Second in the Cape Cod Shore series, Caught in the Current is a contemporary romantic suspense. The story sees private investigator Alex partnering with former marine Jay in a road trip to rescue Jay’s nephew, who has been kidnapped by his biological father.
Both Alex and Jay have baggage aplenty. She’s been traumatised by the kidnapping of her little sister when they were young children and the appalling way her family has treated her since then. He’s reluctant to enter into a relationship after returning home early and finding his long term girlfriend in bed with his best friend. Despite these obstacles these two just click from the start of their journey.
I liked the characters in the story. There was a real sense of family and inclusiveness and genuine caring, not only between Alex and Jay but also within his family and their close circle of friends. I found the pace of the story a bit slow at times but overall I enjoyed it.

Caught In The Current by author Charlee James is another good read. Some nice characters that keep your attention and the pages turning.
Review copy received from Tule Publishing via Netgalley

Jay needs Alex's help. His nephew has been kidnapped and she's just the investigator to help him get him back. Sure, they have a history, but Alex is ready and willing to help. As their investigation continues, will it offer them the chance to become closer? Will they be able to use this as a time to get to know each other better?

I thought Caught in the Current was a great romantic suspense. Jay and Alex are interesting, very likable characters and I like the way the case is used to bring the two of them together. A solid effort from a new to me author.

Scars are intimately, individual things, and how a person bears those scars is as unique as they themselves are. The reality is that the scars that can be seen and dealt with, one way or another, are just as real as those scars that lay hidden beneath the skin where the memory dwells, lingers and cannot let go. Jason and Alex both bear scars from their pasts, in the long run Jay’s may be more easily dealt with for Alex’s scars lie deep in her childhood and continued into her adult life as well. In her work she is driven to reunite loved ones, no matter how difficult or dangerous that might be.

Jay and Alex have a connection that leaps off the page. And hidden beneath the surface are things that Alex must face, must deal with if there is a chance of a true life with the man she’s come to not only desire, but respect and love. Mixed in with the suspense and danger of searching for a kidnapped child is also the romance of two people with scars who complete each other in unexpected ways. Watching them not only battle for a child’s return home, but for their own love was an emotional, touching and at times sizzling adventure. I enjoyed their story very much, and will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next story in this intriguing series. If you enjoy a touch of suspense mixed with your romance, then you’ll want to pick up a copy of Caught In The Current… you will not be disappointed.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Caught in the Current is the second offering in the Cape Cod Shore series. In it, Jason Hall, retired Marine, seeks out private investigator, Alexandra Macintyre, in the search for his kidnapped nephew. Jason and Alexandra have a short history and the chemistry between explodes as they race against time to find the nephew.
They do not know is what they have together is strong enough to be more than a short thing again. Alexandra has a past that haunts her of an abducted sister and Alexandra’s lifelong feeling of guilt over it. Jason will do all he can to help her understand and see that she was not the responsible one in the abduction. If she can overcome her guilt and remorse, she might be able to tear down the walls she has built and let Jason into her heart and life.

Caught in the Current is book two in the Cape Cod Shore series by Charlee James. Each book so far has been self-contained with very little overlaying of the stories, so you can completely enjoy this book without having read the first book. In fact, it is very different from the first books as far as story line goes except that there are children in both, but even that is very different.

Much of this story takes place on the road but it does originate at the Cape Code Shores location. It is realistic in that I imagined that this is the way a private investigator would work in today’s world. Of course, taking the client with them may seem off key, it makes for a very interesting plot. I really don’t think anyone could have said no to Retired Marine Jason Hall. Jay is definitely a man who would go on his own, whether or not someone allowed him to tag along.

The bad guy is creepy with the way he is able to lead a teen astray. There is a warning here for us, especially since all do not have an uncle like Jay. The romance is builds as Jay and Alex travel. Being in close quarters does seem to do that, so the relationship is realistic too, just like the baggage that both main characters are carrying around. I liked them and wanted them to forgive themselves, find love and believe that they deserve happiness.

Loved this book of finding love when you least expect, even though they did share a scorching kiss once before. When retired marine, Jason's nephew goes missing he knows the one person who can help him, PI Alex. The two unite fronts and go on a road trip to find Luke. They both have pasts that have held them off from perusing romantic forevers until now.

This was a fast paced book that I could not put down. Loved finding out the back history on Alex , it just made my heart hurt. The grief that she has endured through out her life. Jason has had his share of grief through his military career. Great chemistry between these two characters. Looking forward to reading the next book set on the Cape Cod Shore. I highly recommend, this is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.

Caught in the Current by Charlee James
Retired Marine Jason Hall is a force to be reckoned with. When his nephew Luke is kidnapped by his fresh-out-of-jail father, he knows there’s one woman he can count on to help in the search. The last time he saw private investigator Alexandra Macintyre, they were steaming up the windows of her black SUV. Forgetting the scorch of her lips against his hasn’t been easy, but Jay knows the crippling pain of betrayal far too well.
Alexandra Macintyre is no stranger to tragedy. Haunted by her past, she seeks redemption by helping families find their loved ones, hoping their outcome is different from her family’s misfortune. Alex and Jay make a formidable team as they band together to rescue Luke, but the road trip south tests their emotional stamina. Alex is used to being alone, but Jay gives her a taste of the love and belonging she’s never dared to hope for.
Will Alex be able to make peace with her tragic past for a future with Jay?
This is Alexandra Macintyre and Jason Hall's story.
Alex Macintyre was petite but she carried herself with power. The first and last time he’d seen her they’d been steaming up the windows of her black SUV after they met by chance over dinner with mutual friends.
Fiery red hair slapped against her jawline as the impending storm rolled to a boil overhead.
“Talk to me,” Alex said when she was within arm’s length. They began walking down the shoreline together, hip to hip.
“My nephew’s thirteen. He was taken by his biological father on Friday during an unauthorized visit at my sister’s house.” Jay pulled out his wallet and handed over a picture of Luke, elbow deep in a banana split.
Biting February winds howled over the dark, tossing waves and snaked down the neck of Jason Hall’s sweatshirt. The dicey surf mirrored the sickening churn in his gut. It had been seventy-two hours since his nephew Luke was taken. Seventy-two hours since Jason had last slept. He’d scoured every inch of the seaside town his family called home for the teenager who always had a lacrosse stick or baseball glove in hand. Amber Alerts flashed Luke’s picture, one from his last middle school dance.
It seemed like yesterday that Jay had pulled up to the school, crowded with nervous teens, as they waited to get into the gym for the dance. They’d talked and laughed on the ride, and he’d given Luke advice on the best way to ask Shae Brigham to slow dance. Now, Luke’s freckled face flew across television screens throughout the region, but the hours ticked by with no new information.
Jay was done sitting on the sidelines while his baby sister cried jagged tears. Done seeing the helpless devastation in his aging parents’ eyes. He drew in the salt-laced air. It did nothing to cool the burn in the back of his throat. It was up to him to find Luke now.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
I highly recommend reading.
Caught in the Current by Charlee James is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Charlee James.
Charlee's Books with Tule:
In With the Tide
Cape Cod Shore
Caught in the Current
Cape Cod Shore

Read and loved the first book in the series, and really got into this one fast to. I took a sneak peek at the next book, and oh I cannot wait to read it.
Both Jay and Alex’s characters were so great, I really cared for both of them, and Jay’s family gave the book that warm heartfelt family feeling.
My recommendation is don’t miss this series.

This was in a way a second chance romance but also insta love for Alex and Jay - both of whom were important secondary characters in “In With the Tide.” Here the two are thrown together again after a brief encounter by the kidnapping of Jay’s nephew. I liked both characters and each had their own serious baggage they brought to the relationship, though I felt like there wasn’t enough discussion of Jay’s backstory. However, I found parts of the kidnapping saga to be not believable - how did they get the exact path followed by Shane correct - not only his route from Massachusetts to South Carolina but literally the exact hiking trail. Overall an enjoyable and quick read and I look forward to the next installment.

2.5☆
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Cape Cod Shore
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I had a hard time staying interested in this book.

This was just an ok read for me which was too bad because I thought there was a great story in there just waiting to come together and burst free. Instead it felt rushed to me. That said the core of the story is solid. Jay and Alex are both strong dedicated characters and their hunt for Luke and the urgency they are working under could be felt. In the end my biggest complaint is that there just needed to be more of this story. Still I would recommend.

Caught in the Current by Charlee James, book two in The Cape Cod Shores series, a great addition to the series. Likable characters and a great plot. Looking forward to reading more in this series and more by the author.

A quote (from ARC):
“He wasn’t the type to be insecure about his scars - he was too practical for that (…)” – loc. 898.
“Caught in the Current” is a riveting story with such wonderful characters! I found it so refreshing to read a wounded war veteran that wears his scars with ease (yet not flippantly).
Jay is a guarded man, but so endearingly ready to commit and give his heart, that I was utterly seduced by his quiet strength and self-assuredness. He’s still a bit afraid to let go of his emotional fears, but as we watch his tenderness with animals, children and a retching heroine we grasp the arc of the rugged, scarred ex-Marine’s compassion.
Jay is just the hero our deeply wounded heroine, Alex, needs (and deserves). Unlike Jay, Alex’s scars are hidden, but run deep. I loved that Alex is so strong and competent despite the trauma she went through and its lingering effects.
The romance’s pace is steady and credible, with some obstacles to spice it up.
And I can't wait for the next story in the series!

I couldn’t put this book down.

Retired Marine, Jason Hall, just found out his nephew, Luke, has been kidnapped by his unstable father who was recently released from prison. Jay needs to find Luke as quickly as possible before he ends up in danger. Alexandra “Alex” Macintyre, Jay’s friend who is a private investigator, immediately jumps into action to help find Luke.

Because of a tragedy that happened to Alex when she was younger, she has dedicated her life to helping reunite people with missing loved ones. When Luke goes missing, Alex doesn’t hesitate for a minute to help. Finding Luke is the number one priority. But, during the road trip along the eastern US coast, Jay and Alex give into the attraction that has been building between them for a while.

This book moved along at a fast pace and kept my attention throughout the entire thing. The author did a great job with the characters and their backgrounds. I also enjoyed learning about Alex and what happened to her when she was a kid. Although this story wraps up at the end of the book, there is a sneak peek into the next book, a connected story that I can’t wait to read.

The author takes us back to Cape Cod and this time the story belongs to Retired Marine Jason/Jay Hall, who also helps returning soldiers adjust to life as a civilian, and Alex MacIntyre, a P.I. whom he met a while back and to whom he was immediately attracted.
When Jay’s nephew is abducted by his criminal biological father, Jay asks Alex for help.
Alex ,a successful PI, dedicates most of her time in helping families whose children are abducted. Few know the reason for this. As a matter of fact, few know the real Alex.
While on the hunt for the boy , Alex and Jay develop a relationship that neither is looking for and are both scared to take to the next level.
The plot was interesting and the characters complex. But more than that, it was also a reminder that childhood experiences and how parents treat the children , does affect the individual once they become adults. As well as the fact that guilt can hinder an individual to the point of maybe never finding hope and love.
This is another well written story by this talented author. I am looking forward to the next story in this series. One that will undoubtedly give us some answers about Alex’s past.
I was entrusted this copy by Netgalley and Tule Publishing. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

When Jason's nephew is missing he knows exactly who can help and by means the police can't imploy. Alex is the sexy woman with a backbone of steel he had a hot and heavy make out session with. She runs her open PI firm and does pro bono work when it comes to missing children. The reasons behind that aren't known to many but soon Alex allows her walls down and Jason in her inner circle.

Jason has a big supportive family and he will bring his nephew home. He also knows Alex doesn't have that family and he wants to show her what she's missing not only without that support but with a man like him.

Alex and Jason share some amazing chemistry, but I thought their inner dialogues and concern the other down feel the same is sweet.

On top of all that is looking for the loser who stole Jason's nephew. Very suspenseful and intriguing story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to the author

It's a clean romance. It's more suspense than romance though.
I liked this book a lot. I liked author's style, plot and both MCs and SCs.
Both MCs had some strong buggage: but at least the H had always his caring family, poor heroine did have shitty parents. She made herself strong, sufficient and efficient person. With no heart and no feelings for herself.

I liked how blossomed relationship between MCs, it wasn't cheesy. This hero is one to die for!!!

I liked this one a lot, cannot wait for next book from this series

Fast pased and enjoyable read. Private investigator Alex is helping Jay to look for his his missing nehpew. They met once before, over dinner at a friends house, and they were attracted to each other then, so what will happen when they spend days on the road to each other? They start to open up to each other about their past, and why they are the way they are.

At the end of the book there is the preview of the next book in this series - can't wait to read it!