Three Stars
I adore Karen Rose. I binged her entire backlist in one summer a few years ago and have eagerly devoured each new release since… but sadly, this book just didn’t all the way hit the mark for me. At least half of my three star rating was the awful narration for the male main character. The narrator made him sound like a nasally teenage boy and he’s supposed to be a Clark Kent-like 36-year-old man.
Getting into the actual story, there wasn’t any romance. Like, none! A cardinal sin in my book and one I didn’t expect. After finishing the book and doing a little digging, I think this book is the beginning of a multi-book series following the same two leads. Okay, I can accept a slow burn across books, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between the characters. I am not saying a couple can’t grow together, especially when the romance is going to be dragged out, but there has to at least be a spark.
Also, Karen Rose writes multiple series at one time, so her next release is not the same couple. It’s an entirely different set of characters, which leaves me thinking this might not be the best format for her. Am I going to have to wait two years for a resolution? I know as a romance reader, I am often spoiled by prolific writers, but I hope my interest in the couple and the series doesn’t fade.
On the positive side, I did like the mystery, it wasn’t as scary or suspenseful as some of her more recent books, and I guessed the bad guy pretty early – but the story had some great twists and a fantastic group of supporting characters that saved the book for me.
Overall, I’ll give this series one more try because Karen Rose is the best – but if the narrator is the same, I’ll just read the ebook. Yeesh.
**I received a free copy of this book in order to provide an honest review**
Romance Reader 