REVIEWED by Jen B.
TITLE: Variable Onset
AUTHOR: Layla Reyne
PUBLISHER: Carina Press
LENGTH: 243 Pages
RELEASE DATE: May 4, 2020
BLURB:
To catch a killer, a special agent and his former student will need to get close—to their target, and each other. Layla Reyne returns with a stand-alone romantic mystery.
When the serial killer known as Dr. Fear seemingly reemerges after a cooling-off period, Special Agent Lincoln Monroe wants on the case. He knows his research on the calculating criminal, who targets couples and uses their worst fears to kill them, could prove invaluable. But nothing can prepare Lincoln for the agent waiting for him in Apex, Virginia: a brash and cocky former student. Carter Warren is everything Lincoln is not, and somehow everything he wants. And they’ll be going undercover. As newlyweds.
For Carter, seeing Lincoln again—and flustered to boot—pokes his raging bear of a crush something fierce. He thinks posing as lovers will provide the perfect bait for Dr. Fear. But pretending to be married forces them to confront fears of their own…like giving in to the very real chemistry between them.
With evidence pointing to the possibility of a copycat killer, Lincoln and Carter will have to race to separate truth from fiction. But when another couple goes missing, finding the killer will test every ounce of their training, skills and the strength of their bond like never before.
REVIEW:
When Carter stumbles on a lead to catch serial killer, Dr. Fear, while searching for details on his own past, he requests the help of his former professor and special agent, Lincoln Monroe, who he has harbored a crush for ever since they met in Lincoln’s classroom. The two go undercover as husbands in the small town of Apex to hunt and lure out Dr. Fear and what they believe to be a copycat killer.
I loved these guys. They each have past issues they are dealing with – Lincoln with his crippling performance anxiety, and Carter with his fear of never being good enough stemming from his mysterious childhood in foster care. Of course, these are ideal issues for Dr. Fear to exploit. While they search for clues, they must face Lincoln’s problem in the course of their undercover work, while Carter’s issues are dealt with a bit later on. Regardless, they are not glossed over, and both know they must be dealt with in order for them to have a relationship.
I enjoyed the slow burn in this one. They don’t just jump each other even though the chemistry is obviously front and center. Thankfully, they put their relationship, physical or otherwise, on the back burner while they take care of solving the mystery and saving lives. We get to see beyond the cocky and confident façade to the vulnerable man inside, as well as the strong silent type who shows a flirty side. They come from completely different family backgrounds, both past and present, but it is clear they are exactly what each of the needs.
This was another enjoyable hit for me from Ms. Reyne. I’m a bit disappointed we won’t be seeing these guys again, but I am looking forward to whatever she comes up with next.
RATING:
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