Each time I read a book in this series, it just gets better and better. Catherine Bybee brings us back to the girls who attended The Richter School. There is a lot of mystery to this school that boils on the surface of what really goes on behind the wall of the school. One of those students is Jax Simon, her parents sent her there and she never fully understands why, and when she leaves and has started to work for the world famous McBain Security company, things at the school start to unravel. And so does Jax’s family. She is called back to England by her older brother when the family in in crisis.

Jax’s is picked up at the airport by who she believes is a chauffeur sent by her brother, but it turns out that Andrew Craig is her brother’s best friend and the chemistry between these two is off the charts, but Andrew wants to help Jax find out what is going on in her family, and the secrets that have been hidden and what those secrets when they come to light will do to the future of her family.

From the 1st book, I always liked Jax’s character. And I loved how down to earth she is, but still a little bit vulnerable for who she felt about her upbringing before she was sent off to school. Her lasting friendship with Claire and her interactions with the McBain group. And I loved that Andrew, he was so not your staid English business man. And the more involved the two became, they knew that they could trust each other and when Jax’s life is threatened he will do everything to make sure she is safe from harm. I always try to read Catherine’s books slowly, but she she just has you wanting to find out what is going to happen to characters next and you just have to finish the book... And you know there is more to come in this series.

Thank you, Catherine and her team, for allowing me to read this ARC. This is most definitely a 5 Star read.

Organic Romance - In A Romance Book???? Let's face it, so many times in a romance book, the romance feels at least somewhat contrived. "Oh, you're *really* going to go completely against your established character for this person you just randomly met?" kind of stuff. This isn't the case here. Instead, Bybee crafts one of the more genuinely organic romances I've ever seen in a romance book... while still having her lead female kick ass and take names later. Fans of the Richter books largely know what you're getting into here, and while this *does* work as a standalone, there *are* a lot of established external characters and backstories that you're going to want to know up front. Thus, while you don't have to go *all* the way back to its actual origins a couple of series ago, I absolutely recommend at minimum starting with Richter #1 and working your way to this book. But if you do... you're going to want to get here anyway. :) Very much recommended.

This was an unexpected read for me! I dove into this story and was thoroughly engrossed in the story from the beginning. I love that the heroine is a skilled spy and can handle her own. Andrew is what she needs during this transitional time of her parents divorcing and uncovering her past secrets. It is more suspense heavy than romance heavy, but I thought it was perfectly blended. Definitely a great rom suspense with the heroine being the one leading the action!

This is the 3rd book in the Richter series and I think it’s the best so far. I always enjoy books by this author, but Jax’s story was special.

Jax went through a lot in her life, and the drama continues, bringing her back to London. She’s still working private investigations with Neil and his company, and those skills come in handy when her brother summoned her to London for a family issue. As usual in this series, there is mystery, intrigue and a bit of sexy romance all mixed together, making it a fast and fun read.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

An Unexpected Distraction (Richter #3) by Catherine Bybee

MY RATING: 3.5/5 stars

I'm a big fan of Catherine Bybee. I've read a dozen of her other novels including her 'Creek Canyon' and 'Not Quite' series. I've thoroughly enjoyed them all. This is the third installment in a series of standalones. The Richter school is a German military academy that trains children to become spies and assassins. The series follows The Richter school graduates on their various missions and love affairs. This novel is about Jax & Andrew <3 I've read the other two titles in the series and I've been really looking forward to Jax' book. She deserves a HEA

Check out An Unexpected Distraction (Richter #3) by Catherine Bybee and be sure to get this romantic suspense novel wherever you buy books! The title is available for free upon release with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.

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TAGS: fiction, romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense

*Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake & Catherine Bybee for providing a free eARC in exchange for my honest review #RichterSeries #AnUnexpectedDistraction #NetGalley @NetGalley #Montlake #CatherineBybee @catherinebybee

Intrigued was the first word that came to my mind as I read this book.

Going in I was a bit skeptic about liking it - I hadn't read the first two books in the series (but it can be read as a standalone) but as I continued reading, it became more exciting.

Very interesting book. Will be going back and reading the other books in the series.

The third Richter story stars Jax Simon. She is called home by her brother to let her know that her parents are planning to divorce. Jax is surprised since they seemed all right. But what would she know? She was sent to Richter at 12 and hadn't lived at home for any extended period of time since then. The last six years have been spent in California and working for McBain Security and Solutions with her best friend Claire.

McBain Security and Solutions has let her use a lot of the skills she developed at Richter. She speaks five languages, uses a gun, and is an expert computer hacker. She's a female James Bond without the government ties.

Since Richter was outed as a school that sometimes trained students who ended up working as assassins for the wrong side, McBain has been watching it to see that it doesn't drift back to its evil ways. Now, there are hints that it may be leaning back to the dark side. Jax still doesn't know why her parents decided to send her to Richter, but the possibility of family secrets needing concealment is not off the table.

Along with her brother Harry's good friend Andrew, Jax is trying to uncover the reasons for her parents' divorce and whether those reasons have anything to do with her attendance at Richter. Jax and Andrew's relationship got off to a less than stellar beginning when he met her at the airport and she mistook him for a hired driver. The romance began after that misunderstanding was cleared up.

This was an enjoyable, fast-paced and suspenseful romantic suspense title. I liked both Jax and Andrew and thought they were well matched despite the many differences they have.

This was my first book in the Richter series and I LOVED IT! (it had a a bit of a Masters and Mercenaries vibe)
Jax was a total badass, without being reckless; I liked how steadfast she was in her support to her mother even if they had been estranged. I'd have loved to know more about the family secret, maybe an honest conversation between Jax and her father, but I guess in real life all is not so neatly tied.

Andrew was a great love interest, it's not that common to find a good supporting man for a badass like Jax. He was a great listener, honest and open about his interest. He also brought spontaneity and fun to the story.

just finished the book, i can say it was absolutely fantastic. this series got better with each book and jax's was one i was highly looking forward to. needless to say, i was not disappointed.
i loved jax in this book. her personality, the way she handled all the situations was so good. i loved her growth with andrew. andrew gave jax so much space and was so slow and patient with her. i loved to see the development of their relationship.
both the characters were very well written. i loved the fact that this book did not have any unnecessary drama. the book surely does live up to its title.
this is easily my favourite book of the series.

Another great addition to the series!
I was really excited to read Jax's story. I love how are these characters are a close knit family, not related by blood by choice. When Jax meets Andrew, I knew things were about to heat up! Catherine did not disappoint, the chemistry was smokin' hot; I loved these two together.
I was a little disappointed at the mystery/suspense of this novel. Where the first two books was chalked full of it from the start, this third book took its sweet time to get into the suspenseful scenes. What brings Jax to home to London wasn't a nail biting event and the initial PI work wasn't necessary until much later in the book.
But it did come together in the end and the there were some pretty intense scenes. I've loved this series and this author!

Jax Simon is called home to England by her brother to figure out why their parents are getting a divorce. She’s a trained operative and her brother thinks she can get answers where he can’t. Ultimately, Jax’s investigation reveals more secrets than they bargained for, bringing her back to Richter, the military boarding school that shaped her education and fighting skills. Are they ready to hear the answers to her family secrets? With lots of twists and turns, this is an excellent romantic thriller which I highly recommend!

This book is my new favorite in the series and the ending has me dying for the next one! Jax is a tarring indpendent woman but it was great to see her open up to Andrew. You could read this as a stand-alone but honestly why would you, the series is great!

I really enjoyed this story overall with it's twisting plot, ongoing mystery, great characters and fun dialogue.

Andrew is sent to pick up Jax at the airport when she returns home at her brother's request and she mistakes him for a hired driver. They hit it off and he ends up joining her in her investigation into Richter, her old alma mater (he's in finance so definitely not in his comfort zone). Things get crazy and they realize there's more to their relationship, even though they haven't known each other long. The mystery at Richter still isn't solved so it looks like there may be another episode to this series (I hope so!)

The only downside is the lack of editing to correct the many typos, punctuation errors, incorrect word usages and lack of using connecting words (and, but, etc.) in place of commas in sentences to make them read correctly and more easily. This appears very unusual for Ms. Bybee so this may be an unedited version released as an ARC through NetGalley. This is the only reason for not giving this book five stars..
#netgalley

I waited for this book for what seems like forever. I am constantly checking blogs and websites to see when Catherine Bybee has a new book out. Maybe a bit stalkerish lol I just love love love her books. They draw me in and I feel like I am there. Great storylines in all of her books. I constantly am re-reading to gear up for more!

Never disappointed by a Catherine Bybee book. Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone book. Enjoy the romance, intrigue and spy craft. A family secret fractures Jax family and has long reaching ramifications but also draws strained relatives closer.
A page turner as always. Enjoy I did

Total fan of Cahterine. What can I say. I liked this book. Must read. Do it. If you do anything else. Read this book today. Great read and enjoyable.

This is a great series that is both romance and suspense/action packed. Jax's story was just as great as Claire and Sasha's.

The halls of Richter certainly made some strong, deadly women, but the loyalty and friendship they gained from a boarding school training them as assassins is something Jax definitely wouldn't give up.

Her story takes her back to London to the parents who barely acknowledge her existence. Trouble between her parents opens up a whole new can of worms at Richter, but luckily for Jax opens her heart to her "driver" who happens to be her brother's best friend.

Andrew cannot help but be fascinated by the likes of Jax. Hot, sexy, intelligent, deadly!! While his heart is open to Jax, his eyes are too soon when he sees her "in action".

This MacBain Security group once again brings you in to the heart of the story with their intense investigations and fierce friendship and loyalty.

This was a great book and once again I look forward to the next in this series!!

I have read all of Catherine Bybee's books and each time I read one I say it is my favorite. Well, this may be truly the case with An Unexpected Distraction.

Catherine is a master of bringing the story to life When I picked up the book I thought I will just get chapters in tonight. Ha! I was up into the wee hours of the morning, which was about halfway through.

You will not want to miss how this turns out!

I received an ARC for my honest review of the book

This series has been one fascinating read after another. While the romance has not always been high on the storyline, this time it’s very much intertwined with everything that’s going on. Andrew and Jax were wonderful together. Their relationship did not fuel the drama, but it developed organically along the way. I couldn’t stop reading and this book quickly catapulted into my top favorite of the series.

I really liked how this mystery centered so much on Jax and her family as well as Richter. I didn’t have a clue who was doing what and where it was all going to end. Jax was an awesome heroine. While she was one tough individual, she also was fun, loyal, and dedicated. She didn’t appear to be hardened as much as others from Richter making her even more likeable to me.

Andrew was deliciously swoony in his courtship of Jax. He had a great sense of humor and it felt as though he were bringing something into her life she had been missing for so long. He wasn’t hugely alpha in his behaviors, but when it got down to the nitty gritty, there was no denying he would do anything for her.

This is definitely a pulse racing read with plenty of interaction with past characters and a nice little set up for future books in the series. I’m excited to see where it’s all going to go.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat! It’s fast paced, sometimes presenting more questions than answers. The interactions and close relationship of the MacBain team make great story building, and the chemistry and romance add to the drama and suspense to bring together a page turning mystery. Jax and Andrew are wonderful characters, and I loved their story! I hope to see more in this series!