Dealing Double by Tamra Baumann

Dealing Double (A Heartbreaker Novel, #2)

by Tamra Baumann

Falling in love can leave anyone feeling a little exposed…

Archaeologist Gabby Knight has been living under an assumed identity to steer clear of her mobster father’s enemies. But when she suspects her father of plotting to steal a priceless statue buried in New Mexico, she risks everything and sets out for the desert to beat him to it—and to save him from making a grave mistake. Breaking into a secluded cabin to wait out a blizzard, she’s not worried about visitors. It’s not like anyone would be traveling in this kind of weather…right?

Wrong. Detective Jake Morris has been ordered to take an overdue vacation, so he’s looking for some quiet time in the isolated retreat. But getting clobbered over the head by an auburn-haired firecracker wielding a cast-iron pan wasn’t the relaxing start he had in mind. Using a lot of charm and a little help from his prophetic ex-wife, Dani, he soon discovers who the sexy intruder really is.

Serving justice is in Jake’s blood, so he can’t help but join Gabby on her quest to protect the statue and catch a thief. To properly do his job, Jake knows he can flirt but better not fall. After all, what kind of future could a cop and a mobster’s daughter hope to have?

Reviewed by Sam@WLABB on

4 of 5 stars

Share
This is the 6th Baumann book I have read, and once again, she has delighted me.

Who?
• Jake - A workaholic detective with one failed marriage under his belt and a ton of other "baggage", which is getting in the way of him finding his Mrs. Right.

• Gabby - An archaeologist, who's family ties force her to live under a sort of protective custody, and kept her from having any meaningful romantic relationship.

What?
After his involvement in a shooting, Jake is forced to take a vacation. Upon his arrival to the cabin, he painfully meets Gabby and becomes entangled in her search for a stole artifact. He agreed to help her find the misappropriated statues, but he'd also like to help her find some romance.

Why?
I loved Jake in Seeing Double and was excited that he would be getting his HEA. He was once again in fine form in this book, being his charming and witty self, but we got to see what was going on beneath the surface.

Jake's backstory was heartbreaking, and it helped explain a lot of his behaviors. It was wonderful to see him opening up and growing, and though I adored Dani, I thought Gabby was a better match for him. Due to her circumstances, Gabby was able to relate to Jake on a different level, and they were able to find a special kind of comfort in each other. They also had great chemistry, and Gabby definitely knew how to handle Jake.

I laughed a whole lot during the first part of the book, as Gabby and Jake were first navigating each other at the cabin. I will admit, I was not as into the suspense portion of the story, but Baumann infused it with enough humor and heat to keep me interested. I loved getting to catch up with Dani and her mom, and that ending!! The ending made me so happy. Baumann did an excellent job tying up loose ends, and putting a great big grin on my face.

Overall: A fun romance with a little suspense, some heat, and lots of laughs.

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 9 February, 2018: Finished reading
  • 9 February, 2018: Reviewed