Mystery and romance is a deadly combination and these books have both. I enjoyed all the three books due to their themes and amazing visual details. I would like to share my thoughts about them with you. Please click on the links to view the book descriptions.
Genuine Deceit – My Review:
I was lured by the name of this book, wondering how deceit could be genuine! I was not disappointed. All speculations about who deceived whom and why would fail and you have to wait till the end to know the truth. ‘Genuine Deceit’ deals with a multi-dimensional plot with its tentacles connected with the past of Reagan’s parents and complicated relationships.
Shocked by the murder of her grandmother, Reagan arrives in her childhood home and gets sucked in by the vortex of inexplicable discoveries. As she is trying to find a foothold, she sinks deeper into the whirlpool of mysteries. Her friends try to help her but it is hard to believe whom to trust. The story gets murkier with each chapter, each development entangles it more than expectations. It moves at a good pace but it could’ve been breathtaking if a few superfluous chapters were edited.
Characterisation has not received much attention, as the story is packed with events. However, Aiden emerges to be a perfect protagonist who could absorb emotions, support Reagan in all the situations yet give her the freedom to make her own decisions. Fiona’s character development is slow but stunning. Secondary characters sound nondescript.
Too much has been compressed into this book and the baggage of back stories is so massive that you would wonder – what else? It finishes in a filmy style with amazing visual details, transporting you to the scene of crime. Such an outstanding plot doesn’t need profane language – (F and S words) could have been avoided. If you like mysteries, this is a must read!
Things He Hadn’t Told Her – My Review:
Things He Hadn’t Told Her by Vicky Whedbee captures your attention from page one, as it begins with a nerve-wracking incident of two teenagers pledging to be “blood brothers” when Chad saves the life of Cole. It introduces you to loving relationships within affectionate families, awesome friendships, beautiful description of a fairy tale romance and wedding. It has an amazing flow, realistic characters but their story is predictable. It makes you wonder how long should you hold your true feelings; it tugs at your heart and makes you think about the depth of love. Riding on the rollercoaster of emotions, Chad holds his secret in his journal, which plays a significant role in the book.
Vicky possesses an eye for detail; the way she talks about her characters and their dressing style adds another dimension to the visual effects of their appearance. She has a knack of carrying on the conversation for a long time and hold the interest of the reader. Written in a light-hearted style, a mixture of humor and realism makes it pure fun at places: “Cole was preoccupied with picking up more than two grains of rice at a time with his chopsticks.”
However, the book gets melancholy toward the ending and drags on for a long time. I wish Maggie had picked up the vibes, I wish she could have been more perceptive. On the whole it is an interesting book. Highly recommended.
Between the Vines – My Review:
Between the Vines recline entangled relationships, which need to be understood. Elena and Aaron’s attraction to each other is not new yet they try to dismiss it for their own reasons. Both have their doubts, Heather, the jealous hen tries to cash on their weaknesses and a superb story with an eternal triangle unfolds. Written in a breezy style, this novella banks on edgy relationships that cry for attention.
Who could define relationships better than Staci? She has crafted three couples, so different from each other. If the unconditional love of Larissa for Jace would melt your heart, you would like to shoot Heather for her selfish overtures to win Aaron and poke Elena for building tall walls around her to keep Aaron out intentionally. This may be a quick read but provide the lovers with some food for thought. I really enjoyed it.
Thank you. Happy reading!
Balroop Singh.
Love your review of these books Balroop! Will look into them after ramadan 🙂 ❤
Thank you Zeenat. Have a wonderful and serene Ramadan.
Fantastic reviews! Congrats to Joy, Vicky, and Staci! Thanks for sharing, Balroop 💕🙂
Thanks Harmony 🤗
Thank you, Harmony!
Thanks, Harmony!
All three sound good, Balroop. I did read Between the Vines by Staci Troilo and absolutely loved it (I enjoyed all three books in that series). Genuine Deceit sounds like it should be on my TBR, and I love that cover. Great reviews!
Oh yes, I know you would love Genuine Deceit Mae. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I too enjoyed Staci’s trilogy and like her style.
Much appreciated, Mae!
I’m like you about the title Genuine Deceit. It draws me. I’ve read Between the Vines and highly recommended it. Thanks for sharing your reviews, Balroop.
Thank you Joan, I appreciate your response. The mystery of Genuine Deceit is amazing!!
Many thanks, Joan!
Great reviews, Balroop! I have read two of these and completely agree about them. The other book is on my TBR list.
Thanks Denise. Happy reading.
Congratulations to Joy, Vicky, and Staci. Wonderful reviews. I’ve become a big fan of Staci’s writing. I will certainly check out these other authors. Thanks for sharing, Balroop.
Thank you Beem, I agree with you! Staci’s style is alluring.
Thank you, Beem!
Joy, I have The Bloody Shoe Affair on my Kindle. I shall have to move it up my TBR list. Best wishes.
That book is also on my list, just at a second place. 😊
I really appreciate that, Beem. (And I feel the same about your writing.)
Thank you, Balroop, for sharing your reviews. I’ve only read Staci’s thus far and loved it. Congratulations to all three writers — Joy, Vicky, and Staci! 🎈✨🎈
Thanks Gwen. I’ve tried to express my thoughts at your blog but each time it frowns at me and doesn’t accept me!
Thank you, Gwen!
Thanks so much, Gwen!
Balroop,
Thank you for the wonderful review and including my book and your review on your blog! It is great to be on such good company with Vicky and Staci!
Have a wonderful day!
Joy
My pleasure Joy. I always share the books I enjoy. Yours is awesome!
Outstanding reviews, Balroop. Congratulations all around!
Thank you Bette. Happy reading!
HI Balroop, three lovely reviews. I’ve read the first book in this series of Staci’s and enjoyed it very much. I am sure I have this book of Joy’s on my kindle. I will have to look for it.
Thanks for coming over to share your thoughts Robbie, all these awesome authors are wordsmiths! I loved their books. 😊
Much appreciated, Robbie.
Wonderful reviews, Balroop! I loved Staci’s book and glad you enjoyed it as well. The other two are intriguing!
Thanks Jan, I appreciate your response to my book reviews. 🤗
Thank you, Jan!
Thank you so much for including me on your blog and especially for the the wonderful review! It’s sincerely appreciated. I also enjoyed Genuine Deceit and look forward to checking out Staci’s book as well! Thanks again for your support!
My pleasure Vicky, I enjoyed all the three books. Thank you for coming over to Emotional Shadows, much appreciated.
Many thanks, Vicky.
Great reviews with a lot of depth. Congratulations to all the authors.
Thank you Craig, I appreciate your support.
Nice reviews, Balroop! I haven’t heard of these books so thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks Lisa. I am sure you would love them.
Super reviews, Balroop. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you John. 😊
😁
The first two sound interesting, Balroop, and I loved Staci’s Between the Vines! Great reviews 🙂
Thanks for saying so, Jacquie.
Thank you Jacquie.
Balroop, thank you so much for that wonderful review. It made my day! And what an honor to be listed with talented authors like Joy and Vicky. I’m truly grateful.
My pleasure Staci, I enjoyed all three stories in your series – short and sweet! 😊
💕
Thanks so much for the reviews, Balroop. I haven’t read any of these though I have Staci’s book on my BFK (big fat kindle). They all sound so good. Thanks for the recommendations! Happy Reading.
Thanks for coming over to read my reviews Diana. One advantage of Kindle is that it’s fatness never shows! 😀
Ha ha ha ha. True!
I have a BFK, too! Thanks for adding my work to the list, Diana.
Ha ha ha. I think a lot of us suffer from BFK’s, Staci. And my pleasure. 😀
Interesting and beautiful reviews, Balroop of all the three books. Congrats. Too good.
Thanks Kamal, I appreciate your response. 🥰
You are always welcome dear Balroop. xxxxxx
Thanks for sharing your reviews for what looks wonderful reads. So far I do have Staci’s book awaiting. 🙂
I appreciate that, Debby, and hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
Great list. You include a few I can’t wait to read.
Thanks! Happy reading 😊
Congratulations, Joy, Vicky, and Staci! Great reviews, Balroop.
Thank you Mark 😊