Fast-paced suspense with nearly nonstop action that kept me glued to the pages well past my bedtime. I could not put it down until I had finished reading it. This book has two targets. Rory, as a member of the hotshot team experiencing attacks by a saboteur, and Brittney, a reporter determined to unearth the truth behind the plane crash that only Rory and Ethan (Hotshot Hero in Disguise) survived. The book opens with Rory in a coma because of an attack at the firehouse, followed by Brittney receiving threats to stop her investigation.

Brittney is like a dog with a bone in that she refuses to back down. Despite the threats, she heads back to Northern Lakes to try to talk to Rory and Evan again. She is shot at and wrecks, ending up in the hospital just as Rory is being released. Instead of avoiding her like he intended, Rory is talked into watching over her until her brother arrives. That includes keeping her from haring off to investigate her crash. Rory has good reason to avoid Brittney. He has secrets that could get him killed if they come out. He also can't deny the unexpected and unwelcome need to protect her.

I loved watching Rory and Brittney team up. Initially, there is some distrust between them. Brittney knows Rory is hiding something big and won't give up until she uncovers it. Rory believes that Brittney would sell her soul for a story without regard for its consequences. As they worked together to identify the attacker, Brittney and Rory became closer and protective of each other. The attacks escalated in frequency and intensity, leading Rory to take desperate measures to keep them safe. Rory's confession was not what I expected and added to my respect for him. The final confrontation was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. I could feel Rory and Brittney's fear for each other's safety as they faced their unexpected foe. I loved the ending and seeing them admit their feelings for each other.

The book begins and ends with scenes involving the saboteur targeting the hotshot team. It is now clearly a fellow member, but we must determine which one. The pool of possibilities is shrinking, and I can't wait to discover who it is and why they are doing it.

#netgalley ( )