(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

As a professional bodyguard, Hilja Ilveskero rarely loses her cool. But one day, she and a client have an argument in a Moscow fur salon, and Hilja quits on the spot. When the client turns up dead, Hilja quickly discovers that she is a suspect. In an attempt to clear her name and find the killer, she uncovers ever-deeper layers of subterfuge. Amid all the covert treachery and intrigue, Hilja finds herself falling in love with a suspicious yet irresistibly sexy man—but is her heart clouding her judgment? In this tale of political romance populated by Russian oligarchs, Finnish politicians, and undercover cops, no one is what they seem and no one can be trusted.

Disappointed with the direction this book ended up taking. It started well enough but soon degenerated into one of the most annoying tropes in "romance" novels: "I know I shouldn't sleep with the Bad Dude...but I just can't help it."

Add to that a first person narrator that is almost impossible to take seriously (especially considering her approach to romance), so I made no connection with her; the random information that we are peppered with about Hilja's background and Bodyguard School days (anyone keep count how many times that was mentioned in her narrative?)...just making connections with any of it was just too hard.

I really have no interest in finding out what happens in future books.


Paul
ARH