Brandy Heineman‘s Christmas-y novella, Last to Know, is a romantic suspense that kept me engaged and guessing. Main characters Nadine and Chase have developed a close friend relationship while working at their small town historical museum. Both are dedicated to preserving their community’s historical artifacts, but a number of forces come together to force the museum’s closure. It all seems like business/politics as usual, until Nadine and Chase discover what seems to be a cover-up of a decades-old murder. While uncovering clues and avoiding danger, the MCs go from friends to more. I liked the small town-vibe, the sweet romance, and the suspense that kept the characters and me on my toes. I did not see the ending coming! There are themes of abandonment and feelings of unworthiness, and the author presents a strong message of finding value in our relationship with God.
If you are looking for a quick and Christmas-y read, then Last to Know is a great choice.
Recommended.
Audience: Adults.
(I purchased this book from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
All she wants for Christmas . . . is an end to this terrible year.
Silver bells are ringing, but family drama and flaky finances have Nadine Notaro wrung out. The only bright spots this holiday season are her job at the Blissford Historical Society and her cheery, dependable co-worker, Chase Garren—until the City Council cuts their funding. The lost income will be bad enough, but what about Chase? Though quick to remind everyone they’re just friends, she can’t stomach losing him, too.
While packing up the Society’s record collections, Chase and Nadine discover a journalist’s cache of negatives pointing to a decades-old scandal and cover-up. Entanglements with the City’s biggest power players pull their strings, but every clue brings them closer to the truth—and each other—until Nadine finds evidence of a betrayal she never thought possible.
Casting light on the lies may ruin Christmas and their friendship, but it stands to cost them much more.
Brandy Heineman is a book hoarder, cat herder, and author of inspirational dual timeline novels. Antique shops and digital newspaper archives top her list of happy places, and she fuels her day job in marketing and life as a novelist with endless cups of tea. Her debut finaled in the 2014 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Contest, and after its initial publication, was rereleased in 2020. Brandy has served as president of the North Georgia chapter of ACFW and lives in Metro Atlanta with her husband, Michael.
You wouldn’t know from the cover that the story is suspense! Glad you enjoyed it.