Where Loyalties Lie

I think that one of the things that I'm enjoying the most about these five families stories from Jill Ramsower is the way that the lines between good and evil blur. While this story isn't directly about members of the five families, it deals with Tamir, who we met in the last book Blood Always. He is a Krav Maga instructor and in the previous book, it was in this role that we saw him, working with prickly Maria. Now he gets his own story when he is thrown into the path of Emily, a woman with a price on her head.
Tamir and Emily both have secrets and I think it is possibly partially this that makes them work so well together. Neither of them is all bad and they are certainly both far from all good. I liked the way that they learn who each other really is and how that affects their feelings towards one another. There is obviously a huge amount of chemistry between them right from the beginning and they need to find their way past that to find out how they really feel about one another.
As I mentioned the lines between good and bad are blurred here. I think that it's testament to what an enjoyable and well-written series this is that you can't help but like and find yourself championing characters that in other circumstances you might see as the bad guys.
This is a great story connected to a great series. I'm looking forward to reading what's next from the five families.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tamir and Emily get to know each other through the Krav Maga classes he teaches. They start to have sparks fly only to find out each is holding secrets. They embark on a road trip to help Emily with her past. Will everything work out, or are the secrets each of them have too much?

Holy smokes Tamir and Emily. This story is full of secrets, suspense and steaminess!! I read this cover to cover. There were so many ups and downs and twists. Great read!!!

After dipping my toe in the Five family series–with much pleasure–I had high expectations for this spin-off, and I wasn’t disappointed.

It had been so long since I last read a book with a consistent theme, but here, you can see it everywhere: in the main relationship, in the relationship between the main characters and the others, as a problem or a trauma from the past… The theme here is trust–when you don’t know how to offer it, when you’re constantly violate it, when it hurts and when it heals. It’s at the core of the romance, but also in all the little things. That’s what I call good writing.

To support the theme, the author created multifaceted characters that you can’t help but love, even when it seems they keep repeating the same mistakes. Because they feel real, you understand their flaws. And to antagonize them, two sorts of villains: a big evil enemy, and themselves.

It’s a romantic suspense, so there’s some criminal activities going around. They’re rather gruesome, but they’re not gratuitous. Just be aware that they could be triggering.

It’s a gripping story of love and trust, so go and grab it!

Quickie

- Series: standalone (but is linked to the Five families series)
- Hashtags: #romantic suspense #forced cohabitation #multicultural relationship #age gap
- Triggers: a bit graphic depiction of rape, mention of human trafficking, violence and mention of murders
- Main couple: Emily Ramirez & Tamir
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 4/5
- + you can’t do more multicultural than a Mexican woman and an Israeli man
- – some of the side characters are really interesting but they come and go too fast

I received an ARC for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Jill Ramsower is quickly becoming one of my favorite one-click authors. Whatever kind of book she is putting out, I immediately want it. This newest book is no different.

Emily is on the run from someone or something. She was finally starting to let her guard down in NYC, but she isn't sure anymore after a recent attack. Having to look behind her and never genuinely feeling free is starting to weigh on her. Thankfully she has had Tamir and his teaching of Krav Maga to help her learn to defend herself.

Tamir has been teaching Krav Maga, and one of his favorite students is Emily. Being able to steal secret glances at her without her knowledge is something he loves. After coming across something that has the potential to turn his world upside down, he is wondering who the real Emily is.

Will Tamir be able to help Emily escape, or will he bring her to her doom? Will Emily be able to survive the possibility of losing Tamir forever or the possibility of loving him forever?

You guys! OMG! I can’t tell you how much I loved this book. It was a slower burn but had the perfect pull and push I love. There was the perfect amount of suspense and whose good or evil. It was everything I needed to read! I loved Emily and Tamir, and I also loved Tamir’s friends. I wouldn’t mind some other books with his friends 😊 I was able to relate with Emily about his dislike in owls. I am with Emily about scary owls, not so much about the witches' part *you have to read that part .* Owls can swoop low and grab things and fly away. Plus, they are masters in staring contests! There is a scene where Emily steals Tamir’s car, and the way Tamir stealthy appears in the back seat was bonkers! I loved it and could imagine Emily freaking out. However, she handled it way better than I would have. I probably would have wrecked the car!

All you need to know is that this book is fantastic. You don’t have to read any other book before this, but if you want a little more backstory in Maria and Tamir’s friendship, you could read her book. However, I HIGHLY recommend this book and any other that Jill is putting out!

WOW this book is one steam roller ride of suspense and drama While Tamir did appear in the Five Families Series you don't have to read them top follow this story it is a perfect stand alone but you may want top do yourself a favour and read them.

Tamir works as a Krav Maga instructor after all it is the perfect job for a retired Israeli ex military but there is much more to this man than anyone realises He is also a hired assassin who will take a job if the pay is high enough. He has a client that he trains Emily what he doesn't know is that she isn't who she seems to be either Then their worlds collide when he sees that there is a bounty on her he could take the contract to take her down the only problem is he has decided he wants to save her now he will need to protect her from any other man trying to collect the bounty The only thing as she told him all of her secrets or is there even more to come out Be prepared for a slow burn romance that has so many twists and turns you will get whip lash I guarantee this is a book you won't want to put down

Where Loyalties Lie was a standalone written by Jill Ramsower. Even though it is a standalone novel , it is based in the same world as the five families. Told in dual pov , this novel was one thrilling ride of survival and passion!

We have Tamir in Blood Always. Finally the badass assassin has found his match. Tamir was an instructor in the krav Maga classes that were held in an institute. He was tough and mysterious in all the damn ways!!! Not to mention , mind blowingly hot! Emily was a sweet girl , who had deep secrets hidden. She was one of the people who attended Tamir's class. They both meet and take a sudden notice of each other. After months of silent glances and looks , both of them finally talk to each other and become close.

However Tamir has secrets even deeper than Emily. From outside he is the instructor of martial arts, but his actual job was that of an assassin. Things were going fine between them , until Tamir identified a picture of a Emily with a bounty on her head. From there things get a bit complicated.

Emily has other Assassins attacking her to get the money , and now it is Tamir who takes the job of trying to keep her safe. But is Emily telling the truth?? What is the reason she is running away?? Does Tamir know much more than she does??

There was so much mystery in this book , so many twists and turns. The moment I thought that things were finally out in the open , some other secret popped up and the shitshorm started again. Jill Ramsower kept me on my toes throughout the whole book and there was not a single page that I did not enjoy.

This book is recommended to all the dark Romance lovers. If you love military men and sassy heroines , this book will be perfect for you.

Where Loyalties Lie is a fitting title for this novel. I was questioning who to trust, what was truth and how the book would end from the get-go. The suspense and tension in this book are high. The questions, half truths and twists build and build, so much that I couldn't stop reading. I needed to see how this story unfolded. Where Loyalties Lie is a perfect example of the romantic suspense genre.

Tamir is ex-special forces, a Krav Maga instructor and a secret assassin for hire. Emily is his self-defense student who has secrets of her own. The building of the relationship between this pair was treacherous. They both held their cards close to their chests. Just when I thought they had laid it all out, there was another layer to be revealed. I was rooting for this relationship, but even the romantic in me was worried about these two ever overcoming the odds against them.

Where Loyalties Lie has plenty of action and drama. The author did a great job dealing out enough tidbits of information to keep the pace of the storyline moving, without revealing too many secrets and plot twists.

This is the first book I have read by this author, and it is a standalone story. There is a link to Jill Ramsower's other series, The Five Families, but there is no need to read them prior. I will be checking them out though, in the hopes that they are as good as this offering.

I’ve wanted to know more about Tamir since we first met him in Maria’s story, and I was absolutely not disappointed. He’s all I thought he would be and more, and he finds his perfect match in Emily. She’s on the run, he’s hired to bring her in, and their chemistry blows that whole idea out of the water. Once he learns exactly why Emily is wanted and Emily learns exactly what lengths Tamir went to just to ensure her safety, all that’s left to do is watch it all unfold. And now I have a few more people I’d like to see more of, in the form of Tamir’s friends. It’ll be interesting to see what comes next in this world.

Well that blurb certainly sucked me in but the author kept the momentum going. Tamir and Emily were a great mystery, and loved the tension between the two.

What did I like? So the book starts with a paranoid Emily, and her solitary life. Alive but not really living. Tamir is a Krav Maga instructor, with Emily as his pupil. Loved the edginess. They circle each other like prey. The chemistry though is pretty hot. I pretty much devoured the book.

Would I recommend or buy? I could get used to having a shelf for this lady. I’ve read some of her others and haven’t come across a bad one yet. The story behind this book is pretty interesting so that makes it even better. I would definitely recommend!

Thoughts for the author? I really liked how you came up with the idea for this book....very interesting. Truly a great story itself. Congratulations on your new release!

I received a copy from the publisher and this is my opinion.

Great book!! I've read a few books from her mafia series and I can say this book in my opinion was even better!! I did enjoy her other series too but I loved this one! It has plenty of action, suspense, intrigue and is 🔥🔥🔥!! Definitely don't miss out on this book!It's well worth the read! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

This is a new to me author and one I've been eager to try since reading the amazing blurb. I knew I was right on being excited from just the preface alone.

With books like these every single little detail is crucial and spoilerish to the bigger picture so I'll keep this short and sweet.

I was hooked from cover to cover, unable to look away, let alone think straight. It was everything I love in a book. Will definitely be going back and reading The Five Families series asap.

Definitely a must click!!!

Riveting!

So many secrets! Emily and Tamir take us on a journey full of drama, surprises and emotion. I enjoyed the slow burn between them.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Where Loyalties Lie is my first book by Jill Ramsower and I loved this book. Not everything and everyone is what they seem and that's what I love about this book. I can't wait to see what Jill comes out with next.