From the cover I was expecting more smut but I really enjoyed the storyline and loved the characters.

The Nighthawks were one big family and all looked out for each other which gave it a lovely feel. Even though each of them went through some tough times with the love and support of each other they were able to get through it.

I guessed where the storyline was going but I still enjoyed seeing how it all panned out.

I am sorry to say but this one wasn't really for me.
I judged the book by its cover (thought it would be really good and tempting).

I actually DNF it after just a few pages so I feel like I can't write an review on it.

I am always on the lookout for new authors to add to my library's collection. This book is the first of the new Nighthawks Search and Rescue series. The book started off well and grabbed my attention, but I got to a point where I just was not interested in what was going to happen Graham and Natalie. While I forced myself to read until the end...I almost gave up. I personally am not a huge fan of the past/present back and forth. Yes, some information is needed to show why we are at this point, but throwing that in with world building at the same time just drags this story down. I will still give the second book in the series a shot, just in case.

I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review.

ARC provided by NetGalley for my honest review and opinion. Natalie and Graham's story moves from childhood to adulthood with an unwavering dedication through many challenges and adventures. Make no plans because you will not be able to put it down.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Graham and Natalie grew up together and Natalie had a secret crush for Graham in High School. One day in High School Graham gave Natalie a ride home and they spent some time together and had a first kiss but tragedy came that same day and they were never able to see where that kiss would lead.

Fast forward twelve years and Natalie reaches out to Graham for help. They grow closer and instantly feel that connection again but someone is after Natalie and threatening her.

Can Graham keep Natalie safe so they can pursue their relationship?

Fast-paced romantic suspense and a host of characters I couldn't get enough of.
The romance had me hooked. From Natalie and Graham's innocent, short time together as teenagers to the impact that day had on their present-day lives was so engrossing for me. Graham was really sweet in how he reacted after seeing her after so many years and the chemistry between them sizzled off the page. The suspense element was more predictable but enjoyable nonetheless.
I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.

3 stars

A story that has you relishing all the sweet, adoring moments between the characters and leave you feeling completely sated! This book is devour-able in one sitting, wrapped all nice with good characters. juicy plot and a small town romance that can give you all the butterflies you need. The good part is that, there is nothing too complex about this plot, but it can also be a con. There is nothing special and outstanding about this story. There is nothing that can say "grab me" when talking about the plot - it is just quite predictable. Definitely an ordinary story, with an ordinary misunderstanding and an ordinary ending. This is one of those go-to, feel happy books.

okay, wait..

Natalie and Graham met all the way back in high-school, shared a kiss then was interrupted by a tornado that tore through their town and their everyday lives as they know it. Their reunion happens 12 years later and they soon come to have their it's always been you moment. No, yeah - the author makes it distinct! They are soulmates. Nothing else.

There chemistry just felt so forced, little development because the book states pretty obviously that they are meant for each other!

You read this book knowing that these are the main characters and well.. hah! That's it! The plot is straightforward and there is no twist or turn that can keep you on your toes.

so, to read or not to read?

This small town romance is a one way street to absolute satisfaction and cheeky happy endings. This is one of those books you pick up to get all the sweet moments and ultimate romance feels. Don't expect too much if you do pick it up, don't expect riveting action or suspense, but do expect the one track course to two always-meant-to-be lovers finding their happy ending.

Thank you Netgalley and team for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and author collective 20 for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

3/5 stars

Natalie and Graham are a twice again high school love story I would say. Although it’s very loosely twice again since they really only had a moment in high school. The story was sweet and had an interesting plot. I enjoyed trying to figure out who was terrorizing Natalie.

I will say that I struggled with how fast Natalie and Graham went. Natalie had some past trauma but with Graham it felt like it didn’t exist. Along with that their connection almost felt fake since it happened so fast. They hung out once during high school and they were in love. Although they never made an effort to get in contact in 12 years and then boom all in. It was a little whip lash and was hard to invest in the characters since it happened so fast. The connection didn’t pull the reader in since it happened so fast.

Overall this was a cute love story. I think Natalie and Graham as separate characters were flushed out well. Them together was a little more blurry. They kind of skated past issues and had the happily ever after.

A series started with a bang and such an interesting back drop.

I can’t recall many (if any) series I have read where the basis is a search and rescue team and now I’m not sure why! It certainly adds both an element of intrigue as well as danger to the storylines.

I liked how flawed Graham was and how easily he accepted Natalie’s history, as horrible as some of it was. His own demons coming back to the fore and even though he had discussed this with Natalie, how the book portrayed his descent into the darkness again.

A lovely story with a fantastic romance under one as Natalie and Graham find themselves again and take the second chance they have.

This book was so good. There was banter, there was steam, there was funny situations. It helps you get a feel for what is going to more than likely going to go on though out the rest of the series. It was definitely a great read.

I thought this story started off strong. It captured my attention and it had me wondering why they couldn’t be together after the storm. But for me, personally, I do not like a story that fluctuates to the past, back to the present then to the past. You get the picture. I can’t ever get into these types of stories. So it doesn’t really have anything to do with the constant of the book, more to do with my personal reading preferences.
Because of that, maybe you should ignore my review.

Great introduction to a new series. Has all the things I look for when picking a new read: reconnecting friends, friends to lovers, personal conflicts, surviving trauma, mystery, unexpected plot twists, and drama. I was pleasantly surprised how this book grabbed me and kept me enthralled throughout. This is the first book by Amanda Zook that I have read, but it won’t be the last.
This is the first book in the series Nighthawk Search & Rescue. It focuses on Natalie and Graham, former childhood friends and neighbors, reconnecting after Maddie, Natalie’s sister, takes Natalie to Nighthawk Search & Rescue to get them to help find two of Natalie’s students who went missing.
Natalie and Graham were childhood friends who grew up together but did not socialize with each other as teens. One day, while in high school, Graham gave Natalie a ride home. They wound up spending the afternoon together talking about anything and everything. Natalie received her first kiss that day. That day changed their lives in many ways. When they arrived home they watched a tornado destroy they neighborhood. They had no more contact with each other until that day twelve years later when Maddie (Natalie’s sister) brought her to the rescue company owned by Graham and his brother David. The plot flowed so easily: from the reunion of the two former friends, their new developing relationship, sharing their past traumas with each other and the challenges they faced were so well written. It kept me guessing and even surprised me a couple times. Learning about what search & rescue workers do and the physical and psychological effects it has on it’s workers was an added bonus.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series and learn the journeys of the rest of the “Nighthawk family” including Natalie’s sister Maddie and Graham’s brother David.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post my unbiased review on NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon and I willingly offer my honest review.

Natalie has always had a thing for Graham. They were neighbors when they were kids and become friends. As they got older they moved in different clicks at school. Graham was the super popular athlete while Natalie was the art nerd. One day while Natalie was walking home Graham offered her a ride. They stopped at a spot by the lake that would become very important to both of them. It is where Graham changed his idea of what kind of girl he wanted and where Natalie cemented in her mind that Graham was the one for her. They shared a kiss then started home when a tornado struck. They watched in horror as it ripped through their neighborhood. Now as adults Natalie is an art teacher at an elementary school and she needs to hire Graham’s company Nighthawk to help find the two missing students. Nighthawk was created by Graham and his brother David and a lot of it had to deal with that fateful day that he shared a kiss with Natalie. Now that they are meeting again after twelve years they noticed that they both have the same feelings from high school and now they are even stronger. Graham is determined to date Natalie and see where things go. Has they do Natalie has a lot of unfortunate events happen to her that are becoming serious. It seems like someone is after her. Will they be able to find who it is and maintain their growing relationship?