Book Two of the Tupelo Grove series is more in the life of Savannah Webster, history professor, and her former husband, attorney Hez Webster as they work to resolve issues that caused their marriage to end and look to rekindle their life as husband and wife again. The corruption and network of stolen artifacts connected to some at Tupelo Grove University is ongoing and something that they want to end. This story hits all the emotions with hurt, sadness, revenge, conniving, hate but yet with faith, hope, and love. This is a suspenseful read that kept me engaged until th end. I enjoy seeing characters from a couple of other Colleen Coble series set in the Mobile area. The collaboration of Colleen Coble's romantic suspense stories and Rick Acker's law background makes for a great read.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my thoughts.

Where Secrets Lie by Coleen Coble and Rick Acker

This book of many characters has mystery, romance and overtones of Christianity. I’m not a romance novel person, so some of this was too much for me. Sisters Jess, Savannah and her ex- husband Hez are the primary characters. Other family members also play a role.

Hez is all about winning back Savannah, Savannah is all about protecting TGU and Jess is not what she seems. I was never on the edge of my seat, and truthfully just barely engaged. There was little real drama, lots of stolen kisses and many missed meals.

I made it to the end, but can only give this story three stars. There will be a follow up to the TGU saga, but it will go on without me. I don’t know the intended audience, but it may be for romance readers.

** “Let God worry about tomorrow. And try not to worry. It solves nothing, and it disrupts our trust and faith.” **

Authors Colleen Coble and Rick Acker continue their joint thriller series with “Where Secrets Lie,” a continuation of the drama faced by former spouses Savannah Webster and Hez Webster.

As Tupelo Grove University continues to face smuggling issues and financial woes, Savannah is seeking to obtain tenure, her sister Jess is still the university’s CFO and Hez still hopes to open a justice center at the school. But when disappointment is followed by more deadly incidents, they face some devastating circumstances that could tear their reblooming relationship apart.

These two authors seemingly blend together a story brilliantly, doing an incredible job of creating a fast-paced, intense plot filled with twists and turns, including another shocking ending. They develop some great characters, including a boy named Simon and an alligator named Boo Radley, and they also include some old friends from Coble’s Pelican Harbor series.

They also include some great themes in “Where Secrets Lie,” including “if good people do nothing, evil wins”; forgiveness is hard; secrets never lie buried; the power and impact of justice and mercy, and how it can be hard to achieve and accept them; and God cares for us and our futures.

Fans of Lynette Eason, Kelly Irvin, Terri Blackstock and Irene Hannon will love this novel, which is due out June 3. I would not recommend reading this as a standalone novel.

Five stars out of five.

Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

This is the second book in the Tupelo Grove series. I had high hopes that his book would be better than the first book. I'm sorry to say that is wasn't. It was difficult for me to get through it. I can't say that I will be reading the next installment.

I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via Net/Galley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

Where Secrets Lie is the 2nd book in the Tupelo Grove series by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. This s one of my favorite genres, and this book certainly did not disappoint. Savannah and Hez are working on rebuilding their relationship, after the death of their child and Hez turning to alcohol they ended up divorcing. Now as they work to rebuild, all types of obstacles pop up. I would recommend this book to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

This is the second book in the Tupelo Grove series. I wish I had read the first book because there were things that were central to the story that I didn’t have prior knowledge and I had some difficulty following the details that were built upon the first story. That being said, I enjoyed the artifact smuggling ring and the people involved in it. There was danger, suspense, and some plot twists. I also liked that Hez and Savannah are dedicated to working on putting the past behind them and giving their relationship another try.

I am interested in the back story from the first book and will need to read it before I read the third book in the series. If you enjoy romantic suspense and tangled webs, this will be a great one for you to read.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

I enjoyed this combo of authors. You got the right mixture of criminal and mystery with a little romance. The authors had you sitting on the edge wondering why the characters would put themselves in danger and when will they learn. I can't wait to dive into book 2 to see why the person is doing what they are doing and how could they be that sneaky.

As authors, Colleen Coble and Rick Acker are each best sellers. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with!

Where Secrets Lie picks up where What We Hide left off. Professor Savannah Webster is awaiting word whether she will receive tenure at Tupelo Grove University, or be cut loose. As if this isn't stressful enough, just as she decides to give her ex-husband, Hez, another chance, she finds an empty bottle of his favorite wine in his trash. Is he drinking again, and if he is, how can she trust him? When she loses tenure but is offered the presidency of the university instead, she jumps at the chance to stay on, only to discover that the university is hanging by a fraying thread.

For his part, Hez is determined to prove to Savannah that her trust isn't misplaced. As he works to mentor law students at the university, he puts them to work to help save Tupelo Grove University. Can they figure out who is working behind the scenes to topple the university they love before everything falls apart?

This story grabs readers on the first page and digs its claws in until the very end. I listened to the audio version and it was "radio theater" at its best! The suspense is gripping, and the love story within leans heavily on the power of forgiveness.

Colleen Coble fans will want to snap this up, and really, anyone who enjoys suspense with a side of romance, will enjoy this. I do recommend reading book 1 first, as there are many situations in book 2 that actually happen in book 1. I can hardly wait for book 3!

Where Secrets Lie
Colleen Coble
Rick Acker
June 03, 2025

Savannah and her ex, Hex are ready to give it a go again. He’s got the ring and she is ready to say yes. She still fears that some of his old habits may come back to bite them both but at this point she wants and needs stability in her life. Some in her family including her sister Jess want no part of him coming back into the fold. He is a fave of her son, Simon and others that are on staff at TGU, the university where both are members of the faculty.
Where Secrets Lie will be published on June 03, 2025 by Thomas Nelson. I was able to read and review Coble and Acker’s second novel in the Tupelo Grove series.
The school seems to take two steps forward and one step back. They are plagued with a smuggling ring that is pushing hard to sell many of the school’s antiques. They are also on the edge of losing funding. Savannah, Hex and faculty are working to repair the economic disaster however there are others that seem to be in control of finances and plan to put TGU at an end.
Another excellent story in the history of a small school that is well liked by students and staff. Readers will enjoy more of the duo's romantic plans as well as their last hopes for another successful year for the university.
Do read this outstanding continuation of Book 1 - What We Hide.

Savannah is worried that Hez might have started drinking again, but he swears that it must have been planted. She isn't sure what to believe. The financial worries at the university are growing, and it looks like the smuggling of artifacts is still happening. It's more intricate than they initially thought. Hez with his new student Justice Chamber will help Savannah and her sister Jess work together to get the answers. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The twists are continuing in this second book in the series. I can tell a lot of thought and planning is put in this series. There is plenty of suspense and a better understanding of the effect of family dynamics. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Where Secrets Lie is the second book in the Tupelo Grove series. Where Secrets Lie picks up shortly after the first book ended.

As Savannah and Hez are ready to give their relationship a second chance, Savannah needs to make tenure, or she will have to look for another job. When she does not her father offers her the president's position, which she accepts.

Hez has been sober for one year and is ready to start the Justice Chamber mentoring law students. But he suspects that someone is determined to stop him.

This book is another fantastic book in the series. The book starts off slowly but picks up speed to a roaring conclusion. But not to worry, there is a third book in the works. I can't wait for the next ride to continue.

Loved it. I'm really enjoying this series and love seeing familiar faces from other books make appearances. Jess kept so many secrets from Savannah. There was no way it could end well. What type of relationship would they have after Savannah learned the truth about everything Jess was involved in? Jess knew how much her sister loved Hez, but she didn't care. She did stuff knowing it would make her sister upset. Why did Jess do this? Did her hatred run that deep? She knew the effect that it would have on her sister. What kind of example was she setting for Simon? I hated how Savannah didn't believe Hez about the wine bottle. Hez and Savannah need to have bodyguards with everything that keeps happening to them. They have Marley and Cody as guard dogs. Cody might scare someone with how funny he looks. Plus, he eats everything and anything he sees. It's not safe for them to be outside. It's not even safe for them inside after the gunshots to Hez's apartment. Hez is lucky to still be alive after the brutal attack. At least he couldn't drive. There's definitely more to come. This time Simon will be the target. There's no way the Willards want Simon raised by Savannah and Hez. I don't understand why the Willards hate Savannah so much. I know it's simply because she's a Legare. Michael Willard loved Marie. Marie's not only Jess's mom but also Savannah. Jess loved her sister, so they should accept her. I can't believe what Michael revealed at Ella's gravesite. Could it possibly be true???

Definitely recommend the book. It was a great mystery/thriller that had me guessing until the end. Loved the characters, story and writing style. I can't wait for the next book!!! What is going to happen next? Will Hez and Savannah get married? Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Fiction through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this fabulous ARC for my honest review. Colleen Coble did a wonderful job on this book I just couldn’t wait to see what happened next and then it ended leaving me wishing I had the next book to start next. There is so much going on in this story there are clean romantic moments and the suspense with twists and turns that will make you think you are a great detective and have it figured out but then you realize you don’t. I loved the Faith content in this story., also. It’s what I loved the Faith most about this author. I highly recommend this book.

Where Secrets Lie is book two in A Tupelo Grove Novel Series by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. This story takes over where the first in the series ends, so it is best to read them in order. This is a fast paced story that is filled with action, suspense and mystery. Once again I was pulled into the mystery of what was happening at the University where Savannah and her sister work. The mystery behind the missing artifacts continues and more twists appear surround their fathers.

This is such and enjoyable story to read, the mystery behind Savannah’s sister really surprised me. I enjoyed how supportive Hez was to Savannah as she was dealing with so much within the University and her family. I enjoyed seeing how the two were able to work through their differences. This is a great story with lots of twist and turns that kept me reading to get to the end. I was totally surprised by way Savannah’s father was involved with the University.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book; this is my honest review.

If you’re looking for your next binge-worthy suspense read, put Where Secrets Lie by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker at the top of your list. I just finished it—five stars, no hesitation. I couldn’t put it down.

The story follows Savannah Webster, a professor at Tupelo Grove University who’s trying to move forward after a painful divorce. But when her ex-husband Hez shows signs of slipping back into trouble, and a dangerous smuggling ring threatens the university her family founded, she finds herself caught in a high-stakes tangle of secrets, lies, and buried history.

What really stood out to me? The intricacies of the plot. Coble and Acker clearly did their research—this story has layers. From legal twists to small-town politics to family drama, it all clicks into place without ever feeling forced. The mix of suspense and second-chance romance hits just the right note.

The ending delivers a serious cliffhanger—and while it left me hanging (in the best way), the next installment isn’t expected for a while. Here’s hoping time flies, because I’ll be first in line when it drops.

** Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for comps of the eBook and audiobook. The opinions are my own.

This series is great! The characters are well developed, the setting so well described I can smell the beignet's cooking!

The stories within the stories work so well together - I can't wait for the next book!

Return to Tupelo Grove in this second installment, picking up where the first book ended with the university and family in more danger. The romance, suspense, family drama, and legal entanglements are ramping up to an explosive confrontation. Savannah and Hez are moving forward together, but trust is so fragile and tests are coming. A former enemy rises to the top, threatening both their new relationship, the university's future, and the lives of everyone within touching distance.
The added detail to the characters and their messes and problems, takes this story to the next level. Colleen Coble and Rick Acker build on what the reader already knows and fills in such rich detail that I didn't want the story to end. Secrets and lies are catching up and when they do, the explosion could pull them all in.
The reader also gets to know more about the university and charming town it resides in. I loved getting to revisit Tupelo Grove and the interesting history it holds.
This story has suspense and danger around every corner. Just when the coast seems to be clear, another threat rises to threaten everything they thought they knew and those they love. Who will be the next casualty in this war for money and power? And how many will have to fall before it is finished? I highly recommend this series and can't wait for the next installment from Colleen Coble and Rick Acker. It is already on my TBR pile! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

After reading the first book in this series, I have been eagerly awaiting this second one. I would suggest reading the first one in order to get the full picture of the couple's relationship. I really appreciate that this is a wonderfully suspenseful story without crass language or detailed intimate scenes. I also like that the main romance is between a previously married couple.
I recommend it!
Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read it in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is a fast paced book full of intrigue and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the beginning until the cliff hanger end! Savannah and Hez are trying to save their beloved college, TGU, that Savannah's family has been a part of since she was a child. There are a lot of crooked people that are trying to bring the college down along with Savannah and her family. When her sister, Jess, is murdered, Savannah takes in her 10 year old son, Simon. Savannah and Hez are trying to solve her murder along with many other mysteries that arise. There are so many twists and turns in this story. Buckle up your seat belt for a wild ride! I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #wheresecretslie #thomasnelsonfiction

Readers who have read the first book of the Tupelo Grove series will enjoy this second book. All the main characters are back and the university is under collapse as Hez and Savanah race to find answers to the financial. crisis. This is definitely a series to be read in order.. Such hatred lies within this family. Who is behind the smuggling? Lots of questions to be answered in this latest installment. Recommended.