review: Solace in Scandal by Kimberly Dean

Solace in Scandal by Kimberly Dean

My rating: 4/5

DRC provided by NetGalley for an honest review

Published: 9.26.2013

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Summary –

Greed and lies bound them together, but will the truth tear their love apart?

When Elena Bardot suffers the backlash of a Ponzi scheme orchestrated by her father, she retreats to the abandoned estate of his partners in crime. Wolfe Manor is lush and private, a perfect place to lick her wounds – until the notorious prodigal son returns. Disgraced billionaire Alex Wolfe is aloof, imposing, and sexy as hell. Elena knows she shouldn’t want him, but attraction overrules her head.

Life behind bars has changed Alex. He doesn’t have time for the complication of a gorgeous little brunette – especially one with her name – but the tension between them escalates. Lust overwhelms their resistance, and the sex is hot and cathartic. They’ve both been betrayed by family, hurt by society, and cast as villains. Alone together, they take solace in slow kisses and sensual nights. Yet while Elena may be content to hide from the world, Alex is driven to reclaim his place on top of it. This time, he’s determined to take her with him. (Thanks to GoodReads.com for the summary)

My Thoughts –

Where does the story take place? New York

Is the title a good/bad choice for the story? Very fitting

List the top 3 characters and 1 word to describe them each. Elena – wounded, Alex – broken, Leonard - awesome

Give the book an alternate ending…or were you happy with it? I like how it wrapped itself up nicely. I maybe would have taken the separation period out, but then again the couple needed that time to grow.

Did you cry, laugh, sigh, cringe, fume or feel nothing? Sighed for sure, fumed, worried and sighed some more.

I enjoyed this story very much. I found it easy to read, well developed and full of hot-wicked lovin’.

These two tried so hard to avoid one another, but it seemed that fate had another plan lined up for them. They see each other at the lake, in the garden, out hiking and in the mansion. Poor Alex had to suffer through the gym incident, but it really was the start of their relationship – and man was that awesome. I think they were such opposites, that they were made for each other.

Yes, their relationship might be considered taboo, but there’s nothing really wrong it. The media and public make them think so. After coming out as a couple, an incident happens while out and as a result, Alex becomes reclusive. This is the beginning of the end.

When he finally gets his head out of his butt and makes the final grand gesture, it’s almost too late…but then this isn’t a Korean book/movie/drama…so of course there’s a HEA.

My only complaint on the book is that you can tell a British writer wrote it. I think it should be edited to read more American, sine it’s in the US and being released here. Just my opinion. Great story, great couple and great all-around job!!