Cover Image: Deadly Past

Deadly Past

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I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Another great book from one of my favorite authors. Highly recommend to friends and family.

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Autumn Perez is in witness protection and has been since the age of 22. Thankfully, her sexy neighbor has just what it takes to make her happy and keep her safe.

I really liked this one. Both characters are interesting and their chemistry is great. The suspense is just enough to keep me guessing and the pages turning. 4 solid stars.

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I am not sure how I missed giving a review on this one but this is Autumn and Lincoln's story. Autumn has a secret and Lincoln is curious about his new neighbor. he is the sheriff in this small town and has a thing for Autumn. It doesn't take too long for his gentleman side to take over and Autumn fall for him. Her life is a bit precious and Lincoln and her town of friends are up to the task. Overall another great read by Ms. Reus. 4 stars

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I really enjoyed this story, the two main characters were very likeable and the setting was realistic. There is action and romance and everything you could want.

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One word! AMAZING! I am a sucker for romantic suspense and Katie Reus brings it everytime. She's constantly in my wishlist and I re-read the books all the time.

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Honestly I do not know where Katie finds all of these crazy and terrifying storylines within her own imagination but all I can say is her brain must be a scary place to live at times. I was thrilled when I learned Katie was beginning a new contemporary series and after the first book I knew I was going to be a fan, but the Verona Bay series just gets more and more interesting. This second addition to the series revolves around friends and family of the first couple, Autumn and Lincoln, who each have secrets and issues, but they are undeniably drawn to one another. Autumn knows she needs to stay away from Lincoln, mainly because he is such a good guy and she wants him so badly, but she has deadly secrets in her past that would put him in danger if she tried to keep him. Lincoln has wanted his sexy neighbor since the first moment he met her, but the more time he spends getting to know her, the deeper that need becomes. When Autumn’s life suddenly seems to be in peril, Lincoln will do anything to keep her safe despite her pushing him away, and Autumn will have to decide if the connection between them is important enough for her to take a risk and tell him the truth about her past. Before it is too late. I loved every second of this story and am literally dying of anticipation for the next one. Lincoln is such a good guy, caring for his friends and family, offering a shoulder to a woman in need, and then giving his entire heart to her when she finally lets him. He is brave, sweet, sexy, and badass enough to protect those he loves from all comers. Seeing him in action as he protected his woman from those after her reminded me that still waters truly do run deep and nothing was going to stop him in his quest for her safety. Autumn was an interesting character, brave in some ways, fearful in too many others, but knowing her past, we can understand and forgive her those foibles. While she obviously feels deeply for Lincoln, she is just as determined to keep him safe and the only way she can think to do so is to push him away and keep their connection from turning into a deep love that she knows it could. She was sweet and calm at the moment odd of moments, but others she was kickass and the perfect match for her man. I liked seeing their friendship develop, even as the fire burned between them, because it let them learn more about one another and know that once they gave into the passion the banked fires would flare into an inferno. I am really looking forward to the next in the series, though at the same time a little bit terrified of the kind of villain Katie will come up with next because so far in this series they have been pretty damn scary to be honest. But I guess that is what makes a great writer—terrifyingly hate-able villains, and perfectly lovable heroes all rolled into a perfect romantic story. Another instant hit!

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This was a great story! I loved Autumn and her outlook on how her life was going. Lincoln was a natural protector and was also moving slow as to not scare Autumn off. The suspense was just enough.

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Verona Bay sure holds all the mystery and charm that started with Katie Rues's first book in the series.

It's difficult doing justice to an author that is on my favorite list since forever, as I enjoy every nook of her. Deadly Past, book two of her series, is another testament of Katie's writing prowess as well as her mastery of bringing her characters to life to create a memorable reading experience.

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Autumn as a college student witnessed a man throwing a womans body into a dumpster because of this she is in witness protection after testifying.
Lincoln is her next door neighbour who is a local sheriff, he's wanted to date her for a while. After one night together he hopes that will be the beginning of them together. It's the beginning of co-parenting because Autumn is pregnant.

I wanted to like this book but I felt little to no connection with the characters.
The relationship between Autumn and Lincoln was awkward at times, to the point I was over it.
I normally like multiple POV but I think if it had been narrowed down to just Autumn/Lincolns views I would have been genuinely shocked when things happened. Instead I knew exactly what was coming, which wasn't fun or engaging.

2.5 Stars

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

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Deadly Past is the second book in the Verona Bay Series by Katie Reus, but can be read as a stand alone. I did not read the previous book, but even without that knowledge I understood the important implications and could get immersed in the story.

Autumn Perez was just twenty-two when she witnessed a brutal murder and gave up her entire life to put the killer behind bars. A decade later, witness protection has her settled in picturesque Verona Bay, teaching art at the local high school. It’s a quiet life…until she’s caught up in another harrowing event and she worries that the US Marshals will try to move her again. But Autumn is done running—she’s built a life, has friends. And now she’s pregnant after an intense one-night stand with her sexy neighbor. Lincoln Jordan has been biding his time with Autumn, his talented, gorgeous neighbor. The attraction between them is undeniable, and after their one incredible night together he wants more. But she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length. When it becomes clear that someone wants her dead, he steps up to protect her. He needs to earn her trust, and fast. Because the enemy is closer than they ever imagined.

Deadly Past is a book with a lot going on. Autumn is a character dealing with plenty of problems, and getting pregnant after a one night stand with her neighbor is actually the least of them. She is a complex character with plenty to unpack.I liked the open communication and banter between Autumn and Lincoln- although I have to agree with some of her worries that he is a little too perfect. The only thing in the con column for Lincoln is his dangerous job, he was sweet, cool, and collected for all but a few moments of the book. I really did like that readers get to see the thoughts of both the major characters, and several other important players. We even get to see the mindset of those causing the danger and drama. Moments like that are a great reminder that no one sees themselves as the bad guy, even when they are trying to arrange murder and mayhem. Everyone is the protagonist in their own story, no matter how villainous their actions from the outside. The story was fairly fast paced and engaging. There was also some serious groundwork laid for who I expect to be the next couple to find trouble and a happy ending in the next book of the series.

Deadly Past is a solid suspense romance with heat, heart, and great characters.

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Deadly Past is book 2 in the Verona Bay series but can be read as a stand alone. I always enjoy reading a Katie Reus book and enjoyed this one as well.

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Lots of drama in this sexy,small town romance, wonderfully written, with great characters. Multiple story-lines and twists makes this a fast and engaging read.

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Honestly, Reus had me at witness protection. I enjoyed the balance between Lincoln and Autumn, and thought this was a very enjoyable, readable story.

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Autumn is a strong and intelligent heroine who doesn’t remain passive. She is in the witness protection program, and to protect herself she keeps away from romantic relationships. As soon as she finds out she is pregnant she does not hide her pregnancy from Lincoln, but she is going to take time to change her mind and agree to try to be in a relationship with him.

Lincoln is the brother of the first volume’s hero, and he is the town’s sheriff. He's not a domineering alpha hero at all, he respects the heroine’s decisions without trying to impose his own. He is super happy with the announcement of Autumn's pregnancy, and he gets directly involved, much to the heroine's astonishment. Unfortunately I felt like we didn't spend much time with him and knew him very little in the end.

The attraction between them already existed before the novel’s beginning, but after this first night, it is the unexpected pregnancy that gets them closer although the heroine said there would be nothing more between them. The rapprochement is going slowly, and if I have no doubts about their couple I still found it to be a bit flat.

On the plot side, we see several times what is happening on the side of the bad guys, but almost more time is spent in a second plot that concerns the disappearance of a young man from town.
This second plot allows us to put forward a probable future couple, to the detriment of our main couple. The suspense is not very gripping, although the final resolution is full of action.

In the end, a nice second volume but which, like the previous one, did not thrill me more than that, while I love the author's fantasy novels. Nevertheless it will please to those who like the romantic suspense light in suspense.

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This was a pretty good book. I really liked both Autumn and Lincoln. The story really pulled me in as it moved. I really liked the plot and all of the characters. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

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Who wouldn't want the hot sexy man next door? Especially when that man is Lincoln Jordan, the sheriff of Verona Bay. Autumn has a major crush on him, but she is in the Witsec Program and tries to stay in the background. Sometimes you just have to go for it as these two end up under the covers in a one night stand. Now Autumn is pregnant. Their romance is only one part of the story as it filled with lots of drama, suspense, and danger when Autumn's past catches up with her. Readers will fall in love with Autumn and Lincoln's romantic suspense story in small town Verona Bay. **I was gifted "Deadly Past" via NetGalley and leave my review voluntarily based on my reading.**
4.25 Stars!

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The second book in Verona Bay, Deadly Past, is a well delivered romantic suspense. An intriguing story with compelling characters and a dynamic storyline, this is a keeper and a book I recommend you grab and read for yourself.

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Autumn has been in the witness protection program for 10 years, settled in Verona Bay when her past catches up to her. Despite the potential risk, she's determined not to move again - she has a great career, good friends and a budding relationship with her next door neighbor, Lincoln, who also happens to be the Sherriff, that resulted in a surprise pregnancy. The story is steamy and sweet, dramatic and suspenseful. I'm looking forward to reading more from this series.

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Deadly Past is the second book in the Verona Bay series but can be read as a stand-alone. This was a new author to me and I’m so glad I have it a try. It was well-written, fast paced, full of intrigue, and heaps of danger. The characters were charming and so easy to fall in love with. It caught my attention right away and the danger and suspense keep me reading until the end.
Autumn Perez had witnessed a murder and after being a witness at his trial she had to go into the witness protection program. She was tired of moving around and had made plenty of friends in Verona Bay. She didn’t want to move again, especially since she was pregnant with her neighbor’s child. Lincoln Jordan was the sheriff of Verona Bay and loved the town. He was attracted to his neighbor, Autumn but he was trying to respect the boundaries she put in place. Discovering she was pregnant, made him feel more protective of her. Keeping her safe became a priority when he learns about her past.
I truly enjoyed reading this book and meeting all the small town of Verona Bay. I will certainly be watching for future books by this author.

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This book had a lot to live up to and I don’t think it did. The first book in this series was SO good, I don’t think this one really stood a chance. I know you should not compare one book to another, but it is really hard because I wanted this one to be as suspenseful & exciting as Dark Memento was. As with all of her books it is very well written with great characters and plot. I liked the idea of witness protection, but the pregnancy aspect was unnecessary. I hope this is just a case of sophomore curse and the next book with be amazing.

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