Echoes in the Dark

by H.J. Cartwright

Coming Fall 2026

417 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 22, 2026

About the author

Did you know anyone can write a book? Well, they can because H.J. Cartwright did. Born and raised in small town Utah, H.J. Cartwright has been a reader her entire life and fell in love with the world of writing. She loves all things romance, 80's themed, music, and suspense. Writing a book was never something she imagined, but something she had always dreamt of.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

“Some days it feels like my soul is draped in those shadows, just an echo in the dark. I just want it back. I want me.”

ECHOES IN THE DARK pulls you in slowly, introducing you to Cherrytree Hills, a town filled with secrets hiding beneath the surface, a sense of unease in the air. No one can be trusted; nothing can be taken at face value. It makes you feel like you're watching a true crime documentary, gathering facts, determining motives, creating theories to explain the unexplainable.

GOLDIE/FMC: I loved that Goldie was such a girlboss, smart and determined, fiercely independent. It was heartbreaking to see her struggle with her sense of self, her need to push people away, the walls she built to protect herself.

LEXINGTON/MMC: Lexington worked for Goldie, initially the guy who never took anything seriously but his character arc evolved beautifully. What I truly loved was watching him trust in himself as a single dad, learning to follow his gut instincts.

“I would take every ounce of pain, every bit of suffering, every tear, every nightmare from her if I could. I would take it all without one complaint, because then she would be safe. Protected.”

I loved how Goldie helped Lexington see his own worth. How he became her safe place and stood by her as she faced the ghosts of her past. One of my favorite things about him was the comfort he brought her when she experienced nightmares. Not to mention the comfort she received from Lexington's son, River, the sweetest little boy.

Suspenseful and emotional, this story lived in the shadows, where there were so many unknowns and more questions than answers. The romance built slowly at first, then all at once, and you realize it had been there right from the start. Ultimately, this was a story about truth and justice, survival and freedom, trust and a second chance at self-discovery. It carried the weight of intense feelings of grief, sorrow, regret, fear, anger, every emotion palpable. It was about healing from the scars of the past while having a support system of the family you choose, the people who have your back no matter what.

As for the mystery, I did figure out early on who was responsible as well as the secret Goldie was hiding. I also thought major problems (no spoilers) were resolved too easily in ways that seemed highly coincidental. But that didn't stop me from enjoying the journey. The ending was also satisfying in a way that felt complete, though I would have liked to read more about what happened after. I was fully invested in these characters and would have loved to see their futures play out.

“Loving you was like watching the tide come in — gradual, persistent, and entirely undeniable. It took over every part of me before I even realized I was drowning in it. My greatest achievement is somehow convincing you to take a chance on me.”

3.75/5 ⭐️

✨️Workplace Romance
✨️Hate to Love
✨️Black Cat x Golden Retriever
✨️Single Dad
✨️Investigative Journalist FMC
✨️Romantic Suspense
✨️Forced Proximity
✨️Serial Killer on the Loose
✨️Found Family
✨️Romantic Thriller

*Special thanks to author H.J. Cartwright for this ARC to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 🫶

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

H.J. Cartwright's "Echoes in the Dark" is....... WOW. This is a truly visceral reading experience, but then again, all of H.J. Cartwright's books are. This is romantic suspense done right to the point that it almost feels like true crime. The gripping moments will have readers in a chokehold that doesn't let up. Intense is the word I can use to best describe this book. It's full of intrigue, romance, friendship, betrayal, murd3r, heart, perseverance, and found family. Lexington (MMC) and Goldie (FMC) stole my heart from the very start. These characters are realistic, layered, flawed, and incredible. Goldie has sky-high walls and secrets aplenty. She doesn't trust easily and has a bit of a mysterious backstory. She doesn't like to be the center of attention, preferring to be in the background of Fibonnaci Files, the investigative journal where they both work. She is headstrong and fierce, but is also vulnerable. Lexington is a charming, dedicated father to his four-year-old son, River. River showing up on his doorstep as a baby is part of what changes and matures Lex, turning him into a reformed playboy. Goldie doesn't love Lexington's lackadaisical approach to life, as he is frequently late to work and squanders his immense talents, and Lexington doesn't love her inflexible style. They butt heads quite a bit (though this does lead to some fantastic banter between them!!), but when they start working together on a case involving a series of murd3rs in a town that may hold a lot more significance than they know, Lex and Goldie find themselves getting closer to one another. Just as sparks between them begin to ignite, Goldie disappears, and Lexington is willing to do whatever it takes to find her. As I mentioned above, this is a gripping novel. I found myself fully engrossed in it from start to finish. I actually plowed through this one really quickly because I wanted, nay, NEEDED, to know the ending. The suspense killed me! It's not just the crime-y parts that are intriguing. It's all really, really well done. Well-written, well-paced, well-thought-out, emotional, engrossing. The dual POV really helps readers get a sense of the fear from the perspective of both characters and what's going on inside their minds while Goldie is missing. I truly think it needed that! Watching these characters grow over the course of the story is one of the best things about it, as well as the found family aspect. It was good to see more of the relationship between Goldie and Fai (from book one in the series) here! I loved the changing connection between Goldie and Lexington, how they became workplace "enemies" to friends to more, then something happens, and things are up in the air... it sure kept me on my toes! There are many other things I wish I could say, but my suggestion is to go in knowing as little as possible for maximum impact, so I will shut my yapper before I spoil anything important. A wonderful, anxiety-filled, romantic, haunting book!

Thank you to H.J. Cartwright for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[tiffanysreadingnook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to HJ Cartwright for the ARC of this!

I had a lot of fun reading this and it was refreshing because it kept me on my toes. The suspense was so good it did keep me guessing.

I feel like some parts were definitely oblivious, won’t say what though. And the bad guy gave me vibes throughout the book so was not a crazy reveal to me.


Goldie and Lex had some really good banter and I enjoyed that they worked with each other on a case that led to a bunch of discoveries.

My only thing is I was not that invested in the romance? Maybe it was just me, but her whole reason for always giving him a hard time was weird to me. And it didn’t dive too much into how he potentially led her on or how she developed her crush??? I feel there were some parts that could have been described more to give us more background information.


The kidnapping was actually a very small portion of the book and I feel it was implied that the readers should grasp what was done to her. I don’t need a lot of graphic details but a better understanding would have helped. And I feel like even though a certain thing happened she moved on very easily into doing stuff with Lex.
But overall I enjoyed it and I love a romantic suspense that keeps me hooked.

[morgansmoodreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to HJ Cartwright for the arc.

This was a wild ride. I had absolutely no idea where it was going, and was hooked throughout the entire story.

The suspense had me sitting on the edge of my seat, and I was enraptured by that entire aspect of the story. I HAD to know where this was going, it was done so well. There were so many layers, so many twists & turns & once things kicked off I wasn’t able to put it down.

Both Lex & Goldie were so raw, real, flawed, & relatable. I loved the genuine dislike to lovers & forced proximity - and although there was so much going on, it allowed room for character growth & for their changing feelings to seem natural & convincing.

The pacing was done well, but I did struggle with it at times. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Romantic suspense is my absolute favorite genre, & this book is a perfect example as to why that is.

What to expect:

Romantic suspense
Killer on the loose
Work place romance
Hate to lovers
Single dad
Forced proximity
Slow burn

[readerchaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know what to expect from Echoes in the Dark, but I am so glad I signed up for this arc. I don’t read as much romantic suspense/mystery romance as I do standard romance, and this book made me want to pick up another right after I finished. Lex and Goldie are both such interesting characters. Goldie has faced so much trauma and hardship throughout her life; it even makes me proud as a reader for how much she has overcome and accomplished. Goldie is brave, passionate, and wise beyond her years. I love how much she cares for the company and being the best journalist she can be. I don’t think I would mind her as a boss because she seems to always want the best for her team and will support you in any way she can. Enter Lexington, a single father just trying his hardest at life. He was interesting for sure. Regardless of how River came into his life, it was admirable to see that he stepped up as soon as that baby was put in his arms and took care of him. It is fun to see their little interactions in the book as well. He just loves his Dad and wants to play with his cousins all day. It’s very sweet.

H.J. took me for a complete turn with The Watcher and the link to Marigold. That whole part had me on the edge of my seat, and I love how hard everyone worked to find Goldie. My heart completely broke for her and Silas. I cannot even begin to think about what it would mean to lose all your memories and the person you are, your whole identity. I am re-watching Criminal Minds, and this entire book felt like an episode in the best way possible. I thought I knew who the killer was about halfway through, but that ending took me by surprise. Again, I was so amazed at how dedicated her family was to finding her and Silas. It was very beautiful to read how their relationship blossomed and even more beautiful how much Lex worked to help Goldie get her memories back. I would give the spice 2 out of 5; there wasn’t much, but you can tell there was definitely some tension in their story, and it was very good when they finally got together. I enjoyed the Dual POV and thought the book flowed and was paced well. The ending was solid; it was nice to get that different point of view and see that character healing. This is my second ARC by Cartwright, and I cannot wait to see what they have in store next.

[Jenna Bender-Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review from advanced copy-

One word, wow! It has romance, it has a little spice, the mystery of a 20 year long serial killer, love, found family, and so much growth for Goldie and Lex. This book was a one sitting read.

Lexington and Goldie, I found myself loving these characters. Their individual qualities and how they supported each other through their life phases. They both faced struggles and the need to process and reflect on their lives. As a provider in the mental health field, I loved how openly this was written and the honesty of having struggles with mental health.

The plot had me hooked instantly, starting with some fun banter, a big mystery, lots of unsolved questions and a brewing romance. This book had a lot of my favorite things in it, I can re-read it but unfortunately it’s one of those books that you can’t experience for the first time again. The first read is a rush and I would highly recommend.

A point to keep in mind, it does time jump in the different sections. I personally did not mind this as it was a way to keep the story line going and to block out details that didn’t need to be there, the overall idea of what was happening and what occurred was just right.

[Sarah Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh I thought I was ready for Lexington and Goldie, but I was SO wrong.

I really saw Goldie in "In every lifetime". I loved the back ground of her relationships with the characters from the other books (Fai and Jackie especially) I thought I was ready for her to be an FMC but boy I wasn't. She is a no BS, spit fire, a mystery to everyone around her, a hardworking chief editor (taking over for Fai) and an overall kick ass FMC.

Lexington, Lexington, Lexington. Boy had a past, intertwined with Goldie and why she ultimately does not like this man (I will go as far as to say she hates him). But my love for him grew as the book went on, at the beginning he seems like a totally aloof, "I don't care" kind of guy, but I was wrong, he is so dedicated to being an amazing day, proving Goldie wrong and soon also dedicated to her and everything in between.

I didn't know what I was expecting for this book, I don't know what I wanted but this did not disappoint one bit. HJ Cartwright wrote another stellar book, full of growth, love, hilarious characters and twists and turns through every chapter. It was a ride, one I happily went on, I laughed, I cried and my heart felt full when I hit the last few chapters. I am so HAPPY that Lexington and Goldie got the ending they both deserved.

[DomsLitCorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

If a true crime documentary and a swoony romance had a baby, it would be Echoes in the Dark.

This book had me HOOKED from the start. We’ve got fun banter, a big mystery, plenty of unanswered questions, and a romance that develops so beautifully. I genuinely felt like I was watching a movie play out in my head, and I was here for it.

Lex and Goldie? Loved them. I loved their individual personalities, the struggles they each had to navigate, and the way they supported each other through different phases of their lives. Watching them take the time to process, reflect, and work through their own struggles made their character development feel so real. As someone with a graduate degree in counseling, I especially appreciated how openly and honestly mental health was portrayed.

The plot ???? We have murder, betrayal, hidden identities, found family, friendship, a badass FMC, AND romance? The side characters added so much to the story, too, making this feel like a full, layered experience rather than just a mystery with a love story thrown in.

Echoes in the Dark gave me mystery, murder, heart, and a romance that had me smiling. I loved every minute of this one!

Thank you H.J. Cartwright for an advanced reader copy of Echoes in the Dark (publishing October 22, 2026).

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Echoes in the Dark will have you sucked in deep before you even realise it. Lexington and Goldie are characters you love but can frustrate you to no end at least in the start. They combust in the beginning, and not in the best way, but when Goldie gets taken, it all comes crumbling down.

We see Lex in a different light as he matures and changes into the man he was meant to be. His love for River just melts your heart. When he fights and never gives up on Goldie, you just want to hug him. Goldie is a badass who never gives up, and when her walls come down with River and Lex’s love, wow… just absolutely beautiful. I love how they become each other’s strength and unwavering support.

The emotions between their friendship group and found family add another layer of warmth and unwavering loyalty. Silas is another sweetheart I didn’t see coming, and his innocence tears at your heart. A bond in darkness that holds strong.

The suspense was brilliant and kept me guessing right up until we get the clue about who to look at, and what a ride that was!

This is brilliant romantic suspense that will hit all the points you want in a book!

[Guillen_reads13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy Recieved by Author thank you for the opportunity
Echoes in the Dark is a gripping blend of romantic suspense and psychological thriller. The story effectively balances the dark, harrowing mystery of "The Watcher" a serial killer who has terrorized the town of Cherrytree Hills for decades with the complex evolving relationship between Goldie and Lexington. It becomes particularly intense during the middle chapters, where the trauma of captivity is explored through Goldie and Silas's harrowing experience in the dungeon. The revelation regarding the true identity of the killer adds a chilling layer to the investigation, turning a standard procedural into a personal battle for survival. While the central romance between Goldie and Lexington provides a necessary emotional anchor, the book does not shy away from the heavy, lingering effects of their shared trauma. The transition at the end to Fai’s perspective is a compelling hook, effectively setting the stage for the next installment in the series. It is an emotional rollercoaster that keeps the reader invested in both the mystery and the characters' difficult journey toward healing.

[A Court of Sprayed Edges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5.0 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 3.0 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Echoes in the Dark absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible. From the very beginning, I was desperate to uncover what happened between Goldie and Lexington four years ago, and every answer seemed to raise even more questions. I loved that Lexington owned up to his past mistakes instead of making excuses, which made their journey from frenemies to lovers feel authentic and earned.

Goldie was easily the standout for me. She is strong, fierce, and unstoppable, having survived hell on earth and still finding the strength to keep moving forward. Her resilience was inspiring, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

And then there was that plot twist. The way my jaw was on the floor. I spent the entire book convinced I had everything figured out, only to be completely blindsided by the truth. H.J. Cartwright kept me guessing until the very end. Also, Silas owns a permanent spot in my heart because I was cheering for him from the moment he stepped onto the page.

This was an emotional, suspenseful read full of healing, growth, shocking reveals, and a romance that evolved beautifully over the course of the story.

[Maryna Scism · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and I really enjoyed it! It had a great mix of romance and suspense, with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. I did have a gut feeling about one of the mysteries pretty early on, but another completely caught me off guard! I appreciate how everything came together. It was all so well thought out!

The pacing was great, and I really liked how the romance and suspense balanced each other without one overshadowing the other. The ending wrapped everything up nicely, although there’s one character whose story I’d love to see continue! My only real complaint is probably the pettiest thing ever, but I swear the word “acquiesced” appeared one too many times. 😂 I don’t know why, but every time I saw it, I got a little more annoyed. Aside from my completely irrational beef with that one word, this was such an enjoyable read, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves romantic suspense!

[Kat · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

First I want to thank the author for allowing me to be on the ARC team for this book! I was so intrigued when I saw the tropes and the teasers for this book that I had hoped id be able to read it early!

Once I started this book, I was hooked. I loved the premise and the characters. I always eat up a romantic suspense especially when there is a serial killer aspect to it. It just checks off most of my boxes.

I loved the relationships and especially the found family in this book. It just goes to show that when you find your people, whether its blood or not, when you find them and love them so furiously, they will do absolutely anything for you.

I do wish their was a more established time frame to indicate certain moments in their story. I also wish there was a little more angst and suspense during a section of the story. Besides that, i really did enjoy it!

[Tabitha Gezzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you read or watch suspense/thrillers and think “I could absolutely be a detective, solve this case, and get the conviction” with zero qualifications to back up that thought? Same. This book had me absolutely hooked. I love a good mystery to solve and this one had the added bonus of enemies to lovers thrown in. My favorite. Goldie is a woman with a clouded past and some secrets she refuses to share. Lexington is the unorganized, lax coworker who happens to be a single dad with full custody after a one night stand turned a little permanent. Goldie doesn’t like Lex due to his work ethic but they do have a past that Lex doesn’t remember. They end up working closely together on a case that hits way too close to home. Does this bring them together, does the mystery get solved, are there juicy details along the way? I highly suggest you read to find out!

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚I received this as an ARC from the author📚

“To them, the devil wasn’t a myth; he was a neighbor who shared the grocery aisle…”

Twenty years of unsolved murders, two parents murdered, and a six-year-old child kidnapped, with their bodies found months later…every year. 😳 The suspense and mystery had me hooked from the very beginning and I did NOT want to stop reading!

Beyond the twists and secrets, this book is also an incredibly emotional love story filled with healing, patience and a love that makes you feel everything. 🥹❤️ A perfect mix of heart-pounding suspense and heart-melting romance!

H.J. Cartwright’s writing made me fall in love with each character and I was so invested in their stories. So many tears were shed and the suspense had me on the edge of my seat! 😭❤️ I felt ALL the emotions with this one!

If you’re looking for a romantic thriller filled with mystery, family secrets, suspense and an emotional love story that will tug at your heartstrings, YOU NEED TO READ THIS ONE! 🖤📚

If I could give it 6 ⭐️s, I WOULD!

[Stephanie · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

✨Review✨
Echoes In The Dark by HJ Cartwright

Quick Look-
Format: eARC
Genre: romance
Rating: 4.75 ⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
Recommend: YES



Full Review:
If a CSI show and a rom-com had a baby, it would be Echoes In The Dark!!!! I’m thinking the banter between Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler in The Ugly Truth mixed with the seriousness of a crime/detective show. Absolutely phenomenal! I felt every emotion while reading this, but it is hard to leave a spoiler free review. I loved the playboy turned amazing single dad. Goldie was so lovable and River was adorable 🥰. Go pre order it!

I will say that HJ does an amazing job at both making this a complete standalone and also giving us more of The Advocates characters we loved. Truly think it can be read on its own, but Jackie and Theo are amazing and you should read their stories too.

[Tasha Thrall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness! What an incredible journey! This was exactly what I felt while reading the book. The author invites you with, “Check out my Romantic Suspense novel. You’re going to love it!” and I couldn’t resist grabbing it. Once I dove into the story, I was completely captivated.

I was not only mentally engaged but emotionally invested as well. I know I'll be experiencing a book hangover after this—it's that delightful kind of distraction that pulls you away from reality, allowing you to focus solely on the narrative.

However, please be aware that there are triggers present! Take care of your mental health, just like the characters in the story do.

Thank you for this amazing opportunity to read the eARC, and I am happy to provide my honest review in return.

[Rachel Crocker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating, riveting, emotional....a true labor of love! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wow! Where to begin. I was so excited to be an ARC reader for Echoes in the Dark and it definitely did not disappoint! The plot was riveting! The dual POV was engaging and informative, really giving the reader a chance to connect to the main characters and even the side characters drew you in. It was suspenseful, an emotional rollercoaster I didn't want to get off of and it was extremely well written. The twists and turns had me on edge and it was truly a page turner! I cannot wait to read more books from H.J. Cartwright.

[Mandy Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Another beautifully written book from HJ Cartwright.

In Echoes in the Dark we get the story of investigative journalist Goldie. It’s a story ot second chances, coming to terms with who you are, and of course, solving a crime.

This book, and Cartwright’s In Every Lifetime, are very much like Catherine Cowles books. You think you have the mystery solved and then you discover you were wrong. If you are a fan of Catherine’s then you will love this book.

It’s beautifully written and will keep you in from page 1. Definite 5-star read!!

Many thanks to the author for the ARC to read and review.

[Leah Heskett · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Review of advanced copy received from author

The ups and downs of Goldie & Lex's relationship, their individual stories and growth, and the tertiary characters that were introduced all came together to create this perfect book.

I found this story incredible from beginning to end. HJC has a great talent for romance suspense. I loved getting a glimpse of Sarah and Fai again, but the way Goldie and Lex were brought to life was chef's kiss. I can't wait to see where she takes us next and if we'll get to see any of the characters we met here. For me, HJC is quickly becoming an "if she writes it, I will read it" author. Highly recommend.

[Brittany · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Echoes in the Dark is a romantic suspense that is hard to put down! Co-workers for an investigative journal, Goldie and Lexington (reluctantly) team up to investigate a decades-long mystery in a neighboring town. In the process, they face danger head-on and discover more about each other and themselves than they bargained for. The pacing is perfect and HJ Cartwright kept me up until the wee hours of the morning because I had to know what happened next. If you like

🧡 Found family
🖤 Romantic thrillers
🧡 Small-town vibes
🖤 Serial killers
🧡 Forced proximity
🖤 Mistaken/Hidden identity
🧡 Dual POV

you will enjoy Echoes in the Dark!

[Alisha (Bemybookhangover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is H.J. Cartwright's darkest one yet. I couldn't put it down!

In the previous novels, Goldie has been a bit of a mystery. We know she's smart and cares deeply for her family. Echoes in the Dark gives us her story and did not disappoint! I loved the suspense mixed in with the love story between her and Lexington. Their growth as people came off as believable.

I guessed one of the twists from the beginning but the big one at the end had me shocked! I love when that happens.

Huge thanks to the author for this ARC!

[Danielle Flanagan · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much! The characters were great, loved the hate to love - although I’d say it was more like annoyance/resentment to love. The banter was good and you couldn’t help but really like both characters. The murder mystery added a whole other level to the great plot and this had some twists in it you didn’t see coming. You get all the emotions from this book too - thrilling, heartbreaking, funny, surprising. Would definitely recommend. I did get an advanced reader copy of the E book.

[Rebecca Cockrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been enjoying reading any sort of romantic suspense. When I seen this book, I immediately was intrigued.

From the beginning, you are drawn in by the mystery. As the characters are trying to unravel reports, statements, and clues, you are actively doing the same while reading the story. There are plot twists and answers revealed that I wasn’t expecting.

If you are looking for a suspense novel, with some romance, that leaves you guessing until the end, I highly recommend.

Thank you H.J. Cartwright for providing me the opportunity to receive and review an advanced readers copy!

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC provided

Spice: 3/5

This was fantastic! It was so much more layered than I was expecting. Goldie was and will always be a top tier FMC. So strong, in every circumstance thrown at her. I couldn't believe the path her romance with Lexington took. I really don't want to spoil how fantastic this book is but will say their love story is a journey. Even though I was able to figure out the villian before the reveal, it didnt take away from the ending at all.

[Amber Gilreath · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

ARC Read: Release 10/22

This is my first H.J. Cartwright read and I will be picking up the other ones. This was a great read start to finish and I didn’t want to put it down. This books reminds me of a Criminal Minds episode but from the victim’s point of view in the best way possible. The shock factor is there throughout and the atmospheric moods adds to the book. A few moments of anxiety for the characters which is expected. The banter between the characters is natural and entertaining. The dual POV was well done for this book, it was easy to track where they were in the story and their perception of the same event.

[Luisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so glad I stuck with this book and finished it because it ended up being a five-star read for me. This book is not my typical read, since it’s more of a romantic mystery and covers some very dark topics. However, the way the author conveys what is happening and evokes so many emotions keeps you engaged and wanting to know what happens in the end. I ended up devouring this book and finished it in two days.

[cheyanne jae · Rating 5 out of 5]

HJ Cartwright does it again! Romantic suspense done in the best possible way! I'm absolutely obsessed with the world this story is in. It is a standalone but the Easter eggs from all of HJ's other books is done so perfectly. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and was impossible to put down. There were absolutely devastating moments that completely choked me up. SUCH A GOOD BOOK.

[Melissa Wright · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This book grabbed me from the beginning and did not let go until the very last page. I did not know what to expect at all and was so blown away. I loved the mystery, tension and twists. Throw in the chemistry between Lexington and Goldie, and it made the perfect mix. This is one you need to definitely pick up!

[Whit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beta read/ARC Review

This romantic suspense is H.J. Cartwright’s darkest yet! There were heart-racing, heartbreaking, and heart stopping moments scattered throughout.

This is one of those stories that keeps you up til 2am reading and then lingers in your nightmares.

Highly recommend!