Former Army Sergeant Holly Austin and her team at the HEARTS agency don’t normally find the police at their door. But it’s been weeks since a local woman vanished into thin air…and now there’s a second victim.Police Detective Jack Tarek wasn’t officially working the Julia Frederickson case until a second victim made the matter personal. Holly is willing to cooperate with Jack “unofficially,” … “unofficially,” but she quickly becomes a distraction he can’t resist. The leads on their cases might be running cold, but the attraction between the investigators is sizzling hot.
With every lead a dead end, those close to the investigation grow increasingly impatient for answers. Just as hidden secrets come to light, one of the investigators vanishes without a trace. The HEARTS team has just hours to solve the case—or risk losing one of their own.
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Highly entertaining, emotionally thrilling and action packed adventure filled with danger, intrigue and heart racing twists. Really enjoyed all the witty and engaging charters and exciting moments.
Wow this was an action packed page turner, I loved it! This book has everything – thriller, suspense, action, and romance. The characters are wonderful, love the chemistry between Holly & Jack. This is a great start to a series. Can’t wait to read #2! Thanks to NetGalley and Pink Sand Press for making it available to read this ARC.
What a fantastic story.. omg I couldn’t put this book down until I finished reading it.
Holly is the owner of Hearts Agency, and all the investigators are women! Strong, brave, kickbutt women.
Holly works alongside Detective Jack Tarek to solve the mystery behind the missing women.
Seriously so happy I got to read this book.. I will definitely be following this series, and the author.
Well worth 5 stars!
Fall in love with a new romantic suspense series:
What a great start to what looks like is going to be a fabulous series. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning and I had to hold on for a past paced and action filled read. It was engaging and intense, with twists and turns that had me turning the pages as fast as I could and gasping at what transpired. The chemistry and connection between Tarek and Holly felt authentic and intense. They were both flawed characters but I liked that they were real and that they were able to address some of their issues through the course of the book. I also like that they were both highly dedicated to their work and were determined to find and bring the perpetrators to justice.The ladies at HEARTS all seem like real characters and I can’t wait to get to know them through upcoming books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
This was fun. A kick-ass heroine with believable, relatable flaws, a romantic interest who respects her, and a world of women I’d love to have lunch with. It’s a fast read that moves along quickly.
Marci Bolden has a way with words that grip you at the throat and don’t let you go. This story is captivating with suspense, mystery, and romance thrown in. Jack and Holly have a lot going against them but they are dedicated to solving the case. But along the way there are secrets and twists and turns you don’t see coming. I was on the edge trying to get to the end.
Thank you to NetGalley. I truly enjoyed this story!
I liked this action filled story. The tense search for missing women was well done.
Holly was such a honor bound woman, was had become a fearless leader. At least when it came to her work. She pretty much kept her personal life off-limits; keeping people from getting too close.
Jack wasn’t intimidated by people but I also found it interesting that he treated Holly like an equal. He didn’t try to force her into the usual normal image that most people would try to do. That also got him extra points with Holly when she found out he meant it. He wasn’t intimidated by her but he was a whole lot intrigued by her. I had to smile at some of their conversions when she made sure she was in charge of a situation. Even the fact that she always HAD to drive the car added to the smiles. Jack even observes that she had one of the toughest exteriors that he’d ever seen but he also began to see below that surface.
Her team of women in her investigative business were not only highly skilled but quirky in their own ways. Part of her main team are people named, Eva, Alexa, Rene, Tika and Sam.
Oh. I’m sure people want to know if there will be sex in the story and the answer is yes there will be. At least several different times.
I just have to mention that one of the people that I suspected was “the one” didn’t even come up as a suspect. I was sure that they were missing him but to my surprise he was NOT the one. Good red herring on the author’s part.
The author did a great job of keeping the mystery of who the “baddie” was throughout the story. Had me going in circles more than once. I could almost feel the frustration that they were feeling as they raced the clock.
And as the story roars towards the end more things happen that cause them to race against the clock again. Twists and surprises will reign.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
“Hidden Hearts” (HEARTS Series Book 1) by Marci Bolden
Marci Bolden has written another great book! The way “Hidden Hearts” is woven together makes me excited to read Book 2! Great characters, great storyline! Just when I thought there was a happily ever after coming, another crucial part of the story emerged! I can’t wait to meet more of the HEARTS family! Highly recommend! 5 stars!-Green Gables Book Reviews
A woman is missing. Taken from her local grocery store parking lot in the middle of the day. Poor video surveillance and limited clues have led her husband to HEARTS Investigative Services. Investigator Holly Austin is giving all of herself to this case, knowing time is essential in solving it.
When a Police Officer enters their office, everyone is caught off guard. Detective Jack Tarek found out quickly that Holly is no one to mess with. When he tells her why he is there, they unofficially join forces to help find now two missing women. They both feel a personal stake in solving these cases. Who knew they would also feel a very strong personal connection toward each other?
As time is of the essence, discoveries are made that lead to more questions. Can they solve this case in time? And, what price will they pay personally to solve it?
Thank you to NetGalley and Marci Bolden for sending this book to Green Gables Book Reviews!
What a wonderful start to the series. Hidden Hearts had me at the edge of my seat with anticipation on what would happen next and I cannot wait to continue the series.
HEARTS is a Private Investigation Agency run by all women and they were hired to find a missing woman, Julia Frederickson, Former Army Sergeant Holly Austin (the owner of HEARTS) decides to take lead on this case and in the process she teams up with Detective Jack Tarek whose neighbor has just gone missing and thinks there may be a connection in the two cases.
The closer Holly and Jack work together the harder it is for them to fight the chemistry that is brewing between the two of them. I love that neither of them put up to much of a fight against the “We’re working together we can’t do this” and just went for what they both wanted and boy were they good for one another.
This story grabbed a hold of me and didn’t want to let me go, through all of the twists and turns the struggle to find the missing woman and the clock they were racing against had my heart beating out of my chest at times. Holly and Jack make a great team and all of the ladies of HEARTS are a force to be reckoned with. If you enjoy a good romantic suspense I highly recommend this book.
Happy Reading!!!
Hidden Hearts is a fast paced book that I couldn’t put down. I felt like I was right there with the characters experiencing what they were experiencing. Holly’s story gripped me from the beginning and I couldn’t wait to find out more about her. Jack’s character was mesmerizing, I felt myself smiling at his antics toward Holly and wishing I was Holly!! The women of HEARTS are strong, independent,empowering, take care of themselves badasses. Let’s face it the world needs more strong women leads in books, movies and tv. Marci Bolden gives her readers characters they can look up to and who can empower other woman. I can’t wait for book #2 of this series!
Hidden Hearts is the first book in Marci Bolden’s new, , series and plays toward the romantic suspense genre. The plot is tight and character driven. Bolden does an excellent job with character development, especially with that of the main character, Holly Austin. The reader is allowed a glimpse into both intrinsic and extrinsic factors surrounding Holly’s tough demeanor, making her relatable. While some of the dialogue does seem repetitive and the trope is a bit familiar, the book moves fast and does not feel weighted down or overdone. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre. 4 stars.
@pinksandpress #marcibolden #wayward_readers
Hidden Hearts is what I hope to be a long running new series by Marci Bolden. As the story progresses the reader is able to meet the women who work at the HEARTS Investigative Services. I loved the name though it took me a little while to work out the HEARTS part of it. However, the focus of the story is on former Army Sergeant Holly Austin who heads up this company.
As Detective Jack Tarek and Holly work on a couple of missing women cases we learn more about Holly. A mystery that is not easily solve along with the time sensitive makes this an unbeatable read. When the suspense and danger become more personal it is impossible to put the book down. Well done from the opening scene at the grocery story until the very last one with Jack and Holly this is an amazing roller-coaster of a ride book.
This romantic suspense with the emphasis on suspense is different from anything I have rad by Ms. Bolden. Yet, it may be my favorite book which is saying a lot since she has become a favorite author of mine in the contemporary romance genre. Now I can’t wait for more about this group of investigators.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.4 stars
This is the first book I have read by the author and it will not be the last. Julia has disappeared and her husband, Eric, is beside himself. Not having faith in the police, Eric, reaches out to Holly at the Hearts Agency to help find his wife. Holly is a former member of the military turned private investigator and she is like a dog with a bone searching for clues and answers to solve the mystery. Detective Jack Tarek is drawn to Holly when his mother asks him to look into the disappearance of her good friend. However, being on the police force, Jack is unable to officially look into the situation as he is too close. These two are like Starsky and Hutch with romantic undertones thrown in. The chemistry between them is fiery. Can these two figure out what is going on before another woman goes missing? This is one heck of a ride and I look forward to read about the rest of these amazing women in future books. I volunteered to read a copy of this book provided by Netgalley.
New author for me and wow! I’m hooked! Romance and suspense done right and I’m looking forward to more Hearts adventures!!
This is Book 1 in the Hearts Series. This was a really good book. There’s a lot of suspense in it with I really enjoyed, plus the romance between Holly and Jack. Holly started the Hearts Investigative Services and Jack is a Detective. They work so good together as they are trying to find the women who have disappeared. I was really surprised at everything that happened during the investigation but it’s what made the book. I never knew what was going to happen. I can’t wait to read more in this series. But she’s going to have to work hard to mark it as good as this book was I voluntarily read and reviewed this book that I received from Netgalley.
This is one of those books where I went in blind and wasn’t disappointed. I liked how complex the characters are in this book. It adds so many layers to the story. The writing drew me in and kept me hooked throughout the book. I enjoyed how different this book is from what I have been reading. It’s got romance suspense and action. It can work for many genres. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
This is the first book of Marci’s that I have read and I enjoyed reading it ! Starts with a prologue with Julia pushing her cart at a grocery store and when she leaves what happens. Then You learn about Holly and her work place HEARTS and what she does and her co workers/friends. And the Detective Jack when and how he meets Holly and what happens with them. The story drew me in and I kept reading to find out what happens. This story has drama, suspense, intrigue and love at the end. I recommend this book!!!!!
I absolutely love this book and think Marci did a fantastic job of writing a great suspense novel while still throwing in some romance in order to make it a romantic suspense novel. Every book of hers I read I am more impressed with how well she tells a story and makes it so realistic you feel like you could really know these characters and this one is no exception and is honestly my favorite of hers. Holly and the rest of the girls at HEARTS are such amazingly strong and independent women that I feel they could and should be role models for all of us. I feel that Jack was the perfect fit for Holly and the rest of this plot line with the search for the missing women and how everything is so interconnected is nothing short of brilliant. I can’t wait for the rest of this series!
Julia Frederickson has been missing for over a month and when the police have no luck finding her, her husband contacts Hearts Investigative Services. Holly Austin, former army sergeant, started the private agency after leaving active service. When another woman goes missing, she is contacted by Detective Jack Tarek. A second woman is missing, abducted in the same manner. Since this latest victim is a friend of Jack’s mother, his department will not allow him to be a part of the investigation. Clues are scarce, but she agrees to work with him as they go back over every piece of information that she, her team and his department have learned. When a third woman is abducted, time is running out. Worried that the first two women may already be dead, will they find this latest victim in time? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
Holly and Jack are so cute. It seems no one is good in this book. Well at least all the bad guys. HEARTS is a great group of women who are fierce, loyal and broken in some way. Holly takes the lead on this case of finding a missing woman. It ends up being more then one missing woman. Jack comes to Holly for help with a second missing woman. The sparks do fly for these two. Holly and Jack work together to solve these mysteries while seeing what is happening between the two of them. You will learn about Holly’s past while trying to figure out who the bad guy is. I can’t wait to find out what happens to all the HEARTS ladies in future books.
*I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.*