Jeri is a police officer whose life is turned upside down after a call goes wrong and she finds herself suffering from amnesia and PTSD. When Jeri meets Simone on another call, she's immediately drawn to the woman, but will her recent past and Simone's current troubles get in the way of her happy ending?

I can always trust VK Powell to write an excellent cop story. The balance of procedure and romance and excellent characters is always really well done and makes for an engaging and heartwarming story every time. I think the author handled what happened to Jeri well, although it was tough to read. The characters were all solid and compelling, and I was rooting for them and their love story. The procedural was fast paced and realistic and kept me engaged to the end. I'll be looking forward to the next book by the author soon!

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really wish I liked this more, but at least it was fast enough to read so I couldn't make myself give up instead of finishing. I guess maybe I had higher expectations? But it left me quite disappointed and with nothing really positive to say.

I couldn't feel much depth to the characters, the side characters all felt like they were there simply to be shitty to the main couple, and I couldn't feel any chemistry between the two of them. Their relationship developed super fast in just a few weeks with barely any interaction besides the whole "maybe I killed someone" thing, and I didn't buy that they fell in love just like that. Everything felt too fast, too short.

I'm sure others will enjoy the book more than I did, though, if you don't mind that kind of vaguely-mystery-amnesia plot with very light romance.

https://www.gI am always up for a good police story. When I saw that Ms. Powell had written another book, I immediately put it on my reading list. The storyline revolves around two women who have a dilemma that needs to be resolved.

Jeri Wylder is a police officer who has been accused of a murder when she responds to a crime in progress. Simone Sullivan is an owner of a historical building. Her building is scheduled to be demolished and a condo is to be built on the site. Their paths cross when Jeri is performing her evening patrol and comes across an individual who is acting suspiciously around Sullivan’s building. The ladies are attracted to each other and decide to go on a coffee date. It is during this date that Jeri is called to the fateful incident which causes her to be placed under investigation. From this point on, they have a multitude of events where they continue to meet, and their relationship develops.

The two characters were well developed and relatable. I didn’t find the story itself as interesting or complex as compared to others written by Ms. Powell. The constant rehashing of the crime scene was monotonous and caused me to lose interest in the book at times. However, to some readers, the plot might be more intriguing.

I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Interesting and well done police crime/drama with a slow burn love interest. The crime is complex and the investigative trail leads some unexpected places, with a surprising twist in the tail. This is very much more a crime than a romance although the love interest is a slow developing sub-plot until they do a very rapid ‘coming together’ even by lesbian standards

Thoroughly enjoyable reading, VK Powell’s stories are always intriguing and her books extremely well plotted. The characters are well drawn and keep the attention, as the personalities unfold under the duress of the crimes committed against them.

Police officer Jeri Wylder loves being a cop. She loves her city, her community, her friends. and all the lovely ladies. Especially the one she was just having coffee with before being called away. She was just about to explain her situation, but it will keep until she sees her again. But when she next sees her, well it’s complicated.

Jeri’s ready to put herself in danger every day to protect them all. While doing just that she finds herself alone in a drug den with two offenders, one of them charging her with a knife. She raises her weapon and then she wakes up with her partner shaking her. A man is dead, seemingly by her hand, but she can’t remember what happened. Everyone is telling her it was a good shoot and as soon as Internal Affairs finishes its paperwork, she’ll be back on the street. But nothing feels right. And why can’t she remember what happened?

Simone is a psychologist and owns an apartment complex currently being vandalized. It could be worse though. At least she gets to have a coffee with the gorgeous cop who shows up. Too bad she had to leave. The next time she sees her, well it’s complicated.

The plot of When in Doubt is complicated and I mean that in a good way-- there is a lot going on. Many subplots need to be sorted and they were, but maybe to the detriment of the romance. It’s Jeri’s story and Simone didn’t seem to be as well developed. That may be because the author was a police officer herself. I enjoyed the story but not as much as Powell’s Fairview Station trilogy.

Jeri Wylder has a problem: she's told she shot an unarmed man during a raid on a drug house, but can't remember any of it. She's riding a desk and headed for therapy while the investigation of those circumstances continues.

Simone Sullivan also has a problem, as it happens. As the part owner of a building a developer wants to buy in order to knock it down and replace it with a new development. She also happens to be a therapist.

The two meet when Wylder shows up to a report of an arsonist at Simone's building - against policy, and against her desk-riding current assignment. Since this is at least partially a romance, it includes the tried and true instalove between them.

Strictly speaking, I am not against this - it's a trope for a reason, and it saves time. But in this case, I just did not get it, and through the book continued to not get it.

Jeri, on the outs with her girlfriend (and in an "open relationship" she claims), drinks too much and clearly suffers from PTSD. She treats people terribly. I really didn't like her as a character, although I understand PTSD can significantly change how people behave - to the point of Jeri almost crossing a line when Simone was telling her no, something that I don't think I would have excused. Simone, as a character, was fine except for what I thought was terrible judgment getting involved with Jeri. Simone's "friends", however, are nasty pieces of work.

The mystery part of the book was fine. The search and unmasking of the villain was expected, and it was rather straightforward.

There's nothing explicit in this novel, which was fine, too - sometimes the characters are in bed having graphic sex so often you'd think they wouldn't have time for anything else. It's more mystery than romance, and the romance itself is carried out the way most are.

I'm giving this a four out of five stars for the mystery. The romance gets a two, because I didn't like it. At all. I'll split the difference and put it at three of five stars.

Thanks to Bold Stroke Books and NetGalley for the review copy.

‘When in doubt’ follows Jeri Wylder who is a police officer accused of shooting an innocent man but has no memory of the event. Simone Sullivan is an apartment building owner who is trying to save her tenants from ruthless redevelopers; needless to say their worlds collide in a very complicated way.
Jeri doesn’t know who to trust in her hour of need when all the people closest to her have assumed her guilt so when she meets Simone who offers her professional skills as a therapist but also as an unbiased friend who can see past Jeri’s pain. So together they try to figure out who is behind the threats aimed at Simone and what really happened the night of the shooting.
I really enjoyed this novel because both of the main characters felt so realistic and completely likeable. I loved the concept of a police based mystery/ thriller and it really surpassed my expectations; I will definitely be looking up Powell’s previous works!
This is a brilliant and original LGBT novel and I thoroughly appreciated the craftsmanship behind the storytelling and the perfect pacing which is required for a true thriller novel.

This is my first book by this author (shock horror) ... I'm really 'into' my crime/thriller books. They seem to be my 'go-to' books when I'm wanting to engage myself in a good read. When in Doubt is a really good story, it kept me gripped for the day and I was fully entertained by the plot. The story is centered around a police officer by the name of Jeri.

Jeri is a dedicated police officer, she pays her way and is always on the lookout for Ms right. One evening on a call to a drug house, things go terribly wrong. One minute she is just doing her job, then she's a suspect in a crime she didn't commit.
Simone Sullivan is trying to save her home, but someone wants to see her building destroyed. When Jeri arrives on her doorstep after an incident, Simones life takes a turn, it leaves her with challenges for her personal life as well as her professional life.

Both characters are solid and likable. I only wish there was a bit more of a spark between the pair.

I've given this book a 4*

This has been a police plot story, typical of this author, very much in her line of work, but which in my opinion is not among her best.

I have not appreciated much the behavior of Jeri's colleagues. I also didn't like how long her amnesia lasted. The character of Simone has not been very interesting to me either, perhaps somewhat inconsistent. As for the plot, it is not very elaborate and easy to guess and things do get long and stretched to the maximum.

I'm not saying it's not a good story, it has its interest, but perhaps it has too many weaknesses.

VK Powell can be relied upon for a gripping crime drama and this is no exception. The story was well written, gripping and easy to follow. I think it takes a certain confidence and bravery to write about a Police shooting in 2021, particularly to focus on the impact of this on the individual officer concerned. I found myself getting frustrated at the things that were getting missed by the Police officers who were investigating the shooting, so not sure it showed the Police in their best light. Simone's narrative was interesting, I didn't fully believe her back story, especially as she was so sure of herself. The central romance was believable, as were the dynamics in the bar Cop Out between all the lesbians, I liked the bar owner and her friendship with Jerri. A cracking adventure story, perfect light summer reading.

With thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jeri Wylder is a dedicated and good cop. She is a little quick to jump into a situation without backup. Simone Sullivan is trying to save her apartment building. Simone first meets Jeri after she has had to call the cops when someone attempts to burn down her apartment building. When they first meet there is some attraction to the mains and after some flirting Jeri does ask her out for coffee. Soon after they meet, Jeri finds herself being accused of killing an unarmed suspect. The blurb does a good job at summarizing what this one is about.

I can say that overall I liked When in Doubt. There are a few issues I had but there are also things I liked. I did find that both characters were overall likable. I did have some issues with Jeri. I can't go into specifics, but I can say that even though she tends to be honest with those she is involved with, her behavior isn’t necessarily upstanding. Simone character never comes into question in this entire book so that is one saving grace about this books. The main focus of this books is not a romance. It really is trying to solve the mystery of what happened in the drug house when Jeri shot an unarmed suspect. Jeri and Simone happen to be thrown together on multiple occasion but they really aren't able to get to know each other. I do wish that they are able to establish a more substantial relationship. There really is a lot going on that doesn't allow for a relationship to develop between the mains. That is my main issue with this being a romance. As a cop drama I think it works well.

3.75 overall. 3.25 as a romance, 4 as a cop drama.

This arc was provided by netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

It was not difficult to connect with both Dr. Simone Sullivan, psychologist and Officer Jeri Wylder. I thought it was interesting and informative to read about PTSD in the line of duty for a police officer. Simone is dealing with past love loss, "friends" that care about her in a way that can be difficult to handle and someone attempting to take control of the building she owns and lives in. Jeri is dealing with challenges from her past that she has yet to come to grips with. She is also looking for love. It is rare for me to find two main characters that are a wonderful fit emotionally, psychologically, intellectually and physically. As Simone deals with her feelings for Jeri and her "supportive" friends, she works to try and figure out who is trying to run her and her tenants out of their home. As Jeri deals with her feelings for Jeri and what happened during a call, she is making some personal decisions that are not in her best interest.

Although I enjoyed the read, I thought the ending was rushed and abrupt.

Simone Sullivan is a psychologist, and the owner of the Madison Building. Her life is going good but one thing is missing, having someone to share her life with. Besides being an owner , Simone also lives in Madison. Now a developer has come looking to demolish the Madison making way for a newer larger building. But she’s determined to fight.
Police officer Jeri Wylder likes doing her job. She has a sometimes girlfriend that she really doesn’t love but hey she’s convenient. When she’s called out for a possible breakin at the Madison where she meets the owner Simone. She asks her to join her sometime for a coffee.
Jeri is called to a known drug house and while doing her job something goes wrong but the real problem is that in the shuffle she’s hurt and loses her memory of the incident. She can’t remember so she’s put on administrative leave which means she’ll be riding a desk for the foreseeable future.
Dealing with her GF is becoming a hassle she just doesn’t need at this time, so she turns to casual sex and binge drinking to cope. She meets Simone again but not in the way she’d like. Now her and Simone are both trying to develop a relationship. Not easy while Jeri is trying to remember the details of her case but Simone is dealing with her ‘good friends’ who years earlier had been the reason her first love left her, leaving her devastated. Now both women do know one thing: they want to be together.
Ms Powell has always given us some really good reading material and I’m happy to say she has done it again. Very Enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books

A real drama!

Jeri, a police officer finds her world turned upside down after a job gone wrong. Unable to clearly remember the details of the incident, she is thrown into a situation where she is suspected of a crime and feeling very lost. Suspicious that something isn’t quite adding up, Jeri is faced with the decision of seeing a therapist to help her try to regain some memory of the incident and prove her innocence. Simone, a therapist Jeri meets whilst attending a call out for another incident might just be the support and help Jeri needs, but when Simone finds herself in danger as a result of her involvement with Jeri, decisions have to be made about what is best for both of them.

I adored every moment of this story! It was engaging, exciting, and kept me guessing because it was quite the mystery for Jeri and as the reader I was happily along for the ride. As soon as Jeri found herself the centre of suspicion in the case I was fully invested with her, and eventually Simone to prove her innocence. I loved the way V.K. Powell took that element of surprise and embedded it into the story so you were making guesses along with Jeri as she tried to uncover the truth.

The connection between Jeri and Simone was brilliant. They were so well suited and their instant attraction and ability to connect was lovely. At times, both of them were standing in the way of their own happiness but it was completely relatable given their pasts and all they had been through. They really were the perfect match and I am so glad they had one another with all they were enduring but more so I was glad Jeri was able to find comfort and solace in the support offered by Simone.

I was really excited to read this and even more excited with each turn of the page and chapter. I felt fully immersed in the story, had things to hope for, but most importantly you can tell just how knowledgeable V.K. is in law enforcement and delivering a great story! Hopefully there will be more from these two characters in future, as I am excited to see what comes next!

I consider VK Powell one of my favourite authors and police novels one of my favourite lesfic tropes. The marriage here isn’t perfect but it is very good and very readable. Jeri is a cop to her socks and the blue line matters to her, her colleagues are her family, her job is her life. Almost a cliche. Simone is a psychologist, a cerebral person, a thinker and her friends are snobs. The leads meet when Jeri arrests an arsonist outside the building where Simone lives. They connect but the dance begins where they cannot be together but they cannot stay apart…

Meanwhile Jeri has shot someone but develops amnesia in the aftermath and is struggling to cope with the whole situation. Internal Affairs and the detectives involved join the dance of all the characters with Jeri’s partner Randy. No spoilers here but the ending is a little quick and “simple” where the characters all reach their truths in a few pages. But I enjoyed the book even with its flaws, I enjoyed the development of Simone more than Jeri as sometimes Jeri’s self destructive behaviour jars. But Ms Powell is ex-police and the honesty shows through her writing.

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Good story. The idea that you can never trust the people you work with completely is just mind boggling to me. I really liked the main characters of this story, but wished that there was a more physical description of what they looked like and what age bracket they were in. It became kind of frustrating at times, because I am a reader that likes to know these things. I won't say what the story is about, but just know that it's a very interesting concepts. I would definitely read more books by this author, and would recommend this book to my friends and family.

A solid and intriguing mystery romance. 4 stars

If you follow my reviews you might know that I'm always game for a good crime novel. Jery Wylder is a committed police officer, her squad is her family. Especially her partner Randy who is almost like a brother to her. But when a drug-house mission goes totally wrong and she wakes up injured and with amnesia, she's completely thrown off track. She is a mess, she is in an emotional dilemma, her memory loss stresses her, and she feels guilty. To make things worse, her open relationship with her lover becomes uncomfortable as her lover demands more commitment from her than she is willing to give. All of these lead her to make some mindless decisions. She knows she has to change some things to get back on track.

Simone Sullivan is a psychologist and is the owner of an apartment building that is supposed to be replaced by a large high-rise project and someone is trying to convince her to sell by irregular means. She has had a traumatic break-up with her lover Kay, as Kay did not measure up to her family and so-called friends. She is determined not to allow this to happen again. Worst-case scenario, she must choose between a girlfriend or family/friends.

Shortly before the tragic event in the drug-house, Jery is called to an incident at Simone's house, and so their paths cross. Both are attracted to each other from the first moment, but they both know that now is not the right time for getting involved.

I liked both characters from the beginning, but Jery didn't always make it easy for me, her way of dealing with the difficult situation she’s in is not always understandable, but I don't judge her as I have no idea how I would deal with stuff like that myself. Her inner struggles, doubts, and guilt are very well described. It must be incredibly difficult to deal with such events. I like it when an author doesn't portray the characters as perfect heroines, but as difficult, struggling, or uncomfortable people who make me reflect on them. As a former police officer, VK Powell has experienced knowledge to write realistic cop stories.

The romance is rather slow-burn and certainly doesn't come first, the criminal cases were too dominant for that, but this doesn't bother me in a crime novel. I liked that both of them didn't want to just jump into bed with each other despite their attraction while they were in this difficult situation. They get to know each other better through Jery's struggle with PTSD, even though it's not the most romantic way to show yourself as vulnerable and, in many people's eyes, as weak as Jery did.

The secondary characters were another matter, I liked bar owner Casey as she was a very supportive friend. But I didn't like Simone's friends at all, they were so snobbish and I hated their behavior towards Jery. I can't stand it when someone's wealth makes them a worthy partner or not and how the wealthy think that the working class should just do their job but not run in their circles (as if we ever wanted that). However, Simone's friends make sense in the story despite everything. 

Overall a good story, a mix of police procedural, mystery, and romance. The criminal cases were exciting and the involvement and resolution of the cases were good, although not very surprising. I had a few entertaining hours.

My first VK Powell book but not my last. At first, I didn’t really connect to Jeri, she was too arrogant, too cocky. But Simones character drew me in and made me want to keep reading. I’m glad that I did. The writing is excellent, the mystery had me turning the pages, and the romance was melded in perfectly. Great job.

VK Powell writes some of my favorite law enforcement intrigue books. This one almost has too much going on in it for me. It could be that maybe it's a weird time for me to be reading about a cop who allegedly kills someone. There really seems to be only one likeable character outside of Jeri and Simone, one of the police characters. The best friends are horrible, the hookups aren't great (Tom and Jeri? Really?). And the insta-love didn't work for me here. Still very much worth reading, and I'll look forward to Powell's next installment.

Whenever VK Powell releases a new cop story I just have to get my hands on it, no one writes these stories any better. So I am sad to report I didn't click with this one.

Jeri is a police officer who patrols in the CBD of Greensboro. When she catches an arsonist red-handed she has to take a report from a resident who reported it, Simone. Simone is a psychologist and owns the building she lives in. A developer wants her out and the pressure to sell, all the incidents that come with it, is how Jeri and Simone's paths cross more than once. When they are having coffee Jeri gets called to a routine drug bust, when this goes sideways Jeri is left with PTSD and several investigations into her actions. I understand PTSD is very difficult and also a hard subject to write about, and read about, but the way it's done in this book, Jeri's actions... I understand it can be part of how you deal with it, bit it's a bit too reckless and something else I can't put my finger on, it doesn't sit right with me. But that might just be the author's point. You're supposed to be conflicted and uncomfortable with what is going on in this book. The characters seem to be very well matched, but also unbalenced, both don't seem emotionally ready for what they seem to describe as their forever. The I-love-yous happen a bit sudden and out of the blue. Not really out of the blue, or unexpected, but more unrealistic and bad timing and too soon. They aren't even in a relationship...
I like Simone's character better than I do Jeri's, Simone's big flaw is that she seems to gloss over Jeri's past too easily and forgives and excuses her behiviour as well "part of the PTSD". I feel like you could still hold someone accountable for their actions, or at least voice your opinion about them when you don't like something. Especially because Simone is very blunt in other regards.

I feel like I've been on a bit of a bad streak with books. It doesn't necessarily have to do with the books or the authors, the books just don't click for me for one reason or another. I'm sure there are other people who will get more enjoyment from this book, Powell's understanding of the police force and struggles any officer faces are yet again very appearent and well written. This one just doesn't do it for me, doesn't let me escape to my happy reading place.