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Blood #2
Bloodlust
#1 New York Times bestselling author Sandra Brown delivers a new signature sexy suspense about a detective seeking justice for his murdered wife with the help of a psychotherapist … while fighting an undeniable attraction to her.
Two years ago, Detective Mitch Haskell lost his wife to a vicious act of retribution, and has since attributed her murder to two Roland Malone and the unidentified mastermind of the crime known only as Oz. Malone, a ruthless executioner and drug dealer who fronts as a restaurant owner, neutralizes so cleanly that he doesn’t leave a trace. And he performs his handiwork at the biddings of Oz, the faceless kingpin of a drug trafficking operation whose name alone evokes terror.
Obsessively vowing to avenge his late wife’s murder, Mitch has been on a downward spiral, jeopardizing his closest relationships and drinking excessively to numb his pain. After going one step too far, Detective John Bowie, his former best friend and now his boss, has forced Mitch to get therapy to sort himself out.
Dr. Dylan Reede is immediately empathetic to the pain she senses beneath Mitch’s cavalier attitude and wisecracking. She’s determined to make the most of his mandated sessions. But from the moment Mitch breezes into her office, Dylan finds it a struggle to maintain the professional and personal boundaries that keep her own tragic past at a safe distance.
As Mitch begins to close in on Oz and Malone’s operation, they’re prepared to stop him by any means necessary. And when it’s revealed that Dylan might hold the key to bringing them to justice, Mitch and Dylan’s irresistible attraction to each other may not only compromise both of them professionally, but place them in Oz’s bullseye.
Two years ago, Detective Mitch Haskell lost his wife to a vicious act of retribution, and has since attributed her murder to two Roland Malone and the unidentified mastermind of the crime known only as Oz. Malone, a ruthless executioner and drug dealer who fronts as a restaurant owner, neutralizes so cleanly that he doesn’t leave a trace. And he performs his handiwork at the biddings of Oz, the faceless kingpin of a drug trafficking operation whose name alone evokes terror.
Obsessively vowing to avenge his late wife’s murder, Mitch has been on a downward spiral, jeopardizing his closest relationships and drinking excessively to numb his pain. After going one step too far, Detective John Bowie, his former best friend and now his boss, has forced Mitch to get therapy to sort himself out.
Dr. Dylan Reede is immediately empathetic to the pain she senses beneath Mitch’s cavalier attitude and wisecracking. She’s determined to make the most of his mandated sessions. But from the moment Mitch breezes into her office, Dylan finds it a struggle to maintain the professional and personal boundaries that keep her own tragic past at a safe distance.
As Mitch begins to close in on Oz and Malone’s operation, they’re prepared to stop him by any means necessary. And when it’s revealed that Dylan might hold the key to bringing them to justice, Mitch and Dylan’s irresistible attraction to each other may not only compromise both of them professionally, but place them in Oz’s bullseye.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2026
967 people are currently reading
11506 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Brown
213 books164 followersLibrarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name. For best-selling romantic suspense author see: Sandra Brown.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
November 11, 2025
If you follow my reviews, then you know I love a good police procedural story, and this one is ranking high on my list for must-reads this year.
Brown has done it again with a fabulous story that is intricately woven with imagery and incredible detail. Plus, she added a love interest and some spicy romance. I am here for it all! Such a perfect blend and balance throughout the book.
This murder mystery is a police procedural with some bad guys you know and others you do not. There are characters you will love and some you will hate. The author expertly develops a story that is one part shockingly incredulous and one part highly emotional, especially when it comes to the main character, Mitch. Oh, I love his devious mind!
The suspense ramps up the further we dive into the murder plot, and the ending brings an awesome twist only Brown can deliver. Bloodlust is an outstanding story that will definitely be on my re-read list and my Best Of list this year!
~~~~~
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/bloodlust-by...
Brown has done it again with a fabulous story that is intricately woven with imagery and incredible detail. Plus, she added a love interest and some spicy romance. I am here for it all! Such a perfect blend and balance throughout the book.
This murder mystery is a police procedural with some bad guys you know and others you do not. There are characters you will love and some you will hate. The author expertly develops a story that is one part shockingly incredulous and one part highly emotional, especially when it comes to the main character, Mitch. Oh, I love his devious mind!
The suspense ramps up the further we dive into the murder plot, and the ending brings an awesome twist only Brown can deliver. Bloodlust is an outstanding story that will definitely be on my re-read list and my Best Of list this year!
~~~~~
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/bloodlust-by...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another great Sandra Brown thriller/romance! Her books are always easy highly entertaining reads that draw you into the story. It was great to see what continues to happen to the Bowie/Haskell partnership and how their personal lives evolve with their profession. I always like a good law enforcement thriller and this fit the bill!
Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sandra Brown is the best. She blends bad-boy macho man with a sweet, damaged heroine with a spine of steel for a heart-rending love story. Works for me every single time. There is little mystery as the baddies are known from the beginning, but the suspense is top shelf and edge of your seat. As we revisit the bayou country of Louisiana, a site for books I just love, the action takes place in the small city of Auclair and New Orleans and doesn't quite have the bayou feel of the first book. Mitch and Dylan start out with two strikes against them, the Doctor-Patient situation and both being damaged by prior trauma. The plot kept me involved and rooting for the HEA that was hard earned, but worth the wait.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
My thanks to the Publisher, and Author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ohhh this one took me back to why Sandra Brown used to be a one click buy for me. This was pure old-school romantic suspense, moody, dramatic, and a little unhinged. Once it got its hooks in me, it did not let go. I loved the atmosphere, the sense of danger, and that constant “something is very wrong here” feeling. It was simmering under every interaction. It was twisty without being confusing, intense without being exhausting, and absolutely soaked in tension.
I really liked the emotional pull mixed with the mystery. The relationships were messy, and although the motivations weren’t always clean, that just made everything feel more real and gripping. It had the perfect blend of obsession, secrets, and simmering attraction that kept me turning the pages long past my “go to bed now or I’ll be a zombie tomorrow” time. Was it dark? To a certain degree. A little dramatic? Definitely. But if you like your suspense with sharp edges and emotional bite, this one delivers, and then some.
Multi POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
I really liked the emotional pull mixed with the mystery. The relationships were messy, and although the motivations weren’t always clean, that just made everything feel more real and gripping. It had the perfect blend of obsession, secrets, and simmering attraction that kept me turning the pages long past my “go to bed now or I’ll be a zombie tomorrow” time. Was it dark? To a certain degree. A little dramatic? Definitely. But if you like your suspense with sharp edges and emotional bite, this one delivers, and then some.
Multi POV
Safe
Triggers
Steam
December 2, 2025
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2026
I have been trying to return to some new books of my old favorites lately and was very intrigued by this new release from Sandra Brown. I don’t often read mysteries these days, and this one was a very interesting (as expected) read from a great writer.
The story is one of vengeance for the terrible soul-destroying wrong vs. justice, and choices that led us to where we are and continue to guide our future. The book leaves you with many emotions about these complicated characters. Mitch Haskell (MMC) is a haunted man, obsessed with avenging his wife’s murder. He is spiraling and struggles, and it is then he meets the FMC - psychologist Dylan Reede, who is tasked with helping him, but herself struggles with a similar loss. The paths of their two mysteries intertwine amidst the building attraction and feelings, and eventually come to a head where major life choices will need to be made.
The mystery angle is done very well and characters are vivid and nicely developed. They are both wearing their professional masks and are hiding their real selves, all their emotions and internal trauma behind this veneer. I really enjoyed the interaction between MCs and their journey to each other.
The story is one of vengeance for the terrible soul-destroying wrong vs. justice, and choices that led us to where we are and continue to guide our future. The book leaves you with many emotions about these complicated characters. Mitch Haskell (MMC) is a haunted man, obsessed with avenging his wife’s murder. He is spiraling and struggles, and it is then he meets the FMC - psychologist Dylan Reede, who is tasked with helping him, but herself struggles with a similar loss. The paths of their two mysteries intertwine amidst the building attraction and feelings, and eventually come to a head where major life choices will need to be made.
The mystery angle is done very well and characters are vivid and nicely developed. They are both wearing their professional masks and are hiding their real selves, all their emotions and internal trauma behind this veneer. I really enjoyed the interaction between MCs and their journey to each other.
March 18, 2026
This was such a good detective revenge story, and honestly not something I’d normally pick up but I’m really glad I did.
Mitch was such a layered character. The depth of what he was dealing with kept me invested the entire time, and I loved peeling back those layers as the story unfolded.
And Dylan?? I loved her. A therapist with attitude, spunk, and zero patience for nonsense. She brought such a fun, fiery energy to the story that balanced everything out perfectly.
The drug trafficking aspect had me completely hooked. It added another level of intensity to the story that kept me turning the pages.
There were so many “ah ha” moments that completely caught me off guard, which made this such a fun ride.
Definitely outside my usual genre, but 100% worth it.
Mitch was such a layered character. The depth of what he was dealing with kept me invested the entire time, and I loved peeling back those layers as the story unfolded.
And Dylan?? I loved her. A therapist with attitude, spunk, and zero patience for nonsense. She brought such a fun, fiery energy to the story that balanced everything out perfectly.
The drug trafficking aspect had me completely hooked. It added another level of intensity to the story that kept me turning the pages.
There were so many “ah ha” moments that completely caught me off guard, which made this such a fun ride.
Definitely outside my usual genre, but 100% worth it.
November 23, 2025
Fans of the author will be happy to read this thrilling story! The characters were unique and it kept me hooked. Slightly overly detailed at times, which can make some scenes feel slow. But overall still a solid suspense with a romance that makes you swoon.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
October 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atmospheric and engaging, with a few extra layers
Bloodlust delivers a gripping mystery with rich atmosphere and compelling characters. While the pacing dragged at times due to some overly detailed scenes, the story kept me invested. I’ll admit I don’t personally care for spicy scenes in thrillers—they pull me out of the suspense—but that’s just my preference. Overall, a solid read that fans of Sandra Brown will enjoy. Thanks NetGalley!
Atmospheric and engaging, with a few extra layers
Bloodlust delivers a gripping mystery with rich atmosphere and compelling characters. While the pacing dragged at times due to some overly detailed scenes, the story kept me invested. I’ll admit I don’t personally care for spicy scenes in thrillers—they pull me out of the suspense—but that’s just my preference. Overall, a solid read that fans of Sandra Brown will enjoy. Thanks NetGalley!
March 15, 2026
Sandra Brown returns to the world of her 2025 novel Blood Moon with BLOODLUST, bringing back familiar characters and centering the story on Mitch, a detective still determined to prove his wife was murdered… even when no one else believes him. As he digs deeper into the truth, the help of his alluring new therapist may be exactly what he needs to finally uncover what really happened.
Brown once again delivers exactly what her readers love: a fast paced blend of suspense, danger, and sizzling chemistry. BLOODLUST is a gripping romantic thriller that kept me turning the pages. Another satisfying hit from the true master of romantic suspense, long may she reign! 👸🏻
Brown once again delivers exactly what her readers love: a fast paced blend of suspense, danger, and sizzling chemistry. BLOODLUST is a gripping romantic thriller that kept me turning the pages. Another satisfying hit from the true master of romantic suspense, long may she reign! 👸🏻
February 22, 2026
This book had me hooked from the first page! I couldn’t put it down. This was my first book by this author and I would definitely read more by her!
March 17, 2026
Keep the novels featuring Mitch and John coming! I thoroughly enjoyed Blood Moon, and when I was offered a copy of Bloodlust, I was thrilled to revisit this partnership.
In the new novel, Mitch is out to avenge the murder of his wife, though his life is sliding quickly off the rails. Ordered to enter therapy or be fired, he reluctantly starts to see Dr. Dylan Reide, a surprisingly attractive woman, and that is where things start to get really complicated.
I love the mix of romance and danger that Brown mixes in her novels, and Bloodlust has both in spades. I will admit that the ending was a bit of a surprise, with a twist that I did not see coming. This is a page-turner with just the right amount of spice and I look forward to the next installment.
Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the digital ARC of Blood lust by Sandra Brown. The opinions in this review are my own.
In the new novel, Mitch is out to avenge the murder of his wife, though his life is sliding quickly off the rails. Ordered to enter therapy or be fired, he reluctantly starts to see Dr. Dylan Reide, a surprisingly attractive woman, and that is where things start to get really complicated.
I love the mix of romance and danger that Brown mixes in her novels, and Bloodlust has both in spades. I will admit that the ending was a bit of a surprise, with a twist that I did not see coming. This is a page-turner with just the right amount of spice and I look forward to the next installment.
Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the digital ARC of Blood lust by Sandra Brown. The opinions in this review are my own.
March 19, 2026
I love Sandra Brown's writing for its perfect blend of romance and suspense. In this book, Detective Mitch Haskell has gone too far in his obsession to bring his wife's killers to justice, and his boss, his former friend John Bowie, threatens to fire him if he doesn't get therapy. Dr. Dylan Reede has a tragic past of her own and can see past Mitch's joking and attitude to the hurt and grief he hides. She's determined to help him even if he doesn't want it. But as their mandatory sessions go on, she finds it more difficult to keep a professional boundary as their attraction grows.
I really enjoyed both the thriller and romance aspects of this book and especially the surprise ending! I look forward to more books in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
I really enjoyed both the thriller and romance aspects of this book and especially the surprise ending! I look forward to more books in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own
December 22, 2025
This is a great sequel to Blood Moon! it is OK read it
on its own because everything is well laid out. MItch is
a divine character whom I was worried about and was ready
to handle his troubles for him, until I knew I would not need
to because he became entwined with Dylan, who turned
out to be a complicated and emotional character.
John, another complicated, interesting part of Mitch's
life was a huge surprise ~ enough said ...
I am going to sit right here and wait for the next
installment to the 'Blood' knowing I will not be
disappointed!
My thanks to Grand Central Publishing via
NetGalley for the download of this book for
review purposes.
on its own because everything is well laid out. MItch is
a divine character whom I was worried about and was ready
to handle his troubles for him, until I knew I would not need
to because he became entwined with Dylan, who turned
out to be a complicated and emotional character.
John, another complicated, interesting part of Mitch's
life was a huge surprise ~ enough said ...
I am going to sit right here and wait for the next
installment to the 'Blood' knowing I will not be
disappointed!
My thanks to Grand Central Publishing via
NetGalley for the download of this book for
review purposes.
March 22, 2026
I loved Blood Moon and couldn’t wait for Bloodlust to be released. It was definitely worth the wait!
So many twists and turns, who’s lying and who is not?
A grieving cop, whose wife was murdered in cold blood, and his quest for revenge has taken over his life.
He and his best friend his superior officer are at odds, which never happens.
Impossible to know who are the good guys and who are not. No one knows who to trust. This story kept me riveted till the last page. I highly recommend both books in the series, and hope there’s a third!
So many twists and turns, who’s lying and who is not?
A grieving cop, whose wife was murdered in cold blood, and his quest for revenge has taken over his life.
He and his best friend his superior officer are at odds, which never happens.
Impossible to know who are the good guys and who are not. No one knows who to trust. This story kept me riveted till the last page. I highly recommend both books in the series, and hope there’s a third!
March 28, 2026
Blood moon you must read first but this sequel is very good! I missed reading Sandra Brown glad I found her books again
March 24, 2026
This book is a reminder of why I love Sandra Brown’s work. She writes Suspense and romance in such a beautiful way that I remain a fan of her.
The storyline is humorous and engaging, I love how straight to the point it felt. The characters are well written, layered and even crazy. Mitch, with his desperation to prove that his wife was murdered and to arrest the murderers and Dylan the therapist who has to help Mitch overcome his traumas.
I enjoyed reading this book, the twist, the suspense, the humor and the ridiculousness of the romance.
Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for my ARC
The storyline is humorous and engaging, I love how straight to the point it felt. The characters are well written, layered and even crazy. Mitch, with his desperation to prove that his wife was murdered and to arrest the murderers and Dylan the therapist who has to help Mitch overcome his traumas.
I enjoyed reading this book, the twist, the suspense, the humor and the ridiculousness of the romance.
Thank you Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for my ARC
March 29, 2026
A terrific addition to this series.
March 28, 2026
Review to come…..
December 9, 2025
Wow, this book is fantastic. It’s now one of my all time favorites. Loved staying on edge. Mitch is sure his wife was killed, not suicide. He’s on a mission to find out who killed her. Loved how he reacts to his new psychiatrist Dylan. Is he falling for her? There’s many twists that shocked me. Loved getting multiple points of view and that there’s a happy ever after. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy through NetGalley and I highly recommend this book.
October 9, 2025
I still remember the first Sandra Brown book I ever picked up, Low Pressure. For years, people told me that since I was such a big Nora Roberts fan, I needed to give Sandra Brown a try. I finally listened in the summer of 2014, and I am so glad I did because I have been hooked ever since. Once I had read a good number of her books, I started counting down to her new releases like clockwork. That is why I was so excited to get the chance to read this one early.
I had already read Blood Moon and absolutely loved it, especially because of John’s friend Mitch. So imagine my surprise and excitement when I found out this book was actually Mitch’s story. Just like Blood Moon, this one hooked me from the very beginning. The characters felt layered and real, and I loved getting to see a different side of Mitch. Even though we learned new things about him, he still had that same spark and charm that made me love his character the first time around.
The story itself was also so well done. I really enjoyed watching the pieces of the mystery fall into place and trying to connect the dots before everything came together. It had the perfect mix of tension, emotion, and heart, and I found myself completely pulled in until the very last page.
All in all, this was an amazing read, and I honestly wish I had more to dive into right now. This is a slight spoiler, but I do wish the epilogue had been set a little further out. Even so, it wrapped things up beautifully. I would recommend this book to any suspense fan, even if they do not usually read romantic suspense.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
I had already read Blood Moon and absolutely loved it, especially because of John’s friend Mitch. So imagine my surprise and excitement when I found out this book was actually Mitch’s story. Just like Blood Moon, this one hooked me from the very beginning. The characters felt layered and real, and I loved getting to see a different side of Mitch. Even though we learned new things about him, he still had that same spark and charm that made me love his character the first time around.
The story itself was also so well done. I really enjoyed watching the pieces of the mystery fall into place and trying to connect the dots before everything came together. It had the perfect mix of tension, emotion, and heart, and I found myself completely pulled in until the very last page.
All in all, this was an amazing read, and I honestly wish I had more to dive into right now. This is a slight spoiler, but I do wish the epilogue had been set a little further out. Even so, it wrapped things up beautifully. I would recommend this book to any suspense fan, even if they do not usually read romantic suspense.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
November 12, 2025
Bloodlust is a high-action, super-heightened emotion Romantic Suspense that is propulsive from start to finish. Brown has always been a fearless writer and it’s why she led me into this subgenre decades ago and continues to not disappoint.
_____
Summary
Detective Mitch Haskell is hellbent on revenge. He knows his wife did not take her own life, but was murdered in an unspeakably cruel act of retribution for his undercover work. Getting anyone to see this truth feels impossible though. Mitch is not handling the emotions or his anger and he’s sent by his best friend/boss to see a therapist - or else.
Dr. Dylan Reede is qualified to help someone like Mitch deal with his trauma, but she’s not prepared to deal with all the other complications the detective presents. She sees from the start that he will erode any barrier she puts up to keep their relationship strictly professional and tries to back away. But it’s soon clear that anyone near Mitch Haskell is in danger themselves and Dylan must accept that the rules need be bent or broken to stay alive. When it becomes clear Mitch may finally be healing his heart, Dylan will need to decide whether to take a chance on a deeply hurt man who seems from the outside the most dangerous risk of all.
_____
Thoughts
In Sandra Brown’s “Blood Moon” we met Mitch Haskell. He was working undercover in Louisiana, had a wife he loved, and was expecting a child. The MMC of that story was John Bowie, a down on his luck detective who was two seconds away from being fired.
In “Bloodlust”, the trainwreck has flipped completely from one to the other. Brown goes for the jugular in this story, breaking down a character to their basest instincts and creating a man so on the edge of darkness he’s practically swallowed up by bloodlust.
John Bowie is very happily married to the FMC from his book and defeated his own set of foes inside the department which stymied his career. But the ties he has to Mitch, and the gratitude for way Mitch stuck his neck out for John when he was screwing up royally, are extremely important to the way this story is constructed.
Bloodlust is a traditional M/F romantic suspense, in the style Brown does so well. But this is also a story of a deep friendship between two men who love each other – even when they are so self-destructive they no longer love themselves. It’s also about trust and having relationships of a romantic and platonic kind that can carry a person out of the darkest spaces.
Mitch is one of the most broken MMC’s I’ve read in a recently published Romance. It seems fitting that the person who could see past all the very justified anger and trauma is professionally is trained to find a redeemable human underneath. Dylan has no illusions that Mitch is just kind of messed up. Nor does she treat him as a project either.
It’s a tricky line to walk right now having a therapist fall in love with their client, ethically. However, I think Brown pulls this off because Dylan herself quickly knows this is not going to work in a professional sense and tells Mitch so. There’s still likely some dubious parts where it’s clear both Mitch and John are playing around with the idea of therapy as a way to do some career slight of hand. But for me, someone who raises an eyebrow at therapy on page in Romance as a kind of cure all, it works. All three character’s choices feel more realistic to who they are as people than what is the approved party line from readers about therapy these days.
Bloodlust is easy one to recommend to Romantic Suspense readers and long-time Sandra Brown fans. I also enjoyed seeing Sandra Brown return to creating series characters. She builds strong worlds and having a continued story with previous characters made for an even more satisfying conclusion.
———
Grand Central Publishing (March 2026)
Genre/Subgenre: romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance
Standalone/Series: can be read as a standalone, but works best with the world established in Brown’s previous work “Blood Moon”
Themes/Tropes: trauma recovery after great loss, widower, single father, destructive behaviors, substance abuse, therapy and the limitations therein, Louisiana crime, seedy underbelly of a city, corruption in power structures, finding love again
Steam/Spice Level: open door, on page, in the room emotional scenes between the two main characters, medium spicy on a mainstream romance scale
Setting: Louisiana, present day
POV: third person, past tense
Cops/LEO: yes, the MMC is a Detective in the police department and the secondary character is his boss at the PD. Lots of corruption in the local PD themes here.
Children: yes, Mitch’s child with his wife survived the attack and is living with his in laws through the story. This resolves itself happily in the HEA
__________
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy. Expected publishing date: March 17th, 2026
_____
Summary
Detective Mitch Haskell is hellbent on revenge. He knows his wife did not take her own life, but was murdered in an unspeakably cruel act of retribution for his undercover work. Getting anyone to see this truth feels impossible though. Mitch is not handling the emotions or his anger and he’s sent by his best friend/boss to see a therapist - or else.
Dr. Dylan Reede is qualified to help someone like Mitch deal with his trauma, but she’s not prepared to deal with all the other complications the detective presents. She sees from the start that he will erode any barrier she puts up to keep their relationship strictly professional and tries to back away. But it’s soon clear that anyone near Mitch Haskell is in danger themselves and Dylan must accept that the rules need be bent or broken to stay alive. When it becomes clear Mitch may finally be healing his heart, Dylan will need to decide whether to take a chance on a deeply hurt man who seems from the outside the most dangerous risk of all.
_____
Thoughts
In Sandra Brown’s “Blood Moon” we met Mitch Haskell. He was working undercover in Louisiana, had a wife he loved, and was expecting a child. The MMC of that story was John Bowie, a down on his luck detective who was two seconds away from being fired.
In “Bloodlust”, the trainwreck has flipped completely from one to the other. Brown goes for the jugular in this story, breaking down a character to their basest instincts and creating a man so on the edge of darkness he’s practically swallowed up by bloodlust.
John Bowie is very happily married to the FMC from his book and defeated his own set of foes inside the department which stymied his career. But the ties he has to Mitch, and the gratitude for way Mitch stuck his neck out for John when he was screwing up royally, are extremely important to the way this story is constructed.
Bloodlust is a traditional M/F romantic suspense, in the style Brown does so well. But this is also a story of a deep friendship between two men who love each other – even when they are so self-destructive they no longer love themselves. It’s also about trust and having relationships of a romantic and platonic kind that can carry a person out of the darkest spaces.
Mitch is one of the most broken MMC’s I’ve read in a recently published Romance. It seems fitting that the person who could see past all the very justified anger and trauma is professionally is trained to find a redeemable human underneath. Dylan has no illusions that Mitch is just kind of messed up. Nor does she treat him as a project either.
It’s a tricky line to walk right now having a therapist fall in love with their client, ethically. However, I think Brown pulls this off because Dylan herself quickly knows this is not going to work in a professional sense and tells Mitch so. There’s still likely some dubious parts where it’s clear both Mitch and John are playing around with the idea of therapy as a way to do some career slight of hand. But for me, someone who raises an eyebrow at therapy on page in Romance as a kind of cure all, it works. All three character’s choices feel more realistic to who they are as people than what is the approved party line from readers about therapy these days.
Bloodlust is easy one to recommend to Romantic Suspense readers and long-time Sandra Brown fans. I also enjoyed seeing Sandra Brown return to creating series characters. She builds strong worlds and having a continued story with previous characters made for an even more satisfying conclusion.
———
Grand Central Publishing (March 2026)
Genre/Subgenre: romance, romantic suspense, contemporary romance
Standalone/Series: can be read as a standalone, but works best with the world established in Brown’s previous work “Blood Moon”
Themes/Tropes: trauma recovery after great loss, widower, single father, destructive behaviors, substance abuse, therapy and the limitations therein, Louisiana crime, seedy underbelly of a city, corruption in power structures, finding love again
Steam/Spice Level: open door, on page, in the room emotional scenes between the two main characters, medium spicy on a mainstream romance scale
Setting: Louisiana, present day
POV: third person, past tense
Cops/LEO: yes, the MMC is a Detective in the police department and the secondary character is his boss at the PD. Lots of corruption in the local PD themes here.
Children: yes, Mitch’s child with his wife survived the attack and is living with his in laws through the story. This resolves itself happily in the HEA
__________
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy. Expected publishing date: March 17th, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Much thanks to Sandra Brown, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I won't lie, I was sucked in. Read this in about 24 hours. Brown knows how to keep the pace fast and the tension high. But if you've read Brown's work before, you'll find this is pretty much cut and paste.
So Brown's writing style might be compelling, but the narrative was lazy and the characters disgusting.
Note also that this novel shares characters with her last novel, Blood Moon. I labeled Blood Moon as read but I remember none of it. The characters weren't familiar, the setting wasn't familiar, and the only part of the plot I recall was the blood moon because title. I revisited my last few reviews for her books and couldn't recall squat from those books, either. Guarantee you I also won't remember this one, except perhaps for how bad it was.
I won't lie, I was sucked in. Read this in about 24 hours. Brown knows how to keep the pace fast and the tension high. But if you've read Brown's work before, you'll find this is pretty much cut and paste.
So Brown's writing style might be compelling, but the narrative was lazy and the characters disgusting.
Note also that this novel shares characters with her last novel, Blood Moon. I labeled Blood Moon as read but I remember none of it. The characters weren't familiar, the setting wasn't familiar, and the only part of the plot I recall was the blood moon because title. I revisited my last few reviews for her books and couldn't recall squat from those books, either. Guarantee you I also won't remember this one, except perhaps for how bad it was.
March 29, 2026
4.4★: SOUTHERN FRIED GENIUS. Bloodlust, the second book in Sandra Brown’s series, centers on Detective Mitch Haskell, who spirals after his wife’s murder, blaming drug lord Oz and enforcer Roland Malone. Mandated therapy with Dr. Dylan Reede sparks chemistry amid his rogue hunt, while old allies John Bowie and Beth Collins provide backup. Tension builds as Mitch’s obsession risks everything against a ruthless cartel.
KEY CHARACTERS:
🗣️Mitch Haskell: Grieving Louisiana detective seeking vengeance
🗣️Angela Haskell: Mitch’s late wife, murder drives the plot
🗣️Andrew Haskell: Mitch’s son (almost 3)
🧑🤝🧑Mitch’s In-Laws: Caretakers of Mitch’s boy
🗣️Dr. Dylan Reede: Therapist assigned to counsel Mitch
🗣️Roland Malone: Ruthless hitman / drug dealer / restaurant owner
🗣️Oz: Mysterious kingpin directing Malone’s operations
🗣️El Paso: small, 20-something hoodlum working for Malone
🗣️John Bowie (“Buoy”): Mitch’s boss, former partner/best friend
🗣️Beth Collins: Bowie’s very pregnant partner
MYSTERY COMPONENTS:
🧩 Mitch’s wife’s death ruled a suicide
🧩 Mitch believes she was murdered
❓ Somehow he blames Malone & Oz
❓ I was never clear on motive
🧩 Mitch spies on Malone off-duty
🧩 Professional/ethical boundaries are crossed
🧩 Other murders nearby seem connected
🧩 Mitch pushes on his DEA contact for info
🧩 Malone has a dirty cop inside Bowie’s dept
DIALOG & ACCENTS FOR THE WIN 🏆
In general, the mystery in this was on the weak side. But what drove my rating and overall enjoyment was actually the narration and dialog (kudos to narrator Kyf Brewer.) The two Louisiana detectives have strong southern accents and eloquent vocabulary. I had to look-up what people call this because I have a feeling I’ve liked it all along. The three answers I liked most were:
👅 Southern Gentleman: A classic archetype for a male character who is well-dressed, suave, and exceptionally well-spoken despite a heavy drawl.
👅 Southern Orator: Refers to a specific style of “classic Southern oratory” known for its complex structure, rhetorical flair, and “silver-tongued” delivery.
👅 Southern Fried Genius: An informal trope (or “literate hillbilly”) describing a character who might live a simple, rural life but possesses an advanced, almost poetic vocabulary—often surprising those who might underestimate them based on their accent.
SIMILAR SILVER-TONGUED SOUTHERN GENTS:
⭐ Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer) of Georgia in Tombstone
⭐ Frank Underwood (K. Spacey) of South Carolina in House of Cards
⭐ Foghorn Leghorn of Virginia in Looney Tunes (lol)
⭐ Matthew McConaughey of Texas in just about anything
Mitch and Bowie also have just the right amount of snark, which is fun. And the book also had some steamy elements. Which, makes the whole thing hard to rate. Better than a 4, but not a 5.
Published on 3/17/26, this book had a 4.42-star average by 591 GR peeps when I finished it a week later.
KEY CHARACTERS:
🗣️Mitch Haskell: Grieving Louisiana detective seeking vengeance
🗣️Angela Haskell: Mitch’s late wife, murder drives the plot
🗣️Andrew Haskell: Mitch’s son (almost 3)
🧑🤝🧑Mitch’s In-Laws: Caretakers of Mitch’s boy
🗣️Dr. Dylan Reede: Therapist assigned to counsel Mitch
🗣️Roland Malone: Ruthless hitman / drug dealer / restaurant owner
🗣️Oz: Mysterious kingpin directing Malone’s operations
🗣️El Paso: small, 20-something hoodlum working for Malone
🗣️John Bowie (“Buoy”): Mitch’s boss, former partner/best friend
🗣️Beth Collins: Bowie’s very pregnant partner
MYSTERY COMPONENTS:
🧩 Mitch’s wife’s death ruled a suicide
🧩 Mitch believes she was murdered
❓ Somehow he blames Malone & Oz
❓ I was never clear on motive
🧩 Mitch spies on Malone off-duty
🧩 Professional/ethical boundaries are crossed
🧩 Other murders nearby seem connected
🧩 Mitch pushes on his DEA contact for info
🧩 Malone has a dirty cop inside Bowie’s dept
DIALOG & ACCENTS FOR THE WIN 🏆
In general, the mystery in this was on the weak side. But what drove my rating and overall enjoyment was actually the narration and dialog (kudos to narrator Kyf Brewer.) The two Louisiana detectives have strong southern accents and eloquent vocabulary. I had to look-up what people call this because I have a feeling I’ve liked it all along. The three answers I liked most were:
👅 Southern Gentleman: A classic archetype for a male character who is well-dressed, suave, and exceptionally well-spoken despite a heavy drawl.
👅 Southern Orator: Refers to a specific style of “classic Southern oratory” known for its complex structure, rhetorical flair, and “silver-tongued” delivery.
👅 Southern Fried Genius: An informal trope (or “literate hillbilly”) describing a character who might live a simple, rural life but possesses an advanced, almost poetic vocabulary—often surprising those who might underestimate them based on their accent.
SIMILAR SILVER-TONGUED SOUTHERN GENTS:
⭐ Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer) of Georgia in Tombstone
⭐ Frank Underwood (K. Spacey) of South Carolina in House of Cards
⭐ Foghorn Leghorn of Virginia in Looney Tunes (lol)
⭐ Matthew McConaughey of Texas in just about anything
Mitch and Bowie also have just the right amount of snark, which is fun. And the book also had some steamy elements. Which, makes the whole thing hard to rate. Better than a 4, but not a 5.
Published on 3/17/26, this book had a 4.42-star average by 591 GR peeps when I finished it a week later.
March 22, 2026
The action in BLOODLUST is set in the same Louisiana town as Sandra Brown’s previous book with "blood" in the title, BLOOD MOON. While the main characters from BLOOD MOON appear in this latest effort, it's not a sequel. The similarities, though, are hard to ignore.
In BLOODLUST, it's Detective Mitch Haskell who sits stage center, with therapist Dylan Reede taking an important but secondary role. The protagonists from BLOOD MOON are supporting characters here, and it helps to have read it first, but BLOODLUST is certainly a stand-alone novel as well.
The Prologue is chilling, taking us back in time to a scene where Mitch's wife is killed. She's alone in their home with her infant son when she sees an intruder. We aren’t privy to the details, but we can feel the icy demeanor and pitiless stare of the killer, whom we are destined to meet again. Mitch has vowed to find out who did it. But at the same time, he has a young son, Andrew, to care for.
One of Brown's trademarks is the manner in which she is able to combine violent suspense with sultry, passionate romance. There are no blushing wallflowers here, but rather strong women who know what they want. Still, her characters are flawed in some manner; they all have something in their past that has hurt them and caused the suffering. This novel is no different. Mitch lost his wife in a horrible way, leaving Andrew with no mother. Dylan, whose husband died tragically, is also suffering.
But at the start, Mitch is determined to use Dylan as a tool to get to the person he is sure murdered his wife. She is unaware of his machinations, but the chemistry between them is immediate and explosive. Dylan struggles to hold on to her professionalism, but Mitch makes it almost impossible.
This is not a mystery. We are aware who the bad guys are; we just don't know how Mitch will find the evidence that will lead to the top crime boss, the one who gives the orders. He knows that Roland Malone, ostensibly "just" a restaurateur, is a hired killer who takes commands from the mysterious, elusive Oz.
Those who read BLOOD MOON will appreciate the parallelism in the two stories. Mitch has a gut feeling that he knows who Oz is, but he doesn't have proof, just as Detective John Bowie in the previous book knew who the killer was, even though there was no hard evidence. The gripping execution, nonstop action, impeccable timing and pitch-perfect dialogue are what we expect from Sandra Brown, all leading to a very satisfying ending.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
In BLOODLUST, it's Detective Mitch Haskell who sits stage center, with therapist Dylan Reede taking an important but secondary role. The protagonists from BLOOD MOON are supporting characters here, and it helps to have read it first, but BLOODLUST is certainly a stand-alone novel as well.
The Prologue is chilling, taking us back in time to a scene where Mitch's wife is killed. She's alone in their home with her infant son when she sees an intruder. We aren’t privy to the details, but we can feel the icy demeanor and pitiless stare of the killer, whom we are destined to meet again. Mitch has vowed to find out who did it. But at the same time, he has a young son, Andrew, to care for.
One of Brown's trademarks is the manner in which she is able to combine violent suspense with sultry, passionate romance. There are no blushing wallflowers here, but rather strong women who know what they want. Still, her characters are flawed in some manner; they all have something in their past that has hurt them and caused the suffering. This novel is no different. Mitch lost his wife in a horrible way, leaving Andrew with no mother. Dylan, whose husband died tragically, is also suffering.
But at the start, Mitch is determined to use Dylan as a tool to get to the person he is sure murdered his wife. She is unaware of his machinations, but the chemistry between them is immediate and explosive. Dylan struggles to hold on to her professionalism, but Mitch makes it almost impossible.
This is not a mystery. We are aware who the bad guys are; we just don't know how Mitch will find the evidence that will lead to the top crime boss, the one who gives the orders. He knows that Roland Malone, ostensibly "just" a restaurateur, is a hired killer who takes commands from the mysterious, elusive Oz.
Those who read BLOOD MOON will appreciate the parallelism in the two stories. Mitch has a gut feeling that he knows who Oz is, but he doesn't have proof, just as Detective John Bowie in the previous book knew who the killer was, even though there was no hard evidence. The gripping execution, nonstop action, impeccable timing and pitch-perfect dialogue are what we expect from Sandra Brown, all leading to a very satisfying ending.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Can she stop a revenge-obsessed cop's downward spiral?
Mitch Haskell was a great cop until his wife died two years ago, an apparent suicide leaving Mitch to raise their new baby son alone. Mitch is convinced that his Angela was murdered by someone wanting to settle a score with him, but has been unable to find any evidence to support his belief. He has vowed to find out who was behind it, but the pain of his loss is ripping him apart. He drinks too much, his behavior is erratic, and even his best friend, former partner and current boss John Bowie has reached the end of his patience with Mitch's antics. Bowie orders Mitch to see a psychologist and deal with the grief that is eating away at him or he will be kicked off the force. Dr. Dylan Reede is nothing like Mitch imagined: young, beautiful, and herself a victim of tragic loss. There is an instant attraction between them which is a huge problem, and more sinister challenges await. A local crime boss known only as Oz and the brutal man he uses as his enforcer (who just happen to have a connection to Dylan) want Mitch neutralized and kept away from Dylan, who unwittingly knows things that could bring Oz down. As Mitch pushes forward with his quest for revenge, he must fight his attraction to Dylan while keeping her (and his young son) safe from the danger that surrounds them all.
Bloodlust is the latest novel of romantic suspense from veteran author Sandra Brown, and contains the elements for which her tales are well known. The two protagonists are both dealing in their own way with tragedy and regret in their respective pasts, and find themselves struggling to fight the strong chemistry between them. Mitch is the better developed of the two characters, and the friendship between him and Brodie (whose story was featured in the last Brown novel, Blood Moon) is a strong element in the story. Those who like their heroes more than a little on the smart-alec, I'm-charming-and-I-know-it side will find Mitch right up their alley. Dylan isn't the strongest female protagonist around (and her ethical stance about dalliances with clients weakens awfully quickly), but overall the story has its share of plot twists and steamy action. Its an entertaining read sure to appeal to the author's fans as well as readers of Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood and Karen Rose. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review.
Mitch Haskell was a great cop until his wife died two years ago, an apparent suicide leaving Mitch to raise their new baby son alone. Mitch is convinced that his Angela was murdered by someone wanting to settle a score with him, but has been unable to find any evidence to support his belief. He has vowed to find out who was behind it, but the pain of his loss is ripping him apart. He drinks too much, his behavior is erratic, and even his best friend, former partner and current boss John Bowie has reached the end of his patience with Mitch's antics. Bowie orders Mitch to see a psychologist and deal with the grief that is eating away at him or he will be kicked off the force. Dr. Dylan Reede is nothing like Mitch imagined: young, beautiful, and herself a victim of tragic loss. There is an instant attraction between them which is a huge problem, and more sinister challenges await. A local crime boss known only as Oz and the brutal man he uses as his enforcer (who just happen to have a connection to Dylan) want Mitch neutralized and kept away from Dylan, who unwittingly knows things that could bring Oz down. As Mitch pushes forward with his quest for revenge, he must fight his attraction to Dylan while keeping her (and his young son) safe from the danger that surrounds them all.
Bloodlust is the latest novel of romantic suspense from veteran author Sandra Brown, and contains the elements for which her tales are well known. The two protagonists are both dealing in their own way with tragedy and regret in their respective pasts, and find themselves struggling to fight the strong chemistry between them. Mitch is the better developed of the two characters, and the friendship between him and Brodie (whose story was featured in the last Brown novel, Blood Moon) is a strong element in the story. Those who like their heroes more than a little on the smart-alec, I'm-charming-and-I-know-it side will find Mitch right up their alley. Dylan isn't the strongest female protagonist around (and her ethical stance about dalliances with clients weakens awfully quickly), but overall the story has its share of plot twists and steamy action. Its an entertaining read sure to appeal to the author's fans as well as readers of Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood and Karen Rose. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me access to the novel in exchange for my honest review.
March 14, 2026
I did read the first book of this series (“Blood Moon”) and I admit I’m having an up and down opinion of Sandra Brown’s books. I loved the one before the first series book (“Overkill”), but I was very suspicious (and ultimately disliked) “Blood Moon” mostly because I felt author Brown had an anonymous male co-author who was tiny bit misogynistic. But, I came back for a second time.
Sandra Brown is a tad formulaic — she presents main characters struggling with their own pasts and then fighting their obvious attraction to each other. Brown, author of 80+ books and closing in on her eighth decade as well, has been coy about employing co-authors, unlike the equally prolific James Patterson. Brown, however, does have a ton of loyal fans who expect her stories to be familiar and procedural.
We had a pairing (with an age difference) in the last installment, Detective John Bowie and TV producer Beth. I was surprised to find this unconvincing couple married and pregnant in this novel, but I am grateful for their confirmed happy ending. Bowie is back as the main character’s boss, detective Mitch Haskell. Haskell has been spiraling since his wife Angela’s death two years ago (Coerced suicide? Revenge killing?) and Bowie has ordered Mitch to see a therapist. Young, beautiful Dr. Dylan Reede is nothing like Mitch expected (including that Dylan is a she/her/hers and her ethics about becoming involved with clients are very gray. Very). Mitch is a hot head and his first interactions with his therapist border on sexual harassment. Again, I suspect this book (like “Bloodlust) has an anonymous male co-author contributing to the main male character’s sexist psyche, but at least Dylan is stronger and isn’t falling initially for his undermining tactics.
Eventually the story turns to despicable criminal Roland Malone (we know up front that he murdered Angela) and his mysterious boss, Oz, plus the coincidental therapeutic relationship that Dylan has with a bad guy.
We get Brown’s trademark romantic suspense storyline as the interactions between Dylan and Mitch get more entangled. I did like this thriller better than the last one again, again contributing to my on/off love of Sandra Brown thrillers. 4 stars.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
Sandra Brown is a tad formulaic — she presents main characters struggling with their own pasts and then fighting their obvious attraction to each other. Brown, author of 80+ books and closing in on her eighth decade as well, has been coy about employing co-authors, unlike the equally prolific James Patterson. Brown, however, does have a ton of loyal fans who expect her stories to be familiar and procedural.
We had a pairing (with an age difference) in the last installment, Detective John Bowie and TV producer Beth. I was surprised to find this unconvincing couple married and pregnant in this novel, but I am grateful for their confirmed happy ending. Bowie is back as the main character’s boss, detective Mitch Haskell. Haskell has been spiraling since his wife Angela’s death two years ago (Coerced suicide? Revenge killing?) and Bowie has ordered Mitch to see a therapist. Young, beautiful Dr. Dylan Reede is nothing like Mitch expected (including that Dylan is a she/her/hers and her ethics about becoming involved with clients are very gray. Very). Mitch is a hot head and his first interactions with his therapist border on sexual harassment. Again, I suspect this book (like “Bloodlust) has an anonymous male co-author contributing to the main male character’s sexist psyche, but at least Dylan is stronger and isn’t falling initially for his undermining tactics.
Eventually the story turns to despicable criminal Roland Malone (we know up front that he murdered Angela) and his mysterious boss, Oz, plus the coincidental therapeutic relationship that Dylan has with a bad guy.
We get Brown’s trademark romantic suspense storyline as the interactions between Dylan and Mitch get more entangled. I did like this thriller better than the last one again, again contributing to my on/off love of Sandra Brown thrillers. 4 stars.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!
March 17, 2026
Bloodlust by Sandra Brown is one of those books so well written that the reader is immersed immediately instead of having to “get into” the book. It is essentially a police procedural featuring Mitch Haskell, a detective who had joined the force from another agency because his best friend, John, was his supervisor. They worked in tandem. Mitch’s wife had been killed two years earlier, which the reader is a witness to in the prologue. The authorities had called it a suicide, but he knew better. Now he needed to prove it. But, first, on the second anniversary of her death, he got drunk, after months of being sober, and tore up a bar. He was hauled off to the drunk tank and John was summoned, where he spoke some plain truths. He sent Mitch home with instructions to sober up, shower, and return to work. Where they again fought. John issued an ultimatum: see a therapist, on the department’s dime, or he was done. He sent him a list. Mitch chose one and made an appointment. Her name was Dylan. He thought she was a man. She wasn’t.
While navigating his shaky return to the department, he was also navigating his three-year-old son who was living with his in-laws. He was now three years old and the best thing in Mitch’s life. Mitch is a terrific character: strong, determined, loyal. Very well-written. Dylan held strongly to her oath and shares nothing with Mitch as they navigate this story. It gets personal and those stories come out. The mystery was a good one: An anonymous drug dealer, with a hit man. As always, it is the top guy they are after. There was surprise after surprise in the telling of this story. Great characters. Anonymous bad guys and traitors. Just enough personal stuff to make it worthwhile. A great read.
I was invited to read Bloodlust by Grand Central Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #GrandCentralPublishing #SandraBrown #Bloodlust
While navigating his shaky return to the department, he was also navigating his three-year-old son who was living with his in-laws. He was now three years old and the best thing in Mitch’s life. Mitch is a terrific character: strong, determined, loyal. Very well-written. Dylan held strongly to her oath and shares nothing with Mitch as they navigate this story. It gets personal and those stories come out. The mystery was a good one: An anonymous drug dealer, with a hit man. As always, it is the top guy they are after. There was surprise after surprise in the telling of this story. Great characters. Anonymous bad guys and traitors. Just enough personal stuff to make it worthwhile. A great read.
I was invited to read Bloodlust by Grand Central Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #GrandCentralPublishing #SandraBrown #Bloodlust
October 7, 2025
I am such a fan of this author's books. I loved Blood Moon. It had the fast-paced thriller energy that kept you engaged, the love story that unfolded while catching the bad guy and that would have been enough to make a really good story, but the protagonist, John Bowie, and his best friend, Mitch Haskell were the glue that made the story "extra" special. Imagine my surprise and joy when this author added a second book that included the two buddies. This story did not disappoint and the ending left you wanting more from John and Mitch.......hint, hint.
The story begins with a tragic event that propels Mitch into a man with a vendetta to get to the truth. His best friend, John, knows he is spiraling and he is trying to help him. Mitch has hit rock bottom and John is mandating that he see a therapist to try to get the help he needs. Mitch has other plans as he just received a "tip" that lead him closer to the hunch he has been feeling for two years. His therapist, Dylan, is losing patience with Mitch as he is not working within the boundaries with the doctor. The other challenge is that both have noticed that there is chemistry between them which complicates the situation. Pieces start to surface and Mitch soon learns that Dylan may hold an important piece of information that can tie the mystery together, which now makes her vulnerable and possibly in danger. Mitch can't let this happen and he is eager to atone for the guilt he has harbored since the tragic event.
This story was so fast paced, and John and Beth were included which added so much to Mitch's storyline. John and Mitch have that "IT" factor and I'm not sure if it is the fierceness they possess to keep the ones they love safe, or the New Orleans vibe, but it works and I hope we can see more.
The story begins with a tragic event that propels Mitch into a man with a vendetta to get to the truth. His best friend, John, knows he is spiraling and he is trying to help him. Mitch has hit rock bottom and John is mandating that he see a therapist to try to get the help he needs. Mitch has other plans as he just received a "tip" that lead him closer to the hunch he has been feeling for two years. His therapist, Dylan, is losing patience with Mitch as he is not working within the boundaries with the doctor. The other challenge is that both have noticed that there is chemistry between them which complicates the situation. Pieces start to surface and Mitch soon learns that Dylan may hold an important piece of information that can tie the mystery together, which now makes her vulnerable and possibly in danger. Mitch can't let this happen and he is eager to atone for the guilt he has harbored since the tragic event.
This story was so fast paced, and John and Beth were included which added so much to Mitch's storyline. John and Mitch have that "IT" factor and I'm not sure if it is the fierceness they possess to keep the ones they love safe, or the New Orleans vibe, but it works and I hope we can see more.
Did not finish
March 29, 2026I really enjoy Sandra Brown's books and writing. I was excited to see a new release but am now choosing not to read it. I want to stress, this might be a fantastic read, I respect the writer but want to leave a comment from my position as a therapist in training. This comment is not even geared that much towards this book, as much as the general therapist/client relationship trope.
The romanticization of a therapist struggling to maintain the professional and personal boundaries is a dangerous and irresponsible trope.
It reframes ethical violations as emotional depth, "empathy", instead of plainly naming them as harm. The normalization of this behavior, in real life, can have serious psychological consequences for clients who are in inherently vulnerable positions. By blurring the line between care and intimacy, such narratives distort the power dynamics at the core of the therapeutic relationship.
In real life, such a situation must be examined as exploitation and gross misconduct.
Such depictions in media also have a broader cultural impact. Media shapes expectations, and repeatedly presenting boundary violations as romantic or inevitable can erode public understanding of what safe, ethical therapy looks like. It may even discourage people from seeking help or make it harder for them to recognize inappropriate behavior in real therapeutic settings. We as a society seem more sensitive to calling out such dynamics when the person in power is male with a female client. The reversal of roles does not lessen the impact of this dynamic.
I hope all readers of this and similar books enjoy the story and also keep in mind that this should never be tolerated in real life.
The romanticization of a therapist struggling to maintain the professional and personal boundaries is a dangerous and irresponsible trope.
It reframes ethical violations as emotional depth, "empathy", instead of plainly naming them as harm. The normalization of this behavior, in real life, can have serious psychological consequences for clients who are in inherently vulnerable positions. By blurring the line between care and intimacy, such narratives distort the power dynamics at the core of the therapeutic relationship.
In real life, such a situation must be examined as exploitation and gross misconduct.
Such depictions in media also have a broader cultural impact. Media shapes expectations, and repeatedly presenting boundary violations as romantic or inevitable can erode public understanding of what safe, ethical therapy looks like. It may even discourage people from seeking help or make it harder for them to recognize inappropriate behavior in real therapeutic settings. We as a society seem more sensitive to calling out such dynamics when the person in power is male with a female client. The reversal of roles does not lessen the impact of this dynamic.
I hope all readers of this and similar books enjoy the story and also keep in mind that this should never be tolerated in real life.
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