Say You're Sorry

Special Agent Gideon Reynolds works with Sacramento's FBI office, using his past experience in a religious cult to aid victims of similar trauma. When he encounters survivor Daisy Dawson fighting off an attacker, he discovers connections to a series of murders that have gone unsolved. Daisy refuses to take on a victim mentality after her attack, but the incident forces her to confront aspects of her past she'd rather forget. As more bodies surface and the killer's pattern becomes clear, Daisy and Gideon must work together to stop the murders while protecting themselves from becoming targets. The novel incorporates elements of FBI procedural work, psychological suspense, and romantic tension between its two main characters. The story moves between multiple perspectives, including glimpses into the mind of the killer who stalks Sacramento's streets. The narrative explores themes of survival, religious manipulation, and the lasting impact of childhood trauma. It examines how people rebuild their lives after experiencing profound abuse while finding connection with others who understand their past.

Readers rate this romantic suspense novel 4.3/5 on Goodreads (12,000+ ratings) and 4.6/5 on Amazon (1,200+ ratings). Readers praise: - Complex, well-developed characters, particularly the leads Daisy and Gideon - Balance between the romance and thriller elements - Technical details about FBI procedures and hacking - Representation of characters with stutters and anxiety - Multiple plot threads that come together Common criticisms: - Length (600+ pages feels too long for some) - Too many characters to track - Detailed violence against women - Romance develops too quickly - Repetitive internal monologues Several reviewers note this works as a standalone despite being part of a series. Multiple readers mention staying up late to finish it, with one Amazon reviewer writing "I read it in two days and got no sleep." Critics on Goodreads call out "information dumps" in the first 100 pages and "unnecessary subplot details" that slow the pacing.

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Still Missing by Chevy Stevens A realtor recounts her abduction and imprisonment to her therapist while hunting the person responsible for her ordeal.

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes A woman works to rebuild her life while facing both trauma from past abuse and a new threat from her former boyfriend who has been released from prison.

The Other Girl by Erica Spindler A police officer investigates a murder case that connects to her own assault from years ago, forcing her to confront her past while racing to stop a killer.

Hide by Lisa Gardner A survivor of childhood trauma teams up with a detective to investigate a mass grave containing decades-old remains that connects to her past.

🔍 Author Karen Rose worked as a chemical engineer before becoming a full-time writer, which influences her meticulous attention to detail in crime scenes and forensics. 🏆 "Say You're Sorry" is the first book in the Sacramento Series, but it's actually the 23rd book in Karen Rose's larger interconnected romantic suspense universe. 💭 The main character, Special Agent Gideon Reynolds, escaped from a cult as a teenager - a plot element Rose researched extensively by interviewing real cult survivors. 📚 The book tackles the serious issue of human trafficking, with Rose working closely with anti-trafficking organizations to ensure accurate representation of victims' experiences. 🖋️ The novel took Rose over a year to write and spans 600+ pages, making it one of her longest and most complex works to date.