Review by Shawna Morgan -- Heartaches 3 by H.M. Irwing

[Shawna Morgan]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Heartaches 3" by H.M. Irwing.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Heartaches 3 - Bad Boy Vibes by H.M. Irwing is the last book in this series. I am anxious to find out what transpires in Anna Simmons and Rafael Brown's romance. The story started out with all the theatrics I have become accustomed to by the author. In order to save Aunt Bella, what better plan than to show what deviants the Preston men are with a little BDSM play? Straight away in Chapter 3, but it has the desired outcome for the characters and a side benefit for new character Suzi Smith.

As the plot develops we come back to the master criminal, Eric Dayton, and his illegal drug business and Rafe has been recruited to take him down. He is to return undercover, in a manner of speaking, and Anna is not happy about this and desperate to try everything to keep Rafe out of the lion's den. Returning from the first book, Brian Simmons may be the answer to her prayers, keeping Rafe by her side.

This is where the story goes downhill for me, I only give it 2 out of 4 stars. This book is written well enough with one typo but one glaring error, that is not typical of this author's other 2 books in the series. Rafe gets a private security job and sets up a house to share with his mother, Sam, until Anna graduates. The problem is Rafe's mom has been deceased since he was thirteen, as explained in the first book. After that declaration, the action in the novel progresses too quickly and sadly, predictably. Before you know it, the villain is dead, and the traitor is unmasked all while we await Anna's ragtag group for the rescue. It just doesn't do the narrative the justice it deserves.

I feel the author rushed the climax of the story; I think she was focused on the tragedy that Anna and Rafe worked through after. While it pertains to the title of the book heartaches, I felt it would have been more poignant had she chosen a less predictable traitor and added more dialogue after the "take down". Also rushed was the Preston family reunion at the conclusion.

Yet I am elated that I got my happy ending for Anna and Rafe and for Pat Cash and Dan Andrews. Because at the start of this novel Dan sent Pat an engagement ring before the Christmas holidays.

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Heartaches 3
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