For Better or for Ransom

Sol and Luke Mystery Romance #3

by Patricia Puentes

Some couples take romantic getaways. These two solve kidnappings.

Entertainment journalist Sol Novo and her partner, private detective Luke Contadino, are a year in, living together, and trying to enjoy some downtime in her native Barcelona. Then, the night she interviews international heartthrob actor Leonardo Pascual, he vanishes from his theater dressing room. All that’s left behind is an open window and a taunting note on the mirror.

When streaming giant Meshflixx hires Luke's agency to find Leonardo—their missing leading man in an upcoming show—Sol steps in as an unofficial consultant. The high-stakes investigation soon pulls the duo away from Barcelona's bustling streets to the sun-drenched, turquoise coast of Mallorca. But chasing a vanished movie star across a Mediterranean paradise leaves a twice-divorced woman wondering if she has one more "I do" left in her.

Sun-soaked, witty, and deliciously twisty, For Better or for Ransom is the next irresistible installment in the Sol and Luke mystery romance series.

Tropes:

- Reverse age-gap
- Lovers turned co-sleuths
- Jet-setting mystery
- Grumpy & sunshine
- Established couple

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2026

About the author

Patricia Puentes is a mystery romance author and recovering entertainment journalist from Barcelona. After spending nearly twenty years in the U.S.—mostly in Los Angeles and Oakland, with a brief stint in Boston—she’s now back in her hometown, writing stories where glam, love, and suspense collide.

She writes open-door mystery romances and rom-com whodunnits filled with banter, humor, and just enough steam to keep you turning pages. Her books include the Sol & Luke Mystery Romance series (Cluelessly Unscripted, Scripted for Love and Poison) and the Confidential Hearts novels (Love, Lines, and Alibis).

Patricia can tell many funny—and occasionally surreal—stories about the celebrities she’s interviewed, but she’s most impressed by writers (and dogs). She lives in Barcelona with her partner and their spoiled Border Collie, Boira (aka Peluchín diabólico).

Sign up for her newsletter at www.patriciapuentes.com/my-newsletter

Reviews

[The Calm Chapter Mandi Wiencek]

🧡 For Better or for Ransom 🧡
(( Spoiler-ARC Review ))

Title- For Better or for Ransom
Author- Patricia Puentes
Genre- Mystery Romance
Series- Sol and Luke Mystery Romance Book 3

Trope City-
🧡 Reverse Age Gap
🧡 Jet Setting Beach Mystery
🧡 Grumpy Sunshine
🧡 Romantic Suspense
🧡 Dual POV

I love the evolution of this situationship turned relationship. These two aren’t happy unless they’re successfully solving crimes together. I love that type of love for them. Sol Novo (FMC) is an entertainment journalist and her partner Luke (MMC) is a detective. We’ve seen these two come a long way! Sol is enjoying some much needed down time in Barcelona (where she’s from) with Luke. She goes back to work and does an interview with a big time actor Leonardo Pascual. He disappears from his dressing room and a note is left behind. I always know I’m going to get a fun little adventure with each book in this series! I am a sucker for a beach situation and some quick wit! There are some great misleads and a few amazing twists! Start this series if you haven’t!

Thank you Patricia Puentes for always including me! I love being on your team! 🫶🏻

[Wendy Livingstone]

This is the third book in this impressive series, and this is Sol and Luke’s story.
Sol is a celebrity journalist, while Luke is a private detective, and they are celebrating 1-year of being together, and they are determined to enjoy a well-deserved break in Barcelona. When Sol interviews international heartthrob Leonardo Pascal, he disappears from his dressing room, and Luke is hired to find him.
This is a well written easy to read story, with reverse aga gap, romantic suspense, high-stakes investigation, grumpy / sunshine, mystery, humour, and love, which leads to an entertaining, and unpredictable, beach romance.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Miriam.reads2much]

Thank you to Patricia Puentes and Grey's Promotions for this ARC opportunity. This is the third book in the Sol and Luke and while I did read the first 2 books, I feel like you can read it on its own.

We reunite with Sol and Luke in Barcelona, as much as Luke doesn't like to leave London he decided to join Sol on her work trip to interview the actor Leonardo as he wraps up his first theater performance in Spanish.

Of course a mystery finds our favorite duo, after deciding to attend Leonardo last performance before they return to London, a change is announced Leonardo part will be played by his understudy. Curious to find out why, Sol and Luke decide to check out his dressing room where they find a concerning message "You'll never reach him in time. What do you offer to get him back? "

Soon the police are called and Luke's PI agency is brought in to investigate what exactly happened to Leonardo. No ransom demands have been made, he just disappeared and the last person that might have seen is no other than Sol.

Now Luke and his partner Divya with the help of Sol must figure out who is behind the disappearance of Leonardo and will they be able to get to him in time?

If you like a good rom-com mystery this book is for you. Make sure to check it out when it's available on 9/22!!

[Holly Collins]

This is the third book in the Luke and Sol series. It can be read alone or with the series. I read the previous two, “Cluelessly Unscripted” and “Scripted For Love and Poison”, and it gave me a deeper sense in understanding these main characters.

I usually do not read third person pov. It’s not my reading preference and kinda throws me off, so it was a little difficult to be pulled into the book. However, that’s totally a personal preference that doesn’t interfere with my rating.

The flow of the book was good for the most part. There were moments where I felt I had to make myself continue. As with the other books, a translation from Italian to English and Catalan to English would be helpful and a nice addition. The writing style is good too.

The main characters, Luke and Sol, are the same that folks love from the previous books. They’re well described, have their own uniqueness, and are a fun duo. Divya is her same quirky self and might be my favorite character. The steamy scenes aren’t that hot, but then again I’m used to intense scenes lol. These were more realistic for the characters ages..if that makes sense.

This book was a good addition to this series. I usually don’t read mystery romance books but this series has been a good read. This has been the first series that I’ve read by this author and I’m glad I read the three books!!

[Jen Vazquez]

A Steamy Barcelona Mystery That Stands on Its Own

This is the third book in the series, and I purposely skipped the first two because I always like to know whether a book truly works as a standalone. Good news: it absolutely does!

For Better or for Ransom takes us to Sol's hometown of Barcelona for a work trip that doubles as a couples vacation. Everything is going perfectly until a celebrity mysteriously disappears on their very last day. Luke and his partner are hired to find her, and Sol brings her local expertise to the case.

I love a good mystery, and this one did not disappoint. Following the investigation alongside the police added a fun layer, and the tension kept me turning pages.

The setting is a true highlight. The descriptions of Barcelona's neighborhoods, architecture, food, and culture made me feel like I was right there, and I especially enjoyed seeing the city through Luke's eyes.

The dual POV was a perfect choice. Just when you start wondering what Luke is thinking, the story shifts to his perspective.

And the romance? Their chemistry is HOT. At the same time, watching Sol and Luke figure out life as a couple was genuinely sweet. It's a satisfying mix of mystery, travel, and romance that works whether you've read the series or not. ARC provided. All opinions are my own.

[Whispers of ink]

ARC REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

I want to give a big shoutout to Patricia Puentes and Grey's Promotions for providing the ARC of this book! This is the third installment in the Sol and Luke series, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it works wonderfully as a standalone read. Although I received the first two copies when I applied for this one, you can definitely enjoy this book on its own.

This romantic comedy is such a fun mix of suspense, humor, and just the right touch of romance. Sol, a celebrity journalist, and Luke, a private detective, make for an entertaining pair, especially as they celebrate their first anniversary—only for their relaxing plans to turn into a high-stakes investigation!

The writing flows really well, making it easy to get lost in the story. I loved how the author balanced the various emotions and crafted a captivating plot. I genuinely enjoyed this latest installment and am excited to see what adventures Sol and Luke will face next! If you're a fan of romance with a fun twist, I highly recommend checking it out!

[Cindy C]

Welcome back to the world of Luke and Sol. He's the British Italian private investigator that prefers his life in London. She's a well-known entertainment reporter, while taking her chance as an amateur mystery writer, and dipping her toes into some sleuthing herself.

While the third in the series, this book is easily read as a stand-alone. The author is able to seamlessly weave in information about their past so that you can understand their future.

For better or for Ransom takes place in Sol’s hometown of Barcelona.. A work trip/couples vacation that couldn't be better, until a suspicious disappearance on their very last day. Luke and his partner are hired to find the missing celebrity, and Sol is able to lend her local expertise to the case.

For me, I enjoyed reading about a setting I don't usually find in books. Despite their differences in personality, Luke and Sol are a very cute couple with unique insights on solving the mystery. They're pretty adorable together and kept me reading in this cozy mystery. I was trying to solve it myself, and was still pleasantly surprised at the end.

For Better or for Ransom is a fun read that will keep you thinking and smiling the whole way through.

[Bibliophile Foodie]

Another entertaining mystery adventure featuring Sol and Luke. This time the story takes them to Barcelona, where what should have been a relaxing trip quickly turns into an investigation when a famous actor suddenly disappears. A cryptic message is discovered, questions start piling up, and before long Sol and Luke are once again caught up in something far bigger than they expected.

I really enjoyed seeing Sol and Luke at this stage of their relationship. They have come a long way since the first book, and I liked that they now felt comfortable together while still dealing with everyday relationship challenges. Their conversations felt natural.

The mystery kept me engaged throughout. Barcelona was a fantastic setting. The descriptions of the city, the food, and the local atmosphere was enjoyable.

[Darinka]

I love the Sol and Luke series and this is an amazing addition! The book is fast paced and the mystery is fun and engaging - I really couldn’t figure it out until the plot became clear at the very end. The main characters are comfortably familiar though we get to know them in new and interesting ways. And there are lots of new eccentric show biz characters that add lots of color to the story. This book is set in Barcelona, Sol’s hometown, with beautiful references to neighborhoods, building styles, food, and daily culture. It’s great to read Luke’s thoughts and reflections on it all, as he gets to know the city himself.
Overall just such a great read, again! It can easily be read on its own, or as part of the series. Can’t wait for the next one!!

[InsyVinsy]

I throughly enjoyed the third instalment of Luke and Sol’s journey. As someone who has been with them since book 1, I cannot express my happiness enough to see how far they have come along. The characters of the book are mature and realistic and the relationship portrayed is as relatable as it can get, without any cliched dialogues or toxic drama.

The Hollywood mystery aspect was once again phenomenally written. The “who did it” question kept me going till the very last moment, and it was refreshing to see some new characters and new minor plot lines as well.

I cannot wait to read more about Sol and Luke and what new mystery they will uncover next.

Thank you so much to the author for providing me with eARC. Review given voluntarily.

[Heather]

This is the third in the series featuring journalist Sol and detective Luke. It’s a good read, and while you don’t have to have read the first two books, it does help add a bit of background.

This time around the couple are in Barcelona when a big time movie star Sol just interviewed disappears. Luke is hired to find him, Sol tags along, and the two travel across Spain, from Barcelona to Mallorca in their search.

The story flowed well, the mystery was fun to “solve” along with the characters, and watching Sol and Luke navigate couple-dom was sweet. I enjoyed the book and am looking forward to more in the series.

[Tayten Hardy]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

For Better or Ransom — Patricia Puentes

This one was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the chemistry between these two, especially all the banter and tension along the way. Their situation is definitely a little chaotic 😂 but that honestly made it even more entertaining.

It was funny, romantic, spicy, and just an easy book to get sucked into.

✨ Tropes:
💍 Romantic suspense
🏠 Forced proximity
😏 Lots of banter
💰 Ransom situation

Overall, a really fun romance with plenty of chemistry and some chaos mixed in. Definitely enjoyed this one! 💕

📖 Thank you to author and publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[yue]

For Better or For Ransom is such an interesting book to read! I loved how it combined everything I’m interested in, from reading books to watching and solving true crime cases. This was my first time reading a book by Patricia Puentes, and I really loved what I’ve read so far.

What I really loved about this story was how easy it was to read despite the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a famous actor. I also loved how different Luke and Sol were from each other. Their dynamic was so much fun to read, and I honestly found myself smiling throughout the whole book.

Many thanks to Patricia Puentes and Grey’s Promo for the opportunity to read this book!

[Angela Durand]

Patricia Puentes is a new-to-me author, and I really enjoyed this one!

I liked following Sol and Luke as they tried to figure out what happened to the missing actor. The mystery kept things moving, and I enjoyed getting to see their relationship continue while they worked through the case. I also loved the Barcelona and Mallorca settings.

Definitely a 5-star read for me! ❤️

Thank you so much to Patricia Puentes and Grey’s Promotions for the ARC opportunity and the chance to share my honest thoughts!

[Suzanne McNeill Taviner]

Another great instalment in the Sol and Luke story, I am so enjoying watching their romance develop. Oh, and solve a little mystery on the side too! I an starting to feel a bit sorry for Luke though, the last 2 times they've gone abroad they have been delayed from returning and he does so hate being out of London!
This was another great mystery with a fab twist I never saw coming! I wonder what life has in store for these 2 next.

[Barb]

Sol is an entertainment journalist and aspiring mystery writer. Her boyfriend, Luke, is an investigator with his partner Divya. Sol interviewed Leonardo and shortly after Leonardo went missing. Sol, Luke and Divya begin their search for him. This is a wonderful mystery interspersed with romance. I loved how Sol, Divya, and Luke worked together and Luke's thoughts about wanting to be Sol's 3rd husband.

[J]

This is book 3 in Puentes' Sol and Luke Mystery Romance series and can (was) read as a standalone. Our main characters are Sol Novo (FMC) is an entertainment journalist, and her partner Luke (MMC) is a detective. Puentes delivers a well written rom-com mystery. Captivating and beautifully balanced. This book was an absolute delight!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Amz]

I really enjoyed following Sol and Luke into another case! This time with a glamorous Mallorca setting, a missing movie star and plenty of secrets to uncover. The chemistry and banter between Sol and Luke were still a highlight, and I loved seeing their relationship continue to develop as an established couple.

[Shiyanne]

Thank you Grey’s Promotion for this gifted copy!

I really really enjoyed this one!
Now I have to go back and read the other two stories to see how Luke and Sol’s love developed. This felt vert cozy mystery, amateur sleutish. I liked the dynamic between Divya and Sol. Girls gotta stick together. I will read more stories by Patricia. Also opened my eyes to yet another genre.

[Nena Taylor]

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was a great read. The mystery element had me from the start when he walked into the dressing room and found the messege. I loved the charaters thry had great chemistry, I thought it was very well written and very entertaining. I highly recommend

[The Book Ssirren]

Luke and Sol were so much fun in this. The setting was absolutely beautiful. I loved the mystery of finding the missing actor while their relationship continued to grow. This was such a sweet and fun read and that bit of suspense weaved throughout. I had a really great time reading this one.

[Klára Cermáková]

Wow, I really enjoyed this book!!