Not bad. Average read. Okay plot, okay romance. I liked the main characters well enough. Maylin was not your usual romantic suspense heroine. She was smart and cautious and polite. She often bit back her uncharitable thoughts which was a change of pace. Plus, she recognised and accepted that she was not capable of doing what Gabe's team did - she took no unnecessary risks and followed all directives. That definitely was a change of pace. Still, too much romance and not enough suspense or action for my liking. I liked the humor though. It was fast paced for the first half but I felt my attention waning in the second half. Started to drag. 2 stars. ( )

This was a good start to the series, with plenty of action and a terrific romance to go with it. Maylin is a caterer, working a high-end event. One of her goals is to talk to the security people working there. Her younger sister, a brilliant geneticist, disappeared during a conference in China, and Maylin can't get anyone to take her worry seriously. She's heard good things about the people of Centurion and desperately hopes that they can help her. Her hopes are dashed when Gabe turns her down flat.

Gabe and his team are on "light duty" after a mission that resulted in injuries. Working a charity event is almost boring, but it's better than sitting around doing nothing. When Maylin first approached him, he thought she was looking for a hook-up. When he heard her reason, he bluntly told her that her case was hopeless. First, she couldn't afford them, and second, her sister was probably dead anyway. But when he later witnesses her nearly run down by a hit-and-run driver, he thinks that there may be more to her sister's disappearance than either of them suspects.

I liked the interweaving of the romance and the suspense. There are sparks between Gabe and Maylin from the beginning, but Gabe prefers to keep his emotions well away from the job. A recent relationship with a coworker that ended very badly only reinforced that feeling. But there is something about Maylin that gets under his skin, and he can't deny the protectiveness he feels toward her. Though he is ready to help her find her sister, rescuing the girl is a different matter, once they get a good idea of where she is. Though he is willing, the boss is adamant that they can't spare the resources. That is until new information comes to light. It was interesting to see the abrupt about-face, and how suddenly everyone was all-in.

It was sweet to see how happy Maylin was when Gabe agreed to help her. One of the things I liked about her was her love of taking care of people, and how she expressed it with food. She has a stellar reputation as a caterer, and it shows. I laughed out loud at the team's reactions to the meals she cooked for them.

I liked seeing the development of their relationship. Though he tries to resist, Gabe can't help caring about what happens to Maylin. Though he is pretty gruff and practical on the outside, inside there is a core of kindness that really comes out around her. It was funny to see his mind keep drifting to the idea of keeping Maylin in his life, then coming up with reasons it couldn't happen. Maylin is a woman used to being independent and relying on herself, but she finds it very easy to lean on Gabe and to trust him. Her heart quickly gets involved, but she knows that anything permanent between them is unlikely. I loved seeing them grow closer and ached for them and their belief that nothing could come of it. I liked the ending, and how a little bit of foreshadowing came to pass and provided a chance for them to have that future - if only they were brave enough to take the opportunity.

The suspense was terrific. From the first attack on Maylin, it was evident that there was more behind her sister's disappearance. Things became even more complicated during a trip to DC and the Chinese embassy. Gabe makes contact with someone who has some interesting information to share. He is also confronted by his ex-girlfriend, the same one who betrayed their team, went over to a rival firm, and shot him in the back. Jewel's involvement proves that An-Mei's disappearance is much more complicated than they knew. I was impressed by the realism of Centurion's investigation, as they dealt with road-blocks and the knowledge that things might not go their way. The rescue mission was a nail-biter, especially with some of the twists they had to deal with. There was an extra twist at the end that I didn't expect, and I'm still not sure I fully understand. I do get the feeling that they aren't entirely done with the bad guys yet. ( )

The best advice I'd give you when you read Hidden Impact: Don't look at Piper J. Drake's Hidden Impact board while reading the book. It'll make you hungry. For two different reasons. *winks*

Maylin is strong, determined, hopeful and a great cook! It was refreshing to read a protagonist set on a dangerous world that even though she won't be much of help -which she knows- on the real action like shooting guns, hand-to-hand combat she did differently which are giving information (obviously) and cooking for the team! I don't know half of the things she cooks, but I'm starving. It's a bit hard to make a review with a growling stomach, you know!

Gabe is great! While you read throughout the book, you'll understand why he didn't want to take Maylin's request for help in the first place. He knows it won't be easy and he'd made mistakes before. He doesn't want to repeat those so he tries to make it right.

The attraction between Maylin and Gabe is strong. As I was reading the book, there was this Gabe and Maylin moment that I stopped reading and flailed. Then, opened my mobile device and continued reading!

I admired the Centurion team, specifically Gabe's team, for their unity and cooperation. They are like family even though they don't know much about each of them except skill sets, abilities, strengths and weaknesses that will be a useful contribution to their missions.

Hidden Impact is a suspenseful read with a lot of action, romance and a great storyline. Also, it will probably make you hungry. ( )