*I received a free copy of Shattered Fear from St. Martin's Paperback via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Shattered Fear by Tara Thomas Series: Sons of Broad #0.5
Published by St. Martin's Paperback on 6 February 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
Pages: 86
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
Welcome to the sultry streets of Charleston, where simmering desire and dark danger rule...
Forbidden love never felt so good...
She’s got a killer to catch.
He just might be it.
Undercover detective Janie Roberts needs to find out for sure if Brent Taylor is a murderer.
Handsome, wealthy, and sexy-as-sin Brent Taylor.
She’s got to get close enough to learn his secrets.
But getting this close is dangerous in more ways than one…
Shattered Fear started out pretty strong, but as the story went on, I found Janie to be a rather weak female character. For a seasoned police officer, she acted more like a damsel in distress than someone who could take control and catch a killer.
Story:
The mystery is pretty strong in Shattered Fear, and I enjoyed how one character remained unknown until the end. Only alluded to as ‘The Gentleman’ the brain behind missing women and murdered dancers never showed his face. Not even to the readers. Apart from the mystery, though, I was left with wanting more. I wanted more character development. More interactions between the protagonists. More of the actual police work.
Characters:
Janie was working as an undercover police officer in a bar / gentlemen’s club from where several women had been kidnapped. She was very easily distracted by Brent, though. And while their chemistry was good, I couldn’t really get into that because Janie didn’t really act like an experienced investigator.
Brent is a rich man, used to having things go his way. And that’s about all I got to know about him.
Writing style :
Third person point of view, past tense with some good dialogues, and Shattered Fear should have blown me away. Sadly, it didn’t. I am very curious about ‘the Gentleman’, though, and I will continue reading this series.
Feels :
I was mostly a bit frustrated. I wanted Janie to be more assertive. In charge, of herself and the situation, instead, she immediately went on to lean on Brent and let him take care of things for her.
He was classically handsome in the guy-next-door look. Of course, she had no idea where that phrase came from; none of her neighbors had ever been half as good-looking.
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.
Yeah, I had the same reaction about Janie. She just didn’t ring true as a cop and an undercover one, at that. I’m crossing my fingers that the main books of the series have more depth to them.
Is it weird that I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who felt this way, Sophia? I just didn’t get how easily she lost all reason when it came to Brent.
Sorry it did not work better for you Lexxie. But yes a police officer looking like a damsel in distress…
Yeah, it almost made her look doubly weak, Sophie. And in the beginning, she was so good!
Twitter: ailynk
oh wow. I kinda like it, just shows versatility?
You should pick it up, Ailyn! There is a lot going on, and if you don’t mind a damsel in distress, you might even love it!
Oh I’m sorry this was a frustrating read for you, Lexxie! I’m frustrated just reading your review. It sounds like such a good concept, but arghhh!
Hope your next read is stronger!
The permise is amazing! But I need more character development – plus I’m not a huge fan of damsels in distress… especially when they are in a position where they’re actually supposed to protect others.
Twitter: Northwomn
Well said. I couldn’t get myself to read further in the series. I had the same frustrations. Anne
I know! I’m continuing with the series, though. I really want to know who the gentleman is!
It does sound like Janie is a hard character to really get behind, since she’s not the strongest. I think the mystery aspect would be what kept me interested as well!
-Lauren
That’s exactly it, Lauren! The mystery aspect was awesome.
The mystery character sounds totally intriguing, but I have no room in my brain for another heroine whose potential awesomeness gets overshadowed by her obsession for a hero. 🙁
It was very intriguing, Aimee. But I just couldn’t with Janie and how she didn’t act like a seasoned detective.
Twitter: kimbacaffeinate
I like the sound of the mystery and gentleman aspect. Sorry, this left you frustrated my friend.
yikes, sorry that the characters did not work for you in this one ;/ I can see why you felt disconnected.
Someone known only as “The Gentleman” seems creepy already… 😮
I’m sorry this didn’t live up to its potential, wifey. They mystery does seem well done but I can understand not being able to get behind a heroine who should be strong – especially since she’s a cop – but just isn’t. Grrr.
Happy Thursday! How is it already Thursday?!? Hope your week is going well. Mine is flying by! 😉 {{{BIG HUGS}}} & LOVE
Ah, I am sorry that Janie didn’t feel like a strong enough character for you. I get what you mean though, because with her role and job you would think she would be able to be a bit more assertive!
I recently posted my review for the three novellas and I can see that we’ve pretty much had the same reaction, which was such a shame. What did you think of Alyssa, instead?