Perilous Tides is a page turner of a read, with Elizabeth Goddard reinforcing why she’s one of the best in the romantic suspense genre. Wow, this was clever.

Perilous Tides features forensic artist Jo Cattrell who lived in seclusion until a strange message from her father pulled her out of safety. While searching for him, Jo witnesses a murder, instantly painting a target on her own back. Events get even stranger when her ex, the former Green Beret Cole Mercer rescues her. Cole and Jo must work together to keep Jo alive and figure out what I going on.

This story has more twists than an Olympic diving contest. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something else kicked off. But that’s the beauty of an Elizabeth Goddard novel. You rarely know which way is up. Her description is spot on and the chemistry between Connor and Jo deftly handled. If you really enjoy being kept guessing as the pages fly by, this is a no brainer.

I received a copy of Perilous Tides from the publisher via NetGalley, the views are my own.

[Thank you to @netgalley and to @revellfiction for my complementary copy of this title. All opinions are my own.]

Blurb from the Publisher: “Three years after her mother's suspicious death, forensic artist Jo Cattrel is in hiding, working at a storm-watching lodge along the Washington coast. When her father sends her a disturbing and cryptic message, Jo leaves the safety of the lodge to find him. But during the ferry crossing, Jo witnesses a murder--and becomes a target. “

After finishing Storm Warning, the first book in the Hidden Bay series, I knew I wanted to jump right into the second title, Perilous Tides. As much as I enjoyed Storm Warning, I think I enjoyed Perilous Tides even more! This is such a fun series.

The suspense in this book was on point, and I really enjoyed the relationship between Cole and Jo. There were so many twists and turns in this story, and I truly could not put all of the pieces together until the very end. It was also fun to “see” Hawk and Remi again.

If you’re looking for a romantic suspense series with clean romance and faith elements, definitely check out the “Hidden Bay” series!

Highly recommend!

Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard, book two in the Hidden Bay series, is an edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense that had me hooked from the very beginning. Goddard delivers danger, mystery, and plenty of shocking twists that kept me guessing until the very end.

I especially enjoyed Jo, the heroine, a strong, independent woman who’s been in hiding for three years. She longs to uncover the truth about her past, including the possibility that her mother was murdered and the reasons her father abandoned her. Jo faces these fears with bravery and determination, even as enemy forces close in. She’s intelligent, resilient, and easy to root for.

Working alongside her is Cole, a former military man turned private contractor, whose fierce protective nature perfectly complements Jo’s determination. Together, they navigate peril, chase answers, and fight for survival. all while their chemistry sparks and propels the story forward.

It was everything I look for in romantic suspense: a unique and captivating plot, strong characters, high-stakes danger and a romance that feels both authentic and compelling. Perilous Tides is highly entertaining, well written, and impossible to put down. A definite recommendation for anyone who loves a perfect blend of mystery, action, and heartfelt romance.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.

This is a gripping addition to the Hidden Bay series. Forensic artist Jo Cattrel has been hiding out on the Washington coast ever since her mother's suspicious death, but a cryptic message from her father brings her out of the shadows. When she witnesses a murder on a ferry ride across Puget Sound, she becomes the next target and is rescued by the last person she expects to step in and help her— Cole Mercer, her ex and a former Green Beret who’s now investigating her mother’s case.

This is a wild and twisty ride! One of my biggest fears is having my car go off a bridge, so my heart was pounding while reading the scene when the car plunged into the water. Just as I thought I knew who was behind everything, another clue would emerge and make me change my mind. Be warned—this book will keep you up or keep you from getting anything accomplished.

The author does a great job balancing the action, mystery, and romance. If you love romantic suspense that keeps you turning the pages late into the night, Perilous Tides is one you don’t want to miss. I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard is the second novel in her “Hidden Bay” series, and what a novel it was! It is well connected with the first model; however, it stands well on its own. Goddard found the perfect balance between romance, faith, and suspense. I never have to worry about boredom with her novels! The action is well-written and quick-paced, and the dialogue is believable. I liked both Jo and Cole; they’re characters you cannot help but root for. Overall, though, there were a few things about Perilous Tides that I did not like. Would they prevent me from reading the novel? Absolutely not.

The plot of Goddard’s newest work is thorough, thought-out, and believable. I enjoyed it. Goddard kept me guessing, kept me awake, kept me thinking about Perilous Tides even when I wasn’t reading. The action scenes…sometimes had me asking questions. I had some qualms. How was the bad guy always able to find them? They move from one place to another, no mention of a tracker or anything of the sort. And somehow, the antagonist always locates Jo and Cole. Oh, there’s a bomb. Oh, we’re getting shot at, and wow, we’re getting shot at again. If they’re always taking precautions, how are they always in the crossfire?

The book had so many names, too many for me to follow at times. Maybe it was because I read the novel when I was tired, but I kept having to remind myself who characters were. Sometimes I didn’t, and I just gave up and continued reading. Additionally, while Goddard did a good job of explaining the antagonist’s motives, I wish he would’ve been in the book more prevalently. He’s more of a “hitman” style character than anything else

Overall, I enjoyed Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard. It’s exciting. It keeps you on your toes, and the tides do indeed rush you along like whitewater rapids. Jo and Cole are wonderful characters with good hearts. I’m looking forward to discovering what Goddard has in store for the third book.

A great continuation of this series. I actually liked this book better than the first, I found the characters much less annoying. I do wish there was a little more review of the backstory, since it has been a while since the first book and the main female lead is irritated with the main male lead (rightfully so, but it was hard to remember the details). Otherwise, I enjoyed the fast pace, clean story. Read this is if you enjoy Lynette Eason & Irene Hannon's books, I think you will also enjoy these.

I loved the first book of this series, but I think I loved this one even more. It was action packed from the very beginning and there were so many twists I didn't see coming. I definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a clean romantic suspense read

This second book in the Hidden Bay series was an exciting read. I was glad to learn what was behind Jo's mysterious persona from book 1. Now she finds out that her parents weren't telling her the truth about vital things. The mystery deepens and Jo and Cole are on a mission to figure it all out.

Cole and Jo had a good rapport with each other. They worked well together. They depended on one another.

They seem to be constantly in danger. There's a lot of action and a good pace to the book. There are coverups and rockets, forensic artistry, so many interesting things. I wish the forensic artistry had played a more prominent role because I think it's fascinating.

This series has great characters. I was glad to encounter Hawk and Remi again. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Thank you to Revell for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is book #2 in the Hidden Bay series but can be read as a standalone book.

Lots of twists and turns in this book. I you love a good mystery, suspense or thrillers then this book is for you.

I hadn't read any books by Elizabeth before and now I will be keeping an eye out for more by her.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and NetGalley. The review expressed here is my honest opinion.

This is the first time reading the author, and she completely grabbed me from her opening pages. She delivers nonstop action, and a very fast paced story that was hard to keep up with in some places.

Perilous Tides is the second book in a series, and I do think it is necessary to read book one to get the complete story. There were a few places that I felt a little out of touch with what was going on, especially the two main characters’ backstory, and why he left to begin with, which was a common thread in this story.

Goddard captured my attention and loaded this book with twists and turns. Romance is a ultra slow burn as they had a lot of things to work through while trying to stay alive and solve the mystery. However, emotionally, there is a connection, especially on his end, and certainly, there are things to develop throughout the story. This is a clean romance with a touch of Christian flair.

The character development is great, and the author is very talented at ramping up the action. She gets the heart beating, especially as the reader really doesn’t know what’s going on or who they’re searching for.

For the romantic suspense lover, this is a fabulous choice! Cannot wait to read her again!

It took me a while to get into this book because I haven't read the first. To get the full enjoyment, I don't believe this should be read without reading the first novel. After I got a sense of who the characters were and their connections, I was able to follow the story more and enjoyed it! It was an intriguing plot with lots of twists.

On the opening pages of Perilous Tides, by Elizabeth Goddard, you meet Jo Catrell, a forensic artist who is in hiding. She has been hiding for the past three years. Now her first glimpse at the world she left behind is making Jo a bit uneasy!

After traveling into town to meet her father (who does not show up), Jo sees something she will not soon forget. An individual is killed just steps from her. When the car she is in is suddenly pushed off the ferry, Jo can see her death coming quickly. Her ex, Cole Mercer, is also on the ferry and before you know it, he is diving in the save her!

This is an exciting and fast-placed tale. Not only are Jo and Cole attempting to discover who is out to eliminate Jo, they are also trying to discover where her father is hiding. When Jo’s home, lying secretly in the woods, suddenly explodes, you know this tale has made a serious turn!

As with all Elizabeth Goddard’s tales, you hold tight until the final pages when the culprit is finally revealed!

The last third of this book was fantastic. Finally finding out how everything fit together made the entire book worth it. But it did take a lot to get there. A lot to weed through. The main characters had a lot of the same conversations in their heads about what was going on. The repetition wasn’t my favorite. But the story was exciting and had a lot of depth and emotion and tied together nicely.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Perilous Tides returns to Hidden Bay, where danger lurks on the Washington Coast. This second book focuses on two characters who had minor roles in Storm Warning. Now, they take center stage. Jo Catrell has been hidden for three years since her mother was murdered. She received a warning."You won't see danger coming...until it's too late." Cole Mercer is a former Green Beret and now a private investigator looking into Jo's mother's death. They were once a couple, and then Cole vanished without a word.
The story literally starts with a splash. Jo witnesses a murder. Then, she is knocked out, tied up, and left in a car driven off a ferry, plunging into the water. Cole unexpectedly rescues her. This action-packed novel puts Jo in constant danger, but Cole remains her protector. Their chemistry is undeniable, and past hurts don't erase their strong connection. Readers will be kept on their toes as they try to figure out who is chasing Jo and why she is a target. Author Elizabeth Goddard is fantastic at red herrings, and just when you think you have things figured out, new clues are dropped, and you need to start all over again. I also loved how Remi and Hawk from book one are also in this book. Hawk is Cole's brother, and Jo works for Remi.
Just as the title says, Perilous Tides, Jo is in peril throughout the book. Woven in beautifully is a faith thread of trust and forgiveness, along with a lovely, building second-chance romance. With two murder mysteries at the heart of the story, and constant danger, Perilous Tides receives a solid 5 stars from me.

Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard – Mystery and Intrigue

Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard is the second book in her Hidden Bay series. This book tells the story of Jo Cattrel, who readers met in the first book, Storm Warning.

Jo Cattrel works with her friend Remi Grant at the Cedar Trails Lodge in Hidden Bay along the Washington coastline. Something both ladies had in common is that they were in hiding because of danger in their past. Danger that threatened their present and future. In Perilous Tides we learn about Jo’s past and why she’s been in hiding for three years.

Three years ago, Jo’s mother was murdered and Jo went into hiding. She continues look for answers and for justice. The story gets off to a gripping start when Jo is trying to find her father who left a cryptic note and disappeared. When her search fails, Jo gets on the ferry to go across Puget Sound and head home. But the crossing may turn deadly when Jo witnesses something she shouldn’t have. It’s a good thing that her ex-boyfriend, Cole Mercer, was back in town. Will Cole be able to help Jo get the answers she’s looking for? Will he be able to help keep her alive in the face of an unrelenting enemy? Can their relationship be restored?

Perilous Tides has a lot of mystery and suspense. I was about seventy percent into the story when the various clues and puzzle pieces started to come together. The premise was interesting. I liked the Pacific Northwest setting and enjoyed the friendship between Jo and Remi, and Cole’s relationship with his brother Hawk. I liked Jo’s commitment to find out who killed her mom and her quest for justice. One of the characters that I grew to like was Detective Sanders. I hope he appears in the third book in the Hidden Bay series and his character is further developed.

There were a few things I struggled with. The biggest one was Jo Cattrel. Her character came across as very self-absorbed and indulging in self-pity throughout most of the book. It got old. The non-stop suspense and unrelenting enemy attacks were almost too much. It stretched the imagination.

Faith was a very small part of the story. Especially considering the various crises that Jo and the others were going through, it would have been a good opportunity to include elements of faith. In conversations and prayer or thoughts.

If you are an Elizabeth Goddard fan and enjoy mystery and intrigue with some romance, you may enjoy reading Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard. This is the second book in the Hidden Bay series, but it works as a stand alone novel too.

I would like to thank Revell Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

After witnessing a murder, Jo finds herself a target as well. Shortly after the father that she hasn't seen in years contacts her with a mysterious warning.

A fast-paced read with great character developments, elements of danger and trying to get to the bottom of the targeting. Cole Mercer, a former Green Beret and Jo's ex, steps up to help her. Though they parted on unclear terms, he is determined to win her back and see her through this current storm.

There is a lot going on, and I liked how Cole and Jo reconnected while trying to figure out what was going on, and why Jo was a target. I liked that it dug into not just the action and present suspense, but also the characters and their relationships, like Jo and her father.

Overall, a well written hard to put down read with fantastic characters and strong themes of faith. A perfect balance of romance and suspense!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I had a hard time following this book. The plotting and pacing felt chaotic and all over the place. The characters often went on for far too long during conversations. It felt like there was no back and forth. The writing was really hard to follow at times.

Another wonderful romantic suspense by Elizabeth Goddard. I really enjoy her books. I love the suspense and I love the romance. I loved that this is Jo and Cole’s story since I wanted to know what happened to them from the first book. I liked all the mysteries that were revealed and how everything got resolved. I liked how Cole was there for Jo and helped her to learn the truth. I thought they were a great team and loved how they worked together.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

The second book in the Hidden Bay series centers around Jo and her search for her father. Jo is hiding in Hidden Bay because whoever killed her mother is after her and now her father disappears so she is trying to find out the truth. Cole becomes her bodyguard after he rescues her from a car sinking into the water. The action starts in the first chapter and doesn't let up until the end. The suspense is great because you never really know who is after her or why. Definitely a page turner!

Solid... Mystery/ Christian Fiction? Christian Fiction/ Mystery? This is one of those action/ mysteries where both the mystery and the action pick up almost from the first words... and then you'll hear the characters involved in actively hiding (or hunting, as the case may be at times) also actively praying. It also picks up a bit after the events of Book 1 and actively continues some of the threads left dangling there, so if you've already read Book 1 (and you really should), you largely already know what to expect from Goddard's style here.

On the mystery/ action side, this book was 100% spot on. Great use of the Pacific Northwest setting in all of its environments, including both on the water and in the forests. Solid pacing throughout, it is really going to make you feel like you're reading a more explicitly Christian Matthew Reilly or early Jeremy Robinson book at times - the pacing can get *that* frenetic. But it isn't sustained throughout the book, and thus isn't *quite* as "balls to the wall" as those authors tend to do. Still, their fans would likely find quite a lot to like here, and particularly with Robinson's early works being more overtly Christian themselves... yeah, a really good fit action wise there. :)

The Christian side is admittedly where some will absolutely *LOVE* that these facets are included, and others will at best roll their eyes or even actively defenestrate the book over. Hence emphasizing this side of the book in the review - if you truly detest all things Christian, know up front this is NOT the book for you, and that is *perfectly fine*. There are many other awesome books for you without this focus, please just let those who do want this to have it, and follow me wherever you're reading this review and I guarantee you I'll show you something more to your liking at some point. :)

Ultimately truly a strong sequel, and I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series -= apparently currently scheduled for February 2026!

Very much recommended.