HOPE RISES by David Baldacci

5 stars

This sequel to Nash Falls (and yes, you have to read the first book in the series to jump in here!) leaves you plunged breathlessly back into the life of Walter Nash, astute businessman turned vigilante, working with the FBI to revenge the kidnap and murder of his daughter. After turning FBI spy against his corrupt company and its CEO boss Temple, Nash’s family was attacked, his daughter murdered and his wife taken into protective custody – all due to a global crime syndicate headed by Victoria Speers. Nash retreated to a friend of his vet father to turn him into a skilled fighter and assassin, emerging ripped and tattooed such that no one in his former life recognizes him.

Still working with the FBI and seeking to bring down Victoria Steers, Nash goes undercover as Dillan Hope to work as a bodyguard for Temple as Nash knows he’s stilling doing business with the Steers syndicate. The book opens with Temple being summoned to meet with Victoria in Hong Kong, with Nash in tow. Steers threatens both men’s lives and sends them into Myanmar to rescue her aging mother from a private prison. Endless treachery, betrayals, death attempts, and all out mayhem ensues. In the process, Nash works to get close to Steers to bring her down.

Amidst the thrilling action, we get to see intimate layers of depth slowly revealed in both Nash and Steers. For Nash, despite all he’s been through and all he’s lost, he retains a deep sense of humanity, compassion, and kindness that will shape his future. For Steers, we find a woman who’s been tormented by her manipulative, cruel, and power-hungry mother such that the sweet curious child she was got flattened and turned vengeful. Romantic tensions flares between the two as they spend more and more time together, and secrets get revealed. Can either Nash or Steers find spiritual salvation or something that even that approaches redemption in their lives? Can Nash (aka Hope) rise?

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.