2024 Review:

The stage is set in this book full of intense moments and mystery, and sweet romance.
My heart hurt for Shaye and everything she went through. Witness Protection would be a really difficult life to live. But I loved the ways she grew, and how she pushed forward even while she was in the middle of the hard things.
The romance is so sweet in this one! Read it and tell me Matt doesn’t just melt you heart. The way he responds to her near the end when she has that one issue with her car? Yeah, I was sold. I was immediately rooting for both MCs to have their happy ending.
Speaking of the ending though, this ending is a doozy! Make sure to have book two lined up because you’re going to want it in your hands immediately!

CW/TW: murder and attempted murder; minor details about wounds or injuries; car bomb; being followed by someone who wants another dead; heavy religious themes, particularly represented is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

2021 Review:

I’ve recently become a fan of Traci Hunter Abramson’s books so when this one was recommended for a challenge I’m participating in, I was happy to read it.

For a minute when I was reading, I thought everything was going to wrap up a little too nicely in a bow and I wasn’t thrilled about that. But plot twist! Things don’t get wrapped up! You need another book…or two! Yeah, I didn’t know this was part of a trilogy when I started it. But I like how the suspense built toward the end and really pulled me in. Now there is even more mystery and intrigue and I’m excited there is more to the story.

I really liked Shaye and felt kind of bad for her with her situation. It was an utterly rotten situation, definitely unfair. So I thought it was understandable that she was hesitant and came across as standoffish to some. I think I would, too. I also liked Matt and his family. Senator Whitmore and his family are some of my favorites in the Guardian series so it was fun that they’re in this series, too (which appears to be a prequel series to the Guardian series, actually). I liked that Matt was generally understanding and open to listening to Shaye, even when she caught him off guard and made things hard for him for a little bit. He’s a good character.

I look forward to reading the other books in this series!

*Note: this is a romance with heavy LDS cultural references interwoven throughout. If you’re unfamiliar with the LDS church or the jargon members of that church use, there will probably be some confusion at some parts. Nothing that would negate from the overall story, but just some things to be aware that could cause confusion. Also mentions drug dealing, shooting and killing, death, and witness protection. ( )

Wow! Undercurrents grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go. I loved the nail-biting suspense, sweet romance, and touch of faith woven throughout the story. This book was the launching point for many of Traci Abramson’s books. Now updated with a gorgeous new cover & content, I loved reading the story that started it all.

Christal Jones is an award winning swimmer and Olympic hopeful ready to start her Freshman year at Stanford. When she inadvertently witnesses her DEA boyfriend Chase’s murder, her future dreams are dashed. Left completely alone with both parents and Chase now dead, she’s forced to enter the witness protection program and Christal becomes Shaye Kendall. Though she’s still able to swim at her new college in Virginia, she must give up her signature breaststroke. When she meets the handsome Matt Whitmore, she’s drawn to him, but can’t afford to get close to anyone while those behind Chase’s murder are still out there.

Matt Whitmore, son of Senator James Whitmore, is a talented baseball player and artist. When he sees Shaye for the first time, he’s captivated, but getting to know her proves illusive. She seems to be hiding something. Will he ever get the truth? When danger comes calling, he tries to do everything in his power to protect her, even if it might mean never seeing her again.

I loved Matt and Shaye! Their romance brought me back to my early college days with that excitement of dating and finding love. They have an instant attraction, but with all they go through it’s easy to see how it turns to more. I enjoyed their sweet romance. It was also fun seeing now familiar characters like Jim and Katherine Whitmore.

The suspense was intense from the first page! I immediately had to pick up the second book Ripple Effect because I had to know what happens next. Luckily all three books in the series are available so it’s easy to binge them all.

In the story, Matt and Shaye are both members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While there are mentions of faith and service related to the church, they’re shared subtly in a natural way that flows seamlessly with the story. Any inspirational or Christian romantic suspense fan would enjoy this book.

It’s an edge of your seat thrill ride that had me quickly turning the pages! Highly recommend this book and the entire series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. ( )

This was the first of a wonderful series by Traci Hunter Abramson...I am "hooked"! This is a fast-paced, exciting series fr Christians and non-Christians alike. Although the main characters are religious, there is plenty of "real life" evil and adventure as well.

As a child, Crystal had lost her mother to cancer. Her father raised her by himself then died the summer after her high school graduation. She only had her best friend - and boyfriend - to help her through it all. Then the unthinkable happened...While she was at his apartment, two strange men arrived. Serving as a police undercover agent, he knew the danger and sent Crystal to his bedroom and locked her in. Listening through the door, she head very little except the definite sound of a gun shot. She quickly hid in an attic compartment in his storage closet. Breaking into the room, the two men searched for her but had to leave at the sounds of sirens. When she was sure it was safe, she climbed down and rushed to her boyfriend's side who was now on a stretcher. He said a few words briefly to her before he fell unconscious...she was confused at their meaning. When she followed the ambulance to the hospital she was told he died. Now she was truly alone except for her belief in a Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She was put in the witness protection plan and became Shaye Kendall.

The story builds on her new life and experiences. She was a talented swimmer and found solace in her swimming. She was determined she could not consider a serious relationship but when she met Matt Whitmore, he could not seem to stay away from him.

This is a delightful story of suspense mixed with romance and college life. There is plenty of drama and adventure. You will feel you know the characters. At times you will experience their emotions.

I read this a few years ago but was compelled to refresh its story of the beginnings of the series that captivated all who read it. The ending feels incomplete but in the sequel, 'Ripple Effect', the story quickly picks up where 'Undercurrents' left off. If you haven't read Traci's books yet, here is the perfect place to begin! You won't regret it! Each book in the saga is just as good, if not better!

The title is a little confusing. I feel it is meant to mean the turmoil in one's life is often concealed beneath surface appearances for various reasons. In this the book cover is applicable but not my choice. I feel it does not do justice to the storyline.

Laurie Payne does a good job in narrating the story.

My review of this book gives it a Four and a Half Stars rating. ( )