Serial Saturdays: The Dumont Diaries by Alessandra Torre

Serial Saturdays: On the occasional Saturday, I review a serialized series (a series that is released in parts that would normally make up a whole novel) to see if the series is worth keeping up with or worth buying all its parts. Here is this week’s offering:

Synopsis for Trophy Wife (from Goodreads):

Everyone in Nashville knows Nathan Dumont. That’s what happens when you develop half a town and sleep with the rest.
Four years ago, his fiancee disappeared.
Last night, he proposed to me.

I’d wanted to escape my life, the seedy strip club and the mountain of bills. I had seized the opportunity to live in a mansion, fill my days with country clubs and caviar, my nights with romance and sex.

Maybe I should have done my homework first.

Note: This book is an expanded and revised version of Mrs Dumont, which is no longer available for sale. It contains filthy hot scenes, voyeurism, a dominating alpha male, and a plot you won’t be able to step away from.

Series: The Dumont Diaries
Author: Alessandra Torre
# of Parts: 5 (Full Reading Order Here)
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Erotica
Heat Rating: Hot
Point of View: First & Third Person
Publication Date: August – September 2013
Source & Format: Kindle Unlimited–eBook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

I’ve had this series on my TBR for a very, very long time. Every time I thought about removing it, I’d read the synopsis and end up keeping it on my TBR. It sounded so intriguing and I love a fast paced, darker romance. So I made sure to read this one as a priority when I resubscribed to Kindle Unlimited.

The Plot:

I enjoyed the suspense of why Nathan needs Candy for their marriage of convenience. It doesn’t follow a typical path either which kept me on my toes. Serialized series hit hard and fast (so you will want to buy the next installment) and as a result, there a lots of twists and turns.

The Characters:

Both are intriguing. Nathan is left more as an enigma with fewer POV chapters. But it adds to the suspense. Again, one of the downfalls of this serialized format is that you don’t have a copious amount of time to develop the characters.

The Romance:

I just felt like the romantic connection between Nathan and Candy was more “told” than “shown”. I know they had conversations that are summed up but I just wanted their romantic connection to be highlighted more. I think it is the one downfall of having this story originally told as individual novellas (even if this version has been edited to make it more like a true novel).