This just didn’t vibe with me.
In my opinion the book had too much going on plot wise. It was hard to keep up and differentiate. I think I would have rather had the focus of the story be on Brie’s search for her sister’s killer rather than the FBI mole. To me that storyline had more emotional weight.
I also felt the characters didn’t have chemistry. Their banter and dynamic wasn’t cute, sexy or steamy. There was no tension between them. The way the characters interacted just left me disinterested in their romance.
Unfortunately this didn’t work for me. Thank you to Forever publishing for the arc.

This was a good story, with good main characters and supporting people too. I liked it and found it a really full story.
Both Bree and Connor had in-depth portrayals of who they were. And also how much they had gone through both personally and professionally. It was easy to care about them and get drawn into the story. Bree had quite an unusual upbringing that included Eliot, an ex-Special Forces man. He became her "father" in every way that mattered. It was by choice rather than blood.
Connor's past had him all tied up. From not only a case that went bad but also from a marriage that did too. He's not really ready to open his heart to more possible pain but Bree is definitely pushing his boundaries. I liked that and that they made a good team, when they could.
There were a couple of things that needed resolving when it came to some crimes. They do get resolved but not without danger and a whole lot of twists and turns. It really kept things moving.
There was one surprise that came later that caught me off guard. All, I'm going to say is that a baby shows up. Okay, all done on that, that's all you get.
One thing I noticed that was kind of humorous was when Connor identified himself (even to fellow officers) they never shook his hand. Oh, he offered his hand, but got zip.
I also liked how the story ended and I was satisfied indeed.

"I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

I was really hopeful for this one because it sounded so good based on the blurb. But I had a hard time getting into it. The main characters Brie and Connor are decent characters. They both have their own issues. But they both are also hard working and more than willing to do anything for people they care about. Connor has been struggling since something happened to him on the job and it was just exacerbated by his divorce. Brie is undercover trying to find out what happened to her sister. And certainly doesn't expect to have an attraction to Connor. And they do have a chemistry that I liked. It was more that the plot and story were very slow for me. It almost felt like there was something missing but I really can't put my finger on exactly what it is. The writing itself is decent, it was just slow for me.

I discovered Christie Craig and this series while searching Netgalley. The cover drew my attention and once I read the synopsis I was hooked. Don’t Look Back is the third book in Christie Craig’s Texas Justice Series. It is a romantic suspense novel, with great characters, a fantastic storyline and a happily ever after.

FBI agent Bree Ryan's is on leave, secretly looking for her sister’s killer, when she turns to Detective Conor Pierce for help when her undercover assignment is compromised. The attraction between them is explosive, and the instant and deep connection they share added to the depth of the storyline. They are drawn to each other and struggle to maintain focused on the task at hand. For Bree, it’s finding and arresting her sister’s killer. For Connor, it’s helping Bree, keeping her safe and discovering the person involved in shooting Bree’s best friend and partner. Tension builds and enemies are everywhere, will Bree and Connor solve their cases or will they end in tragedy? Read it to find out!

This is a voluntary review of an advanced readers copy received from Netgalley.

In the prologue of this book we learn of Detective Connor Pierce's demons. The ones he can't let go. We jump three and half years ahead to today as Brie Ryan is following a Porsche driven by one Dillon Armand. Of course she's speeding and ends up being pulled over. It doesn't help that the car she's driving was 'borrowed' from the parking lot of the Black Diamond Strip Club. She almost gets away with it, but the cop gets the word the car was stolen. What happens next was just plain fun, for for her and humiliating for the cop. It also lets us know she is acquainted with Detective Pierce.

Brie had just returned to her car when her cell rang. Caller ID said it was Carlos, her partner. Only it wasn't him on the other end of the call. A police officer looking for information as to the owner of the phone. What she tells him is not something he wanted to hear. The critically injured man now in surgery, Carlos Olvera, is FBI.

It's Carlos' husband Tory who tells her what Carlos hadn't had a chance to, one of their team is a mole and leaked information on a big case. One that may be connected to the one Brie is looking in to, albeit unofficially since the victim was her sister and the FBI refused to look into it.

Connor and his team Juan Acosta and Mark Sutton work cold cases, but their boss pulls them into Carlos' attack. He wants answers and an arrest quickly. He knows Connor's team will do that.

Brie and Connor both know they shouldn't get involved, but the inevitable happens and then Connor screws it all up. The thing is neither one of them understand that there are more than just a impulse happening.

There are many twists and turns as this story unfolds and several cases intertwine and new ones open.

I truly didn't see everything wrapping up, but it happened an in a most surprising and interesting way.

FBI agent Brie Ryan's latest mission is personal. She's posing as a waitress at the Black Diamond strip club, the same club where her estranged half sister worked until she turned up dead. When Brie's undercover assignment is compromised, she turns to the only man she knows who can help her: Connor Pierce, a too-sexy-for-his-own-good, rule-breaking cop with a knack for solving cold cases.
I enjoyed reading this and it has you on an adventure. The chemistry between Connor and Brie was great. she doesn't trust men and he lost his wife 3 years ago and hasn't been interested in anyone since then, until he meets Brie.
I did find this 3rd book of the series a little more slow and some parts boring, but overall I liked the plot.
Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC.

Suspenseful, absorbing, and action-packed!

Don’t Look Back is a charged, alluring, pacey thriller that sees FBI agent Brie Ryan working with Anniston Detective Connor Pierce to investigate a possible human trafficking ring operating out of the local strip club and the senseless murder of her estranged half-sister.

The prose is sharp and crisp. The characters are driven, scarred, supportive, and stubborn. And the plot is an ominous, passionate tale filled with twists, turns, familial drama, police corruption, mayhem, abuse, secrets, danger, sizzling attraction, violence, romance, and murder.

So one of the things I use to determine if a book is a 5-star read is how well it holds my attention and when it came to Don’t Look Back, I couldn’t put it down. In fact, halfway through I declared it was going to be a get your own dinner night, to the grumbles of my family, as nothing else was getting done until I finished it. I literally devoured it in one sitting over one afternoon and just kept asking myself several things. Why have I not read this author or series before? Is it too late to put the first two books on my Christmas list? Will my local bookstore carry them?

As you know I never like to give too much away in terms of the plot in my reviews as I always think a book is better if you go into it without expectations but what I will say, in case you haven’t guessed, is I absolutely loved this book, Christie Craig has a new fan, and if you get a chance and love romantic suspense, you really need to read this book!

Thank you so much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for giving me a chance to read and review an e-ARC of Don't Look Back (and thanks to NetGalley for making it happen). I've been reading so many action romances this year, so when I saw that this too was an action romance, I pounced on it! Don't Look Back is the third book in the Texas Justice series and I haven't read the first two books, so I don't think it's super necessary to read them in order.

Don't Look Back 4/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:

FBI agent Bree Ryan's latest mission is personal. She's posing as a waitress at the Black Diamond strip club, the same club where her estranged half sister worked until she turned up dead. When Bree's undercover assignment is compromised, she turns to the only man she knows who can help her: Connor Pierce, a too-sexy-for-his-own-good, rule-breaking cop with a knack for solving cold cases.
When someone breaks into Bree's apartment, Connor's detective skills aren't the only things that kick into overdrive. Although his job demands he remain detached, now he finds himself tempted not only by Bree's beauty but also her intelligence and bravery. As the investigation-and their attraction-grows more intense, lives are in jeopardy, and Connor finds the most important rule he must break is his own. But can he put his heart on the line?
Overall, I thought the plot for Don't Look Back was great- it moved pretty fast and always kept me on my toes. I liked Bree as a main character a lot. Connor was a fine love interest/secondary character. I also liked how there were two plots/crimes that they were working to solve- since they were kinda connected, you expected the second one to be solved when the first one was, but it wasn't and I loved that. It made it so much more interesting and I kept being like what's going to happen now? What is Bree going to do now? How is she going to get away? How is she going to really find out what happened to her sister??? The ending was so satisfying and I loved Bree and Connor for each other by the time the end came about. Overall, this was a great action romance and I highly recommend it! Don't Look Back comes out on December 15th, so make sure you check it out then.

I really enjoyed this mystery with its interesting characters and twists and turns to solve the case. My favorite character was Connor Pierce, sexy detective. I kept envisioning DI Len Bradfield from Prime Suspect: Tennison. Connor is human and flawed and isn’t afraid to show that side of himself.

The focus of the book is on the mystery plot, but there were some steamy scenes in the book which I didn't mind at all. Connor and Brie have amazing chemistry and are destined to hook up. The conflict comes when both of them have to deal with the aftermath.

This book deals with some serious subjects like human trafficking and murder. Despite the heavier subject matter, I found the book very entertaining to read.

This is the third book in the Texas Justice series, but I don’t think I missed much by not reading the other books in the series.

Bree Ryan is in pursuit of her suspense in a "borrowed" car speeding down the Texas highway when she's pulled over by the local police.  She uses her get out of jail card but leaves the patrol officer handcuffed to a pillar by the side of the road nursing a tender spot after she kneed him. What a great way to begin what turns out to be an exciting story with all suspense, romance and action that I've come to crave in my stories. Oh and the best bonus of all, the discovery of an author that I have not read before with a back list that's going to be exciting to catch up on.
As it turns out her get out of jail card donor Connor a detective who works cold cases is looking for her in connection with an attack on her fellow FBI agent and erstwhile partner.  The excitement mounts as it becomes clear that someone is looking for something, Bree's apartment is broken into, her partner's hotel room is broken into, accusations are flying and all that's not even a patch on the red hot chemistry that's burning up the airwaves between Connor and Bree.
Ms. Craig's story telling style which mixes good old detective work with a bit of angst and moments of excitement  is exactly what I enjoy. I'm pleased to add a new author to my Must Read authors as I go off to explore the earlier two books from this series.

The third book in the Texas Justice series by Christie Craig is titled Don't Look Back. The mysteries are intriguing and full of mystery, making it easy to get lost in the story. Don't Look Back pulls you in from the beginning and holds your attention until the very end, all while keeping you on the edge of your seat, never knowing what will happen next.

I enjoyed this romantic suspense quite a bit. Brie and Connor were a great couple to read from, and I really enjoyed their on page dynamic a lot.
For me, the plot was a little easier to figure out than the first one, and felt like the intensity was slightly lacking. I still recommend it and I will read all the books in the series.

I haven't read a novel by Christie Craig in almost 10 years, and after reading Don't Look Back, I don't know why I've left it so long. As this story, though a little slow to begin quickly captured my interest and even with the bad guy identified early on there were still many twists along the way.

Not to mention the characters were intriguing and likable, and the romance between Connor and Brie was pleasing. I also found the investigation enticing, and at times it was genuinely hard to put this book down. And honestly, the more I read, the more I enjoyed it, and now I've finished I'll definitely be checking out the earlier two books in the series.

Would recommend.

Readers will fall in love with Bree Ryan as she searchers for the truth behind who killed her sister. Bree comes off the pages and a strong female lead who has a heart of gold. She does everything she can to protect those she cares and to bring justice to those responsible for killing her sister. Connor Pierce is your typical broken character who can't find peace in his sins in life. The cast of characters from the different detectives to Bree's watchful father figure everyone perfect fits into the story and has a reason without wasting a page.

The story has a important message about communication, redemption, fear and love. This story is for mystery, romance and thriller readers alike.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Christie Craig Don't Look Back.

This was a new to me author and I’m always looking for a new romantic suspense series to jump into.

I liked Brie and Connor. They’re both loyal, determined, and very hard working. I enjoyed their bickering and how that played out for a good part of them getting to know each other. I’m assuming Connor’s partners were the MCs in the previous books and they were also supportive and delightful.

Plot wise, it was sort of boring. There’s definitely some urgency in what they’re investigating, but not a drop of tension to be found. And I was really disappointed in the build up scene as it just fizzled out and was completely resolved in a couple of pages. Relationship wise, it’s a lot a lot a lot of push and pull and I was hoping for something more.

Overall, it was a story that kept me reading, but I don’t know if I would continue this series or go back to read the previous books.

FYI: sex trafficking, mentions of rape, physical violence against women

**Huge thanks to Forever for providing the arc free of charge**

I honestly couldn't get into this book no matter how hard I tried. It seemed both overdramatic and fill in the blank. The hero is at best a misogynist and at worst and a++hole. THe heroine is a cheerleader with a badge who is borderline TSTL... and is a federal agent...

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This books ranks as one of my all time favorites by this author. The characters feel so real and relatable. I loved the fact the main characters both had their own baggage they were working through, without being overly dramatic about it. The mystery kept you guessing till the end. Fantastic read.

I always enjoy this author's book and this was no exception. An entertaining blend of heat, mystery and action. I finished it in a day and now want to go back and re-read the whole series.

I've been a fan of this series from the start and it's only gotten more intriguing. Connor Pierce is a detective in the cold case unit in Texas that this series follows and he had me intrigued from the first meeting. Still struggling with a past guilt, he's kept people at arms length in his life and doesn't do commitment. But when FBI agent Brie Ryan crashes into his life she gives him no choice but to keep her close and help her with her investigation into her sisters murder.

It may be weird to say considering this was a book involving human trafficking, murder, and shootings but this was actually a really fun book to read. The mystery kept me captivated and the characters had me smiling almost the entire time I was reading. I loved that Brie didn't let anyone push her around and she was so headstrong that she didn't even think twice before jumping into a dangerous situation no matter who told her she shouldn't. I admired her a lot for how determined she was and it made her character very likable in my opinion.

I also loved seeing her with Connor and how she pushed him to work through his past. Their relationship was cute and it added the perfect amount of sweetness to the suspense. Overall, I definitely recommend reading this book and I think it can be read as a standalone with no issue.

Bree Ryan is a FBI agent working at the Black Diamond strip club while on leave. She's trying to find whoever killed her sister. One of her fellow agents wanted to help her and ended up getting attacked. Connor Pierce from the Anniston Police Department and his two partners are given the case to investigate and hopefully catch the assailant. Bree and Connor agree to work together and sparks fly. I liked how they both fought their attraction to each other. They make a great couple. There's lots of action, suspense and surprises in this story. I highly recommend this book!