by Mandy Baxter
Series: U.S. Marshals #4
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Rating:
Heat Level:
Fast, cunning, and driven, he'll do whatever it takes to nail the most violent federal perps. But she is the one danger he'll never see coming…
She can't remember when she wasn't afraid. She can't go to the police. And "Olivia Gallagher" is only a day away from fleeing her Idaho wilderness life before biker gang leader Joel Meecum finally catches up with her. So keeping her rugged new neighbor at arm's length is the only safe play. Until Livy can't resist one last hungry chance to feel alive…
For U.S. Marshal Nick Brady, taking his vacation next door to Meecum's ex-girlfriend seemed the smartest way to find him. But suddenly, nothing is making sense. How could this feisty, straight-talking brunette ever get mixed up with Meecum's brutal crew? And why is he breaking his oath and getting so close that all he wants is to keep her safe? Now as the clock ticks, Nick and Livy's only chance at escape may be the one they can't survive…
At Any Cost by Mandy Baxter is the fourth book in her hot and sexy U.S. Marshals series. At Any Cost was a fast, fun read filled with scorching heat and a nice dose of humor that had me giggling. The U.S. Marshall series is a romantic suspense series that I have come to enjoy, each book deals with one marshal and his romance. These all work as standalone.
We meet gung-ho U.S. Marshal Nick Brady. The man is yummy looking but has some issues. Nick has only been with the Marshals for six-months and has already made an impression with his superiors. Sadly, it is not good. While his intentions are good and he brings in fugitives, he tends to skirts the rules. He works cases not assigned to him and tags along with other teams. His leaders feel he will get either get himself killed or burn out. Nick receives orders to take a month vacation but of course, Nick cannot simply take a vacation. Nope he has to follow a lead. Nick was a little too cocky for my taste but his intentions are good and admittedly he could be adorkable.
Twenty-four year old Livy “Olivia Gallagher” lives in fear and has been in hiding for the past four years. A gang leader wants her dead and his reach extends into law enforcement. I loved Livy from the start, and even though I question how she handled the situation, she is tough as nails, hilarious and loves her cat. Anyone who loves and talks to their animals are okay in my book.
At Any Cost offered up delicious heat and there is no denying the sizzling attraction between these two. While I enjoyed the heated moments, it was their conversations, banter and Livy’s hilarious conversations about “Frank” that kept me reading.
I ended up skim reading some of the hot sex scenes. (something I never do) Not because they were bad, because trust me, Baxter heats up my kindle just fine. It was just too much and I needed more balance between the suspenseful plot, character development, and sexy times. The suspense angle regarding Livy and the mobster was fantastic, but sadly, this took a third row seat behind the sexy times, the couple’s inner dialogue about coming clean and Nick’s issues.
At Any Cost offers an enjoyable escape. For those looking for a sexy read laced in suspense At Any Cost offers up humor, heat and likeable characters. I am looking forward to Locked and Loaded releasing in September 2016.
At Any Cost by Mandy Baxter reviewed at Caffeinated #Suspense #romance Share on X
Lorna
I love that she loves her cat, and that it had so much humor. However, I have read too many books that rely more on the sexy times and less on the plot and I would have been skimming those scenes a bit as well. There definitely needs to be a balance and not sex taking over rather than plot!
kimbacaffeinate
The other books in this series have been more balanced for me, this was top heavy.
Michelle (
Ha! I loved Frank. I liked this one too. (something stopped me from just completely loving it…I got a little bored about 60% of the way through.) But it was a good read.
This was my first book in the series that I had read. Which of the first 3 was your favorite?
kimbacaffeinate
Two and Three Michelle were really good, One was more balanced between romance and suspense 🙂
Bookworm Brandee
Man! You’re really tempting me with all the romantic suspense, Kim! I like the sound of At Any Cost even if the hero is a bit too big for his britches. I too love anyone who loves and talks to the animals, so I think I’m gonna like Livvy just fine. 😉 I’m happy you enjoyed their story even if you’d have liked a better balance between the suspense and the sexy times. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was a fun read Brandee!
Jennifer
I’m in the middle of reading this one and enjoying it. If it wasn’t for homework and housework I would have finished it up this weekend.
kimbacaffeinate
Glad you are enjoying it, sorry about the housework and homework!
Melliane
I haven’t read this one but I liked the others so I’m curious to continue the series.
kimbacaffeinate
I have had a blast reading these and the previous ones had a nice balance for me
Christy LoveOfBooks
A biker gang (leader?) is after her? Hmmm .. that makes me a little reluctant to read it, but the main characters sound great! Even with all the sexy time. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
It is not what you think and not a MC read at all.
The Bibliophile Babe
It’s frustrating when there’s too much sex!
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe..yeah I like a little meat with my meal 🙂
LeKeisha
I’ll have to try one of these soon. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do 🙂
Lover Of Romance
oh I do love some fun bantering and I have been wanting to pick up Baxter for a while now.
kimbacaffeinate
Honestly I have had a blast with this series and love romantic suspense.
blodeuedd
I want to try one of her books…one day
kimbacaffeinate
Good 🙂
Angela Adams
“The man is yummy looking” — great description. Thanks for the post.
kimbacaffeinate
LOL. Thanks Angela
Leona
Yeah Nick sounds like a handful. His cocky attitude would’ve been a turn off for me as well. You aren’t the only one that skips sex scenes because the scenes just don’t mesh.
kimbacaffeinate
The scenes were good I just wanted more balance.
Quinn's Book Nook
I really want to read this book. I’ve been hearing great things about it. You skimmed some of the sexy times? Whoa, they must have been pretty intense.
kimbacaffeinate
They were good, but too frequent..lol
Anna
It sounds great, but I’m more of a mystery puzzle lover. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Anna 🙂
Aubrey Wynne
Thanks for the review. It doesn’t sound like it’s quite right for me but is perfect for a friend of mine. I’ll pass it on.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Aubrey..I hope they enjoy it!
kindlemom1
These do sound like fun and like a good escape read Kim. Glad you are having so much fun with this series!
kimbacaffeinate
They are..perfect for hot summer nights 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Oh yes Kim, I saw another review of this a few days ago. Okay you all win its going on my list! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
This is a fun, smexy series Debbie 🙂
Tyler H. Jolley
Too steamy for me, but I appreciate the variety of genres. I’m always exposed to something new.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Tyler 🙂
Silvia
“It was just too much and I needed more balance between the suspenseful plot, character development, and sexy times.” I totally get what made you skim those sex scenes, but I’m glad overall it was still an enjoyable read, and the banter you mentioned would get me engaged, too 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Love the banter!
Kristin
Skimming the sex scenes??!?! … um, yeah, I’ve done that, too. Sometimes a book is unbalanced or something like that. I’ve seen it before. But this story sounds so cute and I’ve never read the author before so on my TBR she goes 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It was cute, and I am enjoying this series.
Priscilla
“Anyone who loves and talks to their animals are okay in my book.” Yay, we cool, Kim! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly!