Review: The Woman Left Behind by Linda Howard

The Woman Left Behind (GO-Team #2) by Linda Howard
Publication date: March 6th 2018
Publisher:William Morrow
My rating: 5 Stars
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 Jina Modell works in Communications for a paramilitary organization, and she really likes it. She likes the money, she likes the coolness factor—and it was very cool, even for Washington, DC. She liked being able to kick terrorist butts without ever leaving the climate-controlled comfort of the control room.

But when Jina displays a really high aptitude for spatial awareness and action, she’s reassigned to work as an on-site drone operator in the field with one of the GO-teams, an elite paramilitary unit. The only problem is she isn’t particularly athletic, to put it mildly, and in order to be fit for the field, she has to learn how to run and swim for miles, jump out of a plane, shoot a gun...or else be out of a job.

Team leader Levi, call sign Ace, doesn’t have much confidence in Jina--who he dubbed Babe as soon as he heard her raspy, sexy voice--making it through the rigors of training. The last thing he needs is some tech geek holding them back from completing a dangerous, covert operation. In the following months, however, no one is more surprised than he when Babe, who hates to sweat, begins to thrive in her new environment, displaying a grit and courage that wins her the admiration of her hardened, battle-worn teammates. What’s even more surprising is that the usually very disciplined GO-team leader can’t stop thinking about kissing her smart, stubborn mouth…or the building chemistry and tension between them.

Meanwhile, a powerful Congresswoman is working behind the scenes to destroy the GO-teams, and a trap is set to ambush Levi’s squad in Syria. While the rest of the operatives set off on their mission, Jina remains at the base to control the surveillance drone, when the base is suddenly attacked with explosives. Thought dead by her comrades, Jina escapes to the desert where, brutally tested beyond measure, she has to figure out how to stay undetected by the enemy and make it to her crew in time before they’re exfiltrated out of the country.

But Levi never leaves a soldier behind, especially the brave woman he’s fallen for. He’s bringing back the woman they left behind, dead or alive.

My Thoughts:

Jina Modell goes from working in the office of a paramilitary group to being drafted for in the field operations as a drone operator.  She’s assigned to a “Go-TEAM” and must go through and pass rigorous physical training to keep her job or she must quit.  Jina’s fiercely determined even though she’d like to die by the end of each training day.  Another motivation is showing Levi, her team leader, that she’s capable and no quitter when he’s made it clear he doesn’t want Jina on his team.  
Levi’s not convinced Jina will be an asset, and not a liability to his team. She meets his attitude with a bunch of her own, and they knock heads more than a few times.  Simmering beneath all the tension is a powerful attraction neither wants but can’t deny.  With each week that passes Jina proves her mettle and value.  A good thing considering the dangerous situations Jina’s in for when she finally goes out in the field.  Her training, determination and mental fortitude are what makes all the difference in one assignment that goes horribly wrong.

I loved this story!  Much of it focuses on Jina’s training with her team, getting in battle ready shape, and overcoming challenges.  She had her work cut out for her.  I’m constantly on a fitness mission so I was really interested in her struggles and rooting for her the entire time.  I adored Jina!  I loved seeing her get stronger, gradually fit in with the team, and navigating her relationship/attraction to Levi!  You could see them grow close and care even when they snipped and snapped at each other.  The sexual tension between them was electric!  Levi was one hard, focused male; protective and a little possessive, but a really good man underneath all the gruff. 

Linda Howard combined her signature elements of playfulness, danger, action and a hot romance in The Woman Left Behind and I ate it up!  I’m sure I’ll be doing a re-read in the future.