Nowhere to Hide by Lindsay McKenna

August 18th, 2016 Kimberly Review 45 Comments

18th Aug
Nowhere to Hide by Lindsay McKenna
Nowhere to Hide
by Lindsay McKenna
Series: Delos #1
Narrator: Johanna Parker
Length: 9 hours and 37 minutes
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarHalf a Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame
Narration: 3 cups

Lia Cassidy has left the Army scarred physically and emotionally after a vicious attack by two fellow soldiers. Seeking a new start, she finds a rewarding job working with needy children at the Delos Charity School in Costa Rica. But her life turns upside down again when local drug lord, La Arana, burns down the school and pursues Lia as a witness. Terrified and on the run, she discovers there is only one man she can trust-Cav Jordan, the ex-SEAL Delos sends to protect her. Cav Jordan is strong, honorable, and gorgeous . . . and intrigued by Lia. He knows she has suffered pain in her past, and he is determined to break through her barriers and earn her trust. But as Cav slowly chips away at the walls Lia has built, ghosts from her past threaten to destroy their fragile relationship

ROMANCE Sweet yummy alpha Audiobook

Nowhere to Hide by Lindsay McKenna is the first book in the romantic suspense series Delos.  It delivered a heart tugging romance surrounding two damaged individuals, but didn’t deliver the suspense I felt the synopsis promised.

Lia Cassidy was brutally attacked by fellow soldiers almost five years ago. Scarred physically and emotionally she now works for the Delos Home School Charity in Costa Rica. When a drug cartel attacks and destroys the school, killing two teachers, Delos brings in Cav Jordan a former SEAL to work security and protect Lia.

The beginning of the story brings us suspense but it didn’t escalate leaving me wondering where it went. There were moments that had me holding my breath, but the focus of this story was the slow building romance building between Cav and Lia. The story was sugary sweet as Cav recognizing how damaged Lia was and took steps to build her confidence as he fell for her.

I felt bad for Lia, and the author gave us a clear understanding of the damage and emotional scarring inflicted on her. Her healing process was previously hampered by rejections from a former lover but I found her reactions to Cav and his gentle nature childlike. One has to admire her dedication while working with these needy families and she is a lot tougher than she acts. How she acted during her attack and her military background conflicted with her current persona. Yes, she is damaged, but I expected walls not meekness. Cav, is still very much a military guy and was thoughtful and protective.

The romance was sweet as Cav worked on building Lia’s confidence. There was plenty of motherly advice from the head of Delos and slow tentative kisses. If you like, stories where the couple goes on dates confessing their secrets and talk as if they are in a Hallmark movie this story will deliver in spades. I didn’t doubt their feelings, but the way they spoke and acted didn’t quite ring true for me.

We learn about the Delos operation, meet the founders and get an idea of how the series itself will unfold. I am not dismissing the rest of the five book series just yet, but I am hoping that the stories are more balanced between suspense and romance.

I listened to Nowhere to Hide narrated by Johanna Parker. She did an excellent job, but listening to this only enhanced the syrupy sweet conversations, and highlighted Lia’s meekness.

Overall Nowhere to Hide was a good listen, but a little too sweet and unbalanced for my tastes. It does have over a 3.58 rating on Goodreads, so I recommend checking out other reviews.

Listen to a sample audio: Nowhere to Hide

Nowhere to Hide by Lindsay McKenna narrated by Johanna Parker offers a sugary sweet romance Share on X
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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45 Responses to “Nowhere to Hide by Lindsay McKenna”

  2. Lorna

    Syrupy sweet doesn’t do it for me either. And if it’s billed as suspense then there should be suspense. Nope, I don’t think this would be one for me. Sorry it didn’t deliver for you!

  3. ShootingStarsMag

    Sorry to hear this wasn’t quite as suspenseful as you were hoping! Sometimes books with romance DO need to work a bit harder on the rest of the story.

  8. Kristin

    There are a lot of these special ops/military stories out there, I’m starting not to be able to tell them apart. It’s a bummer that this one couldn’t keep up the suspense throughout the book. Hopefully book 2 can pick it up 🙂 Great review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Now I do not have that problem. Romantic Suspense is one of my favorite genres and when you add special ops/military men..I am a happy reader 🙂

  10. Lily

    Oh it always sucks when you have high hopes for a book but it falls a bit flat. i’m a bit perplexed myself as to Lia and her personality…

  11. Quinn's Book Nook

    I’m sorry this book didn’t really hit the right notes for you. Lia’s personality doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense given her experiences.

  13. Sophia Rose

    Yes, I’m all for balance in a romantic suspense, too. I pick it up for both elements so I need to see them both strongly represented. I would also find meekness a curious trait for a former military gal who had been abused.
    Maybe the next one with a different hero, heroine and situation will do better for you. I read another one by her a few years ago and it was plenty suspenseful so there is hope. 🙂

  15. Ailyn Koay

    why would a soldier be meek? that does not sound convincing, but i suppose it supports the vicious attack background, maybe she’s traumatized?

  16. Katherine

    While I do enjoy a good Hallmark movie from time to time I don’t really enjoy reading them (though my favorite movies are the ones based on books – so apparently I can go the otehr way) and the focus on the romance in what could be such a suspenseful situation doesn’t sound like it would work for me. I don’t think it’d be for me though it sounds like a decent read.

  17. Debbie Haupt

    Sorry this one didn’t float your boat Kim, I’m right now reading a November release of hers for a publication and can only tell you that its a Western Romance and I’m liking it.
    thanks

  18. Verushka

    From the setting and the plot around these characters, more suspense sounds like it would have elevated the story heaps! 🙁 Hopefully, the rest of the series gets stronger as it goes!

  19. Nick

    Sounds like it’s a little bit too cheesy and sweet. And I’m sorry that it didn’t deliver on the suspense front either. If you continue with the series, I hope it gets better!

  20. Melliane

    Ah sorry it didn’t give as much as you expected. I didn’t know about this one but I think I’ll pass.