Tell No One by Barbara Elsborg

Tell No One is a suspense filled crime drama with grumpy/sunshine romance elements.

From the blurb:

It’s not every day that a total stranger asks Tag if he’s…ahem…well endowed. Of course he’s not going

to say no. When he’s offered a life-changing amount of money to go to a party, he’s not going to say no to that either, even though he suspects sex will be involved. But sense prevails and Tag decides to stick to his principles and not go, except things take an alarming turn. Suddenly, he can’t say no. Not if he wants to see another day.

Tell no one. Trust no one. The unbreakable rules that keep Delaney alive. He’s got a role to play at this so-called party, but the cheeky upstart who’s supposed to be part of his cover seems to be going out of his way to be as aggravating as possible. When Delaney finally registers that unlike the rest of the entertainment, Tag isn’t a willing participant, they join forces and set in motion a chain of events that leads to them both running for their lives.

Tag might be one of the most irritating guys Delaney has ever met, but his resolute cheerfulness and bravery begin to have an unexpected effect as Tag worms his way through Delaney’s defences. Keeping him safe now seems the most important job Delaney’s ever had. Suddenly the operative who’s never trusted anyone lets Tag into his heart. And wishing for a future that can never be.

Sheena's Review:

Barbara Elsborg has done it again. Written a character that's been through so much and has had nothing good in their life so you just want to wrap them up and protect them. I adored Tag, and he deserves all the good in the world that he can find. He's just had such a bad time in life up to now, nothing has gone his way.

I think nobody is better than Barbara Elsborg at writing characters with a horrible past that you instantly love and want the best for them. As I got to know Tag, I found there were shades of Jonty Bloom in him (from The Making of Jonty Bloom). That's not a bad thing as I adore Jonty and can now add Tag to that list. If anything, Tag is far too trusting for someone that's had it as rough as he has. Add the element of mystery to Delaney and his job, and you have a recipe for a story that you won't be able to put down - because I couldn't. I kept turning those pages until the end because I HAD to know how it all ended.

Tag is all sunshine and optimism even through everything terrible that happens to him, and Delaney is grumpy, closed off and rude. They're perfect.

Be warned though, this is a Barbara Elsborg book, so it's pretty dark in places and will keep you on your toes, and wanting to reach in and hug Tag while keeping him safe.

I loved this so much, can't recommend it enough.

Rating: 5 Stars

Tell No One is available to buy as an ebook, paperback and to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.