Rocky Mountain Standoff (Justice Seekers, 5)

"Rocky Mountain Standoff" is a romantic suspense novel. It's the fifth book in a series but works as a stand alone. The suspense was high throughout due to the danger to Sidney and her foster baby. Some parts didn't make sense, though, like why the deputies responsible for the courthouse security kept letting things come through without checking them. Or why the defendant kept threatening the people Sidney loved so she would find him not guilty when he knew only the jury could do that. Not to mention that his thugs kept shooting at her like she was the target. Or why another victim of this guy didn't go after the criminal (who was nearby) in revenge rather than threaten to kill Sidney, who was a victim like him.

Anyway. The romance didn't work for me. I understand why Sidney was attracted to this handsome guy who made her feel safe and who was great with her foster baby. But in the last book, Tanner was complaining about how difficult she was to protect because she wanted to do her job so this trial could be completed. She's still "difficult" that way, just like he's stubborn about refusing to get needed medical help. He's charmed by the baby. Then he's suddenly passionately kissing her. Panicked she'll leave him. Declaring that "love was all that mattered" no matter their differences and she and the baby made his life worth living. Um. Where did this come from? Later, he kept pushing her to say they'll adopt a lot more children even though they both have intense jobs and she feels rather old to raise children. Personally, I felt like they weren't a good match for a long term relationship. There was no sex or bad language.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.