DNF

I did not read this book and I know longer have any interest in reading it. This was during the beginning of my NetGalley “everything looks great so I am going to request it without looking into the book. I have definitely become more selective in choosing what books I want to request and read.

Exposed is the third book in Samantha Keith's Dangerous Distractions series, and it's the second book in the series that I've read, and it did work for me as a standalone. It was well-written, steamy and suspenseful, and there were things I really liked about it, but I did have a few issues with this novel as well, which I will explain. It gets a 3.5-star rating from this reader.

The main characters in this novel are Maddy, one feisty, tough, independent woman, and Nate, the man Maddy has been in love with for years. Nate, however, wants Maddy in his bed, and they came very close to first consummating their mutual attraction at a wedding, but Nate backed off at the last second because of his loyalty to his best friend, and FBI agent, Ethan, who just happens to be Maddy's older brother--the bro-code won out over lust that time, but Nate has regretted backing off for the past 9 months. When Maddy contacts him because she desperately needs his help, and she wants to keep her nosy, overprotective brother out of it, and against his better judgment, Nate gets a small team of his own together to help her, and keep her safe.

Maddy wanted to follow in her brother's footsteps, she got a degree in criminal justice, trained in self-defense, and applied to become an FBI agent, but Ethan made sure that the FBI turned her application down. Strong and independent Maggie has been looking for a way in, and sadly, it was the fact that the the younger sister of Maddy's best friend, Zoe, got involved with a notorious, ruthless, murderous and powerful drug lord named Carlos Santiago, who turned Leila onto heroin and meth, and 19-year-old Leila was found dead of an overdose in some back alley. Maddy wants to avenge Leila's death, keep Carlos' drugs off the streets of Miami, and believes that bringing down this drug lord and his illegal operation will prove, once and for all, that she's definitely FBI material.

Maddy is a seasoned police officer, which is what she became after being rejected by the FBI. She's a beautiful woman, and doesn't have a hard time attracting Carlos Santiago, eventually becoming his girlfriend, while trying to gather information about his next big drug shipment. Carlos is not used to having a woman not immediately get into his bed, and Maddy's reluctance to have sex with him intrigues him. He has a big deal going down in San Juan, and is taking Maddy with him and two of his men, Tony and Hector, on a very posh cruise. Nate and his crew manage to also get on this cruise, and Nate's stateroom is across the hall from Carlos' and Maddy's suite.

What follows is a taut, suspenseful thriller, fraught with danger for Maddy, since Tony and Hector don't trust her and her relationship with Carlos at all. At the same time, Nate and his crew try keep Maddy safe without attracting the attention of Carlos and his men. It's at this point in the novel that I couldn't help but notice that while Maddy and Nate are both in danger of discovery, they can't keep their hands off each other, and in the few moments per day that they manage to be alone, they seem more interested in slaking their lust for each other at every opportunity, instead of gathering the evidence they need to expose Carlos, and this struck me as both totally unprofessional and risky.

Ms. Keith certainly can write steamy sex scenes, there are many of them, but what was missing was any hint of romance or love during their sexual encounters. Additionally, the descriptions of Maddy's tongue glued to the roof of her mouth or pushed up against the back of their teeth, the fact that she was constantly biting the inside of her cheek or her bottom lip, and their constant clenching and un-clenching of their fists was just plain redundant, weird and totally unnecessary. The suspense level of the situation these characters were in was high enough without the oral fixations, in this reader's opinion.

The second half of this novel was far more suspenseful than the first, and as the danger ramps up, there's certainly more than enough sex and violence to keep you turning pages until the end, and what an exciting chase awaits you. Will Maddy be able to expose Carlos and his evil enterprise, or will she herself be exposed to the wrath of Carlos when her true goal is uncovered? Will Nate be able to come to her rescue? How will Ethan react when he finds out that his best friend is sleeping with his sister? All of these questions and more will be answered, and since this a romance, you're pretty much assured of an HEA ending.

All in all, this was a pretty good read that could have been a great one had some of the aforementioned issues been addressed, and had some honest emotions beyond their mutual lust for one another been expressed between Nate and Maddy. Ms. Keith has a gift for writing a suspenseful novel, I just wish she'd added some romance to her novel of romantic suspense.

I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

If your looking for a really hot read with solid characters this is it. The series just keeps getting better. You can read this as a standalone and then you'll go read the others. This is basically a sister in love with her brothers best friend but so much more. Their jobs are dangerous and then they find out so is their love.

Exposed by Samantha Keith is book Three in The Dangerous Distractions Series. This is the story of Nate McIver and Maddie Worth. I have yet read the previous books so for me this was a standalone book. Maddie has always had feeling for Nate, her brother's friend. But they have danced around the attraction even almost going all the way...until Nate stopped. Now she is working on a FBI case that she thinks to get Nate to help her own that brings them in closer contact. This was a quick hot read..enjoyed it.

Nate knew he shouldn’t be with Maddy. Getting involved with Maddy was a bad idea, Nate almost gave into his lust but than he told Maddy he couldn’t do it and left her. Nine months later Maddy is on an undercover mission. His hands had been all over her tonight- serious progress. Prancing around the club wasn’t Maddy’s thing. Prancing around the club- GT where she “worked” had naked dancers and serving sleazy punks wasn’t Maddy’s thing either. But she was almost done. This assignment had Maddy on pins and needles. This one was more than work. If carlos found out what she was doing he would kill her. She got in her car than an arm closed around her throat. She wouldn’t die like this. She shot her fist over her shoulder, connecting with his face. It had been Nate trying to show her to be more careful as she hadn’t even checked the backseat of her car. Someone really put to hurt or kill her could have been in her back seat. Nate made Maddy’s blood boil like no one else. He pressed her buttons, teased her yet wouldn’t sleep with her. He was too noble, too good of a friend. But he wasn’t her friend, he was a coward and jerk but he was there. He’d shown up when she needed him. The only one she could trust right now. Maddy thought maybe her brother Ethan was right. Maybe she was in over her head after what had happened on her last undercover operation. But she had been young, fresh out of college and had slipped up. The dealers suspected her. She should have been the only target, instead six innocent lives were lost. But that was years ago. She had many successful missions during her time in the Criminal Investigation Unit. Now she was a detective with the Narcotics Unit. she was getting closer to Carlos by the day, now all she had to do was find out when and where his next drug shipment would come in. Once she had that Nate’s team of FBI agents would ambush Carlos at the hand off and Carlos would be put away and Maddy would be on the fast track to her career as an FBI agent. Ethan- maddy’s brother was Nate’s best friend. She had blackmailed Nate to help her. The delicacy of this case had made it risky to let the FBI in on the investigation too soon. Maddy would only work with Nate as she didn’t trust anyone else. Three weeks ago carlos started to show interest but she had pushed him off. Now he was lapping at her heels like a puppy. She had to finish this job with Carlos before mre innocent people died like Leila. Her best friend Zoe’s younger sister. Leila had died in an alleyway in Miami from an overdose of drugs that Carlos had provided her with. Carlos hated snitches. Carlos owned the Miami police , a handful of judges, and probably some people in the FBI. Nate had met his two closest friend- Ethan and Cal- when he was still in the military -recon years ago. Nate had been a n only child and his best friends were the brothers he never had. He’d do anything for them and they for him. The only time Nate gets turned on is when he speaks or sees Maddy. Nate decided to go to Maddy tonight and tell her he was going to assign someone else to the case. He couldn’t continue torturing himself and lying. Carlos planned to go on a cruise with Maddy . Nate got his team on the boat. Carlos main man of his inner circle was Tony, he had attacked Maddy while Carlos was gone and had tried to kill her on the ship, Nate had got there in time and both men ended up overboard and Tony was dead but Carlos didn’t know that yet. Nate and maddy slept together but she still had to go back to the suite she shared with Carlos.
I really loved this book. It was a great, romance , action, dangerous, life threatening and so much more read. I loved maddy and Nate together and how they interacted especially after Nate dealt with how he felt about her. I loved the pace and the plot. I read this in one setting as I just didn’t want to put this down. Yes i missed sleep but it was worth it to me. I loved how nate was always protective of maddy. He just couldn't turn the case over to someone else. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.

Samantha Keith “Exposed” could have been a solid four in the rating scale but the lead heroine had a few flaws that were hard to overlook. Let’s start off with how she blackmailed her brother Eathan’s best friend and FBI agent Nate into helping her take down one the biggest drug lords in the west coast. Valuing his relationship with Ethan, Maddie forced his hand when she stated that if he didn’t help her with the narcotics operation she was involved in, she will confessed to her brother that she slept with his best friend which almost happened but didn’t. As much as Maddie goes around proclaiming she’s a mature acting adult, she acted the complete opposite and her selfish deeds were distasteful. Moreover, throughout the series it mentions quite frequently how experience and well rounded the lead heroine was but her actions stated otherwise. Considering how education and how experience she is undercover (Ha! That’s a joke!), the childish behavior she showcased and how frazzle she was during the undercover stint proved that she wasn’t able to handle this on her own and she should have left it to the actual professionals. Overall with this rant, I obviously wasn’t a fan of the lead heroine and honestly, Nathan could’ve have done better but despite that, it wasn’t a bad read.

Exposed will leave YOU exposed. Raw and full of emotion, it was difficult to get off this ride alive and still in one piece. Sexy to the core and full of mystery and suspense, this is deserving of it's own movie. I have always loved the trope of brother's best friend/best friend's sister, and Ms. Keith did not disappoint it. I laughed, cried and tore my hair out at those frustrating moments, but it was way more than worth it in the end.

3 1\2 stars out of 5
Girl is in love with her brothers best friend. This story isn't believable but it is but it is a quick fun read with just enough suspense to be consider romantic suspense.

The Author falls on the sword of Romantic suspense when guns and drug deals are around sex seems to follow. The main story falling away and the sex and romance takes over.

The author is a hit or miss when it comes to her writing and story telling.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Samantha Keith Exposed

We have a brothers best friend scenario. Maddie has been in love with Nate since she met him and even though on her sisters wedding he almost had sex with her, he left her high and dry and she was pissed and you can't blame her. She is not working a very dangerous under cover operation and she needed someone she could trust and blackmails him into helping her. Nate wasn't too happy to be blackmailed but more so because everytime she is near him he wants to act on his attraction but does not want to betray his best friend. In a dangerous situation that he almost loses her or her him he decides he doesn't care and goes for it. Unfortunately for her her cover is blown and he barely has a chance to save her..

Maddie is Nate's his best friend’s little sister and that means she’s off limits, regardless how hot the chemistry is...or does it?? WOW what a story.... I enjoyed the pace of the story, it has a fantastic plot with hot sex, friendship, action, and lots of bad guys. It is one of those books you don't want to put down.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick, fun romance with a dash of suspense and a lot of withheld disbelief. Although I did enjoy the story, I found myself eye-rolling over some of the predictable circumstances our H/h created (I don’t know about you, but when I’m dealing with a murderous drug dealer, I tend to keep it in my pants).

What an interesting and intense story. I enjoyed "Exposed" by Samantha Keith. It was a blend of romance and action.

This was an excellent action packed romance novel. Maddie is everything I love in a heroine :feminine, brave and totally kick ass! Those scenes where she is using her martial arts to defend herself had me smiling. Nate is also a great hero. Protective of Maddie but not overbearing and controlling. He accepts that she is good at what she does and backs her up when she needs help. Their chemistry was off the charts and the sexual tension intense.

Those drug lords gave me creeps but their characterization as ruthless and deadly was spot on. Awesome novel, definitely purchasing the rest of the series.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nate and Maddie are attracted to each other but Nate can’t act on his feelings because Maddie is his best friends sister. Their love can’t be denied though and will face the wrath of Maddie’s big brother, if they can make it out of their undercover job alive.
This is a perfect read with lots of suspense with romance on the air.

.Maddie is undercover to expose and capture a dangerous, wanted drug dealer named Carlos Santiago for 2 reasons, to get into the FBI after her brother Ethan’s over protective antics caused her to be blackballed and to get closure for her best friend’s little sister Leila’s death. Working with and being close to Nate McIver is a bonus.

Maggie is independent, tough as nails, able to protect herself and smart. I loved that she handles her brother any way she sees fit, first letting him believe she works insurance cases and then by getting in his face telling him to back off and stay out of her life, including her love life.

She blackmails Nate into helping her by threatening to tell his best friend and her overprotective brother that he slept with her. Nate has been dreaming about Maddie ever since the explosive kiss at their friend Dana’s wedding and vows to protect her at all costs from Carlos and his men. Nate will do anything to protect Maddie, including facing her brother when Maddie is kidnapped.

The relationship and the interaction between Maddie and Nate vary from funny to sweet to steamy. This book is very well written but I would recommend reading the first 2 books before starting this one.
I received an ARC copy for my honest opinion.

Maddie has been driving Nate crazy for years. She’s his best friend’s little sister and that means she’s off limits. After a wedding they attending, Nate almost gives into his urges but stops himself at the last minute. Nine months later, Maddie is undercover trying to take down a drug dealer. She is playing the girlfriend to the drug dealer and gets into some sticky situations but calls Nate for backup. Carlos, the drug dealer, and Maddie on going on a cruise and they believe the deal will go down while docked in San Juan. Nate gets his team onboard and is her backup. It gets a little crazy but Maddie is determined to take him down so she can get into the FBI without her brother blocking her. When she’s kidnapped, Nate is hoping to find her in time because he now knows he can’t live without her.
Awesome story with sex, action, and lots of bad guys. I couldn’t put this book down. Maddie is smart, sexy, and not afraid of much. Nate tried his best to keep his hands off her but the tense is too much and he gives in. He’s sexy, muscular and doesn’t want to hurt his best friend.
* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *

Exposed, was very suspenseful. Several times we knew before the person what was about to happen because of someone listening in. I wanted to yell, "don't go in there." Nate and Maddie's intimate times stressed me out some. They were supposed to be undercover, and were constantly in danger of being caught. I guess that might have made it better for them, but wasn't too believable as far as the story was concerned.

**I received a copy of Exposed from Lyrical Liaison and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**

Exposed by Samantha Keith is the third book in her Dangerous Liaisons series. I have to say that having not read the previous books put me at a disadvantage because I was totally lost. But because the second half was fairly good I'm giving the book 3.9 stars. This is Nate McIver and Maddie Worth's story. I'd recommend reading the first two books though.

All Maddie Worth wants to do is to solve her current case so that maybe the FBI will accept her into the academy (AKA the Farm). Taking down the most wanted and dangerous drug lord in Miami Carlos Santiago. His reputation is to torture all snitches leaving his henchmen to cut their tongue out afterwards. But she's using Nate and his fire team to have her back without letting her FBI brother know. Can she interest Carlos in her best asset her body so that she can capture him and find out the when and where his next drug shipment will be?

Nate McIver has had dreams about Maddie since she was a teen but as his best friend is her brother he knows that the bro code means he can't touch her. But she pushes all his buttons and her threat to tell her brother something that didn't happen has him in knots. That is if she doesn't get them killed first. When she is exposed to Carlos will Nate rescue her in time?