I was drawn into Girl Lost right away. The south Florida beach setting near the Everglades is the perfect backdrop for all that went on. The story revolves around a group of friends who have been together since they were mentored by Stryker King as at risk teens. He brought them into his gym, taught them martial arts, self defense, love, and faith in God. Now he is missing. Luna, just leaving the CIA, and Corbin, FDLE agent loved each other until events tore them apart. Now, Corbin is searching for the daughter of the FDLE Commissioner with Luna's help. And the friends, all trained in law enforcement or related areas, are all working to find Stryker. What they find is sick, twisted, larger than expected situation with lots of surprises and layers. This does has a satisfying ending and I am looking forward to reading more about the friends.

I have never read Kate Angelo before. Her book, Girl Lost, is a Christian suspense novel filled with fast-paced action and twists and turns with a message to trust in God no matter the circumstances.

Girl Lost is about Luna Rosati and her search for the daughter she gave up for adoption 18 years ago. When she comes back to town to meet with her old mentor, Stryker, he is kidnapped right in front of her. Corbin King is a police officer who also witnessed the kidnapping and comes face to face with Luna for the first time in 18 years. Corbin is the father of Luna's baby and he's had no contact since he told Luna he didn't want to be a father. These two have a lot of baggage but must set aside the past to find Stryker. Their journey together leads through abductions, murder and a killer using 3D printed organs for human organ transplant. Corbin and Luna discover that they still care for each other and must find a way to repair their broken past.

I enjoyed Girl Lost and thought it was well written. I had to finish it to see if Luna and Corbin find their daughter. It is a suspenseful novel with murder, but it isn't gory. I would recommend any fans of Irene Hannon, Dani Pettrey or Lynette Eason to read Girl Lost.

I finished this in one evening!
From page one I was immediately drawn in.
Fast paced and so.e twists and turns I never saw coming I flew through it, it was so good!!
Wonderful characters that I enjoyed getting to know.
Luna and Corbin were a great team!

Girl Lost
The King Legacy #1
By Kate Angelo

Girl Lost is an aptly named book. We have a woman who left behind the life she had years ago and lost herself in the process. We have a missing beloved daughter. A runaway. And a mother searching for the daughter she gave up years ago. Somehow, these seemingly random lives are about to cross paths in this explosive series debut.

Luna Rosati is ready to face the past and find the daughter she gave up years ago. But to find her daughter, Luna must meet with Stryker, the man who helped her turn her life around. But when Stryker is kidnapped before Luna's very eyes, she is forced to work with the very people she left behind 18 years ago. Can you say hurt feelings?

Worse, she must work with Corbin King to find Stryker and bring him home. But can she work with Corbin after he not only broke her heart but shattered it into a million tiny shards? For Stryker's sake and the missing young women, she will.

This was an interesting book. All of Luna's friends from her teenage years were from a mentoring program run by Stryker, to get them off the path to destruction they were all on. The fix? The Warriors Program, which combined MMA (mixed martial arts) and training alongside the local police department. There were bumps along the way, and mistakes were made, but with Luna's return, they have a chance to repair what was broken and reestablish their broken relationships.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

“Rich or poor. Doesn’t change the fact that we all carry scars.”
Hold on to your hats. This was a pulse pounding, thrilling suspense that just kept ramping up. Brilliantly plotted and full of faith.
Luna is haunted by the fact that she gave her baby up for adoption years ago. On a quest for the truth, she turns to her mentor, Stryker, who she is sure has the answers. But suddenly, she witnesses his kidnapping. Now she is searching not only for information on her daughter but needs to find Stryker. This leads to re-connecting with Corbin, her old boyfriend but one who could help.
With so much at stake, searching for the lost ones, they are pulled into a workd so sinister, it is hardly believable. Corbin and Luna need to work together but the past needs to heal. Their faith will be tested and friends offer help and spiritual wisdom. All leading to true reconciliation.
Do not miss this edge of your seat romantic suspense that reveals surprising medical advances that are almost beyond comprehension.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley to review.
I enjoyed this one! It was very fast paced and suspenseful, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I thought the author did a good job portraying the characters, and I enjoyed her plot twist! Overall, I would recommend this book if you are looking for a clean suspense novel.
Other ratings:
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0/5
Language: 0/5
Violence: 3/5

I became an instant fan of author Kate Angelo when I was introduced to her Elite Guardians series contribution. Her writing will have you turning pages as fast as you can. Girl Lost is no exception to this! This story of CIA officer Luna Rosetti and Special Agent Corbin King, both harboring secrets and burdens, is engaging and full of fast paced action.
We all carry baggage of some sort, right? So do Luna and Corbin. Angelo not only takes us on a wild suspense ride, but woven throughout are the threads of hope, love, and forgiveness that only the Lord can provide, easing the weight of that baggage considerably. I love the start of a new series, and can't wait for the next book! Y'all know how I love an epilogue, too, and this one does not disappoint.
My thanks for the complimentary copy of this book. My opinions are my very own.

I started this book thinking I would start one day and finish the next - NOT! This story stirred emotions, and questions that needed to be answered, therefore nothing kept me from reading until the end. Forgiveness and the opportunity to walk a new path was something both Luna and Corbin required, but would they be open to take that chance? Would she finally find her way home?

The Warrior program was started to give young people a second chance - become someone they never thought they could be. But someone is taking advantage of these lost souls and using them for financial gain, all the while making strides in medical discovery. Murder, organ trafficking and more will keep you on the edge of your seat all the while wondering if any will be found alive.

A copy of The King Legacy #1 was received through Revell, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley, with no expectations of a positive review.

Girl Lost by Kate Angelo grabs readers from the first page. Almost immediately main character, Luna Rosati, witnesses a kidnapping of her teenage mentor, Stryker, whom she has come to see regarding the child she gave up for adoption 18 years ago. In addition, there is a missing person case that Cobin King, Luna’s lost love and father of her child, is looking into. It soon becomes apparent that Cobin’s search for the commissar’s daughter and Luna’s search for Stryker and her daughter may be linked, so they decide to work together to find the truth behind the kidnapping and missing persons. In addition to a being a fast-paced, adrenaline charged read, the author has woven an excellent message of forgiveness, redemption and grace.
Thank you, Baker Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Agent Luna Rosati returns to her hometown, haunted by the memories of the daughter she gave up for adoption 18 years ago. Her mentor has promised to help find the girl, but he is kidnapped right in front of Luna as he arrives for their meeting. Luna teams up with police officer Corbin King, her teenage love and the father of the baby she gave up. She thought she'd never see him again, but now they must work together to find their mentor, find their daughter, and solve Corbin's missing persons case.

I don't normally read romantic suspense, but I decided to give this one a try, and I'm glad I did. There's plenty of action in a story that is ever-changing. The leads of this story are well-rounded people with complex backstories, and because of their shared history they are working through the emotions of the past as well as the danger of the present. I loved the concept of a "found family" of troubled youth who had all been mentored by one man with a vision, and how they all have unique strengths that they bring to the table for the good of their community.

The book is set up to be the first in the series, and I got chills when I realized where the series title came from. While the mysteries in this book are wrapped up, the epilogue sets up Book 2 and I know many readers will be eagerly waiting for it when it comes out.

This story has plenty of suspense, more romance than I was expecting, and faith threads. If these are things you'll enjoy, watch for Girl Lost to release next month.

I received my copy of the book from JustRead Publicity. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Girl Lost is one of the most captivating and compelling suspense reads I think I have ever read(and suspense is one of my main genres). I really liked the way Kate wove this story but it is a bit darker than I was expecting. I ended up having to break up my reading over several days because of the darker elements BUT the story is still so so good. I loved the themes of hope, redemption and family found that run throughout the story. I also am already primed for the next book in the series after the epilogue of this one. Kate is one of my must reads for suspense and I love her books!

I received a copy of this book from JustRead and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

What a wild and intense ride! When Luna returned to town, she definitely got more than she bargained for. This missing persons case was full of twists and turns that left me reeling. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another layer was revealed, leaving me stunned all over again.

Stryker has been a father figure in the community for years, so when he’s taken in broad daylight, Corbin and Luna refuse to stop until they bring him back. Their bond with him is deeply personal as he’s been in their corner since childhood. While their professional duty pushes them to act, this case hits closer to home than most.

The story also explores some heavy themes, including childhood trauma and the power of forgiveness—not only forgiving others, but also ourselves, while facing inner demons. I especially loved the underlying romance between Corbin and Luna. Their love-hate dynamic had me swooning, and I was rooting for them to finally figure things out because their chemistry was undeniable.

At times, the action felt so vivid and high-stakes that it was like watching a movie unfold. Kate Angelo’s descriptive writing really brought those scenes to life. Overall, this was a solid, engaging read that I truly enjoyed. I’d definitely recommend it and look forward to diving deeper into the author’s catalogue. Thank you to Baker Publishing Group, Justread tours & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy- all opinions are my own!

Girl Lost was a pretty exciting story. I did enjoy it. I loved how all these lost teenagers came together as their own family by a man named Stryker and how he teaches them about his faith.
Luna and Corbin's story was intense and what happened to their daughter was crazy. But it kept me on edge to keep reading.
I can't wait for the other books in this series.

Definitely 3.5 stars! I was gripped by this action-packed book. Angelo really knows how to write a riveting, suspenseful book. Her action scenes had my heart racing. Also, the mystery aspect of the book was educational, spooky, and intense. I was certainly hooked by this! I can’t say much about the mystery itself because of spoilers, but I was impressed by the facts Angelo used and how she clearly educated the reader while also creating an intriguing mystery.

Next, the faith content/themes were touching. I appreciated the redemptive aspects! This was an important piece of the book, and I think she highlighted God’s grace and forgiveness well.

In reference to what was not my cup of tea, I struggled with the characters. This is likely a me thing! I did really appreciate their humanness and struggles. I think I personally felt that these characters used a lot of telling versus showing, so it was a bit hard for me to get into their heads. I think others would like/relate to these characters, but I just had a bit of a struggle connecting with them.

I would recommend this book as an engaging beach read with twists and turns!

Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl

Okay, this page turner had me in a chokehold! I couldn’t stop reading until I finished.

Former CIA operative Luna Rosati never thought she’d return to Millie Beach. Her hometown held too many painful memories—a troubled childhood, a teenage pregnancy, a shattered dream of a family, and a baby given up for adoption. Yet she returns to meet with her mentor, Stryker, who knows where her daughter is. But when Stryker is kidnapped in front of her eyes, she’s forced to form an unlikely alliance with the one who shattered her dreams decades before.

Police officer Corbin King is fighting for his job. He’s been tasked with finding the police commissioner’s missing daughter, but when he witnesses his mentor Stryker’s kidnapping, his focus is split. But seeing Luna again after all these years is even more disorienting. When they’re paired together to work both cases, they begin to see how twisted, dark, and dangerous the forces they’re up against are.

Y’all, this story was layered and loaded! It took me the first handful of chapters to really get into it, but there was never a dull moment once the story took off. I loved the depths of the MCs and their backstories. I also enjoyed the organic way the author wove a faith thread throughout the story.

This is Christian romantic suspense at its best! Full of page-turning intrigue without graphic violence or explicit details. If you enjoy found family, redemption, second chance romance and suspense is a genre you enjoy or have wanted to try, add this one to your TBR! A solid 4.5 stars.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley. This is my voluntary honest review.

I am excited that Revell added a new suspenseful voice with Kate Angelo. Her book Girl Lost will keep suspense readers reading past bedtime!
Luna joined law enforcement after having a rough childhood of her own. Her high school love and father of her baby, Corbin King, also joined law enforcement for the same reason. Their shared mentor Stryker was the reason they wanted to help the world as adults. When they both return to their hometown, Stryker is kidnapped, and they have to work together to save him.
I like that the romance portion of this story is second chance trope as that’s a favorite. Even readers who do not enjoy suspense as their favorite genre will enjoy this book with the reunion of lost lovers that find peace and forgiveness as they work together to find Stryker. I am excited that there is a sequel coming next year.
I received this book complimentary thanks to JustRead Tours, NetGalley and Revell, but all opinions are my own.

Girl Lost is a phenomenal start to The King Legacy series—an engaging, twist-filled mystery that even seasoned suspense readers will find surprising. I first discovered Kate Angelo through her collaboration with Lynette Eason, but this book proves she can shine entirely on her own.

The heart of the series centers on Kingston Gym and its founder, Stryker, who trains law enforcement and gives troubled teens a second chance through the Warrior program. I loved this foundation of redemption and purpose—it set the stage beautifully for the story and future books.

Luna Rosati, a program graduate and former CIA agent, returns seeking information about the daughter she gave up as a teen. When Stryker is kidnapped before her eyes, she’s drawn into a high-stakes case alongside Special Agent Corbin King—the father of that child. Their fraught history, combined with the dangerous mission, created a powerful emotional core.

The mystery only deepens with each chapter: Stryker’s abduction, missing girls, and sinister secrets no one could have imagined. The cast of characters, each with unique skills, adds depth and heart, while Luna’s CIA expertise made for fascinating, action-packed moments.

Kate Angelo writes with emotional intensity, drawing readers deep into her characters’ struggles and triumphs. This is a gripping, heartfelt story of justice, redemption, and second chances. I was both surprised and moved—and I can’t wait for the next installment in the series.

Content - creepy villain, abductions, and some troubled teens with a drug problem. Child given up at birth.

Luna left her hometown years ago with no intention of returning, but the desire to connect with, or at least learn more about, the now-teenage daughter she gave up for adoption at birth has driven her to return to meet her mentor Stryker, the one man who knows where her daughter is. But when he's kidnapped in front of her before they can meet, it quickly becomes clear that there's more going on than she realised. And only Corbin, the man who turned his back on her all those years earlier, and his team can help. Kidnapping, murder and attempts on their own lives don't leave much time to go back over the past, but somehow, Corbin can't help wondering whether this might be a second chance - if they can only find Stryker in time - not to mention their daughter...

A great mix of suspense and romance, with plenty of action but also character growth and time for Luna and Corbin to discuss things they've always ignored and catch up with the time they've spent apart. The suspense side definitely kept me guessing and on my toes, in the best of ways, and there were a few twists I definitely didn't see coming. I would have liked a little more closure on one thing in particular, but it at least felt realistic rather than forgotten and I'm hoping to hear more in later books in the series. I loved the way the group pulled together to support their own, but particularly appreciated watching Luna and Corbin rebuild what had been broken between them. All in all, a great book - looking forward to the next book in the series!

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

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this #gifted book!*

Title: Girl Lost
Author: Kate Angelo
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
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Synopsis: Luna Rosati has been running from her past for a long time, but after working as an undercover agent, it’s time to find her roots again. With the help of Stryker—who became like a father to her, she goes back to her hometown to search for her daughter who she hasn’t seen since she gave her up for adoption at the hospital. But when Stryker is kidnapped, Luna finds herself working with Corbin King—the boy (now man) who got her pregnant. When Corbin’s missing persons case collides with Luna’s search, they must overcome their histories and work together to find the truth in front of them. With kidnappings and murders on the rise, the desperate search for their daughter becomes a desperate search for the only one with answers to her past.

Analysis: If you’re looking for a mystery/thriller that you can’t put down, this is the book for you! Angelo weaves a story of intimate characters and gripping plot that will keep turning the pages for more. I loved that this book had all the crime investigation intensity without the gore. There are riveting discoveries, mind blowing twists, and intense fighting, but all done from a careful lens. Angelo also poses questions of God’s love for all and the ethics of modern science. I loved the layers covered in the characters and the plot. Plus a second chance romance?! Yes, please 😍 there are also themes of deep faith and healing from the past. If you’re looking for a twisty thriller that keeps you staying up to finish, this is definitely the perfect book to add to your TBR!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. The cover really caught my attention but so did what is inside the book! This book started off with a bang! Luna, a CIA agent, is trying to find her daughter who she gave up for adoption at the age of 17. In the midst of everything, she runs into Corbin, the father of her baby.. They team up and are trying to find their mentor, who has been kidnapped and also their baby. It is a race against time and there is a huge twist at the end that I never saw coming! I highly recommend this book if you enjoy good, clean romantic suspense novels.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.