Justice for Boone by Susan Stoker
Series: Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes, #6
Romance Suspense
September 27, 2016
Self Published
Reviewed by Tori
Sheriff’s Deputy Hayden Yates has worked hard to gain the respect and admiration of her fellow law enforcement officers. She’s succeeded so well, in fact, that she’s become just one of the guys. As her friends slowly begin to meet their soul mates, Hayden longs to be seen as a desirable woman, and not the tomboy she’s always been.
No slouch when it comes to attracting the opposite sex, cowboy Boone Hatcher might want to give it a rest for a while, especially after his last girlfriend accuses him of domestic abuse. Deputy Yates sees right through his ex’s ruse—and Boone sees right through Deputy Yates. Hayden might seem all business, but her need for justice comes from a heart that beats with pure passion.
A few dates turn into something more, and as the couple’s relationship deepens, so do the threats from his ex. It’s up to Hayden to convince Boone the danger is real…before jealous antics escalate to deadly obsession. (Goodreads)
Susan Stoker’s Badge of Honor series is an integrated series though each book can be read comfortably as a standalone. These strong, sexy, modernized romance suspenses follow the lives and loves of hard-working Texas law enforcement and emergency personnel. A solid storyline, engaging dialogue, and some smoking hot love scenes zip you right along as we watch two strong, independent, slightly stubborn people fall head over heels in love.
This is my first time reading Susan Stoker and I was impressed on how smoothly this story was reads. The balance between this couple’s personal and professional lives blends seamlessly with the conflicts presented. Stoker does a wonderful job of divulging into the various stereotypes found in male dominated professions and the struggles women deal with trying to balance of being taken seriously while trying to maintain their femininity. She also addresses domestic violence and the misconception that only women can be victims.
Told from dual points of view, though Hayden’s is dominant, we get an intimate ringside seat into her emotions and thoughts on how she perceives herself as a deputy and a woman; something she is having a hard time reconciling. She has spent her whole life proving to her father and her coworkers that she is more than able to hold her in a male dominated field. She’s worked hard to gain her co-workers respect and trust. But always being treated as one of the guys has caused her to feel insecure about her femininity. Watching her friends find love doesn’t help. She’s ready for the next stage of her life but unable to overcome the role she’s been placed in.
Meeting Boone Hatcher helps her to not only get in touch with her more feminine side but to also not feel guilty for it. Hayden meets this deliciously sexy cowboy on a routine call. He is being falsely accused of abuse though it turns out he is the victim. Hayden deduces that and arrests his ex girlfriend. Tangible chemistry is felt from the beginning though this couple takes their time getting to know one another, adding to the sexual tension. There is a sense of awkwardness in the beginning, especially on Hayden’s end. It makes sense as we see she is entering into uncharted territory though there were moments her discomfort made me uncomfortable. It was refreshing to see that Stoker doesn’t try to change Hayden or Boone as their relationship progresses. Two alphas making a go at it. Hayden doesn’t suddenly become flirty, coy, or feel the need to subdue her personality in order to be more appealing. Boone doesn’t sacrifice appeal or his masculinity because of Hayden’s strength. He is attracted to the beautiful, sensual, strong woman she is and is often confused by no one else’s ability to see that.
A minor cast of secondary characters are used to help push the story forward and give us more insight into Hayden and Boone. The suspense subplot pops in and out remind us that Boone’s ex girlfriend hasn’t given up though I do wish it had commanded a stronger presence. The end is a climatic finish that resolves the main conflict and assures us Hayden has finally found her happiness. We are also given a small epilogue that clues us into the next hero and heroine.
There were a few issues that seemed overly exaggerated in order to further hype up the storyline. Hayden’s parents for one. I was also a little shocked that Boone’s ex girlfriend was able to sneak in and out under the radar with little to no problem.
Regardless, Justice for Boone is a fast sexy read that offers a sweet romance while handling some intriguing subject matter with confidence.
Grade: C+
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