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lezreadalot's review
3.0
Secrets bond and secrets break.
3.5 stars. I didn't end up liking this as much as I wanted to, but please believe me when I say the author deserves serious props for the fact that I like it at all. This is romantic suspense, or I guess a soft thriller with a heavy romance subplot, and it happened to employ a plot point that I hate. I have to emphasise that there isn't anything bad or wrong or particularly objectionable about this trope/plot, but it's something that I really dislike, and every time it comes up in a thriller (or any other book) I get so annoyed.
So... the fact that I still mostly liked this? I'm counting it as a win! I went into this almost completely blind, but basically, it's about Cassidy, whose world falls apart after her little sister Emily goes missing. She is dissatisfied with the police's efforts and starts looking into things for herself, while developing a romance with Ashlyn, a suave newcomer in town. The author does such an amazing job of creating the perfect, cosy but slightly eerie and claustrophobic small town atmosphere. The suspense was so well written, and I love how she created tension and did her reveals. The fact that Cass and Ashlyn are developing a romance in the midst of a traumatic situation is something that's discussed and acknowledged, and the relationship never felt far-fetched and unbelievable. Their chemistry was lovely, and the book does a good job of being really sexy, even if it's not particularly steamy? If that makes sense. I really like Shea's writing in general; simple, but never boring or flat, and really easy to get through.
I definitely recommend this, even though, again, that one plot thing (which I won't mention because of spoilers) did tank my enjoyment. Shea's a great writer and I look forward to reading more from her!
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