Blood, money, and secrets
Freya, age 7, is brought to live with a new family by an imposing man whom she's told to call Father. Her formative years are recounted in a series of warm interactions with friendly, indulgent stepbrother Remi; cold encounters with fierce, verbally disparaging stepbrother Noah; and lukewarm engagements with her Father. A precocious cat Midnight, an entertaining member of this storyline, keeps her company while she's relatively isolated growing up at home, until boarding school takes her away as she comes of age. This story follows a family of underground dealings and secrets, some of which involve the family themselves and Freya's infatuation with Remi and Noah.
I couldn't put this book down. An original storyline covering Freya's growing up and her feelings for and awakening to her stepbrothers, living in blood and money dealings and secrecy of their pasts. Freya was mild but curious displaying bursts of confidence and the occasional, forgivable recklessness that made the story that much more intriguing. Very close to Remi, she was also fascinated by Noah. Remi and Noah, identical twins, hot, and four years her senior but as different in personality as light and darkness. Remi lighthearted and affectionate; Noah, broody, controlled, forbidding. Excellent character development and told from multiple points of view, every character came across authentically, adding depth to the story. The setting was also very visual -- the mansion, the pool, mafia meet ups, the carnival -- I could experience the story, a participant in the events.
The pace was moderate (my preferred), excellent progression with a balance of prose and dialogue, visual clues. I felt as if I were watching a romantic suspense. Additionally, the spice level was high, burning with a combination of forbidden and deliciously dirty from near early in the story (and it fits) until its conclusion. A favorite book, for sure, and a captivating story of the underground, forbidden secrets, steam, and delightful twists.