Karina Halle, the New York Times bestselling author of Discretion, lifts the veil off a privileged family dynasty to reveal a wealth of secrets and dangerous obsessions.Seraphine Dumont seems to have it all: she’s gorgeous, brilliant, and part of one of France’s most illustrious dynasties. But underneath the facade, Seraphine struggles to hold it all together. Besides grieving her adoptive … Besides grieving her adoptive father’s suspicious and sudden death, she also shares a tenuous role in the family business with Blaise, her in-name-only cousin. As tumultuous as their history is, he may be the only member of the deceptive Dumont family she can trust.
Seraphine is a temptation Blaise can’t resist. The torch he’s carried for years still burns. It’s his secret—a quiet obsession just out of reach. Until his brother demands that he spy on the increasingly cagey Seraphine, whom their father considers a dispensable Dumont outlier. But the more Blaise watches her and the closer he gets, the more he sees Seraphine may have every right to be suspicious. And she could be the next one in danger—from his own family.
As blood runs hot and hearts give in, Seraphine and Blaise have only each other. But can their love survive the secrets they’re about to uncover?
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DISARM by Karina Halle is book 2 in The Dumonts Series. This is the story Blaise Dumont and Seraphine Dumont. I have read the previous book which did help me to enjoy this one as it set the background but with that said you could make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Seraphine was adopted into the Dumont family when she was around 9 years old. The Dumont family as we learn is a complicated type of family. Seraphine father has died and in the back on her mind she thinks her Uncle may have been involved. Blaise is Seraphine’s cousin but of course not by blood so there isn’t any strong taboo story line. But Blaise has been told to watch Seraphine by his family which leads him to start to think maybe Seraphine is correct to be worried.
Enjoyed this dark romance.
Disarm is book two in the Dumont series. I LOVED the first book, Discretion, and I’d recommend reading that one first, however, if you don’t this one will still make sense and you’ll still be able to follow along with the story for the most part.
This book was a SLOW BURN. Like super slow burn. I was getting frustrated with Blaise and Seraphine at times. I would just yell at my kindle telling them to just give in to each other and to their chemistry. Of course, when they finally do things are explosive.
Not only is this a slow burn, but this story is a taboo/forbidden romance. If you’ve read Discretion you have met Blaise and Seraphine, so you know they are cousins, however not by blood. Seraphine was adopted as a child.
Disarm packs in plenty of drama and suspense, along with the steam. Overall, this was a fun read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
This second book in the Dumonts series should come with free oxygen as you might need it while holding your breath to see what happens next!
What a brilliant sequel this was, it features Seraphine the adopted daughter of the good side of the Dumont family and includes her backstory. After her Father’s suspicious death and the death of her mother, she is left alone to fight for the survival and reputation of her side of the family against her evil uncle and cousins. It’s really a shame that her brothers abandoned her and left Italy to pursue their own interests when their uncle took over the business, but it made Seraphine a stronger woman and more determined to find out the truth.
As Seraphine sets out to find out how her father died, she foolishly enlists some unreliable help which comes back to bite her and threaten her life. Real help comes in the form of her cousin Blaise who has loved her from afar since their childhood, and though Seraphine as already fallen for him can she trust him? Is he here to protect her or is he still doing his father’s bidding? How far is he willing to go for her?
As this thriller and love story plays out you will be left biting your nails and sitting on the edge of your seat, it is totally unputdownable. Bring on book three soon!
4.5 stars
I am a huge Karina Halle fan, and this book is a perfect example of why. I love Seraphina and Blaise’s story, largely because of the way Karina Halle writes Blaise.
He’s gorgeous, yes, and he’s rich and successful, but he’s a guy who owns his mistakes. He knows what he should have done, and he knows what he could have done, and he knows that he will not squander a second chance to prove himself worthy.
In Seraphine, he finds a woman he recognizes on an elemental level. He sees her. He understands what drives her, scares her, and comforts her. These things both motivate and terrify him, and watching him try to figure out how he will respond is beautiful. This book moves back and forth between what is happening to Blaise now and what happened between him and Seraphine when they were children, and Blaise’s chapters are my favorites. He grabbed my heart and did not let go (nor did I wish him to do so).
The sexy times … well. Let’s just say you need to strap on those vibrators and get ready to rumble. Karina Halle never disappoints when it comes to the spicy stuff, and Blaise (bless him) keeps up her trend.
You need to meet Blaise. You will love him, dear readers. He’s swoony and hot, and he also has a huge heart. He is DEVOTED. I think he’s my new favorite Karina Halle Hot Hero.
Now this book can be totally read as a stand-alone, each story in this series can totally stand on its own.
Now that being said, I was lucky enough to read and review the first book in this series Discretion and when I did, I was so intrigued by Seraphine. So when I found out the next book was her’s? I was excited!
This is Seraphine & Blaise’s story and what an adventure it is. To read Seraphine’s backstory and how she became a Dumont is such a heartfelt part of the story. You can see where her tenacity comes from and also her vulnerabilities. She is strong because she has to be and finding justice for her father is what drives her.
Blaise is truly the black sheep of the family, not because he wants to be, but because of the twisted way his side of the Dumont family is. He struggles to want to belong and yet he knows there is something very, very wrong with the new patriarch of the Dumont family.
As with all of Ms. Halle’s books, they are rich in visual words that make the reader feel like they are on the streets of Paris, the hot sun of Dubai or even Disneyland. (Wait and read and you will see too!)
This story will truly show you what love really means, the chemistry between Seraphine and Blaise is beautiful to read and oh so smexy! Get your hands on this story and find yourself being transported into a rich, dark and sensual world!
Disarm by Karina Halle was an explosive and passionate story that had my heart and soul captive from the beginning. Disarm was an epic love story of two star crossed lovers spanning across time and space with the forbidden thrill.
The story follows the story of Seraphina, the daughter of Dumont empire and Blaise, son of the vile and evil Dumont. It picks up from the time of sudden death of Seraphina’s father and the owner of Dumont empire. Now her disgusting and corrupt uncle has the rein of the company. And Seraphina has been reduced to almost nothing. She is fighting so many things. Her own insecurities, guilt, abandonment issues and anger. And Blaise, her cousin from the wrong side of Dumont family may or may not be the unlikely alliance in face of grave danger she is facing. But the question is: can she trust him after he broke her heart years ago?
I loved Blaise even more than Olivier. He is a rebel, a good guy with bad edge and in deep pain himself. He never belonged to his side of family. And the girl he should not want yet could not resist is in trouble. After years of watching from sideline he is finally done. He has no doubt about his loyalty but he has to navigate the dangerous roads while dealing his nefarious father and brother. I love his rough, broken and vulnerable heart. I love how he went above and beyond for Seraphina. Seraphina is an amazing character. She is so strong in spite of every force breaking her down. She is persistent in pursuit of truth and vulnerable when comes to falling for her cousin. They have insane chemistry. Which ranges from soul deep longing to fiery hot passion to bone deep love. I loved how the author portrayed the evolution of their relationship. The story has a very important element of suspense and secrets which kept me at the edge of my seat. I did not feel comfortable till the very surprising yet fitting conclusion.
Karina Halle created a beautiful and enticing love story with edge of suspense and thriller. I was completely mesmerized with the writing and story line. I cannot have enough of Dumont world.
Received ARC for Honest review
„You’re mine, you always have been, even if you didn’t know it.”
Disarm is a romantic suspense at its best! Angsty, thrilling, full of twists and turns. Mystery and danger is lurking from every side. The sexual tension between Seraphine and Blaise is off the charts, just like their chemistry. And the forbidden type of their relantionship? Cherry on top! I absorbed this read in one sitting and I was unable to break away until I knew all the answers. The Dumonts series is captivating and addictive!
I loved how Karina showed the Dumonts family, how power and wealth come at a price. I also love how using flashbacks she revealed the past between Blaise and Seraphine. These two never had a great sense of belonging and maybe that’s exactly what connected them in the first place. The author beautifully depicted that neither blood ties nor position and money shape you as a human being. She also wonderfully showed that the heart wants what it wants, even if it is a forbidden fruit.
Blaise was a real surprise to me. Despite the influence and wealth, this guy has a solid moral backbone and is faithful to his beliefs. He’s also caring, protective and if he gives his heart to someone, he gives 100%. He will stop at nothing to protect his loved one. He’s a real swoon-worthy hero!
Seraphine is a strong and brave heroine, determined and stubborn. But she also has a vulnerable side that wants to be loved and accepted. She’s a perfect combination of strength and sensibility.
Their romance is a delicious slow-burn wrapped in taboo. Although for the world they should never be together, the uninhibited passion and sizzling chemistry that connects them for years, couldn’t be silenced forever.
Disarm is a perfect combination of romance and thriller. Karina combined a hot, steamy read with suspensful and angsty mystery that keeps you at the edge of the seat. This book is full of lies, betrayals, family feuds and power play, and with small steps it leads us to unfold the secrets about murder in one of the most influental Parisian families. But Disarm is also a hot forbidden romance that will steal your breath and make you blush. I’m obsessed with The Dumonts and I need more answers. I can’t wait for Pascal’s book!
A great forbidden, second chance storyline. The angst is real and the suspense will keep you wondering. Can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
What a fabulous addition to this series! Karina has succeeded in writing a book which continues the process of learning about the Dumont family, while bringing us a book with a totally different ‘feel.’ Much more mystery and tension fills this book, and there was plenty in Discretion! Seraphine’s plight and sense of isolation is so profound and it is ably highlighted by the dips back in time. The prologue will really pull your heart strings and underline the huge difference between the two families.
Through the eyes of both Blaise and Seraphine we see the gulf between Ludovic and Gautier’s characters, and this split POV is a huge complement to the arc of the story.
A great 5 star book, with twists and turns which make for great reading. Bring on Pascal!!
I loved Disarm. You finally get to know Seraphine and Blaise more in this one. You finally get some answers to book one. Family secrets finally come out. Can I say I love Seraphine so much. She is so strong and doesn’t give up until she gets the answers she seeks. You feel for her when you get more of her back story. You feel the pull between Blaise and Seraphine from the start. When you get to see more of Blaise you start to really feel for him. I love him for Seraphine. Disarm keeps you on your toes so enjoy the ride as you find out all the secrets that surround the Dumonts. I couldn’t put this one down.
Disarm is the second in ‘The Dumont’s’ a new series of connected standalones by Karina Halle. It follows the first explosive story, Discretion. It’s best to read that one first as book 2 does allude to events and characters in it.
This book focuses more on the ‘bad’ side of the Dumont family as Blaise is part of it. He’s the younger son and hasn’t been treated with love by his father for much of his life. He’s also harboring a secret desire for Seraphina, one he’s held close to his chest since he was a young teenager.
Seraphina once felt close to Blaise, but when she was ready to give him everything, he turned his back on her. Now, she just hates him, even though she has to work with him. It’s a family business after all.
But, with the death of her father, and her older brothers both living in the US, Seraphina is left to navigate the harrowing halls of the Dumont company in France, alone. Or so she thinks.
When she thinks she’s discovered who and what really caused her father’s death, she won’t stop until the guilty party is revealed- family be damned. Only one person believes her and it’s down to Blaise to save her from certain death.
This story was filled to the brim with angsty teenage love, then grown-up lust and desire. Throw in a side of mystery and suspense and you have one heck of a fast-paced, unputdownable book. This is a definite One-Clicker.
This was a great second installment into the Dumont family. The sexual tension was top notch and a little forbidden. The back story that was created between these two helped me feel the connection. The chemistry was real. The forbidden aspect made this book full of angst. I was waiting on every page for it to finally happen. The creativity of the story kept me turning the page. This was just the right level of suspense and angst. This is a great series and a very dysfunctional family!
Karina Halle brings readers back to Paris and The Dumonts with Disarm, the second book in her Dumonts series and this one is even more angsty than the first. It’s all about danger and mystery as Seraphine tries to get to the bottom of her father’s death. While this does read as a complete standalone, it is recommended that you read Discretion first to best understand the story as some parts of this book take place during that story.
In Discretion we first met Seraphine and Blaise and my interest was peaked by the weird chemistry between them. In Disarm, Halle jumps back and forth in time and she does this seamlessly, filling in the past between Seraphine and Blaise and building the perfect backstory for these two strong characters. Their chemistry is evident in every interaction even when disguised as anger and hate. They spew vitriol at one another and spar at every turn but underneath is a burning passion. There’s danger at every turn in this story and Halle does a great job building the anticipation. The last quarter of the book I found myself unable to put it down, dying to know how the story would play out. I love how we see these characters transform when faced with the challenges that they do.
Disarm is a great read and I can’t wait to get Pascal’s story next! 4 stars
This was a dramatic followup to Discretion (Book #1) and I enjoyed it just as much if not more! The slow burn and dynamic chemistry between Blaise and Seraphine was amazing in this book. Add in the suspense and mystery aspect and I couldn’t ask for more. I love the dynamic among these characters, the plot and the constant tension that had me on the edge of my seat throughout this read. Can’t wait for Pascal’s story-I think it will be an interesting one! Solid 4.5 star read for me. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.
Disarm is filled with mystery, angsty situations, manipulative characters you like to hate will keep you hooked to the story. And when it comes to romance, it’s a slow burn between, the main character, Seraphina and Blaise. I like how their feeling built cautiously even though their attraction was instant, giving them time to fully appreciate each other.
Karina Halle didn’t disappointed in writing a more intense second book of the Dumonts series. I absolutely enjoyed it! A must-read!
“There’s nothing in this world more beautiful than her, not even a million rising and setting suns.”
Disarm is the second book in The Dumonts series. I was really looking forward to Seraphine’s story after meeting her in Discretion. I liked this book better than the previous one, and that is because there was more character growth, and history between the two main characters. I admired Seraphine’s strong and determined personality. Even though she wasn’t born into the Dumont family, she still feels a strong loyalty to her adoptive father and the family business. Even after being adopter at nine years old, she still feels like she isn’t enough and doesn’t fully belong. She comes from a lost and damaged place, and is scared that she will end up alone again. Blaise is the black sheep of the family and her adoptive cousin. Unbeknownst to her, he too feels like he is alone in the world. Not fitting in and being a failure in the eyes of his parents.
Blaise and Seraphine have history, and I was happy that the author showcased this in short flashbacks. This really helped me in connecting with the characters. This was very important because the book isn’t that long for a drawn-out development of the relationship, so seeing that there already was something between them helped me in believing in their love in present time. The suspense was done really well in this book and I enjoyed reading the scenes were the characters were in danger. I really enjoyed this book and loved seeing these two great characters come together. I absolutely love Karina Halle’s writing style, it was very easy to read and it had a great flow. I am pleasantly surprised that the next book Disavow is Pascal’s story. I currently dislike him, but I do have a thing for anti-heroes and redemption stories, so I look forward to seeing how it will play out.
I was intrigued by non-biological cousins Seraphine and Blaise in Discretion. There was animosity between them, but it was tinged by sexual tension and obvious history.
Seraphine is the adopted daughter of “the good side” of the Dumonts. But now her parents are both gone and her brothers live in the US, so she is the only one of her side of the family left working for the Dumont label in Paris. So she is the outcast to her Uncle Gautier and cousins, Pascal and Blaise. And Blaise seems to be sharing her job now so she knows she is on borrowed time in the company. But when she starts sticking her nose into her father’s cause of death, things become more precarious for her.
Blaise has always had it bad for his cousin. There were a few shared kisses and flirting mixed in times of avoidance or animosity. But he would always step back for both his own and her protection. A relationship between them when younger would have caused issues with their families. He has never been the favored son and does not agree with his father and brother’s tactics. But Seraphine does not know what to really think of him since he has always run so hot and cold, and his family all seem to be out to get her side of the family. So it is hard to trust him.
Seraphine has always had insecurities about being adopted, Indian, feeling ugly, and lonely. She is sensitive and smart, and tries to hide her self doubt under a polished and professional veneer. And now she is becoming worried and for good reason. She is getting involved in a situation that others do not want to be investigated. She may not be just fighting for her job, but for her life.
Blaise is torn between loyalty to his family and the woman he loves. Helping her will also put a target on his back. He will have to make choices and be willing to fight to keep them safe. But they are up against people who do not value them much and have money, power, and friends in low places.
This is a slow-burn, forbidden romance overlying a danger and suspense murder mystery plot. There are secrets, lies, and betrayal layered into it. I liked both Seraphine and Blaise. Getting into Blaise’s head made it much easier to understand him and his feelings and motivations. I did wish that we got a bit more relationship development with them in the present, but it seemed a bit overshadowed by all of the external danger. There is suspense, action, and all kinds of dirty deeds. I was not sure how Blaise and Seraphine would get out of the mess they were in.
I enjoyed this one more than the first book and became immersed again in the Dumont world. I am interested in reading Pascal’s book, Disavow and getting his point of view. I love it when an author can take a villain type character and bring redemption.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Disarm is the second book in The Dumont’s series and centers around Seraphine. When we first met her in Discretion, I liked her right away. She’s the adopted daughter, but her sense of obligation to the family and family name is fierce and she is a kickass heroine who desperately wants to get to the bottom of what truly happened to her father. She’s convinced he was murdered, at the hands of her despicable uncle.
Now, six months after her father’s passing, she’s the only one in her family left working in the business. Her two brothers have gone off to California to work in their hotels and winerys. She’s left to defend herself against her uncle and two cousins, who treat her horribly on a daily basis.
I was super intrigued with Blaise in the first book. It was obvious to the reader that he had some type of feelings for Seraphine, but couldn’t display them in front of his father or brother. As we find out in this book, looks are oftentimes deceiving.
Karina does a great job of laying out the slow burn between Seraphine and Blaise in this story. There’s more suspense and twists this time around, I think because that element didn’t present itself until towards the end of the first book. This one has it all the way through, and as much as I disliked alot of things Blaise has done in the past, I was rooting for him and Seraphine in this book. How do you pursue a relationship with someone who you’ve treated horribly in the past because it was expected of you by your father, as well as being taboo because Seraphine is considered your cousin, in name only?
I completely hated Pascal in the previous book and in the beginning of this one, but I have to say, I feel like I’m changing my attitude towards him…I can’t wait for his book to release!! I’m also hoping the questions I still have running through my head are resolved in his story, because there’s a couple of things not tied up in this book that I need answers to!
I loved being back in Paris again!
This is the second book in The Dumont series. A 4 star romantic suspense.
Seraphine had a rough start in life. Came into the Dumont family and adapted well into the life of the rich. Blaise was born rich but with a father’s heavy hand. Together they will form a bond and alliance.
This is somewhat a forbidden, slightly taboo. A great romantic, suspense with great characters. I like the description of different places in Europe. I felt like I was there.
This book can be read as a standalone. Told in a dual POV with an HEA. I recommend this story.
“Disarm” is the 2nd book of the Dumonts series and it picks up a couple of months after Discretion ended. The story now focuses on Seraphine, Olivier’s half-sister, and Blaise, her half-cousin. I can’t say you can’t read this one as a standalone, but it’s better if you pick up Discretion first to read about the backstory that the author set in motion in there, or you will miss important pieces from the puzzle.
I just have to point out something to the author and editor. I know this isn’t the final version of the book since it’s not even released, but still. In the chapter where they are in Italy, the farmer says a line in Italian. Well, the problem is that the “e” in “Qual é il problema?” has the wrong accent mark. In my copy, it is written as “é”, but the accent mark is wrong. In Italian we have the acute accent mark but the “e” in that context, which is the verb “to be”, has a grave accent. -> “è”. So the correct line is: “Qual è il problema?”. I’m telling you this because I am Italian, so I’m telling you as a mothertongue.
Like I said, this book is about Seraphine and Blaise. We’ve met both in the previous book because they are related to Olivier Dumont, and it was clear that despite they seemed to hate each other, in reality they liked each other. It’s better to say they’ve liked each other for so long it was basically strange that they never gave a chance to each other, but the thing is complicated.
Seraphine was adopted by the Dumonts when she was 9, and the author shows us her first memories of her adopted parents and new half-brothers Olivier and Renaud, as well as her cousins. We have a chapter were we read about her past alternating with a chapter talking about her present, so that we get to know her backstory better. I loved the flashbacks because they were able not only to make Seraphine’s character deep and interesting so you knew where she was coming from, but it also helped shape and cement her history with Blaise.
In Discretion, we saw Blaise as the black sheep of his side of the Dumont family. He’s the son of the evil Gautier and brother to the submissive and stalkerish Pascal, that don’t consider a member of their family because they believe he’s too soft. Through the flashbacks chapters we see Blaise growing up in a world of snakes. In this world where you can’t trust nobody, he’s attracted to Seraphine, who is a light among all the lying people who are in his life. He doesn’t know why, but ever since he meets her, he’s allured to her, and he doesn’t know why.
I liked his internal conflict: Blaise is the youngest son of a man who lives for money and fame and is obsessed with bloodlines and whatnot. When his brother Ludovic adopts Seraphine, who was not only an orphan but a woman of color, he doesn’t accept it and he’s racist against her just because she’s not blood related to them. So of course Gautier expects his sons Pascal and Blaise to despise her as well, since she’s living a life she shouldn’t live. Blaise is a bit of an angry guy growing up, because he’s frustrated with his family and everything, so most of his interactions with Seraphine make her believe he hates her guts too, even though he knows he acts like an ass because he knows he likes her too much for his own good. Plus, they are half-cousins. She’s not blood related but she’s still legally linked to him. All of these things and the fact that in the present Seraphine seems to feel only hatred towards him because of what happened in the past and what his father has probably done to hers, make Blaise think that this is a lost cause.
Seraphine and Blaise had a strong level of angst. You could feel it through the past moments they shared and through their present ones. Their love for each other blossomed when they were young and as they grew up, it only became a mass of unresolved sexual tension. Until they couldn’t hold themselves anymore. Seraphine doubted Blaise’s trust in all of this because of Gautier. The man is really creepy and he’d go to any length to save his face, and Seraphine has always believed that Blaise worked for him and she shouldn’t be fooled by what he says. We finally see that Blaise on the contrary has always hated his family and he did everything he could to be different and as far as possible from all of them, and he gets his chance to prove to Seraphine that he’s on her side. All of their past interactions plus the ones in the present and the suspenseful events that happen in between build up to the moment of truth, to the moment where they can’t deny their feelings and sexual tension to each other anymore. I loved that. I loved how their angst grew chapter after chapter until it exploded. I loved how the author didn’t rush things between them and made them face their issues with each other one at a time before making them unlock their passion.
Of course, this book didn’t just have Seraphine and Blaise’s story. It also showed us that sadly the mystery/suspense item that Discretion opened hasn’t been resolved yet, but I guess it’s ok since we’ll also get Pascal’s book. I’m excited! Because until some point I thought Pascal couldn’t be redeemed anymore, but we after some point I guess that he’ll come around to help his brother and cousins to finally put his father behind bars.
I will patiently wait for that one.