Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:
Sons of Broad Series
Synopsis for Darkest Night (from Goodreads):
Keaton Benedict is the notorious playboy of Charleston’s streets. The youngest brother in the ruthless clan of men that run the biggest shipping industry in the South, he’s got money to burn and time to play. But there’s one woman for whom Keaton would give up everything he has just to kiss her one more time—the beautiful girl he loved when he was just a teenager. And when he finds her waitressing at an upscale gentlemen’s club the same night as a gruesome murder of one of the dancers, Keaton knows he must do everything he can to protect her.
Tilly Brock has learned the hard way to take care of herself. Once the daughter of a wealthy, well-bred Southern family, her life fell apart when her father was accused of embezzling money from Benedict Industries—an accusation that left her family destitute, and ripped Tilly away from the only boy she knew she would ever love. But just as she slowly reenters Keaton’s world of wealth and status, an enemy of Benedict industries is out there, biding his time, waiting to make his next move…
As the killer draws Tillly and Keaton closer into his dark web, they must uncover the threat that hunts them, before it’s too late.
Series: Sons of Broad
Author: Tara Thomas (aka Tara Sue Me)
# of Books: 3 (Darkest Night, Deadly Secret, Broken Promise)
There are 3 prequel novellas: Shattered Fear, Hidden Fate, Twisted End.
Book Order: Connected but Chronological Events
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, Mystery
Heat Rating: hot
Point of View: Third Person, Multiple
Publication Date: February 2018 – June 2018
Source & Format: Netgalley –eBook | Thank you St Martin’s Press!
**This post was originally posted as a Fresh Friday review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to include the newest publications in the series.**
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
I’m always on the look out for a solid romantic suspense novel. I love thrillers and I love romances–so the genre should be a no brainer. However, I haven’t had the best luck with the genre but this one had promise.
I loved the idea of the prequel novellas setting up the world prior to the main installments. I also loved the promise of dirty family secrets and forbidden love.
What I Liked:
–Many Layers–
There are a lot of things at play here and thanks to the mysterious chapters we get from the villain, The Gentleman, I was hooked. I started coming up with various theories, attempting to solve everything myself only to be thwarted later on by another development. We didn’t get too many answers but it has me eager for the sequel.
–Romantic Chemistry–
I was immediately a fan of Tilly and Keaton’s romance. They have this great chemistry together the moment they are reunited and it made reading their scenes together such a joy. And I could see the inklings of other romances in the works which adds this other layer of anticipation for the sequels.
What I Didn’t Like:
–Somewhat Rushed Romance–
That being said, I felt like the romance fell prey to one of my classic issues with the romantic suspense novel: a rushed connection. I find that the danger of the plot speeds up the romantic connection and the development of the romance isn’t as strong as it could be. There is a lot of baggage between them but it gets glossed over due to the circumstances. I kind-of expected that thanks to my experience with the genre but from the novellas as well.
–Only Scratches the Surface–
While there was definitely potential to deepen the romance, I also think the dramatic plotline could have been a little more solid in its delivery. There’s a lot going on (which is a big “plus” for me) but I felt like nothing got answered. Not that I want everything answered in one novel–I absolutely love the idea of this overarching secret plot–but I still felt like some things could have been a little more resolved or built up a little more.
It’s hard to explain what I’m saying. I guess the best way to phrase it is that I loved all the aspects of the story, I just wanted more from them.
When to Read the Novellas:
You definitely don’t have to read the novellas before you read the novel. They basically expand upon some facts that get mentioned in Darkest Night (that will likely get further elaborated on later in the series once those characters return).
I did read all the novellas first and was glad that I did. They really set the scene for this series. You get a feel for everything that is at play and it provides some additional moments with some crucial characters for the full novels. They also have a more “mystery” feel to them as the lead heroine attempts to solve the murders.
–March 20, 2018– Book #2: Deadly Secret
I felt like everything in this novel hit the right note. There was this great balance between the suspense, the mystery and the romance. At no point did the plot ever feel stagnant because there was always something happening. If we weren’t learning more about Knox and Bea’s relationship we were learning more about the overarching mystery of the series or someone’s life was in danger.
I did find that the big twist at the end was somewhat predictable but I will be the first to admit that the larger mystery (and how that twist fits into everything) is still unknown to me. This book did a great job leading us into the finale and I can’t wait to see how this will all wrap up!
–June 24, 2018– Book #3: Broken Promise
I really enjoyed this finale! I’ve been dying for Kipling’s story since the first full novel. The tension between him and his leading lady has been building and building throughout the series and it was everything I wanted in a romance. They are a great pair and I think it really showed in this novel.
I also thought the suspense was fabulous! We get the truth in little morsels and I loved how that created an air of anticipation that sucked me in. And everything just fit into place perfectly given everything we’ve learned over the last two novels. It was a finale that worked in all the ways you wanted it to and I was very happy reading it.
My Rating: 4/5
Darkest Night 3/5 | Deadly Secret 4/5 | Broken Promise 4/5
Fans of romantic suspense novels will LOVE this series!
Read if You Like: romantic suspense, murder mysteries
Avoid if You: want more erotica
- The Gilded Cuff by Lauren Smith (Surrender #1)
- All The Pretty Lies by M Leighton (Pretty Series #1)
I took love a romance thriller. It’s a shame it’s so hard to find a good one! I also have mixed feelings about prequel novellas, and when they do that thing where they tell the story from another perspective. It makes me a cynic, but it always feels like it’s just for the money rather than for the story.
I feel like romantic thrillers can have a bit of an identity crisis. Should they focus more on the romance or more on the thrills? Very few authors can strike that right balance (Kelley Armstrong and Lauren Smith do a great job in my opinion).
I know what you mean about prequel novellas. I find they aren’t always warranted. What I liked about these ones was that you got to see more of the villain and how far he will go to accomplish whatever goal he is fixated on.
You’re so right about Kelley Armstrong! I am always looking for books in the genre that measure up to hers but they are few and far between! I haven’t heard of Lauren Smith though – I’ll have to check her out if she’s up there with Kelley!
Lauren Smith focuses a little more on the romance with her stuff but she always has a good twist along the way 🙂
I am a sucker for a good thriller as well. I am sorry that the romance in this one was a bit too fast. I enjoy a slow burn myself. It does sound like an interesting series. I hope that the next books are enjoyable for you. 🙂
Slow burn romances are great aren’t they?
I’m very excited for the sequel and I think I know now what to expect from it so it should be enjoyable 🙂