This was a great collaboration mystery book between these authors! I definitely think I found a new author in Rick Acker! There was definitely a twist at the end...and makes me wonder if there will be a book two continuing this story. I enjoyed the litigation drama. Think Law and Order or John Grisham. It was definitely a good read!

Colleen Coble has been reeling me in lately! This book that is co-wrote with Rick Ackerman is no different! I don’t like huge cliff hangers, which this book leaves you on. I also felt a bit confused. I knew who did it, but then I didn't, but then again maybe I did. That’s how they’re getting me to come back for part two though!

Savannah is a professor that has long ties to her family. She also works with her CEO sister Jess. Personality wise these two sisters seem to be worlds apart. However, they are close in their own ways. Savannah has recently decided to go forward with a divorce after being separated from her husband , Hezekiah, for two years. After dealing with tragedies she doesn’t think they can come back from it. The university the sisters work at has some very important artifacts in their possession. Someone is after them and begins to murder. Unfortunately, Savannah finds herself as the lead suspect. The best lawyer she knows, that she knows would do it for free too, is her husband. He does agree to help. They are faced with healing, letting go and finding a murder. All while discovering some big news along the way.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson as I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book started off a little slow, but after the first few chapters, I was hooked! This isn’t a subject that I would be drawn to, but this book did have some twists and turns along the way. I did get a little lost in some parts as it became a little complicated. But over all, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next one in the series.

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

I really tried to get into this book but after slogging through the first half I couldn’t bring myself to finish. The plot is extremely slow moving with lots of traumatic flashbacks to the death of the main characters’ toddler, which should come with a trigger warning. The suspense was so slow that the plot was forgettable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Artifacts being stolen/trafficked isn't a topic I would typically gravitate towards, but the mystery of who was doing it was engaging. I did guess correctly of who was involved about halfway through, but the accomplices were a nice twist.

I found the relationship storyline between Hez and Savannah frustrating and slightly annoying. Savannah was very wishy washy and whiny for absolutely no reason, when she knew what she wanted. She didn't want to admit it to herself, and thus a lot of time was wasted in the relationship. I'm not the biggest fan of her character, especially considering she took advantage of Hez repeatedly.

Honestly, the best character in this batch is Hez himself. I enjoyed reading the chapters from his POV, as he was self aware and legitimately trying to be better than who he was around his daughter's death. He deserves better than Savannah.

The ending is a nice twist that definitely sets up future books. I look forward to reading those and seeing if justice is handed out.

There is cause for excitement and suspense as one flips through the pages of What We Hide. Mystery, murder, missing artifacts, alleged smuggling and such keep the reader curious. Secrets and surprizes also await the reader. I liked that there was mention of God and some other faith-based mentions such as forgiveness. Those who have lost a young child will be able to commiserate with Hez and Savannah's heartache and the aftermath fallout. Somehow or another they plowed through and things get solved but then, was there still something hidden? In my opinion, other readers may well be left hanging on that cliff as was I. Very clever 'ending'.

~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~

May 2024

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

For many years, Colleen Coble has been one of my favorite Christian suspense/mystery/fiction book authors. I love how she weaves each story together in a way that keeps me glued to the pages with her intricate plots.

I also love the characterization: Coble delves deep into how emotions influence the words and actions of the people she writes about. While reading her books I feel what they feel. The descriptions are that real.

5 Stars.

Such a good novel! I stayed up all night reading it because it was an awesome story!
When I first started this novel it was written in a style I didn't like so I almost didn't finish it. But I'm so glad that I stuck with it! It eventually turned into my kind of style lol.
But really I loved the dynamics of this book. It kept me turning the pages from the beginning with awesome characters such as Savannah, Jess and Hez!
Hey really amazed me. He's a great character.
Some scenes that I never saw coming which is what made this into a cool story. I loved the mystery part of the artifacts that were mentioned in this book.
I didn't figure it out until later on because usually I figure it out early on
What a fantastic story! Coble just keeps getting better and better.
5 stars for an awesome adventure. I highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

What a story! I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens next. I enjoyed how Hez tries to rise above the past and keep moving forward. His sleuthing skills are impressive. I liked how Savannah kept searching for answers and was willing to give people a second chance.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

Colleen has a way of sucking me In quickly, this one too a little longer but one I was hooked, it was hard to put down.

The book flowed well, I am still questioning a few things but over all an enjoyable read.

This story is fast-paced and has some surprises! I like the setting, and the relationships. There's more going on than it seems!! Just wait until the end!!! If you like suspense with a little romance. I think you'll enjoy this book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Excellent legal suspense thriller! I couldn’t tell which author penned what; the story was seamless! There were secrets, past hurts, murders, embezzlement, arrests, hearings, danger, some light romance and faith, and so much more! It kept me on the edge of my seat, and just when you think you know, there are more surprises! Very good book and looking forward to the next one!
I received a free copy through NetGalley but my review is my own true opinion.

After the death of their toddler daughter, a couple separates due to her grief and his alcoholism. When Hez comes back into Savannah's life, can he convince her that he has changed, and that they can start over? The drama of their relationship is set against a murder, embezzlement, and stolen artifacts at a historic college.

I appreciated the clean and wholesome nature of the story, but the first half of the book was a bit slow paced for my liking, leading me to skip through a bit to the final chapters. The ending was quite a surprise!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

this is a page turner to the end. the main characters are very complex. and not always what it appears to be. the couple go through much sorrow and twist and turns.. if you like suspense and dysfunctional family dynamics you will not want to miss this story. i was given a copy of the book by net galley but this is an honest review

What we Hide was a phenomenal book. Colleen Coble had a way of grabbing your attention from the very first page and keeping you reading into the wee hours of the morning. This book was no exception. It is full of twists and turns and suspense and I highly recommend it.

Colleen Coble and Rick Acker have joined forces to write a thrilling series! This first book pulls you in with mystery, danger, drama, and romance. Full of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end and surprises that I never saw coming.

Savannah Webster finds herself needing help from her estranged husband, Hez, when she becomes a suspect in a murder. As they search to uncover the truth, they quickly discover things are not as they appear at TGU. They must race to get to the bottom of the mystery while coming to terms with their painful pasts and discovering what the future holds.

This book has me so excited for this series! It promises to be highly entertaining with deep layers to keep me thinking long after I close the book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

I always read Colleen Cables books but I was a bit leery because she has never collaborated with another author before, even know many authors do. I was definitely pleasantly surprised. This book was in my opinion one of her best. I like books with a happy ending but I love being pulled in emotionally and having a vested interest in the characters and this book definitely did that. I can only imagine the emotional toll losing a child takes on a marriage. In my opinion they did a awesome job with that. The story was suspenseful and it kept you guessing,and turning the pages as quickly as possible. They brought the story to a close and yet a cliffhanger!! I can't wait til the next book from Tupelo Grove.

Book 1 in the Tupelo Grove Series begins with Savannah Webster, a history professor, trying to sort out her life. She is estranged from her husband, Hezekiah, due to heartbreaking loss. He suddenly shows up on her doorstep and a wild ride ensues. Discovering bogus paperwork, she begins to ask questions but then she discovers the college president's body and becomes a prime suspect. Now she needs a defense lawyer, and she trusts no one but her husband. What is happening at the university? Can Savannah and her husband put aside their differences to figure out the answers before it is too late? Dangerous twists and turns in this novel keep you turning pages way past bedtime and a surprise ending makes this a delicious read! This was an amazing collaboration between Colleen Coble and Rick Acker and I look forward to seeing where they take readers next!

I was gifted a copy of this novel by the publisher through NetGalley. Many thanks to them for providing me with a tremendous read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Savanah asks her exes help when she is a suspect in a murder. The more they delved into the murder, the more questions they had. Thus was a nice read.

I like this book over all, but I really did not like the characters in this book. One sister is portrayed as being hard and cold and the other sister is so wishy-washer, I just wanted to slap her. There was too much 'agnst' in every part of the book on the part of the wishy-washer sister. Also, this book had way too many chapters that ended in cliff-hanger style just in order to extend the story. It almost appeared at the end of some chapters that it was the end of the book - but no - just another twist. A good read, but not my favorite by far.