Book: The Secrets of Clarence Manor (Deluxe Edition) by Devney Perry
Reviewed by Anonymous
Rating: 4.25/5
"Sometimes the blood in your veins is a curse, not a blessing."
I enjoyed this one so much! It was such a refreshing change from Devney Perry's usual romances, with a darker feel to it that I wasn't expecting, but it worked so well and made the story completely addictive. I loved getting to know the three characters through their individual POVs and slowly uncovering their layers as the story progressed. Having little pieces of information revealed throughout each perspective, only to have to wait until the next time I was back in that character's head to learn more, had me flipping pages so quickly. There was so much depth to each of them, and I loved discovering their secrets and truths.
The spice was a lot more than I expected going into this book, and honestly, I'm not mad about it! It suited the darker atmosphere and the characters' personalities, adding to the overall feel of the story.
One of my favourite things was the way the secrets, lies and role of wealth all intertwined to create so much tension. There was something sooooo intriguing about this world and the dynamics between the characters, and I loved exploring that side of the story. It gave the whole book this seductive, slightly dangerous atmosphere that made it so easy to get caught up in everything happening. I was always wanting to know what was really going on and could not put it down. Even though the setting and lifestyle are so far removed from what I can relate to, it still felt somewhat realistic because of the emotions and struggles the characters went through. It just shows that no matter our situations in life, we are all human and all experience similar emotions and feelings.
And there were definitely some moments that had me so shocked! I loved the way Devney brought everything together, with the layering of secrets and relationships throughout the story showcasing her creativity and flexibility as a writer. I also appreciated getting to see her explore something a little different from her usual romances while still managing to capture my attention so completely. Devney has such a talent for drawing me into her stories, making me invested in her characters and keeping me turning pages, and I love that she can do that regardless of the genre or plot.
My only small thing was that I think there could have been less spice. Whilst I loved the spice and how it deepened each relationship, I wanted a little more time on the plot and secrets aspects. A few scenes to feel repetitive, and I feel additional plots could have been explored during that time. That said, it didn't take away from how much I enjoyed the overall reading experience.
Overall, I really enjoyed Secrets of Clarence Manor and loved seeing Devney Perry step into a darker, more seductive kind of story. I was thoroughly entertained and constantly curious about what would happen next. Devney truly is an incredible storyteller, and I'm always excited to see and read what she comes up with next!