OMG!!! I absolutely LOVED this book. Discretion is the first book I have read by Karina Halle and it won't be my last!!! I don't know what has taken me so long to pick up her books. I have many sitting on my kindle.

This book had a little bit of everything in it, there was romance, humor, heartache and suspenseful drama. I loved the characters we met in this story. Although she did give us some that I didn't like so much, but that's what adds the tension and drama to the story. I thought the flow and pace of this story was perfect. The secrets were revealed at the perfect time. Just when the reader is getting comfortable the author springs something new on us.

This book held my attention all the way through. It was a fairly quick read but that is only because I didn't want to stop reading once I started.

I really hope we get other books with some of the side characters we met in this story. I think Seraphine really needs to tell her story as well. I also believe that her getting her own story would also wrap up some of this storyline better. No this isn't a cliffhanger and Olivier and Sadie's story is wrapped up in the end of the book, but there were some questions I was left with that I think another book (for Seraphine) would help clear everything up for me.

I would 100% recommend this book to all Karina Halle fans. If you love a great romance novel with some edge of your seat drama, then this is the book to read.

"Our lives are made up of nothing but moments. But I want to live in every moment with her."

Karina Halle is my most read author with a total of 35 books. So it is obvious that I am a big fan of her writing. I was pretty excited about Discretion, because I love romance books that focus on family dynasties. There is just something about the intriguing family dynamics plus all the secrets and scandals. I had very high expectations and loved how Olivier and Sadie met. It was during a very scary and horrible incident and thankfully Olivier was at the right place at the right time. He was a gentleman and did all the right things. Sadie is very self-aware and has a great head on her shoulders. She is very practical and I really liked her.

However, the story just didn't pick up and I just couldn't fully connect to the characters. I also didn't think Sadie and Olivier spent enough time to grow a strong bond as a couple. There was a lot of very hot and steamy sex that I loved. But I wanted more from the plot and more focus on the secrets/scandals. I just had a very hard time believing in this couple's relationship. Towards the end I ended up liking Olivier less because of some of the decisions he made. He wasn't a go-getter as I expected and him giving up on certain things disappointed me. The suspense towards the end was refreshing and I enjoyed it a lot. I think it was a great addition to the story, and I can't wait to see how it will continue on into the next book. I hope it will focus on Olivier's sister Seraphine, because I really loved her. She is very strong and dedicated and I want to know what is going to happen next in regards to the Dumont Dynasty.

Even though this wasn't my favorite KH book, I think this series still has a lot of potential and I look forward to the next book.

Sadie Reynolds is a broke, American college student backpacking her way through Europe, after breaking up with her boyfriend. Finding herself in a shady part of town after dark, while on her way to the train station, she realizes she's being followed. Fortunately for Sadie, Olivier Dumont is in that same shady part of town, and drives by as she's being attacked. Coming to her rescue, he insists on taking care of her since she's alone and injured. Sadie doesn't know who he really is, he's worried about what will happen when the truth comes out.

I'm a pretty big Karina Halle fan, while I haven't read all of her books, I've read a decent amount of them, one thing I like is her consistency in writing. I know what to expect when I pick up one of her books, and this one definitely did not disappoint. I also like to go into her books blind, I knew it was coming out, but intentionally avoided all blurbs and information about it. I was pleasantly surprised that it has a little bit of suspense. The scene where Sadie is visiting the catacombs made my skin crawl. And Camille, I'm not an animal lover, but I'm also not a monster, that broke my heart for little Pascal. I could 100 percent relate to Sadie and her anxieties, being a in world that she doesn't belong in, comparing herself to all the women before, especially with Olivier keeping her a secret. Olivier, I struggled with him simply because I wanted him to stand up for himself, I understand that he was trying to protect his family, and Sadie, maybe he'll surprise me in book 2. I really enjoyed this book, and I'm excited for the second to see where everything goes.

This is the first Karina Halle book that I've read, and I am very impressed. The story had enough twists and reveals to keep me intrigued, but the drama didn't cut into the romance. Sadie and Olivier are a fun, sweet, sexy couple that have great chemistry. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series which I am sure will focus on the other members of the Dumont family.

I have mixed feeling on this book. It just fell flat for me. This book was just a bit boring and I'm not a fan of the heroine.
Thanks Netgalley for the Arc

<b>4+</b>

Sadie is touring Europe alone after she broke up with her ex during their trip. She's in Paris and about to catch a train to Spain when something happens that makes inevitable for her stay in France for more days than planned. That's how she meets Olivier, a mysterious man who offers her help and saves her from a mugger. They don't know each other but she accepts his help, since she is an American girl in a foreign country and she needs the help momentarily.

Now on to why I rated it 4 stars instead of 5.

The way Sadie and Olivier meet is cool, even if it may be cliché. She doesn't want to accept his help because she doesn't want to bother a stranger, and I also liked how firm her resolve was in not saying 'yes' too soon to Olivier. Olivier is a wealthy man, so of course to him helping her doesn't cost him anything. The way they start to get to know each other as Sadie spends time with Olivier is slow at first, with them being a bit wary. This is one thing I like in contemporary romances, because I hate when the characters have the hots for each other 5 minutes after they've met. Sadie and Olivier get to learn things about one another until they jump on each other and all of that interesting dynamic that was turning into a soft angst goes out of the window. This was a let down to me, because it felt as if the most important thing was the sex and not getting to know each other. I would've preferred the sex to happen much later, since we understand that Sadie didn't have much trust in men after her ex betrayed her. But this I can get past.

Another thing that pushed me not to give another star is also Sadie herself. There were many times during the whole book where she questioned herself, where she self-pitied herself and thought Olivier didn't want to be seen with her because she was a nobody. There were moments where what she said or thought made me roll my eyes, because she was exahusting. While I liked Olivier much more than Sadie and believe that he is a good character, even he had his flaws. First of all, the suspenseful reason why he decided to dedicate himself to something else other than his family's brand. He is smart, but at times I thought he acted like an idiot and did "noble idiot" actions. Like, man, doubt more! Think more about what you'll do.

Last thing I want to mention is the suspense plot. While this is technically a contemporary romance, there was also an intriguing plot with suspenseful moments. I love suspense and I love asking myself why or who did what and why something happened and so on. This book had an alluring suspense and family drama plot, with Olivier being at odds with his uncle Gautier and his cousins because of his family's brand. But when it came to execution, some was poor and it didn't really get resolved for once and for all. I understand there's a second book being released in the Fall, so I guess that only in the next installment we'll know how things changed. Because the way this story wraps up is happy but it leaves the reader with many unresolved questions.

Don't be discouraged by my criticism! I enjoyed this book despite everything. It's a quick read with some steamy and sweet moments and also some suspense, so you'll love it for sure. Now I'm waiting for the following book to read how things will develop.

Great start to a new series!! I loved this book. As per usual with this author, great storyline, chemistry and steaminess!!! Oliver is swoon worthy and Sadie is a great, strong female lead.

I am hoping Seraphine gets a book and gets back what is rightfully hers.

I loved this book SOOOO much!! In my mind, Karina can't get it wrong. I love her writing and the story telling, She keeps the story going with enough to keep you want to keep reading. The way she builds her characters makes you feel soo much for them. I can't wait for the next one!!!

Such a good book. Very quick but fun read. Loved it so much. If you need a book to get lost in this is it. Definitely don’t want to miss it.

3.5 rounded up four, dancing stars on olalaaaaa French Riviera, hot, sexy, mysterious, deep family matters, dirty schemes, power games stars!

I have to confess, I love KH books! I admitted thousand times after reading her EIT series, she won my heart so when I start to read any of her books, it’s difficult task for me to keep my objectivity! But luckily these days I’m a little picky and looking for some meaningful, deep, life changing romance stories. My picky and critical approach helped me to judge impartially.

And surprise, at first 100 pages, I was about to give 2 stars to this book. There was nothing wrong with the character. Our hero, Oliver seems like a dreamy book boyfriend! He is suffering from a burden, keeping a big secret from his family, he’s rich, Alpha, kind, protective, making unbelievable and quite impressive gestures.

And Sadie, our heroine, sweet but a little insecure (which is normal because her last boyfriend cheated on her and now she’s flirting with a man who has a bad reputation as womanizer) but she is also risk-taker, adventurous, responsible (taking care of her mother who is suffering from bipolar), smart, easy going person.
But the part they fell for each other was too fast and a little bit dramatic and unrealistic for me!
I still had questions why Oliver fell for her so hard since the first time he saw her. He was faking relationships for 10 years and he finally found a real, genuine, beautiful woman but still in one week, they started a sensational, steamy relationship so welllll, it was a little over-exaggerated, reminded me of telenovelas, soft Harlequin romance books!

But after their fast-falling, we start to learn more about Oliver, his family dynamics, his irritated cousins and evil uncle’s leverage on him. So with the thriller, action parts, family secrets, the book turned into a page turner.

Most of the dynamics and relationship formula between hero and heroine also reminded me of the KH`s previous book “My life in Shambles”, rich and famous hero, sweet, ordinary, young girl, chasing her dreams, recently broken up from her boyfriend, family issues, father’s passing away, telling his son that he is proud of him! But this book is more triggering, surprising and full of action.

I liked the last parts and actions of both Sadie and Oliver who stand for each other. Sadie was threatened several times by Oliver’s malicious cousin Pascal but she was brave, smart, tough and ready to fight for her love. I also loved Oliver’s behavior to protect her, his honesty about his past, his nobility to learn from his mistakes and do whatever it takes to be with his love of his life.

For a long time I had hard time to love a book’s hero and heroine at the same time! But KH did good job to make me love them.

So second half book made me change my opinions and raise my points. There were still unanswered questions. So we need to wait for the other “Dumonts book”( I don’t know the pilot but I think it will be about Oliver’s brother, I also like sister Seraphine so much. I think she also deserved her own book, too) to get answers we need! I hope it doesn’t take too long!

"That’s what love does to you.
It wakes you up. It makes you real."

With every published book, I fall in love with Karina’s writing even more. And Discretion just has deepened my admiration for this author. With the storyline set in France, interesting characters brought together by a coincidence and the danger lurking from the sidelines, this book gave me everything I’m looking for in a good romance- beautiful love story, suspense and a bit of thrill.

Sadie Reynolds is just a poor student currently backpacking through Europe. She was on her way to the next stop in her journey, when she found herself in a dangerous situation, but thankfully she was saved by a mysterious and very handsome Frenchman. A man, who despite being a stranger had her trust and who turned out to be Olivier Dumont- France’s most eligible bachelor, sucessful hotelier and a member of french fashion royalty. When Olivier took care of Sadie, their unexplained connection deepened, just as their mutual feelings. They found in each other comfort, passion and love. But Olivier has a secret from his past that’s clouding his chance for happiness. His youthful indiscretion resulted in the deal with the devil and it’s time to collect. But where it leaves Sadie?

I love this story. Karina Halle introduced me to the world of wealth and power, where luxury and glam is just as common as manipulation and danger. And Olivier’s situation is a perfect example. But aside from this thrilling plot, Discretion is a great love story that connects two people from a different backgrounds. He- wealthy, incredibly handsome and sophisticated Frenchman, and she- poor, average but cute American. Despite everything they had this sizzling chemistry and unbridled passion that could melt the iceberg. Their intimacy was super steamy and I couldn’t get enough of their private moments.

I highly recommend this book! Everything in this story was perfectly designed and with Karina Halle’s flawless writing we have another amazing read. This book keeps reader’s interest from the very beginning up to the last sentence. The characters are fascinating and the plot twists are keeping us in the suspense. I can’t wait for more books in this series!

I really enjoyed this one.
Olivier Dumont ..swoon worthy!
Romantic with the backdrop of France!
The reason for 4 stars is that blackmail seemed to be made out to be a big deal and for me it wasn’t.
The first book is a set up for the series..I believe...I hope.
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 4/4
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 4/5
The Feels~ 4/5
Pacing~ 4/5
Addictiveness~4/5
Angst~ 4/4
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 4/4
Flow (Writing Style)~ 4/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 4/5
Ending~ 4/5
Book Cover~ Sexy
Series~ Dumonts #1
Source~ Kindle eBook - ARC provided by NetGalley
Would I read more from the author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes

Very good Romance with a bit of drama and suspense

I liked the thorough background and build up of the characters and storyline as well as the romance between the two main characters. This starts out with a forewarn ten years prior where the main character Olivier Dumont, a rich playboy does something terrible that his uncle finds out about but Olivier doesn’t want the rest of his family, especially his father to know. He seems afraid of his uncle like he is some sort of Mob boss or fearsome guy, so he agrees to sign some sort of contract for his uncles silence.

Forward ten years and Olivier rescues a girl, Sadie, from a mugging. Sadie is backpacking through Europe on her own after being finding out her ex was cheating on her. She is nearly broke and has hurt her ankle. Olivier takes her to the hospital and since she missed her train, he puts her up at one of the hotels he runs for his family’s business.

The budding romance between Olivier and Sadie is set against the background of France and Olivier’s family issues as the time to make a decision on the contract he signed ten years ago is up soon. His uncle is pressuring him and he is feeling guilty. The book was very good, but some of the problems in the book seemed blown out of proportion in my opinion. It seemed like the uncle’s blackmail on Olivier was sort of weak and if I were the guy I would have just told my father and family. The uncle was also saying it would destroy the company reputation, but in this day and age that also seems pretty weak.

Other than that, I think the book was pretty good. It seems like it is set up for a possible sequel and I would read another because both the writing and the storytelling are good and inventive.

Karina Halle has written so many books that I enjoyed. Unfortunately this one will not be listed among them. I found this entire book both silly and boring. It is filled with insta-love and dastardly villains with nothing substantial behind them. When we find out the secret that Olivier is guarding at great expense it is so not worth the drama that I thought there had to be more. There wasn't. I was never intrigued or emotionally invested in the paper thin plot or the characters. I still consider myself a fan of Halle and am hoping that this book is an aberration.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Karina Halle is one of my favorite authors as also an auto-buy one. I love her style, her characters and how effortlessly she can take me with her as she describes different countries in her books, along with her characters' adventures.

I loved Discretion. It had everything I carve in a good romance; comedy, mystery, humor, steamy scenes and also it's set in France. Sadie and Olivier are amazing and I can say that this series will have more to give in the next books. Especially as I saw the other characters featured here.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.

Disclaimer – this is not my usual genre.

I had seen this on a number of people’s “most anticipated” releases of 2019 and thought I would give it a go. Romance is not my usual genre but I wanted to see if perhaps over time my taste had changed as this has been the case with other genres that I once did not like. Sadly that is not the case with this book.

I understand romance books tend to be a little formulaic but this one felt a little bit ridiculous. The book is broken in to two point of views – Sadie and Olivier – and documents their relationship from an unrealistic meet cute through to the end. I enjoyed Sadie’s chapters far more as Olivier’s felt as though he was talking out loud rather than it being an internal narration.

I will say that I read this in a day and if you are looking for a quick read then perhaps pick this up – however, this book / genre is not for me.

2.75/5

This is Oliver and Sadie‘s book, Sadie is a down on her luck student in the French Riviera, she staying in dingy hostels and back streets! When a wrong turn leads down a dingy Alley the last thing she expects is a handsome stranger to come to her rescue! Oliver Dumont is France's most eligible bachelor and billionaire hotelier, and air to the Dumont fashion fortune! This book was really good and I usually love this author anyway, But the beginning of this book I was a little iffy about it but I ended up really really liking it so if you’re not sure in the beginning just keep with it because it gets so much better I really enjoyed reading this one and I highly recommend it! Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

4.5 stars
One of the things that I love the most about this author is her ability to suck her audience into not only the story but into the actual characters themselves. There is always a certain dynamic to her characters that are completely hers. I am not sure how she does it but there is never any doubt that I will fall for them every time. Granted, the main character, Oliver, was French. Et Mon Dieu, j'aime les hommes français! I am really hoping DuoLingo is actually teaching me French and that I didn't butcher the fact that I love French men.

This story had me sucked in from the very beginning of the first chapter. I wanted and needed to know what going to happen. The anticipation had me on edge almost the entire time as I tried to understand what was going on. Sadie. Oh, how I wanted to be her and be swept off my feet by this amazing French man. The steamy times were delicious especially when the setting was factored in. There is definitely more to this story. I at first thought that this book was going to end on a cliffhanger because it was apparent that it was not going to be finished by the end of the book. However, I can now see that that issue will be carried over in the next book of a separate character. That works for me because this book did give me the ending that I needed from these two characters. I am sure they will be involved in the future.

I am looking forward to where this story goes in the future. I will always devour anything this author writes. Plus, I need to know how this whole situation turns out.

I'm a HUGE HUGE HUGE fan of Karina Halle so it'll come as no surprise that I couldn't wait to read this book. Unfortunately, it just did not work for me. I'm pretty devestated to admit it but I just didn't enjoy it. I never felt the magic between Olivier and Sadie. Of course, I felt the sexual chemistry but I never bought into the insta-love, I never got what made Sadie THE ONE for Olivier. I also found the drama so completely Over The Top. It was just all too crazy to be believed. It simply didn't feel like Karina Halle to me and I was both disconnected and indifferent the entire time. I'm heartbroken over it honestly as I'm ALWAYS swept away in her stories, captivated by the fierce romance and the captivating storylines. I just didn't feel any of that with Discretion.

Karina Halle never disappoints! I’ve found that in the romance department she does a great job developing characters, growing connections between them, and following through all the way to the end. Often times romance books are quick and dirty; this is not that! It’s got a lot of elements woven together: an interesting plot, romance, a little bit of intrigue and mystery. My only slightly negative thought is I went in thinking it was the first of a 3-part series and it would end on a cliffhanger. It wrapped up quicker than expected so I’m guessing the next book centers around one of the other characters, . Fun story to read! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!