I received a free copy of this publication for the purpose of review.

TW
*Kidnapping

Kelsi Cameron never expected to move back home to Oyster Shoals, but after her fiancée cheats on her with another lawyer at their firm she just needs some stability. She also never expected to be reunited with her original flame, Dylan Halloway. They haven't spoken in 4 years, but now they'll have to work together to solve a murder case that's been plagued with corruption and misconduct from the very start. Will they be able to sort through their own feelings while also solving the biggest case Oyster Shoals has seen in decades?

I love a good murder mystery. There's just something instantly compelling about that police procedural formula. Some parts of this story have a very Law and Order feel, and I'm an easy mark for anything that gives me that same feeling. All the parts of the story around the case were my favorites and I really enjoyed seeing Kelsi and Dylan sort through all the pieces to put together their case. It was so fun to see their professional chemistry right alongside their romantic pining. You know you love each other, right?!

My biggest gripe is with the secret of their initial split. You know from the start of the book that Kelsi and Dylan haven't spoken in 4 years, but the book doesn't explain what happened to cause that split until well over 2/3 of the way through the book. It's clear there was some kind of misunderstanding, but the reader doesn't know any of the details. I let out an audible sigh of relief when we finally get the story of what happened and I couldn't help but feel I would have enjoyed the story and their perspectives so much more if I had been able to relate to their side of the story for the whole book.

The side characters in this story really elevated it for me. I loved Dylan's relationship with his veteran friends. We don't see them often as they're not a huge focus, but it's clear from how he talks with and about them that they're very important to him. Kelsi's best friend, Abby, is hilarious, and would make a great main character for a followup book. Kelsi and Dylan's moms are both the exact same type of nosy small town mothers that make me giggle, and you can't help but love them.

Overall I would give this a 3.5 star (rounded up to a 4 since this is the author's first published work), and recommend with some caveats. Dylan and Kelsi make perfect sense together and it felt so good to watch them reconnect through the story. If you need spice with your romance though this is probably a pass as there isn't any. That part didn't bother me at all but I know the lack of spice will be a turn-off for some. I really did struggle with the secret of their original disconnect, and that was probably the thing I disliked the most. It might not have bothered me as much but it comes up frequently throughout the book and takes a very long time to get resolution. Kelsi and Dylan's professional collaboration served as the perfect catalyst for them to reconnect though, and the murder case they work serves as a perfect backdrop. I very much appreciate the opportunity to read an advanced copy, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for future books from Madisson!

The Case For Us by Madisson Blake - Book Review
ARC Review | Release Date: January 30, 2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Spice Level: 🌶️ (1/5)
Genre: Crime Romance | Murder Mystery
Format: Kindle | 282 pages
Type: Standalone

Quick Take
A gripping page-turner that perfectly blends crime, romance, and second chances! I devoured this in one sitting and couldn't put it down.

What I Loved
The Narrative Style
After reading so much first-person lately, the third-person perspective was a refreshing change. It allowed for a broader view of the mystery while still maintaining that intimate connection with both main characters.
Character Development & Romance
The slow-burn romance is chef's kiss! There's a beautiful build-up as we gradually discover the history between our two leads. Watching them rediscover their friendship and navigate their feelings had me completely invested. By the halfway point, I was actively rooting for them to finally get together! The line dancing scene in particular was absolutely adorable and had me grinning from ear to ear.

Military Representation
I really appreciated how Blake handled the MMC's return from military service after injury. The portrayal of PTSD and the struggles veterans face when reintegrating into civilian life felt thoughtful and added meaningful depth to his character.

The Mystery Element
The pacing is excellent throughout, with clues dropped strategically to keep you engaged and guessing. I was constantly trying to figure out who was behind the threat looming over our characters, and the tension kept me on the edge of my seat. The build-up to the climax was gripping, and I was completely absorbed in unraveling the mystery.

The Ending
The conclusion was both satisfying and heartwarming. Everything wrapped up beautifully with an adorable, happy ending that left me with all the warm fuzzy feelings.

Perfect For You If You Love:
✓ Crime romance with substance
✓ Murder mysteries that keep you guessing
✓ Slow-burn romance that's worth the wait
✓ Friends-to-lovers tropes
✓ Meddling mothers (who doesn't love a bit of family interference?)
✓ Rediscovered friendships turning into more

Content Warnings
Please note this book includes themes of PTSD and kidnapping.

Final Thoughts
The Case For Us is a wonderfully crafted blend of romance and suspense that showcases Madisson Blake's talent for keeping readers hooked from start to finish. This is a real page-turner that deserves a spot on your TBR. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this ARC, and I can't wait to see what Blake writes next!
Recommended for fans of romantic suspense who enjoy a well-paced mystery with heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Release Date: January 30, 2026 - Mark your calendars!

The Case for Us is a combination of legal thriller and second-chance romance. Both recently returned to their hometown of Oyster Shoals, childhood friends Kelsi and Dylan have not spoken in four years due to some ‘incident’ that is hinted at but not confronted until quite far into the book. Forced into close proximity as they work together on a complicated murder case, they have no choice but to get on. The suspect in the trial has been interfering in the belief that being rich means he can literally get away with murder, which makes for a tense atmosphere. Each chapter starts with a countdown to the trial date, and this further ramps up the suspense.
The story is told from both Kelsi and Dylan’s point of view meaning that we get insight into what they are both thinking. As characters they are well developed, along with some interesting secondary ones that could possibly be the subjects of future stories.
The pacing of the narrative is affected by the way the miscommunication trope is not addressed until a long way into the story. As Kelsi and Dylan had been so close since early childhood, I did not feel it was believable that they would just cut off all contact, and never address whatever had happened four years previously.
I enjoyed reading this debut novel, and look forward to reading more from this author in the future. Thanks to Koehler Books and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

This book cover is so pretty, also the book inside was so good! I could predict the plot twist, but honestly who cares?

This was so much fun. It felt like the law version of Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez. I had a great time and just loved it so much. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Köehler Books for the ARC.

TW: Kidnapping

We start off the book with our main character Kelsi moving back to her hometown after a breakup with her fiancé and being assigned a case with an old childhood friend - Dylan who she had a massive crush on for pretty much most of her life. Kelsi and Dylan have not spoken in 4 years and Kelsi did not know that Dylan had also moved back to their hometown after he was injured in the military. They are assigned a murder case together where there has been prior corruption and this case needs to be finalised after being pushed around for so long. It's a little awkward at first as they are getting used to being near each other again and they start working as a team finding out things that have been missed from the initial investigation.

It did take me a little bit to get into this book partially because the amount of times lasagna is mentioned in the first few chapters made me start researching recipes to make home made lasagna and I feel its a bit of a missed opportunity to not include a lasagna recipe at the end of the book as I would have loved to make one. But once I got over my research, I flied though this book. The kidnapper was a little bit predictable as I never really trusted them since they were introduced but the conclusion of the kidnapping was well done and learning about how the case that they were trialing actually came about and what was missed in the initial investigation was really thought out.

This was a 3.5 star read for me, there were a few things that I really loved like some of the side characters (and the dogs), the second chance friends to lovers and workplace romance but there were some things that I wasn't the biggest fan of like the predictability of the kidnapper, the slow beginning and the little bit of a rush to tie it all up at the end.

I really liked The Case for Us by Madisson Blake. It’s a heartfelt second-chance romance with childhood friends turned lovers, forced proximity, and a touch of legal drama. The legal court case aspect is not something I have read before. Kelsi and Dylan’s reunion as co-prosecutors brings emotional tension and unresolved feelings to the surface. The small-town setting and courtroom twists kept me hooked.

3.75 stars

I went into this book mostly blind and was not expecting anything but was somehow still pleasantly surprised. This was a second chance, friends to lovers romance books. Also workplace romance. I love romance books that have a suspenseful subplot, even if I was able to see how it was going to workout from the beginning of the book.

I did like how the FMC and the MMC went back to being friends before pursing any romantic relationship again. I felt like this books required little brain power and was a fun cute read.

I do like when the MC’s jobs are included but are not overly explained, like we can see they are normal humans but also is not putting us in the nitty gritty of what they do everyday.

i loved this book!

it had all the best things; a murder mystery, second chance romance and cute characters. just based on personal preference, i didn’t like the miscommunication trope, but that’s just me and the book was self-aware enough that it was justified.

honestly, i could not put it down (finished it in one day) and cannot wait to tell literally everyone i know about it!

I loved this book, and I read it in one sitting. I am usually not a fan of the miscommunication trope in books, but since the miscommunication was there from the start between Kelsie and Dylan, it didn't bother me that much, though I would have liked to see that they would have talked it out earlier in the book. I love that Dylan and Kelsie don't deny their feelings but give in to them. The ending was a bit predictable, but I found that actually made me want to read further because you kind of knew what was going to happen but didn't know how it would end. I also loved the part about the house; it gave me *The Notebook* vibes, and I was so excited when Kelsie found out Dylan had bought the house for them, even though they weren't together. Overall, I found this book an easy read, and I loved the mystery bit in there too; it was a nice combination! I give it 3,7 stars!

Amazing book. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC!

What a great book. This book had me hooked from page one. I loved the premise if it. The plot was great and I absolutely loved the characters. Even the secondary characters are great. I finished this book in one sitting. Such great writing style. This was a first for me by this author and will not be my last.

This is a compelling mix of emotional tension, romantic pull, and self‑discovery. The story revolves around two characters bound by past hurts and current misunderstandings, both struggling with expectations—of themselves, from others, and in love. Blake doesn’t shy away from the messiness of real feelings: jealousy, guilt, unresolved grief. These aren’t just plot devices but part of the characters’ very cores, influencing how they misstep, retreat, or risk it all.

One of the strongest points is the way Blake writes dialogue and internal monologue: there’s a sharpness, sometimes painful, that feels authentic. You can sense the characters’ walls, their desire to be vulnerable, and the fear that comes with opening up. The romance builds gradually—not sudden, not easy—but full of longing, small kindnesses, and painful truths laid bare.

That said, the pacing drags in places; some secondary subplots feel under‑explored. A few moments toward the middle stretch as the protagonists circle each other, and I wished for more clarity or progress. Still, the payoff is emotionally gratifying. Blake delivers satisfying growth, not just in romance but in identity and self‑acceptance.

If you like romance that isn’t sugar‑coated, where the “us” in the couple is as much about reconciling internal divides as external ones, this book will hit home. It’s earnest, heartfelt, and lingers long after the final page.

This is the best book I’ve read in a while it’s perfect to cozy up on a couch with but also has a good suspense to bite your nails to I would highly recommend this book to anyone who’s thinking of reading it because once this is published I will be the first to buy it

Former friends/lovers,Kelsi and Dylan's lives have both been upended. They returned back home and accepted postitions at the prosecutor's office not knowing they'll be working togther.

Love the relationship growth. Kelsi and Dylan have terrific chemistry. Enjoy the mystery and the romance.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

This was super cute. I liked the dual POV and the countdown to the trial. It was funny, light and the characters had a good connection. Thank you!

Childhood best friends to lovers is my emotional kryptonite, and Madisson Blake knew exactly where to hit me with this one.

The Case for Us follows Kelsi and Dylan, two former inseparable best friends who haven’t spoken in four years which, FYI, is both rude and deeply suspicious.
Naturally, fate (and a murder case) throws them right back into each other’s orbit. And by “orbit,” I mean forced proximity in a prosecutor’s office where all they do is argue, smoulder, and pretend they’re not imagining what the other looks like without clothes.

Kelsi is freshly single, Dylan is freshly injured, and suddenly they’re both back in their small Virginia hometown surrounded by salt air, old memories, and unresolved sexual tension thick enough to spread on toast.

Add in a jealous officer with a crush, missing evidence, anonymous threats, and a murder trial with a two month deadline and you’ve got a legal romantic thriller that feels like The Notebook had a baby with How to Get Away With Murder.

I loved their chemistry. I loved the slow burn ache of “we lost years, but I still choose you.” And yes, I yelled at them multiple times to just TALK TO EACH OTHER.

Twisty, emotional, romantic, and suspenseful.
A perfect “read in one sitting because life can wait” kind of book.

Thank you to Madisson Blake for the ARC!

The Case for Us delivers a strong mix of romantic tension, past-history secrets, and prosecutorial intrigue. Kelsi and Dylan’s reunion in their small hometown and the fact they’re thrust into a murder case together adds a nice layer of danger and stakes, beyond just the “will-they/won’t-they” of a romance. 

I really liked how the emotional connection between Kelsi and Dylan revisited their shared past (and the messy reasons they drifted apart). The secondary stakes — the threats Kelsi receives, the missing evidence, the high-stakes trial — gave the story more momentum than your average romance.

That said, I found some parts a little uneven: a few plot threads felt rushed, and I wanted more depth in places (especially in how some of the emotional conflicts were resolved). Also, the back-story reveal of why Kelsi and Dylan parted ways could have been more fully developed in my view.

Overall, The Case for Us is a very enjoyable romantic thriller with heart and heat. If you like your romance wrapped in suspense, hometown setting, and second-chance vibes, this is definitely worth your time. I really liked it.

The Case for Us by Madisson Blake

After her fiancé’s betrayal, Kelsi returns to her small seaside hometown in Virginia, hoping to start over. When she accepts a position at a family friend’s law firm, she doesn’t expect to find herself working alongside Dylan—the boy who once held her heart and hasn’t spoken to her in four years. Their shared past is complicated, but fate isn’t done with them yet.

Still recovering from injuries sustained in Afghanistan, Dylan never expected to cross paths with Kelsi again. Now, forced to work together on a murder case, the two must confront not only buried evidence but buried feelings. As danger closes in, both their hearts—and their lives—hang in the balance.

The Case for Us is a heartfelt second-chance romance wrapped in a touch of mystery and suspense. I loved the chemistry between Kelsi and Dylan and how their emotional growth paralleled the tension of the case.

I rated it 4 out of 5 stars — a great read for fans of emotional, small-town romances with a twist of intrigue.

Trigger Warning: kidnapping and references to murder.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Case for Us by Madisson Blake.