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A review by bryckklovesbooks
Initiation by R. Collins
5.0
James & Genevieve: Secret Love, Secret Societies for the Win! 5 Stars!
I love a book filled with suspense and intrigue. I rarely find a book that engages me from page one. That is until I read this book. O-M-G! This book had me from chapter one! I knew as soon as I read it that this was going to be a wonderful reading experience.
INITIATION is the debut novel from R. Collins and introduces us to James Barlow. James is a middle-aged Average Joe: he works a full-time job, enjoys certain hobbies, and leads a pretty mundane life. James has his fair share of relationships and infatuations, which includes crushing hard on his spoken-for colleague/friend, Genevieve. Other than fantasizing about a love affair with Genevieve that will never be, James pretty much keeps to himself.
From the outside looking in, you would think James blends in with millions of others in his demographic. Not the case. You see, James is hiding a secret... a secret society that is. What's worse is that he's a member who facing a grim reality as his next birthday approaches. He is to marry, or the day he was born will also be the day he dies. That is, unless he can convince a newly-single Genevieve to marry him. I'll stop right there... this should be enough to get you started without spoiling it!
The writing in this novel is brilliant. The dual POVs of the main characters each chapter slowly revealed layer after layer of their personalities. James was so unpredictable throughout the story. Just when you think you have him figured out... guess again! James will do something totally unexpected. Genevieve was the same. Just when you thought you could predict her reaction, you were pleasantly surprised when their story went in a different direction. The secondary characters will grab your attention, as the whole cast has an active role in this book. No one is as they seem! Don't worry! The additional characters won't serve to confuse you but make the storyline even more mesmerizing. I don't know how many times I said, "OK, just one more chapter." before I put this book down. I just had to know what happens next.
The scenes between James and Genevieve were spicy and gave off just the right amount of steam given everything happening around them. These two light up the page and complement each other as perfectly as if they really were an actual living, breathing couple. They are both totally believable as a couple and there was no point in this book where I wanted to skip ahead out of boredom. Every phrase, thought, and emotion passed between James and Genevieve had my full attention. I adored them.
The book ends in a satisfying HFN, so you won't pee your pants waiting for the next book to release. But I don't believe by a long shot that this is over. I hope we get to see this story continue. It's a very original plot and I'd love to see how everything plays out with these engaging cast of characters.
If you love suspense, intrigue, scandal, and have a strong stomach for the macabre this is the book for you! Excellent novel, R. Collins! Every star awarded was rightly deserved!
Happy reading!
I love a book filled with suspense and intrigue. I rarely find a book that engages me from page one. That is until I read this book. O-M-G! This book had me from chapter one! I knew as soon as I read it that this was going to be a wonderful reading experience.
INITIATION is the debut novel from R. Collins and introduces us to James Barlow. James is a middle-aged Average Joe: he works a full-time job, enjoys certain hobbies, and leads a pretty mundane life. James has his fair share of relationships and infatuations, which includes crushing hard on his spoken-for colleague/friend, Genevieve. Other than fantasizing about a love affair with Genevieve that will never be, James pretty much keeps to himself.
From the outside looking in, you would think James blends in with millions of others in his demographic. Not the case. You see, James is hiding a secret... a secret society that is. What's worse is that he's a member who facing a grim reality as his next birthday approaches. He is to marry, or the day he was born will also be the day he dies. That is, unless he can convince a newly-single Genevieve to marry him. I'll stop right there... this should be enough to get you started without spoiling it!
The writing in this novel is brilliant. The dual POVs of the main characters each chapter slowly revealed layer after layer of their personalities. James was so unpredictable throughout the story. Just when you think you have him figured out... guess again! James will do something totally unexpected. Genevieve was the same. Just when you thought you could predict her reaction, you were pleasantly surprised when their story went in a different direction. The secondary characters will grab your attention, as the whole cast has an active role in this book. No one is as they seem! Don't worry! The additional characters won't serve to confuse you but make the storyline even more mesmerizing. I don't know how many times I said, "OK, just one more chapter." before I put this book down. I just had to know what happens next.
The scenes between James and Genevieve were spicy and gave off just the right amount of steam given everything happening around them. These two light up the page and complement each other as perfectly as if they really were an actual living, breathing couple. They are both totally believable as a couple and there was no point in this book where I wanted to skip ahead out of boredom. Every phrase, thought, and emotion passed between James and Genevieve had my full attention. I adored them.
The book ends in a satisfying HFN, so you won't pee your pants waiting for the next book to release. But I don't believe by a long shot that this is over. I hope we get to see this story continue. It's a very original plot and I'd love to see how everything plays out with these engaging cast of characters.
If you love suspense, intrigue, scandal, and have a strong stomach for the macabre this is the book for you! Excellent novel, R. Collins! Every star awarded was rightly deserved!
Happy reading!