ON THE RUN by Jo Davis

 

Sugarland Blue #4
Signet Books, April 2015
Paperback
Obtained via:  publisher
ISBN:  0451467930

ISBN13: 9780451467935
Romance
*** 1/2

The fourth Sugarland Blue novel by Jo Davis, ON THE RUN, is a police romantic suspense that will have Davis’ fans cheering for the wrong side of the law (or at least for his sister).

Having been literally stood up at the altar on his wedding day only to have his ex-fiancé and his best friend run off together and then end up dead after a confrontation with Tonio, one night stands are about as close to a lasting relationship that undercover cop Tonio will allow himself these days.  His latest one night stand puts Tonio in the perfect position to infiltrate a dangerous gang that the police have been trying to get for some time.  It also means that he is in constant contact with the leader of the gang’s sister, Angel, the owner of a local bar where the gang hangs out.  When Angel figures out who Tonio really is and his cover is blown, her brother comes after both of them.  Tonio risks his career and his very life to keep her safe.

This story starts at the end and then goes back to the beginning and fills in from there.  This writing ploy doesn’t often work out very well, but in ON THE RUN, Jo Davis really makes it work for her.  This really sets the hook for the reader.  This reader really enjoyed Angel.  Her brother is a real thorn in her side and a lead weight around her neck.  In spite of that, she manages to become an upstanding citizen of strong moral character who actually seems to financially support her brother by providing him with a place to live.  He does not deserve this kindness.  Tonio was a bit harder to like.  He is still carrying around all that guilt for the deaths of his ex-fiancé and best friend and it is just unwarranted.

But at the heart of it, ON THE RUN is a romance and as such is really not a bad story.  The pace of the book was consistent and kept readers wondering what was going to happen next, even though there weren’t any real big surprises.  Jo Davis’ and police romance fans will undoubtedly find ON THE RUN a fun and easy summertime read.

Reviewed by T. Barringer
tammyLRM@gmail.com

"This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book."