Sutton's Shadow

Nighthawk Search and Rescue series #4

by Amanda Zook

The shadows brought them together, but it was the light that would bind them for all time.

Sutton Masters lives with grief and shame, letting the shadows of guilt shield her as she settles into her new life in Lake Haven after the death of her fiancé. She’s content with the small jobs her photography studio brings in, even while shooting portraits and the town’s advertising campaign may not bring the thrills she’d once craved.

Too broken to love again, reconnecting with her fiancé’s best friend is the last thing she expected. Wyatt, and his dimple that does dirty things to her mind, breaks through the walls she’s imprisoned behind, giving her a quiet strength and the power to battle the shadows that haunt her.

The disappearance of his teenage sister demands Wyatt “Tin Man” Tinsley entire focus, yet he finds himself seeking out the woman he’d once desired but lost to his best friend. Sutton becomes his biggest comfort as the worries for his sister intensify. He’s heard the rumors claiming she’s responsible for his friend’s death and sees the darkness she lives with but vows the shadows will not imprison her any longer.

His heart is a goner, craving all of her yet terrified the aching hunger is all he’s going to be left with. He’ll be trapped forever in that moment when his best friend declared he would marry the woman that Wyatt wanted.

But as they imbue new light into each other, a darker shadow they didn’t see coming threatens to destroy everything they built together. Will Wyatt be able to find his girls in time, or will the Tin Man lose his heart forever?

Genres: Contemporary, Second Chance, Military Fiction, Suspense

425 pages, Paperback

Published June 13, 2022

About the author

Amanda Zook has been an avid romance reader since middle school and has finally decided to liberate the stories that live in her head. After growing up in the Sweetest Place on Earth (Hershey, Pennsylvania) she attended college at a small liberal arts school where she met the love of her life. They spent the first 20 years of their marriage on the Jersey Shore (no, not the MTV reality show), before moving halfway across the country.

Amanda now lives in the Southwest corner of the mitten state on the shores of Lake Michigan (no sharks, no salt, no problem).

She is a wife, a mother of teenage twin girls (even though she is aghast that her children dislike reading and pizza) and can now add published author to her list of achievements.


Find her at http://www.amandazook.com and sign up for her newsletter
https://linktr.ee/AmandaZookAuthor

Reviews

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action, suspense and white-hot romance as Wyatt “Tin Man” Tinsley and Sutton Masters reconnect. Wyatt, an agent with Nighthawk Search and Rescue, knew Sutton as the fiancé of his best friend, Liam. Liam was killed while protecting Sutton overseas during a photo journalism assignment. Sutton, who now works with drone photography, was able to locate and save a lost boy. Wyatt is trying to get custody of his young sister, Bethany, after she was threatened by his mother’s drug addicted friends. He rescues her one night, but Bethany is placed in the custody of CPS and disappears. The search is on to find her, but Wyatt knows that something is very wrong when he learns that other young girls have gone missing and no one seems to be looking for them. Is there a trafficking ring operating in his town? As they search for Bethany, the attraction between Wyatt and Sutton blazes out of control. Sutton will place her own life in danger to search for Wyatt’s sister. Will he find his “two hearts” and bring them safely home? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation, from the author, for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth book in the series brings Sutton and Wyatt's story. The author brings a strong cast of characters centering on Sutton and Wyatt who have a steamy chemistry. She brings out the emotions and had me glued to the pages reading their story. I loved and would recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[MammaDi3Gatti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I really liked this book, the fourth on a series (my second). It has the strong female heroine that I love along with gritty suspense to keep me turning pages. I would read the next book in the series in a New York minute. So where did it lose a star for me? A few inconsistencies in character that just keep niggling. But be assured that I feel a little guilty knocking it down a star....

So the series follows the men of a Michigan-based search and rescue organization. Each story can stand alone, and each story has its own set of trigger warnings (see the very end of this review). Here, we have Pulitzer Prize-winning (former) photojournalist Sutton and former army Ranger Wyatt's story. They knew each other back in the day after Wyatt and his BFF Liam were part of her security detail in various war zones. Wyatt always had a thing for Sutton but never said anything as Liam did first. Eventually, Wyatt was medically discharged and returned home to fight for his much younger sister (crappy home life), and Liam and Sutton got engaged. Ultimately, Liam died protecting Sutton, and she never forgave herself
Two years later, she's living in Wyatt's home town (what a coinkydink), and they grow closer. Anyway, they're pulled into drama surrounding Wyatt's sister and other missing girls, though it all eventually gets you to their HEA.

So Sutton has all this guilt over Liam's death, which is not helped by the fact that the other guys on her security team fully held her responsible and basically cut themselves out of her life, leaving her entirely alone. Wyatt is determined to help her heal, and this is where the star comes in. When Sutton tells him what happened the day Liam was killed (and she critically injured), he responds supportively and lovingly, expressing anger that the other guys on Liam's team broke the macho code of not looking after their fallen teammate's family (here, Sutton). So why does he then, when feeling great stress, lash out at her with the same accusations as the other guys--not once but twice! It doesn't matter that he instantly feels remorse and the urge to apologize... it's crummy, somewhat abusive behavior. How is Sutton to know that the last time is really the last time that he will behave so callously? Yeah, that bugged me, especially because I otherwise really liked Wyatt.

I also found it a little odd that when Bethany was firsts missing, he--SAR expert--basically sits back waiting for his phone to ring. Yes, he was under the impression it was a CPS screw up, but it seemed like he should've been tearing the town apart. That just felt off to me.

All that aside, it's a great story and definitely worth the read, as long as you can stomach the trigger warnings (and that you're okay with steamy sexy times).

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

Trigger warnings: child sex trafficking, abuse, kidnapping, violence, death of loved one (in the past), CPS, child abuse, threats of rape, PTSD (not named thusly but apparent)

[AE McRoberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gah! This book!

I really really wanted to love it as much as I love her other books, but I couldn't really be as enthusiastic as the others.

It was the characters! Gah! I really loved (like really really) loved the idea behind these two characters. The tropes are some of my favorite (second chance, friends to lovers, best friend's fiancé), but the execution wasn't at all my favorite.

First off, the flip-flop between "I can't even consider touching him" to "OMG rip my panties off" was way too abrupt and whiplash. It would be one paragraph I can't touch him and the next being all hot and heavy. Which in itself is okay, but there was no guilt or even thought about their previous stance. It's like everything vanished without a trace of the previous emotion.

It's one thing to be to be guilt ridden over lusting after someone you shouldn't, but that guilt doesn't magically vanish when they're kissing you. In this book, it did. That really bugged me. It could have been so much better with some lingering thoughts while they were sucking face. Give me some hardcore internal drama and it would have solved that. But without that little detail, it was blerg.

Add to that the sort of badmouthing the dead fiancée, and it was icky. I get what Amanda was trying to do, soften the blow between being engaged and then lusting after the dead fiancée's best friend. But instead it came off as sort of nasty bitchy. Like the poor girl didn't actually like her fiancée.

The ending felt contrived and poor Sutton did the typical stupid girl in a suspense novel and put herself in harms way being super foolish. Again, I get why, Sutton needed to be put in that situation, but I could think of fifty different ways she could without reverting to stupid girl territory.

So it was with great regret that I gave it a three star. And believe me, it sort of hurt my soul, because I LOVE all of Amanda's other novels. But this one just gave me too many squirmy feels to really be up there.

But don't get me wrong, the emotion was still top-notch, and I finished the book. So the problems weren't enough to make me shut the book. All of this being said, I can be a rather picky reader, so some of you find people probably won't have the issues I did.

[Escape to the pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

intriguing if at times nonsensical

3.5*

I’ve not read all this series, though I didn’t feel it impacted my enjoyment of this book as though other characters are a big part of the story in places, their background and relationships are far less so.

I liked how Sutton had such an interesting past and career, as well as her history with Wyatt. I did find it odd she walked away from it all as she did and thought there were several elements of her relationship with Liam that were ignored or I kept thinking we’d return to them later, it clearly wasn’t what everyone thought it was. Similarly the thing with the Condors Overwatch team was weird. It was such a bit thing and had such a massive impact on her life yet got resolved in a blink. ( I do think that Condors Overwatch was being set up as another series coming but to be honest, Wade and his team have some work to do to be redeemed for me personally. I don’t get why she was blamed for his death when he effectively left her alone!!! Where was he when she woke up - none of this was answered so given the actions of the entire team, I’m not sure I’d find them believable going forwards as the type of heroic brotherhood in this genre)
I also found some of Suttons actions mildly frustrating. She wants to stop being called reckless and blamed for causing peoples deaths/injuries yet what she did right at the end after the text from Bethany was exactly that…

Wyatt I liked and I thought he and Sutton did make a believable couple. I liked how he was so determined to get her back to the confident person she was. I also loved his relationship With Bethany - though having said that I found it strange that so long went with her missing and the team weren’t exactly kicking off about it!

Lovely underlying romance with angst that seemed to sometimes not be fully resolved and other times too deftly forgiven. Wyatt was very quick with his sharp tongue at times and then Sutton would forgive him almost instantly which red flagged for me a little

Overall a satisfying, if not mildly frustrating at times read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sutton has dealt with a lot of pain and heartache during the last few years. She was blamed by so many, including herself, for her fiancé dying. Now she is in a little town where some of her past is coming back up, but she thinks it will all be worth it if she can be friends with Wyatt again. Wyatt has had so much in life go the wrong way. Starting out as a starving child who had the worst mother, he learned the importance of love and family. He has been part of the Nighthawks, who are his family now. They have played a big role in helping him keep is younger sister safe and happy, while he fought for custody of her. Sutton is back in his life after his best friend, Liam, was murdered. He let Liam have Sutton but it is now his turn to show Sutton how he really feels about her. All things so sideways when his sister is taken and no one knows where she is. Sutton is there for Wyatt and they start to build a relationship that was meant to be so many years ago. Will they be able to survive a lot of turmoil and heartache while solving a huge case right in his hometown? I was given a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Nighthawk Search and Rescue series. You can read this book as a standalone but it is connected to the other books so you will see previous characters. Wyatt and Sutton's story broke my heart. It's steamy and the story pulled me in and had me turning the pages. Honestly I think this is my favorite in the series. You really feel the emotions and guilt that Sutton and Wyatt have over their budding relationship. Wyatt has been fighting for years to get custody of his younger sister, Bethany, from this drug addicted mother. When Bethany goes missing it uncovers a string of lies and disappearances of many young girls. Sutton is dealing with the loss of her fiancée Liam, Wyatt's best friend. She feels like it is all her fault he's dead and that guilt is compounded when she finds herself attracted to Wyatt. Seeing Sutton again brings all those buried feelings to the surface for Wyatt. Excellent addition to the series. Can't wait for the next book.

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a breathtaking story! Tinman found so much more than he thought he ever would. This book, as in all the previous books, has very well written characters, even the smaller ones. I will admit at first it was hard for me to get into at first, because I had trouble relating to Sutton. I was not drawn to her. It was not because of her past, which you have to read the book to find you about. However, as their story progressed my opinion changed and I really liked her. I did find it interesting how the author connected Sutton’s past to the present, so she could resolve everything. Wyatt’s love for his sister is so sweet. There were so many times I wanted to give him a hug. Other times, he could be so frustrating, making him a relatable character. The book had a lot of action and was very well paced, keeping me reading. There are so many interesting stories going on in this book, you have to read it to see how everything unfolds. I highly recommend you read it. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of the Nighthawk Search & Rescue series. This series is phenomenal!

Here we meet Wyatt and Sutton: Wyatt, also known as the Tinman, has been trying to years to get his sister away from their drug addicted mother for years. Sutton, is dealing with the loss of her fiancée, who happened to be Wyatt’s best friend. Join them as they overcome their feelings of guilt as they find love and healing. During their journey they discovery a child trafficking ring -- which Wyatt’s sister, Bethany, a strong young lady, is kidnapped by and brought into – a topic that is one that is difficult to read, and one most don’t even want to hear about -- was well written.

Another outstanding story that you won’t be able to put down. I highly recommend this story as well as all of the previous Nighthawk books. Amanda – they keep getting better and I can’t wait for the next one.

I received a copy of this book from Author Collective and NetGalley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own and not solicited in any way.

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this author a couple of months ago and loved Nighthawk, the first book in this series. I immediately read the other books including this one. I love this series and this book did break my heart in places. Wyatt and his sister lived such a hard life but had the best refreshing personality and absolutely adored her brother. I also think that Sutton was misunderstood a lot and didn’t communicate her approach to her work which is why she wasn’t well-liked in the military community. I loved the slower process of both Wyatt and Sutton finding each other and ultimately having a lasting relationship. I also loved Wyatt’s pursuit of gaining custody of his sister. This book was filled with romance, suspense, surprising twists and turns -- all of my must haves for a great read! And will there be a series on the group run by Sutton’s friend and lawyer???? I see possibilities there :).

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.

[Floraljoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing:
This book had it all; mystery, suspense, strong friendships and of course steamy romance. It captured my attention from the very beginning and I loved every moment of it.
Wyatt and Sutton were both suffering from misplaced guilt and I enjoyed watching them find love and healing in one another. Wyatt's sister was a strong character herself and I liked how her character was portrayed. Whilst a bit difficult to read at times given the subject matter, I nevertheless thought the author did a good job of highlighting the despicable evils of child trafficking without it becoming too dark or heavy.
This has turned out to be a fabulous series and I highly recommend all of these books!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

After enjoying book 5 in this series, I decided to try another one. This one was just as good.
Sutton Masters, once a photography journalist, lost her fiancé, Liam, while he was protecting her overseas. The guilt is intense and she now spends her time as a drone photographer in Lake Haven.
Wyatt/TInman Tinsley was her fiancé’s best friend. He too carries a sense of guilt .
When Wyatt’s sister goes missing, a teen he has been trying to get custody of, he finds himself teaming with Sutton.
As they work together, feelings develop. They also realize they might have stumbled on a trafficking ring. Can they find and save his sister, as well as help stop the trafficking of teens?
Action packed with an engaging plot and complex characters, this standalone is worth your time.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series, I have read them all and cannot wait for the next one. She has always blamed herself for her Liam's death and so has his team. Back home and she is trying to live again, when she runs in to Wyatt again. He was Liam's best friend, and she figures that he blames her also. When the truth comes out and the past comes back again. They have to work together to stay safe, however they never expected that his sister would end up involved.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Avid Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sutton and Wyatt were both great characters and I was rooting for them throughout. Both of them had their own share of guilt for incidents in their past and this drives their actions. Bethany is Wyatt's teenage sister who he rescues from the same dreadful home life he had only to lose her into the system where she disappears along with a number of other young girls. A fast paced action packed book that looks at some dark themes while also containing humour, friendship, love and romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sutton and Wyatt were fantastic characters in this book and I had no trouble at all hanging onto the plot. Poor Sutton really has been through the ringer, but the way that these two are together makes you believe that there is a chance for both of them. Mixed in with the delightful romance, is enough heart-pounding suspense to keep you on your toes. This series is really turning out to be a fun one and now I want to go back a re-read all the books in order.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book you can't put down

This wasn't a very intense read. The characters were strong and believable. The I had a hard time putting it down so I continued. reading so the writer owe's me for lost sleep. This problem is something that is real and scary. I feel the author touched on an important issue and then more people that know about it can be aware of the signs to look for. I love the characters that loving forgave. Just like the same goes for every story there is 2 sides and an issue. Good job on this book Amanda.

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wyatt's best friend married the love of his life but now that his friend passed and his Sister is missing, he turns to Sutton for support and comfort.
Dramatic, dangerous, and intense but full on action. I enjoyed the romance between Sutton and Wyatt. Sutton who is down on her self gets a reprieve when Wyatt needs help and gives her drive and purpose.
Well written, I'm loving the books in this series and can't wait for more!!
This was an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Marie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding read!!!! My heart went out to all Sutton has gone through! The pain and guilt…..the story was so well written that I felt every emotion as if it were my own! Oh and Wyatt…….my favorite kind of hero! A soft hidden heart…sigh….I love everything about him!!! I don’t want to give anything away, so just take my word for it, go read it!!! Five stars all the way!

I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for being able to read this as an ARC. These are my honest reviews.
This is not the first time I have read this author and I was not let down. Amanda brings a lot to the table in the fourth book of Nighthawk Search & Rescue series. It was super intense and suspenseful throughout the full book. The characters had a lot going on and you didn’t lose where they were. The characters had so much chemistry from the start. I enjoyed this book. Highly recommend.

[BecReadReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sutton & Wyatt had so much emotions buried within. Their relationship was complicated. Their pain understandable, their need unstoppable. You feel Sutton's pain & venerability through the story. You root for Wyatt to have his happy. You feel disgusted at the inhumane things people do. The story brought you on a journey & thankfully has a HEA. Enjoyed reading it!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm definitely going to reread this book again. First because it's awesome and I love it. The next reason is that I was so desperate to know what happened next that I speed read through parts! The suspense and emotion in this book kept me on the edge of my seat and ugly crying through most of it. Can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Lits · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author.

This is my favorite Amanda Zook novel to date. I loved Sutton and Tin Man's relationship throughout the whole book.
It has a great pace which makes for a read I just devoured.

I loved seeing tidbits of couples from previous books. I can't wait to read the next books in the series!

[Silke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sutton's Shadow is a hair-raising story full of twists and turns. I found myself disbeleaving quite a few scenarios but they worked to give my heart a full work-out by the time Sutton and Wyatt found their HEA!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Inga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book.
It’s about 2 strong independent people who suffered in live.
They have their own secrets but still found love,
It has everything love, fun, suspension, friends, hot.
10 stars of me.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters were vividly portrayed by the author. I love the author time to describe in details certain parts of the story which were important to me. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot!! Intense chemistry and passion between characters. Great banter. Some drama and suspense. Enjoyed every minuet of the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carolyn Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read!

These books just get better and better! Absolutely loved this story. Exciting plot line and great characters. I recommend this book unreservedly and eagerly await the next in the series

[Brenda Hojonski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wyatt and Sutton

What a wonderful story! Wyatt and Sutton meet again after two years and there is an attraction not to be denied. But Wyatt's sister, Bethany, is missing and they work to find her. Lots of drama, steam, and a so very sweet ending.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sutton & Wyatt had an entertaining read. Great chemistry between the characters. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Tabby Newcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize this book was part of a series. So I need to read the ther books first to give an informed opinion.