GRR Reviews Chasing Eva (In Light of Shadows) by Camellia Hart

Chasing Eva shows occasional bits of brilliance by constructing two reluctant lovers that will circle each other before engaging. However, the suspense portions are just not working for me, with very uneven tempo. What's worse, it even ended on a cliffhanger. The FBI procedure also doesn't seem quite right, nor does the corporate fraud parts.

Evangelina Avery was NOT enjoying her life. She was cheated on more than once, and she was uprooted from her career as a chef to head her father's famous interior design firm, then her father lost his life in an auto accident. Just as she took over, several clients took their business elsewhere. She swore to turn this business around. When their largest client, Stanton Enterprises, also threatened to leave, Eva's needed to talk to Clive Stanton, the CEO, to convince him that moving their business elsewhere is NOT to their mutual benefit. What she didn't know was Clive was well aware of her. Clive had seen her a long time ago, back when they were kids. And being a former FBI agent tapped to take over the family business when his brother decided to retire, he's well aware of familial pressures. But there's more. FBI was aware of corporate fraud and espionage around the Avery company... In fact, Eva's father's death may not have been an accident. And someone leaked confidential info to the clients, which is why they pulled their business. FBI wants whoever was leaking the stuff, and the only way to get to him (or her) is to leave Eva in the dark... and that means Clive have to cooperate. Clive wanted to protect Eva, but keeping secrets from her means betrayal later, and with Clive's (undeserved) playboy reputation, Clive may not be able to keep Eva...

This is not a complete book, as the book ended on a "happy for now" ending, with the threat against the company left open (probably for book 2). The stalker was mentioned about 30% point, then never mentioned again. Furthermore, if FBI knew who was tailing Eva, as they were able to chase him from the US to St. Barts, which is FRENCH territory in the Caribbean, why haven't they shared his/her identity? And who's the guy behind him, as he's just a goon? That part of the threat was not resolved properly. Overall, the book just comes across as uneven. Suspense doesn't work, love relationship is fine.

Category: Romantic suspense

Primary Plot:  Lady boss had to convince CEO of largest client to stay with the firm, but that CEO is keeping a lot of secrets from her, even as they fell in love...

Tropes: law enforcements, disguise, woman in peril, conspiracy, betrayal

Overall Rating:  2/5