Publisher: Atria Books
Released: March 3, 2015
Source: NetGalley/Publisher
Format: E-Book, 384 pages
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary
Luke Boone doesn't know exactly what his uncle Rust is involved in but he wants in on it-the cars, the money, the women. And it looks like he's finally getting his wish. When Rust hands him the managerial keys to the garage, they come with a second set—one that opens up the door to tons of cash and opportunity. Though it's not exactly legal, Luke's never been one to worry about that sort of thing. Especially when it puts him behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 and onto the radar of gorgeous socialite named Rain.
Clara Bertelli is at the top of her game—at only twenty-six years old, she's one of the most successful undercover officers in the Washington D.C. major crime unit, and she's just been handed a case that could catapult her career and expose one of the west coast's most notorious car theft rings. But, in order to do it, she'll need to go deep undercover as Rain Martines. Her target? The twenty-four-year old nephew of a key player who appears ready to follow in his uncle's footsteps.
As Clara drifts deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Rain, and further into the arms of her very attractive and charming target, the lines between right and wrong start to blur, making her wonder if she'll be able to leave it all behind. Or if she'll even want to.
Becoming Rain is the second installment in K.A. Tucker's Burying Water series. Tucker writes dual first person narratives from 26-year old Clara Bertelli and 24-year old Luka (Luke) Boone. I would label Becoming Rain as a new adult romantic suspense novel without all the sexual encounters that we normally see from NA novels. No worries, this wouldn't be a Tucker novel without SOME lustful scenes to entertain readers.
I’ve broken one of the most basic rules of undercover work: don’t get emotionally attached to your targets.
Clara really goes through a transformation of sorts over the course of this story. She's been a cop for 4 years, 2 undercover as part of the Major Crimes Unit in DC but really has no life. She has an outstanding record of closing cases, but wants something more out of life than coming home to an empty house. When given the chance to work a case with the FBI in bringing down a multimillion dollar west coast car theft ring, Clara jumps in feet first becoming Rain Martines. If only she was ready for her heart to open itself to the person she is supposed to be helping bring down.
Luke is Jesse's friend and former roommate from Burying Water. (Jesse, Alexandra, and his father do make a cameo appearance in Rain.) He's into cars, booze, money, and women. When his Uncle Rust finally gives him a chance at running his own car garage, it's like he's just won the lottery. That is until Rain Martines wanders into his life turning him inside out and all about. This is also when Luke gets first hand knowledge of Rust's illicit operations. As Rain gets closer to Luke, she realizes that he not only has a good heart, but he really isn't a bad person despite who his uncle is, or the associates that hang around him.
Tucker is a writer who knows how to write romance. With Clara and Luke, their relationship is not love at first sight. It is tentative, slow burning, and makes Clara do silly things she would never do while luring in a criminal. In a case that could make her entire career, Clara finds herself on the precipice of losing it all just as quickly by falling in love with the person she isn't supposed to have feelings for.
I do appreciate the attempt that Tucker makes of putting readers into the shoes of a female undercover cop. You really could tell the struggles Clara faces as she becomes entangled in Luke's world. I don't think we've had enough opportunities of getting into female cops mindsets, and what makes them choose a career over family, and even friendships.
Favorite Quote:
“It’s not so much that I love rain. I just have a healthy respect for what it does. People hate it, but the world needs rain. It washes away dirt, dilutes the toxins in the air, feeds drought. It keeps everything around us alive.”
**I received this book for free from (Atria Books) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
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