Natalie Beck has issues--her experiences have left her anxiety ridden and a shut in. She is now being threatened. Her cousin Oliver enlists the help of Security expert Jake Tanner  to help find the culprit and protect Natalie.

They email, text, get to know each other in a non threatening way. Jake understands fear and pain. He's been there. He has physical reminders that impact his life, but he found a way to move forward.  He's funny, sweet, intuitive and protective.

Natalie is highly anxious, fearful, and stuck in her apartment and socially isolated. She wants to do better and be able to leave her safe environment, but panic seizes her. She's imaginative, sassy, and sweet. And her interactions with Jake just make her realize how much life she is missing and makes her want to fight harder. 

A connection builds along with trust, flirting,  and sexual chemistry. The more they get to know, the more layers are revealed. They share more and develop an understanding and compassion for each other and their limitations. 

But despite their connection, need, and growing feelings, Natalie still has many problems to overcome. She has her psychological issues and anxiety keeping her from living a normal life and threats against her. And Jake not only has to be willing to open himself up completely to her, but also has to try to keep her safe and stop the threat.

This is a story of baring secrets, being vulnerable. and finding someone to understand and fight for. Neither could be considered perfect. Some would call them damaged, and write them off. But they were perfectly suited for each other and were compassionate, empathetic, and only saw their good hearts and not just their challenges. But it was their issues that I felt made this story somewhat unique. It seemed like the author researched and really provided an understanding of the daily challenges of being an amputee as well as the agoraphobia and anxiety. 

I loved Jake. He was so strong, competent, and protective, but had his own vulnerabilities and insecurities. Natalie was likable even though her issues were frustrating at times. But I loved how Jake handled them and really liked them together. It was a bit slow to get them physically together and then the pacing of feelings seemed to speed up pretty fast. But It was engaging, sweet, romantic, sexy, and suspenseful. It had the underlying mystery of the threat that I figured out early on, but it did not change my interest in the outcome. 

I have not read the first two books in the Kerr Chronicles series, but it was easy to follow as a stand alone. Ian and Victoria made appearances in this one, as did their mysterious friend Kaga and Jake's sister Sabrina. Kaga and Sabrina's story was teased in this one so I imagine their story will continue. I also liked Natalie's pro Quarterback cousin, Oliver. He would make a good hero as well.

ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Natalie Beck is a prisoner in her own apartment. A prisoner of fear. As a successful writer, her homebound state fuels her career, but she longs to return to the days when she traveled through the city freely and without fear. She interacts with very few people and avoids any and all contact with new people and situations. Just as it appears she is making strides towards conquering her fears, she receives a set back that negates all the effort she has expended over three years.

Jake Tanner is determined to find out who is sending Natalie disturbing messages. The notes have finally caught the attention of her cousin, who hired Jake to investigate the notes in hopes of relieving some of Natalie’s fears. He doesn’t intend to develop feelings for his client, but as they begin to converse, by text and phone with no face to face, he finds something in Natalie he didn’t know he was looking for: acceptance.

I love Jake. Everything about him is perfect for balancing out the fears Natalie feels. From his quick understanding of how to put her at ease enough for him to install security measures, to pushing her (gently) to accept his presence in her life as a new person. He has his own challenges, both as the owner of a security company and as a combat injured amputee, but he also uses his experience to be a safe place for Natalie to vent her fears and worries without feeling judgement or pressure.

I was sympathetic to Natalie’s agoraphobia, though I’ve never faced fears that debilitating in my life. Her fears and anxiety were written in such a way that at times it overwhelms her character, much the way it would overwhelm her life. Knowing she was so focused on only her fears and her writing, there wasn’t a lot to her character as far as depth, but it was easy to fall in love with her as she struggled to overcome the crippling symptoms she experienced.

I also love the way Natalie helps Jake face things he didn’t even know he hadn’t accepted. As an individual she pushes herself. She isn’t about wallowing in pity or looking for attention. She just wants to be normal and turns to the few people around her to help -- her cousin, her therapist, and her editor.

I can’t say I was surprised at who was behind the threats, but it was still a shock to see it in front of me, almost like I continued reading hoping I was incorrect. The ending happened rather abruptly, but it was also written in such a way that the speed of the resolution worked for all characters.

But I loved the way this story developed. Though it wasn’t a speedy timeline, it was a fast read. The only moments that hit me as awkward or not quite to my taste were a couple of the intimate scenes, which understandable are rather personal. One scene in particular just felt like it was ill timed based on other events that had just taken place. 

Overall I really enjoyed this story. Ian and Kaga are present as Jake’s friends. Readers also get to see quite a bit from Jake’s sister Sabrina, and if the bits and pieces can be fit together, there is quite an attraction between Sabrina and Kaga, though Jake disapproves. Their story certainly seems to be filled with conflict and building tension. 

ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.