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Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Tori Werkhesier

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Revenge HoneymoonRevenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This one was a little disappointing as the synopsis sounded so good but did not deliver. I am all for a close girl friendship and I loved the idea of the two girls going on the honeymoon cruise after Ruby’s fiance left her. I was not too fond of the constant comparison to Ruby and the little pity parties Emily constantly had and then Ruby going back and forth half the time about getting back or not with her ex. Emily was too much in her head and lacked confidence, which bothered me. It became so much of the story that I kept rolling my eyes. The cruise aspect was a lot of fun, I have never been on a cruise so it was fun to read about what that could be like. I also did not like how much she was obsessed with Max at first it was very insta-love for me and I hated how quickly he jumped to I love you. His character was okay for me, he is sweet but i didnt understand him well. This was a few days worth of time and they immediately fall in love when the barely know each other??? Not realistic for me and I did not see what there was to love yet. The potential for the relationship was strong but just needed more than just sexual tension to get me to that level. I also really did not understand the need for the girls to be pretending to be lesbians. Ruby just kind of sprung that on Emily at one point and it didn’t make sense because, in the beginning, they tell the cruise director the situation, and it’s not a big deal that they are not a couple. I did not like the lying to Max and they clearly didn’t discuss it ahead of time so it was sloppy and just annoying to me that they came up with this story but then did not intend on playing it out and were just deceiving a bunch of strangers for no reason and then lying to the only friend they make the whole trip. The drama with the director was kind of fun for a little flare but it was over the top as well. I think this story has a lot of potentials but definitely could have been better. There are so many ways to write this kind of story and this just wasn’t the best one. It was a fun quick read overall but not my favorite.

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Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Lorrene Huisman

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Revenge HoneymoonRevenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book had it all drama, laughter, and certainly a lot of love! I really enjoyed this adventure, everything felt right and fell into place perfectly as I read. Definitely a perfect read any day of the year!

Personally I really connected with Emily. Trying to be the perfect best friend, and has her own stuff going on. Her personality reminded me of myself. Always feeling second best in life was a great comparison to my own life! I enjoyed the random circumstances that occurred, and when you plan something, something else happens instead! The book had a lot of heart all the way through. And you cannot deny the love of a best friend. Defiantly was felt strongly with Emily and Ruby. I loved the author’s writing style. The reading was light and heartfelt. A great joy to read. Author was great at descriptions as well! Loved it!

Could not get enough of this must read book and author. Certainly will be reading more by this author as I just really loved and enjoyed this one! Highly recommend this must read book and author hands down!

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Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Angela Hayes

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Revenge Honeymoon

Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater is such a fun read. This contemporary romance had me hooked right from the moment I read the title. And even if the title hadn’t won me over instantly, the blurb certainly would have sealed the deal.
This is a romantic comedy about love, loss, friendship, a honeymoon cruise, a little revenge, a fake relationship (with a difference), chemistry, insta-love, angst, drama, humour, antics, and finding love unexpectedly.
How to make the best out of a bad situation, and maybe strike at a chance for a little revenge in the process. When her best friend is left at the altar, Emily wants to cheer her up and suggests they take the honeymoon cruise together instead of letting it go to waste. Only problem is that the cruise is only for newlyweds…… but they soon decide on a solution- taking the cruise by posing as a couple. Easy right? But what happens when Emily meets Mr. Right? Yep, you guessed- you’re in for an entertaining read- now let all the mayhem, antics, and fun begin….
Happy Reading…

Thank you, K.J. Gillenwater!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater

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(ღ˘⌣˘ღ) BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3C3sJMk
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/revenge-honeymoon-k-j-gillenwater/1142372965
#ontour #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITS #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITSPROMOTIONS #ItsyBitsyBookBitsTours #BookSpotlightShowcase #RevengeHoneymoon #KJGillenwater #RomanticComedy #Comedy #Romance
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Romantic Comedy
Page Count – 290
Cover Designer – Deborah Bradseth

What happens in the Caribbean, stays in the Caribbean…

Emily Small has a big heart, a loud mouth, and a terrible taste in men. She’s used to living in her perfect best friend Ruby’s shadow – but when Ruby is left devastated at the altar, Emily becomes desperate to save her friend from heartache… and salvage their non-refundable cruise!

Emily hatches an ingenious plan to soothe Ruby’s broken heart by island-hopping together as an act of revenge. There’s only one teensy problem: the cruise is for newlyweds only. Naturally, they have a solution. They’ll pretend to be a married couple!

But their ten days of fun are about to spiral into a crazy, messy adventure that risks leaving a few hearts broken along the way – because when Emily bumps into the ship’s hot photographer, Max Keeling, she begins to wish she could rethink their arrangement. If her deception gets discovered, would they boot her off the boat? But Emily can’t keep her hands to herself, and her cruise fling could bring everything crashing down.

How can she support her best friend at the worst moment in her life while pursuing an out-of-her-league guy in the Caribbean? And can she somehow find a way to have the best of both worlds?

As a hilarious, sexy, and heartwarming read that strikes the perfect balance between feel-good emotions and laugh-out-loud humor, Revenge Honeymoon is a fun and memorable romantic comedy that you won’t be able to put down.

~ AMAZON ~ BARNES & NOBLE ~

Click here to view the Book Trailer for Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater

Click here to experience a Chapter Reading of Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater

K. J. Gillenwater Gillenwater has a B.A. in English and Spanish from Valparaiso University and an M.A. in Latin American Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. She worked as a Russian linguist in the U.S. Navy, spending time at the National Security Agency doing secret things. After six years of service, she ended up as a technical writer in the software industry.

She has lived all over the U.S. and currently resides in Wyoming with her family where she writes government proposals and squeezes in fiction writing when she can.

In the winter she likes to ski and snowshoe; in the summer she likes to garden with her husband, take walks with her dogs, and go exploring in the mountains.

Author Interview with K. J. Gillenwater

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(ღ˘⌣˘ღ) PREORDER (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater

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(ღ˘⌣˘ღ) PREORDER (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3C3sJMk
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/revenge-honeymoon-k-j-gillenwater/1142372965
#ComingSoon #Preorder #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITS #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITSPROMOTIONS #RevengeHoneymoon #KJGillenwater #RomanticComedy #Comedy #Romance
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Romantic Comedy
Page Count – 290
Cover Designer – Deborah Bradseth

What happens in the Caribbean, stays in the Caribbean…

Emily Small has a big heart, a loud mouth, and a terrible taste in men. She’s used to living in her perfect best friend Ruby’s shadow – but when Ruby is left devastated at the altar, Emily becomes desperate to save her friend from heartache… and salvage their non-refundable cruise!

Emily hatches an ingenious plan to soothe Ruby’s broken heart by island-hopping together as an act of revenge. There’s only one teensy problem: the cruise is for newlyweds only. Naturally, they have a solution. They’ll pretend to be a married couple!

But their ten days of fun are about to spiral into a crazy, messy adventure that risks leaving a few hearts broken along the way – because when Emily bumps into the ship’s hot photographer, Max Keeling, she begins to wish she could rethink their arrangement. If her deception gets discovered, would they boot her off the boat? But Emily can’t keep her hands to herself, and her cruise fling could bring everything crashing down.

How can she support her best friend at the worst moment in her life while pursuing an out-of-her-league guy in the Caribbean? And can she somehow find a way to have the best of both worlds?

As a hilarious, sexy, and heartwarming read that strikes the perfect balance between feel-good emotions and laugh-out-loud humor, Revenge Honeymoon is a fun and memorable romantic comedy that you won’t be able to put down.

~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ BOOKBUB  ~  TIKTOK ~ GOODREADS ~

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(ღ˘⌣˘ღ) COMING SOON (ღ˘⌣˘ღ) Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater

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(ღ˘⌣˘ღ) COMING SOON (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3C3sJMk
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/revenge-honeymoon-k-j-gillenwater/1142372965
#ComingSoon #Preorder #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITS #ITSYBITSYBOOKBITSPROMOTIONS #RevengeHoneymoon #KJGillenwater #RomanticComedy #Comedy #Romance
Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits
Genre – Romantic Comedy
Page Count – 290
Cover Designer – Deborah Bradseth

What happens in the Caribbean, stays in the Caribbean…

Emily Small has a big heart, a loud mouth, and a terrible taste in men. She’s used to living in her perfect best friend Ruby’s shadow – but when Ruby is left devastated at the altar, Emily becomes desperate to save her friend from heartache… and salvage their non-refundable cruise!

Emily hatches an ingenious plan to soothe Ruby’s broken heart by island-hopping together as an act of revenge. There’s only one teensy problem: the cruise is for newlyweds only. Naturally, they have a solution. They’ll pretend to be a married couple!

But their ten days of fun are about to spiral into a crazy, messy adventure that risks leaving a few hearts broken along the way – because when Emily bumps into the ship’s hot photographer, Max Keeling, she begins to wish she could rethink their arrangement. If her deception gets discovered, would they boot her off the boat? But Emily can’t keep her hands to herself, and her cruise fling could bring everything crashing down.

How can she support her best friend at the worst moment in her life while pursuing an out-of-her-league guy in the Caribbean? And can she somehow find a way to have the best of both worlds?

As a hilarious, sexy, and heartwarming read that strikes the perfect balance between feel-good emotions and laugh-out-loud humor, Revenge Honeymoon is a fun and memorable romantic comedy that you won’t be able to put down.

Click here to view the Coming Soon Trailer for Revenge Honeymoon by K.J. Gillenwater

~ FACEBOOK ~ INSTAGRAM ~ BOOKBUB  ~  TIKTOK ~ GOODREADS ~

~ WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ TWITTER ~ PINTEREST ~ YOUTUBE ~ INSTAGRAM~ FACEBOOK GROUP ~ TIKTOK ~

Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Christine Baranek

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Illegal
By K. J. Gillenwater
5*
I was absolutely unable to put down this book. It is a quick, page turner romance. Wyatt is working at the U.S. Embassy when a gorgeous woman catches his eye. She has come in in an attempt to reapply for a visa after being deported. She is helped at the window by Wyatt’s coworker. When Wyatt overhears a conversation between his coworker and an unknown caller, Wyatt knows he must help this beautiful woman.
Meanwhile, Selena has been deported from America and she is quickly discovering that everything she thought she knew about her mother and her life in America is a lie. She is the daughter of a major drug lord and head of a cartel. Her father has been looking for her for years.
Wyatt chases after Selena after hearing the phone call and from there they travel across Mexico in an attempt to escape the danger that they think is ahead of them. Meanwhile, they form an unlikely romance.
This book is one that that I really cannot recommend enough. It is filled with believable characters who are on an unbelievable adventure. I found myself rooting for Wyatt and Selena individually and for them to be together.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Kimberly Filer

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An engaging, suspenseful novel that I would highly recommend! Lied to her entire life Selena Hernandez’s world has just been turned upside down. From the time she was a child Selena thought she was a legal citizen until her mother is arrested and learns the truth about her life. Selena returns to Mexico thinking that’s the only option. When she arrives in Mexico she learns about her birth father and how important he is in Mexico. A book that shouldn’t be put down till the very end.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Christie Mitchum

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater is a heart-pounding, riveting read! Once I started reading, it was impossible to put down.

Selena finds herself alone in Mexico, the country she was born in but doesn’t remember living in. She grew up in Arizona, thinking she was an American citizen. That was just one lie her mother told her. Her goal is to do what she needs to do to get back to her life in the US. Little does she realize that everything she knew about her life was a complete lie which puts her life in grave danger. Thankfully, a chance encounter with handsome stranger, Wyatt, saves her life in one instant. Now, they both are in a fight for their very lives, thus putting them on a journey of not only survival but truth and quite possibly love!

Wow! As I wrote in the earlier paragraph what a riveting read! Gillenwater did a phenomenal job of balancing romance, suspense, and drama! My heart went out to Selena. Everything she thought she knew about her life was a complete lie. I’m not a reviewer who likes to bring politics into reviews because I read books to escape things in the news, but this one really made me think alot about the children who have been essentially raised in the US and know nothing about their birth country and suddenly finding themselves facing deportation. It was obvious she was a foreigner in Mexico too. As the author wrote the following passage, my heart just broke for her.

“Or was she American? What exactly made someone American anyway? A look? An experience? A certain length of time living in the US? These questions had been ping-ponging around in her mind for a couple of weeks, and she had no answer?”

Not only was this a journey in discovering who she really was, but now she had no idea who the strangers were who were after her, and whoa, when she discovered who she really was, what a shocker for her!

Wyatt has quite a dark past himself…a dark childhood, and he is learning some things about himself as well in his quest to keep her safe all while falling helplessly and hopelessly in love with her.

There was nothing I didn’t like about Selena and Wyatt’s story! They were complicated and complex characters who just kept growing and evolving. The suspense and twists kept me turning the pages as well! If you are looking for a great romantic suspense with some great human lessons within the pages as well, this one is a winner!

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater-Review by Elena Tobar

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is such great romantic suspense novel that I couldn’t set it down once I picked it up! Selena suddenly has the rug pulled out from under her and finds herself in a dangerous world that she knows nothing about. Wyatt finds him self caught up in her drama and can’t help but get involved. I really enjoyed watching them grow closer as they struggled with different backgrounds and trust issues. There is so much action and suspense wrapped up in a budding romance that I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next!

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What lengths would you go to protect someone you just met? In this story we get to find that out when embassy worker Wyatt get dragged into a cab with one Selena Hernandez. She self deported herself to Mexico and is trying to make things right and get back to America legally. Wyatt over heard his co-worker talking with someone on the phone about Ms. Hernandez and decided he needed to warn her that someone was after her. Although their couple encounters weren’t what he had hoped they would be, their attraction is undeniable. Will he be able to help her figure out who these bad guys are that are after her? Will they remain together once the nightmare is over?

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Rebecca Hill

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought this book was a unique story. Selena Hernandez found out her mother has been lying to her for her whole life. When her mother is arrested and taken to jail, Selena finds out that she is actually from Mexicao and not a legal citizen. Selena is led to believe that deporting herself to Mexico is her only option. She thinks it will be a rapid turn around to going back to her life in Arizona. She doesn’t count on discovering that her birth father is an important man in the drug cartel. Wyatt Demko didn’t plan on getting involved in everything going on with Selena, but he knew that he needed to warn her. Together they end up on quite the adventure, not knowing who they can trust. I was so sad for Wyatt as details of his abusive past came to light. I could see myself in Selena’s inner dialogue, especially when she would give herself a pep talk. This was an enjoyable read and had some small twists that I enjoyed!

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by stephanie nicole

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While this is the first book that I have read from this author, I was overall impressed. The chemistry between the main characters was great, and there was a great balance between romance, intrigue, and action. Selena was a great main character, although like most she did have a few character flaws. But her chemistry with Wyatt and his sweet nature more then made up for it. This book was full of surprises that kept me on the edge of my seat and I’ll definitely be looking for more from this author.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Lorralei Hoerner

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, I am so glad I picked up this book! If you love a story with action, danger, intrigue, cartel and lies this one is for you.

Selena, upon learning she is illegally living in the US, decides to go back to Mexico to obtain her documents and visa legally to return to Arizona. Selena discovers hard truths and is on the run as someone is out to get her. Wyatt Demko, a Embassy employee, at first is smitten by Selena, but then becomes her protector when Wyatt learns that there is someone out to get Selena. Lies that are slowly being uncovered as Selena learns she may be linked to a notorious cartel family.

This story is fast paced and very enjoyable characters.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Julie Johnson

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hold onto your passports!!! This book gripped extremely hard and was very difficult to put down the couple of times I had to!!

Selina has self-deported back to Mexico from her home in Tucson. She wants everything to be on the up-and-up, especially after finding out her entire life has been a huge lie. She doesn’t know the language and is struggling to go through the proper channels when her life changes drastically.

Wyatt isn’t loving his job but knows that the work he is doing at the Embassy could lead to something better. It’s when the beautiful woman walks into his office and a mysterious phone call is made that causes life to get interesting.

What lengths would you take to protect someone you just met?

Be ready to sit down and dive in because this one grabbed me from the first line and didn’t let up until the end. I’ve still got some questions though….

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Reviewed by: @faithfulgirl4

Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Katie Matthews

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Overall I really enjoyed this book – I thought the storyline was really interesting and the author threw in some great twists too. There were a few times where I skimmed over a few parts as they were a bit drawn out but it was an exciting read at times – I’m going to say this especially true from the middle part of the story – the action definitely kicked up a notch there. I really liked the characters, and the authors descriptions of Mexico in particular were great, I got a real feeling for what the place was like. I liked Wyatt, I thought he really did do what he could to help protect Selena at the beginning and be there for her as the story progressed. I felt for Selena especially finding out about her extended family the way she did.
A great read and one that I would highly recommend.

@katiem
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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Vanessa Watts

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story is one that will leave you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out who is good and who is bad. It seems in Mexico is where everyone’s skeletons are buried and when they come to light no one knows whose side anyone is on.

Selena Hernandez, who discovers she is an illegal immigrant after her mom is arrested, decides she needs to go back to Mexico to get a Visa to come to the United States legally. However, once she steps foot in Mexico her journey is anything but easy like the lawyer in the US said it would be. After attempting to get her visa at the US embassy Selena’s path is entangled with Wyatt Demko who senses trouble is a foot for Selena. As the secrets of who Selena is and that her real father is a notorious cartel kingpin Selena’s life is more at stake than ever. She seems to be a pawn in everybodies scheme and naturally doesn’t trust anybody. Can Salena uncover all the secrets about her past to ensure she has a future? Can Wyatt prove to not only himself but also Selena that he is a trustworthy guy with no alternative agenda? In this wild game of drugs, secrets, and nefarious plots who will come out on top?

This book has a slow start to the storyline. It takes the author a bit of time to list out the players and bump up the action. Once he does though this is a non stop thrill ride to the end with more twists and turns than a roller coaster. If you like romantic suspense books then this will be right up your alley. The author’s descriptive scenes, especially Tulum and Chichen Izza, take me back to when my husband and I visited the same sites on a trip to Mexico in 2019. That’s how you know this is a good story, when it can take you back in time and help visualize where the characters are at and the interactions taking place!

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Tausha Treadway

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater. This is my favorite genre so I was super excited to read this new to me author. It did not disappoint. Its the story of Selena Hernandez who has woken up to a nightmare. Her whole world has been turned upside down. She is in the states and has tried to get all her paperwork corrected but now she’s finding out everything she’s been told is a big fat lie. She is in the US illegally! She is trying to get back to Mexico to get it corrected and thank goodness for Wyatt who works for the State Department who is trying to help her. They immediately sense an attraction to each other. When she uncovers her true identity it puts her in a world of danger. Will she and Wyatt be able to get out of this horrible situation alive and if so will they give in to their attraction? Read this fast paced amazing book!

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Candida Hopper

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first time I have read anything by this author and after reading this book I look forward to reading more. This story was full of romance, suspense, action, danger, rich detail, and great characters. I was pulled into this story and kept entertained. I found myself unable to put it down to find out if Selena is able to put all the pieces of her life back together without getting herself hurt. What will happen between her and Wyatt. Selena and Wyatt come from different backgrounds and yet they still both have trust issues. I’m glad I took a chance on a new author. I recommend this book.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Kylean Sprosty

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Selena is sent to Mexico after it is discovered that her and her mother were in the U.S. illegally. Wyatt worked at the embassy in Mexico City when Selena came in to try and get back to her life in Arizona. From that moment their lives took on an interesting twist. A wild adventure through Mexico to discover Selena’s past and Wyatt’s future. Drug cartels, DEA agents and unlikely help bring them on a wild journey. Selena is a brave character to discover her past and face it through the jungles of Mexico. Wyatt seems a little uptight, but at least his careful planning provides some comfort. Suspenseful and a real page-turner.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Angela Renee Diaz

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I like to think Wyatt was lovestruck when he first laid eyes on Selena. Selena was weary and cautious of seeing him repeatedly. Though they do get separated and think the worse of each other. They reunite and everything ends happily ever after. I enjoyed this fast paced book. Look forward to reading next one.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Katie Turner

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater takes its readers on a wild adventure in Mexico. This story portrays a view of the life of a young woman, Selena Hernandez, whose life is turned upside. She is ripped from her world in Arizona after finding out that she and her mother were both in the United States illegally. Her mother is thrown in jail and Selena is told to return to Mexico and reapply for a visa to become a legal citizen. After meeting him on the street, she is reacquainted with a young man named Wyatt, who ends up being a customer service representative at the embassy when she goes to apply for her visa. From there, the story begins to unfold. As Wyatt is pulled into this mess surrounding a pretty girl, unknown truths surface and they become more intertwined more than either of them planned to be.

This had it all for me. Suspense, romance and action fueled this story from beginning to end. I thought the main characters, Wyatt and Selena, were perfect and well-fleshed out. They both came from two different backgrounds, both had deeply rooted issues with trust that cause them to question each other’s intentions. But they have to find a way to work together because all they have is each other. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to read more stories by this author!

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Veronica Lee

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

K.J. Gillenwater is a new author to me but it won’t be the last book that I want to read from her. This is diffidently a book of twists and turns. It was I just got to read the next chapter and before you realize it is 2:00 am and you have to be up early.
Selina wants to do things the right way. Unbeknown to her life is not what it seems to be. Wyatt was a man in a foreign country who was nosy or maybe the wrong person at the right time or perhaps just the right person in this unfair situation.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Megan Pesek

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Selena’s life has been a lie and she is determined to make it right. Wyatt is simply trying to help when he gets pulled into the drama Selena doesn’t even realize she’s about to encounter. In a world where nobody can be trusted two perfect strangers have to decide whether or not they should trust one another in order to stay alive.
The story starts slow, but you really get a chance to know the characters. Once the action starts it simply doesn’t end! From one suspenseful situation to another, you will find yourself reading late into the night.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Kerry Baker

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is quite a slow build story in the start, creating a bit of tension as you read. Then, around half way through, the book picks up pace and it exciting and action packed. It is suspenseful and fast paced and I found myself really getting drawn into what was happening. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I found them to be engaging and dynamic. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I will be checking out more of her work soon.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Angela Hayes

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

3.5 Stars

 

Illegal: A Ripped-From-the -Headlines Romantic Suspense by K.J Gillenwater is the first book that I have read from this author, so I wasn’t sure of what to expect from one of her stories. But I love a great romantic suspense, so I snapped up a copy and set off on Selena’s adventure.
Selena Hernandez has had her whole world turned upside down. What she thought she knew of her life was nothing but lies. She has no choice but to return to Mexico to sort things out and try to reclaim her life. But things take a complicated and dangerous turn when she uncovers her true identity.
With danger, tension, and ties to the cartel the story makes for an intriguing and suspenseful read.
Happy Reading!

Thank you, K.J. Gillenwater!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Heidi Sturgess

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a brilliant ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read !!

I must just say I was so impressed with Selena wanting to do the right thing and self deport , that takes courage and for that I honour you 😘

That’s how Selena abs Wyatt’s path crossed actually , he overheard a corrupt official in his office and decided to step on and come to her rescue , for that I want to comment Wyatt , thank you for your bravery ❣️

So as you may have noticed there’s a bit of a fan club going here 😂🤦‍♀️ I just love Selena and Wyatt !

This read ticked all my boxes , there was suspense , romance , twists and turns and some moments where I held my breath with great anticipation and anxiety 😳😳

A brilliant, shout from the rooftops read !

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Shelly Kittell

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was the best edge-of-the-seat, romantic suspense book I’ve read this month. Selena finds out that she’s in the U.S. illegally. She is trying to do the right thing and go back to Mexico and get the right paperwork. Turns out her life has been a big fat lie. She has been set up for some big trouble and Wyatt, an employee with the state department, just wants to help. Oh my, this could have been ripped straight from the headlines. I caught myself holding my breath at times because the action is that good. You find yourself going “just one more page, I have to know what happens.” The action started with the first page and doesn’t quit until the end. The story is very engaging. There are a few plot twists that keep shock and surprise. The chemistry with Selena and Wyatt is great because it is a slow burn. The characters feel real because they have attitudes that I would expect from those type of people. The descriptions of crime lords and corruption in Mexico seem to fit what we hear. The story is engaging and will keep you wanting more. I want to read more from this author. You need to read this story if you love romantic suspense.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This romantic suspense novel was a real page turner and I was hooked from page one. Selena Hernandez discovers that she was brought to the United States illegally as a child, and in order to become a legal immigrant, she must return to Mexico, a country she does not know. Selena meets Wyatt Demko, an embassy employee whilst at the US Embassy asking for help with a visa. Wyatt is happy to help Selena, but the more they discover about her past which includes connections to a notorious and dangerous drug cartel, Wyatt’s own carefully planned life is upended. Having escaped a hard upbringing in a Wisconsin trailer park, Wyatt has worked hard for his stable career with the State Department. However, he also wants to keep Selena safe, and maybe win her heart at the same time.
As Selena fights to be allowed to return home to the US, her complicated situation becomes an international affair, whilst she’s stuck in a unknown land. Wyatt and Selena only have a few days to attempt the impossible, including hiding from the brutal drug cartel and the corrupt law enforcement, to make a daring getaway. This novel kept me gripped from start to finish with its fast paced and action packed storyline, and plot twists that kept me guessing. The characters were likeable and relatable and I felt engaged with them, and the settings from the streets of Mexico City to the sandy beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula were brought vividly to life by the descriptive narrative. The chemistry between Selena and Wyatt really came across in the writing and I liked how their relationship developed. This was an enjoyable and exciting read, full of drama, suspense, and plenty of romance.

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Illegal by K.J. Gillenwater – Review by Bobbi Wagner

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IllegalIllegal by K.J. Gillenwater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this suspenseful story. This is a new author for me which I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into the story from the start. The level of suspense kept growing throughout the story. The author’s use of details made the story realistic. I found the characters to be connectable as well as engaging. This is a fast paced story that is full of action. A story where two people find themselves in danger from drug cartels and corrupted law enforcement. You don’t want to miss what happens next. A great story that was hard to put down. It is a fun and entertaining story that I highly recommend. You don’t want to miss these twists and turns.

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Review by @bjwagner