Really hated how this started but the ending was much better. Didn't care much for Nicole and don't know how Claire had the patience to deal with the abuse from her siblings as well as everyone in town. I enjoyed Claire bonding with Amy and watching Wyatt fall on love with her. But too many assumptions on his part rubbed me the wrong way. Claire seemed more like a doormat desperate for any love anyone would give her. I really hope Nicole and Jesse get better personalities or I don't see myself enjoying their books very much. ( )

I had heard that I should read a Susan Mallery book - so I did. I'm not too sure I want to try another any time soon, and will not finish this trilogy. WOW, two angry, b***** (am I allowed to say the "B" word?) sisters and a namby, pamby one who doesn't want to hurt any feelings so won't stand up for herself - people I just would NOT want to know. Claire was a child prodigy and was taken from home very young to play piano - she has become world famous and has returned home to care for one of her sisters after an operation. From the moment she arrived at home, the older sister (the one recovering) yelled, screamed, called Claire and Jessie, the youngest sister, hateful names and Claire, the doormat, spent the entire book trying to soothe all ruffled feathers. I got so tired of the older sister whining about how hard her life was/is, how Claire is so "perfect" that her life must be fabulous and is therefore hated, Claire never standing up for herself, no one understanding any point of view save their own - heavens, I don't like that kind of hateful drama anywhere, and I certainly don't care to read it. I don't watch most reality TV because people treat each other badly, and this book has sisters spending almost every page in hate and anger. I may look for another of her books after I've recovered from this one - hopefully I can find a sweet, not-so-shallow story. I gave this two stars because at least it had a plot and an ending. ( )

Super fast read. I started it - and finished it last night. Waiting for the next in the series. ( )

Every one of Julie Garwood’s FBI themed books has been a great read and this one continues the streak. The book opens with a look back at the Four Pips, young girls all undergoing a highly experimental treatment for a life threatening illness. The girls, Samantha, Jane, Collins and Olivia, have banded together to survive the grueling treatment and Olivia is the ringleader of this band of pranksters.
Twelve years later, Olivia is having lunch with smarmy CEO, Eric Jorguson ostensibly to talk about a position with his accounting firm. She is worried about her current position as there is talk of cutbacks and she is the new kid on the block. When she tries to steer the conversation away from her famous financier father, she triggers Eric’s suspicions and he rips her blouse thinking she is wearing a wire and trying to trap him. Olivia responds by punching him and breaking his nose, only to be set upon by his thug bodyguard. Keep in mind this is all happening in full view of the other diners in the restaurant but when other people try to help the thug pulls a gun and then backhands her. All of a sudden the man is on the ground being cuffed by an FBI agent. Apparently Olivia has accidentally gotten into the middle of an FBI operation and disputed months of planning. The best line of the book occurs when the Agent in charge threatens “I could make your life a nightmare.” He put his hand in front of her face and unfolded three fingers as he said. “I’m F...B…I.” She smiled. It wasn’t the reaction he expected. “You want to talk nightmares?” she said. She put her hand up to his face and unfolded her three fingers. “I’m I…R…S.”
Olivia meets FBI Agent Grayson Kincaid at this lunch debacle and the chemistry sizzles right off the page. Unfortunately, Olivia is up to her neck trying to get evidence to prove her father is a crook and it is consuming her life. Her family is distant and disapproving with the exception of her maternal aunt. She is also getting death threats. Grayson has problems of his own. He is raising his nephew and watching out for his ailing father. He is also still trying to connect Jorguson to a serious crime.
Circumstances throw the two together and romance blooms. There is a lot going on in this book with death threats, attempted murder, recurring illness of one of the Pips, and lots of other mayhem. This book cannot be put down once you start it! The story is fast paced and the relationship between Olivia and Grayson makes your heart beat faster. There is the sense that some of the other Pips might be featured in future books, I really hope so. Write fast Ms. Garwood, please! ( )

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. The two lead characters were charming but human. Claire was just kooky enough to be fun. The plot had just enough bumps and twists to be interesting.About halfway through, I ran into a problem: Claire's two sisters.At the beginning, the provided necessary conflict. In a straight romance, all of the conflicts are supposed to be nicely wrapped up at the end. But these two aren't directly involved with the romance.And they are incredibly annoying.And they are being set up for future books. So they need to remain flawed, so they can overcome their issues in their own books.In the end, I really enjoyed the primary characters and their storylines. I decided to ignore the sisters, and kept the 4 star rating for But unless someone gives me a good reason to, I'm not reading their books! ( )