Careless Whispers

Synithia Williams

Mar 2021 · Jackson Falls Book 3 · Sold by HQN Books

About this ebook

She’s falling in love with the one man she can’t trust…

Elaina Robidoux knows how people view her: coldhearted, ambitious, ruthless. But it doesn’t matter. Running the family business is all she’s ever wanted and she’s so close she can almost taste it…until her father fires her and hires her nemesis—arrogant, unflappable Alex Tyson. Elaina may be hurt but she refuses to be defeated, so she throws herself into creating a business of her own. But she never dreamed that to close her first deal, she’d need Alex’s help…

Alex understands the power of a family legacy better than most and the last thing he wanted was to take that from Elaina. Her beauty and fierce strength are undeniable, but there’s a softer side that no one but him seems to see. She’s been taught that emotions are a liability, yet one impulsive kiss starts a chain reaction that neither of them wants to stop. But can love ignite—and survive—when secrets and loyalties collide?

“[An] exceptional tale of forbidden love.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Forbidden Promises

Praise for Synithia Williams’s Jackson Falls series

“Williams (His Pick for Passion) makes waves with this exceptional tale of forbidden love.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on Forbidden Promises

“A romance for readers looking for equal parts passion and family drama.” —Kirkus Reviews on Forbidden Promises

“Politics, passion, and family drama combine to make a deliciously soapy second-chance, brother’s-best-friend romance. Readers of Alisha Rai’s Forbidden Hearts series or Reese Ryan’s Engaging the Enemy will be tantalized and surprised by the many twists and turns.” —Library Journal on Forbidden Promises

Ratings and reviews

Tired of being trapped under her father's thumb, Elaina starts her own business. When her newest supplier turns out to have ties to her nemesis, Alex, she doesn't flinch. She's learned how to separate her emotions from her business decisions. The more she sees Alex outside of work, the more undeniable the attraction is between them. But when her father tries to use Alex to undermine her, will her family drama tear them apart? This book engrossed me from start to finish. The story never dragged, even though it strongly focused on the character development. I couldn't help feeling for Elaina, and the way her father kept gaslighting her. It was wonderful to see Alex stand up for her, when even her siblings didn't have her back (they're clearly just as damaged by her father's manipulations as she is). This was an excellent portrayal of a dysfunctional family, and I was rooting for Elaina to escape and grow into her own person. Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Elaina's journey of the heart is not to be missed! I absolutely adore reading about strong women who are hard to love. Elaina's been groomed from the very beginning to fail at matters of the heart, being raised by a mother who instilled in her a drive to succeed without ever letting emotions get in the way and a father who manipulates her in every way possible, at every opportunity. Seeing her finally come into her own after getting to know her in the earlier two books makes this one unforgettable story that fulfilled all my hopes and dreams for her. After her sham of a marriage crumbled into dust only to have her ex-husband and younger sister find their HEA together, Elaina is beyond cynical and more than a little jaded. Alex challenges her on every level, but he also demonstrates that he respects her and supports her even when he's standing up to her. He's the perfect balance for her, strong yet patient, determined yet flexible. When he inadvertently gets her fired, he doubles down on his support and makes sure she has the emotional strength to stand up to her father once and for all. Alex is his own man, restarting his life with a different set of goals, but he's just as driven and focused as before. I loved the way he was with Elaina, and the way he managed Grant. There was just enough drama with him supporting his parents while being caught in the middle between Elaina's new venture and Grant's established business. The HEA and resolution was simply brilliant, demonstrating the resiliency of the Robidoux family while paving the way for the next generation to succeed in spite of Grant's machinations. This is a standalone romance between Alex and Elaina, but it very nicely wraps up the interpersonal relationships between all three siblings and their partners so those who have read India's and Byron's stories will be more familiar with the family's history. I love everything about this series, and am looking forward to reading more from this author. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

About the author

Synithia Williams has been an avid romance novel lover since picking up her first one at the age of thirteen. She’s published over twenty-five novels, and her novel, A Malibu Kind of Romance was a 2017 RITA® finalist. Synithia lives in Columbia, South Carolina with her husband and two kids. You can learn more about Synithia by visiting her website, www.synithiawilliams.com, where she blogs about writing, life and relationships