Fatal Cure

A Standalone Enemies to Lovers Romance (Secrets and the City, Book 2)

By: Kathy Lockheart

Narrated by: Sarah Puckett, Michael Norman Johnson

"Who did this to you?" my enemy growls. You would think the most wanted criminal kingpin in the country would be too busy racking up bodies to care about the bruise on my cheek, but nope. Here he is, holding my chin, while I pretend his touch isn’t electric.

I need to hate him.

Scratch that, I will hate him again. The guy decimated my family, and I've been hunting him ever since, determined to make him pay.

That one night we accidentally spent together before we discovered we were sworn enemies was great. Okay fine, it was the best night of my existence, and the time we shared before it was heaven, but it's time for my heart to accept the truth.

These feelings between us are forbidden and dangerous. If anyone finds out about us, we'll both be killed… And it could put everyone we love in danger.

Yet, here he is. Eyes smoldering with a mixture of rage and longing as he demands, "Give me his name." My heart yearns for him, but how can I let go of this oath etched in my family’s blood? With his dangerous enemies closing in, will we risk it all for love?

Or will our forbidden romance cost us everything?

©2022 Kathy Lockheart (P)2025 Kathy Lockheart

All of my favorite tropes in one book

I absolutely loved that this audio book was in a duet format, duet is definitely my favorite and makes the story feel more real. The narrators Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson were absolutely perfect! Their voices were spot on and really brought this book to life.


Within the first few chapters you would have never thought that Dillon was a high up a criminal gang. He had all the fixings to be the most perfect boyfriend. Fallon is always closed off, but she was just drawn to him. Who would have thought the criminal she was hunting after was her boyfriend!!

This book was filled with so many ahh ha moments and shocking moments as well. I definitely thought I had it figured out but I was so surprised at the end.

Fallon’s childhood and all she had gone through with her parents was so devastating. I’m so glad she was able to rise above it and carve out a new path for herself.

I did think that the time jump at the end of the book was a little rushed, but all in all it was a really good book.

A Modern Star-Crossed Lovers, With An Intertwined Twist!

“Before I met you, I had no purpose ... I was trapped ... Waiting for the hammer to finally come down—when I’d be killed. And the thing is, deep down? I really didn’t care. Until you came along. ... You saved me."

Spice: 3🫦
Plot: 4📍
Audio: 5🎧
Overall: 5🌟
Narrated By: Sarah Puckett & Michael Norman Johnson

I first read "Fatal Cure" well over a year ago and fell in love with Ms. Lockheart's literary world! One thing I thought was pretty unique about the story in the world of romance was the book was mostly 1st POV from the female perspective.

So when I saw Valentine was offering the ALC as a duet, I JUMPED on the chance! And this did not disappoint!

I absolutely adored how well Ms. Puckett & Mr. Johnson's voices, Fallon & Dillon respectively, were perfectly synced during conversation - the editing was flawless!

The story? Star-crossed lovers who didn't know they were star-crossed unti too late. She's a DEA agent hunting down a narcotics ring and he... well, he adores her for exactly who she is, treats her well, worships her in ALL the right ways, and deliciously OTT protective, undeniably man. She's falling for him, the first man who has both gotten past her walls AND that she's allowed in...

However... Well, even if you do read the synopsis, or you've read the book, the reveal of Dillon's background is still shocking, a little heart-breaking, and a lot heart-pounding!

I do hope you'll give this audiobook a chance! You won't regret it!

Narrating kwpt going

First my rating is for the narrating because they did a good job.
The book itself I give 3 stars. Fallon got on my damn nerves. She and Dylan did not know each other but were already in love. Their relationship felt forced and did not seem like they had chemistry to me. For her to be a cop she was not very smart. My first by the author i won't let it deter me from more of her books. Just this one just was not it for me personally

Forbidden Love

Dark romance
Mafia/cartel
Forbidden romance
Suspense
Anti hero
Good girl

Characters
Dillion- high ranking member of the cartel
Fallon/ DEA agent

Their first meeting sets the tone for their relationship. Danger, secrets and steam.
The story had a lot of action and plenty of twists.

There is romance mixed in with the danger. They both fall fast and hard. I liked both characters it if I wanted Dillon to be a bit more hard. He was kind of nice considering the lifestyle he lived. Fallon was dedicated to bringing down the drug cartel. She saw everything through the lenses of her parents drug addictions. She stayed focused on her job.

The DEA agent and the drug lord are not a perfect match on paper. Dillon is willing to g to kill and be killed to save Fallon. By the end of the story, she was willing g to go the same.

The series is a definite read. The stories always have an unexpected twist.

Very interesting

Romantic Suspense

Fallon is a new DEA agent on a task force. Drugs ruined her life. She was determined to take down drug dealers and the big bosses putting the drugs on the streets.

Fallon meeting Dillon was not something she was expecting especially the way they meet. She decides to take a chance on him. Until she finds out he’s one of those men she’s trying to take down.

This story will surprise you and you won’t see every twist coming.

Perfect forbidden romance

Omg. I loved this so much. The narrators are fantastic. The story is heart wrenching and captivating. I loved all the twists and turns. Fallon’s journey of healing from her childhood was incredible. I can’t wait to read more from this series!

Dissappointing

The temptation to give up and DNF was so great at 30%
The hero & heroine are from wrong side of the law. He's a mafia boss -captain. She a detective on DEA task force.. They date unknowingly and the attraction is so strong, it's inevitable that they fall in love with each other.
Here the author lost all the plot.
DEA agents go through rigorous training mentally and psychologically, yet this girl has no two brain cells to rub. She's highly emotional to the point of not deciphering simple things that Dylan has to point it out for her
Perpetually on "he loves me; he loves me not" see-saw
Supposedly closed off relationship wise but babbles EVERYTHING to Dylan on first date itself.
They're in a safe house, he's hurt, cops are coming, Shane is yelling LET'S GO!!
But they both looking at each other, reciting love dialogues a page long, till birch comes marching in..DUMB!!
Characters are one dimensional, cardboard cutouts
No research was done at all.
Ughhhh.
Sarah Puckett and Michael Norman Johnson have done a phenomenal job though
2 stars barely

Loved it

Lockheart did it again and now I’m an emotional mess. Well told, well written story but it does it those emotional buttons as times that made me choke up. These two characters aren’t just from different sides of the tracks, they are from completely different worlds. She’s a cop on a DEA task force. He’s a captain, and the cartel. But love finds a way even when the world says it should be impossible. Loved the whole story. Highly recommend but beware heart strings will be tugged.

Her books really hit home

All I can say is wow! This is her second book I’ve had the chance to listen to and WOW! They have both hit home and make me think and consider things! I LOVE that she does her audio in duet style! Best part of her audio books!!

This books hits home for addicts and drugs. So if you are sensitive to that subject, you might not want to listen/read. Dylan is an absolute dream, except the dark side is he sells drugs. Fallen is the sweetest most determined female cop ever! The fact they fell for one another and still came out on top is what I am in absolute love with this book! Neither gave up, and neither would let the other one stop. It was worth every second of listening to. The narrators were the perfect fit to the audio too!!

100% must listen/read!!

what a great story!

OVERALL: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
•Storyline: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
•Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧/5
•Spice Level: 🌶.5/ 5
•Swoon level: 🫠🫠🫠/5
•Emotional:🥺🥺/5
•Banter: 🤣/5
•Re-Listen/Re-Read: Maybe
•Platform: Audiobook and Ebook
•Trope: Forbidden Romance, He falls first.

• Thoughts:
This is my second Kathy Lockheart book, and it didn't disappoint. Kathy, at least in my very short experience, writes very complex characters and challenges them in ways you do not see how they will eve end up together. I have fully enjoyed this series so far.
Fatil Cure grabs hold of you! I was so impressed. DEA Agent with a captain of a gang? How much more complicated can it get.... trust me, it gets more complicated if you can believe it. Fallon and Dillon are both amazing characters. Together, they are fire. The way Dillon wants nothing more than to protect her. Fallon is tough as nails trying to prove herself. There is a tangled web that surrounds them. Honestly, I feel you need to go into this book somewhat blind.

NARRATOR THOUGHTS: Sarah Pucket and Michael Norman Johnson
•Duet Narration
•Listening at a 1.5 speed.
Sarah and Michael do an amazing job with this audio! They feeling and depth that they bring to Dillon and Fallon. Their ranges in order to distinguish against multiple characters is a job well done!! The audio is fantastic, and I highly recommend!

•Recommend note:
I always encourage people to read what makes them happy. If it sounds good, read it! My reviews are just that, my opinions. I do, however, hope they are helpful and provide a little insight in helping you to determine the next book you will pick up and read.
Happy reading, friends.