Interesting detective / romance. A little slow to get started, but builds the pace beautifully as Remy and GIanna overcome past hurdles of bad experiences and discover that they need each other to live, love and laugh again. There is plenty of chemistry and connection between these two. As well as a strong push-pull dynamic.ith a great supporting cast. I'm hoping this is the first of a series. Enjoy! Oh, murders,sleuthing, action shots fired and snarky exes happen too.

A top class debut!
This book is a combination of an intrigue and thriller tale with a very exciting and angsty romance. Both parts of the story are very well-written, though I have to admit the romance in the story seems to overshadow the intrigue sometimes, in a good way. The two main characters, Remy Devereux and Giana Falco are electric together. Every time they meet there is enough chemistry and sparks in the tale to light up all of San Francisco. The push/pull between these characters creates many steamy scenes, but there is also a lot of angst in this love story. Remy and Giana do not have an easy romance, but it is definitely rewarding.
While the mystery and intrigue is sometimes treated as secondary to the romance in the plot, it is also well-written. It works well with the rest of the story, and the “who-dun-it” part of the mystery is very well done.

I had a great time reading this book, both for the love story as well as the mystery portion of the tale. I will be eagerly looking forward to more from this author.

A top class debut!
This book is a combination of an intrigue and thriller tale with a very exciting and angsty romance. Both parts of the story are very well-written, though I have to admit the romance in the story seems to overshadow the intrigue sometimes, in a good way. The two main characters, Remy Devereux and Giana Falco are electric together. Every time they meet there is enough chemistry and sparks in the tale to light up all of San Francisco. The push/pull between these characters creates many steamy scenes, but there is also a lot of angst in this love story. Remy and Giana do not have an easy romance, but it is definitely rewarding.
While the mystery and intrigue is sometimes treated as secondary to the romance in the plot, it is also well-written. It works well with the rest of the story, and the “who-dun-it” part of the mystery is very well done.

I had a great time reading this book, both for the love story as well as the mystery portion of the tale. I will be eagerly looking forward to more from this author.

Remy D. is a homicide detective with the SFPD who has no leads in a series of murders she is investigating. Giana Falco is a forensic scientist who has been recently moved to SF looking for a change. Remy and Giana feel the attraction to each other from the start, but working together in the case pushes them to figure out their feelings for each other.

This book was very good! I found it very engaging and entertaining. Also both main characters were well developed and likeable.
The story was well thought out and both the romance and the murder-story-plot was well done. This is a great book to seat for a while and get lost in a world of two strong independent women and a great detective story!
I really like this book and will continue to read books from this author.

I received the ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

It’s hard to believe this is Ms Arden’s first book. Wonderfully written with great characters.
Giana Falco needed a change, especially after she found out her boyfriend was a cheat. While moving to a new city was exciting she still knew she’d missed her family she couldn’t wait. Working as a forensic scientist with the San Francisco city police was exactly where she wanted to be. For now she’d be living with her best friend Max.
Remy Devereux worked as a homicide detective and at the moment she was single just the way she liked it. After breaking up with her last girlfriend the last thing she wanted was to get involved with the new FS regardless how attractive she was. Especially not straight women.
Now they were working together trying to find a murderer and the more time they spent together the closer they got. Giana had never been attracted to another woman. That was until she met the extremely attractive HD.
In the short bio re the author we find out that this is the first time she had a book published. Smart move on ‘Bella Books’ part because they landed a very talented writer. Great story, great characters. Simply put one of the best I’ve had the pleasure to read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bella Books

Thanks to NetGalley and the wonderful folx over at Bella Books for the digital galley.

Homicide detective Remy Devereux has been embroiled in a murder case for months. Forensic scientist Giana Falco just upended her entire life by moving to the west coast after finding out her fiancee was cheating on her. Giana has always dated, but when she meets Remy, there’s something undeniably attractive about Remy, and when the two begin a dangerous dance of flirting, Remy faces losing her heart to a straight girl. Again. They’ll both have to compromise if they’re going to make it work, and if they’re going to catch a killer.

This one was a quick, wild, and hot ride. I enjoyed both Remy and Giana, loved how parts of their stories were alike but completely different at the same time. Sometimes I get a little wary of the straight girl falls for a lesbian thing, but it was done really well here, used primarily to explore Remy’s personality and insecurities far more than Giana’s. I appreciated the twist and it made for a deeper story.

I wasn’t as into the murder investigation as the romance. I mean, my whole thing is “are there lesbians?” And everything else is secondary, but I followed the case and was interested in discovering the killer. I figured it out, but it didn’t diminish the story at all, and again, more into the romance part, anyways. As far as procedurals go, it was interesting. I only have SVU to compare it to, buuuuut on that scale, I liked it.

This one is freshly out, so be sure to check it out if you’re looking for something hot to curl up with on the (hopefully) forthcoming, cold nights.

This was an okay book, but I felt a little let down overall.
The characters were interesting, certainly. I could understand their frustrations and difficulties -- to a point. Maybe I was frustrated with reading another characters-can't-communicate trope. I know I wanted to slap Remy numerous times. In my mind, Giana was the more solid character. She was braver, had her shit together and yet fell head over heels for someone who I thought didn't deserve her.

But all this is merely my opinion. You may find you love it.
Try it, you'll never know otherwise.

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Who doesn't like a bit of mystery with their romance?
No matter where I found the book lacking, I have to admit that this was a compelling debut. There are authors who have a couple dozen books out, whom I enjoy less than this.
This was a toaster oven romance, although it didn't feel like it because of the immediate chemistry. I think the book description was misleading when Giana was questioning herself basically 20% in. The characters felt a bit mismatched. Giana was absolutely lovely, a pleasure to read: brainy, witty, kind, but persistent when she wants something. Remy was... well, she was some of those things, but I couldn't get past her overwhelming insecurity. I get where she's coming from, crushing on straight girls sucks if they can't reciprocate, but Giana was right when she thought that Remy was lumping her into a category. Remy serves to dredge up all of the angst in the story, which felt over the top. It did feel like they brought out the worst in each other sometimes, which is one concern that never got addressed. I guess I just wasn't sold.
The mystery was interesting, if a little easy to guess. We never get to know what happens with Remy's nightmares, so that was an unnecessary plot point. The ending seemed a little abrupt, since we don't catch the culprit until the last couple of pages. And the happy couple, well, I can't tell if they're in for a HEA. That's just my opinion, though.
Four stars.

I’m always excited to find a new author who writes stories and characters I can fall in love with. That is exactly what I found when I read Dolores Arden’s debut novel Gray Matter.

This book is a combination of an intrigue and thriller tale with a very exciting and angsty romance. Both parts of the story are very well-written, though I have to admit the romance in the story seems to overshadow the intrigue sometimes, in a good way. The two main characters, Remy Devereux and Giana Falco are electric together. Every time they meet there is enough chemistry and sparks in the tale to light up all of San Francisco. The push/pull between these characters creates many steamy scenes, but there is also a lot of angst in this love story. Remy and Giana do not have an easy romance, but it is definitely rewarding.
While the mystery and intrigue is sometimes treated as secondary to the romance in the plot, it is also well-written. It works well with the rest of the story, and the “who-dun-it” part of the mystery is very well done.

I had a great time reading this book, both for the love story as well as the mystery portion of the tale. I will be eagerly looking forward to more from this author.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.

“Well, a girl can always hope.” She raised her glass to take a sip. “People do change, Remy.”

Trailing tight on the heels of a series of unsolved murders is a romance that has readers riled up and begging for release.

Remy, the lead homicide detective with SFPD is in a fix. Nightmares have been keeping her up at night, she was no closer to solving a murder without any significant leads and as more victims fall prey, she is struggling to get a foothold of everything around her. With a new supposedly straight forensic colleague Giana thrown into the mix, the story is a hot mess waiting to explode.

Giana, who packed up her bags after her fiancé cheated on her and started a new job in a new city did not have a clue of what was coming for her. When her attraction for Remy kept her second guessing on her own intentions, was she even as straight as she thought she was?

With the start-stop, push-pull attraction between the pair and the clock counting down to bring the killer to justice, this book had me at every turn and corner. Giana, even if she started clueless, would certainly rock your boat and make you bow at her persistence.

4.5 stars for me but upping it to 5 this being a debut book. The way the book closed left me with a sneaky feeling that there could be a sequel. (Fingers crossed there will be).

I just reviewed Gray Matters by Dolores Arden. #GrayMatters #NetGalley

Well that was a waste of two work days! I got absolutely nothing done IRL while I read this book. Usually when a book makes me feel this anxious I finish it in one day, but this is a little longer than the typical romance. And there is a lot of angst! The plot focuses on two women who circle around each other romantically while they try to solve a crime. This is not a wildly uncommon story line, however the author puts a spin on it that definitely makes it feel unique. Man! This book was hard to read in the best way possible. I think I literally screamed at my e-reader at least twice. In short, it was a really good read that has you on the edge of your seat from the very start.

Once again, a very promising debut novel. Remy Devereux grew up in a Creole family in New Orleans and is now a homicide detective with the SFPD. We first meet her while she’s breaking up with her girlfriend, hotshot US Attorney Erica Forsyte. Remy is working on a very frustrating investigation, and nightmares of the victims’ ordeal fill her nights.

A year after breaking up with her cheating fiancé, Giana Falco, whose father is chief inspector of the Philadelphia PD, is leaving her hometown and her family to make a fresh start in San Francisco, as a forensic scientist with the SFPD. The only person she knows in San Francisco is her college roommate Liz, who welcomes her with open arms but whose schedule makes it very difficult for them to spend time together. When they meet, Giana is grateful for Remy’s friendship, not seeing immediately that there is more to their relationship.

I loved the first half and thought for a while this was going to be a 5*. It started really well but Remy’s attitude got repetitive and the whole thing fell into some sort of slump. Oddly enough, when the romance went flat, the investigation and suspense began to pick up, and my interest was piqued again. I’m really glad I stuck with it, the slump didn’t last too long and the relationship between Giana and Remy took a dramatic turn that made it engaging again.

All in all, Gray Matters is a very enjoyable debut novel, a romantic mystery with good characters and hair-raising thriller scenes. I don’t know whether this is a standalone or the beginning of a series, but I wouldn’t say no to more.

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

I love a good crime-romance, is that even a genre or did I just make that one up?

Remy works homicide for SFPD, she's been stuck on a case for a while and she can't seem to get a break. On top of that she breaks up with her "girlfriend" Erica, they weren't on the same path. But she'll have to deal with Erica at work, her being a DA and all. In Philadelphia, Giana has decided to leave her life behind and have a fresh start in San Francisco. Giana is a forensic scientist and she is starting a job within SFPD. When Remy and Giana meet they have a hard time looking at each other because of the sparks that fly. Giana has just come out of an engagement, with a man, and as far as she knows she is straight. The women do strike up a friendship, but there is an incredible pull and sparks for more than just the friendship. While working the murder case and navigating their relationship they learn a lot about each other. Giana is very patient and Remy is scared and runs away from comitment. They murder case is a big mystery to both the women, until a chain of events unveils a perp they weren't expecting.

I liked the crime part of the story better than the romance. Only until I was 2/3 or so in I figured out who the perp was, that's an unusual long time for me to figure this out. I like both characters, but I feel the romance was just a bit lacking in some places. How can someone who never had feelings for another woman just be ok with it all and not have too many question/ misgivings about it? And how can this person be so patient with someone who is only showing bad behaviour (running away). I understand the pull between the characters but it just lacked some development I guess, I can't really put my finger on it. The crime storyline does make up for this. I would rather call this a crime story than a romance, it suits it better and it's where the strenght of the story lies. Even with my misgiving about the romance part, I did enjoy this, I could ahve done with an Epilogue or a couple more chapter to give it more of a HEA with a bow around all neatly wrapped up, but this was nice as well. I could even see this evolving into a series, who doesn't love some crime-fighting ladies? And maybe the next book will give a bit more of the romance development I am looking for. But if it turns out to be a standalone, I am good with that as well.

This is one of the best books I've read all year. The gay=woman-meets-straight-woman storyline has been done many times but few authors have the skill to be able to create such well-rounded characters with so much spark between them. Remy and Giana were both very well developed characters and the chemistry jumped off the pages. The tension between them built slowly and deliciously, and the dialogue was beautifully written. The crime storyline took a bit of a back burner, which was fine as the romance was perfectly paced and had just the right level of angst to keep readers engaged. This was a fantastic debut and I really look forward to the author's next book.

Remy Devereux is a homicide detective at the San Francisco Police Department. She's been working on a murder investigation for a few months and she's been having nightmares about the murder scene. She's also recently broken up with her girlfriend, Erica, a DA.

Early in the story Remy is introduced to the new forensic scientist, Giana Falco. Giana recently turned her life upside down when she decided to move to San Francisco from Philadelphia where her entire family lives. Giana comes from a family of police officers and moves to San Francisco where she knows only one person, an old college friend, Liz.

When Remy and Giana meet there is immediate chemistry, however, Giana admits that she is straight. They begin to spend some time together as friends as Remy shows SF newcomer, Giana, around town. They begin to grow closer and Remy's friends also recognize the attraction between the two women.

I was immediately engaged with this story and both characters. The chemistry between the two was sizzling, however, both kept trying to deny it. Remy's denial was based on the fact that she had been previously involved with a straight woman and it lead to heartache on her part. She vows that she will never experience that again. Giana is in denial since she has only been attracted to men in the past, but it does not take her long to get past that.

I would say that seventy percent of the book is based on the relationship between these two women with the remaining thirty percent focusing on the murder investigation as well as a family situation that impacts Remy and her family in Louisiana.

Overall I would recommend this debut novel from Dolores Arden to other readers and commend her for making a successful transition from a full time government career to writing an engaging novel. I look forward to reading future offerings from this up and coming author,.

I received an ARC from Bella Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Gray Matters is a book that centers around Remy a detective (sorry, inspector) from the Bay area of the West Coast and Giana, a forensic analyst/Pennsylvania transplant. They meet at work during an investigation of Remy's and the timeline is based around the murder investigation.

At first I had a hard time getting into the story, the first 1/3 of the book is around the push and pull of the main characters for each other, and got a bit to reputative for me by chapter 5 and still went on through chapter 10. Now don't get me wrong, I love a good romance build up, but in this case, in my opinion, the chapters just basically described the issues over and over again. I was expecting the murder plot line to build up during this time, and I think that would have helped move the story along but actually the murder plot line was very slow also. I would say things started to really move along after the halfway point (60-70% into the book), where the murders started to take a bit more front seat, but even then it wasn't until the last few chapters of the book the murder plot took off.

I know that last paragraph is a bit negative, so I will say overall, the book was good and the character romance was enjoyable, I love both Remy and Giana-maybe a bit more pace to it all. The authors writing and her descriptive style gave for a good feel of the background, scenes and supporting characters, there isn't a whole lot of dialog through the book, so it is based on switching perspectives of Remy and Giana.

As I said before, overall it was a good read, I finished it over a few days time-I understand this is a first published book for this author and I will keep her on my reading radar for future stories.

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

To see my Amazon review, it is under CC-Enjoyable Fall read

This is another book due out in October with a number of darker topics. Remy is an Inspector who has been tasked with finding what is likely to be a serial killer, we meet her after the second victim has been found. Giana is a forensic scientist who decides to up and move her life across the country from Philadelphia to San Francisco, where she meets Remy at work.

I like both characters for very different reasons and connected with them both. Remy is well written as an inspector, but also with regards to her interactions and loyalty to family and friends and with regards to how her past impacts her feelings and decisions. I enjoyed Giana as someone discovering herself and her feelings about Remy and I liked reading about her work as a scientist, although it’s brief.

The story has some turmoil, both with family and the underlying murder storyline and the relationship isn’t always easy either. I’m finding it hard to rate because I enjoyed the book - but it isn’t one I’d want to read again - so I’m settling for around 3.5 stars. I would definitely appreciate a sequel though as I feel the situations they encounter mean that there would be lots of opportunity to tell lots more interesting stories about the pair and their friends and family.

I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Remy just broken up with her girlfriend Erica. She been having dreams that she doesn’t know what to do with. Remy is a detective who her and her partner Cookie have been investigating months long murder with little to know clues to start with.

Giana needs a fresh starts so she takes a job as forensic scientist and moves in with her best friend Elizabeth who she calls Lizard sometimes from college that she hasn’t seen in years as they get to know each other again even though their schedules don’t always sync.

Remy and Giana meets at work. They become friends after bumping into each other most of the time. Giana dates a fellow officer name Nick but knows she doesn’t feel anything for him she shock when she feels more for Remy when she never look at another woman before. Remy who is also interests in Giana tries to keep her at arm length because she been hurt by straight women before but it’s not working.

This was a good read. Remy and her partner Cookie gets a break in the case when Giana notices something isn’t right. I enjoy it the only thing is I think the dreams that Remy was having was just up in the air because was she dreaming of the killer it’s like that part of the story was left wide open with know conclusion.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.