Title:  Play It Safe
Series:  The Safe House #2
Author:  Leslie North
Genre:  Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance
Published:  April 14, 2016
Publisher:
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

Ex-Navy SEAL Samson Jackson has lost everything he’s ever fought for – and nothing can bring back his wife. But when he’s offered a new mission protecting brilliant, sharp-tongued biochemist Angela McAllister from those who want to exploit the deadly knowledge she carries, he’s got no choice but to accept. He couldn’t save his first love, but maybe he can finally find redemption keeping the fiery scientist safe.

Samson knows he has a difficult road ahead of him, but he doesn’t count on the asset he’s charged with protecting being so . . . intriguing. Falling in love isn’t part of the plan. Especially when a rogue government official with nothing to lose plans to harness a lethal bioweapon and take revenge on the terrorists hiding out in Samson’s South African village with Angela’s help—and holds her brother as leverage.

Now, it’s up to Samson to protect a town full of innocents, one of whom is the son he hopes to adopt, while keeping the woman he loves from harm. He’ll have to fight powerful enemies, and his own demons, to save his world from catastrophe.

Play It Safe captures the attention of the reader and holds on tight.  I happen to enjoy the geeky, unassuming, un-noticeable heroine – because when she turns into something else, everyone sits up and takes notice.  An underestimated heroine is like an untried meal, you might hate it but then again, it might become your favorite meal of all time.

The cover description for Play It Safe gives us a good general idea of the story.  I found this one to be full of tensions, sexual and dangerous.  I also liked the couple, perhaps less opposites attract than at first glance.  Samson is a strong, sexy man who had issues to be dealt with – and he does.  Angela is a desperate sister out to save her brother at any cost.  That she is capable of taking care of herself is a plus, and she will need all the pluses she can get in this story.

The action is fast paced with a vile villain.  I will admit that there were times when the “suspense” factor became a touch thin and started to fall into the evasive tone.  I understand keeping some details vague for the story sake, but give me something to keep me turning pages.  This feeling was noticeable to me in only a few spots of the overall story, but it was enough to take me out of the scene for a moment.

Overall, this was a good suspenseful romance, and now to look for the next story in this series.

If you are a fan of Romantic Suspense I believe you’d enjoy Play it Safe.

*I received an e-ARC of Play It Safe from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available for the Kindle