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MY REVIEW
From the description in the prose, the book had the ambiance of gothic noir with secrets hidden in every corner. I was hooked.
Serena along with her 4 year old daughter Lana were to live as the housekeeper of Ramsay Hall, helping Hayden Ramsey to recuperate. She became friends with younger son Hugh while Jack was the one who intrigued her. But there was something else coiled deeply that only the walls of Ramsay Hall knew about.
My first book by author C. E. Rose and though not too fond of huge pages of description, I realized it was needed to build up a darker aura compared to other thrillers. This was a slow burn, in some ways.
There was suspense to begin with followed by romance. I would have liked if suspense and mystery had been given more importance. Not too fond of romance in thrillers. They dilute my interest.
The story moved slowly in the first 2/3rds of the book. Then it led to the reveals which were quite interesting. With an exciting cover and a dark blurb, I would have thought that the book would have been a rollercoaster of thunderous winds, but it was just a few galloping gales bringing the story to a finish.
Barring my expectations, the book was entertaining in its own right. Needed more of my patience than I had at the moment.
MY RATING
BOOK LINKS
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BOOK BLURB
The imposing gates of Ramsay Hall yawned open. As Serena and 4-year-old Lana walked up the long driveway, little did they know the dark secrets that lay within.
When Serena Green accepted the role of housekeeper for wealthy widower Hayden Ramsay, she never imagined her new home would be Ramsay Hall, an ancient, sprawling mansion in Northern England.
Serena quickly becomes an integral part of the household, making friends with Hayden’s younger son Hugh, despite Jack, his older brother’s, coldness towards her and Lana.
But the hall’s beautiful exterior hides many ugly secrets. Though Serena and Jack begin to grow closer, she’s confused by his behaviour around Lana. What is he guilty of? And is there more to their mother’s death than the Ramsay men will admit, even to themselves?
As the harrowing past of Ramsay Hall unravels, Serena fresh start becomes a fresh horror. She fears for her and Lana’s safety, but what are the bleak secrets in Serena’s own past?
This house is built on a lifetime of lies… and the truth might just bring the walls crashing down.
BOOK DETAILS
Publication Date:
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and this is my journey down its pages, straight from the heart. STRICTLY HONEST and UNBIASED.
All my reviews can be found here.
8 Responses
This sounds so good, Shalini. Your first lines pulled me in. Glad you still enjoyed it. That cover is stunning! 💜
I find this type of book hard to resist. Thanks for the review.
I’m wondering if had read it on a different week if you would have rated it higher?
Excellent review, Shalini. I’ve gotten too impatient for slow burns and I read a mystery for the mystery, not romance.
Me too. Nowadays don’t have the same concentration power
Wah, Shalini, looks like the perfect book for me, LOL!
It has. Mystery and romance. Go for it
Done, adding to my TBR!