by Sandra Brown
First published 2013
Jade Sperry's life changes forever on one stormy night in a small Southern town. Three young men from prominent families assault her, shattering her world and forcing her to flee. The attack leaves her at the center of local scandal, with the entire community turning against her. She escapes the company town where one powerful family controls every aspect of life, including the law and public opinion. Years pass, but Jade cannot forget what happened to her or the spoiled son who led the assault. She builds a new life far from home, yet the trauma and injustice continue to haunt her. Eventually, Jade decides she must return to face her past. She develops a plan for revenge against the wealthy family that protected their son and destroyed her reputation. Her homecoming sets up a confrontation between her desire for justice and the family's continued power over the town. Jade must overcome her fear and find the strength to challenge people who seem untouchable.
Genres: fiction, drama, mystery, crime, contemporary, thriller
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, revenge, second-chance
Setting: Southern Town
Period: Contemporary
468 pages · Kindle Edition · Grand Central Publishing
Content warnings: abuse, sexual-assault