Audiobook Review: The Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann Krentz

The Shop on Hidden Lane
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Narrator: Eva Kaminsky
Publication: Recorded Books (January 6, 2026)
Length: 8 hours and 42 minutes

Description: New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz dives into an enthralling new romantic suspense novel filled with deeply entrenched grudges, psychic dangers, and a conspiracy that threatens not only two families but also the entire paranormal community.

The Harper and the Wells families have regarded each other with deep suspicion for four generations. The Harpers have been known to offer their psychic talents for less-than-legal purposes, and the powerful Wells clan has a reputation for playing both sides of the street. But for all the years of history and distrust between them, there is a mysterious pact binding the two. They share the responsibility for protecting a long-buried and very dangerous secret.

Sophy Harper and Luke Wells are shocked to learn that her aunt and his uncle have been sleeping together—and now they are both missing. Not only that, but the last traces of them are at the scene of a murder soaked in negative paranormal energy. Clearly, someone is willing to kill to obtain the secret their families have been charged with protecting. Despite their mutual distrust, which, as far as Sophy is concerned extends to Luke’s hellhound of a dog, they both know that the terms of the pact must be honored.

Their investigation uncovers a psychic trail leading to a bizarre desert art colony where nothing is as it seems. But Luke and Sophy are concealing a few secrets, too. By a strange twist of fate, a Harper and a Wells have no choice but to trust each other and the fierce attraction that is binding them as surely as the pact between the families.

My Thoughts: Sophy Harper and Luke Wells are the great-grandchildren of men who were once business partners, but who broke off their partnership and began a feud many years earlier. They are both psychics from psychic families who have taken different paths. The Harpers have traveled on the less-than-legal side of things while the Wells have become rich doing security and working all sides. 

Luke comes to Sophy to see if she knows where her aunt and his uncle might be. Sophy finds it hard to believe that they could be together. They trace the couple to an art colony in Arizona known for its vortex energy and learn that his uncle has made reservations for them under an assumed name. 

Arriving at the colony, the couple and Luke's new dog Bruce whom he rescued from the side of a road with a gunshot wound have lots of questions. The art seemed to be infused with psychic vibes, the artists are unhappy to be there, and the eccentric millionaire running the colony has two very scary, blond, female bodyguards who are raising alerts for both Sophy and Luke.

 

This was a twisty story that brings in elements from a lot of Krentz's recent books. Events at Fogg Lake, the Arcane Society, missing crystals and missing weapons that can only be used by someone with strong psychic talents all make for a complicated plot. 

Then there is the relationship between Sophy and Luke. Her psychic powers don't frighten him. In fact, he helps her with the aftereffects of using her gift. And she helps him when he has issues with his psychic talents. Their gifts seem to resonate with each other in a way that is new to both of them. 

This was a fun paranormal romance/romantic suspense story. 

I bought this audiobook April 1, 2026. You can buy your copy here.