A steamy and action-packed, albeit flawed, thriller featuring a memorable hero.
This blend of espionage thriller, romance, and erotica chronicles the globe-trotting adventures of a beautiful Mossad agent and contract killer.
As Wladowsky’s debut novel begins, Leda—a “Jewess from Israel” and former Russian agent who is now working as an operative for the Israeli army—embarks on a treacherous mission to rescue her husband, Caleb, from a Russian prison. Caleb has been missing for six years, and Leda believes that the Russians abducted him in retaliation for her betrayal years earlier. Leaving her two sons behind, Leda uses her extensive network of contacts (many of whom are hopelessly in love with her) to gather information on Caleb’s whereabouts. Her travels take her from Venice to Switzerland to the Kamchatka Peninsula, and during her journey, she must remain vigilant of the countless Russian operatives sent to kill her. But her dangerous rescue mission leads her to an unforeseen discovery: love. She falls in love with a Croatian NATO general named Drazen and even has a marriage ceremony with him. Shortly after leaving Drazen, she sees her adoptive father, a billionaire named John Doe, and—inexplicably—begins a wildly hedonistic relationship with the much older man. This series opener’s pacing is brisk; the numerous action sequences are gripping; and the striking protagonist is indelible. But the novel has several flaws. The narrative loses momentum in the book’s second half, as the author focuses too much on personal minutiae (such as Drazen’s obsessively doubting his relationship with Leda) and the overtly sexual nature of the protagonist’s liaison with Doe, which becomes gratuitous in places. Additionally, some readers may find certain sexual scenes verging on repugnant, like Leda’s graphic relationship with her adoptive father. Lastly, the main plot thread—Leda’s attempt to save her husband—is all but forgotten by the story’s end. This will presumably be revisited in the sequel.
A steamy and action-packed, albeit flawed, thriller featuring a memorable hero.Pub Date: Nov. 9, 2021
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 480
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Review Posted Online: Jan. 10, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.
A recently dumped librarian finds herself fake dating her polar opposite.
When Daphne Vincent’s fiance, Peter, dumps her, she’s shocked—but the worst part is that he’s leaving her for his gorgeous best friend, Petra, the woman he’d always told Daphne not to worry about. Now Daphne has to move out of Peter’s home and restart her life in the small Michigan town where she’d moved to be with him. Salvation comes in the form of Miles Nowak, Petra’s ex—he has a tiny spare room in his apartment, and he understands what it’s like to wallow in heartbreak. Daphne feels lucky to have her dream job as a children’s librarian, but other than that, she feels adrift and friendless in Waning Bay—and then she and Miles get invitations to Peter and Petra’s wedding. In a momentary lapse of judgment, Daphne not only says she’ll attend the wedding, but tells Peter she’s dating Miles. It would be the perfect way to show Peter and Petra that they’ve moved on…if only it were true. In the grand tradition of fake-dating romances, Daphne and Miles pretend to be in love, getting to know each other while having various adventures and misadventures. Daphne quickly learns that although she’d dismissed Miles as a pothead with a lack of direction, he’s actually a good time—and a loyal friend. But Daphne knows she needs to get out of Waning Bay, so this fake relationship can’t lead anywhere…can it? Reliable bestseller Henry has written another surefire hit that manages to be dramatic, sexy, and fun. Miles and Daphne have chemistry that leaps off the page, and their will-they-or-won’t-they energy propels the story to its satisfying conclusion. Daphne is an immensely likable character, one whose past realistically informs her current relationships. The world of Waning Bay is charmingly quirky, and Daphne’s co-workers at the library are endearing. As always, Henry’s biggest strength is the sharp, often hilarious dialogue that makes the story a joy to read.
Henry fans, rejoice: This is her best yet.Pub Date: April 23, 2024
ISBN: 9780593441282
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Berkley
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
PERSPECTIVES
BOOK TO SCREEN
SEEN & HEARD
A charming dual-timeline romance about learning from past mistakes.
In Yarros’ latest romance novel, a young woman hires a handsome but infuriating writer to complete her late great-grandmother’s half-finished book.
After her marriage to a Hollywood producer ends in high-profile divorce, 28-year-old Georgia Stanton returns to her childhood home in Colorado. When she arrives at the house where she was raised by her great-grandma—the famous romance author Scarlett Stanton—she finds her mother, Ava, lying in wait. Georgia is in possession of the only unfinished manuscript that her deceased relative left behind, and her own mom wants her to sell the rights so they can get some cash. Georgia succumbs to the pressure and enters a deal in which another author will finish the book’s second half. The manuscript tells Scarlett’s life story, including how she found, and lost, her one true love. Georgia feels strongly that the finished novel must reflect the true events of Scarlett’s life, as difficult as they may have been. Unfortunately, the publishers hire Noah Harrison, a stubborn writer at the height of his career, who has his own fictional vision for the novel’s ending. As Noah and Georgia butt heads, each of them researches Scarlett’s history in England during World War II. As they learn more about Scarlett and Jameson Stanton, the fighter pilot she loved, Georgia and Noah must navigate their own increasingly complicated relationship. With two equally engrossing storylines, this book will draw in even seasoned romance readers. As the story jumps between past and present, the author also alternates present-day perspectives between Georgia and Noah, moving deftly between her characters’ distinct voices. The relationships are well developed, and the love that Scarlett felt for Jameson is especially palpable. Along with the sweetly romantic themes, the book explores several heftier topics, including personal ambition, grief, family discord, and self-esteem. The story has a few digressions that do little to advance the plot, but the main characters are sufficiently engrossing that readers will want to stick with them to the end.
A charming dual-timeline romance about learning from past mistakes.Pub Date: Feb. 23, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-68281-566-3
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK TO SCREEN
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
