I am left speechless after reading Karina Halle beautiful stories. Discretion is a stunning start to i am going to be great series. It's full of Suspenseful Drama, Romance, Emotions and Humor. What more could a reader want. I Loved it very much.

I Highly Recommend all Readers to grab this book now.

I love Karina’s contemporary romances. She’s been one of my favorite auto buy authors for a long time. So I when I heard about her Dumonts series, I couldn’t wait dive into this book. I’ll admit that it wasn’t my favorite of her books. Maybe it was my mood. But this book had some of the elements that I love about Karina’s books. It was heartwarming, intriguing, steamy, and a bit suspenseful. Overall, I did enjoy this book and Iook forward in continuing this series.

The blurb made it seem very interesting but it felt a bit meh and boring...
No Chemistry, plus the hero was pining for another girl...it felt obvious..and awkward.

Maybe it was because of the writing, maybe I’m just over billionaire love interests, but this book wasn’t for me.

A wonderful story that will captivate your attention until the end! You’ll forget the world is going on around you as you immerse yourself in this story.

I tried really hard to get into this book and it's completely possible it was just my mindset at the time. I can see myself enjoying Discretion at a later date but right now, it just wasn't for me.

**I received this book from Montlake Romance via Netgalley for an honest review**

3.5 stars

Sadie is a down on her luck college student and Olivier is a billionaire hotelier.

This was enjoyable but felt a little incomplete at the end. There was a lot of buildup with this trash family but not enough confrontation for me. It’s like it’s being saved for later which is unfortunate. I liked Seraphina a lot. She seemed like the cool sister with a story to be told.

Sadie and Oliver were good together. Moments flew by with them. Serious decisions made within weeks. Reckless behavior and me questioning the secrecy.

Really wanted to love this one but unfortunately my issues with the chemistry between the characters, and the over the top drama, prevented me from truly connecting and enjoying this story,

What I did love the most was the location. Karina truly makes the landscape one of the characters, and that shined through, but not enough for me to love this,

I really enjoyed this one by Karina Halle. The romance was nice and the characters didn't make me scream in annoyance.

Karina Halle has always been on my TBR especially when she has something new to dish out. Discretion was no let down it gave me the feels in all the right places. Sadie the main character in this book is a little timid for my liking but with the way Oliver's personality was it made sense to me. The story is great and I liked it alot!

I’m going to try and keep this short since no one has time to read my sometimes lengthy reviews.

I really enjoyed this book, but who’s surprised, right? It is a Halle book after all.

I loved Sadie and Olivier as much as most characters I read about. The story itself is really nothing we haven’t read before. Poor girl meets rich attractive guy who sweeps her off her feet. Said rich guy has secrets and crazy things ensue. This is in no way a bar story, in fact it’s probably one of my favorite tropes.

So, what’s different? Well, it’s the writing of course. Karina writes like no one else. The way she describes the places, it’s like you’re there. Also, all the sexy times are fantastic.

I wanted to like this book but unfortunately it was a bit uneven and the characters just didn't grab me. This is an author I have read for years, but this book just didn't work for me.

Excellent romantic journey between Oliver and Sadie but also an intriguing and captivating look into the drama and mystery behind the Dumont family! I don’t know what I loved best, the romance or the drama LOL although they go hand in hand.

The romance was a bit too quick for me to really relate to it, but they were super sexy and intense and when you mix in the passionate family shenanigans that come with the rich, you’ve got yourself the beginning of a saga that is sure to captivate anyone! (okay, at least me lol)

Looking forward to a lot more from this family!

Karina did not come to play!

Oliver and Sadie have a magnetic chemistry that you can’t help but be sucked into it. I’m traditional fashion, it’s Halle’s signature angst and steaminess. Loved getting to know these characters. Definitely did not want to get to the end of this book!

It is a happy, happy day in my world when Karina Halle has a new book out. Discretion is her latest and, unlike the majority of her books, has been traditionally published. I wasn't exactly thinking about how the book might be different than her self-published titles but I realized after devouring finishing it that it was true Halle, through and through and I am so thankful the publisher didn't mess with her signature steamy angst that I've come to love.

Here's the synopsis:
From New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle comes a delicious saga of wealth, luxury, and scandal—and the wicked secrets of success behind an envied family dynasty.
The Riviera means indulgence—if you’ve got money. For Sadie Reynolds, a down-on-her-luck student, the Riviera means dingy hostels and back streets. When a wrong turn puts her in jeopardy, the last thing she expects is to be saved by the most handsome stranger she’s ever locked eyes with. When she later wakes up in a luxury suite with a Mediterranean view, she’s in the tender care of her rescuer: Olivier Dumont, France’s most eligible bachelor, billionaire hotelier, and heir to the Dumont fashion fortune.
Olivier also owns his reputation for scandal. But Sadie is unlike any woman he’s ever met. Her humble persona and wild innocence promise real passion. He’s promising Sadie something too: anything she wants. From Bordeaux to Cannes to Paris, Sadie’s past in America is swept away and replaced with a fantasy too good to be true.
Pulled into Olivier’s orbit of wealth, glamour, and excess, Sadie discovers that the Dumont dynasty comes with a legacy of wicked secrets. And Olivier’s secrets may be the most damning of all…
On the one hand, I am PUMPED that Discretion has kicked off a new series from Halle. I loved it and want more. Lots more. I was not ready to say goodbye to this family and all of the secrets that are still hidden. On the other hand...now I have to wait to find out what happens next! And there are so many secrets that still needs to be unravelled. Luckily, we only have to wait until November for the second book, Disarm. It will feature Olivier's adopted sister and their cousin.

So, obviously, if I'm that psyched about a sequel, I clearly adored this book. Halle delivered her usual angsty romance in a BIG way and I was completely committed to Olivier and Sadie's relationship. I liked that, while they were immediately attracted to one another, they took it slow and really found respect for one another before jumping into bed together. Both Olivier and Sadie were, in a way, running from something - Olivier from a deal he signed with his uncle a decade prior (and I have THOUGHTS on that deal but can't spoil it) and Sadie from a recently broken heart and her reality back in Seattle - and they were so wary of the feelings they were having for each other. And those feelings? Hoo boy, they were smokin' hot.

Even though there are a lot of "rich boy, poor girl" stories out there, Halle's take on the trope felt original. Olivier's wealth is so outrageous that it almost didn't seem real. It was sort of like a fairy tale. He also, thankfully, wasn't the kind of guy who felt the need to show off his money in ridiculous ways. He was as secure as a thirty year old guy can be as he's facing down a ticking time bomb of a deal with an evil family member. He also recognized that Sadie was fiercely independent and spoiled her in a way that respected her as a person and made her feel comfortable. She fought it a bit and never once took advantage of his wealth either. But, hey, who would want to turn down elegant dresses or luxurious hotel rooms, complete with room service?

And those evil family members? Oh my word, I don't trust them at all. They's so terrible and vindictive and Halle writes them so well. I can actually say that I hate them - that's how powerful Halle's characters are.

There's so much more that could be said about Discretion but I fear I'll get even closer to rambling territory if I go on much further. Basically all you need to know is that I loved Karina Halle's new book and think that she's hit on a series that will be just as addictive to other readers as it was for me.

*A copy of this novel was provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR and by the Canadian distributor, Thomas Allen & Son, in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

A start to a new series in The Dumont series. And that cover!

It was hot, had family drama and allllll the mystery!

Oliver was oh so lovely, a knight in shining armour. Rich, beautiful but has secrets of his own. Sadie and him together were combustible in the sack!

I did feel like I didn't feel their chemistry but overall I liked this and want to read book 2!

I almost did not finish “Discretion” and would have filed it under DNF among the ARCs that I have received. But, when I got the audiobook, I just fell in love with John Lane’s take on the sexy French accent of Olivier Dumont. This was my first listen for John Lane, and he did not disappoint.

Told in two POVs, Sadie Reynolds was voiced by Summer Morton. I loved her work on “The Boy I Grew Up With” and “Logan Kade” (both books by Tijan). Once again, she exceeded my expectations. Talking as Olivier, Summer was able to project a very credible French accent.

If you’re wondering why I keep on talking about the French accent, it’s because I’m a Francophile. “Discretion” being set in Nice and in Paris was my main reason why I was so looking forward reading this book.

So, why did I almost DNF it? It’s because story development was a little too slow for me. Don’t get me wrong, the romance between Olivier and Sadie was very steamy. That’s actually the saving grace of the first part of the book.

But, in the Prologue, something sinister was hinted and it was slow in coming. I have been spoiled with all the police procedurals on TV. From the NCIS franchise to Law and Order, I am so used to trying to figure out whodunit in the first 10 minutes.

“Discretion” is not a police procedural; it’s far from it. It’s barely a whodunit. It is a romance with something ominous in the background. And though it is openly talked about, there was no real development until you reach the third quarter. That’s what I meant by it being slow.

Still, as a romance (more romantica actually), “Discretion” is on point. Olivier and Sadie went through a trial by fire to earn their happily ever after.

I would have given the book 5 stars if I am just looking at the romance portion, but I’m not. Because of the slow development of the whodunit subplot, I am taking away one star, hence 4 stars.

“Discretion” is Rated M for Mature due to sexual content and some violence.

Another Karina Halle book that pulled me in right from the start! I liked the chemistry between Sadie and Olivier, although they are the true definition of opposites attract. After having her heart broken by her last boyfriend, Sadie's okay with flirting with a well-known womanizer, and after what went down in the prologue with Olivier, he more than lives up to the playboy, love 'em and leave 'em role with zero qualms. I did think their flirtationship progressed a bit quickly so it was hard to know if the feelings were real, but I still enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

I absolutely loved some of Halle's other books (My Life in Shambles was a five star for me), but I sadly lost interest with this one. I may try to finish the rest later, but for now I DNF at 36%. I liked the premise of it, but I didn't feel like there was enough chemistry between Sadie and Oliver. I was a little confused with the Dumont background and I wasn't interested enough to finish.

First Impressions...
I was hoping for a steamy, Dynasty-like romance and that’s exactly what I got! I absolutely loved DISCRETION! Sadie and Olivier were fantastic, their chemistry was phenomenal, and the steam in this book was intense!!! Loved every single minute of it and I’m super excited to see where this series goes!


This Book In 5 Words:
Addictive. Sexy. Thrilling. Dramatic. Intense.

What Did I Like:
- The characters! I loved Sadie and Olivier! I loved how down-to-earth and determined Sadie was, but most of all, I loved that throughout DISCRETION she was always willing to take a chance and she was absolutely always there for those that she loved. And Olivier....*dreamy sigh* boy was he wonderful! I loved how right away we were able to see beneath his public persona. He was thoughtful, kind, doting, and I especially loved how he opened up to Sadie and showed her his true colours. Both characters were fairly closed off, so one of my favourite parts of their relationship was seeing them open up and seeing how their banter and chemistry evolved throughout the story.

- The romance...the steam...oh my! I'm going to be one of the first to admit that I like steam in my romance. I'm okay without it, but I will admit that I do prefer my romances on the steamier end and DISCRETION had so much glorious steam! It was sexy, fun, and I loved every single second of it!

- The drama and story! I know drama isn't for everyone, but personally I love it when I go into a story knowing that it'll be there and DISCRETION doesn't hide it's drama at all. Right from the description, we know that this is going to be part of a dramatic series, and let me tell you, it certainly is! I absolutely love dramatic TV shows, so I found this book to be super addictive and NEEDED to know what was going to happen...now I'm eagerly waiting for book two, DISARM! ;)

- The cover!!!! *heart eyes* I don't normally factor covers into reviews at all, but I just have to comment to say that I've been smitten with this cover since the moment I saw it. ;)

What Didn't I Like:
- Nothing! I went into this book expecting it to be dramatic and thus slightly unrealistic, so I was 100% super, duper ready for it! While I didn't like some of the characters as people...they were fantastic as villains in this story. :P

Star Rating:
★★★★★

Read If You Like:
Steamy contemporary romances where the characters have phenomenal chemistry that blossoms into something deeper! High-stake dramas! Billionaire romances!

Overall, I loved DISCRETION! I thought that it was an absolutely amazing story and I had so much fun reading it! I loved that it was romantic, sexy, and extremely dramatic all rolled into one epic package, and once I started, I was hooked and I didn't want to put it down! Highly, highly recommend this to anyone who loves steamy romances, too!