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Judge and Jury
Dive into a web of intrigue and passion as Sara Claridge’s latest small town romantic suspense novel takes you on a heart-pounding journey through the wild landscapes of Dartmoor, England.
Wildlife photographer Grace Vaughan thought she could escape her past, but fate has other plans. Her father's death forces her to return to the idyllic village of Huntersford Leigh. Her mission? To arrange his funeral, pack up her childhood memories, and flee before her long-buried shame is exposed. But there's a formidable obstacle in her path—the enigmatic Devlin Judge.
Devlin, a former army intelligence officer with a rugged charm and a stubborn streak, is not only the executor of her father's will but also a relentless enforcer of its outrageous conditions. Sparks fly as they clash over the small print, forcing Grace to choose between enduring the judgmental whispers of Huntersford's gossips or leaving with just a handful of cherished mementos.
Yet, as the shadows of doubt begin to creep in, Grace can't ignore the haunting suspicion that her father's death was no accident. As the mysteries of the past slowly unravel, Grace and Devlin become entangled in a dangerous web of secrets, betrayal, and smouldering desires that refuse to stay buried.
Wildlife photographer Grace Vaughan thought she could escape her past, but fate has other plans. Her father's death forces her to return to the idyllic village of Huntersford Leigh. Her mission? To arrange his funeral, pack up her childhood memories, and flee before her long-buried shame is exposed. But there's a formidable obstacle in her path—the enigmatic Devlin Judge.
Devlin, a former army intelligence officer with a rugged charm and a stubborn streak, is not only the executor of her father's will but also a relentless enforcer of its outrageous conditions. Sparks fly as they clash over the small print, forcing Grace to choose between enduring the judgmental whispers of Huntersford's gossips or leaving with just a handful of cherished mementos.
Yet, as the shadows of doubt begin to creep in, Grace can't ignore the haunting suspicion that her father's death was no accident. As the mysteries of the past slowly unravel, Grace and Devlin become entangled in a dangerous web of secrets, betrayal, and smouldering desires that refuse to stay buried.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2023
6 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Sara Claridge
6 books38 followersSara Claridge writes contemporary romantic suspense. Born in West London, she inexplicably moved to France several years ago on a whim.
When not writing at her desk in the eaves of an old farmhouse, she can be found in the garden. Usually with a glass of red wine in one hand and a good book in the other.
When not writing at her desk in the eaves of an old farmhouse, she can be found in the garden. Usually with a glass of red wine in one hand and a good book in the other.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this book overall! At first I had a hard time transitioning from reading traditionally American books to reading an English book but that’s no fault on the author at all. Grace and Devlin had the perfect amount of “will they or won’t they” while all kinds of crazy things are going on in their small town. Romantic suspense is a new genre for me and I feel like this was the perfect book to introduce me to it.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 7, 2023
This is book one in The Huntersford Leigh series and it is Grace and Devlin’s story and what a great start to a new series. Grace is a wildlife photographer and travels all over the world but when she gets a call that her father had died she knew that she would have to go back to the place that held so many good and bad memories of her time there so now she needs to arrange her father’s funeral and then pack what is needed so that she can get as far away from this place as she can only sometimes fate has other plans especially when it is revealed that her father’s death was not a accident at all. Devlin used to be a former army intelligence officer and after an mission went wrong and he was injured Devlin returned to his hometown and now he is executor of Grace’s father’s will and needs to enforce the conditions but he knows that it will not make him popular with Grace but Devlin’s word means everything to him so they will have to try and work together regardless of how anyone feels. The attraction and chemistry between Grace and Devlin is so intense and even though they both try to fight it because of everything that is happening eventually it becomes so strong and they give in to it and are absolutely explosive together but danger is all around them watching and waiting for the right time to strike but will they be able to eliminate the threat before it takes the future away from Grace and Devlin. Wow I absolutely love this book and it has so much action, suspense, drama, hope and also romance that will have you turning the pages to see what would happen next and will have you on the edge of your and I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
April 18, 2024
What a way to kick off a series! Sara Claridge has definitely left me wanting more with this book and I hope she delivers! I was obsessed with Grace and Devlin and their relationship. They definitely had the will they or won't they theme happening and that can be hit or miss with me. Sometimes it can be a bit much and I can get frustrated. Sara has done an amazing job with the way she wrote the relationship and it was the perfect formula for Devlin and Grace.
Grace comes home after her father dies under mysterious circumstances that don't seem to connect with the accident his death was made out to be. When Grace starts asking questions, Devlin gets involved as he is in charge of her father's will and things go from bad to worse as the danger around the two of them continues to escalate.
I loved everything about this book and the relationship between Devlin and Grace. I cannot wait for the next book in the series and I hope there will be so many more. I definitely recommend this book, series, and author and will be waiting as patiently as possible for the next one to be released.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Grace comes home after her father dies under mysterious circumstances that don't seem to connect with the accident his death was made out to be. When Grace starts asking questions, Devlin gets involved as he is in charge of her father's will and things go from bad to worse as the danger around the two of them continues to escalate.
I loved everything about this book and the relationship between Devlin and Grace. I cannot wait for the next book in the series and I hope there will be so many more. I definitely recommend this book, series, and author and will be waiting as patiently as possible for the next one to be released.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 16, 2024
Intriguing romantic mystery.
After many years away, Grace ends up back in Huntersford Leigh, the small English village she grew up in, after the sudden death of her father. But after what was initially reported as an accident appears to be anything but.
This story is more mystery than romance, but both blend well into this very entertaining book. While I found it a little slow to get going, as the book progresses the action ramps up, the intrigue gets more compelling, and the plot races towards the ending. Our romance also heats up between Grace and Devlin. Ms. Claridge does a great job of introducing a bunch of secondary characters, all who add immensely to the overall story here and I’m sure we’ll see more of them in subsequent books in the series.
Looking forward to the next one.
After many years away, Grace ends up back in Huntersford Leigh, the small English village she grew up in, after the sudden death of her father. But after what was initially reported as an accident appears to be anything but.
This story is more mystery than romance, but both blend well into this very entertaining book. While I found it a little slow to get going, as the book progresses the action ramps up, the intrigue gets more compelling, and the plot races towards the ending. Our romance also heats up between Grace and Devlin. Ms. Claridge does a great job of introducing a bunch of secondary characters, all who add immensely to the overall story here and I’m sure we’ll see more of them in subsequent books in the series.
Looking forward to the next one.
October 31, 2023
Judge and Jury is the 1st book in the Huntersford Leigh series, a romantic suspense set in a remote Dartmoor village. The author does a wonderful job of describing the hauntingly beautiful but mysterious atmosphere that cloaks this landscape. It's a fitting setting for the suspenseful plot and the slow burn friends-to-lovers romance between Grace and Devlin. Introducing a whole cast of interesting side characters, the HFN is the perfect lead-in for more stories to come. I'm very much looking forward to them!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 13, 2024
This is the first book in the Huntersford Leigh series. I enjoyed Devlin’s and Grace’s romantic story. It’s an enemies-to-lovers, slow burn with a plot full of drama, action, suspense and a sweet HEA. A great start to the series.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews