Twenty-five years ago, Halle Lane’s best friend vanished
from their Tennessee town. When a childhood photo brings Liam Hart to Winchester,
Halle is certain the man is the same child who vanished. Now Liam seeks out
Halle to help him investigate the circumstances of his mysterious past. Can
Liam and Halle uncover the truth before a killer buries all traces of the boy
Halle loved—and the man he may have become—forever?
MY THOUGHTS:
Title: Before He Vanished
Author: Debra Webb
Series: Winchester, Tennessee #6
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 256
Date of Publication: February 18, 2020
My Rating: 5 Stars
Halle Lane has managed to have a decent life. However, she never got over the loss of her best friend when she was a child. It is now twenty-five years later and Halle wants to figure out what happened once and for all. Meanwhile, Liam Hart, a very successful man with a profitable vineyard gets a photo that all but shatters him.
When Liam goes to Winchester, Tennessee to ask questions about why he would receive a photo that eerily reminds him of himself, imagine Halle's reaction when she sees Liam. She is more than positive that this stranger in town, Liam, is not a stranger at all - he is Andy Clark, the missing boy.
Despite Liam's strong beliefs that this must be some type of mistake, he and Halle start working together to uncover the real truth. For starters, what were the circumstances behind Andy going missing? Why did Liam receive the photograph? Halle loved Andy Clark. Is it possible Liam is actually Andy Clark? If so, where does their future lie?
Before He Vanished delivered an excellent mystery. This book had some twists and turns that truly kept me guessing. As I have read a few of Debra Webb's books, I was sure that this one would be a good read. I definitely was not disappointed. This book is the sixth in the Winchester, Tennessee series. I only read the fifth book, Witness Protection Widow, but this did perfectly well as a standalone. If there are going to be future books in the series, I am more than eager to read them.
Many thanks to Harlequin Intrigue and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Halle Lane has managed to have a decent life. However, she never got over the loss of her best friend when she was a child. It is now twenty-five years later and Halle wants to figure out what happened once and for all. Meanwhile, Liam Hart, a very successful man with a profitable vineyard gets a photo that all but shatters him.
When Liam goes to Winchester, Tennessee to ask questions about why he would receive a photo that eerily reminds him of himself, imagine Halle's reaction when she sees Liam. She is more than positive that this stranger in town, Liam, is not a stranger at all - he is Andy Clark, the missing boy.
Despite Liam's strong beliefs that this must be some type of mistake, he and Halle start working together to uncover the real truth. For starters, what were the circumstances behind Andy going missing? Why did Liam receive the photograph? Halle loved Andy Clark. Is it possible Liam is actually Andy Clark? If so, where does their future lie?
Before He Vanished delivered an excellent mystery. This book had some twists and turns that truly kept me guessing. As I have read a few of Debra Webb's books, I was sure that this one would be a good read. I definitely was not disappointed. This book is the sixth in the Winchester, Tennessee series. I only read the fifth book, Witness Protection Widow, but this did perfectly well as a standalone. If there are going to be future books in the series, I am more than eager to read them.
Many thanks to Harlequin Intrigue and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Please enjoy the following excerpt:
The shower was like heaven on earth. Her body had needed the hot water so badly. Her muscles relaxed and she took her time, smoothing the soap over her skin and then shampooing her hair. She was grateful for the toiletry pack that included not only soap, shampoo and the usual, but disposable razors, as well.
By the time she was finished, her bones felt like rubber. She dried herself, slipped on underwear and the nightshirt and then used the hotel dryer to dry her hair. That part took the longest of all. When she exited the steamy bathroom the delicious aromas of room service had her stomach rumbling.
“Oh my God, that smells good.” She rushed to the table where the silver service sat. “Why aren’t you eating?”
“I was waiting for you.” He joined her at the table.
Ever the gentleman.
Halle curled her feet under her in her chair while Liam removed the covers from the dishes. Fish, chicken, vegetables. He had ordered all sorts of dishes and they all looked amazing.
“I thought we’d try a little of everything.”
A bottle of white wine as well as a bottle of rosé had her licking her lips.
“I wasn’t sure which one you preferred.” He gestured to the iced-down bottles. “And I didn’t forget dessert.” The final lid revealed a heavenly-looking chocolate cake with fudge icing.
“I may die right now.” She wanted to taste it all.
“Eat first.” He placed a linen napkin over his lap and stuck his fork into a tiny, perfectly roasted potato. She watched him eat and it was the sexiest thing she had ever seen. She didn’t fight it. Surrendered to instinct and that was how they ate. No plates, just taking whatever they wanted with a fork or fingers and devouring. They drank the wine and laughed at stories from their respective childhoods. From all the stories he’d told her, she could not wait to meet his sister, Claire.
By the time they were finished, she was feeling a little tipsy. The food was mostly gone and both bottles were drained. She felt more relaxed than she had in decades. They had discussed the day’s events and Burke and Austen—and Derrick. The man was still convinced she had a thing for Derrick. No way. She’d also told him what her mom had to say about any friends from Nashville the Clarks might have had, which was none who ever appeared at their door. She and Liam agreed that was somewhat unusual considering how social the Clarks had been in Winchester.
“You know,” she said, after polishing off the last of the wine in her glass, “I wrote you dozens of letters.”
“Me?”
She frowned and shook her head. “Andy.” Then she stared at him. “No. You. I mean you. Whatever you believe, I know you’re him.”
“Okay.” He laughed, his eyes glittering with the soft sound.
God, his mouth was sexy when he was relaxed. She put her hand to her mouth just to make sure she hadn’t said the words out loud.
“Tell me about the letters,” he prompted.
“I told you what was going on in Winchester. Who was doing what at school. I even put pictures with the letters.” She laughed. Placed her glass on the table. “It was silly, I know. But I wanted to still feel you and that was the only way I could.”
She blinked. He had moved. He was suddenly next to her, on his knees, staring into her eyes, and her breath caught.
“I don’t know if I’m this Andy you loved so much when you were a kid,” he said softly, so softly she shivered, “but I would really like to be the guy you care about now.”
Her heart swelled into her throat. She started to suggest that it was the wine talking, but it wasn’t. The truth was in his eyes. Those blue eyes she knew as well as her own. And despite her wine consumption, she was stone-cold sober as she considered what could happen between them tonight.
“I’m really glad, because I would hate to think I’m in this alone,” she confessed.
He kissed her so sweetly that tears stung her eyes. Then he stood and pulled her into his arms. He carried her to the nearest bed.
No matter what happened tomorrow, she would always cherish this night.
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