Griff doesn't like Carmen and doesn't want to help her. He thinks she is trying to use him to promote herself and her book in some macabre way. Carmen has written a true crime book detailing the crimes of several serial killers. Someone wants her to think they are recreating these crimes, but are they really? Is it a there a serial killer after her or is someone using her book as a way to cover up her murder? Once Griff realizes Carmen will chase this killer on her own, he decides he won't leave her unprotected and follows after her.

The chemistry between these two is there on a slow simmer. Griff knows the timing is not right, and Carmen is unsure what he really thinks of her. Both are attracted, but they take it slow. There are several possibilities in regard to who is taunting Carmen, and I was slightly surprised in the end. I like not being able to completely figure things out, so I enjoyed it.

I didn't read book 1 in this series, but this one worked perfectly as a standalone. I liked Rylan's character, so I will probably go back and read his book. Net Galley provided an ARC for honest review.

This author has done it again with this one. She had me from the beginning with me consuming it as fast as I turned it. Carmen is a character that knows how to latch onto you taking you with her as she spins her tale. Put a colorful killer in the mix you know what that means in level of suspense. When Griffin has come to her side the adventure really takes off with our mouth slowly going open. This is one dynamite series that will keep anyone looking for it.

What are you afraid of? is the second volume in The Agency series by Alexandra Ivy. When I read the first volume, Pretend you’re safe I had no information on a possible second volume but I was sure it would happen.
Indeed, Rylan Cooper, hero in Pretend you’re safe, had a partner with a lot of potential. So it’s in WAYAO that we meet again this secondary character, Griffin Archer, and his heroine we hadn’t met yet.
It’s not the case with our heroes who met several months earlier when Carmen Jacobs was writing a novel about serial killers. At the time of the first meeting Carmen had asked to meet the hero because he had created a software the police use to look for serial killers. Since then Carmen’s book has become a bestseller but they had never been in contact until the heroine is faced with a person who sends her pictures of new victims. She asks the hero to help her, which he won’t do happily at first.

When I read this book, I realized I was becoming less and less fan of journalist heroines who don’t hesitate to take advantage of others’ naivety to achieve their aims. The fact the heroine used this ploy to approach our hero made me gnash my teeth. But I really liked the explanation she gives for this behavior, it’s very believable. So very quickly I found what I love in Alexandra’s female characters: they’re strong, not TSTL, and ask for the help of skilled people in the investigation.
As usual I loved the hero. He’s still attracted to Carmen but once bitten twice shy, so he’s wary of her. He loses his a priori very fast and then we can begin the investigation on the one sending these seedy pictures to our heroine.
I must say that for that I was surprised by the solution of the mystery. There’s just a detail I thought “easy”, it’s the way the hero finds the heroine after her kidnapping. I don’t think I’m spoiling anything when I talk about kidnapping as it’s an almost unavoidable step in a romantic suspense. LOL
The book written by our heroine (The Heart of a Predator) has a big importance in WAYAO as the victims who are photographed have suffered the same fate as the victims of the serial killers in the novel.

For the sex scenes, there are not much of them. First our heroes must trust each other again, and then they are focused on the investigation. So the scenes arrive late and are not numerous.
I also was thrilled to see the heroes of the first volume again however I don’t think there’ll be a third volume.

To conclude, WAYAO is once again a very good opus by the author. Did I already say I was Alexandra Ivy’s fan? LOL I love everything she writes and this book is no exception.

Once again, Alexandra Ivy has done it again. Literary magic. This series is like nothing of hers that I have ever read before, but it is just as good as her other series. I was hooked, and I couldn't put it down. By the time I got to the end, I thought i knew who did it, but she threw in a twist that I did not see coming--and that impressed me. I would read anything Alexandra Ivy puts out. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good murder mystery or thriller. Five stars.

Carmen and Griff are a heck of a team and ooh Griff sounds dreamy.

When her vacation is ruined in the most unexpected and sick way Carmen finds out the Griff may be her only hope to find out if someone is playing a sick hoax on her or if someone is really killing in a copycat manner.

Griff could care less if he ever sees Carmen again after the way they met and the circumstances around that. Doesn't stop him from thinking about her. So when she shows up on his doorstep needing help he is cold to her and eventually she leaves. It doesn't take him long though to figure out he may be her only hope to stay alive.

This is a book the takes Carmen back to he childhood and other places she doesn't want to go. It also allows her to get to know Griff better and as they work together will the sparks still be there or is he just helping out another human being?

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Being stalked by a serial killer because you wrote a book about five of them would make it pretty hard to sleep at night. Unless you have Griffin with you, to protect you and investigate your stalker. It's a woven tale of violence, corruption, jealousy and greed. Griffin is partners with Rylan from book one and we get too see him a bit here as well. Ivy had my attention early in the book and I couldn't put it down. The story is gripping and enticing, the characters are intelligent and easy to like and her covers are my favorite. The covers give the impression of an eerie thriller when she could have put a half naked stud instead, too many of those give a book a sleazy feel, this was the right choice. Thanks to Netgalley for my early copy.

What Are You Afraid Of is part of a series that I enjoy but try not to read after dark. Sinister villains and dangerous situations make this a thrilling but chilly story. Alexandra Ivy is able to scare the pants off of me with this serial killer who also has an obsession with the main character. While romance is part of the story, catching the trucker killer is the main focus of this novel.

An up-to-date romantic suspense that is well-written. It has engaging characters of software genius, Griffin Archer, along with the nonfiction writer, Carmen Jacobs. There is romantic tension between the two as well as plenty of clues as to the identity of the serial killer. Somewhat graphic in the descriptions, still it is the psychological disturbing eeriness that makes this such a haunting read.

This was a quick read for me. I have not read the first book but you don't have to read this book. I really enjoyed Griffin and Carmen. Poor Carmen has a lot of messed up people in her past that come back to haunt her. Griffin is her rock even if he doesn't want to be at first. Griffin is someone I would want to date in real life, too bad he is only in a book. Someone is stalking Carmen and she turns to Griffin for help. The story evolves quickly as in less than a week everything happens. I did enjoy the book. I would read more in this series or by the author.

Carmen just wanted to relax and make it through the holidays. All of plans are ruined when she receives an unexpected package. Is someone stalking her or is there a copycat killer on the loose? When the local sheriff's department refuses to help her, she decides to ask for help from the one person least likely to help her due to their past interactions.

Carmen Jacobs is the last person that Grif wants to see, even though she's all he's thought about for months. But when he realizes that she is really in trouble, all of his protective instincts kick in and he is determined to keep her safe.

Can they figure out what's going on and what will they do about the attraction that they both feel?

Lots of suspense and twists and turns to keep you turning the page.

What Are You Afraid Of? by Alexandra Ivy
The Agency #2

Carmen Jacobs interviewed serial killers, did the book tours and took some time off to recuperate when she suddenly received something in the mail that sent her out to find another killer. She approaches tech guru Griffin Archer for help and the two eventually work together to try to find out who is killing women and why. There are plenty of suspects, a few red herrings, action aplenty, some romance, a surprise or two and quite a few twists and turns before a few mysteries and murderers are revealed. I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next book in the series when it comes out.

4 Stars

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

The first book in this series was very intense. I hope this 2nd book can live up to that. I have a mental checklist for what makes a 5-Star read and this book lives up to all of them. The characters are believable - check. The characters exhibit depth and growth - check. The romance is intense and true - check. The plot works - double check.

Carmen Jacobs is secluded at a cabin in the snowy Rockies trying to unwind and decompress after a year on the road for her bestselling book tour. She is also hiding from the holidays because she has no one to celebrate with. Polaroid pictures of dead women and a threatening note find their way to he porch. The local police are less that concerned. Carmen is freaked because they are copycat killings from a serial killer she profiled from her book.

When Carmen Jacobs first approached Griffin Archer, a reclusive software millionaire, he thought she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. When he found out what she really wanted, he sent him packing. Not she's back and begging for his help. Just what his wet dreams were about, this hot, beautiful woman on her knees in front of him, except, he never dreamed she would be begging for his help. He sends her packing, again, but after some computer investigating, he decides that she just might be in danger and she is one woman he just can't get out of his mind, so he follows her.

What Are You Afraid Of? Have you ever come face to face with you worst nightmare? The second book in The Agency series had me on the edge of my seat totally engaged from the beginning. I highly recommend this book and series

It was pretty good novel that had me guessing till the end. There wasn't much romance in this novel.

I loved reading the exciting and thrilling second book in The Agency series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of the book through NetGalley. When Carmen, a best selling author of serial killers, receives anonymous gruesome, murder pictures of women in the mail and the police won't believe her, she contacts Griffin. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written murder mystery full of suspense and romance, and a must read love story.

Review goes live on the blog on March 23 and will show up on Goodreads sometime later.

In a Flutter: Fab premise, stellar chemistry
Worldbuilding: Well, the setting of this baby was a bit of a woozy. We’ve got a Rocky Mountains start point, and then we go through Kansas City, Louisville, rural Indiana, Chicago, California. It’s cool if you like stories that take you on an actual journey. Me, I’m not so much for traveling, lol.
Characters: Our MC, Carmen, is aged 26 and is a bestselling author (hurray!). She has a tough past and her name sort of works against her when the photos of the victims come into play. I won’t give you the deets, though, you go hunting yourselves, lol!
Now, Griff – uuuh. He was a bit gruff, a bit grumpy, hella smart, protective, and alpha, and yummificent. His initial resentment toward Carmen makes him snarky too, which is perfection. Just perfection.
Their chemistry was sizzling, like wow! I looooved the tension and banter between Carmen and Griff, and they had super hot one on one.
Plot: The mystery of who is after Carmen was engaging and pretty fun for a good while there, but from somewhere around maybe the middle point it lost its momentum for me, and the ending kinda killed my buzz for some reason. I think all the traveling about didn’t much agree with me even though I was just reading it (and traveling IRL agrees with me even less, I’d say) – that might have distanced me from the heart of things, you know? These things can happen.
Writing: Third person, past tense narrative, her/his POV.
Curb Appeal: Kind of generic cover, tbh, but hooking blurb which would give it impulsive buy potential for my Romantic Suspense needs (though the cover doesn’t really convey that message to me; don’t judge a book by its cover, and all that, but packaging sells *shrugs*).
I recommend What Are You Afraid Of? to fans of romantic suspense with amateur sleuthing action and hot chemistry that involves a lot of traveling, hehe.

I love Alexandra Ivy's books and this is no exception. Certainly a change from her normal romances. This story is full of twists and turns. A well-paced story with lots of suspense. A++

This is book 2 in The Agency series and can be fully read as a standalone. It's about Griffin Archer and Carmen Jacobs. Griff is the best friend and business partner of Rylan from the first book. Carmen is an author who wrote a book about serial killers and the crimes they committed. She receives a package that she tries to take to the police only for them to think it is a hoax to get publicity. So she goes to the only person she thinks may be able to help her. Griffin fell into her trap before and doesn't want have it happen again. So he sends her on her way after forwarding the items from the package on to an FBI friend. Not realizing once he does so that he will feel the need to protect her and figure out exactly what is going on.

I liked this one but I think I liked the first one more. There were parts of this one that were slow to me. But it definitely was a good book! There are many twists and turns and things that make you really think! I liked Griff and Carmen together, especially once they work out their differences. They are perfect for each other and are able to offset each others quirks. And I definitely didn't expect the twist at the end!! That completely threw me off! All in all, this was a good read!

Carmen and Griff... I loved these two characters!! Would love to see them in another book! Starting from the first chapters where Carmen receives polaroids from her PR company she is on a chase to find out if the women in the pictures are dead or if it is some joke from a stalker. Although I figured out early on as soon as this certain character came into the picture I knew he was a suspicious person but the book still keep me interested as to the why this person was stalking Carmen. I am trying really hard not to put in any spoilers so let me just say this book was very good. Stalker, serial killers, a budding romance the perfect romantic suspense book. I would definitely recommend this book it kept me up reading all weekend!

Carmen Jacobs has experienced the worst that can happen. She used her past to fuel her career. Always curious by nature, journalism seemed like a good fit. Writing about serial killers was a way to give a voice to those whose lives were ended so brutally. But when she starts receiving mysterious mail and threats the reality of being prey to a killer pushes her to ask for help.
Griffin Archer, millionaire computer genius, wants nothing to do with Carmen. She misled him and he's not one to easily forgive. When she comes to him for help he's only onboard once he realizes that she may actually be the target. Can they find the killer before he finds them?
This book is not light reading. It's definitely got some dark parts that cannot be avoided based on the subject matter. The story is well written, with only a couple of places where it dragged. Action is fast paced and you likely won't figure out who the killer is as there are so many subjects to choose from.

What Are You Afraid Of? by Alexandra Ivy is the second book in the romantic suspense The Agency series. While this is the second book in the series it contains all new characters and a new killer so it can be read fine as a standalone novel if one chooses to do so.

In this addition to the series Carmen Jacobs has written a best selling novel about serial killers after interviewing them. She’s off in a remote cabin vacationing when an envelope shows up on the porch. When opened Carmen finds Polaroids of victims that resemble the murders from one of the killers in her book but these photos were not used in his case.

Carmen thinks that there very well may be new victims out there and possibly a new killer so she contacts the local police only to have them think it’s a publicity stunt for her to sell more books. Knowing something sinister is going on Carmen contacts Griffin Archer and enlists his help finding this new killer before the killer comes after Carmen.

Now to explain my rating on What Are You Afraid Of?… There’s nothing particularly wrong with this book, it’s a typical romantic suspense with the couple coming together while avoiding danger. We have a serial killer on the loose to find and a couple with decent chemistry for some steamy moments but when finished with this one I just felt that while all the boxes were checked it didn’t really stand out and wow me either. To be honest the wrap up even felt a bit standard and I suppose what I wanted was a bit more twists and turns to keep me guessing but instead was led straight to the end leading to a bit of a let down so while it was OK I dare say it may be a bit forgettable too.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.