Forged by Secrets (Deadly Isles Special Ops, book 3) by Amy McKinley – Review by Stephanie Chapman

Forged by Secrets by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amy McKinley just amazes me with how well she integrates every book in the Deadly Isles Special Ops series. Forged by Secrets is the third book and involves a plot crossing continents and espionage. Gabriela was a grief-stricken teen that had fled Venezuela after her parents and fiancé died. After changing her name to Malina, she does her best to not allow anyone to get emotionally close. Tyler Hale insisted on breaking through her coldness, and she ended up in a hotel room in Vegas. When she woke, she ran from committing to a relationship. Several weeks later Malina arrives at work only to be intercepted by her coworker, Anna. Upon Anna’s advice and seeing international agents at her work station, Malina runs. Uncertain of where to go, she remembers that Tyler had a house on a family-owned island. Tyler was still not back from a mission in Venezuela, but Malina decided to gamble on hiding in hopes that he would return.

I liked the way McKinley kept the intensity of Malina’s emotions realistic. If I was running and facing the obstacles that she encountered, I would be just as nervous. I know the Navy SEAL retains the appearance of being calm, and Tyler’s demeanor matched this. McKinley added the emotional distress he was concealing, and I wondered if the poor guy was going to end up with an ulcer at the end. The end of the book is open-ended just like the prequels, and I am hoping to continue reading any future sequels. I am confidently rating this a solid 5 stars.

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