Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
This review can also be found in Currant7 Recommends
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Alexandra "Lex" Evanston is an up and coming successful lawyer. She is smart, resourceful, and caring. But due to unfortunate events, she had to turn her back to a rewarding career in law to become a property manager. She loves her Alpha Romeo, and even with all its issues, she still hangs on to it like there's no tomorrow. It's the only one in her life that hasn't let her down yet.
Carter Ross is the CEO of R&R realty and owner of the Estate, located about three hours away from the city. It was his rest home and where he finds his refuge from the city's bustle. After a messy divorce, he thought he could heal and get on with his life...not really. Somehow, with a past like Carter, expect them to come crawling back for more of him.
A chance meeting turned into something more when they realized that they would be (a) working together and (b) staying in the same location. As their "chemistry" from their first encounter seeps into their working relationship, each part of their past comes a-knocking to disrupt (and destroy) the peace they have at the Estate.
The book is from multiple character POVs that did not feel confusing. It is not my first encounter with the author. Based on her previous books, the writing of The Estate is different - more developed plotlines, mature characters, and thought-provoking ending. I was more engrossed in the book as I dug deeper into the lives of Lex and Carter. The character traits and personalities came out organically and made me "feel" for them.
Both main characters are "unhinged" because of their pasts. Their unique stories is a cautionary tale of being abused, deceived, and beaten down. It seems like past ex's, greedy and dangerous relatives, colleagues, and families all wanted a piece of the couple - ripped apart to shreds and "put in their places." It is a fascinating one, especially when Lex and Carter start fighting back and taking control.
Before being a lawyer, Lex did not have an easy life. Her family drama can be a prologue book from this one. She is from a different world as Carter and had to work her way up the food chain on her own. Being given a chance in a law firm by one of the partners was her big break. Unknowingly, that big break did her undoing from a fast track to success to having her world implode in more ways than she realized. In all fairness, she was doing her job, but her work collided with "powerful" people. "Forced" to change occupations, she decided to leave law for a more "quieter" job and way from the city. She is resilient, but the moment that "broke" her and bared it all for Carter. I shed more tears on her fears than I expected. If I thought Lex's story was sad and crazy, Carter's worst.
Carter is a kind and caring man. Too bad he got taken advantage of due to this trait. He had to put up "a front" to everyone around him to control his emotions and protect them. He has made too many "sacrifices" in the same of his family and the business. His position in the company became precarious one a lot of changes after his wedding, and he was way over his head with his personal and professional sides. The shift in controlling management made his life "interesting," especially with his status as a husband and CEO all at the same time. After a huge betrayal, he made sure that he focused on work alone. With all that, he considers himself a broken man unworthy of anything, especially "love."
When Lex and Carter realized that their paths were "meant-to-be" and that they have something in common, things started to move at a feverish pace. They have a big mystery in their midst that they know how are involved but not how deep and complex the conspiracy they stumbled upon. I remember trying to speed read through because things between Lex and Carter (sort of) got sorted out, and there are "bigger players" at play in the game of R&R realty. How will they survive the "secrets revealed" without sacrificing the other?
**FYI - Lex felt her past repeating when it all came crashing down. I felt it in the pit of my stomach, but I could not stop what was to happen like a runaway trainwreck.
Overall, the cast was stellar. The plotline is compelling from start to finish. It might be helpful to note that the book might be lengthy, but it was not difficult to get through. It was relatable and manageable. I enjoyed the trip down Lex and Carter's respective flashbacks, and the "aftermath" got to me. There were so many hidden secrets, backdoor dealings that I understood by then the reasons for the length. Many quiet emotions went back and forth between Lex and Carter, balanced with the chaos unleashed further into the story. I appreciate these rational, deep-thoughts moments juxtaposed with the climatic HEA in the end. This book is the whole lifetime of Lex and Carter - past, present, and future rolled into one. I love it!
Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Alexandra "Lex" Evanston is an up and coming successful lawyer. She is smart, resourceful, and caring. But due to unfortunate events, she had to turn her back to a rewarding career in law to become a property manager. She loves her Alpha Romeo, and even with all its issues, she still hangs on to it like there's no tomorrow. It's the only one in her life that hasn't let her down yet.
Carter Ross is the CEO of R&R realty and owner of the Estate, located about three hours away from the city. It was his rest home and where he finds his refuge from the city's bustle. After a messy divorce, he thought he could heal and get on with his life...not really. Somehow, with a past like Carter, expect them to come crawling back for more of him.
A chance meeting turned into something more when they realized that they would be (a) working together and (b) staying in the same location. As their "chemistry" from their first encounter seeps into their working relationship, each part of their past comes a-knocking to disrupt (and destroy) the peace they have at the Estate.
The book is from multiple character POVs that did not feel confusing. It is not my first encounter with the author. Based on her previous books, the writing of The Estate is different - more developed plotlines, mature characters, and thought-provoking ending. I was more engrossed in the book as I dug deeper into the lives of Lex and Carter. The character traits and personalities came out organically and made me "feel" for them.
Both main characters are "unhinged" because of their pasts. Their unique stories is a cautionary tale of being abused, deceived, and beaten down. It seems like past ex's, greedy and dangerous relatives, colleagues, and families all wanted a piece of the couple - ripped apart to shreds and "put in their places." It is a fascinating one, especially when Lex and Carter start fighting back and taking control.
“We’re all a little broken.”
— Lex, The Estate
Before being a lawyer, Lex did not have an easy life. Her family drama can be a prologue book from this one. She is from a different world as Carter and had to work her way up the food chain on her own. Being given a chance in a law firm by one of the partners was her big break. Unknowingly, that big break did her undoing from a fast track to success to having her world implode in more ways than she realized. In all fairness, she was doing her job, but her work collided with "powerful" people. "Forced" to change occupations, she decided to leave law for a more "quieter" job and way from the city. She is resilient, but the moment that "broke" her and bared it all for Carter. I shed more tears on her fears than I expected. If I thought Lex's story was sad and crazy, Carter's worst.
Carter is a kind and caring man. Too bad he got taken advantage of due to this trait. He had to put up "a front" to everyone around him to control his emotions and protect them. He has made too many "sacrifices" in the same of his family and the business. His position in the company became precarious one a lot of changes after his wedding, and he was way over his head with his personal and professional sides. The shift in controlling management made his life "interesting," especially with his status as a husband and CEO all at the same time. After a huge betrayal, he made sure that he focused on work alone. With all that, he considers himself a broken man unworthy of anything, especially "love."
When Lex and Carter realized that their paths were "meant-to-be" and that they have something in common, things started to move at a feverish pace. They have a big mystery in their midst that they know how are involved but not how deep and complex the conspiracy they stumbled upon. I remember trying to speed read through because things between Lex and Carter (sort of) got sorted out, and there are "bigger players" at play in the game of R&R realty. How will they survive the "secrets revealed" without sacrificing the other?
**FYI - Lex felt her past repeating when it all came crashing down. I felt it in the pit of my stomach, but I could not stop what was to happen like a runaway trainwreck.
Overall, the cast was stellar. The plotline is compelling from start to finish. It might be helpful to note that the book might be lengthy, but it was not difficult to get through. It was relatable and manageable. I enjoyed the trip down Lex and Carter's respective flashbacks, and the "aftermath" got to me. There were so many hidden secrets, backdoor dealings that I understood by then the reasons for the length. Many quiet emotions went back and forth between Lex and Carter, balanced with the chaos unleashed further into the story. I appreciate these rational, deep-thoughts moments juxtaposed with the climatic HEA in the end. This book is the whole lifetime of Lex and Carter - past, present, and future rolled into one. I love it!
"So, if there's something the matter, I need you to tell me. If you leave, Lex," he sucked in a deep breath. "You'll leave me in more pieces than you found me in."