BOOK REVIEW - ECHOES AT DAWN by MAYA BANKS - KGI # 5 - BERKLEY

By: Maya Banks

Published by : Berkley

Released : Available Now

Details : Paperback from library, 307 Pages

RATING: 4.25 RIO & HIS 101 LESSON IN....... O.M.G! STARS!

Blurb: Goodreads

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering. Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t…

They live by night.

Grace Peterson is desperate, in hiding, and on the run after escaping a shadowy group determined to exploit her extraordinary ability to heal others. Her only lifeline—an unerring telepathic ability she shares with her sister—has been severed, leaving her alone and vulnerable. And time is fast running out...

Enlisted to bring Grace home is Rio, relentless member of the KGI. He’s unprepared for his reaction to this wounded, damaged woman, and he’s fiercely determined to protect her from those who nearly destroyed her. In Rio, she finds a safe haven, and for the first time...hope. But the mission is far from over. The danger Grace has eluded is fast closing in. And now it’s pitching two lovers toward an unfamiliar horizon, with no place left to hide.

BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

Dang I love this series. The action, the loves, the suspense, the lads, the women who all earn the respect of the guys and how much they value them and the banter between the lads and also P.J. 

I always look forward to getting my little reserve in from the library. I high tail it down and can't wait to crack it open.

Rio has been a quiet fave of mine since embarking on this series. He didn’t always have a lot to say, but when he did he was a very comforting guy when it came to the Kelly boys women.

Always reliable and loyal.

I wanted to know more about this guy whose background even the KGI boys didn’t know about. I want him to call me ‘honey’ J

“Honey (melts), the floor of my house is far superior to a lot of the places I’ve slept in the past.” 

Who is Rio?

Is it his real name?

Grace Peterson, just like her sister Shea , is wanted. I like Grace, she has such strength and an inner warrior inside her, but she can also be self conscious, unknowing of her beauty.

She was only in a simple pair of white cotton panties, but she rocked them like they were Victoria’s Secret’s sexiest lingerie.

But what does the villain of this story want with Grace?

Is she to be used in a power game of politics and war?

Rio took one look at Grace on the security footage and that was enough to get this tough guy to wave his arm in the air and take on his team, the mission to rescue Grace and bring her to safety.

When she reopened her eyes, to Rio’s dismay, they were glossy with tears. Oh hell. If she started crying, he was so fucked. 


“There’s nothing at all to say, Grace. You’re mine. You’ve been mine from the beginning. You never stood a chance once I decided that I was going to be the man who brought you home.” 


“You’re mine,” he repeated again. “We’re going to get there, Grace. Where ‘there’ is, I’m not altogether sure yet, but we’re going to get there together.”

But where is safe?

I enjoyed watching Rio fess up to his past and what has come back to haunt him.

Grace is as tough as Shea, maybe more so as she has a more valuable power.

But it can also kill her.

Diego is gorgeous, I really like him and Terrence, the man mountain, the gentle giant, when around Grace he calls her , ‘Miss Grace.’

Diego had gone for a swim and Grace had gotten quite a view of the man in swim trunks. From the looks of him, he maintained a tight fitness regimen. Not that the other men could ever be considered lacking in the physique department, but Diego was ... He was beautiful to look at.


Terrence had ambled through after Diego, wearing a muscle shirt and gym shorts. Her eyes had bugged at the huge tree trunks he had for arms. Hell, his muscles had muscles. He didn’t walk so much as he swaggered and not from innate cockiness. No, the man was simply so big that he just sort of swayed when he moved.

Giddy up!

P.J is always funny with what comes out of her mouth. She is feminine but she is also one of the guys.

“Hello , sweetheart. I hear we’re off on a lover’s retreat to bum fuck Alaska.”

Rio chuckled. “And may I say how lovely you look, P.J.”



“Got one,” P.J called. “Motherfucker is ball-less and singing soprano.”

“Jesus, that woman is vicious ,” Joe muttered.

Just stand me in front of a Jet forced fan for that 101 Lesson in how to........ O.M.G! I will say, I have never read a 101 Lesson like that before, lol!

Goodness me!

Rio in playful mode is something to read.

He couldn’t help himself. He let out what might be the cockiest grin ever.

“Like what you see?” he drawled.


“I can’t imagine anyone else being so sweet and gentle. You’re an enigma, Rio. So hard on the outside, but you know what? I think you’re a giant fluffball inside.”

“Fluffball?”

He was horrified . Fluffball? Hell, if his men ever heard that, he’d be fucking toast. They would never, ever in a million years let him live it down.

And then if the other team, Steele’s team, got wind of it... It didn’t even bear thinking about. Steele would ride his ass hard for the next ten years.

Hehe, I did laugh out loud at Rio being referred to a 'fluffball', after reading that 101 Lesson.....he is no fluffball.

Pun intended.

*fans one self * 

Michelle