Dark Memento is a brilliant start to Katie Rues's new series, Verona Bay. Unlike her action packed stories, this one is more of subtle romance entwined with mystery and suspense. A good pace to read and definitely intense.

Serenity Washington comes back home to Verona Bay years after her twin was murdered in front of her, to start fresh but someone definitely is not happy with her arrival. But former Marine Lucas Jordan is more than happy to be her knight in shining armor.

Katie Rues spins a very good story, suspense to the large page, keeping the readers on edge, with tight narration and a brilliant story line.

A great read indeed!

Dark Memento is the first book in a brand new series called Verona Bay by Katie Reus. I am not sure if the series will follow Serenity and Lucas, but I got the feeling that each book in the series will feature a different couple. It doesn't matter much since the suspense part of the story ended in this book and book #2 will have a different villain.

I liked the suspense more than I liked the romance. We get tons of info about the villain early in the story, even though we don't get a name. So we ened up knowing the villain's motives and plans for what to do next, without having all of their info known for quite some time. The story is told from Serenity, Lucas and the villain's point of view mostly, but some secondary characters also have a small part. I feel like the romance was rushed and that it needed more time to be explored.


Serenity has a daughter and she is not a big part of the story. I would have liked a couple more interactions between the daughter and Lucas because it feels like he didn't even acknowledged her. I was expecting more when it came to Lucas and the dynamics between him and the two ladies in his life.

Dark memento was a mediocre beginning for the series, but I am kinda sold on the couple of the next book (if the teases about them were on point). The suspense was good, but the romance needed some work. Honestly, I was surprised by how fast they went from just friends to the "I love yous".

4.25 stars-DARK MEMENTO is the first instalment in Katie Reus’ contemporary adult VERONA BAY romantic suspense series focusing on the town of Verona Bay, Florida. This is pet groomer /widow/ single mother Serenity Washington, and former Marine/construction worker Lucas Jordan’s story line.

Told from three third person perspectives (Serenity, Lucas, murderer) DARK MEMENTO focuses on Serenity Washington. Eight years earlier, Serenity and her twin sister Savannah had been abducted and tortured but Savannah did not survive. Having escaped the monster, Serenity would struggle with the loss of her twin, moving forward in life. Fast forward to present day wherein someone is stalking Serenity Washington, a potential copy cat killer, who is targeting the people in Serenity’s life. Lucas Jordan has lusted after Serenity Washington since his return to Verona Bay two years earlier. A chance meeting with Serenity would discover a mysterious ‘gift’ left behind on Serenity’s car, a gift that linked back to the abduction and murder of Serenity’s sister eight years earlier. What ensues are the ongoing threats to Serenity, and the people of Verona Bay; the building relationship and romance between Serenity and Lucas; and the fall-out as Serenity’s stalker begins to kill in an effort to get closer to our story line heroine.

The relationship between Serenity and Lucas is one of immediate attraction but Lucas suspects Serenity doesn’t have time for a relationship in the wake of her husband’s death, and raising a child on her own. With the threats against Serenity closer than anyone could have imagined, Lucas offers himself up as bodyguard and protector for Serenity and her daughter. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Verona Bay sheriff and Lucas’ brother Lincoln, their brother Easton, as well as their mother Louise Jordan; FBI Special Agent Amy Lin; Serenity’s daughter Harper, as well as several friends and townsfolk including Paisley, Carol, Chloe and Bianca.

The world building introduces the people and town of Verona Bay. The camaraderie, the friendships, the jealousy and the love.

DARK MEMENTO is a story of suspense, revenge and betrayal; family, friendship and love. The premise is intriguing and engaging; the romance is seductive and captivating; the characters are colorful and charismatic. DARK MEMENTO is a wonderful and exciting start to Katie Reus’ VERONA BAY romantic suspense series.



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4.5 stars
A new to me author and such a great read.
I love how the author has mixed the murder/mystery with the romance. There aren't many books like this that I've read and really enjoyed it. The characters are great and flawed as well as a perfect mix because as a single mom who's been through so many dark moments in her life, she only wants to be safe and be happy with her little daughter. But the darker side of the world doesn't leave her alone and there are twists and turns, some predictable, some not so, some moments will keep you guessing and some will fulfil your heart.
Loved it and would recommend it to all my bookish friends.

Masterful! The twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end. Dripping with suspense, romance and deliciously wicked chemistry, Lucas and Serenity's story is perfection. Reus is a brillant storyteller and she is gifted at building tension between characters, good and bad. I never pass up the chance to read one of her books.

Eight years ago, Serenity Washington was lucky to escape after watching her twin sister’s murder. After her sister’s killer was caught, she relocated and tried to move on with her life. She started a family, but after her husband dies unexpectedly, she moves back to the last place remembers being happy, Verona Bay. Within months of her homecoming, she starts receiving gifts and taunting notes, which has her turning to the local sheriff for help. She has no doubt that she’s the ultimate target, but with her sister’s murderer behind bars, she has no idea who’s stalking her.

This series is off to a great start with another spine chilling suspense and rockin’ romance story from this bestselling author. The characters are strong, bold and quite captivating, easily grabbing the reader’s attention from the very beginning. The chemistry between Serenity and Lucas is full of electricity and while it is obvious that their attraction is not going to go away, the relationship has quite a bit of emotional turbulence to overcome as Serenity’s traumatic past continuously rears its ugly head and readers can’t help but empathize and connect with the characters as the town suffers the turmoil of the past.

The steady paced plot keeps readers biting their nails in chilling, nail-biting suspense and unexpected twists that stuns readers with OMG moments. It also makes it impossible for readers to truly guess who the culprit is and just what their true motivations are. The smart and cunning unsub also have a different twist from other unsubs that makes the story even more interesting and readers can’t put this truly engaging and thrilling story down.

This is the first book in Katie Reus's new Verona Bay series,the story-line keeps you on the edge of your seat,full of great characters, action, and some serious sexual tension. I would 100% recommend it to others.

The Story in 4 Sentences or Less: Eight years ago Serenity Washington escaped a serial killer but her twin sister wasn’t so lucky and that loss made Serenity leave Verona Bay for a new life. Serenity married and started a family but then her husband died and she finds herself back in Verona Bay, and back in a killer’s crosshairs when taunting gifts start arriving yet her sister’s killer is still behind bars. Without any proof that the “gifts” are more than sick pranks, there’s nothing that can be done, but Marine Lucas Jordan isn’t going to let that stop him from protecting Serenity and her daughter. Together Serenity and Lucas have to work together to figure out who is after Serenity before it’s too late.






Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? Katie Reus is upping the mystery, suspense, and thrills with the first book in the Verona Bay series and I’m digging it.

I honestly wasn’t expecting such a jarring opening scene but with a book that is going for more of a murder/mystery vibe, it worked. I was emotionally invested in Serenity early on. I wanted to get to know her even as I wanted her to be safe. After everything she went through, I wanted her to come out on top, I wanted her to in some ways avenge herself and her sister, and dang it, I wanted her to realize the hunky Marine was nuts about her and would have her back no matter what.

And darn that Lucas for being adorable and hunky. I mean he’s an alpha male and he’s got it bad for Serenity. He’s kind, considerate, gentle, loyal, and has a protective streak that’s a mile wide. As far as a ready-for-family heroes go, Lucas was aces. I loved the quiet moments between Lucas and Serenity that helped build up the romance that was secondary to the mystery of who was after Serenity but no less important. I love that while the romance wasn’t front and center, the author didn’t neglect it. Lucas and Serenity were so well matched in temperament, humor, and the willingness to sacrifice everything to protect the ones they cared about. There may not have been a whole lot of heat between them because hey, this is about Serenity being a target for a murderer but she and Lucas made a good couple and a good team.

And while I consider myself a die hard fan of Reus’ romances, I have to say she can really put together a thrilling murder mystery without alienating her romance loving fans.

Click It or Skip It? Click It. I liked the different vibe of Dark Memento and look forward to more books in this series.

A fantastic start to a great new series from Katie Reus. Eight years ago along with her twin sister Savannah, Serenity Washington was kidnapped from her dorm room by a serial killer called The Shepherd who chose his victims from college campus’. While she was fortunate to escape Savannah wasn’t so lucky. The only saving grace was that the killer was caught trying to kill Serenity. Eight years on Serenity, now a widow, has returned to Verona Bay to raise her young daughter. Not everyone is pleased to see her though. Soon she begins to receive small gifts of jewellery, jewellery that belonged to her sister and the other victims. Jewellery they were wearing when they were abducted and was never found. Who can be doing this? After all, the Shepherd confessed and is now behind bars… isn’t he?

I loved Dark Memento. It is in my top three reads from this author. It’s full of twists and turns that grabbed my attention from the first page and I just couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Katie Reus definitely knows how to write a story that can build the suspense and tension throughout and I can honestly say I did not guess who the killer was. To lighten the darkness a little there is a sweet friends to lovers story running adjacent to the mystery element. Lucas Jordan has ghosts of his own but he loves Serenity and is prepared to wait until she is ready for more. In the meantime though, anyone after her will have to go through him.

I can’t wait to return to Verona Bay for the next book in this series to see what other dark undercurrents lurk beneath this small town’s friendly façade.

Eight years ago Serenity and her twin sister Savannah were captured by a serial killer. Serenity escaped, but not before she was forced to watch her sister die. Although she's tried to move on with her life Serenity has always felt like a piece of her is missing so after her husband dies she's returned to her hometown with her young daughter Harper. Just when she was starting to feel settled again someone starts leaving her gifts, starting with a bracelet that used to belong to her sister, one that was never recovered even after her killer was brought to justice. The murderer is still in jail but as the threats against Serenity increase in both frequency and severity it quickly becomes clear that she is a target once more.

Lucas has been friends with Serenity since she returned home and always had hope that eventually they could become something more so when he realises she's in danger he will stop at nothing to keep her safe. The only question is how many people will get hurt before the police can figure out who Serenity's stalker is.

I really enjoy Katie Reus' stories, they have just enough suspense and action to keep me turning the pages but also a strong focus on the romance. In this case it's a friends to lovers trope which I always enjoy, Lucas has always known what he wants but Serenity has very good reasons for keeping him at arm's length. She's learned the hard way that anyone she gets close to ends up dying and she's scared to let anyone but her daughter get close enough to hurt her in that way again. She's also wary of introducing a new father figure into Harper's life and potentially have her heart broken too if the relationship ends badly and she worries about damaging her friendship with Lucas when he's one of the few people she can rely on.

As things quickly escalate with the stalker Lucas and his family are amongst the first to stand up and look out for her. Like in any small town there is a fair share of gossip but in general people seemed to be pretty supportive and I liked that Serenity had a good group of friends outside of Lucas. I'm not always a fan of kids in books but Harper was pretty cute and I enjoyed seeing her relationship with Lucas as well as with her mum. The identity of the stalker kept me guessing right until the big reveal as there were several possibilities all the way through. Dark Memento was a great start to the series and I'm really hoping the other books will give Lucas' brothers Lincoln and Easton their chance at a HEA.

DARK MEMENTO will have your heart in your throat from the first page to the last. Serenity is a strong woman but with everything she has dealt with she needs someone to lean on, and Lucas is just that man. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two as she tries to be on her own as a single mom making it all work. He is patiently impatient but a good man to have in your corner for sure. Author Katie Reus builds all of her characters, main and secondary, with an amazing knack for giving her readers everything they need to fall for them and sometimes to be fooled and shocked by them.

Annetta Sweetko, reviewer for Fresh Fiction

Complete review: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=69198

Another great Katie Reus read, first in a new series, I loved it, full of great characters, action, twists and turns, on the edge of your sat reading at its best can’t wait for more

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

The first book in Katie Reus’ new Verona Bay series, Dark Memento is a dark, disturbing, and thrilling page-turner with a seamless balance of steamy romance and suspense. With twists and turns, and red herrings galore, it keeps you guessing until the very end trying to identify the psychotic villain sending Serenity Washington threatening notes and souvenirs from the kidnapping/murder spree of the convicted serial killer who kidnapped her and her twin eight years ago. While Serenity escaped alive, her twin sister did not. Shortly after Serenity returns to Verona Bay, someone connected to her kidnapping begins stalking and threatening Serenity and those close to her.

Newly widowed, Serenity is independent, self-controlled, and determined to stand on her own. Hopeful the place where she was last happy—until the kidnapping—will help her to put the past behind her and make a fresh start with her daughter. She has no interest in love or relationships. But Lucas Jordan, a construction company owner and former Marine, who makes her feel alive for the first time since the kidnapping, puts that decision to the test. While he loves their friendship, Lucas wants a deeper relationship with Serenity, whom he has been crazy about since she has arrived in town. He’s determined to keep her and her daughter safe and to take things at her pace.

Reus’ pacing, character development and tone are all on point. The story flows at a steady pace, investing you from start to finish. Along with vivid description, the novel’s menacing, dark, and disturbing tone keeps you on edge and draws you straight into the action. Readers who like their villains clever, sadistic, psychotic, and crazy AF will get a kick out of Dark Memento. Reus so effectively developed the villain that I had to go back and make sure that he/she was introduced in the story earlier. I was like who the blank is that? However, Reus’ development of the villain and the plot of the novel served to make the villain superior to the heroine, hero, and the FBI agents for the bulk of the story and that was frustrating for me. While the villain should be well developed, balance is necessary so that the protagonists aren’t made to look incompetent or foolish. It’s okay for the villain to believe he/she is the smartest, best in the world, but I want the heroine/hero to show that he/she might not be or can be defeated regardless.

Readers in the mood for menacing, thrilling, steamy, romantic suspense with a clever, creepy, and seriously crazy villain should definitely check out Dark Memento.

This is the first book in the new Verona Bay series by Katie Reus. This is a very good romantic suspense and I will be sure to watch for the next book in this series. This book did have lots of twists and turns


I was given an ARC of this book for an honest review

Dark Memento is my first book by Katie Reus, so I had no idea what to expect, which is always a fun experience, especially when you are pleasantly surprised by how much you enjoyed it. It was sad and tragic, whilst having an empowering feeling to it, thrilling and action pact with a confusing measure with the "Who Done It" vibe that will have you believing one person us behind it, to be completely blown away in the end. Interesting characters with depth and emotion to them that will have you rooting for them and hoping for the best. A twin, broken by her sisters death at the hands of a killer she herself got away from, comes home again, a widower, with a young daughter to care for, refuses to let anyone in. Truly in. She may feel something around the handome former Marine Lucas, but that does not mean she will act one it. She believes that relying on someone else is a weakness she won't fall into again. Until her friends and neighbors are in danger, and only he makes her feel safe. You will enjoy every minute of this thrilling heartfelt story with a multitude of gorgeous men and women I would not be opposed to reading their happily ever afters.

Get ready for the thriller of your life!

Serenity is the survivor of a serial killer. Her twin sister was not so lucky. Her escape from this monster still haunts her eight years later as she has moved on, married, lost her husband and is now raising her daughter back in her hometown. One problem. The serial killer she survived and is sitting in jail was not working alone. He had a partner. And now, the partner has decided to come after her.

This is Serenity's journey of survival as she struggles not only to protect herself, but also protect her daughter. To complicate matters, she is falling in love for the town hottie who is also dreamy eyed about her. Women can be jealous, especially when the town hottie is Lucas. He came back from the war and has never dated ANY of the single women in town. He has kept to himself until now. Small town gossip and jealousy is about to get crazy!

If you love a good mystery/thriller, look no further!

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the publisher for sharing this book with me.

This was a total thriller ride of great story. It was suspenseful, scary, and yet there was some romance. I generally do not read serial killer stories, but since I love almost anything Katie Reus writes, I knew I had to read this story. It starts with twins being kidnapped and tortured; one of whom dies, and the other manages to get away and help bring the killer to justice. She moves away from her hometown, marries a soldier and has a daughter. When her husband is kikl d in action, she decides to move back home and restart her life there. Once she has established herself there, it seems the killer may be back. Very suspenseful and I had theories but Ms.Reus kept me guessing til the end.

Gripping!

Page turning, nail biting, twists and turns....this story is incredible! Amazing characters and a well paced plot. Ms. Reus continues to be one of my favorite authors.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

Serenity and her twin sister were kidnapped by a madman. She made it out but her sister Savannah did not. Now it’s been eight years and she’s gone on with her life but someone is stalking her and killing people close to her.
Lucas Jordan has wanted Serenity for years but they have never only been friends. Now he will do anything to protect her and her daughter Harper, You also get the pout of view from the killer and of coarse logic is out the window when your Batshit Crazy!This book totally grabbed me from the very first page. And did not let go until the last page. If this is the start of a new series it sure did start with a bang. The romantic aspect is just enough to make a great Romantic Suspense. Definitely keeps you guessing until the end. It’s been a while since I’ve read anything by this author but that is going to change in the near future.

Dark Memento by Katie Reus
Verona Bay #1

Attention grabbed from page one when Serenity Washington is trying to free herself and her sister from the clutches of a serial killer known as “The Shepherd” I read on to find out how she survived. A bit was said about her life in the intervening eight years but the story really begins when she moves back to Verona Beach, sets up business as a dog groomer and is attracted to ex-Marine Lucas Jordan.

Serenity has a young son, a business and a few friends in the making but is overwhelmed when she finds a bracelet that disappeared when she and Savannah were kidnapped. She is worried but takes precautions and as Lucas is also interested in Serenity and worried about her he steps in, with his brother and the FBI, to find out what is going on...and keep her safe.

One by one people are kidnapped – people who are friends of Serenity. We have a look into the mind of the crazy person on the hunt and also get a glimpse of “The Shepherd” still in jail. I read and watched and wondered but, having read the end as I usually do, wanted to see how the author would finally expose the whack-job that was doing such evil things.

Well written and interesting I enjoyed this book and look forward to finding out who will star in book two of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and KR Press. LLC for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars