Monday, May 24, 2021

Unsuspecting Target - Juno Rushdan (HI #2006 - June 2021)


Can they right past wrongs
when an enemy's out to steal their future?
 
Ten years ago, Jagger Carr saved Wendy Haas's life. Circumstances pulled them apart soon after, but when an assassin targets her at a Manhattan charity gala, Wendy has no choice but to trust Jagger, who's now deep undercover. Not even their warring feelings can stop desire from reigniting. But the vengeful cartel gunning for them could destroy any hope for a second chance.

 
Good action-packed second chance romance. Ten years earlier, Wendy and Jagger were a couple until he killed a man saving her life, and the aftermath tore them apart. Jagger went to prison, and Wendy went on to become a well-known PR specialist. While attending a charity fundraiser, Wendy sees Jagger in the crowd and, as she attempts to avoid him, finds herself the target of an assassin. In a heart-pounding series of events, Jagger arrives in time to save her and whisk her away. But their troubles aren't over as he reveals that Wendy is the subject of a hit from a powerful cartel leader.
 
Jagger is an intriguing character. As the son of the cartel leader's lawyer, Jagger grew up familiar with the cartel but not part of it. He escaped to the military for a short time, but his father's death profoundly affected him. When Jagger went to prison, he had difficult choices to make. I ached for him as he explained those choices to Wendy and why he stayed away from her. But his feelings for her never died, nor had his need to protect her.
 
Heartbroken when Jagger went to prison and blamed her, Wendy concentrated on school and then her career. Smart and quick-thinking, she's a wiz at rehabbing people's images. She has some choice words for Jagger when she learns how long he's been out of prison and has not contacted her.
 
I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Jagger and Wendy. Thrown together under highly stressful conditions, it's no surprise that their emotions become equally volatile. Each of them must learn to trust the other as they work together to avoid their pursuers. Jagger's protectiveness sometimes runs up against Wendy's determination to be part of the solution. I liked seeing her stand up to him and his growing acceptance of her capabilities. The depth of their feelings for each other is evident, but Jagger's belief that he's not good enough for her creates an obstacle. I liked how Wendy overcame his objections and how Jagger felt hopeful for the first time in a very long time. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up.
 
The suspense of the story was fantastic and kept me glued to the pages far into the night. Multiple twists kept me guessing as to how Jagger and Wendy would free themselves of the threat against them. Each step they took had its dangers, and I was never sure how it would work out. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with a surprise complication. The resolution was great and brought the series to a satisfying end. 

No comments:

Post a Comment