tourbiezreads 's review for:

Duplicity by Elodie Hart

5.0

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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5 Stars✨
4 Spices 🌶️

"I can’t bear to think about how it would have been without him. And through it all, he’s asked for nothing. Nothing. Everything he’s given us, he’s given it freely. No agenda. And definitely no recompense. - Marlowe Winters

To what extent can we save our child? Will you put everything on the line, even if it means using your body to make ends meet?

The second book in Elodie Hart's Seraph Series, Duplicity, examines themes of introspection, sacrifice, and profound maternal love. It revolves around Brendan Sullivan, an esteemed CEO with an alpha-hole and playboy character, and Marlowe Winters, a single mother struggling financially to fund her daughter's heart surgery.

After Tabby's congenital heart condition has reached a deadly level, Marlowe must figure out the fastest means to cover costs for the surgery in the United States. Following being dismissed for leaving early to attend to her daughter's medical needs at the hospital, Athena suggested that she join Seraph. Brendan was her first client when she joined the agency after swallowing her pride and overcoming her fears.
In addition to being an EA and a sex on tap for Brendan, she has a second life as a single mother after work hours, without sharing much of the reason she became a Seraph with him. She does a fantastic job of concealing her other identity from Brendan. So far, the excuses and lies she consistently offers whenever Brendan attempts to encroach on her personal life have been effective.
They find it difficult to keep their affections for one another within reasonable bounds as they spend more time together, both professionally and intimately. Until Marlowe was humiliated by Brendan's shameful act.
Can Brendan regain her trust and even win her love after discovering the whole truth about Marlowe's and realising his feelings for her?

She lets her eyes drift shut and I take her in like never before. I really see her. I see the stresses and the sacrifices; I see the vulnerability and the bravery. I marvel at her, at the hidden depths I didn’t even know to plumb. - Brendan Sullivan

PLOT
The emotional beats in Elodie's novels are consistently delivered with a deft balance between passion and heartbreak.
Although some might perceive this book to be a romance, the plot of Duplicity is excellent in presenting a mother's challenging journey to save her child's life and Brendan's self-exploration and redemption through his monumental act of grovelling. I think the book was written exceptionally well because it ticked and surpassed all of my expectations, because I love the grovelling trope.

CHARACTERS
A great mother is often the driving force behind any successful individual, and in this book, Marlowe has made numerous sacrifices and provided unwavering support. Her character embodies the extraordinary fortitude and tenacity that come with being a mother. In addition to the fact that her trials have impacted me as a mother, I felt moved by her eventual liberation from it.
However, Brendan's self-absorbed, man-child demeanour could be a bit (well, perhaps most of the time) obnoxious. But his ADHD is the cause of his unrelenting, blatant need for validation. Nevertheless, after his awakening, his heart is pure and made of gold. His grovelling was tremendous, and I must say that he gained my favour and atoned for his carelessness over these chapters.
I've been charmed by both Brendan and Marlowe's characters, who never fail to remind me of the sufferings that all people, regardless of wealth, must undergo.

CHEMISTRY
We saw an ember being ignited since Marlowe and Brendan first met in Audacity, and it has continued to spread and transform into sexual fireworks throughout this novel. You want more intimate moments with these two because of their chemistry, which radiates and sizzles off the pages. I know I did.

In conclusion, and along with my 5-star rating, Duplicity is really more than just a book about romance, healing, and embracing one's sexual self-confidence. It's also a thought-provoking and reflective tale which highlights the fortitude, perseverance, and unwavering devotion that mothers embody.

Thank you to Elodie/Sara and her Team for allowing me to be part of her ARC team and for trusting me to read Duplicity in advance.