Newlywed Assignment - Barb Han (HI #2075 - June 2022)

Series: Ree and Quint (Book 2)
 
For these undercover agents
“Together forever” may be short-lived…
 
Hardheaded ATF legend Quint Casey knows he's playing with fire asking Agent Ree Sheppard to re-up as his undercover wife. To crack a ruthless Houston weapons ring, they must keep the mission -- and their explosive chemistry -- under control. But Quint's determined need for revenge and Ree's risky moves are turning the heat up even more and putting everything on the line…
 
Good book. This is one series that should be read in order. The series follows both a suspense arc and Ree and Quint's developing relationship. At the end of the first book, Ree and Quint parted ways. The mission was finished, and they didn't expect to work together again. As this book opens, Ree has been home for a few days and is at Sunday dinner with her parents and siblings. Their picking at her has her ready to go home when Quint shows up with a new mission for them. Since their parting after the last case was less than warm and fuzzy, Ree is slightly reluctant to take it on. But now that she has some experience working with Quint, she has some conditions to her agreement. I loved seeing her call him out on those things that concerned her and how Quint admitted she was right.
 
This case sends them to Houston, still newlyweds, looking for information on a weapons dealer. While Ree works behind the bar at a trendy nightclub, Quint is still posing as a computer student/geek. Her job is to get close to Lola; a bartender believed to be dating the weapons dealer. I loved seeing Ree work - her instincts are terrific, and she does a great job learning about Lola and her life. They also have several lucky breaks that help them learn more about the dealer.
 
Matters get complicated when they get word that another agency is also working on the same case from the drug trafficking side. This sets Quint off because the death of his former partner happened when multiple agencies worked on a case and didn't fully cooperate/communicate. It doesn't help that the head agent from the other agency isn't cooperative and is obnoxious. There are some tense interactions between Quint and the other agent, with the "partnership" saved by the two level-headed women in the teams. The case resolution was intense and action-packed, keeping me glued to the pages until it was over. This investigation had a successful conclusion, but some loose ends will continue to drive the series.
 
I enjoyed seeing the progress of Ree and Quint's relationship. The sparks that fly between them in the first book intensify in this one but both of them have baggage that holds them back. For Ree, she sticks to short flings, more interested in her career than in anything long-term. For Quint, the guilt over his partner's death has left him feeling that he doesn't deserve happiness. He also finds his protective instincts kicking in at inconvenient times, and I enjoy seeing Ree call him out on it when she needs to. Neither Ree nor Quint knows what to do with their growing attraction or the feelings that come with it. It was fun to see their random public displays of affection, done to maintain their cover, get away from them. It will be interesting to see how things progress in the next book. 

Undercover Couple - Barb Han (HI #2068 - May 2022)

Series: Ree and Quint (Book 1)

This fake marriage could make
“till death do us part” a reality.
 
Legendary ATF agent Quint Casey isn't thrilled to pose as Ree Sheppard's husband for a covert investigation into a weapons ring that could be tied to his past. Feeling guilty over a tragic event, Quint’s determined to do whatever it takes to make things right. But when his impetuous "wife" proves her commitment to the job, Quint feels a spark just as alarming as the dangerous killers he’s sworn to unmask.
 
Good start to the new series. Quint and Ree are ATF agents assigned to work together on an undercover investigation. Quint is infamous for being intimidating, and Ree is a little nervous about working with him. I loved her call to her brother for advice on appearing married. The suggestions were good, and the conversation gave some excellent insight into Ree and her abilities. Her background of having four older brothers comes in handy when dealing with Quint.
 
I loved the first meeting between Ree and Quint. She comes out swinging, setting up a position of strength before Quint can even open his mouth. He isn't happy about working with a partner, especially a woman. He recently lost his partner and best friend, and his guilty feelings over the event pop up at inconvenient times. He and Ree only have a few minutes during the initial conversation, and their tension is palpable. Quint's response to her "rules" leaves them both reeling.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Quint and Ree develop. The sparks between them are real and make their cover as a pair of newlyweds more authentic. However, the attraction is also a complication because they know doing anything about it is a bad idea. I liked seeing them get to know each other as they carried out their mission. Despite his intimidating appearance, Quint has a surprisingly soft side that he keeps well hidden. It was sweet to see how he cared for her after her shifts and the protectiveness he couldn't deny. There's an emotional scene where Quint shares what happened to his partner, and Ree's reaction sets him on the road toward healing. They got quite close after only a few days, but with the quick end to the case, their "marriage" is over, and they go back to their everyday lives.
 
Because this is only the first of four books starring Quint and Ree, the development of their relationship leans on the slow-burn side. At thirty-six, Ree's relationships tend to be short-lived flings rather than genuine relationships. Her time with Quint makes her re-examine her attitude. Quint is forty-two and also sticks to short-term affairs. Their reluctance to part ways is evident at the end of this book, but the door is open for future contact.  
 
The suspense of the story was good and kept me turning the pages. The lead on the weapons trafficking came out of the case that resulted in the loss of Quint's partner, and Quint is determined to shut it down. In an unusual twist from most of these stories, Ree has the most direct action, while Quint mostly does surveillance. I got a kick out of the beginning when Ree deals with Quint's doubts about her undercover skills in a straightforward manner. There were a few worrisome moments when Ree's impatience for results tempted her to push faster than she should, but Quint and her common sense kept her to the plan. Quint's attention to detail helped narrow down the suspects. An unexpected twist precipitates a dangerous confrontation that had me glued to the pages until it was all over. And while this investigation was successfully concluded, there are still some loose ends from the original case. I can't wait for the next book to see where it leads.