this book a 2 star rating.

Going Deep is the fifth book in the Alpha Ops series by Anne Calhoun. The Alpha Ops series is an adult romantic suspense series. Each of the books can be read as standalones. I have read the fourth novel in the series, Under The Surface, but not books 1 2 or 3 yet. I liked Going Deep just as much as I enjoyed Under The Surface. I think it is safe to say that this is a series I really enjoy.

In Going Deep, we meet our main characters Cady and Conn. I will admit that I didn't like Conn's name at first. It made him sound like a con man and not the sexy protective alpha cop he was. But I quickly got past my dislike of his name because I really liked his character. I appreciated that there were plenty of hot romance-y parts in the story but not too much extra drama. I can't tell you how darn refreshing that was.

This book had everything I was looking for- fantastic romance, great characters, sexy flirting, and plenty of fun times, mixed in with some danger and excitement. If you are a fan of romantic suspense books, then Going Deep, and the Alpha Ops series as whole, is a book you need to check out. I loved the characters, the writing and most of all- the romance! I need to read the other books in the Alpha Ops series ASAP!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.

ARC received for review

Conn and Cady are smokin' hot from the minute they meet. He's hired to be her body man. There's someone out there messing with her. He's trying to break his dad's record on the track, and clear his name. They get a happily ever after, but there's no conclusion to getting his name cleared.

What’s it About? Singer Cady Ward is used to dealing with the pitfalls of fame but after one too many encounters with crazy fans, her manager thinks it’s time to hire protection. In the form of Conn McCormick. He’s in the middle of a possible career ending scandal when his boss assigns him to protect Cady. Though he feels it’s a waste of his training, Conn has no choice. Then Conn starts to unravel the mystery behind the threats to Cady and suddenly he’s faced with protecting her or his career.


Overall reaction to the story? Going Deep was an entertaining read for me, it just wasn’t an overwhelmingly amazing one. The characters were nice and likable, the chemistry was there, and I had a few chuckles now and again with some of the scenes. I think that had this book been an actual romantic suspense it might have rated higher and been more memorable. I was pretty disappointed to see that yet another book in this series is called romantic suspense and yet there was no suspense to be had outside of the usual “whodunit.”


Conn and Cady were enjoyable as a couple though I found some of the reasoning behind Conn’s appearance in Cady’s life to be a bit flimsy in the believability department. I overlooked that though in favor of the way these two built a relationship in a pretty chaotic and stressful setting. It wasn’t ideal but Anne Calhoun made it work and I did believe in their romance after my initial skepticism.


Going Deep was definitely not a rom-suspense book though. It was more a contemporary romance with a dollop of suspense to add a bit of flavor. There’s nothing wrong with that but in my opinion categorizing it as a romantic suspense is misleading to readers. I was expecting a romantic suspense and was disappointed that it wasn’t. However if you’re looking for just a smidge of suspense in your romance then I say pick this book up and enjoy.


Click It or Skip It? Click It. Despite the lack of suspense, Going Deep is still a good way to pass the time.

Another great read by this author, I love the Alpha Ops Series. Its one of those series for me that once I start I cannot stop reading the story, Its a sexy, fun filled story.

I struggled with this book; from the beginning I had difficulty getting into it. I struggled to even finish the book which is why it took me longer than normal to even get through it.

The story had so much potential, but it truly dragged on. As another reviewer stated, the book truly lacked any suspense. While the "who did it" was not immediately known (which I appreciated it), it was a very slow time in getting us to find out who actually did it. And the worst thing that was happening really wasn't all that terrible to begin with (no real danger).

I thought Cady and Conn fell into bed way too quick. I wanted the sexual tension to draw out for a little while...you know more than a few hours. After that though it was just like reading bits and pieces of their daily lives. BORING.

That said, the ending felt very unfinished. There was no real closure to Conn's job issues. I would have loved to read an epilogue about how Conn handled the crazy obsessed fans in the future. And did he find that Maud changed who Cady was when she was on tour? And what about the next album? We're given a little hope but again no closure.

I don't think I'm the reader for this book -- the problems of the rich and famous in contemporary society are unlikely to interest me. However, I tried to give this book a chance, as I've admired the emotional richness of other Anne Calhoun novels. This one disappointed. I found Cady/Maud -- the rock star heroine -- to be as difficult to pin down as her shifting names. Was she a small town girl? Was she a glamorous rock star? Was she cautious and thoughtful or an impetuous risk taker? The inconsistency in her actions and interactions -- with her family, her agent, her fans, and her dark and brooding bodyguard, Conn -- didn't make sense. That may be why I also didn't feel any real emotional chemistry between Conn and Cady. A lot of lust -- sure. But the foundation for a lasting relationship? That didn't feel real, and so the book dragged.

I loved this book so much I gifted six copies on my blog giveaway.

Another heart-pounding, breath-hitching romance that is an action packed thriller with killer romance and fascinating characters. Going Deep is perfect for those that love a good ex-military man doing guard duty. The chemistry between our hero and heroine crackles with the perfect amount of tension and the story just takes you away from start to finish. I freaking ADORE Anne Calhoun and this series and I can't freaking wait for what is next!

Cady and Con have a great story in Going Deep. Cady needs protection and Conn is her bodyguard while he's laying low from an altercation. What I like best about Anne Calhoun's writing is that she doesn't waste time going deep into back stories, she gives enough info for me to use my imagination and she concentrates on the characters here and now. I love that it's easy to read, story is most enjoyable and I thoroughly love the fun story she created which I never want to put down.

No review left -I've liked this authors other works but this one just didn't work for me. I tried to get back into it but just couldn't

This is the fifth book in Anne Calhoun’s Alpha Ops series. This story is filled with romance, suspense, realistic characters and an engaging plot. I immediately connected with the characters and they have a lot chemistry together. The only person I had a hard time with in this story was Cady’s younger sister. I found her annoying, selfish and immature.

Conn is a policeman and he meets Cady when he works security at one of her concerts. Cady is an up and coming singer and Conn is assigned to protect her while she is back in her hometown. Kady is down to earth and nice and she and Conn start to get close as the spend time together. They both know they can not have a long term relationship because Cady will be leaving soon to tour again and Conn works in the police department. I liked Conn and Cady together and I thought they bring out the best in each other. Cady yearns for a normal life and Conn yearns for love, family and commitment. They both feel trapped in their lives and dissatisfied but are unsure what they want. Their relationship is sensual and develops slowly as they try to work through their issues and try to figure out who is causing so many problems.

I enjoyed this story, although it is predictable. I like Anne Calhoun’s voice and her realistic writing style. Her characters feel like everyday people and are easy to connect with.

2 Stars!

I am sorry, but this one did not work for me.

It’s been awhile since I read a book written by this author. I’m not sure if my preferences have changed, the writing style is different, or if this just wasn’t one of her best works. Whatever the reason, I struggled to finish this one.

First off, I was in the mood for a good romantic suspense novel. This book just isn’t one. It’s a contemporary romance at best.

This is also a book that reminded me a lot of the movie The Bodyguard with Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. In this book, Cady Ward is a very popular and famous singer who is need of protection when an over-zealous fan threatens her safety at one of her concerts. Conn is brought in to serve as her bodyguard.

Predictable and boring are two words that I would use to describe this book. I didn’t really care for any of the characters and I felt that there was no real conflict to speak of: just two people attracted to one another going at it.

Cady’s younger sister was a main secondary character and I would’ve quit reading the book on her character alone, but pressed on so that I could write a fair review. She was a horrible girl with little to no redeeming qualities.

I now will be careful before reading another book by Anne Calhoun. I will say that she has written some absolutely fabulous books, with Breath on Embers being one of my favorites!!

Conn and Cady had something very cute going on. They were thrown with each other because Conn needed to lay low and Cady needed a bodyguard but they stayed together because opposites attract in a big way.

Overall this book was good and overall very cute. I felt like Cady was too stubborn for her own good but luckily for her Conn was willing to do whatever it took to keep her safe.

Anne did a good job with the suspense, I want to say that I knew who it was that was messing with Cady... but I didn't...I was a little surprised. The only reason this book did not get 4 or 5 stars was because I wasn't really drawn in emotionally. There was only one moment with that Conn broke my heart a bit, but after that no other tear jerking moments until the very end.