Honeycomb


Fiction - Action
333 Pages
Reviewed on 01/18/2026
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers' Favorite

In Honeycomb by R.A. Van Vleet, thirty-two-year-old realtor and part-time actress Sam Williams is in danger long before she realizes how precarious her life has become. Unbeknownst to her, two men are surveilling her on the orders of her jealous and manipulative agent, Ray Calderon. Thirty-eight-year-old Ian Martin, working undercover on the Port Hueneme smuggling investigation, crosses paths with Sam in a parking lot while she is searching for her truck. When Sam suddenly turns into him, Ray witnesses the moment and irrationally lashes out, throwing a punch at Ian. Ian defends himself against Ray, which starts a chain reaction that neither Ian nor Sam anticipated. This altercation compromises Ian’s cover when it becomes headline news. With attempts on Ian's and Sam’s lives, Ian must determine whether the threat is from his smuggling case or Ray’s obsession.

The plot in Honeycomb by R.A. Van Vleet is fast-paced, yet it allowed me enough time to process everything at my own pace. The action begins on the first page and continues until the end. The writing style was engaging, and I was hooked from start to finish. With the descriptive details of the events, it was easy to lose myself in Sam's and Ian’s lives. The characters were realistic and relatable. I enjoyed the chemistry between Sam and Ian and could not wait to see where it would take them. The book was beautifully written and had my attention throughout. The twists kept me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as fast as I could. My thoughts kept returning to this book long after I finished reading it.

Keana Sackett-Moomey

Honeycomb by Richard A. Van Vleet is a thrilling tale set in modern-day California. It follows Sam, a 32-year-old actress and real estate agent with a troubled past. While searching for acting jobs, Sam's life becomes enmeshed with Ray, an agent with deep connections to the criminal underworld. When she refuses Ray's advances, she is subjected to illegal monitoring, a terrifying attempted sexual attack, and blackmail by him. She runs into Ian, a DEA agent, whose marine skills and vigilance save her life on many occasions. His protective nature results in a romantic relationship between him and Sam. Unfortunately, Sam and Ian encounter more shocking attacks perpetrated by Ray and his goons. They also have to survive assaults from a dangerous drug cartel and the Russian mafia. Can they endure their harrowing predicament and bring Ray and his cohorts to justice?

Honeycomb by Richard A. Van Vleet is a suspenseful thriller, interlaced with crime, action, and a complicated but intriguing romantic story arc. I love the character development. Whether it's an undercover DEA agent, an actress with a mysterious past, or a villain, the author knows how to keep his characters interesting and well-fleshed out. The author also does an impressive job of balancing the fast-paced action scenes with the emotional moments, making the plot exciting and immersive, especially when the stakes are high. The momentum and story building keep the tension alive. What impressed me the most was how the author handles themes of trauma and trust. While the plot delivers suspense and unexpected twists, the heart of the story lies in mutual support, resilience, and the belief that love can thrive, even when Sam and Ian find themselves in enemy territory. I enjoyed it all. I recommend this novel to crime and suspense thriller enthusiasts everywhere.