Released

Restitution #3

by B.H. Lynn

Adam Dawson is finally on the right path. He’s ended his toxic marriage, come clean about his darkest secrets, and is building a healthier life in Peyton. But recovery isn’t linear. It doesn’t erase years of damage, and when his budding relationship with Caleb starts uncovering unexpected wounds, he’ll have to decide between finding courage to trust the process, and his relationship, or the ease of falling into old habits.

Meanwhile, Caleb Straus is determined to be better version than the man everyone walked over. Adam coming back into his life is the perfect test to show he’s learned to establish boundaries, and finally be happy. Everything he wants is within his grasp, but something keeps pulling him back. Amidst his struggles to find the strength to move forward, the body of Brenda Link, a local pharmaceutical company board member, shows up at the last place he ever wanted to Greater Life Church.

With no choice but to face the building, and pastor, who altered Caleb’s life in the worst ways, he and Adam begin uncovering Brenda’s turbulent life. An unstable marriage, a teenage daughter who recently lost her pregnancy, and a shaky relationship with the faith community provide a winding road of leads that never seems to end. Both men see the picture differently which adds fuel to the fire built by the things left unsaid and unaddressed in their relationship. It’s hard to solve a murder when everyone is hiding something to protect someone else. It’s even harder when you and your partner can’t stay on the same page.

With Adam and Caleb both taking damage from their past, and a case threatening to do more harm to a community still reeling from the Keola Antu murder, they’ll discover they’re not the only ones with skeletons in their closet. And if they don’t find what it takes to confront theirs and work together, it might cost them more than their relationship.

It could cost them their lives.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2025

About the author

B.H. Lynn is an amature writer with a deep love of her characters and the stories they allow her to tell. She lives in the Metro Detroit area where she is an accountant by day and a wife and bulldog mom by night.

She's passionate about many things including sports, cooking, watching too many home improvement shows, reading, and of course, writing.

Her greatest hope is that you will enjoy reading her stories as much as she enjoys writing them!

Reviews

[Katriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading this series and these books, I really enjoy crime books being mixed with romance as well as there being that added suspense element. Which these books have all of that and more, which I enjoy.

I like that this book in particular gave us a deeper look into Caleb and Adam's relationship, as well as all of the steps Adam has taken to grow and become a better version of himself. That's not to say there still aren't hardships, because there are, but they are working on it and I liked that part of the story. What I didn't love so much is the almost constant back and forth between these characters, they would be in love one minute, fighting the next, and then a few hours later in love again... I know real relationships have angst, and aren't happily ever afters all the time, and usually I like that in my books too, I like when books are relatable and realistic. It's just with these characters it just felt repetitive and redundant... Especially because it's the same problems they had in the previous two books, I just was wanted more variety or something to be resolved by now as far as their relationship goes.

Having said that though, I did really enjoy how the mystery keeps growing and how even when Adam and Caleb are close to figuring out who is behind everything, they end up with more questions than answers. I thought the crime aspect was written well just like it was in the previous books, I like the overarching plotline, and I'm looking forward to seeing where else this goes. Especially after the cliffhanger we were left with..

[Heather Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Caleb and Adam are achingly real. Messy and raw, they are still facing demons they hoped they could forget.

While they work on their latest case, they are also trying to put their relationship to rights, but they have a lot to work through. And this case keeps throwing Caleb up against his biggest hater and, in turn, his past. And this case is not a simple one.

It takes more than just their will to help them move forward in their relationship; thankfully, they have people in their corner willing to give them a shove when necessary.

If you like mystery, and your men flawed, then Caleb and Adam will have your heart.

[Lindsay Hardin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam and Caleb are off and running with a new case. This book builds off the previous books in the series so they must be read in order. The two detectives have found a new pace in their relationship and things seem to be settling down for them. That is until they catch their next big case. Secrets are revealed and the two face their biggest personal challenges yet. Can their relationship survive old wounds and yet more secrets? Will they secure their bond and come out stronger together? Only time will tell. The end of one mystery leads to yet more questions that will lead to the next chapter of the ongoing love story and next case Strauss and Dawson will have to solve. This is going to be quite the ride. I love the long arc this series presents and seeing the progress in a working relationship. Fantastic and realistic series that keeps you engaged and guessing!

[Bretton Coppedge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked how Caleb and Adam where mature adults and talked about how their feelings affected their relationship with each other. Sometimes that can be the hardest thing to do and I think the author did an amazing job showing how hard it was for them both to open up. They both needed tough love from a smart friend to get them to see the light.

Murder wise, the plot is starting to all come together and the missing pieces from the previous books fall into place. They now know that the motive behind everything is one of the oldest reasons of all: greed. But all the players are finally making sense and how at the end all the deaths tie to the Syndicate.

This book has one of the best HFNs of the series to date so if you're already along for the ride, definitely check this one out.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this author! I read thru a good share of the night to finish Released in one sitting. I absolutely love Caleb and Adam. Their journey made my heart hurt a few times. I suspected who the murderer was early on, then thought maybe I was wrong, but ended up being right. I was taken by surprise by who wasn't involved. I thoroughly enjoy how this author weaves her stories - all the twists and turns make for a good puzzle. When I read the ending? I sat back in my easy chair and said out loud "holy wow I sooooo did not see that coming"!!  I hope this means we will see more of these Detectives. That makes me very happy!

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book three in the series and needs to be read in order.

I’m totally hooked on this series. It is intense and really grabbed my attention after I started it.

Caleb and Adam are on the path to resolve their relationship issues. They both have anxiety and self doubt problems. They also have to work together on a daily basis. Getting to a place that they decide what future they want is heartwrenching. This book continues from book two and ends in a cliffhanger.

The frustration I have is I’m more than ready for the next book in this series.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam and Caleb were trying throughout this book to build the healthy relationship lacking in the previous books, but the odds are still enormously against them due to their traumatic pasts. The reactions and emotions between them and those directed towards people outside them made a lot of sense. The ongoing plot has developed even more complications, and although it's fairly clear who is behind the problems, they are not yet in a place to solve them. Very interesting reading.

[Chelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Adam and Caleb characters are so good, and you see just how much they are going through in their relationship. I honestly really love these characters and love this series. The story was great and kept me guessing. I would like to see more in this series.

Thank you to the author for the ARC.

[Cristy Elizondo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to catch up with Adam and Caleb. They still have work to do kn their relationship, but they're getting there. We still have some unfinished and unanswered questions. Can't wait for the next book.