On Sundays, I like to curl up with a light and predictable book to stave off the Sunday Scaries, and this week, Hotshot hit the mark. Published in 2013, Hotshot follows the same storyline as every other book in the Buchanan-Renard series. Firmly in the contemporary romance and romantic suspense genres, our lead character somehow gets in over her head, and now someone wants to kill her. A law enforcement agent who was previously peripherally involved in her life (a friend of a friend, a childhood friend, etc.) steps in to lend her a hand resolving the issue and SNAP insta-love. From there, the lead character experiences a few more attempts on her life and tries to resist changing her activities or plans. At the same time, he investigates and acts as a personal bodyguard. The forced proximity and high stakes keep the sparks flying.
Book Information
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Imprint: Berkley
First Published: August 5 2013
Format: e-book
Source: Library
Genre: Romance
Series: Buchanan-Renard #11
I haven’t spoiled Hotshot or the series because the fun is in the details. The characters, their personalities, quirks, and the crazy events that happen to them make each book unique and engaging. In Hotshot, Payton and Finn positively steam. I loved their childhood backstory in the prologue. A ten-year age gap wasn’t mentioned much, but that’s a usual combination for this series. They grow up separately, only to meet again at Finn’s brother’s wedding, where Finn notices the bullet holes in Payton’s car.
Payton is way too chill and reasonable about having someone come after her. I couldn’t believe she didn’t report any of the actions against her to the police. Hotshot also has some on-page workplace sexual harassment that some may find uncomfortable. I know it was published in 2013, but that’s only ten years ago! Why would she not have reported any of it? Lucy, Payton’s sister, also advised her to drop it so Payton could get on with her life, which had me steaming in a bad way. I can’t believe that the change in attitude towards workplace harassment/sexual violence/threats on life was so significant in the last ten years. I bet that Hotshot was a little dated when it was published. I was in my mid-20s in 2013, and I can’t think I’d have found any of it okay to brush off.
Again, Hotshot was predictable. There’s always a secondary romance, and the interactions between Lucy and Christopher, the resort general manager, were explosive. I appreciate that the happily ever after applies to more than just the main characters.
The story was exactly what I expected for the 11th book in the Buchanan-Renard series and what I was looking for on a cozy Sunday afternoon.
Characters
Finn McBain – Oldest of the McBain brothers, Payton’s neighbour when growing up. Gifted swimmer. FBI agent.
Payton Lockhart – Went to university for English Literature and Journalism, but is passionate about cooking.
Beck McBain – One of the McBain twins, younger than Finn. Navy Seal.
Tristan McBain – The other McBain twin. Navy JAG corps.
Lucy Lockhart – Payton’s older sister, by 2 years. Interior Designer. Quick temper.
Ronan Conrad – Finn’s temporary FBI partner, ex-Marine from Boston
Mimi Cosgrove – Payton’s co-worker at Bountiful Table. Accountant works under Drew Albertson, divorced.
Lars Bjorkman – Payton’s co-worker at Bountiful Table. Assistant Editor. From Stockholm, wants to be a chef.
Christopher Ellison – General manager of Bishops cove, former military of some sort.
Randolph Swift – CEO of Swift Publications, father of Eileen and Eric.
Eric Swift – Son of Randolph, completing his graduate studies in California.
Drew Albertson – Payton’s boss, Managing Editor at Bountiful Table. Married to Eileen, handsome and muscular.
Eileen Albertson – Daughter of Randolph Swift, married to Drew Albertson.
Rick Parsons – Employee of Drew Albertson.
Ivy Lockhart – Payton’s younger sister, a senior at the University of Texas. Student teacher, wants to teach kindergarten.
Mark Campbell – Lawyer, childhood friend of Finn’s.
Uncle Len – Payton’s uncle, owner of Bishop’s Cove and King’s Landing. Shares a birthday with Payton.
Debi – Payton’s cousin. They aren’t very close
Sean – Debi’s husband
Special Agent Corben Henderson – Finn’s boss at the FBI.
Devin & Laura McBain – Parents to Finn, Beck and Tristan.
Links
Buchanan-Renard Series Reviews:
#7 – Fire & Ice
#5 – Slow Burn
#4 – Murder List
thestorygraph
Julie Garwood’s website