Wendy the Super Librarian’s review of The Man Behind The Cop by Janice Kay Johnson
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin SuperRomance 1 May 08
The next time someone whips out a sanctimonious tone and informs me that all Harlequins are fluffy, nonsensical escape fantasies I’m going to find a copy of this book and throw it at them. Hard.
The Man Behind The Cop is my favorite type of romance – the emotionally messy kind. The kind where bad things happen to good people, and the reader spends the entire novel holding their breath in anticipation. This story is not an easy read. It’s not a fluffy one. It’s so darn gut-wrenching that I found myself saying the mantra, “It’s a romance, there will be a happy ending” over and over again. It’s one heck of an emotional roller coaster ride.
Karin Jorgenson is a psychologist who counselors battered women. She hears about the worst men every working day of her life, so naturally she’s still single. However, she loves her work, is devoted to her clients, and doesn’t realize what she’s missing until Bruce Walker walks through her office door.
Bruce is a police officer who survived a less than stellar childhood. His father was violent, beating his wife and berating his children. Bruce left home the moment he could, and did not look back. However, his work as a cop means he lands quite a few domestic violence cases. He agrees to teach a self-defense class at Karin’s office, only to have tragedy strike. An abusive husband attacks his wife, one of Karin’s clients, and kidnaps their two small children.
As the woman lies in a coma, Bruce works the case, but always comes back for Karin’s insight and help. They find themselves attracted to each other, but a relationship between them is complicated. They see the worst in human nature every day, and Bruce is convinced his father has tainted him. How can he dare to fall in love, have a family, when this seed of violence is buried inside of him?
There is a lot going on in this story – from the budding romance, Bruce’s haunted past, and the criminal investigation. There’s also a secondary storyline involving Bruce’s work as a Big Brother, and the young man he spends time with. It adds rich detail to the story, and packs a big emotional punch. That being said, readers looking for “just the romance please” may find all of this heartbreak a distraction. I did not, and saw it as painting a larger picture of who Bruce and Karin truly were, and what obstacles stood in the way of a possible relationship.
This isn’t a shiny, happy story for the majority of the novel. It’s hard to read, because it literally rips your guts out. But that’s the magic of romance. Because no matter what terrible stuff may happen, readers know that somehow the author is going to make it all better by the final page. The ending here is a bit overly dramatic, and I’m not sure how a real life police officer would feel about the climactic finish, but dang if it doesn’t make for fantastic fiction. This truly is a marvelous story, even if it’s not always easy to read.
Grade: A-
Summary:
Being a big-city cop and being in control means everything to Bruce Walker. He knows how destructive a man can be when given the chance. That’s why he’s vowed never to get involved.
All that changes the moment he meets psychologist Karin Jorgenson. The connection between them is instant, intense…something he’s tempted to explore. Regardless of how Bruce feels, though, he can’t let go of everything he knows. His control is even more important now that they’re involved in a domestic violence case. Karin insists he’s a different man than the one he sees in the mirror. But can he trust her-and himself-enough to open his eyes and see it, too?
Read an excerpt here.
I love this review.
I just wanted to say that. I have a hard time with books though I KNOW I am going into to be punched in the gut. BUT because you read Karen T for me I shall read this for you.
It better be DAMN good.
No pressure or anything… tra la la…
Is it out like in stores now? LE SIGH they should have drive through book stores.
It’s a great review, Wendy–I’ll look for it.
Syb, drive through book stores? I’m soooooooo there!
This is on my TBR pile. It’s just moved to the top after reading this!!
Hmmmmm – I’ve never tried one from this line before. Your review has pretty much guaranteed that will change!!!
I’ve been a fan of JKJ since reading Whose Baby? several years ago. She writes emotional and ‘meaty’ stories and it always amazes me how she can do it within this format. This one sounds wonderful and I’m definitely going shopping. Sybil, LOL, I love the idea of a drive-thru bookstore… why hasn’t anyone thought of it before?
Sybil: I haven’t actually wandered into a bookstore, but this should be out now. I think HSRs laydown on the first of the month.
Drive-thru bookstores would be great, but only when you’re in a hurry and know what you want. I’m too much of a wanderer I’m afraid and like to fondle books, cuz I’m warped like that.
Hope you enjoy it Tracy!
Kristie: I think you’d like this one.
Renee: Expect more of the same with this book. It’s very emotional and there’s a lot of “meat” to the story. I was very impressed with the way the author juggled all the sub plots.
Cuz no one is as lazy as we are renee?
There is always ebooks… ::looks over to the ebookwise in the box:: I took it out the other day. I think I will have gwen set it up. WHAT? I mainly use ebooks to read on the computer at work.
oh don’t look at me like that… like you have never done that. But you CANT do that with DRM’ed stuff. cries
Although if Harlequin ever gets rid of the DRM I would spend WAY too much in ebooks there so it is prolly best they keep it. I know my ocdness.
Thanks for the review. This sounds like a book that I don’t want to miss.
I just bought this book, I like the title of it. Based upon your review it is going to the top of my TBR pile.