As I started reading A Guilty Affair, it occured to me that the characters in this book seemed more real to me than the those in the average series romance. Instead of billionaire businessmen and heiresses to lost thrones, I had the chance to lose myself in the story of a reporter and a private investigator trying to make sense of past tragedy. Though the book has its flaws, I could actually relate to the world created by this author and that made this book stay in my mind longer than most.

Journalist Riley Kane now writes for The Washington Post, but before her move to Washington DC three years earlier, she was based in San Antonio where she worked for the local paper and planned to marry police officer Trevor Simmons. When Trevor was killed in a shootout, Riley’s life changed forever.

Unable to accept the official explanation of Trevor’s death, Riley finally cannot stand it anymore. She takes a leave of absence from her job and returns to San Antonio. Trevor’s former partner, Noah Roarke, has opened a private investigation firm with his brother, and Riley is determined to enlist his aid in tracking down the truth about Trevor’s killing.

Not only is Noah shocked to see Riley back in town, he is astonished to hear her theories regarding Trevor’s death. Noah is reluctant to investigate the case and reopen the old wounds caused by losing his partner. At the same time, he also doesn’t want to revisit his conflicted feelings for Riley. He has adored her from afar since he first met her as Trevor’s girlfriend and, even through it makes him feel disloyal, he cannot help wanting her for his own.

Smith does a good job of showing the conflicted feelings between Riley and Noah. While each is attracted to the other, their feelings of loyalty to Trevor and the burdens of their pasts weigh on them in ways that are largely realistic. The two also lead lives that feel real, giving their characters an amount of depth that makes them both believable and likable. Each has family in San Antonio and they are shown interacting with their families in ways that go beyond the usual “let’s use mom/sister/cousin/whoever to make hero and heroine talk about The Relationship”. Instead, the lead character’s families make them appear as more complete people.

The book, though, does falter in certain respects. While the characters’ relationship is interesting and their lives more well-rounded than many in Romanceland, the suspense in this romantic suspense tale is a little lacking. Riley and Noah get so busy with each other that Riley’s quest for the truth about Trevor’s death gets a little lost. In addition, some plot twists near the end feels a tad rushed and the result is a mystery with a resolution that feels forced.

Still, if one can overlook the weaknesses of the suspense plot in A Guilty Affair, the story of two grieving people trying to love again has some moving moments to it. Neither the characters nor their story is perfect, but they are enjoyable. Those who like series books, but yearn to try something outside the realm of princes, sheiks and cowboys to it may want to check this one out.