Present day: Annie Adams is just settling into Castle Knoll when a fortune teller gives her a strange warning and is found dead hours later. with the blame landing on Annie she’s forced to unravel the town’s secrets before her fresh start goes up in flames.

1967: Frances Adams is caught between two men and the mystery of a deadly car crash. as she digs deeper she uncovers a web of lies tied to her friend’s disappearance and to the dark heart of Castle Knoll itself.

i always worry about sequels and if they will live up to the first book but i felt like this one built upon the first one really well.

i enjoyed:

this book really expanded upon the first book.

learning more about archie and his secrets.

less saxon!!!! yay!!!!

i didn't enjoy:

the pacing of the story. it was just a liiiiiiiiittle slower than i would personally like but that is very much a personal opinion! it didn’t stop me from liking it overall and wanting another book.

i thought this book was super enjoyable and kept me interested from start to finish. i also think this book left a lot of room for book 3 and 4 to provide more background on Castle Knolls/the Gravesdowns/Frances. i desperately want to learn more about them.

overall i enjoyed it very much and look forward to the next in this series!

grab your copy: out on 4/29/25

(3.9/5 stars)