She’ll do anything to track a killer
And he’ll do anything to keep her in line…
If PI Kiely Colton must work with FBI agent Cooper Winston, she will. But to solve a cold case, she won’t change her break-the-rules style to accommodate the single father’s by-the-book principles.
As the investigation progresses, Kiely finds herself inexplicably attracted to her exacting partner and enchanted by his adorable son. Will a ruthless killer put an end to their possible future before it really begins?
Titles in the Colton 911: Grand Rapids series include —Family Defender by Tara Taylor Quinn (rated not reviewed) – Suspect Under Seige by Jane Godman – Detective on Call by Regan Black – Agent by Her Side by Deborah Fletcher Mello – In Hot Pursuit by Geri Krotow -Ultimate Showdown by Addison Fox
Title: Agent by Her Side
Series: Colton 911: Grand Rapids #4
Author: Deborah Fletcher Mello
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published: October 1, 2020
Publisher: Harlequin Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Sometimes there comes along in a series one story that simply ticks off all the ‘just right for me buttons’. You know the kind. A heroine who is smart, gutsy, can be vulnerable and can change her life plan when the situation merits it. A hero who has gone through the worst life can offer and come out the other side whole but badly bruised, a man who isn’t so wrapped up in the past that he cannot see a different future. An ongoing investigation into a crime that is heating up decidedly at this juncture. And a few twists that I never, ever saw coming to make the story a bit more realistic, more intense, and even more believable. A love between a couple that feels real, acts as an emerging future and isn’t afraid to ask and deal with the tough questions.
I found all of that and more in Agent by Her Side, the fourth title in the Colton 911: Grand Rapids series by Harlequin Romantic Suspense. It’s possible that I’ve read Deborah Fletcher Mello’s work before – after all, I read a ton of various Harlequin lines. Yet, this one story sold me to finding more, searching out her backlist, diving a bit deeper. Funny how sometimes just one story can do that for a reader.
You might think that I haven’t told you much about the actual book – Agent by Her Side – Oh, but I have just in the description of the hero and heroine… add in an adorable, mischievous little toddler and you have a wonderfully complete picture of Kiely, Cooper, and little Alfie. This time around the villains are particularly vile and disgusting, with a twist that I didn’t see coming at all. Now, if I search my memory I know there was a mention of this possibility early on, but it was never reintroduced until that revealing scene… took me by surprise in a way that I love within a Romantic Suspense story. It’s that type of storytelling that will always grab my attention and have me begging for more.
When you just finished a story and your immediate gut reaction is to start a re-read right now in case you missed nuances, details the first time (even though you desperately need to get caught up on the entire series)… well, that’s when I know I’ve a winner in my hands.
I hope you’ll check out Agent by Her Side for yourself. It’s an incredible romantic journey.
I own a Kindle edition of Agent by Her Side.
Available in paperback and for your favorite e-reader.
