Anti Hero

ON THE WAY HOME, the second complete book at the end of ANTI HERO, was much better than the first book. Both were in this book, ANTI HERO ending at 45%, and the second book beginning after that.

ANTI HERO felt like a cursory thought. “Oh, I have an idea, I’ll write this book and see how it goes.” I didn’t feel any connection to the two protagonists at all, and simply felt the whole story was empty. Nate didn’t feel heroic to me and Sophia needs therapy. The whole story felt like one huge contrivance after another. Especially Sophia’s lack of dismay over Remy’s and Andre’s well-being following the explosion. Compassion much? There was action but no connection to emotion.

ON THE WAY HOME felt much more complete. The plot, although a bit far-fetched, felt more thought out, the characters more fleshed out, and the action more natural, more flowing. There were still great big holes in everything, such as the FBI being involved but Clint never once suspecting the house was bugged…or the fact that the house HADN’T been bugged. Makes no sense. There were other inconsistencies, but it still was a better read, IMO.

Regardless, an okay read. Not crazy about Ms. Warren’s story telling abilities, though, so this will be my last book by her.

3.5* (round up to 4)
If you like a suspense story, then this is definitely a great read. There’s tension and you feel the adrenaline pumping action jumping off the page. While I loved the suspense element of the story, I didn’t feel there was balance with the romantic element here. I wanted more.

The characters
Sophia was a typical reporter Type A personality with a priority for grabbing that story. She’s investigating a politician (Moreland) and is uncovering a wealth of info he’s trying to keep buried. Sophia’s investigation becomes a problem and she must be eliminated.

In steps Nate. The ex-boyfriend who never really opened up when they were together. Sophia, wanting more, opted to walk away when Nate couldn’t give her more.

I loved Nate. He is your traditional alpha, ex-Special Forces but still working ‘off-the-book’ missions. He’s got a lot of ghosts who linger and drive many of his decisions. He hates being called a “hero” because he failed to save/warn his team during a mission – but he is, without question, a hero. His protectiveness is coded into his DNA and it’s the reason he senses something is off when Sophia calls him out of the blue in the midst of her panic.

**possible spoilers**
The relationship…
I guess, as a reader, I was expected to accept things. But I, as a reader, like to experience and feel them. I didn’t get that here. I sensed the attraction between them, he still loves her and vice versa. They were both driven. The drive of each of them to do their job is what fueled the attraction – YET – it’s the same thing that tore them apart back then? I didn’t get that. It seemed neither one really changed at all, so, um, why did they split? And now that they’re back together, it’s as if that time completely evaporated? I don’t mind “reconnecting” stories. I think they’re great and enjoy reading about second chances. But there needs to be a reason. A reason for the break up and a reason (or change or growth) for the re-connection. For me, there wasn’t. So, in my mind, it’s as if the adrenaline pumping situation triggered their re-connection.

Backstories…
I wanted a little more backstory on Nate. Yes, we get one flashback. But I wanted more. It did, however, give me insight to him and his thinking (I guess that’s why I wanted to read more).

Sophia – I didn’t understand the reasoning for introducing her backstory. It was tough what she experienced, but I didn’t see the relevance AT ALL to the development of this storyline. Zero relevance. Yes, she’s alone. Yes, she lost a brother. Yes, the circumstances were horrible. But – it didn’t translate into defining her as a person, it didn’t color her decisions, it wasn’t the reason for her separation from Nate, and it wasn’t the motivation for her pursuing her investigation. While there did seem to be some possible link to the situation toward the end (involvement of women in the investigation) it was a ‘surprise’ to her, so it was not the driving force on her part. She was simply following a story she knew would be a big one and it developed into more.

The writing style…
The short sentence structure in parts created the appropriate tension and urgency in parts and the writing flowed well, but the extreme use of similes was a bit distracting for me.

Formatting (this didn’t affect my review but I wanted to mention it)
I never really comment on the formatting of books in my reviews. But I was peeved to not have a working TOC that would have given me a bit of notice that the book was ending at the 43% mark. I knew there was a “bonus” book included, but I couldn’t check and hated not knowing at what point the story I had purchased would actually end.

For the most part, I did like the story. It had tension and suspense, but I wanted more of the romance. Extending it a little more to show the post adrenaline situation and them working as a couple might have been enough for me.While the story was a complete novel with a tiny fast-forward period of time into their relationship, having spend so much time with the suspense element, I would have really enjoyed being with them, as a couple, a little longer. Or including more of their backstory when they were a couple before to show some growth/change might have worked as well.

When they were together, the chemistry was tangible and the sizzle in the air sparked my ereader. So this could simply be a case of me wanting to have had more of *them* rather than all the other stuff going on in the story.

This was not a full length book. It has 2 DIFFERENT short stories. Could have easily made this an actual full story on Nate and Sofia by giving more history.

In addition to the story Anti Hero which ended at 43% on my Kindle, there is also a bonus story entitled On The Way Home. Both are full length stories. I only read Anti Hero.

Sofia is an investigative reporter working on a dangerous story. Nate is working as a private investigator. We’re told in flashbacks that they were together and had strong feelings for each other but for some reason they broke up. When Sofia’s job places her in danger, Nate is there to save her.

I had a very hard time following along in this sorry. It skips around from the past to the present and even throws in the POV of various secondary characters. Nate and Sofia both suffered pain in their pasts. Nate was injured, captured and tortured during his time serving in the military; and Sofia was assaulted as a child by the men in her brother’s gang. It’s obvious they’re better together but both are stubborn and never fought for what they really wanted.

For me, this story was just okay. There’s so much inner dialogue and most of it was repetitive. I needed a little more information on their pasts and more time with them together instead of all of the thinking of what could be.

This was just an okay read. It started interesting enough. The female lead was hard for me to like 100%. Sophia is a journalist looking into a story that could be career making. But the road to the truth turns life threatening when those deep in the story bomb her work office in an attempt to quiet her. Her only hope at survival and revealing the truth comes from ex, Nate, who is ex-military and a PI. I found Sophias character very selfish and childish and she didnt consider others when making decisions. It made it hard for me to really like her. Nate on the other hand was a man that always kept his distance, but there was something about Sophia that he never could shake. When he senses shes in danger he goes to great lengths to protect her, even if it means risking his own life.

I wish there was a bit more character background and character building. The sex scenes where hot and there was chemistry between Sophia and Nate. I also liked the comedic break addition to the book Nates friend/comrade. This book has danger, a hot military man, steamy chemistry, mystery.

It was an okay read. I will give the author another try.

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