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Blurb
What’s sexier than a man in uniform? A whole precinct full of them…
Searching for Love is the second book in the Behind Blue Lines Series by Christine Zolendz.
What you’re looking for might be right in front of you…
BROOKE FURY
Betrayed. Destroyed. Shattered.
But, I’m used to it.
After all, I’m a cop, and I’ve seen the worst.
I just never thought it would happen to me.
But it did.
Now, I can’t trust anyone.
Not him.
Not myself.
Nobody.
RYAN CAGE
Determined. Loyal. Honest.
But she won’t trust me,
Won’t let me in.
Even though I’m a detective,
I can’t solve the mystery.
No matter how hard I try,
She pushes me away.
What she doesn’t realize,
Is I’m the one thing she can count on,
Forever.
Review
4 stars!
I loved this book. A gorgeous love story that is sweet and sexy with a bit of drama and lots of heart. It’s the second book in Christine Zolendz’s Behind Blue Lines series (and in my opinion, is stronger than the first), and could technically be read as a standalone, but be aware that there is build up to this story in the first book, Resisting Love, so this one lands you straight into an already strong attraction with a bit of character background already developed.
Ryan Cage is a detective who has recently been transferred to a new job. He is loud-mouthed and completely filterless with a history as a bit of a player, but he took one look at his new partner’s younger sister and was instantly smitten. Brooke is also in the police force. She is strong and dedicated to her job, but a relationship turned bad has left her damaged and vulnerable. We saw them meet in the first book, there was great chemistry and lots of flirting, but Brooke wasn’t in a position to explore anything.
Brooke’s last relationship was a disaster which ended badly. There were hints of it in the last book, but here we get all of the details, and my heart broke for her. She is very self aware – acknowledging that she always falls for the bad boy, and she always falls too fast, but she remains desperate for love, even though she no longer trusts her own judgement. Added to the drama, her ex refuses to let her go. There’s also a forbidden element which makes her situation even more complex. And then there’s Ryan…
Ryan has made himself a bit of a fixture in Brooke’s life. Of course they see each other at work, but he also goes out of his way to flirt and banter with her, desperate for his shot. And the more he sees her, the more he recognises what’s actually going on with her, and he becomes a shoulder for her to lean on – offering support and comfort becoming a rock.
“First time I saw you, I thought you were the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen. And when you’re standing up for yourself, you’re fucking unstoppable, and you take my breath away.” She looked down, her blush traveling down her neck and probably burning down to her toes. “After all this is over, whatever man you end up giving your heart to is going to be the luckiest man alive.”
I completely fell for Ryan in this book. On our first introduction to him he seemed like a loud-mouthed jerk, but I loved seeing his softer side come out as we get to know him – seeing him with his family, and also with Brooke, he’s got the sweetest heart, and I loved his protective, supportive nature.
“You deserve so much more. Never let anyone in this world put you down. No one has the right to make you feel less than you are. Let no one change who you are.”
Their relationship is a friends-who-are-attracted-to-lovers situation, and it’s really beautifully done. There’s a lot of emotion between them, and a bit of back and forth as they figure themselves out and work out what they really want, but it’s well done and doesn’t get too angsty or irritating. It’s a really nice journey, sweet, natural, passionate and swoony, and I could feel it as they fell hard for each other.
“God knows I’ve wanted to, but I can’t stop thinking about how much I want you.”
There is external drama which adds a great side-story, tying in really well with Ryan and Brooke’s story and providing some added depth, and the questions that I was left with after finishing the first book were all answered as the story builds to its exciting climax. It all ends in a great place, with an epilogue which finishes everything off really nicely, and a hint dropped for the next book which I can’t wait to get my hands on.
I loved it – 4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Behind Blue Lines
Resisting Love (#1)
Review
Buy: Kindle Ebook | Paperback
Searching for Love (#2)
Review
Buy: Kindle Ebook | Paperback
Finding Love (#3)
Review
Buy: Kindle Ebook | Paperback
Missing Love (#4)
To be released
Giveaway
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About the Author
Christine Zolendz, a USA Today Bestseller, resides in New York City with her favorite NYPD detective and their two beautiful daughters. She loves reading, writing, wine, and caramel lattes.
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