Wicked Game by Jo Lambert

 

My Review:

I was wary when I first started this story as it has a character list to begin with, giving brief information on all the people in the story and their relationships to each other. It is a great idea to put this before the story because it did give a flavour of how many different thread are woven into this story which is a total mix of multiple family melodramas, rock star escapades, danger, deceit and romance. It is an intricately woven tapestry of people, families, events and drama that I really didn’t want to put down until I reached the end.

Three of the characters are definitely not appealing – at least initially! There are complicated relationships within the D’Alesandro family, with a manipulative matriarch endeavouring to ensure her stepson marries the woman she has chosen, regardless of his or anyone else’s feelings. There’s a pop star, Christian Rosetti, who is a real male diva who demands his own way. The third such selfish person is a young lady who thinks nothing of manipulating others and fighting back if anyone steps in the way of her goals, demonstrating no remorse of consideration for anyone hurt by her actions.

There are more great and very likeable characters, too, especially in the delightful village which is the main setting. There is more than one romance in the story and it proved to be a riveting read. The author brought the different scenarios to life, encouraging the reader to empathise with the dilemmas and events affecting the characters. Most of the story for me is a definite 5* read but I’m still coming to terms with what was for me a rather abrupt ending after all the drama and this really impinged on my overall enjoyment of the story. Everything is resolved, all is sorted but the final chapter felt somewhat rushed and terse, but that’s probably just me and I definitely loved the previous >98% of the story and would still highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys contemporary small community drama with an international setting.

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book without obligation and this review is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

Synopsis:

Fashion designer Thérèse D’Alesandro has recently moved into Westhead Manor with daughter Felicia and stepson Marco. Joining forces with neighbour Ella Benedict, she is about to open a bridal boutique at Ella’s exclusive wedding venue Lawns at Little Court.

Managing his father’s European restaurant chain, Marco has both the looks and charm to guarantee him any woman.  Any woman, that is, except the one he wants: Ella’s niece Charlotte.  Marco knows he should walk away as not only is she the most exasperating female he has ever encountered she’s currently in a relationship with rock star Christian Rosetti. But the chemistry between them is undeniable and sensing trouble brewing between Charlotte and the egotistical singer he is prepared to wait.

Charlotte’s cousin Lucy has discovered Christian’s guilty secrets – ones he has been keeping safely hidden from everyone. Determined to cause mischief and at the same time settle her own score with the arrogant star, she sets in motion a chain of events which eventually brings Marco and Charlotte together.

Thérèse’s husband Gianlucca has invited the granddaughter of an old friend to stay as a house guest while he undergoes heart surgery. Rossana Caravello is due to inherit the one of Italy’s premier vineyards on her twenty first birthday in September. Aware this would make an excellent addition to her husband’s international business portfolio, Thérèse plots to push the young heiress and her stepson together. Rossana is already besotted with Marco, but if the plan is to have any chance of success first she needs to get rid of Charlotte…

Please note Wicked Game was previously published under the title The Other Side of Morning.

Purchase Link

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wicked-Game-Jo-Lambert-ebook/dp/B07LD8XF75

US – https://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Game-Jo-Lambert-ebook/dp/B07LD8XF75

Author Biography:

Jo Lambert lives on the eastern edge of Bath with her husband, one small grey feline called Mollie and a green MGB GT. She is the author of seven novels. The first five collectively known as the Little Court Series are saga/romances set in West Somerset. For book number six she ‘moved’ over the border into South Devon. Summer Moved On became the first of two linked contemporary romances. The second, Watercolours in the Rain was published in October 2016. In June 2018 Jo signed to Choc Lit and her eighth novel, The Boys of Summer, set in North Cornwall will be published in 2019 under their Ruby imprint. Jo is currently working on another coastal romance, this time set in South Cornwall.

When she isn’t writing she reads and reviews. She also has an active blog.  Jo loves travel, red wine and rock music and she often takes the odd photograph or two.

website: http://jolambertbooks.com

blog:  http://jolambertwriter.com

Twitter: @jolambertwriter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jolambert185

Giveaway – Win £15 Amazon Voucher (UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then the organiser reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time it will be deleted.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494177/?

Follow the Tour!

Many thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for providing materials for this post and organising the tour. The review is my own, honest opinion after choosing to read this book.