'Trust Me': 3⭐

(Unpaid Review: thank you to @netgalley, @kellyirvin and the publishers for allowing me to read this eArc copy in exchange for a review.)

This book's characters were engaging and wrapped in a romance. This is classified as a romance suspense, however, I didn't see as much of either as I'd like. Enjoyable though!

I love Kelly Irvin! She's one of my very favorite authors!
I loved this romantic roller coaster ride because it kept me engaged the whole entire time!
A sit on the edge of your seat thriller that will make the entire evening pass you by. I love tose kinds of stories!
I loved the twists and turns that make up this story. It was my favorite part of the book! I had no idea who it was until I got to the end. I'm usually pretty good at guessing these types of stories but Irvin was so good at slipping them in.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what she has next!
My thanks to Revell publishing for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review.

Trust Me by Kelly Irvin is the first novel I’ve read by this author, but it will not be my last. Having never read a story by Irvin before I really didn’t know what to expect. What I got was one crazy ride! The first thing that drew me to this book is its cover. The slash marks through the title and author name, the spooky colors, and the blurry solitary figure all combine to create an image that really captures a reader’s eye. Then I read the premise and I knew I had to get my hands on a copy of this book. For me, I found the story highly engaging and quite unputdownable. I will admit to guessing the villain pretty quickly, but that did not ruin my enjoyment of the book. In fact, this book reminds me of classic Greek literature. Take Oedipus Rex by Sophocles for example. Everyone goes into that story knowing poor Oedipus’s background and his horrible demise. In the grand scheme of things, none of that really matters. What matters is the journey to his end. It’s the same here with Trust Me. Yes, I figured out who-done-it pretty quickly, but I didn’t care because the journey is FANTASTIC. The twists, the turns, the action, the suspense, the clues that emerge — it’s all such fun reading. And, I love how this story is a character journey as much as it is a murder mystery. Hunter and Delaney are excellent protagonists. They’re both older, wiser, more cynical, and dealing with some serious traumas and heartbreaks. I love Hunter’s dogged determination and his steadfast faith in God. No matter how bad things get he turns to God for help — he knows turning to God is the best response in any situation. Delaney’s story is heartbreaking. Man, the bad just keeps pummeling her. It’s like she is a human punching bag, so I really appreciate how she uses boxing as a way to channel her anger and fear and frustration and loneliness. She takes what life viciously throws at her and she throws a few punches back. I enjoyed how Hunter and Delaney’s relationship progresses over the course of this story. Is this novel the greatest love story ever told? Is the passion fierce? No. BUT, this isn’t really a story about romantic passion. Trust Me is about rebuilding trust and friendship after all of that has been lost. I feel that Hunter and Delaney’s relationship progresses exactly as it should considering their crazy past. All in all, Trust Me is an outstanding Romantic Suspense story that I HIGHLY recommend. This is a book that should go to the top of your TBR pile.

At the end of the story in the Q+A section, there is one question that really caught my attention and I would like to address it here in this review. The question does not pose any threat of spoiling the storyline because all the info in the question is learned at the very beginning of the book. But if you would rather not know the details, you can skip this paragraph and go purchase a copy of Trust Me for yourself, or you can read after the italicized/bold question. In no way will I spoil the story in my response. Here is the question: Delaney lost her parents in a car accident as a child, then her grandparents, and years later her brother was murdered. The man she loved was convicted of his murder. She lost her faith in God. As Christians what should we say to those who suffer about God’s plan, where God’s goodness is, and what the reasons might be for their suffering? This is a great question that can really elicit some deep responses. All of them well-meaning. As a woman who has been through some serious trauma and recently lost three very close, very important people in her life one right after the other, I can say with great authority that the best thing you can do in this situation is say nothing at all. When you have a hurting friend or loved one who is struggling with his/her relationship with God because of the many, many traumas that seem to keep happening the best thing to do is say nothing. Nine times out of ten, the words that come out of well-meaning people’s mouths are the absolute wrong things to say to someone shrouded in grief. The worst question ever is, “How do you feel?” Don’t ask it! I once heard a pastor who was discussing Job say, “The best thing Job’s friends did was sit with him for one week and say nothing. The worst thing they did was start talking when that week was up.” Truth!!! The thing is it’s not anyone’s place to proselytize or assert some kind of “God does all things for the good of those who love Him” message when someone is in the throes of devastating and debilitating grief. It just makes the person angry and makes them more strongly turn from God. It’s an assault and an insult to be told that God killed off your loved one for a good purpose. I have to say that I appreciate HOW Irvin deals with this topic in her novel. Hunter is a fantastic model of what to do when someone you love has moved away from God because of trauma. He’s patient, he prays, and he NEVER pushes. He gives Delaney space and lets her take the wheel so to speak. When she is ready, he is there for her. But in the meantime, he prays and he prays and he prays. This is the way it should be always. God will show the way when it is actually the right time to broach with your loved one the subjects of trauma, loss, and getting back into a relationship with Him. All you need to do in the meantime is just be present in whatever way the loved one needs. They’re the boss in this situation, not you!

There is a lot more that I could say about Trust Me. This book is excellent and my review can’t do this story justice. Add this book to your TBR pile now, pre-order yourself a copy, and read it ASAP when it comes out in February. You will love it!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Delaney found her brother murdered, her boyfriend at the time went to jail for murder. Now of course Hunter claims he was wrongly convicted of a crime he did not commit but dont they all claim they are innocent?

Now Hunter is a free man, he paid his dues and served out his sentence. That same day Delaney finds her best friend murdered. Murdered in the same way her brother was killed. Delaney is issued a warning, threatening she will be next if she doesnt stay out of it

Hunter loves Delaney, he always will . He knows he is going to try hard to win back her forgiveness and prove he isnt a murderer so he sets out to find her. Hunter wants Delaney's help to find the real killer and clear his name . Hunter is being accused of murder once again. Can they clear his name? Or is the real killer now after the two of them? Is there still a connection between them?

Yikes! I loved "Trust Me" ! This isnt just a thriller but also a bit romance. Kelly Irvin did an incredible job narrating this novel! I could not put it down! The ending is one you wont see coming and you will be completely consumed with this book from start to finish!

Due out February 8, 2022, you do not want to miss this one!

I had never read Kelly Irvin before, but I was interested in the description. Her newest book, Trust Me is a very long book! With that said, it did capture my attention from the first chapter and I had to finish it.

The main character, Delaney, finally feels like she has her life and emotions under control ten years after her brother is murdered. But that security crumbles the day she walks into her best friend's store and also finds her brutally murdered. The man who was convicted of her brother's murder was just released from prison and becomes the primary suspect. Hunter maintains his innocence and asks Delaney to help him find the real murderer. Because Delaney has doubts that the police got the right man, she agrees to join with hunter to find the person responsible. As the danger surrounding Delaney grows deeper and deeper, she realizes Hunter is innocent and must find the real killer before someone else suffers.

The book is fast paced and has a great plot line. The author does a good job of unfolding the character's secrets at all the right times. The characters pray a lot during the entire book, something lacking in many of the Christian fiction books I have read recently. It is not graphic and is light on romance.

The blurb sounded interesting so I decided to give this book a try. Unfortunately, I struggled getting into the book and becoming invested in the characters. I may be in the minority though, so I still recommend giving this book a try if it sounds like something you’d be interested in.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Trust Me by Kelly Irvin An enjoyable read with romance, mystery, redemption and faith. Delaney and Hunter are an engaging couple.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Kelly Irvin weaves an interesting tale.

With the first chapter we are introduced to Delaney who is irritated and searching for her brother in the co-op, knowing that she will probably find him in a drug induced state. Instead, she finds him dead.

I feel her heart ache full on.

Next, we are introduced to Hunter, Delaney’s former boyfriend as he gets out of incarceration and tries to reenter the free world.

Then Delaney’s best friend is found murdered, in the same manner as her brother. Delaney and Hunter team up to find the killer. Who the killer proved to be, was a unexpected surprise. The romance is there. But the suspense is at the forefront. That is how I like it to be.

I was initially surprised by the details of the drug subculture. I trust this author, so I kept reading. And it retained my interest. One of my favorite things, is coming home after a hard day, knowing you have really good book to look forward to.

I really enjoyed "Trust Me" by Kelly Irvin. I was hooked from the first page and right through the last page. There was plenty of suspense and a little romance throughout the entire book. The characters were well developed, and I felt like I was part of the story. This was my favorite Kelly Irvin novel , so far.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good, clean romantic suspense novels.

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

Thomas Nelson, NG and Irvin Thank You for this advance eARC!

This was my first book by Kelly Irvin and will not be my last.
The title and cover had drawn me honestly and that description how could I not want to read this?!
One of the best romantic suspense stories I've read.
Plenty of action, mystery, and a complex plot kept the pages turning..
This story had a lot of character development and growth. It had great suspense with a lot of twists and turns.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will certainly be looking up more by her. The story-line was believable and the pages basically turned themselves.

I will post to my platforms closer to pub date!

Sadly this wasn't one of my favorite reads. I can see what this book was trying to do, but I don't think it really worked. The romance was overshadowing the mystery too much for my liking, and the actual mystery was pretty predictable and I figured it out way too early into the book. There were just a few too many hints to really keep the suspense.

I also wasn't a big fan of the writing style, I got used to it throughout the book but in the beginning, I really struggled with it. I also felt like the characters were pretty flat, so I wasn't invested in the romance or their arcs at all and just kept reading to get to the ending and see the reveal. The ending was pretty much what I had anticipated, but it was still an okay read overall.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

TRUST ME by KELLY IRVIN is a fast paced roantic thriller with a great Christian message of forgiveness, the restoratioo of broken relationships, broken trust in people and in God. The story is very exciting and we are taken on a roller coaster ride as Hunter Nash and Delaney Broward try to solve their friend Ellie Hill’s murder, in which Hunter, having just come out of jail, is implicated by the police.
The author shows her understanding of human nature as she describes Hunter and Delaney’s emotions. We see how they have both changed during the past ten years since Delaney’s brother Corey was murdered, supposedly by Hunter, when they were both high on marijuana and alcohol. Hunter is desperately trying to prove his innocence and get Delaney’s trust back.
Things are not as they seem.
I thoroughly enjoyed Trust Me and highly recommend the novel to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Thomas Nelson. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Trust Me is a very well written romantic suspense. Great plot and character dynamics and I loved the San Antonio setting. Suspense fans will not be disappointed. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres and after reading the description of Trust Me by Kelly Irvin, I was thoroughly intrigued. Hunter Nash has just been released from ten years in prison, paying for a crime he insists he did not commit. Delaney, his former girlfriend, doesn’t know what to believe, but wants to make sure justice is served for both her brother’s murder and the murder of her best friend. Sometimes books where one of the main characters is wrongly accused of murder can be tough to read since I want them to be fairly treated, however this one was more bearable since the crime in question takes place in past. I found Delaney’s character to be hard to sympathize with and not very likable. To be honest, Hunter is the only character I felt any connection with in this book. Trust Me is an interesting read; I did figure out who the bad guy was early on and felt like there were a few too many red herrings in the way on discovering the truth.

Laney's brother, Corey, was murdered ten years ago and Laney's boyfriend and her brother's best friend, Hunter was tried and convicted of the murder. On the day Hunter gets out on parole, another friend (Corey's girlfriend and Laney's best friend) is brutally murdered, also by stabbing. Hunter becomes an immediate suspect but he is determined to find out who did it and who murdered Corey so he can prove to Laney that he didn't do it. Laney's not too sure about whether Hunter was guilty either so they try to find out who the culprit was, much to the chagrin of the officer that had Corey's case and now has the new case.

This is full of questions about who could be responsible, close calls, boiling emotions and just a wonderful suspense read. I really enjoyed this one!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Trust Me by Kelly Irvin is not a book that I would usually pick up, but the description was so interesting that I couldn't pass it by. Hunter has been in jail for ten years after he was convicted of killing his girlfriend's brother. The day he is out on parole, another friend of his ex-girlfriend is killed. He knows he is innocent and is determined to prove it. Delaney, who was also threatened by the murderer, refused to be intimidated, but isn't sure whether she can trust Hunter.

Overall, the book was enjoyable. I was able to figure out the real killer quickly. I don't usually read this genre, so I'm uncertain whether it was a lucky guess or if it will be obvious to most readers. Even though I was able to guess the culprit, motives and details of exactly how it was accomplished come out throughout the book, so it was still an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the themes of redemption and trust, along with the emphasis on God's grace and faith. If spirituality is not something important to you, you may not enjoy the references to God, but for me the references to faith were a refreshing breath of air in a murder mystery.

I would recommend this to readers who like a murder mystery with a hint of romance and second chances.

I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

An interesting title that is the theme in this good thriller by the author.
Delaney and Hunter dating for several years. They had friends, were they ones that you trusted or questioned. He said he was innocent, yes they had argued he had been drinking, he wouldn’t say anything against his friends. Ellie why was she murdered ten years later, just as Hunter got out of prison. Delaney has lost so much did she also lose trust in Hunter.
Good story and good flowing plot. Given ARC by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for my voluntary review and my honest opinion