by Jennifer Ryan
Series: Montana Heat #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
A Montana man always protects the woman he loves
He discovered her during a Montana blizzard, freezing cold, impossibly vulnerable, a little boy by her side. Undercover DEA Agent Beck “Trigger” Cooke is astonished to recognize Ashley Swan—award-winning actress, famous beauty—and missing for over a year. To keep her and the child hidden from a sadistic madman, he secrets the pair away to his isolated home.
No longer a prisoner, and protected at Hope Ranch, Ashley recovers and learns the tall, tempting federal agent may have a dark past, but it hasn’t destroyed his sense of honor.
As they shed past roles and find common ground, Ashley and Trigger can’t help but fall slowly, carefully, in love. But danger still lurks outside the boundaries of Hope Ranch, for until her crazed captor is brought to justice, and Trigger’s undercover past is laid to rest, none of them will ever be truly safe…
ESCAPE TO YOU by Jennifer Ryan is the first novel in the Montana Heat series and delivered a fast-paced, gritty suspense thriller with a side of heat and heart. This is Undercover DEA Agent Beck “Trigger” Cooke’s story. Come to his ranch in Montana and meet the strong heroine who will capture his heart.
After reading the preview for this novel in the back of PROTECTED BY LOVE, I knew we would be getting an intense story. Beck is at his ranch in Montana recovering both mentally and physically from an undercover assignment that his left him weary and the target of a drug kingpin out for revenge. A snow storm is moving in and when he goes out to tend his horses he discovers someone has been in his barn. Imagine his surprise when he finds a young boy who leads him to a woman. He is shocked when he recognizes the gaunt unconscious young woman. Beck brings them inside and soon realizes these two have been abused. The tale that unfolds places them all in danger even as they build an incredible bond.
Ryan gave us quite the twisted villain and the tale had dark elements as we learn of Ashley Swan and Adam’s ordeal. Beck like his brother Cade falls fast and goes into protective mode. Determined to be by Ashley’s side he comes out of hiding and exposes his location to the man who wants him dead. Filled with twists, turns, and surprises Ryan had me devouring this in a single sitting.
I have liked Beck since we first met him in the Montana Men series. Cover in tattoos that share a story, his tall, rugged looks, dark clothes and scruff makes him look more like a drug dealer than a DEA agent. As the story progressed we saw him transform and it felt genuine. Like he had once again found a purpose.
Ashley was a strong and fearless character. Ryan did a wonderful job of allowing the reader to feel her emotions and gain a sense of what she endured. The flashbacks to the previous year were chilling and had an air of believability to them that sent shivers down my spine. While I knew Ashley was strong to have survived her year in captivity her kick-ass actions and cleverness made me smile. I appreciated the way Ryan allowed both characters to show their strengths and grow.
This was a dark tale with quite a bit of violence. We even spent time exploring the villain’s psyche. Ryan also touched on PTSD as well as media and fan perception. I appreciated these added details and depth.
I think for fans of romance, this tale may feel more like a thriller but I ended up enjoying the ride even if it left me breathless. The romance was touching and despite the initial fast pace, I felt connected. Ryan slowed things down a little, gave us some heat and delivered a satisfying ending that left me smiling. Ryan weaved past threads into the tale and set us up for the next novel, TRUE TO YOU, Dawson Kings’ story.
Fans of thrillers with a side of romance will enjoy ESCAPE TO YOU and the Montana Heat series.
Escape to You by Jennifer Ryan was intense, dark with a sexy DEA hero. #mustread Share on X
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
Cyn
Oh I’m intrigued that this has a bit of a darker twist! Glad the suspense part really worked for you. Definitely sounds like a good start to the series! Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
It was. Her books are fast and suspenseful with a touch of swoon
Katherine
I love romantic suspense and this one sounds like it has a really dark element along with a lot of heart. I’ve been meaning to read Jennifer Ryan forever and this sounds like a great book to start with.
kimbacaffeinate
These are fast paced and the suspense thread makes them intense 🙂
Lark
I knew you would really like this one! Intense and gritty, yes, but wonderful characters and really believable character arcs.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, the characters ring true and this was quite the ride.
Geybie's Book Blog
I’m currently in the mood for this kind of book, Kim. Suspense thriller story. So I’ll check it out!!! I’m curious about this series. Sounds SO good. You have introduced me to lots of new series/authors I would have never knew. Thanks for the review. Awesome as always, my friend. ❤️
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Geybie!
Sophia Rose
I see that this is a spin-off series or at least one that shares the same world with an earlier book. I still am working on her older series. Glad to know this one gets dark and gritty. I like that sometimes.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, these brothers worked a case in the other series 🙂
Laura Thomas
I was hooked right from the opening! I love a good thriller. Throw in a bit of romance and it’s even better. Looks like a winner!
kimbacaffeinate
Yay. I hope you try it, Laura!
Kathryn
This sounds really good, I like a romance with a thriller aspect and these men sound perfect as heroes and now I want to meet the heroine!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a page -turner Kathryn
Melissa
Love Romantic suspense…sounds like a good start to a new series.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, and it was a fast read, Melissa.
Angela Adams
Thanks for the post. While reading your review, I made a note on my “to buy” list.
kimbacaffeinate
Yay! Enjoy.
Lorna
For years this was about the only kind of book I would read so I got a bit burned out on them. I do read a few here and there and this one tempts me. It’s a maybe someday for me. Great review Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
Ah, been there done that with HF. Took five years, but I began weaving them back in and mix up my reads.
Mary Kirkland
I love thrillers and romance so this sounds quite good to me.
kimbacaffeinate
I could see you enjoying this Mary. It has a nice pace.
Lily B
I read one of her books a long time ago but I loved her writing and need more of her books in my life. Especially the sexy cowboys 😀
kimbacaffeinate
Gotta love those c0wb0ys!
Jenea's Book Obsession
It sounds like a great start to a series for sure and one that I would enjoy too. Wonderful review. I think I will keep an eye out for it. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, Jenea. I hope you get a chance to try it
Carole
This sounds like a really good place to start with Jennifer Ryan since it is the start of a new series. I really like that this story has a darker feel to it. Adding it to my wish list!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I would agree this is a good one to start with Carole.
Lover Of Romance
oh, I just loved this book so much here. It did have some pretty intense thrilling moments. But I love them and boy did it tear through my emotions too. Glad you liked this one too! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yay. I am glad to hear this delivered for you as well!
Rosie
I’d love to read this during a raging snowstorm. I love Montana, and it has sure occurred to me more than once how great it would be to have a Montana man protecting me!!! No need for the bad guy in real life, but will make for delish reading!
kimbacaffeinate
Isn’t Montana beautiful? Those winters are dang cold though!
kindlemom1
I love books that have an almost Criminal Minds aspect to them. I bet I would like this.
kimbacaffeinate
Right. Romantic suspense is one of my favorite subgenres in romance.
verushka
I actually love the thriller aspect of this more! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
It was a good one. I hope you get to try it!
Samantha
I have been reading several “romantic suspense’ that are more suspense than romance. Oddly, I have been enjoying them, even though I am all about the romance!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes. I love the combination.
Debbie Haupt
OOh another first in a series with a bit of suspense and heat. It looks good Kim. Do you know how the series will connect?
kimbacaffeinate
Do you mean from the previous series? These brothers appeared in them while working a case.
Debbie Haupt
No I meant this series but I see its brothers so duh, that’s how it connects. Senior moment 😉
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, aside from the brothers the connection is the Undercover DEA team
Ailyn Koay
lovely review! though that guy on the cover could use a shave! that Mo is not his best look i think
kimbacaffeinate
LOL. I like a little scruff.
Nadene
You got my attention. I can’t believe I passed on this book.
kimbacaffeinate
Yay happy I sparked your interest!
blodeuedd
Hmmm, I mean I want their love to grow slower considering what she has been through
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I usually just swallow the little blue pill when it comes to romantic suspense.
Vanessa
Romance story with thriller? I;m definitely up for that!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, I love romantic suspense.