BOOK REVIEW: Say You’re Sorry by Karen Rose @KarenRoseBooks @BerkleyPub #sayyouresorry #bookbestiessayyouresorry
Steamy, heart-pounding, and engrossing—Karen Rose’s latest novel of romantic suspense has a little something for everyone! I find romantic suspense to be an incredibly difficult genre to write. For me, romantic suspense novels tend to tip too heavily towards the romance, and leave the suspense part feeling rushed. Say You’re Sorry doesn’t feel that way at all! With the skill to handle the delicate balance between two strong genres, I can see why Karen Rose is so beloved!
About the Book
Special Agent Gideon Reynolds has tried hard to put his past behind him. He escaped the violence of his cult upbringing when he was just thirteen, and since then routine and discipline have been his way of making sense of the world. But when a petite blonde woman crashes into his life, he begins to realize that a little bit of chaos might not be so bad.
Daisy Dawson has had more than her fair share of pain too—but she’s done being a victim. Daisy’s determined to explore every new experience she can—including getting to know the dark and serious FBI investigator she meets when she fights off a masked attacker one night.
It soon becomes clear that Daisy’s attack was just the beginning. Now the bloodied bodies of young women are showing up all over California, and, as Gideon tries to find the killer, it’s clear that Daisy is in more danger than they ever realised…
Reflection
I want to dedicate my entire review to Daisy Dawson. What an incredible character! Daisy is super strong while having the sensitivity of a more fragile woman. And not in the annoying way many romance heroines are! Reading Say You’re Sorry, I truly felt that Daisy could have survived the book without Gideon. Daisy is a fighter and she kills them with kindness and a deadly sharp shot! Daisy gives the impression that she could survive anything! She is fierce about her convictions, but she still shakes after conflict. Daisy know what she wants and she knows what she is worth. And she gives as much love to the world as she can!
But of course, it wouldn’t be romantic suspense without a little bit of heat—or a lot of it! And Karen Rose delivers with hot and brooding Gideon. With a dark, abusive past, Gideon is an atypical hero for our recovering addict, fierce femme—but he is impossible to write off once you get to know him! Gideon is not just a hottie, he has a heart of gold and treats Daisy with respect! Basically, the perfect man.
The mystery itself is so compelling! About 50% of the book is narrated by the creepy serial killer who is the main antagonist of the book. This mysterious figure is so messed up! If he didn’t do such horrific things, there are moments where I almost pitied him and his past. But then I remember what he has done and I want him to burn!!!
There’s also a fascinating cult storyline—one that inadvertently is the catalyst for not only the killer’s downfall, but also for Daisy and Gideon’s fated union. Hold on for a crazy compelling story with this cult! I could read a whole book about it and it’s twisted, damaging philosophy pretending to protect those it victimizes the most!
Book Besties Approved
I read this book with my book besties Berit at Audio Killed the Bookmark, Jennifer at Tarheel Reader, and Holly at Dressed to Read, and I loved reading with them! They really helped me think about this book in different ways—the best kind of reading buddies!
Many thanks to Berkley for our copies to review. Make sure you check out Berit and Jennifer’s blogs, and go pick up a copy of this fast-paced romantic thriller!
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21 Comments
yayareadslotsofbooks
Sounds like Daisy is quite a wonderful protagonist. I think I would like this one since the romance part is less of the focus. Terrific review, Mackenzie!
Mackenzie
Yes I’m the same—I really need the romance to be secondary to the story or I can’t get into the book! Thank you 💕
Holly B / Dressedtoread
Great review Mack! I really enjoyed it as well. <3
Mackenzie
Thanks, Holly!!! 💕
sunflowerbooklvr
Fab review Kenzie! So glad you ladies loved this one <3.
Mackenzie
Thanks, Kendie!!! This was a fun one!
Darinda (Nightcap Books)
Fantastic review, Mackenzie! This sounds like an action-packed read. ❤
Mackenzie
Thanks so much, Darinda!!! 💕
Berit@Audio Killed the Bookmark
Wonderful review! I still want to chat with you about the ending!🌹
Mackenzie
Yes!!! I need to jump back in, I finished last night and wrote my review straight away 💕
Stephanie
I’m so glad you liked it after looking forward to it! I ended up grabbing it on audible today after reading all of your reviews, so I’m looking forward to it as soon as I get a chance to listen to it! Fab review, Mackenzie! ♥
Mackenzie
I’m excited to hear what you think, Stephanie!! It’s very fast paced, so I imagine it will be a good audio book as well!
Stephanie
I’m sure it’s good, and I’m glad to hear it’s fast-paced since the audiobook is over 24 hours long! I’m terrible at listening to them, so it might take me a while but if this one is that engrossing, I might get really involved in it!
Mackenzie
Oh wow, that’s long!!! I’ll definitely want to hear what you think!!
Stephanie
It is long, which is intimidating. But I hope it will be good! I might save it for a road trip. 😉 I’ll let you know!
Mackenzie
I think definitely a road trip! But not one with kids in the car—it gets pretty steamy at times 😂
Stephanie
Haha! I’ll listen with earbuds while being the passenger. We’ve got a trip coming up the first week of March to Savannah, and I can listen while hubby drives. 😉
jennifertarheelreader
Wonderful review, Mack! So true about the cult and how fast this one moved. A terrific and different experience reading this with you! ♥️
Mackenzie
Thanks, Jennifer!!! I loved trying a different sort of genre. And that cult!!! 😱
carhicks
Wonderful review Mackenzie. I have read all the bestie reviews and am trying to get my hands on this one. I have never read anything by Karen Rose, but you have all spoke so highly of her, I am not sure how I have not heard of her.
Mackenzie
It’s LONG but really a nice mix of romance and suspense! I think it’s hard to balance. This was my first by her!