★★★★★ @JulieGarwood #GraceUnderFire #NetGalley #MustRead
I adored this book. I am loving this series as it is hitting all the points I love about romantic suspense with a touch of law enforcement men. I have already read this book several times since I first received it. Grace Isabel MacKenna is truly a woman who is Grace under Fire. This story is ridiculously good with characters I fell in love with.
Let's start with Grace who goes by Isabel. She reminds me of a friend who spent her last few years in high school taking care of her ailing father who ultimately passed before she graduated. This is something that is so hard to imagine and what she shared with me in her moments of sorrow and pain resonates with what Isabel experiences. This immediately makes Isabel relatable to me. Her dreams and why she elected not to go forward with them are soul-rending. I do find her viral youtube fame to be realistic and her realizing what she really wants in life as the story progresses is wonderful.
This story moves at a fast pace because within a few chapters, Isabel goes through some big trauma that has me blinking. I'm impressed and wish that if I were ever in the same situation, I would be as calm and collected. Her "mishap" brings forth a man she wanted to avoid. A man that spurred her for no reason she could understand. She wasn't even dating him or asked to date him. This man is Michael Buchanan. Let's talk about Michael. He is . . . unbelievable. He not only retired from the Navy as a Navy SEAL, but he has a law degree. In addition, he is looking to start his career with perhaps the FBI. This is completely unrealistic at this young age. But is it? I would have thought this was a fantasy until I learned about Jonny Kim this last year.
Let's talk about Jonny Kim. At the age of 32, he was already a SEAL and HARVARD Medical Doctor. Keep in mind, that it takes 8 years to earn your doctor's degree. A law degree takes 2 years. So if you take 32 minus 6, he would have been 26 if he was a SEAL and a lawyer. So Michael being an overachiever is actually plausible at this young age. Is this intimidating? Yes. For Isabel, it is because she wasn't sure what she wants to do with her life and she doesn't feel as accomplished.
The chemistry between Isabel and Michael is hot. They have a slight enemies-to-lovers situation but not exactly. Michael is conflicted and whilst he may be accomplished in his work life, and his personal life I want to smack him upside the head, several times.
Whilst Isabel is trying to figure out what she wants to do post-graduation, she also travels to Scotland. I love Scotland. The shenanigans that occur there are crazy. I loved it. Isabel and how people unload their problems on her is hilarious. I completely know the feeling. I adored this book from beginning to end. Just writing this review makes me want to go re-read passages I liked. This contemporary romance with a dash of suspense is highly recommended to everyone.
*provided by NetGalley
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