“A sultry summer of suspense that leads to the fall of a powerful family.”He warned me. Said hawks were dangerous birds. Their majestic beauty could blind your eyes as they picked the flesh from your bones. But even hawks have enemies. And they eventually came for the Hawthorn family. Held us hostage. Demanded retribution.But I wasn’t a Hawthorn. No, I was just the help. Caught in the turmoil of … in the turmoil of a tragic family. I worked hard for Delsey Hawthorn. Tried to earn the respect of the reigning tyrant. Assistant. Event planner. Gardner. Chauffeur. I added it all to my resume.
And then I met Javier Hawthorn. Delsey ordered me to stay away from her grandson. But like a moth to a burning flame, I gravitated toward him. He was so different than my world. Irresistible. Charming. He brought a calmness to the chaos.
But that was before the intruders came into the house. Tied us up. Hurt us. We struggled to get away. We fought to survive. But who were the men behind the masks? Did we know them? Because someone who got this close to the family at night must be even closer during the day.
Romantic Suspense | Family Drama | Mystery | Thriller
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A good story that had lots of suspense. The chapters go from past to present which was a bit disconcerting at the beginning, but soon flowed as the story progressed. Love the suspense and the twist!!
This is my first book by SD Hendrickson.
The story is about Sarina, who is from a poor background having to work hard for what she wants and Javier the handsome rich grandson to the Hawthorn millions.
Sarina lands a job at the Hawthorn estate and meets Javier. Their romance starts off as a fling and blossoms into something beautiful.
I dont want to give away any spoilers but I must admit this book really had me hooked from page one.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new author. I will make a point of looking out for more of SD Hendricksons books in the future.
Loved the story and is worth a 5 star rating.
Oh! My! I’m Speechless AND Upside-down that I didn’t know what was coming next!! S.D. Hendrickson is a First time AUTHOR for me and She Had Me at the Very Beginning of reading The Hawks!! I didn’t know what to expect from going back and forth to the Present to the Earlier of Sarina Atwood’s starting career working for the Famous Hawkthorn family!
Ms. Atwood has dreams of bettering herself to support her family and not be a simple woman to settle for less. The Storyline will Suck you into this Emotional Vortex of an Suspenseful Rollercoaster Ride of Your Life! Not to mentioned the thrill of being able to feel the pull of Sexual Chemistry of the characters themselves plus friendships into Family and Hatred of certain people’s Controlling manners. It was sensory overload and a Shockwave so shocking that had you wanting more and more! This is a Must READ BOOK and you Will NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!
I’m DEFINITELY STAYING TUNED for MORE From S.D. Hendrickson!!
EVERY STORY HAS A BEGINNING and this one started the day I first met the Hawthorns. It was a humid morning; the air soaked in a sultry heat, making my dress suit stick to my skin. I could barely breathe from the layers of clothes. But it was all necessary if I wanted to impress her.
The her being Delsey Hawthorn.
Some people were born with privilege, wrapping around their heads with the glow of a giant halo. A lavish existence, big and grand , filled with fancy houses they left behind to travel on extravagant vacations with flashy jewelry, coating their skin while drinking bottles of wine worth thousands of dollars— all granted to them by the blood that had flowed in their veins for generations.
I wasn’t blessed with such a gift. No, mine was more humble. My existence came from those who provided labor for the people with privilege.
As the Hawthorns became wealthy, they evolved into a large pillar in the city and into the communities. They knew nothing of me or my family for that matter. But I knew of them. We all did.
The Hawthorn name was etched on buildings, hospital wings, charities, parks —and on the paycheck my father had received from working on a rig operated by their company. The same check my grandfather had received for thirty-two years before him.
Now it was my turn.
This is a bit of a slow burn but its worth it as you get a solid foundation as well as getting to know the characters well so when it all goes down you feel the connection. The swap between the now and when Sarina started working for Delsey Hawthorn and working back up to the now was really well done and you would get hooked on what was happening then it would swap again which was smart as it kept you reading. To be honest I kept changing who I though was part of the masked guys and when it is revealed oh god really!!! This is my first book by S.D. Hendrickson but I am now keen to read more 😀
I haven’t read a book quite like this before. It kept me entertained from the beginning to end. It wasn’t all happiness and butterflies. Her life was tough and her boss was tougher. The events that lead to the pinnacle of the story made me so mad! I didn’t see it coming either. Great story and plot overall!
I have to say I was really feeling bad for the girl who was trying so hard to better her life and do better things and what she step into was worse if that was possible. The whole story kept your interest. The old lady who everyone hated but somehow did the right thing. The guy who could never have what he really wanted. The author kept us involved and wanting to figure out how things were going to end.
Wow! This book is totally not what I was expecting, but a riveting ride nonetheless.
here were some unique things that I really liked in this one: The tunnels (& the history behind them), the hostage situation and the angst it created, the pull that Sarina & Javier had toward one another and the 2nd chances ~ especially for Grams and Granddaddy (that warmed my heart) and Cole.
There were also some things I did not like so much: The way Delsey treated people, Cole’s harsh reality and abrasive side, the outcome of the hostage situation and what became of Ty and the family as a result. But the story would not be the same without these things!!!
This one was a nice change in what I have been reading lately…
This book had romance & suspense all in one and had me on my toes! Sarina leaves home to make a better life for her family but what happens when she meets one of the grandsons ugh oh. And there’s a twist you didn’t see coming.
The Hawks by SD Hendrickson was the first book I have read from the author and I really enjoyed it. It was well written and the storyline held my attention from the very beginning. I loved the characters and the twist and turns with lots of surprises. I highly recommend this book and look forward to read more from this author.
I finally got to do it!!! I popped my S.D. Hendrickson cherry with The Hawks. What a wonderful story that kept me engrossed from the first page until the last. Written so beautifully, this story of a woman who had dreams. Wanted to be better than what her mother had, her grandparents had…
I had better things planned for my life than ending up in some house on wheels.
Following Sarina Atwood on her path to becoming someone…bigger and better than anyone in her family had ever imagined. She finally landed the job behind the gates of the Hawthorn Estate.
Sarina Atwood was only gold-plated silver who worked in a solid platinum house surrounded by diamonds.
To say that a person needed a suit of armor to work for Mrs. Hawthorn would be an understatement! Her family name was worth everything. Nothing would stop Mrs. Hawthorn from saving the name from any scandal even if it meant severing the ties with those closest to her.
I absolutely loved reading this book! It goes to show you that no matter what your family does, even if there is a black sheep in the family, true love is to be found… Even if it’s found in the least expected of places.
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S.D. Hendrickson became one of my favorite authors when I read “The Mason List,” she blew me away with the range of emotions that I went through reading that book.
With The Hawks you will definitely go through emotions that cut deep with the struggles of Sarina. This book is full of suspense, romance, and heartache. You will not know how to feel towards the end, I am still processing everything that occurred throughout this story.
Sarina is a woman who wants more in life, she thinks that by working for the most powerful family in her town she will finally get everything she wanted in life. She gets more than what she bargained for, between trying to make a name for herself, supporting her family, and dealing with a forbidden romance there is a lot that Sarina has deal with.
There were many things going on in this book, I was trying to figure out how everything flows together and what was the point of everything that went down. I have come to the conclusion that it must have been a moral story through all this, that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
S.D. Hendrickson is a incredible writer, she pulls you in with her stories and then leaves you contemplating every facet of the characters and their choices. The Hawks was an interesting story that had good and bad components that will keep you intrigued until the very end.
Reviewed by: Glori I.
I’m not even sure where to begin when talking about this book! I was hooked from the very first page and on the edge of my seat the entire time. The way the book bounces back and forth between the past and the present really made the suspense even more extreme. The synopsis drew me in but really it was just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to this book.
Full of so many twists and turns I went through so many emotions while reading. My heart broke for Serina in several spots and then I would be was so angry in others when seeing how she was being treated. I also rejoiced with her when she was praised feeling her sense of accomplishment. On top of that, the chemistry she had with Javier was out of this world which lead to some pretty hot and steamy moments as well.
There were so many characters that I loved in this story and I wish I could find out what happened to them all. The way that the author made each one stand out had me feeling like I really got to know them even though they were not the focus characters of the book.
If your looking for a thrilling novel than this is definitely one you need to get your hands on.- By Alisa
A stunning masterpiece of storytelling in a lush setting of old money, family dysfunction and treachery. The suspense and mystery is palatable as is the forbidden romance between the young lovers. Handsome heir apparent, Javier meets Sarina, the beautiful and resourceful assistant to his grandmother, the family matriarch with a stranglehold on all things Hawk/Hawthorn. Or so she thinks. As the story unfolds in an intriguing “past and present” manner you are caught up in the lives and lies and secrets of the Hawthorns and Sarina. The intrusion of thugs onto the family estate during a party is a dangerous time for all and the reason behind the mayhem is slowly revealed. Overall an engrossing story told in an unhurried way that leaves you guessing as to the outcome of the party goers and the young lovers. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC. 4.5 stars
OMG!!!! This is one of the best stories I’ve read this year. An highly addicting story that sucked me in so deep that I had a difficult crawling out. An amazing 10 star story that left me speechless.
This is the kind of review that needs to stay spoiler free. All I’ll say is that there were 2 stories happening. A love story that was happening a few months past and an horrific series of events happening in the present. It was centred around 2 families.
This story was created from an imagination that is running wild and free. The author brought me to my knees with this emotional journey from a poor family struggling to the rich who do too. She demonstrate perfectly that whether you are rich or poor we all have struggles.
I was so focused on these amazing characters that nothing else mattered. I was in their world and felt what they were feeling. Although it comes with an HEA, I was left quite the emotional mess. I kept thinking about this story hours later after I was done reading it. It attached itself to mind, body, heart and soul.
The plot twist was so unexpected that I was left speechless and baffled. I never saw this coming at all. The author wrote this storyline in a way that kept me captivated. It goes back in forth a few months back to the present so it’s like 2 stories being told but that brings it all full circle.
This story felt real to me because the characters were so perfectly created to make me feel so much for them. Flawed, selfless and acts of desperation. There is one character that really got to me emotionally was Tyson. Read this amazing story to find out. Bottomline is this a MUST read.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I STRONGLY recommend this powerful story.
The book is set in the lofty Hawk Mansion, a sinister entity whose walls hold many secrets and stories of injustices. It’s chambers & tunnels haunted with past mistakes and cruel punishments. The company is tainted with corrupt moralities, so much so that their own heirs have been ostracized and discarded like soiled clothes.
“my father wants me to leave this place. Leave Hawk’s Landing. He says they’re dangerous birds. Their majestic beauty blinds your eyes as they pick the flesh from your bones.”
So is this Cinderella-esque story that starts with dreams and ends in disaster of sorts. The story is largely about the class divide and unattainable love and acceptance. The continued strive to be accepted for your talents and giving power to those higher than you to define you. Sarina Atwood comes from a working class home, gets a job at the Town Royal House and proceeds to fall in love with the handsome Prodigal Prince. She doesn’t belong here, nor does she strive to be, but heart follows it’s own rules, they say.
Sarina Atwood was only gold-plated silver who worked in a solid platinum house surrounded by diamonds.
She’s constantly pushing herself to earn shreds of praise or acknowledgements from the strict and rude Hawk matriarch-Delsey Hawthorn, who like the evil stepmother has working Sarina to the bone and on her knees at times, polishing and cleaning. Sarina is bogged down by financial and family burdens enough to not rebel against her tyrannical boss and accepts every command with gritted teeth and muttered bows. Because Delsey has ” bestowed” the job generously on Sarina as a gift, a privilege !
“Being rich didn’t automatically guarantee happiness, and charitable donations didn’t make a person less cruel. Delsey Hawthorn could build an entire cardiac wing of a hospital, and yet sometimes she lacked a beating heart within her chest.”
Between her family crisis, troubled brother, old grandparents, a persistent ex and her exacting workload, her life is like a maelstorm, whipping her emotions around at breakneck speed. Javier offers her the much needed Calm and escape. Hiding in his arms is her bunker of shelter from the raging chaos around.
“Sometimes my world appeared to be unraveling at the seams. I kept grabbing at the strands, trying to tie them back together, only to have pieces fray apart in my hands.”
Until the fateful night …………..
Everything is blown to smithereens and debris, debris, everywhere !!
The build up is nice and steady and characters very multi dimensional, until the bomb drops and then the aftermath is quite scary. I’ve been a fan of Stacey since The Mason List and her fantastic ability to capture the controversial and antagonistic relationship between workers and royalty, rich and poor is uncanny. Very astute writer, adept at word play and subtle in her narrative. Nothing is ever gaudy or over the top, love is softer in touch and evil is greyer in tone. I had some peeves though. I’d have LOVED to read more about Tyson and Cole. These two characters were most soulful, layered and intriguing. That duo was never explored in depth. Instead the story flowed straight and steady in the Hawk Estate. What happened between Cole & Sarina that split them apart with so much bitterness!
“Cole was like that worn-out sweater I’d left in the closet at my grandparents’ house. The one I just couldn’t toss.But that sweater didn’t get packed in my suitcase for a reason. Some things were not meant to last forever— no matter how comfortable.”
Maybe Stacey plans to revisit them in her next book, hopefully !!
Second was Javier’s background or Uncles Ted and his faceless, nameless aunt. I’d have loved to see why Delsey was how she was, what turned her into stone. Her character couldn’t be that two dimensional, and what were the protests about, why, how did they appear & disappear?
That shows how much I’d like to revisit the story and delve more into the characters lives.Javier & Sarina’s love came with an expiration date stamped, so every breath, every kiss, every touch was stolen and almost Tabboo. Javier was easiest to fall in love with, gentle, solid and comforting. Sarina was so strong, so loyal and passionate. She loved fiercely and deeply, kind and generous. I so sympathise with her because she couldn’t catch a break!
“Our breaths heavy. Lips red and burning. I let myself savor the taste of him. The feel of his body curving into mine. One day, this would just be a memory. A beautiful and wonderful and bittersweet memory.”
The writing is to be enjoyed, the ride may be slow and smooth, but wait till the coaster drops. Your heart will plummet right into your stomach and you’ll be left aghast and agape!
Let me start by saying The Hawks is a very well written book with a storyline that captured me from the start. I loved the characters, even the secondary ones, as they all came together to make this a very pleasant read. We have quite the mixture of people, the haughty matriarch of the family, her heirs and her staff. All playing significant roles I came to appreciate, even if I did want to smack a few of them in the head on various occasions.
The Hawthorn’s are what I would call Old Money with Delsey Hawthorn at the helm, and trust me when I say she is something else. To say she is eccentric, hot tempered, rude, etc doesn’t even begin to describe this woman in my humble opinion. Sarina, Delsey’s personal assistant, has to endure all of Delsey’s moods, outbursts and snobby ways. Before you wonder why Sabrina stays on with her, there are 2 main reasons: financial and to be near Javier, her secret lover. Javier was my favorite character in the book, as he is everything you’d want in a book boyfriend. Javier, like his father, is nothing like Delsey. In fact his father gave up the prestige and money to be with the love of his life. As for Sarina, she was a little too self absorbed for my taste, but it worked with the story so I won’t complain.
The storyline has times you are in the past and times that are current day. It’s basically a romance book but it’s not as intense as most romances I read, but that could of been due to all the other events going on. There are mysteries to solve and a robbery/hostage situation that add to the intrigue. Oh and I’ll admit to a twist I didn’t see coming as well (but I don’t want to spoil things so that’s all I’ll admit to). If I were to offer any down side, It would be the length, I personally felt some of the scenes could have been shorter and thus having a better overall effect. However, it didn’t deter my enjoyment of the book. All in all a very enjoyable read.
SD Hendrickson’s is a new author to me. I loved this book. It kept my attention and I couldn’t put it down until I got to the very last page. It’s a definite must read.
This book started off with some action and then it takes you into the back story of Emily Summer and how she got the job of working for Delsey Hawthorn. Great story and well written story it definitely holds you attention as you find out what happens from the beginning and end of this book.
This was a good read. There were parts that were really slow but it did pick up toward the end.
Seriously, this is a well written storyline, romance, thriller action packed, suspense of a book. Characters voices are so authentic, I still hear the echoes and reverberations in my head, long after finishing the book. Layered, full of danger and angst, just goosebumps reading this in one setting. Recommended.