Book Review – Keeping Janie by S.R. Fabrico – @StacyRowe1 @KellyALacey @lovebookstours #Ad #LBTCrew #BookTwitter #FreeBookReview #CallHerJanie #KeepingJanie #SRFabrico #SouthportSeries #Suspense #Thriller #SmallTownRomance #SmallTown #SouthernFiction

I have been anxiously awaiting this book since I turned the final page on the first installment of the Southport Series – Finding Janie – last year. I raced through that in one day – the first time I’d done that in forever, but not the last.

About the Book

Embark on an exhilarating journey with Lizzie Levine, the beloved character from the award-winning novel Call Her Janie. In this riveting sequel by S.R. Fabrico, set against the picturesque backdrop of Southport, North Carolina, the stakes soar, twists abound, and the drama intensifies.

Reuniting with her daughter, Janie, should be the start of Lizzie’s picture-perfect life. Behind the scenes, however, is a different matter. The happiness of having her daughter back is overshadowed by the fear and distrust of her ex-boyfriend, billionaire Gray Stone.

Amidst the tapestry of wedding preparations, the custody fight looms. The story unfolds in a battleground of secrets, lies, and deception. In this gripping narrative, love and lies entwine, danger lurks in the shadows, and the courage to confront one’s past becomes paramount. Can Lizzie gain custody of her daughter, marry the man she loves, and have her happily-ever-after, or will the mistakes of their past destroy them all?

My Thoughts

The first installment in this series was one of my favorite books in 2023. So I was so excited to get my hands on this one! I’d never even heard the term romantic suspense or thriller before. Am I a total convert now? Nope. But, I did just read a popular dark romance and kind of loved it, so thanks, I guess?

This book blew my mind. I loved it. But it also absolutely broke my heart. I don’t like reviews with spoilers, so I’m going to try to tell you about this book without them. So, if you can imagine the worst things happening to you, this book probably has it. But the author’s writing is so good and so compelling it’s like a heartbreaking train wreck barreling toward you and you can’t stand to move. Her descriptions and emotional breadth are so real, and hold you in the moment.

The character growth is unbelievable. Two of the characters change so much, you’d almost be forgiven if you thought she forgot who was who while writing. But I think she’s just so good at showing the ability of a child to change your life. If you have one, you understand. If you don’t, they really do that. And she shows us how in multiple clear ways.

As a parent, as a partner, as a human – this book devastated me. So, of course, I highly recommend it! But check your trigger warnings!

Now, I can’t wait for the next one!

Question of the Day

Do you enjoy emotionally devastating books, especially if they’re also exciting/thrilling/compelling?

Who’s It For?

If you enjoy fast-paced, thrilling tales with complex storylines, you’ll enjoy this book. The author doesn’t pull any punches and it is emotional from start to finish! But you also won’t be able to put it down.

Content Warning: Parental death, Kidnapping, Implied Child Harm, Implied Betrayal, Mental Illness, Pregnancy, Spousal Death, Adult Situations, Adult Language, Shooting, Funerals, Alcohol Abuse, Surveillance, Medical Issues/Trauma, Court Scenes

About the Author

S.R. Fabrico is a 16-time award-winning author. Her newest novel, a scintillating romantic suspense with a shocking twist, will be released in June 2023.

Her debut Novel The Secrets We Conceal was published in March 2022. She has also written a series of sports journals for athletes, including the Amazon best-selling My Dance Journal.

A 25-plus-year professional in the business, marketing, and sports world has taken her to numerous places throughout the course of her life and provided countless life experiences. She is a World Champion Dance Coach, coach of the year recipient, and speaker and various conferences across the United States.

S.R. Fabrico works and writes from her home in Knoxville, TN, where she lives with her husband and two children. She appreciates the beauty of the mountains, but her favorite place to visit is the beach. She is a lifelong math nerd and enjoys good puns. When she isn’t writing, she likes to read books, wife hard, and mom hard.