If You See Her [Anglais] [Poche]

IF YOU SEE HER, by Shiloh Walker, is the awesome sequel in the Ash Trilogy. After briefly meeting Hope and Remy in the previous installment, this is the book that we really get to know them.

The one thing that really stands out to me is when authors have series's that focus mainly on a romantic couple and never let me have favorites! I thought Lena and Ezra from If You Hear Her could never be topped but I was wrong. I loved reading about Hope and Remy so much!! Even though Hope and Remy are the main romantic couple this time around, my favorite citizens of Ash still appeared in a smaller capacity, which makes this series unique in that you get a well rounded view of Ash, Kentucky, in the midst of a horrible killer.

As I said, we got a brief look at this characters in the previous book so I knew a little of what to expect. I truly felt bad for Hope throughout the whole book! Walker did not let up on this girl!! This book explored her backstory in an abusive relationship with her ex-husband and the fact she was hiding from him. Insert ex-husband here. It was enough that Hope almost died in the last book, she was the target once again in her personal life. But Remy made some of the angst go away when he swooped in and fell for her...hard. I liked how Walker started this relationship off on a professional level and it slowly turned into something magical. The chemistry was...whew...hot, and each scene they were in together was ripe with sexual tension. Even after reading a few of Walker's books I am still breathless after reading her love scenes.

Watch me as I gush over the romance part and still want to talk about the other half of the genre...the suspense! There was enough suspense in the previous book to keep me on my toes but this one literally gave me chills. The killer still lurked in the pages under the guise of small paragraphs that just made me want to jump into the book and hog-tie him to keep him away from my beloved characters. I can't get over the word "creepy" when I think of him...and I still have no idea who it could be!!

I am anxiously awaiting the final book, If You Know Her, for (1) finding out who the killer is and (2) Law Reilly (yum, yum, yum, loved him since Book 1) to be one of the main characters along with Nia (who storms in Book 2 with a vengeance). So if you have not started on this series you better get a jump on that since it wraps up in February!

Hope Carson's been running from her abusive ex-husband for two years. When she finally decides to lean on an old friend and settle in Ash, Kentucky things begin to look up and then they spiral downward. After Hope and her friend are viciously attacked by a murderer she becomes the prime suspect. The locals begin to refer to her as a crazy killer. Hope is tired of cowering from others and running from her problems. It's about time to take a stand and she's doing it in Ash. Now, if she could only get her mind off the sexy D.A.

It is Remy Jennings job to put away killers but there is nothing about Hope Carson that screams murderer to him. In fact, that's the last thought that pops into his mind when he thinks of the beautiful and vulnerable Hope. While the locals are insisting on her arrest, Remy is making his move. He knows she is innocent and he's determined to protect her.

Hope's aversion to law enforcement is not helping Remy get his foot in the door but he didn't get where he is today by giving up easily. As Hope and Remy try to start something new her past comes back to haunt her but that's not the only thing dark happening in Ash. A killer lurks in the shadows stalking Hope. The tension in Ash rises to new extremes. It looks as if not everyone will survive the killer's grip this time. Will Hope and Remy come out of this together or be torn apart forever?

I emphatically recommend that the Ash series be read in order! If You See Her picks up right where If You Hear Her ended. If You See Her adds more depth to this sublime series! Hope comes off as a bit weak at first. Having survived a physically and mentally abusive husband, Hope is just now learning to think for herself. These are the things I like about Hope. Her past makes her a much stronger woman than she realizes and in If You See Her she finds the power within to stand up for herself and fight her own battles. I love the powerful connection between Remy and Hope. It's only natural for this handsome and strong district attorney to try to swoop in and protect the damsel in distress, which he does really well, but then he has to respect her desire to become independent. This couple may have some bumps in the road but there is nothing wrong with the heat between them.

I really love how Ms. Walker has written this series. If You Hear Her left the reader with a bit of a cliffhanger and If You See Her picks up the story from the last page and begins a new enticing love story, yet keeps the suspense plot line going from book one. Once again just when I thought I had it figured out I was fooled. I cannot wait to find out who is behind the disgusting murders and why they are doing it. I was super surprised and intrigued at how the killer evolved during If You See Her.

I have totally fallen in love with the characters in this spectacular series and I love how I they are all prominently featured in each book. When I started reading If You See Her it felt like a coming home to the people and town that I adore.

Get ready for spine-tingling suspense and sizzling romance as you inhale the pages of If You See Her!

Reviewed by Miranda
For Joyfully Reviewed

Where does If You See Her rank among all the audiobooks you've listened to so far?

Above average on the narration ~ story about middle of the line for me. She's got me hooked on the story ARC that is continuing through all 3 books...and I'm dying to find out who dunnit, but I had a hard time warming up to the heroine in this story.

But the narration was excellent! And I'm so hooked that I can't wait for bk 3 ~ I HAVE to know who the baddies is, lol.

Would you recommend If You See Her to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, but w/ the disclaimer that there are 3 books, and you MUST read them in order, or you'll be lost.

Which scene was your favorite?

Hmm...honestly, a scene close to the end where Hope finally stands up for herself. While bad things happen in this scene, it was like a break through for her character for me. I enjoyed the last 1 hour more than the rest of the book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You never know WHO your enemies might be...

Any additional comments?

I want to make clear I DID like the book ~ I just really had a hard time w/ Hope, the heroine. She'd been through so much, and I so wanted to be cheering for her and get that proud feeling you get when you're reading...but I didn't. I just did not warm up to her. I loved Remy, and all the characters from book 1 and the town...and I'm already dying to read Lawe's story. I warmed up more to Nia in the little bit she was in this book than I did w/ Hope the whole story. But the writing was great, the suspense picks up so much towards the end you're going to be angry if you have to wait for next book like me, lol. The overall story ARC that flows from book to book is set up seamlessly, and has me hooked solid. NO way I'm not getting the third book.

And Cris Dukehart's narration was awesome ~ I've added her to my to buy list of narrators.