New York Times bestselling author Christie Craig’s thrilling romantic suspense about a by-the-book FBI agent who must trust a risk-taking detective for help tracking down her sister’s killers. FBI agent Bree Ryan’s latest mission is personal. She’s posing as a waitress at the Black Diamond strip club, the same club where her estranged half sister worked until she turned up dead. When Bree’s … estranged half sister worked until she turned up dead. When Bree’s undercover assignment is compromised, she turns to the only man she knows who can help her: Connor Pierce, a too-sexy-for-his-own-good, rule-breaking cop with a knack for solving cold cases.
When someone breaks into Bree’s apartment, Connor’s detective skills aren’t the only things that kick into overdrive. Although his job demands he remain detached, now he finds himself tempted not only by Bree’s beauty but also her intelligence and bravery. As the investigation — and their attraction — grows more intense, lives are in jeopardy, and Connor finds the most important rule he must break is his own. But can he put his heart on the line?
Another great suspense novel with high stakes and mystery and family. I really enjoyed it and don’t want to put it down! This is a steamy romance.
I’ve enjoyed this series. The men are especially attractive. Real men, really good cops, and nice guys. Bree’s mean to being hired with the FBI seemed a bit unrealistic as did her doing her own investigation while on leave. Her motivation to find her sister’s murderer was gripping and I enjoyed the story. The story had great good buys, really abhorrent bad guys, tons of intense action and a hard won happily ever after. Any reader who likes suspense and romance will enjoy this book.
FBI Agent Brie Ryan is looking into her half-sisters murder, and figures the best way to catch the killer is to dive deep into the life her sister lead. Starting with the semi-sleazy Black Diamond strip club, she takes a job as a waitress there in hopes of finding some leads and connecting with some of her sister’s former co-workers. Things are going well until her little investigation starts to draw the attention of the wrong people and she quickly decides it’s a case she can no longer work alone.
Which then puts her smack dab on the path of cold case detective Connor Pierce. She knows he is the perfect person to help her solve this case, but keeping her attraction to him under wraps while doing it proves to be quite the challenge!
Don’t Look Back is a action packed little tale that is bound to have you wrapped up in it’s words in a matter of a few pages. The moment you meet it’s characters you will be drawn to them, their personalities shine brightly page after page, as well as the sparks brewing between them. These two come together to solve a case and wind up finding the love in the process, but it isn’t an easy fall. Both bring a lot of baggage to the relationship and it takes time and care to sort it. I loved watching them fall for one another, it was evident that they had a special bond, but getting over their past hurts proved to be quite the hurdle for them. But little by little they gained some ground and found their way. I really enjoyed this newest installment to the series, it’s well penned words held me captive from beginning to end! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
I love all three of the books in this series and am excited for more!!
3.5 stars rounded up.
Forced to take a leave of absence, FBI Agent Brie Ryan is looking into her estranged half-sister’s murder. She’s posing as a waitress at the club where her sister worked before her disappearance. When her unofficial investigation brings her onto the radar of local law enforcement, Brie winds up working with a handsome detective, Connor Pierce.
Known for solving cold cases, Connor and his team set out to help Brie get to the bottom of her sister’s murder and the shooting of another FBI agent. When Brie’s apartment is vandalized, Connor finds himself feeling extremely protective of her. Though he tries his best to remain detached, Connor is undeniably attracted to Brie and she seems to reciprocate, but as their investigation heats up, putting them both in danger, Connor must decide if he’s willing to break his own rules.
The mystery and suspense in this story was a bit slow for me and I got bogged down at times, but I did enjoy the complexity of the plot. Poor Connor could hardly say a thing without putting his foot in his mouth, but underneath his swaggery exterior, he was extremely vulnerable and hurting. I wish we’d seen more acknowledgement of that vulnerability and fear from Brie, rather than her simply refusing to listen to Connor most of the times he tried to have a serious conversation. Of course, Brie had her own issues, but Connor listened to everything she wanted to tell him and it would’ve been nice to see her be just a bit softer, at least with him. We only really saw Brie outwardly warming to Connor near the very end and that was just a bit too late for me to like her after how rude she was to Connor and to nearly every other male she encountered. I understand her needing to prove herself in a mostly male profession and I appreciate her competence, but in her attempts to do so, she often acted rashly and made poor decisions, refusing to entertain the notion that any of her male counterparts could have a better way of accomplishing things than her own. Her constant need to do everything herself and not ask for help smacked of martyrdom and was a bit tiring. That said, this behavior did make it all the more special when Brie started letting Connor in, even if that was a long time coming. Overall, despite wanting a slightly faster pace, I did enjoy the storyline and suspense here, as well as the characters, and I will likely go back and read the rest of the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Don’t Look Back is the third title in the Texas Justice series dealing with members of a Cold Case department cracking an old case and eventually finding their happy romantic ending as well. I have not read the earlier books in the series, however, that did not prevent me from enjoying Brie and Connor’s story.
Brie is an FBI agent working undercover to learn more about her half-sister’s murder. Connor is a cold case detective who will find himself not only protecting Brie (or trying to) but getting involved in this particular cold case while falling in love with one strong, stubborn woman.
Connor suffers from some significant emotional, mental issues from his past including a huge guilt complex. He’s held people off from getting too close, his communication skills really need some work, and he shouldn’t want to bring Brie into his life – but all that will change if he can find the words to explain himself and situations to Brie. That isn’t as easy as it sounds for Connor has difficulty expressing himself to others, especially someone as special to him as Brie is.
The action is intense and gritty. There may be triggers within Don’t Look Back for there is human trafficking, drugs, rape, and the violence that comes with that and more. I felt what was shown was necessary to the story, others may think otherwise.
I enjoyed Don’t Look Back. The story is good, smooth, the characters (good and bad) are interesting, and the puzzles to figure out are not too hard but intense enough to hold my attention.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher, Forever via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Good story filled with suspense, mystery, danger, and romance. I enjoyed the main characters and the storyline. Bree and Connor worked well together and had great chemistry. Both had past issues that they had to deal with along with working with each other to solve the case. There were a few places in the story that seemed to stall a bit, but overall I enjoyed it.
*I received an arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily providing my honest review.
This drew me to this new to me author with what it contained inside. FBI Brie is going after her sister’s killer. She does need some help so she gets help from drool worthy whom is also a cop-Connor. As danger hits close they get closer as they look for the who done its. Even though this is in a series this is a stand alone too. This thriller will keep you on your toes. After I was finished I would if given opportunity read this author again.
This was a good story, with good main characters and supporting people too. I liked it and found it a really full story.
Both Bree and Connor had in-depth portrayals of who they were. And also how much they had gone through both personally and professionally. It was easy to care about them and get drawn into the story. Bree had quite an unusual upbringing that included Eliot, an ex-Special Forces man. He became her “father” in every way that mattered. It was by choice rather than blood.
Connor’s past had him all tied up. From not only a case that went bad but also from a marriage that did too. He’s not really ready to open his heart to more possible pain but Bree is definitely pushing his boundaries. I liked that and that they made a good team, when they could.
There were a couple of things that needed resolving when it came to some crimes. They do get resolved but not without danger and a whole lot of twists and turns. It really kept things moving.
There was one surprise that came later that caught me off guard. All, I’m going to say is that a baby shows up. Okay, all done on that, that’s all you get.
One thing I noticed that was kind of humorous was when Connor identified himself (even to fellow officers) they never shook his hand. Oh, he offered his hand, but got zip.
I also liked how the story ended and I was satisfied indeed.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
I was really hopeful for this one because it sounded so good based on the blurb. But I had a hard time getting into it. The main characters Brie and Connor are decent characters. They both have their own issues. But they both are also hard working and more than willing to do anything for people they care about. Connor has been struggling since something happened to him on the job and it was just exacerbated by his divorce. Brie is undercover trying to find out what happened to her sister. And certainly doesn’t expect to have an attraction to Connor. And they do have a chemistry that I liked. It was more that the plot and story were very slow for me. It almost felt like there was something missing but I really can’t put my finger on exactly what it is. The writing itself is decent, it was just slow for me.
This was my first Christie Craig book but won’t be my last. Brie is an FBI agent who is off-duty and trying to investigate her sister’s murder. In her investigation, she ends up working with Connor – a police detective. There were a lot of things I liked about this book. I thought the two main characters had chemistry for sure. I enjoyed their banter and how they opened up to one another. Brie is independent and strong while still having a softer side, wanting marriage and kids. Connor had his moments but was likable overall. I did pick up partway through the book that this was part of a series. This did not detract from this book and I was intrigued by the stories of Connor’s friends who I learned were in the previous two books.
While this is definitely a Romantic Suspense book, I found myself wanting just a bit more to both aspects. The relationship between Brie and Connor moved a bit fast for me, but I’m usually not a fan of insta-love. This wasn’t that but it felt really quick. The suspense aspect wasn’t super strong mainly because it was confusing at times. There was just a lot going on that was a bit tricky to follow. That being said, it did keep my interest and I basically read this in one sitting. I definitely enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone who likes a good suspense book. I look forward to reading more from Craig. 3.5 stars
Thank you to Forever for an ARC of this book. The opinions here are my own.
In the prologue of this book we learn of Detective Connor Pierce’s demons. The ones he can’t let go. We jump three and half years ahead to today as Brie Ryan is following a Porsche driven by one Dillon Armand. Of course she’s speeding and ends up being pulled over. It doesn’t help that the car she’s driving was ‘borrowed’ from the parking lot of the Black Diamond Strip Club. She almost gets away with it, but the cop gets the word the car was stolen. What happens next was just plain fun, for for her and humiliating for the cop. It also lets us know she is acquainted with Detective Pierce.
Brie had just returned to her car when her cell rang. Caller ID said it was Carlos, her partner. Only it wasn’t him on the other end of the call. A police officer looking for information as to the owner of the phone. What she tells him is not something he wanted to hear. The critically injured man now in surgery, Carlos Olvera, is FBI.
It’s Carlos’ husband Tory who tells her what Carlos hadn’t had a chance to, one of their team is a mole and leaked information on a big case. One that may be connected to the one Brie is looking in to, albeit unofficially since the victim was her sister and the FBI refused to look into it.
Connor and his team Juan Acosta and Mark Sutton work cold cases, but their boss pulls them into Carlos’ attack. He wants answers and an arrest quickly. He knows Connor’s team will do that.
Brie and Connor both know they shouldn’t get involved, but the inevitable happens and then Connor screws it all up. The thing is neither one of them understand that there are more than just a impulse happening.
There are many twists and turns as this story unfolds and several cases intertwine and new ones open.
I truly didn’t see everything wrapping up, but it happened an in a most surprising and interesting way.
Suspenseful, absorbing, and action-packed!
Don’t Look Back is a charged, alluring, pacey thriller that sees FBI agent Brie Ryan working with Anniston Detective Connor Pierce to investigate a possible human trafficking ring operating out of the local strip club and the senseless murder of her estranged half-sister.
The prose is sharp and crisp. The characters are driven, scarred, supportive, and stubborn. And the plot is an ominous, passionate tale filled with twists, turns, familial drama, police corruption, mayhem, abuse, secrets, danger, sizzling attraction, violence, romance, and murder.
So one of the things I use to determine if a book is a 5-star read is how well it holds my attention and when it came to Don’t Look Back, I couldn’t put it down. In fact, halfway through I declared it was going to be a get your own dinner night, to the grumbles of my family, as nothing else was getting done until I finished it. I literally devoured it in one sitting over one afternoon and just kept asking myself several things. Why have I not read this author or series before? Is it too late to put the first two books on my Christmas list? Will my local bookstore carry them?
As you know I never like to give too much away in terms of the plot in my reviews as I always think a book is better if you go into it without expectations but what I will say, in case you haven’t guessed, is I absolutely loved this book, Christie Craig has a new fan, and if you get a chance and love romantic suspense you really need to read this book!
This is the third in the Texas Justice Series. All have strong independent female lead characters. Fast-paced with enough twists and turns to keep you entertained from the beginning through the end.
4.5 Stars
Bree Ryan is a FBI agent working at the Black Diamond strip club while on leave. She’s trying to find whoever killed her sister. One of her fellow agents wanted to help her and ended up getting attacked. Connor Pierce from the Anniston Police Department and his two partners are given the case to investigate and hopefully catch the assailant. Bree and Connor agree to work together and sparks fly. I liked how they both fought their attraction to each other. They make a great couple. There’s lots of action, suspense and surprises in this story. I highly recommend this book!
5 stars
Bree is a FBI agent on leave trying to find the man that killed her half sister. She is in Texas working undercover in a strip joint. The man she believes is the murderer, comes into the club. She gets her partner Carlos to come and help. He gets shot and is in a coma. Now she must find her sister’s killer and the man who shot Carlos. Connor is a cop and works in the cold case department. He and his partners agree to help Bree. Both grew up without fathers and blame themselves for their partners injuries. But as everything starts to come to a head, Connor must figure out if loving Bree is worth the heartache he’s afraid he’ll get.
Excellent story. Did not want to stop reading it. You have action, suspense, humor, and some steamy sex. Bree is tough but with a heart of gold. Connor is sexy and protective. This is the third book in the series. There is a happy ending and several surprises.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a Christie Craig book and now I’m wondering why I’ve let so much time pass by. Don’t Look Back is the third book in her Texas Justice series about three cold case detectives in Texas. In each book one of the detectives meets a woman who changes his life and falls in love. This book is the story of Detective Connor Pierce and FBI agent Brie Ryan. Each of these books can be read as a standalone.
In this story Brie is working undercover at at strip club, trying to find out what happened to her murdered sister. She and Connor are thrown together when her investigation goes bad. They must work together to crack a dangerous human trafficking case. Connor has troubling issues of his own after his partner was killed three years ago, but soon learns that the gutsy and outspoken FBE agent is someone he needs in his life permanently.
This book easily kept my interest and I finished it in one day. It was a good story with likable characters. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read it. I gave it three and a half stars rounded up to four. #NetGalley #DontLookBack