💜Avenging Angels: Tenderfoot by Kristen Ashley-review tour💜

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 17, 2025

Harlow O’Neill is waiting for Javier Montoya to make his move. She has it bad for the gorgeous new investigator at Nightingale Investigations and Security. She’s sure he knows it. She’s also sure he’s just as into her.

And she’s read the Rock Chick books. She knows how those Hottie Squad men are supposed to win their women.

Javi is just not trying to win her.

Then one evening Harlow is undercover on a mission for the Avenging Angels, and Javi blows her cover. She’s not happy about it. They share words and some of the ones Javi uses aren’t all that great.

Harlow retreats. Javi goes on the advance.

And the man Harlow was investigating winds up dead.

The Angels go all in to discover what’s happening with a dating app scam that ended up with a dead guy. The Nightingale men aren’t fans of the women wading in on such a dangerous case, and they’re doing something about it.

It’s a race between the Angels and the Hottie Squad as to who’s going to solve the mystery.

While all of that happens, Javi’s not taking any chances with Harlow’s safety. He moves her into his place and Harlow learns firsthand what it means to be in the romantic crosshairs of a member of the Hottie Squad…and the heartbreaking reasons why Javi kept her at arm’s length

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REVIEW: TENDERFOOT is the third instalment in Kristen Ashley’s contemporary, adult AVENGING ANGEL romantic suspense series, a spin off, set in the author’s ROCK CHICK worlds. This is thirty-three year old Javier ‘Javi’ Montoya, and thirty year old Harlow O’Neill’s story line. TENDERFOOT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty but I recommend reading the series in order for back story and cohesion.

SOME BACKGROUND: There is a small group of enterprising women who call themselves the Avenging Angels. With the help of a mentor named Arthur, as well as Nightingale Investigations and Security (Rock Chick #1), the women go in search of those unable to help themselves including the missing, the abused and the lost.

Told from first person perspective (Harlow O’Neill) TENDERFOOT follows the Avenging Angels as they venture to take down a man suspected of using a dating app to trap unsuspecting women. Undercover as the prospective date, Harlow O’Neill, with the help of the Avenging Angels will falter when Javier Montoya interrupts what was supposed to be a covert operation but in the aftermath, Harlow’s ‘date’ is murdered, and his accomplice becomes a guest of the Nightingale Investigations and Security. Meanwhile Javier Montoya’s relationship with Harlow falters in the face of Javier’s inability to let go of the past, a past that is hoping for a second chanced.

The world building follows several paths including both Javier and Harlow’s dysfunctional families. One family is hoping for a reconciliation in the face of past sins, while the other refuses to give up control, and in doing so, breaks the heart of someone they should have loved.

The relationship between Javier and Harlow is a friends to lovers. Harlow is hoping to take it slow but when Javier takes the ‘slow’ to heart, Harlow is determined to seduce the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful and quirky secondary and supporting characters including the return of bar owner Tito, Luna Nelson, and her sister Dream; Angel Harlow, Nightingale Security specialists and Rock Chick husbands/ mates: Mace,Roam, Liam, Knox, Gabe, Tex and Brady, Luna, Raye, Jess, as well as Cap and Raye; Moses and Shirleen; Titus, and Chief Alvarez; and several ‘residents’ of the Oasis Square apartment complex where the Avenging Angels live. We are introduced to Javier’s father Austin Atherton, and his daughters Julia and Catherine, as well as Harlow’s maladjusted parents and her brother Easton. The companionship and camaraderie between friends is intimate.

TENDERFOOT is a story of betrayal and vengeance, secrets and lies, family and friendships, acceptance and love. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the romance is seductive and loving; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Reading Order and previous reviews
Avenging Angel
Avenging Angel: Back in the Saddle

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.