Lights Out (The SNAP Agency)

Lights Out by Natalie Walters is a must-read for suspense fans. Brynn Taylor is a CIA analyst who is tracking a missing person with ties to terrorism, but things heat up when she’s forced to work with the SNAP (Strategic Neutralization and Protection) Agency. Her ex-boyfriend, Jack Hudson, happens to be on the SNAP team. They pair up, dodge danger, and try to piece dangerous clues together to figure out how to keep America safe.

I love this introduction to the SNAP team! I always enjoy quirky characters and this rag-tag team of analysts and spies brings the story to life. We get to meet Kekoa, the Hawaiian hacker who adds lots of humor to the team, and Lyla, the sassy analyst with plenty to say. The relationship between Jack and Brynn creates explosive tension as they are thrown together and have to deal with their past to keep moving forward in the investigation.

While all the action and suspense make this a fast-paced novel, the author finds time for readers to get to know the characters. My favorite scene is Lyla’s birthday party. Readers will fall in love with the characters while getting a thrilling story.

Overall Rating:
5 stars (I loved it, couldn’t put it down)

Suspense Rating:
5 stars (Non-stop edge-of-your-seat suspense from start to finish)

I received an ebook review copy of this book through Revell and NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you in advance to the publisher, Revell (a division of Baker Books), for providing a complimentary review copy through not only the author’s launch team, but also Interviews & Reviews. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.

I actually requested the one from Interviews & Reviews prior to being accepted for the launch team.

Anyway …

Having read Natalie Walter’s HARBORED SECRETS SERIES, and knowing in advance what this series was going to be about, I JUMPED (figuratively) at the chance to read it. The eye-catching, intriguing cover also was a good draw.

Those who read Silent Shadows met Colton’s friend, Kekoa. I had a a feeling he would be back and I am SO glad he is. For fans of Jason Momoa, you might enjoy Kekoa’s character.

A note before I get to the heart of this review –

While most publishing companies do not publish the novellas of the author, that does not preclude the author and publishing company from reaching an agreement for the author to do it independently.

This has been done with other Revell authors such as Becky Wade (her Misty River romance series has a 2nd one out), Tari Faris (she has a 3rd one coming out for her Restoring Heritage series), among many.

The “freebie” eBook ones are what I call bonus or filler material, stuff I would think the author wanted to include in the book, but obviously couldn’t for whatever reason. Those usually range 25-50 pages. It’s not that they’re any less important, but not essential in my opinion.

In the case of Walters’ SNAP Agency novella, Initium, that is entirely different. I know this review is about Lights Out, but, is worth noting that Initium REALLY stands up as a starter book for the series.

Which brings up the “do you NEED to read Initium prior to Lights Out” question.

YES!

In my opinion, Initium is an ABSOLUTE MUST READ prior to Lights Out. It gives the background and origins of the team members that are in this book:

Director Tom Walsh
Jack Hudson (2013)
Lyla Fox (2015)
Nicolás Garcia (2016)
Kekoa Young (2020)

Despite some of the encounters being extremely short, by reading Initium, the reader gets to know a little bit about Jack and Brynn’s backstory, along with how and where the other team members came from. It also helps the reader step right into Lights Out without too many questions.

I think it is pretty obvious that I did indeed read Initium. I waited for (and bought) the paperback version. So, right off, I knew the backstory of Brynn and Jack. Her name is not mentioned in Initium, but the incident is alluded to in it when Tom approaches Jack. There is a reference to the “potential romance” between Garcia and Lyla, and readers get to know where Kekoa comes from.

To be honest, every character is great and well rounded (no puns for Kekoa). I try not to have favorites, honestly, Kekoa is definitely a scene-stealer though not in the conceited “look at me” way. He is honest and genuine, definitely the heart of the whole agency. He was my favorite part of the book, in addition to the story.

Jack has his moments of seriousness and levity. I know some people didn’t like Brynn, but given her role at the CIA, it was understandable she is the way she is. Her motivation for her work stems from 9/11. There are DEEP references to 9/11 here. As a result, it took me a while to move through the book since I remember the day and have my own “connection” (this is mentioned more in my blog).

As a result, I definitely understood her drive all too well and it made me more sympathetic to her character.

Each character/team member has a significant role in this book and Walters expertly balances them all giving them a full appearance and not a blurb. There are some minor characters that, while short with their appearances, had an impact.

In addition to a STELLAR cast, Lights Out’s plot is exciting, fast-paced, and action-packed with a terror plot eerily similar to 9/11. I didn’t know what was going to happen next or where the story was going.

This, like the prequel novella, had serious J*A*G/NCIS vibes to it, especially with the mention of the U.S.S Carl Vinson (Kekoa’s old ship). Recycled footage of the ship is shown on the first two seasons of NCIS. The footage was originally featured on THE PRESIDIO (1988, also starring Mark Harmon).

What also helps the pacing – the short chapters, witty banter, the team’s family (Ohana) closeness, and the engaging story that drags readers right in and holds their interest right until the very end. There are a few cultural and pop references. Some of them I wasn’t too familiar with, others I dearly enjoyed. One? The Princess Bride. Be still my heart.

For the most part, the story is told through Jack and Brynn’s POV. However, Walters also has about 3-4 minor character POVs if only for a chapter here or there. I actually enjoyed knowing what some of the minor characters were thinking and how they wound up connected to the major plot.

The story begins in Egypt with the recruitment of a young man who needs money, especially for his soon-to-be-born special needs baby. Unlike the USA, Egypt has a different level of care. He wants his wife to come with him to the U.S for medical care. He’s refused and on his way.

Brynn is finished with a debriefing about HVE’s – homegrown violent extremists. She learns one of the spies visiting has gone missing – Remon Riad. And, she learns she’s going to be working with Director Tom Walsh and the SNAP agency. This is due mainly to the limited scope the CIA has when it comes to working in the U.S.

Unfortunately, that means working with Jack Hudson. The man she gave up for the C.I.A. (This is why I say to read the prequel first). The problem? She will be working under Jack. And, he is honest – she cannot be trusted.

It appears Jack has moved on, or has he? While he is friends with Amy, it is clear that is going nowhere. And, it is definitely clear that Jack and Brynn have some unfinished business. Tom knows this and hints for them to “play nice”.

[We don’t get near enough time with Tom and I do like his character]

Their past will have to wait as they begin the investigation into where Riad went.

The reason SNAP can investigate? They’re a private agency that can operate locally, nationally, and internationally without the red tape that the FBI, CIA, and NSA deal with.

Lyla and Brynn get off to a rough start. Apparently Lyla also knows Jack’s past. She even knows something Brynn doesn’t, and Brynn gets the wrong idea about the two team members.

Brynn and Jack end up tracking the wayward Riad, but lose him soon after.

Given her personal connection to 9/11, Brynn is desperate to find out what is going on.

Brynn knows it was the CIA who made her choose between a career and Jack. Nothing is fair when it comes to fighting terrorism.

Brynn and Lyla end up at a farmhouse in Virginia (sounding like NCIS or J*A*G) and discover some men who are obviously not in the U.S for the reasons they thought. However, things get serious when the authorities are transporting the men.

Someone doesn’t want the guys to talk. Of course, trying to find the bad guys, also driving black SUVs, is going to be problematic. It is Kekoa with a wisecrack and pearl of wisdom (he isn’t wrong) – black SUVs are like cousins at a local barbecue, you never realize how many you got and they keep showing up.

However, when Brynn and the SNAP team do locate the men – it isn’t good.

Brynn and Jack are wounded in a bombing which results in an ER visit. The doctor, Dr. Payne, is an absolute riot in the face of something serious and sinister. [Note: I’d like to see more of him if only as the support character he is].

Watching the team show up to support Jack, and also Brynn, forces Brynn to confront the loneliness of the job. She has no visitors, no one to drive her home, no one to ask how her day went. No one to care for her. It is a sobering reality.

With little time to take stock in that, Brynn gets a lead (Ansari) and acts on it which results in an attempt on her life. Jack feels he is right – she cannot be trusted. Ansari is connected to the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) as an informant. While it is clear he cannot help her find Riad, the team is sent in a different direction. However, the man ends up dead before the team can get any more information out of him.

Figuring out where Ansari’s information about another man fits is another thing.

Brynn also finds out what Lyla meant about Jack’s treatment. Jack and Brynn realize they still care for each other. Of course, there is Amy to deal with. But, she isn’t a real threat.

The team gets more intel on the men, except the who and why. It is clear the missing Riad is connected.

Of course, there are the dreaded words – “body found in Rock Creek Park”. No, that wasn’t a line from NCIS.

As the team learns, this “threat” ties in with the opening of a base in Egypt. Who and when lies somewhere in Riad’s computer (not sure I liked where this was going).

Eventually the team is led back to the warehouse where uniforms and fake IDs are discovered. I loved Brynn and her Dateline reference when she and Jack entered the premises.

After someone nearly kills her and Jack tries to take her off the case, Brynn isn’t so certain what she wants anymore. It is clear – it has to involve Jack. Knowing what they know, Brynn and Jack rush to a base to stop the terrorists which ends up forcing Brynn to once again choose the mission over Jack in a dramatic ending.

I have a “hang-up” about rating a book “best-ever”, “standout”, or things like that. I feel like I am saying that the author’s previous works are not that great. When, let’s face it that’s not at all what it means.

However …

Lights Out is definitely a must-read, and must re-read for me. I do consider this one of Walters’ best works. This was a “don’t put it don’t until you have to” kind of read for me.

It wasn’t all drama, suspense, and terror though.

There were also several light-hearted moments throughout the story courtesy of the team members. One example? Lyla with her gun “Cupcake” and “pew-pews”. I was laughing way too hard at that. There was Kekoa and Jack’s mother’s cooking, Kekoa and his housing situation, especially Kekoa calling Garcia “Captain Turkey Burger”.

The gift that Brynn gives Lyla? Hysterical and fitting – a pink gun holster.

The team defines Ohana (family), and we all know from the Disney movie (which gets a “slight” shout-out), Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind.

Another fun line? One of the military officers refers to the main bad guy as being “a couple slices short of a loaf”.

There was an emotional moment where Brynn states that 9/11 won’t stop being her worst moment. That is true for me as well. I made an educational decision as a result. [NOTE: I have a bigger reference to this in my blog].

When driving to the base, it takes Brynn and Jack roughly 45 minutes. Jack is counting out what can happen in that time. He thinks of Flight 11 which hit the first Trade Center tower in 47 minutes; Flight 77 hit the Pentagon in 55; the Boston Bombing happened in 10 minutes with two brothers. That puts the seriousness of a potential attack into perspective.

The reference to American Airlines flight 77 was difficult to read on a personal level. A woman by the name of Barbara Edwards from Las Vegas was on that flight. My mother’s name is Barbara Edwards and we were living in Las Vegas at the time. That is why I understand Brynn’s motives.

There is a character by the name of Doug in this. And, for the brief time he is in it, he annoyed me. At one point, I wanted to stuff him in a shed. [Slight reference to FBI: Most Wanted].

With everything going on in this story, I might’ve missed a slight plot point (fertilizer in Guam) and will have to re-read it to make sure I didn’t miss something. I was wondering where that played into the story.

This was a fantastic read and really delivered on the anticipated promotion up to the release. This is why I HAD to get my hands on it.

As Revell is primarily a Christian/faith-themed publisher, there were references to God and prayer. It was a clean overall read with no bad language, but many “near-miss” kisses.

Fans of the author, Elizabeth Goddard, and Patricia Bradley shouldn’t hesitate to pick this up. And, don’t forget Initium either.

I definitely cannot wait for Fatal Code (book #2) to come out.

"I'm not willing to risk my team on someone who can't be trusted, and I don't trust her."

Great. Just great. Judging by the flash of hurt that crossed her face, she'd no doubt heard his words. "She", being Brynn Taylor; Jack Hudson had gone through CIA training with her, and had subsequently been left behind when Brynn was accepted into the agency and he wasn't. Pushed aside . . . was more like it. . . apparently Brynn had moved on in her career, never giving their burgeoning relationship a second glance. But now she was in his territory with her own reputation on the line. An Egyptian intelligence agent had gone missing after attending Brynn's multi-national symposium on combating global terrorism and Jack's agency, S.N.A.P., the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency, had just been put in charge of finding him.

After overcoming her shock over seeing Jack again, Brynn put on her brave face and drilled herself into focus; "Do not panic. Do not panic. DO NOT PANIC." He didn't trust her, of course he didn't, she had never told him the entire story. Personal history aside, she had a job to do, and if working with Jack's team accomplished the objective, so be it, regardless of the cost to her heart.

As the body count rises and terrorist threats loom like a specter on the horizon, Jack and Brynn have little time to concentrate on anything else but national security, exploring the feelings that continue to rumble just beneath the surface will just have to wait. Or can they? . . . "love is many things, none of them logical".

An excellent story! Writing a fast paced romantic suspense without leaving the audience in the proverbial "dust". . . . . or compromising the character development that readers so desperately crave, demands a delicate balance. This book has accomplishes both, proving that the author has really "upped her game" and I, for one, can't wait to continue reading the series.

"It's our faith in the hard times that keeps us anchored in the hope that God will restore order . . . Choose fear or faith, but only one choice will bring peace."

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

When Brynn Taylor's new anti-terrorism program at the CIA is endangered, she is assigned to work with the SNAP Agency - and her former boyfriend, Jack Hudson. With international terrorists seeming to be one step ahead, Lights Out is both an exciting, suspenseful adventure and a slow burn second chance romance.

First in Natalie Walters' SNAP Agency series, Lights Out builds on the prequel novella Initium and delivers a compelling storyline with a dynamic cast of characters, leaving you ready for more. Be prepared to want to binge read this series!

Recommended

This review refers to a purchased paperback. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is my first book by Natalie Walters and definitely won’t be my last! With edge of your seat suspense, non-stop action, intelligent writing, a compelling story, romance, and an inspirational message, this book definitely hit all the right spots and made for an enjoyable read!

This is the first book in the SNAP (Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency) series and takes the reader from Egypt to the United States on the hunt for a missing spy. Brynn is a CIA Analyst who’s been working extensively to discover and prevent terrorist attacks. When one of her Egyptian spies goes missing she’s charged with working with SNAP to help find Remon Riad. Unfortunately the person who’s heading up the mission is Jack Hudson.

Jack and Brynn have a messy past and neither one is anxious to work together again. Jack especially doesn’t trust Brynn and the reasons why are teased out throughout the story. The embers of their past romance still burn under the surface with a lot of feelings still there. As the team gets closer to finding out what happened to Riad and uncovering the terrorist plot, they’re faced with kidnappings, explosions, poisonings, and injuries with Brynn and Jack right in the middle.

It’s a fantastic beginning to a new series and I’m excited to read the next book. It reminded me a lot of a 24 episode without the language and excess violence, where the action is non-stop. The relationships within SNAP are so enjoyable. I really connected with all the characters and look forward to seeing how these relationships continue. The witty dialogue is well done. The writer is well versed in the intelligence world yet makes the technical jargon easily understandable. Along with all the action and trying to prevent a terrorist attack is a sweet second chance romance where trust was broken and needing to be repaired. There’s also an inspirational message which focuses on learning to trust in God and letting go.

I will definitely be reading another book by this author and look forward to continuing on with this series. Highly recommend especially to romantic suspense fans! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

I don’t even know where to start…
I’m OBSESSED with these characters & this new series!!

This book was so fast paced! A LOT happened and though there were a few moments my head was spinning from trying to keep up, I never missed a beat or anything important.

The chemistry between the SNAP team made me want to hug this book to my chest! I LOVE teams that are more like family. It makes my heart so happy! 💗

Brynn & Jack had history which worked in this story because of how fast it went down. While I feel Jack holding onto the hurt and “not being able to trust Brynn” for 8 years was a little ridiculous (they were both in training for the CIA…they knew their weaknesses would be exploited) I’m glad they had an actual discussion about it and worked to make a relationship work.

I enjoyed them together, though the SNAP team (and Kekoa) took center stage for me. 😍

The “suspense” plot line was one I don’t normally read. Cyber crimes and terrorism (at home & internationally) is not my normal thing. (It kind of freaks me out a bit because it is SO realistic nowadays) BBBUUUUUTTTTT!!! I really enjoyed the behind the scenes look at how our wonderful brains keep our country safe DAILY!

And even though this is a work of FICTION, it did give me an extra appreciation for everyone in any kind of service for this country!

I don’t know what else I can say…I was HOOKED from the beginning! I finished it almost in one sitting and I’m ANXIOUSLY awaiting book 2! This is my favorite Natalie Walters book so far. 😍😍

5/5 stars
*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*

This is the first book that I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. Things started out a bit slowly for me at the beginning of the book, however, there came a point where everything started clicking along and I simply did not want to put this book down.

The worldwide threat in this story seemed credible and the agents and experts attempting to uncover all that was going on felt like real people. I liked the tension between Jack and Brynn. They were both extremely professional and focused on the threat, yet their painful history caused both of them to feel distracted at times as they juggled reemerging feelings for each other. I thought the romantic tension was just the right amount for the story and would have even liked it to have ramped up a bit with maybe an epilogue after the last chapter.

I liked the introduction to the various members of SNAP and I look forward to seeing this group working together in future books.

Her other novels are great, but this one took the suspense to an international level! Cia has her career on the line, the man she let get away and now resents her, worse there's a misunderstanding, and he thinks she's a traitor. So much tension with catastrophic danger at hand. How can they work together! Action paced, you will stay hooked with every twist until the very end.

What happens when the girl who threw Jack over (yep, broke his heart AND betrayed him) is suddenly assigned to his SNAP Agency (Strategic Neutralization and Protection) when she's lost track of a foreign intelligence agent who's in the US for a CIA joint terrorism program that she put together?

Yes. As you can imagine, it's not pretty. But Brynn (who's never forgotten Jack in the eight years since she chose the CIA over him) is not a traitor. She'd genuinely believed that intelligence officers from allied nations working together were the best option to stop terrorism from happening again, especially on the scale that it did on 9/11.

Jack's team and Brynn work together, hesitantly at first, but better and better as they get to know each other, to find the Mukhabarat agent. No one is certain if he's in danger or if he's got a malevolent plan. But the team, not to mention the U.S. and maybe even the world, are definitely in danger, from poison, weaponry, dangerous individuals. And worse.

Natalie Wagner has constructed a fascinating world with appealing characters and an incredible storyline. It's also a clean read with just a hint of romance and some wonderful pop culture references, here and there. Don't miss this!

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All opinions are my own.

I enjoy Natalie Walter's writing. When I saw she had a new book coming out, I immediately signed up to read it. I love the cover and the premise of the story. Lights Out is the first book in The SNAP Agency series.

The last time Brynn and Jack had seen each other was over nine years ago in less than ideal circumstances. Fate throws them together again, and while the scenario is different, it is still less than ideal for them to be working together.

Walters has built a fast-pasted, dynamic story. I love how seamlessly the timeline flows (I struggled with Initium). While they are not always in one location, the story flows smoothly. The SNAP agency is a group of eclectic members that give off Leverage (TV show) vibes, where each member has unique gifts that they bring to the table. Each one is vital to the mission. Just as each member of the body of Christ is vital to the Church.

I love this cast of characters and their interactions with each other. I think Kekoa and his well-timed humor might be my favorite. While books like this can be intense, the humor, and witty dialogue kept it from being too intense. The romantic thread is realistic and natural, as is the faith element. The plot is maybe a little too realistic but that just adds to the intensity of the story. I found Lights Out hard to put down, easy to read, and another great suspense book by Walters. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

I would recommend Lights Out to anyone who loves a good suspense story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to Revell for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.