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The Missing Heart
When Charlie Rideout’s best friend David vanishes from Denver’s vibrant drag bar scene, he turns to the last person who should take the case. Max Evans is a jaded private detective still haunted by the murder of his husband at the hands of a serial killer he helped put behind bars.
But the deeper Max and Charlie dig into David’s disappearance, the more the shadows of Max’s past close in around them. A taunting business card smeared with blood. A killer who was supposed to be locked away. And the terrifying realization that David’s abduction was never about David at all. It was a trap designed to lure Max back into a nightmare he never escaped.
As the clock ticks down on David’s life, Max and Charlie are drawn together by more than the case. Charlie’s relentless optimism cracks open something in Max he thought died with his husband, while Max’s fierce protectiveness awakens feelings Charlie never expected to find in the middle of a crisis. But forces beyond them despise nothing more than the happiness of others, and falling for each other might be the most dangerous thing they can do.
But the deeper Max and Charlie dig into David’s disappearance, the more the shadows of Max’s past close in around them. A taunting business card smeared with blood. A killer who was supposed to be locked away. And the terrifying realization that David’s abduction was never about David at all. It was a trap designed to lure Max back into a nightmare he never escaped.
As the clock ticks down on David’s life, Max and Charlie are drawn together by more than the case. Charlie’s relentless optimism cracks open something in Max he thought died with his husband, while Max’s fierce protectiveness awakens feelings Charlie never expected to find in the middle of a crisis. But forces beyond them despise nothing more than the happiness of others, and falling for each other might be the most dangerous thing they can do.
- GenresM M Romance
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2026
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Did Not Finish
September 21, 2026DNF @ 25%
This is not working for me due to the writing style. I really wish netgalley would provide samples so we could see if the book is something we’d enjoy. If just a couple pages were put forth I’d have known instantly this wouldn’t have been for me and we could have all not wasted our time.
This also has a plot of insta-lust with a detective whose husband was murdered on their wedding day and both of those are not favorite tropes of mine which is making this work even less for me.
This arc was a read now option on netgalley and all opinions are my honest thoughts. No rating because it’s under 25% and a me problem.
This is not working for me due to the writing style. I really wish netgalley would provide samples so we could see if the book is something we’d enjoy. If just a couple pages were put forth I’d have known instantly this wouldn’t have been for me and we could have all not wasted our time.
This also has a plot of insta-lust with a detective whose husband was murdered on their wedding day and both of those are not favorite tropes of mine which is making this work even less for me.
This arc was a read now option on netgalley and all opinions are my honest thoughts. No rating because it’s under 25% and a me problem.
June 13, 2026
I was intrigued by the premise of this, but the execution of it was not for me. My main feedback is that this needed a couple rounds of editing, and the additional POVs were jarring. It also just felt long. I decided to DNF at 25% because I just did not feel enthralled enough with the mystery or the very insta lust romance aspect to keep me going.
My other note is that I didn't feel enough disdain for the police yet. It felt like the MCs were quick to defend the force's shortcomings with justifications, at least to where I got in the book. Maybe it does get to a point where the police are seen as a corrupt system eventually, but I didn't get that far.
Ultimately I think this is just not the book for me!
Thank you to NetGalley and JMS Books for the eARC. This is my honest review.
My other note is that I didn't feel enough disdain for the police yet. It felt like the MCs were quick to defend the force's shortcomings with justifications, at least to where I got in the book. Maybe it does get to a point where the police are seen as a corrupt system eventually, but I didn't get that far.
Ultimately I think this is just not the book for me!
Thank you to NetGalley and JMS Books for the eARC. This is my honest review.
May 7, 2026
Private eyes, missing persons, smoky bars, and secrets nobody wants uncovered. This genre had me in a chokehold growing up, and honestly, this book reminded me why I loved it so much. Adding in that this is the first detective thriller I’ve read with a gay investigator made it feel even more personal in a way I didn’t expect.
This book balanced trauma, PTSD, grief, suspense, and romance really well without losing those classic noir detective vibes but underneath the suspense this is really a story about grief, love, healing, and what happens when someone makes you want to live again after you’ve convinced yourself you’re done feeling anything at all.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving this honest, personal, and unbiased review.
This book balanced trauma, PTSD, grief, suspense, and romance really well without losing those classic noir detective vibes but underneath the suspense this is really a story about grief, love, healing, and what happens when someone makes you want to live again after you’ve convinced yourself you’re done feeling anything at all.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving this honest, personal, and unbiased review.
May 28, 2026
Special thanks to NetGalley and JMS books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While the premise was right up my alley, the execution did not work for me. I found this book to be in serious need of an editor, words were used improperly (definitions did not match what was trying to be conveyed), and it was to wordy.
Additionally, I would have liked to see more development for the main characters and their relationship.
While the premise was right up my alley, the execution did not work for me. I found this book to be in serious need of an editor, words were used improperly (definitions did not match what was trying to be conveyed), and it was to wordy.
Additionally, I would have liked to see more development for the main characters and their relationship.
June 26, 2026
Thank you to Nathan Gibson, JMS Books, and NetGalley for the eArc
3/5 stars - This book was a mixed bag for me, with parts I really liked and parts that didn't quite tick the boxes. The following are my thoughts, and I'll keep them as spoiler free as I can.
I enjoyed the crime plot, and wouldn't have minded if it was expanded a little more before the conclusion. I thought the killers's motives and justifications to himself for why he killed in the past were interesting. I found myself wanting to know more about his psyche, especially considering the ending that hints to a sequel. Was there more than just warped resentment and jealousy driving the killer's actions? I would have loved to have gotten more hints than what was revealed, but that's what the next volume is for! I don't know much about forensics and P.I business aside from what I see onscreen, and am no expert at anything of the sort - Max's investigative steps felt natural though, and I found myself looking for clues just as much as he did!
Max and Charlie were interesting characters on their own, and I particularly admired their love and devotion to the people around them. I felt the theme of "chosen family" throughout. Particularly towards the later part of the story when they were close to solving the case, and after. It took me a while to connect with Max and Charlie as characters, and find the attraction and romance between them believable - as both their personalities and "attraction at first sight" was introduced in a very short amount of pages with not a lot of room to breathe inbetween. The characters popping mental boners for each other before I got a feel for who they were, and before the crime aspect of the story was properly introduced jarred me a little. It comes down to a personal preferance of mine for a little slow burn to longer reads, and what doesn't hit quite home for me will feel right for others. Also, Charlie was a lot more invested and inserting himself in the investigations than I think would have been realistically allowed, and I have to admit that I got really annoyed with his character in those parts.
Their romance was sweet and I resonnated with Max being able to move on and still hold Dustin in his heart, and how Charlie also had room for Dustin in his. The development of Max and Charlie's deeper romance and relationship was shown through timeskips towards the end after the case was closed, and I think the ending written was really nice and fitting for them. I would have liked to have seen these skips more dispersed throughout the story, but again this comes down to my personal preference. The more intimate scenes were nicely balanced between build-up, spice and pillow talk, and I'd place it good 3 out of 5 on the spice scale.
3/5 stars - This book was a mixed bag for me, with parts I really liked and parts that didn't quite tick the boxes. The following are my thoughts, and I'll keep them as spoiler free as I can.
I enjoyed the crime plot, and wouldn't have minded if it was expanded a little more before the conclusion. I thought the killers's motives and justifications to himself for why he killed in the past were interesting. I found myself wanting to know more about his psyche, especially considering the ending that hints to a sequel. Was there more than just warped resentment and jealousy driving the killer's actions? I would have loved to have gotten more hints than what was revealed, but that's what the next volume is for! I don't know much about forensics and P.I business aside from what I see onscreen, and am no expert at anything of the sort - Max's investigative steps felt natural though, and I found myself looking for clues just as much as he did!
Max and Charlie were interesting characters on their own, and I particularly admired their love and devotion to the people around them. I felt the theme of "chosen family" throughout. Particularly towards the later part of the story when they were close to solving the case, and after. It took me a while to connect with Max and Charlie as characters, and find the attraction and romance between them believable - as both their personalities and "attraction at first sight" was introduced in a very short amount of pages with not a lot of room to breathe inbetween. The characters popping mental boners for each other before I got a feel for who they were, and before the crime aspect of the story was properly introduced jarred me a little. It comes down to a personal preferance of mine for a little slow burn to longer reads, and what doesn't hit quite home for me will feel right for others. Also, Charlie was a lot more invested and inserting himself in the investigations than I think would have been realistically allowed, and I have to admit that I got really annoyed with his character in those parts.
Their romance was sweet and I resonnated with Max being able to move on and still hold Dustin in his heart, and how Charlie also had room for Dustin in his. The development of Max and Charlie's deeper romance and relationship was shown through timeskips towards the end after the case was closed, and I think the ending written was really nice and fitting for them. I would have liked to have seen these skips more dispersed throughout the story, but again this comes down to my personal preference. The more intimate scenes were nicely balanced between build-up, spice and pillow talk, and I'd place it good 3 out of 5 on the spice scale.
August 29, 2026
Many thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the ARC.
Here comes a queer crime mystery story of a missing person and how his friend took all his strength and courage to find him and unravel the truth about his whereabouts. Although this was a crime story, the novel is also laced with themes of regrets, newfound family, hope, second chances in love, and dealing with traumatic experiences.
One of the story’s strengths is how convincingly it captures the immediacy of the attraction between the main protagonists Max and Charles. Their chemistry is established almost instantaneously, yet the intensity of their desire feels believable within the context of the story. Their mutual preoccupation with physical yearning (peppered with some naughty desires) and being close to one another effectively conveys a visceral, almost intrusive quality to their attraction. Rather than simply telling the reader that they are drawn to each other, the narrative allows that desire to manifest through their thoughts, giving the romantic tension a physical and instinctive quality.
On the things I didn’t find too polished, the manuscript has a clear and accessible writing style, but I feel it would benefit from another round of editorial review. In several places, the syntax and diction feel somewhat basic and repetitive, which limits the prose’s ability to convey nuance, atmosphere, and emotional depth. A more thorough revision at the sentence level could help give the language greater variety and sophistication while preserving its accessibility.
The plot also feels somewhat predictable in its use of certain narrative devices. Some developments and resolutions seem to follow familiar conventions, and I would have liked to see more imaginative or unexpected approaches to advancing the story. Greater experimentation with plot structure, character motivations, or narrative turns could make the overall story feel more distinctive and engaging. For me, what the story lacked was a deeper navigation or depth of Charlie and Dustin’s friendship brought at the first few chapters or at least within the first 50% mark of the story so that the stakes of the conflict are more weighed down from the beginning.
Overall, I think the book has potential, but it would benefit from another editorial pass focused both on the prose and on the originality and development of its narrative choices.
Here comes a queer crime mystery story of a missing person and how his friend took all his strength and courage to find him and unravel the truth about his whereabouts. Although this was a crime story, the novel is also laced with themes of regrets, newfound family, hope, second chances in love, and dealing with traumatic experiences.
One of the story’s strengths is how convincingly it captures the immediacy of the attraction between the main protagonists Max and Charles. Their chemistry is established almost instantaneously, yet the intensity of their desire feels believable within the context of the story. Their mutual preoccupation with physical yearning (peppered with some naughty desires) and being close to one another effectively conveys a visceral, almost intrusive quality to their attraction. Rather than simply telling the reader that they are drawn to each other, the narrative allows that desire to manifest through their thoughts, giving the romantic tension a physical and instinctive quality.
On the things I didn’t find too polished, the manuscript has a clear and accessible writing style, but I feel it would benefit from another round of editorial review. In several places, the syntax and diction feel somewhat basic and repetitive, which limits the prose’s ability to convey nuance, atmosphere, and emotional depth. A more thorough revision at the sentence level could help give the language greater variety and sophistication while preserving its accessibility.
The plot also feels somewhat predictable in its use of certain narrative devices. Some developments and resolutions seem to follow familiar conventions, and I would have liked to see more imaginative or unexpected approaches to advancing the story. Greater experimentation with plot structure, character motivations, or narrative turns could make the overall story feel more distinctive and engaging. For me, what the story lacked was a deeper navigation or depth of Charlie and Dustin’s friendship brought at the first few chapters or at least within the first 50% mark of the story so that the stakes of the conflict are more weighed down from the beginning.
Overall, I think the book has potential, but it would benefit from another editorial pass focused both on the prose and on the originality and development of its narrative choices.
May 3, 2026
The Missing Heart opens with a gripping premise: a young man named David goes missing, and the only person who seems to truly care is his loyal friend, Charlie. The authorities investigation barely scratches the surface, leaving Charlie desperate for answers. With the help of a compassionate employee at Denver’s Justice Center, he’s pointed toward a private detective—his last hope.
That detective is Max Evans. Max is a compelling and deeply flawed character—hungover, drowning in whiskey, and haunted by the brutal murder of his fiancé. Once a Denver police officer, he now runs a failing private investigation business, convinced he doesn’t deserve happiness and going through the motions of a life he’s barely living. When Charlie shows up, Max knows he should turn him away—but something about Charlie pushes him to take the case.
From there, the story takes off. As Max digs into David’s disappearance, he uncovers chilling connections to his fiancé Dustin’s murder. What follows is a series of twists that keep the tension high and the pages turning. The mystery is layered and engaging, but what really elevates the book is the emotional depth—Max’s struggle with PTSD, Charlie’s journey of self-discovery, and the bond that forms between them.
The supporting cast adds richness and moments of humor, especially the unforgettable “Diva.” Another standout element is the Z-Bar and its “found family”—a network of support, acceptance, and grounding that beautifully contrasts with the darkness of the central plot.
The author does an excellent job weaving together multiple storylines—David’s disappearance, Dustin’s murder, Max’s trauma, and Charlie’s personal growth—bringing them to satisfying conclusions. Just when everything seems resolved, the final chapter introduces a new twist that feels both connected and fresh. It’s a strong hook for what I hope will be a sequel, because these characters—and this world—deserve more time.
Highly recommended for fans of character-driven mysteries with emotional depth and unexpected turns.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving this honest, personal, and unbiased review.
That detective is Max Evans. Max is a compelling and deeply flawed character—hungover, drowning in whiskey, and haunted by the brutal murder of his fiancé. Once a Denver police officer, he now runs a failing private investigation business, convinced he doesn’t deserve happiness and going through the motions of a life he’s barely living. When Charlie shows up, Max knows he should turn him away—but something about Charlie pushes him to take the case.
From there, the story takes off. As Max digs into David’s disappearance, he uncovers chilling connections to his fiancé Dustin’s murder. What follows is a series of twists that keep the tension high and the pages turning. The mystery is layered and engaging, but what really elevates the book is the emotional depth—Max’s struggle with PTSD, Charlie’s journey of self-discovery, and the bond that forms between them.
The supporting cast adds richness and moments of humor, especially the unforgettable “Diva.” Another standout element is the Z-Bar and its “found family”—a network of support, acceptance, and grounding that beautifully contrasts with the darkness of the central plot.
The author does an excellent job weaving together multiple storylines—David’s disappearance, Dustin’s murder, Max’s trauma, and Charlie’s personal growth—bringing them to satisfying conclusions. Just when everything seems resolved, the final chapter introduces a new twist that feels both connected and fresh. It’s a strong hook for what I hope will be a sequel, because these characters—and this world—deserve more time.
Highly recommended for fans of character-driven mysteries with emotional depth and unexpected turns.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advance copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving this honest, personal, and unbiased review.
May 22, 2026
The Missing Heart is a detective story that pulled me in with the well-developed characters, the gripping mystery to be solved, and the found family trope too. If you enjoy a good private detective story with flawed and lovable characters, I think you'll enjoy this one.
We meet Max, a former police officer turned private detective, who is struggling in the aftermath of losing his fiance. ,and Charlie, who is desperate to find out what has happened to his friend who has gone missing. When Charlie hires Max to investigate, they find themselves drawn together and the relationship that develops is really quite beautiful. The story revolves around heavy issues like PTSD and isolation but it handles them with care and grace. There is an underlying message throughout the book that highlights how important connection is to the human experience. The emotional slow burn romance was honest and really well-written.
Thank you to Nathan Gibson, JMS Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story! All opinions are my own.
We meet Max, a former police officer turned private detective, who is struggling in the aftermath of losing his fiance. ,and Charlie, who is desperate to find out what has happened to his friend who has gone missing. When Charlie hires Max to investigate, they find themselves drawn together and the relationship that develops is really quite beautiful. The story revolves around heavy issues like PTSD and isolation but it handles them with care and grace. There is an underlying message throughout the book that highlights how important connection is to the human experience. The emotional slow burn romance was honest and really well-written.
Thank you to Nathan Gibson, JMS Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story! All opinions are my own.
May 11, 2026
I got this book from Netgalley!
I was really interested in the premise - i do love noir detectives - but to me, this failed to deliver a bit. My biggest issue during reading was that the author used 1st person and kept skipping between the characters very quickly. As a result, they sometimes felt... samey, despite the fact that one is a hopeful theather kid and other supposed to be a hardened depressed detective.
The focus is definitely on romance and inner feelings, less so on the mystery solving. Lot of repeating of "oh no, we cannot feel attraction to each other", despite the reasons for that being flimsy.
I did enjoy the side characters and the setting of the gay bar, which felt very lively and on point.
Agressively "okay" book. I think author has a promise to improve, so we shall see.
I was really interested in the premise - i do love noir detectives - but to me, this failed to deliver a bit. My biggest issue during reading was that the author used 1st person and kept skipping between the characters very quickly. As a result, they sometimes felt... samey, despite the fact that one is a hopeful theather kid and other supposed to be a hardened depressed detective.
The focus is definitely on romance and inner feelings, less so on the mystery solving. Lot of repeating of "oh no, we cannot feel attraction to each other", despite the reasons for that being flimsy.
I did enjoy the side characters and the setting of the gay bar, which felt very lively and on point.
Agressively "okay" book. I think author has a promise to improve, so we shall see.
September 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and JMS Books for this eARC!
While the concept of this book was very intriguing to me at first, the way it’s been carried out is… lacking. ‘The Missing Heart’ really should’ve gone through another round or two of editing. It jumps all over the place, the characters are underdeveloped and, in my opinion, there’s next to no tension that would warrant it being classified under ‘mystery and thriller’. Also, and I’m truly trying to say this in the nicest way possible, the writing is… wordy, almost fanfiction-y but not in a good way. An editor really should’ve looked this through again.
Max and Charlie’s relationship is a prime example of insta-lust and I know some people vibe with that concept, I don’t and I don’t know if that fits the kind of story that wants to be told here.
All in all, this was a disappointing read, sadly.
While the concept of this book was very intriguing to me at first, the way it’s been carried out is… lacking. ‘The Missing Heart’ really should’ve gone through another round or two of editing. It jumps all over the place, the characters are underdeveloped and, in my opinion, there’s next to no tension that would warrant it being classified under ‘mystery and thriller’. Also, and I’m truly trying to say this in the nicest way possible, the writing is… wordy, almost fanfiction-y but not in a good way. An editor really should’ve looked this through again.
Max and Charlie’s relationship is a prime example of insta-lust and I know some people vibe with that concept, I don’t and I don’t know if that fits the kind of story that wants to be told here.
All in all, this was a disappointing read, sadly.
September 29, 2026
Very few times has a book ever made me emotional. This one had me tearing up more than once. The pacing of this book was absolutely perfect. Backstory and character development while the plot rolled along at just the right speed. Max and Charlie and David completely embody that quintessential need that all people have...to be seen, to be understood, to be loved. The author, Nathan Gibson, accurately captures the feeling and emotion of queer identity, the sense of found family and the idea that has become a battle cry for millions; we will not go quietly into the night. One aspect that i truly love is that Gibson did not end the book at the obvious point. Instead, the story continued, giving the reader a sense of closure that we all yearn for. The epilogue from David's POV, hinting at the next story, is just pure, delicious icing on the cake.
June 4, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
The Missing Heart is a standalone mystery that deals with trauma on multiple levels, while offering its main characters a path towards happiness. But despite the fact that Charlie and Max were a sweet couple, I struggled with the author’s awkward writing style and a plot that seemed hum-drum rather than gripping.
While I appreciated the protagonists in The Missing Heart and enjoyed the sweetness of their romance, I found myself uninterested in the plot and struggling with the overall writing style.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
The Missing Heart is a standalone mystery that deals with trauma on multiple levels, while offering its main characters a path towards happiness. But despite the fact that Charlie and Max were a sweet couple, I struggled with the author’s awkward writing style and a plot that seemed hum-drum rather than gripping.
While I appreciated the protagonists in The Missing Heart and enjoyed the sweetness of their romance, I found myself uninterested in the plot and struggling with the overall writing style.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
May 14, 2026
3.5 stars. The highlights for me - the Diva, the gay bar, and Charlie's care for those around him. Max is failing at coping and at being a somewhat successful PI. Charlie, desperately searching for someone to help him find missing friend David, hires Max and together they discover that the person who kidnapped David was someone from Max's past. While I wasn't a fan of the simple mystery and the constant same reasoning that Max in particular had for not starting a relationship, the side characters were particularly good.
Thanks for the advance copy via NetGalley, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
Thanks for the advance copy via NetGalley, I am happy to leave a voluntary review.
June 23, 2026
I haven’t had much luck with arcs lately and honestly didn’t have high hopes for this one, but I was so into it and had a hard time putting it down.
The grief, trauma, ptsd, love. All of it worked so well in the midst of a terrible hunt for a friend. Ugh. It was so good. Not overly spicy, and when there were scenes, they made sense. The heart of this story is definitely the found family. I’m so happy I picked it up.
The grief, trauma, ptsd, love. All of it worked so well in the midst of a terrible hunt for a friend. Ugh. It was so good. Not overly spicy, and when there were scenes, they made sense. The heart of this story is definitely the found family. I’m so happy I picked it up.
July 22, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advance copy.
4.5 stars.
I genuinely was amazed by this book. I can safely say that this may be a contender for my best read of the year. I enjoyed every second, every line. This is one of the best novels to mix mystery elements with romance and chosen family, and I was here for all of it.
The romance, accompanied by the sexual tension both protagonists have since they meet, was perfectly well made. The background stories of the two of them, being so different but at the same time really similar, go deep into the reader's heart.
For sure, a novel I am recommending to everyone I know. People need to read this story.
4.5 stars.
I genuinely was amazed by this book. I can safely say that this may be a contender for my best read of the year. I enjoyed every second, every line. This is one of the best novels to mix mystery elements with romance and chosen family, and I was here for all of it.
The romance, accompanied by the sexual tension both protagonists have since they meet, was perfectly well made. The background stories of the two of them, being so different but at the same time really similar, go deep into the reader's heart.
For sure, a novel I am recommending to everyone I know. People need to read this story.
August 11, 2026
This book had a lot of cliches that I just couldn't get past. I feel like there was very little character development for either of the main characters and most of the story felt so predictable that I lost interest pretty quickly. The relationship feels so rushed and there is a lot of repetativeness in the writing. I'm sure this book works for some people, but it didn't work for me.
June 28, 2026
Great read!
I loved this book. It was heart pounding at times and thrilling! I can't wait for the second book to come out!!!!!
I loved this book. It was heart pounding at times and thrilling! I can't wait for the second book to come out!!!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 ⭐️
If you love the vibe of a jaded, haunted private detective meeting a desperate, beautiful client under the neon glow of a drag bar, then Max and Charlie in The Missing Heart by Nathan Gibson will be your new faves.
We follow Max, a PI still living in a nightmare after his husband was murdered, and Charlie, who is frantic because his best friend David has vanished. What starts as a missing persons case turns into a deadly trap set by a serial killer from Max's past. The suspense is real, the mystery is gripping, but the emotional journey? That’s what completely wrecked me! This book is so much more than just a crime mystery. It’s a beautiful message about healing together after trauma and surrounding yourself with a found family that lifts you up when the world tries to tear you down.
The initial meeting between Max and Charlie was so memorable, and the pacing was absolutely perfect. It rolled along with just the right speed, giving us backstory and character development while the stakes kept climbing! The romance is a slow-burn that feels so earned because the killer literally targets happiness. Falling for each other meant putting everything on the line, and watching them find the courage to love again was just... everything.
I do wish the book was a bit longer. The mystery felt a little straightforward at times, it could have had more of a deep dive into the psychological warfare. The slow burn could have also been a bit slower, or had more tension but that’s more of a personal preference. At the end of the day, I loved the closure we got! I’m a sucker for a book that makes me work for that happy ending. Give me all the trauma, all the near-misses, and all the shadows before we finally get to the light! make sure to pick this book up when it’s released, you’ll feel all the emotions: joy, sadness, anger, hope, and healing.
Instagram: @goodgirlsbookshelf_
June 30, 2026
2.5/5 Charlie’s friend, David, disappears and after months of no leads on the case he hires detective Max Evans. Max has had a rough few years; his fiancé was murdered, he’s developed a drinking problem and he retired from the police force to become a private investigator but is badly in debt from it. The day Charlie shows up at his office, he finds himself attracted to someone for the first times in years but tells himself he can’t pursue anything with him. The more time the two spend together investigating David’s disappearance, Max finds he can’t help himself. This story was just as much a love story as it was about the investigation, and overcoming grief as well. I felt the suspect’s motivation was lacking a little. I received a free copy of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐
I had a really good time reading this book. The romance was kinda cute, even though there were things that I didn't really like, and the whole search for David and Spike plot was interesting. It was an interesting book though not very memorable. It was a fun and quick read! I also thought the end was very long. I feel like, after the scene at the Laundry, we didn't need all of that, we could've just gotten another chapter and an epilogue. And unless the author plans to continue on with the story, the David epilogue doesn't really work.
I had a really good time reading this book. The romance was kinda cute, even though there were things that I didn't really like, and the whole search for David and Spike plot was interesting. It was an interesting book though not very memorable. It was a fun and quick read! I also thought the end was very long. I feel like, after the scene at the Laundry, we didn't need all of that, we could've just gotten another chapter and an epilogue. And unless the author plans to continue on with the story, the David epilogue doesn't really work.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews