Rating
'The beauty of this book, in my opinion, is Scurlock’s master handling of incredibly complex topics such as abuse and PTSD.'
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I fell in love with Jessica Scurlock’s writing whilst reading Pretty Lies. I always find it interesting picking up a new series because I always wonder if anything beyond the first novel can live up to the standards of its elder book sibling.
In this case however, I needn’t have worried.
If Pretty Lies was a gem, then Counter Ops is definitely a black diamond — the darker, more intense and action-packed sequel to an already stunning debut.
In Counter Ops, we meet a familiar duo, Ivy and Nixon, as they face the aftermath of the Elite Auction, and each endure its painful consequences. We follow their journey as they try to escape their fate and attempt to come to each other’s rescue — in more ways than one.
With this second opus, we find everything we loved with Pretty Lies. It’s impeccably written, beautifully paced and incredibly gripping. It’ll have you on the edge of your seat until the very last word and it’ll leave you begging for the third book to just be released already!
I loved the perfectly-balanced split POV, and personally enjoyed every single moment spent in Nixon’s company. I’m confident readers will come to adore some of the new additions to the cast who bring fresh voices to the story and spice things up deliciously.
The beauty of this book, in my opinion, is Scurlock’s master handling of incredibly complex topics such as abuse and PTSD. She gives a colourful, convincing and oh-so realistic account of how people deal with hardship and recover from trauma. It’s not embellished. It’s not romanticized. It’s real, and raw, and incredibly poignant. The accuracy of it makes the hair on your body stand on end.
I’m so honoured to have been able to beta read Counter Ops ahead of its release and I, for one, cannot wait to see what else Scurlock has in store.