Book Review
Wired
by Julie Garwood
Penguin Random House © 2017
Buchanan-Renard #13
Summary:
Liam Scott has a problem. He has a leak inside of the FBI that he must uncover before more cases are put in jeopardy. He needs an outsider to look into the leak quickly and discreetly. He needs a hacker.
Allison Trent is a college senior and a hacker capable of getting in and out of government systems without being detected. She is also a part-time model with no interest in working for Liam Scott or the FBI.
Can these two come together to plug the leak before serious damage is done?
My Thoughts:
I read Julie Garwood historical romance novels when I was in school. To be honest, they were my favorite escape from homework. I was enamored of the charm and wit characteristic of a Julie Garwood heroine, and I was excited to read this newer release, having not had the pleasure of a Julie Garwood read in quite some time.
I must say, I had a good time reading this book. Though this is book 13 of the Buchanan-Renard series, readers do not have to be familiar with the other books in order to understand what happens in this adventure. I enjoyed the pacing of the story, moving briskly enough that it kept my interest throughout the quick 302 pages. The story captured my attention and kept me tuned in for the few hours I read the book.
That said, I cannot tell you that I loved this book. In fact, if not for the nostalgia factor, I would probably dislike this book based on 2 big things: Allison Trent and Liam Scott.
Allison Trent is a drop-dead gorgeous model (both print and runway). She is also a computer hacker who is talented enough that her college professors seek her advice on coding. She can solve a jigsaw puzzle in mere minutes just by looking at the pieces and putting the puzzle together in her head “like her brain is a computer”. She is an orphan, taken in by her Aunt and Uncle at the age of 4. They proceeded to emotionally abuse, control and steal from her even after she left and moved into an apartment with college friends, yet she is too kind hearted to really take up for herself. She even goes to bat for her criminal of a cousin to try to keep him out of jail after he commits another felony. Because her heart is so pure and so kind.
Liam Scott is a “hot shot” FBI agent with a rock-hard perfect body. He is also an attorney. He might also be the only FBI agent in the City of Boston (even when he is supposed to be in London) because every time Allison is in trouble, Liam is always mere minutes from her side.
I am used to suspending disbelief in order to read romantic thrillers, I really am. But the sheer perfection of these two characters stretches the suspension of disbelief further than a NY pizzaiolo stretching pizza dough. Some relatability would have made these characters just a smidge more relatable, thus more likeable. It would also have saved me from having sore eyes – they rolled a lot toward the end of this book. Could she be less of a real person? Could he be more of a white-knight stereotype?
I was also disappointed that this story just wrapped up. There were three antagonists in this story, all of which were just disposed of within a few pages as though they were not an important part of the story. Oh, and the dust jacket tells us that “Allison is hiding secrets from Liam that she doesn’t want the FBI to uncover, but Liam will do nearly anything to persuade her to join his team …” Yeah, so that part was done by page 81. The dust-jacket plot is basically over by page 141.
So, really nostalgia for Julie Garwood kept me from abhorring this book with the fiery passion as intense as 1,000 burning suns. Instead, it was just meh.
Saving Grace remains my favorite Julie Garwood novel.