First Line Friday | A Stranger’s Game

Happy Friday! I’m linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday, where participants share the first line of the closest book. Today I’m featuring Colleen Coble’s newest release, A Stranger’s Game.

“Victoria Bergstrom almost forgot to breathe at the beauty of Georgia’s Jekyll Island.”

A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble

The Basics

Title: A Stranger’s Game

Author: Colleen Coble

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 3 Stars

From the Back Cover:

A wealthy hotel heiress.

Even though Torie Bergstrom hasn’t been back to Georgia since she was ten, she’s happy to arrange a job for her best friend at one of the family properties on Jekyll Island.

A suspicious death.

But when Torie learns that her best friend has drowned, she knows it is more than a tragic accident: Lisbeth was terrified of water and wouldn’t have gone swimming by choice.

A fight for the truth.

Torie goes to the hotel under an alias, desperate to find answers. When she meets Joe Abbott and his daughter rescuing baby turtles, she finds a tentative ally.

The more Torie and Joe dig, the more elusive the truth seems. One thing is clear: someone will risk anything—even more murder—to keep their secrets buried.

My Review

I have been a fan of this author for years, but this book fell a little flat for me. The main characters, Torie and Joe, were likeable, and Joe’s daughter Hailey was adorable. Joe’s job training sea mammals for the Navy added a unique and interesting element to the story. However, the suspense didn’t draw me in as much as the author’s novels usually do. The ending felt rushed, and I finished the book without really understanding the perpetrator’s motives for committing the crimes. It wasn’t as satisfying as a conclusion as I would have liked. Still, that may just be my preference, and if you are a fan of this author and/or genre, I would recommend giving this book a try!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

13 thoughts on “First Line Friday | A Stranger’s Game

  1. I really liked A Stranger’s Game, especially the underwater and sea lions training. So interesting! Colleen Coble is a favorite author. It threw me a little at the end. I had to re read some parts to see how it all fit together.

    My first line is from Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund:
    I’m dying, and we can’t change that.” Even though Ellen Creighton spoke as softly and gently as possible, she could do nothing to soften the harshness of the truth.

    1. The sea lion training was definitely interesting! I agree, the ending is what threw me off. Have a great weekend! 😊

    1. I know some people have really enjoyed it – everyone just has different preferences! Hope you have a wonderful weekend 😊

  2. Happy Friday!
    I’m currently reading A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz. It is AWESOME!
    I’m just beginning chapter 23, so I will share a line from there.
    “Henri was on the verge of saying nay to the proposed mission, and he sensed that the governor’s council, a body of astute, shrewd men, knew it.”
    I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  3. I haven’t read this one yet but I still hope to. Sorry it wasn’t your cup of tea
    The book I featured this week is Pomegranate Lane by Donna Anuszczyk but I’m currently reading With Love, Wherever You Are by Dandi Daley Mackall. I’m just starting it so I’ll share the first line from chapter 2 where I am currently: “Frank Daley checked the chart at the foot of the old man’s hospital bed.” I hope you have a wonderful reading weekend!

  4. I’m looking forward to reading this one. I’m a Colleen Coble fan too. I’m currently reading Stone by Ronie Kendig. The first line is “Some days were meant to test a man; others meant to undo him.”

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