Former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Zach Bridger is shocked to receive a call from the hospital about his ex-wife, Rebecca Pratt, who is on life-support following a violent assault. He hasn’t seen her since their volatile marriage fell apart five years earlier—why does he still have medical power-of-attorney? Zach must make an impossible choice: keep her on life support or pull the plug. Unable to decide, he walks away, and her vegetative state continues.
Two years later, Rebecca’s attacker gets an early release from prison. State prosecutor Kate Lennon is determined to put him back behind bars. But that would take a murder charge, and the only way to do that is for Zach to take Rebecca off life support. As happens in romantic suspense novels, Kate and Zach form an attraction. Blah blah, blah. The resulting sex scenes are completely unnecessary and passé. A hot former football player falls for a gorgeous, talented attorney. How cliché.
Overkill was my first Sandra Brown novel, and with its unique premise, intense plot, and surprise ending, I’ll likely pick up another one when the mood strikes. Some of the writing is awkward, though, especially the dialogue. This line was asinine: “Kate’s barefooted. Her feet must be cold. I know mine are. But I think you’re the one with cold feet, Cal.” Corny, right? 3.5 stars.