This book deviates from the usual lesfic thriller/romance formula by trying to do both romance and thriller to the max (hence the 492-page length). How successful it is depends on the reader. Romance readers will appreciate the care and detail with which the author develops the relationship between the leads and the various supporting characters. Except for the oft-repeated declarations of love and adoration, the dialogue is smart and engaging, when they're not stammering, that is. Multiple characters often become tongue-tied, like they can't seem to complete a sentence. Also, the oft-repeated 'i love you's in various incarnations didn't really serve any purpose except to pad the word count, which isn't really necessary as this is already a very long book. Could it be the author is making a statement against those typical lesfic books where the characters (a far too common lesfic romance trope!) could never bring themselves to say the L word? :)

Less successful, imho, is the thriller side of the book. I appreciate the care the author took in developing the convoluted plot. The political machinations, wheeling and dealing, and influence peddling that drive the action and events in the book was believably done. But because the focus kept shifting back to the romance and drama, the edge and tension that is so critical to a thriller's success kept getting diffused by the slower pace of daily life of the lead characters that the author takes us through. There are some scenes that could have been better placed for a more suspenseful read. And some stretched believability. These are major twist spoilers so avoid if you haven't read the book. Early on, Fisher was revealed to have faked his own death. It would be much scarier to spring this on unsuspecting readers when Cass walks in on him. Also, the president's fate was telegraphed too obviously. Other little nitpicks: Alex going away on runs leaving her charge unprotected; President dipping his hands in the dirt (a big political no-no...he needs plausible deniability! ;). Last but not the least, what was the point of the Congressman's accident? Were the powers-that-be trying to get him to do something or to back off from doing something? Even the initial move to assign Alex to Cassidy seemed counter-intuitive after the revelation of the President's involvement in initiating the threat to Cassidy. Oh, and the book ends on a cliffhanger. The important story arcs are resolved so it's not too bad. It's just a hook to get us to buy the next installment. I just might, but only if there are no more 'I love you's! :)

Overall, I would rate this a very good first effort. Maybe a good editor can help tighten up the next book a bit. ( )