Buried Wilderness Secrets is a Love Inspired Suspense story and, as the genre suggests, there is definitely suspense and romance involved in this engaging book by Jaime Jo Wright. The many twists and turns kept my interest from the beginning to the end. Ripe with tension, saturated with emotion, and ultimately, truth revealed, the story moves quickly to a satisfying conclusion. Readers who enjoy mystery and suspense storied infused with faith will not want to miss this book. I read a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are my own.

Of course this is a fantastic book, given the author, Jaime Jo Wright! I was especially impressed with the last page, and more about that later.
Aaliyah is all about her work as a Montana wilderness park ranger. She has an impressive dog who accompanies her, and one day he discovers the bones of a person. Little does she dream how this discovery will lead her down the rapid path of wild danger! Along the way, she meets Wade, who is looking into cold cases, and again, the door opens into unknown territory for her. On the last page of the book, the author describes the joy of writing a story about "belonging and protection." Adoption is mentioned, with all its questions. My precious children are adopted, and they were told on day 1 that they were adopted as an answer to prayer and were loved before they were born. While questions about adoptions remain, the truth is God can be our Protector and Father, if we ask Him to be. We can all be adopted! The way the author has written this page is exceptionally touching and important. So do not miss this book and invitation to have a Protector!
I very much appreciate the publishers making this book available to me! The opinions expressed are my own.

A love inspired suspense novel that includes bones found in the wilderness, adoption and family dysfunction? This book had all of the tropes to make it a page turner!

Aaliyah is a ranger who discovered the bones in the wilderness and from there everything goes downhill from there. The one bright spot is Detective Wade who helps her investigate the murders. The suspense and mystery were just the right mix with a little romance thrown in.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

This was a little different JJW book, as it's more of a romantic suspense. Other titles by her that I've read are all paranormal suspense. This one, however is a little different and focuses a bit more on the romance side of things. While that's not my favorite, the story was very interesting (serial killer) and kept my interest. JJW is such a great writer!

4.5 Stars

When I first started this story, I was a little leery that a serial killer story might lean too heavily into thriller elements and not enough into the more suspenseful elements I prefer, but I'm happy to report my fears were unfounded. Though there are definitely moments of high tension and a bit of a thriller vibe, what this story left me with was heart-warming truths about identity and belonging, and - of course - the satisfaction of a good mystery wrapped up satisfactorily.

*I took off half a star because there were multiple places in the first third of the book that felt stilted/a bit forced, which kind of took me out of the story, but after that, they mostly went away, leaving me to enjoy the story.

Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright pulls you into the shadows of Montana’s rugged parklands, where danger can hide as easily as beauty. One discovery — a serial killer’s burial ground — shatters any sense of safety and sets off a chain of treachery that tests both courage and faith. Wade Marlowe’s inner reminder — “He’d learned long ago that it was wise to start conversations with prayer. Maybe not out loud and formal, but at least ask God for the words before beginning. Had he even done that tonight?” — lingers as a challenge to our own hearts.

Every page tightens the grip of the wilderness — in the shadowed trails where danger waits and in the uncharted terrain of Aaliyah’s past. The threat runs deeper than a killer’s pursuit; it’s the ache of unanswered questions, the weight of buried truths, and the risk of trusting someone who could either break her or stand between her and death. It’s about identity, truth, and the kind of faith that clings when the night is long — prayer as a lifeline, courage as a weapon, and God’s presence as the light that refuses to go out.

Perfect for readers who crave romantic suspense where danger breathes through the wilderness, every shadow hides a question, and God’s presence cuts through even the blackest night.

I received a digital version of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on writing and story’s content, ensuring transparency and reliability.

This is a Romantic Suspense. I had trouble getting totally pulled into this book at the beginning, but once I got into the story I loved it so much. I got totally pulled into the story around 30%. I found the mystery to be hard to follow at times. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Love Inspired Suspense is not a type of book I will often pick up however, I love Jaime Jo Wright's twisty suspense stories so I had to give it a try. As is typical with Ms. Wright's writing I was completely drawn in from page one. Aaliyah is a good strong female lead character, and you can't help but love her dog Peaches. I really enjoyed getting to know Wade, the interesting hero. Danger, twists and turns and not to mushy romance make for a fast-paced enjoyable read.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read for my honest review.

Buried Wilderness Secrets is a well-written cold case mystery with a compelling storyline that kept me turning pages to uncover the truth. Jaime Jo Wright has a gift for crafting suspense, and the mystery itself was intriguing enough that I wanted to see it through to the end.

That said, I had a hard time connecting with the female lead. Her actions often came across as immature and unnecessarily combative, and I struggled to understand some of her choices—especially given the dangerous circumstances she was in. For example, planning a picnic shortly after an attack felt unrealistic and disconnected from the urgency of the situation.

Wade’s character, on the other hand, was someone I really liked. He was grounded and likable, and it was hard to imagine his attraction to someone whose behavior felt so erratic at times.

While the character dynamics didn’t work for me, fans of mystery and suspense may still enjoy this story for its twists and turns. I appreciate the author’s skill in weaving together a layered mystery, even if this particular heroine wasn’t for me.

Romantic suspense + Jaime Jo Wright??? Yes please! I gobble up her dual timeline gothic suspense novels, so it’s a no-brainer that I would read anything else she writes too. Buried Wilderness Secrets is set in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana which becomes a supporting character in its own right, perhaps not as strongly as the settings in Wright’s other novels but in a way that’s perfect for this particular story. I truly felt the chilling nature of the spot that housed the serial killer’s burial ground from the moment Aaliyah and Peaches stumble across the graves to its last appearance on the page. But I also felt the peace that settles over Aaliyah in that same wilderness, it being her happy place much like the Smoky Mountains are to me. The ability to convey so keenly for readers both of those contrasting reactions – in one setting, mind you – reminded me yet again why I love this author’s writing.

The investigation in Buried Wilderness Secrets develops several intriguing layers as we progress through the story, and my mind stayed a constant whirl of theories and possibilities even as I eagerly waited to see what would happen next. From the gruesome discovery of the graves to the startling revelations about Aaliyah’s birth mother (mentioned in the blurb so don’t come at me for spoilers lol), a small town reluctant to give up it secrets, and Aaliyah’s continued run-ins with the serial killer (that raised more questions than answers), the tension stays high and the pace steady. Not to mention the growing feelings between Wade and Aaliyah and a fan-inducing kiss (one of my fave Love Inspired Suspense kisses, as a matter of fact) that kept raising the stakes for them to find the killer and stay alive in the process.

Bottom Line: Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright delivers a riveting combination of chilling suspense, multifaceted characters, and heartwarming romance, all packaged in a quick read that you can devour in one sitting. I loved getting to know Aaliyah and Wade and – of course – Peaches the endearing Lab, and I stayed on the edge of my seat as they navigated some very close calls over the course of this story. Layered backstories gave these two some deep threads to explore and made it even easier to root for their survival and their happily-ever-after. I very much wanted them to win – over the serial killer and over their own personal roadblocks, remaining invested from the beginning until I reached the last word. Fans of Jessica R. Patch, Sami A. Abrams, and Deena Alexander will love Buried Wilderness Secrets too!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

For being around 200 pages, Buried Wilderness Secrets is impressive! I feel the author did a great job of packing everything in - great characters, intense mystery and suspense, believable plot! The setting was wonderful, too. And if you have read full length novels by Jaime Jo Wright, you will recognize her amazing writing. Highly recommended!

Buried Wilderness Secrets, is exactly what the title says. Buried, secrets (and bodies) in the wilderness.
This was good, Hallmark Movie and Mysteries kinda good.
The mystery was good but as good as it was it unfolded just like a hallmark movie. Not saying it's a bad thing, I love hallmark movies. It's just the plot and everything when you hit a certain point was predictable.

I enjoyed this read it was quick and although you might be able to predict what's coming, the journey to that point was exciting to follow.

I enjoyed the characters and learning their backgrounds, and how the story all came together.

Buried Wilderness Secrets is another wonderful book by Jaime Jo Wright, different than her dual time line books but still awesome. This time we have a cold case and a serial killer and a bit of a romance.

The book starts with a shocking find and continues with almost non-stop suspense and danger. Who is it that is suddenly after Aaliyah and why?

The story is told from the points of view of both Aaliyah, a park ranger who worked in the Bob Marshall Wilderness located in Montana, and Wade, a cold case detective who has come to the area to get to the bottom of a 20-some year old murder.

There are a few people I suspected, so I wasn't completely surprised when the villain was revealed, but there were definitely some surprises I didn't see coming.

Secrets were revealed, truth was brought to light, almost to the very end of the book.

I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Wade and Aaliyah. And I loved her dog Peaches, who played an important role in the story.

Highly recommended

I received an e-copy of this book through NetGalley and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

This was a great murder mystery with a bit of romance!
It gives a little bit of Criminal Minds vibes which I loved.
This is a great read to add to your tbr list😁

I am so glad I found this author. This book is action packed almost from the first sentence to the last. Add to it all of the secrets that come out during the case it's a good thing it's fiction. Only God could could make it possible for there to be healing in the end.
Helpful canine capable of finding people, even dead...
Serial killer
Adoption buried in secrecy
Kidnapping
Found family

If you pick up this book because you are a fan of the books published by Love Inspired Suspense or the romantic suspense genre in general,you won't be disappointed. The story is well written. The author's protagonists are very well developed, and empathy is easily felt for each of them. The romance is sweet and believable. The suspense is good, but not too difficult to solve. Even though the book is short, the author does a wonderful job of avoiding an abrupt ending.

If you are picking this book up because Jaime Jo Wright is the author, please set that thought aside. Authors, I am sure, dread being pigeon-holed as much as actors do being type-cast. Both should feel free to spread their wings and try new things. If you join Jaime Jo Wright on this flight, you won't be sorry.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Buried Wilderness Secrets via Love Inspired Suspense via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

I typically don’t think of Love Inspired Suspense stories as having a deeper message than just the case and some romance. But author Jaime Jo Wright has her audience thinking about what it means to be loved. As readers, we were a part of a cold case murder with Aaliyah and Wade, as well as current cases, danger, and suspense. I really didn’t figure out who was the murderer until almost the end of the book, which is something I prefer rather than figuring it out early in the book.

Ms. Wright shares about her own personal experience in the afterwards, which I really appreciated. She wove these aspects into the story, making the character’s experience about family all that more interesting..

Things you’ll find:
adoption
Peaches the black lab
protective MMC
courageous FMC
forgiveness and healing
second chances
faith thread

“They could choose to get lost in the wilderness of unknowns and secrets, or they could face the wild of them and see what happened.”

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was my first Jaime Jo Wright, but it definitely won't be my last! Even though I figured out most of the mystery pretty easily, it was extremely engaging and well written.

I really enjoyed this story! The characters were relatable, and the faith elements were woven beautifully into the story. While I figured out who they were after pretty early on, I didn't figure out the reason behind it until Aaliyah and Wade did. Highly recommend!

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

Jamie Jo Wright steps into the Love Inspired Suspense team with an explosive story, Buried Wilderness Secrets. A shorter story that packs a punch and preserves Wright’s exceptional storytelling abilities. True to her style, the story focuses on the case to be solved, but there is some romance included as well as an emphasis on the family we surround ourselves with. I loved the wilderness setting, especially enhanced as I read it while in the wilderness, and found it to be an authentic storyline. While sad at the darkness some people choose to walk, there is the hope of redemption, justice, and closure on long buried hurts.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.