Three and a half
I enjoyed the previous book Don’t Look so was keen to read this. I am increasingly reading and enjoying more romantic suspense so in theory this should be a good fit for me, plus I’ve enjoyed this authors earlier work so sadly I have to admit to being slightly disappointed.
This idea of Wynter discovering that her mother’s murder might have been premeditated was a good one with lots of possibilities. That’s probably what went wrong for this reader because there are so many morally grey characters/suspects thrown into this. If blunt I guessed who the killer was from their first scene so the numerous red herrings felt like overkill. I will admit the reasoning behind everything was well frankly very distasteful but obviously my lips are sealed.
As to the romance it’s I guess what you could describe as a friends to lovers trope but I honestly could not detect any real chemistry which is a little sad. This couple were nice and perhaps some readers might describe them as bland. I think for me it was the truly vile and toxic supporting characters that stood out a lot more.
So final words are not my favourite from this author and she certainly has written stories previously that had both surprises and passion. However not every book suits every reader or their mood so I will certainly look out for more by her in the hope that she returns to form.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I really liked this second book in this series. It was fast paced and interesting, without being obvious. I would definitely recommend to anyone.

I was really looking forward to this after book one! And while this is only loosely connected - it can totally be read as a standalone!

Wynter has a simple life - and she likes it that way - the fallout of her mother's violent death in her childhood still rocks her and on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the event more secrets come out from hiding than ever before. Noah has been best friends with Wynter since they were both grief-stricken teenagers dealing with loss. But looking at her now? Maybe they are more than friends.

While the romance was really more secondary and this read more like a thriller - not a complaint just a fact, it is mostly fade to black as a head's up - the romance was really quite sweet. Both Norah and Wynter are good at communicating and their friends to lovers romance is actually really beautiful. They are very much a team throughout the entire book and it is a delight. The plot was really the driving force behind this story with a lot of secrets, small-town politics, and adult children taking the brunt of their parents' unresolved issues. The end wrapped up a bit fast for me and I ended up wanting more of the characters and story but overall a solid romantic thriller!

CW: bloodshed and violence on the page, mentions of affairs (not between MCs)

Faceless is the second book in the Pike, Wisconsin Series by Alexandra Ivy. For a place that has little to no crime there is a lot of killing in this story. Definitely not a place I would want to live. Twenty-five years ago Wynter Moore’s mother is killed in a “car-jacking”. Now suddenly there are more sinister revelations. Game Warden Noah Hunter a friend from grief counseling during her teenage years becomes her partner and love interest in trying to solve what really happened. The fact that these two have a history is a plus since I do not much like instant love/lust stories.

An interesting romance suspense story with an emphasis on the romance. The story comes to a complete conclusion after a chase in which more are hurt. The past has a strong hold on any future for Wynter and Noah causing danger especially to Wynter. I liked these two main characters, being glad for the complicated truth to finally come to light.

Faceless (Pike, Wisconsin #2) by Alexandra Ivy
OMG Alexandra you know how to keep me on the edge of my seat... Wynter Moore (her mother was murdered when she was a young child) and Noah Heller (his parents died in a accident when her was a teen). The are both strong H and h and met when in their teens in grief counseling and have been friend ever since. When visiting her mother's grave on the 25th anniversary of her murder she receives information that opens questions about the murder. This book has murder, mystery, terror, a psycho killer, family intrigue, tears, laughter, love, and some steam to get us to a exciting ending and a HEA. If you haven't read Don't Look (Pike, Wisconsin Book 1) it is also great.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Tear-jerker Haunting Witty Unpredictable Action-packed Romantic Page-turner Steamy Tragic Twisted Wonderful characters Entertaining Happily Ever After Easy-to-read Great world building Scary

Alexandra Ivy is the queen of physiological thrillers and she has struck gold again. Her characters are rich and intense. The plot line has the perfect amount of twists and turns to make you stay on the ride to the very end. Plus the main characters have loads of chemistry which gives the story a little something extra. Even though this book is part of the Pike, Wisconsin series, it can easily stand alone. My only disappointment is I would've liked to have seen more of Kir from the first book. Maybe he and Lynne will show up in the next book. A not to be missed novel for suspense lovers!

I was just ok with the book, I dont see myself continuing. I lost interest. I think that the author wanted us as readers to be so intrigued that she added to many suspects and that is where she lost me because at that point I found it to be too much and I just didn't care anymore who it was and why people were dropping for such a small town..

Faceless by Alexandra Ivy is the second book in the Pike, Wisconsin series. It is a well written romance, suspense novel. The main characters, Wynter and Noah have been friends since they were in group counseling. They start as best friends then their relationship develops into something more.

Wynter as a very young child possibly saw the murder of her mother. It was assumed to be a random mugging but Wynter receives new evidence that puts this theory in doubt. Noah is right by her side helping and protecting her as each clue is revealed.

I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one in this series!

Thank you to net galley, the publisher and author for an advanced reader’s copy.

There's plenty of suspense and excitement in this romantic mystery. Wynter's relationship with Noah, her longtime friend moves from friendship to romance while they investigate Wynter's mother's death. The characters aren't that stimulating but the mystery itself kept my attention from beginning to end.

Wynter goes to visit her mother's grave, every year on the anniversary of her death. Only on the 25th anniversary of her death, the son of the Sheriff that investigated her mother's murder shows up and everything from that point spirals out of control.

From what was a suspected mugging/senseless killing, turned into a planned murder and people all around Wynter are dying that may be connected to her mother's death. The one person that has been there for her since they were teenagers, Noah, is there to protect her. Only he's not just her best friend, he is in love with her but has been waiting for both of them to grow up so they can finally be together.

I loved the romance and suspense of this book. As the reader you are not sure where the danger is coming from, who is involved, and who is going to be next. Faceless keeps you on the edge of your seat, and you are glad for the moments between Noah and Wynter because it means that the danger is outside. I highly recommend this book and I was not expecting the killer to be who is was.

Received ARC in exchange for voluntary honest review from NetGalley

https://mistysreads.wordpress.com/2021/07/06/faceless-pike-wisconsin-2-by-alexandra-ivy/
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3256587159
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4098283129?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

I am obsessed with Alexander’s Ivy, i have been since i started reading her books decade ago ! I just love the way she writes, and here thriller romance are just as good as her PNR stuff. This book will keep you on your toes, and make you look over your shoulder.

Wynter was only 4 when she witnessed her Mother’s shooting. She has made a habit of visiting her Mother’s grave every year on the day of her death. This year she received information that makes her want to look into the unsolved murder. Someone doesn’t want her looking into the murder. Noah, a long time friend is helping her, but as Wynters life is threatened the 2 discover they have a deeper connection. There is plenty of suspense along with a romance. At the end I suspected who it was but there was a twist I didn’t see coming. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Thank you NetGalley, Publisher and Author for this advanced ebook copy!

Faceless was such a good read!
Wynter and Noah are amazing characters to follow through in Faceless.
The story was very interesting and intriguing! I was glued to my Kindle!
Very enjoyable romantic suspense
There were twists and turns and lots of suspense.

A very enjoyable, good, quick read!

I'm so enjoying this series of murder-mystery/romantic suspense books set in the very small but very deadly town of Pike, WI. With main characters who are not part of your usual law enforcement agencies, there are real fish out of water moments and they do land themselves in a pickle every so often!

Wynter lost her mother when she was 4. She was in the car when her mother was killed and she returns to her gravesite every year. But this year things are about to get dangerous. Wynter received new evidence about her mother's murder and she unleashes a whole passel of worms when she doesn't just kick the can but upends it!

Noah and Wynter have been circling each other for years, neither really facing up to the attraction between them but Noah is not about to let Wynter face this investigation on her own. Especially not when people they speak to mysteriously die afterwards! He's used to not being everyone's favourite person, he is a Game Warden after all, but he's never been actively hunted either.

Lovely slow burn romance, friends to lovers, with a heaping of suspense. I was kept guessing as to who the murderer was, there were more than one or two red herrings on that front. Hoping that there are more in this series to come.

lexandra Ivy gives her readers a second book in a small town romantic s suspense series.

You can of course read the first book - Don’t Look (Read My Review) but this instalment can be read as a stand-alone.

Faceless, is a young woman’s quest to understand the inconsistencies in her own mother’s murder years ago when she was a child.

Together with her best friend; and the man that she is quite attracted to, she dives into the journey; that will not just reveal a whole lot of secrets as well as rock the foundation to her own life.

Like always, the Author does a really good job of weaving together a mystery that will have the interest of the readers right from the start; however it is the friends to lovers romance that ended up being a little too bland for my taste.

Neither of the protagonist’s seemed to be quite in.. sync with each other. They are supposed to be best friends, however there wasn’t any tangible chemistry between them.

Read this one, if you love a good mystery; and are actually ambivalent about romance in the plot.

Wynter lost her mother in the most horrific way as a small child. Every year on the anniversary of her death she visits her moms grave site. This year is different the old sheriff that investigated the murder has died and the new one has given Wynter a picture that just doesn't set right with her. As her and Noah a long time friend start to poke around in the past someone is murdering people she talks to. As her life starts to unravel in the most horrific way her and Noah find they have a deeper bond than just friends. Thank you Netgalley and the Author for the chance to read and review this book.

I love all kinds of genres and Alexandra never lets me down! She is fantastic with her Suspense novels!

Wynter experienced the traumatic murder of her mother years ago. Every anniversary Wynter visits her gravesite, on this anniversary everything changes. Wynter gets a photo that leaves her with more questions than answers. What she doesn’t know is the killer is watching and now nervous about what information she has.

The killer is leaving a trail of bodies trying to make sure nothing gives Wynter answers!

Luckily she has her best friend Noah by her side.

Lots of twists and turns can they find the killer before the killer gets to Wynter and the past is revealed!

The case of Wynter Moore's mother's murder has a new development twenty-five years later. Wynter with the help of her friend,]noah, is about to discover that all people have secrets, even her closest friends and family.

It's been a while since I've read an Alexandra Ivy novel and it feels like coming home. The ebb and flow of her writing feels warm and comfortable even if it's a killer plotline.

The path to discovery is a winding and methodical journey that took me completely by surprise. I enjoyed every moment of it.

~Tanja

I really enjoyed this book, it had alot of twists and turns and was completely suprised by the ending. The characters and the storyline was very good and kept you reading until it was finished. I would definitely recommend this book.

As is the case with a lot of romantic suspense, this is far more suspense than romance. The relationship is non existent for half the book then fully committed without really ever doing or discussing anything. One gentle kiss, full night of banging, HEA. Nothing really between that. I liked them together and the potential their history together could have brought to the table intrigued me, but never delivered.

On the suspense side, the killer wasn’t easy for me to guess, but thats because every chapter we got even more people to consider. I want to say by the climax we had a dozen solid suspects. And the body count was high in my opinion. One scene I found to be ironic was the leads spinning a theory for one suspected killer that just had theories out of assumptions and left field. In actuality, that’s kind of how to played out for the real killer and I was not impressed.

This is listed as a Pike series book. I would disagree with that. The murder happened 25 years ago there, but very little story happens there and only 2 cast members were locals there.