Coltons (Book 124)
Hunting a lethal criminal
Brings danger…and passion
When Lieutenant Tripp McKellar rescues crime scene investigator Sadie Colton from a kidnapper, she is eternally grateful. Though she's always been drawn to him, Sadie wants to keep their relationship strictly professional. As she works with Tripp to bring down the criminal who targeted her, she discovers that her attraction is mutual. But can true love bloom in the shadow of a deadly threat?
Good conclusion to the series. The action started from the first page as we catch up with Sadie, kidnapped by her ex-fiancé, the criminal mind behind the RevitaYou scheme. As a member of both the Grand Rapids PD and her family's private investigation firm, Sadie has been a part of the investigation team from the beginning. In an earlier book, Sadie discovered that the man she thought she loved used her to keep tabs on the investigation. Now he's trying to force her cooperation.
Tripp is a lieutenant with the GRPD and feels responsible for Sadie's kidnapping. Determined to find her, Tripp spends long hours going over everything he knows about Tate Greer and the crimes they have already linked him to. A hunch sends him off to investigate a likely prospect for a hideout, with backup close behind.
I loved how the story began with an intensity that sucked me right in. Sadie may be CSI now, but she was a street cop first. Disgusted with herself for falling for Tate in the first place, Sadie spends her time in captivity going over everything she remembers about her time with him. I loved following her thoughts as Sadie figured out where she was and contemplated an escape plan. I was on the edge of my seat when she took advantage of an opening and made her move, even though she knew she was on her own. I loved how Tripp arrived just in time.
Sadie and Tripp have been drawn to each other for a long time, though each tried to resist it. For Sadie, Tripp is her boss. The matter of her being engaged to another man for a while made her bury the attraction. For Tripp, there is the whole boss/employee problem. But deeper down, Tripp won't allow himself to care for another woman. He lost his fiancée and unborn child when a criminal out for revenge murdered them. He won't put another woman, or his heart, at risk again. But in the aftermath of the kidnapping and rescue, those buried sparks work their way to the surface.
I liked the development of the relationship between Tripp and Sadie. As Tate's attempts on Sadie's life escalate, Tripp takes keeping her safe personally. Together 24/7, they try to keep their interactions professional, but it is a losing battle. I liked watching them get to know each other. Tripp is a good man, respectful of Sadie's abilities, but also profoundly protective. He sees how her relationship with Tate impacted her self-worth and confidence and can't help trying to show her how he sees her. I ached for Sadie and seeing her try to fight her way back from Tate's actions. She and Tripp grew closer as they worked together, and the sparks between them continued to build. Tripp keeps himself under tight control, leaving Sadie to make the first move. And though their connection continues to grow, Sadie can tell that Tripp is holding back. I felt her frustration and hurt at the distance as she realizes the depth of her feelings, and loved that she stood up for herself and her needs. I liked seeing Tripp reach that moment when he realized that he allowed his past to dictate his future. The ending was great as he finally let go and opened himself to the feelings he couldn't deny. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up.
I loved the suspense of this final book in the series. After all of the work done in the previous books to bring the RevitaYou case to an end, it is down to finding Tate Greer and bringing him to justice. Tate is equally determined to escape and to have his revenge on Sadie. The escalation of his attempts, from kidnapping to fire to baiting a trap, kept me reading late into the night. I felt the frustration of the GRPD and Coltons as Tate slipped through their hands time and again. By the time the final confrontation came, I was glued to the pages, waiting to see how it would turn out. I loved Sadie's part as her determination to save her sister put her in the middle of a desperate situation. An unexpected twist brought it to a satisfying end. The follow-on capture of the last remaining player was beautifully done.
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