Plenty of twitsts, some steamy romance and a great mystery to solve. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and Miranda's writing style!

Fast paced and twisty, I finished it in a couple of hours. It had me on the edge of my seat pretty much the whole time

This book was so good that I could hardly put it down.
It kept me engrossed and guessing all the way through.
Best Miranda Rijks book I have ever read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Violets Are Blue is hands down my favourite book by Miranda Rijks! I've read several of her thrillers and always enjoy her gripping writing style, but this one takes it to another level with its intense twists and psychological depth. Just when I thought I had all the characters figured out, the tables were turned again and again, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

This is a slow-burn mystery that masterfully weaves suspense with a passion-filled romance. Laila is such a compelling protagonist—complex, determined, and easy to root for. The atmospheric tension and intricate plot make this an absolute must-read for thriller lovers. I highly recommend it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Violets are Blue by Miranda Rijks due to be published April 6, 2025.

Also recommended by Miranda Rijks: Roses Are Red, The Arrangement, The Homemaker, The Lodge, The Second Wife, Deserve to Die, What She Knew, The Other Mother, The Godchild, Every Breath You Take, The House Swap, Forget Me Not, and the Dr. Pippa Durrant series!

After a bitter divorce, criminal solicitor Laila moves to idyllic Violet Lane where she quickly falls for Max—her charming, piano-playing neighbor. They begin a wildly passionate affair and Laila feels she is really starting to live again. Is Max who he says he is or is Laila in danger?
This was another great thriller by Miranda Rijks – I read it in two days and could not put it down. Just when I thought I had all the characters figured out – nope – another twist. One of my favorite authors!
#NetGalley #MirandaRijks #InkubatorBooks #VioletsAreBlue

violets are blue is a gripping psychological thriller that combines a slow-burn mystery with an intense, passion-filled romance. From the very first page, the novel plunges the reader into a world of secrets, betrayal, and hidden danger, all set against the seemingly peaceful backdrop of a picturesque street.
The novel does an excellent job of blending a tantalizing romance with a deeply suspenseful mystery.
Overall, " violets are blue is a captivating read that deftly intertwines romance and mystery. With strong character development, a nail-biting plot, and a tense atmosphere, this book is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy a dash of romance with their suspense. It’s a thrilling ride that will have you questioning trust, love, and the dangers that lie just beneath the surface of a seemingly perfect life.

This just became my favorite book by Miranda Rijks! What a wild ride! I've read several of her thrillers and love her writing style, but this one? Even more intense and twist-filled than the rest.

If you’re new to Miranda Rijks, this is the perfect place to start.

Fast-paced, packed with twists, and utterly unputdownable—I devoured it in one sitting! There’s constant tension, and you’ll be second-guessing every character until the very last page.

Another great thriller with a surprise ending (it was a surprise to me!) by Miranda Rijks. I love all her books. If you want a book you can’t put down, this is it! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. To be published April 6, 2025.

I love Miranda Rijks novels - fast paced thrillers with multiple twists, always a reliable read.

Lawyer Laila and her husband have recently divorced, with Laila moving to the quiet street of Violet Lane, ready to start fresh. New job, new house, new man on the scene, until things start getting freaky - with a young mum across the road going missing....

Great story, great characters, loved the criminal law aspect of Laila's work coming into play. I enjoyed the mystery and the twists and turns. I loved Laila as a character but she could have been more suspicious of those around her. I also enjoyed the steaminess of the relationship between her and Max, and while not necessary to the story, I think it did add an extra layer, which becomes creepier as the book goes on. Well tied up ending and overall a really great read.

Book: Violets are Blue
Author: Miranda Rijks
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Inkubator Books
Pub Date: April 6, 2025
My Rating: 4.4 Stars


Criminal lawyer Laila and her husband Jacob May work in the large law firm of Maclachlan, and Thacker. However, recently went through a bitter divorce.
Laila now Laila Bowdon moves to idyllic Violet Lane a quiet cul-de-sac and believes she is on the cusp of a new life. She is starting a new job with solicitors Cassel, Everett, and Parker. She is welcomed by the neighbors to a Violet Lane BBQ in fact; it is in so that she can meet her new neighbors.
She is immediately attracted to gorgeous Max Critchey —a piano-playing paramedic (also IMO a sex maniac) neighbor. So yes they begin a wildly passionate affair and Laila feels she is really starting to live again- oh what sex will do!
All is going well until Jackie Walker the sweet young mom who lives across goes missing. Jackie’s husband Finn is a person of interest. Laila and her firm are represents Finn the husband. Finn tells police that he strongly suspects something going on between his wife and Max. Since Max and Laila are now a couple – it is considered a conflict of interests and she is let go and yep her ex-husband’s firm is hired,
Then things get more and more complicated.

Miranda Rijks has written twenty-five psychological thrillers, and this one is her most steamy
This is my tenth story; she is such a clever storyteller! I call myself a fan and will read anything she writes!
I am not a big fan of romance novels ~true I do like a sweet romance once in a while but not interested in steamy sex in a thriller – I prefer psychos with a twisted mind- LOL.
To me sex is a personal thing and should be private not a spectator event.
~ I knew this was going to test if I really am willing to read anything Ms. Rijks writes!!

I did suspect whodunit but there was so much other stuff going on I was completely into the story .
Oh Yes! I will read another Rijks story - True! I am hopeful the next story will be back to the normal psychos!
Although more steamy than I like, easy to skip and I was able to totally enjoyed the story!

BTW: Ms. Rijks is currently offering “The Cheat” a novella. Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get your FREE copy as well as the chance to name characters for her next books.

Want to thank NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Day Scheduled for April 6, 2025.

Likable characters, lots of suspense, a little spicy, definitely thrilling and plenty of suspicion to go around. This book was nearly impossible to put down. A fantastic read!

This was such a quick read! Every time I put it down, I looked forward to getting back to it and seeing how Laila would handle all the chaos around her! I loved the way the author showed how sometimes even smart characters can fall prey to the charms of another and lead with their heart rather than their head. Looking forward to Miranda's next one!

Another fantastic read by Miranda Rijks! The characters were great and had me constantly flipping pages. I could not put it down. Perfect storm of spicy romance and psychological thriller.
Thank you NetGalley, Miranda Rijks and Inkubator Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you Netgalley, Inkubator Books and Miranda Rijks for the eArc of Violets are Blue.

Violets Are Blue is a medium paced domestic thriller with some great psychological twists. With well developed characters, some you like, some you don't. Some you're automatically suspicious of, others trusting. This books literally leads you up the garden path and you feel like you fell into a river! The pacing and the twists will sweep you away and you aren't really sure if anyone is a reliable narrator or not.

I always enjoy Miranda's writing style which has a great balance of plot direction, character development and tension. Violets Are Blue was a great page turner for me.

4 stars

*Violets are Blue* by Miranda Rijks is a psychological thriller that delves into the themes of obsession, guilt, and hidden secrets. The story centers around the protagonist, Anna, who begins receiving unsettling gifts that seem to be tied to a dark chapter in her past. As the plot unfolds, Anna's carefully constructed life starts to unravel as she faces the consequences of long-buried actions.

Rijks does an excellent job of building tension, keeping readers on edge as they try to piece together the mystery alongside the main character. The pacing is generally tight, with the suspenseful atmosphere maintained throughout. However, some readers might find certain plot twists a bit predictable, while others will appreciate how the narrative slowly reveals key details.

The characters are well-developed, particularly Anna, who is relatable in her vulnerability and her attempts to control her circumstances. However, the novel's reliance on dramatic moments can sometimes feel forced, and the conclusion might be divisive, with some finding it satisfying and others feeling it falls short of the buildup.

Overall, *Violets are Blue* is an engaging read for fans of psychological thrillers, offering enough twists and intrigue to hold the reader's interest, though it might not be the most groundbreaking thriller in the genre.

This was such a fun twisty read! Started out as more of a romance which I enjoyed. When Laila moves to Violet Lane after her divorce, she is looking for a fresh start. She then falls for her charming neighbor and that is when all hell breaks loose!

For fans of Freida, this one will be right up your alley!

Laila is an attorney, just settling into her new home and job after a difficult divorce. She meets her new neighbors, and the story begins. This is a good story, with lots of twists and turns. This is a good read for a snowy weekend or the beach. I’ve read several books by this author, and definitely recommend Rijks!

"Violets Are Blue" by Miranda Rijks had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It’s a suspenseful, psychological thriller with just the right amount of spice. I couldn’t stop reading, always needing to know what was happening next. I had my theories, and I was a little right and a little wrong, which made the twists all the more exciting. The plot kept me guessing, and every time I thought I had it figured out, something unexpected happened. It’s a total page-turner that I couldn’t put down!

I love how smooth the writting is in this book. Perfect amount of character building and the ending had a few surprises that I did not predict. Highly recommend.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.