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rellimreads's review against another edition
4.0
Careless Whispers is book 3 in Synithia Williams’ Jackson Falls series. There are storylines that run throughout the series, so I recommend experiencing them all and in order – starting with the novella, The Promise of a Kiss.
I luuuuuurrrrvveeee Williams’ story for Elaina and her nemesis-turned-lover Alex. Elaina is known as an ice queen, but there’s a real woman with feelings underneath. Alex thinks he can break through – but whether or not he can do it without getting cut by the shards is a different story.
This is a long and twisty road for Elaina and in fabulous Robidoux style it happens with secrets, lies, subversion, and opulence. Patriarch Grant Robidoux is particularly heinous and the decades of manipulation and self-serving maneuvering come to light.
I know I keep saying this - but this series is glorious!
Narration:
I continue to adore Adenrele Ojo’s narration. She does a good job with all the characters and their various emotions.
I luuuuuurrrrvveeee Williams’ story for Elaina and her nemesis-turned-lover Alex. Elaina is known as an ice queen, but there’s a real woman with feelings underneath. Alex thinks he can break through – but whether or not he can do it without getting cut by the shards is a different story.
This is a long and twisty road for Elaina and in fabulous Robidoux style it happens with secrets, lies, subversion, and opulence. Patriarch Grant Robidoux is particularly heinous and the decades of manipulation and self-serving maneuvering come to light.
I know I keep saying this - but this series is glorious!
Narration:
I continue to adore Adenrele Ojo’s narration. She does a good job with all the characters and their various emotions.
_geminigenres's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jigsawgirl's review against another edition
4.0
This is the best book in the Jackson Falls series. I don't know if its the last, but out of the 3, it is the best.
Elaina's character, extremely unpleasant in book 1, less so in book 2, is completely revealed in this book. Elaina in this book is like peeling back the layers of an onion. She was lashing out from anger and insecurity. There was an intensity to Elaina that I did not find in her siblings.
I thought the narrator did a great job in expressing Elaina's fears and pain. Alex proved to be the right partner for her because he was strong enough and secure enough to stand up to the onslaught of Elaina's barbs.
This book is full of family drama. I don't care how many times it is reiterated in the book that Grant has his children's best interest at heart, he is shown to be nothing but A destructive force of nature in their lives.
I really liked when the siblings stood up for one another. The last few moves that Elaina made were epic. By that, I mean from where Elaina started in the first book to this book was a road well traveled successfully.
I was completely engaged in this book from beginning to end. Alex and Elaina get their HEA and the family drama seemed to finally be put to rest. I'm glad, because it was an exhausting journey.
Elaina's character, extremely unpleasant in book 1, less so in book 2, is completely revealed in this book. Elaina in this book is like peeling back the layers of an onion. She was lashing out from anger and insecurity. There was an intensity to Elaina that I did not find in her siblings.
I thought the narrator did a great job in expressing Elaina's fears and pain. Alex proved to be the right partner for her because he was strong enough and secure enough to stand up to the onslaught of Elaina's barbs.
This book is full of family drama. I don't care how many times it is reiterated in the book that Grant has his children's best interest at heart, he is shown to be nothing but A destructive force of nature in their lives.
I really liked when the siblings stood up for one another. The last few moves that Elaina made were epic. By that, I mean from where Elaina started in the first book to this book was a road well traveled successfully.
I was completely engaged in this book from beginning to end. Alex and Elaina get their HEA and the family drama seemed to finally be put to rest. I'm glad, because it was an exhausting journey.
whatebonyreads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
andrea_author's review against another edition
5.0
Tired of being trapped under her father's thumb, Elaina starts her own business. When her newest supplier turns out to have ties to her nemesis, Alex, she doesn't flinch. She's learned how to separate her emotions from her business decisions. The more she sees Alex outside of work, the more undeniable the attraction is between them. But when her father tries to use Alex to undermine her, will her family drama tear them apart?
This book engrossed me from start to finish. The story never dragged, even though it strongly focused on the character development. I couldn't help feeling for Elaina, and the way her father kept gaslighting her. It was wonderful to see Alex stand up for her, when even her siblings didn't have her back (they're clearly just as damaged by her father's manipulations as she is). This was an excellent portrayal of a dysfunctional family, and I was rooting for Elaina to escape and grow into her own person.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book engrossed me from start to finish. The story never dragged, even though it strongly focused on the character development. I couldn't help feeling for Elaina, and the way her father kept gaslighting her. It was wonderful to see Alex stand up for her, when even her siblings didn't have her back (they're clearly just as damaged by her father's manipulations as she is). This was an excellent portrayal of a dysfunctional family, and I was rooting for Elaina to escape and grow into her own person.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
amyreadsandsails's review against another edition
4.0
mf - Best of 2021 - work rivals/enemies to lovers - 4 stars - I thought this was a really interesting take on the enemies to lovers. Elaina is a "cold hearted bitch" but through the book she slowly realizes that she takes it too far. Very interesting growth arc.
jen286's review against another edition
3.0
In general I enjoyed this story, but I did have a few issues with it. This is the first book I have read from this author, and I am curious to read more. My issues? A big one was Elaina's problematic use of alcohol...which no one really brought up during the book until the end. Like she would say she monitors how much she drinks so she doesn't overdo it, but then drinks a bottle and a half of wine when she is upset...like it is an issue. But I guess she gets help with that in the end.
My other big issue is her father, Grant. I hated him so so so much. Even when everyone told him what he is doing is hurting Elaina, that it is not good, that they have issues with is, he still goes ahead because ruining her is "for her own good." I hate that. So so much. Like no. If he were my father I would have cut him out of my life entirely. Just because we are related does now mean you cannot enforce boundaries and cut people who repeatedly hurt you out of your life. Family doesn't mean anything if your family is not kind and loving and caring. I know Elaina had her own issues with being horrible to people when her emotions got to be too much for her, but because we got to see the story from her side you can be more sympathetic. I wish there would have been a better cathartic moment with Grant in the end. He was horrible. And you don't have to put up with that.
So yeah. I enjoyed how great Alex is with Elaina, but these issues kept it from being a great read for me. Still I would try more of the author's work and see how it goes.
My other big issue is her father, Grant. I hated him so so so much. Even when everyone told him what he is doing is hurting Elaina, that it is not good, that they have issues with is, he still goes ahead because ruining her is "for her own good." I hate that. So so much. Like no. If he were my father I would have cut him out of my life entirely. Just because we are related does now mean you cannot enforce boundaries and cut people who repeatedly hurt you out of your life. Family doesn't mean anything if your family is not kind and loving and caring. I know Elaina had her own issues with being horrible to people when her emotions got to be too much for her, but because we got to see the story from her side you can be more sympathetic. I wish there would have been a better cathartic moment with Grant in the end. He was horrible. And you don't have to put up with that.
So yeah. I enjoyed how great Alex is with Elaina, but these issues kept it from being a great read for me. Still I would try more of the author's work and see how it goes.
brandece1's review against another edition
5.0
After reading and really liking the second book in this series and really liking Elaina as a side character I was so excited to pick up Carless Whispers. This book is 100% my favorite book in the series! I loved it so much. Elaina has been the character I've been most excited for since I started this series. I'm not usually a fan of the enemies to lovers troupe, but this worked for me. I'm sure it's because we get a glimpse of Elaina's feelings with/about Alex from the first book or not, but I loved having the background of their relationship, and being able to see them become lovers. Elaina is my favorite of the siblings. She comes off as an ice princess and angry, but she is so much more. It was so nice seeing why she is the way that she is, coming to terms with a lot of things in her life, and her finally getting her HEA not only in her love life but her life as a whole. I adored Alex as a hero. He is that cinnamon roll hero that I adore. I loved them as a couple. I actually loved everything about this book. No complaints.
barbistull's review against another edition
5.0
This series is definitely one of my favorites. I have been waiting for Elaina's HEA and it is finally here!
Elaina is smart, strong, and a bit hard to love. She doesn't realize that her directness can come across as prickly and rude. She works hard for what she wants and doesn't care who gets in her way.
Elaina is the CEO of the family business and is threatened by Alex, who has joined their business in R&D. Despite Elaina's prior firing of Alex, and her father's rehiring, Alex has no intentions for going after her job, though Elaina allows him to get under her skin.
A bumpy road is ahead for Elaina as she breaks out on her own to start a new business venture. Undeterred by her father's attempted interference, Elaina is forced to think outside the box to ensure her future success.
Alex can't deny his attraction to Elaina and their relationship may be just what Elaina needs to figure out what it is she really wants.
Thank you to Netgalley, Synithia Williams, and HQN books for an advanced copy of this book.
Elaina is smart, strong, and a bit hard to love. She doesn't realize that her directness can come across as prickly and rude. She works hard for what she wants and doesn't care who gets in her way.
Elaina is the CEO of the family business and is threatened by Alex, who has joined their business in R&D. Despite Elaina's prior firing of Alex, and her father's rehiring, Alex has no intentions for going after her job, though Elaina allows him to get under her skin.
A bumpy road is ahead for Elaina as she breaks out on her own to start a new business venture. Undeterred by her father's attempted interference, Elaina is forced to think outside the box to ensure her future success.
Alex can't deny his attraction to Elaina and their relationship may be just what Elaina needs to figure out what it is she really wants.
Thank you to Netgalley, Synithia Williams, and HQN books for an advanced copy of this book.