Book Review: Claiming Bailey (Ace Security) by Susan Stoker

Claiming Bailey is the third book in the Ace Security series by Susan Stoker. While I have read this series in order, it is not strictly necessary for the romance aspect. However, those that have been following the series will understand the characters and the larger story arch much better than those coming in cold.

Bailey Hampton will do whatever it takes to keep both herself and her little brother safe from the vicious Inca Boyz gang. Hiding out in Castle Rock, Colorado, is only a temporary solution until she can earn enough money to get out of the state altogether. But when she meets handsome security nerd Nathan Anderson, she discovers a reason to stay and fight for what she wants. Ace Security’s Nathan Anderson has always been the “numbers guy,” not the man any of the firm’s clients look to when their safety is threatened. But from the first time he ran into Bailey, she never made him feel like less of a protector than his brothers. Nathan was attracted to the petite, black-haired pixie with wild tattoos from the start, and by some miracle, she seems to return his interest. But danger stalks Bailey and her brother, so it’s up to Nathan to channel his inner alpha and find a way to end the threat to their lives once and for all—and he’s not giving up Bailey without a fight.
Claiming Bailey is exactly what I was hoping for, and a little more. I have been waiting for Nathan to find his match, and Bailey was even better than I expected. I liked both the characters. They are multi layered, and how they ended up as the adults we see is clearly explained and their actions. As usual I did find myself a little annoyed with the alpha male style, but that seems to be the case with most of this genre lately rather than an issue with this particular book. I did like the way Bailey and Nathan talk things out, and while Nathan wants to plan and protect, he generally treats Bailey as an equal rather than someone that needs to be saved. Like the previous books in the series, the danger surrounds our heroine is because of the Inca gang, but I felt like it was more of a background story than it had been in previous book. It certainly was important and a major catalyst in the story I found that the characters and relationships had the spotlight- which made me happy.

Claiming Bailey is most likely my favorite book from the series, and thankfully I know there will be at least one more- which I cannot wait to read.