Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good second chance story. A year ago, Anne was Elizabeth Giardino, loved and spoiled daughter of mob boss Sam Giardino. She was used to getting anything she wanted. She fell hard for one of her father's men, Jake West, who made her see past the lifestyle to what was behind it. Then in one horrifying night, she saw Jake gunned down in a shootout between US Marshals and her father. Devastated, she cooperated with the feds, who then gave her a new life far different than her old one. Now she is Anne, first-grade teacher in a small Colorado town, but still watching over her shoulder - and with good reason. In spite of the efforts of the WitSec people, she came home from work one night to find a man waiting inside her house. Fortunately for her safety, it was Jake, who she thought was dead.
Jake had died that night - several times - but in the end, came out on top. After weeks in the hospital, and months in rehab, he finally discovered that Elizabeth had survived. By calling in many favors, he was able to track her down. First to make sure that she is safe, but also to enlist her help to find her fugitive father. He knows it won't be easy, but it is something he has to do if he is going to make sure she stays safe.
I liked the relationship between Jake and Anne. There isn't a lot of detail about their past, but I definitely got the feeling that they had become friends before they became lovers. I really liked the parts that showed that Jake had appreciated her warmth and intelligence far more than her family did. It was also clear that he felt guilty about the way he had deceived her about who he was. Anne wasn't in a very forgiving mood when he showed up, especially when she found out what he wanted from her, and she just wanted him gone. Fortunately, he didn't listen to her, as hired guns found her right after Jake did.
The action heated up fast as Jake and Anne worked together to avoid her pursuers. The spoiled socialite is nowhere to be found as Anne showed incredible courage and resourcefulness. I also loved Jake's determination to keep her safe, even at the risk of his own life. I ached for Anne as she had to face the fact that the father she still loved in spite of everything was trying to kill her. In spite of all that was going on, the feelings that Jake and Anne had shared before flared back to life and continued to grow. There were some pretty sweet moments between the two of them as they got to know each other again. I felt bad for Jake, who believed that there was no way that they could ever be together thanks to his past actions.
The final confrontation came after some interesting twists and turns. I was impressed by Anne's courage in walking willingly into the lion's den and facing her father in person. Knowing that Jake was nearby gave her some extra confidence. The showdown was intense, with a couple of big surprises. I enjoyed the aftermath and seeing Anne stand up to her WitSec handler, as she and Jake take charge of their own future.
Jake had died that night - several times - but in the end, came out on top. After weeks in the hospital, and months in rehab, he finally discovered that Elizabeth had survived. By calling in many favors, he was able to track her down. First to make sure that she is safe, but also to enlist her help to find her fugitive father. He knows it won't be easy, but it is something he has to do if he is going to make sure she stays safe.
I liked the relationship between Jake and Anne. There isn't a lot of detail about their past, but I definitely got the feeling that they had become friends before they became lovers. I really liked the parts that showed that Jake had appreciated her warmth and intelligence far more than her family did. It was also clear that he felt guilty about the way he had deceived her about who he was. Anne wasn't in a very forgiving mood when he showed up, especially when she found out what he wanted from her, and she just wanted him gone. Fortunately, he didn't listen to her, as hired guns found her right after Jake did.
The action heated up fast as Jake and Anne worked together to avoid her pursuers. The spoiled socialite is nowhere to be found as Anne showed incredible courage and resourcefulness. I also loved Jake's determination to keep her safe, even at the risk of his own life. I ached for Anne as she had to face the fact that the father she still loved in spite of everything was trying to kill her. In spite of all that was going on, the feelings that Jake and Anne had shared before flared back to life and continued to grow. There were some pretty sweet moments between the two of them as they got to know each other again. I felt bad for Jake, who believed that there was no way that they could ever be together thanks to his past actions.
The final confrontation came after some interesting twists and turns. I was impressed by Anne's courage in walking willingly into the lion's den and facing her father in person. Knowing that Jake was nearby gave her some extra confidence. The showdown was intense, with a couple of big surprises. I enjoyed the aftermath and seeing Anne stand up to her WitSec handler, as she and Jake take charge of their own future.
