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Illusion of Safety
Illusion of Safety is a fast-paced, slow-burn romantic suspense novel where an FBI agent races to stop a serial killer from recapturing the woman he’s vowed to keep safe.
***
“I’m deathly afraid he’s taken pieces of me I’ll never get back.”
Clara Santos was never meant to survive. She was supposed to be The Chameleon’s eighth victim. Trapped in captivity where time stood still, she endured the unthinkable—only to wake in an even darker nightmare: buried alive in a coffin six feet underground. She clawed her way back to life, but her tormentor isn’t finished. Now that he knows she’s alive, he refuses to let her go—and survival is only the beginning.
FBI Special Agent Maverick Rhodes has been chasing a ghost—one who has left seven bodies in its wake. When he pulls Clara from the brink of death, the case becomes personal. The Chameleon isn’t done with her, and he’ll do whatever it takes to finish what he started. As Maverick hunts a predator whose true face has never been seen, the lines between the protector and the protected begin to blur.
With time running out and a killer closing in, Clara must confront her trauma while Maverick fights to stop the man who won’t let her escape twice.
*Illusion of Safety contains dark and mature themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised. For all content warnings, check the author's website.*
***
“I’m deathly afraid he’s taken pieces of me I’ll never get back.”
Clara Santos was never meant to survive. She was supposed to be The Chameleon’s eighth victim. Trapped in captivity where time stood still, she endured the unthinkable—only to wake in an even darker nightmare: buried alive in a coffin six feet underground. She clawed her way back to life, but her tormentor isn’t finished. Now that he knows she’s alive, he refuses to let her go—and survival is only the beginning.
FBI Special Agent Maverick Rhodes has been chasing a ghost—one who has left seven bodies in its wake. When he pulls Clara from the brink of death, the case becomes personal. The Chameleon isn’t done with her, and he’ll do whatever it takes to finish what he started. As Maverick hunts a predator whose true face has never been seen, the lines between the protector and the protected begin to blur.
With time running out and a killer closing in, Clara must confront her trauma while Maverick fights to stop the man who won’t let her escape twice.
*Illusion of Safety contains dark and mature themes that may not be suitable for all audiences. Reader discretion is advised. For all content warnings, check the author's website.*
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2025
13 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
K. Ingraham
1 book14 followersK. Ingraham lives in the Midwest with her husband and three kids. She writes tension-filled, slow burn romantic suspense stories meant to keep you on the edge of your seat. She’s a voracious reader, so when she’s not writing, she’s reading—most likely with a cup of black coffee and her heated blanket!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
October 8, 2025
Güvenlik Yanılsaması aka Atanamamış Sole Survivor 🤨
Bir seri katil ağını kurmuş belirli aralıklarla kadınları tabuta koyup canlı gömmek suretiyle öldürmekte, FBI ajanımız Maverick (42) ise katilin peşindedir. En son kaçırdığı kadın olan Clara (32) ‘ nin izini sürer. Clara bulunur ama katil işini tamamlamak istiyor. Maverick kendini kadını korumaya adar ve olaylar gelişir. 💗
Ortalama bir romantic suspence. Ne uzadım ne kısaldım ama Maverick FBI’ da mısın yoksa zabıta mısın anlayamadığım zamanlar oldu. Yazarın ilk kitabı olduğu için anlayışla karşılıyor, 3 yıldızla uğurluyoruz. Serinin devamını da hiç merak etmedim.
Bir seri katil ağını kurmuş belirli aralıklarla kadınları tabuta koyup canlı gömmek suretiyle öldürmekte, FBI ajanımız Maverick (42) ise katilin peşindedir. En son kaçırdığı kadın olan Clara (32) ‘ nin izini sürer. Clara bulunur ama katil işini tamamlamak istiyor. Maverick kendini kadını korumaya adar ve olaylar gelişir. 💗
Ortalama bir romantic suspence. Ne uzadım ne kısaldım ama Maverick FBI’ da mısın yoksa zabıta mısın anlayamadığım zamanlar oldu. Yazarın ilk kitabı olduğu için anlayışla karşılıyor, 3 yıldızla uğurluyoruz. Serinin devamını da hiç merak etmedim.
August 2, 2025
5 ⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
*Protective MMC
*Forced proximity
*FBI agent x survivor
*Suspense
*Serial unaliver investigation
*Found family
*Slow burn
*He calls her sunshine 🥰
Everything about this book was perfection
The characters
The romance
The plot
The spice
The tension
The suspense
Uhhhh! You have to read it, it was that good!
But here you are, so deep in my skin you could never get out. I don’t know that I could let you go even if you wanted me to. And I’d wait forever for you, if that’s what you need.
You’re my sunshine. You’ve shown me what it is to live in the light, and I never want to go back.”
*Protective MMC
*Forced proximity
*FBI agent x survivor
*Suspense
*Serial unaliver investigation
*Found family
*Slow burn
*He calls her sunshine 🥰
Everything about this book was perfection
The characters
The romance
The plot
The spice
The tension
The suspense
Uhhhh! You have to read it, it was that good!
But here you are, so deep in my skin you could never get out. I don’t know that I could let you go even if you wanted me to. And I’d wait forever for you, if that’s what you need.
You’re my sunshine. You’ve shown me what it is to live in the light, and I never want to go back.”
September 21, 2025
God. This book. I cried. Clara's story is hard to read but, the ending is so worth it.
The almost instant love between Clara and Maverick is addictive. I love them both individually and together. Every time Maverick calls Clara 'Sunshine' I was swooning. It truly is the perfect name.
The theme of chosen family makes me ache for what they have. Not just with each other but with the entire group.
I love that this story delt with trauma in a mental health way. It was great to read.
In addition, this book was so well written. I did not feel rushed, like the storyline was trying to move too quickly. I thought we were give the right amount of details along the way. I was never bored or overwhelmed with the information given. Overall, this book took me for a ride, in the best ways.
The almost instant love between Clara and Maverick is addictive. I love them both individually and together. Every time Maverick calls Clara 'Sunshine' I was swooning. It truly is the perfect name.
The theme of chosen family makes me ache for what they have. Not just with each other but with the entire group.
I love that this story delt with trauma in a mental health way. It was great to read.
In addition, this book was so well written. I did not feel rushed, like the storyline was trying to move too quickly. I thought we were give the right amount of details along the way. I was never bored or overwhelmed with the information given. Overall, this book took me for a ride, in the best ways.
September 8, 2025
I received this book free from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
First of all, thank you so so much to K. Ingraham for an arc copy. This caught my attention immediately from the first time I saw it and when I applied for the arc, I didn't think I would actually get chosen. So thank you for this opportunity.
I went into this book with high expectations. Everything about it seemed perfect - the cover, description, title - and the concept was something I have been looking for for a while... and now that I've read Illusion of Safety, I'm only craving more. This book lived up to and exceeded my expectations. K. Ingraham completely blew me out of the water.
Illusion of Safety is a romantic suspense between Clara - the sole survivor of a known serial killer, The Chameleon - and Maverick - the FBI agent to saved her. While Clara navigates through the scars her torturer left on her body and mind, Maverick and his team must sift through all the evidence and apprehend The Chameleon, and time is running out. Because Clara living was a mistake, and this serial killer is coming after her. IOS is a unique, plot driven love story between a dog dad who worships her, and a lonely woman with big dreams.
Lets start with my favorite part: the plot. There was a very defined, built up, and well paced plot that drove Illusion of Safety, and I loved it. There was an attention grabbing and detailed exposition that wasn't just info dumping. The rising action - such a pivotal moment in suspense novels - was perfectly spaced, with well placed info points to continue to spur the story along and keep it from becoming stagnant. The climax had me on the edge of my seat. And while some may argue that the ending and resolution was a little too fast-paced, I appreciated it for their story. They had clearly been through a lot, both on and off page. Experiences such as this affect everyone differently, but in their case, it's those experiences that brought them closer together.
The characters. From the first few chapters we had a very clear image of who Clara and Maverick were. Before they ever even met, their characters had a strong foundation to not only build on for us as readers, but also to each other as a couple. In Clara's case in particular, while we never saw much on what she was like before her experiences, her personality before and after was made clear by how she handled and processed her trauma.
And finally, the writing, because a good story with bad writing just makes me want to cry. But that was definitely not this book. IOS flowed SO well. Nothing felt overly long and exaggerated. Nothing felt left out. Conversations felt natural. Her writing elevated the story even more and created a book I could completely immerse myself in.
All in all, I absolutely loved Illusion of Safety. I devoured it in 24 hours, barely coming up for air and food. I completely lost myself in it. I'm so appreciative for this arc copy, but I will be purchasing a physical copy once its out - both to support the author and because I need to fully tab and annotate this asap, and I can’t wait for the second book to come out already. This was a five star read for me for sure.
First of all, thank you so so much to K. Ingraham for an arc copy. This caught my attention immediately from the first time I saw it and when I applied for the arc, I didn't think I would actually get chosen. So thank you for this opportunity.
I went into this book with high expectations. Everything about it seemed perfect - the cover, description, title - and the concept was something I have been looking for for a while... and now that I've read Illusion of Safety, I'm only craving more. This book lived up to and exceeded my expectations. K. Ingraham completely blew me out of the water.
Illusion of Safety is a romantic suspense between Clara - the sole survivor of a known serial killer, The Chameleon - and Maverick - the FBI agent to saved her. While Clara navigates through the scars her torturer left on her body and mind, Maverick and his team must sift through all the evidence and apprehend The Chameleon, and time is running out. Because Clara living was a mistake, and this serial killer is coming after her. IOS is a unique, plot driven love story between a dog dad who worships her, and a lonely woman with big dreams.
Lets start with my favorite part: the plot. There was a very defined, built up, and well paced plot that drove Illusion of Safety, and I loved it. There was an attention grabbing and detailed exposition that wasn't just info dumping. The rising action - such a pivotal moment in suspense novels - was perfectly spaced, with well placed info points to continue to spur the story along and keep it from becoming stagnant. The climax had me on the edge of my seat. And while some may argue that the ending and resolution was a little too fast-paced, I appreciated it for their story. They had clearly been through a lot, both on and off page. Experiences such as this affect everyone differently, but in their case, it's those experiences that brought them closer together.
The characters. From the first few chapters we had a very clear image of who Clara and Maverick were. Before they ever even met, their characters had a strong foundation to not only build on for us as readers, but also to each other as a couple. In Clara's case in particular, while we never saw much on what she was like before her experiences, her personality before and after was made clear by how she handled and processed her trauma.
And finally, the writing, because a good story with bad writing just makes me want to cry. But that was definitely not this book. IOS flowed SO well. Nothing felt overly long and exaggerated. Nothing felt left out. Conversations felt natural. Her writing elevated the story even more and created a book I could completely immerse myself in.
All in all, I absolutely loved Illusion of Safety. I devoured it in 24 hours, barely coming up for air and food. I completely lost myself in it. I'm so appreciative for this arc copy, but I will be purchasing a physical copy once its out - both to support the author and because I need to fully tab and annotate this asap, and I can’t wait for the second book to come out already. This was a five star read for me for sure.
September 18, 2025
I am so glad I stumbled upon this book because I absolutely devoured it. Obsessed.
I read it in under 6 hours—I was flying through it. And that's just a testament to K. Ingraham's writing, she writes beautifully. The prose, the dialogue, the flow, the description, it was perfection. I very much appreciated the way she weaves information through the story without ever info dumping and there is never a moment of confusion, feeling like you missed something. It's a well-crafted, complete story that will keep you wanting more.
The romance is very sweet, I think the slow burn progresses very realistically. Navigating the love building between these two while also experiencing this huge trauma is done quite well, or at least as much as can be done in a fictional romance book. But you can tell a lot of care and research went into that. I just like how much both of them were there for each other.
I actually work in true crime, and have researched over 5o cases by now and I have to say, the thriller/suspense element of the story was perfect. The pacing was done very well, and just the way they went about everything and the killer, felt real to what I read at work. I won't say much since I don't want to spoil even the littlest thing, but just know Ingraham killed it.
If I have to be completely honest, I think my favourite thing in this book is actually is the found family, I love the Maverick's team. They work so seamlessly together, and just the camaraderie they have with each other, I loved it. As well as Tamara and Clara's friendship, it was so sweet. These secondary characters gripped you just as much as our main characters.
I liked the way she made her character act very human like even in moments where I found myself going, uh why did you do that, that feeling would be acknowledged either through internal monologue or another character asking the questions. It never felt like things were being done for convenience or just overlooked for it.
I would highly recommend this to all my fellow romantic suspense lovers!
Thank you so much K. Ingraham for the ARC
I read it in under 6 hours—I was flying through it. And that's just a testament to K. Ingraham's writing, she writes beautifully. The prose, the dialogue, the flow, the description, it was perfection. I very much appreciated the way she weaves information through the story without ever info dumping and there is never a moment of confusion, feeling like you missed something. It's a well-crafted, complete story that will keep you wanting more.
The romance is very sweet, I think the slow burn progresses very realistically. Navigating the love building between these two while also experiencing this huge trauma is done quite well, or at least as much as can be done in a fictional romance book. But you can tell a lot of care and research went into that. I just like how much both of them were there for each other.
I actually work in true crime, and have researched over 5o cases by now and I have to say, the thriller/suspense element of the story was perfect. The pacing was done very well, and just the way they went about everything and the killer, felt real to what I read at work. I won't say much since I don't want to spoil even the littlest thing, but just know Ingraham killed it.
If I have to be completely honest, I think my favourite thing in this book is actually is the found family, I love the Maverick's team. They work so seamlessly together, and just the camaraderie they have with each other, I loved it. As well as Tamara and Clara's friendship, it was so sweet. These secondary characters gripped you just as much as our main characters.
I liked the way she made her character act very human like even in moments where I found myself going, uh why did you do that, that feeling would be acknowledged either through internal monologue or another character asking the questions. It never felt like things were being done for convenience or just overlooked for it.
I would highly recommend this to all my fellow romantic suspense lovers!
Thank you so much K. Ingraham for the ARC
September 22, 2025
WOWOWWOWOOWOWOW how was this the author’s first novel?! It was SO HARD TO PUT DOWN!!! If you’re a fan of crime procedurals like SVU & criminal minds >>> this is a suspenseful novel about finding & stopping a serial killer with a similar vibe and has a chefs kiss slow-burn romance thrown in
I ADORED the way Clara our FMC was written- her strength and determination in overcoming the insanely traumatic event she endured was perfection- and don’t get me started on FBI agent Maverick 🥵 like PLEASE what a perfect book boyfriend. Kind, protective, and he calls her sunshine?! *swoon* additional side characters were memorable and fun to read too!
My skin GENUINELY crawled during “his” chapters (read to find out more) and i GASPED at the reveal. I was on the edge of my seat and am so looking forward to more from this author 🤩 as always PLEASE check trigger warnings before embarking on this journey.
Thank you K. ingram for my free eARC, in love with this story and so grateful to be part of your journey. Available 9/30 on KU 🫶🏼
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Violence: 🔪🔪 🔪
Read if you love:
• protective MMC
• romantic suspense
• forced proximity
• slow burn
• found family
• PTSD healing
• hurt/comfort
• he gives her a nickname
• he remembers how she likes her coffee 🥹
• she only feels safe with him
I ADORED the way Clara our FMC was written- her strength and determination in overcoming the insanely traumatic event she endured was perfection- and don’t get me started on FBI agent Maverick 🥵 like PLEASE what a perfect book boyfriend. Kind, protective, and he calls her sunshine?! *swoon* additional side characters were memorable and fun to read too!
My skin GENUINELY crawled during “his” chapters (read to find out more) and i GASPED at the reveal. I was on the edge of my seat and am so looking forward to more from this author 🤩 as always PLEASE check trigger warnings before embarking on this journey.
Thank you K. ingram for my free eARC, in love with this story and so grateful to be part of your journey. Available 9/30 on KU 🫶🏼
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️
Violence: 🔪🔪 🔪
Read if you love:
• protective MMC
• romantic suspense
• forced proximity
• slow burn
• found family
• PTSD healing
• hurt/comfort
• he gives her a nickname
• he remembers how she likes her coffee 🥹
• she only feels safe with him
September 21, 2025
It's been far too long since I've read a romantic suspense, so reading Illusion of Safety felt like a return home. I absolutely love it when a romance can balance its love story perfectly with a nail-biting plot. Illusion of Safety accomplishes just that!
This is the story of Clara and Maverick. Clara is a survivor of a hunted serial killer, and Maverick is the FBI Agent on the hunt. But what a task to bring down a killer becomes a call to protect Clara...at all costs.
Let's talk romance! It's paced perfectly. It’s poignantly founded. It’s lovingly crafted.
Clara has been through so much, she has been hurt in a truly vicious way, but she comes out of it a survivor. You would think a romance is the last thing Clara wants, but the narrative so tenderly and respectively lays out all the reasons why the pull towards Maverick is one Clara is encouraged to follow. I so deeply appreciated how K. Ingraham truly takes care of Clara's healing throughout this work. She doesn't have a miraculous and instant recovery that allows her to immediately dive into a romance. No, Clara has trauma. What she went through was devastating, she has to relearn her body, reclaim her agency, and rediscover her voice. And she fights to achieve just that.. Clara doesn't just survive, she fights, she thrives, she lives. Falling for Maverick isn't a crutch or tool for healing, rather it's proof of Clara surviving, fighting, thriving, and living again.
Then we have Maverick. He has been on the hunt for a killer for a long while, it has been his goal and then Clara happens. Suddenly Maverick has a new primary goal: protect his Sunshine. Finding the killer remains the objective, but Maverick isn't ready to let Clara go under someone else's protection. He steps up to be her guard, and soon enough finds himself captivated by the light she exudes. She breathes life into his solitary life. His goal isn't just to bring down a winner, it's to be worthy of Clara's heart. He is a wonderful co-lead and love interest who serves well as Clara’s equal, her support, and her belief she can live again.
Besides a gorgeous romance we have a suspenseful plot! It's also a very emotional-heavy narrative, but one handled with so much care. Either I was crying or I was biting my nails in anticipation! I don't want to give too much away but there's also a certain interlude I did not expect but it really elevates the high stakes at hand. It will drive chills down the spine, in fact!
The romance pairs perfectly with the suspense, delivering a narrative you will not soon be forgetting. Delivering a story you will be thinking about well past that final turn of the page.
Thank you so kindly to K. Ingraham for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
This is the story of Clara and Maverick. Clara is a survivor of a hunted serial killer, and Maverick is the FBI Agent on the hunt. But what a task to bring down a killer becomes a call to protect Clara...at all costs.
Let's talk romance! It's paced perfectly. It’s poignantly founded. It’s lovingly crafted.
Clara has been through so much, she has been hurt in a truly vicious way, but she comes out of it a survivor. You would think a romance is the last thing Clara wants, but the narrative so tenderly and respectively lays out all the reasons why the pull towards Maverick is one Clara is encouraged to follow. I so deeply appreciated how K. Ingraham truly takes care of Clara's healing throughout this work. She doesn't have a miraculous and instant recovery that allows her to immediately dive into a romance. No, Clara has trauma. What she went through was devastating, she has to relearn her body, reclaim her agency, and rediscover her voice. And she fights to achieve just that.. Clara doesn't just survive, she fights, she thrives, she lives. Falling for Maverick isn't a crutch or tool for healing, rather it's proof of Clara surviving, fighting, thriving, and living again.
Then we have Maverick. He has been on the hunt for a killer for a long while, it has been his goal and then Clara happens. Suddenly Maverick has a new primary goal: protect his Sunshine. Finding the killer remains the objective, but Maverick isn't ready to let Clara go under someone else's protection. He steps up to be her guard, and soon enough finds himself captivated by the light she exudes. She breathes life into his solitary life. His goal isn't just to bring down a winner, it's to be worthy of Clara's heart. He is a wonderful co-lead and love interest who serves well as Clara’s equal, her support, and her belief she can live again.
Besides a gorgeous romance we have a suspenseful plot! It's also a very emotional-heavy narrative, but one handled with so much care. Either I was crying or I was biting my nails in anticipation! I don't want to give too much away but there's also a certain interlude I did not expect but it really elevates the high stakes at hand. It will drive chills down the spine, in fact!
The romance pairs perfectly with the suspense, delivering a narrative you will not soon be forgetting. Delivering a story you will be thinking about well past that final turn of the page.
Thank you so kindly to K. Ingraham for this complimentary eARC, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
September 19, 2025
Thank you so much K. Ingraham for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I always get excited when I see an opportunity to read a romantic suspense novel. I was so excited to get a chance to read this book. This book exceeded my expectations. This book genuinely blew me away. It was so incredibly well written. The plot was impeccable and fast paced in the best way. The book keeps you pulled in the entire time. I stayed up until *checks watch* 1:30 AM reading this because I absolutely could not put it down. I completely lost myself in the story. Clara and Maverick were so real and raw. I loved reading their journey and how they help each other heal in different ways. I genuinely cannot wait to read more by this author and read the next in the series. Easy 5 ⭐️’s.
I always get excited when I see an opportunity to read a romantic suspense novel. I was so excited to get a chance to read this book. This book exceeded my expectations. This book genuinely blew me away. It was so incredibly well written. The plot was impeccable and fast paced in the best way. The book keeps you pulled in the entire time. I stayed up until *checks watch* 1:30 AM reading this because I absolutely could not put it down. I completely lost myself in the story. Clara and Maverick were so real and raw. I loved reading their journey and how they help each other heal in different ways. I genuinely cannot wait to read more by this author and read the next in the series. Easy 5 ⭐️’s.
September 18, 2025
I’ll start by saying the prologue made me feel so claustrophobic and panicked. Chapter 1 opens up with real Criminal Minds vibes. I would say triggers definitely present themselves immediately so check the TWs. MMC-Maverick is a determined, emotionally damaged agent investigating the works of a serial killer. FMC-Clara is a traumatized victim of said criminal. When the FBI finally locks in a profile of the un-sub it leaves everyone looking over their shoulder. Time is up when the monster comes out to play. 👀
August 9, 2025
*I received this as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review*
Illusion of Safety: 4.5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This book had me hooked from the start and I felt like I was watching a crime show drama! With multiple POVs and quick chapters you can binge this in a day. Instantly, Maverick grabs your heart and has you yearning for someone to protect you like he does Clara. K. Ingraham created a gem with this one that will have you scared, swooning, and on your toes with suspense. Definitely add this one to your TBR and snag on 9/30!
Illusion of Safety: 4.5 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This book had me hooked from the start and I felt like I was watching a crime show drama! With multiple POVs and quick chapters you can binge this in a day. Instantly, Maverick grabs your heart and has you yearning for someone to protect you like he does Clara. K. Ingraham created a gem with this one that will have you scared, swooning, and on your toes with suspense. Definitely add this one to your TBR and snag on 9/30!
September 10, 2025
OBSESSED!
If one word could sum it up ⬆️ it’s that! This was insane (in the best way) and so fast paced I cried when I finished it. I need more!
Maverick is obsessed with solving the crime and finding the serial killer when unfortunately Clara is taken, but he finds her alive.
The way Clara and Maverick bond after everything is very emotional but they manage to save each other and fall in love!
How do I review this book without spoiling it?!!! It’s such a page turner and I’m 100% obsessed and when we get to the end an the “illusion of safety” it just full circle especially since it happens standing in the middle of her dream with Maverick and their chosen family around them.
I’m so lucky and happy to have been able to ARC read this!!
If one word could sum it up ⬆️ it’s that! This was insane (in the best way) and so fast paced I cried when I finished it. I need more!
Maverick is obsessed with solving the crime and finding the serial killer when unfortunately Clara is taken, but he finds her alive.
The way Clara and Maverick bond after everything is very emotional but they manage to save each other and fall in love!
How do I review this book without spoiling it?!!! It’s such a page turner and I’m 100% obsessed and when we get to the end an the “illusion of safety” it just full circle especially since it happens standing in the middle of her dream with Maverick and their chosen family around them.
I’m so lucky and happy to have been able to ARC read this!!
August 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had the honor of being a beta reader for K. Ingraham—and whew, she was graced with a plethora of comments because I had a thought for literally EVERYTHING 😂
This book blew me away. From page one, I was hooked. The writing is so vivid I felt Clara’s anxiety and fear, and Mav’s worry and defeat.
And Mav… Daddy Mav 🥵 enough said.
I audibly gasped. I kicked my feet like a giddy teenager. I wanted to throw my Kindle more than once. Sometimes I scolded the characters, other times I scolded K herself (sorry, not sorry 😅). Every single emotion made its way into the comments.
The story line pulled me under, the tension kept me there, and the ending delivered the most satisfying HEA.
I had the honor of being a beta reader for K. Ingraham—and whew, she was graced with a plethora of comments because I had a thought for literally EVERYTHING 😂
This book blew me away. From page one, I was hooked. The writing is so vivid I felt Clara’s anxiety and fear, and Mav’s worry and defeat.
And Mav… Daddy Mav 🥵 enough said.
I audibly gasped. I kicked my feet like a giddy teenager. I wanted to throw my Kindle more than once. Sometimes I scolded the characters, other times I scolded K herself (sorry, not sorry 😅). Every single emotion made its way into the comments.
The story line pulled me under, the tension kept me there, and the ending delivered the most satisfying HEA.
August 4, 2025
OMG, how incredible is K. Ingraham’s debut novel? It was an absolute masterpiece that I couldn’t put down, finishing it in just a few hours. This book deserves every single star, and it’s been a while since I’ve given a book a 5-star review. It had everything I could ever want in a suspenseful novel: a meticulously crafted and detailed plot, realistic and genuine characters, and a twist that left me stunned.
The story begins with Maverick, an FBI agent on the hunt for a serial killer. The unsub has been abducting, assaulting, and burying women alive across Minnesota, and the FBI has been too late to each one of them. Surprisingly, Maverick and his team manage to rescue a woman named Clara, who has just been taken. They work tirelessly around the clock to find her, and with the help of Maverick’s loyal K9, Juno, they finally succeed.
As the story progresses, we follow Clara’s journey of healing and recovery. She continues to be terrorized by the unsub, while the FBI intensifies its search for the killer as more women are taken. Amidst this chaos, a potential romantic connection blossoms between Clara and Maverick.
I won’t give away too many spoilers, but this book is undoubtedly one of my favorites of the year. Clara’s journey is both heartbreaking and emotionally rewarding, as you witness her strength and resilience grow with the support of her friends. The author’s attention to detail is evident in the realistic portrayal of Clara’s nightmares and anxiety, while also maintaining a respectful tone. It’s clear that a lot of work and research went into crafting this book.
Maverick is a solid and strong character who provides unwavering support to Clara and his team. He would do anything to protect her, and his team is an awesome group of unique characters who each deserve their own book.
The plot was impeccable, and I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns. When the unsub was revealed, I was both shocked and impressed by the genius of the reveal, especially in terms of their connection. Also, the ability to experience the unsub’s POV was an awesome feature. Only a select few authors do this, and I love it when it’s written so well that you gain insight into the mind of the killer without knowing who it is. After the reveal, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time because I was nervous about a second twist and couldn’t trust anyone. This book ended perfectly and wrapped up so well that I can’t wait to read more from this author. I want to express my gratitude to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review!
The story begins with Maverick, an FBI agent on the hunt for a serial killer. The unsub has been abducting, assaulting, and burying women alive across Minnesota, and the FBI has been too late to each one of them. Surprisingly, Maverick and his team manage to rescue a woman named Clara, who has just been taken. They work tirelessly around the clock to find her, and with the help of Maverick’s loyal K9, Juno, they finally succeed.
As the story progresses, we follow Clara’s journey of healing and recovery. She continues to be terrorized by the unsub, while the FBI intensifies its search for the killer as more women are taken. Amidst this chaos, a potential romantic connection blossoms between Clara and Maverick.
I won’t give away too many spoilers, but this book is undoubtedly one of my favorites of the year. Clara’s journey is both heartbreaking and emotionally rewarding, as you witness her strength and resilience grow with the support of her friends. The author’s attention to detail is evident in the realistic portrayal of Clara’s nightmares and anxiety, while also maintaining a respectful tone. It’s clear that a lot of work and research went into crafting this book.
Maverick is a solid and strong character who provides unwavering support to Clara and his team. He would do anything to protect her, and his team is an awesome group of unique characters who each deserve their own book.
The plot was impeccable, and I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns. When the unsub was revealed, I was both shocked and impressed by the genius of the reveal, especially in terms of their connection. Also, the ability to experience the unsub’s POV was an awesome feature. Only a select few authors do this, and I love it when it’s written so well that you gain insight into the mind of the killer without knowing who it is. After the reveal, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time because I was nervous about a second twist and couldn’t trust anyone. This book ended perfectly and wrapped up so well that I can’t wait to read more from this author. I want to express my gratitude to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review!
August 11, 2025
Protective MMC
FBI agent x survivor
Forced proximity
Serial killer investigation
Suspense
Found family vibes
Slow burn
He calls her sunshine
This book completely blew me away. From the opening scene, the tension was thick and the stakes were high. The unsub is active, dangerous, and always one step ahead, which made me fly through the pages desperate to know what happened next.
The FMC’s journey was powerful to watch. She’s a survivor, living with the trauma of what she’s been through, and the author handled her healing with so much care and respect. The MMC is an FBI agent with that perfect mix of strength, protectiveness, and patience, and the way he shows up for her made my heart ache in the best way. Their slow-burn connection builds naturally through the danger and investigation, making every emotional beat and every moment of closeness feel earned.
The suspense plot was fantastic. The investigation felt authentic, the twists kept me guessing, and the reveal was both shocking and satisfying. I also loved the K9 involvement and the way the side characters brought extra depth without distracting from the main story.
If you like your romantic suspense to keep you hooked from page one, give you a protective MMC to swoon over, and keep you guessing until the end, this one is a must-read.
FBI agent x survivor
Forced proximity
Serial killer investigation
Suspense
Found family vibes
Slow burn
He calls her sunshine
This book completely blew me away. From the opening scene, the tension was thick and the stakes were high. The unsub is active, dangerous, and always one step ahead, which made me fly through the pages desperate to know what happened next.
The FMC’s journey was powerful to watch. She’s a survivor, living with the trauma of what she’s been through, and the author handled her healing with so much care and respect. The MMC is an FBI agent with that perfect mix of strength, protectiveness, and patience, and the way he shows up for her made my heart ache in the best way. Their slow-burn connection builds naturally through the danger and investigation, making every emotional beat and every moment of closeness feel earned.
The suspense plot was fantastic. The investigation felt authentic, the twists kept me guessing, and the reveal was both shocking and satisfying. I also loved the K9 involvement and the way the side characters brought extra depth without distracting from the main story.
If you like your romantic suspense to keep you hooked from page one, give you a protective MMC to swoon over, and keep you guessing until the end, this one is a must-read.
August 20, 2025
This ARC was absolutely twisty and suspenseful and had me guessing at every turn! I thought I knew who the bad guy was but NOPE. I loved the multiple viewpoints from the victim, the serial unaliver, and the FBI agent. The spice was perfect in comparison to the action and complete terror K. Ingraham put me through! Go read this on September 30th!! Preorder it, download it, get in on your TBR!
August 17, 2025
This boooookkkk!!! Omggg the twists and turns. It will keep you on the edge of your seat!! The trauma, the healing, the twists and turns. The love. The best way I can describe it is getting whiplash but in a good way a protective MMC that will do anything to protect her 😮💨 I cried, I laughed, I wanted to throw my kindle across the room! This one comes out 9/30/25 and i already cannot wait for the next book!!
August 17, 2025
I received this book as an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Everyone needs to read this book! The suspense, the romance, the found family. Oh my goodness it has everything. If you want to read a book and feel every emotion, then I highly recommend!
I can’t believe that this is the authors debut novel that’s how impressed I am. The characters feel so whole and you really connect with them and their struggles! I could literally go on forever with good things about this book!
Everyone needs to read this book! The suspense, the romance, the found family. Oh my goodness it has everything. If you want to read a book and feel every emotion, then I highly recommend!
I can’t believe that this is the authors debut novel that’s how impressed I am. The characters feel so whole and you really connect with them and their struggles! I could literally go on forever with good things about this book!
August 4, 2025
*ARC Review*
I’m sorry…..HOW was this K’s debut novel?! Because holy moly, this blew me out of the water!
As someone who is ✨obsessed✨ with Criminal Minds, this was the perfect book for me.
Right away, we’re introduced to Maverick who works with the FBI. He and his team are in the middle of a case trying to track down the unsub who has been kidnapping and unaliving women who fit his ideal image. When we meet the crew, they’re in the middle of trying to find Clara before it’s too late. Thankfully, Mav’s trusty pup puts his training to use and is able to get Mav to Clara just in time.
This was a great story of them trying to find who the unsub was as well as help Clara work through everything she went through. Throughout all of this, she and Maverick form an amazing bond and, in the words of Queen Taylor, ✨sparks fly✨.
I don’t want to give too much away because my mind was truly blown by the twists in this story and I don’t want to spoil it. But the main characters were utter perfection and I loved how much fun all the side characters were as well. I can’t wait to see what comes next from K! 🫶🏼
I’m sorry…..HOW was this K’s debut novel?! Because holy moly, this blew me out of the water!
As someone who is ✨obsessed✨ with Criminal Minds, this was the perfect book for me.
Right away, we’re introduced to Maverick who works with the FBI. He and his team are in the middle of a case trying to track down the unsub who has been kidnapping and unaliving women who fit his ideal image. When we meet the crew, they’re in the middle of trying to find Clara before it’s too late. Thankfully, Mav’s trusty pup puts his training to use and is able to get Mav to Clara just in time.
This was a great story of them trying to find who the unsub was as well as help Clara work through everything she went through. Throughout all of this, she and Maverick form an amazing bond and, in the words of Queen Taylor, ✨sparks fly✨.
I don’t want to give too much away because my mind was truly blown by the twists in this story and I don’t want to spoil it. But the main characters were utter perfection and I loved how much fun all the side characters were as well. I can’t wait to see what comes next from K! 🫶🏼
September 7, 2025
Illusions of Safety (ARC)
I really wanted to love this book because the writing is incredible. The author’s prose, descriptions, and character development are beautifully crafted—she clearly knows her craft. If the plot had been a little different, I think I would have connected with it much more, simply because the writing itself is so strong.
One element I did appreciate was the shifting perspectives between characters. It gives the reader a fuller view of the story rather than relying on guesswork, and reading from the perpetrator’s point of view was both unsettling and fascinating (exactly the kind of unease a psychological thriller should create).
That said, certain aspects of the story held me back from enjoying it. The major one was the dynamic between a victim and her rescuer. While some may see it as a trope, for me it leaned too close to manipulation and toxicity, especially as the people around them seemed to approve of the relationship. This made it hard for me to root for the characters or fully engage with the narrative.
Overall, while Illusions of Safety wasn’t the right fit for me personally, I think readers who enjoy dark, disturbing, and deeply psychological thrillers will find a lot to appreciate here.
I really wanted to love this book because the writing is incredible. The author’s prose, descriptions, and character development are beautifully crafted—she clearly knows her craft. If the plot had been a little different, I think I would have connected with it much more, simply because the writing itself is so strong.
One element I did appreciate was the shifting perspectives between characters. It gives the reader a fuller view of the story rather than relying on guesswork, and reading from the perpetrator’s point of view was both unsettling and fascinating (exactly the kind of unease a psychological thriller should create).
That said, certain aspects of the story held me back from enjoying it. The major one was the dynamic between a victim and her rescuer. While some may see it as a trope, for me it leaned too close to manipulation and toxicity, especially as the people around them seemed to approve of the relationship. This made it hard for me to root for the characters or fully engage with the narrative.
Overall, while Illusions of Safety wasn’t the right fit for me personally, I think readers who enjoy dark, disturbing, and deeply psychological thrillers will find a lot to appreciate here.
August 4, 2025
***ARC Review***
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes:
Hurt/comfort
Protective MMC
Found Family
Slow burn
This checked all my boxes holy cow! I loved every minute of this book from beginning to end it had me in chokehold!
The characters were absolutely incredible, and well thought out. Some parts had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next! The villain in this story did not disappoint and was a real POS and honestly wish it would have ended differently though.
The interactions between the characters were awesome and reminded me a lot of Criminal Minds, which for me wasn’t a bad thing cause I absolutely love that show!
Definitely recommend checking this book out! Beginning to end it was an amazing read! Loved every minute of it!
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes:
Hurt/comfort
Protective MMC
Found Family
Slow burn
This checked all my boxes holy cow! I loved every minute of this book from beginning to end it had me in chokehold!
The characters were absolutely incredible, and well thought out. Some parts had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next! The villain in this story did not disappoint and was a real POS and honestly wish it would have ended differently though.
The interactions between the characters were awesome and reminded me a lot of Criminal Minds, which for me wasn’t a bad thing cause I absolutely love that show!
Definitely recommend checking this book out! Beginning to end it was an amazing read! Loved every minute of it!
August 7, 2025
Ahhhhhhh so GOOD!!! I couldn’t put it down. I devoured this book in less than a day. The romance was beautiful, the suspense had me hooked…all in all a very satisfying read. The ending is ✨perfect✨. As someone with a found family closer to me than my blood family, it had my whole heart just bursting with joy.
August 4, 2025
Wow!!! JUST WOW!!! First of all, this debut novel was absolutely amazing.. I had been in a slump for some time and nothing was sticking. BUT this.. THIS!!! I don’t know the exact words but K. Ingraham, I loved this!!! I absolutely LOVED this book!! Every single page, your writing is brilliant!!! Plus I loved the Filipino references!! Thank you for reminding me exactly why I love reading thrillers.. 𝙄𝙡𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮 is filled with nail-biting, on the edge of your seat moments which will have you flipping through pages as fast as you possibly can.
October 7, 2025
Evie and Jesse will curse my name with all the evidence I’m likely ruining. But in this moment, all I can say is fuck the evidence.
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
✔️ Protector MMC
✔️ Romantic suspense
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Slow burn
✔️ Found family
✔️ PTSD healing
✔️ Hurt Comfort
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
Talk about a great debut novel. I was blown away! I hadn't quite known what to expect going in, but it wasn't this.
After a string of women have been found, Maverick is obsessed with finding "The Chameleon" as the suspect has been labeled. The first several chapters are just Maverick with his thoughts, different crime scenes, and his obsession.
Clara wasn't supposed to be found, but sheer luck leads him to her and her rescue. Juno is officially the bestest doggo ever for leading them to her burial site. Slowly Maverick helps Clara heal while she helps his team with any and all information as she's the only one who has survived, but the Chameleon is enraged and escalating quickly. He never lets her go and always knows where Maverick is hiding her.
When she's able to finally identify the suspect IRL, everyone's minds are blown causing the team to both act quickly but also cautiously. Steps cannot be skipped especially since Clara is still on the radar. The way things escalate will have you holding your breath while waiting for the outcome.
I loved being able to see into the mind of the suspect throughout various chapters. While we knew what kind of person he would be, based on the profile, I was still shocked with exactly who it was. I had actually been thinking slightly different, but that's what makes suspense so good. It makes us think.
Thank you for this ARC, K!
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
✔️ Protector MMC
✔️ Romantic suspense
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Slow burn
✔️ Found family
✔️ PTSD healing
✔️ Hurt Comfort
✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️
Talk about a great debut novel. I was blown away! I hadn't quite known what to expect going in, but it wasn't this.
After a string of women have been found, Maverick is obsessed with finding "The Chameleon" as the suspect has been labeled. The first several chapters are just Maverick with his thoughts, different crime scenes, and his obsession.
Clara wasn't supposed to be found, but sheer luck leads him to her and her rescue. Juno is officially the bestest doggo ever for leading them to her burial site. Slowly Maverick helps Clara heal while she helps his team with any and all information as she's the only one who has survived, but the Chameleon is enraged and escalating quickly. He never lets her go and always knows where Maverick is hiding her.
When she's able to finally identify the suspect IRL, everyone's minds are blown causing the team to both act quickly but also cautiously. Steps cannot be skipped especially since Clara is still on the radar. The way things escalate will have you holding your breath while waiting for the outcome.
I loved being able to see into the mind of the suspect throughout various chapters. While we knew what kind of person he would be, based on the profile, I was still shocked with exactly who it was. I had actually been thinking slightly different, but that's what makes suspense so good. It makes us think.
Thank you for this ARC, K!
November 1, 2025
Spoilers ahead 🚨
Maverick reads like the author’s personal dream boyfriend — the way he talks feels straight out of someone’s imagination rather than real life. The way she writes his lines feels like she’s projecting her ideal man onto him—which is not a bad thing, don’t get me wrong—but it’s definitely noticeable.
“Being polite to an XY chromosome is a threat nowadays.”
This book has enough scenes to justify that statement, especially from Samson’s blood-boiling perspective (the narcissist bastard).
I do think, Tamara could’ve called Clara something other than “best friend” because it sounds a tad-bit generic.
Some sentences could’ve been tightened instead of dragged out, because they did shift my mood a bit (reader’s perspective of course).
But the overall story? Good.
Tad-bit cringey in places, but maybe that’s because I’ve been single for quite a while? Still, the story covered most aspects well and stayed enjoyable.
The romance escalated fast. Like, Formula-1 fast. Although, to be fair, I do agree with Ash (Clara’s therapist).
Even James’ scenes were solid.
Now—asking someone to marry them on a first date?
BOLD.
Some might say “when you know, you know,” but wow. I saw it coming from miles away and it STILL made me go: 🤨😀🫡🫰🏻
Overall, I did enjoy the book. I just wish it had a bit more substance. Doesn’t mean it was bad—the story reminded me of the “Mindfuck Series” with the mix of investigation + romance, and it was DEFINITELY a great read.
XOXO, Mr. Winster
PS : Also, guys, I’m a bookstagrammer - feel free to check out my page @winsterbug if you want to!
Your support would mean the world to me!
Maverick reads like the author’s personal dream boyfriend — the way he talks feels straight out of someone’s imagination rather than real life. The way she writes his lines feels like she’s projecting her ideal man onto him—which is not a bad thing, don’t get me wrong—but it’s definitely noticeable.
“Being polite to an XY chromosome is a threat nowadays.”
This book has enough scenes to justify that statement, especially from Samson’s blood-boiling perspective (the narcissist bastard).
I do think, Tamara could’ve called Clara something other than “best friend” because it sounds a tad-bit generic.
Some sentences could’ve been tightened instead of dragged out, because they did shift my mood a bit (reader’s perspective of course).
But the overall story? Good.
Tad-bit cringey in places, but maybe that’s because I’ve been single for quite a while? Still, the story covered most aspects well and stayed enjoyable.
The romance escalated fast. Like, Formula-1 fast. Although, to be fair, I do agree with Ash (Clara’s therapist).
Even James’ scenes were solid.
Now—asking someone to marry them on a first date?
BOLD.
Some might say “when you know, you know,” but wow. I saw it coming from miles away and it STILL made me go: 🤨😀🫡🫰🏻
Overall, I did enjoy the book. I just wish it had a bit more substance. Doesn’t mean it was bad—the story reminded me of the “Mindfuck Series” with the mix of investigation + romance, and it was DEFINITELY a great read.
XOXO, Mr. Winster
PS : Also, guys, I’m a bookstagrammer - feel free to check out my page @winsterbug if you want to!
Your support would mean the world to me!
October 2, 2025
Wow
This book was so much more than I was expecting. I had some idea of what I was going to read. My mind is blown.
Absolutely fantastic.
This is my first book that was like a Criminal Minds Season. You not only get the POV of the MCs, but also the serial unaliver.
I honestly could not put this book down.
The prologue sets you up for the rest of the book, if you don’t read prologue/epilogues, please do read those for this book.
Maverick is an FBI agent who is trying to solve a case of a serial killer who kidnaps his victims and then buries them alive. He is trying to find the person who is committing these crimes, when his dog, Juno alerts him of something buried in the park they were running in. Not just something, but someone is buried and it was the latest victim or the serial unaliver.
Clara is the survivor that Juno found in the park that day. She is trying to get back to a sense of normal, but her unaliver has other plans.
Clara finds comfort in Maverick from the first time she lays her eyes on him. Maverick will do anything in his power to keep his Clara safe.
Review:
I was on the edge of my seat while reading this book. The tension and slow burn of it all was excellent. The tension was so good, I didn’t relax until I finished reading the acknowledgments and playlist.
Maverick’s protectiveness and only soft for Clara, melts your heart. Clara’s character is the embodiment of a survivor. They both love one another so deeply and you felt that.
Great book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was so much more than I was expecting. I had some idea of what I was going to read. My mind is blown.
Absolutely fantastic.
This is my first book that was like a Criminal Minds Season. You not only get the POV of the MCs, but also the serial unaliver.
I honestly could not put this book down.
The prologue sets you up for the rest of the book, if you don’t read prologue/epilogues, please do read those for this book.
Maverick is an FBI agent who is trying to solve a case of a serial killer who kidnaps his victims and then buries them alive. He is trying to find the person who is committing these crimes, when his dog, Juno alerts him of something buried in the park they were running in. Not just something, but someone is buried and it was the latest victim or the serial unaliver.
Clara is the survivor that Juno found in the park that day. She is trying to get back to a sense of normal, but her unaliver has other plans.
Clara finds comfort in Maverick from the first time she lays her eyes on him. Maverick will do anything in his power to keep his Clara safe.
Review:
I was on the edge of my seat while reading this book. The tension and slow burn of it all was excellent. The tension was so good, I didn’t relax until I finished reading the acknowledgments and playlist.
Maverick’s protectiveness and only soft for Clara, melts your heart. Clara’s character is the embodiment of a survivor. They both love one another so deeply and you felt that.
Great book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 3, 2025
✨ARC review✨
Clara is the only known survivor of a serial killer called The Chameleon, rescued at the last second by FBI agent Maverick and his loyal K9, Juno. As Maverick and his team work around the clock to track the killer before he strikes again, Clara is left to process her trauma, rebuild her life, and navigate an unexpected connection with the agent who saved her.
This story had so much tension and heart. The plot was tightly paced with just the right amount of twists, including some killer POV chapters that kept me guessing until the reveal. Clara’s journey through healing felt raw and real, while Maverick was the perfect mix of strong, steady, and protective (plus a total dog dad). Their chemistry was slow-burn but undeniable, and I loved how the romance balanced the darker elements of the story. And of course, Juno completely stole my heart—he’s the goodest boy! 🐾
For a debut, this was incredibly well written and easy to get lost in. I devoured it quickly and was hooked from the first chapter. If you enjoy romantic suspense with danger, resilience, and a swoony protector hero, this one should definitely be on your list.
Clara is the only known survivor of a serial killer called The Chameleon, rescued at the last second by FBI agent Maverick and his loyal K9, Juno. As Maverick and his team work around the clock to track the killer before he strikes again, Clara is left to process her trauma, rebuild her life, and navigate an unexpected connection with the agent who saved her.
This story had so much tension and heart. The plot was tightly paced with just the right amount of twists, including some killer POV chapters that kept me guessing until the reveal. Clara’s journey through healing felt raw and real, while Maverick was the perfect mix of strong, steady, and protective (plus a total dog dad). Their chemistry was slow-burn but undeniable, and I loved how the romance balanced the darker elements of the story. And of course, Juno completely stole my heart—he’s the goodest boy! 🐾
For a debut, this was incredibly well written and easy to get lost in. I devoured it quickly and was hooked from the first chapter. If you enjoy romantic suspense with danger, resilience, and a swoony protector hero, this one should definitely be on your list.
August 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️.5/5
ARC Review
This dark thriller—with a touch of underlying romance (not dark romance)—was absolutely stunning. I still can’t believe it’s a debut novel, because I was hooked from page one and couldn’t put it down. When I finally tore myself away to sleep, I lay there thinking about it… and the second I woke up, I dove right back in.
I’m fairly new to thrillers (because I’m a bit of a chicken), but this one had my pulse racing. The prologue grabbed me and never let go. Juno, our furry hero, was everything I didn’t know I needed—he literally saves the day.
Maverick, our swoon-worthy FBI agent MMC, was exactly what Clara, our brave FMC, needed. Their connection, the danger, and the emotional beats? Perfection.
✨ What to Expect
🕵️♀️ Stalking / Serial Killer Investigation
🏠 Forced Proximity
🛡️ Protective MMC
👨🍳 He Cooks for Her
🤕 Hurt / Comfort
🔥 Slow Burn
👨👩👧 Found Family
🌶️🌶️.5/5
ARC Review
This dark thriller—with a touch of underlying romance (not dark romance)—was absolutely stunning. I still can’t believe it’s a debut novel, because I was hooked from page one and couldn’t put it down. When I finally tore myself away to sleep, I lay there thinking about it… and the second I woke up, I dove right back in.
I’m fairly new to thrillers (because I’m a bit of a chicken), but this one had my pulse racing. The prologue grabbed me and never let go. Juno, our furry hero, was everything I didn’t know I needed—he literally saves the day.
Maverick, our swoon-worthy FBI agent MMC, was exactly what Clara, our brave FMC, needed. Their connection, the danger, and the emotional beats? Perfection.
✨ What to Expect
🕵️♀️ Stalking / Serial Killer Investigation
🏠 Forced Proximity
🛡️ Protective MMC
👨🍳 He Cooks for Her
🤕 Hurt / Comfort
🔥 Slow Burn
👨👩👧 Found Family
August 17, 2025
I received this book as an ARC from the author, and from the moment the MMC’s perspective was on the page, I was hooked. The story centers around Clara, a victim who narrowly escapes the clutches of a deranged, and possessive serial killer. Maverick, the lead agent on the case makes it his personal mission to find her and keep her safe. The dynamic between the two simmers briefly, before exploding into something truly beautiful - their bond forming in a way that feels organic given the circumstances. I will save a soft spot for Maverick for a while, I fear. This one is definitely one I’ll be running to grab a physical copy of so I can keep it with some of my most favorite thrillers. It’ll always have a spot on my shelf.
Also liked the little bit of spice sprinkled in as a way to help our strong female lead heal. It may not be the way everyone does it, but it was good to see her process her trauma in a way that felt natural to her.
Also liked the little bit of spice sprinkled in as a way to help our strong female lead heal. It may not be the way everyone does it, but it was good to see her process her trauma in a way that felt natural to her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
ARC provided by the author and all opinions are my own.
This is such an intense romantic suspense debut which reminds me of The Mindfck Series (that I love!). Every chapter is short but heart-pounding and makes you want to keep turning the page! This is told from three different POVs: Clara, Maverick, and ‘Him’. I liked that the author included ‘His’ POV because it brings insight into what goes on in an antagonist’s mind. I liked the found family in this too!
However, the terms of endearment are really heavy-handed IMO. Every character has their own and it is too repetitive that, honestly, got cringey at times. Also, there are parts where things got a bit too easy for the MMC (but that’s just me).
Overall, this is a good debut! I would read the next book in the series once it is released.
ARC provided by the author and all opinions are my own.
This is such an intense romantic suspense debut which reminds me of The Mindfck Series (that I love!). Every chapter is short but heart-pounding and makes you want to keep turning the page! This is told from three different POVs: Clara, Maverick, and ‘Him’. I liked that the author included ‘His’ POV because it brings insight into what goes on in an antagonist’s mind. I liked the found family in this too!
However, the terms of endearment are really heavy-handed IMO. Every character has their own and it is too repetitive that, honestly, got cringey at times. Also, there are parts where things got a bit too easy for the MMC (but that’s just me).
Overall, this is a good debut! I would read the next book in the series once it is released.
August 26, 2025
I absolutely devoured this book! I’m not sure what K. put in it but OMG it was so good! This debut novel is a 10 outta 10. No notes!
It gave me Criminal Minds vibes and add in a love story! I’m so obsessed with Maverick! He’s so down bad and doesn’t even realize it! The way he’s so protective over Clara made me melt! Sweet Clara has just been put through the wringer and the way she handles her trauma and healing was so beautiful. Her strength was admirable
And we cant forget about Juno! He is the goodest boy! 🐕 I loved that we got a 3rd pov in this book and his identity blew my mind when all the pieces connected! 🤯
The ending had me in my feels! 😭😭
I’m so glad Clara got her HEA!
I loved this book so much and I cannot wait to see what’s next from K!!!
It gave me Criminal Minds vibes and add in a love story! I’m so obsessed with Maverick! He’s so down bad and doesn’t even realize it! The way he’s so protective over Clara made me melt! Sweet Clara has just been put through the wringer and the way she handles her trauma and healing was so beautiful. Her strength was admirable
And we cant forget about Juno! He is the goodest boy! 🐕 I loved that we got a 3rd pov in this book and his identity blew my mind when all the pieces connected! 🤯
The ending had me in my feels! 😭😭
I’m so glad Clara got her HEA!
I loved this book so much and I cannot wait to see what’s next from K!!!
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