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…
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Sometimes I read books that I know will guarantee me an easy HEA and lots and lots of good feels and then there are the times I know a book is going to tear me up inside while taking me down the road towards a tortured happily ever after and that is exactly what Karina’s books do to me. “Discretion” is just one of those books. It is a beautiful love story, but it is a torturous journey towards love and understanding. A journey that takes you, the reader, on a string of highs and lows that reek havoc on your emotions. I love Olivier even though I don’t fully understand him or what motivates him to be how he is because he is such a multifaceted character whose layers peel away slowly as the story progresses. Sadie on the other hand is honest, raw, genuine and you feel every emotion alongside her as the story unfolds. Yet another phenomenal read. I look forward to more books in the Dumont series.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
A story full of romance, passion and intrigue, all wrapped up in a new family drama series following the Dumonts, a family with no love lost between them. As much as I enjoyed this story, I wasn’t invested in the characters. I couldn’t find it in myself to really appreciate tall, sexy, multi millionaire Olivier Dumont, who didn’t have an alpha bone in his body. I like my leading men a little more take charge, and Olivier was a little bit too nice for my taste. Sadie however was more my cup of tea, dumping her cheating boyfriend whilst they’re backpacking around Europe, and still she continues on her journey, not even thinking about running home with her tail between her legs. As the story progressed it did become more and more addictive, and I was curious as to the outcome. I’m definitely thinking about what book 2 will add to the mix. This family is entertaining to say the least. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.
There is no denying that Karina Halle can write and this series promises to be amazing. The whole premise oozes romance. The setting doesn’t get any hotter than the Mediterranean, dark-haired French men, fashion industry, luxury hotels, family legacy and scandal. It has all come together to be an enticing and exciting series and Discretion is book 1.
Olivier Dumont seems to be your typical leading French man with looks to stop any woman in their tracks. Something about American traveller, Sadie Reynolds, has him totally enraptured and he can’t fathom being without her. The pair meet under unusual circumstances which may even be characterized as fate. Their whirlwind romance spirals into something more, their chemistry heats up and dreams are envisioned. Too bad reality comes knocking.
I was totally captivated by this couple during the beginning of the book. Their story reminded me of the movie Pretty Woman and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Olivier is a billionaire who can provide the world to Sadie and she soaks up the attention and luxury knowing their time together is short lived and has an expiry date. In true Karina fashion, she builds me up and breaks my heart. Exactly what a great romance story should do.
The remainder of the book had it’s moments that I questioned and I wasn’t fond of Olivier’s treatment of Sadie at times, but I still loved the couple. The drama and scandal that ensues is intriguing but a little unbelievable. Yes, Olivier has a huge secret but I just couldn’t get on board with how devastating he felt it was or that he couldn’t get out of it. Setting that aside, I loved the book, and I am anxious for the rest of the series.
3.5 to 4 stars…
This is the introduction to a new series based in France about an extremely wealthy and powerful family. This centers around Olivier Dumont, who runs the hotel side of the Dumont empire while his other family members deal with the haute couture and other subsidiaries.
But there are some serious family dynamics and secrets in play. Olivier made a mistake ten years ago and is still paying for it, and the situation is about to get even more complicated. He is handsome, charming, intelligent, rich, and known as a playboy. He does not really get close to people and lives with his guilt and shame.
Sadie Reynolds is a poor student from the US just backpacking during her summer. She has not had good luck with men, and is barely scraping by during her trip. But she is smart, resourceful, spunky, and independent. When Olivier comes into her life unexpectedly, he offers to change it for the time she remains in Europe. And due to their new connection both of their lives do change significantly. It is pretty much insta-chemistry and insta-love for these two. But they are good for each other and seem to provide a much-needed anchor when needed. And suddenly Olivier has someone to lose.
But is it just a short fling? Is there any way for them to find a way to make it work with them living in two different countries and really two different worlds?
And as tension mounts in the Dumont family, will the innuendo and threats become all too real? Would it be safer for Olivier to just let her go? How far are people willing to go to have the power and money they want?
In addition to the quick and steamy romance, it’s got intrigue, secrets, and suspense. I will admit I had a hard time getting into this one at first, but by the end, the author had really introduced this intense cast of characters and family drama and made them seem more real. I honestly did not think his big secret was that big a deal although I could see how a young man could be guilted and influenced. But in the present day, it did not seem as significant anymore. Some of it felt a bit over the top and some of it will probably bleed into the next two books. I am looking forward to more with Seraphine and Blaise’s love-hate relationship in the next book, Disarm. It is going to take some work for the author to make me like his malicious cousin, Pascal, but I have faith that she will manage it in his book, Disavow.
I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Karina Halle whisks readers away to beautiful French locations where love, sex, and intrigue take center stage. Having never been to France myself, I loved getting a taste of it through Halle’s writing. Olivier Dumont is as sexy of a Frenchman as you can possibly get. Romantic, adventurous and wealthy beyond imagination. When he stumbles upon destitute American Sadie Reynolds, he rescues her and whisks her into the center of his crazy, exciting world. The story is full of steam and swoon coupled with angst and emotion. The story progresses at a quick pace and danger and intrigue takes hold for the second half of the book. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions but in the end, there’s an HEA that’s worth the wait. I can’t wait to see what’s next in the second book!
* A review copy was provided by the author/publisher via Netgalley *
OMG!!! I absolutely LOVED this book. Discretion is the first book I have read by Karina Halle and it won’t be my last!!! I don’t know what has taken me so long to pick up her books. I have many sitting on my kindle.
This book had a little bit of everything in it, there was romance, humor, heartache and suspenseful drama. I loved the characters we met in this story. Although she did give us some that I didn’t like so much, but that’s what adds the tension and drama to the story. I thought the flow and pace of this story was perfect. The secrets were revealed at the perfect time. Just when the reader is getting comfortable the author springs something new on us.
This book held my attention all the way through. It was a fairly quick read but that is only because I didn’t want to stop reading once I started.
I really hope we get other books with some of the side characters we met in this story. I think Seraphine really needs to tell her story as well. I also believe that her getting her own story would also wrap up some of this storyline better. No this isn’t a cliffhanger and Olivier and Sadie’s story is wrapped up in the end of the book, but there were some questions I was left with that I think another book (for Seraphine) would help clear everything up for me.
I would 100% recommend this book to all Karina Halle fans. If you love a great romance novel with some edge of your seat drama, then this is the book to read.
Sadie Reynolds is a broke, American college student backpacking her way through Europe, after breaking up with her boyfriend. Finding herself in a shady part of town after dark, while on her way to the train station, she realizes she’s being followed. Fortunately for Sadie, Olivier Dumont is in that same shady part of town, and drives by as she’s being attacked. Coming to her rescue, he insists on taking care of her since she’s alone and injured. Sadie doesn’t know who he really is, he’s worried about what will happen when the truth comes out.
I’m a pretty big Karina Halle fan, while I haven’t read all of her books, I’ve read a decent amount of them, one thing I like is her consistency in writing. I know what to expect when I pick up one of her books, and this one definitely did not disappoint. I also like to go into her books blind, I knew it was coming out, but intentionally avoided all blurbs and information about it. I was pleasantly surprised that it has a little bit of suspense. The scene where Sadie is visiting the catacombs made my skin crawl. And Camille, I’m not an animal lover, but I’m also not a monster, that broke my heart for little Pascal. I could 100 percent relate to Sadie and her anxieties, being a in world that she doesn’t belong in, comparing herself to all the women before, especially with Olivier keeping her a secret. Olivier, I struggled with him simply because I wanted him to stand up for himself, I understand that he was trying to protect his family, and Sadie, maybe he’ll surprise me in book 2. I really enjoyed this book, and I’m excited for the second to see where everything goes.
ARC provided by NetGalley
“That’s what love does to you.
It wakes you up. It makes you real.”
With every published book, I fall in love with Karina’s writing even more. And Discretion just has deepened my admiration for this author. With the storyline set in France, interesting characters brought together by a coincidence and the danger lurking from the sidelines, this book gave me everything I’m looking for in a good romance- beautiful love story, suspense and a bit of thrill.
Sadie Reynolds is just a poor student currently backpacking through Europe. She was on her way to the next stop in her journey, when she found herself in a dangerous situation, but thankfully she was saved by a mysterious and very handsome Frenchman. A man, who despite being a stranger had her trust and who turned out to be Olivier Dumont- France’s most eligible bachelor, sucessful hotelier and a member of french fashion royalty. When Olivier took care of Sadie, their unexplained connection deepened, just as their mutual feelings. They found in each other comfort, passion and love. But Olivier has a secret from his past that’s clouding his chance for happiness. His youthful indiscretion resulted in the deal with the devil and it’s time to collect. But where it leaves Sadie?
I love this story. Karina Halle introduced me to the world of wealth and power, where luxury and glam is just as common as manipulation and danger. And Olivier’s situation is a perfect example. But aside from this thrilling plot, Discretion is a great love story that connects two people from a different backgrounds. He- wealthy, incredibly handsome and sophisticated Frenchman, and she- poor, average but cute American. Despite everything they had this sizzling chemistry and unbridled passion that could melt the iceberg. Their intimacy was super steamy and I couldn’t get enough of their private moments.
I highly recommend this book! Everything in this story was perfectly designed and with Karina Halle’s flawless writing we have another amazing read. This book keeps reader’s interest from the very beginning up to the last sentence. The characters are fascinating and the plot twists are keeping us in the suspense. I can’t wait for more books in this series!