Under Fire

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Title: Under Fire
Author: Scarlett Cole
Publication date: 08/01/2017
Kindle Unlimited: No
Cliffhanger: No
Rating: 5 out of 5

Anyone who reads my reviews knows that I’m not a huge fan of romantic suspense. But once I saw that Scarlett Cole was the author? I couldn’t download fast enough. I ADORE Scarlett Cole. Her new adult romances are some of the best on the market today. (In fact, you can check out our review of Jordan Reclaimed. It was an AWESOME read.) And as usual, with this story, Ms. Cole didn’t disappoint. ​This story sucks you right in from the beginning, making you a part of Six and Louisa’s world. The author’s writing style is just so conversational and...real. There’s just no other way to describe it.

This is a breezy, fast-paced, easy read with realistic, fun dialogue and tons of sexual tension that practically steams up the pages. There’s angst, but not so much angst that it’s overwrought. In other words, there’s a little something here for every type of romance reader.

Six is a great hero, too. He’s alpha and protective and possessive without ever being an alpha-hole. And I found his reasons for being hesitant to start a relationship with Louisa to be a pleasant change from the norm. He wasn’t a commitment phobe, he was just desperately clinging to his professional ethics. I couldn't really fault him for that.
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But for me, the best part of the story is the heroine, Louisa. She’s smart, and quirky, and just a little bit antisocial--not the type of woman you’d typical envision with a sexy former Navy SEAL. And never once did she venture into TSTL (too stupid to live) territory, which is kind of rare for a romantic suspense heroine. I won’t get too spoilery, but at one point in the story, she’s faced with a decision that would’ve sent many a romantic suspense heroine running off on her own, unprotected, to try and “save the day” herself. Not Louisa. She did EXACTLY what any reasonable, rationale woman would’ve done in her shoes, and I LOVED her for it! She was the kind of heroine other heroines should aspire to be.    

Long-story-short: Don’t hesitate, folks. One-click the hell out of this one. You won’t be disappointed.      

Full disclosure: We received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.    

Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
Crushes it. This one is clean and sober. No rehab needed.  

Other reading suggestions
Read everything Scarlett Cole has ever written. Seriously. She’s that good. And for another great romantic suspense read with a quirky heroine and a hot, alpha bodyguard, try Willing Captive by Belle Aurora.

Note: Check out our 5-star review of Willing Captive.

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