Whoa, this was one creepy thriller from start to finish. It does keep you on the edge of your seat and you will find yourself guessing who the killer is. If you look closely towards the end of the book it's very obvious who it is but still, you tend to keep second guessing yourself. Great stuff!

Pretend You’re Safe by Alexandra Ivy
The Agency #1

Jaci Patterson KNEW she had a stalker when she was sixteen…a creepy person leaving lockets filled with a locket of hair tied by a ribbon and…blood. Nobody believed her at the time when she shared and tried to find out who was leaving the morbid gifts. She was away from home for college and returned only to have the lockets start showing up again. Who is the stalker and what is behind the gifts? How will the story proceed and…END?

There are murdered women, some red herrings, a bit of romance and some sleuthing by Sheriff Mike O’Brien and a computer guru named Rylan Cooper as they try to protect Jaci – all three are natives of the small town the dead are being found in. The story is well written but I did figure out who the killer was before Rylan and Mike did. I read the trailer for the next book in the series and it sounds like it will be a humdinger – one I won’t want to miss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Zebra for the ARC – This is my honest review.

3-4 Stars

Pretend You’re Safe by Alexandra Ivy
Bookish Friends (!!!)
You know how as a reader how we have like top 10 authors who are just a must read, I have been reading Alexandra for years now and there never has been a book that I haven't liked or loved. It started with her paranormal stories, and then when she dived into the romance suspense genre I was legit like #takemymoney there is just something about a good romantic suspense that I love, and Alexandra never disappoints.

In this new book, I absolutely loved it. There was never a point where I was bored I couldn’t put it down, yes, I was in some parts scared and creeped out but the romance between the main characters Jaci and Rylan smoothed it over.

Jaci has moved back to her home town, and years ago she had a stalker that left her creepy lockets with blood from his victims. We fast forward to the now and where they live it’s been nonstop raining in the town Heron, and with all the rain flooding damns and such we discover a dead body floating in the river and a skull…

When Jaci finds out she is freaked, is what happened in the past going to happen now?

When she gets home one afternoon and discovers a new locket, Rylan comes to the rescue. He believes her now, because when they were young all them years ago he thought she was silly teenage prank and wave it off.

The Cover, oh guys I am totally loving that cover, it literally is everything that is the story. When I opened my kindle and seen the cover, I had chills and locked my doors and settled in for a great adventure.

What I loved is the chemistry between Jaci and Rylan. The story is told in everyone’s POV which I thought was the coolest, I really got involved with this story. I loved the way it flowed and as always Alexandra’s writing is perfect.

The twist and turns in this keep me on my toes, and I couldn’t love it any more, I am hoping I will love the second book just as much. The teaser at the of the book for the next story is fabulous.

Not once every time I was guessing who the creepy killer was I couldn’t pick it and then when you do find out …. Damn!

I would highly recommend this creepy little thriller for everyone, from start to finish it will keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat, you will jump, cringe and be looking over your shoulder at the smallest of noises.

I would have to say with this story I really liked it a lot, I had read her ARES Security series and I freaking LOVED the first one in that but the second one lacked something, but with THIS one… THS one is PERFECT, I can NOT praise it enough!

I was graciously given an arc from Kensington through Netgalley for an honest review.

I cannot wait to own this in paperback, and to be able to pick it up and re read it again, is a bonus. It is defiantly a new fav for me. I really think everyone will enjoy this story about Jaci, Rylan and the creepy killer in a small Mississippi. One thing before I go too, I loved that the relationship didn’t feel forced, it happed naturally.

Pretend You're Safe brought me back to my first discovery of Alexandra Ivy, Kill Without Mercy. She writes such compelling suspense stories! Jaci, the heroine, lives in a small Missouri town, eking out a life by renting out her farmland and selling baked goods. 10 years ago she was the target of a stalker, but no one took her seriously. Now, there are bodies turning up after some flooding rains and Jaci's stalker has returned. She worries that once again, no one will believe her and she will be left to deal with it on her own.

There are plenty of people who jumped out as creepers to me. First, the sheriff, Mike, is kind of douche-y. He is one of those power trip guys, who wants everyone to be in awe of him. He and Jaci went out a few times, but she felt nothing for him. He has asked her out frequently, but she kept saying no. So, he jumped to the top of my suspect list. Then there is her asshole half brother. I'm pretty sure he is a psychopath and his parents (her mom and step dad) are aware of it, but use their money and power to hide it. Then there is her step dad, who does some shady shit. Again, maybe he is trying to cover up his son's sins, but either way, he is acting suspicious. Next on my list is the town photographer. He came back to this tiny town in the middle of nowhere Missouri to open an art gallery? WTF? Who the hell is gonna buy his stuff in this tiny farming town. They aren't close to any big cities! Seems weird to me, and that makes him a suspect. Then there is her neighbor, who has means and opportunity, so he is a suspect. Then there is the deputy who hid information....yeah, there is no want for suspects in the story for sure!!!! I mean, maybe its not a man. It could be her bitch of a half sister. Or hell, her mega bitch of a mom! See what I mean-no want for suspects even in this tiny town!

Rylan is our hero. He grew up in the town, and his father still lives there. He has a degree in criminal justice and started a very profitable business with his friend. He lives happily in California, but came home to help his father with a few things around the farm because of all the rain. Rylan kept his distance from Jaci when they were in school, so they were never friends. I struggled to warm to Rylan as a hero because he pushed Jaci away when they were young because he knew she had feelings for him and he didn't like that. I just imagine Jaci as a teenager: her mom and half siblings treat her like typhoid Mary, her crush is actively staying away and making her feel like an idiot for being concerned over some pranks, and her dad is dead. I wanted to punch all these assholes in the face, Rylan included.

The story is told in 3rd person omniscient so you get to see into the killers mind, which I always love. Ivy does this and still manages to maintain anonymity of the killer which is great as well. Ivy drops little, tiny clues throughout the story to help you eliminate suspects or narrow it down, but they are easy to miss if you aren't paying close attention. The red herrings are much easier to catch!

If you like creepy suspense stories with a brave heroine who isn't an idiot, Pretend You're Safe will keep you up reading long past your bedtime. It will also make you seriously look at everyone in your life a little differently because anyone could be a psychopath!
Link live on 8/25/17

After a week I still don’t what to write for this book. Ms. Ivy writes fantastic romantic suspense but this didn’t work for me and I’ll tell you why.

I found the characters hard to deal with. I found that were flat and that they didn’t actually like one another. There were several POVs which I found weird. The Sherriff’s Mike, Rylann’s the Hero of the book, Jaci the heroine of the book and the killers POV. At times it was hard to keep track especially when it went over to the killers.

There was also too much family drama when it came to Jaci’s family. That could have been cut back on.

The suspense is good as I didn’t guess the culprit. It is well written and in that aspect I did enjoy the plot but that doesn’t help with my indifference to the characters.

I like the author so I will read more by her.

This cover tells you everything about this book. It's a bit creepy, it's a small town and it's dangerous. Just the vibes from the cover alone caused me to request this book from Netgalley. There's always been this lurking threat of a stalker since Jaci was 16, but no one took it seriously until years later and he's back. Not only does she have this idiot stalking her and possibly murdering other women but she has her stodgy rich family to contend with. A mother and step father, half brother and half sister and not a whole lot of sense or love among them. There were times I wanted to reach into the book and yell some words at her mother. Luckily for Jaci she has strong and trustworthy men that are willing to look out for her. Ivy wove an intriguing and frightening story that kept me reading well into the night trying to solve her case. Apparently there will be more in this series and I'm sure she won't disappoint.

Full review to be published online in mid September.

PRETEND YOU’RE SAFE is the first book in Alexadra Ivy’s new “The Agency” Romantic Suspense series. Jaci Patterson and Ryan Cooper have known each other since childhood, having grown up in the same small town. Both have changed and move away; Jaci left town for college, and Rylan went to California. As the story begins, both are back in their hometown. Jaci is home because she inherited her grand-parents’ house, and she is home for good. Rylan has come back for a short period to visit his father.

Jaci and Rylan always had a strong attraction one for the other when they were younger; but as much as Jaci never hid her feelings, Rylan never showed anything. That has changed for Rylan as he meets up again with Jaci. Soon after they both arrive in town, one of Heron’s residents discovers a corpse and a skeleton on his land after a torrential rain period. Then Jaci discovers a gold medallion on her porch; where she finds a strand of hair wrapped in a bloodstained ribbon. This discovery takes her back to her many years before when she received such gifts; and was sure that a serial killer was at work in the little town. No one believed her at the time, but someone has started up the torment once she returns home.

PRETEND YOU’RE SAFE is an interesting, intriguing story, and “The Agency” looks to be a great new Romantic Suspense series for Alexandra Ivy.

A wonderful suspense novel! If you want something to read that keeps you guessing to the end, this is it! I am a self professed wuss about these things so it took me a while to finish this one. Lots of action. Lots of possible suspects. Creative story telling and world building. Had me on my toes from the description alone. Oh yes, there is a bit of romance as well woven into everything else. Loved that Jaci and Rylan had been friends forever. It always warms my heart to see love blossom where friendship grew.

Love this author and love seeing her non-paranormal work so brilliantly done!

If you are looking for a chilling and riveting murder mystery that will keep you guessing, Pretend You’re Safe is the book for you.

Jaci Patterson thought she was being stalked by a stranger leaving her lockets when she was 16.

Years later, when the small town boarding the banks of the Mississippi floods bodies begin to wash up and the lockets return to Jaci’s porch. Haunted with the thoughts that a killer loose on her home town, Jaci feels this is all tied into her past. It’s a demented game she finds herself caught up in and her only hope for survival might end up in the hands of the deputy that blew off her concerns as a teen, Rylan Cooper.

You can't go wrong grabbing any title written by Alexandra Ivy. Nail biter from start to finish, this stalker/murder mystery keeps you turning the pages into the wee-hours of the morning.

I received this ARC copy of Pretend You're Safe from Kensington Books - Zebra. This is my honest and voluntary review. Pretend You're Safe is set for publication Aug. 29, 2017.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Alexandra Ivy
Series: The Agency (Book 1)
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: August 29, 2017
ISBN-10: 1420143778
ISBN-13: 978-1420143775
Genre: Suspense Thriller

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Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

This was my first book by Alexandra Ivy, and I was really impressed! I thoroughly enjoyed this romantic suspense and found it quick and easy to read. The characters were ones I really liked, and the storyline was fast moving and captivating.

Jaci Patterson is being stalked by a murderer. It isn't the first time. No one believed her before, but now Rylan Cooper realizes his mistake in doubting her. He was a young deputy sheriff when she received lockets the first time. Now that she is back home after years away, the murders have started again, as have the gifts of lockets to Jaci. As Rylan tries to keep Jaci safe and find the killer, he and Jaci develop feelings for one another.

This one had a good balance between the romance and suspense, and I loved both aspects of the story!

Here's your next non-stop read. Ivy's latest romantic suspense brings together teen affections, family problems, life choices, murder and mayhem and romantic attraction that can't be denied. The suspenseful plot revolves around the scary lockets that are once again appearing on Jaci's door like they did when she was in high school. Who is responsible and now that bodies are turning up what does it truly mean? Rylan, oh how Jaci would have loved to have his attention back in high school, is back in town and he will stop at nothing to protect Jaci, and not that the sheriff Mike wouldn't like to help out as well. Yet the question is who is behind it all? Ivy will keep you guessing right to the suspenseful conclusion.

Jaci Patterson has returned to her hometown hoping that things have changed while she was gone and praying that the torment she experienced in her teenage years doesn’t return. Things were going fine for Jaci until a huge storm washed a body into a neighboring farm. Jaci is immediately on edge because years before she had found her first locket on her porch with a few strands of hair wrapped around a scrap of bloodstained ribbon and no one would believe that it was more than a prank.

Rylan Cooper had been an arrogant deputy sheriff back when Jaci was trying to get someone to believe there were more to the gifts left for her. Now Rylan sees that Jaci is truly being stalked when another locket is left after the discovery of the body. Now Rylan admits that Jaci may have just been right with insisting a serial killer was on the loose and he now vows to do whatever he can to find them before anything can happen to Jaci.

Pretend You’re Safe by Alexandra Ivy is a romantic suspense read. As with most romantic suspense there is some language and sexual situations involved that you don’t normally find in a regular mystery/thriller but the story also contains the chilling story of a killer on the loose tormenting the main character along with the developing relationship.

As this one started off I was wondering if Jaci was going to end up struggling with a love triangle in the story line but thankfully she chooses her interest fairly early on even after two potential men were brought into the story. She was a strong character that was determined to not let the killer torment her yet again and was easily likable from the start. The book also contained a few twists and turns on the mystery side to keep it interesting while focusing on the relationship too so both sides were enjoyable.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

From start to finish readers will not be able to put this book down until they know who is leaving the lockets.
Never Judge an author by one book they wrote or you will be disappointed. I have read ARES Security Series written by Alexander Ivy I found disappointing because I felt the story lacked meat to the characters.
Pretend You're Safe I couldn't put down from first to last page. The characters will pull readers in keeping them interested to see what will happen next.
The story is in a way second chance romance but it only helps the enhance the characters and help tell the story which will keep readers on their seat I promise.
The author really takes time for readers to get in the mind of the killer even with the rush of the ending. The story is wrapped up in a nice little bow but readers will know that Jaci still has things to work though and Rylan won't let her go. The relationship doesn't feel forced but perfect blend and balance though out the story.
This story has me wanting to read more by Alexander Ivy. Lesson learned just because you don't like one authors series doesn't mean you won't fall head over heels in love with another one of her books.
I can't wait to read more by Alexandra Ivy.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Kensington Books. s

New book in a new series for Alexandra Ivy and I absolutely loved it! There has never been a book by this author that I haven't enjoyed, although I prefer her paranormal's. This book follows Jaci Patterson and Rylan Cooper. When Jaci was a teenager she kept receiving lockets with hair wrapped in bloody ribbon inside. She tried to get the police to investigate but they thought it was just a teenage prank being played on her (or at least that is what Rylan told her). Fast forward to Jaci as an adult. She is back in Heron and making a life for herself when there is a flood that brings in a couple of bodies. She is worried that these could be women from the lockets but the police still don't want to think it has anything to do with that. Until she receives a new locket. Rylan has returned to Heron to help his dad out. He is slowly realizing that Jaci wasn't kidding about what happened or is currently happening. He is also realizing just how much he cared not only then but now. I loved Jaci and Rylan together. They were not only sweet but once they stopped thinking about the past in terms of their relationship-they were beautiful together! This book had some definite twists and turns that I never once saw coming! And I can tell you, I never saw who the bad guy was at all! I had my head set on someone completely different! I absolutely loved every second of this book. My hope now is that we will get to see maybe a second book about Griff. And another about Jaci's sister and the sheriff!

Huge fan of AI and her Guardians of Eternity series. Humor and paranormal romance is what I expect from this author. This was my first book by her that was a romantic suspense novel and I really enjoyed it. The writing is sharp and keeps you guessing til the end. There were several suspects and it took me to almost the end to figure out who was the bad guy. A good mixture of suspense and romance that kept me on edge til the end.
Jaci and Rylan are a great couple that have known each other most of their lives since they both grew up in small town Heron. Rylan didn't want Jaci when they were younger but never forgot about her. Jaci had a huge crush on Rylan and was guarded to get hurt again by him. So while Rylan feels he needs to protect Jaci to make up for his actions long ago, from a killer on the loose, they start to build their relationship again.
This is a great start of a new series and I look forward to the next release.

Wow, didn't see That Coming!!!! Loved this book and the deeply developed characters.

Unremarkable-- that’s the first word that comes to mind when I think of Alexandra Ivy’s PRETEND YOU’RE SAFE. It’s not that the book is bad, but it’s surprisingly slow and uneventful for a romantic thriller. It’s a pleasant enough way to pass a few hours, but it definitely won’t have you frantically turning pages to discover the villain and see him get his comeuppance.

4.5 Stars Pretend You’re Safe is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book the characters were well developed and the storyline was filled with intrigue and suspense. Do yourself a favor and add this brand new story from Alexandra Ivy to your must read list. I will definitely be recommending this and buying it in print as well so I have it to add to my collection.

Pretend You're Safe by Alexandra Ivy was a thrilling story I couldn't put it down. I was privileged to preview this book on NetGalley. Jaci abandoned by her widowed mother so she could marry a rich man and have another family. She was raised by her loving grandparents. Rylan the boy next door who she crushed on all her life move to California and made a fortune. When she was a teen someone left "gifts" on her porch that scared her... they stopped when she went away to college....She is back and they are starting again... Rylan is determined to help her and so is sheriff Mike. Like I said I was glued to this book til I finished it.... Can't wait for her next romantic suspense thriller WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

Riveting story with great character development. This romantic suspense novel is very well done, with many potential bad guys to keep the reader guessing. I suspected everyone and didn't know for sure who the serial killer was until it was revealed by the author. The pace of the story is excellent; I stayed riveted throughout. I really liked the characters of Jaci and Rylan and enjoyed their chemistry. This is the first story I've read by this author, and I look forward to reading more.