Fatal Code (The SNAP Agency Book #2)

SMOOTH BLEND OF SUSPENSE & CLEVER ROMANCE! n Fatal Code (The SNAP Agency Book 2), Natalie Walters presents this plot as a smooth blend of suspense and clever romance. This book demonstrates, in my opinion, how Walters is quickly writing her way to the top of the mix of romantic suspense authors! Fatal Code is the conclusion of the brilliant series surrounding the SNAP Agency (Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency). SNAP Agent and Former Navy Cryptologist Kekoa Young is assigned to keep an eye out on his neighbor, Elinor Mitchell. The Agency is convinced she holds the key to a Secret Code that belongs to a top-secret nuclear project that Elinor’s recently deceased grandfather worked on back in the mid 1960’s and that she may be involved in a terror plot. Kekoa is torn with completing this task because he is struggling to believe that the woman who he finds so intriguing, could possibly be involved in anything nefarious. When it appears that Elinor has taken up her grandfather’s role and is involved in a top-secret nuclear project, Kekoa must reveal his true self. However, Elinor quickly must choose whether she will “forgive and forget” and trust Kekoa with her life while being pursued for her grandfather’s code. Walter's ramps up the action and takes readers on a heart-stopping ride to the conclusion of this story. Walters’ has provided readers with everything you want in an excellent romantic suspense – dynamic plot, believable, multidimensional characters, interesting settings, myriad of chaos, conflict and murder, and a beautiful love story that develops slowly and carefully. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

Another great romantic suspense novel from Natalie Walters! This is book 2 in the SNAP Agency series. While the story itself could stand alone, I would recommend reading the prequel novella Initium and the first book Lights Out before reading this one in order to better understand what the Agency does and get some introduction into the characters. You'll be able to enjoy this story without that, but you'll enjoy it more with that history. This book follows computer genius Kekoa Young of SNAP and his neighbor Elinor Mitchell, who is a genius in her own right. She's working on a billion dollar project and is under suspicion for leaking company secrets. Kekoa is tasked with keeping an eye on her, but can he keep her safe and prove she's not a traitor without her finding out he's keeping tabs on her and without completely falling for her? I enjoyed the character development in this book. Kekoa has been a side character in a couple of Ms. Walters' books and it was good to get to know him better. As for Elinor, the book opens at her grandfather's funeral, and the grief that she experiences was definitely relatable. I enjoyed her quirky nerdiness and punny t-shirts and stupid science jokes. In addition to the characters, I also enjoyed the story line a great deal. This one had me turning pages to see what happened next and I didn't figure out the main "bad guy" until it was exposed at the end. The romance element of a romantic suspense is usually my least favorite element, but this one had a nice slow burn throughout, which I thoroughly enjoyed. And I literally laughed out loud at some of the goofy jokes that they bantered with. The faith thread was light in the first 2/3 of this book, but picked up serious steam in the last third as Kekoa comes to terms with elements from his past that needed to be placed in the hands of the Father, and I enjoyed that this element built throughout as well, making it feel more natural. All in all, this was an excellent romantic suspense novel, and I'd strongly recommend to fans of that genre. Special thanks to the author and publisher for an advance copy of this novel. I was under no obligation to provide a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

Fatal Code The SNAP Agency #2 By Natalie Walters Her grandfather's death has rocked her world, making her feel abandoned, but at least Elinor Mitchell has her work and her grandfather's notebooks. And when she survives a near accident thanks to her neighbor, one of her grandfather's notebooks is almost lost in a muddy puddle. In the six months he's been living in his apartment, Kekoa Young hasn't really communicated with his next-door neighbor, but an inattentive bicyclist changes all of that when he nearly runs her down. Preventing a fall is the most interaction he has had with her to date, and then his less than stellar rescue of her notebook brings her to tears. Ouch! When Kekoa learns that he is suppose to keep an eye on Elinor because his previous investigations skills (cryptography) have cast doubts on Elinor and her loyalties. There is just one problem Kekoa doesn't believe Elinor is guilty of selling company secrets to competitors or foreign governments even though his work that pointed SNAP in Elinor's direction isn't wrong. As Kekoa deals with proving Elinor's innocence she discovers that she needs Kekoa's skills in helping her understand the hidden message in her grandfather's notebooks. But soon the two mysteries seem to be overlapping as danger seems to be lurking around the corner. Are the two related even though nearly six decades separate them? Fatal Code gives one an insight into Kekoa by sharing parts of his history. An incident in his past caused Kekoa to leave home and family behind. Kekoa is an interesting person - caring, intense, focused, and loyal. Elinor is a fairly private person who seems to trust people but only so far due to her relationship with her parents. Fatal Code doesn't ignore the other members of SNAP and I have to admit I love Lyla's character. She is sassy, intelligent, capable, and caring. Her relationship with the other SNAP team members is interesting. If you haven't read the previous book or novella in the series you can read this book and still follow along with no major problems. But I really think you will enjoy this book more fully if you read Lights Out (book one) and Intitium (series prequel novella) first. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion, all thoughts expressed are my own.