Since the books in this series pick up where the previous one left off, I read them all in order one right after the other. And I felt like it was the journey that would never end! The first book is my favorite where we get to know the characters, the intriguing premise of the plot, and begin the travels of the Kensingtons and Morgans. I enjoyed the romance between Will and Cora in the second book, when she decides between Will and Pierre. The internal angst over her identity and relationship with her new family becomes a bit trying, but I appreciated the element of faith that was woven in. This third book left me feeling disconnected from Cora and Will, tired of the little dramas, and began skimming until the plot picked up with some danger and intrigue. The details of the countries and specific locations they visited were interesting at first but I eventually became weary of the descriptions. Overall I enjoyed the story but felt that it would have been more appealing as one or two books.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Well, I liked this book a lot and enjoyed the rags-to-riches Cinderella story - but I didn't realize this was the last book in the series for a while. When I realized that, I forgave myself for being "lost" and sat back and enjoyed it. I think I will go back and read the entire series over again, so that shows how good it was!

Nothing about this series works for me.

The acceptance of illegitimate children among one's legitimate heirs is practically unheard of during this period, a fact which makes the premise of this series difficult to swallow, but Bergren's prose lacks the sort of maturity and nuance I crave. I also struggled with "Saint Cora" who doesn't seem to have a single flaw beyond speaking out of turn on behalf of the less fortunate. I can't speak for others, but I desperately need more from a leading character.

Not for me and not something I can see myself recommending forward.

Reviewing old arcs, have tried to read but couldn't get into. Won't be trying again so no formal review will be posted on social media.

***I was blessed to receive this book for free from Netgalley!***

From start to finish, this series has captured my attention with an abundance of plot twists and interweaving stories. In the start with Glamorous Illusions, Lisa T. Bergren became one of my favorite authors, and I'm disappointed that this series is over. But she ended it in the best way that a good series has to end!

This is the conclusion of Cora Diehl Kensington's summer tour in Europe, but it's also so much more. It is the culmination of everything she's learned about herself and her family. There was so much action in this book that balanced out the budding romance between her and Will, and a new twist arose every five chapters. I saw on another review that someone thought the book should've been shorter, but I disagree. After one major surprise, I looked at my progress and was so relieved that it wasn't the end, just another twist along the way. It was a bit long, but to me, that's good- I could've had it go on for longer even. Throughout the book, Cora also has to face the decision between her two admirers: Pierre and Will. Even though I was rooting for Pierre throughout the books, I have to say that Will has a sweet side too. But he did frustrate me a lot because he kept letting his stupid jealousy get in between his relationship with Cora, driving her away. But there were things that they had to work through. One of my favorite things was seeing how Cora and her siblings came so far from the beginning when they could barely tolerate each other. It was sweet to see them genuinely act as brother and sisters.

This book. This series. I've loved all the books and can't get enough of them.

Pierre is something else. Let's just say that. My first impression books ago was that I didn't like him because I was rooting for Will. But then again I was really rooting for Cora to remain herself. To remain in charge and not give in to the pressures around her to act and behave a certain way.

Cora finds herself in this book. She figures out that she can be true to both her old self and her new self and that she can't go back to being only who she was before. That she has a purpose and she can fight for what she believes in but now she has money and power to back her fight.

Can Cora form a relationship with her father? What about with all her siblings? Can she stop her sister from the harsh reality of marriage to a man who will have his own way one way or another? A man who has no qualms about getting violent. But more importantly, can she save herself?

Some major twists and turns happen in this book. Huge plot twists that I could not predict. But I loved this book and the whole series. Highly recommend. Go get a copy!

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

"All that glitters is not gold."


Glittering Promises is the last installment in Lisa Tawn Bergren's Grand Tour series. It is preceded by Glamorous Illusions and Grave Consequences. Glittering Promises picks up where Grave Consequences left off. Cora Diehl Kensington and her travelling companions are in the middle of a Grand European tour but must face several challenges that threaten their physical safety and relationships within their group. The group is hounded by the press, who want to find scandalous information about Cora and her family. They must also find a way to avoid people who are intent in doing physical harm to Cora.


In addition to this, Cora must sort out her feelings for Will and Pierre, the two men who are vying for her heart. She must also determine what her future will be as part of the Kensington Family. When Wallace Kensington, her biological father, hands over controlling interest of the mines that exist on the land of her adoptive family, the Diehls, the consequences have far reaching effects that bring dramatic changes, division, and for some members of their group, even ruin.


When I first went through this book about three years ago, the narrative's ending made me quite upset. There is a happy ending for some characters, but not for all of them. I was also sort of blindsided by the identities of those who wanted to do harm to Cora. So, I left the book for a while. I didn't know that I would leave it for three years! Upon my more recent reading, I could see that the foreshadowing in the novel should have prepared me a bit for what was to come the first time that I read it. Perhaps I was looking for a light and romantic story, so to realize that it would not end well for all the characters was a bit disappointing.


Nevertheless, I thought that the novel was quite good. I especially liked it when Cora realized, that despite the tumultuous things that were going on all around her, the forces that operating against her, and the confusing changes in her social status, she remembered who she was: she was a daughter of God. The light that was in her life either made her attractive to others, or be viewed as a person to be scorned. For some, she inspired them to become a stronger and better person, while for others, she was an object to be manipulated in their attempts to get their own way.


As in Grave Consequences (I have not read Glamorous Illusions yet), Cora's point of view was in first person, but all other characters' points of view were written in third person. It took a while to get used to again, but I didn't find the changes between first and third person points of view as jarring as I did when I read Grave Consequences. I would not consider Glittering Promises a stand alone book; it resolves the mystery of who is pursuing Cora and her companions, a mystery which began in the earlier volumes of the Grand Tour trilogy.




Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of, "Glittering Promises," by Lisa Tawn Bergren from NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions stated in the this review are mine.

Lisa Bergren's gift for bringing Europe to life brings The Grand Tour Series to a satisfying ending. The growth of the characters is my favorite aspect of the series. One of my favorite authors!