What do you think?
Rate this book
Australian at Heart #1
Little Blue Box
Regrets, lies, and earth-shattering secrets. When Ella learns the identity of her biological father, nothing will stand in her way. Not even his power. When things don’t go to plan, can one little blue box put Ella and Zane back on the same path? This second-chance contemporary romance is filled with suspense, emotion and a life-changing sizzling romance.
There’s one thing missing in Ella Harvey’s life—her biological father. All she has is a few clues in a little box and a mother not willing to share anything. Add in her impatience and stubbornness and Ella decides to go about finding him herself.
Then there’s Zane. He’s used to barrelling his way through life without too much stress. He has a great family, a new career path and a beloved Ducati motorcycle.
When tasked with searching for Ella’s father, Zane discovers a secret that threatens to unravel their lives.
The attraction between Zane and Ella is flaring up quickly, but all will go up in flames if Zane doesn’t tell Ella what he knows.
Ella finds out the hard way that searching for the truth doesn’t always go to plan. She’ll bundle up Zane’s heart, wrap it up tight and hand it back to him. Problem solved and no one gets hurt.
But Zane won’t give Ella up. To keep the gorgeous Ella by his side, he had to find her father. To keep the woman he’s now fallen in love with, he’ll have to save her mother.
Will the unexpected twist that comes their way be enough for the head-strong Ella and Ducati-loving Zane to find their way back onto the same path?
There’s one thing missing in Ella Harvey’s life—her biological father. All she has is a few clues in a little box and a mother not willing to share anything. Add in her impatience and stubbornness and Ella decides to go about finding him herself.
Then there’s Zane. He’s used to barrelling his way through life without too much stress. He has a great family, a new career path and a beloved Ducati motorcycle.
When tasked with searching for Ella’s father, Zane discovers a secret that threatens to unravel their lives.
The attraction between Zane and Ella is flaring up quickly, but all will go up in flames if Zane doesn’t tell Ella what he knows.
Ella finds out the hard way that searching for the truth doesn’t always go to plan. She’ll bundle up Zane’s heart, wrap it up tight and hand it back to him. Problem solved and no one gets hurt.
But Zane won’t give Ella up. To keep the gorgeous Ella by his side, he had to find her father. To keep the woman he’s now fallen in love with, he’ll have to save her mother.
Will the unexpected twist that comes their way be enough for the head-strong Ella and Ducati-loving Zane to find their way back onto the same path?
268 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2021
109 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Frances Dall'Alba
39 books31 followersAs a contemporary romance author, Frances loves nothing more than losing herself in a good romance. She's all about helping you forget the housework, or the bus to work you're going to miss, if you don't put the book down now!
She's devoted to giving her readers an emotional, passionate, possibly some ugly-cry, fairly steamy love story, that'll melt your heart and have you fighting for the happy ending right until the end.
Frances sets her books in North Queensland. She makes no excuses if some of her settings include amazing lakes and waterfalls, stunning views from tops of mountains, spectacular outback scenes, or crystal-clear creeks shadowed by tropical rainforest.
When she isn't writing, Frances is climbing mountains, searching for waterfalls and swimming across lakes. She loves to exercise, would prefer it if someone else cooked dinner every night, and never notices dust on the furniture.
She lives with her husband in tropical Far North Queensland, Australia, and uses her great baking skills to tempt her three daughters to visit home as often as they can.
You can find Frances at: https://francesdallalba.wixsite.com/f...
She's devoted to giving her readers an emotional, passionate, possibly some ugly-cry, fairly steamy love story, that'll melt your heart and have you fighting for the happy ending right until the end.
Frances sets her books in North Queensland. She makes no excuses if some of her settings include amazing lakes and waterfalls, stunning views from tops of mountains, spectacular outback scenes, or crystal-clear creeks shadowed by tropical rainforest.
When she isn't writing, Frances is climbing mountains, searching for waterfalls and swimming across lakes. She loves to exercise, would prefer it if someone else cooked dinner every night, and never notices dust on the furniture.
She lives with her husband in tropical Far North Queensland, Australia, and uses her great baking skills to tempt her three daughters to visit home as often as they can.
You can find Frances at: https://francesdallalba.wixsite.com/f...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 16, 2022
Quote
"As a civil engineer, Ella fell in love with bridges more often than men"
but when she met Zane, the structure of steel concrete crumbled like dust. Ok, yes, Zane and Ella had their hairy moments, and we do get to hear quite a bit about their family issues which ties these two together, but how? Ella employed Zane as a private investigator, but both get a shock when they discover something they both weren't expecting. So what's in the blue box? A clue that leads them to the truth.
I want to thank the author Frances Dall'Alba for the most heart rendering, intriguing story that was just so facinating! Romance runs high in this book as Zane and Ella fall in love big time, but at what cost?
I'm definitely giving this story 5 stars and highly recommend
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
.
Genre - Contemporary Romance/Mystery
Little Blue Box - Frances Dall'Alba
Pauline Reid
Reviewer
New Zealand
"As a civil engineer, Ella fell in love with bridges more often than men"
but when she met Zane, the structure of steel concrete crumbled like dust. Ok, yes, Zane and Ella had their hairy moments, and we do get to hear quite a bit about their family issues which ties these two together, but how? Ella employed Zane as a private investigator, but both get a shock when they discover something they both weren't expecting. So what's in the blue box? A clue that leads them to the truth.
I want to thank the author Frances Dall'Alba for the most heart rendering, intriguing story that was just so facinating! Romance runs high in this book as Zane and Ella fall in love big time, but at what cost?
I'm definitely giving this story 5 stars and highly recommend
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
.
Genre - Contemporary Romance/Mystery
Little Blue Box - Frances Dall'Alba
Pauline Reid
Reviewer
New Zealand
January 2, 2022
What a great read! I kept wanting to go to the back page to see the ending, as I couldn't wait for it.
Looking forward to the next books. Well done Frances.
Looking forward to the next books. Well done Frances.
September 15, 2022
Hi,
So I just read little blue box in 3 hours ….. omg I couldn’t put it down. The twists of the story in each chapter had me reeling. Each page had me feeling like I was right there with Ella, I felt everything that she was experiencing throughout the book. I cannot wait to read the stone in the road 🥰🥰.
So I just read little blue box in 3 hours ….. omg I couldn’t put it down. The twists of the story in each chapter had me reeling. Each page had me feeling like I was right there with Ella, I felt everything that she was experiencing throughout the book. I cannot wait to read the stone in the road 🥰🥰.
November 29, 2021
The plot of this novel is one that most people are familiar with, especially in this era of DNA testing as biological family members seek one another out. But what if there is a good reason for not knowing the truth? Without being told, Ella knows that there is a mystery surrounding her biological father, as there are too many gaps in the explanation given by her mother. However, unraveling the past may not be as simple as Ella had hoped. Tasking Zane with the job of finding her father puts him in a situation that he could not have foreseen and leaves him with a dilemma. With a mystery to be solved, an ugly truth emerges, heaping guilt and remorse on Zane and Emma's heads. The plot is fast-paced and suspenseful, especially when the facts come to light. The attraction between Zane and Emma grows quickly, but like a fire fuelled by straw, it looks as if it will die out just as quickly if some fast action is not taken. I found myself drawn into the plot right from the start and as the mystery built so too did my interest. The novel is well written and intriguing and despite some of the less savory aspects, it did come to a good conclusion. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
December 24, 2021
Ella Harvey is a civil Engineer in Australia. She has a wonderful family but has this sense of loss when she thinks about her biological father. Her mother always repeats the same story and completely clams up. One day she decides to go to a private investigator to discover who her father is.
Zane Peden is a private investigator. Zane also has a wonderful family. But both families have their secrets and those secrets are somehow tied together. Both Ella and Zane are attracted to one another right away. The story and their lives unravel to reveal all the secrets and what skeletons are hiding in the family closets. They fall in love with each other along the way.
I have to say that there were a few surprises that I did not see coming, I won’t type what they were because that is what made the book good and it would be a spoiler. I related to the family drama and even tried to figure out who people in your family are and how it relates to yourself. I am sure there are a lot of people who could relate to this book in several ways, good and bad. I thought it was going to be another run of the mill romance novel but it had some suspense in there that made it more interesting.
I got this book for free to review from ebook discovery in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
Zane Peden is a private investigator. Zane also has a wonderful family. But both families have their secrets and those secrets are somehow tied together. Both Ella and Zane are attracted to one another right away. The story and their lives unravel to reveal all the secrets and what skeletons are hiding in the family closets. They fall in love with each other along the way.
I have to say that there were a few surprises that I did not see coming, I won’t type what they were because that is what made the book good and it would be a spoiler. I related to the family drama and even tried to figure out who people in your family are and how it relates to yourself. I am sure there are a lot of people who could relate to this book in several ways, good and bad. I thought it was going to be another run of the mill romance novel but it had some suspense in there that made it more interesting.
I got this book for free to review from ebook discovery in exchange for an honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
October 16, 2022
Ella Harvey has a good life, a good job and a loving family. The only thing missing is who is her biological father. Every time she ask her mother about him, it upsets her. So Ella decides to get a PI to look for him. What could go wrong? Zane Peden is hired for the job but he’s in a pickle. He see her little blue box and looks at the contents and see a picture of Ella‘a mother and her friend, Zane’s mother. He’s in shock. How is their lives entwined? He decides to do this personally because it has everything to do with his mother, Ella and her mother. So many secrets and why? The more time he spends with Ella the more they enjoy their time together. Chemistry and feelings are added into the mix. Will he find out why their mothers lied? Will he find he father? What feeling will she get when she meets him? So many secret can’t turn out good, could it? What about their relationship? I loved this book and the characters. It’s a must read.
June 13, 2022
💓Romance stirs dealing with a long-held family secret🙊
I like a bit of suspenseful drama with my romance and this story incorporates both elements well but with a good deal of coincidence that may seem unrealistic. Ella, the architect female lead, is a bit of a loose cannon and her romantic interest private investigator has his work cut out for him trying to get her to take a cautious path as she seeks answers for her murky origins and paternity. She's strong but also rash.
I thought the initial few chapters were a bit slow as the author set the scene but the pace picks up and there's lots of drama for the leads and their families. The romance grows to mild heat but be prepared for couched language and euphemisms, sometimes a bit odd, for the romantic encounters.
I read a complimentary copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
I like a bit of suspenseful drama with my romance and this story incorporates both elements well but with a good deal of coincidence that may seem unrealistic. Ella, the architect female lead, is a bit of a loose cannon and her romantic interest private investigator has his work cut out for him trying to get her to take a cautious path as she seeks answers for her murky origins and paternity. She's strong but also rash.
I thought the initial few chapters were a bit slow as the author set the scene but the pace picks up and there's lots of drama for the leads and their families. The romance grows to mild heat but be prepared for couched language and euphemisms, sometimes a bit odd, for the romantic encounters.
I read a complimentary copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
November 25, 2021
Little Blue Box is a page-turning story ripe with tension from the very beginning. Ella has an insatiable wish to find her biological father, despite the warnings from hot private investigator Zane that things may not go her way. And it's true, Ella's reunion with her father is not the fairytale she imagined. Zane also has an interesting stake in the investigation when Ella walks into his office with a photo he recognises, one that sat in his childhood home all his life. His mother knows Ella's, which leads him to question is own origins.
I enjoyed the many connections in this story and the way fate brings Ella and Zane together. Many secrets were uncovered, lives were almost destroyed, but as always in romance, happily ever after prevailed.
I enjoyed the many connections in this story and the way fate brings Ella and Zane together. Many secrets were uncovered, lives were almost destroyed, but as always in romance, happily ever after prevailed.
July 5, 2022
I got this book to review through the Beauty and Lace book club (www.beautyandlace.net). I really enjoyed being taken on the journey of The Little Blue Box by Frances Dall'alba and the best part is that I already know there is another book available following on with some of the characters I was introduced to in this story! I didn’t know what to expect when I first started reading and was happily surprised with good, strong main characters, kind, caring secondary characters and a storyline that was different. There were many unexpected twists and turns along the way and it wasn’t the usual romance book - thank goodness. It was a journey that I was really invested in and I ended up reading the whole book in one sitting.
August 25, 2022
Why should you read this book?🤔
👇🏻
It has those ”suspenseful" 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
•
👍🏻 This was my first book by author Frances, and let me tell you it had me hooked.
👍🏻 The book has characters that makes you wanna drool. It has a suspense vibe that keeps you curious and edgy 🤔
👍🏻 Its a complete family drama, a daughter searching for her father, the mystery of it all and when the drama unfolds, its unlike anything you could have suspected 🙈
This was one interesting read, seductive as well as enticing 😍
👍🏻I always share teasers from the book, so swipe to read some of them after the cover!🤣
👍🏻My recommendation: If you looking for a family drama read with a good suspense, this one is definitely for you 🖤
👇🏻
It has those ”suspenseful" 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
•
👍🏻 This was my first book by author Frances, and let me tell you it had me hooked.
👍🏻 The book has characters that makes you wanna drool. It has a suspense vibe that keeps you curious and edgy 🤔
👍🏻 Its a complete family drama, a daughter searching for her father, the mystery of it all and when the drama unfolds, its unlike anything you could have suspected 🙈
This was one interesting read, seductive as well as enticing 😍
👍🏻I always share teasers from the book, so swipe to read some of them after the cover!🤣
👍🏻My recommendation: If you looking for a family drama read with a good suspense, this one is definitely for you 🖤
December 2, 2021
Wow! What a delightsome read. Ella Harvey wanted to know who her father is but her mother was not forthcoming with the truth. She had to engage the services of a private investigator, Zane. With next to nothing to use as evidence or pointers she was advised to drop the case, but as providence would have it Zane happened to be involved in a way through the picture of his mother and Ella's mother which made him dig deeper. But the investigation led to many unsavory discoveries/revelations which threatened many people... Infact the book is very engaging and interesting. "I received this book for free from eBook discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review."
September 12, 2022
The sign of a good book is when you read it in one weekend, and I was fortunate to have the time to read this in just a couple of sittings with a blanket on my lap. It was just the perfect reading material for winter relaxing.
The story of how Ella and Zane met and how they lives are interwoven was an enjoyable tale. A bit of mystery and family secrets added to the romance genre.
It was an easy to read ebook and I would recommend it to those who like Australian authors or romantic novels.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book - I will definitely read the next one in the series.
The story of how Ella and Zane met and how they lives are interwoven was an enjoyable tale. A bit of mystery and family secrets added to the romance genre.
It was an easy to read ebook and I would recommend it to those who like Australian authors or romantic novels.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book - I will definitely read the next one in the series.
August 3, 2022
What a great book - I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Full of engaging characters and a storyline that you won't want to take a break from, this is a page-turning mystery with a good dash of romance - guaranteed to be enjoyed. I certainly did, I'm so glad I've discovered another great Aussie author to follow. My thanks to BookSirens for an advance review copy, which I am reviewing voluntarily.
Read
December 31, 2021Congratulations on your first book Frances, I am so glad I picked it up at your book launch in Malanda. I really enjoyed it, the story moved quickly, so could not say boring, having lots of twists right to the end.
Now I cannot wait for your next book to the series, after reading it's description.
Cheers x
Now I cannot wait for your next book to the series, after reading it's description.
Cheers x
June 29, 2022
This well written and carefully crafted story by Australian author Frances Dall'Alba offers lovers of contemporary romances a lot to enjoy. The feisty heroine and hunky hero, thrown together thanks to a shared mystery and secrets they must uncover, are well matched.
And for readers who enjoy a bit of spice, this story has plenty of that too!
And for readers who enjoy a bit of spice, this story has plenty of that too!
December 25, 2021
This story had me from the first page. The author gave me enough suspense and intrigue to keep me interested right until the end. The plot moved along perfectly and the twist at the end was a surprise. A brand new author and I can't wait to read the next book in the Australian At Heart Series.
January 20, 2022
I would say the book is very well written and was hard to put down. I read a lot and have a wide range of material. Frances Dall'Alba's book is certainly up with the better books that I have read. I like her Australian content as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2022
The book is a good, and enjoyable romance read that is a page turner. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 18, 2022
This was almost like two stories in one. The first half was quite the romance and the second half was more of a search for identity. It wasn't bad but didn't flow as well as I would have liked. The move between Australia and the US also seemed very unnecessary for me.
July 25, 2022
I really loved this book as its unique story unfolded of secrets which unfolded and a romance that had me wondering if it would last. Great ending too which was surprising, yet heartwarming with a lot of growing to happen.
I will look forward to reading more by this wonderful author.
I will look forward to reading more by this wonderful author.
August 8, 2022
This was a decent read. There were a few things that I felt were a bit unbelievable but I enjoyed the storyline and the mystery they were uncovering.
Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review
Side note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review
November 26, 2021
Great read, looking forward to the next books
December 2, 2021
This is a mystery that will keep you engrossed from the start right until the very end. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
December 3, 2021
Congratulations on a great book, looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.
My Rating is a 5
My Rating is a 5
December 14, 2021
Such a great book with an interesting and suspenseful plot. I could not put it down and am now waiting in anticipation for the next books.
January 23, 2022
This book was great! It was gripping, raunchy, tear jerking and funny. Well done Frances..I loved your first book an I look forward to the next one!
October 16, 2022
What a delightful romance with two very strong characters who are surrounded by mystery. I really enjoyed this book which had me intrigued from the start.
June 24, 2024
WTH did I just read
SPOILERS GALORE - REVIEWS ARE BOTS
Synopsis is FMC wants to find her bio dad, but doesn’t want to ask her mom because her younger half sister has cancer and is going through chemo and she doesn’t want to upset anyone. So she hires a private investigator (MMC).
Somehow FMC’s and MMC’s moms are connected. This is set in Australia, but the MCs find out they were both born in the States. FMC finds out her father is a rich old money family guy from Boston and that he filed a missing persons report for her and her mom when she was a year old, reporting that the mom was mentally unstable. Now, anyone who watches true crime or reads books knows old money + outlandish claims about mental stability + runaway wife = abusive husband. Not the FMC, no no no.
Her bright idea is to fly to Boston and talk to her bio dad without saying anything to her mom or questioning why her mom ran away. She meets bio dad, tells him any and all identifying info about her and her mom, and leaves thinking he’s a charming guy. Next day—surprise surprise—charming bio dad has mom arrested and extradited to the US for kidnapping. Meanwhile, the MCs have sex and sort of date. Until she blames herself for everything (rightfully, dumbass) and pushes him away.
FMC suddenly grows a spine and threatens her father with going to the media if he doesn’t drop the charges. Bio dad says no, threatens her, etc. At the same time, we find the MMCs dad isn’t his bio dad—his bio dad was a mafia guy from Boston, dead now though. The MCs moms conspired together to escape their awful husbands.
The day before the trial, FMC visits her father again, tells him to drop the charges, and guilt trips him enough that he starts some self examination. Trial is here, dad doesn’t show up, judge announces charges are dropped (because 24 hours is enough for an evil abusive ex husband to change his mind about revenge??). MMC was at the trial to begin with, but left as soon as the announcement was made. FMC is heartbroken that MMC wasn’t there for her, faints, and gets taken to the hospital.
Meanwhile MMC is buying an engagement ring—keep in mind they’re still broken up—with his phone turned off, not realizing she’s at the hospital. Rushes there, cue dramatic emotional public proposal scene on the sidewalk outside the hospital as she runs away, blah blah blah.
Enter epilogue. The MMC reads a letter from his bio dad that says MMC and mom were better off without him - “if you had stayed, you probably would have both died by my hands. Don’t do drugs son.” WHAT. Then we find out the FMCs dad is on some soul finding journey in—you guessed it—Australia. He’s been in contact with her mother, who forgave him (??) and asked to walk her down the aisle at her wedding. Oh, I forgot to mention her half siblings from his second wife who committed suicide because being married to him was so awful are suddenly best friends with her and her half siblings from her mothers side. She agrees to the father walking her down the aisle, and the story concludes with the promise of a sequel featuring her paternal half brother and maternal half sister.
And to top it off, there are 131 5 star reviews and only 7 1 and 2 star reviews, which just REEKS of bots. The only redeeming quality of this book was that it was free, meaning I could delete it with no guilt. The only reason it got more than one star is because it’s an interesting premise and without all the outlandish cringey stuff it would have been a great read.
SPOILERS GALORE - REVIEWS ARE BOTS
Synopsis is FMC wants to find her bio dad, but doesn’t want to ask her mom because her younger half sister has cancer and is going through chemo and she doesn’t want to upset anyone. So she hires a private investigator (MMC).
Somehow FMC’s and MMC’s moms are connected. This is set in Australia, but the MCs find out they were both born in the States. FMC finds out her father is a rich old money family guy from Boston and that he filed a missing persons report for her and her mom when she was a year old, reporting that the mom was mentally unstable. Now, anyone who watches true crime or reads books knows old money + outlandish claims about mental stability + runaway wife = abusive husband. Not the FMC, no no no.
Her bright idea is to fly to Boston and talk to her bio dad without saying anything to her mom or questioning why her mom ran away. She meets bio dad, tells him any and all identifying info about her and her mom, and leaves thinking he’s a charming guy. Next day—surprise surprise—charming bio dad has mom arrested and extradited to the US for kidnapping. Meanwhile, the MCs have sex and sort of date. Until she blames herself for everything (rightfully, dumbass) and pushes him away.
FMC suddenly grows a spine and threatens her father with going to the media if he doesn’t drop the charges. Bio dad says no, threatens her, etc. At the same time, we find the MMCs dad isn’t his bio dad—his bio dad was a mafia guy from Boston, dead now though. The MCs moms conspired together to escape their awful husbands.
The day before the trial, FMC visits her father again, tells him to drop the charges, and guilt trips him enough that he starts some self examination. Trial is here, dad doesn’t show up, judge announces charges are dropped (because 24 hours is enough for an evil abusive ex husband to change his mind about revenge??). MMC was at the trial to begin with, but left as soon as the announcement was made. FMC is heartbroken that MMC wasn’t there for her, faints, and gets taken to the hospital.
Meanwhile MMC is buying an engagement ring—keep in mind they’re still broken up—with his phone turned off, not realizing she’s at the hospital. Rushes there, cue dramatic emotional public proposal scene on the sidewalk outside the hospital as she runs away, blah blah blah.
Enter epilogue. The MMC reads a letter from his bio dad that says MMC and mom were better off without him - “if you had stayed, you probably would have both died by my hands. Don’t do drugs son.” WHAT. Then we find out the FMCs dad is on some soul finding journey in—you guessed it—Australia. He’s been in contact with her mother, who forgave him (??) and asked to walk her down the aisle at her wedding. Oh, I forgot to mention her half siblings from his second wife who committed suicide because being married to him was so awful are suddenly best friends with her and her half siblings from her mothers side. She agrees to the father walking her down the aisle, and the story concludes with the promise of a sequel featuring her paternal half brother and maternal half sister.
And to top it off, there are 131 5 star reviews and only 7 1 and 2 star reviews, which just REEKS of bots. The only redeeming quality of this book was that it was free, meaning I could delete it with no guilt. The only reason it got more than one star is because it’s an interesting premise and without all the outlandish cringey stuff it would have been a great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2023
I was really looking forward to reading this, the synopsis sounded so interesting. Having been through the whole not knowing/finding out who my father was I could really sympathise with the fmc.
Unfortunately, by the end of it I was struggling. The fmc spent the first half of the book going on (and on and on) about being in control. The second half she spent half her time crying hysterically and the rest of it behaving really stupidly.
The big secret was pretty obvious from early on in the book and the mmc as a private investigator should have known what it was likely to be. Instead he had no clue either and just let the fmc go charging on her way.
Two stars because of the way the mystery unfolded nicely, with clues being figured out at a good pace.
Minus 3 stars because the mmc should lose his license as a PI and I just wanted to shoot the fmc for all her histrionics.
As for the epilogue - seriously?!?
Unfortunately, by the end of it I was struggling. The fmc spent the first half of the book going on (and on and on) about being in control. The second half she spent half her time crying hysterically and the rest of it behaving really stupidly.
The big secret was pretty obvious from early on in the book and the mmc as a private investigator should have known what it was likely to be. Instead he had no clue either and just let the fmc go charging on her way.
Two stars because of the way the mystery unfolded nicely, with clues being figured out at a good pace.
Minus 3 stars because the mmc should lose his license as a PI and I just wanted to shoot the fmc for all her histrionics.
As for the epilogue - seriously?!?
August 9, 2023
Ella’s mom has never hidden the fact that her dad is not her biological father. With her refusal to share any more information, Ella becomes increasingly desperate to discover the truth. Discovering a little blue box while cleaning her mum’s wardrobe triggers an escalated search, using private investigator, Zane.
As the investigation uncovers more covert clues, a ‘Pandora’s Box’ is opened, leading to danger and a family being torn apart as long-held secrets are uncovered.
Zane and Ella feel an instant mutual connection at their first meeting, with the link becoming increasingly complex and enigmatic as they work together to find the truth.
Frances mentions in her “Acknowledgements” that this is her “first published novel”…an author who can write a debut novel of this calibre is destined to write winners every time!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As the investigation uncovers more covert clues, a ‘Pandora’s Box’ is opened, leading to danger and a family being torn apart as long-held secrets are uncovered.
Zane and Ella feel an instant mutual connection at their first meeting, with the link becoming increasingly complex and enigmatic as they work together to find the truth.
Frances mentions in her “Acknowledgements” that this is her “first published novel”…an author who can write a debut novel of this calibre is destined to write winners every time!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews