Thank you to Kate Rock Book Tours for the copy of The Good Stranger by Dete Meserve for review and for including me on the book tour!

The Good Stranger is the third book in the Kate Bradley series but I found it highly readable as a standalone. Kate moves to New York City to work as a reporter and is having trouble finding her footing. One night after a blackout, there are purple and white balloons found covering the city. Soon there are flowers left at doorsteps, medical bills anonymously paid off, and other good deeds. No one knows who is behind this massive Good Samaritan gifting spree but Kate is on the case.

I am not sure I have ever read a mystery that wasn’t about murder. This was such a refreshingly hopeful mystery novel with positive characters. The first novel has been made into a Netflix Original movie called Good Sam and I think that might be on my watchlist for when I need a pick me up.

I love all things Dete Meserve. She has three books in her Kate Bradley series, which started with Good Sam, that has become a NETFLIX movie. I highly recommend watching it. I watched it again last night! All three books are excellent and can be read in series order or as a stand-alone. The Good Stranger is the most recent installment in her series and the one I’m promoting today!

In this one, Kate has moved to New York to work with a national news channel. She has always been a reporter of “feel-good” current news previously, but at this station, they want her to cover political news, being the daughter of a senator. While reluctantly working the assignment she is given, she also starts investigating a new wave of mystery good being done in the city. The handsome, well-known Scott Jameson, who works with her station, joins her on a wild adventure. Mysterious gift cards appear on cars, people’s bills are paid, meeting neighbors and making friends is being spread so everyone feels connected. While looking for who is behind all of this, Kate receives warnings telling her to stop. Never one to back done from a great story like this, she and Scott continue until the end of this great new book!

I think this edition is my favorite in the series. Meserve captures the city well and makes the reader feel like they’re in NYC with Kate. I’ve greatly enjoyed reading about Kate and her growth from a local news reporter to a national one. It’s a little suspense and enough to keep you wanting to see who this “Perfect Stranger” is while enjoying the growing chemistry of Kate & Scott.

I found The Good Stranger to be an uplifting story about the importance of hope and kindness. In a world with one negative news story after the next, this book served as a great reprieve!

Summary: In The Good Stranger, we follow news reporter Kate Bradley as she moves to New York and becomes accustomed to working at a new news station. While Kate is struggling to adjust to the hustle of New York, she starts noticing random acts of kindness throughout the city: balloons appearing, gift cards on cars, and medical bills disappearing. With a potential love interest by her side, Kate is determined to find out who is behind all of the good deeds and why they do not want to be found.

Review: Although this book is the third in the Kate Bradley series, it was the first book I had read. I was able to follow and enjoy the story easily. Kate is an endearing a likable protagonist. I feel like we are often conditioned to expect the worst in a situation, so it was very refreshing to read about a good person searching for good in the world.

A mystery about people who have done something good rather than something bad is certainly appealing among all the bad news we hear all the time! Kate has moved to NYC and soon discovers that someones has been spreading acts of kindness around the city. She wants to know who it is, and why they're doing it. With the help of a handsome TV host, she traces the good deeds until she finds where they all began. I loved Good Sam when I read it a few years ago and I also enjoyed the Netflix film that was made from it. I enjoyed following Kate on another good mystery.

To read a Dete Meserve novel is like slipping on your favorite pajamas and snuggling with a warm blanket. It’s cozy and comfortable, and it’s definitely a feeling we all need in our lives sometimes. Although The Good Stranger is the third in the Kate Bradley series (each better than the last), it can absolutely be read on its own, although I certainly recommend that you put all of them on your TBR! There’s a message in Dete’s writing that is warm and heartfelt, and I can’t wait for the next installment!

From my blog: Always With a Book:

This is the first book I've read by Dete Meserve, though it is the 3rd book in her Kate Bradley Mystery series. While I usually like reading series in order, I had no problem picking this one up and reading it as a stand-alone...and I found it to be the perfect book to read right now in light of all that is going on in regards to the pandemic and the way we have all been feeling - that message of kindness just hit me in the right spot.

Right from the start, I knew I liked the character of Kate and as the book progressed, I really came to appreciate everything about her. No matter what was going on, no matter what her new boss was saying, she knew she wanted to give this story about "the stranger" doing random acts of kindness its due. Even when she starts receiving menacing and threatening letters, she's not about to let this go.

I loved this book. With all that is going on in the world right now, to read this book was so refreshing. It put such a smile on my face, knowing that there are good people out there, that it doesn't take much to do a little good and that you never know how a little bit can go a long way.

This may have been the first book I've read by Dete Meserve but it definitely won't be the last. I will absolutely be picking up the earlier books in this series and I hope this one isn't the last - I would love to see this series continue on.

This was such a great, uplifting, happy book that made me want to run out leave flowers and nice notes for my neighbors.⁣
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Someone is leaving random gifts around Manhattan, occasionally with a note signed “A Stranger”. ⁣
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Kate Bradley and Scott Jameson are TV news reporters who are trying to find the identity of the person. ⁣
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This was such a great, feel good book. If Covid it life in general has you down, I recommend picking this one up!⁣
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When my girls were younger, I hosted a monthly Girls Club and one of our exercises was to blast my entire neighborhood with positive messages. I’ve done it in library programs with kids, too. Unfortunately right now we don’t want to touch that other people have touched, or I would do it right now because I think we could all use the positivity.⁣
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Kindness and generosity. These are two words I really want you to think about today. I want you to keep these two words in mind when you are frustrated at work, at traffic, at your family, at your friends, at people in grocery store or gas station, at politics, at leaders and even at fellow Bookstagrammers. .

The Good Stranger was a perfect book to read right now. Kate Bradley is a TV correspondent that reports breaking news, and finally gets her big break and moves to NYC. One evening there a large blackout and as Kate runs through the city to find out the cause she stumbles on something more shocking than she expects. Acts of kindness all over the city! They must be a group of people or organization that is doing this. After the blackout, these things continue to happen. .

Here boss tries to tell her this is not news! When she asks him if looting, rioting, and people being scared is news, why can’t something where people are happy and doing good deeds for others be considered news. Kate teams up with Scott, who she works with, to find the people behind the gifts. This is a story that will remind you that something so small can truly make difference. You can make someone feel special and show them that they matter. .

The world will continue to be a tough place to navigate- virus, inequality, debt, politics. But acts of kindness and generosity are contagious and go a long way! So again, I ask you to remember these two words today and see what you can do!

Author Dete Meserve has written an amazing feel good series! The Good Stranger brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart! Kate Bradley has began her new job in New York working for ANC. Little does she know that a major power outage will be the beginning of someone trying to show that giving to others is the new norm. Strangers begin helping others by paying their rent, buying their dinner or a simple gesture of helping someone cross the street. Will Kate be able to discover the identities of the good samaritans? With the help of Scott, star of Wonders of the World television show, Kate tries piece together the mystery behind all of the selfless acts. This beautiful novel is guaranteed to melt even the hardest of hearts!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Not the genre I tend to read however it's a very well written novel.

TV reporter Kate Bradley sheds her local skin for national news, leaving LA to report for ANC in NYC. A series of unfortunate events occur that make her question this move, culminating in a city-wide blackout. Terror and looting are on the rise and the city seems sheathed in danger, until purple and white balloons start appearing in masses around the city. What seems like a one-off attempt at bringing light to a dark situation (literally and figuratively) turns into countless good deeds being done randomly throughout the city. Kate, along with one of ANC’s famous reporters, sets out to find out who is behind these good deeds. The closer they get, the more they realize the stranger doesn’t want to be found.

“Yes, there is trouble, chaos, and tension. But there are far more people doing small gestures and big things to make the world better.” - Dete Meserve

This was my first Dete Meserve book, and what a timely and relevant read it was. Reading about the terror in the city in the book and then hearing about the terror going on in the world right now was surreal. Considering the state our world is currently in, we could use a stranger like that of this Kate Bradley mystery to come and spread a bit of light. That being said, this novel was a surprising delight. The mystery aspect was embedded in Kate and Scott’s race around the city to find the stranger responsible for these random acts of kindness. There was a bit of an air of repetitiveness around the fact that the stranger wanted to stay hidden and the attempts of others to throw Kate off the scent in the form of threats, but, overall, this was a solid mystery. And the romance plot line between Kate and Scott? I’m here for it 🙌🏼. This is the third book in the series, but it can absolutely stand alone. That being said, I'll definitely be reading books one & two. If you are looking for a big of positivity during these dark and confusing times, look no further than The Good Stranger.

Thank you to Suzy Approved Book Tours, Dete Meserve, and Netgalley for my review copy.

What a perfect book for difficult times! With all the negativity in the news this year, I went looking for a happy book and found it, plus a great new-to-me author. A California news personality move to NYC for what is supposed to be a dream career upgrade. Of course, things don't go as expected but what does happen leads to an amazing story of random acts kindness spread throughout Manhattan. A little bit of love, a lot of hope, and a changed for the better attitude among the city residents are some of the results. If you are a fan of secretive good deeds, you need to read this new book.

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

-𝙊𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚'𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡 -

The Good Stranger is next installment in Dete Meserve's, Kate Bradley series
Kate Bradley is a daughter of senator who has recently relocated to New York

Wanting to avance her career as news correspondent but her moving to the big apple, comes with more than she thought it would. Her long term boyfriend has decided to end their relationship and New York City has a rolling black out.
In a series of events a mysterious individual A “Stranger” with a keen insight that seems to know the needs of average everyday people. Takes upon himself to do incredible random acts of kindness to random people. Kate sets off an invitation

A light mystery interwoven in a thought provoking novel that captures human kindness. A feel good book that is engaging and fast paced. From start to finish I was enthralled by the storyline and seamless narration. Well developed characters that will have immersed as the story unfolds.

I’m highly recommend this one as a must read for anyone who enjoys reading thought provoking uplifting contemporary fiction

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and to Net Galley for this fabulous read. I appreciate the ARC for review. My review opinions are my own,.
This particular time in our history is the perfect moment for this outstanding book . I was so moved by the charcters, the story and the plot based on kindness to others. I highly recommend this book. This is the story of doing unto other for basic kindness and how it can bring out the best in some as well as the worse in others.

Our main charcter is Kate Bradley. Kate leaves Southern California and a life she enjoyed for a new position at American News Channel in Manhattan. She will be reporting on crime and justice as she prefers. Unfortunately her boss has other ideas and put her on the politics coverage because her Father is a senator

Kate is beyond frustrated and giving up when things begin to happen in Manhattan. Purple and white balloons start to appear all over the city with random acts of kindness. Gift cards are left, rent is paid and hospital bills are paid. These gestures of generosity are taking over the city. Kate’s instinct takes over and she wants the exclusive on the story and who is behind these kind acts. She joins up with the host of a show to team up to try to find who is responsible and bring the story to air. Then someone is sending ominous letters to Kate to throw her off the trail Kate is tenacious and determined to see this story through to conclusion.

This was such a nice read that leaves the reader feeling good for a change in this harsh world. It was a pleasure to follow along with Kate as she investigates these acts of kindness and to see how such gestures can change people's lives.

Kate Bradley a recent transplant from LA takes a new job as a news correspondent investigating the overwhelming generosity by anonymous strangers that leaves gifts throughout the city.

Working with her co-host Scott, they partner to solve this mystery before this starts to get out of control. This is the third book in the series, and can be read as a stand alone. Meserve creates these amazing characters I loved and brought to life how a simple act of kindness has turned people to pay forward.

A lovely and timely read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Love this book and author and cant wait for the tv show. Meserve is a master at her craft. Loved it

I seldom read romance novels, and this was definitely a story loaded with romance, with the vulnerability and nervousness of boy-meets-girl.

There was, however, a lot more to this book, and I suspect it may take off in the way that "Pay it Forward" did a couple of decades ago. Author Dete Meserve perfectly depicts the common 21st-Century struggle: our collective cynicism and skepticism wrangling with our need for life-affirming connection.

This is the third book in a series featuring TV reporter Kate Bradley. I haven't read the earlier books, but there were no apparent gaps in this story, so it's solidly within standalone territory. She has relocated from Southern California to Manhattan, from a local news beat to a national, and there is culture clash galore.

Take a chance and read this book. You'll feel better about the world.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance readers copy.

5 Stars!

Talk about a BINGE read! I read this entire novel in less than 24 hours and I only put it down to get some sleep. This is nothing like what I thought it'd be but everything I needed.

"In the long silence, I felt my own heart crack open. Tears welled in my eyes. Suddenly our separateness, our aloneness, faded away, and I felt connected to her, fused with her in a way that at once seemed strange and undeniable"

Kate has just moved to NYC and is in a brand new city by herself. She's gotten a dream job at a well known news outlet and is ready to push forward in her career. She also happens to be the daughter of a senator but took the job on the terms should would NOT report on politics. As soon as Kate moves, her boyfriend she thought was forever breaks up with her and NYC shuts down due to a massive power outage. Only bad things come with disaster, right? Wrong!

Amazing things start to happen. A "stranger" around the city starts to do random acts of good and kindness. People's debt is paid off, gift cards are given, etc. No rhyme or reason but this "stranger" seems to know what people need and continue to do good deeds. Kate dives into this investigation, even without the blessings of her new bosses, but the "stranger" keeps sending her messages to tell her to stop. Kate is determined to find out who the stranger is and wants to find out why. Kate finds out that there is good that can come out of bad situations.

I loved this book so much. With everything going on in our world (COVID pandemic), this was a real bright spot in my reading life. I think that I've always been on the side of good things lead to more good things and bad things tend to lead to more bad things. However this book has the opposite take and it really made me think. Do we only expect good things to happen to us when we do good things? Or can we still do good things for others even when things are going horribly wrong in our lives? This story proves the latter and how amazing people can truly be.

The author did a great job keeping this book going at a fast pace and a page turner but with a strong impact on the reader. The story also folds in a soft love story after what Kate thought was forever and also a family acceptance story. These were small plot lines but I feel like they were important for Kate's journey of acceptance in all aspects of her life.

This book may be #3 in a series but it can easily be read on it's own. I will definitely be going back and reading the others but will highly recommend this one as a must read. It may be labeled a mystery - which it is - but it really is a feel good story, especially in today's world.

Thank you to Suzy approved tours, Lake Union and Netgalley for my copy of this book!

First I want to thank @detemeserve & @suzyapprovedbookreviews for gifting me a copy of this in trade for an honest review. ⁣⁣
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I honestly had no idea what this book was about when I picked it up. I had no clue that I would love it so completely! It pulled on the heart strings with a little bit of mystery mixed in, and a dash of romance. What's not to love, right? ⁣⁣
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Kate Bradley is a seasoned reporter in LA but then takes a huge leap and accepts a position at a huge network in New York. Manhattan wasn't very nice to her in the beginning. Then there was a blackout, looting, etc. When everything calmed down suddenly the city was full of purple and white balloons. Purple and white flowers on random people's doorsteps. Gift cards on people's windshields, etc. ⁣⁣
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Random acts of kindness at it's finest. Kate decides to investigate and goes down the rabbit hole of these good deeds. No luck finding the person responsible. So she teams up with another reporter to try to find the good stranger. It's twisty and full of goodness. My heart is full after reading this book.⁣⁣

This was my first book I've read of @detemeserve and definitely won't be my last. The book wasn't what I had expected but I enjoyed the story thoroughly and found it to be a fast paced read. I liked the main characters drive to get to the bottom of who started the kindness gestures. I felt like this story was a breath of fresh air with the random acts of kindness spreading all over the city. The kindness and generosity in this story will definitely inspire you to spread more joy throughout your days. A very heart warming thought provoking read.

Kate Bradley, a tv reporter, has just moved to Manhattan when New York suddenly experiences a power outage. After the outage gifts and purple balloons are being left all over the city. Who's behind it? No one seems to know but Kate is determined to take this story on even if her boss doesn't seem to think it's a story. As Kate starts to investigate she starts receiving threatening messages to stop looking for the person behind the kind gestures. However Kate seems to be so invested in this that she's only a little concerned about the notes, that is until her apartment is robbed. Will Kate ever get the closure on this story she wants, or will the person behind it all stay a secret forever.