Every Last Breath by Juno Rushdan
Final Hour #1
Romantic Suspense
Sourcebooks Casablanca
April 30, 2019
About the Book:
48 hours
2 covert operatives
1 chance to get it right
Maddox Kinkade is an expert at managing the impossible. Tasked with neutralizing a lethal bioweapon, she turns to the one person capable of helping her stop the threat of pandemic in time: the love of her life, back from the dead and mad as hell at her supposed betrayal. Recruiting Cole to save millions of lives may be harder than resisting the attraction still burning between them, but Maddox will do whatever it takes…even if it destroys her.
When Maddox crashes back into Cole Matthews’ life, he wants to fight back. He wants to hate her. But the crisis is too strong to ignore, and soon the two former lovers find themselves working side-by-side in a breakneck race to stop a world-class killer with a secret that could end everything.
Every Last Breath was an addicting romance, packed with explosive adrenaline!
It was exactly what I’d hoped it would be when I picked it up. I’ve been searching for a new romantic suspense series for a long time, and I have to admit this book really hit all my buttons.
I liked Maddox Kinkade. I’m not sure if I’ll think about her character long term, but while I was reading I found my emotions connecting to hers. She was strong, but still kind. She had reservations, but was also still a hopeful person. She felt honest. I also liked Cole, and for the same reasons.
The thing is, there was angst in this book, but the stakes were so high I could understand where the pain came from, and why it was so insurmountable. I even found myself more angry on Cole’s behalf, since what happened to his family felt extremely unforgivable to me. However, there was one line where Cole realizes everything is situational. Maddox shouldn’t have been exposed to anything she could have inadvertently betrayed, for her own well being. When Cole realized it, I’m ashamed to admit, I also realized it.
It only made me love Cole and Maddox more.
There were a few hiccups preventing me from giving Every Last Breath a full 5 stars. First, Maddox kept saying Gideon was her best friend. Yet, I never read them interacting, let alone in a way that showed a connection I could call ‘best’. The same was also true of Castle. It took me forever to realize Castle was Maddox’s brother. I’m not usually an oblivious reader; I feel like Castle and Maddox being siblings should have been obvious. When we’re told there’s a deeper connection between two characters, there should be dialogue and setting to back it up. It did happen with Castle and Maddox, but never with Gideon.
With how deep the author showed Cole and Maddox’s relationship, some development should have been given to Maddox’s friendships with the others. Not only does the connecting emotions make the current book better, but it helps the readers excitement for upcoming books too. Next in line is Nothing to Fear, Gideon and Willow. While I am excited to read it, it’s not because I feel strongly for either character.
Still, whatever hangups I had, it didn’t stop me from devouring Every Last Breath in a night, and it won’t stop me from coveting the next book either.
I know Final Hour is a series I’m safe investing in.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Birdie Bookworm 