She’s falling in love with the one man she can’t trust… be defeated, so she throws herself into creating a business of her own. But she never dreamed that to close her first deal, she’d need Alex’s help…
Alex understands the power of a family legacy better than most and the last thing he wanted was to take that from Elaina. Her beauty and fierce strength are undeniable, but there’s a softer side that no one but him seems to see. She’s been taught that emotions are a liability, yet one impulsive kiss starts a chain reaction that neither of them wants to stop. But can love ignite—and survive—when secrets and loyalties collide?
“[An] exceptional tale of forbidden love.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Forbidden Promises
Praise for Synithia Williams’s Jackson Falls series
“Williams (His Pick for Passion) makes waves with this exceptional tale of forbidden love.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Forbidden Promises
“A romance for readers looking for equal parts passion and family drama.” —Kirkus Reviews on Forbidden Promises
“Politics, passion, and family drama combine to make a deliciously soapy second-chance, brother’s-best-friend romance. Readers of Alisha Rai’s Forbidden Hearts series or Reese Ryan’s Engaging the Enemy will be tantalized and surprised by the many twists and turns.” —Library Journal on Forbidden Promises
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First off, I did not realise this was a series, and second, the book can be read as a standalone. What captured my attention? The gorgeous cover followed by the summary of the heroine.
I must say I LOVED Elaine Robidoux. If you want to see a fully-fleshed real character, say hello to the strong-willed and determined Elaine, head of the company and groomed from birth to run Robidoux Tobacco. I did not find her the least bit “bitchy.” I found her vulnerable underneath her tough exterior, confused, and even unsure of herself on a personal level.
Read more here: https://maggieblackbird.com/2021/04/12/synithia-williams-careless-whispers/#more-21988
This story is a beautiful love story about Elaina Robidoux, who is shrewd and always on guard due to the constant heartache she received from family and other past relationships. She is incredibly determined to keep her emotions in check as she does not want to show any weakness not even to those who love her. She may be able to hide her feelings from some of the people closest to her, but she cannot hide her feelings from Alex Tyson even though she tries. Alex can see past her veneer to the woman inside. I love how the author wrote the story mainly through the lens of Elaina and Alex, but with the dialog they have with their circle of family and friends they begin to see that what they think and what they portray does not always align and greatly affects that circle. It is a wonderful read which will take you on an emotional roll-a-coaster ride where you are rooting for the leading lady and her leading man at every turn. It was also hugely enjoyable reading and anticipating how they will overcome all hurdles to be together, and finally receive & accept the love they were both needing & searching for.
Careless Whispers is book 3 in Synithia Williams’ Jackson Falls series. There are storylines that run throughout the series, so I recommend experiencing them all and in order – starting with the novella, The Promise of a Kiss.
I luuuuuurrrrvveeee Williams’ story for Elaina and her nemesis-turned-lover Alex. Elaina is known as an ice queen, but there’s a real woman with feelings underneath. Alex thinks he can break through – but whether or not he can do it without getting cut by the shards is a different story.
This is a long and twisty road for Elaina and in fabulous Robidoux style it happens with secrets, lies, subversion, and opulence. Patriarch Grant Robidoux is particularly heinous and the decades of manipulation and self-serving maneuvering come to light.
I know I keep saying this – but this series is glorious!
Narration:
I continue to adore Adenrele Ojo’s narration. She does a good job with all the characters and their various emotions.
This is book 4 in the Jackson Falls series. This is Elaina Robidoux and Alex Tyson’s journey; and I must say that I’m really enjoying this series. The characters are awesome, great word building, easy read, family drama, steamy romance and hurt feelings.
Elaina is such a sweet heart and is the oldest of her siblings India and Bryon. Elaina runs the family Robidoux Holding Company business and truly finds her niche. Grant Elaina’s dad is horrible to his children. Elaina was once pregnant by Travis one of her father’s mentees and supposed to marry him. Elaina secretly connects with Robert someone from her past only to find out that he’s not interested in her; he just wants her to invest in his start up business. Elaina’s dad over hears a combative argument between Elaina and Alex who has a position at Robidoux Holding and he fires Elaina from her job and gives the position to her nemesis Alex. Everyone thinks that Elaina is such a witch but she is truly a nice person; she has just been thru so much.
Elaina has no job and is on the outs with her father and is not living at the family estate anymore. Alex said some things to Elaina in the argument that in fact may have gotten her fired and he’s doing everything he can to make things right.
Can Alex get pass the many barriers that Elaina has erected and show her that she doesn’t have too always be so strong? Will Elaina show her softer side and finally get the HEA that she so desire?
This is great addition to the Jackson Falls series and a must read. You will not be disappointed.
I have enjoyed the Jackson Falls series very much. Each book introducing dynamic characters, contributing to the tapestry of the Robidoux clan. Elaina is complicated, a dutiful daughter driven, intelligent and grace under pressure. Alex Tyson is smart, committed to his family, and self possessed. The two exist in a state of acrimony, butting heads while continually getting under each other’s skin. Despite this Alex creeps beneath Elaina’s protective façade eliciting emotions neither expected. The two navigate misunderstandings, machinations, challenges, personal and career issues in this emotional, dramatic, chemistry rich story. I look forward to more of this series.
Elaina Robidoux is the oldest sister of her siblings Byron and India, who has always been the one to make sure everything is run to perfection from the Robidoux company business to family events and problem solving. Elaina always followed the advice her mother would give her growing up and she always fought hard to show her ruthless father Grant Robidoux that she can run the family business he always promised her. She never bothered to try to have a love life because a forced marriage by her father to her father’s mentee bad boy Travis when Elaina got pregnant by him. Now she had reconnected with another past love Robert who she has been secretly meeting for months when he would come to Raleigh trying to get investors for a hair product store he wants to open. She was hoping he was the one she can finally find love with until he asks her to invest in his startup business and when she refuses Robert should his true colors that he really wasn’t into Elaina.
Now Elaina is hurt and angry after she receive a text message while at work from Robert that was meant for another woman. She is furious so she brushes off Alex Tyson a Robidoux Holding Company executive who she has a not so good work relationship with and they have a combative conversation that Elaina’s father Grant overhears and fires Elaina on the spot from the company.
Elaina now has no job, is on the outs with her father, she refuses to go back and live on the family estate, her two siblings and their spouses walk on eggs shells when she is around, she feel love for her with a man is never going to happen with the marriage, children and happiness.
Alex Tyson feels bad because he feels the things he said to Elaina which her father overheard caused her to lose her job. So now he is trying to make things better by helping Elaina to start her own company where his father Thomas hemp farm can be a supplier for her.
I love this storyline of Elaina and all she has been through from a child, plus being the oldest she was made to feel responsible for her siblings and the family business. Always trying to live up to her father’s and mother’s expectations and not fail. She kept a lot of things bottle up inside and always showed a hard shell on the outside. Can Alex break the barriers that Elaina has and show her that she can find love and still be a business owner at the same time? You will have to read this storyline to find out.
This was a page-turner for me and when the book ended it left me wanting to know more.
I highly recommend this book to read and if you have not read the other books in the Jackson Fall series to read those too. The books can be read as stand-alones.
Cassandra H.
I voluntarily received a ARC from Netgalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.
Another beautifully written story in this amazing series—the best one yet! Elaina is my favorite Robidoux, no doubt. I knew she’d be awesome! I love how strong she is, persevering, keeping her chin up and armor in place, protecting her vulnerable heart and the genuinely caring person underneath. I adore Alex for her! His determination to take things slow(er), in love and life, the way he truly sees her. He finds himself in a very difficult position, caught between so many conflicting interests and trying to do right by everyone he loves. Some of it is a trainwreck waiting to happen … and I loved seeing Elaina come out on top and getting everything she ever dreamed of, and even things she never thought were possible. Recommend this story so so hard!!
Tired of being trapped under her father’s thumb, Elaina starts her own business. When her newest supplier turns out to have ties to her nemesis, Alex, she doesn’t flinch. She’s learned how to separate her emotions from her business decisions. The more she sees Alex outside of work, the more undeniable the attraction is between them. But when her father tries to use Alex to undermine her, will her family drama tear them apart?
This book engrossed me from start to finish. The story never dragged, even though it strongly focused on the character development. I couldn’t help feeling for Elaina, and the way her father kept gaslighting her. It was wonderful to see Alex stand up for her, when even her siblings didn’t have her back (they’re clearly just as damaged by her father’s manipulations as she is). This was an excellent portrayal of a dysfunctional family, and I was rooting for Elaina to escape and grow into her own person.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Elaina’s journey of the heart is not to be missed!
I absolutely adore reading about strong women who are hard to love. Elaina’s been groomed from the very beginning to fail at matters of the heart, being raised by a mother who instilled in her a drive to succeed without ever letting emotions get in the way and a father who manipulates her in every way possible, at every opportunity. Seeing her finally come into her own after getting to know her in the earlier two books makes this one unforgettable story that fulfilled all my hopes and dreams for her.
After her sham of a marriage crumbled into dust only to have her ex-husband and younger sister find their HEA together, Elaina is beyond cynical and more than a little jaded. Alex challenges her on every level, but he also demonstrates that he respects her and supports her even when he’s standing up to her. He’s the perfect balance for her, strong yet patient, determined yet flexible. When he inadvertently gets her fired, he doubles down on his support and makes sure she has the emotional strength to stand up to her father once and for all.
Alex is his own man, restarting his life with a different set of goals, but he’s just as driven and focused as before. I loved the way he was with Elaina, and the way he managed Grant. There was just enough drama with him supporting his parents while being caught in the middle between Elaina’s new venture and Grant’s established business.
The HEA and resolution was simply brilliant, demonstrating the resiliency of the Robidoux family while paving the way for the next generation to succeed in spite of Grant’s machinations. This is a standalone romance between Alex and Elaina, but it very nicely wraps up the interpersonal relationships between all three siblings and their partners so those who have read India’s and Byron’s stories will be more familiar with the family’s history. I love everything about this series, and am looking forward to reading more from this author. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.