An Unexpected Distraction by Catherine Bybee

Family secrets and fresh romance collide in this heart-pounding Richter series installment by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee.

Jacqueline “Jax” Simon knows how to expose secrets: she’s a skilled operative with MacBain Security and Solutions. When Jax hears her parents are divorcing, she races to London to find out why. She’s determined to learn the truth, especially when her investigation uncovers why her parents sent her to Richter, the German military school that made her a fighter.

Andrew Craig collects Jax at Heathrow Airport as a favor. He’s heard she’s a handful, but he didn’t know she’s dangerously gorgeous too. His instant attraction could change his life… or end it.

Jax doesn’t want to fall for Andrew, but soon he’s worming his way into her life. Together, they infiltrate Richter to discover if it has returned to its covert purpose: training children to be spies and assassins and blackmailing parents to look the other way. As the attraction between the two intensifies, so do the secrets exploding all around them. How deadly are those secrets—and who will survive?

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Richter series!
For book one, Changing the Rules, click HERE.
For book two, A Thin Disguise, click HERE.

 

 

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
~ Also Available with KindleUnlimited ~

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series, and I highly recommend that you read them in order. We first learned of Richter from Sasha in the First Wives series, so you might want to start there... they are all very worthwhile reading!

Jax was unexpectedly sent to Richter by her wealthy parents. Years later, her life has been shaped by what she learned there, but she does now act for good, working for MacBain Security and Solutions. In this story the underlying plot of who is directing the actions of the educators at Richter continues to develop – and we find ourselves back there again – but at the same time, Jax gets to discover something very, very unexpected about herself.

Perhaps more interesting though, is how Jax and her brother's best friend, Andrew, find that there is strong chemistry between them. It is a bad time to discover this as so much is going on in Jax's life. But as we find out, Andrew is a solid, safe, and loving guy, who lives a quite normal and stable life... until he takes a holiday to Richter with Jax.

I love these books with such a dark undertone, and yet also the fun of love and their family of choice, as well as the learning of how one's own family may have failed or been blackmailed. It was great to catch up with the MacBain family too – everyone is a lot happier than they were in book one!

So many loose ends, I do hope that the next book in the series will be released soon!


Mary – ☆☆☆☆☆
I have waited for Jax's story, and it was an unexpected surprise. When her brother calls and needs her help, she doesn't hesitate to jump on a plane and fly back to London.

As she learns about her parent's separation, she also learns more about herself. Along the way, she meets her brother's best friend. Andrew is mistaken for a hired driver sent to pick her up at the airport and look after her until she meets up with her brother.

The sparks begin to fly from the moment Jax and Andrew meet. She doesn't hold it against him that he didn't tell her from the start who he really was. As they spend more time together, they learn more about each other and that they want to be there for the other. When they head back to Richter and things get a little hairy, Andrew learns a little about what Jax's job is.

I loved the first two stories but this one is my favorite so far. It was filled with suspense, intrigue, and more romance than the others. Jax and Andrew were the perfect couple, almost to the point of finishing each other's sentences. I hope there will be more to continue this series, I want more. I highly recommend reading them in order, you do not want to miss anything.


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

Jax is now working for MacBain Security and Solutions. She is a highly trained operative and uses all of the skills she learned at Richter. Despite Jax's wealthy family, she was unexpectedly sent to the boarding school. Now, as an adult, she is asked to come home amidst a family situation and learns so much more about her time away from home.

Someone at Richter is orchestrating the undertone again and Jax and MacBain are trying to prevent other girls from similar fates that Sasha and others have lived.

What Jax isn't expecting is to find that her brother's best friend, Andrew, is a strong, confident partner and when he is needed for her ruse, how reliable he is. Andrew is a fun character who has his eyes opened to what Jax is truly capable of.

Together, they uncover a mystery and begin a journey of love. It's a great book and I highly recommend that you start at the beginning of the series. You won't regret it!

 

 

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author CATHERINE BYBEE has written twenty-seven books that have collectively sold more than three million copies and have been translated into twelve languages. Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Not Quite series, the Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series.

Connect with Catherine

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Catherine Bybee's Chatty Cathy's

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of An Unexpected Distraction (Richter #3) by Catherine Bybee to read and review.

A Thin Disguise by Catherine Bybee

A former gun for hire and a federal agent find themselves on the right side of love but the wrong end of a bullet in this Richter installment from New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee.

On a fateful night in Las Vegas, FBI agent Leo Grant is working on a critical detail in a high-profile child prostitution trial when a beautiful woman jumps into the path of a bullet meant for him. Little does Leo know that the woman is Olivia, an ex-assassin who is seeking redemption one good deed at a time.

One minute, Olivia is lunging in front of Leo on the Vegas Strip. The next, she’s waking up in the hospital in a haze of pain with no memory of her past, her enemies, or even her own name.

With Olivia suffering from memory loss and completely unaware of the danger she is in, it’s up to Leo and Neil MacBain’s team of operatives to keep her safe. With Olivia and Leo both unaware of her past crimes, the two have little reason to avoid their growing attraction. Slowly her past seeps in through the cracks as she struggles to find the answers of who she is. When the veil is lifted and her dark past is staring her down, Olivia must turn her back on Leo and the love she can never allow herself to have, and race to find her would-be killer.

Don’t miss our reviews of the rest of the Richter series!
For book one, Changing the Rules, click HERE.

 

 

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
~ Also Available with KindleUnlimited ~

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the second book in this series, but we first discovered just how unusual life at Richter was in The First Wives Club series. Whilst you don't need to read them first (book #5 in particular), I would definitely recommend reading the first book in this series first. It is key to understanding why the team are so reluctant to reveal Olivia's past to her.

One of the skills which Bybee uses to great effect in her stories, is to give characters redemptive qualities. After all, The First Wives Club was made up of women who had married for money. It was with the knowledge and agreement of their husband, but all the same, in theory they should not be the people we are happy to see find love. And again here, Olivia, who has been an assassin for years, has been trying to make amends. In the course of this new way of life, she nearly loses her own, and does lose her memory. Her friends try and protect her from her truth, cautiously supporting her and watching out for her as she starts to remember.

FBI agent Leo wants to thank her for saving his life, and we soon realise how attracted they are to each other – both ignorant of the inappropriateness of their closeness given their careers, even if Olivia is retired. It is both lovely seeing Olivia get the happiness that her education and subsequent role denied her, but stressful, as we know that once she does remember, it will possibly go up in smoke. It is impossible not to keep turning the pages, and find out just how this can work out.

Reminders of just how severe the life at Richter was, and how unexpectedly, friends on the inside will help to bring clarity to the situation. Anyone who thought boarding school life was exciting would think again after reading about this place, that is for sure.

I was so happy at how things were resolved, and I highly recommend that you find yourself a quiet place to immerse yourself in all things Leo and Olivia – you will not be disappointed.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance

In this book, we get to meet Olivia. She's fierce. She has done things in her past that she's trying to atone for, but at what cost? While on a job, Olivia is injured and suffers amnesia. Her friends, including FBI agent Leo, all try to give her a safe space to heal and remember, but will Olivia want to remember?

Olivia's true friends and team know that once she remembers her past, she'll disappear without a trace. They are trying to show her that there is a different life – different path. But with knowing what they know about her, none are too optimistic about her future. The bright light they all see is her relationship with FBI agent Leo. Can he convince her that there is a different way? A way where she can still keep everyone safe.

Leo isn't one to give up quickly. When his case seems to be hinging on the testimony of a traumatized witness, the FBI will stop at nothing to make sure she makes it to the stand. While on assignment, Leo happens to see Olivia, not truly knowing who she is. There's a pull that he can't ignore. When she ends up getting hurt, he knows that it's because of him that she wasn't able to protect herself.

Leo wants to spend his life with Olivia. Can he convince her that they are stronger together? Or will he have to face the reality that Olivia works alone?

This is an intriguing story of spy vs. assassin vs. the life they live vs. the life they want. I really enjoyed reading this book and can't wait for more.


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
This is book two in the series and an FBI agent meets a former gun for hire on the streets of Las Vegas. When Olivia gets shot jumping in front of Leo, he has to wonder was the bullet meant for him.

When Olivia wakes up in the hospital with no memory of what happened, her past, or even her name, she doesn't know who is after her or why.

The MacBain team now is trying to figure out who targeted Olivia and why as she is recovering in their safe house. As Olivia and Leo get closes, he still has to wonder who was shooting at him or her and why? Can they help her get her memory back or would it be best if she doesn't remember? What does the future hold for Olivia and Leo?

I am loving this series, it is filled with suspense, intrigue, action, and maybe a happily ever after if Olivia can find who is trying to kill her. If you are looking for a romantic suspense, then this series is for you. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.

 

 

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author CATHERINE BYBEE has written twenty-seven books that have collectively sold more than three million copies and have been translated into twelve languages. Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Not Quite series, the Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series.

Connect with Catherine

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Catherine Bybee's Chatty Cathy's

 

 

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of A Thin Disguise (Richter #2) by Catherine Bybee to read and review.

Changing the Rules by Catherine Bybee Blog Tour

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes the steamy first novel in her new adrenaline-fueled Richter series.

As an employee of MacBain Security and Solutions, Claire Kelly can certainly hold her own. Armed with an impressive set of covert skills, she’s more than prepared to tackle any job that comes her way… except one involving Cooper Lockman.

Cooper and Claire used to work together before his feelings for her sent him packing to Europe for six long years. But now he’s back and determined to ignore the still-smoldering heat that lingers between them.

Their current mission: go undercover together at a California high school to root out the mastermind behind a prostitution ring targeting young girls. The closer they get to the truth and the closer they get to each other, however, the deadlier their task becomes. As Claire and Cooper risk their lives to bring down their target, will their hearts be the final casualties?

 

 

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
Audiobook (US)  ~  Paperback (US)
~  Also Available with KindleUnlimited  ~

 

 

Claire collapsed onto the living room sofa the second she walked in the door. Not only had she suffered a headache the entire day, Cooper ran her like a trainer working an Iron Man competitor.

“That sounds like a bad day,” Jax said as she walked around the corner of the kitchen.

“You don’t want to know.”

Claire flung an arm over her eyes to block out the sun.

She heard Jax walk in the room and then exhale as she sat down. “You’re right. I don’t give a crap what happened in school, unless it involved Cooper. What I want is the details of last night after I got out of the car.”

Before Cooper picked them up, Claire and Jax had agreed that Jax would give them a few minutes to have a private conversation. Now Claire regretted that plan.

“The long story, or the short story?” Claire asked.

“Whatever one you want to deliver.”

Claire’s arms slid off her head, and she pushed herself into a sitting position.

“Cooper has a thing for me.”

Jax sat silent, blinked a few times. “Okay, and?”

“What do you mean, ‘okay, and?’”

“Sorry, Claire, but that’s obvious. I think you’d have to be an idiot to not see it. Even the guys on the team see it.”

“What? Are they talking about—”

Jax stopped her with a shake of the head. “Of course not. But you can tell by how they look at the two of you that they know there’s an attraction.”

Claire pointed to her chest. “I’m not doing anything, it’s him.”

“Maybe it’s more him.”

She kept shaking her head. “No, it’s all him. I’m not instigating anything.”

“You flirt with him all the time.”

“I do not,” Claire huffed.

One look from Jax and she rescinded her statement. “Okay, we banter. But it’s always been like that. I have the pool stick, he makes some kind of phallic joke. It’s banter. Not flirting.”

Jax sat back, crossed her arms over her chest. Claire couldn’t believe her best friend was calling her out. “We’re friends. And last night he ruined that by telling me he’s had a thing for me since we met. Told me he left sunny California for dreary London because I was too young and naive to handle him when I first got here.”

Jax narrowed her eyes. “Is that really how he said that?”

Claire’s headache was coming back. “No. He said I was a child.”

“A child?”

Claire stood up from the couch, started for the kitchen. “He kept repeating that I was eighteen back then.”

Jax followed behind. “Which is true.”

Claire yanked open the fridge, pulled out a beer. “Whose side are you on?”

“Yours. Always. But I just don’t see where all the fire is about this. Cooper owns up to the flirting comments and puppy-dog looks he gives you, and you’re pissed because he walked away six years ago.

Like picking a lock, the pieces slid into place and finally started to click. “But he’s my friend.”

“Trying to say you’ve never thought of him as more?”

“No.” Her denial was quick.

Jax started to smile. “You’ve never checked out his ass? The guy can fill out a pair of jeans.”

Some of the anger she’d harbored all day eased. “That’s true.”

“And that smile. When he’s belly laughing he has the tiniest dimples.”

Claire closed her eyes, pictured his smile. She hadn’t noticed the dimples, but now that she thought about it... She opened her eyes to find Jax staring at her.

“Sounds like you have a thing for him,” Claire said.

“Wouldn’t matter if I did, and I don’t, by the way, but it wouldn’t matter. The guy can’t stop looking at you.”

“God, what am I going to do with him?”

“I don’t think you have to do anything. It’s not like he asked you out and you said no and now it’s awkward.”

“You’re right. It’s worse than that.”

“You’re overthinking it.” Jax pushed off the counter. “You know what, let’s gussy up a little and hit a proper happy hour. We’ll talk in German and pretend we don’t speak English and shamelessly flirt.”

Claire abandoned her beer. “Now that is exactly what I need to do and get my mind off of boys.”

 

 

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

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

Someone is targeting high school girls and the MacBain Security group is going to figure it out.

Claire had an atypical high school experience. With her ability to blend in, kill with her bare hands, and outrun pretty much anyone, she makes an excellent operative.

Her roommate, Jax, is also from the same high school and just as lethal. She is spunky and gets to also go undercover at a different high school.

While Claire and Jax get to head back to high school, Cooper is now back from the UK and is going back as a track coach. Cooper left abruptly several years ago and coming back, while it's what he wants, tempts him again.

Several undercover operations are happening all at once and discovering who is behind all of these kidnappings is key to helping save so many more. It will take the wits of everyone, the alpha protection of Cooper, and for everyone to work together.

I really enjoyed this book. The romance didn't overpower the mystery and I thought that the story was fairly well developed. I did want to know a little more about Jax and Claire's school, but the hints kept you from being completely in the dark.

I can't wait for the next book!


Mary – ☆☆☆☆
As part of the team of MacBain Security and Solutions, Claire Kelly and the team has a new assignment. They are going undercover as high school students to bring down a ring targeting young girls. One of those team members is Cooper Lockman.

Cooper used to be part of the team until he was sent to the UK to work. Now six years later, he is back and Claire doesn't know how to deal with the feelings she is feeling. As Claire and Jax are pretending to be students, Cooper is pretending to be a teacher/coach. This case will work out as long as people don't find out who they are.

As Claire and Jax get close to some of the students, hoping they can find out who is behind the missing girls. Cooper is a shop teacher and assistant track coach. Watching Claire run track is something that he isn't sure he can bear. Claire has to remind herself to dial down her running, she doesn't want to show all her skills and have everyone question who she really is.

Can Cooper keep Claire safe if things go wrong? Is there a chance for a future for Cooper and Claire after this case? Will they find out who is running the ring before anyone else goes missing?

I really liked this story, it is a romantic suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. I was so drawn to this story that I finished it in one day. The hero is the perfect alpha male, he is protective and strong. The heroine is strong and independent, and they are the perfect couple. This is a first for me from this author and I can't wait for more in this series.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first book in a new series – but any Bybee fan will recognise the name Richter from previous series, and Sasha in particular from the First Wives series. I loved catching up with her, and the lead in this book, Claire, also played a small but important role in Say It Again.

This is a good romantic suspense. The setting of a crime ring within a group of schools, both public and private – investigated by MacBain Security partly because Neil is concerned for his daughter – is engaging and I enjoyed how it played out with Claire and Jax acting as teens and newly returned Cooper as a substitute teacher.

Cooper first fell for Claire when she was freed from her life at Richter's. But she was really too young for him and he and Neil agreed he better leave. Six years later he is back, and he still feels as strongly as ever. Rather sweetly, I don't think Claire had understood this until he explains, and it is rather sweet how he is prepared to be honest with her – and she is surprised and flattered. It was really cutely written and fitted with the fact that she was playing a schoolgirl at the time.

Their brief trip to see a victim, gives her the chance to recover her adult persona and explore the possibility of falling for her much-loved friend. I liked the slow burn... poor Cooper, after waiting six years, he knew he had finally a chance at love.

Very happy that there is a new series from the talented Catherine Bybee; I will definitely be looking out for the next book's release.

 

 

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author CATHERINE BYBEE has written twenty-seven books that have collectively sold more than three million copies and have been translated into twelve languages. Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Not Quite series, the Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series.

Connect with Catherine

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Instagram  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads
Facebook Group: Catherine Bybee's Chatty Cathy's

 

 

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Changing the Rules (Richter #1) by Catherine Bybee to read and review for this tour.