This book seemed to jump around a lot and the conversations weren’t very cohesive. I just don’t have the want to try and figure it all out. It wasn’t making sense and I got bored pretty quickly.

Also, I got an uncorrected ARC and it had tons of errors that really messed with my enjoyability of the story line.

This was a good lead in for the series of the Benedict bothers series. Laid the ground work for the family history and second chance for Tilly and Keaton. It seemed a bit unrealistic that the relationship was able to rekindle so rapidly, however I enjoyed the author's style and intertwining of past and present. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

A danger filled, captivating read! With the kick off to a new series, we are quickly drawn into a story of lost friendships, scandal and danger knocking at their door. The characters are easy to like, the story is intriguing and though not perfectly developed, the plot keeps our attention throughout. A solid read!

Childhood best friends and fledgling first loves Tilly Brock and Keaton Benedict were unjustly split apart before they could ever even start to live the lives they were destined to carve out together. She lived through a scandal with her family and went on to struggle to make her way in the world. He lived the good life, but finds himself still yearning for more.

When a chance meeting brings them together again and has them reminiscing about the past and rediscovering what happened to the other after they were torn apart, the attraction they once felt is alive and well and undeniably strong. A jaunt into what could have been leads them into danger and has them watching their backs and racing against time to figure out who's set their sights on them ... and why!

Very formulaic romantic suspense. Fans of the author and series romance will enjoy it.

After her father was accused of embezzlement and fired, Tilly Brock had to make her own way while dealing with her mother’s cancer diagnosis. Tilly’s waitress job at a strip club kept her going, and she had only a few months left of college. After some minor drama with two of the dancers, Tilly is both thrilled and embarrassed that Keaton Benedict was back in her life, after seeing her at the club. Suddenly, people in Tilly’s life are turning up dead, her apartment is ransacked, and her one-time best friend, Elise, is back in town and determined to land Keaton as her husband at any cost.

First off, there are too many dead and/or injured people whose only connection is Tilly. What’s so important about Tilly? Is it just her newfound connection to Keaton? Why does the same cop always seem to be available any time someone else gets killed or injured? The book was all right, and while I got the romantic part, I didn’t really get the thriller aspect. I do have theories about The Gentleman and about Jade, but I’ll keep that to myself.

Amazing thrill ride, this is my first time reading Tara's writing and will definitely be checking out more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for giving me an ARC of this book. The review below is purely my own opinion:

3.5 Stars.

This is the first full length novel in the Sons of Broad series. Although it can be read as a standalone, I would definitely recommend reading the first 3 prequel novellas (Shattered Fear, Hidden Fate, and Twisted End) that started it all and set the stage so nicely for this book.

In a nutshell: (1) Pace was fast. (2) Plot was engaging. I still don't know "whodunit". And (3) Characters were interesting.

At this point, I've invested enough into tho the series that I want to read the next book.

I could not get into this book. I didn't like the writing & thought the story-line was rushed.

I read the novellas prior to this book and while you can certainly read this one without reading those I think you get a bit of background that helps make this one more enjoyable. I enjoy the mystery/suspense parts of the book more than the romance in both the novellas and this full length book. The mystery/suspense kept me reading and I enjoyed finding out a bit more about the villain AKA The Gentleman. Tilly and Keaton were likable characters but I just didn't feel the chemistry between them and the relationship was very instant. After 8 years apart Keaton basically decides he's still in love with Tilly and wants to do something about it after bumping into her at a gentlemen's club. Their is a bit of other woman drama as well. Although I like the suspense plot I'm not sure I'll continue to read this series.

A serendipitous meeting leads to a second chance at love
A past that is seeking vengeance has come looking for justice
An engaging and thrilling read

It is a slow build that flows easily -transporting the reader into the story - continually stimulating our quest for answers with little twists and revelations that keep you guessing and on the edge - only to deposit you upon a cliff - yes we are left hanging at the end but, in my opinion, it is worth it
I enjoyed the main characters and found them easy to connect with
I am definitely looking forward to getting some information on the brothers - I am a bit on the fence about them but I think that was the author's intention
I have a lot of questions that I need answers for - being a series it has left me with that "suspense high" that any good thriller should .. I have heard there are prequels to this book - I was able to read this as a standalone without pause though I am looking to read the previous stories
I read a complimentary copy of this story

Enjoyed Keaton and Tilly's story, great combination of romance & suspense.

Having read the prequel novellas to this series, I was looking forward to reading more of this series. Even though I did take issue with the heroine of the novellas, I liked the overall mystery surrounding "The Gentleman." In this installment, there is a new couple featured that is also on the Gentleman's hit list for reasons that have not yet been revealed. While I enjoyed most of Tilly and Keaton's story, I did feel as though some threads were unresolved. Of course, the big one is who is the Gentleman and what is his endgame? There are still two more books in the series so I didn't expect a resolution on that front. But I'm wondering are all the unanswered threads connected? If they are, kudos to Tara Thomas for pulling it off. If not, well... Guess I'll just have to read the other books to make a final determination.

I did like reading Darkest Night but it didn't quite gel with me. I couldn't connect with the main characters and felt that the story was a bit flat in places. I also felt that that the book raised more questions than it answered. Would I read it again? I don't know.

This is a gritty, suspenseful, fast-paced story that was hard to put down! Great start to a new series! This is Keaton and Tilly's story so much suspesne with a good portion of romance. Look forward to the next in the series!

This is book one in a new series. It is a little more intense than I like to read in a book. Tilly has always had a crush on Keaton Benedict and when he returns to Charleston and walks into the bar where she is working they both remember their youthful romance. Now as they start to date, a killer wants to hurt the Benedict family and has targeted Tilly to torment Keaton. The book is definitely part of a series as the cliffhanger ending will have you panting for book 2.

3.75 * rounded to 4

This book started off slow for me but did quickly pick up. There was just too much going on in the first couple of chapters that made the book feel frantic. Honestly, I was not sure what to expect and how the story would turn. Charleston is one of my favorite cities to visit, which was the primary reason why I chose to read this book. I did enjoy the scenes where Charleston and some of the cities establishments were mentioned. I also liked both the H/HE but did not care for the brothers. Both appeared to be extremely cocky, full of themselves, and displayed a demonstration of how old money reacts to others. Apparently, there are three novellas prior to this book, but I was not aware until after I completed this one. I was able to follow the story and characters without reading the prior books.

The storyline definitely had promise with Keaton and Tilly. I enjoyed both characters and was rooting for them. However, the story felt a little off with these two. After being separated for eight years as children without even speaking to each other, they professed their undying love upon Keaton running into Tilly at a gentlemen’s club where she was working as a waitress.

I will continue with this series since this one did end in a cliffhanger, which I absolutely despise in a book. The twist did work for this one!

reunion that should have been sweet, but instead, revenge and murder stalk them both. After reading the prequel novella series, I was ready to meet the Benedict brothers and get more of the villainous The Gentleman.
Review

The story opens with Keaton Benedict returning to Charleston after graduating from college and discovering his childhood friend and crush, Tillie Brock, working her way through school and just keeping her head down was there all along after her family lost face when her dad was wrongfully accused of embezzlement. At the same time, the mysterious and powerful man only known as The Gentleman has set in motion his plan to destroy the Benedict family for an unknown need for revenge. Meanwhile, a woman has returned to town and she is dead set on having Keaton for a husband even if it means doing ruthless things to have her way.

I went into this one with a healthy dose of wariness after my experiences with the earlier prequel novellas. It was good that I had lowered my expectations. This one had the same problems I encountered in the earlier novellas. It has great bones to the plot and so much potential, but it ended up being under-developed all around- characters, romance, and the suspense line. I almost stopped reading twice and did end up skipping pages, but chose to keep going because of those underlying bare bones of a good story.

I love the mysterious revenge plot against the family and I loved meeting the three Benedict brothers. I enjoyed the bantering between the oldest brother, Kipling, and the cop who is investigating the murders (Alyssa who we met in the prequels). The mysterious assassin, Jade, was probably my favorite part and I have my suspicions about who she really is in regard to the Benedicts and why she is conflicted between helping to destroy them or not.

I ended up enjoying all the peripheral things rather than the main pair and their romance. They were nice and likable, but I wasn’t really give much to make me feel more strongly about them. Keaton and Tillie slid right into love and there was no conflict or hesitation and yet, they occupy much of the book. Neither are strong willed or strong characters- she does claim independence, but also has a lot of need in her. Nice, but boring thus I skipped.

I am intrigued enough to want to continue, but I think I’m going to have to adjust to how these books tend to skim across the surface with hints of potential depth. Darkest Night was moderately engaging and an easy, quick read. I will cautiously recommend this book/series to light romantic suspense fans.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was unaware that there were previous short stories about these characters. Although the premise was interesting, I found the book to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read. The relationship of the main characters just felt too rushed and contrite, as if the author was trying too hard to convince us that those two were in love. It just did not feel authentic. I did not like the quick transition from separated childhood friends to lovers in no time flat. Also, the behavior of the ex-friend was just too over the top, rendering the character almost cartoonish. While the mystery portion of the story was more interesting, nothing was ever established about the Gentleman's identity. Apparently, he played some role in the other stories.

The book was in great need of an editor. Grammatical errors were abundant and sometimes, it was simply difficult to determine what exactly the author was trying to say. She switched from her viewpoint to his and back again. In addition, we were privy to other characters' point of view. It just became confusing. Scenes switched rapidly and should have became new chapters. Instead, they were the next sentences.

Finally, there was a cliff hanger ending that I did not anticipate and did not appreciate. If I had been aware of that type of ending, I probably would have passed on reading this one.

Maybe I am too critical but this was a great story told erratically, the romance was pretty much "insta-love" the mystery and plots within plots got tedious as it went along but the overall story did keep me reading until the end without scanning. Add in a bit overdone erotic moments that added little if anything and it detracts from my enjoyment.

I tend to dislike books/series that keep the same "bad guy" but i am assuming that if I consider what looks to be a trilogy that he will be caught in the last book.

The overall mystery was good, the background was good but I also tend to get irritated when I get to the end of a book with too many questions (a few that I fear won't get answered in the other books).

So with all those thing I dislike and a story I really DID like I am giving it 3 Stars but for a book that had to lay a lot of background for the other books I am assuming I will be raising that rating for the next books

Suspense & romance, this book was right up my street.

I really enjoyed it & will be looking for the next book in the series