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Letting Go
Becoming a single mother was never the plan—but neither was falling for the FBI Agent investigating her husband’s murder.
Vivian Stone never imagined standing over her husband’s dead body—let alone expect a single text to flip her crumbling world upside down. After their tragic loss, Vivian and her young daughter return to her small hometown in hopes of healing…but her chance at true love isn’t the only unexpected development waiting for Vivian in Forrest Falls, Tennessee. While she discovers you can always run home, you can't always outrun the dangers lurking just around the corner.
FBI Agent Walker Bennett has never deviated from duty. Despite being dedicated to his job, Walker finds himself conflicted for the first time in his career while navigating between his obligation of solving multiple connected murders and his magnetic connection with single mother Vivian Stone. Walker will do whatever is necessary to solve these cases…even if his heart demands that his only job should be keeping Vivian and her daughter safe.
As threats escalate putting the entire town on edge, it’s no longer just Vivian’s chance at true love that’s at risk—it may also be her life.
Author’s Note: Letting Go is a slow burn romantic suspense novel featuring a single mother sweetheart heroine, an alpha hero FBI Agent that falls first, unexpected twists and turns, and a guaranteed happily ever after. This dual POV book includes adult themes and language. Think of it as a movie that’s rated R, so if you’re under 18, please go tell your mom about it, and she can give you a copy when you’re old enough (but know that she might read it first)!
Vivian Stone never imagined standing over her husband’s dead body—let alone expect a single text to flip her crumbling world upside down. After their tragic loss, Vivian and her young daughter return to her small hometown in hopes of healing…but her chance at true love isn’t the only unexpected development waiting for Vivian in Forrest Falls, Tennessee. While she discovers you can always run home, you can't always outrun the dangers lurking just around the corner.
FBI Agent Walker Bennett has never deviated from duty. Despite being dedicated to his job, Walker finds himself conflicted for the first time in his career while navigating between his obligation of solving multiple connected murders and his magnetic connection with single mother Vivian Stone. Walker will do whatever is necessary to solve these cases…even if his heart demands that his only job should be keeping Vivian and her daughter safe.
As threats escalate putting the entire town on edge, it’s no longer just Vivian’s chance at true love that’s at risk—it may also be her life.
Author’s Note: Letting Go is a slow burn romantic suspense novel featuring a single mother sweetheart heroine, an alpha hero FBI Agent that falls first, unexpected twists and turns, and a guaranteed happily ever after. This dual POV book includes adult themes and language. Think of it as a movie that’s rated R, so if you’re under 18, please go tell your mom about it, and she can give you a copy when you’re old enough (but know that she might read it first)!
457 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2025
14 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Liz Colbert
2books37followersLiz Colbert loves her coffee strong and iced, getting lost in a good book, and believes in the Oxford comma. She always dreamed of writing a novel one day and decided to intentionally pursue that dream in 2024. Her stories include heartfelt characters, maybe an unexpected twist or two, but will always end with a happily ever after.
Liz lives in the Midwest with her husband and children. She is particular about pens that write smoothly, is an avid reader of romance novels, and when not busy with all of the above, she enjoys meeting friends for coffee.
Her debut romantic suspense novel will be published on April 21, 2025.
Liz lives in the Midwest with her husband and children. She is particular about pens that write smoothly, is an avid reader of romance novels, and when not busy with all of the above, she enjoys meeting friends for coffee.
Her debut romantic suspense novel will be published on April 21, 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
April 28, 2025
If I could offer this debut author any advice � keeping in mind that I see a lot of potential in her and a bright future ahead � it would be to avoid spending so much time explaining each character's backstory and personal life. The heavy info dumps slow the story down. Also, while our main couple is in their 30s, they don’t feel particularly mature. It's important to make lead characters likable; in my opinion, there's a fine line between being naive and being foolish, and it was hard to feel sympathy for someone who has gone through so much yet still makes questionable choices.
April 18, 2025
4.5⭐️
When my girl Liz announced that she had written her debut novel I knew that I would be reading it as soon as humanly possible. What I didn’t expect was to fall absolutely head over heels for this story and these characters and this little world that she created.
Vivian loses her husband in a shocking turn of events that also shines light on his longstanding infidelity. Needing a fresh start for her and her daughter, the moves back to her family and her hometown. When Walker is assigned to several sniper cases that all seem to be connected there is one that seems to stick out like a sore thumb- Vivian’s husband. While investigating the case and trying to remain professional, both Walker and Vivian realize there is so much more to their connection than they ever could have anticipated.
When 💩 literally hits the fan and the twists start turning� my jaw was on the mfin FLOOOOOOOR. Every time I thought I had figured out who the “bad guy� was�. I was wrong. So so wrong. (Sorry Hunter). This story absolutely hooked me from the very first page and I had to make myself slow down in order to not skip through because I was so invested in finding out what was going to come next. The slowest burn imaginable, flirty text banter, and a man who will drop literally everything and come flying to your rescue? SAY LESS.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
An absolute masterpiece of a debut, my friend. I loved this family and can’t wait to see whats next in this world you have created. Congratulations!!! You should be SO proud 🖤
When my girl Liz announced that she had written her debut novel I knew that I would be reading it as soon as humanly possible. What I didn’t expect was to fall absolutely head over heels for this story and these characters and this little world that she created.
Vivian loses her husband in a shocking turn of events that also shines light on his longstanding infidelity. Needing a fresh start for her and her daughter, the moves back to her family and her hometown. When Walker is assigned to several sniper cases that all seem to be connected there is one that seems to stick out like a sore thumb- Vivian’s husband. While investigating the case and trying to remain professional, both Walker and Vivian realize there is so much more to their connection than they ever could have anticipated.
When 💩 literally hits the fan and the twists start turning� my jaw was on the mfin FLOOOOOOOR. Every time I thought I had figured out who the “bad guy� was�. I was wrong. So so wrong. (Sorry Hunter). This story absolutely hooked me from the very first page and I had to make myself slow down in order to not skip through because I was so invested in finding out what was going to come next. The slowest burn imaginable, flirty text banter, and a man who will drop literally everything and come flying to your rescue? SAY LESS.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
An absolute masterpiece of a debut, my friend. I loved this family and can’t wait to see whats next in this world you have created. Congratulations!!! You should be SO proud 🖤
April 8, 2025
4.5⭐️
I had the privilege of reading this arc a little early since I'm getting the chance to beta read book two in the series -- and I feel so fortunate to have gotten to read this incredible debut in advance!
The tropes:
� Romantic suspense (and heavy on it, which I love)
� Small town
� Single mom
� Finding love after loss
� Slow burn
� Amazing family dynamics/world building
In short:
When her husband is murdered and she subsequently finds out he wasn't as truthful about their lives and his activities as she'd presumed, FMC Vivian and her daughter move from Chicago back to her small hometown in Tennessee where her amazing family awaits to help her heal and move on. Because her husband's murder is an ongoing case with the FBI, and potential danger is still lurking for her, one agent, Walker, takes a special interest in the case as he finds himself drawn into her orbit. The feeling is mutual and what follows is the story of their tentative love amidst the chaos surrounding them.
My 2 cents: What a debut! It's crazy to me this is Liz's first book because it's so complex and compelling. She's built a world here that you can't help but fall in love with, full of characters that are vivid and jump off the page. This story, in particular, is harrowing, with lots of suspense built in throughout. The slow burn of the love story felt appropriate and of course, was so satisfying in the end. Walker is a protective and swoony MMC while Vivi is a strong but tender FMC. Together they were just amazing.
I'm so excited to see where Liz takes this series -- Vivi's family is full of incredible siblings that I'm hopeful will each get their stories down the road too! In the meantime, if you're a romantic suspense fan who also loves bold characters, compelling storylines and swoony moments, then give Letting Go a shot ASAP!
Thank you, Liz, for letting me fall for Walker and Vivi in advance!
I had the privilege of reading this arc a little early since I'm getting the chance to beta read book two in the series -- and I feel so fortunate to have gotten to read this incredible debut in advance!
The tropes:
� Romantic suspense (and heavy on it, which I love)
� Small town
� Single mom
� Finding love after loss
� Slow burn
� Amazing family dynamics/world building
In short:
When her husband is murdered and she subsequently finds out he wasn't as truthful about their lives and his activities as she'd presumed, FMC Vivian and her daughter move from Chicago back to her small hometown in Tennessee where her amazing family awaits to help her heal and move on. Because her husband's murder is an ongoing case with the FBI, and potential danger is still lurking for her, one agent, Walker, takes a special interest in the case as he finds himself drawn into her orbit. The feeling is mutual and what follows is the story of their tentative love amidst the chaos surrounding them.
My 2 cents: What a debut! It's crazy to me this is Liz's first book because it's so complex and compelling. She's built a world here that you can't help but fall in love with, full of characters that are vivid and jump off the page. This story, in particular, is harrowing, with lots of suspense built in throughout. The slow burn of the love story felt appropriate and of course, was so satisfying in the end. Walker is a protective and swoony MMC while Vivi is a strong but tender FMC. Together they were just amazing.
I'm so excited to see where Liz takes this series -- Vivi's family is full of incredible siblings that I'm hopeful will each get their stories down the road too! In the meantime, if you're a romantic suspense fan who also loves bold characters, compelling storylines and swoony moments, then give Letting Go a shot ASAP!
Thank you, Liz, for letting me fall for Walker and Vivi in advance!
April 18, 2025
Vivian's husband has been shot and killed early on the morning of their daughter's birthday. The devastation is compounded by learning that he wasn't the man she thought he was. Desperate for a sense of normalcy, she returns home to her small town to be around family, only to start receiving threatening mail. The FBI agent assigned to help solve her case is doing everything he can to get to the bottom of what looks like targeted shootings of unconnected people, while trying hard not to fall for the new widow and her young child.
This one seemed like everything I could want in a romantic suspense. A mysterious shooter, a stalker, and a hot FBI agent to round it out. Unfortunately, this one fell short by a long shot. The entire book is full of an obscene amount of info dumping. We get characters full name, familial relations, back stories, personal history and current vibes for EVERY single person the leads come across. It was so distracting that I looked up the author to see if I had missed a couple series because the amount of information was not only unnecessary, but did nothing to advance the story. Discovering this was a debut novel and all of this information was still kept in the book was surprising. Normally in series, you highlight one individual that is clear will be the next book in line so the reader gets an investment into them. You also bring up relevant people because they will impact the story later on. The author instead chose to highlight everyone and bring in random characters for seemingly no reason. This caused the pacing to not only drag, but to absolutely stall out as we had scenes which simply existed but did nothing within the story.
From there we have some underlying internalized misogyny. The women that are meant to be juxtapositions to the female lead are overly dramatic. They're openly rude, arrogant, dismissive and cruel, and act like caricatures of a stereotypical mean girl to the point that it pulled me out of the story each time they crossed paths. The FMC herself is extremely awkward and immature. Her drunk dial situation was so embarrassing I could barely handle it, and she sounded like a teenager every time she got moony over the male lead. The "magical warm sparkly" vibe was drilled in to the point I was cringing with the descriptions. At no point did she feel like a lawyer, nor did the MMC feel like an FBI agent. They were both so emotionally and mentally young, and fed into rigid gender norms so strongly that they didn't feel like actual people. In fact, all of the male leads were overly protective, wealthy and very patriarchal, and the entire "Callahan Calvary" was so hard to read as it came across as enmeshment to an unhealthy degree.
As to the thriller aspect of the story, the stalker was so obvious it was borderline comical. The poems were cringy and at no point added tension or fear, and instead felt awkward and embarrassing. Based on the wording I was able to figure out the culprit within the first poem after they crossed paths, and the attempted misdirection's were killed off as quickly as the author tried to bring them up. In general I felt that the author had heavily researched the information in her book, but in doing so, had included way too much of that knowledge base which forced incredibly meandering scenes, unnecessarily long-winded descriptions, and was rich with over-explanation that wasn't relevant to the plot.
The romance aspect was also lacking. There isn't really any tension in the book. They have instant attraction and then they both make each other aware they're interested but nothing can happen until after the case is solved. Repeat ad nauseam. The declaration of feelings happens consistently, and they both circle each other until the case is solved an entire year later. I love a good slow burn, but there was no burn. They kissed once earlier on, then months and months and months drag by with a single forehead kiss. When they finally do get together at 80% of the novel, the singular sex scene (yes there's only one) is awkward, clinical, and reads like the author tried to write a popular intimate scene with all of the information she thought was required, but didn't actually make it engaging. It was very basic, and the FMC spent so much of her time in her head in the moment that there wasn't any steam. From there is the quick rush to the conflict, the resolution, and then an epilogue that felt so incredibly forced. They may have had a year to fall for each other over the course of the book, but there wasn't any actual chemistry that made them a suitable match, other than he wanted to take care of her and thought she was attractive, and she wanted to be taken care of and thought he was attractive.
Overall this one fell incredibly flat and needs to be reduced of extraneous details, to better keep the story front and center and not cause the reader to lose interest.
Thank you to The Author Agency for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This one seemed like everything I could want in a romantic suspense. A mysterious shooter, a stalker, and a hot FBI agent to round it out. Unfortunately, this one fell short by a long shot. The entire book is full of an obscene amount of info dumping. We get characters full name, familial relations, back stories, personal history and current vibes for EVERY single person the leads come across. It was so distracting that I looked up the author to see if I had missed a couple series because the amount of information was not only unnecessary, but did nothing to advance the story. Discovering this was a debut novel and all of this information was still kept in the book was surprising. Normally in series, you highlight one individual that is clear will be the next book in line so the reader gets an investment into them. You also bring up relevant people because they will impact the story later on. The author instead chose to highlight everyone and bring in random characters for seemingly no reason. This caused the pacing to not only drag, but to absolutely stall out as we had scenes which simply existed but did nothing within the story.
From there we have some underlying internalized misogyny. The women that are meant to be juxtapositions to the female lead are overly dramatic. They're openly rude, arrogant, dismissive and cruel, and act like caricatures of a stereotypical mean girl to the point that it pulled me out of the story each time they crossed paths. The FMC herself is extremely awkward and immature. Her drunk dial situation was so embarrassing I could barely handle it, and she sounded like a teenager every time she got moony over the male lead. The "magical warm sparkly" vibe was drilled in to the point I was cringing with the descriptions. At no point did she feel like a lawyer, nor did the MMC feel like an FBI agent. They were both so emotionally and mentally young, and fed into rigid gender norms so strongly that they didn't feel like actual people. In fact, all of the male leads were overly protective, wealthy and very patriarchal, and the entire "Callahan Calvary" was so hard to read as it came across as enmeshment to an unhealthy degree.
As to the thriller aspect of the story, the stalker was so obvious it was borderline comical. The poems were cringy and at no point added tension or fear, and instead felt awkward and embarrassing. Based on the wording I was able to figure out the culprit within the first poem after they crossed paths, and the attempted misdirection's were killed off as quickly as the author tried to bring them up. In general I felt that the author had heavily researched the information in her book, but in doing so, had included way too much of that knowledge base which forced incredibly meandering scenes, unnecessarily long-winded descriptions, and was rich with over-explanation that wasn't relevant to the plot.
The romance aspect was also lacking. There isn't really any tension in the book. They have instant attraction and then they both make each other aware they're interested but nothing can happen until after the case is solved. Repeat ad nauseam. The declaration of feelings happens consistently, and they both circle each other until the case is solved an entire year later. I love a good slow burn, but there was no burn. They kissed once earlier on, then months and months and months drag by with a single forehead kiss. When they finally do get together at 80% of the novel, the singular sex scene (yes there's only one) is awkward, clinical, and reads like the author tried to write a popular intimate scene with all of the information she thought was required, but didn't actually make it engaging. It was very basic, and the FMC spent so much of her time in her head in the moment that there wasn't any steam. From there is the quick rush to the conflict, the resolution, and then an epilogue that felt so incredibly forced. They may have had a year to fall for each other over the course of the book, but there wasn't any actual chemistry that made them a suitable match, other than he wanted to take care of her and thought she was attractive, and she wanted to be taken care of and thought he was attractive.
Overall this one fell incredibly flat and needs to be reduced of extraneous details, to better keep the story front and center and not cause the reader to lose interest.
Thank you to The Author Agency for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read
April 8, 2025� Single mom/widow
� Love after loss
� Forbidden
� Romantic Suspense
� Adorable little girl
� Strong FMC with very tender side
� Protective FBI agent MMC
� Small town
� Big family vibes
� Slow burn (promise it's worth it)
What a way to enter into the book world with this debut novels!! I was honored to be a part of this journey first as a beta reader and then as an ARC reader. I'm going to keep this short and sweet, because there is so much I would love to say about this book, but spoilers!!! 🤣🫣 Going into this book blind was on of my favorite parts!
Liz did such an incredible job with the way she brought these two together. With heartfelt gestures to stolen glances. I loved watching the relationship develop between these two! And I LOVED watching Vivian and her sweet daughter get the HEA they deserved. After everything we got to watch poor Vivian go through she needed a man who was really willing to up his game and show her that love after such a traumatic loss is worth taking a risk for! And Walker was absolutely that man! Though circumstances held him back at first he always made sure Vivian knew he was thinking about her in sweet gestures like bringing her coffee or sweet forehead kisses! This man worked hard to win her over! And it was so sweet to watch!
I'm so excited to see where Liz takes this series with all the Callahan siblings! Each of them has peaked my interest in such different ways! I just know she's going to do each of their stories justice.
If you're looking for a romantic suspense full of adorable moments not only between the MMC and FMC, but also the families that surround them and always have their backs. Then this book is 100% for you!!!
*This book was definitely heavy on the crime/suspense than I'm used to! But loved every second of it!
� Love after loss
� Forbidden
� Romantic Suspense
� Adorable little girl
� Strong FMC with very tender side
� Protective FBI agent MMC
� Small town
� Big family vibes
� Slow burn (promise it's worth it)
What a way to enter into the book world with this debut novels!! I was honored to be a part of this journey first as a beta reader and then as an ARC reader. I'm going to keep this short and sweet, because there is so much I would love to say about this book, but spoilers!!! 🤣🫣 Going into this book blind was on of my favorite parts!
Liz did such an incredible job with the way she brought these two together. With heartfelt gestures to stolen glances. I loved watching the relationship develop between these two! And I LOVED watching Vivian and her sweet daughter get the HEA they deserved. After everything we got to watch poor Vivian go through she needed a man who was really willing to up his game and show her that love after such a traumatic loss is worth taking a risk for! And Walker was absolutely that man! Though circumstances held him back at first he always made sure Vivian knew he was thinking about her in sweet gestures like bringing her coffee or sweet forehead kisses! This man worked hard to win her over! And it was so sweet to watch!
I'm so excited to see where Liz takes this series with all the Callahan siblings! Each of them has peaked my interest in such different ways! I just know she's going to do each of their stories justice.
If you're looking for a romantic suspense full of adorable moments not only between the MMC and FMC, but also the families that surround them and always have their backs. Then this book is 100% for you!!!
*This book was definitely heavy on the crime/suspense than I'm used to! But loved every second of it!
April 2, 2025
Vivian and her daughter’s lives get flipped upside down when, in the course of a single day, her husband is murdered and she discovers that he was cheating on her. Returning to where her support system is, she leaves behind the big city and returns to her small Tennessee hometown where her large and loving family welcome her with open arms. While she is healing there, she becomes acquainted with the FBI agents working on her husband’s case, which - as the layers get peeled back - becomes a bigger and bigger situation than initially met the eye. Vivian finds herself in potential danger right back in her hometown. While this is ongoing, Vivian also can’t take her eyes off one FBI agent in particular - Walker, a steady and steely man who promises to protect Vivian and her daughter at all costs. The pull between them is undeniable but they have to wait to explore their relationship until after the case is closed.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This romantic suspense novel was like watching an episode of Criminal Minds smashed with side helping of love. The longing and tension between Vivian and Walker is too sweet for this world. You can’t help but root for both of them and desperately want them to be together. In a romance like this, I always am critical of the timing in which she needs to grieve versus when she moves on but in this case, Vivian’s grief is remarkably complicated by her husband’s infidelity. The book balances her grief and healing exceptionally well, allowing her to be mad at her deceased ex while also grieving the life she thought she had.
The crime drama aspect of this book is what really did it for me. There were points where I was heavy breathing and could not put it down. The author killed it on the suspense angle! All guesses that I had about how it might turn out were wrong. The twists here were extremely clever and unexpected. There is enough complexity in the crime narrative to keep it interesting without being overly confusing. This book also reads as a very well researched drama - it’s evident the author put effort into crime families and FBI procedures.
And don’t even get me started on the Callahan Calvary - the nickname for Vivian’s adoring family which consisted of four brothers, her sister and her dad. They were all such well-built characters in their own right. I’m a sucker for a big, loving, supportive family (hello Bergmans). I know that more books are coming for each of them and I’m THRILLED. I especially intrigued by Liam and Jack. And I’d love to get drinks with her sister Savannah.
This is Liz Colbert’s debut novel and what an exceptional entry to the scene! I honestly was not expecting to love the crime drama aspects of this as much as I did. It’s balanced out well with a swoony love story. You can tell Colbert poured her heart and soul into this and on a personal note, it’s truly been so inspiring to watch someone work so hard for a dream and that dream to come true. I can’t wait to see how Colbert hones her craft over her the next few releases.
🫡 Tropes deployed: Widow/single mom, crime drama, slow burn, small town, large family, grief representation
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This romantic suspense novel was like watching an episode of Criminal Minds smashed with side helping of love. The longing and tension between Vivian and Walker is too sweet for this world. You can’t help but root for both of them and desperately want them to be together. In a romance like this, I always am critical of the timing in which she needs to grieve versus when she moves on but in this case, Vivian’s grief is remarkably complicated by her husband’s infidelity. The book balances her grief and healing exceptionally well, allowing her to be mad at her deceased ex while also grieving the life she thought she had.
The crime drama aspect of this book is what really did it for me. There were points where I was heavy breathing and could not put it down. The author killed it on the suspense angle! All guesses that I had about how it might turn out were wrong. The twists here were extremely clever and unexpected. There is enough complexity in the crime narrative to keep it interesting without being overly confusing. This book also reads as a very well researched drama - it’s evident the author put effort into crime families and FBI procedures.
And don’t even get me started on the Callahan Calvary - the nickname for Vivian’s adoring family which consisted of four brothers, her sister and her dad. They were all such well-built characters in their own right. I’m a sucker for a big, loving, supportive family (hello Bergmans). I know that more books are coming for each of them and I’m THRILLED. I especially intrigued by Liam and Jack. And I’d love to get drinks with her sister Savannah.
This is Liz Colbert’s debut novel and what an exceptional entry to the scene! I honestly was not expecting to love the crime drama aspects of this as much as I did. It’s balanced out well with a swoony love story. You can tell Colbert poured her heart and soul into this and on a personal note, it’s truly been so inspiring to watch someone work so hard for a dream and that dream to come true. I can’t wait to see how Colbert hones her craft over her the next few releases.
🫡 Tropes deployed: Widow/single mom, crime drama, slow burn, small town, large family, grief representation
April 21, 2025
BETA/ARC REVIEW: I had the privilege of beta and arc reading Liz's debut novel. This begins the stories of The Callahan Family that comprises of 6 siblings: Finn, Jack, Liam, Ryan, Savannah, and Vivian (I can never remember birth order, so we fall back on the old tried + true of alphabetizing them)! First up is Viv!
Vivian finds out the same day that her husband is shmurdered that he was having an affair. In order to try to grieve, but also process everything that unfolds, Vivian and her young daughter Eloise leave Chicago to head back home to TN to have the loving support of their family. While the town of Forrest Falls hasn't changed since she left, Vivian returns a different woman + needing to find a new normal.
Walker ends up relocating to Nashville, TN for a work assignment as an FBI agent investigating multiple cases that are connected, one of which is Vivian's husbands. The move couldn't have come at a better time for him + his sidekick, Ghost. He's never before had to worry about professional/personal lines being crossed, until he meets Vivian. Now he's gotta find a way to solve his cases, maintain his professionalism, and protect Viv when things start to unravel.
These two were so sweet. They came into each others lives just when they needed to. The way Walker was there for not only Vivian, but also Eloise was so good. His gift to her to try to help her sleep at night without nightmares was so heartwarming. This little family proved there is love after loss.
Tropes:
Small town romance
Romantic suspense
FBI agent MMC
Single mom FMC
Slow burn
No third act break-up
Vivian finds out the same day that her husband is shmurdered that he was having an affair. In order to try to grieve, but also process everything that unfolds, Vivian and her young daughter Eloise leave Chicago to head back home to TN to have the loving support of their family. While the town of Forrest Falls hasn't changed since she left, Vivian returns a different woman + needing to find a new normal.
Walker ends up relocating to Nashville, TN for a work assignment as an FBI agent investigating multiple cases that are connected, one of which is Vivian's husbands. The move couldn't have come at a better time for him + his sidekick, Ghost. He's never before had to worry about professional/personal lines being crossed, until he meets Vivian. Now he's gotta find a way to solve his cases, maintain his professionalism, and protect Viv when things start to unravel.
These two were so sweet. They came into each others lives just when they needed to. The way Walker was there for not only Vivian, but also Eloise was so good. His gift to her to try to help her sleep at night without nightmares was so heartwarming. This little family proved there is love after loss.
Tropes:
Small town romance
Romantic suspense
FBI agent MMC
Single mom FMC
Slow burn
No third act break-up
April 24, 2025
I read this as an ARC, and as it is the authors debut, I held off posting my review until after publication. I wish I could give it a better rating but my experience was my experience and my opinion is my opinion...
The blurb was interesting, and the premise for this book sounded like something I would love, but the execution really lacked. This was a really boring read. The potential this story had wasn't tapped into at all. The characters and plot were one dimensional, flat, and formulaic. There was absolutely ZERO chemistry or romance built between Vivian & Walker, they were hardly on page together, and the majority of their interactions were over text, which were hardly shown, or we were told about after the fact. And as for the "spicy" element of this book... I've had plain boiled rice that had more flavour/heat to it.
For a single mom story Vivian's daughter was a prop at best on the very breif occasions she was part of the story at all and there was absolutely ZERO relationship build-up between said daughter and Walker as he meets her once maybe twice and that was that as far as interactions really went. The Callahan siblings were bland, and their dynamics/sibling banter felt so forced and cringeworthy, and if Vivs sisters' husband isn't also a cheating douche like Vivs ex I will shocked.
As for the whodunit of it all, I called that shit the moment the character was introduced, and that was only a couple of chapters into the book. It was bloody obvious, the poems were cringe, and I never once felt like viv was in actual danger. The internalised misogyny woven throughout the female characters was rife, and I came very close to DNF-ing this multiple times but decided to push through as it's the authors debut.
I know this is a harsh review and its not my intention to belittle or upset the author if they see this but I also won't pretend something was good when it wasn't and this wasn't in my opinion. It was a real slog to get through. The pacing dragged, nothing happened, it was bland, predictable, and didn't live up to the potential it could have.
The blurb was interesting, and the premise for this book sounded like something I would love, but the execution really lacked. This was a really boring read. The potential this story had wasn't tapped into at all. The characters and plot were one dimensional, flat, and formulaic. There was absolutely ZERO chemistry or romance built between Vivian & Walker, they were hardly on page together, and the majority of their interactions were over text, which were hardly shown, or we were told about after the fact. And as for the "spicy" element of this book... I've had plain boiled rice that had more flavour/heat to it.
For a single mom story Vivian's daughter was a prop at best on the very breif occasions she was part of the story at all and there was absolutely ZERO relationship build-up between said daughter and Walker as he meets her once maybe twice and that was that as far as interactions really went. The Callahan siblings were bland, and their dynamics/sibling banter felt so forced and cringeworthy, and if Vivs sisters' husband isn't also a cheating douche like Vivs ex I will shocked.
As for the whodunit of it all, I called that shit the moment the character was introduced, and that was only a couple of chapters into the book. It was bloody obvious, the poems were cringe, and I never once felt like viv was in actual danger. The internalised misogyny woven throughout the female characters was rife, and I came very close to DNF-ing this multiple times but decided to push through as it's the authors debut.
I know this is a harsh review and its not my intention to belittle or upset the author if they see this but I also won't pretend something was good when it wasn't and this wasn't in my opinion. It was a real slog to get through. The pacing dragged, nothing happened, it was bland, predictable, and didn't live up to the potential it could have.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
I really wanted to like this. I maybe even might have liked it more in audio. But reading this on page was a little grueling. I’m sad because the tropes were kind of everything I wanted. There was WAY too much information about things that really didn’t matter. Too many explanations that could have been reduced. I think this book could have easily been 150-200 pages shorter. I also didn’t relate at ALL to any of the characters. They were pretty unrealistic and borderline cringy for being in their 30s. It makes us all look bad. It felt like the author maybe forgot what it’s like to be that age and wrote them as teenagers are depicted. I also knew immediately what the “twist� would be and was probably most disappointed in that entire scene where it was revealed. The antagonist was the most unrealistic character out there, and this scene felt like a bad telenovela. I don’t know how to organize my thoughts fully on this because I just really don’t know what to think. I’m sad that it fell so flat for me.
April 21, 2025
✨I had the honor of reading Liz’s debut novel Letting Go (OUT TODAY) be sure join in the release day craze. Also, OMG! This was so so good! Giving off major Catherine Cowels vibes. I know I know, I’ve only read one of her books but seriously, it had me in all my mystery, solving puzzles and who did it, mood. And I. WAS. HERE. FOR. IT. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
The low down: 👇🏻
Vivian, our FMC, is contacted that her husband has been shot, on their daughter's 4th birthday no less, and when she is reunited with her husband, not only does she discover he is dead, but also discovers he has been living a secret life and hasn’t been truthful. 😲😳 It becomes too much for Vivian to stay in their Chicago home, so she relocates back home to Tennessee where she is surrounded by her family. Her family wraps her up in a warm hug, helps her in her grief, and assists with Eloise (her daughter). Because her husband was essentially murdered, and happens to be linked to almost a dozen other cases, the FBI is now involved, and they believe more murders will take place. Then enters Special Agent Bennett, aka Walker, our MMC, who takes special interest in this case due to how drawn he is with Vivian, right from the start. Don’t worry, the feelings are mutual�.mmmm k. ☺️
My thoughts: 💭
Ya’ll, this story was crazy! But like in the good way. Having me constantly figuring out what the hell was going on. Who was the murderer? What was going to happen next? Because of this, Liz did such an amazing job, with such a complex but gripping story, that had the audience, me, constantly wanting to know more, even on edge at times. Packed with lots of suspense throughout, with a slow burn romance story, that, when these two finally got together, ooo girl, the spice just hit.
🤍I absolutely love the whole Callahan family clan, and the brother group texts had me cackling. I can’t wait to see where Liz takes us in this series and I am just having fun figuring out which brother will be book #2.
🫶🏻Thank you Liz for allowing me the opportunity to be an early reader with Vivian and Walkers story.
The low down: 👇🏻
Vivian, our FMC, is contacted that her husband has been shot, on their daughter's 4th birthday no less, and when she is reunited with her husband, not only does she discover he is dead, but also discovers he has been living a secret life and hasn’t been truthful. 😲😳 It becomes too much for Vivian to stay in their Chicago home, so she relocates back home to Tennessee where she is surrounded by her family. Her family wraps her up in a warm hug, helps her in her grief, and assists with Eloise (her daughter). Because her husband was essentially murdered, and happens to be linked to almost a dozen other cases, the FBI is now involved, and they believe more murders will take place. Then enters Special Agent Bennett, aka Walker, our MMC, who takes special interest in this case due to how drawn he is with Vivian, right from the start. Don’t worry, the feelings are mutual�.mmmm k. ☺️
My thoughts: 💭
Ya’ll, this story was crazy! But like in the good way. Having me constantly figuring out what the hell was going on. Who was the murderer? What was going to happen next? Because of this, Liz did such an amazing job, with such a complex but gripping story, that had the audience, me, constantly wanting to know more, even on edge at times. Packed with lots of suspense throughout, with a slow burn romance story, that, when these two finally got together, ooo girl, the spice just hit.
🤍I absolutely love the whole Callahan family clan, and the brother group texts had me cackling. I can’t wait to see where Liz takes us in this series and I am just having fun figuring out which brother will be book #2.
🫶🏻Thank you Liz for allowing me the opportunity to be an early reader with Vivian and Walkers story.
April 26, 2025
ARC Review🔎
✨I absolutely adored Letting Go! Vivian was such a strong and relatable heroine � my heart broke for everything she went through, but I loved how determined she was to rebuild her life for herself and her daughter🥹. And Walker?? Oh my heart🥰. The way he cared for Vivian and protected her without ever trying to control her was everything. 💕He falls first, he falls hard, and he’s just the perfect blend of tough FBI agent and soft-hearted protector. Chefs Kiss🤌🏽 Also the tension between Walker and Vivian� HOT!🥵
🤭The suspense side of the story kept me hooked too � there were real stakes and danger, but the romance stayed at the center, which I loved. 🧐The murder mystery kept me guessing, and the threats lurking in the background made the romance feel even more urgent and meaningful.❤️Every twist was unexpected but believable, and the emotional payoff was everything I wanted.
⭐️If you love slow-burn romantic suspense with real emotional depth and a guaranteed HEA, you need to read this one.🙌🏽
Thank you to the Author Liz Colbert for the opportunity to read this ARC!🫶🏽
✨I absolutely adored Letting Go! Vivian was such a strong and relatable heroine � my heart broke for everything she went through, but I loved how determined she was to rebuild her life for herself and her daughter🥹. And Walker?? Oh my heart🥰. The way he cared for Vivian and protected her without ever trying to control her was everything. 💕He falls first, he falls hard, and he’s just the perfect blend of tough FBI agent and soft-hearted protector. Chefs Kiss🤌🏽 Also the tension between Walker and Vivian� HOT!🥵
🤭The suspense side of the story kept me hooked too � there were real stakes and danger, but the romance stayed at the center, which I loved. 🧐The murder mystery kept me guessing, and the threats lurking in the background made the romance feel even more urgent and meaningful.❤️Every twist was unexpected but believable, and the emotional payoff was everything I wanted.
⭐️If you love slow-burn romantic suspense with real emotional depth and a guaranteed HEA, you need to read this one.🙌🏽
Thank you to the Author Liz Colbert for the opportunity to read this ARC!🫶🏽
April 12, 2025
4.5 Stars Rounded Up!
ARC REVIEW
RELEASES 4/21
Check the triggers before diving in!
✨️This book put me through such a wild ride. My emotions were all over from the first page. This book starts out with a bang when Vivian's husband is killed, AND she finds out that he had been cheating on her all at once. She goes back to her hometown to be with her family, who are some of the best people 🥹. I can't wait to read more books in this series. I don't want to spoil the story, but this book had me on edge wondering what was going to happen. I adored Vivian, Eloise, her big calvary of a family, and Walker so much. Vivian is the sweetest. Walker is a southern gentleman who takes on the protective role so easily. I loved the progression of their relationship and the slow burn! This is Liz's debut, and I can't wait to read more of her work! I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves slow-burn romantic suspense!
Thanks to Liz and TAA for allowing me to read and review!
ARC REVIEW
RELEASES 4/21
Check the triggers before diving in!
✨️This book put me through such a wild ride. My emotions were all over from the first page. This book starts out with a bang when Vivian's husband is killed, AND she finds out that he had been cheating on her all at once. She goes back to her hometown to be with her family, who are some of the best people 🥹. I can't wait to read more books in this series. I don't want to spoil the story, but this book had me on edge wondering what was going to happen. I adored Vivian, Eloise, her big calvary of a family, and Walker so much. Vivian is the sweetest. Walker is a southern gentleman who takes on the protective role so easily. I loved the progression of their relationship and the slow burn! This is Liz's debut, and I can't wait to read more of her work! I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves slow-burn romantic suspense!
Thanks to Liz and TAA for allowing me to read and review!
April 12, 2025
Wow. This book is one of the best romantic suspense I've read this year. I loved how Liz transported us into the investigation. I felt like I was watching one of my favorite crime shows.
I was suspicious of many people and you know what? In the end, I was shocked by the reveals. This debut novel definitely kept me on my toes.
Walter and Vivian's love story was absolutely beautiful. I love them so much. They were so sweet and kind and I'm so happy that they found each other.
What else did I adore? The found family! I loved reading about Walter and Vivian's close ones. I NEED more of them.
If you want a great romantic suspense, banter, adorable main characters AND secondary characters, you should immediately add this book to your TBR.
This story warmed my heart. When I was done reading, I cried a bit for no other reason than the fact that I reached the end too soon.
For fans of Nora Roberts, Catherine Cowles, Rita Herron, Devney Perry
eARC Review (Thanks Liz Colbert for this opportunity)
I was suspicious of many people and you know what? In the end, I was shocked by the reveals. This debut novel definitely kept me on my toes.
Walter and Vivian's love story was absolutely beautiful. I love them so much. They were so sweet and kind and I'm so happy that they found each other.
What else did I adore? The found family! I loved reading about Walter and Vivian's close ones. I NEED more of them.
If you want a great romantic suspense, banter, adorable main characters AND secondary characters, you should immediately add this book to your TBR.
This story warmed my heart. When I was done reading, I cried a bit for no other reason than the fact that I reached the end too soon.
For fans of Nora Roberts, Catherine Cowles, Rita Herron, Devney Perry
eARC Review (Thanks Liz Colbert for this opportunity)
April 23, 2025
‼️ Arc Review‼️
This book was SO CUTE! And had everything a small town romance would need with a plot twist I genuinely couldn’t see coming!
Vivian and Walker are so adorable together! This book gives the same vibe as Dr Rebecca Sharp’s Protective Reynolds Group series. Protective MMC and a courageous FMC to go along with it. From the very first chapter I was engaged and had to know what happened.
Beware this is a SLOOOOWWW burn. I was literally screaming at the main characters about 35% through😂 but they got there eventually. I will be continuing this series and I’m SO EXCITED for Liam and Jack’s book! I have a feeling Liam will be the touch her and die vibe and I’m impatiently waiting for it👀
This book was SO CUTE! And had everything a small town romance would need with a plot twist I genuinely couldn’t see coming!
Vivian and Walker are so adorable together! This book gives the same vibe as Dr Rebecca Sharp’s Protective Reynolds Group series. Protective MMC and a courageous FMC to go along with it. From the very first chapter I was engaged and had to know what happened.
Beware this is a SLOOOOWWW burn. I was literally screaming at the main characters about 35% through😂 but they got there eventually. I will be continuing this series and I’m SO EXCITED for Liam and Jack’s book! I have a feeling Liam will be the touch her and die vibe and I’m impatiently waiting for it👀
April 12, 2025
Holy range of emotions!! The feels y'all! You will experience Every. Single. One. Letting Go was an emotionally charged story from the very beginning and will keep you riveted until the end. Vivian & Walker had explosive chemistry and their love was so dawggone swoon-worthy you felt deep in your soul. I felt all of their emotions; the heartache, the anger, the fear, the longing, the happiness, the excitement and their love for each other. I absolutely loved Vivian’s strength and resilience. Letting Go is a wonderful story about moving forward, letting go of the past and being loved so completely it takes your breath away. It is hard to believe this is Liz Colbert’s debut novel. IT’S PHENOMENAL. You won't want to missthis suspense filled, single mom romance.
April 13, 2025
What a great debut!
The Callahans family dynamic and how they dropped everything to help Vivian and Eloise in the darkest parts of their lives in every way possible was everything!
Walker, woahhh what a man! 🫠 he had it bad for Vivian and her little girl that was obvious. The insta love was cute but I would have liked to see a bit more character development and more moments between Vivian and Walker to make the moment more impactful.
THE PLOT! the damn plot to this book was amazing! The twists and turns and the way you did not see the ending coming wow wow!
I can’t wait to see what’s next for the Callahan Cavalry, bring on book 2!
The Callahans family dynamic and how they dropped everything to help Vivian and Eloise in the darkest parts of their lives in every way possible was everything!
Walker, woahhh what a man! 🫠 he had it bad for Vivian and her little girl that was obvious. The insta love was cute but I would have liked to see a bit more character development and more moments between Vivian and Walker to make the moment more impactful.
THE PLOT! the damn plot to this book was amazing! The twists and turns and the way you did not see the ending coming wow wow!
I can’t wait to see what’s next for the Callahan Cavalry, bring on book 2!
April 21, 2025
4 .5⭐️
📕: LETTING GObyLiz Colbert
Why you’ll love this book!!
Romantic Suspense
FBI Agent MMC
Single Mom
Curvy Sweetheart FMC
Alpha MMC
Small Town Romance
True love after loss
Special Forces Veteran MMC
This is Author Liz Colbert’a debut novel and she knocked it out of the park it was so good .. I can’t wait to read more of her work!! Vibe has been through a lot she is a widow and after her husband dies she finds out he betrayed her ..This book had me rolling at moment and to be honest I wasn’t expecting that in a suspense romance but it was amazing .. I can’t wait to read the other siblings books!!
📕: LETTING GObyLiz Colbert
Why you’ll love this book!!
Romantic Suspense
FBI Agent MMC
Single Mom
Curvy Sweetheart FMC
Alpha MMC
Small Town Romance
True love after loss
Special Forces Veteran MMC
This is Author Liz Colbert’a debut novel and she knocked it out of the park it was so good .. I can’t wait to read more of her work!! Vibe has been through a lot she is a widow and after her husband dies she finds out he betrayed her ..This book had me rolling at moment and to be honest I wasn’t expecting that in a suspense romance but it was amazing .. I can’t wait to read the other siblings books!!
April 20, 2025
3.5⭐️
A good debut romantic suspense! Be warned the romance is VERY slow burn and more insta-love than tension/angst, but the mystery kept me on my toes! And I honestly didn’t see the twist at the end coming!
It did feel a bit long at times, but as the first in a series, there was some background and history to be established.
Can’t wait to see what the next books hold, especially Liam and Savannah’s books!
Thank you to The Author Agency for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A good debut romantic suspense! Be warned the romance is VERY slow burn and more insta-love than tension/angst, but the mystery kept me on my toes! And I honestly didn’t see the twist at the end coming!
It did feel a bit long at times, but as the first in a series, there was some background and history to be established.
Can’t wait to see what the next books hold, especially Liam and Savannah’s books!
Thank you to The Author Agency for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
April 21, 2025
A brand new author for me who didn’t disappoint. Engaging writing from the start, with great family and community dynamics. A few twists and turns and unexpected moments makes this book an excellent weekend read. I look forward to reading more from this author and to dive deeper into this new found community.
Read
May 1, 2025DNF around 50%
April 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot - 4/5
Characters - 4/5
Spice - 🌶�
Letting Go follows newly single mum, Vivian, as she moves away from the tragedy that was her life after her husband was found dead outside of a hotel after having an affair with his college friend. Vivian is in mourning and understandably, struggling with her new reality, when in walks hot as sin, FBI Agent, Walker - the man put to the task of understanding how Vivian's husband's murder connects to multiple previous shootings across the years.
Sparks fly between Walker and Vivian and while Walker wants to remain professional, he struggles with keeping the line in the sand and not running to Vivian's aide whenever she's in danger. This book has some twists and turns that I can honestly say I did not expect and a very satisfying ending. I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Plot - 4/5
Characters - 4/5
Spice - 🌶�
Letting Go follows newly single mum, Vivian, as she moves away from the tragedy that was her life after her husband was found dead outside of a hotel after having an affair with his college friend. Vivian is in mourning and understandably, struggling with her new reality, when in walks hot as sin, FBI Agent, Walker - the man put to the task of understanding how Vivian's husband's murder connects to multiple previous shootings across the years.
Sparks fly between Walker and Vivian and while Walker wants to remain professional, he struggles with keeping the line in the sand and not running to Vivian's aide whenever she's in danger. This book has some twists and turns that I can honestly say I did not expect and a very satisfying ending. I received this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 21, 2025
I love when I find a debut author with a book that I vibe with from the get go, it’s hard to find but I found it in this one!
Vivian becomes a single mom to Eloise when her husband is tragically unalived. Come to find out Trent had his own explosive secret that ripped their world apart. They move from Chicago to Tennessee to her hometown of Forrest Hills. She is welcomed and supported by her family, the Callahan Calvary as they are known by. Viv is struggling but her family is there with her and helps her which I loved.
Walker Bennett is a FBI agent assigned to Vivian’s husband’s case. Sparks fly between these two right away and Walker is there for her throughout this whole journey.
I enjoyed the romantic suspense plot in this book, it was well written and I literally had no idea who was the bad guy which I enjoy in books which is also hard to come by it seems these days. I also liked how the progression of Walker and Vivian’s relationship, it was natural and not rushed. A little spice thrown in and you have the making of a fantastic debut author named Liz Colbert!
Can’t wait for book 2!
Vivian becomes a single mom to Eloise when her husband is tragically unalived. Come to find out Trent had his own explosive secret that ripped their world apart. They move from Chicago to Tennessee to her hometown of Forrest Hills. She is welcomed and supported by her family, the Callahan Calvary as they are known by. Viv is struggling but her family is there with her and helps her which I loved.
Walker Bennett is a FBI agent assigned to Vivian’s husband’s case. Sparks fly between these two right away and Walker is there for her throughout this whole journey.
I enjoyed the romantic suspense plot in this book, it was well written and I literally had no idea who was the bad guy which I enjoy in books which is also hard to come by it seems these days. I also liked how the progression of Walker and Vivian’s relationship, it was natural and not rushed. A little spice thrown in and you have the making of a fantastic debut author named Liz Colbert!
Can’t wait for book 2!
April 23, 2025
I will start by saying I am normally pretty good at figuring out mystery novels, but this one had me up until the very moment the author spelled it out for me in her writing. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery romance, as I am a huge fan of shows like CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, etc. So this book hit all those check boxes for me, with a really sweet love story thrown in the mix. I am super happy with being chosen to read an advance copy of this book. If you love a good thrilling whodunnit, kind of book, this is definitely the book for you.
April 29, 2025
5 Star Review Letting Go (The Callahan #1) by Liz Colbert
I believe that this is Ms. Colbert’s debut novel and if this is anything to go by I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
This is single mum Vivian Stone and FBI Agent Walker Bennett’s story and what a well written romantic suspense story.
After her husband is murdered, the last thing Vivian expected was to fall for another man.
Returning to get home town of Forrest Falls, Tennessee, Vivian is struggling. However her large family are there and are determined to support her.
When danger comes calling, Walker will do whatever is necessary to protect Vivian and Eloise, no matter the cost.
There were a number of twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat whilst reading.
I believe that this is Ms. Colbert’s debut novel and if this is anything to go by I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
This is single mum Vivian Stone and FBI Agent Walker Bennett’s story and what a well written romantic suspense story.
After her husband is murdered, the last thing Vivian expected was to fall for another man.
Returning to get home town of Forrest Falls, Tennessee, Vivian is struggling. However her large family are there and are determined to support her.
When danger comes calling, Walker will do whatever is necessary to protect Vivian and Eloise, no matter the cost.
There were a number of twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat whilst reading.
April 22, 2025
The depth in all the characters, both main and supporting, had me looking for other books by this author, and was blown away that this is a debut novel. So many fantastic characters that I want to know more about. This is definitely slow burn on the physical romance but deep on the emotional. The storyline gives Criminal Minds vibes without being too graphic and is filled with suspense. Excellent read and eager for more from this author.
April 21, 2025
Overall rating: ⭐⭐�/5
Spice rating: 🌶�/5
TW: Grief, Murder (off page), Miscarriage (off-page but discussed on page)
Honestly, this book was good. I liked the characters of Walker and Vivian. I absolutely adored the Callahan Cavalry as well as Walker’s siblings � they were all great and there was so much time spent building the family relationships and establishing their dynamics. I loved how the processing of grief was discussed in this book, and although I’m neither married nor a widow, I understand the complexity of death when your relationship isn’t clear-cut. It’s difficult, and some days are good, some are not so good.
[While I loved the disjointed, raw way Vivian processed shock and loss, I didn’t feel like we spent enough time experiencing it with her day-to-day. I was told Eloise (her daughter) had nightmares, but I didn’t really live those nights with them. Even just one full chapter showing that would have added so much more depth and realism.]
That said, I genuinely feel like the timeline for Vivian moving on was a bit fast. Yes, not everyone has the same grieving process, and their marriage was over before her husband died � but it still felt like a stretch to move on from a 14-year relationship in just about a year. I know romance books are fiction and we suspend disbelief for the love story (and I was happy when they got together), but with how much the book centered around family, community, and the investigation, I didn’t fully feel the tension or romance between Vivian and Walker. Which just meant that I really struggled buying into their romance.
Even though it’s a slow burn (they don’t really get together until around 70%), the burn itself was missing. I didn’t see them yearn for each other. I didn’t experience Walker fighting to keep his composure. I was told it was happening, but I failed to feel it. Their first kiss was great, but it almost caught me by surprise like “Oh? Now? Okay, yeah, down,� instead of that desperate “Finally! Please, yes and thank you!!!� feeling you want from a slow burn. You know?
I also want to clarify that I understood they were attracted to each other. Vivian actually showed attraction to other people too, which I appreciated from a grief and moving on perspective, but I wasn't quite sure just how down bad she was for Walker until later? Again, it may just be a personal preference, but if she was into other people (which is allowed obviously) I want to experience her wanting the MMC just as bad if not more so. I didn't really get this until well after in the book. It just gave me general feeling that the romantic focus wasn’t as strong as I would have liked.
Also, we were told over and over that nothing could happen between them during the investigation� but because there wasn’t a ton of emotional burn or tension, I didn’t really feel the struggle. I think a lot of these issues could have been resolved if we had a deeper dive into their actual romance. Like yes, I know Walker thought she was hot and had a “nice rack� (which felt weirdly crude considering the rest of the book read very PG-13), but what else drew him to her? I needed more connection between them beyond just surface attraction.
In terms of the spice � it was there, sure, but in terms of hotness? It was a solid mild. One scene and done. Nothing wrong with that! But it wasn’t necessarily my vibe. I loved the teasing (Vivian calling him sir was cute and clearly got him going) but again, I wish there was more of it! That’s a trend with me, isn’t it? Honestly, this almost could have been a closed-door romance and it wouldn’t have lost much. It might have even served the emotional journey better (that is a first I've ever said that!).
I think the story dragged in various places. I appreciate the effort in building up the side characters, but sometimes it felt like there were filler scenes. Maybe they’re setting up for future books, but in this one, it ended up feeling like a bit of a miss. And on that note, the sister having a POV chapter right at the beginning was super strange and threw me off. I get it’s probably to build into her book later, but it would have made way more sense at the end, not the beginning. I struggled to keep the characters' names straight at first so I had to scroll back and forth to make sure I kept up with what was going on.
The murder investigation itself was interesting! I had a good time following along, and I liked how invested Walker and the team were in solving the case. The twists and turns were good (even if none of them really shocked me). It’s definitely a romance novel with a mystery in the background, not a mystery novel with romance sprinkled in. I do wish there had been a little more mystery or complexity there, but overall, I enjoyed the pacing and resolution.
Small side note: there were some oddly specific details that felt a little jarring. Like Walker’s $85,000 truck � just saying it’s expensive would have been enough for me. It pulled me out of the story a bit, especially if you’re not super familiar with US truck brands or pricing.
Overall: This was an enjoyable read. It had heart, great family dynamics, and authentic grief representation. But the romance, tension, and emotional payoff didn’t hit the way I wanted. I likely won’t reread it, but I am invested enough to pick up the next books in the series because I want to see how Liam and Jack’s stories unfold � I smell delicious stories coming from them. 👀
Spice rating: 🌶�/5
TW: Grief, Murder (off page), Miscarriage (off-page but discussed on page)
Honestly, this book was good. I liked the characters of Walker and Vivian. I absolutely adored the Callahan Cavalry as well as Walker’s siblings � they were all great and there was so much time spent building the family relationships and establishing their dynamics. I loved how the processing of grief was discussed in this book, and although I’m neither married nor a widow, I understand the complexity of death when your relationship isn’t clear-cut. It’s difficult, and some days are good, some are not so good.
[While I loved the disjointed, raw way Vivian processed shock and loss, I didn’t feel like we spent enough time experiencing it with her day-to-day. I was told Eloise (her daughter) had nightmares, but I didn’t really live those nights with them. Even just one full chapter showing that would have added so much more depth and realism.]
That said, I genuinely feel like the timeline for Vivian moving on was a bit fast. Yes, not everyone has the same grieving process, and their marriage was over before her husband died � but it still felt like a stretch to move on from a 14-year relationship in just about a year. I know romance books are fiction and we suspend disbelief for the love story (and I was happy when they got together), but with how much the book centered around family, community, and the investigation, I didn’t fully feel the tension or romance between Vivian and Walker. Which just meant that I really struggled buying into their romance.
Even though it’s a slow burn (they don’t really get together until around 70%), the burn itself was missing. I didn’t see them yearn for each other. I didn’t experience Walker fighting to keep his composure. I was told it was happening, but I failed to feel it. Their first kiss was great, but it almost caught me by surprise like “Oh? Now? Okay, yeah, down,� instead of that desperate “Finally! Please, yes and thank you!!!� feeling you want from a slow burn. You know?
I also want to clarify that I understood they were attracted to each other. Vivian actually showed attraction to other people too, which I appreciated from a grief and moving on perspective, but I wasn't quite sure just how down bad she was for Walker until later? Again, it may just be a personal preference, but if she was into other people (which is allowed obviously) I want to experience her wanting the MMC just as bad if not more so. I didn't really get this until well after in the book. It just gave me general feeling that the romantic focus wasn’t as strong as I would have liked.
Also, we were told over and over that nothing could happen between them during the investigation� but because there wasn’t a ton of emotional burn or tension, I didn’t really feel the struggle. I think a lot of these issues could have been resolved if we had a deeper dive into their actual romance. Like yes, I know Walker thought she was hot and had a “nice rack� (which felt weirdly crude considering the rest of the book read very PG-13), but what else drew him to her? I needed more connection between them beyond just surface attraction.
In terms of the spice � it was there, sure, but in terms of hotness? It was a solid mild. One scene and done. Nothing wrong with that! But it wasn’t necessarily my vibe. I loved the teasing (Vivian calling him sir was cute and clearly got him going) but again, I wish there was more of it! That’s a trend with me, isn’t it? Honestly, this almost could have been a closed-door romance and it wouldn’t have lost much. It might have even served the emotional journey better (that is a first I've ever said that!).
I think the story dragged in various places. I appreciate the effort in building up the side characters, but sometimes it felt like there were filler scenes. Maybe they’re setting up for future books, but in this one, it ended up feeling like a bit of a miss. And on that note, the sister having a POV chapter right at the beginning was super strange and threw me off. I get it’s probably to build into her book later, but it would have made way more sense at the end, not the beginning. I struggled to keep the characters' names straight at first so I had to scroll back and forth to make sure I kept up with what was going on.
The murder investigation itself was interesting! I had a good time following along, and I liked how invested Walker and the team were in solving the case. The twists and turns were good (even if none of them really shocked me). It’s definitely a romance novel with a mystery in the background, not a mystery novel with romance sprinkled in. I do wish there had been a little more mystery or complexity there, but overall, I enjoyed the pacing and resolution.
Small side note: there were some oddly specific details that felt a little jarring. Like Walker’s $85,000 truck � just saying it’s expensive would have been enough for me. It pulled me out of the story a bit, especially if you’re not super familiar with US truck brands or pricing.
Overall: This was an enjoyable read. It had heart, great family dynamics, and authentic grief representation. But the romance, tension, and emotional payoff didn’t hit the way I wanted. I likely won’t reread it, but I am invested enough to pick up the next books in the series because I want to see how Liam and Jack’s stories unfold � I smell delicious stories coming from them. 👀
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February 17, 2025Loved having the opportunity to read this early! Can’t wait for everyone to meet Vivian and Walker 🥰
April 22, 2025
Let me say it loud and clear. Letting Go is a thrilling romantic suspense novel and on top of everything its quite an amazing debut for Liz Colbert . And it is totally unputdownable . And did I say that I can't believe this is a debut novel. Because it's so good. The story is well written and the characters are fully developed and believable . And I almost packed my bags to move to Forrest Falls, Tennessee. Vivian was a strong and smart character. She was loving and caring mother and Eloise was such a sweet girl. And those two experienced so much and had to weather quite a storm . And their story started with a bang. Because what you call a story that starts with a murder and no obvious reason for it. And I loved the Callahan Cavalry. Savannah was the best big sister ever. When Vivian and her daughter return to Forrest Falls a few things happen. The murder of Vivian's husband is linked to another unsolved cases and a task force team is formed to investigate it. Enters agent Walker Bennett. Oh my, that first meeting between them was earth shattering . Because that attraction was undeniable and palpable. And here the story gets even more interesting. Following that investigation was so exciting and intriguing. I have a few suspects but they leaved that list pretty fast . Sorry, Hunter and Chloe. And I have to say that I was quite surprised and never expected that end of the investigation and who did it. So it's a good thing that I couldn't guess who did it and was surprised. So well done, Ms Colbert. Loved the relationship between Walker and Vivian and her daughter. Their relationship was so sweet, full of understanding and love. And the slowest burn ever . It was so bittersweet . Those big family dynamics were entertaining and full of love and witty banter. I have a few guesses whose will be the next book and it was a certain brother I have in mind. But after that bonus chapter I'm not so surprised that it's Savannah's story. And I hope that the second time she's going to find the perfect partner for her because this one was quite absent and unreliable. Did I say that I can't wait for Savannah's story because I'm quite intrigued by her and for all that sneak peaks from Vivian, Eloise and a very special agent Walker.
Thanks to the author and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.
Thanks to the author and The Author Agency for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.
April 12, 2025
Liz Colbert’s “Letting Go� deftly blends the raw vulnerability of grief with the simmering tension of romantic suspense, creating a compelling and emotionally resonant read. Vivian Stone’s unexpected journey into single motherhood following her husband’s murder is immediately gripping, setting the stage for a story where healing and danger intertwine. Colbert skillfully portrays Vivian’s fragility and her fierce determination to protect her young daughter as they return to her small hometown seeking solace.
The arrival of FBI Agent Walker Bennett adds a layer of intrigue and burgeoning romance. Colbert establishes a palpable chemistry between Vivian and Walker, carefully navigating the delicate balance of their connection amidst the backdrop of a murder investigation. Walker’s internal conflict between his professional duty and his growing protective feelings for Vivian feels authentic and drives much of the narrative tension. His alpha nature is evident, but it’s tempered by a genuine care and concern for Vivian’s well-being, making him a compelling romantic lead.
Colbert masterfully builds suspense as the threats escalate, moving beyond Vivian’s personal tragedy to endanger the entire town. The “slow burn� romance allows for a believable development of feelings between Vivian and Walker, making their eventual connection feel earned rather than rushed. The dual POV effectively provides insight into both characters� internal struggles and motivations, enhancing the reader’s investment in their individual journeys and their potential relationship.
“Letting Go� delivers on its promise of unexpected twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged and guessing as the mystery unfolds. While the romance is a central element, the suspense plot is well-crafted and provides a genuine sense of danger. Colbert’s writing is engaging and accessible, drawing the reader into the small-town setting and the emotional turmoil of its inhabitants. Ultimately, “Letting Go� is a satisfying blend of heartfelt emotion and thrilling suspense, promising a rewarding read with a guaranteed happily ever after that feels both deserved and hard-won.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The arrival of FBI Agent Walker Bennett adds a layer of intrigue and burgeoning romance. Colbert establishes a palpable chemistry between Vivian and Walker, carefully navigating the delicate balance of their connection amidst the backdrop of a murder investigation. Walker’s internal conflict between his professional duty and his growing protective feelings for Vivian feels authentic and drives much of the narrative tension. His alpha nature is evident, but it’s tempered by a genuine care and concern for Vivian’s well-being, making him a compelling romantic lead.
Colbert masterfully builds suspense as the threats escalate, moving beyond Vivian’s personal tragedy to endanger the entire town. The “slow burn� romance allows for a believable development of feelings between Vivian and Walker, making their eventual connection feel earned rather than rushed. The dual POV effectively provides insight into both characters� internal struggles and motivations, enhancing the reader’s investment in their individual journeys and their potential relationship.
“Letting Go� delivers on its promise of unexpected twists and turns, keeping the reader engaged and guessing as the mystery unfolds. While the romance is a central element, the suspense plot is well-crafted and provides a genuine sense of danger. Colbert’s writing is engaging and accessible, drawing the reader into the small-town setting and the emotional turmoil of its inhabitants. Ultimately, “Letting Go� is a satisfying blend of heartfelt emotion and thrilling suspense, promising a rewarding read with a guaranteed happily ever after that feels both deserved and hard-won.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 25, 2025
Holy Shit, Debut!!! And I most definitely wasn’t close on the bad guy 🤣 I don't know why I keep trying honestly.
But ma'am....I LOVED THIS WITH ALL THE PIECES OF MY BEING.
The way I clapped hard for Vivian for doing everything in her power to not only heal herself after her husband's murder and infidelity...but she went above and beyond that to make sure her daughter healed. Everything she did in life was for that little girl and you could see it in every page turned. Her family was definitely by her side and rooted for her the entire way, even if her brothers pushed the overprotective boundaries lol I forgot about one of the tropes on this list when it landed on my kindle (so be sure to read those) but I connected with Vivian on a level of grief and anger and guiltiness because your body rejected you. My mom heart crumbled.
Walker was so swoon worthy. I've added him to my list. He tried his damn hardest to keep things professional and you could feel his determination to make sure his FBI task force caught this killer and his determination to make sure nothing dark touched Vivian and Eloise ever again. This was a man who set a plan and didn't let anybody derail him from it. He even admits that he doesn't like to come in second and you can see it
I loved these two together. They both had some issues with infidelity in their lives from people they trusted wholeheartedly, but page after page you watch them both heal. I loved how they grew together emotionally before they ever got to the physical stage. They were definitely the best complementing partners. Walker made Viv feel safe and cared for and Viv was Walker's calm spot in the chaos of his job. Character arc was on point. This was a perfect suspense and you'll not believe it's a debut. I never actually knew I needed and FBI agent falling in love with one of his victims' loved ones but it captured my attention and my emotions from page one and never let go. Trophy shelf copy will for sure happen, so thank you for a new romsus series and congrats lady!
But ma'am....I LOVED THIS WITH ALL THE PIECES OF MY BEING.
The way I clapped hard for Vivian for doing everything in her power to not only heal herself after her husband's murder and infidelity...but she went above and beyond that to make sure her daughter healed. Everything she did in life was for that little girl and you could see it in every page turned. Her family was definitely by her side and rooted for her the entire way, even if her brothers pushed the overprotective boundaries lol I forgot about one of the tropes on this list when it landed on my kindle (so be sure to read those) but I connected with Vivian on a level of grief and anger and guiltiness because your body rejected you. My mom heart crumbled.
Walker was so swoon worthy. I've added him to my list. He tried his damn hardest to keep things professional and you could feel his determination to make sure his FBI task force caught this killer and his determination to make sure nothing dark touched Vivian and Eloise ever again. This was a man who set a plan and didn't let anybody derail him from it. He even admits that he doesn't like to come in second and you can see it
I loved these two together. They both had some issues with infidelity in their lives from people they trusted wholeheartedly, but page after page you watch them both heal. I loved how they grew together emotionally before they ever got to the physical stage. They were definitely the best complementing partners. Walker made Viv feel safe and cared for and Viv was Walker's calm spot in the chaos of his job. Character arc was on point. This was a perfect suspense and you'll not believe it's a debut. I never actually knew I needed and FBI agent falling in love with one of his victims' loved ones but it captured my attention and my emotions from page one and never let go. Trophy shelf copy will for sure happen, so thank you for a new romsus series and congrats lady!
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