What Doesn't Kill Her (Cape Charade Book 2)

There’s a saying in Western Washington that if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes. In Kellan Adams’ life, if you don’t die this time, wait five minutes! Of all of Christina Dodd’s book, this one is by far my favorite. I didn’t realize there were so many ways to kill, or die, but Ms. Dodd uses them all. I think I’m afraid of her! Max and Kellan are so good together. Add in Rae and Verona, and the story is perfect. The thrills, kills, and suspense mount as the infamous Dodd magic weaves a spell around the entire Di Luca family and includes Kellan’s friends. The end of the book is tragic. Christina Dodd, I think Kellan is not the only one left in the dark. Why did you cut us off so suddenly? Oh, and I LOVE this book.

The Cape Charade series was unknown to me when I spotted “What Doesn’t Kill Her” but I enjoy Christina Dodd’s storytelling skills, so I quickly snagged Book 2. However, not having read Book 1, I was a little lost in the beginning, especially with Kellan’s Rolodex-mental file format. Why was she estranged from her seven year old daughter and why would she want to hide from her? With no knowledge of the characters and their backgrounds, it took several chapters to get comfortable with the plot premise but once I did, the pieces began falling into place and I settled in for a suspense-filled yarn like Dodd does so well. The story is intense with some unexpected twists but the pacing fell off about midway through, picking back up as the action increased. The plot line seems original, the characters are well developed and the dialogue is clever. And seven year old Rae is a hoot! So close your eyes and a curl up with an entertaining read.

I absolutely didn't want to miss a single word of this book. Christina is creative because who else could write a story with so many unbelievable events and still make you crave what's coming up next. What Doesn't Kill Her is suspenseful, humorous, and filled with lovable characters. I sincerely recommend this book and can't wait until the next installment. I'm rooting for Kellen, Rae, and Max. I'm not sure which I enjoyed more: the storyline or how the characters reacted in it. Cute in places, sad in other places, and always enjoyable. Love this series.

Kellen/Cecelia, Max, and Rae carry on growing to know, bond, love and enjoy each out as Kellen's time runs out as she encountered the last Lykke family member left to erase her from their massive family fortune. From the harrowing trek up the mountain, into Zone's realm with the Three Headed Goddess, and stowed away Rae, with her, Kellen gets the artifact authenticated, and got proposed to by Max. Their wedding, of course, was turned into a Rae rescue and the murder of Dan. The finale as expected, had Kellen's borrowed time, ending with The Fates cutting her life yarn.

Well developed characters, amazing adventure filled plot, with an expected ending. The theme of enjoying each moment as though it was ones last was apropos. Just loved Rae to death!! A MUST-READ!!
02/23/19.

One of my favorite authors is Christina Dodd and for a very good reason. She crafts great stories with imagination, wit and humor. We listened to the audiobook and Vanessa Johansson does a great job as well. She got the daughter's personality down to a gnat's eyelash. Well done, well done!
The first book in this series was a touch dry, by Dodd standards, but this second book in the series justifies every word in the first. This is a really great series. Can't wait for the next.

Do you still have the urge to curl up with a good book and some chocolate until spring? If you’ve got the chocolate, "What Doesn’t Kill Her" is the book!

Former U.S. Army Captain Kellen Adams is a force to be reckoned with – a superhero without the cape, according to her 7-year-old daughter, Rae - the daughter Kellen didn’t even know she had until recently. And if you’re thinking, c’mon, how could she not know?! Well, let’s just say there were extenuating circumstances… and that’s not the only thing making Kellen’s head hurt! There’s Max, Rae’s father, who Kellen has warm feelings for, but doesn’t remember being intimate with – awkward!! There’s the marble relic, a triple goddess head Kellen is tasked with safeguarding until she can deliver it to an authenticator/recluse who lives in a remote area of the Pacific Northwest.

Of course, the straightforward delivery mission goes awry. Kellen is betrayed by her partner in the mission, mercenaries are trying to kill her and steal the head, and Rae has stowed away on the delivery truck so she can spend time bonding with her mommy – unbeknownst to Kellen, of course. So, whew, there’s a lot going on!

"What Doesn’t Kill Her" picks up where "Dead Girl Running" leaves off. Do you need to have read "Dead Girl Running" first? No. this is a complete book by itself. (But fair warning - you will want to read "Dead Girl," too, if you read this book.) If you like strong female leading characters (even 7-year-old ones!), who kick it up a notch when the pressure’s on, you’ll love this book. If you’re looking for a great treating-myself-binge-read, this is your book. If you’re one of those chapter-or-two-a-day-to-relax kind of reader, you clearly have a lot more self-discipline than I do and probably don’t crave chocolate either, but you’ll love the book anyway. Push winter aside for a bit - get the book. Eat the chocolate!

This one was a little slow to start but once the action started it was fast paced. I was disappointed that Kellen was no longer at the Yearning Sands Resort because I liked it there and I enjoyed the people. It didn't really matter in the end anyway though. There's more character development in this one as Kellen learns to deal with the newly acquired daughter that she doesn't remember giving birth to. This is a good addition to the series and is pretty much what you would expect from a Christina Dodd novel.

All in all, a great page turner filled with twists, turns, and suspense. This would be good for fans of Karin Slaughter. A definite must-read recommendation.

This story picks up where Killen Finds out more about the year she was in a coma and had a daughter with Max. She needs to bond with Rae but does not know how. She takes a job from Niles and Rae stowed away in the van. Things get dicey on the mission but Kellen and Rae ended up bonding. Then at the wedding they find out who was trying to kill Kellen and stop him. I like that this series its more than just one book for these characters you get to grow with them.

Kellen and Rea can find themselves in more trouble! But, they are quite the pair - definitely superheroes. 😂😂. Trouble seems to find Kellen regardless of where or when. But, during the “adventure “ Kellen comes to understand and love her daughter, Rae. Rae is hilarious and courageous - like her mom. Their story, along with Max, is interesting, scary, encouraging and delightful. Good read with lots of twists and turns. Keeps you guessing as to whom is the bad guy.

Funny, fast paced hugely entertaining. Although I read the first book in the series, I didn’t remember it very well so this read as a stand alone and I loved it. A great kid, Rae, really steals the show so this is much more action adventure than romance which I liked