Here's a breakdown of my review:

Character Development: I appreciate the development of the characters, particularly the relationship dynamics. I found the growth and struggles of the characters engaging and relatable.

Plot and Pacing: The plot is quite engaging and filled with suspense, though the pacing could be called uneven at times.

Writing Style: The writing style is accessible and flows well, but I, personally, found is very formulaic.

Themes: The themes of power dynamics and trust in relationships are explored in depth which is intriguing and thought-provoking, At the same time, it's also intense or challenging, which I found very interesting.

Criticism: The book can be called repetitive and could be anticipated, thus, not significant surprising or novel elements. There are too much focus on the BDSM lifestyle which took away from the plot. The balance was not created.


In my humble opinion, I felt a lack from editor's side. Though all in all, it is character-driven story with strong relationship themes and what put me off was the formulaic writing.

Pretty interesting book although I was a bit confused on the characters for a bit... But overall good book .

Thank you to NetGalley, Tara Sue Me and The Publisher for giving me the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was so excited to read this book as it was my first by Tara Sue Me and boy did it not disappoint! It was a romance book with a mystery and deceit. At times it seemed to rush a little but it kept my attention and I enjoyed the story. I definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Tara Sue Me.

PERILOUS KISS is the first instalment in Tara Sue Me’s contemporary, adult BENEDICT BROTHERS erotic, romantic suspense series focusing on the Benedict brothers: Keaton, Knox and Kipling. This is Keaton Benedict, and Tilly Brock’s story line.


NOTE: PERILOUS KISS was originally released as DARKEST NIGHT (Sons of Broad 1) by the Author writing as Tara Thomas.


Told from dual omniscient third person perspectives, and first person Jade PERILOUS KISS follows the second chance, of a sorts, between our story line couple. Eight years earlier, Tilly and her family were excommunicated from the Benedict Corporation, in the wake of accusations of embezzlement against Tilly’s father. Fast forward to present day, Tilly has returned to Charleston in an effort to uncover the truth but never expected to come face to face with the boy she once loved. Someone has taken aim at our story line couple, taking down anyone connected to , or who has crossed their paths. As Tilly and Keaton’s relationships continues to grow, someone else has set their sights on our story line hero, with the intention of gaining control, in more ways than one. What ensues is the rekindling relationship and rebuilding friendship between Keaton and Tilly, and the potential fall-out as the threats against the Benedict brothers begins to collect collateral damages.


The world building focuses on sins of the past. Several people connected to both Tilly and Keaton will become the victims of a one person’s need for vengeance, and another person’s desire to power and control.


The relationship between Tilly and Keaton is one of second chances. Childhood friends destroyed by accusations of embezzlement and fraud, Keaton and Tilly will be pulled apart by secrets and lies, and the madness of one man determined to take it all. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the se of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.


We are introduced to Keaton’s brothers Knox and Kipling, as well as Tilly’s former best friend Elise, officer Alyssa Adams, attorney Bea Jacobs, and shelter kid Jade. The requisite evil has many faces.


PERILOUS KISS is a story of power and control, betrayal and vengeance, greed and obsession, forgiveness and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is intriguing and entertaining; the romance is sensual and seductive; the characters are determined and energetic. PERILOUS KISS ends on a bit of a cliff hanger-there has yet to be a resolution to the ongoing conflict.


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5756991254

AMAZON CA: https://www.amazon.ca/review/R3JPE4GWWOJ4A5/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/953244329


B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) posted

Ibooks (Sandy Sch) posted

This was a new to me author, and I really enjoyed this one! A great quick read and I will definitely continue the series at some point!

Perilous Kiss is the first book in The Benedict Brothers trilogy by Tara Sue Me. This book is a rewritten, revised,and reedited version of Darkest Night in The Sons of Broad series.The series is about the Benedict brothers, who inherited a shipping empire in Charleston, South Carolina. Each book is about one of the three brothers, while addressing an overarching mystery throughout the three books. This book is about Keaton Benedict and his childhood best friend, Tilly Brock. The two had been inseparable until Tilly's father was accused of embezzling from Keaton's father when they were fourteen.. Eight years later, Tilly moved back to Charleston and Keaton reconnected with her. They worked together to find out what really happened between their families. Danger and murder surrounded them, and everything they uncovered seemed to raise more questions than answers.

I have read books by this author in the past, but this book was quite a surprise. In this author's words, she usually writes "pantsers,' but this series is romantic suspense. I really enjoyed this easy read. I was entertained from the first page. It was a second chance, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, he falls first, protective alpha-male novel. I loved the banter between the brothers, the suspense created by the danger the characters faced, the spicy chemistry between the lovers, and the intrigue created by the many unaswered questions. At the beginning of the story, Tilly hated Keaton for never having contacted her after she moved away. Conversely, Keaton was immediately thrilled to see Tilly. I thought that Tilly let him off the hook a little too quickly, but otherwise their relationship made sense. The author dropped breadcrumbs for a mystery that is completely unclear in this novel, but I believe will begin to make sense as the series continues. This created intrigue,not frustration. Some immediate concerns are resolved during this book, especially those that threaten the relationship that was developing between the main characters. This was suffucient for this book to have a satisfactory HEA while still leaving many questions unanswered. While not shocking enough to be called a cliffhanger, these unresolved questions are a defininte hook for the next book in the series, Seductive Lies. Im certainly going to keep reading! I recommend this book for readers of romantic suspense, especially fans of Rebecca Zanetti,Jayne Ann Krentz, and Linda Howard. I am voluntarily submitting this honest rewview after reading an advanced complementary copy of this book thanks to Netgalley and Books Go Social.

I enjoyed the read and was quite interested in the contents. I would definitely recommend people read this novel so they can make their own judgement on their opinion of the novel itself as I don't speak for other people. Definitely take a read and see if it is for you.

New author for me. Was pleasantly surprised with how much I truly enjoyed this! Would recommend for anyone wanting to read a romance book that will actually make you feel something

Keaton had a best friend Tilly living next to his home until her father was accused of stealing and whole family moved away without a proper goodbye. Almost decade later Tilly is back in his life and tons of secrets revealed. Tilly lost her mother and never wanted to come back to Charleston but she wanted a closure and runs into a youngest of Benedict family, her first love Keaton.
As soon as they found their way to each other, there are murders and threats and secrets. This could be their second chance and Keaton is determined to keep Tilly forever.
I wish there were more stories regarding Keaton and Tilly's relationship. Story moves quickly with angst and mystery. Now I can't wait to read the next one. Not everything is revealed and mysterious Jade character seems like she will be key to their secrets.
Thanks to netgalley and After Six Publishing for ARC.

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Perilous Kiss is the first book in the newest series by Tara Sue Me. This is an author I have always enjoyed but this was also my first time reading one of her non BDSM books. I was really intrigued by this series though as it had such an intriguing premise. Had a south soap opera feel to the theme. So if you loved the Bourbon Kings from JR Ward, than I highly recommend this as it had a similar vibe to it but with more romance focused in it. I really adored Perilous Kiss and I enjoyed that the relationship conflict was kept on the down low. There is such great family vibes to the story and what a great mystery, I am so fascinated by the villain that is present throughout this book and the whole series and very curious to see what will happen plot wise with this story.

First Line
The man they called King stopped walking and took a deep breath.

Summary
Perilous Kiss is a second chance romance. We have our hero, who is the youngest son, Keaton, and when the woman he loved in high school returns home and when her life is put in danger he knows he will do anything he can to protect his girl, Tilly. When two of her co workers are murdered, he goes all protective mode on his girl. Tilly, is independent and strong and willing to stand on her own. But when it shows that her life is in danger, she caves under the pressure and admits that Keaton and his family would be the best form of protection. But there are more than one way to be in danger, and when Keaton ends up blackmailed, he will have to make some difficult decisions to stand against manipulation.

What I Loved
Perilous Kiss I really enjoyed this one. Its not a perfect read and not as good as her BDSM books, however, I really loved the premise of the story but the romance aspects just felt a bit off for me so I was slightly disappointed out of the romance a bit. Their relationship just felt too rushed. Even though I prefer low angst, it just felt like nothing got resolved in a relatable way. It was just skipped over very quickly. I did love the family connections and I love our hero. He is so wonderful. Strong and protective but still so respectful of the heroine and wanting her to find her own place in town. I had a blast with the mystery plot that was implemented. I am so curious to see about this King character and how he connects to the Benedict family and what will evolve in future books. I am not sure why the blackmail plot was put in, but it did add in some extra conflict for the couple and this family. I think though seeing this sub plot adding to the drama of the theme that it feels like the author was going for here to have it have that southern soap opera vibe. I really enjoyed the southern feel to the story and it definitely delivers strongly on the atmospheric moments.

Overall View
I found Perilous Kiss to be a thrilling and atmospheric moment filled romance that delivered some sincere emotion and strongly executed story to get behind with!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense
Character Types: Billionaire/Mr. Moneybags
Themes: Danger, Childhood Sweetheart Ties, Class Difference, Family Bonds
Tropes: Second Chance, Return to Hometown

Book Perspective
Multiple POV's

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
More Plot conflict than Relationship conflict

Song This Book Inspires
Ghosts of Mississippi by The Steeldrivers

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes read in order due to overall serial plot

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

This type of romance is right up my street, I really enjoyed the dynamic! I couldnt seem to put this book down once I had started!

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.
The book is one of three, each book concentrated on a different brother. I found the start a bit bizarre until I got further into the book! I do wish there was a bit more drama as I felt there was a lot of padding. I would have liked Jade to feature more too to keep us on our toes. All in all, it was a well written book and I would recommend.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy of perilous kiss. this was pretty similar to alot of other romance books lately that verge on erotica.

Tilly left Charleston eight years ago when her father was charged with embezzling from the firm he worked at. Kenton who grew up with Tilly still has not gotten over her sudden disappearance and is surprised when he finds out from his brother that she will be back working for the firm. Then he begins to start up with Tilley and make it so she will not leave once again. A good story but at times I was thrown off by Kenton don’t know if it was me it just felt off and then it or his character would come back Overall a good story.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this arc.
I liked the story a lot and had a hard time putting it down.

Tilly returns to the town she left eight years ago and reconnects with an old friend Keaton. Tilly's father once worked for the Benedicts but was accused of Embezzlement.
Also lurking in the shadows is a Gentleman
determined to destroy the Benedicts.
This is a story about Lies, betrayal, Secrets, and Murder.

This was a good book liked the mystery of it all but would've liked the couple to have more conflict and obstacles in their relationship.

A fast-paced mystery with suspense and romance. I liked that the main story arc takes place across three books with each brother getting their own story in each one. I enjoyed this first book and I'm looking forward to seeing what's going to happen with Knox and Bea. I was particularly intrigued by Jade's story and I really hope there's a happy ending waiting for her.
A great start to the series.

Perilous Kiss by Tara Sue Me is the First book in The Benedict Brothers Series. This is the story of Keaton and Tilly. Tilly and Keaton where young childhood friends but when Tilly's dad got into trouble they left town. Now in their present day, Keaton has spotted Tilly again. Both are having more than friends feeling but neither has made it known to the other. Then someone starts to attack Keaton's family and they are threatening Tilly too. Enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from this series and author.

Tilly and Keaton were friends growing up, but years have passed and they are face to face again. There is definitely chemistry and attraction between them from the start. I loved seeing them reconnect and really explore their feelings for each other. I also love the added suspense with this story.
This was a shorter story and I wish it was a little bit longer given the suspense and mystery to it. I wanted more of that and it all just kind of happened quickly and felt rushed at times to me.
If you’re looking for a childhood friends to lovers, romantic suspense check this out.

This story is absolutely addictive! As the first book in the Benedict Brothers series, it had me captivated from the start. It's packed with secrets, romance, and thrilling murder mysteries. Keaton and Tilly's story is intense, and I couldn't put the book down. The mix of suspense and steamy scenes kept me on the edge of my seat. I devoured it in one sitting and now I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment. The characters are well-developed, and the friends-to-lovers dynamic with a twist of suspense is a winning combination. Tara's writing style is fantastic. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking an exciting read!