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Trust Me
When Delaney Broward finds her best friend stabbed to death a decade after her brother suffered the same fate, she must confront her painful past in order unmask a killer who isn’t done yet.
How can this be happening again?
Delaney Broward has spent the last ten years rebuilding her life after finding her brother brutally stabbed to death in his art studio, leaving her without a single living family member. His death even took away her boyfriend, Hunter Nash, who was convicted of the murder. Convinced it’s too dangerous to trust her heart to anyone again, Delaney lives alone. She pours herself into her frame shop in the historic art district in San Antonio. She doesn’t have the husband and children she once dreamed of, but her heart is safe.
Until she walks into her best friend Ellie’s shop and finds she has suffered the same fate. Once again Delaney’s life is shattered by violence, tragedy, and loss.
Hunter Nash leaves prison a free man that same day. He’s determined to prove his innocence, win Delaney back, and restore her faith in God.
Delaney’s mission is to bring Ellie’s murder to justice while protecting her heart. They forge an uneasy alliance, both certain the truth will win out. Both are willing to accept the outcome—if they survive.
How can this be happening again?
Delaney Broward has spent the last ten years rebuilding her life after finding her brother brutally stabbed to death in his art studio, leaving her without a single living family member. His death even took away her boyfriend, Hunter Nash, who was convicted of the murder. Convinced it’s too dangerous to trust her heart to anyone again, Delaney lives alone. She pours herself into her frame shop in the historic art district in San Antonio. She doesn’t have the husband and children she once dreamed of, but her heart is safe.
Until she walks into her best friend Ellie’s shop and finds she has suffered the same fate. Once again Delaney’s life is shattered by violence, tragedy, and loss.
Hunter Nash leaves prison a free man that same day. He’s determined to prove his innocence, win Delaney back, and restore her faith in God.
Delaney’s mission is to bring Ellie’s murder to justice while protecting her heart. They forge an uneasy alliance, both certain the truth will win out. Both are willing to accept the outcome—if they survive.
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 8, 2022
62 people are currently reading
4654 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Irvin
67 books833 followersBest-selling author Kelly Irvin splits her writing time between Amish romances and romantic suspense. Her latest release is Trust Me (2/8/22), a romantic suspense novel set in San Antonio's historic art district. It explores broken trust and whether trust can ever be restored. Publishers Weekly called it a "whirlwind romantic thriller" and "an emotional rollercoaster."
Her latest Amish romance is Love's Dwelling, the first book in the Amish Blessings series, which released in July 2021. The series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas, and looks at adoption among the Amish. The series follows her Amish romance series, Amish of Sky Country includes Mountains of Grace, followed by The Long Bridge Home, and Peace in the Valley. The series explores Amish communities in northwest Montana and how they are impacted by wildfires.
Other romantic suspense novels include Her Every Move, which Publishers Weekly called gripping suspense and said, "loving descriptions of San Antonio’s attractions enhance the well-paced plot."
The publication called Closer Than She Knows a "brisk, smoothly written, thriller."
Kelly's Every Amish Season series includes Upon A Spring Breeze, Beneath the Summer Sun, Through the Autumn Air, and With Winter's First Frost from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This follows the Amish of Bee County series, The Saddle Maker's Son, released in June 2016. It is an ECPA bestseller. It follows The Bishop's Son, and the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Beekeeper's Son, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer called it "a beautifully woven masterpiece." The Beekeeper's Son was a finalist in the romance category of the 2016 ACFW Carol Awards Contest.
Kelly is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Amish Amish series. The first series includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home, published by Harvest House. The New Hope Amish series includes Love Still Stands, followed by Love Redeemed, which was an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Plain Love Song.
Kelly has also penned two other romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine..
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and ACFW's San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso.
She worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two young adult children and have three grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.
Her latest Amish romance is Love's Dwelling, the first book in the Amish Blessings series, which released in July 2021. The series takes place in Yoder and Haven, Kansas, and looks at adoption among the Amish. The series follows her Amish romance series, Amish of Sky Country includes Mountains of Grace, followed by The Long Bridge Home, and Peace in the Valley. The series explores Amish communities in northwest Montana and how they are impacted by wildfires.
Other romantic suspense novels include Her Every Move, which Publishers Weekly called gripping suspense and said, "loving descriptions of San Antonio’s attractions enhance the well-paced plot."
The publication called Closer Than She Knows a "brisk, smoothly written, thriller."
Kelly's Every Amish Season series includes Upon A Spring Breeze, Beneath the Summer Sun, Through the Autumn Air, and With Winter's First Frost from Zondervan/HarperCollins Christian Publishing. This follows the Amish of Bee County series, The Saddle Maker's Son, released in June 2016. It is an ECPA bestseller. It follows The Bishop's Son, and the critically acclaimed bestseller, The Beekeeper's Son, which earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The reviewer called it "a beautifully woven masterpiece." The Beekeeper's Son was a finalist in the romance category of the 2016 ACFW Carol Awards Contest.
Kelly is also the author of the Bliss Creek Amish series and the New Amish Amish series. The first series includes To Love and To Cherish, A Heart Made New, and Love’s Journey Home, published by Harvest House. The New Hope Amish series includes Love Still Stands, followed by Love Redeemed, which was an ACFW Carol Award finalist, and A Plain Love Song.
Kelly has also penned two other romantic suspense novels, A Deadly Wilderness and No Child of Mine..
The Kansas native is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and ACFW's San Antonio local chapter Alamo City Christian Fiction Writers.
A graduate of the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism, Kelly has been writing nonfiction professionally for thirty years. She studied for three semesters at the University of Costa Rica, learning the Spanish language. As a journalist, she worked six years in the border towns of Laredo and El Paso.
She worked in public relations for the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department for 22 years before retiring earlier this year. Kelly has been married to photographer Tim Irvin for twenty-eight years. They have two young adult children and have three grandchildren. In her spare time, she likes to write short stories, read books by her favorite authors, and looks forward to visits with her grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
January 26, 2022
Hunter Nash has just been released from eight years in prison after waiting two years in jail before the trial where he was charged with killing his best friend, Corey. Ten years of his life taken away for a crime he claims he did not do. He is a different person now, saved by grace, having become a Christian in prison, thanks to a prison chaplain, Pastor James. Now, he has a job through the pastor's church, working with kids, teaching them art and about life. He wants to prove his innocence and find the real killer. No one believes him now as they did not ten years ago. Hunter and several friends, including Corey, and Corey's sister and Hunter's girlfriend, Delaney, along with several others, formed an artist co-op to promote their art after college. But they were into drugs and alcohol and that was their downfall, both personally and professionally. The day he is released from prison, Ellie, another friend, is killed in her shop, the same way Corey was killed. Could the two crimes be committed by the same killer? Delaney is not welcoming to Hunter but eventually unites to explore his claims and find out if there is another killer. This is an emotional story that takes us through the bad areas of San Antonio to find answers. I don't really want to give anything away but just say that there are surprises along the way. People are not as they seem, and secrets are uncovered.
This is a suspenseful and edgy story that kept me engaged to the end.
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are mine only.
This is a suspenseful and edgy story that kept me engaged to the end.
I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are mine only.
nevermind
November 24, 2021DNF at 23%
I was excited to read a thriller centered around an artistic community, with a woman's ex-boyfriend suspected of murder. Yes! My jam! However, several things put me on my guard right away.
1. The judgmental attitude about weed and alcohol. It's totally fine if someone isn't into drugs and alcohol, so I thought I was just reading into things. Maybe Delaney's problem really was her brother's reliance on substances, and not the substances themselves.
2. The text peppered with "blessed" and mentions of God. I initially thought this was a quirk of only certain characters, but then it kept popping up more frequently. Randomly employing the phrase "Thank God" is different than literally thanking God and asking him for things. (Also, I personally only capitalize "God" when referring to the biblical god, and I don't capitalize his pronouns.)
3. Phrases like "a woman's soft touch." No. Hate this needlessly gendered nonsense.
4. The subtle shaming of a working mother. It's stated that a man and his ex got divorced because she wouldn't give up her demanding career to focus on being a mother (why couldn't the husband give up his?). The children complain that she's never around (she doesn't have primary custody) and their father doesn't correct them. Also! The father is never chastised for not being a touchy-feely dad who doesn't read bedtime stories and apparently can't function as a father during a tragedy, relying on his wife's friends to step up (sure, his wife got murdered, but plenty of people wouldn't have a big support system and could still parents their own kids). Everything is blamed on the mom.
5. The cloying praise of motherhood. Motherhood is great, but the way it's talked about sometimes makes me want to hurl.
6. The subtle racism of "It only made her warm Polynesian features more beautiful." Okay but what does she look like tho. Also I thought this character was Filipino?
Anyway, it didn't take long for me to realize that this is actually Christian fiction! I wouldn't have requested it had I realized that, but I was too excited about the prospect of a romantic thriller to see the "Christian" label on NetGalley, and I didn't recognize the publisher. My bad. Every time something vaguely Christian popped up in the text, it jarred me from the story, because that kind of thing is super off-putting to me unless there's some kind of social or religious commentary to go along with it. I'm sure plenty of people who don't mind that will enjoy this.
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review!
I was excited to read a thriller centered around an artistic community, with a woman's ex-boyfriend suspected of murder. Yes! My jam! However, several things put me on my guard right away.
1. The judgmental attitude about weed and alcohol. It's totally fine if someone isn't into drugs and alcohol, so I thought I was just reading into things. Maybe Delaney's problem really was her brother's reliance on substances, and not the substances themselves.
2. The text peppered with "blessed" and mentions of God. I initially thought this was a quirk of only certain characters, but then it kept popping up more frequently. Randomly employing the phrase "Thank God" is different than literally thanking God and asking him for things. (Also, I personally only capitalize "God" when referring to the biblical god, and I don't capitalize his pronouns.)
3. Phrases like "a woman's soft touch." No. Hate this needlessly gendered nonsense.
4. The subtle shaming of a working mother. It's stated that a man and his ex got divorced because she wouldn't give up her demanding career to focus on being a mother (why couldn't the husband give up his?). The children complain that she's never around (she doesn't have primary custody) and their father doesn't correct them. Also! The father is never chastised for not being a touchy-feely dad who doesn't read bedtime stories and apparently can't function as a father during a tragedy, relying on his wife's friends to step up (sure, his wife got murdered, but plenty of people wouldn't have a big support system and could still parents their own kids). Everything is blamed on the mom.
5. The cloying praise of motherhood. Motherhood is great, but the way it's talked about sometimes makes me want to hurl.
6. The subtle racism of "It only made her warm Polynesian features more beautiful." Okay but what does she look like tho. Also I thought this character was Filipino?
Anyway, it didn't take long for me to realize that this is actually Christian fiction! I wouldn't have requested it had I realized that, but I was too excited about the prospect of a romantic thriller to see the "Christian" label on NetGalley, and I didn't recognize the publisher. My bad. Every time something vaguely Christian popped up in the text, it jarred me from the story, because that kind of thing is super off-putting to me unless there's some kind of social or religious commentary to go along with it. I'm sure plenty of people who don't mind that will enjoy this.
Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to review!
May 18, 2022
Characters: Delaney and Hunter were both well-developed characters, and I enjoyed watching them try to solve the mystery and learn to trust each other again.
Language: Clean-ish. Two cuss words were cut off after the first letter, and I could easily fill in the blanks. I wish they'd been omitted entirely.
Moral/themes: This book included themes of faith and second chances.
Plot: Plenty of suspenseful moments kept the plot moving along. And of course I didn't guess the criminal until right before the big reveal :)
Romance: Clean. Just kissing.
Writing: Kelly Irvin's fast-paced, clear writing style worked great for this novel.
Overall: Trust Me was a suspenseful read, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense.
Language: Clean-ish. Two cuss words were cut off after the first letter, and I could easily fill in the blanks. I wish they'd been omitted entirely.
Moral/themes: This book included themes of faith and second chances.
Plot: Plenty of suspenseful moments kept the plot moving along. And of course I didn't guess the criminal until right before the big reveal :)
Romance: Clean. Just kissing.
Writing: Kelly Irvin's fast-paced, clear writing style worked great for this novel.
Overall: Trust Me was a suspenseful read, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy Christian fiction and romantic suspense.
September 15, 2022
A decent murder mystery that is also a Christian novel, as well as a second-chance romance.
Set in San Antonio by an author who obviously knows, as well as loves, the Southern Texas town in the Hill Country.
Set in San Antonio by an author who obviously knows, as well as loves, the Southern Texas town in the Hill Country.
February 13, 2022
Whew! This story had me tense from beginning to end, waiting for another shoe to drop, waiting to see who was behind everything, not wanting it to be who I thought it was, not wanting any other person close to Delaney’s heart to be hurt. Irvin masterfully fashioned this plot to be both a roller coaster ride and a slow burn all at the same time – and I loved every minute of it!
Delaney has already dealt with more loss than any one person should before they even reach middle-aged. And not just heartbreaking losses but horrifyingly tragic losses. Her brother viciously murdered. Her boyfriend sent to prison for it. Ten years later, her best friend (and her brother’s former girlfriend) murdered the same way. The same day Delaney’s ex-boyfriend Hunter comes back into her life, released from prison on good behavior. He’s found God; she’s turned her back on them both. The way the author presents their new relationship dynamics is realistic and well-paced. Delaney’s wariness doesn’t immediately vanish just because Hunter tries to convince her of his innocence. They don’t pick up their romance right where they left off. They’ve both changed so much in the last ten years, both traumatized by her brother Corey’s death. The author addresses this with authenticity and sensitivity, and I felt it really solidified their characters, their layers, and the growth they experience as the novel progresses. It also makes that first kiss after 10 years all the more delicious!
Bottom Line: Trust Me by Kelly Irvin is aptly named – an exploration of relationships, of trust, and of betrayal, set against a backdrop of riveting suspense and heart-in-your-throat danger. Twists you won’t be expecting. Turns that take your breath away. Honest questions & raw answers on the goodness of God. It’s a well-written, steady-paced novel that will keep you glued to the page and deeply invested in Delaney & Hunter’s story. A must-read for fans of Natalie Walters, Colleen Coble, and Irene Hannon!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Delaney has already dealt with more loss than any one person should before they even reach middle-aged. And not just heartbreaking losses but horrifyingly tragic losses. Her brother viciously murdered. Her boyfriend sent to prison for it. Ten years later, her best friend (and her brother’s former girlfriend) murdered the same way. The same day Delaney’s ex-boyfriend Hunter comes back into her life, released from prison on good behavior. He’s found God; she’s turned her back on them both. The way the author presents their new relationship dynamics is realistic and well-paced. Delaney’s wariness doesn’t immediately vanish just because Hunter tries to convince her of his innocence. They don’t pick up their romance right where they left off. They’ve both changed so much in the last ten years, both traumatized by her brother Corey’s death. The author addresses this with authenticity and sensitivity, and I felt it really solidified their characters, their layers, and the growth they experience as the novel progresses. It also makes that first kiss after 10 years all the more delicious!
Bottom Line: Trust Me by Kelly Irvin is aptly named – an exploration of relationships, of trust, and of betrayal, set against a backdrop of riveting suspense and heart-in-your-throat danger. Twists you won’t be expecting. Turns that take your breath away. Honest questions & raw answers on the goodness of God. It’s a well-written, steady-paced novel that will keep you glued to the page and deeply invested in Delaney & Hunter’s story. A must-read for fans of Natalie Walters, Colleen Coble, and Irene Hannon!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
February 11, 2022
I love a good suspense book. Irvin usually writes Amish fiction, but she has found her new genre. She really can write a suspense novel to keep you guessing. It's sprinkled with romance, and you will have to read it to find out how that works out.
This is a 4-star read you don't want to miss.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
This is a 4-star read you don't want to miss.
The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are our own.
June 16, 2022
A solid 4 star read!!
I have been reading a lot of Christian fiction romance so I need to have some thrillers in my life and this one was great!! Hunter is out of prison for a crime he did not commit. So now out he is going to find out who killed his best friend who is was convicted of killing. He was in love with Delaney who was the victim sister. Even though she doesn't trust him she is out to find who killed her brother and now her best friend is murdered as well. Can they discover the murderer!!?? I really enjoyed this book. I didn't even know who did it until the end. It was a fun thriller that I am glad I had a chance to read!! I highly recommend this fun thriller!!!!!
I have been reading a lot of Christian fiction romance so I need to have some thrillers in my life and this one was great!! Hunter is out of prison for a crime he did not commit. So now out he is going to find out who killed his best friend who is was convicted of killing. He was in love with Delaney who was the victim sister. Even though she doesn't trust him she is out to find who killed her brother and now her best friend is murdered as well. Can they discover the murderer!!?? I really enjoyed this book. I didn't even know who did it until the end. It was a fun thriller that I am glad I had a chance to read!! I highly recommend this fun thriller!!!!!
March 3, 2022
Gobsmackingly good! I am really enjoying Kelly Irvin's venture into the suspense genre -- definitely nothing like her Amish stories (which I also love!) This is romantic suspense with 'thrillerish' hints which means I found Trust Me to be a frantic frenzy of a page-turner!
It's a little bit edgy and a whole lot of angsty. Hello -- reunion romance with a convicted murderer (who is innocent) and his ex who is certain he is guilty. Emotional turmoil meet spine-tingling suspense with a hint of creepy thrown in and a whole lot of intrigue.
A fast paced (cue the reader whiplash warning) and multi-layered plot makes this book impossible to put down. I know, I tried a time or two and then gave up and just immersed myself in Delaney and Hunter's incredible story.
I particularly appreciate the faith aspects that Irvin includes, illustrating how trauma and challenges can either pull us away from God or draw us towards Him. So well done in a believable and forthright manner and added even more depth to an already complex story.
In a word: unputdownable!
It's a little bit edgy and a whole lot of angsty. Hello -- reunion romance with a convicted murderer (who is innocent) and his ex who is certain he is guilty. Emotional turmoil meet spine-tingling suspense with a hint of creepy thrown in and a whole lot of intrigue.
A fast paced (cue the reader whiplash warning) and multi-layered plot makes this book impossible to put down. I know, I tried a time or two and then gave up and just immersed myself in Delaney and Hunter's incredible story.
I particularly appreciate the faith aspects that Irvin includes, illustrating how trauma and challenges can either pull us away from God or draw us towards Him. So well done in a believable and forthright manner and added even more depth to an already complex story.
In a word: unputdownable!
May 24, 2024
Irvin is an excellent wordsmith! Love this book.
February 4, 2022
Hunter Nash has just been released from prison after serving ten years for a murder he did not commit. Circumstantial evidence pointed in his direction, so he understands why he looked guilty. On the day of his release, a woman who dated the first victim is found dead in a similar fashion by Delaney Broward. Delaney is the one who found her brother dead all those years ago. Hunter wants to prove his innocence and Delaney wants justice for Ellie. The two pair up and set out to get answers. Trust Me by Kelly Irvin is a Christian suspense novel. I enjoy reading Kelly Irvin’s Amish novels so I thought I would give her new suspense novel a try (I love solving mysteries). I started reading Trust Me and became intrigued by the murder at the beginning involving Ellie. The story then became a little too wordy and it moved at a sluggish pace. The book needed a faster pace that would have kept up the tension and suspense that would have kept the reader on the edge of their seat. Instead, Trust Me failed to hold my attention. I thought the characters lacked development. They came across flat. I felt that the romance between Delaney and Hunter eclipsed the mystery. I wanted more suspense (and mystery) and less about feelings. Romance lovers, though, will enjoy it. The mystery involves two crimes that occurred ten years apart. They are similar to each other. There are evident clues that will help the reader solve the crime early in the book. I kept hoping there would be a twist so I would be surprised by the reveal. Unfortunately, the whodunit played out just as I thought it would. Trust Me is a Christian novel so there are references to God, faith, and prayer. I like how faith was incorporated into the story. The author captured the setting of San Antonio. She brought the city to life with her vivid descriptions. Trust Me needed a little more oomph. Readers who enjoy romantic suspense (emphasis on romantic) will enjoy reading Trust Me. Trust Me transports readers to San Antonio with a paroled prisoner, a confusing crime, a stricken sister, a determined detective, seedy San Antonio, and a second chance romance.
March 30, 2022
An enjoyable read.
February 15, 2022
I have been reading the author's books right from the start and always look forward to reading every one of her books.
This suspense, as many of her books takes place where Kelly knows the area the best. Texas.
Texas has a lot going on and makes for action filled reading.
Delany Broward's brother was murdered a decade ago and her boyfriend Hunter Nash was blamed and jailed for this despite his plea of not guilty.
Hunter finally walks out of jail a free man, very soon after this her best friend is found dead in the same manner as her brother.
Coincidence? Proof of guilt? What would you think?
Delaney is broken, she's lost a lot. Her parents,her grandparents,her brother,her best friend. How much more can a person take. Through her tragedies she's lost her belief in God and lives with bitterness.
Hunter comes out of jail still claiming his innocence and with a strong conviction. He's found God in prison, he believes now and will do everything in his power to make Delaney a believer again.
He's working so hard at getting his life back on track and showing Delaney he is a worthwhile person, he has never stopped loving her.
He never counted on being blindsided by being a murder suspect again.
Slow burn romantic suspense done right. It will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat to an ending you won't see coming.
#TrustMe #NetGalley
Pub Date 08 Feb 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
This suspense, as many of her books takes place where Kelly knows the area the best. Texas.
Texas has a lot going on and makes for action filled reading.
Delany Broward's brother was murdered a decade ago and her boyfriend Hunter Nash was blamed and jailed for this despite his plea of not guilty.
Hunter finally walks out of jail a free man, very soon after this her best friend is found dead in the same manner as her brother.
Coincidence? Proof of guilt? What would you think?
Delaney is broken, she's lost a lot. Her parents,her grandparents,her brother,her best friend. How much more can a person take. Through her tragedies she's lost her belief in God and lives with bitterness.
Hunter comes out of jail still claiming his innocence and with a strong conviction. He's found God in prison, he believes now and will do everything in his power to make Delaney a believer again.
He's working so hard at getting his life back on track and showing Delaney he is a worthwhile person, he has never stopped loving her.
He never counted on being blindsided by being a murder suspect again.
Slow burn romantic suspense done right. It will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat to an ending you won't see coming.
#TrustMe #NetGalley
Pub Date 08 Feb 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
February 18, 2022
This book started out with not one, but two brutal murders set ten years apart. What struck me was that both bodies were discovered by Delaney Broward. What an absolutely shocking thing for someone to go through. With her best friend, Ellie, murdered, her unlikely partner in trying to solve the crime is Hunter Nash, the convicted killer of her brother ten years before. Hunter is freshly out of prison but wants to prove that he did not kill Ellie or Corey. Hunter is a changed man, an avowed Christian while Delaney has been questioning her faith since Corey died.
The plot is a good one with twists and turns that had me contemplating who the real killer could be. A nice touch was a Christian cop who strove to find the real culprit and not just assume things. The circumstances made everything come to a head with a final, exciting scene. Hunter and Delaney are on track again both in their faith and their romance. "Why did she still turn to God when the chips were down?. Because no one else was omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient."
This is the first book that I have read by Kelly Irvin and I will definitely be looking up the back list of this thrilling author.
*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through Partners In Crime Tours. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.*.
The plot is a good one with twists and turns that had me contemplating who the real killer could be. A nice touch was a Christian cop who strove to find the real culprit and not just assume things. The circumstances made everything come to a head with a final, exciting scene. Hunter and Delaney are on track again both in their faith and their romance. "Why did she still turn to God when the chips were down?. Because no one else was omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient."
This is the first book that I have read by Kelly Irvin and I will definitely be looking up the back list of this thrilling author.
*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through Partners In Crime Tours. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.*.
October 22, 2021
I love Kelly Irvin! She's one of my very favorite authors!
I loved this romantic roller coaster ride because it kept me engaged the whole entire time!
A sit on the edge of your seat thriller that will make the entire evening pass you by. I love tose kinds of stories!
I loved the twists and turns that make up this story. It was my favorite part of the book! I had no idea who it was until I got to the end. I'm usually pretty good at guessing these types of stories but Irvin was so good at slipping them in.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what she has next!
My thanks to Revell publishing for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review.
I loved this romantic roller coaster ride because it kept me engaged the whole entire time!
A sit on the edge of your seat thriller that will make the entire evening pass you by. I love tose kinds of stories!
I loved the twists and turns that make up this story. It was my favorite part of the book! I had no idea who it was until I got to the end. I'm usually pretty good at guessing these types of stories but Irvin was so good at slipping them in.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what she has next!
My thanks to Revell publishing for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review.
January 11, 2022
#Trust me #NetGalley
Ten years ago, a man was found murdered, his killer convicted and sentenced to prison.
Delaney, isn't the same person she was, when she found her brother dead in his art shop. But, she also, didn't think she would have to face that same scene again, this time with her best friend, Ellie.
Hunter, is out of prison, on good behavior. He is determined to find the killer,of his best friends murder and prove his innocence. His first step, is to get Delaney, his old girlfriend, on his side. But, he also didn't expect to be a suspect in a murder scene, the very day he got out of prison.
Ten years ago, a man was found murdered, his killer convicted and sentenced to prison.
Delaney, isn't the same person she was, when she found her brother dead in his art shop. But, she also, didn't think she would have to face that same scene again, this time with her best friend, Ellie.
Hunter, is out of prison, on good behavior. He is determined to find the killer,of his best friends murder and prove his innocence. His first step, is to get Delaney, his old girlfriend, on his side. But, he also didn't expect to be a suspect in a murder scene, the very day he got out of prison.
February 18, 2022
Trust Me by Kelly Irvin is my second book I have read by this author and I must say she has now become an auto buy author for me.
Trust Me is not only a thriller, but also a book about second chances, of hope, forgiveness, and friendships that are closer than family.
10 years ago Delaney discovered her brother murdered and her best friend and boyfriend was convicted by his peers as the person whom did this devastating act.
Now, 10 years later she is going through the same devastation when she finds her best friend Ellie, who was her brother’s girlfriend, murdered also.
Hunter Nash, the convicted killer of her brothers murder, has been newly released from prison on good behavior and he has one thing to prove, that he was innocent.
This book was full of twists after twist, figuring out who could have killed Ellie and if the two murders were connected.
It’s also a book that makes you hold onto faith when you have nothing else to hold onto. I adore her Kelly Irvin’s writing style and her reality based thrillers from all perspectives of the story.
I highly recommend this one and can’t say enough good things and I was completely caught off guard with the major reveal towards the end.
Thank you for allowing me to be on tour PICT
Trust Me is not only a thriller, but also a book about second chances, of hope, forgiveness, and friendships that are closer than family.
10 years ago Delaney discovered her brother murdered and her best friend and boyfriend was convicted by his peers as the person whom did this devastating act.
Now, 10 years later she is going through the same devastation when she finds her best friend Ellie, who was her brother’s girlfriend, murdered also.
Hunter Nash, the convicted killer of her brothers murder, has been newly released from prison on good behavior and he has one thing to prove, that he was innocent.
This book was full of twists after twist, figuring out who could have killed Ellie and if the two murders were connected.
It’s also a book that makes you hold onto faith when you have nothing else to hold onto. I adore her Kelly Irvin’s writing style and her reality based thrillers from all perspectives of the story.
I highly recommend this one and can’t say enough good things and I was completely caught off guard with the major reveal towards the end.
Thank you for allowing me to be on tour PICT
February 19, 2022
"What had possessed her to let her brother's convicted killer spend the night in her house?"
It was Hunter, that's why. . . . the one she had thought would not only fill her dreams, but her future as well. Until, he didn't. Now, after serving prison time for a crime Hunter still insisted that he did not commit, Delaney Broward has cracked open the door of possibility, only to have it slammed shut when her best friend is murdered in much the same way as her brother had been, all those years ago.
Hunter wants to prove himself trustworthy, Delaney just wants the nightmare to end. Was it crazy to join him in pursuit of the truth? "Sometimes a person had to dig for it, through layers of friendship, grief, sweet memories, and the sheer desire to slough off anything that would hurt. To the aching, bruising, incontrovertible truth."
Readers who enjoy palpable hints of romance amidst sensational, instinctive plotting will absolutely . . . positively . . . inhale this story from beginning to end. Without a doubt, it is this author's best launch into romantic suspense, while maintaining meaningful doses of inspiration.
It was Hunter, that's why. . . . the one she had thought would not only fill her dreams, but her future as well. Until, he didn't. Now, after serving prison time for a crime Hunter still insisted that he did not commit, Delaney Broward has cracked open the door of possibility, only to have it slammed shut when her best friend is murdered in much the same way as her brother had been, all those years ago.
Hunter wants to prove himself trustworthy, Delaney just wants the nightmare to end. Was it crazy to join him in pursuit of the truth? "Sometimes a person had to dig for it, through layers of friendship, grief, sweet memories, and the sheer desire to slough off anything that would hurt. To the aching, bruising, incontrovertible truth."
Readers who enjoy palpable hints of romance amidst sensational, instinctive plotting will absolutely . . . positively . . . inhale this story from beginning to end. Without a doubt, it is this author's best launch into romantic suspense, while maintaining meaningful doses of inspiration.
March 4, 2022
There are common expectations when one picks up a Christian romantic suspense novel – the usual tropes if you will. On the Christian angle, there are one or two characters, or maybe more, who have a strong faith and are open to sharing that faith with others. Then when the central character’s faith has been shattered for some reason, someone, usually the other primary character, leads them gently back to believing again.
On the romance side, there are two characters, perhaps who have loved before when circumstances pushed them apart; and now circumstances pull them back together. Of course, it would be a very short book if the coming-together happens quickly or easily, so the personal relationship struggles are as paramount to the story as the suspense – the third side of this triangle of tropes.
Kelly Irvin handles all angles of the story well, with vivid descriptive narrative, great characterization, a tantalizing mystery, and unique lines that help raise her books above the ordinary. One of those clever lines is this response from Hunter after Delaney comes at him with a baseball bat when when comes to her house and it’s priceless: “He’d spent eight years in prison dreaming of seeing her again. In his dream there had been no bat.”
Delaney and Hunter are wonderful characters, and I was fully invested in their story as they work together, tentatively at first, to find out who really killed Delaney’s brother ten years ago because Hunter swears it wasn’t him. In fact, during all the years he served in prison after being convicted, he’s asserted that he did not kill Corey. Then Delaney’s good friend Ellie is killed, and in the midst of that investigation, Delaney is assaulted by the killer and given a warning to stay out of it. The warning adds another layer of danger and ratchets the tension up several notches.
The supporting cast of characters are interesting and relatable, especially Hunter’s mother. Her actions stay within character and make her believable, and I particularly liked her support of Hunter as well as her enduring affection for Delaney. Michael, Ellie’s husband of just a year, is the one character who comes across unevenly for me. He does things that don’t seem to fit the image of a successful, wealthy accountant, and I had a hard time believing in him.
Suspects abound in this engrossing thriller, and Delaney and Hunter are on a wild ride to find the killer. The suspense is taut, with only the occasional moment for the characters, and the reader, to catch collective breaths. Highly recommended to fans of the genre.
On the romance side, there are two characters, perhaps who have loved before when circumstances pushed them apart; and now circumstances pull them back together. Of course, it would be a very short book if the coming-together happens quickly or easily, so the personal relationship struggles are as paramount to the story as the suspense – the third side of this triangle of tropes.
Kelly Irvin handles all angles of the story well, with vivid descriptive narrative, great characterization, a tantalizing mystery, and unique lines that help raise her books above the ordinary. One of those clever lines is this response from Hunter after Delaney comes at him with a baseball bat when when comes to her house and it’s priceless: “He’d spent eight years in prison dreaming of seeing her again. In his dream there had been no bat.”
Delaney and Hunter are wonderful characters, and I was fully invested in their story as they work together, tentatively at first, to find out who really killed Delaney’s brother ten years ago because Hunter swears it wasn’t him. In fact, during all the years he served in prison after being convicted, he’s asserted that he did not kill Corey. Then Delaney’s good friend Ellie is killed, and in the midst of that investigation, Delaney is assaulted by the killer and given a warning to stay out of it. The warning adds another layer of danger and ratchets the tension up several notches.
The supporting cast of characters are interesting and relatable, especially Hunter’s mother. Her actions stay within character and make her believable, and I particularly liked her support of Hunter as well as her enduring affection for Delaney. Michael, Ellie’s husband of just a year, is the one character who comes across unevenly for me. He does things that don’t seem to fit the image of a successful, wealthy accountant, and I had a hard time believing in him.
Suspects abound in this engrossing thriller, and Delaney and Hunter are on a wild ride to find the killer. The suspense is taut, with only the occasional moment for the characters, and the reader, to catch collective breaths. Highly recommended to fans of the genre.
February 25, 2022
In Trust Me, author Kelly Irvin transports the reader to San Antonio, Texas for an intriguing Romantic Suspense story that will keep the reader guessing and turning the pages.
Delaney Broward's brother Corey was murdered a decade ago in his art studio, and his best friend and Delaney's boyfriend Hunter Nash was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to fifteen years.
Ten years later, Hunter is paroled and determined to prove his innocence, find the real killer, and regain Delaney's trust.
Delaney walks into her best friend Ellie's shop and finds it trashed and Ellie stabbed to death, and a man dressed in black and a dark stocking over his face grabs her and threatens her to stay out of it or she'll be next.
Hunter finds himself a person of interest in Ellie's death, and he talks Delaney into joining forces and investigate both Corey and Ellie's deaths. They are determined to find the real killer and prove Hunter's innocence before the killer places a target on them.
Author Kelly Irvin weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in the third person narrative that follows Delaney and Hunter as they search for the truth behind the murders of Corey and Ellie, and embark on a dangerous cat-n-mouse game with someone who will do anything including targeting them next in order to keep the truth hidden.
The reader will be easily drawn into this action-packed and well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as secrets, possible motives, deceptions, and clues are uncovered during the search for the killer. Just when you think you know who is behind the murders, the author teases the reader with unexpected twists and turns that keeps them sitting on the edge of their seat and guessing until the surprise ending.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I loved the intertwining of a Christian themed story with intriguing suspense, and the angsty underlying attraction between Delaney and Hunter. You can't help but hope that they can regain trust in each other, and get a second chance at rebuilding the love that was so cruelly taken away from them in the past.
Trust Me has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
Delaney Broward's brother Corey was murdered a decade ago in his art studio, and his best friend and Delaney's boyfriend Hunter Nash was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to fifteen years.
Ten years later, Hunter is paroled and determined to prove his innocence, find the real killer, and regain Delaney's trust.
Delaney walks into her best friend Ellie's shop and finds it trashed and Ellie stabbed to death, and a man dressed in black and a dark stocking over his face grabs her and threatens her to stay out of it or she'll be next.
Hunter finds himself a person of interest in Ellie's death, and he talks Delaney into joining forces and investigate both Corey and Ellie's deaths. They are determined to find the real killer and prove Hunter's innocence before the killer places a target on them.
Author Kelly Irvin weaves a fast-paced and suspenseful tale written in the third person narrative that follows Delaney and Hunter as they search for the truth behind the murders of Corey and Ellie, and embark on a dangerous cat-n-mouse game with someone who will do anything including targeting them next in order to keep the truth hidden.
The reader will be easily drawn into this action-packed and well written story with its richly descriptive plot that will keep them guessing as secrets, possible motives, deceptions, and clues are uncovered during the search for the killer. Just when you think you know who is behind the murders, the author teases the reader with unexpected twists and turns that keeps them sitting on the edge of their seat and guessing until the surprise ending.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention how much I loved the intertwining of a Christian themed story with intriguing suspense, and the angsty underlying attraction between Delaney and Hunter. You can't help but hope that they can regain trust in each other, and get a second chance at rebuilding the love that was so cruelly taken away from them in the past.
Trust Me has enough drama, tension, action, dark secrets, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists and turns that will take the reader on one heck of a thrilling roller coaster ride.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.
https://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspo...
February 24, 2022
“Some people had to go through hell to find heaven.”
Trust Me by Kelly Irvin is a quick-paced murder mystery with a few surprises detonating across the pages, keeping both the reader and the characters on their toes. After eight long years in prison for killing Corey Broward, his best friend no less, Hunter Nash is out on parole and determined to prove his innocence and put the past to rest. But how can he let go of the past when Delaney Broward, his former girlfriend and Corey’s sister, crosses his path when a mutual friend is slain on the very day he is released from prison? When Hunter was pronounced guilty and sent away eight years ago, Delaney broke the ties with him and became wiser, smarter, and more independent, guarding her heart and losing her faith in God in the process.
Reluctantly, Delaney agrees to work with Hunter to find the murderer of their friend, which may or may not be related to Corey’s death all those years ago. If Hunter is not responsible for both murders a decade apart, then who is, and will that person come after Delaney next?
The title of this thriller set in San Antonio, Texas, says it all. Trust Me is indeed all about trust, but Delaney’s heart has been betrayed and broken, and trust quickly followed suit, so how can she believe Hunter when he says to trust him, to believe he now has faith in God, and to help him prove his innocence and catch the real killer?
Trust Me has exciting action, dynamic characterization, undeniable romance and friendship, twists and turns aplenty, and a peek into the sordid terrain of drugs and gangs that is prevalent in so many cities, including San Antonio. Kelly Irvin knows how to pace a romantic mystery because unraveling the clues and determining the truth can be challenging for readers and characters alike (although, I did suspect someone almost from the start, based on nothing but a hunch and a weird vibe). What is clear and remains that way throughout is that Hunter and Delaney have not totally lost their attraction for each other. Hunter, of course, never stopped loving her during his time in prison, but Delaney refuses to become vulnerable once more. Can they find trust again? Can they open their hearts by letting go of past betrayal? Can they allow themselves to let love bloom anew? Can Delaney rekindle her faith in God?
All good questions, and, trust me, nothing is as it seems in this mystery, so guessing at the answers will be just that: guesses. Figuring it all out along with the characters is dramatic and entertaining, with no stones left unturned and with danger hiked up to a fever pitch as the truth eventually spills out all over the place. Trust can be difficult and sometimes even impossible to get back once it is lost, but misplaced trust can be downright dangerous.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Trust Me by Kelly Irvin is a quick-paced murder mystery with a few surprises detonating across the pages, keeping both the reader and the characters on their toes. After eight long years in prison for killing Corey Broward, his best friend no less, Hunter Nash is out on parole and determined to prove his innocence and put the past to rest. But how can he let go of the past when Delaney Broward, his former girlfriend and Corey’s sister, crosses his path when a mutual friend is slain on the very day he is released from prison? When Hunter was pronounced guilty and sent away eight years ago, Delaney broke the ties with him and became wiser, smarter, and more independent, guarding her heart and losing her faith in God in the process.
Reluctantly, Delaney agrees to work with Hunter to find the murderer of their friend, which may or may not be related to Corey’s death all those years ago. If Hunter is not responsible for both murders a decade apart, then who is, and will that person come after Delaney next?
The title of this thriller set in San Antonio, Texas, says it all. Trust Me is indeed all about trust, but Delaney’s heart has been betrayed and broken, and trust quickly followed suit, so how can she believe Hunter when he says to trust him, to believe he now has faith in God, and to help him prove his innocence and catch the real killer?
Trust Me has exciting action, dynamic characterization, undeniable romance and friendship, twists and turns aplenty, and a peek into the sordid terrain of drugs and gangs that is prevalent in so many cities, including San Antonio. Kelly Irvin knows how to pace a romantic mystery because unraveling the clues and determining the truth can be challenging for readers and characters alike (although, I did suspect someone almost from the start, based on nothing but a hunch and a weird vibe). What is clear and remains that way throughout is that Hunter and Delaney have not totally lost their attraction for each other. Hunter, of course, never stopped loving her during his time in prison, but Delaney refuses to become vulnerable once more. Can they find trust again? Can they open their hearts by letting go of past betrayal? Can they allow themselves to let love bloom anew? Can Delaney rekindle her faith in God?
All good questions, and, trust me, nothing is as it seems in this mystery, so guessing at the answers will be just that: guesses. Figuring it all out along with the characters is dramatic and entertaining, with no stones left unturned and with danger hiked up to a fever pitch as the truth eventually spills out all over the place. Trust can be difficult and sometimes even impossible to get back once it is lost, but misplaced trust can be downright dangerous.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
February 20, 2022
Trust Me by Kelly Irvin is my first book by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well she did at pulling me into the storyline. Thrillers are one of my favorite genres, but this book is about so much more than just that. It is a book about second chances, forgiveness, friendship and hope for the future. Hunter just spent years in prison for a murder he swears he didn't commit, and first day out another person is killed so of course will the cops suspect him once again. What follows is an action-packed book as he works to prove his innocence. The book was well written, with a great plot and loved the interactions of the characters. I certainly would recommend this book to others that love this genre of books.
I received an ARC from the author and #partnersincrimevbt, and I am under no obligation to leave a favorable review all opinions expressed here are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and #partnersincrimevbt, and I am under no obligation to leave a favorable review all opinions expressed here are my own.
January 15, 2024
Ooooookkkkaaaayyyyyy. So many boxes left unchecked, here we go:
1. Characters weren't endearing... I didn't find myself caring about them till the very end, which made the climax very disappointing
2. The plot was so freaking slow and messy. Stuff was left untied and there were so many little details that were simply unnecessary
3. It's supposed to be a Christian book, but other than no language and vague references to God, it wasn't obvious
4. I don't know if this just wasn't my style, but I felt like the writing itself wasn't very good. Could just be me.
These are important things that I definitely look for in books, and am sorry to say this one fell flat. I had high hopes
1. Characters weren't endearing... I didn't find myself caring about them till the very end, which made the climax very disappointing
2. The plot was so freaking slow and messy. Stuff was left untied and there were so many little details that were simply unnecessary
3. It's supposed to be a Christian book, but other than no language and vague references to God, it wasn't obvious
4. I don't know if this just wasn't my style, but I felt like the writing itself wasn't very good. Could just be me.
These are important things that I definitely look for in books, and am sorry to say this one fell flat. I had high hopes
March 1, 2022
Such a good book! I loved the twists and turns and trying to ferret out the killer from the clues provided. While I didn't guess it right away, I had my suspicions about a certain character because something didn't feel right.
This story is more than just finding the truth, it is also about forgiveness, redemption, and admitting that maybe the love you had for someone isn't dead.
I enjoyed the whole cast of characters and not all were as "good" as you might think. It seems like several had things they were hiding, even a murder victim.
Great combination of plot, mystery, suspense, romance, and faith.
This story is more than just finding the truth, it is also about forgiveness, redemption, and admitting that maybe the love you had for someone isn't dead.
I enjoyed the whole cast of characters and not all were as "good" as you might think. It seems like several had things they were hiding, even a murder victim.
Great combination of plot, mystery, suspense, romance, and faith.
April 7, 2022
I was looking for an audiobook for background earlier this week and came across this one. Unfortunately, I focused on the “mystery” tag and missed some of the other info, and that just…isn’t for me.
February 12, 2022
Did you read the synopsis of Trust Me? I was SOOO intrigued by it! I loved the way it drew me in and made me anticipate the story within. And let’s not forget that beautiful cover! GEORGIOUS!
I have read a few of Kelly Irvin’s books… okay well most of them. I really enjoy her writing style as her characters always lead lives that have God so deeply enriched in them. In this story it is no different. Hunter and Delaney both show a reliance on God (even though Delaney is learning to trust again), and its in the everyday things. I LOVE it.
The mystery was good, although it felt a bit more of a secondary nature to the rest of the story and not a hard-core mystery. I really enjoyed it regardless. It was unique and kept my attention.
4 stars! I look forward to reading more books by Kelly Irvin!
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest thoughts. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
I have read a few of Kelly Irvin’s books… okay well most of them. I really enjoy her writing style as her characters always lead lives that have God so deeply enriched in them. In this story it is no different. Hunter and Delaney both show a reliance on God (even though Delaney is learning to trust again), and its in the everyday things. I LOVE it.
The mystery was good, although it felt a bit more of a secondary nature to the rest of the story and not a hard-core mystery. I really enjoyed it regardless. It was unique and kept my attention.
4 stars! I look forward to reading more books by Kelly Irvin!
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest thoughts. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.
September 28, 2021
Rating: 2.5 stars.
Sadly this wasn't one of my favorite reads. I can see what this book was trying to do, but I don't think it really worked. The romance was overshadowing the mystery too much for my liking, and the actual mystery was pretty predictable and I figured it out way too early into the book. There were just a few too many hints to really keep the suspense.
I also wasn't a big fan of the writing style, I got used to it throughout the book but in the beginning, I really struggled with it. I also felt like the characters were pretty flat, so I wasn't invested in the romance or their arcs at all and just kept reading to get to the ending and see the reveal. The ending was pretty much what I had anticipated, but it was still an okay read overall.
Sadly this wasn't one of my favorite reads. I can see what this book was trying to do, but I don't think it really worked. The romance was overshadowing the mystery too much for my liking, and the actual mystery was pretty predictable and I figured it out way too early into the book. There were just a few too many hints to really keep the suspense.
I also wasn't a big fan of the writing style, I got used to it throughout the book but in the beginning, I really struggled with it. I also felt like the characters were pretty flat, so I wasn't invested in the romance or their arcs at all and just kept reading to get to the ending and see the reveal. The ending was pretty much what I had anticipated, but it was still an okay read overall.
March 3, 2022
Kelly Irvin has a real winner in Trust Me. I will say up front that it is Christian fiction, and her characters talk about and struggle with their faith openly. It’s an integral part of the story. If that isn’t your jam, then this may not be the right read for you (good romantic thriller though it is!).
Now, if you enjoy a story that includes faith and the ups and downs of living it out, read on! It’s set in San Antonio, and while I’m a Louisiana girl, I lived in Texas for a bunch of years. It will always have a piece of my heart, and I love stories that are set there.
Delaney Broward lived through the trauma of discovering her brother Corey dead in his art studio ten years ago. Her boyfriend, Hunter Nash, went to prison for the crime. So imagine her shock when she not only finds her best friend, Ellie Hill, brutally slain (and gets herself attacked in the process), but learns that Hunter has been released from prison that same day. Hunter is quickly bumped up to the top of the suspect list for Ellie’s murder, and Delaney doesn’t know what to think.
Delaney lost her faith in God when Corey was killed and Hunter was convicted of the murder. Hunter found his faith in God within the prison walls, and through the assistance of the prison chaplain, he’s found himself a job now that he’s out. He’s trying to convince Delaney that he’s innocent of Corey’s murder, both to clear himself and to restore her faith. She reluctantly agrees to work with him, and they go poking under some serious rocks and digging in some dark corners to uncover the truth, putting themselves in danger in the process.
Irvin writes believable characters. Hunter is intent on clearing himself, as you would expect an innocent man to be. Delaney is hesitant to open herself up to hurt, to letting the man she loved and lost back into her heart. Hunter’s mother is an absolute jewel and responds to him the way I’d hope I would if it were one of my boys in a similar situation. His siblings are realistic, some good, some annoying as all get out. You can tell a lot of thought went into each character’s personality and characteristics to make sure they fit their role in the story.
It’s a well-paced story, too. The suspense builds and moves along at a good pace, without any bits that drag. It kept me guessing, too. I’d think I’d figured out the killer, and then something would happen that I didn’t see coming, and I was back to square one. Then the big reveal had my jaw on the floor. It was stunning to me, and I love stories that can surprise me at the end!
The only thing that rubbed me wrong just a bit was the fact that Delaney let Hunter stay anywhere near her when he showed up unexpectedly at her house. I’m reasonably confident that, in that situation, I would have been all, oh, HAIL, no, and I am on the phone to 911 just as fast as I can be. Or maybe not. I’ve never been in that situation, after all, still attracted to the man convicted of killing my brother, and said man is swearing he didn’t. I worked my way past it and enjoyed the book all the same!
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and the title is apt. The story focuses heavily on trust lost, and the process of rebuilding that trust. There’s tension, and action, and danger, and romance, and humor, all of which combine to make this a five-star read for me.
This is Irvin’s first Christian thriller, and I hope she writes more in this genre. I am here to read all of them! Scroll down and enter the giveaway, and you can WIN an autographed paperback copy!
Now, if you enjoy a story that includes faith and the ups and downs of living it out, read on! It’s set in San Antonio, and while I’m a Louisiana girl, I lived in Texas for a bunch of years. It will always have a piece of my heart, and I love stories that are set there.
Delaney Broward lived through the trauma of discovering her brother Corey dead in his art studio ten years ago. Her boyfriend, Hunter Nash, went to prison for the crime. So imagine her shock when she not only finds her best friend, Ellie Hill, brutally slain (and gets herself attacked in the process), but learns that Hunter has been released from prison that same day. Hunter is quickly bumped up to the top of the suspect list for Ellie’s murder, and Delaney doesn’t know what to think.
Delaney lost her faith in God when Corey was killed and Hunter was convicted of the murder. Hunter found his faith in God within the prison walls, and through the assistance of the prison chaplain, he’s found himself a job now that he’s out. He’s trying to convince Delaney that he’s innocent of Corey’s murder, both to clear himself and to restore her faith. She reluctantly agrees to work with him, and they go poking under some serious rocks and digging in some dark corners to uncover the truth, putting themselves in danger in the process.
Irvin writes believable characters. Hunter is intent on clearing himself, as you would expect an innocent man to be. Delaney is hesitant to open herself up to hurt, to letting the man she loved and lost back into her heart. Hunter’s mother is an absolute jewel and responds to him the way I’d hope I would if it were one of my boys in a similar situation. His siblings are realistic, some good, some annoying as all get out. You can tell a lot of thought went into each character’s personality and characteristics to make sure they fit their role in the story.
It’s a well-paced story, too. The suspense builds and moves along at a good pace, without any bits that drag. It kept me guessing, too. I’d think I’d figured out the killer, and then something would happen that I didn’t see coming, and I was back to square one. Then the big reveal had my jaw on the floor. It was stunning to me, and I love stories that can surprise me at the end!
The only thing that rubbed me wrong just a bit was the fact that Delaney let Hunter stay anywhere near her when he showed up unexpectedly at her house. I’m reasonably confident that, in that situation, I would have been all, oh, HAIL, no, and I am on the phone to 911 just as fast as I can be. Or maybe not. I’ve never been in that situation, after all, still attracted to the man convicted of killing my brother, and said man is swearing he didn’t. I worked my way past it and enjoyed the book all the same!
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and the title is apt. The story focuses heavily on trust lost, and the process of rebuilding that trust. There’s tension, and action, and danger, and romance, and humor, all of which combine to make this a five-star read for me.
This is Irvin’s first Christian thriller, and I hope she writes more in this genre. I am here to read all of them! Scroll down and enter the giveaway, and you can WIN an autographed paperback copy!
February 19, 2022
Kelly Irvin has a unique way or drawing readers into her stories right on the first page, and her newest romantic suspense, Trust Me, is no exception. I walked into Delaney Broward’s brother’s studio with her, saw what she saw, smelled what she smelled, and held his bloody body with her. Kelly writes such amazingly vivid scenes with such remarkable characters that you feel you are actually there. I experienced Delaney’s horror and her utter despair at the loss of her only relative at the hands of her own boyfriend.
Then I met Hunter Nash. Sure, he was a “messed up” young man, but after serving a prison sentence for a crime he did not commit, he has become a different person. I felt his frustration at being labeled a murderer by his community, his former friends, and the woman he still loves. His determination to find the real killer and to clear himself had me rooting for him from the beginning.
When Delaney’s best friend is murdered exactly as her brother had been and the killer warns her to “stay out of it or be next,” she begins to wonder if she had been wrong about Hunter all along and if the real perpetrator is still on the loose. She and Hunter find themselves working together to ferret out a murderer while trying not to be the next victims. Will their collaboration help them to mend their broken hearts and learn to trust again?
If you are looking for a masterfully crafted romantic suspense with interwoven themes of trust, forgiveness, and faith, Trust Me is your book. Kudos on another five-star story, Kelly Irvin!
Then I met Hunter Nash. Sure, he was a “messed up” young man, but after serving a prison sentence for a crime he did not commit, he has become a different person. I felt his frustration at being labeled a murderer by his community, his former friends, and the woman he still loves. His determination to find the real killer and to clear himself had me rooting for him from the beginning.
When Delaney’s best friend is murdered exactly as her brother had been and the killer warns her to “stay out of it or be next,” she begins to wonder if she had been wrong about Hunter all along and if the real perpetrator is still on the loose. She and Hunter find themselves working together to ferret out a murderer while trying not to be the next victims. Will their collaboration help them to mend their broken hearts and learn to trust again?
If you are looking for a masterfully crafted romantic suspense with interwoven themes of trust, forgiveness, and faith, Trust Me is your book. Kudos on another five-star story, Kelly Irvin!
January 3, 2022
Synopsis:
Ten years ago, Delaney's boyfriend Hunter was convicted for her brother's murder. Now, he's out of prison, claiming he's innocent. But on the same day, Delaney's best friend is killed, in the same way her brother was. And now, Delaney and Hunter have to find the real killer before it's too late.
My thoughts:
Now, I don't want to write bad reviews since I know that an author always puts their heart and soul into a book. But I also want to stay honest, so that's what I'm going to do. First, I have to say that Trust Me isn't a bad book at all, it just wasn't my kind of story. The plot reminded me so much of The Evidence Against You by Gillian McAllister, which is my favorite book, but it wasn't like this at all. It starts promising with the second murder, and I was hooked. But for me, this book just had too many lengths, was WAY too wordy, and there was just toooo much talk about God. Also, I don't enjoy books about clan criminality, so that's on me. If this book sounds up your alley, please do read it, you might still love it.
I got a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ten years ago, Delaney's boyfriend Hunter was convicted for her brother's murder. Now, he's out of prison, claiming he's innocent. But on the same day, Delaney's best friend is killed, in the same way her brother was. And now, Delaney and Hunter have to find the real killer before it's too late.
My thoughts:
Now, I don't want to write bad reviews since I know that an author always puts their heart and soul into a book. But I also want to stay honest, so that's what I'm going to do. First, I have to say that Trust Me isn't a bad book at all, it just wasn't my kind of story. The plot reminded me so much of The Evidence Against You by Gillian McAllister, which is my favorite book, but it wasn't like this at all. It starts promising with the second murder, and I was hooked. But for me, this book just had too many lengths, was WAY too wordy, and there was just toooo much talk about God. Also, I don't enjoy books about clan criminality, so that's on me. If this book sounds up your alley, please do read it, you might still love it.
I got a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2022
Because I have enjoyed the light Christian romances written by this author I was intrigued to see she had written a Christian Romance Thriller. Set in San Antonio (probably my favorite city), I quickly dove into the read. The main character, Delaney, has had a rough life. Ten years ago her brother was murdered and her boyfriend was found guilty of the crime. The boyfriend, Hunter, has just been released and is still claiming his innocence when another murder occurs. Not exactly the usual premise to rekindle an old flame but Hunter believes that if he can find the real guilty party, he can at least redeem himself in Delaney’s eyes. While this is definitely a romance, it is light on the thriller side. To me, this was more a story of loss, finding or refinding your religion and redemption.
The Christian theme is strongly carried throughout the book but especially with Hunter. Through the help of a Pastor, he is leading a new life. I would have enjoyed seeing a little more depth of this character to better understand his transformation however only glimpses were given to help the reader understand the person he was and the person he has become.
Delaney appears to have inner strength and has dismissed Christianity from her life. But this turns out to be a partial façade that has allowed her to continue her life after the death of her brother and the incarceration of her boyfriend. As the story opens, her best friend has been murdered and she may be the next person on the killer’s list.
Keep an eye out for a few red herrings – but then again, you may only realize what they were in hindsight which is a kudo to the author and her skill.
The Christian theme is strongly carried throughout the book but especially with Hunter. Through the help of a Pastor, he is leading a new life. I would have enjoyed seeing a little more depth of this character to better understand his transformation however only glimpses were given to help the reader understand the person he was and the person he has become.
Delaney appears to have inner strength and has dismissed Christianity from her life. But this turns out to be a partial façade that has allowed her to continue her life after the death of her brother and the incarceration of her boyfriend. As the story opens, her best friend has been murdered and she may be the next person on the killer’s list.
Keep an eye out for a few red herrings – but then again, you may only realize what they were in hindsight which is a kudo to the author and her skill.
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