Claiming Alexis (Ace Security, #2)

by Susan Stoker

Nothing is more important to Blake Anderson than the work he does with his brothers at Ace Security. At least that’s what he thinks until he meets the fiercely independent Alexis Grant. The security firm’s new intern pushes all his buttons—and makes his temperature rise. But giving in to temptation might be risky business.

Alexis can tell that Blake has his doubts about her ability to commit. But while most people look at her and see only a flighty rich girl, she knows he sees much more. Determined to prove herself to Blake, Alexis jumps at the chance to work undercover. And when her case takes a dangerous turn, she puts her trust—and her heart—in his hands.

Now, as Alexis digs into the deadly secrets of a local gang, Blake will lay everything on the line to protect the woman he’s come to love.

• ISBN10: 1477848630
• ISBN13: 9781477848630
• Publish Date: 4 July 2017
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Montlake Romance
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 256
• Language: English

Reviews

[thebookdisciple]

Claiming Alexis is book 2 in the Ace Security series but you can read it as a stand alone. The first book was good, but not my favorite Susan Stoker. This series is a bit more contemporary romance than romantic suspense.

Alexis reminded me of so many of my friends when they graduated college. Unsure, overwhelmed, and totally confused. Alexis finished with a degree in general studies because she couldn't decide on a major (yep, I totally understand that!), then bounced from job to job trying to find out what she wanted to do (yep, been there!). She is self conscious of the way people perceive her because her family is wealthy. She has been used for her money in the past, and is tired of everyone thinking she is the poor little rich girl. She gets involved with Ace Security purely because of her brother (events from the previous book), and her plan is to get some dirt on a local gang, turn it over to the cops, then leave town and start somewhere new. She is so in love with Blake that she can't stand to be around him since she thinks he isn't interested at all.

Blake is a computer guy who did judge Alexis by her rich family and job hoping habits at first. But, as he has worked with her, he learned that she has layers. He likes those layers too, but he doesn't want to come on too strong and freak her out. So, these two dance around each other. Like I mentioned, this is certainly more of a contemporary romance than romantic suspense. The tension and drama is centered around this budding relationship. While there is some external strife, its nothing like you would see in a more traditional romantic suspense book. I don't think this is a bad thing! I just want you all to know going into this what to expect.

My struggle with book one was the heroine, Grace. I liked Alexis a great deal more than Grace, but they seem to share a trait or  two. Both of them are kind of pushovers. They have let people in their lives treat them poorly. They know that people have used them. They aren't ignorant or naive about it, but they simply have kind of accepted it. Obviously, in the course of the story, they grow up and stop permitting this behavior. For Grace, it was really annoying. In Alexis' case though I think I was able to empathize with her more so I wasn't as bothered by it. I can easily remember what it was like to graduate college and have no clue how to 'adult'. I can vividly recall wanting people to like me in high school and doing whatever it took to be their 'friend' even when I knew they didn't really like me. Its all about the HOPE that maybe someday they will. As an adult, we can look back and recognize this destructive behavior, but when you are in the moment, its easy to see how Alexis could struggle!

Claiming Alexis gave me the butterflies of budding love, the sexy one liners from an great hero, and the emotional struggle of a heroine that I could relate to. Overall, I enjoyed this a great deal and if you like contemporary romance with relatable characters, I think you might like it as well! And for a virgin, Alexis was pretty worldly and had some great pick up lines!

Bonus: its a Kindle Unlimited pick so if you are a subscriber, you can read for free. You can add audible narration for only $1.99!

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: virgin


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes

Gone to Dust by Liliana Hart, Run to Ground by Katie Ruggle, Feel Me by Cecy Robson...then you will probably like Claiming Alexis!

 

Claiming Alexis

See full review on The Book Disciple