A rock sensation. A Hollywood starlet. A reclusive journalist. Murder. Accused of murdering his fianc�, Blake Collins drops from the radar. His chosen sanctuary? The girl he left behind. Katarina Soloway is the one person Blake trusts to uncover the facts, but the further they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes. When paths cross, no one is safe. Horrors always leave a mark. The stain of truth may never come clean.
M. Hayes is the pen name of Mindy Hayes for her romantic psychological suspense novels; Stain and IWDH (coming soon).
Mindy is the youngest of six children and grew up in San Diego, California. After graduating from Brigham Young University-Idaho, she discovered her passion for reading and writing. Mindy lives in Utah with her husband and daughter.
She is the author of the Faylinn novels and the Willowhaven series; as well as the standalone, The Day That Saved Us. Mindy is also the co-author of the Paper Planes series, the Backroads Duet, and the Seaside Pointe novels, which was co-written with Michele G. Miller as Mindy Michele.
This book was the perfect fusion of psychological thriller with romantic suspense! Mindy Hayes is a new to me author and has written an absolute page-turner. I couldn't get enough of the characters and loved the evolution of each of them from the past to the present. I am eager to read more from this author. The storytelling was EPIC and the ride it took me on was mind blowing!
Stain by Mindy Hayes will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ARISTOCRACY!!!
5 STAIN STARS!! Wow, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. I could not put it down...I need to know what would happen next. Kat and Blake's story will keep you sucked in with all the twist and turns they go through. Mindy Hayes has gained a new reader....I can't wait to see what is next.
I've had this one on my "want to read" list for a while now. When Amazon offered their Kindle Unlimited free for two months deal, this was the first book I snatched up to devour. What a fun, twisty, blind siding psychological thriller!! I really enjoyed it! Hayes has a great tone to her writing and she somehow effortlessly combined the psychological thriller genre to the romantic suspense genre which, in my personal experience, is a difficult one to keep balanced enough to work well. But this novel accomplishes it in a very tidy, unique and enjoyable way! Good pace, multiple "Whoa. Wait, what?" moments, lovable characters, witty banter, dark material. Solid 4 stars. Would recommend!
When Mindy Hayes said this was a different kind of book, a darker book, a twisty book... she wasn't kidding. From the first page, I was hooked on these characters who feel so intensely and fall so hard and as with every single one of Mindy's books I've read so far, I felt like I could see them right in front of me. From the moment I started reading, I couldn't stop thinking of this story. I couldn't get these characters out of my head, I couldn't stop hypothesising and trying to unravel riddles and solve mysteries even when I was trying to do other things. Stain is a masterclass in the drip-feeding of clues, twists and turns to keep you guessing right to the end - I can honestly say I saw absolutely nothing coming and I was gripped the whole way through. It has enough of Mindy's signature YA/NA style to be comfortable and more than enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. I'm an absolute sucker for an angsty love story but this was next level. I can't wait to read it again and see what I missed the first time.
Absolutely stunning. Stain was a riveting, engrossing, unique story that held my attention and did not let go. This story was unlike anything I've ever read. With a cast of complex, unforgettable characters, twists and turns you won't see coming in a storyline that will have you feverishly turning the pages to know more, this novel was well-written and layered and without a doubt one of my top reads for this year. This was my first Mindy Hayes novel and it was an exceptional introduction to this author who will now be added to my must read list. This psychological thriller was nothing like you would expect and will completely blow your mind. Told from varying POV and in both the past and present day you will be fully invested in this suspenseful tale and be unable to put it down. Stain was a phenomenal read worthy of more than 5 stars. I loved it and would highly recommend it to all lovers of romantic suspense.
Stain by Mindy Hayes a five-star read that will blow your mind. This was sublime, the author has dipped a toe into a new genre and well, she should jump her whole body in as wow, this was great. My jaw was on the floor so much, and when the story ended I sobbed like a baby that it was over my emotions didn’t know what to do with themselves as they were all over with this story as I was so captivated. This romantic phycological suspense is one that will keep you guessing and keep pulling the rug when you least expect it, honestly, I was blown away with the level of writing. I don’t want to say anything about the characters or the story as I won’t do them the justice they deserve. If you only pick up one romantic phycological suspense thriller this year make it this one, and if you don’t normally pick them up do yourself a favour and grab this one as its that good.
Stain is my first introduction to Mindy Hayes. I love romantic suspense and psychological thrillers so this combo intrigued me right from the start. I was engaged in the story from the start and really enjoyed this book.
Wow! This is my first Mindy Hayes book and if the rest of hers are anything like this, I will be back for more!
Stain is a psychological thriller with a bit of romance thrown in. To an extent, a classic who-dun-it story. And Mindy keeps you guessing until the reveal...you really think you know, that you have it all figured out, your mind will be riddled with theories and suspects, but Mindy does an excellent job of keeping you in the dark until all is revealed.
I was addicted to this story after just a few chapters. I had to know what happened in the past, what drove Kat and Blake apart? Thankfully, Mindy covers both the past and the present throughout the story and does so quite well. And of course, I had to know who did it? Was it who I thought...was is someone completely out of left field or was the answer staring us in the face the whole time.
I promise you will not be disappointed to dive into this! It truly is a keep you on the edge of your book, mind racing, mind bending, mind BLOWING of a story!
Holy-Freaking-Batman!! I signed up for this arc, I can’t remember when or where🙈... but what a surprise read it had been!! Stain is an out suspenseful psychological romantic thriller. It’s full of intrigue and gripped from the very start and left me riveted throughout. I never read Mindy Hayes before this, but if this a testament to her writing I’m 💯 sold!
“Kat was a terrifying cliffhanger, leaving me on the edge, always wanting more. An unpredictable chaos. I found something in her I could never find in anyone else, a reflection of my soul.”
Blake Collins and Kat stole my every breath. I was at the edge of my seat... I gasped as I was thrown for a loop over and over again. I found myself bargaining with my moral compass before deciding it wasn’t at all a question of morality as the lines blurred.
Highly recommend this to lovers of psychological, suspenseful romance or if you’re just craving something out of your norm- this definitely the book to read!!
This book was genius!!! Mindy is one of my favorite authors and I couldn't wait to read this! I'm not usually a fan of psychological thrillers, but I must say that this blew my mind! I will not give away many details but let me just say that from the first page, you are drawn in to these characters and their lives. I could not put it down and stayed up way too late to finish it. The twists and turns of the plot keep the reader engaged the entire book. I was also surprised at how much I loved the characters and their flaws. I was thankful to receive an advanced copy of this book but it in no way swayed my review.
This is my first Mindy Hayes book and I am very impressed. She is definitely a new to me author that has been added to my must read list. This physiological thriller had me mind blown. All the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put this book down and devoured it in one sitting! Stain is a highly charged, mind-blowing, suspense that has you fully invested. The second chance romance between Kat and Blake have you rooting for them to get their hea. This is an epic must read!
Holy - words fail me. I thought I knew, but I didn't. Blake Collins and Katarina Soloway are a perfect fit. They are just made for each other. So why did Blake walk away? Fast forward, Blake is an actual rock star engaged to a starlet, accused of her murder he shows up on Hannah's door step hoping she can help him using her investigative talent. What happens next takes us through the past and into the present with a love that never died.
Grab this book, immerse yourself in their story. You will not be sorry.
If you’ve read a Mindy Hayes book before you know she tends toward the sweet and innocent. That’s not to say her books don’t have depth, because they certainly do. But you know when you dig into it that you’ll be left with a sweet satisfaction that keeps you on a light fluffy cloud for the rest of the day. Stain is not one of those books.
I knew this book was a departure from the typical Mindy Hayes, but I wasn’t quite ready for the layers of intrigue and the psychological punches she was going to lay at my front door. Just when you think you have it figured out, you don’t. And you go back and reread. And reread. And reread. Just to make sure you got it right. And then she punches you in the gut.
Stain is a rollercoaster ride of sweet beginnings sprinkled with upside down madness and twisting endings. Her characters weave their own stories that jump off the page and sit next to you, waiting for you to turn the page and discover that what you thought was not what actually happened.
Kat is a lamentable, but natural and raw character. She doesn’t pretend with you. Her reality is your reality as you travel the story with her. Her fears are your fears; her sadness, your sadness. You see her weaknesses and want to lead her past them. When her nightmares turn to reality, you shriek internally for her. She was my favorite because she was raw and bared her soul for us, the readers.
Blake was a close second. The rock star. The childhood love. The man with looks and sensitivity and a broken past. He was the picture of reality with all of the things we look for in a man mixed up with the things that make him human.
In the end, days after finishing the book, I am still wondering what happened. How did that happen? Why did that happen? And I am left to pick through the pieces of my shattered understanding to find a new level of humanity. One that blurs the lines of morality in the greatest acts of loyalty. One that redefines love and fear and hope. One that makes me feel that maybe, just maybe, we can figure out this strange thing called life and make it through, not unscathed, but saved.
Pick up the book. Open it. And make sure your seatbelt is tightly fastened. Oh, and keep your hands and arms inside the ride at all times.
You know it's a good one when you say "What the f*ck!" out-loud while you are reading.
This is my first book by this author but this twisted/suspenseful type of book it right up my alley. We have the Hollywood sweetheart, the journalist, the rock-star and a murder, what could possibly go wrong? When lives become entwined and the past comes barreling back into the present you end up with a twisted mystery that left me guessing.
Katarina is a reclusive journalist. She has demons in her closet and under her bed and in her head. Time has broken her but perhaps the story that ends up on her doorstep will help put her back together. Blake shows up on her door-step when his life turns to shambles. They share a past but have a murder to figure out first. Blake is in a precarious situation and as his story unfolds a whole host of emotions in me run rampant. Last we have the dead Hollywood star, whom I had very strong feelings about. And because of these strong feelings, the "whodunnit" was even more interesting, because I some point I wanted to be the one who did it.
This was a well-plotted tale that kept you guessing with a couple of WTF moments. There were a couple of things that I felt were a bit too much and it wasn't quite as dark and dangerous as I wanted it to be. But overall I really enjoyed this story and I love discovering new authors.
Oh. My. God! This is was my first time I read a book of Mindy Hayes ,and it don't be the last.
This book is a fantastic read. It's a psychological thriller that will have you turning the pages faster than you can read them. While your mind going crazy with all the twists and turns and leaving you shocked .
if you love unique, and truly mind bending books with many twists and turns that you won't see coming i highly suggest you drop everything and go get this book!
I truly loved this book. I could not put it down.❤
Stain is my first 5-star read of 2020 and it is well deserved. This atypical love story unfolds so beautifully and addresses a topic not often talked about. While a new genre for this author I sincerely hope this is not her last foray. I loved every page!
Y’all. This was my first solo Mindy book. I’ll promptly be reading the rest of her catalogue. You should too.
I had several WTH moments while reading and once or twice gasped aloud. Just when I thought I had it figured out... plot twist. Well done, Mindy, well done.
Pick up your copy of Stain upon its release on 2/27/2020. Paperbacks are on amazon now.
Wow. Just wow. This is one of those books that you can't go into too much detail without giving away the ending. This was a roller coaster and I was so confused for so long but then everything clicked and my mouth dropped wide open. If you could see the quick notes I was making while reading you can pinpoint the moment everything came together for me. Where I decided maybe Blake wasn't this asshole guy who dropped Kat for the fame and fortune. When I realized Kat has more going on than some insomnia and alcohol abuse.
This story is told in 6 parts with Kat being part 1 and 6 and other parts being told from other characters' POV. Initially, this was frustrating for me because it didn't make sense why we were getting long POVs (like multiple chapters long) from anyone other than Kat and Blake. Now looking back it makes perfect sense. For Kat and Blake's POVs, it alternates between past and present, weaving a delicate picture of a profound first love binding two tortured souls and jaded adults who still hold love in their guarded hearts for each other despite the time and distance they've faced. As the story progresses and the pieces fall together, things suddenly make sense and my perspective on everything (including Blake) shifted. Now I need to go back and reread it so I can see the full picture. The writing style of Mindy Hayes is hypnotic and you can't help but be drawn in. Her characters aren't flawless or blameless or truly innocent but they are real and that is what makes them so fascinating. If you're looking for a second chance story that will make you believe in true love, this is your book.
I won’t say much, I don’t want to ruin this incredibly experience for anyone. So, this will be brief. Stain is absolutely perfect!
Let me tell you about my experience reading it: Unforgettable, haunting, full of tension, twisted, heartbroken, tragically beautiful. I was constantly guessing and plotting, trying to find the truth. I even had to stop from time to time to put myself together to continue. Yes, that’s how powerful it is! I was overwhelmed by so many different emotions. I was so confused that I didn’t know what to feel or think. That’s what I look for in a good book, that it makes me doubt everything and leaves me thinking for days. The way it is written and developed is smooth. I know it is the first time Mindy writes this genre, but she did it impeccably. I hope we can read more of this style from her because she is incredibly good at it.
So, yes, I recommend you read Stain, but be warned it would blow your mind.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
OH MY GOD?! This book was SO good. I could never see that plot twist coming and it left me completely surprised and astonished. My head keeps trying to assimilate what just read. And that ending?!? amazing😮💨
“You’re my favorite ray of sunshine after the storm”
“I love you in all forms Kat. Only you” “What if they swallow me whole?” “I’ll be here. Always. To bring you back to me”
3.5 ⭐️ What a mind bending book. I really enjoyed my mind being put through the ringer. The only reason I didn’t rate this higher is I didn’t like the fact that the hero still hadn’t gone back for the heroine for 10 years and the only reason they reconnected was that she pursued him. I would have thought that if he had such strong feelings he would have gone back.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
- he leaves her for his music career , after 2 years of relationship when they were in highschool. -he wanted to take her with him,but when he find out about her personality disorder from another person he decided to let her go lying to her. -after 10 years he is suspect of the murder of his fiance (yeah he really propose to another girl,for the tabloids he said,but he still cared for that girl) - he goes back to Kat , because she is a journalist, to help him discover the murderer . - he cheated on his fiance with one of Kat alterego's Dara.
i didn't like any of the things i read here. HE LEFT HER 10 freaking YEARS! If it wasn't for her "alterego" going after him for 1 year he wouldn't come back!!!!!! So no! i didn't like this book at all, if he loved her ,he wouldn't do all of that. Btw she had other relationship too, so yeah, i don't care. Also the personality disorder didn't surprise me because i guessed it immediately when he was telling Kat about her ,trying to explain if she loved her or not etc, i already knew, possibly because i already read other books with this disease.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was such an enticing book for me, at first I was slightly confused to why the male protagonist went to the female protagonist whom he hadn't seen in years. BUT that's when the mystery started to unravel as I kept reading.
Kat [Mindy, thanks for making my name popular all over again :-) ] is a very avid journalist and an introvert. Her character was so interesting but at the same time I was not all 100% drawn to her in the first place, Blake the male protagonist drew me more at the beginning.
As the story progress, Kat and Blake are trying to solve Blake's ex-fiancee murder. However Kat seems less inclined to help Blake because it's been years since she's seen Blake. He's the guy who stole her heart and also broke her heart.
The story itself provide a whirlwind of compelx characters that it makes you do a double take on whose really who.
I truly enjoyed this physological thriller and made me wonder how one handle such a complex personalitiy and for those close to them.
Absolutely loved this story!! Love books that mess with my head and this had me guessing for the most part. I did work out a few of the twists but there were so many that took me by surprise too.
I was a little disappointed with how it all came together at the end and the aftermath of THE event. All that being said I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the writing and the characters. The going back and forth in time made my head spin especially as it took a while to work out whose POV we were reading. I get why it needed to be that way at the end just during my journey it was distracting.
If you love psychology suspense / romance read it! You won’t be disappointed!!
This book starts out sweet and cute and dives in quickly. I was on a wild ride for sure as I read this mystery thriller. I loved the plot and the intense moments through out. The twists and turns had me in the edge of my seat. Mindy executed this book Perfectly. I was not expecting any of this but I was so pleasantly surprised. What a beautifully written book I can’t wait to read more by this author.
I’m finding it really hard to write this review because this book had so many twists and turns along with slaps in my face that I can’t even think straight. I never and I repeat never would’ve believed it would go the way it did. Job well done. The suspense and story telling made it an amazing page turner. It’s not often that a book leaves me down such a mysterious road with such unique characters.
Don't get me wrong this book is so dumb and silly but like it belongs in the trashy-read shelf because it's just the way the revelations were so dumb but also entertaining like I was just soaking up all the drama.