We often read in the most salacious of news pieces that the scions of the ultra wealthy are prone to arrogance and delusions of grandeur. They act entitled, as if the laws and rules that apply to “normal” people don’t apply to them. And very often, they are correct. Those who fill our prisons aren’t necessarily those found guilty of criminal behavior but rather those who couldn’t afford top-notch legal representation to defend them in court. In “Overkill,” we see the result of being a criminal in a family so wealthy that they consider flying on their private jet the only way to travel. That criminal is Eban Clarke, the son in a filthy rich Atlanta family; and author Sandra Brown effectively contrasts him with the two main characters, Zach Bridger, a former pro football player who lives in a secluded home in the mountains of North Carolina, and Kate Lennon, an assistant state’s attorney on a mission. Zach and Kate, for reasons that will become clear, butt heads over the fact that Eban Clarke has been released precipitously from prison, and sparks ensue.

Unbeknownst to him, Zach Bridger’s ex-wife, to whom he was married for mere months but who is now in a vegetative state, has left him with her medical power of attorney. During dangerous sex games with Eban Clarke and his two best friends, she had suffered brain damage from loss of oxygen and was left alive, but brain dead. Clarke was ultimately sent to prison. But because of his father’s influence and the family’s huge wealth, his father was able to secure him an early release. Prison did not change Eban for the better, and he’s out for revenge on those who wronged him. He also understands what Kate’s mission is. If Zach were to deny his ex-wife supportive care and she were to die, Eban could be recharged, this time with murder, with possibly much more severe consequences. As determined as Kate is to make that happen, Eban is determined to prevent such an outcome, and Zach himself is in an extremely precarious and tragically awkward situation.

There is a reason Sandra Brown is a bestselling author. Reading her books is like diving into a cool pool on a hot day—you just want to stay there. For that reason, they are quick reads. The action, the dialogue, the characters, and the plot all are engrossing, as is the peek into the mind of a truly depraved individual, the glimpse into how the one-percenters manipulate the system to benefit themselves and protect what is theirs, and on the flip side, “meeting” characters who are truly selfless and working for the good of others. It all makes for a great escape into another world. And because it’s Sandra Brown, it’s also a steamy romance. This is truly the epitome of a “summer read” that will enjoyed no matter the season because of the beautiful meshing of action and romance.

Please note: This review was first posted on Bookreporter.com.