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The Dangerous One

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Member Reviews

The Dangerous One by Lori Foster is the first in the Osborn Brothers and has ties to her previous series, the McKenzies of Ridge Trail. You’ll want to curl up with this suspenseful romance as Foster delivers a swoon-worthy tale.

Former park ranger, Hunter Osborn, left his career and family in the aftermath of a tragic event. He loves the isolation of his land and business affords him. It’s just him and his dog. That is, until Jodi Bentley buys the run down cabin next door. Jodi is running from her past too and the tale that unfolds delivers a slow-burning romance and suspenseful tale.

I loved this tale from the onset. Jodi is all spunk and attitude. Hunter sees the troubled woman beneath her snark. If you’ve read the McKenzies of Ridge Trail, then you know Jodi, but don’t let that stop you if you haven’t. Foster does a great job of giving her back history without spoiling the other series. However, I recommend you add them to your reading pile. They are one of my favorites.

The tale that unfolds was filled with sweet and sexy moments as both Hunter & Jodi let down their guard and let the other in. In between, we deal with trouble as a local criminal was using Jodi’s abandoned property to hide things… things he wants back. The suspense angle was well done and allowed Hunter to meet Jodi’s adoptive family.

We also get to meet Hunter’s brother as we learn what happened to Hunter. I adored Memphis. We get some hints about his story and I look forward to it. Turbo, Hunter’s rescue dog, was a scene stealer and you’ll want to hug him.

Foster writes characters you connect with and form bonds with. I am looking forward to the next Osborn novel and hope we see more of the McKenzies.

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The Dangerous One is the first book in a new series by Lori Foster. As I have experienced in Foster's books in the past, the characters are well rounded and written with a sense of purpose and understanding. The thing I appreciate most about her books is that while the romance is fully engrossing, there is more to the plot than just the romance - in this case a harrowing threat to Jodi's life.

While I enjoyed the book, it took me a while to get into it. I did not realize that while this book was beginning a new series, it is a spin-off with some characters that Foster introduced in a previous series that I have not read. As such, the first third of the book was very disorienting as aspects of Jodi's past are vaguely mentioned or alluded to. For a fan who already read the previous series, these hints would be fully understood, but for a reader who doesn't already know Jodi, they were confusing. Unfortunately, the author took the same approach for the character of Hunter. So, in this case it was *doubly* frustrating to feel profoundly ungrounded with regards to BOTH characters.

*********SPOILER***********
Additionally, the basis of the main threat to Jodi was one of the parts of the book that didn't fully make sense to me. King is using a seemingly-abandoned cabin in the woods as a stash-house for some of his illegal activities. However, Jodi purchases the house and moves into it. As a result, King puts a plan in motion to rape, torture, and kill Jodi - because she legally bought a house that he thought was abandoned? Eventually my suspension of disbelief kicked in, and I continued on with the story. While I realize that sometimes people are irrational, the thought that a person might truly be horrible enough to develop such an extreme vendetta because of such a small thing is truly terrifying. Unfortunately, this vendetta is the impetus for an entire plotline of the book, so I feel like it should have had a stronger foundation.
*********END SPOILER***********

Despite those few negative aspects, I look forward to the next books in the series. Thank you toHarlequin Trade Publishing, HQN, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

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Fabulous start to this new series. There are so many things about this story that I love - alpha male, strong female character, both main characters have events from their past that they are still working through however they are able to break down each other's walls over time, suspense, humor, small town, family, and ties to the author's previous series McKenzies of Trail Ridge.

Jodi may be small in stature, but she is confident and takes guff from no one. Hunter is a loner who values his privacy. From the start he recognizes that she is situation aware, just like him. Then when she is threatened, he has to act carefully to keep her confidence while helping to deal with the threat. Even with the suspense and the nightmares that Jodi and Hunter suffered in their past, there are plenty of lighthearted moments sprinkled throughout the story.

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Whoa! What a great continuation of the MacKenzies of Ridge Trail! Jodi was so broken when we met her in the MacKenzies of Ridge Trail that I wasn't sure how her story would unfold. I can't imagine a better way for it to unfold! Hunter is a great partner for her and she's so amazingly capable in what she does. If I could have sat and read the book I would have finished in one day, but life intervenes and I had to spread it out. I loved it and I hope Memphis gets his story soon!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

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You can never go wrong with stories by this author, and this first book in the new series, proves it.
Hunter Osbourn has left his job as a park ranger and isolated himself from his family and the rest of the world, after a devastating incident that changed his life. An incident that leaves him with nightmares.
Nowadays, he lives by himself in a cabin in the outskirts of Ridge Trail, Co. A location chosen since there are no neighbors close by.
That is, until petite Jodi Bentley moves to the dilapidated cabin next to him. He can tell she’s trouble but is drawn to her just the same.
As these two get to know each other, we discover the heartbreaks that have changed them. Both have suffered physically and emotionally and are cautious of the other. But as feelings develop, so does the danger.
Can they keep each other safe? Can Hunter show Jodi that she’s lovable and special?
With a complex and engaging plot, strong main characters , bad guys, good hunky ones and of course, romance, the reader is left anxiously waiting for the next book in the series.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

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This is going to be a good series. I just love the characters. Hunter and Jodi are so much alike. Hunter just wanted to be alone after a traumatic experience. Jodi hasn't had an easy life and just wants normal, whatever that is. When they meet, it is like two halves come together. Jodi isn't sure she can do a normal relationship, but she sure wants to try. Jodi has some serious skills and Hunter wants to respect her skills when danger comes to call. Hunter just wants to protect her, but he knows he has to let her do it herself. Jodi says she doesn't know about love, but she has a family she has adopted that may overwhelm her with love and protectiveness. Will Jodi come to love him? Hunter knows that Jodi is the one for him, but will she feel the same way?

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Author Lori Foster is always an enjoyable read! The Dangerous One is another wonderful romantic suspense that I would recommend!

Two characters, both with their own kind of troubled pasts, end up being neighbors in a secluded area, in a small Colorado town. Hunter and Jodi are two very strong and characters that you want to cheer for, and Turbo (Hunter’s dog) is a definite added bonus! This romantic suspense had some heated scenes, a wonderful twist, and a great storyline that kept me wanting to read whenever I had any time to grab my book!

There are cameo appearances from one of Lori Foster’s previous series as well as new characters introduced in this first book of the Osborn Brothers series. 4.5 stars, rounding up to 5!

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The Dangerous One is set in the same world as The McKenzies of Ridge Trail, and I loved that I was able to follow Jodie in this story. As usual, there is quite a bit of suspense mixed in with the romance here, and both Jodie and Hunter had some pretty important demons from their past to deal with.

Because they felt like they met a kindred spirit the first time they laid eyes on each other, they slowly started opening up. Becoming neighbors by chance definitely helped with that - since they lived rather far from town, in a secluded place in the woods. Only their two houses was there, in the middle of trees, close to a creek and nature.

Jodie is the kind of strong woman I enjoy reading about. She had been through hell, but she was such a fighter. She had learned to take care of herself, and she had an aura of authority and knowing what she was doing that was impossible to resist. Enter Hunter, who had been through a different kind of hell. Who had a protective streak he needed to check around Jodie, because she wanted and needed to take care of herself.

Most of the 'sightings' of the McKenzies were by phone, and their easy banter was just as I remembered it from their stories.

The romance was so well done, a slow burn, building trust and tearing down walls protecting their hearts and souls, Jodie and Hunter were just so very right for each other. The steamy scenes were so steamy I had to pause every now and then for fear my kindle would go up in flames ;)

If you're looking for a steamy, hot, suspenseful romance with well rounded characters, search no more, The Dangerous One is it!

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An absolutely fantastic read!!! Two troubled souls finding each other and creating an extraordinary life. I am soooo looking forward to the next book in this series

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What a way to kick off a new spin-off series! If you've followed Lori Foster's The McKenzies of Ridge Trail series, some of these characters will seem familiar, especially Jodi Bentley, who survived a horrifying experience in one of the novels in that series, an experience that still haunts her and gives her nightmares--and is the reason she's moved to tiny Triple Creek, Colorado, where she can have an "everday life as an everyday woman" with her landscaping business. That's where hunky Hunter Osborn, who's also isolated himself for the past 18 months after his own horrifying experience, first spots her, and although neither of them realizes it at the time, there's nothing "everyday" about either character, and these two were made for each other. Thank you, Ms. Foster, for another excellent, 5-star read.

Hunter, by design, lives in isolation outside of town with his rescued dog, Turbo, where he restores vintage custom cars for a living. It's while arguing about getting paid fully for his work on a '73 Corvette for the local car dealer, sleazy Worth Linlow, that he first sees Jodi astride her gigantic lawnmower. It turns out that Worth is trying to cheat her out of her contractual payment too, and Hunter can't help but be impressed by this pretty, pint-sized dynamo and her feisty, take-no-prisoners attitude. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that she's bought the ramshackle mess of a house at the property that adjoins his.

There's plenty of criminal activity in this tiny town, and after a rough start, Hunter can't help but be protective of Jodi, and with good reason, which I won't get into since I don't do spoilers. A relationship is certainly nothing Hunter was looking for, but what follows is a slow building attraction between these two emotionally scarred characters, who come to realize that they both have been through horrifying experiences, ones that put them on common ground in many ways, and which makes both of them "extraordinary." One can't help but be impressed by Jodi's gumption or hunky Hunter's understanding of her trauma and willingness to help her deal with it--all while criminals want into Jodi's cabin, and want to do harm to Jodi too.

With it's memorable characters, excellent character development, exciting and dangerous plot, and slow building romance, this is a novel you won't want to put down--and, oh joy, there's a sequel coming, featuring Hunter's brother. This reader is hooked and I think you will be too. It was an exciting, sexy, and gripping read, and I think you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.

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The McKenzies find their way to Triple Creek, Colorado when Jodi moves there to make it on her own. Of course, the McKenzies aren’t that easily relegated to the back burner because Jodi is as good as family. Hunter has been sequestered for a year and a half trying to outrun the demons from a horrific crime scene encountered as a park ranger. These two have not only immediate chemistry, but their souls seem to recognize each other right away as well. The pieces just click into place for them as they battle against a “King” with deadly aspirations. Foster’s amazing characters keep you wanting more.

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The Dangerous One is a great start to a new series by Lori Foster.

Jodi is new to Triple Creek, a business owner with her own lawncare service. She struggles to be an “everyday woman” due to her troubled past, but just wants to live a simple, quiet life.

Hunter just wants to do his work and be left alone. He enjoys the solitude of his quiet home and doesn’t like it when a new neighbor (Jodi) buys the rundown property adjacent to his own.

Hunter’s interest in Jodi is piqued and he can’t seem to stop himself from trying to spend time with her. Their relationship evolves slowly when they both seem to recognize the wounded soul and boundaries of the other.

When trouble finds itself at Jodi’s door, through no fault of her own, Hunter can’t stop his protective instincts. He’s keeping an eye on her even though Jodi strikes him as capable and capable of protecting herself. He has assigned himself as her own personal bodyguard, whether she wants or needs one or not.

The Dangerous One is a wonderful romance with enough suspense to keep the pages turning, it has a goofy dog named Turbo that steals every scene he is in, and two guarded people that find each emotional healing in each other.

Highly recommended!

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I loved that this book started out with Jodi from the previous series. We get to see how her life plays out when she meets Hunter in and trouble while turning over a new leaf. Well that all good intentions sometimes get a wrench thrown in which is how this story goes. Trouble finds her and her “adopted” family will always have back. Great read I was given an ARC from Netgalley and my review is based solely on my option.

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I hadn't read anything by Lori Foster in a while but I was immediately reminded of what I enjoy about her style - alpha heroes and badass heroines finding each other while fighting against the evil and ugliness in the world. I enjoyed it very much.

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The Dangerous One
Lori Foster
February 21, 2023


In The Dangerous One, we find Hunter Osborn redesigning old cars for folks who want their cherished autos detailed and repaired for driving again. Upon dickoring with the town business man, Worth Linlow fromTriple Creek, Colorado about a price for the ‘73 Corvette he needs Hunter to work on, they are both taken aback by the landscaper working diligently in the field across the street. When the mower stops she storms across the field and begins yelling at Linlow. The landscaper, Jodi Bently approached him and demanded her pay for the job completed. The man cheated everyone who he hired yet this petite woman was not having it. Once paid, she hopped in her truck. Hunter followed her and and discovered she was his newly moved in next door neighbor - this is how he discovers who The Dangerous One really is. This could be trouble.
Lori Foster’s latest book, The Dangerous One will be published by Harlequin Digital Sales on February 21, 2023. I appreciate the publisher and her team allowing me to read and review her next publication. It is an exciting thriller that will keep her readers on the edge. This romantic suspense novel will be one to pick up.

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The Dangerous One by Lori Foster is the first in her new series, Osborn Brothers and a great read. There is mystery, suspense, and romance, all the makings of a good thriller. As neighbors, Jodi and Hunter are wary but also drawn to each other. When trouble finds Jodi, Hunter steps in to help along with her “family”, the McKenzies (McKenzies of Ridge Trail). I love crossovers with characters from other series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and recommend this and other books by Lori Foster.

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Fantastic story! Five huge stars….omg where to start. First this is a spin-off series which doesn’t hinder but there are more characters with small parts than I’m used to. It was still an easy stand alone but I wish I’d known and brushed up in the characters before my plunge. What did I like? Hunter and Jodi were a match made from an eventful life. Both with some severe trauma but they complimented each other well. I adored them! Turbo was the family adorable dog and he somehow managed to steal the show in my book! I love the four legged friends! The book also reveals some more characters who will hopefully be in the next book! Would I recommend or buy! I have a Lori Foster shelf! I’ve been reading and loving her series for years and they are engrossing! I really enjoyed this book! I’m hoping Memphis gets the next book. I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and Lori’s ARC team. This is my opinion but there is an easy reason why she is so popular. Her books are amazing!

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I love Lori Foster books . She never disappoints! I don’t think I have ever given her books anything but 5 well deserved stars.

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The Dangerous One (Osborn Brothers #1) by Lori Foster
Five ***** plus many more stars. Hunter and Jodi both have a ton of baggage that they help each other unpack. There is so much angst, evil, fear, bravery, suspense, laughter, some tears, catching up with the McKenzies, an adorable dog, enough steam to get us to a very HEA. I can't wait for Memphis Osborn's book.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read Romantic Scary Witty Unpredictable Page-turner Action-packed Haunting Happily Ever After Steamy Wonderful characters Entertaining. Thank you NetGalley.

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Hunter and Jodi are two damaged people with a lot of painful experiences in common. To get away from all the bad things that have happened in the past, they each decide to move near a small town and live out in the country away from people. Hunter has been there 18 months when Jodi moves into a small abandoned cabin nearby. While each is a loner, they find some comfort in becoming friends.
It doesn't take long to see that someone is watching Jodi. Luckily, she and Hunter are well armed and Hunter has a lovable dog who is a great alarm when danger is about.
As danger gets closer to Jodi, the two start to open up about their past and it draws them closer. They both learn that it's okay to open their hearts and find love.

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