Dylan, aka Lady Justice, has run away from home/family to become a vigilante. She refuses to allow people into her inner circle, with the exception of her bff and helper, Daniel. Daniel brings forth a new client whose mark has a personal connection to Dylan. The mark, Brent Wilder, raped her sister many moons ago. Since then he has terrorized women everywhere and it's time for this to stop. Dylan gets caught up in a flurry of activities trying to bring Brent to justice. Dylan and Brent have some serious mind games going on. It was a fun cat and mouse dance.  
 
This book is a debut book written by Katherine Olson. I really enjoyed her writing, it had a very realistic feel to it. I loved the character of Dylan, she was strong and fierce but yet showed insecurities throughout the book. I really enjoyed watching her character grow and develop. This book has suspense, but it also feels like a romance novel and has some unexpected 🌶️ spice in it. This book exceeded my expectations and is a great crossover genre read. I especially liked all the action towards the end.

Close Enough to Hurt by Katherine A. Olson

Intense, action-packed, riveting read – couldn’t put it down!

What I Liked:
* Dylan Truman: known by some as Lady Justice, owns Dark Horse Consulting, began her work righting wrongs after her older sister was terribly wronged in college, strong, resilient, independent, seeks justice for those who don’t get it through the legal system, cut herself off from her family, strong friendship with feelings of more for David.
* David Haas: computer expert, wealthy, part time collaborator with Dylan, brilliant, only son, martial arts training, strong friendship with Dylan and even stronger than friendship feelings for her that might or might not ever come to fruition, less willing to bend rules than Dylan is
* Rhys Morgan: a journalist that has researched to find out who Lady Justice might be, was saved on the playground by Dylan when they were in grade school, seems like a professional and a good man and reporter
* Gabrielle: Dylan’s sister, strong, survivor, psychologist, supportive, kind
* Dr. Chang: a client of Dylan’s that provides the perfect opportunity for Dylan to get justice for her client but also for Gabrielle as the same man did both women wrong
* Noah Rodrigo: Dylan’s hairdresser, friend, and confidant
* Yoon So Ah: potential bride for David who seemed like a genuinely nice woman – hope she finds her own happily ever after
* Being able to dislike/hate Brent Wilder and wish justice would be meted out before he could do more harm
* The plot, pacing, setting, character development, romance, and writing
* All of it really except…

What I Didn’t Like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like – especially Brent Wilder!
* Thinking about the harm and scars, physical and emotional, that evil doers leave behind

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc! Romance plus thriller…. Sign me up!! This was a great read! Definitely kept me intrigued along the way.

Close Enough to Hurt by Katherine A. Olson is a thrilling debut novel that follows a vigilante on a mission to bring down predatory men. This sensational thriller introduces a captivating heroine with a voice as sharp as her knife collection. Prepare to be enthralled by an empowering story that will have you cheering for her every step of the way, leading to a deeply satisfying conclusion.

4.5 stars

I loves me some revenge! Romantasy (romance + fantasy) is the big genre right now, but I've never read a thriller + romance, and this book blended the two genres so perfectly!

I had a few minor issues with the plot, specifically the behaviour and choices of some of the characters that seemed off/unlikely, but overlooking that - wow!! And for a debut novel - double wow!!

Close Enough to Hurt by Katherine A. Olson
Crooked Lane Books
2 stars

First, I would like to say this book has the potential for a higher star rating, but for me, it wasn't executed properly. I can see where the author was heading with the story, but it didn’t come though. Moments that seemed exciting fell flat and the one truly exciting moment happens in one of the last chapters and it was rushed. While I appreciate how the characters were able to resolve their problems in the end, when it came to the action it was more 'talk' than 'do'.

Thank you, Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In her captivating debut novel, "Close Enough to Hurt," author Katherine A. Olson presents readers with a gripping tale of vigilante justice, revenge, and unexpected emotional discoveries. Perfect for fans of Jeneva Rose and Elle Cosimano, this thrilling story introduces us to Dylan Truman, a formidable avenger known as Lady Justice, as she embarks on a personal quest for retribution against a billionaire with a dark past.

Set in the vibrant Bay Area and centered around the unique houseboat community in Sausalito, the story follows Dylan Truman as she teams up with her loyal best friend and hacktivist, Daniel Haas, to deliver poetic justice to those who exploit the vulnerable. When a potential client presents a case involving pharmaceutical CEO Brent Wilder, Dylan sees an opportunity to settle a personal vendetta: Wilder had assaulted Dylan's sister years ago and escaped any repercussions.

Dylan's plan is daring yet calculated—she adopts a new identity as a socialite, secures a residence next to Wilder's opulent mansion in Pacific Heights, and infiltrates his world. As she delves deeper into her mission, she finds herself wrestling with emotions she never anticipated. Meanwhile, Daniel contemplates leaving their partnership to embrace a more conventional life, putting Dylan at a crossroads between her quest for vengeance and her burgeoning feelings for her closest ally.

Katherine A. Olson expertly crafts a suspenseful narrative that seamlessly weaves together themes of justice, love, and personal growth. The tension builds as Dylan navigates the fine line between her desire for retribution and the burgeoning realization that her feelings for Daniel might run deeper than friendship. The stakes escalate as Brent Wilder's paranoia and the looming threat of danger add layers of complexity to Dylan's mission.

"Close Enough to Hurt" is a captivating exploration of moral dilemmas, the weight of past trauma, and the choices that shape one's destiny. Olson's prose is evocative and engaging, drawing readers into the heart of the action and making them invest deeply in the characters' journeys. The novel beautifully captures the contrast between the high-stakes world of vigilante justice and the tender moments of self-discovery and connection.

As Dylan grapples with the prospect of love, loss, and a decision that could change her life forever, readers are taken on an emotional rollercoaster that culminates in a gripping and satisfying conclusion. "Close Enough to Hurt" is a riveting and thought-provoking read that will leave readers eagerly awaiting Katherine A. Olson's next literary offering.

Gosh. Never have I been quite so surprised by a debut than I was with Close Enough to Hurt. Objectively, it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting when I originally read the synopsis, yet I fell in love with it nevertheless. After all, for me—an overwhelming addict of all things suspense—to be won over by a book decidedly more romance than thriller, it HAD to be good.

See, my assumption going in was that this was going to be a hard-hitting tale of revenge where an intrepid woman strikes out against men behaving badly. While there certainly was that aspect, I found the premise to be decidedly more romantic and poignant than the blurb foretold, with it leaning more towards somewhat spicy romantic suspense over thriller. Not necessarily a subgenre I regularly dive into, initially I was somewhat put off, but the further into it I got, the more I fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

The shining star of this book, however, was easily the leading lady herself. A truly brilliant narrator who was somehow both smart and cocky but also insecure and impulsive, she quickly worked her magic with me. Determined to set the world on fire to stop a truly repulsive man in his tracks, her strength and resolve were quite awe inspiring. And as the story shifted into a soul-stirring friends to lovers motif, her burgeoning love affair with the sexy yet sweet Daniel was one to behold.

The plot itself was perfectly laid out. Starting off with a bang, I couldn’t wait to see Dylan work her magic on the evil man of the hour. As it subtly morphed into a love story filled with equal parts sweetness and spice, it moved away from any thrills or chills. But just as I was getting accustomed to that, it swung back around with one dynamite climax that had me flying through the pages. And the conclusion? Well, simply put, it was what every woman dreams of…

The only mildly flawed piece to the puzzle was the somewhat over-the-top leaning that the prose seemed to take. Far from genuine and true-to-life, it instead resonated with a certain happily ever after charm. But then, that’s what you would expect from a romance book, right? So perhaps my lack of experience within the genre is what’s really talking here.

After closing the book, I’m rather relieved that I went into this one unaware. Not only was I granted an uplifting break from my much loved hair-raising rollercoaster rides, but I also found plenty of suspense, mind games, and one downright villainous monster. All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend checking this one out. Rating of 4.5 stars.

Thank you @crookedlanebooks and @thrillerbookloverspromotions for the #gifted e-arc of this book!

Revenge vigilante plot?! Yep yep yep! I love “Lady Justice” (Dylan) who takes matters into her own hand after her sisters dark past. She has dedicated her life to exacting revenge against people who deserve to be punished but get away with their dirty deeds. She works alongside Daniel who is a hacker, her sidekick and who just happens to be a very good looking best friend. They’ve always been friends and she can’t seem to get him out of her head. When a case arises she realizes a personal connection and she begins her plotting right away! She has to be careful not to be recognized and she realizes this task isn’t as easy as it first seemed. In a race against time she has to figure out a way to get justice for herself and this client!

Thoughts: The opening of this book has me laughing out loud. Eek! What a way to get revenge! Ha! I can’t say how but when you read this you’ll know. I wanted to crawl in a hole for the guy. But such is life and if you don’t want to be plotted against don’t be a jerk. 😂 This book was also a very fast paced easy read for me. It did have quite a bit of romance and tension between Dylan and Daniel…so brace yourself. 🌶️ I did have to suspend believe a bit between the neighborhood relationship because I felt like the dynamic there didn’t seem realistic. It wrapped up with a nice ending! I can’t wait to see what Katharine comes up with next!

Dylan rights the wrongs done to others. When her new client asks her to go after the one man that violently hurt her sister, there was no way she would say no.

This book is one of those that check two boxes for me: thriller AND some spice. I liked Dylan and her life’s mission. She’s cunning and unnerving in her ability to get revenge. There is also a romance aspect to the book, although it’s already set up at the beginning so it’s more of succumbing to desires than falling.

The pacing was quick and nothing is really drawn out. But, I was missing something. There weren’t any twists and turns like I was expecting and the ending felt a little bland.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted copy. My reviews are always honest.

•Fast Paced
•Suspenseful
•Strong FMC
•A Hint of Romance
•Multilayered Story
•Quest of Vengeance

•Love comes with such a high price sometimes.

The book is so intriguing, captivating and keeps on the edge of the seat with a hint of spice. I loved the characters, setting and how each character narrated their story.

Dylan Truman is a Lady Justice and when Dr. Evelyn Chang approaches her and tells her that she has been a pharmacologist at the pharmaceutical company. Due to bringing light upon the shady practices carried on by firm, she has not only lost her job but she has been blacklisted as well. Dylan has solved many cases and this seems to have some connection with the past. When her backstory encapsulates, it all makes sense and it becomes personal. But the case is complicated and twisted as they have no evidence against the firm and it’s not easy to bring down the company due to legal documents signed by Dr. Chang.

To gather the evidence, Dylan devise a perilous plan and gets caught in threatening danger, her personal feelings for Daniel, and had to make a choice between vengeance and love. I love all the characters in book. The ending shook me. It’s a thrilling revenge tale with romance and suspense.

Thank you Netgalley, Author, and Publisher

Dylan Truman (aka Lady Justice) has been exacting revenge on terrible men for years. When her white whale — the man who brutally assaulted her sister a decade ago — appears in her sights, she will risk everything — and everyone — to get vengeance.

I LOVE a female vigilante story. Give me all of the renegade justice and shitty dudes getting taken down a notch. I really appreciated how Olson portrayed Dylan — she had depth and convictions and wasn’t so over-the-top that she became a caricature, but she still fully conveyed the rage so many women feel . There was a solid snark factor that I *SO* enjoyed, and the romance-y bits were well-integrated into the thriller-y bits and added a little extra spark to the whole thing.

Overall this was a super fun, engaging read (and a debut!), and I’m looking forward to reading future books by Olson.

The synopsis of this debut thriller gives enough information that I won’t repeat unnecessarily. The plot is one I’ve read in similar books, but this is fresh and fast paced. The stakes are life or death and the danger is extreme. The theme is built on revenge, retribution, retaliation with a side of sultry romance.
Dylan (aka Lady Justice) can’t forget, doesn’t forgive and is incapable of moving on. Her sister’s attack continues to haunt Dylan. She is a strong female on a mission to get even for those who’ve had the legal system fail them. She has a network of accomplices for information she can’t obtain on her own. It’s very satisfying when she gets even for her clients and she makes a decent living, The downside is that her secret life and anonymity severely limits her having a personal life.
If you enjoy a passionate, steamy relationship with a gritty tale of vengeance this has just what you need. A digital advance reader copy of “Close Enough to Hurt” by Katherine A. Olson, published by Crooked Lane Books, was provided by NetGalley. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

The first few chapters were exciting and thrilling. I love revenge plots and Dylan/Lady Justice, was a great main character and I loved her sense of humor. I was really looking forward to continuing, but as it went on, I found myself losing interest. It basically turned into a romance book that felt a little cheesy. I appreciate the couple discussed protection beforehand because a lot of romances don't. The story was good and the ending was satisfying, it just wasn't a "thriller" to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy.

Summary: Dylan Truman is a street-smart young woman who is tough, compassionate and committed to seeking justice for those harmed by toxic men. Living in San Francisco, she uses the alias Lady Justice and takes on clients who have been mistreated by men, seeking justice on their behalf. Her close friend and partner in the venture is Daniel Haas, a handsome, charming hacker extraordinaire who takes care of the technological aspect of investigations and works tirelessly to keep the reckless Dylan safe. When an expert scientist brings a case to Dylan against Brent Wilder, CEO of Prometheus Pharma, it hits uncomfortably close to home. Years previously, Wilder had assaulted Dylan’s beloved older sister and changed her life forever. Now Dylan is fueled by her hatred for Wilder to pursue vengeance at any price, including her relationships and her own safety.

Thoughts: This is a great thriller, smartly written and with a thoroughly likeable protagonist. It isn’t just that Dylan is driven, intelligent and tough. She is also flawed, vulnerable and determined – a very believable character you can root for. She has made mistakes and continues to make them but keeps on going anyway. She stubbornly tries to exist independently in the world and not need others too deeply but finds that it is unavoidable. Daniel finds the cracks in her armour and offers her unconditional acceptance. It is a passionate romance – whew! Romance is not really my thing but I will say that, for those who enjoy it, it is done well in this novel.

The sharp wit and humour in this thriller grabbed my attention right from the beginning pages. There are so many hilarious quotes here. When her target Brent dresses as Alexander the Great for the costume party, Dylan can barely contain her amused contempt. “If he’s searching antiquity for inspiration, Caligula would be the better fit, but I won’t be the one to pierce his fantasy”. A thriller with this theme could easily devolve into venomous man-hating, but the author makes the distinction early in the novel between men like Daniel and men like Brent, clearly illustrating the reasons why Dylan makes his kind her target. When his final comeuppance arrives, it is fraught, dangerous and very satisfying. Thanks so much to Thriller Book Lover Promotions for bringing this one my way.

Dylan Truman, known to some as Lady Justice, is a woman on a mission. After an entitled man abused her sister, she devoted her life to helping those without a voice finally get justice. Her good friend Daniel is the only one she trusts enough to help her. Otherwise, Dylan operates alone.
Brent Wilder, yet again, has ruined another woman’s life. One of his female scientists discovered something she was not meant to see, and after he fired her, he also ensured she could not get another job. Dylan plans to get justice for her, but this time the case is extremely personal. Brent is responsible for ruining Dylan’s sister’s life, and she will step way over her usual line in the sand, getting dangerously close to this evil man.
I just loved the character of Dylan. She has a heart bigger than the ocean, and from the beginning, I just wanted her to make Brent pay for everything he had done. There was a bit more romance than I anticipated. I hardly ever read romance, but in this case, it worked with showing Dylan’s growth.
I’m always so excited to find a debut author who just makes me want to read her next book. I pushed all my other books aside to read this and was not disappointed. There’s a lot more I’d like to say about this book, but everything leads to shark-infested spoiler waters.
I planned to read this over the weekend but wound up starting in on Friday night and not putting it down until I was done.

Katherine A. Olson's debut novel, Close Enough to Hurt, had me completely captivated from start to finish. The thrilling story of vigilante Dylan Truman, also known as Lady Justice, seeking revenge for her sister's assault, was fast-paced and engaging. The chemistry between Dylan and her best friend, hacktivist Daniel Haas, added an exciting undercurrent to the high-stakes plot. As Dylan plans to avenge the wrongdoings of a billionaire, she must grapple with her feelings for Daniel, who wants to leave the revenge business for a safer, settled life.

The book expertly explores trauma's lasting impacts and how people cope with it. Dylan's unconventional business and her desire for justice were portrayed exceptionally well. The slow-burn romance between Dylan and Daniel was heartwarming and had me rooting for them throughout the book. The ending was satisfying and well-deserved. If you're looking for a thrilling revenge tale with a touch of romance and suspense, Close Enough to Hurt is the perfect choice. I'm grateful to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing this ARC, and this review is my honest and voluntary feedback.

Katherine A. Olsen's Close Enough to Hurt was captivating, fast-paced, and engaging. The undercurrent of the high stakes and the chemistry between Dylan and Daniel kept me hooked throughout the book. The element of Dylan's unconventional business and her thirst for revenge was explored exceptionally well. I appreciate how the book delves into trauma's lasting impacts and the many ways people cope with it. Dylan and Daniel's slow-burn romance mesmerised me, but their partnership was also an absolute treat to read. I was rooting for them from the beginning, and the ending was well-deserved and heartwarming. Look no further if you're looking for a dark revenge read with a dash of romance and suspense.

Thank you, NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books, for this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.

Engaging and interesting read. I liked Daniel and Dylan both. Dylan as lady Justice is superb. Different storyline and it keeps you gripping. Liked it. Nice time pass read.

Close Enough to Hurt by Katherine A. Olson was absolutely captivating, and the narrative moved at an incredibly fast pace.
Her characters were fantastic and well written, defiantly kept my attention the entire time.
The plot was so clever, and well thought out.
And the story was engaging, full of tension, fast paced, and so much fun.
Katherine A. Olson kept me so entertained and hooked I was flipping the pages till 12 am.

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

Thank You NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!