TOP REC | 6 Stars

Keep Her Safe was a riveting, page-turner of a thriller with a massively intriguing storyline. As one of the most complex and twisty stories I've read, Tucker was absolutely in her element with this tale, keeping the pace of the novel at its quickest and its mysteries at their most puzzling. When a story is as gritty and convoluted as one is with delving into possible police force corruption, the expectation to not only handle the subject with sensitivity and care, but still manage to fall within the realm of possibility was high–all of which it delivered on perfectly and with sound, skilled writing.

Tucker's skill with suspense and mystery has grown with each new book of hers, continually edging up the bar in the genre, and, if anything, she has outdone herself again. This is the kind of story you cannot put down; each chapter ending manages to bring forth new information, thus eliminating stopping points, and the need to forget sleep or basic essentials to inhale more of it only heightens. The suspense was a nonstop, heart-racing whirlwind that sucked me in and spit me back out, chapter after chapter filled with excitement and revelations. But this story wouldn't be what it was without its enigmatic and intricately written characters, both main and secondary. Each person had their part to play and I'm still amazed at how brilliantly they all circled one another to create this multifaceted and elaborately plotted tale. Noah and Gracie were deeply connected by past family ties, placing them on the same side of the game board, but their motives and those same family ties also divided them–each step forward continuing to threaten their growing (dis)trust and connection, and creating a brilliant back-and-forth tension in the process.

The most provocative aspect was how harrowingly realistic the portrayal was of something that happens all over the country. The injustice of abuse of power and position was poignant and hit close to home. These characters and their stories were heartbreaking and filled with sorrow and unfairness, but ever-present was that small, undying spark of hope and justice that continued to show life in Noah and Gracie no matter the obstacles. Keep Her Safe was a wild and crazy ride of a tale that captivated and beguiled with its mysteries and slowly revealing plot points, and I cannot wait to read it again to see all the little signs I might've missed. It was a masterfully written story and an absolute must-read.

I didn’t pick up on the fact that this one is labeled as a romantic suspense novel before I read it and that’s completely my fault, somehow when I first read the description I assumed it was a mystery police procedural type of read even though it says romantic suspense in the blurb! All of that to say, my expectations were not correct when I started this and I think it had an impact on my overall feelings about this one so keep that in mind when reading this review.

This is told using various timelines and several viewpoints and that portion of the book was very well done. The switches back and forth were seamless and the writing was fluid and engaging. The core of the plot was interesting and I always love a cold case type of mystery with an unsolved crime being unearthed years later. Noah and Grace were both well drawn and the secondary characters were as well and there were quite a few here, this was a well though out plot but I think veteran mystery readers will have a fairly easy time sussing things out.

Now for how my expectations effected my enjoyment and overall feelings about this. It really felt like I was reading a new adult romance and I totally wasn’t in the mood for that when I started this. It wasn’t too over the top but there is definitely romance and I could’ve done with less of the kissy stuff and more action and intensity. Again, totally my fault but I do want to make sure anyone eyeing this knows romance plays a pretty big role and the suspense takes a backseat. I also felt like parts of this were drawn out, maybe it’s because I could see where things were heading early on but I had a few moments where I was thinking, come ON already!

If you’re into RS this is a solid read, if you’re looking for a mystery without gore and graphic details, this is a good one. If you’re like me and prefer gritty, dark thrillers with tense moments and surprising twists this is probably not the book for you, however I can see it working for many people as long as they know what to expect.

KEEP HER SAFE was my first K.A. Tucker book, and it proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience despite my initial scepticsm about its first-person narration (a not-wholly-rational personal pet peeve). More crime fiction/police procedural than true romantic suspense, KEEP HER SAFE does a good job delving into the dark depths of police corruption and the lengths people are willing to go to for ambition whilst also giving us a budding, tender romance between two new adults (also typically not my cup of tea!) who’ve experienced a mountain of adversity and had their foundations thoroughly shaken. The romance between Gracie and Noah is both subtle and endearing, and it augments the suspense of the whodunit plot rather than feeling like a token nod to the book’s ‘romantic suspense’ billing. The plot is interesting and fast-paced and will keep you turning the pages-- even when you’re pretty sure you know who’s behind it all!
Overall, a good way to spend a handful of hours.

K.A. Tucker’s books have been on my TBR for ages. She’s one of those authors I always saw people talking wonders about on social media and always wanted to read but somehow always ended up skipping because… I don’t even know why. Guess I was afraid of not liking her books and being the only one who didn’t love them. Turns out, I was wrong and kind of want to kick myself in the arse for taking so long to pick up one of her books because K.A. Tucker writes some of the most well-written and thought out books I’ve ever read. The woman knows what the heck she’s doing and everyone can see a lot of research goes behind everything she writes.

I’m not one to read a lot of suspense. If you’ve been here a while—or if you just take a look at my other reviews—you know I rarely read suspense. It is one of those genres I’d rather watch a movie about than read (when I’m feeling brave, that is). This book, however, makes me want to pick up every single romantic suspense ever written. It is thrilling, unexpected and gripping. Don’t even think about doing something other than reading if you’re going to pick up Keep Her Safe because once you start reading it you are not putting it down until you finish. I don’t want to give absolutely anything away so I’m not telling y’all anything about the story just know that it has an amazing pot twist you’ll never see coming.

The only reason I’m not giving this one a five out of five is because it doesn’t actually have a lot of romance. I expected an equal amount of romance and suspense since it is a romantic suspense but I got definitely way more suspense than anything. And while I really enjoyed the story as it is, I would have loved it a tiny bit more if it had more romance.

I recommend all of you give this book a try. I loved it and I KNOW a lot of you (even the ones who hate romance, I see you) will love it too. If you’ve had K.A. Tucker’s books on your TBR for a while like I did/do then listen to me and do yourself a favor by moving them up that list. You don’t want to make the mistake of not reading her amazing books!

I have been enjoying K.A. Tucker's stories since she first began writing and have watched her transition from contemporary romances to romantic suspense. Each book has been more powerful than the next.  Keep Her Safe delivered a suspenseful mystery thriller with a side dish of romance that finished out my 2017 reads with a bang!

This is my second book by this author. I read and reviewed Until It Fades last year. I liked that book a lot, so I jumped at the chance to grab this one. It’s a little differently written than what I expected, having read that earlier book...I liked this one even better!

In this story, Ms. Tucker has given the reader clues throughout the book through means of flashback looks at the lives of characters who have passed, but are still at the center of the plot. It was fascinating. I have read many books with flashbacks and memories, but never one more cleverly done.

Noah Maxwell is a great character. He’s a nice guy dealing with the sudden loss of his mother in a horrifying way. In dealing with her last request, he meets Gracie Richards. Noah knew Gracie when they were very young, but is shocked at the downward spiral her life took when her mother packed their belongings and left Austin.

Noah and Gracie team up, reluctantly by Gracie...she doesn’t trust anyone!...to piece together the clues they discover about the murder of Gracie’s father and the suicide of Noah’s mother. One of the glues that sticks them together is a one-eyed, dirty, smelly, rat eating dog! That and their desire to know the truth.

K.A. Tucker is becoming one of my favorite authors. Her method of feeding clues to the reader just a page or two before the protagonists figure them out is a definite highlight. This book is looking good for being a favorite of 2018. If you love a great mystery that unwinds slowly and relentlessly, populated by characters that will steal your heart, grab a copy and...

Enjoy!

2shay

I love suspense mixed in with romance and really enjoyed this KA Tucker book.
While this book started a bit slow, the back story and corruption kept me glued to my kindle. And while early on I thought I knew who “did it”, I was wrong and that added an element of surprise that I really enjoyed.
Noah and Grace grew up in different worlds because of circumstances that happened with their parents while they were young. A tragedy puts them in each other’s lives again and they learn to work together to find answers they so desperately need. Through it all what I loved about them was the slow build growing friendship to more connection you could literally feel emit from the pages. Noah was a true gentleman from the beginning to the end and I just loved him. I loved Grace being a firecracker and giving Noah a run for his money but in the end her loyalty to
Him and being there for him just touched my heart.
Readers looking for something more than just romance that will keep you on the edge of your seat should definitely pick this book up on release.

This intense, emotional story is filled with suspense and intrigue and it held me spellbound from start to finish. It is a gut wrenching story about good versus evil; about doing what is right no matter what the cost. This is a wonderfully written dark story with unforgettable characters and intricate plot weaving. I’ll admit, I was hoping for more romance but the story is so engrossing, I didn’t care.

Noah and Grace are brought together through circumstances beyond their control. Noah’s mother makes a request for him to get in touch with Grace and it changes the course of both of their lives. Noah is trying to unravel the confusing mystery of Grace’s father's death and his mother's. Noah has had an insulated life and has been protected from all the bad things taking place. Once his mother dies, Noah has to make some tough decisions. He must decide to do what is right or what is easy. Noah is a good guy. He is charming, endearing, protective, tough and he also has a sweet and naive side.

Grace has had nothing but bad breaks in her life and she has learned she can’t trust anyone. Life hasn’t been fair or kind to Grace and she has learned not expect much. Yet through it all, Grace has become a tough and strong woman and she hasn’t let life bring her down.

There are a lot of secrets and lies and it is dangerous as Noah and Grace try to learn the truth. Although Grace is attracted to Noah she is afraid to let him in. I liked Noah and Grace. They are likable and realistic and have a lot of chemistry.

4.5 Stars!

'Keep Her Safe' is addictive, intriguing and mysterious, with a story that is as twisted as its characters.

Grace Richards once had it all, a doting father, a supportive mother and a home in a nice neighborhood. It was stolen from her in what appeared to be a drug deal gone bad. Now, 14 years later, with little memory of that former life, she's living in a trailer park with her drug-addicted mother working two jobs to survive.

Noah Marshall lives a privileged life in a nice suburb where he is an investigative analyst in the District Attorney's office. He remembers Abe Wilkes as a good, selfless man, one who helped raise him despite not being his father. 14 years later, Noah still can't reconcile the images in his head with what he's been told.

When Noah's mother dies, he gets caught in the middle of the turmoil when his mother tasks him delivering a package to Abe's daughter and wife. This would set into motion Noah and Grace discovering just how far corruption and scandal run in the city of Austin.

I loved how strong and resilient Grace was, despite her circumstances, she was determined to rise above. She wouldn't be used or taken advantage of. It was her determination and strength that helped her in the fight to clear her father's name.

I admired Noah's strength as well. He had choices to make and none of them easy. He followed his morals despite the fact that doing so would mean hurting someone he loved.

Together these two learned to trust and lean on one another. Thereby solidifying their friendship and budding romantic relationship.

'Keep Her Safe' was suspense with a side of romance! It is this side of Tucker that I love. I look forward to reading more books like this from her!

I liked this book, yet it took me a long time to read, not sure why. With how this book opened I was intrigued. You could tell that the past played a bit part. It sort of drove me nuts with how slow the real truth was revealed, mostly because I wanted to know now. I found it interesting at how connected everything was, which didn’t make it easy for Noah or Grace when they learned what happened. Both of them learned so much about their families, good and bad. I would have liked to see Noah and Em 5 years in the future to see how they have dealt with everything.

What. A. Ride. Keep Her Safe is one of the most intriguing and suspenseful books I’ve read this year. I love reading a book that not only keeps me guessing, but manages to surprise me. The suspense part of the book was the predominate part, but I loved the bit of romance Tucker threw in there as well!

This is the question Noah Marshall finds himself asking after he finds his mother, the police chief of Austin, dead. Before his mom passed, she said some things to him that made him question everything. Noah could just let it all go and move on with his life, but he can’t. He’s not that type of person. He chooses to go and find Gracie.

Gracie grew up in a similar way as Noah. Her dad was a cop, and she had a happy childhood. Then her father was killed, his name tarnished, and things changed for her. She moved with her mother to a trailer park in The Hollow. Things aren’t good for her, but she manages to survive. Then Noah shows up. Noah is not someone Gracie wants to see, but he brings things to light that has her asking more and more questions about her father and his death.

The more time Noah and Gracie spend together, the more her hardened shell starts to crack a bit. She can tell after a while that Noah is the real deal and he really does want to help. Even if that means sacrificing things that are important to him. With time, Gracie learns to trust someone again, for the first time in a long time, someone has her back.

I adored Noah and Gracie, both. Their relationship wasn’t the biggest part of the story, but it was still a great part of it! Noah was the best character in my opinion. I loved how honest he was, how he would sacrifice a lot to do the right thing. His heart was always in the right place. Gracie was strong and even though her life had been tragic, she always had a bit of hope that things would get better.

As I said before, this book really did keep me on my toes. I didn’t want to put it down and wow- was I shocked at some of the revelations at the end! KA Tucker does an incredible job doing romantic suspense. This book is a must read and I highly recommend it to all!

Noahs Mother, Jackie, is the Chief of Police in Austin, Tx. She has started drinking and making confusing, mysterious statements referring to people from the past. She commits suicide and leaves a request for Noah, a package to deliver to her ex partners daughter. In the package is cash. Abe, Jackie’s ex partner, was killed and labeled a dirty cop. From things Noah’s Mom said he begins to wonder is that is the true story, but is reluctant to look into it for fear it might not reflect well on his Mother.

This is a great suspense novel with some romance in it. I would put it more in the suspense category than romantic suspense. This book is told from the point of view of different characters with some chapters going back in time. Sometimes we learned information from one character that another character didn’t know., which is a little different. The story is great with lots of plot twists, dirty cops and secrets. I got so I didn’t want to put the book down. This is my first novel by this author and it won’t be my last. I would give this book 41/2 stars. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Noah Marshall has just been blindsided by his mother, she just admitted to him that her road to becoming the police chief wasn't always on the up and up and that she has done some shameful things to rise to the top... things that left the lives of good people completely in ruins. Now he is left wondering what parts of her life are actually true, who around him can be trusted, and after he finds a duffel bag full of cash that is tied to his childhood best friend he decides he needs to find her to find the truth. He's hoping Grace can give him the answers he needs... little does he know their visit after all these years could also bring him so much more!

Grace Richards life hasn't turned out quite the way she thought it would, especially when she looks back at what it use to be before her father screwed everything up, she was once happy and safe, now she is constantly looking over her shoulder expecting there to be trouble waiting for her and her mother. Her mother a fighting a losing battle with addiction, she is constantly concerned about their personal safety, and constantly wondering where their next meal will come from, and she hates every damn minute of it. If only things could be different for her...

Keep Her Safe is an engrossing tale riddled with suspense, secrets, and twists and turns that are sure to keep you flipping the pages in search of answers!! Wow what a read, this one totally took me by surprise, I was expecting Ms. Tucker's usual literary m.o., but she totally amped up her game and offered up a romantic suspense read that is certain to knock readers sock off! She has previously won me over with her heartfelt emotional reads, and now she has me sitting up and taking notice with this current suspenseful offering, I think it is safe to say she has found her niche in the suspense category too. I thoroughly enjoyed following Noah and Grace along their journey, they kept me captivated from start to finish!! Highly recommend!!

Keep Her Safe is one book that I was so excited to be able to read, and I was so happy that it was just as good as I hoped it would be too. K.A. Tucker is one my favorite authors, and she delivered yet again another amazing story.

This centers around Noah and Gracie who have went through some pretty awful things, some in the past and some in the present. Te story starts off with Noah, shortly after his whole world was turned upside when his mother takes her own life unexpectedly. He has so many questions, and no one wants to answer them, but his mother did leave clues for him to some things that had happened years before that could have led up to this moment. One of those clues leads him to Gracie, who in no way trusts him nor really wants anything to do with him. He tries to tell her he might know the truth behind events that led up to her fathers death. This is what got her attention. Together, they might be able to uncover the truth? I was instantly drawn into the story and wanted to know more about what all happened all those years ago too.

The pacing starts off a little slow, but I think it was the perfect speed to set up everything. With the alternating POV’s from Noah, Grace, Jackie his mother and Abe who is Grace’s father, it gave all the big picture of it all, just a little piece at at time. It was hard to tell who trustworthy, and it was no wonder Noah and Grace had such a hard time finding the truth. I mean, police are supposed to be the ones who protect us right. But there were some who were only out for themselves, and trying to determine who was who got dangerous. I think that they got themselves in a few situations that were a little more than they bargained for, but with that the suspense built and I just kept turning the pages as fast as I could.

Through all of this though, you could see just how well developed Tucker had made this cast of characters. Their emotions, reactions all felt realistic and is was so easy to connect with both Noah and Grace. And even Jackie. Noah was strong and caring and Grace was kinda wild and stubborn but together they were so amazing. Their relationship grew from not trusting into something much more and it so enjoyable to watch them learn each other and their romance that built was slow and gradual and I loved them together. There were several side characters that were pretty amazing too, but one who I just have to mention is Cyclops, they big, dirty and kinda scary stray dog that Noah and Grace took in. He was just a mess and in a good way, and I adored him.

With all the suspense and the sweet budding romance, and the twists that Tucker loved to put in, I honestly did not see the ending coming but wow was it amazing! This is definitely one book that I would recommend picking up if you are a fan of contemporary romances with thriller suspense.

K.A. Tucker's novels have always been a hit or miss with me. It's not that her writing is poor, in fact, she has a superb storytelling ability. It's the plots that get me. Some I am extremely interested in while others I could do without. Keep her Safe falls somewhere in between for me. I liked the book enough to read it from cover to cover, but I didn't feel the undeniable need to read it in one sitting. I was pretty much indifferent.

This is not to say that the book is bad because truly, it's far from it. I just don't think I was into all the corruption going on. I like a bit of mystery but not so much that I want to pull my hair out- which is kind of how I felt.

Overall, this is a good book. It's one I think many are really going to enjoy as well so grab a copy if the synopsis sucks you in or if you're a fan of the author.

Why do suspense books make me insane? I mean truly. I’m a bundle of twisted nerves over here. I honestly had so many theories and was WRONG on each of them.

K.A. Tucker has mastered the art of suspense. Keep Her Safe kept me on my toes and had me constantly guessing. All the while she weaved a nice and sweet romance throughout it. But this was definitely more suspense than romance. So if that’s what you’re looking for, then you’ve come to the right place.

Noah and Grace had this history that spanned years, and yet, their connection was new and fresh. I loved Noah. He wasn’t a macho man but he was a protector. He had a nice balance. Once he found out about Grace he did everything he could to keep her safe. Even at the risk of losing what he hold dear.

Grace is a fighter. She’s keeps going even when life wants to drag her down. When Noah shows up at her door, the past slams it’s way into her and she must find a way that move forward while finding all the answers to her questions.

Y’all, this book will keep you on your toes and have you constantly guessing. And you’ll love every single moment.

I received an advanced copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Nobody writes romantic suspense like K.A. Tucker.
Having been a fan of her books for a few years now, I thought I knew what to expect when I finally sat down to read this anticipated book. I was completely blown away.

I was immediately pulled into the story, the questions and theories (and the never ending whodunits) were in full force within the first few chapters and carried on throughout the book where no character was fully immune from suspicion with the exception of one or two.

The story of Noah and Grace was not without its romance still. Their chemistry was palpable from the very first introduction of their adult selves, but their connection had begun years earlier and as a reader I loved waiting for the magnetic pull that finally pulled them together. Perfectly balanced and woven into such a nail biting story was a mark of true plotting craftmanship that I admire.

The story has several flashback scenes that helped to solve the mystery of what happened and were so well done and placed that I never lost track of characters or the story's pacing.
I was engrossed from beginning to end.

A full five stars.

Noah Marshall’s sheltered life has been turned upside down. What he thought he knew he is no longer sure of. The bad guys might be good and the good guys might be bad. He’s now questioning everything and everyone including his Chief of Police mother and District Attorney Uncle. Why would his mother feel she didn’t deserve to be Police Chief? Who did she wrong? And why does she have a duffle bag full of cash that should go to someone neither of them has seen in years. These questions lead him to childhood friend Grace Wilkens and unlock doors full of secrets.

Grace Richards, formally Gracie Wilkens, lives day by day. That’s all she can do when her mother is an addict and they barely know where their next meal will come from. Gracie’s life wasn’t always so rough, but she barely remembers the days she and her mom lived in the suburbs with her police officer father or that they had a really good life before he was murdered and labeled and “dirty cop”. These days it’s a rundown trailer park that she and her mother call home with a future not so bright.

When Noah Marshall shows up on her doorstep she is suddenly thrust back into the past to a life she barely remembers to help clear her father’s name. She and Noah must piece together cryptic messages and clues from his mother to uncover a major scandal that a lot of high powered people in Austin, Texas have worked very hard to keep hidden.

My first introduction to K.A. Tucker was “Until it Fades” which was romantic so I naturally assumed she was a romance writer, uh, not so much. While there was a romantic aspect to this storyline, this was most definitely a mystery/suspense book. A suspenseful “who-done-it” with a touch of romance is what this was. For as long as I can remember I’ve been reading and I read just about anything but lately I seem to read more Love/romance/erotica; this book however, took me back to my Mary Higgins Clark, James Patterson and John Grisham days and it was a pleasant departure. This was definitely a page turner and kept me guessing the entire time. The flashback scenes sometimes made me move momentum but in the end they definitely helped develop the storyline. I liked all of the characters in this book, even the sleazy cops.

I catalogue this as a cuddle-up-by-the-fireplace type of read. Add it to your Kindle Christmas List

Keep Her Safe is a romantic suspense set in Austin, Texas. It sends you on a journey of corrupt cops and cover ups, with the constant question of why driving you to the very last page. While you're fitting all the puzzle pieces together, Tucker subtly weaves the love story of Gracie and xx so that by the end of the novel you've not only discovered all sorts of answers to questions you didn't know you should be answered, but you also have a solid friendship and love story developed.
Fun, suspenseful romantic read, what's not to love about that?

Keep Her Safe will keep you on the edge of your seat till the end.

Noah’s life changes in an instant. But what lies beneath the surface is the truth, and it’s up to him to find it. He’s thrust into a world he doesn’t understand or in away he doesn’t want to believe.

Seriously, is there anything that Tucker can’t write. She made this thrilling, suspenseful story that had so many twists and so many turns. I wasn’t even sure what was going to happen until the end. It’s an example of brilliant storytelling. I love when I can’t guess what will happen. In this review, I won’t be telling you what happens. Just telling you that you have to read it. I couldn’t put it down.

I give this obviously, Five Boundless Stars and more if I could.