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9/10/2023 - This is book 1 in Janie Crouch’s Linear Tactical series.

Normally I don’t include spoilers - but the subject matter and discussing the parts that didn’t work for me means this one will.

Overall I liked the writing, but this one had themes that aren’t my favorite. Outside the romance the main storyline is about a series of rapes across several counties. Apparently Linear has several expert trackers on the team so various law enforcement agencies call them in to help with parts of the investigation. The investigation aspect wasn’t fleshed out as well as I’d like.

I don’t mind romance involving a widower, but having Annie be the best friend of Zac’s dead wife while simultaneously acknowledging that they were interested/attracted the whole time of his marriage was…odd. There was also this constant theme of stating the dead wife was supportive of Zac & Annie as a couple that wasn’t substantiated outside of a bizarre statement she made when the girls were teens.

I did like how Crouch approached them getting to know each other as they are now and moving beyond what happened in the past. I might have liked a little more groveling, but Annie asked Zac not to focus on that so it was OK.

I wasn’t overwhelmed, but several folks have recommended this & I grabbed the first few books during a sale so I’d like to keep going. Especially since book 2, Eagle, involves a single dad.


Narration:
I like Tom Campbell’s voice, but the delivery didn’t quite work for me here throughout. It felt more like non-fiction at times, missing some of the natural conversational feel and emotional punch I like to experience. He’s new to me & from a quick glance this looks like one of his earlier romances, so I’ll listen to the next book and see if it clicks better.

CW:
Immediate aftermath of several rapes with details of physical injustices, Annie is attacked twice - once being a thwarted sexual assault