Manhunt by Lillie Spencer – a Review

Description:
Sometimes you have to forget it all to remember what really matters. Michael Brennan’s life and career come to an abrupt halt when he receives a phone call telling him the love of his life, Nikki Wright, is in the hospital after another attack by her ex-boyfriend Sebastian Cross. Rushing back to Hershey, PA, Michael turns up at Nikki’s hospital bedside covered in Sebastian’s blood and telling her they have to leave immediately. Though her injuries have induced amnesia, Nikki inherently feels she can trust this man with her life. Soon, they find themselves on the run from both their own troubled pasts and authorities hunting for Sebastian’s killer. But with each new day and each touch drawing her further into Michael’s embrace, Nikki remembers more about this fugitive she once loved, and who still loves her enough to risk everything to protect her and keep her safe.

Review:

Manhunt by Lillie Spencer is her first novel, which is romance suspense.    It is a story of Nikki, who wakes up in the hospital badly beaten by her abusive boyfriend, and has no memory of how she got there.  The story also belongs to Michael, her ex-boyfriend, but who is still very much in love with Nikki. and is still her best friend, as he rushes to her aid.   It is Michael, who left his job as a doctor in the hospital, when he gets the call about Nikki, to rush to her aid.  But Michael makes a detour to find Sebastian, the one who beat up Nikki. 

The next time we see Michael he rushes into Nikki’s room, having been told she has amnesia and doesn’t know anyone.  Michael lifts her off the bed, disconnects the cords, and though Nikki fights him not knowing who he is, he calms her and tells her to trust him.  For whatever reason, that even Nikki doesn’t know, she allows him to take her away.

From that point on, they are on the run.  Sebastian is found dead.  There is a manhunt on for Michael, who is suspected of killing Sebastian, and kidnapping Nikki.  Though the intense manhunt is on, we are treated to a very nice romance between formers lover Nikki and Michael.  It is Michael who refuses to tell Nikki anything of the past, as he wants her to gradually remember on her own. 

Lillie Spencer does a good job showing how much Michael loves and has always loved Nikki.  How Michael broke Nikki’s heart, when he went away to school to become a doctor.  Unfortunately for Nikki, she became involved with childhood friend Sebastian, who was a mean and jealous abuser.  But the first half of the book, is both of them on the run from the law, and Nikki slowly beginning to remember things from her childhood, and remembering how she felt about Michael. Their romance was nice to see, and the love they felt for one another was beautifully done, even though the memories bring back for both of them the past relationship with Sebastian, their own flawed family, the friendship between Michael, Nikki, Jeremy, Christian and Sophia.  All these returning memories opens the door for Michael and Nikki to love each other passionately.  Their love scenes were well written by Spencer, showing the passion, love, and pure sexual intensity.

The second half of the book was when they decided to return home and give themselves up.  Michael is arrested for murder, and a trial will decide their fate.

Lillie Spencer has created an excellent romance filled story, with suspense, intense moments, a exciting ending, and some wonderful characters.  Michael and Nikki belonged together.  Christian was an awesome friend to both, as was his wife Sophia ( I loved Christian the best). Jeremy was also a good adopted brother, and friend.  It is this family spirit, and the love of all to stand together that makes this a good story.  I thought some scenes in the first half could have been shortened, moving it along a bit better, but overall this was an excellent first novel for Lillie Spencer.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author