Where Secrets Lie

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Book 2 of A Tupelo Grove Novel
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Pub Date Jun 03 2025 | Archive Date Jul 04 2025

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Description

USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble and Rick Acker deliver the second book in their compelling Tupelo Grove series (following What We Hide), where a crumbling university, stolen artifacts, deep family secrets, and deadly ambitions all stand in the way of a second chance at happiness.

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.

The twists continue until the final page as a dangerous world of smuggling and financial instability collides with the complex dynamics of legacy and family.

Colleen Coble and Rick Acker's Where Secrets Lie is gripping suspense with closed-door, second-chance romance. They've "forged a seamless partnership with a singular voice" (Charles Martin), "where secrets simmer and unexpected twists leave you guessing until the shocking finale" (Kate Angelo).

Looking for more from these authors? Don't miss What We Hide, the first book in the Tupelo Grove series, or the standalone novel I Think I Was Murdered. All their novels include discussion questions that are perfect for book clubs.

USA TODAY bestselling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble and Rick Acker deliver the second book in their compelling Tupelo Grove series (following What We Hide), where a crumbling university...


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ISBN 9781400345700
PRICE $32.99 (USD)
PAGES 352

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Featured Reviews

This is book two in the Tupelo Grove series, which can definitely be read as a standalone. However, to fully appreciate the captivating story from book one, I highly recommend reading them both in order.
I have read nearly every book Colleen Coble has written. She has always been a favorite of mine and is a gifted storyteller. Since teaming up with Rick Acher, her writing has reached a whole new level. Despite having other commitments, I read this book straight through, only pausing with about an hour left when I absolutely had to put it down to get some sleep. When I picked it back up in the morning, I couldn’t stop until I reached the end. It will be a few days before I can dive into another book, as this one will linger in my thoughts for a while.
Savannah Webster is a college professor at Tupelo Grove University (TPU) who is disappointed to learn she did not receive tenure. She and her former husband, Hez—a lawyer—are planning to remarry, and the need to find another job weighs heavily on her mind. In an unexpected turn of events, Savannah is offered the position of President of TPU. The university is facing financial difficulties and the fallout from some previous bad decisions. Hez fully supports Savannah as she navigates the various professional challenges she encounters, as well as those they face together to ensure a successful second marriage.
There is suspicion that some TPU staff may be involved in a complex and dangerous international smuggling operation. Hez, who mentors law students, assembles a small group of students who volunteer to investigate a few questionable situations. In addition to these pressing concerns, Hez is also working to resolve some of the issues that caused his marriage to fall apart the first time.
This is a captivating, fast-paced story filled with many twists and turns and unexpected dangers. When I turned the last page, I felt as though I had been on a roller coaster ride.
I received a complimentary copy of this book; all comments and opinions are my own.

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Savannah and her ex-husband, Hez, are working on reconciling from a divorce that shattered both of them. Savannah is now leading her family's university, TGU, with Hez opening the Justice Chamber - a non-profit legal clinic. They work with Savannah's half-sister, Jess, who is keeping secrets from both of them. The University is in financial trouble, largely due to Savannah's predecessor and her father, Pierre. In addition to strugging to reconcile the financial difficulties, there's a Mexican artifact smuggling ring that has been linked to TGU. The mysteries are suspenseful and interesting, and they are coupled with a wonderful storyline of Hez and Savannah trying to work their way back to each other. Looking forward to the next book in this series to see where the authors take Savannah and Hez next. A great big thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for an advanced reader of this book - the opinions expressed are my own.

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I knew this would be a great book. I love this author and she never disappoints. Loved the cover and as always I didn’t want this book to end. She is one of my favorite authors.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.

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This is the second book in the series but it could be read as a standalone. It was great to catch up with Hez and Savannah. They are still mourning the loss of their daughter but are ready to move on again with each other. But there is smuggling going on at the small college where they work. Lots of twists and turns and an ending that left me wanting the next book.

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Excellent 2nd book in the trilogy! Action, legal doings, twists and turns, surprises, romance, faith and so much more! Hez and Savannah really grow/mature in this one. We learn more about the two related families that are at odds. I liked hearing thoughts and conversations with the “bad guys”. Readers are in the know about some things, but there are still surprises! I need to go back and read #1 again and I’m really looking forward to the next book! This pair of authors really do a great job! I love it!
I received a NetGalley ARC of this book, but this review is my own true opinion.

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It captured me from the first pages and as it build to the end pages,
With a good flowing plot, and good characters, which added to the story.
I recommend thus book ,as well as the series.
Given arc book to review by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson.

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Colleen and Rick have hit another one out of the ballpark yet again. Where Secrets Lie is Book 2 in the Tupelo Grove series. So many twists and turns. Such an amazing duo and series. I love it.

I received an advanced reader’s copy from Thomas Nelson and Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

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WHERE SECRETS LIE is the second novel in the Tupelo Grove series by COLLEEN COBLE and RICK ACKER. It is an exciting legal thriller which is full of surprises, with interesting characters and a strong Christian message of forgiveess and redemption. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Savannah and Hezekiah Webster are committed to getting remarried, but trust issues threaten to derail their plans until Savannah comes to terms with the fact that her fears stem largely from family trauma. She is surprised when her overbearing and selfish father, Pierre Legare, offers her the presidency of the struggling Tupelo Grove University, where her beloved younger sister Jess is the finacial manager. …….
There is berayal, revenge, murder, the smuggling of artifacts, unpleasant family dynamics and illicit business practice, and Savannah and Hez are not sure who to trust as they try to save the Legare family legacy……
I like Jess’s son Simon, who not nnly adores his mother and is determined to keep her safe, but loves Savannah and Hez, and is proud of his uncle including him in the Justice Chamber he has started at the university.
There is a lot more to the story but I am not going to say any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I highly recommend Where Ssecrets Lie to anyone who enjoys a good romantic thriller.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

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I couldn't wait to get back to Tupelo Grove and Savannah and Hezs story! Colleen and Rick have another bestseller. This book is just as intriguing as book one. Its Interesting characters and strong Christian message of forgiveness and redemption. Also what seeking revenge can do to your life. Savannah and Hez are divorced but are trying very hard to reconcile. Savannah has major trust issues with Hezs drinking which to me is only natural when she finds his favorite wine bottle empty in his trash can. He says someone put it there will she believe him? This book has everything, murder, revenge, betrayal and artifact smuggling! Jess is still busy with her revenge against the Legares, and almost has Savannah moving to another university when her father offers her the job of President of the University which she accepts. Hez is busy with mentoring his law students. He gathers a few student volunteers to help him investigate the clues to the smuggling ring. They are at a loss as to who to trust with the information they uncover .I don't want to go any farther in this review and ruin the surprises which are many. I highly recommend Where Secrets Lie to all Christian Romantic Thriller lovers! I have read just about everything that Colleen Coble has written and she is a gifted storyteller. Together her and Rick Acker are a dynamic duo! I cannot wait for the next book. I want to thank Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley for this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

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This book continues on from "What we hide", a series set in Tupelo Grove. This book had a plot twist that I didn't see coming and I was blown away. I like the way the book has built on the previous one and added layers to the characters.

The characters have complex issues which the authors highlight in this book. I give them props for not going for the easy fix. The side characters were well written as were the the bad guy.

I receive complimentary books for various sources, including Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.

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Where Secrets Lie is the second book in the journey of Hez and Savannah Webster. Intrigue, suspense and complex family dynamics make this a good read! If you like good complex mysteries, you won’t be disappointed!

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Colleen Coble continues to captivate with the second installment of the Tupelo Grove series, Where Secrets Lie. As a fan of her suspenseful romances, I found this book to be another thrilling addition to her collection.

The story picks up where the first book left off, delving deeper into the mystery surrounding Savannah and Hez. Their journey is not just about unraveling secrets but also about personal growth and resilience. Coble does a wonderful job of weaving suspense with heartfelt moments, making it hard to put the book down.

The setting of Tupelo Grove once again plays a vivid role, immersing readers in a world full of intrigue and small-town charm. The twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end, and I can’t wait to see where Savannah and Hez’s story goes next.

If you're a fan of Colleen Coble or love a blend of romance and mystery, this book is a must-read.

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#WhereSecretsLie #NetGalley

This is the second book in the Tupleo Grove series. This book is surrounded in a plot to bring down a crumbling university where those who seek its demise are selling off artifacts and draining the funds needed to keep it from closing its doors.
Savannah Webster is bound and determined to find out who is trying to destroy everything her family has done to keep the university from going under. As the newly appointed president, she is looking for the culprit.
This book had a twist, and I can't wait for the next book

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The story, and secrets, first revealed in What We Hide continue in Where Secrets Lie. More twists, more turns, lots of questions, uncomfortable realizations, mystery, family drama, and romance. It’s a complex and emotional story, but I was hooked and had trouble putting it down. I’m excited to read the third book in this trilogy!

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Journey back to Tupelo Grove just a few months since the previous book ended. Savannah is ready to explore a new relationship with her ex-husband Hez while trying to also help her sister Jess with caring for her son Simon. Hez is ready to kick off his new justice center at the college and is excited to have a future with Savannah again.

****STOP HERE IF YOU HAVEN'T READ BOOK 1 YET****

But we now have jess in the story and all her plots and machinations are explored through her point of view too. We learn the smuggling ring isn't dead--just had to be revamped. And finally learn what is the reason for Jess to pursue bringing destruction to the university...revenge.

Over the course of the book though we see how much she battles her love for her sister Savannah with her desire to bring the college down and how badly she tries to protect Savannah from it all.

This book is also a great case study for redemption. Redemption for Hez to prove he's changed to Savannah. Redemption explored for Jess. I love that there is a strong faith element in this mystery.

But wowza...the way the epilogue closed. I was just like "nooooooooo". I really hope this is a trilogy and can all be wrapped up in #3!

5 stars for excellent writing and suspense.

*Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel. All opinions are 100% my own.

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I found this book on NetGalley while reading and finishing another one of Colleen’s books and I’m so glad I did. I absolutely love this series. I read the first book back during the summer and I loved it so much, these books have romance, intrigue and on the edge of your seat suspense. I was literally not able to put this book down. And every time I thought I had been wowed I was wowed once again. Every page was more and more what I love about Colleen. I have gotten where I was only reading fluffy romance books but any time I read Colleen Coble’s books I am left with just a little more happiness from the whole gamut of emotions and feelings. I cannot express enough how much I love reading a Coble/Rick Acker book but I love both individually. Must read 10 stars book.

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This was a strong sequel in the Tupelo Grove series, it had that element that I wanted and thought worked in the first book. It had me from the first page and how the characters worked in the story. Colleen Coble and Rick Acker have a strong writing style and was glad I got to read this, I'm excited for more in this series.

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Secrets in every relationship and in every interaction kept me guessing and turning pages throughout this suspenseful book. Set in the south, this second story in the series written by two masterminds, #Colleen Coble and #Rick Acker lead down twisted paths of theft, pride, relational fueds and murder. Cannot wait for the next one in this series. This book was provided by Colleen Coble and #NetGalley for my review. Opinions expressed here are my own thoughts. Definitely worth the read.

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This was a fantastic read and pulled me straight in so much that I couldn't put it down. Hez and Savannah experience challenges in their relationship as well as with Tupelo Grove University when Savannah becomes the university's president. This story involves revenge, family dynamics, and an artifacts smuggling ring but is also about redemption. The ending site was a surprise, and I can't wait for book 3.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinion are my own.

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Poor Savannah. She really has her blinders on when it comes to her sister. We definitely do that too. Don't see things we don't want to in certain people. She had her guard up when it came to Hez when she really should have had her guard up with her sister. Boy those twists at the end though! I really didn't expect them! Now I can't wait for Book 3!!

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Where Secrets Lie is the second novel in Colleen Coble and Rick Acker's Tupelo Grove series and wow was it great. It picks up after the first novel and follows the same characters. I guess you could read it as a standalone but I think you'd be lost on some of what is going on so definitely read the first novel before this one. This was so full of twists and turns and I never saw what was coming around the next corner. I loved seeing Hez and Savannah work on rebuilding their relationship and getting back together. The last page left me so hungry for answers and I can't wait until the next book comes out.

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I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
Another great read fr9m Cobel! Savanah, a college professor at their families university with Hez, who mentors law students strive to get the university back on its feet, In doing so they discover a smuggling ring and then things become very dangerous and shocking. Can they save the university and stay alive? This was a great read!

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I love this continuation of the first Tupelo Grove book!! Especially after the first one left me hanging! However, this one does the same!! Aaaah! I must know what happens next, but I guess I'll have to wait!!! Lots more truth comes out in this book, and there's more to come in book 3.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book!! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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"Secrets never lie buried, do they? They always rise to the surface like stones in a New England field." (Jess from Where Secrets Lie.)
Secrets abound, suspects grow, suspense builds, and family drama interspersed all made for a story that pulls the reader in. I throughly enjoyed this book and had difficulty putting it down.
While this story can read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading "What We Hide (Book One) first as it will give background and introduces the characters.

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In depth characters, a plot with all the twists and turns you never see coming and seamless writing by two wonderful authors make this a book you won’t put down. Can’t wait for the last book in this series!

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Where Secrets Lie by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker is a gripping romantic suspense novel that blends intrigue, danger, and emotional complexity. The story follows college professor Savannah Webster, who is cautiously reopening the door to a second chance with her ex-husband, Hez. As they begin to rebuild their relationship, Savannah uncovers evidence suggesting Hez's past demons are resurfacing, threatening both their fragile trust and the university that her family has worked tirelessly to build.

As Hez steps into a role mentoring law students at Tupelo Grove University, his focus is on stabilizing the institution, which is teetering on the edge of financial collapse. But when their investigation into the university’s involvement with a dangerous smuggling ring brings them into the line of fire, they find themselves battling not just for their relationship but for their very lives.

The authors expertly weave a tale of family loyalty, redemption, and betrayal, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with every twist and turn. The tension between the couple, combined with the escalating danger from external threats, creates a thrilling narrative that is hard to put down. With well-crafted characters and high stakes, Where Secrets Lie is a compelling read for fans of romantic suspense, filled with unexpected revelations and a relentless drive toward justice.

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This book was a quick read for me. Coble doesn't disappoint. Lots of suspense and action amidst the character issues she weaves into the book, makes it a winner. The ending is satisfying, too. Well done.

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The plot thickens. Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys?
Everyone suffers loss and yet life must continue.
For Hez, Savannah, and Simon, the danger is far from over.
Can they save the college? Grudges run very deep.
This book will keep you turning the pages!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

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I really enjoyed this newest read by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. It was a fast paced romantic suspense novel. I enjoyed the chemistry between Hez and Savannah. I believe this is my favorite book, so far, in the series. I look forward to the next one!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

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Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Where Secrets Lie by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker is an exhilarating second book in the Tupelo Grove series that picks up right where the first book left off. With nonstop suspense, the story keeps you hooked from start to finish as the characters face escalating danger and unravel a web of secrets. The shocking twist at the end will leave you wanting more, while the second-chance romance woven through the narrative adds a heartfelt touch that will make your heart happy. This fast-paced, gripping tale balances tension and emotion perfectly, making it a must-read for fans of romantic suspense.

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