Hot damn, if you’re looking for a book that will have you shaking your head, nodding along, slapping your forehead and wincing in bated anticipation through the entire thing, you’ve found your next book. Montecito is a story that reads easy, but the conflict is seeped into every single page.
I could not get enough of this domestic crime drama.
The magic of this book is the suspense. Hollis isn’t a complete idiot, and we’re rooting for him the whole way through, but my goodness does he choose some interesting things to gloss over.
He’s a father who moved his family into a neighborhood they couldn’t afford, asking his wife to give up her career to support an incredible opportunity for himself…and lost his job. He has a LOT riding on his shoulders, and he feels it every second. When he meets a new big-shot in town, he decides to put himself out there to get involved in a business opportunity that sounds too good to be true. And you know what they say…
This is a story told through the eyes of one man, and one who isn’t driving the figurative car. As a reader you’re often reading between the lines while waiting for Hollis to catch up. It’s a delightful experience.
This is a story about the enormous influence of pressure, and how it can turn us into people we don’t recognize. It’s about priorities and making sure you don’t lose sight of them. And it’s about ultimately choosing the kind of person you want to be, and what you can live with.
I couldn’t put it down.
Note:: I received an early copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Details
Title:: Montecito
Author:: Michael Cox
Genre:: Literary Suspense
Publisher:: Inveniam Viam Press
Length:: 326 pages
Published:: June 30, 2026
The Litertarian Rating:: 5-Stars
If you liked this book…here are my curated recommendations:
This Story Might Save Your Life | Tiffany Crum
The Last Mrs. Parrish | Liv Constantine
Splendid Little Schemes | Robin Strong
My Husband’s Wife | Alice Feeney
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