There is an expression I've heard my own family use that God will never give you more than you can handle. Blake's family and Paradise certainly test that expression with one problem after another. There is plenty of action from wild animal near misses and explosives in beer cans. It honestly seems like this family can't catch a break. Add that to Paradise's reason for returning to down to find justice for her parents and she should be overwhelmed. In the midst of all the turmoil, she is forced to put her live second to save a child and through God get past the nightmares of her animal attack. Blake, who is good and strong and solid and family oriented, is the first she tells that she felt God's presence in that moment. I don't know exactly how I fell about strong religious overtones in books but in this book, it felt right. Blake and Paradise and his family had to heal and find strength and they did so through God. We truly get a front row seat for Paradise's journey including her once again feeling betrayed but it was cute how quickly she took stock of what mattered and the chasm closed.
The inner strength for both Blake and Paradise and his mother keep them going when others might throw in the towel. Through Blake's mother and much younger brothers, Paradise gets to experience a family and family can change how you see the world as it does for her.
This was a really good book with small religious overtones and a unique settings and unique action. It is well worth the read. If you are unsure as I am about God in the book, let me say it is tastefully done and feels authentic. We do have one loose thread that makes me wonder if we will return to this family and the magnificent animals they give sanctuary to.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction | Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I liked this novel, but unfortunately I ended up not being as invested in it as I had hoped. There are a lot of characters, a lot of action, a lot of suspects, a lot of suspense and a whole lot of melodrama. And honestly, I think that excess melodrama might be the main reason I didn't connect as much with it. Also, please note that this is a Christian novel, so it's definitely lighter on the romance side. The audiobook narrator did an excellent job, considering how many different male and female characters there were.

Ambush is the first installment in the Sanctuary series, and also marks the first book I’ve ever read from Colleen Coble. I can tell that it lightly connects to other series she’s penned, one completed and one ongoing: Pelican Harbor and Tupelo Grove, respectively. This book was mysterious, intense, emotional, and propulsive. I was intrigued by the characters at first meeting, and then I quickly became completely invested in their stories, from the pain of their pasts to the romance of their present. Ambush excites me because, not only am I incredibly interested to see where Sanctuary goes from here, I’ve been introduced to a new-to-me author whose writing I really enjoy and who had a huge backlist for me to dig into while I’m eagerly awaiting the second installment in this series.

Paradise Alden, our female main character, is a vet struggling through PTSD after suffering an attack by a jaguar. She’s facing her fears on multiple fronts by taking a job at a wildlife refuge, The Sanctuary, in her hometown—a place she ran from years ago. Blake Lawson is a former Marine paramedic who has come home to help his mom manage The Sanctuary after his stepfather’s death. He’s also Paradise’s ex-boyfriend, the one who broke her heart fifteen years ago. After this betrayal and the murder of her parents, she fled Nova Cambridge, Alabama, and lost her trust in men and God and even herself. This job at The Sanctuary is her chance to find some answers and lay some things to rest. But maybe, just maybe, it will also be a sanctuary for her. Maybe here, she can start to heal.

The Sanctuary specializes in providing refuge to exotic pets who have been mistreated and abandoned. From chimps and wolves to tigers and parrots, The Sanctuary is a safe place for them to recover from their mistreatment and live a happy, comfortable life for the rest of their days. It’s a fascinating setting, one that I found so fun and unique. It provided Coble with a lot of room for interesting tension and plot twists. The Sanctuary was the first element of the story with which I fell in love. But then there were the characters. Not only did I grow to love Paradise and Blake, I was also charmed by Blake’s mom and his two young half brothers. Coble did a great job capturing the voices of these five and seven year-old boys without making them overly cutesy or too well-spoken. She struck a balance with them that felt believable and sweet.

As is coming to be the case with so many Christian romantic suspense authors I’ve had the pleasure of reading recently, Coble does a wonderful joy weaving faith into her writing without every coming across as preachy. Paradise’s faith journey was an important component of this book, and it was handled beautifully. The faith here managed to be both vital to the story and understated; it added without ever taking anything away from the plot. I’m eager to see if Coble’s inclusion of faith is always this expertly handled.

The book has an ending that satisfies without wrapping up completely. There are still some deep mysteries to be addressed, and more growth and development to be seen in the characters and their relationships. My guess would be that further installments in the series would continue to largely follow Paradise and Blake.

Ambush is a phenomenal series starter. It’s well paced, well written, and well balanced. The setting is unique, the characters compelling, and the mysteries at its core intriguing. There wasn’t any element of this book that didn’t work for me. I’ll be counting down the months until I can see where the story takes Paradise, Blake, and the rest of the Sanctuary gang next!

Colleen Coble’s Ambush is a fast-paced romantic suspense novel that delivers action and intrigue. The Alaskan setting is beautifully described, adding an immersive atmosphere to the story. The mystery keeps you engaged, with unexpected twists that maintain suspense.

However, the characters, while likable, sometimes feel underdeveloped, and the romance aspect seems a bit rushed. Some plot points feel predictable, and the pacing fluctuates, making certain sections drag. While Ambush is an enjoyable read for fans of Christian romantic suspense, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of Coble’s best works.

A solid read —perfect for those who enjoy light suspense with a touch of romance. ⭐⭐⭐

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ambush
By Colleen Coble
Ambush: Faith, Love, and Danger Collide in This Fast-Paced Mystery.

Colleen Coble kicks off her new Sanctuary Series with Ambush, a fast-paced blend of romance, suspense, and faith. With a wildlife refuge setting, a decades-old murder mystery, and a rekindled love story, this novel has plenty to keep readers engaged.

Paradise Alden returns to Nova Cambridge, Alabama, hoping to heal from past trauma and find answers about her parents’ murder. But her fresh start at The Sanctuary, a wildlife refuge, turns into a nightmare when another murder occurs. The prime suspect? Her first love, Blake Lawson—the man who once broke her heart. Despite her lingering distrust, she’s convinced of his innocence, and together they must uncover the real threat before it’s too late.

Coble does a great job balancing suspense with emotional depth. The parallel storylines—one involving sabotage at the refuge and the other a long-buried mystery—add layers of intrigue. The setting itself brings extra tension, with both human threats and unpredictable animals lurking in the background. The romance is sweet, if a little predictable, and the faith element is woven in naturally.

While Ambush is an enjoyable read, it does have a few drawbacks. The ending feels abrupt, and while the story is engaging, it has Hallmark-movie feel, making it less realistic at times. Still, it’s a light, entertaining read for fans of Christian romantic suspense.

I’ll be looking forward to the next book in the series, releasing in November 2025.
4 stars

** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for review copies of the eBook and audio. The opinions are my own.

Loved it!!  It was great to be back in Pelican Harbor and see familiar faces, like Savannah and Hez.  Hez's weird looking dog even stops by the sanctuary.  I remembered the Wildlife Sanctuary from "What We Hide,"  because Hez and his cousin would go fishing with the hippo.  From the moment Deputy Creed Green pulled Paradise over, I knew what type of person he would be.  He was useless about investigating what was happening at the sanctuary.  Instead of actually finding out who was behind the murder and all the sabotage that was happening,  he simply blamed Blake.  The Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve sounded like a great place to live, except for the evil furry demons known as hyenas.  Blake and his mom took exceptional care of the animals, but at times they got a little too friendly by petting them and sticking their fingers in the cage.   Isaac was lucky he wasn't a kitty snack.  Loved the relationship between Paradise and Blake, of course they were perfect together.  They just needed to forgive each other for what happened in the past.   I had no idea who could be behind all the horrible stuff happening at the sanctuary.  It was scary what was being done and could have really harmed or killed someone.  If Paradise wouldn't have gone back and checked on Blake during the hurricane, there definitely would have been a different outcome.  Paradise's mom was keeping so many secrets.  Why were Paradise's parents killed and who did it???  I have so many questions.  There were so many twists and turns throughout the book.

Definitely recommend the book. It was a great mystery/thriller that had me guessing until the end. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I can't wait for the next book!!!  It better be a series with all the unanswered questions.  Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Fiction through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is such a great book - I hope it's the start of a long series!

Paradise returns to her hometown with lots of baggage and questions. Her search for answers takes her through hard, scary and often life threatening situations. The twists and turns keep you not only turning the page but totally entertained!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and was intrigued by the storyline. A great second chance romance where two people had a tragic event occur in their high school years that sent Paradise away from Blake. Terrible things happen to Paradise when she is sent away to another home. Now she gets the chance to work with him and his family at their Wildlife Sanctuary but the Sanctuary has someone who is trying to take them out of business and ruin their livelihood.

Lots of twists and turns in this book and it will have you on the edge of your seat. Great story about healing, grieving, mystery, murder and more. One I will definitely be recommending!

A 2nd chance romance. Paradise takes a job as a vet at a wild animal sanctuary in the town she grew up in, 15 years after leaving. She has issues with wild cats and with the son of her employer, who just happens to be her first love. To top it off, her employer's husband may have been murdered and lots of strange things are happening - arson, murder, break-ins. Paradise & Blake sort through all the problems while navigating their feelings for each other and having Paradise come to terms with God. Another enjoyable read.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Coleen Coble is amazing! This audio version of the book is riveting. The narrator was fantastic. There is plenty of action, suspense, thrills, and sweet romance that make this book an edge of your seat kind of read. The whole time, I was thinking it reminded me of Jurassic Park, but with exotic animals instead of dinosaurs. The characters are genuine and loveable. Especially, the two little boys. They captured my heart.
I highly recommend this suspenseful novel to any reader who likes thrillers, This has a splash romance, and an inspirational message. Don't miss this one.
*I was given a copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers, and this is my honest opinion.
4.5 stars

‘Ambush” was my first book by Colleen Coble and I Loved it! Colleen Coble is now one of my Favorite Authors!! I enjoyed how she sets a foundation of backstories for the characters. These characters have depth and you feel for them!! This is about Paradise and Blake who were friends and first loves as teenagers then when a tragic turn of events separates them for fifteen years. Now Paradise has come back to search for answers and find healing and closure! With help from God, Blake, his mom and Blake’s younger brothers she begins to heal! All while working as a veterinarian on Blake’s family animal sanctuary where there is unexplained dangers!! We were left with some unanswered mysteries, can’t wait for a follow up book!

Thank you so Much to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for the Arc of this book in exchange for an Honest Review!!

#Ambush
#NetGalley

Interesting plot and creative setting from Coble. A solid clean suspense novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Paradise (FMC) has returned home to work as a vet at a wildlife sanctuary owned by her young love's mother. She doesn't relish working with Blake (MMC) or revisiting the hurt. She felt betrayed by him during the tumultuous days of her foster care experience which came after her parents' double murder many years before. Things go extremely awry at the sanctuary shortly after she arrives. Activists? Her parents' murderer? A greedy businessman who wants the land?

A lot happens. A LOT. I actually felt that there was too much happening and it became hard to keep track of after a while. It wasn't just the sanctuary but Paradise's past, Blake's Past, his mom's past, AND the threats against the sanctuary. Thankfully there is some balance with family moments (Blake's little brothers especially!) and time that the couple spend together in healing the past. There is a strong faith and growth arc as well.

A wildlife sanctuary is a very interesting setting for this story. I learned more about various wild animals, including hyenas. SIDE NOTE: I truly hope that I never become a snack! I had the heebie-jeebies in a few scenes with the hyenas and a tiger.

The twists and turns will keep readers guessing as to who the bad guy/gal is and what the motive is. This is the first book in a new series with little, fun connections to the Tupelo Grove series. I will definitely be continuing this series.

>>> Huge thanks to Thomas Nelson (publisher) and Net Galley for an advanced reader copy of this novel. My honest review is in my own words

This was a really good start to this series. It’s full of suspense, lots of emotion and second chance romance.
I liked Paradise and her toughness. I thought the animal sanctuary was a nice addition to the story. I’m definitely looking forward to the next one in this series.

This is an incredible action-packed suspenseful mystery set in an animal sanctuary. After fifteen years away, Veterinarian Paradise Alden returns to get answers to her parents' murder. She is still healing from injuries in her previous job and is wary of the big cats. Someone is targeting the park with a serious of escalating incidents. Co-owner Blake Lawson is suspected of murder when a dead body appears at the park. Even though Paradise feels like her ex high school boyfriend Blake betrayed her fifteen years ago, she doesn't believe that he is a murderer. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This story is riveting. The setting at an animal sanctuary adds to the suspenseful. It was so engrossing that I found it hard to put it down.

The Sanctuary is a nature preserve in Alabama that is managed by Jenna and Blake, a mother and son team, and someone is trying to destroy its reputation. Unknown events keep happening, endangering the owners' physical and financial well-being and making them question whether they should just give up their house and the wildlife preserve.
After suffering injuries in a black panther attack, Paradise Alden, a large animal veterinarian, is coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. Though she has hidden agendas, she has come back to her hometown of youth to assist at The Sanctuary. She is seeking the truth behind the deaths of her parents some twenty years ago, in addition to wanting to recover from her attack. Finding oneself and reestablishing contact with Blake, her first love

There is an intensity to everything that is happening to Paradise and Blake. Both have returned to Pelican Bay because they have to, and now they wonder if they might have a second chance at love. First they have to survive everything going wrong at the sanctuary for exotic animals that Blake and his mom runs much is happening, but this redemptive story will keep you coming back for more. I highly recommend it!

Ambush by Colleen Coble is set in a wildlife refuge in Nova Cambridge, Alabama and sends veterinarian Paradise Alden, and her high school sweetheart, Blake Lawson, on an adventure they won't soon forget.
Paradise comes back to her hometown after being away for 15 years. Having faced multiple traumas Paradise never expected to return to this place. But now she's determined to put her parents' murders to rest and finds herself facing multiple fears.
Coble does a good job of navigating several hard issues and the battle to determine whether trusting God is worth the surrender. I enjoyed this story though I would not want to be one of the characters! So many dangers lurking ahead!
I did struggle with the attempt to mix a small town feel with so many unknowns. My experience with small towns and what's navigated through the pages of this book don't mesh though maybe things are a bit different in the south. :)
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read this saga! I enjoyed this journey and look forward to reading more! All opinions are my own.

This is the first Colleen Coble book I have read. Originally I picked this book up through my local book store ARC program because of the cover. I haver seen some online chatter about Coble, and figured I could get in on the hype.

Coble's writing style has a smooth flow to it that made this story an easy read. There were no errors that made the story difficult to follow. The story started out slow and towards the ending the pace picked up. It was time to put the book down for the night, but it had me at the edge of my seat...so I stayed up way to late to finish it. It was unpredictable. I was drawn into the book from the first chapter and my interest was peaked through out the story. It was entertaining and definitely a page turner.

The characters were strong and didn’t give into letting their fears control their decisions. The book ended with some things left in the air. I will be waiting eagerly to read book two in this series to find out if these questions get answers.

Ambush is a thrilling adventure set in a wildlife sanctuary. The story is captivating, the characters are inviting, and the location is perfect. There are multiple layers to the plot, so each page is gripping and satisfying, but not complete, which meant the pages kept flying! Like Paradise, I wanted answers, and I wanted closure. Instead, I received an adventure with a little bit of both. I love that this is a series starter, so I know there is more to come. In the meantime, this story is brilliant and a satisfying intro. I don’t want to divulge any details, so if you enjoy thrilling adventures, mystery on multiple layers, romance, and small town living amid a wildlife sanctuary, you are going to love this.
I also had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook version and the narrator did an excellent job of capturing the characters: personalities, accents, and emotions.
I received a copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.