A K-9 hero answers the call

For one special assignment…

When Kenna Griffin returns to Montana with her son, she believes she’s outrun her past.

Having escaped her abusive ex-husband, the single mom is eager to make a fresh start.

But nothing feels safe except the protection offered by K-9 officer Lucas Merritt and his fearless police dog.

Because danger has followed Kenna to Cottonwood.

Against all her instincts, she lets Lucas into her life…though that just might kill them both.

Titles in the Big Sky Justice series include — Danger in Big Sky Country —♥— Her K-9 Protector —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

Title:  Her K-9 Protector
Series:  Big Sky Justice #2
Author:  Kimberly Van Meter
Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Published:  March 25, 2023
Publisher:  Harlequin Romantic Suspense
My Rating:  4

Her K-9 Protector is the second title in the Big Sky Justice series, and this story is filled with danger, tensions, and a couple to fall in love with… not to mention one brave adorable K-9, Noble.

Both Lucas and Kenna are wounded souls for different reasons.  Kenna and her son Ty have returned to her childhood home, escaping a truly evil man, and trying to rebuild lives that have been damaged, perhaps beyond repair.  Lucas has taken a new job, hoping for a fresh start far from the memories of the brother he couldn’t save.  Neither is looking for a relationship since trust in another person is something they just cannot give right now.  But fate often has different plans, and slowly Lucas and Kenna will be drawn to each other as danger lurks in the background.

I enjoyed this suspense-filled romance, yet was often frustrated by the actions of either Kenna or Lucas. I believe that each reader will feel differently about how Kenna or Lucas reacted in this story, so I won’t go into any details.  I’ll simply say that I could understand why Kenna reacted as she did, but that Lucas disappointed me in his way of dealing with Kenna’s past, her reality.  To be fair, they both adjusted their attitudes toward each other eventually, but not before they harmed each other, emotionally, almost as much as the villain did.

We get a bit more information on the background story woven through this series.  And I’m really looking forward to Sayeh’s story.  Their Macawi heritage is such a vital part of this family, and given the hints we got in Kenna’s story, will answer so many questions that the sisters (and the readers) have about what happened to their parents.  In all, I had a good time back in this world.  If you enjoy a well-written, suspense-filled romance that will deliver a fascinating, emotional reading experience, then you’d enjoy Lucas and Kenna’s story.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or author’s team via Booksprout. The opinions expressed in this review are my own – good, bad, or indifferent.*

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