*I received a free copy of Final Siege from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
Final Siege by Scarlett Cole Published by St. Martin's Press on 30 January 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Pages: 300
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
IN THE LINE OF FIRE…
Former SEAL Malachai “Mac” MacCarrick is all about the future he’s created with his Navy brothers in Eagle Securities, taking assignments in the most dangerous places, and doing things no one but ex-military would attempt. But when an urgent phone call brings his troubled past—and the woman he once loved—into the present, it’s a chance to redeem himself that he can’t refuse.
STRAIGHT TO THE HEART…
An investigative journalist researching an explosive story, Delaney Shapiro tells herself she got over Mac—and his role in her brother’s death—a long time ago. But the first moment she sees him at her bedside in an overseas hospital, she knows it’s not true. Every moment together rekindles the desire that once burned between them, and now that she’s a target for an emerging Russian arms dealer, Mac won’t let her out of his sight. To protect her, he’ll risk it all—including his life…
Final Siege had everything I love in a romantic suspense! There was, indeed a lot of suspense, a bit of anguish, some romance, and a lot of past hurt to resolve.
Story:
Final Siege was such a great story – Cole is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors for romantic suspense. Delaney was alluded to in Under Fire, and getting to meet her was such a treat! Especially because she was not in a good situation when Mac finally caught up to her after years of them not seeing each other.
One of the things I loved the most in Final Siege was the unresolved feelings and relationship between Mac and Delaney. Especially because they could have cleared everything up ages ago if they had only taken the time – and courage – to sit down together for a conversation.
One of the main themes in Final Siege is guilt. The guilt Mac felt after his best friend died in a diving accident. The guilt Delaney felt after her brother died, and she blamed Mac. Leaving him to fend for himself and his grief on his own.
When fate – and Delaney – brings the two of them back in the same orbit, there is chemistry. But there is so much more than that. It was easy to feel that they had history together, and that if they were able to let go of the past, they could be really good together.
The suspense part of Final Siege was really well done. Even as Mac and his friends and colleagues started to unravel the mystery with Delaney’s help, there was a lot more to figure out. And Delaney was not the kind of woman to stay behind and let the men do all the hard work. Of course, this only made me love her more, because she did this in such a smart way.
If you’re a fan of romantic suspense, you should pick up Under Fire right now, and then get Final Siege on release day;)
Characters:
Mac was the tough, gruff guy I just wanted to get to know better. I just had this feeling that underneath his hard exterior, there was a beautiful heart.
Delaney was the female character I have dreamt of meeting for a long time! She was smart, strong, level-headed, fair, and very organised. When push came to shove, she was able to set her fear aside to make sure she would manage to stay safe.
Writing style :
Final Siege is written in third person, past tense. There are chapters that show either Delaney’s or Mac’s point of view, and the narration also includes dialogues that helped me get to know all the characters better with each chapter.
Feels :
Oh my gosh, my feels! There was fear, there was hope, there was love, there was stubbornness, there was happiness, wariness, apprehension… If you can name another feeling, I probably felt that one, too!
He was right, and it irritated her. As did the way his T-shirt stretched across his biceps. She was still all kinds of raw from waking up in his arms on the plane. At first, she’d savored it, and then she’d remembered.
How much? Couldn’t she see he didn’t want his stupid money back? Or his place back. He wanted her back. The old her. The new her. All the different hers there were going to be in the future.
His duty and his love, two sides of the same coin.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: ailynk
awww.. final book of the series! Was it bittersweet or are you going to reread it anyway?
It actually isn’t the last book in the series, there is at least one other coming out. This title has more to do with something that happens 😉 And I definitely might re-read this, it’s that good!
Twitter: ailynk
oh, hmm.. i guess it’s fair point that it is related to the story and not a ploy to get people reading
Romantic suspense is my fave kinda contemporary romance!
Me, too, Stephanie! And this series is really well done!
Always good when the books bring out the feels!
Yes, that’s what I enjoy the most, Nina.
This sounds really good! I will have to look into Under Fire now too. Great review!!!
Oh yeah! I hope you’ll pick them both up, and that you’ll enjoy them as much as I did.
I love tis genre and always looking for new authors. I have to tell my sister about this one too!
It’s a great series, Laura, and Scarlett Cole does romantic suspense very well.
Twitter: nadz1809
One of my favourite genres. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. It sounds awesome.
It really is, Nadene 🙂
It sounds like both of these characters have been through a lot. I haven’t read Scarlett Cole yet but this series sounds like it would be worth a read. Glad you enjoyed it as much as you did.
They have been through a lot, Carole, but they have worked with it for as long as possible. You need to pick up a Scarlett Cole book 😉
I haven’t read any of her books yet, but I really like romantic suspense and if it’s a roller-coaster ride of emotions, then you definitely know I’m in! Of course, I’ll have to check the other instalments in the series as well 😉
There’s only one prior book, Silvia, and I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy Cole’s stories and characters 😉
*pushing books Silvia’s way*
Oh wow, MINE!!! Romantic suspense is one of my TOP sub genres, Lexxie. I need to read this one!!! Awesome review, my friend. ❤️???
Yes, you do need to read this, Geybie – it’s exactly your kind of book!
Miscommunication or lack of communication is just one of those things which often leads to problems or unresolved issues in real life… and I am not surprised it is what has caused so much pain here in their relationships. But it seems like things happen which leads to them both being freed from the past for second chances… which sounds sweet.
Yeah, and sometimes, it’s easier to stay away from people than dealing with those hard feelings that can be so difficult to process. Plus, second chances are among my favorite romance tropes. Because there is history between the characters, their romance also seem so realistic to me – and that was the case here.