It was the blind date from hell. Little did author Evie Longfellow know when she accepted a blind date, encouraged by her literary agent Jennifer, that she was being lined up as a victim of a serial killer. The mafia kingpin, Paulie Marino is excited for her to be his sweet sixteen. Horrified, Evie manages to escape, but her danger is only beginning. During her escape she nearly runs a man off the road.

Nick Franklin is an ex-FBI hostage negotiator, but he is rather fortunate to still be well-respected and connected. This proves critical when he Evie Longfellow runs into him. When she tells him what is going on, Nick decides to do anything he can to help her. Nick's last case had such horrid results that he resigned. Previously, a woman lost her life and now he is responsible for the life of another woman.

Options are explored, but bottom line, Nick is Evie's best chance. He isn't sure why, but he feels very drawn to Evie and her plight. This is at war with him wanting to blow everything up from the outset. Evie is terrified, so Nick puts a plan into action. Meanwhile, no shrinking violet, Evie gets more than once chance to explore her talents as a very successful author.

Delivered with excellent pacing, ever-changing twists and turns, The Girl Who Got Away is a riveting novel. This story has excellent characters. Not only are Evie and Nick exceptional, Nick's sister Meg and her son Patrick stand out as well. This is the first book in the Savage Justice romantic suspense series by Paula Millhouse. No doubt the other stories in this series - The Copycat Killers and Manhattan After Dark - will be just as compelling.

Many thanks to the author for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion. ( )