I did not enjoy What We Hide (book 1) as much as I had hoped. But after absolutely loving I Think I Was Murdered and Ambushed, I decided to give Tupelo Grove another try. While it was better, it did not hit the mark for me.
Where Secrets Lie picks up where book 1 left off. Like book 1, the first half dragged, while the second half was much more suspenseful and faster paced. I did not remember many details from book 1, but there was enough recap in book 2 to see me through. Much of it is still fuzzy however. Overall, I had a very hard time picturing the people and places in the story, and I reached a point of just wanting to get it over with. But the characters this time are more believable. And the epilogue opened up a whole can of worms that now makes me want to find out what happens in book 3.
This book does not stand alone, as a lot of things from book 1 would not make sense in book 2 without the background. I am thankful the authors remained very clean with a smattering of Christian references amidst the romance and violence of the story.
Coble and Acker knocked it out of the park for I Think I Was Murdered so I know they have what it takes. I hope they can bring that WOW factor back again for book 3.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Disappointing. I remember wanting to know what happened in the next book after reading the series opener, but I didn't enjoy this one. It was slow and depressing, and killing Jess just didn't flow with the book. I'm still mad about it. Would have given a 2 because somehow I was still interested in the series and the main characters, but then they just tacked on a random cliffhanger at the end that was clearly just to have a cliffhanger. I'm really really tired of that. It's a huge turnoff from any story that it.

FYI This is published by a Christian publishing house and is quite Christian. It's done well but just in case that's something a new reader would want to know.

Just like the first book in this series, you will be holding your breath, and really not expecting what is about to happen.
So much hate, and spreading it to the next generation, sad. In the end, people are no longer there that we loved and cared about. The epilogue tells of the next book in this series, and it looks like the evil doesn't end.
I loved being back in Tupelo, and with Savannah and Hez, and of course a sweet little boy. There is so much going on here, and old hurts that go back a long way, keep reappearing!
I kept wondering if Savannah and Hez were going to be able to remarry? The stumbling blocks keep falling!
Now I'm waiting for the third book in this series!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

A solid 4.5 stars.
This is the second book in this series. I really enjoyed this one. The main characters are flawed and not everything gets wrapped up all nice and tidy. They have issues. But their love for each other is shining brighter and brighter. There is a couple of twists in the story I wasn’t expecting and the mystery builds. I had a hard time putting this one down. I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are my own. Highly recommend this book

This is the second in a series about a university in Alabama. And this one doesn't disappoint!

Haz and Savannah have made it through what they thought was a difficult time, and we're ready to move forward repairing their life together. But the problems that plagued the university did not go away, they were just masked for a while. And the danger is escalating along with deceit from family members.

This definitely leaves a cliff hanger for the next book! I can't wait!

Wow! Book 2 in the Tupelo Grove series was exceptional. The writing team of Coble and Acker have another winner on their hands. Just when you think you have things figured out, there’s another twist. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in this series. I was given a complimentary copy of this book and the opinions are my own.

He's and Savannah are back at it a Tupelo Grove spirals into the best kind of Gossip Girl season: Is Hez still drinking? Is Savannah's sister going to twist the knife their dad already stabbed her with deeper than ever? This one is so brilliant you may need sunglasses and a tall cool drink to survive as Lynette & Rick turn up the heat!

“Where Secrets Lie” is another page-turning, suspense-building story from Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer seems to be the name of the game in this story. Sinister forces are at work for TGU, Savannah, and Hez. Jess is trying to keep herself, her son, and her sister, Savannah, out of the line of fire, but the villains are stacking up in this newest book from the Tupelo Grove series. This story flows well and shows well-researched and well-thought out scenarios. The plot keeps the reader on high alert the whole time, with no lag time and hardly a moment to revel in a peaceful resolution. The characters show good development and walk through difficult situations together well and in a realistic way. The conflict is spread out throughout the book and keeps going until the last sentence! I sure hope the third book will not be far behind the release of this one, because I want to know what happens next in the story! I highly recommend this book to lovers of suspense or legal fiction. You won’t want to miss it!

Back at Tupelo Grove University, Savannah and Hez are once again plunged into intrigue, lies, and disappointments. Coble and Acker take the reader on a fast-paced race to save the university, while the cause of the problems is closer than they know. This continues the Tupelo series and is a great follow up to What We Hide. Coble and Acker's writing weaves together beautifully, with intelligence, suspense, and hope. If you enjoy romantic suspense, you'll want to read this series. I received a free copy. Opinions are my own.

I really like the writing team of Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. This is their third book together, the second in the Tupelo Grove series. It seems assured they will be doing a third book, since this one ended on a total cliffanger.

It picks up pretty much where the first one left off, with the reader knowing that Jess is the mole and smuggler. but her sister and ex-husband are not aware of this as they try to rekindle their relationship.

Savannah wants to trust Hez, but she discovers something that makes her question whether he has really changed and she has trouble letting it go.

Hez tries hard to win her over while solving the mystery of who is leading the smuggling ring, but no one is prepared for what he finds and how it affects Savannah and her family.

The writing is tight and compares favorably to Terri Blackstock. I really hope these two writers write a lot more Christian suspense books together, because to me it's a winning combination.

Really well written book. I did not read or listen to the 1st book in the series & while I do feel I missed a little, I was able to understand enough of what had transpired that I didn't feel like I missed out on anything, nor did I have a hard time understanding the book.

The characters were well written & well developed. I enjoyed that the book was clean with no language or sleeping around. I appreciated that even though the main characters were previously married & now divorced, they still had boundaries & did sleep together.

The book kept me interested & anxious to find out what happens. There were many surprises, twists & turns! I was happy with the way the book ended, although there were some incredibly hard things that the characters experienced.

The Epilogue frustrated me, because now I have to wait to find out more! (Yes, I understand authors do that on purpose).

I look forward to reading the next book!

(I received this book as an ARC read. All opinions are my own.)

This is a good sequel to What We Hide (book 1 in the Tupelo Grove series) and I think ti’s much better read as a sequel than it would be as a stand alone. I wasn’t as invested in the characters this time and the story felt like it fell apart at the end and so they threw in a set up for the next book in the series. It was alright but not great. I received a free copy of What We Hide from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book even more than the first one in the series and I can't wait for book three. The mystery is so detailed and kept me guessing at every turn. A not to be missed suspenseful thriller with lots of heart and soul!

If you read the previous book in this series it would help in understading the characters! (What We Hide)
Jessica LeGare was good at keeping secrets - she kept them for her own profit and her son Simon's safety.
Her sister Savannah was her opposite, Savannah was a Teacher at Tupelo Grove University and she had just lost her tenure, but she found out that the Board wanted her to accept the Presidency of TGU!
Jessica was the Financial manager of the college but she had other motives besides benefiting the school, she was involved in smuggling artifacts.
Hezekiah, Savannah's husband is good at sleuthing out facts.
You will be on the edge of your seat!

Where Secrets Lie is a gripping and atmospheric read that blends mystery, family drama, and emotional tension in all the right ways. From the very first chapter, you can feel the weight of the secrets pressing down on the characters—and the deeper you go, the more tangled it all becomes.

The writing is beautifully introspective without being too heavy, and the slow unraveling of the past kept me hooked. I appreciated the dual timelines (or shifting perspectives, depending on your edition), which added depth and gave the revelations an extra punch.

Some plot points felt a bit predictable, but the emotional payoff made up for it. The final reveal was satisfying, though part of me wished for a slightly darker twist. Still, if you're into family secrets, hidden trauma, and stories where the setting almost becomes a character itself—this one's for you.

Highly recommend reading it on a rainy day with a blanket and tea.

Where Secrets Lie is book 2 in the Tupelo Grove series written by Colleen Coble and Rick Aker. Happy to see that Hez and Savannah Webster, a recently divorced couple are heading back to a remarriage. It seems that someone for their own evil reason is trying to sabatog them getting remarriage by making it appear that Hez is still dealing with his former demons. You will find out later in the story who is doing this and the reader finds out before Hez and Savannah find out. Things seem to be working out for Hez and Savannah. They are able to purchase Savannah's dream home and their relationship is better than ever. You think they are going to get their happily ever after ending. It appears to be the ending of the story but don't be fooled. The best is yet to come in the next book. The last chapter revealed something is going to be expolsive. I don't see how I am going to wait for several months for the next book in the series but I'll have to wait like everyone else.
This book is set to be released on June 3, 2025. I received an advanced reader’s copy from Thomas Nelson and Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

Talk about a cliffhanger..."to be continued"!!!! Oh my! I kept clicking hoping for the next page of Colleen Coble's and Rick Acker's "Where Secrets Lie". My hope was deflated, but I will keep an eye out for the next book in the series. There is a next book, isn't there? "What We Hide" was book one in the Tupelo Grove books.

I have never been disappointed in a Coble book. I certainly was not with this one. Certainly, an edge of your seat, page-turning suspense.

Releases June 3rd. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

While I absolutely loved book one, this book was a bit harder for me to stay engaged in. It's not that there was a lack of things happening, however this storyline was just not quite as engaging as the first storyline. I can assume it's continuing to move us forward in the overall story, but I missed some of the dialogue and interactions between characters from the first book. The characters this time did not feel as well rounded

avannah and Hez are ready to give their relationship a second go, and they both believe that they can make it this time. However, Savannah doesn’t make tenure and starts looking for new employment when her father offers her the president's position, which she accepts.

Hez is determined to make a go of the Justice Chamber mentoring law students, putting his past mistakes behind him and showing Savannah how much he has changed. But when she finds evidence that his demons are still haunting him, he is ever more determined to change and show her that someone is sabotaging his progress.

Where Secrets Lie picks up where the first book ended. It took me a bit longer to get into this book, but I was all in once Hez was admitted to the hospital! I expected more action from the beginning, but it doesn’t slow down once it starts. There is a twist in this story that I was not expecting at all, but it simply takes it up a notch. There is rawness between Hez and Savannah's relationship that is refreshing because they are willing to work on their stuff. If you enjoyed the first book in this series, then you have to read this one! I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson. All opinions expressed are honest and mine.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an ARC of this book. This is a great sequel to the first book in the series. The relationship between Savannah and Hez continues to blossom along with the mystery and suspense. The last chapter of the book makes me anxious to read what's coming next, especially concerning Simon and Pierre. A definite 4.5 star rating!