Official Review: Serenity Lost, Trust Me Book 1

SharisseEM · Post by **SharisseEM** » 28 Nov 2014, 06:00

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Serenity Lost, Trust Me Book 1" by Amy Romine.]

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One fateful meeting changed everything for Eric Stiles and Rebecca Gailen. Without knowing the identity of the other or anything personal, all they had to remember each other by was their memory of that one night they had let go and it is a night that they can never forget. Each touch, each kiss, each soft sigh had been branded into their bodies and their minds. They never thought they would meet again and that it was one life-changing one-night stand but fate has other plans in store for them.

Serenity Lost is the first book in the Trust Me series by Amy Romine. A romantic suspense with steamy sex and a compelling plot, this book really caught my attention. A little disclaimer though, aside from the graphic sex, the violence is pretty graphic as well which some might find disturbing. I, however, found that it bumped up the book and made it even more interesting. I couldn’t put this story down and read it in one sitting even after a close to twelve-hour work shift.

Eric and Rebecca were simply strangers who were brought together in a bar and who were inexplicably attracted to each other from the moment their eyes met. One steamy encounter and that was it. Or so they thought. Fate wasn’t done with them yet. Not by a long shot. Pining for each other deep down, Eric and Rebecca try to move on with their lives until they are drawn back together by a stalker. Rebecca’s stalker. Rebecca, who had previously ignored the issue with her stalker due to his harmless gifts and all, is forced to finally stop and take notice when his gifts turn terrifying, leaving her no choice but to finally file a report to the police. And wouldn’t you know it, Eric just so happens to be a detective…and the brother of the man Rebecca tries to move on with.

Amy Romine takes a simple plot and puts a whole new spin on it, crafting great characters and heart-pounding suspense. Despite her stalker suddenly taking things to a whole new level of stalking, Rebecca is no ordinary damsel in distress. She’s strong, stubborn, and dependent and she doesn’t like asking for help. Rebecca is more distressed about those who have been affected because of her stalker rather than her own life. That, and even though she puts up a strong façade, there is a whole lot more going on inside. I liked Rebecca. Eric, on the other hand, is a workaholic homicide detective. A good man but a workaholic. He’s attracted to Rebecca but he’s torn between her being the woman his brother is in love with and not wanting to take a chance on love.

What I loved most is how the author teases us here and there with little hints on the relationship between Rebecca and her stalker that keeps me guessing but never quite figuring out the whole truth. Admittedly though, I was a little hazy on the opening. I wasn’t really sure what was going on when I first read it but when I finished reading the opening scene, I understood it. Also, although Eric and Rebecca’s meeting started off interesting, it then grew a bit flat before things finally picked up again. Throughout the book, what I felt was lacking and what I wanted most was the chemistry that drew them into the bedroom that very first time. I get that this is only the first book but they had a wild time together in the beginning. I would love to see how Eric and Rebecca progress and how this all plays out. As a romantic suspense book, it succeeded in the suspense but was lacking in the romance part.

Despite the heat that almost completely disappeared between Eric and Rebecca, I really enjoyed reading this book and the cliffhanger it ended on, had me craving for more. Plus, with a stalker plot reminiscent of an episode of Criminal Minds that keeps me riveted, I give this book 3 out of 4 stars and I recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging thriller with romance.

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