Turn Me Loose
Alpha Ops #6
By: Anne Calhoun
Releasing May 30th, 2017
St. Martin's Press
In Turn Me Loose (Alpha Ops #6) by Anne Calhoun, college was a rough time for Riva Henneman, especially when she was arrested for a crime that could have landed her in jail, if she hadn't taken the deal the cops offered her. But now seven years later, Riva thought she'd left the past behind her until the officer that arrested her re-enters her life. However, this time when she decides to put everything on the line to help Ian Hawthorn, she isn't doing it for herself, but to help someone else. Riva knows things are going to be dangerous and with only Ian as her back-up, will they win in putting a major drug supplier and a bunch of corrupt cops in prison, or will the danger be too much for them to handle?
After finishing this story, I so wished I had read the other books of the series before this one to discover more about the secondary characters. However, in saying that, reading the other books isn't necessary, because this story can easily be read as a stand-alone and it's a story that was enthralling from start to finish. The way this story started with how the hero and heroine were introduced to each other seven years earlier sets the fast-pace of this book, and instantly had me glued to every word and turning the pages quickly to discover more about this couple's history; what they'll go through on their journey to happy ever after and whether they'll give in to the intense chemistry between them.
The dialogue was well-written, riveting and I liked how it bounced back and forth between the past and the present, giving readers the knowledge of what happened between the hero and heroine years ago. And of how now Riva is ready to do what is right by giving Ian the name of the supplier that she should have given him when she was busted. The moment when Riva reveals the truth was a bit of a shock and definitely made things interesting, especially since the heroine is no longer willing to allow Ian and the fact that he's a police officer keep her from doing what's right. She's either an active participant in the investigation, not someone he can order around; or the police will never get what they need to put away the bad guys. Seriously, I liked Riva's sassiness, her determination to help those that need it; and how she's willing to do anything to make up for the wrongs she made in her past, even if it turns her mother's life upside down. Then again, her mother needs her help more than ever, which is proven by what's happening to the woman.
While Ian, he's tenacious when it comes to doing everything he can to close a case and put away the bad guys. He's also ambitious when it comes to career advancement, which is proven by what he did to Riva in the past and what he's doing now. Then again, he seems to really care about her, so it could be seen as Ian doing everything he can to keep Riva safe. Since there's plenty of chemistry between the pair that was there from the moment they met and still blazes as strong seven years later. Yet, what I liked most about the hero was that he was willing to risk his career to help Riva get the evidence they need to put away the drug supplier and the corrupt cops Ian and those he trusted knew about.
Overall, Ms. Calhoun delivers an incredible read in this book, which had me hooked from start to finish due to the wonderful array of secondary characters; the strong chemistry between Riva and Ian that had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after; the intense dialogue that shows Riva is willing to do whatever it takes to help Ian and her friend, and a wondrous ending that proved love conquers all, even though it did have me on the edge-of-my-seat at one stage. Yet, what I really liked about the ending is that Riva's dream was going to come true. Certainly, meeting Ian all those years turned her life around for the better. I would recommend Turn Me Loose by Anne Calhoun, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the second chance romance trope, the enemy to lovers trope or books by authors D.D Ayres, Pamela Clare, Maya Banks or HelenKay Dimon.
After finishing this story, I so wished I had read the other books of the series before this one to discover more about the secondary characters. However, in saying that, reading the other books isn't necessary, because this story can easily be read as a stand-alone and it's a story that was enthralling from start to finish. The way this story started with how the hero and heroine were introduced to each other seven years earlier sets the fast-pace of this book, and instantly had me glued to every word and turning the pages quickly to discover more about this couple's history; what they'll go through on their journey to happy ever after and whether they'll give in to the intense chemistry between them.
The dialogue was well-written, riveting and I liked how it bounced back and forth between the past and the present, giving readers the knowledge of what happened between the hero and heroine years ago. And of how now Riva is ready to do what is right by giving Ian the name of the supplier that she should have given him when she was busted. The moment when Riva reveals the truth was a bit of a shock and definitely made things interesting, especially since the heroine is no longer willing to allow Ian and the fact that he's a police officer keep her from doing what's right. She's either an active participant in the investigation, not someone he can order around; or the police will never get what they need to put away the bad guys. Seriously, I liked Riva's sassiness, her determination to help those that need it; and how she's willing to do anything to make up for the wrongs she made in her past, even if it turns her mother's life upside down. Then again, her mother needs her help more than ever, which is proven by what's happening to the woman.
While Ian, he's tenacious when it comes to doing everything he can to close a case and put away the bad guys. He's also ambitious when it comes to career advancement, which is proven by what he did to Riva in the past and what he's doing now. Then again, he seems to really care about her, so it could be seen as Ian doing everything he can to keep Riva safe. Since there's plenty of chemistry between the pair that was there from the moment they met and still blazes as strong seven years later. Yet, what I liked most about the hero was that he was willing to risk his career to help Riva get the evidence they need to put away the drug supplier and the corrupt cops Ian and those he trusted knew about.
Overall, Ms. Calhoun delivers an incredible read in this book, which had me hooked from start to finish due to the wonderful array of secondary characters; the strong chemistry between Riva and Ian that had me cheering for this couple's happy ever after; the intense dialogue that shows Riva is willing to do whatever it takes to help Ian and her friend, and a wondrous ending that proved love conquers all, even though it did have me on the edge-of-my-seat at one stage. Yet, what I really liked about the ending is that Riva's dream was going to come true. Certainly, meeting Ian all those years turned her life around for the better. I would recommend Turn Me Loose by Anne Calhoun, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the second chance romance trope, the enemy to lovers trope or books by authors D.D Ayres, Pamela Clare, Maya Banks or HelenKay Dimon.
BLURB
CRIMES OF PASSION
When she was on the verge of adulthood, Riva Henneman committed a crime and got caught red-handed. Luckily, she was busted by a HOT young cop...who also had a big heart. A one-time SEAL candidate, Officer Ian Hawthorn knew how it felt to have your dreams derailed. So he gave Riva a choice: face prison time or work for him as a confidential informant. But even a get-out-of-jail-free card comes with a cost. . .
Years later, Ian still remembers beautiful, innocent Riva--and the smoldering attraction they shared but both tried to ignore. Will they have a second chance, now that they're back in each other's lives? Riva's work with inner-city children has led to a surprise run-in with Ian, who has his own agenda--one that could put them both in grave danger. Is their desire worth the risk this time?
Years later, Ian still remembers beautiful, innocent Riva--and the smoldering attraction they shared but both tried to ignore. Will they have a second chance, now that they're back in each other's lives? Riva's work with inner-city children has led to a surprise run-in with Ian, who has his own agenda--one that could put them both in grave danger. Is their desire worth the risk this time?
BUY LINK: Amazon
Wow! What a sexy cover? Is the guy on the front a good representation for the hero in the book?
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