Okay this one was by far THE best book of the series. I loved it! There's absolutely no denying the fact that we had not been given much in Smith in tOkay this one was by far THE best book of the series. I loved it! There's absolutely no denying the fact that we had not been given much in Smith in the first three books, save for the fact that he was The General, Quin's right hand and of course an important part. But this book did him justice, and boy was just so right.
Jenny was the perfect heroine as well. I haven't read the Mallick brothers series (I'm going to read it after this) and so I don't know how big a part she played in that, or even that she did or maybe it was just written in passing y'know? But here, what I got to see was a woman who had been so brutally abused by her husband over the years, trapped in a soulless and loveless marriage. And the way she brought herself out of that was amazing.
The two of them together were the least dramatic and the easiest yet so different couple to fall into this in my opinion because there was a sort of direct-ness, the feeling of it being a natural thing like the sun rising and setting.
So, even if I liked them all, this one was the best! And Jessica Gadziala writes one of the best epilogues ever.
Merged review:
Okay this one was by far THE best book of the series. I loved it! There's absolutely no denying the fact that we had not been given much in Smith in the first three books, save for the fact that he was The General, Quin's right hand and of course an important part. But this book did him justice, and boy was just so right.
Jenny was the perfect heroine as well. I haven't read the Mallick brothers series (I'm going to read it after this) and so I don't know how big a part she played in that, or even that she did or maybe it was just written in passing y'know? But here, what I got to see was a woman who had been so brutally abused by her husband over the years, trapped in a soulless and loveless marriage. And the way she brought herself out of that was amazing.
The two of them together were the least dramatic and the easiest yet so different couple to fall into this in my opinion because there was a sort of direct-ness, the feeling of it being a natural thing like the sun rising and setting.
So, even if I liked them all, this one was the best! And Jessica Gadziala writes one of the best epilogues ever....more
While Nick and Jordan were nice characters, I still like Cameron and Jack wayyy more, because the former were just that - nice.
The romance a2.25 stars
While Nick and Jordan were nice characters, I still like Cameron and Jack wayyy more, because the former were just that - nice.
The romance and the chase were relatively underwhelming compared to the first one, plus I didn't like that almost all chapters had some or the other combination of Jordan - rich, heiress, half a billion blah blah. I get it - she was rich but a nice person too, but it'd have been better to focus on the good without stating that she was all that despite being rich. Also, all the wine talk bored me - I know, Jordan owns a wine store, she's going to be invested in it. But I, being of a more basic mindset about this stuff, skimmed over the flowery descriptions ...more
This was unexpectedly good - although there was nothing in the sense of mystery, this was more of a finding and chasing the bad guy, since t3.75 stars
This was unexpectedly good - although there was nothing in the sense of mystery, this was more of a finding and chasing the bad guy, since the murderer is revealed pretty early on (around 34% mark) to the readers.
It was good to see that there were almost no loose ends in the story save for few typos. The relationship between the two characters also progressed at a good pace, and honestly I am happy with the ending which is something to be said about how I've been feeling about certain books in general, lately. ...more
It was okay till a point, nothing great and nothing really bad but the cheating aspect sort of killed it for me. And not just that but the main characIt was okay till a point, nothing great and nothing really bad but the cheating aspect sort of killed it for me. And not just that but the main character was so annoying, I can't even-
It was promising and started off really well, the Gothic vibe was amazing and if not for a few plotholes and the fact that I lost a bit of 3-3.5 stars
It was promising and started off really well, the Gothic vibe was amazing and if not for a few plotholes and the fact that I lost a bit of interest in the middle, this could've been a four star read....more
This can be an 'it's-not-you-it's-me' case with this book, but I really wanted to like this one. So, I don't think it is.
The beginning felt choppy andThis can be an 'it's-not-you-it's-me' case with this book, but I really wanted to like this one. So, I don't think it is.
The beginning felt choppy and I really couldn't connect well with the main characters. I liked the plot but was looking forward to more details and build-up, more tension, more banter - after all what is an enemies to lovers story if these aren't done right? It sure didn't to me.
But, it improved by the end even though it was really less on the action or the danger side. This was a nice book but not a memorable one....more
1. I knew the killer in like 6th chapter and I know it shouldn't be that obvious and maybe it wasn't, it was juOkay I'll say it this way:
What I loved-
1. I knew the killer in like 6th chapter and I know it shouldn't be that obvious and maybe it wasn't, it was just an instinct for me but since it pleased me that I guessed it, I am happy, and I don't care about anything else, sometimes we need predictability with a dose of unpredictability and this gave me that.
2. McNab and Peabody- gotta love those two! The enemies to lovers slow burn thing between them is so nice to read about amidst murder and gore. I'll pitch a fit if they don't get it on on the next one. (By that I mean, put them together on ten cases and then see what happens)
3. Eve and Roarke- that's it.
4. Charles and Crack made an appearance- my life is set for the next few weeks.
5. Summerset was a lil better than before. You'd think the man would be more grateful to someone who saved his life but in retrospect, that would really disturb their equation and I won't have enough excuses to half dislike and half snob at him. What can you do?
My only problem: We didn't get to see her giving Roarke his Christmas present just like we didn't get to see the wedding. Okay, I hadn't mentioned that I was pissed off at that, but now it's out of the way. Clean slate. And onto the next............more
I came across this by accident, but now I'll say luck because I loved this book! There was gore, a serial killer, a perfect plot, kick-ass characters,I came across this by accident, but now I'll say luck because I loved this book! There was gore, a serial killer, a perfect plot, kick-ass characters, and paranormal elements- all the aspects of a must-read.
Cain and Mercy share a significant part of their past, even though they've never met face to face, but they share the atrocities that they faced. Their history has defined their present, and yet they're so strong and determined, I couldn't help loving them. I'll admit I loved Cain more because there were some things about Mercy that made me doubt her sanity.
Cain was everything you'd expect him to be, with a past like his, but he went much beyond those expectations too. He had been abused brutally and made to believe himself a monster, but it was the fact that his father did that to him that made my skin prick. I shuddered twice in the first two chapters itself but reading how they handled it amazed me. I went flying through the pages as if it was an easy, light book (okay, not really) rather than a twisted tale of a serial killer intent on targeting them both, just in different ways.
Cain and Mercy's relationship felt a little developed-too-soon to me in the first few chapters, mainly because of Mercy. Cain had cared about her enough to know how she was doing for two decades, and seriously, no, it wasn't like stalking. You'd realize that as soon as you read the story. His need to see her safe was out of misplaced guilt, but his feelings were genuine and honest. However, I thought that Mercy acted too soon. I didn't feel the emotion on her part- she was understanding, yes, but it does not equal love. But otherwise, I liked her as a character.
Cain was brave, so brave and broken, and I wanted to gather the ten-year-old boy, who still lived in him, scared and helpless, and hold him till he felt it in his very bones how much love he deserved. He tried to do the right thing every time, trying to seek redemption for something he hadn't even done. Mercy held her head high every time she faced a problem, and together they did form a great couple. She was an inspiring character in some ways, but I wanted more of her in the book. I don't care if it had been longer, 300 pages more? GIVE ME.
In conclusion, this book is a good balance of mystery and romance - a perfect escape for people who love mystery romance....more
I'll just say it through gifs because I don't know how else I can do this.
In the first 50%: [image]
When she's taken off and the enemy cop dies (I was I'll just say it through gifs because I don't know how else I can do this.
In the first 50%: [image]
When she's taken off and the enemy cop dies (I was actually pretty emotional for Eve in this one, so yeah it sucked): [image]
When she's drowning in self pity and stupidity: [image]
When we reach the end and the research records are discovered (I was a little horrified tbh but it's 2058, so anything goes): [image]
And when the hell do we get to know how Roarke acquired the genius tech knowledge of a hacker? It's been ages, it better be out in the next ones, or I'm going to abandon this series like a hateful lover for months and use it for rebound afterwards. Because simply put-
I have to say, this was not as satisfactory as some of her other works I have read. I did not like it but I didn't not like it either. It dr2.75 stars
I have to say, this was not as satisfactory as some of her other works I have read. I did not like it but I didn't not like it either. It dragged a lot in my opinion- I found myself skimming a lot of the fancy descriptions of the antiques, because I get it- the sapphires, the diamonds, the gold blah blah blah the rubies, the emeralds blah blah blah. I've never been much of a fan of materialistic descriptions in the books, I mean, I would like the basics because it helps in forming the image of the scene but I don't want to do anything with the freaking emeralds or gemstones. At first I wasn't that annoyed, I was curious to know about the Russian Imperial eggs and I, like any modern person, googled it. And lemme tell you, they are actually fucking beautiful, Google it, I swear you'll like it. But that doesn't imply I want the description of each jewel, thank you very much. Not.
The mystery part was pretty straightforward and really it just felt dragged out to me. I was bored and that's not a good thing while reading a mystery of all things. The romance part was nice- I liked Ashton, maybe because he reminded me of Ashton from 5SOS (just like Henry reminds of Henry Cavill) and his best friend was Luke. 5SOS feels anyone? No? Just me? Okay then. But I didn't particularly feel for Lila, she grated on my nerves at times. I can't exactly pinpoint why she did. My opinion of Lila was a pendulum with no resistive force- she wasn't bad per say but her character seemed a little hypocritical to me.
But I liked the extra information this book gave me- about the eggs and art and all that jazz. It was interesting to read when it wasn't a show off.
So, it was good writing, a little too exaggerated, a mediocre suspense and overall nice characters....more
This was my most favorite in the series by far. I laughed like, a lot, even when it was totally inappropriate- obviously, it's me we're talk4.25 stars
This was my most favorite in the series by far. I laughed like, a lot, even when it was totally inappropriate- obviously, it's me we're talking about. I don't smile much but I like to laugh. And did I say I'd do no more than beg to have Roarke as a husband? Well, I amend my statement- I would add one more please in my begging process.
And sweet God, let Summerset not be such an uptight ass from now on when she literally put her life at stake to save him. I don't like the way he is with Eve, even knowing why he is that way because that's a pathetic excuse. I have this full internal monologue of what I would say to him of I ever had the chance to- it's not pretty but it's really explanatory.
Eff me, how the hell did I forget to mention that we saw a glimpse of Roarke's childhood? It was amazing and I hope we get even more in the subsequent books. We get a lot of him in this one and the previous one but I want all of the journey of how he became what he is- I am greedy. Also it should be duly noted that Peabody is my favorite character and I hope she and McNab become a couple, like enemies to lovers kinda thing. *Sigh*...more
First, I would like to clear something that I think has been treated too harshly by many people, but it's my opinion and in the end, you hold your ownFirst, I would like to clear something that I think has been treated too harshly by many people, but it's my opinion and in the end, you hold your own. I'm not asking anyone to accept it, I'm just stating my opinion in my review.
Okay, really- this wasn't as bad as I expected based on the reviews. I mean everyone was like she was a Bitch Cop in the end and shouldn't have done what she did, but I don't think she had a choice. It's my opinion, not everyone agrees with it, and they don't have to. She didn't want to do it, it was crystal clear- but was it needed of her? I would say yes. She could've been a little mellower, I agree but we also need to see that she was already emotionally done for because of the similarities in their pasts and just wanted to get the case closed, so that she could go back to ignoring the dark details of her past. Is it so wrong to wish that? It was also clear that he was set up but you cannot claim something when you don't have proof to substantiate it in court or to whoever the hell you need to. And she was realizing her mistake, not being a narcissist about it. On the contrary, I didn't like her in the previous book because she was being willfully ignorant in that one and that's why I paused after that book and read this after a while.
And Roarke….sigh...….what can I do to have a husband like that, if I ever marry? Beg? I'll do that, but nothing more since that's like the greatest hit my self-respect will take. He's one of those few male characters who can ask me to jump whenever and granted, I won't jump but I'll consider it for like two seconds before denying instead of my knee-jerk to just punch the pretty face.
Just for the record- the image of Roarke dancing naked and chanting in my mind? Never getting out of my mind lmao.
"But you don’t have, like, a secret room where you dance around naked and chant?” He tucked his tongue in his cheek. “I did, but I turned it into a den. More versatile."
And by now you should know better than to expect me to write a detailed review of something that has been out since ancient ages and probably has many amazing, poetic reviews about it....more
This one was good. It had more humor but there were two or three loopholes (kind of) in the story. I was tempted to give this one 5 but they preventedThis one was good. It had more humor but there were two or three loopholes (kind of) in the story. I was tempted to give this one 5 but they prevented me from doing that. Also there wasn't as much closure as there should have been about the case.
I am totally in love with Roarke. That man has the patience of a saint. I'm sure I would need one like him. Too bad they are only found in books. Oh well. Another character I liked in this one was Peabody, I hope she becomes a permanent side character :')
And I appreciated that Eve was made to face her demons in this one. I wish now we can get to Roarke too. We got to know a little about him but I am nothing if greedy. And that uptight prick Summerset is starting to get in my good graces even though I have no idea why the hell he treats Eve the way he does....more
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