4 / 5 ⭐️‘s

"Hide and Seek" by Josh Lanyon

The book follows the story of Andy who returns to Safehaven to help his elderly Uncle run his antiques store. However, upon his arrival, he finds out that his uncle has been critically injured in a late-night break-in, and he may be in possession of something that's worth killing for.

The characters are also well-developed. Andy is a sympathetic character, and you can't help but root for him as he tries to navigate the dangerous situation he finds himself in. Quinn, Andy's high school crush, is charming and enigmatic, and their rekindled romance adds an extra layer of tension to the story.

Lanyon's writing style is engaging and descriptive. He creates a vivid sense of place, and the small town of Safehaven feels like a character in its own right. The dialogue is natural and flows well, and the pacing is perfect.

It's a mystery with a M/M romance that will tug at your heartstrings. If you're a fan of romantic suspense or just love a good mystery, I recommend giving this book a try.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Hide and Seek by Josh Lanyon

Holiday fiction with a murderer on the loose, a mystery to solve, and a second chance at romance for Andrew and Quinn…if they can get it right. Great way to spend the day getting to know two admirable men and watching them solve a cozy mystery or two.

What I liked:
* Andy: museum curator, left his abusive boyfriend who won’t let him go, his uncle was beaten in a robbery and is in a coma, a bit timid, always wondered what happened to Quinn
* Quinn: difficult backstory growing up, considered by the town to be ‘bad’, good friend of Andy’s in high school, disappeared from Safehaven sixteen years before, retired from an interesting job, there for Andy
* The connection between Andy and Quinn and how their second chance progressed with sincere open adult communication, caring, and humor
* Being able to see Andy and Quinn happy together
* Uncle Cuthbert: in a coma most of the book, a good guy, protective, caring, there for Andy
* The Mystery of what the murderer was looking for and who the culprit might be
* The plot, pacing, writing, character development, and small town vibe
* That everything was tied up in the end with no strings left hanging

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about why some people are the way they are and how they don’t seem to be able to see they are wrong, mean spirited, or rather impossible

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )

Great start to a new series!
second-chance, attempted-murder, m-m-mystery, m-m-romance, murder, murder-investigation, bias, family-drama, family-dynamics, family, friction, friendship, frustration, law-enforcement, smuggling, small-town, small-business, verbal-humor, abusive-spouse, new-series*****

For 16 years Andy thought that Quinn was dead (instead of escaping his murderous grandfather), but he shows up just when he's needed the most. Trying to escape his own abusive relationship and fearing for his uncle's life (badly beaten during a business robbery, Andy feels his own life spiraling out of control. And then there's the odd man seeming to be pulling rabbits out of a green fedora.
So starts a great new series that looks to prove as riveting and unputdownable as the Secrets and Scrabble mysteries! Lots of action/interaction, plot twists, red herrings, and colorful characters. Loved it!
James Woodrich does a wonderful job with interpreting the story, situations and characters and has a very pleasant voice. ( )