Fatal Code

Unputdownable Romantic Suspense with adorable characters!

Cheehooo! Hawaiian word that expresses excitement! That’s how I felt when I read this book! Well, many other feelings as well: excitement, intrigue, heartache, LOVE, tenderness, lots of emotions. And I think I felt so many things because the characters made me fall in love with them and made me ache with their loss, self-doubt and unworthiness, and the need of family bonds. They both had similar struggles with discovering their true worth, due to past issues that weren’t their fault, but they affected them deeply.
The plot is edge of your seat intriguing!
Elinor Mitchell, an aerospace engineer is still struggling with the passing of her loving grandfather. Her parents left her in his care since she weas young, and he has been everything for her: mother and father, supporter, her rock. He was one of the five scientists called The Alamos Five, who came very close to finishing a nuclear energy project for the US government, before everything was mysteriously cancelled and the group was disbanded. Elinor is finishing a very important team project for Lepley Dynamics that could secure a billionaire contract to the company. Now, she has found some secret codes in her grandfather’s notebook that could have something to do with the old nuclear project. She’s not aware, but also, men who were part of the Alamos Five have been murdered. Plus, when she feels being followed and gets some strange messages, she’s glad to have Kekoa, her new -hunky and Hawaiian- neighbor, at hand. He is very sweet, handsome and makes her feel protected, other than make her heart aflutter.
Kekoa Young, is the SNAP Agency’s cryptologist and cyber genius. He never expects to be asked to monitor her -intentionally appointed neighbor Elinor, whom he helped discovered had been sending emails to the Russians with defense information from her company. But as he gets to know Elinor on a more personal level, as dangerous things begin to happen to her, he’s convinced that she can’t be the traitor they are looking for. Still, everything points to her. He needs to help her solve the cyphers she has found to help her discover who is framing her and if she has something that the real thief may be after. But when feelings get in the way, he knows he’s not the man for the job of protecting Elinor, for he failed miserably at protecting his brother from danger that caused his death and he will never forgive himself. Estranged from his family, with Elinor’s safety in his hands, will he fail her too? Is it true his team has his back, or can he truly depend on no one, not even the One, the Only one who can make sense out of the mysteries of this life?
As I said, this story was amazing! It surpassed my expectations, which were already high after the first book. The best thing of it all were the characters. Kekoa was so lovable, so loyal, protective, funny, light hearted. Yet very vulnerable. He loves with passion, and he’s afraid to love because of his fear of loss. My heart ached for the misplaced guilt he carried for his brother’s death. This part of the story even made me cry at the end, the way he finds redemption and gets his family back. Elinor also needed healing. Had erected a wall around her heart. The rejection of her parents, their absence in her life had inflicted a deep wound in her heart, making her feel insecure about her worthiness. Other than her grandfather, in Kekoa, she finds that lost security, of being someone valuable, cherished. And I love how they both discover that ultimately, it is God who loves us the most and in a totally unconditional way. I loved Kekoa’s Hawaiian expressions, it made the book so fun and authentic. Even if the author didn’t translate most of the Hawaiian words, it’s easy to know what they mean because of the context. I also laughed out loud at Elinor’s science nerdy jokes, or her nerdy t-shirts. It was so endearing! The romance was so sweet and tender, I loved how Kekoa respected her and admired her. It was torture for him to have to spy on her, when he was sure she was innocent.
The plot was riveting. The villains were awful, and it keeps you guessing until the end to who is the criminal and culprit. It had unexpected twists, and I had more than one surprise at the end! It’s a completely unputdownable book!
And best of all -or worst, since it’s going to be a long wait for the next book next year-, is the team loyalty and support. I love their bonds, their teasing, everything. So, I can’t wait for Nicolás and Lyla’s story!! I’m sure it’s going to be awesome too. You can get a sneak peek chapter at the end to get you picqued!
My best quote, Gramps words: “Pray in the little things too, Elinor. Depend on the One who cares about everything -the grass, the flowers, even the sparrows.”
I highly recommend this story! A must read!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher, but was not required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.