Note: Content warning in spoiler tag at the end of review.

Catalyst is the second book in the Flashpoint series and Bastian Ford, the not-a-bastard-after-all, gets his HEA with Brie Stewart, former oil princess turned aid worker. Bastian and Brie crossed paths for the first time years ago when Brie was still the face of her family's oil company and was pushing for a pipeline to be built on Bastian's tribal land. The premise here is relevant to current issues, especially here in Canada where the government is pushing to expand the Trans Mountain pipeline on traditional territory.

Years later, Bastian and Brie cross paths again at Camp Citron in Djibouti, where Bastian's Army Green Beret team is stationed. Brie is now an aid worker and after clashing with Bastian in Djibouti, she returns to South Sudan to continue her work, but gets kidnapped to be auctioned in a slave market. Bastian and his team lead the rescue operation and while they are able to free everyone who was being sold in the market, Bastian and Brie find themselves isolated in the flooded grasslands of South Sudan.

From Djibouti to South Sudan to Morocco, Catalyst is a fast-paced romantic suspense, part survival romance, part undercover romance. Honestly, I was nervous and unsure about how the author would approach this type of enemies-to-lovers romance given the very-real conflict between this white heroine and this Native American hero. I am not Native American, therefore, I cannot ascertain the veracity of Rachel Grant's representation of the hero and this conflict. As a reader though, I think the author did a great job redeeming the heroine and showing us how and why she changed through her actions, words, and behaviour. Bastian's perception based on the past definitely influences his opinion about Brie and it takes him a long time to realize that she has changed. The character development for both Brie and Bastian is incredibly well-written. Fantastic redemption arc for Brie, who herself was a victim in many ways.

As for the plot, man, the plot takes a really dark turn that surprised the hell out of me. Catalyst is definitely darker than Tinderbox, the first book in the Flashpoint series. I am absolutely shocked at how far the author took the plot in this book. I thought the villains in Tinderbox were evil, but the villains in Catalyst are pure evil. Overall, this was a fantastic romantic suspense, if a little too long. I think my only complaint is that I wanted to experience Brie's meeting with Bastian's family. I also wanted to see how Bastian mends his relationship with his parents.


Content warning:

human trafficking, child abuse, child slavery, pedophilia, grooming, sexual assault, violence against women

What a teeter totter of a book! From base poverty to the lap of ridiculous luxury. South Sudan aid workers to Morocco richies. Native American man and the oil tycoon’s daughter. 

Human slavery, Ebola, a race for survival.

Holy moly balls to the wall… the mother load of all Bond villains, the main antagonist was the worsttt. I really love all Rachel Grant books so it’s no surprise I loved this one too but if you’re planning to read it PLEASE check the trigger warnings. 

Also if you’re a fan of crazy Bond movie villain plot lines you might like this one. 

A soldier rescues an aid worker in South Sudan and face a fight for their lives. Bastien is the kind of asshole, arrogant hero who hides a complicated, endearing and fiercely loyal side. Brie is a strong, resilient heroine, repenting her family's misdeeds (could do with less "woe is me"). Their hang-ups + dicey situations give rise to the push pull, but there's good sexual tension, and their camaderie add to their chemistry. They worked well together, and Bastian's protectiveness is sexy. 😂 

Their heartfelt moments show depth to their feelings, giving strength to their romance. I liked that Bastian is 100% gone for Brie and readily admits that. And when they're on, they're *hot*. The conflict/secrecy didn't drag, and there's good effort at fixing things, though not without bumps. The HEA is lovely and satisfying. Action/suspense is exciting, and very well researched. CW:

child trafficking, slavery, sexual assault, violence against women

This was a tense, sexy read - exactly what I'm looking for in a romantic suspense novel!  I have some thoughts about how inadequate (read: practically nonexistent) Bastian's grovel was; he owed Brie a significant apology for

reporting on her family connections to Savvy

and that was not resolved even remotely to my satisfaction in the story, which takes a star off my original 4-star rating, but the book was nonetheless really enjoyable.