Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Audible
He showed up at Arden Bowie’s debut author appearance with a copy of her novel and an eager smile. He showered her with compliments and got her autograph. Then he came to her next event. And the one after that.
Dustin was just an aspiring writer who wanted advice, Arden reassured herself. But after giving in to one of his incessant invitations and chatting with him over coffee, she discovered that ignoring her inner alarm bell had been a terrible mistake…
An introvert at heart, Arden had long craved solitude—but now, after a harrowing assault, she finds herself hiding behind locked doors and startling at every sound. And her relief at his imprisonment is tempered by anxiety when Dustin’s wealthy mother helps to get him a paltry five-year sentence at a psychiatric facility.
Arden decides to write a new story for herself, moving to a tiny Oregon town and befriending Gideon, an ex-LAPD detective. But while she learns to thrive, Dustin remains his delusional, twisted self, as fixated as ever and now seething with anger. He still believes Arden's purpose on earth is to serve and please him. And his job is to protect her. But who will protect her from him?
With its survivor heroine, protective hero, and despicable villain, The Final Target is classic Nora Roberts romantic suspense. It’s the tale of Arden Bowie, a young author who survived a stalker and didn’t let his attack destroy her. With the help of her family, she healed, moved forward in life, and now she and her dog have moved to Oregon to get a fresh start. Said start involves a new home, new friends to go with her beloved family close by, and a handsome ex-cop who’s good with his hands. But underneath the joy in her life, Arden knows the clock is ticking. Dustin, the violent stalker, was only given five years and his release date is coming up…and his obsession with Arden never ended.
If you’re familiar with Roberts’s books, it won’t surprise you that this one has a healthy dose of home renovation, cooking and gathering with friends and family, and adorable dogs. While this story doesn’t offer something dramatically different, it’s highly enjoyable. Arden, Gideon, and their loved ones are delightful and I enjoyed spending time with them. The romance between Gideon and Arden is understated but lovely. The two of them fit each other extremely well and it was easy to see how their lives just slid together.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from our protagonists we have Dustin, who is – as one might expect – a monster. He’s selfish, cruel, misogynistic, delusional, and violent. His fixation on Arden is what adds the suspense to the romantic suspense, so even if his point of view chapters made my skin crawl there wouldn’t be a story without him. All in all, The Final Target is a solid romantic suspense that will keep you engaged from beginning to end.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
0 comments:
Post a Comment