Luke Roberts came to the small lazy town of Kilgore, Texas with one thing on his mind: Forgetting. He wanted to forget why he left. Forget those emerald green eyes that haunted his dreams. And forget how it felt to have his heart ripped out of his chest by a woman who didn’t like the fact that he had a child. It was something he’d been doing a damn fine job of doing, too. Until Reese smashed … smashed through every one of his defenses, and made him feel again.
Reese Doherty was just trying to do the best for her little girl. So she moved to the little boomtown nearly an hour from where she grew up to be the school nurse for Kilgore’s littlest people. That’s where she met him. The SWAT officer and the man that would change her life forever. The sexy man who liked to drive fast, and live life like it should be lived. He drove her crazy, and became something she could barely live without.
But Luke was a hero. A man used to risking his life to make the world a safer place. Something Reese had to decide whether she could handle or not. Preferably before her and her daughter became too attached.
Just when she’s ready to give him her whole heart, her world takes a huge hit, and everything she thought she knew wasn’t as it seemed.
Luke wasn’t a quitter, though. Damn far from it, and he’d prove to her that he’d be there when the dust settled. Whether she wanted him to be or not.
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these two characters are actually one’s that had things trying to work against them. yet i wanted them to fight to make sure that they are given their shot at love. neither of them were lucky in that area, and i wanted them to finally be happy.
there wasn’t a dull moment for these two characters. and that is one of the reasons that i found myself sucked into their story. another hit for Lani Lynn Vale, and a great start a new series.
Oh, yes, this book is a keeper! Former military, police officer, SWAT team member, single and loving father to his young daughter, Luke is a very complex character. School nurse, Reese, also has a young daughter and is trying to deal with her overbearing and manipulative ex-husband. When Luke’s daughter is stung by a bee on the playground, Reese administers her Epi-pen and Luke finds himself immediately attracted to his daughter’s lifesaver. I really like how each chapter is written in the first person by either Reese or Luke. You can really get inside the character’s head that way! Their romance seems very real to life, with both characters trying to balance dating, family, work, dealing with exes and sometimes feeling overwhelmed by it all! Very well done. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series about one of Luke’s SWAT co-workers.
Loved, loved, loved this book. Reese is so sweet and nice but don’t piss her off or mama bear will mess you up. And Luke is a good guy and no bs. These two together just suck you in and you can’t get enough.
This one kept you on a road of twist and turns. You definitely don’t know where the story is going till the end. And boy what an end. It made me cry but I also laughed.
It was a great story. You have to read it, you won’t be disappointed.
The first time I read this book was in 2016, since I have re-read it several times. This is the first book in the KPD Swat series. This is an entertaining, page turner, that will make you swoon, melt your heart and leave you with a smile on your face. Lani Lynn Vale has a beautifully unique way of making you feel like you are apart of the story. I enjoyed every single second of this story. (and will continue when I read it again)
I have truly enjoyed Lani’s book since the FreeBird series. It was an easy romance that will swoon your heart. Luke Roberts and Reese Doherty love stories were sexy and cute. This book was warm and so easy to get connected.
I was a little underwhelmed with this book. I started out thinking this would be a great story. The drama was lacking for me. Usually the suspense will draw me in but I wasn’t into this one. The biggest issue for me, although a personal preference, is the dual POV. Sometimes I like being able to see how the H feels about the h but usually I only enjoy that when they aren’t such nice guys. I need to see a little bit of a chase.
I wrote this review based on an advance reading copy that the publisher sent me.
This is the second time I have read this one and I loved it just as must as if I was reading it for the first time. Luke just wants to forget. Move on with his life with his daughter and forget about the past. But then Reese comes crashing into his life and things aren’t that easy. Reese is trying to move on as well from her ex. She wants to raise her daughter and be happy. But her ex wont let things go so easily. I absolutely loved the hot sexy chemistry between Luke and Reese. You can easily see that these two along with their daughters belong together. This amazing storyline is full of steamy hot moments, moments where you stop breathing and moments where I wanted to throw my kindle. But Lani gave me a book I can read over and over again easily. Highly recommend reading about Luke and Reese.
Center Mass by Lani Lynn Vale is the first book in her KPD Motorcycle Patrol series first which takes place further along the timeline than this series, HOWEVER, this series is off to a great start. I have come to expect sensational plot twists, the steamiest of sexy times, and the kind of insta-love that leaves you panting and I was NOT disappointed with Luke and Reese’s story. A school nurse single-mom and a SWAT cop single-dad made for one helluva great story. I can’t wait to dig into this series some more. Enjoy!
The first book in the KPD Swat series had me falling in love Luke and Reese instantly. Their story is full of suspense, drama, intrigue and some seriously off the charts steamy scenes. At times Luke made me want to smack him around the head and other times had me falling hopelessly in love with him. Reese has a personality that is so big and bright that she lights up the pages and the fact that she speaks her mind and loves muscle cars was an even bigger plus. Their story is emotional, angsty and passionate. This is my second read of this book and it just gets better and better every time. Be prepared as the tissues will be required for their story for more than one scene.
Luke and Reese was a great story and what a way to start this series. I loved their story and relationship. Their sex scenes were kindle melting. I can’t wait to see what other stories are going to come from this series. Highly recommend this book and author.
Another Excellent Read! Luke and Reese’s story is, well, EXCELLENT! Lani Lynn Vale’s books are amazing reads that keep me enthralled, make me laugh, and sometimes, make me a little sad. On to the next one!
I liked this one. Reese and Luke were very lovable and I liked Luke’s overprotectiveness and dominance. Reese and him fit perfectly and he treated her daughter like his own. The mystery and action part was good and the pieces came together nicely. It was nice to read a book by this author that I ended up enjoying because its been a while.
4.5 stars
Luke Roberts is a most EXCELLENT way to kick off a new series! I REALLY enjoyed Center Mass!! It had extremely likable characters, HOT alpha-lovin’, a lil’ danger and those awesome Lani Lynn Vale laugh-out-loud moments!
Luke (our Hero)… His “every f**king time” comments after sex, his hunt for the perfect Taco Bell hot sauce packet and his “loose v*gina” love note are just some of the reasons why he’s my newest book boyfriend. He really is the complete package and I love how his loyalty and love for Reese, their daughters and his team shine through on a daily basis.
Reese (our heroine)… She was a strong, sassy and beautiful woman. The way she let Luke “conquer Mt. Reese”, her “endless black hole” love note to Luke and her superhero scrubs are just some of the reasons why I fell in love with her. I was so pleased that she wasn’t the kind of heroine who ran away when things got tough. Instead, she “put on her big girl panties” and stayed strong for her man, their daughters and herself.
Together, Luke and Reese set Kilgore on fire! Their muscle car sexcapades, both inside and on top of the hood, were scorching. I loved how they could f*** and make love so passionately in the same moment. *le sigh*
I found the intertwining exes storyline a bit confusing at times but with the way time passed in the book, that problem was somewhat easy to overlook for me. It also helped with how that part of the story was wrapped up…
VERY much looking forward to book two in this series, Double Tap, which features Nico!
This is the first book in Lani Lynn Vale’s newest series, Code 11-KPD SWAT. I loved the Dixie Wardens series, so had to sign up for this one. The characters do have connections to the previous series, but you don’t need to read them first. I still need to read the Freebirds series.
Reese Doherty is the new school nurse at the elementary school. She is also a single mom to a 5 year old little girl, Rowen. Rowen reminds me of my own 5 year old little girl. We actually met Reese’s sister, Tru, and her parents in the Dixie Warden series. She is a great mom, and a great nurse. I love the interaction between Reece and Tru, I was laughing hard at them.
Luke Roberts is the assistant chief of Police and SWAT team leader. Oh and he is also a single dad to a little girl. He is a great dad and a great cop. He’s also an ex-Marine. He is completely alpha.
These two meet because Reece took care of Luke’s daughter, Katerina. They started out a little slower, just running into each other around town, but once they got going, it was freaking hot!
Both have to deal with exes though. Reece’s ex is also her baby daddy and he has a new wife.
I wasn’t expecting the twist with that. It totally surprised me.
Radar and Trance make an appearance and had me crying. Radar is such a great dog.
Just like in the previous books, the life lessons and one-liners at the beginning of the chapters had me laughing hard.
“Men are usually too focused on the cleavage in the shirt to see the crazy in the eyes.”
“Nice pants. Now take them off so I can fuck you. Unless you’re not fond of them, then I’ll take care of them for you.”
This is such a great read, I couldn’t put this book down. Now to wait a month for Nico’s story. Don’t know if I can wait that long!
Straying from her usual bike riding hot guy, Lani Lynn Vale starts a new spin off series with the SWAT. First off is Center Mass with Luke, who you might remember from the Freebirds and Dixie Wardens MC. He popped up from time to time in each book, a secondary character that you really hoped would get his own book. Well he finally got one and it was fantastic!
Luke, former military now turned SWAT officer, is a single father to Katy. The circumstances with that situtation were in Boomtown, book 1 of the Freebirds. Now he is being the best father that he can be with help from family and friends, while having a very time consuming job.
Reese, also a single parent, is trying to make the best of everything, doing all that she can for her little girl Rowan.
This book has ex’s coming out of the woodwork. First Luke’s ex comes back into town and then Reese’s ex decides he wants to make her life hell as well. I love that none of Lani Lynn Vale’s stories are predictable, you have no clue where this is gonna go. Whatever you think is gonna happen? Well its doesn’t! I laughed, I was mad at one point, and I sobbed, that’s right sobbed at one point in this story!
This book was worth the wait. Lani Lynn Vale is a one-click and never disappoints with her stories. If you haven’t read any, start with Boomtown, I promise you will be hooked!
Luke Roberts had been burned by a woman he loved and it had left a lasting effect. Raising his daughter he finds himself attracted to Reese Doherty, a single mother who recently moved to Kilgore. Luke knows that Reese will be his one day but he plans to take his time and Reese is a bit weary about jumping into a relationship with a man. Luke pursues though and Reese is caught but just as they are building something people from their past begin to interfere causing potential problems for the couple.
Highly entertaining, the chemistry is off the charts. I liked that the story showed both POV’s, plus there was a ton of interaction with the kids. Had some very funny moments, great read.
AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! Lani outdid herself with Luke’s story. I absolutely LOVE this series.
I absolutely adored this book. But… There were just some things that annoyed me.
1. Contradictions: Luke insists to Reese that Katy dos the eat junk food simply bc it isn’t healthy and he doesn’t eat it so why should she. Then later in the book he is out buying donuts and shoving pumpkin pie in his face?
2. Too fast: Reese fell for Luke too fast. She put up no resistance. After being burned by her ex like that I would have expected her to be more cautious. And not only that but the story kept jumping ahead. Weston would show up to demand custody or we would hear about CPS getting involved(I’ll get back to this) and then that storyline would be dropped as we moved a month in to the future.
3. Weston: WTF?!? ATF my ass. That was the worst plot twist. Plus he is apparently in love with another woman? Lydia? But besides making out with him in public Lydia can’t keep her hands off Luke.
4. CPS: Sooo you’re gonna tell me that child protective services is receiving pictures of Rowan covered in bruises (from Reese according to Weston and Anita) Yet there are no charges? No one is concerned about these pictures? We never hear about Reese checking on Rowan to make sure Anita isn’t beating her or just putting make up on her. Another plot line dropped down the drain.
5. Luke’s ambivalence: He’s macho “she’s mine” when it comes to his friends but when Weston shows up at the house he just leaves her to deal with it. He’s a cop buts peanut investigate once Reese starts having issues with Anita and CPS. He sees her depressed in bed and decides to fuck her and leave without making sure she’s actually ok. The SWAT team doesn’t even check the room the neighbor is dead in after the explosion. In fact no one even finds him until a month later? What???!!!! What kind of cops are these people!??
Once I got over all of that crap that made no sense. I loved the writing. I loved the characters. I loved the chemistry. Idk what’s wrong with me. I liked the book but was completely annoyed. I’m hoping for better on the second book.
Luke Roberts started my Lani addiction. I read Center Mass when it was only 3 days old because it popped up on a Facebook site I was in. And it has all been an amazing ride from that point. I love all of her work. She is a genius. You will wants to read them in her reading order from her site. Start with Boomtown from her Freebird Series.