The Rewind by Nicole Stiling

Nicole Stiling isn’t exactly an autobuy but she’s an author whose books I always look forward to. There’s something about her writing that really works for me even when I’m not entirely convinced by the story itself, as is the case with this one.

Three years ago, Alicia left her life in Oakview without warning. Her family, her friends, her job as a journalist for the local newspaper. And her girlfriend of six years, Cami. She’s back in town just as the dead body of an older woman is discovered. Cami is the detective in charge of the investigation, which is a far cry from what the small-town police force usually deals with. To add to Cami’s frustration, the reporter assigned to the story turns out to be Alicia.

The thriller arc is elaborate and tortuous, with what felt like the right mix of red herrings and actual hints. Towards the end, it kept me on the edge of my seat, as I was hoping it would.

For the romance, I really couldn’t, at first, see how Stiling was going to make the second chance work. I wasn’t sure I understood why Alicia had left, she kept making the wrong choices, I couldn’t imagine Cami forgiving her. After a while, however, it didn’t seem to matter anymore. Is it the chemistry? I can’t explain how it happened, but I suddenly believed that the relationship could actually be mended.

Despite requiring some suspension of disbelief, The Rewind is a good police procedural thriller and an enjoyable second-chance romance.