Review - - Hidden Hearts

• I'm delighted to welcome my friend, A.S. Cookie to The Romance Dish today and share with our readers her review of Hidden Hearts by Marci Bolden. 
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• Hidden Hearts
• by Marci Bolden  
• Publisher: Pink Sand Press (October 15, 2019)
• Release Date: October 15, 2019
• Reviewed by: A.S. Cookie
  

Former Army Sergeant Holly Austin and her team at the HEARTS agency don’t normally find the police at their door. But it’s been weeks since a local woman vanished into thin air...and now there’s a second victim.

Police Detective Jack Tarek wasn’t officially working the Julia Frederickson case until a second victim made the matter personal. Holly is willing to cooperate with Jack “unofficially,” but she quickly becomes a distraction he can’t resist. The leads on their cases might be running cold, but the attraction between the investigators is sizzling hot.

With every lead a dead end, those close to the investigation grow increasingly impatient for answers. Just as hidden secrets come to light, one of the investigators vanishes without a trace. The HEARTS team has just hours to solve the case—or risk losing one of their own.

A.S. Cookie says:  

When I read that book blurb, I was intrigued, and thrilled to receive a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my thoughts.

My go-to genre is romance and one of my favorite sub-genres is suspense/mystery.  This book hits both with finesse.  As a new to me author, I didn't know what to expect when I received Hidden Hearts by Marci Bolden, but am happy to report this book is a winner in my eyes.  

Both the romance and mystery are handled well, enough romance to keep me interested in the characters and enough mystery to keep me turning the pages. She has written an engaging story introducing the women of Hearts agency.  It's a solid and believable premise to continue both the romance and suspense that this first book established. 

The characters are well formed, likeable, yet imperfect, the women are strong and the plot is intricate with nuances. 

While I enjoy many types of books, depending on my mood I'll pick up a New Adult, Women's Fiction, Historical, Comedy, sweet to heat, this story has another favorite element of mine, the characters are "seasoned".  Both Holly and Jack have had life experiences, dangerous professions and have perservered through personal hits and misses. I particularly liked that the Heart agency is run by strong independent women.  They don't "need" men in their lives, but it definitely is a perk!

I will be looking forward to reading more in this series, and revisiting the women of Hearts. I hope their stories are as enjoyable as Holly's. 

As of today, the rest of the books in the Hearts series are #2: Eva in Burning Hearts and #3: Alexa in Stolen Hearts. Yet to come are Renee, Tika and Samantha. 

I am a binge reader, so after I read #2 and #3, I'll be checking out Marci's backlist while waiting (impatiently) for the rest of the series.