Review: Mr. and Mr. Smith by HelenKay Dimon (Tough Love #1)
Note: This ARC was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for an honest review.
"You refuse to understand how much you mean to me." He traced Fisher's bottom lip with his thumb before dropping a quick kiss there. "Maybe you don't want to."
Fisher swept his hand over Zach's face. Cradled the side of his head in his palm. "You scare the shit out of me."
"At least you feel something for me."
Fisher didn't even blink. "Too much."
This is only the second HelenKay Dimon title that I've ever read, the first one being Stranded from Riptide Publishing, but those two books alone have told me a couple of things: one, the romantic suspense genre is her domain and she commands it well, and two, she is a master when it comes to sexual tension between her two main characters, leaving her readers on the edge of their seats, gripping their e-readers in anticipation of what may happen next, whether it be in a romance or action sense. A quick peek at her Goodreads profile shows that she has a far more overwhelming number of M/F books published, and while I have yet to read one of those, she's proven herself to be more than adept in the field of M/M romantic suspense. I didn't hesitate when it came to reading and reviewing Mr. and Mr. Smith, the first novel in her new Tough Love series from Random House Publishing Group's Loveswept imprint, and I made that decision based on having read just one book prior. Now, reading her next book is a no-brainer.
Keeping secrets and pretending to be someone he's not is all part of Fisher Braun's job description. As part of the Special Activities Division (SAD), he's one of the best at what he does, but it also prevents him from forming any sort of attachment to anyone outside of his team, which is the only family he has now. On of the requirements of his job involves him informing them of anything and everything to do with his life, and while they may know almost every single thing about him, there are a few things he hasn't exactly been willing to share and when he finds the unlisted home he shares with the boyfriend no one knows about in broken into and in shambles, Fisher has no other alternative but to tell his best friend and partner before they go off to find Zachary Allen, Fisher's lover, who Fisher fears has been abducted. However, it's Zach that finds them first and when Fisher stares at the man who has shared his bed and his home for months pointing a gun straight at him, he is, for the first time ever, at a loss as to how to deal with Zach's betrayal.
Zachary Allen knew what was required of him when he was sent undercover to infiltrate Pentasus, a criminal organization believed to be nothing more than a rumor. But the illegal activities and horrific crimes they've engaged in are very much real, and Zach intends to see his mission to the very end. Nothing and no one will get in his way...until his boyfriend, Fisher Braun, becomes the very prime target that Pentasus has focused its crosshairs on. To save the man that he loves, Zach is left with only one alternative: to break Fisher's trust and make him believe that Zach is his enemy. In the process of doing so, however, Zach has failed to take into account just how broken the trust will be and how equally broken both his and Fisher's hearts are. At the end of it all, will fulfilling his mission prove to be more possible than the impossible one that has him hoping that Fisher will learn to forgive him? Can someone like Fisher, wary and distrustful, open his eyes and see just how far Zach has gone and will go to protect him?
Right off the bat, I was drawn into the story. My curiosity was piqued and I had one question after another popping in my head. The back story comes in fragments as the truth is revealed about Zach and his being a CIA operative. Calling this book "filled with tension" would be inadequate because the tension isn't relegated to just a singular aspect. There are a host of strong emotions emanating from the main characters, Zach and Fisher, though I think it's safe to say that they were far stronger on Fisher's end and understandably so. And yet not once did I doubt Zach's feeling for Fisher, which is why their story, for the most part, was heartbreaking as it unfolded. How do you forgive someone who knowingly crossed your path with an intent different from what you once believed? Was everything they shared a lie, part of the rouse? From start to finish, Mr. and Mr. Smith had me by the throat and I was on-board for the twists and turns of this thrill of a ride. This gets five-plus stars and I'm already excited for The Talented Mr. Rivers. ♥
Release Date: 24 May 2016
Date Read: 23 May 2016
Learn more about HelenKay Dimon.
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