His Last Defense by Karen Rock
Released: March 21, 2017
Contemporary Romance/Suspense
Harlequin

Reviewed by Mandi

Blurb: Years ago, Coast Guard rescue swimmer Dylan Holt left Kodiak, Alaska, with his heart in pieces. He thought Nolee Arnauyq and her mouthwatering curves were behind him–until he’s sent to rescue the crew of a capsizing boat…including Nolee. And Dylan is definitely not ready for the too-familiar way his body aches at seeing her again.

Nolee’s always gone after what she wanted, and to hell with the risks. Now she’s a rookie ship captain taking on the deadly waters of the Bering Sea. But out on these treacherous waters, there’s no way to avoid the sizzling sexual tension between them–or the dangerous pull of emotions that could leave both their hearts lost at sea…

I wanted to try this book because the heroine is a commercial crab boat captain in Alaska and I’m not sure I’ve read a romance book with a heroine who has that profession. I ended up liking her a lot. She is tough and gutsy – I didn’t connect as well to the hero. Let me set it up.

Nolee Arnauyq is a twenty-eight year old rookie captain, in the rough seas in Alaska trying to make her quota catching crab for a commercial seafood company. With an ailing mother, she wants money fast and is excited to have this opportunity. Her mother is Inuit, and Nolee grew up with a great sense of family and responsibility, but she wanted something different out of life. She wants adventure and spontaneity – and she gets it with this boat. Unfortunately for her, she runs into a very big, surprise storm, and her boat takes on water. Realizing her crew is in danger, she calls the Coast Guard for help. When help comes aboard, she realizes the man to save the day is her former lover.

Dylan loves being in Coast Guard rescue and loved Nolee, but walked away from her years ago when he thought she wanted to move on with someone else. Growing up, Dylan’s father was more of a drill sergeant than a father, and he is now estranged from him and his mother. He has trouble trusting people, and Nolee has abandonment issues. When they are reunited, their passion for each other is still there, but they are scared to try romance again.

Like I said earlier, I liked Nolee a lot. She is a “go get’em” kind of girl. She respects her crew and their safety, but she isn’t shy to take chances. She works really hard to prove herself. I thought the author did a nice job with the boat and crabbing atmosphere. I love how she just runs into any situation with her eyes open, willing to try. She does this with her rekindled romance with Dylan as well. They go from estranged to lovers quite quick but it didn’t bother me too much. A little more sexual tension would have been nice but their relationship played out well.

I didn’t love Dylan as much. I had a hard time grasping onto who he really is. I couldn’t get a good read on his personality. He just fell a little flat for me. I also didn’t love the way his story line plays out with his estranged parents. It was all too easy.

This book was surprisingly steamy! Overall I liked it, although I wish I had like Dylan more.

Grade: B-

Goodreads l Kindle (print is out, kindle releases 4/1)  l Nook