Scan barcode
A review by cece_rants_raves_reviews
Illicit Intent by Debbie Baldwin
3.0
**I was provided with an ARC for an honest review**
This series is pretty easy to enjoy with its creative Military mystery shenanigans but could be just as easy to hate on with hallmark syndrome
So Imma review this as a fun romantic suspense book that didn't take itself seriously
I really enjoyed this book more than the first one because the Characters actually wanted to engage with each other. AND THERE WAS A FUCKING TRANS* PROSTITUTE, SHE WAS HILARIOUS
Miller “Tox” Buchanan, the Navy Seal with a dark past... no seriously haha
Calliope Garland, the free spirit investigating journalist. She has lived everywhere and just never really had times for friends or ties.. till the Bishop Security Boiiiis
The majority of the book focuses on how she starts to feel part of the team, and I loved the dynamic of this group! She began to find the camaraderie and friendship she severely missed traveling the world.
BUT THAT HANDSHAKE! A GODDAMN HANDSHAKE GUYS!
The absolute gem of this book is we get some real development occurring *yay*
Contrasting with the ice queen of the first book, Calliope was a warm summer breeze. As readers, we really got to know our heroine better which I adore. She shares her dreams and jobs which creatively built up to the military badass mystery plot of the book itself
We interact with the Bishop Security group more, which really allowed for more development of those characters individually and as a group
This book totally addressed some character connection lacking in the first book by giving both more spotlight, showing how both characters clearly want each other and hate their distance but aren't sure how to connect
The mystery
For fun romantic suspense, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of plot and built-up. There were like 3 different mysteries going on!
It kinda felt like telenovela-worthy mysteries that leave you wanting more. The Bishop Security has a unique backstory that I’m excited to see how it's developed. The romance isn’t a total smut fest *bummer* and there are some lines that are pretty fucking funny.
"Need a lift?” Steady smiles from the passenger seat
Tox grinned, "We could probably walk. That fucker is big as a glacier and twice as slow"
"Not his bullets, dipshit let’s go"
A real strong female lead, great-world building, and unique side characters that each added to the story that FORESHADOWS FOR LATER BOOKS! its just so beautiful *chef's kiss*
The critiques
I struggled with the POVs. The story is told in the third person. And it switched characters *quite* often to cover all the events happening AROUND our MCs. Which was great at times as lili snippets to provide info ... But when I was ready to go back to our main story-- we had yet another side plot to address
I really kinda hate when some authors try to give EVERY friggeeenn character a chapter with their POVs *it’s 2 much please stawp*
Overall.
Well-fucking done. Everything I saw potential in the first book -- the unique premise, the fun characters, and pacing --was strengthened in this second book. But more importantly, the author clearly worked on some of the failings of the first book. Where the heroine's personality of the first book felt like ice and lacked connection, the second book worked to strengthen the reader's connection with our MCs. Where the first book felt overwhelming with all these names of people I’ve never friggen met and the heroine didn't know either, the second book purposefully showed how these characters are connected to each other and have a group dynamic. That's the sign of a damn good writer who is able to adapt and continually improve so that the writing style can accurately showcase the dynamic characters and dangerous plot they want it to.
It was just a really good, borderline dark, romance-driven by mystery development and some sexy sexy fun times that I recommend checking out if you just want a fun love story with danger imma marine overtones.
Also just an FYI, this is NOT a sequel!! The Bishop Security books are set in the same universe but are individual stories and don't need to be read in order ...
This series is pretty easy to enjoy with its creative Military mystery shenanigans but could be just as easy to hate on with hallmark syndrome
So Imma review this as a fun romantic suspense book that didn't take itself seriously
I really enjoyed this book more than the first one because the Characters actually wanted to engage with each other. AND THERE WAS A FUCKING TRANS* PROSTITUTE, SHE WAS HILARIOUS
Miller “Tox” Buchanan, the Navy Seal with a dark past... no seriously haha
Calliope Garland, the free spirit investigating journalist. She has lived everywhere and just never really had times for friends or ties.. till the Bishop Security Boiiiis
The majority of the book focuses on how she starts to feel part of the team, and I loved the dynamic of this group! She began to find the camaraderie and friendship she severely missed traveling the world.
BUT THAT HANDSHAKE! A GODDAMN HANDSHAKE GUYS!
The absolute gem of this book is we get some real development occurring *yay*
Contrasting with the ice queen of the first book, Calliope was a warm summer breeze. As readers, we really got to know our heroine better which I adore. She shares her dreams and jobs which creatively built up to the military badass mystery plot of the book itself
We interact with the Bishop Security group more, which really allowed for more development of those characters individually and as a group
This book totally addressed some character connection lacking in the first book by giving both more spotlight, showing how both characters clearly want each other and hate their distance but aren't sure how to connect
The mystery
For fun romantic suspense, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of plot and built-up. There were like 3 different mysteries going on!
It kinda felt like telenovela-worthy mysteries that leave you wanting more. The Bishop Security has a unique backstory that I’m excited to see how it's developed. The romance isn’t a total smut fest *bummer* and there are some lines that are pretty fucking funny.
"Need a lift?” Steady smiles from the passenger seat
Tox grinned, "We could probably walk. That fucker is big as a glacier and twice as slow"
"Not his bullets, dipshit let’s go"
A real strong female lead, great-world building, and unique side characters that each added to the story that FORESHADOWS FOR LATER BOOKS! its just so beautiful *chef's kiss*
The critiques
I struggled with the POVs. The story is told in the third person. And it switched characters *quite* often to cover all the events happening AROUND our MCs. Which was great at times as lili snippets to provide info ... But when I was ready to go back to our main story-- we had yet another side plot to address
I really kinda hate when some authors try to give EVERY friggeeenn character a chapter with their POVs *it’s 2 much please stawp*
Overall.
Well-fucking done. Everything I saw potential in the first book -- the unique premise, the fun characters, and pacing --was strengthened in this second book. But more importantly, the author clearly worked on some of the failings of the first book. Where the heroine's personality of the first book felt like ice and lacked connection, the second book worked to strengthen the reader's connection with our MCs. Where the first book felt overwhelming with all these names of people I’ve never friggen met and the heroine didn't know either, the second book purposefully showed how these characters are connected to each other and have a group dynamic. That's the sign of a damn good writer who is able to adapt and continually improve so that the writing style can accurately showcase the dynamic characters and dangerous plot they want it to.
It was just a really good, borderline dark, romance-driven by mystery development and some sexy sexy fun times that I recommend checking out if you just want a fun love story with danger imma marine overtones.
Also just an FYI, this is NOT a sequel!! The Bishop Security books are set in the same universe but are individual stories and don't need to be read in order ...