Goodreads/Amazon/Author Website
Release date: August 23, 2016

Publisher: Dutton

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery 

Goodreads blurb: 

The Dollhouse. . . . That’s what we boys like to call it. . . . The Barbizon Hotel for Women, packed to the rafters with pretty little dolls. Just like you.” 

 

Fiona Davis’s stunning debut novel pulls readers into the lush world of New York City’s glamorous Barbizon Hotel for Women, where a generation of aspiring models, secretaries, and editors lived side-by-side while attempting to claw their way to fairy-tale success in the 1950s, and where a present-day journalist becomes consumed with uncovering a dark secret buried deep within the Barbizon’s glitzy past.

 

When she arrives at the famed Barbizon Hotel in 1952, secretarial school enrollment in hand, Darby McLaughlin is everything her modeling agency hall mates aren’t: plain, self-conscious, homesick, and utterly convinced she doesn’t belong—a notion the models do nothing to disabuse. Yet when Darby befriends Esme, a Barbizon maid, she’s introduced to an entirely new side of New York City: seedy downtown jazz clubs where the music is as addictive as the heroin that’s used there, the startling sounds of bebop, and even the possibility of romance.

 

Over half a century later, the Barbizon’s gone condo and most of its long-ago guests are forgotten. But rumors of Darby’s involvement in a deadly skirmish with a hotel maid back in 1952 haunt the halls of the building as surely as the melancholy music that floats from the elderly woman’s rent-controlled apartment. It’s a combination too intoxicating for journalist Rose Lewin, Darby’s upstairs neighbor, to resist—not to mention the perfect distraction from her own imploding personal life. Yet as Rose’s obsession deepens, the ethics of her investigation become increasingly murky, and neither woman will remain unchanged when the shocking truth is finally revealed. 

Review: 

I usually don’t gravitate towards books labeled as historical fiction, but the minute I read the blurb for this book and laid my eyes on that gorgeous cover I knew I had to give this one a chance. I am so glad that I did, this is such an interesting and dazzling debut.

The story is told from two perspectives; Darby, a young girl from Defiance, Ohio who has just arrived at the Barbizon Hotel for Women in 1952. She has led a very sheltered and simple life thus far and is initially overwhelmed when she is thrust into this new and glamorous world. Rose is a modern day journalist and is everything one would imagine a journalist to be; smart, ambitious, independent and gutsy. I love when books tell two parallel stories that merge at the end. It’s so fascinating and fun to try and figure out how things will tie together. 

Both of these woman were easy to connect with in their own ways. Darby is so naive and innocent, I felt immediately protective of her. She is intimidated by the other women living at the Barbizon and lacks the confidence to stand up for herself. As she struggles to find her place in NYC, a maid at the hotel befriends her. Esme is one of the few people to be kind to Darby and they begin spending time together frequently. Esme has a bit of a wild side that both intrigues Darby and scares her. She introduces her to the dark and seedy world of jazz clubs, where there are things happening that Darby could never even have imagined.

Rose has just been through a huge career setback and is working underneath her pay grade for an outlet that is too contemporary and fluffy for her taste. Her romantic life is a mess and she’s trying to find her new place in NYC. When she begins investigating a piece on the Barbizon, she starts to uncover secrets in Darby’s past. What really happened on the night of the rooftop altercation? Why does Darby always wear a veil to hide her face?

I had so much fun reading this book! I adored Darby’s sections and all the descriptions of life in NYC in the 50’s. Everything was so simple, yet so glamorous. I found myself just as dazzled as Darby was reading about the city and the men and women living there. The mystery was intriguing as well, it provided an intense backdrop for a gorgeous story. I am blown away that this is Davis’ debut, she is an excellent storyteller and I look forward to reading more from her.

Overall rating: 4/5

Thanks to Dutton for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads/Amazon/Author Website
Release date: March 31, 2016

Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Goodreads blurb:

Jessica Cahill is having one perfect night. In six weeks she’ll walk down the aisle and marry her long-time boyfriend. But for tonight, she’s celebrating hard at her bachelorette party. It’s the time of her life until… she takes things too far. 

Brent Harrison is having the worst night of his life. Across town, seven rare diamonds are tucked safely in the vault at his brother’s mansion. These diamonds are special. They hold significance. They belong to the infamous Abbott Tiara. The task should be easy, he should have them by the morning. That’s when everything goes wrong. That’s when he runs into her. 

One tiara 

Seven diamonds 

Sometimes beautiful things come at a cost… 

Review: 

Let me start off by saying that this book is the second in the Flawless series and I did not read the first book. It can be read as a standalone, however I’m so curious about some of the backstory that I added the first book to my TBR. 

Jessie and Brent have undeniable chemistry within the first few pages of the book. She is pretty, fun and smart, out with her friends at her own bachelorette party when she meets Brent. He is dark, mysterious and sexy and the last thing he wants on the night the two meet is to begin a relationship, even though his attraction to Jessie is unquestionable.

Right from the start, tensions are high. Rare and extremely valuable diamonds are missing, people are getting seriously hurt, and family loyalties are questioned. Both Brent and Jessie have complicated family issues that seem to be linked to each other. Seeing each other is just a bad idea all around, especially since Jessie is engaged to another man, Carl. 

I’m hesitant to say too much about this book as there are quite a few twists that I could spoil. These weren’t jaw dropping twists like that of I Let You Go, but this book isn’t a typical thriller where the reader expects shocking turns of events. Instead, it reminded me more of Abduction where the romance is more at the forefront yet the suspense is a nice background.

If you’re a fan of romance books, yet like suspenseful novels as well, check this book out. It’s a fun read but there is definitely enough action that it’s not entirely about the love story. The romance and suspense in this book compliment each other well, much as Jessie and Brent compliment each other.

Overall rating: 3.5/5

Huge thanks to the author, Emily Duvall for my copy in exchange for an honest review.