Pearl by Freya Barker
GEM #2

Three women who were trafficked find purpose working with GEM to find, rescue, and recover missing and exploited children. Their mission and purpose is justice and they are more than willing to mete it out on their own terms. Jacob, the man that calls to coordinate and oversee the team, is never seen or met and in that regard, this series reminds me a bit of the TV program, Charlie’s Angels.

What I liked:
* Janey Fisher AKA Pearl: difficult backstory including abuse and exploitation, survivor, martial arts skills, athletic, tiny but mighty, prickly, hair trigger, good friend, has trust issues, likes to be in control, finds something special with Lee
* Lee Remington: free-lance journalist, curious, mother killed for knowing too much about Transition House, strong interest in truth finding and exposing evil people and what they do, patient, strong, interested in Janey
* Catching up with the other members of the team: Kate/Pearl, Mitch, Ray/Onyx, and Jacob
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing with the tie-in that runs through the series leading back to Transition House’s three main organizers that got away but will be found and put out of service by the end of the series
* The way the team are there for one another AND for those that they find and rescue
* Getting to see more than one youth rescued in this story
* The part the FBI played and how they worked seamlessly with GEM
* Thinking about what Jacob’s tie to Transition House and its past might be – hoping to find out in the next book
* That there is another book to look forward to with Onyx starring in the finale

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about predators that procure and then use and abuse humans of any age by considering them disposable merchandise

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Star ( )