ARC Review – Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood

Description:
Attorney and IRS agent Olivia Mackenzie is the kind of tough, wise-cracking, powerful woman fans expect from a Garwood protagonist—but this time she has outdone herself. Olivia is not just any woman, she is every woman; flawed in the familiar ways so many of us are.

On the trail of an elaborate Ponzi scheme, one that threatens to ruin the lives of naïve and unsuspecting victims, Olivia suddenly finds her own life is in danger after she asks questions of the wrong people. She is accustomed to fighting for the underdog, but being vulnerable herself is a very different story. Smart enough to know when enough is enough, Olivia calls for reinforcements.

When she meets FBI Agent Grayson Kincaid there is an immediate and obvious attraction, palpable on both sides. Together they make an excellent team to fight corruption but Olivia is also fighting the immediate and intense attraction she feels for Agent Kincaid, and that may be a battle she is bound to lose.

Sweet Talk took me by surprise. With its title, I expected a sweet little romance story and while we got a pretty hot romance; we also got danger, intrigue, and mystery to go along with it.

Olivia MacKenzie is a cancer survivor now working for the IRS and as a child advocate attorney. She spent several years in a cancer unit where she met her three closest friends (sisters of the heart), Samantha, Jane, and Collins. The four girls (known as the Pips) along with their doctor, Andre Pardieu, formed a bond like no other. One that is still strong some 12 years later. During a job interview, Olivia winds up in a fight and then a take down by the FBI.

Grayson Kincaid, is an FBI agent who doesn’t need to work for a living but does it because he enjoys the work. He also enjoys renovating properties and is a surrogate Dad to his 9 year old nephew.

From the beginning these two have chemistry but neither of them wants a relationship. Olivia because she has sworn she’d never be involved with someone in case her cancer returns. She doesn’t want them to have to go through the pain of dealing with a cancer patient. Grayson because he’s got a lot on his plate and he can’t be involved with someone involved in one of his cases.

As the book goes on Olivia finds herself involved in several dangerous situations. Because of Grayson’s feelings for her, he continues to have bodyguards cover her even after the FBI has withdrawn her protection. They do after much back and forth give into their feelings and find themselves truly enjoying each other’s company in more than just the bedroom. Olivia ends up helping Grayson’s nephew, Henry, in a pretty big way which endears her to both of them.

In addition to the danger that Olivia faces, she also deals with her friend Jane’s ongoing health problems and some pretty crappy family issues. Through it all Grayson is there to support her despite trying to keep his distance.

Overall, I enjoyed Sweet Talk very much. I will say it was very plot heavy, with lots of different things going on at all times and at one point it felt a little bogged down. However, it was interesting to watch the relationship between Olivia and Grayson develop and grow. Everyone needs a Grayson in their lives, he really hung in there and I’m not so sure many men would under the circumstances. There was a huge hit of a sequel between Collins and Grayson’s partner, Ronan; you can bet I’ll standing in line to read it!

 3.5 Stars