Storms And Secrets
Intensely Suspenseful and Wonderfully Romantic
Claire Kingsley has upped her romantic suspense game, and I am one hundred percent here for it! Storms and Secrets is a fantastic addition to Kingsley’s Haven Brothers series, and definitely my favorite book of hers so far. And I have read them all. After much waiting and speculating by readers, Zachary and Marigold finally get their HEA. It definitely doesn’t come easy, but oh is it worth it!
Along the way, old hurts come to light, but new promises and life goals allow them to work through them. They are so passionate together, and so comfortable at the same time. Quite honestly, they are absolutely perfect for each other. Zachary is as cocky and hilarious as I expected him to be, but also incredibly swoony and dedicated. And Marigold is so effervescent and enchanting, while also being incredibly independent and determined. And I fell in love with both of them as they fell in love with each other.
Kingsley creates an intense subplot that drives the story, while also driving Mari and Zachary together. And it comes complete with a villain who’s easy to fall for but readers will quickly grow to loathe. The pacing throughout the book is solid and with several tense, edge-of-your-seat moments that kept me reading way past my bedtime. Those moments will also bring me back to the book over and over again.
Beyond the intrigue and suspense, Kingsley also infuses a wonderful level of humor. Zachary is absolutely hilarious, sarcastic and snarky with some fantastic one-liners. And of course no visit to Tilikum would be complete without pranks and squirrels and quirky characters that fill your heart with joy and make you snork your beverage of choice through your nose. And we can’t forget the intense and beautiful connections, both family and friends, who are and who become integral parts of Zachary and Marigold’s lives.
Having read and loved the print version, I dove into the audiobook, narrated by Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton, with a special appearance by Desiree Ketchum playing an integral part in that heightened suspense element. Hearing this book come to life in their voices is truly an incredible experience. Want an example of extraordinarily well-developed characters and casting? I heard Mari and Z in my head in Samantha and Teddy’s voices before I even listened to the audiobook. And Desiree brings a level of innocence and intensity to her scenes that amps the investment in her plight and the story's resolution up even higher.
While Storms and Secrets is book two for the Haven brothers, it can definitely be read as a standalone, with a fully encapsulated plot and HEA and no overarching series subplot. Just be prepared to want to read book one (Obsession Falls) and quite probably Kingsley’s entire backlist if you decide to start your Claire Kingsley journey with Mari and Z.
