by B.J. Daniels
Series: Beartooth Montana #4
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Tour
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Just how far are people willing to go to keep their secrets? Protecting the citizens of Beartooth, Montana, is never an easy job. One year later, Sheriff Dillon Lawson still feels guilty that he couldn't save his twin brother, Ethan. But the biggest test of his bravery comes when Tessa Winters arrives, claiming to be pregnant…with Ethan's baby. At first, Dillon can't decide if this beautiful woman is a con artist or a victim. If Ethan didn't die in that car crash, then where is he—and why is he hiding? Now, Dillon is prepared to do anything to uncover the truth…anything except admit his growing feelings for Tessa. But with violence threatening, Tessa and Dillon must trust in each other to save not only themselves…but also Tessa's unborn child.
The cover and synopsis of Atonement by B.J. Daniels sold me, and then after I realized it was the fourth book in the Beartooth, Montana series. Worries about jumping in late were quickly dismissed as each book can be read as a standalone. Daniels did an excellent job of reintroducing older characters and making me feel comfortable. Mini review: suspenseful, multiple story threads and a slow-building romance kept me captivated.
Under Sheriff, Dillon Lawson is still feeling guilty about the death of his twin brother, Ethan even after a year. A very pregnant Tess Winters arrives at his ranch demanding he sign papers and return the money he stole he quickly realizes she thinks he is Ethan. Is she a con artist or victim? How can this babe be Ethan’s if he died a year ago? If he didn’t die in a car crash then where and why is he hiding? The tale that unfolds is action-packed with a few mysteries and a whole lota danger.
Right away I liked the characters we meet in Beartooth, Montana. Dillon is a noble, stand-up guy who blames himself for not being able to keep his brother straight. Tessa knew Ethan was trouble, but fell for his charismatic ways and the glimpse of the man inside him. The tale is told from several povs as we learn about Ethan and the crazy trouble he ran into. We also learn of further developments and troubles of local store owner Nette and the troubled Sheriff Frank. The characters each had a unique voice from the villains to the secondary characters adding to the suspense. The chemistry between Tess and Dillon was a slow burning and forbidden as they tried to find Ethan.
Atonement is pure suspense and a real whodunit with a clean, satisfying side of romance. Ethan’s troubles quickly become Dillon and Tessa’s as they uncover clues and stir up a hornet’s nest. We begin to see the players emerge and boy howdy are we all in trouble. The mystery thread regarding Frank and Nette was secondary but had me guessing and flipping the pages. Daniels balanced things wonderfully as she drove us towards the climatic endings. Forbidden romance is one of my favorite tropes and the slight triangle made me feel torn, but there was little to no angst and this thread remained on the side. When things did begin to develop they felt genuine and natural. Sometimes I felt a little disconnected, I think in part from jumping in at book four and then there was the multiple threads that left little page time with each.
Fans of mystery and suspense served with a side of romances will find Atonement to be a satisfying read. The previous books, Unforgiven, Redemption and Forsaken along with the novella Fallen are all available from paperback to eBook. The next book Mercy will release later this year.
Three and half cups of coffee out of five
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Pamela D
The premise of this book has me intrigued. I want to know more about Ethan and this baby.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Pamela. I enjoyed it 🙂
Lindy
I love when an author recaps previous books in a series for readers that are jumping in late, or even for a refresher! I’m glad you enjoyed this story, and weren’t lost despite starting in the middle 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
She did good, and I enjoyed it 🙂
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I think I might have the first book in this series – your review has prompted me to pick it up! I enjoy a good suspense/mystery + romance, this sounds great!
A wonderful review Kimba.
kimbacaffeinate
These work well as standalone, but I wouldn’t mind reading 1-3 too 🙂
sherry fundin
When I was quite a bit younger, I used to read a lot of my dad’s westerns. I have recently read of zombies in the wild west and thought it was fantastic. Sounds like Daniels books are a good read.
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo Zombies in the west sounds good too 🙂
Kimberly
*hangs head in shame* I still haven’t given this author a try even though I see her books all the time. This year will be the year though. Love the cover too but I don’t get a big suspense vibe off it but I like it 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this one Kimberly
kimbacaffeinate
the suspense is there and it has two threads. Thanks Kimberly 🙂
aurian
Another review for this book, I really need to pick up the one I still have from this author.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Aurian, now I need to come see if you loved Murder of Crows as much as me 🙂
Michelle
How mysterious! And there’s twins! (Though one is missing/dead) I really like how the book sounds and I’m definitely interested i reading about Dillon! Really happy that this could be read as a stand alone! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Michelle I enjoyed this one 🙂
Berls
This sounds right up my alley – I love the cover and the synopsis is great. I’m so glad it can be read as a standalone, I would have been hesitant based on the synopsis, but sounds like it worked for you! Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
It worked, and I enjoyed it 🙂
Angela Adams
Thanks for the review…
kimbacaffeinate
anytime Angela, thanks for reading it 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Yep, I see you are ganging up with me with others trying to get me into cowboy romances. Darn it! I never thought romantic suspense would be in a “cowboy” (well, sheriff) type of book. I enjoy those. Will try to read these from the beginning so I don’t feel disconnected. Still didn’t seem like it was too much of a problem for you.
kimbacaffeinate
Nope, it wasn’t a big issue Melissa 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
At least this one worked out well for you. I remember that book you read the other day where you jumped mid-series too and it didn’t quite pan out. Happy weekend, Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Braine…have a nice weekend 🙂
Heidi
I love a good Western mystery and this one sounds like a terrific read. I love companion novel series that you can just jump in at anytime! Happy weekend!
kimbacaffeinate
Have a nice weekend!
Christy
This does sound good! Gotta love a good cowboy. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
yee-ha!
brandileigh2003
Woot for a good mystery and a sexy cowboy
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Brandi!
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
I would not have pegged it from the cover to have so much mystery/suspense. Glad you could jump right into the series and enjoy it 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Right, but then I read the synopsis and was all in 🙂
Lauren
It’s great that you were able to jump into this without having read the prior books, I hate when I do that and I’m lost! I love whodunits and romance, and no, it does not hurt that the guy on the cover is gorgeous to look at. Fab review! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
My thoughts exactly!
Silvia
A mystery suspense with a smexy cowboy? And it can be read as a stand-alone? Ok, I have to check this one out!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Silvia!
A Voracious Reader
It’s been years since I read B.J. Daniels, but then again it’s been quite some time since I read a Harlequin. After I joined Goodreads in 2010 I just sorta dropped my Harlequins for other books. I really need to get back to them!
kimbacaffeinate
Well you know me Carol I read from all publishers and all genres..LOL
Debbie Haupt
Kimba, great review. I’ve read some of her novels before but it’s been a while and this is just the kick in the pants to get this one.
Thanks
deb
kimbacaffeinate
Glad I was the kick you needed..lol
Jenny
I’ve always had a soft spot for Montana. My dad thought that would be an epic name for his baby girl, but my mom vetoed it so Jennifer I am. Kind of boring. But anyway, I’ve always been extra curious about Montana as a result, and I love that this book is set there! A huge yay for a solid mystery and romance as well, this one sounds like an all-around winner:)
kimbacaffeinate
We love visiting Montana Jenny. Mom’s and their vetoes..LOL
Jenea
The mystery of where Ethan is sounds pretty good. And so does the romance between Tess and Dillon. Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Jenea, I enjoyed solving them 🙂
Chene Sterckx
Hmm this sounds like my cup of tea! A smexy cowboy and an intriguing mystery suspense.. I will have to look this one up. I admire you for jumping in at book 4, I’m not sure I could do that and would probably go back and read the first 3 books first!
kimbacaffeinate
Truly don’t it was a totally case of cowboy cover and not doing my research before accepting..but it turned out ok 🙂
kindlemom1
I love when series can be read and a stand alone and I am glad you were able to jump right into this one and not feel lost.
Have a great weekend Kim! I hope you are able to relax some and destress. 😉
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Ali, I was wiped out yesterday 🙂
Melliane
I love when there is a good mystery in a book, I’m always so curious to find out what is happenning. I’m glad you didn’t have any problems by starting with this one, but I think it’s usually ok with this genre, mainly when the characters are different.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Melliane, this was a solid read and I enjoyed it.