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Drawn
Urban artist Riley Flynn spends her days wandering the streets of Dallas, sketching the city she loves. Then dead bodies start showing up in the exact locations she was sketching, and the police arrive on her doorstep. With every reason in the world to distrust the law, she’s reluctant to help the striking detective assigned to the case, especially after the cops start treating her like a suspect. As the stakes get deadlier, Riley’s instinct for self-protection wars with civic duty and unexpected attraction. Detective Claire Hanlon is all about the facts, all about the law, and all about climbing the Dallas PD ladder. Her career advancement hinges on capturing the killer terrorizing the city, and the only thing in her way is the incredibly stubborn, incredibly beautiful person of interest, Riley Flynn, who is also incredibly off limits. Because she might be guilty of murder.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2020
27 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Carsen Taite
51 books294 followersCarsen Taite's goal as an author is to spin plot lines as interesting as the cases she encountered in her career as a criminal defense lawyer. She is the award-winning author of a dozen novels and numerous short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
May 30, 2020
'ARC provided by both NetGalley and The Publisher in exchange for a honest review'
**'As any good writer knows, they have to arouse all interested reader's desire to eventually know what happens...And always try to write what should not be forgotten..'
Compelling read!
I will not have any irresolution from all my previous admissions that Ms.Taite is pretty knowledgeable with law enforcement agencies, their policies and procedures. And so when it came to this book, her craftiness was on point -- skillful penmanship at it's highest.
'DRAWN' may not seem like her best work to some but because of it's riveting and engrossing storytelling, others will find that Ms.Taite is an exceptional writer.
With the plotline, it being a bit suspenseful do allow for the development of everything else that is going on while at times also keeping up this entire mystique of this unique serial killer aura.
The romance do not play a huge role but the way Ms.Taite ingratiates both leading characters many interactions, it does lead to this intense sexual chemistry between them.
For what it's worth, it was an uneasy relationship from the start because of Claire's detective status which made her many laser focused unnerving presence uncomfortable to Riley --- herself the daughter of a convicted killer as its revealed. But the ramifications of both Claire and her partner's actions of not broadening their suspects list -- might unknowingly put them at a crossroad because the identity of the real killer was in their eyesight all along. The chaotic finale was literally spectacular, and the expected misdirection was in such an engaging high adrenaline overdriven showdown that everyone involved found out who the real killer turned out to be.
"DRAWN' can also be deem as a page-turning crime thriller filled with twists, murder and this reliable narrative from start to finish --- it might even be perfect for many interested readers who are fans of Ms.Taite's long list of published crime thriller books.
**'As any good writer knows, they have to arouse all interested reader's desire to eventually know what happens...And always try to write what should not be forgotten..'
Compelling read!
I will not have any irresolution from all my previous admissions that Ms.Taite is pretty knowledgeable with law enforcement agencies, their policies and procedures. And so when it came to this book, her craftiness was on point -- skillful penmanship at it's highest.
'DRAWN' may not seem like her best work to some but because of it's riveting and engrossing storytelling, others will find that Ms.Taite is an exceptional writer.
With the plotline, it being a bit suspenseful do allow for the development of everything else that is going on while at times also keeping up this entire mystique of this unique serial killer aura.
The romance do not play a huge role but the way Ms.Taite ingratiates both leading characters many interactions, it does lead to this intense sexual chemistry between them.
For what it's worth, it was an uneasy relationship from the start because of Claire's detective status which made her many laser focused unnerving presence uncomfortable to Riley --- herself the daughter of a convicted killer as its revealed. But the ramifications of both Claire and her partner's actions of not broadening their suspects list -- might unknowingly put them at a crossroad because the identity of the real killer was in their eyesight all along. The chaotic finale was literally spectacular, and the expected misdirection was in such an engaging high adrenaline overdriven showdown that everyone involved found out who the real killer turned out to be.
"DRAWN' can also be deem as a page-turning crime thriller filled with twists, murder and this reliable narrative from start to finish --- it might even be perfect for many interested readers who are fans of Ms.Taite's long list of published crime thriller books.
May 15, 2020
3.75 Stars. This book held my attention from start to finish. I’m a huge Taite fan and I love when she writes crime-romances. Because Taite knows so much about the law, it gives her books an authentic feel that I love. Plus her books are always entertaining which is something we could all use right now.
Two women see each other across a crowded room. The noise falls away and the only people these two can see are each other. The attraction between them is instant and strong. But what happens when one of these women is a detective and the other one just might be a killer?
This book had a real quick pace that I loved. It never dragged and I was flying through the pages. Besides the mystery of who the killer is, both characters are dealing with pretty big issues. There was a good amount of interesting storylines happening that kept me glued to the book. And it was also a treat that Morgan for It Should Be a Crime made a cameo. Her book is one of my Taite favorites so I loved seeing her character again.
I also really enjoyed a slight change in Taite’s writing style. She wrote in the POV of both characters and since there is a killer on the loose, this book is taking place in shorter time frame. What Taite did that was different is if you were with one character, you didn’t miss out on what was happening at the same time with the other main character. For instance one character might be at home working on her art and we are in her POV while she is sketching until she opens the door to the detective. Then we switch to the detective’s POV but here Taite backs-up the timeline so we get to see what the detective was doing before she actually got to the artists door. I hope I explained that so it made sense. It was a really cool author’s trick and I don’t know why it isn’t used more. This way of writing makes it so as a reader you don’t feel like you are missing out on anything because you get to be there for all the important parts even when the characters are separated with two things happening at the same time. It was well done and something I wish more authors would try writing.
While this book completely entertained me, I did have some issues. The biggest one was the book’s length. This story was too short! I felt like I flew through this book and I so badly just wanted more. There were a lot of loose ends that I wanted to see play out. I wanted to see Morgan do her thing. I wanted to see a certain secondary character get lambasted for his poor mistakes. After Taite spent the whole book showing all the interesting parts with her little writing trick, it was a letdown just to hear a quick summary of what happened on the last page. And while I really liked the mains and was rooting for a HEA, they needed more time together too. This book needed at least 3 more chapters. I have been having bad luck with some rushed endings lately and I don’t know what’s going on.
Even with my main complaint, I had a lot of fun with this book. Law, crime, mystery or bounty hunters, if Taite writes about any of these I will not only read the book but I will stalk the release date too. I would easily recommend this to Taite fans and crime-romance fans. I’m pretty disappointed that this book is over for me already and I hope we don’t have to wait too long for Taite’s next.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
Two women see each other across a crowded room. The noise falls away and the only people these two can see are each other. The attraction between them is instant and strong. But what happens when one of these women is a detective and the other one just might be a killer?
This book had a real quick pace that I loved. It never dragged and I was flying through the pages. Besides the mystery of who the killer is, both characters are dealing with pretty big issues. There was a good amount of interesting storylines happening that kept me glued to the book. And it was also a treat that Morgan for It Should Be a Crime made a cameo. Her book is one of my Taite favorites so I loved seeing her character again.
I also really enjoyed a slight change in Taite’s writing style. She wrote in the POV of both characters and since there is a killer on the loose, this book is taking place in shorter time frame. What Taite did that was different is if you were with one character, you didn’t miss out on what was happening at the same time with the other main character. For instance one character might be at home working on her art and we are in her POV while she is sketching until she opens the door to the detective. Then we switch to the detective’s POV but here Taite backs-up the timeline so we get to see what the detective was doing before she actually got to the artists door. I hope I explained that so it made sense. It was a really cool author’s trick and I don’t know why it isn’t used more. This way of writing makes it so as a reader you don’t feel like you are missing out on anything because you get to be there for all the important parts even when the characters are separated with two things happening at the same time. It was well done and something I wish more authors would try writing.
While this book completely entertained me, I did have some issues. The biggest one was the book’s length. This story was too short! I felt like I flew through this book and I so badly just wanted more. There were a lot of loose ends that I wanted to see play out. I wanted to see Morgan do her thing. I wanted to see a certain secondary character get lambasted for his poor mistakes. After Taite spent the whole book showing all the interesting parts with her little writing trick, it was a letdown just to hear a quick summary of what happened on the last page. And while I really liked the mains and was rooting for a HEA, they needed more time together too. This book needed at least 3 more chapters. I have been having bad luck with some rushed endings lately and I don’t know what’s going on.
Even with my main complaint, I had a lot of fun with this book. Law, crime, mystery or bounty hunters, if Taite writes about any of these I will not only read the book but I will stalk the release date too. I would easily recommend this to Taite fans and crime-romance fans. I’m pretty disappointed that this book is over for me already and I hope we don’t have to wait too long for Taite’s next.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
June 5, 2020
Riley Flynn is an urban artist on the verge of her first show at a prestigious Dallas gallery, when she becomes a person of interest in a murder investigation. The detectives in charge get even more interested in her when they find out her father is no other than Frank Flynn, who was recently released from jail after serving time for a murder he always swore he didn’t commit. Detective Claire Hanlon’s fascination in Riley isn’t purely professional, however, and the attraction is mutual.
There’s everything I like in Carsen Taite‘s books in this one too but there’s not enough of it. She’s a great crime writer, a perfect example of write what you know, and I always look forward to her court scenes and lawyers in action. There are a few of these in Drawn but so few that it’s frustrating. I want more of Morgan Bradley and Parker Casey (whom we first met in the excellent It Should Be a Crime and have come across a few times since in other novels), or any other smart and brilliant lawyers. Taite is also really good at romance, but besides meaningful looks, the chemistry didn’t really have time to blossom. It works, it’s plausible, but the narrative stays a tad too much on the surface for me.
The best parts are Riley’s ambiguous relationship with her father and his responsibility in what the family went through, and the mystery itself. There are just enough red herrings to make the discovery of the murderer and their motive mostly unexpected.
Even though I wish this novel was a bit longer, I really enjoyed it (which is also why I wish it was longer), it’s fast-paced and exciting and I liked the characters a lot, including Claire’s partner and Lacy Lofton, the owner of the gallery, whom I’d love to see have her own book…
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
There’s everything I like in Carsen Taite‘s books in this one too but there’s not enough of it. She’s a great crime writer, a perfect example of write what you know, and I always look forward to her court scenes and lawyers in action. There are a few of these in Drawn but so few that it’s frustrating. I want more of Morgan Bradley and Parker Casey (whom we first met in the excellent It Should Be a Crime and have come across a few times since in other novels), or any other smart and brilliant lawyers. Taite is also really good at romance, but besides meaningful looks, the chemistry didn’t really have time to blossom. It works, it’s plausible, but the narrative stays a tad too much on the surface for me.
The best parts are Riley’s ambiguous relationship with her father and his responsibility in what the family went through, and the mystery itself. There are just enough red herrings to make the discovery of the murderer and their motive mostly unexpected.
Even though I wish this novel was a bit longer, I really enjoyed it (which is also why I wish it was longer), it’s fast-paced and exciting and I liked the characters a lot, including Claire’s partner and Lacy Lofton, the owner of the gallery, whom I’d love to see have her own book…
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 11, 2024
Carsen Taite's book always delivers a thrilling and fast-paced experience, and the one I just finished reading was no exception. In Drawn, the story didn't revolve much around the legal world, but instead, it delved into the realm of crime-solving and of course romance between our two MCs. The narrative introduces Detective Claire Hanlon, a rising star with a strong desire to climb the ranks of her profession, and Riley Flynn, a talented artist whose father was recently released from prison for a crime he always claimed he didn't commit. The plot thickens as dead bodies appear at places where Riley and her artist friends had once been, making her a person of interest in the investigation. The mystery of the killer's identity kept me guessing, and the revelation was unexpected.
Although the book is a total page-turner, I have to say, it's probably a bit too short for my liking. I was left wanting more.
A few more chapters would have been ideal to avoid the rushed ending.
Although the book is a total page-turner, I have to say, it's probably a bit too short for my liking. I was left wanting more.
A few more chapters would have been ideal to avoid the rushed ending.
June 5, 2020
I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to. I burned through it in only two sittings and when I was finished, I sort of blinked and thought, 'Already?'
I liked the artist-angle, it's not one we see in lesfic very often. The bad guy surprised me, somehow I didn't expect it to be...who it was. *evil grin* You didn't expect me to give it away, now did you?
There were a couple of layers to this story that I found as engaging as the main plot-line, which always keeps me turning pages. I appreciate when an author can grip a reader with not just one layer, but two.
The cover is great too, very eye-catching and vivid. The editing was thorough, the characters felt real and sufficiently weighed down by just as much baggage as any of us carry, and overall, I'm very glad BSB granted me an ARC in exchange for my honest gushing of this book.
This one is a winner!
I liked the artist-angle, it's not one we see in lesfic very often. The bad guy surprised me, somehow I didn't expect it to be...who it was. *evil grin* You didn't expect me to give it away, now did you?
There were a couple of layers to this story that I found as engaging as the main plot-line, which always keeps me turning pages. I appreciate when an author can grip a reader with not just one layer, but two.
The cover is great too, very eye-catching and vivid. The editing was thorough, the characters felt real and sufficiently weighed down by just as much baggage as any of us carry, and overall, I'm very glad BSB granted me an ARC in exchange for my honest gushing of this book.
This one is a winner!
June 19, 2020
Carsen Taite is one of my auto-buy authors. I've read almost all her books. This book features a cop and artist pairing. Riley is an emerging artist who meets with a drawing group. She's also dealing with her recently-released from prison father. He was convicted of killing a young woman he was having an affair with 15 years ago. However, new evidence has emerged that potentially exonerates him. Claire came into the picture when a young woman was found strangled near the mural Riley and her group was working on. Then, 2 more bodies show up, both near locations Riley's been at. Claire and her partner are under pressure to catch the killer. They're also being pushed to investigate Riley and her father, since the crime mirrored the murder Riley's father was convicted for. I really like the flow of the story. Both characters are complex women who are trying to do the best they can with what life has given them. I find myself rooting for them to get their HEA.
**Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for giving an ARC in exchange for honest review!**
**Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for giving an ARC in exchange for honest review!**
June 9, 2020
Sometimes I like to switch things up and read a good romance/mystery. I found Drawn to be a good read. It had some good twist and turns and even I kept guessing until the end as to who was the murderer.
Riley Flynn is an up and coming artist. She spends most of her time painting and teaching. She also meets a couple of times a month with a sketching group she is a member of. Things go haywire when bodies start turning up at the same locations she has painted with her art group. Detective Claire Hanlon is the police officer assigned to solve these murders. It is easy to think that Riley could be a suspect especially since her father was once jailed for murder.
For the most part, I enjoyed the mystery aspect of Drawn. I liked trying to solve the murder as I read this one. I had narrowed it down to a few people, but ultimately it was mostly a surprise of who was responsible and why. The romance part of these wasn't my favorite. The two mains were for sure attracted to one another, but I didn't really find that there was a love connection. I found myself wanting them to spend more time together and really get to know one another. This leads me to say that the ending came too soon because of this.
Anyway, I overall thought it was a good read. 3.75 stars
This arc was provided by publisher for an honest review.
Riley Flynn is an up and coming artist. She spends most of her time painting and teaching. She also meets a couple of times a month with a sketching group she is a member of. Things go haywire when bodies start turning up at the same locations she has painted with her art group. Detective Claire Hanlon is the police officer assigned to solve these murders. It is easy to think that Riley could be a suspect especially since her father was once jailed for murder.
For the most part, I enjoyed the mystery aspect of Drawn. I liked trying to solve the murder as I read this one. I had narrowed it down to a few people, but ultimately it was mostly a surprise of who was responsible and why. The romance part of these wasn't my favorite. The two mains were for sure attracted to one another, but I didn't really find that there was a love connection. I found myself wanting them to spend more time together and really get to know one another. This leads me to say that the ending came too soon because of this.
Anyway, I overall thought it was a good read. 3.75 stars
This arc was provided by publisher for an honest review.
December 25, 2022
3 stars
Not bad, but as a crime story it was a bit underwhelming.
I also actively hate the "civilian gets pissy when their cop lover can't tell them everything about the case" trope. It's annoying as hell.
Especially when the civilian spouts something about only liking fair cops beforehand.
Like, dude, that's the point. You're a civilian. If you wanted to know more about active cases, you should've joined law enforcement.
Not bad, but as a crime story it was a bit underwhelming.
I also actively hate the "civilian gets pissy when their cop lover can't tell them everything about the case" trope. It's annoying as hell.
Especially when the civilian spouts something about only liking fair cops beforehand.
Like, dude, that's the point. You're a civilian. If you wanted to know more about active cases, you should've joined law enforcement.
June 7, 2020
I have read a few Carsen Taite books and she is definitely an author I enjoy reading. This was a fun read and a bit too easy. What I mean by that is the story was very straight forward and for a murder mystery just seemed too easy. The plot was a good one: a murder is going around killing women in their early 20s and leaving them at historic/well known sites in Texas (I think it was Texas). The killer's calling card, a sketch of the location the victim is found. And it was but it never went that extra step. The "ah-ha" moment was more like "oh, ok." I think it felt this way because everything happened so fast and things did not develop enough. The relationship between father and daughter, cop and suspect, lover and lover (had to be parallel) was just there and nothing was really drawn out enough to really get a feel for them. Maybe it's just me, maybe I tend to want books that are longer and with more meat to them.
This was not a bad read. Far from it actually. But, I do feel a little bit cheated about the what happened after, and a little cheated on the development. I give this 3.5 stars.
This was not a bad read. Far from it actually. But, I do feel a little bit cheated about the what happened after, and a little cheated on the development. I give this 3.5 stars.
June 8, 2020
After reading several of Carsen Taite’s novels, I’ve learned that you can always count on her to write stories that will captivate the reader’s interest and keep them reading until the very end. Whether she is writing from the perspective of the lawyers or the police, her mystery and romance novels will definitely entertain. That is especially true with her newest novel, Drawn.
This book is a police procedural about a young artist (Riley Flynn) who finds herself part of a murder investigation when the killer begins leaving their murder victims at the sites where Riley has been sketching. The police even wonder if Riley may be the killer. This causes problems for Detective Claire Hanlon who is assigned the case. Unfortunately, she may end up having to arrest the woman for murder she has become very attracted to.
This is a really exciting mystery and intrigue novel. Ms. Taite kept me wondering who the murderer was until almost the very end of the story. There were so many possibilities and suspects, I really never figured out who it was until the end. This is also a character driven tale, and boy, are these characters well drawn. (See what I did there?) The romance is an enemies-to-lovers as well as a slow-burn romance with just the right amount of angst to make things interesting between the two main characters.
I have only one slight complaint about the story. I wish it had been just a little bit longer. The ending felt a bit rushed, and there were a couple of questions about one or two minor characters I would have liked answered that weren’t. Other than that, I believe this is a wonderful tale and recommend it to everyone.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
This book is a police procedural about a young artist (Riley Flynn) who finds herself part of a murder investigation when the killer begins leaving their murder victims at the sites where Riley has been sketching. The police even wonder if Riley may be the killer. This causes problems for Detective Claire Hanlon who is assigned the case. Unfortunately, she may end up having to arrest the woman for murder she has become very attracted to.
This is a really exciting mystery and intrigue novel. Ms. Taite kept me wondering who the murderer was until almost the very end of the story. There were so many possibilities and suspects, I really never figured out who it was until the end. This is also a character driven tale, and boy, are these characters well drawn. (See what I did there?) The romance is an enemies-to-lovers as well as a slow-burn romance with just the right amount of angst to make things interesting between the two main characters.
I have only one slight complaint about the story. I wish it had been just a little bit longer. The ending felt a bit rushed, and there were a couple of questions about one or two minor characters I would have liked answered that weren’t. Other than that, I believe this is a wonderful tale and recommend it to everyone.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
May 30, 2020
Artist Riley Flynn was about to get her big break when Detective Claire Hanlon entered her life, investigating in a murder case that occurred where she was painting. And then came more cases with the same MO (modus operandi). With the escalating stakes as well as mutual attraction, Claire knew it was a horrible idea to get involved with Riley, one of her suspects. But what should they do about the growing bond between them?
I enjoyed the level of intensity in this book: not too nerve-wracking to be a romance fiction and not too fluffy to be a mystery story. While I imagined the book to be much longer, covering more interactions between the characters as well as filling up some unmentioned time gaps, Drawn worked nicely as a shorter novel. The span of the whole story sans the last chapter was just nine days, which was not a very long time period for the multiple homicides that occurred. It certainly was not a very long time for Riley and Claire's relationship to build either.
The attraction between our two main characters were instant, but it did not read as a shortcut to romance. Initially, both were aloof because of Riley's distrust in the police and Claire's suspicion of Riley's involvement in the murder. It was definitely a conflict of interest. But their relationship was solidly built over time throughout the investigation process and I could see them connecting as friends before venturing into something more. It was believable and both characters were also very relatable and mostly likeable. I think they would have a very balanced relationship, too.
An interesting writing style of Taite's Drawn was the simultaneous timelines in successive sections. The story was not exactly a linear narrative and it took me a bit to get used to, but we could see what both characters were up to at difference locations at the same time, providing a better picture of the plot.
I liked how the story included police corruption and a second chance for the formerly incarcerated. Unfortunately, a key thing that did not work for me was the last crime scene. It involved some questionable execution that I cannot say more about without giving away the whole story. I am also dubious about the necessity of preceding murders as well as the evidences at the crime scenes. But then again, crimes did not have to make perfect logical sense, so I guess I should not fret.
Despite the horrifying crimes and scare, Drawn is a sweet romance at heart. I also love how the title could mean the sketches and that Riley and Claire where drawn to each other. It was undoubtedly a worthy read.
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the level of intensity in this book: not too nerve-wracking to be a romance fiction and not too fluffy to be a mystery story. While I imagined the book to be much longer, covering more interactions between the characters as well as filling up some unmentioned time gaps, Drawn worked nicely as a shorter novel. The span of the whole story sans the last chapter was just nine days, which was not a very long time period for the multiple homicides that occurred. It certainly was not a very long time for Riley and Claire's relationship to build either.
The attraction between our two main characters were instant, but it did not read as a shortcut to romance. Initially, both were aloof because of Riley's distrust in the police and Claire's suspicion of Riley's involvement in the murder. It was definitely a conflict of interest. But their relationship was solidly built over time throughout the investigation process and I could see them connecting as friends before venturing into something more. It was believable and both characters were also very relatable and mostly likeable. I think they would have a very balanced relationship, too.
An interesting writing style of Taite's Drawn was the simultaneous timelines in successive sections. The story was not exactly a linear narrative and it took me a bit to get used to, but we could see what both characters were up to at difference locations at the same time, providing a better picture of the plot.
I liked how the story included police corruption and a second chance for the formerly incarcerated. Unfortunately, a key thing that did not work for me was the last crime scene. It involved some questionable execution that I cannot say more about without giving away the whole story. I am also dubious about the necessity of preceding murders as well as the evidences at the crime scenes. But then again, crimes did not have to make perfect logical sense, so I guess I should not fret.
Despite the horrifying crimes and scare, Drawn is a sweet romance at heart. I also love how the title could mean the sketches and that Riley and Claire where drawn to each other. It was undoubtedly a worthy read.
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2020
I was really looking forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed.
In saying that, I wish more was written after the killer was found and caught, because Bruce really needed to be put in his place for being such a corrupt little twat.
In saying that, I wish more was written after the killer was found and caught, because Bruce really needed to be put in his place for being such a corrupt little twat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2020
3.5 stars rounded to 4. The case was too easy to figure out, but the romance was good. Each of the leads was likable and well rounded.
ARC received for an honest review.
ARC received for an honest review.
June 25, 2020
I am a Carsen Taite fan. Let me just say that first. I enjoy her crime based stories. I always seem to learn something about the work and world of lawyers. This read was more about police work and not about the law. This read was different and in my opinion, that can be a good thing. Crime with romance can be intriguing and sexy. Instant attraction was also at play. Detective Claire Hanlon, focus on moving up the Dallas Police Department ranks and not much else. Urban artist, Riley Flynn, focus on doing what she loves and making a living doing it. Neither woman is looking for a relationship but is that not the best time for a relationship to find you.
The read caught my attention from the beginning and held it throughout. The sketch artist, detective, and various secondary characters really kept the story interesting. I wish it were a little longer but hey, it was still entertaining.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
The read caught my attention from the beginning and held it throughout. The sketch artist, detective, and various secondary characters really kept the story interesting. I wish it were a little longer but hey, it was still entertaining.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes Books, Inc. via NetGalley
June 4, 2020
I’ve read just about everything written by Ms Taite and can honestly say I've enjoyed them all but this book surpasses everything she’s written in the last few years.
Detective Claire Hanlon has always wanted to be a cop like her father but while he was always content being in the field, Claire was working for the promotions. She was good at her job and it helped that she got to work with her friend and partner Nick. She had a good childhood and still remains close to her family. But when someone decided to murder, it became their job to bring the killer in. Relationships were something she never seemed to find time for because she mainly focuses on her job. Now there’s another murder and her and Nick are given the job of finding him and putting a end to the killings.
Riley Flynn makes her living by being an urban artist, painting buildings and structures around the city. She is waiting for her big break and she thinks she has finally found it. Lacy Lofton wants to feature Riley's work in her gallery. Riley has no desire in having a relationship, a few nights with a different woman works just fine for her. Her childhood was nice, she was close to her father and mother but that all changed when it came to light that her father was having an affair with a younger woman he was accused of killing. So at the age of 15 Claire got to see her father given a long sentence and going to prison. From that moment on life as she knew it came to an end.
Now her father is out of prison due to some new evidence but again he’s being looked at for the murders of several women but this time Riley is mixed up in the case too. Her group of urban painters go around the city painting various sites and the murdered victims are being left at some of the sites Riley has painted. Now Claire and Nick were in charge of bringing the killer in and to them it seems that Riley could hold the key that will lead to another conviction and put Riley's father Frank back in prison where some think he still belongs.
Ms Taite has done a great job pulling all the pieces of this puzzle together, making this one of my all time favorites. Simply put, a great read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books
Detective Claire Hanlon has always wanted to be a cop like her father but while he was always content being in the field, Claire was working for the promotions. She was good at her job and it helped that she got to work with her friend and partner Nick. She had a good childhood and still remains close to her family. But when someone decided to murder, it became their job to bring the killer in. Relationships were something she never seemed to find time for because she mainly focuses on her job. Now there’s another murder and her and Nick are given the job of finding him and putting a end to the killings.
Riley Flynn makes her living by being an urban artist, painting buildings and structures around the city. She is waiting for her big break and she thinks she has finally found it. Lacy Lofton wants to feature Riley's work in her gallery. Riley has no desire in having a relationship, a few nights with a different woman works just fine for her. Her childhood was nice, she was close to her father and mother but that all changed when it came to light that her father was having an affair with a younger woman he was accused of killing. So at the age of 15 Claire got to see her father given a long sentence and going to prison. From that moment on life as she knew it came to an end.
Now her father is out of prison due to some new evidence but again he’s being looked at for the murders of several women but this time Riley is mixed up in the case too. Her group of urban painters go around the city painting various sites and the murdered victims are being left at some of the sites Riley has painted. Now Claire and Nick were in charge of bringing the killer in and to them it seems that Riley could hold the key that will lead to another conviction and put Riley's father Frank back in prison where some think he still belongs.
Ms Taite has done a great job pulling all the pieces of this puzzle together, making this one of my all time favorites. Simply put, a great read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books
July 12, 2020
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. Wow. I was going through a slump and been picking up books and dreading reading because I haven't been able to fall into a story. The first chapter of Drawn and I was literally drawn into the plot. This was an amazing read and throughout everything I felt so connected to the characters as well as the murder plot. Usually authors show way to many clues and I guess who the murder is before the halfway point but this took me until the very end, the first time in very long that I had no idea who was committing the killings. This was a great read and Riley and Claire shared an intense attraction that pulls the reader in further to the story line. This was outstanding!
June 16, 2020
A nice whodunit from the queen of legal thrillers. I really liked this couple, and from the too-short length of the story, I hope we get more! The mystery kept me second guessing the entire time.
July 8, 2020
🏳️🌈👩❤👩📚⚢🎨👩🎨👮♀⭐️👩❤💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of « Drawn » by Carsen Taite from BSB (via NetGalley).
So, here it is !!!
It’s actually the first time I’m able to read one of Carsen Taite’s books since I’ve begun to read lesfic in English a few years back. I’ve heard a lot of good things (really a lot …) about the author’s talent about writing great "Intrigue & Thriller" and "Romance" through the years so, since I’m a huge fan of both genres, I was impatient to discover her "skillful penmanship" praised by so many other readers … Sadly, I was disappointed. I think it was a lame cop story and an unfinished novel. It’s a real shame because there was a lot of potential in there …
My rating : 2 ⭐️
The story sets in Dallas, Texas and focuses on urban artist Riley Flynn & Detective Claire Hanlon.
Riley spends her days wandering the streets of Dallas, sketching the city she loves. She had a contact with a renowned gallery and she is on the verge of seeing her carrer propelled to the next level because of this bootstrap …
Claire Hanlon is all about the facts, all about the law, all about climbing the Dallas PD ladder & her career advancement hinges on capturing the killer terrorizing the city…
Both meet when dead bodies start showing up in the exact locations Riley was sketching and Claire is designated to lead the investigation. With every reason in the world to distrust the law, Riley’s reluctant to help the striking detective assigned to the case, especially after the cops start treating her like a suspect.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the interesting blurb & the beautiful drawing on the cover and I appreciated the good touches of humor found from time to time but I wonder why on earth that book is so short and superficial… Has it been cut for some reason ?? Seriously, it doesn’t make any sense because such a short story doesn’t leave any place for :
° a real character development => by the end of the book we don’t really know a lot more about the MCs than we did at the beginning so it’s hard to connect with them.
° the MCs to learn to know each other & really connect the one with the other. => The "attraction" between the MCs is quite often mentioned but I wasn’t able to feel any alchemy in there … so, I wonder if the regular mention of it was to convince us (the readers) that, indeed, there was some chemistery between Claire and Riley. To be able to feel anything, witnessing more interactions between the MCs would have been a good thing, don’t you think ???
° the cops to lead a real and meticulous investigation full of angst and suspence …
The time frame is way too tight to allow both the police work and the romance to be credible …
Yeah, because …
°° That’s stagnant for three weeks and then … Boom !! Like by miracle, in no time they get everything under control and the real culprit under arrest and even saved the "damsel" in distress … => I don’t buy it & think it would have been interesting :
°* to know more about the bad guy (he was far from being convincing, and when it comes to his motive, well…) How did the "psychopath" pick up his victims ?? (did he pick them up totally randomly or did he stalk them before ?? How did he meet them in the first place ?? etc … )
°* to know more about the crappy job, the police corruption and the cover up revolving around the sordid affair about Riley’s father being falsely convicted of murder … Why wasn't there a part about an investigation (maybe a parallel / secret one on the side) about that huge mess up full of loose ends ?? An investigation led by Claire, of course, one which which would have really justified her promotion, a reward for her good job and not because her « Uncle Bruce » pulled some strings … Having such additions as interviews with Bruce (as a suspect this time) & people from back then (some flashbacks also maybe …) would’ve been great. Building this kind of story would have allowed us yo read a very strong thriller …
&
°° How can this be called a "romance" with a certain amount of "depth of feelings" & some "Love you" exchanged ??
°°° For one : in the three weeks since they met for the first time, the MCs barely see each other, and when they did it was more often than not in a push-pull situation with passive-aggressive behavior because MC Riley can’t stand the cops and MC Claire is blinded by a misplaced loyalty to her mentor and a career focused mind so she mostly considered the other woman at the best moment like a person of interest and at the worst even like a suspect…
And
°°° For two : when they finally act on their so-called "incredible attraction" which "felt right" (at least, we’ve been told so) , we obtain a definitely too quickly escalated intimacy. => They barely kissed that they had already jumped into bed … And what to say about the resulting unhygienic (so, unsafe) first intimate encounter ?? You know the one where a dirty finger is slipped inside the other’s panties right away (and it’s not long before the others followed)… Damn !! They arrived from a dinner and brainstorming session at Nick’s place where they touched some stuff and probably the other two people as well (and we won’t talk about the car ride). This idea that the lesfic MCs are "always perfectly sanitized", so they can "go straight to the G point", is really tiresome. For me that so-called "lovemaking" didn’t bring anything constructive to the story and was a turn-off.
As a matter of fact, in this case, I think the entire romance was unnecessary. Seriously, it slowed down the pace of an already very slow investigation and impaired the quality of what could have been a great thriller if the story had been developed to its full potential.
And, if you ask me, the sex scene was way too abrupt and even forced, like if have such a scene were a prerequisite to make a « good book » … But you know what ??? No, it’s not !! One of the best romance novels I’ve ever read has none of this and it’s awesome !!
In the "Cons" list, I could also add :
° some slight inconsistancies & a couple of typos
° some surprising rambling … And I call this like that because it’s what it seems to be when, for example, in the space of just a few pages, you find redundant expressions like => "Her gut told her Riley was not responsible for these murders, "Her gut told her Riley didn’t have anything to do with these crimes" & "Her gut told her Riley didn’t have anything to do with the murders" …
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Nope !! It could have been strong, really powerful but it's lame
- Did I find the characters believable? => Nope. How could they be ?? We don’t have any character development …
- Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Nope …
- Will I purchase the paperback? => Nope …
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes. Because I don’t want to stay on a miss, and a lot of the author’s first pieces of work are in my endless TBR list since a long while…
- Would I recommend this book => I’ll let people use their free will to read the novel, or not …
🏳️🌈👩❤👩📚⚢🎨👩🎨👮♀⭐️👩❤💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of « Drawn » by Carsen Taite from BSB (via NetGalley).
So, here it is !!!
It’s actually the first time I’m able to read one of Carsen Taite’s books since I’ve begun to read lesfic in English a few years back. I’ve heard a lot of good things (really a lot …) about the author’s talent about writing great "Intrigue & Thriller" and "Romance" through the years so, since I’m a huge fan of both genres, I was impatient to discover her "skillful penmanship" praised by so many other readers … Sadly, I was disappointed. I think it was a lame cop story and an unfinished novel. It’s a real shame because there was a lot of potential in there …
My rating : 2 ⭐️
The story sets in Dallas, Texas and focuses on urban artist Riley Flynn & Detective Claire Hanlon.
Riley spends her days wandering the streets of Dallas, sketching the city she loves. She had a contact with a renowned gallery and she is on the verge of seeing her carrer propelled to the next level because of this bootstrap …
Claire Hanlon is all about the facts, all about the law, all about climbing the Dallas PD ladder & her career advancement hinges on capturing the killer terrorizing the city…
Both meet when dead bodies start showing up in the exact locations Riley was sketching and Claire is designated to lead the investigation. With every reason in the world to distrust the law, Riley’s reluctant to help the striking detective assigned to the case, especially after the cops start treating her like a suspect.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the interesting blurb & the beautiful drawing on the cover and I appreciated the good touches of humor found from time to time but I wonder why on earth that book is so short and superficial… Has it been cut for some reason ?? Seriously, it doesn’t make any sense because such a short story doesn’t leave any place for :
° a real character development => by the end of the book we don’t really know a lot more about the MCs than we did at the beginning so it’s hard to connect with them.
° the MCs to learn to know each other & really connect the one with the other. => The "attraction" between the MCs is quite often mentioned but I wasn’t able to feel any alchemy in there … so, I wonder if the regular mention of it was to convince us (the readers) that, indeed, there was some chemistery between Claire and Riley. To be able to feel anything, witnessing more interactions between the MCs would have been a good thing, don’t you think ???
° the cops to lead a real and meticulous investigation full of angst and suspence …
The time frame is way too tight to allow both the police work and the romance to be credible …
Yeah, because …
°° That’s stagnant for three weeks and then … Boom !! Like by miracle, in no time they get everything under control and the real culprit under arrest and even saved the "damsel" in distress … => I don’t buy it & think it would have been interesting :
°* to know more about the bad guy (he was far from being convincing, and when it comes to his motive, well…) How did the "psychopath" pick up his victims ?? (did he pick them up totally randomly or did he stalk them before ?? How did he meet them in the first place ?? etc … )
°* to know more about the crappy job, the police corruption and the cover up revolving around the sordid affair about Riley’s father being falsely convicted of murder … Why wasn't there a part about an investigation (maybe a parallel / secret one on the side) about that huge mess up full of loose ends ?? An investigation led by Claire, of course, one which which would have really justified her promotion, a reward for her good job and not because her « Uncle Bruce » pulled some strings … Having such additions as interviews with Bruce (as a suspect this time) & people from back then (some flashbacks also maybe …) would’ve been great. Building this kind of story would have allowed us yo read a very strong thriller …
&
°° How can this be called a "romance" with a certain amount of "depth of feelings" & some "Love you" exchanged ??
°°° For one : in the three weeks since they met for the first time, the MCs barely see each other, and when they did it was more often than not in a push-pull situation with passive-aggressive behavior because MC Riley can’t stand the cops and MC Claire is blinded by a misplaced loyalty to her mentor and a career focused mind so she mostly considered the other woman at the best moment like a person of interest and at the worst even like a suspect…
And
°°° For two : when they finally act on their so-called "incredible attraction" which "felt right" (at least, we’ve been told so) , we obtain a definitely too quickly escalated intimacy. => They barely kissed that they had already jumped into bed … And what to say about the resulting unhygienic (so, unsafe) first intimate encounter ?? You know the one where a dirty finger is slipped inside the other’s panties right away (and it’s not long before the others followed)… Damn !! They arrived from a dinner and brainstorming session at Nick’s place where they touched some stuff and probably the other two people as well (and we won’t talk about the car ride). This idea that the lesfic MCs are "always perfectly sanitized", so they can "go straight to the G point", is really tiresome. For me that so-called "lovemaking" didn’t bring anything constructive to the story and was a turn-off.
As a matter of fact, in this case, I think the entire romance was unnecessary. Seriously, it slowed down the pace of an already very slow investigation and impaired the quality of what could have been a great thriller if the story had been developed to its full potential.
And, if you ask me, the sex scene was way too abrupt and even forced, like if have such a scene were a prerequisite to make a « good book » … But you know what ??? No, it’s not !! One of the best romance novels I’ve ever read has none of this and it’s awesome !!
In the "Cons" list, I could also add :
° some slight inconsistancies & a couple of typos
° some surprising rambling … And I call this like that because it’s what it seems to be when, for example, in the space of just a few pages, you find redundant expressions like => "Her gut told her Riley was not responsible for these murders, "Her gut told her Riley didn’t have anything to do with these crimes" & "Her gut told her Riley didn’t have anything to do with the murders" …
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Nope !! It could have been strong, really powerful but it's lame
- Did I find the characters believable? => Nope. How could they be ?? We don’t have any character development …
- Is this book now included in my « must be re-read »-list? => Nope …
- Will I purchase the paperback? => Nope …
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes. Because I don’t want to stay on a miss, and a lot of the author’s first pieces of work are in my endless TBR list since a long while…
- Would I recommend this book => I’ll let people use their free will to read the novel, or not …
🏳️🌈👩❤👩📚⚢🎨👩🎨👮♀⭐️👩❤💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
June 11, 2020
4.5 stars
Detective Claire Hanlon is on track for a promotion, she just has to close this one new murder case. The only problem? Her main suspect is proving to be a beautiful distraction. Sketch artist Riley Flynn doesn't trust the police after they pinned a crime on her father years ago. Then the police start questioning her about the bodies that wind up at her usual sketching spots, and a certain gorgeous detective starts breaking down her walls. As the bodies pile up, it becomes increasingly clear that Claire and Riley are a bad idea. But neither woman is able to resist the growing attraction between them. What will happen when the truth comes out?
cw: murder, kidnapping, infidelity (between side characters)
This was a really engaging read. I read it all in one night. This was my first book by Carsen Taite, and I loved it.
The Characters: Both Claire and Riley are emotionally closed off, but it's clear that they are good people. Taite wrote them with nuance, and they both struggle with certain internal and external conflicts. They are very real and relatable. I also liked the cast of side characters, who add a bit of extra fun into the story.
The Romance: This book isn't that romance heavy. We get some nice longing glances between Claire and Riley, and they do end up with a HEA, but a lot of the plot was focused on the mystery. Even so, what we did get was super cute and enjoyable.
The Plot: The murder investigation really pushed the plot along, which was why I finished the book so quickly. It was very entertaining, kind of like watching an episode of a tv crime drama. I do think there were some loose-ends that could have been wrapped up more nicely, but those didn't really detract from the story. Some other comments have mentioned that the book is too short. While I don't think it was too short, I wouldn't have complained if I had gotten to see more of Claire and Riley, especially for their HEA.
Writing: This book is really well-written. The dialogue and narration flows very naturally, and I can tell that Taite knows what she's talking about with regard to the legal stuff. Taite is especially good at setting the scene.
All in all, a very enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend. Just make sure you have a good chunk of time available to read, because you might not want to stop!
**I received an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Detective Claire Hanlon is on track for a promotion, she just has to close this one new murder case. The only problem? Her main suspect is proving to be a beautiful distraction. Sketch artist Riley Flynn doesn't trust the police after they pinned a crime on her father years ago. Then the police start questioning her about the bodies that wind up at her usual sketching spots, and a certain gorgeous detective starts breaking down her walls. As the bodies pile up, it becomes increasingly clear that Claire and Riley are a bad idea. But neither woman is able to resist the growing attraction between them. What will happen when the truth comes out?
cw: murder, kidnapping, infidelity (between side characters)
This was a really engaging read. I read it all in one night. This was my first book by Carsen Taite, and I loved it.
The Characters: Both Claire and Riley are emotionally closed off, but it's clear that they are good people. Taite wrote them with nuance, and they both struggle with certain internal and external conflicts. They are very real and relatable. I also liked the cast of side characters, who add a bit of extra fun into the story.
The Romance: This book isn't that romance heavy. We get some nice longing glances between Claire and Riley, and they do end up with a HEA, but a lot of the plot was focused on the mystery. Even so, what we did get was super cute and enjoyable.
The Plot: The murder investigation really pushed the plot along, which was why I finished the book so quickly. It was very entertaining, kind of like watching an episode of a tv crime drama. I do think there were some loose-ends that could have been wrapped up more nicely, but those didn't really detract from the story. Some other comments have mentioned that the book is too short. While I don't think it was too short, I wouldn't have complained if I had gotten to see more of Claire and Riley, especially for their HEA.
Writing: This book is really well-written. The dialogue and narration flows very naturally, and I can tell that Taite knows what she's talking about with regard to the legal stuff. Taite is especially good at setting the scene.
All in all, a very enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend. Just make sure you have a good chunk of time available to read, because you might not want to stop!
**I received an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
December 19, 2022
This has been a thriller involving a police investigator and a drawer, hence the title.
The artist is Riley, she has just started her career, she is going to expose her work in an art gallery, but she has a family past related to her father that now resurfaces. That past seems to be related to a series of crimes that have begun to occur and that somehow seem to incriminate her. The woman who takes over investigating these murders, Claire, has mixed feelings about Riley from the first moment they meet.For one thing, she can't disassociate Riley's father's past with the new murders. But on the other hand, the sensations that Riley provokes in Claire are that she cannot in any way be related to these crimes. In addition to causing an almost unstoppable attraction that makes Claire behave like she has never done before.
In a story of crimes and suspense, there will always be who finds the development and outcome is better or worse. In this case I think it is not one of the best stories of this author.
Anyway, it has been a distracting story and I think that those of you who choose it as reading will have a fun time, with some final tension, as it could not be otherwise.
An advanced reading copy has been sent to me by the publisher Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for my honest review
The artist is Riley, she has just started her career, she is going to expose her work in an art gallery, but she has a family past related to her father that now resurfaces. That past seems to be related to a series of crimes that have begun to occur and that somehow seem to incriminate her. The woman who takes over investigating these murders, Claire, has mixed feelings about Riley from the first moment they meet.For one thing, she can't disassociate Riley's father's past with the new murders. But on the other hand, the sensations that Riley provokes in Claire are that she cannot in any way be related to these crimes. In addition to causing an almost unstoppable attraction that makes Claire behave like she has never done before.
In a story of crimes and suspense, there will always be who finds the development and outcome is better or worse. In this case I think it is not one of the best stories of this author.
Anyway, it has been a distracting story and I think that those of you who choose it as reading will have a fun time, with some final tension, as it could not be otherwise.
An advanced reading copy has been sent to me by the publisher Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for my honest review
August 30, 2020
Besides being a die-hard fan of Carsen Taite’s books, I enjoyed every moment of the intense pull and tug of attraction between Riley and Claire. I can’t draw two stick figures to save my life but it was a joy indeed to tag along with Riley while she was caught up with bringing her paintings to life and landing her first gallery show to portray her awesome talent. Plus, I also became the shortest armchair investigating sidekick ever because I got to live vicariously through Claire as she worked feverishly to find out who the killed was. I don’t know about you but who-done-it stories are the beginning and end all for me!
June 1, 2020
A murderer is strangling women and leaving them in places a local artist group meets. Detective Claire Hanlon is up for a promotion if she can just solve the case. Riley Flynn is an artist in the group with a past that leaves her distrustful of the police. Will they be able to find a murderer and love in time?
Carsen Taite is always a grab, sight unseen. Her books never disappoint. She has a knowledge of courtroom law that serves her well in writing very interesting and believable law enforcement stories. Her descriptive writing creates a very tense, absorbing read. You can’t help but read quickly desperate to find out the conclusion.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Carsen Taite is always a grab, sight unseen. Her books never disappoint. She has a knowledge of courtroom law that serves her well in writing very interesting and believable law enforcement stories. Her descriptive writing creates a very tense, absorbing read. You can’t help but read quickly desperate to find out the conclusion.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2023
I enjoyed the balance of romance and mystery in this book. Not really scary spine-chilling moments so perfect for the more squeamish readers. I feel the book fits perfectly under a more sapphic cosy murder mystery.
I loved the pace and rhythm of the mysteries and how the pieces and clues unfolded. Brilliant red herrings that kept me guessing and wanting to read more.
I loved the pace and rhythm of the mysteries and how the pieces and clues unfolded. Brilliant red herrings that kept me guessing and wanting to read more.
June 2, 2020
I love Carsen Taite and have read everything that she has published and her new book did not disappoint. Drawn was a quick read for me and absolutely loved the crime and mystery part of the story. The romance of course happens later in the story but I didn’t mind because I was engrossed in trying to solve the crime myself trying to figure out who did it..lol
Pick this one up for sure!
4.5 stars
I was given this ARC via NetGalley and publisher. Many Thanks!!
Pick this one up for sure!
4.5 stars
I was given this ARC via NetGalley and publisher. Many Thanks!!
June 18, 2020
A good solid mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. The characters are very interesting and you can't imagine any of them as a killer.
The two main characters are attractive, intelligent and immediately attracted to each other. But Ms.Taite takes her time with many flirtatious meetings and the pace of the romance seems very real.
The ending is very exciting and your reading pace will definitely pick up.
My only complaint is I wanted one more chapter involving Claire and Riley's new life together. After all that slow burn I wanted too see them together more.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The two main characters are attractive, intelligent and immediately attracted to each other. But Ms.Taite takes her time with many flirtatious meetings and the pace of the romance seems very real.
The ending is very exciting and your reading pace will definitely pick up.
My only complaint is I wanted one more chapter involving Claire and Riley's new life together. After all that slow burn I wanted too see them together more.
I was given this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2020
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I was intrigued the whole time. I did think the timing of this book containing an unlawful arrest and the current uprising in the US adds a poignancy to the story. I liked the two characters, I thought they had chemistry. I would recommend this book to others.
August 14, 2020
Enjoyed this book a lot and couldn’t stop turning the pages. Interesting plot that kept me guessing throughout.
The ending was rather abrupt though and seemed rushed. I would have liked to enjoy the romance a bit more once all the obstacles between Riley and Claire were cleared. Overall a very nice read.
The ending was rather abrupt though and seemed rushed. I would have liked to enjoy the romance a bit more once all the obstacles between Riley and Claire were cleared. Overall a very nice read.
June 18, 2020
I could hardly wait to read this one. Carsen Taite knows how to write a crime-romance. And I really appreciate how the crime is the focal point of the story and not the romance.
Riley is an urban artist with a difficult family history. Her father was arrested for killing his TA/lover, which he has always denied and after 15 years in prison he might be declared innocent after all. When dead bodies start to show up at sights where Riley's artist group meets she becomes one of the suspects in Detective Claire's investigation. When the two characters see each other for the first time across the room there is an interest, but when they learn more about each other it goes away but also intensifies the interest. Because of Riley's past and Claire's mentor being the one who put Riley's dad away they find themselves in an awkward split.
The investigation is really good and well-paced, but I did have some issues with some of the writing. Taite doesn't want you to miss a moment of either of the mains, but it is something that confuses me. So let's say one main is at home doing her thing and the other shows up at the door. The next chapter will about what the other did before she got to the door before moving on in the story. Once I got used to it it was ok, but not my favourite style.
I also think the book would have benefitted from a couple more chapters. The happy ending and the resolution to some parts of the story are rather rushed, they deserved a couple more pages. Overall it is a good book and a real page turner, but it has some minor issues.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Riley is an urban artist with a difficult family history. Her father was arrested for killing his TA/lover, which he has always denied and after 15 years in prison he might be declared innocent after all. When dead bodies start to show up at sights where Riley's artist group meets she becomes one of the suspects in Detective Claire's investigation. When the two characters see each other for the first time across the room there is an interest, but when they learn more about each other it goes away but also intensifies the interest. Because of Riley's past and Claire's mentor being the one who put Riley's dad away they find themselves in an awkward split.
The investigation is really good and well-paced, but I did have some issues with some of the writing. Taite doesn't want you to miss a moment of either of the mains, but it is something that confuses me. So let's say one main is at home doing her thing and the other shows up at the door. The next chapter will about what the other did before she got to the door before moving on in the story. Once I got used to it it was ok, but not my favourite style.
I also think the book would have benefitted from a couple more chapters. The happy ending and the resolution to some parts of the story are rather rushed, they deserved a couple more pages. Overall it is a good book and a real page turner, but it has some minor issues.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
March 12, 2022
If I read ONE MORE book where MCs do stupid shit coz the other one is hot or beautiful or "intriguing" at first sight I swear to God...
Also this could've been a 3 star read if not for Claire. Nope. Not a fan. Loyalty and all is fine but if you see red flags and ignore them coz you want promotion then you're not a good person. Also if you ignore whatever procedural rules you should follow coz of a 1 day attraction, you're not a good cop. Ugh.
Also this could've been a 3 star read if not for Claire. Nope. Not a fan. Loyalty and all is fine but if you see red flags and ignore them coz you want promotion then you're not a good person. Also if you ignore whatever procedural rules you should follow coz of a 1 day attraction, you're not a good cop. Ugh.
June 9, 2020
I dropped a star because I disliked the main character very much. And for the life of me I don’t understand what Riley can see in Claire, never mind the non existent chemistry between them.
Carsen Taite is one of my favourite authors, but sometimes she flood us with all the legal details and background stories, but the end of the book is rushed (unfortunately not the first time with Taite)
Carsen Taite is one of my favourite authors, but sometimes she flood us with all the legal details and background stories, but the end of the book is rushed (unfortunately not the first time with Taite)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews