Pull Me Under by J.L. Drake
Book 2 in Wired To Kill Series
Releasing: January 26, 2027
Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Police Romance, Conspiracy Thrillers
Kindle - https://link.amazon/B051B84ul
Available In KU
Audiobook - https://link.amazon/B04Ywrqjd
Paperback- https://link.amazon/B01FeQPXN
The Wired to Kill series continues with a gripping slow-burn romance where two childhood friends get another chance at their first love—if they can outsmart a brilliant killer.
Not long ago, Private Investigator Bree Jaminson and Detective Brad Stone, former childhood friends (and unfulfilled crushes), reunited to solve a string of mysterious murders in their hometown. The case plunged them back into the trauma they tried to leave behind—and the attraction they never could.
But Sheffield isn’t through with them yet. Now a foster family has been killed, and the evidence points to one of its kids, shattering the admired household’s image.
As Bree and Brad dig deeper, the investigation spreads into a web of vulnerable children and disturbing secrets stretching back years. And the clues are starting to suggest a link to the nightmare they survived as teenagers: the elusive Barbed Wire Killer.
Working side by side again feels natural, but suppressing their unruly attraction does not. They’ve tried to be cautious with their second chance, but if they don’t see it through, they might not get another. Because the dark truth they’ve been pursuing has had eyes on them all along.
J.L. Drake throws us back into the shadowy world of small-town crime with Pull Me Under, the second installment in the Wired To Kill Series, and it’s a ride that’s as electrifying as it is emotionally charged. If you're looking for a thriller that keeps you guessing and a romance that simmers with palpable chemistry, this is a book you’ll want to sink your teeth into.
The core of Pull Me Under revolves around Brad and Bree, our favorite crime-solving duo, as they navigate a relentless stream of cases that plague their town. While the immediate crimes demand their attention, an overarching mystery concerning the elusive Barb Wire Killer continues to weave its sinister web in the background, hinting at a master manipulator pulling the strings. Adding to the tension, both Brad and Bree find their pasts resurfacing in the form of returning exes, introducing fresh emotional complexities and a significant amount of drama.
What truly shines in Pull Me Under is Drake’s masterful pacing and knack for intricate plotting. The crime elements are undeniably gripping, with twists and turns that genuinely surprise. You'll find yourself constantly re-evaluating your assumptions about who the culprit might be. Bree, in particular, continues to be a standout character; her sharp intellect and keen observational skills are a delight to witness as she unravels mysteries others miss.
The development of Brad and Bree's relationship is also a significant strength. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the evolution of their partnership, both personally and professionally, feels earned and authentic. The emotional stakes rise as they are forced to confront their pasts, adding a layer of depth that elevates the narrative beyond a simple crime procedural.
While the sheer number of twists is a significant draw, at times, the plot can feel almost too intricate, potentially overwhelming readers who prefer a more straightforward mystery. The introduction of multiple ex-partners, while certainly adding to the drama, occasionally threatens to overshadow the central crime investigation. However, the author handles these personal entanglements with a surprising amount of nuance, particularly Brad's measured responses, which is a welcome touch.
Fans of the first book will be thrilled to see Brad and Bree’s journey continue, and newcomers can jump in, though understanding the underlying plot of the Barb Wire Killer would be enhanced by reading the series chronologically. If you appreciate smart protagonists, heart-pounding suspense, and relationships that feel genuine, this book is for you.
My Takeaway: Pull Me Under is a compelling sequel that successfully balances intense crime-solving with the blossoming, complex relationship between Brad and Bree. J.L. Drake delivers a page-turner filled with shocking revelations and emotional depth, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Barb Wire saga.
Recommendation: Highly recommended for fans of thrilling mysteries and engaging romances.
.png)
Book 1: Breath Me In by J.L. Drake
Series: Wired To Kill Book 1
Kindle - https://link.amazon/B01hboOgc
Available In KU
Audiobook - https://link.amazon/B0cVy2gHt
Paperback- https://link.amazon/B016XeEOb
In this heart-pounding suspense, a private investigator is drawn back to her small town to investigate a series of strange deaths and confront the haunting past she can no longer outrun.
As teenagers, Bree Jaminson and Brad Stone shared everything: dreams, secrets…and one terrifying brush with death they’ll never forget. After witnessing a murderer disposing of two bodies, Bree fled from her hometown, the boy who knew her best, and the terror of a killer still at large, and never looked back.
Thirteen years later, a new string of mysterious deaths brings Bree back to town to assist with the investigation and face the man she never thought she’d see again. Now a local detective, Brad is wary of working alongside Bree, and her return cracks open everything he’s tried to bury: The memories. The spark. The pull that never really faded.
As new bodies begin to surface and the web of suspects grows, Bree and Brad must navigate the thin line between justice and obsession. But despite the looming danger, this could be the push they needed back to each other—if they live long enough to claim their second chance.
.webp)
J.L. Drake’s Breathe Me In delivers a compelling cocktail of romantic suspense layered with small-town intrigue and emotional depth. At the heart of the story is Bree Jaminson, a private investigator returning to her childhood town after more than a decade, drawn back by chilling new murders that reopen old wounds. This novel earns a spot on the must-read list for fans of slow-burning mysteries with a strong romantic core, thanks to its complex characters and tightly woven suspense. The characters were fantastic, and some of them came with baggage.
What makes this novel stand out is its skillful balance between mystery and emotional stakes. Drake doesn’t rush the suspense; instead, the plot unfolds with deliberate, tantalizing hints, inviting us readers to piece together clues alongside Bree and Brad Stone, Bree’s childhood best friend and current detective. The tension between them, scarred by a traumatic event they shared yet simmering with unresolved feelings, adds richness to the plot beyond the investigation itself. Their dynamic is palpable, filled with witty banter and vulnerability that feels authentic rather than forced.
The small-town setting serves as more than just a backdrop; it enhances the claustrophobic atmosphere where secrets linger beneath the surface, and everyone has something to hide. Meanwhile, Bree’s family subtly grounds the story, giving a warm counterpoint to the darker plot threads. The plot is engaging, sometimes prioritizing dramatic pacing over police procedural exactness, but ultimately serves the story’s momentum and emotional resonance. Some of those twists within the story were not what we saw coming, and we were thoroughly surprised.
The plot's strengths, especially the complex, believable protagonists and the emotional weight they carry, more than compensate. Breathe Me In feels like the promising start of a series, suggesting more to explore in the lives of Bree and Brad, as well as the secrets of their fractured hometown.
Overall, this book is an addictive read for anyone who enjoys a tense, emotionally charged mystery infused with romance. For me, this story lingered long after the last page, raising questions about the cost of confronting the past and the possibility of second chances.
J.L. Drake’s Breathe Me In invites us to breathe deeply, hold on, and discover those answers alongside its unforgettable characters. We loved it!
P.S. Although the book doesn't actually end on a cliffhanger, it does have a continuing plot.
J. L. Drake
J.L. Drake is a bestselling author whose novels have been published in multiple countries and languages. Best known for her beloved Broken Trilogy, she continues to expand the Broken universe with multiple interconnected series, including the newest, Stonewall.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, she now lives in Southern California with her husband and two children. When she's not writing emotionally gripping stories, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Despite being dyslexic, J.L.'s lifelong passion for storytelling has inspired readers around the world. Her books explore love, resilience, and hope—even in the darkest moments.
"Suggested Reading Order"
Broken Trilogy
BROKEN
SHATTERED
MENDED
Blackstone Series (Spin-off of the Broken Trilogy)
HONOR
ESCAPE
Devil's Reach Trilogy
TRIGGER
DEMONS
UNLEASHED
Blackstone Series (Yes, these two are down here)
FREEDOM
OMERTA - Short Story
COURAGE
Darkness Trilogy (Please note this was the very first series I ever wrote)
DARKNESS LURKS
DARKNESS FOLLOWS
DARKNESS FALLS
BEHIND MY WORDS (Standalone)
CHRISTMAS AT THE CABIN (Short story Spin-off to Behind My Words)
ALL IN (Standalone)
Quiet Mafia Series
QUIET WEALTH
QUIET SECRETS
QUIET POWER
QUIET EMPIRE
Dark Water Series (MUST read the Broken and Blackstone Series before this series)
SHADOWS
WHISKEY
ALPHA
TANGO
Havoc Of Sins (Heavily laced with Devil's Reach)
GRIM
HAVOC
SINS
Stonewall Trilogy
EXTRACTION
EMBEDDED
BREACHED - October
New World
Wired To Kill Series
BREATHE ME IN
PULL ME UNDER January
Book 3
Book 4
.png)
.jpg)
.webp)
.png)
.webp)
.png)
