Last to Fall
This book by Lynn H. Blackburn took me by surprise, in a good way. It’s an expertly written, rare combination of suspense and mystery topped off with a touching backstory.
Bronwyn Pierce is the CEO of her family’s empire, The Haven. This exclusive resort caters to the wealthy and famous, who demand anonymity in this quiet respite, knowing they can trust Bronwyn and her family for discretion and five-star service. When The Haven security is breached, and Bronwyn appears to be the target, she has no other choice but to turn to the man she can trust. Montgomery Quinn is the one who got away, broke her heart, and belongs to the family Bronwyn loves. Unlike her own family, she trusts this large group of supportive people who will go to any lengths to help. And when she, Mo, and the Quinn clan put their heads and talents together, they know they are in for a fight. It appears Bronwyn’s family will stop at nothing, including murder, to take down one of their own.
I really enjoyed this book.
I love the characters, and especially how the author wove the protagonists’ backstories by peppering scenes that explained how they met and what caused the seemingly irreparable rift between them. Also, this is a Christian romantic suspense, but the author didn’t overplay that element. It’s well-balanced with realistic depth.
Bronwyn is an especially impressive character, building her independent life and overcoming the isolation she faces. The tragic mistakes, abandonment, and loss of love would probably derail many teenagers, but somehow she mustered the courage to rise. I would’ve loved to know more about how she made it back from California to North Carolina on her own.
A few things took me out of the story. There were so many characters, it was challenging to keep them all straight. But this can happen when the author is teeing up a sequel. It would be nice to have a family tree, since the two families were feuding, a throwback to the Danielle Steel sagas. Another thing that struck me as odd was how often the characters hugged and kissed. They are siblings and cousins who live close by, yet each time they meet, they embrace, kiss, or cling to one another. It seemed strange to me. But perhaps that’s just me.
Despite my aforementioned thoughts, this is a great book and excellent writing. Again, rare to find a great romantic suspense book with characters who have depth and a strong female protagonist.
I highly recommend a page-turner to readers of this genre.
Book and Image Courtesy of Baker Publishing Group, Revell Publishing, and NetGalley
