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Somehow, I mixed up the series order and ended up reading this one third rather than fourth as it falls in the series. It can be read that way, though there are some life happenings in lives that you won't necessarily know about and might surprise you.

Unfortunately, I find this to be somewhat predictable. I knew who Aileen was going to end up being while reading the prologue. Though I didn't predict who would be behind the killings/attempted killings.

I also felt like there wasn't really a clear answer on the Irish company and who was going to take over running it--will it still be the men whose wives made bad choices in trying to protect what they felt their family deserves? Will Haley end up back in Ireland (somehow I don't see this happening)? ( )

Whoo! That was an intense, action-packed end to the Elite Guardians series!

Over the course of the first three books in this series, you didn't see or hear much of Haley, and I think that's why I wasn't initially super interested in her story. But, of course, I had to finish the phenomenal series. And I'm so glad I did!

We find out that Haley is so much more multifaceted than we thought. I immediately loved her character. She's so unique and complex. I loved her strength and independence, but also how those two character traits weren't taken too far, as I often find them to be in modern fiction. Steven was also an intriguing character. While I didn't like as much as some of the other male protagonists in this series, he was still great. I loved his protectiveness, and also, his interactions with Quinn were pretty awesome . . . Nobody can keep Quinn on his toes like this guy can.

The plot was just the right speed, keeping my interest, but still had slower scenes. While there were a few story issues I had, they weren't enough to diminish my enjoyment of this book. The MCs' character arcs were so good, and the ending totally catches you by surprise. It was fun to catch glimpses of previous main characters throughout, such as Olivia, Maddy, Quinn (who is still my favorite character), and Katie. The humor sprinkled throughout to lighten things up was spot on, and Eason's unique writing style I've come to love was perfect.

Overall, I really enjoyed this final installment on the Elite Guardians series! You won't want to miss it!

CONTENT NOTE: Recommended for ages 16 for violence. There is quite a bit of action and peril, including gun fights, bombs, kidnappings, and rogue family members. There is also mild romance that is kept very clean and sweet. ( )

The Elite Guardians series by Lynette Eason has been a reading rollercoaster ride, and Chasing Secrets, the final installment, ups the heart-racing experience. Threats come from every direction keeping the characters off-kilter as does the romance that the two mains were never expecting. This one is a treat for fans of romantic suspense.

Haley Callaghan, the red-headed Irish-born member of the Elite Guardians, takes center stage. If you like tough, no-nonsence, take charge characters, Haley is the woman for you. But Haley has a soft side for the vulnerable, making this formidable bodyguard the perfect champion for the children she comes across. Detective Steven Rothwell is soon intrigued by and attracted to Haley, and together they face danger with determination. They make a great team in their investigation and in their relationship. Romance fans won’t be disappointed by that element to the novel. The story is composed of a number of seemingly unrelated crimes. Eason does a great job of keeping the reader guessing which direction the book is heading. Haley and Steven are both believers, but they struggle just like the rest of us. Themes of forgiveness, betrayal, and trust in God run throughout the book naturally; no preachiness here.

Emotional and action-packed, Chasing Secrets is a page-turner. I read this one in record time and was a bit sad that it and the series was finished. Chasing Secrets can be read as a standalone, but if you haven’t yet read any of the previous books, I suggest you get all four and plan a binge-read on the beach, porch, or poolside. You’ll be glad you did!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Revell and LibraryThing’s Early Reader program for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Haley's comfortable life as a bodyguard gets flipped around when it becomes abundantly clear that she's the one being targeted. The timing couldn't be worse. She's happily engaged in volunteering at a local youth center; she's considering being interested in an attractive, funny detective; she's encountered a youth who reminds her almost too much of her own past.
As usual, the ladies of Elite Guardians pull together, introducing two new members, and protecting Hayley so effectively that things take a turn none of them were expecting.
This is a sweeping story, featuring a domino effect that spans 25 years. Evil that stained lives thousands of miles away in Ireland travels to America, wreaking havoc as it goes. Evil's motivation? Greed. ( )