Chasing Vengeance by Katie Reus

Romantic suspense. Last book in the Redemption Harbor series. It could be read as a standalone but because all the characters from the prior books are in this one, it’s better read subsequent to the prior books.

The hit man falls in love, decides to give up his profession for the heroine but the past isn’t that easy to walk away from. She’s now in danger and it’s up to the whole crew at Redemption Harbor to protect her.

This series was fast moving adventure, danger, romantic connections and generous, deep friendships. Be warned: there is quite a bit of killing bad guys throughout the entire series. It’s not graphic, but the head count is high.
My favorite character was Sky. She was a truly unique agent.
I enjoyed the pattern found in each book. It ramps the tension until the very end.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy of this to share.

Fast paced fun ! An entertaining read you can’t put down, I admit I thought others in the series were better, but this was still a good read. Twists and turns here to keep you guessing, a good plot and likeable characters. Well worth a read , but I recommend you read the other books first,

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

A stunning conclusion to the series. I'm sad to say goodbye but hope that we may get little updates from the gang from time to time!

Xavier is a hitman, a good one. He sees himself as a necessary evil, taking out those who deserve it. But although he is secure in his profession, he also doesn't think he deserved to have a HEA. Especially not one with Layle in it. She deserves nothing but happiness and a good man after the last guy she loved turned out to be a murdering jackass!

Layla thinks she is doomed in the romance department. Her last guy was outwardly perfect, but rotten to the core. Her new infatuation with Xavier seems to be similarly doomed. Especially when she realises what he does for a living. But Xavier is a walking contradiction. He is a good guy who does bad things. He's kind of a hero with a dirty halo!

But as they slip from friends to something else, Xavier realises that he has some work to do if he wants to get out of the friend, then the no strings zone into the permanent entanglement area. He has some competition and Layla is unsure which direction to take. But danger has found her once again and Xavier can't help but blame himself. Now he may have to show her exactly how good he is at his job!

Poor Xavier. He is more confused than anything. He is jealous and possessive of his time with Layla but also thinks he is unworthy of anything more with her. Layla thinks her taste in men is already in question, even before she realises Xavier's profession. Really engaging story and I loved all the layers, you never quite know which way the action is going to go.

Hoping we get to drop on on Sky and the crew in the future - Sky is still my favourite. That woman is scary nutty!!!!

Action, hot guys, feisty independent women... You just gotta love Redemption Harbor! And now the series is over.... :-( But first enjoy Chasing Vengeance with Xavier and Layla. Nova (from Hunting Danger) and her best friend Layla go way back. But when Nova discovers that Layla is having feelings for Xavier, she can't help but warn her off. Xavier has a dark past, just like Axel (from Innocent Target). And since Layla has just escaped her murdering ex, she really needs to stay clear from dangerous men.
Xavier knows that his attraction to Layla can never grow into something. Because when people know she is his weak spot, they will use her to hurt him. As a hitman, Xavier has made a lot of enemies. So, he tries to stay clear from Layla. But when Layla starts dating someone else, all bets are off. However, just as Xavier feared, now someone is out there trying to hurt Layla. But Xavier is not about to let them get to his girl.
Suspense, romance and a lot of funny stories with the other characters of Redemption Harbor. A wonderful read, five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

The Story in 4 Sentences or Less: After escaping her murderous ex, Layla’s faith in her ability to pick men is at best shaken but she’s determined to start over in Redemption Harbor with her best friend Nova’s help. Complicating Layla’s new start is her new friend Xavier who just radiates sexiness and danger, and who doesn’t seem interested in more than friendship with her. Xavier is crazy about Layla except he feels he can’t afford to put her in danger by being with her, he’s a hitman with a long list of enemies but when she is suddenly a target of someone from Xavier’s past, he becomes determined to protect her.




Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? It’s the final book in the Redemption Harbor series and I’m not going to lie, I felt a little lost after I was done reading Chasing Vengeance. Not because it didn’t wrap things up, but because since the first book came out I’ve looked forward to the next adventure, and then the next. I got attached to this group of people and now I don’t know what to do with myself! Hashtag this as readerlost or even serieshangover.

Seriously though, I’m glad Layla got her own story. She first appeared in Hunting Danger, she and Nova go way back and I really liked her and after everything she’d been through deserved her own happy ending. Of course this is Katie Reus I’m talking about so Layla had to fight for her happiness and for her life. Layla could have easily been a wilting, wimpy, wallflower heroine but she wasn’t. I loved that she was willing to fight for what she wanted in her life. No one was going to smother her or treat her like she was damaged. Layla wanted a life on her terms, not someone else’s which was awesome because Xavier had a strong personality that could have easily dominated and crushed a weaker woman.


I liked Xavier but there was one thing he did that bugged me: He had Layla like a yo-yo with his pushing her away when things started to cross the friendship line into the romance department but then yanking her back when she tried to move forward and find a guy that she could have a relationship with. I really felt like kicking Xavier in the chins and telling him “Make up your mind dude, quit messing with her!” He had some caveman tendencies but for the most part they came from a place of deep concern for Layla’s safety. Not an excuse, but it is a reason for some of his bossier tendencies. Not that Layla just let herself be dragged around like a rag doll, she pulled her own weight and that’s what makes Katie Reus an author I always enjoy. She doesn’t dumb down her female characters, or make them less valuable in a life or death situation just so the male character can feel or look like a hero. Her characters watch each other’s backs and they save each other. Layla is no exception even though she doesn’t come from the backgrounds of any of the Redemption Harbor employees. She and Xavier made a solid couple because they balanced each other out in addition to having off the charts chemistry.

Because it’s the last book in the series, Chasing Vengeance had all the previous characters coming in and out and doing their part to help Xavier and Layla. One of this series’ strengths is the strong connection between all the characters. Up until this final book it never felt like I had to say goodbye to my favorites because they were bound to play a big role in a future book. I’m going to miss that. And Skye, who to this day remains my favorite character from the series.

Click It or Skip It? Click It. Goodbyes are always hard but Chasing Vengeance does all the characters justice.

I cannot believe this series is ending. I know all good things must come to an end but it is still sad. Sometimes the end of a series is not the greatest but this book was just as good as the rest of the series. Love the bad boy (real bad boy) who is redeemed. This “family” of characters makes you feel welcome in their world. Xavier and Layla are such great characters. When you read this story, remember tissues are mandatory to finish it.

Katie Reus really seems to have a sure fire romance recipe when she whips up romantic reads in her Redemption Harbor series. Now up to book 7, we once again find ourselves surrounded by intrigue, danger, and a destined to be together love struggling to conquer all, if only Xavier, the hero, would put his hands and heart up in complete surrender.

Quiet, sweet, former damsel in distress Layla was more than ready to be this guy’s leading lady. She’s been patient but seems to be on the brink of having had enough of his mixed, hot and cold signals. In his defense, Xavier’s afraid his current occupation comes with an unacceptable, extreme hazard, the ones he loves could become casualties of his line of work. Not surprisingly, he’d do anything to keep Layla safe.

Fate and Xavier’s worst nightmare collide in a multi-step showdown that ultimately keep these destined to be together lovebirds together once and for always. As usual, in a large part due to the backup of brains, mountain of muscle, and fire power packed by the Redemption Harbor security team.

Title: Chasing Vengeance, Series: Redemption Harbor (Book 7), Author: Katie Reus, Pages: 253, stand-alone but part of a series, good guy assassin hero, both are celibate after meeting, no love triangle, goes to a fundraiser with a guy hoping to move on, very steamy scenes, back and forth conflicted, afraid to love hero, no OW drama.

Book 1 - Resurrection (Skye & Colt), Pages: 250, 7/11/17
Book 2 - Savage Rising (Olivia & Savage), Pages: 250, 9/26/17
Book 3 - Dangerous Witness (Darcy & Brooks), Pages: 300, 1/30/18
Book 4 - Innocent Target (Axel & Hadley), Pages: 250, 5/22/18
Book 5 - Hunting Danger (Nova & Gage), Pages: 261, 9/25/18
Book 6 - Covert Games (Leighton & Lucy), Pages: 300, 1/22/19
Book 7 - Chasing Vengeance (Layla & Xavier), 4/9/19

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

4.25⭐
Chasing Vengeance the final story in Katie Reus's Redemption Harbour Series was an extremely enjoyable read. As it had action, suspense, and a great romance. That had me hooked throughout. Not to mention plenty of humour thanks mainly to Skye. Who for me has been the best character in this series and I loved how the epilogue reflected that. But also brought this series full circle and I would happily recommend it to others.

Bittersweet 😍😢

The final book in the Redemption Harbour series is here and it’s left me with a bittersweet feeling💔

Layla is Nova’s bestie that we met in the previous book, when Nova goes to Layla to help her out of her precarious position. Now, those troubles are over and she’s starting over in Redemption Harbour with her bestie. However, even though she wants to move on, it appears one of her connections has brought danger to her life and once again she’s fighting for normalcy.

Xavier has tried to remain friends with Layla and ignored his attraction to her, for as long as he can. When danger comes to town, he assumes it’s possible one of his enemies has come to make him pay and he quickly steps in to help protect Layla❣️

Loved this story and sad to see the end of this series😢 A big thank you to Katie, the publisher and Netgalley for my advanced copy for which I leave my honest and voluntarily given review.

I love Xavier and Layla. They are complete opposites but they are perfect for each other. This book is bittersweet because it’s the last one in the series. There is intrigue, mystery and humor. I very much enjoyed reading this book! I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

Xavier is a hit man, but only of very bad people. Some are sanctioned by the CIA and some are independent jobs he takes on his own. Because of this, he doesn't feel he deserves the beautiful and sweet Layla. She is the only woman he has ever been drawn to so he takes her friendship figuring that's all he will ever be able to have from her. Layla is in lust with him as well and acts upon it. She feels humiliated when he doesn't respond to her. Poor Layla.
Can these to ever get on the same page?

This is my second story by this author. I just cannot fully get into them.

Chasing Vengeance (Redemption Harbor Security, #7) by Katie Reus ...This is the final book in this series and I will miss all my friends at Redemption Harbor Security. Thanks so much to the publisher and #NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book. This is Layla and Xavier's story.. ( she was saved by the gang at RHS from her evil ex who wanted to kill her) (he is a hit man sometimes for the CIA and sometimes not) He doesn't think he is good enough for her and that he'll put her in danger...she has insecurity problems caused by her no good mother. I fell into this book from the first page and didn't want to leave...there are plenty of twists and turns, laughter, tears, so many old friends, danger and steamy sex all getting us to our final HEA. This book can be read as a stand alone ...but I suggest you read the complete series..you will love it.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Witty Romantic Happily Ever After Entertaining Easy-to-read Great world building Wonderful characters Action-packed Steamy Page-turner Funny

Layla and Xavier's love story keeps the reader on the edge of their seat through all the action. Layla is Nova's best friend and non-blood sister from their formative years in foster care. Layla just recently escaped from her mob connected fiancee's clutches - with the help or Nova and Gage. She relocated to Redemption Harbor to be closer to Nova and possible repercussions from turning states evidence against her ex-fiancee's mob connections. It has been a year and now and she is attempting to get her life back on track again - working as a teacher and possibly finding love again.

Xavier and Layla meet at their mutual friends wedding. Axle and Xavier served together in the military and were both contract killers for the CIA and others. Xavier is taken in by the beauty of Layla - but is afraid to tell her what he really does for a living. He too lost his parents when he was young - the difference is that his grandmother and aunts raised him. He joined the military at the suggestion of a judge - he was told that if he didn't he would be dead before he was thirty (by being a gang-banger). Little does Xavier know that a person from his past is seeking revenge - by targeting Layla to get to him.

The reader wants the two to get together - but we know that there has to be some type of struggle to make them realize that they truly love each-other. I don't want to give the story away - so I recommend anyone loving Cherry Adair's books or Lucy Monroe to read Katie Reus.

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Sadly the time is upon us to wave farewell to the Redemption Harbor team and seeing us out are Layla and Xavier,

“...he was a killer who didn’t deserve her, but here they were.”

This is a couple who soon discover being together brings danger to their door and, as has become the MO with this series, Chasing Vengeance is fast paced, steamy and heartfelt featuring a guy who is just the right amount of alpha and a woman strong enough to test his resolve.

“She owned a part of him he’d thought was long dead.

With no shortage of action and suspense to boot this was an enjoyable finale to the series which introduced me to Katie Reus’ writing. And, if she ever does decide to take us back to Redemption Harbor, I’d be totally onboard with that

I'm sad to see this is the final book in the series. I love the mix of good and anti-hero characters that have come together to form this security team. They don't always follows the rules but they do only target the bad.

Xavier is a hit man, friend to former hit man and one of the newer members of the Redemption Harbor Consulting team, Axel. He met Layla at Axel and Hadley's wedding and he just can't seem to walk away. Unfortunately, he believes he isn't good enough for so he keeps them in the friend zone.

If anyone deserves a happy life, it's Layla. Her story is pretty sad and man did I feel for her. I wanted to kick Xavier for holding back with her. I did love the moments of jealous and possessive behavior he portrays with her and he was super protective of her. It just took him a bit longer to learn to be protective of her feelings as well.

As much as I have loved all the couples in this series, Skye is still my favorite. She plays a big role in all the books and I just love her character! This is a great series and I highly recommend it for all the romantic suspense lovers.

I love Redemption Harbor and am so sad to see this series come to an end! I have enjoyed Layla since she was first introduced and was happy to see her finally get her HEA! Xavier is a somewhat mysterious hero, but you can clearly see how much he loves Layla. The plot moved fast and kept me engaged. This was quick and exciting read. I will admit that for the last book of the series, I was hoping for a touch more form the epilogue...but I'm greedy like that :) Looking forward to see what Ms. Reus has in store for us next!

*I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

What a way to end a series. This book was so good. Xavier is afraid that because he is a hitman that he is not good enough for Layla. But,when she goes on a date he gets super possessive. Whew..that night was a hot one. Layla is very strong. I love that Xavier loves her so much but is afraid of what he could bring to her life. This book was funny, hot, and exciting. An awww moment was when Xavier had to give up his passcode. I also loved his Abuela. The ending was perfect.

Wow, what a wild ride! I should be embarrassed to say this, but I've purchased many books written by this author, but I haven't read them yet - yikes! Now, I'm wondering what took me so long because she certainly knows how to write alpha men/military/romantic suspense. I'm a bit upset with myself that I started reading this series with this book (I think it's the series finale) but that being said, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and wasn't confused reading about the other characters from the previous books. Obviously, I'm off to read the rest of the series now -- in order! I loved Xavier and Layla's chemistry and their interactions with the other characters, but I especially liked the action/suspense and unique storyline. It felt like I was watching a really good action movie unfold! Excellent writing and a very enjoyable 5-star read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

Chasing Vengeance is Xavier and Layla’s story, and the last book in the Redemption Harbor series. Short, but full of action, Chasing Vengeance was an exciting story. Xavier was such a bad ass but I guess that is to be expected from a hit man, and Layla was sassy and I loved how she wouldn’t let him walk all over her.

Overall it was a great conclusion to the series.

I loved this book!i have read Katie Reus before but not this particular series. This, I believe is the final book. That being said, I was able to follow it fine and of course I am now binging the rest in the series! Loved it and thank you for the arc!