Absolutely riveting, I admit I was just expecting an ok read and not to love this as much as I did. The story just draws you in from the very beginning and doesn’t let you go. It’s impossible not to become emotionally attached, the romance was just mwah (chefs kiss). Your heart will break, you’ll laugh and cry, there’s thrills, suspense and so much chemistry, you really need to read this, it’s fantastic

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

I'm still shaking my head over this one. It was entirely different than what I was thinking. And it was emotional and well written. In fact, it became a roller coaster for me. At times, I was thinking, "I don't like this story, it's just not my cup of tea". To all of a sudden I was liking it. It does have some dark stuff in it that I think was what I was having trouble with.

But then I got into the parts that I did like. And that would be the main characters, Grey, and Declan. They both had such incredible depths to them. There was also a fair amount of humor some it being sarcastic. Humor that I liked no matter which category it fell into. It made me smile when the people in this small town would greet her with, "Hey, New York." That part never got old for me. Then there is Etta, an old lady with plenty of spunk, humor and opinions. She helps Grey a lot.
Another main character is that rich businessman, Lucas who I couldn't make out what he was really like. It didn't take long to see that he was a strikingly handsome man who is incredibly selfish.
I felt a few times that the story was kind of slow but not to worry because at a certain point it does speed up with a twist I never saw coming! That I definitely liked as well as the ending of the story. So I'm rating it 4 Stars on Amazon because of the parts that I did like. There were enough of them.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I received an advance reader's copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rattlesnake Road shocked me on more than one occasion because of its content. By the time I finished the book, I knew I had enjoyed it and I was glad that I had read it. But there were a few chapters that almost made me DNF (did not finish) this book.
The plot about the letters and the mystery surrounding the house seemed unnecessary to me. If those chapters were taken out completely and this novel turned into a love triangle with the looming threat of a resort buying up the beautiful land being the climax and tension-builder, I would have given this book five stars. It would have been amazing. I loved the rounded characters and the descriptions of the land, and Grey's struggle with alcoholism seemed so real. So, this is a four-star read for me. I highly recommend picking this book up, but check for content warnings!

Oh boy! This steamy love is everything I needed at the moment. Very engaging and kept me flipping pages until way past my bedtime!

The start of this book desperately needed a warning. As I'm currently pregnant her miscarriage was the last thing I wanted/needed to read about. I love how the author put Catty-Corner but the character is from New York so like me it would be Kiddie-Corner. I absolutely look forward to when Redemption Road comes out. I have been absolutely enthralled with Rattlesnake Road and am not looking forward to it ending. This book needs so many warnings. It's so good but honestly so fucked up. I am so torn because I've been avoiding books like this for a while due to my mental health but this book is so good I'm disturbed by myself that I'm still reading it.

4 Moonshine stats ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rattlesnake Road was something new for me. The start of the story was amazing enough to get my attention and maintain it throughout the whole book. I wasn't sure where this story was going but I still couldn't put it down.

The latter half of the story was my most favorite and I think the blurb of this story doesn't do justice to what this story is really about. Because I don't think it's a love triangle at all. I wouldn't say much because it will be a spoiler for the story but I think the blurb of the story should be changed because it gives a different vibe to the story rather than what it really is.

I just loved the H and how he has accepted his flaws and doesn't hide them but rather addresses it.🥰❤ There were few scenes in the first half of the story that don't make much sense to me and left me disappointed but the second half had done a better job.

Overall a great read and very entertaining too. There are suspense and thriller in this story that will make readers keep on reading and I enjoyed those scenes very much.

I will be definitely looking after this series and other stories by Amanda Mckinney. 😊

Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing an ARC of this story. Really appreciate it. 🙏🏾❤

It was my first book by Amanda McKinney and I quickly become a fan! I liked her words, reading Rattlesnake Road seems to be a little bit addictive, I am sure I will buy some other books by her.
Grey Dalton tries to find herself, after traumatic stuff happened in her life. She went to find her place in the world, which is hard after her experience. Then mystery starts to unfold, a little bit angst and suspense and possible love interests enter her life.
She struggled with her problems, try to find new friends and be happy and strong.
I liked it a lot, it was really well written, sometimes a little bit too slow, but still interesting and intense.
If you have some triggers, maybe check it before you dive in.

Amanda McKinney did we just become best friends? Yup. Where have you been all my life? This book was amazing, I can't wait to get into the rest of the series.

Is their anyplace else to go after hitting rock bottom. This is the question Grey is asking herself after finding out her husband is cheating, having a miscarriage, and become raging drunk and being fired from a job you built up. What do you do? RUN! But to where? And who?

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

Complementary copy given for honest review and opinion from NetGalley.
This is a very intense and powerful book. I could not put it down!

I….. didn’t see any of THAT coming…?!

Okay, starting from the first chapter, this book starts on a REALLY HIGH NOTE! Details and events that are displayed churned my stomach and broke my heart simultaneously. I felt for Grey.

What did I like?

Declan. Forget like, I love him. What a freaking man. (Except for the feet fungus. That was hilarious though. )
Engaging story. Though the first half had up and downs, the story was beautifully crafted. I loved McKinney’s writing style. There was an obvious distinction between all her characters. The imagery used was just, beautiful. Starting from Grey’s new house to Declan’s property to the little bridge that connected their land. (So, you can imagine how Amanda was able to clench my heart through my chest when things went bad in the book.)
The angst between Grey and Declan. Two polar opposites. I love that trope.
Dialogues. Do I have to say more?
The amount of research. From gardening to essential oil distillery to tornados?!
Serenity bear. Just, ah… the back story behind that tied it all together.
Murder mystery of the young girl and the letters that Grey found. It piqued my interest in the book. For a part of the book, I thought there would have been no resolution but the ending took me by surprise.
Depiction of mental health & alcoholism. Not very easy to do justice to such deep topics.
The COVER!
What I didn’t like?

Grey. Her actions just pissed me off. (That could just be a compliment to how real the character was and her struggles.- Revealing the real killer and his REASONS left a distaste in my mouth. I don’t think his actions should’ve been justified in any way.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I would most definitely be checking out more of the author’s books.

My Rating: It’s a 4.5/5.

Content Notices: Miscarriage, Adultery, Violence/Self Harm, Alcohol Abuse, Questionable (rape?) sexual encounter, Murder of an animal in the past ( bares no relation to the MC), & Murder of a little girl in the past, ( bares no relation to the MC).

Ahhhh the feels!! This story really cuts deep and covers so many issues. Grey is such a strong character with a big heart and I was rooting for her the whole time. Great story line and character development. It’s exciting and romantic and I would definitely recommend! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

I really didn't expect to be so obsessed with this book. The author does such an incredible job pulling you in from the very beginning. Grey Dalton has had a rough childhood and now living a life where she is thoroughly miserable and needs a new path. The town of Berry Springs is interesting from the start. Southern Charm, romance, and a bit of mystery.

It was impossible not to become emotionally invested in all of the characters - Grey was someone that you would root for from day one and when she fell off the wagon, you couldn't help but want to push her back up yourself. And the romance was just so perfect. It took time to grow, but it was honest and the chemistry was there from the first moment they laid eyes on each other. I could not put this book down once I started it! This was my first book by Amanda McKinney but it definitely won't be my last!

Big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book from Amanda McKinney, it’s about Grey Dalton and Declan Montgomery and their journey.

Make sure you read the warnings, there are mentions of alcohol abuse, mental illness, miscarriage, and cheating.

The first half was a little slow, but it’s about having to climb your way up from rock-bottom and how no matter what you go through, you’re always worth your happiness.

3.5/5

#rattlesnakeroad #netgalley
I am going to say the book is dramatic, but it has real issues tucked into the fiction.
Grey Dalton, who lost her child, was in marriage had no real connection. Feeling empty, she took alcohol as her escape. And she snapped at a place where she was not supposed to snap. Well, for saying some naked truth she got fired and that was it for her. She wanted a new slate, start new. So she left her cheating husband a note, got in her car, and was on the road for her new start.

I liked the story, I loved the way how Grey turned her path, how she found herself. And thanks to Declan, for making it easy for her. It's easy to get lost, but hard to find an anchor and be good, respect thyself. Grey did that. I love the story for giving me hope, making me feel like it's ok to feel lost, all you need is to believe in yourself and an anchor.

I don't even know how to properly write this review. Aside from my die hard, go to authors, which went from 20 to 5 in the last year, it's been a very long time since I enjoyed a book so much or was excited about new releases and looking through an authors catalog.

Somehow I'm new to Amanda McKinney books. And now that I've experienced Grey and Declan and Rattlesnake Road I want more and I'm excited yet nervous that anything else she's written won't hold a candle to the bitter and ugly truth and naked struggle and realness of Grey and her journey to rebuild herself her way, by her rules and expectations and a lot of truth staring back at her in the mirror. Girl is a hot mess and she resonates with me and made me a little squirmy and I had to put my kindle down a few times to work through the feelings I was having.

Declan was seriously unexpected in all of the best ways. He compliments Grey and she him. Their honesty, and it's a struggle for them both, keeps them moving forward. I think every one deserves a Declan to push them forward when things get uncomfortable and help them shove those doors open when what's on the other side is terrifying. To remember the little things and fight for you.

When I started and we are introduced to Lucas I was slightly horrified for Grey. Certainly the author wasn't going to make this the male lead!? I almost, ALMOST, walked away from the book. Thank you Jesus for my stubbornness.

I loved the mystery aspect of the story. I actually didn't see that twist until just before it happened, and I was absolutely ok with how it all played out.

I'm cautiously excited to move onto the Steele Security series and to read Redemption Road when it releases.

Oh. My. God.
It normally takes me at least 20-30 pages to get an idea of how invested I’m going to be in a book. NOT THIS ONE! I was hooked from the second page. My heart broke for what was clearly happening, and I knew I needed to see how the story played out.
This book delighted me the entire way though. There were thrills, suspense, a LOT of humour. And oh boy, did the temperature rise a few degrees at some points! It was sexy and heartwarming. I’m so glad I read this book and I know the author will become a firm favourite!

*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in return for a honest review.*

Trigger warnings: miscarriage, alcoholism, drug use, mention of murder

I thought this book was fantastic. It depected life so well and was relatable in so many ways. I also enjoyed the mystery behind what's behind the walls. It takes a new meaning of everyone having secrets behind closed doors.

Ciry girl, Grey, has hit rock bottom. She decides to leave her cheating husband after she has a miscarriage and loses herself in alcohol. She buys a fixer-upper cabin in the south and moves to the small town of Berry Springs. Everything seems to be falling apart, figuratively and physically, when she arrives at her new home. But, Grey is determined to make a new life and rehabilitate herself.

Through a downward spiral of self-reflection and battling to be sober, Grey finds herself settling down in the small southern town. She keeps her sarcasm and dry sense of humor even going through everything she is having to face.

She finds herself, friends, love and still makes mistakes being a 31-year-old woman, which I found refreshing. And don't let me forget to mention Delcan who is a fantastic character all by himself.

I loved this book's realness, sarcasm and the journey our characters took. It was an emotional Rollercoaster, but that's what life is as well. I love redemption stories and this book did just that!

Rattlesnake Road is a great read. This is my first book by this author but it will not be my last. We are introduced to Grey when she is making some life altering decisions like leaving her husband and dealing with an addiction. She meets two men and this is where it starts to get good. This book had my emotions all over the place from sad to happy to even at times angry. I can not wait to continue this series.

Rattlesnake Road by Amanda McKinney
A Small Town Mystery Romance

I believe I have a new favorite author! This book was dark, gritty, gut wrenching, and dark soul destroying and yet ultimately so very positive and uplifting that I still smile thinking about this story and the future that Grey and Declan have to look forward to. I have no idea how Ms McKinney managed to draw me in, sweep me away, make me feel, care and dare to hope as I watched one horror after another occur as I wished I could sweep one character or another up and either hold them tight or lock them up.

What I liked:
* Finding a new author that impressed me and that I will look for in the future
* Grey: a woman with grit, determination, strength, creativity, big heart, a past, dreams, baggage, and addiction to alcohol
* Declan: a man with purpose, a past, anger issues, dreams, a sense of humor, a giver, a fixer, a mechanic, a man with more to give than he realizes – such a good and admirable man
* The mystery surrounding the murdered girl and how it was solved/resolved
* The haunting
* The way the “letters” appeared and the can of worms they opened up
* Etta: neighbor, older woman, gossip, baker, potential good friend
* Kai: works for/with Declan, intriguing, potential good friend, could star in her own story
* Cassidy: cousin to Grey
* The idea Grey came up with for her future
* The meet-cute between Grey and Declan – some of their dialogues were a hoot!
* The way the “hitting bottom” was dealt with/written
* The humanity of the characters and how well they were developed
* The sweet romantic bits
* That it was so REAL and drew me in and made me care and wish/feel I was there
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* That the murderer was not caught sooner and lived so many years unfettered perhaps killing others
* Knowing that people do hit rock bottom like the character in this book did…and sometimes fall even further.
* Having to say goodbye to these characters and not knowing what will happen next

Did I like this book? Definitely!
Would I read more by this author? Oh my, Yes ~ As soon as I can!

Thank you to NetGalley and HH Tisevich for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars