REVIEW: Lost in Shadows by Anita DeVito

In Lost in Shadows (Lost #2) by Anita DeVito, when a good friend asks him to guard his sister and find the people wanting to hurt her, private security expert Jeb McCormick agrees. However, he never expected himself to be so attracted to his new client, and soon he finds it hard to keep things professional. Will Jeb be able to protect Carolina, or will he fail just like he believes he did in the past?

He placed his hand over hers, capturing it. ”You don’t have to do this. I can take care of it.”
“Just sit still, you big baby.” She stood between his legs and, leaning into him, began to work. “I suppose I should be flattered in a princess-in-a-tower way.”
“Well, sure—“
“But I’m not. No more breaking into my house.”

Carolina Walker doesn’t understand why someone would be coming after her. Since she’s no longer a reporter, and it’s not as if she does anything worth someone wanting to hurt her, besides researching stuff for various clients that need something further investigated. However, it seems someone is determined to stop one of her investigations, and if she doesn’t figure out which one soon, she could find herself in deep trouble. Can the handsome Jeb figure out who is causing trouble for her before it’s too late?

After reading the blurb to this book, I couldn’t wait to dive into this story, and I’ve got to say that it was captivating, fast-paced and a book I read from start to finish in one sitting. Right from the beginning, this book begins explosively due to what happens to the heroine and the reason why Carolina’s brother calls his friend to take care of her. Because the heroine isn’t used to dangerous situations and shouldn’t have to deal with things on her own or only with the local police helping her.

The dialogue was well-written, powerful and completely compelling. I was drawn into this story due to the main characters back stories, especially that of the hero. Is he looking for redemption after what happened during one of his missions while in the military? Will helping Carolina make him able to forgive himself and finally move on from his past? Will Carolina find a way to help Jeb deal with the wounds of his past, so they can have a chance at happy ever after? However, there were also some playful moments between these two that had me smiling, especially the moment they met. Carolina definitely finds a way to make Jeb concerned for his life. At least until he can take control of the situation.

”You need to kiss it.”
The victorious smirk faded as she swallowed hard. “W-what?”
“You need to kiss it. It isn’t all better until you kiss it. Didn’t your mama teach you that?” His voice teased, a sexy invitation to indulge. Only her gaze moved, roaming from his eyes to his mouth to his shoulder.

Jed is a wonderful hero and I loved his back story. Everything that’s happened in his past has made him the protective, hard but caring man he is, most especially what happened during his time in the military. A moment where he believed he failed someone he should have protected, and he needs to make up for that. Can he keep Carolina and his family safe? Can he discover why someone is out to hurt the heroine? Moreover, the heroine is good for him. So much so that the secondary characters aren’t afraid to offer their opinions about how much of a godsend she is to Jeb’s life, especially with what she does for him by helping him come to terms with his past.

While Carolina, she’s strong and brave in how far she’s willing to go to discover who is coming after her and why someone is causing trouble for her. She’s also very hard-working, which is proven by all she’s accomplished as a journalist. Luckily, her skills as a journalist have given her the chance to do the work she does now, which seems to be a lot more filling. Because she’s determined to find the answers that her clients want; answers that they have trouble finding and give her a chance to dig deeper. Unfortunately, researching for people can lead to the kind of trouble that can get her killed.

”Nobody but you. Nobody but you could have known what I needed. You overwhelm me.” He crushed her to his chest. “It’s like the million pieces that were my soul have been magically drawn back together. God. That was sappy.”

Overall, Ms. DeVito has penned an incredible read where the sex scenes were hot and proved just how right these two are for each other, because Carolina knows just what Jeb needs to be whole again. The way this story ended was perfect, as the heroine helps the hero to heal from his past. Certainly, the hero was seeking redemption, and in the end he gets it because of what the heroine does for him. I would recommend Lost in Shadows by Anita DeVito, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the brother’s friend trope or a story encompassing a hero seeking redemption.

Book Info:

Publication: December 5th, 2016 | Entangled Publishing | LOST #2

Private security entrepreneur Jeb McCormick is in over his head with his latest client. Not only is the painfully shy woman he’s meant to be protecting a total knock-out, she’s also his former Army buddy’s sister. Helping her find the reason why anyone would ransack her house is demanding enough, but keeping his hands off her is proving to be the real challenge.

Carolina Walker wants a quiet life, thank you very much. She left intrigue and deception behind in Washington D.C., never expecting it to follow her home to Bowling Green, Kentucky. When events happen that can’t be explained away, help arrives in the form of the very attractive and muscular Jebediah McCormick. But as the tension escalates between Jeb and Carolina, so does the danger facing them…