Tabs’ review of Stalked (Predators, Book 4) by Jamie Begley
Contemporary Romance published by Young Inc Press 30 May 18

Jamie Begley is one of those writers whose books I can’t seem to quit, even though I spend a lot of time hollering at them while reading. This latest entry in the Predator’s series was no different. Zoey is a professional life coach who shares office space with two wives of Predators Motorcycle Club members. When she rescues a dog outside of her offices, it sets off a series events that keeps putting her in the path of club member Stump. They’re total opposites and the only thing they have in common is unexplained affection for Stump’s mostly unlikable dog.

When the club realizes that Zoey is in danger from a serious stalker, and that their wives are also in danger just by proximity, Stump is put on the case. Antagonism eventually turns into boot-knocking, just as you’d expect. Unfortunately, the romance doesn’t even start to develop until well after the 50% mark of this book, so the whole thing reads more like comedic fiction than romance.

There are a number of things I actively dislike about this book. I knew there was going to be a stalker based on the title and blurb, but it’s more intense than I expected it to be. There’s a part where Stump  comments that “[he’d] seen some scary shit in his life, but none had made his blood run cold as what he was watching on the monitor in front of him,” and the thing that freaked him out really freaked me the hell out as well. In addition to being disturbing, the suspense plot resolution just made me irate. I actually yelled “ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME WITH THIS SHIT” at it. I was not a happy camper. I was, however, a reader who felt cheated and like my time had been wasted.

This is not a good book. The romance is nonexistent for half of the story and not all that believable once it actually did start. Stump is a pretty all-around unlikable character and he spends a great deal of time calling his heroine a kook and a bitch, so I don’t know how I was supposed to cheer for his happily ever after once he decided he actually didn’t hate her. The suspense plot resolution was a major letdown, and more than one plot point is left just dangling in the wind for no good reason. I haven’t quit reading Begley’s books because, even when they piss me off, they still generally entertain me. I didn’t find any part of this book entertaining.

Grade: D

Summary:

There are some days it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed. 

My girlfriend kicked me out. Then, even my dog didn’t want me, so he ran away. My boss fired me when I called to let him know I was going to be late. And to put the cherry on top of the crap sundae, I accidentally doused a woman in water who had more followers than brain cells.

As if becoming one of the most hated men in Queen City wasn’t bad enough, some lunatic was stalking the popular life coach I had soaked. The fucker should be running from Zoey, not watching, especially with me protecting her. Some fuckers must learn the hard way, and I’m going to be the one to teach him. You don’t mess with anyone who belongs to a Predator. 

It was a perfect day … until I met Stump. 

I found a new friend, reached half a million followers, and was on the brink of putting my past behind me when the crazy biker accused me of stealing his dog. To make matters worse, he then blamed me for people hating on him. He did that with no help from me. I don’t blame the dog for running away. I would, too, if I belonged to him.

My skills as a life coach don’t work on him. I might not be able to change the irritating Predator, but I’m not above using him to catch the one who wants me dead.

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series: