Review: The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz

 

The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz

Publication Date: January 6th 2026 by Berkley

Pages: 336

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

The Harper and Wells families have been locked in a generations‑long feud but are bound together by one dangerous secret: the existence of a powerful psychic weapon.

 

When Sophy Harper’s aunt and Luke Wells’ uncle vanish, along with sensitive documents and a prototype of that weapon, Sophy and Luke are reluctantly paired up to track them down. Each brings a unique psychic talent to the hunt: Sophy can read echoes of past crimes, while Luke excels at piecing together scattered clues. And they have Luke’s dog, Bruce, along for backup. Loved Bruce!

 

The clues lead them to what’s supposed to be a peaceful artist retreat, but the moment they arrive, it’s clear something is wrong and the place hums with psychic energy. As danger closes in, Sophy and Luke must rely on their abilities, and each other before catastrophe strikes. Despite coming from rival families, Sophy and Luke quickly became a compelling team. Their wary partnership evolves with growing trust, and a wonderfully slow‑burn romance that adds warmth to the high‑stakes mystery.

 

Fans of Jayne Ann Krentz will find familiar supernatural elements: Fogg Lake, the Bluestone Project, the Arcane Society, but with a new cast of characters. It was an engaging blend of action, danger and romantic tension. The central mystery wraps up satisfyingly, but the last chapter hinted at more stories to come.

4 Stars

Book Description:

New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz dives into an enthralling new romantic suspense novel filled with deeply entrenched grudges, psychic dangers, and a conspiracy that threatens not only two families but also the entire paranormal community.

The Harper and the Wells families have regarded each other with deep suspicion for four generations. The Harpers have been known to offer their psychic talents for less-than-legal purposes, and the powerful Wells clan has a reputation for playing both sides of the street. But for all the years of history and distrust between them, there is a mysterious pact binding the two. They share the responsibility for protecting a long-buried and very dangerous secret.

Sophy Harper and Luke Wells are shocked to learn that her aunt and his uncle have been sleeping together—and now they are both missing. Not only that, but the last traces of them are at the scene of a murder soaked in negative paranormal energy. Clearly, someone is willing to kill to obtain the secret their families have been charged with protecting. Despite their mutual distrust, which, as far as Sophy is concerned extends to Luke’s hellhound of a dog, they both know that the terms of the pact must be honored.

Their investigation uncovers a psychic trail leading to a bizarre desert art colony where nothing is as it seems. But Luke and Sophy are concealing a few secrets, too. By a strange twist of fate, a Harper and a Wells have no choice but to trust each other and the fierce attraction that is binding them as surely as the pact between the families.

Photo Credit: Marc von Borstel

About the Author

Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. She has written contemporary romantic suspense novels under that name and futuristic and historical romance novels under the pseudonyms Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick, respectively. www.jayneannkrentz.com.