Review: Sweet Reward by Christy Reece

I had a really hard time connecting with this book. I liked the storyline idea in Sweet Reward, but I couldn’t get into the execution of it. I know this is a popular series, so I’m slightly curious about whether or not this book was a good representation of the rest of the series. Either it’s an off book—although I doubt it based on the high ratings it’s receiving—or her style just doesn’t work for me.

I found the writing a bit awkward and couldn’t really stir up more than an idle interest in the story until somewhere in the 100’s. That’s when they started to gain some ground on the kidnapping case and start to do their jobs. Before then Mia and Jared were flat. I know that they each had their personal tragedy driving them to behave in certain ways, but I wasn’t feeling it. Maybe it was the writing style itself keeping me from connecting? I am not much for the over written style she uses. Instead of saying something like, ‘she filled up the dog bowls to feed them,’ the author would say, “With the efficiency she was known for, she prepared five bowls of dog food and one small bowl of cat food.” I don’t mind that in moderation, but when it’s done constantly it tends to grate.

I felt that the author did a good job of showing the lust between Mia and Jared, but I didn’t feel any real emotion between them until the very end. I know they were supposed to be cast as a tempestuous, opposites attract romance, but it was hard to see why they liked each other. Especially on the heroine’s part. I didn’t blame Jared for his struggle to trust that Mia was as capable as he was told, since he distrusts everyone on principal, but Mia wasn’t nearly as offended by it as I thought she should be. She found it exasperating and refused to prove herself to him, which I liked, but she had no problem lusting after him despite him being a jerk to her, which I didn’t like. As I said, I could understand him doubting her, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it got old.

I liked that the author showed the side of undercover work that is always ignored. The truth is that sometimes things get tough and you might end up sleeping with someone to get the mission done. And when you’re in a relationship with someone it makes it that much worse. So I liked that the author spent some time on this and showed us the struggle that each character faced to come to terms with it. I won’t say what happened during that section, though. I found the crimes interesting but felt that the villain was too over the top to be believable and his lack of suspicion when they started closing in on him made him seem pretty dumb.

The only part of the book that I really enjoyed the way I wanted to was near the end. Jared and Mia got into a difficult situation and found themselves struggling to keep it together and survive. It was the climax of the book and I finally clicked with the characters. Finally I felt some emotion and intensity between them! I found that scene really gripping, but it was unfortunately too little, too late. If the rest of the book would have had that same intensity and connection, I probably would have enjoyed this a lot more. Such a shame.

Favorite Quote:

“Behind that gruff, tough exterior, you’re a very, very sweet man, Jared Livingston.”

Hell, she was even more clueless than he’d thought. Giving her a grim nod, he walked out the door. Some people just couldn’t be helped.

Rating: D
Sweet Reward by Christy Reece
December 27th 2011 by Ballantine Books
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