Monday, September 23, 2019

Book Review: Smoke in her Eyes

If you are a regular reader of this blog (thanks!), you'll recognize this author's name because I reviewed the first book in what will be a trio. I really enjoyed the first book so when I had the chance to read book two I jumped on it! I'm crossing my fingers for book 3!

Smoke in Her Eyes - Anna Belfrage

Six months ago, Helle Madsen would have described herself as normal. Now she no longer knows if that terms applies, not after her entire life has been turned upside down by the reappearance of not one, but two, men from her very, very distant past.

Helle Madsen never believed in mumbo-jumbo stuff like reincarnation—until she came face to face with Jason Morris, a man who purportedly had spent fifty lives looking for her. Coping with being reunited with the lover from her ancient past was one thing. Having Sam Woolf, her vindictive nemesis from that same ancient past join the party was a bit too much. Suddenly, Helle finds herself the reluctant heroine of a far-flung, time-transcending epic story, one in which pain and loss seem to play a very big part.

This time round, Jason and Helle are determined to make it to the happily ever after. Unfortunately, Sam Woolf will stop at nothing to crush them. That ride into the golden sunset seems awfully far away at times…

If you know me you know that historical fiction isn't really my jam. I'll read it but it has to really be special for me to enjoy it. While this isn't really historical fiction, it does flash back from the WAY distant past and then today, so it's kind of like... a modern historical fiction. Does that make sense? Probably not but we're going with it.

In book one we left off on a cliffhanger, Jason & Helle weren't in the best shape but they were together, and Sam was in even worse shape and really pretty pissed off. He's determined to take Helle for his own, like he's done every other time around, but Jason is stopping at nothing to get his chance of happily ever after with Helle. Helle, by the way, isn't a useless damsel in distress, she's coming into her own and she's not going down without a fight. She has an idea of which guy she wants to be with but she wants them both to understand it's 2019 and she's not a possession.

The great thing is that even in book one these characters were developed really well and had a back story, characteristics, and personalities but this book enhances them. Everything feels more and bigger, and I was here for it.

Jason and Helle's relationship is tested by jealously (which we saw a tinge of in book one, but it's definitely a strong theme in this book), but also Helle is really insecure in this book which I felt was.. I'm not sure. I didn't love it, but I could understand why she felt that way. Someone from Jason's past comes back making trouble, people are hurt left and right, we have erotic scenes (which were great), and Sam is absolutely bonkers. He's the villain that you know is the worst but you also want to see how completely over the edge he's going to go and he's really pushing it in this one. Jason.. I didn't really love him in this one and felt like he was pushing Helle away and the whole thing with his aunt felt  little odd.

Overall? A solid 4 stars from me. Anna Belfrage is a particularly exceptional writer and she's able to give us realistic historical passages and flawlessly switch to today and it almost feels like two stories in one. We have a lot of build up in the bulk of the book and the sexual tension is great, and the last big thing in the book is PERFECT and sets us up for book 3, which I am anxiously awaiting.

   
   
A huge thank you to Anna Belfrage and TLC Book Tours for my ARC- I'm excited to get the chance for part two! This post contains affiliate links which cost you nothing but I get a couple of cents and it helps keep the blog going! 

1 comment:

Anna Belfrage said...

Thank you for a lovely review!