Scout by Janie Crouch
Linear Tactical #

As I began, I kept feeling I had met the characters in this book before and then I twigged to the fact that I HAD read this book as part of an anthology. So, did I put the book down? Nope, not at all! I kept reading and enjoyed every minute of the second read just as much as I did the first.

What I liked:
* Wyatt “Scout” Highfield: strong, focused, patient, knows what he wants, protective, lethal, a force to be reckoned with – perfect for Nadia.
* Nadia MacFarlane: a woman who has suffered much, scarred internally and externally, a good friend, professional, plucky, capable, forgiving, a survivor, good friend to Chloe, ready to life, and perfect with and for Wyatt. She is NOT a pushover.
* The dynamics between Wyatt and Nadia.
* The openness, honesty, and communication between Wyatt and Nadia.
* The strength both main characters showed throughout the story.
* The team scenes and how the team worked together.
* Ray’s skill set and how it was used in this story.
* That there was a happy ending.
* The three epilogues for those who have read previous books in the series.
* That the bad guy did not win.
* Wondering if Mosaic will be taken down and just how it will happen.

What I didn’t like:
* Lexington…you will know why if you read this book.
* Mosaic: I don’t know enough about them but know they are evil and hope they will be taken down in the future.
* Having to say goodbye to the series and now wait till the next book is ready to read.

Did I enjoy this book? Definitely
Would I read more in the series? Without a doubt!

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )

I first read this story in its novella format in the anthology Danger and Desire. Since then, it has been revised and lengthened, with several scenes added to fill in and clarify some of the action. I loved that one of those scenes was an expanded beginning, showing how Wyatt got the item at the center of his trouble. Some of the names and details have been altered, but it is still a pulse-pounding opening.

Nadine is a virtual personal assistant, enabling her to maintain her hermit-like life while still making a living. She first appeared in Survival Instinct as Chloe's best friend and was rescued from a dire situation by Wyatt. Since that event, Nadine has worked on healing from the emotional and physical trauma she experienced. Part of that healing is the email friendship she enjoys with Wyatt. Wyatt has waited patiently on her recovery as he longs to spend more time with her.

When Nadine encounters Wyatt at the local farmers' market, she thinks Fate has brought them together. She's finally ready to let Wyatt know of her interest in him. But Wyatt is in deep trouble, on the run for his life, with information crucial to stopping a human trafficking ring. He dreads bringing danger to her door but desperately needs her help.

I loved this story. It was a tight, gripping tale of suspense, healing, and romance. I loved how comfortable Nadine and Wyatt were with each other, talking easily and sharing activities. I felt terrible for both of them when Nadine told Wyatt of her feelings, and he couldn't respond the way he wanted to because of the guilt he felt over what he was hiding. When danger comes calling, Wyatt has to come clean about those secrets. I ached for Nadine because she had just started to trust her judgment and now wonders if she was taken for a fool again. I loved how Wyatt worked so hard to show Nadine what an amazing woman she is. She soon learns that she's much stronger than she thinks she is, and I loved seeing her blossom under adversity. The ending was great with love and laughs and happiness.

The suspense of the story was terrific. It began with Wyatt's meeting with the man with the computer drive and hurtled forward at a breathtaking pace. I could feel Wyatt's worry about bringing danger to Nadine while dodging the bad guys at the market and trying to keep the truth from her. That all fell apart the next morning when she dropped him off at a hotel but then got worried when he didn't answer her call. I thought she was incredible as she pulled off an unexpected rescue - loved the pepper spray! - right under the bad guys' noses. From a house on fire to a chase through the woods, my heart rate never got a chance to settle. It was great to see the Linear Tactical folks get involved - a terrific scene at the diner - with their incredible teamwork. The final confrontation was a nail-biter, especially the last part.

Another added scene came at the end of the book. In the previous book, Redwood, Gavin met and fell in love with Lexi Johnson. In the book Survival Instinct, Lexi's real name was Alexandra Adams, an actress. In that book, some of her actions were partly responsible for the injuries Nadine and her friend Chloe suffered. Lexi paid her debt to society for her actions and has since turned her life around. Nadine knows that to completely move on with her life, she has to face Lexi. I loved that conversation and the depth of emotion and understanding it portrayed.

Included at the end of Scout are three bonus epilogues. All three epilogues take place on the same day but involve different couples. The first one was originally published as part of Phoenix and centers around Girl Riley and Boy Riley. The second was part of Baby and concerned him and Quinn, while the third one is new and belongs to Dorian (Ghost) and Ray. All three are emotional as each couple receives unexpected and potentially worrisome news. The last one also had some intense moments with a surprise at the end. I loved how the Linear Tactical crew worked together to protect Ray's privacy. ( )