She has secrets, and he has the training to uncover them. Rachel Ford-Talbot has nothing to do with her family or their pharmaceutical business. And she likes it that way. As one of four partners who own an internationally renowned security business, Rachel prefers to leave her past, with all its secrets, deeply buried. But when a series of thefts reveal that the family business is being targeted … thefts reveal that the family business is being targeted for industrial espionage, her father begs Rachel to investigate. His illness makes it hard for her to refuse, but Rachel wonders if he truly understands what he’s unleashing on his company. Because she isn’t the same bright-eyed graduate that walked through their doors years earlier. Now, she’s strong, powerful, and somewhat terrifying. A woman who doesn’t suffer fools lightly and who is afraid of nothing.
She also isn’t alone.
This time, she has the might and expertise of Benson Security at her back. And an ex-CIA agent at her side—because Michael “Harvard” Carter has appointed himself her bodyguard for the duration. Even though Rachel doesn’t need, or want, the annoyingly sexy man’s help. But while the world sees a first-class bitch when they look at her, Michael sees only someone who intrigues him. Which makes him the biggest threat of all.
*This is a standalone novel*
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I’ve had a soft spot for prickly, standoffish Rachel for a long time, but now I’ve got a fully-developed, bona fide girl crush on this kicka$$ leading lady!
Patient, almost unflappable Harvard is her perfect counterpart, and I loved seeing him slowly, bit by bit, working his way behind Rachel’s defenses.
While the story – like all Benson Security books – is dealing with some tough topics, I appreciate the way Janet Elizabeth Henderson handles the delicate balance between traumatic subject matter and her trademark humor.
If I had to pick a favorite scene, it would be Harvard taking Rachel Bachata dancing – the swoon is dialed up to 11, for sure!
Ten years ago Rachel Ford-Talbot’s life was changed in an instant and she turned away from her dreams of working for her family’s pharmaceutical business, TayFor, and now is one of the owners of Benson Security. Now he father has begged for her to come back and help discover who is stealing from their company and Rachel can’t say no.
By her side is Michael “Harvard” Carter, an ex-CIA agent who has made no attempt at hiding his attraction and feelings for Rachel. He is going in as her “fiancé/bodyguard” and will do whatever he can to keep Rachel safe.
Soon Rachel discovers that her secrets from the past are coming back and she must discover who wants her gone and which member of her extended family has the most to gain.
Can Harvard keep Rachel safe while trying to convince her that he is the only one for her?
This was the first time that I have read this author and it certainly won’t be the last! I really enjoyed this book and it had me hooked from the beginning to the end.
The events of the past were horrendous for Rachel and it broke my heart on what she did to protect her family from the fallout if anyone discovered what had happened and how. I probably would have done the exact same thing as her. I loved how she began a new life and you could see that she wasn’t going to take any abuse from anyone and that she had gotten much stronger than she had been.
Harvard was awesome and I loved how protective he was of Rachel and how he was going to use their situation to make Rachel realize how good they were together. He was a brilliant man who was able to read people and with his team start digging into Rachel’s family to find out who could be behind everything.
Rachel’s extended family was full of possible suspects and there were a few that I hated right away, especially Uncle Charles and his racist attitude.
I loved the group that was working with Harvard and Rachel! Ryan was so funny and Elle was a bubbly personality and then Harry was great and I loved that his wife hated Rachel! All of them worked so hard and trying to figure out what was happening and who was behind it all.
There was so much intensity between Rachel and Harvard and I was so happy as Rachel slowly began to give into her feelings for him!
Towards the end I had a guess on who was maybe behind it and I was shocked that I was actually right! The way everything went down at the end was intense and I was freaking out a little about how it was all going to end.
The end made me so happy when everything calmed down and that we truly got our happy ever after!!
4.5 Stars
By Rebecca
Ice Queen finds her King Consort
I did not expect to adore Rachel Ford-Talbot!!
You discover that part of her past that formed her hard shell.
She’s been the icy, cold, snobbish b*tch in the previous books that you could end up hating but there have been glimmers of more.
And I’d be an ice queen too had I woken up with no memory of what happened to me, with nothing but pictures and a threat. Her entire future changed in one night.
And how could she be completely horrid if Harry likes her? There is so much more to her. She knows who everyone thinks she is. But the people who surround her love her anyway because they know her.
And Harvard…Michael Carter…he finds her fascinating and he is determined to not only get to the bottom of the problem her family has tasked them with solving but also finding his way past the wall Rachel has erected around herself.
Rachel has been hiding a huge secret from her family and friends. She’s borne this secret mostly alone. She finally realizes this group of people who surround her have her back. And she is not alone.
She went through one of the worst things that can happen to a woman by herself. And that it was done to her with the aid of drugs her own family’s company makes made it even worse. And her team (and her family) shows her that she isn’t alone anymore. Even when it seems things are at their most dire.
I have loved all of the Invertary and Benson books and this one was no different. But I think I may have loved it even more because Rachel was simply amazing in her strength. And Harvard is the perfect man for her…and the mystery.
I love that there is humor, mystery, passion, friendship, family (both real and by choice), and lots of feels in these books. I love this bookiverse.
I received a review copy. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Thank you Xpresso and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rich
By: Janet Elizabeth Henderson
REVIEW
Janet Elizabeth Henderson is new to me, and I’m surprised I haven’t read any of her work already. Rich is an engaging read with a memorable heroine. Rachel is one of the strongest female leads I have read lately. She’s got the fierce fearless attitude that is necessary to hold your own, which she does, and that is admirable. It’s not easy to help your family when distance is a much better option, but Rachel does. She also had a bit of romance but not overly so. The story touches on serious issues, and the author uses these to strengthen Rachel. Otherwise, this is a fast, entertaining and thrilling read with a whodunit that I didn’t figure out. I wouldn’t call this a romcom but it’s in the same arena, just more action and suspense. I think fans of this author will be happy to read Rich, and if you’ve never read her, definitely give it a try.