Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “What can I say?” I have more layers than Hell.”

Noelle Bond is a private investigator in the small town ff Holly Wood, TX. A former Dallas police officer, Noelle left the force after an incident that left her unsure of herself. A strong-willed woman with three overprotective brothers who are cops, a father whose retired from the force, a laid back mother, and an obnoxious grandmother determined to marry her off to the first Italian Catholic she finds. Noelle spends much of her days chasing cheaters and her nights running from her family.

When a dead body is discovered in the dumpster behind her office and the victim’s ex-husband hires her to find the killer, Noella gets swept up in the murder investigation and pitted against her dreaded nemesis-the ‘oh so sexy’ and infuriating Detective Drake Nash. Drake and Noelle are like gasoline and matches. Get them together and BOOM! Unable to forgive her for shooting him in the foot twelve years ago, Drake makes sure Noella knows he doesn’t respect her, her skills, or her intrusion into his case.

As the dead bodies begin to pile up, Noelle finds herself rethinking her employment choices while searching for a killer and making sure Drake Nash stays out of her way and her bed.

“I didn’t know it was possible to want someone and despise them at the very same time.”

Recently I was discussing romantic comedies with some friends, and I was recommended this series by Has from the blog Book Pushers. Similar to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series Emma Hart delivers the same strong family oriented storyline chalked full of humor, mystery, over the top dramatics, and a strong antagonistic romance but without the dreaded love triangle and a competent heroine. 

I enjoyed Twisted Bond though I did have a some issues. Hilarious hijinks galore as Hart blends a sexually tense VERY slow burning romance (slow as in there is no resolution to the romance element) with an intriguing multi-faceted whodunnit jam-packed with mayhem and murder. Standing in the middle of all this is Bond. Noelle Bond. PI extraordinaire. Noelle is a heroine you can’t help but enjoy all the while rolling your eyes at her antics. Intelligent, snarky, full of life, strong-willed, and alpha to the core. She doesn’t take any flack from anyone and always says exactly what’s on her mind.  Single and loving it, the only man who makes this gun touting, cupcake devouring, clothes horse burn with lust is her worse enemy.

Drake Nash.

Detective Nash is the lead homicide detective for Holly Wood sheriff’s department. He despises Noelle and makes no bones about it. An alpha male from head to toe, he has a very low opinion of women that spills over onto Noelle frequently. When his murder investigation coincides with her client investigation, he goes to extreme lengths to keep her out of the loop, forgetting she has three brothers on the police force. Watching Noella and Drake verbally battle one another will keep you in stitches though at times it got a little to verbally violent (especially on Drake’s end). They volley insults at one another with the skill and speed of professional pitcher; zinging them left and right until the tension becomes so unbearable that kissing each other is their only recourse.

“I’d advise you not to work against me, I have no problems putting you in cuffs.”

And I have no problem spending the night in lock-up for impaling your penis with my stiletto.”

An eccentric cast of supporting characters only adds to the overall appeal. Noelle’s employees are a lively bunch whose antics (and cupcake demands) keep Noelle busy while she solves crimes and evades her overbearing Nonna who is convinced that Noelle will only be happy when she is married and pushing out babies for her husband. Preferably an italian catholic husband. Noelle’s brother and father have her back in every way; especially when a certain detective crosses a line that leaves the men in her family up in arms.

“Remember Officer Bond, that I’m your superior.”

“Remember, Detective Nash, that you’re not my superior, and I’m more than certain that mine will accept me defending my sister after the way you treated her last night. So, until you are my superior, step back and stay the hell away from my her.”

“The way I treated her? I was doing my job, Bond, and I was utilizing the resources available to me.”

[…]

“La famiglia e tutto, “ Devin says, ignoring me entirely. “Family is everything. Do your job, but don’t fuck with my sister while you do it. She’s the only woman in town who demands respect, and by fuck, Detective, I’ll die makin’ sure she gets it from everyone who thinks they’re above it.”

The mystery is a solid device, moving fast and sure as Hart gives us plenty of clues, evidence, and misdirection to make sure we never see this villain coming. The ending resolves the mystery but leaves readers unsure of the path Noelle and Drake will be taking.

Overall I enjoyed this first installment. The strength of the story is the characters. Noelle and her family are over the top entertaining and Hart does a fantastic job on the mystery and it’s development. As I stated earlier, I did have some issues. At times I felt Drake’s and Noelle’s bantering became abusive-especially on Drake’s part. I found his reasons for the intense dislike he harbored for her bordering on ridiculous. I could understand Noelle’s dislike as it was in reaction to Drake’s treatment of her but we really don’t get a clear reason to exactly why Drake almost hates her. I found the shooting of the foot excuse a bit too mild for his actions towards her. Also, the repetitive nature of the author telling us how great Noelle was with guns annoying. I want to add I have already read book two, Tangled Bonds, so I know that both of the main issues are toned down considerably. YAY.

Grade: B-

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