Private Spies Series by Vanessa Gray Bartal

Josie Davis was only eighteen when her safe world was turned upside down by a random threat. Ten years later she's decided to set aside the fear, once and for all. With the help of Tristan, her new security guard and private investigator, she will finally learn if the terror that has plagued her for ten years had merit or was all in her head.Tristan only wanted a new beginning. He didn't want to feel, only to survive... moreJosie Davis was only eighteen when her safe world was turned upside down by a random threat. Ten years later she's decided to set aside the fear, once and for all. With the help of Tristan, her new security guard and private investigator, she will finally learn if the terror that has plagued her for ten years had merit or was all in her head.Tristan only wanted a new beginning. He didn't want to feel, only to survive. But when a quirky kindergarten teacher entered his world with a crazy story (and an even crazier assortment of cardigans), he couldn't stay unattached. Delving into Josie's zany life and warmhearted good cheer made him want to live again, but his own survival wouldn't matter if he couldn't keep his client alive.Can Tristan unravel the mystery surrounding Josie before a killer finally makes his move? And how many themed cardigans can one woman own? less

Elyse Walker fled home like she was being pursued. She threw herself into her dream job, becoming a hacker for an elite spy unit. Now, ten years later and disillusioned by the job that was once her salvation, she must return to find her lost uncle, a reclusive conspiracy theorist no one believes. A decade hasn't dimmed the memories she left behind, nor the complex feelings for Standish, her high school sweetheart... moreElyse Walker fled home like she was being pursued. She threw herself into her dream job, becoming a hacker for an elite spy unit. Now, ten years later and disillusioned by the job that was once her salvation, she must return to find her lost uncle, a reclusive conspiracy theorist no one believes. A decade hasn't dimmed the memories she left behind, nor the complex feelings for Standish, her high school sweetheart. And then there is Standish's brother, Cotton, Elyse's former nemesis, the enemy who made her high school life a misery. She never fit with the tight-knit Downeast kids of coastal Maine, and they always made sure she felt it. After ten years, none of those old hurts should affect her, but they do. And when it becomes clear that her missing uncle stumbled into something sinister, Maine's rocky coastline and wild tides won't be the biggest danger lurking nearby. less

Eli didn't want to notice his bombshell landlord. He was busy fixing his teeth, fixing his life. Their paths crossed only during one of her many trips to their shared laundry room. Stuck up and pretentious, the center of everyone's attraction, he was certain the feeling was mutual and she wanted nothing to do with him. Until he woke to find her in his apartment in the middle of the night, furiously rifling his cupboards.Darby felt oblivious to Eli's attention... moreEli didn't want to notice his bombshell landlord. He was busy fixing his teeth, fixing his life. Their paths crossed only during one of her many trips to their shared laundry room. Stuck up and pretentious, the center of everyone's attraction, he was certain the feeling was mutual and she wanted nothing to do with him. Until he woke to find her in his apartment in the middle of the night, furiously rifling his cupboards.Darby felt oblivious to Eli's attention. In fact she didn't even know his name. She wanted nothing more than the peace and serenity of her life, because she'd certainly paid a high enough price for it. She didn't remember breaking into Eli's apartment, just like she didn't remember all those trips to the laundry room. It wasn't that she enjoyed washing clothes, but what else was she supposed to do with all the blood?The last thing Eli wanted was to become someone's keeper, especially not when his life was finally coming together, but Darby was more than alone, she was vulnerable. When a crisis put her in danger, he decided to be her friend. What was the worst that could happen? Murder, maybe. But certainly not love. less

Burke was the most antisocial person he knew, not because he tried to be, but because he didn't know any other way. And why should he change? Misanthropes made the best spies. When a friend asked him to lead a seminar in Maine, he jumped at the chance. If he had a tribe, they would look a lot like reclusive Downeasters... moreBurke was the most antisocial person he knew, not because he tried to be, but because he didn't know any other way. And why should he change? Misanthropes made the best spies. When a friend asked him to lead a seminar in Maine, he jumped at the chance. If he had a tribe, they would look a lot like reclusive Downeasters. It was his bad luck that the seminar was held in a disgustingly charming inn, and even worse luck that the inn's owner was ridiculously adorable in every possible way, from head to toe. Like a hedgehog. Burke did not want to be charmed, but Georgette clearly needed a keeper, even if she didn't realize. What could he do but volunteer for the job, even if he didn't want it?Georgette already had two strikes in life, first with a profound hearing impairment and then with the loss of her parents. All she had left was her inn, and she had only herself to rely on. She couldn't say no to any business opportunity, not even the reclusive hobo who moved in uninvited, declaring himself her handyman, a position she didn't advertise and couldn't pay for. Georgette couldn't fathom her new boarder and vowed to steer clear, an easy task when the former spy was so invisible she sometimes thought he was imaginary. She thought she would tolerate him until he decided to move on, never dreaming how much she might learn to rely on him. When an unknown threat appears, Burke is well-equipped to dispense it. If only it were as easy to deal with Georgette and the newly inexplicable flutters in his previously unused heart. How do two outcasts fall in love? With a few misunderstandings and a whole lot of hot cocoa. less