The details…
- Title: Loyalty
- Author: E. J. Noyes
- Publisher: Bella Books
- Editor: Cath Walker
- Publication date: May 16, 2024
- Available formats: ebook, paperback, audiobook
- Print length: 284 pages
- Audio length: 9 hours, narrated by Abby Craden
- Genre: Romantic Action & Suspense
- Themes: spies, foreign terrorists, government corruption, undercover intelligence agencies, national security, women loving women, sapphic relationships, love,reconciliation, getting back together after a breakup
The blurb from the publisher…
Intelligence analyst Lexie Martin is important. At least that’s what she’s been told by the director of Halcyon Division, the secret organization she works for. Problem is—Lexie doesn’t feel important. She feels…devastated. Struggling to equilibrate after the unexpected implosion of her personal life, and reeling from her failed assignment overseas, Lexie’s barely treading water.
When Halcyon tells Lexie she’s the only person on Earth who can figure out the password to an important file, she realizes the new task is exactly what she needs. And after reconnecting with her girlfriend, Sophia, Lexie thinks she’s finally back on track. But as she tries to unlock Halcyon’s file, Lexie realizes things aren’t what they seem. And when secrets and betrayals are finally exposed, she’s stunned to realize who the enemy really is.
Loyalty is the exhilarating third installment of E. J. Noyes’s best-selling Halcyon Division Series.
My thoughts…
The allure of a romantic thriller series lies in its ability to seamlessly blend heart-pounding, thrilling suspense with a captivating love story. E. J. Noyes has easily proven she knows how to do this; her Halcyon Division Series has shown itself to be a solid-gold winner. Books one and two were met with high praise, leaving readers wanting more each time. Book three, Loyalty, with its well-mapped, intricate storyline and heart-stopping, high-stakes action, looks destined to be a home-run hit too.
Noyes is a master storyteller. She understands that the core of a successful romantic thriller must encompass a gripping and charged plot, one filled with surprising twists and turns. While every book in the Halcyon Division Series offers readers suspense and thrills, Loyalty is unexpected and top-shelf in every way. It never lets off the accelerator. As readers eagerly turn the pages to uncover clues and insights, they are led to some very surprising and jaw-dropping revelations. With her talent shining brightly on every page, Noyes gives her readers some A+ dramatic and tense moments, all leading to the ultimate climax. This is Tom Clancy-James Bond stuff and should not be missed.
This series is all about complex relationships. Noyes’ exploration of these relationships is layered, dynamic, and sometimes unsettling, but it adds an overall depth that’s beyond compelling. This, combined with the romance between Lexie and Sophia, provides the storytelling with a sense of danger, creating a real emotional rollercoaster for readers. Furthermore, the dynamics between all of Noyes’ characters are multifaceted, making the narrative ripe for character growth. As readers follow their journey—especially Lexie and Sophia’s—they develop a sense of attachment and connection to them. And because Noyes’ character arcs are so well-developed, readers cannot help but become emotionally invested. They root for their success, even amidst the challenge and chaos.
Even though this story is fast-paced, it’s well-balanced. That’s essential for any romantic thriller. Noyes understands this and offers readers a mix of fast-paced action with slower, more intimate moments. It works to achieve two things: 1) It gives readers a moment to digest everything that is happening in the story, and 2) It helps to deepen the romance between Lexie and Sophia. However, these slower scenes never disrupt the story’s underlying tension. Noyes is careful to craft the pacing in such a way that it ensures reader engagement. She strikes the right balance between heart-pumping action and steamy romance, tightly hooking readers into a vibrant story world.
Final remarks…
Loyalty, the latest installment in the Halcyon Division Series, is just another shining example of Noyes’ storytelling prowess. Her exhilarating narrative simply solidifies her place as a master writer and queen of sapphic romantic thrillers. However, to fully appreciate Loyalty, one must read the whole series; there is no way around it. Each book contributes to the overall narrative arc and works to build Loyalty’s climactic moment. With its intricate, surprising plot twists and well-developed, complex characters, this book is guaranteed to blow readers’ minds. They will eagerly devour each page as the rollercoaster ride of danger and romance culminates in a big finish.
Strengths…
- Engaging storyline
- Captivating characters
- Balanced pacing
- Strong, appealing romance
- Captivating story world
- Nice wrap up to a fantastic series
This book is available from…
- Bella Books
- Amazon
- Audible
- Barnes & Noble
- Abe Books
- Alibris
- Indigo
- Better World Books
- Bookshop
- Thiftbooks
- Powell’s
A bit about the author…
E. J. Noyes is an Australian transplanted to New Zealand which may be one of the best things that’s happened to her. She lives with her wife and the best cat in the world.
She started writing because she was bored and had “ideas” and thought writing might free up some brain space. It didn’t. Now she’s addicted and spends much of her free time bashing out words while more new words jostle for attention.
In her scant free time, E. J. scream-swears at computer games, tries to sleep past dawn, coos at her cat and works the fact she’s a best-selling and award-winning author into conversation.
E. J. loves to procrastinate, so feel free to get in contact so she can read that instead of doing work. Here’s her links:
Women Using Words 