Comment: Last year in June I've read the first book in this BAD agency series, which was a set of novellas introducing several characters who I have, miserably, already forgotten. At the time I had purchased that book, I got this second one too, and I've decided it was time to just get it over with and not having it "hanging".
In this story, the BAD agency is looking for to recruit JD Steele, an ex army who was discharged and sent to prison, so that he can join their team and be the sniper who can hot a specific target... to help him is Sydney Westbrook, the agent in charge of the mission and the attraction between them is immediate. While they try to get to know one another, they discover each has layers the other didn't expect but liking someone might not be enough and Steele is tired of his years in prison and the possibility of having to do something he isn't comfortable with, but there's definitely an enemy they need to stop. Will it be that the price might be too high?
Readers are creatures of habits too, and there was once a time I was quite fond of romantic suspense and PNR, mainly between 2005 and 2010. It seems incredible now, but around these years, books were a lot cheaper and many used ones were extremely accessible, sometimes being the cost higher due to shipping. I have collected many paperback this way, some which have accumulated over the years. Now, some are still good surprised on occasion, but the majority not really.
This is one of those cases. The story isn't really that bad, but it's no longer as appealing to me and the overall style not really catching anymore. I don't think it's only the book's fault, nor the added factor of my personal taste changing, but a conjunction of many things, one other being the momentum... all those years ago, this book might have seemed better and the author's work too in general.... I especially liked her PNR stories.
The plot is quite simple, very similar to countless action movies out there with romantic elements.... you know, the movies in which the plot ins't the main issue and viewers are taken by the actors' charisma and want to see some sexy scenes... I'd say that is a good summary of what this book felt like to me. The resolution of the plot and what it related to the mission wasn't much of a big deal, in my opinion, and I confess I didn't pay much attention anyway.
The main element is, of course, the romance and how the relationship between Sydney and Steele develops. To me there wasn't enough personal growth for each protagonist, at least not like I tend to prefer seeing in romance novels, and I'd say this is more a matter of trend and 00s style rather than the author's fault. Still, Sydney and Steele never went beyond basics to me. I was glad they found things in common and I liked they achieve their goals, mission wise, and like one another enough to try something, but just like with the characters of the other novellas, I'll probably forget them quickly.
I did like some interactions with secondary characters and the whole BAD agency seems interesting and offers many possibilities for future installments (the series has 4 full length installments and some novellas). I think one of the best details in these books has been the suggestion of how intriguing some characters are and why we would want to read about them, even if they barely appear or interact. The calling of a series which features different protagonists, after all! But this alone wasn't enough to make me want to read more books, no.
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