Cover Image: Impact Zone

Impact Zone

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This is book #3 in the Traverse City Tactical Crime Division series. I’m already hooked because it takes place in Michigan and because it’s a well written romantic suspense makes it that much more fun. The TCD is called to Grand Rapids to investigate a serial bomber. Max McRay is an explosives expert, who was injured in combat, but can do the job needed of him for the FBI. It just so happens that Max’s ex-wife lives in Grand Rapids with their son Max Jr. Max fears for their lives, but Allie doesn’t see how she could possibly be a target for a bomber, so she is not that concerned.

Allie divorced Max because he always put his job first. They still care for each other and their son. Max will do anything to protect his family. Allie moved to Grand Rapids from Traverse City to give them some space after the divorce and to be closer to her parents. Clearly this aspect of the story is leading towards a second chance romance that readers will love. I sure did!

The suspense of trying to find the bomber is the primary storyline. It does help to read the previous books, but there is a list of characters at the beginning of the book to keep everything straight. Max has a bit of PTSD from his combat days where he was injured and lost a part of his leg in an explosion. But he has been working through it and is one of the best explosives experts on the job. Things get tense and they get closer to tracking down the bomber. Readers can definitely expect a tense bomb diffusion scene that will keep you on edge and rooting for the good guys. All that suspense with a happy ending makes for an enjoyable read.

Was this review helpful?

Who is Allie? Who are Max and Max Jr.? How do they all know one another? Who are Axel, Selena, Aria, Carly, Alana, Rihanna, Opaline, and Fritz? What has been happening in the city? Where is Traverse City located? What do each of the above mentioned folks have to do with the story and what do they do for a living? Oh goodness, there were both some surprising and shocking turns of events in this suspenseful story! I cannot wait to read more in this series. These are a great group of people. There were deaths, there was mayhem, there were near saves and near deaths. So many things going on! Even maybe a rekindling!

Was this review helpful?

Impact Zone (Tactical Crime Division: Traverse City #3). By Julie Anne Lindsey. 2021. Harlequin Intrigue (ARC eBook)

I liked Impact Zone the best so far in this series because the couple, Max and Allie, were more believable to me. Perhaps because they are exes and have a son, Max Jr., together. As a bomber goes on a vendetta in Grand Rapids where Allie and Max Jr. live, it’s time for TCD bomb specialist Max McRay to put family first. There is some intrigue and some action at the end and overall a decent second-chance romance in the romantic suspense genre.

Was this review helpful?

Excellent blend of suspense and a second chance romance. Max is the explosives expert on the Tactical Crime Division team. When he hears about the bombs in Grand Rapids, he suggests to his boss that the team get involved. Max has an ulterior motive in that his ex-wife and infant son live in that city. They may be divorced, but Max still loves Allie and wants to protect her. Allie divorced Max a few months earlier because she couldn't handle how work always came before the family with Max. She moved to Grand Rapids to put some space between them and try to move forward with her life.

I liked the rekindling of the relationship between Max and Allie. It is evident from the start that they still love each other. Max is super-protective thanks to the things he has seen, and even though divorced, he calls Allie to warn her of the bombings. Allie tends to be a bit more relaxed and trusting, which was one of their marriage issues. Be that as it may, they still have an amicable relationship. Allie welcomes Max to her home when he arrives in town. I loved Max's sweet scenes with his son and the evidence of how much love he has to share. The time he spent away from Allie made him realize how many things he did wrong during their marriage. He yearns for a way to fix it but doesn't know if he can.

Spending time with Max reinforces that Allie still loves him and reminds her of why they parted. She had a hard time with the way he put other peoples' families ahead of theirs. But when Allie gets an up-close and personal view of what Max does, she begins to understand him and what drives him. The ending had me on the edge of my seat as Max was in the fight of his life to save Allie. Both of them realized life was too short to throw away what they had together. I loved the epilogue and the changes it showed in their relationship.

The suspense of the story was fantastic and kept me turning the pages far into the night. The team's pursuit of the serial bomber was well portrayed in its successes and frustrations. An early look into the mind of the serial bomber showed his determination. The intensity ramped up as Max and the others closed in on the bomber. The apartment scene had me glued to the pages as I felt like I was right there with Max. When the final confrontation came, the bomber's methods and intentions were terrifying. Max's coolness under pressure was terrific, and I loved how Allie kept her head and found a way to help.

Was this review helpful?

An enjoyable second chance romance! There was a bit too much senseless death for my tastes, but that’s to be expected for the genre, I suppose.

Was this review helpful?

4.25 Stars / 1 Steam Fans

The FBI Tactical Crime Division stationed in Traverse City, Michigan get another case. Max is the EOD specialist of the TCD who has to solve a group of bombings in the same town as his ex-wife and son.

Video review available in Week 48: Nov 22 – Nov 28 weekly book reviews.

For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

Was this review helpful?

This was a new to me author I thought I would try because of also the intrigue. The characters get you involved quickly especially since it involves the endangering of a infant. Max is closely effected with his next case it becomes personal. So does it effect his ex wife Allie but we will see between the danger how time provides a second chance if they do not become a causality in all this. This kept you engaged so the writer has that magic even if she is in this publishers house. Glad to have come across this one.

Was this review helpful?

mpact Zone is a second chance romance where the father realizes everything he gave up because he decided his job was more important.

The story moves fast with as Allie is trying to keep her life moving forward selling her children's wear clothing in the mall. When bombs start going off in the city Allie does everything she can to stay safe for her child and her Ex husband.

Max realizes everything he has been missing but didn't know how to fix it until life threw him and Allie back together.

The story is a Harlequin Intrigue quick read and one that readers of Julie Anne Lindsey will be able to put in their collection of her books.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy of Julie Anne Lindsey Impact Zone.

Was this review helpful?

I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on Dec 1, 2020

Impact Zone is another amazing book by Julie Anne Lindsey, I am so glad that I have found her and her books. This is one of my favorite genres, and this one certainly kept me turning the pages until the very end. Being a second-chance romance also was another win!. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.

I received an ARC from NetGalley, the publisher Harlequin Intrigue and the author and am under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Another 5 star read by Julie Anne Lindsey. I am convinced that this woman can not write a bad book. The book starts off with a bombing of a fast food restaurant. This is the second bombing in the same area. Max McRay from the tactical Crime Division asks for his team to lead the investigation since the bombings occurred in the same city as his ex wife and son. I love that this was a second chance romance. Max and Allie are so good together. I love seeing Max with his son and watching how great of a dad he is. I really enjoyed the bombing storyline as well and how we got the bombers point of view at times. This is definitely a must read for anyone who likes romantic suspense.

Was this review helpful?

Good book! It had suspense, action, intrigue, and had a good storyline to it! All and all it was a decent read! Wasn't my all time favorite but still definitely worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Was this review helpful?