The Texas Takedown by Kathryn Brocato
Release Date: August 15, 2016
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Pages: 204
Source: book provided by the publisher for review
When Berry Challoner arrives in Houston determined to solve her brother Daniel’s murder, she knows Tyler Reid, his best friend and college roommate, is the perfect man to help her.
Berry’s convinced that Daniel stumbled onto something criminal at the company where he worked, and she plans to go undercover to expose the killer. Berry knows next to nothing about business, but if she can get a secretarial job with one of the company’s womanizing owners, she’s sure that Tyler, a certified public accountant, can help her follow the money to the murderer.
Tyler loved Daniel like a brother, but he’s not a fan of this crazy, spontaneous plan, even if he is mesmerized by Berry. When it looks like she’s next on the killer’s list, he’ll have to challenge his milder instincts and go all in to save the girl he’s beginning to fall in love with.
Review: The Texas Takedown was a quick read and kept my interest from beginning to end. There were elements of suspense throughout given that Berry decided to avenge her brother Daniel’s death and find out who murdered him since she didn’t like the rumors she was hearing of how he died. He was also the only family she had except for a great aunt that she had never met since her father hadn’t liked her. As a result of Daniel’s death, Berry graduates from college in Austin quickly since she was a professional student and kept taking classes but had enough for a major and to graduate. It was something Daniel had wanted her to do for a very long time. After graduating she heads to Houston to set her plan in motion. In order to do that she needs Tyler’s help who is an accountant and was Daniel’s college roommate. They have instant attraction after not seeing each other since he and Daniel graduated and Tyler kept trying to be the voice of reason but also wanted to protect her at all costs especially when he hears the details of her plans. What ensues is often slapstick in nature and I like her brother Daniel’s interventions. I could envision Berry’s outrageous outfits in my mind and also her plan of attack.
Berry and Tyler are multidimensional and we get to know them a little at a time. Their chemistry burns hot and there are some steamy scenes. We also get to know a little about Daniel and how different he was from both Berry and Tyler. The plot flows smoothly but I could guess at some of the outcomes although there are a few twists and turns, some potentially deadly. Tyler’s family, especially his sister Deb was often comic relief.
There are family and friends, miscommunication and misunderstandings, role playing, laughter, fear, tears, anger, angst, corruption, camaraderie, businesses to run, getting to know you moments, a mystery to solve, loving and love. There are multiple storylines going on at once and they all converge to give nice closure. The happily ever after is there but not the way I expected.
Brocato is a new to me author. I will be adding some of her other books to my always growing TBR pile!
Favorite Quote: “My research also indicates that many men have fixations on high heels.” Berry held out a slender foot shod in a fragile pink pump with a three-inch, stiletto heel. “The higher the heel, the more sexually available they think the woman wearing the shoe must be.”
