Book Review: “Risking It All” by Joyce D’ Mot

“Risking It All” by Joyce D’ Mot (2018)

Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Page Length: 120 pages (electronic review copy)

Synopsis:

The last three years of Kenya Davis’s love life were rife with false starts and heartaches in her pursuit to get back her ex-boyfriend, Dave. The one bright spot she clung to was her job as a health scientist with the CDC. When she received a promotion that placed her in the field, working with the homeless under the interstate bridge, Kenya saw it as the distraction she desperately needed.

Simon Washington lived a charmed life before his world came crashing down around him. One fateful night full of confusion and heartache sends the once-affluent businessman on the run from the law, leaving behind his wife, a thriving business, and his social status.

Finding Simon, dressed like a homeless man sends Kenya life into a tailspin. Kenya wanted to comfort him, despite the warning bells going off in her head. Was he the dangerous criminal described by the news or the same guy she knew from college? Should she trust the man who fell into her world and crowded everything else out?

Simon felt drawn to the courageous, kind-hearted spirit who refused to protect herself from his drama and accept that her trust in him put her in danger. He had to push her away, but the sweetness of her presence was hard to give up when he needed it so much. There were answers he couldn’t give her and a truth he had to keep hidden.

Risking It All follows Kenya and Simon as their worlds collided in an unexpected mash-up of uncertainty and desire. Can they navigate a minefield of emotions and close calls to find and maintain their freedom and maybe even love—with or without each other? (description from Goodreads)

Review:

Risking It All follows main character, Kenya, who is a bright young woman who wants to work in the science field. Her dream job is working for the CDC (yay! for STEM field characters) which she enjoys, but she still seems stuck in life. She has the support of her twin brother, Kenyon and other friends and family members, but wants more out of life. She has an on/off again relationship with her college boyfriend Dave, who is holding her back. She is trying to make amend for her past mistakes in their relationship but while she loves him, he doesn’t seem to love her. While working on a highly prized project she’s always desired, she runs into a former classmate, Simon, on the run for a crime. But the question is he innocent or guilty?

Kenya is a very kind-hearted person and wants to believe the best in others so decides to help out Simon which is a huge risk since the police were after him. The two reconnect with one another and find comfort in each others company with a slow budding romance. But before they can move forward Kenya must make a choice to trust in his words. Simon has fallen on hard-times after accusations thrown his way, he is suffering from the obstacles life has thrown at him. Kenya proves to be his shining light while going through hard times. They both see the hurt in each other and help each other to forgive and move forward with life.

The novel is fast paced, and there are some even some steamy hot scenes. I really enjoyed the character development of Kenya. It was nice to see her evolve from her insecurities and became more confident of what she wanted in life. She stopped looking towards the past. The novel was a bit predictable at a few points, but other than that it was a solid contemporary romance!

Final Verdict: