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All The Right Actions
She escaped her past. Now it's come back to destroy her.
Marie Tolson has spent four years building a new life in Los Angeles—new name, new look, new identity. With her pink-streaked hair and infectious smile, no one would guess she's running from the monster who nearly killed her and the baby she lost.
But when Matt Peterson walks into her life, Marie faces an impossible keep running, or risk everything for the first man who's ever made her feel safe.
Then a blue envelope arrives, and her worst nightmare becomes reality. Chas Hudson is out of prison. He's found her. And he's coming.
As threatening messages escalate and her apartment is destroyed, Marie moves in with Matt and accepts round-the-clock protection. But when a viral video exposes their relationship to the world, Marie realizes she's put Matt directly in the crosshairs of a violent man who believes she belongs to him.
When Marie is torn from the safety of Matt's home and dragged into the wilderness, she'll have to find the strength she's been hiding all along. Because this time, no one's coming to save her.
All The Right Actions is a gripping romantic suspense novel about surviving the unthinkable, learning to fight back, and discovering that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is let someone love you.
Perfect for fans of intense romance, survivor stories, and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
Content This book contains depictions of domestic violence, kidnapping, and trauma. Reader discretion is advised.
Previously titled Her Story of Survival
Marie Tolson has spent four years building a new life in Los Angeles—new name, new look, new identity. With her pink-streaked hair and infectious smile, no one would guess she's running from the monster who nearly killed her and the baby she lost.
But when Matt Peterson walks into her life, Marie faces an impossible keep running, or risk everything for the first man who's ever made her feel safe.
Then a blue envelope arrives, and her worst nightmare becomes reality. Chas Hudson is out of prison. He's found her. And he's coming.
As threatening messages escalate and her apartment is destroyed, Marie moves in with Matt and accepts round-the-clock protection. But when a viral video exposes their relationship to the world, Marie realizes she's put Matt directly in the crosshairs of a violent man who believes she belongs to him.
When Marie is torn from the safety of Matt's home and dragged into the wilderness, she'll have to find the strength she's been hiding all along. Because this time, no one's coming to save her.
All The Right Actions is a gripping romantic suspense novel about surviving the unthinkable, learning to fight back, and discovering that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is let someone love you.
Perfect for fans of intense romance, survivor stories, and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
Content This book contains depictions of domestic violence, kidnapping, and trauma. Reader discretion is advised.
Previously titled Her Story of Survival
785 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 11, 2025
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 5, 2025
All the Right Actions by J.A. Smith is one of those character-driven novels that quietly pulls you in and then refuses to let go. What begins as a simple examination of choices—good, bad, and everything in between—gradually unfolds into a layered story about accountability, identity, and the ripple effects of the decisions we make.
Smith writes with a calm confidence, never rushing the plot, letting the tension build in subtle, human ways. The protagonist’s internal struggles feel deeply authentic, and Smith handles moral complexity with a refreshing lack of judgment. No one here is wholly right or wholly wrong; everyone is trying, failing, and trying again. It’s the kind of realism that makes the book linger long after you’re done.
The pacing is deliberate, which may feel slow for readers craving a more action-heavy narrative, but for those who appreciate character arcs built through nuance and quiet moments, it’s deeply satisfying. The emotional payoffs land because Smith earns them through careful, patient storytelling.
What I enjoyed most was the book’s underlying message: that doing the “right” thing is rarely straightforward, and sometimes the hardest battles are the ones we fight inside ourselves.
Thoughtful, empathetic, and beautifully observed, All the Right Actions is the kind of novel that makes you reflect on your own choices—and maybe reconsider the ones you haven’t made yet.
Smith writes with a calm confidence, never rushing the plot, letting the tension build in subtle, human ways. The protagonist’s internal struggles feel deeply authentic, and Smith handles moral complexity with a refreshing lack of judgment. No one here is wholly right or wholly wrong; everyone is trying, failing, and trying again. It’s the kind of realism that makes the book linger long after you’re done.
The pacing is deliberate, which may feel slow for readers craving a more action-heavy narrative, but for those who appreciate character arcs built through nuance and quiet moments, it’s deeply satisfying. The emotional payoffs land because Smith earns them through careful, patient storytelling.
What I enjoyed most was the book’s underlying message: that doing the “right” thing is rarely straightforward, and sometimes the hardest battles are the ones we fight inside ourselves.
Thoughtful, empathetic, and beautifully observed, All the Right Actions is the kind of novel that makes you reflect on your own choices—and maybe reconsider the ones you haven’t made yet.
December 30, 2025
Romantic suspense is one of my favorite books and this one is definitely a five star. The FMC, Marie is running from an abusive the man who abused her and runs right in to a new love. He falls first and then she is horrified when her ex finds her again. It was a great read.
December 11, 2025
All the right actions delivers a strong story line that draws you in and keeps you intrigued throughout the whole story. I loved how this really made the connection between how doing the right this isn’t always the easiest choice. I would recommend this one!
December 1, 2025
This romance novel delivers a heartfelt “he falls first” storyline that fans of the trope are sure to enjoy. Matt, out celebrating his birthday with coworkers, spots Marie across the room—and in that moment, he’s a goner. Their connection is instant, sweet, and full of promise. But before anything can unfold, Marie abruptly disappears after a disturbing call, leaving Matt with nothing but a memory and the hope that fate might bring her back.
Marie’s journey adds depth to the story as she struggles to escape the shadows of an abusive ex and his powerful family. Her trauma shapes her every decision, and the question of whether she can reclaim her sense of safety—and open her heart again—keeps the pages turning. The tension between fear and hope is well-drawn, making her eventual healing feel meaningful.
While the plot has strong emotional elements and compelling leads, there are moments where the story becomes predictable or repetitive. Even so, the charm of the central relationship and the emotional weight behind Marie’s story make this novel worth picking up. If you enjoy romance with resilience, second chances, and a devoted male lead who falls hard and fast, this one deserves a spot on your reading list.
Marie’s journey adds depth to the story as she struggles to escape the shadows of an abusive ex and his powerful family. Her trauma shapes her every decision, and the question of whether she can reclaim her sense of safety—and open her heart again—keeps the pages turning. The tension between fear and hope is well-drawn, making her eventual healing feel meaningful.
While the plot has strong emotional elements and compelling leads, there are moments where the story becomes predictable or repetitive. Even so, the charm of the central relationship and the emotional weight behind Marie’s story make this novel worth picking up. If you enjoy romance with resilience, second chances, and a devoted male lead who falls hard and fast, this one deserves a spot on your reading list.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews