REVIEW: Mr. and Mr. Smith (Tough Love, Book 1) by HelenKay Dimon

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Blurb

Secrets and seduction make for an explosive combination in HelenKay Dimon’s edgy, thrilling new series, which kicks off with a novel about two men who can handle any threat—except the one posed by desire.

Fisher Braun knows how to keep a secret. As a covert paramilitary operative, his job—and his life—depends on it. He’s at the top of his game, ready for action and always in control. No enemy has ever brought him to his knees, but one lover has: Zachary Allen, the man currently sharing his bed. The perfect package of brains and brawn, Zach is someone worth coming home to, and Fisher hates keeping him in the dark about what he does. But the lies keep Zach safe. Until the day Fisher loses everything. . . .

Zachary Allen is no innocent civilian. Although he plays the tech geek, in reality he’s deep undercover for the CIA. In a horrible twist of fate, the criminal enterprise he’s infiltrated has set its sights on the man whose touch drives him wild. Zach would do anything for Fisher—except blow his own cover. Now, in order to save him, Zach must betray him first. And he needs Fisher to trust him with all his heart if they want to make it out alive.

Review

RATING:

First HelenKay read for me and in retrospect, I probably shouldn’t have had it lingered in my TBR all this time. This story line is the kind I gravitate towards in a movie; full of action and suspense. In a book, even better, because you can add some heat:p

Fisher and Zach are CIA agents playing from different sides. All these secrets and lies, oh my! Fisher was meant to be just a job for Zach, but you know how those things work out, they don’t. Feelings become involved. Feelings get hurt and turn distrustful. Then how do you fix that? While sticking to your mission, to boot!

I understood to a degree why Fisher felt the way he did. The back and forth emotion did tire me out a little at some point. I thought Zach made the better decision under the circumstances, and considering what was at stake at that! Overall though, I really enjoyed the dynamic between these 2… Natural conversations, a bit of levity, and the right chemistry…

The story itself moved at a good pace, like a good action film. It followed a nice arc.

Lastly, I have to give a shout out to Nate and Seth, and the extra humor they added, the kind that you see amongst good friends.

So yay!

About the Author

HelenKay Dimon is a former divorce attorney turned full-time romance author. Odd transition, right? She has sold over thirty novels, novellas and shorts to numerous publishers, including Kensington, Harlequin and Penguin, Samhain, Carina Press, and HarperCollins. Her nationally bestselling and award-winning books have been showcased in numerous venues and her books have twice been named "Red-Hot Reads" and excerpted in Cosmopolitan magazine. But the best part of the job is never having to wear pantyhose.

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~Leftie