A man trying to recover from his past finds himself drawn to a woman who's experienced her own loss in this emotionally intense tale of second chances that will captivate readers. Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Code Name: Ghost by Sawyer Bennett, along with my impressions of it, then add this fifth installment in the Jameson Force Security series to your bookshelf!
I knew the risks of this job when I signed on with Jameson Force Security. Knew my time as a marine would prepare me for the danger I would face. But no amount of training could have ever prepared me for the helplessness of watching my teammates die, the agonizing mental and physical pain of torture, or the despair of captivity.
Returning home to Pittsburgh following a mission gone wrong, I am riddled with guilt and haunted by nightmares. I spend my days trying to regain the parts of myself I lost in that desert, the pieces that made me the Malik Fournier I once was. While the physical effects of my torture are fading, the emotional ones are proving much more stubborn and I find solace from the last person I should ever seek such comfort.
Anna Tate lost even more than I did in that mission. Now a widow and a single mom to the daughter she gave birth to shortly after her husband’s death, Anna offers me comfort I don’t deserve. As my feelings for Anna grow, I worry that once she learns the truth about what happened, she’ll turn her back on me.
I pull her to me just as tightly as I push her away. Hoping this forbidden love will save me from the ghost I’ve become.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
This is a story that fans of this series have been breathlessly waiting for and I'm happy to report that it was well worth the wait. From the very first page readers are pulled into the dark history of what Malik Fournier endured after a recent mission went wrong, the physical and emotional toll it took on him, and just how difficult of a journey he'll undertake to take back his life. Joining him on his journey is the widow of one of the men killed during his mission, a woman he quickly comes to count on for her strong will and unwavering support when he needs it most. Theirs is a slow and steady journey of friends to lovers, a journey full of tears and moments of joy, that had me rooting for them every step of the way.
Malik's return home was something to celebrate amongst the Jameson Force Security team (a group of larger than life individuals who've come to feel more like family), but for him he's clearly still trying to work through what befell him. After learning about what he endured for those five months it's understandable to see him on edge at the start, a bit lost and guilt-ridden for all that happened under his command, but he's determined to return to the man he once was. It's a slow and steady journey that's empowering and ultimately uplifting with moments full of heart and soul. With each turn of the page I fell for Malik even more, wanted to wrap him in a warm embrace for all the burdens he's taken on himself, but was grateful that Anna was there for him as she was a perfect match for him.
Anna has been struggling too since Malik's return, but for very different reasons. Her husband was killed during the mission that ended with Malik's abduction and she's now a widow and single mother to four month old Avery. That mission created an immediate bond between the two of them though and has them relating to each other like no one else can. Theirs is a connection that starts out supportive but slowly turns romantic as friendship turns to the healing power of love. Through everything Anna's an admirable heroine, a strong-willed and independent woman not afraid to say what she wants and needs. She's a perfect match to Malik and I enjoyed the mature and realistic flow of their relationship, a relationship that addressed moving on from the past free of guilt and embracing love when and where you find it.
This was a story well worth the wait as it was a beautiful balance of acknowledging the past while embracing the future. Malik and Anna were an engaging couple, a pair you rooted for every step of the way. Their interactions were sensual and supportive and were made even more delightful by the addition of Avery. They were a family in the making and with each turn of the page they endeared themselves to me even more. I enjoyed seeing the rest of the Fournier family and the strong bond they had with each other too. It was truly heartwarming to see and was another layer to the familial vibe permeating this series as a whole. With an eye to the next installment I also enjoyed the playful interactions between Anna and Cage, their sibling-like banter, and I can't wait to see where things go for him after the way things ended here. In a series that's getting stronger and stronger, readers will find themselves quickly consumed by the action and romance Ms. Bennett has crafted, and will be left anticipating each compelling new release.
My rating for this is an A.
*I got this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.
AUTHOR INFO:
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.
A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.
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