4 stars

I like this series a lot, and have come to love these characters. I struggled with this book though. I missed the suspense and connection with the characters. I loved the premise of the story, but something just didn't work for me. However, that doesn't change the fact that I am still a huge fan of this author. ( )

Terrific book. I love the Linear Tactical books and this one was no exception. Quinn is Riley (Phoenix) Harrison's older half-sister. After a run of bad luck that resulted in the end of her marriage, the loss of her prestigious job at Harvard, being blacklisted in the academic community, and financial ruin, Quinn arrives in Oak Creek looking to restart her life. Part of that includes a job as a waitress at the Eagle's Nest bar. At the age of thirty-nine, it has been many years since she waitressed, but she is desperate for the work. She also has a job teaching at the local college. On her first day, where she wonders if she'll last the day, she is rescued from an obnoxious customer by the hottest guy she's ever met.

Baby is Finn's (Eagle) younger brother. Twenty-seven years old, he is laid-back, always cheerful with a kind word for everyone, and ready to help wherever he is needed. He dropped out of high school at seventeen and went to work for the local mechanic. He has been a regular character in the series, most recently as one of the participants in the Wild Wyoming Adventure Race in Riley's book. Baby has a lot on his mind right now, as a secret he's been guarding for most of his life is about to put an end to his career dreams. He hadn't planned on being distracted by a fascination with the pretty new waitress at the Eagle's Nest.

I loved watching the relationship between Quinn and Baby develop. The two of them had an instant connection, though Quinn tried hard to resist it. Her life is such a mess that adding a relationship to it is not in her plans, especially one with a man twelve years younger than she is. For Baby, age is just a number. He is drawn to her humor, intelligence, and determination. Quinn is just as drawn to him, but the age difference bothers her, plus everything that has happened to her did a number on her self-confidence. Baby isn't one to give up and offers some "non-date" get-togethers as friends. Those don't go quite as he hoped, and I laughed out loud at the "help" he got from Ethan and Jess. Baby had some insecurities of his own. When his secret collided with Quinn's other life, he had to decide if he was willing to trust her. Quinn's support and belief in him made a huge difference in the way he saw himself and his future. I think some of the biggest changes were to Quinn. When she arrived in Wyoming she was still the stiff, buttoned-up professor she had been at Harvard. Thanks to Baby, she discovered the more relaxed, fun-loving woman who had been hiding inside. There was a heart-wrenching scene at the end when they allowed their insecurities to pull them apart. I loved the ending and seeing them make their dreams come true. The epilogue was great with a nice surprise for Baby and Quinn.

Baby and Quinn's friendship and growing feelings aren't all that is going on. The bad luck that led to Quinn's flight to Wyoming seems to have followed her. It's mostly little, annoying things like her credit card not working, and her ex-husband calling to accuse her of harassment. But when break-ins and vandalizing mimic things that happened back in Boston, Quinn begins to question herself. Trouble continues to intensify until her life is in danger. I was on the edge of my seat as Baby and the others raced against time to save her. I loved how Baby's challenges played such a huge part in the confrontation. ( )