Cover Image: Say You're Sorry

Say You're Sorry

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Member Reviews

Say You're Sorry spins off from Rose's Baltimore series; the heroine is the sister of Taylor from Monster in the Closet. Daisy is attacked by an unknown assailant but in the scuffle she manages to get some evidence that startles FBI agent Gideon Reynolds. This event kicks off a series of hide and seek between a serial killer and Daisy, the one who got away.

I love several things about this book:

 1. Gideon grew up in a cult. I find those backstories fascinating!
2.   I love the way Rose layers her story. Written in 3rd person, the reader is given the story in sequential order with time/date stamps. You are constantly aware of what is going on with ALL the characters at any given time. You have a clear idea of when an event occurs in relation to other events. For someone like me who needs visuals, this timeline set up is divine.
3.  Daisy is a recovering addict. Not many authors write stories that feature a recovering addict. Daisy has many imperfections-her childhood lead her to the destructive path of alcoholism and she is working every day to stay clean.
4.  I love getting in the mind of the killer. Its super disturbing and creepy, but it makes the experience of reading feel immersive! I have a weird fascination with true crime, so my addiction to romantic suspense with serial killers is just part of my love for true crime! Rose does a good job of making the killer a developed character in the story. You get his backstory and his motivations. Rose doesn't do this to make you feel anything for him, but so you can get a sense of how he got to this place. Giving the killer a fleshed out story keeps them from being a static, stereotype of 'evil'.
The story does get a bit gory at times and might not be everyone's cup of tea. However, you can always skim the really gory parts because the story is that good!! The relationship between Gideon and Daisy is wonderful and I loved seeing it build amongst the backdrop of a killer on the hunt. Say You're Sorry is a LONG read, but every page is worth it.

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This was not what I was expecting, but I absolutely loved this book & couldn't put it down. This is NOT (as I expected) something I would characterize as cozy suspense, but rather a full on, serial killer suspense with a strong romance subplot running throughout. I'd describe this as brutal, engrossing, & propulsive - it was a book I was annoyed to have to stop in because I really wanted to know what would happen next. I do think it's about 50-100 pages too long in the front half, but overall, would definitely recommend for lovers of serial killer suspenses (especially ones with a cult backstory) & cannot wait to continue in the series.

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Kindle Edition, 608 pages
Publication: February 21st 2019 by Headline ASIN: B07CG6QP5P
Series Sacramento #1 Rating 5*
I have recently become a great fan of Ms. Robards and know without reading a review what to expect. Fabulous intelligent writing, awesome character building, fast action, and truly bad-ass villains, whom you simply cannot wait for them be found out and dealt with! Often times as in SAY YOUR SORRY, you may even feel some compassion for the villain based upon what factors led them to conduct such heinous crimes.

FBI Special Agent Gideon Reynolds has tried to put his past behind him. He escaped the violence of a cult upbringing when he was just thirteen, and since then routine and discipline have been his way of making sense of the world. But when a friend calls to show him a piece of evidence from a young woman who fought off an attacker. With that Gideon’s world was about to come to a screeching halt!

Daisy Dawson has had more than her fair share of pain – but she's done being a victim and a prisoner. Brave and determined, Daisy is not going to let anyone take away her independence again. However her newly appointed intensely dark FBI investigator and bodyguard is certainly appealing to her passionate side.

Soon it appears clear that Daisy's attack was just the beginning when bloodied bodies of young women are showing up all over California. As Gideon and friends work to find the killer, it's clear that Daisy is in more danger than they ever realized.

*** As an introduction to Ms. Robards newest series opener, you are introduced to a whole new plethora of family which I am sure will play central roles in this new series. I love how Ms, Robards invites you into loving family scenario’s to a place to feel safe, when all around you the villains are spreading horror and hatred. As the intro to her new series SACRAMENTO - I personally cannot wait for her to hurry up with the next books in this run. Love and highly recommend!

Marilyn Rondeau

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DNF at 60%, which means I almost read 400 pages of this incredibly long book. The repetitive inner-monologue of the serial killer and the main characters are driving me nuts. The storyline is interesting but I cant get into it because things are constantly being repeated and dragged out. There’s potential but the last 50+ pages I’ve been skimming dialogue and just don’t care what happens anymore.

Thanks to Netgalley and Del Rey for the eARC.

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Karen Rose knows how to deliver a chilling romantic suspense.

The story introduces with Daisy, a recovering alcoholic, who has to fight off an attacker with a nylon stocking. She and her dog manage to escape but not before Daisy snatch a locket from her attacker. The locker holds a key to Special Agent Gideon Reynold‘s past.

Gideon has struggled to put the past behind him. His childhood held some painful memories for him and his sister, Mercy. When he gets the news of Daisy’s attack, he knows that some things are harder to stay in the past.

Of course, Daisy is on the radar after scaring off the killer. Gideon is working to protect Daisy and figure out who is behind the string of murders. Together, they find themselves lured into a web of twists and turns.

Say You’re Sorry had so many elements such as romance, a religious cult, and of course murder. I got so caught up in the story and the horrors of the cult that I couldn’t put the book down. I think the cult held such an interesting and deeper hold in the story. It made the story even creepier.

The romance is a slow burn given the nature of the story but still played an important part. The secondary characters (Rafe, Mercy, etc) helped move it along. I look forward to knowing what is next for some.

Overall, this is a good romantic suspense with many twists and turns. Fans of Karen Rose will love the start of the Sacramento series.

ARC provided via netgalley for a honest review.

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I enjoyed this mystery/romance. Overall it had good characters and an intriguing plot but was somewhat predictable. Recommended for anyone who likes a little romance with their mystery or vise versa.

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I received a free copy of this book via Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I started reading Karen Rose’s romantic suspense when she first started writing, and I have enjoyed every book she has written. She is known for her creatively complex plots with lots of action and intrigue. She also skillfully creates realistically, in-depth, three-dimensional main characters that have great strength and courage, and are outspokenly honest. Along with those characteristics, she also infuses them with great vulnerability and understanding.

As I continue reading Ms. Rose’s romantic suspense novels, I have noticed subtle changes in her plots and her characters. Over time, they have become more intelligent, more complex and a lot more realistic. In fact, her novels have quickly advanced into the more highly developed thriller genre.

Karen Rose’s new novel, Say You’re Sorry, is the beginning of a new series that takes place in Sacramento. Ms. Rose masterly creates an in-depth plot with many interwoven problems that manage to entangle themselves around almost every character.

This is the story of a serial killer who is kidnapping young women. These women quietly disappear forever with no clues to what happened to them. In the beginning of the story, the killer attempts to kidnap Daisy Dawson who manages to fight off the man and still live to tell her story.

In the process she manages to grab hold of a unique necklace he was wearing that has a very unusual locket attached. This fact comes to the attention of FBI Special Agent Gideon Reynolds who, for seventeen years, has been investigating a cold case that involves this locket.

This thriller is full of non-stop intrigue, adventure, action and so many twists and turns that they manage to fill up the pages from beginning until its end. It is a very realistic story that often includes some graphic violence that allows us to better see into the killer’s mind.

This book is so addictive that all I wanted to do was to read this book as quickly as I could!

I highly recommend it!!

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This review was originally posted on <a href="http://booksofmyheart.net/2019/02/05/say-youre-sorry-by-karen-rose/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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4.5 hearts
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I started reading immediately after finishing <strong>Death is Not Enough</strong>, the previous book in this <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/194054-romantic-suspense" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><strong>Romantic Suspense series</strong></em></a>.  It worked out well as the main character, Daisy is introduced there. I thought I would not like a new city Sacramento. How silly of me not to trust Karen Rose.

Daisy was not my favorite character until I really saw her in <strong>Say You're Sorry</strong>.  She's amazing, so smart and careful and trained.  Her restricted childhood is something she shares with an FBI agent, Gideon.  He has made efforts to settle things from his past, but until Daisy comes along and looks outside the regular procedural box, he doesn't make as much progress.

Oddly, they fit well together. Gideon is also smart enough to trust her skills and not just blindly default to  protect her she's a woman attitude. He still feels it I think but he acknowledges her abilities. This is pretty fast paced and in a few spots I am sure they will die from the serial killer.  I felt a little sorry for the criminal, as he has had little for himself ever.  But really, Gideon didn't have anything either and he doesn't go torture and kill women.

Every book is great; I highly recommend them. I would start in order or at least within a city. Each book is a new couple, but there are connections between all the books as they all work in some aspect of law enforcement. I love the connections and circle of friends who support each other, and seeing them briefly in future books to get updates on their lives.

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I was super surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! The thriller genre is a new avenue fir me and I have to say I’m now officially a fan of these stories that also have a romantic subplot. Think of this as SILENCE OF THE LAMBS but with a love story. It’s creepy and somewhat graphic—seriously a bit bloody, so if you’re squeamish be careful—with well drawn characters and a compelling storyline.

All of the characters felt super real with fleshed out backstories, fully realized personalities and distinct motivations. Even the villain was believable. While a horror and a menace, his backstory was so super sad and rather hard to read. He wasn’t just a caricature, but a wounded human who’d had such evil done to him. The love interest also had a tragic backstory but he took his pain and became a cop. The parallel between these two men was interesting.

I highly recommend!!

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Book #1 in the new Sacramento series by Karen Rose. Say You’re Sorry is an action-packed, romantic suspense, not a genre I am used to reading, but the complex plot about a serial killer on the loose will captivate you in just the first chapter.

The main character is Daisy Jones, a radio host, who is assaulted by a disguised man in an alley. She bravely escapes the attack, tearing a locket from his neck which reveals an engraved name and symbol that connects FBI agent Gideon Reynolds, who is now assigned to protect Daisy and help cover the case.

Daisy and Gideon’s chemistry throughout the book is very well written. As they become close, Gideon begins to open up about his past, revealing more and more clues about the mysterious locket and why it might be in the killer’s possession.

I found the parts written from the serial killer’s perspective to be quite disturbing, but adding to the suspense as he goes on a mission to find Daisy, harming anyone in his way to get to her.

The book is long, although necessarily long due to the intricate plot and swarms of information. I found the action and suspense to be totally film-worthy, while quickly turning the pages to find out what would happen next.

If you like crime-fiction and romance rolled into a one, do pick up this book.

Thank you to #Berkleypub and #netgalley for my free e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Let me start by saying that I did not finish this novel. I decided to put it down because the story was not gripping me, I deeply disliked the writing style, and the book dragged on due to how long it was.

I'm sad to say that this story was just not for me at all. I love thrillers, but this really missed the mark. I got halfway through and wasn't intrigued as to who the murderer was or how the story would end. The writing is lacking, and the story and character development are weighed down by too much unsubstantial dialogue. The huge amount of themes within this book were both a good and bad thing. It didn't seem like Rose could commit to one interesting aspect, so she had to use tons to keep our attention. These themes were interesting, however, and the story could have taken many different turns because of them. Further, the relationship between Daisy and Gideon, while very shallow, was pretty hot!

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Say You’re Sorry had some really great elements in it that came together. First of all, it had a boss woman as one of the main characters! Daisy is a flawed yet amazing character and I love her strength and vulnerability throughout the book. Then, we had a brooding handsome FBI man named Gideon who had a dark past. And finally, we get to hear from a serial killer himself, which was a very interesting take on things to hear his thoughts and see from his perspective.
I thought the plot itself was good. It had cult elements, a serial killer, and some mysteries woven throughout.
Unfortunately, I struggled to get through parts of this just because I wasn’t sure how believable it was. It seemed to me that Daisy got the attention of the FBI agent and his lifetime secrets too quickly. Call me a cynic but I don’t believe you’d tell a woman you just met that night something you never even told your best friend of sixteen plus years. I also had some other fundamental issues with the characters and some of the plot lines but overall I thought this was a nice book with a lot of good elements.

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I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the blurb and the cover. They both made me want to read the story and got my interest going.
I enjoyed the authors writing style. She is able to connect multiple POVs and storylines together to create 1 deep story.

I didn’t feel the chemistry between Gideon and Daisy so reading their chapters was awkward.
The killer who after reading a few chapters of his POV, you realise has had a horrible upbringing and he lost his evil killer vibe. He became like a child that was acting out. His POVs became confusing because he switched from so many emotions.

There was a bit of repetitiveness in the story, characters would repeat situations that had happened to other characters so it would get boring.
I enjoyed the story overall. I love the whole cult storyline. I look forward to reading more of the authors books.

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Karen Rose has been on my list of auto-buy authors for the past several years. I don't even look at the synopses of her upcoming releases before pre-ordering them. I trust her that much, and Say You're Sorry, the first book in an all-new series, is yet another example of why I firmly believe no one writes romantic suspense like Karen Rose.

Our heroine is Daisy Dawson who readers of Ms. Rose's Baltimore series may remember is the stepsister of Taylor Dawson. We got glimpses of what was going on with her in some of the Baltimore books, and I was quite intrigued by her character, so I was over the moon when I realized she was getting her own book. Things haven't been easy for her. She's trying hard to stay sober, despite the fact that many of the people in her life seem all too ready to believe she'll fall off the wagon at the tiniest of provocations. In hopes of distancing herself from people who doubt her ability to maintain her sobriety, Daisy moves to Sacramento and starts over.

When the story opens, Daisy has been in Sacramento for a year or so, and things are going well. She's made some friends, and she's also gotten involved with a local AA group. She's even been matched with a service dog to help keep her anxiety levels down, so her outlook on life is far more positive than it's been for quite some time.

One evening, Daisy and a friend of hers are walking home from an AA meeting when a masked man attempts to assault Daisy. Fortunately, she has had quite a bit of self-defense training, so she's able to fight off her attacker. She's obviously quite shaken up by what happened, so she reaches out to a family friend who works for the Sacramento Police Department.

Special agent Gideon Reynolds tries hard not to think about his past. Growing up as part of a cult left him open to quite a bit of horrible abuse as a child, and it hasn't been easy for him to get past it. Fortunately, life in Sacramento has been good for Gideon, and it seems like he might finally be able to heal. But when his friend Rafe asks for Gideon's help tracking down the man who attempted to assault Daisy, it soon becomes clear to Gideon that what happened to Daisy could have links to the cult in which he grew up. Now, Gideon is forced to face his demons head on if he is to have any hope of keeping Daisy safe and bringing a sadistic killer to justice.

It's clear from the first time they meet that Gideon and Daisy are attracted to one another, but since they both have their fair share of emotional baggage, they're both determined not to act on those feelings. This, of course, is much easier said than done, and it doesn't take long before they give into their mutual attraction. In some ways, this felt a bit like insta-love, but Ms. Rose was able to make me buy into it, due in no small part to the fantastic chemistry between the pair. The sexual tension they share practically sizzles, and I found myself really pulling for them to make things work as a couple.

If you've read any of Ms. Rose's previous works, you know she doesn't pull any punches when it comes to violence. Say You're Sorry is no exception, so be prepared for quite a few graphic descriptions of violent acts, especially when you're reading the chapters from the killer's point of view. I have a pretty strong stomach when it comes to things like this, so I wasn't put off by the descriptions, but I know that won't be every reader's experience.

There's something very special about the way Ms. Rose portrays the various relationships between her characters. Ties of family and friendship are strong, making her characters the kind of people I'd love to hang out with in real life. Reading scenes between Daisy and Rafe's family gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, and the same thing happened when Daisy and her father strove to work out their differences. The romance and the suspense are the key plot elements here, but there's a thread of unconditional love and support that flows through the story as well, and this is part of what sets Ms. Rose's books apart from the rest of the romantic suspense out there.

At well over 600 pages, this is a book that could be intimidating to some readers, but please don't let its size deter you. The author has a way of making every word count. There's always something going on that will make you want to keep turning the pages, and if you're anything like me, you'll end up quite surprised to realize you've reached the end.

The romance and the mystery are wrapped up at the end of this book, but there's a lot of room for future books in this series. There are several characters I'd love to see find their own HEAs, so I'll be waiting with bated breath for the next installment to be released.

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Say You're Sorry by Karen Rose is a romantic suspense involving a serial killer, a cult, and a strong young woman who wants freedom. 

I'm not sure I've ever read a romantic suspense before, but I really enjoyed reading Say You're Sorry by Karen Rose! It had the perfect amounts of heart-pounding thrills and sweet first kisses. The book was well-written, and while it was a lengthy book, my time with it flew. 

I really enjoyed the overall storyline for Say You're Sorry. It was exciting and interesting! Both Daisy and Gideon spent their childhoods feeling trapped. While their circumstances were completely different, they they have a lot in common. Gideon was raised in a brutal cult where the unthinkable was the norm. Daisy lived in the middle of nowhere, secreted away by her overprotective military father. They come together when Daisy is attacked and nearly taken. 

The characters in Say You're Sorry were remarkably vibrant and relatable. I found myself connecting with Daisy and Gideon early on in the book. I also enjoyed Rafe and Rafe's family. What a cool family to have! They're all very lucky to have each other. 

I also loved the serial killer in this book! His methods and backstory were delightfully twisted. I felt sympathy towards him while at the same being utterly repulsed by him. His character was developed nicely, and it was fascinating getting inside his head.

The ending was good, though now I'm eager to find out what happens in future books. This is a series I'll definitely be continuing!

If you enjoy suspense with a dash of romance, check out Say You're Sorry by Karen Rose!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the Kindle version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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The night Daisy was attacked changed her life forever. She met Gideon, a FBI agent with a significant past that puts him directly on the case, and she is now on the run from a deranged serial killer. Gideon has never been one to love, especially after escaping Eden, a cult society that was horrific in nature. Now he has to keep Daisy safe, or risk losing everything.

I enjoyed this book a lot. Say You're Sorry is a fast paced thriller that kept me engaged and wanting to know what happened next. It reminded me of a season of Criminal Minds, and since that is one of my favorite shows, I'm not complaining.

I really liked that Gideon and Daisy kind of switched traditional roles. In this story, Daisy is the strong, stubborn type that is perfectly capable of saving the day. Gideon is troubled, and doesn't mind showing his emotions and letting Daisy help heal him. I did feel like we learned more about the killer than some of the other characters, but you will feel something for him whether it's horror, sorrow, or contempt.

This book was EXTREMLY long, and I didn't feel like it needed to be. There are a lot of parts that seemed there just to be there, or to link things in ways that weren't necessary. My biggest issue with this book is that it is a little disjointed. You have two main mystery/thriller storylines going on that don't really intersect past the first few chapters. I know she did this to be able to continue on into a series, but <spoiler> the locket and Eden didn't go at all with the killer storyline. </spoiler> Both were operating more in their own little universes, and I wish we had just focused on one or the other. Especially with the book being 600+ pages.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was my first Karen Rose, and I will more than likely be continuing with the series.

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The author has managed to throw everything but the kitchen sink into this book. Cults, pedophilia, torture, sadism, serial killer, sex, kidnapping, romance, alcoholism, PTSD, survivalists, isolationism, gory details, evil women, evil men, beautiful woman, handsome hunk, more sex, police procedural, dogs, murders, child brides, estranged siblings, FBI . . . oh, and did I mention sex? Phew! I have to admit the story was intriguing but so way over the top with sensationalism! I have read many psychological thrillers and even some erotica, but I have never quite seen the whole shebang thrown together this way. My intro, apparently, to Romantic Suspense.

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I am a fan of Karen Rose and usually find her romantic suspense stories to be a fast-paced, easy read. However, I struggled with this book- I didn't really like either of the characters and I wasn't invested enough in their story to want to get to the end. I also hate when characters instantly fall in love and have a relationship after only a few hours of knowing each other. This title was a miss for me.

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What a ride. this is not a stand alone but it could definitely be read on it's own. The serial killer and the FBI Special Agent Gideon Reynolds along with Daisy Dawson, the victim were great characters. The sex part was unnecessary and clumsy. If the book had just been the thriller i'd have given it 5 stars (which I don't do very often). I love that that Daisy is such a strong intelligent female. Not backing down and very capable of taking care of herself. I will be starting the series from book one of the Romantic Suspense series as soon as I can get my hands on a copy.

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I started this book but did not finish it. For a book that is over 600 pages it has to be very good to grab my attention. This one was not that interesting and really dragged. Not a particularly novel theme and I did not find the characters interesting.. I think if it was shorter and the story was tightened up I would have enjoyed it a lot more. I like Daisy and Brutus but was not impressed by the other characters.

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