I loved “Her Darkest Secret” by Jessica R. Patch. This was one of those books that was so hard to put down, and I couldn’t wait to see how it ended! I believe this was the author’s best suspense books yet. There was some romantic tension between Fiona and Kodiak, the main characters, yet it didn’t overpower the book. The majority of the book centered around the mystery and who “Rhyme” was. There was a huge twist at the end that I never saw coming! I highly recommend this book! I can’t wait to read the next one by Jessica R. Patch!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed the book! I loved the suspense throughout the story. I think the author did a great job of keeping you wondering who "Rhyme" is until the end. Fiona and Kodiak are great characters, and they play off each other really well. You feel the undercurrents in their relationship, but I liked how the author didn't put too much of an emphasis on "love" but kept it on the case and the relationships between the team as a whole. I would definitely recommend this book!

The Nursery Rhyme Killer kidnapped her and her sister, but she escaped. Now living with the sole goal of bringing him to justice, Fiona's obsession broke her marriage and directs her life, especially when he returns. Working with her ex-husband again to find him before it's too late, old feelings return and complicate life on the team.

As a new believer, we watch Asa work on changing his life for the glory of God and how this prompts Fiona to look for answers to her own heart's deepest questions. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery, it was uncertain until the very end, but I did find the conclusion rushed and some of the tragedy rushed over.

If you enjoy suspense with Christian themes, add this to your to-read list.

I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book that I have read by this author and found the to be very suspenseful and kept you thinking on who could be the serial killer, Rhyme, the serial killer. When FBI special agent Fiona Kelly was a young girl, she and her sister with some friends were taken by a serial killer, Fiona was the only one to escape and she decided from there to become an FBI agent to solve this case. This cold case has been an obsession with Fiona and destroyed her marriage to another FBI Agent Asa Kodiak. Well, the Rhyme has struck again and Fiona and Asa have teamed up with a few other teammates to find this serial killer. But Fiona is keeping a detail that happened when she escaped from her team, which might help them solve the case. Will she be able to let go of this secret and will Fiona and her team find Rhyme and stop his killings?

The Nursery Rhyme Killer has returned and FBI special agent Fiona Kelly is called on to re-enter the case where she had been his victim! If you like stories that make you look over your shoulder and hold your breath... this one will do that! This one is listed as a Christian mystery and thriller with a touch of romance. Definitely a thriller and I couldn't wait to find out who the killer was, late night reading until I found out. Working with your ex-husband made for interesting romantic tension too. This is one for my favorite list!
I requested a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. No review was required, my review and opinion are voluntary.

Thank you HARLEQUIN - Romance (U.S. & Canada) and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

THE PLOT

FBI special agent Fiona Kelly escaped a serial killer two decades ago, and now he's back and coming for her.

MY OPINION

I was very excited to read this as the synopsis was everything I liked: serial killer, victim was escaped, face off between killer and victim. The prologue set the tone for what I thought would be a good book. And from there it tumbled downhill. Despite a riveting storyline, I found myself speed-reading through this just so it would end. Tbh, if it wasn't a NetGalley book, I would've DNF-ed. But alas, I slogged my way to the end.

So, why didn't this work? TOO. MANY. MFN. DETAILS. Lord have mercy. I knew I was in for it when FBI agent Asa Kodiak arrived on the scene of the rhyme murder and the author legit described every single movement from Asa's car to the crime scene. Literally wrote about him showing his badge and ducking under the police tape. Was this necessary????? No. Once again, closed captions/trying to hit a word minimum on an essay vibes.

Anyways. I was too overwhelmed and annoyed by the unnecessary details, I failed to get into what could've been an interesting story.

PROS AND CONS:

Pros: great synopsis—you got me ass there
Cons: Dreadful overly detailed writing resulting in snail-like pace

Not rating this one since it was a hard DNF for me. I'm not sure why so many people are calling this a "Christian romance." ???? You get into the head of a psychopathic serial killer who delights in terrorizing and murdering young women and girls, all the while being super creepy. It was way too dark and unpleasant for me and I quit very early on. Totally a miss for me.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book via Net Galley.

'She'd been learning to think like a killer much longer than her career with the FBI.'

This book is so worthy of more than the allowable 5 stars. From the prologue, the book is absolutely
un-put-downable! I have been a Jessica Patch fan since I read her first book. I've read all of hers, some of them twice, and I've never tired of them one bit. With this one, however, Patch's talent has only grown, and greatly. In fact, I was astounded at how great it was! I was captivated from page one, and it never wavered.

Patch has created characters that seem to just leap off the page and into the reader's mind. And their emotions practically ping into your heart. One such scene was so intense, it had my heart hurting for them. Never have I seen such raw emotion from a book character. This writing is brilliant and crazy good!

'The killer had declared war. Asa would give him the fight of his life and hope it was enough.'

Patch has created an insanely bad villain. The story is gritty, chilling and so frightening. I found myself gasping numerous times during the reading. Patch ratchets up the suspense all along and races toward an ending no one will envision. No one! I was completely taken by surprise by it. She manages to weave everything together perfectly to write the very best suspense novel I've ever read. Bar none.

I especially enjoyed how Patch has the FBI team operating so seamlessly. The secondary characters are also very real to this reader. This is WAY better than any crime show. Hands down.

'God had proven once again that Fiona wasn't worth listening to.'

Let me also mention that the spiritual thread, while subtle, was very powerful indeed. I loved how the author ties this in with the horrific things that happen in this book. One reviewer called it a taut psychological thriller and I completely agree. Taut and intense are two adjectives that describe it perfectly. I am so looking forward to more books in this series. Bravo! Well done!

My thanks to Love Inspired Publishers for a copy of this book via the Net Galley platform. The opinion in this review is expressly my own.

This is a Christian romance book so you know there will be no sex or cursing. I really enjoyed this book and will be watching for the next book in this series. Can not say to much about the mystery without giving spoilers. But I loved the mystery and all of the characters.

I was captivated from the first page. The story telling is something amazing and I couldn't look away until I finished one more chapter and before I knew it..... Halfway through the book!
That's how captivating this book is. Its remarkable really!
The story is told in a way that kept my interest piqued.

Thank you so much for this opportunity to read this remarkable story!
I will post to my platforms closer to pub date!

Seventeen years ago Fiona was kidnapped along with her sister and some friends. Fiona is the only one to make it out alive. The killer is never caught and she joins the FBI. Asa is an FBI agent and his called in when a murder has the same characteristics as NRK (Nursery Rhyme Killer), the killer Fiona has been hunting since he took her. Asa is Fiona's ex and didn't want to tell her about the victim. Fiona couldn't put Asa first , always putting Rhyme first. Who will the killer get next .

This is a Christian romantic suspense. No bad words. No sex. Both are keeping secrets. It will keep you on the edge of your seat.

* Volunteerily read and reviewed this for Netgalley *

Wow! Some crazy characters! Good book though! Lol this book had a bit of everything! It had suspense , intrigue, action, drama a great who done it and some great detective work! A few crazy serial killers too! I definitely recommend reading this book! Its well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!