Review: Midnight Rescue by Elle Kennedy

Midnight Rescue
Author: Elle Kennedy
Reviewer: VampBard
Rating: A

What I’m Talking About:

So. I missed reading the first book in the series. You guys ever do that? Know what’s cool, though? I didn’t miss not reading the first book, mostly—because Ms. Kennedy slips in these little reminders about what happened when it’s important. I really like this because sometimes I forget the important details because I don’t think they’ll BE important, which makes Kennedy a fabulous storyteller.

I just finished reading the last book in the Killer Instincts series and Jen brought up that I hadn’t read/reviewed the first one, so here we are!

There was one thing that bothered me as I was reading—Abby was injured at the beginning of the story, and the elapsed time didn’t give her time to heal a broken bone. While it was periodically mentioned, I would’ve thought the injury would’ve figured more prominently. That’s really my only hmmmm thing. But, it didn’t bother me enough to stop reading, nor did it detract from the story except for making me occasionally wonder how she was able to do something without aggravating the injury.

I’d always wondered about Kane & Abby’s story. We do see them in subsequent titles in the series, and we would get hints here and there about them.

Reading.Their.Story.Was.Worth.It. Every single word made me giggle and grin about things that would happen in future installments of the series—things that were set into motion IN THIS BOOK.

I really loved the character growth of both Kane and Abby in Midnight Rescue. While both characters come to the story with some serious baggage, I was amazed at the change they both endured by the end of the book.

Abby, one of Noelle’s chameleons, has lived her life by the motto: I can do it myself—better, stronger, faster. She’s kind of like the Six Million Dollar Man that way (oops…I may have just dated myself…). She’s only really been able to rely on herself, and she’s grown into a highly self-reliant woman. Which makes her the perfect option for a deep-cover assassin, right?

Yeah. Until she meets her match in Kane.

Now, Kane really isn’t all that screwed up. He’s had some crap luck in the romance department that’s made him clam up when it comes to women—nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? That all changes when he meets Abby, though.

As far as the plot went—I loved it. It seemed like Abby was definitely allowed to be who she is by most of Morgan’s team and they respected her for the professional in their field that she is. Look for the knife-throwing lesson. I loved it! But, while Kane obviously wants to protect what he views as his, he still respects Abby and where she came from. I think this is SUPER important—when we see romantic suspense with women who have mad skillz, oftentimes the guy seems to gallop in on his shining steed to save the day. While I don’t mind stories like that, it was great to see that Abby wasn’t devalued for the sake of love.

Readers need to be warned that this story deals with sex trafficking and there’s a sociopath with an ax to grind.

I really liked reading about Morgan’s men first meeting Noelle and how they all—pretty much—almost peed themselves. ☺  Seeing the beginning of it all was almost sweeter when reading at the end of the series. I know what happens with Kane and Abby—but seeing their beginning? I definitely loved the story.

My Rating now, having read the rest of the series: A, Loved It

About the Book:

Dangerous. Ruthless. Savage. And she’s the good guy. 

Abby Sinclair had a desperate childhood until she was rescued and adopted by a retired army ranger who molded her into a master of self-defense. Now, she’s a cunning and fearless assassin thrust into assignment after dangerous assignment, using everything she has-nerve, resilience, strength, sex-to come out on top. Her only rule: trust no one. 

Abby’s latest assignment is in Columbia: go undercover and snuff out a dangerous arms dealer active in the underground sex trade. But when Abby purposely blows her cover in a last-ditch attempt to free the helpless victims, deadly mercenary Kane Woodland is recruited as back-up. His mission: get Abby out of that hell hole. 

The last thing Kane expects is to feel a primal attraction for Abby. But when she convinces him to join her on her perilous mission, their newfound passion could put the lives of their whole team at risk.

Release Date: May 1, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
Series: Killer Instincts #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format(s): paperback (368 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher/NetGalley

Purchase Info:
Amazon

Reviews in the Series:
Midnight Alias by Elle Kennedy (Killer Instincts #2)
Midnight Games by Elle Kennedy (Killer Instincts #3)
Midnight Pursuits by Elle Kennedy (Killer Instincts #4)
Midnight Action by Elle Kennedy (Killer Instincts #5)
Midnight Captive by Elle Kennedy (Killer Instincts #6)
Midnight Revenge by Elle Kennedy (Killer Instincts #7)

Don’t forget to come back April 25th for Vampbard’s review of the final Killer Insticts title: Midnight Target.