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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2025: 3.5
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
No
While the mystery was the core of the plot, I don't recall a whole lot about it (even the whodunit) a couple of months later. I did enjoy the book and the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love a good murder mystery and love story mix! The twists and turns, emotional roller coaster, such a great book and characters.
The mystery/crime elements in this novel are weak. You'll spot the loose ends/inconsistencies easily if you read that genre often. However, I found that the MCs, Harley and Lauren, more than made up for this. No fireworks in the romance, but they're very likable, have well-developed backgrounds and the courtship was sweet.
The romance and mystery in Red Tide at Heron Bay are evenly balanced. Harley Shepherd comes to Heron Bay Resort to investigate a case of vandalism. Lauren Voss is the manager of the resort, which is owned by her grandmother. Even though both women have been living in the town for a while, this is their first meeting. Harley is friendly and casual, but Lauren immediately finds her annoying. Of course, they both have pasts. Lauren had a bad breakup; Harley has come to the small town after an incident when she was a homicide detective in San Antonio.
The mystery was interesting. Of course, the vandalism is just the tip of the iceberg. First a dead bird, then a dead body is found. There’s a killer at Heron Bay and Harley will need Lauren’s cooperation to find them. The clues were tucked in well and Harley was a competent investigator. Once Lauren realizes the danger, she is reasonable and doesn’t take unnecessary risks. The clues are tucked in well, and the suspense is well done.
I found the romance enjoyable. Lauren and Harley make a good couple and the author did a good job moving them from annoyed to attracted. Their interactions were believable and they were likable people. I’m never quite sure though how people manage to do so much flirting and fantasizing while there’s an actual murderer on the loose, putting both their lives in danger, but that’s what this subgenre is built on.
This is the first Gerri Hill book I’ve read but I may just have to look up more of her crime/romance books.
The mystery was interesting. Of course, the vandalism is just the tip of the iceberg. First a dead bird, then a dead body is found. There’s a killer at Heron Bay and Harley will need Lauren’s cooperation to find them. The clues were tucked in well and Harley was a competent investigator. Once Lauren realizes the danger, she is reasonable and doesn’t take unnecessary risks. The clues are tucked in well, and the suspense is well done.
I found the romance enjoyable. Lauren and Harley make a good couple and the author did a good job moving them from annoyed to attracted. Their interactions were believable and they were likable people. I’m never quite sure though how people manage to do so much flirting and fantasizing while there’s an actual murderer on the loose, putting both their lives in danger, but that’s what this subgenre is built on.
This is the first Gerri Hill book I’ve read but I may just have to look up more of her crime/romance books.
Probably 3.5 stars
I won't give you the blurb what this book is about but I'll give you my highlights. Of the two main characters, Harley was my favourite. I enjoyed her relaxed larrikin exterior, a veneer for painful memories not that far away.
Harley comes in to investigate a crime that brings her into Lauren's orbit at Heron Bay Resort. There are no sparks - at least from Lauren's perspective, but Harley works to break down the barriers as she's working to solve a case.
Both characters open up and share more with us, and with each other. The spark builds but there's also a dangerous fire (figurately) raging which must be stopped.
The plot was reasonably paced, perhaps a little slow towards the latter stages of the book. It's interesting enough. The characters are appealing enough, but maybe a little more of everything would benefit a more engaging read.
ARC received for an honest review.
I won't give you the blurb what this book is about but I'll give you my highlights. Of the two main characters, Harley was my favourite. I enjoyed her relaxed larrikin exterior, a veneer for painful memories not that far away.
Harley comes in to investigate a crime that brings her into Lauren's orbit at Heron Bay Resort. There are no sparks - at least from Lauren's perspective, but Harley works to break down the barriers as she's working to solve a case.
Both characters open up and share more with us, and with each other. The spark builds but there's also a dangerous fire (figurately) raging which must be stopped.
The plot was reasonably paced, perhaps a little slow towards the latter stages of the book. It's interesting enough. The characters are appealing enough, but maybe a little more of everything would benefit a more engaging read.
ARC received for an honest review.
Easy read. I liked the crime portion better than the romance portion. Call me jaded, I really dislike when characters fall I love so quickly, but I guess if this is the only time we're going to meet them the author figures what the heck they should throw a couple I loves you's around.
Overall, for me the 1st 1/2 of the book felt more interesting than the 2nd
Overall, for me the 1st 1/2 of the book felt more interesting than the 2nd
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Detective, your future girlfriend was scared out of her mind after her home was broken into. Now is not the time to ogle her half naked form. Comfort her first before you check her out, please.
CHARACTER IMPRESSIONS:
Lauren Voss
Owner of the Heron Bay Resort.
Harley reminds Lauren of her ex-girlfriend, but I’m glad Lauren didn’t hold this against Harley for the majority of the story. She realizes Harley is nothing like her ex about one-third into the book, which I liked because then she stopped comparing the hot detective to her old lover. My favorite scenes with Lauren were when she let her guard down and flirted back with Harley.
Harley Shepherd
The detective assigned to handle the crimes taking place at Lauren’s resort.
I like the way she flirts when the time is appropriate. Despite how unserious she seems when she’s first assigned to the case, she’s actually good at her job. Her love for Hawaiian shirts and the reason for it was touching. Because she usually has a happy-go-lucky attitude, my favorite scenes with Harley were when she had moments of vulnerability and found comfort in Lauren.
Owner of the Heron Bay Resort.
Harley reminds Lauren of her ex-girlfriend, but I’m glad Lauren didn’t hold this against Harley for the majority of the story. She realizes Harley is nothing like her ex about one-third into the book, which I liked because then she stopped comparing the hot detective to her old lover. My favorite scenes with Lauren were when she let her guard down and flirted back with Harley.
Harley Shepherd
The detective assigned to handle the crimes taking place at Lauren’s resort.
I like the way she flirts when the time is appropriate. Despite how unserious she seems when she’s first assigned to the case, she’s actually good at her job. Her love for Hawaiian shirts and the reason for it was touching. Because she usually has a happy-go-lucky attitude, my favorite scenes with Harley were when she had moments of vulnerability and found comfort in Lauren.
MINOR CHARACTERS:
Nana: Lauren’s grandmother. She’s an adorable old lady who approves of Harley before even meeting her. The entire scene where she meets Harley for the first time and ignores Lauren to give Harley attention was hilarious.
Marsha and Brian: Harley’s friends. An older couple. Brian is Harley’s boss. I love how supportive Marsha is about Harley and Lauren’s developing relationship. Brian is all business but you can tell he cares about Harley like a close friend.
Marsha and Brian: Harley’s friends. An older couple. Brian is Harley’s boss. I love how supportive Marsha is about Harley and Lauren’s developing relationship. Brian is all business but you can tell he cares about Harley like a close friend.
STORY IMPRESSIONS:
Both Lauren and Harley have their own reasons for not wanting to get into a relationship—being stuck in the middle of a dangerous murder case being one of them—but I’m glad they figured out their feelings for one another earlier than expected and didn’t dance around each other too much. I do sort of wish they had a bit more chemistry before their official first kiss, but all in all, I think they make a cute couple.
They do often go from talking about killers to flirting within the same breath and I can’t figure out if I find that delightful or jarring. On one hand, it feels like whiplash. On the other, I understand that flirting can also be a coping mechanism to ease tension.
I prefer explicit sex scenes and I know Gerri Hill can write some top-notch sex based on other books I’ve read from her, but those scenes were quite tamed here. This isn’t a criticism and doesn’t factor into my rating, I understand this genre and type of story doesn’t really need that kind of action but I do prefer getting the details rather than a summary.
As for the crime aspect of the story, I’m glad the killer was handled fairly quickly near the end. Figuring out who was committing crimes at the resort was balanced well with the romance and neither of the plots overshadowed the other.
They do often go from talking about killers to flirting within the same breath and I can’t figure out if I find that delightful or jarring. On one hand, it feels like whiplash. On the other, I understand that flirting can also be a coping mechanism to ease tension.
I prefer explicit sex scenes and I know Gerri Hill can write some top-notch sex based on other books I’ve read from her, but those scenes were quite tamed here. This isn’t a criticism and doesn’t factor into my rating, I understand this genre and type of story doesn’t really need that kind of action but I do prefer getting the details rather than a summary.
As for the crime aspect of the story, I’m glad the killer was handled fairly quickly near the end. Figuring out who was committing crimes at the resort was balanced well with the romance and neither of the plots overshadowed the other.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Highlight 1: The audiobook.
- Highlight 2: I really like the title for no reason at all.
- Highlight 3: Harley pretending to be Lauren’s girlfriend to get a douchebag to stop hitting on Lauren.
- Highlight 4: That scene where Harley let her cheerful disposition drop when she was alone and Lauren came to check on her.
- Highlight 5: Harley’s Hawaiian shirts.
- Highlight 6: Heroines are around each other for 90% of the story.
- Highlight 7: Water hose.
PERSONAL TAGS:
- 3rd person, dual POV
- Both leads are lesbians
- Competent protagonists
- Cop/resort owner
- Happily-ever-after
- Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (tamed)
- TRIGGER WARNING:
Mentions of rape for background characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape