This was my first Coleen Coble book, which is weird as a mystery lover, and I was sadly a little disappointed! I didn't like the characters together at all, and I understood why they broke up. In addition, I felt the religious elements to be a bit over the top. I have no problem with religious beliefs being written into books, but when it's thrown out there this often, it feels so forced.

I hate writing bad reviews because I think every book has a reader that will love it, so I never want to sway an opinion. I do think that someone will appreciate this book and I would definitely recommend it should that reader find me!

Ambush by Colleen Coble is a fast-paced blend of romance, suspense, and family dynamics. You will stay intrigued from the beginning to the very end, because the twists and turns just keep your attention because you just never know what will happen next.

The main character Paradise (who is a veterinarian, lost her parents and is trying to overcome her fear of big cats) had an old relationship with Blake that is reopened when she returns to town 15 years later.

I love all of Colleen Colbe’s books and this is no exception. This is the first of a new series and I can’t wait to see where this series goes.

I enjoyed this ARC edition (audiobook) and it had good narration.

Loved so much.

Great story, great characters, nice mystery. The narrator was great. The characters had a lot of potential. Love the backstory and coming love story.
I’m happy this is gonna be a series because it would really like to read more.

Also big plus……not sleazy and sexualized, no gore. Definitely a Christian author without pushing GOD and religion on the reader. Very refreshing read.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

I really enjoyed a new start to Colleen's new Christian romantic suspense series! This has ties to the Tupelo Grove series with her and rick, which I really enjoyed What We Hide and seeing Hez and Savannah back in this book. You can read this though without reading What We Hide.

This is about Blake and Paradise. Blake Lawson is the man who broke Paradise Alden's heart many years ago. (So this is a second chance romance and I realllly liked how it was done!) Paradise has been through so much in her life - from the murder of her parents to assault - she has certainly had trauma in her life. It's 15 years later when she is back in town in Alabama and she is seeking a fresh start and also wants to figure out who was involved in the murder of her parents. While she is there, she finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation on Blake's family sanctuary preserve. Blake is helping his mother (widowed) take care of his little brother's on the preserve while Paradise waltz back into his life and old feelings emerge between them as they are walking through this troubling investigation and past.

I really liked the animals, the sanctuary, small town and family vibes in this one. I think the setting was actually really unique because I have not seen that before in a book. I think this was more romance than suspense, which I liked. Blake and Paradise had a TON of interactions with them and the family - it was just great.

Oh, and the faith content was well done. I loved seeing Paradise grow in her faith and take action when she felt like the Lord was leading her.

Looking forward to the next one!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. (The narrator was also great!)

*Content warning: brief mention of past sexual assault

I enjoy the way that Colleen Coble can combine mystery, romance and Jesus within the pages of her books. There is an intensity to everything that is happening with Paradise and Blake along with all the things going on around the sanctuary. Will their close proximity rekindle their love? Will they survive all the threats coming their way at the sanctuary?

While some people may not like the predictability of what's going to happen within he pages of a book I like know that though a lot may go wrong Colleen has her characters rooted in faith, reconciling relationships and ending with things on top. There are a few times throughout the book that I got frustrated by just another obstacle or just another finger pointed at the wrong person but it helps knowing it always works out in the end.

I fell in love with the characters and the setting and will look forward to book 2 in the future.

Ambush is the newest book by Colleen Coble and the first installment in her new Sanctuary series. This is an action-packed and intense read. There is a lot going on so it would be hard to cover it all in this review. This is a second chance romance complete with heart pumping suspense. Someone is causing sinister events to occur at the animal sanctuary and the wild animals add an extra layer of intensity to the story. I really liked the main characters and there are even some visits from characters in Coble's Pelican Harbor and Tupelo Grove series. It's a race against time as Blake and Paradise try to figure out who is after them and causing all this chaos at the sanctuary. In addition to page-turning suspense and some romance, readers also walk along side the characters as they deal with past traumas, reconciliation, and forgiveness. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I thought the narrator did a great job and I did not have any complaints. The pace was on track and her voice was clear.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this audiobook. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the audio ARC. This was a lovely Christian based mystery-romance with a bit of intrigue, albeit a bit predictable at times. This is book 1, so it's assumed future books will follow. Fans of Colleen Coble will thoroughly enjoy this story.

This audiobook was a hard one for me to determine a rating for. For one, it's a little out of my usual realm of books and comfort zone because I don't normally listen or read Christian fiction. In this book, the religious themes seemed to be unbalanced and I really struggled with that. The first part of the book, religion wasn't really mentioned much, but in the second half of the book it was a constant theme. It felt to me as if the author forgot to include these themse to fit into the genre and overcompensated in the latter half of the book.

The pacing of this book felt a little off as well. While the ending felt paced well and had a satisfying conclusion, the first part of the book felt rushed. It felt as if the author was trying to get as many dramatic events in as quickly as possible.

There were good parts to this book and I enjoyed the relationships between all of the characters, but overall the plot seemed unbalanced.

This is my third Coble book and won't be my last. I really enjoyed the first in this series surrounding the lives of former sweethearts, Blake and Paradise and their family and friends. I appreciated Coble's research on animal refuges; those details came through in a nicely laid-out plot. I felt the characters were well-developed and all added to the storyline. They are not perfect and have pasts and have made mistakes, but are strong and resilient, ready to be led on a spiritual level.
It is refreshing to read a clever story with some mystery, but that is clean and weaves redemption all throughout. I will be looking forward to #2 in the Sanctuary series! The narrator also did an excellent job on this audio version with different accents, genders and ages of characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

Colleen Coble once again delivers an engrossing story with Ambush, blending suspense, small-town intrigue, and a touch of romance in a way that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. The novel is rich in detail, with Coble skillfully weaving together background history and character depth to create an immersive experience.

Set in a town brimming with secrets and tension, Ambush follows Paradise and Blake as they navigate both personal struggles and a larger web of drama unfolding around them. The town itself becomes a character in the story, adding layers of complexity to the narrative. Coble does a fantastic job building suspense, ensuring that every twist and turn adds to the overarching mystery.

The romance between Paradise and Blake is well-paced, developing naturally amid the chaos, and adds an emotional depth that enhances the story rather than overshadowing the suspense. Coble’s signature ability to balance tension with heartfelt moments shines through, making the relationship feel authentic and engaging.

The build-up throughout the novel is expertly crafted, leading to a climax that is both thrilling and satisfying. As the story unravels, readers are treated to a well-executed resolution that ties together the various plot threads without feeling rushed.

Overall, Ambush is a compelling read for fans of romantic suspense and small-town drama. Colleen Coble’s attention to detail, strong character development, and gripping storytelling make this a must-read for anyone who enjoys an engaging mystery with an emotional core.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC audiobook for an honest review.

What a masterful start to a new series! And a special treat that there was a connection to two characters from a previous book. (Hez & Savannah)

There was nothing but adoration for our lead characters Blake and Paradise! Their past history and their reconnection so well done. The animal sanctuary is a fascinating setting that immediately draws you in. There are several mysteries from the past and present to figure out with great side characters many potential suspects.

This is a book of second chances, facing fears, forgiveness, redemption and finding faith. While this is a Christian book there is still intense moments, suspense, and murder. The narrator did an amazing job!

My only complaint is that I have to wait for book 2!!

5 stars

Thank you to HarperCollings Christian Publishingand Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me the opportunity to review an early copy of this nove in audiobook form.  All of the thoughts and the opinions expressed are my own.  

Paradise Alden has moved home to become the vet at an animal sanctuary that is run by an old boyfriend and his mother.  She needs recovery time after being attacked by a big cat.  Blake needs time to deal with all of the things happening on the sanctuary starting with the dead body found just as Paradise arrives.  Things go from bad to worse.  Paradise wants to find out who killed her parents and in the process she discovers other mysteries that she was unaware of. In the midst of this, these two start to find their way back toward each other.  

This was a great book.  It was full of suspense without being a police procedural.  Colleen uses the trials these two main characters face to bring God into Paradise’s life. So this book definitely has the faith content. The Godly lessons were definitely there, but it was not at all didactic. The mystery kept me guessing until the end.  I had suspicions about one character but the other plot twist caught me off guard. Colleen Coble is great a taking all of these threads of mysteries and loves stories and great shadowy characters and turning them into a great story.  My one complaint (and it is minor) is that Coble didn’t appear to do sufficient research about the area she was writing about. For example, she mentions them going into a storm cellar but it is not likely that a house in the coastal region of Alabama (or any part of the South) would be able to have a basement or cellar due to high water tables.

The audiobook was well done.  The narrator was great with her accent and she was easy to follow and understand . I did not find her at all boring.  She was not hard to follow even at 2x the speed.  I think it was overall well done.  

This is a great book if you are looking for a mystery or suspense that is less about what the police are doing and more about what the other characters are doing.  If you hate books that end on cliffhangers than this might now be the book for you to pick up- at least not right away.  The audio book is definitely worth your time to listen to.

This book was so good! It had a lot of twists and turns that kept me gripped the entire time. With that cliff hanger I'll have to read the next book! I can't wait. I really appreciated the faith content. So, much from forgiveness, learning to trust and also to be still and wait on God. Great read!

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

I love Colleen Coble's romantic suspense novels. They always hold your attention and keep you wanting more! I'm so glad this is the start of a new series and that we will see more of Paradise and Blake. The setting is different since it's at a wildlife refuge in Alabama. There's lots of action going on and it keeps you turning those pages! Can't wait to read/listen to the next in this series and see more of Blake's family too!

Karen Peakes did a great job narrating!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 4 March 2025

Wow! This was TOTALLY ACTION packed!!!

Paradise is a Veterinarian. She is returning to her hometown after years of being away...and, for a very good reason. The last time she was home, both of her parents were murdered. And, she was sent to a Foster Home...and her life has never been the same since...

Also, she is returning to work at the Sanctuary. This is where her childhood boyfriend (Blake), his Mom and her two little boys live. She will be taking care of the animals in the wild here... She is so looking forward to it, and also, not looking forward to it at all....

Additionally, she has a lot of secrets that no one knows about...

BUT, on day one, just as she arrives, a dead body turns up in the Sanctuary...
And... this is only the beginning!

Strange things keep happening at the Animal Sanctuary, and there doesn't seem to be a shortage of these things continually happening. And no one knows why, or how anyone is able to get in...
But one thing is for sure, if they keep happening, someone is SURE to get hurt, if not killed.

🛑 I am going to stop right here! 🛑
If this is something you think you might like, please look 👀 for it on shelves starting *** TOMORROW, 3/4/25, as that is when it will be released!! ***

Also, nice to know see it’s Christian Based, and prayers are mentioned at times. Not overbearing, but sweet! 🙏🏼

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#AMBUSH (Book #1 in the Sanctuary Series) by #ColleenCoble and narrated beautifully by #KarenPeakes. Good News, as there will be more to follow!!!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsChristianPublishing and #ThomasNelsonFiction for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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Paradise is back in her hometown to recover from her injuries and to try to uncover her parents’s brutal death. Working in the animal sanctuary run by Blake the boy who broke her heart almost twenty years ago will be difficult. But when deadly event as murder, arson and so much more start to happen around the Sanctuary they may team to find out the truth before it can destroy Blake’s life. The audiobook with Karen Peakes is great. Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC copy. This is my honest review.

I listened to about 20% of this audiobook and decided not to continue. I’m sure some people will love it as it does have some exciting things going on, I just couldn’t get into the story. I will be on the lookout for another book from this author to try again!

Ambush by Colleen Coble
On one hand you have a hallmark channel second chance love story and on the other hand you have lifetime movie murder mystery. Mixed in those hands are faith-based values. I enjoyed this clean romance mystery Christian fiction. Thank you Colleen Coble, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley for this advanced reader audiobook. Publication date: March 4, 2025

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
Ambush mixed mystery, romance, and an animal sanctuary to create this fast paced novel. I haven't read a mystery with a romance in a while and enjoyed this component. Paradise and Blake have a second chance after over a decade and life trauma. Blake's family owns a wildlife refuge, and Paradise is a big animal vet. This is an intricate story about a past mystery and present murder. There is also a religious element to this story due to Paradise returning to religion.

The audiobook was well done. The narrator did multiple characters and were distinguishable. I would recommend this audiobook.

I liked this fast paced story. I felt invested in the characters. I enjoyed this one, and I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

Thank you, Netgalley, for this audiobook.

A gripping thriller that takes place in an animal sanctuary, highlighting the importance of animal conversation, and the mystery of a double murder that took place over 20 years ago. This book is peppered with suspense, second chance love, and even faith.
The connection between Pradise and Blake is set up early, and I couldn’t help but root for them from the get go. This fascinating setting adds so much depths to the story.
For a first in a series, Ambush left me wanting more, on the edge of my seat and falling in love with the characters. I can’t wait for the next in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Colleen Coble and the publishers for this ARC.