Heart in Pieces: The Men of Shadow Surveillance is a work of fiction in the romance, thriller, suspense, and interpersonal drama genres. It is best suited to mature adult readers owing to the presence of explicit language and scenes of a sexual nature. Penned by author Montana Rivers, this gripping work plunges readers into a suspenseful thriller set in the small town of Eagle Lake. Retired FBI profiler Jake Reed seeks solace from a sadistic serial killer, only to be drawn back into the darkness when The Wolf resurfaces. Teaming up with the resilient Alexis Forrester, they navigate a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse, confronting personal demons and past traumas. As The Wolf's reign of terror escalates, Jake and Alexis must unravel cryptic clues and face a shocking truth: The Wolf may be closer than they think. Can they defeat the darkness before it consumes them?

Author Montana Rivers has crafted an electrifying novel from start to finish that creates a fabulous balance between romantic suspense and thriller drama. The suspenseful narrative is well-paced and suitably detailed, and I loved the way the moments of tense exposition were suddenly filled with twists and turns that take you through new revelations, and back to tension again. The dynamic between Jake and Alexis also follows this rollercoaster pattern, weaving in between the shocks and surprises of the narrative as they navigate their inner struggles while battling their formidable foe. The dialogue style was unique to both of them and characterized them instantly, but the way they spoke to one another also developed well and offered a lot of suspense and new thrills between the lines. The exploration of BDSM elements was an extra layer of intrigue that complemented their tension-fuelled dynamic so well. Overall, Heart in Pieces delivers a heart-pounding thrill ride that readers won't soon forget, and I’d recommend it as a must-read for anyone craving a suspenseful and adrenaline-fueled story.

Set in the small town of Eagle Lake, Heart in Pieces by Montana Rivers follows the story of two survivors with traumatic pasts. Jake Reed, a retired FBI profiler, is grappling with psychological scars after a traumatic attack by a sadistic killer called The Wolf left him injured and his partner murdered. He arrives in Eagle Lake to find answers to the questions plaguing him about this killer. His path crosses with his beautiful neighbor, Alexis Forrester, a woman who is fighting her own demons. Instant sparks fly between Jake and Alexis. As they navigate the complexities of their pasts and start to heal their ongoing nightmares, The Wolf resurfaces, targeting new victims and leaving cryptic chess clues. As secrets are uncovered, Jake and Alexis must confront their past traumas while racing against time to stop the killer. Will they be able to outwit The Wolf before it’s too late, or will they become the next victims?

Montana Rivers grabbed my attention from the very first chapter of Heart in Pieces. The story is filled with plot twists, heart-pounding action, and sizzling romance. The sense of danger and intrigue, which ran as an underlying theme throughout, heightened the sense of urgency to know what happens next in the plot. That and the heat and simmering passion between the leads kept the plot interesting. The dual perspectives offered by the protagonists provided an insight into their thoughts and motivations, giving me an understanding of the narrative’s direction. While the focus leaned more toward sizzle than suspense, I did enjoy the story. The book is also well-edited. The novel contains adult content, which might not be suitable for all readers. I would recommend checking the content warning first before diving into this story.

You have to read it! I couldn't put it down. The ending was a total surprise. I never expected the twist! Great book! I have a new favorite author!

Intense and twisted
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2024
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A friend recommended this book and I was not disappointed. It was seductive, erotic, intense and twisted. I wasn't sure about the BDSM, but it was entwined with the story and was well done, just enough and not too much. There were twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It kept me on the edge of my seat, not wanting to put it down. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes romantic suspense. I am really looking forward to the next book Heart of Fire.