Frost and Venom

Sunrise Lake #4

by Christine Feehan

Deception and danger lay in wait in the beautiful, harrowing California backcountry in this gripping suspense novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.

Surgical and trauma nurse Harlow Frye loves the small town of Knightly, where breathtaking views of the Sierra and a tight circle of female friends provides a refuge from her professional life. But lately, it’s Harlow’s personal life that’s causing all the chaos.

First, a series of anonymous threatening letters are left in her mailbox. Then, Harlow is dealt a blow when her friend Lawyer dies after reacting to some sort of toxin. And to top it off, Harlow finds her secret obsession, CIA operative Hawkin Wilder, bleeding out on a mountain trail.

As Harlow turns her home into a makeshift hospital, her infuriating, attractive patient insists on distracting her. But even in the face of their increasing connection, there’s no way Harlow can ignore the escalating storm, when someone else close to her is struck down by the mysterious toxin.

With little more than intuition to go on, Harlow turns to the five friends who have proved themselves to be a better family than her own flesh and blood. As the women attempt to unravel the killings, they will need to rely on their instincts and their connection to each other—or else they’ll lose everything they’ve come to hold dear.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2026

About the author

Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 100 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, Shadow Riders, Torpedo Ink and her Romantic Suspense novels. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
Her series include:
The Dark Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/darkb...
The GhostWalker series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/ghost...
The Leopard Series - https://www.christinefeehan.com/leopa...
The Shadow Series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/shado...
Torpedo Ink series- https://www.christinefeehan.com/torpe...




IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself. (www.christinefeehan.com)

Reviews

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I grabbed Frost and Venom, I was looking for a romantic suspense novel and didn’t realize it was part of a series. While we encounter couples from the previous books and get hints of the cases they were involved in, this can be read as a standalone. Of course, added the previous books to my library hold..lol.

We met Harlow Frye, a surgical and trauma nurse who owns a home in Knightly, a small-town known for its views of the Sierra. Harlow loves her job and the close-knit group of friends she has developed, even if her personal life is chaos. She’s been receiving death threats, and a close friend has died under mysterious circumstances. Then there is CIA operative Hawkin Wilder. He is part of her circle of friends, but also someone she cannot stop thinking about even as she erects walls to keep herself safe.

The tale that unfolds took off from the moment Harlow stumbles upon Hawkin on her evening walk. He has been injured, and she quickly calls her friend’s husband for help. With Hawkin’s life in danger, Harlow is keeping the patient safe in her home. As she tries to figure out the death threats and why folks are dying, she finds herself distracted by the sexy, determined man in her home.

I loved everything about Frost and Venom, and while I was mad at not starting from the beginning of this series, I delighted in discovering it. Harlow’s girlfriends (five in total) are all smart, successful, and married or involved with men who work/run an elite security team. As the women work to figure out who is threatening Harlow, her past threatens everything. Between the unexplained deaths from a mysterious toxin and Harlow’s own threats, I couldn’t put this down. Mix in a hot and sexy romance and I was all in.

If you enjoy small-town romance, special ops teams, and well-done romantic suspense, I recommend grabbing Frost and Venom, but maybe start with Murder at Sunrise Lake.

This review originally published at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly hate to rate this so low, since I've been reading and loving Feehan's books for probably close to 2 decades.

This book just seemed so disjointed to me. I didn't feel any suspense, and it seemed like readers were told everything after the fact instead of being present and/or immersed during events.

Plus, there were so many topics covered, that we still only were told about after the fact. Everything got solved and cleaned up, off page, at around 96% in the book. The FMC was just told about everything after it was done.

I also didn't really feel invested in the romance or romantic relationship aspect between the fmc and mmc. I feel like the relationships between the other characters were portrayed better in the previous books in the series, but seemed like an after thought in this book.

I'm not sure how to really describe the overall feeling I have for this book, other than it feels like the author lost interest in the characters and plot(s).

I'll still read other books by this author, and future books in this series. I'm hoping this was just a disappointing one time book.

[Debra dlbhrb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frost and Venom is a lovely tale about two characters who rose above tough childhoods.
Despite some real hurdles, they blossomed into strong, brave, kind, and honorable people. Their friends became their chosen family. The tale blends suspense, danger, and mysterious deaths with lots of joyful moments.

[EKO_TheNeurospicyAfterDarkArchive Oakley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Frost and Venom
Author: Christine Feehan
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Subgenre: Small-Town Romance | Romantic Thriller | Medical Suspense | Military Romance
⭐My Rating: 4 /5
🌶️My Spice Rating: 1/5 (no explicit scenes, minimal spice on page, closed door)
Publication Date: September 1st 2026 (OUT NOW!)
Tropes
• Secret crush on a dangerous, unavailable man
• Forced proximity
• Injured hero and makeshift home hospital
• Capable nurse heroine
• Found family
• Small-town secrets
• Threatening letters
• Poisoning mystery
• “Please stop bleeding on the mountain trail” romance

Content & Trigger Warnings
Frost and Venom includes several intense suspense and family-trauma themes. Potentially upsetting content includes:
• Murder, death, and grief
• Poisoning or toxic exposure, with serious illness
• Threatening letters and danger directed at a character
• Physical injury and blood
• Childhood trauma, family abuse, and dysfunctional family dynamics
• Animal harm
The animal-related material may be especially difficult for readers who are sensitive to harm involving pets or other animals. These warnings are based on the published description and reviews; the list may not cover every potentially upsetting scene.
Protect your mental health. You matter.

The Quick & Dirty Synopsis
Harlow Frye is a surgical and trauma nurse whose peaceful small-town life is unraveling fast. Anonymous threats appear in her mailbox, her friend Lawyer dies after reacting to a mysterious toxin, and then she finds CIA operative Hawkin Wilder bleeding on a mountain trail. Harlow turns her home into a makeshift hospital and discovers her very distracting patient may be the least of the danger. With more people falling ill, she and the close-knit women she calls family must piece together who is behind the poisonings before the threat reaches everyone they love.

My Neurospicy Thoughts
I found Harlow to be the kind of heroine who can handle a trauma bay, a dangerous mystery, and a bleeding operative in her living room…while her brain is probably running twelve tabs and one of them is just “Why is this man still attractive while actively inconveniencing me?” Her medical skills give her a practical anchor in the chaos (I can 100% relate), while her instincts and fierce loyalty pull her toward the people she trusts.
I loved that Hawkin arrives injured, secretive, and apparently committed to being a tempting interruption in Harlow’s already overloaded life. The “secret operative bleeding on a mountain trail” introduction was certainly one way to get my attention. It is an unusually dramatic strategy for making a house call. I enjoyed it that entrance a lot.
To me I felt that romance overall was built on friction, forced proximity, and danger pressing in from every direction. Harlow is trying to keep her patient alive; Hawkin is apparently trying to make that considerably more difficult by being attractive at close range.
Romance: yes.
Occupational boundaries: currently on life support.

The FMC: Harlow Frye
For me, the main female character, Harlow Frye, was extremely relatable. She is a trauma nurse, most likely working in an emergency department. She is very independent, very fierce, very much in charge and opinionated, and not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right.

I found that her instinct is to care for people, even when the patient is infuriating and attractive and is determined to make her hospital into a flirtation habit or hazard. It felt like Harlow's strength isn't that she never feels rattled, it's that she keeps showing up, and I think that's extremely important, particularly in emergency medicine. She keeps showing up for the people she loves while the fear and danger is circling.

When the overall mystery of this novel was extremely close to home and to her personal life, she at first struggled to trust both her instincts and her friends, but then she realized they're her safety net, and it was really gratifying to see her embrace the found family that she has. Overall, I really enjoyed the female character.

The MMC: Hawkin Wilder
The main male character, Hawkin Wilder, is a CIA operative with the Special Activities Division. At first, he had this very dramatic entrance, and I absolutely loved it. I love dramatic entrance as do most readers.

It was a little hard for my medical brain to accept the fact that he was so gravely injured and managed to walk, move, flirt and was overall doing fine, and then all of a sudden, he's on death's door. No matter how talented, etc you are, if you're missing that much blood or you're that hypotensive, you aren’t walking nowhere. That was frustrating for me. I do think that's part of sensationalism necessary for a novel and a plot device to making it the overall romantic relationship more “swoon-worthy” and appealing

I really found, as I kept reading, that there is a lot more beneath this cool, capable exterior that this man who has this dangerous job. As the plot evolves it definitely unravels more about Hawkins, his dark history, and I really did appreciate that as it showed why he is the way he is.
I liked that he met Harlow's defenses and overall guardedness with just persistence and being calm, and he didn't push, suggesting that he really knows he needs to earn her trust, and we love a man that will do that. It was well-written for a male character too not overall obsessive or possessive as I do not think Harlow would have appreciated that at all.

The Chemistry Check
To me, Harlow and Hawkins have this sort of history where the attraction is there—it's already simmering before Hawkins makes his dramatic entrance. I enjoyed that he is her secret obsession. She's the woman he's clearly not willing to let remain a private daydream, and their spark really comes from this push and pull between them.

I enjoyed Hawkins being confident, persistent, and used to taking control, while Harlow is capable and guarded. She wasn't about to allow this CIA operative to commandeer her decisions just because he has a dangerous job and a roguish, devastating grin. I also enjoyed reading about how Hawkins would quietly nudge her to acknowledge what's between them. Although she was very wary, with clear reasons from her past, Harlow was eventually willing to turn it into something lasting for them.

This dynamic gives their scenes in the novel a nice charge. You've got practical nurse Harlow trying to focus on the wound, Hawkins treating her attention like a mission objective, and both of them discovering that professional composure is getting harder to maintain—especially when the patient keeps flirting and they clearly have this deep connection they haven't explored but need to, and do, in the novel. It really added a lot of weight beneath the banter, this deep connection and tension that they had.

Their chemistry reads as slow burn, teasing, and emotionally guarded, with the added advantage of the danger surrounding them, keeping them in close quarters—almost a one-bed situation. Harlow's past and her trust issues are a huge part of the central romantic tension and development throughout the novel.

Overall, I think their relationship was written excellently. I will caution that this is not a steamy, hot, spicy Christine Feehan novel. This is more one out of five chili peppers. It's closed door, not explicit. There aren't a lot of those scenes you'll read in other Christine Feehan novels.

The Author’s Pen: Christine Feehan
Okay. So as you're aware, I've read a lot of Christine Feehan. She's an OG writer for me. I was a little bit shocked that this wasn't a super spicy, high heat novel, as she tends to have those scenes—open door, explicit chemistry. This one does not, but it was still written very well, and I was able to read the whole book.

I really liked the writing; it's gripping. It's set in this California backcountry setting with an escalating mystery. I loved this group of women surrounding each other, being very central to the story, and I enjoyed how she wrote the relationship.

Overall, I thought, as per usual, her writing was well done, written for the masses, and I really will keep reading all of her books, whether or not they have a lot of spice.

The Dopamine Hits
• Harlow's medical background, especially her focus in trauma and emergency
• The found family bond between Harlow and her friends.
• The suspense plot with a wonderfully addicting mystery
• The forced proximity trope, and I liked that it was
• Written mostly from Harlow's perspective.
• The California backcountry setting.
• The resolution/ending to the mystery

The Dopamine Deficits
• The spice level was lower than I expected from a Christine Feehan novel.
• The dangerous events arrive very quickly, and I think I need to read or know more plot to make the connections feel a little bit more clear and earned.
• I would have enjoyed more information about her family and what happens to certain characters at the end of the book.

What To Know Prior to Reading
- It's a romantic suspense novel with a lot of medical details, blood, and gore.
- There's poisoning, death threats, and a lot of danger.
- There's a lot of violence.
- If you're looking for a relationship-only plot, you may find that the wider mystery takes up significant space. You spend a lot of time with a close-knit group of women, with more focus on that group rather than the romance.
- It's definitely a closed-door romance. There is no explicit spice in this book.

My Final Thoughts & Summary
To me, Frost and Venom brings together a guarded nurse, a stubborn CIA operative, a tight-knit found family, and a mystery that makes Knightly feel far less peaceful than its Sierra views suggest. I liked the contrast between Harlow’s steady competence and Hawkin’s confident, impossible-to-ignore presence and the way their attraction has to contend with her hard-won caution and the danger closing in around their friends. The romance leans more on tension, banter, and emotional trust than on explicit heat, while the suspense gives the story a larger ensemble feel.

I would say that if you’re here for the fierce heroine, a persistent hero, close friendships, and small-town suspense with a darker edge, this looks like a satisfying addition to the Sunrise Lake series. Hawkin may have arrived bleeding on a trail, but he brings plenty of trouble and flirtation…right to Harlow’s doorstep.

The Archive Status
Archive Status: Filed under Mountain-Trail Triage, CIA Operatives With Terrible Bedside Manners, and Small-Town Poison Problems. Hawkin Wilder arrived bleeding; Harlow’s boundaries are now under observation.

Until Next Time…
Keep your poisons mysterious, your mountain trails well lit, and your injured CIA operatives at least six inches away from your first-aid kit.
Dr. Dopamine After Dark, MD
Prescribing books, banter, and medically unnecessary levels of romantic tension.

[Sally Atlas · Rating 4 out of 5]

very enjoyable

I loved all the characters but as I was reading I kept feeling like I had missed part of the back story. It turns out that I had. There are other books in this series. I recommend reading them first even though this book does work as a standalone. Happy to have discovered new author.

[Bronwyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is really badly written - it is just a long series of repetitive dry info-dumping monologs, even when things are happening in real time in the story. For example, the big reveal is set up, then the scene cuts, and the reader gets a brief summary of what happened when the character thinks about/ briefly summarizes what happened for someone else. There is almost no interaction between the supposed romantic leads, and all the plot points are tied up off page. In the end, there are a dizzying number of throw-in plot elements (drug cartels and mobsters, secret agents, sadistic abusive families, politics, inexplicable PhDs, death threats, psychic abilities, unexplained wealth, secret medical facilities, and lots of dogs) and none of it happens on page. Last, the supposed biology that is threaded throughout the story is wildly inaccurate, including a weird conspiracy theory level hypothesis floated multiple times by multiple characters, and a description of how neurotoxic venom acts that is just flat wrong.

[Sandra Bird · Rating 2 out of 5]

So Disappointing

Same old same old without any action. Wounded and vulnerable but with an inner strength heroine meets dominate and powerful hero. Together they fight evil. Same in all of her books but at least her other novels actually have characters physically doing things. All the characters in this book do is sit around and talk about what happens. No real action at all. Sitting around and talking about murders happening, who they think may have done it, yes, then talk about the murderer being arrested because of what they sat around talking about being the murder weapon. Don't waste your time. Nothing of any interest here.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.
I enjoyed the camaraderie and closeness among the friends.
I really liked how Wilder looked at Harlow and declared what he felt, finally.

Thanks Berkley Publishing NetGalley and Freshfiction.com for the advance copy.

See my full review here: https://freshfiction.com/review.php?i...

[Therasa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book at all. I have liked most of her older novels but this one was just not good. The plot was weak and the characters, romance, mystery were just not developed compared to her older books and series. Maybe had I read other books that involved the other characters in this book but I honestly doubt it. I had a hard time finishing this.

[Laura]

Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t the right fit for me. I made it to about 20%, but I struggled with the writing style, which relied heavily on inner monologue and included a lot of info-dumping. There were also quite a few references to events and characters from the previous books, which made it difficult to feel like this could truly be read as a standalone.

Ultimately, I just didn’t find myself wanting to pick this one back up. I’m sure readers who have enjoyed the previous books in the series or this author’s other works will have a much better experience with this one!

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frost and Venom is an indescribably extraordinary thriller that will send you on a pulse-pounding journey that will delight and terrify just as much as it will entertain. There is nothing mundane or common about the story that unfolds within these pages. In fact, I would issue a word of caution to those who would dare to venture forward. Be sure of what you look for, and when you find it, be absolutely certain that you know how to deal with it. If you find yourself unprepared, the consequences could be unfortunate.

Harlow has had a respite from her family. She knows how fortunate and precious that time has been. She has been able to breathe, appreciate the freedom and wonder around her, and her life has been entirely her own. The clock is ticking down, and she knows that her time is running down. All she can do is enjoy the time she has left. Wilder has watched Harlow for years now. He sees her, her life, her friends, and her heart. He is a man who knows what he wants, but he has to know what she wants too. One thing he will never do is to force anything on anyone. He will wait for as long as it takes to draw her to him because he is patient and their mutual attraction will work in his favor until he is able to weave himself into other areas of her life.

Wilder reappearing in Harlow's life seems to come on the heels of tragedy with the mysterious death of a close friend. No one can seem to figure out what their friend died from, but they can all agree that is weighs heavy on their heart. If this personal loss isn't enough to put Harlow into a bit of a tailspin then some new family drama is certainly enough to increase her anxiety levels and make her want to find a place to wait out the vicious and destructive hurricane barreling her way. Chaos taming and confusion tolerance isn't high on Harlow's list, but perhaps it just might push her into the waiting arms of someone who would most definitely love to help save her life and protect it for many years to come.

The ebbs and flows of life can work for us or against us, but no matter where we find ourselves, let us not forget that there are people in our life that truly and honestly love us and care for us no matter what. Don't make life harder but pushing them away and making things infinitely harder on yourself for no other reason then familiar stubbornness and simple pride. Those might keep you safe, but they will also keep you isolated and lonely. I dare you to open your eyes, your heart, and your world to the love that has been patiently waiting for you in the wings to let it infiltrate and permeate every part of your life. If it is true, then you will never regret it, and you will never ever be the same again.

It has been awhile since I read a Christine Feehan book, and she succeeded in turning my entire world upside down. She never fails to touch every part of my heart as I walk through each of her characters footsteps and experience every facet of their magnificent journey. Without missing a beat, I feel myself change at heart level every time I pick up one of her precious treasures and consume them word by word and page by page. Absorbing a small fraction of her incredible heart from each book is the highest honor that I can give to any author that always writes stories that eviscerates my heart and then carefully and methodically recreates it into something so much better.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75stars

FROST AND VENOM is the fourth instalment in Christine Feehan’s contemporary, adult SUNRISE LAKE slightly paranormal, romantic suspense series. This is surgical and trauma nurse and artist Harlow Frye, and CIA operative Hawkin Wilder’s story line. FROST AND VENOM can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary .

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives FROST AND VENOM following several pathways, and like the previous instalment focuses on a number of murders in Knightly, a small town situated around Sunrise Lake near Yosemite National Park. Harlow Frye is a trauma nurse and as the death count rises, our heroine begins to suspect a possible serial killer but someone has taken aim at our story line heroine, threatening her life in the process. Meanwhile, an injured Hawkin Wilder returns to Knightly, seeking out Harlow in the process. When Hawkin refuses conventional medical care, Harlow calls in help from men and women she now calls family and friends, friends who will join together to solve the mystery of an unknown killer.

The world building follows numerous paths including potential serial killer, threats against our story line heroine, and Harlow’s past that refuses to let go.A small town feel with big town high stakes, Knightly once again is the center of attraction for murder and betrayal. the majority of the story line focuses on Harlow and her friends who become the primary detectives in a murder mystery. The paranormal aspect is negligible; the conflict resolutions are behind the scenes, and disappointing in the face of the slow build up and tension.

The relationship between Harlow and Hawkin is one of mutual attraction but Harlow continues to struggle with the demons from her past, and the possibility of a killer at her door. Hawkin is determined to claim Harlow s the woman he loves but first the threats against Harlow and the town of Knightly must be stopped before anyone else is hurt. There are no $ex scenes.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including most of the previous story line couples. The male counterparts take a backseat to the women’s story line as they endeavour to uncover the truth including questionable law enforcement, and a new arrival who is more than she appears to be.

FROST AND VENOM is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, power and control, dysfunctional family dynamics, abuse and retribution, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is detailed, dramatic and edgy; the characters are determined, desperate and often questionable.

Copy supplied for review

[DJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine Deaths, One Chilling Mystery...But Where Was the Feehan Magic?

Nine unexplained deaths. No apparent connection. An unknown cause of death. And a killer whose methods may be hiding in plain sight.

Welcome back to Christine Feehan's Sierra Nevada mountains, where the scenery is breathtaking, the friendships are fierce, and apparently, even paradise has a body count!

I eagerly preordered Frost and Venom, looking forward to returning to the remarkable found family Feehan introduced in Murder at Sunrise Lake. These five women have survived traumatic pasts, building new lives through friendship, mutual support, and a refusal to be defined by their scars.

And I couldn't wait for Harlow's story!

Nine deaths and a medical mystery? Now you've got my attention!

Harlow, an accomplished nurse with an artist's eye, brings a unique perspective to nine seemingly unrelated deaths. The unknown cause presents an intriguing medical puzzle, and Feehan's eventual revelation of both the method and the person responsible delivers an unexpected twist.

But something was missing.

That irresistible, just-one-more-chapter Feehan magic.

Harlow and Wilder's romance offers a beautiful premise. Both come from troubled family backgrounds that have given them little reason to trust love. Together, they discover that their pasts need not determine their futures.

Yet I struggled to become fully invested.

Wilder arrives as an established friend and colleague of the other men, with an attraction to Harlow that apparently predates this story. Harlow even acknowledges he may be the only man she could love.

And there I was thinking, Wait! Who is Wilder? When did this happen? And why wasn't I invited?!

Their attraction clearly has a history, but I felt I'd missed some of the emotional groundwork. I understood their feelings; I wanted to experience more of the journey that brought them together.

Meanwhile, considerable time is spent revisiting the women's histories. As a returning reader, I wished some of that backstory had been devoted to developing Harlow and Wilder's connection.

The medical mystery is original, the friendships remain wonderful, and the conclusion delivers a clever twist. Yet despite appreciating these elements, I never experienced the anticipation and excitement I normally associate with Feehan.

I didn't hate it. I just wanted to love it.

Am I ready to leave these mountains?

Not a chance!

Raine and Zahara still have stories to tell, and there are far too many secrets surrounding the men in their lives.

One story may have missed the magic, but I'm not ready to close the book on this family.

Reading note: I recommend starting with Murder at Sunrise Lake, followed by Red on the River, Deadly Storms, and Frost and Venom.

[Mary Kirkland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harlow is dealing with a lot. Her father, the Senator is facing some very bad charges that she knows to be true. She wants nothing to do with her parents but they keep calling her and telling her they're coming to the town where she lives and they expect her to act like the dutiful daughter they want. But she's not having it and neither is Wilder, the man who wants her for the rest of their lives. If only he can make her believe she's worth a happy ending with him.

Someone or something is using a toxin to take down Harlow's friends and she has to find out where it's coming from before they get to close and maybe kill her or Wilder. She's been getting threatening letters and someone has betrayed Wilder and other agents. Harlow and the others are keeping Wilder a secret because someone is leaking the missions and the operatives are in danger and even his boss expected him to die in the latest mission. There was something really sketchy about Wilder's boss.

Harlow knows that her father got a young girl pregnant and then tossed her across the border, never checking on the child he might have. But Harlow wants to know her half-brother and she goes looking for information on him, which brings an unknown danger on her and all her friends. Some secrets should maybe be kept hidden.

The tension between Wilder and Harlow was fun. I liked that he had to work to gain her trust enough that she felt safe with him. But with agents being targeted, threatening letters being sent and someone using a lethal toxin to kill people, it was hard for Harlow and Wilder to find time to get to know each other. There's a lot going on but all the drama kept me entertained and ready to keep the pages turning.

I love Christine Feehan's books. I knew that this would lock me in right away and it sure did. I was excitedly turning the pages of this book, not knowing what would happen next or who to trust. These characters are great, the mystery behind the toxin was enjoyable to learn what was happening and the family drama between Harlow and her parents was fun because I know Wilder wasn't going to let her father win this time.


Disclosure: I was given an e-ARC of this book via NetGalley but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[K K Jones Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Feehan's new book, Frost and Venom, while written as a stand-alone book, is part of an interconnected group of books, all relating to a group of female friends and their love interests who all worked for the same division in the CIA.

Harlow is a Surgical and Trauma Nurse who has a side job as a photographer. She moved to the town of Knightly to get away from her parents and leave them as far behind her as possible, though she knows it's only a matter of time before her father forces a new confrontation that will disrupt the new life she has built with her friends.

Harkin is an ex-CIA agent who was betrayed by someone on his team. Making his way to Harlow, he knows she will everything in her power to keep him safe and make sure he gets the proper care he needs to get better.

As Harkin starts to recuperate, people in town are starting to die. At first, they all have a connection to Harlow, but then something happens and group of strangers are killed, and no one can figure out how any of the deaths connected now. Until Harlow finally sees something she shouldn't.

The emotional journey the characters take in this book make the readers feel like they're taking it right along side them. When Harlow describes the devastation her father committed throughput her life, and before, readers can feel how disgusted she feels, how betrayed, and angry. When she says she doesn't think she'll ever have a relationship with a man or have a family of her own, readers can feel her sorrow and how she's determined to not let her father have in her life, but she knows, as long as he's alive, he will always play a part, no matter how much she wishes otherwise.

From page one up until the last page, readers are taken on an adventure that will make them laugh and shout. Readers will be trying desperately over and over, to be able to put the book down, but no matter how hard they try, there will be something almost magical in the way they will be forced to read this book in one sitting as putting the book down will be impossible to do.

[Krithika · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there's one author who can make a slow burn feel like a five-alarm fire, it's Christine Feehan. Frost and Venom, the fourth book in her Sunrise Lake series, has everything I love about her books — two strong leads, a romance that simmers before it ignites, that subtle thread of something almost magical woven through a real-world story, and characters who feel like genuinely grown adults with real emotional depth.

Harlow Frye is a surgical and trauma nurse who's built a quiet life in the small town of Knightly, California, surrounded by a circle of female friends who are closer than family. Then the chaos starts: anonymous threatening letters in her mailbox, her friend dying after exposure to a mysterious toxin, and — because Feehan never does anything halfway — Harlow finds her secret obsession, CIA operative Hawkin Wilder, bleeding out on a mountain trail and turns her home into a makeshift hospital.

My favorite part of this book was the mystery itself. Nobody knows what's killing people or why, and watching Harlow and Wilder — along with her friends — piece it together kept me turning pages late into the night. That creeping dread of not knowing what's coming next is Feehan at her absolute best.

But I'll be honest: the ending fell a little flat for me. After all that delicious buildup, the truth behind the toxin deaths felt almost accidental rather than deliberate — and coming from an author whose thrillers usually hit like a punch, that was a letdown. Great start, strong middle, but the finish didn't land the way her other books do.

Still, if you love romantic suspense with a capable heroine, a brooding operative who refuses to give up, and a found family of fierce women, this one is worth your time. Just know the journey is better than the destination here.

Rating: 3.5/5

[Whispers From · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harlow Frye is the daughter of a senator and is a trauma and surgical nurse. She is estranged from her parents and for very good reasons. She lives quietly in the small town of Knightly and her real passion is photography. She has been receiving threatening letters but doesn’t tell anyone. Harlow has a small group of girlfriends that get together a lot. Then she loses a couple of people she’s close too. Her and the girls try to figure out what happened when more people die and several strangers. While out walking, she comes upon Hawkin Wilder, a CIA operative, severely injured. She gets him back to her house and calls in reinforcements. They keep him hidden because someone is leaking the missions of the operatives and they are getting ambushed. Harlow has been attracted to Wilder but she never had a relationship and never really wanted one. Wilder knew from the first time he saw her she was his one. Just convincing her is the hard part.

I’ll be honest, I almost stopped reading this. It is so confusing. It is told in Harlow’s point of view but maybe a couple of pages was Wilder’s pov. I’m not real fond of just one pov but after a while I had to keep reading to find out what was happening in the small little town. I voluntarily read and reviewed this for the author. I wish I could figure out if the other characters have books because reading them might help understand the story better.

[Sara Krane · Rating 3 out of 5]

People are dying under mysterious circumstances in Christine Feehan’s latest release, Frost and Venom. Set in Knightly, California, Frost and Venom tells the story of Harlow Frye, a trauma and surgical nurse, and Hawkin Wilder, a special ops soldier. A series of related but unexplainable deaths have occurred over the past few months, and Harlow is on a quest to find answers with the help of Hawkin. However, Harlow’s dark past is about to rear its head, and after years of running and hiding to avoid it, Harlow must finally confront the monsters in her closet.

Frost and Venom is Feehan’s next book in her series set in the Sierra Mountains. Harlow is an amazing heroine, smart, compassionate, kind, and I loved how cold Hawkin was to everyone but her. They are a great couple! Both had tremendously bad childhoods but were dedicated to making their lives the complete opposite. The villain turned out to be kind of a let down and the reader would need to read the previous books in the series to really get why this individual did the things they did. Overall, another winner from Feehan in an interesting and different series from her regular paranormal series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this advanced review copy with me in exchange for my honest feedback!

[Marybelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story. The characters continue to be lively, caring, funny, and definitely three dimensional. The reader can see themselves sitting with the ladies having coffee at the Sunrise Cafe.

The one thing I found interesting was the difference in the way the author structured the endings. In the first three books, the reader is part of the climax, living through the action. For example, in Book 1, the reader is part of Sam’s finding the killer and taking care of business. In Book 2, the reader gets to travel through the forest with Zane as he tracks down the assassin. In Book 3, again the reader experiences Rainier tracking down the terrorist. However, in this book, the reader is just told what happens to the three antagonists. I don’t know if it’s because there are three or if it was just a quirk. I just know I would have preferred seeing Bale get his due. I do love the ending. Weddings are so fun.

I additionally like the hints of what might happen with Zarha and Raine. I wonder which one the next book is about.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Frost and Venom. Great to visit with the wounded and strong woman again. This one is Harlow's story and Wilde. One thing that carries through any Christine Feean book be it paranormal, thriller, psychic etc, the characters are wounded and the men are Alpha. I loved following the mystery and watching Harlow deal with her awful parents, her own self-worth and tangle with Wilde had me invested and to get to visit with the others and their partners was icing on the cake. Each book is a standalone, but because they all carry the same group of women, it can become a little confusing if you haven't read the others, so you get familiar with who is who:) My own unsolicited open. Many thanks for the advance copy. I freely share my own thoughts and opinion. #FrostandVenom #ChristineFeehan #Berkley #NetGalley

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot going on in this one for Harlow. Drama with her family, that quite frankly should have been not in her wheel house, but for law enforcement. I kinda didn't mind what happened in the end there, other than it was a bit too good of an end for them. I did like the "new" family that Harper found, think it's good for both sides, even if one of them is dubious at best, but not because they wanted their life to be like that.

It was crazy what Harlow and the girls found out about the town and the bad things happening. More crazy that their off the wall theory was right. Glad that they had the guys there to back them up.

The romance between Harper and Wilder was sweet. I liked that Wilder didn't rush things and let Harper know in no uncertain terms that he was into her.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I truly appreciate the opportunity to read an advance copy of a story. CF is one of my favourite authors and I jumped at the chance. Listed as a suspense thriller, I looked forward to finding out who the murderer in a small community would turn out to be.What I read was a group of friends (women) who do a lot of talking, spend time in a restaurant, like to be outdoors, and take no threat too seriously. There are multiple mysterious deaths, a luke-warm romance between Harlow and Wilder, family disconnections and a truly horrifying backstory. The action is a slow train that in the last few chapters powers ahead with all of the answers. This is not the story I was expecting, but I am glad I had the chance to read it.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was...not great. If it hadn't been an ARC, I would have DNF'd. I'm not even sure where to start. It was barely a romance, and hardly a thriller. It was mostly an inner monologue, the friends sitting around discussing the very thin plot, with a heavy dose of references to the previous books it supposedly wasn't necessary to have read to enjoy this one. This was such a departure from Feehan's Torpedo Ink series that it's hard to fathom they're by the same author. It was just so...bleh.

I would say thank you to Netgalley for the ARC, but it's more like thanks, but no thanks? Opinions are my own!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful romanitc adventure! Harlow has made a new life for herself in Knightly away from her family with whom she doesn't agree. Harkin is ex-CIA who has been betrayed by someone in his team. He goes to Harlow because he knows she will look after him and help him heal. Then people start dying to die and they are all connected to Harlow.
This is a suspenseful book that kept me reading until the end! The characters are interesting and I was rooting for them throughout the book. The mystery was fasinating and not what I expected with an ending I didn't expect. Another book by one of my favourite authors!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

[LOBMH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual death, no spice, still engaging

This can be a stand alone but to fully understand back stories is best to read other books first. This is an excellent representation of an engaging, interesting and entertaining story, and developing relationship between characters with no spice in the book. Its not super gory, most of the deaths are intriguing, but clean. Its an excellent murder mystery, with a method not immediately thought of. The relationship has been developing for a while between multiple books, so loved seeing Harlow finaly start to open up to wilder, and start trusting. Highly enjoyed this and will be rereading

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

normally

I am a huge fan of Feehans books. This one was not one of them. There were many parts I liked but felt like too many parts were fluff. The relationship did not sound believable. 100% sure her father would not be able to abuse her or anyone in employment in USA. Did not believe they would have dumped woman over border. If he had fixer creeps they would or could have taken baby after kidnapping her to deserted place and killed her after baby was born. Other issue is her being fascinated by spiders, reptiles and being photographer, artist. No way she would not have figured issues early.

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harlow, a nurse, is in danger when threatening letters keep showing up in her mailbox. Then a friend and then more die from an unknown toxin. Hawkin, a CIA agent, shows up near her home and stays there to recover from emergency surgery. He has claimed Harlow in his heart for a while and now is determined to do so for good. This book is suspenseful and full of friendship and found family. They work together to find out who is killing neighbors in the town. I admit that I loved the cover and the author so I bought it unknowing that it is a series. I recommend reading them in order because I missed the complexities of the relationships that had already formed.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Christine Feehan, Berkley, and Netgalley for the ARC.
Trauma has followed Harlow from her family. and after years they come to cause more.
Trauma has followed Wilder from his. Someone wants to terminate him. All he wants is to protect Harlow forever.
Multiple mysteries-- past and present.
Family--real family--are the people you choose. Not always the ones by blood. Harlow has a lot of them surrounding her.
A standalone book that is part of a series that you can read without having read the rest.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a sentence in the book that describes what the whole thing is: Wilder raving about Harlow.
3/4 of the book dealt with how much they thought of each other without ever getting there. This series of books has been terrific; this one does not reach the Mark. The beginning started out fast and hard, very well done. The middle was simple raving about how each one was going to be there for the other one.
The plot started to be well done and then it died in the middle. The ending was a cop out I am very disappointed.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed the book and story. Yet sometimes, the writing felt like a ghostwriter had written some of the story. Just a slight perception of different styles of writing. yet its good. I felt the last 2 chapters were rushed. and No more creepy stuff! spiders of any kind, scare the crap out of me. I looked around my house every night while reading the book for spiders of any knd.
having been reading her books for over 20 years now, I can see and tell the difference in her writings. Christine is a great prolific writer. I hope that her health does not affect her writing of great stories.