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Right Girl, Wrong Time
Seven years seemed like a life time ago, but as Harvey stood before Daphne again, he could only imagine what their daughter would have looked like . . . if she had kept the baby. Yet, as a seemingly school-aged girl now stands along her mother's side, Harvey cannot help but question who her father is and the real reason Daphne disappeared.
Hoping for answers, Harvey accepts her request to meet in private. However, avoiding the gossip of a small town, leaves them to venture to the family cabin, away from the voices that once drove them apart. Yet, a short explanation and moving forward prove not so simple. Upon discussing the years since she left, Harvey learns of the darkness that fabricates Daphne's past, along with her deepest secrets. However, despite their efforts to mend the relationship, someone lurking in the shadows has different plans for their future.
Hoping for answers, Harvey accepts her request to meet in private. However, avoiding the gossip of a small town, leaves them to venture to the family cabin, away from the voices that once drove them apart. Yet, a short explanation and moving forward prove not so simple. Upon discussing the years since she left, Harvey learns of the darkness that fabricates Daphne's past, along with her deepest secrets. However, despite their efforts to mend the relationship, someone lurking in the shadows has different plans for their future.
324 pages, Paperback
Published March 4, 2026
About the author
C.S. McKinney
10 books23 followersWriting stories about the unspoken and sometimes off-putting aspects of dating, romance, and life is my passion. With each book, I envision the stories that feel familiar or connect with the reader on a certain level. By taking on the tough topics, I hope to inspire others to find a life of love and happiness without having to make the same mistakes as the book characters.
When I'm not writing, I enjoy competing in triathlons, playing music, and hiking.
For more information, be sure to visit www.csmckinney.com.
When I'm not writing, I enjoy competing in triathlons, playing music, and hiking.
For more information, be sure to visit www.csmckinney.com.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 18, 2026
I simultaneously want to never stop talking about this book but I am also utterly speechless. This book was phenomenal. I was left laughing, kicking my feet in glee, and by the end I was utterly speechless. C.S.’s writing style is unmatched. Definitely an author that deserves more hype and has become an auto-buy. Cannot recommend this book enough.
March 23, 2026
I have to say this had me on the edge of my seat, especially towards the end! It’s unfortunate how the ending was but definitely loved the whole thing and I hope there’s a second one coming out so we know what happens between him and Sadie after everything was all said and done. Since how he loved both women anyways, but also how Sadie feels about it on her end and how they can both cope and maybe come together? But I definitely love the fact that he wanted to still be in Ella‘s life :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2026
The Book was a beautiful! The psychological thriller description was on point.
The two endings were perfect. Either you picked. Now I did like chapter 30!
Well done! I was not sure who did it but I thought it was who it is. Kept me on my toes til the last possible second!
The two endings were perfect. Either you picked. Now I did like chapter 30!
Well done! I was not sure who did it but I thought it was who it is. Kept me on my toes til the last possible second!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2026
There’s a moment in a novel where you either become invested in the story or walk away emotionally.
Right Girl, Wrong Time stole my attention with one simple act: Sadie returned the sweatshirt to Harvey.
In a seemingly inconsequential moment, C.S. McKinney hooked me as a reader. I bonded with Sadie and needed to follow this story to its conclusion.
We’ve all been there. The end of a relationship. Do you give back the baggage and souvenirs, or use those pieces of the past as building blocks for your future?
Right Girl, Wrong Time is a love story, but it is definitely not a traditional Hallmark-style love triangle with a guaranteed happily ever after. There’s suspense. There are twists. And there’s a red herring I fell for hook, line, and sinker.
In a world filled with fluffy love stories, this one is messy. It requires you to think.
Harvey and Daphne were teenage lovers. After an accidental pregnancy, Daphne disappears from Harvey’s life. Years later, she returns to their small town, raising more questions and uncovering old wounds that never fully healed.
Harvey has tried to move on with Sadie, but his heart wasn’t ready.
And despite what the setup might suggest, this is not a second-chance romance. It’s a deep dive into heartbreak.
The pacing at the beginning felt almost methodical, but the story continued to build and flow until suddenly you slam into an ending you never saw coming.
The character development was above average. Modern cookie-cutter romances often shy away from allowing readers to genuinely dislike a main character. McKinney doesn’t.
Daphne is flawed. She’s messy. She has issues. I was not her cheerleader, and by the end, I still couldn’t forgive her.
Harvey, however, experiences the most growth. Watching him evolve emotionally throughout the story and become a stronger man was one of my favorite parts of the book.
There’s no fluff here. This is romantic suspense written to keep you turning pages late into the night.
You’ll be surprised.
You’ll dislike characters.
You’ll want to shout at Harvey through the emotional tension.
And no matter how you feel about the ending, I think you’ll be glad you ventured into this messy little small-town love triangle.
When I finally closed the book, I actually sighed out loud.
I was completely satisfied that I’d made the right selection.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️ / 5
Trigger Warning: abortion
Right Girl, Wrong Time stole my attention with one simple act: Sadie returned the sweatshirt to Harvey.
In a seemingly inconsequential moment, C.S. McKinney hooked me as a reader. I bonded with Sadie and needed to follow this story to its conclusion.
We’ve all been there. The end of a relationship. Do you give back the baggage and souvenirs, or use those pieces of the past as building blocks for your future?
Right Girl, Wrong Time is a love story, but it is definitely not a traditional Hallmark-style love triangle with a guaranteed happily ever after. There’s suspense. There are twists. And there’s a red herring I fell for hook, line, and sinker.
In a world filled with fluffy love stories, this one is messy. It requires you to think.
Harvey and Daphne were teenage lovers. After an accidental pregnancy, Daphne disappears from Harvey’s life. Years later, she returns to their small town, raising more questions and uncovering old wounds that never fully healed.
Harvey has tried to move on with Sadie, but his heart wasn’t ready.
And despite what the setup might suggest, this is not a second-chance romance. It’s a deep dive into heartbreak.
The pacing at the beginning felt almost methodical, but the story continued to build and flow until suddenly you slam into an ending you never saw coming.
The character development was above average. Modern cookie-cutter romances often shy away from allowing readers to genuinely dislike a main character. McKinney doesn’t.
Daphne is flawed. She’s messy. She has issues. I was not her cheerleader, and by the end, I still couldn’t forgive her.
Harvey, however, experiences the most growth. Watching him evolve emotionally throughout the story and become a stronger man was one of my favorite parts of the book.
There’s no fluff here. This is romantic suspense written to keep you turning pages late into the night.
You’ll be surprised.
You’ll dislike characters.
You’ll want to shout at Harvey through the emotional tension.
And no matter how you feel about the ending, I think you’ll be glad you ventured into this messy little small-town love triangle.
When I finally closed the book, I actually sighed out loud.
I was completely satisfied that I’d made the right selection.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️ / 5
Trigger Warning: abortion
August 5, 2026
I picked this book up thinking it was a simple romance novel, and boy was I surprised! Of course, romance is its core with a love triangle and high school sweethearts reuniting after years apart, rekindling a first love that never truly left them. But, it also has a psychological thriller element that keeps you guessing and on your toes. There’s mystery, heartache, and deep emotions coming from our main male character- I enjoyed reading a romance from a male’s perspective, and this book brought back so many emotions we all experience in those young love years! Well written! Trigger warning: abortion
August 13, 2026
Right Girl, Wrong Time.
This book just pissed me off. Lol
Firstly, Harvey is too good for any of the characters other than maybe Sadie. I choose the closure ending because that’s exactly what should have happened, IMO. Harvey should have packed his things when Daphne came back to town and moved as far away as possible. She’s a liar and a manipulator and shouldn’t be raising a baby with as much ugly her mouth was spewing. Also, he deserves honest and trusting friends. He’s too good for that town. The story started a little slower than I like but putting the pieces together kept me intrigued. The ending sealed the deal. This is the review I’m giving with 4.25 stars. Great work! Over all, I enjoyed it!
This book just pissed me off. Lol
Firstly, Harvey is too good for any of the characters other than maybe Sadie. I choose the closure ending because that’s exactly what should have happened, IMO. Harvey should have packed his things when Daphne came back to town and moved as far away as possible. She’s a liar and a manipulator and shouldn’t be raising a baby with as much ugly her mouth was spewing. Also, he deserves honest and trusting friends. He’s too good for that town. The story started a little slower than I like but putting the pieces together kept me intrigued. The ending sealed the deal. This is the review I’m giving with 4.25 stars. Great work! Over all, I enjoyed it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2026
An ending with a twist!
Pretend you’re me: You think you're picking up an emotional second chance romance and then suddenly you're questioning everything. The cover is so misleading - it’s not your cookie cutter romance.
I read both alternate endings in chapter order, and WOW. Contains high school sweethearts, an unplanned pregnancy, seven years apart, one wanting closure, the other unable to let go and just when you think everything is finally falling into place, this book completely messes with your head.
The past and present flow together so well, and that freaking ending!!!! I literally sat there thinking - WHAT THE ACTUAL TRUCK JUST HAPPENED?!
If you love romances with a psychological thriller twist and don't mind an ending that leaves your jaw on the floor instead of wrapped in a perfect HEA then add this one to your TBR.
Pretend you’re me: You think you're picking up an emotional second chance romance and then suddenly you're questioning everything. The cover is so misleading - it’s not your cookie cutter romance.
I read both alternate endings in chapter order, and WOW. Contains high school sweethearts, an unplanned pregnancy, seven years apart, one wanting closure, the other unable to let go and just when you think everything is finally falling into place, this book completely messes with your head.
The past and present flow together so well, and that freaking ending!!!! I literally sat there thinking - WHAT THE ACTUAL TRUCK JUST HAPPENED?!
If you love romances with a psychological thriller twist and don't mind an ending that leaves your jaw on the floor instead of wrapped in a perfect HEA then add this one to your TBR.
February 23, 2026
I’ve read quite a few books from this author and this is by far my favorite! Although it’s a romance, there’s a thriller aspect that kept me reading. This is a story of young love, secrets, deception rand some difficult topics are discussed. Since I’m a thriller reader, I really appreciated the creepy moments in this book. A secluded cabin in the woods? Count me in! I enjoyed the book from start to finish and the ending had my jaw on the floor. I absolutely loved how it ended and thought about this book for quite awhile after I finished it. The ending is unlike anything I’ve read before and that was definitely unexpected. I recommend checking this one out if you’re a fan of romance and thrillers!
March 25, 2026
Thank you for the free audiobook, C.S. McKinney!
What I enjoyed about this book was the love triangle, the betrayals, and that it was a closed-door romance. Harvey was a character I liked in that he was always trying to do right by those around him and fully understand the scenarios in front of him, rather than flying off the handle (as I would have expected him to many times throughout this book). Daphne on the other hand....girl needs a large dose of THERAPY lol. As I'm not sure she was meant to be an enemy, I saw her as one throughout the book. Maybe it's because I'm #TeamHarvey and wanted what was best for him and didn't feel like Daphne was a great option?
This book is said to be a romance thriller, and I was wondering when the thrill was going to happen as C.S.'s writing made it appear that this book was going to be wrapped up with a nice, little bow on top...and then right when you least expected it to, the ball dropped and I was wondering which way this book could end?! I love that C.S. gives the reader a choice in how they want it to end. I can't say that I've ever read a book where I got to pick the ending, but I did dive into both endings and let's just say that I liked one scenario over the other. ◡̈
What I enjoyed about this book was the love triangle, the betrayals, and that it was a closed-door romance. Harvey was a character I liked in that he was always trying to do right by those around him and fully understand the scenarios in front of him, rather than flying off the handle (as I would have expected him to many times throughout this book). Daphne on the other hand....girl needs a large dose of THERAPY lol. As I'm not sure she was meant to be an enemy, I saw her as one throughout the book. Maybe it's because I'm #TeamHarvey and wanted what was best for him and didn't feel like Daphne was a great option?
This book is said to be a romance thriller, and I was wondering when the thrill was going to happen as C.S.'s writing made it appear that this book was going to be wrapped up with a nice, little bow on top...and then right when you least expected it to, the ball dropped and I was wondering which way this book could end?! I love that C.S. gives the reader a choice in how they want it to end. I can't say that I've ever read a book where I got to pick the ending, but I did dive into both endings and let's just say that I liked one scenario over the other. ◡̈
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you’re looking for a love story that is tender, emotionally rich, beautifully written, and morally complex, this is the pick. The author has a sure hand with small domestic details. The emotional core of the story is authentic — scenes that will make you smile and then sit in startled silence. What makes the book exceptional is how it balances tenderness with tension. The protagonists are fully drawn: flawed and stubborn. Their chemistry is real in the way it complicates their lives. This is not a book that betrays its characters for the sake of surprise; instead, the twist emerges from the dark corners the narrative quietly hinted at all along. The result is a heartbreaking, unforgettable ending that elevates the entire book. The final act pulls a masterful, destabilizing pivot. The tone shifts like a cold wind through a closed room, and the reader is forced to re-evaluate every scene in light of a new, chilling truth. It’s the kind of twist that lingers after the book is closed — morally wrenching and emotionally devastating. Highly recommended for readers who like their romance with depth and a dark, unforgettable turn.
September 3, 2026
This book brings so much depth and layered complexity to important themes, and blends it all with romance, heartbreak, and a psychological thriller aspect that had me absolutely captivated from beginning to end.
On the surface it looks like a love triangle when Harvey’s first love, Daphne, rolls back into town - years after the heartbreaking betrayal that separated them. Harvey has tried to move on in the time since with Sadie - but knows his heart isn't fully in it.
As he tries to decide which way his heart leans - he and Daphne rekindle their connection, and they delve into the unfinished past and what’s happened in the time since, which was absolutely gutting to read. It’s not a simple clear cut answer on right or wrong. But it delves into topics most shy away from and the heartbreak it causes to each party, which I found to be very raw and real.
The thriller aspect absolutely had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and I did not see the ending coming. Not to mention- there’s a reader’s choice at the end with alternate endings that blew me away!
An absolutely thrilling read that made me feel, made me think, and kept me on my toes the entire way through.
On the surface it looks like a love triangle when Harvey’s first love, Daphne, rolls back into town - years after the heartbreaking betrayal that separated them. Harvey has tried to move on in the time since with Sadie - but knows his heart isn't fully in it.
As he tries to decide which way his heart leans - he and Daphne rekindle their connection, and they delve into the unfinished past and what’s happened in the time since, which was absolutely gutting to read. It’s not a simple clear cut answer on right or wrong. But it delves into topics most shy away from and the heartbreak it causes to each party, which I found to be very raw and real.
The thriller aspect absolutely had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and I did not see the ending coming. Not to mention- there’s a reader’s choice at the end with alternate endings that blew me away!
An absolutely thrilling read that made me feel, made me think, and kept me on my toes the entire way through.
March 24, 2026
Harvey has a decision to make the first girl he ever loved from High School is back in town. He tried to think of someone else Sadie, but his old flame Daphne keeps coming to mind. Can he be in love with two women. He needs to find out what went wrong with Daphne and why she left. What will he do? Romance, love, betrayal, heartbreak, murder and oh yes, the twist! An easy read of trials and tribulations. You need to add Right Girl Wrong Time to your to be read list you will not be disappointed. You can buy it on Amazon. I loved it!
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Review of advance copy received from Author
Really enjoyed this book! It was an easy read and each chapter left me wanting to keep reading to see what would happen next. The characters were easy to follow and it was a great storyline. I thought a few times I had things figured out, but it certainly didn't end the way I thought it would! I highly recommend the book and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Awesome read! A very unexpected twist at the end. The entire time I was looking for clues, but I never could have predicted the end. A heartbreaking story of high school sweethearts and where the road of life might take you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a fun and fast read. The story flowed and the characters were easy to fall into. Just when I thought I had the storyline figured out, the ending surprised me. I didn't see it coming and it elevated the entire book. Entertained start to finish.
Review of advance copy
This was easy to stay engaged. The story line kept you guessing as to where this would end. Great twist. Enjoy this with your early morning coffee or late night glass of choice. Well done.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another excellent novel by C.S. McKinney. I was drawn deeper and deeper into the story, barely able to put the book down. The plot twist completely caught me off guard. A must read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
young love…with an unexpected twist!
This book is a story of young love layered with heartbreak, suspense, and unexpected twists that kept me guessing. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, another turn changes everything. Emotional, captivating, and full of surprises!
This book is a story of young love layered with heartbreak, suspense, and unexpected twists that kept me guessing. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, another turn changes everything. Emotional, captivating, and full of surprises!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews