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The Darkness Within: A Small-Town Romantic Thriller with Deadly Secrets
She’s built a life on secrets. He’s come to uncover the truth.
In a town where danger hides behind friendly smiles, trusting the wrong person could be deadly. But trusting each other… might be the only way to survive.
FBI Agent Fox Anderson has seen his share of twisted cases, but nothing prepares him for the sleepy town of Windsor Brooke—where girls go missing, the sheriff’s department is crumbling, and no one seems to be telling the whole truth.
Kate Millard runs a successful boutique and minds her own business, or so it seems. Smart, guarded, and fiercely independent, Kate has her own reasons for keeping tabs on the investigation…and for keeping Fox at arm’s length.
But when the case heats up—and so does their connection—Fox and Kate find themselves tangled in more than clues. As secrets surface and the killer closes in, desire becomes a dangerous distraction…and trust could get them both killed.
Perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Kendra Elliot, and Laura Griffin, this gripping romantic thriller blends slow-burn chemistry with jaw-dropping twists.
If you love fierce heroines, brooding FBI agents, and small towns with deadly secrets—this book is for you.
In a town where danger hides behind friendly smiles, trusting the wrong person could be deadly. But trusting each other… might be the only way to survive.
FBI Agent Fox Anderson has seen his share of twisted cases, but nothing prepares him for the sleepy town of Windsor Brooke—where girls go missing, the sheriff’s department is crumbling, and no one seems to be telling the whole truth.
Kate Millard runs a successful boutique and minds her own business, or so it seems. Smart, guarded, and fiercely independent, Kate has her own reasons for keeping tabs on the investigation…and for keeping Fox at arm’s length.
But when the case heats up—and so does their connection—Fox and Kate find themselves tangled in more than clues. As secrets surface and the killer closes in, desire becomes a dangerous distraction…and trust could get them both killed.
Perfect for fans of Melinda Leigh, Kendra Elliot, and Laura Griffin, this gripping romantic thriller blends slow-burn chemistry with jaw-dropping twists.
If you love fierce heroines, brooding FBI agents, and small towns with deadly secrets—this book is for you.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2025
30 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 14, 2026
I did not like it and I’m gonna list why…
1. Bad Romance - At times(mostly), I felt Fox actually wasn’t in love with her. I didn’t even understand what he felt about her. Most of the time he was bulldozing his way into anything and he didn’t trust her. He literally implied that she’s a co-conspirator to the crime that was happening. I think he wanted to control her. The way he got mad whenever she mentioned any friends visiting her or whatever, it didn’t seem possessive.
2. FMC Portrayal - Let me tell you, when a FMC is given the profession of being an ‘Assassin’. I expect her to be a badass one, aware, knows how to keep a poker face, and not be dumb after suddenly ‘liking’ a guy. She was none of those for the entirety of the book.
3. Thriller & Romance - They were overpowering each other and not in a good way. None of them were done nicely. I was skipping through most of it.
4. Riggs - The police department of that town was so dumb including her tbh. Your partner doesn’t like you so why would you go somewhere remote with him and as soon as you reach there why wouldn’t you text anyone else about your whereabout. Her body was also not found.
5. The Sheriff - I loathe people like him. He should’ve gone to politics rather than being a Sheriff. The girls of your town were being raped by your deputy and you turned your back on the victims ? Didn’t even investigate any fucking thing. Didn’t do his job anyway otherwise. Always trying to close cases without proper investigation. And refused to search for Chloe when her chances of being alive or dead was 50-50, not that that should have mattered.
6. The culprit - It was too easy. From the very first thing about him that’s mentioned, it wasn’t that difficult to guess. Disgusting pig should rot in hell.
I liked how there were multiple POV’s.
1. Bad Romance - At times(mostly), I felt Fox actually wasn’t in love with her. I didn’t even understand what he felt about her. Most of the time he was bulldozing his way into anything and he didn’t trust her. He literally implied that she’s a co-conspirator to the crime that was happening. I think he wanted to control her. The way he got mad whenever she mentioned any friends visiting her or whatever, it didn’t seem possessive.
2. FMC Portrayal - Let me tell you, when a FMC is given the profession of being an ‘Assassin’. I expect her to be a badass one, aware, knows how to keep a poker face, and not be dumb after suddenly ‘liking’ a guy. She was none of those for the entirety of the book.
3. Thriller & Romance - They were overpowering each other and not in a good way. None of them were done nicely. I was skipping through most of it.
4. Riggs - The police department of that town was so dumb including her tbh. Your partner doesn’t like you so why would you go somewhere remote with him and as soon as you reach there why wouldn’t you text anyone else about your whereabout. Her body was also not found.
5. The Sheriff - I loathe people like him. He should’ve gone to politics rather than being a Sheriff. The girls of your town were being raped by your deputy and you turned your back on the victims ? Didn’t even investigate any fucking thing. Didn’t do his job anyway otherwise. Always trying to close cases without proper investigation. And refused to search for Chloe when her chances of being alive or dead was 50-50, not that that should have mattered.
6. The culprit - It was too easy. From the very first thing about him that’s mentioned, it wasn’t that difficult to guess. Disgusting pig should rot in hell.
I liked how there were multiple POV’s.
July 24, 2025
Oh my goodness did I enjoy this book! There is a phenomenal thread of romance in this book while not being the main focus. A fantastic protective, serious, and playful start to a budding romance with nothing more than kissing.
FMC is a vigilante assassin (though there are hints of possible government ties) who goes all over the world for her missions. However when young girls go missing, with one showing up dead, in her hometown - FMC is unsettled.
With this threat to the happy, consistent life she's built and the feeling that she's being watched - FMC decides to go rogue and take the case into her own hands.
When a cocky but funny FBI agent shows up to take over the case, a tense but passionate rivalry begins between FMC and the male FBI agent. She's always a step ahead and stays just out of his very intrigued grasp.
There's such a great thriller and mystery plot to the book with a lovely, sweet beginning to a love story. I want so much more of this!!
FMC is a vigilante assassin (though there are hints of possible government ties) who goes all over the world for her missions. However when young girls go missing, with one showing up dead, in her hometown - FMC is unsettled.
With this threat to the happy, consistent life she's built and the feeling that she's being watched - FMC decides to go rogue and take the case into her own hands.
When a cocky but funny FBI agent shows up to take over the case, a tense but passionate rivalry begins between FMC and the male FBI agent. She's always a step ahead and stays just out of his very intrigued grasp.
There's such a great thriller and mystery plot to the book with a lovely, sweet beginning to a love story. I want so much more of this!!
June 8, 2025
There's a killer dont have to tell me twice... I dont know what it is about books with killers? I have to read them.... What i loved most about this book was I couldn't guess who the killer was! If I can't guess who the killer is, then it's at least a 4 star read for me. I couldn't guess the killer in this. I'm pretty good at guessing the killer. it's rare that I find a book that stumps me.
It's definitely worth reading! I'm going to go back and read book 1 now.
I can't wait to read more!
It's definitely worth reading! I'm going to go back and read book 1 now.
I can't wait to read more!
June 11, 2025
The Darkness Within is book 2 in the AOD series. It's romantic suspense and slow burn.
I have to say, this one really keeps you guessing. I could not figure out who was doing the unaliving. Kate is such a strong female character. And I loved her and Fox together. Their chemistry was great and made the story that much more enjoyable. This one also has lots of twists and turns you don't see coming so make sure you buckle up for this ride!
I have to say, this one really keeps you guessing. I could not figure out who was doing the unaliving. Kate is such a strong female character. And I loved her and Fox together. Their chemistry was great and made the story that much more enjoyable. This one also has lots of twists and turns you don't see coming so make sure you buckle up for this ride!
May 28, 2025
This was a great thriller with a killer you can't wait to catch. Kate is a great character full of fight and intelligence. I really enjoyed the book and all the twists and turns. It is a well-written story and I hope to see more in the series!
May 31, 2025
Kate is a force to be reckon with. She is fearless it seems and honestly the best FMC I've read so far. I couldn't tell who the killer was through the book, which is rare for me but I loved it so much. I can't wait for more.
June 10, 2025
This book was so good, just when I thought I knew who the killer was there was a twist and I’m like whattt. Such a good book. I love the dynamic between Kate and Fox. I got frustrated with Kate but could understand her emotions. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews