ARC Review: Grace Under Fire by Julie Garwood

Grace Under Fire
Author: Julie Garwood
Series: Buchanan/FBI, 14
Publication: Berkley (July 19, 2022)

Description: Michael Buchanan will need every bit of his extensive skill set when he appoints himself as bodyguard to a woman determined not to need one in this thrilling new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Garwood.

Grace Isabel MacKenna had a hundred things to do today. Killing someone wasn’t one of them. It was supposed to be a quick visit to Boston for the Buchanan anniversary party, then on to Scotland to collect an inheritance. She checks into her hotel and then decides to go for a brisk walk. But after getting lost, she ends up with a wounded man stumbling into her arms—and his shooter coming after them both. When she fires back in self-defense, she doesn’t expect him to drop dead. After Isabel endures an interrogation by police, she is free to go, thanks to the Buchanans dispatching former Navy SEAL and now lawyer Michael Buchanan to assist her.

Isabel knows she should be grateful for Michael’s help, but since she’s harbored an extreme dislike for him for years, gratitude is difficult to muster. Michael has appointed himself her de facto guardian, and she’s stuck with him despite their constant bickering and sizzling attraction. Even when Isabel goes to Scotland to claim her inheritance, Michael follows her—but he isn’t the only thing she can’t shake. Mysterious threats against Isabel surface, and before they can deal with their growing feelings for each other, Michael and Isabel must first survive.

My Thoughts: This romance with hints of suspense and lots of humor stars Michael Buchanan and Grace Isabel MacKenna.

Isabel has recently graduated from college and has as her first new task a trip to Scotland to claim an inheritance from a distant relative. Before that, though, she has been invited to attend an anniversary part for her sister's in-laws - the famous Buchanans.

However, an absent-minded walk through Boston leads her to a dangerous situation wherein a man who is shot collapses in her arms and she uses his gun to put a bullet between the eyes of his attacker. The family sends Michael to straighten things out for Isabel. 

Isabel and Michael met at her sister's wedding where she took a distinct dislike to him since he comprehensively ignored her. In his defense, it should be noted that he was attracted to her, but their five-year age difference seemed more important when she was just going to begin college than it seems to him now.

Now, he is looking at her and looking after her. Their personalities are complete opposites. She's a dreamy optimist; he is a man with a plan and very realistic. But since it appears that someone wants her dead, he is determined to be her protector even if he has to deal with her dangerous driving.

The story travels from Boston to Scotland to Southern California and travels from the Isabel's dislike of Michael to her deciding that he is the love of her life. Michael's journey is similar though his has him deciding that some of his future plans need to change.

This was a fun story with lots of great characters. It is the fourteenth book in the series. I haven't read any of the others. The story stands alone well, but I am interested in some of the other characters' stories and will be looking to catch up on the series.

Favorite Quote:

"You want me to drive?" She sounded thrilled.

"Yeah, sure."

Those were the last coherent words Michael spoke until they were parked in the drive on the side of his parents' home. Most of the words he shouted didn't make sense; the rest were obscenities. He wasn't a screamer, but she pushed him to his limit.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.