This is the 5th book of the Deep Ops series and I remain a Fan! Rebecca Zanetti provides the perfect blend of thrill, suspense, humor and romance. The Deep Ops characters are all odd, unique and totally lovable and in this book Jethro (met in Wolf’s book) gets his story.

Jethro is a “retired “ MI6 agent turned Professor. Gemma is a visiting Professor and mother of a young daughter who is on the run from an abusive ex who keeps after her. Their worlds and secrets collide in this thriller and they are both forced to face their past. As they do so, they must face that chosen family sometimes outweighs blood relatives. Problem after problem
surface but Jethro’s friends come racing to assist and bring Gemma, and her young daughter Trudy, into the protective fold as well. While thrilling and suspenseful, humor is provided throughout with Roscoe the dog scenes as well as Trudy (the toddler) charming Wolf and the MI6 twin brothers (new characters).

With the new faces joining the Deep Ops stories, I am thrilled to see the possibilities for future books with these new characters in addition to characters in previous books who are further developed in this story.

Keep it coming Rebecca Zanetti! I love this series!

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

The Deep Ops family keeps growing, and Jethro finally gets his own book. Jethro was in MI6, but now is a philosophy professor at a local university. He has helped the Deep Ops team in the past, but tries to keep to a simpler life. That all changes when Gemma is hired to teach at the university, filling in for a friend. Things just don’t add up when Jethro starts watching her. Not surprising, since Gemma is on the run hiding from an abusive relationship, using a false identify, and being broke until she gets that first paycheck.

There is much action, a killer who seems to be setting up Jethro to take the blame, Gemma hiding from her ex, and the entire team becoming involved in catching the killer, protecting Gemma, and proving Jethro’s innocence. And the romance, watching Jethro and Gemma fall for each other.

I enjoyed Jethro finally finding a love interest, especially one that comes with Gemma’s 5-year-old daughter Trudy, who was adorable. Any time Roscoe, the quirky Germany Shepard is around I know it’s going to be fun. And Jethro suffering through being Wolf’s best friend was a treat. Plus, two of Jethro’s friends from MI6 show up, and they fit right in with the Deep Ops family. Hopefully we’ll see more of the twins in the future. Rebecca Zanetti has a knack for writing an action thriller with romance and humor.

I want to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC of Unforgiven. This is my honest opinion.

Another great addition to the Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti. Jethro is a former M16 ops who is currently teaching college classes at the University. Gemma Falls has been running for the past 3 years from an abusive ex with her 3 year daughter Trudy. She is just starting to teach at the college. The first meetings between the two do not go over well at all . Jethro keeps trying to atone for his brother's misdeeds and wants to avoid any time of relationship or friendship. Gemma is hiding from the past and does not trust easily. Little do they both know but their paths are on a collision trip. Gemma's daughter is adorable and I loved the relationship between Wolfe, Roscoe and Trudy. Jethro and Gemma's relationship built slowly but it felt right. It was nice to visit with the other Deep Ops characters and seeing them adopt Jethro into the fold. Enjoyed seeing the addition of a couple new characters so I hoping more Deep ops will follow. This was a great romantic suspense and can be read as a stand alone. Highly recommend - 5 stars. If fact recommend any book written by Rebecca Zanetti.

I received this copy from Netgalley for my honest review.

After reading Rebecca Zanetti's book Unforgiven, I always feel compelled to seek out another book that is equally as good. This book made me feel that way, and it immediately drew me in. The author created an amazing world that I got to explore a little more with each chapter, and some of the events that occurred kept me on the edge of my seat. This book is well worth reading; there is so much detail in it that you feel as if you are right there. I was enthralled, and I still cannot get it out of my head. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone.
Side note: It can be read as a standalone, but reading the other books in the series is highly recommended if you want to learn more about the characters from previous books. There is only so much you can get out of the book if you don't know anything about the characters.

Rebecca Zanetti's Unforgiven (Deep Ops Book 5) is a thrilling, action-packed, romantic adventure. Thoroughly satisfying in every way.
We are immediately immersed in Zanetti's story from the very first page.
Gemma Falls has spent years on the run from an abusive ex, but in her latest temporary town she meets up with ex-MI6 agent Jethro Hanson. He helped out the Deep Ops team and they are bound and determined to claim him as a permanent teammate. Only problem is, he too has a stalker.
Thankfully, we have a strong and spunky heroine, a super hot and deadly former spy, and a gang of ferocious but heartwarming friends that any sane person would want to claim as family of the heart.
It's action packed. It's steamy hot. There's adorable cuteness with friends, kids and pets.
There is nothing not to love here.
This book could be read as a standalone, but it's more soul satisfying to have read the first 4 Deep Ops stories.
I'm so in love with this book and I can't wait for more ex-MI6 agents. Deadly hotness with cute British accents!

I knew that Jethro had to have quite the story to tell, and I was not disappointed at all! He’s forced to accept that he now has friends closer than family, a woman who he can’t get out of his head, and quite the mystery to solve. He just needs to solve his problem, Gemma’s problem, stay alive, stay out of prison, and win Gemma’s heart in the end. Easy peasy, right?

As for Gemma, she grabbed me from jump and didn’t let go. She’s all too aware of the dangers lurking in shadows and behind false promises of love, so she’s not looking for a darn thing with the egotistical Jethro. At first. Then he comes to the rescue a few too many times and she ends up falling. But she also ends up in double the danger. She’s no weakling, though, and she shows that she is absolutely able to save herself while holding it together for the cavalry to arrive.

These two brought the rest of the team to the story, as I hoped. But they also brought a few familiar faces that I want more of, as well as some new faces that I can’t wait to learn more about. Overall, this is a read that didn’t want to let me go until the very last page. And even then, it left me hoping for more of this team and maybe some more embarrassment for a certain jerk of a federal agent in the near future.

This is the first book I’ve read in this series.

Gemma is a woman on the run.
Jethro is also running from his past, trying to atone for past mistakes.

The first time they meet she’s wary. He’s not impressed with the ice queen who reminds him too much of his mother. But the more they meet the more she realises maybe he’s different. And he sees her not the persona she’s created.

I really enjoyed this one. My favourite characters were Trudy and Wolfe. I absolutely loved Jethro’s best friend. So much I might have to go back and read his book.

While this can easily be read as a standalone I did wish I’d read the previous ones.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

Unforgiven is the newest book in the Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti. I've really enjoyed this ragtag group of operatives that find themselves in some sticky situations. We've met Jethro in previous books and the sexy, nerdy Brit is a secret badass. Gemma is on the run from an abusive ex and finds herself caught up in the protective bubble of the Deep Ops team. This book includes a lot of the crew, especially the quirky and deadly Wolfe. Let's not forget the dog with a drinking problem and the cat named Kat. This series is a great balance of action, thrills, sexy times, and quirkiness. As always, looking forward to the next installment.

Oh man, I love the Deep Ops team. I wasn't sure how I felt about Gemma at first, but she and Jethro were good together.

I loved this installment of the series so much. Jethro has been a bit of an enigma to the team. He is a professor and form MI6 operative. He assists when needed but doesn't really consider himself a team member. The group tends to disagree. When he meets Gemma, who is on the run for the safety of her child and herself, it brings out the hero in him. Unfortunately, he is also in danger. The team works together and makes us redefine what family really is to us. The addition of his colleagues from MI6 who come to visit and assist is funny and appreciated.

Yup! This book kept me up at night reading past my bedtime. There's a lot of grit, excitement and nail-biting fear and stress. Strong characters emerge especially 'dangerous' ones. There are three sets of brothers you had best watch out for. There are Monty and Jack, both doctors of dubious character; Fletcher and Jethro, both killers; and twins Oliver and Ian, among other individuals of like ilk. One will also need to reckon with Gemma and Trudy, or are those their real names? Oh, and then there is the 'dangerous' dog recovering from an addiction.

Evil vs good. If there are so many killers, are any of them good ones? This is what I had to find out; which would overcome which, or would that happen at all?

There is much action: graphic suspense and murders; intentional spook, harm and abuse but there is also love, tender moments, amusing episodes and strong bonds of friendship that wade through evil together creating some relief, at least for a while.

Some readers may take exception and not wish to read through a significant number of pages of intimate goings on in the bedroom. So I give those words of caution.

The author of this book Unforgiven, Rebecca Zanetti, has authored numerous books of several different series. This book is from the series Deep Ops; if I'm not mistaken this is the fifth book in the series each with 4.5 or more stars of brilliance. I'd say this one would be slated similarly.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

March 2022

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the Publisher.

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First I want to say thank you for the ARC Copy.

When Jethro meets Gemma he tries to ignore the attraction. He doesn't get involved for more than one night but something about Gemma and her daughter Trudy have him starting to rethink the whole loner deal. But Gemma has issues of her own and secrets she can not tell unless she wants Trudy's father to find them. When a killier targets Jethro as they start getting closer and it seems that Gemmas problem may have found her also things start to take a bad turn. Can they both find what they want and still stay safe.

5 amazing british stars ★

Running, that’s what Gemma Falls has been doing for over three years with her daughter, however, our past has a way of always catching up. This is something Jethro Hanson, former MI6 operative and philosophy professor has always known. Looking for some kind of redemption for crimes committed for crown and country, Jethro doesn’t want anything to do with the Deep Ops team and their willingness to make him part of their dysfunctional family. Furthermore, he’s willing to ignore his increasing attraction to new substitute professor Gemma Falls, even though it’s clear from his vast experience that she’s hiding from something or, better, someone.

As bodies began to appear, all tiding Jethro to their murders, vandalize vehicles and strange noices at night, every thing is demostrating that you can’t outrun your demons: you have to stand up and fight them. And neither have to do it alone: they have each other and an amazing and capable group of misfits that, with the help of newcomers from Jethro’s past ops, will prove that shutting everyone out is no option when you have people around you that are more than capable to help you plan your fights and have your back at times of distress.

The sizzling attraction between Jethro and Gemma grows as the pages pass, their connection more combustible than any of them thought at the beginning. However, this will also put Gemma in the crosspaths of a killer who wants payback for what he dems Jethro’s actions that result in his incarceration and this “loss” in the game they were playing.

Will they be able to outrun the killer on their tracks? Will Gemma be able to conquer her demons? Is there just good and evil as Jethro is set to prove? Maybe this last question will have a more complex answer, but will they finally let their past go in order to have a future together?

This is the fifth book of the Deep Ops series and I must say, it didn’t disappoint me one bit. Each and every book of the series is thrilling and entertaining to read, you have lots of action scenes, laughs and sexy scenes, however, every story has Rebecca's mark: when one situation is on the brink of being solved, another one appears, keeping the readers on their toes the entire time. This makes it impossible to stop reading it until you finish. I must say I read this too fast and I'm probably going to re-read the entire series. Each character is unique on its own and it's impossible to not love them all. This book presents new possibilities, new stories to be told, I can't wait to see what's next.

***Disclaimer: I’ve applied and received this book as an ARC via NetGalley and this is my honest review***

I loved the entire Deep Ops series! Rebecca Zanetti delivers an amazing group of flawed characters that seem to all be misfits yet they bond together as a tight family.

This time, Jethro, who is a professor at the college, has his own book and I couldn't wait to dive in! Jethro has a secret M16 background that he is desperately trying to move on from and the world of violence. At the college he meets a new hire, Gemma, a single mother with a lot to hide. They form a bond of friendship and soon trust with each other. Danger follows them and both their pasts threaten to catch up with them. There is a ton of action and a bit of romance as Gemma and Jethro try to stay ahead of her abusive ex and his violent brother. All of the gang, plus Roscoe the lovable, alcoholic, high heel wearing German Shepard is back and Kat the adorable kitten. New friends of Jethro's are also introduced in this book so I hope that there will be more books to come! A perfect blend of action and light romance from Rebecca Zanetti!

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC! #Unforgiven #NetGalley

We have all been waiting for Jethro’s story and it did not disappoint! Jethro is working as a professor at the college when a new professor catches his eye. She is stunning and he has an instant feeling that something is off about her. Gemma has been on the run and hiding for so long she doesn’t know what to do when she starts to have dealings for Jethro. He has been so helpful and makes her feel safe, which she hasn’t felt in such a long time. All Gemma wants is for her daughter to be safe and happy. She is willing to do anything to ensure that and Jethro wants to help her. Things starts to happen when dead bodies start appearing in their town with notes for Jethro from is brother Fletcher. He has escaped prison and is now playing a game with Jethro. Who will win? I was given an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Great book! I definitely enjoyed reading this book! What a thrilling read! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder and mayhem! And a crazy serial killer! But it also had some great steamy romance! Hot hot hot! The storyline was thrilling and very well written! I highly recommend reading this book! Its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I absolutely love the Deep Ops series, and was thrilled to find out the series did not end with Angus’ book! In this series Rebecca Zanetti has created this amazing group of deeply flawed characters who finally find a place they fit in when they join the ragtag unit. Jethro has been an interesting character in the background in previous books, and I am so happy he got his own book! Jethro is a professor with a secret M16 background, desperately trying to move on from that world and attempting to escape his demons and atone for his past. Emma is a secretive single mom with a lot to hide. Sparks fly every time the two meet, but both have so many secrets and so much pain in their past. As danger follows them and both their pasts threaten to catch up with them, can they risk taking a chance on letting someone love them? A few new characters were introduced in this book, and I’m hoping this means there might be more books in the Deep Ops series to come! Another great romantic suspense book from Rebecca Zanetti! I received an ARC from netgalley, and this is my honest review.

Ohhhhh I was SO excited to read this book and when I saw it was on Netgalley I couldn't resist asking for it
(and now I regret reading it so fast xD)

What I particularly liked :
- the universe of course ! For me, it's a new chapter in the series because the "first" characters all had their own book (which I all reread by the way after this one xD) and so now we have new characters that make their appearance but also an expanding universe which I really liked ! Here we were less focused on the HDD and more on the university and the MI6 but I really appreciated this preview =) I can't wait to see how it will be in the future, especially the new relationship with the HDD =D
- the writing which is always so pleasant : fluid with as much humor as passion but also very realistic descriptions and well-crafted plots !
- the plots that fascinated me from beginning to end ! Both the story with "Fletcher" (I must admit I loved learning more about Jet and his past ! And that scene with Gemma in the cafe at 24% !! I was crazy ><) as the story with Gemma's ex-boyfriend (that psychopath !!)
- the main characters that I loved <3 Jethro, whom we already knew a little about from the previous books, who had intrigued me a lot and whom I loved to see again in more detail here (a James Bond side but also with tenderness and humor (in fact it made me think more of the James Bond of the last movie for those who saw it =))) and Gemma of course that we discover here (a very human heroine with whom we easily identified and that I really enjoyed following !)
- the secondary characters who have a very special place in this book, the new ones (ohhh how I liked the twins =D) and the old ones (Wolfe who remains my favorite but I must admit certain secondary characters like Scott, Millie or Tate made me want to know more about them =D)
- the romance that was PERFECT : not too fast or too slow with humor and passion and sex scenes ... <3

In short, another favorite for this romance that I devoured in no time ! If you are a fan of suspense romance or just romance with passion and humor, I recommend the WHOLE series =D

PS1 : I don't know if I would like the next book to be with Millie (I would see her very well with Scott the lawyer but also ex-Marine =D) or Serena or with one of Jethro's two friends or with Tate and his partner =D

PS2 : to the publisher and Netgalley, thank you so much for the ARC =D

Emma Falls has a secret; one that has her on the run. She and her friend Serena have a plan. Emma will take over teaching Serena's statistic and game theory classes at DC University while living in her home. This will give Emma and her daughter Trudy a reprieve while earning some much needed cash to help her in the next leg of her journey.

Jethro Hanson has many secrets. He and Serena are both professors at DC University as well as members of the ragtag team of agents known as the HDD. When Serena suddenly leaves the group with no real explanation Jethro becomes curious about her replacement but he learns Emma is a tough nut to crack. As Jethro and Emma begin to warm towards each other and Emma learns that she can rely on Jethro a monster from Jethro's time with M16 emerges. Can Jethro and Emma work together to overcome both their demons?

In the other Deep Ops stories, Jethro has been a steady and reliable character. Obviously, with this fifth installment being his story we really get some great insight in to his character and where he comes from. Jethro has great snark and a huge heart. The relationship that develops between Jethro and Emma's daughter Trudy melted my heart. Emma is a woman with great strength. Her past could have damaged her but she has overcome many hurdles in the hopes of giving her daughter a life better than she has had.

Unforgiven is a fast paced read that I completed in one sitting. Zanetti is great with both character and world building. Having continuous stories in a series where the characters appear in each certainly eliminates the confusion one feels at the start of a new story. I felt like I was revisiting old friends.

I loved this one and it may be my favorite of the series. Gemma and Jethro have great chemistry. And Jethro has the best banter with the Deep Ops team without being part of the team (his words not the team). I really enjoyed how Wolf adopted Jethro as his best friend (this provided some of the funniest moments). And we still get to see Roscoe being Roscoe. I look forward to seeing if some of the other characters get books.