This romantic suspense novel revolves around the theme of escaping a stalker by returning home. Katie is leaving San Francisco after discovering that her boyfriend and co-worker has been cheating on her and using her. She believes that returning to her small, "nowhere" town will help her forget her past mistakes, provide a fresh start, and put distance between herself and her stalker. Ben is dedicated to his job, and he feels that if he could finally break free from his ex-girlfriend, his life would be fantastic. However, things take a turn when he meets the new hire—the girl from the bar who has been occupying his thoughts. As Katie and Ben learn to work together, sparks begin to fly, but both carry their own baggage, some of which is more dangerous than they realize. Are they ready to take a chance on a relationship, or is their past too risky to overcome?
This debut novel by a new author captivated me. The writing was well-executed, with more emphasis on suspense than romance, although the main characters developed a relationship throughout the story. Typically, I gravitate toward romance, but when I seek mystery or suspense, I prefer it to be the central focus. I liked the characters and was pleased when Katie finally took control of her destiny, as her indecision often felt exhausting. However, I would have appreciated more insight into the police's approach, especially towards the end, and I found it easy to identify the stalker early on. Overall, it’s a good first novel that shows promising potential for the author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.