New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin’s Desperate Girls is a tightly wound, fast-paced romantic thriller that follows a desperate woman on the run as she hides from a killer’s symbolic revenge spree. Defense attorney Brynn Holloran is right at home among cops, criminals, and tough-as-nails prosecutors. With her sharp wit and pointed words, she has a tendency to intimidate, and she … a tendency to intimidate, and she likes it that way. She’s a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, but in her personal life, she’s a mess.
When a vicious murderer she once helped prosecute resurfaces and starts a killing spree to wipe out those who put him behind bars, one thing becomes clear: Brynn needs to run for her life.
When the police come up empty-handed, Brynn turns to a private security firm for protection. But when she defies advice and gets involved in the investigation, even the former Secret Service agent assigned to protect her may not be able to keep her safe. With every new clue she discovers, Brynn is pulled back into the vortex of a disturbing case from her past.
As the clock ticks down on a manhunt, Brynn’s desperate search for the truth unearths long-buried secrets and reignites a killer’s fury.
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It takes great mastery to combine the terror of a scary killer with a fun, sexy romance. Griffin handles the balance perfectly in DESPERATE GIRLS. A nail-biting page turner…
A fast-paced suspense read!
A killer escapes prison and embarks on a mission to murder those who placed him behind bars– including defense attorney Brynn Holloran.
Brynn doesn’t scare easily, but with the gruesome murder of her mentor and a high profile court case about to start, she is forced to accept the protection of a private security firm.
Erik Morgan isn’t thrilled with his assignment to keep a headstrong attorney from getting herself killed while police track down an escaped convict. But, he can’t deny he’s attracted to her, either.
Desperate to find this murderer before he kills anyone else, Brynn and Erik team up with police investigator Lindsey Leary to track the clues.
Brynn and Erik’s attraction soars and creates complications as a hunter closes in on his prey.
This story was not as good as her Tracer books, in my opinion. While the action built and there was a twist I didn’t see coming, the ending fell flat for me. Still, well worth the read, though!
I give Desperate Girls 4 lovely kisses- An entertaining read!
Brynn Holloran is a tough as nails defense attorney working on the biggest case of her career when a serial killer she once helped put away escapes from prison and begins targeting all those who have wronged him. With the death of Jen Ballard, a local judge, mentor and friend Brynn’s boss, Reggie Gunn, hires Wolfe Security, one of the top personal security firms in the country as hired protection for his dedicated team. Brynn does not like the idea of a personal bodyguard, but she has no choice in the matter.
Erik Morgan is heading the team hired to protect Brynn and her co-council. Erik is a marine and former secret service Agent. He does not let distractions get in the way of his job performance. He holds himself to a higher standard and level of professionalism and takes his job in security very seriously, but Brynn is slowly chipping away at all of his defenses. Tasked with protecting Brynn is becoming a lot harder than he anticipated. Erik finds himself attracted to the pretty lawyer and a distraction like this could mean life or death. With a killer on the loose, Erik needs to keep his personal feelings out of the equation in order to keep Brynn safe.
With a budding romance on the horizon, will Erik’s defenses be compromised enough for a dangerous killer to get too close to Brynn?
Desperate Girls is the first book in the Wolfe Security series and so far, the series is off to a great start. I often times find stories in the Romantic Suspense genre to be either too much suspense with not enough romance or vice versa. I am happy to say the suspense and romance elements are done in equal measure and they are both done quite well. I really love the courtroom drama/legal aspect of the storyline too. However, it is not the focal point of the story. The suspense really keeps you guessing and there is a twist that was quite unexpected. I found myself glued to the story and never felt like any part was rushed. Laura Griffin really knows how to write a slow burn story that kept me engaged throughout and flipping the pages needing to find out what happens next.
I really loved the Brynn as a heroine. She is very put together and a beast in the courtroom, but her personal life is the direct opposite and in shambles. Her last relationship ended because of her dedication to her job and the long hours she put in to her workload often at the cost of her relationship. So, it was interesting to see how a budding relationship with Erik would turn out. Erik is the ultimate alpha hero. He is dedicated to his job, capable, and knowledgeable. He doesn’t let anything stand in his way of getting the job done. I can see his dilemma with wanting Brynn knowing it can cause a distraction and as much as he tries to fight the feelings he has for her, he can’t help acting out on them. Other members of the Wolfe Security team we get to meet such as Jeremy, Hayes and Skylar are an added addition and although we don’t know much about them now, I, for one, can’t wait until their future stories are told.
Desperate Girls is a slow burn suspense that builds in momentum ending in a shocking twist I never saw coming. Laura Griffin’s writing style kept me glued to the pages as I craved to know what comes next. The suspense really kept me guessing up until the very end. Very well done start to a new series! I can not wait for more!
Desperate Girls is a bit of a mixed bag. We have some courtroom drama, a bit of action and suspense by way of an escaped murderer set on getting revenge, some hot and steamy romance, and a little more suspense with an interesting twist. This is my first read by Laura Griffin, and I have to say I was impressed. The story moves at a good pace, there are no big lags, and the flow is good. Brynn is a strong female lead, which I always enjoy, and Erik is the very definition of a protector. They have great chemistry and just fit so well together that you can’t help but want to see them together. The big bad in this one is about as bad as they get, and the tension builds as he tries to get to Brynn. I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more from Corby given his intelligence level, but it was still an entertaining read. We do get an intriguing twist at the end – one that I didn’t see coming until it was right there. All in all, I enjoyed the book and will certainly be watching for whatever comes next in this new series.
This is a new to me author and I will definitely read more by her. I really enjoyed this story line. I liked the different points of view with everything that was going on; it added so much to the story and my ability to get a handle on what was happening. I was so piqued by the story I had to just keep reading to find out what happens. That twist at the end was great! I love a good twist! I also really liked the dynamic between Brynn & Erik as it seemed very realistic between a strong female attorney and an alpha bodyguard. They had great chemistry an there were some hot scenes between them. All in all this book had just the right blend of everything I love in a romantic suspense.
“Desperate Girls” by Laura Griffin is a contemporary romantic suspense story that follows defense attorney Brynn Holloran as she deals with the danger that warrants her boss hiring a bodyguard service for her and a coworker. Her reluctance to accept the orders of Erik Morgan and his team increases the stress she is dealing with as she works on defending a tricky case. Danger mounts but so does her attraction to the enigmatic man whose mission is to protect her.
This contemporary romantic suspense story provides an exciting and thrilling look at the challenging legal profession and the very real danger that accompanies bringing criminals to justice. I always enjoy this author’s tales because she has strong and capable women populating her universe who butt heads and learn to work with men who are just as engaging. That being said, I had trouble connecting with the women in this particular story. I like that both the primary and secondary female characters are tenacious and willing to fight for what they believe in, and I enjoyed watching Erik maneuver to keep his charge safe and ultimately come to see her as more than an assignment. The story has a nice exciting escalation of danger and I enjoyed some of the twists. Those who are squeamish should be aware that there are a few gory events described and a bit of violence. As always, this prolific author has provided an entertaining and intriguing story.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
This book has me all over the place now that it’s time for a review. I just feel that something was lacking. I mean the chemistry between the H and h just didn’t do it for me. I don’t care that there wasn’t much spice to it, it just didn’t click for me. I did enjoy the mystery and the twist which were placed very well and kept the book interesting. I have to say the writing was good and it did keep me turning the pages with all of the action I just was left lacking. This is my first read by this author and it really was good enough for me to try another read in hopes of connecting with her characters. I love suspense with some romance which is why I am surprised this didn’t work for me. However since I am in the minority I will safely say it must be me.
Desperate Girls is a book full of suspense and drama, with some romance to add some spice. A few twists to keep the reader engaged.
In Desperate Girls we are introduced to Brynn Holloway, a defense attorney, working a high profile murder case while also helping detectives solve the murder of her former friend. Brynn and long time friend Jen Ballard worked close together as prosecutors on a case years ago that sent James Corby away for life with no parole in a maximum security prison.
Brynn’s life is in danger, therefore Erik Morgan has been assigned to protect her. Amongst all this danger, an attraction is teetering the edge of desire for a possible romance. Erik is a skilled security bodyguard who has taken a personal interest in protecting Brynn. Even with all the dangerous activity nothing stops Brynn from maintaining her public appearances in the courtroom.
This is a character driven story. The story is divided between Brynn working on cases, Lindsey working on solving the crimes, and Erik providing security protection.
Brynn’s character is confident and self assured. Brynn’s defiant behavior adds an entertaining edge to a dangerous situation. Brynn rattled Erik’s moral code and rules. Never before has a client stepped on his toes going head to head with him. She is feisty. Brynn is a defense attorney trying to prepare for her case while being distracted by threats from an escaped prisoner whom she helped convict three years ago. Her nerves are frayed when her focus should be on her client. Having a convicted murderer loose on the streets causes stress, confusion, frustration and fear to her already frazzled nerves.
Even though this a criminal detective story there are layers of a client-bodyguard relationship brewing. There are three components woven together: the detective, defense attorney, and bodyguard. I love confident and strong willed women who take control of their lives standing up to men. This was a fast paced high energy story that was entertaining and exciting to read.
Desperate Girls is a roller coaster ride of romantic suspense. Emphasis on the romance. Equal emphasis on the suspense. And how often does that happen?
Brynn Holloran is focused on saving her young client from a murder-rap. She’s very good at what she does. She’s not so good at relationships. But, just maybe, she was never in the right relationship.
Once upon a time, Brynn was equally good as a prosecutor for the DA. And, once upon a time, she helped put a serial killer behind bars that recently proved not secure enough to hold him. Now Brynn is in his cross-hairs, right behind the judge who put him away.
Security team lead, Erik Morgan is focused on keeping Brynn alive. Brynn’s not making it easy because her case comes before her safety and she’s determined to help return a murderer to prison. Erik’s work never allowed much time for him to know if he was any better at relationships than Brynn. But, just maybe, he never met anyone worth making time for—until now.
As the past edges nearer and nearer to the present, the tension pulls as tight as a bungee cord you don’t expect to hold. And, as the case unravels, so will your nerves as you acknowledge that sometimes the bad guy wins. When I emerged from this story, I had only one thing to say. Wow, just wow.
Fast-paced.
An escaped prisoner is on a killing spree and coming after Brynn Holloran. She’s switched from prosecutor to defense attorney, but that detail won’t stop him.
Erik Morgan doesn’t let anything distract him while working on a protection case. No alcohol, no caffeine, and certainly no falling in love with the client.
Ms. Griffin has written an action-packed romantic suspense as a lead in the Wolfe Security series. I look forward to the next adventure.
This was the first time reading this Author and will be reading more. Every time I thought I knew what was going on, I didn’t have it right at all. I hope there are more stories with Brynn and Erik. I love them together.
/ 5
Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin is Criminal Minds meets Law & Order with a couple sex scenes and some humor thrown in. And the thing is, I really enjoyed it!
What it’s about: Defense attorney Brynn Holloran is great at what she does. A force to be reckoned with in the courtroom and good looking to boot. But when one of the killers she helped put behind bars escapes and starts up on a terrifying killing spree to get rid of the people that put him there, those are not things that will keep her from being killed. Her boss Reggie enlists the help of an extremely competent security company called Wolfe Security, and while Brynn isn’t happy about the guys following her around at all times, she doesn’t have a choice. However, as things get crazy for her in court and her real life, she starts getting attached to the head of her security detail, Erik. Will she be able to stay ahead of the killer, and possibly fall in love at the same time?
I wanted to put SOMETHING in my summary about the romance aspect to this book since the synopsis doesn’t talk about it at all. Reading the back of the book I never knew it was romantic suspense, which is something I think is important to note since not all people like that genre. For me, this was my second time reading a romantic suspense novel and I enjoyed it a hell of a lot more than the first time. I don’t like when romance overtakes a book, and luckily that did not happen at all in Desperate Girls. I found it to be the perfect blend of suspense, police procedural, courtroom drama, and romance.
Desperate Girls is book one in the Wolfe Security series, and I think it made for an excellent start. There is a ton of action throughout the entire novel, and there is a twist at the end that essentially came from nowhere and completely shocked me. It felt a tiny bit abrupt, but oftentimes twists are like that and I loved that it surprised me the way it did.
The only issue I had with this book is that I think there are just way too many viewpoints, and you don’t really get to know any of the characters except for Brynn and Erik. I don’t really like when an author has too many characters since they get hard for me to keep track of and feel too impersonal unless done the right way. It was nice to get the different viewpoints though, and I really hope at least a couple of them come back in the second book. I loved the tough as nails women in this novel, and it was very refreshing to read a book where you like and root for all of the female leads.
Song/s the book brought to mind: Bad Reputation by Kelly Clarkson
Final Thought: I really enjoy the way Griffin writes, and I can definitely tell this book isn’t her first rodeo. Desperate Girls made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes, plus made me blush at the racy sex scenes. If you don’t like sex in books, but still want to read this, it would be totally doable. There are really only 2, and they could easily be skimmed or skipped. In other words, this was the perfect romantic suspense book for me, and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
WOW! This book was amazing from the beginning! I didn’t want to stop reading as I needed to know if they were going to find the escaped convict before anybody else was killed. I enjoyed the romantic twist in the story as well. The writing made it so easy to relate to the story that I felt I was right there in the mix of everything. A great beach read for your next vacation!
love it
This books has it all – thrills, a dark villian, twists and turns. Brynn Halloran is beginning the defense in a trial that she hopes will save the life and reputation of a young man. The escape of a dangerous serial killer she helped put behind bars when she was a prosecutor threaten her case and her very life. Two others, a judge and a detective on the case, have been murdered by him. Her boss Reggie hires Wolfe Security to protect her and her co-defense attornery, Ross. The lead operative of the team is Erik Morgan, a focused, intense Marine and Secret Service vet who vows to keep her safe. When two headstrong people have to work together the sparks fly!
It is’nt often that a book can grab my interest from the very beginning and hold it to the very last page but that is exactly what this book did. It has everything you want to read in a book. Excitement, danger, romance deceit. What more could you ask for. I will definitely be reading the next book when it comes out. Great job Laura, Thanks,
Warning: Adult Sexual Content and Subject Matter, which you can skip over and still fully enjoy the book.
A thriller with a tempo that keeps you on your toes. Ex-Prosecuting Attorney now Defense Attorney Brynn Holloran finds herself worrying about James Corby a killer she once put away who escaped from prison with her name on his hit list. Since law enforcement and the firm, she works for are not on the best terms her boss hires a private personal security company to protect she and her fellow Defense Attorney Ross Foley. Brynn finds herself becoming more embroiled with her old murder case of James Corby and begins digging into the past. Then there is the former Secret Service agent who is assigned to keep her safe who may or may not be with her at all times to keep her safe. Great story!
This was my first experience with this author and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a great Sunday afternoon read. Griffin had excellent character development and did a superb job creating that “spark” between people. The plot was fluid in shifting between the different aspects of the story, so much so you are blindsided by the twist. Love to be surprised like that!
The story follows defense attorney, Brynn Holloran, who does not like people telling her what to do. She is one of her firms top defenders and is strong willed both inside and outside of the courtroom. She works long hours and lets her work consume her, which may be why relationships in her personal life are such a struggle. But everything changes for Brynn when she is forced to accept the protection of a private security firm after circumstances surrounding an old case start to present danger to her and those involved in the case. A ruthless killer that she helped prosecute and convict has escaped from prison and those intimately related to his trial are being murdered. Former Marine and Secret Service Agent, Erik Morgan, is put in charge of Brynn’s security detail but she is not making it easy on him. Brynn refuses to listen, follow his rules, and questions everything about her protection. Her constant talking and her lingering stares are making him crazy – in more ways than one. Brynn will have to learn to trust Erik and his team of muscle if she wants to survive. She will have to change her outlook on life and come to terms with under estimating the truth about those we’re closest to.
The book does not go into gruesome detail on crimes and did not get too explicit during the romantic scenes. It would be a good read for someone just getting into Romance/Crime/Mystery. Overall, a good read – I look forward to read more from this author.
I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first experience with Laura Griffin’s work and I am very impressed. I was hooked from the beginning! It’s the kind of thing that’s right up my alley: procedural, fast-paced, slightly unexpected twists, lots of action. There were a few different subplots and they all meshed well together. The characters felt dynamic and relatable and I wanted to know what happened to them. And I wanted to be friends with Brynn; she was a great mix of strong/independent and yet reserved and vulnerable.
My only complaint is the title. I don’t see how it ties into the story.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this series! I’d recommend this to anyone who:
– enjoys procedural cop and/or lawyer shows on TV
– wants an entertaining, quick read
– is looking to dive into Laura Griffin’s body of work for the first time
– wants to drool over a hunky male lead