Secret Stalker by Lena Diaz – a Review

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Description:
A SWAT officer must protect the woman who broke his heart

Years ago, detective and part-time SWAT officer Max Remington proposed to the woman he loved. Her response? To flee town—and Max’s life—under a cloud of suspicion. Folks said Bexley Kane killed the man “allegedly” stalking her and got away with murder. Now Bex is back in Destiny, Tennessee, but their tense reunion is cut short when bullets start flying, and this time, they’re aimed at her. As Max fights to keep Bex safe, he’s also fighting to protect his heart. Can they unravel the secrets of the past in time to save each other? Or will Bex’s final secret destroy them both?

Review:

How many times have we attempted to do the right thing only to still cause heartache or grief, regardless of the best intentions? Too many to count – me, too. But when love is on the line, doesn’t it behoove you to listen to your heart, since it’s the one in need of healing? Max and Bex are flung into a hostile situation, which they handle admirably, but their 10 year separation reopens gaping wounds and wreaks havoc anew.

Bex was supposed to go unnoticed in Destiny, settle her mom’s estate and escape unscathed, but small towns have the uncanny ability of drawing attention to one of their own. Max, detective and SWAT member, is just as crazed by Bex’s unexpected presence, but two attempted threats on her life demands his professionalism (and is more dangerous to her health) than facing their failed past. Secret Stalker is book 2 in Lena Diaz‘s Tennessee SWAT series. Max was the stud in the background of book 1 (Mountain Witness available here), so jumping into his story has been deliciously anticipated.

“It was as if the universe was against her, throwing obstacles in her path to keep her from leaving.”

As if threats upon her life aren’t escalating, the death of a high school classmate haunts Bex (and the town). Destiny is small-town charming, but it has a long, unforgiving memory and Bex being back home stirs up several troubling emotions in lots of complicated people.

Bex is being harassed and Max, as a detective, is following the case closely. Closer because of his prior relationship with Bex. While the investigation unfolded, obstruction of justice nagged at me. To quote the book’s synopsis, Bex flees town “under a cloud of suspicion”. It seems unlikely that a key figure would disappear without serious repercussions. Well, attempts on Bex’s life certainly qualify, don’t they? It’s collusion at worst then. Max is brave and aware of the larger legal picture; aware that connecting the dots is the only way to secure Bex’s complete exoneration. His heart and feelings for Bex blur the lines of job execution.

Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes, the heartfelt pleading, even the thrill of the head-turning chase, but Max and Bex didn’t sizzle from the onset. Oh, their bodies reacted out of proximity and space (working together doesn’t diminish attraction), but this low simmer allowed Ms. Diaz to fully flesh out her characters and develop plotlines, so who’s really complaining? The steam gradually ensued and it was a perfect union.

The pacing of the story was a bit unusual this time around. Learning the details of Bex’s “silent stalker” so late into the story felt like the build-up of animosity came too late? I wanted to rail against this guy from the beginning! Alas, interesting twists enhanced the resolution. I was banking on one suspect, but Ms. Diaz veered and spun my theory into another. Really enjoyed the action-laden finale!

Lena Diaz continues to expand on her wonderful Tennessee SWAT series with Secret Stalker. Do not miss this or her next!

Review by Carmen

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