Wow! This is the first book I've read by this author. I didn't really have any expectations, had read no reviews from previous books. I'm glad I hadn't done those things because being emotionally flattened like that was such a shock, I wondered where this author had been hiding! Then upon checking I see that he, yes HE, is fairly new. So I don't have much to binge read. What a shame.
Ok, so this book. Wow, ok. I'm not someone who gives a summary, or cliff's notes, or whatever. Read it! I will tell you that for the positive: i cried my eyes out for half of the book. My tissue box is noticeably less full. Incredibly touching, the miscommunication, the lies and deceit perpetrated by a jealous monster, and the ultimate happily ever after that felt so impossible to attain. Beautifully done. The negative: I would have loved to see more of the romance that made what they had between them more notable than what she had with her customers, rather than having it alluded to. I certainly wouldn't have minded more length to the book in order to accomplish such a thing. Maybe even add an epilogue at the end so we can see them in some future time, still together and happy?
But those "negatives" are truly grasping at straws because quite honestly this book had me in its grasp from the moment I started reading it until I finally finished and had closure. Never has a character had my hate more since Fernand Mondego. Maybe she wasn't that bad, but she was pretty darn close. Whew! That was a great villain! I look forward to reading more of your work, sir. And I'll be looking for your next ARC. And to those of you hesitating over a new author, this one is well worth the risk!
I received a free copy as an ARC, and am voluntarily leaving this review. #hiddengems