About the Book
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Allison Brennan delivers a pulse-pounding thriller about one family fighting for their land against both human enemies and Mother Nature.
After the sudden death of her husband, Ellen McKenna is doing everything she can to keep her Texas farm afloat. She and her family hope to expand their operation, but times are tough and making ends meet is more expensive than she imagined, much less trying to grow. Many of their neighbors in Cooke County have thrown in the towel and agreed to sell their farms to a local businessman, but despite similar pressure, Ellen refuses to let her dreams die.
On top of the usual hardships, a series of recent storms has left the region partly flooded, and as the heavy rain begins again one morning, all the members of the McKenna family jump into action to protect their land and animals. Ellen’s oldest son discovers an injured dog—and the dog leads him to a man barely clinging to life, the apparent victim of a brutal home invasion. Then, Ellen’s younger kids go to check on a nearby neighbor and walk into a threat none of them saw coming.
Before anyone can figure out what’s really going on in their idyllic rural valley, the storm picks up again in intensity, and the McKenna kids find themselves in over their heads with no way to call for help. To protect her farm--and her family—Ellen must face down all the forces trying to tear them apart.
Allison Brennan's talent for twisty, tense pacing combines with a deeply drawn family drama and the unforgiving power of nature in this compelling standalone thriller.
My Review
Ellen McKenna’s beloved husband suddenly dies leaving her with four children and a farm in desperate need of repairs. She’s doing all she can to manage expenses. The families in neighboring farms are being pressured to sell out to a ruthless local businessman. Ellen is facing those same pressures, but she refuses to give in. The farm means everything to her and her family, not to mention it was her husband’s legacy.
Then, a life-threatening storm strikes the area. The McKenna family jumps into action. They find themselves dealing with much more than Mother Nature. Danger lurks in the small Texas town and the McKennas are right in the middle of it all.
What a spine-tingling adventure this is. I was at the edge-of-my-seat for most of this book. The McKennas are a tight-knit family who truly care for each other and their neighbors.
This is not part of a series, although I’d love a sequel. Allison Brennan is a wonderful storyteller. This is family drama at its best. I had to keep reading until I knew how it all ended. I was tempted to read ahead, but I didn’t. I savored every word of this high-stakes drama.
Allison Brennan never disappoints me. This book moves to the top of my list of favorites of 2026.
For reading challenges:
NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2026
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2026
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
That looks good.
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