Never Miss

Written by Melissa Koslin

Narrated by Nola Zandry

She saved his life. Now they’re in a race to stop a deadly attack.

Former CIA sniper Kadance Tolle possesses a special set of skills and a rare pedigree. She comes from a family of assassins, and by saving Lyndon Vaile’s life she risks being found by them. Despite the danger, Kadance feels compelled to
help Lyndon discover who is after him and his incendiary research, which indicates that the Ebola virus is man-made and about to be weaponized.

With shadowy figures pursuing them and a mastermind watching their every move, Kadance and Lyndon scramble to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. When their warnings fall on deaf ears, it becomes
increasingly clear that there’s no one they can trust—except perhaps each other.

Strap in for a breakneck story that will have you up all night, hurtling toward the last page as the clock ticks and time runs out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705029879

Reviews for Never Miss

[TAMMY OBERLIN · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

New-to-me author. I listened to the audiobook. Good narrator. I do wish there was more faith aspects woven in. Sometimes I needed a break from the non-stop action intensity. Sometimes the book was 3.5 stars and sometimes it was 4 or 4.5 stars, so I chose 4.

I found various parts of this book very interesting considering the current happenings with the efforts toward a ‘new world order,’ as stated by various world leaders, politicians, royals, etc. However, God has the victory.

I’m in love with Mac and want him to live with us. We have some other cats for him to play with. ;-)

[michellesutton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel was a bit grittier than I thought it would be, but I enjoyed that part of the book the most. It was full of intrigue and had likable, yet imperfect characters. I felt their attraction and the pain that Kadence experienced when she allowed herself to feel safe and protected with Lyndon. I also felt her fear of love and yet it was unconditional love that inspired her to want to be different and eventually thawed her stone-cold sniper's heart. This book ended on a good note but at the same time some of it was not fully believable. I did enjoy the storyline of them being on the run while trying to stop the plot to unleash Ebola on the population... that held my interest. The fighting scenes were a bit too technical sounding and I got a bit lost in the details. The emotional connection the characters developed was the high point of the story for me. The cat made for a good sidekick, too.

[tatoosh-3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kandace, a former CIA assassin now detached and hiding from her family, realizes that Lyndon is about to be killed and intervenes before the assassin can shoot. Lyndon, a nerdy scientist, can’t imagine why anyone would want to murder him, but hoodlums soon attempt to capture him. Kandace and Lyndon deduce his expert knowledge of the Ebola virus is why people are after him. They uncover a plot to use Ebola to murder everyone at the upcoming State of the Union Address.The premise is promising, but several flaws lessened my reading enjoyment. A shortcoming that runs throughout the book is the lack of plot complexity. As a result, Kandace and Lyndon spend a significant portion of the book driving around discussing themselves and speculating on the villain’s motives. A secondary plot would have involved the protagonists in more intriguing activities. Furthermore, the penultimate resolution (before the SOU address) and resolution (at the CDC in Atlanta) are unrealistic and disappointingly simple. Who wudda thunk it could be so easy?Kandace and Lyndon, in many respects, are clichés. While romantically attracted to each other, they are emotionally damaged and work to hide and deny their attraction. Kandace’s stubbornly inflexible fatalism becomes tedious. Although depicted as agnostic or atheist, Kandace resorts to praying for the safety of Lyndon. Some readers will welcome this transformation. However, the groundwork for this aspect of Kandace’s personality is lacking, so it seems like plot filler and a shallow effort to appeal to an audience that enjoys faith-based fiction.Despite these flaws, the story is somewhat entertaining. Koslin is a first-time novelist, and future offerings may improve upon this satisfactory beginning.

[tcjrogers · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

In Never Miss, Kadence is a highly skilled sniper who stumbles into saving the life of Lyndon Vaile, a researcher studying Ebola. As multiple attempts are made on Lyndon’s life, the two discover a plot to wipe out the majority of the human population by releasing a man-made Ebola virus. As they rush to discover the identity of the plan’s mastermind and stop the release of the virus, Kadence and Lyndon also discover deep feelings growing between them. But will the mistakes of her past destroy their chance for a future together?Overall, I did enjoy reading this story. I think the plot is a little far-fetched, and there were times when I felt like the story dragged a bit. But Kadence and Lyndon are likable characters, and the plot is original. I read a lot of Christian fiction/romance, so I enjoyed reading a story that was way different from the other books I’ve read lately. I also appreciate that this was a clean romance with a focus on faith. *I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[stardust_fiddle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“Like always, she pretended the pain wasn’t there, hadn’t ever been there. If she didn’t pretend, she’d never survive. And if her training had taught her anything other than how to kill, it was how to survive.”Categorizing this novel proves to be challenging, as it has an amalgamation of elements that all blend together into one taut thriller. It is equal parts suspense and romance, with intrigue, a military component, and psychological twists thrown in to make things even more interesting. I would be hard-pressed to recall another book like it that I have read, and I am planning to read the author’s next book, a sneak peek of which appears at the end of this one. For a debut, “Never Miss” aims high and hits the mark. Melissa Koslin demonstrates an impressive ability not only to craft an exhilarating plot, but also to create quirky, sympathetic characters that in most settings would seem aloof yet fit ideally into their roles here. In fact, despite not being much of a romance fan and accustomed to glossing over those scenes, in this novel I found my heartstrings tugged and at times outright wrenched. I felt able to identify with the characters, Kadance Tolle and Lyndon Vaile, on the basis of being the odd one out most of the time, not really fitting in with any groups of people, and living a solitary life. I appreciate how Koslin writes them as complements to each other but does not make their relationship a completely linear journey. Their complexity and neurodivergence is what sets them on the path of preventing a bioweapons attack, and as the plot unfolds and they learn more about each other, the story only becomes more compelling.Admittedly, reading about the lethal Ebola virus as a synthetically-produced bioweapon while the Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing may seem like overkill, but, in my opinion at least, “Never Miss” does not concentrate on the biological or medical details as much as it does on the personal development of the characters and their interactions. Theirs is the storyline that dominated my attention, and Koslin digs deeply into the psyche of each, unearthing their unconventional childhoods and their skill-honing years since. I thought that both Kadance and Lyndon were fascinating, despite how improbable their characters were with regard to abilities. Mac the Maine Coon fit in perfectly, and while I am a dog person, I loved Mac’s character, especially since it was often more canine than feline. As for the faith element, it exists largely in the background, a “show-don’t-tell” aspect of the story that I might have been disappointed by had Koslin not already set up the framework for why it is this way. Without giving anything away, I will say that it again comes down to the characters. I do love that the author is not afraid to take on the fact that science and Christianity are not mutually exclusive, and that the Bible confirms this. Lyndon sums it up when he says, “For me, Jesus is more than logical. His teachings do make the world a better place—you can find empirical evidence for that. But even stronger than that, for me, is that his teachings reflect who I want to be. I probably fail more than I succeed, but I keep trying.” Readers who enjoy high-octane adventures full of twists and clean romance, with at times questionable plausibility that makes the story all the more entertaining will devour this debut novel from Melissa Koslin.I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[lifeofliterature · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this debut novel! The suspense starts on the first page and the action keeps it engaging throughout the entire story. The characters are interesting with quirky personalities and fascinating skills. I liked their interactions and the romance that developed. The plot focuses on bioterrorism, believable and relevant in this pandemic world. The twists and turns had several unpredictable parts that kept it exciting. I think the Christian elements took a backseat to the action, but I still think the story was well written and executed. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to more by this new-to-me author!I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Never Miss by Melissa Koslin is an exceptional debut novel. This romantic suspense has all the requisite elements of the genre — engaging characters, a twisting plot, and an interesting premise. But there is nothing formulaic about this novel. What makes the book better is how the author handles the characters. I found them unique and wonderfully complex. While I enjoyed the race against time story line, I was more intrigued by the development of the characters — individually and in their relationship. Kadance is a woman with a past, a now retired sniper on the run from those who would exploit her skills. Lyndon is a deceptively geeky scientist who is determined to find answers to a deadly virus. Together they are an unstoppable team. The two are wonderfully quirky and dangerous making them my favorite couple this year. There is a pandemic aspect to the novel which some may not enjoy in light of the past year. But I didn’t have any trouble reading about the weaponization of a virus. In fact, the Covid info from the past year made the book very credible and chilling. Never Miss is Christian fiction and the faith message is strong. It is also fresh given the employment of the two characters — a dedicated scientist and a former assassin.If you are a fan of the romantic suspense genre, Never Miss is a must-read. A fresh voice is always welcome, and I look forward to more great books by Koslin.Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Kadence and Lyndon are perfect for each other and find each other when one of them is almost killed. I love the romance and the suspense. I love how they have to keep each other at arms length as they begin to know each other and break down many layers that they have added over the years. I love how the author treats Mac. He is a fantastic cat. I did not want to put the book down. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[cherylk_44 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was drawn to this book because of the premise of the story. The beginning did grab me right away. There is mystery surrounding Kadance and her background. A woman of mystery for sure. While, I did get to know her better and her background as the story progressed, I do feel like she was holding back still a bit. Whereas, Lyndon was too at the start but he laid it all out there afterwards. Lyndon is very intelligent with his three doctorate; this can lead to the character talking "above" a normal reader's grasp. I liked that Lyndon did not do this. The story had a good fast pacing. Normally, this would not be an issue but it suffered from the characters. While, I liked Kadance and Lyndon, I felt a bit of a disconnect towards both of them. Therefore, I found myself going through the motions of reading but not absorbing the story at times. The last third of the story is where I did become fully engaged again. So for me the beginning and ending were the strongest but the middle was just fine. Still this was a good read.

[harley0326 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really had a hard time getting invested in this story. The characters were one dimensional and focused on things that were not important to the story. It bothered me that beauty seemed to be of upmost importance to the characters. I’m disappointed that the author didn’t develop her characters on a deeper level. There are a few good qualities in the story that I did like. I liked the danger, action and special abilities. I did like the fact that the characters worked together with their traits to keep themselves alive. The best part for me was the female character was a strong and determined person. I didn’t find much faith in the story which I was hoping for. For a debut novel it is a good start.I received a copy of this book from the Librarything Early Readers Program. The review is my own opinion.

[kimpotter-309059 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Never Miss by Melissa Koslin is a stand-alone suspense novel. Kadance Tolle is a former CIA sniper with exceptional skills. She comes from a family of paid assassins and by saving Lyndon Vaile’s life she risks the threat of them finding her. Someone wants Lyndon dead and his research into the Ebola virus destroyed. Thrust together Kadance and Lyndon race to stop the impending bio-attack at the State of the Union address. This story was very fast-paced with twists and turns everywhere. The only draw-back was all the innuendo between the characters. For a Christian novel there wasn’t a lot of mention of religion or faith. Kadance had a lot of past history to work through and with Lyndon’s help she began that journey. I’d give this story a three-star rating.I received this book from the publisher for my honest review.

[veragodley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a "first novel" this author has certainly hit it outta the park! A fast paced, suspenseful story complete with superb character development.A plot that is convoluted and involved on several layers. I totally enjoyed reading the probability of a highly contagious virus being weaponized and released and the race to prevent it's happening.The involvement of each of the main characters with the background plots, with each other, and their moment-by-moment fast paced race to prevent tragedy is intriguing.I totally enjoy Melissa Koslin's debut novel.DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given

[fcplcataloger · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

'Her eyes were deep, but not in a dramatic way---more like she'd seen terrible things no one should have seen, carried memories she longed to forget.'What a story! A woman from a family of trained assassins, and a brilliant research scientist studying an Ebola virus, join forces to prevent the release of a deadly virus on an unsuspecting society. The action and suspense begin immediately, when Kadance Tolle saves Lyndon Vaile from an assassin's bullet, and the danger escalates, as they both become targets in this desperate race. Will they be able to find, and stop, the mastermind behind this malicious act?'Even if she wanted to stay with him longer, have a real friendship, she couldn't do that to him. She was a hand grenade waiting to explode.'An ex-CIA sniper certainly isn't the usual heroine of a Christian fiction novel, and Kadance  appears to be one tough cookie, until author Melissa Koslin teases us with suggestions of her goodness and kindness. A trained assassin, yes, but Kadance is totally devoted to Max, her Maine coon cat, and willing to risk her life to help a relative stranger. Will he return the favor by recognizing her need for redemption? Can Lyndon convince her that grace and forgiveness are available to all of us?The plot of Never Miss could have been taken from current news reports, but Koslin states that it was written well before 2020!  It is an exciting novel, laden with danger and intrigue, and the unanswered questions continue until the very end. Readers who enjoy romance will appreciate the chemistry between Kadance and Lyndon, and there is also a light faith element. I recommend it to all who enjoy contemporary Christian suspense!This book was provided courtesy of Revell. These are my own thoughts.

[nadinec.keels · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Kadance, a former CIA sniper, risks her life to save Lyndon, a scientist whose medical research puts him in jeopardy. Kadance and Lyndon must race to stop a bioattack set to begin at the State of the Union address before spreading around the globe in Never Miss by author Melissa Koslin.After it pulled me in with its multicolored but ominous cover with typography both atmospheric and sharp (yes, I'm a book cover geek), this ChristFic romantic suspense novel held my attention from beginning to end.The pacing and fairly short chapters with cliffhangers are effective. And I was thrilled to find out the main characters have a couple of abilities I hadn't seen in romantic suspense leads before.Granted, I think the author could have refrained from using the words "perfect" and "perfectly" to describe this and that about the hero and heroine, as their perfect points begin to feel overdone. There's some repetitive word choice and phrasing (and "purposefully" often appearing where it seems to mean "purposely," which isn't the same thing). It also appears the author forgets now and then when something minor has already happened, including a scene where Kadance correctly "guesses" a detail after someone told her that detail a few lines ago, and a scene where Lyndon is deeply affected to hear Kadance "really laugh" around him for the first time, though he already heard a "first real full laugh" from her in an earlier chapter.An additional note as a longtime fan of ChristFic: I like edge and grit, especially in suspense and thrillers, and I expect serious violence. But in this book, I think a certain violent and graphic joke concerning male privates is out of line for Christian Fiction. It would be in equally poor taste if the graphic joke had been about inflicting violence on a woman's privates.Nevertheless, I enjoyed this novel overall. I'll be keeping an eye out for this author's next book.________Revell provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

[gincam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Never Miss" is a stand-out debut work from author Melissa Koslin. This contemporary inspirational romantic suspense tale with its intriguing, appealing characterizations and involving, action-packed story line will have readers turning the pages until they read it all the way through. Kadance Tolle, a former sniper for the CIA, has a unique family pedigree: assassin. While cloaking herself with yet another fake ID, and looking to find a temporary home for herself and her huge, but devoted, Maine Coon Cat, Mac, Kadance saves the life of a man named Lyndon Vaile. With secrets of his own, Lyndon, a scientist and analytical genius, can't help being captivated by Kadance, who is obviously wary of his attentions. Both of them have trust issues from past hurts, but they can't deny the immediate spark between them. When Lyndon's research into the origins of the Ebola Virus, and its possible use in chemical warfare, reveals a looming threat to mankind, he and Kadance must work together to save the world from mass devastation. Can they combine their knowledge and skills, and an underlying faith to stop this evil plot before it's too late? As they spend more time with each other, and painful truths come to light, can they hope for a happy future--if they survive? I very much enjoyed "Never Miss", and I look forward to future works from author Melissa Koslin.Book Copy Gratis Revell Books

[jaymewill-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I had never heard of Christian author Melisa Koslin before. But I enjoy suspense so I thought I would give it a go. It turned out to be a pretty good book! The plot moved along at a good pace, the characters were likable, and the story was memorable.In the book, the main character is Kadnece Tolle. She is former CIA and has the sniper and spy skills you normally see in movies. She accidentally saves a stranger outside of a storage unit and now feels responsible to keep him safe. Lyndon is a genius but also the awkward, nerdy type. He has always felt more at home alone that with a girl. Especially a girl like Kadence; quick and confident. Kadence and Lyndon uncover a plot to release a super Ebola virus and must stop it at all costs.As a side note, I liked Kadence's cat, Max. I was so intrigued, I actually went and researched Maine Coons. Very neat animal!

[lamb521 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: Never MissAuthor: Melissa KoslinPages: 352Year: 2021Publisher: RevellMy rating: 5 out of 5 starsWhat do you expect when you come across a new author? I am always hoping that they bring forth a wonderful story that keeps me reading for hours, one that I want to share with others. Well, here is just such a book! Melissa Koslin introduces a spell-binding tale that is riveted with suspense and is very unique in many ways. The uniqueness comes from the names of the characters, their unique features and gifts that added to the suspense that just kept building from the first page until the last!The main characters are Sarah Jean Rogers along with her cat Mac and Dr. Lyndon Vaile. Sarah Jean is not her real name, and her background life experiences aren’t all revealed at once. Her family is not just unique; they are also mysterious and a problem. Mac is a Maine Coon cat whose name comes from three different objects that Sarah is reminded of when she looks at him. Mac travels everywhere with Sarah. He is a very smart cat and can tell friend from foe in a heartbeat. Dr. Lyndon Vaile is a young man who is more than a genius, but his past impacts who he is today.The story takes Sarah and Lyndon on one wild and crazy rollercoaster ride filled with moments of tension with adversaries, as well as a possible budding relationship between the two of them. The folks these two characters meet whether they are together or separate are either out to help them, hurt them or tear them apart. The author does such an excellent job of crafting her characters and their background with unique familial traits, education, life experiences they were unlike anything I have read before in other novels.In the back of the book is the teaser to her next work, but I didn’t read it because I want to wait till the book comes out as her writing is so engaging, I don’t want to be left hanging! I was amazed at the tale told with its twists and turns without ever giving a hint of what was coming next, which made unexpected revelations very powerful. There were times in the plot where I could easily get lost in the emotion that was meant for us readers to feel that covered a wide spectrum and made me want to keep turning the pages. The ending didn’t tie up every loose end in the book, which I enjoyed, and left some to the readers imagination. What will come next from this author’s pen? I have no idea other than if it is as engaging as this one, I am all for reading it as soon as I get a copy!Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story has quite a bit of action, right from the beginning, bullets fly, along with sharp knives, and yes, there is murder.Two unlikely people unite to stop a horrific action, by misguided individuals, but how do these two that really don't know each other fit together?I was amazed as the author described Lyndon Vaile's mind, lets just say I can't read and carry on a conversation at the same time, never mind up load pages in my mind!I loved the cat Max, and he does play a part here, along with being a good judge of character.This read also reminds me that a sin is a sin, even if we want to put our man leverage on them. Then there is forgiveness!Will these two brilliant, but broken individuals be able to thwart the evil plans here? You will need to get page turning for answers and surprises.I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.

[kenagurl-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a masterful debut novel. The reader is taken on such a ride with mystery after mystery slowly unravelling while the characters are unpacked to such a depth that you can't help but fall in love with them. The suspense is positioned perfectly as the reader realizes things just before the characters do (but not so early that you're annoyed with them, you know what I mean?) I hope to see lots more of these characters and lots more from this author! If you're even remotely interested in Christian Suspense Fiction, put this one on your list!

[tabrowne · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this book. Wasn't sure during the first couple of chapters but as it all came together and I found myself invested in the characters I couldn't put it down.Plenty of expertise and action in this book and I always enjoy CIA type books.The love story is fun and I found myself wishing it went a couple more chapters. God plays a role for one of the characters but not the role you see in some Christian fiction. I wanted to see him rely on him more. I would definitely read more books with these characters and by this author.I received a free book with the hopes of an honest review. I only give 5 stars to my most favorite books. 4 stars to ones I liked a lot and would recommend.

[croknot1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Quite enjoyable. I loved Lyndon and Kadence. I am allergic to cays, but now I want a Maine Coon cat like Mac!I received this novel through library thing for my honest review.

[macygma · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A tale of two people, several cultures and terrorists, Never Miss catches you up and spits you out at the end. Kadence (with many aliases), Lyndon and Mac the Maine Coon meet up in an unusual way; he is about to be assassinated and she saves him. A well built nerd with three (!) doctorates, Lyndon has spent his life working on the Ebola virus following the deaths of his parents and grandfather. Kadence (Sarah, Mary…) was the best sniper the military had. She was raised by her father in a loveless, cruel home designed to make her the best and he succeeded.Lyndon’s research is showing some very scary results and someone wants Lyndon stopped, but not killed. Kadence’ family wants her back at whatever the cost.Both are hiding from circumstances far beyond their control but neither can deny the attraction that is growing between them. Are they too different to work? Out on May 4 you’d better read it to find out.

[jumbler-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a very good book, with lots of plot twists and turns. The characters are well developed. Lyndon is a genius researcher, Kadance is a sniper. Through a series of events they are brought together. They recognize their differences but work together to solve the mystery and keep each other alive. Mac, the smart, orange, big cat, is a great character with an ability to understand Kadance, and what she needs. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it...a good read!

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I completed this book in one day. It drew me in from the beginning and held my interest.I see some of my social awkwardness and not always knowing how to relate to others in Lyndon. I see some of my difficulty in trusting others that I don't know well in both Kadence and Lyndon. So it was reassuring to see that (at least in fiction) there is someone out there that can choose to understand you and love you despite some flaws. I liked Mac (the cat). I do think animals can sense owners' moods and needs and most are quite smart--though Mac might be smarter than most. I was glad that the author didn't feel the need to have Kadence and Lyndon get married by the end of the book. They haven't really known each other that long--and real life isn't fiction. I do feel that in real life, the two people involved should take the time to make sure they really know each other before making a marriage commitment. I would read more books by this author. I gave it a 5 because it is one I would consider re-reading.Note: I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers Program with the request that I post an honest review after reading it.

[jjean7-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well written romantic thriller - She is a "sniper" & he is a highly educated researcher - by chance they meet and the story takes many twist & turns - as the plot builds, it becomes a "can't put down" book.