Jolie creates an excellent balance between making Erik’s backstory and associated security paranoia seem realistic without actually shifting the tone of the novel from romance to thriller. Erik and his hacker teammates have a great rapport and function as a group of friends helping him navigate the idea of a relationship. The long-term remote fantasy gaming friendship also seems natural without being tied too closely to any particular game, and the peek she offers into the world of wine collecting feels convincing and well-researched.

Though the novel works fine as a standalone, Jolie’s fans will appreciate the tie-in to her previous title, First Light, in which Erik appears as the female lead’s brother. His long and still-maintained online relationship with Vivianne makes his desire to protect her less creepy than it would be for a truly new connection. Family warmth among the Rossis balances the relative isolation of the main characters. The careful plotting pays off Erik’s security paranoia without actually causing too much drama for the couple, and Jolie manages to make Vivianne seem independent and competent while still benefiting from Erik’s help. Fans of romance with a slice of action and thriller intrigue won’t want to miss this.

Takeaway: Mainstream romance fans will enjoy the balance of undisclosed secrets and online crime and plenty of sweetness and goodwill.

Great for fans of: Meredith Wild’s Hardwired, Mandy Baxter’s One Kiss More.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A