A gripping romance/mystery explores second chances, family traitors and love.
Hez and Savannah are a loveable couple who are trying to find their way back to each other following the tragic death of their daughter Ella. It is also a story of personal growth and resilience. The twists and turns, suspense and setting combine to make a great read. I can’t wait to read the next instalment.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

This second book in the Tupelo Grove series was an enjoyable Christian Suspense novel. Parts of this book read quite realistic. Can't wait for the next installment.

College professor Savannah Webster is ready to give her ex-husband, Hez, another chance, and she believes he's finally ready for them to face their many past trials as a team. But when Savannah finds evidence that points to Hez's old demons resurfacing, the fragile trust they've built begins to crumble. And it's not just their relationship that hanging in the balance--the survival of the university Savannah's family poured their lives into is also under threat.

Hez is determined to put his past mistakes behind him with his new role mentoring law students at Tupelo Grove University's legal clinic. His primary focus with the clinic is to help Savannah pull the university out of a pit of debt and bad decisions made by the previous leadership, including her father. But their quest for stability takes a dark turn as they try to root out the dangerous smuggling ring the university is entangled in, and their investigation puts them in the crosshairs of criminals who will stop at nothing to eliminate any obstacle in their path.

I am really enjoying the books by this author and would recommend them. Savannah and Hez are ready to give their relationship a second go, and they both believe that they can make it this time. However, Savannah doesn’t make tenure and starts looking for new employment when her father offers her the president's position, which she accepts. Hez is determined to make a go of the Justice Chamber mentoring law students, putting his past mistakes behind him and showing Savannah how much he has changed. When she finds evidence that his demons are still haunting him, he is ever more determined to change and show her that someone is sabotaging his progress. Book 2 in the Tupelo Grove series. This writing duo spun a tale of secrets, deception, murder, and more that had me spellbound. Savannah Webster, a college professor, is working hard to help her family's university make a comeback after a stolen artifact debacle. A thriller that is clean on language. Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Publishing and the authors for the opportunity.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: Primarily Tupelo Grove University
Genre: Romantic Suspense; Mystery Thriller; Christian

Where Secrets Lie is a gripping, emotionally charged thriller that masterfully blends suspense, second chances, and family legacy into a fast-paced, unforgettable read. Colleen Cobel has crafted a layered narrative that keeps you guessing from start to finish, all while digging deep into the vulnerabilities and strength of her characters.

At the heart of the novel is Savannah Webster—a strong, smart, and relatable college professor—who is willing to risk her heart once more by reconciling with her ex-husband, Hez. Their complicated relationship feels authentic and deeply human, with both characters carrying the weight of past mistakes and current hopes. Just when it seems like healing might be possible, Savannah uncovers unsettling signs that Hez’s troubled past might not be as far behind him as he claims.

The novel truly shines in its suspenseful plot, weaving a dangerous undercurrent of smuggling, corruption, and financial turmoil into the already high-stakes drama of a struggling university. As Savannah and Hez dig into the murky dealings tied to Tupelo Grove University’s past leadership—including her own father—they’re drawn into a web of secrets that put their safety, and their future, on the line.

The pacing is tight, the twists are sharp, and the stakes are real. Shaw’s ability to maintain suspense while developing emotional depth is impressive. The final chapters are especially explosive, delivering revelations that are both satisfying and shocking without feeling forced.

With a compelling mix of romance, danger, and moral complexity, Where Secrets Lie is a standout in the romantic suspense genre. It’s a story about redemption, resilience, and the messy but beautiful work of rebuilding trust. Don’t start this one late at night—you’ll be up turning pages until the very end. #netgalley #wheresecretslie #booked_this_weekend

Where Secrets Lie by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker is a masterful blend of suspense, family drama, and second-chance romance that had me hooked from the first page.

Savannah Webster is such a well-crafted protagonist—intelligent, cautious, and deeply human. Watching her try to rebuild trust with her ex-husband, Hez, while grappling with betrayal and doubt felt incredibly real. The tension between them added a compelling emotional layer to the already twisty plot.

The backdrop of the university and its financial downfall, tangled with an unexpected smuggling operation, kept the stakes high. The pacing was perfect, and the mystery unfolded in a way that constantly kept me guessing.

Coble and Acker did an amazing job blending the academic world with high-stakes crime, making this story both smart and thrilling. I especially loved how themes of trust, legacy, and redemption played out throughout the book.

If you're a fan of romantic suspense with brains and heart, this one is a must-read. Can’t wait for the next in the Tupelo Grove series!