Under the Palms by Kaira Rouda #bookreview #series

Thank you to ThrillerBookLovers Promotions, Thomas & Mercer, #partner, for an advanced e- copy of Under the Palms in exchange for my honest review.

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Published: May 21, 2024

 

Summary:

During a weekend retreat, a powerful family plays a dangerous game of dark secrets and cold-blooded ambition in a novel by Kaira Rouda, USA Today bestselling author of Beneath the Surface.

Under the direction of the Kingsleys’ new president, Paige, the family has gathered for a weekend retreat at a luxurious Laguna Beach resort.

Still clinging to the hope of succession are the sons of Richard Kingsley, the family patriarch and John, the oldest, who’s clawed his way back from a dark tragedy, and Paige’s estranged husband, Ted, the golden boy. When Richard’s ex and his wayward daughter join the fray, Paige finds herself with two fast allies. They know a secret that could shatter the family legacy. Call it leverage, call it revenge, the Kingsley women believe they have the upper hand.

But as the power games begin, greater threats than the howling Santa Ana winds are coming. Because this weekend, amid so much greed and betrayal, no Kingsley is safe. It’s family. Watch your back.

 

My thoughts:

I have long been a fan of Kaira Rouda’s books. She does crazy so well and I just have such fun reading her books. This is the second in her Kinsleys series and I was so happy to have more time with them. As I expected, it was another wild ride, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I highly recommend reading this series in order. So much happened in that first book, Beneath the Surface. Not only do you meet the wild and crazy Kingsley clan but you will really understand the bulk of what is going on with the whole succession plot line here in this installment. Plus…it’s just such a great book!

In this book, Paige, the new president of Kingsleys, has decided a corporate retreat is in order and so the family has gathered at the Laguna Beach resort. Of course, nothing goes as planned and not only are there a few surprises in store for just about everyone, but the Santa Ana winds are wreaking havoc on everything as well. Disaster lurks around every corner and no one is safe.

Once again, we have a deliciously fun story based on a family that is so dysfunctional it almost hurts to watch. The backstabbing, petty revenge and sibling rivalry that happens is borderline over the top at times, but given who these characters are, it all works. Again, if you have read the previous book, you know they are just being true to themselves. Each character is so fully formed and continues to be developed and I just love this. Whether you like them or not, they are acting true to themselves.

I loved that this one takes some unexpected twists that I did not see coming…and this happens a few times. I really had no idea where this one was headed and that kept me on my toes all the way through.  And let’s not forget about the tabloid snippets…those were just icing on the cake! I do hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the Kingsleys…they have become my new favorite dysfunctional family!

 

Books in this series:

1. Beneath the Surface
2. Under the Palms – due out May 2024