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Hide and Seek
For museum curator Andrew Allison, the sleepy little Maine village of Safehaven has always lived up to its name—until now. Fleeing an abusive relationship, Andy has returned to Safehaven for a few weeks while he figures out the future and helps his elderly Uncle Cuthbert run his antiques shop. But when Andy arrives, he learns Uncle Cuthbert is in the hospital, critically injured, the victim of a late-night break-in.
Worse, one of the first messages on the shop answering machine is from Marcus, Andy’s ex, demanding to know Andy’s whereabouts.
Nor does the bad news stop there. It seems whoever broke into Time in a Bottle is still looking for that mysterious whatever. Something they didn’t find the first time. Something they now believe Andy has.
Something worth killing for?
The good news is former bad boy Quinn Rafferty, Andy’s high school crush, is back in town and interested in renewing their acquaintanceship.
Quinn is not a man to run from things that go bump in the night, be they mysterious midnight prowlers or a relationship-shy fish-out-of-water museum curator.
But Quinn has a few secrets of his own…
An audio book is planned.
Worse, one of the first messages on the shop answering machine is from Marcus, Andy’s ex, demanding to know Andy’s whereabouts.
Nor does the bad news stop there. It seems whoever broke into Time in a Bottle is still looking for that mysterious whatever. Something they didn’t find the first time. Something they now believe Andy has.
Something worth killing for?
The good news is former bad boy Quinn Rafferty, Andy’s high school crush, is back in town and interested in renewing their acquaintanceship.
Quinn is not a man to run from things that go bump in the night, be they mysterious midnight prowlers or a relationship-shy fish-out-of-water museum curator.
But Quinn has a few secrets of his own…
An audio book is planned.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2022
About the author
Josh Lanyon
183 books5,290 followersAuthor of 100+ titles of Gay Mystery and M/M Romance, Josh Lanyon has built her literary legacy on twisty mystery, kickass adventure, and unapologetic man-on-man romance.
Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.
She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.
Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.
Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.
She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.
Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.
Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
April 27, 2023
Andrew Allison's hoping to lay low at his great uncle's while his boyfriend's fit of rage subsides. Unfortunately, said uncle is stuck in a coma following a burglary gone wrong. So now, on top of his boyfriend's threatening phone calls, Andy gets to deal with the possibility of a retuning burglar, his cousin wanting to oust him from his (temporary) home, and of course his beloved uncle not surviving. Thankfully, his old high-school boyfriend is on hand to help him weather through things.
His very handsome, presumed dead for over a decade, boyfriend... but who's looking the gift horse in the mouth?
Just like Andy, I was feeling overwhelmed with things in my life, so a respite provided by the author of my favourite comfort reads seemed like a good idea. How lucky is it to find their books on NetGalley? The answer may surprise you... *cue obnoxious grin*
Turns out I'm not a big fan of romance stories featuring (re)established relationships. Unless of course, they're part of a series that features the complete progression of said relationship. Jumping into stories that constantly throw out hints toward deeper issues having happened off-screen? That's just annoying. Otherwise the story is kinda cute, sort of back to the basics, albeit with a tendency towards too many tangents mid-sentence.
Score: 2.7/5 stars
It wasn't too bad, I liked the chemistry and the love interest. The sex scene was bit tame compared to some of Lanyon's older books, which seems to be a trend in her newer novels.
Bottom line: it just didn't excite (cough) me as much as I hoped it would.
=============
ARC provided by JustJoshin Publishing Inc. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.
His very handsome, presumed dead for over a decade, boyfriend... but who's looking the gift horse in the mouth?
Just like Andy, I was feeling overwhelmed with things in my life, so a respite provided by the author of my favourite comfort reads seemed like a good idea. How lucky is it to find their books on NetGalley? The answer may surprise you... *cue obnoxious grin*
Turns out I'm not a big fan of romance stories featuring (re)established relationships. Unless of course, they're part of a series that features the complete progression of said relationship. Jumping into stories that constantly throw out hints toward deeper issues having happened off-screen? That's just annoying. Otherwise the story is kinda cute, sort of back to the basics, albeit with a tendency towards too many tangents mid-sentence.
Score: 2.7/5 stars
It wasn't too bad, I liked the chemistry and the love interest. The sex scene was bit tame compared to some of Lanyon's older books, which seems to be a trend in her newer novels.
Bottom line: it just didn't excite (cough) me as much as I hoped it would.
=============
ARC provided by JustJoshin Publishing Inc. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.
October 28, 2022
it is more of a me thing rather than a book thing. i tried but i don't think the romantic suspense will ever be for me. i was hooked, yes, but i obviously didn't liked it. 2 stars because i wasn't bored overall but deep down i wished i picked something else.
November 2, 2022
For me, every new release by Josh Lanyon is a delight especially when I had to fight with Audible India for 3 months to get it. 😭 No, don't start cheering for me because I actually failed. I think audible India has something against popular MM authors. Because I am still waiting for the release of KJ Charles's new novella. At last, I gave up and created an Audible US account(My dear friends have been suggesting I do so for the longest time 😃).
IMO the premise of a snow-covered quaint small town with an inefficient Police force is perfect for the setting of a murder mystery. Top it with a second-chance romance by JL and voila...Though I think this one is more for lovers of a romantic suspense than romance. But, I enjoyed every second of it.
IMO the premise of a snow-covered quaint small town with an inefficient Police force is perfect for the setting of a murder mystery. Top it with a second-chance romance by JL and voila...Though I think this one is more for lovers of a romantic suspense than romance. But, I enjoyed every second of it.
December 10, 2022
2.5* rating up because generally Lanyon can write.
Recycled storytelling and low on charm. Reads (as another review noted) like a mishmash of Grosse Point Blank and some generic action movies.
The 'romance' is tried and tested Lanyon formula. Which is all fine. It can work, I've loved many a Lanyon that's used it.
But throw in a 16yr separation plus the VERY recent separation from abusive ex and I'm thinking slow that down. While Quinn repeatedly talks and offers time, it's still a very serious situation to include in a cosy mystery setup - while murders don't impact emotions, this brought in realism. Plus 16yrs is a lot of living, they don't know each other.
Think this is what stopped me embracing the fantasy.
Then the mystery, where Andy fits inventory checks in offpage then tells the reader his finds via a random character! Huh? Felt I'd missed a chapter. Same when he then tells it all to Quinn. The plot seemed too farfetched, making wild ungrounded guesses that happen to fit.
Andy too cool in his detecting and too detached about his beloved uncle -he visited him twice?-. Quinn too much fake charm and uncomfortably an adrenaline junky.
Part of the solution seemed obvious, the only character not to turn nasty and accused Andy. The characterisation was rather cartoonish overall.
. A wink and it's all forgotten.
This would have worked if written as a daft action script rather than attempting to hold on to a cosy mystery setup.
Think it happens over a week? Then its HEA time! And that due more to circumstances than active decision which was to passive for me.
I think this irritates me more because it had the potential to be good. Maybe a future reread with lowered expectations will fare better.
Recycled storytelling and low on charm. Reads (as another review noted) like a mishmash of Grosse Point Blank and some generic action movies.
The 'romance' is tried and tested Lanyon formula. Which is all fine. It can work, I've loved many a Lanyon that's used it.
But throw in a 16yr separation plus the VERY recent separation from abusive ex and I'm thinking slow that down. While Quinn repeatedly talks and offers time, it's still a very serious situation to include in a cosy mystery setup - while murders don't impact emotions, this brought in realism. Plus 16yrs is a lot of living, they don't know each other.
Think this is what stopped me embracing the fantasy.
Then the mystery, where Andy fits inventory checks in offpage then tells the reader his finds via a random character! Huh? Felt I'd missed a chapter. Same when he then tells it all to Quinn. The plot seemed too farfetched, making wild ungrounded guesses that happen to fit.
Andy too cool in his detecting and too detached about his beloved uncle -he visited him twice?-. Quinn too much fake charm and uncomfortably an adrenaline junky.
Part of the solution seemed obvious, the only character not to turn nasty and accused Andy. The characterisation was rather cartoonish overall.
. A wink and it's all forgotten.
This would have worked if written as a daft action script rather than attempting to hold on to a cosy mystery setup.
Think it happens over a week? Then its HEA time! And that due more to circumstances than active decision which was to passive for me.
I think this irritates me more because it had the potential to be good. Maybe a future reread with lowered expectations will fare better.
December 7, 2022
It's been way too long since I've read a new (or old) Lanyon and that's a shame for a Fanyon like me.
This hit the spot and hit it again. I love that it was a full length novel, I loved the small town setting, I loved the mystery, the coming home and of course, I loved the second chance romance, especially at Christmas time.
It was at times funny and at times frightening. I loved that we never knew who to trust and everyone seemed at a time or two that they could be the villain. It for sure kept me guessing and kept me on my toes.
I'm horrible at finding words when I can't find anything wrong, it's a flaw, so, I'll just say I loved it and leave it at that.
It's definitely time to pick up some of the Lanyon books I haven't read yet and probably even more importantly, to pick up those I've already read. I mean, there is always time to revisit Adrien and Jake, right?
This hit the spot and hit it again. I love that it was a full length novel, I loved the small town setting, I loved the mystery, the coming home and of course, I loved the second chance romance, especially at Christmas time.
It was at times funny and at times frightening. I loved that we never knew who to trust and everyone seemed at a time or two that they could be the villain. It for sure kept me guessing and kept me on my toes.
I'm horrible at finding words when I can't find anything wrong, it's a flaw, so, I'll just say I loved it and leave it at that.
It's definitely time to pick up some of the Lanyon books I haven't read yet and probably even more importantly, to pick up those I've already read. I mean, there is always time to revisit Adrien and Jake, right?
October 17, 2022
Read like an old Lanyon book which, for me, is a very good thing.
I did this on audio and the narrator was meh.
I did this on audio and the narrator was meh.
December 24, 2022
Sorry but Quinn needed to do a lot more grovelling than that. There was no excuse for his behavior back then, and Andy was a huge pushover for taking him back like that. The I love yous came too fast considering they were practically strangers. So...3 stars because like always, it was very well written.
July 23, 2022
I always love a Josh Lanyon book and even though she published this by chapter on her Patreon group I didn’t read it until it was fully done and released. It is a book that was written for her Patreon members so it is not available to those not in the group at this time.
The story was a typical Lanyon story of mystery in a small town and a long lost love being rekindled…or maybe not? Andy has fled his abusive partner and finds out his beloved Uncle Cuthbert has been attacked and left in a coma after someone broke into his shop. Andy hasn’t been back to Safehaven in a few years and is now surrounded by his uncle in the hospital, a cousin and his witchy wife, being chased by his abusive ex and to top it all off Quinn Rafferty, the man Andy was in love with in his teenaged years and thought was dead, is alive and back in Safehaven!
The mystery was interesting and the romance was more on the down low. This is nothing new from Lanyon, I expect all her books to be more mystery driven. I enjoyed this but it was more of a comfort read. A lot of her books are similar and this is nothing new. I don’t mind that at all for the most part. It’s her formula and it works.
The story was a typical Lanyon story of mystery in a small town and a long lost love being rekindled…or maybe not? Andy has fled his abusive partner and finds out his beloved Uncle Cuthbert has been attacked and left in a coma after someone broke into his shop. Andy hasn’t been back to Safehaven in a few years and is now surrounded by his uncle in the hospital, a cousin and his witchy wife, being chased by his abusive ex and to top it all off Quinn Rafferty, the man Andy was in love with in his teenaged years and thought was dead, is alive and back in Safehaven!
The mystery was interesting and the romance was more on the down low. This is nothing new from Lanyon, I expect all her books to be more mystery driven. I enjoyed this but it was more of a comfort read. A lot of her books are similar and this is nothing new. I don’t mind that at all for the most part. It’s her formula and it works.
September 7, 2023
An audiobook, I was hoping for some cozy romantic suspense mystery, and that was what I got but it was all so bland and vaguely objectionable. I remember early Lanyon books being a lot more oomph, at least more feelings involved. In food analogies, it was not just that this was low spice (it was, and that's fine with me), but also saltless and sugarless, a bit stodgy.
MM romantic suspense romance, and it felt oddly old fashioned in plot. Andy our damsel in distress must come to help with his uncle's antique shop which is perhaps holding treasure bad guys want, and rekindles relationship with the guy who dumped him with no word when they were teens. And the dynamics are all odd, like a 70s romantic suspense with a man and a woman, and very clearly defined roles and the "male" role being kind of a take-over, macho asshole in a way (I thought so. The narration needs to add he says things laughingly or smiling because he keeps saying bitchy things, he does not really explain himself much and the whole spy thing is over the top. ).
Adding to that Lanyon is doing an almost queer-norm thing with the worldbuilding, I am not sure if to provide a safe space or just extra copying that old style mf romances... I sympathize if it is to provide a safe space but it really does not ring true in this setting to not even mention the possibility of homophobia or prejudice, when it is about small town Maine, 16 years ago, teenagers on a relationship and the grandfather of one of them being hateful to him. Might be true, I hope it is, but I am not going to take it as realistic.
Narrator, James Woodrich does a very good job with the narration and accents, IMO, though I thought there was maybe something with the audio processing, where it sounded robotic at times and as if the speed was erratic. (I am no audio expert at all, though and could be my copy/program or synch with my watch. It does not usually happen with other audios though).
In all, it was as much to my taste as saltless sugarless porridge. Not awful, but not particularly enjoyable. (Am I imagining how much more enjoyable early Lanyon stories were? Everything recent of hers I try seems to just be off, bland, perfunctory to me).
MM romantic suspense romance, and it felt oddly old fashioned in plot. Andy our damsel in distress must come to help with his uncle's antique shop which is perhaps holding treasure bad guys want, and rekindles relationship with the guy who dumped him with no word when they were teens. And the dynamics are all odd, like a 70s romantic suspense with a man and a woman, and very clearly defined roles and the "male" role being kind of a take-over, macho asshole in a way (I thought so. The narration needs to add he says things laughingly or smiling because he keeps saying bitchy things, he does not really explain himself much and the whole spy thing is over the top. ).
Adding to that Lanyon is doing an almost queer-norm thing with the worldbuilding, I am not sure if to provide a safe space or just extra copying that old style mf romances... I sympathize if it is to provide a safe space but it really does not ring true in this setting to not even mention the possibility of homophobia or prejudice, when it is about small town Maine, 16 years ago, teenagers on a relationship and the grandfather of one of them being hateful to him. Might be true, I hope it is, but I am not going to take it as realistic.
Narrator, James Woodrich does a very good job with the narration and accents, IMO, though I thought there was maybe something with the audio processing, where it sounded robotic at times and as if the speed was erratic. (I am no audio expert at all, though and could be my copy/program or synch with my watch. It does not usually happen with other audios though).
In all, it was as much to my taste as saltless sugarless porridge. Not awful, but not particularly enjoyable. (Am I imagining how much more enjoyable early Lanyon stories were? Everything recent of hers I try seems to just be off, bland, perfunctory to me).
January 1, 2023
I liked this tale of adventure set just before Christmas.
Whilst I don't think it will win many awards for originality it definitely kept me reading.
A guy returns to the small town of his youth, to come see an injured relative and escape his abusive partner but gets involved in crime, adventure and romance with the man he thought long gone....
I'd have liked a bit more Christmas but hey, I still got some funny and witty writing :)
Whilst I don't think it will win many awards for originality it definitely kept me reading.
A guy returns to the small town of his youth, to come see an injured relative and escape his abusive partner but gets involved in crime, adventure and romance with the man he thought long gone....
I'd have liked a bit more Christmas but hey, I still got some funny and witty writing :)
March 14, 2023
Feels like classic Lanyon, which on the whole I quite enjoy! I liked the writing, and the characters were interesting. Ofc, there's a mystery (fine, but nothing special), past relationship, and , but I thought this was solid read, and though it's far from the holidays, I appreciate that it definitely wasn't super Christmasy.
April 6, 2023
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
This was awesome!!! Andy and Quinn are some of the best characters I've read in a while. I am on a real reading winning streak. :)
The story starts (more or less) with Andy having just left his abusive ex and arriving at his uncle's shop in Safehaven, only to learn he is in the hospital after having been attacked by someone who broke in! Being thrust into the story like this worked for me, mostly because we were learning about what was going on at the same time as Andy. Had he known things that I didn't know, then I would have had a problem with it.
This is a very cute and nice little town, where everybody knows everybody and their business (dirty or otherwise). Though there is definitely something going on because someone keeps trying to break into the uncle's shop. Andy is determined to figure out what is going on because he loves his uncle and is terrified he will not survive. The sheriff (or whatever his title is), is a real idiot (he is very bad I don't have the words) with a grudge against just about everybody, especially Quinn, Andy's old flame who disappeared when they were kids. Andy thought he was and is shocked to see him in town. Quinn has certain...talents...that help Quinn deal with certain problems, one of which is Andy's ex, Marcus, who doesn't take no for an answer.
There is so much going on in this story but I was right along with them, anxious to figure out what is going on. I didn't want to put it down. I don't even know what else to say. There is romance, action, mystery, cloak and dagger stuff, a weird guy in a green fedora, and all kinds of drama with family and police. I really hope to read more about Quinn and Andy, I think there is so much more they have to share!
I highly recommend this and I really hope the audio becomes available at the library.
5 stars
This was awesome!!! Andy and Quinn are some of the best characters I've read in a while. I am on a real reading winning streak. :)
The story starts (more or less) with Andy having just left his abusive ex and arriving at his uncle's shop in Safehaven, only to learn he is in the hospital after having been attacked by someone who broke in! Being thrust into the story like this worked for me, mostly because we were learning about what was going on at the same time as Andy. Had he known things that I didn't know, then I would have had a problem with it.
This is a very cute and nice little town, where everybody knows everybody and their business (dirty or otherwise). Though there is definitely something going on because someone keeps trying to break into the uncle's shop. Andy is determined to figure out what is going on because he loves his uncle and is terrified he will not survive. The sheriff (or whatever his title is), is a real idiot (he is very bad I don't have the words) with a grudge against just about everybody, especially Quinn, Andy's old flame who disappeared when they were kids. Andy thought he was and is shocked to see him in town. Quinn has certain...talents...that help Quinn deal with certain problems, one of which is Andy's ex, Marcus, who doesn't take no for an answer.
There is so much going on in this story but I was right along with them, anxious to figure out what is going on. I didn't want to put it down. I don't even know what else to say. There is romance, action, mystery, cloak and dagger stuff, a weird guy in a green fedora, and all kinds of drama with family and police. I really hope to read more about Quinn and Andy, I think there is so much more they have to share!
I highly recommend this and I really hope the audio becomes available at the library.
5 stars
February 23, 2023
This was my first book by this writer so I wasnt sure what would happen in it. While I enjoyed most of this, some of it dragged on a bit long.
So in here we have Andy, someone who just ran away from his abusive boyfriend to his Uncle Cutter. Who just happens to be attacked on the evening Andy arrives which starts the whole mystery setup. The other MC was Quinn, who to be honest, just didnt feel real to me. They knew each other when they were young but Quinn was not nice to Andy and went off to do his thing.
Now the mystery part was just kind of there? I am not sure if they are usually more in depth or if they always have more page time than the romance, but I could have read this whole thing without it and not missed anything.
All in all, a nice read for an afternoon.
So in here we have Andy, someone who just ran away from his abusive boyfriend to his Uncle Cutter. Who just happens to be attacked on the evening Andy arrives which starts the whole mystery setup. The other MC was Quinn, who to be honest, just didnt feel real to me. They knew each other when they were young but Quinn was not nice to Andy and went off to do his thing.
Now the mystery part was just kind of there? I am not sure if they are usually more in depth or if they always have more page time than the romance, but I could have read this whole thing without it and not missed anything.
All in all, a nice read for an afternoon.
March 30, 2023
Overall book rating: 3.5
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3
This was not my favorite Josh Lanyon, but it was cute.
I think sticking to the boys in the FBI should be her thing.
I've read my fair share of CIA and I'll just say that the
FBI boys in her stories are much more authentic to me
than said CIA.
I liked the characters. I enjoyed the idea behind the story.
Nice little inbetween.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3
This was not my favorite Josh Lanyon, but it was cute.
I think sticking to the boys in the FBI should be her thing.
I've read my fair share of CIA and I'll just say that the
FBI boys in her stories are much more authentic to me
than said CIA.
I liked the characters. I enjoyed the idea behind the story.
Nice little inbetween.
February 12, 2023
I devoured this book in one sitting because, bottom line, I am a total sucker for second chance romance.
And this story of Andy returning to the appropriately-named Safehaven to help out his injured great uncle Cuthbert and reconnecting with his first love, bad boy Quinn Rafferty, fits the bill.
Leaving an abusive ex-cop boyfriend, Andy returns to Safehaven to tend the antiques shop "Time in a Bottle" while Uncle Cuthbert lies in a coma, the victim of a savage beating in connection with a break-in. There are a few obvious suspects - the deliciously dysfunctional couple Clark and Fleur Skylar - and as the break-ins continue, the mystery grows.
When Quinn Rafferty disappeared one night (when he was 18 and Andy was 16), Andy believed him dead ...
In any case, Andy finally solves the mystery which has led us through a tantalizing array of suspects and motives. I suspect some readers are not going to be as forgiving of Quinn; however, the mystery kept my interest throughout and c'mon, the bad boy and a geeky museum curator get back together. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the author, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
And this story of Andy returning to the appropriately-named Safehaven to help out his injured great uncle Cuthbert and reconnecting with his first love, bad boy Quinn Rafferty, fits the bill.
Leaving an abusive ex-cop boyfriend, Andy returns to Safehaven to tend the antiques shop "Time in a Bottle" while Uncle Cuthbert lies in a coma, the victim of a savage beating in connection with a break-in. There are a few obvious suspects - the deliciously dysfunctional couple Clark and Fleur Skylar - and as the break-ins continue, the mystery grows.
When Quinn Rafferty disappeared one night (when he was 18 and Andy was 16), Andy believed him dead ...
"Because otherwise why wouldn't Quinn have let him know where he was? Why wouldn't Quinn have told Andy what was going on? After everything - after what they had meant to each other - But it turned out Andy had been as wrong about that as all the rest of it. Clearly, Quinn had not felt the same."Sometimes the bad boy is just a messed-up kid who doesn't know where to turn. And sometimes that kid becomes (how can I say this ....) an "international man of mystery" which works for the story but lets Quinn off the hook in a way by too quickly encapsulating what made Quinn the man he is today.
In any case, Andy finally solves the mystery which has led us through a tantalizing array of suspects and motives. I suspect some readers are not going to be as forgiving of Quinn; however, the mystery kept my interest throughout and c'mon, the bad boy and a geeky museum curator get back together. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the author, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2022
VERY SPOILER-Y REVIEW, AVOID AT ALL COST IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT
This is quintessential Lanyon's romance - second-chance/reunion type - and maybe, just one of these days, I will get tired of it. But not today.
Although the circumstances are far-fetched (hey, your first love apparently becomes a spy!) and considering Andy has just walked out from an abusive relationship, with his ex-boyfriend having so much power (as an ex-cop), I am a bit worried with Andy's mental situation of getting back together with Quinn (seriously, Quinn alludes that he can make Marcus disappears!). Is it healthy?? Maybe he should have therapy first, because no matter what Quinn says, he also seems to be a bit pushy in the end.
Having said that, Lanyon can write this trope, darn it! And I feel my heart constricted at some parts.
The mystery, though, is not one of Lanyon's best. Seriously, the villain don't even have on page scene (well, maybe a little) or a dialog. It's like he's just being plucked off the author's head, and we, readers just have to accept it. Everything about the villain being on a killing spree is never credibly explained
Thank you Kalinka Elf from Goodreads Secret Santa event for this book
This is quintessential Lanyon's romance - second-chance/reunion type - and maybe, just one of these days, I will get tired of it. But not today.
Although the circumstances are far-fetched (hey, your first love apparently becomes a spy!) and considering Andy has just walked out from an abusive relationship, with his ex-boyfriend having so much power (as an ex-cop), I am a bit worried with Andy's mental situation of getting back together with Quinn (seriously, Quinn alludes that he can make Marcus disappears!). Is it healthy?? Maybe he should have therapy first, because no matter what Quinn says, he also seems to be a bit pushy in the end.
Having said that, Lanyon can write this trope, darn it! And I feel my heart constricted at some parts.
The mystery, though, is not one of Lanyon's best. Seriously, the villain don't even have on page scene (well, maybe a little) or a dialog. It's like he's just being plucked off the author's head, and we, readers just have to accept it. Everything about the villain being on a killing spree is never credibly explained
Thank you Kalinka Elf from Goodreads Secret Santa event for this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2022
I would love this to be a series.
I need more Andy and Quinn..
I need more Andy and Quinn..
February 23, 2023
4 / 5 ⭐️‘s
"Hide and Seek" by Josh Lanyon
The book follows the story of Andy who returns to Safehaven to help his elderly Uncle run his antiques store. However, upon his arrival, he finds out that his uncle has been critically injured in a late-night break-in, and he may be in possession of something that's worth killing for.
The characters are also well-developed. Andy is a sympathetic character, and you can't help but root for him as he tries to navigate the dangerous situation he finds himself in. Quinn, Andy's high school crush, is charming and enigmatic, and their rekindled romance adds an extra layer of tension to the story.
Lanyon's writing style is engaging and descriptive. He creates a vivid sense of place, and the small town of Safehaven feels like a character in its own right. The dialogue is natural and flows well, and the pacing is perfect.
It's a mystery with a M/M romance that will tug at your heartstrings. If you're a fan of romantic suspense or just love a good mystery, I recommend giving this book a try.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Hide and Seek" by Josh Lanyon
The book follows the story of Andy who returns to Safehaven to help his elderly Uncle run his antiques store. However, upon his arrival, he finds out that his uncle has been critically injured in a late-night break-in, and he may be in possession of something that's worth killing for.
The characters are also well-developed. Andy is a sympathetic character, and you can't help but root for him as he tries to navigate the dangerous situation he finds himself in. Quinn, Andy's high school crush, is charming and enigmatic, and their rekindled romance adds an extra layer of tension to the story.
Lanyon's writing style is engaging and descriptive. He creates a vivid sense of place, and the small town of Safehaven feels like a character in its own right. The dialogue is natural and flows well, and the pacing is perfect.
It's a mystery with a M/M romance that will tug at your heartstrings. If you're a fan of romantic suspense or just love a good mystery, I recommend giving this book a try.
This ARC was provided by the publisher via @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2022
I know it's daft to say this, given the cover, but I didn't know this was a Christmassy-ish novel. I'm glad it was, seeing as I saved it for the holiday season. Great mystery, lovely romance, just desserts delivered to the right people. I enjoyed this very much.
December 17, 2022
3,5*
Frankly, not much to say. I enjoyed it, I liked the characters, it was very well-written, but I'm not sure I'll remember it in a week's time.
Frankly, not much to say. I enjoyed it, I liked the characters, it was very well-written, but I'm not sure I'll remember it in a week's time.
December 23, 2022
Enjoyed.
January 17, 2023
Not much to say. Nice story, engaging mystery, hohum romance.
March 25, 2024
REVIEW OF RELISTEN; MARCH 24, 2024
My 2022 review below remains unchanged except to add that if the author had written Quinn's character differently, this might have ended up a winner for me. As it is, my constant questions about Quinn - where did go? What did he do all those years he was gone? Why did he come back? I know authors, especially Lanyon, like to keep certain details hidden for the Big Reveal. I'm not a fan of this because those burning questions are like a piece of hot sand in my shoe. Aggravates the hell out of me.
So, yeah, the big issue for me was the non-development of Quinn's character. All I got was that he felt protective about Andy, our Lanyon mansel in distress, and that he felt he owed the latter. Didn't say why but I guess because of the way Quinn left without a word, did his whatever-thing without nary a phone call or an email. There's an allusion to the CIA but if Quinn ever came right out and told Andy he had a secret life with the CIA then I didn't hear it because...sigh...I fell asleep. I know. My fault. Usually, when I get sleepy I will pause the audiobook and switch to a non-fiction then return the next day but with H&S I guess it wasn't doing enough for me to want to come back the next day so I continued, fell asleep, woke up, resumed, fell asleep, resumed enough to hear 'CIA' and "my former bosses", Andy getting fired, learnt what, exactly, was going on at Time in a Bottle, and a couple of characters I couldn't place. I am now deciding whether to listen to the last 50 minutes. I suppose I will - I might get lucky and something happens to up my rating to 3 stars.
Looks like I'm going to have to relisten to 'Adrien-with-an-E again. I've lost count how many times but still love it every time.
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; SEPTEMBER 27, 2022
Narrator: James Woodrich
I ended up being rather underwhelmed by this one. While I didn't care for the characters in Murder in Pastel, which I listened to a few days before Hide & Seek, I did like the book, the romance even if I wanted more...just a little more with regards to Max's feelings for Kyle. But here, in Hide & Seek, I felt nothing for the characters. They were like cardboard cutouts from a Lanyon template dropped into a story that didn't have any of the charm of its predecessors.
I've been gathering up all the Lanyons I haven't listened to and making my way through them.
----------------------------------------------
Listened to a sample of the audiobook narrated by James Woodrich and I can't wait! Josh said in his newsletter it's coming soon. Hope that means before the year's over. I am desperate for an MM romantic cozy mystery and this one looks like it's a standalone so...YAAY!
My 2022 review below remains unchanged except to add that if the author had written Quinn's character differently, this might have ended up a winner for me. As it is, my constant questions about Quinn - where did go? What did he do all those years he was gone? Why did he come back? I know authors, especially Lanyon, like to keep certain details hidden for the Big Reveal. I'm not a fan of this because those burning questions are like a piece of hot sand in my shoe. Aggravates the hell out of me.
So, yeah, the big issue for me was the non-development of Quinn's character. All I got was that he felt protective about Andy, our Lanyon mansel in distress, and that he felt he owed the latter. Didn't say why but I guess because of the way Quinn left without a word, did his whatever-thing without nary a phone call or an email. There's an allusion to the CIA but if Quinn ever came right out and told Andy he had a secret life with the CIA then I didn't hear it because...sigh...I fell asleep. I know. My fault. Usually, when I get sleepy I will pause the audiobook and switch to a non-fiction then return the next day but with H&S I guess it wasn't doing enough for me to want to come back the next day so I continued, fell asleep, woke up, resumed, fell asleep, resumed enough to hear 'CIA' and "my former bosses", Andy getting fired, learnt what, exactly, was going on at Time in a Bottle, and a couple of characters I couldn't place. I am now deciding whether to listen to the last 50 minutes. I suppose I will - I might get lucky and something happens to up my rating to 3 stars.
Looks like I'm going to have to relisten to 'Adrien-with-an-E again. I've lost count how many times but still love it every time.
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; SEPTEMBER 27, 2022
Narrator: James Woodrich
I ended up being rather underwhelmed by this one. While I didn't care for the characters in Murder in Pastel, which I listened to a few days before Hide & Seek, I did like the book, the romance even if I wanted more...just a little more with regards to Max's feelings for Kyle. But here, in Hide & Seek, I felt nothing for the characters. They were like cardboard cutouts from a Lanyon template dropped into a story that didn't have any of the charm of its predecessors.
I've been gathering up all the Lanyons I haven't listened to and making my way through them.
----------------------------------------------
Listened to a sample of the audiobook narrated by James Woodrich and I can't wait! Josh said in his newsletter it's coming soon. Hope that means before the year's over. I am desperate for an MM romantic cozy mystery and this one looks like it's a standalone so...YAAY!
October 9, 2022
I love this author’s books typically but this wasn’t a favorite. Andy isn’t a favorite character. He wasn’t bad but he was pretty annoying. This is mostly a mystery with very little romance. I don’t think I’ve listened to the narrator before and he was ok.
March 8, 2023
Generally speaking I love Lanyon's mystery/romances and I've read a lot of them. After a while certain motifs are repeated, but I still really enjoy them. I did find the time line tight - Andy went through a lot! in a very short amount of time. And Quinn was there for him, after running off and leaving him to suspect the worst 16 years ago.
If you are willing to suspend disbelief and just enter into the world of the book, this works just fine. If you are seriously thinking about what it takes to leave an abusive relationship and start a new one, this won't work at all. It worked fine for me.
If you are willing to suspend disbelief and just enter into the world of the book, this works just fine. If you are seriously thinking about what it takes to leave an abusive relationship and start a new one, this won't work at all. It worked fine for me.
July 21, 2022
A great mystery, wonderful characters, and a very charming m/m romance. This has everything you'd expect when you pick up a Josh Lanyon novel: Plus, of course, it was written with the usual Lanyon style--with grace, humor, touching moments, adventure, danger, plot twists, red herrings, and ... murder.
January 26, 2023
Usually a newly published Lanyon doesn't sneak by me long, but this one came as a random surprise when I was browsing. The output has been slower since pandemic struggles and for a host of other life reasons for the author. I'm waiting for a few more sequels of series I follow, but it's nice to grab the random standalone.
The story opens in Maine with Andrew, the returning relative of an attacked and truly precious elderly uncle, investigating what happened to his relative, helping keep his antique store up and running (kind-of), dealing with an abusive ex, and reuniting with an old flame who left town mysteriously when they were teenagers. Plenty to keep the story's pages occupied with a storyline, but the author also added in the son and icky wife of the uncle for some other emotional tensions and frustrations.
I haven't read many books about abused men in LGBT relationships, so that was different and I believe Lanyon handled it well, especially with the acknowledged limitations of the legal system. I'm glad the small town wasn't prejudice as - while that's often the case - it's also used at times as a stereotype, so it was nice here to see Andrew accepted for who he was without fuss. You do get the anxiety on being an abused male, and again I think the author handled this well so did like this part of the story.
The reunited flame, Quinn, veers off into some pretty unrealistic and oddball leanings sometimes, but it was fine. I didn't feel like I got to know him other than him being almost perfect for every situation, but since this isn't the typical series book I read by her, obviously she can't do too much of a slower build-up of realistic emotions. As usual, I dig her relationship bonding, being a mixture of sweetness and steam to accompany the story instead of drown it out completely. Or, should I say, snow it in? Ha, ha.... No, guess not.
Mystery was a bit all over the place but well done. There's some typical humorous moments where the author enjoys writing some cursed main characters. I'm happy she kept this one single POV as that's my preference. It's hard to go wrong for me with most of Lanyon's stuff, this one was an enjoyable addition and a surprise.
The story opens in Maine with Andrew, the returning relative of an attacked and truly precious elderly uncle, investigating what happened to his relative, helping keep his antique store up and running (kind-of), dealing with an abusive ex, and reuniting with an old flame who left town mysteriously when they were teenagers. Plenty to keep the story's pages occupied with a storyline, but the author also added in the son and icky wife of the uncle for some other emotional tensions and frustrations.
I haven't read many books about abused men in LGBT relationships, so that was different and I believe Lanyon handled it well, especially with the acknowledged limitations of the legal system. I'm glad the small town wasn't prejudice as - while that's often the case - it's also used at times as a stereotype, so it was nice here to see Andrew accepted for who he was without fuss. You do get the anxiety on being an abused male, and again I think the author handled this well so did like this part of the story.
The reunited flame, Quinn, veers off into some pretty unrealistic and oddball leanings sometimes, but it was fine. I didn't feel like I got to know him other than him being almost perfect for every situation, but since this isn't the typical series book I read by her, obviously she can't do too much of a slower build-up of realistic emotions. As usual, I dig her relationship bonding, being a mixture of sweetness and steam to accompany the story instead of drown it out completely. Or, should I say, snow it in? Ha, ha.... No, guess not.
Mystery was a bit all over the place but well done. There's some typical humorous moments where the author enjoys writing some cursed main characters. I'm happy she kept this one single POV as that's my preference. It's hard to go wrong for me with most of Lanyon's stuff, this one was an enjoyable addition and a surprise.
December 18, 2022
Review (ESPAÑOL -ENGLISH)
⤵️⤵️⤵️
Me gustó mucho, el misterio realmente fue el protagonista de aquí aunque la relación de ellos dos siento que debió tener más desarrollo.
Quinn fue un personaje muy fuerte y me dió pesar a la hora de ir descubriendo su niñez. Aunque en lo romántico... Era un poco seco .
Por otro lado está Andy , su personaje no estuvo mal y me gustó como lo desarrollaron .
Se sufrió,se investigo y mucho más con esta novela . Ahora,una parte para alentar que lean esto
Y por cierto, amo el hecho que JL puso un epílogo. Josh , tienes que hacerlo más a menudo por favor.
— Pero cuando lo pensé, por supuesto que mereces ser amado, y te amo , y puedo ser eso para ti. Quiero ser eso para ti. No solo te olvidé. Pero a veces, cuando dejas que algo pase demasiado tiempo, parece demasiado tarde para volver atrás y arreglarlo. Hasta donde yo sabía, tenías todo lo que querías, todo como lo querías. Ni siquiera estaba seguro de que todavía me recordarías.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I really liked it, the mystery really was the main character here although the relationship of the two of them I feel should have had more development.
Quinn was a very strong character and gave me grief as I was discovering his childhood. Romantically though.... He was a bit dry.
On the other hand there is Andy , his character was not bad and I liked how he was developed .
There was suffering,research and much more with this novel . Now , a part to encourage you to read this .
And by the way , I love the fact that JL put in an epilogue . Josh , you need to do it more often please .
- But when I thought about it, of course you deserve to be loved, and I love you , and I can be that for you. I want to be that for you. I didn't just forget you. But sometimes, when you let something go too long, it seems too late to go back and fix it. As far as I knew, you had everything you wanted, everything the way you wanted it. I wasn't even sure you'd still remember me.
⤵️⤵️⤵️
Me gustó mucho, el misterio realmente fue el protagonista de aquí aunque la relación de ellos dos siento que debió tener más desarrollo.
Quinn fue un personaje muy fuerte y me dió pesar a la hora de ir descubriendo su niñez. Aunque en lo romántico... Era un poco seco .
Por otro lado está Andy , su personaje no estuvo mal y me gustó como lo desarrollaron .
Se sufrió,se investigo y mucho más con esta novela . Ahora,una parte para alentar que lean esto
Y por cierto, amo el hecho que JL puso un epílogo. Josh , tienes que hacerlo más a menudo por favor.
— Pero cuando lo pensé, por supuesto que mereces ser amado, y te amo , y puedo ser eso para ti. Quiero ser eso para ti. No solo te olvidé. Pero a veces, cuando dejas que algo pase demasiado tiempo, parece demasiado tarde para volver atrás y arreglarlo. Hasta donde yo sabía, tenías todo lo que querías, todo como lo querías. Ni siquiera estaba seguro de que todavía me recordarías.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I really liked it, the mystery really was the main character here although the relationship of the two of them I feel should have had more development.
Quinn was a very strong character and gave me grief as I was discovering his childhood. Romantically though.... He was a bit dry.
On the other hand there is Andy , his character was not bad and I liked how he was developed .
There was suffering,research and much more with this novel . Now , a part to encourage you to read this .
And by the way , I love the fact that JL put in an epilogue . Josh , you need to do it more often please .
- But when I thought about it, of course you deserve to be loved, and I love you , and I can be that for you. I want to be that for you. I didn't just forget you. But sometimes, when you let something go too long, it seems too late to go back and fix it. As far as I knew, you had everything you wanted, everything the way you wanted it. I wasn't even sure you'd still remember me.
February 5, 2023
4.5
What a ride.
I managed to devour "Hide and Seek" in less than a day: I always forget how freaking lovely and clever Josh Lanyon's writing is, and what a mastermind she is. Her mysteries are the main reason I love this genre so damn much, and "Hide and Seek" is yet another gem in her arsenal of freaking amazing books.
Addictive, clever and brilliantly plotted, with a romance subplot that left me starry-eyed, this murder mystery was wholly entertaining and hugely satisfying: Josh Lanyon is THE queen of amateur sleuths (and their, more or less, qualified love interests) getting unwittingly mixed up in gruesome murders, and each and every single one of the ones she has created so far has been unforgettable. Andy is no exception: he was a hugely lovable protagonist, jaded and shy and broken, but also clever and snarky and brave. I loved being in his head, and I loved following him (and Quinn) on their adventure and quest to discover who's really behind a string of break-ins and beatings.
The mystery was really compelling: twisty and thrilling, packed with action and discoveries, heists and robberies, villains in fedoras and trench coats and shady police officers. And the romance, although fairly minal, was equally compelling: I absolutely adored Andy and Quinn's second chance at romance, and I loved their dynamic too. I was definitely invested in them from their very first scene together and their chemistry was truly fantastic and very, very palpable.
So yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm so, so excited to read Lanyon's next masterpiece.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a ride.
I managed to devour "Hide and Seek" in less than a day: I always forget how freaking lovely and clever Josh Lanyon's writing is, and what a mastermind she is. Her mysteries are the main reason I love this genre so damn much, and "Hide and Seek" is yet another gem in her arsenal of freaking amazing books.
Addictive, clever and brilliantly plotted, with a romance subplot that left me starry-eyed, this murder mystery was wholly entertaining and hugely satisfying: Josh Lanyon is THE queen of amateur sleuths (and their, more or less, qualified love interests) getting unwittingly mixed up in gruesome murders, and each and every single one of the ones she has created so far has been unforgettable. Andy is no exception: he was a hugely lovable protagonist, jaded and shy and broken, but also clever and snarky and brave. I loved being in his head, and I loved following him (and Quinn) on their adventure and quest to discover who's really behind a string of break-ins and beatings.
The mystery was really compelling: twisty and thrilling, packed with action and discoveries, heists and robberies, villains in fedoras and trench coats and shady police officers. And the romance, although fairly minal, was equally compelling: I absolutely adored Andy and Quinn's second chance at romance, and I loved their dynamic too. I was definitely invested in them from their very first scene together and their chemistry was truly fantastic and very, very palpable.
So yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm so, so excited to read Lanyon's next masterpiece.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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