This was a heartfelt story with a small town setting and some suspense thrown in. I loved the big Haven family and the family dynamic. You will fall in love with the squirrel society and laugh at some of the antics. It has a wonderful happy ending. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

This was a quick easy read for the most part. I really liked the plot, and their romance. It’s been a bit since I read a more suspenseful based romance, and this didn’t disappoint


There was one part that I feel like a lot of reviewers/readers will have a harder time with, and that was involving the trafficking. I personally don’t have many (if any) triggers I won’t read, but I can for sure see how this may effect others.

3.5 stars
Zachary and Marigold have each had crushes on the other for many years. She is his best friend's sister, and they spent a lot of time together growing up. He's been avoiding her since high school, until a dashing man comes to town and starts dating her right around the time Zachary has a near death experience.
The insta-love was too soon. It's hard to believe Marigold would have turned to him and admitted those feelings that fast. And the sex trafficking was much more than a reference, it was a whole plot point, and I found it really hard to read.

Readers who enjoy romantic suspense may enjoy Storms and Secrets. After a near death experience makes Zachary Haven 'see the light', he realizes that he's secretly been in love with his little sister's best friend, Marigold Martin for years. Marigold and Zachary have been frenemies at the edges of each other's lives for years, but Marigold never suspected that Zachary harbored any tender feelings towards her after years of ignoring her presence. It's not until Marigold starts dating the rich and dashing Preston that Zach confesses his own feelings to Marigold. Meanwhile, a local girl has been picked up hitch hiking by John, who lets her hide out at his cabin in the woods while she gets things sorted out. But nothing is as it seems, and soon both Mari and Brielle have to find out who they can trust.

The premise of this book was right up my alley, but for me personally, the romance fell a little short. I'm not one for insta-love, so that may have colored my views on the romance aspect of it. The chemistry between the characters was not quite there for me. This was a fun and easy read and I enjoyed having a romance with this suspense novel, I just wish that I had been able to connect with it more.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Claire Kingsley for an eARC of this novel to read and review prior to publication.

I really enjoyed this book. The chemistry between Zachary and Marigold - SWOON! Love everything Claire writes!

Wow! I loved the dual POV's and the way the two timelines were executed I did feel like the characters love story was a bit rushed but overall I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more of Clair Kingsley's books!

I really struggled to get into this. I’ve read Claire’s books before and it felt very different. I feel like we needed more time for our main characters to fall in love - it all felt a bit rushed. The sex trafficking plot also was a struggle to read. Potentially just not the series for me!

Another wonderful read I couldn’t put down—the romance and suspense kept me on my toes the whole way through. Zachary and Marigold’s story was packed with twists and tension. It wasn’t quite enemies to lovers, but more like childhood nemeses to soulmates, which I loved. The characters were perfect for each other, and the little bits of their childhood awkwardness that resurfaced in adulthood brought back memories both good and bad. I’m excited to dive into the next brother’s story.

Sometimes when you're stuck in a bad pattern of thinking you have to be jolted out of it. That's what happened to Zachary. Literally. During an electrical repair at the shop of a girl he's been secretly harboring feelings for for years, he gets the shock of his life, but physically and emotionally when he realizes that if he keeps waiting to share his heart, he may never get the chance.

Unfortunately, he's been so standoffish and ugly toward Marigold Martin for too long and she doesn't believe him when he says he's a changed man. His timing is way off, because a handsome rich bachelor comes in for a trim at her hair salon and sweeps her a little bit off her feet with flattery and flowers.

There's something off about this new guy in town, building a behemoth establishment in town the likes of which none of them have ever seen. He's a little too forward with Marigold, a little too fishy in his business dealings, and a little too possessive of a girl who doesn't even know if she likes him yet. And when things get really uncomfortable, Zachary is there to step in and protect the girl of his literal dreams.

So romantic suspense is absolutely my jam, and Claire Kingsley is one of the bestsellers of the genre. This one gets quite dark with a missing girl, a true evil psycho, and some seriously dark scheming. I think maybe it was a little too dark for me ultimately, but the bond and connection between Zachary and Marigold was done so well and was very swoony. Personally I think I preferred the first book in this Haven Brothers series because it was a little bit more behind the curtain so the love story was more of the center stage and the cloud wasn't so damn dark over the whole thing.

I'll certainly be reading more of this series, and everything I can get my hands on from this author!

Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is my first book by this author. Can't wait to read more.

Tropes:
- Romantic suspense
- Best Friends brother
- Smalltown romance
- 3 POV

Author’s Note: A troublemaker turned small-town hero risks everything for the love of his life. A soft-hearted heroine who finds her strength. An accidental body piercing, brotherly shenanigans, the Squirrel Protection Squad, and lots of big feels. This small-town romantic suspense will leave you breathless, with the romantic happily ever after you’ve been waiting for.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first book by Claire Kingsley and I really enjoyed it! It was a cute love story and I liked the way the dual timelines were done with Marigold and Zachary vs. Brielle. Kept me on the edge of my seat to find out what was going to happen next!


Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the eARC of this book!

CLAIRE! Wow. This book was so so good. My first book by Claire and it certainly didn't disappoint. Just enough romance and story line that kept me turning the page. I gladly finished this in one sitting and I have no shame

First of all, I have to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!🤍

This book was an easy and quick read to read. With moments, a fun mmc and who is totally obsessed with our fmc. I really loved the suspense element. This couple was a very lovely couple, which shows that they trust each other and that they support each other.
The only thing I didn't like so much was the fact that they got together so quickly and said so early that they loved each other I wish it had taken a little longer, but other than that I liked it

Love this series!
Claire Kingsley is one of my favourite authors for these types of romance books. The found family is always amazing. Can’t wait for the next books.

beautiful and charming romance, mixed with suspense and glowing with chemistry!! I definitely need to read the authors other books as this one was lovely to read on a rainy day.

This book manages to have my heart in more ways than one. Gripped with tense love,gripped with tense plotting and possible danger.
I was right there rooting for Marigold and Zach. There story, their connection was both miles of tense witty connection and years of tense waiting for a right time, the right time, not good enough anytime vibes. Then motion pushes them together in more ways than one. Except one comes with risk of heart and a new one comes with risk to safety.
This book held me right there inside its pages. I was caring what happens to our characters alongside what happens with the notes in the plot that kept coming. It captured so much of our captures emotions and what they were going through both as individuals and together.
An all round fab read from me. I couldn't get enough and was excited to keep reading.
These two and their story was just fab. Loved being too invested in them!

Storms and Secrets by Claire Kingsley is the kind of romantic suspense that grabs you by the heart from page one and doesn’t let go. Zachary Haven is the ultimate tortured hero—rough around the edges, fiercely loyal, and hiding a mountain of regret. Watching him finally face his feelings for Marigold was both heart-wrenching and deeply satisfying.

Marigold is easy to root for: smart, kind, and stronger than she knows. The chemistry between her and Zach crackles, but what really elevates this book is the emotional depth and suspense woven throughout. The plot takes some dark turns, including a subplot around sex trafficking that’s handled with care and gravity, adding tension and urgency to an already gripping story.

Claire Kingsley nails the small-town vibes, the brotherly banter, and the blend of slow-burn romance with real stakes. I didn’t realize this was part of a series when I started, but now I have to go back and read book one—and I already can’t wait for the next!

If you love protective heroes, second chances, and romance with a dose of danger, this one’s for you.

Going back to read the first book & I cant wait for the next book!

• ARC REVIEW •

This book wasn’t for me. It had a somewhat strange vibe. There was something about the main characters that didn't quite convince me. The romance has no substance or development between them. Many parts of this didn't work as well for me as I had hoped. This was definitely a miss for me. It fell super flat for me.

3.5⭐s
This was such an enjoyable read for me, it had a little bit of everything. It was silly, sweet and suspenseful. I wish we would have gotten more of the nitty gritty details when it came to the main characters and also family dynamics, but overall it was a fun time.

There is a trigger warning and talks about a sensitive subject so go in at your own discretion.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future