My Review of “Darkest Night” by Tara Thomas, St. Martin’s Press, February 27,2018

“Darkest Night” by Tara Thomas is an intense and captivating novel of suspense, romance, and thrilling mystery. There are betrayals, deep secrets, revenge, jealousy, danger and murder. The author weaves her story around the wealthy and successful Benedict Brothers in Charleston. There is at least one deadly enemy sworn to destroy them. There are many twists and turns.

The author describes are characters as complex and complicated. Some seem dysfunctional and psychotic. One of the Benedict brothers, Keaton sees Tilly Brock, a former childhood friend. Tilly’s father had worked for the Benedicts and was accused of embezzling company funds. Tilly’s family had to leave, and Keaton never realized where she was.

Tilly works at a Men’s Club, bartending, while making the money she needs to finish college to become a teacher. Someone not only has it in for the Benedicts, but also has threatened Tilly. When Keaton and Tilly get together, there are dead bodies turning up.

What is going on? Who is the enemy that wants to destroy the Benedicts, and why? I would recommend this book for readers of Mystery and Romance. There are some hot sexy scenes in this book as well. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Where do I start? There is a lot going on in this first book in a new series. That’s not unusual. It often takes a lot of early information for an author to set up what intriguing plot is unfolding in her head. I just went with the flow and let the story unwind.

As the story begins, Keaton, the youngest of the Benedict brothers has just finished college. As a very wealthy young man, his college days were seamless, full of friends and fun. Tilly, on the other hand, is working as a drink server in a gentlemen’s club trying to pay for and finish her last semester of school. Her father, who was fired from the Benedict’s shipping empire for embezzlement, left Tilly penniless after his death. Tilly and Keaton were very close as kids, spending a lot of time together and sharing their very first kiss.

Just as Tilly and Keaton reconnect, threats against Tilly start. And that’s just the beginning. A series of murders of people close to Tilly makes it look like she’s the target. But is she really? There are way more questions than answers. Why in the world is Elise, Tilly’s childhood best friend and a close family friend of the Benedicts moving into Benedict House for the summer? Who is The Gentleman, and what are his plans with his cadre of thugs? What’s his grievance against the Benedict brothers? And who the heck is Jade? I think I’ve figured out that last one, but I have been proven wrong by twisty authors before, so I won’t bet on it just yet.

So. More questions than answers, though at least one of the questions I posed is answered. You’ll have to figure out which one for yourself, so pick up a copy and...

Enjoy!

2shay

I could not get through this book. I found it boring from page one and stopped reading it after a few pages. I went to the last chapter and did not find it anymore interesting.

Darkest Night – Tara Thomas

The Benedict brothers are the heirs apparent to the large shipping company bequeathed to them by their father. Set in beautiful Charleston, SC, the company is prosperous, the family is Charleston royalty, and the youngest of the three, Keaton Benedict, has graduated from college and is expected to take his place within the company.

Tilly Brock was once a neighbor and close friend of Keaton Benedict, until false accusations of embezzlement left her father in disgrace and her family exiled from Charleston society. Now, with both of her parents gone, Tilly is working in an adult night club, as she puts herself through, school, in hopes of realizing her dream of becoming a teacher.

In an off chance, Keaton visits the night club, and spots Tilly out of the corner of his eye. As he realizes who she is, the past comes rushing back, and they realize they’re getting a second chance at love.

Meanwhile, someone wants to bring the Benedict family down. Known only as the Gentleman, he methodically kills those close to Tilly, with hints of her being the presumed end-game. And a young woman from another well-to-do Charleston family, Elise, has her eyes set on Keaton and his fortune, and will stop at nothing to ensure she becomes his bride.

This book will keep you turning pages as you cheer on Tilly and Keaton! However, there are unanswered questions and mystery abounds as the novel ends, leaving you in anticipation for books 2 & 3!

This is the first book I’ve ever read by author Tara Thomas, but it will not be my last!

I received a copy through NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.

Darkest Night by. Tara Thomas is a romantic thriller that kept me wondering what was going to happen next. The characters drew me into their lives. The story had me on the edge of my seat until the end. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

I really enjoyed reading this book which I received free from Net Galley for an honest review. Keaton does not want to join the family business but presents to his brothers the "giving back" idea and a new division is born. His love for Tilly from his teenage years grows along with several dead bodies resulting in his need to protect her. This book will leave you fearful at times, suspenseful in not knowing if "Kaja" aka "Jade" is dead or alive. Thrilling - how did she know of the secret entrance to the house the boys were raised in. Who is the "Gentleman"?
I look forward to reading the rest of this series and learning the answers to many questions still in my mind.

This first Sons of Broad book is romantic suspense with a heavy emphasis on suspense. Someone wants Tilly Brock dead. That same someone also wants to bring down the wealthy and powerful Benedict family.

Keaton Benedict is the youngest of the three Benedict brothers. He's a recent college graduate who wants to begin a division in Benedict Shipping for charitable giving. He's with some friends at a gentleman's club celebrating his graduation when he spots Tilly.

Keaton and Tilly were best friends on their way to a romance when she disappeared from his life. He was told that her father embezzled from the Benedict Company, was fired, and moved the family to Texas. In fact, they just moved to a different part of Charleston and dropped out of the upper social circle. Her father and mother both died leaving Tilly to struggle to make her way through college - thus the reason for working at a gentleman's club.

Soon after they met again, bodies started appearing around them. First Tilly's friend from work. Then two of the dancers from the club. Keaton's older brother was briefly a suspect in the second dancer's death.

Added to the confusion, a young woman who is determined to marry Keaton and who is a family friend has come to spend the summer with the Benedicts. She is not above using blackmail or murder to get her way and convince Keaton to marry her.

Then there is the villain of the piece - The Gentleman - and his henchwoman/victim Jade. The Gentleman is involved in all sorts of crime in Charleston including human trafficking and he's the one who wants the Benedicts destroyed. Jade is an interesting character because she has been raised and brainwashed by The Gentleman to hate the Benedicts but is starting to question what she has been taught.

The romance storyline between Keaton and Tilly is brought to resolution in this book but the suspense plot will need resolution in the upcoming books in the series. This was a busy story with lots of threads.

Ms. Thomas has set the stage for an interesting plot and set of characters. However, the story continues in the next installment and I can't wait to find out who the "Gentleman" is and who is Jade?

I couldn't wait to read this book....it was worth the wait. This is a great story with strong characters. I give it 5 stars and a strong recommendation.

This book reads like a rough draft. The supporting characters are cardboard, it needs serious proofreading, and the POV switches with no warning so often you are not certain who is speaking or narrating. I can see the bones of a really good story.

Darkest Night by Tara Thomas is a sexy and thrilling romantic suspense novel. I wasn't sure what to expect from this writer. I have never read any of her previous books. But now, I can say that I will be reading every book she writes! I was entertained from the first page. Dark, edgy, and hot...all of the right combinations to make me want to read this.

The characters were different as the day is to night. Tilly is super smart, works hard, and pays her own way. After her parents died, she has had no one else to care about or care about her. Until, bad things start happening to her. And her past crush, now a grown man, walks back into her life. Complicated, messy, and fun. Tilly struggles with the events as much as accepting that Keaton has returned and he still cares. Someone is after her and Keaton's family. The question why lingers...

Keaton is one of three brothers. Their father created a business empire that is successful. The sons now run it. Except, Keaton is the last son dragging his heels into the family business. Keaton is forced to spend the summer with a family friend's daughter. A woman whom he wants nothing to do with...and as the story unravels, neither do I. Keaton finds his past crush and best friend, Tilly, at a gentleman's bar. There, things just got complex for them both.

Darkest Night is full of surprises. Tara Thomas kept me on my toes. Death keeps happening, and it is only time before disaster really hits them all.

I loved the suspense. I still have no idea who is behind it all of the dark stuff. But there's former crushes, family secrets, and family friends who are anything but friendly. Blackmail, threats, and arrests happen here, too. Exciting and full of action. Darkest Night is a must read for all.

Darkest night by tara Thomas.
Tilky brocks works at a gentlemans nightclub. Keaton Benedict is from her past. When they meet again they fall in love. But someone wants keaton for herself and she will do anything to get him.
A fantastic read. Loved the story and the characters. Very steamy with a hint of mystery. Looking forward to reading more from tara thomas. Highy recommended. 5*

I really enjoyed this story. the characters are easy to relate to, funny, and sweet! The storyline is just twisted and convoluted enough to keep you guessing and wondering what is coming next. It really had a great element of romance, suspense, and sexy all rolled into one.

This is the story of Tilly who returns to her small town and runs in to her long lost love Keaton Benedict. The attraction is still there but there are many obstacles in their path that they may not be able to overcome. Story was a little confusing at times and could have been better developed. All in all, a good story.

The Darkest Night by Tara Thomas is a modern romantic thriller and part one of the Sons of Broad series. I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story follows Tilly weeks before her college graduation. She reunites with her childhood love Keaton, one brother of three belonging to the Benedict fortune, and her life begins to unravel. When Tilly's life is in danger, Keaton moves her into the Benedict mansion to keep her safe. Not only do Tilly and Keaton have to deal with a killer, but they have obstacles within their circle that could prevent them from being together.

Lovers reunited is an endearing premise, and Tilly and Keaton are sweet together. When things started to go wrong, especially during the threat from a childhood friend of theirs, I was rooting for them. The other Benedict brothers were engaging as well. I assume the rest of the Sons of Broad series will follow them and I would be interested in their stories based on what I read here.

The focus in this story was off for me. I found myself uninterested in the thriller aspect of it. I did not find the bad guy intimidating, and I think a fear of him was necessary to keep my concern for the main characters. I just wanted it over so we could get on with the rest of the story. With the ruining of Tilly's family's reputation when she was young, to the reuniting of Tilly and Keaton, through to the threat of extortion to Keaton and his family, I think there was too much to include a murder mystery. I like a good murder mystery, but here I did not want it or need it, which is unfortunate.

There are aspects of this story I enjoyed. As stated, I would be willing to give another book in this series a chance. All opinions are my own and may not match that of others. I urge all readers to come to their own conclusions.

Second chance love......can Tilly come back from her family loosing everything to scandal. Keaton is a notorious bachelor who once loved Tilly can he again? This book is enthralling......you won't wanna put it down....loved it

Tilly and Keaton never had the chance to develop a romance in their teens due to criminal accusations that tore their families apart. But their feelings for one another rekindle after a chance encounter, and steadily grow as they work together to solve a mysterious death. Along the way, they realize that assumptions prevented them from remaining in each other's life for years and strive not to assume anything moving forward. Rather, they open up about their feelings and lives as they work to stay one step ahead of a killer while figuring out how to jump start the love that had been stalled years before.

I don't like to give anything below a three but this just was not my cup of tea. From the obvious grammatical errors to the dialogue, I couldn't seem to get into it. I loved the plot of the story - unfortunately, the flow of the story (no distinction when point of view changed) and the forced dialogue, I did not enjoy this. It was too cheesy and there was no chemistry between the two characters.

In this new romance/thriller/mystery series the characters were likable. The Benedict brothers own a large company in Charleston. The youngest brother Keaton, reconnects with childhood friend, Tilly, and a new romance begins. Both characters begin to feel threatened as the bodies pile up.
There are many characters to keep track of. Some are better developed than others. Understandably, the story is a continuing one since this book is first in a series. However, the reader is left with some unanswered questions:
What history has precipitated the abrasive relationship between the brothers Knox and Kip?
Who is the evil force behind the murders and why is the Benedict Family his target?
What significance do the characters Bea and Jade have to the story and to the Benedict Family?
I began this series hoping for more of a mystery. This book was more focused on the romance.