A LITERARY LABOUR OF LOVE: 2018/06

After watching her friend and bodyguard die at the hands of men who intended to harm her, Liva shuts down all her feelings. She goes through life with her emotions switch turned off; but Liva finds solace in the adrenaline coursing through her veins when she climbs structures she’s not supposed to. With her father out of town shortly after she moves in with him in New York, she spends a few nights with his friends, her father not comfortable leaving her alone in a new city. When she can’t sleep one night she opens her bedroom window and silently climbs on top of the roof. Looking for peace, Liva finds unexpected safety instead when she hears her hosts being murdered. Liva reports the crime and is taken to the police station in protective custody to give her official statement. At the desk next to her is Jay, who is not a witness but a criminal. Being cuffed to the desk kind of gives that away. When a gunman in a cop’s uniform starts shooting up the police station, Liva and Jay must depend on each other to escape the massacre. When Liva contacts her father for help, the team he sends to retrieve her are intercepted and Liva is caught between two rival groups; one who wants to take her, willing or not, and one who wants her dead. It soon becomes clear that Liva is somehow at the center of the chaos; but why? Who wants to kidnap her, who wants her dead, and how do the two groups connect? On the run, Liva and Jay must stay one step ahead of the shooter, the mysterious agents, the police (Jay is a fugitive, after all) and a local gang while fitting together pieces known and unknown – and fighting the intense connection neither can’t deny. A poor car thief and a wealthy dancer, on the surface they have nothing in common; but for the first time Liva has met someone who makes her feel as alive as she does when she’s standing on top of a high-rise. The timing is horrendous, the circumstances far from ideal, but can Liva resist the young man who brings her to life?

Out of Control by Sarah Alderson is an action-packed adventure that doesn’t give you time to catch your breath. The action starts almost immediately and doesn’t let up until the end. Authors seldom succeed in making me truly fear for the safety of the protagonists, but Alderson managed to get me to tense up several times. She does a great job of keeping the reader on their toes, keeping the mystery alive while dropping clues, making the reader work with Liva and Jay to find answers. The ultimate truth of why Liva is targeted is a shocking turn of events Alderson masterfully weaved into the story. The chemistry between Liva and Jay jumps off the page and the progression of their relationship is very believable under the circumstances. The sexual content of the book is very mature but stops short of being adult level.

Out of Control is an exciting, satisfying read that takes the reader on an electrifying adventure with the perfect blend of action, mystery and romantic suspense.