🌀 Book Review: Impulse by Catherine Coulter
A sizzling romantic thriller that dives into family secrets, international intrigue, and emotional reckoning—with a fearless heroine at its center.
Book 2 in Catherine Coulter’s Contemporary Romantic Thriller series, Impulse is a standalone novel first published in 1990 and now available in Kindle format. With a solid Goodreads rating of 4.11/5 from over 2,700 readers, the book is praised for its dramatic intensity, exotic setting, and bold female lead.
🧠 Plot Overview
Rafaella Holland, a successful journalist, discovers a shocking truth in her comatose mother’s diaries: her real father is a powerful and dangerous international arms dealer. Determined to confront him and uncover the truth about her past, Rafaella travels to his private Caribbean island under the guise of writing his biography.
There, she meets Marcus O’Sullivan, the enigmatic resort manager with secrets of his own. As Rafaella navigates a world of deception, luxury, and danger, she finds herself drawn to Marcus—despite the risks. Her investigation leads to deadly encounters, including sabotage, venomous snakes, and a helicopter crash, all culminating in a high-stakes showdown with her father’s criminal empire.
💬 Why Readers Are Hooked
- Strong Heroine: Rafaella is bold, intelligent, and physically capable—using martial arts to survive multiple assassination attempts.
- Exotic Setting: The Caribbean backdrop adds sensuality and suspense to the narrative.
- Romantic Tension: The chemistry between Rafaella and Marcus is intense and steamy.
- Family Drama: The story explores themes of betrayal, identity, and emotional closure.
⚠️ Critiques
- Kirkus Reviews called the plot “banal and unconvincing,” noting that the story veers into melodrama and the romantic subplot feels forced.
- Some readers found the villain motivations exaggerated and the action sequences overly theatrical.
- The ending, while satisfying for some, may feel rushed or implausible to fans of more grounded thrillers.
🏁 Final Verdict
Impulse is a bold, emotionally charged romantic thriller that blends glamour, danger, and personal discovery. If you enjoy stories with strong female leads, exotic intrigue, and dramatic twists, this one delivers vintage Coulter flair.
