Tizi’s Book Review

To resist, to be strong, to be what exactly?

Synopsis

She thought she was securing her future.
He’s turning the page on her past.
To save her legacy, she’ll say ‘I do.’ To expose the truth, so will he.

Cora
Inheriting my late father’s publishing empire is all I’ve ever wanted, except there’s a catch—marry a husband within the year to secure my claim.

Enter Sterling Montgomery—a charming new employee offering the perfect solution: a marriage of convenience. But the more time I spend with him, the harder it is to remember this isn’t real.

Can I secure my future without losing my heart?

Sterling
Blackwell Publishing is my target. Vengeance for my mother, served ice-cold. One fake marriage proposal later, I’m in. But with every touch my plan unravels.

Cora is my temptation, my impossible choice—gorgeous with fierce mind and intoxicating vulnerability. I came to burn her world to the ground. Instead, I’m the one in flames.

But when the smoke clears, will anything be left?

My review

Cora has been trained to take over her father’s publishing empire. Now the time has come, and Cora hasn’t ever more than ready. However, what she didn’t count on, is that her father put a stipulation in his will. So now Cora must figure out how to find a husband in just a few months, or lose what is her right. Under slight pressure, she decides to join her best friends to a night out, in Protocol. Even if she isn’t in the right mood to participate what Protocol is known for, to please her friends, she just goes. There she meets Sterling, the Dungeon Master of the night. And despite her initial thoughts, something just ignites. But what Cora doesn’t know, is that Sterling just secured a job at Blackwell Publishing, part of his mission to avenge what happened to his mother. He wants to bring down the people that hurt his mother. When he realizes that the woman he just met, is the daughter of the man he despises the most, can he go on with his plan? And one fake proposal later, does he still want to burn the place down, even if it’s him in flames for the woman who won’t let him in?

The Protocol Series is a special kind of series. You are into it, or you are not. It can be that it’s not your cup of tea, and that’s okay. For me, it was clear from the first book that I was in for it, even if some things weren’t my thing. But not completely liking every little bit in a book doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy the bigger picture and the journey the characters are going through.

Luckily for me, there wasn’t one bit I didn’t like in this book. On the contrary, I loved every bit of it! Well, whenever it concerned the sparks between Cora and Sterling, and their journey. Because the story of Cora’s father and Sterling’s mother made my blood boil…

What I absolutely liked, was the power and strength that emanates from Cora. Not only is she a strong woman careerwise. She knows that she wants to run Blackwell Publishing, and she knows how she wants to run it. Even if the stipulation in her father’s will may jeopardize her plans, she isn’t someone that gives up easily.

Yet we also see a vulnerability in Cora. Because losing her father, her hero, hit harder than she would have thought. And beside this strong woman, we see a young woman mourning, trying to find her strength back.

I was happy for her that she has a few friends. Her friends may not count a lot in number, but even in friendship it is a fact that quality matters over quantity. And her friends may be different in character, yet there is a bond that nothing can break. Only the best kind of friends can bring you out of the dark with some gently and not so gently persuading.

Despite Protocol being what is it, even for me, the rather not so experimental kind of girl, Protocol feels like a safe haven. No matter what you are into, or what you aren’t into, Protocol is the place that accepts you, doesn’t judge you for who you are.

The place is exactly what Cora needs right now, even if she doesn’t want to participate, and she just want to ‘be’.

It’s often that when there are very strong main characters, when the ‘action’ takes place, they are more submissive, wanting to let go of the control. And that is what I loved about Cora, because who she is on the outside, is who she also is on the inside. She never gives control out of hand, she needs to be in control all the time. She is the domme in this book, and I was curious, eager even, to read who would be able to satisfy Cora.

Sterling initially didn’t seem to me to be the right man. But that is all my fault, as I am not so known in this specific world, and it seemed strange to me that a Dungeon Master like Sterling could be the sub that Cora is seeking.

But Sterling is not just a normal sub. It felt to me that he takes the role that is needed. He feels what is needed and he adapts to it. He is the kind of person that gives.

However at the same time, he is also very protective… He wants to avenge his mother, who has been hurt in the past and is still carrying that burden.

I could understand his mission, and I admired him for it. But when he meets Cora, we see a change in him. He still wants to pursue his plans, but Cora makes him question it. Because he knows that going for revenge, will be hurting Cora in the end.

It was easy to devour this book, and that is not only because of the spice. But because we see how two characters find each other, while they shouldn’t. We see a Cora forced to going along with a fake proposal, to gain what should be rightfully hers. But we also see a Cora that has closed off her heart for too long, and slowly is letting Sterling in. We see how sometimes no matter how short of a time you know someone, how they can impact your life, and that no matter how scary it can be in such a short time, that person may be what you need.

We see also a Cora devastated learning some truths. But also a Cora wanting to do the right thing. While by her side is a loyal Sterling, with struggles and dilemmas of his own.

This book captures reality perfectly, at least that is what I think about it. Because it’s not easy to open up your heart to someone new. It’s difficult to let someone in when you have to be this strong, independent person. But the right person can come and will not only be able to bring down those high walls, but will also be able to bring joy in your life. And even succeed in things that you normally achieve only on your own by showing patience and determination to get the wished outcome (wink – wink 😊) .

Las had extremely high, almost impossibly expectations to reach. But once again she achieved them so easily! And for that, she has my unconditional love and appreciation, as she is able to write sexy stories, strong characters, journeys that touch you and yes, even teach me a few things 😊.

When love comes differently…

Synopsis

What do you get when you cross a curvy seamstress with three hot hockey players? A pucking disaster.

My escape plan seemed foolproof – retreat to my brother’s empty apartment after catching my ex with another man. But I stumble into an unexpected complication: his hockey player roommates…and I’m stark naked.

Despite my mortifying entrance, and against my better judgment, they’re willing to let me stay but with a few rules:

1. No funny business.

2. No telling the team captain – aka my brother – Harrison.

3. It’s temporary until I can find somewhere else to live.

At first, the boundaries hold. But simmering tension and close quarters makes resisting temptation harder with each passing day. The simmering tension threatens to combust, blurring the lines we swore not to cross.

But how can we go back after crossing that line? And what happens when my brother inevitably finds out?My Brother’s Teammates is a laugh out loud why choose sports romance. Remember sharing is caring.

My review

Charlotte never expected when arriving home to find her boyfriend in a compromising situation with another man. And thus she finds herself single, homeless and also without a job… Not wanting to admit to her family that she is once again a failure, she decides to stay at her brother’s apartment, which is empty at the moment as his teammates are out for a game. Or at least she thought she would be alone for a few days… and Charlie for sure didn’t think that Jace, Roman and Mateo would be coming home while she was on her own, without any clothes on.  Some reluctantly, some more happier, agree to let Charlie stay with them, on the condition that there will be no funny business, and that Harrison may never find out that his little sister is staying with his teammates. Teammates with bodies to swoon over and also a reputation… So how long will everyone resist temptation? And what with long kept hidden feelings?

From the very start, there was something about Charlotte that made me not only like her, but made me feel a connection with her.

Of course her story doesn’t start all that great… finding your boyfriend getting ‘busy’ with someone else must be terrible, but to discover it to be with another man, I cannot even imagine how betrayed Charlotte must be feeling. And it’s not only that, reading how she has always been there for him, while he took her for granted, and reading how easily he just dismisses her and is being just unrespectful, made my blood boil. Relationships ends, feelings of love may disappear, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a mean person…

I could perfectly comprehend why Charlotte doesn’t confide with her family after everything that has happened. Nobody wants to admit failure. And while her feelings of being a failure are totally wrong, I could understand why she feels that way. And it makes perfect sense of wanting to have a place to lick her wounds, on her own. And her brother’s apartment being empty for a few days, it is the perfect solution!

Obviously her plan has some faults, and obviously I found it hilarious! It may be mean of me, but come on, how can you not laugh when the main character is naked and the brother’s teammates come home earlier than expected!

Being the youngest sibling myself, and having an older brother too, I know how frustrating it can be with an overprotective brother. So not only Charlotte’s but also Jace’s frustrations for sure were something I recognized.

Now, I have to say, I don’t know if feeling attracted to three men, three different men too, is something that I can relate with. But I could see the and understand the attraction. And if all parties are on the same level, and have an understanding, who am I to judge their choices? But I found it a bit risky to keep it all a secret, or at least keeping it a secret that Charlotte is staying with Jace, Roman and Mateo. Because we all know, that when it all comes out (and we all know that it *will* come out), hell will break loose…

While reading this story, I found myself being very open and accepting Charlotte’s story. Just because something isn’t my cup of tea, doesn’t mean that I am in my right to express my opinion and to just judge people’s actions.

It needs to be said, that there are plenty of steamy moments in this book. But there is also plenty of room for real feelings. It’s not about an itch that needs to be getting rid of. But it’s about deeper feelings, feelings that have been there for a while, or feelings that are just rising and need to be understood.

Yes, this is a steamy romance, but this is also a story with so much growth in it. Because we see Charlotte finding the courage to pursue her dreams, we see Jace finally admitting his real feelings. And we see Mateo and Roman seeing a shift in their friendship. All the while trying to understand how the connection between the four of them could possibly work.

I was a bit afraid that the focus would be on the ‘carnal’ aspects of the relationship, so I was happy that both authors took time to create realistic characters, characters that grow and grow on you. Each character has personal struggles, yet with being a unity, each is able to overcome those struggles. And that is thanks to the strength of each persona, because only all together they find this perfect balance.

This may be an unconventional love story. But who ever decided the rules of a conventional love story? If unconventional brings happiness and love, who are we to disagree? Not all love stories are the same, but does it truly matter how a relationship looks like, when what matters is to love and be loved?

When it starts with a bang…

Synopsis

In the frozen heart of Cedar Rapids, hockey hotshot August Kade collides with more than just his on-ice rivals when a fender bender sparks unexpected fire with Rowan Armistead – the whip-smart ex of his fiercest competitor.

As Christmas lights twinkle and tensions rise, the polar opposites find themselves skating on thinning ice.

Can the jock and the introspective beauty conquer their societal divides and the ghosts of relationships past? Or will their smoldering romance shatter under the weight of old wounds before the last hockey-day puck drops?

“Home for the Hockey-Days” is a sizzling novella about the improbable across-the-tracks romance that proves sometimes the greatest gifts come wrapped in unlikely packages.

My review

August Kade lives for ice hockey. But being part of hockey team Cedar Rapids Raccoons also means that he needs to be on top of his grades. And that is not that easy, as his grades are dropping. To keep his dream of playing the games, he has no other option to have a tutor. Luckily he can count on his teammates/friends to pass him the number of a tutor. Yet he is shocked to learn that Rowan Armistead is not only the young woman who crashed his car, but she is also the his biggest rival’s girlfriend. Or at least he thinks so… But needs must and August cannot afford to lose more points or his spot in the team. With Rowan tutoring him, attraction starts to grow. However, with August’s background, can they find a way to each other, or are their differences too great to overcome?

You know what I truly hate about novellas? It’s that they are too short! Especially with this author, I am so invested in each character, and I am just not ready to say goodbye yet! And I just want *MORE*!

With this novella, though I had an extra challenge… As I am a loyal reader, I have read all the Cedar Rapids Raccoons books already. And with this book being more of an anthology, I had to have somehow some amnesia, and forget what I already know about some characters.

Yet I was quick to open up my heart to August and Rowan. They are both delightful, yet also vulnerable at the same time.

August for sure deserves more in life. Yes, he may be the captain of the Cedar Rapids Raccoons, but he is struggling on so many levels. Not only are his grades not what they are supposed to be, but also his financial status isn’t helping. And with a brother in trouble, August finds it hard to not only confide with someone, but he also finds it difficult to accept help.

And while in one way, I wanted to bang his head, wanting him to stop to be so stubborn, I could also understand him. When someone believes that accepting help is a sign of weakness, it’s difficult to get out of that mindset, especially when there are teammates without any of his worries.

But his teammates, and especially the De La Pena’s wouldn’t be the mates they are, if they wouldn’t help out a friend in need…

August getting a tutor wouldn’t be half as funny if his tutor would be just a random person, without a link somehow to August. Not only is Rowan linked through the De La Pane’s, being friends with Athena, but she has also a link with August’s enemy. On top of it all, she is also the person crashing into his car (which already has had its best time…)

Rowan is a great young woman, she is the kind of person that I could easily be friends with in real life. She had her own share of bad luck, but she had her head straight on her shoulders, knows what she wants and how to achieve it.

Yet even if she is a kind person, she doesn’t accept crappy behaviour for anyone. She isn’t afraid to call out bad behaviour, and that for sure is admirable! She is a woman with balls, even if it took her a journey to be this fierce woman.

August and Rowan together make the sparks fly around? Whether their encounter is cheer luck, or when they have planned their meeting, there is something going to happen all right…

But this novella, while of course it has some great spice in it, isn’t only about physical attraction. Because I felt it like it was more a journey to acceptance and believing that you are more than enough. Who you are isn’t defined by the lemons life throws you, but it’s about who you are on the inside. And the right person doesn’t look at that bank account, or background, but sees you for who you are, and if you are a good person, that is more than enough.

Lasairiona wrote a great story, about growth and acceptance (and yes, great spice too). She only angered me a little bit as I was so completely into this couple yet they just had to do with a novella, while they for sure could have a complete novel of their own. Even I think that even a complete book would still leave me hungry for more! 😊

When even a real princess doesn’t believe in Prince Charming anymore…

Synopsis

A former princess, the billionaire next door and a scandal in Paris… Read all about the blossoming romance that has the media buzzing in Rachael Stewart’s latest Harlequin Romance!

ROYAL MEET-CUTE ON HER DOORSTEP!

While navigating a high-profile divorce, ex-princess Cassie is lying low at a friend’s Paris apartment. She doesn’t expect to become intimately acquainted with new neighbor Hugo, who’s locked out—and naked! Despite their…unusual encounter, Cassie and the billionaire form an unlikely connection, both struggling under the weight of predetermined destinies. When a leaked photo creates a media frenzy, Hugo suggests faking a captivating romance, giving Cassie the cover to rebuild her life. But what started as a charade only draws them closer, blurring the lines between fact and fiction…

From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.

My review

Cassie used to be a loved princess by everyone. Too bad that her husband didn’t feel the same way and thought that he didn’t need to be faithful. Now that they are divorced, her ex’s royal family are doing everything they can to put Cassie in a bad light, trying to put the blame of the end of marriage on her. With the paparazzi lurking around each corner, Cassie is lucky to be having still a few good friends. And one of those friends is letting her stay in his Paris’ apartment. With his apartment being a separate floor from the hotel, Cassie does not need to worry about curious eyes. But the last thing she expects, is to lay her own eyes on her neighbour, Hugo. Especially as their first encounter is when he is naked… When Hugo learns that Cassie is keeping herself hidden and hasn’t ever explored Paris, he makes it his mission to show Cassie what she has been missing. But when one day, a picture of them is made public, a new plan is being formed: they will pretend to be dating, as that will give them the perfect cover. Because the ex – princess and the billionaire, that for sure rings good, right? But the more they are pretending on the outside, could it be that they may be not so much pretending on the inside?

What young girl hasn’t ever dreamed of becoming a real princess? Yet with growing up, dreams change, and we all know that being a princess isn’t exactly a Disney fairytale… And even princesses see their marriages end.

Unfortunately, Cassie’s end of the marriage doesn’t mean her regaining her freedom. It angered me reading that not only her ex – family is doing whatever they can to make her look like the bad part, but also Cassie isn’t having any kind of support from her own family.

How cunning can families be? I can understand that parents want the best for their children. But there is a huge difference between wanting the best or just using your own child for social prestige. And then not supporting your child when they need you the most? I just cannot understand that…

With no support from her family and most people she thought of being friends, Cassie had my immediate sympathy. I was happy for her that even if she has lost a lot, she still has a few real friends, who truly are in her corner. A friend in need is indeed a friend indeed!

And that brings her to Paris. Having been to Paris several times myself, I can easily say that it’s a city that never bores, there are always new places to discover. So another moment of anger rose while reading. Because of that despicable ex – family, Cassie has no other option than staying hidden in her apartment. Journalists, paparazzi are chasing her and all that while Cassie just wants her freedom back, wants to discover a wonderful city, and she wants to do what she loves the most…

It would be so easy to portrait Hugo as a real Knight In Shining Armour, ready to sweep the princess of her feet, showing her that love is worth a chance. But I liked it that Hugo isn’t that. Because Hugo has his own demons to chase. And the last thing he needs, is looking after someone.

Of course their first encounter is a hilarious one, it couldn’t be any funnier than that! 😊 And what follows is an attempt to apologize, but also a way in. A way into getting to know each other, a way to also opening up themselves.

I found it truly sweet how Hugo suddenly finds himself wanting to show Cassie around, to show her that she doesn’t need to hide away. And he wants her to enjoy herself, he wants her to understand that she is more than good enough, that she didn’t do anything wrong.

Seeing them getting closer was just so heartwarming, as these are 2 people that have been through a lot. This isn’t just Hugo wanting to help Cassie, it’s also Cassie that wants Hugo to see that what happened in his past isn’t a testament to his character. Yet he is just a person that followed his heart, to only have to broken later on. And that isn’t on him…

I absolutely loved reading this book, even if for a while it only takes place in a limited place. But that doesn’t mean that is felt constricted at all, on the contrary. Seeing Cassie understand that she now is a liberated person, that she can do what she wants and what she pleases, was just amazing. We see slowly this “little” woman, this kitten, finding herself and rise to this great and strong person. And we see how letting go of the past, and letting love back in can liberate anyone. But it takes courage to do that, and that isn’t easy. But it’s all worth it. Because love is worth it.

Rachael Stewart once again showed us that love can be found in unexpected ways, with unexpected people. And with her amazing writing skills, she got me captured in this wonderful story from the first word until the very ‘the end’!

When you have a good neighbour…

Synopsis

From just neighbors…to a forever family? Dive into Rachael Stewart’s latest captivating romance!

FROM REBEL TO MR. RIGHT NEXT DOOR?

Everyone’s heard of Matteo De Luca: tycoon, soccer player and international thrill seeker. Until an injury sees him permanently benched—and bored! So bored that when his neighbor’s kid drives off another nanny, Matteo volunteers to step in, adding “manny” to his CV. After unexpectedly becoming her nephew’s guardian, it’s clear Porsha’s defenses are high. But as Matteo gets to know the woman beneath, a startlingly intense connection emerges… Could this be his biggest adventure yet?

From Harlequin Romance: Be swept away by glamorous and heartfelt love stories.

My review

Porsha is struggling with the changes in her life. She has always been focused on her career, but now that she is has become the guardian of her nephew, she finds it difficult to find the perfect balance. Especially as Fin has the great ability to chase all of the nannies away. So when an incident with a flying bra makes her neighbour knock on her door, Porsha doesn’t understand why Fin is ecstatic. Because her neighbour is (in)famous former football player Matteo DeLuca. Now that his sport career has ended, he has a reputation in the investment world, but he is also an adrenaline junkie. So Matteo shocks himself and Porsha when he offers his help and become Fin’s “manny”. But looking after Fin also means that Matteo gets to know Porsha better. And the more Porsha lowers her defences, the more the attraction is impossible to ignore. But Porsha isn’t the only one wanting to keep her heart closed for heartbreak, as Matteo himself doesn’t want to let love in…

Just every time that I think that this author cannot surprise me, she comes up with another story, doing exactly that. And this book wasn’t the exception!

It’s often that both in books and in real life, women have to make a choice: career over children, or children over career. And no matter how much we may say that women don’t have to make that choice, in reality it often is just that, women taking a step back once children enter the scene.

But for Porsha, the situation is very different. She has been working so hard on her career, so focused on being different from her own parents, following the rules. And she never expected to become the guardian of Fin, her nephew. So it’s normal that Porsha is struggling with finding the right balance. She loves Fin, let there be no doubt about it, but she finds it difficult to be a parent.

Not only that, but because of the fact that her own parents are rather free – spirited, and her beloved sister was also carefree, made Porsha the complete opposite, wary, overprotective and seeing danger everywhere.

But I have to say, my heart went out to Fin… He is only seven years old, but I cannot imagine how it feels to lose your mother, especially that young (to take in account that when the story takes places, Fin is already with Porsha for two years…)

However, Fin never loses his innocent enthusiasm, and reading his joy and happiness while being together with Matteo, just warmed my heart. Fin is an energetic boy, who truly deserves to be happy, just as any child deserves to be.

As a first encounter, the one between Porsha and Matteo for sure can count as one of the most original ones. Who would have ever imagined how a bra would be the culprit! Ten out of ten for originality for Rachael on this one! 😊

Matteo would be easy to be a cliché, a sportsman whose career ended, with lots of money, a certain reputation and now yes, lost.

But the moment he meets with Fin, we see this tender man coming out, a man that is doing what he can to put a smile on a little boy’s face. And seeing that soft side of Matteo, made me fall in love with him too!

And on a way more personal, Italian note, I just loved it how Rachael fitted some Italian in it. Yes, she isn’t the first one to do it, or will be the last one. But I have read how Italian was used in some English books, and how just the wrong words were used. And yes, no complete conversations were written down, but the right Italian word or even the right Italian saying used at the right time was for sure a nice addition!

In this book perhaps I expected more “action” (if you know what I mean 😉). But I was pleasantly surprised to read how this is yes a romance, but it’s more about having the right person to let those immense high walls down. And it’s not only Porsha who has to learn to let go, but also Matteo has to learn how to let in. And that is not easy, as those walls took a long time to be built, so it isn’t taken down so easily? Yet seeing that journey, taken together, was so heartwarming.

This book was so easy to devour. But that doesn’t mean it was an easy story. Because the main characters have so much depth, so much to overcome and so much to learn. But the fact that the story has so much heart, made it a wonderful book to read!

You cannot chose your family, can you?

Synopsis

Sometimes, it’s those closest to you who are hiding the most.

After the death of their artist father, Alex, Brenna and Cordelia Bellwood return to Slate House – the Victorian mansion in the Lake District where they grew up together. But the three siblings have very different memories of being there and of their relationship with their famous father.

For Alex, his passion for art was always overshadowed by his father’s fame. For Brenna, life was turned upside down when their mother left them, forcing her to grow up much too quickly. And Cordelia – once the beloved muse of her father – now questions her role after a shocking revelation that threatens the whole family.

Set against the beautiful backdrop of Grasmere, Family Portrait is a lyrical and poignant story showing that the things that tear us apart can also bring us together again.

My review

After losing their father, siblings Alex, Brenna and Cordelia Bellwood reunite at Slate House, their childhood home, to take care of what needs to be taken care of. In most cases, a loss would bring family closer together, but being the children of the famous artist that Nicholas Bellwood for sure didn’t make things easy for them. So there is Alex, who is an artist himself, but never managed to step out of the shadow of his father, even if he made the move to Greece. Brenna never was close to her father, and she feels that she had to grow up way to quickly after their mother left them. Cordelia is the youngest sibling, and she is the only one that has a close bond with their father. But when the will is read, there are revelations that will shake everyone’s world. Revelations that may tear the siblings even more apart than they already were, or is there a chance that in fact it will bring them all closer?

If you grew up in a happy family, it always makes you question what happened to a family to not be a happy one. Of course the explanations are limitless, as I could think of many reasons why a family doesn’t work. And in whatever book I read, it always saddens me to read how children are affected by the behaviour of the people that take care of them.

When I began reading this book, it’s so obvious that Nicholas Bellwood and his behaviour had and still has an effect on his children. Perhaps it even angered me a little bit, reading how different Nicholas was towards each of his children.

It truly broke my heart to see how distant the three siblings were from each other. You would think that such a distant father would bring the siblings together, yet it managed to tear them even more apart. Of course it’s not that they weren’t talking at all with each other, but for one reasons or another, their lives took them in complete different directions.

And perhaps it didn’t come to me, as a reader, as a complete shock to read about the secret that their father kept from them for years. It just fitted with the image of Nicholas I had in my mind. Yet it left me also a bit flabbergasted reading this completely other version of Nicholas. And I am not going deeper on this matter, otherwise I would be talking way too cryptic while attempting not giving away anything 😊.

Yet this isn’t a dark story. Yes, it shows us a complicated family, with complicated relationships. But no matter what, it’s clear that the three siblings love each other, no matter how scarred they are from the past and the present. And it was sweet to see that they take care  of each other, sometimes even with some tough love.

I absolutely loved reading how slowly the three siblings are growing closer to each other once again. They have lost each other time, but being together at Slate House gives them the chance to understand each other better again. And that warmed my heart, for real, because no matter what has happened, the love of siblings will always stand every test.

The focus is mainly on Brenna in this book, which I could perfectly understand. Of course the author had to make a choice, and because Brenna had the most complicated relationship with her father, it was also the most interesting storyline.

Brenna is truly on a journey in this book. Not only does she have to come to terms with losing her father, but she is also on a journey of finding herself again. And while on this journey, she has to be there for her siblings, each on their own journey.

I found myself devouring this book, wanting, no, needing to know more about this family that is trying to find each other again, but also finding themselves again after a childhood and upbringing that wasn’t easy.

Victoria Connelly once again managed to write a story that touched my heart, as it shows the difficulties of a family, but also the beauty of it, no matter what complications they may encounter!

Can it all be saved with so much at stake?

Synopsis

Ever since that traumatic night, Aurora hasn’t been herself.

Her indifference and recklessness have left her friends bewildered, watching the girl they love slip away. Suddenly favouring the company of the once despised Boulderfells, Aurora is better at resolving conflicts with her bullies, but at what cost? The Guidal prophecy is at jeopardy, and unless they can bring Aurora back to her former self, Seioh Boulderfell’s relentless pursuit of a Puracordis-free world will dominate, solidifying his power over everyone she loves. The unwavering Kalmayans are convinced of their rightful claim and will stop at nothing in their secret plans to overthrow.

Betrayal from a friend ill-prepares Aurora to thwart the Kalmayans’ advances. Something dark sweeps in, something that has been dormant for millennia. Faced with choosing between love, duty, and the balance of Puracordis, can Aurora rise to be the Guidal so desperately needed? Who can she trust? Which path should she choose? The wrong choice will end with her life and establish dystopia once and for all. Friends, bullies, and a touch of something magical, Aurora is lost in a world of light and shadow.

My review

Since that one night, Aurora isn’t herself any more, in more than just one way. That night literally and figuratively scarred her, making her friends worry if the Aurora they all love will ever return. Because of that night, Aurora went into self – protection modus, and hasn’t allowed to just feel anymore. Not only that, but she has also become reckless, at the risk of losing everything and jeopardizing everyone. However, also the Guidal – prophecy is in jeopardy, and a Puracordis – free world is more and more becoming reality. So will Aurora find the strength, the courage and the force together with her friends to find the balance of Puracordis and become the Guidal she is?

You may know that I am not a big fan of magical stories. Yet there is, at least in my mind, a difference between the magic of makes cakes appear from nothing or creating a whole dress for a ball and the magic in a dystopian world, where such powers are chased and ‘taken care off’…

Yet I was very curious to return to visit this dystopian world, and see what would happen next to Aurora, especially after how Book Number 2 ended.

My heart broke to read how the attack Aurora survived previously changed her. And I have to admit, I didn’t really like this new Aurora. Of course it makes complete sense that such an attack changes a person. But how Aurora behaves afterwards, is so out of character for her, she truly made it difficult for me to keep sympathizing with her…

Living in a dystopian world is not easy, especially in the world Aurora is living in. So many rules, so many laws to follow, without much freedom at all. Even the partner you will marry is chosen for you. 

And calling Aurora a rebel wouldn’t explain her complete character, but she is different from everyone else, and she has a strong mind of her own.

Yet also in this book, we see her rather young age. She is torn apart, not only between her love interests, but also between what the right thing to do is, or just be the young woman she is, following the rules, without having to pay for the consequences of her actions (and as a follower, there wouldn’t be any surprising actions of course…)

While Aurora’s world is falling apart, she can always count on the support of the people that love her, no matter how difficult she makes it for them. For me, that meant that no matter what world you are living in, no matter how out of character you may act, love will always be around, one way or another.

In this book, there is so much threat going on, and this time, from several sides. Not only is there Seioh Boulderfell’s mission to have a world where there is no Puracordis, but also the threat coming from unexpected corners, from the  Kalmayans, ready to take Aurora just out of the picture.

Through flashbacks, or rather Aurora’s ‘out of mind’ experiences, we get to understand how her dystopian world came to fruition. And I think that is an important aspect of the book too, because we read how one event can change the whole course of the world, and how it can change everything we knew.

In this book we see how young people are growing up very fast, while still learning more about themselves, their feelings while trying to understand the world they are living in. Meanwhile they have to literally fight to save themselves and those around them. Yet this isn’t a story where there are no consequences to be paid for actions. And prices need to be paid, in even terrible, devastating ways…

But even those terrible moments never managed to make me turn away from the book, because I just had the urgence to know what would happen next…