The fourth part in the New York Times bestselling series, The Blackstone Affair: A bright beginning for two damaged souls fighting for their hard-won love, and the promise of a new hope to secure their happily ever after.
Fresh from an idyllic honeymoon along the Italian coast, the Blackstones prepare for the birth of their precious baby and the challenges of settling into a new home. But things get complicated when specters from the past reappear to threaten the very foundation of their relationship. Ethan and Brynne will have to fight harder than ever for each other. Rare and Precious Things is the story of two people who both need the other in order to be complete, but learn just how "rare" their brand of love is when they have to risk everything in order to hold onto it.
“What are we doing on the beach?” I asked, as he led me along the cool sand under my bare feet.
“Having our date. Trust me, baby. This is something I have all planned out for us.”
“I bet you do. I am well aware that when you say date you really mean sex—”
My words were lost as we rounded a turn in the beach path and came out onto the shore. The waves lapped at the sand with the soothing sounds of water moving against earth. A sliver of moon glowed up over the water, but the real beauty was the many glass jars lit up with tea lights set out on the soft sand of the beach. What seemed like hundreds of them flickering away around a pallet of blankets and pillows. Off to one side, sat a bucket of iced drinks and what appeared to be little dessert cakes on a tray with some fresh fruit.
“It’s beautiful, Ethan.” I could hardly speak as I realized what he’d done. “How did you do…all of this?”
He led us onto the blankets and drew me down to sit beside him. “It was my idea,” he began, “but I needed some help to pull it off. Franco got it organized while we were at the party.”
I looked around behind us, imaging if the caretaker for our villa was lurking in the dark hoping for a glimpse.
“I know what you’re thinking, but you don’t have to worry, baby, Franco is not in the bushes watching, trust me.”
I laughed nervously. “Well, if Franco is in the bushes somewhere, I am predicting he’s gonna get one hell of a show.”
“Now that’s what I like to hear. My girl accepting the idea of a hot beach shag,” he whispered teasingly against my ear, his tongue flicking out for a lick along the shell. “You like my surprise.”
My body came instantly alive, needing him so badly. Ethan could get me hot with just the simplest look or touch. He reached up and worked on the messy knot holding up my hair and unpinned it. He was getting good at figuring out my hair. It made me smile to watch him as he found the pins and pulled them, knowing how he’d be fisting my hair in handfuls and using it to dominate when we were deep into the sex.
“You’re smiling,” he murmured as he worked over my hair.
“I just love to watch you doing simple things.”
My hair fell free. “This is not a simple thing to me,” he whispered, fingering through the tangled length with both hands. His gaze grew smoky as he focused on my lips. “It’s everything.”
*Mild spoilers for the previous books*
Given the choice, of course I wanted more Ethan Blackstone. Who could say no to that drool-inducing, hunk of book boyfriend? However, I have to say that I had my reservations about a fourth book in this series. The third book left me quite satisfied. And then I read Rare and Precious Things and could not have been proved more wrong. This book is the conclusion I didn't know I was missing until I read it. Ms. Miller gave her characters the closure they deserved and a fantastic read her readers will grapple for. When Eyes Wide Open ended, I did feel a little bereft but, the characters were happy so I couldn't really ask for more. Be it a "thank you" to fans, or a nagging story untold, Ms. Miller delivered an exquisite conclusion to one of my favorite series. Complete with demons being confronted, mind-blowing chemistry, a love like no other, and a baby that has everyone buzzing. This book will melt your heart.
Rare and Precious Things begins in an overlapping scene with the ending of Eyes Wide Open. We get the whole erotic shebang of Ethan and Brynne's wedding night, and honeymoon then move on to them making their life together. Through the dual POVs it is apparent that while they are both putting on a brave face Brynne and Ethan both suffer from the harassment of the demons of their pasts. The anxiety they both constantly feel is bleeding from their past to their present and threatening to smudge the beautiful life they have fought so hard for. The biggest trial Ethan and Brynne will face to date is putting said demons to rest before they bring their child into this world. It is a journey that is neither easy nor welcome. But with all these two had been through, I found it hard to believe their blissful love and happiness wouldn't win once again.
Rare and Precious Things is a must read for everyone. Haven't read the previous books? Hop to it and then catch up with this lovely and unapologetically perfect ending. I will forever be envious of Brynne. And if I thought Ethan couldn't be more endearing, I was sorely mistaken. Just wait until you get a load of Daddy Blackstone. I don't think I have swooned that much in my entire life. This book is nothing like I thought it would be, it's a million time better. In short, this is one last journey of two people that are meant to be together but, have to learn those ropes in tandem, while fighting their pasts separately. Yes, they were there for each other but, only Ethan and Brynne could fight the monsters that still haunted them. They had to come to peace with their individual demons before they could solidify their life together, forever. And seeing them come together with their histories more under control and starting their life together was beautiful. Ethan and Brynne have to be two of the strongest characters I have ever read. And yes, I will miss them immensely but, I am so incredibly happy with where Ms. Miller left their story. However, I'm sure I will revisit them quite often. Ethan is just too yummy to stay away from for very long.
Happy Reading!
*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
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Meet Raine:
Raine Miller has been reading romance novels since she picked up that first Barbara Cartland book at the tender age of thirteen. And it's a safe bet she'll never stop, because now she writes them too! Granted Raine's stories are edgy enough to turn Ms. Cartland in her grave, but to her way of thinking, a hot, sexy hero never goes out of fashion. A part-time teacher and writer of sexy romance stories every other chance she gets pretty much fills her days. She has a handsome prince of a husband, and two brilliant sons to pull her back into the real world if the writing takes her too far away. Her sons know she likes to write stories, but gratefully have never asked to read any, thank God! Raine loves to hear from readers and to chat about the characters in her books.
