I rave about Susan Stoker on this blog! Seriously, I even convinced my mom to read her books. I love that she publishes so frequently because I always have something great to read! Justice for Milena is part of the Badge of Honor series but is a stand alone. The plot does set up the plot for 2 upcoming books as well!
Milena and TJ were in love until he left her without a word. Typical guy-he thought he was too broken for her. Fast forward 3 years and TJ, the highway patrolman, crosses paths with Milena when she is found to be working as a nurse in a very shady 'school'. This 'school' and its 'master' create the conflict of the story and its very disturbing. The school was a front for child abuse and human trafficking. I thought that Stoker handled the topic with delicacy and didn't make it graphic. Human trafficking is one of the biggest problems facing the world today and it happens everywhere! I thought the story was realistic in the portrayal of this terrible ill of society.
Romantically, you have a second chance story. TJ realizes what a huge mistake he made. He did try (a little) to find her after he left, but she had already moved. Milena did search for TJ because she had something VERY important to tell him, but he was gone. Milena is very forgiving and caring. I don't know that I would have been as forgiving as her and certainly not as trusting again. But, I'm a cynical bitch!
Overall, Justice for Milena was a story packed with legitimate danger, really deplorable bad guys, and a love story that will make you sigh in content.
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: second chance
- Triggers: The school is really a place where men go to have sex with children. Child abuse, human trafficking and other ills are present but NOT described in any way
- Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: not for TJ and Milena but as I mentioned, the book sets up 2 future books so you are still wondering what will happen there
- HEA: yes for TJ and Milena with epilogue
Celebrating Love by Maryann Jordan, After the Dark by Cynthia Eden, Dangerous Witness by Katie Reus...then you will probably like Justice for Milena!
See full review on The Book Disciple