Review: Don't Back Down by Sharon Sala

Author: Sharon Sala
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: February 2023

Army veteran Cameron Pope arrives back in Jubilee, Kentucky, for the first time in years. He barely has time to catch his breath when he becomes embroiled in a race of life or death for his little niece and a deadly hunt for the human traffickers who are destroying the peace of his mountain town. When he's reunited with Rusty Caldwell—a woman from his past who he's never stopped thinking about—he wants to believe they can finally be together. But Cameron is shocked to find out that Rusty belongs to one of the rich families in Jubilee—the same rich folks who scorn the rural families living on the surrounding mountainside, in spite of knowing nothing about them. With their community in the crosshairs, Cameron and Rusty will have to find a way to end the feuding and take down the human trafficking ring if they're to have a chance at happiness.

I have always loved this author's romantic suspense.  So I was eager to dive into Don't Back Down.  This is the first book in the Jubilee, Kentucky series.  This book is Cameron and Rusty's story.  I had a lot of fun reading this book.  The action and suspense had me riveted to the page.  I was kept guessing as to who was behind the trafficking. It didn't go in the direction I was expecting.

What I loved more than the overall mystery were the characters and the relationships in the book.  I adored Rusty and Cameron as a couple.  I loved their story and there was literally no angst or question that they would be together. They complimented each other.  I also  enjoyed Rusty's relationship with her family.  Her cousin did have to grow on me, but I was happy how her storyline turned out in the end.  I also loved Cameron's family.  His niece was adorable.  I loved how Rusty fit right in.   I can't wait to read the next book in the series! I highly recommend this one!