Run to Ground

As usual I've read the series out of order but it doesn't actually matter too much as although they flow into each other there is enough "backhistory" for me to get my head round where I am in the arc. This is set not far from the setting of the Search & Rescue series. Theodore Bosco lost his partner and is still reeling from the guilt and anger that he feels towards his partner. But he has now been partnered with his partner's K( and they are not bonding well. Viggie is feeling the loss of his human and is obviously picking up on the clashing feelings from Theo. Jules is good sister even though she stepped outside the law to rescue her siblings from her step-mother. Now on the run they disappeared into a small town on the other side of the country. She is trying to keep a roof over their heads whilst also allowing them to have some semblance of a normal life, even though they are hiding out. The kids themselves are all fully formed little personalities, all with the unending love for their older sister who could have abandoned them but rescued them instead. Viggie, Theo’s new K9 partner, is a scene stealer too. You can just taste the loss, confusion and anger the poor thing must feel. Sam is my favourite of Jules siblings.

This is my first Katie Ruggle book and it will not be my last. Run to Ground is the start of a brand new series, which I believe is off to a good start. I must admit that I was sceptical about accepting this book for review as the author was new to me. I had promised myself I would not accept new review requests from authors I did not work with before, but after reading the synopsis, I could not resist. Yeah, I know I am weak, but it was all worth it, in the end.What the story is about.Run to Ground tells the story of Juliet Jackson a young woman, who along with her siblings are on the run. Their journey led them to a small mountain town in Colorado where they met a surly K-9 police officer who goes by the name of Theo Basco. His determination to uncover the mysteries of Juliet would place them both on dangerous ground.My PerspectiveThe StoryBeing a huge fan of this genre, I could not wait to dive into this book. From the moment I began reading, I knew I made the right decision. This story as all the elements I look for in this genre. A fast-paced plot, a slow burning romance, nail-biting moments and draw dropping twists that will have you thinking “What the Hell”. I did not want the story to end and when it did, it left me literally wanting more. There were issues regarding the main characters which, I was expecting to be resolved, unfortunately, this did not happen. Therefore, I was left with many unanswered questions. I guess these will be addressed in the books to come. The story is well written and engaging.The Main CharactersI admired Juliet for the risks she was willing to take to ensure the safety of her siblings. Her actions aptly demonstrated the true meaning of love. Few people would be willing to give up their cushy life for one which entailed being on the run so that someone else would be safe.Theo was a complicated character. His mannerisms bordered on being rude and insufferable, which made him seem unlikeable. However, as the story evolved the reasons behind his behaviour became clear. He is having difficulty coping with the loss of his K-9 partner and losing his friend and mentor.I loved them both together. They complemented each other well. Juliet brought out his softer and protective side. She made him feel alive. The cop in him knew she was running from something, but the man in him did not care about these secrets, He was more interested in getting closer to her. It was a pleasure watching Theo bond with Juliet and her siblings. There was wariness on both sides, but eventually, they managed to move past it and was able to build a semi-solid relationship.I appreciated how the romance developed in this instance. No insta-love moments here, which I am sure most readers like myself would appreciate. The romance, which was sweet with a hint of spice moved at a normal pace.Supporting Characters.I loved how Theo’s friends looked out for him. It would seem on the surface, that he did not like how they hovered out of concern, but deep down he did care. I enjoyed the camaraderie that they shared. It was fun and entertaining.As it relates to Juliet’s siblings, their love for each other was clear as day. However, I was hoping for more where their stories were concerned. There is a hint of abuse, but this was not explored. I was left to make assumptions about what had transpired.ConclusionThe ending was satisfactory, in spite of the issues I mentioned earlier. The epilogue hinted at exciting things to come, which makes me eager to get my hands on the next book in the series.RecommendationIf you love romantic suspense and stories that feature a brooding hero, an adorable dog then you will enjoy Run to Ground.