A suspense romance novel filled with community, mistery, and forgiveness. She’s lost everything: her parents, her sister, her sight. Now, someone’s stalking her. She can feel him taunting her. He must be the one who killed the sheriff. She’s afraid, but whom can she trust? Joey. He’s stable as a rock and too good looking to ignore. However, she must guard her heart. He’s only here for his … However, she must guard her heart. He’s only here for his brother’s funeral.
The mayor is saying the sheriff’s death was an accident. Thankfully, her old high school crush has returned from the big city back to her small town. Will Joey, the high-profile detective, believe a poacher shot his brother or can she convince him there’s more to it?
She must convince him the mayor is lying.
Her life depends on it.
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This review is for the audiobook version.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Let me start with saying that I wasn’t feeling well while listening to this book. Now you would think that it would be a distraction but listening to Ms. Kelly read to me helped me to forget, at least for a little while, the pain I had to deal with. She gave me something else to focus on.
When I first started listening, I didn’t think that our narrator was going to do justice to the story. But she proved me wrong. I may not have thought of her as being what I envisioned Mara to look like but she became a pleasure to listen to. She had just the right tone in her voice when it came to changing it just enough for the male parts. She also did a good job in showing the emotions that were needed.
What impressed me about the author was how good she was about showing that we can compensate when one of our senses is compromised. She was also good at showing that the path we take is not set in stone and sometimes we have to veer off and take a different route. And when we veer off, sometimes we get a surprise we’re not expecting. Now if Ms. Kelley left her story at that I would have been a happy camper but she went the extra mile and gave me a mystery to concentrate on. It was that mystery and suspense that hooked me into her series. I can’t wait to dig further into Elkridge and see what plans she has for her readers. One thing, besides finding a new series and author, this left me with wanting to see if she has any more audiobooks in her future.
I voluntarily reviewed an Audiobook copy of this book.
This is the first book I have read from Lyz Kelley, but it won’t be my last. I love her writing style and her cast of characters are filled with heart, a humorous spark and a love that just feels will go the distance. Not solving the mystery in this first book is so smart. You just have to read the next book!!! I highly recommend this book and this author.
This is an interesting book about returning to a home you didn’t realize you missed. Good story, believable and lovable characters and a mystery to solve. So many things to love!
Read it. You won’t regret it.
It is a great story. I just skipped over the steamy parts, the story could stand alone and the steamy parts weren’t necessary.
This is a wonderful story. It is filled with romance, murder, mayhem and suspense. It easily kept my listening ears turn on through the day. I loved many things about it. The story was amazing. This is filled with action, small town life and mysterious happenings. The characters filled with story with life. I loved Mara (sorry no last names at they all seemed Italian-so long and hard to pronounce let alone spell). She has had so much tragedy but yet is always so upbeat. Her job(s) are cool (Making flower arrangements!!)- also the dog training and the whole olfactory…she is just amazing. I would love to meet her! Joey grew up in small town USA but moved away as fast as he could. Now he is back for his family and a funeral.
These two are a great second chance couple. Things have changed in their lives since they grew up. I love that their romance is a smallish part of the story. But yet it seems to be a large portion at the same time. The secondary characters (and I can’t name them all) are outstanding. From Tony, Gina and Kim to Joey’s crazy family all were excellent. They added so much to the story but didn’t overpower the MC’s.
I do have a few lines that made me laugh and one that makes me think.
“You can’t grow if you are too scared to succeed” ~
“Men are like beta fish. They are colorful, live alone because they are territorial and aggressive and they pick fights with anything that goes by their bowl.”
Overall this is a favorite story. I will keep an eye out for the second in this series. I did listen this on audio. Meghan Kelly did a great job bringing this to life.
A terrible accident as a teen robbed Mara of her parents and her sight. Now she lives above her flower shop with her trusty seeing eye dog, often visited by her older brother, who now has a life and family of his own. It’s taken years for her to be completely independent and she still mourns the life she once dreamed of–romance, a family, maybe even a musical career. And when a blast from the past shakes things up, her dreams threaten to turn into nightmares.
Joey left his small town as soon as high school graduation was over, and never looked back, building a life in Seattle as a detective. But when his older brother is found dead, and the deputies at a loss for what happened, he takes a week off work to bury his sibling and search for clues. When he steps into the local flower shop to buy something for his mom, he finds Mara right where he left her so many years ago.
He thought she got married and had no idea the accident left her blind. She never thought he’d come back into their small town. Joey’s flight leaves soon and Mara isn’t interested in having her heart broken again. But some bonds are unbreakable.
Mara’s blindness was a topic that could have gone very well or very poorly. I was pleased to see that Kelley created a character that wasn’t defined by her blindness, but it was just one layer in a very complex young woman with strength and passion. The small “tells” were there as well, like Mara’s wording to her seeing eye dog and the way she spoke of her therapy after the crash. The author did a lovely job of not just sticking the word “blind” in a book, which is very important when it comes to embracing characters in literature.
The mystery aspect was strong as well, a true “who done it” that makes you think as you listen. I appreciated that the crime plot line wasn’t cut and dry, tied with a pretty bow after an hour like a TV cop show.
Meghan Kelly was already a pro when I came across her work, but she’s really outdone herself with Blinded. From a kid nephew to an old, angry Italian man, everyone has a distinct voice that never wavers. She gave this thrilling contemporary romance with and edge a life.
I encourage anyone who wants to read a book that will touch your heart and make you think twice about small towns and people who have been injured to not only read this book, but to sign up for Ms. Kelly’s newsletter and get the prelude to this series.
In Blinded, Joey comes back to Elkridge after a ten year absence to attend the funeral of his older brother. The first person he meets is an acquaintance from high school, Mara, who is running her parent’s flower shop. Joey discovers that the accident that took the lives of Mara’s parents and sister has left Mara blind, but he comes to admire the way that Mara has not let her blindness completely stop her from living.
Mara has always had a crush on Joey and her feelings are no different now than they were in high school, except she doesn’t think that he will every come to love her because she is “broken”.
Joey and Mara’s road to a HEA is not an easy one, but then I don’t think the road to true happiness ever is. This story made me laugh, cheer, hold my breath and cry and I loved every minute of it.
I cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A thrilling 2nd Chance love story! The author does a great job keeping me on the edge of my seat! I absolutely fell in love with the characters!! I am very excited to keep reading the series to figure out who did it!!!
JoeyMara! Amazing Story & Audible Listen
Blinded: A Second Chance Love Story
Elkridge Series, Book 1
By: Lyz Kelley
Narrated by: Meghan Kelly
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it captivated me from start to end! This is my fist book by Lyz Kelley and I did not know what to expect so I was pleasantly surprised about how much I liked it. She is a talented author & skilled writer. The storylines she created are original, realistic and relatable. They are interesting & filled with drama, twists, suspense and a whole lot of heart. The characters are complex and well developed. I just adored Mara, with all the loss and sorrow in her life, as well as hardships she the picture of strength. Joey has not been home 10 years, after college and relocated to Seattle for an investigative career in law enforcement. He returns home for his brother’s funeral. On his first day back he stops in the towns florist and sees Mara for the 1st time in years. The two instantly click, I loved these two together, how he described things to her, how she shared her heighten sensory abilities with him. Joey, not happy with how the sheriffs office is handing the investigation of his brother’s death he starts looking in to it and Mara was an asset at his side. I was rooting for these two and cheered towards the end. I am looking forward to find out what is really going on in Elkridge. With a new Sheriff in town more should get uncovered. Lyz Kelley, thank you for this awesome story, I hope the rest of the series becomes available on Audible soon.
I listened to the Audible edition, Meghan Kelly is an amazing narrator and voice performer. She brings the characters to life, gives each their own voice and personality. She put a lot of heart in to this story, she makes you feel the characters emotions. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to! Thank you for another awesome listen
Thank you AudiobookObsession
#AudiobookObsession #AudiobookObsessionReviewer
This was my introduction to Lyz Kelley and I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was nice to get the perspective of both Joey and Mara. The pace of the story was nice and even, flowed very well. Meghan Kelly’s narration was spot on! What initially drew me to this story was 1. Meghan Kelly! 2. the synopsis was great and drew me in. The characters of Joey and Mara were great and worked very well together. Second chance romances are slowly becoming one of my favorite tropes and Lyz Kelley has done a spectacular job.
**Audio Review**
Great story!
Blinded was a great story of a girl named Mara and a guy named Joey. Both whom have a hard life. Mara lost her parents and her sight in a tragic accident. She very much longs for her independence. Joey lost a loved one very tragically. He is looking for justice.
I enjoyed the story very much. There was a lot of emotion involved. As well as a lot of suspense. I found myself on the edge of my seat several times. It also had a lot of hot, sexy moments. I could feel the heat that arose between them.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator. This is the first time I have heard her. Something about her voice, I just couldn’t place with these characters. I am an avid audiobook listener, have listened to over a hundred audiobooks. She just didn’t do it for me, didn’t give me the feels I usually get with audiobooks. Maybe she is a great narrator and I would give her another go with a different book, but a I almost couldn’t finish listening to this book because of the narration. That is the reason I had to take a star away on my review.
I do, however, recommend this book!!
Both the main characters have sad backgrounds of things the must overcome as well as Joey having to deal with the death of his brother. While coming home Joey sees Mara for the first time in ten years and he finds he still has the same feelings for her that he did before he left. With this visit he is able to see where being with Mara will take him as well as see his family and try to solve his brother’s murder. The book wraps up nicely but still has me looking forward to the next in the series.
Narration was fantastic as well. I love the way Meghan’s voice is so versatile and can do voices so well.
Blinded by Lyz Kelley is a second chance romance story that I listened to on audio narrated by Meghan Kelly. This is the first book in the Elkridge Series. This is the first book of Lyz’s that I have read and look forward to reading more from her in the future. Meghan did an amazing job narrating with the different voices she used for the characters. I liked that the book switched between Mara and Joey’s points of views so you could really get into both characters heads. I would highly recommend this book to any one who loves Second Chance Romances.
#audiobookobsession #audiobookobsessionreviewer
This was my first Lyz Kelley’s book, and this is the first book in the Elkridge Series. This is a great and well written Romantic Suspense/Second Chance to Love/Small town story. Mara and Joey are both great characters, and they share a strong chemistry. Mara is a strong and independent woman, who learned to live without asking for help. Joey is a strong, handsome, and protective man. I love their story, and happy ending. The storyline is great, fast-paced, action packed, and entertaining. Now, I can’t wait for the next book in the Series. Meghan Kelly did a great narration, and all characters were easy to distinguish.
Blinded: A Second Chance Love Story
Elkridge Series, Book 1
By: Lyz Kelley
Narrated by: Meghan Kelly
I can’t believe this is Lyz Kelley’s debut novel, it is just so good! I have been on a romantic suspense binge, and this satisfied every point I love about the genre. Joey comes home to his brother’s funeral only to find his brother’s death may not have been the accident he thought it was. With his skills as a detective, his father and the town commission him(without his consent!) to find the true answers, Coming back to his hometown, he gets the chance to see Mara, a girl he had a crush on in high school Due to a tragic accident, Mara has lost her sight….or has she? With her other heightened senses, Mara and Joey combine their talents and are on a mission for the truth. And if love kicks in, it can’t hurt, right? Kelley has the perfect second chance romance combined with a thrilling murder case all wrapped up into one! It’s fast paced, hot and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Plus I fell in love with this small town, it’s florist and community! I can’t wait to hear book 2!
Meghan Kelly is amazing! She is able to bring this thriller to life. She adds suspense just with the inflections of her voice.I love her ability to make Joey annoyed in one breath and on the trail the next. She can voice a drunk old man, then turn and give us kids. Mara has attitude and strength, and we can hear it all. Kelly’s performance is A+++!
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Audiobook review:
Blinded: A Second Chance Love Story (Elkridge Series, Book 1) is a sweet and suspenseful story with oodles of family & friendships. A multi-genre novel including women’s fiction, small town romance, and murder/mystery. With tropes encompassing second chance romance and romantic suspense, Sarcastic humor & sensuous sliver transuding through out the narrative. A subplot of crime and corruption in the police dept. that runs deep beneath the streets in a small town in Colorado that extends across the whole series. Mara’s character’s strength and determination is admirable. This author deals with a horrific tragedy in a way that does justice to the narrative.
Narator Meghan Kelly performance gives each character their own individual voice. Tone and pace flows through smoothly.
Audiobook Obsession
Audiobook Review: Blinded: A Second Chance Love Story (Elkridge #1) by: Lyz Kelley (Author), Meghan Kelly (Narrator)
Sometimes a person has to wander through the dark in order to find a ray of light. Blinded feels like that. I felt caught in a maze with no clue how to find my way out. For Joey and Mara pain breathes deep within their hearts. Tragedy has brought them to a crossroads that is littered with danger, destined for heartache and perhaps pointing toward a second chance. The twists are endless, the danger is near, but love casts a shadow that encompasses it all.
First, although this is technically a stand-alone, it will be necessary to continue the series to see the overarching crime solved.
Well edited.
Joey returns to his hometown to attend the funeral of his brother, Sam. Sam was the sheriff of Elkridge, and was shot under mysterious circumstances. His first stop is the flower shop, where he runs into Mara, a girl from high school. Mara has had her own share of tragedy. She survived a car accident that claimed the lives of her parents and sister. Survival wasn’t without cost though. Mara sustained severe injuries and eventually lost her sight. Amid the grief and fear stirred by Sam’s murder, Joey and Mara connect – both igniting long simmering crushes. As Joey’s week at home stirs up emotions, questions, and a desire to find his brother’s killer, the need to to return to his job in Seattle pulls him in the opposite direction. Will he stay? Will he go? Will Mara let herself believe someone could love her despite the damage done by the accident?
Amid the emotions of trying to sort out love, there are several other things going on around Joey and Mara. Family issues. Financial issues. Business issues. And the larger questions – who killed Sam? Why? Is the police department in Elkridge really inept? Or are they deliberately so? What had Sam stumbled upon? How does the FBI figure in? What about the odd purchases at the local stores? And who is stalking Mara? Looking for the answers is enough for me to continue the series. Enjoy.
5 Stars
Review by Alysia
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books
Blinded by Liz Kelley was a sensational love story!! It’s a very emotional book about Joey, a detective that grew up in the town but moved away for school. He hasn’t visited home in ten years. However, when his brother is murdered he is forced home for the funeral. He thinks that he will only be home for a few days and then back to his high ranking job as a detective in Seattle. When he returns home for his brother’s funeral, he finds that his brothers’ death wasn’t an accident. In fact, his brother was murdered. In hopes to find his brother’s killer, he gets the help of his high school crush Mara. Who in her own series of unfortunate events has lost her sight and now lives her life in darkness, though that doesn’t stop her from living a normal healthy life. Her and her brother own the local floral shop, and she volunteers at the local humane society to help with training of service dogs. She also has always had a crush on Joey for as long as she can remember.
Joey doesn’t know who he can trust with the evidence him and Mara collect since the sheriff’s office is full of complete dimwits that weren’t even able to process the crime scene correctly.
Will Joey and Mara solve the case? Will they live happily ever after? You must read to find out!!!
I admired how well Liz Kelley connected to her characters in Blinded. I felt the story unfold like it was happening all around me. Yet she didn’t overuse the details to make the story.
It’s in the books! My first title from Lyz Kelley and holy smokes was there a lot going on in Blinded. Stalkers. Murder. Small town politics. Thievery. Dreams. Fear. Possibility…
Let me start with Mara, our heroine. I liked her a heck of a lot. She had her troubles for sure, but she never let her disability control her. Despite her limitations, she was very independent and strong willed. And her ability to pick up other details that many missed was both amusing and awe-inspiring. No one was immune to her charms especially Joey.
I’ll be honest, it took me a bit to warm up to Joey. He was a bit standoffish and seemed to brush his feelings about what brought him home after so many years aside. At first anyway. But as the mystery surrounding his brother’s death started to unfold, more and more of his heart and grit started to show.
There was a slow and constant build towards a lot of things. The whodunit it. A future between Mara and Joey…But as some things started to come together, more questions were popping up. I liked that while Joey and Mara found their happiness, there are things that started here that are left unresolved. Blinded was a good start to what I have a feeling is going to be an intense, sexy and dangerous series.