On her way home from a party, teenager Lia Porter sees a woman running from something and then jumping over a bridge. Lia can't find the woman, so she tries to forget what she saw until years later when the skeleton of a woman is found near the bridge. Lia knows it's the woman she saw, but when she tries to tell the mayor, who is serving as acting police chief, he runs her off, telling her to forget the past. Kaden Vaughn sees pictures of the dead body online and suspects that the woman is his brother's former fiance. Since his brother is dead and can't pursue the lead, Kaden goes back to his hometown of Pike, Wisconsin to see if he can finally put the woman to rest, but there is more going on than just her death, so Lia and Kaden join forces to find out what's really going on in Pike.

Desperate Acts contains all of the elements for an entertaining romantic suspense, but the execution of those elements creates little more than a run of the mill mystery. The characters remain fairly one dimensional throughout the book and the plot adds nothing new to the genre. The romance between the protagonists includes very little conflict or chemistry and doesn't do much to enhance this lackluster book. Overall, Desperate Acts is an average story filled with promise that never really comes together.

Back to Pike, Wi we go for some more small-town murders! For a small town Pike is certainly dealing with more than its fair share of the states murders!

Kaden is a former stunt driver/current motorcycle customiser. When he hears of a skeleton being found in Pike he has a gut feeling that it's his late brothers fiancée, who went missing 15 years prior. On arrival in Pike he's not exactly welcomed with open arms. With the exception of Lia, there is a notable frosty atmosphere at him churning things up.

Lia loves her small town and doesn't really want to be anywhere else but she does hate that small town gossipmongery! When she hears about a skeleton being found she flashbacks to 15 years before when she saw a woman jump from the bridge. When she makes an ally of Kaden, they are determined to find out what happened. With the Sheriff out of town the Mayor has taken over and he is...less than stellar!

Kaden made his escape from his past and became successful, kind of by accident. He might have money and fame but he's still a nice guy. Lia may have had a rocky start due to her young father not taking responsibility but she never lacked for love and she is much more than just a small town shop owner. She helps her community in a multitude of small ways.

Whilst neither of them have investigatory experience they're miles better than the Mayor and even Anthony, the deputy, keeps them in the loop!

Kaden and Lia both illustrate that you should always see past the labels others give you. Lia is far more than the dependable friend and neighbour. She has an adventurous side which she nurtures in her own way but that Kaden completely unleashes. Kaden may think that he gave up on his brother but he's right in the thick of it trying to get justice for someone his brother loved.

Plenty of twists and turns and just when you start to think you've got a handle on things, a new strand of the story develops. The romance is secondary to the murder/mystery plotline but it's still evident and Kaden and Lia make a great couple!