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A twisty and suspenseful tale, this story weaves around two main characters.

Charlotte (Lola) Wilson, our narrator on this dark and winding road, is a complicated woman. A lover of luxury (and in particular, fabulous jewels), orphaned as a teen and estranged from her sole remaining (and deceitful) sibling, Charlotte has learned the hard way that life can be cruel. And so, perhaps, can she.

Sam Young, a handsome charmer, offers a life of adventure, riches, and passion. Sam, who works as a casino-based croupier on luxury cruise-liners dotting the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, is everything Charlotte has ever dreamed of. Or is he?

Charlotte and Sam make a gorgeous and wonderful couple, text-book perfect – or so it appears. As we hear their story in alternating “then” versus “now” chapters, ( as told by our perhaps-reliable narrator, Charlotte ) it becomes crystal clear that one, or both of them, may be playing a dangerous and even villainous game, leaving a trail of hurt and broken victims, in a seemingly endless loop of callous duplicity, making it fiendishly impossible for the reader to sort out who and what, to believe in.

As the plot escalates (no spoilers here, you will have to read the book), with Sam missing, Charlotte finds that she may have to “face the consequences of all past actions alone “- on her own as she crews, and is paradoxically trapped, on a super-yacht hosting a luxury cruise to Barbados, surrounded by more opulence than even Charlotte can imagine, ship-mates with a cast of impenetrable and exceedingly rich characters – one of which may be plotting to kill her.

As secrets and more secrets unfold in this fast-paced read, – percolating with rage, vengeance and unquestionable greed – this story will keep you guessing as you turn the pages, right up to the claustrophobic, nail-biting ending (with a final twist this reader only partially guessed).

A great big thank you to @Harpercollinsca for an ARC of this #BooksofHCC. All thoughts presented are my own.