Driven (Deep Ops #4). By Rebecca Zanetti. 2021. Zebra. (ARC eBook).

Fallen former FBI profiler, Angus Force, was given one year to man a Deep Ops unit within the HDD with the purpose of finding a man that was declared dead five years ago. The rag-tag team has closed several difficult cases, including taking down a cult and a crime boss. But despite every bone in Force’s body saying otherwise, serial killer Henry Wayne Lassiter is still dead. And the year is up. But right as the HDD disbands Force’s unit, a killing spree of women starts. The murder scenes suggest Lassiter’s handiwork but there are enough disparities that it may very well be a copycat. Regardless, the twisted murderer must be stopped because the women being targeted share resemblances to the female agents and significant others on the team. The first victim resembling team shrink, Nari Zhang, who has driven Force crazy from day one.

Not surprisingly, I really enjoyed Driven as I’ve enjoyed all of the installments in the Deep Ops series. The chemistry between Force and Nari goes up to 11 as they finally relent and come together for their happily ever after as the band of misfits try their best to keep Angus out of jail and everyone breathing. Zanetti writes wining suspense and functional dysfunctional family antics. Ex-MI6 Jethro and kitten the Kat make appearances; and German Shepard Roscoe, as always, provides laugh-out-loud moments while proving he is as much of a force to be reckon with as his humans. Deep Ops is an amazing world of action, intrigue, twisted villains, misfit heroes and sizzling chemistry.

This was my first experience reading this author's writing, although I've wanted to read her books based on reviews and blurbs. Having said that, I like her writing style and I think I would have enjoyed this read so much more if I had read the previous three books in this series. I didn't have a problem with the connection to the other characters from the previous books (especially Roscoe-loved him!), but I didn't "feel" the connection between Nari and Angus. I really wanted to though! I liked both characters but their emotional attraction to each other just didn't connect with me. Probably because I didn't experience the slow burn between them in the other books. I'm sure I'm in the minority because the book was well written and flowed nicely. Maybe because I'm still experiencing a book hangover from my previous read! Nevertheless, I would definitely recommend it if you like police procedural, romantic suspense. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

Well I declare that I don't think this author is capable of writing a bad book or maybe I've just been amazingly lucky and have only read her better ones. As much as I adore her paranormal stories I am increasingly enjoying these suspense books with a heavy dash of romance. I've looked forward so much to Angus and Nari finally stopping skirting around their incendiary chemistry but if honest was concerned just how this series will end. However I am happy to point out that there's a certain ex British agent helping the team so hopefully we will get a book about him soon as I'm truly not quite ready to leave these characters behind and yes I admit it I'm definitely thinking about the uber protective Wolfe who has always been my favourite character.
Ok what did I really think about this particular book ? Without too much detail I did enjoy seeing the couple finally drop all pretence and just give in to what has been obvious to everyone. We get background on Nari and her family and can I just say her mother was a hoot ! Angus faces not only his past but his greatest fears too . However I wasn't totally convinced by the for me very quick reveal and solution to everything. It's a minor quibble because I can see how it fits but I honestly felt a little let down but I was very entertained and kept guessing so definitely worth my time reading.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I truly enjoyed this book and I hope that there is a “what’s next” in the series. I know that I expected Force’s book to be the conclusion and, while the serial killer Lassiter may be caught, I don’t think this misfit group of agents story is over. I foresee more and more to come in this story.
Nari and Angus’s story line has been building and building since the beginning of the series. It was obvious the second she walked in the building that they were going to be THE couple. It was nice to end the bickering couples- um- bickering and see them get down to business. I love that they ended up being so well together in print.
The angle of our least favorite serial killer is upon us now and we all hate him just as much as before. The way we see the bodies turning up literally made me nauseas, so points for realistic feelings for Zanetti. The dynamic with all the group and the things that began happening with them was amazing. The growth between them all was a great feeling.
Now- sprinkles and whipped cream sound delicious and I am just gonna go grab one of Wolfs Lattes and maybe settle in for a second read of this great book with a twist I didn’t see coming.

Driven (Deep Ops, #4) by Rebecca Zanetti

I must say Rebecca know how to keep me on the edge of my seat.  Angus Force is sure the serial killer he shot dead is still alive.  Nari Zhang is on his team of rag tag special agents.  They are all great and make up a family of sorts.  When bodies start showing up the game(hunt) is on.  There is danger, suspense, horror, angst, laughter, tears, and steamy stuff that get us to Nari and Angus's HEA.   I would be remiss if I didn't mention Kat and Roscoe (I want my own  Roscoe).    Looking forward to her next book REBEL'S KARMA.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Tragic Happily Ever After Wonderful characters Tear-jerker Romantic Unpredictable Action-packed Steamy Witty Entertaining Twisted Scary Page-turner Great world building

Driven is the fourth book in the Deep Ops series and my favorite. The third book, Broken, previously held the highest spot. Rebecca Zanetti's stories just become richer as they continue along their journey. I've been patiently waiting for Angus and Nari to give in to their attraction and admit the inevitable, and it is explosive. Every book this author writes never fails to surprise me with its action-packed creativity. A not to be missed book and series for fans of romantic suspense.

3.5 Stars

It's time to catch a serial killer...

I've waited a very long time for this to be released. Since reading the first book I have wanted, no needed more about Angus Force and the wait was absolute torture. Who would be perfect for Angus and his alcohol loving, high heels wearing Czech German Shepherd Roscoe? Well, Nari Zhang of course.

Angus made a deal with the HDD that he add one year to find out if Lassiter is dead. Nobody believes him and once the department is disbanded the murders start to happen. Not the same MO as with the previous victims but now women who look similar to the women/girlfriends on and associated with the team.

It is a race against time especially when Angus is more and more in the crossfire of the sitauation. These two have demons to slay and well they have to figure out what is going on between them the sexual chemistry even after a year hasn't dissipated.

RZ did a truly outstanding job to make this a nail biting read that is action packed and with a very interesting twist. Here's hoping that the Brit gets his book.

I've been looking forward to this story for quite some time it seems. What makes Angus Force tick? We get to see a whole lot more than what we have seen before. And I liked it a lot. In fact, I would say the story is Outstanding, Stunning, with fast moving parts. It was also emotional at times with a smart plot.
Oh and, Angus gets his chance to heat up the sheets. We always got to see how smart he was in previous books if you have read them. But in this one, we get to see that he is also a complex, hot guy. A wounded warrior, who draws women to him even though he's not really paying attention to that. So many people are against him when it comes to Lassiter. They think that he is obsessed with a dead man. Also that he is an alcoholic nut. You can imagine how many clashes that sets up. Even some of his team members try to get him to let it go but he just has to know for sure.
Speaking of those team members, they were an interesting eclectic group of what others called oddballs. But they worked, they had their skills and had each other's backs. Even Roscoe, adds his unique characteristics and skills to the story. That would be the sneak a drink dog who "belonged" to Angus.
The stuff that Nari, (who I liked a lot), has had to put up was the first of several surprises. There will be plenty of those though. Plenty of action, danger, surprises and the ultimate surprise towards the end. Loved it. Enough to give 5+ stars on Amazon when it opens for review.

There is also a teaser for Rebecca Zanetti's next book in her Dark Protector Series (Rebel's Karma). And yes, that one looks pretty good too.

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

Driven is a suspenseful romantic thriller – and what a wild ride to that twisty ending. Zanetti has written a fabulous heroine in Nari. She is a badass psychologist (like seriously badass – fought and kicked the shit out of her attacker – feminine FBI style.) Our troubled hero is Angus Force. A “retired special ops” alcoholic loner obsessed with a supposedly dead serial killer – that happened to kill his sister. Talk about opposites attract.

The government pulls Angus back on to the secret ops team and gives him a year to prove his obsession is still alive and causing mayhem. Nari is on that team with him. Their chemistry is strong – it just takes a bit of a slow burn to actually combust. And when it does, Nari is warned off that relationship by all of her “higher ups” in the force. Hmmmmmmm, including her “absent” biological father – who happens to be everybody’s boss. So Daddy issues play a role as well.

Having not read the previous books in this series, I was a little slow to connect all the other characters. These guys are part of Angus’s team with each of their significant others playing some supporting roles. While I did enjoy this book as a standalone – probably would have preferred a little less crowding of the past characters into so many scenes. A little more one on one sexy time with our couple – Angus and Nari – to further develop their relationship. Angus’s dog Roscoe is a hoot and ongoing comedic relief throughout the story – Loved the pup!

That said – the ending is CRAZY – like the ultimate baddie is so NOT who I even contemplated. Well done Ms. Zanetti. I love a twist that has me thinking WTF! I would certainly recommend this book as well as the whole series to really delve into this team of misfit special ops hotties.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.

I have been waiting for this book for awhile and yet it is sad that it is the last book in the series (hopefully it is not?!). And, it was well worth the wait as Angus and Nari are so good together!

There is so much drama, intrigue and romance as well as betrayal involved, so I could not put the book down and read it all in one sitting.

All I can say is, it is great that the whole gang was there and I really hope this is not the last book as Jethro, Millie, and Serena are still unattached....will they get a book??

Not sure how it will be with no more Roscoe and Kat, either!!

Nice ending to wrap it all up, but please don't make this the last book! Wish I could give this more starts or a %++ rating as I really loved this book.

This has been a great series of a dysfunctional team that does great work despite all their idiosyncrasies.  I have enjoyed each book in the series awaiting the jewel in the crown where Angus Force finally meets his match in Nari Zang. Their story absolutely lives up to its promise. I can assure you that the suspense will capture and hold your attention as much as the love story.  
Angus has been obsessed with the serial killer called the surgeon whom he once hunted down and killed. He left a promising career and has been nursing his wounds since then having assembled others like him into a team that does good work despite the baggage they carry.
The latest series of murder to hit the city indicate to Angus that despite all evidence to the contrary the Surgeon is back, plus he's got a hard on for Angus's team with his eyes set on Nari as the ultimate win to defeat Angus once and for all. Apparently this time the alphabet agency that Angus works for is determined to shut down his operation and reassign all the operatives. Angus's life is a chaotic mess, he's trying to distance himself from all he cares about while staying on mission to hunt down clues to prove that the surgeon survived and someone's covering up big time since every clue he finds leads to a dead body.  Nari is having her own share of issues with the team she's been assigned to and needs Angus to help her stay alive and one step ahead of whoever is hunting her. 
This might be the best book in the series with twists and turns so convoluted that you'd be hard pressed to imagine them in advance especially with the finale that will definitely catch you by surprise. Nari and Angus are great protagonists and of course the team comes through for them. 
An absolute winner, please keep them coming Ms. Zanetti.

Wow! This book was absolutely fantastic! I have loved this series from the beginning and have been anxiously awaiting this particular one because I do love a damaged hero and Angus Force is just perfect! This story takes you on an amazing thrill ride from start to finish! I’m so happy to see Angus not only finally get retribution, but also get a whole lot more in the form of a real connection with Nari. And boy did they ever sizzle off the pages as I knew they would after the sexual tension that RZ has teased us with for a couple of books now. I loved this book so much, it is so smartly written and intriguing, and I did not see what happened coming at all. These characters are all amazing and Angus has just had my heart for so long I was so happy at how this all turned out. Bravo!!

Driven
Rebecca Zanetti
January 26, 2021

The year had passed and Angus Force continued life in a bubble without telling his team that HDD was closing in on their agreement. They wanted him to give up his mission that serial killer Henry Lassister was still alive. He had seen him, shot him and when he was delivered by ambulance to the hospital for his own injuries he too thought him dead. Recently though more women were found killed in that crazy, inhumane way Lassiter destroys his victims. The leaders of the Homeland Defense Dept. continued to remind him that the man was gone, this latest killer was a copy-cat. Agents arrived at Deep OPs offices to close it down. Their plans were to take the Deep OPs family and reschedule their positions. Some would go to offices within HDD while others would be dispersed to other government positions. Force would be fired. He and his dog, Roscoe, could head to Kentucky to his cabin. HIs mind would not deal with the emotion and turmoil. These latest killings had the same MO. The victims had burn marks, precise cuts and worst of all each heart had been taken. Most had notes left with the body, while some had bizarre tattoos posted on across the skin. Each had resembled one of the women in his office. The first resembled Nari, something that troubled him greatly. The two were friends or were they? When together the electricity sparkled like fire but neither would take that first step as they were boss and agent. Others in the office had; Wolfe and Dana were expecting a baby.
Deep OPs #4 continues with incredible insanity and discord between the renegade federal agency. Zanetti’s writing is again superb. We become connected with Force and Nari. I needed to stop reading or I wouldn’t have put it down until I finished the book. I wanted to enjoy it rather than consume it all at once.
Driven by Rebecca Zanetti will be published by Zebra Books of Kensington Publishing Corp. on January 26, 2026. I appreciate Zebra allowing me to reading and review Driven via NetGalley. Many of her readers are waiting for the arrival of this one to their Ereaders. Deep OPs is an excellent series. Enjoy mysteries and haven’t read Zanetti? You will need to discover this cast of characters. Driven gives them all a chance to show their wares. Roscoe and Kat are there as well. Don’t miss this one!

*I received an arc from Netgalley, Publisher for an honest review.* Wow, what a book!! I read this as a stand-alone without reading the previous books in the series & it blew me away!! It had action, suspense, danger, romance with twists & turns you won’t be expecting!! You won’t want to stop reading it once you start!! While it can be read as a stand alone, I’m sure it would be even better reading the series in order & I’ll definitely be reading the other books!! Angus Force & Nari Zhang are a great couple that you will love who so deserve their HEA. Angus has a German Shepard named Roscoe who has such a personality that you can’t help but love him too! Angus & his Deep Ops team (Nari is the team shrink) are searching for a serial killer, Lassiter, that’s believed to be dead & Angus is even more convinced the killer is still alive when more bodies start turning up. The team members & their significant others are wonderful characters as well (some of couples work together on the team). I’m looking forward to reading their books as well to get their stories, hoping Jethro gets a book. This is a must read!! Thanks Netgalley for the arc.

Driven is the perfect culmination to the Deep Ops series! It had even more suspense than the prior books, and I have to say that the way the mystery unfolded left me surprised and satisfied at the same time. The sexual chemistry was also extremely strong, I could feel it while reading it.
The plot was very well executed, and I loved the writing. The character development (from the start of the first book up until now) was so well done, and I have to say that I enjoyed the growth of the characters as much as I enjoyed the story, the plot and the mystery parts.

This is Angus Force's story and it was perfect. This book could be read as a "stand alone" but I wouldn't recommend it because each of the team members have been fully developed in their own book previously in this series. Their support of Angus in this book is understandable based on their own stories.

With each chapter Ms. Zanetti was able to ratchet up the tension as Angus Force's "dead" nemesis reappears and is targeting women who look similar to his female team members while setting up Angus to take the fall. Suspense, action, hot romance and a huge twist at the end made this a riveting read that I could not put down. What a wonderful ride!

Want to escape with a great romantic suspense story? Driven is what you are looking for. This installment of the Deep Ops series is Angus and Nari’s book, and it’s worth the wait.

Angus Force was an FBI profiler when a serial killer went after his sister. While the killer is supposedly dead, Angus never believed he was truly gone. He was lured back to work to lead the secretive government Dark Ops group with the promise he’d get access to all the information about the killer. Nari is the psychiatrist for the Dark Ops group of “misfit toys,” but Angus is the one member she’s never been able to truly help, despite the sexual tension between the two.

When the serial killer returns and starts killing women that resemble members of the team, Angus is frightened for his team and thinks that he can protect them by walking away from them, especially Nari. However this tight knit team won’t give up and is ready to help at every turn, despite the danger.

This book was a deeply satisfying Deep Ops book, showcasing Angus’ grumpy, obsessed hero and Nari’s brilliant, capable heroine. One of my favorite things about Zanetti’s books are her smart, tough heroines who can take care of themselves in dangerous and complex situations. There are no bashful damsels in distress waiting to be rescued here! The chemistry between Angus and Nari that’s been building throughout the series is fantastic too. My favorite character, as always, is Roscoe the German Shepherd. Everyone needs an alcoholic, Louboutin-loving protector around, and he easily steals every scene.

If you are looking for a great romantic suspense, with plot, steamy chemistry and humor too, Driven is a must read.

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

Driven is a continuation of the Deep Ops Series by Rebecca Zanetti. It features a rag-tag bunch of misfits from various law-enforcement agencies who are or have been injured or deemed psychologically vulnerable or compromised at one point. For the past 12 months the team has been working to track down Henry Wayne Lassiter (as in why do psychopaths and serial killers always go by three names) a serial killer, supposedly already dead but not really. Angus Force, the head of the Deep Ops team believes differently, and whilst he has been a little out of action as a result of drinking himself into a stupor after Lassiter killed his sister, he's back.

Unfortunately for Force and his team, including Nari Zhang the team's psychologist and Force's nemesis come love-interest, the team is to be disbanded. Whilst they've achieved results on other cases, they've not a shred of evidence that supports Force's assertion Lassiter is still alive. But bodies keep turning up - all women and all strikingly similar or connected in some way to the Deep Ops team and Lassiter. Is Lassiter alive - or has Force had a little too much of the Christmas sauce?

This is the second Deep Ops book I've read (the other being Fallen, released in 2019). There have been some novellas I think in between. Force and Nari are sound characters, and there are some intense moments - the tension between them is quite palpable, It's been mounting for a little while. Zhang matches Force and sometimes surpasses him on a few fronts. I'm not sure the description of him, his fitness and physique is really believable given his smashing himself for months on whiskey, nor does it sound at all appealing when it's seeping out of his pores and being breathed all over the cinnamon smelling Nari. I get he's troubled, struggling but really .... I did feel the relationship deserved more in some way and was not filled out - maybe it was them jumping from one hotspot in the investigation to another, without the development of the relationship, leaving it a little undone.

There were some nice but brief appearances from other members of the Deep Ops team who play a supporting role in this book, with some promising characters from the FBI and the local police as possible future main characters. Nari's mum (so spoilers) was a fun character as well.

My other struggle was the connection between Lassiter and another character that felt a bit undone. So many questions left unanswered on that score left me hanging. I do also think having read Fallen, that it's a series that is best picked up early so the characters have more depth. I think this one would have been a bit tricky to work out the who's who and their histories had I not read Fallen.

Thank you to Kensington Books for sending me a free e-copy of Driven to review. Some great reading for a holiday Sunday.

Recommended if you like:
* suspense but really seemed a bit police procedural
* simmering co-worker enemies to lovers vibes
* the team of 'us against the world' action

Driven releases on 26 January 2021.

Driven by Rebecca Zanetti is book four in the Deep Ops series. It tells the story of Angus Force, who we have met in a previous book, who has an obsession with a serial killer who everyone else thinks is dead. When bodies start showing up with clues that lead to the dead serial killer, Lassiter, it is a race against time for Angus Force to bring him down….but not everything is what it seems. Thrown into the mix is Nari Zhang, the shrink for the Deep Ops Unit, which Angus runs. Although both of them are attracted to each other, they haven’t made a move, mainly due to the fact that Angus is obsessed with a dead man and Nari has her own issues to deal with. Only with her being thrown into the focus of a killer, does it seem to bring Angus out of his fugue and realise his true feelings for Nari.

This book was brilliant! If you have read the previous stories in this series, then you know that they are going to be action packed, with lots of twists and turns. Well, this one is no different. Not only do we have the growing relationship between Nari and Angus (which is super steamy), we also have precious characters popping up as well as what had happened to Nari in her previous role at the HDD.

Driven is a thrilling page-turner of a read. It seems to have everything you want in a book; romance, suspense, intrigue and lots of things getting blown up (I also didn’t see the twist at the end…..brilliant)! This book certainly doesn’t disappoint.

ARC received for a fair, honest and sometimes long review. All opinions are my own. 😊

More of my reviews can be found on my blog: http://thehotmesslibrary.blogspot.com

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, Nari works Deep Ops Unit and is attacked one night and her apartment. She barely gets away and the attacker says we are not done yet. Angus Force (what a name) cares about Nari and when he gets word that she has been injured he rushes to her side and vows to protect her. A serial killer is on the loose with both of them in his sights, things get heated.....Love, love this book!