I never imagined I’d get caught in the crossfire between the D.E.A. and the Mexican cartel. After a failed kidnapping attempt, a bodyguard attaches himself to my hip. Why does it have to be Victor: my best friend’s brother?It doesn’t matter that I’ve had a crush on him since I was sixteen; we rub each other the wrong way. Except now that we’re forced together something changes between us. I trust … us. I trust Victor to keep me safe, but can I trust him with my heart?
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Victor can handcuff me!
Hot cop + sister best friend = hella romance!!!
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Overall rating:
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
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This is book 2 in the Love Undercover series, Estelle and Victor’s story. Even though it is book 2 you can read this as a standalone.
Estelle is Victor’s sister, Ines’, best friend. She has not had an easy go of things. Her parents are pretty horrible and she has had to take care of herself. The Rodriguez family were more a family to her than her own. Not only has she had a tough time growing up but now she is in trouble. In steps Victor, our !
Victor is our alpha, sexy, cop that vows to keep Estelle safe. He has always had feelings for Estelle but she kept him at a distance but when Estelle is in danger, he brings her home so he can protect her. Hmmm, a perfect opportunity for some line crossing!!
This book is a great romantic suspense. The story is engaging, the characters intriguing and things aren’t all insta! I am truly enjoying the heck out of this series and I can’t wait for the next book!! Grab this book, I don’t think you will be disappointed!
This was the first book I’ve read by L.K. Shaw and I will definitely be checking out the rest of her books.
Estelle grew up with Victor. His sister is her best friend. So when she finds herself living with Victor and his family of police officers after a failed kidnapping for protection, Estelle finds that her feeling for Victor begins to flourish from best friend’s big brother to something more.
Victor is fighting the feelings he’s had for Estelle since she was 16. But his main concern is to protect her from whoever is trying to take her. There have been too many close calls – and he’s determined to keep her safe and catch the man he thinks is tying this all together with his sister having to go into hiding.
This book was full of suspense and action. I loved Victor from the start. Estelle has her own set of issues from growing up – but who better to be by her side than the man who grew up with her and has always been a protector for her.
Striking Distance was a great read and even though I didn’t read the first book in the series the book was easy to follow and read. But now I need to go back and read book one!
5 “She fit perfectly in my arms, her soft curves against my hard edges” stars
*ARC generously provided by the author and I’m leaving an honest review*
This book (and series) should read every romance/romantic suspense lover. The plot is so cleverly well-developed and well-written. The writing just flowed and had me engrossed to the story from start to finish wanting to find out what happens next. I enjoyed every minute of it and never wanted it to end. I fell for the characters primary and secondary because it’s so easy to love them and identify with them. In my opinion all the characters were the heart of the story because they were so engaging and made me want to know more about them. The characters are complex; the plot is strong and unpredictable. I loved that it was written in first person, dual POV so I know what both characters – Victor and Estelle – were thinking at the specific time or moments. The author knew how to develop, create the storyline and make you fall in love with her words, plot and the characters demanding your attention. It was enjoyable read with so many twists and turns, while delivering an intense and passionate romance – love story between Victor and Estelle that I devoured in one sitting. This book was such a page turner, gripping, gritty and steamy, but also sweet, funny, heartwarming and at times heartbreaking story.
Victor and Estelle are truly amazing together. The chemistry and tension between Victor and Estelle was everything. I liked them from the moment they interacted the first time. They lit the pages with their chemistry. They are each other’s match; sinfully sexy and intense. He can’t explain what exactly is about her that gets to him; he just knows that he is drawn to her. With danger surrounding them, he vowed to keep her safe. Victor is charming (when he wants to be lol), loving, caring, loyal, broody; but also jaded from the past and doesn’t trust easily. Estelle is loving, caring, fighter, survivor, vulnerable, loyal and jaded from the past. Separately they are beautiful mess, together they are perfectly imperfect. Neither of them in the beginning is looking for a relationship, but also can’t deny the strong connection they feel or the chemistry. They are passionate, a little bit angsty and intense. I loved their banter which was a highlight to getting to know them and my reading. They had a lot going on. I love their moments and dialogues and banter; how they are just drawn to each other, how gradually they let each other in and began to trust each other. They simply understand each other. Maybe they don’t make sense but when they are together – they are just perfect and exactly what they need in order to heal and move on from the scars of their past. Their love story is not perfect. It’s layered, fast paced, real, emotional, with depth and edge. The pace of the story added to their romance and to them figuring out place in life and new circumstances of situation. It was flirty, fun, touching, heartbreaking and heartwarming.
This is the second book in LK Shaw’s Love Undercover series but it can be read as a standalone. In my opinion it’s more enjoyable if it’s read from the first book In Too Deep because you get a feel of other characters and get to know them – some superficially some as the main characters as it’s their story. It kept my attention at all times and I could not put it down. With an effortless writing, awe-inspiring details, suspenseful storyline with mystery, intensity, romance and emotional rollercoaster the author takes us on an emotional and beautiful journey of the characters and allows us into their minds and hearts; to see them who they were and what they have become. I recommend it.
When his sister’s best friend, Estelle, finds herself in danger, Victor assigns himself her protector, and dormant feelings between the two flare to life.
Estelle has crushed on her friend’s brother since she was a teen, and being thrown into uncomfortably close proximity to him now isn’t helping that crush. But there’s someone out there who’s trying to get to her, and it will only add to the intense feelings that she is starting to realize Victor shares with her.
I always love reading friend’s brother and brother’s friend romances, and this one is particularly good. Victor is alpha af, and Estelle gives as good as she gets. She’s sweet but no wilting wallflower. Throw in lots of suspense and action to go along with their hot chemistry – what a ride!
This book has everything you could want! There’s enough drama, suspense, twists and turns, danger, action and romance that keeps you reading end! Estella and Victor were made for each other. They both had feelings for each other but didn’t act on them until danger brought them together. Victor was going to do everything in his power to protect her. Striking Distance is a fantastic book in the Love Undercover series! I can’t wait for the next book in this amazing series!
This well-written romantic suspense is absolutely fantastic & can be read as a standalone. The plot is full of intrigue & certainly kept my attention until the end. The characters are likable with good chemistry between them.
There is: a feisty female teacher (Estelle) is almost kidnapped & her friend’s (Ines) brother & secret crush (Victor) decides to protect her but there is trouble on the way, twists & turns, drama, suspense, family issues, cartel/mafia, drug wars, law enforcement, abduction, secrets, action, adventure, danger, threats, confrontations, conflict, violence, deceit, betrayal, corruption, memories, anguish, protectiveness, vengeful feelings, discovery, suspicions, manipulations, compromises, contentment & a satisfying conclusion with a very interesting epilogue.
Every time I think LK Shaw can’t outdo herself, she does!! I’ve followed this author from her first book and I can honestly say, with every book she grows more and more as an author and I look forward to each book. This is the second book in the Love Undercover series and I loved it. Drama, mystery, intrigue and a lot of action fill this book and it kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. Estelle and Victor are hot together but their’s is a rocky start. He becomes her body guard when she is almost kidnapped and while she doesn’t like this fact, you can tell there are feelings simmering between that will have to be resolved at some point. It will keep you on the “edge of your seat” as you go on this journey with them. And while the characters from the first book make an appearance, you don’t have to read it to understand the story. Just get the book, curl up in a comfy chair, have some wine handy and let your imagination take you into Estelle and Victor’s story.
OMG
Did not think it would get better than Ines and Brody.
This book had me riveted to my chair.
The love Estelle & Victor had for each other was noticable to everyone except themselves.
Estelle never knew what love was and Victor had to work to tear down the walls she had built around her heart.
The twists and turns this book took while all this was happening was great.
I am just wondering now how she will top this one.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Victor and Estelle have known one another all their lives. In fact Victors sister Ines is Estelle’s closest friend. When there is an attempted kidnapping of Estelle she moves into the home of her childhood friends and family for safety. The entire family is in law enforcement and it is safer for her than living alone. It just so happens to be Victors family. Victor and Estelle both harbor hidden feelings for each other. As the danger grows their feelings become impossible to dismiss. This book was the right amount on intrigue and romance. Loved watching the relationship between these two grow, while the mystery unraveled. Nice mix of action and romance. Victor is amazing. Very fun read!
There is everything here from drama, suspense, angst, somewhat forbidden romance, and so much passion I swore my heart was going to explode. I couldn’t put this down and most of the time with this I was on edge just waiting for the next even. Estelle and Victor are smoking!
Estelle has closed herself off from love. She has never been in a relationship. She has had many an overnight visitor, but by morning they normally disappear. Her parents showed her at a very young age, that love was not all that it seemed. And she feels as though she is safer, if she continues on through life closed off from loving connections.
Victor has been in love with Estelle since she was sixteen and he was eighteen. She is his sister’s best friend, and they have always just been together because of the closeness in age.
Estelle is in danger, and Victor will stop at nothing to keep her safe. With him working hard to protect her, they begin to see each other and their feelings grow for each other.
Loved it. I am so looking forward to the next book.
Way to write a story here! If I was an Author I’d wanna be like LK Shaw……she gives all the feels with her books and 99% of the time she gets me in some way! I mean not like I don’t love it because honestly I like having a story that’s not the same old formula all the time…..I have the patience of a 2 year old on a sugar high, lol.
But about the story…..Estelle has maybe, possibly had a thing for Victor all these years. But for a woman who doesn’t trust relationships or any kind of love it’s never gonna happen. When life throws a curve at her and it’s Victor to the rescue can these two manage to overcome her past, keep her safe and still have some kind of a relationship???
Absolutely loved this and if you haven’t read book one you’ll be fine, only thing is now you’ll want to go dive into it as well! Highly recommend this!!
I’ve read books by this author before and I really like her style of writing and I really enjoyed this book too. I read it in one sitting it’s fantastic.
This book is book 2 in this series love undercover series. Book #2 Striking Distance
Estelle has had a lot of hurt and sadness in her life especially from her parents, Estelle is used to taking care of herself and doing what she had, she never wanted to rely on anyone for anything.
Victor is a very sexy, strong alpha male and he really cares for Estelle and she is his sisters best friend. Victor is a cop and when there is an attempted kidnapping on Estelle he vows to totally protect her no matter what. When he takes Estelle to the Rodriguez house the place where she’s actually spent a lot of her time before this, things begin to happen and while he is protecting her lines do become very blurred. Victor has had feelings for her for a while silently
They both start to start to have feelings for one another and even for Estelle who never wanted to fall in love cant deny her feelings that are developing.
I really loved these characters and I was really rooting for them right until the end. There Is a lot of chemistry and a very strong connection between them both, they are very intense in a sexy kind of way this book will keep you hooked right until the end. I really cant wait for the next instalment in this series. I recommend this book to everyone when it gets released,
This book will keep you turning the pages right from the beginning and it is a real romance book, I really like this authors books and I will be defiently be recommending and reading more of her books to everyone.
Thank you to the author and the publishers for allowing me to read an early copy of this book.
ARC provided in exchange or an honest review.
This book is out now.
L.K. Has done it again and wrapped us up in a world of suspense and intrigue. Victor and Estelle are solid characters, trying to navigate a world where they fight their enemies and deal with their feelings for each other. Estelle doesn’t do relationships. Her parents are messed up addicts who didn’t care about her at all. She spent more time at the Rodriguez house then at her own. When Estelle’s life is threatened and she goes to stay with at the Rodriguez house, things with Victor change. When did she start seeing him as something more than her best friends brother? But he is more. So much more.
This book has it all, just like your typical LK book does! Suspense, passion, humor, and all the feels. Add in some strong bad guys, a great ending and good secondary characters and I’m hooked on this new series. Can’t wait for more!
Striking Distance is the 2nd book in L.K.Shaw’s Love Undercover series. This continues Victor and Estelle’s story. Although this is bk 2, this can be read as a standalone.
The plot is fantastic, action is packed and flows from start to finish; the chemistry between the main characters is sizzling.
Victor and Estelle’s story isn’t an easy one. There’s drama, angst, revenage, suspense, secrets, intrigue and of course- romance. Great read and I look forward to reading more in this series.
My Rating: 4.4 stars *********
Ms. Shaw is a definite go to for me! I have not read one of her stories that I was not thoroughly and satisfyingly entertained. The depth of her characters make me feel like I’ve known them forever. And, yes, enjoyed Estelle, but, have another new book boyfriend! Thanks Victor for being a totally awesome alpha (not over-bearing!) Good thing my husband is not jealous of my book boyfriends, LOL!
If you enjoy a great romantic suspense, I think you might enjoy this story!
I received an advanced reader copy, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This book could be succinctly described as amazing. Victor is gentle, protective, sexy, swoonworthy, the kind of man I would think anyone would dream of as a protector, and Estelle – imagine growing up with those men as your best friend’s brothers! Estelle is relationship-averse (with the parents from hell), while Victor sees a future with her, when he is one of the first responders to her attempted kidnapping. Although this is the second in the series, you don’t need to have read the first to both follow and enjoy this book, although you may find you go off and grab it when you’ve finished reading Striking Distance. I can’t think of a single fault in this book, other than that I wanted Victor to leap off the page to me (I know I know!). The characters are, typically for LK Shaw, engaging and well developed; the storyline is gripping and fast; and wow, there is heat. It deserves more than those 5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily because it is un-put-down-able.
Striking Distance is the perfect combination of good writing, a storyline filled with suspense and intrigue, and memorable characters that have smoking hot chemistry together!
It is a faced paced story as Victor, a cop, tries to protect Estelle after too many dangerous coincidences are happening around her. In order to keep her safe they are now staying under the same roof. Estelle is his sisters best friend so they have history together but after dancing around a mutual attraction towards each other for years, being near each other constantly lights a fire under both of them and they can’t resist their feelings anymore.
This is the 2nd book in this amazing series and is Estelle and Victor’s story. When Estelle is nearly kidnapped Victor is her bodyguard, only problem being that he is her best friends’ brother and she had always had a crush on him. This is a wonderful story which had me on tenterhooks throughout, and is an intense, complicated, action packed, suspenseful read, which had me totally captivated throughout this addictive page turner. I highly recommend this talented authors’ work for all.
LOVED!!! Victor and Estelle’s is amazing! From beginning to end you are completely caught up in their story! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! This is a nonstop, action-filled plot with amazing characters! I cannot love this book enough!!