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Reckoning
Heart-pounding, brand-new romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Sharon Sala.
From the moment thirty years ago when Tate Bandy warned his classmates of the deadly tornado that destroyed their Ozark school, everyone knew he was different. Gifted—or cursed—with visions of what others couldn't see, Tate saved lives, but the town branded him the devil's child. Shunned by neighbors yet sought out in secret for his gift, Tate grows up carrying the burden of knowing too much.
The only constant in his life is Briar Lowe, the girl who stood by him when others turned away. Through storms, betrayal, and danger, their friendship grows into a love fierce enough to defy family, prejudice, and the violent threats drawn by Tate's reputation.
But when enemies close in, Tate must decide whether his gift is a blessing or a curse—and whether protecting Briar means letting her go. Together, they'll discover that love is the one future even fate cannot take.
From the moment thirty years ago when Tate Bandy warned his classmates of the deadly tornado that destroyed their Ozark school, everyone knew he was different. Gifted—or cursed—with visions of what others couldn't see, Tate saved lives, but the town branded him the devil's child. Shunned by neighbors yet sought out in secret for his gift, Tate grows up carrying the burden of knowing too much.
The only constant in his life is Briar Lowe, the girl who stood by him when others turned away. Through storms, betrayal, and danger, their friendship grows into a love fierce enough to defy family, prejudice, and the violent threats drawn by Tate's reputation.
But when enemies close in, Tate must decide whether his gift is a blessing or a curse—and whether protecting Briar means letting her go. Together, they'll discover that love is the one future even fate cannot take.
- GenresRomantic Suspense
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Sharon Sala
289 books2,342 followersBiography
Sharon Sala is a Native Oklahoman and still lives within a two hour drive of where she was born.
First published in 1991, she is a New York Times/USA Today, best-selling author with a 135 plus books published in seven different genres, including Romantic suspense, Mystery, Young Adult, Western, Fiction, Women’s Fiction and Non-Fiction.
Industry Awards include:
Eight-time RITA finalist. (Romance Industry award)
The Janet Dailey Award.
Five-time Career Achievement winner from RT Magazine.
Five time winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award.
Five time winner of the Colorado Romance Writer’s Award of Excellence.
Heart of Excellence Award.,
Booksellers Best Award.
Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award RITA, presented by RWA.
Centennial Award from RWA for recognition of her 100th published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This is a romantic suspense book.
I will admit this book bothered me a lot. Not because of who Tate was at all, but because of how the so-called Christians in this small town treated him. That hit me hard and made me furious.
The main characters are Tate and Briar, and their love story is so good. They are childhood sweethearts who stick together through good times and bad times.
Tate's parents are Abel and Lilith. They are loving and understanding parents. Tate has "the sight," and later on in his life, he will be called "the lost and found man."" He is a hero you can love. Someone said in this book, "He's worked miracles for people needing answers."
Briar is the daughter of Roger and Mariah, but in DNA only. Briar has raised herself with no help from her parents. Someone said this about Roger and Mariah, "They have to be the most unnatural parents I've ever known." That's putting it mildly.
This book is set in a small town, but not a small town that I can relate to, I just wanted to cry about how these people treated each other. There were some good people, but most were not nice.
Did this book upset me? Yes. Did I hate to see humanity at it worst? Yes. Am I going to suggest this book? YES. It grabs you from the very beginning and keeps you until the last page.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Sourbooks, and Sharon Sala for my advanced DRC of this book for my honest opinion.
I will admit this book bothered me a lot. Not because of who Tate was at all, but because of how the so-called Christians in this small town treated him. That hit me hard and made me furious.
The main characters are Tate and Briar, and their love story is so good. They are childhood sweethearts who stick together through good times and bad times.
Tate's parents are Abel and Lilith. They are loving and understanding parents. Tate has "the sight," and later on in his life, he will be called "the lost and found man."" He is a hero you can love. Someone said in this book, "He's worked miracles for people needing answers."
Briar is the daughter of Roger and Mariah, but in DNA only. Briar has raised herself with no help from her parents. Someone said this about Roger and Mariah, "They have to be the most unnatural parents I've ever known." That's putting it mildly.
This book is set in a small town, but not a small town that I can relate to, I just wanted to cry about how these people treated each other. There were some good people, but most were not nice.
Did this book upset me? Yes. Did I hate to see humanity at it worst? Yes. Am I going to suggest this book? YES. It grabs you from the very beginning and keeps you until the last page.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Sourbooks, and Sharon Sala for my advanced DRC of this book for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
From the second chapter, this story completely had me.
I fell in love with the Bandy family almost immediately. They felt so real that I found myself rooting for them through every challenge they faced. Briar Lowe quickly became one of my favorite characters, and I couldn't help but cheer her on with every page.
This book took me on an emotional journey. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it kept me on edge with its suspense. I spent most of the novel worried that something terrible was going to happen to these lovable characters, which speaks to how deeply I connected with them.
One of my favorite moments was when Briar told Tate, "When you hurt, I cry." That simple line perfectly captured the depth of their relationship. I also loved Tate's quiet acts of love, especially when he always opened Briar's milk and juice boxes for her. Those little moments made their relationship feel authentic and heartfelt.
The ending was especially satisfying because, even though I kept expecting heartbreak, the story delivered a conclusion that felt earned and emotionally rewarding.
🌙 Final Verdict
Reckoning is a beautifully written story about love, family, loyalty, and finding hope in the face of fear. Sharon Sala created characters that were impossible not to love, and I became completely invested in their journey. If you enjoy emotional romantic suspense with unforgettable characters and plenty of heart, this is one I would absolutely recommend.
I fell in love with the Bandy family almost immediately. They felt so real that I found myself rooting for them through every challenge they faced. Briar Lowe quickly became one of my favorite characters, and I couldn't help but cheer her on with every page.
This book took me on an emotional journey. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it kept me on edge with its suspense. I spent most of the novel worried that something terrible was going to happen to these lovable characters, which speaks to how deeply I connected with them.
One of my favorite moments was when Briar told Tate, "When you hurt, I cry." That simple line perfectly captured the depth of their relationship. I also loved Tate's quiet acts of love, especially when he always opened Briar's milk and juice boxes for her. Those little moments made their relationship feel authentic and heartfelt.
The ending was especially satisfying because, even though I kept expecting heartbreak, the story delivered a conclusion that felt earned and emotionally rewarding.
🌙 Final Verdict
Reckoning is a beautifully written story about love, family, loyalty, and finding hope in the face of fear. Sharon Sala created characters that were impossible not to love, and I became completely invested in their journey. If you enjoy emotional romantic suspense with unforgettable characters and plenty of heart, this is one I would absolutely recommend.
September 18, 2026
Reckoning by Sharon Sala
Contemporary paranormal romantic suspense.
Tate Bandy is 6th generation gifted with knowing when something bad is going to happen. Visions. He’s only eight when he sees a tornado in his mind and warns the teachers to get everyone to the basement shelter area. Just in time. The entire school is totaled but he saved all twenty six children, their teachers, and the cafeteria staff. Tate’s ability looks like witchcraft or worse in the Bible and church driven small town. He and his family are shunned and mocked and worse. His parents want to leave the small town, but they won’t take Tate away from Briar Lowe, the one girl who stands by him. His best friend. His person.
He saves Briar again when a tornado hits her house. His reputation grows when the news story is broadcast about his visions.
Even though Tate is always respectful and helps when anyone in need asks, the town is scared and scornful.
They will have to leave and live somewhere else to escape the harmful gossip.
The story follows Tate and Briar’s lives. His visions and helpfulness. Their future carefully planned.
Tate is incredibly smart and kind. He doesn’t have to tell people his visions, but does so without fanfare or expectations.
It’s an emotional and suspenseful story as it progresses. The reader knows something is going to happen but exactly what and when…is the story.
Contemporary paranormal romantic suspense.
Tate Bandy is 6th generation gifted with knowing when something bad is going to happen. Visions. He’s only eight when he sees a tornado in his mind and warns the teachers to get everyone to the basement shelter area. Just in time. The entire school is totaled but he saved all twenty six children, their teachers, and the cafeteria staff. Tate’s ability looks like witchcraft or worse in the Bible and church driven small town. He and his family are shunned and mocked and worse. His parents want to leave the small town, but they won’t take Tate away from Briar Lowe, the one girl who stands by him. His best friend. His person.
He saves Briar again when a tornado hits her house. His reputation grows when the news story is broadcast about his visions.
Even though Tate is always respectful and helps when anyone in need asks, the town is scared and scornful.
They will have to leave and live somewhere else to escape the harmful gossip.
The story follows Tate and Briar’s lives. His visions and helpfulness. Their future carefully planned.
Tate is incredibly smart and kind. He doesn’t have to tell people his visions, but does so without fanfare or expectations.
It’s an emotional and suspenseful story as it progresses. The reader knows something is going to happen but exactly what and when…is the story.
September 18, 2026
One of the best I've read in years.
My name was drawn to receive a free copy on booknotification .com. I got the notice, received the gift card and got the book the next day. That was yesterday. I dove right in, hoping to finish yesterday, but didn't manage that. Finished it a couple of hours ago and I am sad to be finished. It is a standalone so this might be all there is to read about Tate and Briar growing up in Missouri. Tate has a gift of knowing what is going to happen, or how to find missing people or items. He's still not seven years old when he saves all his classmates from a terrible fate. Many people in his town claim he and his mother are demonic. Through trials and tribulations, Tate, his mom and dad, and his best friend Briar manage to weather the "storms" of life, but faced hatred and mistrust from many in their town.
Tate manages to save more than a few lives and grows into a fine young man. Along the way his talent of seeing trouble coming causes dirty looks and hatred from some members of the town.
I don't want to spoil the story, but if you are a fan of the mystical and possibilities of the existence of psychics, definitely give this a try. There is lots of joy and love in the story as well.
I highly recommend it and if you haven't checked out booknotification.com for most of your book needs, check it out as well.
My name was drawn to receive a free copy on booknotification .com. I got the notice, received the gift card and got the book the next day. That was yesterday. I dove right in, hoping to finish yesterday, but didn't manage that. Finished it a couple of hours ago and I am sad to be finished. It is a standalone so this might be all there is to read about Tate and Briar growing up in Missouri. Tate has a gift of knowing what is going to happen, or how to find missing people or items. He's still not seven years old when he saves all his classmates from a terrible fate. Many people in his town claim he and his mother are demonic. Through trials and tribulations, Tate, his mom and dad, and his best friend Briar manage to weather the "storms" of life, but faced hatred and mistrust from many in their town.
Tate manages to save more than a few lives and grows into a fine young man. Along the way his talent of seeing trouble coming causes dirty looks and hatred from some members of the town.
I don't want to spoil the story, but if you are a fan of the mystical and possibilities of the existence of psychics, definitely give this a try. There is lots of joy and love in the story as well.
I highly recommend it and if you haven't checked out booknotification.com for most of your book needs, check it out as well.
September 24, 2026
I normally give the author's books 4 and 5 star ratings. There is no way I can with this book. The editing is atrocious. On two pages Mrs. Bandy became Mrs. Lowe, then a couple of sentences later she is back to Mrs. Bandy. In another instance Amy became Annie and then back to Amy.
Briar received a scholarship with room and board and a food allowance. Board is a food allowance. So saying board and food allowance is redundant.
There were many sentences that had extra words. Also, many sentences were missing words. There were several instances of wrong words used, such as: or instead of for, about instead of above, closed instead of close, and come instead of came. This is just a few of the numerous mistakes in the book.
For most of the book Briar and Tate were teenagers. I did not like how they spoke to other people. They seemed to know it all.
The book was listed as romantic suspense. In my opinion, there was really no suspense. Yes, Tate found people and things, but there was no suspense. He always found what he was looking for.
The book was not as good as the author's other books.
Briar received a scholarship with room and board and a food allowance. Board is a food allowance. So saying board and food allowance is redundant.
There were many sentences that had extra words. Also, many sentences were missing words. There were several instances of wrong words used, such as: or instead of for, about instead of above, closed instead of close, and come instead of came. This is just a few of the numerous mistakes in the book.
For most of the book Briar and Tate were teenagers. I did not like how they spoke to other people. They seemed to know it all.
The book was listed as romantic suspense. In my opinion, there was really no suspense. Yes, Tate found people and things, but there was no suspense. He always found what he was looking for.
The book was not as good as the author's other books.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Great story about young man with "the knowing"
I enjoyed this story about Tate Bandy with his familial gift of precognition, "the knowing." It passes through the oldest males in his family and he's the sixth generation. Not everyone believes in what he does but the results sure speak for themselves. He can find lost people - alive or dead, lost objects.
But the story wasn't just about Tate and his gift. It was about his lifelong love for Briar Rose Lowe. They met as children and that was it for each other.
The story also told of the small mindedness of the residents of the town Tate and Briar grew up in. They didn't understand Tate's abilities so they ostracized him and his family. This wasn't something that Tate forgot about as he grew up.
I liked the story, the characters especially Tate and Briar Rose, and I'm glad there was an epilogue included.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca through Edelweiss. Thank you.
I enjoyed this story about Tate Bandy with his familial gift of precognition, "the knowing." It passes through the oldest males in his family and he's the sixth generation. Not everyone believes in what he does but the results sure speak for themselves. He can find lost people - alive or dead, lost objects.
But the story wasn't just about Tate and his gift. It was about his lifelong love for Briar Rose Lowe. They met as children and that was it for each other.
The story also told of the small mindedness of the residents of the town Tate and Briar grew up in. They didn't understand Tate's abilities so they ostracized him and his family. This wasn't something that Tate forgot about as he grew up.
I liked the story, the characters especially Tate and Briar Rose, and I'm glad there was an epilogue included.
I received this Digital Review Copy from Sourcebooks Casablanca through Edelweiss. Thank you.
September 15, 2026
A Love Stronger Than Fate
Tate Bandy has always been different. Thirty years ago, his mysterious visions warned his classmates of a deadly tornado, saving lives but earning him the reputation of being the devil’s child. As he grows older, Tate learns to live with both the power and the burden of seeing what others cannot.
The one person who never turns away from him is Briar Lowe. What begins as a lifelong friendship slowly develops into a powerful love that must withstand family conflict, prejudice, danger, and those determined to use Tate’s gift against him.
Filled with mystery, romance, and suspense, this story explores the difficult choices that come with being different and the strength it takes to stand by the person you love. Tate and Briar’s relationship is at the heart of the novel, making their journey both emotional and compelling.
A touching story of love, destiny, and the courage to embrace who you are even when the world tells you otherwise.
Tate Bandy has always been different. Thirty years ago, his mysterious visions warned his classmates of a deadly tornado, saving lives but earning him the reputation of being the devil’s child. As he grows older, Tate learns to live with both the power and the burden of seeing what others cannot.
The one person who never turns away from him is Briar Lowe. What begins as a lifelong friendship slowly develops into a powerful love that must withstand family conflict, prejudice, danger, and those determined to use Tate’s gift against him.
Filled with mystery, romance, and suspense, this story explores the difficult choices that come with being different and the strength it takes to stand by the person you love. Tate and Briar’s relationship is at the heart of the novel, making their journey both emotional and compelling.
A touching story of love, destiny, and the courage to embrace who you are even when the world tells you otherwise.
September 20, 2026
Great love story!
This story was very good. True love through elementary school throughout life. I liked the hardships Tate faced and he never turned super angry or got revenge. He always stayed level headed. His family gave him so much of their lives for him. Big sacrifice.
This story was very good. True love through elementary school throughout life. I liked the hardships Tate faced and he never turned super angry or got revenge. He always stayed level headed. His family gave him so much of their lives for him. Big sacrifice.
September 24, 2026
Awesome story
I love this book as I love all of your books. The story was so different and awesome .As someone who lives in Oklahoma I never knew Lake Eufala was so large .Can't wait for your next book .
I love this book as I love all of your books. The story was so different and awesome .As someone who lives in Oklahoma I never knew Lake Eufala was so large .Can't wait for your next book .
September 17, 2026
Wonderful book
You just know when you read a Sharon Sala book, you are in for a treat. This is an excellent book. Warms your heart .
You just know when you read a Sharon Sala book, you are in for a treat. This is an excellent book. Warms your heart .
September 19, 2026
4.5 Libby
September 24, 2026
Paranormal romance plot.
September 25, 2026
Great book. I loved the storyline!
September 29, 2026
Good story
I enjoyed the book, but noticed some errors. Might want to proofread the copy better.
I have noticed this before in some of Ms Salas’ books
I enjoyed the book, but noticed some errors. Might want to proofread the copy better.
I have noticed this before in some of Ms Salas’ books
September 30, 2026
Wonderful Read!
This book is fantastic. "Reckoning by Sharon Sala." It starts out fast paced and it just keeps getting better until the wonderful ending.
This book is fantastic. "Reckoning by Sharon Sala." It starts out fast paced and it just keeps getting better until the wonderful ending.
September 30, 2026
Any book by Sharon Sala
Always catches my attention and keeps it throughout. Her characters are real people that you either root for or dislike intensely.
Reckoning had it all.
Always catches my attention and keeps it throughout. Her characters are real people that you either root for or dislike intensely.
Reckoning had it all.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews