From New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle comes a delicious saga of wealth, luxury, and scandal—and the wicked secrets of success behind an envied family dynasty.The Riviera means indulgence—if you’ve got money. For Sadie Reynolds, a down-on-her-luck student, the Riviera means dingy hostels and back streets. When a wrong turn puts her in jeopardy, the last thing she expects is to be … she expects is to be saved by the most handsome stranger she’s ever locked eyes with. When she later wakes up in a luxury suite with a Mediterranean view, she’s in the tender care of her rescuer: Olivier Dumont, France’s most eligible bachelor, billionaire hotelier, and heir to the Dumont fashion fortune.
Olivier also owns his reputation for scandal. But Sadie is unlike any woman he’s ever met. Her humble persona and wild innocence promise real passion. He’s promising Sadie something too: anything she wants. From Bordeaux to Cannes to Paris, Sadie’s past in America is swept away and replaced with a fantasy too good to be true.
Pulled into Olivier’s orbit of wealth, glamour, and excess, Sadie discovers that the Dumont dynasty comes with a legacy of wicked secrets. And Olivier’s secrets may be the most damning of all…
more
4.5 Stars
Discretion was such a romantic story. No matter the family drama build up there was or threats they faced the love and passion that quickly and so easily formed between Olivier and Sadie never wavered. And with a backdrop like France? How more romantic could it get??
Olivier Dumont is from a well known family in France. Producing products along the lines of Chanel and the like, they are highly respected and their products sought after. But behind the scenes the family has had a serious rival for years. His family is close and loving and kind. His uncle and cousins…not so much.
When he meets Sadie his instantly drawn to the American girl that has no idea who he is. She humble and kind and breathes a little life into him. With her he doesn’t have to worry about all his responsibilities or what’s going on with the family. She becomes his escape. Their connection sparks a whirlwind romance in one of the most romantic cities in the world and it was oh so dreamy!!
I was sucked in from the very moment I began reading and found it extremely hard to put it down to handle that stuff called – life.
Discretion was an incredible start to this suspenseful series and I look forward to so much more.
This opposites attract romance was enticing and steamy. Karina Halle always has a way of taking me on a journey that’s exciting, magical, and romantic. This story swept me away and kept me totally engaged from start to finish. It opens years earlier with Oliver being rebuked by his Uncle. He makes him do something that isn’t revealed at first. In present time, Sadie is backpacking alone in Europe when she is attacked. Oliver saves her life and is concerned by her injuries. He feels responsible for her, but quickly his feelings turn to so much more. Sadie is a poor college student and Oliver is a successful rich businessman. She is enamored by the sexy, charming Oliver and agrees to spend more time with him. But Oliver has dangerous secrets, and Sadie is soon in the cross-hairs. Their romance is a whirlwind that could cost them everything. This thrilling and sexy story kept me turning the pages, wondering what would happen next. Even tho their story seems to have a HEA, there are so many questions that I need answered. I truly enjoyed this emotional, exhilarating and sexy story and can’t wait for more of The Dumonts!
4+
Sadie is touring Europe alone after she broke up with her ex during their trip. She’s in Paris and about to catch a train to Spain when something happens that makes inevitable for her stay in France for more days than planned. That’s how she meets Olivier, a mysterious man who offers her help and saves her from a mugger. They don’t know each other but she accepts his help, since she is an American girl in a foreign country and she needs the help momentarily.
Now on to why I rated it 4 stars instead of 5.
The way Sadie and Olivier meet is cool, even if it may be cliché. She doesn’t want to accept his help because she doesn’t want to bother a stranger, and I also liked how firm her resolve was in not saying ‘yes’ too soon to Olivier. Olivier is a wealthy man, so of course to him helping her doesn’t cost him anything. The way they start to get to know each other as Sadie spends time with Olivier is slow at first, with them being a bit wary. This is one thing I like in contemporary romances, because I hate when the characters have the hots for each other 5 minutes after they’ve met. Sadie and Olivier get to learn things about one another until they jump on each other and all of that interesting dynamic that was turning into a soft angst goes out of the window. This was a let down to me, because it felt as if the most important thing was the sex and not getting to know each other. I would’ve preferred the sex to happen much later, since we understand that Sadie didn’t have much trust in men after her ex betrayed her. But this I can get past.
Another thing that pushed me not to give another star is also Sadie herself. There were many times during the whole book where she questioned herself, where she self-pitied herself and thought Olivier didn’t want to be seen with her because she was a nobody. There were moments where what she said or thought made me roll my eyes, because she was exahusting. While I liked Olivier much more than Sadie and believe that he is a good character, even he had his flaws. First of all, the suspenseful reason why he decided to dedicate himself to something else other than his family’s brand. He is smart, but at times I thought he acted like an idiot and did “noble idiot” actions. Like, man, doubt more! Think more about what you’ll do.
Last thing I want to mention is the suspense plot. While this is technically a contemporary romance, there was also an intriguing plot with suspenseful moments. I love suspense and I love asking myself why or who did what and why something happened and so on. This book had an alluring suspense and family drama plot, with Olivier being at odds with his uncle Gautier and his cousins because of his family’s brand. But when it came to execution, some was poor and it didn’t really get resolved for once and for all. I understand there’s a second book being released in the Fall, so I guess that only in the next installment we’ll know how things changed. Because the way this story wraps up is happy but it leaves the reader with many unresolved questions.
Don’t be discouraged by my criticism! I enjoyed this book despite everything. It’s a quick read with some steamy and sweet moments and also some suspense, so you’ll love it for sure. Now I’m waiting for the following book to read how things will develop.
I love Karina Halle’s books having read a few of them in the past and this one did not disappoint. It was a little slow paced in places for my taste but storyline twists set against the glamourous money dripping backdrop of the French Riviera and character layers helped me to push past that downside. I will certainly be looking to continue onto the next book in the Dumont series and hope to see Oliver and Sadie pop up again at some point.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book didn’t make my heart sing, like other books written by this author. I didn’t admire the hero and didn’t find the heroine all that special. I found both a little spineless.
Olivier Dumont belongs to a very wealthy and powerful French family who deal in the world of haute couture and hotels. When he was twenty years old, he made a mistake and his uncle found him out. He paid for his mistake signing some document that gave his uncle power over him. In their empire, Olivier’s father and his uncle are partners but the father is a good, kind and old-fashioned man whereas the uncle is bad, ruthless, ambitious enough to ride roughshod over everyone and even blackmail his own nephew.
Ten years later, we have Sadie, a broke college student backpacking over Europe. Olivier saves her from a mugging, brings her to his hotel and invites her to stay for a while. He finds her innocence and lack of knowledge about him refreshing and wants to enjoy the feeling of spending days as a normal man with a girl he likes. He’s very taken with her and she’s mesmerized by his looks and manners and Frenchness.
And here is when things get dicey for me. He hides her from public viewing because he’s afraid his family will learn about her. He’s afraid of his uncle and cousin’s nefarious plans that may harm her, and oust him. He’s also afraid of facing his father and confessing his sins for fear of disappointing him. For a worldly and knowledgeable man of thirty years, who succesfully formed a hotel empire and has the power of his money and his name, this is very wimpy and cowardly.
As for Sadie, she’s spending all this time in Paris, hating that she can’t be seen with Olivier in public but rather has to wander around the tourist sites by herself, waiting for when he’s free to see her. Their encounters usually entail that she has to go meet him at some place. There was one situation where the Dumont yearly masquerade ball was held in a castle two hours away from France and Sadie had to get on a train, then a car ride, all on her own to get there, while Olivier was present on-site from the start. Then once at the ball, after a brief initial encounter, they have to feign not to know each other, which left Olivier chatting and laughing with guests and Sadie wandering around like a lost soul who knows no one there. To me, he behaved like a scumbag and she like a wimp.
There’s some suspense in the story from the deadly duo comprised by the uncle and one of his sons. They do sound dangerous and scary but I hated Olivier’s cowardice at accepting defeat, not looking beyond the obvious and realizing what has really happening. Overall, I hated that he didn’t face things and make them right.
I was disappointed in the direction and the place where this story ended up. It just didn’t feel right. And this saddens me because I have loved all the books I’ve read by this author up to this one.
Great book can’t wait to read next one
Wow! I’ve always wanted to travel to France, and now I feel like I have! This book is fantastic!
I really, really wanted to like this story but there were just too many holes and things that defied rational logic. The biggest problem is there was absolutely no reason found for Olivier and Sadie’s love. What did he see in her? What was the attraction? All the reader gets is he rescues her, sets her up in a hotel, lots and lots of sex, undying love. Somewhere there needs to be some understanding of where the actual feelings came from!
There are also so many situations and decisions that make absolutely NO sense whatsoever that I can’t even begin to list them all. From the absolutely absurd blackmail device (seriously? A 20 year old who has a very close relationship with his loving family would rather destroy everything than go to his father over a mistake… huh?) to Sadie’s decision never to say anything about the threats, to Olivier hiding her and making her show up to events by herself and pretend they don’t know each other, to refusing an autopsy when every single thing points to foul-play. And, the really big one at the end where NOTHING is resolved and his decision makes him look like a complete and utter wimp who hides his head in the sand while Rome burns.
Since this is only the second Karina Halle book I have read and I really liked the first, I’m hoping she just had a freakishly bad run so I won’t give up completely…. just with this series
Sadie is an American tourist who is backpacking around Europe with barely any money and the clothes on her back, but a lot of determination. When a man attacks her trying to steal what little she has when she is saved by Olivier Dumont a millionaire playboy who was just driving by but when he sees Sadie is hurt he takes her back to his hotel. The more time they spend together the more Sadie and Olivier get closer but Olivier won’t let her close enough to know his secrets until it’s too late.
Olivier and Sadie’s story makes you want more like the next book and I can’t wait.
Reviewed on behalf of Once upon an Alpha
It has been a long time since I’ve read a book by Karina and I know a lot in the romance community that absolutely adore her books. Once I saw that she was coming out with a new series, I couldn’t wait to give Discretion a try.
For the most part I was really enjoying the majority of the book, Olivier is caught in the cross hairs when it comes to his rather dysfunctional family. And don’t even get me started on his crazy cousin, Pascal, that guy has a few screws loose. Throughout the entire book, you’ll be wondering what it exactly it was that he did.
The story line was pretty easy going and with Olivier being a bit of a knight in shining armor, I rather enjoyed the relationship that that he and Sadie fell into. Other than that, there just wasn’t a whole lot going on.
I didn’t have an issue connecting with the characters, but was hoping more of a stronger development for the both of them. And when it comes to the secret that Olivier has been holding for years, it felt like it wasn’t enough of a conflict.
Towards the end, things really pick up and Karina adds the suspense element to their story. I definitely loved that part and am hoping we get more of that with the rest of the series. I still have several questions that will hopefully be answered as we get to know the other Dumonts.
**I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY READER’S COPY FROM THE PUBLISHER & NETGALLEY IN CONSIDERATION FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. **
I absolutely loved this! It was exciting, intriguing, and super sexy. I’m usually not a fan of insta-love, but it just works here. It’s a true testament to Karina’s writing. Sadie and Olivier were off the charts! The Paris setting didn’t hurt either. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series. I love that we got Sadie and Olivier’s full story in this book, but that the underlying story of the Dumont brand and the crazy family dynamics is continuing. Can’t wait!
This one took me a couple of days to get through. Oliver and Sadie were okay characters for me, they didn’t blow me away or anything. Sure there’s a lot of family drama, but I did find myself putting the book down or skimming through a couple of parts. It did pick up more towards the end. I will probably read then next one because I want to know what’s going on with his sister.
When I started this book,I was hooked from page one. I loved the premise “Wealth,family business,secrets…”
I love Karina Halle’s writing. I love how well she describes the places,the settings….It makes you feel you’re right there living the same as the characters.
Olivier is swoony and hot as sin. Sadie is the girl with absolutely no luck who bumps into this rich man’s life after something happens to her.
But as I was going further into the story I felt something was missing…
I really enjoyed the book. I liked it but I can’t say I loved it. I was hoping that Olivier’s secret was something more intriguing or tragic…I don’t know…maybe juicer? From the bits that were shared it looked it was going to be bigger tah it was.
Above all,it was a great book,the chemistry between them was good too.
I can’t wait to see where this series is going..
It is a happy, happy day in my world when Karina Halle has a new book out. Discretion is her latest and, unlike the majority of her books, has been traditionally published. I wasn’t exactly thinking about how the book might be different than her self-published titles but I realized after devouring finishing it that it was true Halle, through and through and I am so thankful the publisher didn’t mess with her signature steamy angst that I’ve come to love.
On the one hand, I am PUMPED that Discretion has kicked off a new series from Halle. I loved it and want more. Lots more. I was not ready to say goodbye to this family and all of the secrets that are still hidden. On the other hand…now I have to wait to find out what happens next! And there are so many secrets that still needs to be unravelled. Luckily, we only have to wait until November for the second book, Disarm. It will feature Olivier’s adopted sister and their cousin.
So, obviously, if I’m that psyched about a sequel, I clearly adored this book. Halle delivered her usual angsty romance in a BIG way and I was completely committed to Olivier and Sadie’s relationship. I liked that, while they were immediately attracted to one another, they took it slow and really found respect for one another before jumping into bed together. Both Olivier and Sadie were, in a way, running from something – Olivier from a deal he signed with his uncle a decade prior (and I have THOUGHTS on that deal but can’t spoil it) and Sadie from a recently broken heart and her reality back in Seattle – and they were so wary of the feelings they were having for each other. And those feelings? Hoo boy, they were smokin’ hot.
Even though there are a lot of “rich boy, poor girl” stories out there, Halle’s take on the trope felt original. Olivier’s wealth is so outrageous that it almost didn’t seem real. It was sort of like a fairy tale. He also, thankfully, wasn’t the kind of guy who felt the need to show off his money in ridiculous ways. He was as secure as a thirty year old guy can be as he’s facing down a ticking time bomb of a deal with an evil family member. He also recognized that Sadie was fiercely independent and spoiled her in a way that respected her as a person and made her feel comfortable. She fought it a bit and never once took advantage of his wealth either. But, hey, who would want to turn down elegant dresses or luxurious hotel rooms, complete with room service?
And those evil family members? Oh my word, I don’t trust them at all. They’s so terrible and vindictive and Halle writes them so well. I can actually say that I hate them – that’s how powerful Halle’s characters are.
There’s so much more that could be said about Discretion but I fear I’ll get even closer to rambling territory if I go on much further. Basically all you need to know is that I loved Karina Halle’s new book and think that she’s hit on a series that will be just as addictive to other readers as it was for me.
I was hooked from the very beginning of this beautiful, romantic story. Sadie is backpacking across Europe with her boyfriend when an unexpected breakup occurs. She is a strong, brave female that continues on her adventure alone. A series of unfortunate events for Olivier leads him into Sadie’s path at just the right time. Olivier and Sadie had an attraction that was instant and their love story flowed with ease. The romance of Sadie and Olivier, the side characters you love and hate, and the air of mystery untwined into the story makes it hard to stop reading. I loved the happily ever after. Very well done!
“The Dumont brand took a hit on the CAC 40 today. The Heir apparent playboy was seen leaving a restaurant while a fight broke out. It’s said that the Dumont bad boy was the cause of the incident. More news after a word from our sponsors…
Dumont luxury line…”
They run it all. Clothes. Handbags. Suits. Hotels. Dumont is the name to wear. Too bad it’s too rich for my blood. Now Olivier, I would take him for a spin! Lol. Sexy, charming, and French…ohlala!
I may have forgotten most of my 4 years of Frnech but this naughty Frenchman had me wanting to learn it all over again
Discretion has it all. Conspiracies, romance, and danger. A sexy savior and a free vacation in France…what’s not to love!?!
Remember Discretion for the sake of our clients. No photographs in our lobby. Dumont is a name you won’t forget. We look forward to captivating you. Just beware of your surroundings. It’s about to get bumpy.
With a bit of a mystery and a lot of family drama, Discretion will keep the pages turning.
It is just about impossible not to get lost in a story of Karina Halle’s, and Discretion was no different. From the South of France to Paris, these characters and settings took my breath away at times.
I will say that it took me a bit to really get into the story of Sadie, a broken-hearted college-age backpacker in Europe, and Olivier, a French billionaire. At first I thought their relationship/attraction was too contrived – too instant; but then you get to know both of their stories and backgrounds, and you will fall for these characters!
Sadie is your typical college girl who was swept up in the idea of traveling Europe with her boyfriend. I admired her tenacity and bravery for continuing on her trip solo when events happened to separate them. Her travels took me back to a time when I, too, traveled across Europe backpacking with my college friends. K Halle paints the picture and scenes so well that you feel you are a part of them! When Sadie meets Olivier, their connection is instant but does not seem that it is ever-lasting. But as their story unfolds, and different characters come into play they begin to rely on each other for more than a hot fling.
I was captivated by Olivier and the life he led – the Gala balls, billion dollar company deals, and of course, his family. The secrets and twists that played out kept me glued to the pages, and falling for Olivier more and more. I felt almost protective of him at times, and desperately wanted him to set the truth free and end up with the girl of his dreams, Sadie.
The side characters in this book play a big part in keeping this story moving, and will keep you guessing who is loyal and who is not. I was swept up in Sadie & Olivier’s love story and how it bloomed – the circumstances that drew them closer together, and how their initial attraction eventually turned into true love.
This is an easy read that will allow you to escape to France and experience family drama, love and loyalty. Well done once again K Halle!!
A stunning and exciting new series from an author that captures emotions and human nature like few others and paints a vivid picture of a family fraught with lies, deception and hate and even a touch of evil at its core, where one side will stop at nothing to have it all. Against all odds, the other half inspires goodness and at its core wants to keep the family business as its always been, wholesome, family oriented and of the highest standards one would expect to see in a French designer company. Olivier has unbeknownst to his father and siblings been keeping a secret, one that will cost him, them everything if he does not do what his evil uncle says. As his time to make.a decision draws nearer he stumbles upon a woman being robbed, and everything changes. Sadie oozes goodness and charm and all that is good in the world. He can’t help but want to soak in every minute of it. Sadie is taken by this charming Frenchman that shows her a world of opulence she never could have imagined. But time is running out, danger lurking at every corner, and things will never be the same for any of them. A new family full of lovable characters and even a few you want to hate so bad, full of potential and everything you’ve cone to expect with a Karina Halle book. I cannot wait for the next one and all the deliciousness it’s sure to bring.
I adore Karina Halle’s magical storytelling ability as with each of her stories I get swept away by the romance, passion between her characters and the absolutey gorgeous emotional connection between them. The feels alone always have me addicted by the first chapter. I felt this exact way when reading Discretion as Olivier and Sadie have a whirlwind romance filled with steamy sex and secrets that had me addicted from their first glimpse of one another!
Without giving away any spoilers when the mysterious Olivier Dumont meets Sadie Reynolds in a dangerous situation, he is completely taken with the young American traveler. But as they get closer and spend more time with one another, Sadie figures out who Olivier Dumont really is and the dark secrets in his past and the family skeletons some members of his family are hiding.
Overall, I enjoyed this story a lot. I enjoyed the chemistry and passion between Olivier and Sadie but did feel that their connection was almost insta-esque. I would have liked to see a little more build up in emotions and back and forth between them. To really feel it.But all in all, this was a great read and I look forward to the second book in the Dumont family saga! Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula
4.5
I love the drama, the high society and insta passion of Discretion. I love the world Olivier comes from and all that twisty family drama that comes with it. He such a swoony frenchman it’s no wonder Sadie is immediately smitten. He is a good man and such an interesting one. I love how far apart him and Sadie are yet thet have this instant connection. Sadie is cute and enjoyable and I love how she fits with Olivier.
The storyline was fantastic, I love that high society drama! It fit well with all the romance and heat of Sadie and Olivier. I am really excited to see more from the Dumont world!