When the Smoke Clears

by Steffanie Blais

In Wildhaven, betrayal runs deeper than loyalty and love—and the secrets of one family refuse to stay buried.

Ten years ago, Isla Rae left without a word, swearing she’d never return to the hometown she loved or the boy who shattered her heart. But when her mother’s death brings her back, Isla's forced to face the memories she’s spent a decade trying to forget.

Luke Wild never forgave her. Now the town’s sheriff, he carries both the weight of duty and the scar she left behind. Despite his vow to never let her close again, one touch threatens to burn down every wall between them—and reignites a fire they might not survive. Because second chances come with risks, and facing the past could cost them everything.Fans of Catherine Cowles and Devney Perry will devour When the Smoke Clears, a steamy, emotional romance full of heartbreak, family drama, and relationships worth fighting for.

Scroll up and One-Click today to escape into this small town romance filled with generational secrets and a spark of romantic suspense.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 19, 2026

About the author

Steffanie Blais crafts captivating romantic suspense you can’t put down. Heavily influenced by her father, who was a small-town sheriff for three decades, Steffanie comes by her love of mystery and suspense honestly. When she's not weaving stories with surprising turns, she works as a Registered Dietitian. In rare moments of downtime, Steffanie enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, binge-reading romance and thrillers, or baking while listening to '80s music. For all the latest news, releases, and behind-the-scenes action, subscribe to Steffanie Blais’ newsletter today!

Reviews

[Mary (Marysnoveljourney) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💙second chance romance
💙returning home
💙sheriff MMC x strong FMC
💙found family
💙small town secrets
💙suspense
💙forced proximity

Holy amazing start to a new series! When the Smoke Clears by Steffanie Blais is the first book in the inter connected series, Secrets of Wildhaven. It is incredible!!!

This book kept me on the edge of seat the whole way through…I was pulled in right from the beginning. I adored Isla and Luke, but the big question…why did Isla leave her beloved small town and perfect boyfriend Luke so many years ago? That question and more are answered as the mystery unfolds. Stefanie’s trademark imagery and spice just make this read even better! The chemistry between Luke and Isla was so hot!

Everyone is a suspect in this book so read carefully and pay attention! You don’t know who you can trust. When the Smoke Clears is the perfect set up for this suspense series. I’m so excited to see where it leads and who is at the bottom of this mystery!

Thank you to Steffanie Blais for the honor of alpha reading this book!

[Courtney Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this for my honest review

In book one of the new Secrets of Wildhaven series our MMC is the town sheriff, and he gets a call for a homicide at his old girlfriends house. The girlfriend who he saved from a burning building only to have her disappear from the hospital, never to be seen again. That was 10 years ago. Our FMC thought staying away was the only way to keep everyone she loved safe from the threats. But now with her mom's passing, she's coming back to town. Normally a quite friendly small town, as soon as she returns things start happening, flat tires, almost being hit by a car. Thinking these are more than just accidents, he makes her stay with him, to keep her safe. Nothing more. She's tired of being afraid, and doesn't want to mess up a second chance at the life she always wanted.

[Delaney Frazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Isla as she returns home after the death of her mother. After being gone for ten years, she’s forced to face her past including Luke, the grumpy small-town sheriff who also happens to be her ex. He’s still hurt and angry over the way she left, and the tension between them is immediate.

Even though Isla wants to escape her old life, circumstances push her into working alongside Luke, reopening old wounds and unresolved feelings. The more time they spend together, the more undeniable their connection becomes, making it impossible to ignore how much they still mean to each other.

I love a book that pulls you into the next one, and builds you fun supporting characters to look forward to reading about and this book has that.

I received this book as an ARC. Thank you to the author!

[Amanda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am taken aback, blown away at that, by the turn of events in this book. I had zero clue it was all going to end that way. I am sitting here trying to wrap my mind around this. I am stunned and impressed and the author delivered one hell of a narrative. I was captivated by this book. and I could not put it down. I kept turning those pages needing and wanting more of this incredible story. The suspense is thick. And the betrayal runs deep with secrets that have yet to be unraveled all the way. The ending comes barreling right at you out of left field leaving one big doozy of a surprise. My jaw literally dropped at the tail end of this book. I can't believe it ended like it did but nonetheless I cannot wait see where it's going to go next. This is a book that I highly recommend reading it's not to be missed. It’s an absolute must read.

[Sara Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if romance and suspense would be a thing I could get into. Turns out when Luke Wild is the MMC I most certainly can!
Steffanie Blais makes Wildhaven really come to life, and now I need to find a place to visit to give me that scenery!
Luke and Isla are so perfectly connected, even when they don't want to be. Their story is messy, but in a way that fits each character and their development through the book.
This book had a few twists that really kept the plot flowing at a fast pace. I had trouble putting this book down because each page kept up the suspense and “what!!!” moments, aka the CLIFHANGER!!!
This is a book I will definitely be rereading many times to come.

But also, Gabe and his dreamy-self, needs his own book!!!
Thank you Steffanie Blais for the ARC!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story completely pulled me in from the very first page. The characters are raw, real, and beautifully flawed, making it impossible not to feel every high and low right alongside them. This book delivers heartbreak, healing, and hope in a way that feels authentic and deeply moving.
The journey these characters take after everything falls apart is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Steffanie Blais masterfully shows that even after devastation, love and strength can rise from the ashes. Highly recommend!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew… I love a good romantic suspense and When The Smoke Clears pulled me right in and kept me guessing! What a great beginning to a new series! Luke and Isla’s story is a second chance story full of heartbreak and secrets. Isla is a strong female main character and it is wonderful to see her doing her best to protect herself and the one she loves. Luke is the town sheriff now and is not prepared when the past comes back to town. The journey these two have to take in order to find the way back to each other and figure this mystery out is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. This story has lots of twists and turns and a wonderful slow burn that is worth waiting for(steamy)! This is the first book in an interconnected series and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was honored to be given a ARC of when the smoke clears. I had absolutely no idea what the book was about going to be about before reading it. Second chance romance, small town, murder none of these are my usual tropes I like to read but I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this book. I loved Isla and Luke’s sorry I feel like it was writing really well. The end of the book really got me. Im really looking forward to book 2

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This riveting romantic suspense, underlaid with a deep emotional core, wrecked me in the best way. Thought provoking lyrical prose, sizzling chemistry, plot twists that keep you guessing… this one has it all. I am thoroughly invested in Isla and Luke getting to their happy ever after (as well as the fate of friends and family) and cannot wait to see which secrets come to light in the next installment of the series. This one deserves way more than five stars.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke and Isla are 5 ***** characters in this amazing book. I have never read anything by Steffanie until When the Smoke Clears and WOW I am very impressed with how well she writes. Saying I was OBSESSED doesn't even come close to describing how I feel about this storyline, and author. You should read this page turning book and see why I was hooked.

[Katelyn Taggart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wildhaven is a crazy place. The twists and turns of this book kept me intrigued the entire time. Luke and Isla’s story wasn’t a typical romance but I loved seeing them fall back into each other throughout the book. And the ending!!! I can’t wait for the next one.

I received this complimentary from the author in exchange for a review.

[Kate Schaeffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steffanies ability to write soul crushing romance on top of keeping you at the edge of your seat with suspense, is top notch! Luke and Islas story is one of pain, suffering, and heartache but the through all the chaos, you get to see their passion come to life throughout this entire book. This story is not what it seems and will have you hooked from the first page.

[Brandi Thomas]

I received an ARC for this book and I was so happy. This book was so good. I loved the story line, the spice, and the characters. I am a sucker for a small town Sheriff. When the smoke clears keeps you guessing throughout the whole book until the very end and then some. I cannot wait for book two.

[Desiree Kozlovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, small town spicy romance with a heaping side of murder and suspense! Luke and Isla were always destined to be, and the Wild family is clearly in for a hell of a ride after their shit face father’s shenanigans. Also, it’s outrageous I have to wait for Book Two 😔

[Erin Babich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was solid! I went into it expecting more of a traditional romance but was not disappointed. There’s a LOT that was packed into this first novel, but I’m really excited to see where it goes from here and how the family will be more involved.

[Emily Frye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I was into this book the whole time. The suspense wasn’t overwhelming, but was intense enough to keep my attention. I love the idea of a second chance romance and this completely embodies the trope about as well as any. Anyone who reads this will definitely love it!

[Patricia Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the story, kept me wanting to know more and read more.. can’t wait for the next book💖

[Elizabeth Samonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great palate cleansers between books. I enjoyed it very much. It was interesting and kept your attention the whole time. Can’t wait to continue in this universe.

[Stephs.bookshelf09 · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off this book will leave you on a cliffhanger. Be ready to need the next book desperately 🤣

Isla and Luke are young love that life through terrible things at them, and when Isla ends up back in town, will Luke’s hate for his high school sweetheart keep their wedge between them or will that hate show its true colors?

Luke is the local town Sheriff and when his sleepy little town gets a storm blowing through it he proves that he will do anything to protect his town and his heart.

Islas past is something she has always carried with her, and when she is forced to go back to her childhood home she will do anything to get in and out as quickly and as few people who see her.

Little do either of them know that their troubles are more interconnected than either can ever know.