Elisabeth Naughton is one of my favorite paranormal authors, but when she decided to branch out into romantic suspense I didn’t hesitate to jump at the chance to read her new venture. The first story in her new series, Repressed, takes us back to the childhood traumas of two individuals whose past was irrevocably intertwined one fateful night thought neither ever knew it. While this story was extremely emotional and led the reader through the pitfalls of childhood trauma relived, the romance that develops between Sam and Ethan was both sweet and sensual. I enjoyed seeing Sam solve the mystery of her past and embrace her inner core of strength as she fights for what she really wanted, even as Ethan had to come to terms with his fears in order to keep the woman he loves safe and in his life, despite his past. Sam isn’t exactly running from her past, but she has spent many years suppressing the truth she witnessed, but when strange things start happening around her it becomes harder and harder to deny that she might have truly witnessed something all those years ago—and might be in the middle of something dangerous once again. I liked Sam a lot, even at times when she was trying deny her own instincts, mainly when she was fighting so hard for those she loved; in the end she finds her strength and is able to forgive the past once she understands the full depravity of what went on around her and the truth of that long ago night. Ethan was a favorite from the very beginning, facing his childhood fears and fighting for the little guy, while also chasing after a woman that intrigues him, but as we get to know him more and more we see that sometimes youthful indiscretions go deeper than we ever realized. I loved Ethan’s character because he was just so human in a way that a lot characters aren’t. He is of course very sexy and beyond a match for Sam’s sensuality once it peeks through the clouds she hides it behind. They are so obviously a perfect match for one another. I enjoyed this first-in-a-series very much and cannot wait to see what comes next. Another masterful series is coming obviously.

Unfortunately. I was unable to finish this book and have to put it on my DNR list.
I was unable to connect with the character and therefore unable to get invested in this story.
I hope in the future I might try to revisit this series.

enjoyed this first book in a romantic suspense series. Sam and Ethan were good characters and I enjoyed the storyline. The suspense and romance were well balanced, and I found it to be quick and easy to read.