Risky Business

By: Simone Carter

Narrated by: Lissa Blackwell

Length: 3 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

For the second time in six weeks, a local female realtor has been sexually assaulted and murdered during an open house event. The community is asking: Is this the work of a serial killer?

Local realtor, Marissa McCall, knew the latest victim, Staci, for most of her life. They were close friends up until the seventh grade when Staci stole her first boyfriend and attempted to steal every boyfriend she'd ever had after that. They had been fierce competitors in the real estate market as well, but she would have never wished her dead...especially not viciously murdered.

Whilst still contemplating the shocking news, Marissa took an unexpected call from her ex-boyfriend, Aaron Mathews, whom she hadn't seen in almost 20 years. He wanted to view a house, which was a standard request to any realtor, but this house was different. Aaron was interested in the house next door to Marissa's.

She really didn't want to see him again, never mind live next door to him, but she needed the business and wanted to prove that she had moved on with her life. She remained professional and booked the appointment for the following day.

Marissa was shell shocked when she left the office that afternoon. Things like this just didn't happen in her world. Plus, there was the fact that she was going to see Aaron Mathews in the morning. That thought was unnerving and left her feeling shaken. She had to wonder, too, if he had called Staci before he called her. Was it possible he had been involved in Staci's death?

What was Aaron's true motive to moving back into town? Would Marissa's feelings for Aaron resurface tomorrow? Was she safe?

©2017 Simone Carter (P)2017 Simone Carter

Thriller–I Was On the Edge of my Seat, so to speak

🏚 This is a great short romance/thriller. Realtors in the area are being murdered. Marissa McCall is on edge as she hosts open houses. She was very familiar with the 2nd victim, a competitor in school as well as the real estate business. A boy she knew from junior high has recently moved back to the area and Marissa doesn't know what to think.

I'm forgiving of this storyline because it held this incredibly hot book together. It held my interest. If only the 20-something year old main character didn't keep flashing back to "when we were in 7th grade she stole my boyfriend" and was a bit more mature, I would have given it 5 stars.

Lissa Blackwell's performance is smooth and believable. 4 stars

Overall 4 stars

*I received this book in exchange for writing an unbiased review.

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2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Risky Business

Ok, I'm not sure what happened to my original review but I am writing it once again...unfortunately a shorter version this time.
I enjoyed this story. A serial killer is on the loose killing realtors. Although I had an idea of whom the serial killer was I was still surprised once it was revealed. Aaron & Marissa have some great chemistry, it was a great read...I would love to read the first 2 books. I would recommend this book! :)

“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

Thank you.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great listen

Loved listening to this! Great storyline and characters, the story kept me hooked from the beginning. Great narrator, she really made the listening experience. I received a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Quick listen

RISKY BUSINESS is a quick, sexy, and suspenseful read. I appreciated the way the author balanced the hot romance and mystery so well. One didn’t necessarily take precedence over the other. The mystery was very interesting with fantastic build-up. That’s so key for a thriller such as this, and the author did not disappoint. The mystery surrounding the identity of the killer was predictable, though there were some characters that made you question yourself. Despite that, it’s still surprising when you get to the big reveal because of how well that scene is written. The creepiness of the crazed murderer distracts and makes the fact that you knew all better.

The romance was certainly an insta-love even though we’re told the two characters have somewhat of a past. Plus, it’s a novella-sized story, so that’s understandable. I just wish we had more of a backstory between them to give a little more depth to their sudden intense relationship.This is the third book in the Bad Boy Romance series, but it read so easily as a standalone.

As far as the audio goes, the narrator does a great job capturing the atmosphere of certain scenes and knows just how to act out the most crucial moments. At times, she sounded dream-like which gave an interesting vibe to the listening experience. Although she did make the male lead character sound creepy and weird which I didn't particularly like. Perhaps it was her intention to lead the reader/listener to believe he’s the killer? Regardless, she hit every emotion necessary to do the story justice. However, the actual audio did have issues. There were some moments that weren’t as clear as the rest. There are also times where you can hear noises that sound like the noise when you hit the microphone or make “p” sounds too close to it. Some lines also unnecessarily repeat here and there.

*I was provided this audiobook from the author/narrator via Audiobook Boom at no charge, for my unbiased review.

Loved it!

This is a really well written romantic suspense. I loved the characters, loved the suspense and loved the romance. This is a great series!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. The fact that I was gifted this book had no influence over my opinion of it.

Great Read

Risky Business by Simone Carter was a great read. It is book three in the Bad Boy series. I loved reading Marissa and Aaron's story. They have a past but maybe can work on their future. I can't wait to read more by Simone Carter.

Great Romantic Suspense

This is probably my favorite book of the series. A serial killer is on the loose, preying on female realtors at open houses. When Marissa's boyfriend from decades ago suddenly moves in next door, she isn't sure what to think. Is it coincidence or is he the killer? If realtor Marissa isn't careful, she just might become the next victim.

Aaron and Marissa had great chemistry and I enjoyed their story. The suspense had me riveted as the killer was finally revealed. His identity was one that I had suspected but his confession was still a bit shocking. Lissa Blackwell did a great job portraying the emotions of the characters and I had a terrific listening experience. I would recommend this.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This review is my honest opinion.

Sassy and fun

I loved the relationship between Marissa and Aaron, it's fun and sexy and hot! The book was enjoyable to listen to, the combination of the story with the narration worked really well.

The character voices were well done and matched the personalities of the characters well.

I was a little disappointed that I figured out who did it really early in the book. The moment the character was introduced I know it was them, yet there were still some twists and tie-ins that I hadn't been expecting. And overall this didn't really have much impact on my enjoyment of the book.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and/or narrator and/or publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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risky business

great book! definitely worth the read! not predictable at all. love the chemistry between marissa and Aaron! serial killer , mystery book will keep you interested through the end! love story in between it all from highschool crushes to meeting eachother again as adults as fate brings them together! i was given a copy of this audiobook for free by my request and voluntarily left this review!

So much more than I expected!

As a former realtor who knew a murdered agent (Ashley Oakland) this book hooked me. I was glad this realistic fictional tale was solved but wished the real life crime from West Des Moines, Iowa was solved. This book is both romance and murder mystery, which kept me captivated. When one is acquainted with the victim of a horrendous crime, it changes ones perspective. I requested this review copy audiobook and have voluntarily written this review. I thought the narrator did fantastic with the different characters and voices. The author wrote a great realistic story. I will continue to listen to more of their works.

Good for Sexy Romance Lovers.

I was provided a free copy of this book by the author in return for an honest review.

Risky Business is the third book in the author's Bad Boy Romance series. I'd not heard of this series before but it sounded right up my street so I was more than happy to listen to the audiobook and review it. 

The story follows Marissa, a real estate agent who is left anxious when fellow realtors begin to be murdered during open house events. She runs into her childhood ex-boyfriend, Aaron Matthews, a former sports player who coincidently wants to buy the house next door to her. 

The Good Stuff

I liked the mystery/crime side of this story, it wasn't just a hot romance, it had parts that started you guessing too. I maybe would have liked a little more guessing to do but I was satisfied.

I really liked Marrissa's character. She was a fairly strong female lead who liked to prove herself as such. 

This was a nice, fairly short story to listen to. It was an easy listen while I was walking the dog in the morning or walking home from work. I looked forward to putting my earphones in and listening to the book at every opportunity.

The actress was good and really got stuck in the story. She displayed the emotions and goings on really well.


Although the story behind the murders was good, I guessed the killer as they were introduced. There wasn't really a red herring in the story, One was suggested, however, Marrissa worked out for herself quite early in the story that it couldn't have been them. I'd have maybe liked a little more questioning on that story.

Although I liked Aaron, he wasn't my favorite book boyfriend. In some parts, he was quite sulky and manipulative. Probably showing that he's not the perfect man, but at these points, he really annoyed me.

At some points, the audio did sound a little off. I don't know what was wrong with it, it just didn't sound as clear as some other ones I'd listened to.