Final Siege by Scarlett Cole

Hard, hot, and exhilarating, a sexy ex-Navy SEAL and a headstrong investigative journalist get a second chance at love in Final Siege by Scarlett Cole

IN THE LINE OF FIRE.

Former SEAL Malachai “Mac” MacCarrick is all about the future he’s created with his Navy brothers in Eagle Securities, taking assignments in the most dangerous places, and doing things no one but ex-military would attempt. But when an urgent phone call brings his troubled past—and the woman he once loved—into the present, it’s a chance to redeem himself that he can’t refuse.

STRAIGHT TO THE HEART...

An investigative journalist researching an explosive story, Delaney Shapiro tells herself she got over Mac—and his role in her brother’s death—a long time ago. But the first moment she sees him at her bedside in an overseas hospital, she knows it’s not true. Every moment together rekindles the desire that once burned between them, and now that she’s a target for an emerging Russian arms dealer, Mac won’t let her out of his sight. To protect her, he’ll risk it all—including his life…

Book 2
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars
M/F Thriller Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Hmmm, where to start? I was so anticipating this story. Mac and Delaney have a difficult history. While they loved each other, and Mac was Delaney's first, the issue over her brother's death came between them and they each went their separate ways.

Delaney has dedicated her life to investigative journalism. When it lands her in a hot spot, her memory misleads her, and she calls out Mac's name. Despite being out of it, her subconscious knows that her heart still wants Mac, even if her brain doesn't. Delaney has grown out of her love for her brother’s friends – being the one hanging around. She is now someone who runs into danger because she has something to prove, since her brother was unable to do so. She's tough but knows when she needs to concede. When she learns more about her brother's unfortunate death, she's quick to forgive and almost takes blame too.

When Mac receives a call that Delaney has been hurt, he drops everything and travels to help her. Who he finds is not the Delaney who left him all of those years ago, but a confident, well-traveled, and intelligent woman who will stop at nothing to get her story. He is working with several of his friends now, all SEALs, in protection. They all know the history with Delaney and want Mac to make sure that he's not setting himself up. I think that Mac's character was somewhat hard to read. You knew that he had missed Delaney, but I felt that he didn't really want to accept who Delaney had become but missed the old Delaney. I also thought he was protective, but then there were holes in his detail with Delaney, which were hard to comprehend.

I enjoyed this story enough, but I thought it was slightly disappointing after the first book that I thought delivered so much more. The mystery behind Delaney's capture and those who are looking for her seemed to be wrapped up too well and it was a short ending.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in the series, and I would recommend that you read book one first as it introduces the main protagonists and sets up a plot which does continue in this book.

One of the founders of Eagle Security, Mac is getting to do what he trained for as a SEAL, but in less constrained circumstances. As we learn, it was never his dream to be a SEAL, but circumstances changed dramatically when he was 20. His best friend, and brother to his much loved girlfriend, died whilst with him, and life changed forever that day. Fourteen years on, and everything is about to change again – and we get ringside seats to the revival of a great romance, even though Delaney is fighting her heart with her brain until the very end!

If you enjoy second chance romances, then this will definitely appeal, as it is a great addition to the genre. If you enjoy romantic suspense, then you will also be highly entertained, and as a bonus, there is a link running through from the first book in the series, which was unexpected, but very welcome.

I found the level of drama and suspense to be just right, although if I were Mac I would have been tempted to tie Delaney to a chair after her first foray outside alone! As we get to know more of the group of men, we also can look forward to who will be next in this series, which is shaping up very nicely. Thank you, Ms. Cole.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This book is so many things at once. It’s a gut wrenching, second chance romance. It’s the story of an investigative journalist uncovering illegal weapons trading. And at times, it’s a pretty crazy, exciting action story.

This is Mac’s book and we learn much more of the history of the guys behind Eagle Securities as he explores his feelings for his childhood best friend’s sister. In the first book, Louisa was an outsider. In this second book, Delaney grew up with the guys and she shares both fond memories and deep grief with the men. The chemistry between Mac and Delaney is hot but I felt that the miscommunication and emotional drama between them didn’t always fit their characters.

I’m not sure that there isn’t too much going on in this book. For me, there is possibly too much emotion and angst here for an action story and too much action for a heavy romance. There were times I found myself struggling to fully engage with either aspect of the book.

This isn’t my favourite Scarlett Cole series. I first fell in love with her Second Circle Tattoo series and I’m an almost obsessive fan of her Preload books. I’m enjoying this series, but so far it hasn’t become an automatic preorder/reread series for me.

Also Available in the Love Over Duty Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Under Fire post.

SCARLETT COLE is a writer of contemporary romance and a two-time RITA finalist. Her debut, The Strongest Steel, was a Best Debut Goodreads Author Finalist 2015. Born in England, Scarlett traveled the world, living in Japan and the United States before settling in Canada where she met her own personal hero – all six and a half feet of him. She now lives with her husband and children in Manchester, England.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Final Siege (Love Over Duty #2) by Scarlett Cole to read and review.