I received [b: Known|13132661|Also Known As (Also Known As, #1)|Robin Benway|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1354665105s/13132661.jpg|18309079] written by [a: Kendra Elliot|6150778|Kendra Elliot|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1343938011p2/6150778.jpg]. I got this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The format is an Amazon.Kindle e-book version.

[b: Known|13132661|Also Known As (Also Known As, #1)|Robin Benway|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1354665105s/13132661.jpg|18309079] is an exciting adventure that is fifth in the "Bone Secrets" series. "Known"stands alone well. The writing is good. The strong female protagonists are not perfect, but intelligent, and tough to kill.

With my snowsuit on I leaped into the story, sinking into the deep and ice crusted snow. There is mystery, peril and suspense. It is difficult to figure who the real bad guys are.

When a novel takes me away from my reality and transforms me into another place, it is like falling in love. The only reason I did not read this 348 page novel in one sitting is because sleep overcame me.

As I can picture the characters of Gianna, Violet and Chris, as well as a few of the shady antagonists. The skill of the author showed them all as three dimensional.

Now, I want to go back and learn about Chris and his horrible past. I enjoyed the play between the characters and could see this made into a movie.

Violet is a teenager who is heroic, smart and a survivor. I would recommend this to a mature Y/A reader, or adult.

Content: There is no graphic sex scenes, but a steamy love scene. There is violence. ( )

Known was a good but not great story about Chris Jacobs who had been kidnapped as a child and kept by someone called the Ghostman for two years before escaping. As an adult, he has meet Gianna Trask when the cabin where she and her daughter are staying burns to the ground. This is just the first in several incidents that lead Chris and Gianna into mystery, danger, and romance. Just when the two wounded souls think they have found some peace, Gianna's daughter, Violet is kidnapped and she and Chris must find her before it is too late.
The characters were likable and the mystery was somewhat intersting, but the story just lacked depth. I also found it hard to connect with the characters. This is the first book in the Bone Secrets series that I haven't loved. ( )

Known
3.5 Stars

Chris Jacobs has finally found some peace after years of living in fear. When he stumbles across a burned out cabin in the woods and rescues Gianna Trask and her teenage daughter, Chris realizes that something sinister is at work. Can he and Gianna confront their darkest secrets in order to survive?

Series note: It is not necessary to read the entire series prior to this book as most of the stories are standalone. However, book #3, Buried, should be read first for the backstory on Chris's traumatic past.

The first half of the story is well constructed with several compelling twists and a sweet slow burn romance. Unfortunately, the initial build up ultimately devolves, and the last few chapters are rushed and anti-climactic as if Elliot needed to wrap it all up quickly.

While not all that original, the mystery is intriguing and the chapters from the villain's POV set a suitably malicious and creepy tone. This does not last, however, as his actions at the end are not consistent with his characterization throughout.

Similarly, the romance begins well as Chris and Gianna have lovely chemistry and the emotion between them builds slowly but surely. Then it all comes to a jarring halt and their HEA is presented as fait accompli with no connection between the beginning and the end.

In sum, Known is a solid ending to the Bone Secrets series, which has been entertaining overall. Looking forward to continuing with the spin-off series focusing on Detective Mason Callahan (who was sorely missed in this installment).
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Known by Kendra Elliot is a 2016 Montlake publication.

This fifth installment in the 'Bone Secrets' series gives Chris Jacobs top billing, when he meets Gianna Trask and her teenage daughter, Violet, under extreme circumstances.

When Gianna’s cabin retreat catches fire, she and her daughter barely make it out alive. Chris also happens to be at his cabin at that time and brings the ladies to safety. But, he knows right away the burned-out shell of the cabin will reveal a very serious crime and that Gianna and Violet could be in danger.

Sure enough, it quickly becomes crystal clear that Gianna is a target…. But why?

I always enjoy Kendra Elliot’s romantic suspense novels, and this one is no exception. I love Chris Jacobs and was pleased to see him meet a kindred spirit in Gianna.

The story is fast paced, intense, suspenseful and emotional. The plotting is tight and unfortunately it captures the underbelly and greed of human nature all too well. It’s also a poignant family drama, with a bittersweet tone to it.

The action grabbed my attention right away and kept me riveted by building the suspense with perfect pacing, until it reaches a race against time drama that kept me glued to the pages.

The author did a terrific job of creating characters I could care about, and balanced the romance with the suspense exactly the way I like it.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will keep my eyes peeled for the next installment in this series!!

4 stars

*Kindle Unlimited ( )

First I feel like I need to thank the author for giving us a characters story that I honestly was not expecting to ever get. To get the full effect of Chris story you need to have at least read Buried. The author does do a great job of explaining his back story during the book but it makes it all the more sweeter to finally see him get his own HEA in the romance department and to finally face some things that have still kept him from fully embracing the world.

During one of his self imposed isolation retreats to a cabin Chris saves the life of Gianna Trask and her teenage daughter after their cabin had caught fire. The mystery of the fire and an unidentified dead body in the fire starts of the trail of more bodies and the mystery of finding out who is killing people and why they could be after Gianna.

This was a good blend of suspense along with the slow revealing of the what/why was going on along with two people with tragic pasts realizing that they fill the voids in each others souls that they had resigned would also be there. ( )