Book Review-Never Surrender

Lindsay McKenna

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

First Impressions

Never Surrender is the book that features the continuing story of Gabe and Bay. Their first story was in “Breaking Point,” which was book five of the series. Now I haven’t read that one, and there was enough background information given that you aren’t completely lost. But I am eager to read Breaking Point and see how they actually fall in love with each other originally. And I would probably recommend reading that one first before this one. While I wasn’t completely lost, I did feel like there was a portion of the story missing, and that’s a “me” issue cause I just had to read book six in a series lol. Never Surrender was the type of story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I breezed very quickly through this one here. My heart just broke for this couple and what they have to overcome, but the emotion was vibrant, and the realism of the military elements was super authentic (Makes sense, as the author has a background in the military).

I want to come home to you. You’re my life, Gabe. Believe that if you don’t believe anything else.”

Book Evaluation:

Plot: 5/5
World Building: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Hero: 5/5
Heroine: 4/5
Intimacy Level: 3/5
Relationship Building: 5/5
Heart & Feels: 4/5
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 3/5
Page Turner Level: 4/5
Ending: 4/5
Overall View: 4/5

The Main Protagonists

The Hero: Gabe Griffin

The Heroine: Bay Thorn

What I Loved

Never Surrender was a story that melted and broke my heart all at once. The story begins with seeing how our couple gets along with each other. We see their intimacy and connection and deep affection. We also see how both are breaking being separated from each other. Then we enter the stage of the kidnapping. This portion of the story will most definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. We see two sides of the situation. We see the heroine being taken, we see the brutality of the terrorist groups and how cruel they are. We see how true innocence becomes lost in their control. We also see Gabe’s determination to protect Bay. The rescue was not quite what I expected but I fell hard for it deeply. What is the most heart achingly moments of the book is when we see our hero and heroine have to face something that will test the boundaries of their relationship. Gabe was a true hero in this book from beginning to end. He never loses focus for Bay and we see the depth of his love for her. How he stands for Bay and never loses hope with her was deeply riveting and digs deep into the emotions. The world building was deeply fascinating, it was obvious that the author had first had experience of this world but it was tough to read at times.

For one night, Bay was here, beside him and in his arms, where she belonged.

What I Struggled With

I think what I struggled with the most was some bits of the pacing in the story, and then there were aspects of the world-building that were really hard to read at times. A bit more realistic than I would personally prefer and more than what I normally read in my military suspense. I appreciated what the author was doing for it but at the same time, it was the type of aspects that kept me up at night because it was super heartbreaking at times.

Overall Thoughts

I found Never Surrender to be a thrilling novel that digs deeper into the conflicts of the heart when faced with true conflict. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it will hold your emotions with such vibrant methods, and I am excited to explore more of this author.

You’re a woman who loves so completely. You heal others with your smile, your touch and your voice. That’s who you are, Bay, and who you’ll always be.

Book Details

Title: Never Surrender

Author: Lindsay McKenna

Series: Shadow Warriors

Publication Date: January 1 2014

Publisher: HQN

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Length: 380 Pages

Tropes/Character Types: Military, SEAL/Black Ops, Doctor/Nurse, Kidnapping, PTSD, Caretaking, Protector, Amnesia

Spice Level:

Warmin’ by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

POV: 3rd POV

From Shadow Warrior…to hostage 

Despite her sweet nature, Navy medic Bay Thorn’s will is unbreakable. It has earned her not only the respect of her team, but also the love of Navy SEAL Gabe Griffin. And as soon as she wraps up the final six months of Operation Shadow Warriors in Afghanistan, she’ll have her happily ever after…. 

Until her deployment goes horribly wrong. 

Bay’s medical expertise is needed by the Taliban, and she is taken hostage. Her captor is ruthless and cruel, and Bay isn’t exempt from his evil intents. All that’s left now is her resolve and the too-distant memory of Gabe�her last and only hope for rescue. And to pull Bay from hell, this SEAL will have to break every rule in the book. But will Gabe find the woman he loves…or a woman broken beyond recognition?