Unforgiven (Deep Ops #5)

Rebecca Zanetti

Blurb:

Run:

Gemma Falls never expected to use her game theory expertise to outrun a killer. But for years, that skill is all that kept her one step ahead of a deadly stalker. When Gemma gets the chance to teach at D.C. University, she hopes she and her young daughter have found a safe harbor. The only flaw is the arrogant philosophy professor who’s always underfoot giving unwanted advice—in his sexy British accent . . .

Hide:

Jethro Hanson has blood on his hands. He’s working within ivy-covered university halls now, but he knows that his work with the Deep Ops team and the deadly acts he once committed for the sake of Queen and country place him beyond forgiveness—until he meets Gemma . . .

Seek:

Soon, the passion between them stuns them both. But when Jethro discovers a threat is fast overtaking her, he must choose between the redemption he seeks—and releasing the ever-present killer inside . . .

Themes: Contemporary Suspense

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

Long-time readers of the Deep-Ops series have been waiting for this one forever, and the sexy British super spy doesn’t let us down in any way! Rebecca Zanetti is one of the few authors that I can honestly say hits every level of reader expectations no matter what sub-genre of romance she is connecting us with—Romantic suspense, Paranormal Romance, or Women’s Lit—but her Deep-Ops series is one that will sometimes leave me feel just creeped out enough by my fellow humans to sleep with the lights on. Jethro left the world of espionage behind years ago, in order to protect his sanity, though he dips his toes into the pool once in a while when the need arises, but his main desire is just to lead a quiet life as a philosophy and history professor at the local college. When a new visiting professor snags his attention though he knows that something isn’t quite right. Gemma is on the run with her young daughter Trudy, but she hopes that she can settle for a little while and catch her breath, despite the sexy brit that is haunting her. But all too soon Jethro and Gemma are thrown directly into the path of a dangerous killer, requiring her to trust when she knows that it could get her and her daughter killed. She knows that there is much more to Jethro than just a simple professor, but she feels she can believe in him for the first time in her life and when the danger becomes deadly her only choice is to get her whole heart and soul to the man she loves in order for them to survive the threat. Oh man this story tore my heart so many times, from Jethro’s sweet badass nature to Gemma’s traumatic past and the fear she’s lived with, to the way Trudy steal the heart of each member of the Deep-Ops team. Gemma has had so much go wrong in her life she doesn’t really understand when a good thing comes along, but she slowly begins to trust in Jethro and his friends and once she does her life becomes so much more enriched, even though there is danger around every corner she has never been safer. I loved seeing her finally begin to flourish and find her courage, even if there was never a question about her willingness to do whatever it took to protect her daughter. Jethro was scary-smart, commanding, sweet, loving, and so perfect for Gemma and her daughter, but seeing him faced with the choice of giving up the woman (and child) he’d fallen for or finding out who was after them all was heater breaking. I loved watching him outsmarting the cops and ultimately the killer, but the inner fear he worked through was wrenching and reminded us all that just because he was brave doesn’t mean he didn’t feel terrified of losing those he loved. The passion between Jethro and Gemma as slower to build, mainly because they needed the trust between them first, but the sparks flew every moment until that trust bloomed. I am dying for the next book in this story and to see which of the team finds love and escapades next.

*ebook provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was provided.