The Watcher by Bella Jewel
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publication Date: May 30, 2017
Date Read: May 4, 2017
Source: NetGalley
★★★☆☆
The Watcher is a sexy, pulse-pounding romantic suspense from USA Today bestselling author Bella Jewel!
NOW YOU SEE HER . . .
Seven years ago, Marlie Jacobson was kidnapped by a serial killer―and lived to tell about it. But it was actually her mother who told the story, in a bestselling book that made Marlie famous. Today, she’s known as the girl who slayed a killer. The one who got away. Now, there’s just one thing Marlie wants to get away from: her past. But when her little sister disappears, her worst fears come rushing back―with a vengeance…NOW SHE’S GONE.
Kenai Michelson is a world-renowned investigator. Dark, brooding, and dangerously good-looking, he’s the kind of man Marlie would normally avoid at all costs. But Kenai is her only hope in finding her missing sister. Together, Kenai and Marlie follow a trail of clues that leads them toward the truth―and into each other’s arms. As her trust in Kenai grows, so does their fierce connection. But will their desire turn deadly as they close in on a ruthless enemy who’s watching their every move?
This book was just okay for me. I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it but I am still rather disappointed because I had really expected to love it. After reading Bella Jewel’s previous book, 72 Hours, in a single afternoon, I really expected this book to be a similar experience. I felt somewhat detached from the story and was never completely pulled in. I did want to see how everything would work out but it was never a book that was too hard to set aside.
Marlie spends each day living with what happened to her when she was kidnapped. It is really a miracle that she is alive today after her ordeal. She was taken by a serial killer and none of his previous victims survived. She made it out but lives with the ramifications every day. She leads a simple life in a small town and never wants to return to the town where her nightmares happened. When she learns that her sister is missing, she knows that she must do just that.
Marlie hires Kenai, a private investigator, to help her find her sister. They start out on their trip to find her not caring for each other very much. Things change as they work together for a while and they soon become a couple. I have to admit that I was never sold on Marlie and Kenai as a couple. I didn’t really feel a lot of chemistry between them and they seemed to go from hate to love before I could blink.
This book was really a mixed bag for me. I really enjoyed some parts of the book. My favorite parts were the parts that described her ordeal with the serial killer. Some of those scenes were truly frightening yet entertaining. There were also parts that I didn’t care for as much. Some of the action scenes with Kenai and Marlie were a bit too far fetched and didn’t seem realistic. I was also really disappointed that I was able to figure out who the bad guy was really early in the book so when the big reveal happened in the book, there was no surprise for me.
I do think that a lot of people will enjoy this story more than I did. It had a lot of good moments for me despite the problems that I had with it. I would definitely read more from Bella Jewel in the future.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.
About the AuthorBELLA JEWEL is a USA Today bestselling author of over 18 e-books, including the popular Alphas Heart eOriginal series with St. Martin’s Press. She lives in North Queensland where she’s working on her next novel.
Bummer. It's always a bit disappointing when you love one and the next is just okay. I'd been eyeing this at the grocery store this week. Might pick up another one instead to try her out on.
I hate it when you go into a book expecting to love it and then something happens and you don't. That always makes it a long read for me!
Too bad about it being so-so. I hate it when I want to like a book and just can't seem to connect for some reason. The quick-love would detract for me, too. Maybe the next one… 🙂
I feel your disappointment.I hate when you go into a book expecting a great story but instead you get mediocrity.
Aw bummer this wasn't better. It's tough when you're not feeling it for the couple, and realism issues don't help. Hopefully her next one works out better!
It's such a bad deal when you can figure out the culprit too soon. This sounds like it would be a good movie though. I'd watch it.
Too bad! It sounds like a really good read.
I was so looking forward to reading this. I've been into this genre more and more lately, and while searching for upcoming books, this one stood out the most. I love when a romance blooms during tough situations, but this does seem a little out of place. The way you describe it, I know I won't be a fan of the relationship either. Great review!