Deadly Past (Verona Bay #2)

by Katie Reus

Blurb:

She lost everything once…

Autumn Perez was just twenty-two when she witnessed a brutal murder and gave up her entire life to put the killer behind bars. A decade later, witness protection has her settled in picturesque Verona Bay, teaching art at the local high school. It’s a quiet life…until she’s caught up in another harrowing event and she worries that the US Marshals will try to move her again. But Autumn is done running—she’s built a life, has friends. And now she’s pregnant after an intense one-night stand with her sexy neighbor.

This time she’s not running…

Lincoln Jordan has been biding his time with Autumn, his talented, gorgeous neighbor. The attraction between them is undeniable, and after their one incredible night together he wants more. But she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length. When it becomes clear that someone wants her dead, he steps up to protect her. He needs to earn her trust, and fast. Because the enemy is closer than they ever imagined.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating:
Review:

Honestly I do not know where Katie finds all of these crazy and terrifying storylines within her own imagination but all I can say is her brain must be a scary place to live at times. I was thrilled when I learned Katie was beginning a new contemporary series and after the first book I knew I was going to be a fan, but the Verona Bay series just gets more and more interesting. This second addition to the series revolves around friends and family of the first couple, Autumn and Lincoln, who each have secrets and issues, but they are undeniably drawn to one another. Autumn knows she needs to stay away from Lincoln, mainly because he is such a good guy and she wants him so badly, but she has deadly secrets in her past that would put him in danger if she tried to keep him. Lincoln has wanted his sexy neighbor since the first moment he met her, but the more time he spends getting to know her, the deeper that need becomes. When Autumn’s life suddenly seems to be in peril, Lincoln will do anything to keep her safe despite her pushing him away, and Autumn will have to decide if the connection between them is important enough for her to take a risk and tell him the truth about her past. Before it is too late. I loved every second of this story and am literally dying of anticipation for the next one. Lincoln is such a good guy, caring for his friends and family, offering a shoulder to a woman in need, and then giving his entire heart to her when she finally lets him. He is brave, sweet, sexy, and badass enough to protect those he loves from all comers. Seeing him in action as he protected his woman from those after her reminded me that still waters truly do run deep and nothing was going to stop him in his quest for her safety. Autumn was an interesting character, brave in some ways, fearful in too many others, but knowing her past, we can understand and forgive her those foibles. While she obviously feels deeply for Lincoln, she is just as determined to keep him safe and the only way she can think to do so is to push him away and keep their connection from turning into a deep love that she knows it could. She was sweet and calm at the moment odd of moments, but others she was kickass and the perfect match for her man. I liked seeing their friendship develop, even as the fire burned between them, because it let them learn more about one another and know that once they gave into the passion the banked fires would flare into an inferno. I am really looking forward to the next in the series, though at the same time a little bit terrified of the kind of villain Katie will come up with next because so far in this series they have been pretty damn scary to be honest. But I guess that is what makes a great writer—terrifyingly hate-able villains, and perfectly lovable heroes all rolled into a perfect romantic story. Another instant hit!