Enakshi reviews Hit and Run, a romantic thriller, by Lori Matthews. An exclusive for Different Truths.
Book: Hit and Run
Author: Lori Matthews
Publisher: Wild Coyote Press
Rating: 4/5
When I was in college, I used to binge read romantic fiction by Mills and Boon. Gradually, the interest in those books faded as I developed an inclination towards more diverse stories. However, reading Hit and Run took me back to those lovely/ dreamy days when thinking about your prince in the shining armour was considered normal. The story opens in Juneau, Alaska. Dani, a young, fierce and resolute woman is on the run, hiding from the people who want to get hold of the facial-recognition software that she is building. She is a ‘hacker’ who breaches the security as if it were a piece of cake! Hired for her protection is Gage, a tall, fair and handsome man that makes her go weak in the knees (only figuratively). The story pans around their escape, obstacles, loss, fatal attraction and the aftermath of an unprecedented adventure.
This is the third book in the Callahan Series. Even though I haven’t read the first two parts, I must confess that the narrative definitely kept me hooked. As I mentioned, the characters reminded me of the strong and bold characters from the books by Mills and Boons. Dani Pierce is an independent woman, who is on the quest to develop software that can help her ailing friend find her parents before she part ways with life. Things become more complex when Dani struggles to keep her emotions in check when she gets drawn towards Gage Callahan, the muscular lad who comes in Dani’s life as her saviour. Together, they cross several hurdles and amidst those moments of tension and strife, love brews its own cocktail! Fluid narrative, easy language and attractive protagonists definitely keep you hooked to the plot. However, at several points, the pace slows down and the descriptions irk the reader. Nevertheless, the chemistry between Gage and Dani is so infectious that whatever they do, the readers know that things will eventually be in their favour (this can also be a possible negative point as it indicates the weakness and the predictability of the plot).
Lori definitely has a talent for creating appealing and believable characters. The dialogues, too, are magical where kisses are metonymic for ‘forever and after’! Riveting drama and purposeful plot form the essential components of this book. The characters’ choice and decisions are questionable at times but that is to be expected from this book. Overall, Hit and Run is a recommended suspenseful romance that will keep you on tenterhooks for most of the parts. If you are keen on reading stories that involve action, mystery and romance, then this is the right choice!
Best wishes to the author!
Photos sourced by the reviewer