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Beguiled
When novelists Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand first met in a Houston critique group, they never expected where friendship would take them. She wrote romance; he wrote crime novels. But growing respect for each other's work culminated in the decision to try blending their talents into this wonderfully engaging story merging romance and mystery.
Rylee Monroe walks dogs in old-money Charleston, a part of the city recently targeted by a daring thief. Logan Woods works the crime beat for the local paper but dreams of a life as a nonfiction writer. When the string of robberies takes a strange twist, Logan sees the making of a once-in-a-lifetime book that seems to circle around this charming, eye-catching dogwalker. But pursuing the truth means ignoring that he seems to be falling for her. And what is she hiding in her past that could crack the story wide open?
Rylee Monroe walks dogs in old-money Charleston, a part of the city recently targeted by a daring thief. Logan Woods works the crime beat for the local paper but dreams of a life as a nonfiction writer. When the string of robberies takes a strange twist, Logan sees the making of a once-in-a-lifetime book that seems to circle around this charming, eye-catching dogwalker. But pursuing the truth means ignoring that he seems to be falling for her. And what is she hiding in her past that could crack the story wide open?
332 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2010
195 people are currently reading
1745 people want to read
About the author
Deeanne Gist
20 books1,956 followersWith over a million copies of her books sold, international bestselling, award-winning author Deeanne Gist has rocketed up bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere with her original, captivating historicals. Her latest release, Tiffany Girl, was touted as a “Must Year of the Year!” by USA Today, was one of the Top 10 Most Anticipated Books of 2015 by Huffington Post, and one of WikiEzvid's 10 Must-Read Novels That Take Place in the Past.
Not familiar with her work? Take a quiz to figure out which Deeanne Gist novel you'd like best.
Published by Simon & Schuster, Gist's awards include a RITA for Best Long Historical of the Year, National Readers’ Choice Award, Best Historical of the Year (RT Reviewers), Librarians’ Choice, Book Buyers’ Best, Golden Quill, Books*A*Million Pick of the Month, Seal of Excellent and Award of Excellence.
Her most recent series takes readers into the heart of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where USA Today says …
“The historical details are absorbing, never intrusive and always eye-opening ... The characterization is rich and authentic ... The narrative is a treat, the tempo impeccable.”
Gist's credits including People Magazine, Parents, and Parenting. Her entertaining and informative presentations have been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Deeanne lives in South Carolina with her husband. When not writing, she enjoys boating and keeping up with her readers via www.IWantHerBook.com and her very active online community on her blog, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and on her YouTube channel.
Not familiar with her work? Take a quiz to figure out which Deeanne Gist novel you'd like best.
Published by Simon & Schuster, Gist's awards include a RITA for Best Long Historical of the Year, National Readers’ Choice Award, Best Historical of the Year (RT Reviewers), Librarians’ Choice, Book Buyers’ Best, Golden Quill, Books*A*Million Pick of the Month, Seal of Excellent and Award of Excellence.
Her most recent series takes readers into the heart of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, where USA Today says …
“The historical details are absorbing, never intrusive and always eye-opening ... The characterization is rich and authentic ... The narrative is a treat, the tempo impeccable.”
Gist's credits including People Magazine, Parents, and Parenting. Her entertaining and informative presentations have been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal. Deeanne lives in South Carolina with her husband. When not writing, she enjoys boating and keeping up with her readers via www.IWantHerBook.com and her very active online community on her blog, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and on her YouTube channel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews
February 15, 2017
Suspense is a genre I wish more Christian authors would undertake to perfect. Though difficult to master, this category holds us captive from page one and only very reluctantly releases us at the end of the story . . . unless it sneaks under our skin and invades our dreams. It's one of those genres we love to hate. It sets our nerves pleasantly on edge and we jump at shadows for days or weeks afterwards. If written well, suspense novels allow us to feel as though we live, breathe and solve the mystery right along with the hero or heroine.
Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand is a thrilling example of a brilliantly written romantic suspense novel. It contains numerous twists and turns destined to keep you guessing until the very last page. The character depth and creativity add to the mystery, which grows with each fresh incident. This tale and its fascinating characters will swiftly capture your interest. It will not easily be forgotten once finished and reshelved.
Taking place in Charleston's wealthiest neighborhood, Beguiled is the suspenseful story about dogwalker Rylee Monroe who finds herself mixed up and targeted in a series of unusual thefts. Logan Woods, a reporter with hopes that the Robin Hood Burglar will be the key to getting his true-crime book published, must decide to chase the story, the girl or the villain, all while avoiding the one thing he's most afraid of: dogs. Will Rylee and Logan risk trusting each other in order to uncover the truth of the Robin Hood Burglar's identity?
Authors Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand apparently brought out the best in each other. Many a night I found it nearly impossible to put down Beguiled as I wanted to know all the secrets at once. As the story unfolded, my heart was more and more invested . . . and I was less and less eager to flick off my light at night. I look forward to reading more novels by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand in the very near future.
What do you consider a must-have for a suspense novel to keep you riveted?
Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand is a thrilling example of a brilliantly written romantic suspense novel. It contains numerous twists and turns destined to keep you guessing until the very last page. The character depth and creativity add to the mystery, which grows with each fresh incident. This tale and its fascinating characters will swiftly capture your interest. It will not easily be forgotten once finished and reshelved.
Taking place in Charleston's wealthiest neighborhood, Beguiled is the suspenseful story about dogwalker Rylee Monroe who finds herself mixed up and targeted in a series of unusual thefts. Logan Woods, a reporter with hopes that the Robin Hood Burglar will be the key to getting his true-crime book published, must decide to chase the story, the girl or the villain, all while avoiding the one thing he's most afraid of: dogs. Will Rylee and Logan risk trusting each other in order to uncover the truth of the Robin Hood Burglar's identity?
Authors Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand apparently brought out the best in each other. Many a night I found it nearly impossible to put down Beguiled as I wanted to know all the secrets at once. As the story unfolded, my heart was more and more invested . . . and I was less and less eager to flick off my light at night. I look forward to reading more novels by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand in the very near future.
What do you consider a must-have for a suspense novel to keep you riveted?
April 15, 2013
I loved the book. The characters are so fleshed out and interesting. The heroine is a strong independent woman and an incredibly hard worker she not only takes care of herself she takes care of her elderly grandmother in a nursing home. Her grandmother raised her when her father left and her mother committed suicide when she was young. As the suspense builds and the mystery of her past unfolds we find out that neither are true and she uncovers what really happened to her parents and who was responsible. The hero is a charming reporter who is also working on a nonfiction true crime book. The book comes alive from the first page, you see the characters and their surroundings to the tiny detail, you hear all the sounds smell all the scents, taste everything, you are pulled into the story, completely. This writer works so hard on her research and characterizations and her dialogue tags are magic.When I read Deeanne Gist's books I see all the characters and in this case, also heir pets so clearly. I look at them as they speak. I highly recommend this book.
May 22, 2017
I really enjoyed this novel; however, it was rather slower. The way that I would describe this book was to be a decent show that you would get into if it was on, but you wouldn't seek it out to just watch it for the pleasure of it.
The characters were very developed and the story line well thought out. I enjoyed the complexity of the overall plot, I just wish that the climatic ending would have been more throughout the story except for just at the very end.
The characters were very developed and the story line well thought out. I enjoyed the complexity of the overall plot, I just wish that the climatic ending would have been more throughout the story except for just at the very end.
August 31, 2022
Deanne Gist never disappoints! This book had me guessing right up to the last page. Such a compelling mystery.
March 18, 2022
First time around I've read this book in German, now that I got my hands on a copy in English I was anxious to finally re-read and am very dissapointed. This book is so full or errors (typos, content that's contradicting itself) and formatting issues (line break middle in a sentence or character line/missing line breaks, too many or missing punctuation marks, spaces between quotation marks (if two kinds follow each other), unnecessary quotation marks, ...) it was very painful to read. Because of the higher price of books published by a traditional publishing house I expect much better quality - even if some would regard that unfair. If I understand it correctly the higher price is because of the higher coast due to editors, proof readers and similar people employed and working on all their books. Should that be no more the case/the quality is not adequate I don't see a point in buying books published traditionally anymore.
The bad quality was the reason I lowered the rating to 3 stars (from 4 stars). As usually: should the publisher/Amazon provided a reviewed edition without the mentioned issues (I'm aware there's not much to do about the content issue by now) I'll revert it back.
The story itself is interesting though rather predictable and I guessed the identity of the stalker pretty early. I liked the main characters, but wished more depth in the area of faith and how they lived it. I really missed Deeanne Gist's trademark humor which is the main reason I'm still not able to give this book the full five stars. I'm still hoping for (more) contemporary fiction by Deeanne Gist though hopefully as witty as her historical novels.
I've still not read anything else by J. Mark Bertrand so can't say much about his books - though I noticed recently I have his Back on Murder and hope to read it soon.
The bad quality was the reason I lowered the rating to 3 stars (from 4 stars). As usually: should the publisher/Amazon provided a reviewed edition without the mentioned issues (I'm aware there's not much to do about the content issue by now) I'll revert it back.
The story itself is interesting though rather predictable and I guessed the identity of the stalker pretty early. I liked the main characters, but wished more depth in the area of faith and how they lived it. I really missed Deeanne Gist's trademark humor which is the main reason I'm still not able to give this book the full five stars. I'm still hoping for (more) contemporary fiction by Deeanne Gist though hopefully as witty as her historical novels.
I've still not read anything else by J. Mark Bertrand so can't say much about his books - though I noticed recently I have his Back on Murder and hope to read it soon.
August 9, 2012
Ugh. I’m just going to say it right up front: I did not enjoy this book.
Imagine this scenario. Take Christian aspiring romantic fiction novelist. Combine her with an “acclaimed, yet has only written one book” Christian suspense writer. Now have them write a book combining both of their interests: suspense and describing attractive people.
Yeah. It didn’t work.
Not only was the descriptions of both Rylee and Logan cringingly awkward, but their entire romance was just…ehh. They were cute together and I appreciated his concern for her safety, but they went from zero to ninety in a week or two. Annoyingly, unbelievably fast. Obviously they were attracted to each other. I had to spend half the book listening to them moon on about each other’s stunning muscles, long legs, attractive figures, tempting lips, etc, etc, etc. It was like a trashy romance novel turned Christian.
The underlying message was not particularly compelling and the final moment of tension (like all intense novels have) was rather lame. The only reason I kept reading was to get closure about the mystery. With so many options for the culprit, I could not even begin to assume my guess was correct. Honestly, once I found out who it was…it was just disappointing.
But if you like an interesting suspense/mystery novel that’s Christian, and can cringe past the terrible descriptions like I did, read it. The portions that Mr. Bertrand contributed do work, while Ms. Gist needs to work on her writing.
Content Warnings: Kissing
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Hyperman's Book Blog
Imagine this scenario. Take Christian aspiring romantic fiction novelist. Combine her with an “acclaimed, yet has only written one book” Christian suspense writer. Now have them write a book combining both of their interests: suspense and describing attractive people.
Yeah. It didn’t work.
Not only was the descriptions of both Rylee and Logan cringingly awkward, but their entire romance was just…ehh. They were cute together and I appreciated his concern for her safety, but they went from zero to ninety in a week or two. Annoyingly, unbelievably fast. Obviously they were attracted to each other. I had to spend half the book listening to them moon on about each other’s stunning muscles, long legs, attractive figures, tempting lips, etc, etc, etc. It was like a trashy romance novel turned Christian.
The underlying message was not particularly compelling and the final moment of tension (like all intense novels have) was rather lame. The only reason I kept reading was to get closure about the mystery. With so many options for the culprit, I could not even begin to assume my guess was correct. Honestly, once I found out who it was…it was just disappointing.
But if you like an interesting suspense/mystery novel that’s Christian, and can cringe past the terrible descriptions like I did, read it. The portions that Mr. Bertrand contributed do work, while Ms. Gist needs to work on her writing.
Content Warnings: Kissing
More Book Reviews on my Blog!
Hyperman's Book Blog
March 2, 2012
"Beguiled" is a Christian romance with a strong suspense element. The romance started out as "Oh, he is sooo handsome, and look at his BMW!" and "Wow, her legs go from here to there in that miniskirt!"--as in, solely physical attraction, but they did eventually get around to appreciating the kindness and other personality traits of each other.
The main characters were very earnest, and they dealt with realistic issues. The suspense was well-written and was mainly created by the threat of physical harm to Rylee from a stalker, false accusations threatening to ruin her business, and wondering who was behind the robberies. The vivid details of the setting brought the area alive in my imagination.
The Christian element mainly was a few reminders to the main characters that they needed to read the Bible, attend church, and pray more. I will say, though, that Logan and his friends did a very nice job of showing Christian love toward Rylee near the end.
There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this novel.
The main characters were very earnest, and they dealt with realistic issues. The suspense was well-written and was mainly created by the threat of physical harm to Rylee from a stalker, false accusations threatening to ruin her business, and wondering who was behind the robberies. The vivid details of the setting brought the area alive in my imagination.
The Christian element mainly was a few reminders to the main characters that they needed to read the Bible, attend church, and pray more. I will say, though, that Logan and his friends did a very nice job of showing Christian love toward Rylee near the end.
There was no bad language or sex. Overall, I'd recommend this novel.
August 23, 2015
I loved this book! It is an awesome mix of romance, mystery, and great characters. I love the name of the main character-Rylee. This story is set in Charleston and is about a lady dog walker who works for people that keep getting robbed. The police consider her the prime suspect but a news reporter named Logan is sure she's innocent and someone worth getting to know. The mystery keeps you guessing and the romance is sweet with outgoing corny. Perfect book for me!
January 6, 2022
Wow! This book really exceeded my expectations!
I've read other books by this author. Which were great, but they were historical fiction. I chose this one in a hurry because I noticed it was a mystery. I thought (no idea why) that this was set in the 1920s. So, I was really surprised when the book referenced current events. I like contemporary too so I just kept reading.
I was really pulled into this story right away. Maybe because I like dogs? Maybe because I like reporter stories? Maybe because I loved the sweetness of Rylee and the strength and moral chatacter of Logan. Maybe just because it was so dang interesting! Whatever the reason, it held my attention and made me want to keep reading.
I loved the mystery--the twists and turns, the clues--all of it! I loved the connection between Rylee and Logan, the conflicts each of them had internally and with other characters. It was all just so well done!
I've read other books by this author. Which were great, but they were historical fiction. I chose this one in a hurry because I noticed it was a mystery. I thought (no idea why) that this was set in the 1920s. So, I was really surprised when the book referenced current events. I like contemporary too so I just kept reading.
I was really pulled into this story right away. Maybe because I like dogs? Maybe because I like reporter stories? Maybe because I loved the sweetness of Rylee and the strength and moral chatacter of Logan. Maybe just because it was so dang interesting! Whatever the reason, it held my attention and made me want to keep reading.
I loved the mystery--the twists and turns, the clues--all of it! I loved the connection between Rylee and Logan, the conflicts each of them had internally and with other characters. It was all just so well done!
February 6, 2025
I am not into collaborative works. Though the efforts may be highly promising for an intriguing outcome, I often keep focused on the shift of style and determined to detect any flaws. The process somehow exorcists any fun in reading.
Saying this, it is a fine read.. However, it is rather slow for my taste.. and indulged in some unnecessary details.
Saying this, it is a fine read.. However, it is rather slow for my taste.. and indulged in some unnecessary details.
December 24, 2019
Not that great. I thought the story was disjointed and the characters misplaced. The last two chapters were better.
January 26, 2010
First of all, you need to know that this is not your typical Deeanne Gist novel. It's not Historical; it does not have her trademark "edgy" romance vibe; nor is it really a Romance. I would have to classify it as Mystery/Suspense with a light romantic vein. To me, it felt like this story showed more of J. Mark Bertrand's writing style, since he "comes from a hard-boiled crime thriller background" (as stated on the back cover), than Deeanne's. I kept waiting for her "edgy" romance to shine through, but was really disappointed. A few romantic parts I thought had the potential to turn "edgy", but they stayed low-key. Taking all of this into consideration, it was a pretty good read...if you enjoy a good mystery, which I do on occasion. You will most likely be on the edge of your seat trying to figure out who the bad guy(s) is/are. I stuck with my gut feeling, and turned out to be partially right! I guess that was thanks to my fascination with Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys when I was growing up, before I became enamored with romance novels. :)
Since the excerpt from the back cover pretty much covers the gist of the story, there's not much more I can add, without giving away any vital parts. Although I do want to mention that I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of Rylee's "clients"...they were a great addition to the story. Romeo and Toro were my favorites.
** I would like to thank Jim @ Bethany House, and Cindy @ Princess Bookie for providing me with this ARC/Unedited Galley Proof. I won this book on Cindy's blog. **
Since the excerpt from the back cover pretty much covers the gist of the story, there's not much more I can add, without giving away any vital parts. Although I do want to mention that I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of Rylee's "clients"...they were a great addition to the story. Romeo and Toro were my favorites.
** I would like to thank Jim @ Bethany House, and Cindy @ Princess Bookie for providing me with this ARC/Unedited Galley Proof. I won this book on Cindy's blog. **
December 27, 2009
3 1/2 stars
I received this book from LIbraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
Rylee Monroe is a dogwalker for the elite in Charleston. When he clients find themselves being robbed by a thief nicknamed "Robin Hood," she finds herself becoming more and more involved as she is the link between the victims.
Logan Woods is the reporter on the story for the paper. He finds himself intrigued by not only the story, but also Rylee.
I found myself liking most of the book, but Rylee's character was a bit of a disappointment. She did a number of very stupid things and it irritated me quite a bit. I just didn't find myself really liking her very much. Logan on the other hand, was a much better developed character. He was likable. The romance between the 2 was enjoyable and during the romantic developments were the only times I found myself liking Rylee even a little bit.
The mystery surrounding the robberies was well done and keep me reading. It wasn't overly complicated, but it unfolded nicely.
Overall, I liked this book. It was a little rough around the edges, but still very much worth the read.
I received this book from LIbraryThing's Early Reviewers program.
Rylee Monroe is a dogwalker for the elite in Charleston. When he clients find themselves being robbed by a thief nicknamed "Robin Hood," she finds herself becoming more and more involved as she is the link between the victims.
Logan Woods is the reporter on the story for the paper. He finds himself intrigued by not only the story, but also Rylee.
I found myself liking most of the book, but Rylee's character was a bit of a disappointment. She did a number of very stupid things and it irritated me quite a bit. I just didn't find myself really liking her very much. Logan on the other hand, was a much better developed character. He was likable. The romance between the 2 was enjoyable and during the romantic developments were the only times I found myself liking Rylee even a little bit.
The mystery surrounding the robberies was well done and keep me reading. It wasn't overly complicated, but it unfolded nicely.
Overall, I liked this book. It was a little rough around the edges, but still very much worth the read.
March 30, 2010
What do you get when you combine Old South charm, romance, and suspense? BEGUILED by Deeanne Gist and Mark Bertrand.
Rylee Monroe is a young lady whose past haunts her. She's not quite sure about it, and has some memories that lurk just below the surface. In spite of it all she's relatively happy, enjoys her work as a dog walker, and loves taking care of her elderly grandmother.
All of this changes when a series of petty burglaries put her in the spotlight. As a result of this she finds danger and romance. More importantly, she finds answers to her past.
Logan Woods is a reporter who is working on the burglary case as well as seeking to solve it so that he can write a book about it. He finds himself drawn to Rylee in ways that may compromise his ability to report of find an answer to who is committing the crimes.
In the end, they both find more than they searched for.
An excellent book that was a pleasure to read.
Rylee Monroe is a young lady whose past haunts her. She's not quite sure about it, and has some memories that lurk just below the surface. In spite of it all she's relatively happy, enjoys her work as a dog walker, and loves taking care of her elderly grandmother.
All of this changes when a series of petty burglaries put her in the spotlight. As a result of this she finds danger and romance. More importantly, she finds answers to her past.
Logan Woods is a reporter who is working on the burglary case as well as seeking to solve it so that he can write a book about it. He finds himself drawn to Rylee in ways that may compromise his ability to report of find an answer to who is committing the crimes.
In the end, they both find more than they searched for.
An excellent book that was a pleasure to read.
April 18, 2010
Beguiled: A Novel
By Deeanne Gist, J.Mark Bertrand
Suspenseful and fast-paced, this first collaboration between Gist and Bertrand, is an action-packed mystery romance. Set in a richly detailed Charlotte, South Carolina, struggling heroine Kylee Monroe is a dog walker with a puzzling past and shackled heart who unwittingly lands smack in the middle of a baffling crime spree.
Local journalist and aspiring book author Logan Woods is covering the story; soon finding himself entangled in more than he bargained for. As past secrets emerge and an all but forgotten history reveals itself, both Kylee and Logan must learn to trust in, and put faith in, not only God and each other, but the people surrounding them as well.
A riveting read with a fulfilling conclusion, Beguiled is hopefully the first in many more collaborations between these two very talented authors.
By Deeanne Gist, J.Mark Bertrand
Suspenseful and fast-paced, this first collaboration between Gist and Bertrand, is an action-packed mystery romance. Set in a richly detailed Charlotte, South Carolina, struggling heroine Kylee Monroe is a dog walker with a puzzling past and shackled heart who unwittingly lands smack in the middle of a baffling crime spree.
Local journalist and aspiring book author Logan Woods is covering the story; soon finding himself entangled in more than he bargained for. As past secrets emerge and an all but forgotten history reveals itself, both Kylee and Logan must learn to trust in, and put faith in, not only God and each other, but the people surrounding them as well.
A riveting read with a fulfilling conclusion, Beguiled is hopefully the first in many more collaborations between these two very talented authors.
April 17, 2014
This was an author combo book. Deanne usually writes her own historical/romantic fiction. This time there is an element of an unsolved crime. The story has Rylee, dog-walker to the rich in historic Charleston, getting involved with a series of burglaries that just seem to cross her path. She needs this job as she has her only grandmother in a nursing home to take care of. She's trying to make ends meet. Logan Woods is a reporter who is also writing a book based on the burglaries, but can't finish his book until the crime is solved. He starts to investigate Rylee as the crimes all seem to happen to clients of hers. Solve the crime- finish the book.
October 15, 2017
I usually love Deeanne Gist's work. I remember being less than impressed the firs time around but holding onto it due to my compulsion to "own ever book" which thankfully I am working on. :) Parts of this book grabbed my attention. However, ultimately, the partnership between Gist and the other author (whose name I forget at the moment and is not listed above) failed. So much of the book, hyped as if it was a suspense novel, fell into tired clichés which even the most ingenue of readers could figure out by the second or third chapter.
This book did not survive round two of the purge from my personal collection.
This book did not survive round two of the purge from my personal collection.
June 9, 2010
A mystery with some great romance intertwined, it is the story of Rylee, a dog walker in Charlston, SC, who gets entangled in a series of robberies by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is also at this time that some men get introduced to her life - Logan, the reporter who is searching for a great story, and Karl, the lawyer and old family friend.
I really enjoyed this book, and read it in one day even. It was an easy and entertaining read, and was VERY clean. The characters were great and I got really involved in solving the mystery.
I really enjoyed this book, and read it in one day even. It was an easy and entertaining read, and was VERY clean. The characters were great and I got really involved in solving the mystery.
April 19, 2010
This book definitely has a style that is different from Dee’s normal writing, but that is to be expected since it was co-written. The suspense element was good and the plot ended in a way that I never saw coming. I had guessed one part of the “Robin Hood” thief very early on, but was surprised at how the whole story intertwined with other character’s personal stories. I didn’t connect with this book as well as with Dee’s other books, but I still really liked it. And if Dee and Mark ever write another book together then I will definitely be reading that one too.
July 30, 2012
Like all Deeanne Gist books this was well researched, well written, and fun to read. The difference with this book is that it is not historical. I still felt immersed in historic Charleston so it was expanding as well as entertaining. There is a crime spree through the book the the heroine had to figure out while not getting blamed, along with an excellent romance.
Pick this up if you want something fun and engrossing to read, doesn't make you feel like you are wasting your brain, and has a clean romance.
Pick this up if you want something fun and engrossing to read, doesn't make you feel like you are wasting your brain, and has a clean romance.
January 14, 2011
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I think that I have discovered that my favorite genre of book is murder mystery/romance. I just love the suspense of the murder mystery and of course a great love story. Deanne Gist is a Christian author but I love that her entire books aren't religious she just includes enough for her characters to learn a valuable lesson. These colaboration of these two authors was great.Once I picked this book up I could not put it down.
March 14, 2021
Disappointed
This book had a interesting plot line but in my option it was barely Christian. If I want to read a book with themes about murder and stalkers then I might as well read a worldly book but if I want to read a wholesome book with themes that make me think more about God I want to read a Christian book and this book did not make me think about God more it actually gave me bad dreams.
This book had a interesting plot line but in my option it was barely Christian. If I want to read a book with themes about murder and stalkers then I might as well read a worldly book but if I want to read a wholesome book with themes that make me think more about God I want to read a Christian book and this book did not make me think about God more it actually gave me bad dreams.
August 20, 2015
Super great read! Finished this book in less than a day!
I think the title and cover of this book are a bit deceiving. The two (especially combined) made me reluctant to read the book. In fact, I only went ahead and read it because a friend bought it for me. Just goes to show that it's true that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.
I think the title and cover of this book are a bit deceiving. The two (especially combined) made me reluctant to read the book. In fact, I only went ahead and read it because a friend bought it for me. Just goes to show that it's true that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.
May 27, 2012
Not horrible, but disappointing. Crammed God in one to two pages overkill and left Him out of the rest of the book! Found myself still asking unanswered questions at the end. It was like co-authoring wasn't working, so they just gave up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2025
Content Summary:
Romance: Character has a crush on an older man (12-year gap?), and it is implied that the man wants to date her as well, but she refuses due to him being a client. Character starts up a relationship with character. While this is a clean romance, it seems like sometimes their thoughts and feelings are anything but. There is a good bit of kissing, but nothing else.
Violence & Gore: The story is centered around this robinhood burglar, so breaking and entering is a heavy theme. Our main character also has a stalker, which is freaky-deaky. There is also a violent scene at the end where multiple people are injured/described as being murdered.
Profanity: None throughout the book.
Substance Use: There is one brief mention of drinking towards the end.
Frightening/Triggering Scenes: The burglaries are throughout the book, and the subsequent damage it cause our main character includes: false arrest, loss of clients, harassment, and stalking. The stalking thing is very weird. Her car gets broken into, and her underthings are the only things stolen. Later, her apartment is broken into twice, and the underthings are front and centered again. Just weird stuff. There are mentions of her family’s past. Abandoned by her father, and her mother committed suicide. Her grandmother suffers from (dementia?) and has to live in a long-term care facility.
Really regret reading this, but needed it for a reading challenge. I have enjoyed Deanne Gist’s books in the past, in her Historical fiction books. However, this was probably my least favorite from her. The story read very Hallmark mystery type, except for the weird obsession with her underwear. Also, I’m personally not a fan of lukewarm Christian fiction books. Either go all in or don’t. It doesn’t have to be cringey to tell the truth, but to earn that title, you should have to do more than have them go to church (never really shown) or have a moment of reflection while sitting in a jail cell (long story). It was a weak story with weak characters that I hope never to read again.
Romance: Character has a crush on an older man (12-year gap?), and it is implied that the man wants to date her as well, but she refuses due to him being a client. Character starts up a relationship with character. While this is a clean romance, it seems like sometimes their thoughts and feelings are anything but. There is a good bit of kissing, but nothing else.
Violence & Gore: The story is centered around this robinhood burglar, so breaking and entering is a heavy theme. Our main character also has a stalker, which is freaky-deaky. There is also a violent scene at the end where multiple people are injured/described as being murdered.
Profanity: None throughout the book.
Substance Use: There is one brief mention of drinking towards the end.
Frightening/Triggering Scenes: The burglaries are throughout the book, and the subsequent damage it cause our main character includes: false arrest, loss of clients, harassment, and stalking. The stalking thing is very weird. Her car gets broken into, and her underthings are the only things stolen. Later, her apartment is broken into twice, and the underthings are front and centered again. Just weird stuff. There are mentions of her family’s past. Abandoned by her father, and her mother committed suicide. Her grandmother suffers from (dementia?) and has to live in a long-term care facility.
Really regret reading this, but needed it for a reading challenge. I have enjoyed Deanne Gist’s books in the past, in her Historical fiction books. However, this was probably my least favorite from her. The story read very Hallmark mystery type, except for the weird obsession with her underwear. Also, I’m personally not a fan of lukewarm Christian fiction books. Either go all in or don’t. It doesn’t have to be cringey to tell the truth, but to earn that title, you should have to do more than have them go to church (never really shown) or have a moment of reflection while sitting in a jail cell (long story). It was a weak story with weak characters that I hope never to read again.
August 5, 2021
I'm putting the same review for all Gist's books that I've read.
Read this a decade ago when I was practicing a puritanical religion. I call these the "cheesy christian cowboy romance" novels and if that is your thing, this will be. I absolutely DEVOURED all of Gist's books when I was in that phase. Like the book version of a hallmark holiday romance - so with that in mind, they aren't bad at being that, at having humor and some (light) feminist themes and more than a hallmark film would have, some VERY interesting historical info. This author put research into all her work.
CW: Incredibly het and mono normative, per uszh with romance, but with a hefty dose of typical evangelical "romance" like white saviorism, men being celebrated for doing literally anything because being "not actively horrible" is akin to being the best, etc.
Recommended for: I dont at all mean to put this book down. The author was going for a thing and within that framework, she nailed it. Just that my tastes, beliefs, and frameworks have changed. So I guess - if you like hallmark holiday romance?
(I recently read another of her books just to troll myself and I WAS SUFFICIENTLY TROLLED because I'm telling you, I've read all Gists's books that were out at the time at least twice. Bless it.)
Free 60 Days at Scribd
It Happened at the Fair
A Bride in the Bargain
A Bride Most Begrudging
Deep in the Heart of Trouble
Maid to Match
A Bride in the Bargain
Fair Play
Beguiled
Love on the Line
The Measure of a Lady
Read this a decade ago when I was practicing a puritanical religion. I call these the "cheesy christian cowboy romance" novels and if that is your thing, this will be. I absolutely DEVOURED all of Gist's books when I was in that phase. Like the book version of a hallmark holiday romance - so with that in mind, they aren't bad at being that, at having humor and some (light) feminist themes and more than a hallmark film would have, some VERY interesting historical info. This author put research into all her work.
CW: Incredibly het and mono normative, per uszh with romance, but with a hefty dose of typical evangelical "romance" like white saviorism, men being celebrated for doing literally anything because being "not actively horrible" is akin to being the best, etc.
Recommended for: I dont at all mean to put this book down. The author was going for a thing and within that framework, she nailed it. Just that my tastes, beliefs, and frameworks have changed. So I guess - if you like hallmark holiday romance?
(I recently read another of her books just to troll myself and I WAS SUFFICIENTLY TROLLED because I'm telling you, I've read all Gists's books that were out at the time at least twice. Bless it.)
Free 60 Days at Scribd
It Happened at the Fair
A Bride in the Bargain
A Bride Most Begrudging
Deep in the Heart of Trouble
Maid to Match
A Bride in the Bargain
Fair Play
Beguiled
Love on the Line
The Measure of a Lady
September 30, 2020
I decided to pick this book up without reading the back description. I couldn’t decide which of Deeane Gist’s novels to pick up next so I thought a random pick was just as good.
Looking at the cover of Beguiled, my first thought was it would be set in the late 1800’s. My first thought when I read the very first sentence of this book was, did they have dog walkers in the 1800’s?
And as I kept reading, I discovered the last thing I was expecting! It’s a crime novel!
This book was full of so many surprises, some of them I thought I had a good prediction of, but there were so many twists and turns throughout that I found I was left guessing more times than not. The mystery element of this book was great! I loved it! Especially because I wasn’t expecting it lol.
But not to worry, there’s also a romance element. And their relationship was really sweet despite all of the crimes happening around them. I think there is something to be said about a relationship, a new relationship at that, that can endure despite many many hardships being thrown their way. To trust someone you barely know is a hard thing to do, and watching that trust and loyalty build between these two was beautiful to watch.
The only thing so wasn’t crazy about was the book format in itself. The POV changes from one paragraph to the next without any indications, so if you’re not paying attention you won’t realize it’s switched people.
I’m definitely going to pick up another book by Deeanne Gist, and not read the description. It’s quite fun!
Looking at the cover of Beguiled, my first thought was it would be set in the late 1800’s. My first thought when I read the very first sentence of this book was, did they have dog walkers in the 1800’s?
And as I kept reading, I discovered the last thing I was expecting! It’s a crime novel!
This book was full of so many surprises, some of them I thought I had a good prediction of, but there were so many twists and turns throughout that I found I was left guessing more times than not. The mystery element of this book was great! I loved it! Especially because I wasn’t expecting it lol.
But not to worry, there’s also a romance element. And their relationship was really sweet despite all of the crimes happening around them. I think there is something to be said about a relationship, a new relationship at that, that can endure despite many many hardships being thrown their way. To trust someone you barely know is a hard thing to do, and watching that trust and loyalty build between these two was beautiful to watch.
The only thing so wasn’t crazy about was the book format in itself. The POV changes from one paragraph to the next without any indications, so if you’re not paying attention you won’t realize it’s switched people.
I’m definitely going to pick up another book by Deeanne Gist, and not read the description. It’s quite fun!
July 6, 2017
Rylee, a dog walker, seems to be surrounded by mysterious circumstances. And when her clients things start to disappear, and her being the common denominator, things become extra fuzzy. Logan, a crime reporter, meets Rylee after being chased by a dog and then is attracted to her and what she holds in answers for the mysterious Robin Hood burglar.
Logan and Rylee try to solve a crime, even when the police destroy Rylee's name in the process. The answers uncovered go far back into Rylee's past and get twisted in the end that Logan has a hard time making sense of it all.
This was a interesting mystery. It kept me guessing but I felt the explanation was hurried in the end. I would have loved more back story about Rylee's past and why certain people did what they did. The reason given seemed kinda humdrum.
Logan and Rylee try to solve a crime, even when the police destroy Rylee's name in the process. The answers uncovered go far back into Rylee's past and get twisted in the end that Logan has a hard time making sense of it all.
This was a interesting mystery. It kept me guessing but I felt the explanation was hurried in the end. I would have loved more back story about Rylee's past and why certain people did what they did. The reason given seemed kinda humdrum.
August 28, 2017
This is a good mystery with romance. Set in Charleston, the main character is Rylee Monroe, a young dogwalker for residents in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods. When she was five, her father disappeared and her mother died of an overdose of pills shortly after. Rylee was raised by her grandmother, who is in a nursing home. Walking one of her dog clients late one night, Rylee suspects she is being followed. The dog chases one of the men up a memorial in the park. This is her introduction to Logan Woods, a newspaper reporter. There have been some strange break-ins in the homes of some of Rylee's clients. A police detective friend of Logan's is sure Rylee is a prime suspect. As Logan and Rylee work together to find out who is the burglar, they also draw closer together romantically. This story has some twists and turns and a quite satisfactory conclusion.
March 5, 2020
I really wanted this story to be better. Sadly, it never quite hit the right spot of being a very good book. It was fun, enjoyable, but not great. I had a hard time with the development of a lot of the relationships in the book. Spoilers on those relationships below:
There was no real background for Rylee and Karl to build off of so from the beginning I didn't trust him and his reasons. Then the relationship with Logan and Rylee seemed to develop out of nowhere that it was also hard for me to take seriously. And finally, Logan's boss's reasoning for taking him off the beat never really made any sense. If Logan was slacking on the work area, it was never commented on so his being removed from covering the story just seemed weird.
I did love the fact that two authors got together to write a story, but I wonder if that was the root of the lack of depth I felt throughout the book.
There was no real background for Rylee and Karl to build off of so from the beginning I didn't trust him and his reasons. Then the relationship with Logan and Rylee seemed to develop out of nowhere that it was also hard for me to take seriously. And finally, Logan's boss's reasoning for taking him off the beat never really made any sense. If Logan was slacking on the work area, it was never commented on so his being removed from covering the story just seemed weird.
I did love the fact that two authors got together to write a story, but I wonder if that was the root of the lack of depth I felt throughout the book.
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