Beguiling and breathtaking. A story you will not soon forget.
Many thanks to Black Rose Writing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I couldn’t put this book down. I still can't figure out what I read because man did this make you feel every emotion we have! This book has wonderful character development. The suspense storyline is intense and keeps you guessing until the surprising climax. This was a wonderful read and I would definitely recommend it!


Thank you NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Unfortunately, there’s been a technical issue between NetGalley and Kindle well the document hasn’t been sent over completely so I don’t have access to this arc on my kindle and unfortunately now I cannot have access to re-download it so unfortunately I won’t be able to leave my review for this book

TW: Subject matter involves infidelity & death of a child


This is a considerately written novel about grief, self realization & discovery, as well as second chance love.

This was such a sweet little love story, with relatable characters & story line. I finished this one in record time. Will look for more from Kari Wirth.

Ronnie Callahan's rise to police chief is her ultimate achievement. Nothing or no one will ruin that, especially her handsome, down-to-earth ex-husband, Officer Tony Lombardo.
She can handle working side-by-side with him. Outside of the station is a different story. Tony certainly isn't making it easy on Ronnie with holiday invitations to his parents' house and spending the night at her apartment. Through a series of unexpected encounters, Ronnie and Tony are forced to come to terms with the tragedy that tore them apart.
Just as healing begins after a decade of pain, guilt, and regret, a new man swoops into Ronnie's life. Dr. Aidan Foster is everything Tony isn't: sophisticated, educated, and wealthy. That's only the beginning. Lurking in the shadows, a stalker's plot for revenge puts Tony and Ronnie in imminent danger that could change their lives forever.

A Powerful Book.

“Under the Dogwood Tree” is the tale of a divorced couple torn apart in the past by tragedy. Ronnie and Tony both deserve a second chance at happiness, but will it be together or apart. The storyline starts out ten years later when Ronnie Callahan returns, as Police Chief. Her ex-husband Tony Lombard is a police officer at the same station and working together means both Ronnie and Tony find themselves forced to come to terms with their past.

Slowly both Ronnie and Tony come to an understanding of what it means to accept their part in the destruction of their relationship and what it takes to rebuild it together. Eventually both Ronnie and Tony come to understand what has happened to both since the death of their daughter and they rekindle a true friendship.

This is a story of a marriage ripped apart by tragedy and regrets a journey of love, loss, and surprisingly dangerous twists. Once you start this book, you will find you will not want to put it down as the tension-filled plot will have you wonder what is going to happen next especially when Ronnie receives death treats at work and then she is kidnapped. I Loved this book which is fast paced filled full of suspense. I found when I got to the end that I cannot wait to read more from Kari Wirth. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Under the Dogwood Tree
by Kari Wirth

Even the cover is beautiful. This book made me need Kleenex, and coffee to finish it at 2:am, and left my heart heavy. A story of a marriage ripped apart by tragedy and regrets. I so cheered for both. I LOVED the ending, but that said...this story would be a brilliant movie.

Under the Dogwood Tree by author Kari Wirth is a book filled with characters you will fall in love with and cheer for; a book punctuated with the challenges of real life, emotions, and sorrow. It’s not your typical romance where boy meets girl and they fall in love, but rather a romantic suspense with the main characters Ronnie and Tony teetering between “will they or won’t they”. The author’s writing style is fluid and descriptive but leaves enough leeway for readers to visualize the characters and the settings in their own minds. Wirth has authored a book that is so engaging you will want to keep turning the page to discover what happens next. Thank you to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the opportunity to review this wonderful book!

Barbara A. Luker, author of I Carry Your Heart and The Right One

This book was really good. This was my first time reading this author. This book is basically a true love triumphs.
Tony and "Ronnie" have been through loss that no parent should go through, which pulled them apart. 11 years later Ronnie is back in town. I felt deeply for both of them. Add in the fact they are both police officers added to their drama and suspense. I also love the big loud Italian family as that's a typical meal for my family. Being from Ohio I love all the Ohio references.. a well written heartbreaking yet powerful and emotional book. Thanks to NetGalley for Allowing me to review

What a wonderful book! A story of a marriage ripped apart by tragedy and regrets. When Ronnie returns to town as Tony's boss, things are tense for both. They eventually grow together as friends although both continue to harbor feelings and attraction that never left. When Ronnie is threatened, Tony proves his skills and devotion. Sadly, there seem to be a lot of complications and past pain that needs to be addressed again and again because the hurt is so deep. I loved how faith, friendship and family was interwoven in the book.

Married police officers Ronnie Callahan and Tony Lombardo experienced the worst sort of personal tragedy a family ever has to endure. Dealing with its aftermath in different ways tore their marriage apart, and Ronnie leaves town. Ten years later, she returns, this time as Police Chief. Ronnie and Tony are forced to come to terms with their past, but will they be able to come to terms with their feelings for each other? And then, to complicate matters, there’s this stalker with a real axe to grind toward Ronnie.

Under the Dogwood Tree is a real 5-star page turner and you won’t rest easy until you reach the end.

A book I won’t soon forget.
Imagine your new boss is your ex-wife.
After losing their daughter in an accident at only 3 ½ yrs old, Ronnie ended their 7 year marriage.
Now, 11 years later, a story is so captivating that you’ll be up all night trying to find out what happens next.

Book Review 📚
Under The Dogwood Tree by Kari Wirth - 5/5 ⭐

This is my first 5 ⭐ review on NetGalley out of over 130 books. Wow. Thank you, truly.

Holy moly. What on earth have a I just read. I was absolutely bombarded with EVERY. SINGLE. EMOTION known to mankind. I cannot even fathom how much this book takes over your life and completely blows your mind.

The whole thing is real life. Problems that people deal with daily, emotions and understanding. It's phenomenal. It's filled with pain and devastation and yet second chances and love. There is so much heartbreak and joy throughout the entire book. And Wirth put it together fantastically.

It was truly impossible to put this book down without finishing it. I was forever questioning the ending and hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel. Great character development on top of the fantastic description.

Thank you to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

Wow, this book really takes your emotions through the wringer! The absolutely devastating loss of a child is a pain you can't even begin to imagine unless you've been there, I felt so deeply for both parents. I throughly enjoyed this book, the only think that I didn't like and that kept frustrating me was how Ronnie kept pushing Tony away when she moved back after all the progress they had made to the point of almost getting married to another man. Added into all of this between Ronnie and Tony you have a stalker and suspense from their jobs in law enforcement.
This book is about real life in all its pain and beauty, thank you Kari Wirth for such a powerful book. I look forward to your next one.
#Netgalley #Kari Wirth # powerful #heartbreaking

First of all, what a gorgeous cover. I couldn't put Under the Dogwood Tree down. Kari Wirth has written a fabulous book about love, second chances, and forgiveness. I fell in love with her characters and you will too.

I liked this book. Even the title is intriguing. Realistic characters keep this story moving quickly. A woman comes HOME to become Police Chief. One of the men who works for her is her ex. What will happen next? This author has written a cannot put down novel. Thanks to Netgalley for this book.