The Fast and the Furious meets Mr. Robot in USA Today bestselling author Megan Erickson’s thrilling new romantic suspense series. Hacker extraordinaire Roarke Brennan lives each hour – each breath – to avenge his brother’s murder. His first move: put together a team of the best coders he knows. They’re all brilliant, specialized, and every one an epic pain in his ass. Only now Wren Lee wants in … an epic pain in his ass. Only now Wren Lee wants in too, threatening to upset their delicate balance. The girl Roarke never allowed himself to want is all grown up with sexy confidence and a dark past … and she’s the wild card he can’t control.
Roarke might still think she’s a kid, but Wren’s been to hell and back. Nothing and nobody can stop her – especially the tatted-up, cocky-as-all-hell hacker. But when years of longing and chemistry collide, Wren and Roarke discover that revenge may be a dish best served blazing hot.
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This is an extraordinary book.. Not only is there a really well thought out story but within that story there’s an arc set up for at least three books! I have lots more to say but it has to wait ….. full review coming soon.
OMG, how did release day get here so fast for Zero Hour?!?! Okay, so it’s time for me to explain why this book was extraordinary for me.
First, the story was edge of your seat anticipatory. Both the suspense tension and the romantic tension were spot on. I also found it twisty enough where I can definitively say that not everything you read is what is … hmmmmm …. So PAY ATTENTION. Seriously ….. pay attention lol
Second, here I was, reading this ridiculously well plotted story, thinking it’s just about one thing when … NO, it’s about multiple things. Here’s where my review gets tricky. I don’t actually want to spoil it for you so I have to be careful what I reveal. This story is SO much more than a simple romantic suspense with a revenge plot. It’s a story of forgiveness and friendship and family . It’s a story of love and hidden truths and smoking mirrors . And If I’m right about the ending of this book, it’s a story that sets up an ARC story-line that will follow thru at least three books in this series . Not all your questions in this book will be answered and even the ones you think were answered … maybe think again lol So PAY ATTENTION 😉 The only think I know for sure is that Wren and Roarke get past their hurdle and take the romantic plunge … suspense wise, hmmmmmmmmmmm ….
Third, Megan Erickson wrote such compelling characters that I was not only invested in Wren and Roarke (our leads) but every single other person in the team. Seriously you guys, this is a team of misfits. Ridiculously talented misfits, but misfits just the same. And I loved every single moment of them. They are all so very unique yet fit together like a well-oiled machine. This is one team of hackers I won’t be forgetting any time soon.
I am so thrilled with not only this story but the stories it set up to come that my gut is telling me it will end up in my top reads for 2018! This is unlike anything I have read by Megan before and altho I don’t want to commit to stating its her best work yet, it’s pretty fucking close!
Original review: https://myshelfbooks.wordpress.com/2018/03/29/zero-hour-megan-erickson/
This book is about a bunch of hackers that want to avenge the murder of one of their own: Roarke’s brother. One of the hackers is Wren, Erick’s sister (another hacker), the love interest of the team leader (Roarke). This is the first time I have ever read a Romantic Suspense book that is not cramped with soldiers everywhere saving the lady in distress over and over again. Man, being a lady in distress must be so annoying… always being kidnapped no matter how many sleep deprived white knights are to look after her… That was sarcastic, by the way. I’m glad Zero Hour avoids all the clichés of this genre.
Okay, okay. Not all of them. Do not worry. Those hackers are all gorgeous hunks… Hitting a keyboard does wonders to your body!! Or al teast it looks like that… I’m ranting again. Sorry! It wouldn’t be a romance book without the proper eye candy, so I’m not annoyed by the one found in this book. If I have to be honest, although they are not soldiers, the author creates some hackers very closed to that profession. Carrying guns and all. Some face to face action is mandatory… otherwise, the book would have been boring. Actually, hacking is pretty underused during the book; so some reader could feel cheated. I’m not one of them, though.
There are two plots in one. Two acts of revenge: the murder of Roarke’s Flynn and the rape of Wren’s friend. Both of them comitted by the same family. The interesting part is that Wren keeps her mission in secret, so now and then she becomes a “rogue” hacker that endangers the success of the main mission. Why does she keep it a secret? I know there is a reason in the book, but doesn’t make any sense to me. I mean, the more the merrier. I have the feeling everything would have been a lot simpler if she would have trusted her brother and friends (the way se claims she does…).
If you are capable of ignoring that, you will find a very enjoyable book with a nice pace and almost a perfect cast of characters. There is a bit of everything thet keeps the plot interesting and the reader engaged. Nothing mindblowing or spectacular, but good enough to leave you with a nice aftertaste. I specially like the spy movie vibe the author uses with the undercover jobs and fake identities and all that.
Which is the worst part of the book, then? Sadly, that “honour” is for the main characters: Roarke and Wren. Their relationship is a mess and unnerving. We kiss, we fight… we kiss, we fight… Over and over the same dance. Such a boring couple… When they finally ended together (it’s not a spoiler… it’s a Romance Book!!), I didn’t care at all. I was waaay more interested in the love lives of other characters like Erick or Jock.
Since the very beginning I knew I wasn’t going to be able to bear Wren and Roarke. Their first sexual encounter happens after Wren runs from Alpha were she was suffering with unrequested groping from one of the book villains. Obviously, she was gross out due to the lack of boundaries. But, what happens when she meets Roarke? The older hacker grope her without asking permission. But that time is hot… yes… of course… why not? In that chapter I couldn’t tell the difference between Roarke and Darren, which was pretty upsetting.
By the way, the book ends with a mild cliffhanger!! I love me some cliffhangers!! The hackers didn’t defeat the biggest baddie, so I guess we’ll see more of him (or her) in future books. Books that, thankfully, are going to be starred by some of the other characters. I can’t wait to read Erick’s book, by the way!!
Zero Hour is the first book in Meghan Erickson’s new Wired and Dangerous series about a group of white hat hackers bent on revenge. Those who love the best friend’s little sister trope will eat this one right up. Roarke and Wren are combustible from the moment they both hit the page. The revenge storyline is compelling and provides the right about of suspense and action to keep the plot moving forward. As this is a series, the revenge storyline doesn’t end with the last page. Readers will have to keep going to find out what happens. This was the first book by Erickson I’ve read and it won’t be the last.
Zero Hour is new a suspenseful hacker series that will have you begging for more.
Roarke is ready to avenge the death of his brother and gets a crew together. Reluctantly Wren is along for the ride and not afraid to put her own life on the line. Roarke and Wren have a history, but also have this passion for each other that is undying.
Megan has a different type of writing style. Usually, I can’t get into stories that aren’t in the first person anymore. I’m not sure why, but it’s happened. She was able to draw me into the story and keep me there. I had to see what would happen next and it’s a pretty wild ride.
Overall, Four Boundless Stars
Ahhh! WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT?!?!?!
Computer hacking, fast paced action and a fabulous romance to boot
Megan Erickson has been on my radar for a while now but I just hadn’t found the time to read any of her books – except for her fabulous newsletter story, Boots, which is now available to purchase under the title Hidden Truths. So Zero Hour was my proper introduction to the fabulousness that is Megan’s writing and she did not disappoint. A group of hackers is brought together to avenge the death of hero – Roarke’s – brother and this group includes Roarke’s best friends sister, Wren – who manages to weasel her way into the group despite Roarke’s protests. Having been out of each other’s lives for over 10 years – when they both had unrequited crushes on the other – the chemistry between the two is palpable and the need for Roarke to protect Wren is capable of destroying everything he’s planned so hard to achieve.
“Standing there in a ball cap, torn jeans, bloody shirt, and a scowl, Roarke Brennan was a dream. Well, if a girl’s dream was a tattooed tech-head who was now glaring at her like he wanted her to disappear.”
I’ve become a recent fan of romantic suspense – after avoiding it for a while – and this storyline does not disappoint. There was plenty of computer based action – this is about a group of hackers after all – but even some real life stuff as well that had me turning pages so fast wanting to know what was going to happen. But the romance, it was there in spades as well. I’m a big fan of friends to lovers (especially ones with childhood crushes involved) and the relationship that begins to develop between Roarke and Wren has the right mix of sexual tension, shared history and a mutual understanding of one another that just makes the romance all the more exciting. For me it was just the right amount of romance to action and suspense, and I was with Roarke and Wren every step of the way!
Finally, this is the first book in Megan’s new Wired and Dangerous series and I’m so glad we’re going to revisit this crew. I’m keen to read Jock’s book (coming next) as he definitely has a few secrets that I want to know. But Marisol, Dade and Erick all intrigue me as well so I’m hoping they all get a happy ending?!?! Either way, I’m excited for where Megan will take us next – because she’s got me hacked…sorry, hooked
nicandbooks rating
Amazon/Goodreads
Holy band of merry misfits! Zero Hour felt like Ocean’s Eleven except a tiny bit darker and…with hackers, obviously. And I loved every minute of it – from the cantankerous personalities, to the good-natured ribbing, to the genuine care that these guys all had for each other. It all resonated and I’m pumped that this is only the first book, and there will be so much more from this series to come!
What’s going on in this story is bigger than a love story (seriously – so much action and suspense!), but Wren and Roarke, you guys. Oof. Talk about palpable chemistry and emotional explosions. I loved them together. I loved the push/pull between them and the way they inevitably gave in because we all know, when the attraction is that fierce, there’s no denying it. And that is a completely joy to read.
But honestly to me? The greatest parts of this book centered around the secondary relationships. Erick’s role in this book nearly broke me but GAH – the emotions hurt so good. I loved how reluctantly loyal this little gang became to each other, and how they’re set up to move forward from here. I loved the action, and the grit, and the hacker insights. I am seriously so excited for more of this. This was such an excellent series starter and I am 1000% in for more!
This was awesome! I loved the build to the romance and the suspense was captivating. I was exciting while and on the edge of my seat!
Roarke is a computer hacker along with some of his friends. They are trying to take down the man who killed his brother. Wren has had a crush on Roarke for years, he and her brother have been best friends since childhood. Wren is after the man who sexually abused her friend and almost raped her. Roarke is after the father and Wren is after the son. So she goes undercover to get close to him and copy stuff off his father’s computer. But a kink cramps their plans and Wren gets kidnapped and Roarke gets shot. Now the crew has to save her and get revenge for their friends death.
Great story. Nerds with guns. Sexy. Action packed suspense.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *
3.75 stars–ZERO HOUR is the first instalment in Megan Erickson’s contemporary, adult WIRED AND DANGEROUS romantic suspense series focusing on a group of computer hackers and coders. This is hacker Roarke Brennan and Wren Lee’s story line-a story line that introduces the players in a dangerous game of betrayal and revenge.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Roarke and Wren) ZERO HOUR follows Roarke Brennan as he gathers a team of expert computer hackers on his way to avenging his brother’s death. Two years earlier Flynn Brennan, hired by the Saltner Defense computer security software company, discovered a situation that would place the world’s computers at risk, and for it, found his life forfeited by the man in charge. Fast forward to present day wherein Roarke Brennan, along with his best friend Erick, and Erick’s sister Wren, set a plan into action to take down the CEO of Saltner Defense -Arden, and his son Darren Saltner. What ensues is the best friend’s little sister / friends to lovers romance between Roarke and Wren, and the fall out when their need for revenge doesn’t go according to plans.
Roarke Brennan has loved his best friend’s little sister for most of his life. Wren Lee was physically off limits but that didn’t stop Roarke from keeping electronic ties on the woman he vowed to protect the rest of his life. Wren Lee knows a thing or two about revenge, and Roarke’s plans are the perfect set up for our heroine to do a little digging of her own.
The relationship between Roarke and Wren is one of palpable sexual attraction but an attraction that is tempered by the best friend’s little sister scenario-a scenario Roarke is quickly willing to push aside the longer Wren is back in his life. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are introduced to Roarke’s crew of computer hackers and coders: Dade Kelly; former army sharpshooter Jamison ‘Jock,’ Bosh, Marisol Rosa; and Wren’s brother, Roarke’s childhood best friend Erick Lee; dance club proprietor Darren Saltner and his father, Arden Saltner, the CEO of Saltner Defense.
ZERO HOUR focuses on the need for revenge; on the betrayal brought about by a software firm willing to sell out to the highest bidder. There is a little bit of action and suspense; romance and love; vengeance and retribution. The premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance involves the push and pull of yes and no, maybe or maybe not; the characters are eclectic and colorful. ZERO HOUR does not end on a cliff-anger but on a HEA for now when bigger players in the game warn the crew about furthering their need for revenge.
Zero Hour is a thrilling read full of suspense, thrills and romance. The characters draw readers in with their strong, compelling presence and the fast paced story keeps the anticipation building throughout.
The story is a bit misleading because you expect it to be more sedate than it is because of the stereo typing belief that hackers are all about their computers. That is definitely not the case here as readers find out almost right off the bat. The hero and heroine, Roarke and Wren are two characters that demand attention and captivate readers with their charismatic personalities that are somewhat expected but are so much more than expected that I just had to get to know them better. Which leads me to their romance, it is full of emotional turmoil which adds lots of depth and tugs at heartstrings.
Now, we get to the thrilling suspense of the story, it is not only fast paced, I have to agree with the “Fast & Furious” feel of the story. It has lots of twists and unexpected surprises that really keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the anticipation builds throughout. Along with the question of whether these characters will let revenge rule their lives, will revenge be enough, will it come between the growing relationship and even the question of whether they will survive?
Zero Hour is the first book that I have read by Megan Erickson and what a great one to start out with. I was glued to the pages from beginning to end and found the world exciting and daring and the author brought it vivid life, so I am looking forward to not only reading the next book in the Wired & Dangerous series but more books by Megan Erickson.