Talk about a book hangover! Oh my goodness do I have one! You know, that feeling where you can’t think of anything else except the book you just finished and you don’t even want to touch another book just yet. That feeling.

This is the second full-length novel in the Catalina books in the Hidden Legacy series. If you haven’t been reading this series, this is not a stand alone. Catalina has taken over the family P.I. business after her sister Nevada got married. In the previous book, something happened that caused Catalina to take on the duties of a deputy to the Warden of Texas, a secret and very powerful position. She’s been tasked with taking over a case from a much larger investigative firm, and she’s been told to use her deputy status to do so. However as she walks into the first meeting with the clients, Alessandro Sagredo saunters in and joins the meeting. He’s a gorgeous, dangerous, the strongest Prime of his type, a freaking count! and…he’s the man who broke Catalina’s heart. Seeing him not only shakes her, but frustrates her as he outs how strong she actually is. She wanted the clients to underestimate her.

Alessandro has his own reasons for showing back up in Catalina’s life. The number one reason is he plans on keeping her safe. Something happened during the past six months he’s been gone and he’s not letting her face this latest threat alone. Catalina may not want him there, but he’s not giving her a choice. Something big is going down, and he plans on staying by her side the entire time.

What I love about Alessandro, and all Ilona Andrews heroes for that matter, is that he knows Catalina is strong, smart, and capable. He’s not there to fight her battles, he’s there to help. These two work so well together, both as partners and as a couple. I love how they play to each others’ strengths, and I love how they overcome the hurdles in their way.

I would read anything Ilona Andrews writes-they could rewrite the directions on how to make macaroni and cheese and I’d be all over it! Their voice and their worlds work for me, and I don’t want to leave the universe they’ve created. I’ve re-read this book already, just to let you know how much I didn’t want to leave their world. Start this series, you won’t regret it!

***ARC courtesy of Avon Books