Escaping a past no one should have - yet escape is elusive as she gets pulled into an investigation that is too close to home. Ghosts of a serial killer, and police looking for a scapegoat - well, not all of them. And so the story really starts to unfold.

When Lark Seawell was a young girl, she reported her father, a serial killer, to the police. Now her dad is gone, killed in prison by his cellmate. No matter where she goes, it seems someone recognizes her as the daughter of a serial killer. Enjoying her travels around the country, she meets Jay Sutherland when she needs help with her injured dog. Jay offers to carry Daisy to the car and goes to the vet with her. Lark knows that life is precious and when she asks Jay to stay with her, he agrees. Jay is an FBI agent on assignment to track down a serial killer. The killer is leaving men’s bodies in areas where Lark has been travelling. Jay’s’ friend knows who Lark’s father was…is she following in her father’s footsteps? Jay doesn’t believe that she is involved. When someone contacts her wondering why she hasn’t noticed his “gifts” and then leaves pictures of dead people for her, she knows that she is in serious danger. Will Jay still believe in her innocence? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

When you’re the daughter of a serial killer you can do one of two things. Bemoan your life, or as Lark has decided, put on your best face, and enjoy what you can.
Jay is meeting with some of his FBI colleagues when Lark seeks their help for her dog. He feels an instant connection to her, and when she becomes a murder suspect his instinct is to help her.
My first read by Laura Hunsaker, and I really enjoyed it. There is plenty of action, some angst, a romance and some cute dogs. What’s not to like.

I received a review reader’s copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

I loved this book so much. I love the action, the characters, the scenarios, all of it. Lark had been through something that not very people can understand and the way she rose above beyond it was just amazing. I loved her, and her courage and strength, anyone else would have probably folded long ago but not her, she wanted better out of life so made it happen. Jay was all alpha male, he was on her side from the moment he met her, no matter what. He protected her, he listened to her, he was there for her, he was devoted to her, it was plain to see his feelings for her. Neither of them would give the other up and wanted to make things work, so they did

I really enjoyed the plot of this, the story kept me engaged and I never knew what was coming next. The pace was good also.

*Spoilers*

The characters were relatable and the platonic interactions were normal and funny… however, the romance between Jay and Lark just wasn’t there for me - the speed of their falling in love was not believable and took the shine off the book for me.

I think it was about 3 days before the “I love you”‘s, just not enough relationship building or chemistry for me to really invest in them and get on board.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Lark has a dangerous past. Her father was a serial killer. She feels she needs to get away. On her way to Oregon she stops at a cute little town in California. Her two dogs are keeping her company and they are adorable. 🐕❤️💜On a walk one of her dogs has hurt her leg. Lark ask for help and one of the men are Jay. We met him in Dark Past. He is grumpy. Lol. One of my favorite quotes in the book:

"Everyone’s been hurt; it’s part of life, Jay. No one can avoid being hurt.” She shut the door after one last pat to Daisy.
He nodded. “True. It’s how we handle those hurts that makes us who we are.”
“And I choose to put more good out into the world than there was before.”
“You’re a good person, Lark; you radiate it like sunshine.”"

When Lark leaves there are dead people showing up. Is it Lark that is the killer or is it someone else? Can Jay trust her?

1.5 stars

I had to push myself to finish this book, I'm afraid. I found the plot to be weakly cobbled together, and I felt no chemistry between Lark and Jay. Full disclosure: This book is second in a series (third if you count book 1.5, which follows a secondary character in this book), but it was my first, and it's possible that some of my issues stem from that or would be resolved after a few rounds with a solid editor. But I kinda doubt it.

Lark is a serial killer's daughter. She was the one to turn her beloved dad in once she discovered his crime when she was 12. One of Jay's friends recognizes her, but he mentions it happened back in the 90s. We find out a little later that Lark is 27. The math doesn't add up. I could've let that slide, but too many other issues piled up that contributed to the feeling that bits and pieces of this book may have been sitting in the author's desk drawer for a while. (For example, who took care of the dogs when she was in Europe?)

Anyway, Lark is a sunny, live-each-day-for-the-moment person. Jay is written as grumpy. The two hook up after Jay carries her dog for her and then suffer instalove. She leaves, but bodies immediately pile up behind her. Is she the criminal? Secondary character Luke thinks so. I mean, of course she's a prime suspect because of DNA (never mind the fact she doesn't match any sort of profile). That could've been an interesting plot: Did she or didn't she? But suspicion is quickly dialed back and dismissed. Instead, we get a killer who is incredibly cagey and resourceful, though I'm not entirely sure where he picked up the skills or even the motivation. The convenience felt like the author didn't know how to write a believable killer.

So Lark—who always moves forward—goes back to the small town where she hooked up with Jay. Jay and his friends (and frenemies) step in to help. I mean, they're FBI or former FBI or mysterious kinda FBI slash private security peeps. In between getting shot at or showered in broken window glass, and in spite of having no visible chemistry, Lark and Jay burn up the sheets. When they do focus on figuring out the killer (who is identified pretty early on), much of the plot is either Lark or Jay feeling like they're missing something or knowing in their guts that XYZ is right or wrong or coming. Meanwhile, the hotel is getting shot up or otherwise destroyed. It's a good thing that no other guests seem to notice (or even exist?).

At some point, I just stopped caring. I did keep reading because I avoid DNFfing an ARC when possible. Or maybe I just wanted to make sure the dogs survived. (Spoiler alert: They do.) That said, while I appreciate receiving the ARC, I will not likely pick up other books in this series.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

Set in the Fatal Instincts series, this book follows Dark Past and Dreams of the Past.
Daughter of a serial killer, Lark Seawell is running from her past. After a one night stand with an FBI agent, she's moved to the top of the list of suspects in a series of killings. The bodies follow the path she's taken on her road trip. Is she as much of a monster as her father? Or is she an innocent victim?