Review: Covert Games (Redemption Harbor #6)

Covert Games (Redemption Harbor #6)

by Katie Reus 

Blurb:

She was supposed to be a means to an end…

Redemption Harbor Consulting’s greatest enemy, Alexei Kuznetsov, is in their sights. For RHC cofounder Leighton, toppling the treacherous criminal’s empire is one more small step toward making up for his own past. To destroy Kuznetsov, he’ll go through the Russian’s niece, a woman Leighton suspects may also be guilty of dirty deeds. A woman he doesn’t count on wanting…who boils his blood and makes Leighton want things he doesn’t deserve with someone he can’t have.

Now she’s everything to him…

Despite other prospects, family loyalty has Lucy Carreras running one of her uncle’s prosperous hotels. But the longer she observes its operations, the more she believes the elegant establishment is host to some shady exploits. When her suspicions are confirmed by Leighton—a dangerous man straight out of her fantasies—Lucy’s entire world explodes when she learns just how evil her uncle’s sins are. Now she can’t stand by and let it continue. She and Leighton will take Alexei down together…if they can survive the deadly storm hurtling toward them.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The longtime foe of the RHC team has finally gone too far this time.  This series has been going on for a while now and one of the most dangerous villain’s they faced was the disgusting criminal Alexei Kuznetsov, but the time has finally come for them to get the chance to bring him down once and for all.  I have loved reading this series and seeing each of the team members fall in love, from the very beginning I have become invested in each character and known that I just had to be along for the ride until the very end, and the final love story has finally dropped. Leighton has been the quietest and vaguest of characters to this point, we finally get to know him fully as he find love in the most unlikely of places.   When Hazel, Leighton’s FBI contact, brings him a mission that leads him to Kuznetsov’s operation, asking for her help to rescue a young woman, Leighton knows that he cannot resist and immediate pulls the teams in to get started.  Looking for a way in, the team soon discovers that the bastard’s niece might be just the link they needed, despite the fact that she looks clean on the surface.  The moment Leighton comes face-to-face with Lucy he is struck with an intense attraction and his instincts tell him that she is innocent in her uncle’s dirty dealings, but is probably an asset to their cause, if he can force himself to use her that way. Lucy is instantly attracted to the man she meets, and despite her belief that no man stays or is ever worth the effort, she gives Leighton her trust and a chance.  Soon they are thrust into a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, but Leighton refuses to let Lucy be in true danger and will give up anything to keep her safe and in his life.  Leighton was sweet and sexy hell as we kicked butt to make sure that Kuznetsov didn’t get away again, but when he let himself begin to truly feel for Lucy we see a whole new side of him.  He was such a wounded hero, one that needed an open heart to heal his own, and thankfully he found that in Lucy.  Lucy has lived her life in a bubble, turning a blind eye to the truth of her Uncle’s dealings, ever since her parents’ death, even if she considers herself to be worldly.  Leighton opens her eyes in a big way and when she sees the truth and accepts it, she is immediately determined to do whatever she has to in order to make up for her Uncle’s misdeeds, showing how sweet and noble she really is.  I enjoyed seeing her soften Leighton’s rougher edges, even as he showed her the strength that truly existed within herself.  The passion that sparked between them was intense and fast burning, but though it burned bright and hot we can see that it will also be a long-burning fire that will keep their relationship alive for their entire lives.  I am so glad Leighton found his perfect mate, even if it was in a strange and unexpected place.  This was definitely another Katie Reus masterpiece. 

UPDATE:  I just learned that, while the last main team member has met their mate, there will in fact be one more novel in the series about Nova’s bestie Layla and I cannot wait.

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