3.5 stars

This book started strong from the get-go. We're introduced to restaurant owner, Gabriella Benoit as she is closing up her restaurant one night. Her police officer ex-fiance, Eli shows up to make sure she gets to her car safely and after arguing with him, she reaches her car as a young man staggers up, mumbles something about her brother and dies. She is immediately drawn into a deeper intrigue. She and Eli end up heading from San Antonio to Laredo to search for her brother, as he has gone missing. Meanwhile, the bad guys believe the dead guy gave her his cell phone, which has incriminating evidence on it regarding gun smuggling over the Mexican border. She has to stay one step ahead of them in order to save her own life.

The plot was fast moving, the characters were likeable and the underlying theme of forgiveness was great for this Christian romantic suspense. One issue I had was feeling like this was book 2 in a series (which it isn't) and that I'd missed some important history. While everything eventually came to light, by the time that it did, the romance had become central and I didn't understand how it really got there. If I overlook that piece, though, this was a good romantic suspense. I did also note a few grammatical and spelling errors; however, since this was an advanced copy from NetGalley, I assume those will be taken care of in final editing and did not reflect in my rating at all.

Special thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced E-copy of this book. I was under no obligation to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

OVER THE LINE ..by Kelly Irwin
Gabriella , they warned her about dating a detective, Eli for four years. He wants forgiveness, she knew he came with baggage. She didn’t know the whole suitcase full would be dumped on her head. Waiting to follow her home from closing restaurant after midnight. A young kid comes out from nowhere, calling her name, then Jake her brother’s name, now falling from a gun shot wound. No one can get in touch with Jake he was working undercover, his place has been ramshacked. Tension from the first page, you get the scenario with the characters, what is really going on behind the scene.
Is it more than the cartel, and stolen guns. The author has once again given
us a suspenseful plot, that readers won’t want to miss reading.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson.

OVER THE LINE by KELLY IRVIN is more than a romantic suspense novel with great characters and a really good plot - it is a book in which the importance of forgiveness, both God's forgiveness towards us and ours towards those who have hurt us, is woven throughout the story.
It is a fast paced and exciting read, impossible to put down, with many twists and turns that keep us guessing right to the end.
Gun running on the Texas/Mrxico border, violent crime, law enforcement at its best and also it's worst, news reporting, loyalty, and the love of family, all make up part of this book, which I can really recommend.
It is the second of this author's books that I have read, Tell Her no Lies, was the first, and I will be watching for more novels of this caliber from her in the future.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Kelly Irvin's mystery, Over the Line, touches on many elements ... first off, of course, mystery, but there's also a smattering of romance and faith. Important concepts that she expertly weaves through the novel. With characters who are easily to relate to, she tells a story of love, trust, and fighting for one's family. It's a wonderful read -- hard to put down as the twists and turns just keep coming! I hope she considers writing more with these characters as this reader would be interested in seeing how they evolve. Absolutely fantastic!