The Shadows Between Us

by William Wyres

When Ava Merrick returns to Greystone to settle her mother’s estate, she expects grief—not danger.

The house she grew up in is full of old memories, unanswered questions, and whispers about the night her best friend, Emily, vanished without a trace. But while sorting through her mother’s belongings, Ava discovers a hidden envelope containing a chilling warning… one that suggests her mother was being watched in the weeks before her death.

And whoever was watching her may have been watching Emily, too.

Liam Wolfe—the boy Ava once loved and the man she vowed never to trust again—is now the detective reopening Emily’s case.
Thrown back together by an investigation neither of them can walk away from, Ava and Liam find themselves tangled in a web of lies stretching deep into Greystone’s past. As old sparks reignite, so do the dangers surrounding them.

Every clue pulls Ava closer to the night Emily disappeared.
Every step into Greystone’s secrets puts her in someone’s crosshairs.

And as she uncovers the truth her mother died keeping hidden, Ava begins to question everything—her past, her memories, and the people she once trusted with her life.

Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Freida McFadden, and Alice Feeney, The Shadows Between Us delivers slow-burn romance, jaw-dropping twists, and small-town suspense that will keep you reading long past midnight.

How far would you go to uncover the truth?
And what if finding it meant losing everything?

324 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2025

About the author

Author also writes as Ryland Ashford

Reviews

[Mae-Anne Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Wyres's "The Shadows Between Us" is a riveting mystery-romance that kept me up late and had me pondering trust and memory long after I finished. Wyres combines the feel of a tiny village with a tense mystery plot. Ava Merrick goes back to Greystone to settle her mother's estate and finds a terrifying warning that someone watched her family and her missing friend, Emily. The writing is clear and moving, with a good balance of personal, emotional moments, Ava's grief, and the pain of rekindled feelings for Liam Wolfe, along with steadily building suspense. The pacing is perfect, with each clue and revelation coming at just the right time to keep the tension high without rushing the slow-burn romance. I liked how the author added secrets to the town's history, which made every relationship feel important, and every suspicion feel real. This is an excellent recommendation for anybody who likes Colleen Hoover's emotional stakes, Freida McFadden's twists, or Alice Feeney's creepy atmosphere. Get this if you like thrillers with characters driven by love and deception. It is a satisfying, page-turning look at how far someone will go for the truth and whether it is worth the cost to find it. It is a novel that you should enjoy and tell everyone about because it is emotionally honest and well-plotted.

[Cherie Melbourne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a new author to me and there were a few things I didn't like about the story. The cause of death for Ava's mother was never mentioned even though it was hinted that she may have been murdered, but there was nothing else.
The characters in the story never seemed to eat or wash and mainly drank tea or coffee occasionally but mainly through it out as it went cold within 10 minutes of being made.
Ava and Liam were supposed to be gathering evidence but to me there was very little that was conclusive.
This is book 1 of a series but it was written so the end will probably come at the end of the series. The books can't be read as stand-alones.
I received a free advance review copy and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book begins in a quiet way but before long you find yourself deep in the story. The small town secrets the old case and the real feeling characters make the whole world feel alive. The author creates a foggy uneasy mood that almost feels like you are standing beside Ava.

The mystery stays steady and Ava and Liam share a real and caring bond that softens the dark moments. Each clue adds a little more pressure and the tension builds bit by bit. If you enjoy a hint of something eerie this book is a great choice.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadows Between Us pulled me in from the first page and didn’t let go. The mix of small-town secrets, mystery, and slow-burn romance is perfectly balanced. Ava’s journey is emotional and tense, and the twists kept me guessing. This is a gripping, well-written story that stays with you long after you finish.

[Victoria Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Shadows Between Us! The story kept me hooked from start to finish. Ava and Liam’s story is full of suspense, mystery, and just the right amount of romance. The twists were surprising, and I couldn’t put the book down. Highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys small-town suspense with a touch of romance!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her mother has died unexpectedly and she goes home to bury or mother and sell the house. She will bump into her ex and he is investigating another case which may be connected to her mother death. The more they look, the more complicated it gets and someone wants to stop them finding out too much. See what is really going on

[Cara Noah-Avalos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually received this book through a Goodreads giveaway! I didn’t know anything about it, other than what I read in the description, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it! It kept my attention from start to finish. The further into the book I got, the harder I found it to stop reading. I’m looking forward to reading the next book!

[Justin Ferry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shadows Between Us is a really engaging read! The mystery and suspense kept me turning pages, and the romance between Ava and Liam was enjoyable. A few parts felt a little slow, but overall, it was a great story that I really liked.

[April Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Shadows Between Us! The story is full of suspense and mystery, and the characters felt real. Some parts were a bit predictable, but the twists kept me interested. A solid read for fans of romance and suspense.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The Shadows Between Us completely pulled me in. The suspense was thrilling, and the romance between Ava and Liam added so much depth. The twists kept me guessing until the very end. I couldn’t put it down highly recommend!