When the past comes to call…
Following the death of her mother and the breakup with her cheating fiancé, clinical therapist, Bree Hawthorne, has built a new life for herself and her pup, Tiny, in the mountains of Moonshine, Georgia. Her practice is thriving, and occasionally, she consults with law enforcement, calling on her insights into human behavior to profile and catch criminals. She finally feels happy, and then the body of a former patient is discovered.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s agent, Mitch Calloway, is investigating the death of a woman who disappeared two years ago. When he meets Bree, Mitch inadvertently offends the blonde bombshell therapist. Though a skilled investigator, his social skills are beyond rusty, but Bree can forgive much if pie is involved.
Through her experience with cults and unfortunate family ties, Bree is dragged into the investigation, and soon she and the handsome, though seriously awkward GBI officer go undercover as man and wife at a suspicious nature retreat where several women have gone missing. For Bree, it’s a chance for closure on her unconventional past—if she and Mitch can survive the investigation.
PJ's Thoughts:
Susan Sands takes readers back to the small town of Moonshine, Georgia for another chaste romance brimming with emotion. This time, it's clinical therapist, Bree Hawthorne in the spotlight. Bree has been instrumental in offering both therapy and friendship to other characters in this series but now she's the one in the crosshairs of a murder investigation and the handsome agent leading the charge.
I enjoy Sands' stories, her well-developed characters and the communities with which she surrounds them. In this book, that community includes characters from the first two books of the series. Fans of the series should enjoy catching up with them while readers new to the series should have no trouble reading this book first.
The romance in this book unfolds alongside the suspense but in a gradual, more gentle fashion. Mitch's neurodivergence contributes to that. I found Sands' handling of his character respectful, caring, and realistic for someone on the Spectrum. Bree is also an intriguing character with hidden layers that slowly reveal themselves as she and Mitch dig deeper into the murder mystery that brings them together. I liked and admired them both and rooted hard for their happy ending.
Other books by Sands have had elements of mystery/suspense but it's stronger in this book and more central to the core of the story. I was drawn into the suspense facet of the book almost immediately and held captive as the author skillfully dropped clues even as she ramped up the tension, including a number of twists along the way. Some I figured out quickly while others were a complete surprise. I love when that happens.
If you enjoy small-town romance with a healthy dollop of mystery/suspense, intriguing well-developed characters, a strong sense of community, and happy endings, I recommend adding What They Don't Know by Susan Sands to your reading list. I'm glad I did.
