I brought this Carolyn Crane out from the depths of my unread Kindle collection, a book I purchased who knows how long ago on the recommendation from someone. Sorry, it is all a bit fuzzy.

I don't typically like romance covers with guns on them but I am also a sucker for a thigh holster so don't @ me. I am always so-so with Romantic Suspense because it is hard to find ones that meet the perfect balance of action and romance for me. Off the Edge skewed a bit over the line into too much action for my personal reading tastes, but I enjoyed reading it.

CWs: violence, so much violence (guns, physical, rape mentioned and threatened, domestic abuse), medical gore, gas lighting, on-page torture.

I loved the concept of a buttoned up linguistics professor who turned into a spy/secret agent/assassin after his family and wife were brutally murdered. He uses his education to pin point where bad actors could be from, narrowing down who they could be based on their speech patterns, dialect, and use of words. VERY intriguing concept and well done here.

Laney, on the run from her awful abusive ex, is hiding in Thailand and moonlighting as a lounge singer where she encounters Macmillan. She thinks he's been hired to bring her back, but he's actually on the hunt for an unknown bad person who is trying to sell a top secret super lethal drone. Of course their paths converge and they finally instantly into lust and then are on the run together, danger bang!

I won't spoil the rest of the plot, but it is definitely OTT. The parts with Laney and Macmillan bantering and explaining their pasts sparkle, I just wish there was more danger banging and less torture/fighting/violence. A bit insta-lusty/lovey for me too, and Laney is really trustworthy of too many people considering her past.

Also there's a magic penis! Laney has never orgasmed with a partner before, I mean, abusive horrible husband so yes I get that, but of course she is able to come more than once with Macmillan their very first time. I wish this was handled more sensitively or not a plot point at all.

I could taste the sour cherry snow cone juice and reveled in McLellan's deft delivery of tenderness and kink. Also

Content warning for depiction of gun violence leading to the death of a non-primary character and threat to children, discussion of PTSD, realistic descriptions of symptoms of PTSD, cheating (not between main characters), and some physical violence.

Imagine if the sexy carpenter on the host of your favorite HGTV show fell for YOU while renovating your house. Sound good? This book will be perfect for you!

Michael and his brothers are the stars, the brains, and the brawn on a popular Canadian house renovating TV show. Their latest project, flipping an old Victorian mansion into a shop/kitchen for a home chef about to launch her own soup business, is the perfect distraction for Michael who is battling PTSD symptoms.

Michael is a hero to everyone except himself for his role in stopping a man who shot and killed his wife from also taking the lives of the children in her home daycare center. Michael is haunted by what he didn't do, which is save her life.

But, as the project commences, Michael has another little problem, namely he's utterly smitten with Emily, the homeowner and chef on this latest project. She's witty, funny, and beautiful, but also engaged. To a jerk.

For Emily, having the Knox brother's flip her nonna's home is a dream come true, the perfect jump start to her new business. Too bad her out-of-work chef fiancee is being completely unsupportive and absentee, plus host and head contractor Michael is very, very distracting.

As the demolition commences, Emily and Michael become fast friends, and more as Emily realizes Trent is not the one for her. But, just as this new romance begins, Michael's refusal to address his mental health struggles threaten to derail everything, especially as Emily offers to get him help.

While this story includes difficult topics, the author does a lovely job of making them fit within the story (not just included for shock), and never uses sex as a magical cure all. Watching Michael face his demons with support from Emily is truly wonderful.