This book is part of my 10 Christmas Books For This Holiday Season – 2023.
The Takedown by Carlie Walker is a fun action-packed story about a CIA agent trying to stop a crime ring led by her sister’s fiancé, during Christmas time.
My Overview
Sydney Swift has been a CIA agent for the last three years. So, she’s been traveling the world and staying away from her family in Maine. As much as she misses her grandmother and sister (Calla), and spending holidays together, she’s stayed away to hide her identity. This December is different. The FBI has offered Sydney a mission: infiltrate the crime ring led by Johnny Jones (Calla’s fiancé). Her task is to stop the heist scheduled to take place on Christmas Day, which will also be Johnny and Calla’s wedding day!
Sydney’s reputation as a successful CIA agent precedes her, and she’s confident about the takedown. She’s never had her own family members involved in any of her assignments, though. As if that wasn’t complicated enough, Nick (Johnny’s bodyguard) is staying at her grandmother’s house too. How is Sydney supposed to handle her mission, while staying in the same home as Johnny, Nick, Calla, and her grandmother? Her approach is to seduce Nick. Soon enough, Sydney’s plans and investigation become more complicated. She’s unclear about who Nick really is, and is scared about Calla’s possible involvement in the crime ring. Thank goodness for Sydney’s grandmother, who kept the Christmas cheer going 🎄!
This story has so much to offer:
- Snarky and witty banter
- Funny and awkward situations
- Great setting (Christmas time in Maine)
- Strong supporting characters
- Slow-burn, close proximity romance
- Suspense and mystery
Overall, this is an entertaining story with a good dose of holiday cheer and family drama. Sydney and Nick are snarky, witty, and complex. Their interactions and banter contributed to the humorous parts of the story. The supporting characters provided the right amount of balance and depth to the romance aspect of the story. What an impressive debut novel!
My Recommendation
Looking for a fast-paced story that takes place during Christmas time and offers a mix of family drama, suspense, and romance? This is it. This story had me laughing sometimes, so I hope you’ll enjoy it as much too. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration, so I recommend it.
Have you read this book?
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
Yes, this was a great romance! I liked the added elements of suspense and danger.
Lucy
Glad you enjoyed this story too. The suspense and danger gave it an unexpected twist.
Sam@wlabb
I adored this authors YA books and was so happy when this was a hit for me. I loved it just as much as you. It surprised me because I am not a huge action/adventure/suspense reader, but you pinpointed a lot of reasons why it was still great for me. So glad you enjoyed it!
Lucy
This is my first book by this author. Good to know you enjoyed this one, as well as her YA books. I’ll have to try those out. Thanks for letting me know 😃.