Tate James is an author that is an immediate purchase for me. Whatever she’s writing, I’ll read it. So when her new series, Valenshek Legacy, was complete, I ran for my Kindle. James is the reigning queen of heart-stopping cliffhangers, so I knew better than to start before the series finished. I binged this series in about a week, and Valenshek Legacy did not disappoint.
Tristian Ives is a graduate art student who works on the side restoring paintings. Her only family is the elderly couple next door, who love her like their own daughter, and her boss is a little sketchy, but over all, Tristian is doing just fine. Then her thesis advisor and professor falls ill and is replaced by John Smith, who is a thorn in her side from the moment she meets him. A very sexy thorn.
John Smith is an art history professor, but he’s also a world-class thief. He’s in town for one reason only to win The Game. In order to win The Game, and reclaim his grandfather’s legacy, he needs to steal a long-missing work of art, Van Gogh’s Poppy Flowers. Tristian is his ticket in. She would be a much easier mark if she wasn’t so enticing.
Tate James is one of my favorite romance authors for when I just need to check out and have some fun. Her work, normally in the Why Choose sub-genre, has evolved from three best friends sharing a girl in the first series, to rival gang members in the next, to murderous enemies actively trying to kill each other in the last of the Shadow Grove why choose novels.
Admittedly, the beginning of the first book in this series didn’t capture my heart quite as much as the author’s previous works, but her Shadow Grove books are so incredible that they were always going to be tough to beat. I hate to leave a series unfinished, especially with an author I love so much, so I stuck with it and was very glad I did.
By the second book, I was completely and utterly hooked. These books are super smart, with an entirely unique plot, and great twists that will keep you engaged until the final page. The infusion of real-life works of art, that have truly been stolen and never recovered, was such a perfect addition to this story. If you like a romance with lots of action and intrigue along with toe-curling spice, I highly recommend the Valenshek Legacy series.
Spice Level: 3.5
Writing: 4.5
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