Books & Spoons review: Lily's Outlaw by Kori David

When photojournalist, Liliana Richardson, agrees to go on assignment in Arizona, she has no idea it could cost her everything. But one wrong picture at the right moment puts her on a lethal drug cartel’s hit list. Kidnapped and held poisoner in a border town, she is certain her life is over, until the bad boy from her past shows up. Now she’s on the run with the only man who ever made her want more. Problem is: She knows she can trust him with her life, but not her heart.

Security specialist and former Marine, Jesse James Calhoun, follows a strict code. Work hard, play hard, and never get too involved. When he gets information that the wild girl from his past needs help and fast, he’s ready, willing, and able to neutralize the threat. But the spoiled girl he knew is all grown up and has a secret that someone is willing to kill for. Can he keep them alive long enough to uncover her secret? Or will she leave before he can stop a killer, taking his heart with her.

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Romantic suspense, where everything is in its place, just as I like it: the action and suspense is thrilling, the anxiety and fear at times palpable. The romance is real, steamy, yet so sweet and tender that it makes you swoon.
Jesse is just the perfect hero, the protective, caring, and at times overpowering, but still lets her make her own decisions, and mistakes, but is there, having her back, never giving her too hard time about it. He just melted my heart.
Liliana is fierce, self-sufficient, and self-reliant, finally facing the ghosts of her past, and while trying to do it without hurting her friends, causing her to make some questionable decisions.
Together they are scorching hot. I loved how Jesse gets her, understands her, and what she needs, to do regarding the illegal issues she ran into. You can see how they come to understanding about their relationship without too much drama, and how they grow as people, find themselves in a place where they can commit to each other.
The friends Jesse has, are loyal, true, and trustworthy. I loved seeing where Beth and Zach, from the previous book in the series, are going in their lives, and I am looking forward to the next installment in this series, this story was truly a  delight in the romantic suspense genre!

~ Five Spoons