Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey | RE:View

Cold Shot will take you on a ride you won't soon forget with shocking turns, compelling characters, and a threat lingering at every corner. 

This was my first introduction to Dani Pettrey's writing and woozah! Awesome! I was immediately drawn in by her writing style. I really enjoy her descriptions and use of imagery to draw the reader in.

Cold Shot mainly focuses on Griffin McCray and Finley Scott, but the story is filled with other intriguing characters like Griffin's childhood friends Declan and Parker, among others. I loved Griffin and his somewhat grouchy exterior--give me a tough hero any day--but I also liked the other sides to him that are revealed through the book. If we're talking favorite characters though, I think Parker may take the cake...I mean, come one. That Irish accent? *swoon* I also enjoyed Finley's character and her tough, yet delicate sensibility. At first I was a little confused as to what her actual "job" was, because of where we come in at the beginning, but that got cleared up pretty quickly.

As for the plot, loved it! I will say there were a few parts I was almost lost...there is a lot of information given at certain times and, though it's necessary, it felt a little overwhelming at times. It wasn't a distraction though, just a speed bump for me. I also enjoyed the location--hello backyard! She mentioned Severna Park and I was like "woohoo" because I often go up there for photo shoots. But I digress.

@createexploreread

The only things I noticed that I was less a fan of were a few "leaps" the characters made at one point. More like assumptions, I guess? I felt they were a little to convenient for the case. And I felt like Griffin was a little bit too enamored with Finley at the beginning...now, this I would almost not mention, but I'm just being honest here. I can see where there is a foundation for it, but I felt like his thoughts were very...overt? But eh--not a real "issue" to me, just a passing thought. It in no way affected my enjoyment of the book.

As a whole, I really enjoyed Cold Shot and I definitely recommend it. I feel like it was a solid, "team based" romantic suspense. I also loved the approach of multiple viewpoints--it heightens the tension and gives depth to the story. Dani's writing is so solid and I am definitely a fan. Excited to go back and check out her Alaskan Courage series (since a sweet friend just gifted me Submerged, book 1). Dani - you've made me a fan!

Rating: 4.5*
Purchase: Cold Shot (Chesapeake Valor Book 1)

Book Description
(from Dani's website)

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world–and friendships–crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet–until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern–a young social justice lawyer missing since spring–and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper.

When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he’ll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he–and those he cares about–are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.

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I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.