This is a short story about Nicole, who was in a previous story by Burton. She left her abusive husband and started a new life. Her husband found her, he ended up dying. Fast forward 18 months later and Nicole is healing along with her baby. A lawyer’s letter turns her world upside down. Enter David Ayden, a detective that loves her. They go on a journey to see what her dead husband wants, only to get involved in his twisted games again. For Nicole, she learns how to love again. Ayden, well, he protects what’s his!!

A fast paced romantic suspense novella full of action. The characters are interesting, the plot twisted. I think being set at Christmas increases the tension. I wanted to reach into the pages and slap our heroine a few times and I felt sorry for David. I was glad when they were able to get their act together. This is a good short read.

This novelette features secondary characters from Richmond Series.

Nicole Piper manage to survive an abusive marriage to a man so obsessed he killed over it. Now dead Nicole is trying to put the pieces of her live back together surrounded by friends and her 11 month old son. Even though she has come a long way she put the brakes on a relationship with homicide detective David Ayden six months ago out of fear of the past.

A dvd from her dead husband finally makes its way to Nicole. It not only sets her back emotionally it also hints that the real killer of her friend that protected her when she first escaped is still out there. Even from the grave her psychotic ex husband is still torturing her.

David vows that even though Nicole pushed him away he is going to protect her and goes with her to follow the clues her dead husband has left.

This was a great blend of suspenseful and thrilling and romance all around the time of Christmas.

Christmas Past was an exciting, fast-paced read centered on a woman who wants to put her past behind her and the man who makes her long for the future.

Nicole Piper has built a new life for herself and her infant daughter in Virginia now that her abusive husband is dead. But on their first Christmas in their new home, Nicole receives an unwelcome surprise in the form of a video from her late husband which provides details on the murder of the woman who helped Nicole escape. Soon Nicole finds herself on a twisted scavenger hunt for the truth joined by homicide detective David Ayden. As Nicole and David follow the trail of evidence left in the video, they give in to their attraction only for their future together to be threatened by one final gift from Nicole's late husband.

Nicole and David's relationship began prior to the start of the story but the relationship stalled after Nicole wasn't ready for the next step. Nicole still has a number of lingering issues from her marriage and I understood why she wouldn't be ready to start something new. It's clear though from their first scene together that they both still have feelings for one another. When the pair's relationship eventually progresses physically, it's fantastically done with some great scenes. The final scene between the pair was wonderful and I loved watching the two find their way to happily ever after.

I found the pair searching for answers related to the video enjoyable and I liked how David didn't try to take over everything and instead followed Nicole's lead. The plot surrounding the video and the evidence in the murder was interesting and I liked the direction the author chose to take the story.

Overall I really enjoyed Christmas Past and would highly recommend it if you're looking for a quick romantic suspense to read.

I didn't realize this was a novella but I really enjoyed this fast-paced book.
Nicole survived and escaped an abusive husband. Now trying to regain a sense of herself and raise her daughter she receives an unexpectedly that holds clues to a killer. Detective David Ayden sets out to help her find out the truth about what happened to the woman who helped her escape her abusive husband.
This book moves so fast but overall gives you enough to feel satisfied with the outcome.
#ChristmasPast #NetGalley

This was okay. I didn't realize it was a novella when I requested it. All of it was just too fast for me. Nothing against the author - I love her books. Just not a fan of the novellas.

Thank you #netgalley and #kensingtonbooks for the eARC.

This was a taut and dark thriller. Perhaps it was more so because of the juxtaposition of Christmas. This is the first book I have read by Mary Burton and I found it too graphic in the descriptions of sex and violence. There is an unresolved issue by the end of the book that continued the tension, but it flowed well and some may find it appealing. Not so much for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Nicole Piper ran from her abusive husband who is now dead, but she is always looking over her shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop and has issues with trust.

This is a short fast read. I liked the characters and the mystery. There is an unresolved thread at the end of the book that makes me wonder if there will be a sequel. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.