Stranger Danger

Marda Loop Mysteries #3

by Mimi Gunn

When it comes to love, Simone Cormier is here for a good time, not a long time. Determined to focus on her career as a lawyer, Simone avoids emotional entanglements, which means staying away from Roger King. Though memories of their one night together make her heart race, she prefers to just stay friends.
After working through a painful divorce, Roger King’s life is finally back on track. He’s got everything he could possibly want, except the woman of his dreams won’t give him the time of day. When circumstances bring them back together, he is determined to prove that he is worth a second look.
All his plans come to a halt when Roger’s ex-wife is murdered. Compelling evidence makes Roger one of the prime suspects and he seeks the support of the best lawyer he Simone.
Working together forces them to see each other in a different light, making Simone reconsider her prior convictions. The walls Simone constructed come tumbling down as she realizes love isn’t something to fear, it’s something worth fighting for.
With Simone’s help, Roger must prove his innocence and discover who would frame him for murder, before his love and his freedom become collateral damage.

This is Book 3 in the Marda Loop Mysteries romantic suspense series.

Genres: Mystery, Romance

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Mimi Gunn writes from the unique perspective of an Ottawa region born French-Canadian living in Calgary, Alberta. Stories have always been an important part of her culture growing up, from hilarious tales shared around the kitchen table to ghost stories told around the campfire. She is passionate about cooking meals that bring people together and spending time with her family. In her free time, she hoards romance novels and feeds her addiction to travel and adventures, with a strong penchant for Disneyland as a destination! Mimi is delighted to share the stories that have been living in her mind with you and hopes you enjoy her strong heroines and dashing heroes.
Visit her at @mimigunnbooks for romance book recommendations and updates on the next book coming in the series. Follow her Goodreads at Mimi Gunn. Visit her website www.mimigunn.com. Happy reading!

Reviews

[Spinster Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good story! It had delightful banter, delicious spice and interesting mystery. It made me giggle, squeal, roll my eyes, snort laugh, tear up, and kick my feet. So fun!

Simone is a brilliant & focused lawyer who has very definite ideas about life, success and relationships.

Roger is a finance guy who is recovering from a bad divorce.

They've known each other for years. And they've *known* each other for a few months following one grown up night at a wedding. He is super into her. She is determined not to be into anyone. He decides to shoot his shot and pursue her. Big time. She refuses. A lot. So fun!

Simone is precious. She is so determined not to have the life her mother had that she is stopping herself from really considering what life she wants. I am such a fan!

Roger is a kinda ridiculous, super dramatic man who is looking for love with someone who truly values him. You would think he would be too much but no, he is just right.

Simone & Roger are incredible solo and brilliant together. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them navigate communication, figuring out what they want and dealing with a wee bit of a sticky legal situation.

This was my first Mimi Gunn book and I CANNOT wait to read her other stories! My brain really liked the flow and tempo of her writing and found it easy to follow along & keep track of characters.

I received this as an ARC and am beyond grateful. My review is based entirely on the content of the story.

note:edited rating from 4 to 5 as cannot stop thinking about this book and how much I liked it. So, had to revisit my rating.

[Winter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a difficult book to review. I almost DNF at 34% but decided to give it a couple more chapters and ended up finishing. It started to drag again at the 85% mark.

First off, I don't understand why it's titled Stranger Danger. The main characters have known each other since university, and had a one night stand four months before the events of the book. Where is the stranger??

Secondly, the crime aspect was super lame. I don't want to give spoilers so I'll leave it at that. It didn't even come up until 45% in. It was a subplot and I would expect more from something marketed as a romantic suspense novel. What happened during that first 45% of the book? Almost nothing. Just a lot of monologue from the main characters about whether they should or should not start dating. This isn't even insta-lust. It's whatever happens before insta-lust because they had already been together before and kept thinking about their "electricity." It was repetitive.

Thirdly, the characters. Roger is super bland. His personality is being hot for Simone. Simone was just annoying. Wishy-washy.

I would not recommend this book for people looking specifically for romantic suspense.

ARC received via Netgalley.

[Twins Reading Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRANGER DANGER by Mimi Gunn is a fascinating suspenseful mystery that grips your mind and heart from the very first lines, the protagonist, Simone Cormier, is a lawyer who is committed about putting her work before her love life, her personal challenges are poised and truthful. I was hooked into every choice she makes because of the vibrant intensity with which her conflict between personal yearning and professional ambition is rendered. There's such a magnetic tension between Simone and Roger King that is compelling and unpredictable!!! The pattern of Mimi Gunn's writing makes turning the pages feel almost instinctive, as if the plot beats in time with your own heartbeat, the story develops at a spectacular pace thanks to an assortment of peaceful introspection and suspenseful moments!
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Simone's opposition to be vulnerable and the gradual strengthening of her defences make her development therapeutic. Roger King is an image of courage and quiet strength, and his return to Simone's life is intriguing and dangerous, his personal development following a difficult divorce is presented with nuanced sensitivity, giving him more than just a love interest, the death of his ex-wife casts a long shadow over the plot, creating an emotional backdrop that furthers it all. Mimi Gunn's handling of Roger's situation is addictively entertaining, melding legal manoeuvring with human stakes in a way that keeps you wondering!
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Their professional relationship develops into something even more tender, revealing that trust can be a weapon and a healer, each contact between Simone and Roger holds an addictive suspense, the kind that urges you to read in spare times simply to see what happens next, the stakes are great, the emotions are extremely sincere, and the story never avoids to address love and danger head on! Mimi Gunn's power to deliver together romance with a suspenseful plot makes this third installment of the series especially unforgettable and a masterpiece you wouldn't want to miss, just an unputdownable until the very last word!

[Allie Cray · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review

4 ⭐️
3 🌶️

I was so excited to read the third book in the Marda Loops series since I loved the first two. I’ve been branching out and reading more and more romantic suspense because of this series.

The thing I love about this book (and the other in the series) is that friendship is a big theme. It’s clear that the characters in the book are such great friends and will help each other out in any way! They will even help solve a crime for you😉

I will be honest and say, I was expecting the crime part of it to be bigger and last longer than it did. But it did not disappoint me. It actually made me appreciate Simone for stepping up and helping Roger when he needed it. I think that event definitely did make the relationship stronger and helped her realize her true feeling.

[Priscilla Herchold · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded up to 4

I tend to read much, much darker books so this was a very welcome and enjoyable reprieve. And as a female attorney, I'm always game to read a book with an FMC in the same career!

Frenemies... is this a long-forgotten trope? Enemies to lovers (love it) is everywhere, so is dislike to lovers and friends to lovers. But frenemies is awesome because the banter and yearning are both afforded the opportunity to shine here. Roger and Simone have known each other since college and had a one-night stand prior to this book. Safe to say, Roger has been yearning and burning while Simone has a very strict no relationship rule - the law is often a cruel mistress. But as we often see that one-night stand left one heck of an impression!

Also, I feel like third person POV is controversial in the romance community since we so usually see first person POV. Personally, I really enjoy third person since you're outside of a character's head - you're not limited by just that individual character's depth and scope. The dual POV here was a great touch and I really wish there were more third person POV books in romance (or maybe I'm just not looking in the right spot for them!).

There is a mystery aspect to this book. I won't say much because I don't want to give it away. I do think the book is focused more on Simone, Roger, and their relationship with the mystery playing a secondary role. This worked for me as I am a romance heavy reader and when I want to read a mystery, I prefer the mystery rather than the romance.

I haven't read the first 2 books in the Marda Loop Mysteries and I don't feel like you need to in order to read this one. Now, however, I do want to go back and read the first 2!

🔥Third person dual POV
🔥Romantic suspense
🔥Frenemies to lovers
🔥He falls first
🔥Possible ghost sightings
🔥Lawyer FMC
🔥MMC in finance
🔥A touch of western
🔥Open-door spice
🔥Cozy mystery vibes

Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for the gifted copy!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first read from this author and the third book in the Marda Loop Mysteries so in starting with Stranger Danger I did feel that perhaps I missed some background to Simone and Roger’s relationship but I did enjoy the suspense element to their story even if I felt the development of their relationship overpowered the plot at times. I loved the heroine, Simone. She was a woman after my own heart. She knew what she wanted, and it wasn’t risking her heart on a chance. She was all about living life on her terms while the hero Roger just wanted to settle down, he might’ve gotten it wrong first time around but that just meant he knew when he’d found the real deal. Now he just had to convince Simone but before he can do so he may have need of her legal services when he’s the suspect in his ex-wife’s murder, then again on the plus side it’ll make sure she spends some quality time with him. Personally, if I’d been Simone, I’d have run the other way when it came to Roger, he just seemed so grey. I did feel that the pacing of the story felt a bit slow and at times I felt myself skimming through parts especially when it came to their relationship. Will I read more from this series? Right now, I honestly don’t know.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so I just finished Stranger Danger and wow, this one was a ride. It’s book 3 in the Marda Loop Mysteries series, and honestly, I didn’t expect to get so pulled into Simone and Roger’s story. Simone is this super driven lawyer who’s all about her career and keeping things casual when it comes to romance. Roger, on the other hand, is basically the walking definition of “emotionally available” and still hung up on Simone after their one-night thing.
The murder mystery part kicks in when Roger’s ex-wife turns up dead and suddenly he’s suspect number one. That’s when things really start moving. He turns to Simone for help, and of course, working together brings up all the unresolved tension between them. I liked how their relationship developed—it wasn’t rushed, and Simone’s emotional walls felt real, not just thrown in for drama.
The suspense part was solid. Not super twisty, but enough to keep me guessing. I did wish the pacing was a bit tighter in the middle—it dragged a little when they were just circling around their feelings—but the ending made up for it. The courtroom scenes were fun too, especially since Simone is such a boss when she’s in lawyer mode.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Stranger Danger. It’s a mix of romance and mystery, and the story kept me interested from beginning to end. Simone is a strong, smart lawyer who’s focused on her career. She doesn’t let people get close easily, but when Roger King comes back into her life, everything starts to shift.

Simone and Roger have a complicated past, and their connection is full of tension and emotion. I liked how their relationship slowly changed over time. It wasn’t rushed, and it felt real. Roger is patient and kind, and I could see how much he cared for Simone, even when she tried to push him away.

The mystery part of the story added a lot of suspense. There’s a death that affects Roger deeply, and it brings more layers to the plot. I liked how the legal side of things was mixed with personal struggles.

I liked the dual point of view because it helped me understand both characters better.

Even though this is the third book in the series, I didn’t feel lost. It works well on its own, but now I want to go back and read the first two.

[Kaitlyn Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything: badass lawyer FMC, goofy but lovable MMC, murder, betrayal, spicy scenes, Gossip Girl vibes from elite families. It’s the whole package wrapped up in a pretty cover. And it takes place in Alberta.

This was the first friends-to-lovers book that I can honestly say I genuinely enjoyed reading. That trope is a tough one for me but I loved Simone and Roger’s dynamic. She’s professional and calm and he’s just a goofy mess. I could actually see the transition from friends into lovers. There was no miscommunication of “I love her but she doesn’t love me”. They were straight up with each other. Simone loved Roger but didn’t trust being in a relationship. And he was willing to wait, making his feelings abundantly clear the whole way. It’s friends-to-lovers done beautifully.

Stranger Danger has something for everyone. Add it to your TBR, check it out on KU, get yourself a copy, or all of it. It’s the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone.

[em · Rating 4 out of 5]

"love was for suckers, and there was a new sucker born every damn day."

i always say this about mimi's books but this was such a fun time. i stayed up all night finishing this one and have been going back today pulling quotes and snippets of gregory and louise. simone had the best main character personality and a no-bs mentality. in the beginning, i didnt think id be able to relate to her because of how self assured and confident she is, but once i learned more about her and the no-relationships rule, i totally got her. never make me choose between simone or louise because i cant. and roger. wow. the yearning?? the angst?? sir was DOWN. BAD. and i was here for it every chapter. the mystery element was really well done imo and im glad it was paced differently than the previous two because i think we needed the character development BEFORE the..ya know..🔪🩸🚨🔫👮‍♂️ the ending was really unexpected (a little cliche but thats perfectly fine) and the announcement at the end makes me so excited for what is next!

releases tomorrow, go pre0rder!

[Missi · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ Tropes ✨
❤️ Romantic Suspense
❤️He Falls First
❤️Lawyer FMC
❤️Frenemies to Lovers
❤️Open Door Spice
🌶️🌶️ ⭐⭐⭐

Simone is career focused. She doesn't want a relationship because she fears it will interfere with her goals. I liked her character. The male MMC Roger was a bit of a stalker to me. It gave me the ick. The spice was ok.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

*ARC PROVIDED*

Spice: 3/5

This book was really cute. There were moments where the dialogue or situation made me laugh outloud. I thought that Simone and Roger were cute.

The reason I gave this a 3 was because I felt like the main plot of Roger being accused of murder was not really the main focus at all. It seemed like it wasn't as important to the story as the book description made it seem.

[Reading On The Prairies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Solid 4.5 out of 5 stars!
Really enjoyed this book, I have loved all the books from this series.
This book had a little mystery, romance and steam-the perfect balance!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the previous two books in the series, I was expecting more mystery/thriller. This addition to the series was mostly romance with a pinch of mystery.

[Rachel Skow · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad Simone and Roger finally got their story! The mystery was also different than the other two books, and the twist was fun!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranger Danger pulled me in from the first chapter and didn’t let go. This isn’t just a romance with a side of suspense — it’s a story about two people learning how to trust again, in love and in life.

Simone Cormier is one of the most compelling heroines I’ve read in a while. She’s sharp, disciplined, and absolutely determined not to repeat her mother’s mistakes. Watching her struggle between ambition and vulnerability felt so real. And then there’s Roger King — dramatic, loyal, a little ridiculous in the best way. He’s all in from the start, and the way he shows up for Simone made my heart squeeze. Their chemistry is chef’s kiss — equal parts banter, tension, and tenderness.

Mimi Gunn has a gift for writing characters who feel lived-in — messy, funny, and full of heart. This book made me laugh, tear up, and stay up way too late just to see how it all ended. It’s my favorite of the Marda Loop series so far, and one I’ll be recommending to anyone who loves character-driven romantic suspense.

If you like:
❤️ He falls first
⚖️ Lawyer FMC
💞 Friends/frenemies-to-lovers
🔥 Open-door spice
🕵️‍♀️ Mystery with heart

…then you need Stranger Danger on your shelf.