FIND YOU IN PARIS (Darcy Bros No. 1). War of the Attar of Roses aka The Parfumers Feud
This is the definition of a fun and sexy read based around a french eatery 'La Boheme' and the people who work there, eat there and their friends and family.
Sebastian Darcy, along with his two younger brothers have inherited their late father's various assets, and in Sebastian's case Parfums d'Arcy, a billion dollar business. His business acuman is sharp, and those people who's businesses he wants to get involved in either go with him or get out of the way, or, go under.
Diane Petit's father learned the hard way. He was a well regarded parfumer, a true artisan who created the signature fragrances that he sold, and also created for others. Spurning Sebastians's business offer, things go bad for her father who then suffers a stroke. He blames Sebastian, and Diane, not knowing the full story, goes out of her way to embarrass the oldest Darcy brother.
She must get in line, however, as it transpires that someone else is out to bring down the Darcy name. Sebastian has a plan, and he needs Diane to make it work. The characters created by Alix are well developed and fun to read about. I have only just started reading her books, and it is great to revisit names already known to me, although it is not necessary to have read previous books. It is sad to see the effect that one person with a greviance that is possibly mis-guided, can wreak on a family. Well I didn't see it coming anyway.
I loved Diane and Sebastian, as well as their friends and acquaintances at La Boheme and recommend it as a great read.
RAPHAEL’S FLING (Darcy Bros No 2). Can a recidivist playboy finally find love?
This is the second book in the Darcy Brothers series, and continues to build on the people and friends of the La Boheme eatery books.
Mia Stoll is assistant to the daily bulletin editor at D’Arcy Consulting and Audit. She’s made a couple of decent mistakes in her life, the least of them being involved in an affair that violates her own personal code of honour – sleeping with the boss. The BIG mistake, from five years ago in college, is her own personal secret, that if revealed, may result in the devastation of her parents’ love and support for her, along with her credibility as she prepares to complete her doctoral program and defend her thesis, which is about the history of Prostitution in Medieval Paris.
The middle D’Arcy brother is CEO Raphael D’Arcy, and it is he, the boss’s boss’s boss with whom Mia is having a fling. Even though they are keeping things casual and on the down-low, Mia knows that Raphael is a recidivist playboy, knows it is going no-where and is trying to create some space between them, something that Raphael is not yet ready for, even though the time they’ve spent together has outlasted any of his previous liaisons to date.
With a mother as a church Pastor, and a father who adamantly respects the calling his wife has chosen, and both of whom still believe that Mia and her sister Eva, lead pure lives, Mia is aware of her parents disappointment should they find out about her sexual history and, thus it is only Eva who is aware of Raphael’s involvement in Mia’s life.
Adding to her stress is contact in the form of some very vague letters from someone who seems like they are leading up to blackmail, and she thinks her five year old secret is the reason why. When the perpetrator finally reveals himself, her worst fears are realised, and his demands are despicable.
There is only one option left for her – to run.
Raphael’s Fling is a hot and fun book with a side of intrigue, and will also appeal to those readers who have love Alix’s other books surrounding La Boheme. There is also an element of second chances. I am also going back to read past books to find out the back stories of some of the other characters, and absolutely adore the loyalty they all share among them. 4.5 Stars
THE PERFECT CATCH (Darcy Bros No 3). Sweet and spicy romance from the third D’Arcy brother.
Noah Masson, the third and youngest of the Darcy brothers, has inherited his share of their late father's trust and various assets. In Noah’s case, the Chateau D’Arcy is his, a place he hasn’t visited since his mother left his father, taking him and leaving behind Noah’s two older brothers. He’s chosen to let it go to rack and ruin, rather than acknowledge the betrayal of his father and brothers, or his family’s legacy.
Unfortunately for him, the view from his ‘Maman’ was biased and untruthful, as she saw fit to punish and alienate her husband and her older son’s who stayed with him. Her outright lies have turned Noah against his brothers, and even when Sebastian’s wife, Diane (Find You In Paris) reaches out to him, he remains distant.
Sophie Bander, originally from Key West, is spending 6 months in France with her mother, while doing an internship at a local real estate agency. She’s taking a break from her extremely over-protective father to start her career in real estate on her own terms and not under the umbrella of her father’s business. When she goes back, she’ll marry the man of her father’s choice to build up the Key West real estate business, because she’s not interested, and doesn’t believe in exciting sex or love. He’s also started her property portfolio off for her in purchasing an already leased out building and now she’s Noah’s new landlady.
Knowing him only as Noah Masson, an elite Water Polo player whose team is gunning for a world title, and, who delivers pizza’s to earn some cash, they begin to spend time together, and the growing chemistry between them is palpable. Noah asks for her knowledge in giving him advice to help his ‘friend’ sell the Chateau D’Arcy family mansion because the ‘friend’ needs the money, where instead she fall in love with it, advising his ‘friend’ to keep it in the family at all costs.
Love isn’t as easy thing to pull off when one person hides their family background, and the respective overbearing and controlling parents get involved when their original plans appear to get derailed.
As always, Alix has beautifully written a relatively quick light-hearted, and sweet story that also includes updates on Sebastian and Raphael’s lives and their respective ladies. The banter between the main and secondary characters is funny and real, and I can honestly say that I love all of her books and have never been disappointed. I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book. 4.5 Stars.