Friday, August 25, 2023

~Release Blitz & Review: Pearl by Freya Barker~

Title: Pearl (Gem Series, #2)

Author: Freya Barker

Genre: Romantic Suspense-Slow Burn Romance

Release Date: August 25, 2023

GEM: a privately-funded organization operating independently in the search for—and the rescue and recovery of—missing and exploited children. Although, at times working in conjunction with law enforcement, GEM aims to ensure the victims receive justice…by whatever means necessary.

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Operator Pearl; layered, mysterious, a protector.

She masks as delicate, analyzes, and moves stealthily.

Hot on the trail of a young accomplice in a child exploitation ring, Pearl finds herself posing as a teenager to get close. Unfortunately, joining a group of kids on a wilderness quest means stepping out of her comfort zone and into uncertainty. But with the target in her sights her focus stays razor-sharp.

The last thing she needs is the dogged journalist who’s been close on her heels catching up and rattling her cage. When he inserts himself into her investigation, she has no choice but to go along.

Thrown together in a mutual pursuit of justice, the negative energy between them sparks up in a new way.

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO |

Review:

4.5 Stars

This is the second book in the series and it's just as good as the first. We return with the GEM and it's Pearl's turn. Journalist Lee rubs her the wrong way, but as the work together on a new case she sees a whole new side of him. Then they aren't rubbing each other the wrong way. I love how Lee enjoys needling Pearl because the cool as cucumber character always gives him some reaction. The sparks fly off those two. This book has me on the edge of my seat several times as they investigate some unsavory characters and find a missing teen. Lee has the delightful surprise of a little girl Yana. She is such a cutie!! Loved that little addition to this story. If Lee wants any kind of relationship with Pearl he needs to break down her walls, but I think he is up to the challenge. This book has the perfect combo of heart, heat, humor, and suspense. It pulls you in right from the beginning and you won't want to come up for air until your are finished.

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories. With forty-plus books already published, she continues to create characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy. Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, and Finalist for the 2020 Kindle Book Award with “When Hope Ends”, Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!