4.5

What a ride.
I managed to devour "Hide and Seek" in less than a day: I always forget how freaking lovely and clever Josh Lanyon's writing is, and what a mastermind she is. Her mysteries are the main reason I love this genre so damn much, and "Hide and Seek" is yet another gem in her arsenal of freaking amazing books.

Addictive, clever and brilliantly plotted, with a romance subplot that left me starry-eyed, this murder mystery was wholly entertaining and hugely satisfying: Josh Lanyon is THE queen of amateur sleuths (and their, more or less, qualified love interests) getting unwittingly mixed up in gruesome murders, and each and every single one of the ones she has created so far has been unforgettable. Andy is no exception: he was a hugely lovable protagonist, jaded and shy and broken, but also clever and snarky and brave. I loved being in his head, and I loved following him (and Quinn) on their adventure and quest to discover who's really behind a string of break-ins and beatings.

The mystery was really compelling: twisty and thrilling, packed with action and discoveries, heists and robberies, villains in fedoras and trench coats and shady police officers. And the romance, although fairly minal, was equally compelling: I absolutely adored Andy and Quinn's second chance at romance, and I loved their dynamic too. I was definitely invested in them from their very first scene together and their chemistry was truly fantastic and very, very palpable.

So yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm so, so excited to read Lanyon's next masterpiece.

Thank you so much NetGalley and josh Landon for allowing me to read “Hide and Seek.”

All I can say is Wow !!

This was an amazing book 📖 in my opinion! The plot was great and the characters were written about so well it made them seem real in a way. I was hooked from the very first page ! One thing I would like is more to the story . Like I need more about Uncle Cutty and Quinn and just about all of the characters.

I read the reviews before I read this and was like it’s gonna be a slow burn but it wasn’t at all I read this in like 2 hours . I definitely can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

Leaving this review for free.

#Netgalley
#JoshLanyon
#JustjoshinPublishing

REALLY good action mystery romance. I like Josh Lanyon's books in general, but this one is one of my favorites from Lanyon. I sat and read it all in one sitting. I was engaged the entire time.

I loved the combination of sleuthing and action. The rekindled romance was well built and didn't feel rushed - I wanted to know more about the characters, and then was satisfied with what I got. It had a similar feel to a spy movie, which I really like. At the beginning I thought it was a little too similar to the Secrets and Scrabble series, but it quickly changed. It's definitely not a cozy mystery. Lanyon does it all.

A lot of pressure can be placed on standalone novels, but Lanyon does it brilliantly. You feel a genuine connection with these characters that will make you want to read a whole series that follows Andy and Quinn as they face new mysteries together. Lanyon has a talent for creating well-rounded characters that are relatable, charming, flawed, and real. Andy is a relatable main character that is at a crossroads in his life after leaving his abusive ex. His uncle's shop is his safe haven away from this relationship which is immediately shattered when he finds that the shop has been burglarized and his uncle was beaten up. The subject matter is serious and never strays from how serious it is, but Lanyon writes in a way that doesn't feel too much and never overshadows the charm of the characters. In a lot of ways, the plot is playful and light thanks to the dynamic between Andy and Quinn (his teenage love). Lanyon blends humor, tension, history, rom-com, and investigative duo to create a delightful couple that drives the mystery forward. Highly recommend this!

Hide and Seek by Josh Lanyon

Holiday fiction with a murderer on the loose, a mystery to solve, and a second chance at romance for Andrew and Quinn…if they can get it right. Great way to spend the day getting to know two admirable men and watching them solve a cozy mystery or two.

What I liked:
* Andy: museum curator, left his abusive boyfriend who won’t let him go, his uncle was beaten in a robbery and is in a coma, a bit timid, always wondered what happened to Quinn
* Quinn: difficult backstory growing up, considered by the town to be ‘bad’, good friend of Andy’s in high school, disappeared from Safehaven sixteen years before, retired from an interesting job, there for Andy
* The connection between Andy and Quinn and how their second chance progressed with sincere open adult communication, caring, and humor
* Being able to see Andy and Quinn happy together
* Uncle Cuthbert: in a coma most of the book, a good guy, protective, caring, there for Andy
* The Mystery of what the murderer was looking for and who the culprit might be
* The plot, pacing, writing, character development, and small town vibe
* That everything was tied up in the end with no strings left hanging

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about why some people are the way they are and how they don’t seem to be able to see they are wrong, mean spirited, or rather impossible

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I've yet to read a book from Josh that I haven't enjoyed and this one is no different!

Especially when it's an adaptation, well, maybe inspired by versus a true adaptation.

Anywho, if you're a fan of Grosse Point Blank, you're gonna love this!

The story isn't a full retelling, but it does have many similarities, with various twists and turns that makes it's own story.

A museum curator goes back home to take care of his uncle's antique shop after an accident. Within the first days of his visit, he discovers that his first love has come home to stay. Over the next few days, they're thrown into burglary, murder, and a mystery that's stranger than fiction. At the end of the day, will he go back home or choose a life in Safehaven?

Another great read by Josh Lanyon.

Set in a cute east coast part of America with the usual good, bad, and ugly characters, gorgeous scenery, and... murder... it was a perfect cosy crime read. Original, while still being distinctly a Lanyon book. All the right blends of intrigue, emotions, humour, and characters.

I find myself hoping there will be more in this series as there is a lot more I want to learn about Quinn's past, as well as his and Andy's future.

Great read, highly recommend.