Off the Grid (To Catch a Thief, #3)
by Kay Marie
Description:
One part Pride and Prejudice.
One part Romancing the Stone.
All the feels.
Don't miss this laugh-out-loud, action-packed romantic comedy, new from bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis, writing as Kay Marie.
Agent Leo Alvarez is on his way to Hawaii when his partner calls in a favor – the mob is after a pastry chef in NYC, and he's the only one who can get to her in time. With his dreams of Mai Tais and sandy shores ruined, Leo rushes to her rescue. But when he arrives at her apartment, he's greeted by an upturned nose and an icy blue stare. This damsel in distress doesn't need saving. Good thing he's a retired marine who never backs down without a fight.
After a childhood racked by scandal, McKenzie Harper has learned to loathe surprises. So when a strange man knocks on her door, interrupting her morning routine, she has no choice but to politely shut it in his face – no matter how deeply his hazel eyes might pierce. She has places to go, pastries to bake, and promotions to secure. Or she did, until three masked men kidnap her and throw her into the back of a van... Suddenly, that white knight doesn't seem so scary.
He's a cocky Fed with a killer smile. She's an uptown beauty with a biting tongue. If they want to survive, they'll have to learn to work together – assuming they don't kill each other first.
****(4) out of 5 Stars!
I so enjoyed this the last installment of the To Catch a Thief series! Leo is one of my favorite characters in these tales. From the moment he accepts a cronut from Jo – much to Nate's chagrin – I have adored Leo. (Okay, even before that; but especially when he grabs a cronut from the box!) I was happy to see that he got his own book in this delightful trilogy.
McKenzie, on the other hand, was for some reason not at all what I expected. I was glad that we could peer into her thought process with the alternating dual perspective of the writing style. Because at face value, she just seemed like a totally rude and obnoxious person.
"Thank you very much for your concern, but I'll be fine. I don't have time to be kidnapped today. I don't have time for a vacation. I don't have time, period. I have to go."
"That's not really how this works." Leo chased after her, shaking his head. "They're not going to call you to pencil in a time for your abduction. They'll just grab you."
But both Leo and McKenzie have internal demons that they battle, unbeknownst to people on the outside looking in on their lives. Although coming at things from vastly different experiences and perspectives, they somehow sense a kindred spirit in each other. It does take them quite awhile to let down their defenses with one another, but eventually they do.
Unfortunately, while they are trying to navigate the complexities of a brand new relationship, the rest of the world seems to be exploding around them. The action starts off pretty quickly with an actual kidnapping, and doesn't slow down much from there. The interwoven plot points make for quite the intrigue and entertainment.
There were a few times where the story dragged a bit, and some things that just seemed rather unnecessary or strange. Most of their time at the wedding, for example, was just weird. I kept waiting for Russian mofiosos to crash the whole thing.
"Leo! Where the hell have you been?"
"It's a long story, Parker."
"Are you with McKenzie? Where are you? What happened?"
I saved her from the Russian mob, we had the most amazing night of my entire life, and then I let her walk away in the arms of another man. That's what the hell happened!
After everything seems to be over and done, the mystery solved – there are still twists and turns to be had. Everything falls into place in retrospect, but it is no wonder that it takes the good guys awhile to figure out what the bad guys are up to – or even who they are.
McKenzie does prove herself a tough and brave person finally, Leo does end up being a hero, and they eventually do get their happily-ever-after. Which is only fitting, given that this is the end of the line for these characters. Definitely a book and a series that I recommend for those looking for some light adventure, intrigue, humor, romance and fun!
REVIEW:
****(4) out of 5 Stars!
I so enjoyed this the last installment of the To Catch a Thief series! Leo is one of my favorite characters in these tales. From the moment he accepts a cronut from Jo – much to Nate's chagrin – I have adored Leo. (Okay, even before that; but especially when he grabs a cronut from the box!) I was happy to see that he got his own book in this delightful trilogy.
McKenzie, on the other hand, was for some reason not at all what I expected. I was glad that we could peer into her thought process with the alternating dual perspective of the writing style. Because at face value, she just seemed like a totally rude and obnoxious person.
"Thank you very much for your concern, but I'll be fine. I don't have time to be kidnapped today. I don't have time for a vacation. I don't have time, period. I have to go."
"That's not really how this works." Leo chased after her, shaking his head. "They're not going to call you to pencil in a time for your abduction. They'll just grab you."
But both Leo and McKenzie have internal demons that they battle, unbeknownst to people on the outside looking in on their lives. Although coming at things from vastly different experiences and perspectives, they somehow sense a kindred spirit in each other. It does take them quite awhile to let down their defenses with one another, but eventually they do.
Unfortunately, while they are trying to navigate the complexities of a brand new relationship, the rest of the world seems to be exploding around them. The action starts off pretty quickly with an actual kidnapping, and doesn't slow down much from there. The interwoven plot points make for quite the intrigue and entertainment.
There were a few times where the story dragged a bit, and some things that just seemed rather unnecessary or strange. Most of their time at the wedding, for example, was just weird. I kept waiting for Russian mofiosos to crash the whole thing.
"Leo! Where the hell have you been?"
"It's a long story, Parker."
"Are you with McKenzie? Where are you? What happened?"
I saved her from the Russian mob, we had the most amazing night of my entire life, and then I let her walk away in the arms of another man. That's what the hell happened!
After everything seems to be over and done, the mystery solved – there are still twists and turns to be had. Everything falls into place in retrospect, but it is no wonder that it takes the good guys awhile to figure out what the bad guys are up to – or even who they are.
McKenzie does prove herself a tough and brave person finally, Leo does end up being a hero, and they eventually do get their happily-ever-after. Which is only fitting, given that this is the end of the line for these characters. Definitely a book and a series that I recommend for those looking for some light adventure, intrigue, humor, romance and fun!
Excerpt:
The door to the kitchen swung open.
“You’re early,” McKenzie groaned, trying and failing to stifle her sigh. How many times had she asked the line chefs to give her a few hours alone to prep? “I’m supposed to have the kitchen to myself until— Oh. It’s you.”
The federal agent she’d ditched in the subway leaned against the wall with his arms folded and a single dark eyebrow raised. “It’s me.”
McKenzie frowned. “What are you doing here? Who let you in?”
“Someone who respects authority.”
Must’ve been one of the waiters. McKenzie shrugged and returned her gaze to her papers. “I thought I made myself abundantly clear before. Thank you, but no thank you.”
“So did I,” he said. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him use his foot to push off the wall. When he reached the prep area, he put his palms against the table and leaned forward, gaze so piercing McKenzie couldn’t help but look up. “When I make a promise to protect someone, I honor it. So, I’m here. And I’ll be here. Whether you want me to be or not.”
The golden highlights in his eyes flared with unspoken challenge. McKenzie was more than happy to oblige. This was her kitchen, her safe place, and she wouldn’t be intimidated here. He didn’t seem more than an inch or two taller than her, so she put her hands on the table and leaned in, meeting him at eye level. “Some people might call that harassment.”
The muscles in his arms flexed, drawing her attention. His bronze skin was contoured and hard in all the right places. “Some people might call it admirable.”
“Some people understand how to take a hint.”
“Some people understand how to show some gratitude.”
“For what?” She scoffed. “Barging into my place of work and promising to stalk me?”
“No,” he clapped back, shaking his head. “For sacrificing my time and energy in order to keep you safe.”
“I’m not in danger!”
“Yes. You are.”
Somehow, their faces had moved closer, a little too close. McKenzie could feel the warm brush of his breath on her skin. The muscles in his square jaw were clenched. A layer of scruff covered his cheeks. His hair swept over his eyes, steeping them in shadow, so only the barest hint of glittering green was visible. She felt that stare in every part of her, as though it were a physical caress. The heat in the kitchen spiked, even though she hadn’t had a chance to turn the ovens on yet.
The ovens!
Crap!
McKenzie tore her gaze away, finding the clock on the wall. She was ten minutes behind. She needed to preheat all the ovens, and she needed to start baking, dammit! With a sigh, she slumped her shoulders and relented, if only for the sake of her rapidly disintegrating schedule.
“Fine,” she murmured, using her palms to push back off the table and break away from this Fed who had seemingly made it his life mission to babysit her. “Fine, if you’re so hell-bent on protecting me, do it. I don’t care. But I am not leaving this kitchen and there’s nothing you can do to make me. So, go stand in the corner or something, and don’t under any circumstances get in my way. Got it?”
“Got it.”
I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author,
and have willingly provided an honest review.
**To Catch a Thief is a romantic comedy series that's one part humorous and one part heartfelt, with a dash of adventure, a hint of criminal activity, and a whole heap of fun! Each book is a stand-alone romance with a HEA.
~
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Title: Hot Pursuit (To Catch a Thief, #1)
Author: Kay Marie
Description:
Don't miss this laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers romance that's How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days meets White Collar with a dash of The Thomas Crown Affair thrown in!
Agent Nate Parker has been on the Robert Carter case for years, and if rumors of the aging criminal's retirement are true, this might be his last chance to nail him. With the legacy of his late father in the back of his mind, the stakes are more personal than anyone realizes. He won't let anything stand in the way of justice...especially not the red-headed vixen who keeps giving him the slip.
He's a cop who'd never bend. She's a con who'll never break. But all's fair in love and larceny...
Purchase Links:
Title: Stolen Goods (To Catch a Thief, #2)
Author: Kay Marie
Description:
Catch Me If You Can meets Tangled in this funny and feel-good adventurous romance, new from bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis, writing as Kay Marie.
Addison Abbot is a dreamer — she dreams of owning her own cake shop, of traveling the world, of finding Prince Charming. But when it comes to actually following any of those dreams, she's a little, well, stuck. So when a devilishly handsome stranger saves her from two robbers with guns and pulls her into the adventure of a lifetime, she's determined to find her fairytale ending — until she realizes he's the most wanted criminal in America, that is.
Thaddeus Ryder was just another run-of-the-mill international art thief until his latest heist went south. Now, his face is on every news station, his name is making headlines, and his partner is working for the feds. Talk about a bad week on the job. His only option is to flee the country. But when hitmen for the Russian mafia interrupt his getaway, Thad gains an accidental companion — a baking beauty who might be too tempting to resist.
When a good girl meets a bad boy, sparks are bound to fly. But this con man is about to discover the only thing he can't steal is her heart...
Thank you so much for this fabulous review, Jen, and for all the love you've shown this series!! I had so much fun writing Leo's story :) I LOVED him in the first book, so I knew I need to make him the hero of book 3! So glad you enjoyed his story!
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