Review: X-Ops Exposed

X-ops Exposed (X-ops - Book 8) by Paige Tyler

Publication Date: 04/03/2018
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Casablanca
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 384
ISBN-13: 978-1492642435

(Received for an honest review from Sourcebooks Casablanca via Netgalley)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Paige Tyler on the WEB: Website, Blog, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the Series:

0.5. Her Secret Agent
   1. Her Perfect Mate
   2. Her Lone Wolf
   3. Her Wild Hero
3.5. Her Special Alpha
   4. Her Fierce Warrior
   5. Her Rogue Alpha
   6. Her True Match
   7. Her Dark Half
   8. X-Ops Exposed 

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from X-Ops Exposed, courtesy of Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

HE LEFT TO KEEP HER SAFE
Believing he's too dangerous to be among people, feline hybrid Tanner Howland retreats deep into the forests of Washington State―with no choice but to leave behind the woman who's captured his heart. What he doesn't know is that she followed him...

SHE WOULDN'T STAY BEHIND
Heartbroken and determined, Dr. Zarina Sokolov tracks Tanner into the wild. Her presence unleashes Tanner's protective instinct―big time. Locals have been disappearing and he is desperate for Zarina to leave. As the kidnappings escalate, Tanner must embrace the dangerous instincts he fears so much. But with Zarina at his side, he'll have to learn to control his animal impulses, or lose himself―and the woman he loves―to the beast within.

BONUS CONTENT: ebook includes a second full-length novel, Hungry Like the Wolf, Book 1 in Paige Tyler's sizzling SWAT Series!

Thoughts:

Paige Tyler fans have been waiting for this story for a long time. Zarina and Tanner are finally front and center with the latest book in the X-Ops series, X-Ops Exposed. What do a former ranger, turned lion shifter and a geneticist have in common? A lot, if you're a long time reader of this series. This is a relationship that has skirted the edges of the series since the beginning, but it isn't all fun and games in this one. Tyler gives readers action on top of action and plenty of suspense to keep them interested. A must read!

What I liked:

I've been waiting for this relationship to flourish since I started reading this series and I'm sure other fans have as well. Tanner has been such a good secondary character and I was thrilled to see that we would learn more about him in X-Ops Exposed. Tanner is fiercely protective and loyal, but his more violent urges are hard to control. He has always seemed like a tortured character but in this book, Tyler shows a new side to our favorite lion shifter. There are light hearted moments and some steamy romantic moments that will have readers swooning. What a great hero!

Zarina is a brilliant geneticist. Her relationship with Tanner has always seemed so natural and deep. I was sad in previous books when Tanner decided he could not control himself enough to stay with Zarina and finding them together in this book was very satisfying. I like that Zarina is strong and capable and very intelligent. She can hold her own and was a perfect compliment to Tanner's alpha persona. The relationship itself was already established but it was certainly expanded in this book. Loved every bit of it.

There were basically two stories going on at once in this book. Tyler gives readers tons of action and nail biting moments with both Tanner and Zarina and with Chase and Tate, who I really enjoyed in this book. Tyler basically shows the East Coast side of the DCO (Dept. of Covert Ops) and the West side. It was an interesting comparison and I loved how it came together in the end. Both relationships got plenty of time to develop and grow throughout the book and a whole new dimension was added to the overall arc of the series.

I felt like this was one of those books that turns the corner in a series. It brings together the ideas and relationships from the previous books and takes them in a totally different direction. If readers were wondering if the series might get a little boring eight books in, they needn't have worried. Tyler has it covered. X-Ops Exposed completely changes the way this series is put together and I for one can't wait to see what happens next... But that cliffhanger, though... Wow!

What I didn't like:

I kind of had this feeling throughout the book that I wanted more of those tender romantic moments with Tanner and Zarina. Readers have waited so long for this and I wanted more lol... I loved getting to know Tate and Chase though, so it wasn't too much of a hardship. 

There was soooo much going on in this one. The action was non-stop. I wanted a minute to breathe here and there. I wanted to reflect a little bit, but Tyler's hard hitting style was relentless. It made for a very action packed book, but I felt like I needed a vacation after lol...

Bottom Line:

If you haven't read the entire series, as a reader, you might not understand what all the hype is about Zarina and Tanner. I wouldn't say this not a stand alone novel because in some ways it could be, but the reader will really be missing out so much. Long time readers, you will not be disappointed. This is such a good book. The series will go on in new and different ways. Loved the check in's with previous characters, absolutely adored the new characters and can't wait for more... Let me say again. That cliffhanger, lol... Read this series, it's just that good!

X-Ops Exposed is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag.

About the Author:

Paige Tyler is the USA Today bestselling author of sexy, romantic fiction. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kickbutt heroines who fall in love with them. Visit www.paigetylertheauthor.com.