About the Book:
Title: Deeper Than the Ocean
Author: Julie Ann Walker
Series: Deep Six #4
Publication Date: May 31, 2021
Publisher: Limerence Publications LLC
Synopsis: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Ann Walker delivers perfect pulse-pounding romantic suspense! The former Navy SEALs of Deep Six Salvage thought they could retire to the sea and hunt for treasures of the deep, but when trouble comes to visit, there’ll be hell to pay.
Ray “Wolf” Roanhorse took one look at Chrissy and knew she was the woman of his dreams. There’s a hitch, however. He screwed things up with her. Big time. Now all she wants is to be friends. He’ll have to be his most charismatic and charming self if he has any hope of changing her mind. And winning her heart.
Christina Szarek knows all about sexy, brooding men like Wolf. She grew up watching her mother fall for – and be broken by – plenty of them. If she had her way, she’d avoid Wolf altogether. But they’re partners in the hunt for the Santa Cristina’s legendary treasure. Avoidance is impossible. And the longer she’s near him, the more he chips away at the walls she’s erected against him.
The danger to Chrissy doesn’t only come from her burgeoning feelings, however. There are mysterious players who would see her silenced – for good. And Wolf, with his wicked grin and spec-ops training, is all that stands between her and a date with death in the deep.
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My Review:
When Chrissy accidentally stumbles upon a crime, she becomes the target of ruthless criminals. Wounded and fleeing for her life, she runs to the one man she knows will protect her. When Wolf sees Chrissy waterlogged and dripping blood his protective instincts kick in, and he is determined to keep Chrissy safe at all cost. However, her pursuers will stop at nothing to silence her. Can Wolf figure out who is targeting Chrissy? Will he convince her that they are meant to be?
Wolf and Chrissy have such great chemistry, and though she fights her feelings, Wolf proves hard to resist. A hunky, charismatic, alpha, Wolf is everything Chrissy wants in a partner if only That Night hadn’t happened. Wolf wishes he could erase the past and show Chrissy how much he cares for her, but Chrissy is stubborn. She’s also strong, independent, and has a sharp tongue, which is a few of the many reasons Wolf loves her. Her hesitancy to fall in love, in addition to the people trying to kill her, complicates things.
Both characters want love and happiness and to marry and have children, but Wolf must atone for the past and prove that he’s the man for her. Chrissy, in turn, must deal with wounds from the past, as well as her fear of abandonment, before she can fully embrace a future with Wolf. This makes for a lot of sexual tension and a steamy, swoon-tastic romance! The beginning of another swoon-worthy romance is also introduced in this book, and I’m curious to see how that pair reconciles their feelings.
I also love Wolf’s ex-Nave SEALS friends. They have been through so much together and are more family than friends. These men support each other unconditionally, and their banter is hysterical! Because these military men know each other inside and out, whether they are having fun, offering advice, or fighting side-by-side, their interactions together show how strong their connection is.
On top of the romance and the danger that Chrissy faces because she witnessed illegal activity, Wolf and his friends are searching for a lost treasure. They work tirelessly diving and searching different parts of the island for this bounty. I found the group’s search for treasure intriguing and, as it is an overarching part of the series’ plot, I am curious to see how that part of the story plays out in future books.
Though this is the fourth book in the series, it can totally be read as a standalone. Of course, I enjoyed the characters and story and want to go back and read the first three books! I think readers who enjoy contemporary romance with a great love story and a lot of suspense will enjoy Deeper Than the Ocean. Thanks so much to Julie Ann Walker for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance! Wolf and Chrissy have a wonderful connection, and their romance is swoon-tastic!
- The intrigue. Will Chrissy’s friend make it? Will they find out who is targeting Chrissy? Can Wolf keep her safe? Will the me and their mates find the lost treasure?
- The secondary characters.
Favorite Lines:
I’d tell you to go fuck yourself, but i get the feeling you’d be disappointed.
Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, darlin’.
When you’ve spent years turning yourself into the nest of the best, there are times you begin to wonder if you should be doin’ anything other than what you were trained to do.
When all is said and done, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the love we were afraid to feel, and the one we let slip away.
Recommendations:
This is a great story for readers who enjoy romantic suspense!
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