by Linda Howard
First published 2009
Jenner Redwine thought winning the lottery would solve her problems. Instead, her father steals from her and vanishes. Her boyfriend dumps her when the money runs out. Seven years later, she moves among wealthy circles but still feels like an outsider. Her only real friend is Sydney Hazlett, a gentle heiress who becomes like a sister to her. When Sydney invites Jenner on a charity cruise, she expects boring fundraisers and pretentious passengers. What she gets is terror. A dangerous stranger takes her hostage and forces her into a shadowy operation. Sydney's life hangs in the balance along with her own. Trapped on the ship with nowhere to escape, Jenner must play along with her captor's scheme. But as the deadly game unfolds, something unexpected happens. Her fear transforms into excitement. Her hatred of the man holding her prisoner becomes something else entirely. She discovers a version of herself she never knew existed.
Genres: romance, suspense, mystery, thriller, action, contemporary-romance
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water, forced-proximity
367 pages · Hardcover · Ballantine
Content warnings: kidnapping