When Attraction Complicates the Investigation

Read Time:5 Minute, 36 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Shop on Hidden Lane

Genre: Romance, Suspense, Paranormal, Mystery
Year Released: 2026
Writer(s): Jayne Ann Krentz
Pages: 336
Where to Read: available January 6, 2026, pre-order your copy here: www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: THE SHOP ON HIDDEN LANE feels like a novel written by an author who knows exactly what her audience expects and still finds room to refine the formula. Jayne Ann Krentz has spent decades balancing romantic tension with mystery and paranormal intrigue, and this entry reflects a writer who understands how to let the genre enhance the story rather than overwhelm it. The result is a confident, engaging read that rewards patience and attention without demanding prior knowledge of her wider universe. Which is good, I haven’t read any of the previous books, but I felt like the story was self-contained enough that I wasn’t missing out. I am curious, though, I would love to know what type of connections there are!

At its core, the novel is driven by legacy, not just family rivalries, but the inherited consequences of secrets protected for generations. The Harper and Wells families are bound together by distrust, obligation, and a pact that feels less like protection and more like a slow-burning curse. This shared history gives the story a surprising sense of weight. Even before the mystery gets into the real story, there’s a sense that every choice made by the characters is shaped by decisions they didn’t make but are still forced to live with.

Sophy Harper is an effective core for the story. Her psychic abilities are treated as tools rather than a joke or her only worth, grounded in procedure and discipline instead of mystical excess. Krentz does something smart here; Sophy’s powers don’t make her invincible or omniscient. They isolate her, complicate her relationships, and create expectations she never escapes. That restraint keeps the paranormal elements from drifting into abstraction. Luke Wells, meanwhile, serves as a strong counterbalance. His role within his family and his own self-doubt add texture to what could have been a standard romantic foil. Their dynamic works because it’s rooted in mutual skepticism. Trust isn’t assumed; it’s arbitrated.

The central mystery expands at a deliberate pace. Rather than stacking twists for shock value, the story builds through accumulation: missing persons, a murder steeped in negative psychic residue, and an escalating sense that someone is willing to destroy lives to uncover buried truths. The art colony setting is particularly effective, functioning as both a physical location and a pressure cooker that holds the story hostage. It’s a place where creativity, obsession, and secrecy intersect, reinforcing the novel’s interest in how environments absorb and amplify intent.

Romance is woven into the narrative with self-assurance. There’s tension, attraction, and banter, but it never derails the investigation. Krentz avoids cheap thrills or forced misunderstandings, allowing the relationship to evolve organically under shared stress. That choice gives the arc credibility. The characters don’t fall for each other because the plot demands it; they fall because cooperation slowly erodes prejudice and guarded instincts. That had to be one of the most interesting aspects of the story for me. I don’t know if all of these novels mix genres the way this one did, but the use of romance as a key was interesting!

Where THE SHOP ON HIDDEN LANE occasionally slips is in its density. There are moments where the layering of lore, terminology, and family history threatens to overwhelm the immediate stakes. Readers unfamiliar with Krentz’s broader mythos may find themselves momentarily disoriented as concepts are introduced rapidly. While the novel does stand on its own, it assumes a willingness to absorb information without excessive hand-holding. This won’t be an issue for readers of other stories in the series, but it does raise the barrier slightly for newcomers. It’s easy enough to overcome, but still worth mentioning.

Another intriguing aspect, I don’t know if I’d say it’s a limitation, lies in the handling of antagonists. While their motivations ultimately make sense, their presence remains largely peripheral until later stages of the story. This delays the investment in the threat, even as the danger itself feels real. The mystery is almost on standby, but a deeper glimpse into the opposing forces might have further sharpened the tension. I could be entirely wrong, though; there may be a deeper purpose to that delay that I didn’t fully grasp.

Krentz’s control over tone and pacing keeps the narrative constant throughout from start to finish, and her confidence in character interaction does much of the heavy lifting. The novel understands that suspense isn’t just about danger; it’s about anticipation and consequence. Every revelation carries implications not just for the plot but also for the alliances holding the story together.

THE SHOP ON HIDDEN LANE succeeds by doing exactly what it sets out to do, while managing to show signs of refinement rather than complacency. It’s a romantic suspense novel that respects its roots while delivering a story that feels purposeful and engaging. For longtime fans, I would assume it’s a satisfying continuation of familiar themes. For new readers willing to lean into its paranormal framework, it offers a compelling entry point into a world where history never stays buried for long.

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[photo courtesy of BERKLEY, PENGUIN BOOKS]

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