the setup…
Opal Whittington took over her father’s law firm and, despite her best efforts, she’s failed to keep enough clients. Overwhelmed with debt, she’s desperate to find a financial solution. At the beginning of his career, Tristan Hamilton partnered with Richard Whittington, Opal’s father, who ended up destroying him and leaving him almost bankrupt. Now a billionaire in his own right with a highly successful firm, Tristan sees the opportunity to get his revenge by rescuing Opal and wiping out the Whittington legacy. And, he’ll ice the cake by marrying Opal, which also satisfies his own mother’s ultimatum…get married by Christmas or lose his trust fund. The perfect Christmas exchange, right?
the heart of the story…
Tristan is twenty years older than Opal but I never really felt the age gap (thankfully). I liked them both even though his plan was evil. But the tables are turned on him when Tristan develops real feelings for Opal and he struggles to find some balance between his revenge plan and keeping his relationship with her. There are a LOT of highly steamy encounters, which affected the pacing and flow of the meat of the story.
the narration…
It’s a great duet narration! Aaron Shedlock, Zara Hampton Brown & Roxy Isles delivered wonderful performances. I loved Shedlock’s voice tone and Brown made Opal sound strong and vulnerable at the same time. Isles was perfection as Margo, Tristan’s mother.
the bottom line…
I enjoyed the bones of the story, including the well developed characters and the Hamilton family dynamics. But the many steamy encounters detracted from the actual romance and plot movement, which I found intriguing and compelling. Tristan is a fascinating man and Opal a vibrant woman and I wanted more of them out of the bedroom.
Book Info
- Release Date: November 5, 2026
- Series: The Hamiltons #2
- Narrators: Aaron Shedlock, Zara Hampton Brown & Roxy Isles
- Audio Length: 11 hours, 43 minutes
- Publisher: Laxmi Hariharan
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Fab review, Jo, too bad about the steaminess!
Thanks, Nicki💜 It was just too much.
Likely too steamy for me and it’s too bad that you felt the same way. Great review nonetheless – I appreciate the warning!
Thanks, Jodie💜 It was good outside of the sheets😏
Nice review, Nicki. I thought this would be too steamy for me.
Thanks, Carla💜 Very much so.
Great review! I am not sure I like the sound of Tristan but trust your judgement.
Anne