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Hard Core Justice #5

Unsuspecting Target

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Can they right past wrongs
when an enemy’s out to steal their future?


Ten years ago, Jagger Carr saved Wendy Haas’s life. Circumstances pulled them apart soon after, but when an assassin targets her at a Manhattan charity gala, Wendy has no choice but to trust Jagger, who’s now deep undercover. Not even their warring feelings can stop desire from reigniting. But the vengeful cartel gunning for them could destroy any hope for a second chance.

256 pages, ebook

First published May 13, 2021

15 people are currently reading
1,887 people want to read

About the author

Juno Rushdan

119Ìýbooks1,576Ìýfollowers
Juno Rushdan is a veteran US Air Force intelligence officer and the award-winning author of romantic thrillers. Her books are action-packed, nail-biting page-turners with twists you won’t see coming. Critics from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, BookPage and Library Journal have called her work “heart-pounding James Bond-ian adventure�, “fast-paced�, “gripping�, “a thrill ride� that “will captivate lovers of romantic thrillers.� She is married to her own military hero and is privileged to have two rambunctious kids and a spoiled rescue dog. For a FREE book from Juno: . Be sure to follow her on BookBub for the latest on sales: .

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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Anita.
2,503 reviews212 followers
June 5, 2021
Wow, just wow. Nonstop action and enough twisty plot ploys to make you say . . .wow. I have a small, select group of authors that I follow and Juno Rushdan is one of them. She has been ever since her first book. This book has her trademark action and a slow burn second chance romance. The twist is that the hero is an assassin for the Brethren, a group working for the Los Chacales Cartel, but he's a good guy at heart.

When Jagger Carr left the Rangers and settled into civilian life he met 17 year old Wendy Haas and it was all over for him. Circumstances tore them apart and, now ten years later, circumstances have brought them back together. These are not the same people, but the white hot attraction is still there. As ten years before, Jagger will do whatever is necessary to save Wendy's life.
Profile Image for Tina Loves To Read.
3,055 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2022
This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the 5th book in the Hard Core Justice series. I liked this book, and I found the action/suspense to be truly throughout this book. I just did not connect to the characters. I also found some of the action to be really unrealistic which I think took something away from the story for me.
Profile Image for Caz.
3,116 reviews1,146 followers
June 24, 2021
I've given this a B- at AAR, so 3.5 stars rounded up.

One of my fellow reviewers at All About Romance has favourably reviewed a few of Juno Rushdan’s books, and as I’m also a fan of romantic suspense, I was keen to try something of hers. ÌýI picked up Ms. Rushdan’s latest release Unsuspecting Target for review and enjoyed it; it’s a quick and easy read featuring likeable characters that packs a lot of action into a relatively small page-count.Ìý It’s the final book in her Hard Core Justice ; series, but it worked fine as a standalone; I haven’t read any of the earlier books and didn’t feel the lack â€� the author incorporates the necessary backstory skilfully and without lots of tiresome info-dumps.

The last person Wendy Haas expects to see at a high-profile New York gala to promote youth literacy is her former lover, Jagger Carr â€� especially as he’s ten years into serving a fifteen year prison sentence for murder. ÌýÌýA decade earlier, she and Jagger had been very much in love and planning a future together, until one fateful night when saving her life had cost Jagger his freedom.Ìý Wendy has worked hard to rebuild her life and has made a successful career in PR; the last thing she needs is Jagger reappearing and ruining it all.

While he was in prison, Jagger became involved with the powerful Los Chacales cartel in order to survive, and after they broke him out three years back, he has risen to become one of the Brethren, the cartel’s unit of elite contract killers. He’s done whatever he’s had to do to survive, but when a hit is put out on Wendy Hass, he knows he’s got to save her at any cost � and that in doing so, he’s going up against the entire cartel and its leader, Emilio Vargas.

The first third of the book is non-stop action, after Jagger 'interrupts' one of the Brethren who has cornered Wendy, and the two of them hightail it out of the gala and start to make their way out of the city.Ìý It’s a breathlessly exciting sequence of high-octane chases and last-minute, daring escapes and I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next.

Once Wendy and Jagger have managed â€� temporarily â€� to elude their pursuers, they have a little time to try to work out why she’s been targeted (if you’ve readÌý, you’ll probably have an idea) and to decide on a plan of action. ÌýIt also gives them the chance to talk about their shared past, to own to some long-held truths â€� and to realise that their intense connection has never waned.Ìý But with an implacable, seemingly unstoppable enemy intent on murder, it’s going to take an incredibly audacious plan if they’re going to live long enough to enjoy their second chance.

Having only 256 pages to tell a fairly complex story AND deliver a romantic HEA necessitates cutting a few corners, and here those corners are mostly to do with the romance.Ìý Because Wendy and Jagger were lovers before and have known each other for years, it’s possible to cut out the getting-to-know-you phase of the relationship, but second-chance romances generally need a getting-to-know-you NOW phase, and this is lacking.Ìý Wendy and Jagger learn some things about what happened in each other’s lives in the years they’ve been apart (and some of what Jagger had to do wasn’t pretty â€� but it’s okay because â€� as he hastens to assure Wendy â€� he only killed scum who deserved it) but other than that, they pretty much pick up their relationship where they left off.

The suspense plot fares much better; the action sequences are slick and well-written, and wouldn’t be out of place in an action movie, and there’s some really inventive problem solving going on.Ìý There are also a few eye-rolling moments of ‘too convenientâ€�, where things fall into place just a bit too easily; but probably no more easily than you’ll find in the average film or TV show of this type.

With all that said, I’m puttingÌýUnsuspecting TargetÌýin the ‘winâ€� column, because I’ll certainly read this author’s work again. I do wish she’d had a few more pages to play with in order to more fully develop the romance, but on the whole, this is a fast-paced, entertaining way to pass a couple of hours.
Profile Image for David Morgan.
898 reviews23 followers
May 25, 2021
Action packed, thrilling and a touch of romance.
Wendy and Jagger have a complicated history. They were a couple until he killed someone to save her life and went to jail telling her he hated her for causing his problems. Now, ten years later, it turns out a cartel Jagger has ties to has a blood debt out on Wendy. Shortly after Wendy sees Jagger at a gala, things go south and Jagger once again is there to save her. Why was he there to begin with? How did he get out of jail? Can she trust him?
This is another fun installment in the Hard Core Justice Thriller series. Like the others, this one is very well written with enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. It's easily read in one or two sittings because once you start you won't want to stop. Although it is part of a series, this does very well as a stand-alone. The characters are well fleshed out and easy to connect with and the plot is tightly wound and fast paced.
I'm really enjoying this series and highly recommend it to intrigue and thriller lovers everywhere.
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Thank you to the author for the gifted copy for me to read, review and enjoy.
3,040 reviews
April 25, 2021
Wendy and Jagger were a couple ten years ago until Jagger killed a man protecting Wendy. Jagger tells her she’s the reason he is in jail and he never wants to see her again. Now Wendy has her own PR firm and is at an event when an assassin tries to kill her. Jagger saves her but he’s also one of the assassins sent after her. Jagger gets Wendy out and they have to run to keep her safe. A drug cartel has put a blood debt on Wendy and the only way to get it off her is by bargaining with the Don or kill him.

This was a nonstop action story. Second chance at love. A convicted felon and a powerful woman. An evil cartel leader. Double crossing friends.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *
Profile Image for Susan.
4,741 reviews122 followers
May 24, 2021
Good action-packed second chance romance. Ten years earlier, Wendy and Jagger were a couple until he killed a man saving her life, and the aftermath tore them apart. Jagger went to prison, and Wendy went on to become a well-known PR specialist. While attending a charity fundraiser, Wendy sees Jagger in the crowd and, as she attempts to avoid him, finds herself the target of an assassin. In a heart-pounding series of events, Jagger arrives in time to save her and whisk her away. But their troubles aren't over as he reveals that Wendy is the subject of a hit from a powerful cartel leader.

Jagger is an intriguing character. As the son of the cartel leader's lawyer, Jagger grew up familiar with the cartel but not part of it. He escaped to the military for a short time, but his father's death profoundly affected him. When Jagger went to prison, he had difficult choices to make. I ached for him as he explained those choices to Wendy and why he stayed away from her. But his feelings for her never died, nor had his need to protect her.

Heartbroken when Jagger went to prison and blamed her, Wendy concentrated on school and then her career. Smart and quick-thinking, she's a wiz at rehabbing people's images. She has some choice words for Jagger when she learns how long he's been out of prison and has not contacted her.

I enjoyed the rekindling of the relationship between Jagger and Wendy. Thrown together under highly stressful conditions, it's no surprise that their emotions become equally volatile. Each of them must learn to trust the other as they work together to avoid their pursuers. Jagger's protectiveness sometimes runs up against Wendy's determination to be part of the solution. I liked seeing her stand up to him and his growing acceptance of her capabilities. The depth of their feelings for each other is evident, but Jagger's belief that he's not good enough for her creates an obstacle. I liked how Wendy overcame his objections and how Jagger felt hopeful for the first time in a very long time. The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up.

The suspense of the story was fantastic and kept me glued to the pages far into the night. Multiple twists kept me guessing as to how Jagger and Wendy would free themselves of the threat against them. Each step they took had its dangers, and I was never sure how it would work out. The final confrontation was a nail-biter with a surprise complication. The resolution was great and brought the series to a satisfying end.

#netgalley
Profile Image for Emily .
298 reviews9 followers
May 23, 2021
Jagger and Wendy were lovers a decade ago until Jagger was imprisoned.
However, the vengeful cartel head has just issued a deadly order as a blood debt for Wendy’s life.. This cruel twist of fate has brought them back together; but, will it break or make their relationship?
The prolific Juno Rushdan has once again, masterfully crafted another action-packed thriller incorporates with some sentimental romantics that will send you on an adrenaline ride throughout!
I would like to thank Juno Rushdan for this enjoyable ride that is fueled with excitement, suspense and romance!
Profile Image for Margaret Yelton.
2,069 reviews37 followers
May 26, 2021
Wendy and Jagger were torn apart many years ago, and now he reenters her life. With a hit out of Wendy's life, can Jagger protect her and can they find their way back to each other. This action packed book is the fifth book in the series, and I absolutely loved it. I certainly would recommend this read to everyone. I received a ARC from the author, and this is my fair and honest opinion of the book.
Profile Image for Jewlsbookblog.
2,202 reviews74 followers
May 27, 2021
This book was packed with action! The crazy tunnel chase alone had me holding my breath, but oy! Events just spiraled from there and made a thrilling read. Jagger and Wendy’s second chance together was a very bumpy road and I didn’t truly see them making it with the obstacles they faced. However, all’s well that ends well and I was happily satisfied with the way things turned out.
Profile Image for Michaela | Reading in the Heartland.
3,521 reviews48 followers
June 22, 2021
Another lovely thriller. I enjoyed these characters and their second chance and all of the thrill and height of the run. I believe this is the last book of the series, and it was a great series. I breeze through it.
Profile Image for Patricia.
588 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2021
Action-packed from the beginning with barely time to catch your breath, Unsuspecting Target, is the last in the Hard Core Justice series, and it does not disappoint. The action, the car chases, it all makes you wonder how in the world it will end. Very satisfying ending. Loved it.
Received an ARC to give a review.
Awesome read!!!
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,180 reviews50 followers
May 31, 2021
Wendy and Jagger had a history that ended up with a dead person and Jagger being sent to jail. Its been ten years since then and imagine her surprise when he's there and now it appears her life is in danger. Jagger will do everything he can to protect Wendy and figure out why they are after her in the first place.

This was such a fun nonstop book and I loved it. There was so much going on from the moment this book started and if there wasn't action there was at simmering attraction that seemed to never have left the two. Both of them had a past and I was curious to see why things ended. Then theres this whole thing with Wendy wondering why she got a hit out on her when she seemed to be straight laced as it comes. I loved watching the adventure unfold and overall it was an enjoyable book.
Profile Image for Dana Busenbark.
2,708 reviews29 followers
June 21, 2021
Who is Wendy and where is she at? Why? Who is Jagger? How does or did she know him? Who is Tripp? He seems to be prett astute when it comes to Wendy. Wow, the things that I learned about Jagger floored me! How does he know Emilio? Who is Dutch? Why is Wendy being hunted? I could not believe when I learned Wendy made a call after promising not to. What happened because of that short call? Oh my, definitely some unexpected twists happened in this suspenseful romance.

RECEIVED THIS BOOK from Harlequin through Netgalley AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
530 reviews
May 29, 2021
SECOND CHANCES

Jagger and Wendy had it all, till they didn’t. Their world was torn apart, and so were they. 10 years later their worlds collide in a horrendous way�.a major cartel has placed a kill order on an unsuspecting Wendy. Lots of action, twists, and a poignant but tense reunion, while on the run to stay alive.
13 reviews
May 22, 2021
Wendy Haas is the owner of a PR company and is a wiz at rehabilitating a person’s image. She is attending a charity gala when she spots a face from her past. Jagger Carr had saved her life a decade ago at great cost to himself. The aftermath tore them apart. Now, a relentless and vengeful cartel has its sights on Wendy, and Jagger finds that he still can’t walk away. They may be on the run but being together stirs up old emotions. This could be their second chance, if they can just survive it.

Our hero’s life had taken a dark turn filled with difficult choices. But his drive to protect Wendy with all that he is capable of, is absolutely disarming. As bits of Jagger’s past and present are revealed, one grows to appreciate what a complex life he has had to live.

The heroine of this story is likable and capable in her own way. She is intelligent and resourceful to solve what problems she can. I appreciated Wendy standing up to her man when she needed to do so.

I did come across some editing issues but, all in all, thoroughly enjoyed this story. Secondary characters, good and bad, were nuanced and given enough detail to feel real. Fight scenes and chase scenes left me breathless. And the romance? Given all that these two characters have been through, seeing them get their happy ending was wonderfully satisfying.

Unsuspecting Target is book #5 in the Hard Core Justice series and kept me turning the pages as fast as I could. Juno Rushdan has given us another high-octane tale.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Book Him Danno.
2,399 reviews76 followers
May 24, 2021
The best part about Harlequin Intrigue books is that readers can pick them up and finish them in a few short days or hours. The story are fast pace, easy to follow and the characters have enough information to keep readers finishing the book and every once in a while a pops out and readers might find themselves looking for more from this author.
This author is almost there but the story as a few editing issues and possible redundant moments in the story.

The female lead is likeable and the story has a same old feel but the author added a little extra that will hook readers. The bad guys are really bad and the good guys walk the gray line.

Thank you to Harlequin Intrigue for a advance copy of Juno Rushdan Unsuspecting Target.
Profile Image for Erica Naone.
296 reviews3 followers
February 20, 2025
I’ve read a good number of this author’s books. Her plots are well done and realistic, and the action is always great. In this case I felt that maybe the author was up against a deadline and ran out of time. The last few chapters felt rushed and had a lot of grammatical errors, and the epilogue felt generic. That said, I appreciated the conclusion to the story of los Chacales and the way this story subtly interconnected with the others. I like second chance romances a lot and I believed in the main relationship.
Profile Image for Denise.
4,118 reviews12 followers
May 25, 2021
Needing a good romance with suspense this fit the need. Jagger and Wendy knew each other before they are brought together again under circumstances with drama. She is in the vision of a assassin so she needs someone to watch her back. Now they must work together but there is something else at work. The time has also brought a second chance of love if they can remain alive. This will have the pages turning in anticipation for the answers.
Profile Image for Paula Legate.
AuthorÌý10 books25 followers
November 12, 2024
I loved every book in this series. I read a few books more than once. This was a great way to end the series. The action and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. I also loved the second chance romance between Jagger, and Windy. They really were meant for one another. I'm glad they got the Happy ever after they deserved.
Profile Image for Teri-K.
2,425 reviews50 followers
June 30, 2021
Non-stop action from beginning to end! It would have scored higher except for the fact that the hero talks like a "Romance Hero", not a real person. And, as is often true for her books, there's no character development because so much of the book is action. Still she's a fine writer and when I'm in the mood for a story that never stops I can count on this author.

NB - I've read a couple of previous books in this series, but not all of them. This stands alone just fine. And it feels like it might be the final book in the series, too.
Profile Image for Anne.
769 reviews8 followers
November 19, 2021
Sometimes you just need a quick cleansing read. I was actually surprised at home compelling this Harlequin's storyline was. Lots of suspense and thrills - honestly, it was better than the last Patterson I read in that regard! I'm probably overrating this, but it really was a fun read.
Profile Image for Harlequin Books.
18k reviews2,780 followers
Read
May 1, 2021
Categories
Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Police Procedural Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A Hard Core Justice Thriller (Book #5)
Profile Image for Tala.
396 reviews
July 20, 2021
4.5
Second chance. Overall finale of the Hard Core Justice arc.
I'm glad Rushdan was able to connect all of the characters throughout the series as much as possible.
698 reviews4 followers
January 19, 2022
Lots of action, lots of movement. The romance was good.
Profile Image for Smut Report.
1,514 reviews174 followers
Read
March 27, 2022
Heat Factor: They both definitely want it (a lot) but when they finally have time to hop in the shower we jump to the next scene.
Character Chemistry: They get over the past really quickly, but that’s because they’re soulmates, obviously
Plot: The cartel has issued a kill order on an innocent woman as a blood debt, and her ex (who has special skills, as one does) rushes back into her life to protect her
Overall: If you want to read an OTT action movie (or show) this is that

Juno Rushdan is very good at writing action. I started all “la la la� and then the next thing I knew my husband scared the crap out of me because I didn’t hear him walk into the room at all, I was so invested in reading. For me, she’s the kind of author who can get me so wrapped up in the story that I’m constantly going, “uh huh, uh huh, of course, WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN?!� I don’t have time to second guess if things make sense because I’m enthralled.

So the deal is Wendy has a hit put out on her because her brother (the hero of book 3 in this series), a US Marshal, seduced the cartel leader’s secret daughter and turned her against him. I did not read that book so I’m sure it’s all complicated. But the villain is a piece of work, let me tell you. Anyway, as everyone knows, family is important to organized criminals, so Don Emilio is going to retaliate against the US Marshal for stealing his secret daughter by killing Wendy. She has no idea, but her ex boyfriend/soulmate, Jagger, who went to jail for killing someone for her when they were in their early twenties, and who is now very shadily involved with the assassin branch of the cartel, learns of the hit and drops everything to rescue her. So then of course they both have a hit on them because betrayal equals death.

Everything is fast paced, which reels in the reader and keeps things intense and exciting.

So if you’re interested in a book where a guy gets shocked with a defibrillator while he’s alive and then gets up to fight the leader of a cartel right afterward because you really want to lean into the bonkers suspense, look no further.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.
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