Keeper

by C.G. Willows

Declan Chambers is the low man on the corporate ladder. He moves through life unseen and unheard. No one knows his name or gives him a second glance. At least that's how it was until his great uncle Sheldon died and left him everything. After years of being just another face in the crowd, Declan finally catches the eye of Detective Sage Pierce. Suspected of crimes he didn't commit, Declan must find a way to clear his name despite the unbelievable reality. Keeper is a story of broken familial ties and the sacrifices that must be made to keep the balance between good and evil.

Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2025

Reviews

[megzlibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain” ~Dolly Parton

This quote sums up Keeper perfectly. Especially for our main character.

From the very beginning, Declan’s rainbow is nonexistent and upon moving to a small town in New York, it seems like more rain than sun.

This book really made an impression on me, particularly with the world building. I felt like I was living a life in Lindow, the main setting throughout the book. The details of the surroundings is so beautifully written. The way the main location, the bookstore, is depicted is great. I could smell the books and the dust.

The pacing was also really good, none of the events happened too fast or too slow and everything had a purpose. The side characters also had a purpose and pushed the story forward.

The only thing missing is the character development of the two main characters. They fell flat for me but I assume there will be one more in the next book! Which I am excited to read!

Thank you to C.G Willis for sharing her book with me for this review!

[Liz Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW.

I mean…Declan?! 🔥 I’m in love.

I can’t wait for everyone to have the chance to read this book! The story and characters are so captivating. It’s also such an easy, entertaining read. It kept me hooked from chapter 1, which is rare for me. It’s fast-paced but so well written. And the ending. Did not expect that. At all.

So good. ❤️❤️❤️

[Brandy McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It is an easy quick read as it took me only a day. The characters were wonderful. I really enjoyed the bantering between Ryn and Sage. I thought the spicy scenes were great. I was very surprised at the end. Did not expect that coming. Forbidden love between detective and suspect. Paranormal surprise. It was suspenseful for sure.
Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reviewer for you.

[Amanda Hopwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok just wow ! I did not expect that ending !! If you have not read this do yourself a favor and do so!! Murder solving and paranormal plus spice all rolled into one !

[Kearstin Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story line

I love thrillers and this had some spice, murder, and mystery with a hint of “fantasy”

The plot was very interesting and kept you intrigued.
Declan and Sage knew from the minute they met they were meant for each other.

Hopefully there’s a book two to show how life ended up for Declan and sage

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This paranormal romance follows Declan as he moves to the small town of Lindow and ends up becoming the no.1 murder suspect for the recent crimes. It's Sage's job as a detective on the case to confirm if these allegations are true.
For a paranormal romance, it was a little slow paced, but for a general romance, it was great! I feel I needed this book to help ease me back into fantasy/paranormal books as I have been reading a lot of romance novels lately.
I enjoyed the character building and plot development throughout and felt that everything happened at the right time and flowed naturally. I was a little disappointed as the plot really took off and included more paranormal aspects in the last 30% of the book, but I really enjoyed the author's writing. It's obvious that there is going to be a second book, and I'm hoping this one is more paranormal/fantasy focused, whilst still having the romance aspects that I loved in the first.
I became invested in Declan and Sage's relationship from their meet cute, and I loved getting to know them better as individuals and as a couple. The side characters were a great addition to the storyline, and I personally felt that the author did a great job highlighting how a small town can be equally supportive and toxic as the residents are quick to blame and distance themselves from Declan as soon as he moves to Lindow due to the fear and gossip spreading through town after the recent murders.
I felt that this was a great book to help me transition to crime novels as it was definitely a sub-genre and crucial to the plot. I also feel that this would be a great book to read if you are primarily a romance reader and want to dabble in paranormal/fantasy books.
If I were to rate this based on the genre itself, It would be 3 stars as there wasn't a lot of paranormal antics going on, but I really loved the authors writing style and I enjoyed so many other aspects which is why I've rated it 4 stars.

I want to say a huge thank you to C.G. Willows for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review 😊

[Maritza Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying in Keeper, The world building was fantastic including all the details. I was given a clear view of the town in my head whilst I was reading it, I think my favourite setting had to be the bookstore. As I read on I grew to love each and everyone one of the characters by the way they interact with each other. From the witty banter down to the awkward but relatable moments. I found that once I had started The Keeper, I could tell how much love C.G. Willows put into writing this book. I am so happy to have been apart of the wonderful arc team.

[Ciara Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good. A very quick read for me. Ryn was my absolute favorite I loved all the banter between her and all the characters. Declan character arc I feel was a little slow to build along with Sages’ but I still loved this story overall and hope to get to see more of their story. Definitely loved the forbidden romance aspect with the detective and suspect. The spicy scenes were written very well and classy. I loved all the world building and giving us an idea of where everything was going. My only wish is that we would have gotten deeper into the actual juicy stuff before the end of the book but that just makes me more excited for book two and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

[Cayce Nevers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. I'd call it a contemporary fantasy. It's definitely an amazing book and the banter between the characters was funny and exactly how I'd picture friends that close to be. It's got some forced proximity, one bed, forbidden love, and several other tropes. Its got cute, funny, spicy, and a few WTF moments. I couldn't out it down and can't wait for the next book!

🌶🌶🌶
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Hazel_Lee_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed Declan and Sage's story! The writing was excellent, and the characters, along with the town, were so well-developed that it felt like a place I'd love to visit. I can't wait to dive into the next book! The twists and turns kept me hooked and turning the pages nonstop.

[Laura Jean Potter-Bucek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!! I felt that it was well written n put together!! I enjoyed the characters as well as the plot!! I liked how magic was interw8ned on the story!! There is nothing that I seen I can say need improving I rather enjoyed all the aspects of the book!!

I'm wondering it Sage n Declan get married or ?? I wonder if there is another book to the series!!

[Tracy Booktalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this author talking about her book and ran to order it. The banter you see in her posts you will see in this book. The cover is gorgeous. There’s magic and suspense, two of my favorites. So it’s available on KU, give it a read and you will see why I am on the edge of my seat waiting for her next book. I cannot encourage you enough to pick up this book and read!

[Stacie Lubben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a slow start to this book. More personal then to do with the book. Once I got that out of the way. Wow! It slowly wraps you in its fingers and teases you. Totally makes you guess nonstop. Happy one minute so frustrated the next! I’m excited for book two. I need more!

[Deirdre Megan Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating 4.5. So much better than I even thought. Slow at the beginning but it picks up and I truly fell in love with Declan.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It kept me reading. The ending might have been a tad rushed, but I still loved it.

[Abigail Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts off slow but just hold on it does become more fast paced. Overall it’s a great book and would definitely recommend to a friend. Can’t wait for book 2!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Declan and Sage's story!!! It was so well written and the characters and town so developed! Felt like a book store I definitely would have wanted to be at! I CAN'T wait to read then next book! The twist and turns definitely kept me reading and turning the page!

[Breanna Eichhorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing read!! I found this book very hard to put down. Twists and turns!! GI can��t wait to read more books by this author!!!

[Erin Sharkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Love the story! I was sitting at the edge of my seat at one point in the storyline and fanning myself bc it got “hot In here” I loved this book so much I ca t wait til book two! It exceeded my expectations!