Ever since I fell in love with reading, I am on the search for that certain book. You know the book. Hell, all readers know the book. It is the Unicorn book, as a reader, it is akin to the holy trifecta. This author has given me a couple of them but this book right here? Yeah, this book just hit that special coveted spot for me. There is magic in the way that this author writes. Sure, I can say that about quite a few writers, because I do have several, but in all fairness, I read a CRAZY amount and have had years fine-tuning what I like. So when I find an author, like this one, that can make perceptions change all through the use of her words and how she crafts a sentence, then I am ALL about it. This book is hands down one of, if not the best book that she has written in my opinion.

It is different than anything that I have read of hers. Many call it dark. However, it is not dark in the way that one thinks in regards to dark, especially when it comes to romance. It is more like a Stephen King type of dark. It doesn't mince words or make things pretty. It also doesn't elaborate on a lot of the details if that makes sense. It is concise but also descriptive, almost Hemingway like in what it does say and the power behind what is written. These characters are beyond sublime. Magnolia, is similar but also not, to I would say Isla (Vein series) or Charlotte (Doyenne), in regards to their take no crap attitude or in their fierceness. However, Mags was even different. She truly didn't care what others thought. She was selfish and brash but she was upfront about it. It was not a facade or a mask, it was written into the very template of who she was. I respected the hell out of her for it. Saint. This guy. For a man of few words, he sure made a statement in the words he said and the body language that he exuded. Both of these characters made me think about the things they said and why they said them. There was truth to their words which at times sucked to have it have to be put in that perspective to truly appreciate it. However, there was something liberating in that depiction as well. As much as I liked these characters, and trust me when I say I liked Saint A WHOLE LOT, it was the story itself and the mystery and suspense of it that kept me captivated. I needed to know the why and the how of it. Moreover, in the end, I needed to know how all these fragments fit together because this author always has a million little facts scattered around that don't seem important at first only later I come to have that "wha?" moment when it all magically makes sense.

I wouldn't call this a romance per se, but I also wouldn't call it not one. Instead, I will say that the romance that was there was more a blending of kindred spirits that just happened to happen while the story was going on. The romance was not the focal part of the story in any way shape or form.

All I can say is that this book is gritty and intense. It is brilliant and one I will think about for a very long time. Even amidst the craziness of the world in which is happening all around us right now, it is books like this one, that offer me solace because they touch a part of my soul. Well done to this author. ( )

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