Grace Reeves has been deemed the most boring First Daughter ever. She's never done anything remotely adventurous, and she has sacrificed a lot to do her father's bidding; President Reeves is seeking his second term in office. She has a sort-of boyfriend, who is actually merely a friend. After another long, tedious, lonely day at the hotel, Grace decides to have at least a few hours of freedom, and ditches her detail. Unfortunately, she was barely out of the door when she is cornered by three thugs and thrown into a van.

Reid Allister has been in hospital for eight days, after a planned diversion in Devil's Rock penitentiary turned into a deadly riot. After being imprisoned for 11 years for a crime he didn't commit, Reid dreams of revenge against Otis Sullivan, who put him there. Reid escapes from the hospital to reach his brother Zane's cabin, who has obviously fallen in with a group of low-lives. Reid, who had watched the news before his flight to freedom, is dismayed to see that Grace Reeves is his brother's cohorts' captive!

After the spectacular debut to this series, I was anxiously waiting for HELL BREAKS LOOSE, and it is as different from the first book as night and day; the action that takes place is more psychological than physical. Reid and Grace are almost reluctant lovers, because neither even thought it happening remotely possible, and not because of Stockholm Syndrome, or anything of the sort; they are somewhat bewildered themselves at the feelings they have for each other in spite of their, in appearance, very different backgrounds. And most surprising, is that the romance in no way ever appears contrived.

HELL BREAKS LOOSE is very intense, very emotional; there is danger and sexual tension permeates the atmosphere at all times. Ms. Jordan had me close to tears a few times when it came to both Grace and Reid's respective backstories, their lives feel only too real. I appreciated that Grace is mostly angry at the whole situation, and not cowering in fear even though she is completely out of her zone of comfort, as well as the fact that Reid is not a "pretend felon," even if most of his woes are due to unfortunate circumstances. Grace and Reid are much more complex characters than what we're used to see in that kind of trope, but then again, this series doesn't exactly resemble any other either. HELL BREAKS LOOSE is totally engrossing, and I honestly didn't have a clue at how the story or the romance would turn out. HELL BREAKS LOOSE is one of the most realistic stories of this genre I have ever read, and Sophie Jordan another hit on her hands!