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Maverick Key #1
Maverick Key
She came to Maverick Key to find peace, but the past won't stay buried, and fate calls to her from the deep.
After her beloved brother Nathan dies in a tragic cave diving accident, Maddie leaves everything behind to start fresh in Maverick Key, hoping that the move to the cottage he left behind will help her heal from her grief. She feels immediately closer to Nathan in the small seaside town, but can’t shake the nagging suspicion that his death might not have been an accident—and that his cryptic notes may hint at something more. And then there's the brooding and widowed diver, Scott, who she can't get off her mind.
As fortune hunters and internet celebrity adventurer Wes Harrington descend on Maverick Key to explore Carter's Drop—the underwater cavern that claimed Nathan's life—Maddie is forced to confront her feelings for Scott and her unanswered questions about Nathan’s disappearance.
Wes might be a world-class charmer, but her simmering romance with Scott captures Maddie's heart—even if his protective nature might keep her from diving into the truth.
As a threatening storm descends on the Key, Nathan’s secrets are roiled like the angry seas, putting Maddie’s life and heart in danger as the past shows up at her front door.
Author’s Note: A beautiful, grief-stricken veterinarian is stripped of her usual sunshiny demeanor in the wake of her brother's death. When she encounters the brooding, widowed, former military diver who knew her brother well, she falls hard—and he falls harder. This first novel in the Maverick Key series blends steamy small-town romance with romantic suspense and diving adventure in an unforgettable seaside setting.
After her beloved brother Nathan dies in a tragic cave diving accident, Maddie leaves everything behind to start fresh in Maverick Key, hoping that the move to the cottage he left behind will help her heal from her grief. She feels immediately closer to Nathan in the small seaside town, but can’t shake the nagging suspicion that his death might not have been an accident—and that his cryptic notes may hint at something more. And then there's the brooding and widowed diver, Scott, who she can't get off her mind.
As fortune hunters and internet celebrity adventurer Wes Harrington descend on Maverick Key to explore Carter's Drop—the underwater cavern that claimed Nathan's life—Maddie is forced to confront her feelings for Scott and her unanswered questions about Nathan’s disappearance.
Wes might be a world-class charmer, but her simmering romance with Scott captures Maddie's heart—even if his protective nature might keep her from diving into the truth.
As a threatening storm descends on the Key, Nathan’s secrets are roiled like the angry seas, putting Maddie’s life and heart in danger as the past shows up at her front door.
Author’s Note: A beautiful, grief-stricken veterinarian is stripped of her usual sunshiny demeanor in the wake of her brother's death. When she encounters the brooding, widowed, former military diver who knew her brother well, she falls hard—and he falls harder. This first novel in the Maverick Key series blends steamy small-town romance with romantic suspense and diving adventure in an unforgettable seaside setting.
295 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2025
101 people are currently reading
17406 people want to read
About the author
Margot Keene
2 books176 followersConnect with Margot:
https://www.instagram.com/margotkeene...
Official Website:
https://www.margotkeene.com/
Author of Maverick Key: Hearts on the Line, Margot Keene is a Florida native who turned her lifelong passion for storytelling into a full-time career. A former business analyst and project manager, she now creates swoon-worthy men, relatable heroines, and heart-stopping mysteries set amid the beauty and intrigue of the Florida coast. Her debut romantic suspense novel, Maverick Key: Hearts on the Line, is the first book in The Maverick Key Series and is available in eBook, print, and audiobook formats. Book Two, Tides of the Heart, releases March 9, 2026, and is available for pre-order now.
https://www.instagram.com/margotkeene...
Official Website:
https://www.margotkeene.com/
Author of Maverick Key: Hearts on the Line, Margot Keene is a Florida native who turned her lifelong passion for storytelling into a full-time career. A former business analyst and project manager, she now creates swoon-worthy men, relatable heroines, and heart-stopping mysteries set amid the beauty and intrigue of the Florida coast. Her debut romantic suspense novel, Maverick Key: Hearts on the Line, is the first book in The Maverick Key Series and is available in eBook, print, and audiobook formats. Book Two, Tides of the Heart, releases March 9, 2026, and is available for pre-order now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 18, 2025
Maverick Key: Hearts on the Line is a romantic suspense novel set against a vividly drawn coastal backdrop and the first book in the Maverick Key series. The story follows Maddie Carter, who, after the sudden death of her beloved brother in a cave-diving accident, retreats to his seaside cottage on Maverick Key, a fictional Florida island. Soon Maddie finds herself immersed in unanswered questions about her brother’s last dive, a series of coded notes tied to a mapped cave system called Carter’s Drop, and an unexpected attraction to Scott, a haunted local diver with wounds of his own!
The setting of Maverick Key is so richly described and atmospheric that it becomes a character in its own right—bonfires on the sand, rustling mangroves, and the beauty of flooded caverns all bring this lush setting vividly to life. The imagery in the underwater exploration scenes is especially immersive—readers will feel like they’re right there with characters in the wondrous underwater world! The book also features a number of popular romance tropes, including slow-burn romance, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, and healing through love!
The story’s main themes of grief and healing are beautifully woven into the story without it ever feeling too heavy. Maddie is a compelling, introspective protagonist whose emotional arc from immense grief to healing is gradual as she immerses herself into clue-finding and exploration of the caves. Scott is a stoic character who repeatedly steps into the role of protector for Maddie, especially during dangerous cave-diving scenes. The chemistry between Maddie and Scott is immediate from their first encounter, but they are both carrying emotional wounds and are cautious to act on their attraction. The investigation into Carter’s Drop pushes Maddie and Scott into close proximity and only amplifies their chemistry.
The story starts off with strong pacing, good character development, and some great plot points—the coded notes, the dive site, and the question of what happened in Carter’s Drop give the story a clear direction. The mid-section slows as the story focuses more on the slow-building relationship between Maddie and Scott.
The longer dialogue sequences will appeal to slow-burn romance fans, and the romance also gets heated in the 2nd half! The pacing soon picks up again with some interesting plot turns. The ending has some satisfying resolution for the characters and mystery—and will leave readers with a smile on their faces!
Overall, Maverick Key is an atmospheric romantic suspense with a good balance of heart, steamy romance, and mystery—and it’s a great start to a new series! The writing shines most in its vivid descriptive moments, especially in the underwater cave scenes that feel alive, dangerous, and enchanting! For readers who enjoy romantic suspense, immersive settings, compelling emotional arcs, and slow-burn suspense, this novel is for you!
NARRATOR PERFORMANCES (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
The audiobook for Maverick Key: Hearts on the Line is a multi-cast duet-style production voiced by experienced and talented narrators: Andi Arndt, Gregory Salinas, Tim Paige, Brandon Francis, Angelina Rocca, Robert Fass, and Greg Tremblay! Having each narrator take on a different character role gives the story more realism, especially in the emotionally charged dialogue scenes—and also gives the overall listening experience a cinematic feel!
Andi Arndt portrays protagonist Maddie Carter with a lot of warmth and emotional vulnerability in her voice to make the character very compelling. Gregory Salinas performs Scott with a more grounded voice infused with some unease that nicely captures the character's protective nature and his lingering emotional scars. Both narrators use good pacing and intensity during dialogue sequences between Maddie and Scott to make their romance believable. The underwater scenes are also a highlight of the audiobook, as both narrators add palpable tension to their voices to keep listeners on edge. The supporting narrators give side characters in the story distinct, animated personalities that are authentic and entertaining, helping to make Maverick Key come alive. Audiobook listeners who enjoy compelling romantic suspense stories, immersive settings, and multi-cast cinematic-style productions will find this an addictive listen!
The setting of Maverick Key is so richly described and atmospheric that it becomes a character in its own right—bonfires on the sand, rustling mangroves, and the beauty of flooded caverns all bring this lush setting vividly to life. The imagery in the underwater exploration scenes is especially immersive—readers will feel like they’re right there with characters in the wondrous underwater world! The book also features a number of popular romance tropes, including slow-burn romance, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, and healing through love!
The story’s main themes of grief and healing are beautifully woven into the story without it ever feeling too heavy. Maddie is a compelling, introspective protagonist whose emotional arc from immense grief to healing is gradual as she immerses herself into clue-finding and exploration of the caves. Scott is a stoic character who repeatedly steps into the role of protector for Maddie, especially during dangerous cave-diving scenes. The chemistry between Maddie and Scott is immediate from their first encounter, but they are both carrying emotional wounds and are cautious to act on their attraction. The investigation into Carter’s Drop pushes Maddie and Scott into close proximity and only amplifies their chemistry.
The story starts off with strong pacing, good character development, and some great plot points—the coded notes, the dive site, and the question of what happened in Carter’s Drop give the story a clear direction. The mid-section slows as the story focuses more on the slow-building relationship between Maddie and Scott.
The longer dialogue sequences will appeal to slow-burn romance fans, and the romance also gets heated in the 2nd half! The pacing soon picks up again with some interesting plot turns. The ending has some satisfying resolution for the characters and mystery—and will leave readers with a smile on their faces!
Overall, Maverick Key is an atmospheric romantic suspense with a good balance of heart, steamy romance, and mystery—and it’s a great start to a new series! The writing shines most in its vivid descriptive moments, especially in the underwater cave scenes that feel alive, dangerous, and enchanting! For readers who enjoy romantic suspense, immersive settings, compelling emotional arcs, and slow-burn suspense, this novel is for you!
NARRATOR PERFORMANCES (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
The audiobook for Maverick Key: Hearts on the Line is a multi-cast duet-style production voiced by experienced and talented narrators: Andi Arndt, Gregory Salinas, Tim Paige, Brandon Francis, Angelina Rocca, Robert Fass, and Greg Tremblay! Having each narrator take on a different character role gives the story more realism, especially in the emotionally charged dialogue scenes—and also gives the overall listening experience a cinematic feel!
Andi Arndt portrays protagonist Maddie Carter with a lot of warmth and emotional vulnerability in her voice to make the character very compelling. Gregory Salinas performs Scott with a more grounded voice infused with some unease that nicely captures the character's protective nature and his lingering emotional scars. Both narrators use good pacing and intensity during dialogue sequences between Maddie and Scott to make their romance believable. The underwater scenes are also a highlight of the audiobook, as both narrators add palpable tension to their voices to keep listeners on edge. The supporting narrators give side characters in the story distinct, animated personalities that are authentic and entertaining, helping to make Maverick Key come alive. Audiobook listeners who enjoy compelling romantic suspense stories, immersive settings, and multi-cast cinematic-style productions will find this an addictive listen!
June 18, 2025
I fully went into this expecting to be moved just by the romance, but I enjoyed SO much more than that. We follow our FMC, Maddie, as she moves to Maverick Key to take over her late brother’s cottage, as well as discovering more details surrounding his death in a tragic diving accident.
Enter Scott, a widowed diver, and his team assigned to explore the same cavern that took Nathan’s life. Not only do him and Maddy feel instantly drawn to each other, but they’ve both dealt with a great amount of grief. The romance was sweet, maybe a little too insta-love for my taste, but it wasn’t anything too memorable. But, I will say the suspense and mystery surrounding the exciting, yet dangerous world of cave diving and Nathan’s disappearance definitely make up for it. I found myself flying through the pages, needing to know who was behind it all. Considering that I didn’t see the plot twist coming, I thought it was executed just right!
And I have to mention the character of Wes, an internet celebrity hunter. Personally, he was my favorite character and after reading this book I was left wanting much more of him… as well as another character who will not be named.🤭 It seems like this book is setting up for much more, and I CAN’T WAIT to see what happens! Thank you to Margot Keene for this ARC!🫶🏼
Enter Scott, a widowed diver, and his team assigned to explore the same cavern that took Nathan’s life. Not only do him and Maddy feel instantly drawn to each other, but they’ve both dealt with a great amount of grief. The romance was sweet, maybe a little too insta-love for my taste, but it wasn’t anything too memorable. But, I will say the suspense and mystery surrounding the exciting, yet dangerous world of cave diving and Nathan’s disappearance definitely make up for it. I found myself flying through the pages, needing to know who was behind it all. Considering that I didn’t see the plot twist coming, I thought it was executed just right!
And I have to mention the character of Wes, an internet celebrity hunter. Personally, he was my favorite character and after reading this book I was left wanting much more of him… as well as another character who will not be named.🤭 It seems like this book is setting up for much more, and I CAN’T WAIT to see what happens! Thank you to Margot Keene for this ARC!🫶🏼
August 13, 2025
This was so much more than just a romance. The suspense kept me guessing the whole way through, and I found myself completely wrapped up in the mystery. I genuinely enjoyed every minute of it.
The audio cast was phenomenal. Each voice added depth and personality to the characters, making the story feel even more dynamic. Maverick Keys felt incredibly real, like a place I could actually visit. I’ve never been diving before, but after this, I kind of want to book a trip.
The audio cast was phenomenal. Each voice added depth and personality to the characters, making the story feel even more dynamic. Maverick Keys felt incredibly real, like a place I could actually visit. I’ve never been diving before, but after this, I kind of want to book a trip.
July 24, 2025
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m so happy I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy! I had to read it as soon as I ready the premise! Scuba diving? 🤿 and ocean themed with romance? Sold sold. I’m scuba certified too so it was cool reading a book about it as well. I’ve never wanted to cave dive and this book just confirms my feelings on the subject. The romance is so sweet, it takes place somewhere tropical and it has action. I for one didn’t see the end twist coming. The ending?? Opens it up to go so many places! 5/5 would recommend. Thanks for a great read Margot!
December 13, 2025
This was my first ARC (advanced review copy) all I can say about this book is great things.
"Maverick Keys" This book from the beginning hooks you in. I couldn't put the book down. Fell in love with Maverick keys and its characters. Loved Scott and Maddies relationship. This is had everything from drama, sad, happiness and mystery. Felt like it was a movie like "Into the Blue" so good. What a cliff hanger at the end of the book, now I can't wait for the second book!
"Maverick Keys" This book from the beginning hooks you in. I couldn't put the book down. Fell in love with Maverick keys and its characters. Loved Scott and Maddies relationship. This is had everything from drama, sad, happiness and mystery. Felt like it was a movie like "Into the Blue" so good. What a cliff hanger at the end of the book, now I can't wait for the second book!
June 25, 2025
I feel like 5 stars are not enough for me for this book.
I loved EVERYTHING about it!
I love scuba diving, I’m slightly obsessed with underwater archeology, I love the sea and boats and I love a good romance book.. mix all the elements above, and there you have it: it’s this book!
Ah, I forgot! And there’s a bit of mystery too!
If you are a diver, you’ll love it! Finally someone has recognised there’s an unexplored niche here ❤️
If you like summer reads, you’ll love it!
If you like romance, you’ll love it!
If you like second chance romance, with past trauma and a hot scuba diver, emotionally scarred and hyper protective MMC, you’ll love it!
And thank goodness, this is only the first one of the series: so I can count down days until the next one comes out. You’ll find me here, waiting and rereading it!
I’ve been lucky to receive this book as an ARC via BookSirens, in exchange for an honest review.
I loved EVERYTHING about it!
I love scuba diving, I’m slightly obsessed with underwater archeology, I love the sea and boats and I love a good romance book.. mix all the elements above, and there you have it: it’s this book!
Ah, I forgot! And there’s a bit of mystery too!
If you are a diver, you’ll love it! Finally someone has recognised there’s an unexplored niche here ❤️
If you like summer reads, you’ll love it!
If you like romance, you’ll love it!
If you like second chance romance, with past trauma and a hot scuba diver, emotionally scarred and hyper protective MMC, you’ll love it!
And thank goodness, this is only the first one of the series: so I can count down days until the next one comes out. You’ll find me here, waiting and rereading it!
I’ve been lucky to receive this book as an ARC via BookSirens, in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2025
4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Thank you High Gravity Audiobooks for my copy!
Such a great romantic suspense! I really enjoyed this one.
I was hooked right from the beginning. It had really good pacing, an amazing story, a wide range of characters and development, as well as lots of tension between the two main characters.
I have never read a scuba diving story before, so I found it all to be really unique and eye-catching. The suspense aspect was a lot of fun and had me holding on to the edge of my seat.
The ending absolutely blew my mind and I can’t wait to read what happens next.
You get:
🤿Contemporary Romance
💙Open Door Spice
🤿Suspense
💙Mystery
🤿Don’t Trust Anyone
💙Slow Burn
🤿Tension
I really recommend this one! Available on KU, ebook, paperback, and audiobook.
Thank you High Gravity Audiobooks for my copy!
Such a great romantic suspense! I really enjoyed this one.
I was hooked right from the beginning. It had really good pacing, an amazing story, a wide range of characters and development, as well as lots of tension between the two main characters.
I have never read a scuba diving story before, so I found it all to be really unique and eye-catching. The suspense aspect was a lot of fun and had me holding on to the edge of my seat.
The ending absolutely blew my mind and I can’t wait to read what happens next.
You get:
🤿Contemporary Romance
💙Open Door Spice
🤿Suspense
💙Mystery
🤿Don’t Trust Anyone
💙Slow Burn
🤿Tension
I really recommend this one! Available on KU, ebook, paperback, and audiobook.
June 17, 2025
Unfortunately, this book didn't really work for me. For the first 50% I seriously considered DNFing it, but I kept going. I thought the second half of the book was much better, so I'm glad I pushed on. But it still didn't make me fall completely in love with the story or characters. The best part of the book were the diving scenes, with vivid descriptions that brought to live the danger, thrill and wonder of cave diving. I'd say the first half of the book sat between one and two stars. with the second half maybe at three stars, so I'm going with two stars overall. (50% is too much to write off as a rocky, slow start and go with my feeling at the end of the book for the overall rating.)
The romance wasn't really to my taste. It's described as a "slow-burning romance" in the synopsis. To me, what I hope for and expect from a slow burn is that the initial spark of attraction takes a while to form, and is based on personality (after getting to know each other) instead of physicality (at first sight). Here, there was too much insta-lust for me. The first time Scott meets Maddie, when she opens the door wearing a bikini, he immediately thinks about how the image of her in her bikini will be coming back to him later on - before they've exchanged more than a basic "hello". And on Maddie's side, the first time someone mentions Scott to her it's about him being someone she should talk to about her brother, but that never seems to be what's on her mind once she meets him. It's all about wanting him to notice her and finding him attractive. Also, at 50% I still felt like I didn't really know the characters any better than I did from just the synopsis. I didn't feel an emotional connection to either of them, so I wasn't invested in their story. I felt like their relationship was very surface level. And I felt like the only suspense I was getting out of this "romantic suspense" was the suspense of waiting for the suspense part to start.
I also wasn't a fan of the writing, especially when it came to dialogue. The dialogue often felt stilted and wooden to me, lacking the natural flow of actual conversations, instead randomly skipping from one point to the next. It felt like there was a list of story beats each conversation or character interaction was meant to cover, and these beats were checked off one by one with awkward transitions, making the whole conversation feel artificial. I especially noticed this during the earlier chapters, when a lot of the dialogue was about exposition and introducing the characters to the reader and to each other. It definitely improved in the second half of the book.
My reading experience overall improved significantly after the halfway mark, so I'm glad I decided against DNFing. There was finally some plot progression with the suspense plot, Maddie started to actively pursue figuring out what had happened to her brother, and I felt like suddenly the characters were starting to come alive off the page and show me their personalities. I still couldn't fully get on board with the romance - although that also improved compared to the first half. I thought Scott's pet names for Maddie came across as condescending rather than romantic most of the time. And I'm not a fan of the possesive "you're mine" type of language in romance. But I didn't hate their relationship, even occasionally kind of liked it. And stepping away from the romance, I enjoyed and felt invested in the way the suspense plot developed and was resolved, even if I wasn't surprised by any of the twists except for the very last cliffhanger-y one about "Elliot". It's just a pity that it took more than half the book for the plot to really take off for me.
As I said at the beginning of my review, I did enjoy the descriptions during the diving scenes. I know absolutely nothing about diving, so I can't say if they are accurate, but they made me feel like I was right there underwater with the characters. The diving parts were definitely my favorite part of the book.
Thank you to Margot Keene for providing a review copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The romance wasn't really to my taste. It's described as a "slow-burning romance" in the synopsis. To me, what I hope for and expect from a slow burn is that the initial spark of attraction takes a while to form, and is based on personality (after getting to know each other) instead of physicality (at first sight). Here, there was too much insta-lust for me. The first time Scott meets Maddie, when she opens the door wearing a bikini, he immediately thinks about how the image of her in her bikini will be coming back to him later on - before they've exchanged more than a basic "hello". And on Maddie's side, the first time someone mentions Scott to her it's about him being someone she should talk to about her brother, but that never seems to be what's on her mind once she meets him. It's all about wanting him to notice her and finding him attractive. Also, at 50% I still felt like I didn't really know the characters any better than I did from just the synopsis. I didn't feel an emotional connection to either of them, so I wasn't invested in their story. I felt like their relationship was very surface level. And I felt like the only suspense I was getting out of this "romantic suspense" was the suspense of waiting for the suspense part to start.
I also wasn't a fan of the writing, especially when it came to dialogue. The dialogue often felt stilted and wooden to me, lacking the natural flow of actual conversations, instead randomly skipping from one point to the next. It felt like there was a list of story beats each conversation or character interaction was meant to cover, and these beats were checked off one by one with awkward transitions, making the whole conversation feel artificial. I especially noticed this during the earlier chapters, when a lot of the dialogue was about exposition and introducing the characters to the reader and to each other. It definitely improved in the second half of the book.
My reading experience overall improved significantly after the halfway mark, so I'm glad I decided against DNFing. There was finally some plot progression with the suspense plot, Maddie started to actively pursue figuring out what had happened to her brother, and I felt like suddenly the characters were starting to come alive off the page and show me their personalities. I still couldn't fully get on board with the romance - although that also improved compared to the first half. I thought Scott's pet names for Maddie came across as condescending rather than romantic most of the time. And I'm not a fan of the possesive "you're mine" type of language in romance. But I didn't hate their relationship, even occasionally kind of liked it. And stepping away from the romance, I enjoyed and felt invested in the way the suspense plot developed and was resolved, even if I wasn't surprised by any of the twists except for the very last cliffhanger-y one about "Elliot". It's just a pity that it took more than half the book for the plot to really take off for me.
As I said at the beginning of my review, I did enjoy the descriptions during the diving scenes. I know absolutely nothing about diving, so I can't say if they are accurate, but they made me feel like I was right there underwater with the characters. The diving parts were definitely my favorite part of the book.
Thank you to Margot Keene for providing a review copy of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 29, 2025
(real rating: 3.75⭐️, bumped to 5⭐️ because I did NOT see it coming,lol)
Book ARC received via NetGalley.
The idea behind this book is great: two emotionally wounded people meet in the right place, at the right time, while trying to rebuild their lives. Add a bit of mystery, a potential murder and an ancient civilization buried beneath the sea aaand you’ve got a pretty compelling setup.
There were definitely some bumps along the way. It felt a little strange that Maddie didn’t know key details about her brother Nathan’s life. I get that he was keeping secrets because of the danger tied to his dives, but it was hard to believe they were really that close with that many gaps between them.
Also, Maddie moves to Maverick Key to open a veterinary clinic… and then mostly doesn’t. It was mentioned, but not really explored. I’d expected a little more from that side of her life, especially since it’s the "IT" profession, in my book :).
The relationship drama also had its weak spots. I understand why Maddie hid her cave diving lessons, but even so, it felt wrong that she kept it from Scott for so long, especially when their bond was growing deeper. It was a tricky situation, but the way it unfolded left the tension feeling a bit underwhelming. I would’ve liked to see more accountability, or at least a more emotionally charged resolution between them.
BUT ( and this is a BIG but) the last chapter completely saved this book for me. I screamed (no joking) . I need the next one immediately (as in ... this moment,pretty please :D). That twist came out of nowhere and I am absolutely hooked for book two.
Also, can we talk about Wes? He might seem like the typical chill, flirty adventure guy, but he’s actually really sweet, loyal, and caring. I honestly think he deserves his own book. He got the short end of the stick here and I need more of him.
So while I’d rate this around 3.75 stars for pacing, consistency and writing style, I’m rounding up to 5 because I did not see the final chapter coming.
Book ARC received via NetGalley.
The idea behind this book is great: two emotionally wounded people meet in the right place, at the right time, while trying to rebuild their lives. Add a bit of mystery, a potential murder and an ancient civilization buried beneath the sea aaand you’ve got a pretty compelling setup.
There were definitely some bumps along the way. It felt a little strange that Maddie didn’t know key details about her brother Nathan’s life. I get that he was keeping secrets because of the danger tied to his dives, but it was hard to believe they were really that close with that many gaps between them.
Also, Maddie moves to Maverick Key to open a veterinary clinic… and then mostly doesn’t. It was mentioned, but not really explored. I’d expected a little more from that side of her life, especially since it’s the "IT" profession, in my book :).
The relationship drama also had its weak spots. I understand why Maddie hid her cave diving lessons, but even so, it felt wrong that she kept it from Scott for so long, especially when their bond was growing deeper. It was a tricky situation, but the way it unfolded left the tension feeling a bit underwhelming. I would’ve liked to see more accountability, or at least a more emotionally charged resolution between them.
BUT ( and this is a BIG but) the last chapter completely saved this book for me. I screamed (no joking) . I need the next one immediately (as in ... this moment,pretty please :D). That twist came out of nowhere and I am absolutely hooked for book two.
Also, can we talk about Wes? He might seem like the typical chill, flirty adventure guy, but he’s actually really sweet, loyal, and caring. I honestly think he deserves his own book. He got the short end of the stick here and I need more of him.
So while I’d rate this around 3.75 stars for pacing, consistency and writing style, I’m rounding up to 5 because I did not see the final chapter coming.
October 27, 2025
Solid 4.5 stars. Great romantic suspense in a setting close to my heart. I love the focus on cave diving. The book felt like reading an ensemble cast mini series which lent well to the audiobook production. On my initial read, I was surprised to see that it was a second chance romance, and I've never read a book where you get to see the first shot and what makes it fall apart in the actual book in real time not in a flashback. I really enjoyed that aspect of this story. I have to say on the reread I was way more team Scott. I loved the performances in Chapter 28. Other than the end sequence, its my favorite. Lots of good little moments, the pacing is well done. The relationship was lovely. I think for the most part you can figure out what is going on, but that's not at all a bad thing. I'm ready for book 2!
June 18, 2025
Thank you to the author for the ARC. I really enjoyed this book. I loved that it was based in Florida and in the Gulf. It follows marine archaeologists and cave divers throughout the book. Keene did a great job describing their dives and painting a picture of the under water caves. I loved both the main characters and the side characters. I loved seeing Maddie’s growth from the beginning to end and the confidence she found. This book was a romance with a little mystery/thriller mixed in. The second half had me on the edge of my seat. I really didn’t see the end coming or who the bad guy was. Overall, I loved both elements of the book and will be waiting for more from Maverick Key.
August 31, 2025
ALC review for Maverick Key: Hearts on the Line by Margot Keene
Thanks to Margot and High Gravity Audio for the ALC opportunity!
What to expect: found family, hurt/comfort, instalove, small town, romantic suspense, adult MCs, book pets
TW/CW: murder and attempted murder, stalking, home break-in, violence against an animal (but don't worry, none die), past death of a spouse and sibling (different people). Note, despite these tw/cw, the book is overall pretty chill. Like, these are all present but aren't overly graphic or heavily featured.
Rating: 2.5/5
Let's just dive in! (Ha, see what I did there?!)
Things I Liked:
- I liked the concept of Nathan's work and the underlying mystery woven throughout the book. That was the most captivating part and, honestly what kept me reading. Truly, Nathan was probably my favorite character and we don't even really get to meet him (or do we...?).
- The cave diving scenes were done really well. I don't pretend to know anything about cave diving so maybe it's not at all accurate but it read well and was described beautifully.
Things I disliked or missed the mark:
- I don't know. The whole thing was pretty one-dimensional. I don't feel like we really got to know any of the characters besides Nathan and, again, he's dead! I also felt like the whole thing was pretty predictable. I felt like the twists and turns and mysteries were all fairly obvious which made it hard to maintain the intrigue.
- There were a lot of characters. Like, you're introduced to so many people so quickly, it was hard to keep track of who was who and connected to which team, etc.
- The beginning was fairly boring. I could have excused that if a relationship to the characters was being fostered but, as I mentioned, they all fell pretty flat for me. I considered DNFing at one point and when I realized I was halfway through the audio, I decided to just bump the speed up and finish. I'm glad I did because the second half definitely redeemed the first half but, again, it all felt very predictable.
The narration:
This was a full-cast narration and there were a lot of cooks in the kitchen! I'd be curious as to the reasoning for five male voices and only two female voices. There were a few more male characters than female characters but the voices were well spread between the MMC and the four supporting roles. Then you have Angelina Rocca pulling all the duty for the other female voices outside of the FMC. It would have been nice to include a cast list of who voiced what to help delineate the male narrators roles and it seems like it could have been balanced just a hair better. That said, everyone involved did a great job. Robert and Greg were both new to me but I've listened to all the others previously and they lived up to my expectations, for sure.
Overall, I don't know that I'll return to Maverick Key. While the overarching mystery of this novel is resolved and is HFN, the epilogue sets up the next book and builds intrigue to entice the reader into book two. I don't think I'm intrigued enough but I'll probably circle back to reviews to see if my hunch is right.
Thanks to Margot and High Gravity Audio for the ALC opportunity!
What to expect: found family, hurt/comfort, instalove, small town, romantic suspense, adult MCs, book pets
TW/CW: murder and attempted murder, stalking, home break-in, violence against an animal (but don't worry, none die), past death of a spouse and sibling (different people). Note, despite these tw/cw, the book is overall pretty chill. Like, these are all present but aren't overly graphic or heavily featured.
Rating: 2.5/5
Let's just dive in! (Ha, see what I did there?!)
Things I Liked:
- I liked the concept of Nathan's work and the underlying mystery woven throughout the book. That was the most captivating part and, honestly what kept me reading. Truly, Nathan was probably my favorite character and we don't even really get to meet him (or do we...?).
- The cave diving scenes were done really well. I don't pretend to know anything about cave diving so maybe it's not at all accurate but it read well and was described beautifully.
Things I disliked or missed the mark:
- I don't know. The whole thing was pretty one-dimensional. I don't feel like we really got to know any of the characters besides Nathan and, again, he's dead! I also felt like the whole thing was pretty predictable. I felt like the twists and turns and mysteries were all fairly obvious which made it hard to maintain the intrigue.
- There were a lot of characters. Like, you're introduced to so many people so quickly, it was hard to keep track of who was who and connected to which team, etc.
- The beginning was fairly boring. I could have excused that if a relationship to the characters was being fostered but, as I mentioned, they all fell pretty flat for me. I considered DNFing at one point and when I realized I was halfway through the audio, I decided to just bump the speed up and finish. I'm glad I did because the second half definitely redeemed the first half but, again, it all felt very predictable.
The narration:
This was a full-cast narration and there were a lot of cooks in the kitchen! I'd be curious as to the reasoning for five male voices and only two female voices. There were a few more male characters than female characters but the voices were well spread between the MMC and the four supporting roles. Then you have Angelina Rocca pulling all the duty for the other female voices outside of the FMC. It would have been nice to include a cast list of who voiced what to help delineate the male narrators roles and it seems like it could have been balanced just a hair better. That said, everyone involved did a great job. Robert and Greg were both new to me but I've listened to all the others previously and they lived up to my expectations, for sure.
Overall, I don't know that I'll return to Maverick Key. While the overarching mystery of this novel is resolved and is HFN, the epilogue sets up the next book and builds intrigue to entice the reader into book two. I don't think I'm intrigued enough but I'll probably circle back to reviews to see if my hunch is right.
August 29, 2025
Maverick Key: Hearts on the Line is book one in the Maverick Keys series and is the story of Scott and Maddie. This is a brother's best friend, close proximity, romantic suspense.
Multi-Cast Duet Narration by Andi Arndt, Greg Salinas, Tim Paige, Brandon Francis, Angelina Rocca, Robert Faas, Greg Tremblay. Production by High Gravity Production.
Maddie lost her older brother while diving for a in search of lost artifacts at Maverick Key and moved there to feel closer to him. When she arrives, she meets widower Scott, who worked with and was friends with her brother. Scott is working to continue Maddie's brother's research and feels a draw to Maddie that he cannot explain even though he still deals with the loss of his wife. Working together, Scott and Maddie find themselves as the target of danger as they try to sort through Maddie's brother's coded journals. Will they be able to find out who is trying to sideline them before the danger gets too close?
This book was an emotional and suspenseful story that had twists and turns I did not see coming. The emotional depth of Scott and Maddie as they dealt with the loss of the ones they love and learn to come to terms with their new realities and the possibility of their futures together were perfect and so well written. The cast of narrators of the audiobook brought a brilliant story to life and made the emotional connection of the characters even deeper. If you are looking for an emotional, romantic suspense story that will grab your heart from the start that has twists and turns to keep you guessing, then look no further.
I received an ALC from High Gravity Productions and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Multi-Cast Duet Narration by Andi Arndt, Greg Salinas, Tim Paige, Brandon Francis, Angelina Rocca, Robert Faas, Greg Tremblay. Production by High Gravity Production.
Maddie lost her older brother while diving for a in search of lost artifacts at Maverick Key and moved there to feel closer to him. When she arrives, she meets widower Scott, who worked with and was friends with her brother. Scott is working to continue Maddie's brother's research and feels a draw to Maddie that he cannot explain even though he still deals with the loss of his wife. Working together, Scott and Maddie find themselves as the target of danger as they try to sort through Maddie's brother's coded journals. Will they be able to find out who is trying to sideline them before the danger gets too close?
This book was an emotional and suspenseful story that had twists and turns I did not see coming. The emotional depth of Scott and Maddie as they dealt with the loss of the ones they love and learn to come to terms with their new realities and the possibility of their futures together were perfect and so well written. The cast of narrators of the audiobook brought a brilliant story to life and made the emotional connection of the characters even deeper. If you are looking for an emotional, romantic suspense story that will grab your heart from the start that has twists and turns to keep you guessing, then look no further.
I received an ALC from High Gravity Productions and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
August 18, 2025
From the very first page, I was completely captivated and found myself on the edge of my seat, eager to discover what would unfold next. I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging storyline, and I was particularly impressed with the depth of the character development and the dynamic interactions between them. Furthermore, the audio narrators were exceptional, and their performances truly brought the story to life, making the listening experience immersive and unforgettable. The characters felt incredibly real and relatable, and the author masterfully maintained a sense of suspense, keeping me guessing and entertained until the very last page.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 20, 2025
I absolutely loved this book… it’s everything I needed in a summer romance! Both main characters are dealing with grief and they are drawn to each other while helping each other heal. The ocean/island setting is perfect and the diving aspect brings a different element than the usual summer reads I’ve been jamming out for the past month. There’s cave diving, mysteries to be solved and a ton of key characters I loved getting to know. WOW, can’t wait for the next one after that ending!!! Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC!
August 18, 2025
I loved the audio. I just want to go diving now.
Secrets broke. Hearts broke. Mystery is everywhere in this book. It’s confusing, messy, and that’s what makes it hit so hard.
I keep thinking about it. The broken parts, the unknowns, the tension—they don’t leave you alone. Everything feels tangled and real, like nothing is simple or fixed.
It makes me restless and alive at the same time. I can’t stop turning it over in my head, trying to hold all the pieces together, even though they keep breaking.
Secrets broke. Hearts broke. Mystery is everywhere in this book. It’s confusing, messy, and that’s what makes it hit so hard.
I keep thinking about it. The broken parts, the unknowns, the tension—they don’t leave you alone. Everything feels tangled and real, like nothing is simple or fixed.
It makes me restless and alive at the same time. I can’t stop turning it over in my head, trying to hold all the pieces together, even though they keep breaking.
September 11, 2025
I did not love the romance.. nor the suspenseful thriller mystery... First, the romance was very insta-love, which I do happen to like. But it was written without any substance. It felt like they saw each other and decided they were attracted to each other. Maddie had a hot body in her blue bikini and he was mysterious, brown hair, and gorgeous. They bond over her brother and diving, and that's kind of it. She wants to cave dive to find out what happened to her brother, and Scott couldn't deal because of his past life experiences. Maddie still goes on to learn to cave dive in secret and when that secret comes out, then Scott puts a halt on their "relationship." Both of them even have dogs and she is there to set up a vet business. But as the story progresses, that gets left to the way side.
The back story of Nathan and what he was diving for was really cool and interesting. I wish we got more about that and a little less of Wes. He really was only there to help Maddie learn to cave dive in secret. Scott is jealous of him a little bit which is normal yet kind of annoying.
Now I rated this a 2.5/3 star read. I became a little bored after about 20% and enjoyed the last 20%. I want to say I do not want to read the next installment for fear of boredom but the epilogue with Elliot has my gearing up because obvi he has to be Nathan!
The back story of Nathan and what he was diving for was really cool and interesting. I wish we got more about that and a little less of Wes. He really was only there to help Maddie learn to cave dive in secret. Scott is jealous of him a little bit which is normal yet kind of annoying.
Now I rated this a 2.5/3 star read. I became a little bored after about 20% and enjoyed the last 20%. I want to say I do not want to read the next installment for fear of boredom but the epilogue with Elliot has my gearing up because obvi he has to be Nathan!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2025
~Alc Review~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶.5
~Maverick Key:Hearts On The Line Book 1~Margot Keene~
~Multi-Cast Duet Narration~Andi Arndt, Greg Salinas, Tim Paige, Brandon Francis, Angelina Rocca, Robert Faas, Greg Tremblay~
~Production~High Gravity Production~
"She's...strong, kind, stubborn as hell," I say with a soft chuckle. "And when I'm with her, I feel...alive. For the first time in a long time, I feel like maybe there's something more for me. Something beyond the grief."
♡This debut book was a suspenseful, emotional rollercoaster that just kept giving! Maddie & Scott are two lost souls on an emotional journey as they both battle with grief. They both find themselves pulled to a town called Maverick Key, while also feeling a pull towards one another. Can they face their journey with grief together or will everything crumble beneath them?
The Multi-Cast Duet Narration for this audiobook was phenomenal! Each & every one of these narrators did an amazing job at bringing their characters to life! The emotionally driven performance they brought out for every character was impeccable & had me feeling every emotion right along with them!
If you like romantic suspense, with a gripping plot full of twists & turns, & a beautiful story look no further. I can not wait for book 2!
~As Always Happy Reading~
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶.5
~Maverick Key:Hearts On The Line Book 1~Margot Keene~
~Multi-Cast Duet Narration~Andi Arndt, Greg Salinas, Tim Paige, Brandon Francis, Angelina Rocca, Robert Faas, Greg Tremblay~
~Production~High Gravity Production~
"She's...strong, kind, stubborn as hell," I say with a soft chuckle. "And when I'm with her, I feel...alive. For the first time in a long time, I feel like maybe there's something more for me. Something beyond the grief."
♡This debut book was a suspenseful, emotional rollercoaster that just kept giving! Maddie & Scott are two lost souls on an emotional journey as they both battle with grief. They both find themselves pulled to a town called Maverick Key, while also feeling a pull towards one another. Can they face their journey with grief together or will everything crumble beneath them?
The Multi-Cast Duet Narration for this audiobook was phenomenal! Each & every one of these narrators did an amazing job at bringing their characters to life! The emotionally driven performance they brought out for every character was impeccable & had me feeling every emotion right along with them!
If you like romantic suspense, with a gripping plot full of twists & turns, & a beautiful story look no further. I can not wait for book 2!
~As Always Happy Reading~
June 20, 2025
This is an ARC review for Margot Keene. Maverick Key is a cute little story. A quick read. I enjoyed all the knowledge put into this story about diving-I have no experience or knowledge with the subject. This is the debut for this author, and I suggest you keep on writing and pursuing your dreams. This is the beginning and your potential is enormous.
August 10, 2025
Romantic suspense
Found family
Murder mystery
Duet full cast narration - Andi Arndt, Gregory Salinas, Tim Paige, Brandon Francis, Angelina Rocca, Robert Fass, and Greg Tremblay
This group of narrators was amazing! They preformed it perfectly.
This was a fun romance with adventure and suspense story. I really enjoyed the narration and the story. The authors writing was amazing.
There isn’t a ton of spice but I enjoyed the development of the relationships being the romance aspect and the found family.
Overall a great read!
Found family
Murder mystery
Duet full cast narration - Andi Arndt, Gregory Salinas, Tim Paige, Brandon Francis, Angelina Rocca, Robert Fass, and Greg Tremblay
This group of narrators was amazing! They preformed it perfectly.
This was a fun romance with adventure and suspense story. I really enjoyed the narration and the story. The authors writing was amazing.
There isn’t a ton of spice but I enjoyed the development of the relationships being the romance aspect and the found family.
Overall a great read!
June 15, 2025
Maverick Key was the perfect summer read! If you’re looking for something to keep you in suspense with a side of romance, this is the book for you. Follow Maddie and the residents of Maverick Key as they navigate grief, love, and mysteries!
June 17, 2025
This was the perfect summer, beachy read but definitely not your typical storyline. I loved the atmosphere and the characters and I’m so ready for the next book after the cliffhanger this one left off on!
August 30, 2025
Rounded up. Suspense and romance in a tropical setting. Exciting and engaging rescue chapters. Diving facts and aspects are well written and interesting. Favorite Scott Quote: "I can't bear to fail like that again...And yet Maddie makes me want to try."
September 20, 2025
I just finished reading this amazing book. I was so intrigued that I couldn’t put it down. Loved all the characters who were described in detail by this talented author. Unique ending that I thoroughly enjoyed. I’m a former cave diver myself & it brought back so many memories.
August 17, 2025
I found this to be more of a murder mystery with a little bit of romance than a romance with a little bit of mystery. Good book just not what I expected.
June 14, 2025
This book kept me at the edge of my seat. I read it all in one sitting, it was that good. And the relationship between Maddie and Scott was great and believable. Can’t wait for the next book!
December 6, 2025
The Ending!!! I went into this book with expectations of a romance novel, but it was so much more. I was drawn in with the characters, kept on the edge of my seat with the suspense, and did not see the ending coming. what a ride! Thank you, Margot Keene, for the privilege of getting the chance to read an advanced copy of this novel!
June 25, 2025
an insta-love, miscommunication murder mystery??? i don’t know what i expected but i did enjoy it!
August 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! Maverick Key had me diving deep into Maddie and Scott’s world of grief, secrets, and slow-burn romance. Andi Arndt and Greg Salinas lead the duet style narration with Tim Paige, Brandon Francis, Angelina Rocca, Robert Foss, and Greg Tremblay adding depth to every twist, turn and held breath. Ummm that epilogue about ‘Elliot’… I’m hoping he’s who I think he is 😍🐚
August 1, 2025
Written perfectly. This book takes you on a wild ride of grief, love, fear, and hope. Maddie and Scott make you want to fall in love with them. And the ending was not what I saw coming! Margot has a definite ability to draw you in and paint a picture as you read her words. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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