Book Review: Glimmer (Glimmer & Glow #1) by Beth Kery

Glimmer
Glimmer & Glow #1

By:
Beth Kery

Published:
May 5, 2015

Publisher:
Berkley Romance

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Source:
eARC from publisher for a honest review

GR's Summary:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Because You Are Mine, a scorching new novel about forbidden desire… 

After graduating from her M.B.A. program, Alice Reed is surprised when she’s recruited for the management training experience at legendary Camp Durand, owned by Durand Inc.’s young, billionaire CEO, Dylan Fall. The company usually recruits from Ivy League schools, not insignificant colleges like Alice’s. 

Alice enthusiastically accepts, but she still wonders why Dylan would choose a girl from the wrong side of the tracks for the prestigious program. But after a passionate encounter one night, she discovers exactly why—Dylan wants her, and Alice can hardly resist his fierce sexual appetites, though she is amazed that she could appeal to an experienced, sophisticated man like Dylan. 

As Dylan introduces her to thrilling, erotic territory, Alice discovers a delicious new part of herself. Night after night, she steals away to find ecstasy and escape in Dylan’s arms. But behind her lover’s powerfully magnetic facade, Alice senses darkness, secrets from Dylan’s past lurking in his beautiful, lonely mansion—secrets that are starting to haunt Alice. And the ghosts of the truth might tear Dylan and Alice apart forever . . .

Lindy's Thoughts:

I was attracted to the beautiful and erotic book cover of Glimmer.  This is the first story that I've read by Beth Kery, and I was excited to dig in.  Glimmer is told exclusively through the main character, Alice Reed's point of view.  Alice had a horrible upbringing.  Her mother was a Meth addict and constantly in and out of jail.  Alice grew up in an impoverished and dangerous environment. She is highly intelligent, quirky, logical, and a bit aloof.  

Alice put herself through college as an undergraduate and graduate student.  Now that she has her MBA , she is shocked and excited to learn that she has been accepted in to a very selective, and much sought after position as a Camp Counselor for "Camp Durand."  This is the way in which Durand trains and then chooses the best to work for their company. 

Dylan Fall is the enigmatic, sexy, and powerful billionaire CEO of Durand.  Dylan and Alice share an attraction, and for some inexplicable reason Alice finds herself fascinated and drawn to him.  Alice finds herself working at the camp during the day, and spending hot, steamy, erotic nights with Dylan.  However, as Alice spends more time at Camp Durand she finds herself seeing and hearing the unexplained.  What mystery surrounds Alice, and is Dylan Fall a part of it?

I have mixed feelings about Glimmer.  The beginning of the story had a lot of telling versus showing, rough transitions from scene to scene, and Alice wasn't very likeable.  She came off as cold, brusque and aloof at times. Dylan was intriguing, but a mystery.  The middle of the story gave us more showing as far as the plot, and a ton of erotic sex scenes.  However, it dragged, because I felt like the plot was a bit stagnant, and needed something to happen to make it more exciting.  The end was the best part of the story!  This is where readers finally see more clues being revealed about the mystery, and all of the action and unveiling happens in the last twenty percent of the story.

The mystery in the story was what kept me turning the pages.  I really wanted to know what was going on at Camp Durand and in Dylan's home.  I think the story would have been better if more action took place in the middle of the story.  Also, I got bored with the numerous drawn out love scenes.  While some threads were wrapped up in the end, we have a to be continued, until the sequel, Glow, comes out.

My Rating:

I give, Glimmer, 3.5  Mysterious, Enigmatic CEO, Sexually Adventurous Stars!  I'm interested to learn more about the mystery that was revealed at the end of Glimmer.

Ro's Take on this Journey:

Glimmer, by Beth Kery, is an exciting novel that gives it's readers a story within a story.   Alice is a quirky young girl, from the wrong side of the tracks, quick witted, and smarter than hell with numbers.  She is hired, by Dylan Fall, to work as a counselor for troubled teens at the infamous Camp Durand.  Alice doesn't understand the sudden stroke of luck, but she goes for it!  

Dylan Fall, the CEO of Durand Inc. is a billionaire.  He was a young kid when he first came to Camp Durand.  He was from the wrong side of the tracks, from a drug mother, and penniless.  Mr. Durand and his wife take him under their wing, and eventually treat him as part of their family.

As Alice and the mysteriously brooding, Mr. Fall become entangled in each others lives, Alice discovers that she has a voracious appetite for the erotic, and an undefinable, and mesmerizing attachment to Dylan Fall.   She just doesn't realize it, until Dylan makes her see what she has been missing.

The story of Alice and Dylan is a mystery within a mystery.  There are so many intangibles involved is this masterfully written novel.  Ms. Kery has given her readers a deeply rooted story that they can't even begin to fathom unfold before their very eyes.   The secrets of the mansion on the hill, Dylan Fall, Alice, and the Durand's, all come full circle to an epic crescendo you will never forget! 

My Rating:

I give, Glimmer, by Beth Kery, 3.5 Sizzling, Secretive, Erotic, Full Circle Stars!!!  I don't want to miss out on the sequel, Glow, coming soon!

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About Beth Kery:

Beth Kery loves romance, and the more emotionally laden and sexy the romance the better. She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Because You Are Mine, When I’m With You, and Exposed to You. Her books have been translated into over eleven languages.

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