Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

I am rating it 4 stars. Overall, I really enjoyed the story of Olivier and Sadie. Their romance was sweet and the underlying mysteries of Olivier’s past did keep the plot moving.

Karina Halle is a great writer and this book makes you yearn to be on vacation in the French Riviera. Sadie and Olivier had great chemistry and this book was very steamy. Olivier was a great character but I did find myself wanting a little more from Sadie. I don't love insta love books and I needed a little more build up to the relationship between Sadie and Olivier. I did like the suspense factor toward the end of the book. Overall, this was a light and fun summer read. This wasn't my favorite book of Karina Halle's but I am excited to read more of this new series!

#Discretion #NetGalley

Releasing August 6, 2019

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2PCN6Yb
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/KHalleDiscretion

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Karina Halle is my most read author and I am always excited for what she will be writing next. Her writing style, diversity of story lines, genres and locations all appeal to me.

Discretion is the first stand alone contemporary romance in a 3 part series that follows the Dumont family.

Set in France, it’s about Olivier Dumont from the wealthy Dumont Family and American backpacker Sadie Reynolds. Olivier was Sadie’s night in shining armour when she was mugged on her way to catch her train to Spain. I really enjoyed Sadie’s rough around the edges persona which was the complete opposite to the refined and proper Olivier. She didn’t mince her words and wasn’t pretentious. Olivier was drop dead gorgeous and had me drooling.

Olivier is hiding a secret from his father and sister and being blackmailed because of it by his uncle. But for me the secret/ scandal/ indiscretion was not commensurate with 2019 and probably wouldn’t even cause a ripple once it became common knowledge. The fact that this was the main driver of the story and the repercussions didn’t sit well with me and I was cranky about how Olivier handled it....
But there is a second book and whilst its not about Olivier and Sadie I’m hopeful that it will be addressed via his sister Serpahine or with appearance from Olivier.

For me, Ms Halle is hands down the best author at succinctly setting the scene and describing the surroundings. There is a scene at a beautiful castle in the Bordeaux region of France where the Dumont family is hosting a masquerade ball and it was so perfectly delivered I could actually visualise it clearly in my mind and feel like I was there with the characters.

There are some really HAWT scenes with Olivier and Sadie, so be prepared (wink wink]!

I am looking forward the Discretion the synopsis sounds fantastic and forbidden!!

I really didn't get into book until maybe at the 30% and that's when all the drama and secrets coming to light. I've never really been able to get into a Halle book before but this one did it for me. Really did like the mystery aspect and the romance wasn't bad either. Can't wait for more books in this series.

Discretion takes you for a ride through the elite world of a French fashion-house family. It was fun to read about the extravagant hotels, cars, and parties. The heat between Sadie and Olivier is intense, and I liked Olivier’s family (not extended family, obviously).

I did have a few minor hang ups- I didn’t understand why Olivier fell so quickly for Sadie, it didn’t feel realistic. It was BAM instant love. The whole “secret” plot of why Olivier would denounce his family’s business felt off, it was not a big enough deal to give up your billion dollar empire, but I suppose he was young at the time?

But hey, this is a romance novel in the vein of 80s and 90s soap operas, so who’s looking for realism? If you want a soapy, dramatic, glamorous ride through the French Riviera and Paris, this is a fun summery book for you. It doesn’t scratch any of the characters surfaces too deeply, but hopefully we’ll get to know them better as the series goes on. Overall I enjoyed it a lot!

2.5 -3 stars

I have to admit, requesting this arc was somewhat influenced by the cover, that guy just had some appeal and when I read the blurb it was definitely interesting. I mostly enjoy Karina Halle’s books but this one was a bit of a miss for me and I will try and explain why.

The Dumont family were alluring French designers and hoteliers. They were a rich and entitled set of two sides, one side of inscrupulous types and another side with some integrity. Olivier was a rescuer with a great accent when Sadie needed a knight. Their meeting had all the potential and promise. I really liked how they were from opposite sides of the track.

I could buy into their insta-attraction for a time but I didn’t buy into the emotional attachment that ensued rather quickly. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy or feel their connection when reading their physical relationship. I felt outside of the situation and not drawn in. I struggled to connect with either Olivier or Sadie on an individual level and so I felt separate from them as characters, with neither love nor hate.

What I did appreciate was the suspenseful element to the storyline although I do feel even that went a little far sometimes with the evil side of the family.

I think this will appeal to those seeking a quick, hot romantic suspense but unfortunately this wasn’t to my taste. Nevertheless, I know that Karina Halle is likely to write another book or series that will be.

Thank you to Montlake Romance and netgalley for the early review copy.

I love Karina Halle so I was beyond excited when I saw a new series coming out by her. When I got it I tried my hardest not to devour it but that's exactly what I did!
Discretion was amazing! It was totally setting the story for this series but didn't feel like a stepping stone. Sadie and Olivier was amazing! I loved both of them so very much! Their love story was amazing but not easy at times. The dramatic parts of this book was amazing. And the ending is making me want book two yesterday!!!

When a chance encounter turns into a whirlwind romance with some twists and turns. Sexy Frenchman Oliver is swoon worthy, yet is caught in a web. Backpacking around Europe, Sadie is saved by Oliver and finds herself swept away in the glamour of France. Throw in a bit of rivalry, secrets, mystery and you’ll be hooked until the end. I can’t wait to read Disarm.

Over the top unnecessary drama is how I would describe this book. I couldn’t buy into the chemistry between the main characters. Olivier seemed too immature and indecisive. During a time of conflict, his flippant attitude and lack of support of his sister make him seem like a flake. The plot is weak and the story bounces all over the place.

Swept Away in France!

Discretion is a contemporary romance story that is #1 in the Dumonts series. This is the second book by Karina Halle that I've read and I liked it so much that I don't know why I’ve waited so long to read her other stories.

Discretion is a duel point of view story that starts out with financially strapped Sadie, an American backpacker spending summer traveling Europe, staying in hostels and trying to figure out her future. One frightful night she meets Olivier a very rich French hotelier and her rescuer. Olivier is from a successful family in the French fashion world but has chosen a different path in hotel ownership. His family is spit in two, his father running the family brand sticks close to tradition while his vicious uncle wants to take over the company by any means possible. Olivier and Sadie have an insta-love romance that starts in the Riviera but quickly becomes complicated when you get involved with the Dumonts.

For the first 25% of the book I have to say I was a bit bored and ready to throw in the towel and give it 2 stars. Stranger Things season #3 was so good it was distracting me from wanting to continue this book. I am so glad I continued this story. The part that turned me off at first was the insta-love didn’t seem genuine and very overdone in romance novels. It just didn’t scream to me, “this is a unique romance event that no book has ever done before!” I actually thought to myself since the cliché insta-romance (rich and famous guy falling for the poor girl from a broken home) is so overdone that he would first start out as a villain and take advantage of a destitute backpacker, but it didn’t go that way and Oliver turned into this amazing boyfriend.

The second half of this book gained speed and kept me interested. I loved the Dumont family politics and drama and it was a nice change to have the drama on the man’s side for once! I also liked the dedication and confidence Sadie and Olivier had in each other even when I thought the insta-love was a bit far-fetched. So, the story ends not in a cliff hanger but definitely with a lot of things unanswered. So, I very much am looking forward to the next book. Could it be about Seraphine and Blaise? I am very much interested in their dynamic!

Karina Halle has done it again! Discretion is a the perfect read! It was that once in a lifetime love, passion, sex, with a dash of thriller. It kept me on the edge of my seat! Definitely would recommend this book!!

O M G

I'm not sure there is a word that could accurately describe my obsession for this new series. Karina absolutely nailed sexy, suspenseful, and French. Olivier is our sweet, protective, sexy, (and lets not forget rich) hero who saves our heroine Sadie from being mugged. S W O O N ! ! I'm a sucker for a knight in shining armor. Sadie is fresh out of a bad relationship and traveling solo before she has to go back to her mundane life in Seattle. Halle has this incedible talent of truly making you feel the connection between the hero and heroine, and I cannot wait for the second book in this series!

If you love a swoon worthy read with a touch of suspense and a lot of romance, you'll want to pick this one up.

3.75 stars

Ever since I watched Hostel I have been scared witless of backpacking stories. This, however, was a far more sexy-saucy French fashion/socialite version.

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate the handsomeness of the man on the cover? My. Word!

Ok so, when I received the opportunity of an arc for Karina Halle, I was super excited. I heart so many of her books. She definitely has a way with writing unique, funny, sexy characters. Smut and Bad at Love (especially the audio versions) remain some of my all-time favs. So, I was super excited to review this. I am not, however, a big fan of the angst. Ok so, I love angst presented in a very specific, very sexy version (Gossip Girl, The Royals, etc). And most of my apprehension at crossroad points in the storyline was unnecessary. I guess, I created my own angst regarding those slippery slopes we were approaching.

I did very much enjoy the book. And whoa boy, was there some super saucy times. Some of the interactions had me harkening back to that yummy sexy French actor (I think his name is Oliver Martinez) from Unfaithful. Whew. Yum! (and also b/c I'm American -and therefore clueless- and that's pretty much all I've got in my mental French persons dictionary- but as French peoples go- not too shabby, right?).

Anyway, the story... Sadie is backpacking her way through Europe and is at the tail-end. She began the tour with her boyfriend and somewhere in the middle, she broke things off because of some 'enlightening' information from back home. She continues on, he goes back home. So there she is in Nice, checking out of her hostel (***ugh, cringy vibes***) to take a train to her next location when she is attacked by some guy on the street (it's at night, don't get all crazy, it didn't happen in broad daylight). Enter Oliver, who is driving back from the train station and turned down the wrong street. He sees an altercation and stops to see if he can help. Sigh, meet-cute. Oliver not only beats up bad guys but then takes Saddie to the hospital to tend to her injuries. He is beguiled by the untrusting Saddie who also does not know who he is (French fashion royalty). He offers to care for her while she heals and she tentatively accepts. Thus ensues a rather hot start to an almost American cliched version of European travel. But as I've said, when you start to anticipate where the story goes or all the common pitfalls to the story, Ms. Halle changes it up (not too crazy- tipping-it-on-it's-ear type but steers it into a slightly different direction). There were definitely some points of all too common story plotlines but I'm not mad at it. There's potential murder, mystery, intrigue, the ever-elusive goings-ons of the European rich and famous, dirty secrets, villains, and super hot-saucy times. The author leaves us with plenty of continued questions going forward into further stories in this series. I am looking forward to more from Ms. Halle in this series!

I recommend this book for those that like a little angst with their romance, traveling love stories, French hotties, mystery and intrigue associated with rich peoples, and/or just love Karina Halle in general. *cheshire grin*

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for this generously provided ARC!

Power and money will take someone’s soul and twist it till it gets what it wants! Olivier finds himself the pawn in a game that one knows is being played! A forbidden mistake and years later Olivier finds himself desperate for hope till he finds himself at the wrong place but at the right time!

Sadie has had the worst luck and when she finds herself alone on her backpacking trip she knows nothing good lies ahead! When she feels all is lost Olivier pops in and changes her life in more ways than one!

A wild romance and all consuming love affair is inevitable for these two but they never saw the demons lurking in the dark! When unforeseen circumstances arise Sadie has to make a decision to risk it all to stay with the man she loves or run to save more then just him! The ultimate sacrifice will lay with Olivier! But be assured that this isn’t the last of the Dumonts and as the web of secrets unravel you will continue to get sucked in!

I enjoyed this side of Halle’s writing and the intense suspense that is in every page of this book! I can’t wait to continue to read on this family and see how it all plays out!

4.5 stars!

I've read a few of this author's books and they do tend to be a bit of a hit or miss for me because her books are all different! I've enjoyed a few of them though, so I always tend to buy her books, especially if they sound like something I would enjoy! I knew that this book was releasing soon and I received an ARC of it! I was intrigued by the synopsis, so I started reading it as soon as I could! After reading this book, I can say that I enjoyed it more than I was expecting too! The plot kept me wanting to read on and find out what was going to happen next and it developed at the perfect pace for things to develop! There was also plenty of romance in the plot, which allowed for quite a few seriously hot scenes between the two main characters! There were a few secrets as well that had a big impact once they were revealed and they changed the plot a lot! The characters were also amazing and made this book even better! Sadie was the main female character, and in this book she was travelling through Europe before going back to college and look after her mother! I liked Sadie a lot in this book! Her life did change quickly and she was a bit out of her depth because she was suddenly surrounded by wealth and powerful people, but I felt like she held her own! Sadie also tried her best to be there for her love interest and support him! Olivier was the main male character and love interest of Sadie! Olivier was seriously hot and he came from a wealthy family and had a lot of money! He had a hugely successful job that he was good at too! I did think that Olivier was going to be a complete ass because he came from money, but he was actually quite sweet and he made sure that Sadie was okay! Olivier was also hiding a big secret in this book and it did change things for him and his family when it was revealed! I also felt like Olivier had learned from his mistake and regretted it! This book was written from both Sadie and Olivier's point of view, which I loved! I was hoping that it was going to be written from dual point of view before I started reading and I'm really happy that it was! It added a lot to the plot, especially as both characters didn't spend every second of the plot together and they were both dealing with their own situations too! It helped me connect and understand Sadie and Olivier too! I now can't wait to read the next book in this series! I know that it's going to focus on secondary characters from this book, but this has me even more excited to read it because I'm intrigued to read their story! The next book releases in November, which isn't that long of a wait! At least it's out this year lol! I'll definitely be grabbing a copy once it releases and giving it a read! The cover for this book is also seriously hot! I loved it as soon as I saw it and it would definitely draw me to the book and make me check it out! The cover model is really hot too and is the perfect Olivier! Big thank you to Montlake Romance for an ARC of Discretion!

This is kind of a tough review to write as I'm not really sure what to say about the book. I didn't love it or hate it. I guess I didn't have any strong feelings one way or the other about the story line or the characters. I liked the characters enough and I did read the story in one sitting, but I didn't feel a strong connection to really anything in the book. I was also left with questions relating to some of the family dynamics. For me, I feel like it was missing something to bring it to that next level of a book I would love or want to re-read.

I have been reading Karina Halle's books for a few years now and it really excited me to see a publisher had picked her up. I have broken a number of personal reading rules for Karina Halle's books in the past and not been left disappointed. Discretion, however, is not my favourite from her repertoire. I felt the story took too long to get going and that too much was drawn out for too long without any necessary plot development cause. I can't say I'm convinced about there being more books to follow this which are likely to be filled with similar dramatics. I'm not invested enough in the Dumont family to care what happens. I enjoyed Sadie for the most part, and don't get me wrong, a Frenchman will always be a language winner. This one just wasn't for me, but it won't stop me reading other books outside of this series in future.

4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Discretion is the first book in the new Dumont family series and it has everything! It’s sexy and dangerous and there is so much intrigue! Olivier and Sadie are great characters and great together. They make each other better people and you could really feel their love grow. Karina brought France to life for this American reader and I felt like I was experiencing the French Riviera right along with Sadie. I really enjoyed this new book by one of my favorite authors and I am really looking forward to the rest of the series! I am especially intrigued by Blaise and I’m excited the next book will feature him and Seraphine.

ARC provided by Netgalley

the first in a new series this is an entertaining read - passion, intrigue, family drama and (mostly) France!

Olivier meets Sadie when doing a good deed... and something about her sparks his interest.... It's a bit of a whirlwind but of course it's meant to be! Slightly more complicated than a simple rich guy meets girl.... of course there is a scandalous tale and a scheming extended family!

Definitely a cliffhanger in the extended story but the other characters will certainly make it fun to see what happens next

2.5 stars
I REALLY liked how this story stated. But then, it quickly became weird for me. Like, it was 2 different stories in one. I thought Oliver was going to be this big Alpha, but he was kind of a wimp for no reason. His "secret" kind of lame. Not that big of a deal.