Taking Care of the Target by Cindi Madsen Pages: 446
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: ARC
Also by this author: Anatomy of a Player, 12 Steps to Mr. Right, Crazy Pucking Love, Confessions of a Former Puck Bunny, Until You're Mine, Christmas With You: an anthology
Goodreads
Vince DaMarco always liked Cassie, the shy waitress who works at the restaurant that serves as a front for his mob boss uncle. Unfortunately, she witnesses a back alley hit, and while fleeing, she's struck by a truck. Now she's at the top of the hit list. Desperate to stop anyone who'd draw out Cassie's death, Vince volunteers to take care of it. Cassie Dalton has no recollection of her accident, but she's told she's lucky to be alive. A few years are missing from her memory, and the unsettling feeling that something isn't right-along with the creepy sensation that she's being watched-won't go away. Vince shows up right when Cassie needs him most. In a world of confusion, the rugged stranger is the one thing that makes sense. But little does she know, she's found refuge in the arms of the very man who's been sent to kill her."
I have enjoyed Madsen’s romantic comedies in the past, and I love romantic suspense so I was excited about Taking Care of the Target! Cassie and Vince were an interesting pair!
Cassie witnesses a murder, then gets hit by a truck and loses her memory. Vince is sent to ‘deal with the problem’ by his mob boss uncle. Vince has had a thing for Cassie, and when he learns her memories are gone, he tries to convince his uncle she isn’t a threat.
So, the story’s conflict is partially derived from the will she/won’t she get her memories back. There is also a side plot with Vince’s brother, Bobby, that creates some drama as well. Then there is the whole mob thing! Vince hasn’t ever wanted to get into the ‘family business’ but he might not have a choice. The plot is very detailed and full of all kinds of trouble for everyone-Cassie, Vince, Carlo, the cops. Full of action and suspense, the story moves along at a good clip and will certainly keep you turning the pages.
Cassie and Vince are well written, but not particularly well developed in my opinion. I am not sure I ever really believed their romance. I think sometimes the story is so focused on ALL the players in this drama that it was difficult to really believe that Cassie and Vince were in love. That is really my only struggle with the story!
- POV: 3rd (lots of alternating focus: Cassie, Vince, Carlo, Bobby, Cops, etc)
- Tears: none
- Trope: mob/mafia
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: stand alone
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
Empire by Rachel Van Dyken, Kill with Shame by Alexandra Ivy, Saving Liberty by Helena Newbury…then you will probably like Taking Care of the Target!
Taking Care of the Target
This still sounds like a great read here, even if its a bit under developed especially in the romance portion of it. But I am intrigued and I love the cover.