Keep You Close

<b>3.5*</b><br />Stephanie is a special agent with the FBI and the single mother of a seventeen year old son. A son who <i>SHE</i> is having trouble recognizing lately. Less communicative, more sullen. Is it just typical teenage behavior? Or is he hiding something. <br />Well that question is quickly answered when she finds a gun hidden in the back of his closet! Why would her teenage son have a gun? What is he involved in?<br /><br />Stephanie is going to do whatever it takes to protect her son. Even if it costs her her career...or maybe more.<br /><br />This book started off with a bang I was instantly drawn in, loving Stephanie’s character and that of her son Zachary. But about half way it turned into full on espionage and conspiracy theories. <br /> Just a bit too far fetched for me. <br /><br />If you enjoy espionage mixed with a splash of family drama then this might be a good pick for you! <br /><br />A buddy read with Susanne!?<br /><br />Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group Ballantine and Karen Cleveland for an ARC to read and review.<br />

<b>3.5 Stars* (rounded down) <br /><br />A Fast Moving Mystery / Suspense!</b><br /><br />FBI Agent Steph Maddox hears a knock at the door. Another agent appears. He accuses her son Zachary of being a part a domestic terrorist group. Her first reaction is that he is being framed. Of course, everyone always say that, she would know - after all, she works in Internal Affairs.<br /><br />Forget the fact that moments earlier, Steph found a loaded gun hidden in Zachary’s closet in a nondescript paper bag. Even though they pass like ships in the night.. Steph knows her son.<br /> <br />Lives are at stake. The problem of course, is determining whose. <br /><br />“Keep you Close” moves at breakneck speed. It is extremely suspenseful and it started out quite strong. While I enjoyed this mystery, I didn’t quite love it as I felt like the author threw in a few too many curveballs for me to catch. <br /><br />This is a follow up to Karen Cleveland’s “Need to Know” and it’s clear based on both books what a fabulously strong writer the author is. I am definitely a fan and can’t wait to see what she comes out with next. <br /><br />This was a buddy read with Ms. Kaceey! So glad we got read this one together.<br /><br />Thank you to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine and Karen Cleveland for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.<br /><br />Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 4.30.19.<br />Will be published on Amazon on 4.28.19

3.5 Stars<br /><br />Karen Cleveland's 2018 debut, Need To Know was one of my top reads last year and I was eager to read her second book.<br /><br />The fast pace/action and suspense are back, but I felt the story lacked the character development and intrigue and overall "cleverness" that was created in her debut. <br /><br />FBI Agent Stephanie Maddox is at the heart of the story as she tries to unravel a domestic anarchist groups involvement in a web of lies that could hurt her son, Zachary. She struggles to search for the truth and keep her Zachary safe. These characters weren't developed enough for me to really become invested in the outcome.<br /><br />The "action" is definitely what drives this novel so action fans will enjoy. I just needed to feel more for the characters and the timeline felt too jumpy. The reveal was definitely a surprise. <br /><br />Fans of conspiracy theories and a plot of non-stop action may find this one more of a winner than I did.<br /><br />Out May 28,2019 Thanks Doubleday / NG for my copy.

Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland is a thriller that tackles the question of just how far one would go for someone they love.  Stephanie Maddox is an special agent with FBI and has spent years and years working to get where she is in her career but would she throw it all away for the love of her life, her son Zachary?<br /><br />Stephanie is a single mother and has done her best keeping her relationship with her son a priority despite her high pressure job. Even though Zachary has hit his sullen and angsty teenage years Stephanie still tries to keep communication open between them but one day while cleaning she finds a gun in her son's room.<br /><br />Stephanie believes there has to be an explanation for what she's found but  before a blink of an eye she finds her son being accused of so much more. Trying to stay one step ahead of the investigation Stephanie is determined to find out what is going on and prove her son is innocent<br /><br />Keep You Close is really written to be a page turning action packed thriller that only gains intensity along the way. However, as much as I love a fast pace and plenty of action in this instance I felt it was all a tad off. Perhaps I just needed to know the characters a little better or perhaps it was due to it feeling a bit over the top but this one ended up a little flat for me.<br /><br />I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.<br /><br />For more reviews please visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="https://carriesbookreviews.com/">https://carriesbookreviews.com/</a>

<br />Karen Cleveland likes to tackle ethical dilemmas and how much you really know about the ones you love. Stephanie Maddox is the FBI agent in charge of Internal Investigations, so needless to say she has a strong sense of right and wrong. Which makes it even worse when she discovers a loaded gun in her teenage son’s room. I mean, anyone who’s raised teenagers knows they grow distant and moody, they stop communicating. But a gun? That’s way outside the norm. <br /><br />We’re quickly given glimpses of Stephanie’s past interspersed with the current story. This book moves at a fast pace. But I can’t say I ever really connected with Stephanie. For some reason, she and the rest of the characters felt flat. Too many of the story lines have been done before. I didn’t feel like this broke any new ground. <br /><br />This is a good story and an easy read, it just isn’t great. And I thought Need to Know had been great. <br /><br />My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book. <br /><br />

I LOVED Karen Cleveland’s debut about Russian sleeper cells in the US, and I was so excited to read “Keep You Close.” It was a terrific, fast-paced read set in the same world as “Need to Know” where FBI agent Stephanie discovers her teenage son Zachary may be involved in domestic terrorism. But where this novel truly gets juicy, just like in “Need to Know” is where the FBI agent instincts crash up against the mother’s need to deny her child could be part of an anarchist group. But who is telling the truth? Is Zachary innocent? Or is he being framed? Many players on this chess board.<br /><br />We’re presented with lots of flashbacks. And Stephanie’s backstory is heartbreaking. As a warning, one of the triggers comes up frequently throughout the book, and the writing is intense. And as we get further in and more twists and turns come, this just gets better and better! I love the firsthand knowledge of government procedure Karen Cleveland brings to her writing and the way this book integrates the characters from “Need to Know.” These espionage thrillers that touch on current-day events are great and the ending was intense. Can’t wait to see what comes next! <br /><br /><b> Trigger Warnings: <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="813ff636-4142-47d2-baed-8590fe6d9140" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="813ff636-4142-47d2-baed-8590fe6d9140"> rape </label> </b><br /><br />

Stephanie is a FBI agent single mother of a 17 year old son who she barely recognizes anymore, their relationship isn't the best but she tries her hardest to think the best of him.<br />Its when she finds a gun in his closet, that things start going crazy, she is mortified that he has a gun in the first place, his attitude is quite disturbing.<br /><br /><br />In the meantime her family are being threatened &amp; Stephanie is finding it hard when the police show up accusing Zachary , her son of being involved in a terrorist group, she confronts him but Zachary denies knowing anything about it. But when she decided to look into the case about her son she forms an alliance with her former lover Scott who both are determined to get to the truth. The stakes get higher as Scott is killed, this sends Stephanie into utter panic as her mother is dead with a presumed heart attack. Who in the FBI is leaking information to the Russian government?<br /><br /><br />MY THOUGHTS<br />I loved this book from start to finish the characters were flawed but likeable the prose was enjoyable it was tense from beginning to end you could put yourself in Stephanie's shoes &amp; ask how would you react? Karen Cleveland is the real deal in this genre.<br />

I received a free e-copy of Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland from NetGalley for my honest review.<br /><br />FBI agent, Stephanie Maddox, is a single mother of Zachary, her teenage son. One day, while cleaning her son's room, she finds a loaded gun. Another agent show up and Zachary is soon being accused of being associated with a terrorist group. A terrorist group that is planning mass attacks. <br /><br />Does Stephanie really know her son? Is she being blinded by being his mother? She now has to decide whether she is going to believe her son or the agency she has worked at for twenty years. <br /><br />An intense read with lots of twists.

Karen Cleveland likes to tackle ethical dilemmas and how much you really know about the ones you love. Stephanie Maddox is the FBI agent in charge of Internal Investigations, so needless to say she has a strong sense of right and wrong. Which makes it even worse when she discovers a loaded gun in her teenage son’s room. I mean, anyone who’s raised teenagers knows they grow distant and moody, they stop communicating. But a gun? That’s way outside the norm. <br /><br />We’re quickly given glimpses of Stephanie’s past interspersed with the current story. This book moves at a fast pace. But I can’t say I ever really connected with Stephanie. For some reason, she and the rest of the characters felt flat. Too many of the story lines have been done before. I didn’t feel like this broke any new ground. <br /><br />This is a good story and an easy read, it just isn’t great. And I thought Need to Know had been great. <br /><br />My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.

In this propulsive thriller, FBI agent Steph Maddox must untangle a web of deceit when her 17-year-old son is accused of plotting to murder government officials.<br /><br />Steph's determination to protect her son at all costs takes her deep into a conspiracy much more nefarious than she ever could have imagined, making her ultimately choose between her duty to her country or her duty to her son.<br /><br />It's a fine premise, but it doesn't break any new ground and the writing leaves a lot to be desired. Thrillers are a dime a dozen, so when I sit down to read one, I want it to really stand out above the rest. This one does not. <br /><br />The prose is extremely fast-paced and plot-driven, with lots of dialogue. While this makes for a quick and easy read, there's very little character development aside from some cliche flashbacks to Steph's past that establish her as a Strong Woman.<br /><br />And the plot itself is pretty convoluted. There are twists, mostly for the sake of there being twists. The Russians are somehow involved, lending a topical element. <br /><br />I was initially intrigued by the idea of a mother questioning if she really knows her son and being put into a difficult position of wondering what he might be capable of, but none of this is really explored with any nuance. And frustratingly, Steph's character arc ultimately puts her in the same position of weakness that she worked so hard to overcome.<br /><br />If you love thrillers and don't have very high standards for them as long as they hold you're attention, you'll probably enjoy this just fine. Just don't expect much else.<br /><br /><br /><br />