I ordered an autographed copy of this book from SR ages ago, and unfortunately, time got away from me and I didn’t get to read it as quickly as I initially liked. I actually wound up listening to it at work last week and I’m so sad it took me so long to get to this story. Going into it, of course I had super high expectations because I compare almost every love story to Gabriel, but I had to pause, take a step back, and judge this work on its own merit. Regardless, I had no reason to fret. Obviously, I adore the Gabriel series to the moon and back, and I loved the Florentine series with William and Raven, so it really came as no shock that I became so invested with Nicolas and Acacia as well. These two had a bit of a rough start when I first witnessed their interactions, but the quick wit conversations mixed with a bit of sass led to toe-to-toe entanglements that turned into mutual respect and then grew into something super sexy. A series of unfortunate events and dark pasts bring these two close and create an intense, practically unshakable bond.

Not only does Sylvain have a ridiculous talent for piecing together a beautifully told story, but I always walk away from the pages feeling as if I learned something. As the daughter of an artist, delving into the art world and experiencing it in a new and thrilling way was nothing short of a treat.

As a writer, SR’s style is one I genuinely admire. Even when narrated by the wonderful Robertson Dean, there’s a very romantic ambience created in the delivery. I not only get to enjoy a wonderful cast of characters, but I’m fully immersed in a world of stunning music, art, culture, language, mystery, sensuality, and much more. A bonus that comes with Reynard’s books is that (so far) they all exist in the same universe. Some of the characters we know and love so much from his other series make minor appearances in Nicholas and Acacia’s story which makes me wonder if there’s the potential to keep building the enchanting, magical, and sometimes dangerous worlds he’s created.

Needless to say, Black Suit lived up to all of my expectations. I swooned over the slow-burning romance, the magic of Europe, the history of famous works of art, and the dark undertones that were woven throughout the tale when Acacia’s life is in danger and seemed to lurk around every corner, which of course, kept me on the edge of my seat.

At this point, whether it’s a standalone or a series, I’m on fully on board with any tale Sylvain wants to tell. I get at the very minimum, a triple threat every time I open one of SR’s books; whimsical writing that reads like poetry, charming and compelling characters who feel like wonderful friends, and absolutely lost in another place full of adventure, romance, conflict, and drama, and at this point. I’ll never get enough.

If you haven’t been introduced to Reynard’s work yet, I honestly don’t know what you’re waiting for. Run, don’t walk, and grab up all the words, settle in, and enjoy!