Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Hide and Seek
SERIES: Appleton Falls #2
AUTHOR: Felice Stevens
PUBLISHER: Good Man Press
LENGTH: 294 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 6, 2026
BLURB:
I’m finally living the life I want as a deputy sheriff in the small town of Appleton Falls. I gave up my job as a cop in the NYPD to search for the truth about a father I barely know, except finding him brought me no peace.
But I’m happy. Really. I’d love to fall in love, but it just hasn’t happened. Yet.
Then he shows up to join our force.
My old high school nemesis, Dominic Starr. The gorgeous loner and the bane of my existence.
As well as my secret fantasy.
Why did he leave the NYPD? Was he running from his powerful father? Or hiding from him?
It’s not like he wants to forgive and forget and be friends. At every turn he’s in my face, taunting and teasing me with that stupid nickname he loves and knows I hate.
Starr should be careful, because he’s got secrets only I know.
And one of them is mine as well.
But when the past we both want to leave behind crashes into our present—with deadly consequences—neither of us can hide what we’ve been running from all our lives: The future we both seek is in each other’s arms.
If we make it out alive.
REVIEW:
I have been chomping at the bit to finally get to the two squabbling deputy sheriffs in Appleton Falls. I just knew there was more to it than them both being former police in NYC before settling in Upper New York State. And boy oh boy was I right! But I never expected all of this! What a page turner!!!
Emerson is happy with his life in Appleton Falls. Being in the Big Apple with his over-protective mother watch over his shoulder was too much as he approached thirty. She had sheltered him too much and a lot of that had to do with his dead-beat druggie father. But when he reached 18 and graduated from high school he wanted to know more about him so he hid visits to his dad in prison. That was until he died suddenly after being shanked. But his father had always professed that he was clean and had been set up because he was a confidential informant for the NYPD. But that content life Emerson had was disrupted the moment HE came to town and joined the Sheriff’s office. Dominic Starr had to get off the police force in New York City. His abusive father is the Chief of the Department and everyone kowtowed to him…or else! And following where “Emmy” had went was a bonus because he knew there was something there but not sure what it is or how to deal with it.
I have become a HUGE fan of Felice Stevens and I am beginning to think she has developed a need to harm the men I’m falling for. I don’t know if it’s to make me believe in them more or fall harder. But I am already so hooked that she doesn’t need to do that to these wonderful heroes who put their lives on the line daily to protect and to serve those whom live in their town. What Dominic did was truly heroic and selfless. He was making sure that the corrupt police are caught and their corrupt and harmful, a lot of times deadly, crimes are stopped. He is a true hero. But he has been since he took Mr. Ackerman into his fold and made sure he was taken care of and his business could run while he recuperated. He showed that he really is a good guy.
I loved that these two had a past dating clear back to high school. It wasn’t a great past but their “shower scenes” in high school definitely showed there was big time curiosity and interest. And once they committed to each other, after side stepping around each other and Dom’s barbs when he joined their office, these two realized how important the other was. And that commitment was solid. I doubt that Dom could have survived all that went down undercover without coming home to his Emmy to hold him and take care of him.
It was refreshing, after both their parent’s divorces, to see a couple not need the formality of a marriage to make a deep commitment. And I loved that Jet and Harte got their special HEA but I would have loved to have been able to watch their Kauai wedding. I’m hoping that we might get a novella invitation to attend in the future…hint-hint-hint!
Now I’m excited to hear sweet Theo’s story. I’m just worried about him being taken advantage of by Jaxon. That man is a serial one and done kind of guy and Theo is so sweet and caring. He just wants love like Jet & Harte and now Dom & Emmy have and I’m firm on him getting treated like he deserves.
Love this series and this book was a great addition!
RATING: 
BUY LINKS:
