Full Review on NetGalley

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The Golden Locket by Primula Bond, Is book two in the Unbreakable Trilogy, it is a continuation of the relationship between Gustav and Serena, now living in New York. The authors writing style is filled with symbolism, attention to detail, beautifully erotic passages, emotions and some great one liners. One could also describe the writing style as overly descriptive, wordy or flowery. Once I settled into reading the book, I actually came to appreciate it, I looked forward to the visual tapestry that would be laid out for me, the point where I became as voyeuristic as Serena.


I enjoyed the first book of the trilogy and had high hopes for this book as well. Polly, Crystal, Pierre, and Margot reprise their roles from the first book. More than anything this book is about relationships – Pierre and Polly, Gustav and Serena, Gustav and Pierre , Pierre and Serena, and the effect that Margot has on them all. With the exception of Crystal, who remains a supportive friend to Serena, Polly, Pierre and Margot play disruptive, dangerous, jealous, vengeful roles, constantly challenging and threatening the budding relationship between Gustav and Serena. The story exposes secrets from Gustav’s and Pierre’s past, shows the brothers trying to rebuild their lost relationship, the lies, tricks and manipulated situations that Pierre sets out as traps for Serena.


I was disappointed that the story seemed to lack a strong plot, there were many intertwined threads, storylines of the other characters, but the book was held together with sex. Although some of the sex scenes were beautifully written, the amount of sex seemed to become the focal point of the book. Through Serena’s growing photography business, we meets new supporting characters, some with minor roles and some more pivotal roles. It seemed that each new photographic opportunity for Serena, not only had the erotic side of the subject matter, and a hefty commission, but lead directly to some sort of sexual encounter with the photographic subjects. We had the elderly couple who tried to have a threesome with Serena, the young girls who shagged Serena after the completion of the family portraits in their home, the actress’s who felt they needed Serena to be filmed in their sexual encounter, after the photo shoot in the theater, and then sex scene at the private club after the bachelor party photo shoot. For me it started to get boring, I wanted more storyline, what happens when our characters are not having sex, wanted to know what Gustav did when he wasn’t with Serena, why did they come to the states - the US gallery business played no part in the story. There really wasn’t any character growth. The relationship between our H/h was tied to the photographic opportunities, or the adversarial behavior of Polly, Pierre or Margot; any growth they experienced was always a reaction to the situation, it was forced. I felt that Serena had lost too much of her strength and independence, becoming a willing victim in everyone’s sexual encounters, and far too needy with Gustav. I also disliked that she would never tell Gustav what was going on with Pierre, carrying the burden of the brother’s friendship like a badge of guilt.

I found that time was also an issue for me, the passages in the book seemed to jump around, it wasn’t a linear timeline, nor was it easy to tell when something was a memory, or a glimpse into the future. We started in the states at New Years, and towards the end of the book there was a reference to 7 weeks passing. Considering that time span of the story was maybe two and a half months give or take a day – the end of the use of silver chain and the opening of the golden locket seemed a bit premature or too soon for this relationship in my opinion.

Overall for me The Golden Locket was a three star read, as vested as I am in The Unbreakable Trilogy , I look forward to book three in the series, so I can see how the story come to it conclusion


ARC provided by NetGalley, HarperCollinsUK/Mischief books in exchange for an honest review




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I received an ARC from the publisher, an invite to view the title via Netgalley.

3.5 stars.

Review contains some plot spoilers.

I loved the first book in the series, so much I pre ordered the second book from iBooks. Then a few months ago I got an email with an invite from the publisher to view via Netgalley and did a little happy dance. I was dying to continue this series.

The publisher asked that reviews not be posted until release date. Ok. I was going to be on holiday on release day so it would make good plane reading. Didn't quite manage that. I didn't cancel my pre order either. It wasn't until the middle of December that I actually started. I don't know what it was...for some reason I couldn't get into the second novel on the kindle version I had. I have since bought both books in this series in paperback and it's the paperback I finished.

The second instalment focuses on Gustav and Serena in New York where her photography career is taking off. The first book left off on an awesome cliffhanger. Cousin Polly's new boyfriend was Gustav's estranged brother Pierre. This takes the drama up a whole notch. There was a big ass argument between the two brothers, and Serena throwing her own two cents in. Serena has several new commissions in New York which lead her down a whole new level of sexiness and voyeurism.

While I enjoyed the story very much, the first half seems to be about Gustav and Serena testing boundaries and the strength of their relationship in the desires and delights that the creme of the crop of New York have to offer, I didn't find the plot as gripping as the first novel. Some of the sex was smouldering. Gustav is as sexy as ever. Dominant without being a jackass. And smart enough to know how to handle firecracker Serena. The sex was fun and some of it was extremely hot. Though I found myself getting a little bored with it in this second instalment.

There wasn't so much Serena and Gustav. He gives her free reign to try new delights whilst doing her sexy photography commissions within certain boundaries. I think he gets the impression that if he tells her no she will want to try the sex stuff more. They talk a few fantasies and things happen and of course it all goes hideously wrong when Pierre hires her for a commission of a theatre and burlesque group he runs I think that was what made it dull for me. I understand where Gustav is coming from and admire him immensely for it.

The latter part of the novel kicked off in the drama. Not putting too much in about Pierre as that would be some major major plot spoilers. Gustav's terrible ex-wife Margot plays a huge part as well all though she's never really seen. The threat of her is still a heavy presence.

Either way, I certainly had fun reading it so a huge thanks to Avon for letting me view the title. I',m dying to read the final book in the series. ( )