Leave Me Breathless

August 12, 2019
Malpas (This Man) whips up a very satisfying mix of dizzying intrigue and steamy romance in this heart-pounding contemporary. Former MI5 operative Ryan Willis is just seeking some downtime with his beloved 10-year-old daughter, Alex, in his sleepy English hometown. Then he runs into Hannah Bright, the owner of the village’s new art shop. Their chemistry is immediate and overpowering, and despite Hannah’s efforts to resist it, she lets Ryan in. It’s soon apparent to Ryan that Hannah’s hiding something—but what? Malpas intersperses views of the past and present to answer that question, teasing out clues until the reader is shivering in fear right along with Hannah, whose secrets are linked to a threat from her past. Readers will enjoy the multilayered main and supporting characters (hilarious and precocious Alex deserves a book of her own when she’s of age), sizzling erotic scenes, and a taut plot loaded with plenty of twists and turns. Malpas will charm her current fans and win new ones with this strong romantic thriller, perfect for those who love a good alpha male and a damsel in distress who doesn’t wait for someone else to rescue her. Agent: Andrea Barzvi, Empire Literary.

October 1, 2019

After an assignment nearly goes horribly wrong, Ryan Willis leaves the protection business, retiring to his tiny cabin in the woods with his ten-year-old daughter. His sleepy hometown is comforting and familiar--except for newcomer Hannah Bright. On the run from her past, Hannah is looking for a temporary refuge. She knows starting a relationship with anyone--let alone Ryan--is dangerous, yet she can't resist his pull. The characters are realistic and relatable; though much of the conflict is created by Hannah keeping secrets, her reasons for doing so feel more valid than contrived. There is a vague sense of dread woven throughout the narrative, but events are rather tranquil until the last quarter of the story, when the tension ratchets up to its explosive conclusion. VERDICT Fans of Malpas's previous book, The Protector, will appreciate seeing those characters playing minor roles here, but for anyone who enjoys Sleeping with the Enemy-style stories, this is a perfect choice.--Rebecca Moe, Alden Ewell Free Lib., NY

Copyright 2019 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2019
On his way to his cabin in the woods in the English countryside, Ryan Willis, an expert in the protection business, collides with a woman riding a bicycle. All Ryan wants is to be done with his assignment and head home after filling his freezer with pints of Chunky Monkey ice cream to share with Alex, his precocious and wise-beyond-her-10-years daughter. Nearly running over the prettiest and most impossibly perfect woman he's ever seen wasn't part of the plan. Hannah Bright is looking forward to opening her art store and studio in the country and painting. Neither of them is prepared for their instant and devastatingly intense attraction. As Ryan and Hannah let their passion play out in deliciously sexy scenes, it becomes clear to the former M15 agent that Hannah is hiding something. Her story comes out through a series of flashbacks as Hannah wrestles with her past. Readers will love this roller-coaster ride in which best-selling Malpas (Gentleman Sinner, 2019) mixes small-town romance with suspense and an excellent supporting cast.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)