So here we are. I came back to book three after being critical of the first two books in this series and honestly with no certainty that I would return for this third installment. Yet, I am glad I did. One word comes to mind, resplendent. First, I read a good deal of series and I find that the third book is always the most difficult for the author. Things occur in the reverse here and I wonder if perhaps it’s the way that the author Ms. Lyons always intended. I am able to see the full arc of the characters that was missing from books one and two and that may be in part due to my lack of vision admittedly. I am here in this review to give credit where credit is due. This book, this tome; has earned a five star review for being transcendent in the genre. It is what I saw gleaming underneath in the first two books that is well above ground and shining in this piece. The author first solidifies the romance and that was key to me, I am here to root for the main characters you introduced me to, I want them to win. What shouts in this installment though is the nuance, the absolute sensuality that Catherine and Alex display. Here they are rounded, they have come full circle and they fight for their love. I didn’t hold back on how I felt about the character of Alex; in book two especially. Here she loses none of her quiet vulnerability, however it is sharpened with her finding her footing, taking up space, and having agency. I was scared with that hotel scene with the ex who shall remain nameless. For a minute I was close to chucking it, so close, and then there was the pivot I had yearned for. Alex finds her voice. I admit to the reality of a love triangle, miscommunication in relationships, how we can act against our own interests, and get in our way sometimes. I see all of that and it is handled deftly in this book. Ms. Lyons is steadfast here, and that sends her writing into the stratosphere. She stays with the characters, moves them apart while still keeping them together and she does that consistently until the end. The barefoot in the rain scene stands as one of the most romantic and moving I’ve read in a long time, here the characters arrive. The plot-line is driven, I was waiting for recompense from book one for both the father and husband and she delivers. Delivers in such a way that I disagreed with Catherine’s actions, wanted her to take that revenge against her father, get her pound of flesh, she earned it. Yet, her choice is so her, so real that I as the reader acquiesced. This is where the characters have come off the page and stand as real to the reader. In this book I grappled with the decisions; so layered and nuanced they trigger, force the reader to be an active participant. I am a fan of spice and would be remiss to not give Ms. Lyons her due here. She does not write with heavy spice, but elevated sensuality and it works well. Finally, as If the book didn’t already sing, Ms. Lyons introduces a beast of a new character in Elle and I have to say; I would be not mad at an Elle and Natalie spin off. A point of concession on my part: it is never fair to compare authors and while I stand behind my review of books one and two, I recognize that I didn’t need to make a comparison of Ms. Lyons to another author. While I did not immediately run to read this book, it now stands as one of my favorites for the year and I plan to follow Ms. Lyons as a result. When wiring is this rich, this meaningful it only strengthens the genre. Well done.
Kathy
JeanQueen