Ash’s review of Hidden Away (KGI Series, Book 3) by Maya Banks
Romantic Suspense published by Berkley 01 Mar 11

After reading the first two books, I was a little worried that Hidden Away would be more of the same thing with different people. I’m very happy to be wrong.

I never had a favorite Kelly brother, until Hidden Away. In the first two books, the focus is so much on each hero that the other brothers are kind of in the background. I have found a favorite, and I wish I could read this book all over again just for him. Garrett is just plain awesome. I wish more heroes are like him. He is the perfect alpha male without going overboard. He does what needs to be done and he won’t apologize for it. I didn’t expecting to enjoy him so much. He is just what Sarah needs after all she has gone through. Sarah is the typical heroine for this series, damaged and in need of protection. She at least tries to save herself, which I appreciate. So while she does need to be saved from physical threats, emotionally she doesn’t need Garrett to save her. I like Sarah, and I like Sarah with Garrett.

Hidden Away is less emotionally driven than the previous two books, and I love that. There is more action, violence, and I really wondered how in the world they would overcome the obstacles in their relationship. Sarah loves her brother and to her he isn’t a bad guy. Seeing him through her eyes makes him more human and not just some villain to be killed off. I almost want there to be some way for him to redeem himself.

As for the secondary characters, I don’t usually like when books switch POVs, but it works here. We get just enough of everyone to want more, and we get to see what is going on with Ethan and Rachel and Sam and Sophie.  Also, the Kelly brothers finally figure out what they should be doing with Rusty, their new sister. I love the scenes with her. Rusty is someone I can relate to in a way and I want her to be happy. I am hoping this series will be sticking around long enough for her to get her happy ending.

My only complaint is that I feel like the ending came together a little too neatly. After all the stress of wondering how Sarah would handle the truth and what would happen with her brother, it all feels rather anti-climatic. A little too much ‘they rode off into the sunset’ for me.

Hidden Away is the best so far, and this is still a series that I am eager for more of. I’m grateful there is no shortage of people to write about and I can’t wait to see who’s next.

Grade: A-

Summary:

A man who shoots first and asks questions later…

Most people would take an all-expenses-paid trip to the beach in a heartbeat. Garrett Kelly only accepts to keep tabs on Sarah Daniels, who’s in hiding after witnessing a murder by Marcus Lattimer, her half-brother—and a personal enemy of KGI. This gig may be beneath a disciplined soldier like Garrett, but if he gets a shot at Lattimer, it will all be worth it…

…and the ultimate moving target.

But Garrett hadn’t counted on falling for Sarah. He’d considered seduction as a tactical maneuver, but when he glimpses Sarah’s dark past, he feels an urgent desire to keep her safe—even after she disappears on him. Garrett doesn’t know exactly who, or what, Sarah’s running from, but whatever it is, she’s running for her life…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series: