Katie Ruggle is a new-to-me author. When I saw some of the reviews going around for this series, it looked really interesting. Actually, I think it was the second book in the series that really caught my eye. Being that I really prefer to read series in order, if and at all possible, I started with this one. I was very excited when this book came up for review on audio.
So this series is about different kinds of first responders. In this case, a dive and ice rescue team in Field County, Colorado. Lou, short for Louise, but don’t call her that, is a newbie on the dive team. She hasn’t lived in Colorado. She left her family and fiancee in Connecticut and went to a place that she hoped she would never see them again.
Callum Cooke is the dive team leader. He is a no nonsense kind of guy. He is also a bit OCD. He gets very frustrated with Lou on several occasions. While, I liked Callum, he is not what made the story for me. Lou and even some of the others on the dive team were really fun. He’s a real good guy, I just like my men a little more fun.
So there are two storylines for this book. During training, Lou accidentally knocks against something loose in the water and a headless dead guy (Lou proceeds to call him HDG) floats to the top. So there is the investigation into who this dead guy is and how did he end up headless in the lake. Second storyline consists of a what appears to be a stalker following Lou. This is where Callum and Lou start to come together. He doesn’t want her left alone for her own safety.
The romance is a slow build, but Callum does get protective very quickly. The suspense is pretty good. Even if I did figure out who the stalker was before it was revealed, it was still a good story. I didn’t realize how it would escalate and at what lengths this stalker would go to. There was also another surprise that I won’t go into. This story does leave some unanswered questions. They were meant to be unanswered and I think more information will build throughout the series. Just know that everything doesn’t wrap up completely, but was a great ending to this romance.
“Wait until I get there, and I’ll help you hang the shades.”
Her spoon clanked against the glass bowl as she set it down firmly. “Are you saying that I’m incapable of hanging shades on my own?”
“No.” He obviously saw the warning signs of an imminent explosion and was hurrying to backtrack. “I was just offering to help.”
“Uh-huh,” she said, eyeing him suspiciously as she picked up her spoon again.
He was quiet for a moment before asking, “Do you need to borrow my drill?”
“I have my own drill, thanks.”
“How about some drywall screws?”
“Got ’em.”
“I have a level in the truck you can use.” ”
Why would I need that to hang shades?” At his aghast look, she laughed. “Kidding, of course. I have a level. I am fully stocked with tools, despite being in possession of a vagina.”
Narration
This is my first book with Rachel Dulude. I thought she did a really great job. She reminds me a lot of Amanda Ronconi. She did a great job with Lou and her silliness. I thought she also handled Callum’s gruffness. Thought she added the right amount of fear when needed and snark when the time called for it. If you haven’t tried her, I suggest giving her a listen.