After loving Cole’s previous novel Behind Her Lives, I was eager to delve into In Their Shadows as it tells the story of April whose multiple lives start to catch up with her. When all of the secrets she has so carefully kept hidden start to be revealed she is put at a crossroads to either keep up the lies or cleanse herself by running away from it all. But doing so is easier said than done and readers watch April race against the clock as she tries to use all her tricks as a scam artist before her true self is finally exposed.

What a thrilling read from beginning to end! Reading this novel made me think of watching the mystery Lifetime movies that I know and love. I had trouble putting the novel down as I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. Cole is great at keeping the reader entertained and easily immersed in the story. She gives just enough detail to help readers start to put some of the pieces of the mystery together without spoiling too much of the plot. Just when I thought I knew what had happened, another twist would throw me off the trail of solving what happened. The heavy atmosphere of the suspense kept me intrigued and I enjoyed that the cast of characters is easily suspicious as the main character, April. You aren’t sure who to trust and April’s position as the unreliable narrator gives this thriller that extra dramatic flair.

On top of the domestic thriller setting, I love how the dual timelines are interwoven into the story as it progresses. It added to the plot and overall character development, especially for April as readers see how quick-thinking and clever she has become over the years of being a scam artist. Readers will become conflicted with her character during the story as her background is revealed and if she will choose to walk down the path of the woman who taught her everything she knows, her mother.

Cole does a great job of building up the suspense in her novels which is why I’ll continue to keep reading her stories. Highly recommend In Their Shadows for any readers looking for a gripping novel to add to their TBR list!

I didn’t expect nothing that actually ended up happening in this book. I mean the things I thought was going on was not the case at all. Like I was completely wrong. This book definitely kept me interested. I do wish some things were mentioned or clarified. Like what happened with Carter after that event? And the whole thing with Ramsey. And then the big reveal I was very much mind blown with Erika, Warren and April. I can’t imagine juggling to different lives, two marriages lol it was a lot. And then for the ending to be what it was made me feel like April went through all that for no reason lol I was mad for her.


Thanks NetGalley and publisher for this e-Arc. All opinions are my own.

A gripping and dark tale of deception exploring the psychological toll of maintaining multiple identities. There were some unexpected twists and an ending that I did not see coming.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

April was taught by her own mother in the art of deception. Her schemes started early, when she was married off as a teenager to an older man, all part of a plan for her mother to steal his fortune. But April takes matters into her own hands, setting off a chain of events that force her to assume new identities and live life on the run.In a bid to escape her past, April creates two new personas - Michelle Evans, the wife of successful architect Carter, and Erin Duncan, the wife of talented artist and restaurateur Ramsey. But her carefully constructed new life is threatened when someone who knows her true identity and dark history starts to close in on her. April is running out of time and options, unable to trust even her own mother. With danger lurking around every corner, she must find a way out before it's too late. In Their Shadows" is a gripping tale of greed, revenge, and deception. this book will keep you on the edge of your seat as April's secrets are revealed and the shocking finale unfolds. If you're a fan of mysteries and thrillers, this is one book you won't want to miss

I adore Brianas thrilling reads and this one didn’t disappoint. April is living a double life. She has two husbands and lives under two different identities. The suspense and twists that come from this will rock your world.

I absolutely adore Brianna Cole for her thrilling and page turning reads with lots of action, surprising twists and turns - there’s absolutely no holding back and with main characters that are strong and may have a bit of a dark side.

I really enjoyed this one and I highly recommend

Take a walk on the wild side. I loveeee Briana Cole books for this very reason. She is excellent at exploring the darker side I can only dream of. It's captivating to read what one could get up to hustle and make it in life. The balancing act of two husbands and wealth is intriguing enough but add in the mystery and scams and this is a clear winner of a read. Come for the suspense, stay for the action, and remember the unique/crazy plot! I recommend this book!

April Garrett knows how to lie and manipulate others. She is taught the art of deception from her mother. The schemes began when she is married off to a much older man in her teens. A plan for her mother to steal his fortune. Taking matters into her own hands April set off a series of events that has her assuming new identities and staying on the run.

April starts a new life - or rather, two new lives. As Michelle Evans, she is the wife of Carter, a successful architect. As Erin Duncan, she is the wife of Ramsey, a talented artist and restaurateur. But someone is on to her game. Someone who knows her real name and her dark past. Someone who wants to make her pay for what she's done. April is running out of time and options. She can't trust anyone, not even her own mother. She must find a way out of this mess before it's too late.

Briana Cole is a master of African American thrillers. IN THEIR SHADOWS is a gripping story of deception, greed, and revenge. It will keep you on the edge of your seat until the shocking finale. If you love mysteries and thrillers, you don't want to miss this book.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I had no idea who Briana Cole is but this book has created a fan. In Their Shadows is twisty , thrilling and unbelievable. The book tells the story of April who was raised to be a scam artist and a perfect con artist think chameleon as she has had to be different women to different people. However every good thing eventually comes to an end when she is in her perfect cons when a package arrives that threatens to destroy everything she worked for. Scandalous, fast paced, well written and deadly this is a great read.

As a teenager, April was coerced by her mother, to marry a rich, older man, in order to secure their financial future. That led to a series of multiple identified, scamming men and moving on to the next. This all comes crumbling down when someone from her past is following her and threatens to expose her. When bodies start dropping around her, April fears for her own life and seeks help from the one person who started it all.

This book by @bcoleauthor had me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. Just when you think you know what's going on, there's another plot twist. I don't have a favorite character for this book, because everyone had a secret. My least favorite character would be April's mom, Erika. She definitely takes the "Worst Mother of the Year" award.

This is one of the best books that I've read so far, this year. Highly recommend.

As usual, Briana Cole does not disappoint in this story of a woman with many secrets and lots to hide. April is the ultimate scam artist. She decides what, or who, she wants, goes after it, and then vanishes without a trace. In her case, she is just practicing what she has learned from her mother. Also, in her case, beauty is only skin deep. However, what’s done in the dark will come to the light, and karma is a b*tch. What happens when it seems that her past exploits have come back to haunt her? You will just have to read it to find out. Enjoy! I know I did. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Three Names, Two husbands, One crazy story…

This book grabbed me from the first page. April’s story is so engaging that I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. As the book was ending, my heart was racing along with April’s as the twist and turns started to unfold. This was the first book I read by Briana Cole but it will not be the last.

🙏 Thank you to @netgalley and #kensington books for gifting a copy of #InTheirShadows in exchange for an honest review.

**I received an ARC copy of this title via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.**
This book was amazing!
“April awoke, disoriented; briefly unsure which one of her husbands lay beside her.”

In Their Shadows by Briana Cole had me hooked from the start and you can see why. Before reading this, I briefly met April- the main character- in Behind Her Lives, trust me when I tell you that she deserves ALL of the karma that’s coming her way.

April is juggling two husbands and a double life. If that wasn’t enough, her scheming past is catching up with her. After years of draining bank accounts, breaking hearts, and switching identities like changing socks someone is out to make her pay.

She’s desperately trying to find her stalker, keep up with her lies, and walk away with all her money intact. The problem is, she’s led and ruined so many lives that the attack could be coming from anywhere.

Each page is a twist and turn that will keep you on edge. For as terrible as April is, I even found myself rooting for her at times (a sure sign of a well-written story and character).

This was such a good read- I rearranged plans and read it all day kind of good.

If you like mysteries with vivid characters, suspense, and surprises, you’ll love this book.

*4 stars b/c I do feel like some characters with significance are introduced and then forgotten about/not mentioned with no closure.*

P.S. I recommend reading Behind Her Lives

I don't think the title does this book justice...this book is full of deception, action, suspense, and a twist at the end that blew my mind!

April goes by many names for her many different lives. I do well to keep my life straight. I can't imagine juggling multiple! But she was raised to perfect this lifestyle. To gain all she could financially before disappearing and starting anew. She is definitely a product of her environment. But was it a good environment for her? There are details we learn later in the book (so no spoilers here) that had me wondering how her mother could raise her this way. But, if you look at her mother, it isn't too much of a surprise. I do think that near the end, April was reconsidering her life and what she wanted it to be like, and was this her destiny?

There were times I wanted to feel bad for April, but she put herself in this position. She could have left this behind, but it might have meant finding an honest way of life and standing on her own two feet. As we get to know her mother, it is easy to see why this may not have been an easy task to attain. 

If you enjoy a suspenseful novel filled with action, this is one that you should consider. 

We give this book 5 paws up.

In Their Shadows was one of my anticipated reads. I’m a huge fan of Briana Cole and this book didn’t disappoint. April is living a double life. She has two husbands and lives under two different identities. She was raised by her mom to scheme, hustle, and trick men so she could have a better life. Now her past is catching up to her and April doesn’t know where to turn or who to believe.
This book was darker than some of Ms Cole’s other books. I didn’t expect the levels of violence and thrills. The story got a little muddled in the middle and I figured out some of the twists early on. If you’re a fan of messy/juicy storylines, I’d definitely recommend you read this one.

Very intriguing read.
April is setting herself up for life. She’s married to two wealthy men, seems to have two almost perfect lives.
Now it is all falling apart. Someone knows her secret and things are getting scary.
We had a lot of twists and turns, I enjoyed the dual timelines, learning of the past which explained quite a few things.
Intriguing read that kept my attention. I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the chance to read and review this one.

3.5 stars

This was the first book I've read by Briana Cole. The storyline is unique in that the main character - who I was never really sure if I was rooting for or not - has multiple identities, which she uses to steal money from others, primarily her boyfriends/husbands, before suddenly disappearing. She has a complicated relationship with her mother, who taught her everything she knows about the perfect con. But her latest con begins going sideways and she's not sure WHO figured her out, nor does she know HOW they figured her out.

While I did guess a bit of the twist, I still thoroughly enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded and there were plenty of surprises I didn't see coming. This book had me wanting to keep reading and I finished it pretty quickly too. I'm definitely interested in reading other works by this author!

I am so thankful to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

April has set herself up well. She has married two wealthy men, and become two different women with different lives. It’s a balancing act, but she maintains it. Until someone knows her secret…

I enjoy books with women doing what they need to do and keeping up a facade. Of course eventually it all comes falling down and I was here for it. I loved the dual time lines and the flashbacks, which explained a lot about the present too. I would have liked even more about how the marriages started and how she kept it up, but this story certainly kept my interest and was packed with action.

“It’s pretty easy to have more than one life; you just have to know how to balance them. Like shifts, you clock-in one while you clock-out from another.”

In Their Shadows comes out 10/24.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I tried a different book by Briana Cole a while ago, and while I wasn’t won over, I was intrigued enough by the premise of In Their Shadows to give her another try. And I was blown away. I’m a sucker for thrillers, especially by Black authors, that really lean into the mess, and boy, did this one ever.
The plot is so intricate, what with the different personas and lives April inhabits, and I love the way this was conveyed, with it being mostly in the present with her juggling her two marriages, with a creeping specter from her past coming back to haunt her. But just when you think you have the story figured out, it pulls a twist, and then another, and I really didn’t know what to expect, but I loved where it ended up.
Because amid all these deeply messy characters is an analysis of April’s psyche. Her mother, Erika, looms large in her orbit, having a massive influence, yet not filling the typical maternal role from the outset, and the dysfunction in their relationship plays a role in shaping who April is, and comes to fruition as the plot unfolds in a beautifully messy way.
This was a deliciously compelling read, and I’d recommend it to lovers of domestic thrillers.

I am a fan of Briana Cole especially because I think she does a really good job with building suspense that lends to great plot twists. I was really happy to get my hands on a gifted copy of her newest mystery/suspense thriller, In Their Shadows. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced reader copy.

This story is about a woman who is in essence a glorified scam artist. She learned to play the game and use people, men in particular, to get her fair share out of life. Having been taught by her mother, Ericka, how to survive, April knows the life all too well. So well in fact, that she presently has multiple aliases and identities that thankfully have not crossed paths. That is until a package arrives that threatens to have her entire world crumbling down.

There were parts of the story, especially the suspense building and plot twists that were really YES moments for me. I absolutely loved the concept of one woman living multiple lives on a scam. I mean when fiction meets reality, it can always be fun. And April was a pro at it. Trained by the best.

There were other parts that could have been further explored and nice to see. I would have enjoyed more character development for April and Erika and even Jameson/Prez. I think I wanted to know more about them and kept waiting to learn more but it never came. I loved April's character overall, but there were times when she fell flat and almost one dimensional. Nevertheless, it's still definitely worth the read.

In Their Shadows releases on October 24, 2023.

3.5/5 ⭐️'s