I have come to love Janie Crouch's romantic suspense books, so I snagged Daddy Defender right away. This is part of a new spin off series called Omega Sector: Critical Response. It ties into a few events from books in the original series, but you don't have to read them to enjoy Daddy Defender. Crouch gives a 'Cast of Characters' in the beginning that is very helpful.
The story itself isn't stunningly original in any way. Young widowed mother falls for a guy she thinks is the handy man but is really a secret agent in Omega Sector. Also, he is kind of, sort of, responsible for killing her husband. Yeah, that hasn't come up in conversation though.
The villain is a bit Dr. Evil-ish. He and his misfit band of revenge seekers think they are too smart to be caught. Their plans are not diabolical or even inventive. Friehof is obviously the most diabolical of them all and has a much grander plan that simply killing a single agent. I think that the book focused on him as the sole villain it would have felt more cohesive. Even keeping Curtis as a puppet would have worked. But adding 'Fawkes' as a mole in Omega was strange. And ultimately, never resolved.
Chloe, her daughter, is adorable! Kids in stories can be hit or miss for me, but Chloe is adorable. The dangerous events in the story keep the plot moving along. Even though you know the identity of the villain and the ultimate plan, there are still a few surprises that keep the book interesting.
With fade to black sex scenes, Daddy Defender is great for readers who want romance and action without...well the other kind of action ;)
- POV: 3rd
- Tears: no
- Trope: secret identity, single mom, widow
- Triggers: spoiler
- Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: not really; Friehoff is still on the lose and you get a little glimpse into where he plans to strike next but Ashton and Summer plus Chloe are all safe
- HEA: yes
Rescuing Rayne by Susan Stoker, Celebrating Love by Maryann Jordan, Taken by Cynthia Eden...then you will probably like Daddy Defender!
See full review on The Book Disciple