A review by astoriareader
Dying to Meet You by Sarina Bowen

mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

SYNOPSIS
-Rowan Gallagher is a single mom and talented architect working on restoring a historic mansion for a super powerful family in Maine.
-Still reeling from a breakup, she makes the very bad decision to stalk her ex’s location on her phone. One night, she gives in to temptation and goes to check out where he’s parked… and finds him dead in his car.
-Now, Rowan’s not just heartbroken—she’s the prime suspect in a murder investigation.
-As she fights to clear her name, Rowan realizes Tim wasn’t who he said he was… and he wasn’t the only one keeping secrets.
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MY THOUGHTS
-I loved the multiple POVs — it made the story feel so layered and kept the tension cranked up the whole time.
-Rowan was such a great MC. Smart, tough, a little bit messy (in the best way), and fiercely protective of her daughter.
-The Belgian Malinois stole my heart. Truly the goodest boy.
-The plotting was expert — it felt like every little breadcrumb along the way mattered, and everything clicked into place by the end.
-So many good twists. It built tension so well without feeling gimmicky.
-Totally engrossing. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter” and then flying through five.
-The pacing was perfect — not rushed, but never dragging. Every chapter added something important.
-The ending was so satisfying. Nothing felt forgotten or thrown in at the last minute. Everything tied together seamlessly.
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TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️everything I love in a mystery — smart, fast-paced, perfectly plotted, and full of heart. I couldn’t put it down. 
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THANKS: Thanks to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on May 13, 2025.
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