When Vicky Cogburn’s Mafia boyfriend enters the witness protection program, she enlists a law firm to set her up with a fake wife and fake life far away from the city.
Ambitious, no-nonsense attorney Rachel Huntington would do anything to secure a partnership in her New York City law firm—even if it means hiding out and playing house with a seductive Mafia mistress.
Assuming new identities, Rachel swaps her beloved practical suits for a more femme look, while blond bombshell Vicky must tamp down her oozing sexuality. But can they convince the eccentric locals of Mud Bluff, South Carolina, they’re in love?
This opposites attract, fake relationship lesbian romance asks what’s escaping the Mafia or their budding attraction?
Rita Potter has spent most of her life trying to figure out what makes people tick. To that end, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and an MA in Sociology. Her favorite pastime is crawling around inside peoples’ brains. Her loved ones are grateful that she now has characters whose minds she can explore, so maybe she’ll stay out of theirs.
Rita’s writing reflects her belief that in some way we are all damaged and must conquer our demons in order to create a fulfilling life. Being an eternal optimist, she maintains that the human spirit is remarkably resilient and can overcome even the most challenging obstacles. That optimism is the wellspring of her life goal- to provide encouragement and support to help people thrive.
In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors. She is especially drawn to the water, which is ironic since she lives in the middle of a corn field. Her first love has always been reading, which has spurred her writing. She rides a Harley Davidson and has an unnatural obsession with fantasy football. More than anything she detests small talk, but can ramble on for hours given a topic that interests her.
She lives in a small town in Illinois with her wife, Terra, and their cat, Chumley, who actually runs the household.
Rita is a member of American Mensa and the Golden Crown Literary Society. She is currently a student of the GCLS Writing Academy 2021.
I really really really enjoyed this book! I want to live in a small town called Mud Bluff! I want to be friends with all the locals and be called a Mudder! That’s how deep the author sucked me into a make-believe life. I’d say job well done.
I seriously don’t know how some authors are able to reel in readers with their characters and made up situations like bees to honey while others couldn’t. I don’t know what spell some could conjure where the others fail. All I know is, Hide No More made sense, the conflicts worked, the camaraderie between main and side characters worked, the found family worked. The whole story made me believe and lose myself in the story. That’s the whole point of writing a book.
The blurb of this book was intriguing, a mafia mistress going in hiding with a lawyer as a fake wife. There was a lot of potential for tension and danger. The last part of the book delivers, answering to all the questions sown throughout the book. There was some suspense and a bit of action, but Potter kept it from getting too high-stakes and to me, rather low angst. Most of the book focused on Tori and Rachel’s life in Mud bluff and them settling a home there. They are sweet together, and I enjoyed seeing them basically act like wives for real almost immediately without realizing it. But I wish the reasons they fell for each other was more palpable, and I would have liked to get to know them on a deeper level sooner. I eventually did with Tori, but Rachel’s character felt a bit abstract to me. I just knew they were comfortable together and attracted to each other.
Another point I need to address: but first, I want to clarify that I don’t mind books without sex scenes if writers aren't comfortable writing them, especially just for the sake of adding spice. In this case, the sex happens off-screen, but I think it would have added an interesting perspective from Tori, who has used her body for sex her adult life. Reading about her having sex for the first time for herself and her own pleasure was something I would have liked to see, so I was a bit frustrated. The narrator is new to me. She is good and would have been perfect with a tiny dose of life/acting to bring the lines to life. Overall, I had a good time listening to the book. It was sweet, but I wished Potter had explored the dangerous side of the story a bit more to make it more intense.
Vicky/Tori's Mafia boyfriend has entered witness protection. This is her chance to get away. She contacts her lawyer Harvey and he sets her up with Rachel (who if she does this will become a named partner) to pretend they're a married couple to keep Tori safe. They go to Mud Bluff,SC and settle in. But 3 months later... I love this book! It's a FAVORITE! Should be more than 5 stars!
This book has the potential to be insane. Woman receiving threats x mafia mistress. absolute delicious plot. except it all falls apart because we spend 50 chapters walking around some hillbilly town in the arse end of nowhere with no plot developing at all.
the resolution at the end of the book comes out of nowhere and there’s no development for it. we’ve got the intrigue about who is stalking them and then that builds into absolutely nothing.
this book let me down big time. I was hoping it would be just what I was looking for and instead was a forgettable experience.
A lovely mix of fake dating (fake marriage), action, small town romance and slow burn! An interesting plot, engaging characters with nice chemistry, and well written.
I especially enjoyed the character Victoria as I'm endlessly intrigued by people who've been dealt some shitty cards in life but still turn out to be the most wonderful human beings.
All in all a very good read and a nice start to my 2025 reading.
I read the sample and had to buy the book. I wanted to see how the story would develop. It goes slowly at first, but doesn’t drag. It just is the opposite of insta and you see the relationship change in real time. Then the blend plot kicks in a bit more and it is really quite tense. All well in the end, and I couldn’t put the book down till I knew that. Potter knows people, and she knows how to write people.
I enjoyed this. The characters were genuinely ‘opposites’, forced into a fake relationship. Add some mystery and suspense and some interesting side characters and a satisfying HEA, and yes, I enjoyed this.
4th Rita Potter this year: another 5*s - just go with the plot and enjoy. Good characters, spicing of angst and excellent back characters. Recommended.
Hide No More by Rita Potter is a opposites atract, forced proximity, fake relationship romance, set in a small town.
Love, love, loved this one. I read it so quickly because I couldn’t put it down, and now I’m sad it’s over!
Vicky Cogburn is a mafia mistress. She has done what it takes to survive since her teens. Now she must do the one thing she never has, trust someone else to help her.
Rachel Huntington is a no-nonsense attorney. She’s career focused, and her sole goal in life is to make partner. Even if that means she has to hide out and play wife to the mafia mistress that has hired her firm.
With new names, new identities and a lot to learn, Vicky (Tori) and Rachel need to ensure they play their new roles well to keep safe. But when lines blur and the domesticity of their new life starts to feel real, what will the future look like if they give in to new confusing feelings?
This story is sweet, exciting, funny, sexy, dangerous and fabulous. The Characters are well developed and fascinating. Vicky is especially very complexed and getting to know her and see her let her walls down was wonderful. The storyline kept me engrossed, with mystery and curves that made me need to know more.
It’s set in the quirky small town of Mud Bluff which has a whole host of fun people to get to know. The author did a great job of describing all the places and setting the scene. I really wanna go visit the bistro, sing karaoke in the pub, and take a hike up the mountains, It sounds like a wonderful place.
The romance builds naturally. There is tension and chemistry between Vicky and Rachel from the start, and although there is some physical attraction, the romance progresses through a meeting of minds and getting to know each other. Tori and Rachel at times bring out the worst in each other, but also uncover the best. There are plenty of bumps in the road for them, as they navigate feelings that neither anticipated, and deal with insecurities from the past. It’s a gorgeous romance that left me swooning and wanting more.
A brilliant read, that I didn’t want to end I highly recommend it.
A good read. The mystery was well crafted. the characters and their personalities made absolute sense. It was less predictable than other mystery sapphic romances. Overall I super enjoeyed this and read it in 2 days.
The end seems slightly rushed BUT the loose ends where tied and none of the explanations seem like they were fabricated because the other realised they were at the end of their book.
Absolutely love this! It’s a bit different than what I usually read but I love how deep it gets like raw. Looking forward to seeing more of this author ❤️
Hide No More by Rita Potter had potential with an interesting concept, but the execution fell flat. The characters were poorly developed, making it difficult for me to stay engaged, and I struggled to finish the book. The relationship buildup between Rachel and Vicky was lackluster and felt forced rather than naturally evolving. While the premise seemed promising, it ultimately felt like wasted potential.
The smut scenes were disappointing, with very little detail and most of the action happening off-page, leaving too much to the reader's imagination. It lacked the emotional depth or tension I would expect in these moments. Also, trigger warning for mention of sexual assault—though it's not a central theme, it does come up.
The only redeeming quality was the narrator for the Audible version, who did a great job with what they had to work with. I found myself speeding up the audiobook to 2x speed just to get through it. Overall, while the concept intrigued me, the poor character development and lackluster execution left much to be desired.
I really wanted to like this one but unfortunately, it was not for me. I appreciate that Rita has the basics down but this felt like a first novel. Every conversation has people yelling, loudly angry, or bursting into tears at the drop of a hat. Regulated emotions are not a thing in this universe. The characterization also feels deeply off. Vicky has some trauma in her life but there is so much slut shaming, both internal and from others (who winces when their partner who was a mistress discloses that she was a stripper or sex worker? Surely this was a known thing and was her profession?!). Vicky's incredibly hurtful attempts to push people away physically and emotionally are a lot and made me quickly lose patience since she never really seems to acknowledge fault and try to do better after, they just don't talk for a while. I can't really buy into this love story and honestly, both characters need a lot of self reflection and work on themselves with a good therapist before I can be convinced they are good partners for anyone, let along each other.
Vicky, an exceptionally beautiful woman, has a boyfriend involved in the mafia, making her his mistress. However, her physical attractiveness is undeniable, captivating everyone's attention whenever she enters a room. This is evident when she attends a meeting at the law firm where Rachel works. Unfortunately, Rachel finds herself in a similar predicament, as she becomes captivated by Vicky's beauty. Vicky's looks, smile, dimple, cleft, and chin make her one of the most attractive women Rachel has ever seen. If Rachel had ever encountered someone like Vicky before, she would have surely remembered it. The supporting characters in the story add depth and completeness, making the narrative flow effortlessly.
I am an avid fan of all of Rita Potts' books. Since her debut novel, "Broken Not Shattered," I have admired her writing. The story stayed with me for a long time, and it left a lasting impression of the author herself. Rita is truly a remarkable writer, offering unique and captivating stories that stand out from anything else currently being published.
Contrary to appearances, Vicky is a highly intelligent woman. There is more to her than meets the eye. Rachel, especially, recognizes the depth in Vicky's eyes, which reveal a profound understanding surpassing that of the men and others in the room. Vicky cleverly utilizes the misconception of her intelligence to her advantage, allowing others to underestimate her true abilities.
Both Vicky and Rachel find solace in each other's company. They are both somewhat solitary individuals, each seeking someone who genuinely cares about them. Despite their independent natures, they discover something unexpected when they come together. The story is filled with surprising twists and keeps readers on the edge of their seats, providing a gripping and intriguing experience. I would like to extend my appreciation to Rita Potts for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. It is now available on Kindle Unlimited, and I highly recommend checking it out. It is a truly wonderful, interesting, and unique story.
This is a mafia story with a bit of a difference. The girlfriend of a mob accountant is sent to hide with a young lawyer and their cover is that they are married and moving to a small town to run a business. The lawyer is to work as a paralegal and the girlfriend is to run a florist - or so they think. It is written well and the plot has surprises both for the reader and the characters. Interestingly they were expecting a bit of a rough time in such a small place as a lesbian couple - but they were totally accepted. This of course made it easier for them to fall in love (well it isn't just a book about an independent witness protection scheme is it!) The hidden staircase is revealed early enough for it to be useful when they need to run. I always like a book that mentions a social worker - especially when it is someone saying they don't care abut something - it is not as if they were a social worker after all.
There is actual proper suspense and tension in the story - wanting to know what has happened and what will be happening next.
There is mention of sexual abuse of an early developing teen in this story - it is well written with the mind of a social worker who is also good at writing words other than reports.
Epilogue. This is 1 year later when they have returned by choice to their hideout and re -engaged with local life.
I have read tens of thousands of books. Love stories, spy novels, law and medical dramas, and military fiction. This book took me quite by surprise. And I could not put it down. But more than anything, I did not want it to end. It was engrossing, but it was also emotional, sensual and it drew me in on a level that I was not expecting. I opened me up to the feelings and sensations of the mental and emotional anguish that that two characters experienced from OPPOSING SIDES! It exposed deep biases that we are often unaware that we harbor, which color our speech and actions on an unconscious level, and are totally unaware of how they affect or effect those with whom we interact. I was glad that the characters felt that it was finally time to open up and face the challenges together. Watching each of them grow and evolve was special. And I believe that I felt a lot of what they felt. And it felt good. It is sad that that is probably the last I read about Bloody Muddy Falls. I would not mind a sequel! And, if you need a Beta reader, I volunteer!
This wasn’t a bad novel but the writing style wasn’t really for me. There would often be something happening at the end of a chapter and then the next chapter would be a completely new scene with just a brief mention of what happened previously. There were also a lot of time jumps and the chemistry between the leads wasn’t that strong for me, perhaps because of how time would just pass in weeks or months but we didn’t get to see enough developing between the MCs. Also neither character really grew on me, though I did like Tori a bit more than Rachel, perhaps because of how petulant and judgemental Rachel was at the beginning (though her judgemental nature did continue on awhile longer). Finally the spice in this was zero, every scene was fade to black which I’m not a big fan of 🙈
I find myself with another Rita Potter book and again, found a smile on my face once I finished. This story was different, intriguing, heartbreaking and loving. We have Rachel, a lawyer who is desperate to make partner and Victoria, a mafia mistress soon to be on the run. How these two are put together and how they are trying to stay under the radar until threats can be revealed is unique. Both women made required changes to their over all look but without knowing each other, each are still mistrustful of each other. They land in a town, that accepts them but is no way like NYC. How they cope and try to fit in with the locals is so much part of the story. It was a book I couldn’t put down. Loved It!
Rita Potter’s Hide No More deserves a spot on your TBR pile because of the strength, smarts, and chemistry of her two main characters and the engaging cast assembled around them.
I enjoy Potter’s writing, and, again, this novel earned my interest as I watched Tori, especially, begin to let down her walls and start to trust Rachel with her feelings and secrets.
In turn, Rachel overcomes her tendency to react judgmentally to Tori’s past and grows more honest with herself and Tori. She starts to acknowledge her privilege and how she’s taken for granted what her life should look like.
I enjoyed greatly reading about Tori’s and Rachel’s attempts to adapt to their new locale of Mud Bluff, and in turn, watching as the “Mudders” react to them.
I encourage everyone to read it … without preconceptions. It is a playful book despite a lot of serious content.
This is an audio review. I really liked the narration: I adore the author.
This is definitely an opposites attract, forced proximity, and enemies to lovers (well, not enemies but one MC. clearly doesn’t like or respect the other at the beginning) romance. Please don’t go into it thinking it is some huge spy mystery and then be disappointed.
The overwhelming majority of characters were lovely and sweet - except the clear “bad people.” The people in the new town were interesting, friendly, and warm - even protective of the MC strangers after only a couple months. Cute kid in town. Sadly no cat - or dog. It amazes me two brilliant women never learned to make reservations at THE restaurant and were always left waiting an hour. (Smile!)
You don’t see a lot of chemistry development but it was clear from the start they were both attracted. There was *emotional development (often harder) and consideration always. It was sweet and cute. I think there was a nice pace as well.
I did not receive a book for review. I had no expectations as to the subject matter. No expectations helps you release, relax, and enjoy the fun town and book.
Oh, what to say… let’s begin with my devastation when Rita Potter’s books are over, I could either scream, laugh or cry… not sure which is the prevailing emotion, but I’m left wanting so much more of the main characters, like another couple of novels, at the very least!
Rachel and Vicky / Tori make an interesting duo, opposites in virtually every way, but their escapades never fail to deliver, leaving me unsure whether to laugh or cry… and often both simultaneously.
All-in-all, a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ performance, absolutely leaving me wanting more… and isn’t that an author’s highest priority? Thank-you, Rita Potter, you truly are a talent, so onward and upward for you and more excited page turning for me as I crack on to your next title!
Intriguing story that kept me engaged throughout. Easy to like MC’s and sweet side characters along the way to balance out the bad characters they are running from.
Rachel is a busy lawyer who is seeking partnership at her law firm. Vicki/Tori needs to disappear and Rachel’s firm is hired to help her. Now going by Tori, she chooses Rachel to accompany her as they relocate her for her protection. The two come from different backgrounds and family dynamics and the author does a good job of showing us these different life experiences.
The story unfolds smoothly as the tension builds around them and between them. An engaging listen with a talented narrator.
Very much a different kind of take on the whole newly popular "Stunning Mob Princess meets and seduces weary but cute FBI/lawyer/cop lady" and it is done well. But I have to dock some points for some of the beating-around-the-bush aspects of the story. Some said it moved at a good pace, I didn't think it did myself. Otherwise, not bad, but not my favorite.
I probably would read it a second time just to see what the difference might be the next time, but I doubt I read it another time after that.
The story was just okay for me. The MC’s had chemistry but the storyline was not that appealing to me. Also they finally get together and we barely get a look into their intimate moments. I don’t need over the top explicit sex scenes. One character had never been with a woman. It would have been nice to get an understanding on how new and different the experience is for her. Some of the situations were a bit confusing and just not interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book really has a good feel. The characters are believable and the story has you guessing if something will happen after Tori and Rachel relocated. The town loved them for the things they did and the help they did. But the only thing hold the back was there past. As the work things out and figured out who the bad person is things worked out of them
Loved this one!! It has everything...fake relationship, forced approximity, set in small town, action and what not..Vicky/Tori is mafia's mistress meanwhile Rachel is cold hearted attorney. Both are going through their own problems, this story is about their progress, them trusting each other and felling in love. Some parts fall flat but overall great story
Oh, this book unleashed all sort of emotions in me. Trauma, betrayal, rollercoaster emotions , the angs here was painful. A 5 🌟 and a HEA, but the lack of 🔥 sexual scenes between the FMC's, made this slow burn novel more painful. Deeply emotional novel that will leave you crying.