Series Review: Hughes by Skye Warren

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for One for the Money (from Goodreads):

Finn Hughes knows about secrets. His family is as wealthy as the Rockefellers. And as powerful as the Kennedys. No one knows that the men in his line have a debilitating, early-onset illness. He’s managed the business from a young age while his father served as the figurehead. All the while knowing there’s a ticking clock on his ability to lead.

Eva Morelli is the oldest daughter. The responsible one. The caring one. The one who doesn’t have time for her own interests.

Especially not her interest in the charismatic, mysterious Finn Hughes.

A fake relationship is the answer to both their problems.

It will keep the swarming society mothers from throwing their daughters at him.

And it will keep Eva’s mother from bothering her about marriage.

Then the fake relationship starts to feel real.

But there’s no chance for them. No hope for a woman who’s had her heart broken. And no future for a man whose fate was decided long ago.

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Fav 2024
Author: Skye Warren
Series: Hughes, Pretend Ever After | Midnight Dynasty Series
# of Books: 3 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance,
Heat Rating: Toasty
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: May 2022 – February 2023
Source & Format: Kindle Unlimited–eBook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Eva and Finn’s relationship had been hinted at in The Collector Series and their first meeting is also a part of the Meet Me Under the Mistletoe anthology for the Midnight Dynasty Universe. And I was super duper excited to read it as a result. I was eagerly awaiting this series to be released shortly after I discovered this universe but I ended up not being able to read it for some time. But when I did pick it up when I resubscribed to Kindle Unlimited, I made it my top priority!

The Concept – Midnight Dynasty:

The Midnight Dynasty Universe is a collection of books (series and standalones) by different authors but feature the characters from a collective world. They’re intended to be read in any order because each series focuses on two characters at a time but there are chronological events and character interactions throughout the universe.

The Plot:

I was in a bit of a reading funk when I picked this series up but it was the perfect balm to soothe my reading whoas. I just loved every scene these two shared together. I have a very hit or miss relationship with the Morelli books in this universe but this one is a hit! It really explores what it means to be in a relationship with someone knowing that better days might not always be ahead. What it means to compromise and what a loving relationship can provide for people. It just felt so genuine and it was emotional throughout their story.

My only peeve with this series is that the third book isn’t very strong. I would have preferred it had taken a different direction because it almost felt unnecessary. I think their story would be just as strong as a duet vs a trilogy.

The Characters:

Both Finn and Eva are well developed and flushed out characters. I understood every motivation these two had when it came to their actions because I knew who they were as people right from the start. And that really got me invested in their story.

I also liked that is showed a softer side to the Morellis and how they function as a unit. I thought this series did a very good job interweaving the various characters we have met in the universe so far.

The Romance:

I just love how perfectly they fit into each other’s lives. Their mutual understanding of each other and their chemistry is just awesome. I couldn’t help but root for them to be together despite their hesitancy.

Midnight Dynasty’s Reading Order:

I had found a suggested reading order on Reddit but I jumped a few books after reading the Cinderella Trilogy based on the lead for the Beast of Bishop’s Landing. Here is the suggested order based on that post and my own readings since:

Cinderella Trilogy (K Webster)
Starcrossed Lovers (Jade West)
Beast of Bishop’s Landing (Amelia Wilde)
Hearts Trilogy (M O’Keefe)
The Collector Trilogy (Amelia Wilde)
Wicked Idol [Hellfire Series #1] (Becker Gray)
Lessons in Sin (Pam Goodwin)
Dark Dream Duet (Giana Darling)
The Arranged Marriage Trilogy (Monica Murphy)
Deception Duet (K Webster)
Wonderland Trilogy (Alta Hensley)
Hughes Trilogy (Skye Warren)

Series Rating: 4.5/5

One for the Money 5/5 | Two for the Show 4.5/5 | Three to Get Ready 4/5

The tug of war between logical side vs the emotional side of their circumstances makes for an interesting dilemma to navigate and I became obsessed with their story.

Read if You Like: fake dating, emotional romances, family drama
Avoid if You: dislike erotic romances