Title: The Third Call
Author: Lorhainne Eckhart
Series: The O’Connells #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

This felt like a ridiculously quick read, I’m not sure if that’s because this is actually quite a short tale, or it’s just very fast paced. Maybe a bit of a combination of both. But, regardless of how quick this read felt, it was an enjoyable read. Like The Neighbor, not exactly what I would call highly romantic, but a nice read still. Enough that I want to dive into The Secret Husband when I get the next chance.

Although this story had a kind of happy ending, I was expecting an all-round happy ending. Instead, there is a happy ending for the main couple, but not so much for the victims that they come across. I did like how there was a second chance romance in this from the start though. And all it took for things to go from 0 to 100 was for Charlotte to say goodbye to some of her needless pride.

I found Tom’s fate to be particularly tragic. It’s a reminder of how easily mental health slips through the cracks. And the ways in which a storm of bad luck and bad choices can lead someone to the worst decision. Or at least, that’s what it felt like to me. I almost shed a tear for the tragedy of this whole aspect of the storyline actually.

The Third Call gave some feeling to the idea of being a emergency responder and the types of calls that people must have to deal with. It definitely was more realistic than some of the other tales I read in that there was no happy ending for everyone. And I’m still not sure whether I find that to be a good or bad thing.

Image source: Amazon

Title: The Neighbor
Author: Lorhainne Eckhart
Series: The O’Connells #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Romantic suspense
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Whilst I seriously enjoyed this novel, it was nowhere near as suspenseful and romantic as I was expecting. I mean, I was expecting a whole lot of steam and action that you just couldn’t look away from. Instead, it was an unexpectedly sweet love story that had more darkness to it than anticipated. In fact, when I reflect on the story line, for me, this is very much a story about a dark and hidden past being moved on from and a happily ever after being found.

I love the fact that this novel was medium-paced, it was definitely hard to put down (because I wanted to know what was happening to Alison), it wasn’t impossible. And, the outcome of Alison’s going missing was nowhere near as dark as I was expecting. I mean, probably a bit hard to have a happily ever after, romantic ending in a story that ends the way my brain was expecting… but that probably says more about my brain than anything else (and let’s just not go there).

My favourite thing about this story was the O’Connell family. They’re such a great, tight-knit group. And, having only grown up with one sibling myself, what I always dreamt of in a family. I love the idea of the chaos that is inspired in every gathering of the clan. And the way that they rally together to ensure Alison is found and bought home safely? It’s just too damn adorable.

This is probably more of a psychological suspense novel than a physical one. Jenny’s abusive past and her ability to overcome it hold true to form. It’s not as if everything is magically fixed when Ryan decides to come into her life, but rather, it takes time. Plus, all of the crap that her ex hangs over their heads, even from the grave… wow. I had a bit of a sick feeling in my gut throughout reading this for that fact alone. Eckhart does such a brilliant job of giving you just enough information to make you feel seriously uncomfortable. Which makes me REALLY excited to read The Third Call.

Image source: Goodreads