[NOVEL] The Fire in the Glass by Jacquelyn Benson

This is going to be ranty. Because it feels "fresh", you know when you are aware it's someone's first book maybe?

(note: the series is getting new covers, but they're not revealed yet, I will add it when they become available)

London, 1914. Lily’s visions could stop a killer… if she’ll trust a reclusive aristocrat with her darkest secret.

A monster stalks the gaslit streets of Edwardian London, draining the blood of the city’s mediums. Lily Albright knows who’s next.

Lily is plagued by visions of the future she can never change. When a mysterious fiend threatens someone she loves, she’s determined this time will be different.

But she can’t do it alone. To save a life, Lily must reveal her darkest secrets to someone she has little reason to trust—the reclusive Lord Strangford, a man haunted by his own unusual powers.

From the glittering galleries of Bond Street to the rookeries of Southwark, Lily and Strangford plunge into a dark conspiracy that lies at the heart of England’s rising eugenics movement. To thwart it, Lily must face a past rife with betrayal—and embrace the power she has spent her entire life trying to escape.

The Charismatics. Book 1

Initially, I stumbled upon Jacquelyn Benson and her Raiders of Arcana series, which I came to love a lot. But the third book in the series, Arrow of Fortune, is coming out November this year, so there is still time to wait.

But I was aware that Jacquelyn finished The Charismatics series first and it always picked my interest to find out more about them. The first book been pending for a long time and these days I decided to make a pause in reading the previous series and give it a go.

After reading I have quite few moments that got to me. In general it was a fine read though. It is heavier in topics than adventurous Raiders, so I'm not sure I would like to continue with the series any time soon.

The story is about young woman Lily, she has a gift to see the future, considers it like a curse, because since childhood she could not prevent any of the events she foresaw. Living almost like an isolated soul she had but one friend, an older woman who is a medium for a living. And who knew if the woman was gifted as well, or just used some props.

The London is shrouded in the mystery of murders of mediums. Several women were found in their beds, but fully drained of blood. But the rooms were closed from the inside. Thus the tails of vampires emerged in papers.

In one of her visions Lily sees her only friend being a victim of this "monster", but she does not see enough to identify the attacker. She has no idea what to do with the vision, because she couldn't stop any of the fateful tragedies in her past, so she is not certain she can overcome the fate this time.

The medium friend instead takes her to a strange masion of an elderly man, Mr. Ash, where she hears the story of her not being alone in this world, that there are others gifted like her - charismatics.

At first Lily dismisses this rant, she can't trust anyone at this point, but will soon find herself being helped by people from this house called The Refuge. And face the fear that her gift brought her.

What at first was mysterious slowly becomes apparently just someone's plan with a goal in mind to change humanity.

This is where my rant comes in. Because I had few instances when I wanted to shake Lily and say - why you dismissed your ideas and hunches? You basically have everything you need!

Only because Lily, the FMC of this book, had quite a lead in her hands, but she dismissed it as her being too "paranoid". While at other times she relied on her hunches a lot. And I don't talk about her first assumption she made about a certain man. I'm talking how she was quite deep into investigation and she had information about this man which at least will tie him to the on-going murders. Almost the entire book was like - need mroe evidence, more evidence. Not the type that will put the man behind bars, but just to fully comprehend why he does what he does.

Also, funny fact, if she listened to her hunch and just asked Strangford to use his power on a certain individual at the evry beginning the book would be over too soon.

Another side that I was like - well, okay - is the description of Lily's emotional struggle about her power. Of course it sucks if you know what is going to happen and can't prevent it. But honestly she was a little girl when things happened (if we follow the timeline), she can't have mature means to stop anything, it's only later we find more about the core of her guilt is not only about her mother, but an innocent life that was not in initial picture she saw. Her behavior of isolation from others as a result is understandable and even her actions of saving that one woman / friend / medium (though we have no idea why she cares about her so much, it never got deep enough) can be explained, since it's the first friend she made after a long time. But it had more of her feeling of fear instead of why she feared to me, or I was too stressed when reading and missed it. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, she also has daddy issues. 

But why I want to rant needs the mention of few things that are SPOILERS. So without further ado.

[NOVEL] A Treacherous Performance by Lynn Messina

Having inexplicably nabbed the Duke of Kesgrave, twenty-six-year-old spinster Beatrice Hyde-Clare is determined to marry him at once.

No amount of handwringing from anxious family members, worried friends and well-meaning acquaintances will convince her to delay. Except… maybe she is a little swayed by her uncle’s efforts to make amends for treating her with cold indifference during her childhood.

And her aunt’s concern about the growing scandal around her unfortunate habit of unmasking murderers in the middle of society events isn’t entirely unfounded.

And then there’s the truly unfathomable appearance on her doorstep of the former Miss Brougham, the spiteful heiress whose cruel taunts derailed Bea’s social career. Remarkably, the society matron has a mystery to solve and knows Bea is the only person who can help her. A dead grandfather, a missing jewel, a cryptic letter, an opportunity to condescend to her archnemesis—the case seems simple enough.

And yet somehow it all goes terribly, horribly wrong.

Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Book 5

And we're on book 5 already.

Once again not spoiling anything from the book but I must say the plot is actually quite connected to the title of the book, no matter how dramatic they sound.

Investigation-wise this books takes a sharp turn in a while, which was unexpected.

Later we enter the more tedious part of seeking the truth, but maybe because the first part was like that, this section feels slower. And the culmination is such a big irony.

And also full of self-righteous and self-absorbed characters, like previous books. But it felt like it reached a whole new level.

Leaving the investigation aside, let it be mystery, the biggest part for me is the continuous growth of Bea. She is not the most confident person out there. And it is understandable, she lived like that for two decades and any liveliness she might have had before arriving at her uncle's house was chipped off with years of brainwashing. Meanwhile she is not a beauty so she could at least have something in her pocket, which did not help improve her confidence as well. She is reminded about it time and time again by her relations and the ton.

But because she refused to go down at the most critical moment of her life in silence she talked to Kesgrave. In comparison other things that made her fearful paled in comparison.

She still has problems becaue it's hard to re-build yourself and she acknowledges them and tries to defeat them. And you can see her changes, not only she challenges Damien almost on a daily basis, but she became more adept to the ton.

Damien is quite helpful in her journey, because for the world he is very high above the cloud, such a long lineage, such a wealthy family, such a handsome man. But he talks to her like an equal, is respectful, loving, supportive. He understands her and loves her the way she is.

When you see couples where one of the two helps their partner improve I think we have a similar case here. At first the gap between them did nto allow Bea even fantasize about anything with Damien, but now she strives to be better, whatever that means.

Honestly, the way their relationship evolved, considering that Damien is not a bigger presence, he is not the one who investigates, he mostly helps, but he manages to make his presence felt.

But the characters in these books, they leave me speechless, I honestly think there is some sort of irony at work. For example Bea is of ordinary appearance, but she is still "special" that type of cliche. Damine noticed her because she is "not like others". The ton is also full of different people, sometimes they are more unhinged than anyone and FMC + MMC are two most sane characters.

What should be noted when binge-readin this, because the books came out once a year the author gives a sort of recap on events, not really extensive, but somewhere along the line it may appear. I do not think it's necessary, but when I saw someone talking that they have difficulty remembering the plot (to each their own, I don't judge since in a year or two my memory will wipe out a lot of what I read, especially details) I realized not everything can be remembered and it's not done in greater and more tedious details.

RATE: 4/5.

[Historical Romance] Bad Luck Bride by Laura Lee Guhrke

Third time’s a charm? For Lady Kay Matheson, it had better be. Her first engagement was a failed elopement; the second ruined by gossip about the first. Resigned to be a disgraced spinster, no one is more surprised than Kay when an American millionaire offers for her hand. Just when she’s convinced she will finally make it down the aisle, the scoundrel who broke her heart arrives with his own fiancée.

Devlin Sharpe has finally become a success. He has wealth, connections, and a lovely bride-to-be—and he won’t let an old flame derail all his hard work. But it turns out time has not dampened his grudge toward Kay—or the desire sparking between them. And one searing kiss threatens to ruin their wedding plans and their futures, and make Kay the bad-luck bride all over again.

Scandal at the Savoy. Book 3

I finally finished it. Not because it was a bad book to follow, I just started it when I was not in the best state, but because I was so caught up in the Hyde-Clare mystery these couple of days the pending Bad Luck Bride was simply glaring at me accusingly.

Kay and Devlin are sort of fated lovers that have a story about them. After the failed elopement Kay was sent away, far from gossiping crowd (not really), while Sharpe was under the impression that they still have a future and he is about to prove it.

But it's not fate that prevents them from reuniting, but a coy plan of Kay's father, who lulled Devlin into submission when the young man promised to succeed he agreed to receive a loan from Kay's father and Kay was left under the impression and persuasion of her parent that Devlin actually left her for money.

Plan worked and the lovers kept living under the wrong impression for years.

Devlin wrote to her, she never received his letters and vice versa.

Later when Devlin saw the news of Kay's engagement it was the moment he finally accepted the fact that Kay may not have wanted him and chose a future of financial stability.

This type of misunderstanding was sizzling for 14 years.

Becoming almost a damaged goods and pariah, Kay and her family denied the rumors that ruined her second engagement and as teh synopsis said - third time's a charm. She is approached by a wealthy American when her family is in dire straits. Very familiar plot when American millionaires married English aristocracy that was in financial decline due to overall changes.

But is it a marriage that she wants?

She sees stability in this marriage, maybe some sort of affection. But to drive the narrative this man is actually the simile of her late father, same authoritative.

From another side Devlin has been a successful businessman, having several hotels in different cities. Now he wanted to settle down and forget the past for real. But meeting Kay again proved him wrong, the fact is that strong feelings were much alive and desire and hate co-existed.

When they met this time they both were seething with emotions.

But this also became their second chance.

Although misunderstanding was eventually resolved, the fact that both were engaged to different people still stayed. Even if they both felt more unsettling the more the date grew closer.

The engagements were broken in an interesting way though.

And Kay finds herself in predicament again. Though she did not do anything completely wrong an dpublic, but considering her backstory she was the one who was dragged by gossip papers the most.

Yet she did not accept the easy way out when Devlin (who already knew what he wanted) proposed.

I'm not sure I completely agree with her short employment because as you can guess the two decided eventually that they love each other and they will be together. I understand her desire to showcase her self-worth, instead of being constantly manipulated by men in her life. Maybe my desire lies solely that I wanted this part to be expanded. I mean to me I think Devlin loves her enough she wouldn't need to ask he would let her stand side by side and involve her (this is what I assume their future might be). Her short employment involves becoming Delia's aide before they are resolved to commit to the life together. It kinda cheapened the effect of what she wanted from that employment. I realise that it may be hard to showcase your worth near a man, but Delia (FMC of book 2) works as a general manager of the new hotel, so she is the ruling person over this small kingdom and she is a great example. This is the only part that got to me a little.

Can't deny that because I read Scandal of the Year by LLG before this one, which also had some of the elements, like fated lovers, second chance, looking back at the past to explain the love etc. I had the sense of deja vu. I don't want to put a high hat on this novel and say they're the same, they're not, it just coincided like that.

It's a solid work. 

RATE: 4/5.

[NOVEL] A Nefarious Engagement by Lynn Messina

Having long abandoned any hope of making a match, twenty-six-year-old Beatrice Hyde-Clare finds herself a little overwhelmed by her engagement to the Duke of Kesgrave.

Cloying society matrons clamor for her attention while her aunt reels off an endless list of servants she will have to oversee. Even the most intrepid female would quake at the prospect of managing eight footmen!

Fortunately, Bea knows the perfect distraction—an intriguing mystery—and pays a call on the Countess of Abercrombie, who had promised her that very thing only the evening before.

But her ladyship is reluctant to discuss the details with a newly minted duchess-to-be, and it dawns on Bea that the investigation cuts closer to home than she could have ever imagined. Because this time the murder victims are her own mother and father, who had died twenty years before in a seemingly straightforward boating accident.

Alas, nothing is straightforward, and as Bea digs into her past, she discovers with growing horror that she has no more idea how to be a daughter than she does a duchess.

Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Book 4

Well, I really couldn't stop. Don't know where will we go from here, but these four books in a way serve as a complete set. Maybe because details no matter how small become connected.

From the previous books (Book 2) we get to know Lady Abercombie, who claims to be a very good friend of her mother. The reason why she never sought her friend's daughter has been grief for her friend's early death.

But by Book 4 Lady Abercombie re-read Clara's letters (Bea's mom name) she found them concerning and might have been warning signs instead of a presentation of theatrics. Only by recollecting these events through letters the widow thought that there is something more to the death of Hyde-Clare couple.

Although Bea's situation changed due to her engagement to the man she loves, she can't get away from the feeling of certain expectations her new status demands of her. But despite all that she still proseeds with investigation.

Through communication with different people she slowly pieces together the truth, but is it the real truth? Because it felt like everyone had a different version. They own perception of teh truth.

Must admit in general the tone this book had is heavier than previous ones, especially because it is so personal and connected to Bea's parents, but to think what really happened to them is quite devastating.

Damien is not present in this book, not because they had a conflict, on the contrary I fall in love with their pair more and more, they are so good together and he is so fitting for her, even if you think they actually don't know much about each other's lives prior to their meeting and even love. The reason is simple, while Bea is conflicted Damien had his own reasons to wait for her to tell him herself, he is perfect because he would never say no to her no matter how many insecurities she's riddled with.

Oh yeah, how can I not mention the Aunt Vera. At the peak of my dissatisfaction with her she actually reveals her motivation, and althought it serves as her "justification" it does not earn my forgiveness of her, even if Bea is not mad at them. From another point this woman who thought of herself as smart realized she lived with misconception for 20 years.

The next book involves a person who is responsible for the majority of Bea's failures when she just had her first season. I kinda love that this series of books involves people already mentioned instead of creating something completely different with characters unknown. 

And Bea and Damien are not married yet!

And now everyone knows that she has a tendency to solve mysteries.

RATE: 5/5.

[NOVEL] An Infamous Betrayal by Lynn Messina

Having solved the two murders that somehow fell in her path, Beatrice Hyde-Clare is on the lookout for a third.

Through a absurd quirk of stupid fate, the shy spinster has fallen in love with the thoroughly unattainable Duke of Kesgrave and is desperate for something, anything, to occupy her mind. A dead body would do nicely. Fortunately for her, a fellow guest from a Lake District house party appears on her doorstep with exactly that: the lover of his fiancée's mother expired after a wretchedly painful episode just that morning in an apparent poisoning.

As unorthodox as it is, he would like Bea to investigate rather than calling the authorities. Bea begins her inquiry into Mr. Wilson's death at once and almost immediately finds herself in the company of Kesgrave, who is as determined as ever to assist her.

'Twas patently unfair, for the whole point of the investigation was to get away from the handsome lord. Now Bea is faced with the daunting challenge of exposing the villain without revealing her heart.

Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Book 3

Okay, I wasn't planning to it be a chain-reading of the series, but so far it happened to be like that.

And what can I do these books are short and can be finished quickly, but they have their own perks. Especially when they become kinda connected, which is a nice touch.

The victim of this book is the lover of Mrs Otley (whose husband was the victim of the first book) - Mr Wilson. He died of poisoning.

Maybe it's because it's the cozy mystery type of story, but the plot about investigation is not overly complicated, but simple and precise. There's a charm in it.

It's not like it's completely simplistic too, because Bea may come to the wrong conclusion before something inspires her to think of the solution. But maybe it's the circumstances or some details that allowed to narrow down the list of suspects.

For example, the first book had a limited number of people in the guest list and by drawing the line between those who could wish the person harm or had the motivation could be found. So there was no need to find someone else (like Bea went on a tangent) you had to find the perpetrator among the guests. In the second book the lead was the oddly-shaped knife which the victim wore as a fashion item, which was a very direct lead, otherwise Bea would not even get involved in this case at all. It allowed her to find the story of the knife and follow the lead of this knife's fate. While in the third book the obvious detail is the snuff box with a specific blend, which also can provide the lead.

But the way these plots are connected more you need to see for yourself. I thought it's a simple yet nice touch.

The other big progress is the relationship, good thing they didn't let me wait for long, because I'm happy how it tured out. Our two lovebirds get together by the end of it. Happy for them.

As for her other relationships, Flora strikes you as an interesting cousin, at least she is daring enough to help Bea at least by covering up, also she does not believe in many of Bea's excuses.

As for the infamous auntie, the more Bea tries to open up, the more people she came across express their goodwill the more Aunt Vera's preaching comes across as completely inappropriate and borderline abusive. She was not before so prominent before, but the more it is so contrasting to Bea's state of mind when she finds herself not worthy of Kesgrave less and less you can handle her auntie who is the epitome of dullness and good manners and rules that never end and she always will be the first to point out that Bea aims too high (with the duke). It's unlikely that she will ever change. There is something ignorant and cruel in her conduct. But honestly she strikes me also as vain, because she kinda used Kesgrave's attention to Bea to her advances, since Kesgrave visited her multiple times when she was not available. So she is not so blameless after all. But then she goes and tells Bea not to impose herself on the duke, while she used the above-mentioned duke in such a way.

I mean it's kinda what it is that this Aunt Vera is the sole character that gets such a visceral reaction from me. I say it because it was not as apparent as in the first book, or maybe it was actually, maybe I had no idea how to react to her because Bea herself was not mad at her relations. When one would want to hurl something into Aunt Vera's face. This is what this woman deserves when she openly says that Bea's place is right behind a fig tree, the bushier the shrubbery the better so she can become one with a wall and the best partner for her is someone of lower origins, who is okay with someone like her, while her countenance is something this Aunt is solely responsible for.

Honestly, you feel happy for Bea having new acquaintances and people who are livelier than her household and do not diminish her in every word that sounds quite mean.

The fourth book in the series picks up on something that was mentioned not once - Bea's parents. We know she knows little of them because her aunt and uncle basically don't speak of her parents. Until she met the Countess Abercombie in the second book, who we later find out knew her mother and this is the connection between the present and the past.

Convenience! I know.

RATE: 5/5.

[NOVEL] A Scandalous Deception by Lynn Messina

As much as Beatrice Hyde-Clare relished the challenge of figuring out who murdered a fellow guest during a house party in the Lake District, she certainly does not consider herself an amateur investigator.

So when a London dandy falls dead at her feet in the entryway of a London Daily Gazette, she feels no compulsion to investigate. It was a newspaper office, after all, and reporters are already on the case as are the authorities. She has her own problems to deal with anyway—such as extricating herself from a seemingly harmless little fib that has somehow grown into a ridiculously large fiction.

Truly, she has no interest at all.

Except the dagger that killed the poor earl seemed disconcertingly familiar… And so Bea is off to the British Museum because she cannot rest until she confirms her suspicion, while trying to allay her family’s concerns and comprehend the Duke of Kesgrave’s compulsion.

For the handsome lord has no reason to waste his time solving a mystery alongside a shy spinster. And yet he turns up everywhere she goes.

Beatrice Hyde-Clare. Book 2

I was fascinated by the first book, this is why I decided to proceed reading the second one.

As in the previous book the novel has two disticnt lines, one is the investigation and the other is the relationship.

And the relationship is developing quite steadily.

The thing is author does not apply the modern way of writing when in 1st person POV books we have to feel everything the person feels. Author of this book only explores a narration, which does describe Bea's feelings in far greater details, but it's not as overbearing. The feelings that Kesgrave might feel are quite a secret that is delivered in details. Only later during a more honest conversation Duke admits that he is not sure himself why he follows through the investigation and the reason is not only that her dismissal of him he finds intriguing and he wants to tweak her ego in return.

Not in anguish but Bea does go through several phases incomprehension of his actions and her own response to them. You really need to read the book to get the entire picture. But in general terms they are indeed of different status. When the previous case was over it was shaded with the appeal of future acquaintance, but Bea is too self-conscious of herself to believe in the possibility. So when they meet again she even creates some ridiculous sounding motives for him appearing in her life that have nothing to do with him just wanting to be in her company. Like they meet at the museum (spoilers) the scene and the reasoning he gave for appearing there I liked a lot, it was simple. Consequently at one of the balls she was talking to a man who was part of the Lake District gathering and she could not comprehend why Kesgrave appeared so stormy. Although to the reader it appeared obvious that Kesgrave might have saw her with another man laughing, which is far from her usual conduct and felt jealous, a feeling he might be oblivious to at this point in time.

But his attention and his actions showed Bea that her theories are nothing more but a ridiculous pile of assumptions, while the man in question might have wanted to be in her presence. But in dismay she realizes her feelings and the mournful prospects that things will not go anywhere from there. As if they won't develop romantically, because she is so below him.

As for investigation, it was quite interesting. Unlike other mystery novels here Bea's motivation is connected to er feeling so outside of her previous boxed up self. She is not some genius investigator, but she has a quick mind.

But again I won't spoil anything because it's a mystery after all and I'm not mad at it. I can understand that it may also sound convenient how they investigate it, but from another point - why not? why things in such a cozy mystery should be complicated.

Another interesting development is her relationship with her family, although one might find it ridiculous, but it also showed how self-conscious and afraid of any mistakes Bea was when growing up, which ended up making her duller than a second coat of paint. Now after she showed herself she became aware that she can make mistakes without grievous consequences of being sent away and no, for her cousins she became more interesting which allowed her to have a connection.

What can I say, in conclusion, the story is only 262 pages long, but it is concise and on point. It does not use embellishments or complicates things, but also stays interesting. It does not burden you to feel every micro-emotion of the characters, instead you are free to interpret their behavior yourself. Unless they openly admit to something. It's light, it's fast-paced, the dynamic is great and the chemistry is great too. It's really a fitting read when you seek something of a similar sort to just have a good time.

RATE: 4,75/5.

[NOVEL] A Brazen Curiosity by Lynn Messina

Nothing ruins a lovely house party like bloody murder.

At the decrepit old age of six-and-twenty, Miss Beatrice Hyde-Clare has virtually no hope of landing a husband. An orphan living off her relatives' charity, her job is to sit with her needlework and to keep her thoughts to herself.

When Bea receives an invitation to an elegant country party, she intends to do just that. Not even the presence of the aggravatingly handsome Duke of Kesgrave could lead this young lady to scandal. True, she might wish to pour her bowl of turtle soup on his aristocratic head - however, she would never actually do it. But a lady can fantasize.

But, when she stumbles upon the dead body of another houseguest, all Bea's good intentions fly out the well-appointed window. Although the magistrate declares it a suicide, she knows better.

Time for some very unladylike behavior.

Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mystery. Book 1

This was surprisingly entertaining. The dynamics between Bea and Kesgrave are enjoyable and the banter is there (Hell, I think I don't even know his name, because no one would use it obviously). They have a thorny start, because she is prejudiced towards him and she is unhinged, the way she fantasizes hurling things at him, it's the first scene. Because she finds him a pedant who likes to provide a lot of info etc. As we later find out she misinterprets his intentions and changes her mind about it after they work on this murder mystery together.

Beatrice is shy in the eyes of others, but she is much more interesting in her own head and actually this incident let her to reveal her true colors. I would argue if she was truly shy or she was made shy by her relations. Beatrice is an orphaned girl, living with her uncle (her father's brother) and aunt and their two children who are younger by few years. But her aunt is the one who makes the situation as it is. She has a gazillion rules to follow that would dull anyone into oblivion, thus Bea is the epitome of those teachings outside, constantly preaches about their standing in society, especially how they of the lower station could not impose on those who are higher. E.g. she was appaled when Bea asked Kesgrave a question in the presence of others and her aunt would make any excuse and put all the blame on the head of her niece to get out of predicament. She also would often use such language that would is quite belittling towards her niece and you would think - isn't it bad? And I'll tell you, I practically hate that aunt. Partially (not included or openly said in the text) I believe it's because FMC's an orphaned girl, so she is stricter with Beatrice than her own children, because her own standing in their family is the lowest. At other times her aunt does come to the "rescue" although those moments seem rare and you might think - isn't it good? Though confusing but makes you think neutral about this aunt. Most confusing character of all.

But I digress. Beatrice is now unmarried and unpopular, already 26 yo spinster, others made her think she is not pretty (though I have no idea we don't get such a detailed description I think, she is an unreliable narrator, because those idea were intilled within her since young age by her aunt) and she is in this place just to be a pendant to her relations, a very sensible and dull girl.

But then a murder happens. And you'll think she is the last person who will be involved, but not to mention she found the body, but she found Kesgrave who found the body first.

Maybe because she is so lively and interesting on the inside and maybe she is innately in search of some unimaginable thrill she does not falter. I'm kidding, she has quite an imagination and she conjured so many plots when she saw the duke, very melodramatic.

But you know what surprised me the most? It's the first FMC who was actually analytical about everything she saw. Even if her wild fantasy made her create additional plots, but we can't deny the fact that she makes some thoughtful remarks. E.g. seeing the poor Mr Otley on the ground she noticed several things, like direction of the wound, the perpetrator's clothes should be soiled.

Although it is normal to notice those things, but my point is, I've read several "mysteries" that have a female protagonist, I admit not all of them do the investigative work, but it's the first time someone was so detailed and analytical. I know one thing, when I was reading the previous book, Raven & Wren Book 2, there was a mrder in bedchamber, but I was thinking to myself - won't there be noise? why no one heard anything? And by the end I got my answer and this detail is brought up, but no one mentioned it among the characters from the beginning and they paid it no attention and they should be investigators.

So this dull girl actually goes to rooms of people in search of proof, proceeds to reach the truth among the guests. And has late night meetings with the Duke to discuss the progress.

You can feel that their relationship takes quite a place among other things and it is that something that slowly changes her, because slowly she feels the camaraderie she never felt before and not to mention he is a duke. And when things are done and over she might return to her previous life but she for sure will never be the same. And refuses to succumb to it.

You can see Kesgrave will be our MMC, dashing tall and handsome with blonde hair and blue eyes, hard not to notice their chemistry sizzling. And she reached the stage of liking him, not yet romantically in all specter of emotions, but from the first impression to this, it was a great progress. I would call it in several stages: I want to hurl food at him he is so insufferable; he irritates me; he is not so bad as I thought; this guy is handsome why I never noticed.

In no way shape or form I say it's the perfect mystery, but I think it was entetaining and good, with enough dynamic. The most unhinged is how everyone else acted in this scenario, because I can imagine people talking like that in their time actually. But I also consider it a bit of a satire or irony. E.g. when the above-mentioned aunt came to tell the news she almost phrased it as if it's bad manners to die in such a hospitable house. The entire company danced around this topic and trying to use the most correct and appropriate language. Sounded a bit unhinged.

Another biggest irony throughout the book is the theme of one's standing in society, because they had a duke among them and he has the highest status, others would make it feel like his words are the rule because he is a duke. Even Bea's aunt felt like she is servile towards the duke when talking, just because he is a duke. They were ready to believe his word no matter what.

What I catch from book 2 is that it will have something to do with the lie she conjured in this book. She created it only to make an analogy, because at that point she suspected Miss Otley had an intimate relationship with her father's associate who was below her station. Thus she created this elaborate lie how she loved a man also out of reach, but they were not fated to be together and they were separated. But she did not consider one fact - that her secret after that won't be her secret anymore. Everyone at that party found out about it so the lie grew out of proportions.

PS: This series has 13 books.. so far. Oh boy.

PPS: I am happy that it delivered, because I really was entertained by the beginning, but was kinda scared it will fall flat later on. I enjoyed it.

RATE: 4,75/5.

[NOVEL] A Whisper at Midnight by Darcy Burke

Private investigator Matilda Wren’s new client is a woman seeking evidence to divorce her husband. She is also the former fiancée of her last client—and dear friend—Lord Ravenhurst. Though he has enthusiastically offered to aid Tilda with future investigations, she can’t very well accept his help in this matter. Especially when her client’s husband is murdered, and Ravenhurst is a suspect.

Hadrian Becket, Earl of Ravenhurst has never felt more alive than when he was solving a mystery with Miss Wren, even when suffering headaches from using his newly acquired ability to touch an object and see a person’s memories. He wants nothing more than to continue their professional association as well as deepen their friendship. Except now he must prove he isn’t guilty of murder, even if that includes working against his former partner.

Tilda can’t believe Hadrian is capable of harming anyone, but how well does she know him? She must rely on her intellect and investigative skill—and not allow her affinity for him to cloud her judgment. When the killer strikes again, Tilda sees that the danger is not to their friendship after all, but to their very existence.

Raven & Wren. Book 2

I can't even emphasize you enough how bored I was. I livened up only at the last 15% and I'm surprised by my own tenacity to reach that far.

The biggest problem of this book is - being stuck in one place.

It felt like the plot isn't going anywhere for a long time. The same as our main characters feels like they haven't moved much with their investigation.

Picture this. Tilda is investigating for a divorce case, target is Hadrian's former fiancée. Hadrian received a note from her (her name is Mrs Beryl Chamber), quite desperate call for help.

But the day they ought to meet they find police and Mr Chamber ...dead in his chambers.

Pun intended.

There are several suspects, for some reason Ravenhurst is one of them just because his former fiancee left him for the murdered man and this man was openly hostile towards him. The others are obviously his wife and a bunch of unknown people we need to call upon to investigate.

Hadrian once again hires Tilda to clear his name, but his desire is more to be together, to conduct investigation together and also help Tilda in her endeavors (financially).

And funnily enough, even if they kinda go around and ask people but there are few instances that got on my nerves:

1. Repetitive mentioning of what happened in the first book. Not constructive to plot development. I believe those who picked it up actually know the content of the first book (either they don't care). I really hope their memory is not that short like that of a fish.
2. I even left notes while reading when I came across scenes where Tilda asked about things she already knows. The most glaring example to me was when they talked about Padgett, investigator who closed Hadrian's case and she is asking - is it that inspector who investigated your stabbing case? Girl, you know about him! There are many instances when she acts as if she hears it for the first time.
3. Repetitive actions over and over again. To give an example, they need to visit a home where former maid resided (the one who was pushed down in the plot, happens almost right after the murder) and they say to the coachman - we need 15 minutes, return in that time. Then they exit and almost repeat the same info - we have 15 minutes. I don't quote directly, but it is described in similar fashion. And there are many instances that feel like the info is repeated again and again.
4. How many times they complimented each other. It's great they have great feelings and appreciate each other so much, but it becomes tiring when they did nothing so far, but they can always pat each other on the back and say - you did amazing, I'm amazed by your talent as investigator etc. But they said it so many times that it starts to get on your nerves, especially when they did nothing substantial.  
5. Characters feel like they are too good. Only getting angry at appropriate times. I can't even describe it well. My best example would be with the Mrs Chamber, she does not feel that remorseful because of her husband because she sticks to Hadrian with her tears early on (she indeed made a move on him). She often tried to pass as if they're closer than they actually are. She also led another man on who was her actual brother-in-law. Her husband may have beend a piece of shit, undoubtedly, and she got a lot of sympathy points, but when Tilda witnessed her making a move on Hadrian of course she felt unsettled, but later on she returned to her pity spectrum of emotions, as if any new information, that Mrs Chambers is not so good does not taint her perception of her. Hadrian was kinda the same, although he said that he was not happy about the whole situation but was he too of a gentleman to think anything of a woman. It felt so weird I don't know. I'm pretty sure he'll be fine even if Mrs Chamber is the reason he was shot in the end, because she couldn't help her impulsive ass.

But honestly, most of the book was like.. about nothing.

They're like NPCs that move to several locations and just ask questions and then when alone analyze it, repeating the same info.

I only finished and it already slips my mind what had happened after all those interviews.

Anyway, the suspicion aspect is not engaging, it almost feels like cozy mystery, but it's boring.

They find out that Louis Chamber had several relationships (including maids), was a spendfrift and was bad at business ventures.

The one who was pushed down, former maid, was dismissed because she became pregnant and he was the father. But there is still a mystery about that, we know she was visited by a woman wearing veil the evening she died. Police were too preoccupied to send anyone for questioning I guess, becase our duo finds the info first and a brooch, confirming the maind either took it or was given it as a benefit.

Our duo interviews everyone, of course, starting from Beryl Chambers, to everyone serving and also the business associate, person who was supposed to open a shop with him. Some of teh info throws a shade on many characters etc.

But then the inquest is postponed because Mr Chambers was found to be poisoned by arsenic as well. So we have at least two people who are not connected.

Beryl gets arrested because the knife - the murder weapon - was found in her drawer after teh funeral. Honestly, anyone could have put that down there.

By this point Hadrian wasn't a big help with his visions because he only saw few glimpses of Louis and his paramours. One was maid, another unknown.

But at the most crucial point, this is where the final 15% kick in and Hadrian gets not one but several visions tha pin on the truth. Convenient.

[NOVEL] The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides—especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive.

Note: Ongoing joke for me, naturals in my language would be close to a word used to describe heterosexuals, so imagine me reading this.

I'll be honest, before reading I might have gotten the wrong idea, because I had the impression from all the people recommending this book that first the team of teens has some abilities and this is a fantastic read. In both cases I was wrong.

By abilities they mean that the teens' analytical ability in certain aspects is far superior to average citizen (profiling, reading emotions, statistics), but the way others talked about it led me to think it was on the edge of supernatural. It's not.

And it's a questionably okay read, I wouldn't call it "fantastic".

It has a very peculiar taste of an American movie where for some reason teens that were gathered around for some special program (training) are way better than adults at their job. Younger mind may be less compromised by the years of experience and can give a fresh look, but in some cases experience matters more. And when these teens think better of themselves than agents, well, it just explains the character of those teens (FMC). The book was released in 2013 and it shows.

Some say it's like a Criminal Minds fanfic. Never watched.

It has a very cliche setting for such a script, we have a special girl who is suddenly picked up from a crowd, she has some top-notch profiling skills. She is offered to be a part of a special group - Naturals.

Teens trained in a specific field they excell at. And what do you know they are to go through old / cold cases to give a fresh view. Unbelievable, but it's a teenage fantasy, so we'll let it go for now.

Funnily, to me these Naturals did not create any value to be in awe. It felt like they were just spending time together bonding and being teens. I heard of school programs that were stricter than what they had and it was just a public school. 

Anyway, while Cassie has been out there being trained for a week or two it felt like no one is doing anything. Should it be like that? I have no idea, the book doesn't answer.

Funnily, Cassie is the narator so we know that she hasn't done anything yet, but she sure is pretty natural with calling herself  a Natural and "Because I'm a Natural" is her direct quote. Where is the confidence and pride coming from though?

Note: Later on when Cassie meets the director he mentions a case (they supposedly solved) and I was surprised - have they solved something? when did it happen? I had no idea, because I'm reading about teens in a house doing teen stuff. 

Because there is an on-going case both agent Briggs and Locke are partially present/absent. Later our team gets too interested in this case and they find the case is connected to Cassie's mother, especially the individual in question decided to send Cassie a present. I was sitting and thinking while reading - of course it would all happen like that, after all we start from here and I feel like I'm really watching a movie like that.

But I suppose author actually had given the answer from the beginning. The moment you reach the part where they talk about profiling Locke says along the lines "Don't say he or she, use UNSUB or YOU" and the killer's part is titled YOU. This is where I thought.. aren't they talking like a profiler then? 

But you know why I never thought about Dean or Locke? Dean may be the son of a serial killer (oops spoilers~) but he is always under FBI's nose, it'd feel dumb. Locke was always in the picture.

But when it was revealed it was...

[Historical Romance] Scandal of the Year by Laura Lee Guhrke

Delicious. This book made more for the first book than the first did for itself.

ONE TRYST WAS ALL SHE WANTED ...

From their very first meeting, Julia knew that Aidan Carr, the oh-so-proper Duke of Trathen, had a bit of the devil in him, a devil who secretly yearned for what he could not have, a devil who harbored a desire for her. So when she needed to be caught in a compromising situation, Aidan was the answer to her prayers.

ONE TRYST JUST WASN'T ENOUGH ...

Aidan is supposed to be looking for a bride, yet his scandalous liaison with Julia is all he can think about. Hot, erotic memories of kissing her skin, falling into her bed, pulling her naked body on top of his own continue to torment and tempt him. What is it about this brazen seductress that he finds so hard to resist? And how can he stop himself from falling into her bed a second time?

Abandoned at the Altar. Book 2

By my short impression of this book when I reached around 60% this is genuinely how I felt. It has a bit of perspective (actually quite a few moments) when Julia mentions Beatrix and her family situation. I have no idea why it impacted me much more than when I was reading the first book myself.

Back then I thought to myself - what a good conflict for a book. Both people love each other deeply, but they face a certain choice that is based on their current convictions and Beatrix had it harder, because her life was stiffled by the upbringing and hardcore control of her father and despite his despotism she loved him, so it was very conflicting, but I suppose the execution wasn't enough for me. Funnily, I feel quite complete after having few instances from Julia's perspective. After all the 3rd person opinion does have an effect.

Now back to this book and its' inhabitants.

The basic situation was - after he broken off his engagement and after Julia was at her wit's end about her husband always on her heels, she returned to a path she thought would definitely secure her a divorce - an affair. It might be a false affair but she needed her husband to witness herself in bed with another man and the only person she could allow near herself was only Aidan.

Their fate might be described as tragic. Because you can feel they're those fated lovers who were destined to miss each other each time.

The first time they met was 12 or 13 years ago (according to Aidan's reminiscence), he saw her on a footbridge, she had her eyes closed, lying down, her hair tumbling down and her feet in the stream. She felt like a dream, before she opened her eyes and started talking. And all the dreams shattered.

But Aidan still knew that it was the first and only woman who awakened all his passions.

Yet she was betrothed to another for her behavior (she escaped after a young man she loved).

They both felt that fatal attraction for each other, but it fealt like - not meant to be, for now.

The second time they met ten years later, she was very unhappy in her marriage, all her finances were strangled by her husband in attempts to control her, she basically was escaping him everywhere, but it wasn't as critical. And she met Aidan again and he evoked a plan - he is the only man she'd allow to touch herself to construct the scene so believable, so her husband will finally let her be free.

But unfortunately the same ball Aidan met Beatrix and they became engaged soon after (contents of the first book). Aidan found Beatrix agreeable, but not evoking something deeper.

Later their engagement fell through and here Julia's chance arrived as she was close to desperation.

And she hated herself for what she's done, but she'd do it again if it promised her the freedom.

I think the portrayal in this one is better. Although it does sound like it starts from passion, but you can't skip on the fact that they felt something for each other, of course painfully oblivious (not my fave thing :) but). It also has several flashbacks, which hints on different stages of their character-building.

Aidan is very proper and disciplined and has all the right views, but he feels a bit stiff to outside world, especially Julia. But she feels he has a bit of a more adventurous streak about himself.

Julia should be complete opposite, very social and fun.

But all of their traits have roots in the past. In modern times it is called - family trauma?

The two are like bright stars that never meant to allign when the two meet again.

A year after her divorce, a public trial and being out of sight. Julie tries to restore some of her reputation and Aidan can't help but think about the duty. He's very responsible, okay. At least he doesn't want people depending on him enter the darkest age if his everything will be inherited by the closest irresponsible male relation.

And the phrase - Julia needs money - would evoke intrigue. But Aidan simply hires her for social engagements (filtering anyone and everything, so he won't waste his time with people he might not need to meet in the first place, but who could also pose a trouble, everyone wants a Duke in their family).

Of course their previous incident is the elephant in the room sooner or later they're going to make their own judgements about or make moves.

I'll be honest I like how it was resolved, there was a brooding emotional conflict that leads to the finale and is repeated time and time again that Julia doesn't see her marrying again, but I see it a great ending that she basically confessed to many things, to see the support from him, reasonably freak out of course and make her mind. After all, petal is so honorable, she couldn't see him unhappy :)

RATE: 5/5.

[Historical Romance] The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:

- They will be husband and wife by night only.

- No lights, no kissing.

- No questions about his battle scars.

- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:

- They will have dinner together every evening.

- With conversation.

- And unlimited teasing.

- Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

Girl Meets Duke. Book 1

Was it a trashy novel? Unmistakenly.

But did I have fun? Absolutely.

The thing is this novel hardly passes as a historical romance. Outside the fact that author confessed to name badminthon earlier than the real name of it appeared, this book reads as modern one.

It's not only about the words they use, it's about how they talk.

But modern contemporary romance would not allow a plotline like that. Which is absolutely bonkers.

The relationships in this one are quite shallow, although author tries to insist on the opposite.

I still had my fun with this ridiculous novel because of those dialogues between FMC and MMC. They are not realistic at all, my brain simply separated them from the plot that is so ridiculous.

I'm the raccoon of my pile, I can sniff the trashiness, because basically the story starts right away and it's outside the scope of my imagination. Emma comes to him demanding to be paid for her work on his ex-fiancee's dress (don't question details from here on out, because there's too much to ask) and she refused to back down in front of a duke whose face (by his own words) scares children into hysterics. On the contrary our girl is unlike anyone else and sees him as manly or a good ass.

Ash needed a wife and soon (what's the hurry who knows, we don't even know his age..I believe, but I repeat, don't question the details) and Emma seems to be just right.

Seamstress to Duchess doesn't surprise anyone.

His reason for this marriage may not be that dumb, but hers is. You go girl. She knows she may get a house where she can help a young girl who was deceived to.. basically deceive others. Because she was pregnant, couldn't confess to her loving father and wanted to conceal the fact of her pregnancy and birth. No exploration from Emma's side into the loving father, she acts just because of the girl's words. Just because she was thrown out like that once. Remarkable, but as turned out off the mark.

So they marry within a week. And they procede to procreate (not my word, direct quote).

Honestly they have that insta-lust from the first touch. Which eventually turns into love because well, they don't need much, they just treat each other as human beings, while other wither betrayed or did something hurtful.

The only good side to modernity of their conversations from the get-go is the fact that they communicated a lot and did not have misunderstandings. The two times they did it felt so forced, like please. I laughed so hard. But they needed a conflict to confirm their feelings so here we are.

Ash acted like a mixed media, sometimes he's an utter ass, sometimes he can be nice.

In the end both admitted that all the previous rules they decided to invent for their marriage did not work and they love each other.

I have no idea why someone mentions Pride and Prejudice, because of his smashed mirror I thought of Beauty and the Beast. She comes, she heals, happy ending.

What I also find quite flat is Emma's relationship with future protagonists of their own books. Honestly, we know nothing about them outside of bare minimum, their name and occupations. But the friendship aspect that author tried to promote fell flat to me, because their connection was so thin. Penny invited Emma just out of the blue, Emma liked this small circle of "outcasts" thus she stayed. I always find the supporting female friendship cute, but I honestly wished more, but since this novel is the level of flat floor surface I couldn't do anything if it felt shallow.

Very contrasting experience. Maybe because I switched off my perception of everything else outside of joke. You can't convince me that this is something more than an average fun book that is totally not serious. If one will find the jokes and everything else crude, I can see that too. I kinda clicked with the humor, so I was done with this book in no time.

Maybe later I will collect another post for short reviews, I've been on a search lately and had more to the collection of historical mystery with couples (as I call it). And I think I will do it after I'll filter through several Korean novels I found lately. As for Chinese novels as my main food, I'm not in the mood for any of the bookmarked I have.

RATE: 3/5.

[NOVEL] A Slash of Emerald by Patrice McDonough

London, 1867: Among the genteel young ladies of London society, painting is a perfectly acceptable pastime—but a woman who dares to pursue art as a profession is another prospect, indeed. Dr. Julia Lewis, familiar with the disrespect afforded women in untraditional careers, is hardly surprised when Scotland Yard shows little interest in complaints made by her friend, Mary Allingham, about a break-in at her art studio. Mary is just one of many “lady painters” being targeted by vandals.

 

Painters’ sitters are vanishing, too—women viewed by some as dispensable outcasts. Inspector Richard Tennant, however, takes the attacks seriously, suspecting they’re linked to the poison-pen letters received by additional members of the Allingham family. For Julia, the issue is complicated by Tennant’s previous relationship with Mary’s sister-in-law, Louisa, and by her own surprising reaction to that entanglement.

 

But when someone close to them commits suicide and a young woman turns up dead, the case can no longer be so easily ignored by ‘respectable’ society. Layer after layer, Julia and Tennant scrape away the facts of the case like paint from a canvas. What emerges is a somber picture of vice, depravity, and deception stretching from London’s East End to the Far East—with a killer at its center, determined to get away with one last, grisly murder . . . 

Dr. Julia Lewis. Book 2

I must say I don't agree with this official synopsis. It's better not to read it all-together. Partially it's true what is said, but partially it gives attention to something that wasn't the central part of the book for a very long time.

There are several episodic instances that lead us to what we explore in this book:

- Julia is asked by Tennant to observe a girl Annie O'Neill who was arrested and was suspected to prostitute, but happened to be a female model for painters;

- A horrific incident on the lake in Regent's Park (real incident) where Julia comes across the Allingham family (fake characters of course);

- Mary Allingham's studio has been vandillized by the unknown person, there are blackmailing letter addressed to almost every female painter and as we know - sitters too (above-mentioned Annie O'Neill) So the story starts from a slash of emerald;

And then happened the suicide, which was the first layer to scrape off.

I find this book more interesting in general. First book was more a book of revenge with a pretty depressing tone. Doesn't mean this has fun topic, on the contrary. But author doesn't shy away from them to produce some posh literature without any of the gruesome details. First book pretty much reflected the script of a movie where the main perpetrator won't be discovered until the very end, because they need to finish what they started. It kinda made sense in my head. With this one we have no killer's POV, we have a real case that developed pretty fast with the help of many.

A plethora of characters move this plto forward.

Of course if you're keen on things you will notice some of those early on and have your answer.

I will repeat myself but I love this idea of connecting reality and fiction. Some of events are real, as well as participants, some simply inspired this book.

Although it is indeed sad, but this book at least was not without some positive sides.

I just don't want to spoil it too much, because at least some of it came as a surprise for me and in mysteris it's essential to keep the main secret.

Also Julia and Richard may have some progress, but again it's very subtle, fitting their era.

And it's not as dramatic as the synopsis showed. Julia had no idea about the real connection between Richard and Louisa Allingham. All she knew that they knew each other and Louisa relied on Richard a lot when they met again. Indeed, she had her own thoughts on this, which again were subtle and not straight to the point. (e.g. she would never look at Louisa hanging on Richard's arm and say - bitch, get away from my man, I was eyeing him first).

But both of them were kinda circling around undecided. You might find it annoying, I don't. This book is at least more opened on affection instead of subtlety of the first one, especially Richard who dreams of Julia, nothing dirty, just him thinking how it would look like if she was by his side in a daily life. Yet I will repeat myself that I'm really not mad at their lack of "progress". Their progress is also a progress. They need time, even if they feel connection.

The third book will be the final ("Murder by Moonrise" I believe), planned release next year in February (at least that's in acknowledgements that Patrice signed for three books, if this series will get a continuation after that who knows).

RATE: 5/5.

[NOVEL] King of Greed by Ana Huang

Well, I'm starting to type this when I'm 59% in and it's been going hard. And partially I need to vent some of it out of my system.

He had her, he lost her…and he’ll do anything to win her back.

Powerful, brilliant, and ambitious, Dominic Davenport clawed his way up from nothing to become the King of Wall Street.

He has everything—a beautiful home, a beautiful wife, and more money than he could spend in a lifetime. But no matter how much he accumulates, he’s never satisfied.

In his endless quest for more, he drives away the only person who saw him as enough.

It isn’t until she’s gone that he realizes there may be more to life than riches and glory…but by then, it may be too late.

***

Kind, intelligent, and thoughtful, Alessandra Davenport has played the role of trophy wife for years.

She stood by her husband while he built an empire, but now that they’ve reached the top, she realizes he’s no longer the man she fell for.

When it becomes clear that she’ll always come second to his work, she finally takes charge of her life and puts herself first—even if it means leaving the only man she’s ever loved.

But what she didn’t count on was his refusal to let her go…or for him to fight for their marriage, no matter what it takes.

Kings of Sin. Book 3

This book has a setting that I'm not really a fan of - lack of communication among couples, which leads to divorces.

And the two times when Alessandra asked herself if things wuold have been different if she spoke up more about their problems.

And I would tell her "yes" it would have. You either inform your spouse that you're not happy or he will be a disappointment and you realize that he's an ass that changed and you need to leave him.

My issue with Alessandra became that she admittedly dropped things after the first try. Like she planned for a therapist, but of course Dominic was somewhere, eventually she thought it's pointless and never returned or mentioned it again.

I mentioned this somewhere before - but you have no idea how a frying pan creates wonders, you hit first and then you solve your problems.

The fact that Dominic got too used to Alessandra's silence is not excused by the fact that she did not use the magic of a frying pan on him.

I find that they both contributed. And the point is that they love each other so much. Alessandra may not admit it as often as Dominic in her inner thoughts, but they do, at least Dominic can't immagine himself with anyone else, this is why he goes after his wife to win her back. 

But honestly, it's almost 60% of only their emotional drama and no plot.

"Oh, I'm not happy, let's divorce"

"I will not let you go"

"Let me go"

"I'm signing the divorce papers not because I want to, but because you asked. I will win you back"

Honestly, I'm kinda irritated atm.

But the peak of it did not come from them mulling this topic, but actually an acciden at her new store that is being repaired. EACH FUCKING BOOK. It's not even funny lol how they all have to do something with a deadline and every time there is an accident.

Just keep the track: Vivian was getting ready for her big gala that will boost her career.

Isabella was writing her book and was not done before deadline, of course because of an accident.

Sloane may not have any business to open, instead Xavier was opening a club and they had an accient.

Now Alessandra is ready to open a physical store and they had a flood because a pipe burst out.

Lol is it a template ahahaha

Back to the romance. I finished (it's night the same day, I wrestled it through).

The romance and all that jazz indeed take up to 70% of thi book. It's all same old how they have flashbacks to their past to how they live now. How Dominic stepped back from his job to be with her and chase her back.

But several months later after the divorce Alessandra actually tried to date other men (talking herself she will start getting used to it, she hasn't been on a date in 10 years, outside her husband.. what a weird way to phrase it lol). Left bad taste in my mouth tbh. But of course she couldn't forget Dominic after all. Tbh such a weird change and almost time skip to several weeks of them just banging. Before the girl finally gets it together. She gave him a chance and he took it.

The final part creates the same type of moment to frame this book with similar beginning and ending. At start he chooses his work and forgets his promises, while at the end of course he chooses her.

But honestly, how can a person prove that they will be better. You simply can't you can only go with it for a time. Although I can understand she didn't want to get cozy with Dominic and get her heart hurt the second time. Don't set flags for yourself people.

All in all it is indeed my least favorite situation. Break up, chase, we're together again. They weren't that long apart if you look at it haha.

I just wanted to finish it, so I can finally fill the gap of the 3rd book missing. Felt wrong. Although it's really not obligatory to do that.

Sloane is still my favorite girl and her book is my favorite. Outside these four I am pretty skeptical I want to continue with the series.

5th belongs to the Serb and supermodel Ayana. Honestly Vuk is like this series mascot, almost comical, he is elusive, but he appears on ALL social occasions mentioned in these books. I have no idea why he was mentioned so much. While I think we have no idea who will be the main characters of book 6 and 7. But honestly I kinda don't really care about them because others are OUTSIDE of this fishbowl with four main girls. Vuk appeared for more than for 5 seconds only in the 4th book (of course, right before his own). But what about Ayana, she is always mentioned but we don't see or hear about her at all. I'm really not sure I want to return. These books were easy to read, but were they anywhere near as gripping, not to me. Outside of Book 4. Which is a normal occasion and generally just good to like at least one. But overall not as thrilling to continue. 

RATE: 2/5.