reunion that should have been sweet, but instead, revenge and murder stalk them both. After reading the prequel novella series, I was ready to meet the Benedict brothers and get more of the villainous The Gentleman.
Review

The story opens with Keaton Benedict returning to Charleston after graduating from college and discovering his childhood friend and crush, Tillie Brock, working her way through school and just keeping her head down was there all along after her family lost face when her dad was wrongfully accused of embezzlement. At the same time, the mysterious and powerful man only known as The Gentleman has set in motion his plan to destroy the Benedict family for an unknown need for revenge. Meanwhile, a woman has returned to town and she is dead set on having Keaton for a husband even if it means doing ruthless things to have her way.

I went into this one with a healthy dose of wariness after my experiences with the earlier prequel novellas. It was good that I had lowered my expectations. This one had the same problems I encountered in the earlier novellas. It has great bones to the plot and so much potential, but it ended up being under-developed all around- characters, romance, and the suspense line. I almost stopped reading twice and did end up skipping pages, but chose to keep going because of those underlying bare bones of a good story.

I love the mysterious revenge plot against the family and I loved meeting the three Benedict brothers. I enjoyed the bantering between the oldest brother, Kipling, and the cop who is investigating the murders (Alyssa who we met in the prequels). The mysterious assassin, Jade, was probably my favorite part and I have my suspicions about who she really is in regard to the Benedicts and why she is conflicted between helping to destroy them or not.

I ended up enjoying all the peripheral things rather than the main pair and their romance. They were nice and likable, but I wasn’t really give much to make me feel more strongly about them. Keaton and Tillie slid right into love and there was no conflict or hesitation and yet, they occupy much of the book. Neither are strong willed or strong characters- she does claim independence, but also has a lot of need in her. Nice, but boring thus I skipped.

I am intrigued enough to want to continue, but I think I’m going to have to adjust to how these books tend to skim across the surface with hints of potential depth. Darkest Night was moderately engaging and an easy, quick read. I will cautiously recommend this book/series to light romantic suspense fans.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was unaware that there were previous short stories about these characters. Although the premise was interesting, I found the book to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read. The relationship of the main characters just felt too rushed and contrite, as if the author was trying too hard to convince us that those two were in love. It just did not feel authentic. I did not like the quick transition from separated childhood friends to lovers in no time flat. Also, the behavior of the ex-friend was just too over the top, rendering the character almost cartoonish. While the mystery portion of the story was more interesting, nothing was ever established about the Gentleman's identity. Apparently, he played some role in the other stories.

The book was in great need of an editor. Grammatical errors were abundant and sometimes, it was simply difficult to determine what exactly the author was trying to say. She switched from her viewpoint to his and back again. In addition, we were privy to other characters' point of view. It just became confusing. Scenes switched rapidly and should have became new chapters. Instead, they were the next sentences.

Finally, there was a cliff hanger ending that I did not anticipate and did not appreciate. If I had been aware of that type of ending, I probably would have passed on reading this one.

Maybe I am too critical but this was a great story told erratically, the romance was pretty much "insta-love" the mystery and plots within plots got tedious as it went along but the overall story did keep me reading until the end without scanning. Add in a bit overdone erotic moments that added little if anything and it detracts from my enjoyment.

I tend to dislike books/series that keep the same "bad guy" but i am assuming that if I consider what looks to be a trilogy that he will be caught in the last book.

The overall mystery was good, the background was good but I also tend to get irritated when I get to the end of a book with too many questions (a few that I fear won't get answered in the other books).

So with all those thing I dislike and a story I really DID like I am giving it 3 Stars but for a book that had to lay a lot of background for the other books I am assuming I will be raising that rating for the next books

Suspense & romance, this book was right up my street.

I really enjoyed it & will be looking for the next book in the series

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Things I liked:
*good character building without spending whole pages to describe unimportant details.
*although a lot happened in this book, it was easy to follow and keep up with the changing settings without too much lag time in between
*even though this book is part of a series and it definitely sets you up for the next book in the end, with some unfinished business, it is not. a total "cliffhanger" in the sense that ther is a big announcement or major occasion that is stopped mid sentence at the end, which tends to irritate me more than anything.

Things I didn't like or just made the book flow less smoothly for me:
*some of the terms used in regular conversations or descriptions seemed juvenile to me. Such as a situation where the characters are discussing "pretending" something major. I felt this was a term that a young person would use and killed some of the levity of the very adult discusssion for me
*I do realize that man families who have all boys or all girls, name their children similar or just starting their name with the same letter. If you've been around families who do this, and I have, it's common for siblings to be regularly called by the wrong name by mistake. Difficult as this can be in real life, I found it even more difficult to smoothly read. For the first quarter of the book especially while getting to know the characters, having similar names just made it more confusing. Kept having to backtrack to remember which was which.
*as I did say earlier, this is not a total "cliffhanger", but there is for sure unfinished business at the end. I don't mind reading a series, but my personal preference is for it to be where each book can stand alone with characters crossing over between storylines. Instead of not having a major question answered at the end of a book. Again, this is a personal preference.

I still give the book four stars and would like to finish the series, liking the characters created, however not five stars for me or a point where I will anxiously awaiting the next two books above other reads. Will definitely read more by this author.

Tilly’s life changed when her father was accused of a scandal that rocked that tore her life apart. Everything changed at that moment. Now, she works hard to make ends meet while trying to achieve her dreams. She hoped she would see Keaton again. So much time has passed but her feelings remain the same. Will they be able to pick up where they left off or will the evil lurking beneath the surface destroy their lives forever. Each page filled me with the need to know the answers of all the questions running rampant in my head.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is the first book in a new series. Meet the Benedict Brothers. The first brother in the series is the youngest, Keaton. He goes to a club one night and runs into a childhood friend, Tilly, who is working there while finishing college. Sparks fly, danger abounds, and after her apartment is broken into and torn apart, she moves into the Brothers’ mansion to be safer and closer to Keaton. In the background is a man named “The Gentleman”, who wants to kill Tilly, and take down the Benedicts. This is one I had a hard time putting down and one I highly recommend!

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great mystery/romance full of suspense and
drama. Tilly and Keaton have great chemistry and are
very likable characters. I really liked it

Darkest Night
Sons of Broad series book #1
Release Date: February 27, 2018
Review copy provided by the publisher

I was so excited to get started with this book when I read the blurb. There's something so wonderful about a romance novel with some cleverly placed suspense woven in.

I'm going to be honest, I think this book would be better marketed to the NA (New Adult) audience. Keaton and Tilly were both young, barely out of university. Their infatuation and eventual love was a bit immature for my tastes.

The beginning of this book started off very promising. Both the hero and heroine were very likeable. They shared a past, and I've always enjoyed "second chance" romances. After a couple of chapters in I started to feel let down. When you open the book, on one of the first few pages, it says " romantic thriller ". I was expecting more heart stopping suspense; an element of fear radiating from the page. But that never happened. At best it was just...meh.

The chemistry between Keaton and Tilly was there, but it wasn't on fire. It wasn't even simmering. It felt almost juvenile.

There's a lot of unanswered questions that I'm assuming will be tied up in the next couple of books. I'm just not sure I care enough about the characters to continue on with the series. It's not that the book was bad. It's just that it was missing so much...pizazz. I was waiting for the conflict between Keaton and Tilly. Something to make it feel like they were fighting for their love and happiness. I was waiting for the action to leap off of the pages and grab me. It just never did.

Darkest Night by Tara Thomas is the first book in the Sons of Broad Trilogy. The description of the setting from the author's web page is sure to draw you in: "Sons of Broad: In Charleston, it's considered prestigious to have an address south of Broad Street. So much so, that there's a term used for those who do: S.O.B.s. Charleston, South Carolina. Regarded by many as the quintessential southern city. A place where the past collides with the present along cobblestone streets and palatial rainbow-colored houses. Where the ghosts of yesterday walk side by side with visitors of today within the old slave market. And where the battle cry of a war long over can still be heard in the quiet fields that mark the darkest days of American history. Visitors to this iconic city are charmed by its people and culture. They find it warm and inviting and are welcomed with friendly smiles and open arms. But those who live there know that looks can be more than deceiving, they can be deadly. The Benedict family is more than old money, they are the embodiment of southern blue bloods. With the ability to trace their heritage to the American Revolution, they have built their shipping empire the old-fashioned way: through fear and intimidation. They are ruthless in business and reckless in pleasure."

Tilly Brock and Keaton Benedict have history, but that was a long time ago, before Tilly's father was accused of stealing from Keaton's family, and before she lost everything, including her parents and the only boy she ever loved. Keaton is a playboy, but something is missing; the young woman he can't forget.

This is a gritty, suspenseful, fast-paced story. When Tilly and Keaton meet again the chemistry is obvious, but so is the danger. "The Gentleman" makes you shiver with fear; he just feels evil. The atmosphere in Charleston created by author Tara Thomas is almost like another character.

The story moves quickly and will keep you guessing who is to be trusted and who poses a threat. If you like a fast-paced tale with romance, secrets and scandal then Darkest Night is for you.

Note I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This book was surprisingly good. I’ll admit, I’ve never heard of this author before, but I’ll definitively be reading more from them in the future.

*4.5 Stars*

Darkest Night by Tara Thomas is book one in her Sons of Broad series.  A romance thriller filled with mystery and danger, the story will have you guessing at what will happen next and who is behind it all.

From the beginning there is suspense and danger. The series follows the Benedict family, and a mysterious villain known as The Gentleman who wants to takedown and destroy the Benedict family.  Darkest Night focuses on the youngest, Keaton Benedict and the girl he lost, Tilly Brock. 

One night at a club, Tilly and Keaton are reunited and excited to have found another again.  However, that happiness of reunited is marred by the murders of Tilly's co-workers, and threats to Tilly.  Besides the threat of the whoever is trying to ruin the Benedict family, Ms. Thomas also throws in also another foe and blackmail to increase the suspense and danger.

There is a lot going on in this novel with lots of moving parts.  The heat and romance between Keaton and Tilly was great and I loved how they had each others back.  I also enjoyed the three Benedict brothers and their relationships with each other.  The suspense was also well done and it kept the story moving at a fast pace and had me wondering what was going to happen. 

Though, I will admit to wish we were able to learn more about why The Gentleman is after the Benedict family.  It wasn't very clear to me but hopefully we'll find out more in the next books.  The character that stood out for me in this novel was Jade. Her character is complex and mysterious as the favored henchman of The Gentleman, Jade is caught between a rock and a hard place.  My feelings for this character evolved as I read the book. Ms. Thomas gives us multiple POVs, including Jade's, and lets readers get a more in-depth look at her characters and what they are thinking and feeling, which I really liked especially for Jade's character at the last half of the book.  I look forward to finding out more and seeing what Ms. Thomas has planned.

Overall, Darkest Night by Tara Thomas is a well-written and engaging romance thriller novel.  There are some parts that could have been fleshed out more, but I feel it was a great start to what is going to be an interesting series.  I would recommend and look forward to reading  more from Ms. Thomas.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

While the story was enjoyable I had a hard time really getting into this book. I read a lot and I read fast. I kept having to go back and re-read because the subject or perspective would change so quickly.
I liked this book. And it was worth my time, but I hope there was some good editing.

Sorry, but this book is a dud. It does have a decent plot concept. After that, nothing much to recommend it. The stereotypical characters were poorly drawn with very little character development and the plot was not presented in an engaging way. To top it off, the book ends abruptly with several plot lines left hanging until the next book in the series is published. Disappointing all around.

DNF at 45%. As the body count increased, the main character who theoretically has been given many warnings that "she is next" became more and more lackadaisical about her safety and environment. I had to keep rereading certain pages to make sure I read right. Was that just a body she just stumbled over? Wait, was her friend just killed outside her front door? Because her reaction did not match the immediate horrors she was facing. Oh and that weird feeling she kept getting just before walking into danger...I just couldn't buy into that particular trope. This read was not for me, simply because it lacked authenticity. I do appreciate the ARC.

This was quite the steamy thriller! I just loved it! There were some moments that my kindle fogged up! I selected this book because I enjoy a good thriller and it was based in Charleston, where I currently live! I just love when a book is based in your home state and even better city! I love reading about the different wealthy societies and the eerie times in this thriller that definitely made my heart race! I really enjoyed this debut and would highly recommend it! I lived the fast pace, characters, plot and everything! What a successful debut! Thank you so much St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A nail-biting sizzler romantic suspense fans are going to love, Darkest Night is a captivating, daring and irresistible tale of danger, desire and deception fans of Lisa Jackson and Karen Rose are going to love.

Tilly Brock had once had the world at her feet. Her family was once a pillar of Charleston society, but when a shocking scandal had come to life, Tilly and her family had lost everything which they held dear to their hearts. But nobody had suffered more than Tilly for she had also ended up losing the love of the only boy she would ever love: Keaton Benedict. Left with nothing except a will and determination to depend on nobody but herself, Tilly had tried her hardest to forget about Keaton and move on with her life. However, some things simply cannot be forgotten as she realises when time does not dim or lessen her feelings for a boy who has continued to haunt her thoughts and dreams…

Keaton Benedict is the most notorious bachelor in Charleston. Having grown up with every single advantage known to men, Keaton can have anything – and anybody – he wants. But despite the women, money and prestige he enjoys as a member of the renowned Benedict family, there is an emptiness inside Keaton’s heart which only one woman can fill. The only woman who had gotten away from him: Tilly Brock. Forgetting about her had been easier said than done and when she unexpectedly comes back into his life old feelings resurface with a passionate vengeance. But picking up where they left off is going to be anything but easy!

With a deadly enemy willing to do whatever it takes to destroy any chance Tilly and Keaton might have of a future together, will their love be strong enough to triumph against any obstacles standing in their way? Or is their romance simply doomed to fail?

Tara Thomas deftly balances breathtaking romance with edge of your seat suspense and heart-pounding danger in the exceptional first title in her Sons of Broad series, Darkest Night. Edgy, sensuous and captivating, Darkest Night is a terrific tale of second chances, dangerous enemies and powerful emotion that will keep you turning the pages into the early hours of the morning.

A wonderful read you will not easily forget, Darkest Night has got keeper written all over it!

Darkest Night
By
Tara Thomas

This book is about two strong southern families...once united...now torn apart...with lots of mystery surrounding their issues.

Tilly and Keaton...members of these estranged families...also torn apart...but on the verge of reuniting.

However...something sinister...the Gentleman...is lurking in their lives...something evil...something that may keep Tilly and Keaton apart and destroy Keaton’s family.

Are the Keaton men...Kipling, Knox, and Keaton...strong enough to survive this plus Elise? Elise is determined to marry Keaton.

I liked this book but didn’t really love it. It has tons of mystery...tons of very juicy sexy bits...and tons of murder and mayhem. Keaton and Tilly are a romance in the making. Elise is the mean girl bully determined to tear them apart. Plus it seems as though this book will have a sequel...there were lots of unanswered questions. I didn’t love this book but I might have to read the sequel just to see what happens next.

Readers who enjoy romantic suspenseful books...should like this one.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this book. I read it and reviewed it because I wanted to.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

This was really good. Well written and kept you in suspense even at the end. You wonder who the Gentlemen is and why he wants to destroy Keaton and his family.

Keaton wasn’t what I expected. He was a kind gentle man. When the book starts out you wonder if his family is in something shady with the story of Tilly’s dad but that quickly dissipates. He is not as he seems and you fall in love with him as he shows us his kind and protective side with Tilly.

tilly has been through a lot to get where she is and she deserves happiness. Only now she is embroiled in murders happening around her and the threats that she is next along with Elise and her threats to herself and Keaton and his family. Her and Keaton the sparks sizzle and they are great together. They support one another and encourage each other. They protect and love one another fiercely. And what I found the most intimate part of their relationship was that they didn’t hide anything from one another. After all those years apart they came together with easy grace and learned to trust one another again.

The story was filled with twists and reveals. Mystery and love. Family and loyalty as well when it came to Keaton and his brothers. As you watch things unfold you are embroiled in finding out why and who is behind it all. Also what really happened with Tilly’s dad?

Written in a way that engages you in the moments and has you embroiled in the story and not letting up even at the end where you now are on pins and needles with what is going to happen next..A great beginning to what looks to be a enticing and intriguing series that has you on your toes and wanting more.

Darkest Night", is the first book in Ms Thomas's series Sons of Broad Street and gets four solid stars from me.
Ms Thomas has created a suspense filled second chance romance story that centers around a wealthy Charleston family , The Benedicts. Unbeknownst to any of the Benedict brothers they have an enemy plotting their take down but not just financially the Villian is attacking on a personal level also.
So for our two main characters Keaton Benedict and Tilly Brock their reburgeoning romance is consistently put to the test .
Our Villian known only as The Gentleman has set in motion a plan to bring the Benedicts to their knees attacking Tilly's co- workers then ransacking her apartments forcing her to move in with Keaton. Then on another front the Villian goes after the two other Benedict boys and who they love .
To further keep us on our toes Ms Thomas throws in Elisa Germain , former best freind to Tilly ; but now an enemy . Elise has designs On Keaton with large plans , such as making him her husband and she is not beyond blackmail to get what she wants.
Throw into the mix a somewhat inept and possibly crooked Charleston PD. And the plot line gets just a little more twisted. The storyline certainley kept me reading , the hot sexy romance scenes between Keaton and Tilly kept the romance alive and the suspense of waiting for the next tragedy to strike moved the plot along.
I truly enjoyed this story and just a warning since this is the first in a series we do not get a resolution on the Villian , so settle in for the long haul ; personally I am looking forward to reading the next story! Arc copy Graciuosly provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review .