Santi was a storm I never saw coming—wild, confident. He was the kind of guy every warning was written about. From the instant our worlds collided, I was powerless to resist.
At eighteen, I packed my bags, ready to leave my privileged life behind with him.
He never showed up.
Thirteen years later, I’m a widowed mom, navigating the fallout of a financial scandal and the lingering control of my manipulative father. But with my husband gone, I see a chance to break free and build a better life for my son and me.
That chance leads me to Echo Valley—a fresh start that also unearths the heartache I never buried.
Santi is still the man I fell for—he now owns a successful ranch, admired by everyone. Those brown eyes still tempt me, and when I learn why he never came, it shatters and mends me all at once.
But the forces that tore us apart are still lurking in the shadows—and this time, they’re ready to destroy everything.
Sienna Judd is a small town, contemporary romance author who lives for all the spice and book boyfriends who are book husband material.
Sienna is an American girl married to her Prince Charming. She lives with her husband, three children, pony, dogs, guinea pigs and countless other animals on a small farm in England. She thinks kitchens are for dancing, is everybody's hype girl and might be known for talking too loudly.
Like every respectable woman she also loves drinking champagne and eating half of every chocolate in a truffles box.
Santi and Kat have my heart! Such a heartbreaking but beautiful story. These two characters have been through so much. The past still haunts them but their love has remained even after all of the time that’s passed. I loved their redemption story.
Kat and Santi’s story is one of young love that leads to heartbreak. They are torn from each other and neither one of them truly moved on.
Years later, Kat is starting over after the death of her husband. Her fresh start is in the small town where her first love runs a successful ranch. Kat is building a new life for her and her son. The strength of her character was so beautiful. I loved the way she always put Theo first.
Santi is the fun brother and he’s always full of life. Underneath it all, his heart has never healed after losing Kat. Now she’s back and their pull is as strong as ever. Santi is a freaking saint. He is so good and pure.
Danger comes knocking at the gates of Monarch Hills, but Kat and Santi rise up to protect what they value most. Nothing will stand in their way.
“You touch her. You touch my family. You die.”
Thank you Sienna Judd for the opportunity to read and review this advanced copy. I’m so grateful!
I am not typically a romantic suspense reader– I can be stressed out for free. It takes a really specific set of tropes or a special plot setup to get me interested enough to read a suspense novel and Hidden Memories checked my boxes.
Thank you to Hambright for the eARC I received of Hidden Memories!
Kat and Santi fell in love under a tree when she was 18 and he was 21. They connected over her artwork, their mutual love of horses and a longing for connection. But all of that came to an end when on the night they were supposed to run away together, Santi never showed up. Flash forward 13 years and Kat is now a 31-year-old widow. Her controlling, abusive husband died several months earlier, leaving her to care for the 10-year-old son alone. But as Kat prepares to move to a new town, the FBI shows up. It turns out, not only was her husband an abusive monster, but he was also involved in financial crimes. Kat and her son move, but she is now cutoff from all her financial resources. She's been isolated by her husband and has no one to turn to, except the one man who told her he'd never change his phone number and she could reach out at any time: Santi.
I am trash for a second chance romance, especially a second chance that is told in dual timeline. This story is dual timeline for about 45% of the book and then we flip totally into the present. That was a good balance to fill in the backstory but keep the momentum of the suspense storyline in the present moving. It was also important to have both timelines because our main characters had very different experiences of what happened in the past and we needed to see that in order to understand how they'd move forward.
The romance between our main characters was electric. These are two people who were fated to be together. I know fated mates isn't a thing in contemporary romance but if it were, Kat and Santi would be the poster children for the trope. I actually would have liked a little more time of these two falling back in love in the present storyline because it felt like they sort of dropped back into their relationship once the switch flipped and they were able to hash out what happened. A lot of history happened in those 13 years and I wish they'd had more time to unpack it.
I am not a big romantic suspense reader. I maybe pick up a handful of them a year so I can't speak with much authority on the ingenuity of the suspense writing, but I found it to be enjoyable. I think the pacing in the present storyline was a little off because the past timeline for the romance was there, but I'd rather have the dual timeline for the romance story than the crisp suspense writing. I have my priorities!
Overall, I enjoyed this one. I don't know that I'll commit to reading the rest of the series because like I said, it takes a special mix of tropes to get me to read a romantic suspense, but I'd definitely recommend this series to a suspense reader!
Santi is a cowboy who made most of his dreams come true. Lots of land, lots of animals, and family around, but he's missing one thing. His one true love that he met under a tree.
Kat didn't have as much luck as Santi, but she did get someone she loves very much....her son, Theo. When the unthinkable happens and her husband unexpectedly dies, she is ready to start over.
Santi & Kat are some of my favorite book characters that I've read in a while. I love how when they finally reconnect, they discuss everything, and it's like they never were without each other. I loved reading Theo and Santis relationship as well.
If you're looking for romance, spice, and some mystery/suspense, this is the book for you. Sienna, you have created an amazing book, and I can't wait to see what everyone else thinks about it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
“She was a siren. A black widow who lured me into her web.”
Hidden Memories by Sienna Judd is book two in the Echo Valley series, and I absolutely loved Santi and Kat’s second-chance romance!
What can you expect? 🌆 Small-town romantic suspense 👩👦 Single mom 💔 Second chance 🤠 Cowboy 🖤 Tatted MMC 💬 Banter 👫 Forced proximity 👨👩👦 Found family 💥 Touch her and die vibes 🚧 Wrong side of the tracks 👴 Cute AF grandpa
4.5⭐️ | 2 🌶️
“You love me like your religion.” “And I love you like my salvation.”
Synopsis: At eighteen, Kat was ready to leave her privileged life and run away with Santi, but he never showed up. Thirteen years later, she’s a widowed mom seeking a fresh start in Echo Valley. There, she reunites with Santi, now a successful ranch owner. As old feelings resurface, Kat learns the truth behind his disappearance, but the past still holds dangerous secrets that could tear them apart
“Since the day I met you, here or not, you’ve been the gravity that holds me together.”
My thoughts: I loved the dual timeline that gave us a deep understanding of Kat and Santi’s past and the reasons they’re no longer together. Kat spent her life being used as a pawn—her mom abandoned her, and her controlling dad barely acknowledged her. Her only escape at eighteen was through art and her horse, Ares. That’s where she met Santi, in a secluded spot where they had to keep their love secret from her father. Their connection was pure, and they both wanted to be together, but Kat waited for Santi, and he never came.
Fast forward thirteen years—Kat is now a widowed mom, free from her late husband’s control. She moves to Echo Valley with her ten-year-old son, Theo, and their dog, Keeper. She doesn’t know anyone there, but she knows Santi, who now owns a ranch called Monarch Hills. Kat reaches out for a job, and though Santi didn’t want to get involved, he helps her. As things spiral out of control, Santi enters protective mode, determined to shield them.
Santi is living his dream with a successful ranch, but he never moved on from Kat. He’s sweet, funny, empathetic, hard-working, and fiercely protective of those he loves. I loved that he was also applying to foster a boy, Owen, which is why he couldn’t afford distractions. Their chemistry was undeniable from the start, and they both found in each other what they were missing. Through Kat, Santi started healing after his mother passed, and she found something she hadn’t had before.
At first, their miscommunication drove me crazy, but once that was resolved, it was so much better. Kat worked hard to provide for Theo, and Ava was the first to welcome her into their new family. Luis, Santi’s dad, was as sweet as ever, though I missed his book club talk.
In this small town, Kat found her new life—she fell back in love, started painting again, and returned to horses, something she missed but was forbidden from doing by her late husband. Santi and Kat, or Michi as he calls her, couldn’t stay apart, and they got their second chance. Their reunion was heartwarming, and Santi truly deserved his happy ending. He did everything in his power to protect them, securing the ranch with all the safety measures they needed. The suspense was great—I had my suspicions, but the twists kept me hooked.
Santi and Kat learned that love isn’t about material things or playing a part. He also bonded with Theo and Owen, who became fast friends. I loved how the family came together, with Enzo, Rio, and Gabriel doing whatever they could to protect them because they mattered to Santi. Seeing glimpses of Ava and Enzo was a nice touch.
The romance was fantastic, but the spice was even better. Santi’s dirty talk? Delicious. Beyond that, he made Kat feel confident, loved, and beautiful, proving that even after all these years, their love never faded.
Overall, it was a great book, and I’m now even more curious about Rio and Gabriel’s story. We got a little of Santi’s personality in book 1, but those two are still hard to figure out.
Thank you, Hambright PR and Sienna, for the advance copy. If you haven’t read Sienna’s books yet, what are you waiting for? If you love small-town romances and cowboys, add them to your TBR!
We’re back in Echo Valley and I loved this instalment to the series so much! Santi and Kat’s story is heartbreakingly beautiful and I loved the way Sienna gave us flashback chapters to build their connection and story. From young love to heartbreak, it’s clear from the beginning that these two were always meant to be. I adored these characters right from the beginning and was completely invested in their reconnection. Filled with sizzling chemistry, swoony moments, emotion, found family warm and fuzzy and a side of suspense to keep you on your toes this is a must read for those who enjoy a romantic suspense.
Kat was on a mission to break free from the life she never chose and start fresh. I admired her strength and determination. The way she faced her past and fears to give herself and her son a better life. When danger comes she rises to protect what she’s been building and with her new family by her side, truely learns what it’s like to be loved. All the feels!
I loved Santi in book one, he’s the fun brother who’s playful and so full of life but beneath the facade he never got over his first and only love, Kat. When they cross paths again the pull is just as strong and I adored the way he protected and cared for her and her son. He built a beautiful bond with Theo and I adored the way he worked to give Owen a future. All the swoon points for this man!
We also get cameos from our previous couple as well as our fave side characters and I’m really looking forward to what’s to come next!
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: romantic suspense, second chance, cowboy, single mama, forced proximity, found family.
Sienna Judd’s Hidden Memories is a heartfelt second-chance romance set against the backdrop of emotional trauma and mystery.
Things I liked:
The book does a good job of exploring complex emotions—grief, longing, guilt, and hope. Gem and Will’s connection feels authentic.
The amnesia plotline isn’t used just for drama—it’s an organic part of the story that allows readers to peel back layers of the characters’ history in a meaningful way.
There’s great tension between the leads.
The suspense elements are well-executed without overshadowing the romance. Twists arrive at just the right moments, keeping the plot from going stale.
Some things I didn't like:
A few side characters felt underdeveloped.
Finally, Hidden Memories is a good mix between heartache and hope. It's the kind of book that lingers after you finish, especially if you appreciate romances that don’t shy away from emotional messiness.
Santi had my interest the entire time through book one. He’s the fun brother that’s easy on the eyes and a jokester. The other men are just too serious.
The way I loved learning about his past. The reason why he doesn’t get into relationships, and the ways he’s a one woman kinda guy..it melted my dang heart! And the fact that’s he’s good with kids…swoon 🥰
I’m not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope. It drives me crazy and I thought that’s what this one was going to be, but the way Judd did it was well done. It wasn’t the entire book.
I loved the tension and the build up of this book. The suspense and mystery was a fun ride! This is definitely a story that pulls you in and keeps your interest!
If you’re a fan of a golden retriever MMC, miscommunication, second chance, small town, and found family tropes, I highly recommend adding this one to your tbr!
i’ve been waiting for santi’s story, and i was not disappointed. this was such a beautiful second chance romance! i adored their journey through heartbreak and finding their way back to each other. i’m always down for a dash of mystery with my romance, and the suspense in this one was KILLING me. i was on the edge of my seat the whole time, it was so good!! this might be my new favorite sienna judd-book, hands down.
hidden memories is book 2 in the echo valley series, and while it can be read as a standalone, i would highly recommend reading book 1 as well (because who doesn't love a broody, nerdy cowboy with glasses, heh). this will be perfect for you if you like a touch of mystery with your romance, and you’re a fan of the edens by devney perry or anything catherine cowles!
- small town - romantic suspense - widowed/single mom x ranch owner - second chance
thank you to hambright pr and the author for the arc <3
- small town romance - romantic suspense - single mom romance - second chance romance - forced proximity - no third-act breakup - 🌶️🌶️.5/5 - dual pov
This is a small-town, second-chance, single-mom romance with just the right dose of suspense to keep you hooked.
Kat’s backstory is heavy, shaped by a manipulative father and an abusive husband whose sudden death puts her and her son in danger. Desperate, she runs… right back to the town where the one who got away still lives. Santi has always been her protector, and he steps in once again, determined to keep them safe.
As the truth comes out, they both realise their breakup years ago was caused by outside forces, not a lack of love. The romance itself didn’t stick with me as much as I’d hoped, which is why my rating is a little lower. But overall, I enjoyed the mix of heartfelt second chances and suspenseful twists.
I loved this story and the author really got me with one of her twists. My mouth dropped open and I was over here saying no way!
Santi and Kat had a love story that was out of their hands, being used and controlled by people in Kat's life. Paul and Nic. UGH! I wanted to throat punch those characters. They were awful!
Everyone in Echo Valley was lovely. From Julia and what she did for Kat, Arthur and his fun personality, Luis with his instant acceptance and love, Ava with her understanding and attachment to Kat and Theo, Anton and Gabriel and Enzo and Rio. Le sigh. They were all 🤌🏽, but no one compares to The Cowboy. Santi was perfection.
Single parent, small town, romantic suspense dual time line AND second chance?! IMMEDIATELY READ!!
Kat and Santis story was heartbreaking but just beautiful. Watching them come together between the past and present chapters and their current situation was just chefs kiss. I always love how it comes together like a puzzle.
Kat didn’t think she’d ever speak to Santi again… but is determined to make a life for her and her son, so she contacts him THIRTEEN years later! Little by little things come out & you really see how strong she is and a great role model putting Theo first always.
Santi is the fun brother but protective of what is his and Kat & Theo are included in that.
I love everything Sienna writes and the mentions of Starlight canyon made my heart happy!
•small town • single parents • romantic suspense • protective MMC• second chance • dual timeline • found family
This was such a good second chance romance with romantic suspense. This couple's love story was so strong and so heartbreaking at the same time. I loved how they were so meant to be even years later. I do think the lack of communication in the present time maybe went on a little too long (they both were in the dark about why the relationship ended), but otherwise it was a great story.
The suspense was intwined in this story so well. I loved that it was woven throughout the story and I felt like I was on my toes and making guesses through most of the story. It wasn't an afterthought at the end of the story. That being said, there was also a good balance between the suspense and the romance. Neither one outweighed the other.
Ok Santi and Kat are freaking EVERYTHING!! I absolutely adored everything about this book and their story ❤️. This has me hooked from the first page, I just knew it was going to be fantastic, and I was not wrong! This is dual timeline, so we get what happened to their relationship in the past and present. My heart broke for them and how everything went down. Kat is such a strong FMC and an amazing mom to her son. Santi is simply the best! His goals and how he takes to Kat’s son just made me swoon and who doesn’t love a hot, tattooed cowboy?! 🥵 This story had it all. I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat and I didn’t want to put it down. Sienna has been crushing it with these romantic suspense books and I’m freaking here for it! I cannot wait for book 3!!
Thank you so much @siennajuddauthor and @hambright_pr for the advance copy to read and review!
Thank you so much @siennajuddauthor and @hambright_pr for this gifted eARC, physical copy and goodies!! 🥹🩵✨
🤍Hidden Memories (Echo Valley Book 2) 💎by Sienna Judd 🤍Available NOW!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️.5
When I think of second chance romance, this book has to be listed among my favorites!! Throw I a romantic suspense and I’m all in. 🤭
💎 Kat is our wonderful and strong FMC who is now a single mother dealing with the aftermath of a financial scandal after losing her husband. Her father also adds to the pile as he is used to trying to control Kat and everything around her.
🤍Santi is our compelling MMC who at one time (13 years ago) was planning to run away with Kat as they had a connection like no other. However, Santi never showed on that monumental night. Fast forward to 13 years later, Kat is now 31 years old and prompted to reach out to Santi as she tries to navigate the fallout her late husband’s scandal has left behind!
🤍These characters will draw you in so quickly and Sienna’s writing will have you hanging on every word! This book holds a special place in my heart as the tension, twists, suspense and sprinkle of spicy romance made for a beautiful combination!! 🫶🏻🩵
Thank you so much, again, to Sienna and Hambright PR for this beautiful package and eARC. 🥹
Oh myyyyy!! I knew from the start this was 5 stars!! I’ve found my new favourite couple 😭 this book was incredible! It was exactly what I needed and I’m so glad I’ve discovered this author!! Sienna’s writing had me hooked I’m so in love, I want to read this book again for the first time please 🥹 This was such a journey but I loved every single moment of it!
“To those still waiting for unconditional love. One day, it’ll sink its teeth into you. And may it come with plenty of tattoos and a cowboy hat.”
Kat is such a strong and sweet character!! She had my heart from the start, she’s had me gripped from the start with her story. Despite everything she’d been through, her growth was one of my favourite things! I’m so obsessed with Kat!! Understanding her struggles and navigating motherhood when running away from her past pulled at my heart strings. I loved seeing her relationship with Theo and how she made sure he didn’t go without. The love that Kat shared with so special!! This woman was SO talented and I loved it!! It was such a special part of the story to me and it broke me that she didn’t have someone in her corner for so long. I was on edge of my seat for this womannnn!!! The suspense was killing me but it was so worth it!!
Santi is my newest man crush!!! The way he just couldn’t stay away had my heart melting! He was never truly over her and I can’t say I blame him. It was the little things that impacted me the most. His newfound love for art, the fostering!!!!! The nickname he bad for her 🥹 if you know me, you know I’m a sucker for a nickname! I truly fell so hard for this man, he had a heart of gold and it was for one woman only. I loved his protectiveness, it’s so hot but also swoon!! I loved Santi’s family, i desperately need to go back and read book one immediately because I need more of this family in my life!! The way he was with both Owen and Theo had me nearly crying! What! A! Man! I’m so obsessed with him.
This book was one I didn’t want to put down, but also didn’t want to ever end! I love a romantic suspense, it’s definitely a favourite for me and this definitely hit the spot! I adored the relationships, I LOVED the characters so much! And I loved the flashbacks! When I’m reading a second chance romance, having flashbacks added in really builds a perfect picture for me. Especially with these two, I loved seeing and understanding their tree, how they were before and then THEM! I could cry!! I need to reread this immediately, Sienna is definitely a new auto-buy author for me, I’m addicted. I love guessing what did what, or what might be coming next!! I could go on and on about how obsessed I am with this cowboy and his Michi! But what I will say…. I hate her husband oh MYYYY! That man made me so angry, she did not deserve how he treated her!! Kat deserves the world and more 😭😭😭
Thank you so much Hambright PR and Sienna Judd for this arc!! I’m in awe at this story! I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity 🫶🏼
What to expect 🩵 Forbidden Love 🩵 Second chance 🩵 Single Mom 🩵 Romantic Suspense 🩵 Wrong Side of the Tracks 🩵 Cowboy
Title: Hidden Memories Author: Sienna Judd Genre: Small Town Romance / Second Chance / Romantic Suspense My Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) Spice Level: 2/5 (Sweet with just enough heat) Trigger Warnings: Past abuse, loss of a spouse, domestic violence, emotional trauma, mentions of child endangerment.
Trigger Warnings & Sensitive Content
This story deals with some heavy emotional themes, including: • Emotional and domestic abuse • A controlling and threatening parent • Past trauma and grief • Mild suspense/thriller elements related to danger and custody
The romance is soft and slow-burning, with just enough spice to satisfy—but the heart of the story is emotional growth and healing.
Kat and Santi had plans to run away together, but when he disappeared without a word, her heart shattered. Years later, she’s a widow with a son and a desperate need for a fresh start. She moves to a quiet town, only to run right back into the man who broke her heart.
Santi is trying to gain custody of a foster child he cares deeply for when Kat comes back into his life. Sparks fly, old wounds reopen, and their connection is undeniable. But when danger starts closing in around Kat and her son, Santi steps in—ready to protect what should’ve been his all along.
What Worked (And Worked Beautifully) • Kat��s growth. She’s been through hell and back, but her strength shines as she chooses peace, safety, and love for herself and her son. • Santi. A man who made mistakes, but refuses to let her go again. He’s protective, patient, and so deeply human. • The suspense element. Just enough danger and tension to keep the story gripping, without overpowering the romance. • The family themes. The found family moments? Beautiful. Healing. Safe. • The emotional payoff. Their reunion doesn’t come easy, but it’s earned—and that makes it so worth it.
There’s heartbreak, there’s healing, and there’s so much hope. I felt for Kat. I fell for Santi. And I held my breath hoping they’d find their way back to each other and build something better than what they lost.
Hidden Memories by Sienna Judd is a story about love that lasts through pain, second chances that don’t come easy, and the kind of family you choose. If you love emotional romance with a touch of suspense and a whole lot of heart, you’ll want to add this one to your shelf.
This book started out so good. Santi and Kat, our H/h were young star crossed lovers. Kat is rich and beautiful, living in a glide cage. Santiago or Santi is the poor, struggling cowboy from the wrong side of the tracks who wants to help build an empire with his older brother. They make plans to run away together but are thwarted by her evil father who tears them apart leaving each to believe they’ve been betrayed by the other. And then Kay is forced to marry a man picked by her father. He turns out to be a monster and forces her to give up everything she loves. They have a son together who is the only good thing in her life. It takes a turn when her husband dies. When he comes under a heavy cloud of suspicions activities, her inherited wealth is seized, her father refuses to help and she is helpless and because of her love for her son, turns to the only person she can think of, Santi.
Over the years, Santi has accomplished everything he set out to do, trying to make himself the success his younger self told a younger Kat what he would become. He’s shocked when Kat reaches out to him for help. He’s felt betrayed by her for years but has never been able to forget her and he reluctantly agrees. When they meet again after all these years, the pain is still there for both, thinking they were betrayed by the other. I truly appreciated the author cleared things quickly and didn’t drag out the misunderstanding. They both realized their feelings had survived. But there are problems ahead. Someone is after Kat and Santi, with the help of his family wants to find out who and why. Up until now, I’ve been loving the story but then, for me, things start falling apart, becoming all philosophical with each contemplating about the meaning of love and life and other things I found very boring. Villains started popping up out of nowhere and I kept thinking “where did they come from.?” I started getting confused and bored and wasn’t loving the book any longer.
I did finish it but the last third really lowered my grade. While I loved the first book, picking it up on KU and then buying a copy, knowing I’d be wanting to reread it, I also got this one thankfully on KU only and doubt very much I’ll read this RS novel again even though I loved the first half.
Thank you @siennajuddauthor and @hambright_pr for this gifted Ebook.
My Review: My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pages: 418 Genre: Romance Tropes:
💫Forbidden Love 💫Second chance 💫Single Mom 💫Romantic Suspense 💫Wrong Side of the Tracks 💫Cowboy 💫Nickname - Michi (Kitten)
This is Santi and Kat’s story. They met when they were young under a huge tree. Both had ridden their horses there to relax . Kay was from a very well to do home and Santi was a rodeo cowboy trying to earn enough to support his large family with big dreams.
They decided to run away together to Vegas to marry but Santi never showed up leaving Kat standing by their meeting place luggage in hand.
Over a decade later Kat’s husband (who was cruel to her) dies on a business trip. Just as she’s about to load her last box into her car to move out of their mansion to a small farm house with their ten year old son the FBI shows up and seizes the property and freezes all their accounts.
The small town she was moving to happens to be near the ranch Santi. Kat emails him asking for employment. She’s desperate for money to survive on. He has mixed feelings about her but arranged for her to work at a Feed and Garden store in the small town.
Then her house is ransacked. Then a boobie trap is set to harm her and they find out the mafia is after her because her deceased husband was in deep with the mafia. They are looking for something and think she has it. She and her son are no longer safe.
Now read the book to find out what the mafia is looking for and if she and her son Survive, if she and Santi find their way back to each other.
This book is not only a romance, it is a mystery and suspense on the verge of thriller also. I highly recommend this book! I did the one more chapter ritual last night until I finished the book! I couldn’t put it down!
Want More Wednesday! Book Review: Hidden Memories By: Sienna Judd
I cannot say enough about how much I absolutely loved this book! This book was utterly beautiful and I want more more more! You go through the gambit of emotions with this story and its dual timeline so you get a great picture of the past and present as the future moves forward with mystery and suspense along with epic tension and chemistry that is palpable. These two had major unfinished history and when they are forced into close proximity they can’t deny it anymore! But you feel all the emotions and it’s just a fully immersive experience. Santi and Kat are totally meant to be and I felt such sadness for the past and how it all unfolded for them especially for Kat and what she went through with her ex. There is a major twist I wasnt expecting and it was so good! I cannot wait to get more of this series by reading book one and then the next book when it comes out!
This story is so well written with a wonderful plot, suspense, romance, wonderful characters, and great HEA!
Sienna is a new to me author and now Im addicted. If you haven’t read her books yet, what the heck are you waiting for? If you love small-town romances and cowboys, add them to your TBR!
Favorite Quotes:
“You touch her. You touch my family. You die.”
“You love me like your religion.” “And I love you like my salvation.”
“Since the day I met you, here or not, you’ve been the gravity that holds me together.”
“You’re not broken to me.” I tangle my fingers in her hair, tilting her head back just enough to keep her eyes locked on mine. “You’re a masterpiece,” I drop my lips closer. “Every part of you is a treasure I’d fight to claim.”
🏘️ Small-town romantic suspense 🧍♀️ Single mom 💔 Second chance 🤠 Cowboy 🖤 Tatted MMC 💬 Banter 👫 Forced proximity 👨👩👦 Found family ☠️ Touch her and die vibes 🚧 Wrong side of the tracks 👴 Absolutely adorable Grandpa
ARC provided via @booksprout and I happily give my honest opinion.
Kat’s life is in turmoil and the only person who she thinks can help her and her son is also the man who broke her young heart.
Santi is the man who showed her what love could be like and then disappeared.
When she reaches out to him he is surprised, but can’t say no to helping his first love.
It turns out the end of their young love was so much more complicated than they both realized.
Kat needs a new start and Santi’s circle of family and friends give her exactly what she needs. Unfortunately her past follows her and while they have both been avoiding each other they are drawn together and their fire is still there.
There are so many reasons why they should stay away from each other and there is still a lot of things they both need to work on, but it turns out that they are so much stronger together.
Kat feels so weak for letting things in her past control her, but Santi sees the strong, beautiful, talented woman she is.
Santi has always felt the need to prove himself and Kat’s reappearance brings that back to haunt him, but to Kat he is still the strong, protective, hard working man she fell in love with.
I wanted to shake them both at times for holding back, but I also understood why they felt the way they did.
I loved watching them become a family. Kat got the loving, warm family she never had and Santi got the family he always wanted, but wasn’t sure he deserved.
I really liked the romance and suspense elements of the story and thought they blended well.
I can’t wait to return to Echo Valley and these loving, complicated characters.
Tropes: Single Mom Second Chance Hispanic Cowboy Greek Heroine Mystery Banter
This book was absolute perfection! I loved reading every minute of it! The plot, the characters, the romance, the spice, the twists and turns, everything was amazing!
Kat(Katinka) just lost her husband and is finally free to live her own life with her son, but she needs help from the person that broke her heart 13 years ago.
Santi(Santiago) has finally accomplished his dream of owning his own ranch and has made a name for himself. Now 13 years later he hears a name he never thought he would see again. He wants another to do with her, but Santi isn't one to ignore someone in need.
I loved the energy between these two! Even with the "hatred" and feeling of betrayal they had towards each other, deep down you could tell they still loved one another. I admired that even though they loved each other, they weren't blinded to the reality around them and did everything in their power to keep moving on in life. Especially with Kat, she always put her son (and herself) first, it just so happened that being with Santi was exactly what the both of them needed!
Theo was such a beautiful soul! I loved reading him and his interactions with everyone. He was so much like Kat and honestly Santi too! I would have loved to see a bit more of Owen, but so happy he wasn't involved with all the dangerous parts of the plot!
The secret of the past came out quickly and I appreciated that it didn't lead to a more complicated miscommunication trope. While my heart broke for Santi, I respected how strong he was for his family.
That plot twist I did see it coming, but didn't think it was that deep. I was not expecting that much of an involvement with the characters. I'm so happy they all got out safe and to see a change of heart with some characters even if it was a bit too late.
Overall this was an amazing story with so many supportive characters! I can't wait to go back and read Enzo & Ava's story and I'm so excited for Gabriel's story next!
Hidden Memories by Sienna Judd is one of those books that had me hooked from the first page. Kat’s life is a mess—she’s a widow, dealing with a financial scandal, and trying to get away from her controlling father. The last thing she expects is to run into the man who broke her heart thirteen years ago: Santi. Santi was the guy who made her feel like she could leave everything behind. He was her future, but then he disappeared without a word. Now, he’s back, and despite all the pain and time between them, the connection is still there. Kat’s ready to start fresh, but it’s not that easy. Santi’s got his own demons, and there are forces from their past still trying to tear them apart. I loved the slow burn of this one. Kat and Santi are both dealing with so much—trust issues, past mistakes, and everything in between—but there’s something about the way they’re drawn to each other that just works. They’ve both changed, but there’s still that spark between them. Watching them work through everything was emotional and frustrating in the best way. And let me tell you, Santi is that kind of hero you want to root for. Strong, protective, and loyal. Kat’s no slouch either—she’s been through a lot, but you can’t help but cheer for her as she finds herself again. I also really enjoyed the suspense side of things. The mix of romance and the mystery surrounding Kat’s past kept me turning pages. Plus, the side characters—especially the ones from Echo Valley—added some great depth to the story.
᪥ Forbidden ᪥ Second Chance ᪥ Single Mom ᪥ Romantic Suspense ᪥ Cowboy ᪥ Wrong Side Of The Tracks
This book follows Santi and Kat, they had a chance meeting as kids and had a whirlwind romance. They had plans for runaway together but something happened and they didn’t see each other again.
Now 13 years later, Kat is a widow, a single mom and is trying to stand on her own for the first time in her life. She has very little money due to frozen assets as a result of a criminal investigation into her late husband. She seeks a job with the only person she knows in the area, Santi.
This story sucked me in from the very beginning, I was immediately drawn to Kat. Her father and her late husband were controlling and abusive, she just wanted to stand on her own two feet, take care of her son and heal.
Santi was heartbroken because he believed Kat lied to him all those years ago. He definitely wants to keep her at a safe distance, he can’t afford to lose himself in her again. But he also can’t stay away from her. When Kat’s safety becomes an issue, Santi forgets all of his rules in order to keep Kat safe.
The tension between Santi and Kat was so thick, you could tell they both still loved each other. This was also such a slow burn, which added to the delicious tension between them.
The suspense aspect of this was really good and kept me turning the pages. And the twist at the end surprised me.
I loved Santi’s family and the community of Echo Valley. I would love to live in a community like that, they all rallied around Kat and made her a part of the family rather quickly.
If you like second chance romances with a dash of romantic suspense then you should add this one to your TBR.
Sienna Judd's Hidden Memories is a captivating and emotional rollercoaster that will keep you hooked from the very first page. The story of Santi and Kat is a beautiful and heartbreaking tale of forbidden love, second chances, and the weight of past decisions. Their first love was intense and filled with all-consuming passion, but when Santi disappears without a trace, it leaves the heroine shattered. Thirteen years later, she's a single mom, trying to navigate the aftermath of a financial scandal and a toxic family dynamic. When fate pulls her back to Echo Valley, she discovers that the man she once loved is still there—and still just as irresistible. The chemistry between them is palpable, and the emotional depth of their reunion makes it impossible not to root for them. What makes Hidden Memories stand out is the perfect blend of romantic suspense and heart-stirring emotion. As Santi’s secrets unfold and the forces that once kept them apart resurface, the stakes get even higher. Judd masterfully creates a tense atmosphere where love and danger intertwine, making for a gripping read that’s impossible to put down. The cowboy backdrop adds a rugged charm to the story, and the heroine’s journey as a single mom finding strength and healing is incredibly empowering. This is a tale of love that transcends time, societal barriers, and the harshest obstacles—Hidden Memories is a must-read for fans of second-chance romance and romantic suspense.
I had not read a romantic suspense novel in quite some time. This was a good one with which to jump back in.
We have Kat, a newly widowed mom, trying to escape the bad memories of the house she and her son shared with an emotionally abusive husband and father. She moves them to a rural town which happens to be home base for her long ago ex-boyfriend’s ranch.
Santiago (Santiago) Mendez has made something of himself in the thirteen years since they’ve seen each other, but he’s never forgotten Kat, the artist who colored his world so vibrantly. She hasn’t forgotten him either and she’s desperate to know why he didn’t show up the day they were supposed to start their new life together.
But first! Kat and her son, Theo, move into the farmhouse she’s rented and it’s already scary, but when someone breaks in, they can’t stay there any longer. Protective SOB Santi has to make sure they’re safe, so of course, they have to move into with him.
There’s a lot I enjoyed about this book: the connection between Kat and Santi, the children in their lives, the entire Mendez family and yes, the mystery surrounding who is trying to hurt Kat and Theo. And the epilogue? So satisfying. ❤️❤️❤️
Recommended! For all lovers of contemporary romance especially. ❤️
I was given this eARC via @hambright_pr and @siennajuddauthor. All thoughts are mine alone.
4.25 ⭐️ 2 🔥 Small Town Second Chance Romance Suspense Forbidden Love Single Mom Cowboy MMC Wrong Side of the Tracks Angst & Tension Past & Present Timeline ⚠️This book contain some darker themes. Please check trigger/content warnings.⚠️ Book two of Echo Valley, but can be read as a complete standalone. This is the first in the series that I have read, but I need to now go back and read book one, then sit on the edge of my seat for the rest of the series. This was so good!! If you like small town, Cowboy, romantic suspense, this book & series is for you! This book is about Santi & Kat, and we get snippets of their young & reckless love in the past chapters, but it’s a mystery of what happened to forced them apart. Now it’s 8 years later and Kat finds out that her abusive husband has passed. She decides to move to a farmhouse, near the small town of Echo Valley. She is desperate for a new life, freedom & to give her son the life she never got to have. One filled with love, innocence & acceptance. The problem is, her husband is being invested by the FBI & all their money & possessions are tied up. So, she desperately reaches out to Santi’s owned ranch of Monarch Hills, looking for any work where she can bring her young son along to. They both carry a lot of resentment towards one another, both blaming the other for the end of their past relationship. Now, there are even darker forces working against them & they’ll have to fight for their second chance.
“Are you leaving because you blew the whistle? Tell me the truth. I need to know what you told them about Nicholas.”
Book 2 of Echo Valley is Hidden Memories and you will be intrigued from the very beginning.
Kat and her son, Theo, leave their life behind and are ready to start a new one. Only problem Is she has no money and no support from her family. She decides to call her first love, Santi,hoping that he will help her get back on her feet. Santi, not having seen Kat in 13 years, and still in love with her, tries to keep her at a distance. Kat is also mad at Santi, because he never showed up when they were supposed to run away together. Tensions run high because Kat and Theo are being watched and Santi will do everything he can to keep them safe.
Tropes: 🤎 Romantic Suspense 🤎 Second Chance 🤎 Single Mom 🤎 Forced Proximity 🤎 Found Family
I absolutely loved these characters. I love Santi and how protective he is of Kat and Theo. The way he loves them and the way he longs to be a father figure and a dad is so beautiful. Kat, despite being told what to do her whole life, has a determination for her and her son that is admirable. Santi is a tattooed, swoony, cowboy that will steal your heart. He has a way with words with Kat that had me kicking my feet.
🤠 second chance ❤️🩹 single mom 🤠 rancher/cowboy ❤️🩹 romantic suspense 🤠 touch her and 💀 ❤️🩹 star crossed lovers
welcome back to echo valley!!! the starlight canyon series by sienna is one of my favorite small town/cowboy series and I was SOOOO excited to follow the Mendez brothers and their HEAs, and after the teasing we got of Santi from unspoken promises, I knew hidden memories was gonna be an automatic smash.
I unintentionally binged this story, but fell in love with Kat and Santi from the beginning. I LOVEEE me a second chance story and theirs is one of starcrossed love with quite literally all the forces tearing them apart. the burn was slowwww, but necessary for the two of them to heal not only internally, but as a couple who are more mature than some wide eyed young adults. the miscommunication is strong in the beginning, but once all the (dirty) secrets come out, they're stronger than ever. there were also quite a few fun lil plot twist that I did not see coming that provided some much needed comedic relief during the story because of it's absurdity and just helped the book fly.
sienna is one of my favorite authors and I cannot wait to see what's in store next for this little community ☺️. thank you to @siennajuddauthor and @hambright_pr for the eARC! hidden memories is our on 3/31!
Hidden Memories is book 2 in the Echo Valley Series. Each book is an interconnected stand alone that will follow a different couple. Each book is written so you can read in any order. You will see other characters from previous books but you do not have to red those to understand this one.
You'll love this book if you enjoy: ✔️ Forbidden Love ✔️ Second chances ✔️ Single Mom ✔️ Romantic Suspense ✔️ Wrong Side of the Tracks ✔️ Successful Cowboy ✔️ Found Family
Sienna is a new to me author and I fell in love with her writing. This book has it all....tender moments, suspense, secrets, misunderstandings, healing, found family and so much more. Kat and Santi are not strangers but when they find themselves back in each others lives, they realize that they never let go of their love. Santi will protect Kat at all costs. They just need to play things safe so no one gets hurt.
This romance was a great first book for me. I loved the relationship development and the suspense aspect of the story. There were so many amazing elements to this story and I fell into it and didn't want it to end. Santi has a heart so big that he forgets sometimes that he too needs that love. Watching Kat and Santi and their reunion then hoping for their second chance, gave this book that extra edge. I also loved the kids in this story. Theo and Owen were a special addition that you will fall in love with. If you crave a story that will keep you stuck in the pages....this is your book! I can't wait for Gabriel's story coming October 2025.