This appears to be the 2nd book in a series and I had not read the first book. It still works as a stand alone, but you can tell the characters had some history. The story line was pretty solid for a romance novel and the characters were likable. Some of the plot was a bit out of the realm of reality, but again, for a romance novel it flowed. I would read another book by this author..

I also read the first book in this series and liked them both. In this book, I liked the characters. The struggles they were both going through made them a good match. However, it was a predictable scenario if you read the first one. For that I gave it four stars. I will read the next one if Natalie gets a book.

This was a good fast read. This is the second book in the series but totally standalone (I haven’t read the first book and while there was reference to what happened in the first book, those events didn’t impact the events of this book.. Dawn is a personal trainer who asks Leland to help uncover why her gym’s WiFi is acting up. There is some intrigue as they try to figure out the whys and then tackle the issues to get to their HEA. I liked both characters a lot, especially Leland. They both have backstories that make them sympathetic characters. This book was steamy but in a way, building the characters would likely have been better to make readers more invested. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy!

This was such an exciting book. Lots of mystery and suspense. Leland is one sexy and intense computer geek. Dawn is a physical trainer goddess. This book is an easy and enjoyable read that had me reading as fast as I could turn the pages. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I thought there would be more in this book, I’ll explain what I mean. Dawn never got to even see his penthouse or get to go on a NYC date with him. Dawn never got to fly on the private jet to somewhere to investigate what was going on. Dawn got to work at the gym and take him to dinner in her neighborhood and it was never mentioned if she got to eat the lasagna, it only mentioned he ate it on the ride back to NYC. There was a very predictable plot line and the most interesting part was when they jumped into the pool to dodge bullets. It was a rather bland story to read, no action, adventure or even storytelling in this book. Overall I was quite disappointed because I love this author and her previous book in this series was amazing!! This one could use a little more adventure and more getting to know each other other than sex. I was just waiting and waiting for something to exciting to happen in this book but it never came.

Started off strong but about halfway in I was bored and skipped chapters. The ending was a little farfetched and the dialogue was not genuine. The epilogue was cute

Received as an ARC from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

This is a perfectly good read with nice characters who deserve their HEA. The attempt to move into the Romantic Thriller market - doesn't quite make it in my opinion. This is no JJ Robb series and I'm afraid the h/H are no Eva and Roarke.

Perhaps the Coronavirus lockdown and thus the amount I am reading just now - is making me hypercritical but I just found this an OK read but nothing special.

The Hacker is book two in Nancy Herkness' series: The Consultants. I think it could be read as a stand alone with no problem, but there are references to characters and situations that took place in the first book, so if you're anything like me you'll probably want to read that one first.

Dawn likes her job and her boss. So when the gym where Dawn works starts getting a lot of complaints about their faulty internet signal from their members who like to listen to music, watch videos, etc while they work out she she wants to help her boss. Dawn's friend Alice suggests she contact her fiance's company KRG consulting as they have an outreach program to help small businesses.

Dawn reaches out to Leland Rockwell, the firm's IT guru who is intrigued by the problem and by Dawn, and offers to help. Before you know it they're tangled up with all sorts of trouble including the dark web, drug cartels and gunrunners.

A fast paced story that combines romance, with a bit of mystery and suspense.

I'm a big fan of Nancy Herkness. The Hacker did not disappoint. I would recommend it.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I realy enjoyed it.
This is a romance with a suspence aspect, Dawn is a trainer at a gym where theres been internet problems and when leeland a hacker she contacts to hepl solve the problem, gets involved, the stumble with criminal activity.

I liked the dynamic between the main characters and the depth the author gave them, how the relationship progressed and the attatchemt they developed towards each other without feeling like they were obsessed with as usually happens in romance.
There are some sex scenes which i found well written and well thought out.
I will definitely read more of the authors books.

There are a lot of flavors to romantic suspense - but this one is a really really good one! Dawn is a really amazing person. She has a kind of quiet strength that is really admirable. After dropping out of college she has truly reinvented herself as a personal trainer and self-defense expert. When something goes wonky with the Wi-Fi at the gym she works at, she calls in a favor with her bff's fiance's company to get some high level tech support.

Enter Leland - Leland is a sexy nerd. He's been struggling with his mother's recent death. He's become even more of a workaholic than usual. He's met Dawn before - but the wi-fi issue brings them together in a very real way. It turns out Dawn is everything Leland needs, and Leland really helps to heal Dawn's trauma.

I adored them together and thought they had great chemistry. Leland is extremely protective of Dawn - but doesn't try (to hard) to stop her from making her own choices and supports her in a very real way. He is very serious about her safety and comfort levels at all times.

Overall - this is a great read and although the villains are never much in the dark - it is still very suspenseful.

Content Warning - <spoiler> sexual assault description and subsequent cover-up, plus the sudden death of a parent.</spoiler>

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own,

****The Hacker. Dawn, a trainer at a gym that has been experiencing Internet problems also is a survivor of a situation that has left her wary and suspicious. Leland is the computer expert trying to find out who is commandeering gym clients’ cellphone service for nefarious purposes. Working together reveals the attraction both feel, but what Leland learns could put Dawn’s life in danger again. Ms. Harkness has created a suspenseful, well written story that keeps the reader on edge until the end. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley.

This was only okay for me. The plot was too unbelievable even for a romantic suspense. The steamy scenes were good but there wasn't enough of the romace to keep me sustained. I usually try to write longer reviews but this book was just so bland I have nothing left to say.

Blog name: Storytellers by Marlou
Expected posting date: I don't know yet, as I'm currently on hiatus from blogging.

Well, well, well... That was a steamy and quirky romance story. I do think The Money Man was a little better, The Hacker felt a little more rushed and unfinished, but it was still a good book.

Writing style: Herkness writing is fun, quirky, not too detailed, and just makes for a quick read. So when Consultants book two came by on Netgalley I knew I had to request it and I read it immediately when I got approved.

Characters: Most romance novels don't have properly fleshed out characters, but Herkness' characters have a little more personality and they all have a solid backstory that you can't wait to unravel. Their actions are also driven by their problematic past and throughout the story they find out that together, their past might not have to be so overwhelming. Together they can conquer all.

Story: There was a lot of steamy sex, which you won't hear me complain about. I love me a sexy snutty romance. BUT. And yes, there's definitely a but. The plot suffered because they were having so much sex. All the other parts of the plot were way too rushed and that was disappointing.

I'm still giving this book three stars, because it was fun, it had great characters and Herkness knows how to write and keep things interesting even with a faulty plot. I will definitely be reading Consultants #3 when it releases.

This was my first read of Nancy Herkness, so luckily I found book 1 of this series on KU and read that first. I would say it is completely necessary, but there are characters and such that overlap. In this story, we have Dawn and Leland who stumble upon criminal activity at the gym where Dawn works. While investigating, they give in to the mutual attraction that has building since their friends (who are now engaged) met. Their chemistry is hot! I've enjoyed the author's storytelling and it looks like I have a new author in my rotation!

This is the second book in "The Consultants" series. I actually enjoyed this book better than the first one. This was a much more believable plot line although having bad guys selling military quality weapons from a gym in NJ did require a bit of a stretch! I really liked Leland Rockwell's character. It was refreshing to see someone who admitted his sadness and difficulty adjusting after his mother's passing. Dawn Galioto was a trainer who asks for Leland's help in fixing wi-fi problems at her gym and in the process unearths criminal activity there. The relationship between Leland and Dawn was believable and enjoyable. I would recommend this one!

I was given a free ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.