Untouched

Amber Ridge, Book 3

De: Nyssa Kathryn

Narrado por: Ava Lucas, Sean Masters

He’s afraid to live and love. She’s afraid not to.

Five years ago, Clara Hayes got the diagnosis no one wants: cancer. She fought it and won, but it altered everything. She moved back home, changed her career, and now she approaches life without fear or hesitation. Then her brother’s best friend moves to town. She’s loved Holden for as long as she’s known him. And though she’s been gently turned down by him once before, Clara decides she needs to take one more chance on him, even if ends in heartache. Because as she knows all too well, life’s too short for regrets.

Holden Forbes knows what loss feels like. It touched his life in a way that changed him, and to this day, has him unwilling to risk his heart. That’s why he turned down his friend and teammate’s sister, Clara, a few years ago. But now he’s moved to their hometown of Amber Ridge…and Clara is braver and stronger than ever. He’s trying hard to resist her, but when a series of events that seem to revolve around her mysterious roommate put Clara in danger, Holden can no longer stay away.

As the danger escalates and the suspect list grows, Holden finds himself falling harder for Clara. Losing her isn’t an option—but that revelation may be too little, too late.

A small town, brother’s best friend, romantic suspense from best-selling author Nyssa Kathryn.

©2025 NW Partners PTY LTD (P)2025 NW Partners PTY LTD, Blue Nose Publishing

Clara and Holden

We are back in Amber Ridge, and even though danger is always lurking, I am happy to be back. I adored Clara and Holden's story. Holden is Clara’s brother’s best friend, and they’ve known each other for a long time. After leaving the military, Holden moves to Amber Ridge. Clara has loved Holden for years. She moved back home after being diagnosed with cancer five years ago. Holden cares about her, but he’s scared of losing her, especially after losing a loved one. Clara is healthier, stronger, and ready to live life to the fullest. Holden is tough, protective, and will do anything for those he loves, but he has a lot of emotional pain from his past. Their journey to love was beautiful, and I loved watching them give love a chance and fall for each other. Clara and Holden have amazing chemistry, and their slow burn romance was super satisfying. I loved the suspense element of this story, and I was constantly trying to figure out who the villain was. This story was exciting, and the twists and turns had me guessing until the end. Untouched has great characters and an addictive plot, with the perfect mix of small-town romance with unpredictable suspense. I'm excited for the next book in this series.

Narration:
Ava Lucas and Sean Masters perform this audiobook in duet. They were the perfect voices for Clara and Holden. This is an emotional story that touches on some sensitive topics that hit close to home. I felt Ava and Sean perfectly captured every emotion associated with Clara and Holden's personal journeys and their journey to love.

Sweet, heartfelt, adorable and a good mystery

"Untouched" was so worth the wait! The protagonists are incredibly adorable, and I loved Nyssa Kathryn's approach of "I'm too afraid *to* love" and "I'm too afraid *not* to love."

Clara is a strong heroine who isn't afraid to put herself out there or go after what she wants, and Nyssa Kathryn does a phenomenal job creating a character that is vulnerable while still being strong and independent with Clara. Holden is a breath of fresh air with his character development when it comes to confronting his fears revolving around love. I wish more time was spent on his internal conflict when he was trying to reconcile his feelings for Clara, but it was nice to see emotional honesty, awareness and maturity in an alpha male protector character that isn't often seen.

Something in the suspense factor felt amiss in this release. The mystery was there, and I never saw the ending coming, but the build up to the climax and resolution wasn't as intense or visceral as Nyssa Kathryn's other books. The story missed the heart pounding feeling of a mystery thriller and the angst of not knowing if the hero will make it in time to save the day—which is something Nyssa Kathryn typically does incredibly well and what I enjoy most about her stories.

This story was much more focused on the interpersonal relationship b/t Clara and Holden (and that makes perfect sense since their story has been hinted for 2 books now). I've been WAITING for MOOOOONTHS for Clara and Holden's story, so it was satisfying to finally see the two cute lovebirds get together. My only wish was Holden groveled more, but that's a personal preference and not a critique to the storytelling or plot.

The mystery in this story is actually pretty good (even though it wasn't of much importance to me. In all honesty, I just wanted Clara and Holden's HEA 😅). The mystery starts off insidiously like in all Nyssa Kathryn stories, and you're always left wondering what's going to come next—what's connected and what isn't? You never know where Nyssa Kathryn is taking you until you're being chased around town by a deranged psycho (iykyk) wondering how the hell you missed all the signs. She really does get you with the ending in "Untouched."

The ending isn't contrite by any means like how some mysteries end up becoming for the shock factor. Nyssa Kathryn shocks you by using things that are seemingly mundane to drive the mystery, and she somehow makes the mundane seem insane.

But the greatness doesn't end there. Nyssa Kathryn somehow does it again with her ability to make you anticipate! I'm so hooked on the upcoming story bc of how well she lays the foundation for the new couple; I can't wait to listen to Colt and Indie's story. Nyssa Kathryn is a master at weaving in future stories into the ones she's currently telling to grab your interest and make you feel invested in the upcoming protagonists' HEA.

Her series are well worth the read, and her discography is worth reading in order to best experience all of her individual stories as all of her series are all within the same world.

"Untouched" is worth the credit and the listen!

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration Performance Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🤩
Narration Style: Duet
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Alpha Male, Protector, Military, Small Town, Suspense, Tragic Past, Second Chance (ish), Brother's Best Friend, Best Friend's Little Sister

Excellent Story & Narration🎧Gripping & Heartfelt!

Nyssa Kathryn does it again and pens another fabulous novel set in her amazing “Amber Ridge” series, a small town, brother’s best friend, romantic suspense. As much as I would like to say this series keeps getting better, it would not be fair to the previous books, which are just as amazing, which is something you can say about all of her books. What makes her books so special, the incredible writing, plot, and world building, plus the stars of the show, the characters, who are realistic and relatable. “Untouched” is Clara Hayes’ and Holden Forbes’ story, and wow, it is a story that not only captivates your attention the entire time, but it tugs at your heartstrings too. Clara is a cancer survivor, and it changed so much in her life, but the one thing it did not change was her feelings for Holden, her brother’s best friend. It is time for her to go after what she wants and despite him turning her down once before, she does just that, but it is not so easy when he denies what is between them. Holden feels the chemistry between them, but his battle with his inner demons prevents him from letting anyone into his heart. Clara’s roommate always kept to herself, but whatever she was involved in brings trouble to her home and the danger rises after stumbling on something she shouldn’t have and it is Holden who wants to keep her protected. I loved all the layers of this story and how everything unfolded, both the romance and suspense storylines, a suspense and the mystery behind it that keeps you guessing and on your toes. There is never a dull moment, and the story has the perfect balance of drama, angst, thrilling suspense, mystery, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. I was rooting for these Holden and Clara the entire time, and am looking forward to more great things happening in Amber Ridge. Thank you Nyssa Kathryn for another exceptional story and emotional roller coaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Sean Masters and Ava Lucas delivered an outstanding performance, bringing these characters to life with voices that are fitting for a perfect and believable portrayal of each. Holden’s personality and demeanor, including his inner turmoil, alpha tendency, and protective instincts, were all flawlessly portrayed by Masters. In Clara’s role, Lucas was a natural, completely embodying her personality and demeanor. Both were fantastic performing the roles of the secondary and side characters, too. The emotion in their performance was palpable, making you feel what each character felt. These versatile and superbly talented voice artists are entertaining storytellers and their captivating performance rivets you to the story.

Wonderful addition to the series

We are back in Amber Ridge where another of the Hayes siblings finds love. Though the road will be a very bumpy one.
Clara Hayes, former lawyer and now an acupuncturist in her hometown, has overcome much in her 29 years. Five years ago her world was shattered with the news that she had cancer. She fought hard and though she occasionally suffers from chronic fatigue, she is now cancer free. Life is good except for one thing, her love life.
She’s been in love for most of her life with Holden Forbes, a former Navy SEAL and her brother Jesse’s best friend.
Holden has been attracted to Clara what seems forever, but he had a great loss when his mother died of cancer. Loving Clara and being with her would mean that he could loose her the way he lost his mother. Something he is determined not to do.
But when Clara is put in danger, everything changes for Holden. Or does it really? Can he handle it if something happens to her?
In the meantime, who is responsible for all the deaths and sickness occurring at the hospital and to the employees?
Can Holden keep Clara safe long enough to find the culprit and the why?
Once again, this very talented author delivers a story filled with heart, family, hope, angst and of course, love.
Whether you read or listen to the story, which by the way the narrators Ava Lucas and Sean Masters bring to life, rest assured to will be transported to Amber Ridge to another winner in the series.
I was entrusted an audiobook copy of this story. The opinions expressed are solely my own

We are back in Amber Ridge where another of the Hayes siblings finds love. Though the road will be a very bumpy one.
Clara Hayes, former lawyer and now an acupuncturist in her hometown, has overcome much in her 29 years. Five years ago her world was shattered with the news that she had cancer. She fought hard and though she occasionally suffers from chronic fatigue, she is now cancer free. Life is good except for one thing, her love life.
She’s been in love for most of her life with Holden Forbes, a former Navy SEAL and her brother Jesse’s best friend.
Holden has been attracted to Clara what seems forever, but he had a great loss when his mother died of cancer. Loving Clara and being with her would mean that he could loose her the way he lost his mother. Something he is determined not to do.
But when Clara is put in danger, everything changes for Holden. Or does it really? Can he handle it if something happens to her?
In the meantime, who is responsible for all the deaths and sickness occurring at the hospital and to the employees?
Can Holden keep Clara safe long enough to find the culprit and the why?
Once again, this very talented author delivers a story filled with heart, family, hope, angst and of course, love.
Whether you read or listen to the story, which by the way the narrators Ava Lucas and Sean Masters bring to life, rest assured to will be transported to Amber Ridge to another winner in the series.
I was entrusted an audiobook copy of this story. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
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