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Every operator has a weakness.
She just became his.

FBI HRT operator Jordan Krychek has built his life around discipline and duty, hiding scars that run bone-deep. The night his family was murdered, the man responsible vanished into the wind. Now that ghost has reappeared—and a woman Jordan has sworn to protect is caught in the crossfire.

Daisy Montana doesn’t need a bodyguard, least of all her father’s dangerously intense teammate. But when a terrorist targets her area of research, and a killer from Jordan’s past resurfaces, she becomes a pawn in a deadly game of vengeance.

Forced into hiding—and into each other’s arms—the line between duty and desire combusts. From Mexico to Virginia, a relentless enemy draws them into a web of deception and betrayal. As the stakes rise and the body count climbs, Jordan and Daisy must untangle the mystery of what the next target might be, before it's too late.

This time, Jordan’s mission is personal. And protecting Daisy might cost him everything—including his heart.
COLD HEAT delivers explosive action, heart-stopping suspense, and the kind of forbidden love that will bring even the most hardened operator to his knees.



Toni Anderson has a terrific voice for crime fiction.” - New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz.

380 pages, Paperback

Published January 10, 2026

289 people are currently reading
4498 people want to read

About the author

Toni Anderson

102 books3,293 followers
Next Release: COLD HEAT
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Toni Anderson® writes gritty, sexy, FBI Romantic Thrillers, and is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the Readers' Choice, Aspen Gold, Book Buyers' Best, Golden Quill, and National Excellence in Romance Fiction awards. She’s been a finalist in The Vivian Contest and the RITA Award from the Romance Writers of America, and also in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Jackie Collins Award for Romantic Thrillers.

Her books have been downloaded more than three million times.

Best known for her Cold Justice® books perhaps it’s not surprising to discover Toni lives in one of the most extreme climates on earth--Manitoba, Canada. Formerly a Marine Biologist, she still misses the ocean.

In January 2016, she visited FBI Headquarters in Washington DC, including a tour of the Strategic Information and Operations Center.


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Start reading Toni's award-winning, bestselling Cold Justice® series with A COLD DARK PLACE.

If you want to know when Toni's next book will be out, visit her website https://www.toniandersonauthor.com or sign up for her newsletter https://www.toniandersonauthor.com/ne...

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
Profile Image for Caz.
3,312 reviews1,215 followers
March 5, 2026
B / 4 stars.

I’m always excited to pick up another book in Toni Anderson’s excellent Cold Justice: Most Wanted series of high-stakes, action-packed romantic suspense novels, and am continually impressed with the way the author is keeping the series momentum going without things starting to feel stale – the plots are clever and intricate, the characters are well-crafted and engaging and there are always some nicely steamy moments along the way. Cold Heat is book seven, but after several overarching plotlines were tied up in the previous book ( Cold Truth ), new readers could approach it as a standalone, with the understanding that many of the secondary characters have either already appeared in their own books, or are going to do that at some point in the series. In some ways, it can be easier to do that than to try to remember who everyone is and how they relate to each other! (I’ve read all the books in this series and in the previous one, and sometimes I just have to accept that this character was in that book, and that I can’t remember exactly what the plot was, but I don’t need to because their role in this story is not related to it!)

Cold Heat begins with a prologue set ten years earlier in which rookie FBI agent Jordan Krychek is working undercover in Chicago, mostly as a driver and delivery guy for a big-shot Russian arms dealer. The end of the operation is just hours away when Jordan is sent on his final job – only to realise, too late, that he’s been made and sent on a wild goose chase to get him out of the way. Racing back to the city, he arrives at his family home to find it ablaze, his entire family dead. Right there, Jordan vows to find Konrad Bucharov and make him pay, no matter what he has to do to make it happen. But he doesn’t get that chance, as Bucharov dies in an explosion in Russia mere weeks later.

Daisy Montana – daughter of Kurt Montana (Cold Truth) – is a PhD student in nuclear physics and is currently in Mexico attending a symposium with some of her colleagues, professors and fellow students. It’s the last night, and they’re all relaxing over drinks and dinner, when another attendee, a handsome, older Frenchman, invites Daisy to take a walk on the beach with him. He makes no secret of his admiration, or of the direction he’d like the night to take, and for just a minute, Daisy is tempted - François Tremblay is charming and attractive and brilliant. But she returns to her room alone.

Concerned for his daughter’s safety while he’s out of the country on his honeymoon, Kurt asked Jordan to keep an eye on Daisy while she’s in Mexico. They both know it’s not something Daisy would want, but Kurt, having recently been kidnapped himself, can’t bear the thought of something similar happening to her, and Jordan, a good friend, can’t bring himself to refuse. Watching Daisy leave the bar with Tremblay definitely causes a bolt of… protectiveness (it’s absolutely not jealousy!) to zing through him; he’s here as a favour to Kurt and that’s all it is. Or can be. He can’t deny, though, that he’s relieved to see Daisy heading up to her room alone – but then, a couple of flights below her, Jordan looks over the banister to see a very familiar figure trotting down the stairs – a man whose presence there is more than unlikely, it’s impossible, because he’s dead. Following quietly, Jordan hears the man speaking softly on the phone and tells himself he’s being paranoid, that he’s wrong – but deep down, he knows he’s not. Konrad Bucharov is alive and he’s in Mexico at a conference about nuclear engineering – and he’s in Daisy’s hotel.

Jordan’s first instinct is to make sure Daisy is safe and to get her out of there; then flashing lights and sirens pull his attention to the very dead body of François Tremblay lying in the middle of the road. Daisy was probably seen walking on the beach with Tremblay – as soon as the authorities realise that, she’ll be a suspect and taken in for questioning, and Jordan isn’t going to let that happen. Daisy needs an alibi – one he can provide – and then they need to get out of there and back home so Jordan and his team can start figuring out what Bucharov was doing in Mexico, how the hell they had no idea he was still alive – and who has sold them out.

If you’ve read the last couple of books in the series, then you’ll know that Daisy and Jordan have a bit of a history – which involved Jordan mistaking her for an intruder and tying her to a bed - and the chemistry crackling between them had me eagerly anticipating their romance in this one. The sparks definitely fly as they manage to rub each other completely the wrong way, but the love story itself feels rushed, with the progression from lust to love happening pretty quickly and not completely convincingly. I also found Daisy a bit hard to warm to; she’s a spitfire who takes no crap, and knows when – and when not – to stand her ground (which I appreciated), but her screw-the-patriarchy, rage-against-the-world attitude got annoying quickly, and I really didn’t like her initial decision to use Jordan as a way of working through some of her own insecurities and relationship issues.

Jordan is probably the most ‘tortured’ hero of the series. He carries a lot of of emotional baggage due to the deaths of his family members and has thrown himself into his work, earning himself a reputation as a player. He’s just not the relationship type, and he’s fine with that – until Daisy Montana burrows her way under his skin and becomes a complication he doesn’t need and can’t help but want.

But while I was a little disappointed in the romance, the plot is compelling, and the author really ramps up the tension as we head into a nail-biting, race-against-time climax as Jordan and his teammates work to find the traitor(s) in their midst and foil a terrorist plot. Cold Heat is an action movie in book form - clever, stylish, well-paced and thoroughly entertaining - and despite my reservations I enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the next instalment in the series.
Profile Image for Anne.
392 reviews71 followers
March 4, 2026
3.5 stars. Neatly woven, intriguing, highly entertaining suspense! Toni Anderson consistently delivers exciting yet clever action. It was hard to put my Kindle down.

The romance was, unfortunately, the weaker element in Cold Heat. I liked Daisy in the previous book but struggled with her character and behavior here. Frankly, she was WAY too mean to Jordan. Her hesitance was understandable initially, but it dragged unnecessarily and undeservedly. She displayed minimal care and empathy for him - even at his most vulnerable she made it about herself - and I was not fully convinced that she loved and wanted him beyond the physical. Jordan's valid reasons for being guarded made her seem too immature for him...and I guess that I really am getting old because I could not relate 😅

I love Anderson's law enforcement heroines - smart and strong without being MEAN - and I hope to see them lead more installments in the series. Psst: That said, I would not object to Meghan making Cowboy suffer 💅 Hope she dates a good man and Cowboy has to convince her - and us - that he deserves her!
Profile Image for Judi.
1,951 reviews17 followers
December 27, 2025
This fast paced suspense thriller had me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages as fast as I could and the twists kept coming. First off we get a deep dive into the backstory of HRT operator Jordan Krychek, who incidentally had a run in with Daisy Montana in Cold Truth, and this guy is determined to be a premier HRT operator and keep out anyone who could possibly make him vulnerable again. Then we see how smart and self reliant Daisy can be wanting to better the worlds energy system. Though she refuses to get involved in another romance. The angst between these two runs high and the dual POV fuels a roller coaster of emotions. But the Baddie is formidable and they have targets painted on their backs. Don’t miss this epic read!
Profile Image for Anita.
2,707 reviews228 followers
March 26, 2026
I love the Cold Justice World! From the first book to this one and I hope many more to come, Anderson writes a taunt mystery/suspense and a hot romance, a combination that is hard to find these days. Add to that a timely plot and you have a fantastic combination that suits me and my reading tastes. Alpha heroes with sensibilities and smart heroines who can hold their own in any situation are the foundation of all the books. In "Cold Heat" she shows how this world and its' inhabitants have evolved. From Toni Anderson's first Cold Justice book, I have been in love with Alex Parker. He makes appearances from time to time in some of her books and he just lights up the pages. Even as a secondary character he makes any story he appears in so much better.

Jordan Keychek, FBI Hostage Rescue Team operator, has been a character in prior Cold Justice books and now we get to know him and what makes him tick. His backstory is so sad and has shaped his life is some good ways and some not so good ways. In "Cold Heat" his boogie man comes back to life and Jordan is in the middle of a situation that could cost millions their lives.

Daisy Montana is off the charts smart, but she also is a very pretty, petite blond whom everyone underestimates, much to their peril, which Jordan found out in the last book. They have chemistry, but neither wants to explore it. Daisy is determined not to fall for a guy like her father and Jordan is exactly the type she avoids like the plague.

When Daisy's father asks Jordan to watch out for Daisy while she is in Mexico for a Nuclear Energy conference, Jordan agrees, but keeps his presence secret from Daisy. At least secret until a delegate dies and Daisy is a suspect and Jordan sees a ghost from his past. This murder sends Jordan and Daisy on a mission to figure out why a supposedly dead Russian has shown up at a Nuclear Energy conference and what it means to America's national security.
Profile Image for Amy Thomas.
615 reviews14 followers
January 13, 2026
I absolutely loved this one! I mean I love all of Toni's books, but I could not put this down. It was action packed, edge of your seat thrilling and I didn't want it to end. We were teased with Daisy and Jordan in Cold Truth and it was perfect to get their relationaship fleshed out in this one. Both Daisy and Jordan had their walls up to love because of their pasts and it made it that much better sweeter when they finally gave in. I loved how strong Daisy was. She was no damsel in distress and her character is inspiring. Jordan's past is heartbreaking and seeing him open up with Daisy and finally realize he's worth it and deserves love was so touching. I could not get enough of this story and I'm mad at myself for reading it so quickly because now I have to wait awhile for another Toni book! Another winner and amazing way to start a new year of reading!
Profile Image for Kari.
4,043 reviews96 followers
February 10, 2026
Cold Heat is the 7th installment in the Cold Justice: Most Wanted series. This one is Jordan and Daisy's story. It's one of my favorite tropes, fake romance mixed with high stakes suspense. As with all of the books in this series, the action is fast paced and intense. There were a lot of "edge of your seat" moments that kept the book moving. Because of that, I didn't mind the amount of technical information about nuclear energy and reactors.

I also really loved Jordan and Daisy together. I loved that it wasn't insta-love and they had a little bit of a history. Jordan's past and his loss was so heartbreaking. I was rooting for him to realize he did deserve a future with Daisy. I also loved that Daisy was intelligent and driven. They were a great match. I definitely recommend this one. I can't wait to see whose story is next.
Profile Image for Becky.
3,465 reviews143 followers
January 17, 2026
How? How is each and every book in this series an absolute banger? It shouldn't be possible, but here we are.

I *almost* didn't even care that it's not Cowboy and Meghan's story yet. Almost ;)

But hey, I can understand after what happened between Daisy and Jordan in Cold Truth that it would make sense to have them next. BUT STILL.

Anyway...I digress.

I really did love Daisy and Jordan's story--it truly had me on the edge of my seat for so much of the story. Their romance was top tier--he's so closed off, but so gone for her; she's seen this all before with her parents and wants nothing to do with it...and yet they can't deny what's happening between them as much as they try to--so, so good! And the completely heinous villain and what he did to Jordan's entire family and what he planned to do (to him and to so many other people) in the present--just pure evil. I only understood about 10% of everything that was happening with all of the nuclear reactor scenes, but OMG it was so intense I swear my blood pressure was sky high the whole time.

So yes, even though I am more than ready for Meghan and Cowboy's story, I don't regret a second I spent with Daisy and Jordan. Since it follows right after the events of the previous book (and the two of them had such a dramatic interaction in it) I'd definitely recommend reading them in order.

Though honestly, why not read them all? #sorrynotsorry

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Bree.
646 reviews1 follower
February 9, 2026
Another suspenseful and engaging read from Toni Anderson. I didn’t find this couple as compelling as others in the series. Daisy is a spitfire which is fun, but she is also juvenile in some of her attitudes, which was annoying at times. The move to love also felt convenient rather than convincing. Not my favourite, but still an entertaining read.
Profile Image for Ann.
2,154 reviews52 followers
February 3, 2026
3.0-3.5 stars. Hate to say this, but I wasn't crazy about this book. I got bored with the first 50-60%. The set up by the FBI and HRT took way too long, there were soooo many characters and I didn't care for Daisy. Her and Jordan's relationship, if you could even call it that, was weak. During the last 40% the action finally picks up and the story took off (thus the extra 1/2 star).

The blurb for the next book sounds much more appealing. Looking forward to it.
Profile Image for Nadene  (Totally Addicted to Reading).
1,533 reviews219 followers
February 17, 2026
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Cold Heat, book seven in Toni Anderson’s Cold Justice: Most Wanted series, delivers an intense, fast-paced romantic tale that hits hard from the very first chapter. Toni Anderson blends action, danger, and emotion in a way that keeps the story moving.

Jordan Krycheck and Daisy Montana first appeared in Cold Truth, and that introduction had me looking forward to their story. Their dynamic was strong from the start, and it was clear even then that there was more beneath the surface worth exploring. Cold Heat delivers all expected. The tension, the shared history, and the sexual tension evident up from their earlier appearances landed in a satisfying way. Everything comes together naturally, giving their relationship depth.

In Cold Heat, I finally got to see what makes Jordan and Daisy tick. The first chapter gives a detailed look into Jordan’s past, and that insight not only grounds his character but also sets the tone for the remainder of the story.

Daisy is the daughter of the hero from Cold Truth. She’s carrying a huge chip on her shoulder, especially where Jordan is concerned, and after their encounter in the previous installment, she went out of her way to avoid him. But when a colleague of hers is murdered, that distance becomes impossible to maintain. Jordan’s protection quickly shifts from inconvenient to absolutely necessary, and avoidance is no longer an option.

In Cold Heat, the twists and turns keep the tension high, but the romance is just as strong. Jordan and Daisy’s connection builds naturally, moving from reluctant proximity to something charged and undeniable. Their chemistry sizzles against the backdrop of danger, making every moment they share feel intense and earned. It’s a slow burn that pays off, giving the story heart as well as suspense.

Overall, Cold Heat gave me all I hoped for. The suspense, the twists, and the chemistry between Jordan and Daisy all come together perfectly. It’s fast-paced, gripping, and full of heart. Definitely a great addition to the Cold Justice: Most Wanted series.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
1,510 reviews7 followers
January 27, 2026
Wowza - another thriller!

Toni Anderson just keeps writing great stories that pull me in from the beginning. Oh that prologue was SO heartbreaking! I also really enjoy meeting these characters in previous books, but really getting to know them - and love them - when they get their own story.

Jordan and Daisy has an inauspicious beginning in the last book, but boy do they catch fire in this one! Jordan is just doing a favor for his friend, boss, and mentor by looking after Daisy while at a conference in Mexico which gives him some much needed R&R. BUT a previous enemy has returned with a vengeance.

You will not see all the twists and turns of this wild ride as these two have to rely on each other to thwart this new threat to not only our nation, but both of their lives.

Steamy, sexy thriller with plenty of page-turning action. A fantabulous read!

I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
20.4k reviews257 followers
January 26, 2026
This is the 7th book in this impressive series, and this is Jordan and Daisy’s story.
Jordan is an FBI HRT Operator, who is fueled with vengeance towards the man that murdered his family, and then disappeared, and Daisy becomes a target, so he dad’s teammate, Jordan, is assigned to protect and keep her safe.
This is a well written action-packed story, with family, friendships, emotions, danger, suspense, intrigue, deception, betrayal, tension, mystery, fake relationships, enemies / lovers, forbidden love, revenge, and undeniable chemistry, which leads to an entertaining, twisted, unpredictable, and thrilling addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Pamela(AllHoney).
2,746 reviews376 followers
January 28, 2026
Part of the Cold Justice series. Another excellent addition to the series. Sometimes when a series goes on for so long the story lines start to fizzle out. But Toni Anderson has managed to keep the series alive.
Jordan and Daisy met previously and not in a good way. Jordan has been asked by Daisy's father to keep an eye on her when she goes to a conference in Mexico. While there someone dies and an attempt to implicate Daisy is made. But Jordan saves the day and they get back to the U.S. And Jordan discovers a man who was confirmed dead isn't.
There is an age gap of about 11 years between the two but it isn't that big of a deal. I would recommend this book to those who like the FBI, action, romance, suspense and even a little humor.
64 reviews
March 21, 2026
After reading 25 books by Toni Anderson, Jordan and Daisy in COLD HEAT are the weakest protagonists. Jordan is insecure. Daisy is self-centered, immature, and does not exhibit characteristics of a PhD student in physics.
1,104 reviews11 followers
January 27, 2026
From the beginning of this book to the end you’ll be trying to figure out who the bad guys are. GOOD LUCK!! The twists and turns may give you a bit of whiplash trying to figure out who to trust.

Physicist Daisy Montana may be young and naive but she’s almost always the smartest person in the room. When the symposium she’s attending in Mexico suddenly turns deadly, help comes in the form of the last person she wants assistance from, even if he may be trying to save her life.

FBI HRT Jordan Krychek was almost destroyed ten years ago, but when he thinks he sees a ghost, the past comes roaring back to haunt him. Now, he’s just trying to get out of Mexico with his boss’s daughter, the woman that has him tied up in knots, while keeping them both alive. Then, it’s time to find a mad man before he can destroy millions.

The US dealt Russia several huge blows over the past eighteen months, yet Russia hasn’t retaliated. Even worse, the last blow was dealt by a woman they thought they owned. Russia is now looking for a win, and they want blood.

I received an ARC and freely offer this review.
Profile Image for Jo Cooper.
290 reviews5 followers
February 3, 2026
COLD HEAT by TONI ANDERSON ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cold Heat is the seventh (#7) book in the COLD JUSTICE - MOST WANTED series.


Looking out for nuclear scientist Daisy Montana whilst she is at a symposium, FBI HRT operator Jordan Krychek is stunned when he sees a man from his past. A man responsible for his family’s death, a man he believed dead.

When Daisy and Jordan discover a plot by that same man, targeting Daisy’s area of expertise, they have work together to foil his evil plans. The more time they spend together however, the closer they grow, and Jordan is left fighting to protect the woman he’s falling for whilst hunting the terrorist that destroyed his life……

—————————


As with all the previous books in Toni Anderson’s superb ‘Cold Justice - Most Wanted’ series, Cold Heat is an easy 5⭐️ read. It’s fantastic!

Full of the usual nonstop action, pulse raising angst, vile protagonists and drop dead gorgeous, dedicated HRT operators that we’ve come to expect from Toni, this book keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very first page until the last.

The prologue immediately draws you in, covering events from ten years ago, which helps you understand why Jordan Krychek is so dedicated to his work, determined to protect those around him, where his loyalty to his fellow operatives comes from and why he keeps his feelings locked down. It’s heartbreaking.

Daisy Montana is super feisty, independent, stubborn and intelligent. Determined that no man is going to dictate her life and following a previous disastrous relationship, she is determined to keep future relationships surface level, no feelings involved. She is focused on her Ph.D, on her future career. She can’t deny her attraction to Krychek though theirs is definitely a love/hate relationship at the beginning due to events in ‘Cold Truth’ and her feelings towards her father and how his career affected her life.

Though Jordan is undoubtedly attracted to Daisy he has sworn not to have real relationships. Refusing to put others in the same danger as his family, he believes that he can only have casual relationships.
His struggles with his feelings for Daisy, whilst trying to be professional and also keeping his loyalty to her father and respecting his trust in Jordan to protect Daisy are palpable.

Conrad Bocharov is the quintessential villain. His actions are breathtakingly vile and shocking. His disrespect for humanity, his drive for revenge and his impulsiveness ultimately lead to his downfall.

There are delightful appearances from many of the other HRT/FBI operatives which are always welcome ( including an intriguing hint at a possible future book for Ryan ‘cowboy’ Sullivan and Megan Donnelly. Squeeeeee!). A particularly mention has to go to my favourite TA character Alex Parker who plays quite a role in Cold Heat.

I REALLY did not like the new FBI director AT ALL, and suspect they’ll be stirring the pot in future storylines.

There are open door spicy scenes but Jordan and Daisy’s story is a slow burn, these scenes aren’t superfluous but rather aid to show their relationship growth and don’t detract in any way to this wonderful plot filled suspense.

I read the paperback, with around 360 pages, a delightful cover in fitting with the previous books in the series and excellent editing. I highly recommend this book!!!

☢️ Romantic Suspense
☢️ Military Romance
☢️ Spicy 🔥🔥🔥
☢️ Forced Proximity
☢️ Thriller
☢️ Feisty MFC
☢️Alpha Hero
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,440 reviews207 followers
January 29, 2026
COLD HEAT is the seventh instalment in Toni Anderson’s contemporary, adult COLD JUSTICE-MOST WANTED romantic suspense series, set in the author’s COLD JUSTICE series. This is thirty-four year old, FBI Hostage Rescue Team operator Jordan Krychek, and twenty three year old, nuclear physicist PhD student Daisy Montana’s story line. COLD HEAT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives (Daisy and Jordan) COLD HEAT follows FBI Hostage Rescue Team operator Jordan Krycheck as his latest assignment finds him in Mexico discretely protecting our story line heroine. Daisy Montana,the twenty-three year old daughter of Jordan’s best friend, is in Mexico with her team of nuclear physicist when the murder of a colleague pulls Jordan Krycheck out of the shadows and into the light. Jordan thinks he recognizes the killer, a man long thought dead and gone, and in this, Jordan is determined to uncover the truth even if he has to go all the way to the top. In an effort to keep his identity a secret, Daisy and Jordan pretend to be lovers, an arrangement that becomes anything but fake.

The world building is detailed and complex, involving Russian operatives, dirty law enforcement, espionage and terrorism, and government officials on the take. Terrorist are determined to infiltrate the nuclear reactor where Daisy has been conducting her work, terrorists that are vaguely familiar to our story line hero.

The relationship between Daisy and Jordan begins acrimoniously as Daisy struggles with the need for protection but when a colleague is murdered, and others are suspected of international terrorism, Daisy battles between head and heart believing she is responsible by association for everyone involved. Jordan never thought he would fall in love with his best friend’s daughter but when Daisy becomes the target of some powerful people, Jordan is willing to sacrifice everything to protect the woman he loves. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and energetic secondary and supporting characters. We are introduced to FBI Director Ursula Director Rhodes, Daisy’s father and Jordan’s best friend / boss Kurt Montana; as well as the mention of several more characters from the original Cold Justice series, and the return of former CIA assassin turned cybersecurity expert Alex Parker; ASAC Steven Mac McKenzie, HRT leader Payne Novak,Max Hawthorne and Lucy. The requisite evil has many faces.

COLD HEAT is a story of secrets and lies, power and control, espionage and treason, betrayal and vengeance, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is dramatic, gritty and edgy; the romance is seductive; the characters are determined, desperate and charismatic.

copy supplied for review
Profile Image for Dísir.
1,767 reviews190 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
December 28, 2025
3.5 stars rounding up

‘Cold Heat’ is Toni Anderson’s latest HRT offering and builds on Jordan Krychek’s and Daisy Montana’s rocky dynamic established in the previous book. While this clearly continues their story, it works well enough as a standalone, with Anderson filling in just enough background to anchor new readers without them getting lost in too any details.

Their relationship, which got off to a rough start previously, picks up in much the same vein here—and these early clashes quite a fair bit of entertainment.But there’s a backstory that Jordan has which is coming back to haunt him, and Daisy is tangled in the fallout as much as he is this time around.

There’s enough snark and clever retorts to give some snorting laughs, and Daisy is quite the spitfire who holds her own pretty well against the FBI agents trying to run roughshod over her. There’s that headstrong, impulsive rage-against-the-world, screw the patriarchy sense of righteousness that does start to get annoying, more so as she tries working out her own insecurities by baiting Jordan.

Both of them do question their own worth and their places in each other’s lives, but there’s a lot of internalising their own feelings and thoughts along with their own twisted ideas of sex and commitment, weighed down as they are by their own pasts. The progression from lust to love, however, still feels unusually fast for this pair. I’ve always been skeptical of the rapid-fire, life-or-death bonds forged in the heat of crisis and how—or if—they can realistically endure beyond the final page, though that may not be the point here.While I was keen to see how Anderson would ultimately resolve Jordan’s and Daisy’s story, I found myself less convinced by this pairing than by the couples in her previous books, and similarly more skeptical of how conveniently the Russian terrorist thread is tied into Daisy’s chosen career.

Yet ‘Cold Heat’ leans more heavily on pre-established friction and while this definitely moves things farther away from the instalove/instalust vibe, it does little to really deepen Jordan’s and Daisy’s connection when the emotional core of their relationship feels underdeveloped and overshadowed by the unrelenting action. Their HFN is rushed as a result; their tentative steps moving forward from Daisy’s hospital bed still look like promises that have yet to see the light of day rather than being a solid resolution that’s hard-won.

Which isn’t to say that ‘Cold Heat’ falters in other aspects. Anderson’s stories are always stylishly crafted, written and paced in a way that will get you through the book in no time as the plot reaches its climax and is wrapped up just as efficiently. I simply found myself wishing I could have connected with this pairing as strongly as I have with those in her previous novels.


*ARC by the author
Profile Image for JigsawGirl.
4,252 reviews
February 19, 2026
I had been waiting for this audiobook. I had hoped that I would like Daisy better than I did in the book with Kirk and Rowena. I didn't.

This book can be read as a standalone. Daisy and Jordan's story in this book is pretty self-contained for the most part. I think if you read it as a standalone, it might be confusing due to the number of characters and their previous history with each other. For example, Alex Parker was part of this book for a good amount of time. His book goes way back, but having read that book, it gave me a better understanding of some of his behavior and comfort with HRT, and distrust with some agents within the FBI.

I thought the narration was good. I can't imagine anyone other than Eric G. Dove narrating Cold Justice books. This book felt really long. I felt like the relationship between Jordan and Daisy slowed the pace of the book significantly. Daisy's behavior seemed very childish. Considering what Jordan had been through, his behavior while not great, was a bit more understandable.

Had I not read the previous book, I would have been much more confused about the animosity they held. As it stood, I had to try and refresh my memory about what happened between them. I felt like it was ultimately explained, but in bits and pieces, so a reader wouldn't get the full sense of the issue as it occurred previously. Maybe that was just me.

A couple of the bad guys were pretty obvious. I knew they were bad, but not to what extent. There were several situations in the book that were much faster paced and more suspenseful. I supposed they offset the number of scenes that dragged.

It wasn't my favorite of the series. I have to admit that there have been times that I ended up re-reading a book in the series. Often, I have found the second time to be much more entertaining on a few books. I am thinking this might be the case with this one. If I could just get past my dislike of Daisy. She actually wasn't too bad in the last few chapters of the book.

I would still recommend this book. If you have never read this series, or it has been a while, my caveat would be that you read the previous book (at minimum) before tackling this book. I think it would make this book more enjoyable. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. Rating: 3.5 Stars
Profile Image for Tammy Moldovan.
2,033 reviews28 followers
February 15, 2026
Another great romantic suspense tale

This author does such a phenomenal job of weaving together exhilarating action, palpable tension, plot twists, mystery, and spicy romance that her books are simply unputdownable edge of your seat stories. And while most of us will never be in the dangerous situations the main characters are a part of, the author nevertheless makes who they are as people so relatable and real that it is easy to fall in love with them. Daisy is a PhD student in clean energy who’s attending a nuclear physicist symposium in Mexico. Jordan is an FBI agent with HRT who’s family was murdered early in his career. Doing a favor for his best friend, Kurt, he’s keeping an eye on Kurt’s daughter, Daisy, while she’s in Mexico. When one of the conference attendees gets thrown off a balcony, Kurt pretends to be Daisy’s boyfriend to keep her out of jail. Things get complicated when Jordan sees the man who killed his family and is supposed to have died a decade ago walking away from the hotel after the murder. Despite their fake relationship and their shared reluctance to be in a relationship, Jordan and Daisy’s chemistry sizzled off the page and it pulled them together no matter how hard they tried to resist especially once no strings spicy times gets added on. To get to their HEA they’ll need to do some major baggage unpacking while trying to locate the evil guy and thwart a potential nuclear terrorist plot. Not the most opportune time to fall in love but I’m here for it anyway. The story had all the things you’d expect with this genre - engaging dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and a captivating storyline as shown through sweet moments, strong friendships, real life issues, imperfect characters, dangerous moments, mystery, uber protective men, smart women, secrets, painful pasts, evil actors, and love. I love this series.
Profile Image for Nikki Brooks.
3,600 reviews55 followers
January 26, 2026
Daisy and Jordan are real enemies to lovers here, she may not be trying to kill each other but Daisy wouldn't cry too much if Jordan came a cropper!

Daisy has no time for the FBI. It took away her dad when she needed him the most, made her mum turn into a professional victim and her last interaction with Jordan - well there's not much of her that he hasn't seen!

Jordan, the buttoned up, top notch FBI agent who feels less than brotherly towards his best friends daughter. He may not be quite as old as her dad but he still feels jaded and unworthy of love. He lost his family once and now the only family he has to worry about are his FBI colleagues. Daisy is so smart and I loved finding another STEM FMC to love.

The big bad was completely unhinged and unredeemable - the best kind of villain. Physics are not my friend and nuclear physics - sheesh. But I struggled along and didn't get too lost. The revenge plot hatched by Daisy was a bit misplaced, trying to get back at bother her dad and Jordan was a bit childish but I get that she felt humiliated by one and not a priority for the other.

Bring on Megan and Cowboy!

Book Hooks

"Sacrificed to keep ugly secrets and prevent billionaires being held accountable for their actions."

"They made it clear they didn't see having a boyfriend as an obstacle for a woman like me when it came to advancing my career. I felt like I'd travelled back in time sixty years, and then i remembered not that much has actually changed - not when there are people today who believe women shouldn't have a vote. Like we're subhuman."
Profile Image for MELK.
343 reviews
January 24, 2026
Shut up, my show is on.

description

A very respectable 3.5 stars.

The justification for why these two have to fake a relationship is about as thin as two ply toilet paper. And yet I don’t care because I ate that shit up. How is it that in x number of books in the Cold Justice universe we had not yet seen two MCs stuck in a trunk together. Absolutely inspired choice, Ms Anderson.

My favourite brand of Cold Justice books are the ones where the MC’s already have some pre-existing relationship before the book (especially if we’ve seen them in past books). It just hits different. So I knew from the outset I’d like this one a decent amount. Daisy and Jordan were so intriguing to me in Cold Truth so I was really excited to see what would unfold for them.

Both MCs were pretty likeable. Poor Jordan really has one of the most tortured pasts of all the MCs so far. Daisy had spunk, although was perhaps slightly underdeveloped and I didn’t fully buy her falling in love.

The first half was stronger and more enjoyable than the second for me. It lost steam a bit once the plot slowed down in Virginia.

There was a good smattering of new and old characters here which I always enjoy. I liked that the Kurt x Jordan fall out wasn’t overly dramatic and they moved past it really quickly.

The edging going on with this Cowboy x Meghann story is becoming obscene at this point (said with love)
1 review
January 27, 2026
I am exhausted. Whenever I think people are done vilifying Muslims, someone proves me wrong. This time, it was by an author I once greatly admired.

Why is it so easy to make Muslims the bad guy? Why are we still doing this to Muslims in 2026? Even if it’s revealed that the Muslim man was framed in the end. Having your actual villain refer to it as “racist profiling” in an attempt at self-awareness does not make it okay. And no, I don’t think Ms. Anderson was trying to raise awareness about the dangers of racial profiling.

I actually liked this book up until the point where the Muslim man became the suspect. The only reason I continued to the end was to see if, in fact, it would be revealed that he was framed. By the way, having your self-righteous heroine feel guilty over getting her Muslim peer arrested for terrorism was just insult to injury.

For the record, I made this account so I could post this review, because I think readers deserve to know what they’re getting into. I imagine some people will be offended by this review, or think I’m being too sensitive, and my review may get reported/deleted. To those people I say: You have no idea what it’s like to grow up seeing yourself vilified over and over again. And now people do it, just to say “Just kidding!” and expect it to be okay.

I’ll give this book two stars because of, nostalgia, maybe? I have read nearly all of Ms. Anderson’s books, and some of them are my absolute favourites. But I’m just hurt and mad at this point. I can no longer support an author who is either Islamophobic or tone-deaf or both.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Angela.
234 reviews2 followers
January 27, 2026
She's done it again! Not that I'm surprised. And I love the haters to lovers troupe. It can be cliched and overdone but when it's done right, wow. We also had some backstory between Daisy and Jordan that gave us a reason for them (Daisy in particular) to have distain for each other from a previous book so their dislike wasn't out of thin air. Although I guess I would say that Daisy disliked Jordan more than the other way around. And poor Daisy just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time when an old foe of Jordan's reappeared. And this man doesn't want to kill Jordan. He wants to kill everyone close to him. Jordan feels like he has to keep Daisy close to protect her, and while she's not happy about it, she plays along as his girlfriend. What starts in Mexico takes us to Virignia and a neculear plant where the climax of the book takes place. The romance was hot (the scene where Jordan and Daisy shared a room in Quanico? Hello!) and the suspense has me on the edge of my seat. The climax was really well written. I don't know if I would tackle neculear reactors and such. You could tell she really put her research into this book. And of course, the women are always written as strong and independent that don't need a man, but want one. And while Jordan is definetely alpha, he's not overbearing. The only thing I dislike about her books is when they're over. I can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for NICUnurse Stephanie .
947 reviews34 followers
February 4, 2026
Thanks to my enduring love of Nora Roberts' books, I have been a long-time fan of romantic suspense. And I’ve been a fan of Toni Anderson’s books for quite some time, for many of the same reasons. Her plots are complex, engaging, and well-thought-out, which always make for exciting and entertaining reads. In my opinion, that’s the definition of a well-written romantic suspense book.

Cold Heat is the next book in her Cold Justice: Most Wanted series, but it can be read as a standalone title. That said, several characters have ties to the previous book. While the author gives just enough of their tie-in to this one when needed, I highly suggest reading Cold Truth first. I’ve been so very curious about these main characters’ story since the previous book in the series. Typically, I'm bored and disappointed if I can figure out the whodunnit long before the story’s arc and conclusion. Needless to say, I was not bored or disappointed. The action ebbs and flows as it should, with some tasteful steam scattered throughout.

There’s a reason Toni Anderson tops my favorite romantic suspense authors list just under Queen Nora herself. I know when I dive into one of her books, it will suck me in and keep me engaged to the point where I let everything else go until I’ve reached The End. And Cold Heat did just that. With engaging characters, an extremely complex plot, and plenty of action and suspense, this book is a must-read for romantic suspense fans.

NICUnurse’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Zoe.
525 reviews10 followers
January 24, 2026
Cold Heat
Cold Justice - Most Wanted #7
Toni Anderson
This book grabs you from the very first page and keeps you under its spell for the whole ride!
Jordan Krychek was now part of the Hostage Rescue Team took some ‘vacation’ time to help out a fellow operative by keeping an eye on his daughter whilst she was at a conference in Mexico. Both Kurt and Jordan had been through a lot, kidnapping, attempted murder, secrets, lies, the usual for those so highly trained.
Daisy Montana, acclaimed PHD researcher in nuclear engineering. Brilliant, sassy and her own woman.
“Thoughts of Jordan Krychek elicited everything from nuclear-fission rage to throat-choking gratitude, to … something else entirely. Part of her wanted to kiss him until neither of them could breathe, while the other part wanted to hold him underwater until he couldn’t.”
This book is perfection. I love romantic suspense and this author has once again delivered flawed loveable characters with depth, a twisty plot that kept me guessing and lots of action that builds the suspense. Chefs kiss. It might just be my favourite ‘Cold’ novel. Book of the year contender and it is only January.
I received an arc of this book. It can be read as a standalone novel with hea, but definitely falls in the Cold Justice world of stories with familiar characters popping up that fans of Ms Anderson will love.
5 stars
Profile Image for Inishowen Cailín.
896 reviews54 followers
February 4, 2026
After meeting Jordan and Daisy in the previous book, I was looking forward to reading their story next. It was lovely seeing two characters you already love finally being centre stage and the main focus. Their "love-hate" relationship was so satisfying to read. I loved their early interactions as they were filled with sexual tension along with just enough venom to counter it.

There is more to Jordan than meets the eye. His tragic past and the scars from his early undercover work give the story emotional depth. You can’t help but root for him as he hunts down the Russian terrorist responsible for the loss of his family. His journey toward justice and healing is an important part of the story.

Daisy is the perfect partner for Jordan, whether he likes it or not. I loved her intelligence as a physicist. She played a pivotal role in stopping a terrorist attack. She is confident and capable. She can handle herself when it comes to self-defense, and her father made sure she knew her way around a firearm. A female character like this who is not part of law enforcement is refreshing. She is a true partner in every sense of the word.

Cold Heat is romantic suspense at its best, balancing international intrigue with an emotional romance. The red herrings and twists made this book impossible to put down.
Profile Image for Meghan.
3,458 reviews8 followers
February 21, 2026
For you

Jordan and Daisy. Daisy was introduced in previous books as Kurt’s daughter who didn’t believe he was dead. Jordan has been in previous books as a teammate and friend to the other HRT and FBI agents. Daisy is independent and fiercely smart working on her PHD and Jordan is shadowing her on an academic conference per her dad’s request. This works out great as danger finds her and Jordan has to think quick to get her back home safely. But that wasn’t the end as it also had Jordan seeing his nemesis that everyone thought was dead. Next thing we know they are embroiled in a race to stop a nuclear disaster that covers multiple countries and individuals in academia and all levels of government. Secret sleeper spies, current agents, double agents, government officials and of course Alex with his skills and company play a role. Jordan and Daisy have immediate chemistry but both have baggage related to loss and trust and family. Alex provides some emotional guidance near the end, and the HRT is there for Jordan as well. The ending is precious and I chuckled with Kurt’s reaction to the new couple. A great read and I loved returning to this series. As always I can’t wait for the next read and to see what else is in store for these characters and couples!
612 reviews4 followers
February 4, 2026
There were way too many characters. I have read only about 4 of the 'Cold' books and do not know who all of the people are. The list of characters at the front did not really help. I did not want to keep flipping back and forth. That messes up the flow of the book. I have not read the previous book in the series. The reading of that book was ruined by all of the references to it. Why read it now? All that was needed to say was that Daisy and Jordan had met before. No details were needed. The book is advertised as stand alone. However, I think it would be best if one had read the previous books.

I did not like either character. Their relationship was rather weak. Yet, they fell in love. When Daisy's dad appeared at the hospital, he did not give Jordan any grief about the relationship.

The book itself just dragged. I kept checking to see how many more pages were left. I guess the author had to stretch it to 300 pages. If the book had been 50 to 75 pages shorter, it might have been better.
Profile Image for Amy.
241 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 25, 2026
If you read the previous book in the series, which isn’t necessary to enjoy this one, you may remember Daisy and Jordan. They certainly didn’t have a ‘meet cute’ then, and things aren’t going much better for them now. From a reader’s standpoint though, their friction made for an enjoyable read.

Jordan is a protective FBI agent. Daisy is smart and fiercely independent. She’s also Jordan’s boss’s daughter. What could possibly go wrong? It was so much fun watching them fight their attraction to one another.

The story was action-packed. The evil villain in this story has a history with Jordan and we learn the heartbreak of his past. But there was a lot more going on than that. There’s always more to the story and a twist I didn't see coming.

Toni Anderson’s books are always a quick read for me, simply because I can’t wait to find out what happens. Now it’s time to wait for the next one.

ARC kindly provided by the author.
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