Completed: Feb. 19/25
Series: Sanctuary, #1
Format: Advanced Reader Copy
Challenge Prompt: ARoCF's "with animals featured in the cover or the book"

Book #21 of 2024:
Paradise (FMC) has returned home to work as a vet at a wildlife sanctuary owned by her young love's mother. She doesn't relish working with Blake (MMC) or revisiting the hurt. She  felt betrayed by him during the tumultuous days of her foster care experience which came after her parents' double murder many years before. Things go extremely awry at the sanctuary shortly after she arrives. Activists? Her parents' murderer? A greedy businessman who wants the land? 

A lot happens. A LOT. I actually felt that there was too much happening and it became hard to keep track of after a while. It wasn't just the sanctuary but Paradise's past, Blake's Past, his mom's past, AND the threats against the sanctuary. Thankfully there is some balance with family moments (Blake's little brothers especially!) and time that the couple spend together in healing the past. There is a strong faith and growth arc as well. 

A wildlife sanctuary is a very interesting setting for this story. I learned more about  various wild animals, including hyenas. SIDE NOTE: I truly hope that I never become a snack! I had the heebie-jeebies in a few scenes with the hyenas and a tiger. 

The twists and turns will keep readers guessing as to who the bad guy/gal is and what the motive is. This is the first book in a new series with little, fun connections to the Tupelo Grove series. I will definitely be continuing this series. 

>>> Huge thanks to Thomas Nelson (publisher) and Net Galley for an advanced reader copy of this novel. My honest review is in my own words.