Riding the Storm by Erin Wade: Book Review

Riding the Storm by Erin Wade is an action, adventure, workplace romance.

Daredevils rescue service is an organization that specializes in extracting undercover government agents from deadly situations. Kensley Storm and TJ are the thrill-seeking co-founders, no job is too big for this duo. When an assignment comes in to save agent Regina Rider from a skyscraper, before armed assassins reach her, Kensley Storm, literally jumps at the chance.

Regina not only has a reputation for being the top agent in her division, but she’s also gorgeous and lives for the danger of her job.

There is instant attraction and chemistry between them and when they end up working on the same assignment this only grows. But which one of these thrill-seekers will be the savior?? or will they both be victorious??

Kensley Storm lives for danger and thrills. She was an accountant living the white-collar life until the woman she thought was her forever, left her. Not sure what to do with herself, Kensley went out to Hollywood to visit her best friend TJ.

TJ was working on stunts in films and Kensley ended up getting a job as a stunt double. After a stager makes a mistake that nearly kills TJ, they decide to return home. Still wanting the highs and thrills that the stunts gave them but not willing to trust anyone else with their safety. Kensley and TJ start Daredevils Inc and get hired by the armed forces and the government to perform high-risk rescues.

Kensley is a strong, feminine badass and the best at what she does. She has quite a few notches on her bedpost but doesn’t seem to have been able to find the one. She is charming and friendly but keeps a part of her heart closed off so that when they leave, she’s not left heartbroken again.

Regina Rider is illustrious within the government; she solves cases like no other. She is in high demand and always on assignment. It’s catching up with her though and she’s getting tired. Still, she loves the danger of her job and will go wherever her boss sends her. She’s left a string of broken-hearted women along the way, including a broken engagement with a fellow government employee. She’s never in the same place for long so finds it hard to make promises and commit.

Pros And My Favourite Parts

The action starts from the first sentence and stays throughout the book. There are over-the-top, James Bond-style gadgets and gizmos, dangerous situations that seem impossible to escape, and a whole cast of villains and allies. I love that this book had equal parts action, adventure, and romance. It was a great balance.

It’s written in the first person from Kensley’s point of view. What is great, is that even though there are a ton of precarious situations, you experience them with Kensley’s cool, calm, confident attitude.

There are evil mob bosses, drug smuggling minions, and money laundering drag queens. what’s not to love. The storyline and dialogue are fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat. I liked that all the crime world characters are easy to keep track of, I always knew who was who and what role they played. Erin Wade is clever with this as she keeps the reader on track with a debriefing between the MCs a few times throughout the book, it’s helpful and keeps you engaged with what’s going on.

I loved that as the story goes on you find out just how awesome Daredevils Inc is, there’s even an underground safe house!!!!!

Kensley and Regina have an instant attraction that is evident from their first meeting. They both end up working undercover on a dangerous assignment. It’s Regina’s job to solve the case and Kensley is there along with TJ to keep Regina alive at all costs.

As they work together and learn more about each other that attraction grows, and feelings become involved. This happens quickly due to the stressful, risky situation they are in. I liked that, it felt realistic because emotions would be running high.

Kensley realizes that she has deep feelings for Regina but doesn’t want to open herself up too much. She knows that even if Regina feels the same way, it doesn’t matter, Regina will always be off on the next assignment and probably the next woman. I felt Kensley struggling with just living in the moment, she wants more with Regina but is scared to ask for it. Regina doesn’t do much better, I felt her struggling with not promising too much. I got the sense that she wanted to declare more feelings to Kensley but also didn’t want to make promises that she couldn’t keep.

There is a great mixture of steamy and fade-to-black scenes.

I must give a shout-out to Mama, Kensley’s dog. She’s a big soft rottweiler who is integral to switching the high-paced drama to safe, calm, and chilled.

Cons And Heads Up

My only con is that I would have liked longer action scenes. But I’m not sure that counts as I think it’s just me being greedy.

The Conclusion

This is a great high-paced, action romance with great main characters and supporting cast. It leaves you either rooting for their victory or demise. It has sweet loving moments as well as edge-of-your-seat action and I couldn’t put it down. If you like action-adventure books, then you won’t want to miss this one.

Excerpt from Riding the Storm by Erin Wade

I turned off the highway onto the blacktopped road that led to my home. “Where are you taking me?”

“Home to meet Mama. I thought we’d drink a little wine, grill a couple of steaks, and just relax.”

“This will be a new experience for me. I don’t believe anyone has ever taken me home to meet mama before.”

I pulled the car into the garage and closed the door. We got out of the vehicle and met in front of it. “Is your mother expecting us?” A nervous twitch at the corner of her mouth made me want to lean down and kiss away her anxiety.

I opened the door and stepped into the house in front of her. “Mama,” I called, “we’re home.”

Mama rounded the corner and jumped into my arms. I turned to Regina. “Meet Mama.” I eased my dog to the floor.

“She is beautiful,” Regina exclaimed as she reached out to pat my Rottweiler. “And friendly too.”

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