Review of Balaclava

[Mellow Girls]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Balaclava" by M. G. Field.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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In Balaclava written by M.G. Field, Dan Middleton, hiding from his past, creates a new identity for himself in Florida, where no one knows who he is. This façade is challenged when a man in a balaclava forces him off the road and threatens to expose his true identity unless Dan delivers $25,000 in three days.

Desperate to keep his past hidden, Dan wrestles with the decision to give in to the blackmailer's demands. He tries to maintain a calm appearance, but suspicion fills his mind as he searches for the culprit or possible accomplices among his acquaintances and the strangers around him. What secret is he so desperate to protect? Will he be able to keep his past from ruining the peace he’s found, or will his new life unravel as the secret comes to light?

As events unfold, they unlock a chest of memories Dan has kept buried while living under the alias J.R. Kincaid in this new life he’s built.

I genuinely enjoyed this book. Some parts stood out more than others, but overall, it was a good read. One of my favorite aspects was how well the author brought the scenes to life, pulling the reader in and keeping them captivated. The story took me through a range of emotions and opinions. At times, I felt like Dan was "giving red flag," but later, I thought, "Maybe he’s not perfect, but thank goodness he did that."

Dan’s struggle with drug addiction gave a glimpse of what addiction looks like, and it was sad to see. I particularly liked that all the loose ends were tied up in the end, and the book reached a satisfying conclusion.

That said, there were moments when I felt resentful toward Dan, especially when he painted his brother Nate in a negative light just to have someone to blame. I also didn’t fully understand his decision when being blackmailed, but it did help move the story forward, so it worked in the end.

The book was very well edited, with no noticeable errors. For this reason, and because there was nothing I disliked enough to warrant removing any stars, I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. I would recommend it to mature audiences who enjoy suspenseful plots with a bit of blackmail, addiction, and personal conflict. Note: I mention mature audiences because there is profanity and sexual content in the book.

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Balaclava
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