Book Review: Killjoy by Julie Garwood – Gripping Romantic Suspense
- Books and Benches
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Julie Garwood's Killjoy is a romantic suspense novel filled with tension and passion, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat.
At a Glance
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Thriller
Tone: Emotional, gripping, heartfelt
Series: Book 3 of 14: Buchanan/Renard/MacKenna (can be read as a standalone)
Best for: Readers who enjoy strong heroines, protective heroes, and romance woven into high-stakes suspense
Book Review of Killjoy by Julie Garwood
Julie Garwood’s Killjoy grabs the reader immediately with a high-stakes plot and tension that doesn’t let up. The story balances suspense and romance beautifully, with fully realized characters whose choices and emotions feel both realistic and compelling. And I just love the big, strong, tough-guy hero.
The hero and heroine face complex challenges that test their courage, trust, and loyalty. Garwood’s pacing is precise, keeping the mystery engaging while allowing the romance to develop naturally. The emotional stakes are high, but moments of tenderness and humor bring warmth and balance to the story. She also did a great job making me loathe the bad guys, like really, seriously loathe them.
Readers who enjoy romantic suspense will be drawn into Killjoy, rooting for the characters and savoring every twist and turn.
Get the Book
High stakes, memorable characters, and a story that keeps you turning pages.
Book Information/Metadata
Title: Killjoy
Author: Julie Garwood
Book 3 of 14: Buchanan/Renard/MacKenna
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication date: September 17, 2002
Language: English
Print length: 464 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0345458599
Reviewed by: Lizzie
Content Rating: 5 Hearts
Review Disclaimers / Notes
The copy reviewed is from the reviewer's personal library. This review reflects the opinion of the reviewer and does not necessarily represent the opinions of all other reviewers (past, present, future) who review for Books & Benches.
Because we do not have a professional editor volunteer, this post was edited by the Books & Benches team with help from ProWritingAid, Grammarly, or Wix. The review and all opinions/thoughts within are the reader’s.
Affiliate links are used in this post. If you click on an Amazon or Bookshop link and make a purchase, this site will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — helping us maintain the site and share more books.
About the Book
Killjoy by Julie Garwood
(Retailer Description)
In this breathless new novel, Julie Garwood has written her most electrifying thriller to date.
Avery Delaney has always tried to put the past far behind her. Abandoned by her rapacious, conniving mother when she was only three days old, Avery was raised by her grandmother and beloved aunt Carolyn. Then, when she was eleven, she witnessed her grandmother’s violent death, before Avery herself was shot and left for dead. Miraculously she survived. The man responsible is serving time in a Florida prison. This traumatic experience propels Avery into a life of law and order.
Her razor-sharp mind and ability to gather data and decipher evidence has made Avery an expert crime analyst for the FBI. But soon she will have to use every one of her adroit skills on a case that hits painfully close to home.
Avery’s workaholic aunt, Carolyn Salvetti, is certain her (hopefully soon-to-be ex) husband sent her the gold embossed reservation to the posh Utopia Spa in the mountains of Colorado. At first she is resistant, but then figures it will be a welcome respite from the cutthroat advertising business, not to mention a networking extravaganza. Plus she persuades her niece to join her for the two weeks of luxury and decadence.
But Carolyn never makes it to Utopia. Under false pretenses, she is taken to an isolated retreat by a handsome stranger with a dazzling smile, suave demeanor, and the darkest of motives. His name is Monk, a hired assassin. Now, with scant clues and fewer resources, Avery must track down and save Carolyn—and outmaneuver a brilliant killer who is part of an elaborate plot of madness and lethal vengeance.
Get the Book
Thank you for reading and visiting Books & Benches.
Feel inspired? Share the magic of Killjoy with fellow readers and explore more romantic suspense books in our archives.
Comments