Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for an early audiobook edition of “Ambush” by Colleen Coble, narrated by Karen Peakes for an honest review. Karen Peakes did a good job with the narration.

The plot of this story was good, with strong character development. It is the story of Paradise Alden who returns to her childhood town of Nova Cambridge, Alabama, to work at an animal sanctuary owned by her high school sweetheart Blake Lawson. She returned to heal. However, shortly after arriving a woman is murdered, and someone is trying to kill Blake. Paradise jumps in head first to help Blake find the killer. Together they uncover other mysteries, opening the window to the next in the series.

What I did not like about the book, was that Paradise arrives in Nova Cambridge, angry and afraid, but within days all is forgiven, her fear is subsided, and she finds and embraces God with her whole being. It doesn’t work that fast! Paradise had a lot of things to work through, not something that happens in days. The transition from not believing in God to the full embrace was too abrupt. In addition, the references to the greatness of God are too frequent, you can incorporate the importance of faith, without constantly referencing it.

It felt like the author had to get the characters to the end so that she could start the second book. I am hoping that now that the main characters are where she wants them, that the next book will proceed at a more realistic pace.

While there are some suspenseful moments, especially during the climactic flood, there are way too many melodramatic moments that bring down the plausibility and kind of killed my investment in the story.

I read as an audiobook. I enjoyed the author! This book reminded me of a Hallmark movie set in Africa with a twist! If you enjoy romance, lust and mystery, this is for you.

Ambush by Colleen Coble
I loved this one – mystery, suspense, romance, murder, and an animal sanctuary! Wow!
Paradise returns to her hometown, now as a veterinarian for the animal sanctuary. She has questions to answer about her past and maybe some fences to mend in old relationships. With strange mishaps at the animal sanctuary, it seems that someone wants to send a dangerous message.
Blake has guarded his broken heart for a long time. Now he’s back to help his family and run the animal sanctuary. With lots of unanswered questions about close calls at the sanctuary, it’s up to Blake and Paradise to find the truth,
Loved, loved, loved it!
Murder, romance, mystery, an animal sanctuary- all welcome back some favorites from Pelican Harbor!
Imaginative, suspenseful, Colleen Coble impresses me with every new story! This one has it all and you won’t want to put it down! Christian fiction at its finest, I loved it!
The characters are so relatable and well developed, I was with them in the story. The audio narrator did an excellent job giving the characters individuality and definition. The audiobook was so well done! I can't wait to buy a hardcopy for my personal library!
I would like to Thank NetGalley and Colleen Coble for the wonderful opportunity to review an ARC of the audiobook and the eBook! 5/5⭐

I had the pleasure of being approved for both the ebook and the audiobook advanced reader copy of Ambush by Colleen Coble.

The narrator was a fantastic edition to this story.
It's about 2 thirty-something's that come back to their hometown. One to help and the other to heal and find her father's killer. They are working at a wildlife sanctuary when weird things start happening. There's a dead woman in the horses stall, the lion's gate is open, the vet meds are broken into,, security cameras are erased and many other odd and unexplainable things. It's also a story of 2 people that dated in high school becoming friends again and trying to work together to solve why the sanctuary is being targeted. It's a great story with many surprises and some lovely friendships that are built throughout the story. If this becomes a series< I will jump at the chance to read the next book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook!

I didn't realize this was a Christian novel when I requested it and they honestly don't really start with God and church until about half way through but it gets so much worse from there and ended up ruining it a bit for me.

The overall thriller at a wild animal sanctuary was really fun setting and premise for the thriller, the twist was a bit of a let down, the book starts in so fast and there's so much going on with several unsolved murders and then the end outcomes are just sort of fine I guess. I was expecting more shocking twists. I also loved the random animal facts dispersed throughout.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to listen to an advanced copy of this book.
This was my read by Colleen Coble. I did like the reader but the story was just so exhausting. I'm glad I got the chance to read it but it wasn't for me.

Whoa! I’ve read a ton of Colleen Coble’s books (not all, but a lot) and this one might be my absolute favourite. I just loved everything about it. The way the suspense elements are evenly paced out – intense all the way through without being completely overwhelming. I was on edge, waiting for the next ‘thing’ to happen but still able to enjoy the quieter, thoughtful moments with these characters. And the emotional fireworks too, of course!

A second chance romance sparks from doomed puppy love fifteen years earlier. Both Blake and Paradise have coped with their share of trauma through the ensuing years, but they are stronger for it. And even more stubborn! Clashing wills, gnarly reckonings, and oh my heart hurt so much for Paradise when all is revealed! But they are soon united in their quest to save the wildlife refuge from an unknown threat.

And that sanctuary setting! Such an exciting backdrop for the story. It added even more intensity to the plot and was peppered with intriguing insights into the animals and their habitats and a very creative way to up the danger too!

Coble is a master at character development – and not just with the hero and heroine. Every secondary character is fleshed out in a memorable way and kept me emotionally engaged all the way through the read. Sometimes happy feels (Blake’s mother and little brothers…sooooo cute!); sometimes seething with rage (there’s one character in particular…) and the whole gamut in-between. I love feeling my way through a story and I did that with this amazing read. In a word: unputdownable.

I was blessed to listen to the audio edition of ‘Ambush’ and was thrilled with Karen Peakes’ performance. She brought distinctive voices to all the characters – especially loved the way she portrayed the little boys – and the way she used her voice to build tension was phenomenal. Highly recommend this audio book.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan Fiction Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio edition of ‘Ambush’.

This is a Christian suspense with underlying romance. Paradise lost her parents while she was very young in an unsolved murder. She is then thrown into the foster system and has a history of being abused by men. Her faith is shaken and she does not feel God is looking over her at all and she falls away from her faith. She returns to her home town as an adult with the intentions of finding peace in her solve by hopefully solving her parents murder. She finds a job at a place called the Sanctuary which is owned by a family that had a special place in her life at one point. The story is a slow burn with other mysterious things happening at the Sanctuary and her friend Blake is in the midst of it. While they are finding themselves intertwined a romance maybe blooming. The characters are likable and relatable and it is not too much faith in religion forward which allows for the story to flow and it is more complimentary to the story. I really liked the little boys and how they are cared for and bring a smile to the readers. Additionally the romance doesn't always flow into a happily ever after but does show how romance and connection is a basis for a good relationship with the ups as well as the downs. Many thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley.

The Ambush is a classic female-led mystery based on the strange events happening around a wildlife preserve. It's up to Paradise Alden to head back to her hometown to get to the bottom of these mysterious events.

She goes through the struggles of coming to terms with her rough upbringing and the whole filled by her first love.

I loved the inclusion of all the exotic animals that lived at The Sanctuary - really added to the visualisations throughout. I thought the romance was a bit cringe for me - but great if you love that sort of thing.

I would recommend this book to Christian readers, and animal lovers who love a good romantic mystery.

3.0 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an advanced copy of the audio book in exchange for honest review!
This was my first book by Colleen Coble. I was very excited when I read the blurb because I thought the premise sounded interesting. Paradise returns to her hometown after 15 years to help get closure and possibly answers to who killed her parents. Her high school boyfriend, Blake, is one of the 1st people she sees once she has arrived and apparently they have some animosity from their past. Immediately (and I mean Immediately), there is a murder. Lots of random "accidents" happen at the sanctuary where Blake and Paradise work, and pretty soon it becomes clear that someone is trying to sabotage either the sanctuary, Paradise, or Blake.
This book really just fell flat for me. I didn't care for any of the characters, and everything seemed very rushed as far as the romance aspect. I was also surprised at the religious turn the book took at about the halfway mark. I'm not sure if that's normal in this author's books but it definitely felt like it came out if nowhere.
This wasn't a bad book. It just wasn't for me. I'm sure if you usually like Colleen Coble, you'll like this one too.

This is a Mystery with a Second Chance Romance, and this is the first book in the Sanctuary series. I listened to the audiobook for this book, and I really enjoyed the audiobook. I got pulled into the story riggt away. I loved getting to know all the characters and the animals. I loved the mystery, drama, and suspense in this book. I loved reading this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Thank you NetGalley & Thomas Nelson for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly I don’t even know where to start. For me this was a big ball of confusion. There were too many characters and too much going on. It’s as if the author wanted to make sure we were never bored, so things were just constantly going on and new characters were being introduced.

The ending was underwhelming
This one wasn’t for me

Also, I have to add, why the heck would someone name a character Paradise????? I could feel myself cringing every time I heard her name.

1★

Ambush by Colleen Coble is the first book in her new series. Paradise has suffered so much with the death of her parents, her Aunt wouldn’t Leo her and sent her into foster care where she was sexually assaulted, then stacked by a big cat where she is a wild animal vet. She returns home to Pelican Bay to recover and work at the Sanctuary wildlife preserve. Blake her former boyfriend from high school also works there with his mom. Things keep happening. Danger seems everywhere. As they work together can they solve the mystery before someone is hurt? Thank you to #Thomas Nelson & Zondervan Fiction Audio , the author and #NetGalley for the audio arc read. I would definitely recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series. This is my honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Karen Peakes does a great job narrating this story and bringing it to life!

Paradise Alden returns home as a visiting veterinarian at a wildlife sanctuary and bad things start to happen. As Paradise begins to investigate what actually happened when her parents were murdered, her journey into healing begins.

I have read a lot of Colleen Coble stories and this one was not as strong as others. While its enjoyable, it just didn't grab my attention like her other books. 3.5 rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins Christian Publishing for the ALC (Advance Listening Copy) in exchange for an honest review.

At almost 10 hours of listening time, Ambush introduces us to Paradise Alden, a woman marked by tragedy and betrayal, in the first book of the Sanctuary Series. Returning to Nova Cambridge, Alabama, after fifteen years, Paradise is determined to find the truth about her parents' murder. Taking a veterinarian position at The Sanctuary, she’s thrust into a new mystery when a body is found on the grounds. As deadly events unfold, Paradise must confront her past and work alongside Blake Lawson—the man who once broke her heart—to uncover the lurking danger beneath the town's moss-draped trees.

While the Christian romance and mystery elements will appeal to fans of faith-based fiction, the genre isn't one I typically reach for. The faith discussions often felt overly saccharine and somewhat preachy, occasionally disrupting the flow of the narrative for me. The mystery was engaging, though the resolution felt a bit tacked on and lacked depth. Common tropes, like the detective's unwillingness to see evidence, made some parts predictable. However, I am curious about the fate of Paradise’s parents and might consider exploring the next instalment.

Perfect for fans of Allison Brennan and Dani Pettrey, Ambush offers a blend of suspense and spiritual reflection. Though I’m undecided on continuing the series, the story does provide an interesting starting point for those who enjoy Christian romantic suspense.

📅 Published: 4 March 2025
🔊 Listening Time: ~10 hours

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Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This novel is a strong start to The Sanctuary Series. I listened to the audiobook and found the narrator to be very enjoyable. I enjoyed learning a little bit about each of the characters and I think that it did a great job to set up the series.

I did find at times that there was a cheesy Hallmark movie type feel to this book that made me roll my eyes. I am not typically a fan of Christian books, or "happily ever after" plots.

Will I finish the series? Yes, I need to know what happened to Paradise's parents and will stick around to find out!

It's a cute second-chance romance mystery. Paradise has had a rough life; her parents were murdered, her first love violated her trust, and as an adult, she was attacked by a large cat at work, maiming her. She never planned to return home, but she decides it is finally time for closure and to find out what happened to her parents all those years ago. What she didn't anticipate was working for her first love as the vet at their exotic animal sanctuary.
Strange things are beginning to happen in the sanctuary. Pens left opened, fires, and so much more. Can Paradise truly trust Blake, or will he hurt her again? Is he behind the strange events, or is someone trying to frame him and his family? These questions must be answered, and along the way, Paradise must also learn to trust God again and believe in his plan for her life.

Having recently read (and really enjoyed) I Think I was Murdered by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker, I jumped at Ambush, the first in a new series by Coble.

With a much different tone to I Think I was Murdered, I found the dialogue in this quite cheesy at times, and the faith based discussions often felt quite out of the blue. There was also a lot going on, with different characters, threads and attacks to follow.

However, overall this was a very fun read. The exotic wildlife park felt unique and exciting, and the building suspense is dotted with twists, turns and drama. The ending was satisfying and fast paced. Paradise and Blake’s characters were well developed with intriguing backstories, setting a solid foundation for the series. The writing style is engaging and entertaining.

I really enjoyed this both as an ebook and audiobook. The audio narration added a level of excitement and tension, and the narrator did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life.

I received a complimentary book from the publisher through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and the opinions are my own.

AMBUSH The Sanctuary Book 1 by Colleen Coble & Rick Acker
This is an unusual story with a wild exotic animal sanctuary, (a first that I have found that particular plot) but it is very enjoyable well written story. This is a murder mystery, romantic suspense, drama and great characters. It is also a Christian fiction book. This is 5 stars.

I listened to the audio version of this story. Karen Peakes does a great job with the narration.