I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway and am thankful for the win and the opportunity to review.
Honest review: I have not read this author before. Based on this I would be willing to give her another try. This book was enjoyable but had a few things that really held it back from more stars for me.

First I don't enjoy reading first person present tense. Sometimes it works better than other times. Here I didn't really feel that it added anything to the story. Also if you want to tell a story in first person present no fair switching into the hero's POV at the end because you need to tell something that is happening but which is not happening to the heroine, the main POV character. The challenge of first person is telling the whole story from one POV. If you can't, then don't use that POV especially not present tense. If the author had switched between the hero and the heroine from the beginning then it wouldn't have been such a glaring change.

Second the writing was sort of bare. There was no description at all. I don't need to read pages of what the hallways looked like but even in 1st person there should be more than we got here. It almost read like a screenplay.

Third I didn't believe the relationship between the two main characters. I didn't feel much connection between them. I felt like each of them had good bones but the stories needed to be fleshed out more. There was not much between them except the mystery.

Let's talk about the mystery. It was obvious who the bad guy was from the get go. There was not enough tension in the story because of that. The hero and heroine were both sort of stupid not to catch on quicker that she was being targeted by the serial killer that they had both recently thought about and he was a cop. And then the killer should have been at the top of the list because he was really the only one who had any opportunity to get into her house.

As I said I'd be willing to try this author again. I think she just needs a few more books under her belt. ( )

Blind Date is another thriller from Bella Jewel that will have you sleeping with the lights on and seriously questioning dating sites.

Hartley lost her husband 4 years ago in an accident. Her BFF Taylor cons her into getting 'back out there' and sets her up on some blind dates via a website. The first two? Total duds. However, on date three she meets Jacob and there are sparks. They click and begin to see each other but obviously, Hartley wants to take things slow. However, strange things start happening. Her late husband's t shirt is on the kitchen table one morning with no explanation. Then she wakes up to find their wedding video playing on the TV. Jacob and Taylor convince her that its due to her sleepwalking combined with her reentry into the dating world. While that seems the most logical answer, Hart is skeptical.

There is also her rude neighbor, Ace. He is a detective and despite Hart's attempts to be polite by saying 'Hello', he continues to treat her like she is invisible. They slowly begin to get to know each other a little; of course, all this is taking place while weird things are happening in her home...

I thought that the villain was very obvious; however, the suspense of the story lies in the how and why more so than the who. I read Blind Date very quickly as well because I needed to know how it would all turn out. Hartley's struggle to determine what is real and what isn't was engrossing and heart stopping because as a reader, you know she isn't crazy! Jewel manages to give you something expected and yet still keep you on your toes in ways you didn't imagine. I am really loving her romantic suspense stories because they are all unique in some way that is totally unexpected for me!

 

• POV: 1st


• Tears: no


• Trope: secret identity, stalking


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes

...then you will probably like Blind Date!

 


Blind Date


 


 See full review on The Book Disciple ( )

Blind Date by Bella Jewel

Blind dates are suggested to Hartley “Hart” Watson by her friend Taylor – to get her out of grieving for the husband of ten years that she lost four years before. Little does she know that someone evil has his eye on her AND that person will be one of the men she eventually dates.

I knew who the bad guy was from the beginning and found the book rather predictable. I found the romance between Hart and Ace one that didn’t quite seem to work but it did for them – started with rudeness and grew from there.

I guess I felt this story was predictable and short but for some it would be an entertaining read – I was hoping for more.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

2-3 Stars ( )