Cherry Blossom Blues by Virlana Kardash is a suspenseful romance that follows Susanna Bailey, a court reporter in Washington, D.C., grappling with the loss of her husband. Immersed in her work, Susanna is soon pulled into a dangerous espionage plot that takes her across North America. Amid the intrigue, she finds herself falling for Robert Crowell, a mysterious Naval Intelligence officer with secrets of his own. As Susanna navigates the complexities of love and danger, she must decide whether to open her heart again or remain guarded in this thrilling tale of second chances and redemption.

Author Virlana Kardash skillfully portrays Susanna’s emotional evolution through a harrowing journey of grief to the hesitant prospect of new love. It’s such a relatable and heartfelt journey that readers won’t be able to resist getting attached to her and hanging onto every moment of her adventure. Her journey feels authentic, and the internal conflict between vulnerability and strength is characterized by the close narration of her speech, thoughts, and actions that indicate the emotional struggle going on inside her. The espionage subplot is also tightly woven into the romance to keep both strands of the story relevant. Kardash’s ability to build tension, both in the action sequences and in Susanna’s emotional world, creates an engaging, page-turning read where there is never a dull moment. The relationship between Susanna and Robert at the center of events is multi-layered, with trust and secrecy played out in striking dialogue exchanges that are slick, but believable, making their growing bond feel realistic and nuanced. Overall, Cherry Blossom Blues is a highly engrossing drama with heightened but realistic emotions, and I’d certainly recommend it to fans of accomplished romance novels.

Susanna Bailey had just started her job as a court reporter in Washington D.C when fate showed its ugly hand to her yet again. Barely into the crucial moments of her case, the witness she is working with mysteriously dies. The presence of Robert Crowell, a government operative, during the court proceedings may have alerted everyone to the sensitivity of the case. But the witness’s demise confirms that there was much at stake. As the murder case is investigated, the mystery around it seems to keep growing. Someone had anonymously dropped classified files involving the witness’s case with Susanna. Having recently lost her husband, things get more complicated as Susanna falls for Robert Crowell. Find out how it all goes down for Susanna in Virlana Kardash’s Cherry Blossom Blues.

If you are looking for a romance suspense novel with a touch of a whodunnit, Virlana Kardash’s Cherry Blossom Blues is a must-read for you. Weaving a tangled web of mystery around an intriguing plot, Kardash introduced me to an exciting, dynamic, well-crafted cast. Kardash pays great attention to detail, but just enough so as not to bog down the plot's pace. The subtlety of the storyline hooked me, keeping me flipping through page after page. The vivid depictions colorfully brought the scenes to life, making me feel like I was next to the characters in every scene, closely following as the events unfolded. Kardash depicts the cast’s emotions, juxtaposing their complex traits. This made it feel like I was on a wild emotional roller coaster ride as I connected with them. I was hurled into a world of espionage, romance, murder, secrets, operatives, thrills, and so much more in this page-turner.

Cherry Blossom Blues by Virlana Kardash follows the lovely Susanna Bailey, a court reporter, as she encounters the first man to catch her attention in a good while. Something about Robert Crowell just seems to draw her eye and the feeling is very much mutual. Robert, a Naval Intelligence officer, can’t seem to look away from the alluring auburn-haired woman he met in the elevator. As the two cross paths and their lives intertwine, Susanna finds herself put into precarious situations, leaving her with no other choice than to trust the rugged and handsome Robert.

Cherry Blossom Blues by Virlana Kardash is an action-packed romance novel that will have your heart racing for various reasons. Not only is the attraction between the two main characters almost palpable but with danger lurking around every corner you can't help but get sucked in. Kardash does a brilliant job of setting up an intriguing world of espionage and suspense from the start, getting right into it with a very interesting case in which both main characters are somehow involved. From that point on, the reader is taken on a rollercoaster ride of events with Susanna and Robert. I loved the pacing of this story as it never allows you to get bored but it also doesn’t speed past any necessary details or important interactions between the main characters. I enjoyed getting to delve into Susanna’s past and watching their relationship develop despite the circumstances they found themselves in. Overall, this is a wonderfully written book and I highly recommend it.