Series: Wicked Tales #5
Published by ARe Books on October 1st 2015
Genres: Adult Paranormal Romance
Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Publisher
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I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Saving the inn might mean losing her life.
Sophia Yates travels to the famed and haunted Blackbird Inn to help its mysterious owner, Garren Amsel, research its history. The state wants to claim eminent domain and take the property, but the historical inn has been in Garren’s family for generations and he can’t bear to lose it.
After learning the truth behind the inn’s biggest mystery, and why Garren stays, saving Blackbird Inn may cost Sophia her life. How far will she go to protect him?
Sophia travels to the famous Blackbird Inn to lend a helping hand to its owner Garren Amsel when the state wants to claim eminent domain and destroy the Inn to build a highway. Together they dive into the Inn’s secrets to uncover its history, but Halloween is coming and it’s secrets might put Sophia and Garren in danger.
First. I liked the plot, I thought it was actually quiet interesting. The setting was fascinating, and I loved the Gothic feel of the book. It’s been a while since I read a book with a Gothic feel, so I was really excited. Unfortunately the entire thing not only fell short, but disappointing as well.
The story felt rushed. Everything was happening so quickly after Sophia’s arrival. The ghosts, the attractions, the entire mystery. I felt like the entire book could have benefited from being a full novel. The set up and the mystery was all there, all it needed was a bit more substance to make it more interesting. I think it could have been a great story.
-Sophia’s attraction to Garren was odd. It was really instant and to be honest because it was so rushed, I did not feel any kind of flame between them. Honestly, not even a flicker. It felt one-sided for most of the book when he finally suddenly had this interest in her out of nowhere, followed by the two falling into bed together unable to keep their hands off each other. If the book was longer, the relationship and the tension building could have made them more interesting, instead it really felt silly. Unfortunately, due to its quick read, it was hard to connect with the characters.
The mystery came and went quickly. Everything clicked too quickly and the last scene was anti-climatic. In fact, it was so disappointing, I had to keep from rolling my eyes when it happened because honestly nothing really happened. Yes, there was a bad guy. Yes Sophia had a secret. The last showdown felt like you are watching a rapidly growing fire that just snuff out with a dose of water. I was like…. Is that it?
I thought the ghosts happened too quickly. Why did Sophia have all those weird visions she never had before? I did not feel that was ever explained. Was the Inn ever in great trouble? I don’t feel like that was ever explained either ,since it ended so abruptly. The premise said the Inn was famous but I never got the feel that the Inn ever get’s any visitors. Garren said they had some the night Sophia came in but somehow all those visitors left quickly in the morning without waking Sophia up. Why did the ghosts take on an orb shape and a human shape? And why didn’t they turn human and help Sophia more during the final showdown? Why was everything happening this Halloween? What made it so different? What would have happened if they did not stop the bad guy?
You would think that this is an erotica, so therefor the plot does not matter. It was NOT an erotica. Was there a scene between these two? There was and honest, it wasn’t really that bad. There was only one love scene.
In the end, this entire book had the setup to be potentially really good. Unfortunately, it lacked in its strength due to its length, rushing through the parts that could have been exciting and not really giving a breather to connect with the characters.
I gave it three stars generously because I enjoyed the plot despite its long list of shortcomings. It was still a nice quick read if you are looking for something not to take up a lot of your time this Halloween.
blodeuedd
It turned out to be good even though it lacked something, hmmm, eh dunno
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Melliane
Ah difficult when the story feels rushed like that but well it sounds ok in a whole so maybe one day.
Joy // Joyousreads
It sounds like the story was lacking, and I don’t blame you for looking for something more. I don’t know about this one.
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kindlemom1
Glad this was more than just a romance and steamy scenes. Great review!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Release Day Review: House of Whispers by J.L. Bryan
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!)
Huh. The climax almost sounds… anticlimactic? Still, I am in love with that cover. Holy moley I want this book just for the cover! It’s great! Three stars isn’t too bad, glad you didn’t dislike it. Fabulous review, Lily!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
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Jennifer Bielman @ Bad Bird Reads
Wow, that really is too bad. Gothic books are so few and far between.
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kimbacaffeinate
Always hard when the story feels rushed. It makes it hard to connect.It does sound like it was an ok read for the most part.
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kimbacaffeinate
Despite some issues it does sound like you enjoyed aspects. Great review
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LilyElement
The attraction like that would throw me off big time. Great review!
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Sarah @ One Curvy Blogger
*sighs heavily* Nothing is worse than a rushed plot and romance. Can bring the whole book down!
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Brandi Breathes Books
Glad to hear you enjoyed the plot even if things happened pretty quickly
Naomi Hop
Sounds like there were a few details that were rushed into this read, Lily. Despite that, it still sounds good!
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Renee (Lover of Romance)
It can be frustratinig when a story feels rushed and has potential and doesn’t fully reach it.