Where Secrets Lie is the second installment in the Tupelo Grove series, and it picks up almost exactly where its predecessor, What We Hide, leaves off. And because of that, I can’t really get into the plot of this book without spoiling something about book one. What I can say is that this series is a compelling blend of suspense, second-chance romance, and legal thriller. That’s a combination that I haven’t personally encountered much in my reading, but it’s one that I’m enjoying.

I also really love the university setting and the Southern setting, though I wish the latter was explored a bit more. I have a weakness for academia novels. In spite of that university setting, I wouldn’t consider this an academia novel. The school is at the center of the action, but we’re not exploring any classroom dynamics or the interplay between students and faculty. Instead, we’re seeing our main characters fight to save the finances and reputation of Tupelo Grove while others are seeking its destruction. As far as the Southern element of the setting, that was more at the fore in the first book, but as the plot has ramped up so much in this installment, that’s understandable.

I’m still enjoying the characters and rooting for their relationship. That relationship sees additional setbacks in this book, setbacks that are plot-driven but believable. The plot is propulsive and multilayered, and includes some surprising twists that I didn’t expect. In keeping with What We Hide, there is faith content in Where Secrets Lie. It’s a fairly light aspect of the book in comparison to others, but I appreciate its presence.

Overall, this is an engaging series, one that I look forward to continuing. While there is a slight cliffhanger in the epilogue, the book concludes in a way that left me satisfied instead of frustrated with the wait between installments. If you’re looking for clean, compelling romantic suspense with a unique setting and an unusual premise, I’d definitely recommend the Tupelo Grove series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5 rounded up to 4)

Where Secrets Lie is the second book in the Tupelo Grove series, continuing the story introduced in book one. This mystery/suspense novel weaves together small-town secrets, family dynamics, and a touch of danger as the characters work to uncover hidden truths. It’s not a standalone read—if you haven’t read book one, you’ll likely want to go back and start there for full context and character development.

The story was fun overall, with enough suspense and action to keep things moving. While the plot wasn’t deeply gripping, it was interesting enough to hold my attention. I found this book more enjoyable than the first in the series, which was a pleasant surprise. I also appreciated the pacing and the unfolding of the mystery—there were moments of tension that worked well.

While I liked the characters, they didn’t feel very developed to me. I had a hard time connecting with them emotionally, which made it difficult to fully invest in their journey. Some parts of the story felt somewhat disconnected or unnecessary, as though they didn’t contribute much to the main plot. Overall, the book was okay and was a decent continuation of the series.

The audiobook, narrated by Karen Peakes, had clear audio quality and a steady pace that made it easy to follow. However, I struggled with distinguishing the different characters, as the narration didn’t vary much between them. Everyone sounded fairly similar, which made character-driven scenes less engaging. Still, the production quality was solid.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction and Zondervan Audio for the advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book in a series but can be read on its own; however, reading the first book, What We Hide [book:What We Hide|201335482], will add more context to the story. The narration was exceptional and enhanced the emotional impact, especially during the beautifully written (non-graphic) death scene. The co-authors worked well together, weaving faith elements naturally into the story without overwhelming the plot. Simon, one of the characters, is especially charming, and the narrator’s British accent suited the tone perfectly. The main characters Savannah and Hez are compelling, and the story wass filled with tender, intense, and surprising moments. It was a gripping Christian mystery/thriller with clean romance that kept me engaged throughout. The ending hints at developments for the next book, particularly regarding Savannah and Hez’s relationship.

Overall, I highly recommended this book for fans of Christian suspense with heartfelt storytelling.

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

Where Secrets Lie
By Colleen Coble and Rick Acker
Narrator: Karen Peakes
***.5
Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction and Zondervan Audio, Thomas Nelson Fiction, and NetGalley, along with the authors, for an early review audiobook of this novel.
This is book 2 in the Tupelo Grove Series. College professor Savannah Webster and her ex-husband Hez, are about to try again, but then she finds evidence that he is falling into old habits. Meanwhile, things are going crazy at the University, and Savannah finds herself in the President’s chair. Hez begins the legal battle to try to save the school. Jess has too many secrets and demons. This book is full of twists and turns.
I really love this series as a whole, but out of the two books currently out, this one is not my favorite. It keeps me coming back for more because I love all the twists and turns. There are things that happen that we kind of see foretold in book one, and then there are many new twists and turns. I love that the book includes discussions of many hard questions, including second chances, trust, and the death of a loved one. The book also includes a person who is struggling with guilt over what he/she is doing. This book felt rushed in places-like pieces of the plot were just skipped over. I wish there were more details about what was going on instead of just jumping ahead. As with book one, I love the setting, I want to visit Tupelo Grove and Pelican Harbor, and have a beignet at the café under Hez’s apartment.
This audiobook was really good. The narrator was great. She was easy to listen to. Her accent was spot on, and I had no problems following which character she was narrating. The quality of the recording sounded great.
I would recommend this book for those people who love Suspense books set in the deep South, especially those with some faith content. I would not recommend this book to people who might be triggered by the death of a family member.
#WhereSecretsLie #NetGalley

When I began this book I didn't realize it was the second in a series. As I read through it, I keep getting clues that it wasn't the first book so I checked, and sure enough it is the second in this series. It reads totally fine as a stand alone, but I am definitely going to get the first book, as well! It was a great novel with suspense and intrigue throughout. The story is tied up nicely....and yet leaves you hanging *just a little* and eagerly anticipating the third installment. The narrator did a really good job, as well.

I really enjoyed this book. It is book 2 in a series and I didn’t realize this going to it, but I don’t think it made a difference. This book captivated me. The narrator was good and easy to listen to. Another great book by these authors. I will be looking at reading the first one in this series. I am thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ALC of this book.

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!

This was a solid second book in the Tupelo Grove series. The narrative picks up with Savannah Webster and her ex-husband, Hez, attempting to rebuild their relationship amidst personal and professional challenges. Savannah is unexpectedly offered the presidency of Tupelo Grove University, a position that places her at odds with her father and entangles her in a web of financial turmoil and corruption. Meanwhile, Hez leads a group of law students in uncovering a dangerous international artifact smuggling ring linked to the university. And at the center... Savannah's sister and her newly rediscovered son. Whether you're a fan of legal thrillers or romantic suspense, this audiobook provides an engaging experience that sets the stage for the series' next chapter.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an 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.

Karen Peakes captures the tone of the story in her narration. It has a bit of mystery and suspense to it. I would have liked Hez's voice to be a male narrator but once I got into the story I got used to it. This is the second in a series and I suggest reading the first to get the full picture of the main character's relationship. If you like clean, mystery/suspense with a touch of second chance romance you will enjoy this one.

I received an ALC from Netgalley in exchange for my thoughts, all of which are my own.

Where Secrets Lie is book two in the Tupelo Grove series and this is one that must be read in order. It picks up right where What We Hide left off and I feel if you don't read that one first you'll be missing out on so much! Savannah and Hez are working on their relationship, her sister Jess is, as my kids would say, "acting sus", and there's artifacts being smuggled. This is pretty fast paced and I was so into it that I listened to it in just one day. Can't wait for book 3 now!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and listen to the audio of Where Secrets Lie. Karen Peakes did a wonderful job narrating! All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 3 June 2025

This is the second book in the Tupelo Grove series, and I really enjoyed it! It’s a well balanced mix of suspense, second chance romance, and small town secrets. The story follows Savannah and her ex-husband, Hez, as they team up to uncover corruption at a crumbling university and of course, there’s way more going on beneath the surface.

The legal angle was a standout for me. It gave the story weight and a unique edge. Some parts were a little slower and info heavy, and the pacing dipped slightly in the middle, but I stayed interested the whole way through. The ending delivered with some solid twists I didn’t see coming.

It’s a clean, quieter kind of suspense thriller with just enough emotion and mystery to keep you turning the pages. Bonus points for the setting, I could feel the tension in that small town academic world unraveling. If you’re into second chances, courtroom drama, and slow burning suspense, add this to your TBR.

Expected to release June 3rd, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 STARS ROUNDED UP)

This is the second book in a series. Family secrets, revenge, and jealousy added to real life problems and trauma of the characters as they are developed further from the first book. The narration was great and added a lot to the story. I did enjoy it but it wasn't something I found myself eager to get back to. If there are more books in the series I think I'd skip them.

Colleen Coble is one of my favorites. Hez and Savannah have so much to deal with. Their relationship is strained. Hez and Jess(Savannah's sister) have a strained relationship. TGU is about to go under and Savannah is trying to save it.
So many twists and plots in this one!

Thank you @tnzfiction and @netgalley for my early listening copy of Colleen Coble + Rick Acker’s 2nd installment to the Tupelo Grove Series, WHERE SECRETS LIE, publishing June 3, 2025.

I like this series, y’all! It is set on a small college campus in the deep south, and involves artifact smuggling, tenure, and suspense/mystery to be solved on a timeline.

I also like that it features characters from past Coble series, specifically Jane, the chief of police- she’s a fun character!

Savannah is a history professor with a father that has connections. While she’s turned down for tenure, this allows her to step into place as interim university president to try and guide them through a financial struggle. So, at this point you kinda have to suspend belief, because this would not be something that happens, buttttt it works for the storyline, so roll with it.

From here, Savannah and her ex-husband Hez have to work to determine who is trying to sabotage them in the attempt to right the university’s troubles.

I enjoyed trying to figure out which character was responsible for the troubles, and I like the fact it is a clean series. I can definitely tell that Coble + Acker are more comfortable writing together with this second round- it is a smooth read!

Where Secrets Lie by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker
Book 2 in The Tupelo Grove Series
3.5 to 4 Stars

We are back in Tupelo Grove with Jess, Hez and Savannah - and dramatic as ever. This picks up right where What We Hide left off. This second installment has all the romantic suspense, family drama and legal intrigue we had in book 1. Savannah and Hez are on their second chance at love but a lot of trust issues still remain.

As they navigate this second chance and their upcoming re-marriage to come, the university corruption continues...with the villain we experienced at the end of book 2 at the forefront here.

If you like legal thrillers and romantic suspense, check this series out. There isn't much I can say since it's the second book in the series, but a few things:

- I liked the suspense around 40% with where things went with Hez.
- I liked the complexity with the university corruption.
- I liked the legal subplots going on.
- Love the narrator of this series, she really keeps you engaged.
- While the big moment in this book of chapter 30 made me cry and feel such impact from the Jesus moment....I was sad there wasn't more of a resolution between this character and a main character. Trying not to give spoilers haha
- I didn't love the trust issue stuff with Savannah constantly worried about Hez and his drinking starting back up. It went on a bit longer than I would have liked.
- Wanted the pacing to be a bit quicker with the stuff with our villain group.

Regardless, I enjoyed my time with this and look forward to more in this series. We are left with another somewhat cliffhanger of another investigation / secrets to be revealed, and I need to know!

Thank you to the publisher for an audio listening copy for honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am so excited to share that Savannah and Hez are back! Once again, Colleen Coble and Rick Acker have teamed up to bring the us back to Tupelo Grove University and they do it in the true explosive, engaging style they are both known for. (BTW, these two working together to create stories is brilliant!) This story picks up pretty close to where the first one left off amps up right away. There are layers to the challenges the school is facing, and Hez and Savannah believe they are up to the task. While they have different strengths and opportunities, they are committed to the school and to each other. I love the way Hez and Savannah are open to rebuilding their marriage, and despite the many threats and intruders that test their new resolutions, they do work together in a beautiful way. There is honesty, forgiveness, and newfound hope for their life to come. They are honest about the difficulties and what they have to work through to succeed this time around. There are plenty of twists that moved my mind in new directions, but always with the undercurrent of hope and redemption.
I also had the privilege of listening to the audiobook version. Karen Peaks captured all the character’s personalities, accents, and nuances perfectly!
Whether you prefer to read or listen, you are guaranteed an excellent book that will keep you engaged from start to finish.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

This is the second book in the Tupelo Grove series. I highly recommend you read the first book before reading this one but it can technically be read as a stand alone. This book continues the story between Hez and Savannah as they try to continue to rebuild trust in their relationship. They are also working on saving Tupelo Grove University from a artifact trafficking ring.
I really enjoyed this read. It was interesting and had some twists I was not expecting. This was a great suspense novel I recommend you give it a read!

The narrator can make or break an audiobook and this narrator did a great job. I enjoyed listening to this book and recommend this narrator as well

Where Secrets Lie by Coble and Acker audiobook had me listening all day and night. A great story that pulled you in with a great story line and characters working through tragedy. The twists and turns kept me intrigued and wanting one more chapter. A great read and recommended. I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opinions are my own.

I will start by saying that I was away this was the second book in the series but now I have the first book added to my list to read! This second one can be read as a stand along book. I didn’t feel like I missed anything while reading it.

The story is about Savannah and her ex husband Hez ready to give their relationship another chance. They have to navigate through many difficult situations to see if their relationship can survive. A college that is going under, an artifact smuggling ring, and deep family secrets. As they discover more to uncover the truth everyone they love ends up in danger.

At first I wasn’t truly invested knowing Jessica her sister right off the bat was involved in the take down of the school and in the smuggling ring. It left me disliking her character and wanting more for her son, Savannah, and Hez. This truly kept me off my game and intrigued on how she could play such a major role against her family. It was the twists and turns as the book went on that kept me wanting more as Jessica’s character started to fizzle out and developed more background into the story.

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