In DON’T LOOK BACK by Dawn Ryder, she is the only woman worth fighting – or dying – for… Shadow Ops Agent Thais Sinclair has sworn off falling in love for good. It’s what’s kept her calculated, steady, and on-task in a world dominated by men. She needs nothing and no one but her own wits and strength to guide her. But when she’s slated to shadow the one man who could reveal their entire … their entire operation, all bets are off.
Dunn Bateson, illegitimate son of a Southern debutante, has always had to fight harder than the rest to get what he wants. Now, the last thing he needs is Thais following his every move. She is so strong, sly, seductive. . . No woman has ever captivated him so completely. Thais may only have room for her mission in her heart, but is Dunn up to the challenge of showing her that she’s worth every risk he is willing to take?
The Unbroken Heroes series is:
“Heart-stopping.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Enthralling…a must-read for fans of romantic suspense and military heroes.”
—The Reading Café
“Sexy, rugged, and explosive.”
–#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh
more
This is the 6th book in this series and the first I’ve read by this author. I liked this book, the main characters, and the storyline but I do feel I missed things about some of the characters by not having read the other books in the series beforehand. I may check out the other books.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias.
Wanted a fix from this genre with this one jumping out at me. This also happened to be a author who I had one on tbr so this was perfect. This one is also a reverse with the alpha female taking the lead but who crosses her path is very much her match it would seem. Thais and Dunn carry you through this one with special ops being in the forefront. This one also had a love hate thing for me because not having read any before this not sure if this is normal style. Suspense came through with drama filling in the edges. Chemistry tries to get in it but some of it a bit of a let down. It gives you plenty to follow with you engaged until the end.
A well written perfectly paced story pulling you in from the start. Full of twist and turns to keep your interest and easy to follow along. The action was just enough detail to keep you guessing how it was going to end. Loved this one so might just have to pick up the rest to find out how everyone fits together.
Miranda Delacroix has made an enemy of Carl Davis. Miranda surrendered evidence to a Special Ops team implicating an associate of Carl’s in a severe crime, injuring Carl’s political career. Carl ordered an assassin to take out Miranda to safeguard his political goals. Don’t Look Back by Dawn Ryder belongs to the Unbroken Heroes series. From the beginning, it was apparent this book was part of a series. Even though it was a bit disorienting at first, it quickly becomes clear how the characters fit into each other’s pasts. All I needed was a basic understanding of past events, so I would say Don’t Look Back could be read as a stand-alone novel. This book would be good for those who enjoy a political crime thriller, or romance novels.
The pacing of Don’t Look Back is frenetic. Switches in the narrative produce just enough to advance the plot before diverting the action to other characters. This method kept me invested in the intrigue. Various players attempt to outwit each other for victory. It immediately drew me into the events of the quest to bring down the enemy.
The threat to Miranda’s life brings her reclusive, billionaire son Dunn to the States from Scotland. The Special Ops team safeguarding Miranda have personal ties to her and her adult children. Thais, who is a member of Special Ops, and Dunn have a desire growing between them. Thais’ assignment places her in position to guard Dunn and keep him from executing a premature move against Davis. When the two of them acknowledge the chemistry they share, they realize it is something they can no longer deny.
When their physical encounters begin, Thais and Dunn are unsure how a relationship will work for them. The author gives insights into the emotional connection the couple is forming and walls they have both built begin to crumble. Even though Thais and Dunn fear what is growing between them, they determine the passion they feel for each other is worth experiencing.
The injustice perpetrated by a political figure, assassination for power, was an act that one could argue hits a little close to home. Misdeeds in our government I absolutely believe happens. To the scale of covert assassinations, who’s to say? Watching a group who could change things in this atmosphere, had me rooting for them. Witnessing Dunn and Thais’ affection grow was a satisfying romance. They were sensual and intense. An alpha couple aptly paired. I most definitely recommend Don’t Look Back by Dawn Ryder. I received an advance reader copy of this novel from NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for my honest opinion. I encourage all readers to reach their own conclusions.
Don’t Look Back by Dawn Ryder
Unbroken Heroes #6
As the finale of this series I felt a bit let down. Yes, there was romance, action, intrigue, a bad guy thwarted and a team saved from extinction with cameos from past characters from the series but I felt it was all wrapped up too neatly without the real reason behind the whole kerfuffle and angst and drama between Davis and the others really coming to light.
In this book Thais Sinclair, Shadow Ops Agent, finds her HEA with Dunn Bateson, wealthy millionaire and alpha hottie. The two seem to have danced around one another in the past – at least inferences are made that they have. I am not sure what the two have in common or why they are drawn to one another but they are and they seem to be happy together so glad they were able to get to a point where they can be together although, with her on the team and him a big hotshot running a huge company I am not sure just how that will work in the long run.
Did I enjoy the book? Yes
Will I read more books by this author? Yes
Is this my favorite book in this series? Probably not but I did want to see how it all ended
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Thais was a great character who was an agent of Shadow Ops. She was a strong woman who had her own mind and a little bit of a past that interfered with relationships. Dunn was an illegitimate child of a debutant with a past of his own. When his mother is danger he comes immediately and gets involved. The two of them clash as they fight their attraction and end up with lots of sexy time and a great story. Lots of action with lots of little twist that kept me reading till the end. Loved it!!
This book had the potential to be a gripping story. Intrigue, suspense, action, and romance – all the elements are there, but none of it stands out. There is so much going on and so many points of view that it’s all a bit convoluted. With so many character voices, it’s hard to get a feel for anyone in particular or to become invested in anything going on. When I picked this one up, it was billed as a standalone in the series, but I wouldn’t recommend reading it as such. For me, this one felt like the author was trying to tie up loose ends while throwing a romance. It just didn’t work for me.
Ms. Ryder has a way of creating a captivating tale with characters that evoke strong emotions. I enjoyed the encounters between Thais & Dunn. The chemistry between Thais & Dunn was intense & hot. Their exchanges were witty & bold. This was an engaging plot that kept me involved right up to the end.
One man consumed with gaining more power and hold over others leads the Shadow Ops teams on a wild adventure. There is plenty of action and intrigue with tons of twist and turns that will keep you flying thru the pages. Dunn has been a recluse for good reason, he also has a rep for being someone you don’t mess with. His ties to the Shadow Ops team keeps him in the loop but his mother being the target makes him ready to cross whatever lines he has to to keep her safe. It wont be easy since she is as full of piss and vinegar and as he is and stubborn to boot. Thais follows the rules and assigned to Dunn, the man that makes her want to toss it all. I love how this author puts this all together. The action and intrigue with the hot and steamy. This is a great story of making changes for love and taking care of family. I love the blend of it all and this author’s style. I haven’t read her before but her characters make it worth the effort. Loved Thais, she’s strong and independent and while she doesn’t need a man she knows when it’s time to deal with wants versus needs.
Great read can’t wait for more from the author of this standalone read.
Don’t Look Back (Unbroken Heroes, #6) by Dawn Ryder This is book 6 of 6 in the Unbroken Heroes series (Shadow Ops) Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. Thais Sinclair and Dunn Bateson are the main characters along with all the favorites and this ties up all the loose end of the series with plenty of suspense, intrigue, laughs, tears, love, sex and of course a HEA. i can’t wait for Dawn’s next series.
Terrific conclusion to the Unbroken Heroes Series, white hot, action, redemption and finding your soul! We finally get agent Thias Sinclair and Dunn Bateson HEA and boy do they have to fight for it, as it should be. So many bad guys get what’s coming to them and a couple surprise redemptions too. The thought I kept having is “Sometimes you have to put a mad dog down”.
Thias is the over-the-top sexy ops agent that seems to have no emotions. Oh she does, believe me, they’re just buried deep to protect her abused heart. Dunn Bateson is an elusive international businessman that occasionally helps Shadow Ops. He’s the illegitimate son of congress hopeful Miranda Delacroix. Miranda is from a powerful political family in DC that killed her politically dirty congressman husband her family forced her to marry. This book is centered around Miranda’s run for congress and her support of Carl Davis’ rival Tom Hilliard. Carl is a beyond dirty politician and is WAY out of control. His aide Eric knew what he was getting into, is reaching the end of his rope trying to reign him in. Carl’s trying to stop Kagan’s Shadow Ops by putting a hit on Thias and later one of Miranda’s daughter Damascus, now wife of Vitus Hale of Shadow Ops. Dunn is hiding a secret that we finally learn reading the book that makes his involvement with Shadow Ops make sense. We even have a former bad guy find his soul and become a good guy. So many twists and turns in this book! Absolutely FABULOUS!
Thank you Dawn and St. Martin’s for giving me the opportunity to review this story as well as most of the series!
DON’T LOOK BACK is the sixth (and final ?) instalment in Dawn Ryder’s contemporary, adult UNBROKEN HEROES erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who work for an elite Shadow Ops Team made up of ex-SEALs and other special forces warriors. This is reclusive British businessman Dunn Bateson, and Shadows Ops Agent Thais Sinclair’s story line. DON’T LOOK BACK should probably not be read as a stand alone; I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion as there is an on-going premise throughout the series.
Told from several third person perspectives including Dunn and Thais DON’T LOOK BACK is the culmination of six story lines focusing on the political atmosphere surrounding the US Federal elections. Dunn Bateson is the illegitimate son of a powerful woman running for office, a woman who has figured prominently in the upcoming elections for the US Congress, but it is Dunn’s attraction to Shadow Ops agent Thais Sinclair that finds our couple at odds with one another when Thais is assigned protection duty to the man that pushes all of her buttons. With the political campaign pushes into high gear, Miranda Delacroix continues to be targeted by the front-running opponent, an opponent who is not against using hired assassins and dupes in his bid for higher office. As the Shadow Ops team continues to ‘shadow’ Miss Delacroix, a more dark and sinister mind begins to unravel in his attempts to destroy them all. What ensues is the building romance between Thais and Dunn, and the fall-out as a series of attempts on the lives of the people they love finds the Shadow Ops team pulling out all the stops to serve and protect.
The relationship between Thais and Dunn is fraught with the palpable sexual attraction that does not go unnoticed by the Shadow Ops team, an attraction that is questioned by the people in charge. Both Dunn and Thais have been burned in the past- used by the people professing their love. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The world building follows several paths and several perspectives as the Shadow Ops team must work overtime to take down the man in question, a man whose need to win at all costs could very well cost them all of their lives.
Once again, similar to all of the previous story lines, the back and forth between numerous points of view is frenzied and disconcerting- the affect may be too erratic for some readers as the story line relentlessly and rapidly jumps between different perspectives without so much as a break or introduction. It can be confusing and unsettling from paragraph to paragraph, numerous times throughout each chapter, or within a single page, such that the reader may have to re-read the previous passages to follow the jump in perspectives.
DON’T LOOK BACK is a story of suspense, political intrigue, power and control. The premise is intriguing and action-packed; the characters are animated, dynamic and edgy; the romance is passionate and seductive. If you can look past the frantic change in perspectives, DON’T LOOK BACK is a fitting conclusion to Dawn Ryder’s UNBROKEN HEROES.
4 Star reviews of Don’t Look Back (Unbroken Heroes #6) by Dawn Ryder
Thais Sinclair is a shadow ops agent, a woman in a man’s world. She depends on no one and the last thing she wants or needs is a man in her life, especially Dun Bateson. Dun is rich and has had a tough past, he knows he has to fight for what or who he wants.
Although they try to fight it, neither Thais or Dun can fight the chemistry between them. The pace was quick and is certainly steamy.
Dawn Ryder is a new author to me and although I enjoyed this book, I have to say that I was totally confused at times. There seemed to be so many POV’s that I honestly got lost. To be fair if I had read the other books in the series it may have helped as I believe this is the last one and I am guessing that the author was also tying up any loose ends.
An enjoyable read and I will be looking at other books written by Dawn Ryder.
I received this book through the publisher and Netgalley.
Imagine my surprise and delight when I realized I had read quite a few of the books in this series. When I read the name Carl Davis in the book and some of the circumstances around that name, I recognized the story and thought, “Oh, yes, this is going to be good.” And it was.
It was intense with plenty of action to keep my interest. Team Leaders and Kagan the big boss were really good at what they did and had each others backs. It was also good to see Miranda Delacroix was a delight to see again. Like the story said, she came across as a classy, sweet grandmother type but few realized the steel in her backbone. She fooled a lot of enemies who thought they had her under their control. And she had one huge secret when it came to her children and his name was Dunn. I loved that whole story-line about him.
Dunn and Thais had so much in common and their attraction was off the charts but that doesn’t mean that it made everything easy. The push-pull between the two of them was really good. I will say though that there will be a LOT of sex scenes.
There were several other interesting people like Ricky Sullivan and Eric Geyer. Keep your eyes on them they will keep things very intense. Is that good or bad? You will have to read it to find out.
Great ending to the book. I was very satisfied with it both the endings and the look into some new beginnings for some of the team members.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion of it.
This series from Shadow Ops can be read as a standalone but each story carries a bit of the story before it and it continues the action from start to finish. Dunn is a very rich anti social man who can afford to fly planes two or three at a time to keep you guessing where he is but now he has got to know his birth mother Miranda so he comes out more to see her. Dunn also fascinated by Thais Sinclair the lone female agent in the Shadow Ops who keeps her feelings and secrets behind a well constructed wall, but Dunn is prepared to climb it. Dunn and Thais are thrown together to try an save Miranda who is making someone nervous enough to try to kill her, just trying to stop them has Dunn, Thais and the Special Ops teams jumping through hoops to save her. I was lucky enough to read three of the six books and they fit perfectly together but ok as a standalone.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
While this book is a standalone read, I would recommend reading the previous books in the series to get the full experience of Carl Davis. So, Thais and Dunn? I loved Dunn’s character from the previous books and I still love him. He is a bit mysterious and a recluse and oh yeah, does he have military experience? Thais was always the tough girl in the group of Shadow Ops and she still is even though she has fallen hard for Dunn (she does not realize it though). Their back and forth, the who will be after them next, and the non-stop action keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time reading the story. I enjoyed reading how Thais wants to keep it just as a friends with benefits type relationship but finds it harder and harder to resist the oh-so-sexy Dunn. The only thing I would have liked to have seen is more of their ending…it seemed a bit rushed. All in all, a great ending to the series.
But…does it leave it open for a possible spin-off series. What happens to Eric, Miranda, Kagan, and yes, even Ricky?
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
*Book was received through Netgalley for free for my honest opinion*
This was the first time I’ve read this author and this series. It definitely can be read as a stand alone book. However, it makes you want to read the other stories. I think that says quite a bit about the author’s writing. The writing was amazing. It kept the reader wanting to read more. The character’s names were quite unique.
The chemistry just jumped off the page between Dunn and Thais. I absolutely fell in love with this relationship. The story line moves in a fast paced manner and you can’t put the book down. There are a lot of different side stories going on but in the end, they all make sense. There were several sexy scenes in this book (which I am not complaining about) but I wanted to point out how well the author wrote these scenes. Each sexy scene was like a new experience and was kept fresh. Even though the characters were together more than once in this book, each encounter was like new. Nothing seemed too repetitive. I think that is a great aspect to have when writing a book.
This book was definitely fast paced, sexy, and full of chemistry. This was a great read!
Thais loves her job and thinks that’s all she needs to be happy. She also has an attraction to her current target that she is determined to ignore. Dunn is attracted to Thais but knows she is dedicated to her job. They both have sworn off love due failed past relationships. While trying to examine their feelings and decide whether to move forward, they also have to try to stay alive and keep Dunn’s mother alive.
A story that keeps you wondering what will happen next.
Unbroken Heroes book 6 is Thais and Dunn’s tale guaranteed to keep the pages turning.
Ebook from netgalley and publishers with thanks. Opinions are entirely my own.
4 Stars
Review by Angelique
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
When there’s a spark, especially with the one person you know you should never fall for, it’s hard to stay away.
Dawn Ryder captures a wild mix of emotion, intrigue and action in her latest novel, Don’t Look Back. This is also the sixth and last installment of the Unbroken Heroes series.
The story follows Shadow Ops Agent, Thais Sinclair as she’s ordered to shadow Dunn Bateson. Of course working isn’t a problem at all, to her work has become her life. The problem is the man she’s expected to shadow. He doesn’t make it easy for her to simply do her job and he has found a way to press all her buttons.
Dunn, having been used in the past isn’t easy to give people second chances, nor give too much attention to the one’s he knows he should keep his distance from. But Thais is something else completely. She’s strong and self-sufficient and she’s an enigma, no matter how hard he tries to not let her get under his skin, it’s impossible.
From the first encounter they both tread carefully, throughout everything that happens, both good, bad and questionable, they eventually end up where they should.
“Now? She was left staring at him, trying to decide if she should just jump off the cliff with him.”
It isn’t often that I give a book anything less than five stars, but due to too many characters and names in simply the first part of the book, I got way too confused. It all made more sense in the end and the characters revealed themselves and what their role was.