Shattered (Lost, #3)

by Cynthia Eden

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

When I heard that Jax and Sarah’s story was to be the next book in the series I could not wait to get a copy. (I was fortunate to receive a complimentary copy courtesy of Edelweiss). I love stories where the hero is portrayed as a bad boy. There is just something about them that I find irresistible.
 
 
The story picked up from where Twisted ended. Based on the previous installments, it was evident that Sarah’s past was messed up, but I was not aware as to the extent until I read this installment. Dr. Sarah Jacobs is a criminal psychologist who works for L.O.S.T. She utilized the skills her father taught her to assist in profiling criminals, as such turning what was meant for evil into something good. She found herself constantly trying to prove that she was nothing like her notorious father. Can you imagine being the daughter of a serial killer and having to live under that cloud? Well, this is what she had to face from the day she discovered that the man she thought was her hero was in fact a psychopath. To make matters worse, her father’s past actions have now placed her in the crosshairs of a deranged killer bent on revenge.
 
 
Jax Fontaine was considered the boss of the New Orleans underworld. He was feared by the locals . The authorities believed him to be involved in criminal activities; however, they were unable to prove this. He did not have an easy life growing up. He spent most of his life living on the streets, but he pulled himself up out of this life and was able to make a name for himself. He had no knowledge of his past and as such he sought the services of the L.O.S.T to help him to uncover who he was. However, things got derailed when Sarah was attacked. What followed is a story of explosive proportions. 
 
The chemistry between Sarah and Jax was combustible. 
 
 
He caught her right hand. “You know we’d be dynamite together. We touch, and I pretty much implode.” Her whole body was trembling, but Sarah locked her knees. “That kind of desire is dangerous.” “Aw, pretty Sarah, that kind of desire is addictive.”
 
 
What they felt for each other went beyond mere attraction. They shared a deep connection and because of this they helped to break down each others’ barriers. I liked that they did not judge each other based on their past, they accepted each other for who they are. 
 
The villain is very clever, he always seems to be one step ahead. I liked that we were able to see what he was thinking at each turn making it easy to figure out that his motive was one of revenge. However, although the motive was clear it was not easy to figure out why he wanted revenge . The story had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The twists and turns had me guessing from start to finish and the action was non-stop. 
 
I loved all the characters in the story, but my favourite was Jax. He came off as being dangerous, but deep down he had a tender side to him, especially when it came to Sarah. He would walk through fire just to keep her safe. 
 
This story depicts that not everyone can be trusted and that your enemy may turn out to be the person you least expect. 
 
Overall, this was a great read. It had the perfect balance of romance and suspense. It was fast paced, attention grabbing and the writing was just plain fantastic. If you love romantic suspense, then I recommend that you read this series.