It's Only Love: one man's disappearance raises questions and a new investigation discovers secrets, lies and betrayals

It’s Only Love is the seventeenth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Wade Barret went duck hunting with his dog on his boat. The dog came home. The boat was discovered with no sign of foul play. Everyone believed he drowned or met an unfortunate end with an alligator. However, his brother, Walker, never has believed. Eight months later, a new piece of evidence brings new questions about the case. Determined as ever, Walker knows there is more to his brother’s case than just an accident. Sam Gray agrees to take the case as a private investigator and it becomes clear that someone has worked to make sure the case stays buried. His investigation uncovers half truths, betrayals, broken loyalties and secrets someone is willing to protect. Someone knows what happened to Wade Barrett, how far will they go to protect that knowledge? 

With the unforgettable cast of characters and stories that readers have come to know and love, It’s Only Love continues to explore secrets, lies and the lengths people are willing to go to protect themselves as well as the people they love. Loosely inspired by a real Florida disappearance that captured national attention, It’s Only Love is a gripping story of mystery, romance, and family secrets. From the very beginning, this story held my attention with twists, turns and kept me guessing until the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed Sam’s perspective and seeing him take the lead in this investigation. The book does end with a cliffhanger that links to the next book in the series. I can’t wait to discover the new story of Hart’s Ridge. If you have enjoyed the Hart’s Ridge series, you will love It’s Only Love. I highly, highly recommend It’s Only Love! 

It’s Only Love will be available September 29, 2026 in eBook with paperback coming soon

If you have not read the Hart’s Ridge series, 

I highly recommend starting with book 1, Hart’s Ridge.

Books 1-16 in this series are currently available in paperback and eBook 

Working Class Hero: a deadly fire, a pregnant woman is dead and the newly elected sheriff must solve the case

Working Class Hero is the sixteenth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. The small town of Hart’s Ridge is shaken awake as a house fire reveals the death of Julie Carter, a pregnant woman. Taylor Gray, as the newly elected sheriff, asks Caleb Grimes to return to the department and together, they investigate the deadly fire. Their prime suspect: Alex Mercer, the fire chief. As the details come to the surface, secrets come to light and the truth behind the fire takes a turn. Tula returns to Hart’s Ridge when her sister, Lorene, goes into premature labor. With the baby in a delicate condition, Tula must fight to ensure his survival and tries to get Lorene the help she needs to finally break away from their twisted family. Who killed Julie Carter? Will Tula be able to help Lorene and her new baby? 

The Hart’s Ridge series has had great stories with twists and turns, suspense and shocking reveals. Working Class Hero is no exception. From the opening prologue to the closing chapter, I was hooked on Taylor’s case. While I was waiting for a shocking reveal about the killer as the first suspect is rarely the real killer but the truth behind the fire was a reveal I was not expecting. I enjoyed Taylor’s growth as she adjusts to her new role and her determination to bring integrity and honesty back to the office. Tula’s storyline was bittersweet and I even shed a few tears. I have enjoyed her journey of strength and determination to break the family cycle. If you haven’t already started the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly, highly recommend it. If you have enjoyed the Hart’s Ridge series so far, I highly, highly recommend Working Class Hero. 

Working Class Hero is available in eBook

Ticket to Ride: a young girl goes missing and an darker online world is exposed

Ticket To Ride is the fifteenth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. When a young woman disappears on her way to rehab, private investigator Taylor Gray is asked to follow her steps. When a young girl goes missing that hits closer to home, Taylor is thrown into the online world and the predators lurking in the shadows. As she searches, rumors and whispers of other girls gone missing under similar circumstances and every lead reveals a darker path and secrets involving powerful people who would do anything to keep them buried. With time running out, Taylor is determined to end the ring of predators who are luring vulnerable girls and the shadowy figures who are determined to silence those who threaten their system. Little does Taylor know that one link in the chain will throw the small town of Hart’s Ridge into turmoil. 

Ticket to Ride opens with a seemingly normal court case as a young woman must choose between jail or rehab and the story doesn’t stop. Page after page, readers are on a race against time as Taylor follows a case that hits too close to home. With gritty reality, Ticket to Ride brings to light the darkness and danger of an everyday activity: online games and communities. While online activities can be innocent, there are predators lurking, ready to lure innocent kids into a darker world. With each piece of evidence, Taylor gets closer to the true boss of this web of criminals and it will leave readers’ jaws on the floor when Taylor discovers who is behind it all. As the sixteenth book has been noticed, I am looking forward to Taylor’s future in Hart’s Ridge. I highly, highly recommend Ticket to Ride. 

Ticket to Ride is available in paperback and eBook

Tell Me Why: a tangled web of secrets, corruption and betrayal in the small town of Hart's Ridge

Tell Me Why is the fourteenth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Private investigator Taylor Gray is called to the scene of a charred vehicle, a vehicle registered to her family’s farm. Inside is a body too damaged to be identified; however, nothing prepares Taylor for the news that the victim might be someone who called family. She begins by digging deep into the victim’s ties to a shady local business, a business that seems to come out of nowhere. A business which leaves a trail of secret deliveries and someone pulling the strings. Fighting through grief and the swirling rumors, Taylor follows every lead of corruption, addiction and betrayal. She gets closer with each lead, there is someone who is desperate to keep her from discovering the truth. Her instincts tell her there is more to the case than just an unfortunate accident. However, she isn’t prepared to learn who is behind it all. 

The Hart’s Ridge series has been a wild ride of cases inspired by real life events and a family forming a new foundation. Tell Me Why opens as Taylor is racing to the scene of an accident which readers learned about in the previous book. When I learned who the victim was, I cried and I was just as determined as Taylor to find out the why and who. I did pick up on a clue about who the mastermind behind the shady business was and I hoped I was wrong. The story does end on a cliffhanger as someone who is finally ready to reveal all that they know. If you are a fan of the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly, highly recommend Tell Me Why. If you haven’t started the series, I recommend starting with book 1, Hart’s Ridge. You will be pulled into the small town, the residents and the danger that lurks in the shadows. 

Tell Me Why is in paperback and eBook

Now and Then: an innocent man behind bars? Graystone Investigations is on the case

Now and Then is the thirteenth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Taylor traded her badge, and alongside her husband Sam, launched Graystone Investigations. A private detective agency fueled by grit, intuition and the pursuit of justice. Their latest case is a chance to overturn a decade old conviction when new evidence puts further doubt on the case. A man spent ten years in prison for a brutal crime, a crime he insists he did not commit. The only person who stands by his side, his wife. Taylor and Sam begin to dig into the case and discover missing evidence, unfollowed leads and truths buried. At the same time, Anna has finally found purpose in her nursing career. When a chance encounter with a new patient puts her face to face with her ex-husband, Anna finds herself falsely accused of a crime and begins the uphill battle to clear her name. 

The Hart’s Ridge series has grown to a wonderful story of family and resilience with suspense and the journey to justice. Now and Then is a story that starts slowly like a fire you didn’t know was there until it burns into a raging inferno. A man convicted by a shortsighted investigation, a wife who never gave up hope and Taylor and Sam fueled by a drive to find the truth seemingly lost in time. Anna’s story was equally engaging as I wanted to wring her ex-husband’s neck. The story does end with a cliffhanger, a heart stopping cliffhanger that I am eager to see resolved in the next book, coming soon. I loved this story as I could not put it down. If you have not read the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly, highly recommend it. If you are a fan of the Hart’s Ridge series, you will love Now and Then. 

Now and Then is available in paperback and eBook

Every Little Thing: missing persons in paradise and one member of the Gray family decides to confront the past she has been running from

Every Little Thing is the twelfth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Taylor Gray and her family travel to Cabo San Lucas for the fairytale wedding of Ellis’s daughter, Madison. Everything is perfect in the picturesque beach resort. However, the next morning, the bride and her maid of honor have gone missing, virtually without a trace. With the local police being no help, Taylor and her family investigate on their own. Will they find Madison and her best friend alive? Back in the States, Lucy is on the run. Wandering from state to state, trying to outrun the past, her memories and the voices in her head. However, the further she travels, the more she realizes that she will never know healing and peace if she keeps running and she heads to the one place she never wanted to see again. Will Lucy finally find the peace she has been longing for? 

I opened this book with anticipation. The Hart’s Ridge series digs deep in the stories that we only hear about on true crime shows. Each story has a heart-gripping event that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. In Every Little Thing, Taylor and her family find themselves  diving deep into the seedy side of paradise and the determination to bring home the missing women. Lucy’s storyline was about confrontation. I knew we hadn’t heard the last of this situation, I don’t want to give it away, but I loved that Lucy is a lot smarter than her family thinks she is and finds a way to put her mind at ease and bring an end to the shadow that has stalked her. If you haven’t read the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly recommend starting with book 1, Hart’s Ridge. If you are a fan of the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly, highly recommend Every Little Thing. 

Every Little Thing is available in paperback and eBook

So This is Christmas: the magic of Christmas is shattered by a horrifying crime

So This is Christmas is the eleventh book in the best selling Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. The small town of Hart’s Ridge is glowing with holiday magic as the quaint town is decked with festive lights and holiday cheer that draws visitors from all around. However, this year, Deputy Taylor Gray hopes for a quiet holiday as she recovers and learns how to enjoy her new role as the family celebrates. However, in another part of town, the peace and quiet of the Christmas spirit is shattered when four bodies are discovered. Detective Shane Weaver must solve this crime without Taylor as she becomes torn between her promise to Sam to stay out of the investigation and focus on her recovery and her sworn duty to keep the town safe. Who would do such a horrendous act at Christmas? And can Taylor keep her promise? Will Shane leave her out of it? 

The Hart’s Ridge series just keeps getting better and better! To say that I enjoyed this story would be an understatement. Inspired by real life crime stories, So This is Christmas takes readers on a journey into the unthinkable and asks the question what would drive someone to commit such a crime. So This is Christmas opens with the shocking crime as a family is gunned down and keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the twists and turns come at a fast pace. Intertwined with the case, Taylor is faced with a decision: when will she realize that taking time for yourself and your health isn’t selfish but necessary? It is a question that many caregivers must face. What will be Taylor’s breaking point? If you are a fan of the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly, highly recommend So This is Christmas! If you have not yet started the series, I highly, highly recommend it. 

So This is Christmas is currently available in eBook

Hello Little Girl: the fight to survive comes to the final showdown

 Hello Little Girl by Kay Bratt is the tenth book in the Hart’s Ridge series. The search for Lydia Grimes continues as new evidence provides proof she could still be alive. Caleb Grimes, her husband, is more determined than ever to bring her home. He won’t rest until he has her safe and sound or recovers her body for burial. Taylor is pulled from the search and given an opportunity to further her career and get the promotion she desires but it requires putting her career first and leaving her family behind for a period of time. A simple assignment quickly becomes a life and death situation. Meanwhile, Lydia becomes caught between the fight for her own freedom and the desire to protect another from the evil man who keeps them in captivity. Can she find the courage to save them both? As tensions and stakes rise, can Caleb, Taylor and Lydia find their own strength and determination to have the happy endings they are fighting for? 

I don’t think I have ever recently anticipated a book in a series as much as I waited for Hello Little Girl. Left with a bit of a cliffhanger in Blackbird, Hello Little Girl picks right off and keeps going. I was glued to the pages with pins and needles as the story unraveled. There were twists and turns and shocking revelations with one revelation I picked up on in Blackbird and waited for that shoe to drop! My jaw dropped a few times near the end. I am ecstatic to learn that there will be more stories in the series. Readers don’t have to say goodbye to Hart’s Ridge and the Gray Family just yet. If you have enjoyed the Hart’s Ridge series, you will love Hello Little Girl. If you haven’t started this series, you are missing out on an excellent series of intrigue, family, the fighting human spirit to survive. I highly, highly recommend Hello Little Girl and the entire Hart’s Ridge series. 

Hello Little Girl is available in paperback and eBook

Blackbird: a story of survival and determination

Blackbird by Kay Bratt is the ninth book in the Hart’s Ridge series. In the small town of Hart’s Ridge, the echoes of Lydia Grimes’ abduction still ripples through the community. As they continue to come to grips with her profound loss, new clues and ideas may lead to understanding what happened to Lydia and where she is now. Deputy Taylor Gray feels deeply about every case that comes through Hart’s Ridge. With a mix of joys among the lingering sorrows, Taylor finds herself helping Caleb Grimes find the closure he needs to get his life and his family back on track. A young named Allison Curran, whom Taylor helped so many years ago, needs help again to leave a desperate situation. Can Taylor and Grimes find out what happened to Lydia and put the case to rest? Can Allison finally find peace, a home and a fresh start? 

Oh wow! What a story! From the opening prologue to the closing cliffhanger, Blackbird is a story of survival and determination. There were moments of heartbreaking tears and joyful smiles. There were moments of nail biting suspense and a race against time urgency. The Hart’s Ridge series just keeps getting better and better. My heart broke for Caleb and his daughters, especially Grace who struggled with their new reality and fears. I cheered Allison on as she worked to better her life and hoped with every turn of the page that she finds who and what she needs to find her feet again. I can’t wait for the next book to find out what happens next! This story will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing. I highly, highly recommend reading this series and if you have read the series so far, you will love Blackbird. 

Blackbird is available in paperback and eBook

Hart’s Ridge series books 1-8 are now available in paperback and eBook

Starting Over: the Gray family and the citizens of Hart's Ridge must find hope and strength in the darkness

Starting Over is the eighth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. In the aftermath of the events of Hello Goodbye, the Gray family bands together in unwavering strength and resilience as a crisis appears to threaten to tear them apart once again. As a new case hits the small town of Hart’s Ridge a little too close to home, the Gray family and the rest of Hart’s Ridge must come together and find the courage and hope to keep going and start fresh. A local woman is taken while shopping and it becomes a race against time to find her and bring her home safe and sound. With every picture and facade being questioned and bonds tested by secrets, they can ever feel secure again. Will the Gray family and the citizens of Hart’s Ridge find strength and hope in the darkness of tragedy? Can they move forward as a family with love and forgiveness? 

When Kay Bratt first announced her new series, she originally planned for eight books. The overwhelming support and response for the Gray family and this series, she announced that she is continuing the series. And I am so happy! I can see how Starting Over was supposed to be a send off for the Gray family; but, there are still so many stories to be told in this tiny little hamlet. The main case of the story took my breath away as I awaited their resolution with every twist and turn. I wish I could talk about my reaction to the resolution but no spoilers! I will definitely be waiting for book nine and future books in this heart pounding series. If you have not started the Hart’s Ridge series, I highly, highly recommend starting with book one, Hart’s Ridge, which is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook. If you have read the Hart’s Ridge series, you will not be disappointed with Starting Over! 

Starting Over is available in eBook

Hello Goodbye: a shocking murder and closure to a deeply personal case

Hello Goodbye by Kay Bratt is the seventh book of the Hart’s Ridge series. The once tranquil small town of Hart’s Ridge is once again rocked to the core with a shocking crime which leaves two parents brutally murdered and three adopted children orphaned. With twists and turns, the couple’s seemingly perfect image is opened to secrets and possible motives. Deputy Taylor Gray throws herself into solving the case while dealing with turmoil in her personal life. First, Sam, her fiancé, is blindsided by the sudden appearance of a 12 year old girl, Alice, claiming to be his daughter. Second, there is a sudden development from a case from her personal past that could threaten her entire family. Even in a small town, there are secrets hidden in every nook and cranny, is the killer hiding among them? 

From the opening chapter, Hello Goodbye hits readers with a brutal crime and the mystery swirls to secrets, lies and the usual suspects. The case itself was intriguing and engaging. Will the killer be a surprise? Unfortunately, I found Taylor hard to like in this story. While she usually has a hardened exterior, with hidden emotions, I found her a little too harsh and a few times, I even commented out loud with “Yikes, Taylor.” I like Sam more and more with each book and I loved how he opened himself to the possibility of being Alice’s father and engaged in a relationship with her. Overall, Hello Goodbye was an engaging, roller coaster of a story which kept me guessing until the end. I highly recommend Hello Goodbye as well as the rest of the Hart’s Ridge series. 

Hello Goodbye is available in paperback and eBook

Nobody Told Me: a crime hits closer to home

Nobody Told Me is the sixth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Another crime in Hart’s Ridge hits home for Deputy Taylor Gray. She investigates the sudden disappearance of Jarret Clark, a young man who holds a special place in her life. She hopes for the best but fears the worst. Her sister, Lucy, is working on starting her life over with her son, Johnny. As she sets out on her path of self-discovery, Lucy realizes that it’s not as straightforward as she thought. Not only does she have to deal with her personal issues, she discovers someone is trying to destroy her life. While she thinks she knows who it is, she must decide when enough’s enough and confront her tormentor. Will Lucy find the strength to truly change for the better? Will she stand up and fight back? Will Taylor solve the mystery of Jarret’s disappearance before it’s too late?

The Hart’s Ridge series has it all: crimes inspired by true stories, family drama and a small town setting. It is important to read this series in order and I have enjoyed it since Hart’s Ridge (book 1). I’m not sure what it was; but the story in Nobody Told Me felt a little off. I can’t quite put my finger on it. It was fast paced. It held my attention but I wasn’t exactly wowed by it. I love that many characters who were featured in previous books made appearances. I loved the ending and the cliffhanger that I am, of course, eagerly awaiting book 7 to read the fallout. While Lucy’s stalker was a bit of a surprise, I kept expecting someone else from her past to pop up again. Maybe they will? Despite it all, I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend Nobody Told Me. I look forward to the next book in the series. 

Nobody Told Me is available in paperback and eBook

Borrowed Time: even picture perfect can hide darker secrets

Borrowed Time is the fourth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. This story asks the question “do you ever really know the person you’re in love with?” It’s about to be answered for Deputy Taylor Gray as she investigates the disappearance of her close friend, Sissy. The more she investigates Sissy’s life, the more she discovers that appearances can be deceiving and the most picture-perfect relationships can be hiding deeper and darker secrets. No one knows this more than Taylor’s sister, Anna. She is living the seemingly all-American dream with a successful husband, a nice house and two thriving children. But there is more behind the scenes. Her perfect life is spiraling out of control as she discovers the secrets that have been hiding behind the perfect façade. Will Taylor discover the truth behind Sissy’s disappearance? Will Anna be able to pull her life together again?

The Hart’s Ridge series keeps getting better and better. Borrowed Time touches very deep subjects with suicidal ideation and domestic violence. Readers: bring tissues. By the end of the book, I was in tears. I love Taylor and her sisters as well as their mother, Cate, as great women who have rebuilt their lives. In this story, we see more of the uppity Anna and her story. While the investigation into Sissy’s disappearance was the main story, I was hooked on Anna’s story and cheered for her as she found a way to fight back. I loved seeing Anna and Cate rebuild their relationship. I also loved the interactions between the sisters. Despite their differences in personality and life choices, they have each other’s backs. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend Borrowed Time and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. 

Borrowed Time is available in paperback and eBook

In My Life: heart pounding suspense and family drama

In My Life is the third book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. Life has a new normal for Taylor Gray as her mother, Cate, adjusts to life on the outside, and her sister, Lucy, and infant nephew, Johnny, fill the house with activity. When a triple homicide is discovered, the once quaint and peaceful town of Hart’s Ridge is shocked and frightened. Taylor is determined to find the cold-hearted killer. Is the killer a passerby or someone closer to home? As it becomes all hands on deck, Taylor must juggle her investigation with the repairs of her family and two men who want to win her heart. Will it prove to be too much for Taylor? Or will she finally have the life she always thought wasn’t possible? 

Kay Bratt has another great series filled with heart pounding suspense and family drama. In My Life is a thrilling story that kept me on the edge of my seat! Once I started, I could not put it down. I was able to read it in a few hours as the story kept getting better and better. There’s so much to talk about but can’t because of SPOILERS! The investigation was engaging and the storylines for Cate and Lucy were heartbreaking and I cheered for them to find their footing in their new lives. I also enjoyed Taylor and her possible romances. I am rooting for one particular man and I’m looking forward to seeing which one Taylor will ultimately choose. I highly recommend the Hart’s Ridge series and In My Life

In My Life is available in eBook

Books 1 and 2, Hart’s Ridge and Lucy in the Sky

are available in paperback and eBook

Lucy in the Sky: danger, family secrets and a fight to survive

Lucy in the Sky by Kay Bratt is the second book in the Hart’s Ridge series. Lucy Gray doesn't usually start trouble but it certainly knows how to be wherever she is. As she is running away from her hometown, she ends up in New York City and in front of the famous Dakota. When she is mistaken for someone else, a split second decision changes her luck for once. Or so Lucy thinks. A turn of fortunes leads to a situation of life or death. Meanwhile Taylor is dealing with a revelation that will tear apart everything she thought she knew about her family and their past. Once she is on the case, she can’t stop until she knows the truth. Will Lucy find a way to escape and survive? Will Taylor’s investigation help rebuild her family or tear it apart further? 

Lucy in the Sky picks up right after the end of Hart’s Ridge as Lucy arrives in New York City. She isn’t there long when she finds her luck changes with a job of a lifetime. The book was a bit slow in the beginning but once Lucy reveals a secret she has been hiding and her new employer offers a way out, the pace picks up quickly. And if you thought Taylor’s heart was on her sleeve in Hart’s Ridge, you will see her torn in two as she investigates a family secret. I can’t say much without spoiling plot points but this story will leave you in awe and eager for book 3, In My Life (release date March 14, 2023). I highly recommend Lucy in the Sky. If you haven’t read Hart’s Ridge, I highly recommend it before reading Lucy in the Sky. 

Lucy in the Sky is available in paperback and eBook

Hart’s Ridge is available in paperback and eBook

Hart's Ridge: One small town, one missing mother and one woman's determination to discover the truth

Hart’s Ridge is the first book in a new series by Kay Bratt. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hart’s Ridge is a quaint, small town where Taylor Gray grew up. She clawed her way out of poverty, foster care and through the police academy to be a member of the town’s law enforcement. She is determined to protect and serve not just her town but her family as well. One day, five year old Molly walks into a gas station on the outskirts of town. Taylor is one deputy who is determined to discover where Molly came from and locate her missing mother. Time is of the essence in a missing person case and the sheriff brings in help. A familiar face that brings up old feelings for Taylor. As she works the case, her family’s past begins to reveal more secrets than answers. Can she focus on the case at hand? Can she find Molly’s mother before it’s too late? 

Hart’s Ridge is a new direction for Ms. Bratt who hasn’t done a police procedural before, although true crime stories have always intrigued her. There is a lot going on in this story. As the first book in the series, Hart’s Ridge is more than the case of Molly and her missing mother. There is Taylor's history and her family’s past. Issues within the department. Someone obviously doesn’t want her there. The characters are real to life and Taylor isn’t the typical heroine. She has some deep issues with even deeper scars. She works hard to be the best she could be. There is something familiar and real to life about this story with a lone female in an all-male police department. A sad truth that many women still face in stereotypically male occupations. Ms. Bratt knows how to write characters with deep hurts and challenges but has the determination to rise above them. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I recommend Hart’s Ridge. 

Hart’s Ridge is available in eBook on January 10, 2023.