Wednesday 15 April 2015

Review: Envy by Sandra Brown

Envy by Sandra Brown
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication date: August 27th 2013
My rating:  5 stars 
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository 

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20957871-return-to-me

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.



14 comments:

Brandie said...

I've been intrigued by this one for awhile. I normally love her books, so I'm going to have to try this one. Great review, I'm glad you enjoyed it Rachel!

Anonymous said...

Ooh! I love the sound of the villain in this book, Rachel. He/she sounds twisty and manipulative and I love that of course. I've added some Sandra Brown books to my summer tbr pile so I'm looking forward to it. Also, a dirty talker who is a softie? I'm IN!
Lovely review, Rachel!

Piecraft Bucharest said...

Really good review, Rachel! It's been a while since I read SB and this sounds like the perfect book to return to her. What can I say? Narcissistic creeps are always fun to read, lol :)

Annette said...

"Our hero was unrefined and crass; a dirty talker who liked to shock, but one who had a vulnerable soft heart." Sandra Brown is so good at writing these kinds of heroes! I love her books - you're right they do smoulder! Glad this one was just as good as her other novels, I'll have to try and get it from the library. :-)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I am in the middle of a another slump. I think I need to read Sandra Brown. I just read my first Nora Roberts. I am headed to the library this week so hopefully I can snag this.

Joy said...

Right?! I really loved this one, too! I especially enjoyed the contemptuous start to their relationship. I feel Sandra does those well. And of course, the suspense is fantastic!

Anonymous said...

My co-blogger is a fan of this author, whereas I still haven't tried one of her books, but this sounds like a great choice to start. Hope my impression will be the same.Terrific review, Rachel!

Mary @ BookSwarm said...

You know I love the sultry Southern setting! Plus, an MC with a dirty mouth? Bring it on!

brandileigh2003 said...

maris does sound like a character easy to like !

Beena said...

Wow, you must have really loved this one Rachel, I do like the sound of the villain in this novel though. I have yet to check out Sandra Brown's work, lovely review overall! Benish| Feminist Reflections

Carina Olsen said...

Great review Rachel :D I'm so glad you loved this book so much. <3 I haven't heard of this author before, probably because I don't read adult books yet, hih, but I'm so glad you love her books :) This book do sound pretty great ;p Thank you for sharing about it. <3

Ksenia said...

Great review, Rachel! Like you I love that Sandra Brown’s villains are so awfully bad and they always are punished. While I appreciate complex ambiguous characters and open endings, I prefer my romantic suspense just like Sandra Brown does. I listened to an audio narrated by Victor Slezak. It was so good. I wish he narrated all of Sandra Brown’s books.

Wendy Darling said...

You are really speeding through the Sandra Browns, Rachel! I love it, and I love that you enjoyed this one so much. I haven't read any of her newer books in years, but you may just have persuaded me to give this one a shot.

I love Linda Howard's books, too--have you read any of her books? Or have we had this conversation before?

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Lauren @ Love is not a triangle said...

I don't know much about this author, but I do like mysteries and thrillers, especially when they involve bookish themes. I'm a little nervous about this romance, though I can't tell exactly how it develops, but I love finding an author that keeps delivering strong books to read. Great review!

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