Sandy M’s review of So Close (Blacklist, Book 1) by Sylvia Day
Contemporary Romance published by Ronin House 28 Mar 23

After a number of my favorite authors have taken a break from writing, pursued different projects, and a host of other things that have kept them from readers for years, I now hold my breath when one finally has a new release, hoping against hope the latest book gives us a hint of the writers we have loved for so long. Some are successful and some aren’t.

Fortunately, Sylvia Day still has her mojo and gives us an intense, sexy, and mysterious story surrounding a man who pines for – some even say obsesses about – his deceased wife. Kane Black still lives and breathes everything Lily, who was lost at sea six years earlier. He works day and night to keep his mind occupied. But then the unbelievable happens – he spots Lily on the street, his life has meaning again, and the mystery of Lily only gets deeper.

Kane’s mother, an ex-lover now married to his brother, and his butler all give their points of view as the story continues, taking us in directions we always learn are nowhere near the truth. If you think you have anything figured out as you read, you will eventually be blown away when the first part of Lily’s truth is finally revealed.

While we are finally given a good look into what she has been up to for six years, we only get so much by the time the story ends. Everything will not come together until the second book is released in October. Not a huge cliffhanger, but one big enough to keep you thinking about everyone involved and all their happenings for all those months until you have Book 2 in hand.

I did enjoy this book, and I had hoped it would be on par with the Crossfire series, but it doesn’t quite reach that high. Kane, though, is definitely on par with Gideon – sexy, lustful, focused, always gets what he wants, and loves to the depths of his soul.

A different ride from Ms. Day, but one that is well worth the time.

Grade: A

Summary:

You can’t believe all of them, but can you trust any of them?

Widower Kane Black is still ruinously married to his late wife, Lily. Grief has hollowed him… until he sees a woman with his wife’s inimitable beauty on the streets of Manhattan. He whisks her up to his towering penthouse, protectively under guard, nestling her in dark opulence where Lily’s memory is a possessive beguiling force.

Aliyah, Kane’s mother, deals in science. There are too many questions, too few answers, and too much at stake. “Lily” has dangerous control over Kane and there can be only one queen on the throne.

Amy, Kane’s sister-in-law, has been bloodied by deceit and betrayal, and she’s devolving into murderous rage. She’s paid too high a price and now intends to claim what she’s owed.

Three women, linked by buried secrets, circle the man who unquestioningly accepts the return of his beloved long-dead wife. Kane is happier than he’s ever been, and he’ll do anything to stay that way.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: