Borrowed Time

Hart's Ridge #4

by Kay Bratt

Nestled gently in the Blue Ridge mountains, Hart’s Ridge is a small and yet undiscovered quaint town. That is until you dig a little deeper and learn that no matter how perfect things look, every town has its secrets.

Borrowed Time is book Four of the new Hart’s Ridge mystery series, written by Kay Bratt, International Best-Selling Author of Wish Me Home and the By the Sea series.

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Adult, Fiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 11, 2023

About the author

Writer, Rescuer, Wanderer


Kay Bratt is the powerhouse author behind 40 internationally bestselling books that span genres from mystery and women’s fiction to memoir and historical fiction. Her books are renowned for delivering an emotional wallop wrapped in gripping storylines. Her Hart's Ridge small-town mystery series earned her the coveted title of Amazon All Star Author and continues to be one of her most successful projects out of her more than two million books sold around the world.


Kay's literary works have sparked lively book club discussions wide-reaching, with her works translated into multiple languages, including German, Korean, Chinese, Hungarian, Czech, and Estonian. 


Beyond her writing, Kay passionately dedicates herself to rescue missions, championing animal welfare as the former Director of Advocacy for Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas. She considers herself a lifelong advocate for children, having volunteered extensively in a Chinese orphanage and supported nonprofit organizations like An Orphan's Wish (AOW), Pearl River Outreach, and Love Without Boundaries.

In the USA, Kay served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Georgia, as well as spearheaded numerous outreach programs for underprivileged kids in South Carolina. Most recently Kay spent a year volunteering as a Hospice volunteer.


As a wanderlust-driven soul, Kay has called nearly three dozen different homes on two continents her own. Her globetrotting adventures have taken her to captivating destinations across Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, the Philippines, Central America, the Bahamas, and Australia. Today, she and her soulmate of more than 30 years find their sanctuary in St. Augustine, Florida.


Described as southern, spicy, and a touch sassy, Kay loves to share her life's antics with the Bratt Pack on social media. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the fun and buckle up for the ride of a lifetime. Explore her popular catalog of published works at Kay Bratt Dot-Com and never miss a new release (or her latest Bratt Pack drama) by signing up for her monthly email newsletter. 
For more information, visit www.kaybratt.com.


Reviews

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in this great series. This time Anna took center stage. It was wonderful getting to know her better. The family also makes progress in their relationships with each other. The mystery this time made me an emotional mess. I don’t know how Kay Bratt is churning these books out so fast, but I’m thoroughly enjoying her hard work!

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Hart’s Ridge book had me puzzled who the bad guys were but enjoying the mystery of the disappearance of young single mother Sissy and how Taylor threw herself into solving it. I especially enjoy the family dynamics in this series and how, even with a lot of drama happening all the time, the family comes together to support each other when times get particularly hard. It was nice to get to know Anna more in this book. She seemed kind of stand-offish to me previously and now she is more real and a regular person with a lot of problems. The mystery was a good one even though parts of the resolution had me teary-eyed. The characters are well-developed and the story is a fast pace with a few unexpected twists. Deputy Taylor Gray is still my favorite character since she is strong and intuitive and doggedly determined to solve the crimes in her small town. This is one in the series not to be missed but it can also be easily read as a standalone.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author as part of her review team. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines for the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed Time is Book 4 in the Hart's Ridge series and just like the previous books, it's a suspenseful story that focuses on Taylor and her family. Once again the book features forgiveness, romance, suspense and secrets plus several dogs that are central to the story.

This book has two main story lines -- one is the disappearance of Sissy, a young mother and one of Taylor's closest friends. Sissy is well liked in town and no one believes that she would leave her young daughter. As Taylor and Shane begin to investigate, there are several different possibilities to track down but as the days drag on, everyone is prepared for the worst.

At the same time that Taylor is involved in this case, her sister Anna begins to have problems. Anna has never been real close to the family and has refused to accept her mother after her return from prison. Anna believes that she has a perfect life - a husband, two wonderful children and enough money to do what she wants. When her life implodes, she's devastated but still wants to keep it a secret from her family. When life gets even worse, she finally admits to her mother what is going and turns to her sisters for help. One of the best parts about this series is the way that the family always supports each other and doesn't hold grudges over past issues.

I'm anxious to read the future books in the series to learn more about this family and their life in Hart's Ridge.

[Margie Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed Time is the 4th book in Kay Bratt’s new Hart’s Ridge mystery series. After reading the first book and being introduced to Taylor Gray, a deputy with the local police force and learning about her dysfunctional but loving family, I was excited to read more. And I believe that each new book is even better than the one before it. It’s probably because we are learning more about her family along with all the other residents of this town. Hart’s Ridge seems like a quaint, picturesque little place but there is no shortage of crime and danger around. With each book there is a new crime for Taylor to investigate. In Borrowed Time, it’s Taylor’s friend Sissy, a single young mother and waitress that turns up missing. It’s up to Taylor and her team to find out what has happened to her. This book really stirred up a lot of emotions in me and I was glad I had tissues nearby because the ending had me in tears. This is a phenomenal series and I can’t recommend it enough. I look forward to reading Instant Karma, which is the next book in the series to see where the story goes from here.

[Phyllis Jones Pisanelli Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed Time was another five star book by Kay Bratt. I know I sometimes sound like a broken record but, this series gets better and better with every book. The next book doesn't come out until the end of May and I'm already going into a bit of a withdrawal.

I love the characters in this book. The stories all center around Taylor and her family. She is a deputy in her small town of Hart's Ridge. This book shows us a bit of what family love and sisterly love is all about. One of her best friends goes missing and we are along for the investigation and all that follows. 

This book literally brought tears to my eyes. This family has endured so much over the years and it is nice to see some good things happening in their lives too. I am liking how they are all pulling together for each other and showing up when needed. How refreshing. 

I can't wait for the next book. We have received a hint at the end of this book where the story is headed and I'm so excited to see it happen. You know that I love small towns and this series just feeds right into my love of them. It is a small town and we have been introduced to several of the residents. 

If you love crime and mystery with some love stories thrown in, you will absolutely fall in love with these books. You have a couple of months if you haven't started them yet to read the first four before number five comes out. I recommend that you do. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don't forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kay Bratt has once again written an incredible story that I hope many of you will want to read. Her Hart’s Ridge series book 4, Borrowed Time, continues to explore Taylor Gray’s complicated family dynamics - focusing on her sister Anna as well as her mother Cate’s new place in the family. Deputy Taylor Gray must also investigate the strange disappearance of a good friend and one of the town’s favorite young mothers, Frances Ellen Walsh, better known as Sissy. Although this is fiction, the story is loosely based on real events, which makes it incredibly sad but ultimately uplifting. This is an excellent book, in my opinion and I can’t wait for the next installment in this series.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment in the Harts Ridge series. Much is focused on the sister, Anna, and the disruption happening in her life. The other part is a mystery of a missing mom which could possibly be a murder. Great character development and growth of all the sisters and Cate, their mom. I really enjoyed the dual stories. Thanks to the author for an advanced copy of this great read!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put it down!
Sissy has vanished & Deputy Taylor Gray is determined to discover where she is & what happened!!

[Brooke Blogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid book in the Hart’s Ridge series. This one was pretty heart wrenching.

[Phyllis Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better! Love the beautiful locale and the small town of Hart's Ridge. Deputy Taylor Gray is doing her best to unite and care for her family while solving crimes in her community. Can't wait for the next book. I'm hooked!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books keep getting better.

[Carol Engler · Rating 4 out of 5]

book 4


Story continues as Cate life continues to heal, Lucy settles into her life. Anna find her elusive life style isn't all she thinks it is. Taylor is working the case of her missing friend.

[Claudia Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This crime and family drama series just keeps getting better and better. Kay Bratt is well versed in spinning a tale that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and unable to put this one down. Her plots and characters are so well drawn.
While the Gray family is making some progress in relating to each other, Taylor works to find the reason her friend Sissy goes missing and Anna’s life implodes.
Ms Bratt has tackled some tough subjects and this one is a bit grittier. You will assuredly feel strong emotions that will stay with you.
Highly recommend


I read this book as an ARC and wish to thank Kay Bratt and the publishers for the opportunity. The ideas contained in this review are strictly my own.

[Kathleen Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good storyline, but...

The storyline was good, but the grammar errors were distracting. I love this series and will read the next book when its released. Hopefully the editing will be better.

[Sandra Benford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll read the next one.

I like this series and have enjoyed the variety of cases, etc. I like the characters. Avoiding a spoiler alert: I would have rated this higher, but the crime: a hot mess. Courtroom procedures: another hot mess. Hard to read and reconcile those parts.

[HannahDaCute · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok story

Would have been a much better story if deep editing was used. Having to stop and reread sentences was vey annoying. Needs another person to edit.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok - cheesy ending

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taylor gets a frantic call from Margaret who owns the cafe in town which Taylor frequents along with most of the town. Margaret has run the cafe forever and is very well liked as is her daughter Sissy. Sissy waitresses at the cafe and is well liked by the customers. She is always pleasant and in a good mood. Sissy is bringing up her daughter, Hayley as a single mother. Hayley's father is Payton Howe, a wealthy farmer outside of town. They have co-parented since Hayley's birth; but he hasn't proposed to Sissy. Finally, he did and they are having problems setting a wedding date. Sissy broke the engagement and left town to think. Her mother suspects something else is wrong since Sissy left her daughter behind and didn't tell her own mother she was leaving. Margaret suspects something is very wrong , so she calls Taylor.
Although Taylor cannot officially do anything for 48 hours, she in concerned since Sissy was her best friend. She begins looking at the scene unofficially. They need to find Sissy as soon as possible. Taylor doesn't want Hayley to grow up not knowing her mother as Taylor and her sister did.
Meanwhile, Taylor's next oldest sister, Anna is having a crisis. Anna has worked hard all her life to making her life perfect and her husband happy. Her house is spotless all the time and her children are perfect in school, very smart, excel in their extra curricular activities and are perfect for their father. Pete works hard and keeps them in the style to which he thinks he deserves. He has the perfect wife and children and Anna is well-liked in the society they entertain in. He pays all the bills and gives them everything he thinks they need. However, one morning, he leaves with his bags packed and tells Anna he is getting a divorce and will send her the papers. Unknown to her, he has not paid the mortgage on the house in months, or on the car he just replaced for her, and has taken all the money out of their accounts. He leaves only the money in her household account which is less than one thousand dollars.
As the one in their family who takes care of everyone and their problems, Taylor is swamped at home and at work. Added to this is Sam. Sam was the original owner of Taylor's dog, Bernard. Bernard just wasn't happy and Taylor thought finding his original owner might help him, so she tracks him down. Sam is delighted to finally have found, Diesel, hoping to bring him home. When he sees how attached Taylor and Diesel are, he decides to stay in town and co-parent with Diesel to gradually get Taylor to let him take the dog permanently. However, Taylor is reluctant to do that.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book four of the Hart's Ridge series and the best one yet. The most emotional one for me by far. It hit me in my heart.

Taylor, Jo, Anna, Lucy and their mother Cate are the women in this series. They are the reason I keep reading these books. They are a family who are so dysfunctional yet so there for each other you'll meet. Each has a story to tell and at the head of their family, Taylor, does everything she can to see that they are all doing good. She takes care of everyone including their dad Jackson.

Anna's husband is not a good man. He's one to watch out for. He has his little side piece that seems to be more important than his family. Anna now will get to know her sisters better, as an adult. They each have their own problems but are dealing in positive ways finally. Or so it seems anyway. You never know what is just around the corner. I hope nothing bad is coming up. lol While I utterly despise Pete, Anna's husband, he does play an intricate part in this story right now. I believe Anna will come through a much stronger woman that she ever thought she could be. Maybe more like their mother Cate.

There is a mystery in this book that just about did me in. It involves Sissy who is a waitress at The Den where Taylor has lunch quite often. Sissy seems to have fallen off the face of the earth and no one knows where she is or what happened to her. Though someone does know. Someone you might never suspect of knowing. That part of this story was very hard for me for personal reasons. This author did a great job of making it so realistic too. I literally wept. My eyes are so swollen from crying while reading this book. Silently I was praying that this was headed in a different direction. It is what it is and it has such deep feeling. This book is the best in this series yet and each has been fantastic. I felt like I was there in the court. In the woods. In that apartment. It felt so realistic.

Another great addition to this series. Another book that will have you holding your breath until the very end and then wanting the next in the series. I can't wait for the next book. I want to know if Cate will find love. If Jackson might find love again too. What happens in Anna's life and how her children will handle things. What will happen to Lucy and Jo. And last will Taylor and Sam fall in love and raise Diesel together. There is a lot going on in this series so be sure and grab them. Devour them as I have done. They are great.

Five big huge stars for this heartfelt book.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crystal Palaces Still Hide Much. Growing up, it seemed that one aunt in particular always had the perfect... well, everything, other than not having kids herself and having married a couple of times. She was the one that my brothers and I always dreaded coming over, because we knew we would have to clean the house to her (damn near white glove) level, and we *hated* that. (Meh, we were young Southern boys. ie, not exactly the cleanest neat freaks around. ;) )

Get to a point about the freaking book, Sexton...

I've noted in reviews of other books in this series that Bratt manages to detail small town rural northern Georgia (outside of the Atlanta Metro area) remarkably well, and here Bratt shows even more of both the features and the bugs of the region. Including the all-too-real scenario of the aunt who has it all... but doesn't, as I've learned later in life. In real life as in this book, there are a lot of trials and travails that for various reasons the person chooses to hide, particularly from their siblings' kids and even from their siblings themselves. Even the exact scenarios here... are all too common. (To be clear, even now I have no idea about the exact circumstances in my real-life aunt's case.)

Fortunately (so far as I know), it never got quite as intense as the one scene from the trigger warning in the book. And while I'm no fan of trigger warnings... yes, even that nearly successful attempted suicide scene - it is stopped in the last seconds by an intervening action - deserves a mention in reviews at minimum, as it *is* something that could cause others issues. Seriously, that thing was *that* intense, some of the most tense moments Bratt has ever weaved into any of the dozen or two of her books that I've now read.

But that is still just one scene in an otherwise compelling book that continues the story of Deputy Taylor Gray's family and community, this one with yet another heinous and yet all too real crime, though I do not remember seeing an author's note to see if this one (like others in the series) was based on specific cases from the general region.

Start with book one, but go ahead and order the entire series if you haven't yet. You're going to want them all anyway. ;)

Very much recommended.

[Sandra Mistretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

We get to know Cate and Anna better in this book. Cate is enjoying her job at the animal shelter and she is working hard to reconnect with her motherless daughters.

She is especially concerned about Anna. She has a perfect appearance but she seems so sad. She goes to check on Anna and catches her about to commit suicide. She reminds her of little incidents when she was a little girl. Anna had forgotten about her childhood memories and the feeling of her mother's arms around her. Her marriage is struggling and her husband Pete has been missing for four days without a word to her. This time seemed like her marriage might be over.

Cate encouraged Anna to help with the animals. The smell was so strong, but a tiny Chihuahua named Mutt and her larger buddy a great Dane, named Jeff charmed Anna. They are difficult to adopt because most people either like small or big dogs, but not both.

Taylor is resisting Sam's romantic gestures, but it is difficult to do so. She is working on a case of her missing friend Sissy. Her boyfriend Payton Howell said that he hadn't been to her house, but he was seen on camera going in and out of her house. Another woman named Katrina called in and said she was dating someone with that name. She ended up testifying against Payton and being awarded a plea bargain for her part in the crime.

I felt encouraged when Anna's husband Pete was brought to justice in court. He just walked away from his wife and two children without a thought of beginning a relationship with a younger woman. The judge was not fooled by his lies. He was forced to pay alimony and childcare, plus give Anna the car. She was still devastated by his abandonment, but with the support of her sisters and Cate, I felt that she would make a future for herself.

Cate did a benevolent action with the money awarded to her for being incarcerated when she was innocent. She wants to start an animal shelter in Sissys name as a memorial because she loved dogs. All of the family along with Sissys father Cecil will work with the shelter which will be located on Taylor's land. I look forward to reading more about this family endeavor. The sisters are trying hard to support each other.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love small towns and beautiful mountain settings, you are in for a treat! Borrowed Time is the fourth in the Hart’s Ridge mystery series, set in the fictional town by the same name nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In book one you meet Taylor Gray (the only female Sheriff’s Deputy in Hart’s Ridge) and her dysfunctional family consisting of her father, 3 sisters, and now her (estranged) mother Cate who has recently been thrown back into the mix. True to form, (because if you know Kay Bratt there are always dogs, which I love), Taylor’s furry friend Diesel is back, as well as her mom’s dog Brandy and a few others!

Deputy Taylor Gray and Detective Shane Weaver are on the hunt again, this time for a missing woman who is a good friend of Taylor’s and a mother to a small child. In this heart pounding story, you follow Deputy Gray and Detective Weaver as they try to search any and all leads for the whereabouts of Sissy. Sissy’s fiancée, Payton Howe seems an unlikely candidate, Payton is well liked, and his family well known, so they are looking for other possible suspects in the area, or who may have just been passing through.

Another developing story is centered around Anna, Taylor’s “perfect” sister (or so Anna would say). Anna is married to a big-time lawyer, has the perfect house, the perfect children, the perfect life. Until it isn’t…Anna and Cate find their way back to each other as Anna struggles with her “not-so-perfect” (after all) life.

As it will unfold, sometimes people and situations just aren’t as they seem. Since I am not one to ruin the story by retelling it, I will just leave it there. Borrowed Time was an excellent, heart pounding, fast read for me, and I highly recommend it! True to form Kay Bratt left us wanting more! I can hardly wait for book 5!

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed Time is the fourth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. This story asks the question “do you ever really know the person you’re in love with?” It’s about to be answered for Deputy Taylor Gray as she investigates the disappearance of her close friend, Sissy. The more she investigates Sissy’s life, the more she discovers that appearances can be deceiving and the most picture-perfect relationships can be hiding deeper and darker secrets. No one knows this more than Taylor’s sister, Anna. She is living the seemingly all-American dream with a successful husband, a nice house and two thriving children. But there is more behind the scenes. Her perfect life is spiraling out of control as she discovers the secrets that have been hiding behind the perfect façade. Will Taylor discover the truth behind Sissy’s disappearance? Will Anna be able to pull her life together again?
The Hart’s Ridge series keeps getting better and better. Borrowed Time touches very deep subjects with suicidal ideation and domestic violence. Readers: bring tissues. By the end of the book, I was in tears. I love Taylor and her sisters as well as their mother, Cate, as great women who have rebuilt their lives. In this story, we see more of the uppity Anna and her story. While the investigation into Sissy’s disappearance was the main story, I was hooked on Anna’s story and cheered for her as she found a way to fight back. I loved seeing Anna and Cate rebuild their relationship. I also loved the interactions between the sisters. Despite their differences in personality and life choices, they have each other’s backs. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend Borrowed Time and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Borrowed Time is available in paperback and eBook

[Susan (The Book Bag) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series, not only for the mysteries that Taylor gets involved in and has to solve, but also for the interesting family members and friends that surround her. There is plenty of drama, both with her job, and with her family. I am totally invested in both aspects of her world.

Borrowed Time was especially heartbreaking to read this time, since it's one of Taylor's good friends who is missing. As she struggles to uncover the truth, the unthinkable comes to light. And just when that gets a little to heavy to take, the author takes us to a scene revolving around Taylor's loving, and somewhat dysfunctional, family. What a nice balance.

One thing I love about this series is the depth of the characters that are unveiled with each book. We are continually learning more and more about each family member. And when someone in the family is struggling, everyone steps up to help them out, even if they may not want to at that time—they have each other's backs.

The Hart's Ridge series just keeps getting better and better and I'm always so excited when the next installment is available. And the wonderful thing is, Kay plans to release four more books in this series by the end of the year! Yay for us readers! Book #5, Instant Karma, is coming out May 26th!

I highly recommend the whole series. These are stories you don't want to miss. I know you'll be looking forward to them, just like I am.

[Mrs Linda J Kitson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Borrowed Time is the fourth book in the Hart’s Ridge series and Kay Bratt has created a masterpiece with this one! If you haven’t read the other three books yet: Hart’s Ridge, Lucy in the Sky and In My Life, I highly recommend you read them in order as Kay doesn’t waste a lot of time rehashing who all the characters are and what their back story is, she just gets on and tells the current story. These books are multi-layered and woven with such prowess that the reader feels part of the small town of Hart’s Ridge and it’s almost like you are watching the story play out in front of you. Borrowed Time starts when Sissy, Taylor’s close friend and a well known and loved member of the community goes missing, most unlike Sissy who is a very committed parent and hard-working employee, newly engaged to the father of her small child, and loving life, so why would she just take off as her fiancé would have us believe? Another thread of the story focuses on Anna, one of Taylor’s sisters, who sees her perfect marriage and lifestyle blown apart, but was it actually as perfect as she would like people to think? Skilfully written and completely absorbing, I was lucky enough to be an advanced reader and you will be able to get your hands in this story on 11 April 2023, just enough time to catch up on any of the three you may have missed.

[Linda Beilstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some authors who write such great book series that every time you open the next one, you feel like you are going back home. Kay Bratt is one of these authors. The little community of Hart's Ridge now feels like home and the main characters feel like neighbors. And just like your real neighbors, you just can't wait to see what they will get up to next. Anxiously waiting for book 5.

Amazon description: In the cozy town of Hart's Ridge, Deputy Taylor Gray is faced with a harrowing truth - that the person she thought she knew best, her close friend, has gone missing. As she delves deeper into the investigation, Taylor uncovers a web of secrets hidden behind the idyllic facade of picture-perfect relationships.

In this thrilling small-town mystery, Kay Bratt's Borrowed Time takes readers on a captivating journey through the twists and turns of love and deceit. But there's more to this story than meets the eye. With a true crime element woven into the fictional narrative, the stakes are raised even higher as Taylor races against time to uncover the truth.

As Anna Chambers, a woman living the American dream, struggles to keep up the perfect facade, she finds herself drowning in a sea of lies and deception. When the person who's loved her the longest offers to help, will she be able to accept it?

[Ritu Bhathal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kay Bratt has wowed me again with this fantastic addition to the Hart's Ridge series!
We meet Taylor Grey again in her role as a small-town cop, dealing with another heinous crime, this time against a very close friend of hers, Sissy, who has gone missing.
Aside from the investigation, we get to meet another of Taylor's sisters, Anna, in more detail. Anna is the one who has remained rather aloof through the series, having married well and living in an affluent part of the town, with an Instagram-perfect kind of life.
Until it begins to crumble.
The sisters continue to build their support network together, and it is a joy to read about how their mother, Cate, is faring.
Obviously, there is Diesel, the dog, and several others that join the cast, sure to have starring roles in future stories!
So much happens in this book, and Kay touches upon many topics, such as suicidal thoughts and IDV, sensitively.
There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the book, which I have come to expect from the Hart's Ridge Series, and the hint of what is to come in book 5, Instant Karma, makes me even more impatient as I wait for its release!
Thank you to Kay Bratt and the publishers for an ARC.

[Diane Mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kay Bratt’s 4th book in this series is just as awesome as the first 3. Even though a stand along read i strongly suggest you read all the books in order so you know the characters. Each book adds new characters n follows up with more on the main ones. Borrowed Time has Sissy a local favorite missing and Taylor’s good friend. Taylor and the rest of the sheriff department is on the case and don’t stop until it’s solved. Anne really grows in this book n makes me proud of her getting her life back from being a whimpy wife to being the strong woman she needs to be for her kids and herself and I know we will see more on Anne setting herself free from her soon to be ex with the support of mom n sisters. Even the dad, Jackson starts to clean himself up showing support for Sissy first then all of his family and friends and hopefully he will continue. Talylor’s love life seems to be on the right track as well as Cate’s and the entire family seems to be showing signs as a real family not since they were all little kids.
So being a family always has it’s ups and downs and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next in this quiet little town of Hart’s Ridge. Looking forward to #5 next month!!!!

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just get better that the series goes on. Featuring a group of 4 sisters who each have their own issues and their recently exonerated mother, who has just been released from prison.

Taylor is the sister who kept her family together and is now a deputy with the local Harts Ridge police department. She also works with the detective in the unit, solving the more gruesome cases that come their way. She is also starting a new relationship with the man she found to be the real owner of the dog she adopted.

Taylors friend, Sissy has gone missing, totally unlike her to leave her young daughter. Sissy's mum implores Taylor to help, and what she finds shocks her.

This book also features Anna, the sister who has it made with a rich husband, 2 children, and a gorgeous house; however, what people dont see is what's behind the facade Anna puts up. Catering, Anna's mum is featured heavily in this book, and it's good to find out more about her.

Each book is based around the sisters and features an element of true crime. The books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and wider storyline.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series as I read this one in one sitting. It was so good I just couldn't put it down.

[Carla Suto · Rating 5 out of 5]

BORROWED TIME is Book 4 in the exciting Hart’s Ridge mystery series by Kay Bratt. I thoroughly enjoyed the first three books in the series and couldn’t wait to be back in Hart’s Ridge with Deputy Taylor Gray and her family and friends. Like with the previous books, there is plenty of family drama and crime investigation to keep me glued to my seat. In this story, Taylor’s good friend, Sissy, a devoted single mother and daughter as well as a well-loved member of the community has gone missing. As Deputy Gray and her colleagues investigate, the evidence suggests that Sissy may have been the victim of a brutal crime. On the family side, the story focuses on Taylor’s sister, Anna, whose perfect-appearing life is crumbling around her. Taylor’s mom, Cate, and her other sisters are also featured, as they build a network of support around Anna. Both storylines are filled with suspense, intrigue and a few twists I didn’t see coming. I really enjoyed this latest book and can’t wait for Book 5, INSTANT KARMA, to come out soon. Thank you to the author for providing me with an early copy of BORROWED TIME to read and review.