★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Alluring. Mysterious. Heartbreaking.
Becoming Rain was all of those things and more. I was captivated by the mystery, saddened by the guilt and heartache, and thrilled by the suspicion and suspense. A delicious mixture of intrigue and romance, K.A. Tucker developed a story that intrigues from start to finish. One where we experience the story through the eyes of her endearing characters. The plot was thoroughly developed and the pacing perfect.
Clara Bertelli is on an undercover case with the FBI which will make or break her career. Currently a cop in Washington DC, she was asked to take this case. If she is successful, she could move up to a FBI agent. The job – become Rain Martines and help bring down one of the West coasts’s most notorious car theft rings. She has her mark – Luke Boone.
Luke works for his uncle Rust, a man who has been more of a father to him than an uncle and a man whose business dealings reach further than just the mechanics garage where Luke works. Luke enjoys the nice cars, nice clothes and condo his uncle provides and while he doesn’t know everything his uncle does to provide this lifestyle, Luke does know he wants a part of it.
When Rain comes into his garage with car troubles and flirts with him, he finds he needs to know more about this woman. A friendship and budding romance begins based on lies and “her cover”. Rain knows she has to maintain a balance between her character and her job, but what happens when lines blur and emotions come in to play? How do you maintain that balance? What lies do you tell to maintain it…lies to your mark and yourself?
My heart broke for Luke. Knowing he was falling for Rain was killing me. I knew his heart was going to be broken and waiting and watching it happen gripped my heart. Of course it wasn’t easy for her either, I know she felt torn and guilty and unsure, but my heart lies with Luke. I was angry with her and her decisions, whether they were right or wrong. I just wanted them to be together. He was such a great guy. His vulnerability and sensitivity made it all the more heartrending watching it all play out. Knowing he had never wanted to let his heart trust anyone and that he had been taught to not settle down, yet here he was trusting and caring for someone who couldn’t give back what he was giving was sad.
A follow-up to Burying Water, I hesitate to admit that this is the first book I have read by this author. But it certainly won’t be the last. This was a 5 Star read for me and I can’t wait to read more from K. A. Tucker.
Thank you, Atria Books and Netgalley for graciously providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication: March 3rd 2015 by Atria BooksLuke Boone doesn’t know exactly what his uncle Rust is involved in but he wants in on it-the cars, the money, the women. And it looks like he’s finally getting his wish. When Rust hands him the managerial keys to the garage, they come with a second set-one that opens up the door to tons of cash and opportunity. Though it’s not exactly legal, Luke’s never been one to worry about that sort of thing. Especially when it puts him behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 and onto the radar of gorgeous socialite named Rain.Clara Bertelli is at the top of her game-at only twenty-six years old, she’s one of the most successful undercover officers in the Washington D.C. major crime unit, and she’s just been handed a case that could catapult her career and expose one of the west coast’s most notorious car theft rings. But, in order to do it, she’ll need to go deep undercover as Rain Martines. Her target? The twenty-four-year old nephew of a key player who appears ready to follow in his uncle’s footsteps.As Clara drifts deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Rain, and further into the arms of her very attractive and charming target, the lines between right and wrong start to blur, making her wonder if she’ll be able to leave it all behind. Or if she’ll even want to.
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