This was a small town mystery and it was very action packed and kept your interest. I loved all of the characters.


Many thanks to Net Galley for an audio copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I requested Two Reasons to Run from NetGalley and didn’t know it was book two so went on the hunt for book one,
‘One Little Lie’
There wasn't anything wrong with this novel, but I just couldn't relate to the characters and didn’t get the background of the kids
The story also lacked the suspense that was promised in the blurb.
I found it just lacklustre just not what I expected.
This audio by Coble was a DNF, so maybe the writing style is just not for me. I didn’t get the narrator so didn’t even finish.
Thank you NetGalley for the expert in exchange for my honest review

Why I am DNFing:
RATING: 2.5 STARS

I requested Two Reasons to Run from NetGalley and realized it was book two so went on the hunt for book one, One Little Lie. There wasn't anything wrong with this novel, but I just couldn't connect to the characters. The story also lacked the suspense that was promised in the synopsis. I am going to try the second book, as the story does end with a bit of a cliffhanger. It's not enough to make me want to read the second book, but rather I have it request so may as well see what happens. My last novel by Coble was a DNF, so maybe the writing style is just not for me.

This mystery/thriller had things I liked and things I didn't. First, I did not know it was the second in a series until after I started listening and some things weren't making sense. We are given some of the backstory in the blurb, but it's minimal and wow, there's a lot of backstory for these characters. Apparently, there was a cult, an underage marriage, some kind of fire, fleeing, and lies. Now, some of that was easy enough to figure out as this one progressed and information was doled out, but it started to feel like the more information I got about the past, the deeper into the background this case seemed to get - and that was what drew me to the book in the first place. Then, there was the whole thing between Jane and Reid and Jane's dad. Some things should never be kept secret, and some secrets can break a relationship. All the way through this book, I kept thinking that I couldn't imagine how Jane could move forward with either Reid or her father, and as a mother, I'm pretty sure I'd be homicidal.
Jane has a lot of back and forth on trust, or the inability to trust, which is understandable. Then there's Reid, and I will say that I liked his faith and determination, but given those earlier mentioned secrets, I never really warmed up to the character. I also like the personal touches and getting to know the detective in a case as well as main characters in a series, but it reached a point where the case Jane is working felt like it was almost completely buried in everything else - right up until it was needed to bring this book to a climax and conclusion.
On a positive note, I really liked Devon O'Day's performance on the audiobook. She did an excellent job conveying the various emotions as well as the tension in different situations. I would say those who read and enjoyed the first book in this series will like this one much better than I did. I just prefer a little more focus on the case at hand than what I found here.

I have off and on over the years read a Colleen Coble book, but this is my first suspense that she has written. The plot is really interesting and kept me on my toes. I'm also a big fan of reading about women in traditionally male dominated roles. Colleen does a really great job at balancing the MC's, Jane Hardy, family/home life.
I would advise anyone interested in this novel to start with the first book, One Little Lie. I read this one without doing so and felt a bit lost on Jane and Reid's history together and individually.
I listened to the audio and thought the narration overall was good but I didn't love her character voices.
I am going to go back and read One Little Lie and continue on with the series as they release.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the audiobook. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This audiobook kept me glued to the speakers as Police Chief Jane Hardy and her new family tried to stay one step ahead of a dangerous culprit, with the clock swiftly counting down to an impending ecoterror attack on Pelican Harbor, Alabama's local oil rig.

Jane continues to frustrate me, although I can certainly understand the mistrust and anger she feels. I just find it misplaced at times as she continues to put off seeking help to deal with the emotional traumas of her past.

Devon O'Day's narration was fantastic. Sometimes southern accents can be difficult and, as an Alabama native, I give this narration the stamp of approval! I cannot wait to get my hands on book three to see how the overarching mystery plays out!

Two Reasons to Run by Colleen Coble follows Police Chief Jane Hardy, and her family as she works to solve the disappearance of someone an oil rig. As she digs deeper into the issue she finds that there is a plot to destroy the rig.

The biggest thing to note is that this is the second book in the series. There were time when listening that I felt that I had missed some large plot points because of it. It is not hard to follow if you do not read the first book, but it would help tremendously. Overall it is a good mystery with a hint of romance. The narrator for the audio book does a great job at bringing the story to life.

Thank you Net Galley for my copy of Two Reasons to Run. All opinions are my own.

#TwoReasonstoRun #NetGalley

This is the first Colleen Coble book I've read, and I'm so glad I've finally given the author a shot because I enjoyed her writing style. However, I realized not too far into the book that this is a sequel to a previous book and then I realized there is a follow-up to this book to continue the series. While the story was entertaining and full of plot twists that I didn't see coming, I felt like I was missing out on an inside joke with some of the characters since I didn't read the first book. I just wish I had known that going in so that I could have at least tried to read the previous book first.
Anyway, I may go back and read it so that I fully understand and perhaps continue with the rest of the series when it comes out. Since I did enjoy the fast-paced and easy writing style of the author.

Another great story by this author. I always enjoy her writing. Thanks for the advanced copy from netgalley and the publisher.

I received a complimentary audiobook from NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Audio in exchange for an unbiased review.

In this second novel of the Pelican Harbor series the background story of Chief of Police Jane Hardy is further revealed. Since the story itself mostly focuses on a mystery it would be possible to read without having read book one but I wouldn’t recommend it. The background history of the characters gives credibility to their decisions.

Jane Hardy is the daughter of retired Police Chief Charles Hardy who settled in Pelican Harbor years ago after leaving a powerful religious cult when their compound was burned down. Jane stills harbors resentment towards her mother who took her baby from her during the fire and was never seen again. Her father claims she died and mostly likely her baby Moses.

Soon Jane meets Reid Dixon who is an investigative reporter who eventually decides to settle in Pelican Harbor after he finishes his story about the serial murders that occurred when he arrived. His decision is also influenced by his past history with Jane and his 16 year old son Will. They have a history together which is not apparent when he first comes to town. Reid had a lot to explain to Jane including his presumed ex-wife who adopted Will but never showed any maternal feelings for him.

This murder mystery revolves around an oil spill and rumors of an environmental terrorist plot to flood Mobile Bay with crude oil. Again ghosts from the past come back to haunt the residents of Pelican Harbor. The high school principal received an ominous warning from her son Keith McDonald before his body is found dead in the water. It seems that Will is the unlikely target in this drama which has Jane working overtime to protect him.

This second book was not nearly as captivating as the first. Jane’s character is annoying as she is reluctant to forgive and let go of past grudges. There are signs that she is “warming” up to those who tried to protect her with their deception.

I've read several books by Colleen Coble and have enjoyed them all. Her books are easy to follow and very fast paced. Many times I had to stop listening and didn't want to. I highly recommend this book and anything else that she's written.

This has two mysteries in one. The case of the mom is not solved and neither does the romance resolve. Right when you think they are about to commit something happens. I don't see how the main character can focus while trying to keep her son safe! So many plot twists, so good! I can't wait for book three! The narrator voice is good!

Two Reasons to Run is a gripping, twisty-turny ride of a novel.

There’s an awful lot going on in Pelican Harbor, especially for new Police Chief Jane Hardy. She took over just as scandal hit her department. On top of that, she’s newly reunited with the teenage son she’d presumed was dead, and is trying to navigate a sour relationship with the boy’s father, documentary-maker Reid Bechtol.

Then a man goes missing aboard an oil rig, and despite evidence of serious foul play, Homeland Security isn’t interested, so Jane and Reid team up. However, that enrages someone and suddenly their small family is at risk.

We then go on a wild trip until the very satisfying conclusion of book two. I haven’t read book one in this series and while it may have made book two richer, I didn’t feel like I’d missed out on anything that stopped me enjoying Two Reasons to Run. Ever the master storyteller, Coble paints her characters then puts them to the fire while the pages keep flying.

Recommended for anyone who likes an unpredictable story and standout characters.

Connect with Colleen Coble via her website here…

For a preview or to buy a copy, click here…

To check out some other great romantic suspense books, click here…

This second book picks up a couple weeks later and while there is a new case for Jane to work on in Pelican Harbor, she is still working on getting the past sorted out.
Jane has a new responsibility and if u haven’t read the first book, you need to, so you know what this is. Jane handles her new role as well as her job as police chief. Instincts kick in and she shows us all how easy it is to have all the feels with this new responsibility.
As Jane works on the new case, characters appear from book one and help build the Pelican Harbor world. I love how Colleen weaves the community together.
This case is centered around the oil drills that are out in the ocean and there is some gray lines about who is in charge, local police or federal officials, all while they are racing the clock before terrorists explode the rigs and spill gallons of oil into the ocean.
This book is full of action and suspense, as well as the little bit of romance between Jane and someone we meet in book 1. Jane is also trying to put all the pieces together from her past, that is so much different then she remembers from 15 years ago.
I really enjoyed this book and it’s a perfect book two, i look forward to book three! I am rooting for Jane and her family to find peace!

I received this audiobook as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I listened to this on their new audiobook program. The audio was great, i enjoyed the narration. The netgalley app for audio needs some improving - but that has nothing to do with this great romantic suspense book!

The opening of the book was brilliant and I had high hopes. However it soon became apparent that this was a follow up book. I felt that I was unable to fully understand the characters due to what had happened previously. There were loads of references to the previous story but not enough to understand. At times I found the character Jane a bit whiny. But on the whole an enjoyable book but not a standalone book for me. But I would advise reading the other book first.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in return for an honest review

I was excited to get this audiobook since the premise of the story sounded so interesting. I was captivated at the beginning with the plot and the whodunnit mystery, but the plot dragged on too long with no real advances made by the characters in their investigation. Without spoiling anything, I just found the character's motivations to be a little lacking and the plot really hard to believe. I also got very bored with the narrator in this one which rarely happens to me when reading audiobooks. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a copy of this book for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read in the series (I did not yet get the chance to read the first book). I enjoyed this book, as it was fast-paced and kept me entertained, I do feel like I missed some things and was confused due to not reading the first book. I will have to go back and read that one. Overall, an entertaining read full of twists and turns. I think Thriller lovers will highly enjoy this story. Perhaps better read as a series, rather than a standalone novel.

This one will get your blood pumping, your fists clenching, and your teeth gritting, as you listen! The suspense is gripping, and the storyline compelling.

Pelican Harbor police chief Jane Hardy has been working with a skeleton crew since clearing the corrupted members of the police force. When a man dies on the Zeus oil platform, his emails to both an investigative journalist and his mother indicate that his death might not have been a simple fall off the platform. His emails suggest that, if he dies, they should assume he was murdered, killed for the information he has uncovered.

Reid Bechtol and his son, Will, have moved back to Pelican Harbor to be close to Jane, who is Will's mother. When Reid is contacted by a worker on the Zeus platform about a possible terrorist plot to blow up the platform and cause another Deep Water Horizon-type oil spill in the Gulf, he obtains permission to do a "documentary". In reality, he wants to talk to the man who contacted him. When he discovers the man is missing, and no one is looking for him, he is concerned. When Jane also shows up looking the same man, his concern changes to fear for the man's life. Can they protect their son when their investigation produces death threats?

As Reid and Jane work together, their bond to one another begins to strengthen. Will they be able to avert a disaster of epic proportions while still keeping their son safe?

This book was intense from page one, but fair warning, it is book 2 in a SERIES, so there is a cliffhanger at the end. I wish I had read book 1 first, as I felt like I was missing a lot of the backstory when I started this, and normally, if I know it's a series like this, I'll wait until all 3 are released and read straight through. If you're like me, Book 3 "Three Missing Days" is expected to publish in 2021. Personally, I'll be going back and reading "One Little Lie" to get caught up!

I love Colleen Coble as an author, and can definitely recommend this series, but readers will want to start with Book 1, before reading Two Reasons to Run. I still loved it, but it really should be read in series order.

This review was originally posted on <a href="https://booksofmyheart.net/2020/10/03/audio-two-reasons-to-run-by-colleen-coble/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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<i>Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i>

I'm really enjoying this <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/266320-pelican-harbor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>Pelican Harbor</strong></em></a> series which follows some people who left a cult 15 years ago.  Jane left with her father, Charles.  Reed left with his son, Will.   Jane is Chief of Police, following in her father's footsteps.  Reed is a photo journalist.  In the previous book, <strong>One Little Lie</strong>  Reed brought Will to town and eventually told Jane, Will was her son, who she had believed to be dead. The development of this world and its characters is progressing well.

Jane is a good person, and a strong and capable one.  I love seeing that in law enforcement where they follow evidence and good strategies to solve a case.  As a person, Jane is struggling with her father and Reed having lied to her, not knowing what happened to her mother, and working a case which may have dire consequences.

Reed knows he wants to spend more time with Jane.  He has the complication of his ex-wife Lauren.  And now in this case, Will is in danger.  I thought Will was sometimes TSTL, but the young do think they are invincible.

This case was incredibly dangerous. Jane and Reed were both very lucky and appropriately cautious. There were enough flawed characters that I did not guess the instigator of all the trouble.  I can't figure out what to think about Charles, Jane's father.  For his work experience and life experience, he seems to be a very poor judge of character and rather clueless at times.

I liked how Reed and Jane were able to get away on a mini vacation and also re-connect with family.  As difficult as some things are,  they seem to have their heads on straight about what is important.   I hope they will be able to work things out for a future.  I appreciate getting both Jane and Reed's points of view.   I look forward to more of their story in <strong>Three Missing Days,</strong> projected for April 2021, as many facets are still left unresolved.

<h4><strong>Narration:</strong></h4>
This was a new narrator to me. I enjoyed the performance with male and female and even children's voices felt comfortable.  The main characters were distinct in voice with a bit of southern accents also.   I listened comfortably at 1.25x speed. It was my first listen on the Netgalley platform and it went quite well.

<strong>Listen to a clip:</strong>
https://soundcloud.com/harperaudio_us/two-reasons-to-run-by-colleen-coble

<b>Excerpt:</b>

<blockquote>Was anyone watching?

Keith McDonald sat at the computer and glanced around the oil platform’s rec room, but the dozen or so workers were engrossed in watching the final game of a Ping-Pong match. He hesitated,
then hovered his cursor over the Send button. Clenching his teeth, he sent the emails. Maybe it was nothing, but if anyone could decipher the recording, it was Reid Dixon.

The back of his neck prickled, and Keith looked around again. The room felt stifling even with the AC cooling it from the May heat. He jumped up and headed for the door. He exited and darted into the shadows as two men strolled past. One was his suspect.

Keith stood on a grating suspended three thousand feet over the water and strained to hear past the noise of machinery. The scent of the sea enveloped him, and the stars glimmered on the water surrounding the oil platform that had been his home for two years now.

“Scheduled for late May—”

A clanging bell drowned out the rest of the man’s words.

“Devastation—”

The other fragment of conversation pumped up Keith’s heart rate. Were they talking about the sabotage he feared, or was he reading more into the words than were there? He couldn’t believe someone could be callous enough to sabotage the oil platform and destroy the coast on purpose. He’d seen firsthand the devastating effects from the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe. And what about the people living on the platform? Deepwater Horizon had killed eleven people and injured another seventeen.

He had to sound a warning and stop this, but he had no real evidence. If Reid Dixon blew him off, who would even listen? Maybe Homeland Security would pay attention, but who did he even call there? He could tell them about the pictures threatening Bonnie, but what did that prove? They might just say she had a stalker and he was chasing shadows.

He couldn’t say they were wrong.

He sidled along the railing, and the breeze lifted his hair. A boat bobbed in the waves far below, and in the moonlight, he spotted a diver aboard. Must be night diving the artificial reef created by the concrete supports below the platform. He’d done a bit of it himself over the years.

For an instant he wished he were gliding carefree through the waves without this crushing weight of conscience on his shoulders. When he was sixteen, life was so simple. School, girls, football, and good times. He’d gone to work at the platform when he was nineteen, after he’d decided college wasn’t for him.

It had been a safe place, a good place to work with fun companions and interesting work.

Until a few weeks ago when everything turned sinister and strange. He’d wanted to uncover more before he reported it, but every second he delayed could mean a stronger chance of an attack.

If an attack was coming. He still wasn’t sure, and he wanted a name or to identify the organization behind the threat. If there was a threat. Waffling back and forth had held him in place. Was this real, or was he reading something dangerous into something innocent?

Though he didn’t think he was overreacting.

He turned to head to his quarters. A bulky figure rushed him from the shadows and plowed into his chest, driving him back against the railing. The man grabbed Keith’s legs and tried to tip him over the edge. </blockquote>

This is the second book in the Pelican Harbour series - I haven’t read the previous book and whilst I could follow the main storyline, I suspect that the first book would have given some much needed background to the characters and situation. There was a lot that didn’t really make sense or needed more explanation
Within this book, there was a good storyline - when an oil worker dies, the local police chief needs to figure out if it was murder, suicide or a terrible accident? As things progress, it becomes apparent that this man knew something., and that somebody wasn’t happy with this.

As an audiobook it was easy to follow, well paced, and the narrator was good. Overall I enjoyed the book but I don’t think that it stands alone & reading the first in the series will hopefully fill in the gaps.