Review: Very dark and suspense, but not as much romance as I anticipated
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 15, 2014
Before I began to read this, I thought this book was just another historical romance with intrigue. That thought was quickly dashed as I realized the intensity of events in this book. Jack the Ripper was a real historical figure who cruelly killed a number of women, and was never caught. And he is the impetus that drives and endangers our dear Anna and Drew's relationship.While this is categorized as a historical romance, I feel it fits the genre of Romantic Suspense much better. Indeed, Anna and Drew are both characters with secrets - Drew with his having been framed for murder, and Anna with her ambitions to be a doctor. A very unique pairing, to be sure, yet not unexpected, since only a strong woman like Anna could understand the burden of shadows that carries on his back. At the same time, while I liked the progression of Anna and Drew's romance, I feel that it took backstage to the suspense element, making this more of a suspense novel. The handling of Jack the Ripper's mentality and behavior was done especially well, and the few scenes in which his maniacal thoughts were heard as he destroyed another victim made me shudder in truth.As this is book 2 of the series, and as the real Jack the Ripper was never caught, I do wonder how this series will resolve itself. For those of you who think that the villain is brought his comeuppance at the end of this book, let me assure you that it does not happen, and I believe that was known to readers of this series. What does happen though, is an intriguing mix of horror, suspense, mystery, and love between two struggling and tormented characters, whose very lives are held over a precipice as they try to deal with their growing affection with each other, all the while worrying over Jack's next victim - who might just be Anna. This all makes for a very intense novel, and Robyn Dehart writes the tension (of all kinds) so well that I felt in need of nourishment right after reading this.I would recommend this book to all readers looking for an plot-driven, intense story with romance, and also to read book 1 of this series -The Secrets of Mia Danvers: A Dangerous Liaisons Novel (InterMix)- first, to better follow the mystery of cracking Jack. I look forward to the final book of the trilogy, and its secretive resolution.*Review copy provided by the published in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Penguin group.