Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason // Revell Reads Review

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can't take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he's not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime.

MY REVIEW

4.5 stars

This story seemed different from the other Lynette Eason books I've read. First off, it had a lot more storylines to merge, with Caden, Sarah/Kristin, and then Asher/Brooke. For a while, I was wondering what on earth was the reason for the other points of view but I trusted there was a purpose. Second, this just didn't seem as suspenseful to me. Now, I'm not saying it was bad. On the contrary, I really liked the book. I enjoyed the setting and the characters. Maybe I didn't connect with the characters as much, I don't know. It just seemed more mystery than suspense.

I liked how Brooke could read people and really get into helping them. I liked her friendship with Heather and Sarah as well as Asher's friendship with Gavin. I didn't really get how Caden fit in since he wasn't in Asher's unit and Brooke didn't seem to really know him as Sarah's brother. But I see him being the "third guy".

This crime horrified me. The devaluing of human life; the twisted way to "give people purpose"; the killing for greed. The two main villains were so cool and detached it was frightening. That *SPOILER* Newall could have his own wife killed *END SPOILER* was awful. I couldn't believe it. I actually gasped when I realized it was no random break-in. Oh, and I suspected the main villain from pretty early on. There was just something off about them.

I really enjoyed this story, even with the hard, horrifying stuff. It was handled well overall and the characters were willing to risk their lives to put a stop to the evil. Many thanks to Revell for letting me read this book. My opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required.