Review: Lying Beneath the Oaks by Kristin Wright

Molly and Cooper wake up together in a car in Vegas sporting brand new wedding rings. Apparently somehow the night before, they tied the knot. Cooper needs to get home, but Molly has no such issues. Recently fired and pretty much footloose, she tags along with Cooper under the understanding they will stay together until an annulment is filed. And it's best for her if the annulment is filed sooner rather than later. She has a major skeleton in her closet that she doesn't want people to find out about or they will change the way they look at her.

Meanwhile, they arrive in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and Cooper brings her to his familial home. Dad isn't too thrilled with him bringing a Yankee into his house and family. Sister is happy for Cooper and Molly as are most people they meet. Molly receives some cryptic offers of help, if she needs it, from a couple of the townspeople.

Molly's background helps her to spot some skeletons in the family closet. These are skeletons that Cooper wasn't even aware existed. And as they are revealed to Molly, the danger increases for her especially, but for other family members as well.

Lying Beneath the Oaks by Kristin Wright is a pretty suspenseful Southern Gothic tale. There is no supernatural, but there is definitely the odd character here and there and suspense as well as the setting for much of the novel being the southern family home.

I really liked the eccentric and helpful Miss Aurelia. And I absolutely didn't like Cooper's father. He's too manipulative among other things. My dislike for him, to me, means Ms. Wright wrote his character really well. Molly and Coop were both likable.

The book moves along at a good pace. Clues are revealed at an increasing speed as Molly puts things together as the book progresses.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's well written Southern Gothic. I enjoyed the mystery and the romance. The suspense and tension are done well. If you like romantic suspense or Southern Gothic, then you will probably enjoy this first novel.

Lying Beneath the Oaks by Kristin Wright was published January 15th, 2019 from Bella Rosa Books.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Teaser Tuesday: Lying Beneath the Oaks by Kristin Wright

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by The Purplebooker.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title and author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

A bird sang in the distant branches of the live oak next to me. I went up to the trunk of the vast tree and leaned against it, trying not to panic, trying not to scream or beat my hands against the rough bark. I'd let it go too long. I should have told him before we got on the plane. (21% through on my Kindle)

Lying Beneath the Oaks by Kristin Wright was published January 15th, 2019 by Bella Rosa Books.

Would you keep reading? What's your teaser this week? Share it or a link in the comments. Are you enjoying your book? Let us know! Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #262: Lying Beneath the Oaks by Kristin Wright

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event which had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings. 

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Molly Todd wakes up in a Vegas parking lot with a headache, a virtual stranger, and a wedding ring. Jobless and broke, she’s left with no other option but to go home with new husband Cooper Middleton to the Lowcountry of South Carolina to straighten out the mess they’ve made. It’s in Molly’s best interest to get an annulment sooner rather than later—before her hosts find out that she’s not the kind of guest anyone wants at their Thanksgiving dinner.

The more Molly gets to know Cooper and his family, the more she wonders if she and Cooper might have a real chance together. She longs to tell him her secret even though she knows the truth might get her kicked straight out into the nearby swamp. While she wavers, Molly’s unusual life experiences allow her to spot the skeletons in the Middleton family closet: ones Cooper’s never suspected, ones that are hidden in plain sight. What Molly discovers will shake Cooper’s foundations—and could threaten both their lives. 

Lying Beneath the Oaks by Kristin Wright is due out January 15th, 2019 from Bella Rosa  Books.

Why am I waiting on this one? I've got a fondness for Southern Gothic tales. This sounds like a good one. Plus it got good reviews of the ARCs on Goodreads.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!