REVIEW: The Dark Woods by Debra Webb

In The Dark Woods (Winchester, Tennessee #2) by Debra Webb , Sasha Lenoir is determined to discover the truth of what happened to her parents twenty-seven years ago. However, she doesn’t have a clue where to start and figures she could use help, especially if that help comes from US Marshall Branch Holloway. Yet, she’s been hiding a secret for years that could cause a permanent rift between her and Branch if he discovers the truth. Will Sasha get to the bottom of the deaths of her parents or will she lose her second chance with Branch?

”I guess we never know what the future holds.” Sasha chafed her bare arms with her hands, chasing away the sudden chill that came from deep within her bones. “Don’t you find it odd that the three of us have suffered such similar tragic pasts?” Sasha shook her head. “Winchester is a small town and that’s a lot of skeletons rattling around.”
Rey made an agreeable sound. “I suppose every small town has it’s secrets.”
“My grandmother probably knew them all.” Sasha laughed, the sound strained despite her effort to lighten the moment. “No one was privy to more rumors and gossip than Viola Simmons.”

What a thrilling and fantastic ride Ms. Webb takes readers on this second book of her Winchester, Tennessee series where the suspense had me on the edge-of-my seat and had me worried for the heroine; the compelling dialogue had me reading quickly, determined to discover whether the heroine would reveal her secret sooner rather than later; and the obstacles these two face to be together had me wondering if they’d ever find their way back to each other.

The way this story started had me hooked, as the heroine is home and ready to know the truth. How far is she willing to go to finally learn what happened to her parents? Is she willing to put her life at risk, especially when she has so much to lose? Furthermore, the dialogue was intense and entertaining due to the main characters back stories and their shared past that had the heroine running and never looking back. Not after everything that had happened in her life between what happened to her parents and what happened between her and the hero. Will the heroine be able to forgive the hero for breaking her heart all those years ago? Will the hero be able to forgive the heroine for what she’s been keeping from him?

”My grandmother always said your grandmother was very proud of you. She was very happy about your success. So don’t go beating yourself up for something that wasn’t real when she was alive and damned sure isn’t real now. You’re feeling guilty for a non-existent issue.”
She laughed. God, if he only knew. “So what are you, a shrink?”
He shook his head. “No. Just a guy with experience in the blame department.”

With the main characters, the heroine is driven in her pursuit to get to the bottom of what happened to her parents, which is understandable since she’s always been haunted by what happened. Why her parents and not her too? She’s also resilient, courageous and I liked that she welcomed Branch’s help, even though she’s hiding a secret from him that could very easily make him never want to see her again. Will Sasha ever tell Branch the truth? While the hero, he’s very good at his job and I loved that he didn’t give up on helping the heroine, even though there’s every possibility that a very dangerous man was behind what happened; a dangerous man that would do anything so no-one would learn the truth. I also liked how protective he was of the heroine because he knows how dangerous things can get when investigating the kind of case she’s wanting to.

Overall, Ms. Webb has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance was delightful; and the ending had me worried for the main characters because of the danger their investigation brings their way, but had me loving that the hero and heroine were willing to fight for their second chance, especially when the heroine’s secret could have very easily had them going their separate ways for good. I would recommend The Dark Woods by Debra Webb, if you enjoy romantic suspense, the second chance romance trope or books by authors Elizabeth Heiter, Elle James, Cindi Myers and Lena Diaz.

Book Info:

Publication: March 1st, 2019 | Harlequin Intrigue | Winchester, Tennessee #2

Will uncovering the truth about her past…

Destroy her future?

Driven to discover what really happened to her parents twenty-seven years ago, Sasha Lenoir seeks US Marshal Branch Holloway’s help. It’s a big risk. What if her former lover learns her long-held secret? As their reignited desire draws them back into each other’s arms, Sasha knows that Branch deserves to hear the truth. But will telling him about her past cost her a second chance with the man she never forgot?