by Jayne Ann Krentz
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
It's no coincidence when Grace Elland finds a vodka bottle next to the lifeless body of her boss, motivational speaker Sprague Witherspoon. The bottle is a terrifying--and deliberate--reminder of the horrors of her past. Grace retreats to her hometown to regroup and tries to put everything she's learned about positive thinking into practice--a process that is seriously challenged on the world's worst blind date. Awkward doesn't begin to describe her evening with venture-capitalist Julius Arkwright. She has nothing in common with a man who lives to make money, but the intense ex-Marine does have some skills that Grace can use--and he's the perfect man to help her when it becomes clear she is being stalked. As Witherspoon's financial empire continues to crumble around them, taking a deadly toll, Julius will help Grace step into her past to uncover a devious plan to destroy not only Grace, but everyone around her...
Jayne Ann Krentz is a go to author for me, from her paranormal to romantic suspense she delivers regardless of the name she uses. Trust No One is a standalone romantic suspense that held me spellbound, made me laugh and allowed me to settle in and lose myself within the story.
In Trust No One, we met Grace Elland who finds a vodka bottle next to the body of her murdered boss, a motivational speaker, that she helped reach stardom. Ironically, the bottle of vodka scares her more having her retreating to her hometown after finding herself jobless.
Here she tries to regroup and come up with a career strategy. Grace is a little flighty career wise, but she really enjoyed her job writing positive affirmations. Her best friend decides that a surprise blind date is in order. Enter, Julius Arkwright, a venture capitalist who is no more interested in a relationship than Grace. The two have an awkward start, but as an ex-Marine and out of the box thinker Julius may be just the man Grace needs. Krentz made both characters realistic, with flaws and quirks that I found charming. I could see the slow-burning chemistry beginning between them and enjoyed their banter. They played off each other well each highlighted the other’s strength.
The suspense angle in Trust No One was my favorite aspect. We have murder, a stalker, and an intermixing of Grace’s past and Witherspoon’s murder. We had plenty of suspects, red herrings and twists to keep me guessing. Krentz kept thing realistic and allowed me to enjoy the events as they unfolded. I loved how vivid the secondary characters were from the over the top daughter of the deceased to the husband of Grace’s best friend.
Perfectly paced, blending romance and suspense Trust No One was a delightful tale with fleshed out characters that kept me immersed until the last page was read.
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
Dani Chapman
You really hit the nail on the head with your review! I too gave Trust No One 4 stars. I really enjoyed it but it wasn’t my favorite of her books.
kimbacaffeinate
*blushes* Thanks Dani. I adore this author but yes not my favorite
Lark
Good review! I enjoyed this one, too, but had to give it back to the library before I got my review written! Krentz is always fun. Now I’m on the hold list for the new Amanda Quick title. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, I have been there done that. I have the Quick book pre-ordered!!
Mary
Yay for suspense and red herrings! Not that I’m great at guessing whodunit anyway but I like to be kept guessing nonetheless.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you give it a go.
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I really enjoy Romantic Suspense but I am yet to try this author; I do like the sound of this book and its great that is a standalone.
A lovely review Sharon – Obsession with Books
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you give her a go, the library usually has them
Lorna
I have heard of this author for years, and am sorry to say, have never tried reading her. I thought all she wrote was romances, and never dreamed she wrote any paranormal or suspense books. This sounds really good-I am glad you enjoyed it 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh no Jane Ann Krentz writes romantic suspense/paranormal present day. She writes as Amanda Quick and those are romance/paranormal/mystery/suspense in historical setting. Then she writes as Jayne Castle paranormal/romantic suspense/fantasy in the future and off planet. Her Arcane Society novels are my favorite and utilize all three author names beginning with Second Sight.
Jess
This sounds like a suspenseful read! I haven’t read anything by this author and I like that this is a standalone book. On my list now! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh you have been missing out. I hope you try it Jess. Most local libraries carry her work
Amir
For some reason, whenever I see Jayne Anne Krentz, I get reminded of Linda Howard and vice versa. I do love romantic suspense, they just add more to a typical romance story. I haven’t read a lot of JAK but I did enjoy the ones I did. Awesome review Kimba! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love the genre Amir, it replaces the drama in a typical contemporary romance with mystery and suspense.
Bea
This was such a delightful story and I really enjoyed the slow burn romance and that Julius was different from so many romsuspense heroes.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed Bea. I managed to have a good time with all of her books
Renee
Wonderful review that you have here. I haven’t read this author in quite some time, but I love her paranormal’s….and this one sounds really exciting.
kimbacaffeinate
I love her paranormal novels too Renee
Debbie Haupt
Hi Kim, the review was great and I too am a huge Krentz in whatever name, fan too.
I haven’t read this one yet, so it’s off to Amazon for me 🙂
xo
kimbacaffeinate
Me too Debbie
Benish
I think the idea of blind dates in fiction is really great – thank you for the review, I just added this to my TBR 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Benish. I enjoy all of this author’s books
Paij Slater
It’s been added to my ever growing TBR pile :). Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet. I hope you enjoy it Paij
Terri
Good to know that Jayne still has what it takes! This one sounds intriguing, as I love the sound of the world’s most awkward blind date turning into something. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh it was..which added some humor.
Angela Adams
An addition to my TBR list. Thanks for the post!
kimbacaffeinate
Awesome, enjoy Angela
Melissa (Books and Things)
I really need to read this author. You hit on why I like mysteries like this. Well fleshed out characters can make or break a book in this genre for me. Brilly!
kimbacaffeinate
Have you read her as Amanda Quick or Jayne Castle? I think you would enjoy this Melissa.
Candace
This is an author I’ve been thinking I need to try. I like the suspense part for sure!
kimbacaffeinate
I think you would enjoy her books Candace.
Sophia Rose
Well, this does sound like a good plot to sink my teeth into. Glad the mystery is twisty enough to keep one guessing.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Sophia. Krentz usually delivers an enjoyable ride
Heidi
I really think I need to try this one. I am in another rut, and I need a good romantic suspense with some paranormal. Thanks for the recommendation. Happy weekend.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh no not another rut. This has been a tough year for you Heidi. I enjoy this author and read books under all of her names.
Lauren
You always find such great romantic suspense novels! Very curious to check this one out and meet Grace and Julius. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
It is one of my favorite genres Lauren.
Stormi
It’s sad but I have heard of this author but never tried her, so I am going to put her on my list of authors to try as her books sound like books I would enjoy. 🙂 I love a good romantic suspense. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..try her Stormi. 🙂
kindlemom1
I didn’t realize she has a pseudonym! How fun! Sounds like she is a fabulous writer regardless of what name or genre she is writing under. I will have to give something of her’s a try!
Have a wonderful weekend Kim and wonderful review!!
kimbacaffeinate
She has two. Her real name is Jayne Ann Krentz in which she writes contemporary stories. Then she is Amanda Quick who writes in the historical genre and lastly she is Jayne Castle who does futuristic stories. One of my all time favorites series is the Arcane Society series in which she uses all three names and takes us from the past to the future. They are paranormal romantic suspense stories.
Sarah
This author has been around for a long time, but for some reason, I haven’t tried to get into her books that much. I tried one but wasn’t so into it because I wasn’t in the mood for it. Maybe now that I’ve found a love for audiobooks I can pick up one of hers! I like the sound of this one, I am so in the mood for romantic suspense!
kimbacaffeinate
I haven’t tired her on audio yet..but plan to
Ramona
Okay, this author is completely new to me and I want to kick myself for it, because she sounds really good. The combination between the strong plot and two well drawn characters that leap off the pages through their flaws and quirks is a recipe for greatness 🙂 An enchanting review, full of all a newbie like myself needs to know about this. Thank you & have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
:blinks: You so need to try her. She writes as Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle each best sellers.
Laurel-Rain Snow
I really enjoyed this one, too; I hadn’t read this author in a while, so this one was a great return for me. Glad you enjoyed it, too.
kimbacaffeinate
I try to read everything by her including her Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle books
Nick
I love how you are always reading these fun romantic suspense books, Kim! This one sounds so good, especially the romance and the murder mystery.
kimbacaffeinate
Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres Nick.
Brandi Breathes Books
The pacing and romance sounds well done in this one.
kimbacaffeinate
It was, thanks Brandi
Katherine
I really enjoyed Krentz’s River Road and have been looking forward to trying this one. I’m already on the hold list at my library and I can’t wait to get to it!
kimbacaffeinate
Yay. Hopefully you don’t have long to wait
Quinn's Book Nook
I love a good romantic suspense novel, although I haven’t read one in awhile. I have read Jayne Ann Krentz, but not in years. I should look into her books again. This one seems really good. I love those ex-marine heroes. So sexy!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do Quinn. I really enjoy this author
Bookworm Brandee
I’ve never read anything from Krentz (or Castle). *gasp* I KNOW! I’m not sure why, actually. However, your review has made me more curious about her. It sounds like she does a great job with creating characters and building suspense – both sexual and mystery. Lovely review, Kimba. Happy Friday!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, have you tried her as Amanda Quick? I love all three.
Braine
I’ve only read one book of hers and its paranormal. It was okay, didn’t impress me much. Maybe I’ll have better luck with her contemporary novels such as this one
kimbacaffeinate
I love all of her books to some degree but I also read her as Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I liked this one a lot, it was such a pleasant surprise for me! I’ve read only a few of her books so far, written under different names, which does get confusing, but I loved them all. She is such a fabulous storyteller.
kimbacaffeinate
I discovered her first as Amanda Quick, but love Jayne Castle too.
Christy
Ah, I love when I find a book that uses my life motto as its title. 😉 This sounds good. And I so enjoy standout secondary characters
kimbacaffeinate
bwhahaha…yes only trust Liz and I. Well maybe not Liz.
Christy
Yeah, that Liz is shifty.
blodeuedd
I liked this one too 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Melliane
I did read a lot of books by her years ago, kept some too and I think I have 1 or 2 to read still. It’s great that she is always good with her books, I need to go back to her!
kimbacaffeinate
I love Krentz in all her forms- Castle and Amanda Quick.