[Jane A]

Originally Posted by library addict

I am a big stickler for reading books in order. That said, the Gerard series don’t have to all be read in order to enjoy the books. The books are linked by characters only, NOT plot.

She’s gotten stronger as a writer over the years. There were a number of her Bodyguards books I didn’t like, but I am glad I stuck with her.

Here are my ratings for the various books. As you can see they run the gamut from 1 to 5 stars (Putting in a spoiler as I've listed the couples for each book which I know some people consider that spoilerish):

Spoiler:

Bodyguards
1) To the Edge - Nolan & Jillian (May 2005) <2 stars>
2) To the Limit - Eve & Tyler (Sept 2005) <3 stars>
3) To the Brink – Ethan & Darcy / slightly Dallas & Amy (Jan 2006) <5 Stars>
4) Over the Line – Jason & Janey (June 2006) <1 star>
5) Under the Wire – Manny & Lily (Dec 2006) <3 stars>
6) Into the Dark – Dallas & Amy / Gabe & Jenna (June 2007)* <4 stars>

*Black Ops Inc (series is a spin-off of Bodyguards, many characters introduced in Into the Dark)
1) Show No Mercy – Gabe & Jenna / Nate & Juliana (Oct 2008) <5 stars>
2) Take No Prisoners – Sam & Abbie (Nov 2008) <1 Star>
3) Whisper No Lies – Johnny & Crystal (Jan 2009) <2 stars>
4) Feel the Heat – Raphael & BJ / Joe & Stephanie (Sept 2009) <3 stars>
5) Risk No Secrets – Wyatt & Sophie / Nate & Juliana (May 2010) <3 stars>
6) “Leave No Trace” – David & Carrie (Sept 2010) <3 stars>
7) With No Remorse – Luke & Valentina (July 2011)° <3 stars>
8) “SEALed with a Kiss” - Luke & Valentina (Nov 2011) <2 stars>
9) Last Man Standing – Joe & Stephanie (Feb 2012)° <4 stars>
10) “Dying to Score” – Johnny & Crystal (June 2012) <2 stars>

°One-Eyed Jacks (series is a continuation of Black Ops, Inc, some characters introduced in With No Remorse/Last Man Standing)
1) Killing Time – Mike & Eva (Feb 2013) <4 stars>
2) The Way Home – Tyler & Jess / Jeff & Rabia (Feb 2013) <4 stars>

The only books which need to be read in order are: To the Brink then Into the Dark (as the events in To the Brink are referred to multiple times). I would read both of those before reading Show No Mercy as the main Black Ops Inc crew are introduced in Into the Dark.

The Way Home totally works as a stand-alone novel. Though the h/h meet in Last Man Standing both are minor characters in that book.

Both of the short stories (8 and 10) in the Black Ops Inc series are totally okay to skip. They are short stories, not even novella length.

That said, I understand if you feel the need to read all of the books in order.

Oh thank you! I'll do as you suggest. I have heard Into The Dark is good, so I think I'll pick up To The Brink next and just get started. I like reading in order, but I also hate wasting my time with books that I don't particularly enjoy. So I try to balance the two.