What Really Happened: A Tactical Suspense Romance Novel

by Raven Lynne

Diana Ramsey was always told her internet-famous niece, Reagan, ran away at fifteen. But when a brooding true crime podcaster named Sam Benson shows up five years later with new evidence that proves everything she had been told was a lie. Diana’s world is shattered all over again.

Desperate for answers, they form an uneasy alliance—uncovering buried secrets, dangerous truths, and a chemistry neither of them expected. The closer they get to the truth, the harder it becomes to ignore the sparks between them... and the closer they get to danger.

She’s risking everything to find Reagan.
He’s breaking every rule by falling for her.

200 pages

Published July 31, 2025

Reviews

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. Super fast-paced and so many twists!! I can't wait for more books written by this author!!! I very much enjoyed reading this. Great characters and great plot!

[JB Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. I read it as a potential FFA book club pick but ultimately couldn’t select it because of all the sentences fragments. Although the story had me page turning and I really enjoyed the mystery and the characters, and I didn’t see the reveal coming, I do feel like a book needs to be in the professional edit level to include it in our future famous authors selections. That said if you can overlook the editing, then this is a great read and I would suggest it. A note to the author you are a great writer have your next book professionally line edited because in my opinion that’s all that’s holding you back.

[Arianna Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Really Happened is a fast paced romantic suspense that pulls you in with action and keeps you hooked with emotional intensity. Raven Lynne masterfully blends danger, love, and secrets into a story that feels both thrilling and deeply personal. The chemistry between the main characters is undeniable, and the plot unfolds with enough twists to keep you guessing until the end. The emotional stakes are just as high as the tactical ones, making it hard to put down. If you enjoy romance wrapped in adrenaline and intrigue, this is a must-read addition to your shelf

[Raven Lynne]

As the author of this book, I hope you enjoy the story and look forward to the sequel, What Happens Next.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished a book that really surprised me-in the best way. It was a quick read, but the characters felt instantly familiar, like people I’ve known for years. The author did a great job weaving in a twist that caught me off guard but made total sense once it landed.

What stood out most was how easy it was to connect with the characters. Their struggles, humor, and choices felt real, which made the story even more compelling. If you're looking for something engaging that won’t take all weekend to finish, this one’s worth checking out.

Looking forward to another installation of Second Look Cases…

[Oriane Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Really Happened had everything I love in a romantic suspense novel, secrets, chemistry, and emotional stakes. Diana’s determination to find out the truth about her niece felt raw and real, and I was rooting for her every step of the way. Sam is the classic wounded soul with a code of honor, and together they made a compelling pair.

[Brandi Crutchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This book kept me intrigued the entire time. It was full of suspense, drama, and a plot twist! The only thing that I found myself doing was having to go back and reread parts to understand who said what! I am very excited for Ravens next book!! 😁👏👏

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

The author has produced all of the elements of a good story.

She has the potential of becoming the next John Grisham, David Baldacci or James Patterson.

[Meghan Zuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not many 'Author's Note' catch my attention, but I was captivated immediately that Raven Lynne wanted to bring a more tactical approach within her story so readers are aware of their own capabilities. I highly recommend to this author to find a professional editor (or reach out to me - I'd be so happy to help! 😉) however, I really enjoyed this story, I appreciated it was a bit quicker of a read, and I definitely did not anticipate the ending! I will definitely read from this author again.