I started and listened to most of this book on audio. The narrator was simply awful. That was a huge disappointment because the narrator of Monster in the Closet was amazing. Even with that, I hung in like a champ because I really wanted to listen to it at work. I ended up reading the last 40ish%.

The Sacramento series is a spin-off of the Baltimore series. I had no idea until I started listening to the heroine’s backstory. Then I had to back it up and listen to it again because it sounded so familiar. Daisy Dawson is Taylor Dawson’s stepsister from Monster in the Closet. Taylor’s mom lied to her husband, Daisy’s father, about Taylor’s bio dad being after them. So they went into hiding for years. That really messed Daisy up. She started drinking when she was fourteen and went into rehab when she was seventeen. She’s an amazingly strong woman.

Daisy knows someone is following her. She’s sure it is one of her dad’s people. Although the truth came out about her stepmother’s lying, her dad can’t let her live her life. She goes down an alley after him (insert eyeroll) and is instead attached by a man with nylon mask on. After a valiant fight and with the help of her dog, Daisy manages to get away from her attacker. She also rips what she finds out is a locket from around his neck.

When her good friend and Sacramento PD detective, Rafe Sokolov, arrives at the scene and sees the locket, he immediately calls his friend Gideon Reynolds. He recognizes that the design on the locket is the same as a tattoo that Gideon has. Gideon gets to the scene as fast as he can and is floored by two things. The first thing is that he has finally found a lead back to the cult that he escaped from as a young teenager. The second is that he cares more about what Daisy Dawson went through then something he’s been searching for for years.

When it becomes apparent that Daisy is going to remain a target, Gideon volunteers to be the one to protect Daisy. Together they start digging into his past. When the past collides with the present, it puts both Gideon and Daisy in danger. Now they have a cult to find and a serial killer to outsmart.

I really loved this book. A lot. There are a few things location wise that threw me off because I used to live in Sacramento. So I knew that Gideon’s house was not by where he worked. I got over that because I love Karen Rose. The cult angle was very interesting. The dynamic between Gideon and his sister Mercy was interesting as well. It was obvious that Mercy and Rafe are going to have a book and I’m curious to see how exactly that is going to work. I’m just really looking forward to the next book.

Bravo on this one, KR.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Note: The link to this review will go live on March 4, 2019.

I had no clue what I was getting into when I first started reading this, and I was hooked on the first page! I also had no clue this was part of a "Romantic Suspense" series! I am now on a mission to read all of Karen Rose's books! I absolutely adored this book! Serial killers mixed with a romance story!? That is my jam!

To make the book even better, I fell in love with all the characters! Daisy is a strong badass chick, Gideon, the sweetheart with a tough exterior, the Sokolov's the biggest hearted people! I can't wait to read more of the "Sacramento" series!

The story was told in different POV's which kept you on the edge of your seat the whole way through! Plus this book has a LOT of pages, but I was never bored. I would have even kept reading because as much as I love the ending, there is definitely more to the story. Highly Highly recommend!

Berkley and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Say You're Sorry. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Detective Rafe Sokolov feels the need to involve his friend, Gabriel Reynolds of the FBI, when a family friend is attacked. Daisy Dawson manages to use the skills that her father taught her to fight off the assailant, grabbing hold of a locket that was around the man's neck. Gabriel is uniquely qualified to shed light on this case because of his connection to the evidence. As the would be killer tries to get to the one that got away, will Gabriel's protection be enough to save her? Will the pair form a special bond that Gabriel will do anything to keep?

Say You're Sorry is a good romantic suspense thriller, as it is well balanced between the investigations into various crimes and the brewing romance. The problem is that the perpetrator gets the jump on Gabriel and Daisy's plans several times, but any FBI agent worthy of the title would have been a little more guarded based on the circumstances. As Gabriel's past would warrant, it would also be likely that he would keep more to the shadows. These plot points seem to serve the only purpose of moving the action forward. Additionally, the author took a little too much time to unfold the story, especially considering that the identity of the perpetrator is already known to readers. Finally, every character seemed to have a backstory filled with abuse of one type or another, which was just too much. Say You're Sorry would be a much better story with a few less pages, but readers who like romantic suspense thrillers should enjoy the novel.

This was one complex read, as the serial killer’s backstory at times made me feel sympathy for him. YIKES! The emotional and physical trauma that he suffered formed him into the psychopath that goes about murdering in this new book by Karen Rose. Say You’re Sorry is the first book in a new series by Rose, but also has ties to her other book series. The book is set in Sacramento California and it’s surrounding area. The killer is mirrored by FBI Agent Gideon Reynolds, who also suffered as a child but didn’t become a psychopath. Reynolds’ is paired with Daisy, a victim of the killer, who got away. The book centers around two mysteries, Gideon and Daisy’s past. The book for me was an okay read, with sometimes brilliant moments and other times mediocre. At points in this book I was sometimes very engaged and at other times bored as some of the dialogue/scenes are redundant. I didn’t need the character telling the same story to multiple characters. I also thought the hunt for the killer was too easy. This killer had been hunting for years and then decided to start making huge mistakes and then compounding them?
3.5 Stars

Admittedly, I was a bit intimidated by this book for the sheer number of pages. Once I started, that fact disappeared as I was immediately taken in by Daisy, Gideon and the multiple story lines. This book is billed as a romantic thriller and Karen Rose absolutely delivered on both counts!

This book delves deep into anxiety, childhood loss, abuse and abandonment, resilience, a religious cult, into the mind of a serial killer and still manages to provide a scorching romance. Immediately upon completion, I clicked over to the author's website to see if a sequel is in the works. I need more of Daisy and Gideon!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read and e-galley of Say You're Sorry. All opinions are my own.

I LOVED this novel! It was fun, exciting, thrilling, sexy and emotional. Some of the situations depicted can be major triggers and several events are pretty graphic. The characters are interesting, relatable and fleshed out well. There is so much more to know and find out about them. I look forward to the rest of the series.

Overall I thought this was a good book. I thought that the plot was well thought out and the story made sense and flowed nicely. I did feel that it was a little drawn out. There were parts I think that could have been cut down, but I thought overall it was good. There were some good suspenseful moments and some surprises that you didn’t quite see coming. There were some hard parts in the sense that you feel for the bad guy, “Sonny”, too because of the life he had, but then you also read about how he tortures his victims. The story chapters are told from different perspective, they aren’t labeled with who is speaking and doesn’t have a specific order, but they are labeled with a place, date, and time.

The characters are well developed and you get a nice background on each of the main characters. Each has their own issues that have shaped them into who they are; Gideon grew up in a cult, Daisy was isolated on a ranch by her father, and “Sonny” has a stepmom that abused him. The chemistry between Gideon and Daisy was good, their relationship developed quickly and I like that it was a simple one, no love triangle to get in the way or issues that tears them apart like a typical romance plot. I like that the story evolved more around the mystery than just the budding relationship between Daisy and Gideon. The supporting characters all played an important part in the story and were almost close to main characters themselves because you learn a lot about them and start to root for them as well.

The writing was well done, it was clear and concise and flowed nicely. Like I said my main thing was just that it seemed to take long to get where it was going. I thought there were good plot twists and some unique things that happened in the story. It was a good book to read and it kept me wondering what was going to happen in the end.

Karen Rose never disappoints. Her books are always intriguing and suspenseful. Seeing that she had a new book was like Christmas!

Daisy has lead a sheltered life. Remember Taylor for Karen's previous book? Well that's Daisy's step-sister. Meaning she was living in the middle of nowhere on the ranch as well. Not that it didn't have it's perks. Living on the ranch and preparing for danger saved Daisy's life one night, but in return she's gained the attention of a serial killer that has been operating for longer than anyone knows.

While dealing with this unfortunate situation, she's forced to meet the guy her adopted family has been trying to set her up with. Not knowing that the pull is going to be greater than either anticipated. Will they have the chance to see where this new found likeness will go or will they be separated before they've really begun?

All questions are answered as the clues slowly start to reveal themselves and the players slowly start to lose control.

This was good, but not at all what I was expecting. A good thriller with plenty of twists and turns to keep you entertained!

I have not read any books by this author before, but I would give her another read. This was a suspenseful book that had romance as well, something I do not usually enjoy. I am not a huge romance fan. This is a book that is a gritty thriller, and detailed romance. If you are not a fan of the grisly details, or like much detail in your romance, this may not be the book for you. For me, this was a little long, but it was a steady paced thriller. This is told from various aspects and I always enjoy that. I would recommend this book, but it is not my favorite I have read recently. I would say for me it is due to the amount of romance in it. If I am going to read a humorous "romance" book, that is fine, but it is because I went in knowing. This was just a little out of what I normally read.

SYNOPSIS: on her way to dinner one night, Daisy Dawson is attacked by a serial killer with a penchant for kidnapping unsuspecting women and carving the word “Sydney” into them. Unfortunately for the killer, Daisy was raised by a survivalist war vet father and homegirl fights back hard and escapes. In the process, she also happens to snag a necklace that her attacker was wearing, the necklace of a previous victim who just happens to share an extremely dark past with FBI investigator Gideon Reynolds. Together, Gideon and Daisy unravel the dark secrets of Gideon’s past while working against the clock to try and stop said serial killer, who is still on the loose and intent on tracking down Daisy and finishing what he first started. Let me start off by saying this book is 600+ pages, which is outrageous to me! How many thrills can one person handle in a book!? I kicked and screamed the entire time reading this (just ask @readwithjamie!). That being said, don’t listen to my whining, because this book was so effing fun. Serial killers w mommy issues, mysterious cults, badass women, sex and intrigue; I rocketed through it and couldn’t get enough of tough-as-nails Daisy (she’s the badass heroine I didn’t know I needed in my life) and the sweet, sensitive and moody Gideon (so emo). They make a fun team and their chemistry is undeniable (I also appreciated that the author made note that their coupling may have had more to do with former alcoholic Daisy using love and sex in lieu of booze as a way of coping with tragedy, especially since I have no idea how you bang it out when your best friend has just been horrifically murdered...le sigh). I thought the story moved forward at a fast clip with little downtime, the bad guy was sufficiently bad, the ending had me on the edge of my seat, and Rose did a great job laying the foundation for future books in the series. Thx to my friends at Berkeley and Net Galley for the advanced copy!

My first Karen Rose book and I official hooked on her books. Say You’re Sorry is a romantic thriller but it is also a psychological thriller. There are so many twists and turns that my head just kept spinning trying to keep up. Yet, the book was easy to follow, amazing to read, and bone-chilling to finish.

With over 600 pages to read I was pleasantly surprised by how quick the story went. With each chapter, there was something new happening. Cults, FBI, kidnapping, families coming together, a dash of romance, and so much more all kept me turning pages, staying up late, and reading chapter after chapter. I had no clue who the villain was, I loved the good guys, and was in awe of the strength that the main characters had to show just to survive.

Say You’re Sorry is the first book in a new series by Karen Rose and I am so excited for more from her.

The characters were well-developed and intriguing. It was fast paced, kept you interested. Wasn't expecting a romance/murder genre.

Wow! Another great thriller/suspense/romance novel by one of my favorite authors, Karen Rose! In typical Rose fashion, this one starts out with a spine-tingling, horrifying event that makes you want to sit up straight and not put this book down until the very last page. Yes, that's what it did. And now I am anxiously waiting for more books in this series.

This one wasn't so much of a mystery, but the action and suspense was still awesome! The characters were multi-faceted, showing their strong sides and their weak sides, their vulnerabilities and their strengths.

The story centers around Daisy and Gideon and a link between the two involving a heart-shaped locket. Even though the main characters were fascinating, many of the other characters worked their way into my heart as well. The Sokolovs melted my heart with the way they brought Gideon and Daisy into their family fold, always being there for them. And Danton and Sammie showed the reader how important a bit of kindness can be and how wonderful it is to "pay it forward".

The story was a bit drawn out in places, with things being repeated over and over again, but I can overlook that because the story was just so dang good!

This is the first book in a new series called Sacramento Novels by Karen Rose. The series features the Sokolovs family. But the two most important characters in this book are Daisy and Gideon who are only part of the family by 'adoption'. Daisy has been attacked by a serial killer and Gideon is an FBI agent who is her protector. The secrets that they both have affect how they interact with each other and other people. The serial killer thinks he is so smart but as the tale unfolds, there is pressure which builds and builds. Also, one of the secrets is beginning to be known but not resolved -- that is for the next book. I look forward to the next book.

SAY YOU'RE SORRY (Sacramento #1, Romantic Suspense #22) by Karen Rose is an edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense with a hero and heroine who are both damaged and yet extremely strong and a twisted serial killer who is only discovered when he picks the wrong victim. Every page of this dense thrill ride kept me guessing, surprised, tense and turning the pages. I love Karen Rose books and I feel this is the best Karen Rose romantic suspense to date!

Daisy Dawson is the sexy female voice on the morning drive radio show. Daisy involves herself whole-heartedly in her community and events with her emotional support dog, Brutus always in her carry bag. Seven years sober and away from her extreme upbringing on an isolated ranch, Daisy has done her best to live a normal life, until the night she confronts a man following her and her friend from AA.

FBI Special Agent Gideon Reynolds would normally have nothing to do with a local attack, but one of the detectives handling Daisy’s attack recognizes the design on a locket that Daisy ripped from her attacker’s neck. It is the same design that he once had tattooed on his chest. This is the first lead Gideon has to another who may have escaped the cult he was raised in until his escape at age 13.

When Gideon meets Daisy, he is surprised by his reaction to her. He has never disclosed his full past to anyone and yet he has the need to tell it all to Daisy. Daisy and Gideon are immediately thrown into a maelstrom of murders and as much as Gideon protects Daisy, Daisy will surprise Gideon with how prepared she is to face these threats on her own.

Thank goodness this is the first book in this new Sacramento series because I want so MUCH more! There is so much happening on these 640 pages. You have a current serial killer to catch and then you have a secretive, perverted religious cult to learn about and find which will story arc into future books. Gideon and Daisy are absolutely brilliant together. All of the secondary characters are starting to take shape and you want to know all of their secrets, too. This is an amazing start to this series and I am anxiously awaiting more!

Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC. It was everything I am looking for in a romantic suspense and more.

I love everything Karen Rose writes; she knows how to write an intriguing, well written story with romance. SAY YOUR SORRY is a suspenseful romance and it drew me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until the last. This engrossing, action packed story had my heart racing. It has intricate plot weaving and is filled with complex characters with a lot of baggage.

Gideon and Daisy meet when a serial killer tries to abduct Daisy, but luckily she is able to get away. FBI agent, Gideon is given the job of keeping Daisy safe and out of the hands of the serial killer. There is strong attraction between Gideon and Daisy and a lot of sexual tension. They are both damaged from their childhood and they help each other overcome their issues.

Gideon is a good guy and is protective and loving towards Daisy. Daisy is a free spirit who is sweet and wants to help everyone. Although, she is cautious with her heart. This is an interesting story and I enjoyed getting a behind the scenes look at how the police and FBI work.

Great characters...hope yo follow them in the futute. The story really drew you in...super hard to put down. I will eagerly look for the side story to continue.

A Smart, suspenseful, and sexy romantic suspense story!

Karen Rose is definitely the queen of romantic suspense... I felt this book was the perfect balance of both romance and suspense... The romance was sizzling and swoon worthy while the suspense was dark and nail biting.... Karen Rose doesn’t pull any punches, both the romance and suspense in this book are gritty, graphic, and raw... this is not for the faint of heart, so if you don’t like all the intimate details, this one might not be for you....

This book is over 600 pages, but it certainly did not seem that way... I flew through those pages and never did I think when does this end? In fact I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to these characters yet.... Daisy was a fabulous protagonist and Gideon wasn’t too bad either😉 The chemistry between these two was off the charts.... hot🔥 and what I really appreciated is they not only connected on a physical level but also on an emotional and intellectual level, bravo to that! Also the fact that these two found time for romance and sizzle was quite impressive with all that was going on... A crazy creepy serial killer, A connection to a cult that’s part of Gideon’s past, well that’s it, but there is a lot to both of those! Two seemingly separate stories that thread together perfectly!

We got many different perspectives in this book including that of the demented killer... and can I just say this guy was creepy squared! But I love that... I love getting into the mind of crazy and this guy definitely fit that bill.... along with Daisy and Gideon we had a cast of very well drawn secondary characters... my hope is the next book is about Gideon’s sister....

A well-crafted story that will make you sweat, swoon, and squirm! An intense fast pace story bursting with romance and suspense! Recommend!

<h1>🎵🎵🎵 song running through My Head</h1>

<i>I can't seem to face up to the facts
I'm tense and nervous and I can't relax
I can't sleep 'cause my bed's on fire
Don't touch me I'm a real live wire
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better
Run run run run run run run away oh oh
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, away oh oh oh
Yeah yeah yeah yeah!
You start a conversation you can't even finish it
You're talking a lot, but you're not saying anything
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed
Say something once, why say it again?
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better
Run run run run run run run away oh oh oh
Psycho Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far…</i>

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BlWZFxCQ0uk

*** many thanks to Berkley for my copy of this book ***

Say You’re Sorry – Karen Rose

I was fortunate to receive this book as an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an objective review.

Eleanor ‘Daisy’ Dawson is a recovering alcoholic, who fights the demons of her past on a daily basis. With the help of her best friend Trish and her therapy dog Brutus, she maintains her sobriety one day at a time. Working presently as a radio personality on a busy morning show, she keeps herself busy, particularly with the local animal shelter’s adoption program.

While walking home one evening, she is unexpectedly attacked and pulled into an alley. She fends off her attacker, but not before he says some things to her, leading her to believe he’s taken other women. And then she realizes she holds a locket in her hand – a locket that she must have pulled off her attacker’s neck in the scuffle. Sacramento PD Detective Rafe Sokolov, Daisy’s friend and landlord, is called to the scene.

FBI Special Agent Gideon Reynolds has his own demons to fight. Escaping from the Church of Second Eden, an abusive, cult-like society when he was 13, he continues to search for the group’s location, as an adult. Then he receives a call from his close friend Rafe, who explains to him about Daisy’s attack and the locket she grabbed – almost identical to a tattoo Gideon once had on his chest. Gideon joins the group as the police interview Daisy, and its instant attraction for both of them.

As the investigation heats up, the FBI allows Gideon to re-open the investigation into the cult, while he provides protection of sorts for Daisy, concerned her attacker may try again. A second victim is discovered, with evidence that links to many other homicide victims, and the search for a killer commences…but the killer has set his sights on Daisy and Gideon…

I have been a fan of Karen Rose for years, and she has outdone herself with this novel! A fantastic police-procedural with all of the mystery, drama, and edge-of-your-seat suspense you could ask for, with a little romance thrown in as well. I could NOT put it down!! I’m hoping for more of Gideon & Daisy in future novels!! Awesome!! One of the best books I’ve read in a while!!