Craves The Angst: ARC REVIEW - TAG by Shari J. Ryan:

TITLE: TAG
AUTHOR: Shari J. Ryan
AGE GROUP: New Adult
GENRE: Romance, Thriller
RELEASE DATE: Nov. 7, 2014
PUBLISHER: Booktrope Pub.
FORMAT: eBook
PAGES: Approx. 179 epgs.

REVIEW COORDINATED BY:
Jennifer Gilbert at Booktrope

BOOK BLURB:
What if your family had a big secret... a life changing secret. My dad, the bigwig CIA agent, was always on the run, whether he was being chased or doing the chasing. I missed him. Then my mom passed away, and my sister was murdered. I turned my solitude to strength because the alternative was too bleak.

But my luck seemed to turn: I met Tango. And while I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my twenty-two years, danger lurks around every corner and I simply can’t take the chance of it finding me. But his tattoos, his smell, his darkness, and his body— that marine has taken over my every thought. But, what if he too isn’t what I think? A ticking time bomb isn’t going to leave me much time to waver. Even the bravest person can be in need of a miracle.

Before she was gone, my mom warned me to know everyone and trust no one. But what was I supposed to do when I found out I am the one not to be trusted? Turns out, I was always the bait in this conspiracy.

In author Shari J. Ryan’s gripping novel, TAG, the canyons hold secrets, the waterfalls provide safety, and romance has a pesky way of showing up when you are sweaty and dirty and least expect it.

REVIEWERS NOTE: TAG is a New Adult Romance, Thriller written by Shari J. Ryan. I was gifted a copy from Jennifer Gilbert with Booktrope Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

5 “know everyone.. trust no one” Stars!

Intense, Sweet, Adventurous and Heartbreaking. Another Fantastic Read!

The Review:

Absolutely Amazing! Shari J. Ryan spins gold once again. Filled with thrilling action and delicious tension, this gripping tale will keep you on your toes while pulling at your heartstrings. Five fabulous stars!

Story...

Through no fault of her own, Cali Tate has been on the run for longer than she cares to admit. Since the day her sister was murdered in front of her and her trust completely broken, she’s been on a revenge mission that will either get her what she seeks or get her killed. Either would be just fine by her. She trusts no one and she allows no on into her life. She’s alone and that’s the way she prefers it.

Then... Tango shows up out of the blue with a promise to protect her and a job to do but Cali has made it an art to read people and she knows Tango is holding back and keeping secrets.

Tango has one last mission to complete and he’s promised to keep Cali safe. But with one look into her suspicious and beautiful eyes and appreciating her vicious attitude, he realizes this is more than a job. He sees through the walls she’s built and knows the pain she’s endured because it mirrors his own. But he’s also keeping something hidden that could change everything and his only hope comes from a dangerous mission that involves the one he’s supposed to protect.

Tango and Cali set out on a fierce and perilous journey to save a life through intense situations, action packed adventure and angsty emotions as Cali tries to trust once again and Tango tries to accept his fate.

Characters...

Told in alternating POV’s, we get both sides of the story which was a thrill to experience.

Cali was as tough and strong as they come. She’d been dealt this tragic hand of fate due to her father's misdeeds and even after losing her sister, she found the strength to carry on. She wanted revenge and she trained her body and her mind to accomplish this mission. And when faced with even more dire circumstances, she didn’t waver and she didn’t complain. Her life was chaotic, dangerous and intense and she rolled through all those punches with bravery, a wicked aim and a witty comeback. I enjoyed everything about her.

Tango was a hot mess! He survived the war riddled deserts of Afghanistan, leaving dead bodies in his wake, only to return home to his own death sentence. But once he meets Cali, he sees light at the end of his dark tunnel and even if things don’t turn out the way he would like, he values that time he gets with Cali. I loved Tango. He was honorable, strong, powerful and outright ferocious when what he cared about was in danger.

Their story was filled with burning intensity and sexual tension as they both tried a “no touching” approach that quickly got vetoed once they got a real taste of each other and all that angst was a lot of fun to read!

And that ending.... what a fantastic and beautiful ending that had my eyes watering and my heart soaring!

Special Note...

Tango didn’t just waltz out of war without scars. I come from a military family, like the author, and I appreciated the care the author took in creating a realistic hero who suffered for his country. Tango was still very much shell shocked. He’d only been discharged for a month and it was both heartbreaking as well as eye-opening to watch his struggles with PTSD, flashbacks, and his actions and reactions to the things around him. He was faced with doubt and regrets and wondered what it was he was fighting for. I recognized those struggles and the life he was trying to carve out for himself after such harrowing events, only made me love his character even more.

The Wrap Up:

I love this authors style of writing. She doesn’t waste words and her stories are always heartfelt, life affirming and adventurous. I’m once again wowed at how she can rope me in with just a few paragraphs and hold me captive to the very end. I absolutely couldn't put this book down and I enjoyed every riveting moment.

Some of My Favorite Quotes!

Quote Spotlight...

No one ever asked me if I wanted to be followed around my entire life. Dad was the cause of Krissy’s death, and he’s out there carrying on with what he does best. Well, now it’s only me. My life will always be under some kind of microscope because of him. But Tango, he’s pretty much the fucking icing on top. To send me an amazingly hot man to ogle, only to be informed that he’s my new babysitter, is pretty screwed up. It’s like Dad wants me to be miserable.

Quote Spotlight...

The world seems like such a big place when you have no one and nowhere to turn. It almost feels like the world is caving in, warning me it’s done with me, and it’s time to go.

But I don’t want to go.

I’m not done with this world.

Quote Spotlight...

She looks so innocent and so pleasant when she’s asleep, but when she’s awake, she’s a ball of fire. Although, I do think the meanness has to be a mask, or just a case of self-defense. Whatever the reason is, I like what I see under the mask.

Quote Spotlight...

I just want to feel something that lasts for more than a few minutes, and she makes me feel something when I’m not even touching her. It also doesn’t help that she’s so beautiful when she’s mad.

Quote Spotlight...

This battle is never fucking ending.

I can’t even remember what I’m fighting for. Is it for my survival or my country? Where is my country? Do they even know I’m here, having guns shadow over my head, watching children sacrificed in place of their parents? Do they know what kind of world I’m being face with, while they’re watching little snippets of sandstorms on TV? Do they think that’s war?

Quote Spotlight...

I’m broken. She’s broken.

Maybe our two broken souls can fit together and make us whole again.

Quote Spotlight...

Even if I die tomorrow, you have made my life worth living.