5 stars It has been a while since Blair Babylon has come out with a new book, and I was looking forward to reading Maxence’s story. Arthur and Gen and Casimir and Roxanne feature prominently in this “search” for Maxence. POV switches between the four of them and Maxence and the voice is third person past-tense, not first. A new character is introduced at the end, Max’s new love interest, to be explored further in the next book, Rogue: Billionaires in Disguise: Maxence #1. Yes, this is the prequel. Blair Babylon doesn’t write one-and-done books. Her books tend to be series, interrelated with characters from other series, which is wonderful because she develops characters so that the reader becomes friends with them. Xan Valentine/Alexandre Grimaldi makes an appearance, in name only. This story happens concurrently with Flicka’s story, after Wulf and Rae’s and Xan and Georgie’s, and presumably after the stories of the other bandmates. Keeping track of everything might be difficult with a less skilled storyteller. Not so with Blair Babylon. As a true professional, it’s clear that she has researched locations, which she describes in impeccable detail, has comprehensive character outlines and intricate plot summaries, and tells stories in a voice that is easy to follow and reminiscent of a friend telling you what they did over the summer. Except, I don’t have any friends who experience the things that her characters do. There’s intrigue, danger, excitement, spies, royalty, unspeakable wealth, and even humor. And that’s one of my favorite things about these books. As an example, this made me chuckle: “Roxanne, standing beside Casimir, drew herself up to her full height of not-very-much…” Though not generally laugh-out-loud funny, there’s an understated wry humor that makes the reader feel like he/she is in on the joke, intelligent enough to “get it.” The characters, although almost otherworldly in their wealth, attractiveness, and intelligence, seem like regular folks with whom you’d like to hang out. You probably wouldn’t, because let’s be honest, even if they were real, they’d live in a different world, but because of her writing, you feel like you know them and are spending time with them. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next book in this series; perhaps, I should say the first in this series. I’m so glad that Blair Babylon is back at it, releasing another exciting new story with sympathetic characters and an intriguing plot. August 4, 2020
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September 2022
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