Paradise Alden knows trauma. Her life has been a series of unfortunate events that have shaped her into the person she has become. Embracing the changes that Paradise has decided to make in her life have her returning to her hometown, fifteen years after she left. Triggers are going to be part of her daily life, but the chance she has to work with animals at the Sanctuary that she once worked with is one she is looking forward to.

Comfort, peace and Paradise’s new start is immediately sidetracked when a woman’s body is discovered near one of the animal enclosures. With the help of Blake Lawson and his mother, Paradise wants to restore the much-needed peace to the Sanctuary. Although Paradise had a difficult life growing up in the foster system, she was able to find respite whenever she visited the Sanctuary. It was there when Paradise and Blake met, and for six summers they were almost inseparable. Shocked and heartbroken at Blake’s betrayal then destroyed their connection and left Paradise heartbroken.

The Sanctuary has undergone significant changes over the years, but Paradise is immediately drawn in. She and the others are concerned that the murder will have a negative impact on the sanctuary, so finding answers is paramount. The local sheriff is eager to investigate and suspects Paradise, Blake, or his mother of the crime.

With a deep love for the animals at the Sanctuary and a desire to prove their innocence, Paradise and Blake must work together. However, whether or not she can forgive Blake will undoubtedly make her new start even more challenging.

Colleen Coble’s engaging read is the first book in a new thrilling series. With a captivating narration having intensifying the drama, I was fully drawn into the story. I’m eagerly looking forward to reading the second book, Prowl.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

I was a little lost but the main story was good but it was so slow ..I enjoyed the audio but the characters were just a little questioning. I didn’t feel it was one of her better stories.

Paradise Alden, yes Paradise is her name, returns home as a veterinarian for the first time in 15 years. Her life started out great until her parents died, She then was raised in the Foster Care system in less than perfect conditions. She also was attacked by a jaguar at work and her career was almost over. She returns home and takes a job at an animal sanctuary to try and get over her fear of large cats. The Sanctuary is on it's last leg and might have to shut their doors. Then there was a dead body found on the grounds and other incidents that can't be explained. She is beginning to think these attacks are aimed at her. You must read to see if she overcomes her fear of cats, if they find out who is sabotaging the preserve and if she can find love again.

This was my second book by this author, I am a fan. This book was good, the story, the characters, the narrator. I loved it. I really enjoy the romance and the suspense of Coble's books, then adding in animals was like adding a cherry on top.

I just adored the main characters, and Coble knows how to layer and develop those characters. I felt for the main character I fell in love with the love interest and his mother. The setting was just amazing, and the mystery was good.

I need to read more from Colleen Coble.

The writing was wonderful and the narration served to further bring it to life. Colleen's books never fail to dig deep into the realm of excitement and intrigue! Boring can never be an adjective attributed to any of her action packed novels. The character development was also thoughtful. I was so relieved to know there would be a sequel to follow. The only issue would be trying to wait patiently for it!

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

I was very excited for his. But I don’t this is for me. I can see why people love this but I probably won’t be picking up another book from this author.

My apologies for the late review.

This was my first Coleen Coble book.

This was an entertaining and suspenseful novel that kept me fully engaged from start to finish. Themes include betrayal, trust, murder, love, family, threats. While the main plot of the story was resolved, there are several loose ends for future books in the series.

I was kept on the edge of my seat, up late, turning pages until the book was done.

A great read. I loved learning about the Sanctuary and the animals there. The mystery and characters were great and I liked how Paradise was able to over come her problems and still do what she loves. She has to convince Blake that she is ok and they have to work together when things start happening that are causing problems for the Sanctuary and the people who live and work there. Real suspenseful.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
Ambush is the first book in a new series by Colleen Coble set in the coastal area of the Gulf Shores, Alabama. Filled with action from chapter one, we follow Paradise Alden a veterinarian recovering from a big cat attack with the scars to remind her daily of her brush with death, who's returned to her childhood town in the hopes of finding out who really killed her parents leaving her an orphan brought up in foster care where she was abused and hurt.
The second POV is Blake Lawson, who's always had strong feelings for Paradise and has never gotten over their separation all those years ago. Blake and his family now own the animal refuge where Paradise is beginning work, and the two are pushed back into each others orbits.
So much happens in this book, and I flew through it, unable to stop at just a chapter here and there. The book does have a lot of repetition and was dragged out about by this aspect, but the great narration and clever reveal of the murderer and their motive made up for it for me in the end.

Wow, Ambush is a riveting romantic suspense! Colleen Coble delivers an adventurous thrill ride set in an Alabama wild animal preserve. With a compelling first love/second chance romance & beautiful faith thread, this heartfelt story was as touching as it was mysterious. It’s an exciting start to a new Sanctuary series with fun tie-ins from her previous books. I was throughly engaged & can’t wait for the next book.

Paradise Alden needs a job & returns to her childhood hometown to work at the Sanctuary Wildlife Preserve. Scarred emotionally & physically, she’s looking for a second chance in more ways than one. Though she has a history with the owner’s son & accuses him of ruining her life, she finds a sense of comfort with Blake. As their past is slowly revealed, they both find healing & a possible second chance at love if they can figure out who’s after Paradise & sabotaging the wildlife preserve.

As amazing as the redemption arc of Paradise & Blake is, the thrills & twists offered in this wildlife preserve setting makes for a suspenseful read. I enjoyed the beautiful yet dangerous animals & found myself quickly turning the pages as Blake’s family including two young brothers, & Paradise encounter some fierce creatures who are a little too close for comfort. The mystery of who’s causing trouble at the preserve & putting lives in danger is full of twists & turns. I found myself guessing & then second guessing.

The audiobook version was well done. I enjoyed the narrator & the way she brought to life both male & female characters. I also enjoyed the emotion she put into her performance. It was just the right amount & made the story even more compelling.

Highly recommend! Can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I received an advanced listener’s copy from the publisher. No review was expected. All opinions are completely my own & provided voluntarily.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collin’s Christian Publishing for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

This was such a good plot but sadly ruined by the way Christianity was put in it. I am a Christian but I don’t want to read/listen to a murder mystery that loses all the thrilling parts because god helped, or you prayed, or it was gods way for this to happen. I was so sick of it after a bit and I didn’t like that she went from being atheist to one situation happens and she’s the most Christian, Christian ever. Like someone who was an atheist I think would have a bit more questions before changing. So yeah I didn’t really care for a lot of it but nice plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Christian Publishing | Thomas Nelson Fiction for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

After a being attacked by a Jaguar while at her last job, Paradise returns to her hometown to lick her wounds. She has taken a new position at a small local animal sanctuary which is having its own run of bad luck. It is being attacked by protestors, on the verge of shutting down and a murder. Even more complicated in the sanctuary is being ran by her former high school love, Blake, who was the only one who knew about her past trauma before leaving her high and dry. Paradise's life has been anything but, her parents were murdered and her foster father abused her, until she left for good. She is determined to uncover the secrets of her past and find out who killed her parents? And now who is trying to sabotage the sanctuary? And why are they connected?

I really struggled with this book it was too chaotic with the premise being under developed, the characters being stiff and all the events being too coincidental. The opening is very slow and by the time anything started to happen I was already bored. The romance between the two characters did not seem realistic and neither one I connected with. As a big cats lover, I was excited by the description, the pretty cover and murder mystery, but this story had nothing to love about it.

I had the audio version read by Karen Peakes. I did not enjoy or connect with her narration it was too monotone.

I love all of Colleen Coble’s books. She is a great writer and her books draw you in from the first page. If you like good, clean, mysteries, you will love this author.. I will definitely tell my patrons about this book!

In true Coble fashion we’re immersed into a story of mystery and adventure. Nova heads back to the place that changed her life and not for the better. She encounters Blake and she tries to keep her distance.

Super engaging and I was totally immersed. Interesting setting and loved getting to see the layers of the characters exposed as the story went on.

I received an audio copy from NetGalley and it was fantastic! I felt like it captured the story perfectly and could clearly see the pacing and action. Looking forward to another new series!

After being away for fifteen years, Paradise Alden returns to her hometown of Nova Cambridge to find answers about her parents’ brutal murder, and she accepts a veterinarian job at a local wildlife refuge. The only problem: Blake Lawson, the boy who once betrayed her and broke her heart, helps manage the animal sanctuary. Living in deep regret of his past actions, Blake has never stopped loving Paradise and wants to gain back her trust, but that becomes difficult when murder, break-ins, and arson come to The Sanctuary, and someone is clearly trying to place all the blame on him.🐆

Ambush is the latest romantic suspense novel from Colleen Coble, and it is full of mystery, action, and suspense! The setting of the wildlife refuge was really fun and unique, and I loved seeing all kinds of animals, like hippos, tigers, and fennec foxes (but not the hyenas - IYKYK). I also really loved the love interest, Blake. He’s such a sweet guy and clearly just a perfect match for Paradise. This story will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat, and there are still a few loose ends, so I look forward to reading Colleen’s next Sanctuary book later this year!💚

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A big thank you to Thomas Nelson for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.📘

Colleen Coble’s Ambush is a thrilling blend of suspense, romance, and mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. As the first book in the Sanctuary Series, it introduces us to Paradise Alden, a woman haunted by her parents’ unsolved murder, her painful past, and the scars left by a broken first love.

The novel kicks off with Paradise returning to her childhood town of Nova Cambridge, Alabama, where she hopes to find healing at a wildlife sanctuary. But as soon as she arrives, a body is discovered, and a series of increasingly dangerous events follow—arson, shootings, break-ins, and animals mysteriously being set free.

With her childhood sweetheart, Blake Lawson, now caught in the middle of the mayhem, Paradise is forced to confront not only her traumatic past but also the lingering feelings for the man who once broke her heart.
This novel has a strong connection with Colleen Coble's Tupelo Grove series, co-written with Rick Acker and features several of the characters and locations from that series.

Coble expertly weaves together a suspenseful plot filled with twists and turns, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. The setting of the wildlife sanctuary is evocative, adding a unique element to the story, while the characters—especially Paradise and Blake—feel real and complex, with their histories and emotions pulling the reader deeper into the narrative.

The romance is an added bonus, with the chemistry between Paradise and Blake simmering throughout the book. Their slow-burn relationship adds emotional depth to the suspense, as old wounds are reopened and new trust is built. Coble’s writing is sharp, with an excellent balance of action, tension, and heartfelt moments.

I have not heard a Colleen Coble novel narrated by Karen Peake before, but I really liked her narration of this book. She read Blake's chapters and lines convincingly and the children's as well.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Zondervan Publishing for approving me for the audio of this very enjoyable book. I recommend reading this before the second Tupelo Grove novel comes out. If you haven't read anything by Coble though this is a good one to start with.

From the very first chapter, *Ambush* pulled me in—and I couldn’t stop reading (or listening). I found myself sneaking in chapters during the day and staying up late with the book in bed at night. Colleen Coble has delivered a suspenseful, emotionally layered story that blends small-town secrets, second-chance romance, and edge-of-your-seat danger in a way that’s hard to put down.

Paradise Alden returns to her hometown of Nova Cambridge, Alabama, not to revisit the past but to rebuild her future. Scarred by the trauma of her parents’ unsolved murder, a brutal foster care experience, and a jaguar attack that derailed her veterinary career, Paradise is searching for healing—and maybe even answers. The wildlife sanctuary called The Sanctuary offers a promising fresh start. But from the moment she arrives, trouble greets her at the gate. A woman’s body is found in a horse stall, the lions are mysteriously freed, security footage is erased, and someone breaks into the vet’s supply cabinet. It's clear someone is sabotaging the refuge… but why?

Paradise is forced to work alongside Blake Lawson, her first love—the boy who once broke her heart and who now cares for his young stepbrothers while helping his mother run the sanctuary. Despite the lingering pain of their past, Paradise knows deep down Blake isn’t behind the chaos. Together, they must untangle a web of secrets and danger before the sanctuary—and everyone they care about—is destroyed.

This is more than a romantic suspense novel. *Ambush* is a story of rebuilding trust, rediscovering faith, and forming unexpected friendships in the midst of chaos. The twists and turns kept me guessing, and the tender moments between characters gave the story emotional depth.

If this becomes a series, I’ll be first in line for the next installment. Fans of romantic suspense with heart will absolutely love this one.

In Ambush by Colleen Coble, Paradise Alden returns to Nova Cambridge after a lengthy absence to unravel the strange and unsettling murders of her parents. When she gets to town, she must work with someone she has tried to erase from her memory, her ex-boyfriend, Blake Lawson. As the two begin to work together at The Sanctuary, new and disturbing events continue occurring and they team up to get to the bottom of all this danger and intrigue. Along the way they find a little more than they bargained for!

As usual, Colleen Coble delivers a fast-paced mystery story with a side of clean romance. All the romantic elements of this tale are firmly in the “sweet” category and could be read by most young adults or above. This novel does contain mention of a variety of instances of heavy topics such as murder, rape, arson, suicide, etc. so I would urge caution for anyone who may be triggered by those topics.

Along with a suspense-filled clean love story, when you listen to this audiobook you will be treated to a delightful voice that skillfully delineates the characters all the while being very pleasant to listen to.

Many thanks to Colleen Coble, Thomas Nelson, and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this audiobook. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I think I've found a new favorite murder mystery suspense author! This book is a perfect balance between the emotions of mystery, suspense, and romance. It's not too suspenseful where it gives you ulcers, and it's not graphic where it'll give you Nightmares. And it has just a touch of romance mingled in bit not enough to distract from the suspense. I loved the dual mystery and multiple suspects that keep you guessing, ""who done it?"" There is a second book in the series that continues with these same characters coming out in November 2025. There are no swears or alcohol, and level 1 non-descriptive kisses only. Dual POV. I loved the narrator of the audiobook.

“You’re safe, Paradise.”

Ambush by Colleen Coble

Blake sees her for more than her broken pieces. He sees a woman who is brave, cares for others, works hard, and seeks refuge from a difficult past. I love how he treats her gently and helps her to solve her parents’ mystery as well as working together to solve the Sanctuary’s mystery. I really enjoyed watching their friendship blossom into romance.

I appreciated that there could have been a miscommunication part involving another woman, but the MMC insisted they talk it out and clarify what happened instead of dragging on the miscommunication.

This one was unique for me since I don’t read a ton of suspense. The suspense involving the intruder and sniper, plus add in the element of dangerous predators made for quite the ride in this one!

And oh that ending has me needing book 2! Some things were not resolved by the end, so I am intrigued by how those things will be resolved.

Audio Review: I thought the narrator did a great job. I enjoyed the audio for this one.

Favorite Parts:
Animal Sanctuary setting
Sniper part-suspenseful
FMC name
Second chance romance
Mystery
Purse
Nightmare scene
The brothers
Ending

“Kissing Blake was like coming home.”

Content Guide:
Language: none
S3xual Content: Closed-door- Passionate kissing, S*xual assault/r*pe (past), infidelity (past with side characters)
Violence/gore: Mild- dead body (not described), peril involving dangerous animals, violence involving g*ns, head injury with mild blood, 
Substance Use: Mild-mention of p!lls several times 
Prejudices: none
Religious Content: Christian Themes of God's help, healing, forgiveness, charity
Other: Panic attack from animal attack trauma, animal rights activists, troubled past-foster care, trauma and grief from past, evacuation from storm

Book Info:
Series: Sanctuary #1
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
Romance Level: Kisses only
Release Date: March 5, 2025
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
POV: dual

Thank you to the Author and publisher for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.