Stalked But Not Afraid (Spark of Hope #2) by Nicole Dykes


Stalked But Not Afraid was another highly anticipated ARC offered to the team, for good reason, they loved it! See their reviews below.

From the blurb:

Roman
He’s an influencer—whatever that means. He’s also stunningly beautiful with a feisty attitude I can’t deny intrigues me.

But more importantly, he’s in trouble.
I’m not like my brother. Except for being a cop, I don’t strive to save the entire world.
However, I find myself compelled to save him.
If he’ll calm down and just let me.

Brooks
He’s everything I despise. He’s a cop. An arrogant tough-guy type who thinks he knows everything.
He drives me insane and won’t take the hint that I don’t want or need his help.
I’m not weak, and I’m not as defenseless as I once was either.
And still, I can’t seem to fully push him away.
Because maybe this time—just this once—I want to be saved.

**Stalked But Not Afraid is a standalone with a HEA in the Spark of Hope Series. It’s set around a trauma-support group and will, therefore, touch on extremely sensitive subjects. I’ll always do my best to handle these topics with care and healing and with no intention of hurting anyone. But please, heed this warning if you have any triggers.



Tatted_book_freak's Review:

“π™°πš , 𝙸’πš– πšœπš˜πš›πš›πš’, πš˜πšπšπš’πšŒπšŽπš›. π™³πš’πš 𝙸 πš‘πšžπš›πš πš’πš˜πšžπš› πšπšŽπšŽπš•πš’πš—πšπšœ?”

Another intense addition by Nicole! And, we finally get to see a softer, caring side of Roman, apparently all he needed was Brooks to come into his life. I have to admit, this version was a bit more suspenseful with the stalker aspect and the unknown whereabouts, which is creepy in and of itself. 

“Ρ‚Π½ΞΉΡ• Ξ±Ρ•Ρ• αℓσηє ωιℓℓ Π²Ο…Ρƒ уσυ Ξ±Ρ‚ β„“Ρ”Ξ±Ρ•Ρ‚ αησтнєя мσηтн.”

Roman and Brooks feisty banter was both steamy and entertaining. After Brooks finally relaxes, his snide remarks definitely keep Roman on his toes throughout.  Their connection for me was slow but not forced with chemistry that was insanely passionate.  And, Roman is such a trooper with anything Brooks related. 

“πšƒπš‘πš’πšœ πš πš’πš•πš• πš‹πšŽ πšŽπšŸπšŽπš›πš’πšπš‘πš’πš—πš 𝙸 πš—πšŽπšŸπšŽπš› πš”πš—πšŽπš  𝙸 πš πšŠπš—πšπšŽπš πšŠπš—πš πšŽπšŸπšŽπš›πš’πšπš‘πš’πš—πš 𝙸 πš—πšŽπšŽπš.”

I absolutely loved the finding your inner strength part of this story. When someone experiences trauma, they unfortunately lose a part of them, so for Nicole to focus on building back your confidence receives major kudos from me!

Rating: 5 Stars



Janet's Review:

Holy moly! Stalked But Not Afraid was seriously good! Like the type of good that won’t let you go to bed until you’ve finished it! 

It grabbed me, hooked me and kept me engaged. I literally couldn’t stop reading it. 

Blake has a stalker but he’s not afraid, yeah right! He’s terrified. His friend Summer, Ben’s ex-wife from Bruised But Not Broken talks him into going to Ben to get help. 

Roman is a cop and Ben’s brother. Roman wants to help. Both men have been broken down in the past but have grown and are stronger for what they went through. Roman may seem like a tough guy, but he’s a gooey marshmallow! I seriously adored Roman and Blake! 

Overall, an outstanding read! Well written with fantastic pacing!

Rating: 5 Stars



Angel's Review:

Stalked But Not Afraid by Nicole Dykes was hard to put down. I read this straight through in one sitting.

I was hooked from the very first page. Brooks is a social media influencer who has been getting some creepy messages, after listening to his friend he decides to fly to Kansas for his own safety. Little did he know he was in danger of falling in love... 

 Roman is a cop who's known to be a stubborn mule. (That's putting it nicely.) He doesn't get along with people right away and the way Brooks keeps shutting him out proves it. Once Roman shows Brooks just how stubborn he can be is when their romance story really begins. 

I enjoyed this, I love the support group aspect that this series is centered around. I also really enjoy how all of these characters have flaws and have been through trauma but they keep on living and fighting. I enjoyed seeing Colby and Andrew again, I'm glad that they showed up in this book. 

For those of you wondering if the stalking aspect of this story goes into massive detail I am here to tell you it does not. Is it the main plot of this story? Yes, but it doesn't go into any graphic details. This definitely isn't a sappy love story, these two guys are both headstrong and doesn't want to admit to liking each other. 

This story is really well written, just as good as the first! I'm intrigued by Ethan's character, I have wanted to know his story since the first book. I really hope the author writes his story. (Fingers crossed.) 

While this is the second book in the series it does work as a standalone. I recommend reading this in order though for more enjoyment. 

Rating: 5 Stars



Jacqueleen the Reading Queen's Review:

The Pierce brothers have been through hell and they deserve all the happiness in the world in my opinion. Thankfully with Ben finding Colby and now Roman finding Brooks I believe they've both achieved some peace and happiness in their lives.

Roman, like his brother, is not one to chat about feelings. However, the man will chat just about anything else. He always has a quip or a teasing comment. He gives off this larger than life persona which to those who don't know his past may come off sort of intimidating. Add in the fact that he's also a cop and I don't blame Brooks for being a bit leery at first. But you know what they say about never judging a book by it's cover? That's Roman to a T.

I loved how Roman never judged Brooks or blamed any part of him for what he was going through. He sincerely just wanted to help him. Roman knows the system is broken, but he hopes that his work as a cop will play at least a small part in helping fix it. Like Brooks, I admired him so much for that. As they spent more time together, Brooks found more about Roman to admire. Somehow, while going through one of the scariest things in his life, Brooks also fell in love. Not surprisingly Roman felt the same. It just took some time for these two manly idiots to actually admit it.

I'm not positive who's next in the series, but I have a little inkling. I also have hope because if book 3 is about Andrew and a certain lawyer I am going to be thrilled. Andrew is always so calm and collected and I think it's time someone came into his life and added a bit of crazy. Fingers crossed!

Rating: 5 Stars



Sarah C's Review:

Nicole Dykes is one of my favorite authors and this book proves, yet again, why that is. Every single one of her books is better than the one before it, and that's a massive accomplishment.

Stalked But Not Afraid is the second book in the Sparks of Hope series. This book picks up almost immediately where we ended Book One, with Brooks arriving at the gym and meeting Ben, Colby, and Roman. Roman immediately rubs Brooks the wrong way, because Roman is kind of an asshole. In the best and most lovable asshole kind of way. And Brooks is a strong man determined not to be the victim.

I love the way that Nicole characterizes both Roman and Brooks in this story. I love the back and forth between them. I love the way that Brooks is so resistant at first to Roman's help and the way Roman keeps pushing. I especially love Roman's reaction to his partner at a certain part in the book.

I also love the way that Nicole handles ongoing trauma in this book. The first book dealt with trauma in the recent past, and this one is trauma that is happening. I love the way that Brooks is never viewed as weak in his reactions, but is instead supported by the other men at the gym - especially Roman. And I loved the way that Roman's past trauma is handled in this book too, because its such a defining part of his character and its treated with so much respect and care.

Basically, there is not a single thing I do not love about this book.

Stalked but Not Afraid is a dual POV book with a lot of heart and emotion. While this book CAN be read as a standalone, I think it would be best enjoyed if you've read the first book.

Rating: 5 Stars


Heather's Review:

Nicole Dykes is a one-click author for me and I have yet to be disappointed... Stalked But Not Afraid is the sixth mm romance I've read from her and the sixth book that I've thoroughly devoured... (here's the link to all our reviews if you want to catch up: https://www.mmromancereviewed.com/search?q=nicole+dykes)

This book is a strangers to lovers with some forced proximity, a ton of animosity and a stalker... I love the way Nicole develops her characters, giving them strengths and weaknesses, quirks and surprises that kept me reading from beginning to end and hanging at the end, waiting for book 3 to come out!  

This book is full of steam, angst, a little trauma and a heaping helping of snark!  Fair warning, it's a lot and if you can't deal with stalking and some violence, you'll probably want to give this a miss, but if you can take it, you'll find the sweet and steamy HEA very satisfying.

Rating: 5 Stars


Lori C's Review:

I was hoping this book would come out soon! I love the relationship between the Price brothers. A lot of people have dysfunctional families and so I think many can relate to their semi-antagonistic relationship. They both have a horrific background and that has led the elder Price, Roman, into police work. Unlike Ben, he doesn’t want to save the world just his small corner of it, so when his former sister-in-law sends a friend to his brother for safekeeping he gets involved quick! 

Brooks, Summer’s influencer friend, takes an instant dislike to Roman after making a few assumptions about him and his character. No one can stay strong against the charismatic Roman especially when he’s trying his hardest to help not even Brooks. Slowly but surely there is a thaw in their relationship as Roman marshals everyone he can to help save Brooks from his stalker. 

“Don’t leave, Brooks. You’re in danger, and whether you like it or not, I’m your salvation.” These words. I knew when I read these words that this book was going to be great. To me this series straddles the line between fiction and real life. It isn’t hard to imagine this happening to someone, so I understand that it may not be everyone’s cup of tea. However, it is mine and will always be mine. Why? Nicole Dykes writes well and with realism while still giving me the heroes and happy endings that I crave. She’s worth a shot and if you haven’t read it yet start with Ben’s story, Bruised but Not Broken. 

Rating: 5 Stars


Stalked But Not Afraid is currently available as an e-book and paperback and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription


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