Genre

Mystery, Romance, Thriller

Audience

New Adults, Adult

Author’s Worldview

Catholic

Year Published

2018

Themes

Relationships, Communication, Marriage, Abortion, Honesty, Trust

Reviewed by

M.S. Ocampo

What if you woke up one day and didn’t recognize the person you were sleeping next to? It sounds like the start of a bad joke, but that’s exactly what happens to Caitlyn in Anyone But Him, a story that feels more mystery-thriller than comedy. Caitlyn finds herself married to Jarret, a guy who had a bad reputation in her high school days. This totally freaks her out because in her eighteen-year-old mind, she wanted to marry Jarret’s brother.

There are two mysteries that Caitlyn must solve: How did she end up married to Jarret? And how did she lose her memory? One of the answers ties into her job as an investigative reporter. Caitlyn’s investigation of an abortion clinic becomes a potential lead to solving her own mystery.

The romance between Caitlyn and Jarret is refreshingly realistic. It’s not a picture-perfect marriage, given how jealous Jarret gets and their lack of communication. However, once Caitlyn starts regaining her memories, the truth of the relationship is revealed. Their love developed over time. Best of all, Jarret became a changed man through his relationship with her.

I’ll admit that I found the “culprit reveal” a little out of nowhere, but I love the legitimate suspense and the overall mystery.

Fans of “Lifetime” romantic suspense movies will find this book to be a major upgrade because the main love interest isn’t the bad guy, even though readers might think so initially. Catholics and non-Catholics alike will enjoy the realism of the marriage that Caitlyn and Jarret have and how the two of them renew their love for each other. Abortion and the shady ways clinics skirt the law are brought up, but in a way that works with the plot and doesn’t feel “ripped from the headlines.”

Coven (Book 7 of St. Tommy Series): By Declan Finn

St. Tommy fights the CPS and a group of pagans who have taken over a military base.

The Lost Vessel by Mark Adderley

McCracken joins a treasure hunt for Captain Nemo’s lost ship in this exciting adventure that adds another chapter to Jules Verne’s greatest creation.

Jennifer the Damned By Karen Ullo

A story of a teenage vampire without the glamorous tempting allure, trying to really live in the real world.

Infernal Affairs by Declan Finn

St. Tommy finally comes face-to-face with the warlock that has been behind the events of the previous two books while fighting off hordes of everything from gangsters to vampires.

The Table by Dennis Lambert

A table built by the grandfather of Jesus Christ survives the darkest moment in history to bring peace to a widowed musician

The River of Life by Diana González Tabbaa

The death of little Anthony’s father shakes his faith until a heaven-sent friend helps him find his way back to God.

The City Mother By Maya Sinha

She didn’t believe in good and evil, until she became a mother…

Honor at Stake by Declan Finn

If you’re looking for a vampire-romance with a truly unique twist look no further.

The Tale of Patrick Peyton

How a humble, Irish immigrant brought Mary to Hollywood and then the World.

Murder in the Vatican by Ann Margaret Lewis

Sherlock Holmes teams up with Pope Leo XXIII to solve crimes in the Holy City.

Shadowmancer by G.P. Taylor

A dark fantasy along the lines of Revelation itself.

Infinite Regress by Joshua Hren

Poetic justice when the victim of a predator priest finds freedom from his seducer.

Hussar by Declan Finn (St. Tommy NYPD Book 8)

It’s been a few years since St. Tommy saved the world. Now his son Jeremy and ward Lena have joined the fight.

Crusader St. Tommy NYPD Book 5 By: Declan Finn

Detective Nolan embarks on a Crusade against demonic sex traffickers trying to raise a demon.

A World Such As Heaven Intended

Amara didn’t intend to fall in love with a Union soldier. Is love even possible in her war-torn world?

Anno Domini 2064 by Jacob Clearfield

Mark is happy serving the Party of the Golden Republic, but when he discovers God, he risks losing everything.

Through the Ashes by Jacqueline Brown

Fans of The 100 and Runaway’s and The Gifted will find this YA story riveting.

Saint Magnus: The Last Viking by Susan Peek

A young Viking Prince evades a warlord while finding his own harrowing path to sainthood.

Shadow in the Dark by Antony Barone Kolenc

An immersive mystery and an amateur sleuth set in the walls of a 12th century English monastery