Review: Don't Look Back

Don't Look Back by Dawn Ryder
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Is this the end? This series of alpha males in a covert sometimes wet work organization finally met head on with their bad guy. It is a bit anticlimactic. For readers who have not read the start of this series, it is recommended to read at least a few of the previous versions to enjoy the book better. There are many tie ins from with previously featured characters and past events. Ms. Ryder does a quick two sentence flashback reference to previous situations and relationships. These are great for readers who have read the series and needed a brief reminder. For those who have not read this series, it will only leave them feeling as if they are still missing a key element. Specifically who is Dunn Bateson and why do they care?

Dunn Bateson burst onto the scene a couple of books prior. He is a sexy Scotman with a slightly illegitimate background. Still, he is a powerful man not to be crossed. As we learn more about this sexy man, I like him more and more. He's a rich man who is always suspicious of people's motivates when they want to get close to him. He's met his match with Agent Thais Sinclair who is closed off and not interested in relationships. Her past is still an open wound for her.

The chemistry between these two is hot. Their sexual tension is good as Ms. Ryder draws it out across the book. Their sex scenes are a bit tame for a jaded erotica reader like me. Still, they are nicely done. I still felt something a bit lacking with these characters. I'm not quite sure if it is because I had an arc copy and the lack of chapter delineation or if it is because the point of view jumps around too much. Whilst both characters are admirable, they didn't really engage me. I didn't feel vested in seeing their relationship work. I could have gone either way - they live happily ever after or they split off and go another direction.

What really felt like a let down was the big confrontation with the dastardly villain. I'm not quite sure if the shadow ops team had a hand in the removal or not. There is a scene with the Shadow ops which leads me to believe they were going to remove the threat permanently. Instead, the direction went another way and I'm not 100% sure if the other direction was provided by the Shadow ops.

Overall, this book is a quick and easy read. This romantic suspense is recommended for readers who enjoy alpha males and the women who stand up to them.

*provided by Netgalley