Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good book. Ellie receives two surprises in one morning. First, she spots her long-lost childhood best friend on a subway platform - a friend that has been missing for sixteen years. After chasing after Aliana but not catching her, Ellie proceeds on her way to work. Seeing Aliana reminded Ellie of her high school boyfriend, who she hadn't seen in years. She impulsively calls him, thinking he's the only one who'd believe her about Aliana. On her way to meet him for coffee, someone takes a shot at her. Liam is there to pull her out of any further danger.
Ellie is surprised by her reaction to Liam. They had been close during high school until Liam started getting into trouble and ended up in prison. She hasn't seen him since then but feels immediately attracted to him. Liam is also attracted, but it is his protective instinct that takes center stage. That protectiveness kicks up when she receives an anonymous cup of poisoned coffee. Thus begins a roller coaster ride of trying to find Aliana before she succeeds in killing Ellie.
The suspense of the story was good. I could feel Ellie and Liam's frustration at being unable to lock down where Aliana was and feeling one step behind as they dealt with the attacks against Ellie. I understood when Ellie proposed setting a trap for Aliana using herself as bait and when Liam feared for her safety if she did. The tension ramped up as Aliana's attacks escalated in intensity. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was impressed by Ellie's ability to fight back. The only downside was that I never got a real sense of why Aliana was so determined to kill Ellie when it would have been easier (and safer) just to disappear again.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Liam and Ellie develop. The chemistry between them was intense, and neither had any hesitation in giving in to it. However, neither was prepared for the feelings that also developed. Liam believes that a permanent relationship isn't in the cards for him, thanks to the reasons for his failed marriage, so he tries to keep things casual. It was entertaining to see Liam get teased by his siblings. The intensity scared Ellie, who then tried to put some distance between them before realizing that she loved him. I liked seeing them finally overcome their fears and insecurities and admit their feelings for each other.
I liked both Liam and Ellie. Liam's reaction to his parents' deaths sent him down a wrong path that ended with him being sent to prison at age eighteen. Fortunately, he had the intelligence to see what would happen if he continued down that road and turned himself around. I loved that he then turned to speaking at schools, hoping to keep other kids from making the same mistakes. Ellie is an intelligent and valued member of the CSI lab. She has a reputation for successfully providing the evidence needed to convict criminals. She is also headstrong and stubborn, which sometimes puts her at odds with Liam's protectiveness. With both of them, I liked their closeness with their families.
There is also some progress in the overarching series mystery of what happened to the Coltons' friend/guardian Humphrey, who disappeared without a trace in the first book. New evidence makes them believe he disappeared on purpose, but they don't know why. I'm looking forward to the next book and seeing their progress.
Ellie is surprised by her reaction to Liam. They had been close during high school until Liam started getting into trouble and ended up in prison. She hasn't seen him since then but feels immediately attracted to him. Liam is also attracted, but it is his protective instinct that takes center stage. That protectiveness kicks up when she receives an anonymous cup of poisoned coffee. Thus begins a roller coaster ride of trying to find Aliana before she succeeds in killing Ellie.
The suspense of the story was good. I could feel Ellie and Liam's frustration at being unable to lock down where Aliana was and feeling one step behind as they dealt with the attacks against Ellie. I understood when Ellie proposed setting a trap for Aliana using herself as bait and when Liam feared for her safety if she did. The tension ramped up as Aliana's attacks escalated in intensity. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, and I was impressed by Ellie's ability to fight back. The only downside was that I never got a real sense of why Aliana was so determined to kill Ellie when it would have been easier (and safer) just to disappear again.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Liam and Ellie develop. The chemistry between them was intense, and neither had any hesitation in giving in to it. However, neither was prepared for the feelings that also developed. Liam believes that a permanent relationship isn't in the cards for him, thanks to the reasons for his failed marriage, so he tries to keep things casual. It was entertaining to see Liam get teased by his siblings. The intensity scared Ellie, who then tried to put some distance between them before realizing that she loved him. I liked seeing them finally overcome their fears and insecurities and admit their feelings for each other.
I liked both Liam and Ellie. Liam's reaction to his parents' deaths sent him down a wrong path that ended with him being sent to prison at age eighteen. Fortunately, he had the intelligence to see what would happen if he continued down that road and turned himself around. I loved that he then turned to speaking at schools, hoping to keep other kids from making the same mistakes. Ellie is an intelligent and valued member of the CSI lab. She has a reputation for successfully providing the evidence needed to convict criminals. She is also headstrong and stubborn, which sometimes puts her at odds with Liam's protectiveness. With both of them, I liked their closeness with their families.
There is also some progress in the overarching series mystery of what happened to the Coltons' friend/guardian Humphrey, who disappeared without a trace in the first book. New evidence makes them believe he disappeared on purpose, but they don't know why. I'm looking forward to the next book and seeing their progress.
