Review: Envy by Sandra Brown

Envy by Sandra Brown
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication date: August 27th 2013
My rating:  5 stars 
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Sandra Brown, the #1 New York Times bestselling author, keeps readers turning pages with an explosive tale of a long-ago crime and the victim's plan for revenge...When New York publisher Maris Matherly Reed receives a tantalizing manuscript from someone identified only as P.M.E., its blockbuster potential-and perhaps something else-compels her to meet its author. On an eerie, ruined cotton plantation on a remote Georgia island she finds Parker Evans, a man concealing his identity and his past. Maris is drawn into his tale of two young friends and a deadly betrayal ... and to Parker himself. But there's something especially chilling about this novel, its possible connection to Maris's own life, and the real-life character who uses her, or anyone, to get what he wants.

My Thoughts:

To all outward appearances Maris Matherly-Reed leads a charmed life and has everything.  Books have been her passion every since she can remember, and she’s the sole heir to the well respected Matherly Publishing.  She’s totally immersed in the literary world and has a lot of power.  Maris also snagged publishing’s most eligible bachelor, Noah Reed, the author of her favorite book.  She was halfway in love with him even before laying eyes on him just because of his words. But seeing how gorgeous and charismatic he was, and the fact that he wanted her after breaking so many hearts was the icing on the cake.  While marrying Noah seemed like a dream come true, things seem a little off to her now.

Her doubts in regards to Noah get put on the back burner when a story from the “slush” pile catches Maris’ eye.  She reads it and is hooked, but realizes the rest of the book is not there. Neither is the writer’s contact info, only the initials: P.M.E.  Envy, as the prologue is called, recounts a day of celebration that goes horribly wrong and Maris desperately wants to know what happened.  She feels compelled to search for the mysterious P.M.E. not knowing the secrets and past she’s about to uncover.  

Envy was a real page turner with twists and connections at every corner. The villain was a master plotter, evil to the core; a narcissistic creep! After getting away with so much this person overestimated their cleverness and underestimated the intelligence of others; “pride comes before a fall” and I was eagerly looking forward to that fulfillment! It was sweet watching him/her get some of their own medicine because most of the book I wanted to reach into the pages and smack this person silly!

I adored Maris! She was sweet, pure-hearted and looked for the best in people or a situation, but wasn’t stupid enough to fall for bullshit when someone is trying to spoon feed it to her.

Our hero was unrefined and crass; a dirty talker who liked to shock, but one who had a vulnerable soft heart.  He had an intense pull on Maris, and she affects him far more than he expected.  Add in the steamy, sultry southern setting, and you have a recipe for a smoldering romance.  

Envy was another score for Sandra Brown, and as usual with her books I was glued to the pages! I usually end up putting aside everything else so I can finish and find out how it all turns out.  I think one of the best features of a Sandra Brown story is the fact that the bad guy usually gets a much deserved payback, one that is cleverly delivered.  Envy was no exception and I was grinning in satisfaction when this villain got their comeuppance! If you love mysteries with a hot romance or romantic suspense and haven’t picked up a Sandra Brown novel, you are definitely missing out.